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Mudavadi calls for wider stakeholder input in Kenya’s education reforms

By
Vincent Amara
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Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called for closer collaboration between the government, universities, faith-based institutions and other stakeholders as Kenya moves to reform its education system.

Mudavadi said education should not only prepare young Kenyans for jobs available today but also equip them with the skills, knowledge and confidence required to take advantage of future opportunities.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary made the remarks on Thursday during an engagement with the leadership of Tangaza University, where they discussed deeper collaboration on proposed education reforms currently before Parliament.

Mudavadi said faith-based institutions have for many years played an important role in Kenya’s education sector and should continue to be involved in shaping reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s learning ecosystem.

He said the proposed reforms provide an opportunity to ensure that Kenya’s education system responds effectively to the changing demands of the global economy and prepares young people to compete both locally and internationally.

According to Mudavadi, successful implementation of the reforms will require meaningful participation from all key stakeholders, including the government, universities, faith-based institutions and other players in the education sector.

He emphasized that education should go beyond academic qualifications by equipping learners with practical skills, knowledge and confidence to navigate an increasingly competitive world.

Mudavadi said the government remains committed to engaging education stakeholders as it seeks to strengthen the country’s learning system and ensure that reforms address the needs of current and future generations.

He noted that the future Kenya envisions will largely depend on how effectively the country prepares the young people who will take responsibility for building and developing the nation.

The engagement with the University comes as the government continues consultations on education reforms, with stakeholders expected to contribute their views on how Kenya can build a more effective, inclusive and globally competitive education system.

Telemedicine brings specialist healthcare closer to Lamu residents

By
Binti Wangila
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LAMU — Residents of Lamu are set to benefit from improved access to specialist healthcare following the expansion of telemedicine services at King Fahd Lamu County Referral Hospital.

The development places Lamu at the forefront of Kenya’s growing digital healthcare transformation, with the hospital receiving national recognition as an example of how technology can connect patients and local health professionals to specialist expertise without requiring lengthy travel.

King Fahd Referral Hospital was among two health facilities showcased during the Presidential Health Summit and town hall held in Nairobi. The other facility was Riruta Health Centre.

During the event, a live telemedicine connection linked the summit in Nairobi with King Fahd Referral Hospital in Lamu, demonstrating the hospital’s ability to access specialist medical advice in real time.

President William Ruto used the live connection to engage with Lamu Deputy Governor and County Executive for Health, Mbarak Bahjaj.

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy said telemedicine could help address some of the challenges faced by residents seeking specialised healthcare.

“Through real-time digital connectivity, healthcare professionals at King Fahd Referral Hospital can engage with specialist networks outside the county, exchange clinical information and obtain expert consultations without automatically requiring patients to travel hundreds of kilometres,” Timamy said.

Lamu faces unique healthcare challenges because of its islands, remote mainland settlements and communities living along the Kenya-Somalia border.

Long distances, poor road infrastructure in some areas and security challenges have made referral journeys difficult and costly for patients and their families.

Patients requiring specialist services have often had to travel to Mombasa or Nairobi, incurring transport and accommodation costs as well as spending additional time seeking treatment.

Bahjaj said telemedicine provides an opportunity to reduce this dependence by enabling healthcare workers in Lamu to access specialist expertise without necessarily transferring patients outside the county.

“This is not just about introducing new technology. It is about ensuring that the people of Lamu can access specialised healthcare regardless of where they live,” he said.

King Fahd Referral Hospital has continued to expand its diagnostic, surgical and specialist healthcare capacity, enabling it to provide medical interventions that previously required referrals outside the county.

Timamy said the county government would continue investing in digital infrastructure, medical equipment, specialist services and healthcare professionals to improve healthcare delivery.

“Our vision is to position Lamu as a digital hub for medical care, where technology connects our doctors and patients to specialist expertise wherever it is available,” he said.

The county government also plans to extend digital healthcare services to other facilities across the islands, mainland areas and border communities.

Lamu County Director for Disaster Risk Management and Peace Building, Shee Kupi, said innovation in public service delivery should be embraced across different sectors, including health, education, water, agriculture and disaster management.

However, expanding telemedicine will require sustained investment in reliable internet connectivity, modern equipment, skilled personnel and strong digital systems.

For Lamu, the technology offers more than a digital solution. It provides an opportunity to bring specialist healthcare closer to residents while reducing unnecessary referrals and costly journeys outside the county.

Murkomen pledges support for student leaders as he backs youth mentorship

By
Vincent Amara
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Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has pledged to support young leaders in pursuing their leadership and development goals, emphasizing the importance of mentorship in preparing the next generation to take up leadership roles.

Murkomen said mentoring young people is crucial to shaping the country’s future and equipping emerging leaders with the skills and experience needed to contribute meaningfully to national development.

