NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 26-Police in Eldoret have arrested a suspect linked to a series of violent robberies in the Munyaka area, recovering a suspected stolen laptop, three mobile phones and an assortment of crude weapons.The suspect, who police believe is affiliated with a criminal gang known as Brothers 13 (B13), was arrested on Friday, September 25, 2026, in the Roadblock area following intelligence and tip-offs from members of the public.The National Police Service (NPS) said officers from Kapsoya Police Station acted on the information before apprehending the suspect.“He is linked to a series of violent robberies that have recently plagued residents of the Munyaka area,” the NPS said.During the arrest, officers recovered a suspected stolen laptop and three mobile phones, which were taken to Kapsoya Police Station as exhibits.The suspect was escorted to Kapsoya Police Station, where he is being held pending arraignment.The NPS credited members of the public with providing information that enabled officers to identify and arrest the suspect.“The National Police Service appreciates members of the public for their continued collaboration,” the police service said.Police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the toll-free emergency numbers or at the nearest police station.The arrest comes amid police efforts to disrupt criminal networks involved in violent robberies in Eldoret and surrounding areas.
Read briefing KISUMU, Kenya, Sep 25 – The Kisumu County Government has launched new regulations to guide the implementation of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Education Act, 2023, in a move aimed at strengthening the management, quality and delivery of early childhood education services across the county.The 2026 ECD regulations provide an operational framework for ECD centres and daycare facilities, outlining requirements for registration, learning infrastructure, nutrition programmes and the general welfare of children.County officials said the regulations are intended to translate the provisions of the 2023 ECD Education Act into practical measures that can be implemented at centres across Kisumu.The county described the framework as one of the most comprehensive regulatory measures for the ECD sector at the county level.Speaking during the launch, County Executive Committee Member for Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services John Awiti said the regulations would provide a firm foundation for improving early childhood education.“This is one of the most fundamental milestones that we are making because we now have the document that will assist us and enable us to lay a stronger foundation for the future of our children,” Awiti said.Awiti said the regulations address the establishment and registration of ECD centres, standards for learning environments and the provision of nutrition and feeding programmes for young children.County Chief Officer for Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services Bovince Ochieng said implementation would focus on creating environments that support children’s learning and overall development.“We ensure that our children have proper feeding programmes as well as nutrition at the early age, because we are looking at the holistic development of our children mentally, psychologically, academically and also in terms of their well-being,” Ochieng said.He said proper infrastructure and an appropriate curriculum would also be critical to ensuring that the regulations achieve their intended objectives.Ochieng added that implementation would require coordinated efforts between the county government, education stakeholders and partners involved in the ECD sector.Director of Education in charge of Early Childhood Wilikister Odera said the focus would now shift to implementing the provisions contained in the Act and the new regulations.“As a director, I now know that the only work that is remaining is implementation of the regulation. As the one leading the actors on the ground, we are going to ensure that we do full implementation of the regulation,” Odera said.She said the county would work with various partners to identify areas of collaboration and partnership to ensure all components of the regulatory framework are put into practice.“Whatever is contained within the Act as well as the regulation, we will make sure that we incorporate them within the document, and as different partners, we will see the areas of collaboration and partnership so that we make sure that all the components of the document are implemented,” Odera said.Assembly leaders and county executive officials who attended the launch pledged to support implementation of the framework, saying the regulations would provide a legal basis for coordinating ECD activities, child welfare programmes and partnerships within the sector.The county government is expected to work with ECD centre managers, teachers, parents, development partners and other stakeholders as implementation of the regulations gets underway.
Read briefing KISII, Kenya, Sep 25 – More than 150 households in Bonchari Constituency are set to receive electricity for the first time following the launch of a last-mile connectivity project in Nyabiendi village.Residents who said they had lived without electricity for about six decades celebrated as officers from the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) began implementing the connectivity exercise.Kisii Woman Representative Dorice Aburi said the project would transform the lives of families that have relied on alternative sources of lighting for generations.“For 60 years, these families have lived in darkness. Today, that story ends. Electricity is coming to light their homes,” Aburi said.REREC is mandated to implement rural electrification projects and spearhead Kenya’s renewable energy drive. Its electrification programmes are aimed at expanding electricity access in underserved communities.Aburi said access to electricity would improve education, security and economic activities in the area.She said children would have more time to study after dark, while small businesses would be able to operate for longer hours.“This light is not just electricity, it is security, it is education, it is business. Our children will now read at night and our mothers can do business past 6pm,” she said.REREC says rural electrification contributes to improved education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, employment and security in communities that gain access to electricity.The Corporation’s current grid electrification programmes include projects targeting households and public facilities in underserved areas, with the objective of bringing electricity closer to communities.Alongside the electrification project, Aburi distributed improved cooking jikos to elderly women as part of efforts to promote cleaner cooking and reduce exposure to household smoke.She also issued mosquito nets to vulnerable families, citing increased mosquito activity during the ongoing rainy season.“This rainy season has come with many mosquitoes. I have brought nets to keep our mothers and children safe from malaria, and these improved jikos will save them from smoke and save our trees,” she said.REREC officers said 150 households would benefit during the first phase of the project, with additional areas expected to be targeted in subsequent phases.Residents welcomed the development, saying it ended decades of waiting for electricity.“We have been using tin lamps since 1963. Today we are seeing electricity poles in our village for the first time. We thank her for remembering us,” said Jane Bosibori.Aburi is seeking the Bonchari parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election, according to the information provided during the launch.The electrification project comes as REREC continues implementing programmes aimed at expanding electricity access to rural households and communities across Kenya.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 25 – Kenya is seeking to deepen economic ties with Hungary as part of efforts to diversify its international markets and attract investment, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said.Mudavadi said the discussions focused on strengthening Kenya-Hungary relations and translating diplomatic ties into greater economic opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs and young people.He made the remarks after meeting Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Orbán on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.The talks explored opportunities to expand bilateral trade and investment, strengthen development cooperation and deepen people-to-people ties between the two countries.