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WAFCON 2026: Harambee Starlets in Morocco targeting historic semi-finals

By
Dominic Barasa
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Carrying high expectations and the hopes of a nation, the Harambee Starlets enter the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) determined to rewrite history. Driven by the ambitious target of reaching the semi-finals a milestone that would secure Kenya a historic first ever spot at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil the team is focused on making a statement on the continental stage. To turn those big dreams into reality, the squad has already arrived in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of their high-stakes tournament opener against the host nation on Sunday.

The Starlets landed in the Moroccan capital fresh from a week-long residential training camp in Miramas, France, where head coach Beldine Odemba put the team through rigorous tactical drills and physical conditioning. Stepping off the plane dressed in sleek tracksuits adorned with the colors of the Kenyan flag, the squad radiated confidence and unity, eager to show how much they have matured since their WAFCON debut in 2016.

Inside the camp, player morale remains exceptionally high. Midfielder Marion Serenge shared that the intensive preparations in France solidified the team’s chemistry, leaving everyone convinced they have the talent and grit required to push into the last four. Complementing that confidence, winger Fasila Adhiambo expressed her hunger to lead from the front with crucial goals and assists, reinforcing a collective resolve to surpass their inaugural appearance in Cameroon a decade ago.

However, the road through Group A will demand absolute focus from the opening whistle. Facing a tough group featuring hosts Morocco, Senegal, and Algeria, the Starlets know every match will carry heavy consequences for their knockout stage ambitions. Armed with thorough preparation, strong team belief, and clear goals, the Harambee Starlets step onto Moroccan soil ready to write an unforgettable chapter in Kenyan football history.

Mashujaa day preparations on course as Eldoret venue sparks debate

By
Leah Kawon
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Preparations for the 2026 Mashujaa Day celebrations are on schedule, the National Celebrations Steering Committee has said, even as some Elgeyo-Marakwet residents question the decision to host the main event in Eldoret.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen chaired a steering committee meeting at Harambee House on Wednesday and said key projects in Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet and Nandi counties were progressing well.

“The committee is on schedule to deliver sports infrastructure, roads, energy and other ancillary projects in the three counties in readiness for the week-long activities that will culminate in the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kipchoge Stadium in Eldoret,” Murkomen said.

President William Ruto announced last week that this year’s national celebrations will be held in Eldoret City, with the three counties jointly hosting. The decision followed a July 13 meeting with leaders from the counties.

“This evening, I welcomed leaders from Elgeyo-Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, and Nandi counties to strategize on the upcoming Mashujaa Day celebrations in Eldoret City,” Ruto said on X.

The announcement marked a shift from earlier plans that had earmarked Kamariny Stadium in Elgeyo-Marakwet as the venue.

The change has drawn criticism from some Elgeyo-Marakwet residents who said they expected Kamariny to host the event after years of construction and prior government assurances.

“We are residents of Elgeyo-Marakwet, and we have nothing to share with Uasin Gishu and Nandi. Even if the President will be in Eldoret on that day, we will remain at Kamariny Stadium,” one resident said.

Residents have also asked the government to clarify the role Kamariny Stadium will play during the week-long programme.

Government officials maintain that the 2026 celebrations will be a joint undertaking by the three counties.

Man charged in Marsabit court over threats to kill and property damage

By
Mike Kwoba
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A man has been charged in a Marsabit court with threatening to kill and malicious damage to property following a dispute in Marsabit Town.

The accused, Kiya Kalicha popularly known as “CBD” faces three counts stemming from the incident.

In the first count, Kalicha is accused of uttering words threatening to stab the complainant, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismael, with a knife on July 18, 2026, in Marsabit Central Sub-County following a disagreement between the two.

In the second count, he faces a charge of malicious damage to property for allegedly destroying the windscreen of the complainant’s vehicle. In the third count, Kalicha is charged with an attempt to strike after allegedly trying to stab Ismael with a knife during the altercation.

Appearing before Marsabit Senior Resident Magistrate Edward Oboge, the suspect denied all three charges.

