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Kahawa Tungu

Judge declines to stop construction of Lamu refinery

A court in Kilifi declined to stop the planned launch of the construction of an oil refinery in Lamu.Environment and Land Court judge Justice Jane Onyango said the plans to develop the refinery on the property in question are at hand and the implementation of these plans includes a ground-breaking on Wednesday.The judge said the application is not certified as urgent and that it be served upon the respondents forthwith.The respondents shall file their response within 14 days and the application is fixed for inter partes hearing on October 14, 2026.“That in the interim the status quo prevailing on L.R No.13061 within Hindi/Manda Magogoni area within Lamu County be maintained until 14.10 26.”The applicants having sought an order stopping the ground braking and develop of the project which order was not granted, the status quo order issued by the court today can be taken to mean that, the the parties to the proceedings in court retain all their abilities, including the ability to proceed with the project.A group moved to court to challenge the Sh2 trillion oil refinery project in Lamu being set up by Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa.More than 130 residents of Chandavai in Lamu County moved to court seeking to stop what they describe as the unlawful takeover and destruction of land their families have occupied and cultivated for generations.The residents contended that the development by the Nigerian billionaire threatened to displace them without a resettlement plan or compensation.The 133 plaintiffs sued the Office of the President, the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning, the Attorney General, the National Land Commission (NLC), the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor Development Authority, the Lamu County Government and Dangote Industries, together with two companies described as contractors.The residents claimed they have, for generations, occupied, cultivated and developed identifiable portions of land comprised in or forming part of LR No. 13061 in Chandavai.They asked the court to intervene, arguing that continued construction and excavation would cause further destruction of crops, trees, homes and other property and permanently alter the character of the disputed land.“Continued construction or excavation will cause further destruction of crops, trees, structures and other property and will materially alter the physical character of the land, thereby making the dispute substantially more difficult to resolve,” the plaintiffs state in court documents.The residents said their claim is based on long-standing occupation, customary or community tenure, possession and beneficial use of the land, although they do not hold formal title deeds.According to the plaint, their families have historically used the land for farming and livestock keeping and have built homes, mosques and shrines on it. Some family members, they say, are also buried on the disputed land.The plaintiffs contended that the land is community land under the stewardship of the Lamu County Government and that they occupied it peacefully for generations without previous disputes over ownership.They argued that some of the property at risk cannot be adequately compensated through monetary damages.“Some of the affected property cannot readily be replaced by monetary compensation, particularly ancestral and family homes, graves, trees, long-standing occupation sites and community structures,” they claim.The residents alleged that on August 7, 2024, officers and agents associated with the national government and LAPSSET entered the disputed land with heavy machinery and bulldozers. They claimed crops, trees and other property were destroyed without prior notice, consultation or compensation.According to the plaintiffs, local administrators subsequently informed them that the land had previously been acquired by the government for the LAPSSET project and later allocated to the Ministry of Defence for infrastructure works around Manda Bay.The works, they alleged, included road construction and expansion of facilities around the Kenya Navy Base at Manda Bay, US Camp Simba and Magogoni Airfield.Some residents claimed they were instructed not to interfere with the works and were promised compensation for destroyed crops and other losses.The plaintiffs further claimed that some families were forced to move into rented accommodation to make way for the developments.The land dispute has now taken on a new dimension following preparations for a proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu.The residents allege that soil testing and other preparatory activities linked to the proposed refinery began in July 2026.They claimed local administrators subsequently told them that the Dangote project would proceed alongside the LAPSSET and Manda Bay infrastructure developments.The plaintiffs further alleged that on September 10, 2026, police officers, chiefs and other government agents cleared one of the disputed parcels, telling them that the site would be used for a groundbreaking ceremony for the refinery.

