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IEBC assures Kenyans of a free, fair and peaceful Ol Kalou by-election on July 16, 2026

By
Kimani Karanja
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IEBC Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has assured Kenyans that all preparations have been finalized for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for Thursday, July 16, 2026, promising a free, fair, transparent and credible electoral process.

Speaking on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, after overseeing the opening and inspection of ballot paper boxes, IEBC Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan said election materials had arrived safely and were inspected in the presence of candidates, party agents and election officials. He noted that all stakeholders were satisfied that the ballot papers and other election materials were intact and ready for use.

Commissioner Hassan said the commission had worked closely with security agencies to ensure a peaceful election, adding that comprehensive security arrangements had been put in place across Nyandarua County. He warned that security agencies were fully prepared to deal with anyone who attempts to disrupt the voting process or threaten public safety.

He urged the people of Ol Kalou to turn out in large numbers on Thursday, July 16, and peacefully exercise their democratic right by electing a leader of their choice. He also emphasized that the IEBC remains an independent institution with no affiliation to any political party or candidate.

Another IEBC Commissioner confirmed that polling stations will open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m., although all voters who are in the queue by the official closing time will be allowed to cast their ballots.

The commission also reminded the public that only accredited individuals, including election officials, party agents, observers and journalists with valid accreditation, will be allowed inside polling stations. Ordinary voters must leave the polling station immediately after casting their votes.

IEBC further cautioned voters against taking photographs of their marked ballots, noting that doing so violates Kenya’s electoral laws and undermines the constitutional principle of the secret ballot.

On voter identification, the commission explained that polling officials will use the KIEMS kit, which relies on biometric verification through fingerprints and facial recognition. If fingerprint verification fails, voters will be identified using an alphanumeric search based on their national identification card or passport number. The commission clarified that every eligible voter can still be verified electronically through the KIEMS system.

IEBC also dismissed concerns about the use of a manual register, stating that the KIEMS kits contain the complete register of voters and that backup devices have been deployed to replace any kit that may develop technical problems during polling.

After voting ends, ballot counting will take place openly at polling stations in the presence of party agents, accredited observers and members of the media. The commission said official results forms will be available for verification, reinforcing its commitment to delivering a transparent, credible and verifiable by-election.

Taita Taveta County scales grassroots Wezesha Jamii project to 20 wards

By
Gibson Kisaka
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The Taita Taveta County Government is expanding its grassroots economic empowerment program under the flagship Wezesha Jamii project. The initiative is designed to combat rural poverty by equipping local communities with self-sustaining, income-generating skills, with a primary focus on communal goat farming.

Speaking during a routine monitoring and evaluation visit by county administrators, Petro Ndungo Kimatu, the chairperson of the Makini Kitoghoto Self-Help Group in Taveta Sub-County, lauded the project for its rare inclusivity. He noted that unlike many community-based organizations that sideline the elderly, their group actively integrates senior citizens, leveraging their wisdom and leadership to drive the group’s long-term success.

According to Mr. Kimatu, the self-help group has devised a structured distribution plan to ensure every member benefits. By the end of this year, the group plans to gift one goat to every elderly member for individual rearing. Meanwhile, the remaining members will continue to manage the collective farm together until the herd multiplies sufficiently to allow every individual to own a personal livestock enterprise.

The chairperson explained that severe environmental and economic hardships initially drove the members to pool resources.

“Family hardships drove us together,” Kimatu said. “Initially, individual farming proved difficult because wild animals particularly hippopotamuses straying from Lake Jipe frequently invaded our homesteads and preyed on our livestock. However, since we adopted a communal farming model, we have seen a massive turnaround.”

Shadrack Mutungi, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Youth, Sports, Gender, Culture, and Social Services, commended the Makini Kitoghoto group as a stellar model for the county. He revealed that the group has grown exponentially since it began receiving specialized business training, mentorship, and continuous monitoring in 2023.

Starting with a modest baseline of just 13 goats and two cows, the group has since established internal table-banking systems to boost their financial liquidity, enhanced their social welfare programs, and successfully created sustainable livelihoods for all its members.

