Former President Uhuru Kenyatta openly questioned the legitimacy of President William Ruto’s victory in the 2022 General Election, asserting that the late Raila Odinga won the presidential race. Speaking during a Jubilee Party National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Nairobi, Kenyatta revealed that he still harbors deep doubts about the official election results that brought his former deputy to power. “Tulifanya kila kitu kumsaidia Baba awe Rais wa Jamhuri yetu ya Kenya. Na kura akapata, na mimi mpaka wa leo najua ya kwamba yeye ndiye alishinda hiyo kura. Tunajua vile mambo ilienda, na hatutaki iende hivyo tena,” Kenyatta said. (Translation: “We did everything to help Baba become the president of our Republic of Kenya. And he got the votes, and up to today, I know that he is the one who won that election. We know how things went, and we do not want it to go that way again.”) The former Head of State pointed to the parliamentary and county numbers achieved by the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Party as a reason to question the final presidential outcome. “How can you say you won yet we have most Members of Parliament, Senators, and Governors? How could you say we lost? We know how things went down,” he said. Official results from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) recorded William Ruto’s win with 7,176,141 votes (50.49%), while Raila Odinga gat...
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Read briefing Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya have hit a regulatory setback after the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) rejected their proposal to rename the United Democratic Party (UDP). The leaders sought to rebrand UDP, an outfit associated with the late former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, into the Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP) as a vehicle for their political movement ahead of the 2027 General Election. In a decision dated September 8, 2026, the Registrar declined the requested changes to the party’s name, theme colors, and symbols, citing statutory restrictions under Section 8(c) of the Political Parties Act. The regulator noted that the proposed name closely resembles “The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA),” a name reserved by another applicant on July 20, 2026, following the rebranding of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance. Under the law, the Registrar must refuse any application if a proposed political party name or abbreviation closely resembles an existing entity or previously reserved name. Clock Ticking on IEBC Deadlines The legal and administrative hurdles come at a crucial time, as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) issued strict regulatory timelines for the 2027 polls. According to gazetted guidelines, political parties intending to field candidates must submit the names and specimen signatures of their au...
Read briefing The High Court has thrown out a petition filed by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah seeking to declare the national tallying and verification of presidential election results unconstitutional. In a judgment delivered on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the court upheld Section 39(1C) of the Elections Act and Regulation 83(2) of the Elections (General) Regulations, confirming that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) retains the legal mandate to aggregate and verify presidential results at the national level. Court Upholds National Verification Mandate Omtatah had filed the petition arguing that the Constitution places the primary and final responsibility for tallying, verifying, and declaring presidential results strictly at the constituency level. He asked the court to issue orders barring the IEBC from re-tallying or re-verifying presidential results once constituency returning officers announce them. However, the bench ruled that national aggregation remains a necessary legal requirement because presidential candidates must satisfy unique, nationwide electoral benchmarks. Under Article 138(4) of the Constitution, a winning candidate must secure more than 50 percent of the total votes cast nationally, as well as at least 25 percent of the votes cast in more than half of the 47 counties. The judges observed that electoral officials cannot verify this dual threshold...
Read briefing Speaking to the Kenyan diaspora in New York on Sunday ahead of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, President William Ruto delivered a stark warning about the 2027 polls, stressing that the quality of national leadership will dictate whether Kenya succeeds or fails. Ruto urged citizens to exercise deliberate judgment when casting their ballots, asserting that effective governance matters far more than natural resources. “I am very confident about the future of our country. We will succeed,” President Ruto told the gathering. “The one mistake we must never do is to elect a fool to be our president.” He added, “The difference between us succeeding and failing is leadership, period. It is not minerals; it is not all those other things; it is leadership. If you do not have the right leadership, we will fail.” Economic Indicators and Sectoral Progress During the engagement, President Ruto outlined key economic metrics to demonstrate that his administration’s stabilization measures are bearing fruit. He urged Kenyans abroad to look directly at verified data rather than unverified reports. The president noted that inflation and interest rates have fallen, attributing the drop to fiscal adjustments implemented since 2022. In addition, he defended key flagship initiatives: National Savings Expansion: Savings held by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) grew from KSh 320 billion...