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Kahawa Tungu

DCI, UK partner to strengthen fight against organized crime in Moyale

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations Monday reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling organised immigration crime networks during a Counter Organised Immigration Crimes Team (COICT) engagement held in Moyale, Marsabit County.The event was attended by the Deputy British High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr. Ed Barnett who led the British delegation, alongside senior officers from the National Police Service, partner agencies, and local community leaders.The Director of Criminal Investigations, Mohamed Amin, was represented by the Commandant of the National Criminal Investigations Academy (NCIA), Ibrahim Jillo, Amin underscored the strategic importance of Moyale as a border town and gateway for legitimate trade, social interaction and economic opportunities, while cautioning against criminal networks that exploit cross-border movement for illegal gain.“Moyale is far more than just a spot on a map; it is a gateway, a place where people, families, businesses and communities come together, interact and seek out genuine social and economic opportunities,” the Director stated.He noted that the establishment of the Counter Organised Immigration Crimes Team marks a deliberate shift towards identifying, investigating and disrupting the wider criminal networks behind immigration-related offences rather than merely addressing isolated incidents.“COICT is a deliberate initiative aimed at enhancing our ability to identify, investigate and disrupt organised immigration crime; it reflects a change from merely dealing with individual incidents to instead understanding and pursuing the wider criminal networks involved,” said AminHe further called for enhanced collaboration among all agencies operating within the border region, emphasising that organised criminal groups thrive through coordination and that law enforcement responses must be equally interconnected.Addressing officers attached to COICT, he urged them to uphold professionalism, integrity and accountability, reminding them that effective investigations are built on public trust and ethical conduct and also appealed to the people of Moyale to continue supporting law enforcement efforts by sharing information on suspicious activities, stressing that community trust remains a critical asset in combating organised crimeBarnett commended the growing partnership between the United Kingdom and Kenya in tackling organised immigration offences.He noted that the collaboration would continue to promote human-rights-based approaches in supporting victims of immigration-related crimes while strengthening investigative efforts aimed at dismantling wider criminal networks operating across borders.Dr. Barnett further reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting the DCI and partner agencies in identifying, investigating and disrupting organised immigration crime syndicates that exploit vulnerable persons for profit.Present during the occasion were the Director of Training and Research APS, Madam Bianca Nzioki, who represented the Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service, and the Deputy Director, Investigation Bureau at DCI George Kisaka, among other senior officers.The visit culminated in an inspection of newly constructed facilities designated for COICT officers, a development expected to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen coordinated responses against organised immigration crime along the Kenya-Ethiopia border including engagement with the Moyale community.Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel

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The National

President Sheikh Mohamed meets Turkish Foreign Minister to strengthen bilateral ties

President Sheikh Mohamed received Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Abu Dhabi on Monday, underscoring the close ties between the two nations.Mr Fidan conveyed greetings from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the UAE President, along with his best wishes for the country's continued prosperity and progress. Sheikh Mohamed reciprocated, asking Mr Fidan to pass on his regards to Mr Erdogan and his hopes for continued prosperity and development for Turkey and its people.During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Fidan discussed areas of bilateral co-operation and explored ways to strengthen the ties between their countries. The discussions reflected the growing momentum in relations between the UAE and Turkey. The meeting also addressed regional and international issues, with particular focus on developments in the Middle East. Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Fidan emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to promote security, stability and lasting peace across the region.In May, Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan explored ways to deepen relations within the framework of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership that came into effect in March 2023, during a phone call.Those discussions came one day after Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, met the Turkish President.The meeting, during a working visit to Turkey by She...

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The National

US opposes Israeli annexation of West Bank and warns it could derail Trump peace plan

The US on Monday said it opposed any Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank, warning that destabilising moves in the territory could undermine efforts to advance President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan.“As President Trump stated, the United States opposes Israeli annexation of the West Bank,” US representative Jennifer Locetta told the UN Security Council in New York.“Stability in the West Bank is vital for Israel's security and aligns with our goal of achieving peace in the region." She added that Washington wanted to ensure the well-being of Israelis and Palestinians.Israel captured the territory during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and has occupied it ever since. Settlements built there are illegal under international law.Ms Locetta said the US shared concerns raised by other Security Council members over economic instability in the West Bank and the need to expand economic opportunities for Palestinians.She also criticised measures adopted or proposed by “some UN member states” targeting businesses operating in parts of Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and the West Bank.“As Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio said, we do not want to see any destabilising activity in the West Bank at this moment, as it could have implications on our ability to make progress with regards to President Trump's Gaza peace plan,” Ms Locetta said.Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Sunday tha...

