NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 16— East Africa’s horticulture industry is preparing for a regional push to cut the cost and delays of moving fresh produce across borders, with exporters facing expensive freight, weak cold chains and fragmented trade procedures that threaten the competitiveness of a highly perishable business.Government officials, exporters, logistics companies, technology firms, horticulture associations and development partners will meet in Nairobi on September 22–23 for a regional dialogue aimed at identifying practical measures to ease the movement of horticultural products from farms to markets.The meeting will also mark the launch of the Horticulture Council of Eastern Africa (HoCEA), a private-sector-led platform intended to give the region’s horticulture industry a coordinated voice in discussions with governments and regional institutions.The council is being established with national horticulture associations across Eastern Africa and with support from TradeMark Africa.The push comes as producers and exporters contend with a logistics chain in which delays can quickly translate into losses because fruits, vegetables and flowers have limited shelf lives.High freight charges, inadequate cold-storage capacity, weak first-mile collection systems and delays at ports and border crossings are among the issues expected to dominate the Nairobi talks.The industry also faces fragmented digital trade systems, differing sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, certification procedures and other non-tariff barriers that can make cross-border trade more costly and complicated.Poor first-mile systems can make it difficult and expensive to move produce from farms to collection points, while gaps in cold storage and handling infrastructure can increase the risk of losses before products reach major markets.For exporters, border and port procedures add another layer of uncertainty, particularly when different countries apply varying documentation, certification and sanitary requirements.Dr Jacqueline Mkindi, interim chair of HoCEA and chief executive officer of the Tanzania Horticultural Association, said the problems cut across the horticultural value chain, affecting smallholder farmers, women, young people, small businesses and logistics providers.The Nairobi dialogue is therefore designed to bring public and private-sector actors into the same discussion, with the organisers seeking solutions that can be implemented across borders rather than separately by individual countries.The two-day meeting will focus on four areas considered critical to improving the competitiveness of Eastern Africa’s horticulture sector.The first is trade logistics and cold-chain systems, including the infrastructure and transport requirements needed to move perishable products efficiently.The second is digital trade and smart corridors, with participants examining how technology can improve information flows, reduce transaction costs and make cross-border movement more predictable.The third is sanitary and phytosanitary measures and non-tariff barriers. Discussions will focus on how countries can simplify procedures while maintaining the health and safety standards required for agricultural trade.The fourth is market access under the African Continental Free Trade Area, with stakeholders examining opportunities to expand horticultural trade within Africa.Organisers are positioning the Nairobi meeting as more than a forum for listing problems.Technical discussions on the first day will be used to validate priority constraints and identify potential interventions and investments.The second day will focus on translating those priorities into policy and investment commitments, including responsibilities and follow-up actions.The meeting is expected to produce a Nairobi Communiqué setting out agreed priorities, responsible institutions and proposed implementation timelines.The launch of HoCEA will provide a further platform for the industry to define its immediate agenda and priorities for its first 90 days.For the regional horticulture industry, the central test will be whether the new coordination mechanism can help convert longstanding complaints about transport, border procedures, infrastructure and market access into measures that reduce the cost and uncertainty of trading across Eastern Africa.TradeMark Africa has been supporting work involving governments, regional organisations, businesses and other stakeholders to address trade barriers and improve infrastructure, standards and digital trade systems.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 16- Nation Media Group has unveiled a major regional editorial reshuffle, with Joe Ageyo moving to Uganda as Editor-in-Chief, Washington Gikunju appointed Acting Managing Editor in Uganda, and James Smart taking charge of broadcast and new media in Tanzania in an acting capacity.In Kenya, Harry Misiko has been named Acting Editor-in-Chief, in a restructuring that also creates new acting leadership positions across publishing, broadcasting, the Daily Nation, Business Daily, the Weekend Edition and new media.The changes, effective immediately, were announced by Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Odundo, who said the realignment followed a review of NMG’s editorial structure and evolving business requirements across the region.Ageyo, who has served as NMG’s Group Editor-in-Chief, will now lead the editorial operations of NMG Uganda. Gikunju will serve as Acting Managing Editor in Uganda.In Tanzania, Smart has been appointed Acting Managing Editor, Broadcast and New Media, at Mwananchi Communications Limited.Misiko’s appointment in Kenya places him at the helm of the country’s editorial operations, with a new layer of acting editors taking responsibility for individual platforms and products.Dann Mwangi has been appointed Acting Managing Editor, Broadcast and New Media, while John Kiplagat becomes Acting Managing Editor, Publishing.Justus Wanga takes over as Acting Lead Editor, Weekend Edition; Michael Owuor as Acting Lead Editor, Daily Nation; Ben Kitili as Acting Lead Editor, Broadcasting; and Michael Omondi as Acting Lead Editor, Business Daily. Alex Ndegwa has been appointed Editor, Content Hub.The regional changes come shortly after NMG reconstituted its board following the acquisition of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development’s 54.08 per cent controlling stake in the media company by Taarifa Ltd, owned by Tanzanian businessman Rostam Aziz.The board changes saw six new directors appointed and four directors exit the board, marking a new phase for the East African media group.The new directors are former NMG journalist Julie Gichuru, Jubilee Insurance Group chief executive Julius Kipng’etich, technology entrepreneur Juliana Rotich, Scangroup founder Bharat Thakrar, former National Bank of Kenya managing director Wilfred Musau and Georgia Mutagahywa.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 16 – The High Court will on November 27 deliver the sentences of former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his two co-convicts following their conviction for the murder of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno.Justice Cecilia Githua set the date on Wednesday after hearing mitigation submissions from the prosecution, the victims’ family and the defence teams.The ruling will be delivered after the court’s annual recess, with Justice Githua saying the break had necessitated the postponement of the sentencing.“We will deliver ruling on sentence on November 27. You will recall that I had indicated that the court is commencing its annual leave tomorrow and that’s why it will be delivered then,” Justice Githua said.Obado, 64, was convicted alongside his former personal assistant Michael Juma Oyamo and former Migori County official Caspal Ojwang Obiero on July 23 after the court found that the prosecution had proved the murder case beyond reasonable doubt.The three will now remain in custody until the court determines the appropriate punishment, with the judge expected to consider the circumstances of the offence, individual culpability and the mitigation presented by each convict.During the mitigation hearing, State Counsel Gukui Gichuhi urged the court to impose sentences that reflect the seriousness of the offence, protect the interests of the public and uphold confidence in the administration of justice.The prosecution asked the court to assess each convict individually while considering factors such as whether they were first offenders, their previous character, physical condition, prospects of rehabilitation, remorse, reconciliation, personal and family circumstances and the period they have spent in custody.The State also told the court there was no evidence of provocation, self-defence or other sudden circumstances that could substantially reduce the convicts’ responsibility for the offence.The Director of Public Prosecutions has separately asked the court to consider the circumstances surrounding the murder and the individual role played by each of the three men when determining their sentences.For Sharon’s family, the sentencing has come after nearly eight years of emotional and financial strain following