Over 130 residents from Chandavai in Lamu County have filed a lawsuit against Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote and multiple Kenyan state agencies, seeking to halt construction on a proposed Ksh 2 trillion oil refinery project. The legal challenge comes just days before a scheduled groundbreaking ceremony on September 30, placing the multi-trillion-shilling development in jeopardy. Allegations of Unlawful Displacement and Eviction The 133 plaintiffs claim that state actors and private contractors have systematically cleared land that their families have occupied, cultivated, and used under customary tenure for generations. The dispute centers on land parcel LR No. 13061 in Chandavai. According to court filings, the residents contend that heavy machinery and bulldozers first entered the property on August 7, 2024, destroying crops, homes, and community structures without prior consultation, formal notice, or monetary compensation. The residents highlight several core claims regarding their historical ties to the disputed area: Ancestral Presence: Families have built homes, farms, mosques, shrines, and burial sites on the land. Customary Rights: The plaintiffs argue that their long-standing occupation grants them valid, compensable land interests under Article 40(4) of the Kenyan Constitution and the Land Act, even without formal title deeds. Exclusion from Compensation: The r...
Read briefing Kiharu MP and People’s Party of Kenya (PPK) leader Ndindi Nyoro has dismissed efforts by the current government to claim credit for Dangote’s oil refinery investment in Kenya, saying the project was enabled by work completed by earlier administrations. Speaking at the PPK party headquarters on Monday, September 28, 2026, Nyoro said Kenya should acknowledge the role of previous governments in building the infrastructure that encouraged major investors to consider the country. Nyoro said Kenyans should welcome investors such as Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, arguing that such investments support industrialization and create jobs. “Na tunaheshimu wawekezaji wote. Kwa sababu gani? Wanaweka viwanda, inaajiri Wakenya. Dangote refinery is a very good idea,” Nyoro said. However, Nyoro rejected claims that President William Ruto’s administration was solely responsible for bringing Dangote’s investment to Kenya. “And we must know, si Ruto wameleta Dangote Kenya. It is the investment of our country in the previous years that have brought Dangote here in Kenya,” he said. MV Da Yang carrying 2,930 metric tonnes of heavy construction machinery for the Dangote Refinery groundbreaking ceremony docks at Lamu on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Nyoro pointed to infrastructure developed in Lamu by earlier administrations, arguing that the current government inherited the facilities that now pro...
Read briefing A look at some of the posts and memes trending on the socials today. The post The Trending Memes & Posts in Nairobi This Tuesday appeared first on Nairobi Wire.
Read briefing Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata at the Murang’a Governor’s Investment Dinner on Friday, September 25, 2026. Murang’a County Governor Irungu Kang’ata has announced an ambitious strategy to establish a new planned industrial city spanning 1,400 acres. The project aims to drive economic revitalization and boost regional manufacturing by attracting both local and international investors. Speaking at the second Murang’a Investment Dinner in Nairobi, Kang’ata highlighted the scale of the proposed hub in comparison to Kenya’s capital. “The vision of Murang’a is to create another city larger than Nairobi,” Kang’ata said. “The Nairobi CBD sits on 350 acres. Now our industrial city is 1400 acres; therefore, we will have a bigger city if our dream is realized.” Located near Del Monte, the industrial development relies on leasing land to manufacturers under 99-year terms to ensure long-term stability for businesses. To attract investors, the county government is offering land at Ksh 7 million per acre despite a true market value of Ksh 35 million per acre. Currently, 60% of the available land is already booked. “The main investment is the industrial city near Del Monte, where we are giving one acre at Ksh.7 million. The true value is about Ksh.35 million per acre. It’s planned and secure, and 60% is already booked,” he said. So far, activities at the Murang’a Industrial Park have reporte...
Read briefing Authorities in Western Kenya have arrested a senior police officer following allegations involving the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in Lugari Sub-County. The suspect, identified in police records as Lumakanda Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Wycliff Kwendo, remains in custody at Kakamega Police Station as detectives investigate the incident. Evacuation ruse and confrontation According to official incident logs recorded under OB 14/27/09/2026, the officer allegedly initiated the plot by reaching out to a local family residing in the Kambi Moto area of Kipkaren River. Claiming that security forces were about to conduct an urgent multi-agency operation in the neighborhood, he advised the family to leave their home immediately for their own safety. The girl’s parents trusted the senior law enforcement officer and met him along the highway. He then transported them in his personal vehicle to an entertainment venue, instructing them to remain there until morning. Sensing that something was amiss, the mother persuaded her husband to return home early. Upon arrival, they discovered their front door locked from the inside. When their teenage daughter eventually opened the door, the parents confronted the police commander inside the residence, where he was allegedly barefoot with his clothing unbuttoned. Allegations of intimidation and bribery When confronted, the...
