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Government apologises as JKIA strike enters third day, emergency talks underway

By
Vincent Amara
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The government has formally apologised for the widespread disruption at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as a strike by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) enters its third day.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has acknowledged the severity of the crisis, emphasising its heavy toll on passengers, airlines, businesses, and the country’s international connectivity.

In a statement issued to newsrooms, Mudavadi assured the public that the government is treating the situation with the utmost urgency and pursuing good-faith negotiations to resolve the dispute swiftly.

The ongoing industrial action has severely disrupted operations at Kenya’s main international gateway, leading to extensive flight delays, cancellations, and schedule changes. As of Monday, low-cost carrier Jambojet reported that only two of its 55 scheduled flights had taken off by late morning due to air traffic control constraints.

Major carriers, including Kenya Airways, RwandAir, and Uganda Airlines, have also reported significant operational challenges caused by ground congestion, prompting airlines to advise passengers to verify their flight status before heading to the airport.

Regretting the severe inconvenience caused to travellers, Mudavadi urged affected passengers to remain patient and coordinate directly with their respective airlines for alternative travel arrangements.

The disruption follows similar industrial action in February, raising renewed concerns among industry stakeholders about JKIA’s reliability as a regional aviation hub and highlighting the need for stronger contingency planning.

Industry leaders have warned that repeated operational disruptions risk undermining confidence in Kenya’s aviation sector, with potential long-term consequences for tourism, trade, investment, and diplomacy.

Emphasising that JKIA remains a critical national gateway, the government said it is prioritising the safe and orderly restoration of full airport operations while pledging to provide regular updates as talks progress.

Lionel Messi officially retires from international football

By
Newton Ingui
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BUENOS AIRES — Lionel Messi has officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his 21-year career representing Argentina. The 39-year-old icon confirmed his departure in an emotional statement on social media, following the 2026 FIFA World Cup final where Argentina finished as runners-up to Spain.

Messi revealed that he drafted his statement two days after the World Cup final on July 21. The recent passing of his father and longtime manager, Jorge Messi, reinforced his decision to step aside.

“After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team. It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment. I gave everything I had, and I don’t have anything more to give.”

Messi steps away as Argentina’s most celebrated figure, holding the national record for both caps and goals.

Having transformed a period of international heartbreaks into a trophy-filled final era, Messi emphasized that he leaves with “peace and pride” as a new generation takes over the Albiceleste shirt. He will continue his club career in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami.

KAA advises passengers amid widespread Airport delays

By
Newton Ingui
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The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has urged passengers and travelers to liaise directly with their respective airlines for real-time flight updates before traveling to airports, following significant disruptions affecting departing flights across key hubs, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The public advisory comes as operational disruptions and industrial action involving aviation workers cause widespread flight delays, schedule changes, and cancellations.


KAA urged passengers not to rely solely on previously scheduled departure times. Passengers should contact their individual airlines to confirm whether their flights are delayed, rescheduled, or canceled.

KAA confirmed it is collaborating with relevant aviation security agencies, Air Traffic Control, and partner airlines to mitigate operational bottlenecks and restore regular schedules as quickly as possible.

Travelers are advised to plan their journeys to the airport with potential delays in mind and allow extra buffer time for check-in and clearance procedures.

“Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines directly for the latest information on their flight status and to plan their journeys accordingly.” — Kenya Airports Authority Statement

Hundreds of travelers faced major delays at JKIA, with several international and domestic flights affected by the disruptions. KAA expressed regret over the ongoing inconvenience and asked for patience from affected passengers while efforts to resolve the situation continue.

Education CS Julius Ogamba rolls out nationwide assistive technology initiative for special needs learners

By
Newton Ingui
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Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making technology and learning resources accessible to all students, calling for a 1:1 learner-to-device ratio for learners with special needs.

Speaking at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) in Kasarani, Ogamba officially flagged off Phase III of the government’s distribution of specialised assistive devices and technologies. The initiative aims to lower digital and physical barriers in schools nationwide, ensuring that learners with disabilities receive quality, equitable education.

Distributed across 321 inclusive education programmes and special schools spanning all 47 counties.

All devices—ranging from specialized wheelchairs to adaptive learning and visual aid tech—were manufactured locally at KISE’s facilities in Nairobi.

Support is expanding beyond primary and secondary institutions to include senior schools and tertiary institutions like universities.

A two-month nationwide special needs assessment led by KISE was launched to identify unreached learners requiring specialized digital and mobility tools.

“Disability is not inability, but a lack of access to the right tools can convert potential into frustration.”

Ogamba noted that these initiatives align directly with the government’s broader Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), ensuring no learner is left behind due to physical or visual impairments. Concurrently, the Ministry of Education has urged universities to embrace emerging digital tools and AI responsibly to further bridge accessibility gaps while maintaining ethical standards.

