NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 14 – A woman from Juja, Kiambu County, has delivered five babies through normal delivery at Thika Level Five Hospital in a rare quintuplet birth.Mercy Kanini delivered the five babies despite the significant risks associated with quintuplet pregnancies, which commonly require specialised medical care and may involve Caesarean section.Kanini said she arrived at the hospital and delivered the first baby shortly afterwards.Medical staff then began preparing her for theatre for a Caesarean section to deliver the remaining babies.However, following further medical assessment, the plan changed and Kanini was allowed to proceed with normal delivery.“After some time, I don’t know what happened, they said I could deliver normally. I was very happy on learning that I had delivered five babies,” she said.The delivery is considered particularly unusual because normal vaginal delivery of quintuplets is extremely rare.Kanini said she was not afraid during the delivery, crediting the medical team for making the experience easier.“I was not afraid, the way I have been attended to has made me happy,” she said.The five babies were placed in nurseries after delivery, where they received medical attention.Kanini praised the doctors, nurses and Kiambu County leadership for the quality of care she received at the hospital.The quintuplets are Kanini’s third delivery. She previously gave birth to a boy and a daughter.Kanini’s husband, Evans Nyamhanga, described the arrival of the five babies as a miracle.He said the couple had expected four babies but were surprised when five were delivered.“I was expecting four babies but God has been a God of miracles, we have got five,” Nyamhanga said.While celebrating the birth, Nyamhanga acknowledged the financial burden that comes with raising five newborns.He appealed to Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and other well-wishers to support the family.“I wish to appeal to Governor Wamatangi to stand with me although he has already provided me with an ambulance, and to anyone else willing to stand with me I will be thankful,” he said.Quintuplet pregnancies are considered high-risk because of the increased possibility of complications affecting both the mother and babies.Multiple pregnancies are more likely to result in premature births and low birth weights, meaning newborns may require specialised neonatal care.Depending on the circumstances, doctors may recommend Caesarean delivery to reduce risks during birth.Kanini’s case was different after doctors assessed her condition and determined that she could safely deliver the remaining babies normally.She did not disclose whether she conceived naturally or through fertility treatment.Natural conception of quintuplets without fertility treatment is extremely rare. Fertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) can increase the likelihood of multiple births, particularly when more than one embryo is transferred.In May 2026, 35-year-old Bedriya Adem gave birth to five babies at Hiwot Fana Specialised Hospital in Harari Regional State after reportedly trying to conceive for 12 years.The babies weighed between 1.3kg and 1.4kg and were reported to be in good health.Hospital Medical Director Dr Mohammed Nur Abdulahi told the BBC that Adem had conceived naturally without IVF.For Kanini and Nyamhanga, the birth marks the beginning of a new chapter for their family, bringing the joy of five newborns alongside the financial and practical demands of raising quintuplets.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sept 13 – The United Democratic Alliance and the Orange Democratic Movement are not competitors, President William Ruto has said.Instead, the President pointed out, the two parties are working and in partnership under the Broad-Based Government framework.He stated that UDA and ODM parties are working together in the transformation of the country.“UDA and ODM are not competitors but partners in the Broad-Based Government,” he said.The President spoke during a church service at Voice of Salvation And Healing Church in Kisumu on Sunday in the company of Governors Anyang Nyongo (Kisumu), Ochilo Ayacko (Migori) and Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) and MPs, among other leaders.At the same time, President Ruto said the Government has made remarkable progress in the past four years under the Kenya Kwanza administration.The Government, he pointed out, has fulfilled most of the pledges made to the people of Kenya during the 2022 General Election.“I stand before you to say that God has helped us deliver most of what we agreed with Kenyans four years ago,” he said.He said the Government has stabilised and grown the country’s economy, elevating it to the 6th largest in Africa.“We have reduced inflation, stabilised exchange rates, and our foreign exchange reserves have grown two and half times,” President Ruto said.On infrastructure development, the President said the Government has paid pending bills that had resulted in stalled road projects across the country.As a result, contractors are back on site, working on over 6000km of roads, including new ones, across the country.“We have paid close to KSh250 billion in debt owed to road contractors in Kenya,” he said.On agriculture, he said the Government has transformed the sector, supported farmers and dealt with cartels and brokers in the sugar, tea, milk and coffee sectors.The cost of fertiliser, he noted, was retailing at KSh7,000 in 2022 but the price has been reduced to KSh2,000 for a 50kg bag.In education, the President said the Government has addressed the shortage of classrooms and teachers by building 23,000 classrooms and hiring 100,000 teachers. Later this year, another 20,000 teachers will be recruited.“We also streamlined the Competency-Based Curriculum and are refining the higher education funding model to ensure that all students who join university, technical college and Kenya Medical Training College are fully funded,” President Ruto stated.Additionally, he said the new funding model will enable universities to become sustainable and financially stable.The President said the Government has transformed public health insurance under the Social Health Authority (SHA), making it more inclusive than the defunct National Hospital Infrastructure Fund (NHIF).Today, he explained, 33 million Kenyans have registered with SHA in 23 months, four times more than NHIF’s 8 million in close to 60 years.President Ruto also cited the implementation of the Affordable Housing Programme, saying it is not only creating jobs but also making home ownership a reality for low-income earnership a reality for low-income earners.He said the government has begun the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway from Narok to Kisumu, and Kisumu to Malaba.On the expected El Nino rains, the President said the Government has put in place robust measures to cushion the country.He announced that the Government had put in place measures to make sure there are no unintended losses.“We have prepared ourselves adequately to deal with the change of El Nino when it happens,” he said.Wanga said ODM will continue working with the government under the Broad-Based Government arrangement for the sake of national transformation.Ayacko called for unity among Kenyans, saying it will make it easier to develop the countr
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sept 13 – Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has sought the backing of Nairobi residents for efforts to unite opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 General Election.Addressing supporters, Sifuna said the opposition would only succeed in defeating President William Ruto if its leaders worked together rather than pursuing individual political interests.“People of Nairobi, I want to start by saying thank you very much for your votes that sent me to the Senate because of my work in the Senate, nowadays the whole of Kenya is singing that they are also ‘Sifuna'”“If it were not for you lifting me up and giving me that opportunity, very few people in Kenya would know Sifuna,” the Nairobi Senator said.He urged supporters to be prepared to work with leaders across the opposition spectrum, including Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua.The former ODM Secretary-General thanked Nairobi residents for electing him to the Senate, saying their support had given him a platform to influence national politics.“The whole of Kenya is saying there is another task they want to send me to do. There is one person in this Kenya who has oppressed us greatly—every day when you wake up, his job has been increasing taxes on everything, locking out small-scale traders, and to make matters worse, beating up the youth.”