Mutungi announced that the devolved unit is currently supporting 52 similar groups across all 20 electoral wards under the Wezesha Jamii framework. This structured government support includes intensive entrepreneurship and business management training, hands-on mentorship, and a comprehensive 12-month post-training monitoring program to ensure new start-ups remain viable.

Echoing these remarks, the Director of Public Communications, Samuel M. Mutie, praised the Makini Self-Help Group for its exemplary leadership, unity, and clear vision. He noted that their progress serves as a practical blueprint for how collective community effort, paired with structured government support, can transform lives and build economically resilient societies.

KRA raises tax dispute collections to Sh35 billion through ADR programme

By
Binti Wangila
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The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has more than doubled revenue collected through its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programme, reaching Sh35.06 billion in the financial year ending June 2026.

The authority resolved 993 tax disputes during the period, compared with 97 cases in the previous financial year, resulting in a 129.2 per cent increase from the Sh15.3 billion collected previously.

KRA Commissioner General Adan Mohamed said the ADR mechanism had become an important tool in resolving tax disputes without lengthy court battles.

“The ADR programme provides a faster and more efficient way of resolving tax disputes through engagement between taxpayers and KRA,” Mohamed said.

The programme allows taxpayers and the authority to negotiate settlements instead of taking disputes through the Tax Appeals Tribunal or the courts, which can take years to conclude.

Despite the improvement, the latest collections remain below the Sh60.47 billion recorded in the 2023/24 financial year and the Sh71.84 billion collected in 2022/23.

The average revenue recovered per resolved case dropped to about Sh35 million, suggesting that most of the disputes settled involved smaller tax amounts.

KRA said it is continuing to strengthen compliance through technology, including electronic invoicing, data-sharing systems and transaction monitoring tools.

The authority added that ADR has contributed to efforts to recover outstanding tax debts, which have reached Sh144.82 billion.

Four arrested in Kakuma with 9.2kg of Elephant Ivory

By
Kimani Karanja
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Four suspects arrested in Kakuma transporting 9.2 kilograms of elephant ivory

Four suspects have been arrested in Kakuma town after they were caught transporting 9.2 kilograms of elephant ivory. The arrest was executed during a coordinated joint operation conducted by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

The suspects were intercepted on Wednesday morning at around 10:00 a.m. while ferrying four pieces of ivory on a motorcycle. Authorities have identified them as Albert Eroo and Losoru Ekutani both residents of Turkana alongside two Burundian nationals residing at the Kakuma Refugee Camp.

The recovered tusks have been secured to be used as exhibits in court. Meanwhile, the four suspects remain in custody at the Kakuma Police Station as investigators finalize the case file ahead of formal charges.

Confirming the incident, KWS Turkana Assistant Director Elijah Chege commended local residents, noting that the successful bust was made possible through a tip-off from the public. He praised the community’s vigilance and emphasized that public cooperation remains a cornerstone of the fight against wildlife crime.

“This operation demonstrates the importance of community partnership in protecting Kenya’s wildlife. We encourage members of the public to continue reporting suspicious activities involving wildlife products,” Chege said.

This successful crackdown marks another critical step in ongoing efforts by KWS and regional security agencies to dismantle syndicates trafficking illegal wildlife parts through Turkana County. Despite heavy penalties and strictly enforced conservation laws, elephant ivory continues to attract black-market demand. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspected wildlife crimes to the nearest law enforcement officers.

Sudan on the brink of worst hunger crisis as WFP warns of famine risk

By
Binti Wangila
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The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that Sudan is heading towards one of the world’s worst hunger crises as fighting, reduced humanitarian funding and rising agricultural costs continue to deepen food insecurity.

Nearly 19.5 million people in Sudan are facing severe food shortages, while close to five million people are experiencing emergency or catastrophic levels of hunger.

More than 100,000 people remain trapped in famine-like conditions classified as IPC Phase 5, the highest level in the global food security scale.

