Home Blog Page 33

Gachagua concludes 55-day Wamunyoro consultations, vows to continue nationwide engagement

By
Vincent Amara
-
0

Former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has concluded his 55-day consultative programme at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri, saying the end of the meetings marks the beginning of a wider public engagement across Kenya and beyond.

Gachagua said he had presented a comprehensive report on the issues and views raised by Kenyans during the consultations, which brought together people from different communities and sectors to discuss their concerns and offer suggestions on the country’s political and socio-economic direction.

In a statement following the conclusion of the consultations, Gachagua expressed gratitude to the thousands of Kenyans who visited his Wamunyoro residence during the period to share their grievances and propose solutions to challenges facing the country.

“While these consultations are coming to an end, public engagement will continue across communities within Kenya and beyond,” Gachagua said.

The former Deputy President said the consultations had provided an opportunity for Kenyans to directly communicate their concerns and expectations, adding that the issues raised would continue to inform his political engagements and plans ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The Wamunyoro consultations, which were initially planned for 45 days, were extended to 55 days as Gachagua intensified engagements with various groups and communities. The programme formed part of his wider efforts to listen to citizens and develop a political strategy based on the issues raised at the grassroots.

During the final phase of the consultations, Gachagua also stepped up his calls for opposition unity, with the former Deputy President indicating that personal political ambitions should not stand in the way of efforts to build a formidable alternative to President William Ruto in the 2027 election.

He has said he would be willing to support an opposition candidate selected through an agreed process if he is not chosen as the flag bearer, signalling his willingness to prioritise a united opposition campaign.

At the same time, Gachagua has continued to position himself as a potential presidential candidate, with reports indicating that he told supporters that Kenyans who participated in the consultations had expressed confidence in his ability to lead the opposition into the 2027 contest.

The former Deputy President has also announced plans to expand his political outreach beyond his traditional support base. He is expected to visit Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay and Kisumu as he seeks to strengthen his national political network and engage communities in other parts of the country.

Gachagua has maintained that the conclusion of the Wamunyoro consultations should not be interpreted as the end of his engagement with Kenyans. Instead, he says the process will continue through direct interactions with communities both within Kenya and abroad.

“It’s not done until it’s done,” he said, while reaffirming that his commitment to the political course remains firm.

“Our commitment remains resolute, and our resolve true to our course,” Gachagua added.

The conclusion of the Wamunyoro consultations comes as political parties and leaders intensify preparations for the 2027 General Election, with opposition figures seeking to build alliances and agree on a strategy for challenging the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Gachagua’s next phase of political engagement is therefore expected to focus on expanding his national reach, consolidating support for the DCP and participating in broader discussions on the formation of a united opposition ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.

Crisis in Northern Kenya as poachers threaten endangered Somali giraffes

By
Vincent Amara
-
0

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers and local police have launched a manhunt for suspected poachers following a gruesome discovery in the Warabo Forest of Wajir South Sub-County.

Authorities were alerted on August 23, 2026, after residents reported seeing two suspects driving toward the forest in a Suzuki Alto. Upon arrival at the scene, rangers discovered the remains of a slaughtered giraffe, with its meat harvested and only its head and bones left behind.

The suspects managed to evade capture after spotting the officers from a distance and driving off, losing the rangers in the terrain. Officials expressed deep concern over the incident, noting that illicit bushmeat is often sold to unsuspecting consumers without safety inspections, posing severe public health risks.

This incident highlights a rapidly escalating wildlife emergency across northern Kenya. According to the North Eastern Wildlife Conservancies Association (NECA), illegal poaching has reached catastrophic levels, threatening one of the world’s most vital populations of the endangered Somali giraffe.

In a formal petition to KWS Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga, NECA Chief Executive Officer Sharmake Mohamed revealed that at least three Somali giraffes are slaughtered daily across Garissa, Wajir, and parts of Mandera counties.

NECA criticized current law enforcement responses as short-term and reactive, failing to disrupt entrenched poaching networks that operate in hotspots such as Ali Kune, Abakore, Hare, Sabul, Sarif, Biyamadow, and along the Tana River basin.

Despite continuous intelligence, GPS data, and suspect profiles provided by local communities and conservancies, KWS operational funding and permanent ranger deployment in Garissa and Wajir remain severely inadequate relative to the scale of the threat. NECA noted that criminals simply wait out brief security operations before resuming their activities.

To prevent the total devastation of the species, NECA is calling on KWS to urgently deploy permanent ranger stations in high-risk zones, execute a multi-county intelligence-led strategy, and formally integrate community conservancies into operational planning.