The Interior CS made the remarks on Thursday after engaging with student leaders from universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and colleges under the Rift Youth Leadership Network.

During the engagement, Murkomen commended the student leaders for the positive impact they continue to make in their respective communities.

He recognised their efforts to mobilize and influence young people, saying such initiatives are important in nurturing responsible leadership and encouraging youth participation in community development.

Murkomen pledged to support the student leaders in achieving their aspirations, noting that their contribution would be critical to shaping Kenya’s future.

The engagement comes amid growing emphasis on youth participation in leadership and national development, with student leaders playing an important role in representing the interests of young people within learning institutions and their wider communities.

Murkomen said continued mentorship and engagement with young people would help nurture a generation of leaders capable of addressing the country’s challenges and contributing to national development.

Key deadlines and compliance rules outlined for Kenya’s 2027 general election

By
Vincent Amara
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The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially set the operational roadmap for the August 10, 2027, General Election, outlining strict statutory timelines to ensure order, compliance, and procedural integrity.

A primary requirement targets public officers intending to run for elective positions, who must resign from their posts by February 10, 2027 exactly six months prior to Election Day. The Commission emphasized that compliance with these statutory dates is non-negotiable to safeguard the fairness of the electoral process.

Political parties face an early series of procedural requirements starting late 2026. Parties must submit their authorized representative details and sample signatures by October 15, 2026. Nomination rules require approval from the Registrar of Political Parties by October 30, 2026, followed by formal submission to the IEBC by November 6, 2026.

Furthermore, party membership rosters alongside internal primary details including dates and venues must be finalized and submitted by March 16, 2027. All primary elections and internal party dispute resolutions must be fully concluded by May 8, 2027.

Independent candidates are required to submit their names and unique symbols to the Commission by May 8, 2027. Meanwhile, presidential hopefuls have until May 24, 2027, to present the names, signatures, and identification details of at least 2,000 registered voters from a majority of the counties.

The official candidate registration window runs from May 29 through June 11, 2027, depending on the specific elective seat. Campaign activities are strictly confined to the period immediately following a candidate’s clearance starting no earlier than May 29, 2027 and must cease on August 7, 2027, exactly 48 hours before polling opens.

The IEBC cautioned against premature campaigning, noting that billboard advertising, motorized caravans, and public rallies held outside the designated period violate electoral laws and will face appropriate regulatory action.

For further information regarding voter registration or official electoral guidelines, consult the portal at IEBC.

IEBC Announces May 29, 2027 as start date for presidential campaigns

By
Vincent Amara
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The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set May 29, 2027 as the earliest date for presidential candidates to officially begin campaigns for the 2027 General Election, amid growing political activity across the country.

According to the commission’s election timetable, the official campaign period will run from the registration of candidates, but not before May 29, until August 7, 2027, 48 hours before Election Day.

IEBC has warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against conducting campaigns outside the prescribed period, including through posters, billboards, motorcades and other forms of political mobilization.

The warning comes as potential presidential candidates and political groups continue touring the country, holding rallies, mobilizing supporters and building grassroots networks well ahead of the official campaign period.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has intensified his nationwide mobilization, promoting his Democratic Congress Party while advocating for a united opposition presidential ticket against President William Ruto. He has recently toured Kajiado and the Mt Kenya region, insisting that opposition parties must unite behind one candidate.

The Linda Mwananchi movement, associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other opposition leaders, has also expanded its grassroots activities from Western Kenya to Nyanza, with meetings held in Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega and Homa Bay. However, a meeting in Homa Bay on August 16 was marred by violence that reportedly left four people dead and several others injured.

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has also signaled his intention to contest the presidency on a Jubilee Party ticket and has stepped up activities outside Nairobi to build a national support base.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka is similarly intensifying his 2027 presidential campaign under the “Komboa Kenya” slogan, seeking to expand his political influence beyond his traditional strongholds through activities in areas including Embu and the Coast.

President William Ruto has also increased his engagements with various groups as he seeks re-election. He has held meetings with village elders, religious leaders and other interest groups, while allies continue to mobilize support for his second term.

Under the IEBC timetable, presidential aspirants must submit by May 24, 2027, a list of at least 2,000 registered voters from more than half of Kenya’s counties, complete with their names, signatures and identification or passport numbers.

Registration of presidential candidates will take place between May 29 and June 11, 2027, while disputes arising from the nomination process must be filed within 24 hours and no later than June 12. IEBC expects all such disputes to be resolved by June 23, 2027.

With political activity already intensifying, IEBC’s warning is expected to put presidential hopefuls and political parties under greater scrutiny as the country moves towards the 2027 General Election.

