Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has made his first public appearance after months of speculation about his health. On Thursday, the Office of the Fourth President, through spokesperson Kanze Dena, announced on social media platform X that Kenyatta had arrived in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for the 15th High-Level Retreat focused on promoting peace and stability in Africa. The retreat, organized by the African Union (AU) Commission, aims to evaluate the impact of AU efforts in addressing conflicts across the continent. Photos shared from the event showed Kenyatta engaging with senior AU officials, including Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace,…
Author: David Wafula
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has confirmed that senior officials in the County Government of Bomet are under investigation for embezzling more than Sh1.2 billion in public funds. This comes after increased media inquiries into the matter. On Thursday, October 24, EACC conducted a successful investigation at the homes and offices of eight suspects, including County Executive Committee Members, Chief Officers, and other officials from the county government. The officials are accused of engaging in conflict of interest and siphoning public funds through fraudulent payments made to companies owned by themselves, their family members, and close associates. The officials…
More than 6.5 million children have been vaccinated against polio in a coordinated cross-border campaign between Kenya and Uganda. The vaccination drive, conducted from October 3 to 6, 2024, targeted children under five years in vulnerable border regions to reduce the risk of polio transmission between the two countries. The campaign was launched simultaneously in Bungoma District, Kenya, and Mbale District, Uganda, with both nations working together to ensure maximum coverage. By sharing real-time information and coordinating efforts, the two countries effectively reached children in high-risk areas, reducing the chances of the virus spreading across borders. This joint effort was…
Standard Chartered has announced road closures in Nairobi ahead of the 21st edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, October 27, 2024. The event will take place at Uhuru Gardens along Lang’ata Road, with runners navigating a scenic route on the Southern Bypass, which offers views of the Nairobi National Park. The marathon, which has attracted over 25,000 participants, will feature various race categories, including the 5km Family Fun Run, which will conclude on the Southern Bypass, while other races will finish at Uhuru Gardens. “With more than 25,000 participants registered, the Nairobi Traffic Department has prepared…
South African rugby star Siya Kolisi and his wife Rachel have announced their divorce after more than a decade together, leaving their fans heartbroken. The two often shared their love for each other and their family on social media, and were admired by many South Africans, who saw them as one of the country’s power couples. The news of their split has caused a frenzy on social media, with fans expressing shock that their celebrated marriage is ending. The pair have asked for respect and privacy as they try to “navigate this transition”. Siya Kolisi was captain of the national…
Public sector unions in Kenya have called off their planned strike over concerns regarding the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA). The strike notice, issued on October 8, 2024, by more than ten unions representing civil servants, has been suspended following a successful agreement between the government and union leaders. The decision was reached after extensive negotiations and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by Cabinet Secretaries Justin Muturi (Public Service and Human Capital Development), Alfred Mutua (Labour and Social Protection), Deborah Mlongo Barasa (Health), and Union of Kenya Civil Servants Secretary General, Tom Ondege. Under the…
President William Ruto and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia have welcomed the establishment of the new African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). AUSSOM aims to build on the successes of its predecessor, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which combines military, police, and civilian operations and was authorized by the African Union and the United Nations Security Council. During a two-day working visit to Kenya starting October 21, President Mohamud and President Ruto emphasized the importance of a smooth transition of security responsibilities from ATMIS to AUSSOM, set to begin on January 1, 2025.…
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has sought to play down the significance of alleged interference by the Labour Party in the American presidential election. The Trump Campaign has filed a complaintwith the Federal Election Commission in Washington seeking an immediate investigation – after the Head of Operations for the Labour Party, Sofia Patel, posted on social media that she had “ten spots available” for anyone willing to travel to North Carolina to campaign for Kamala Harris, adding “we will sort your housing”. She said she had around 100 current and former party staff heading to America before polling day. The…
Fernando Valenzuela, the impetus behind “Fernandomania” while winning National League Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year honors in 1981 as the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series, has died at age 63. The Dodgers announced the news, saying Valenzuela died Tuesday night at a Los Angeles hospital. They did not provide the cause or other details. Valenzuela’s death comes as the Dodgers prepare to open the World Series on Friday night at home against the New York Yankees. Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said Valenzuela would be honored during the Series at Dodger Stadium. After pitching…
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called for an immediate investigation into the abduction and killing of Yussuf Hussein Ahmed, a Member of the County Assembly (MCA) for Dela Ward in Wajir County. Ahmed’s body was found mutilated in Lake Yahud, his family confirmed. According to Ahmed’s family, he was abducted by unknown assailants on Friday, September 13, 2024, at around 8:00 p.m. along Enterprise Road in Nairobi. The attackers, who were heavily armed and driving two unmarked Land Cruiser Prados, intercepted his taxi, forcibly removed him from the vehicle, and took him to an unknown location. The family…
Kenyans can now submit their UK visa applications through VFS Global, following the launch of new Visa Application Centres in Nairobi and Mombasa. This service became available on October 22, 2024. Alok Singhal, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at VFS Global, promised to offer a streamlined process for those traveling to the UK. “We are excited to embark on this new journey with UK Visas and Immigration here in Kenya. We have enjoyed a long-standing partnership since 2003 and look forward to bringing our best-in-class services to Kenyan travellers,” he said. The new Visa Application Centres provide a range of optional…
Kenya Power has linked the ongoing blackout in Garissa town to a fault at the KETRACO substation serving the area. The town has been without electricity since yesterday, affecting several neighborhoods, including Madogo, Bangale, KBC, Iffin, Bulla, Game, Bulla Mzuri, Tawakal, Bashal, Madika, Garissa University, and surrounding areas. “A dedicated team from KETRACO and Kenya Power is on-site working to resolve the issue,” said Kenya Power in a statement. Power restoration is expected later today. Meanwhile, Kenya Power has announced scheduled power interruptions in various parts of the country on Wednesday, 23rd, due to maintenance work at power stations. The…
The government has imposed a ban on the harvesting of macadamia nuts until March next year, with plans to introduce a guaranteed farm gate price of at least Sh100 per kilogram. The move comes after a rapid assessment revealed that many local companies lack quality stock for processing. Speaking on Tuesday, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja announced that the harvesting and export of immature macadamia nuts have negatively impacted Kenya’s performance in the global market. He emphasized that exporting processed macadamia nuts brings more benefits to the country than exporting raw, in-shell nuts. “After consultations with industry stakeholders, a ban…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has linked McDonald’s Quarter Pounder sandwich to an outbreak of E. coli infections, which has sickened 49 people across 10 states in the US. The CDC confirmed on Tuesday that the bacteria, known for causing severe stomach issues, has been found in the popular sandwich. So far, 10 people have been hospitalized, and one person, an elderly adult from Colorado, has died. The cases are mostly concentrated in western and Midwestern states, including Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, and Wisconsin. McDonald’s is cooperating with health officials to pinpoint the cause of the contamination. As…
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Israeli leaders to take stronger action in delivering humanitarian aid to civilians in northern Gaza. During meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials, Blinken stressed that more must be done to assist the people affected by the ongoing conflict, a senior US official said. The discussions took place as part of Blinken’s regional tour aimed at restoring diplomacy following the recent escalation of violence, including the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by Israeli forces in Gaza. While the US has been criticized for not doing enough to…