her death.In a victim impact statement, the family said it had spent about Sh1.2 million attending court proceedings, including travel, accommodation and meals, while another Sh3.5 million was spent on funeral and burial expenses.The financial burden, the family said, had forced them to sell a one-acre piece of land and a cow to meet some of the costs. They also sought compensation to help meet the needs of Sharon’s children, siblings and ageing parents.Sharon, 26, was seven months pregnant when she was killed in September 2018. She was a second-year Rongo University student pursuing a diploma in Medical Records and left behind three children, who are now aged between nine and 12.The family told probation officers that the prolonged case had left them emotionally traumatised and financially strained, with their ability to meet education, healthcare, food and housing needs affected.Despite the pain described in the victim impact statement, Sharon’s parents made an emotional appeal for leniency for Obado, telling the court they had forgiven him and would not oppose a non-custodial sentence.The parents said representatives of Obado’s family had reached out to them in an attempt to reconcile the two families.They told the court they would accept a probation or other non-custodial sentence for Obado if he took responsibility for supporting Sharon’s four children, according to reports from Wednesday’s proceedings.The family’s position has created a significant contrast in the sentencing proceedings: while it has described the devastating financial and emotional consequences of Sharon’s death and sought compensation, her parents have separately asked the court to exercise leniency towards Obado.Obado’s defence team also urged the court to consider a non-custodial sentence, citing mitigating circumstances, remorse and his willingness to reconcile with Sharon’s family.The former governor has maintained that he did not kill Sharon. During the trial, he denied involvement in her abduction and murder and challenged the prosecution’s evidence.In its July 23 judgment, however, the court rejected key aspects of Obado’s defence and found that the prosecution had established an unbroken chain of circumstantial evidence linking the three convicts to Sharon’s killing.The court also rejected Obado’s claim that he had accepted Sharon’s pregnancy and continued supporting her, with Justice Githua finding that the evidence before the court did not support that account.Oyamo and Obiero have similarly presented mitigation submissions. Obiero, who worked with the Migori County Government, expressed regret over the consequences of the events while denying participation in Sharon’s murder. His vehicle was cited in the pre-sentence report in connection with the transportation of people identified in the case.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sept 15 – The race for the Siaya gubernatorial seat is beginning to take shape, with Ugenya MP David Ochieng, former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo and Deputy Governor William Oduol stepping up their political positioning ahead of the 2027 General Election.Ochieng has declared his intention to seek the governor’s position, promising to make industrialisation, water access and tourism central to his administration.“We made a mistake by choosing one governor here. The old man has disappeared in Nairobi, riding around on a boda boda. But after the coming election, you will have a Broad-Based Government governor in the name of David Ochieng,” the Ugenya MP said.The former Rarieda MP has also thrown his weight behind President William Ruto and the Broad-Based Government, citing national government development projects in Siaya.“Your Excellency, part of the problem we have had here is that you have a governor who has stuck to activism and cannot serve our people.”“The people of Siaya have decided: come the 10th of August 2027, I will be your Governor,” Gumbo said.Deputy Governor William Oduol has similarly backed Ruto’s second-term bid, saying Siaya residents should support the Broad-Based Government.“I want to assure you that we, as residents of Siaya, are part of the Broad-Based Government and we support William Ruto,” Oduol said.
Read briefing SIAYA, Kenya Sep 15 – President William Ruto has accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of using Siaya Governor to frustrate government programmes, urging the county leadership to focus on serving residents.Speaking during his development tour of Siaya County on Tuesday, Ruto said the governor was elected to serve the people and should not be used as a political tool by former leaders.Ruto questioned Uhuru’s ability to challenge his administration politically, arguing that the former President failed to defeat him in the 2022 General Election.“I wonder how a person who has been President of Kenya and retired, instead of being a statesman, goes on to become a rebel leader and opposition leader. This is a shame,” Ruto said.He urged Kenyans to evaluate political leaders based on their development record, plans and vision rather than their previous positions.“Let’s not gamble. Let’s not play trial and error with our nation by electing individuals who have no track record, agenda, plan or vision,” he said.The President said the Broad-Based Government, bringing together the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Kenya Kwanza, would secure a landslide victory in the 2027 General Election.He described the political formation as the only one with the capacity to unite the country and deliver a practical development agenda.Ruto criticised emerging political alliances, describing some as personal or tribal formations without clear plans for Kenya.“Our nation is too important to be left in the hands of leaders without a plan, an agenda or a vision,” he said.Ruto’s visit also focused heavily on infrastructure development, with the President announcing Sh32 billion for the construction of 400 kilometres of new roads in Siaya County.He launched construction of the 31.8-kilometre Kalandini-Ka Elija road in Rarieda Constituency at a cost of Sh1.9 billion.The road is expected to improve connectivity and facilitate the movement of people and goods while supporting agriculture, fishing and trade.Ruto also announced that construction of the long-awaited 500-kilometre Lake Victoria Ring Road will begin in November 2026.The road will connect Busia to Muhuru Bay in Migori County through Siaya, Kisumu and Homa Bay counties.While inspecting works on Dhogoye Bridge in Bondo Constituency, Ruto said the Bondo-Usenge-Osieko road would also be tarmacked afresh.The President said the government has invested Sh10 billion in the blue economy in the region, including research into fingerling technology at Kabonyo, ferry services, construction of four piers and establishment of rescue centres along Lake Victoria.A further Sh1.5 billion has been allocated to nine fish landing sites to support the fishing industry and create wealth for communities around the lake.Ruto later launched construction of the 20-kilometre Sihay-Bar Ober-Sega road in Ugenya Constituency.He said the investments were part of efforts to address the infrastructure deficit that has constrained economic growth in Siaya and the wider Nyanza region.The President also inspected construction of 340 affordable housing units at Ukwala in Ugenya Constituency.He said the government is investing Sh28 billion in Siaya to construct 10,000 affordable housing units, 20 modern markets and student hostels with capacity for 8,000 students.Ruto added that 21,000 households in the county will be connected to electricity under the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity programme at a cost of Sh2.8 billion.“We are closing the yawning infrastructure gap in Siaya County and across the wider Nyanza region through deliberate and sustained investment in roads, water, energy and other critical infrastructure,” he said.Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo said the government was committed to addressing challenges facing Kenyans, including communities that had been marginalised by previous administrations.He was accompanied by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, National Treasury CS John Mbadi, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed and several MPs and other leaders.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 15 – The government has processed 1,083 claims for compensation arising from human rights violations, including deaths, injuries, sexual violence and economic losses suffered during demonstrations and public protests.The Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations said Tuesday that compensation was continuing on a rolling basis, with each claim subjected to verification, authentication and categorization before a payment decision is made.The process covers both civilians and uniformed officers affected by rights violations during the period under review.The Panel said it had also settled 139 claims involving verified economic losses, particularly those filed by owners of small and informal businesses whose livelihoods were disrupted during demonstrations and related incidents.Such claims are assessed using evidence including business records, police records, photographs and witness statements.