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Marsabit Court fines driver KSh 300,000 or 12 months in jail over smuggled cooking oil

By
Mike Kwoba
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The Marsabit Court has fined a driver KSh 300,000 or sentenced him to 12 months in prison after he was found transporting uncustomed 3,600 litres of cooking oil that had been smuggled into the country without paying duty.

 Hassan Racho Boru, 33, was found guilty of being in possession of uncustomed goods.The court also convicted the accused on a second count of conveying uncustomed goods, 3,600 litre of cooking oil valued at Ksh 378,000, knowingly to be uncustomed goods which were to be paid a tax of KSh 378,000.

The accused, Boru, was arrested on June 29, 2026, at the KBC police roadblock in Marsabit town while in possession of 180 jerricans containing 3,600 litres of cooking oil that had been imported into the country without having undergone the requisite customs clearance procedures.

The motor vehicle was travelling from Moyale towards Marsabit Town.

Appearing before Marsabit Senior Resident Magistrate Edward Oboge, Boru pleaded guilty to both charges against him.

In delivering the judgment, Magistrate Oboge said the evidence presented in court by the prosecution proved that the suspect was guilty.

The court also ordered that the vehicle used to transport the goods, registration number KDP 587, be forfeited to the state.

The accused has 14 days to appeal.

Kenya targets labour protection and trade expansion as Mudavadi holds Saudi talks

By
Binti Wangila
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Kenya has placed the welfare of its migrant workers and the expansion of trade opportunities at the heart of high-level diplomatic talks as Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi begins a three-day visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The visit, running from July 3 to July 5, signals Nairobi’s renewed push to strengthen engagement with one of its most important partners in the Middle East, with a focus on economic diplomacy and labour mobility.

Saudi Arabia hosts more than 300,000 Kenyan workers, making labour rights and recruitment practices a key agenda item during the consultations.

According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Kenya will seek stronger protections for its citizens working in the Kingdom, including improved working conditions, more efficient dispute resolution systems and tighter regulation of recruitment agencies.

“The Prime Cabinet Secretary will advocate for enhanced labour standards, stronger protection of workers’ rights, improved dispute resolution mechanisms, ethical recruitment practices, better working conditions and closer cooperation in safeguarding the dignity and welfare of Kenyan nationals employed in the Kingdom,” the ministry said.

Beyond labour issues, the Riyadh discussions are expected to focus heavily on expanding economic ties between the two countries.

Kenya plans to push for improved access for its agricultural exports, including tea, fresh flowers, fruits, vegetables and other horticultural products, as part of a broader strategy to increase its footprint in the Gulf market.

At the same time, Nairobi will seek to attract increased Saudi investment into key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, logistics and the digital economy.

Officials say the talks are also expected to explore opportunities for diversifying exports while supporting value addition and industrial growth in Kenya.

The bilateral consultations will also cover cooperation in agriculture and food security, renewable energy, aviation, maritime affairs, tourism, health, education and skills development, as well as climate resilience.

Both sides are expected to review progress under existing agreements and identify new areas of collaboration aimed at boosting economic growth, job creation and shared prosperity.

Saudi Arabia remains a key partner for Kenya in the Middle East, with cooperation spanning labour mobility, trade, investment, development financing and regional diplomacy.

The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs said the visit reflects Kenya’s shift toward a more economically driven foreign policy, focused on delivering tangible benefits for citizens both at home and abroad.

Officials say the outcome of the Riyadh consultations is expected to shape future labour agreements and deepen commercial ties between the two countries, particularly at a time when Kenya is seeking to expand employment opportunities for its workforce overseas while attracting foreign capital into its economy.

Sifuna denies receiving political funding from Uhuru Kenyatta

By
Binti Wangila
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ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has dismissed claims that the Linda Mwananchi movement is being financed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta to undermine President William Ruto’s administration ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking during an interview,Sifuna described the allegations as political propaganda aimed at misleading the public about the movement’s activities.

“I am not funded by Uhuru. I am funded by ordinary Kenyans. We have a public website, and I am ready to produce M-Pesa statements showing how we pay our DJ and meet the costs of organizing our public meetings,” Sifuna said.

He added that the movement’s leaders use their personal resources together with contributions from supporters to organize political events across the country.

