Fellow midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch both had their stays at Anfield lengthened, but Mac Allister said his agent was told the club was "not in a position" to offer him a contract extension. Liverpool's Argentinian midfielder #10 Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring the team's first goal in additional time during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England on February 22, 2026. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP)Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister said Tuesday he could have left during the summer transfer window given how sad he felt at not being offered a new contract when other players were having their deals with the Premier League giants renewed.Fellow midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch both had their stays at Anfield lengthened, but Mac Allister said his agent was told the club was "not in a position" to offer him a contract extension.Argentina international Mac Aliister did not have his best season with Liverpool last term, but that was equally true of several team-mates during a lacklustre defence of their Premier League title that culminated in the sacking of manager Arne Slot.Mac Allister, 27, was linked with a move away from Merseyside, including to Atletico Madrid -- the Reds' Champions' League opponents at Anfield on Wednesday.He has t...
Read briefing The committee will be led by the Mining Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai on behalf of the government and Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited CEO Swaminathan Nagarajan representing the company. Mining CS Hassan Joho speaking during the Ministerial Forum on Critical Minerals and Beneficiation, organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire on July 10, 2026.Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has overseen the establishment of a high-level technical committee to resolve outstanding compliance issues surrounding the suspended operations of Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited.The committee follows a meeting between Joho and executives of the soda ash manufacturer on Tuesday, a day after the Cabinet Secretary accused the company of failing to comply with government directives governing mining operations in Kenya.The committee will be led by the Mining Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai on behalf of the government and Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited CEO Swaminathan Nagarajan representing the company.It will conduct a technical review of the outstanding issues and submit its findings to Joho for consideration and further direction.Among the issues the committee will examine are mineral beneficiation and in-country value addition, outstanding community benefits and royalty obligations, unresolved land matters, opening up the area for multiple mineral extraction and pending m...
Read briefing "Fiorentina announce that Fabio Grosso has been relieved, effective today, of his duties as coach of the men's first team," Fiorentina said in a short statement posted on social media. Coach Fabio Grosso has been sacked after just three Serie A matches and as many defeats in charge of Fiorentina, the club announced on Sunday.The 48-year-old, who won the 2006 World Cup with Italy as a player, was appointed boss in June after a successful two-year stint with Sassuolo.But Fiorentina have made a disastrous start to their Serie A campaign, having also struggled early last season before eventually avoiding relegation.Grosso's men were thrashed 4-0 by Roma on the opening weekend, before a 3-0 home loss to promoted Frosinone and then a 2-1 home defeat by Torino on Saturday."Fiorentina announce that Fabio Grosso has been relieved, effective today, of his duties as coach of the men's first team," Fiorentina said in a short statement posted on social media.Grosso's predecessor Paolo Vanoli was fired in May, despite leading La Viola to safety after replacing Stefano Pioli. ©Citizen Digital, Kenya
Read briefing Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Sing'Oei has apologised to Burundian nationals living in Kenya over recent attacks linked to the government's crackdown on undocumented foreign traders, pledging enhanced security in areas with large Burundian populations.Speaking alongside Burundian Ambassador Evelyne Habonimana, whom he thanked for her cooperation during the crisis, Sing'Oei acknowledged that many Burundians have lived peacefully alongside Kenyans for years before the recent tension."For many years, many of you have lived in Kenya like other Kenyans. You have lived with your neighbours, your brothers, and you have lived well," he saidThe PS said the government's directive was targeted at those operating small businesses without the required licences, and regretted that a lack of clear communication had left some Burundians vulnerable to attacks from neighbours who misunderstood the directive."We are saying sorry because those who do small businesses without a licence are not allowed to continue operating. There are many who do not understand you well, and because you are not able to explain yourselves, many of you have been attacked by your neighbours and friends. We are saying sorry for that," Sing'Oei said.He reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring that all Africans, including Burundian nationals, live together with Kenyans as brothers, and urged affe...