Read briefing Kenya’s main opposition coalition has officially entered a new era. On Monday, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka announced that the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition unanimously agreed to drop its old identity and adopt a new name: the Ukombozi Alliance. The strategic overhaul aims to reposition the opposition movement ahead of the 2027 General Election, laying the groundwork for a broader political coalition to challenge the current Kenya Kwanza administration. “After today, even this podium will change because the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition has this day, September 21, 2026, unanimously agreed to rebrand and change the name to Ukombozi Alliance,” Kalonzo said. A Strategic Overhaul Ahead of the 2027 Polls The rebranding follows weeks of internal consultations focused on restructuring the coalition’s policy platform, leadership framework, and public engagement strategies. Opposition leaders plan to reorganize their internal machinery and reach out to other political outfits across Kenya to create a formidable front against the governing party. Kalonzo urged the nation to pay close attention to the shifting political landscape as opposition leaders accelerate their plans. “We want the country to note that we are on the move,” he said. He noted that coalition chairman and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta will lead a key Jubilee Party meeting on Tuesday to align party s...
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Read briefing Political strategist Pauline Njoroge has called for a restructured opposition leadership model, urging political parties to avoid an “endless table of principals” while building a united coalition to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election. In a statement shared on Monday, September 21, 2026, Njoroge proposed a two-tier organizational framework designed to balance broad democratic participation with swift executive decision-making. A Four-Member Executive Center Njoroge, who recently exited the Jubilee Party to join the Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi political movement, argued that holding top leadership positions within the coalition must depend on regional support bases and national influence rather than party registration alone. She identified four leaders who command the requisite political constituencies to serve at the principal level: Edwin Sifuna, Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka and Fred Matiang’i “Each commands a significant political constituency and brings to the table the electoral weight necessary to shape a viable national coalition.” The United Nations Analogy To illustrate her proposal, Njoroge drew a comparison to the governance structure of the United Nations. She recommended establishing a broad Coalition Parties Council where all constituent party leaders participate, while delegating high-stakes decisions to the smaller executive t...
Read briefing A 26-year-old woman was arrested at Buruburu Police Station after officers said they found rolls of bhang hidden inside a loaf of bread she had brought for her detained boyfriend. Police on Monday, September 21, identified the woman as Bernice Achieng. She reportedly went to the report office desk and asked officers to pass the bread to her boyfriend, who is in custody. Officers said the package was unsealed, which raised their suspicion. On inspection, officers said they found 5 rolls of bhang and a matchbox buried deep inside the bread. A search of Achieng then turned up another 7 rolls in her jacket pocket, bringing the total recovered to 12 rolls. Police arrested Achieng and secured the items as exhibits. She is set to be arraigned in court. Similar Attempt Reported at Ruai Police Station The case comes days after a similar incident at Ruai Police Station. Police said an 18-year-old woman, Christine Njoki Gitau, attempted to smuggle escape tools to 3 suspects held in remand. According to police, Gitau arrived at the station reception with a plate of rice and meat and asked to visit 3 friends, Emmanuel Bosire, Ismael Arisa, and Brian Gatheru. The three suspects were being held over allegations of running an anonymous TikTok page to lure young women into meetings before robbing and gang-raping them. Tell Me More – Ruai TikTok Trap: Three Arrested Over Alleged Gang-Rape Robber...
Read briefing Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of using his attendance at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as a cover to finalize a secretive Ksh8.2 trillion minerals agreement with an American firm. Addressing Kenyans in the diaspora on Saturday, September 19, Gachagua asserted that President Ruto’s travel to New York was primarily motivated by mineral exploitation deals rather than diplomatic assembly sessions. “William Ruto is in the air on his way to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA. But that is not his mission. That is just a camouflage. He will go there, take a few pictures, give a few speeches, and meet a few presidents and others,” Gachagua said. Focus on Kwale County’s Mrima Hill Mineral Reserves Gachagua alleged that the agreement centers on the extraction of high-value niobium and rare earth mineral deposits located at Mrima Hill in Kwale County. “His real mission in the United States is to come and seal a deal with Americans on how niobium will be exploited from Kenya,” Gachagua claimed. The former Deputy President asserted that while the mineral deposits carry an estimated valuation of Ksh 8.2 trillion, the proposed terms would yield minimal financial returns for the Kenyan public. Instead, he alleged that proceeds from the mining rights would be split between the American corporate...