Acting WFP Executive Director Carl Skau said Sudan remains among the largest humanitarian crises globally, with millions of people struggling to access basic food supplies.

“Sudan remains one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world,” Skau said.

The WFP said shortages in humanitarian funding and rising food production costs caused by global market disruptions have continued to weaken efforts to provide assistance to affected communities.

The agency also raised concerns over renewed fighting around El-Obeid in North Kordofan, warning that the area could experience conditions similar to El-Fasher, where prolonged conflict and restrictions on movement prevented aid from reaching civilians.

However, WFP said reduced fighting in recent days has created an opportunity to increase food assistance in the area from 100,000 to 250,000 people.

Humanitarian organisations have called for urgent international support, warning that additional funding and safe access routes are needed to prevent millions more Sudanese from facing extreme hunger.

Gachagua calls for identifiable police officers ahead of Ol Kalou by-election

By
Binti Wangila
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Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has urged the National Police Service to ensure all officers deployed for the Ol Kalou by-election wear official uniforms, display their service numbers and use clearly marked police vehicles to promote transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.

In a letter addressed to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on Wednesday, Gachagua said the security deployment should facilitate a peaceful election rather than intimidate voters, candidates or party agents.

“The 2,000 police officers deployed must be uniformed, they must display their service numbers, they must not be hooded, and they must use clearly marked police vehicles,” he said.

Gachagua alleged that some plainclothes officers had targeted DCP supporters during the campaign period and accused certain security personnel of operating outside the command of the Inspector General.

“The security challenge in Ol Kalou and across Kenya isn’t too much about the goons but the plain clothes rogue police officers outside of your command,” he said.

The former deputy president maintained that campaigns in Ol Kalou had remained peaceful and dismissed claims that local youths posed a security threat. Instead, he alleged that a group he referred to as the “Nairobi Sierra Group,” which he claimed was linked to politicians, was responsible for several incidents during the campaign.

He claimed DCP officials were assaulted at the Royal Garden Hotel in Ol Kalou Town on July 1, adding that eight statements were recorded at Ol Kalou Police Station but no action had been taken. He further alleged that the party’s campaign team was attacked by plainclothes officers using unmarked vehicles on July 9, while the party’s campaign truck was damaged by hooded gunmen on July 11.

Gachagua also claimed there was an attempted assassination of East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega on July 13, questioning why the incident had not received public attention.

He warned that any violence during the by-election would raise questions about the effectiveness of the large police deployment, which he described as unprecedented.

The DCP leader further alleged that some officers had been instructed to disrupt voting, counting and tallying, intimidate party agents and influence the outcome of the election. He did not provide evidence to support the claims.

He also alleged that General Service Unit (GSU) and Anti-Stock Theft Unit officers had been instructed to use excessive force in the event of post-election protests.

Gachagua called on Inspector General Kanja to withdraw non-uniformed officers from the operation and use the by-election as an opportunity to restore public confidence in the National Police Service.

On Tuesday, Kanja said security officers would be deployed to all 114 polling stations in accordance with standard operational procedures. He assured residents that adequate measures had been put in place to enable them to exercise their democratic rights in a peaceful and secure environment.

Argentina boss opens up on Falklands rivalry ahead of England World Cup clash

By
Newton Ingui
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Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has urged his players to focus purely on the football when they face England in the World Cup semi-finals. The build-up to the fixture has reopened old wounds on both sides, with the Falkland Islands becoming a topic of conversation. Earlier in the tournament, Argentina players were filmed chanting about the islands following their victory over Egypt.

The two countries famously went to war in 1982, when Argentina invaded the Falklands over a long-standing sovereignty claim. They were quickly defeated by British forces, who successfully recaptured the islands in just 10 weeks and forced Argentina to surrender. Four decades later, many Argentinians still believe they should control the Falklands despite its population being overwhemingly in favour of remaining a British Overseas Territory.

Turkana West MP Daniel Nanok defends his development record

By
Leah Kawon
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Turkana West Member of Parliament Daniel Epuyo Nanok has defended his development record, saying his achievements in education, infrastructure and environmental conservation speak for themselves, even as political debate over development projects intensifies across Turkana County.

