Former Embakasi West MP George Theuri has officially joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after ditching the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).Theuri was received into ODM on Tuesday, September 29, by ODM Secretary General Catherine Omanyo, marking his latest political shift ahead of the 2027 General Election."Welcome to the Chungwa Movement, George Theuri…in ODM we make dreams come true," the party stated.According to ODM, the former lawmaker committed his support and allegiance to ODM and the broad-based government."SG Omanyo today officially received into the party the immediate former MP for Embakasi West, Hon. Theuri, who committed his support and allegiance to the Movement," ODM said.Theuri had served as Embakasi West MP from 2013 to 2022, when he lost the election after contesting on the UDA ticket, losing to Jubilee's Mark Mwenje.Following the loss, he was appointed by then Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as his personal assistant, a position he held until his latest move.There have been reports since the beginning of the year that Theuri had left Gachagua, but there have been no official statements associating him with the broad-based government.However, in September, Theuri officially announced his departure from Rigathi Gachagua's political camp, shifting his allegiance to President William Ruto.He cited non-participatory leadership and intolerance of alternative ideas as reasons for his departure.Theuri is eyeing a return to his former seat in parliament, with reports indicating that he has started underground campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.His move to ODM comes as political parties continue positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections, with several politicians shifting allegiances and exploring new political formations.Leaders who have announced allegiance to different political parties recently include Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha and his Murang'a counterpart Irungu Kang'ata, who have joined DCP.Kiharu lawmaker Ndindi Nyoro has aligned with the People's Party of Kenya (PPK) after leaving UDA, while several leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, have ditched ODM to form the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
Read briefing Lawyers representing politician Rose Mbithe Mulwa and her two children have withdrawn from the murder case of psychiatrist Dr. Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, citing disagreements with their clients over legal advice. The lawyers, led by Cliff Ombeta, told the Milimani High Court they no longer wished to represent Mulwa, her son Chris Mulwa and daughter Angela Mulwa, asking the court to strike their names from the record. The lawyers said the accused were not heeding their advice, making it difficult for them to continue representing them. The development came as the three, as well as two other accused persons, appeared before Justice Alexander Muteti to take plea over the killing of Dr. Mutiso, who was shot dead on July 29, 2026. Mulwa, her two children, Police Constable Elijah Kimoi and Maritim Kimutai all pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. At the same time, the accused persons raised allegations of torture and mistreatment while in custody. Angela Mulwa further claimed that Police Constable Kimoi had been coerced into implicating her brother, Chris, as the gunman in the killing. The prosecution sought 14 days to respond to the defence affidavits, but Justice Muteti directed the State to file its responses within seven days. The court set October 6, 2026, for the hearing of the accused persons’ bail and bond applications. So far, investigations have linked Dr. Mutiso’s killing...
Read briefing AKOKO AKECH - Homa Bay: The Road to Afgoonistan and the Van-goons of Democracy theelephant.info
Read briefing KILIFI, Kenya, Sep 29 — The ownership and operations of the Dangote East Africa Refinery, whose construction will be launched on Wednesday, will be open and transparent, President William Ruto has said.The President stated that the Government will have a stake in the landmark facility, and Kenyans will be given an opportunity to buy shares through the Nairobi Securities Exchange.At the same time, the President issued a stern warning to individuals he accused of frustrating investors seeking opportunities in Kenya by making unreasonable demands and imposing selfish conditions. He said such actions risk driving away capital and slowing the country’s economic transformation.President Ruto made it clear that the Government will not allow profiteers to derail the refinery project.He described the Sh2 trillion project as an economic game-changer for Kenya and the wider region.He was speaking in Kilifi and Kwale counties on Tuesday on the fourth day of his Coast development tour.The President said the people seeking to derail the refinery have been frustrating major investments, citing Nigeria businessman Aliko Dangote’s earlier efforts to establish a cement factory in Kenya and the proposed crude oil pipeline between Kenya and Uganda.