A Ghanaian social media influencer known as Abu Trica, whose real name is Frederick Kumi, has been extradited to the US to face trial for allegedly running a romance scam that defrauded elderly Americans of over $8m (£5.9m). He denies all the charges against him. Prosecutors said he used AI tools to create fake online identities, targeting victims through social media and dating sites, earning their trust then extorting their money. Kumi was flown to the US on Thursday and faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Kumi’s…
Author: Oki Bin Oki
Andy Burnham has taken another step towards becoming the next Labour leader and prime minister, after the vast majority of Labour MPs nominated him to replace Sir Keir Starmer. Burnham’s Labour leadership bid has been backed by 322 Labour MPs as he remains the only declared candidate after nominations began on Thursday. It makes him just one short of the 323 needed before it is mathematically impossible for a rival to run against him. Some MPs say they were not able to vote on Thursday, but would back Burnham once they are back in Parliament. If no one else enters…
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has launched an emergency humanitarian response across South Africa following a surge in anti-migrant violence that has displaced tens of thousands of people and disrupted access to healthcare. The medical charity said the attacks have left at least four people dead, injured many others, and destroyed homes, prompting emergency operations in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and the South Africa–Zimbabwe border towns of Musina and Beitbridge. MSF Emergency Coordinator Claire Waterhouse said the organisation was increasingly concerned that the violence could escalate into a full-scale humanitarian crisis. “We are deeply saddened to see people fleeing harassment…
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has, for the first time in years, openly signaled his intention to pursue the presidency in 2032, saying Western Kenya should rally behind President William Ruto’s re-election in 2027 before positioning the region to produce the country’s next Head of State. Speaking during a development tour of Trans Nzoia County on Thursday, Mudavadi said the region’s political journey should culminate in securing the presidency after producing several vice presidents over the years. “I was the Vice President in 2002 under the late President Daniel arap Moi, followed by my late brother Kijana Wamalwa and later…
Kenya Power has dismissed claims surrounding the removal of electricity transformers in Mbeere North, saying the equipment was taken away solely for routine maintenance and repairs as part of the company’s nationwide asset management programme. This followed complaints from local the power utility was removing the transformers and taking them to Ol Kalou for campaigns ahead of pending by election. In a statement, the utility said transformers are regularly removed from service whenever they develop technical faults that cannot be repaired on site, including water ingress and other defects. The company explained that faulty transformers are transported to specialized workshops,…
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Thursday defended its planned Sh8.3 billion port access infrastructure project and the proposed acquisition of a Sh400 million helicopter, saying both investments are critical to improving operations and enhancing the competitiveness of the Port of Mombasa. Speaking amid public scrutiny over the cost of the projects, KPA Managing Director Capt. William Ruto said the Sh8.3 billion project is far more than the construction of a road, describing it as a major infrastructure development involving complex engineering works. He explained that the project comprises a 1.8-kilometre expressway linking KPA headquarters to the new container terminal, with…
Prosecution presented witnesses who testified that victims linked to the Kwa Binzaro manslaughter case were buried in a manner that sharply departed from long-established local burial traditions. Appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Eric Wambo, Chakama Area Chief Raymond Charo told the court that the circumstances surrounding the burials at Kwa Binzaro bore striking similarities to the events uncovered during the Shakahola investigations. Pastor Paul Mackenzie, alongside Shallyne Temba, Kahindi Garama, Tom Mkonwe, Julius Luwali and Johnson Richard, is facing 29 counts of manslaughter over the deaths of 29 people allegedly caused at Kwa Binzaro in Chakama Location, Magarini Sub-County, Kilifi…
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has announced its support for the Golden Jubilee celebration of veteran broadcaster Fred Obachi Machoka, marking 50 years in broadcasting, in a move aimed at recognizing media pioneers and preserving their legacy for future generations. Speaking during the launch of the celebrations on Thursday, MCK Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo said the September event will serve as the foundation for a structured programme to honour media veterans, document their contributions and harness their experience to mentor young journalists. Omwoyo said the initiative seeks to transform what he described as a “brain drain” into a…
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has formally recognized the removal Edwin Watenya Sifuna as the Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), concluding that the process complied with both the law and the party’s constitution. In a letter signed by Registrar of Political Parties and CEO J. C. Lorionokou, the Registrar said the decision followed a review of documents submitted by the party, as well as the absence of a response from Sifuna regarding the matter. The Registrar referenced previous correspondence, including a letter dated July 8, 2026, concerning the powers of the ODM National Executive…
Detectives from the DCI Headquarters’ Land Fraud Investigations Unit (LFIU) arrested fraud suspect Nancy Wamuyu Njai, who was wanted under a warrant of arrest issued by the Kajiado Chief Magistrate’s Court on December 17, 2025. The suspect was apprehended in execution of the court warrant and is currently being processed ahead of her arraignment before the Kajiado Law Courts, July 10, 2026. She is expected to face charges alongside her co-accused, Josephat Gichuge Mwirabua alias “Kabeabea” and Robert Mwarangu, who were arrested earlier and have since taken plea. Investigations established that between September and December 2016, several complainants purchased plots…
Police in Zimbabwe say they have not been officially contacted by UK authorities about triple murder suspect Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma. The 45-year-old is wanted over the deaths of his wife Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and daughters Natalie, 15, and Nala, five, who were found dead at the family home near Bedford on Monday. Zimbabwean national Tshuma, also known as Mark, left the country via Heathrow Airport on a British passport on Saturday. Zimbabwe Republic Police said officers had “seen all the social media posts and the media reports” but had not received any official communication from Interpol or the UK…
Uganda’s judiciary pushed back against a directive by the country’s lawyers’ association instructing its members to stop addressing judges as “My Lord” or “My Lady” and to abandon the longstanding practice of bowing before them. In the directive, the Uganda Law Society (ULS) said such “feudal and colonial honorifics” elevate judicial officers above citizens, “who are in reality their employers”. But judiciary spokesperson James Ereemye told the BBC that the ULS had no authority to tell judges “what to do or say” and would continue to “demand the known decorum” from lawyers. Like many former British colonies, Uganda inherited its…
Opposition movement Linda Mwananchi has accused President William Ruto’s administration of escalating political violence, undermining democratic institutions and attempting to influence upcoming elections through state resources, while declaring that the coalition will continue its campaign ahead of the 2027 General Election. In a statement issued following the 36th anniversary of the Saba Saba movement, the coalition said Kenya was still grappling with the same challenges of impunity, authoritarianism and demands for greater freedoms that inspired the 1990 pro-democracy protests. The group paid tribute to those who lost their lives during Kenya’s struggle for democracy, saying their sacrifices had paved the…
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has warned that it could postpone or cancel the July 16, 2026, Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election if escalating violence and electoral offences threaten the credibility of the poll. Speaking on Thursday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the commission was fully prepared to conduct the by-election but had deployed an investigative team to probe allegations of voter bribery, intimidation, violence and attempts by political leaders to unduly influence voters. Ethekon urged all candidates, political parties and their supporters to conduct peaceful campaigns and adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct, warning that the Commission…
The United States has committed $14.5 million (approximately Sh1.9 billion) to strengthen Kenya’s preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), reinforcing the country’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to potential outbreaks. The funding will support the Government of Kenya, county governments and public health partners in enhancing disease surveillance, laboratory systems, healthcare worker training, emergency response coordination, risk communication, community engagement and screening at points of entry. The initiative recognizes Kenya’s strategic position as a regional hub for trade, travel and transport connecting East and Central Africa, making robust disease preparedness critical for both national and regional health security. The…