Former University of Nairobi Chancellor and Chairperson of the University of Nairobi Foundation, Dr Vijoo Rattansi, has died. The University of Nairobi confirmed her death on Thursday through a statement issued by current Chancellor Prof. Dr Patrick Verkooijen. “It is with a profound sense of sadness and a heavy heart that I have learned of the passing of my esteemed predecessor, Dr. Vijoo Rattansi (Mrs.), OGW, the former Chancellor of the University of Nairobi and Chairperson of the University of Nairobi Foundation,” Verkooijen said. On behalf of the university community, Verkooijen conveyed his condolences to the Rattansi family, friends and…
Author: David Wafula
Former Githunguri Member of Parliament Kago Wa Lydia has joined the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), setting the stage for a contest against the constituency’s current MP, Gathoni Wamuchomba, ahead of the 2027 General Election. Wa Lydia officially joined the party on Thursday, July 30, 2026, during a meeting with DCP party leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at his Wamunyoro residence. Gachagua confirmed that Wa Lydia intends to seek the Githunguri parliamentary seat on a DCP ticket. “This morning, at Wamunyoro Residence, I received Hon. Kago Wa Lydia, the former Member of Parliament for Githunguri Constituency, into the…
The National Communication Secretariat (NCS) came under sharp scrutiny on Wednesday after lawmakers established that the agency has operated for more than two decades without a board of directors, a clear legal identity or adequate internal financial controls. The concerns emerged when the Secretariat appeared before the National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture (PICSSAA), chaired by Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, to respond to audit queries. Led by Chief Executive Officer George Nyaory, the NCS management was questioned over several issues, including the absence of an asset register, the management of a Sh50 million staff mortgage…
The Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights (JLAHRC) has considered two public petitions seeking electoral reforms, including the use of popular names on ballot papers and the introduction of a one-term limit for nominated Members of County Assemblies (MCAs). The Committee first reviewed a petition by Mohamed U. Alasow seeking the reintroduction of the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which proposed allowing candidates to use their popular or commonly known names alongside their official names on ballot papers. The petitioner argued that voters, particularly in rural and marginalised areas, are often more familiar with candidates’ popular names…
Walt Disney was an American animator, film producer, entrepreneur, screenwriter, and visionary who had an estimated net worth of between $100 million and $150 million at the time of his death in 1966. Adjusted for inflation, that fortune would be worth roughly $1 billion to $1.5 billion today, making him one of the wealthiest entertainment pioneers in history. Walt Disney Net Worth $1.5 Billion Date of Birth December 5, 1901 Place of Birth Chicago, Illinois Disney built one of the world’s most influential entertainment empires through animation, filmmaking, television, merchandising, and theme parks. Best known for creating Mickey Mouse and…
Gloria Vanderbilt was an American socialite, fashion designer, artist, author and entrepreneur who had an estimated net worth of $1 million at the time of her death in 2019. Although she was born into one of America’s wealthiest families, much of her inherited fortune disappeared over the years because of poor investments, legal battles, tax issues and financial mismanagement. Despite her famous last name, Vanderbilt often said that the money she earned through her own work meant more to her than her inheritance. She built a successful fashion empire during the late 1970s and 1980s, with her signature designer jeans…
President William Ruto is expected to deliver a Special National Address on Thursday, July 30, at 7:00 p.m., with the speech set to focus on the country’s development agenda. The President is expected to outline the government’s vision for accelerating economic growth, infrastructure development and other key priorities under the Kenya Kwanza administration. Ruto has consistently maintained that Kenya can achieve rapid transformation similar to that of Singapore within a generation through sustained investment in infrastructure, industrialisation and economic reforms. He has argued that expanding roads, affordable housing, energy, railways and other strategic infrastructure projects will help position Kenya as…
The Financial Inclusion Fund, popularly known as the Hustler Fund, has disbursed Sh90 billion to 28 million borrowers since its launch, President William Ruto has said. Ruto said the Fund, which provides affordable credit to Kenyans, is currently lending about Sh50 million daily through three products. The President made the remarks after receiving a brief on the progress of the Financial Inclusion Fund. “Received a brief on the progress the Financial Inclusion Fund, popularly known as the Hustler Fund, is making in the lives of customers. We will continue resourcing the fund so that Kenyans can continue accessing the most…