Read briefing MONACO, September 13 — Green Africa Foundation Chief Steward Dr Isaac Kalua Green has presented His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco with the first copy of his new book, Come Back and Check, as the two foundations explore new areas of cooperation on climate and conservation across Africa.The presentation took place at the Prince’s Palace during a meeting that reviewed more than two decades of cooperation between the Green Africa Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.The meeting was also attended by Romain Ciarlet, Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.Discussions focused on the Green Africa Foundation’s contribution to continental sustainability efforts, the Green Africa Villages model, an update on the long-running Plant Your Age campaign and Dr Green’s recent appointment as Chairman of the Board of the Green Nairobi Company.In Come Back and Check, published by the Green Africa Foundation, Dr Green challenges governments, corporations and global environmental movements to go beyond counting what they plant and instead measure what survives.The book subjects his own Plant Your Age campaign, which reports an estimated 981 million tree-growing contributions since 2011, to the same seven-point test he proposes for governments and corporations. He concludes that the campaign can fully answer only a fraction of the questions needed to establish its long-term impact.Drawing on forest recovery experiences from South Korea, farmer-led regeneration in Niger and a government audit in the Philippines, the book proposes common standards including a “Count What Survives Standard,” an Evidence Ladder and a Living Tree Account that governments and companies could adopt.“For years, we have measured our progress by what we plant on the day of planting, not by what is still standing when no one is watching,” Dr Green said.“This book begins with an audit of my own campaign because I did not think it right to ask any government to check its numbers before I had checked mine. My appeal to the Kenyan government, and to governments everywhere, is simple: come back and check what you planted before you announce what you plan to plant next.”Prince Albert II’s relationship with Dr Green spans two decades. He visited Green Africa Foundation project sites in Kitui in 2010 and wrote the foreword to Dr Green’s earlier book, Green for Life.During the meeting, Prince Albert praised Dr Green’s work and pledged continued collaboration.The two sides also explored potential synergies between the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s programmes, which focus on climate, biodiversity, water and ocean protection, and the Green Africa Foundation’s community-level work across Africa.The discussions included the Green Africa Villages model and the Plant Your Age campaign.“Our renewed focus in Africa involves working with communities to improve livelihoods, as well as mobilising private capital to invest in scalable African enterprises,” Ciarlet said.“We are happy to discuss ways of collaborating with the Green Africa Foundation in this endeavour.”Dr Green, who was recently appointed Chairman of the Board of the Green Nairobi Company, said the organisation was already in discussions with partners globally as it explores international partnerships to deliver climate and environmental infrastructure at scale.Come Back and Check closes with a question Dr Green says he now puts to every government, company and campaign he encounters, including his own: “What have you begun that still needs you to return? Come back and check.”
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sept 13 – Two suspects have been arrested as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) intensifies investigations into the chaos that disrupted a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) delegates’ meeting at Nembure Grounds in Embu County.One person died, several police officers injured and several motor vehicles torched after the residents stormed the meeting attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.“Political differences must never become a license for lawlessness. No grievance, disagreement or political affiliation places anyone above the law,” the DCI said in a statement on Sunday, adding that detectives were pursuing additional suspects linked to the criminal acts committed during the unrest.According to the NPS, officers intervened after a group attempted to breach the meeting.“Upon the group’s unlawful attempt to breach the meeting, officers acted decisively and repulsed the assailants,” NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said.The NPS said several suspects were arrested at the scene and investigations commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify all those involved.The DCI has since confirmed the arrest of two suspects in connection with the incident, while detectives continue to pursue additional people linked to the violence.The agency said those who attack others, torch vehicles, destroy property, barricade public roads or assault police officers would be pursued, arrested and brought to justice.The disruption brought the UDA meeting to a halt as police moved to contain the confrontation around the venue. Several police officers were among those injured during the unrest, according to the DCI.Kindiki later condemned the disruption and called for action against those responsible. In his capacity as UDA deputy party leader, he said the party regretted the loss and damage resulting from the incident and opposed the use of violence in political competition.“The Party condemns violence and demands that law enforcement agencies take punitive measures against all those responsible for perpetuating political violence,” Kindiki said.He said UDA supported competition based on policies and development records rather than violence.“The Party stands for issue-based politics and a contest around who or which party has a better development track record and policy goals for Kenya’s future,” Kindiki said.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 13 — Security has been heightened in Nairobi ahead of the Linda Mwananchi movement’s rally at Jacaranda Grounds on Sunday.The measure comes a day after Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud announced security agencies will be restricting political gatherings in the Central Business District (CBD) and deploying officers along areas expected to be used by supporters travelling to the main venue.There is a heavy security presence at the All Saints Catherdral, where the Linda Mwananchi bridge led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino among other leaders are attending church service.Heavily armed police officers could be seen in various parts of the city conducting patrols on foot and others in trucks.Nairobi Regional Police Commander on Saturday revealed that police had received notification of the planned rally and would allow the political activities to proceed within the law, but warned that the CBD would remain out of bounds for the procession.Mohamud said police had received information indicating that some individuals could mobilise unruly youths to confront rival groups, prompting increased security measures in the city.