His remarks come amid accusations from some leaders supporting the broad-based government, particularly allies of Senator Oburu Oginga, who claim that Uhuru Kenyatta is financing Linda Mwananchi to create divisions within ODM and derail President Ruto’s re-election plans in 2027.

Sifuna, however, argued that his critics are accustomed to politics driven by wealthy sponsors and cash handouts to supporters, leading them to believe that every political movement must have a powerful financier.

The senator is expected to lead the movement’s first political rally in the Gusii region after last week’s meeting was postponed to allow supporters to mourn victims of the June 25 Gen Z protests.

Linda Mwananchi says it plans to hold public meetings in at least 24 counties before unveiling its political strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.

Among the issues under discussion is whether the movement will formally join the emerging opposition coalition and whether it will field its own presidential candidate or support a joint opposition ticket.

Opposition leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, have already expressed willingness to work with the movement in presenting a united opposition candidate against President Ruto.

IPOA makes history by honouring officer who thought she was under investigation

By
Binti Wangila
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Former Kabarnet Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Shamza Abedi was left surprised after receiving information that officers from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) were looking for her.

Since IPOA is widely known for investigating complaints against police officers, Abedi feared there might have been allegations against her or one of the officers under her command. However, she soon discovered that the officers had come to honour her for her exceptional service.

Abedi was recognized for her efforts in restoring security along the notorious Zombie Street, an area that had long been associated with drug trafficking, illicit alcohol, prostitution, and violent crime.

Speaking during the award presentation at Kabarnet Police Station, IPOA Commissioner Boniface Samati Kemboi said the authority is not only mandated to investigate police misconduct but also to recognize officers who demonstrate integrity and dedication in the line of duty.

“Although IPOA is widely known for investigating police officers who violate the law, we also have a responsibility to identify and appreciate those who serve with integrity and commitment,” said Kemboi.

Before the security operation, Zombie Street had become a hotspot for criminal activities, with residents fearing to walk through the area during both the day and night due to widespread robberies, drug abuse, and illicit alcohol trade.

After her deployment to Kabarnet, Abedi launched joint security operations involving police officers and local residents through the community policing programme. Day and night patrols were intensified while police raided illegal drinking dens and dismantled drug trafficking networks.

Between November last year and May this year, more than 10 suspected drug traffickers were arrested and arraigned in court. In addition, over 900 people linked to alcohol-related offencesand public disorder were arrested and prosecuted.

During the operations, several women allegedly involved in illegal activities were arrested while carrying their children on their backs. The children were rescued and taken to children’s care centres to ensure their safety and welfare.

Residents say the operation has transformed the area, with businesses flourishing once again, robbery cases declining, and families previously affected by drug abuse beginning to rebuild their lives.

Receiving the award, Abedi credited the achievement to the strong partnership between the police and the local community.

“These achievements were made possible through close cooperation between the police and the public. Security is everyone’s responsibility,” she said.

The award highlights IPOA’s broader role of recognizing exemplary police officers while promoting accountability and strengthening public confidence in law enforcement.

Garissa tiktok suspect released on bail as DCI warns against hate speech

By
Binti Wangila
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A Garissa court has released Abdi Hassan Abdullahi, also known as Sharu, on a cash bail of KSh200,000 or an alternative bond of KSh500,000 after he was charged with ethnic and religious incitement as well as cyber harassment.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Abdullahi allegedly uploaded a TikTok video on April 23, 2026, containing content that incited members of the Muslim community in Garissa County against non-Muslims.

Following his arrest on May 16, he was arraigned before the court where he pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The court ordered his release on bail and scheduled the matter for pre-trial proceedings on July 20, 2026.

In a statement, the DCI urged Kenyans to use social media responsibly and refrain from posting content that promotes hatred, discrimination, or public disorder.

“Social media platforms should be used responsibly, and anyone who uses them to commit criminal offences will be investigated and brought before the courts in accordance with the law,” the DCI said.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to taking legal action against individuals who use online platforms to spread hate speech, discrimination, or content that threatens national peace and social cohesion.

SHA pays KSh27.91 billion to health facilities, urges proper claims submission

By
Binti Wangila
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The Social Health Authority (SHA) has announced that it has paid KSh27.91 billion to health facilities across the country, representing approximately 80 percent of all claims submitted by June 30, 2026.