The association emphasized that while local communities actively gather intelligence and foster human-wildlife coexistence, true conservation success requires a sustained structural response rather than temporary measures.

Warning of potential legal and constitutional action if immediate steps are not taken, NECA stressed that every slaughtered giraffe represents a breakdown in the protection system, cautioning that history will judge how custodians responded while Kenya’s Somali giraffes faced extinction.

Nakuleu alleges KSh400 Million loss, questions Turkana Governor’s handling of public funds

By
Leah Kawon
-
0

TURKANA – Former Turkana County Assembly Speaker Christopher Nakuleu has raised serious allegations against Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, claiming that KSh400 million in public funds was lost. Speaking at a community baraza in Turkana North over the weekend, Nakuleu stated that the missing funds were meant to pay county workers, settle pending contractor bills, purchase medicine and relief food, and support local schools.

Nakuleu alleged that the loss occurred two weeks prior when unidentified individuals confronted Governor Lomorukai and took the funds from his vehicle. According to the former Speaker, the governor had been carrying the money to distribute cash directly to residents before the incident took place. He argued that the resulting loss has left the administration under immense pressure and caused severe service disruptions across the county.

Expanding on the impact of the alleged loss, Nakuleu claimed that county staff have not received their salaries since May, hospitals face critical shortages of essential medicines, and funding for education remains stalled. He linked his current criticisms to long-standing disagreements with Lomorukai over financial transparency and resource allocation, citing past clashes over the procurement of relief food.

Reflecting on his political stance, Nakuleu noted that his former position as County Assembly Speaker had restricted his ability to hold the county executive accountable. This limitation prompted his resignation in February of last year during an impeachment push against him, a move he made to freely scrutinize the governor’s administration from outside the assembly.

The KSh400 million theft allegations remain independently unverified, as Nakuleu did not provide evidence or identify the individuals involved, nor did he detail the specific time and place of the event. Neither Governor Lomorukai nor the Turkana County Government has publicly responded to the claims. Additionally, Nakuleu called for a fresh review of the academic and professional credentials of county officials.

The ‘miracle tree’ superfood transforming Northern Kenya

By
Mike Kwoba
-
0

NORTHERN KENYA – Northern Kenya is mostly arid and semi-arid land (ASAL), covering over 80% of Kenya’s total landmass. Most local communities practise nomadic pastoralism as a key way to survive the harsh dry climate and variable rainfall. According to data from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), an estimated 4 million to 8 million people in Kenya’s ASALs primarily across northern regions like Marsabit, Turkana, Wajir, Isiolo, Samburu, and Garissa depend on pastoralism and livestock production for their livelihoods.

To boost food security and tackle climate change, pastoralists in Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu, and southern Ethiopia are now embracing drought-tolerant crops with high nutritional value for humans and livestock. One crop attracting both farmers and herders is the “Miracle Tree” or “Tree of Life,” a fast-growing, climate-resilient indigenous plant sustaining livelihoods, nutrition, and culture in Marsabit and neighbouring Ethiopia. Shakespeare asked in Romeo and Juliet, “What’s in a name?” It’s quality, not the name, that matters. The same applies to this northern Kenya plant, valued despite having many names.

In Moyale, on the Kenya-Ethiopia border, farmers explain why it is called the miracle tree. Mama Mare Mohamed, a farmer in Marsabit, says: “This wonder tree is in almost every homestead.” Shibia Guyo, a farmer in Nyayo Road, Saku Constituency, adds that it is called miraculous because of its multiple uses food, medicine, and fodder. Saku Agriculture Officer Duba Nura confirms: “It is a miracle tree because it survives drought and grows fast.”

In Dakabaricha, 5km from Marsabit town, farmer and expert Sheikh Omar Boru Kutara explains that among the Burji, Borana, Gabra, Konso, and Rendille in Kenya, as well as the Kaffa, Gamo, Gofa, and Sidamo in Ethiopia, the plant is known as Shalqeda. In Swahili, it is called Mzunze, and in English, Moringa. Of about 13 species, Marsabit’s most common are Moringa oleifera (drumstick tree) and Moringa stenopetala (cabbage tree / superfood), which are used as vegetables. Kutara, who has trained in several countries, notes that besides Asia, Moringa is widely grown in East Africa, including Uganda, Sudan, Djibouti, and Madagascar.

