Author: Mwenda Gitonga

Five men will be charged with the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were following the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) approval of the charges. The suspects are set to appear in court on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The DPP confirmed that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the five for their alleged roles in the killing, which occurred on April 30, 2025, at approximately 7:40 pm near the City Mortuary Roundabout in Nairobi. Three of the suspects — William Imoli (alias Imo), Edwin Oduor Odhiambo (alias Machuani), and Ebel Ochieng (alias Dave Calo) — will be arraigned…

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has officially confirmed that Kenya’s Harambee Starlets will participate in the 2025 CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship, scheduled to take place from June 12 to 22 in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Kenya joins hosts Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and Uganda in the five-nation regional tournament organized by the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) in partnership with the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF). The tournament serves as a vital preparatory platform for teams ahead of the Africa Women Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set to begin next month in Morocco. Yusuf Mossi, CECAFA’s Competitions Director, explained that…

The Ministry of Health has officially abolished the mandatory attachment fees charged to Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) students in all level 6 hospitals, following concerns over the exorbitant fees imposed on students during clinical attachments. Speaking at KMTC headquarters where he was presiding over the official opening of the 8th Biennial Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Scientific Conference in Nairobi on Wednesday, May 4, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale condemned the recurring practice of level 6 hospitals charging high fees to KMTC students. He described the trend as unacceptable and pledged to take corrective measures. “One of the issues…

Muguka farmers across Kenya, especially in Embu County, can now breathe a collective sigh of relief after Deputy President Kithure Kindiki officially confirmed that Kilifi North MP Owen Baya has withdrawn his proposed amendment to delist Muguka (Catha edulis) from Kenya’s list of scheduled crops. The controversial Crops (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which had already passed First Reading in Parliament, sought to remove Muguka from the Crops Act, a move that would have stripped the stimulant of its legal status and protection. This could have left it vulnerable to regional bans and restrictions, particularly from coastal counties that have been vocal…

Kilifi North MP Owen Baya has officially withdrawn a proposed amendment to the Crops Act that sought to delist muguka—a variety of khat—from the list of scheduled crops under Kenyan law. The move follows consultations with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and elected leaders from Embu County, where muguka is a key cash crop supporting thousands of livelihoods. In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, DP Kindiki confirmed the outcome of the meeting with Baya. “Following a request from Embu County elected leaders, the Deputy President met Hon. Owen Baya, sponsor of the Private Member’s…

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire has come out strongly against a proposed parliamentary bill seeking to outlaw muguka, vowing to defend the crop and the farmers who depend on it for their livelihoods. Governor Mbarire was reacting to a bill tabled by Kilifi North MP Owen Baya, which brands muguka as harmful and calls for its ban. During a passionate address to the residents of Embu, the Governor dismissed the claims and reaffirmed the county’s economic reliance on the stimulant crop. “An MP has tabled a bill in Parliament saying muguka is poisonous and bad. But as the people of Embu,…

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has been dealt a blow ahead of the team’s upcoming international friendlies against Chad, following the withdrawal of midfielder Mohammed Bajaber due to injury. According to an official statement from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the Kenya Police FC midfielder sustained a right thigh injury during a training session on Tuesday, ruling him out of the squad’s trip to Marrakech, Morocco. “Kenya Police FC midfielder Mohammed Bajaber has been ruled out of Harambee Stars’ upcoming friendlies against Chad after sustaining a right thigh injury during training on Tuesday,” read the FKF statement. “Team doctor…

Kenyans will enjoy a long weekend after the government officially declared Friday, June 6, 2025, a public holiday to mark Eid-ul-Adha. In a gazette notice issued on Tuesday, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced the decision in accordance with Section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act. “It is notified for the general information of the public that in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 (1) of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares that Friday, June 6, 2025, shall be a public holiday,” the notice read. Eid-ul-Adha, also known…

St Mary’s Ukwala Boys’ High School in Ugenya, Siaya County, has been closed indefinitely following a night of unrest sparked by student protests over alleged poor-quality food. The chaos erupted on Monday night around 8 p.m., when students began vandalising school property, including classroom and office windows. The protest was reportedly triggered by dissatisfaction with the quality of maize flour used in their meals. According to Siaya County Director of Education Leonard Kabaki, the decision to close the extra-county public boarding school was reached after a meeting between the Board of Management and education officials. “They destroyed windows in several…

The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) of the National Assembly has cleared all seven nominees to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), marking a significant milestone in the long-delayed reconstitution of the country’s electoral body. Tabling its report in the House on Tuesday, JLAC Chairperson George Murugara said that each nominee had been subjected to a rigorous vetting process and found suitable to serve in their respective roles. “Pursuant to the provisions of Article 252(b) of the Constitution, the committee approves the appointment of Erastus Edung Ethekon as Chairperson, and Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen…