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Salute to a Hero: fallen KDF officer laid to rest

By
Vincent Amara
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Family, friends, and fellow security personnel gathered in Muthwani village, Machakos County, on Saturday to lay to rest Anderson Wekesa Ngaira, a Kenya Defence Forces officer attached to the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

Ngaira was killed alongside four other security officers on July 28 during a coordinated ambush along the Kenya-Somalia border in Mandera County.

The deadly incident occurred in the El-Raamo area of Kutulo, along the Alungu Main Supply Route, when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated beneath their patrol vehicle. Suspected al-Shabaab militants lying in wait then opened fire, sparking a fierce gunfight that left several other officers injured.

A rescue and reinforcement team dispatched to the scene was also delayed after its armored vehicle struck a second IED.

At the family home in Muthwani, mourners gathered to pay their final respects to an officer remembered as brave, generous, and deeply dedicated to protecting his country.

Administration Police Service Deputy Inspector-General Gilbert Masengeli paid tribute to Ngaira, hailing his bravery and steadfast commitment to duty.

“We have lost a selfless officer who put the nation first,” Masengeli said, reassuring the public that Kenya’s security forces remain vigilant and fully prepared to defend the nation.

In a message read on his behalf, NIS Director-General Noordin Haji mourned Ngaira as both a valued colleague and a personal friend, commending his distinguished service and ultimate sacrifice.

Locals and family members also shared fond memories of the fallen officer. His uncle, Ben Ngaira, remembered him for his immense generosity and positive influence on those around him, while Area Chief Boniface Matela recalled welcoming him to the community as a warm neighbor.

Speakers at the funeral urged community members to embrace unity and love to curb violence, while encouraging parents to raise their children with strong moral and spiritual values to build a safer society.

Ngaira is survived by his wife and three children.

Kindiki turns Gachagua attack into a fight over leadership record

By
Binti Wangila
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NAIROBI, Kenya — Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has escalated his political exchange with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, shifting the focus from personal jabs over his voice to what he described as Gachagua’s record in government and his contribution to Kenya Kwanza politics.

The latest confrontation came after Gachagua mocked Kindiki as “Soprano” and described him as a deputy president who had achieved little. Kindiki responded on social media on Sunday, saying the remarks showed a lack of substantive arguments on politics, policy and leadership.

“Talking about my voice is the only contribution your emptiness and incompetence can make in matters politics, policy and leadership,” Kindiki said.

Rather than dwell on the remarks about his voice, Kindiki turned his response into an attack on Gachagua’s political conduct while serving as Mathira MP and later as Deputy President.

He accused Gachagua of forcing his way into the 2022 presidential ticket as President William Ruto’s running mate, alleging that demonstrations were organised in Mathira to pressure the party leadership.

Kindiki further blamed Gachagua’s conduct for strained relations within the Kenya Kwanza administration and with leaders from the wider Mt Kenya region.

The Deputy President also rejected Gachagua’s claims surrounding the government’s efforts to tackle the alcohol problem, particularly during Kindiki’s tenure as Interior Cabinet Secretary.

Kindiki said he remained focused on security and did not allow politics to interfere with his responsibilities.

“As Interior Minister during the two years of your colourless tenure, I never involved myself in politics even for a day,” he said.

He accused Gachagua of concentrating on hotels and land acquisitions while he was Deputy President, as well as mobilising Kenyans against the same administration in which he served.

“I was focused on protecting Kenya from bandits, terrorists and criminals as you were building hotels, acquiring land and inciting people against the same Government that you were serving as Deputy President,” Kindiki said.

Kindiki also claimed that he privately advised Gachagua to repair his relationship with President Ruto and other senior officials before the relationship deteriorated further.

He said the advice was ignored and accused his predecessor of attempting to undermine an administration they had jointly helped establish.

Recent remarks by Kindiki have added to an increasingly personal political confrontation between the two former colleagues. Kindiki has previously said he held private meetings with Gachagua before his impeachment and advised him to maintain a good working relationship with President Ruto.

The Deputy President maintained that Kenya Kwanza’s agenda continued despite Gachagua’s departure from government.

He pointed to infrastructure, markets, electricity and agricultural commodity prices as some of the issues the administration continues to pursue.