“Therefore, I make a direct appeal to all political leaders, organisers or influencers to restrain their supporters and control their crowds. No political objective is worth the blood of a Kenyan,” he said.“Large political rallies will not be permitted. We will not allow [them] to disrupt the normal function of the CBD,” Mohamud said. He added, “Particularly on Saturdays and Sundays, we will not allow you, will not allow anybody to make a political rally there.”The Linda Mwananchi programme kicks off with a church service at All Saints Cathedral before supporters move through parts of Nairobi. The planned route includes Marikiti, Gikomba, Burma Market, Jogoo Road, Manyanja Road, B Centre and Stage 17 before the procession heads to Jacaranda Grounds in Embakasi East.The main rally is expected to take place at Jacaranda Grounds, where leaders associated with the movement are scheduled to address supporters. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has been among the leaders mobilising for the Nairobi event.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sept 12 – At least two people are feared dead and several others injured after chaos erupted during a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) meeting convened by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in Nembure, Embu County. The violence reportedly saw two vehicles torched as police fired tear gas to disperse rival groups that clashed during the meeting. The incident disrupted the UDA gathering, which was part of the party’s political activities in the region. UDA has condemned the violence, saying the disruption caused loss and damage and calling on law enforcement agencies to take action against those responsible. The ruling party pledged to stand with members affected by the disruption of its grassroots meeting in Nembure, Embu County. UDA Deputy Party Leader Kithure Kindiki said the party leadership in Embu had been tasked with verifying the exact nature and extent of the losses and damage reported during the incident. Kindiki said the party would coordinate responses and stand in solidarity with those adversely affected. He also reiterated UDA’s opposition to political violence, calling on law enforcement agencies to take punitive action against individuals responsible for organising or perpetrating violence.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 12— Kenya has expanded its treatment options for diabetes and obesity with the introduction of Ozempic and Wegovy, but experts say the impact of the new medicines will ultimately depend on whether patients can afford them and whether more Kenyans are diagnosed early.Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk officially launched the prescription medicines in Nairobi on Saturday, amid growing concern over the rise of type 2 diabetes, obesity and related cardiovascular and metabolic conditions.Ozempic has been introduced for the management of type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is intended for weight management among eligible people living with obesity or those who are overweight and have associated health conditions.Both medicines contain semaglutide, but they are prescribed for different purposes and at different doses.Health professionals at the launch stressed that neither medicine should be used without proper medical assessment and supervision.The launch comes as Kenya and the wider African region face an expanding burden of non-communicable diseases, putting additional pressure on health systems already dealing with significant unmet medical needs.Consultant physician and endocrinologist Dr Roseline Ngugi said diabetes prevalence across Africa had increased sharply over the past decade.“Africa alone has seen a rise in the prevalence of diabetes of over 142 per cent in the last ten years,” Ngugi said.She warned that the challenge is compounded by the number of people living with diabetes without knowing they have the condition, leaving them vulnerable to complications affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves and blood vessels.Ngugi said greater investment in screening and early diagnosis was therefore essential, arguing that access to medicines alone would not reverse the trend.The launch also placed obesity at the centre of the country’s growing cardio-metabolic health challenge.Ngugi rejected the view that obesity should be treated simply as a consequence of personal lifestyle choices, saying it should instead be recognised as a medical condition closely associated with other serious diseases.“Obesity is not a lifestyle disease. It is a metabolic condition closely causing cardio-metabolic diseases,” she said.She said obesity was increasingly affecting different age groups, including children, raising concerns about the long-term health consequences for future generations.While the arrival of Ozempic and Wegovy gives Kenyan patients and doctors additional treatment options, questions remain over how widely the medicines will be accessible.Ngugi said affordability and availability had historically been major barriers to treatment for chronic conditions.“One of the problems we had is accessibility. However, I am excited to announce that the price they are offering is affordable,” she said.No specific retail prices for the two medicines were provided during the launch.The question of cost is particularly significant for chronic conditions that require sustained treatment. Experts said broader access would require collaboration between government, insurers, healthcare providers and other stakeholders.The medicines are prescription treatments and are not intended for unsupervised use or to be treated as interchangeable simply because they contain the same active ingredient.Doctors must assess a patient’s medical history, condition and eligibility before prescribing them, while patients require continued monitoring because, like other medicines, they can have side effects and may not be appropriate for everyone.Novo Nordisk Business Area Africa Head Malika De Maillard said the scale of diabetes and obesity across Africa underscored the need for stronger health responses.She pointed to the links between diabetes and other cardio-metabolic conditions, including cardiovascular and kidney disease, arguing for treatment approaches that address interconnected health risks rather than isolated conditions.The company said healthcare professionals would receive information on patient eligibility, prescribing and appropriate use of the medicines, alongside information on patient-support programmes.Ozempic is used by adults with type 2 diabetes to help control blood sugar alongside appropriate diet and physical activity.Wegovy is used together with dietary and physical-activity interventions to support weight management in eligible patients with obesity or excess weight and related medical conditions.Danish Ambassador to Kenya Stephan Schønemann welcomed the availability of additional treatment options for patients.He linked the launch to the longstanding Kenya-Denmark relationship and called for deeper cooperation in healthcare, innovation and knowledge exchange.The ambassador also highlighted disparities in health outcomes and the need to address the underlying conditions contributing to those differences.Experts said medicines should form part of a broader response combining prevention, public awareness, screening, early diagnosis, professional training and sustained follow-up care.