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Oburu Oginga speaks after Hospital visit, reassures public over Health speculation

By
Newton Ingui
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Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader and Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga has addressed reports surrounding his health following a brief stay at Nairobi Hospital.

Speaking after his discharge, the 83-year-old veteran politician dismissed lingering speculation regarding his condition, clarifying that he only visited the facility for a routine medical check-up.


“I only visited the hospital briefly for a general check-up with my doctors and have since returned home to recover. Being unwell or seeking medical advice is a normal human experience,” Oburu stated, easing public concern over his health.

The clarification follows circulating reports and social media speculation suggesting he had been readmitted under strict visitor restrictions or slated for specialized treatment abroad. Oburu confirmed he is resting at his Nairobi home, feeling steady, and expressed gratitude to supporters and well-wishers for their concern.

TSC re-advertises 1,631 promotion posts for teachers as application deadline nears

By
Vincent Amara
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Teachers across the country have been given another opportunity to advance their careers following a fresh announcement by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

In line with its constitutional mandate under Article 237, the Commission has re-advertised 1,631 administrative and leadership positions, giving qualified teachers another opportunity to progress professionally within primary and secondary schools.

The latest vacancies fall into three promotional categories. They include 1,470 Deputy Headteacher II positions in primary schools under Advert No. 110/2026, graded C4 (T-Scale 9), as well as 132 Deputy Principal III positions under Advert No. 108/2026 and 29 Senior Master II positions under Advert No. 109/2026 in secondary schools. The two secondary school positions are graded D1 (T-Scale 11).

The latest recruitment exercise comes after a major promotion drive launched by the TSC in July, when the Commission advertised 34,016 promotional positions across basic education institutions and teacher training colleges. The exercise was aimed at creating career progression opportunities for teachers and addressing professional stagnation.

Following the closure of the initial applications on August 10 and the subsequent shortlisting and interview process, the re-advertisement provides another opportunity for eligible teachers who may have missed the earlier application window.

However, the Commission has clarified that teachers who successfully applied for the specific positions during the previous recruitment exercise are not required to submit fresh applications.

Applicants must meet the requirements set out in the Commission’s Career Progression Guidelines and ensure that all information contained in their official online profiles is accurate and up to date.

The positions also come with enhanced remuneration under the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement. Teachers in Grade C4 earn a basic monthly salary ranging from Sh57,667 to Sh72,988, while officers in Grade D1 earn between Sh80,500 and Sh97,827, exclusive of allowances and statutory deductions.

Teachers appointed as Deputy Headteacher II will be expected to support the management of primary schools, supervise staff and assist in the implementation of the curriculum. In secondary schools, Deputy Principals and Senior Masters will take on increased administrative and leadership responsibilities.

The TSC has also encouraged qualified persons with disabilities to apply, reaffirming its commitment to fair and inclusive employment practices.

All eligible candidates are required to submit their applications exclusively through the official TSC online recruitment portal. Manual applications will not be accepted.

The application deadline is midnight on September 14, 2026.

Applicants should also be prepared to work in different locations, as the Commission has not provided a station-by-station breakdown of the vacancies. Successful candidates will be deployed to schools where vacancies exist across the country.

The recruitment is expected to provide new leadership opportunities for teachers while strengthening management and administration in primary and secondary schools across Kenya.

Governor Wavinya Ndeti rejects KSh 17.8 Billion county budget

By
Newton Ingui
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Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has officially declined to assent to the county’s KSh 17.797 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2026/2027 Financial Year. The Governor returned the spending plan to the County Assembly alongside a memorandum detailing her objections, triggering a political standoff with Ward Representatives.

Governor Ndeti accused the Assembly of making unlawful reallocations totaling KSh 853.96 million, arguing that the changes systematically strip funding from essential service delivery, ongoing development projects, and youth welfare programs to inflate internal legislative budgets.

“I cannot in good conscience sign into law a legislation that openly violates statutory limits, dismantles essential public services, undermines our financial foundation, and directly imperils the lives and livelihoods of our people,” Governor Ndeti stated during an address outside the Assembly gates.