Read briefing President William Ruto took a lighthearted swipe at Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna while advocating for the Affordable Housing Programme during a development tour in Taita Taveta County. Speaking to a crowd in Taita Taveta, the president stressed that rural counties should benefit from multi-story residential developments similar to those underway in major cities, lightheartedly addressing previous opposition critiques regarding high-rise living and rural lifestyle needs. “Yale yanafanyika, kama ghorofa inajengwa Nairobi, nimesema ghorofa ijengwe na huku pia. Na kama kuna shida ya kupandisha kuku, tuweke lifts. Itapanda na kuku pia. Salala, mko na mambo nyinyi!” Ruto joked, drawing laughter from the crowd. Translation: (“What is happening, if a multi-storey building is being constructed in Nairobi, I have said a multi-storey building should also be constructed here. And if there is a problem carrying chickens upstairs, let us install lifts. It will go up with the chickens too. My goodness, you people are something else!”) Background to the Chicken Feud The President’s remarks stem from an exchange that began in July 2026, when Senator Sifuna criticized the design of 12-storey affordable housing blocks constructed in Funyula, Busia County. Sifuna argued during an interview that high-rise apartment models fail to account for the everyday lifestyle of rural and semi-urban households...
Read briefing Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has issued a warning to 53 companies he accuses of manufacturing and distributing lethal, illicit alcohol, promising to close them down within a month if the United Opposition wins the 2027 General Election. Speaking during a diaspora caucus in Dallas, Texas, the former deputy president alleged that corrupt manufacturers are putting the lives of Kenya’s youth at risk while paying off senior state officials to remain in business. “Within one month, we’ll shut down those 53 companies that are manufacturing killer brews. I want to put those owners on notice and make as much as you can between now and then,” he said. “Give Kindiki and Ruto money every Friday between now and then and save some money to invest in something else after the election; try tea, coffee, avocado, tourism but that business of killer brews would not take place within the borders of the Republic of Kenya next year … We shall not allow hard drugs, cocaine, or cannabis within our borders.” Gachagua at the same time announced plans to institute a radical nationwide restriction on alcohol consumption hours if the United Opposition captures power in the 2027 General Election. The former deputy president decried the proliferation of around-the-clock drinking, pledging that his administration will enforce strict operating schedules for bars. “We will regulate...
Read briefing This special weekly collection takes you on a rollercoaster through Kenyan social media’s humor-filled landscape, showcasing the best of internet hilarity with witty quips, hilarious observations, and random photos. The post Funny Trending Memes To Kickstart New Week appeared first on Nairobi Wire.
Read briefing Kalonzo Musyoka addresses the congregation at the Seed of Hope Church, Donholm. Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has fired back at President William Ruto’s repeated jabs regarding his four-decade career in Kenyan politics, asserting that his long tenure remains unblemished by political atrocities. Speaking to a gathering in Bondo town, Siaya County, the former Vice President acknowledged his 40-year presence on the national stage but contrasted his clean record with the actions of younger political figures. “It’s true I have been around for 40 years, as Ruto claims, but I have not killed anyone’s child. I have defended the rule of law together with many other leaders,” Kalonzo stated. “I have been here for 40 years, but I haven’t done what others have done in 5 or 10 years.” President Ruto has frequently used Kalonzo’s lengthy career as a political talking point, accusing the Wiper leader of delivering minimal development during his decades in public office. Ruto routinely points to the unpaved road leading to Kalonzo’s rural home in Tseikuru, Kitui County, as a symbol of poor stewardship, claiming credit for initiating its recent repair under the current administration. Skipping Government Memorials for Raila Odinga Kalonzo also reaffirmed his loyalty to his late political ally, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, while announcing he would boycott official joint me...
Read briefing Kick off a new and productive week on a lighter note by exploring the hilarious world of Kenyan Twitter. We’ve handpicked the funniest and most trending posts on X to help you shake off those back-to-work Monday blues. The post Hilarious Kenyan Tweets on X to Beat the Monday Blues appeared first on Nairobi Wire.
