NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 23 – A recent birdwatching and photography excursion to agribusiness Kakuzi Plc orchards in Murang’a County ended on a celebratory note after a member of Japan’s Royal Family, Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado of Japan, spotted at least two international migratory birds in their natural habitat.During her recent visit to Kenya to attend BirdLife International’s 2nd Global Flyways Summit, Princess Takamado, also the Honorary President of BirdLife International, spotted and photographed the Eurasian Bee-eater and the Osprey. The two migratory birds breed in Europe before making long flyway journeys to Africa in the September-October season.Speaking while welcoming Princess Takamado, Kakuzi Plc Managing Director Mr Chris Flowers said the firm’s continued drive to practice sustainable agriculture and preserve its water catchment area has safeguarded some of Kenya’s most ideal ecological zones, accommodating migratory and native bird species.While acknowledging that Birds are powerful indicators of environmental health, Mr Flowers confirmed that Kakuzi continues to see steady growth in bird diversity within its borders.“At Kakuzi, we have seen a steady growth of birds making our orchards, forestlands and other habitats their home, which is a good indicator of our commitment to conserve the environment,” Flowers said. He added, “Protecting this natural habitat is part of our deliberate contribution to the ongoing global flyway conservation efforts.Kakuzi’s conservation efforts are further strengthened through its membership of Nature Kenya, the East Africa Natural History Society. This partnership shows our shared commitment to protecting biodiversity, conserving natural habitats, and promoting responsible environmental stewardship. Through this collaboration, Kakuzi supports broader conservation goals that protect ecosystems, promote sustainable agriculture, and strengthen the long-term resilience of Kenya’s natural resources.While acknowledging the conservation efforts at Kakuzi now sustaining a growing birdlife habitat, Princess Takamado noted that “Migratory birds do not recognise borders. They connect Asia to Africa, the Arctic to the tropics. The Nairobi Flyways Declaration acknowledges this reality: that it needs international cooperation and coordination to keep migratory birds safe.”She added, “I am excited and proud to see that the scientific community, conservation organisations, and the financial sector are uniting to make this happen. At last!! We stand at an important turning point. We have been waiting for this moment for a long time.” During her visit to Kakuzi, Princess Takamado, guided by Kakuzi Executive Head – Corporate Affairs Mr Simon Odhiambo, who is also a prominent local birder, enjoyed her day out driving through macadamia and avocado orchards while photographing various local bird species, including the Hinde’s babbler, Purple-crested turaco, Senegal Lapwing, Pygmy Kingfisher and the African Paradise Flycatcher, among others.According to the recently launched State of the World’s Birds report, 45% of migratory bird species are in decline. One in nine is threatened with extinction. The 2025 extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew, last recorded at a Moroccan lagoon in February 1995, marks the first global bird extinction in mainland Eurasia and Africa in recent centuries, with six other migratory species confirmed or suspected to have been lost in the last 150 years.Species dependent on marine habitats, forests, and coastal wetlands are faring particularly poorly, with seabirds and shorebirds among the most threatened.
Read briefing NAIROBI Kenya Sep 23 – The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), in a multi-agency operation conducted this morning, seized thousands of bottles of suspected second-generation liquor and uncustomary goods in Kapsabet Township, Nandi Central Sub-County.The operation, carried out alongside officers from Kapsabet Police Station, targeted premises suspected of dealing in counterfeit and illicit alcohol.The crackdown forms part of ongoing efforts to rid the county of illegal brews blamed for rising cases of alcohol abuse and related health complications.At Shazton Hotel store near Canaan Market, authorities seized 49 cartons of Kingdom Vodka, each containing 24 bottles of 200ml, alongside 10 cartons of John’s X5 Gin with 24 bottles of 200ml each.In a separate raid at Whispers Guest House and Restaurant, officers recovered 118 cartons of Kingdom Vodka, plus 47 additional pieces of the same brand packed in a sack.In total, the operation netted 4,008 bottles of Kingdom Vodka and 240 bottles of John’s X5 Gin.Two suspects, aged 27 and 28, were arrested at the two premises and are expected to be arraigned in court to face relevant charges, including violations under the Excise Act and dealings in uncustomed goods.The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has been roped in to pursue tax-related offenses.Speaking during the operation, NACADA Board Director Benjamin Kuttoh reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to dismantling illicit liquor networks.“The Authority continues to carry out intelligence-led, multi-agency operations against counterfeiters,” Kuttoh said.“I call on the public to keep volunteering information that will help rid society of criminal elements profiteering from this trade.”Authorities warned that the operation is far from over, noting that similar crackdowns will continue across Nandi County and beyond.Residents were urged to cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities, as the government tightens its grip on the multi-million-shilling illicit alcohol trade that continues to endanger lives, particularly among the youth.
