A senatorial aspirant in Kisii County has challenged leaders from the Gusii region to publicly declare their political allegiance, accusing some of sending conflicting messages by professing support for former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Okeng’o Matiang’i’s anticipated 2027 presidential bid while appearing at rallies organised by the Linda Mwananchi movement. Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Dr. Denis Masenge said politicians should stop confusing voters by claiming to back Dr. Matiang’i’s presidential ambitions while using public platforms to promote a different political agenda. “The people of Kisii deserve honesty, consistency and principled leadership,” Dr. Masenge said. “It is politically contradictory…
Author: Magati Obebo
Religious leaders in Kisii County have called for urgent investment in young people, warning that unemployment, poverty and political exploitation are fueling a rise in goonism ahead of the 2027 General Election. The clergy spoke amid growing concern over politically instigated violence reported in various parts of the country, including recent clashes in Kisumu in which at least two youths were killed during confrontations between rival groups. The church leaders accused some politicians of allegedly recruiting unemployed youths to intimidate opponents, disrupt public meetings and destroy property, warning that the trend could undermine peaceful campaigns and national cohesion if left…
Political leaders from Kisii and Kisumu counties have intensified calls for decisive action against political goonism, warning that unchecked violence threatens peace, democracy and economic development as the country heads toward the 2027 General Election. Speaking in Kisii on Monday, gubernatorial aspirant Ezekiel Machogu warned that political violence would leave deep and lasting scars if leaders and security agencies fail to act swiftly. He condemned the growing trend of politicians allegedly hiring gangs to intimidate opponents, saying such practices undermine the county’s hard-earned peace and democratic gains. “If goonism is not tamed now, it will leave a scar that will…
Residents of Suneka in Kisii County are in mourning after the bodies of two PP3 pupils were found in a banana plantation under mysterious circumstances, in a case that has shocked the community and sparked calls for swift justice. The bodies of the two children, aged four and five, were discovered on Thursday morning in Nkura Village, Bomorenda Ward, Bonchari Constituency, after an overnight search by villagers when they failed to return home on Wednesday evening. Police moved the bodies to a local mortuary, where post-mortem examinations are expected to establish the cause of death and aid investigations. The discovery…
What was once a bustling trading centre in Kisii County has fallen unusually quiet, with traders counting mounting losses as customers shun Keumbu following last week’s deadly attack on the Linda Mwananchi convoy. Nearly a week after the violence that claimed the life of Vincent Misati, business at the busy market has slowed dramatically, leaving traders struggling to survive amid growing calls for a boycott. Shops remain open, but many stalls sit idle. Fresh vegetables are rotting under the sun, butcheries report dwindling sales, and boda boda operators spend hours waiting for passengers who never arrive. One potato vendor said…
A dramatic twist unfolded at the Kisii Law Courts on Monday after seven suspects linked to the deadly Friday attack on the Linda Mwananchi convoy in Keumbu failed to take a plea when both the investigating officer and the prosecutor failed to appear in court. The unexpected absence brought proceedings to a standstill, forcing Senior Resident Magistrate Caroline Jeruto to postpone the plea and order that the suspects remain in custody until the prosecution is ready to proceed. The seven suspects—six men and one woman—were arrested over the weekend in connection with the violent ambush that left one person dead…
The battle for the Nyaribari Masaba parliamentary seat has begun to take shape after Presidential Adviser Charles Chweya officially declared his intention to challenge incumbent MP Daniel Manduku in the 2027 General Election. Chweya said he was entering the race because of what he described as poor leadership and unfulfilled development promises, arguing that the constituency had failed to make meaningful progress under the current administration. Speaking before hundreds of supporters at his Bogeche home in Keroka, Chweya accused Manduku of failing to deliver key development projects despite serving nearly a full term in Parliament. He claimed residents continue to…
What began as a high-energy political tour by the Linda Mwananchi movement in Kisii County ended in dramatic scenes on Friday after suspected goons attacked the opposition convoy with stones as it headed to Keroka. The incident occurred at Keumbu shortly after the leaders had addressed a series of rallies across Kisii town, where they renewed calls for opposition unity ahead of the 2027 General Election. The convoy, which included former Chief Justice David Maraga, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and other opposition figures, was briefly forced to slow down as stones…
