Lobby groups have accused Safaricom of unlawfully sharing customer data with government agencies, a move the commission claims may have contributed to enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and illegal renditions. In a strongly worded joint statement, human rights groups said: “The unholy alliance between Safaricom and the government must stop.” They added that corporations continue to violate human rights with near-total impunity, citing Safaricom’s alleged role in providing location data to law enforcement during controversial operations. “This brazen violation of privacy has had a chilling effect on civic space and has endangered the lives of many innocent Kenyans,” they stated. The…
Author: David Wafula
Lobby groups are calling for femicide to be listed as a specific crime under the Penal Code. According to the human rights groups, this move would help improve how the justice system handles cases where women are killed because of their gender. The call comes after worrying statistics showed that 129 women were killed in Kenya between January and March 2025. In 2024, the country recorded 579 femicide deaths. The data was released by the National Police Service and the National Crime Research Center on April 9, 2025. “This crisis shows that the state is failing to protect women and…
The County Governments and the Ministry of Health have agreed on how to manage the staff working under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program. This was one of the main outcomes of a high-level meeting held on April 14, 2025, at the Council of Governors (CoG) offices in Nairobi. The meeting brought together officials from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Energy, and Ministry of ICT. They discussed key issues including the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA), digitization of health services, the rollout of UHC, the National Equipment Programme (NEPS), payment of Community Health Promoters…
A new taskforce is set to be formed to improve electricity and internet access in counties as part of efforts to digitize health services. This was one of the key resolutions made during a high-level meeting held on April 14, 2025, between the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Ministry of Health, alongside other key ministries. The meeting, held at the CoG offices in Nairobi, brought together the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Energy, and Ministry of ICT. It focused on critical issues including the implementation of Social Health Authority (SHA) programs, digitization of healthcare, Universal Health…
The government has announced changes in the preparations for Labour Day 2025, which will be marked on May 1. The announcement was made by Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfread Mutua after a meeting with COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli. The CS said that two key areas have been reviewed, focusing on better national coordination and unified messaging for the celebrations. “Today, I held a productive meeting with Hon. Francis Atwoli, Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), where we discussed key issues ahead of both national and international labour events. We reviewed preparations for Labour…
The Lang’ata Cemetery in Nairobi may soon be shut down after the Ministry of Health raised serious concerns about its current state, calling it a public health hazard. According to Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, the cemetery is overcrowded with bodies, making it unsafe for the public and violating health regulations. A recent report by a select committee revealed poor maintenance and severe congestion at the site. “The city-county of Nairobi should ensure all activities at the cemetery meet public health laws to prevent disease outbreaks, environmental pollution, and social stigma,” PS Muthoni said. The Health Ministry is now urging…
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has approved the full acquisition of the National Bank of Kenya (NBK) by Access Bank PLC from KCB Group PLC. The announcement marks a major shift in Kenya’s banking landscape, as NBK changes ownership once again, less than six years after it was taken over by KCB. CBK said the transaction was approved on April 4, 2025, under Section 13 (4) of the Banking Act. The Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning gave final approval on April 10, 2025, in line with Section 9 of the same law. In a statement released…
The National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments, chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, is set to conduct approval hearings today, Monday, April 14, 2025, for two Cabinet Secretary nominees recently appointed by President William Ruto. First to appear before the committee will be Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku, who has been nominated for the position of Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes. His vetting is scheduled to take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ruku’s nomination comes after the dismissal of Justin Muturi, who previously held the post. Muturi was removed from office following a…
Kenyan lawyer and governance expert Prof. PLO Lumumba has strongly criticized the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) over its recent decision to increase Members of Parliament (MPs) salaries to nearly Sh2 million a month. In a letter dated April 2, 2025, and addressed to SRC Chairperson Sammy Chepkwony, Prof. Lumumba expressed outrage over what he termed a morally wrong and economically insensitive move, especially as millions of Kenyans continue to struggle with the rising cost of living. “I write to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the recent decision by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission under your leadership…
Former Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala who is the scriptwriter of “Echoes of War is a bitter man. This is after unknown people attacked and harassed him at a club in Nakuru town on Friday night. The same group also vandalized his four wheel drive car outside the club. Malala was left shaken following the drama. He reported the matter to police. Police said they are investigating the incident and no arrest has been made so far. The car was driven to the police station for inspection as part of the probe. Police said they would pursue the matter and interrogate…
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba, Mining and Blue Economy CS Hassan Ali Joho, and Agriculture and Livestock Development CS Mutahi Kagwe have led recent changes in state agencies through a series of new appointments and revocations. In a gazette notice dated April 11, 2025, Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage CS appointed Eustus Mureithi Maina and Raymond Komen as members of the Kenya Cultural Centre Council. Their terms will run until September 7, 2026. CS Ogamba appointed Sally Ngeringwony Toroitich to the Council of the University of Embu and Parmain ole Narikae to the Council of the University of…
President William Ruto has appointed five Cabinet Secretaries to represent Kenya in the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Council between Kenya and the European Union. According to a gazette notice dated April 11, 2024, those appointed include Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning John Mbadi, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe, and Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Deborah Barasa. The appointments come as part of Kenya’s commitment to deepening trade and investment ties with…
President William Ruto has appointed Professor Isaac Muthure Macharia as the new Chancellor of Karatina University. The appointment was made through a gazette notice dated April 11, 2025, and will run for a period of five years. “In exercise of the powers conferred by section 38 (1) (a) of the Universities Act, 2012, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint—Prof. Isaac Muthure Macharia to be the Chancellor of Karatina University, for a period of five (5) years, with effect from the 11th April, 2025,” read the official notice. Karatina University,…
President William Ruto has appointed an eight-member selection panel to oversee the recruitment of a new chairperson for the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). In a gazette notice dated April 11, 2025, the President named Joe Ager, Lawrence Muiruri, Jackline Nekesa Makokha, Irene Cherotich Asienga, Kathurima Hiram Kirimi, Catherine Wameyo, Faith Odhiambo, and Kenneth Wyne Mutuma as members of the selection panel. The position of KNCHR chairperson fell vacant following the death of Roseline Odede on January 3, 2024. Commission Vice Chairperson Raymond Nyeris, who announced Odede’s passing, described her as a dedicated leader who made a lasting…
A man was arrested over an incident where two children were beheaded in Tach Asis area in Konoin, Bomet County. A cloud of sorrow hanged over the village after the 35-year-old man beheaded his two children, aged 2 and 7 years. Bomet County Police Commandant Edward Imbwaga, the suspect, identified as Geoffrey Kipkemoi, is believed to have used a kitchen knife to commit the gruesome act. The motive of the attack was not immediately established. Police said they are interrogating him for more information. The lifeless bodies of the two children were reportedly placed in the kitchen after the incident,…