Read briefing MARAGUA, Kenya Sep 23 – Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said the Kenya Kwanza administration is implementing its manifesto through individual projects, citing ongoing development programmes in Murang’a County as he urged residents to focus on development ahead of the 2027 General Election. Kindiki spoke on Wednesday, during a public engagement in Maragua, where he inspected the ongoing construction of the Gakoigo Stadium and addressed residents and local leaders.“We are implementing the Kenya Kwanza Manifesto, project by project and putting the naysayers to shame,” Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said.Kindiki said the government would continue implementing its development agenda despite criticism, arguing that development should remain a priority as political activity increases ahead of the 2027 General Election. He also announced plans to meet Murang’a leaders to discuss development priorities and the implementation of government commitments in the region.The remarks came as Kindiki inspected the Gakoigo Stadium project in Maragua Constituency. The facility is planned to accommodate 10,000 people and is being developed to meet international standards, with the project forming part of a wider government programme to expand sports infrastructure across the country.Government records show that Sh900 million has been set aside for construction of the stadium at Samar, with the facility expected to include a standard football pitch, an eight-lane athletics track, a VIP pavilion, modern terraces, changing rooms and spectator stands. The State Department for Sports has said construction is expected to take about nine months.The stadium was relocated from the original Gakoigo grounds to Samar after a technical assessment found the former site unsuitable for a 10,000-seater facility that would meet international standards. The assessment cited inadequate land size, ground orientation and an unfavourable gradient.The existing Gakoigo grounds are expected to be rehabilitated and retained as a training facility and venue for middle-tier competitions, according to the State Department for Sports.Kindiki described the wider expansion of sports infrastructure as a major government programme, saying it was the most expensive sports facility expansion programme in Kenya’s 63-year history.“The current sports facility expansion is the most expensive and costly in Kenya’s 63-year history,” Kindiki said.The Gakoigo facility is among a network of 32 stadium projects the government says it is developing across the country as part of efforts to expand sports infrastructure and create opportunities for young people to develop and earn from their talents.Kindiki also used the Maragua engagement to call for political unity in the Mt Kenya region, urging residents to separate political competition from development.“Let us work for the people, and politics will come later. Let us not allow politics to divide us. It is a small thing. Politics is like football; the ball is given to someone closer to the goal, and the whole team works together. We are in one group, and we will work together to win and support Ruto’s reelection bid,” Kindiki said.He further defended his approach to political engagements, saying he would concentrate on development rather than respond to criticism through personal attacks.“I know President William Ruto, and I shall pass the test on development. But if it is a contest of insults, we will fail because we do not know how to insult, nor do we want to,” Kindiki said.Kindiki said he had forgiven people who had criticised or insulted him and would not respond in the same manner, adding that he had been given a responsibility by elders to promote peace and unity in the Mt Kenya region.He said his planned meeting with Murang’a leaders would focus on development rather than political disagreements.“Tomorrow, I will be meeting Murang’a leaders. We will talk about development in the region and not politics. We have to make sure that the UDA campaign manifesto has been fulfilled and we are ready,” Kindiki said.He cited the proposed Bombo–Gwa Thamaki Road among the infrastructure projects requiring attention in the region, saying the road would cost billions of shillings and should be started and completed within one year.The Deputy President’s remarks come as political activity increases ahead of the 2027 General Election, with his recent engagements in Mt Kenya focusing on development, unity and the administration’s record.For Maragua residents, the Gakoigo Stadium is one of the projects currently under construction in the area. Once completed, the facility is expected to provide a larger sporting venue, while the existing Gakoigo grounds will continue serving the community after rehabilitation.Kindiki’s central message in Maragua was that the government’s development record should be viewed through the projects being implemented on the ground, as he urged residents and leaders to maintain unity while the administration continues pursuing its stated manifesto commitments.
Read briefing NAIROBI,Kenya Sep 23 – Rose Mbithe Mulwa and her two children, Angela Mulwa and Chris Mulwa, will on September 29 appear before the High Court in Nairobi to formally take plea in the murder case arising from the killing of psychiatrist Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso.Justice Alexander Muteti directed that the three be produced in court at noon after the court was informed that they had not participated in Wednesday’s proceedings through a virtual link.A prison officer told the court that Mbithe and Angela had declined to join the proceedings virtually from Lang’ata Women’s Prison, where they are being held. The judge subsequently directed that they be brought to court physically for plea-taking.The court was also informed that the files relating to the accused persons would be consolidated to enable all those facing charges arising from Dr Mutiso’s death to take plea together.The development clears the way for the murder proceedings to formally commence after the suspects were previously presented before the High Court but did not enter pleas.Mbithe, Angela and Chris were initially scheduled to take plea after the Director of Public Prosecutions approved murder charges following preliminary investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.However, the plea was delayed after Justice Kanyi Kimondo directed that the accused persons undergo mental assessments to establish whether they were fit to plead to the charges.A fourth suspect, Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi, was subsequently included in the murder case. The four were accused of jointly killing Dr Mutiso on July 29, 2026, at about 9.30am along Mawensi Road in Kilimani, Nairobi County, together with other persons who have not been brought before the court.The prosecution alleges that the accused persons face a charge of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.Dr Mutiso, a psychiatrist and former director of the African Institute of Mental and Brain Health, was fatally shot on July 29 while travelling in a taxi in Nairobi. Before her death, she had reportedly reported an earlier incident in which two armed men on a motorcycle allegedly confronted her near Junction Mall along Ngong Road.Investigators have also been looking into a long-running property dispute involving Dr Mutiso’s family and Mbithe, who was previously married to Dr Mutiso’s husband, Professor David Musyimi Ndetei.The alleged dispute has featured in the prosecution’s account of the circumstances surrounding the investigation, although the murder allegations against the accused remain to be proved in court.The three family members, together with Kimoi, are expected to answer to the charges when they appear before Justice Muteti on September 29.