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Google News — World

Ekurhuleni killings: What we know after bodies of 12 women found in South Africa

Ekurhuleni killings: What we know after bodies of 12 women found in South Africa BBCTenth woman's body found as South Africa police probe killings the-star.co.keSouth African women runners arm themselves after string of killings standardmedia.co.keTenth womans body discovered in Ekurhuleni, and South Africa has a sim card problem businesstech.co.zaBody found in Springs, South Africa; police work to identify it — TimesLIVE UA.NEWS

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The National

UAE at UNGA urges nations to 'build rather than destroy'

The UAE on Monday urged countries in the Middle East and beyond to "build rather than destroy" as it addressed the UN General Assembly in New York. Khalifa Al Marar, Minister of State, took the UN podium on the last day of speeches at a meeting overshadowed by Middle East conflicts. He said the UAE's foreign policy was rooted in de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue at a time of regional tensions, while rejecting threats and coercion. Amid growing threats to commercial shipping, the minister also stressed the importance of freedom of navigation and passage through international waters.“We extend our hands to our partners in the region and the world to build rather than destroy and to unite rather than divide,” he said. Mr Al Marar renewed the UAE's call for a peaceful settlement of its decades-old dispute with Iran over three occupied Arabian Gulf islands, stating that the issue should be resolved through direct negotiations or by referring it to the International Court of Justice.On Sudan, Mr Al Marar called for a ceasefire to end the civil war and a political process to exclude both the warring parties, and extremist groups, from a future government.He called on the international community to press both the Port Sudan authorities and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces to engage seriously with international peace initiatives.Turning to Gaza, Mr Al Marar reiterated the UAE’s...

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The National

Syria could delay investment projects to plug $1bn hole

Syria could delay some of its much-heralded investment projects as it prepares spending cuts to plug a $1 billion hole in the budget. Finance Minister Yisr Barnieh plans to take an axe to “unnecessary expenditure” after the Middle East conflict pushed up costs, official Syrian media reported on Monday. Mr Barnieh has vowed not to cut wages, health care or schools. However, approved investment projects will be “reassessed” according to their necessity and how much progress has been made to date. Attracting investment has been a cornerstone of the Syrian government's policies since it took power from Bashar Al Assad's regime in 2024. Tens of billions of dollars have been pledged to rebuild the country from 13 years of civil war. Gulf countries are among the major backers. UAE companies are to invest in property developments and the port of Tartus. There are Qatari-backed plans for a new Damascus airport, and Saudi Arabia has helped to settle Syria's debts with the World Bank. Under Syria's spending review, plans linked to security, basic services or vital infrastructure will be given priority, official Syrian media said. Others that “could be postponed without substantially affecting services or economic activity” may be deferred. The budget cuts “aim to limit unnecessary expenditure, improve the use of available resources and preserve the state budget’s ability to respond” to th...