Read briefing Inter beat Bayern 2-0 in the Champions League final at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium, winning the trophy for the first time since 1965 and becoming the first Italian team to win the treble. Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Schalke 04 v Real Madrid - Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany - August 16, 2026 Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachWhen Jose Mourinho left Inter Milan for Real Madrid in the summer of 2010, after leading the Italian outfit to Champions League glory, he was at the peak of his powers.The Portuguese coach claimed an historic treble with Inter, clinching Serie A in the last week of the season and lifting the Coppa Italia.Inter beat Bayern 2-0 in the Champions League final at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium, winning the trophy for the first time since 1965 and becoming the first Italian team to win the treble.The day after the final Mourinho said it was likely his last match in charge and around a week later his appointment at Real Madrid was finalised.Now 16 years on, and beginning his second stint at Madrid, Mourinho kicks off the record 15-time Champions League winners' European campaign against Inter on Tuesday at the Bernabeu.Neither the veteran coach nor Inter have been able to reproduce that level of European success since.Inter have reached the final on two subsequent occasions, beaten in 2023 by Manchester City and th...
Read briefing He called for "cast-iron guarantees" to secure AI in a speech ahead of the start of his unprecedented second term, in which he also demanded accountability over deaths in U.S. immigration custody and condemned Russia's reported use of autonomous drones. U.N. rights chief Volker Turk warned on Monday that artificial intelligence could pose a threat to humanity, and pledged to press AI firms to reduce risks that his office said included disruptions to services, communications and democratic systems.He called for "cast-iron guarantees" to secure AI in a speech ahead of the start of his unprecedented second term, in which he also demanded accountability over deaths in U.S. immigration custody and condemned Russia's reported use of autonomous drones.The wide-ranging address was his first to the 47-member council since he won the four-year term in July in the face of opposition from Moscow and Washington.'HORROR' AT AUTONOMOUS DRONES"I share the concerns of industry insiders that advanced AI could pose an existential risk to humanity," Turk told the body in Geneva."I am calling here, today, for an all-out effort to put cast-iron guarantees in place around the safety and security of AI, before it is too late."Turk did not elaborate on the nature of the risks but a spokesperson for his office said failures involving powerful AI systems could disrupt critical infrastructure and d...
Read briefing Britain's King Charles III attends a Parliamentary reception at Parliament House in Canberra on October 21, 2024. (Photo by LUKAS COCH / POOL / AFP)But in a surprise move last month Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, returned to live in the UK with their two young children Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five.In the letter Charles makes clear that the couple's position is "akin to private citizens" and that they should not be addressed as his and her royal highness.So-called "working royals" are members of the royal family who carry out official duties on behalf of the monarch. They receive administrative and other support from the Royal Household to do so.A letter issued by the Lord Chamberlain, the most senior official in the Royal Household, said that following the couple's relocation there had been "a number of requests for guidance"."It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of the sovereign, and are no longer working members of the royal family," it said."This position, distinct from the state and royal duties undertaken by the working royal family, and with the personal latitude it brings the couple in respect of financial independence and protection of their privacy as they would wish, will continue to be fully respected."Current senior working royals are: Charles, his wife Queen Camilla, son and heir Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, as well as Charles's sister Princess Anne and brother Edward and his wife Sophie, known as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.Harry and Meghan, formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are reportedly living in central England's Cotswolds region and are said to have enrolled their children at private schools there for the coming academic year.Harry's grandmother Queen Elizabeth stripped them of their "Royal Highness" titles, police protection and public funding when they quit royal duties in 2020."The charitable work of the duke and duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity. In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests."The clarification comes amid uncertainty over what, if any, security the Sussexes will have paid for by the state.Britain's Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) -- an independent body overseen by the interior ministry -- decides which politicians, royals and others get police protection.Harry battled the ministry in the courts after Ravec downgraded his security following his 2020 move.He lost his bid to reverse the decision but with his permanent return, Ravec's risk management board will likely be re-evaluating the threat level he faces.Citizen Digital wants to hear from you. Send us your stories, videos, and photos.
Read briefing While PM hits the road in 2027 alignments, Linda Mwananchi continues to struggle with party registration. Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi has claimed to have been a founding member of Linda Mwananchi, a political faction he has since ditched to form the People Renaissance Movement (PM).The legislator claims that he had the blessing of the late Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga to form parallel political outfits.He referred to the Kenya Moja outfit, which was made up of a number of parliamentarians opposed to President William Ruto’s ruling party.“I founded Linda Mwananchi in the sense that I brought all these new figures, so to speak. By the way, Baba Raila Odinga, before he died, gave me permission to form what you called Kenya Moja,” Amisi told Citizen TV’s Jeff Koinange on Sunday.This was after questioning on his decision to abandon Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi and form his own political outfit.According to the MP, unnamed persons in ODM know of Raila’s nod to create the parallel political outfits. Amisi officially launched PM party in August 2026, seeking to position himself as a key player in the 2027 general election.The party, he said, would champion economic liberation, justice and a renaissance for Kenyans.It is also intended to mobilise Kenyans around an economic agenda while positioning itself to form the next government.While PM...