Read briefing The paper, previewed at the 6th Biennial EducationEed at the 6th Biennial Education Evidence for Action (EE4A) and EDF-Kenya Conference at the University of Embu, calls for immediate adoption of proven interventions to strengthen foundational literacy and ensure children are not lo Urgent need for policy reforms to address global learning poverty.The paper, previewed at the 6th Biennial EducationEed at the 6th Biennial Education Evidence for Action (EE4A) and EDF-Kenya Conference at the University of Embu, calls for immediate adoption of proven interventions to strengthen foundational literacy and ensure children are not lo
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 22 – The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), in collaboration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and the Department of Public Health, has issued closure notices to two rehabilitation facilities in Murang’a County following a multi-agency compliance inspection that uncovered serious regulatory and human rights violations.The inspections, conducted at Listening Heart Wellness Centre in Gatanga Sub County and SMECC Rehab in Murang’a County, revealed alarming conditions that endangered the safety and dignity of clients seeking treatment for substance use disorders.At Listening Heart Wellness Centre, the facility was found operating without a KMPDC license or any other regulatory approval.It was also undertaking construction works while clients remained on the premises, lacked professional personnel, and maintained poor hygiene conditions, including a cook working without a food handler’s medical certificate.Three clients were present, and the director was granted a three-day grace period to organize their transfer to other rehabilitation facilities.At SMECC Rehab, the team found that none of the previous inspection recommendations had been implemented.The facility was operating without a KMPDC license, had very poor hygiene and sanitary conditions, and was overcrowded, with some clients sleeping on the floor.Two underage boys, aged 16 and 17, were admitted at the facility, prompting NACADA to escalate the matter to the Children’s Office.Most disturbingly, inspectors found a cell in an open veranda where clients with discipline issues were locked up, made to sleep on the floor, and forced to urinate in a bucket for a month.Clients also alleged assault by staff and claimed they had been abducted and handcuffed from their homes before being brought to the facility.KMPDC issued a closure notice to SMECC Rehab, and both facilities were given three days to arrange for the transfer or discharge of their clients.NACADA will conduct a follow-up visit to confirm compliance with the closure orders.Speaking on the development, NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Omerikwa emphasized the critical importance of rehabilitation centres operating to acceptable standards.“As the Authority rolls out a comprehensive community-based rehabilitation program to support persons in substance use recovery, it is paramount that rehabilitation centres play their rightful role of being centres of wellness and recovery as a way of supporting the government’s efforts,” Dr. Omerikwa stated.“Facilities that operate outside the law, endanger clients, or subject them to inhumane treatment have no place in our rehabilitation ecosystem.”The closure of these two facilities underscores NACADA’s commitment to ensuring that rehabilitation services in Kenya are safe, professional, and dignified, and that vulnerable persons seeking treatment are protected from exploitation and abuse.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 22 — President William Ruto has announced that Kenya will lead the first national implementation of Masterkey, a digital platform designed to make African skills, qualifications and work experience portable across borders.Ruto made the announcement at the Accra Reset’s high-level convening on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where African leaders and global partners discussed proposals aimed at giving developing countries greater control over their development priorities.Masterkey is designed as a publicly governed digital skills and work wallet through which people can hold and securely share verified records of their qualifications and employment experience with employers, recruitment services and other authorised recipients.“Masterkey will provide trusted digital infrastructure which people can securely share verified records of skills, qualifications and work experience across institutions, employers and borders,” Ruto said.“Citizens will retain control over what they share while participating countries retain sovereignty over their institutions and data.”Kenya’s planned implementation will make Masterkey accessible through eCitizen, with core access and sharing intended to be free to citizens.A staged pilot will seek to connect existing training and employment channels before wider rollout.“Africa must be a builder of the technologies defining this century and a contributor to the rules that govern them,” Ruto said.He said the initiative would help organise African capabilities at scale and expand opportunities for workers across borders.“The principle is simple: talent should be portable, skills should be trusted and opportunities should cross borders. We will demonstrate this in practice with our African partners,” he said.The initiative is being developed under the Accra Reset and Global Reset Dialogues, with a focus on connecting domestic employment, remote work and lawful international mobility.Masterkey is not intended to award jobs, visas or professional recognition. Instead, it would enable participating institutions and employers to issue verifiable records that workers can choose to share, allowing recipients to check the issuer and the status of the record.A qualification earned in Kenya, an overseas client reference or work experience acquired abroad could therefore form part of an accumulating career record rather than remain tied to a single recruitment platform or institution.The initiative builds on earlier Ghana-Spain corridor design work and seeks reciprocal arrangements intended to benefit workers, employers and countries of origin.Ruto’s announcement came as Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama pressed for the Accra Reset to move from policy proposals to implementation.Mahama launched the initiative after convening a health sovereignty summit in Accra in August 2025.At the New York gathering, he called for action on recommendations contained in a new report on reforming the global health architecture.“We are now moving from design to execution. Too often, visionary ideas are born with great fanfare, only to die quietly in New York’s diplomatic corridors. We will not let that happen to the Accra Reset,” Mahama said.The High-Level Panel’s report, A Sovereign Future for Health, contains 10 recommendations covering health planning and financing, regional institutions, manufacturing, procurement, humanitarian continuity and independent accountability.Mahama said the wider agenda was driven by what he described as three interconnected challenges facing the Global South: geopolitical vulnerability, geostrategic marginalisation and donor dependence.He argued that greater national control must be matched by accountability, saying countries cannot claim ownership of development programmes without meaningful control over the decisions and resources that shape them.The Accra Reset has since expanded beyond health to areas including human capital, migration, trade and international economic cooperation.Its Global Reset Dialogues are intended to provide a platform for governments from the Global South and Global North to negotiate cooperation around shared interests, including migration, trade and other economic priorities.Masterkey was one of several initiatives unveiled or advanced during the New York gathering.The programme also featured Mother Africa, a maternal and child health initiative championed by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, with Tanzania’s Vice President representing her at the event.Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was also scheduled to contribute to the initiative.Mother Africa calls for stronger skilled care, reliable supplies of essential medicines, accountable financing, improved maternal and perinatal death data, and better water, sanitation and electricity in health facilities.Another initiative, the Sankoree Institute of Global Negotiators (SIGN), seeks to strengthen African governments’ capacity to negotiate complex international economic and development agreements.