Citing Regulation 37(1) of the Public Finance Management (County Governments) Regulations, the Governor emphasized that any budget adjustments made by the Assembly cannot exceed a 1% variance per vote ceiling. She noted that multiple votes were altered far beyond this threshold or eliminated entirely.

The total removal of KSh 78.32 million set aside for solid waste collection in major urban centres—such as Mlolongo, Athi River, and Machakos Town—threatens to cause garbage accumulation and potential disease outbreaks.

Defunding the Integrated County Revenue Management System places the county’s target of KSh 4.93 billion in own-source revenue at risk, after similar digitisation efforts boosted local revenue collection to KSh 3.35 billion.

The reduction of KSh 65.38 million from active road projects—including the Katangi–Kithimani and Lita–Miti Muonza roads—risks work halts, breach-of-contract lawsuits, and accrued interest penalties against the county.

Cutting the sub-county administration budget leaves local administrative units with approximately KSh 47,000 per month to manage operations and public participation across the county.

Invoking Section 24(2)(b) of the County Governments Act, 2012, the Governor referred the Bill back to the floor. Under Kenyan public finance law, the County Assembly must now deliberate on the Governor’s reservations. Overriding the veto will require a strict two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly. Governor Ndeti additionally cautioned that individual legislators who vote to uphold statutory budget variances could assume personal legal liability for ensuing financial losses or contractual damages.

Government expands modern medical equipment to bring specialized care closer to Kenyans

By
Vincent Amara
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The national government, in partnership with county governments, is expanding access to modern medical equipment and specialized healthcare services as part of efforts to strengthen Kenya’s public health system and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The Ministry of Health says the investment is designed to bring specialized diagnostic and treatment services closer to communities, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances or seek care at national referral hospitals for services that can increasingly be provided at county level.

Through the National Equipment Service Programme (NESP), the government has deployed 862 specialized medical equipment units across 251 health facilities in 44 counties, according to the Ministry of Health. The programme represents an investment of KSh9.6 billion and is intended to strengthen the ability of county hospitals to provide specialized services.

The Ministry says the expanded equipment capacity is helping to reduce unnecessary referrals, as patients can increasingly access specialized diagnosis and treatment closer to where they live. This is expected to reduce the financial and logistical burden associated with travelling to major referral hospitals.

NESP builds on the previous Medical Equipment Services programme and was introduced after the expiry of the earlier arrangement in December 2023. Under the new model, contracted vendors provide, install, maintain and upgrade equipment at county facilities, with payments made based on services delivered rather than requiring counties to meet the full equipment cost upfront.

The Ministry says the arrangement is intended to allow counties to concentrate more resources on patient care while ensuring that critical equipment remains available and functional. The programme covers areas including surgery, radiology and intensive care services.

The national and county governments have also established mechanisms to improve coordination and accountability in the rollout of the equipment programme. In April, the Ministry announced a cooperation framework bringing together national referral hospitals, the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Digital Health Agency to accelerate the deployment of advanced medical equipment across the country.

The government is simultaneously investing in additional health infrastructure to complement the equipment programme. The Ministry recently announced plans for 13 new Level 5 comprehensive county referral hospitals, representing a projected investment of KSh29 billion. The facilities are intended to expand access to specialized care and reduce pressure on national referral hospitals.

The planned hospitals are part of a wider strategy to strengthen healthcare capacity at county level, with their locations determined by factors including population size, disease burden, existing health infrastructure and available financing.

The Ministry has announced plans to establish 10 specialised maternal and newborn health facilities, each with a capacity of 250 beds, in Nairobi, Bomet, Kwale, Mombasa, Garissa, Kisumu, Embu, Nakuru, West Pokot and Uasin Gishu counties.

According to the Ministry, these investments are aimed at ensuring that communities can access critical and specialized healthcare services without having to travel long distances to national referral facilities.

The expansion of medical equipment and specialized health infrastructure forms part of the government’s broader Universal Health Coverage agenda, which seeks to improve access to quality healthcare while reducing financial and geographical barriers to treatment.

The Ministry of Health says continued cooperation between the national government and counties will remain central to ensuring that the equipment is effectively deployed, maintained and used to deliver better health outcomes.

The investments therefore mark an effort to shift Kenya’s healthcare system towards stronger county-level capacity, allowing more patients to receive specialized services closer to home while easing pressure on the country’s major referral hospitals.

TUCODTA partners with Kenya Red Cross for defensive driving programme in Turkana

By
Edgar Kalimbo
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TURKANA – The Turkana County Drivers and Transport Association (TUCODTA) has launched a comprehensive training initiative targeting approximately 500 drivers across the region. The four-day program, which commenced on Monday, August 31, 2026, is being conducted in partnership with the Kenya Red Cross Society (Turkana Branch). Designed to elevate professional standards and boost employment prospects, the curriculum focuses heavily on defensive driving, occupational first aid, and essential refresher material.

This initiative comes at a critical time as the nation grapples with a rise in road fatalities. According to National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) data, Kenya recorded 4,458 road deaths in 2025, up from 4,311 in 2024. Drivers accounted for 403 of those fatalities, while motorcyclists and their passengers suffered 1,580 deaths combined. Having been highlighted by the NTSA during a nationwide safety alert in December 2025, Turkana County is using this program to foster a culture of responsible driving and improve real-time emergency response capabilities.

Beyond safety, the initiative is strategically aligned with major local economic developments, including upcoming Gulf Energy projects. TUCODTA Chairman Jacob Emekwi Komoli noted that the association aims to equip local drivers to compete fairly for incoming jobs without compromising safety standards. Komoli also dismissed prior rumors surrounding the initiative: “Some people were telling drivers that this was a scam, but they were surprised when we actualised it and the training started.”

To ensure equitable access across the expansive county, the rollout is structured into geographic cohorts with financial backing from local Members of Parliament. The initial cohort features 130 drivers from Turkana North and Turkana East. Subsequent phases will group drivers from Loima and Turkana Central, before finally expanding to Turkana West and Turkana South. TUCODTA Director Faruk Fadhili Bisbas expressed strong confidence in the program’s reach, emphasizing that the certified skills will prepare participants for employment both regionally and nationally.

The association is also leveraging the initiative to champion gender diversity in the transport industry. TUCODTA Vice Chairperson for Kanamkemer Ward, Rose Asurut Atelei, issued a strong call for female participation: “I encourage my fellow women to join and learn in the driving sector.” Atelei underscored that acquiring professional driving skills offers women a direct path toward financial independence and greater participation in the local economy.

Ultimately, TUCODTA envisions the program as a dual-purpose intervention that pairs regional development with public safety. As infrastructure and investment expand throughout Turkana County, the association aims to build a reliable workforce of skilled, safety-conscious drivers who can lower avoidable road accidents while driving local economic growth.

CS Ogamba leads high-level consultative meeting on University qualifications and higher education reforms.

By
Newton Ingui
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Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba chaired a strategic consultative meeting with key higher education stakeholders to deliberate on university qualification standards, placement criteria, and institutional reforms across the country.

The meeting brought together leadership from the Ministry of Education, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), the Commission for University Education (CUE), university vice-chancellors, and academic union representatives.

Discussions centered on aligning admission requirements and degree structures with international standards and industry demands, ensuring Kenyan graduates remain globally competitive.

CS Ogamba emphasized the urgency of restructuring university curricula and entry pathways to accommodate the upcoming transitions under Kenya’s competency-based education framework.

The Ministry reviewed qualification metrics tied to the Student-Centred Funding Model, addressing placement parameters to ensure equitable scholarship and loan distribution via the Means Testing Instrument (MTI).

Stakeholders agreed on enhanced policy oversight to resolve ongoing operational and financial constraints in public universities, emphasizing continuous dialogue between university councils and staff unions.

Speaking after the session, CS Ogamba reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding academic quality while ensuring that entry criteria and qualification frameworks are both fair and flexible.

“Dialogue and collaboration remain our core tools to revitalize public higher education, stabilize institutional operations, and deliver quality training for our youth,” Ogamba stated.