Read briefing A massive Sh276.76 billion emergency expenditure under Article 223 has funded everything from State House operations and multi-agency security sweeps to major infrastructure projects and a Sh200 million court award for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) during the 2025–26 financial year. Details of the extensive spending appear in an annex to the Controller of Budget’s (CoB) National Government Budget Implementation Review Report for the year ended June 2026. The report documents Sh209.99 billion in recurrent expenditure and Sh66.77 billion in development expenditure approved by the National Treasury. Out of these requests, Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o authorized actual withdrawals of Sh187.90 billion for recurrent needs and Sh21.47 billion for development projects. These figures offer a rare look at how aggressively government agencies relied on Article 223 to bypass traditional budget approval timelines for operational expenses, debt obligations, infrastructure, and national events. The Sh200 Million ODM Political Funding Settlement Among the most politically charged approvals, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties requested Sh200 million for the Orange Democratic Movement. The CoB schedule notes that the funds aimed “to cater for a request by the ODM party in relation to the Petition for Outstanding Court Award for Political Parties Fund.” The Nationa...
Read briefing This special weekly collection takes you on a rollercoaster through Kenyan social media’s humor-filled landscape, showcasing the best of internet hilarity with witty quips, hilarious observations, and random photos. The post Funny Trending Memes To Kickstart New Week appeared first on Nairobi Wire.
Read briefing Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Leader Rigathi Gachagua claimed Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku were abandoning an alleged strategy to divide the Mt Kenya region after face-to-face opposition from local residents. Taking to X, Gachagua claimed that government allies tasked with splitting the region were forced to retreat after the local populace firmly rejected their efforts. “I have woken up to the happenings back home that the two mischievous characters assigned by Mr. William Ruto to divide the mountain have given up after the residents of the region rejected their attempts in total,” Gachagua alleged. The former deputy president further accused the State of spending public funds over the last two years on a failed mission to fragment the region’s vote. “The efforts to divide the mountain using stolen cash for the last two years have failed flat,” he said. The Symbolic Axe Ceremony at Kirigiti Stadium Gachagua’s comments follow an elder-led unity gathering at Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu County, where DP Kindiki met with elders representing the Kikuyu, Embu, and Meru communities. During the event, DP Kindiki called on CS Ruku to hand over a symbolic axe, previously presented as an emblem representing division within Mt Kenya, back to the elders. After relinquishing the axe, elders handed Ruku a flywhisk, symbolizing a...
Read briefing Kick off a new and productive week on a lighter note by exploring the hilarious world of Kenyan Twitter. We’ve handpicked the funniest and most trending posts on X to help you shake off those back-to-work Monday blues. The post Hilarious Kenyan Tweets on X to Beat the Monday Blues appeared first on Nairobi Wire.
Read briefing Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of attempting to take over Muthaiga Golf Club following an escalation in a land ownership dispute between the facility and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). Gachagua stated that club members contacted him expressing concerns over government plans to seize part of the course through KFS. “Members of Muthaiga Golf Club have woken me up at night, informing me that William Ruto, using the Kenya Forest Service, is planning to grab Muthaiga Golf Course after grabbing several parcels of land in the neighboring Kiambu County. I sympathize with them; just like the 55 million Kenyans, the Kenyan great grabber is on their case,” Gachagua stated. He claimed senior KFS officers accompanied by security dogs entered the facility and declared that a portion of the course belongs to Karura Forest. He claimed that Muthaiga Golf Club has existed since before independence and argued that successive head-of-states, including Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta, respected golf courses across the country without interference. “Members were shocked when senior KFS officers turned up at the club with killer dogs and declared part of the golf course as being in Karura Forest. William Ruto must know that Muthaiga Golf Club has been in existence since before independence, before he was born,” he added. Wa...
Read briefing A Kenyan voter has taken legal action against Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna over public contributions made to the Linda Mwananchi political movement. The petitioner, Alan Masakhalia, filed a case at the High Court in Nairobi demanding a full accounting and disclosure of all funds collected through M-Pesa Paybill number 3033049. Masakhalia contributed KSh 55 to the initiative, stating he made the donation believing it was directly tied to supporting Senator Sifuna’s potential presidential bid in the 2027 General Election. The petitioner argues that Linda Mwananchi was promoted as a citizen-driven movement with public messaging that implied Sifuna’s 2027 presidential candidacy. Because Sifuna has recently indicated he may support other opposition leaders such as Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, or Fred Matiang’i, contributors want guarantees regarding how their money is managed. “My contribution was clearly towards Sifuna’s Presidential Campaign kitty,” he states in the affidavit. The petition references reports that 9,419 people contributed approximately KSh 519,144 on the first day alone, with total collections quickly climbing to roughly KSh 2.21 million within 36 hours. “I am concerned that unless the 1st respondent (Sifuna) clearly confirms his candidacy, the funds may be transferred to a different candidate, supported by a different party,” he says. Masakhalia stresses tha...