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 22 – UDA has hit back at retired President Uhuru Kenyatta after he said he still believes the late Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election.In a statement on Tuesday, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar accused Uhuru of failing to accept the election outcome and warned that he would face another political defeat in 2027.The UDA official insisted that President William Ruto won the 2022 election, adding that the former president had failed to move on from the loss.“President William Ruto won the 2022 election decisively and conclusively,” Omar said.Uhuru had earlier maintained that Raila won the 2022 election and questioned the circumstances surrounding the final outcome. Ruto was declared the winner and was sworn in on September 13, 2022.Omar also accused Uhuru of trying to influence the 2022 election outcome, citing what he described as events surrounding the vote tallying at Bomas of Kenya.The UDA secretary general further claimed that Ruto’s political rise was instrumental to Uhuru winning the 2013 and 2017 elections.He warned that the political battle between the two leaders could continue into the 2027 election, saying Ruto would seek another term in office.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 22 – Kenya’s youthful population, economic transformation and Africa’s growing role in the global economy have taken centre stage at the Unstoppable Africa forum in New York.The high-level gathering, organised by the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) under the United Nations Global Compact, is being held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.The forum has brought together Heads of State, business leaders, investors, policymakers, UN officials, entrepreneurs and other influential players to discuss Africa’s economic future.Among the Kenyan participants is legal and policy expert Silas Jakakimba, who has taken part in GABI discussions for the past four years.This year’s forum is being held under the theme, “Powering Business to Scale Economies and Shape the Future,” with discussions focusing on how investment and business can accelerate economic growth across Africa.Jakakimba has used the platform to highlight the potential of Africa’s youthful population, natural resources and expanding markets, while emphasising the need to connect these assets with investment, technology, entrepreneurship and value creation.“Africa must harness its youthful population, abundant natural resources and rapidly expanding markets to become a global powerhouse for innovation, sustainability and inclusive growth,” he said.The discussions come as African countries seek to move beyond their traditional role as exporters of raw materials and position themselves as destinations for investment, manufacturing, innovation and value addition.For Kenya, the youth question remains central to this transformation, given the country’s large young population and the growing demand for jobs, skills, entrepreneurship and access to technology.Jakakimba said Africa needs to create an environment where young people can become creators of businesses, technologies and solutions rather than remaining consumers or exporters of talent.The forum is also examining the role of stronger partnerships between governments and the private sector in unlocking investment and expanding economic opportunities.A key theme is Africa’s need to retain more value from its natural resources by investing in processing, manufacturing and industries capable of competing in global markets.The discussions have implications for Kenya across sectors including mining, agriculture, the Blue Economy, manufacturing, technology, financial services, infrastructure and the creative economy.With Africa attracting growing global attention because of its markets, resources, demographics and innovation potential, the New York forum provides an opportunity for African leaders and businesses to engage international investors on the continent’s economic direction.Jakakimba’s participation places a Kenyan perspective within the broader discussions on youth, investment, policy and inclusive economic growth.As world leaders gather in New York for UNGA, the discussions underscore the growing emphasis on how Africa can translate its people, resources and ideas into sustainable economic value.The forum also provides an opportunity for African stakeholders to explore partnerships that can support job creation, entrepreneurship, technology adoption and industrial development across the continent.Jakakimba is a Kenyan legal and policy expert specialising in advisory work across the corporate and public sectors.
Read briefing NAIROBI,Kenya Sep 21 – Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya have suffered a setback in their efforts to establish Ukombozi People’s Party as the political vehicle for the Linda Mwananchi movement ahead of the 2027 General Election.The Registrar of Political Parties has rejected a proposal by the United Democratic Party (UDP) to change its name to Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP), saying the proposed name is too similar to another political outfit whose name had already been reserved.In a letter dated September 8, Registrar of Political Parties John Lorionokou told lawyers representing UDP that the office had “not approved or authorised” the use of the name Ukombozi People’s Party by the party.“This Office has not approved or authorized the use of the name ‘Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP)’ by the United Democratic Party (UDP),”the registrar of political parties stated.The Registrar cited Section 8(c) of the Political Parties Act, which allows the office to reject a party name, abbreviation, slogan or symbol that closely resembles that of another registered political party or legal entity.The office said the name Ukombozi People’s Party resembles The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA), whose name had been reserved by another applicant on July 20, 2026.“The name resembles ‘The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA)’ reserved by a different applicant on 20th July, 2026,”Lorionokou noted.The decision complicates plans by Sifuna and his allies, who have in recent weeks been preparing to unveil Ukombozi as the party through which the Nairobi senator could pursue his presidential ambitions.Natembeya has been among the most vocal supporters of Ukombozi as the political vehicle for Sifuna, even as divisions emerged within Linda Mwananchi over the party to be used in the 2027 elections.Recent reports indicate that Sifuna’s allies were planning to unveil the party in early October, with October 3 cited as a possible launch date.Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi confirmed that plans were under way but declined to disclose the party’s officials or launch venue.The ORPP decision now puts that plan under a cloud and raises questions over whether the group will have to identify another registered party or await the outcome of the dispute surrounding the competing Ukombozi and Linda political identities.The development comes against the backdrop of a growing disagreement within Linda Mwananchi over its political vehicle.Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has insisted that his political vehicle should be considered for the movement’s 2027 activities, while Natembeya has pushed Ukombozi as the platform for Sifuna’s presidential bid.Babu has since proposed a possible coalition between his party and Ukombozi, while maintaining that he continues to support Sifuna’s presidential ambitions.The party dispute has exposed competing political interests within Linda Mwananchi, with reports that differences among its leading figures had spilled into the open. The disagreement has centred largely on whether Sifuna should use Babu’s party or Ukombozi.Sifuna’s political situation has also been complicated by developments within ODM. The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal last week upheld his removal as the party’s Secretary-General, dismissing his latest challenge to his ouster.At the same time, another case concerning the proposed Linda political identity is awaiting determination. The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal is expected to rule on September 30 on a dispute over rival attempts to register parties using the Linda name.The latest ORPP decision therefore leaves the Linda Mwananchi camp facing two immediate political-legal questions,whether it can secure a viable party vehicle for Sifuna’s presidential ambitions and whether its preferred political identity will survive the ongoing disputes before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal.