“Kenya is looking beyond traditional markets to build stronger economic connections across Europe,” Mudavadi said.He said Kenya’s economic diplomacy was aimed at attracting investment, opening new markets for Kenyan enterprises and creating opportunities for young people.The Prime Cabinet Secretary said the government was particularly interested in partnerships that can connect Kenyan talent and businesses to international markets while contributing to job creation and economic growth.Mudavadi said the engagement with Hungary formed part of Kenya’s broader efforts to strengthen international economic partnerships.The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has identified trade, investment, value-added exports, technology transfer and local manufacturing as key areas of Kenya’s economic diplomacy.Kenya and Hungary have previously identified trade and investment, education and agriculture among areas with potential for deeper cooperation.During an earlier high-level engagement, Kenya highlighted opportunities for increased Hungarian investment and stronger commercial links, while also pointing to Hungary’s support for education through the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship programme.Mudavadi said the latest discussions were aimed at building on such cooperation and identifying additional opportunities for businesses and investors.The Prime Cabinet Secretary said stronger economic ties should translate into tangible opportunities for Kenyans.He said the government wants international partnerships to open markets for Kenyan enterprises, attract capital and create pathways for young people to participate in the global economy.The discussions also covered development cooperation and closer people-to-people links, which Kenya sees as important in strengthening long-term bilateral relations.Mudavadi said Kenya would continue pursuing partnerships that support investment, enterprise development and shared economic growth.The engagement came as Kenya steps up its diplomatic and economic outreach during the UN General Assembly, with the government seeking to position the country as a destination for investment and a gateway to wider African markets.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 25 – Detectives investigating the murder of lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu have recovered a motorcycle allegedly used to ferry the suspected gunman to and from the scene of the fatal shooting.The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the motorcycle was traced following the arrest of Nicholas Lemiso Naula, a boda boda rider suspected of transporting the gunman on the day of the September 9, 2025 shooting.According to the DCI, Naula told detectives during interrogation that he was riding the motorcycle when he allegedly transported the suspected gunman.Detectives subsequently traced the motorcycle through a succession of owners before locating and recovering it.The DCI said Naula positively identified the recovered motorcycle as the one he had allegedly used to ferry the suspected gunman during the attack.The recovery adds to evidence detectives are assembling as they seek to reconstruct the events surrounding Mbobu’s killing.The DCI said the latest breakthrough follows the arrest of three suspects, including the suspected gunman and two boda boda riders.Investigators have also recovered motorcycles allegedly used to transport the suspected gunman and to trail Mbobu before the shooting.Detectives are examining the recovered motorcycle as part of efforts to establish its movements and determine its alleged role in the murder.The DCI said the investigation remains focused on establishing the circumstances surrounding the killing and identifying all those allegedly involved.Mbobu was shot dead on September 9, 2025, in Nairobi in an incident that triggered a prolonged investigation by homicide detectives.The DCI said detectives are continuing to piece together the chain of events surrounding the killing as they pursue additional suspects and evidence.The latest recovery comes as investigators seek to establish the full circumstances of the murder and build the case against those suspected of involvement.The allegations against the suspects remain subject to the ongoing investigation and the judicial process.
Read briefing KISUMU, Kenya, Sep 25 – Kisumu County has recorded a decline in under-five mortality, with Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o saying deaths have dropped from 66 to 37 per 1,000 live births over the past decade.Nyong’o attributed the progress to the efforts of health workers, parents and development partners while calling for renewed investment to further reduce child deaths.The Governor said the county is targeting the UNICEF benchmark of 25 deaths per 1,000 live births.He made the remarks while participating in discussions on the Child Nutrition Fund Programme, a new initiative supported by UNICEF and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.The programme has received an initial investment of Sh10 million for its first year, with the possibility of additional funding as it expands.The initiative will be implemented through the county’s Department of Public Health and Medical Services and will focus on strengthening community-based child nutrition interventions.It will also support training for health workers to improve nutrition services and help ensure children receive the care and nourishment needed during their early years.Nyong’o said improving child nutrition was critical to ensuring children grow up healthier and better prepared for learning.“To invest in our children’s nutrition is to invest in the future of Kisumu County itself,” Nyong’o said.The Governor said the county would continue working with development partners to improve child health outcomes and reach the target of 25 under-five deaths per 1,000 live births and beyond.The brainstorming session brought together County Executive Committee Members Dr Greg Ganda for Health, Kenneth Onyango for Agriculture, Beatrice Wadiaga for Gender and Mwalimu John Awiti for Education.Representatives from CHAMPS, Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology and Maseno University also participated in the discussions.The institutions are expected to contribute research, innovation and monitoring expertise to help assess the programme’s impact.Nyong’o said the collaboration would strengthen efforts to address child nutrition at community level while providing evidence to guide future interventions.The county government said the programme will complement existing health and nutrition initiatives as Kisumu works towards further reducing preventable child deaths.The initiative comes as Kenya continues to focus on improving maternal, newborn and child health outcomes through stronger community healthcare, nutrition interventions and health worker capacity.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 24 – Stakeholders in Kenya’s retail, harm reduction and entertainment sectors are calling for a review of provisions in the proposed Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2026, warning that some measures could increase the cost of doing business, affect livelihoods and fuel illicit trade. The stakeholders spoke in Nairobi on the sidelines of a public participation exercise on the Bill conducted by the National Assembly Committee on Health. A protester holding a placard outside parliament buildings on the sidelines of the public participation engagement on the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill. /September 24, 2026. They urged lawmakers to adopt an evidence-based approach that advances public health objectives while considering the impact of the proposed regulations on legitimate businesses and employment. The stakeholders said they support efforts to reduce the harmful effects of tobacco use and strengthen regulatory oversight but cautioned that some of the proposed amendments could create market distortions that may benefit illegal operators at the expense of compliant businesses. Retail Trade Association of Kenya (RETRAK) CEO Wambui Mbarire said additional licensing requirements could increase the regulatory burden on businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises already facing rising operational costs. Wambui Mbarire, CEO of the Retail Trade Associ...