“Investors need incentives, not conditions,” he said, noting that the refinery will create significant economic opportunities for Kenyans and strengthen the country’s foreign reserves.He explained that he would not allow anyone to demand shares from the investment, saying the Government has a stake in the refinery and some of these shares will be sold through the Nairobi Securities Exchange.Pointing out that frustrating investors has led to declining foreign direct investment, the President said Kenya’s foreign direct investment was $1.6 billion in 2022 but has risen to $3.2 billion in 2025.“Once the Dangote Refinery is operational, we expect to increase foreign direct investment to between $6 billion and $7 billion,” he said.On the land question, President Ruto said his commitment to providing the land answer was not merely a campaign promise, but a deliberate desire to transform the Coast and restore the rights of residents who have endured decades of uncertainty over land ownership.“The land challenges in this region have violated the rights of the people, causing widespread poverty and the spectre of constant evictions,” he said.The President said the Government has allocated Sh10 billion towards resolving the land question and will continue funding the programme in the subsequent years.To accelerate the adjudication of land which has been purchased by the Government, he said 300 Ministry of Lands officials have been deployed to the Coast.The move is intended to meet the Government’s target of issuing 500,000 title deeds in the Coast region by December 2026.In Kilifi County, the President issued 36,000 title deeds to residents at Karisa Maitha Stadium in Kilifi town, on Tuesday.He informed the beneficiaries that the title deeds have been fully paid for by the Government and told them not to pay any money.He regretted that the Coast has waited for far too long for justice on land and development rights.“There are those who are saying development at the Coast is a right of the people. Yes, I agree. But justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.President Ruto stated that the Government’s rapid response initiative on the land purchase, surveying and titling is part of what he termed “the land answer” for the Coast.“We are doing this in all the six counties in the Coast. Our officers will be here until all the land is surveyed,” he said.In Kwale, President Ruto identified water security as a priority for the Coast, saying the Government will progressively address perennial shortages through major water infrastructure projects.He inspected construction works at Mwache Dam in Kinango Constituency, a flagship project designed to strengthen water supply in Kwale and some parts of Mombasa.The dam is nearing completion and is expected to provide 186 million litres of water daily.On the blue economy, he pointed out that the Government is investing heavily in the sector to improve food security, create jobs, raise incomes and accelerate economic growth along the Coast.He said KSh15 billion has been allocated to the sector for the development of several fish landing sites across the region.President Ruto pointed to a Sh300 million fish landing facility nearing completion in Kilifi, while the Shimoni fishing port and Liwatoni landing facilities are ready in Kwale.The modern facilities are designed to support value addition and include essential infrastructure such as cold-storage facilities.The Government, President Ruto said, has also expanded Kenya’s deep-sea fishing capacity, with the number of vessels increasing from two in 2022 to 24.The President said those opposed to transformative projects are seeking to perpetuate the historical marginalisation of the Coast and urged residents to support leaders with clear development plans.
Read briefing The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) marked a major milestone in regional trade with the successful maiden cargo flag-in ceremony for the Rwanda National Energy Company (RNEC) at the KOT2 (Kipevu Oil Terminal 2) facility in Mombasa. The historic occasion was anchored by the arrival of the vessel MT Sea Wolf, which delivered RNEC’s inaugural shipment […]
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 29 – A former housekeeper at the home of Dutch businessman Tob Cohen has told the High Court that he witnessed an alleged violent confrontation between Cohen and his wife, Sarah Wairimu Kamotho, months before Cohen was killed in July 2019. Chrispinus Shihemi, who worked for the couple as a gardener and housekeeper, was among three prosecution witnesses who testified on Tuesday before Justice Diana Kavedza as the murder trial continued at the High Court in Kibera. Wairimu is accused of murdering Cohen, jointly with others not before the court, on the night of July 19 and 20, 2019 in Nairobi. Shihemi told the court that on February 8, 2019, he heard Cohen screaming outside the house at about 10pm. He said he rushed to the terrace and found Cohen lying near the stairs while Wairimu was allegedly holding a plastic chair over him. According to the witness, Cohen repeatedly cried, “You are killing me,” prompting him to intervene and tell Wairimu: “Hapana madam, wacha hiyo tabia mbaya.” (No, madam, stop that bad behaviour.) Shihemi said Cohen was bleeding from the head and face after the incident and asked him to take photographs of his injuries. Sarah Wairimu appears in court over the death of her husband, Tob Cohen, on September 28, 2026 / ODPP He told the court that Wairimu instructed him not to take the photographs. The witness said Cohen later accused him of f...