Country music legend Dolly Parton laid to rest in private Nashville service

By
Newton Ingui
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Country music legend Dolly Parton has been laid to rest in a private, intimate funeral service held at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum.

The iconic singer-songwriter passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer.

In accordance with her explicit final wishes, the ceremony was kept strictly private, eschewing a large public spectacle. Only immediate family members and close loved ones attended the gathering in Nashville to say their final goodbyes.

Parton was interred alongside her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who passed away in March 2025 at age 82. Their resting place features a bronze tomb plate depicting intertwining wedding bands and a peaceful mountain landscape inspired by their native Tennessee, along with artwork of Parton’s humble childhood home in Sevier County.

Members of her family confirmed that the “Jolene” hitmaker had planned specific personal touches for her burial. Speaking on behalf of the family, her nephew Bryan Seaver shared that Parton asked to rest in “a bed of plush cotton” and wear a soft cotton gown—joking that after a lifetime of wearing heavy, rhinestone-encrusted performance outfits, she finally deserved comfort. True to her signature style, she was also laid to rest wearing her trademark high heels.

Following the private service, Parton’s great-niece, Lainey Parton, shared an emotional tribute on social media confirming the burial. She described the late star as a deeply loving, supportive matriarch who always made her family feel cherished.

The small, quiet sendoff contrasts with the massive global outpouring of grief that followed news of her death. Tributes have poured in from fellow country artists, Hollywood figures, and fans worldwide honoring both her storied six-decade musical career and her vast philanthropic legacy, including her Imagination Library literacy program.

In lieu of elaborate public memorials or flowers, the family has encouraged fans to remember her by supporting her favorite charitable causes and celebrating the music and joy she gave to the world.

Maraga releases security reforms report, escalating pressure on Ruto over police accountability

By
Newton Ingui
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Former Chief Justice David Maraga has publicly released the full findings of the National Taskforce on Police Reforms, bypassing executive delays after President William Ruto’s administration failed to publish the document nearly three years after its submission.

The taskforce, chaired by Maraga, was originally commissioned to address structural, operational, and welfare deficits across the National Police Service (NPS), the Kenya Prisons Service, and the National Youth Service. The decision to release the report directly to the public came following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum Maraga issued to State House.

Among the critical data points highlighted in the wake of the report’s release are figures detailing the systemic scale of extrajudicial fatalities and police-involved deaths. According to updated taskforce metrics and human rights monitoring compiled in the document, police activity has contributed to an average of 990 deaths annually—a significant spike compared to historical baselines.

Rights groups and oversight monitors contend that the elevated numbers reflect persistent operational high-handedness and unaddressed systemic failures during enforcement operations.

The report calls for the immediate restoration of operational and financial independence for the Inspector General of Police to insulate the service from political influence.

Recommendations urge structural overhauls in recruitment, promotions, and command structures to eliminate corruption and favoritism.

The document demands urgent audits into logistics and welfare programs—noting that reform projects, such as police uniform procurement, have already been marred by corruption allegations.

Maraga emphasized that withholding the report undermines public trust, adding that Kenya cannot achieve lasting security without transparent, accountable policing. Neither State House nor the National Police Service has issued an official statement responding to the public release of the report.

Sakaja issues an urgent appeal to city residents to brace for heavy flooding.

By
Newton Ingui
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Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has issued an urgent appeal to city residents to brace for heavy flooding and prepare for early evacuations ahead of forecasted El Niño rains expected to begin in October.

Speaking on Sunday, August 30, Sakaja urged families living in flood-vulnerable hotspots to heed official warnings and temporarily relocate to safer grounds before the peak downpours arrive.

“We are going into tough times. The Meteorological Department has announced that there will be an El Niño season starting in October,” Sakaja stated. “If you are asked to temporarily leave a vulnerable area, please do so early and cooperate with the authorities. Do not wait until it is too late”.

The county government has allocated Ksh 2.4 billion toward a comprehensive drainage overhaul and flood-mitigation project, targeting critical road corridors such as Mombasa Road, Chiromo, Kangundo Road, and Thika Road.

County emergency teams have identified high-risk zones across the city’s 17 sub-counties to deploy targeted interventions.

Environmental response teams, including the Green Army and ClimateWorX, are clearing, widening, and unclogging silted waterways, culverts, and storm drains.

Nairobi City County is collaborating with key partners, including the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), and the National Disaster Management Authority.

Residents in need of immediate assistance or distress reporting can reach city emergency response coordinators via 1199 and 1508.

Sakaja emphasized that public cooperation remains critical to reducing damage. He called on residents to participate in local clean-up initiatives and warned against illegal dumping of waste into drainage channels, which exacerbates urban flash floods.