Read briefing NAIROBI,Kenya,Sep 24— The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has called for governments, development banks and private foundations to step up financing for the global eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), saying a new Sh7.38 billion European Union pledge is intended to unlock broader investment rather than fund the campaign on its own.Global PPR Eradication Programme Coordinator Dr Felix Njeumi said the EU’s €50 million commitment was “catalytic” and should encourage additional contributions from governments and international financing institutions.“The EU said that it will invest €50 million, but it is catalytic,” Njeumi said during a high-level animal-health dialogue at FAO headquarters in Rome.He called on institutions including the World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to join the financing effort as countries intensify vaccination, surveillance and other measures against the highly contagious livestock disease.Njeumi also urged countries affected by PPR to commit domestic resources, warning that eradication cannot depend solely on international donors.“All of us have to work together towards the eradication of PPR,” he said.PPR, which primarily affects sheep and goats, can spread rapidly within herds and across borders.Although it does not infect humans, outbreaks can undermine food security, livestock trade and the incomes of millions of pastoralists and smallholder farmers.The EU has indicated that an additional €40 million, equivalent to about Sh5.90 billion, could be mobilised through blended financing, potentially taking the wider funding package to about Sh13.29 billion.The financing is expected to support vaccination, disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, veterinary services, vaccine supply systems and cross-border coordination.The funding push comes as governments and international partners seek to achieve the global eradication of PPR by 2040, following the successful elimination of rinderpest, another devastating livestock disease.Njeumi said PPR eradication could become a major animal-health achievement of the current century.“This will not be for those of the last century, but of our century, to be the ones saying, ‘Yes, we eradicated PPR,’” he said.The Rome dialogue brought together political leaders, technical institutions and financing partners to discuss PPR eradication and the control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease under the One Health approach.Representatives from Tanzania, Chad, Cameroon, Bangladesh and Burkina Faso attended alongside the World Bank, the Gates Foundation, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the EU and African Union institutions.Participants endorsed the Rome Call for PPR eradication by 2040 and stronger action against Foot-and-Mouth Disease.The declaration calls on countries and regional economic communities to develop costed investment plans, increase domestic financing and strengthen coordination across borders.It also calls for the EU contribution to be used as catalytic financing to attract additional support from governments, development banks, foundations and the private sector.
Read briefing NAIROBI,Kenya, Sep 24— A decades-old effort to settle the maritime boundary between Sudan and Saudi Arabia is gaining momentum as the Red Sea faces growing security and shipping pressures, potentially putting Egypt’s territorial claims, maritime resources and Suez Canal interests under renewed scrutiny.Sudan has begun assembling the technical and institutional machinery needed to advance maritime delimitation with Saudi Arabia, even as the country remains engulfed in war.On September 14, Sudanese Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan chaired a meeting linked to the Supreme Council for Strategic Cooperation and Coordination with Saudi Arabia, which the two countries formally established in Riyadh on August 17.The council is intended to provide a framework for expanding bilateral cooperation across economic, investment, trade and political fields.The Sudanese meeting assigned the Sea Ports Corporation a coordinating role between civilian and military institutions and provided the council’s executive secretariat access to historical maps and documents relating to the Red Sea and Sudan’s borders.A technical committee involving the National Border Commission and the navy is also expected to review maps and legal documents and prepare a proposed maritime delimitation plan, according to Sudanese reporting.The move does not, however, mean that Sudan and Saudi Arabia have begun formal negotiations on a final maritime boundary.Sudan’s own records continue to show no registered maritime boundary agreement with Saudi Arabia.For Egypt, the issue goes beyond the maritime boundary between its two neighbours.Egypt and Saudi Arabia signed their own maritime delimitation agreement in April 2016, which entered into force in July 2017 and was registered with the United Nations.Sudan objected to that agreement at the United Nations, arguing that parts of the Egyptian-Saudi maritime line affected waters connected to the disputed Halayeb and Shalatin area.Egypt rejected Sudan’s position, reaffirming its sovereignty over territory north of the 22nd parallel and over the adjacent territorial waters.In its UN declaration, Cairo said the Egypt-Saudi agreement was a bilateral maritime agreement between two sovereign states.That history means any new Sudan-Saudi maritime map could have implications for the unresolved Egypt-Sudan territorial dispute.If a Sudan-Saudi boundary is drawn without touching Egypt’s claims, the process could remain largely a bilateral matter.But if Sudan were to use the negotiations to revive or incorporate claims linked to Halayeb, the issue could reopen a sensitive three-way maritime question.There is also evidence that Khartoum has previously considered coordination with Cairo over its maritime boundaries.Sudanese reporting in 2025 said its border authorities were tasked with working on a framework for land and maritime boundary discussions with Egypt.The Sudan-Saudi maritime file dates back to the discovery of major mineral deposits beneath the central Red Sea, particularly the Atlantis II Deep between Jeddah and Port Sudan.Sudan and Saudi Arabia signed a 1974 agreement establishing exclusive resource rights in areas close to their respective coasts and a joint zone in the deeper central Red Sea for resource exploitation.The Atlantis II Deep contains deposits of minerals including zinc, copper, silver and gold, giving the maritime boundary question an economic dimension beyond sovereignty and navigation.The 1974 arrangement predates the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, adding a legal dimension to efforts to clarify the two countries’ maritime rights under modern maritime law.For Sudan, clearer boundaries could provide a framework for future investment and exploitation of offshore resources.For Egypt, however, the location of any new boundary could matter because its own Red Sea maritime rights meet those of Sudan and Saudi Arabia.The timing is particularly significant for Egypt because the wider Red Sea shipping system remains vulnerable to conflict.Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said in January that the country had lost about $9 billion in direct Suez Canal revenues over two years because of regional instability and disruptions to shipping.Although traffic through the canal has shown signs of recovery, the security environment around the Red Sea remains volatile.Houthi forces have intensified attacks and advanced along Yemen’s Red Sea coast towards the Bab el-Mandeb, the southern gateway to the Red Sea and a critical route for shipping to and from the Suez Canal.Against that backdrop, Sudan and Saudi Arabia are also strengthening maritime cooperation.The Sudanese Sea Ports Corporation has held talks with Saudi officials on expanding cooperation in maritime transport and port operations, while Sudanese military officials have discussed Red Sea security with the Saudi ambassador.Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has been expanding its own maritime-security coordination as attacks and instability threaten Red Sea navigation.