Read briefing But has anyone truly seen Mary, the mother of Jesus? Hundreds of people are flocking to Emenwa village in Nyamache, Kisii County, after reports emerged of an image believed to be that of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, appearing on the wall of a mud-walled kitchen.Mzee Charles Onsombi’s once-quiet homestead has turned into a pilgrimage site, forcing the family to seek reinforcement from police officers to manage the large crowd.Young and old, they travelled from different parts of the country to a small village in Nyamache, Kisii County, Emenwa village. The centre of attraction.A small, soot-blackened kitchen, the kind you find in every Gusii homestead. This one, however, according to area residents, is no longer ordinary.This comes after reports emerged of an image, believed to be that of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, appearing on the wall."It was around here... that's where they say they saw whatever they saw. I don't know,” Mzee Charles Onsombi explains.Uninvited and unexpected, they came, eager to witness what they describe as a divine opportunity of a lifetime."People have come from Homa Bay without seeing it, people have come from Sirare without seeing it, people have come from South Mugirango in Osoro's area without seeing it. We want the government to organize the crowd so that everyone can see it, and when they return home, they can share the message of what they...
Read briefing The question of the United Opposition’s flagbearer remains a hot potato. United Opposition pose for a photo during the official launch of the People’s Renaissance Movement on August 11, 2026. Photo/CourtesyPrincipals in the United Opposition are tonight calling for selflessness among themselves when the time comes to decide on a flagbearer to face President William Ruto at the ballot.Led by Democracy for Citizens (DCP) party leader Rigathi Gachagua and Democratic Party (DP)’s Justin Muturi, the leaders say the formula to be used must produce a leader who surpasses all leadership parameters against the Head of State.With the clock ticking toward the 2027 general election, the question of the United Opposition’s flagbearer remains a hot potato.Attention has now shifted to the personalities of the principals in deciding the man or woman to face President Ruto and ensure a first-round win.Leading the call for selflessness from Washington in the United States, Gachagua expressed willingness to shelve his presidential ambitions if the flagbearer picked would be a sure bet to send Ruto packing."If we do our arithmetic and find Sifuna ndio atapeleka hii mtu nyumbani mapema, so be it. And there’s no problem. There’s no problem. Even I, Riggy G, I can deputise Sifuna, kwani iko makosa gani? Even Sifuna can deputise me. Sifuna can deputise Kalonzo. Kalonzo can deputise Sifuna,” said Gacha...
Read briefing Muturi said political leaders should avoid rhetoric that could revive tensions associated with the 2007–08 post-election violence and potentially intimidate communities from participating freely in the electoral process Democratic Party (DP) leader Justin MuturiDemocratic Party (DP) leader Justin Muturi has called for the establishment of an International Criminal Court (ICC) outreach office in Nairobi, citing concerns over what he described as rising ethnic rhetoric ahead of the 2027 General Election.Muturi said political leaders should avoid rhetoric that could revive tensions associated with the 2007–08 post-election violence and potentially intimidate communities from participating freely in the electoral process.Speaking during a meet-the-people tour in Othaya, Nyeri County, Muturi warned against the use of ethnicity and memories of past violence as political mobilisation tools.“No Kenyan community should be threatened, collectively targeted or frightened out of exercising its constitutional right to vote,” he said.Muturi said his United Alternative Government was pushing for an ICC outreach presence in Nairobi as a preventive measure. He argued that such an office could provide a channel for victims, witnesses, civil society organisations and other institutions to raise concerns and facilitate the preservation of information that could be relevant to crimes falling under...
Read briefing Kenya is open to small and large-scale trade by foreign nationalities, as long as they are well documented and have the necessary approvals. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei speaks at an innovation pavillion in Nairobi on May 10, 2026. Photo: Korir Sing'oei/XReports that President William Ruto has ordered a crackdown on foreigners operating small businesses in Kenya are inaccurate, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oi now says.The PS, responding to a news report by French publisher Le Monde, said Ruto’s statements were taken out of context.According to Sing’oei, Kenya is open to small and large-scale trade by foreign nationalities, as long as they are well documented and have the necessary approvals. “We assure that small or large traders & employees of all nationalities, with requisite documentation — work permits & licenses — are legally protected to operate in Kenya,” said Sing’oei.“Burundian nationals and all East Africans — and Africans for that matter — are free to live in Kenya as long as they conduct their businesses or work according to the requirements of our law,” he added.The PS’s response follows unease over President Ruto’s statement on Wednesday, where he appeared to address hawking and other small-scale trading activities by foreign nationals.Speaking after meeting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) traders at State House o...