“Demonstrations, public protests and related incidents have often disrupted livelihoods, enterprises and property,” the Panel said in a statement issued.The compensation programme has also extended to uniformed officers who suffered human rights violations during the period.The Panel said it had received and approved 100 claims from uniformed officers, signalling that the reparations process is not limited to civilians caught up in protests.The latest figures come as the government moves into the fourth and fifth phases of the compensation programme.The two phases involve claims that have completed verification, authentication, categorisation and approval.In Phase IV, 96 civilian claims were approved, including nine fatalities, 32 severe injuries, 28 moderate injuries, 14 minor injuries and 13 economic-loss claims.The civilian claims in the phase amount to Sh74.35 million.For uniformed officers, the phase covers one fatality, four moderate injuries and 24 minor-injury claims, bringing the total for the category to Sh7.4 million, according to the Panel’s figures.Phase V covers 83 civilian claims, including two fatalities, 80 aggravated injuries and one economic-loss claim, with compensation amounting to Sh10.5 million.A further 99 claims involving uniformed officers comprise one fatality, four severe injuries, one aggravated injury, 19 moderate injuries and 75 minor injuries.The total compensation for uniformed officers under Phase V is Sh22.75 million.The Panel put the combined value of the Phase IV and V awards at Sh113.8 million. Overall, midterm records show that Sh1.014 billion has been disbursed under the compensation programme.The Panel also announced that it had approved above-scale compensation for two cases after reviewing medical reports and additional information submitted after the initial applications.One of the cases involves a civilian and the other a uniformed officer.The Panel said the two claims were reclassified after a case-by-case assessment under the review provisions of the Reparations Guidelines, 2026.It will also recommend to President William Ruto that the two victims be enrolled in a government-funded lifetime medical scheme.The move could provide an additional layer of support for victims whose injuries require long-term medical care.The compensation programme has, however, faced legal and implementation challenges. The Panel said it had considered High Court Petition No. E488 of 2026, filed in July, in which it was named as the second respondent.It said it had complied with court directives requiring it to sequester and ring-fence Sh105 million from the compensation fund for victims of torture and enforced disappearances pending determination of the case.The Panel said it recognised concerns raised over implementation and maintained that transparency and credibility were critical to the success of the reparations process.It also said it had continued engaging victims and beneficiaries directly to confirm payments, clarify the status of claims and provide channels through which concerns can be raised.The compensation programme is part of the State’s broader reparations framework, but the Panel stressed that financial compensation does not replace criminal accountability or other legal remedies available to victims.“Compensation does not replace criminal accountability or other legal remedies available to victims,” the Panel said, adding that reparations should also contribute to institutional reform and guarantees of non-repetition.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 15 – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will conduct an Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise in Ol-Kalou Constituency from September 21 to October 20, 2026.In a public notice, the electoral commission said the month-long exercise will provide residents with an opportunity to register as voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.The ECVR exercise will run daily from Monday to Sunday throughout the registration period.IEBC said registration services will be offered at County Assembly Ward level and Constituency Offices, as well as selected Huduma Centres.The exercise will also be conducted at institutions of higher learning located within the specified electoral areas.Voters will additionally be able to access registration services at the IEBC Customer Experience Center on the ground floor of Anniversary Towers.The commission urged eligible residents in Ol-Kalou to take advantage of the exercise and register during the designated period.IEBC said that once the ECVR exercise concludes on October 20, Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and regular revision of the Register of Voters will continue at the Constituency Office.The services will be available from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, between 8am and 5pm.The Ol-Kalou exercise forms part of the commission’s preparations to update the Register of Voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 15 – The political party question has emerged as a potentially dangerous wedge in the fledgling Linda Mwananchi alliance, with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino making it clear that he is not ready to surrender his own political vehicle for the sake of a single united party.Owino, while reaffirming his support for Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s presidential bid, has revealed that he had already secured a political party before Linda Mwananchi was formed and intends to retain it as he pursues the Nairobi governorship in 2027.His position exposes a delicate balancing act within the opposition movement, which is attempting to project unity around Sifuna while its leading figures retain separate political ambitions and party interests.While coalitions have dominantly characterized politics in the country, the Linda Mwananchi team has consistently projected a picture of a single political outfit.The dispute has remained largely behind the scenes, but Owino’s detailed account of his negotiations with Sifuna offers the clearest indication yet that there has been a disagreement over which party should carry the movement into the 2027 elections.Owino disclosed on Tuesday that he met Sifuna at his office to discuss the competing party options after another principal introduced the Ukombozi People’s Party as a possible vehicle for Linda Mwananchi.“I called Hon Sifuna. We met in his office. I asked him about the Ukombozi People’s Party because they said that the Ukombozi People’s Party, Sifuna, should be the party,” Owino said.He said he also raised the question of his own party and asked Sifuna which political vehicle the movement would ultimately use.According to Owino, Sifuna initially assured him that the two could retain their respective parties while working together under a coalition arrangement.“He was clear with me, told me that there is no problem, Babu, so that he gets the position of the party leader, the party leadership, and also Babu Owino becomes also a party leader of his party,” he said.Owino was emphatic that his party did not emerge because of Linda Mwananchi. He said he began pursuing his own political vehicle after deciding that he could no longer depend on ODM to secure his ambition to become Nairobi governor.He traced the decision to February 10, 2025, when ODM leaders and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja held a meeting at Bomas of Kenya that was widely seen as an endorsement of Sakaja.Owino said he had expected the gathering to be a prayer meeting linked to the Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Africa Union Chairperson ambitions, only to discover that Sakaja was being backed for another term.“That is the day that I knew that things would never be the same again in ODM,” he said.He said he had already informed the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga of his interest in the Nairobi governorship.He said he made several unsuccessful attempts to register or acquire a party before finally securing one.“I started the journey of looking for a political party, tried three times and failed, did not succeed,” he said.He eventually secured a party in early 2026, according to his account. Owino said his political calculations were therefore already in motion long before Linda Mwananchi emerged.“On this issue of the political party, I had a journey that I was going on. I had a destination that I was looking at, that I was supposed to achieve certain things in life,” he said.Owino said he acquired the party before Linda Mwananchi came into being and intended to use it in his 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial campaign, and that’s why he is reluctant to dissolve or surrender it as part of the negotiations over a common Linda Mwananchi vehicle.The party dispute intensified after Ukombozi People’s Party emerged as another possible vehicle for the movement.Recent reports indicate that Ukombozi People’s Party is linked to the former United Democratic Party (UDP), associated with the late former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, and is reportedly being considered as one of several vehicles through which Linda Mwananchi could contest the 2027 elections.The precise current ownership and leadership structure of Ukombozi has, however, remained opaque, with the party not clearly appearing in the publicly available current ORPP party listings.Owino said the emergence of the party surprised him because Linda Mwananchi leaders had already been discussing how to use his party.He said a four-member committee had been established to identify a political vehicle for the movement. The committee, he said, included leaders who already had political parties of their own.Saboti MP Caleb Amisi was among those involved, although Owino said Amisi later left the movement. The committee was expected to consolidate the available parties into one vehicle.