Chief Justice Martha Koome has distanced herself from remarks by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) linking her past comments to the justification of terrorism charges against protesters involved in the June 25 and July 7 anti-government demonstrations. In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, CJ Koome clarified that her comments made during a June 26 visit to Kikuyu Law Courts were specific to the targeted arson attack on the court and nearby government offices. She emphasized that prosecutorial decisions must be based solely on evidence, not public statements — including her own. “At the time, based…
Author: David Wafula
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has pledged Parliament’s continued legislative and budgetary support for independent institutions, including the newly appointed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Speaking in his office during a courtesy call by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) led by Chairperson Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, Wetang’ula emphasized the importance of empowering such institutions to effectively carry out their constitutional mandates. “As Parliament, we will support NCIC and other independent bodies in every way possible — through budgetary allocation and by strengthening the legal framework where necessary. This will enable you to deliver on your responsibilities and…
Stephen Munyakho, a Kenyan national who had been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for manslaughter, has been released and is expected to return home today after the family of the deceased accepted diyya (blood money) amounting to approximately Sh129 million. The Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, confirmed that the release followed months of intense diplomatic negotiations led by President William Ruto, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi, Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Sing’oei, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. In July last…
Members of Parliament have thrown their support behind a motion seeking to make it mandatory for all public officers to seek treatment in public health facilities, as part of efforts to fast-track the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Kenya. The motion, sponsored by Nominated MP Sabina Chege, calls on the Ministry of Health to fully implement the Kenya Universal Health Coverage Policy 2020–2030 and develop a policy requiring all civil servants, public officers, and State officers to use public health facilities for medical treatment. “The Government committed to accelerating the attainment of Universal Health Coverage to ensure all…
The government has launched a series of mental health support initiatives targeting young people, including college students and athletes, to promote wellness and reduce stigma. Appearing before the Senate, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, the Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya said his Ministry is working with several institutions to provide mental health sensitisation, screening, and referral services. “We have rolled out programmes in partnership with Mathari Hospital and Youth in College (JKUAT) to offer mental health sensitisation, screening and referral services for youth who may not wish to use in-college counselling,” said CS Mvurya. He added that on-the-spot mental…
The government has confirmed that construction of the new Talanta Sports City Stadium in Nairobi is 45 percent complete, as Kenya steps up preparations to host major continental football tournaments. Appearing before the Senate, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, the Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya said Kenya is making steady progress in upgrading and building stadiums and training facilities ahead of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). “Final inspections for CHAN 2025 facilities were completed in June,” said Mvurya, adding that infrastructure for AFCON 2027 is under construction, with expected completion…
The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, the Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, has explained the reasons behind the prolonged delay in completing Wote Stadium in Makueni County—eight years after construction began. Appearing before the Senate on Tuesday, Mvurya was questioned by Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo, who demanded to know why the project, launched in 2017, still remains incomplete. He also sought to find out whether there were any plans or funds allocated for the stadium in the 2025/2026 financial year. CS Mvurya acknowledged the delay and outlined several setbacks that have hampered progress, beginning with a decision by the…
Elgeyo Marakwet County is facing scrutiny over the alleged payment of irregular special allowances amounting to more than Sh11 million to 156 officers. Senator William Kisang has raised concerns over what he described as questionable human resource practices, payroll management, and staff administration within the County Public Service Board. Speaking in the Senate on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, the legislator sought a statement from the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations. He questioned the frequent and unexplained changes in employment terms, where some officers transition between permanent and contract roles, including instances where they resume lower positions after serving…
Kenya has successfully secured a new export market for miraa (khat) in Djibouti, following high-level trade engagements between the two countries. The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Director General Bruno Linyiru on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, announced that Djibouti had formally opened its market to Kenyan miraa, offering a fresh opportunity for farmers and traders. “This is a result of a Trade Mission to Djibouti in October 2024 and a reciprocal visit by a Djibouti delegation in November 2024. Djibouti has now opened its market for Kenyan miraa, subject to regulatory compliance,” said Linyiru. He added that exporters must meet…
Members of Parliament have asked the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to take over two unresolved land cases in Nairobi’s Mowlem Ward and Magarini, Kilifi County, accusing the Ministry of Lands of failing to act. The National Assembly’s Committee on Implementation, chaired by Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje, said the Ministry had delayed implementing resolutions adopted in the 12th Parliament on the two land matters. The first case involves disputed ownership of land parcel LR. NO. 11379/3 in Mowlem. The second concerns the alleged illegal extension of the Galana Ranch boundary in Magarini, which has sparked tensions between locals and…
President William Ruto has returned the Pensions (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 44 of 2022) to Parliament for reconsideration, citing legal inconsistencies in two key clauses. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula delivered the President’s memorandum on Tuesday, noting that the Head of State acted under Article 115 of the Constitution. The Bill, sponsored by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, was passed by the House on August 7, 2022. It seeks to amend the Pensions Act to introduce timelines for payment of pensions to retired officers. However, President Ruto raised concerns over Clauses 2 and 3 of the Bill. He said…
The Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) and the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) have endorsed the proposed Code of Conduct for Media Practice, 2025, saying it is a timely step toward aligning Kenya’s journalism standards with emerging global trends and digital challenges. The two organizations expressed their support while appearing before the National Assembly’s Committee on Delegated Legislation, which is reviewing the proposed regulations. The committee session was chaired by Gichugu MP Robert Gichimu. KEG President Zubeida Kananu and KUJ Secretary General Erick Oduor told the committee that the media industry had actively participated in drafting the new code and viewed…
Kenya School of Law (KSL) CEO Dr. Henry Kibet Mutai has been fined Sh500,000 by the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Education and Governance for failing to provide adequate information during an audit probe. The committee, chaired by Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka, visited the school to assess progress on the stalled construction of an ultra-modern library and moot courts. The project, which began in June 2013 at an estimated cost of Sh488 million, was expected to be completed in 2016. However, as of June 2022, only Sh322 million had been paid, and the facility—claimed to be 97% complete—showed poor…
Members of the National Assembly’s Committee on Environment, Forestry, and Mining have approved the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya Bill, 2024, and the Meteorology Bill, 2023, with several amendments. The committee, chaired by Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka, endorsed the two proposed laws following a briefing by the legal department and multiple engagements with stakeholders. The Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya Bill, sponsored by Ndaragwa MP George Gachagua, seeks to establish a professional body to register, regulate, and set standards for environmental practitioners in Kenya. The Bill aims to ensure professionalism and accountability in the environmental sector. The Meteorology Bill, which…
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has called for urgent investigations into alleged mistreatment, racism, and unlawful termination of contracts at Chandarana-Foodplus supermarket, particularly at its Diani branch. Speaking in the Senate, Sifuna said his office had received serious complaints from workers detailing harassment, discrimination, and unfair dismissal by the retail chain’s management. “Mr. Speaker, my office has received disturbing complaints of mistreatment, racism, and unlawful termination of contracts,” he told the House. “It is a clear sign of poor welfare and illegality in one of the biggest supermarket chains in the country.” The Senator has sought a statement from the Senate…