Read briefing NAIROBI,Kenya, Sep 24— The European Union has committed Sh7.38 billion to accelerate Africa’s campaign to eradicate a contagious livestock disease threatening sheep and goats, with a further Sh5.90 billion expected to be mobilised through blended financing.The additional financing could raise the total investment to about Sh13.29 billion, providing a major boost to efforts to eliminate Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and strengthen animal-health systems across the continent.The announcement was made during a high-level dialogue in Rome bringing together African governments, international financial institutions, development partners and animal-health organisations to discuss financing for the transformation of agrifood systems under the One Health approach.PPR primarily affects sheep and goats, which are a critical source of food, income and household assets for pastoralists and smallholder farmers.Although the disease does not infect humans, outbreaks can wipe out livestock, reduce household incomes, disrupt trade and worsen food insecurity in communities that depend heavily on small ruminants.The EU said PPR should be treated as more than an animal-health problem because of its wider impact on livelihoods and rural economies.The new financing is intended to support the second phase of Africa’s PPR eradication efforts, helping countries strengthen vaccination and the wider systems required to detect, contain and ultimately eliminate the disease.Participants warned that vaccination alone would not be enough to eradicate PPR.Countries need stronger veterinary services, disease surveillance, diagnostic laboratories, reliable vaccine supply and cold-chain systems, as well as better animal-health data and cross-border coordination.Africa already has national eradication strategies, laboratory networks, vaccination programmes and regional coordination structures. But inadequate and unpredictable financing has continued to slow implementation.The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) urged countries to prepare fully costed national PPR plans and integrate them into wider national investment frameworks.Such plans, it said, would allow governments to identify financing gaps while demonstrating the economic benefits of eliminating the disease.The financing comes as African countries seek to protect livestock-dependent communities from preventable losses and strengthen the resilience of rural economies.Leaders from Tanzania, Chad, Cameroon, Bangladesh and Burkina Faso attended the Rome dialogue alongside representatives of the World Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, IGAD and African Union institutions.Tanzania highlighted investments in livestock vaccination, animal health and transformation of its livestock sector, while Chad and Cameroon outlined efforts to strengthen veterinary services and protect pastoral communities.The EU commitment is expected to help countries address gaps that have left some livestock populations beyond the reach of regular vaccination and veterinary programmes.
Read briefing NAIROBI,Kenya, Sep 24— African animal-health leaders are seeking sustained financing for a campaign to eradicate a deadly disease of sheep and goats, arguing that investment in vaccination, surveillance and veterinary services could deliver billions of dollars in economic benefits.The push to eliminate Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) comes as the disease causes annual global economic losses of up to $2.1 billion, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).PPR has been confirmed in more than 70 countries, covering regions that are home to about 1.7 billion sheep and goats which is roughly 80 per cent of the world’s total.At a meeting in Rome, leaders called on governments, international financial institutions, development banks and private investors to provide sustained funding for vaccination campaigns, disease surveillance and veterinary services needed to eliminate the virus.The disease, commonly known as sheep and goat plague, does not infect humans but can devastate livestock herds and the livelihoods of pastoralists and smallholder farmers who depend on sheep and goats for food, income and household assets.FAO says PPR can infect up to 90 per cent of a susceptible herd and kill up to 70 per cent of infected animals.A global economic assessment estimates that a 15-year eradication programme costing $2.26 billion could generate benefits worth about $76.5 billion.That translates to an estimated $33.80 in economic benefits for every $1 invested.The investment would finance measures including vaccination, surveillance, diagnostics, cold-chain infrastructure and veterinary services.Experts said the availability of effective and affordable vaccines means eradication is technically achievable, but reaching livestock in remote and mobile pastoralist communities remains a major challenge.Vaccines must be delivered consistently, supported by functioning cold chains and trained veterinary personnel. Countries also need stronger surveillance and post-vaccination monitoring to establish whether vaccination campaigns are interrupting transmission.Sheep and goats are particularly important to poor rural households because they provide meat and milk, generate income and can serve as a form of household savings during periods of economic or climate stress.FAO estimates that the disease threatens the livelihoods and assets of hundreds of millions of people who depend on small ruminants.PPR can also disrupt livestock trade and food supplies when outbreaks reduce animal numbers and production.Participants at the Rome meeting said eradication would therefore provide benefits beyond controlling a single disease, including stronger food security, rural incomes and livestock markets.Animal-health leaders also stressed that countries cannot eradicate PPR by acting independently.The virus can spread through the movement of livestock across borders, shared grazing areas and trade routes, making coordinated vaccination and surveillance essential.They called for stronger cross-border cooperation, transparent reporting of outbreaks and vaccination results, and sustained investment in veterinary systems.The continental effort involves the Pan-African PPR Secretariat, alongside the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), AU-PANVAC, FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 23 — People living and working along Kenya’s coast have been warned to prepare for potentially hazardous sea and weather conditions expected from September through December, with strong winds, rough seas, high waves and heavy rainfall posing risks to vessels and people at sea.The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) said the conditions could also bring reduced visibility, increasing the danger for vessels and people undertaking activities in the sea and along the coastline.The warning covers a period when fishing, transport and other maritime activities remain vital to coastal communities, putting boat operators, fisherfolk, passengers and other sea users among those most exposed to deteriorating conditions.“Avoid venturing into sea during periods of adverse weather and rough sea conditions,” KMA, through its Director General, Omae Nyarandi said in a public notice issued on Wednesday.The authority urged boat owners and operators to properly secure their vessels while underway, moored or at anchor, and directed passengers and crew to wear life jackets while on board.Fisherfolk and other maritime users were advised to exercise extreme caution and postpone non-essential activities at sea when conditions deteriorate.KMA also called on vessels already at sea to monitor weather updates and seek safe shelter where necessary.Coastal communities were similarly advised to remain alert to strong winds, high waves and heavy rainfall and to follow instructions issued by relevant authorities.The authority urged the public to continuously monitor official weather and maritime safety information from the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) and KMA.KMD provides daily marine forecasts covering Kenya’s coastal counties of Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu, which are intended to help mariners, fishermen and coastal residents make safety decisions based on prevailing sea conditions.KMA said maritime incidents and emergencies should be reported to the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC).