“Four of us had parties. So we were tasked to come up with one party, to amalgamate these parties into one, come up with one party that we would use as a vehicle,” Owino said.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 14 – President William Ruto has said the Government is working closely with the family of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to organise the anniversary of his death.Ruto said the Government was supporting the family in preparations for the commemoration, while also overseeing the construction of a mausoleum in honour of the former Prime Minister.According to the President, the mausoleum is expected to be completed by October 14.“The Government is working with the Raila family in organising the anniversary of his death,” Ruto said.He added that the Government would continue supporting the family as preparations for the anniversary and the memorial project continue.The mausoleum is expected to serve as a lasting tribute to Raila, who remained a central figure in Kenya’s political history and played a key role in the country’s democratic development.The President did not provide further details on the anniversary programme or the location and design of the mausoleum.The Government’s involvement comes as the Odinga family prepares to mark the anniversary of the former Prime Minister’s death.
Read briefing KISUMU, Kenya Sep 14 – President William Ruto has defended the housing levy, saying both the Azimio la Umoja and Kenya Kwanza political coalitions proposed the introduction of a levy in their election manifestos.Speaking during a media engagement at Kisumu State Lodge on Monday, Ruto said the housing levy was not an idea introduced exclusively by his administration.The President, however, acknowledged that while the Kenya Kwanza manifesto proposed a housing levy, it did not specify the percentage to be deducted.“Both manifestos had a levy. The Kenya Kwanza manifesto did not say what percentage,” Ruto said.Ruto made the remarks while explaining his administration’s decision to pursue the affordable housing programme despite opposition from sections of the public and political actors.The housing levy has been a subject of political and legal debate, with critics questioning its implementation, deductions and the use of the funds.The President maintained that the affordable housing programme was necessary to address the country’s housing deficit, create jobs and support economic growth.He said the initiative had been included in his political plans even before he became president, adding that it remained a central component of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s development agenda.Ruto also argued that the programme would support urban planning as more Kenyans move to towns and cities.He said approximately 60 per cent of the country’s population is expected to live in urban areas by 2050, making planned housing developments necessary to prevent the expansion of informal settlements.The President further said the housing programme had created employment opportunities for workers such as carpenters, electricians, tilers and engineers, while supporting industries producing cement, steel, glass and other construction materials.Ruto maintained that despite the opposition and court challenges facing the housing levy, his administration would continue implementing the affordable housing programme.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 14 – The Kiambu County Government has rejected claims linking its piglet distribution programme to an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) that has killed about 1,470 pigs on more than 20 farms in the county since mid-May.The county, in a statement, said the disease was a national animal health challenge and was not unique to Kiambu, as it sought to distance Governor Kimani Wamatangi’s piglet programme from the outbreak.The statement came as farmers in Kiambu continued to count losses from the highly contagious disease, with some herds suffering mortality rates of up to 100 per cent. The outbreak has been reported mainly in Juja, Thika and Ruiru.The scale of the losses has left some farmers facing the collapse of businesses they had built over several years.In one case, a farmer in neighbouring Ruai lost all 156 pigs in about 72 hours, putting his losses at nearly Sh3 million. Peter Gitonga Kimani said the herd represented years of investment and was his family’s main source of income.“I had 156 pigs and during this day on 24th June 2026 my farm was hit by the African swine flu and I lost all my stock,” Kimani said.The losses have raised concerns among pig farmers over the future of the industry, with some holding back from restocking.Responding to claims that animals distributed through its programme could have contributed to the outbreak, the county said all piglets supplied to beneficiaries are sourced from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), a government-owned agricultural research institution.It said the programme, spearheaded by Governor Wamatangi, operates in partnership with KALRO and that the animals are sourced from the organisation under established animal health and breeding standards.“Therefore, attempts to link the Kiambu County Government piglets programme to the outbreak of African Swine Fever is directly saying KALRO, which is a national government parastatal, has been breeding and distributing infected piglets, which is definitely untrue,” the county said.The county said the programme has so far benefited more than 70,000 men and young people across Kiambu, enabling households to venture into commercial pig farming and improve their incomes.It maintained that claims linking the programme to ASF were “false and misleading”.The defence comes against the backdrop of a wider outbreak that has affected several parts of the country. Besides Kiambu, significant outbreaks have been reported in Tharaka-Nithi, Busia, Embu, Kakamega, Homa Bay and Migori.Tharaka-Nithi recorded 108 cases and 97 deaths between January 5 and 11, according to the Department of Veterinary Services.African Swine Fever is particularly devastating because there is no commercially available vaccine or cure. The disease can spread rapidly between pigs and, in severe outbreaks, wipe out entire herds.Director of Veterinary Services Allan Azegele has said biosecurity remains the main line of defence against the disease, with farmers advised to restrict movement of people, animals and equipment between farms and report suspected cases promptly.For farmers who have lost entire herds, however, containment is only the first challenge. They must also find a way to replace breeding stock, recover investments in housing and feed and restore an income stream that may have disappeared within days.The outbreak has consequently placed renewed focus on disease surveillance, farm biosecurity and compensation or other support mechanisms for farmers who lose livestock to outbreaks.The government has intensified surveillance and response measures, while also monitoring livestock movement as it seeks to prevent the disease from spreading further.The Kiambu County Government’s piglet distribution programme is one of the county’s flagship initiatives aimed at supporting youth and households to venture into commercial pig farming. The programme provides beneficiaries with breeding stock, with the county saying it is designed to create income-generating opportunities and improve household livelihoods.According to the county government, the piglets distributed under the programme are sourced from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), a national agricultural research institution. Kiambu says the arrangement is intended to ensure beneficiaries receive quality breeding stock produced under established animal health and breeding standards.The programme, spearheaded by Governor Kimani Wamatangi, has reportedly reached more than 70,000 men and young people across the county. The county says beneficiaries have used the animals to establish commercial pig enterprises, with some farmers expanding their herds and creating additional income from the sale of pigs and related products.The programme has, however, come under renewed scrutiny following the outbreak of African Swine Fever in parts of Kiambu and reports of significant losses among pig farmers. The county has rejected claims that its distributed piglets are responsible for the outbreak, arguing that linking the programme to the disease would amount to suggesting that KALRO supplied infected animals.
Read briefing Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has launched Africa’s largest ever share sale, offering a stake in his oil refinery to the general public in a deal that could raise as much as $2.1bn (£1.6bn).The initial public offering (IPO) is for roughly 3% of the Dangote refinery, with the billionaire saying he wanted to give ordinary Nigerians the chance to share in the plant’s success.The refinery, which started production in 2024, is one of the largest in the world and took more than a decade to complete.It now supplies more than 70% of Nigeria’s energy consumption, and many Nigerians have expressed excitement at the prospect of owning a part of it.Among them is Isah Salisu, who told the BBC he withdrew 50,000 naira (£28; $37) from his savings to invest.“My hope is that my small money will one day grow big. I don’t want to miss out as many I know are also investing,” he said.The IPO lasts for a month and the minimum purchase is 10 shares, costing about $4.Economy and business expert Dr Abdulrazak Ibrahim Fagge told the BBC that Monday’s event was historic.But he warned investors that the price of the shares could fall, meaning people could lose some of their money.“What prospective buyers, especially first-time buyers, should know is that they shouldn’t invest all their money or money they would need in a couple of months,” he said.“They should invest something they could do without for the next three, four, five years.”He also warned people to be wary of scammers, saying there are people who would want to take advantage of those without good knowledge of the process.“I will advise people to only deal with the institutions that have been listed,” he said.Nigeria is Africa’s biggest oil producer but until the refinery was opened, most of the country’s fuel had to be imported because of a lack of refining capacity in the country.Born in Kano, Dangote, 67, has a net worth of around $28bn, according to Forbes magazine.He made his fortune in cement and sugar in Nigeria before expanding to 16 other African countries.The Lagos refinery was first announced in 2013 with an initial estimated cost of around $19bn, but construction did not begin until 2017. It was further delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.The site, in the Lekki Free Zone near Lagos, required massive land reclamation, with 65 million cubic metres of sand moved.The refinery has a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, making it the seventh-largest in the world.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 14 – A woman from Juja, Kiambu County, has delivered five babies through normal delivery at Thika Level Five Hospital in a rare quintuplet birth.Mercy Kanini delivered the five babies despite the significant risks associated with quintuplet pregnancies, which commonly require specialised medical care and may involve Caesarean section.Kanini said she arrived at the hospital and delivered the first baby shortly afterwards.Medical staff then began preparing her for theatre for a Caesarean section to deliver the remaining babies.However, following further medical assessment, the plan changed and Kanini was allowed to proceed with normal delivery.“After some time, I don’t know what happened, they said I could deliver normally. I was very happy on learning that I had delivered five babies,” she said.The delivery is considered particularly unusual because normal vaginal delivery of quintuplets is extremely rare.Kanini said she was not afraid during the delivery, crediting the medical team for making the experience easier.“I was not afraid, the way I have been attended to has made me happy,” she said.The five babies were placed in nurseries after delivery, where they received medical attention.Kanini praised the doctors, nurses and Kiambu County leadership for the quality of care she received at the hospital.The quintuplets are Kanini’s third delivery. She previously gave birth to a boy and a daughter.Kanini’s husband, Evans Nyamhanga, described the arrival of the five babies as a miracle.He said the couple had expected four babies but were surprised when five were delivered.“I was expecting four babies but God has been a God of miracles, we have got five,” Nyamhanga said.While celebrating the birth, Nyamhanga acknowledged the financial burden that comes with raising five newborns.He appealed to Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and other well-wishers to support the family.“I wish to appeal to Governor Wamatangi to stand with me although he has already provided me with an ambulance, and to anyone else willing to stand with me I will be thankful,” he said.Quintuplet pregnancies are considered high-risk because of the increased possibility of complications affecting both the mother and babies.Multiple pregnancies are more likely to result in premature births and low birth weights, meaning newborns may require specialised neonatal care.Depending on the circumstances, doctors may recommend Caesarean delivery to reduce risks during birth.Kanini’s case was different after doctors assessed her condition and determined that she could safely deliver the remaining babies normally.She did not disclose whether she conceived naturally or through fertility treatment.Natural conception of quintuplets without fertility treatment is extremely rare. Fertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) can increase the likelihood of multiple births, particularly when more than one embryo is transferred.In May 2026, 35-year-old Bedriya Adem gave birth to five babies at Hiwot Fana Specialised Hospital in Harari Regional State after reportedly trying to conceive for 12 years.The babies weighed between 1.3kg and 1.4kg and were reported to be in good health.Hospital Medical Director Dr Mohammed Nur Abdulahi told the BBC that Adem had conceived naturally without IVF.For Kanini and Nyamhanga, the birth marks the beginning of a new chapter for their family, bringing the joy of five newborns alongside the financial and practical demands of raising quintuplets.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sept 13 – The United Democratic Alliance and the Orange Democratic Movement are not competitors, President William Ruto has said.Instead, the President pointed out, the two parties are working and in partnership under the Broad-Based Government framework.He stated that UDA and ODM parties are working together in the transformation of the country.“UDA and ODM are not competitors but partners in the Broad-Based Government,” he said.The President spoke during a church service at Voice of Salvation And Healing Church in Kisumu on Sunday in the company of Governors Anyang Nyongo (Kisumu), Ochilo Ayacko (Migori) and Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) and MPs, among other leaders.At the same time, President Ruto said the Government has made remarkable progress in the past four years under the Kenya Kwanza administration.The Government, he pointed out, has fulfilled most of the pledges made to the people of Kenya during the 2022 General Election.“I stand before you to say that God has helped us deliver most of what we agreed with Kenyans four years ago,” he said.He said the Government has stabilised and grown the country’s economy, elevating it to the 6th largest in Africa.