Read briefing Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a police officer suspected of being the gunman in the fatal shooting of prominent lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu, marking a major breakthrough nearly a year after the murder. Police Constable Julius Cheruiyot was taken into custody following an intensive, year-long investigation into the September 9, 2025, ambush along Magadi Road in Nairobi. Investigators recovered a service-issued Ceska pistol assigned to Cheruiyot during the incident, with forensic ballistic testing confirming it as the weapon used in the execution. “The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has made a breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of prominent lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu. Following an intensive and painstaking investigation over the past year, detectives have identified and arrested Police Constable Julius Cheruiyot, suspected of being the gunman who fatally shot the lawyer,” the DCI confirmed in a statement on Thursday, September 24. “Ballistic examination has since confirmed that the firearm was indeed used in the shooting that claimed the life of Lawyer Mbobu. The finding provides a significant forensic breakthrough in the investigation. Further, it strengthens the evidentiary trail being assembled by detectives.” Linked to Second High-Profile Assassination The investigation has also uncovered a wider netwo...
Read briefing Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga has called for an intensified crackdown on criminal networks behind narcotics trafficking, warning that seizing drugs and arresting couriers alone will not end the multibillion-shilling trade. Ingonga asserted that law enforcement agencies must go beyond intercepting narcotics consignments to actively pursue the financiers, coordinators, and ultimate beneficiaries driving international drug syndicates. The DPP delivered the warning on Thursday, September 24, 2026, alongside Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and other justice-sector officials during the public destruction of more than one tonne of methamphetamine, valued at approximately Ksh8.2 billion, at Bamburi Cement in Mombasa. The 1,036 kg consignment was intercepted in the Indian Ocean in October 2025 during a joint multi-agency maritime operation. Ingonga stated that Kenya’s broader strategy against drug trafficking must focus on completely dismantling the underlying criminal infrastructure. “We must move beyond arresting the courier at the end of the chain,” he said. DPP Renson Ingonga during the destruction of KSh8.2 billion methamphetamine in Mombasa on September 24, 2026. The DPP tasked investigators with identifying the figures who financed the drug operation, coordinated the shipment, moved the money, and ultimately profited from the illegal trade. Ingonga...
Read briefing A serving police officer accused of possessing an illegal firearm has pleaded not guilty, with his defense team claiming in court that his girlfriend framed him following a bitter domestic and business dispute. Fred Mwela Chebai faces charges of possessing a firearm without a certificate, contrary to Section 4(1) as read with Sections 4(2)(a) and 4(3)(b) of the Firearms Act. The prosecution alleges that on April 10, 2025, in the Ruaka Border area of Kiambu County, officers found Chebai in possession of an Ekol pistol (serial number EP-16114911) without a valid license. Authorities further claim that the circumstances surrounding the weapon’s possession created a reasonable presumption that Chebai intended to use it to breach public order. During cross-examination, court proceedings revealed that the complainant in the case, Grace Wanjiku Wamboi, is Chebai’s girlfriend and had recorded a formal statement with investigating officers. The prosecution contends that Wamboi discovered the pistol hidden inside a shoe and subsequently turned it over to a building caretaker. However, defense attorneys Danstan Omari and Shadrack Wambui disputed this version of events. The defense team argued that Wamboi knew about the firearm beforehand and asserted that Wamboi and Chebai engaged in a physical struggle over the pistol before it ended up in the caretaker’s hands. The defense further told...
Read briefing Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna will contest the presidency on a United Democratic Party (UDP) ticket in the upcoming 2027 General Elections, according to Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya. Natembeya cleared the air during a local radio interview on Thursday, September 24, putting to rest persistent speculation that the senator lacked a clear political vehicle amid alleged friction within the Linda Mwananchi Movement. The Trans Nzoia county boss confirmed that Sifuna plans to use the UDP, a political outfit originally associated with former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, following a setback at the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP). The registrar previously rejected the movement’s application to formally rebrand the entity into the Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP). “The party is there; Sifuna’s party is called the United Democratic Party; it is the one that we shall use. When we go to the negotiating table to decide who the presidential candidate will be, I believe it will be Edwin Sifuna,” he said. With the party structure now locked in, Natembeya indicated that Sifuna intends to engage the broader opposition alliance to field a unified challenger against President William Ruto in 2027. “If Sifuna will vie with UDP or the coalition that we are forming, then so be it,” Natembeya added. Opposition Leaders Push Back Against Fracture Claims Addressing lingering rumors abo...
Read briefing Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has issued a 14-day ultimatum to county and Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) engineers and contractors to complete critical drainage and road infrastructure projects as the city accelerates preparations for expected El Niño rainfall. The directive aims to fast-track interventions in documented flood hotspots and strengthen overall urban readiness before the downpours intensify. “We have directed our teams to accelerate the ongoing works, particularly in known flood hotspots, to improve drainage and reduce the risk of flooding ahead of the expected rains,” Sakaja said. Authorities have mapped 227 flood hotspots across Nairobi’s 17 sub-counties, prioritizing the most vulnerable zones to guide emergency response planning and heavy machinery deployment. To fund these operations, the county is executing a Ksh2.4 billion multi-agency flood mitigation framework, allocating Ksh2 billion specifically toward drainage systems and flood-control infrastructure spanning 19 flood-prone thoroughfares. Crews on the ground continue to clear, desilt, widen, and deepen stormwater drains while deploying additional heavy earth-moving equipment to high-risk zones. These targeted measures aim to enhance surface runoff management, prevent road impasses, and safeguard residential and commercial properties. County officials have simultaneously urged communities along rip...