Nura explains that the tree is propagated through cuttings or seeds. It grows fast, with leaves ready for harvest in just 6 to 8 weeks. It thrives in semi-arid, low-fertility, gravel soils and withstands harsh drought conditions. Beyond nutrition, it provides shade for homesteads, eateries, and elders’ barazas, while acting as a cover crop for beans and vegetables.

The economic potential is significant. Kutara says one acre yields 10 to 15 tonnes of fresh Moringa leaves, fetching about Sh400,000 per harvest. He earns at least Sh100,000 monthly and targets planting 5,000 trees. He has already started value addition drying, milling, and packaging and is awaiting KEBS certification to supply supermarkets and export to Europe in partnership with the WFP.

The health benefits are equally compelling. Marsabit resident and expert Dr. Boku Budha notes that Moringa boosts immunity, helps prevent cancer, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, and increases breast milk for lactating mothers, helping prevent child malnutrition. Dried leaves are brewed into tea, while Mama Mare shares that the leaves are cooked as a vegetable or mixed to make traditional foods like Fiqe or Qanchibelo.

According to the US National Institutes of Health, Moringa seeds can remove up to 90% of impurities from drinking water, including bacteria and heavy metals. The roots, seeds, and flowers are used medicinally, while young seed pods are high in fibre that aids digestion and prevents colon cancer. The leaves are rich in iron, protein, and amino acids that build muscle and immunity.

Given these advantages, agro-ecology and food rights experts Dr. Harun Warui and Dr. Hassan Guyo Roba urge Marsabit residents to embrace Moringa alongside other drought-tolerant crops, calling on the government to develop a comprehensive climate adaptation guideline.

In response, Agriculture PS Ephantus Kimotho announced that national and county governments have launched a Drought Resilience Programme in Northern Kenya to scale up farming, advising farmers in Marsabit to cultivate climate-resilient crops to enhance food security, grow the local economy, and adapt to climate change.

Alonso era begins with thrilling 3-2 Chelsea victory over Fulham

By
Newton Ingui
-
0

LONDON — Chelsea kicked off their 2026–27 Premier League campaign in breathless fashion, securing a 3-2 victory against west London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage. The match marked a winning competitive debut for new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso against his former Real Madrid teammate, new Fulham boss Álvaro Arbeloa.

João Pedro needed just 31 seconds to open the scoring, lifting a clever finish over Bernd Leno after Cole Palmer pounced on a defensive lapse.

Youngster Josh King capitalized on a mistake from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez to draw the hosts level.

Chelsea’s £117 million summer acquisition Morgan Rogers restored the lead before halftime, converting a cutback from debuting centre-back Maxence Lacroix.

Cole Palmer put Chelsea 3-1 up shortly after the restart with a sharp finish from a tight angle off a João Pedro assist.

Gonzalo García headed home to cut the deficit to 3-2 after Sánchez parried Timothy Castagne’s effort, setting up a tense finish, but Chelsea held on for all three points.

“It was a professional performance. To win away in the Premier League is really tough and we knew we were prepared for that to manage emotionally… Today I am happy that all three scored.”

“We deserved a little bit more, but football is not about what you deserve, it’s about what you take. This is how we’re going to play no matter who is in front of us.”

National and county governments renew commitment to strengthen devolution and financial sustainability

By
Vincent Amara
-
0

In a unified effort to safeguard devolution and navigate pressing economic pressures, the national and county governments have renewed their commitment to fiscal sustainability, prudent resource management, and enhanced intergovernmental cooperation.

Reached during the 30th Ordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) at the Deputy President’s Official Residence in Karen, the agreement sets out key financial and development priorities aimed at boosting service delivery and driving regional economic growth across Kenya.

Central to the session’s resolutions was a shared commitment to fast-track the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, 2026, a crucial piece of legislation intended to streamline supplementary resource distribution for vital county-level programs.

Additionally, both levels of government agreed to expedite the release of KSh3.25 billion to complete the remaining 13 County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs), a strategic move expected to catalyze local manufacturing, enhance agricultural value addition, and unlock new economic opportunities for residents.

The council further prioritized operational efficiency and regulatory reform by agreeing to accelerate the implementation of the County Licensing (Uniform Procedures) Act to foster a standardized, business-friendly environment across all 47 counties.

Grounded in a mutual vow to improve the management and protection of public assets, the meeting also reaffirmed support for youth empowerment through the NYOTA program which has already impacted 122,203 beneficiaries by offering seed opportunities for enterprise growth and job creation.