Speaking at AIC Lokichoggio Girls Primary and Junior School on Tuesday, the legislator joined students, teachers and parents in a tree-planting exercise aimed at promoting environmental conservation and supporting Kenya’s national tree-growing campaign.

The exercise followed an earlier tree-growing initiative supported by the MP at the school in line with President William Ruto’s nationwide environmental restoration programme.

During the event, Hon. Nanok also unveiled recently completed National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) projects and commended the school’s Head of Institution, Madam Rebecca Lokeun, for ensuring the planted trees are well cared for.

He said proper maintenance of trees is critical in enhancing climate resilience and securing a greener future for coming generations.

“We can only achieve meaningful environmental conservation if the trees we plant are properly nurtured. I appreciate the school’s commitment to ensuring these trees grow and benefit future generations,” Nanok said.

The MP later held a consultative meeting with members of the Muslim community in Lokichoggio, where discussions centered on community empowerment, improved access to government services and development priorities affecting the constituency.

He reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive leadership, saying his Fourth Term Agenda seeks to ensure every community benefits from development regardless of background.

Nanok also defended his performance as the area’s legislator, highlighting education as one of his administration’s biggest success stories.

He said Turkana West has constructed more than 100 primary and secondary schools through NG-CDF support and introduced a unique low-cost boarding school programme designed to improve access to education for children from vulnerable families.

According to the MP, the initiative was established through an agreement between his office and the NG-CDF Committee rather than through national legislation, making it a locally developed solution tailored to the needs of Turkana West.

He said no other constituency in Turkana has implemented a similar programme.

The legislator further noted that several school buses have been purchased to improve learners’ access to education, while additional education projects are at various stages of implementation.

“My development record is visible across Turkana West. Every project has been implemented using the resources allocated to this constituency, and residents can see the impact,” he said.

Nanok’s remarks come barely a week after Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai Napotikan defended his county government’s development record during the Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme held in Lomil, Loima Sub-County.

The Governor said the county administration is working closely with Members of the County Assembly to implement projects across Turkana, adding that each ward has been allocated KSh50 million under the Ward Development Fund.

He challenged elected ward representatives to account for the utilization of the resources, saying leaders should be judged by the projects delivered in their respective wards.

However, several Members of the County Assembly have raised concerns over delayed payments to contractors and questioned the implementation of projects linked to the Ward Development Fund.

Some MCAs allege contractors who completed projects in their wards have yet to be paid despite public claims that each ward received KSh50 million for development.

The allegations have not been independently verified, and county authorities had not publicly responded to the claims at the time of publication.

Meanwhile, the latest Infotrak 2026 Elected Leaders Performance Survey indicates that Turkana West MP Daniel Nanok remains among the county’s highest-rated legislators.

According to the poll released on July 1, 2026, Loima MP Hon. Protus Akuja ranked first in Turkana with a 66 percent approval rating, followed closely by Hon. Daniel Epuyo Nanok with 65 percent, while Turkana East MP Hon. Nicholas Ngikolong placed third with a 62 percent approval rating.

In the same survey, Turkana County Woman Representative Hon. Cecilia Asinyen received national recognition after being ranked sixth among all Woman Representatives in Kenya.

The latest rankings come as political leaders in Turkana continue to defend their development records while facing increasing public scrutiny over the delivery of projects and the utilization of public resources.

President Ruto challenges junior starlets to go beyond group stage at FIFA U-17 women’s world cup

By
Denilson Muhando
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President William Ruto has challenged Kenya’s Harambee Junior Starlets to target a place in the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, saying the team has already proved it can overcome difficult opponents through determination, resilience and belief.

Speaking during a breakfast meeting with the team at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, the President congratulated the Junior Starlets for qualifying for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the second time in the country’s history, describing the achievement as a landmark moment for Kenyan football.