Read briefing The attacks have renewed fears among communities that had enjoyed relative calm for nearly three years, with local leaders now calling for heightened security and the recovery of the stolen animals. Residents of Turkana East and Turkana South are demanding urgent government action following a resurgence of bandit attacks that has left three people dead and hundreds of livestock stolen in the past two weeks.The attacks have renewed fears among communities that had enjoyed relative calm for nearly three years, with local leaders now calling for heightened security and the recovery of the stolen animals.The latest incident was reported in Lokwar Nakuse village on Thursday, where residents say armed cattle rustlers raided a homestead, killing three people and driving away livestock.Residents say the losses have left families struggling to cope, with one resident estimating that thousands of animals were stolen during the raids.“Idadi ya hiyo mbuzi yote ni kama elfu 5 na kitu... kama watu wa hapa tunalalamikia hasara kama hiyo tayari watu 3 wamekufa mwingine amepata jeraha tunalalamika kabisa,” a resident from Logum Village Josepg Elibach said.Residents also accused security agencies of failing to respond effectively to the attacks, saying they were left vulnerable despite the presence of security forces in the area.“Sisi tunalalamikia Murkomen Murkomen akuwe fair kwa disarmament......
Read briefing The suspect, Caleb Ng'wena, is accused of abducting the two minors on the night of August 24 after their parents sent them to a nearby shop to buy milk. File image of a police vehicle in a crime scene. PHOTO | COURTESYPolice in Mombasa have arrested a human rights activist and politician in connection with the disappearance of two Form Three students in the Kiembeni area of Kisauni Constituency, Mombasa County.The suspect, Caleb Ng'wena, is accused of abducting the two minors on the night of August 24 after their parents sent them to a nearby shop to buy milk.According to Mombasa County Commissioner Mohammed Noor, Ng'wena allegedly sent money to the two students using his personal assistant's mobile number before ferrying them to Nairobi, where they spent more than two weeks.Police say further investigations are underway to establish whether the human rights defender is linked to child trafficking. ©Citizen Digital, Kenya
Read briefing Meanwhile championship leader Kimi Antonelli, relegated to the back of the grid following an engine change said he just hoped to pick up some points. Lewis Hamilton was left disappointed on Saturday as the pace in his Ferrari evaporated as he qualified fifth for the Italian Grand Prix behind team-mate Charles Leclerc, the duo later rising to third and fourth following penalties.Meanwhile championship leader Kimi Antonelli, relegated to the back of the grid following an engine change said he just hoped to pick up some points.Hamilton, the seven-time champion, was bidding for an outright record sixth pole at Monza where he shares the record of five with Ferrari great Michael Schumacher, said he felt the Mercedes-powered cars ahead remained faster."I think we have a really great car," he said. "It's all Mercedes engines up ahead of us and I think we've done a good job to be as close to them as we are, but they ultimately gain several tenths on the straight."It is what it is. We just have to do the best we can. We're hoping for tracks that don't rely too much on power hopefully in the future."I'm really grateful to the guys back in the factory because they did bring an upgrade here. They are really pushing, but this is just the situation we're in."Hamilton again struck a note of criticism of the team strategy, saying it left him with no rhythm in his driving."The execution in Q3 wa...
Read briefing The angry faithful further claimed that their efforts to recover the money through the criminal justice system have been frustrated after the politician was allegedly released following intervention by a senior government official. Photo/CourtesyMembers of Gospel Embassy Chapel in Kisii are demanding a refund of Ksh.7 million they allegedly paid a politician for a parcel of land where they planned to construct a mega church project in Kisii Town.The angry faithful further claimed that their efforts to recover the money through the criminal justice system have been frustrated after the politician was allegedly released following intervention by a senior government official.The church members are now appealing to President William Ruto to intervene in the matter.The mood at Gospel Embassy Chapel was tense on Saturday morning as members expressed frustration over the alleged loss of the money.The members accused the politician of failing to refund the Ksh.7 million they allegedly paid for a parcel of land next to the church, where they intended to put up a mega church project.The church members, accompanied by their lawyers, further alleged that senior government officials had intervened in the matter, leading to the politician's release after his arrest."Inasikitisha jinsi ambavyo tumejaribu kutafuta hiyo milioni saba kupitia kiongozi wetu amekataa," Rachel Nyatichi, an elder at...
