Author: Mwenda Gitonga

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has hit out at the national government, accusing it of using anti-corruption institutions to silence dissenting voices.Speaking to massive crowds in Kakamega, Bungoma, Kimilili, and Kitale just days after being arraigned on corruption charges, the outspoken county boss insisted his arrest was politically motivated, calling it retribution for his vocal criticism of President William Ruto’s administration. Natembeya, who was charged with embezzling Kes3.2 million and released on bail, made a dramatic return to western Kenya where thousands of supporters brought traffic to a standstill along the busy Kitale–Bungoma highway, turning his homecoming into a political…

The United States has suspended all unscheduled student visa appointments globally as it prepares to introduce enhanced social media vetting for international student and exchange visa applicants — a move likely to impact many Kenyan students hoping to study abroad. A memo circulated within U.S. diplomatic missions instructs embassies and consulates to remove unfilled slots for F and J visas. Scheduled interviews may still proceed, but new bookings have been halted “until further guidance is issued,” according to reports from U.S. media outlets. Implications for Kenyan Students Kenya consistently ranks among the top sources of sub-Saharan African students in the…

Governors are pushing back strongly against what they term as “selective oversight” by the national government and Parliament, accusing President William Ruto’s administration of systematically undermining devolution by subjecting counties to excessive scrutiny while failing to hold the executive accountable. Speaking during the Second Kenya Devolution Support Program (KDSP) conference in Naivasha, the Council of Governors (CoG) warned that continued bias in oversight is eroding public trust in the devolved system and sabotaging service delivery. Nyeri Governor and CoG Deputy Chair Mutahi Kahiga voiced the collective frustration of county chiefs, lamenting that governors are subjected to double scrutiny by both…

Donald Trump has sharply escalated his rhetoric against Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that Putin is “playing with fire” following a surge in Russian attacks on Ukraine and a breakdown in peace talks. The U.S. president’s remarks, delivered Tuesday via his Truth Social platform, come amid mounting frustration with Moscow’s role in stalled ceasefire negotiations and a devastating Russian drone and missile assault on Kyiv that killed at least 13 people over the weekend. “What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean…

The much-anticipated launch of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP)—a political outfit linked to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua—has been postponed following a venue dispute with Sports Kenya, which manages the Kasarani Indoor Arena. The party had planned to unveil itself on June 3, 2025, at the facility. However, Sports Kenya informed the party that the venue had already been booked by a sports team for the same date. In a letter addressed to the party, Gabriel Komora, the Acting Director General of Sports Kenya, cited prior bookings and preparation for the upcoming 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) as…

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has announced a 25-man provisional squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Chad, scheduled for June 7 and June 10, 2025, in Morocco. The most notable inclusion is the return of veteran midfielder Victor Wanyama, who has come out of international retirement to rejoin the national team setup. Wanyama, 33, had retired from international football in 2021 after being overlooked for selection in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. His return follows discussions with McCarthy, who convinced him to don the national colors once more. The squad features a balanced mix of seasoned campaigners…

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called on investigative agencies to urgently resolve the case involving Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburi, who was reportedly abducted and later found dumped in a coffee plantation on Monday, May 26, 2025. In a statement shared by LSK President Faith Odhiambo, the society implored investigative agencies to deploy all necessary resources to identify and prosecute those responsible for the alleged abduction. “We call on our investigative agencies to urgently deploy resources to identify, weed out, and punish the perpetrators of this and other heinous crimes over which the people of Kenya remain…

A vehicle plowed into a crowd during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade, injuring nearly 50 people, including children.

In response to widespread public concern, the Kenyan government has reinstated funding for the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, allocating Ksh5.9 billion in the 2025/2026 budget. This decision follows an initial omission of exam funding in the budget estimates, which sparked criticism from education stakeholders nationwide. The National Assembly’s Education Committee proposed sourcing the Ksh5.9 billion from existing allocations: Ksh3 billion from secondary schools, Ksh2 billion from junior schools, and Ksh900 million from primary schools. Education Committee Chairperson Julius Melly emphasized the importance of this funding, stating, “Examinations are a critical component of our education system. Without…

Businessman Phillip Aroko, the primary suspect in the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Were, has been released on a cash bail of Ksh.300,000 by the Kibera Law Courts. Aroko, who had previously been detained to allow investigators to finalize their probe, was freed after the prosecution confirmed that key investigative milestones had been achieved. This included recording his official statement and verifying other pieces of evidence linked to the case. “Given the seven days granted by the court, we have sufficiently utilized the time to cover critical areas in our investigations,” the prosecution told the court, while requesting…