The inquest into the fatal shooting of Gen-Z protester Rex Masai has closed after a forensic expert testified in court that the CCTV footage used throughout the proceedings was authentic and untampered with. Appearing before Presiding Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo on Monday, September 7, 2026, IPOA Senior Assistant Director of Forensics Joshua Mutua confirmed that digital examinations revealed no evidence of deletion, alteration, or manipulation in the submitted video files. Mutua explained that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) retrieved the original video files via USB flash drives before subjecting the material to comprehensive digital analysis. During his testimony, Mutua confirmed that the videos were subjected to digital forensic analysis and that no form of deletion, alteration, or editing was detected. He further assured the magistrate that all digital evidence presented before the inquest remained as originally captured, without any form of intentional manipulation. Conclusion of the Inquest Mutua’s testimony marks the end of oral proceedings in an inquest that spanned two years. Over the course of the inquiry, prosecutors presented 30 witnesses and submitted 48 exhibits to the court. Following the close of oral evidence, the involved parties will now file written submissions. Magistrate Onsarigo will review the full record of evidence, including the f...
Read briefing Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has filed a formal complaint with the Media Council of Kenya, challenging reports by KTN and The Standard about events that occurred on August 16. She accuses the outlets of publishing allegations that she says remain unverified and that unfairly prejudice her administration. In a complaint dated September 7, 2026, Wanga states that a KTN broadcast aired on September 6 and that The Standard published a report on September 7 describing developments in Homa Bay in ways she considers misleading and unjust. She argues that the coverage unfairly linked her office to the reported events. Wanga says she welcomes legitimate media scrutiny and public accountability, but she contends that both platforms fell short of basic journalistic standards. She maintains that the two outlets presented what she describes as unverified claims as though they were established fact. “My concern is not with legitimate media scrutiny; I welcome accountability and open public discourse. However, KTN and the Standard severely violated basic journalistic standards by presenting unverified allegations in a manner that creates a false and deliberate impression,” Wanga said. She also took issue with The Standard’s front-page photograph, which she says shows an armed man wielding a machete. Wanga claims the man has been identified as Nicholas Odhiambo Onyando, whom she says is a Si...
Read briefing State House spending reached a record Ksh 18.55 billion during the 2025/2026 financial year, with Ksh 6.73 billion classified under confidential-style expenses despite President William Ruto’s earlier pledge to eliminate confidential votes. The latest budget implementation report from the Controller of Budget reveals that State House more than doubled its initial parliamentary allocation of Ksh 8.5 billion. The additional expenditure was cataloged under “other expenses,” a category typically reserved for funds that fall outside standard vote classifications. Unapproved Spending and Emergency Funds By December 2025, State House had consumed over 90 percent of its annual allocation. This rapid drawdown prompted the National Treasury to invoke Article 223 of the Constitution to approve extra funding, which Parliament later endorsed. The surge in spending coincided with State House hosting high-profile delegations, including an event with approximately 10,000 teachers who reportedly received Ksh 10,000 tokens each. The Controller of Budget also highlighted unusual spending patterns in security operations across government departments: National Treasury: Spent Ksh 12.62 billion on emergency security operations, surpassing the core security agencies. National Police Service: Expended Ksh 11.39 billion on security operations. State Department for Internal Security: Recorded the highes...
Read briefing Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has expressed his willingness to serve as Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election if opposition strategy indicates Sifuna offers the strongest chance to defeat President William Ruto. Addressing a town hall meeting with Kenyans in the diaspora in Spokane, Washington, Gachagua urged opposition figures to stay open to flexible power-sharing arrangements. He reiterated his readiness to step aside and back any leader who secures the arithmetic necessary to unseat the current administration. “If we do our arithmetic and find that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna will send President William Ruto home early, so be it,” Gachagua told the gathering. “And there is no problem, by the way, even I, Riggy G, can deputise Sifuna. There is nothing wrong with that.” He added that leadership structures remain fluid, noting that Sifuna could similarly serve as a running mate to him or Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka. “Even Sifuna can deputise me. Sifuna can also deputise Kalonzo Musyoka. Kalonzo can also deputise Sifuna,” he noted. “We will come up with a line-up, and you will love it. We will blend youthful energy with experience.” Responding to audience reactions, Gachagua clarified that his remarks were grounded in practical political strategy, emphasizing that all three politicians repres...
Read briefing This special weekly collection takes you on a rollercoaster through Kenyan social media’s humor-filled landscape, showcasing the best of internet hilarity with witty quips, hilarious observations, and random photos. The post Funny Trending Memes To Kickstart New Week appeared first on Nairobi Wire.
Read briefing Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has addressed his viral shooting-range video, stating he resumed firearms and basic combat training in the United States due to rising insecurity in Kenya. Speaking to an audience in Spokane, Washington, on Sunday, September 6, Gachagua revealed that while he first trained in tactical weaponry in 1990, recent events pushed him to refresh his personal defense skills and train his family. “I’m taking time now when I’m here. I went for training in 1990 on weaponry and basic combat skills. So I’m taking time here to do some bit of weaponry, some bit of basic combat skills,” he said. “And I’m also trying to teach my wife the basics. I know now, these goons, they can accost anybody.” The response follows widespread reaction online after footage emerged showing the former second-in-command handling firearms and striking targets at an American shooting range, triggering public debate back home. Gachagua linked his target practice directly to the current political climate and safety concerns in Kenya. “The most difficult part is to stay alive. Tusiumizwe na goons. Hiyo ndiyo kazi ile iko mbele yetu,” Gachagua said. He launched a harsh critique against the state of national security, alleging that law enforcement boundaries have blurred significantly. “Again, the sad part, the sad part, you can capture the state and steal everything. But the sad p...
Read briefing Kick off a new and productive week on a lighter note by exploring the hilarious world of Kenyan Twitter. We’ve handpicked the funniest and most trending posts on X to help you shake off those back-to-work Monday blues. The post Hilarious Kenyan Tweets on X to Beat the Monday Blues appeared first on Nairobi Wire.
Read briefing Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has issued a statement claiming to know critical details regarding the recent abduction of Standard Media Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich. Kiprotich was accosted by armed assailants along the Gilgil–Nakuru Road on Tuesday night before being dumped near Masinga Dam early Wednesday morning. According to Gachagua, Kiprotich was preparing an investigative exposé detailing how funds intended for thousands of Mau evictees from the Kipsigis community were allegedly looted. The Democracy for the Citizens (DCP) party leader alleged that National Government Administration officials orchestrated the scheme under the direction of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Raymond Omollo, routing funds through brokers and proxies. “Alex was to publish an exposé giving a blow-by-blow account of how the funds have been stolen, leaving the evictees helpless and in anguish,” Gachagua stated. Claims of a Government-Led Plot Gachagua alleged that top state officials, including President William Ruto and CS Murkomen, planned the journalist’s abduction during a late-night meeting on Monday to prevent the story from airing. He further claimed Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Director Mohamed Amin was instructed to place Kiprotich under 24-hour surveillance using a covert squad led by retired officer Zachary Kariuki. “The DCI, Mr. Moha...
Read briefing Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja highlighted urban infrastructure upgrades, the expansion of the Dishi na County school feeding program, and healthcare modernization as three key benchmarks of his administration during the debut episode of his podcast on Thursday. Speaking during the launch of Nairobi, Let’s Talk, a weekly digital forum aimed at engaging city residents, Sakaja asserted that Nairobi has undergone visible transformation since he took office. Urban Restoration in the Central Business District Sakaja pointed to infrastructural and structural improvements across Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) as primary evidence of progress. He noted that investments in paved walkways and updated street lighting have improved pedestrian movement and overall public order. “First place I’ll take you to the CBD. It’s different. There’s order, there’s dignity, there’s paved walkways, there’s proper Victorian lights,” Sakaja said. Expansion of the Dishi na County Program The governor identified the Dishi na County initiative as his second landmark achievement, pointing to its direct impact on public school attendance and child nutrition. The program delivers daily subsidized lunches at Ksh5 per meal across hundreds of public primary schools and Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centers. “Second, I’ll take you to any school at lunchtime and show you children eating. I...
Read briefing It’s end of the week and we have the trending memes and funny posts. The post Hilarious Memes Trending in Nairobi This Friday appeared first on Nairobi Wire.
Read briefing People’s Party of Kenya (PPK) leader and Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has announced that he is fully prepared to run for president in the 2027 General Election, asserting that few leaders are as equipped to take charge of the country. Speaking on Citizen TV’s JKLive show on Wednesday night, Nyoro stated that he stands ready to assume the presidency if given the opportunity to lead the opposition against President William Ruto. While stopping short of a formal candidacy announcement, Nyoro gave an unambiguous assessment of his readiness when host Jeff Koinange pressed him on his presidential ambitions. “I don’t believe there is a person more prepared in Kenya to lead this country than Ndindi Nyoro,” he said. Nyoro explained that his preparation stems from rigorous analysis of national challenges and formulating concrete policy solutions before taking power. Pointing to education reform as a core priority, he pledged to roll out fully free day secondary education within three months of taking office. “If I got there tomorrow, in three months’ time, we would offer free basic education to Kenyans in all day secondary schools. In terms of being prepared, I am prepared to be anything, including the president of Kenya,” Nyoro said. Calling for Opposition Unity Ahead of 2027 Despite expressing confidence in his vision, Nyoro acknowledged the steep task facing the opposition...
Read briefing A Milimani court has ordered three additional suspects linked to the murder of Dr. Victoria Mutiso to remain in custody for 30 days while police finish investigating the high-profile case. Authorities transferred Police Constable Collins Bett Kiplangat and civilian Pius Muiru Mbugua from Uganda back to Kenya on Tuesday to face murder charges. A third suspect, Samuel Karanja Gathoni, challenged the prosecution’s request for custodial orders and denied claims that he posed a flight risk. Bett and Mbugua appeared before the Milimani Law Courts on Wednesday and remained silent as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) asked for orders to detain all three suspects for 30 days to allow further inquiries into Mutiso’s murder. State prosecutors argued that the suspects could abscond and warned that police could not guarantee their safety, pointing to intense public attention surrounding the shooting. Gathoni firmly opposed the application. His lawyer, SGI Oriaro, told the court that authorities had already violated his client’s constitutional rights. “His rights as an arrested person, including to be admitted to bail and not be held within the precincts of the Constitution, as we speak, his rights have already been violated,” Oriaro said. Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena rejected the defense’s arguments and ordered the three suspects held at the Ruaraka, Kileleshw...