Further policy circulars regarding updated entry requirements and qualification frameworks are expected to be issued to higher learning institutions in due course.

PS Mang’eni slams government insiders for sabotaging Ruto’s agenda from within

By
Newton Ingui
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Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Principal Secretary Susan Auma Mang’eni has launched a scathing attack on key government-linked figures, accusing them of behaving like internal saboteurs and acting against President William Ruto’s administration.

Speaking following chaotic scenes at a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) sensitization event in Budalangi, Busia County, PS Mang’eni directly pointed fingers at Kenya’s Ambassador to Uganda, Ababu Namwamba, alleging he sponsored rowdy youths to disrupt the official government function.

“I know for sure that Ababu Namwamba is not for the President because if he was, he would not be scattering a meeting that is meant to amplify what the President is doing on the ground. He cannot be sponsoring goons,” Mang’eni stated, accusing figures within the government fold of undermining the ruling party’s programs.

The incident escalated rapidly when a group of youths stormed the venue prior to the event, preventing organizers from setting up tents and public address systems. Police were forced to lob tear gas to restore order, while security detail quickly whisked PS Mang’eni back to her vehicle as crowd members threw stones.

Despite the disruption, Mang’eni vowed to remain steadfast in advancing the government’s grassroots development initiatives regardless of internal opposition.

“You are unable to restore dignity, but let me tell you, I will spread President William Ruto’s message even if it means me dying today,” she affirmed.

The Principal Secretary confirmed that her team had officially notified local law enforcement ahead of the meeting and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for instigating the violence.

West Pokot Youth demand action on mental health, unemployment, and teen pregnancy 

By
Nanyei Dorcas
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WEST POKOT — Young people in West Pokot County are demanding a direct role in policy decisions affecting their lives, alongside urgent investment in mental health services, employment opportunities, and youth-driven entrepreneurship.

The demands were delivered during the Annual Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (AYSRHR) Symposium held at Teachers Plaza in Makutano. Organized by the Sikom Peace Network for Development, the forum brought together youth delegates, county government officials, and non-governmental development partners.

Sikom Peace Network Programme Manager Winnie Cheptoo emphasized the forum’s mandate to give young residents direct access to county leadership. “This is a platform that brings together young people and places them at the same table with the decision-makers,” Cheptoo stated.

A central theme of the symposium was the escalating mental health crisis among local youth. Delegates explicitly linked psychological distress to systemic unemployment, societal expectations, and a lack of local economic infrastructure.

Alvin Usaji of the advocacy group Now and Beyond warned that failing to intervene early would yield severe long-term consequences for the region. Pointing to a troubling rise in suicide cases in Kipkomo Sub-County, Usaji noted that many young residents turn to substance abuse due to missing support systems. He urged local leadership to establish dedicated budget lines for mental health programs and decentralize support services directly to the community level.

On civic participation, Masika Mwinyi, Programmes Officer at Youth for a Sustainable World (YSW), argued that youth inclusion must extend beyond token representation.

“The youth should not be involved just as youth, but should be able to make decisions on matters on how to run the society,” Mwinyi said.

Mwinyi confirmed that youth leaders drafted a comprehensive memorandum detailing their key policy demands. The document outlines calls for increased budgetary allocations, stronger institutional youth structures, and binding youth participation in county fiscal planning and policymaking.

Participants also addressed ongoing social crises impacting the region’s young women, including gender-based violence, early forced marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and high rates of adolescent pregnancy. Data from the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey places West Pokot’s teenage pregnancy prevalence rate at roughly 36 percent.

Zainabu Chenangat, a youth representative from Kacheliba, highlighted the social isolation faced by adolescent mothers and victims of abuse. “Most of them don’t get support from parents for parental love and affection, but rather they go through it alone,” Chenangat said.

Chenangat advocated for comprehensive community sensitization and improved collaboration between law enforcement, county agencies, and civil society organizations. She urged non-profits to actively track cases reported to local administrative offices to ensure survivors secure access to justice.

Responding on behalf of the local administration, Benjamin Kilelan, Chief Officer for Youth Affairs and Social Services, affirmed the West Pokot County Government’s commitment to collaborating with local organizations. “We are here to enable our partners to reach all the youth,” Kilelan stated.