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sept 12 – Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has condemned an attempted disruption of a UDA grassroots meeting in Nembure, Manyatta Constituency, Embu County.The meeting, which brought together UDA grassroots leaders, was disrupted after a group of young people reportedly attempted to storm the venue.Security officers used tear gas to disperse the group, allowing the meeting led by Kindiki, who is also UDA deputy party leader, to proceed.Kindiki accused opposition leaders of mobilising the youths to disrupt the meeting, saying political parties should be allowed to conduct their activities peacefully.He said Kenya remains a democracy where all political parties are free to hold meetings provided they respect the law and maintain peace.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sept 12 – Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua has intensified his criticism of President William Ruto, declaring that his political camp has plans to remove the President from power in the 2027 General Election.Speaking during an engagement with Kenyans living in Portland, Oregon USA, Gachagua said his proposed administration would seek to reverse some of the policies implemented by the current government, including the housing levy.“These are things that we shall do. So we want to tell you William Ruto we have plans but the only one we are telling you is to remove you,” he said.Gachagua’s remarks were in response to Ruto’s taunting that those challenging him in 2027 polls are clueless, vision less to lead the country.He accused the government of overtaxing Kenyans without a corresponding improvement in public services, while promising to restore what he termed the dignity of workers’ payslips.“One of the things we shall do, we shall scrap the housing levy as a way of dignifying the person. Government has no business building houses for people. That is the work of every individual in the private sector.”“The work of the government is to give services to provide water, electricity, seaweed, sanitation, drainage, security, health care, education. That’s what I’ve seen happening here in the States. So we shall scrub the housing levy and no other taxes. that uh are unreasonable,” the DCP Leader.He also promised to streamline business licensing, tackle corruption and clear government pending bills within one year.On social issues, Gachagua pledged to establish a fully-fledged state department to tackle drug and substance abuse, illicit alcohol, addiction and rehabilitation, while increasing spending on mental health.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 12 – Comedian and content creator Sammy Kioko has declared his candidature for the Mavoko Constituency parliamentary seat ahead of the 2027 General Election, pledging to take his campaign directly to residents and pursue what he described as politics free from insults, hate and deception.“With a lot of humility, gratitude, and a big sense of responsibility, I have listened. I have walked with you, and I am ready to take the next step. I, Sammy Kioko, officially declare my candidature for the member of parliament, Mavoko constituency,” Kioko said.Kioko said his “Mbele Pazuri” message was more than a campaign slogan, describing it as a vision that he wants residents to pursue together.“‘Mbele Pazuri’ is not just a slogan, it is a reality. And if you are here and you believe that the future is good, I ask that we walk together on this journey and hold each other,” he said.He said he would seek votes without resorting to personal attacks or what he described as “politics of weakness”, saying his focus would be on helping residents move out of poverty.“I will not lie to you, I will not deceive you, and I will not do politics of weakness. I want us to move out of poverty, I want us to move out of politics of hate and politics of insults. I will ask you for your votes, and I will work,” Kioko said.Kioko questioned whether attacking political opponents should be the basis of his campaign, challenging supporters to consider whether insults would improve their lives.“Do you want me to insult people so that you can give me votes? Do you want me to mention my opponents so that you can give me votes?” he asked.He said the campaign would be vigorous and would involve direct engagement with residents across the constituency.Kioko said he would undertake a door-to-door campaign, visiting residents in their homes, sitting with them and sharing meals as they discuss their concerns and how they can work together.“I will come to your homes. We will sit with you, we will eat with you, and we will talk about how we will work together and how we will move forward,” he said.He specifically mentioned Athi River, Mlolongo, Muthwani and Kinanie among the areas he intends to visit during the campaign.Kioko acknowledged that politics comes with challenges, including criticism and attacks on social media, but said he was prepared for the contest.“Politics has many challenges. At this moment, when you go on social media, it is just war. There will be enemies, but there is nothing that can scare us,” he said.He also called on his supporters to help spread his message in areas where he would not personally be present, asking them to act as his agents and ambassadors.“If it is the citizen, we put them first. If it is votes, we look for them. Wherever I am not, you are my agents, you are my ambassadors. Talk about Sammy Kioko where I am not,” he said.Kioko’s declaration marks his move from entertainment into elective politics as he seeks to represent Mavoko in the 2027 General Election.He said he was ready to take his campaign to residents across the constituency and urged those who believe in his “Mbele Pazuri” message to join him in the political journey.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Sept 11 – Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has dismissed political speculation over the position of Deputy President, insisting the seat is not vacant.Speaking when he toured the Tharaka Nithi County Headquaters, Mudavadi said Kindiki has been instrumental in supporting the President in the execution of his duties.“As a member of this government, the position of Deputy President is not vacant. The President said he had appointed Professor Kithure Kindiki to that position, and we respect that decision and work with him. That is how good governance is established,” he said.Mudavadi’s remarks days after Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya convened a Western Kenya leaders’ caucus to demand he be named the Deputy President should President William Ruto secure a second term post-2027 elections.“So, the politics being talked about should not worry you because you cannot stop a politician from making all sorts of statements. But, as a matter of understanding and respect, we work very well with Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki. He helps us a lot and also supports the President in a very good way,” the PCS stated.He has urged Kenyans not to be distracted by politicians making claims about the Deputy President’s position.“The President does not look over his shoulder anymore, wondering who is behind him. These days, when he is working, he moves forward because he knows there is no backstabbing from behind,” Mudavadi added.