Read briefing Speaking in Homa Bay County, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi disclosed explicit directives given to him by the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga regarding the broad-based government. Addressing the crowd during President William Ruto’s development tour of Nyanza, Mbadi pushed back against claims that the former prime minister was hesitant about cooperating with the Kenya Kwanza administration. He cited his close working relationship with Odinga dating back to 1992, stating he could read his body language and understand his political posture. Mbadi stated that when Odinga brought ODM into the broad-based government, his instructions were clear: Mbadi was tasked with fully supporting President Ruto to deliver on his national transformation agenda. “When Raila brought us to the broad-based government, his words to me were very clear. He told me that I must make sure that I support President Ruto to deliver on his agenda,” Mbadi said. Odinga also personally facilitated discussions regarding Kenya’s public debt by directing Mbadi to Washington to consult with Professor Hino, a former economic adviser in Odinga’s prime ministerial office. Furthermore, Odinga had supposedly urged the president to focus heavily on flagship programs, including affordable housing and healthcare access. Additionally, the CS revealed that Odinga viewed Ruto as part of the broader political visi...
Read briefing The Nairobi City County Government has announced plans to roll out a specialized registration and identification system for street content creators and photographers operating across the capital. Governor Johnson Sakaja unveiled the proposed framework during a stakeholder engagement forum with local street photographers. Under the new initiative, legitimate creators will register with the county administration to receive official badges, establishing recognized legal status while working within the Central Business District (CBD) and surrounding urban zones. City Hall intends to build a comprehensive digital database of active photographers to streamline communication, improve public order, and shield creatives from harassment or extortion by unauthorized individuals and enforcement officers. Key Objectives of the Initiative Governor Sakaja highlighted the city’s commitment to supporting the youth-dominated creative economy, stating that formal registration enables the county to deliver structured municipal support, foster safer working conditions, and integrate local content creators into Nairobi’s broader economic and tourism vision. The registration framework organizes the rapidly expanding sector while creating a direct line of communication between creators and county authorities. “The County will introduce a formal registration and identification system for street photogr...
Read briefing Head of Public Service Felix Koskei led a high-level consultative meeting at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday to coordinate efforts to integrate systems used to authenticate academic qualifications. The initiative brings together the Public Service Commission (PSC), the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), and the Ministry of Education to streamline verification processes during public sector recruitment and appointments. Key Takeaways from the Consultative Forum The government aims to build a unified mechanism that links academic credential databases directly with hiring agencies, reducing verification delays and curbing fake certificates. PSC Chairperson Francis Meja emphasized that inter-agency collaboration remains critical for upholding institutional integrity. “The integration and streamlining of the authentication and verification of academic credentials is critical in safeguarding the integrity of recruitment processes,” Meja stated, noting that the approach fosters professionalism, competence, and meritocracy across the public sector workforce. The joint initiative focuses on bridging operational gaps between individual verification platforms, creating an efficient workflow for background checks before hiring or promoting public servants. Key Officials in Attendance The State House meeting brought together leadership across the education, examination, and huma...
Read briefing Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja announced new measures aimed at protecting Nairobi traders from fraudulent intermediaries and fake county enforcement officers. Addressing the Nairobi Business Breakfast Forum organized by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) on Thursday, September 17, Sakaja urged local business owners to apply for permits directly through official county channels without relying on third parties. Direct Online Licensing through Nairobi Pay The county government has integrated all business licensing processes onto its digital platform, Nairobi Pay (nairobiservices.go.ke). This portal provides easy access for Nairobi County customers to access a wide range of services, from business licenses to essential services. Traders can complete their applications, process payments, and print single business permits online, bypassing middleman networks that have historically defrauded business owners. “You do not need a middleman to obtain your county licence. Apply directly through our website, pay via Pay Nairobi and print your licence. That alone is enough,” Sakaja stated. Verifiable Identification for Compliance Officers To eliminate impostors posing as municipal inspectors, Sakaja announced that the county will roll out a verifiable digital identification system for all compliance and enforcement personnel within 30 days. The verification system...
