Bar owners in Kisii County have raised concerns over what they term as excessive taxation and multiple licensing requirements, warning that the high cost of compliance is forcing many operators out of business. Officials from the Kisii Bar Owners Association said on Friday that the numerous county levies and permits required to run a bar have become increasingly difficult for small and medium-sized operators to sustain. Association Secretary General Evans Nyaboga told Kahawatungu that several members have already shut down their establishments due to the rising operational costs. “We are being forced to pay numerous licences every year, and the…
Author: Magati Obebo
Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda condemned alleged ethnic slurs made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during the United Opposition’s tour of the Gusii region. Jhanda described the remarks by the former Mathira MP as “uncouth and deeply regrettable,” accusing him of promoting divisive rhetoric at a time when the country needs unity. “The Deputy President’s comments were not only inappropriate but also disrespectful to the people of Kisii,” said Jhanda. During the opposition tour, Gachagua reportedly urged residents to elect a local leader instead of a non-local candidate. Jhanda said Kenyans are gradually rising above bigotry and self-centered leadership,…
Members of the clergy from Kisii County Tuesday urged calm and tolerance amomg politicians as campaigns for elective seats gather momentum across the country. Group chair Bishop Robert Nyamwange of the House of Bishops said the country risks sliding into anarchy if politicians and their supporters embrace divisive and violent rhetoric. “Politics of violence should not be allowed in civilised societies,” said Nyamwajge . He further urged Kenyans to uphold peace and unity during the heated campaign period. “We must learn to compete with ideas and policies, not stones and insults. Leadership is about service, not confrontation.” The clerics spoke…
Health workers in Kisii County marked World Hearing Day Monday with a strong appeal to parents and teachers to prioritize early hearing screening for children, warning that undetected hearing loss is affecting academic performance and social development in schools. The event, held at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, brought together ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists and other healthcare professionals who emphasized the importance of early detection and intervention. World Hearing Day is set aside annually by the World Health Organization to raise awareness about hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care globally. This year’s theme, “From Classroom to…
Grief and anger have engulfed parts of Kisii County following the death of an expectant mother at Kenyenya Sub-County Hospital, with a governorship aspirant, Dr Ondari, calling for urgent investigations and sweeping reforms in the county’s health system. Early reports, citing the bereaved family, indicate that the deceased spent long hours in distress at the facility without timely medical intervention, proper management, or an effective referral. She later died in what relatives described as “a preventable tragedy.” Dr Ondari, himself a medical practitioner, termed the circumstances surrounding the death as deeply troubling and demanded accountability. “I am deeply saddened and…
Leaders of Kenya’s United Opposition coalition on Friday mounted a scathing attack against President William Ruto, accusing him of colluding with international criminal networks and tarnishing the country’s global reputation. Addressing supporters during a series of stopovers across Nakuru County, the opposition principals — Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i, Martha Karua and Eugene Wamalwa — alleged that the Head of State had issued Kenyan passports to “dubious international figures,” a move they claimed poses a serious national security risk. Speaking in Maimahiu, the first stop of the tour, Gachagua criticized what he termed as the careless issuance of citizenship…
The national government has pledged to complete the long-awaited Sh3 billion Kisii Cancer Centre by the end of the year, signalling renewed urgency in the fight against Kenya’s growing cancer burden. Speaking during an inspection tour of the facility, Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga said the project is part of a broader national strategy to decentralise cancer care and reduce congestion at major referral hospitals. Dr Oluga noted that more than 45,000 Kenyans are diagnosed with cancer annually, while over 29,000 die each year. Currently, more than 110,000 patients are undergoing treatment across the country. “We have a…