Read briefing LONDON, United Kingdom, Sep 11 — Anthropic says it has identified and disrupted attempts to use its AI model for “malicious activity” which could support the development of biological weapons.The findings, made in the firm’s recent threat intelligence report, is the latest in a growing series of warnings from AI researchers and industry insiders about the technology’s potential risks to humanity.The warnings have prompted calls to action, with US Senator Bernie Sanders demanding a pause on advanced AI development and a ban on artificial superintelligence.President Donald Trump has so far rejected such fears, saying on Thursday he was concerned “if we don’t win AI, we’re going to be put in a very bad position”.Such reports have become a regular feature across the AI industry as firms seek to demonstrate how they identify and disrupt attempts to misuse their models.This includes Google, which wrote on Tuesday that a person had attempted to use its AI tool, Gemini, to obtain a “complete, step-by-step technical guide for synthesizing weaponised biological agents”.Claude, Anthropic’s AI model was also used by actors linked to a Russia-based cyber espionage campaign and by an Iranian propaganda institution,according to its report.The cases of concern detected over the past eight months ranged from fake dating apps and hotel Wifi scams, to surveillance built to identify dissidents.Anthropic has also accused Chinese AI firms of trying to replicate Claude’s capabilities.The lengthy report lists cases in which suspected state-sponsored groups, criminals, spyware vendors, state propaganda institutions and politically motivated individuals misused its technology.“Malicious use” of its Claude Haiku, Sonnet, and Opus models was disrupted between December 2025 and August 2026, it said.None of the misuse cases involved Claude Fable or the powerful Mythos-class models, with the exception of one instance of distillation – the process for training smaller AI models using larger, more expensive models.As well as detecting the use of its models for cyber and influence operations, surveillance, scams and fraud and weapon development, Anthropic said it had blocked scientists who used its AI in ways that could support biological weapons development.The report highlighted “five case studies of actors using our models in ways that could support biological weapons development”.Biological misuse, it said, is “one of the most serious risks of frontier AI model”. Without the correct safeguards, such capabilities “could have catastrophic consequences”, Anthropic said.“The same information that can be used to develop a biological weapon could also be used to develop, for example, a vaccine or a cure for a disease,” Anthropic said.Jacob Klein, the head of threat intelligence at Anthropic, told the New York Times it was “an incredibly nuanced situation”.“You are not seeing someone in a comic book kind of way say, ‘Hey, I want to build a biological weapon to kill everybody,'” he said.The report also noted six cases where Claude was used “to develop software for conventional weapons, including firearms, missiles, armed drones, bombs, and other munitions, as well as the targeting and control systems that operate them”.The report indicated that cybercriminals and state-backed hackers have increasingly used its technology to assist their operations.Hacking group ShinyHunters, as well as China-based labs, were among those named in the report.The report also said that a hacking group whose work is consistent with the Russia-based Midnight Blizzard allegedly used AI to build a system that automatically detected when its malware was flagged by security defences and rewrote code until it evaded detection.The California-based company said it had incorporated its findings into its processes “to better prevent, detect, and disrupt these activities in the future”.Anthropic said it had shared intelligence with authorities and industry partners where appropriate.The report – the company’s first this year – comes after a top safety researcher at Anthropic warned AI is advancing so quickly he believes there is a greater than 10% chance it “could kill all humans” within the next decade.In an article published on 6 September, OpenAI chief scientist Jakub Pachocki called for the industry to implement “voluntary slowdowns” until safeguards are set.“I am concerned no one is prepared for the consequences of a continued rapid rise in machine intelligence,” Pachocki said, adding that OpenAI, which makes ChatGPT, will continue its work on building safeguards, though broader interventions are required.The warning prompted an open letter to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham calling for a new multinational treaty for the safe development of AI and a call for governments to collaborate about what a treaty based on the development of superintelligence should look like.In the US, Democratic lawmaker Bernie Sanders has introduced legislation to ban AI superintelligence and temporarily pause advanced AI development.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 11 — The Milimani Small Claims Court has ordered Lorenzo Dry Cleaners Limited to pay Sh114,616 after finding that a three-piece suit was damaged while in the company’s custody. The court also awarded the claimant interest at 12 per cent per annum from July 13, 2026, until payment in full, as well as Sh20,000 in costs with a 30-day stay of execution. The judgment delivered on September 8 followed a claim by Emmanuel Mumia over damage to his striped navy suit. Mumia had claimed £1,064.95, equivalent to Sh183,826.66, as the value of the suit, which he said was damaged while being dry-cleaned. According to the judgment, the suit was delivered to Lorenzo Dry Cleaners on March 16, 2026, and returned to Mumia’s residence on March 23. The company’s intake record listed only “ordinary dirt and lint” and did not record discoloration or other damage. Mumia later reported that the jacket had developed three dark patches of discoloration and loose threads on the right sleeve. He maintained that the suit had not been worn after it was returned and that the dry-cleaning tags were still attached when the damage was discovered. His wife reported the matter to the company through WhatsApp on June 26. The company apologized, collected the jacket for assessment and indicated that it was “trying to work on it” before eventually declining to compensate Mumia. Mumia had claimed £1...
Read briefing NAIROBI,Kenya Sep 11 – Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is racing against time to complete key projects he promised voters, with less than a year to go before the 2027 General Election.Among the projects being pushed towards completion are a series of markets across the capital, with South B Market now 90 per cent complete, Gikomba Quarry Road Market at 96 per cent and Maji Mazuri Market in Kasarani at 98 per cent.The projects are part of Sakaja’s pledge to construct or modernise 20 markets across Nairobi’s 17 sub-counties, one of the commitments on which his administration has staked its development record.With the clock ticking towards the next election, the completion of the projects could provide the governor with tangible evidence of his administration’s performance as he seeks to retain control of City Hall.At South B, construction of the multi-storey market is nearing completion. The facility is expected to accommodate about 1,050 permanent traders and up to 1,500 traders on peak market days.The Gikomba Quarry Road project is further ahead, at 96 per cent, while construction of the Gikomba Linear Market is also ongoing.Gikomba is one of the city’s largest commercial hubs and has for years faced challenges including congestion, inadequate trading facilities and poor sanitation.Maji Mazuri Market in Kasarani has reached 98 per cent completion. The three-block facility is being constructed on an 8.4-acre parcel that the county says was recovered for public use.Other projects being pursued by the county include markets at Mutuini and Kahawa West.Sakaja has repeatedly presented the market programme as part of his administration’s effort to improve trading facilities for small-scale traders and create more opportunities for young people.