Nyamira County Senator Okong’o O’Mogeni Friday called on the government to urgently fix the troubled Social Health Authority insurance system. He said the system was still saddled with challenges thus posing a risk to millions of Kenyans who are relying on it to fund their treatment. “We are living in a country that is sick on everything from its health system to the leadership.Sometimes you wonder what else is functioning properly in a country suffering from mismanagement,” O’Mogeni said. The Senator was speaking Friday in Borabu while visiting families that lost their loved ones in a grisly accident in Kijauri…
Author: Magati Obebo
National House Speaker Moses Wetang’ula Friday described former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as a laughing stock on stilts. Wetangula spoke pointing to utterances allegedly made by Gachagua while in a tour to the US that appeared to discourage Kenyans living abroad from remitting money back home. He described the utterances as reckless and detrimental to the country’s economy, which heavily relies on diaspora remittances. The Speaker was speaking in Nyamache, Bobasi during an empowerment function organised by Kisii Country Woman Representative Dorice Aburi Toto. “It is unfortunate and shameful for any leader to incite Kenyans abroad not to send money…
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Migos Friday assured the public that the government is actively working to resolve the funding challenges currently affecting schools across the country. He spoke early Friday in Kisii further acknowledging the financial constraints facing many learning institutions at the moment. “It does bother me, yes there had been cash flow issues due to competing funding priorities by the government, we are, however, working closely with the Treasury to ensure timely disbursement of capitation funds. No child should miss learning due to lack of resources,” said Migos. He was speaking at Riokindo Boys national school during…
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, on Wednesday, said the ODM Party would stick with President William Ruto to the end, dismissing the party’s Secretary Edwin Sifuna’s growing scathing attacks on the pact between the ruling coalition and the Orange Party. Wandayi described Sifuna as a toddler in politics, and one who should not lecture or dictate to the ODM party’s future dealings with Ruto. “This government is being fully supported by Raila Odinga and his party to the end, and if someone thinks that the pact between him and Ruto doesn’t please you, that is his problem,” Wandayi…
Criminal lawyer Dunstan Omari has called for renewed focus on the empowerment of the boy child in the country. He warned that years of neglect are already leaving many young men vulnerable to crime, drug abuse, and mental health challenges. Speaking at Moi Gesusu High School, Masaba South in Kisii County during a mentorship forum over the weekend, the lawyer said while strides have been made in promoting the rights of the girl child, the boy child has been largely forgotten in the gender equality conversation. “It is not a competition. Uplifting the girl child should not come at the…
Kisii Governorship aspirant Dr Enock Ondari Friday said low absorption of development funds in the county has began to hurt the economic potential of the region. In the last three years alone, alleged Ondari, the Simba Arati administrative has returned to the National Treasury as unspent balances about Sh10 billion. “Returning funds to the National Treasury is symptomatic of dysfunctional political leadership.” “When we return money, we deny our people services, we condemn them to poor health services,” said Ondari. He was speaking at two separate burials in Bointagare and Sugubo in Nyacheki on Friday. The former Kisii Teaching and…
Kisii Woman Representative Doris Aburi Sunday raised alarm over repeated attacks on her County offices by charged violent mobs during demonstrators. She termed as ‘unacceptable” the constant destruction of property by goons hiding among genuine protesters. “It is unfortunate that my offices, which are meant to serve the public — especially women, youth, and vulnerable groups — have become a target of senseless attacks,” she said. She said such acts are a threat to democracy and stand castigated. A section of exteriors of the office, especially the glass covering were vandalized during the recent Sabasaba protests. The vandalism has since…
