Author: Mwenda Gitonga

Speaking after the nationwide protests that marked the first anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill movement, Omtatah said he monitored the crowd and deliberately intervened to prevent escalation. “There was pressure for people to march to State House,” he said. “One of the reasons I sat down tracking the crowd was to stop that march because I believed people were going to be killed. And I didn’t want another life lost, when we were commemorating the death of other people.” Omtatah, a long-time civil rights defender and constitutional activist, clarified that while he fully supports the spirit of protest and…

A day meant to honour the memory of lives lost during last year’s deadly anti-government protests has ended in bloodshed once again. What began as a peaceful and symbolic memorial procession on June 25 turned into violent chaos, with at least eight people confirmed dead and over 400 others injured, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), after police fired live bullets and tear gas on demonstrators in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) and other towns across the country. From Peaceful Tribute to Carnage The day was marked nationwide as a…

A Milimani court will deliver a key ruling on July 7 determining whether the prosecution in the cybercrime case against controversial blogger Maverick Aoko will be allowed more time to present witnesses or be compelled to close its case for lack of evidence. The decision was set by Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego after the prosecution failed to present the full list of witnesses during the three-day hearing window allocated for the case. During Thursday morning’s hearing, the court was told that only one witness was available to testify, prompting the defence team to file a formal application seeking the closure…

A Sh23.5 billion flagship programme launched by President William Ruto to stimulate industrialisation through County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) is under heavy scrutiny, with senators, governors, and civil society organisations raising the alarm over poor planning, exclusion of county governments, and signs of potential failure. The initiative, which promised to establish industrial parks in all 47 counties to drive local value addition and job creation, is now being described by critics as a top-down project marred by design flaws, underutilised infrastructure, and dwindling financial support. Siaya Governor James Orengo, while appearing before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC)…

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has alleged that the government has withdrawn his security detail in retaliation for his participation in the June 25, 2025 anniversary demonstrations in Nairobi. The MP was among several public figures who joined thousands of Kenyans in marking one year since the deadly anti-Finance Bill protests of 2024, which left dozens dead and hundreds injured following a brutal police crackdown. In a strongly-worded statement released on Thursday, Babu Owino condemned what he termed as political intimidation by the state, saying the move to strip him of state protection was a direct response to…

At least 26 vehicles belonging to the Nyandarua County government were torched on Wednesday, June 25, during violent anti-government protests commemorating the first anniversary of the 2024 demonstrations against the Finance Bill. The attack, which occurred at the Olkalou sub-county offices, also saw 18 government-issued motorcycles and newly procured public address equipment reduced to ashes in a blaze that engulfed part of the county facility. According to county officials, five of the 26 vehicles were completely destroyed and rendered inoperable. The chaos erupted as part of a nationwide day of action led primarily by Gen Z demonstrators to honour those…

The High Court in Nairobi has issued a conservatory order suspending a controversial government directive that sought to muzzle live media coverage of the ongoing June 25th anti-government protests. The order was issued by Justice E.C. Mwita in response to an urgent petition filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) against the State Law Office. In a ruling delivered at the Milimani High Court under constitutional and human rights jurisdiction, Justice Mwita observed that the matter raised “fundamental constitutional questions” on the potential violation of the Bill of Rights, particularly freedom of expression and media. Key Highlights of the…

Kenya’s leading television stations — Citizen TV, NTV, and KTN — were forcefully taken off air on Tuesday after the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and police officers raided their Limuru transmission stations and shut down Free-to-Air broadcast signals. The unprecedented move comes amid nationwide protests led by Gen Z demonstrators marking the anniversary of the deadly June 25, 2024 anti-government protests. The switch-off has drawn sharp criticism from media houses, civil society, and the public, with many calling it a direct assault on media freedom. In a strongly-worded statement, Nation Media Group confirmed that NTV had been “unconstitutionally switched…

The government has reaffirmed that the 2.75% mandatory deduction for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) remains legally in force, even after the High Court in Milimani raised concerns that it may amount to double taxation. In an official position statement dated June 23, 2025, Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale clarified that the Ministry of Health acknowledges the court ruling, but emphasized that the contribution is grounded in the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024 and remains tax-deductible under current law. “The 2.75% contribution remains legally in force and is now recognized as tax-deductible,” the statement read. High Court Raises…

Former politician and youthful public figure Morara Kebaso has officially announced his exit from politics in a bold and deeply personal online post that has since gone viral. Known for his high-energy public persona and stylish appearances, Morara opened up about the emotional toll of political life — and his exhilaration at walking away. “Guys 😀 I finally escaped politics. I can now live my life. I can do my biz, make my mulla, travel the world… I don’t have to care about social media or negative comments from people who haven’t achieved half of what I have achieved at…