“We have reduced inflation, stabilised exchange rates, and our foreign exchange reserves have grown two and half times,” President Ruto said.On infrastructure development, the President said the Government has paid pending bills that had resulted in stalled road projects across the country.As a result, contractors are back on site, working on over 6000km of roads, including new ones, across the country.“We have paid close to KSh250 billion in debt owed to road contractors in Kenya,” he said.On agriculture, he said the Government has transformed the sector, supported farmers and dealt with cartels and brokers in the sugar, tea, milk and coffee sectors.The cost of fertiliser, he noted, was retailing at KSh7,000 in 2022 but the price has been reduced to KSh2,000 for a 50kg bag.In education, the President said the Government has addressed the shortage of classrooms and teachers by building 23,000 classrooms and hiring 100,000 teachers. Later this year, another 20,000 teachers will be recruited.“We also streamlined the Competency-Based Curriculum and are refining the higher education funding model to ensure that all students who join university, technical college and Kenya Medical Training College are fully funded,” President Ruto stated.Additionally, he said the new funding model will enable universities to become sustainable and financially stable.The President said the Government has transformed public health insurance under the Social Health Authority (SHA), making it more inclusive than the defunct National Hospital Infrastructure Fund (NHIF).Today, he explained, 33 million Kenyans have registered with SHA in 23 months, four times more than NHIF’s 8 million in close to 60 years.President Ruto also cited the implementation of the Affordable Housing Programme, saying it is not only creating jobs but also making home ownership a reality for low-income earnership a reality for low-income earners.He said the government has begun the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway from Narok to Kisumu, and Kisumu to Malaba.On the expected El Nino rains, the President said the Government has put in place robust measures to cushion the country.He announced that the Government had put in place measures to make sure there are no unintended losses.“We have prepared ourselves adequately to deal with the change of El Nino when it happens,” he said.Wanga said ODM will continue working with the government under the Broad-Based Government arrangement for the sake of national transformation.Ayacko called for unity among Kenyans, saying it will make it easier to develop the countr
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sept 13 – Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has sought the backing of Nairobi residents for efforts to unite opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 General Election.Addressing supporters, Sifuna said the opposition would only succeed in defeating President William Ruto if its leaders worked together rather than pursuing individual political interests.“People of Nairobi, I want to start by saying thank you very much for your votes that sent me to the Senate because of my work in the Senate, nowadays the whole of Kenya is singing that they are also ‘Sifuna'”“If it were not for you lifting me up and giving me that opportunity, very few people in Kenya would know Sifuna,” the Nairobi Senator said.He urged supporters to be prepared to work with leaders across the opposition spectrum, including Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua.The former ODM Secretary-General thanked Nairobi residents for electing him to the Senate, saying their support had given him a platform to influence national politics.“The whole of Kenya is saying there is another task they want to send me to do. There is one person in this Kenya who has oppressed us greatly—every day when you wake up, his job has been increasing taxes on everything, locking out small-scale traders, and to make matters worse, beating up the youth.”
Read briefing MONACO, September 13 — Green Africa Foundation Chief Steward Dr Isaac Kalua Green has presented His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco with the first copy of his new book, Come Back and Check, as the two foundations explore new areas of cooperation on climate and conservation across Africa.The presentation took place at the Prince’s Palace during a meeting that reviewed more than two decades of cooperation between the Green Africa Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.The meeting was also attended by Romain Ciarlet, Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.Discussions focused on the Green Africa Foundation’s contribution to continental sustainability efforts, the Green Africa Villages model, an update on the long-running Plant Your Age campaign and Dr Green’s recent appointment as Chairman of the Board of the Green Nairobi Company.In Come Back and Check, published by the Green Africa Foundation, Dr Green challenges governments, corporations and global environmental movements to go beyond counting what they plant and instead measure what survives.The book subjects his own Plant Your Age campaign, which reports an estimated 981 million tree-growing contributions since 2011, to the same seven-point test he proposes for governments and corporations. He concludes that the campaign can fully answer only a fraction of the questions needed to establish its long-term impact.Drawing on forest recovery experiences from South Korea, farmer-led regeneration in Niger and a government audit in the Philippines, the book proposes common standards including a “Count What Survives Standard,” an Evidence Ladder and a Living Tree Account that governments and companies could adopt.“For years, we have measured our progress by what we plant on the day of planting, not by what is still standing when no one is watching,” Dr Green said.“This book begins with an audit of my own campaign because I did not think it right to ask any government to check its numbers before I had checked mine. My appeal to the Kenyan government, and to governments everywhere, is simple: come back and check what you planted before you announce what you plan to plant next.”Prince Albert II’s relationship with Dr Green spans two decades. He visited Green Africa Foundation project sites in Kitui in 2010 and wrote the foreword to Dr Green’s earlier book, Green for Life.During the meeting, Prince Albert praised Dr Green’s work and pledged continued collaboration.The two sides also explored potential synergies between the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s programmes, which focus on climate, biodiversity, water and ocean protection, and the Green Africa Foundation’s community-level work across Africa.The discussions included the Green Africa Villages model and the Plant Your Age campaign.“Our renewed focus in Africa involves working with communities to improve livelihoods, as well as mobilising private capital to invest in scalable African enterprises,” Ciarlet said.“We are happy to discuss ways of collaborating with the Green Africa Foundation in this endeavour.”Dr Green, who was recently appointed Chairman of the Board of the Green Nairobi Company, said the organisation was already in discussions with partners globally as it explores international partnerships to deliver climate and environmental infrastructure at scale.Come Back and Check closes with a question Dr Green says he now puts to every government, company and campaign he encounters, including his own: “What have you begun that still needs you to return? Come back and check.”