“The dignity of our traders is at the heart of this programme. We are modernising 20 markets across all 17 sub-counties to create opportunities, support young entrepreneurs and strengthen local economies,” Sakaja said.But the governor faces pressure to turn projects announced and launched during his first term into completed facilities before voters return to the ballot.The pace of construction has also become an important measure of whether the administration can deliver on its wider development agenda, particularly in a city where infrastructure projects often face delays, funding constraints and disputes over land.The county says the markets will include facilities such as baby-care centres and information technology hubs, in addition to trading spaces.The projects are being implemented under a cooperation agreement between the Nairobi county government and the national government aimed at accelerating development in the capital.Sakaja was elected governor in August 2022 after defeating incumbent Anne Kananu and former Nairobi governor Polycarp Igathe.His administration has since faced political pressure over service delivery, including garbage collection, drainage, roads, markets and the management of the county’s finances.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 11 — Michael Moragia Nyachae, son of former Cabinet minister Simeon Nyachae, has been charged with stealing Sh1,226,036 from Sansora Group Limited, a company linked to his family.Moragia, 62, appeared before the Milimani Law Courts on Friday and denied stealing the money on diverse dates between March 28, 2019, and September 28, 2021, in Kisii County.The charge sheet alleges that Moragia stole the money, being the property of Sansora Group Limited, contrary to Section 268(1) as read with Section 275 of the Penal Code.He is also the brother of former East African Court of Justice Judge Charles Nyachae.Moragia was arrested on Thursday at Chepilat in Bomet County and detained at Kileleshwa Police Station before being taken to court.His arrest followed a decision by Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga to prosecute him over the alleged theft.The DPP said there was sufficient evidence to support the charge following a complaint lodged by Sansora Group Limited.The case follows a three-year investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which had recommended that Moragia face additional charges, including money laundering.However, the DPP directed further investigations into the proposed money laundering and forgery charges, citing gaps that needed to be addressed before the additional charges could be instituted.“I have noted that there are gaps that need to be addressed as appertains to the charges that were to be instituted against the suspect under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act No. 9 of 2009 and Forgery,” the DPP’s response to the DCI reads in part.Milimani Principal Magistrate Caroline Nyaguthii released him on a Sh200,000 bond with an aleternative of Sh50,000 cash bail.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 10 — The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has vowed to pursue legal action, including arrests, over social media allegations of “voter dumping” during a registration exercise at Kenyatta University.The Commission noted that voter registration and voter transfers are distinct and that acknowledgement slips are not issued to voters transferring their polling stations.The clarification comes after a video circulating on social media showed young men confronting an IEBC clerk who had set up a registration desk at the university.The youths demanded an explanation over requests they claimed appeared to transfer voters to Wajir North, based on slips they were holding.The IEBC said voter transfer services are currently offered at constituency offices across the country and not at other locations, while Continuous Voter Registration is conducted at constituency offices, Huduma Centres and the Commission’s Customer Experience Centre at Anniversary Towers.The Commission said it may also deploy voter registration kits to strategic locations where necessary to reach eligible citizens, explaining that the Kenyatta University exercise was part of that arrangement.It said acknowledgement slips are issued only to newly registered voters and not to those seeking to transfer their voting stations, because people requesting transfers are already captured in the voter register.The distinction means that a person registering as a new voter and one seeking to change their polling station go through different processes, with transfers handled at constituency offices.The Commission also rejected any suggestion that its officials direct voters to particular polling stations.“The role of the IEBC is to facilitate the registration of eligible Kenyans as voters and DOES NOT direct, compel or influence voters to select a particular polling station,” it said.The electoral agency said it had taken the allegations in the video seriously and was working with relevant government agencies to determine whether any offences had been committed.It said appropriate action would be taken under the law, including arrests where there is culpability.The Commission did not say in its statement that the video was fabricated or identify any individuals for arrest.It instead urged members of the public to refrain from interfering with its electoral processes and to rely on official information.The IEBC also cautioned against misinformation that could disrupt peaceful coexistence among Kenyans.The Commission reiterated that eligible Kenyan citizens have a constitutional right to apply for registration and vote at a polling station of their choice.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 10 — Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah was on Thursday ejected from the Senate and barred from attending its sittings for three days after refusing to withdraw remarks describing President William Ruto as “yapping.”Omtatah protested the Speaker’s directive, arguing that the word was neither unparliamentary nor disrespectful, but a permissible description of what he considered excessive political communication by the President.“Yapping is not unparliamentary. Go and check the record of the Westminster Parliament,” Omtatah said as he sought to defend his remarks.He also warned Speaker Amason Kingi against what he termed a “slippery slope” in limiting debate in the House.Kingi, however, cut him short, saying Omtatah was engaging the Chair instead of complying with an earlier ruling requiring him to withdraw the word.“I order you to leave the chamber for three sitting days consecutively. You may leave now,” Kingi ruled.The Speaker warned that failure to comply would result in the intervention of the Sergeant-at-Arms and a longer exclusion from the chamber.“Don’t make me direct the Sergeant-at-Arms to come for you, because then that will amount to 90 days. Let’s observe decorum,” Kingi said.The confrontation followed a ruling made during the previous sitting in which the temporary Speaker determined that “yapping” was unparliamentary and ordered Omtatah to withdraw it.The withdrawal was not completed after Senator Mohamed Faki raised the issue of quorum, prompting the Senate to adjourn. The matter returned to the floor on Thursday when Omtatah was given another opportunity to comply.Instead, Omtatah sought to explain and defend his use of the word, leading to the exchange with the Chair.Kingi said the temporary Speaker’s ruling could not be reviewed and that his role was to enforce the Senate Standing Orders.“A determination was made yesterday by the temporary Speaker that the word ‘yapping’ is unparliamentary. I cannot review that ruling,” Kingi said.He rejected arguments that the remarks had been made when the Senate lacked quorum, saying the issue was only raised after Omtatah had been ordered to withdraw the word.“The words were uttered when the Senate was properly constituted and the proceedings were legal,” Kingi said.The Speaker said senators were required to respect the Standing Orders they had adopted.“You may not respect me, but respect the Standing Orders that you yourself took part in formulating and adopting,” Kingi said.The suspension drew concern from some senators, who urged the Speaker to reconsider the punishment.Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ said he was not defending Omtatah but questioned whether remarks made when the House had no quorum should attract disciplinary action.He warned that suspending a senator effectively leaves the senator’s county without representation in the Senate during the period of exclusion.Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale also defended Omtatah, arguing that “yapping” simply meant talking too much and could be interpreted as an opinion rather than an insult.“Being an opinion, if we are going to start punishing senators for their opinions in this House, it means we are breaching the doctrine of freedom of speech in this House,” Khalwale said.Khalwale questioned whether “yapping” was inherently unparliamentary or whether its use in reference to the President was what made it objectionable.Kingi maintained that the matter had already been settled by the previous ruling and said senators could seek amendments to the Standing Orders if they believed the rules restricted their freedom of speech.“These are not cast in stone. We can review them to conform to the comfort that you dearly hold,” he said.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 10 — ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga has confirmed he is in the United Kingdom for a routine medical check-up, a day after the party said he was abroad on official duties.In a statement Thursday, Senator Oburu said he travelled to the UK to undergo a “thorough, routine medical checkup” following advice from his doctors and the party leadership.He said the visit would allow him to have a comprehensive evaluation of his health while taking time to rest and rejuvenate.The disclosure follows an ODM statement on Wednesday announcing that its Central Committee meeting had been chaired by Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati on behalf of Oburu, who the party said was “out of the country on official duties.”The statement did not disclose Oburu’s location or indicate that his absence was linked to a medical check-up.Oburu’s latest statement is the first direct confirmation that he is abroad for medical reasons, although he described the assessment as routine and did not disclose details of his health condition.The ODM leader said his temporary absence should not affect the party’s operations, describing his decision to step back as a deliberate opportunity for the movement’s leadership structures to demonstrate their strength.“As I attend to these personal health routine checks, that naturally come with advancing years, I view taking this step back as a deliberate, strategic moment for our movement,” he said.Oburu expressed confidence in his deputies, Arati and Abdulswamad Nassir, as well as the National Central Committee and secretariat, to continue running the party.“As an elder who has walked this long journey with you, I have absolute faith in their collective leadership, discipline, and vision to steer our movement effectively,” he said.The disclosure comes after renewed public interest in Oburu’s health following reports of a hospital visit earlier this month.On September 1, Oburu said he was “very well” after a brief hospital visit for a general check-up and said he had returned home.He has now confirmed that he travelled to the UK for a routine medical evaluation but has not disclosed any diagnosis or indicated that he is receiving specialised treatment.Oburu also urged ODM members and supporters to remain united and focused on the party’s national agenda.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 10 — From the boardrooms of the capital to the industrial parks of Kiambu and the port of Mombasa, counties are competing for a larger share of private investment.New data offers the clearest picture yet of where Kenya’s strongest investment ecosystems are — and where the biggest gaps remain.For decades, the answer to where one should invest in Kenya has seemed almost obvious.Nairobi is where multinational corporations establish regional headquarters, banks and financial institutions are concentrated, professional services firms operate and some of the country’s largest consumer markets are found.The County Competitiveness Index (CCI), developed by the State Department for Investment Promotion, measures the investment readiness of counties using a common set of indicators.Nairobi’s lead is not simply a reflection of its status as the national capital. The index shows that the county has built a powerful combination of economic activity, infrastructure and institutions.Yet the same data reveal an uncomfortable contradiction: the country’s economic powerhouse performs poorly when it comes to business efficiency.That raises a bigger question for investors: is Nairobi really the best place to do business, or is it simply the place where Kenya’s biggest business ecosystem happens to be?The CCI assesses counties across six broad areas: government and institutions, economic development, productive infrastructure, human capital, business efficiency, and climate and environment.Nairobi scored 100 per cent in government and institutions, 100 per cent in economic development and 100 per cent in productive infrastructure.An investor setting up in Nairobi enters an economy that already has the infrastructure and networks required to support sophisticated businesses.There are banks to finance businesses, lawyers and accountants to provide professional services, universities supplying skilled workers, transport networks connecting businesses to markets, technology companies providing digital services and a large consumer population.In other words, Nairobi’s biggest investment advantage may not be any single road, building or institution.A technology company benefits from being close to other technology companies. A financial institution benefits from proximity to regulators, clients and professional services. A manufacturer can draw on established supply chains.That creates an economic ecosystem that is difficult for another county to reproduce overnight.The CCI’s overall ranking reflects that advantage. After Nairobi’s 77 per cent came Kiambu at 73 per cent, followed by Nyeri and Murang’a at 61 per cent each.But the rankings should not be read as a simple list of where every investor should put money.The index is designed to benchmark competitiveness and guide policy and investment decisions across the 47 counties. An investor’s best location will ultimately depend on the sector, infrastructure needs, market access and operating costs.That compares with 100 per cent in Kiambu, 81 per cent in Murang’a, 83 per cent in Kirinyaga and 69 per cent in Machakos.Nairobi has Kenya’s largest and most sophisticated business ecosystem, but that does not necessarily mean individual businesses experience the county as the easiest place in which to operate.Land and commercial property are expensive. Traffic congestion raises the cost of moving people and goods. Competition for skilled labour is intense, while businesses navigate a crowded regulatory and administrative environment.Nairobi therefore has the country’s strongest investment ecosystem without necessarily having its most efficient business environment.That distinction could become increasingly important as investors pay greater attention to the cost and speed of doing business.Kiambu is only four percentage points behind Nairobi overall, with a score of 73 per cent.But its business-efficiency score tells a different story: 100 per cent compared with Nairobi’s 26 per cent.Kiambu also recorded 77 per cent in productive infrastructure and 89 per cent in climate and environment. Its major weakness was economic development, where it scored 37 per cent.The picture is of a county benefiting from its proximity to Nairobi while developing an investment proposition of its own.For businesses that need access to the capital’s large market but do not necessarily need to be located in central Nairobi, Kiambu could offer an attractive alternative.This is particularly relevant to investors in manufacturing, logistics, property, agribusiness and businesses serving the wider Nairobi metropolitan area.Yet the coastal county scored 93 per cent in productive infrastructure, making it one of the country’s strongest counties in this category.For businesses whose fortunes depend on trade and the movement of goods, that matters enormously.A logistics company, importer, exporter, hospitality investor or business targeting the blue economy may therefore find Mombasa more relevant than its overall CCI ranking suggests.