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Olympic Champion leads Kenya’s 800m charge at inaugural World Athletics ultimate Championship

By
Newton Ingui
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BUDAPEST — Olympic champion and 1000m world record holder Emmanuel Wanyonyi leads Kenya’s contingent at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship as the nation’s sole entrant in the men’s 800 meters.

The high-stakes event, scheduled for September 11–13 in Budapest, Hungary, brings together 381 elite athletes across 65 federations competing for significant prize money. Kenya has fielded a compact eight-member squad, with Wanyonyi carrying the nation’s entire hopes in the two-lap event.

Wanyonyi enters the global showpiece on a streak of form, having broken the 27-year-old 1000m world record in Monaco and claimed his fourth consecutive Diamond League title in Brussels.

While rivals such as Olympic medalist Djamel Sedjati (Algeria) and former World Champion Marco Arop (Canada) are set to feature in a stacked 800m field, Wanyonyi bears the unique distinction of being Kenya’s lone representative in the event.

The reduced team size stems from the event’s ultra-selective qualification system, which invites only top-ranked global performers across a streamlined format.

Joining Wanyonyi in Budapest are veteran figures including former 1500m World Champion Timothy Cheruiyot and Olympic javelin medalist Julius Yego. The Ultimate Championship marks the grand finale of the global track season, pitting world leads directly against global titleholders.

Sh160 billion in government spending raises transparency questions

By
Binti Wangila
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Government agencies spent more than Sh160 billion under the broad “other expenses” category without providing adequate details on how the funds were used, raising concerns over transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

According to the Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, billions of shillings were recorded under the category in the financial year ended June 30, 2026, with agencies failing to provide sufficient breakdowns of the expenditure.

Of the amount, Sh104.84 billion was spent on recurrent expenditure, while Sh55.01 billion went towards development expenditure.

The Controller of Budget’s report states that, “Other expenses amounted to Sh104.85 billion, representing five per cent of the gross recurrent expenditure.”

The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, the National Police Service, the National Treasury and State House were among the biggest spenders under the broad budget line.

The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration spent Sh24.09 billion, including Sh21.53 billion listed as expenditure on “security operations”, without details on the nature of the operations.

The National Police Service spent Sh16.02 billion under the same category, with Sh11.39 billion allocated to security operations.

At the National Treasury, Sh15.87 billion was classified as “other expenses”, including Sh12.62 billion for security operations. However, the report does not explain the Treasury’s involvement in security operations.

State House spent Sh6.73 billion on confidential expenditure, adding to scrutiny over the cost of running the Presidency.

Confidential expenditure is allowed in national budgeting to facilitate sensitive security and intelligence operations whose details cannot be disclosed publicly. However, concerns have previously been raised over possible misuse of such funds, particularly where institutions not directly involved in security matters incur confidential expenditure.

The report also flagged spending by other state institutions without adequate breakdowns.

The National Assembly spent Sh3.99 billion on constituency office expenses without providing details, while the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission spent Sh2.97 billion on legal dues, arbitration and compensation without particulars of the expenditure.

The State Department for Basic Education also spent Sh10.50 billion on school examinations and invigilation without providing a detailed breakdown.

On development expenditure, the Controller of Budget reported that “other expenses” amounted to Sh55.51 billion, representing seven per cent of total gross development expenditure.

The report says the lack of detailed information makes it difficult to establish how public funds were used, raising concerns over transparency and accountability in the management of taxpayers’ money.

Literacy experts in Voi urge focus on foundational reading before AI integration

By
Immanuel Mwakori
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VOI — A coalition of educators, civic leaders, and youth advocates in Taita-Taveta County has launched a high-stakes campaign to reverse declining literacy rates, issuing a stern warning against premature technology reliance in classrooms while announcing the return of a regional mobile library fleet.

The movement, unveiled during the World Literacy Day 2026 summit in Voi, targets shrinking student attention spans driven by unchecked screen time and seeks to rebuild baseline reading comprehension through physical books, mother-tongue storytelling, and classroom reading corners across 20 rural wards.

Leading the calls for reform was renowned author and storyteller Wangare Grace, who challenged parents and educators to actively model reading habits rather than treat books solely as academic requirements. “We need to make reading a culture, not something you abandon the moment you finish school and burn your books,” Grace told attendees.