Read briefing NEW YORK, US Sep 21 – President William Ruto has met Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote in New York to discuss financing and final preparations for the proposed East Africa Refinery in Lamu.The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, also brought together Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) President and CEO Samaila Zubairu as Kenya seeks to advance the multibillion-shilling project.The proposed refinery, estimated at Sh2.2 trillion, is planned for Lamu and is expected to serve markets across East and Central Africa.The discussions focused on financing arrangements and preparations ahead of the planned groundbreaking ceremony on September 30, 2026.The meeting forms part of Ruto’s economic engagements in New York, where he is seeking investment partnerships in energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, health and technology.State House had indicated that the President would co-chair investment roundtables hosted by AFC and the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), alongside Dangote, with the Lamu refinery among the major projects on the agenda.Dangote Industries selected Lamu as the location for its proposed East African refinery in July, ending speculation that the facility could be built in Tanzania or elsewhere in the region.The refinery is planned to have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, which would make it the largest refinery in East Africa if completed as planned.The New York discussions come as financing remains one of the critical issues surrounding the project.Reuters reported earlier this month that Dangote is seeking financing for major energy investments, while the Lamu refinery is expected to require about $15 billion to $16 billion in investment. Potential financing arrangements could include Dangote’s internal funds, bonds, an initial public offering and equity participation from East African countries.The project is also expected to rely on crude supplies from the wider region, although questions remain over the availability and transportation of crude oil to Lamu. Potential sources include Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan, among others.Ruto has previously said the refinery will serve Kenya and other countries in the region, including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.The President has also said the project could create about 60,000 jobs for young people, while positioning Kenya as a regional energy hub.The refinery is expected to strengthen the strategic importance of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor, with the facility planned as a major anchor investment around Lamu Port.Construction is expected to take about 30 months once work begins, according to a senior Dangote Industries official.The New York meeting therefore comes days before the scheduled groundbreaking as Kenya, Dangote Industries and potential financiers work to move the project into its implementation phase.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 21 – The High Court has issued interim orders allowing Jubilee Party Secretary General Moitalel Ole Kenta to remain in office pending the hearing and determination of a case challenging his position.Justice Janet Mulwa, sitting at the Milimani High Court, issued the orders on Monday after certifying as urgent a Notice of Motion filed by the Jubilee Party of Kenya and Kenta against the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties and Ngunjiri Wambugu.The court granted prayer three of the application on an interim basis, pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the motion.The order effectively allows Kenta to remain in the Secretary General position as the court considers the substantive dispute.The parties have been directed to comply with a series of timelines ahead of the next court appearance.The respondents have been given seven days after service to file their responses, if any, and exchange them with the applicants.The applicants will also have seven days to file any further affidavits together with their submissions and serve the respondents.The respondents have similarly been directed to file and exchange their submissions within seven days of service.The parties will return to the High Court on October 15, for compliance and/or highlighting of their respective submissions.The case follows a decision by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal earlier this month that nullified Kenta’s appointment as Jubilee Secretary General.The tribunal found that Kenta was not a registered Jubilee Party member when he was nominated and appointed to the position and declared the appointment and subsequent recognition unlawful and void.The dispute was filed by former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, who challenged changes made to Jubilee Party leadership and their recognition by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.Monday’s High Court order now provides for Kenta’s continued stay in office pending the determination of the application.The matter will next be mentioned on October 15 for compliance and/or highlighting of submissions.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 21 – Police on Monday dispersed activists who staged a demonstration in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) demanding the release of detained Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye.Several protesters were arrested as officers moved to break up the demonstration, with images showing police detaining activists in the city centre.Among those arrested were activists Julius Kamau and Collins Otieno, according to reports from the demonstration.The protesters were demanding answers from the government over Besigye’s disappearance from Nairobi in November 2024 and his subsequent transfer to Uganda.They also called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his movement from Kenya to Uganda, including whether Kenyan security officers were involved.The activists had planned to march to the President’s Office along Harambee Avenue to present their concerns to the government.The protest came days after activists announced plans to take to the streets over what they described as the unexplained transfer of Besigye from Kenyan soil.Besigye, a veteran Ugandan opposition politician and four-time presidential candidate, was reported to have disappeared in Nairobi in November 2024 before resurfacing in Uganda several days later.He was initially arraigned before a military court and later faced proceedings before a civilian court, where he and co-accused persons face treason-related charges.The circumstances surrounding his transfer from Kenya have remained a subject of controversy, with activists demanding an independent inquiry.The case has also featured allegations during proceedings in Uganda concerning events in Nairobi. A prosecution witness alleged that Kenyan police had prepared an apartment and planted firearms and suspected fake currency as part of an intelligence operation. The allegations are part of testimony in the case and have not been established as court findings.The protesters said their demands extend beyond Besigye’s case, arguing that the circumstances surrounding his transfer raise broader questions about the protection of individuals and respect for legal processes within the East African Community.The demonstrations come amid heightened scrutiny of police handling of protests in Nairobi. Last week, the High Court found Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja in contempt over the erection of roadblocks during June 25 commemorations after police failed to issue a required public advisory. Kanja was ordered to appear in court on September 22 for mitigation and sentencing.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 21 — Former Chief Justice and 2027 presidential hopeful David Maraga says Kenyans living in the United States have called for the scrapping of a national tallying centre ahead of the 2027 General Election.Maraga said the concerns emerged during two town hall meetings he held with Kenyans in the diaspora in Baltimore, Maryland, and Jersey City, New Jersey, on September 19 and 20.According to Maraga, participants raised concerns over healthcare, education, corruption and governance, while also highlighting the financial burden of supporting families in Kenya through remittances.“They were unanimous in saying ‘No’ to a national tallying centre,” Maraga said in a statement posted on Monday.The former Chief Justice said young Kenyans at the meetings also raised concerns about foreign influence in Kenya, including what they described as manipulation behind legislation such as the Cyber Crimes Bill.He said the participants also expressed concern over foreign land deals across Africa.Maraga said he briefed the diaspora communities on the People’s Coalition on Electoral Reforms, which he co-leads, and its five proposed mandatory reforms ahead of the 2027 polls.The proposals include the removal of a national tallying centre, an audit and strengthening of the integrity of the voters’ register, tougher penalties for electoral offences, election technology that is pre-tested and independently scrutinised, and stronger integrity safeguards for IEBC personnel and administrative processes.The coalition has previously called for the abolition of the national presidential tallying centre at Bomas of Kenya, arguing that presidential results declared at polling stations and constituency level should not be retallied or altered at a central venue.The coalition’s demands have, however, drawn criticism from government officials, with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale defending the national tallying process and questioning how results from thousands of polling stations would be aggregated without a national process.Maraga said his manifesto would prioritise education, healthcare, agriculture and youth unemployment.He told the diaspora audience that his experience as Chief Justice demonstrated his willingness to make decisive decisions and said he would make the fight against corruption a central priority of his administration.The former Chief Justice has previously identified corruption as a key issue in his 2027 agenda and pledged to implement existing anti-corruption laws while digitising government procurement and other government processes.On foreign policy, Maraga said his proposed administration would adopt what he described as an “Africaward looking” approach.He said Kenya would seek to move beyond approaches focused primarily on East, West or Gulf relations and instead pursue a broader pan-African strategy on economic and security matters.According to Maraga, the approach would seek to strengthen African countries’ collective negotiating position on the global stage.The engagements in the United States come as Maraga continues to campaign for electoral reforms ahead of the August 2027 General Election. He has recently held discussions with US lawmakers, civil society organisations and think tanks on the People’s Coalition’s electoral reform agenda.