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 10 — An estimated 1.9 million Kenyan students experienced climate-related disruption to their schooling in 2025, with drought identified as the major hazard in a new UNICEF report released of Thursday.The figure is roughly equivalent to one in every ten learners enrolled from pre-primary to secondary school. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) recorded about 18.4 million learners across those levels in 2025, comprising 3.12 million in pre-primary, 8.23 million in primary, 3.70 million in junior secondary and 3.34 million in secondary schools.Globally, more than 171 million students in 106 countries and territories had their schooling disrupted by climate hazards in 2025, UNICEF says. Three-quarters of those affected lived in low- and lower-middle-income countries.“For millions of children, climate hazards do more than disrupt lessons, they destroy schools, uproot families, and push the most vulnerable children, especially girls, out of the classroom for good,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said.Storms were the most common cause of disruption, affecting 109 million students, while floods affected at least 70 million and heatwaves about 50 million.UNICEF cautions that the figures are conservative because longer-term hazards such as drought are harder to capture than acute events such as floods and storms.Across Africa, Niger recorded about 4.07 million affected students, South Sudan 3.8 million, Malawi 3.32 million and Somalia about 1.54 million.In South Sudan, UNICEF says 2.8 million school-age children are already out of school, while more than half of schools lack safe classrooms, trained teachers, water and sanitation facilities.The report says climate-related disruption can increase absenteeism and dropout, particularly where drought affects household livelihoods, food security and access to water.Girls face additional risks when schools close or are damaged, including increased caregiving and water-collection responsibilities, displacement and child marriage.UNICEF estimates the disruption could translate into at least US$200 billion in potential lifetime earnings losses for students affected in 2025. The figure is a modelled estimate based on potential learning and earnings losses, rather than money already lost.The agency is calling for climate resilience to be integrated into education planning, stronger school infrastructure, learning continuity during emergencies, increased financing and better climate and education data systems.In Tanzania, UNICEF highlights climate change clubs that had been expanded to all secondary schools and more than half of primary schools by the end of 2025, with 9,865 adolescents involved in developing community climate solutions.Jeremiah Wakaya is the Online Editor at Capital FM Kenya. He is a multimedia journalist with over a decade of experience covering politics, diplomacy, constitutional affairs, renewable energy, and wildlife conservation.
Read briefing BOMET, Kenya, Sep 9— President William Ruto has handed over 220 housing units to new homeowners at the Chepalungu Boma Yangu Affordable Housing Estate in Bomet County, with 99 per cent of the units already sold. Ruto said the project demonstrates growing demand for decent and affordable housing and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to expanding housing in major towns while protecting productive agricultural land from continued subdivision. Speaking during the handover ceremony, the President said affordable housing in urban centres would enable more Kenyans to own homes and live closer to jobs and businesses while preserving agricultural land for food production. “We want our people to have decent homes in our towns while protecting agricultural land for farming. There is no need to continue subdividing productive land when families working and doing business in our towns have access to affordable housing,” Ruto said. The Chepalungu project comprises 220 units across nine residential blocks, including 60 studios, 20 one-bedroom units, 120 two-bedroom units and 20 three-bedroom units. The units target different income groups under the Social Housing, Affordable Housing and Affordable Middle-Class categories. The project, which began in May 2023, is practically complete and ready for occupation, with essential infrastructure and utility services substantially completed and o...
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya,Sep 9— Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo says his planned US$200 million investment in Kenya through infrastructure projects is finally moving from discussions to reality following a nearly three-hour meeting with President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi.Chivayo said he met Ruto for dinner on Tuesday, describing the meeting as an opportunity to discuss business, investment, infrastructure development and Africa’s economic potential.The businessman said the investment plan, which he described as a long-standing vision, would involve “various infrastructure development projects” in Kenya.“For me personally, last night was particularly significant because my long-standing vision to invest a small US$200 million in Kenya through through various infrastructure development projects is finally coming to fruition,” Chivayo said.He said what began as “discussions, ideas and possibilities” was now steadily becoming reality, adding that he was looking forward to bringing private capital into projects that create employment and strengthen infrastructure.“I am excited about the opportunities ahead and remain committed to bringing meaningful private capital into projects that create employment, strengthen infrastructure and contribute positively to Kenya’s continued economic development,” he said.However, Chivayo did not identify the specific projects that would receive the proposed investment, disclose the companies involved or provide details of any agreements reached during the meeting.There was also no response from President Ruto contained in Chivayo’s statement regarding the US$200 million investment claim.The statement similarly did not indicate whether State House had formally confirmed the investment, its value, the projects involved or any commitments arising from the meeting.The meeting also saw Chivayo offer a strong endorsement of Ruto’s leadership, praising what he described as the President’s “energy, vision, work ethic and relentless determination ” to transform Kenya.He said his discussions with Ruto reinforced his view of Kenya as an attractive investment destination and expressed plans to expand his business presence in the country.“As an African businessman, nothing gives me greater satisfaction than seeing African capital, African Entrepreneurs and African leadership working together to build our continent,” Chivayo said.“Kenya remains one of the most exciting investment destinations in Africa, and I look forward to significantly expanding my business footprint here in the years ahead.”
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 9— Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and National Police Service Inspector-General Douglas Kanja have joined international security officials in China for a global forum focused on strengthening cooperation against increasingly interconnected public-security threats. Kanja is accompanying Murkomen to the 2026 Conference of the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum, which is underway in Lianyungang, Jiangsu, from September 9, according to the National Police Service. The NPS said the annual conference seeks to promote international dialogue and practical cooperation in responding to the “growing interconnectivity and transnational nature of contemporary public-security threats.” The forum brings together participants to discuss a broad range of security challenges, with eight specialised sub-forums featuring on this year’s programme. The sessions will focus on migration management, international drug control, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, public-security technology and equipment, police education, tourism security and international security services. The breadth of the programme places cross-border security cooperation at the centre of discussions, with participating countries expected to engage on areas requiring international dialogue and practical cooperation. The NPS said the conference is designed to foster cooperation on contemporary...
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