“You have qualified for the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup for the second time in our history. You are going to Morocco to wear the colours of Kenya on the biggest stage in world football. There is no greater honour for any sportsman or sportswoman than representing their motherland before the world. Congratulations. The people of Kenya are incredibly proud of you,” President Ruto said.

The Head of State urged the players to set even bigger goals in Morocco, encouraging them to believe they have what it takes to compete with the world’s best teams.

“This time, I challenge you to aim even higher. Aim to qualify from the group stages. Believe that you can compete with anyone FIFA places before you,” he said.

Ruto praised the team’s remarkable comeback against South Africa’s Bantwana in the final qualification round. After taking a 2-0 advantage from the first leg in Pretoria, the Junior Starlets came from behind to defeat South Africa 3-1 at Nyayo National Stadium, sealing an emphatic 5-1 aggregate victory and securing a second consecutive appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The President singled out Gaudencia Maloba for scoring the crucial equaliser against South Africa, saying her goal sparked Kenya’s comeback and demonstrated the potential of young Kenyan athletes when given the right opportunities.

“That goal carries a lesson far greater than football. It reminds us that when young people are given an opportunity and trusted to perform, they often rise beyond every expectation,” he said.

He also recognised 16-year-old Elizabeth Opiyo, a Grade Nine student at Onding’ Junior Secondary School in Gem, Siaya County, for successfully balancing education with football and athletics, describing her and Maloba as shining examples of the immense talent among Kenya’s youth.

President Ruto paid special tribute to head coach Mildred Cheche, commending her for leading the Junior Starlets to two FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifications—an achievement no other Kenyan football coach has attained.

“Coach Cheche, today the nation salutes you. You have achieved something no Kenyan football coach, man or woman, has ever achieved. You have guided a national team to the FIFA World Cup twice. On behalf of the people of Kenya, I thank you,” he said.

The President also applauded the team’s technical bench, trainers, physiotherapists and support staff for their dedication and contribution to the team’s success.

In addition, President Ruto congratulated the Harambee Starlets for qualifying for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), scheduled to be held in Morocco from July 25 to August 16, 2026.

“The country is truly proud of your achievement, and we shall be cheering you on as you represent us at the continental level,” he said.

Drawing inspiration from Cape Verde’s impressive performances on the international stage, Ruto encouraged the Junior Starlets to approach the World Cup with confidence.

“Cape Verde, a nation of barely 600,000 people, stood shoulder to shoulder with some of football’s biggest names. They reminded the world that courage can neutralise reputation and belief can overcome pedigree. Carry that lesson with you,” he said.

The President attributed the team’s success to sustained government investment in youth sports, talent identification and coaching development. He noted that more than 10,000 young athletes are currently enrolled in development programmes through schools, county governments and the Kenya Academy of Sports.

He added that several Junior Starlets players, including Elizabeth Opiyo, Gaudencia Maloba and Brenda Awuor, were identified through school sports competitions and Kenya Academy of Sports holiday camps.

Ruto further revealed that over 6,000 coaches, trainers, physiotherapists and sports administrators have undergone specialised training through the Kenya Academy of Sports and national sports federations to strengthen the country’s sporting ecosystem.

On sports infrastructure, the President said Talanta Sports City in Nairobi is 95 per cent complete, while the government is constructing 32 modern stadiums across the country to support talent development.

He also disclosed that the government invested KSh4.5 billion during the last financial year to support national teams through accommodation, playing kits, allowances and logistics, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring Kenyan athletes remain competitive on the global stage.

WHO warns 80% of new Ebola cases in Eastern DRC stem from unknown transmission chains.

By
Newton Ingui
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that 80 percent of new Ebola cases in eastern Congo stem from unknown transmission chains. After returning from Bunia, a town in Ituri province that has been heavily affected by the outbreak, the director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the most concerning issue is that many newly reported deaths are occurring within communities, with individuals dying without reaching health centers or receiving treatment.

He noted that, at present, 80 percent of new Ebola infections are not on their lists of known contacts or previously identified cases.

According to Congolese authorities, as of Monday, 1,926 people had been infected with the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, with 702 deaths recorded across three of the country’s provinces.

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