In a statement released on Thursday, SHA said 8,349 health facilities had submitted claims worth KSh40.91 billion.

Claims worth KSh6.96 billion are still undergoing verification, while others have been returned to health facilities for correction due to missing information or incomplete supporting documentation.

Additionally, claims valued at KSh3.43 billion were rejected after failing to meet contractual and regulatory requirements.

According to SHA, Tana River County recorded the highest claims settlement rate at 87 percent, followed by Laikipia, Baringo, Siaya, and Kisumu.

Counties receiving the largest payouts due to high claim volumes include Nakuru,Nairobi, Homa Bay, Mombasa, and Kiambu.

SHA said the remaining claims are undergoing verification to confirm patient eligibility, medical services provided, applicable tariffs, and supporting documents before payments can be processed.

The authority also noted that ongoing training for healthcare providers on proper claims submission has significantly improved the number of clean and complete claims being processed.

Marsabit set for Ushirika day fete as county eyes cooperatives to unlock value chains

By
Mike Kwoba
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Marsabit CECM-Trade, Tourism, Industry and Cooperative Development, Jeremy Ledany speaking to journalists in his office.

Marsabit County will join the rest of the nation on Saturday, July 4, 2026, to mark Kenya’s 104th Ushirika Day.

While the national event will be held at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Marsabit’s celebrations will be hosted at Marsabit Stadium and presided over by Governor Mohamud Mohammed Ali.

This year’s theme, “Cooperatives for a Peaceful World,” spotlights the sector’s economic strength.

Kenya is ranked 1st in Africa and 7th globally in cooperative development.

Speaking to journalists in his office, County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Tourism, Industry and Cooperative Development, Jeremy Ledany, said the county will use the day to create mass awareness on how cooperatives can drive Marsabit’s economic agenda.

“We will use this event to link cooperatives across different value chains; fisheries, livestock products, fodder production, gold mining, gums and resins, among others.” Ledany said.

He added that the Trade and Cooperative department will also facilitate networking so cooperatives can exchange contacts and access new markets for their products.

The department will also use the event to register new societies. Ledany noted that many Voluntary- Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) are being encouraged to graduate into full cooperative societies.

“We want to graduate and move VSLAs to a whole cooperative society. Cooperative society will benefit members more compared to a VSLA.” he said.

County Director Cooperative Development Department, Boru Sarapana said over 300 cooperatives have been registered in Marsabit, with most of them active.

The department has also conducted sensitization and training, reaching over 70% of members, and 100% of groups during pre-cooperative training.

However, Sarapana noted that the sector still faces challenges, particularly with registration processes and linking cooperatives to markets. “Events like Ushirika Day are part of our strategy to address those gaps.” he said.

Kenya’s cooperative movement remains one of the strongest in Africa, with millions of members in SACCOs, agriculture, housing, transport, fisheries, dairy, coffee, tea, and emerging digital cooperatives.

Together, the sector contributes significantly to national GDP while creating jobs and improving household livelihoods.

Exhibitions from SACCOs, financial institutions, NGOs, and both state and non-state actors are expected at the Marsabit Stadium event.

FKF Turkana County League: Napetet Homeboys secure away win while Kalokol draw with Simba

By
Kimani Karanja
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Napetet Homeboys picked up a convincing 2-0 away win over Earthmovers, while Kalokol FC and Simba FC shared the spoils in a 2-2 thriller during Tuesday’s action-packed FKF Turkana County Branch League fixtures.

Napetet were clinical and composed from start to finish at the Earthmovers’ ground. The visitors dictated the tempo of the game, controlling possession for long spells and making their dominance count in both boxes.

While Earthmovers created several scoring opportunities, they repeatedly ran into a disciplined and compact Napetet backline that refused to breach over the full 90 minutes. Unable to find a way through, the hosts failed to register a goal, allowing Napetet to seal a comfortable victory and walk away with all three points.

Meanwhile, fans in Kolioro got true value for their money as Kalokol and Simba traded blows in an exhilarating, end-to-end contest. Both sides signaled their intent right from kickoff, deploying aggressive attacking tactics and refusing to sit back. In the end, the goals were shared evenly two apiece with neither team able to land a decisive match-winner before the final whistle. The hard-fought draw keeps both clubs level on points after a fiercely contested encounter.