The response comes as Gachagua intensifies his criticism of President Ruto and Kindiki, with the former Deputy President increasingly positioning himself as an opposition voice ahead of the 2027 General Election. He recently accused Ruto and Kindiki of attempting to divide the Mt Kenya region.

Despite being mocked over his voice, Kindiki said he would not respond by attacking Gachagua’s physical appearance.

“You can mock my voice all you want. But I won’t stoop to your lowly level by trying to respond or by discussing your not so great anatomy,” he said.

The latest exchange deepens a political rivalry between two men who were once part of the same administration but now occupy opposing sides of an increasingly competitive political landscape.

With the 2027 elections approaching, their increasingly sharp exchanges are also placing the political future of the Mt Kenya region and its relationship with the Ruto administration under renewed scrutiny.

Gachagua takes impeachment fight to court of appeal

By
Binti Wangila
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NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has moved to the Court of Appeal in a fresh bid to overturn the High Court decision that upheld his impeachment, arguing that the process violated his constitutional rights.

Gachagua wants the appellate court to declare the Senate resolution of October 17, 2024, which removed him from office, unconstitutional, null and void.

His appeal challenges a decision by a three-judge High Court bench comprising Justices Eric Ogola, Antony Mrima and Dr Fredah Mugambi, which held that the Senate’s decision to remove him from office was final.

The former Deputy President argues that the finding should not stand because the same court had established that parts of the impeachment process violated his right to a fair hearing and fair administrative action.

Gachagua maintains that constitutional violations cannot be shielded by procedural timelines or political considerations.

“No act in violation of the Constitution is outside the reach of the Courts,” Gachagua states in his court papers.

A central issue in the appeal is the interpretation of Article 145 of the Constitution, which provides the procedure for removing a Deputy President from office.

Gachagua argues that although the High Court found the investigative stage of the impeachment process mandatory, it arrived at what he describes as an “absurd, impracticable, illogical or artificial conclusion” when applying the constitutional provision.

He is also challenging the manner in which the court dealt with alleged violations during the impeachment process, arguing that the discovery of constitutional breaches should have led to the nullification of the proceedings.

The former Deputy President has also placed public participation at the centre of his appeal, arguing that both the National Assembly and Senate failed to give Kenyans a meaningful opportunity to participate in the impeachment process.

He relies on the Supreme Court decision in British American Tobacco Kenya PLC v Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Health and Others, which established that public participation must meet both qualitative and quantitative standards.

Gachagua further challenges National Assembly Standing Order 64(2), arguing that the timelines prescribed under the rule made meaningful public participation and a fair hearing practically impossible.

The appeal also challenges the process through which Prof Kithure Kindiki was nominated and approved as Deputy President following Gachagua’s removal.

Gachagua argues that the High Court erred in finding that public participation was not constitutionally required before the nomination and approval of a Deputy President under Article 149(1).

Another significant issue raised in the appeal concerns an alleged discrepancy between the judgment delivered in open court and the written judgment issued later.

Gachagua claims the judges read four additional paragraphs during the live delivery of the judgment, immediately after paragraphs 484, 488, 503 and 508.

According to him, those passages were subsequently omitted from the final written judgment.

He argues that the omission deprived him of reasoning that formed part of the judgment and amounted to an improper alteration of the court’s decision after it had been delivered.

He is asking the Court of Appeal to direct the High Court Registrar to correct the record by inserting the allegedly omitted portions.

Gachagua is also challenging the Sh50 million awarded to him as constitutional damages, arguing that the compensation did not adequately vindicate his rights.

He maintains that the award fell short because the High Court stopped short of declaring the impeachment unconstitutional.

The former Deputy President is therefore asking the Court of Appeal to declare the Senate’s October 17, 2024 resolution “unconstitutional, null and void.”

He is also seeking the correction of the court record and an order awarding him the costs of the appeal.

The case places before the Court of Appeal broader questions over the limits of parliamentary power, constitutional rights, public participation and the extent to which courts can review the removal of a Deputy President from office.

Wajir’s KSh 115M milestone paves way for northern Kenya’s first peace university

By
Binti Wangila
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NAIROBI, Kenya — Efforts to build Wajir County’s first university received a major boost after the Wajir Peace University Trust raised KSh 115 million ($880,000) during a fundraising gala at the Nairobi Serena Hotel, kicking off a KSh 2 billion ($15 million) drive to establish the institution.