As both administrative tiers manage tight budgets, IBEC’s framework underscores that seamless intergovernmental synergy and fiscal discipline remain essential to ensuring public funds translate into tangible services and sustainable development for all Kenyans.

Kenya showcases SHA reforms as WHO Africa health summit Heads towards August 28 conclusion

By
Vincent Amara
-
0

Kenya is using the ongoing 76th Session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for Africa (RC76) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to showcase its healthcare reforms and push for stronger, fairer and more sustainable health financing across the continent.

The high-level regional meeting, which brings together health ministers and senior officials from across Africa, is expected to conclude on August 28, with discussions focusing on key health priorities affecting the continent, including sustainable health financing, Universal Health Coverage (UHC), digital health, disease prevention and stronger regional cooperation.

Speaking to regional health ministers during the session, Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale highlighted the country’s transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA), describing the reform as a major step towards building a more inclusive healthcare system.

Duale said the shift from NHIF is intended to address gaps in a system that was heavily dependent on formal employment and left many Kenyans without adequate health insurance coverage. The SHA model, he said, is designed to expand access to healthcare by bringing more people into a unified national health financing framework.

More than 32.3 million people have so far been registered under SHA, according to the CS, while more than Sh30 billion has been invested in primary healthcare. The investment has supported more than 20 million outpatient visits involving approximately 15 million people.

Duale also pointed to several other achievements linked to the ongoing reforms, including more than 1.2 million safe deliveries and about 500,000 surgical procedures. Through the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund, more than 50,000 cancer patients and nearly 21,000 patients requiring dialysis have also received support.

The government is also relying heavily on digital technology to improve the management and delivery of health services. Duale said the Digital Health Agency has connected 6,424 of the country’s 6,727 health facilities to digital systems, representing more than 95 per cent coverage nationwide.

The digital infrastructure is intended to make the healthcare system more efficient by simplifying processes such as patient registration, pre-authorization and the processing of medical claims. The government views the digital transformation as an important component of efforts to improve transparency, accountability and service delivery under SHA.

The reforms are being implemented as part of President William Ruto’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage, with the government seeking to ensure that access to essential healthcare is determined less by a person’s employment status or ability to pay and more by their healthcare needs.

At the Addis Ababa meeting, Duale also called for stronger cooperation among African countries, sustainable investment in healthcare and responsible adoption of technology. He urged governments and development partners to strengthen collaboration and explore practical financing models capable of supporting health systems over the long term.

The discussions come at a time when African countries continue to face significant pressure to expand healthcare access while dealing with limited resources, rising healthcare costs and the growing burden of chronic diseases. Sustainable financing remains central to efforts to strengthen health systems and reduce the financial burden of healthcare on individuals and families.

Duale is attending the regional meeting alongside Kenya’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Ambassador Galma Boru, Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth and other senior Ministry of Health officials.

As the WHO Regional Committee for Africa session moves towards its conclusion on August 28, Kenya is expected to continue using the forum to highlight its health financing reforms while engaging other African countries on strategies for accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage across the continent.

Kenyan opposition unveils joint ticket strategy for the 2027 general election

By
Vincent Amara
-
0

Kenya’s opposition alliance has resolved to rally behind a single presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the upcoming 2027 General Election.

Following a high-level consultative meeting in Nairobi on Thursday, key opposition leaders pledged their unwavering support throughout the candidate selection process. In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the leaders said they had agreed to sign a Personal Unity Pledge and a Coalition Unity Accord, committing each principal to support the candidate chosen through a credible and agreed-upon mechanism.

“We have unanimously agreed to sign a Personal Unity Pledge and a Coalition Unity Accord, binding each principal, individually and collectively, to maintain unity, participate in a credible process of selecting our presidential candidate, and subsequently fully support and campaign for the chosen flagbearer to carry our shared agenda into the 2027 General Election,” the leaders declared.

Reaffirming their target to ensure President Ruto serves only a single term, the principals emphasized that their cohesion is the core strategy to secure victory, adding emphatically, “Our answer today is clear: Kenya first.”

Sources familiar with the proceedings revealed that the leaders also deliberated on the specific framework to be deployed in choosing their joint flagbearer.

This consultative meeting occurred just hours after the ‘Linda Mwananchi’ group concluded its own strategic session in Limuru, Kiambu County, as part of ongoing efforts to establish a political platform ahead of the 2027 polls. The group’s political identity was a primary focus of the Limuru discussions, particularly with the October 15 deadline looming for political parties to submit details of their authorized officials and sample signatures.