The court released him on a cash bail of Ksh 50,000 or a bond of Ksh 100,000 with a surety of a similar amount. The case is scheduled for mention on August 10, 2026.

KUPPET gives SHA 30 days to Fix teachers’ medical cover

By
Binti Wangila
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NAIROBI – The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has given the Social Health Authority (SHA) 30 days to address challenges affecting teachers’ medical cover, warning that it will take further action if the problems remain unresolved.

The union accused SHA of failing to implement agreements reached in two joint communiqués signed on March 10 and April 23, 2026, which were intended to improve healthcare services for teachers across the country.

KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori said the union has already written to SHA demanding immediate intervention to resolve the ongoing challenges.

“Thirty days is enough time to assess the situation and determine the next course of action if nothing changes,” Misori said.

The warning comes about three months after KUPPET and SHA agreed on measures to improve access to healthcare following widespread complaints from teachers over delays in treatment, denial of services at some hospitals and other shortcomings in the medical scheme.

According to the union, many teachers continue to experience difficulties accessing medical services despite assurances that the problems would be resolved.

KUPPET is now calling on SHA to fully implement the agreed reforms to ensure teachers receive timely and quality healthcare without unnecessary interruptions.

The union said it remains committed to protecting the welfare of its members and expects the authority to honour its commitments within the stipulated timeline.

Sonko signals fresh legal battle over supreme court impeachment ruling

By
Binti Wangila
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NAIROBI – Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has revived his legal battle over the Supreme Court’s decision that upheld his impeachment, indicating that he is preparing to seek a review of the ruling based on what he describes as new and compelling evidence.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Sonko questioned why the Supreme Court is now seeking an advisory opinion from Attorney General Dorcas Oduor on whether impeached public officials can contest elections while their appeals are still pending, arguing that the court had already addressed the issue in his own case.

According to Sonko, the move raises questions about consistency in the application of the law.

“Why is the Supreme Court seeking advice from the Attorney General on an issue it already determined in my case?” Sonko posed.

The former governor also revisited events leading up to the Supreme Court’s July 2022 judgment that upheld his removal from office. He claimed that then Chief Justice Martha Koome had publicly stated, while his appeal was still pending, that once a governor is impeached, they remain impeached.

Sonko said he formally requested Justice Koome to recuse herself from hearing the matter, arguing that the remarks created a perception of bias, but his application was rejected.

He further questioned the timeline of the proceedings, saying he was directed to file submissions within hours while he was attending another court matter in Mombasa. According to him, the Supreme Court heard the appeal on July 14, 2022, and dismissed it the following day despite his lawyers requesting more time.

The former governor maintained that his impeachment was politically motivated, claiming that some individuals who supported his removal later admitted they had acted under pressure.

He also cited a decision by the East African Court of Justice (EACJ), saying the regional court identified procedural shortcomings in the handling of his case and found that aspects of the process fell short of the principles of fair hearing and good governance.

Sonko said the issues he is raising go beyond his personal case and touch on judicial independence, transparency and public confidence in Kenya’s justice system.

Senators caution leaders against ethnic rhetoric after viral Duale video

By
Binti Wangila
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NAIROBI – Senators have warned political leaders against making remarks that could fuel ethnic division ahead of the 2027 General Election, following the circulation of a viral video in which Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale is alleged to have made controversial comments comparing different communities.

The issue was raised during Thursday afternoon’s Senate sitting, where lawmakers from both the Majority and Minority sides said leaders should exercise caution when addressing sensitive matters relating to ethnicity, warning that such statements could undermine national unity.

Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina cautioned against comparing communities or portraying one as superior to another, saying Kenya should avoid rhetoric that could revive memories of the 2007/08 post-election violence.

“Such comments will drag this country back in the trenches where we were in 2007,” Ole Kina warned.

He urged leaders to reject tribal politics and instead focus on promoting unity among all Kenyans.

Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua echoed the concerns, saying public officials have a responsibility to use language that fosters peace and cohesion.

He criticized the alleged remarks attributed to Duale, saying no Kenyan community should be demeaned or subjected to divisive political narratives.