The high-profile fundraiser brought together government officials, corporate executives, diaspora members, and civic leaders. The aviation sector made the single largest contribution, pledging KSh 100 million, while diaspora supporters added KSh 1.2 million to jumpstart construction.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, who served as Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker, praised the initiative for institutionalizing Northern Kenya’s grassroots peacebuilding history.

“The Wajir story offers something distinctive—a peace university born directly from community experience, shaped by ordinary citizens, and led by women who proved peace is possible in difficult circumstances,” Wanga said.

Echoing her remarks, Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Jehow called the event a turning point for local youth who previously had to travel hundreds of kilometers to Nairobi to pursue higher education.

The proposed institution is deeply rooted in the history of Wajir County, a region in Northeastern Kenya bordering Somalia and Ethiopia. During the inter-ethnic conflicts of the 1990s, local women market vendors, elders, and youth established the Wajir Peace Group, pioneering a community-led mediation framework that gained international recognition.

Building on that legacy, the late Dekha Ibrahim Abdi, a renowned peace activist from Wajir and recipient of the 2007 Right Livelihood Award, donated her award winnings as seed capital to establish a university focused on peacebuilding, governance, and development.

Her vision led to the formation of the Wajir Peace University Trust. The proposed institution will be only the second university in Northern Kenya, aiming to convert decades of local conflict-resolution experience into an academic curriculum for scholars across the Horn of Africa.

Former cabinet secretary Aisha Jumwa hits back at Health cabinet secretary Aden Duale.

By
Newton Ingui
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NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa has launched a fierce response against Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, accusing him of hypocrisy and political desperation after he publicly mocked her intellectual capacity during their time together in Cabinet.

The heated exchange follows remarks made by Duale during a public rally in Mombasa, where he claimed he frequently had to assist Jumwa in interpreting and presenting Cabinet memos.

Speaking during a resource mobilization event in Mombasa alongside Mining CS Ali Hassan Joho, Duale ridiculed Jumwa’s performance in Cabinet, pointing to her recent political realignment away from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

“I used to sit next to her in the Cabinet… She could not even comprehend a Cabinet paper. I used to help her read it and explain it. I used to feel so embarrassed whenever the President asked her to state her papers.”

Duale also criticized Jumwa’s recent coalition-building efforts with opposition leaders, including Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.


Firing back, Jumwa dismissed Duale’s claims as fabricated political attacks meant to demean her dignity after her resignation from UDA. Calling Duale a hypocrite (“mnafiki”), Jumwa stated that Duale rarely spoke to her during Cabinet sittings, save for one instance where he allegedly confronted her out of political jealousy.

According to Jumwa, Duale only engaged her after she arranged a private meeting between President William Ruto and then-Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho prior to the formation of the broad-based government.

Jumwa claimed Duale angrily confronted and insulted her during a subsequent Cabinet meeting, demanding to know why she facilitated Joho’s access to State House.

She maintained that she was fully competent in handling her ministerial duties without Duale’s help.

Jumwa warned Duale against trying to dictate the political direction of the Coast region, asserting that local leaders are capable of charting their own path. The feud highlights growing friction within the ruling administration’s ranks following Jumwa’s exit from the UDA party. Female leaders, including East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Falhada Iman Dekow, have since condemned Duale’s remarks, terming them an attempt to demean women in leadership rather than engaging

Teachers demand clearer rules as TSC tightens social media oversight

By
Binti Wangila
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Teachers have asked the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to clarify its latest warning on social media use, arguing that disciplinary action should target misconduct online rather than teachers simply for having an active digital presence.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) says the distinction is important because social media has increasingly become part of teachers’ professional and personal lives.

KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu said TSC should avoid blanket statements that could discourage teachers A group of teachers looking at or using their smartphones during a professional setting, with a school environment visible in the background from using digital platforms for legitimate purposes such as teaching, professional networking and sharing educational content.

Oyuu said the Commission should clearly identify the type of online behaviour it considers unacceptable while also recognizing the positive ways teachers use social media.

“The warning that you gave about the use of social media should be very specific on misuse and not the positive use of social media,” Oyuu said in Bomet.