Amid operational hurdles in registering the ‘Linda Mwananchi Movement’ as an independent political party, the outfit is reportedly weighing the option of adopting an existing registered party, with the Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP) associated with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino emerging as a prominent contender.

Addressing concerns over political machinery, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna dismissed anxieties regarding platform registration, maintaining that the movement’s true strength lies within its popular backing.

Meanwhile, Siaya Governor James Orengo has reportedly expressed interest in running for the presidency on the Linda Mwananchi ticket.

These growing political engagements highlight efforts by various factions to strengthen their alliances ahead of the August 2027 General Election.

Finding a strong candidate capable of challenging President William Ruto remains a key priority for the opposition.

President Ruto pledges comprehensive welfare overhaul and modernization for Kenya prisons staff

By
Vincent Amara
-
0

In a decisive move to modernize the country’s correctional infrastructure, President William Ruto has announced major government reforms aimed at boosting the welfare, working conditions, and professional standards of the Kenya Prisons Service.

Speaking through Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during the 27th pass-out parade of new prison officers at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru, Kiambu County, the President acknowledged that correctional officers have endured years of neglect and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming their livelihoods.

A cornerstone of these ongoing reforms is a significant salary review structure designed to motivate the workforce and bolster the penal system.

The first two phases of the review saw starting pay for prison constables rise by over 36 percent, with the top of the pay scale increasing by nearly 24 percent, while Phase III officially took effect on July 1, 2026.

Beyond remuneration, the government has enrolled officers in the ‘Usalama Cover’ health insurance plan under the Social Health Authority (SHA) to drastically improve access to medical care.

Highlighting this health initiative, Deputy President Kindiki officially commissioned the newly built, 150-bed Wanini Kireri Magereza Level IV Referral Hospital at the training college, a specialized facility set to serve officers, their families, inmates, and surrounding local communities.

Housing and operational mobility are also receiving substantial attention under the new welfare framework. The Kenya Prisons Service is slated to receive 28,000 housing units under the Affordable Housing Program, 9,000 of which will be delivered through Public-Private Partnerships.

To strengthen transport capacity, 41 vehicles have already been dispatched to the service under Phase VII of the Government Vehicle Leasing Program, with future plans to integrate electric vehicles into the fleet.

President Ruto stressed that welfare enhancements must go hand-in-hand with technological modernization to empower officers against emerging crime trends such as radicalization, organized crime, cybercrime, and human trafficking.

Calling for accelerated adoption of modern tools and skills, he noted that a service operating with outdated equipment and inadequate infrastructure cannot effectively handle sophisticated security threats.

The President urged the newly graduated officers to maintain professionalism, discipline and respect for human dignity. He reminded them that although prisoners lose their freedom, they do not lose their basic human rights.

He encouraged the officers to be firm but compassionate, disciplined but not abusive, and to exercise their authority fairly and responsibly.

Political parties’ disputes tribunal fast-tracks Linda Mwananchi Movement case

By
Vincent Amara
-
0

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, led by Chairman Innocent Muganda, has prioritized a petition contesting the Registrar of Political Parties’ refusal to reserve the name Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM).

Ordering a swift resolution, the panel instructed the Registrar to formally respond to the filing.

Petitioners Pauline Njoki Njoroge, Faith Odhiambo, and Michael Caroli Omondi submitted their name-reservation application on June 4, 2026. However, the Registrar turned down the request, citing “public interest” concerns.

According to the petitioners, the Registrar later agreed to reserve the name following a meeting held on August 4, 2026. However, three days later, the Registrar reversed the decision, citing the registration of another organisation, Liberty National Democratic Alliance, which uses the acronym LINDA.

The petitioners subsequently moved to the Tribunal, seeking orders barring the Registrar from considering, processing, reserving or registering the names “LINDA”, “LINDA MWANANCHI” or any other similar variation in favour of another person or organisation until the case is determined.

They argue that the Registrar’s decision violates and threatens their political rights guaranteed under Article 38 of the Constitution of Kenya.

The petitioners further claim that their digital platform, operating under the name Linda Mwananchi Movement, had attracted 55,592 self-registered members and more than 13,232 volunteers by August 13, 2026.

In its directions, the Tribunal ordered the Registrar to file and serve a response by August 24, while allowing the petitioners to file a supplementary affidavit by 11 a.m. on August 25.

The case is scheduled for an inter partes hearing on August 25, 2026, at 2:30 p.m., when both sides are expected to appear before the Tribunal.

1...323334...117Page 33 of 117