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 23 – A recent birdwatching and photography excursion to agribusiness Kakuzi Plc orchards in Murang’a County ended on a celebratory note after a member of Japan’s Royal Family, Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado of Japan, spotted at least two international migratory birds in their natural habitat.During her recent visit to Kenya to attend BirdLife International’s 2nd Global Flyways Summit, Princess Takamado, also the Honorary President of BirdLife International, spotted and photographed the Eurasian Bee-eater and the Osprey. The two migratory birds breed in Europe before making long flyway journeys to Africa in the September-October season.Speaking while welcoming Princess Takamado, Kakuzi Plc Managing Director Mr Chris Flowers said the firm’s continued drive to practice sustainable agriculture and preserve its water catchment area has safeguarded some of Kenya’s most ideal ecological zones, accommodating migratory and native bird species.While acknowledging that Birds are powerful indicators of environmental health, Mr Flowers confirmed that Kakuzi continues to see steady growth in bird diversity within its borders.“At Kakuzi, we have seen a steady growth of birds making our orchards, forestlands and other habitats their home, which is a good indicator of our commitment to conserve the environment,” Flowers said. He added, “Protecting this natural habitat is part of our deliberate contribution to the ongoing global flyway conservation efforts.Kakuzi’s conservation efforts are further strengthened through its membership of Nature Kenya, the East Africa Natural History Society. This partnership shows our shared commitment to protecting biodiversity, conserving natural habitats, and promoting responsible environmental stewardship. Through this collaboration, Kakuzi supports broader conservation goals that protect ecosystems, promote sustainable agriculture, and strengthen the long-term resilience of Kenya’s natural resources.While acknowledging the conservation efforts at Kakuzi now sustaining a growing birdlife habitat, Princess Takamado noted that “Migratory birds do not recognise borders. They connect Asia to Africa, the Arctic to the tropics. The Nairobi Flyways Declaration acknowledges this reality: that it needs international cooperation and coordination to keep migratory birds safe.”She added, “I am excited and proud to see that the scientific community, conservation organisations, and the financial sector are uniting to make this happen. At last!! We stand at an important turning point. We have been waiting for this moment for a long time.” During her visit to Kakuzi, Princess Takamado, guided by Kakuzi Executive Head – Corporate Affairs Mr Simon Odhiambo, who is also a prominent local birder, enjoyed her day out driving through macadamia and avocado orchards while photographing various local bird species, including the Hinde’s babbler, Purple-crested turaco, Senegal Lapwing, Pygmy Kingfisher and the African Paradise Flycatcher, among others.According to the recently launched State of the World’s Birds report, 45% of migratory bird species are in decline. One in nine is threatened with extinction. The 2025 extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew, last recorded at a Moroccan lagoon in February 1995, marks the first global bird extinction in mainland Eurasia and Africa in recent centuries, with six other migratory species confirmed or suspected to have been lost in the last 150 years.Species dependent on marine habitats, forests, and coastal wetlands are faring particularly poorly, with seabirds and shorebirds among the most threatened.
Read briefing NAIROBI Kenya Sep 23 – The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), in a multi-agency operation conducted this morning, seized thousands of bottles of suspected second-generation liquor and uncustomary goods in Kapsabet Township, Nandi Central Sub-County.The operation, carried out alongside officers from Kapsabet Police Station, targeted premises suspected of dealing in counterfeit and illicit alcohol.The crackdown forms part of ongoing efforts to rid the county of illegal brews blamed for rising cases of alcohol abuse and related health complications.At Shazton Hotel store near Canaan Market, authorities seized 49 cartons of Kingdom Vodka, each containing 24 bottles of 200ml, alongside 10 cartons of John’s X5 Gin with 24 bottles of 200ml each.In a separate raid at Whispers Guest House and Restaurant, officers recovered 118 cartons of Kingdom Vodka, plus 47 additional pieces of the same brand packed in a sack.In total, the operation netted 4,008 bottles of Kingdom Vodka and 240 bottles of John’s X5 Gin.Two suspects, aged 27 and 28, were arrested at the two premises and are expected to be arraigned in court to face relevant charges, including violations under the Excise Act and dealings in uncustomed goods.The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has been roped in to pursue tax-related offenses.Speaking during the operation, NACADA Board Director Benjamin Kuttoh reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to dismantling illicit liquor networks.“The Authority continues to carry out intelligence-led, multi-agency operations against counterfeiters,” Kuttoh said.“I call on the public to keep volunteering information that will help rid society of criminal elements profiteering from this trade.”Authorities warned that the operation is far from over, noting that similar crackdowns will continue across Nandi County and beyond.Residents were urged to cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities, as the government tightens its grip on the multi-million-shilling illicit alcohol trade that continues to endanger lives, particularly among the youth.
Read briefing MARAGUA, Kenya Sep 23 – Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said the Kenya Kwanza administration is implementing its manifesto through individual projects, citing ongoing development programmes in Murang’a County as he urged residents to focus on development ahead of the 2027 General Election. Kindiki spoke on Wednesday, during a public engagement in Maragua, where he inspected the ongoing construction of the Gakoigo Stadium and addressed residents and local leaders.“We are implementing the Kenya Kwanza Manifesto, project by project and putting the naysayers to shame,” Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said.Kindiki said the government would continue implementing its development agenda despite criticism, arguing that development should remain a priority as political activity increases ahead of the 2027 General Election. He also announced plans to meet Murang’a leaders to discuss development priorities and the implementation of government commitments in the region.The remarks came as Kindiki inspected the Gakoigo Stadium project in Maragua Constituency. The facility is planned to accommodate 10,000 people and is being developed to meet international standards, with the project forming part of a wider government programme to expand sports infrastructure across the country.Government records show that Sh900 million has been set aside for construction of the stadium at Samar, with the facility expected to include a standard football pitch, an eight-lane athletics track, a VIP pavilion, modern terraces, changing rooms and spectator stands. The State Department for Sports has said construction is expected to take about nine months.The stadium was relocated from the original Gakoigo grounds to Samar after a technical assessment found the former site unsuitable for a 10,000-seater facility that would meet international standards. The assessment cited inadequate land size, ground orientation and an unfavourable gradient.The existing Gakoigo grounds are expected to be rehabilitated and retained as a training facility and venue for middle-tier competitions, according to the State Department for Sports.Kindiki described the wider expansion of sports infrastructure as a major government programme, saying it was the most expensive sports facility expansion programme in Kenya’s 63-year history.“The current sports facility expansion is the most expensive and costly in Kenya’s 63-year history,” Kindiki said.The Gakoigo facility is among a network of 32 stadium projects the government says it is developing across the country as part of efforts to expand sports infrastructure and create opportunities for young people to develop and earn from their talents.Kindiki also used the Maragua engagement to call for political unity in the Mt Kenya region, urging residents to separate political competition from development.“Let us work for the people, and politics will come later. Let us not allow politics to divide us. It is a small thing. Politics is like football; the ball is given to someone closer to the goal, and the whole team works together. We are in one group, and we will work together to win and support Ruto’s reelection bid,” Kindiki said.He further defended his approach to political engagements, saying he would concentrate on development rather than respond to criticism through personal attacks.“I know President William Ruto, and I shall pass the test on development. But if it is a contest of insults, we will fail because we do not know how to insult, nor do we want to,” Kindiki said.Kindiki said he had forgiven people who had criticised or insulted him and would not respond in the same manner, adding that he had been given a responsibility by elders to promote peace and unity in the Mt Kenya region.He said his planned meeting with Murang’a leaders would focus on development rather than political disagreements.“Tomorrow, I will be meeting Murang’a leaders. We will talk about development in the region and not politics. We have to make sure that the UDA campaign manifesto has been fulfilled and we are ready,” Kindiki said.He cited the proposed Bombo–Gwa Thamaki Road among the infrastructure projects requiring attention in the region, saying the road would cost billions of shillings and should be started and completed within one year.The Deputy President’s remarks come as political activity increases ahead of the 2027 General Election, with his recent engagements in Mt Kenya focusing on development, unity and the administration’s record.For Maragua residents, the Gakoigo Stadium is one of the projects currently under construction in the area. Once completed, the facility is expected to provide a larger sporting venue, while the existing Gakoigo grounds will continue serving the community after rehabilitation.Kindiki’s central message in Maragua was that the government’s development record should be viewed through the projects being implemented on the ground, as he urged residents and leaders to maintain unity while the administration continues pursuing its stated manifesto commitments.
