The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced that by-elections for vacant Member of County Assembly (MCA), Member of Parliament, and Senate seats will be held on November 27, 2025. In a gazette notice dated August 8, 2025, the commission named returning officers and their deputies for each affected constituency and county. The MCA by-elections will be held in Angata Nanyokie Ward in Samburu County, Chemundu/Kapng’etuny Ward in Nandi County, Chewani Ward in Tana River County, Fafi Ward in Garissa County, Kariobangi North Ward in Nairobi City County, Kisa East Ward in Kakamega County, Metkei Ward in Elgeyo Marakwet…
Author: David Wafula
Newly built or significantly upgraded roads—including those with extra lanes, better safety features, and improved driving conditions—will soon be tolled under a proposed National Tolling Policy. The Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, chaired by Ndia MP George Kariuki, met Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir on Friday, August 8, 2025, to discuss the plan. CS Chirchir said the policy is based on the “User Pay Charges” principle, where those who use the roads contribute to their maintenance and development. The government plans to use modern tolling technology and highway management systems to ensure efficiency and transparency. The policy…
The crew and passengers who died in Thursday’s Mwihoko plane crash have been named by AMREF Flying Doctors CEO Stephen Gitau. The crash happened on August 7, 2025, at about 2:30 p.m. in a residential area of Mwihoko, Kiambu County, shortly after the aircraft took off from Wilson Airport, Nairobi. The plane was headed to Hargeisa in northern Somalia. In a statement, Mr. Gitau confirmed that those on board were Captain Muthuka Munuve, Captain Brian Kimani Miaro, Dr. Charles Mugo Njoroge, and Nurse Jane Rispah Aluoch Omusula. All four died in the accident. Captain Munuve had served nearly seven years…
The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has opened applications for teachers with P1 or Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) certificates to upgrade their qualifications to diploma level. In a statement on August 9, 2025, KUCCPS said the new programme is part of its efforts to expand opportunities for Kenyans to access higher education and training. It comes after the successful rollout of the Kenya School of Law’s Diploma in Law (Paralegal Studies) through the KUCCPS system, which this year attracted over 800 applicants for 500 slots. Teachers can now apply for the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education…
Garissa University, Kaimosi Friends University College (KAFU), and the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) have new leaders following fresh appointments by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba. In a gazette notice dated August 8, 2025, Dr. Jane Musangi Mutua was appointed as the non-executive Chairperson of the Council of Garissa University for a three-year term. Dr. Mutua, who has previously chaired councils at Pwani University and Masinde Muliro University, was until now a member of the Board of Directors of the Communications Authority. Her appointment to the authority was revoked in the same notice by ICT and Digital Economy…
Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Erick Muuga has made sweeping changes in key water agencies, appointing new board members and revoking some previous appointments. In the changes announced through a gazette notice dated August 8, 2025, Muuga appointed Mary Wambui Mungai as the non-executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Athi Water Works Development Agency for a three-year term. At the same time, he revoked the appointment of Charles Kamau Karondo, who had been appointed by President William Ruto to replace Wambui Mungai as non-executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Communications Authority. The…
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has extended the term of the Technical Committee tasked with implementing security reforms proposed by the former Chief Justice David Maraga-led taskforce. In a gazette notice dated August 8, 2025, Murkomen said the extension will run for nine months, from May 23, 2025, to February 22, 2026. “It is notified for general information of the public that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration has extended the term of the Technical Committee on Review and Development of Legislative and Policy Reforms for the National Police Service and the National Youth Service for a period…
Kenya has achieved a major health milestone after the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the country has eliminated Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT)—commonly known as sleeping sickness—as a public health problem. This marks the end of a disease that has threatened communities for more than a century, especially in Busia, Bungoma, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, and Narok counties, where over seven million people were once at risk. The first recorded case was in 1901, and the first documented diagnosis in Samia was in 1942. Speaking at a ceremony themed “One Health | One Fight | Towards a Sleeping Sickness-Free Kenya”, Health…
The Social Health Authority (SHA) has suspended 40 health facilities for engaging in fraudulent activities. In a special gazette notice dated August 7, 2027, SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi said the suspensions were made under Section 48(6) of the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023. “In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the health facilities listed in the schedule shall not be entitled to any benefit from the Social Health Authority during the period of their suspension,” the notice reads. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, speaking to the media on Friday, August 8, confirmed the suspensions, saying the affected…
Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights, Prof. Makau Mutua, has been appointed as the principal coordinator for the State’s intervention and compensation of victims of protests dating back to 2017. President William Ruto, in a statement on Friday, said the decision was made in the interest of establishing a clear framework for accountability, redress, and reparations for those affected by demonstrations and public protests. This includes both civilians and security officers who lost their lives or suffered injuries during such events. Kenya has witnessed several waves of protests, particularly after elections. Recent demonstrations include the Saba Saba protests,…
Women governors have condemned the trafficking and sexual exploitation of young girls in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County, following shocking revelations in a BBC Africa Eye investigation. The exposé uncovered how girls as young as 13 are being lured into the sex trade, sometimes by older women known as “madams.” Undercover filming showed two women admitting they knew the practice was illegal before introducing investigators to underage girls. In a joint statement, the G7 Women Governors’ Caucus called the exploitation “abhorrent and inhuman,” describing it as a gross violation of human rights and a direct attack on the dignity and future…
The Senate has given the go-ahead for new rules to guide the rollout of the government’s Affordable Housing Programme. The Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation, chaired by Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya, met with the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development to review the Affordable Housing Regulations, 2025, published under Legal Notice No. 114 of 2025. Principal Secretary Charles Hinga told the committee the regulations are meant to operationalise the Affordable Housing Act, 2024, and make the law easier to implement. They outline how Kenyans can apply for housing units, the required deposits, deposit assistance, procedures for…
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…
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…