The government has stepped up efforts to fight drug and substance abuse among young people by enlisting the support of communities in a nationwide sensitization campaign. Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling the crisis, stressing the need for a united approach. Speaking during the second day of the Public Sensitization on Drug and Substance Abuse in Kirinyaga County, Muthoni emphasized the role of community-driven interventions, law enforcement, and public education in curbing the menace. “We cannot afford to lose our young people to drugs. Through community engagement, education, and strict…
Author: David Wafula
Detectives have arrested four more suspects in connection with the assault of a woman during her estranged husband’s burial in Nyamira County. The arrests come as investigations continue into the shocking attack, which sparked public outrage after a video of the incident went viral. Jones Manyasa Mokua, 46, was arrested in Nyamira Township, while his three accomplices—Martin Obino, 41, Zachariah Nyariki, 39, and Robert Makori, 26—were tracked down and apprehended at their hideout in Kenyenya, Bogichora Location. The four suspects are currently in police custody and will be processed before appearing in court. Police have confirmed that more arrests are…
Nigerian police said on Saturday they had come under intense gunfire a day earlier in a neighbourhood of the capital, Abuja, during clashes between security forces and Shi’ite Muslim protesters that led to several reported deaths. Nigeria has a history of deadly clashes between security forces and members of the banned Shi’ite Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), which advocates for the peaceful establishment of an Islamic state in Africa’s most populous nation. On Friday, dozens of the group’s members marched in solidarity with Palestine, but violence broke out when they clashed with soldiers and police. Critics say Nigerian security forces…
The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds (CPISFC) has issued a firm deadline to Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok, demanding full autonomy for Bomet Municipality by June 30, 2025, or risk its downgrade. The committee raised concerns over governance failures outlined in the Auditor-General’s report for the financial year ending June 30, 2024. Despite being granted a municipal charter in May 2018, Bomet Municipality still lacks operational, financial, and managerial independence. Committee Chair Senator Godfrey Osotsi questioned the governor’s reluctance to implement full autonomy. “Governor, the law granting municipalities independence seems inconvenient for you. It takes away some…
Kenya’s special envoy to South Sudan, Raila Odinga, has revealed that he was blocked from meeting South Sudan’s Vice President Riek Machar, who remains under house arrest following recent violence in the country. Speaking to the press on Saturday, March 29, 2025, Raila confirmed that during his first diplomatic mission to South Sudan, he only met with President Salva Kiir but was not granted access to Machar or his wife. Machar has been detained since the killing of a military general and 10 others in Nasir, Upper Nile State. “I had a lengthy discussion with President Kiir, who explained the…
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has appointed a special committee to address the backlog of unpaid medical claims owed to hospitals by the now-defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). In a special gazette notice, Duale stated that the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Pending Medical Claims Verification Committee will assess the unsettled claims accumulated between July 1, 2022, and September 30, 2024. The backlog has caused financial strain, particularly for private and mission-based hospitals. “The committee will establish a clear framework to verify the authenticity of pending claims and recommend the settlement of genuine cases while identifying fraudulent or irregular…
Attorney General Dorcas Oduor has appointed a five-member panel to oversee the selection of members for the Waqf Commission. In a gazette notice dated March 28, 2025, Oduor named Jawahir Keinan Hassan, Al-Hajji Kirua Ole Naado, Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome Asman, Sheikh Abdala Ibrahim Ateka, and Sumayya Hassan as members of the selection panel. Their role will be to nominate suitable candidates for appointment to the Waqf Commission. The announcement comes days after former Attorney General and ex-Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi stated that he was responsible for operationalizing the Waqf Act 2022. Muturi’s remarks followed President William Ruto’s statement…