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Kenyans.co.ke

County on the Spot Over Ksh96 Million Held by Bank for 7 Years

Machakos County has come under scrutiny over Ksh96 million held by a bank as security for an employee car and mortgage loan scheme since 2019. The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds raised the concerns during a meeting with Governor Wavinya Ndeti and her Executive to review the implementation of House resolutions arising from an earlier report by the committee.Auditors found that while the county had placed Ksh96 million with the institution as security for the scheme, only Ksh55.3 million had been disbursed to six beneficiaries.The arrangement drew further scrutiny because employees benefiting from the scheme are also required to provide personal security, including title deeds and logbooks, to obtain the loans.“We cannot have Ksh96 million in public funds sitting in an account without earning interest while beneficiaries are also required to provide their own security. The county must review this arrangement and demonstrate that it gives value to the public,” said Senate Committee Vice-Chairperson Beth Syengo, who chaired the sitting.Governor Ndeti defended the arrangement, saying the money was not simply lying idle in the bank but was being used as collateral to enable SBM Bank to provide loans from its own funds.“The Ksh96 million is security for the scheme, not money that has simply been left unused. However, we accept the concerns raised and are engaging the bank so that the arrangement can be reviewed and improved,” Ndeti said.The governor told the committee that the county was already engaging SBM Bank over the terms of the arrangement and would seek to renegotiate the agreement.Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu also called for changes to the scheme to ensure it benefits a wider pool of county employees instead of remaining accessible to a limited number of beneficiaries.“County resources must serve employees fairly. If this scheme is sustainable, then its structure should allow more eligible staff to benefit while protecting public funds,” Kavindu said.Senator William Kisang, meanwhile, challenged the county to provide documentation to support its assurances, including the revised agreement, evidence of negotiations with the bank and a loan book showing how the funds were being used.The committee also raised concerns over incomplete municipal asset registers, compliance with revenue accounts and failure by the county to meet requirements on ethnic diversity and representation of persons with disabilities in recruitment.This is not the first time Machakos is coming under scrutiny over finances and administration. In April 2026, a Senate committee reviewing the county's 2024/2025 financial statements noted that trade payables stood at KSh4.3 billion, with the committee directing the county to address payables that had remained outstanding for more than 365 days.The county has also recently been caught up in a dispute over its 2026/2027 budget, with Ndeti rejecting a Ksh17.8 billion appropriation bill after accusing the County Assembly of making changes worth Ksh853.96 million.The governor argued that the changes could affect programmes and essential services.The budget dispute has coincided with complaints from county employees over delayed August salaries, unremitted statutory and third-party deductions, and the suspension of their medical insurance cover.Workers protested at the county headquarters on September 22, demanding that the issues be resolved.The Senate committee has now directed Machakos County to renegotiate the agreement with the bank, submit a revised draft and loan book, complete the valuation of municipal assets and ensure future recruitment meets diversity requirements.

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Kahawa Tungu

Lamu residents move to court to block oil refinery project

A group moved to court to challenge a Sh2 trillion oil refinery project in Lamu being set up by Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa.More than 130 residents of Chandavai in Lamu County moved to court seeking to stop what they describe as the unlawful takeover and destruction of land their families have occupied and cultivated for generations.The residents contended that the development by the Nigerian billionaire threatened to displace them without a resettlement plan or compensation.The 133 plaintiffs sued the Office of the President, the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning, the Attorney General, the National Land Commission (NLC), the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor Development Authority, the Lamu County Government and Dangote Industries, together with two companies described as contractors.The residents claimed they have, for generations, occupied, cultivated and developed identifiable portions of land comprised in or forming part of LR No. 13061 in Chandavai.They asked the court to intervene, arguing that continued construction and excavation would cause further destruction of crops, trees, homes and other property and permanently alter the character of the disputed land.“Continued construction or excavation will cause further destruction of crops, trees, structures and other property and will materially alter the physical character of the land, thereby making the dispute substantially more difficult to resolve,” the plaintiffs state in court documents.The residents said their claim is based on long-standing occupation, customary or community tenure, possession and beneficial use of the land, although they do not hold formal title deeds.According to the plaint, their families have historically used the land for farming and livestock keeping and have built homes, mosques and shrines on it. Some family members, they say, are also buried on the disputed land.The plaintiffs contended that the land is community land under the stewardship of the Lamu County Government and that they occupied it peacefully for generations without previous disputes over ownership.They argued that some of the property at risk cannot be adequately compensated through monetary damages.“Some of the affected property cannot readily be replaced by monetary compensation, particularly ancestral and family homes, graves, trees, long-standing occupation sites and community structures,” they claim.The residents alleged that on August 7, 2024, officers and agents associated with the national government and LAPSSET entered the disputed land with heavy machinery and bulldozers.They claimed crops, trees and other property were destroyed without prior notice, consultation or compensation.According to the plaintiffs, local administrators subsequently informed them that the land had previously been acquired by the government for the LAPSSET project and later allocated to the Ministry of Defence for infrastructure works around Manda Bay.The works, they alleged, included road construction and expansion of facilities around the Kenya Navy Base at Manda Bay, US Camp Simba and Magogoni Airfield.Some residents claimed they were instructed not to interfere with the works and were promised compensation for destroyed crops and other losses.The plaintiffs further claimed that some families were forced to move into rented accommodation to make way for the developments.The land dispute has now taken on a new dimension following preparations for a proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu.The residents allege that soil testing and other preparatory activities linked to the proposed refinery began in July 2026.They claimed local administrators subsequently told them that the Dangote project would proceed alongside the LAPSSET and Manda Bay infrastructure developments.The plaintiffs further alleged that on September 10, 2026, police officers, chiefs and other government agents cleared one of the disputed parcels, telling them that the site would be used for a groundbreaking ceremony for the refinery.The plaintiffs said they learnt around September 20 that the government had commenced a compulsory acquisition process involving land in Lamu.They alleged that the process is intended to compensate absentee landowners whose titles they claim were unlawfully or fraudulently obtained, while excluding residents who have actually occupied and used the land for generations.The residents argued that the absence of registered title deeds does not extinguish their interests in the land or their entitlement to compensation.They rely, among other provisions, on Article 40(4) of the Constitution and the compulsory acquisition provisions of the Land Act.They contend that persons actually occupying and using the land should be identified and recognised as persons with compensable interests, even where those interests are not reflected in the land register. The plaintiffs accused the defendants of failing to follow the statutory procedure governing compulsory acquisition.