Garissa Senator Abdul Haji, while noting that he had watched the widely circulated video, said leaders should avoid making emotive statements capable of creating tension in the country.

“If leaders make such emotive utterances, they will definitely bring disharmony in the country,” Haji said.

The debate was, however, cut short by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, who reminded senators that parliamentary rules do not permit discussion of the conduct of a Cabinet Secretary without a substantive motion before the House.

Kingi directed members wishing to pursue the matter to file a formal motion in accordance with parliamentary procedures.

The senators were reacting to a video circulating on social media in which Duale is alleged to have compared the Somali and Kikuyu communities by population before recounting what he described as historical discrimination against Somalis during the administrations of former Presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta.

In the video, which has attracted widespread public attention, the Health Cabinet Secretary also credits President William Ruto with ending what he described as discriminatory practices against the Somali community.

The exchange in the Senate comes amid growing calls for political leaders to exercise restraint in their public remarks as the country gradually enters the political season ahead of the 2027 General Election, with lawmakers stressing that national unity should remain a priority.

Affordable Housing Programme records growth as home buyers convert Sh1.76 billion in savings into houses

By
Binti Wangila
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NAIROBI – Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme continues to record steady growth, with contributors converting more than Sh1.76 billion in savings into home purchases, even as the Affordable Housing Board (AHB) and the National Housing Corporation (NHC) moved to clarify misconceptions surrounding Sh2.56 billion recorded as “refunds” on the Boma Yangu platform.

The clarification follows public debate after figures showing Sh2,561,880,766 in refunds as of June 30, 2026 were interpreted by some as evidence that contributors were withdrawing their savings and abandoning the government’s flagship housing initiative.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the two agencies explained that the figure has been widely misunderstood because the Boma Yangu platform uses the term “refund”as an internal accounting label for any money leaving a contributor’s savings wallet. This includes both cash withdrawals and transfers into deposit wallets for the purchase of affordable housing units.

“What is disputed is the common assumption that the entire amount represents savers withdrawing cash and exiting the programme. On Boma Yangu, ‘refund’ is an internal accounting label applied to any outward movement of funds from a saver’s savings wallet, whether that movement is a cash withdrawal or a transfer into a deposit wallet toward an actual home purchase,” the statement said.

According to AHB and NHC, Sh1.62 billion, representing 63.2 per cent of the reported amount, was transferred to the National Housing Corporation as buyers’ deposits for the Park Road Housing Project.

Another Sh139.7 million was used as deposits for homes in other affordable housing developments, bringing the total amount converted into home ownership to Sh1.76 billion, equivalent to 68.6 per cent of the amount recorded as refunds.

The agencies said only Sh803.3 million, or 31.4 per cent, represented actual cash withdrawals by voluntary savers.

“Section 52(4)(a) of the Affordable Housing Act, 2024 guarantees every voluntary saver the right to withdraw their savings on ninety days’ notice,” the statement added.

NHC said the Sh1.62 billion transferred to the corporation formed part of payments made by 1,370 beneficiaries who purchased homes under the Park Road Housing Project, either through outright purchase or the Tenant Purchase Scheme, through which about 300 housing units have already been acquired.

The agencies also highlighted continued growth in the programme, noting that cumulative savings on the Boma Yangu platform have more than doubled from Sh2.47 billion in May 2025 to Sh5.47 billion, while the number of registered users has increased from1.02 million to 1.26 million.

During the same period, actual cash withdrawals rose only marginally from Sh788.2 million to Sh803.3 million, indicating that most contributors are either maintaining their savings or progressing towards home ownership.

The agencies further disclosed that nearly 300,000 affordable housing units are currently under construction across the country, reaffirming their commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of contributors’ funds as the government continues implementing its affordable housing agenda.

2027 Outlook: TIFA poll reveals opposition realignment and Ruto’s vulnerability

By
Vincent Amara
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A majority of Kenyans believe that former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua’s most viable path to defeating President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election lies in uniting behind a single opposition candidate, according to a recent survey by Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA).