He was speaking during the issuance of assistive mobility devices to teachers and students living with disabilities.

The union says teachers are increasingly using Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, X and WhatsApp to share learning materials, exchange experiences, communicate with colleagues and engage with students and the wider public.

According to KNUT, this growing digital presence makes it necessary for TSC to develop guidance that addresses harmful conduct without restricting legitimate professional engagement.

First Vice National Chairperson Malel Langat described the digital environment as a “grey area”, particularly as schools continue to receive tablets, computers and other technology intended to support learning.

Langat warned that TSC should not appear to be using the new directive to silence teachers, saying any guidelines must strike a balance between professional accountability and teachers’ constitutional rights.

He called for regulations that specifically address violations of cybercrime laws and other applicable legislation rather than broadly restricting social media activity.

TSC, however, maintains that teachers remain bound by professional standards regardless of where they interact with the public.

Acting Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei said the standards of professional conduct and ethics expected from teachers also apply to their activities on social media and other digital platforms.

The Commission recently warned teachers against cyberbullying, harassment, dissemination of offensive content and other forms of unprofessional conduct online.

Mitei said teachers found engaging in such behaviour could face disciplinary action under the Teachers Service Commission Act, the Code of Regulations for Teachers and other relevant laws.

She also directed teachers to observe Clauses 10, 12 and 24 of the Code of Conduct and Ethics for Teachers, 2015.

While challenging the wording of the directive, KNUT has also urged its members to exercise caution online.

Oyuu said teachers are professionals and opinion shapers who are expected to set an example for learners and young people.

He warned that information posted online can remain accessible for years, creating a permanent digital record that could affect a teacher’s reputation or professional standing.

He urged teachers, union officials and other members of the profession to consider the consequences of what they post, share or comment on, whether they are on duty or engaging in social media in their private capacity.

The union’s position is that teachers should be held accountable for what they do online, but not penalised merely for being online.

The debate now centres on whether TSC’s social media guidelines can effectively curb cyberbullying and other forms of misconduct while allowing teachers to continue using digital platforms for education, professional engagement and responsible public participation.

Cristiano Ronaldo hints at final season

By
Newton Ingui
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RIYADH / CASCAIS — Cristiano Ronaldo has dropped his clearest hint yet that his historic playing career is drawing to a close, indicating that the 2026–27 campaign will likely be his final season in professional football.

The 41-year-old Portuguese superstar made the revelation in a wide-ranging joint interview with his partner, Georgina Rodríguez, following their private wedding ceremony in Cascais, Portugal. Speaking on his future on and off the pitch, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner reflected on a quarter-century at the pinnacle of the sport.

“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy.”

Ronaldo’s current $470 million contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr runs through June 2027. Alignment with his contract timeline reinforces that the current season will serve as his official send-off.

The announcement comes on the heels of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where Ronaldo became the first player to feature and score in six different World Cup tournaments before Portugal were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Spain.

Acknowledging that walking away will leave a “big void,” Ronaldo revealed he has his post-football plans mapped out. He expressed intent to travel, spend more time with his family, and focus on personal hobbies like padel.

While Ronaldo stopped short of confirming an exact calendar date for his final match, his comments confirm that football fans around the world are watching the final act of one of the sport’s greatest ever careers.

Arsenal sweep Man City to claim community shield

By
Newton Ingui
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Reigning Premier League champions Arsenal produced a dominant display to kick off the new season in style, defeating FA Cup holders Manchester City 3-0 to win the 2026 FA Community Shield at the Principality Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s side needed just 24 seconds to set the tone, recording the fastest goal in the competition’s history before adding two more to claim their 18th Community Shield title. The defeat condemned new Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca to a difficult start in his first competitive match at the helm.

Straight from kickoff, a ten-pass move culminated in a crisp reverse pass from Myles Lewis-Skelly to Riccardo Calafiori, who slotted past Gianluigi Donnarumma in just 24 seconds.

Summer debutant Christos Tzolis steered a looping header across the box from a Martin Ødegaard cross, allowing Kai Havertz to head home Arsenal’s second.

Early in the second half, Tzolis provided his second assist of the day, feeding Martin Ødegaard, who cleverly feigned past Donnarumma before rolling the ball into an empty net.