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sept 13 – Two suspects have been arrested as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) intensifies investigations into the chaos that disrupted a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) delegates’ meeting at Nembure Grounds in Embu County.One person died, several police officers injured and several motor vehicles torched after the residents stormed the meeting attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.“Political differences must never become a license for lawlessness. No grievance, disagreement or political affiliation places anyone above the law,” the DCI said in a statement on Sunday, adding that detectives were pursuing additional suspects linked to the criminal acts committed during the unrest.According to the NPS, officers intervened after a group attempted to breach the meeting.“Upon the group’s unlawful attempt to breach the meeting, officers acted decisively and repulsed the assailants,” NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said.The NPS said several suspects were arrested at the scene and investigations commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify all those involved.The DCI has since confirmed the arrest of two suspects in connection with the incident, while detectives continue to pursue additional people linked to the violence.The agency said those who attack others, torch vehicles, destroy property, barricade public roads or assault police officers would be pursued, arrested and brought to justice.The disruption brought the UDA meeting to a halt as police moved to contain the confrontation around the venue. Several police officers were among those injured during the unrest, according to the DCI.Kindiki later condemned the disruption and called for action against those responsible. In his capacity as UDA deputy party leader, he said the party regretted the loss and damage resulting from the incident and opposed the use of violence in political competition.“The Party condemns violence and demands that law enforcement agencies take punitive measures against all those responsible for perpetuating political violence,” Kindiki said.He said UDA supported competition based on policies and development records rather than violence.“The Party stands for issue-based politics and a contest around who or which party has a better development track record and policy goals for Kenya’s future,” Kindiki said.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 13 — Security has been heightened in Nairobi ahead of the Linda Mwananchi movement’s rally at Jacaranda Grounds on Sunday.The measure comes a day after Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud announced security agencies will be restricting political gatherings in the Central Business District (CBD) and deploying officers along areas expected to be used by supporters travelling to the main venue.There is a heavy security presence at the All Saints Catherdral, where the Linda Mwananchi bridge led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino among other leaders are attending church service.Heavily armed police officers could be seen in various parts of the city conducting patrols on foot and others in trucks.Nairobi Regional Police Commander on Saturday revealed that police had received notification of the planned rally and would allow the political activities to proceed within the law, but warned that the CBD would remain out of bounds for the procession.Mohamud said police had received information indicating that some individuals could mobilise unruly youths to confront rival groups, prompting increased security measures in the city.“Therefore, I make a direct appeal to all political leaders, organisers or influencers to restrain their supporters and control their crowds. No political objective is worth the blood of a Kenyan,” he said.“Large political rallies will not be permitted. We will not allow [them] to disrupt the normal function of the CBD,” Mohamud said. He added, “Particularly on Saturdays and Sundays, we will not allow you, will not allow anybody to make a political rally there.”The Linda Mwananchi programme kicks off with a church service at All Saints Cathedral before supporters move through parts of Nairobi. The planned route includes Marikiti, Gikomba, Burma Market, Jogoo Road, Manyanja Road, B Centre and Stage 17 before the procession heads to Jacaranda Grounds in Embakasi East.The main rally is expected to take place at Jacaranda Grounds, where leaders associated with the movement are scheduled to address supporters. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has been among the leaders mobilising for the Nairobi event.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sept 12 – At least two people are feared dead and several others injured after chaos erupted during a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) meeting convened by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in Nembure, Embu County. The violence reportedly saw two vehicles torched as police fired tear gas to disperse rival groups that clashed during the meeting. The incident disrupted the UDA gathering, which was part of the party’s political activities in the region. UDA has condemned the violence, saying the disruption caused loss and damage and calling on law enforcement agencies to take action against those responsible. The ruling party pledged to stand with members affected by the disruption of its grassroots meeting in Nembure, Embu County. UDA Deputy Party Leader Kithure Kindiki said the party leadership in Embu had been tasked with verifying the exact nature and extent of the losses and damage reported during the incident. Kindiki said the party would coordinate responses and stand in solidarity with those adversely affected. He also reiterated UDA’s opposition to political violence, calling on law enforcement agencies to take punitive action against individuals responsible for organising or perpetrating violence.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 12— Kenya has expanded its treatment options for diabetes and obesity with the introduction of Ozempic and Wegovy, but experts say the impact of the new medicines will ultimately depend on whether patients can afford them and whether more Kenyans are diagnosed early.Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk officially launched the prescription medicines in Nairobi on Saturday, amid growing concern over the rise of type 2 diabetes, obesity and related cardiovascular and metabolic conditions.Ozempic has been introduced for the management of type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is intended for weight management among eligible people living with obesity or those who are overweight and have associated health conditions.Both medicines contain semaglutide, but they are prescribed for different purposes and at different doses.Health professionals at the launch stressed that neither medicine should be used without proper medical assessment and supervision.The launch comes as Kenya and the wider African region face an expanding burden of non-communicable diseases, putting additional pressure on health systems already dealing with significant unmet medical needs.Consultant physician and endocrinologist Dr Roseline Ngugi said diabetes prevalence across Africa had increased sharply over the past decade.“Africa alone has seen a rise in the prevalence of diabetes of over 142 per cent in the last ten years,” Ngugi said.She warned that the challenge is compounded by the number of people living with diabetes without knowing they have the condition, leaving them vulnerable to complications affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves and blood vessels.Ngugi said greater investment in screening and early diagnosis was therefore essential, arguing that access to medicines alone would not reverse the trend.The launch also placed obesity at the centre of the country’s growing cardio-metabolic health challenge.Ngugi rejected the view that obesity should be treated simply as a consequence of personal lifestyle choices, saying it should instead be recognised as a medical condition closely associated with other serious diseases.“Obesity is not a lifestyle disease. It is a metabolic condition closely causing cardio-metabolic diseases,” she said.She said obesity was increasingly affecting different age groups, including children, raising concerns about the long-term health consequences for future generations.While the arrival of Ozempic and Wegovy gives Kenyan patients and doctors additional treatment options, questions remain over how widely the medicines will be accessible.Ngugi said affordability and availability had historically been major barriers to treatment for chronic conditions.