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Read briefing A man and a woman who swore affidavits on behalf of Conor McGregor ahead of his appeal against a sexual assault finding have been charged with perjury.
Read briefing Sugarcane farmers are beginning to see improved returns as government interventions in the sugar industry drive down input costs.
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Read briefing President William Ruto has said the planned Lamu oil refinery will be structured to allow ordinary Kenyans to acquire shares, with the government expected to retain a stake in the project. Ruto said the investment would be handled transparently, with members of the public given an opportunity to participate through the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). […]
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Read briefing Absa has become the first African bank to launch an institutional digital asset custody proposition for South African clients, marking an important development for the bank and the evolution of digital financial services across the continent.Absa Digital Asset Custody will provide institutional and large business banking clients with secure safekeeping, administration and transfer services for digital assets within a regulated banking environment. The capability extends Absa’s established custody expertise into digital assets, combining specialist technology and infrastructure with the governance, security controls, compliance frameworks, financial crime controls and operational resilience expected of a leading financial institution.With its introduction, Absa joins a small group of regulated global banks, and the first African bank, to offer an institutional-grade digital asset custody proposition.“Financial services are changing, and we see digital assets as an important part of where the industry is heading,” said Rob Downes, Head of Digital Assets at Absa CIB. “Our strategy is to build the capabilities that will allow us to serve clients as these markets develop, while bringing the trust and oversight they already expect from us. Banks will continue to have an important role to play in the future of finance, and we want Absa to be at the forefront of that development, helping create the infrastructure that will support new opportunities across the continent.”The proposition has been developed specifically for institutional participation in digital assets and is targeted at clients including asset managers, non-bank financial institutions, corporates and treasury functions and clients in all segments who require institutional-grade custody. It is not currently a retail cryptocurrency offering.Digital Asset Custody forms part of Absa’s broader ambitions in digital assets, blockchain-enabled financial services and next-generation financial market infrastructure. Secure custody provides an important foundation from which future opportunities in areas such as tokenisation, digital securities, stablecoins and digital payments may develop.“For institutional clients, the challenge is ensuring that digital assets can be managed with the same confidence and oversight as the rest of their portfolios. Our experience in traditional custody gives us a strong understanding of what these clients require, and we have applied that expertise to the particular demands of digital assets. This allows them to explore new opportunities with the assurance that the necessary safeguards are in place,” said Downes.For South Africa and the wider continent, the introduction of regulated digital asset custody is an important step towards developing more mature financial markets. As institutional interest grows, access to trusted banking infrastructure can help bring digital assets into the formal financial system, giving African institutions greater confidence to participate in emerging markets. This service has launched to South African clients and Absa is also exploring opportunities to extend the capability into other African jurisdictions where regulatory frameworks and client demand support its introduction.
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Read briefing Huddah Monroe has revealed that she has relocated to Doha, Qatar, and no longer lives in Kenya. Huddah made the revelation after a fan asked about meeting her, prompting the former socialite to explain that she has moved away from the celebrity and influencer lifestyle. “I wish, but I stopped all that. I’m a business […]
Read briefing The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has issued a warning about a group of fraudulent digital traders commonly referred to as “Sharp Boys”, cautioning Kenyans against falling for flashy online investment schemes. According to the DCI, the term “Sharp Boys” is used to describe individuals who rely on audacity, deception and street cunning to make […]
Read briefing Kenyan socialite and content creator Amber Ray has revealed that her cosmetic transformation is not yet complete, despite recently undergoing several procedures in Turkey. Speaking at Natalie Githinji’s Endometriosis Warriors event at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Sunday, September 27, Amber said she still intends to undergo a procedure to reduce her double […]
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 29 — The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) have opposed the release on bail of five suspects charged with the murder of Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, citing fears of witness interference, destruction of evidence, collusion and flight.The prosecution says the accused could compromise the ongoing investigation if released, with several alleged accomplices still at large.The five — Rose Mbithe Mulwa, Angela Mulwa, Chris Mulwa, Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi and Maritim Kimutai — are facing murder charges over the killing of Dr Mutiso on July 29, 2026. The five were due to appear before the High Court on Tuesday for plea-taking.In an affidavit filed in court, Homicide Investigations Bureau officer Corporal Romana Odour acknowledges the constitutional right to bail under Article 49(1)(h), but argues that compelling reasons exist to keep the accused in custody pending the conclusion of the trial.According to the affidavit, investigators believe Dr Mutiso’s killing was linked to a long-running dispute over a 20-acre parcel of land in Mlolongo involving the deceased, her husband and the first three accused.The first three accused — Mbithe, Angela Mulwa and Chris Mulwa — were allegedly known to Dr Mutiso and her family and are said to have formed part of a wider group that investigators believe planned and facilitated the killing.The prosecution alleges that the group conducted surveillance on Dr Mutiso, gathered personal information about her and her family and coordinated communications, logistics and other activities for about four months before the murder.Investigators further claim that telecommunications and other electronic evidence links the accused to meetings, communications and activities allegedly connected to the planned attack.The affidavit also cites an incident on July 7, when Dr Mutiso reportedly told investigators that she had been confronted by two armed people riding on a motorcycle near Junction Mall along Ngong Road.The investigating officer says subsequent investigations identified the fourth accused, Kimoi, as the alleged pillion passenger during that incident.On July 29, investigators allege, Dr Mutiso was intercepted while travelling in an Uber vehicle, registration KDJ 609D, and fatally shot.Earlier proceedings had also placed Kimoi at the centre of the alleged shooting, with investigators telling court that he was suspected of firing the fatal shots.The DCI says searches following the arrests led to the recovery of items considered significant to the investigation.Among items allegedly recovered from the Karen residence of the first and second accused were a black-and-red A7 notebook containing details of the Uber vehicle used by Dr Mutiso, Airtel SIM cards, photographs of the deceased and members of her family, and copies of her husband’s national identity card.A search of the third accused’s residence in Kerarapon allegedly led to the recovery of a motor vehicle investigators believe had been taken from the deceased’s home in Mlolongo.The investigating officer describes Kimoi as a serving police officer at the time of the alleged offence and alleges that he fled after the shooting.Investigators further claim that he later destroyed the clothes he was wearing during the alleged shooting by burning them in an attempt to eliminate forensic evidence.The prosecution has also raised concerns over alleged attempts to interfere with people cooperating with investigators.According to the affidavit, investigators received intelligence on August 20 about an alleged plan to harm suspects who had agreed to assist with the investigation.Kimutai was subsequently arrested at Pangani Police Station on August 22 while allegedly visiting one of the cooperating suspects and carrying food, the investigating officer says.The DCI says information obtained from Kimutai’s phone subsequently helped investigators trace and arrest additional suspects, including three people who had allegedly fled to Uganda.Three additional suspects — Police Constable Collins Bett Kilangat, Pius Muiruri Mbugua and Samuel Karanja Gathoni — were arrested in Uganda on August 29 and returned to Kenya. They are expected back in court on October 1.The DCI says investigations remain ongoing, with several alleged accomplices still at large, including some senior police officers.The prosecution argues that releasing the five accused could enable them, either directly or through associates, to interfere with witnesses, destroy or conceal evidence and frustrate ongoing investigations.The affidavit identifies Dr Mutiso’s husband as a key prosecution witness and describes him as particularly vulnerable because of his relationship with the first three accused and the trauma arising from his wife’s death.The DCI also says some witnesses have been placed under the protection of the Witness Protection Agency and argues that the accused or their associates could attempt to contact, intimidate or influence them if released.
Read briefing Murkomen: How government misread the Gen Z revolt NTV Kenya
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