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…
Author: David Wafula
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…
A Kericho court sentenced two men to 30 years in prison each after finding them guilty of defiling a 16-year-old boy. The court, presided over by Principal Magistrate Zachary Nyakundi, was informed that the victim attended Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kericho Green Stadium on October 20, 2023. After running out of money, he sought help from Ezekiel Taitui, who took him to his rental home in Baraka Village, Kericho East Sub-county. Taitui proceeded to defile the minor on multiple occasions between October 17 and 20 November 2023. Seeking refuge, the victim turned to Derrick Kipngeno Kirui, also known as Gideon…
Nairobi County’s Chief Officer for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria, has been named Kenya’s Best Chief Officer at the prestigious StarLeaders Awards, hosted by Politrack Africa Ltd at the JW Marriott Hotel in Nairobi. The award recognizes his leadership in environmental conservation, sustainable waste management, and green initiatives that have helped improve Nairobi’s environmental landscape. Speaking after receiving the award, Mosiria dedicated the recognition to the people of Nairobi, crediting their support and collaboration for the progress made in environmental management. He also expressed gratitude to Governor Johnson Sakaja for championing environmental policies and commended the Nairobi County environment team for their…
Kenya is set to roll out whole blood automation technology to modernize its blood transfusion services and improve access to safe blood across the country. The announcement was made by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Harry Kimtai during the Africa Technology Day, hosted by Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies in Nairobi. Speaking to delegates from across Africa and representatives from Terumo Corporation Japan, Kimtai emphasized that blood is a critical resource in healthcare, playing a key role in surgery, childbirth, cancer treatment, and managing conditions like Sickle Cell Disease. “Blood is a life-saving resource. Without it, many medical services would…
The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security has proposed further amendments to a Bill seeking to revise the Assumption of the Office of the President Act. Led by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, the Committee convened a session on Friday, March 28, 2025, with key stakeholders to review the Assumption of Office of the President and Transition of Executive Authority Bill, 2025. The Bill, sponsored by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, aims to establish clear procedures and ceremonies for the assumption of office by a president-elect, in line with Article 141 of the Constitution. It seeks to ensure…
The Senate has passed the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, 2025, paving the way for an additional allocation of Sh50.5 billion to county governments. The Bill allows for the transfer of conditional and unconditional allocations from the national government’s share of revenue, as well as additional funding from loans and grants provided by development partners, for the 2024/2025 financial year. During a special sitting on Thursday, March 27, Senator Boni Khalwale (Kakamega), while seconding the Bill on behalf of Finance Committee Chairperson Senator Ali Roba, described it as a transformative move that will boost service delivery across the country. “This…