The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has arrested three suspects and confiscated 52 shisha bongs following a crackdown on two popular clubs in Nairobi. The Friday night operation, led by NACADA’s Director of Enforcement and Compliance, James Koskey, targeted Alfakheer Lounge on Mirema Drive and Embassy Club along Thika Road, both accused of violating the government’s ban on shisha use. At Alfakheer Lounge, officers seized 10 shisha bongs and arrested one suspect. At Embassy Club, the team recovered 42 bongs, 56 assorted shisha flavors, and took two individuals into custody. Speaking after the raid,…
Author: David Wafula
KBC journalist Fredrik Parsayo has died in a suspected suicide at his home in Kinoo, Kikuyu Constituency. The national broadcaster confirmed that Parsayo passed away on Friday, March 21, with investigations underway to establish the cause of his death. The incident has been reported to Kinoo Police Station, and his body has been moved to St. Teresa Mortuary. In a statement, KBC mourned Parsayo as a valued member of its editorial team, describing his passing as a great loss. “Fredrik was a cherished member of our Editorial Team, and his absence will be deeply felt by everyone who had the…
President William Ruto on Thursday held a meeting with Members of Parliament from the Mount Kenya region ahead of his scheduled visit later this month. The meeting, held at State House Nairobi, focused on development programs aimed at transforming the region. “With Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, we met MPs from Mt Kenya counties to discuss the progress we are making in coffee, tea, and dairy farming, infrastructure development, affordable housing, and fresh produce markets, among other areas,” Ruto said. This visit comes after months of political tension in the region, following the removal of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from…
A political showdown is expected between the Senate and the National Assembly over a proposed law that seeks to curb the National Assembly’s influence while granting the Senate greater independence. The Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill, 2025, sponsored by Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni, proposes abolishing the Parliamentary Service Commission, currently chaired by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, and replacing it with separate service commissions for each House. Under the proposed changes, the Senate and National Assembly would each have an independent service commission to manage staff and resources. “A Service Commission shall consist of the Speaker of the relevant House…
The Ministry of Education has defended the New University Funding Model (NFM) before the Senate Standing Committee on Education, assuring lawmakers of the government’s commitment to sustaining higher education financing in Kenya. This comes as the model faces legal uncertainty following a High Court injunction that halted its implementation. Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research, Beatrice Muganda, appeared before the Committee alongside Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) CEO Geoffrey Monari and other officials. She emphasized that the NFM had reduced barriers to access and increased student applications. “The New Funding Model has indeed reduced the barriers to accessibility to…
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has called on the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations to intervene in the case of Margaret Nduta Macharia, a Kenyan citizen sentenced to death in Vietnam for drug trafficking. In his request, Onyonka urged the Committee to clarify what steps the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is taking to ensure Macharia receives fair legal representation. He also pushed for diplomatic efforts to secure her repatriation so she could face trial under Kenya’s judicial system. The senator further called for a review of possible clemency appeals, emphasizing the need to have her death sentence…
Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana has raised concerns over the Kenya Health Information System (KHIS) shutdown, previously known as the District Health Information System (DHIS). She now seeks a statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding its implications on Kenya’s health data management. “Kenya Health Information System (KHIS) served as the central nationwide health reporting database, playing a crucial role in collecting, analyzing and disseminating health data to inform decision-making in the healthcare sector. The system was hosted by the Health IT department of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which provided both technical and financial support. Its…
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has revealed measures to prevent political interference in its fight against corruption. During a meeting with the Senate Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights Committee, EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud said the agency remains committed to tackling corruption despite ongoing challenges. The session, chaired by Vice Chair Senator Veronica Maina, aimed to assess the implementation of the Senate’s resolution on the state of the nation, with a focus on corruption. Mohamud reported that between 2021 and 2024, EACC received more than 15,000 complaints related to bribery, corruption, economic crimes, and unethical conduct. He…
The High Court has ruled that the government’s decision to direct all public-sector advertisements exclusively to the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) is unconstitutional. The ruling, delivered virtually on Thursday, March 20, by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, struck down a directive issued in March 2024 by then-ICT Principal Secretary Edward Kisiang’ani, which had required government ministries and parastatals to advertise only with KBC. Justice Mugambi ruled that the directive violated principles of good governance, equality, and media freedom as outlined in Articles 10, 27, and 34 of the Constitution. The court found that limiting government advertisements to a single broadcaster unfairly influenced…
President William Ruto announced changes in government moving a number of Principal Secretaries. A statement signed by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said Professor Edward Kisiang’ani was demoted and appointed as senior advisor and member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors. He joins former Public Service CS Moses Kuria and economist David Ndii in the council that is tasked with reviving the country’s economy. Kisiang’ani previously served as the Principal Secretary in the State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunications, a position that will now be occupied by Stephen Isaboke, the Group Executive, Head of Regulatory Affairs at MultiChoice Group. Amos…
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has outlined four alternative routes for motorists to avoid heavy traffic during the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally, set to take place in Naivasha, Nakuru County. The highly anticipated event will begin on Thursday, March 20, and run until Sunday, March 23, 2025. KeNHA urged motorists to plan their travel in advance to avoid congestion caused by the rally. “The World Rally Championship is zooming into town, bringing excitement and high-speed action to our roads. To keep you moving smoothly, we have mapped out alternative routes to help you avoid traffic congestion,”…
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has cautioned university students and the general public to be wary of fraudsters impersonating its officials and swindling unsuspecting victims out of their money. In a statement issued on Thursday, March 20, HELB raised concern over an emerging trend where scammers use social media to deceive individuals by falsely claiming to offer HELB services. “Scammers are out here pretending to offer HELB services to trick unsuspecting social media users into sending money. Stay alert,” the board stated. HELB emphasized that all its services are provided free of charge and advised those seeking assistance to…
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has suspended Super Metro Limited’s operator license, citing non-compliance with key transport regulations. In a notice issued on Thursday, the authority stated that the suspension will remain in effect until the company fully complies with the Public Service Vehicles (PSV) Regulations, 2014, and other necessary conditions. “This decision was made to ensure that the company not only adheres to the law but also puts in place safety measures to protect its passengers and other road users,” NTSA said. According to NTSA, an inspection of Super Metro’s fleet found multiple violations of the Traffic…
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced the dates for its upcoming grassroots elections, set to begin in April. According to a statement from the party’s National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) chairperson, Emily Awita, the Sub-Branch (Ward) elections will take place on Monday, April 7, at designated centers across all 47 counties. The Branch (Constituency) elections will follow on Wednesday, April 9, in all 290 constituencies. The elections, scheduled between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, will be conducted either through consensus or by a show of hands. “Only delegates elected at the Polling Unit level will be eligible to participate…
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba faced tough questions from Members of the National Assembly Committee on Education over financial mismanagement and governance issues at public universities. Lawmakers scrutinized the growing debt crisis at the University of Nairobi (UoN) and the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), which have accumulated pending bills of Sh13.58 billion and Sh12.99 billion, respectively. During the heated session, MPs pressed CS Migos and Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala to explain the Ministry’s strategy to address the financial struggles facing universities. Legislators raised concerns about unpaid bills, stalled projects, staff welfare, and prolonged leadership wrangles. MP Rebecca Tonkei…