She recommended that primary school educators particularly those teaching Grades 1 through 3 open every class session with five minutes of storytelling, even in technical subjects like Mathematics and Science. Identifying unmonitored screen time as a primary driver of shrinking attention spans among young learners, she urged parents to replace digital distractions with structured home reading routines. “Even faking it by simply holding a book sends a powerful message to a child,” Grace added, pledging to conduct teacher-training workshops on narrative integration and donate copies of her 21 published books to local schools.

Students also voiced the immediate impact of access to physical books. 14-year-old Allan Kuto, a student champion from Kipusi School, delivered a moving appeal directly to county representatives to establish dedicated reading corners in every classroom. “Before the library, we spoke broken English,” Kuto shared. “As students, we are deeply grateful for what it has given us.”

The push to restore baseline reading skills comes as local schools navigate digital integration and curriculum reform under Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Moses Njogu, Deputy Head of Institution at Mwakingali School, welcomed the CBC’s shift toward practical skill-building over standard examination scores, but cautioned against relying heavily on artificial intelligence tools for early learners. “AI is like fire it can be harnessed, but it can also be dangerous and destructive,” Njogu said, emphasizing the enduring value of hardcopy literature. “A phone’s battery can die, but a printed book never runs out of charge.”

The necessity of core reading mechanics was echoed by international donor partners supporting rural education. Sharon Afandi of the Segal Family Foundation which supports local literacy initiatives including Elimu Fanaka noted that effective tech usage depends entirely on strong foundational literacy. “AI is here to stay, but reading builds the comprehension and critical thinking needed to use it effectively,” Afandi said, noting that even writing proper prompts for tools like ChatGPT requires high reading fluency. She cited educational policies in Finland, Norway, and Switzerland that limit early classroom exposure to digital screens in favor of print media, advising county officials to secure baseline literacy before rolling out broad digital access.

To address the shortage of physical books, former Taita-Taveta Governor John Mruttu announced concrete steps to revive a mobile library initiative originally launched during his administration. Citing Kenya National Library Service data, Mruttu pointed out that student academic scores across Taita-Taveta trended upward between 2014 and 2018 when mobile book circulation was active, before the project stalled in 2017.

Under a new agreement between local stakeholders and the County Government, a pilot program will launch on September 24. The initiative will deploy mobile library units to 20 schools one per ward to test circulation logistics and book care. Mruttu appealed to residents with unused books at home to donate to the fleet.

County officials are also expanding the scope of local literacy to include cultural preservation. Chief Officer of Education Lonyce Wakesho advocated for storytelling in mother-tongue languages including Taita, Taveta, and Kisagala arguing that native-language instruction helps children connect with regional heritage and wildlife alongside English and Kiswahili study. Meanwhile, Chief Librarian Winfred Mdali committed to lobbying for expanded regional library collections.

Grassroots literacy work in the region continues to gain formal support. Ministry of Education official Lilian Karanja Mwaita confirmed that the Ministry has officially recognized the local organization Elimu Fanaka following a comprehensive evaluation of its community work, which includes building school libraries and installing a solar-powered borehole at Marungu Comprehensive School.

Closing the forum, event moderator Joseph Mwakideu called on all community sectors to maintain momentum beyond the annual summit. “Let’s make reading joyful and accessible a normal part of everyday life across Taita-Taveta County,” Mwakideu said.

Ruto embarks on high-stakes four-day development Tour of North Rift Region

By
Newton Ingui
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President William Ruto has kicked off a comprehensive four-day development tour across the North Rift region, placing heavy emphasis on agricultural revitalization, infrastructure expansion, and regional security.

The extensive tour spans key counties within the country’s primary grain-basket zone, including Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Trans Nzoia, where the Head of State is inspecting flagship government projects and engaging directly with local residents.

During introductory sessions with regional leaders and youth enterprise groups, President Ruto underscored his administration’s commitment to cushioning local farmers against climate challenges, lowering production costs, and expanding access to affordable credit. The visit builds on recent state interventions designed to rescue maize farmers from the effects of prolonged dry spells and streamline subsidized fertilizer distribution.

Reviewing grain storage facilities, fertilizer depots, and rolling out regional youth business support grants under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) framework.

Assessing progress on key road networks, last-mile electricity connectivity, urban affordable housing programs, and regional water supply projects.

Convening briefings with regional security teams to evaluate ongoing pacification efforts and counter-banditry operations along volatile corridors.

Regional governors and local legislators have rallied behind the tour, encouraging communities to participate in public forums addressing grassroots development. The high-profile tour forms part of the executive’s broader push to audit project delivery timelines and reinforce economic growth across the Rift Valley block.

Matiang’i slams Government’s “Collapsed” foreign policy

By
Newton Ingui
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Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has launched a blistering attack on the government’s foreign policy, warning that Kenya’s regional diplomatic standing has severely eroded under current leadership.

Speaking during a national media interview, the former minister criticized top officials over what he termed a lack of accountability and reckless international engagements.

Matiang’i pointed directly to recent incidents involving Kenyan citizens detained or abducted abroad, criticizing Nairobi’s foreign affairs office for failing to protect its nationals or provide clear explanations.

“It’s shameful what’s happening in our country. Citizens are arrested by a neighboring government, while our officials—including the Foreign Affairs Minister—can’t even say where they are,” Matiang’i stated. “This reflects deeper issues we must address.”

Highlighting broader national security and diplomatic risks, Matiang’i accused the administration of making reckless international alignments that undermine Kenya’s long-standing status as an anchor of peace in East Africa.

Matiang’i warned against “hobnobbing” with unstable elements and terror outfits, arguing it tarnishes Kenya’s historical role as a trusted mediator.

He linked these external failures to domestic issues, noting that falling civil service morale and institutional confusion exacerbate the country’s declining international credibility.

“Our image is being battered, all of which are a result of bad management of our foreign policy and bad management of our country,”

Matiang’i’s sharp critiques signal a growing focus on foreign policy and governance as he continues to lay the groundwork for his political future.

Kenya secures Landmark Healthcare deal with italy to build 15 new Hospitals Nationwide

By
Newton Ingui
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In a major boost to Universal Health Coverage (UHC), President William Ruto has witnessed the signing of a strategic healthcare agreement between the Government of Kenya, the Government of Italy, and Italian healthcare firm GKSD Group.

The bilateral venture, executed under Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa framework, targets a critical expansion of Kenya’s medical infrastructure through the delivery of 15 modern medical facilities across 15 counties.

Construction of 13 Level 5 County Referral Hospitals and two Level 6 National Teaching and Referral Hospitals.

Directly tackles Kenya’s current ratio of 12 hospital beds per 10,000 residents, aiming closer toward the World Health Organization (WHO) benchmark of 25 beds per 10,000.

Designed to ease pressure on existing mega-facilities like Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) by decentralizing access to oncology, intensive care, and specialized diagnostics.

“Ultimately, the true value of these investments will not be in the agreements we sign or the infrastructure we build, but in the lives we improve… We must now move with purpose and urgency from agreement to financing, from financing to construction, and from construction to services that transform lives.”

Haaland brace hands City perfect Champions League start at Porto

By
Newton Ingui
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PORTO, Portugal — Erling Haaland scored a second-half double to give Manchester City a 2–0 victory over FC Porto in their UEFA Champions League opener at the Estádio do Dragão.

After a scoreless opening 45 minutes where Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa produced several impressive saves, City struck immediately after the restart. In the 47th minute, Enzo Fernández delivered a pin-point cross for Haaland to head in off the post.

Porto pushed for an equalizer in a physical second half, but Haaland put the game beyond reach in stoppage time (90+1′), slotting home a right-footed finish to wrap up all three points for Enzo Maresca’s side.

Courtois heroics and early double guide Real Madrid past Inter Milan in Champions League opener

By
Newton Ingui
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MADRID — Real Madrid kicked off their 2026–27 UEFA Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu. Early goals from Kylian Mbappé and Federico Valverde proved decisive as the Spanish giants punished early errors by the visitors.

Brahim Díaz capitalized on a defensive error by Yann Bisseck to setup Mbappé, who slotted home low from close range. The strike marked Mbappé’s 71st Champions League goal, drawing him level with Real Madrid icon Raúl for fifth on the all-time scoring list.

Pressuring Inter’s buildup play, Federico Valverde intercepted a pass inside the box following indecision from goalkeeper Josep Martínez to double the host’s advantage.

Inter fought back hard in the second half, ending the night with 61% possession. Carlos Augusto rewarded their pressure with a goal 13 minutes from time to set up a tense finish.

Thibaut Courtois produced a masterclass performance between the posts, making 7 key saves to preserve the victory against repeated efforts from Lautaro Martínez, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and Curtis Jones.

Taita Taveta revives coffee farming with 68,000 free seedlings

By
Gibson Kisaka
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TAITA TAVETA – The County Government of Taita Taveta is intensifying efforts to revive coffee farming across the Taita, Mwatate, and Voi sub-counties. As part of this initiative, the local administration is set to receive and distribute 68,750 high-yielding, disease-resistant coffee seedlings to farmers free of charge. The drive targets both returning coffee growers and those expanding acreage in viable ecological zones.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Katuu Mzenge, emphasized that the department is prioritizing comprehensive support to rebuild the region’s coffee value chain. Speaking at Mbauro in Wundanyi Sub-County, Mzenge noted that coffee production has declined significantly over the years. The revived focus aims to restore the cash crop as a reliable source of household income through enhanced extension services, technical assistance, and the rehabilitation of local processing machinery.

“We want to make coffee profitable again for our farmers. This is about restoring livelihoods,” Mzenge stated, while also urging farmers to utilize the current rainy season to prepare their land for planting.

To ensure long-term success, agricultural officers are conducting baseline site evaluations. Patric Mwalugha, the Extension Officer for Wundanyi-Mbale Ward, reported that officers are actively visiting farms to test soil suitability and introduce modern agronomic practices designed to boost yields.

Mwalugha highlighted that while various coffee varieties exist, local conditions dictate specific choices. He noted that the Ruiru 11 variety performs best in Taita Taveta due to its disease resistance and fast maturation period. Local farmers who accompanied county officials during the Mbauro visit welcomed the initiative, expressing gratitude for the technical support and renewed focus on the sector.

Strong El Niño raises flood and food security concerns in East Africa

By
Lina Mwamachi
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A strengthening El Niño weather pattern is expected to continue into early 2027, raising concerns over heavy rainfall, flooding and food security across parts of East Africa. According to a special report released by Food Security and Nutrition Working Group (FSNWG), on August 18th 2026, there is a 95 percent chance that the current El Niño will be classified as a strong or very strong event later this year.

The report warns that the effects will not be the same across the region, while western parts of East Africa are experiencing below-average rainfall, countries in the eastern and southern parts, including Kenya, Somalia, eastern and southern Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, are likely to receive above-normal rainfall during the October to December rainy season.

For Kenya, the expected rains could bring both opportunities and risks.

Above-average rainfall could help replenish rivers, reservoirs and groundwater, improve water availability and restore pasture for livestock. Farmers could also benefit from improved soil moisture and better agricultural conditions.

However, the report warns that excessive rainfall could increase the risk of flooding, which may lead to loss of lives, destruction of crops and livestock, displacement of families and damage to roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

Flooding could also disrupt transport, markets and access to health and other essential services. The report further warns of increased risks of water- and vector-borne diseases.

The expected heavy rains come as some parts of East Africa are already dealing with poor rainfall, where Western and northwestern Kenya are among areas that have recorded prolonged dry conditions.

The report says several areas across the region have received less than 60 percent of normal rainfall, with some experiencing among their driest seasons on record.

The dry conditions have affected farming and livestock production. Reports from western Kenya and other affected areas indicate delayed planting, poor germination, crop wilting and reduced planting.

Reduced rainfall has also affected water sources and pasture, putting pressure on livestock keepers. Declining pasture and water availability could lead to reduced milk production, falling livestock productivity and lower household incomes.

The report warns that these effects could worsen food insecurity in 2027 as households enter the post-harvest period with reduced food stocks and incomes. With the October-December rains expected to be wetter than normal in eastern parts of the region, the report is calling for early preparedness.

Governments and communities are encouraged to take measures to reduce the impact of possible flooding, including protecting vulnerable areas and preparing for disruptions to roads, markets, health services and water supplies.

The report also emphasizes the need to monitor food security, child nutrition and access to essential services, particularly among vulnerable communities.

Past El Niño events provide a warning of what could happen, where the 1997 El Niño, which was classified as very strong, brought widespread flooding across Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Uganda.

The floods caused deaths, displacement, infrastructure damage, disease outbreaks and crop losses, although the rains also improved pasture and water availability in some drought-affected areas.

The 2023 El Niño similarly brought exceptionally heavy October-December rains across parts of East Africa. According to the report, the floods caused extensive displacement, infrastructure damage, crop losses and livestock deaths, with 705 flood-related deaths recorded across the region.

With another strong El Niño developing, the report says now is the time for governments and communities to prepare rather than wait for the rains and their impacts to arrive.

For East Africa, the coming months could therefore bring a difficult balance: much-needed water and improved pasture on one hand, but increased flood and food-security risks on the other.

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