A section of residents from Nyaribari Chache Constituency in Kisii County have strongly criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over remarks he allegedly made on Monday targeting area MP Zaheer Jhanda. The residents described the comments, reportedly made during a United Opposition rally at Gusii Stadium, as divisive and disrespectful, accusing the former Deputy President of using what they termed as racial undertones against the legislator. “We were shocked to hear a leader of his stature resort to such language,” said Faith Kemuma, a local trader. “Leadership is about bringing people together. We cannot normalize profiling or attacking someone because…
Opposition leaders on Tuesday escalated their criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration, accusing it of sponsoring violence to disrupt their public rallies and vowing to proceed with a nationwide campaign tour ahead of the 2027 General Election. Speaking in Kisii, Fred Matiang’i, Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Eugene Wamalwa accused state operatives of facilitating violence aimed at intimidating opposition supporters. The leaders also took aim at Simba Arati, accusing him of fanning unrest during recent opposition rallies in the Gusii region. They urged the governor to uphold peace and support what they termed a united opposition front. “We cannot allow…
Leaders of the United Opposition on Monday declared they are on the verge of agreeing on a single presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the next General Election. The leaders, speaking during a three-day tour of the Gusii region, vowed to present a united front and avoid divisions that could hand the incumbent an advantage. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua expressed confidence that consensus within the coalition would be reached soon. “This time, we are putting Kenya first and rallying behind one strong candidate. We shall not disappoint you,” Gachagua told supporters at Ekerenyo in Nyamira County, the…
Kenya Social Congress party national leadership has strongly condemned the surge in cases of hooliganism in Kisii County. They warned that escalating political intolerance could undermine democracy and peaceful coexistence in the region. Party leader Atati Kengere and West Mugirango MP aspirant Dr David Arasa expressed concern over recent incidents of skirmishes targeting politicians aligned to Presidential candidate Fred Matiangi. “We must reject violence and embrace mature, policy-driven politics. Democracy thrives where leaders compete on ideas, not intimidation,” Kengere said. Atati spoke referring to the attack on former Cabinet Secretary for Education Ezekiel Machogu Sarturday after a church service in…
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has suspended its ongoing grassroots sensitization meetings across the Gusii region for three days to pave the way for a planned tour by opposition leaders. South Mugirango MP Sylivanus Osoro said the decision was made in the spirit of democracy and political tolerance, allowing opposition leaders adequate space to conduct their roadside engagements. “This pause is intended to accord our competitors in the opposition sufficient space to carry out their activities as communicated through the press,” Osoro said in a statement on Sunday. He urged UDA members, supporters, and residents of the Gusii region to…
UDA leaders from Gusii Sarturday strongly dismissed the united opposition team, terming it a “noise gong” with no clear agenda for the country. In a blistering broadside , the leaders tore dismissed the Gachagua led them as nothing more than a “noise gong” — loud, chaotic, and utterly devoid of any clear agenda for the nation. Led by South Mugirango MP Sylivanus Osoro, the group said the opposition leaders have already shown that they were good at trading “empty rhetoric and endless political grandstanding,” aimed at milking them public sympathy rather than offering viable solutions to Kenyans. “The so-called united…
Oasis Healthcare Group Ltd has officially entered into a landmark medical partnership with Shabana FC, committing comprehensive healthcare support valued at Sh8.8 million. About Sh1.2 million will be channelled as cash to the club to support other matters. The club players would be treated annually Joash Mwanzi, Acting Chief Operations Officer of Oasis Healthcare Group said. The collaboration goes beyond sponsorship and reflects a shared commitment to community development, excellence and people-centered values. “The Oasis Healthcare Group is honoured to partner with Shabana FC in a collaboration that goes beyond sponsorship,” Mwanzi said. “This partnership represents the aspirations of young…
Journalism in Kenya is standing at a defining moment. Long regarded as a cornerstone of public accountability and democratic debate, the industry is now battling shrinking revenues, newsroom layoffs, and the steady closure of regional bureaus. What was once a stable profession anchored in strong institutions has become an industry in flux. The disruption is both local and global. Major media houses including Nation Media Group, Radio Africa Group, and Standard Group have in recent years undertaken restructuring programmes that include staff redundancies and consolidation of operations. This week, Nation Media Group — where I served for years as a…