Read briefing NAIROBI,Kenya Sep 23 – Rose Mbithe Mulwa and her two children, Angela Mulwa and Chris Mulwa, will on September 29 appear before the High Court in Nairobi to formally take plea in the murder case arising from the killing of psychiatrist Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso.Justice Alexander Muteti directed that the three be produced in court at noon after the court was informed that they had not participated in Wednesday’s proceedings through a virtual link.A prison officer told the court that Mbithe and Angela had declined to join the proceedings virtually from Lang’ata Women’s Prison, where they are being held. The judge subsequently directed that they be brought to court physically for plea-taking.The court was also informed that the files relating to the accused persons would be consolidated to enable all those facing charges arising from Dr Mutiso’s death to take plea together.The development clears the way for the murder proceedings to formally commence after the suspects were previously presented before the High Court but did not enter pleas.Mbithe, Angela and Chris were initially scheduled to take plea after the Director of Public Prosecutions approved murder charges following preliminary investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.However, the plea was delayed after Justice Kanyi Kimondo directed that the accused persons undergo mental assessments to establish whether they were fit to plead to the charges.A fourth suspect, Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi, was subsequently included in the murder case. The four were accused of jointly killing Dr Mutiso on July 29, 2026, at about 9.30am along Mawensi Road in Kilimani, Nairobi County, together with other persons who have not been brought before the court.The prosecution alleges that the accused persons face a charge of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.Dr Mutiso, a psychiatrist and former director of the African Institute of Mental and Brain Health, was fatally shot on July 29 while travelling in a taxi in Nairobi. Before her death, she had reportedly reported an earlier incident in which two armed men on a motorcycle allegedly confronted her near Junction Mall along Ngong Road.Investigators have also been looking into a long-running property dispute involving Dr Mutiso’s family and Mbithe, who was previously married to Dr Mutiso’s husband, Professor David Musyimi Ndetei.The alleged dispute has featured in the prosecution’s account of the circumstances surrounding the investigation, although the murder allegations against the accused remain to be proved in court.The three family members, together with Kimoi, are expected to answer to the charges when they appear before Justice Muteti on September 29.
Read briefing The paper, previewed at the 6th Biennial EducationEed at the 6th Biennial Education Evidence for Action (EE4A) and EDF-Kenya Conference at the University of Embu, calls for immediate adoption of proven interventions to strengthen foundational literacy and ensure children are not lo Urgent need for policy reforms to address global learning poverty.The paper, previewed at the 6th Biennial EducationEed at the 6th Biennial Education Evidence for Action (EE4A) and EDF-Kenya Conference at the University of Embu, calls for immediate adoption of proven interventions to strengthen foundational literacy and ensure children are not lo
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 22 – The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), in collaboration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and the Department of Public Health, has issued closure notices to two rehabilitation facilities in Murang’a County following a multi-agency compliance inspection that uncovered serious regulatory and human rights violations.The inspections, conducted at Listening Heart Wellness Centre in Gatanga Sub County and SMECC Rehab in Murang’a County, revealed alarming conditions that endangered the safety and dignity of clients seeking treatment for substance use disorders.At Listening Heart Wellness Centre, the facility was found operating without a KMPDC license or any other regulatory approval.It was also undertaking construction works while clients remained on the premises, lacked professional personnel, and maintained poor hygiene conditions, including a cook working without a food handler’s medical certificate.Three clients were present, and the director was granted a three-day grace period to organize their transfer to other rehabilitation facilities.At SMECC Rehab, the team found that none of the previous inspection recommendations had been implemented.The facility was operating without a KMPDC license, had very poor hygiene and sanitary conditions, and was overcrowded, with some clients sleeping on the floor.Two underage boys, aged 16 and 17, were admitted at the facility, prompting NACADA to escalate the matter to the Children’s Office.Most disturbingly, inspectors found a cell in an open veranda where clients with discipline issues were locked up, made to sleep on the floor, and forced to urinate in a bucket for a month.Clients also alleged assault by staff and claimed they had been abducted and handcuffed from their homes before being brought to the facility.KMPDC issued a closure notice to SMECC Rehab, and both facilities were given three days to arrange for the transfer or discharge of their clients.NACADA will conduct a follow-up visit to confirm compliance with the closure orders.Speaking on the development, NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Omerikwa emphasized the critical importance of rehabilitation centres operating to acceptable standards.“As the Authority rolls out a comprehensive community-based rehabilitation program to support persons in substance use recovery, it is paramount that rehabilitation centres play their rightful role of being centres of wellness and recovery as a way of supporting the government’s efforts,” Dr. Omerikwa stated.“Facilities that operate outside the law, endanger clients, or subject them to inhumane treatment have no place in our rehabilitation ecosystem.”The closure of these two facilities underscores NACADA’s commitment to ensuring that rehabilitation services in Kenya are safe, professional, and dignified, and that vulnerable persons seeking treatment are protected from exploitation and abuse.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 22 — President William Ruto has announced that Kenya will lead the first national implementation of Masterkey, a digital platform designed to make African skills, qualifications and work experience portable across borders.Ruto made the announcement at the Accra Reset’s high-level convening on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where African leaders and global partners discussed proposals aimed at giving developing countries greater control over their development priorities.Masterkey is designed as a publicly governed digital skills and work wallet through which people can hold and securely share verified records of their qualifications and employment experience with employers, recruitment services and other authorised recipients.“Masterkey will provide trusted digital infrastructure which people can securely share verified records of skills, qualifications and work experience across institutions, employers and borders,” Ruto said.“Citizens will retain control over what they share while participating countries retain sovereignty over their institutions and data.”Kenya’s planned implementation will make Masterkey accessible through eCitizen, with core access and sharing intended to be free to citizens.A staged pilot will seek to connect existing training and employment channels before wider rollout.“Africa must be a builder of the technologies defining this century and a contributor to the rules that govern them,” Ruto said.He said the initiative would help organise African capabilities at scale and expand opportunities for workers across borders.