Energy CS Opiyo wandayi vows to bridge electricity access gap nationwide

By
Newton Ingui
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Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to bridging the country’s electricity access gap, targeting universal connectivity through a combination of grid expansion and off-grid renewable solutions.

Speaking during an energy access forum in Nairobi, CS Wandayi highlighted that approximately 75 percent of Kenyans currently have access to electricity, leaving millions—primarily in rural and hard-to-reach areas—without reliable power.

Building on over 10 million total connected households, ongoing phases backed by development partners aim to connect an additional 805,000 households.

Expansion of hybrid solar mini-grids in remote and underserved counties to power homes, public institutions, and local enterprises off the national grid.

Directives to utility providers to curb technical and commercial system losses to make power tariffs more affordable for domestic and industrial consumers.

A stern warning to non-performing electrification contractors and utility staff against delays and shoddy workmanship that derail connectivity timelines.

“Energy is a strategic enabler of economic transformation and social inclusion,” stated Wandayi. “We are ramping up partnerships to ensure no household or business is left behind in the dark.”

The ministry maintains that accelerating green energy initiatives—leveraging Kenya’s 90%+ renewable grid generation—will remain central to lowering power costs while achieving 100 percent access.

Kindiki pushes for swift resolution of nurses’ labour dispute

By
Vincent Amara
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Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on the Council of Governors and the nurses’ union to urgently resolve the ongoing labour dispute, warning that prolonged disruptions to public healthcare services could have far-reaching consequences for Kenya’s social and economic stability.

Kindiki stressed that a functional and reliable healthcare system is a critical pillar of national development, noting that prolonged industrial action not only affects healthcare workers but also places vulnerable patients and their families at greater risk.

He urged both sides to return to the negotiating table and work towards a fair and sustainable agreement that addresses the legitimate concerns of nurses while ensuring that essential medical services remain accessible to the public.

The Deputy President said the interests and welfare of patients must remain at the center of the negotiations, particularly those who rely on public hospitals and health centers for essential and often life-saving services. He cautioned that continued disagreements could further strain an already critical sector and disproportionately affect patients who cannot afford alternative private healthcare.

Given that most health services are managed by county governments under Kenya’s devolved system of governance, Kindiki emphasized the shared responsibility of county leadership and union representatives in finding a lasting solution to the dispute.

He called for constructive engagement, mutual understanding and a willingness by both parties to make reasonable compromises in the interest of the country.

Kindiki further advocated for a long-term, dialogue-driven framework for resolving labor disputes in the health sector, saying recurring disagreements should be addressed through structured negotiations rather than prolonged strikes and service disruptions.

He said a permanent solution would not only protect the rights and welfare of healthcare workers but also provide stability for public health facilities and ensure that Kenyans can access essential medical services without interruption.

The Deputy President maintained that the government remains committed to supporting constructive dialogue between the two sides, urging all stakeholders to prioritize the well-being of patients and the continuity of healthcare services as they work towards resolving the outstanding grievances.

He warned that continued disruption of healthcare services could deepen the challenges facing vulnerable communities and undermine broader efforts to improve Kenya’s health system.

He therefore urged both the Council of Governors and the nurses’ union to act with urgency and responsibility to restore normal operations in public health facilities.

Mudavadi calls for stronger African peace efforts and sustainable AU financing

By
Vincent Amara
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0

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has issued a sharp call to action for African nations, stressing that the continent must take full ownership of its security architecture or risk stalling its economic future.

Speaking in Luanda, Angola, where he represented President William Ruto the African Union (AU) Champion on Institutional Reform at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union held on August 29 and 30, 2026, Mudavadi emphasized that lasting peace is not a distant ideal but a mandatory foundation for unlocking trade, driving investment, and generating jobs for young people across the continent.

The two-day summit, convened by Angolan President João Lourenço alongside AU Chairperson and Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, brought together African leaders to confront mounting security challenges.

The discussions culminated in the adoption of a new Decision and Plan of Action on Strengthening Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention and Resolution, focusing on early crisis detection, seamless coordination, and translating high-level commitments into ground-level results.

Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to reinforcing both the African Peace and Security Architecture and the African Governance Architecture, aligning the country’s stance with AU Assembly Decision 967 on institutional reform championed by President Ruto.

He argued that peace must be treated as a catalyst for economic vitality rather than merely the absence of war, noting that a safer continent directly secures Kenya’s borders while expanding economic opportunities for its people.

To turn these ambitions into reality, Mudavadi urged member states to address the AU’s long-standing funding shortfalls by progressively capitalizing the AU Peace Fund toward its $1 billion target and enforcing the 0.2 percent import levy to build true financial self-reliance.

Championing a bold continental milestone, Kenya proposed designating 2030 as the “Year of Peace, Security, and Stability in Africa,” serving as a rally point to silence guns, deepen mediation, and secure lasting stability across the region.

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