The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has unveiled an ambitious political strategy to field candidates for every elective seat in Kisii County during the 2027 General Election. This move is poised to test the durability of the broad-based political cooperation between President William Ruto and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). The declaration, made Thursday by UDA Kisii County branch Administrator Caleb Ondieki, signals the party’s determination to entrench its presence in one of the country’s most politically competitive counties despite the growing partnership between the Kenya Kwanza administration and senior ODM leaders. Speaking during a brief to journalists, Ondieki said…
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in South Nyanza region arrested Nyamira County Assembly Deputy Clerk and Director of Finance and Accounts Leonard Kevin Nyamasege over alleged procurement irregularities linked to the construction of an office block at the county legislature. Nyamasege was arrested on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, and presented before Nyamira Law Courts where plea taking was deferred after his lawyer informed the court that the High Court in Kisumu had issued orders temporarily stopping his arrest and arraignment. The defence counsel told the court that the orders had been obtained pending the hearing and determination of a…
Rights activists have accused the management of Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH) of failing to address what they describe as a deepening healthcare crisis, citing shortages of critical medical equipment, personnel and essential supplies. Speaking on Monday, Rigena Human Rights activist Thomson Osoro claimed patients seeking specialised treatment at the region’s largest referral facility were increasingly being denied services due to operational challenges that have persisted for months. In an open letter addressed to Kisii Governor Simba Arati, Osoro said urgent intervention was needed to restore public confidence in the hospital. “The current state of Kisii Teaching and Referral…
Tension briefly flared at a burial ceremony in Borabu on Friday after Inject Party leader Morara Kebaso confronted area MP Patrick Osero over alleged corruption, triggering a heated exchange that nearly turned physical. The confrontation unfolded before mourners after Kebaso, who had been invited by the MP to address the gathering, used his one-minute speech to question Osero over the alleged misuse of public resources and demand accountability for taxpayer-funded projects. Kebaso accused the legislator of failing to prioritise critical development needs in the constituency and challenged him to explain how public funds had been utilised. The situation escalated after…
Security agencies and the Judiciary in Kisii on Friday destroyed 700 kilograms of bhang and 500 kilograms of contraband sugar valued at more than Sh18 million, bringing to an end years of storage of the illegal exhibits. The destruction followed court orders issued in various cases, with the seized goods incinerated at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH) facility to ensure the prohibited substances do not find their way back into circulation. Kisii Chief Magistrate Ada Obura said the exercise demonstrated the Judiciary’s commitment to combating drug and substance abuse while creating much-needed storage space in courts and other…
Jubilee Party National chairman Vincent Kemosi Thursday vowed that united opposition would not relent from fighting for what he termed the liberation of Kenya from tyranny. Kemosi said his arrest and a night at the Nyamira Police Central cells would not deter him from championing the rights of Kenyans, insisting that the country’s democratic space must be protected. The former West Mugirango MP spoke to journalists at a Kisii hotel after being set free from the cells. He was flanked by lawyer Cliff Ombeta and political allies, as he narrated his experience in detention and accused authorities of attempting to…
Business activity in Kisii Town remained largely subdued on Thursday morning as traders stayed away from their premises amid heightened security and uncertainty surrounding planned protests. A spot check across the Central Business District revealed a calm but tense atmosphere, with only a handful of businesses open by 9:30 a.m. Most shops and market stalls remained closed as traders opted to wait and monitor developments before resuming normal operations. Many business owners cited fears of possible disruptions and property damage should demonstrations turn chaotic. At the Capital Roundabout, a traditional hotspot during public protests, police officers in riot gear maintained…