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Kahawa Tungu

Sonko testifies in court budget refusal was at the heart of his fight with state

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko testified in court that his refusal to sign the county budget was at the centre of his dispute with the national government and preceded his impeachment.Sonko said he declined to approve the budget after consulting the county attorney and his lawyers, who, he said, advised him that there was no clear legal framework allowing the county to fund certain functions transferred to it by the national government.Sonko was defending himself against corruption charges after a Nairobi court ruled that there is sufficient evidence for his case to proceed to the defense stage.He said the transferred functions included transport and infrastructure, health, education and housing. He told the court that signing the budget without a proper legal framework would have exposed him to personal liability in the future.“I was consulting my lawyers. They told me that there was no legal framework to allow the funding of the transferred functions,” Sonko said.He said he subsequently discussed the matter with then-President Uhuru Kenyatta, explaining why he had refused to sign the budget.Sonko maintained the disagreement over the budget was one of the main issues that eventually contributed to his removal from office.Sonko defended himself against allegations surrounding his impeachment, saying he opposed the process because he believed it was politically motivated and contrary to the law.He recalled that the impeachment proceedings were televised and claimed that a significant number of Members of the County Assembly supported him.Sonko said about 76 MCAs were on his side during the proceedings, arguing that the majority did not initially support his removal.The matter later proceeded to the Senate, where Sonko alleged that some senators publicly claimed they had been offered bribes to vote for his removal.He said the allegations involved payments allegedly intended to influence senators to support the impeachment.Sonko said that after his removal, he continued challenging the decision through the courts.Sonko was also questioned about his opposition to the demolition of structures and various development projects in Nairobi.He linked some of the disputes to what he described as investments associated with members of the former first family.He referred to companies and investments, including Home Choice Holdings Limited and Northlands, while being questioned about alleged interests connected to the former first family.Sonko was asked to explain the interests he believed the family had in Nairobi and why those interests were relevant to his opposition to certain county decisions.He also defended his popularity among Nairobi residents at the time, saying his support among voters influenced his opposition to actions that he believed would affect the people who had elected him.Sonko further explained his opposition to the demolition of structures in parts of Nairobi, saying some of the demolitions were carried out without adequate consultation.He argued that affected residents should have been engaged before such action was taken and said the issue was particularly important because of the potential impact on residents who had supported him at the ballot.He maintained that his decisions were informed by his interpretation of the law and his responsibility to protect the interests of Nairobi residents.Sonko told the court that he subsequently challenged his impeachment through a petition before the High Court.Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel

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