Over 5,000 delegates to gather at KICC tomorrow to turn policy promises into measurable progress

By
Vincent Amara
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In a pivotal moment for the nation’s medical landscape, Kenya’s healthcare reform agenda takes center stage tomorrow as over 5,000 delegates convene at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) for the landmark Kenya Health Summit 2026.

The high-stakes, two-day event aims to fundamentally shift the national conversation from policy promises to measurable, frontline improvements in service delivery.

Convened by the Ministry of Health under the theme “Reforms Delivered, Health as a Right,” the summit brings together national and county government leadership, private sector players, development partners, medical professionals, and innovators from all 47 counties. President William Ruto is expected to preside over the official opening alongside Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale, senior government officials, and county health executives.

The central question hanging over the convention is whether Kenya can successfully translate its sweeping institutional reforms into affordable, accessible, and reliable healthcare for the average citizen.

Central to the discussions will be assessing the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the strengthening of primary healthcare networks to achieve true Universal Health Coverage. Furthermore, the summit will review the progress made over the past three and a half years across healthcare financing, legislation, governance, and regulatory frameworks.

A dedicated exhibition hub will showcase digital health solutions, cutting-edge medical technologies, and artificial intelligence designed to optimize patient care nationwide.

Crucially, the inclusion of health worker unions and professional associations aims to bring a much-needed frontline perspective to debates around human resources, working conditions, local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the capacity of healthcare facilities to meet rising demand.

While the government has consistently placed Universal Health Coverage at the center of its development agenda, implementation bottlenecks, funding pressures, workforce disputes, and regional disparities continue to shape the daily experiences of millions of Kenyans.

Consequently, expectations are high for the summit to move beyond routine presentations and secure concrete commitments that can be tracked long after delegates depart Nairobi. The Ministry of Health confirmed that the two-day summit will culminate in a Joint Communiqué and Declaration outlining actionable priority steps to guide the next phase of Kenya’s health sector transformation.

Sifuna defies blockades to rally Homa Bay, wows undying alliance with Nyanza and Mulembe

By
Vincent Amara
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Despite coordinated attempts to sabotage access routes with massive boulders, the ‘Linda Mwananchi’ movement pressed ahead with a high-stakes political rally in Nyandiwa, Homa Bay County, on Sunday.

Addressing a fired-up crowd, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna delivered a sharp rebuke against political rivals, reaffirming the enduring solidarity between the Luo Nyanza and Luhya communities while fiercely defending civil liberties, democracy, and the rule of law.

The rally unfolded against a backdrop of escalating political hostility and civil unrest across the county. Just hours before the event, main transit routes leading into Homa Bay town were found heavily barricaded with large stones, stranding motorists and disrupting transportation.

Sifuna commended the local residents of Nyandiwa for mobilizing swiftly to clear the makeshift blockades, declaring that no amount of state-backed intimidation or political sabotage could halt their movement.

This transport blockade followed a violent night incident where suspected gang members raided the Homa Bay Tourist Hotel, ransacking office equipment, destroying property, and fleeing on motorcycles before detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrived at the scene.

Standing alongside key allies including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo, Sifuna dismissed state-sponsored propaganda aimed at driving a wedge between former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) partners. Expressing gratitude to supporters for standing by him during his nine-year tenure as ODM Secretary General, Sifuna vowed that the political coalition representing the Mulembe and Luo Nyanza regions would remain unbreakable.

He urged citizens to stay true to the foundational democratic principles championed by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, warning against political narratives that prioritize infrastructure development while turning a blind eye to police brutality and human rights abuses.

Addressing his rift with the current administration, Sifuna pointed to the tragic death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody in June as the ultimate breaking point in his relationship with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) regime.

Firmly rejecting claims that Homa Bay remains a stronghold for President William Ruto, the Nairobi Senator declared that the ‘Linda Mwananchi’ tour across the country revealed widespread disillusionment with the government.

He extended an open invitation to all pro-democracy advocates to join forces with his movement, pledging that a leadership anchored on justice would never unleash security forces to terrorize the youth.

While the government maintains that all political outfits hold the constitutional right to assemble, the charged atmosphere in Nyandiwa signals an intensifying battle for political dominance in the region ahead of the 2027 General Election.

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