A Kenyan man has been arraigned in court for allegedly defrauding an American national of Sh28 million ($217,900) in a failed gold transaction involving 495 kilogrammes of gold. Willis Onyango Wasonga was arrested after a report was filed at Capitol Hill Police Station by Gershonov Oleg on behalf of his American business partner, John Sodipo. Detectives described the case as a calculated money laundering scheme and a sophisticated gold scam. In a statement on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said investigations revealed that Oleg first travelled to Kenya in September 2025 to pursue a gold…
Author: David Wafula
The chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, Ahmed Issack Hassan, has resigned from his position. The development was confirmed by IPOA Vice Chairperson Ann Wanjiku Mwangi, who will now serve as acting chairperson. “The Board wishes to inform the public that its Chairperson, Hon. Justice Ahmed Issack Hassan, SC, CBS, has tendered his resignation from the Authority. Following this development, the Vice Chairperson, Ms Anne Wanjiku Mwangi, will henceforth preside over the Board of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority as the process of filling the position of Chairperson commences, pursuant to Section 11 of the Cap. 86 of the…
President William Ruto has nominated Dr. Abdillahi Saggaf Alawy as chairperson of the National Lands Commission (NLC), alongside six proposed commissioners. Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, that the nominations follow the ruling of the Court of Appeal. The appointments were recommended by a selection panel constituted through a gazette notice. The nominees for membership are Susab Khakasa Oyatsi, Daniel Murithi Muirungi, Kigen Vincent Cheruiyot, Dr. Julie Ouma Oseko, Mohamed Abdi Haji Mohamed, and Mary Yiane Seneta. Koskei noted that current commissioners Easther Murugi Mathenge and Tiyah Galgalo Ali remain in office after their…
Operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) resumed following the signing of a return-to-work formula between the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) and airport authorities, bringing to an end the Air Traffic Control (ATC) staff strike that had disrupted flights. The breakthrough came after a successful mediation meeting led by Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, with participation from officials from the Ministry of Labour, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), KAWU, and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). In a statement, KAA commended all parties for their constructive engagement and commitment to resolving the dispute amicably. Airport authorities confirmed that operations…
Kenya Airways has announced departure delays of up to four hours at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the airline informed customers that it had adjusted its flight network in response to the disruption. “We sincerely regret the inconvenience and are working closely with relevant aviation authorities and airport stakeholders to minimize the impact on our customers and maintain safe operations,” the airline said. Meanwhile, pilots have warned of possible fatigue concerns amid ongoing industrial action by airport workers, which may affect crew scheduling and rest periods. In a statement, the Kenya Airline…
The Senate County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee has put Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga on the spot over the management of four major health facilities in the county. The committee, chaired by Godfrey Osotsi, met to examine the Auditor General’s report for the 2024/2025 financial year. The review focused on Nyeri County Referral Hospital, Mt. Kenya Sub-County Hospital, Mukurue-ini Sub-County Hospital, and Karatina Sub-County Hospital. Auditor reports revealed widespread failures across the facilities, including unsupported medical revenue records, drug inventory gaps, and procurement irregularities. The hospitals were also found to have severe staff shortages and lacked functional Boards of…
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is expected to sign a cooperation agreement with the national government on Monday, February 16, 2026. The media has been invited to cover the event, which is scheduled to start at 3pm at State House, Nairobi. The agreement, to be formalised between President William Ruto’s administration and the Nairobi County Government, aims to improve service delivery in the city amid growing concerns over inefficiencies in essential urban services. The partnership is expected to focus on critical areas such as solid waste management, infrastructure development, and other core services that have faced operational and financial challenges at…
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has announced new contribution rates that take effect from February 2026, marking the start of Year Four under the NSSF Act. In a public notice published in MyGov on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, NSSF Chief Executive Officer David Koross urged employers and workers to adjust their deductions accordingly. Under the updated rates, Tier I (lower earnings limit) will require employees and employers to each contribute Sh540 per month, bringing the total to Sh1,080 per worker. For Tier II (upper earnings limit), both the employee and employer will each contribute up to Sh5,940 per month,…
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) will train college tutors in April 2026 to mark Teacher Education assessments and assess practicum. In a public notice issued Tuesday, February 17, 2026, KNEC said shortlisted applicants will pay a training fee of Sh10,500. Payment will only be made after applicants receive notification through a text message (SMS) and the application portal. College tutors deployed from secondary schools and those handling special needs trainees, including Braille and hearing-impaired learners, are highly encouraged to apply. The training will combine online learning and residential sessions. “Access to the online training material, dates and the venue…
The government has announced a vacancy for the position of Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the National Research Fund (NRF). In a notice issued on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs outlined the qualifications required for the position. Applicants must be Kenyan citizens and hold a doctorate degree from a university recognized in Kenya. They must have at least 15 years of leadership and management experience in public or private institutions, knowledge and proven experience in finance and investment, and a strong track record in…
The Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) has announced scholarship opportunities for Kenyan citizens to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom. In a public notice issued Tuesday, February 17, the authority said it is offering eight scholarships for a Master of Science degree in Actuarial Management at Bayes Business School. The scholarship will cover tuition fees, travel, accommodation and other related expenses. To qualify, applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science with at least Upper Second-Class Honours or an equivalent qualification. Candidates must have graduated within the last five years and made significant progress toward becoming Fellows of…
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has opened applications for examiner training ahead of the October and November national examinations. KNEC announced a training programme for examiners who will mark the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). The training will take place in March and April 2026. Shortlisted applicants will be required to pay a training fee of Sh10,500. The fee should only be paid after receiving an official notification through SMS and the application portal confirming their selection. The training will include both online and residential sessions. Selected trainees will first…
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has deployed a rapid-response team to investigate a rally led by Edwin Sifuna in Kitengela, where one man was shot dead and several others injured. IPOA Vice Chairperson Ann Wanjiku Mwangi said in a statement on Monday that the authority monitored police conduct during political rallies held in Mombasa and Kajiado counties on February 15, 2026, to ensure compliance with Article 244 of the Constitution and other laws. The authority expressed concern over the loss of life and injuries during the Kitengela rally, which reportedly occurred as police tried to maintain law and order.…
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has written to the Senate asking that upcoming engagements with the Senate Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) be rescheduled, citing ongoing tensions between governors and the upper house. In a letter dated February 13, 2024, addressed to the Clerk of the Senate, Sakaja requested that the February 26 meeting be postponed. “In view of the prevailing circumstances regarding governors’ appearances before the committee, and considering the meeting scheduled for 26th February between the Speaker of the Senate and the Council of Governors, I respectfully request that the committee considers rescheduling the meeting to a later date,” Sakaja…
One person was shot dead during a rally led by Edwin Sifuna in Kitengela on Sunday. In a statement issued Monday, Sifuna confirmed that police shot and killed 28-year-old Vincent Ayomo and called for justice. “This is another senseless and needless killing by Ruto’s regime. We send our condolences to Vincent’s family and demand justice and accountability. This is exactly what we are fighting against,” he said. Sifuna, who was accompanied by leaders including Babu Owino and James Orengo, was forced to end the rally after police fired tear gas. Meanwhile, police on Monday used tear gas to disperse a…