“The principle is simple: talent should be portable, skills should be trusted and opportunities should cross borders. We will demonstrate this in practice with our African partners,” he said.The initiative is being developed under the Accra Reset and Global Reset Dialogues, with a focus on connecting domestic employment, remote work and lawful international mobility.Masterkey is not intended to award jobs, visas or professional recognition. Instead, it would enable participating institutions and employers to issue verifiable records that workers can choose to share, allowing recipients to check the issuer and the status of the record.A qualification earned in Kenya, an overseas client reference or work experience acquired abroad could therefore form part of an accumulating career record rather than remain tied to a single recruitment platform or institution.The initiative builds on earlier Ghana-Spain corridor design work and seeks reciprocal arrangements intended to benefit workers, employers and countries of origin.Ruto’s announcement came as Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama pressed for the Accra Reset to move from policy proposals to implementation.Mahama launched the initiative after convening a health sovereignty summit in Accra in August 2025.At the New York gathering, he called for action on recommendations contained in a new report on reforming the global health architecture.“We are now moving from design to execution. Too often, visionary ideas are born with great fanfare, only to die quietly in New York’s diplomatic corridors. We will not let that happen to the Accra Reset,” Mahama said.The High-Level Panel’s report, A Sovereign Future for Health, contains 10 recommendations covering health planning and financing, regional institutions, manufacturing, procurement, humanitarian continuity and independent accountability.Mahama said the wider agenda was driven by what he described as three interconnected challenges facing the Global South: geopolitical vulnerability, geostrategic marginalisation and donor dependence.He argued that greater national control must be matched by accountability, saying countries cannot claim ownership of development programmes without meaningful control over the decisions and resources that shape them.The Accra Reset has since expanded beyond health to areas including human capital, migration, trade and international economic cooperation.Its Global Reset Dialogues are intended to provide a platform for governments from the Global South and Global North to negotiate cooperation around shared interests, including migration, trade and other economic priorities.Masterkey was one of several initiatives unveiled or advanced during the New York gathering.The programme also featured Mother Africa, a maternal and child health initiative championed by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, with Tanzania’s Vice President representing her at the event.Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was also scheduled to contribute to the initiative.Mother Africa calls for stronger skilled care, reliable supplies of essential medicines, accountable financing, improved maternal and perinatal death data, and better water, sanitation and electricity in health facilities.Another initiative, the Sankoree Institute of Global Negotiators (SIGN), seeks to strengthen African governments’ capacity to negotiate complex international economic and development agreements.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 22 – UDA has hit back at retired President Uhuru Kenyatta after he said he still believes the late Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election.In a statement on Tuesday, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar accused Uhuru of failing to accept the election outcome and warned that he would face another political defeat in 2027.The UDA official insisted that President William Ruto won the 2022 election, adding that the former president had failed to move on from the loss.“President William Ruto won the 2022 election decisively and conclusively,” Omar said.Uhuru had earlier maintained that Raila won the 2022 election and questioned the circumstances surrounding the final outcome. Ruto was declared the winner and was sworn in on September 13, 2022.Omar also accused Uhuru of trying to influence the 2022 election outcome, citing what he described as events surrounding the vote tallying at Bomas of Kenya.The UDA secretary general further claimed that Ruto’s political rise was instrumental to Uhuru winning the 2013 and 2017 elections.He warned that the political battle between the two leaders could continue into the 2027 election, saying Ruto would seek another term in office.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 22 – Kenya’s youthful population, economic transformation and Africa’s growing role in the global economy have taken centre stage at the Unstoppable Africa forum in New York.The high-level gathering, organised by the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) under the United Nations Global Compact, is being held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.The forum has brought together Heads of State, business leaders, investors, policymakers, UN officials, entrepreneurs and other influential players to discuss Africa’s economic future.Among the Kenyan participants is legal and policy expert Silas Jakakimba, who has taken part in GABI discussions for the past four years.This year’s forum is being held under the theme, “Powering Business to Scale Economies and Shape the Future,” with discussions focusing on how investment and business can accelerate economic growth across Africa.Jakakimba has used the platform to highlight the potential of Africa’s youthful population, natural resources and expanding markets, while emphasising the need to connect these assets with investment, technology, entrepreneurship and value creation.“Africa must harness its youthful population, abundant natural resources and rapidly expanding markets to become a global powerhouse for innovation, sustainability and inclusive growth,” he said.The discussions come as African countries seek to move beyond their traditional role as exporters of raw materials and position themselves as destinations for investment, manufacturing, innovation and value addition.For Kenya, the youth question remains central to this transformation, given the country’s large young population and the growing demand for jobs, skills, entrepreneurship and access to technology.Jakakimba said Africa needs to create an environment where young people can become creators of businesses, technologies and solutions rather than remaining consumers or exporters of talent.The forum is also examining the role of stronger partnerships between governments and the private sector in unlocking investment and expanding economic opportunities.A key theme is Africa’s need to retain more value from its natural resources by investing in processing, manufacturing and industries capable of competing in global markets.The discussions have implications for Kenya across sectors including mining, agriculture, the Blue Economy, manufacturing, technology, financial services, infrastructure and the creative economy.With Africa attracting growing global attention because of its markets, resources, demographics and innovation potential, the New York forum provides an opportunity for African leaders and businesses to engage international investors on the continent’s economic direction.Jakakimba’s participation places a Kenyan perspective within the broader discussions on youth, investment, policy and inclusive economic growth.As world leaders gather in New York for UNGA, the discussions underscore the growing emphasis on how Africa can translate its people, resources and ideas into sustainable economic value.The forum also provides an opportunity for African stakeholders to explore partnerships that can support job creation, entrepreneurship, technology adoption and industrial development across the continent.Jakakimba is a Kenyan legal and policy expert specialising in advisory work across the corporate and public sectors.