Read briefing NAIROBI,Kenya Sep 20 – From the traditional shrines of Meru to Nembure in Embu and, finally, Kirigiti in Kiambu, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is attempting to change the way Mt Kenya speaks politically with elders at the centre of the operation. For several weeks, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku carried an axe around Mt Kenya that he wielded it as a political metaphor, threatening to split the Mountain into East and West if leaders from the western counties refused to recognise Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as the region’s political spokesman and support President William Ruto. On Saturday, the axe was finally surrendered.At Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu, elders from Mt Kenya East and West took the weapon from Ruku and handed him a flywhisk, directing him to preach reconciliation and unity instead. The axe had been used to dramatise the most contentious question to emerge in Mt Kenya politics ahead of the 2027 General Election,whether the region should remain a single political bloc or whether Mt Kenya East should chart a separate course from the West. Its return marked the latest turn in a campaign that has steadily shifted from splitting the Mountain to deciding who has the authority to speak for it. The elders meeting at Kirigiti endorsed the Deputy President as spokesman and representative of the wider Mt Kenya region, pledging to advance its interests an...
Read briefing KISII, Kenya Sep 20 – Kisii County will host Kenya’s national observance of World Cleanup Day, with more than 15,000 people expected to participate in the event, Governor Simba Arati has said.Arati said Kisii had been selected to champion this year’s theme, “From Clean Plates to Clean Cities,” which focuses on reducing food waste as part of efforts to build cleaner and more sustainable urban centres.Speaking at the Kisii Agricultural Training Centre ahead of the celebrations, the governor said more than 12 governors, Members of Parliament, non-governmental organisations, development partners and representatives from UN-Habitat are expected to attend the national event in Kisii Town.“We are honoured as Kisii County to host World Cleanup Day. This is a global event, and for UN-Habitat to consider Kisii shows the transformation we have made as a county in solid waste management,” Arati said.The governor cited the transformation of the Nyambera dumpsite into a recreational park as one of the county’s key achievements in waste management.“When we came in, Nyambera was a notorious dumpsite that posed health risks to residents. We have transformed it into a park, a clean and green public space. That is the essence of moving from waste to value, from a dirty city to a clean city,” he said.Arati said the county had also rolled out household waste sorting, market clean-ups and community composting initiatives as part of efforts to reduce waste and promote environmental conservation.He said the 2026 World Cleanup Day theme highlights the link between food waste and urban cleanliness.“Every year, 1.05 billion tonnes of food is wasted globally, contributing to 8-10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. We are telling our people that a clean city starts from a clean plate at home — avoid food waste, sort waste, compost and keep your environment clean,” Arati said.UN-Habitat is expected to support the global campaign through advocacy toolkits and showcase Kisii’s waste management initiatives during the worldwide observance.The governor urged residents across Kisii County to participate in clean-up activities organised in all sub-counties.“This is not just a county event, it is a global event being watched worldwide. Let us all come out and make Kisii shine as the cleanest town in Kenya,” Arati said.World Cleanup Day is observed globally on September 20, with Shaoxing, China, serving as the global host city this year, while Kisii will host Kenya’s national observance.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 20 – Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has accused Deputy President Kithure Kindiki of failing to tackle the spread of illicit brews in the Mt Kenya region, while defending former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s record on the issue.Kuria said Gachagua was more serious about fighting illicit alcohol during his time in government, arguing that the current holder of the Deputy President’s office had not done enough.“I disagree heavily with the political decision making of Rigathi Gachagua. He suffers from poor judgement. He has a history of making bad choices for the community,” Kuria said in a post on X.“Rigathi Gachagua was serious about fighting illicit brews in Mt Kenya region. The current holder of that office is not,” Kuria said.Kuria was reacting to a video of a woman appealing to the community to take action against excessive drinking and illicit alcohol.In the video, the woman speaks on top of grave of someone about how alcohol affected her son before he recovered through faith and perseverance. She warns that alcohol is destroying families and putting the future of young people at risk.Kuria said the situation would have been different if stronger action had been taken against illicit brews.Kuria’s criticism comes as the government continues a nationwide crackdown on illegal alcohol.In September, the government said 18,650 liquor outlets had been closed, including 12,150 operating without licences and 6,500 licensed premises found to have breached the Alcohol Control Act. Fourteen illegal distilleries were also shut down.The government has also reported thousands of raids and the seizure of hundreds of thousands of litres of illegal brews and counterfeit alcohol.The fight against illicit alcohol has remained a major issue in Mt Kenya, with leaders repeatedly raising concerns about its impact on young people and families.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 20 – The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has warned that careless waste disposal could damage the environment for future generations as the world marks World Cleanup Day.KWS said everyday choices, including how people dispose of rubbish at home, workplaces and public spaces, play a major role in keeping communities and natural ecosystems clean.“When we waste, we destroy the future of tomorrow’s,” KWS said in a message marking the day, adding: “Usafi ni nusu ya imani.”The wildlife agency urged Kenyans to take greater responsibility for the waste they generate, warning that litter and plastics can pollute habitats, block waterways and eventually make their way into the oceans.“This World Cleanup Day is a reminder that cleaner spaces begin with everyday choices,” KWS said.“Whether at home, at work or in public spaces, disposing of waste properly and avoiding litter helps keep our communities clean, healthy and safe.”The agency said the responsibility for a cleaner environment cannot be left to authorities alone.“From our communities to our parks and wild spaces, responsible waste disposal starts with all of us,” KWS said.World Cleanup Day is marked globally on September 20 every year after the United Nations General Assembly formally designated the date as World Cleanup Day in December 2023.The day provides an opportunity for governments, communities, schools, businesses, civil society groups and individuals to take action against waste and raise awareness about cleaner and more sustainable communities.The 2026 global observance places particular focus on food waste, under the theme “From Clean Plates to Clean Cities.” The campaign links the food people waste with the wider challenge of keeping cities clean and managing resources responsibly.According to the United Nations, about 1.05 billion metric tonnes of food were wasted globally in 2022, representing about 19 per cent of the food available to consumers.The UN says food waste also puts pressure on waste-management systems, wastes land and water resources and contributes to climate change.In Kenya, waste management remains a challenge in many urban and rural communities, with plastic waste, littering and poor disposal practices posing risks to the environment.Poorly disposed waste can end up in drainage systems and waterways, while plastics can remain in the environment for long periods and threaten wildlife and natural habitats.