Super Metro Sacco has addressed an accident involving one of its buses along Thika Road at Jomoko on the morning of Saturday, March 29, 2025. In a statement to the media, the Sacco revealed that preliminary investigations indicate the accident was caused by a white saloon car that was overloaded with jerrycans of Muratina and was swerving dangerously across the road. Multiple drivers in the area reportedly observed the reckless behavior before the vehicle collided with the side of the Super Metro bus. To avoid a more serious crash, the bus driver took evasive action, but the vehicle veered off…
Somalia is prepared to offer the United States exclusive control of strategic air bases and ports, its president said in a letter to President Donald Trump seen by Reuters on Friday. In the March 16 letter, authenticated by a regional diplomat with knowledge of the matter, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the assets included air bases in Balidogle and Berbera as well as the ports of Berbera and Bosaso. Somalia’s foreign affairs and information ministers did not immediately respond to requests for comments. The offer could give the United States a firmer military presence in the Horn of Africa region…
South Sudan’s First Vice President Riek Machar is under arrest and will be investigated, the government said on Friday – the first official confirmation of a detention that world powers fear could tip the nation back into war. Reports that Machar – a longtime rival of President Salva Kiir – had been arrested on Wednesday prompted international calls for restraint. Neighbouring Kenya sent its former prime minister, Raila Odinga, to defuse tensions. Machar’s party said this week that his detention had effectively voided a 2018 peace deal that ended a five-year civil war between Kiir’s Dinka forces and Nuer fighters…
The government, through the Affordable Housing Board (AHB), has reaffirmed its commitment to helping Jua Kali artisans own homes under the Affordable Housing Program (AHP). Speaking during a consultative session in Nairobi, AHB Chairman Jeremiah Simu announced plans to launch a nationwide sensitization campaign to encourage Jua Kali sector members to take advantage of the program. “We are committed to supporting the sector in acquiring homes under the Affordable Housing Program. That is why we have developed a framework to work with Jua Kali artisans through their association leadership. Our goal is to ensure that even those in the informal…
Police have arrested three suspects, including the alleged husband, in connection with the gruesome murder of 17-year-old Gaala Aden Abdi, a refugee from Dadaab, who was killed in Ademasajida, Wajir County, on March 22, 2025, for refusing to marry a 55-year-old man. The Director of Corporate Communication at the National Police Service (NPS), Muchiri Nyaga, confirmed the arrests, stating that the suspects will be arraigned in court once investigations are completed. “We wish to thank all persons of goodwill who shared information that led to the arrest of the three suspects,” said Nyaga. Gaala’s murder has sparked nationwide outrage, exposing…
The Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) has raised concerns over persistent failures in the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, warning that the ongoing disruptions are causing significant financial losses and damaging Kenya’s reputation as a top travel destination. KTF Chairman Fred Odek and CEO Susan Ongalo stated that while the government’s intention to modernize the ETA platform was commendable, the prolonged system failures have led to major inconveniences for travelers and tourism stakeholders. Many visitors, including tourists and business travelers, have faced application delays, payment failures, or complete system blackouts, with no clear resolution in place. “The inefficiencies in the ETA…
At least 120 suspects linked to the machete-wielding criminal gang known as “panga boys,” have been arrested in a weeklong operation in Kwale County. This follows an incident where a gang attacked and robbed locals in Diani. Police said 63 of the suspects have been taken to court, while police have requested 14 more days to hold 33 others under a miscellaneous application to conduct further investigations. Another 16 suspects will be arraigned in court on Monday. Seven machetes, believed to have been used by the suspects in their criminal activities, were recovered during the operation, police said. Police also…
President William Ruto has appointed former Lungalunga MP Mwashetani Khatib Abdallah as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Board. The appointment, announced through a gazette notice dated March 28, 2025, will see Mwashetani serve a three-year term from the date of appointment. Mwashetani, who previously served as Lungalunga MP, lost his seat in the last general election to Mangale Chiforomodo of the United Democratic Movement (UDM). In the race, Chiforomodo secured 15,267 votes, defeating Mwashetani of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), who garnered 9,585 votes. Murabu Chaka of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) finished third…