The Senate has annulled new environmental rules published earlier this year, saying they failed to meet legal requirements and bypassed proper procedures. The Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Strategic and Integrated Environmental Assessments and Environmental Audits) (No. 2) Regulations, 2025—issued under Legal Notice No. 71 of 2025—were meant to replace the current framework for environmental impact assessments and audits. They aimed to address climate change, improve public participation, and strengthen monitoring processes. However, senators backed a report by the Committee on Delegated Legislation, chaired by Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya, which found the rules were procedurally flawed. The Motion to annul…
Author: David Wafula
Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Joho has assured Parliament that the government is making progress in issuing the Seafarers Identification Document (SID) to qualified Kenyan seafarers. Appearing before the National Assembly’s Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers Committee, chaired by Taita Taveta MP Lydia Haika, Joho said the move follows a directive issued by President William Ruto on August 12, 2024, to fast-track the process. The SID will enable Kenyan seafarers to access more job opportunities abroad by providing internationally recognised travel documents. The CS said a technical multi-agency committee—comprising the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), the…
The Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations on Thursday met with Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi to consider Thika Municipality’s application for elevation to city status. Governor Wamatangi told the committee that Thika meets all the legal requirements under the Urban Areas and Cities Act, including financial stability, proper governance structures, and the ability to deliver essential services. “As a municipality, Thika has made tremendous progress in revenue generation and service delivery. We have met the legal thresholds as provided by law,” he said. Documents tabled before the committee showed that Thika can generate sufficient revenue, operate with prudent…
Members of the Public Debt and Privatization Committee have demanded answers from Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira over a sharp rise in the cost of building the National System Control Centre (NSCC) electricity grid. The project’s budget has been revised from the initial EUR 46.6 million to EUR 82.5 million — an increase of EUR 35.9 million, which lawmakers say is nearly 100 per cent. Appearing before the committee on Thursday, August 7, 2025, PS Wachira was pressed to explain the jump in costs. “There is a very large variation between the initial amount and the current one. Adding EUR…
The Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, has provided an update on the alleged disappearance of Brian Odhiambo, who was reportedly last seen in the hands of six Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers in Nakuru. Miano appeared before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife, chaired by Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki, alongside Wildlife PS Silvia Museiya and KWS Director General Dr. Erastus Kanga. Dr. Kanga told MPs that investigations into the case, which is pending before the Nakuru Law Courts, revealed that a multi-agency search involving family members, the media, activists, and security agencies was misled…
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has urged patience and dialogue in addressing trade restrictions imposed on Kenyans by Tanzania, as well as in dealing with foreigners doing business in Kenya. Speaking before the National Assembly Committee on Regional Integration, Mudavadi said diplomatic channels should be given priority before considering other measures. “Let us not demand confrontation on issues, including how to treat small and medium-scale entrepreneurs in Kenya. If diplomacy fails, I will declare it so, and then we can engage other channels,” he told MPs. The Committee, chaired by MP Irene Mayaka, sought…
President William Ruto on Thursday led the nation in congratulating Harambee Stars after a spirited performance saw the 10-man side hold Angola to a 1-1 draw in a dramatic 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group A clash at Kasarani Stadium. Austin Odhiambo scored from the penalty spot to cancel out Joaqium Paciencia’s early goal, keeping Kenya top of Group A with four points — one ahead of Morocco and DR Congo. In the other group match played at Nyayo Stadium, DR Congo beat Zambia 2-0. The Kasarani showdown was fast-paced from the start, with both goals coming in the opening…
Detectives have arrested two people linked to a Sh80 million gold scam that defrauded a Canadian investor. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) says the arrests are part of an intensified crackdown on transnational gold fraud syndicates, which have been conning foreign investors through elaborate fake gold deals. In the ongoing probe, officers from the Operations Support Unit arrested advocate Michael Otieno Owano, the proprietor of Otieno M.O. Law Advocates, for allegedly playing a key role in the scheme. Investigators say the victim was tricked into believing they were buying 250 kilograms of gold for export to Dubai aboard a…
A foreign national has been arrested in Nyamosense, Migori County, after being found with 19 elephant tusks. Police said the Thursday operation was carried out by a multi-agency team involving the National Police Service, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and other partners. The arrest followed an intelligence tip-off. “Investigations are underway, and the suspect remains in custody pending processing and arraignment,” police said in a statement. They commended members of the public for providing information that led to the arrest. The incident comes just two days after two other suspects were arrested in Migori with elephant tusks worth about Sh1.8…
The government has officially operationalized the Sh5 billion Kenanie Leather Industrial Park in Machakos following the signing of a lease agreement between the Kenya Leather Development Council (KLDC) and the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA). The signing was witnessed by Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade, and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, who hailed the move as a major step towards reviving the leather sector. “Leather is a multi-billion-shilling industry which, if properly harnessed, can transform the livelihoods of livestock farmers and boost economic growth through local production and export,” said Kinyanjui. He noted that many footwear and leather goods made in Kenya…
President William Ruto has officially signed the Gambling Control Bill into law, introducing stricter regulations for the betting industry in Kenya. The law was assented to on Thursday, August 7, during a ceremony held at State House. One of the key changes in the new law is the introduction of a Sh20 minimum bet for any online gambling activity. This means gamblers will not be allowed to place bets below that amount on any licensed gambling platform. According to the new law, any operator who allows betting below Ksh20 will face a fine of at least Ksh5 million or a…
Kenya Power has reported a sharp rise in the number of customer requests on its self-service platforms during the last financial year, reflecting the company’s expanding customer base and increased adoption of digital services. According to the company, total interactions on the MyPower App rose by 22.12% to 2.02 million during the financial year ending June 30, 2025. This was an increase from 1.65 million recorded in the previous financial year. Similarly, requests made through the USSD Code *977# went up by 13.58%, rising from 1.62 million to 1.84 million over the same period. Kenya Power Managing Director Dr. Joseph…
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fined Kenya Sh2.5 million over serious security lapses during the Harambee Stars’ opening match of the CHAN 2024 tournament against DR Congo at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. In a report released on Wednesday, CAF said the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) violated several safety rules and breached Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. The match, which saw Kenya win 1-0, was marred by incidents that raised concerns about the country’s ability to manage large sporting events safely. CAF listed a series of issues including a stampede at Gate 11,…
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has issued strong directives following a shocking BBC Africa Eye exposé that uncovered the trafficking of young girls for sex in Mai Mahiu. The investigation revealed that girls as young as 13 are being lured and sold for commercial sex, often with the help of older women known as “madams.” Their secret filming reveals two different women who say they know it is illegal and then introduce the investigators to underage girls in the sex industry. Governor Kihika condemned the revelations, calling them deeply disturbing and a serious reflection of society’s failure to protect children. “As…
President William Ruto has joined other world leaders in mourning the deaths of two Ghanaian ministers who died in a tragic military helicopter crash that also killed eight others. Taking to social media, President Ruto said: “We extend our condolences to H.E. President John Mahama, the Government, the people of Ghana and the bereaved families following a tragic helicopter crash that killed eight people, including two ministers. We stand in solidarity with Ghana in mourning this profound loss and offer our thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow.” Ghana’s Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology…