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Ebola outbreak intensifies in DRC as cases rise to 3,200

By
Binti Wangila
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Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have reported a sharp rise in Ebola infections, with confirmed cases reaching 3,200.

According to officials, nearly 90 per cent of the infections have been recorded in Ituri Province, the worst-hit area in the country. The latest figures show that 1,405 people have died from the disease, while more than 1,000 new cases have been confirmed over the past 10 days.

The United Nations says the outbreak has now spread to five provinces, including two that have recently recorded Ebola cases for the first time during the current outbreak.

Congolese health authorities say “improved surveillance and expanded testing have led to the detection of more cases,” as efforts to contain the virus continue.

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person and causes severe fever that can progress to internal and external bleeding.

Health experts say the disease has claimed more than 15,000 lives across Africa over the past five decades, underscoring the need for continued surveillance, rapid response and public awareness to prevent further spread.

Kenya strengthens disaster response partnership with Red Cross

By
Binti Wangila
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NAIROBI KENYA-Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness and humanitarian response through closer collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

President William Ruto made the commitment during a meeting with IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain at State House, Nairobi, where the two discussed ways of enhancing emergency response efforts in Kenya and across the region.

Speaking after the meeting, President Ruto said the government remains committed to working with the humanitarian organisation to improve the country’s capacity to respond to emergencies.

“I assured Chapagain that Kenya will continue working with the Red Cross to address emergencies,”President Ruto said.

The discussions also focused on the government’s broader development agenda, with the President highlighting ongoing investments in water harvesting, water conservation and irrigation through the National Infrastructure Fund.

According to President Ruto, the projects are expected to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen the country’s food security.

“These projects will enhance production and improve the nation’s food security,” he said.

The President also commended the Red Cross for its continued humanitarian work in Kenya and across the region, noting that partnerships between governments and humanitarian agencies remain critical in building resilient communities and responding effectively to disasters.

CS Geoffrey Ruku denies Gachagua’s claims of plotting to divide Mt. Kenya ahead of 2027

By
Edgar Kalimbo
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Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has denied claims made by Democracy Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua that he is campaigning to divide the Mt. Kenya region for the benefit of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ahead of the upcoming general election. Ruku emphasized that he has never been dispatched by President William Ruto to ruin relations among the people of Mt. Kenya or split the region into two distinct factions Mt. Kenya East and Mt. Kenya West.

CS Ruku stated that the government’s main objective is to ensure the Mt. Kenya region achieves development, rather than dividing the area. He further explained that residents of Mt. Kenya are currently witnessing major development projects on a scale unseen since Kenya attained independence, attributing this success to the current administration.

His remarks come at a time when DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua accused him of promoting divisive politics in Mt. Kenya for the government’s benefit as the 2027 general election approaches.

Gachagua was quoted saying that the government will never succeed in politically dividing the region, pledging to ensure residents vote with one voice to remove President Ruto from power in the next general election. He added that his party, DCP, alongside the opposition, has strategies in place to liberate the country.

The DCP leader has been spearheading campaigns across various parts of the nation, urging Kenyans to support his efforts to free the country and improve livelihoods if given the opportunity to lead—an outcome he says he is confident in achieving.

However, CS Ruku maintained that President Ruto’s government remains strong and will not be intimidated by a few leaders who lack a development agenda for Kenyans. He stressed that the government’s primary focus remains enhancing the lives of citizens by successfully executing various development projects.

RSF commander tells fighters they Are “Unshackled” in fight against Sudan army

By
Newton Ingui
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The head of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has told his fighters they are now “unshackled” to battle the country’s national army.

Daglo’s message to his troops—who face accusations of committing genocide—comes a day after losing control of a key strategic highway connecting the capital, Khartoum, to El-Obeid, the largest city in the Kordofan region. The RSF commander delivered the statement via a video message.

For weeks, the United Nations has warned that RSF fighters could unleash mass killings in Kordofan as they move to encircle El-Obeid ahead of an anticipated major assault.

Aid workers estimate that since April 2023, the war between Daglo’s forces and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has claimed more than 200,000 lives, triggering the world’s largest hunger and displacement crisis.

20-Year-Old Mother delivers quintuplets at Marsabit referral hospital

By
Mike Kwoba
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MARSABIT— A 20-year-old first-time mother from Oltorot, Loiyangalani Ward in Laisamis Constituency has delivered healthy quintuplets at Marsabit County Referral Hospital.

The woman gave birth to three boys and two girls through normal delivery at 4PM on Monday.

Marsabit County Referral Hospital CEO Kussu Abduba said both mother and babies are stable.

“The babies are in our newborn unit because they are of low birth weight, between 840gms and 1000gms. There are no complications reported. The mother is stable and the babies are also stable. Doctors and nurses are closely monitoring them,” Mr. Kussu said.

Abduba said the babies have been placed in incubators.

He revealed that the mother had been attending antenatal clinic at Oltorot Dispensary during her pregnancy,” confirmed Mr. Kussu

“The hospital will support the mother and babies. We have already given them a mother-baby kit. We also appeal to people of goodwill to support the mother and the babies,” he added.

Nurse in Charge of Maternity, Sarah Qabale, said the mother walked into the hospital early Monday morning.

An earlier scan had indicated twins, but doctors were not aware it was quintuplets until delivery.

All five babies were born premature, at an estimated 6 to 7 months, and have been placed in incubators.

Senate directs Murang’a County to grant full fiscal autonomy to municipal boards

By
Edgar Kalimbo
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NAIROBI, KENYA — Murang’a County has been instructed to immediately align its municipal operational frameworks and revenue collection systems with national statutory laws. The direction came following a scrutiny session by the Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, which warned that the county’s current centralized financial practices are undermining local urban autonomy.

During a hearing chaired by Wajir Senator Mohamed Abbas, the committee met with Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata to evaluate compliance across the Murang’a, Kenol, and Kangari municipalities under the Urban Areas and Cities Act and the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act. While acknowledging that the county has formally gazetted delegated functions and approved relevant policies, lawmakers raised severe concerns over prolonged delays between issuing municipal charters and official gazettement which took up to three years in Kangari.

The panel also targeted wording in official gazette notices that referenced “transferring” rather than “delegating” municipal powers. Committee Vice Chairperson Catherine Mumma warned that such terminology risks creating executive overreach. Governor Kang’ata clarified that the phrasing was merely a drafting error and reassured lawmakers that municipal managers actively supervise local revenue collectors.

Financially, Murang’a’s urban centers showed strong growth for the 2025/26 financial year. Kenol Municipality led with KES 128.3 million in local revenue, followed by Murang’a Municipality at KES 117.2 million and Kangari Municipality at KES 48.2 million. However, senators flagged low budget utilization and criticized the county’s practice of pooling all collected funds into the central County Revenue Fund (CRF).

Although Governor Kang’ata defended the practice by pointing out that automated tracking systems log every source of revenue accurately without needing separate bank accounts, lawmakers firmly rejected the argument. Senator Peris Tobiko emphasized that Section 179 of the PFM Act leaves no room for selective compliance, mandating that municipal boards must run independent bank accounts and manage their own budget implementation.

Addressing additional concerns raised by Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu regarding infrastructure, public cemeteries, and green spaces in fast-growing hubs like Kenol, Governor Kang’ata confirmed that Kenol operates under an approved spatial plan with designated areas for playfields, industrial parks, and cemeteries. The committee concluded by giving the Murang’a executive time to correct administrative flaws and fully decentralize revenue control to power local municipal growth.

Heavy Rains Ahead: KMSA urges preparation for strong 2026 El Niño across Kenya

By
Lina Mwamachi
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The Kenya Meteorological Services Authority (KMSA) has warned the nation to prepare for a powerful El Niño event. Above-average rainfall is expected during the October–December rainy season, placing several counties at high risk for floods, landslides, and major infrastructure damage.

Speaking during a climate update webinar, Hannah Kimani, a climate scientist at KMSA, clarified common misconceptions surrounding the phenomenon. “El Niño is not rainfall,” Kimani explained. “It is a natural climate pattern across the tropical Pacific Ocean that occurs every two to seven years and influences weather globally.”

Kimani revealed that there is an 81% chance the 2026 El Niño will become very strong, and a 97% chance it will persist into early 2027. She noted that while a strong El Niño increases the likelihood of heavy rainfall in Kenya, the final outcome also depends heavily on conditions in the Indian Ocean. A positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) typically correlates with above-average rainfall during the October–December season, and there is currently a greater than 60% chance of a positive IOD developing from August.

According to KMSA, counties situated along the Tana, Athi, Ewaso Nyiro, Rift Valley, and Lake Victoria river basins face the highest risk of riverine flooding. Transport and logistics in Tana River, Lamu, Isiolo, and Marsabit counties could also face severe disruptions if critical bridges and roads are damaged by torrential rains.

Communities surrounding Lake Victoria, Lake Turkana, and the Rift Valley lakes including Kisumu, Homa Bay, Nakuru, and Naivasha have been advised to prepare for rising water levels and backflow flooding. Meanwhile, mountainous and hilly regions such as West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nakuru, and Murang’a face a heightened risk of landslides and mudslides.

Zachary Misiani, a Disaster Risk Management and Anticipatory Action Expert at KMSA, emphasized that lessons learned from previous severe weather events highlight the necessity of immediate action. “Preparedness, readiness, and anticipatory action can significantly reduce the impacts of the 2026 El Niño-induced rainfall,” Misiani urged.

Misiani called on county governments and local communities to act immediately by raising public awareness, mapping evacuation routes, clearing drainage systems, monitoring river levels, inspecting critical infrastructure, and pre-positioning emergency relief supplies.

Despite the significant hazards, weather experts noted that the predicted rains could bring substantial benefits to farmers and pastoralists. If communities prepare effectively, the increased precipitation will replenish water reservoirs, restore soil moisture, and boost overall agricultural and livestock production across the country

FKF Turkana branch league: Islamic FC, Earthmovers and Supa United Secure vital wins

By
Dominic Barasa
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TURKANA – Football fans across Turkana County were treated to another exciting weekend of FKF Turkana Branch League action as clubs from different parts of the county battled for crucial points in one of the region’s most competitive grassroots football competitions.