“One of the problems we had is accessibility. However, I am excited to announce that the price they are offering is affordable,” she said.No specific retail prices for the two medicines were provided during the launch.The question of cost is particularly significant for chronic conditions that require sustained treatment. Experts said broader access would require collaboration between government, insurers, healthcare providers and other stakeholders.The medicines are prescription treatments and are not intended for unsupervised use or to be treated as interchangeable simply because they contain the same active ingredient.Doctors must assess a patient’s medical history, condition and eligibility before prescribing them, while patients require continued monitoring because, like other medicines, they can have side effects and may not be appropriate for everyone.Novo Nordisk Business Area Africa Head Malika De Maillard said the scale of diabetes and obesity across Africa underscored the need for stronger health responses.She pointed to the links between diabetes and other cardio-metabolic conditions, including cardiovascular and kidney disease, arguing for treatment approaches that address interconnected health risks rather than isolated conditions.The company said healthcare professionals would receive information on patient eligibility, prescribing and appropriate use of the medicines, alongside information on patient-support programmes.Ozempic is used by adults with type 2 diabetes to help control blood sugar alongside appropriate diet and physical activity.Wegovy is used together with dietary and physical-activity interventions to support weight management in eligible patients with obesity or excess weight and related medical conditions.Danish Ambassador to Kenya Stephan Schønemann welcomed the availability of additional treatment options for patients.He linked the launch to the longstanding Kenya-Denmark relationship and called for deeper cooperation in healthcare, innovation and knowledge exchange.The ambassador also highlighted disparities in health outcomes and the need to address the underlying conditions contributing to those differences.Experts said medicines should form part of a broader response combining prevention, public awareness, screening, early diagnosis, professional training and sustained follow-up care.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sept 12 – Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has condemned an attempted disruption of a UDA grassroots meeting in Nembure, Manyatta Constituency, Embu County.The meeting, which brought together UDA grassroots leaders, was disrupted after a group of young people reportedly attempted to storm the venue.Security officers used tear gas to disperse the group, allowing the meeting led by Kindiki, who is also UDA deputy party leader, to proceed.Kindiki accused opposition leaders of mobilising the youths to disrupt the meeting, saying political parties should be allowed to conduct their activities peacefully.He said Kenya remains a democracy where all political parties are free to hold meetings provided they respect the law and maintain peace.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sept 12 – Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua has intensified his criticism of President William Ruto, declaring that his political camp has plans to remove the President from power in the 2027 General Election.Speaking during an engagement with Kenyans living in Portland, Oregon USA, Gachagua said his proposed administration would seek to reverse some of the policies implemented by the current government, including the housing levy.“These are things that we shall do. So we want to tell you William Ruto we have plans but the only one we are telling you is to remove you,” he said.Gachagua’s remarks were in response to Ruto’s taunting that those challenging him in 2027 polls are clueless, vision less to lead the country.He accused the government of overtaxing Kenyans without a corresponding improvement in public services, while promising to restore what he termed the dignity of workers’ payslips.“One of the things we shall do, we shall scrap the housing levy as a way of dignifying the person. Government has no business building houses for people. That is the work of every individual in the private sector.”“The work of the government is to give services to provide water, electricity, seaweed, sanitation, drainage, security, health care, education. That’s what I’ve seen happening here in the States. So we shall scrub the housing levy and no other taxes. that uh are unreasonable,” the DCP Leader.He also promised to streamline business licensing, tackle corruption and clear government pending bills within one year.On social issues, Gachagua pledged to establish a fully-fledged state department to tackle drug and substance abuse, illicit alcohol, addiction and rehabilitation, while increasing spending on mental health.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 12 – Comedian and content creator Sammy Kioko has declared his candidature for the Mavoko Constituency parliamentary seat ahead of the 2027 General Election, pledging to take his campaign directly to residents and pursue what he described as politics free from insults, hate and deception.“With a lot of humility, gratitude, and a big sense of responsibility, I have listened. I have walked with you, and I am ready to take the next step. I, Sammy Kioko, officially declare my candidature for the member of parliament, Mavoko constituency,” Kioko said.Kioko said his “Mbele Pazuri” message was more than a campaign slogan, describing it as a vision that he wants residents to pursue together.“‘Mbele Pazuri’ is not just a slogan, it is a reality. And if you are here and you believe that the future is good, I ask that we walk together on this journey and hold each other,” he said.He said he would seek votes without resorting to personal attacks or what he described as “politics of weakness”, saying his focus would be on helping residents move out of poverty.“I will not lie to you, I will not deceive you, and I will not do politics of weakness. I want us to move out of poverty, I want us to move out of politics of hate and politics of insults. I will ask you for your votes, and I will work,” Kioko said.Kioko questioned whether attacking political opponents should be the basis of his campaign, challenging supporters to consider whether insults would improve their lives.“Do you want me to insult people so that you can give me votes? Do you want me to mention my opponents so that you can give me votes?” he asked.He said the campaign would be vigorous and would involve direct engagement with residents across the constituency.Kioko said he would undertake a door-to-door campaign, visiting residents in their homes, sitting with them and sharing meals as they discuss their concerns and how they can work together.“I will come to your homes. We will sit with you, we will eat with you, and we will talk about how we will work together and how we will move forward,” he said.He specifically mentioned Athi River, Mlolongo, Muthwani and Kinanie among the areas he intends to visit during the campaign.Kioko acknowledged that politics comes with challenges, including criticism and attacks on social media, but said he was prepared for the contest.“Politics has many challenges. At this moment, when you go on social media, it is just war. There will be enemies, but there is nothing that can scare us,” he said.He also called on his supporters to help spread his message in areas where he would not personally be present, asking them to act as his agents and ambassadors.“If it is the citizen, we put them first. If it is votes, we look for them. Wherever I am not, you are my agents, you are my ambassadors. Talk about Sammy Kioko where I am not,” he said.Kioko’s declaration marks his move from entertainment into elective politics as he seeks to represent Mavoko in the 2027 General Election.He said he was ready to take his campaign to residents across the constituency and urged those who believe in his “Mbele Pazuri” message to join him in the political journey.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sept 11 – Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has dismissed political speculation over the position of Deputy President, insisting the seat is not vacant.Speaking when he toured the Tharaka Nithi County Headquaters, Mudavadi said Kindiki has been instrumental in supporting the President in the execution of his duties.“As a member of this government, the position of Deputy President is not vacant. The President said he had appointed Professor Kithure Kindiki to that position, and we respect that decision and work with him. That is how good governance is established,” he said.Mudavadi’s remarks days after Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya convened a Western Kenya leaders’ caucus to demand he be named the Deputy President should President William Ruto secure a second term post-2027 elections.“So, the politics being talked about should not worry you because you cannot stop a politician from making all sorts of statements. But, as a matter of understanding and respect, we work very well with Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki. He helps us a lot and also supports the President in a very good way,” the PCS stated.He has urged Kenyans not to be distracted by politicians making claims about the Deputy President’s position.“The President does not look over his shoulder anymore, wondering who is behind him. These days, when he is working, he moves forward because he knows there is no backstabbing from behind,” Mudavadi added.
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