Read briefing NAIROBI,Kenya Sep 21 – Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya have suffered a setback in their efforts to establish Ukombozi People’s Party as the political vehicle for the Linda Mwananchi movement ahead of the 2027 General Election.The Registrar of Political Parties has rejected a proposal by the United Democratic Party (UDP) to change its name to Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP), saying the proposed name is too similar to another political outfit whose name had already been reserved.In a letter dated September 8, Registrar of Political Parties John Lorionokou told lawyers representing UDP that the office had “not approved or authorised” the use of the name Ukombozi People’s Party by the party.“This Office has not approved or authorized the use of the name ‘Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP)’ by the United Democratic Party (UDP),”the registrar of political parties stated.The Registrar cited Section 8(c) of the Political Parties Act, which allows the office to reject a party name, abbreviation, slogan or symbol that closely resembles that of another registered political party or legal entity.The office said the name Ukombozi People’s Party resembles The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA), whose name had been reserved by another applicant on July 20, 2026.“The name resembles ‘The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA)’ reserved by a different applicant on 20th July, 2026,”Lorionokou noted.The decision complicates plans by Sifuna and his allies, who have in recent weeks been preparing to unveil Ukombozi as the party through which the Nairobi senator could pursue his presidential ambitions.Natembeya has been among the most vocal supporters of Ukombozi as the political vehicle for Sifuna, even as divisions emerged within Linda Mwananchi over the party to be used in the 2027 elections.Recent reports indicate that Sifuna’s allies were planning to unveil the party in early October, with October 3 cited as a possible launch date.Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi confirmed that plans were under way but declined to disclose the party’s officials or launch venue.The ORPP decision now puts that plan under a cloud and raises questions over whether the group will have to identify another registered party or await the outcome of the dispute surrounding the competing Ukombozi and Linda political identities.The development comes against the backdrop of a growing disagreement within Linda Mwananchi over its political vehicle.Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has insisted that his political vehicle should be considered for the movement’s 2027 activities, while Natembeya has pushed Ukombozi as the platform for Sifuna’s presidential bid.Babu has since proposed a possible coalition between his party and Ukombozi, while maintaining that he continues to support Sifuna’s presidential ambitions.The party dispute has exposed competing political interests within Linda Mwananchi, with reports that differences among its leading figures had spilled into the open. The disagreement has centred largely on whether Sifuna should use Babu’s party or Ukombozi.Sifuna’s political situation has also been complicated by developments within ODM. The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal last week upheld his removal as the party’s Secretary-General, dismissing his latest challenge to his ouster.At the same time, another case concerning the proposed Linda political identity is awaiting determination. The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal is expected to rule on September 30 on a dispute over rival attempts to register parties using the Linda name.The latest ORPP decision therefore leaves the Linda Mwananchi camp facing two immediate political-legal questions,whether it can secure a viable party vehicle for Sifuna’s presidential ambitions and whether its preferred political identity will survive the ongoing disputes before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal.
Read briefing NEW YORK, US Sep 21 – President William Ruto has met Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote in New York to discuss financing and final preparations for the proposed East Africa Refinery in Lamu.The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, also brought together Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) President and CEO Samaila Zubairu as Kenya seeks to advance the multibillion-shilling project.The proposed refinery, estimated at Sh2.2 trillion, is planned for Lamu and is expected to serve markets across East and Central Africa.The discussions focused on financing arrangements and preparations ahead of the planned groundbreaking ceremony on September 30, 2026.The meeting forms part of Ruto’s economic engagements in New York, where he is seeking investment partnerships in energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, health and technology.State House had indicated that the President would co-chair investment roundtables hosted by AFC and the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), alongside Dangote, with the Lamu refinery among the major projects on the agenda.Dangote Industries selected Lamu as the location for its proposed East African refinery in July, ending speculation that the facility could be built in Tanzania or elsewhere in the region.The refinery is planned to have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, which would make it the largest refinery in East Africa if completed as planned.The New York discussions come as financing remains one of the critical issues surrounding the project.Reuters reported earlier this month that Dangote is seeking financing for major energy investments, while the Lamu refinery is expected to require about $15 billion to $16 billion in investment. Potential financing arrangements could include Dangote’s internal funds, bonds, an initial public offering and equity participation from East African countries.The project is also expected to rely on crude supplies from the wider region, although questions remain over the availability and transportation of crude oil to Lamu. Potential sources include Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan, among others.Ruto has previously said the refinery will serve Kenya and other countries in the region, including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.The President has also said the project could create about 60,000 jobs for young people, while positioning Kenya as a regional energy hub.The refinery is expected to strengthen the strategic importance of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor, with the facility planned as a major anchor investment around Lamu Port.Construction is expected to take about 30 months once work begins, according to a senior Dangote Industries official.The New York meeting therefore comes days before the scheduled groundbreaking as Kenya, Dangote Industries and potential financiers work to move the project into its implementation phase.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 21 – The High Court has issued interim orders allowing Jubilee Party Secretary General Moitalel Ole Kenta to remain in office pending the hearing and determination of a case challenging his position.Justice Janet Mulwa, sitting at the Milimani High Court, issued the orders on Monday after certifying as urgent a Notice of Motion filed by the Jubilee Party of Kenya and Kenta against the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties and Ngunjiri Wambugu.The court granted prayer three of the application on an interim basis, pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the motion.The order effectively allows Kenta to remain in the Secretary General position as the court considers the substantive dispute.The parties have been directed to comply with a series of timelines ahead of the next court appearance.The respondents have been given seven days after service to file their responses, if any, and exchange them with the applicants.The applicants will also have seven days to file any further affidavits together with their submissions and serve the respondents.The respondents have similarly been directed to file and exchange their submissions within seven days of service.The parties will return to the High Court on October 15, for compliance and/or highlighting of their respective submissions.The case follows a decision by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal earlier this month that nullified Kenta’s appointment as Jubilee Secretary General.The tribunal found that Kenta was not a registered Jubilee Party member when he was nominated and appointed to the position and declared the appointment and subsequent recognition unlawful and void.The dispute was filed by former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, who challenged changes made to Jubilee Party leadership and their recognition by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.Monday’s High Court order now provides for Kenta’s continued stay in office pending the determination of the application.The matter will next be mentioned on October 15 for compliance and/or highlighting of submissions.
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