Read briefing Former Arsenal midfielder Guendouzi has been suspended "for a total of four UEFA club competition matches for which he would otherwise be eligible, for insulting others present at the match, provoking spectators and for violating the basic rules of decent conduct", UEFA announced in a decision made public on Friday evening. Fenerbahce duo Mason Greenwood and Matteo Guendouzi have been suspended for their part in the chaotic scenes after their club's Champions League play-off second leg against Lyon.Last month's 2-1 victory for Fenerbahce in France meant the Turks progressed 3-2 on aggregate and after the final whistle Greenwood and Guendouzi, who both previously played for Lyon's bitter rivals Marseille, were involved in a brawl with players and coaching staff from both sides.Former Arsenal midfielder Guendouzi has been suspended "for a total of four UEFA club competition matches for which he would otherwise be eligible, for insulting others present at the match, provoking spectators and for violating the basic rules of decent conduct", UEFA announced in a decision made public on Friday evening.Two of the matches are subject to a "one-year probationary period", European football's governing body added in the statement.Guendouzi, who was also fined 50,000 euros ($58,000), was found guilty, among other things, of giving the middle finger to Lyon supporters and of provocations tha...
Read briefing A late move for Monaco striker Folarin Balogun collapsed on a chaotic deadline day, while Iliman Ndiaye was sold to Manchester City. Everton's Scottish manager David Moyes reacts on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Everton at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on August 29, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP)Everton boss David Moyes expressed his disappointment at being left with a threadbare squad in the final days of the transfer window but is hopeful the Toffees have enough to avoid a relegation battle.A late move for Monaco striker Folarin Balogun collapsed on a chaotic deadline day, while Iliman Ndiaye was sold to Manchester City.As a result Moyes has been left with only 18 senior outfield players, including just one recognised striker."Disappointed we didn't do more business, disappointed things didn't go our way in the end," said Moyes at a pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester United's visit on Sunday."But sometimes in football you have to live with disappointments and we will and we'll move on."Monaco managing director Thiago Scuro said that Balogun pulled out of a move back to the Premier League over his treatment by Everton.An issue with the USA international's medical saw Everton attempt to renegotiate the terms of a reported £40 million ($54 million) move.However, both clubs were sti...
Read briefing The November 3 elections will decide all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate, determining how much freedom Trump has to pursue his agenda during the remaining two years of his term. WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 02: U.S. President Donald Trump leaves the podium after speaking as he hosts a dinner in the Rose Garden at the White House on September 02, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump invited Republicans in competitive races to a Rose Garden dinner ahead of the November elections. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/AFPVoting in the US midterm elections effectively began Friday as North Carolina became the first state to send out mail ballots for contests expected to threaten President Donald Trump's Republican control of Congress.The November 3 elections will decide all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate, determining how much freedom Trump has to pursue his agenda during the remaining two years of his term.Democrats enter the final months favored to take the House.A new Cornell University forecasting model gives them an eight-in-10 chance of winning control and projects a roughly 226-209 majority, while other forecasters similarly give the opposition party an edge.The Senate is expected to be much closer. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority, leaving Democrats needing a net gain of four seats, while Decision Desk HQ has pr...
Read briefing He called on "Arab and Islamic countries to take serious and unified action to confront these plans and adopt effective positions and measures to thwart them". A Palestinian boy rides his bicycle past Israeli army vehicles during a military operation at the Askar camp for Palestinian refugees, east of Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on September 4, 2026. JAAFAR ASHTIYEH / AFPHamas called on Arab and Muslim countries on Friday to oppose a proposal from two Israeli ministers to remove Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and send them abroad."Escalating statements by ministers in the Israeli government regarding the continued adoption of plans to displace the Palestinian people from the Gaza Strip represent an extremely dangerous development," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a statement.He called on "Arab and Islamic countries to take serious and unified action to confront these plans and adopt effective positions and measures to thwart them".Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir laid out a plan on Thursday that aims to see the departure of 250,000 Palestinians from Gaza in the first year, followed by the rest of the roughly two million residents over the following six years.His remarks came a day after Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel was ready to remove Palestinians from Gaza by sea and land but was waiting for the United States, which h...
Read briefing Fernandez previously worked under Maresca at Stamford Bridge, where the pair won the Club World Cup and Conference League in their only full season together. Man City's Argentinian midfielder #08 Enzo Fernandez arrives for the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage in London on August 24, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP)Enzo Maresca believes Enzo Fernandez's winning mentality will fit in nicely at Manchester City after a £125 million ($169 million) move from Chelsea to match the Premier League's transfer record fee.Fernandez previously worked under Maresca at Stamford Bridge, where the pair won the Club World Cup and Conference League in their only full season together.The 25-year-old was also a World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, but endured a rollercoaster of emotions during his nation's defence of the tournament.Fernandez scored two huge goals at the 2026 World Cup in comeback victories over Egypt and England, but was sent off in the final as Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain."He’s a winner and when you belong to a squad and another winner arrives they are always happy," said Maresca, who has stepped into the huge void left by Pep Guardiola as City boss."I can promise you that in the last four or five days, four or five players in the squad were asking if he was coming or not because they wanted him to be with us."It's very impo...
Read briefing Speaking at separate functions across Nyanza and the Western region, the leaders, including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, highlighted reforms in the agriculture and health sectors, saying the country is on a steady path to economic freedom. Leaders in the broad-based government have said the opposition lacks a clear strategy to improve the lives of Kenyans.Speaking at separate functions across Nyanza and the Western region, the leaders, including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, highlighted reforms in the agriculture and health sectors, saying the country is on a steady path to economic freedom.The leaders toured various parts of the country to rally support for President William Ruto’s re-election as Deputy President Kithure Kindiki also called for political maturity.Meeting UDA polling centre officials at Kinoru Stadium in Meru, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki outlined what he described as the government’s achievements so far, pointing to reforms in the agricultural sector.He also criticised the opposition, singling out former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whom he accused of political immaturity.“Mtaongeza mazao ya kilimo namna gani? Mtaongeza mambo ya matibabu na njia gani? Ni nini mpya mtaleta katika sekta ya manyumba na masoko? That is the adult conversation we want to have,” said the DP.Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga added, “I have looked at...
Read briefing The Government Spokesman cannot start by telling us everything is fine and then, in the same breath, explain why the problem is somebody else’s. So, I witnessed an exchange between our news anchor and reporter Serfine Ochieng’ Auma and the Government Spokesman Charles Owino on our breakfast show, DayBreak, earlier this week. For once, could we just admit: We have a problem in the police service?Not Mars. Not society. The police service.Also, the Government Spokesman cannot start by telling us everything is fine and then, in the same breath, explain why the problem is somebody else’s.Because imagine a hospital recording an unusually high number of deaths, and the doctors saying: “Well, people die every day, even outside hospitals. This is a societal problem.”Or buildings collapsing and killing people, and engineers responding: “Well, buildings don’t collapse only because of engineers. Society has a problem.”Or an airline suffering a series of fatal crashes, and the pilots saying: “Well, people die on the roads every day. This is bigger than us.”Of course, police officers come from society. But they are also officers of the State, entrusted with enormous power and an even greater responsibility to protect life.If this is a societal problem, and not merely the responsibility of the police, then do we even need the police? Or should we just organise ourselves as a society?What we a...
Read briefing Principal Secretary for the State Department for Livestock, Jonathan Mueke, announced plans by the government to open a duty-free window for the importation of yellow maize as part of strategic interventions to address a gap in animal feeds. He put a figure to it: 500,000 tonnes of yellow maize. On my Sense tonight, I try to make sense of a growing demand for maize importation.Just today, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Livestock, Jonathan Mueke, announced plans by the government to open a duty-free window for the importation of yellow maize as part of strategic interventions to address a gap in animal feeds. He put a figure to it: 500,000 tonnes of yellow maize.Now, two weeks ago, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe gazetted a duty-free window to import white maize, of up to 25 million bags. Kagwe explained that the country’s annual demand had risen to 75 million bags and, given the current season’s situation, we were going to face a shortage in the national harvest.All good! Until you interrogate the numbers and the timing.You see, PS Mueke’s declaration that up to 5.5 million 90-kilogram bags of yellow maize will be imported is not backed by any publicly demonstrated evidence of a corresponding shortage.The government’s own justification has been that animal-feed manufacturers are competing with millers for limited white-maize stocks. But that is...
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