Tucked beneath a thick canopy of foliage on the outskirts of Kisii town is a room that, at first glance, looks like any other hotel unit. But behind its quiet door lies a small, intimate chapter of Kenya’s political history. At Ufanisi Resort, a serene establishment surrounded by lush greenery, is the secluded room that became one of the late Raila Amolo Odinga’s preferred retreats whenever his political travels brought him to the Gusii region. Here, the man known across Kenya as “Baba” could escape the crowds. Away from chanting supporters. Away from cameras and microphones. Away from the endless…
Author: Magati Obebo
For young Diana Ontiri, entering the male-dominated race for the Nyaribari Masaba parliamentary seat was deliberate. Ontiri says her candidature is aimed at challenging a political culture that has traditionally favoured men and demonstrating that women and young people can compete for elective positions. Her entry adds a new dimension to an increasingly competitive contest in the Kisii constituency, where incumbent MP Daniel Manduku is seeking another term. But for Ontiri, the race is about more than winning a parliamentary seat. It is also about breaking a political barrier. “I did not enter this race because I think politics belongs…
Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo has narrated how he escaped serious injury after the vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a road accident in Kikuyu, Kiambu County, on Monday night. Gisairo said the accident occurred as he travelled to Nairobi from his constituency when their vehicle was hit from behind by a speeding Isuzu D-Max pickup, registration number KDX 961T. According to the MP, the pickup was registered to Isuzu Kenya and leased to the Ministry of Interior. He said the impact caused the pickup to lose control and roll onto the road shoulder, while his driver managed…
A group of American entrepreneurs and academicians has challenged Kenyan students to prepare for a rapidly changing world by embracing education, innovation and emerging technologies. The professionals, drawn from different states across the United States, are in Kenya as part of a biannual speaking programme through which they visit schools, interact with students and share experiences from their academic and professional journeys. The delegation, led by humanitarian diplomat Ambassador Domic Obadiah, visited Amasago SDA Boarding School and Ichuni National Girls’ School in Masaba South before proceeding to Kereri Girls’ School in Nyaribari Chache, Kisii County. At the schools, the professionals…
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka is set to formally launch his campaign for the Kisii gubernatorial seat on October 13, setting the stage for an increasingly competitive race ahead of the 2027 General Election. Onyonka has selected Marani in Kitutu Chache North as the venue for the launch, where he is expected to rally his supporters and outline his agenda for the county as he seeks to transition from the Senate to the governor’s office. The senator has already declared his intention to contest for the seat. “I am running as governor of Kisii County 2027, you can take that to…
People’s Renaissance Party leader and Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has urged retired President Uhuru Kenyatta to take a back seat. He said this would give the opposition leaders to decisively confront President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election. Amisi said while financial support from Kenyatta would be welcome, the former president should assume a mentoring role and give the opposition space to shape its own political strategy. He said this would also deny President Ruto an opportunity to build his campaign around attacks on Kenyatta and the so-called dynasty narrative. “Last time, he rallied women, the mama mboga,…
What was once a cattle dip built to protect livestock from disease has been transformed into an open garbage dump, becoming a grim symbol of Magena town’s worsening waste-management crisis. With no reliable garbage collection system, residents have turned to the abandoned facility as a dumping ground, piling household refuse where cattle once stood for treatment. But the problem extends beyond the abandoned cattle dip. At Magena Market, in Kisii, heaps of waste lie scattered around vegetable stalls, with rotting produce, plastic bags, cartons and other refuse competing for space with traders and customers. For women who spend long hours…
Nyamira artiste Henry Sagero, alias Man Pepe was fighting for his life after he allegedly ingested a suspected poisonous chemical in what his associates believe was a suicide attempt triggered by mounting marital and domestic troubles. The dramatic incident unfolded at his Kisii town’s Daraja Mbili residence about 11am, sending shockwaves through the Gusii entertainment fraternity and prompting a frantic race to save the veteran artiste. Etaya TV and Radio where Sagero also worked said Sagero had only moments earlier sent Kisii County Assembly Deputy Speaker Jacob Bagaka a chilling two-page letter in which he poured out his domestic frustrations…
A section of Kisii Ward Reps are now questioning what they are describing as a unilaterally sanctioned “staggering expenditure” incurred by Kisii County government in transforming the former Nyambera dumpsite into a public park. They claimed that as much as Sh120 million was used to fund the project However, the official expenditure shows Sh45 million was used by the County to finance the Sunday inauguration of the Etaya Governor’s Park. There had been no publicly disclosed official expenditure on the project itself, making the expenditure on the project likely to go higher. On Tuesday, Masimba MCA Bouse Mairura said Governor…
Nyamira County Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers called off their industrial action after reaching an agreement with the county government on their grievances. The teachers ended the strike on Monday, September 21, 2026, following a meeting between officials of the Kenya Union of Pre-Primary Education Teachers (KUNOPPET), Nyamira Branch, and the county government. “With the deal signed we are going to class,” part of the statement said. The agreement was reached Monday afternoon at the Governor’s Boardroom following consultations held on the instructions of Governor Amos Nyaribo. Among the key demands they had raised by the was the signing…
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Kisii Regional Chair Richard Mwebi has issued show-cause letters to former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and Bonchari MP Charles Onchoke and Masige West MCA Jacob Bagaka, giving them 14 days to clarify their commitment and allegiance to the party. Mwebi said the three have been asked to explain their political stance and relationship with UDA amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election. According to Mwebi, the show-cause notices require the three to respond within 14 days and clarify whether they remain committed to UDA and its political objectives. “We still have a few…
Fun and joy took centre stage in Kisii on Sunday as residents joined environmentalists, government officials and development partners to celebrate World Cleanup Day — a global campaign that placed cleanliness and responsible waste management at the heart of the festivities. The celebrations at the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) Grounds also showcased the transformation of the notorious Nyambera dumpsite in the heart of Kisii Municipality into a green recreational park. The former dumpsite, which for years stood amid homes, schools, hospitals and businesses, was decommissioned by the county government in partnership with the National Environment Management Authority (Nema). Governor Paul…
Construction of Nyamira University College is gathering pace, with Kisii University Vice Chancellor Prof Nathan Ogechi saying the institution is on course to admit its first students in 2027. Ogechi said the main building, which will house administration offices and some classrooms, is expected to be ready by February 2027. Structural works are scheduled for completion by December, paving the way for finishing works and the installation of facilities ahead of the first intake. The Vice Chancellor spoke on Wednesday during an inspection tour of the campus, located at Kiabonyoru, about two kilometres from Nyaramba township. “As you can see,…
Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo Tuesday told his critics off saying that he had not slept on the job. He said he had all along been working and should be judged by the record of what he had done as the country inch closer to the 2027 polls. “There are those who say am sleeping . I am not sleeping nor slumbering. I have been working and still continues to do so for the people of Nyamira,” Nyaribo told farmers at Riokenye area in Borabu during the launch of a foot and mouth animal vaccination programme. On health, Nyaribo appeared keen…
The Nyamira County Government has ordered the removal of eucalyptus trees planted near water catchment areas, warning that the species could place pressure on springs and other critical water sources. County Executive Committee Member for Environment John Matiangi said the county would not allow activities that threaten the sustainability of springs, wetlands, riverbanks and other water sources. Matiangi spoke at Kijauri on Tuesday during the launch of the E-voucher vaccination exercise across the region, where he urged residents to reconsider planting eucalyptus trees close to water sources. “We must protect our water sources. Trees are important, but we must also…