Wiper Denies political deal between Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua

By
Edgar Kalimbo
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NAIROBI – The Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) has officially dismissed media claims suggesting that party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has reached an exclusive political agreement with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

In a press statement issued on August 20, 2026, party spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru addressed recent press reporting, specifically citing coverage by The Star, to clarify the nature of recent discussions between the two political camps.

​According to the official communication, the WPF refuted the existence of any formal political pact, emphasizing that “no such exclusive deal exists.” The party explained that a meeting held on August 17, 2026, at the Wamunyoro Residence was organized by Gachagua to express personal gratitude to Wiper Members of Parliament and Senators for their solidarity during his impeachment proceedings.

​The statement reaffirmed Wiper’s focus on broader political objectives, noting that the party remains committed to building a transparent and inclusive coalition alongside partner parties within the united alternative government in waiting.

Njiru stated that engagement with political stakeholders will continue to be guided by shared democratic values and the overall interests of the Kenyan public.

Garissa politics heat up as residents receive government support

By
Dominic Barasa
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Politics ahead of the 2027 General Election are beginning to gain momentum in Garissa County, with leaders delivering political messages alongside calls for development and better public services.

Groups of women, youth, elderly people and persons living with disabilities from the county’s six constituencies have benefited from various items provided through a government support programme aimed at helping residents improve their livelihoods.

The beneficiaries received 20 motorcycles, 47 sewing machines, hairdressing machines and salon chairs, machines for making snacks, among other equipment intended to help them start or expand income-generating activities.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Garissa Woman Representative Udgoon Siyaad urged residents to exercise their democratic right to choose the leaders they want in the 2027 elections.

Siyaad said every political leader has the right to present their policies and seek votes from the public, but insisted that political campaigns should be conducted peacefully and without incitement.

“Every leader has the right to sell their policies and seek votes from the people, but this should be done peacefully without violence or inflammatory statements.”

Siyaad also criticised the county water department, commonly known as GAWASCO, accusing it of failing to ensure residents have access to clean and affordable water.

Garissa has faced water shortages for a long time, with residents complaining about irregular access to the essential service.

Some residents claim that water is supplied only occasionally, prompting concerns over whether they should continue paying for a service they say they do not receive consistently.

During the same event, Siyaad handed over a Sh22,557,757.96 cheque to five women’s groups to support their economic activities.

A total of 1,428 students also benefited from approximately Sh14 million in NGAAF funds to help finance their education through bursaries.

Meanwhile, the Dekaharji Ward Representative urged residents to remain calm and patient as they wait for the government to complete ongoing development projects in the county.

The ward representative also turned to politics, urging Garissa residents to support President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election and vote for him to secure a second term in office.

The event brought together issues of development, water access, economic empowerment and emerging 2027 political campaigns, highlighting the growing political activity in Garissa as the country moves closer to the next General Election.

AIDS 2026: Global health experts warn thousands of children missing out on HIV treatment

By
Lina Mwamachi
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Global health advocates gathered at the AIDS 2026 conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, issued a stark warning to world leaders: despite historic strides in curbing pediatric HIV, thousands of children are still falling through the cracks of global healthcare systems. Experts emphasized that every child living with HIV who lacks access to care or antiretroviral therapy represents a health infrastructure in desperate need of urgent rebuilding.

Dr. Doris K. Macharia, President of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), cautioned that global health leaders cannot allow funding drops or system gaps to turn back the clock on pediatric health. While global figures show significant progress down to roughly 1.3 million children living with HIV in 2025 from 2.6 million a decade earlier a persistent and dangerous treatment gap threatens to undo decades of hard-won momentum.

The stark disparity between adult and pediatric healthcare outcomes remains one of the most pressing challenges in global health today. Currently, only about 55 percent of children living with HIV are receiving lifesaving antiretroviral treatment, compared to roughly 78 percent of adults. While successful Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programs have largely driven down overall new infections, closing this pediatric treatment gap is mandatory if the international community hopes to achieve its target of zero new childhood HIV infections worldwide.

In sub-Saharan Africa, local leadership and community-driven initiatives offer a blueprint for bridging this divide. In Kenya, specialized organizations operating since 2000 have partnered with the Ministry of Health and local bodies to fortify prevention, care, and treatment networks, particularly across high-burden regions like Homa Bay County. By empowering community health workers, driving local skills transfer, and utilizing data-driven tracking, these regional programs have proven remarkably resilient.

Despite severe funding cuts and resource reductions in recent years that disproportionately threaten vulnerable mothers and infants, countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zambia have managed to push PMTCT coverage past 90 percent, noticeably outperforming the global average of 87 percent.

However, clinical experts caution that achieving high coverage during pregnancy is only half the battle, as the postpartum and breastfeeding periods remain critical vulnerability windows. While pregnant women maintain frequent contact with healthcare facilities through routine antenatal care, health system engagement often drops sharply after delivery.