The poll conducted between June 13 and June 22, 2026, sampling 2,048 respondents across nine key regions revealed that 62% of respondents advocate for Gachagua backing the strongest unified opposition candidate. In contrast, only 14% believe he should personally lead the opposition ticket, while 5% contend President Ruto will emerge victorious regardless of who challenges him.

Although President Ruto currently leads overall presidential preferences at 24%, TIFA analysts note that his standing at only a quarter of the public leaves significant opportunity for the opposition to mount a formidable challenge if they consolidate support.

Currently, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna leads opposition contenders at 15% a rapid rise from zero support in 2025 followed closely by Jubilee’s Fred Matiang’i at 14% and Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka at 13%. Meanwhile, 20% of respondents remain undecided.

The survey also highlighted distinct regional strongholds across the political landscape: President Ruto retained majority support in the Northern region, while Sifuna led in Western, Matiang’i in Nyanza, Kalonzo in Lower Eastern, and Gachagua in Mt. Kenya.

Public sentiment toward the current administration reflects growing friction, with 52% of Kenyans opposing the Broad-Based Government nearly double the 30% who support it.

Furthermore, overall voter participation faces notable structural hurdles, as 17% of eligible Kenyans remain unregistered. Among young adults aged 18 to 24, half cited the lack of a national ID as their primary barrier to registering, whereas respondents aged 45 and above primarily reported administrative and bureaucratic challenges during the registration process.

Jürgen Klopp appointed Germany head coach until 2030 world cup.

By
Newton Ingui
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FRANKFURT, Germany — The German Football Association (DFB) has officially appointed Jürgen Klopp as the new head coach of the German men’s national team. The 59-year-old former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool manager returns to the touchline on a contract running through the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Klopp succeeds Julian Nagelsmann, who departed following Germany’s round-of-32 exit at the 2026 World Cup. The appointment marks Klopp’s first return to active management since leaving Liverpool in 2024.

To complete the appointment, Klopp secured an early release from his contract as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, a role he held since early 2025.

Rather than demanding a standard buyout fee, Red Bull agreed to release Klopp in exchange for a donation toward Red Bull’s Wings for Life spinal cord research foundation.

Both parties confirmed that discussions were handled amicably to avoid any conflict of interest between corporate soccer advisory and international management.

“The talks have gone very well and everything moved in the right direction. I’ve reached a very generous agreement with Red Bull, so practically speaking, nothing stands in the way of taking on this honor for my country.” — Jürgen Klopp

Klopp’s immediate focus turns to assembling his squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures as Germany begins its rebuilding cycle.

Senate raises concern over delay in Sh9.44 billion agriculture funds

By
Binti Wangila
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NAIROBI –The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries has raised concerns over delays in the approval of the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, warning that the hold-up is delaying the release of Sh9.44 billion conditional grants meant to support agricultural programmes across counties.

The committee, chaired by Bungoma Senator David Wakoli, said the delay is disrupting the implementation of projects aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, improving irrigation, strengthening climate resilience, supporting livestock production and promoting sustainable natural resource management.

While reviewing the allocation, disbursement and implementation of conditional grants, senators noted that county governments are required under the Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, to prepare programme-based budgets that align spending with measurable development outcomes.

The committee was informed that Sh9.44 billion has been allocated to agriculture during the 2026/2027 financial year through conditional grants jointly implemented by the national and county governments.

Among the key programmes under review were the Food Systems Resilience Project, the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project, the Kenya Livestock Commercialisation Project, the Drought Resilience Programme in Northern Kenya and the Integrated Natural Resources Management Programme.

Senators expressed concern that delayed release of funds and low absorption of allocated resources continue to slow project implementation, increase financing costs and delay benefits intended for farmers.

The committee called for stronger compliance with grant conditions, improved procurement systems, enhanced beneficiary tracking and strengthened agricultural extension services to ensure public investments deliver better outcomes.

It also urged county governments to submit approved programme-based budgets before committee visits to improve oversight and accountability.

The committee reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring “timely implementation of agricultural programmes and prudent use of public resources in support of food security and agricultural transformation.”

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