Read briefing The Ministry of Sports has confirmed the settlement of player allowances for the national football team, Harambee Stars, following reports that players boycotted training sessions ahead of their upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Eritrea. Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya released a statement on Thursday, September 24, asserting that the ministry maintains consistent support for Harambee Stars and other national squads. The ministry facilitates team preparations, international travel, hotel accommodations, allowances, and technical support during assignments. Ministry officials confirmed that the government has fulfilled its financial commitments regarding previous national team duties, including allowances accrued during international fixtures in Zambia, South Africa, and Turkey, alongside the Under-20 CECAFA assignment in Tanzania. “We wish to clarify that, as of today, the Ministry has honored its financial commitments relating to previous assignments, including allowances for Harambee Stars engagements in Zambia, South Africa, Turkey, the Under-20 CECAFA assignment in Tanzania,” the Ministry stated. Also Read – Benni McCarthy Forced to Leave Kenya After Every Harambee Stars Camp The ministry has also cleared pending salaries for members of the Harambee Stars technical bench, disbursing funds through both the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and...
Read briefing Detectives investigating the fatal shooting of prominent Nairobi lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu expanded their sweep on Thursday, September 24, apprehending a second suspect in Nairobi’s Central Business District as an intelligence-led operation gathered momentum. Manhunt operations continue across the capital as police search for a third suspect tied to the execution. Sleuths arrested a motorcycle rider following sustained efforts to track individuals who aided the September 9, 2025, ambush. Following his arrest, the rider led officers to his residence in South B, where detectives executed a search. Investigators suspect the rider ferried the main gunman, a serving police officer arrested earlier in the day, to and from the crime scene along Magadi Road as Mbobu drove home to his residence in Bogani, Karen. Both suspects remain in police custody while homicide detectives follow further leads to piece together the planning and execution behind the killing. The probe into Mbobu’s death intersected with another high-profile homicide after detectives analyzed intelligence gathered from suspects detained over the July 29, 2026, murder of clinical psychologist Dr. Victoria Mutiso in Upper Hill. The post Second Suspect Arrested in Mathew Mbobu Murder Probe appeared first on Nairobi Wire.
Read briefing East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga has urged young people to question authority and think independently, asserting that even public figures they admire should not be placed beyond scrutiny. Speaking at the Nairobi International Book Fair on Thursday, September 24, Winnie represented the Odinga family as her late father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, was posthumously inducted into the Kenya Publishers Association Hall of Fame. She cautioned against elevated reverence, noting that making her father someone immune to critique would contradict the core values he demonstrated throughout his political career. “Question even the people you admire, including Raila Odinga. He spent his life questioning authority. It would be a strange tribute to him if you turned him into somebody who could no longer be questioned,” she said. A Call to Seek Knowledge and Own the Narrative Challenging youth to read beyond basic academic requirements, Winnie framed reading as a vital tool for understanding history and processing personal experiences. “Read because there are people who benefit when you do not know your own history,” Winnie said, adding that literature helps young people recognize that others have navigated similar challenges. “Read because somebody somewhere has already felt that thing you’re going through, that you think you’ve never faced before.” She encoura...
Read briefing Activist Francis Awino has filed an urgent application in the High Court in Nairobi seeking a order of habeas corpus to compel top security officials to produce missing activist Boniface Mulinge Muteti or explain where he is being held. The petition names the Inspector-General of Police, the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Attorney-General as respondents, with Muteti listed as an interested party. In the application dated September 24, 2026, Awino asks the court to direct the authorities to produce Muteti’s “physical body” and disclose official records detailing when, where, and under whose authorization security officers arrested and detained him. The application requests that the court order police to present all relevant documentation, including: Arrest records, Occurrence Book (OB) entries, and station diaries Custody logs and charge sheets Warrants, alongside any bond or bail records connected to Muteti Court documents indicate that Muteti was allegedly arrested or abducted on or about September 21, 2026, under unclear circumstances. Awino noted that Muteti was in active communication with associates before going silent, sparking serious concern over his safety. Planned Nairobi March Linked to Activist’s Disappearance Awino links the disappearance to a planned Nairobi demonstration for which organizers formally notified the police on September 16. The pr...
