Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, was on Wednesday questioned by Senators over key government programmes affecting SACCO members, women, and youth across the country. Appearing before the Senate plenary, Oparanya responded to tough questions, particularly from nominated Senators Joyce Korir and Karen Nyamu, who demanded clear answers on government funding, legislative reforms, and empowerment strategies for vulnerable groups. Why the Delay in Launching SACCO Deposit Fund? Senator Karen Nyamu raised concerns about the delayed launch of the SACCO Deposit Guarantee Fund, which is meant to protect SACCO members from losing their…
Author: David Wafula
Members of Parliament have raised concerns over what they described as “serious budgetary marginalisation” of Northern Kenya in the proposed 2025/26 budget for roads and infrastructure projects. The Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, chaired by Ndia MP George Kariuki, confronted Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir, during a heated session in Parliament. Wajir North MP Ibrahim Abdi Saney led the charge, decrying the complete absence of government-funded infrastructure projects in his constituency. “Are we not Kenyans? Do we belong to a different country?” Saney asked. “Am I not an elected member like my colleagues? Why is it…
Moi University has laid off 800 employees in a major cost-cutting move driven by financial difficulties affecting public universities nationwide. The sackings follow a month-long redundancy notice issued by the institution. In a circular dated May 13, 2025, Vice Chancellor Prof. Kiplagat Kotut informed staff that the university had concluded its “Right-Sizing” exercise after wide stakeholder consultations. “All affected staff are advised to collect their retention or redundancy letters from Wednesday, May 14 to Friday, May 23, 2025, during official working hours,” the circular read. Employees were asked to carry their personal file numbers and national ID cards when collecting…
The standoff between Naivas Supermarket and the Nairobi City County Assembly has escalated, with Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) now threatening legal action over alleged defamation by the retail chain. In a statement issued Wednesday evening, the Chairperson of the Nairobi County Assembly Health Committee strongly refuted claims that the committee engaged in extortion and bribery during a recent inspection of Naivas branches in Nairobi. “Your accusations of extortion and bribery against the Health Committee are baseless and lack evidence. Such claims appear designed to tarnish the reputation of MCAs and undermine our ability to perform our duties without…
Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has officially resigned from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), just days after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also quit the ruling party. In a letter addressed to UDA Secretary-General, Linturi accused the party of abandoning its core principles and failing to live up to its philosophy, mission, values, and objectives. “This is a party akin to the Biblical Tower of Babel,” Linturi said, adding that UDA no longer has the moral authority to be called a political party. He went on to accuse the party of showing “total contempt” for the Kenyan people during…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called a group of 59 white South Africans who have moved to the US to resettle “cowards”, saying “they’ll be back soon”. The group of Afrikaners arrived in the US on Monday after President Donald Trump granted them refugee status, saying they faced racial discrimination. But Ramaphosa said those who wanted to leave were not happy with efforts to address the inequities of the apartheid past, terming their relocation a “sad moment for them”. “As South Africans, we are resilient. We don’t run away from our problems. We must stay here and solve our problems. When you run…
Tributes poured in from across Latin America on Tuesday following the death of Uruguay’s former president Jose “Pepe” Mujica, an ex-guerrilla fighter revered by the left for his humility and progressive politics. The iconic 89-year-old — who spent a dozen years behind bars for revolutionary activity — lost his battle against cancer after announcing in January that the disease had spread and he would stop treatment. “With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, guide and leader. We will miss you greatly, old friend,” Uruguay’s current president, Yamandu Orsi, posted on X. “Pepe, eternal!”…
An inmate who allegedly knifed hip-hop artist Tory Lanez inside a US prison is a convicted killer, say prison officials. The Canadian rapper was rushed to hospital after being stabbed 14 times on Monday morning at a housing unit at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi. The prisoner suspected of the attack, Santino Casio, 41, is serving a life sentence for murder, officials told the BBC. They said he has been placed in “restricted housing” pending an investigation into the attack on Lanez, 32. The rapper, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, is serving a 10-year prison sentence for shooting…
Airbnb says users will now be able to book luxury services like personal trainers, massages and chefs on its redesigned app as it continues to expand beyond its main short-term rentals business. “People choose hotels for their services. People choose Airbnbs for the space… now, we’re giving you the best of both worlds”, the company’s chief executive Brian Chesky said in a statement. It comes just weeks after the firm signalled bookings may slow in the US as President Trump’s unpredictable trade policies hit consumer sentiment. Despite hosting more than two billion guests since its launch in 2008, Airbnb has…
A section of the Ngong–Suswa Road has been closed for 30 days to allow for major construction works, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) has announced. According to a public notice issued by KeRRA, the affected stretch is between Matonyok and the junction to the Kenya Institute of Building and Highway Technology (KIBHT). The closure has been implemented in phases. The section between Ngere Road Junction and the junction to KIBHT was closed starting May 12, 2025. The stretch from Matonyok to Ngere Road Junction will remain closed until June 11, 2025. “This closure is necessary to allow the contractor…
The Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Eric Mugaa, has asked Parliament to reinstate a Sh2.8 billion development budget that was slashed from the 2025/26 Budget Estimates for the State Department for Irrigation. Appearing before the National Assembly’s Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation Committee on Monday, Mugaa said the budget cuts would significantly affect key irrigation projects across the country. He was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho. The session, chaired by Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen, was part of the committee’s ongoing review of revenue and spending plans for the next financial year. In their…
Members of Parliament have raised serious concerns about the budgeting and accountability of key projects under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy. During a session on Tuesday chaired by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, the National Assembly Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation questioned the Ministry’s inconsistent costing, rising pending bills, and the slow implementation of flagship digital programs. MP Erastus Kivasu questioned the lack of progress in the Studio Mashinani project, which was meant to set up recording studios across the country to promote local talent. “You have done ten studios in ten years, and now…
The Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, has urged Members of Parliament to fast-track the operationalization of the Diaspora Placement Agency to help Kenyans secure jobs abroad. Speaking before the National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, Njogu emphasized that the agency—created in 2023 to support Kenyans seeking work overseas—remains inactive due to budget cuts. While presenting her ministry’s budget estimates for the 2025/2026 financial year, PS Njogu revealed that the State Department had only received an allocation of Sh587.8 million, far below the Sh1.2 billion needed to effectively deliver its mandate. “Our funding has been reducing…
Members of the National Assembly Education Committee have raised concern over the lack of funding for national examinations in the proposed 2025/26 budget. The lawmakers were shocked to learn that no funds had been allocated for the administration and invigilation of key national assessments, including the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KEPSEA), Junior Secondary School (JSS) exams, and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, who appeared before the Committee to defend his ministry’s budget estimates, was unable to explain the omission. Committee Chairperson Julius Melly, the MP for Tinderet, termed the situation a serious…
Senators are calling for stronger data protection laws to regulate mobile phone vendors who sell phones under installment plans, commonly known as lipa polepole. The lawmakers raised concerns that some sellers are misusing customers’ personal data. Speaking during a Senate session on Tuesday, May 13, Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina claimed that some vendors are selling customer data to third parties, which poses a threat to privacy. “We must protect people’s personal information. Poor Kenyans buying phones on credit should not have their data sold to unknown individuals,” said Senator Ledama. “Parliament needs to step in and strengthen the Data…