Mothers face compounding socioeconomic challenges, including heavy household responsibilities, pervasive food insecurity, and the high cost or sheer physical distance of traveling to clinical facilities. Consequently, some mothers default on their antiretroviral regimens, drastically increasing the risk of vertical transmission to their infants during breastfeeding.

To overcome these structural hurdles, health systems must evolve beyond traditional perinatal care to support mothers well past delivery, while simultaneously expanding HIV prevention strategies for women who test negative during pregnancy. Transforming this landscape depends heavily on new medical innovations, such as the rollout of long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), including groundbreaking options like lenacapavir showcased at AIDS 2026. These long-acting formulations offer continuous, hassle-free protection for pregnant and breastfeeding women, drastically lowering acquisition risks and safeguarding babies.

With the science and clinical tools to end pediatric HIV already in hand, Dr. Macharia and fellow advocates are urging governments and global partners to secure the necessary funding, rebuild fragile health systems, and fulfill the promise of an AIDS-free generation.

Liberia charges former vice-president over alleged drug trafficking

By
Binti Wangila
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Liberia has charged former Vice-President Jewel Howard-Taylor with alleged drug trafficking, money laundering and other offences as part of an investigation into an international drug network.

The 63-year-old was arrested on Wednesday at Roberts International Airport in Monrovia before she could board a flight.

Police have linked Howard-Taylor to the investigation following the seizure of cocaine worth about $317 million last month.

Police Chief Gregory Coleman said the investigation is targeting a wider network suspected of being involved in the illegal movement of drugs.

Howard-Taylor faces charges including illegal importation, sale and transportation of controlled drugs, drug trafficking, criminal solicitation and criminal facilitation.

She has not publicly commented on the allegations, while her lawyer has said he cannot comment until she is formally presented in court.

Howard-Taylor entered politics after her former husband, Charles Taylor, left office. Charles Taylor served as Liberia’s president from 1997 to 2003 and was later convicted by a UN-backed court for aiding rebels during Sierra Leone’s civil war.

In 2017, George Weah chose Howard-Taylor as his running mate. She served as Liberia’s Vice-President from 2018 to 2024.

Police have also charged three foreign nationals — two Croatians and one Ukrainian — who are accused of being part of the same alleged drug network. They are currently outside Liberia.

Liberian Justice Minister Oswald Tweh said the government would work with international authorities to locate and arrest the suspects.

The investigation comes as Liberia steps up its fight against cocaine trafficking following major drug seizures in June and July.

During a July operation, authorities seized nearly four tonnes of cocaine believed to have been destined for Europe. Officials described it as Liberia’s largest drug seizure.

The government says the investigation is targeting not only those involved in transporting drugs, but also financiers, organisers and people accused of protecting the illegal operation.

“No office is too high, no political connection is too powerful, and no individual is beyond the reach of the law,” the government said.

West Africa has become an important transit route for cocaine moving from South America to Europe, increasing pressure on governments across the region to tackle international drug trafficking.

Kenya’s rising stars face race against time ahead of CECAFA U-20 championship

By
Denilson Muhando
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Kenya’s Rising Stars are facing a growing race against time ahead of the CECAFA U-20 Championship, with preparations under the spotlight as the regional competition approaches.

The tournament will double as the CECAFA qualifiers for the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, making it an important assignment for Kenya’s young talents.

Tanzania will host the competition in September. The Tanzania Football Federation confirmed that the country will host the U-20 AFCON qualifying tournament in September 2026.

The national U-20 squad is yet to be officially confirmed, while uncertainty remains over the technical bench. The Football Kenya Federation’s current team profile lists the Rising Stars head coach as TBA, adding to questions over who will lead the side into the tournament.

One name closely associated with Kenya’s recent U-20 campaigns is Salim Babu. In 2024, Babu guided the Rising Stars during the CECAFA U-20 AFCON qualifiers in Tanzania, where Kenya was drawn alongside Tanzania, Rwanda, Sudan and Djibouti.

Babu has previously stressed the importance of proper preparation. After the 2024 qualifiers, he called for a longer residential camp and more high-level friendly matches, arguing that adequate preparation would give Kenya a better chance of competing against stronger African opposition.

Kenya has seen before how late preparations can put pressure on youth national teams. In 2024, Babu’s squad was announced only after a provisional selection process, with the team then entering residential camp before travelling to Tanzania for the qualifiers.

With the tournament approaching, Kenya needs to settle the technical leadership, identify the final squad, bring the players together and give them enough time to develop an understanding of each other.

For a young team, preparation is not simply about fitness. It is about building chemistry, understanding the coach’s tactical system and giving players confidence before facing regional rivals.

Meanwhile, Tanzania will have the advantage of home conditions, and the hosts will be eager to make the most of their preparations.

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