Read briefing Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango faced heavy public criticism on Thursday, September 24, following the distribution of women’s undergarments printed with his name and campaign branding across the county. Outraged residents in Kutus town took to the streets to denounce the senator, accusing him of using personal clothing to advance his early campaign for the 2027 gubernatorial seat. Local voters urged Murango to adopt more respectful, meaningful campaign strategies that preserve the dignity of the electorate, suggesting that essential provisions like food supplies or footwear would have been far more appropriate. In addition to criticizing the nature of the gifts, residents accused the senator of encroaching on the mandate of Kirinyaga County Woman Representative Njeri Maina. Protesters pointed out that the items featured National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) branding, a resource allocated specifically to the Woman Rep’s office. “The Senator’s main responsibility is oversight,” a group of local residents stated during the demonstrations. “He should stick to that instead of being involved in NGAAF projects, which are for the Woman Rep.” Another resident expressed her disappointment, claiming that she had previously held the politician in high regard. “He has failed in his job; that is why he is bringing women underwear. Just imagine underwear. I wish it could be some...
Read briefing Kalonzo Musyoka addresses the congregation at the Seed of Hope Church, Donholm. Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has strongly dismissed suggestions framing his family as a political dynasty or royal household, insisting that his household embodies servant leadership rooted in humility. Speaking on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Mama Pauline Kalonzo Girls High School in Kyuso, Kitui County, where he handed over a new school bus to the institution, the former vice president stressed that his family came from humble beginnings. “Cause is apparent, it is my duty to do so. Never imagine this family is a royal family. No,” Kalonzo said. Addressing remarks made during the event, Kalonzo pushed back against attempts to equate his family’s public standing with institutional privilege. “Mwalimu, with all your eloquence, and I know your sense of commitment; this is a family that believes in servant leadership,” he stated. “This is a family from this part of the world, downtrodden, looked down upon, and therefore we are not the royalty. We are just a simple family.” Kalonzo explicitly rejected the idea that his children should be viewed through a royal lens, noting that Kenya’s constitutional setup deliberately avoids monarchical structures. “So, I would never want to hear Kennedy growing up, and Kevin, and Klein, and Damari, to be looked at as royal. Because they’re not,” h...
Read briefing The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved murder charges against a fifth suspect, Kimutai Maritim, in connection with the killing of Dr. Victoria Mutiso. Maritim will face the High Court alongside four co-accused: Rose Mbithe, her daughter Angela Mulwa, her son Chris Mulwa, and Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi. Following a directive by Justice Alexander Muteti, all five suspects will appear in court for formal plea-taking on September 29, 2026. Authorities arrested Maritim on August 22, 2026, under unusual circumstances at Pangani Police Station. Detectives intercepted him after he arrived attempting to deliver a loaf of bread and a packet of milk to suspects detained in connection with the murder. During subsequent court proceedings, investigators stated that forensic and intelligence links tied Maritim to the planning phases of the murder, adding that his custody could help trace additional suspects who remain at large. Physical Appearance Ordered After Virtual Refusal The scheduled September 29 plea-taking follows a strict directive from Justice Muteti requiring all accused persons to appear physically in the courtroom. The directive came after Rose Mbithe and Angela Mulwa refused to participate in court proceedings virtually from Lang’ata Women’s Prison. A prison officer informed the court: “My lord, the two have refused to appear before court virtually.”...
Read briefing It’s a beautiful day and this these are the memes and posts trending. The post All The Trending Memes in Nairobi Today appeared first on Nairobi Wire.
Read briefing Kenya has formalized a strategic partnership with global artificial intelligence leader Anthropic to promote responsible AI deployment, cultivate domestic expertise, and leverage emerging technologies for national growth. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei and Elizabeth Kelly from Anthropic’s Beneficial Deployments team finalized the agreement following months of joint planning. The initiative sets up a collaborative framework spanning public sector innovation, skills training, AI safety evaluations, healthcare, and education. The deal ensures that international AI technologies align with Kenyan laws, institutional frameworks, and unique linguistic diversity. Rather than simply importing foreign tech, the operational strategy focuses on co-designing solutions with local bodies, piloting high-impact applications, and building long-term technical capacity within the country. Key figures driving the initiative include Kenya’s Special Envoy for Technology Ambassador Philip Thigo, US Ambassador Courtney O’Donnell, and joint technical advisory teams from both nations. Championing African Agency at UNGA 81 Announced on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, the deal aligns with President William Ruto’s broader diplomatic push for equitable technology access. Co-chairing the High-Level Artificial Intelligence Middle Powers Coalition along...
Read briefing 