Read briefing A two-month manhunt ended in Malindi after police arrested a Nairobi matatu driver accused of performing dangerous ‘manyoka’ stunts that resulted in a fatal crash along Enterprise Road in the Industrial Area. Sammy Murigi Maina appeared before Magistrate Paul Mutai to face multiple charges, including causing death by dangerous driving. According to the charge sheet, Maina faces three counts of causing death by dangerous driving contrary to Section 46 of the Traffic Act, Cap 403 of the Laws of Kenya. The prosecution alleges that on June 3, 2026, at about 8pm, Maina was driving Isuzu minibus registration number KDU 887C, commonly referred to by its street name “Detat,” and operated by Risen Sacco, along Enterprise Road opposite KCB Bank in Nairobi County. Court records detail how Maina drove the public service vehicle recklessly before losing control at a roundabout. The minibus struck the kerb and flipped over, blocking the road. The violent rollover killed three passengers – Charles Brandy Wahome, Tamia Kalekye Nyambura, and Edwin Kago – at the scene. Beyond the fatalities, Maina faces two counts of driving a motor vehicle on a public road without due care and attention contrary to Section 49(1) of the Traffic Act. These counts relate to passengers Eugene Ongundi and Dominic Mulwa, who the prosecution alleges sustained bodily injuries in the crash. Traffic authorities also cite...
Read briefing Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has officially disowned an engineering degree certificate associated with Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa, stating that he was never enrolled as a student at the institution. In an official response dated September 14, 2026, addressed to the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK), JKUAT Registrar of Academic Affairs Dr. Aggrey Wanyama confirmed that the lawmaker’s credentials could not be verified. The university confirmed that Barasa’s name does not exist anywhere in its historical academic or alumni records. Dr. Wanyama clarified that JKUAT held no graduation ceremony in May 2008, rendering any certificate bearing that date invalid. Consequently, the university formally declared the Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering certificate presented under Barasa’s name as “NOT GENUINE.” “His name doesn’t appear on our alumni records, and JKUAT did not have a graduation in May 2008. His certificate for Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Programme is therefore “NOT GENUINE,” Dr Aggrey Wanyama, JKUAT Registrar of Academic Affairs said. Dr. Wanyama noted that the institution has already provided these findings to key regulatory and anti-graft oversight bodies. “This matter has previously been investigated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and Engineers Board of Kenya (EB...
Read briefing The Kenyan passport has fallen 52 places to 120th globally among 199 countries in the latest report compiled by Passport Reports. The country now holds a Mobility Score of 75, giving passport holders access to 75 destinations without needing a visa in advance. This marks a significant drop from its previous global ranking of 68th. Despite the global decline, Kenya maintains a strong position within the continent, ranking 10th among 54 African nations. It trails behind Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, Botswana, Morocco, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini, and Malawi. Visa Requirements and Access Rates Kenyan travelers currently face visa requirements for 123 destinations, while 37 countries offer visa-free entry and 33 provide other forms of facilitated access. Five additional destinations accept Kenyan visitors through an electronic travel authorisation (eTA), giving the passport a worldwide access rate of 37.9 percent. Regional access varies significantly for Kenyan passport holders: The Caribbean: Highest access rate at 81.3 percent Africa: 71.7 percent access Oceania: 57.1 percent access North America: 52.2 percent access Asia: 28 percent access South America: 16.7 percent access Middle East: 5.9 percent access Europe: Lowest access rate at 2.1 percent Kenya Ranks Second in Global Hospitality Despite the dip in passport mobility, Kenya performed exceptionally well in the welcomi...
Read briefing Digital strategist Pauline Njoroge has pushed back against claims that former President Uhuru Kenyatta tasked her with managing funds for the Linda Mwananchi political movement. Njoroge questioned why government agencies have not intervened or seized the alleged funds if the state truly believes the former president is bankrolling the initiative. “In Ruto’s rally yesterday, I heard the broad-based fellows who ate agents’ money in 2022 claim that I am the one carrying Uhuru’s money,” Njoroge stated. “Now that they have the state machinery and all the instruments of power, why haven’t they waylaid me and taken the money so that they cripple Linda Mwananchi financially if they actually believe that it’s Uhuru’s money that’s propelling the movement?“ Njoroge’s response comes after Suna East MP Junet Mohamed alleged that Kenyatta appointed Njoroge to oversee financial operations for the political group. “The sponsor, Uhuru Kenyatta, has sent a cashier, a woman named Pauline Njoroge, who is counting the money for Linda Mwananchi,” Junet claimed. Uhuru Denies Role as Political Sponsor The exchange follows statements from former President Kenyatta addressing repeated claims by President William Ruto and his allies regarding the movement’s funding. Speaking in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, Kenyatta rejected the “sponsor” label and advocated for political freedom. “I do not want to be call...
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