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has reported that customs revenue collection surpassed its target in the 2025/26 financial year, recording a performance rate of 100.8 per cent. The taxman collected Sh88.780 billion against a target of Sh80.794 billion, attributing the performance to enhanced compliance initiatives, increased cargo volumes, technology-driven processes, improved risk management and stronger collaboration with stakeholders. KRA said the performance was supported by strong results from both oil and non-oil revenue streams, which contributed Sh370.383 billion and Sh618.397 billion, respectively. The authority also highlighted several initiatives that contributed to improved customs administration and revenue collection. These include the…
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has received 24 sitting Members of County Assembly (MCAs) from Laikipia and Nakuru counties into his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP). Gachagua hosted the MCAs at his Wamunyoro residence on Wednesday, where he welcomed their decision to join the opposition party. “The mass exodus from UDA, TSP and other wheelbarrow outfits to DCP is gaining momentum, and by December, they will be mere shells,” Gachagua said. “I am pleased to have received 24 sitting MCAs from Laikipia and Nakuru counties, who paid a visit to me at the Wamunyoro residence,” he added. Among the Laikipia…
Survivors of post-election sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) have returned to the Supreme Court, demanding an end to what they describe as nearly 13 years of exclusion from justice and reparations. The survivors, supported by human rights and legal organisations, say they have been forced to wait for justice promised under Kenya’s Constitution while other victims of political violence have benefited from various reparations and compensation programmes. In a joint statement, Utu Wetu Trust, the Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW), the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), the Kenya Human…
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has warned members of the public against fraudulent employment contract letters being circulated by scammers claiming to offer jobs at the state agency. In a public notice issued on July 29, 2026, the authority said it had become aware of fake employment contract letters falsely presented as official documents from KeNHA. The roads agency clarified that the fraudulent documents did not originate from the authority and urged Kenyans to verify the authenticity of any employment-related communication before taking any action. The authority stressed that employment and contract award letters are only issued to successful…
The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Lands has begun scrutinizing proposed amendments to the Land Act that would significantly shorten the timelines for lenders to enforce loans and sell properties under Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme. The proposed changes are contained in Clauses 14 and 15 of the Business Laws (Amendment) Bill, Senate Bill No. 51 of 2024, which seeks to create a more conducive environment for doing business. The Bill was passed by the Senate without amendments and is currently under consideration by the National Assembly. Committee Chairperson Joash Nyamoko said lawmakers would assess whether the proposed timelines strike the…
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has defended its decision to clear a controversial consignment of imported raw sugar, telling lawmakers that it relied on inspection reports from its contracted inspection firm in South Africa. Appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, the KEBS Managing Director said the sugar was inspected and certified in the country of export under the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme before being shipped to Kenya. The Managing Director explained that KEBS conducts independent analysis to verify findings from contracted inspection firms when there is credible information suggesting possible foul…
The Public Petitions Committee has called for the simplification and wider dissemination of public debt and audit reports to improve citizens’ understanding of public finances and promote meaningful participation in debt governance. The Committee, chaired by Runyenjes MP Muchangi Karemba, raised the concerns during a meeting with Controller of Budget (CoB) Dr Margaret Nyakang’o and Deputy Auditor General Isaac Ng’ang’a. The meeting focused on Public Petition No. 10 of 2026, which seeks to strengthen oversight, transparency and intergenerational equity in the management of Kenya’s public debt. Members of the Committee observed that although oversight institutions regularly publish detailed reports on…