The league, which continues to nurture local talent and provide a pathway for players aspiring to compete at higher levels of Kenyan football, witnessed entertaining encounters marked by goals, closely fought contests and impressive individual performances.

Islamic FC secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bunge FC to collect maximum points in a disciplined display. The narrow win keeps Islamic FC firmly in contention as teams continue to jostle for favourable positions on the league table.

Napetet Homeboyz and Kalokol Rangers settled for a 1-1 draw after an evenly balanced contest that saw both sides create scoring opportunities but fail to find a late winner.

Earthmovers FC continued their impressive run by edging Turkana Warriors 2-1 in an entertaining fixture. The victory highlighted Earthmovers’ attacking quality and determination to remain among the league’s top-performing sides.

Kailosta FC emerged victorious in one of the weekend’s most exciting matches, defeating Riverspurs FC 3-2 in a five-goal thriller. Both teams displayed attacking football throughout, but Kailosta made the most of their chances to secure all three points.

Nawoitorong Rangers produced one of the standout performances of the round with a convincing 3-0 triumph over Simba FC, while Dynamic All Stars FC overcame Kalokol FC 3-2 in another closely contested encounter.

Lorugum All Stars claimed a narrow 1-0 victory against Black Bird FC thanks to a disciplined defensive performance, as Supa United also earned a vital 1-0 win over Submarine FC.

In another entertaining clash, Kerio Superstars FC defeated Narewa FC 3-2 to continue their push for a strong finish this season.

Meanwhile, the scheduled match between Marble Ndogo and Tumaini FC was postponed, with FKF Turkana Branch expected to communicate a new fixture date in due course.

The FKF Turkana Branch League has become a cornerstone of football development in Turkana County, bringing together clubs from communities across the vast county while offering young players an opportunity to showcase their talent.

The competition also strengthens community cohesion by attracting large crowds of supporters every match day and continues to play a significant role in identifying players capable of progressing to regional and national competitions.

As the season progresses, competition is expected to intensify, with every point becoming increasingly valuable in the race for league honours and promotion opportunities within Kenyan football.

Manchester City Advance Deal for Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi

By
Newton Ingui
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Manchester City are in advanced negotiations with LOSC Lille to sign 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The Moroccan international has emerged as one of City’s primary transfer targets this summer following a standout performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Manchester City have agreed terms in principle with Bouaddi on a long-term contract running through June 2031.

Lille are seeking a fee of around £85 million for the rising star. Direct club-to-club discussions are ongoing to settle the final structure.

Negotiations center on whether Bouaddi will complete an immediate transfer to the Etihad Stadium this window or sign now and remain on loan at Lille until June 2027.

The urgency around the transfer comes as City look to bolster their central midfield depth. With Rodri requiring back recovery following the World Cup, City hierarchy have made securing long-term midfield stability a top priority for manager Enzo Maresca’s squad.

ACK Church praised for elevating Marsabit’s education and peace development

By
Samuel Petro Geno
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Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali has commended the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) for its significant role in improving regional education standards through church-managed institutions. Speaking on Sunday during a major fundraiser for the proposed ACK Marsabit Kingdom Plaza, Governor Ali praised the church for consistently producing top-performing students in national examinations through schools such as ACK St. Andrew’s Boys High School in Badasa and ACK Tumaini Academy in Sololo.

To further support local learners, Governor Ali reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to partnering with the church by sponsoring needy students through the Marsabit County Scholarship Fund. He noted that over 9,000 students have benefited from the fund since 2019. Supporting these remarks, Saku MP Dido Ali Rasso pledged National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) sponsorships for financially challenged students joining ACK St. Andrew’s Boys High School, while Marsabit Woman Representative Naomi Jillo Wako commended the church’s strategic vision to build sustainable financial independence.

The ACK Marsabit Kingdom Plaza is a multi-storey commercial venture designed as a regional economic hub and a “beacon of sustainable faith.” The initiative aims to generate long-term internal revenue to support community development and evangelism across Northern Kenya, particularly as traditional donor funding continues to decline. During the event, the Bishop of the ACK Diocese of Marsabit, the Rt. Rev. Daniel Qampicha, called on local leaders to step up support for internally displaced persons affected by years of inter-communal conflict.

Governor Ali commended Bishop Qampicha for his steadfast dedication to peacebuilding and unity, noting that during difficult periods, the Bishop consistently chose dialogue over division and reconciliation over conflict. He emphasized that true leadership is defined by service, compassion, and the courage to unite people. Leaders at the event also took the opportunity to urge local residents to acquire national identity cards and register as voters to ensure full civic participation.

The high-profile event drew a wide gathering of public officials and clergy. Among those in attendance were Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo, National Land Commission CEO Qabale Tache, NEMA Director Mamo Boru, Marsabit Central MCA Jack Elisha, and visiting ACK representatives from across the Mt. Kenya and Northern Kenya regions.

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