Former head of Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, Dr Enock Ondari officially declared his intent to contest for the Kisii County governor’s seat in the upcoming 2027 elections. He vowed to undertake sweeping reforms aimed at transforming the revolved unit into a model of good governance, transparency, and development. “Unity, integrity, and community-first leadership would mark my governorship, Dr Ondari,” a career gynecologist stated during his first media interview Saturday in Kisii. “Our county has the potential to thrive if resources are well-managed. I am offering myself to bring the sorely needed integrity, professionalism, and a people-centered leadership.” He spoke…
A widow from Igena Itambe, West Mugirango in Nyamira County is in distress following a land purchase gone awry. Maureen Nyaboke claims the rogue land dealer from who she had purchased land has since resold adding fresh pain to her sorrow. And if if to add salt to injury, the said dealer has since blocked her from accessing the contested piece. In the latest attempt, she was injured together with a crew from a local TV. The vicious assault led to a hospitalisation. “I nearly broke my leg as we were out of the land,” Nyaboke narrated. She said visits…
A two-day Swahili symposium closed in Kisii on Tuesday with a call for increased funding towards the development and promotion of the language. Authors, teachers and Professors meeting at Kisii University said Kiswahili plays a critical role in national unity, regional integration, and cultural identity. They, however, expressed concern that despite Kiswahili being a national and official language, it continues to receive less attention in policy formulation and funding compared to other sectors. Vice-Chancellor Nathan Ogechi, also senior linguistic don said Kiswahili is not just a language—it is a symbol of our unity and heritage. “The government must prioritize its…
US based Kenyan politician Tuesday asked the youth to shun hooliganism and acts of vandalism during demonstrations. Festus Gichaba who is also angling for the Bomachoge Chache parliamentary seat said destroying infrastructure and looting businesses rolls back gains the country has made over the decades. “Violent demonstrations are not captured in the constitution and I think it is good that our youth be made to know so,” stated Gichaba. Plunder and vandalism not only undermine the legitimacy of protests but also lead to unnecessary losses, he added. Gichaba was speaking in Nyamasege area, Ogembo in Bomachoge Chache during a burial…
Coffin makers and funeral supply traders in Kisii town were by late Monday counting losses after rowdy Saba Saba protesters looted their shops. They spoke of vandalized coffins during the violent anti-government demonstrations. The protests are called to mark the historic agitation for multipartism in the country in the 1990’s. In Kisii, they quickly turned chaotic Monday sparking street battles between rowdy youth and the police. At least six protesters suffered arrow injuries as pro-government goons squared it out with the protesters at Mashauri area. Coffin makers also joined traders who are counting losses as the demos spilled from street…
Ten Nyamira County Assembly Ward Representatives were Wednesday suspended from the House for absenteeism. The disciplinary measure against the ten appeared to mark a fresh twist to violent wrangles that had been dogging assembly since the Impeachment of speaker Enock Okero. New speaker Thaddeus Nyabaro accused the faction of flouting the law by skipping at least eight consecutive plenary sessions. Rigoma MCA, Nyambega Gisesa, also the United Progressive Party chair and Governor Amos Nyaribo ally was among those affected. He is deemed to be the leader of the band of colleagues supportive of the impeached speaker. Also affected is Joel…
At least four more protesters were injured with arrow injuries as Saba Saba protests turned chaotic in Kisii drawing in some pro -government goons into the streets. Emergency officials said at least one person sustained a life threatening abdominal injury. Three others suffered injuries to their limbs, marking a fresh violent turn to the growing demos which set off early Wednesday. One of victims had two arrows stuck to his hand. The four victims added into the figure of two others initially injured in the morning hours along Mashauri area in the County capital. As more violence engulfed the town,…
At least two protesters suffered arrow injuries as pro-Saba Saba demonstrators squared it out Monday morning with arrow wielding goons in Kisii. One victim was reportedly a bystander. Witnesses said an arrow pierced through his hand as he watched from a distance. The second was injured in the leg. He said he was by his side when he was hit. There was, however, no confirmation from the authorities as the protests surged in the streets. The injured were rushed to hospital for emergency treatment. By 12 noon there were still pitched battles between the goons, police and the protesters on…