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 20 – Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has placed the fight against doping at the centre of the Mashujaa Day sporting tournament, warning that Kenya must protect young athletes from people who may try to exploit them.Murkomen said the competition, which will bring together teams from Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet, will be used not only to identify new sporting talent but also to promote what he described as “clean sports”.Speaking during the Mashujaa Day Sporting Activities Preparation Meeting and Media Launch in Eldoret, Murkomen said anti-doping would be among the key issues to be discussed during the tournament.“We are talking about issues to do with clean sports, which is doping and anti-doping,” Murkomen said.His remarks come as Kenya continues to strengthen its anti-doping programme. The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) says its work includes education, testing and investigations aimed at protecting clean athletes and promoting fair play.Murkomen said the government was working to deal with people he described as “cartels and criminals” running pharmacies and other facilities that could expose athletes to prohibited substances.“The government, the sports environment is working very hard to deal with the cartels and the criminals who are running pharmacies or running facilities that they want to misuse our children,” he said.The CS also said anti-doping would be given special attention during the tournament, with the Sports Ministry expected to organise a conference on issues affecting the country’s sporting sector.“I’m hoping that in the middle of this competition, Sports Ministry will put together a conference to discuss various subjects on the sports arena, including this issue of anti-doping,” Murkomen said.The tournament will also have strict eligibility rules aimed at giving upcoming players an opportunity to showcase their talent.Murkomen said players already registered in Division Two leagues and above will not be allowed to participate.“If a player is already registered as a player within Division Two and up, we will not allow them to play,” he said.He said the decision was intended to give unknown players a chance to attract the attention of professional clubs.“This is an opportunity for us to seek and market new talent for people who have not been seen,” Murkomen said.He added that teams and clubs would be encouraged to attend the matches and identify promising players.The tournament will follow a registration system beginning at village level, with organisers expected to ensure that players do not change teams along the way.The competition is also expected to attract intense interest because of the money at stake.Murkomen said the eventual winner could take home a cumulative Sh1.75 million after progressing through the different stages of the competition.At the ward level, the winner will receive Sh50,000, while the second, third and fourth-placed teams will receive Sh25,000, Sh15,000 and Sh10,000 respectively.At sub-county level, the winner will receive Sh200,000, followed by Sh150,000 for the runner-up, Sh100,000 for third place and Sh50,000 for fourth.At county level, the winner will receive Sh500,000, with Sh250,000 going to the runner-up, Sh150,000 to third place and Sh100,000 to fourth.The final in Eldoret will offer Sh1 million to the winner, Sh750,000 to the runner-up and Sh500,000 to the third-placed team.Murkomen said a player or team that wins through all the stages could therefore accumulate Sh1.75 million.“Do you know now how the stakes are high? If 22 people or about 30 people know that in less than a month they will go home with 1.75 million shillings?” he asked.“That is why the organization of this thing is very important. Fairness, referee must be fair,” Murkomen said.Murkomen also said the government would rely on existing public officers and county structures to reduce the cost of organising the tournament.County sports officials, ward administrators and other county employees will help coordinate the competition as part of their normal duties.National Government Administration Officers, from county commissioners to chiefs and village elders, will also support the tournament without being hired separately for the event.Murkomen said county health departments would similarly provide medical officers and ambulances at sporting venues.“The only people we are going to pay is referees and village organizers… which is part of pesa mfukoni to mwananchi,” he said.The Mashujaa Day sporting activities are part of wider preparations for the national celebrations, with Uasin Gishu expected to host the main celebrations in Eldoret on October 20, 2026.Murkomen said the sporting programme would also focus on security, sports infrastructure, talent development, clean sport and gender-based violence.
Read briefing SIAYA, Kenya, Sep 19 — Principal Secretary for Interior and National Administration Raymond Omollo has called for greater investment in education, saying improved learning conditions are critical to giving children from rural communities opportunities to compete with their counterparts in urban areas.Omollo spoke on Saturday during a funds drive for Gagra Secondary School in Rarieda Constituency, Siaya County, hosted by Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Collins Oyuu.The PS said education remains a key tool for transforming the lives of young people and driving development in communities.He called on leaders, parents and residents to support schools by improving infrastructure and creating conducive learning environments.“We have every responsibility as a people of this constituency, as a people of Siaya, and as Kenyans, to support anything that will help improve the learning conditions of our students,” Omollo said.He said investment in education could help bridge the gap between children raised in rural areas and those growing up in major towns, giving them opportunities to pursue higher education and compete globally.“Education is what will make a child from this village to be the same as a child who has been born and brought up in the city of Nairobi,” he said.Omollo pointed to government efforts in the education sector, including the recruitment of teachers and development of school infrastructure, but said more needed to be done to improve learning conditions.He urged communities and other stakeholders to complement government efforts by supporting schools whenever opportunities arise.Omollo also challenged residents of Rarieda to reclaim the region’s reputation for producing scholars and professionals, saying education could help restore its fortunes.“You have an opportunity under the leadership of President William Ruto to rewrite that history,” he said.The PS further urged parents and guardians to ensure their children remain in school and take advantage of available educational opportunities.“I want to appeal to parents and guardians. Let’s not keep our children at home when others are in school,” Omollo said.He said development of schools should not be left solely to the government, calling for greater community participation in improving infrastructure and supporting learners.Oyuu, who has served as KNUT Secretary General since 2021, was re-elected for a second term in April 2026.
