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Rwanda repatriates 289 human trafficking victims.

By
Binti Wangila
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KIGALI –Rwanda has repatriated 289 citizens rescued from human trafficking networks operating in Cambodia, Oman, Laos and Myanmar, as authorities intensify efforts to combat cross-border trafficking and protect vulnerable citizens from fraudulent overseas recruitment.

Justice Minister and Attorney General Emmanuel Ugirashebuja told Parliament that the victims were rescued between 2025 and March 2026 through coordinated efforts involving Rwandan authorities and international partners.

According to figures presented before lawmakers, Cambodia accounted for the highest number of rescued Rwandans with 101 victims, followed by Oman (99), Laos (58) and Myanmar (31).

Many of those rescued were young people who had accepted promises of well-paying jobs abroad, only to find themselves trapped in forced labour and other exploitative conditions.

According to KT Press, Ugirashebuja said investigations remain challenging because trafficking syndicates operate across multiple countries.

“Combating trafficking remains difficult because criminal networks operate across borders, making investigations and evidence gathering from victims more challenging,” he told Parliament.

The minister also cited Interpol data showing that cooperation among African countries in tackling human trafficking remains low at about 5 per cent, compared to 98 per cent in Europe.

The latest repatriations come amid growing international concern over human trafficking networks targeting African job seekers.

The US State Department’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report placed Rwanda on its Tier 2 Watch List, acknowledging improvements in investigations and prosecutions while noting continued gaps in victim identification, referral systems and law enforcement capacity.

The report also warned that traffickers increasingly rely on fake online job advertisements and social media platforms to lure victims.

“Traffickers target vulnerable populations such as youth, including those who are homeless, orphaned children, children with disabilities, women and girls, unemployed adults, undocumented migrants, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons,” the report states.

Authorities have urged Rwandans seeking employment abroad to verify recruitment agencies and job offers before travelling.

EACC dismisses fake cabinet vetting letter

By
Binti Wangila
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NAIROBI –The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has dismissed as fake a letter circulating on social media claiming that the National Assembly had requested the Commission to vet five individuals allegedly nominated for Cabinet positions.

In a statement shared on its official social media platforms, the anti-graft agency urged Kenyans to disregard the document, emphasizing that it did not originate from either the National Assembly or the Commission.

The forged letter, dated July 23, 2026, was allegedly addressed to EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Ahmed Mohamud and falsely claimed that the Commission had been asked to conduct integrity vetting for five purported Cabinet nominees.

Those named in the fake document included Winnie Odinga for the Tourism and Wildlife docket, Junet Mohamed for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, Koki Muli for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Cleophas Malala for Agriculture and Livestock Development, and Dr Agnes Zani for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy.

The document further claimed that the vetting exercise was intended to ensure transparency and accountability in public appointments and that EACC had been asked to submit its findings by July 28, 2026.

The letter quickly gained traction online, sparking speculation over a possible Cabinet reshuffle.

However, EACC dismissed the claims and published a copy of the document stamped “FAKE,” saying it was “not an authentic communication from the Commission.”

The Commission also pointed out several inconsistencies in the document, including grammatical mistakes, incomplete sentences and poor formatting, despite its use of what appeared to be official letterheads and signatures.

The agency urged members of the public to verify information through official government channels before sharing it on social media.

Isiolo shock: Missing 18-year-old found murdered in pit latrine

By
Mike Kwoba
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ISIOLO COUNTY – An 18-year-old girl who was recently reported missing in Malkagalla Location, Cherab Ward, has been found dead inside a pit latrine, her body burnt beyond recognition in a suspected murder. The gruesome discovery in Isiolo County has plunged her family and the local community into deep grief, especially as the young woman was actively preparing to join university.

Officers from Merti Police Station successfully recovered the remains after Malkagalla Senior Chief Abdi Karayu confirmed the tragic report. Authorities have already arrested a prime suspect in connection with the killing, though the exact motive behind the heinous act remains under investigation.

Isiolo County Police Commander Isaac Sang assured the public that detectives are working around the clock to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and bring all responsible parties to justice. The murder comes amidst growing security concerns in the region, closely following another recent homicide involving a businesswoman in Isiolo Town.

The incident sparked immediate protests in Isiolo Town, with outraged residents taking to the streets to demand justice for the victims and tighter security measures from local authorities. Speaking during a security meeting convened in the town, Commander Sang urged residents to maintain calm and collaborate closely with law enforcement by reporting suspicious activities, drug trafficking, and the sale of illicit brews to enhance overall public safety.

Drought drives hundreds of West Pokot families across border to Uganda

By
Kimani Karanja
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WEST POKOT — Kapchok Ward MCA Peter Lokor has warned that prolonged drought in West Pokot County is pushing hundreds of pastoralist families across the border into neighboring Uganda as grazing lands, water sources, and staple crops completely dry up, triggering an escalating humanitarian crisis across the region.