These latest results further underline how tight the Turkana County Branch League race is becoming. With clubs fighting tooth and nail for every available point, the standings are expected to keep shifting as the season builds toward an exciting final stretch.

Tensions high in Turkana South after mob lynches teenager inside health facility

By
Kimani Karanja
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TURKANA SOUTH-The government has issued safety assurances to health workers who fled Lokapel health hacility in Turkana South, following a horrific mob justice incident that left a 16-year-old boy dead inside the hospital premises on Monday 29th June 2026.

The tragic sequence of events began when the teenager rushed a young girl to the facility after she was involved in an accident. Unfortunately, the girl succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment.

In a shocking turn of events, an angry mob blamed the boy for the accident, storming the healthcare facility where he had sought refuge and lynching him.

The incident has sparked widespread public outrage. Local residents have heavily criticized security agencies, blaming them for a delayed response despite multiple distress calls being made while the facility was under siege.

Fearing for their lives, medical staff at the facility abandoned their posts during the chaos. Authorities, however, state that normalcy is slowly returning to the area.

Turkana County Commissioner Julius Kavita addressed the security lapse and confirmed that measures are being put in place to protect the facility and its workers.

“The staff fled because of the incident. It was a security incident, so they also feared for their lives because they were trying to save the kid who was involved in the accident in the facility. But because of the assurances from the County Commissioner and his team, we have started receiving services in the facility.” An official statement noted.

Local authorities also pushed back against rumors circulating within the community that the hospital has been left completely unmanned following the attack.

“The allegation you are getting from the community that there are no doctors, that’s not true. As we have assured everyone, the facility must run smoothly,” authorities stated.

Officials emphasized that vigilante justice will not be tolerated and promised swift action against those who instigated the attack on the teenager inside a sanctuary of healing.

“People should not take the law into their own hands. What we are going to pursue is the person who did the act. The law must take its course.”

Security forces have since been deployed to the area to restore calm and ensure the continuous operation of critical health services for the residents of Turkana South.

Inua Jamii registration brings hope to vulnerable residents in Turkana

By
Vivian Achwa
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Inua jamii registration centre at Tiya village, Loima Sub-County, Turkana County

A county-wide verification and registration exercise under the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer Programme is bringing renewed hope to Turkana’s most vulnerable residents, with officials targeting older persons aged 70 and above and other eligible groups.

The Inua Jamii programme is a government social protection initiative that provides monthly financial support to vulnerable Kenyans to improve their welfare and quality of life.

At a registration centre at Tiya Village, Loima Sub-County, elder James Akure welcomed the government’s decision to take the exercise closer to communities.

“We are very happy the government has brought this registration to our doorstep. Many elderly people who missed earlier registration have suffered for years without support. We hope everyone who qualifies will now be included,” Mzee Akure said.

Christina Teko, a person living with a disability from Kolioro, said she missed both the Inua Jamii registration five years ago and the second phase of the Hunger Safety Net Programme because she could not travel to the centres and had no assistance.

She urged the government and partners to improve access in remote areas by deploying Safaricom agents during the exercise to help elderly people and persons with disabilities register and replace SIM cards.

“Many of us cannot complete registration because we don’t have registered Safaricom lines, yet that is now required to receive payments,” Teko said.

Turkana Central Sub-County Coordinator for Social Services, Shadrack Okumu Oringa, said the programme continues to transform lives, especially for citizens aged 70 and above who need ongoing care and support.

He confirmed the current verification and registration exercise runs from June 25 to July 6, 2026, and urged all eligible elderly persons to register before the deadline.

Oringa said beneficiaries now receive their KSh 2,000 monthly stipend directly to their mobile phones, eliminating the cost and long travel previously required to access banks.

The coordinator emphasized that registration is a right for all eligible elderly persons. He advised applicants to visit their nearest Department of Social Services office or area Chief’s office with a national identification card ID and a Safaricom line registered in their name. Caregivers must also present their ID and registered number when applying on behalf of a beneficiary.

Oringa warned against multiple registrations, saying duplicates risk automatic disqualification from the system.

The exercise is being rolled out across all sub-counties in Turkana to ensure no eligible senior citizen is left out.

Residents have welcomed the outreach, saying it will help enroll more deserving elderly persons and other vulnerable groups into the social protection programme.

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