Kilelan outlined existing county initiatives, including dedicated Youth Week programming and grassroots outreach campaigns. He cited a recent intervention in Masol Ward, Sigor Sub-County, which reached 976 girls with targeted education on the dangers of FGM.

However, Kilelan also flagged emerging socioeconomic challenges, specifically noting an increase in school dropouts linked to artisanal mining activities. He explained that many young people are prematurely leaving the education system in pursuit of quick, short-term earnings.

Closing the forum, youth delegates reiterated that long-term development in West Pokot hinges on accessible skills training, dedicated mental health resources, targeted financial support for young entrepreneurs, and structural policy changes that guarantee their voice in county governance.

President Ruto attends Hichilema’s swearing-in as Zambian opposition leader faces treason charges

By
Vincent Amara
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President William Ruto has travelled to the Republic of Zambia to attend the inauguration of President Hakainde Hichilema following his re-election in the August 13, 2026 general election.

The 64-year-old incumbent, who has been in office since 2021, secured a second term after winning 60 percent of the vote against 13 opposition candidates in an election that critics said was tightly managed by his administration.

In his victory address, President Hichilema pledged to serve all Zambians and focus his second term on accelerating national growth and economic development.

President Ruto congratulated Hichilema on his re-election, praising his leadership and reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to deepening the longstanding bilateral and multilateral ties between the two countries.

Ruto expressed confidence that the election outcome would further strengthen diplomatic relations and enhance economic cooperation between Kenya and Zambia.

However, the post-election environment remains tense following the arrest and high-treason charges against 55-year-old first-time presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, who finished second with 38 percent of the vote.

Security forces raided the home of the opposition leader a day after the election, alleging that they recovered firearms and military equipment. Authorities subsequently accused Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, of posing a threat to national security.

Both leaders have strongly rejected the allegations, dismissing claims of an armed rebellion as fabricated.

The arrest of the prominent opposition figure has heightened concerns over the government’s handling of political opposition and the broader political climate following the election.

Turkana East residents urge county government to prioritise stalled projects and fair resource allocation

By
Hellen Nanjala
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LOKORI— Residents and community leaders across Turkana East and Suguta sub-counties are demanding improved project coordination and equitable development from the Turkana County Government, urging officials to complete stalled initiatives before launching new ones.

The calls were raised during public participation forums for the proposed Financial Year 2027/2028 County Annual Development Plan (CADP) the final annual implementation framework under the Third-Generation County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP 2023–2027). During the sessions, community members reviewed upcoming proposals while voicing frustration over delayed and unevenly distributed infrastructure projects.

In Lokori, community representative Frankline Karani pointed out regional disparities in the current plan, noting that only three of the area’s seven village units were allocated proposed development initiatives. He urged county planners to ensure the remaining four units are included to achieve balanced regional growth.

Residents in Suguta echoed similar concerns, calling on the county government to strictly align future spending with community-identified needs in critical sectors such as water, healthcare, education, roads, and agriculture.

Local administration officials emphasized the need for better ground-level coordination. Lokori Village Administrator Logiron Mana called on project contractors to consult village and ward administrators prior to breaking ground to boost oversight and community involvement.

Meanwhile, Katilia Ward Administrator Simon Chamale stressed that finishing ongoing projects must take priority over starting new initiatives, and Lokori/Kochodin Ward Administrator Emmanuel Ewar urged county headquarters to streamline communication via official channels to keep local stakeholders informed.

Addressing the forum, Michael Aupe, County Deputy Director for Resource Mobilisation, Partnerships and Donor Coordination, reassured residents that public input remains central to the county’s planning process.

Aupe acknowledged the community’s concerns, stating that future public participation exercises should jointly involve the County Executive, County Assembly, and local leaders to improve project tracking. He added that the county is actively working to clear outstanding pending bills to pave the way for seamless implementation.

The feedback gathered from Turkana East and Suguta will directly shape the final priorities of the FY 2027/2028 CADP, with residents expecting the finalized budget to reflect their primary development needs.

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