Hundreds of pastoralist families from West Pokot County have fled to neighboring Uganda with their livestock as a prolonged drought wipes out pasture, water and crops, deepening food insecurity across the region.

The mass migration has forced children out of school and split communities, as families walk for days in search of grazing land.

“Our people have been left with no option but to move to Uganda with their livestock because there is no pasture or water here,” said Kapchok Ward MCA Peter Lokor. “If this situation continues, we risk losing both livestock and human lives.”

Residents say nearly four months without rain have destroyed maize fields that many households depended on for food and income. Some farmers are now feeding dried, unharvested maize to their animals.

For many, the decision to cross the border comes with heavy costs. Children who were in class last term are now herding animals in Uganda. Families who relied on farming have no harvest, and incomes have collapsed.

Lokor blamed the crisis on climate change. “Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is happening now, and our communities are paying the price. Children are dropping out of school while families struggle to survive,” he said.

County officials say the drought has affected thousands of households. West Pokot County Commissioner David Saruni said assessments show about 30 per cent of the county’s population needs urgent food assistance.

“The drought has severely affected crop production. Some farmers have even resorted to feeding their dried maize crops to livestock because there is nothing left to harvest,” Saruni said.

He noted many pastoralists who moved to Uganda last year have not returned because conditions in Kenya have not improved. “Although we have not recorded deaths directly linked to the drought, the situation remains critical and requires urgent intervention,” he added.

Leaders are now calling for immediate food relief, water trucking, livestock feed, and long-term investments in drought resilience to protect pastoral communities from increasingly frequent climate shocks.

Totum, Monire, and Bishop Muge crowned Rift Valley JSS champions, book spots in national games

By
Dominic Barasa
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Totum Mixed, Monire JSS, and Bishop Muge were crowned the 2026 Rift Valley Junior Secondary School champions on Tuesday following impressive victories in their respective regional finals. The three sides have earned the right to represent the Rift Valley region at the upcoming Kenya Junior Secondary School Sports Association (KJSSSA) National Games, set to take place this August in Thika, Kiambu County.

In the girls’ football final, West Pokot’s Totum Mixed held their nerves to beat Hill School of Uasin Gishu 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Both teams pushed hard for a winner during normal time, creating several scoring chances, but Totum showed superior composure in the shootout to convert four spot-kicks and capture the regional title.

The boys’ football crown went to Bomet’s Monire JSS, who staged an inspiring comeback to defeat Uasin Gishu’s Kipkaren JSS 2-1. Kipkaren struck early to take the lead, but Monire fought back with two goals to turn the match around and bring the championship home to Bomet.

Trans Nzoia’s Bishop Muge put on a commanding display in the boys’ volleyball final, taking down Newlight of Uasin Gishu 3-1. Bishop Muge built an early advantage by winning the opening two sets 25-23 and 25-22 before dropping the third 20-25; however, they quickly regrouped to dominate the fourth set 25-17 and seal the victory.

With the regional titles decided, attention now moves to next month’s KJSSSA National Games in Thika, where the Rift Valley champions will test themselves against top junior secondary school teams from across the country.

Marsabit police recover stolen Camels in Laisamis operation

By
Ebinet Apiyo
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LAISAMIS — Police officers in Marsabit County have successfully recovered four out of 27 camels stolen during an early-morning raid on Tuesday in Gudas, Laisamis Sub-County. The recovered livestock have since been officially handed back to their rightful owners in Koiya Village, offering much-needed relief to local pastoralists following the livestock theft.

Addressing reporters from his office, Marsabit County Police Commander Leonard Kimaiyo confirmed that two camels were retrieved shortly after the raid on Tuesday, followed by two additional camels as security teams intensified search operations across the region. The successful recovery effort was carried out through an operation led by Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) stationed in Laisamis, who tracked the rustlers into the surrounding terrain to secure the animals.

Despite the initial recovery, Commander Kimaiyo noted that no suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident so far. He assured the public that security operations and intelligence-led tracking remain active and ongoing across Laisamis Sub-County, with police determined to recover the remaining 23 camels and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Marc Cucurella fulfills emotional world cup promise to autistic son.

By
Newton Ingui
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NORTH AMERICA — Beyond the thrilling 120 minutes on the pitch, one of the defining and most touching moments of Spain’s 🇪🇸 FIFA World Cup championship victory unfolded during the post-match celebrations.

Spanish defender Marc Cucurella marked the nation’s world title alongside his eldest son, Mateo, who is autistic.

Due to sensory processing challenges, loud stadium environments can be overwhelming for Mateo, making regular match attendance extremely difficult. Ahead of the tournament, Cucurella made a personal promise: if Spain made it all the way to the World Cup final, he would ensure a safe and comfortable environment for his son to watch the historic event live.

To accommodate Mateo’s needs, Cucurella arranged a specialized soundproof, sensory-friendly box at the stadium. This allowed Mateo to support his father away from the overwhelming noise of the stadium crowd as Spain secured a 1–0 extra-time victory.

Cucurella brought Mateo down from the box directly onto the pitch.

Father and son jointly celebrated the victory and lifted the World Cup trophy together.

The moment has resonated globally as a powerful reminder of how love, family, and thoughtful sensory accommodations can make sports accessible for everyone.

“Trophies and titles will eventually become a thing of the past, but the journey with family is the greatest mission of life.”

Cucurella, who played all 120 minutes in the final, continues to draw praise from fans around the world for putting family first on football’s grandest stage.

Fifa world rankings updated following 2026 world cup.

By
Newton Ingui
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ZURICH — FIFA has officially released the updated Men’s World Rankings following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Newly crowned world champions Spain 🇪🇸 have surged to the No. 1 position globally, overtaking previous leaders Argentina 🇦🇷 following their extra-time triumph in the final.

In a historic milestone, the latest rankings mark the first time since the inaugural World Cup in 1930 that the top four teams in FIFA’s global standings perfectly mirror the tournament’s final four semifinalists: Spain (1st), Argentina (2nd), France 🇫🇷 (3rd), and England (4th).

Finishing in 6th place overall, Morocco remains Africa’s highest-ranked nation, marking their highest position in modern ranking history.

Norway recorded the largest jump in this release, leaping 12 spots to 19th overall (+93.85 points) following an impressive tournament run.

Tournament co-hosts Mexico re-entered the global Top 10 after advancing into the knockout rounds (+4 spots to 10th), while the United States 🇺🇸 holds steady at 16th.

No time to waste: National dispatch center streamlines emergency care for pregnant women

By
Vincent Amara
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In a major boost to maternal healthcare across the country, the newly established National Ambulance Dispatch Center under the Social Health Authority and the Ministry of Health is streamlining emergency response services for pregnant women facing critical complications.

Pregnancy-related medical emergencies often arise without warning, making swift intervention vital to saving the lives of both mothers and newborns. To tackle these life-threatening delays, the centralized dispatch hub provides a direct line for urgent medical assistance through the national toll-free hotline 147.

When an emergency call is received, dispatch personnel immediately conduct a rapid triage assessment to evaluate the severity of the complication and determine the precise level of urgent care required.

The system then deploys the nearest available emergency medical service unit to reach the patient without delay. Crucially, care coordination goes beyond simply transporting the patient to the nearest hospital; dispatch officers liaise directly with health facilities so that expectant mothers are routed specifically to a facility fully equipped to manage their unique medical needs.

This initiative forms a core part of broader national health sector reforms aimed at strengthening emergency medical services and advancing Universal Health Coverage.

By standardizing emergency dispatch procedures and establishing direct communication channels between dispatchers and medical facilities, health authorities aim to significantly lower delay-related maternal mortality rates nationwide. Members of the public requiring urgent maternal assistance or details on emergency pregnancy care can reach the dispatch center directly via toll-free 147 or by visiting the official Social Health Authority Portal.

Oburu rallies ODM leaders, calls for stronger grassroots and national unity

By
Vincent Amara
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Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader and Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga on Thursday chaired a high-level strategy meeting at the party’s headquarters, Chungwa House, bringing together senior party officials and key stakeholders to chart the party’s political direction and strengthen its operations across the country.

The closed-door consultations focused on enhancing ODM’s grassroots structures, improving coordination among county branches, and positioning the party to respond more effectively to the needs and aspirations of Kenyans amid the country’s evolving political landscape.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Dr. Oburu said the discussions centered on building a stronger and more efficient party capable of championing policies that address the economic and social challenges facing ordinary citizens.

“Our priority is to strengthen our grassroots structures because a strong party begins with a strong foundation. We are committed to ensuring that every county branch is well-coordinated, active, and responsive to the needs of the people,” he said.

The ODM leader noted that the party remains focused on promoting national unity, democratic governance, and inclusive development while working to safeguard constitutional values and expand opportunities for all Kenyans.

He reaffirmed ODM’s commitment to its founding ideals, describing the party as a home for progressive leadership that places citizens at the center of decision-making.

“ODM remains a movement driven by the aspirations of the people. We believe in social justice, equality, accountability, and leadership that serves every Kenyan regardless of region, ethnicity, or social status,” Dr. Oburu said.

Against the backdrop of shifting political alliances ahead of future national contests, the Siaya Senator appealed to Kenyans who share the party’s vision to actively participate in strengthening democratic institutions and advancing reforms that improve livelihoods.

“I invite every Kenyan who believes in constitutionalism, inclusive economic growth, and accountable leadership to join us as we work towards building a more united, just, and prosperous nation,” he added.

The strategic meeting comes as ODM continues internal consultations aimed at consolidating its leadership, strengthening its nationwide presence, and refining its political agenda as the country’s political landscape continues to evolve.

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