Read briefing KAMPALA, Uganda, Sep 19 — The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has announced the immediate suspension of all defence and military cooperation with Türkiye.In a statement issued on Saturday, September 19, 2026, the UPDF said the suspension would remain in force until outstanding issues concerning mutual defence and military cooperation between Uganda and Türkiye are resolved.“UPDF has with immediate effect suspended all and any Defence and Military cooperation with the Republic of Türkiye,” the statement said.The military did not provide details of the outstanding issues prompting the suspension.It said the measure would remain in place pending resolution of the issues affecting defence and military cooperation between the two countries.The statement was signed by Colonel Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information at Uganda’s Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF.The announcement was also reposted by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on X.The UPDF did not indicate how long the suspension would last, saying only that cooperation would resume once the outstanding issues are resolved.The decision marks a suspension of the existing defence and military cooperation framework between Uganda and Türkiye, although the statement did not specify which areas of cooperation are affected.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 19 – Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned politicians against using young people to cause violence, saying the government will come after those who threaten Kenya’s peace ahead of the 2027 General Election.Speaking in Kieni, Nyeri on Saturday Murkomen directed security officials to ensure politicians are not given room to mobilise youth for violence.“Do not allow politicians to be given space to use our youth to incite violence. We will not allow that,” Murkomen said.“It does not matter, and it is not a matter of votes or anything; we will come for you and we will come for you hard. We will definitely deal with you.”Murkomen said his responsibility goes beyond the election and includes ensuring that Kenyans remain safe before, during and after the polls.“My responsibility is to ensure that Kenya remains safe. Even after the elections end next year, besides those who will be elected, as the Minister for Security, I must ensure that next year’s election will be free and safe,” he said.The warning comes just days after Murkomen told the Senate that 1,189 people had been sentenced for offences linked to political violence and goonism since 2022.He also disclosed that 121,870 youths had been incarcerated in correctional facilities between 2022 and 2026, with 11,824 serving sentences for offences related to criminal gangs, violent extremism and political goonism.Murkomen said the government would not allow political competition to turn into violence.He said the security agencies were preparing to keep the country safe as the 2027 elections approach.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 19 – National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has taken aim at the emerging “sponyo” politics, saying politicians should be supported with ideas that improve the lives of ordinary Kenyans rather than money to fight political battles.Ichung’wah made the remarks on Saturday during the launch of the Kieni West Onion Farmers Cooperative, a day after former President Uhuru Kenyatta caused laughter at a funeral in Murang’a by accepting the label “sponyo”.“Sisi sio ma-Sponyo. Na kama tungekuwa ma-Sponyo, tutakuwa Sponyo wa mkulima wa Mkenya na mwananchi wa kawaida,” Ichung’wah said.Ichung’wah’s remarks came a day after Uhuru appeared to embrace the “sponyo” label during a funeral in Kiharu, Murang’a County.The nickname is derived from “sponsor” and has been used by President William Ruto and his allies in reference to allegations that Uhuru is backing or financing opposition political activities.Ruto has repeatedly accused his predecessor of supporting political opponents and efforts aimed at challenging his administration ahead of 2027.Ichung’wah said those with resources and influence should use them to support ordinary Kenyans, particularly farmers.He challenged politicians to focus on issues that directly affect voters instead of relying on political sponsorship.“We should continue being sponsors of farmers. They get seeds, they get fertiliser, they get markets,” he said.He said politicians who had an opportunity to improve the lives of Kenyans should explain their policies instead of simply attacking the government.“If you are a sponsor of politicians, and you had an opportunity to improve the lives of ordinary Kenyans… you had an opportunity to improve education for Kenyans, but you left it to deteriorate,” Ichung’wah said.He also accused the previous administration of failing to deliver on some of the programmes it promised, including Universal Health Coverage and the Big Four Agenda.Ichung’wah used the meeting to cite what he described as progress under President Ruto’s administration.He pointed to the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA), claiming that the new system has enrolled about 32 million Kenyans compared with about eight million under NHIF.“SHA iko na watu milioni 32 million Kenyans are today enlisted under SHA,” he said.Ichung’wah also cited the Affordable Housing Programme, saying the government had expanded the programme beyond the initial projects started under the previous administration.He said affordable housing is now being developed in Nyeri County and in more than 280 constituencies across the country.Ichung’wah urged political opponents to allow the current administration time to implement its programmes.“You do not need to support anybody, but please give those who have the temerity to do what matters to the people of Kenya time to do,” he said.He accused unnamed politicians of using money and influence to push political agendas rather than giving voters clear policies.“At least give them policies to sell to wananchi on issues that affect them,” he said.Ichung’wah said the focus should instead be on improving the lives of farmers by ensuring access to seeds, fertiliser and reliable markets.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 19 – Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has returned the axe to Mt Kenya Region elders, abandoning the push to divide the mountain and taking up a new mandate to champion reconciliation and unity.During a traditional ceremony with elders, Ruku handed back the axe, a symbolic gesture marking the end of calls to split the Mt Kenya region.The elders subsequently handed Ruku a flywhisk and tasked him with taking the message of reconciliation and unity to the people of the region and the country at large.The symbolic exchange marked a shift from division to reconciliation, with the elders directing Ruku to use his leadership position to promote cohesion and bring together communities within Mt Kenya.Ruku was also tasked with extending the message beyond the region by preaching national unity and encouraging Kenyans to embrace reconciliation.The elders’ decision to take back the axe and hand Ruku the flywhisk was presented as a symbolic end to the clamour for dividing the mountain.The ceremony placed emphasis on unity within the Mt Kenya region while calling for a broader national reconciliation agenda.Ruku’s new role, as assigned by the elders, will involve championing unity and reconciliation as part of efforts to address divisions within the region and across the country.
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