Read briefing The government has announced a comprehensive package of measures aimed at easing milk supply constraints across the country following reduced availability of several processed milk brands on retail shelves. Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke highlighted that inadequate rainfall in key agricultural zones has severely limited fodder supplies, creating the primary bottleneck in raw milk production. Speaking during a press conference, Mueke confirmed that the state is partnering with dairy value chain stakeholders to directly support producers and stabilize supply lines. “We have agreed that all across the value chain, we are going to do whatever it takes to support our farmers,” Mueke said. “The farmer is the producer of milk, and without them we may not be able to enjoy milk and the dairy products.” Immediate Feed Interventions and Yellow Maize Duty Relief To alleviate immediate animal feed shortages, government agencies will map out excess fodder reserves held by feed manufacturers nationwide and distribute them to smallholders through cooperative networks. “The real issue is fodder shortage due to lack of rain,” Mueke noted. “We have agreed that we are going to speak to animal feed manufacturers, map out areas in the country where we have excess storage of animal feed, and then avail them to farmers through cooperatives.” Additionally, the government plans...
Read briefing The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has issued new draft guidelines outlining how telecommunications operators must handle and recycle mobile numbers left unused for prolonged periods. Under the framework, service providers can only initiate deactivation and recycling procedures after a line records zero revenue-generating activity for three consecutive months. “Number deactivation and recycling shall be triggered when a number records no revenue-generating activity, such as making/receiving a call, sending/receiving an SMS, using data, topping up airtime, or using the number for value-added service, for a period of three (3) months,” the CA statement read. Mandatory Subscriber Notifications Once a provider detects three months of inactivity, the regulator requires the operator to make active efforts to reach the registered owner using Know Your Customer (KYC) details collected during registration. “Upon detection of inactivity for the stated period, the service provider shall make efforts to notify the owner of the affected number using the contact details collected during the number registration know your customer (KYC) process,” the CA stated. Providers must send SMS alerts to the affected line as well as alternate contact points captured under the subscriber’s KYC profile. These tracing efforts must continue for an additional three-month window unless the user reacti...
Read briefing Kilifi County has thrown its weight behind a proposed 200-acre golf and hospitality development in Kalongoni Village, Shakahola, as local authorities seek to attract fresh economic activity following the tragic mass deaths uncovered in the region. The planned Tsavo Golf Course project features an 18-hole golf layout, accommodation and hospitality amenities, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and camping sites. County officials met directly with project leadership, including project director Julius Kihara and project coordinator Noni Mbugus, to deliberate on the private investment. The multi-million-shilling proposal brings renewed focus to Shakahola, a name that gained international visibility following the cultic deaths of hundreds of people linked to the Good News International Church and its leader, Paul Mackenzie. For Kilifi County, the investment offers a prime opportunity to diversify Shakahola’s economic foundation through tourism, job creation, and commercial ventures that serve both visitors and local residents. County officials expect the facility to benefit surrounding communities by raising demand for local services and supporting auxiliary business activities. The high-level consultative talks brought together key administrators from Kilifi’s trade and tourism departments alongside leadership from the Kilifi County Investment and Development Corporation (KCIDC). Atten...
Read briefing 2027 presidential hopeful Jimi Wanjigi has declared that eradicating poverty will serve as his central goal if elected head of state, arguing that economic hardship remains the root cause of Kenya’s persistent challenges. Speaking during an interview on the Thee Alfa House YouTube channel, Wanjigi continued to position his 2027 presidential bid around structural economic reform while calling out official policies that fail to deliver direct financial relief to ordinary households. The Safina Party leader noted that while the country has made strides in healthcare and education since independence, successive administrations have failed to eliminate poverty. He referenced the vision of Kenya’s founding father, President Jomo Kenyatta, who identified poverty, disease, and ignorance as the primary hurdles facing the nation. “The whole goal of this is that there are three things that have eluded us since independence. When we got independence, Jomo Kenyatta was very good at anchoring three problems: poverty, health, and education. 63 years later, are we still not in those challenges?” Wanjigi posed. “I will remove poverty,” he added. “Mine is to remove poverty, because once you remove poverty, you remove all the others.” The Human and Economic Toll of Poverty To illustrate the severity of the crisis, Wanjigi cited poverty metrics showing that roughly 32 million Kenyans are classifie...
Read briefing The Ministry of Education has directed the Universities Fund and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to extend the funding application window for all eligible applicants to September 21, 2026. The decision comes after the previous application period lapsed on August 31, 2026, recording 789,422 submissions. Acknowledging that several eligible students and trainees missed the cut-off due to various circumstances, Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba announced the extension to ensure no deserving learner is left behind. CS Ogamba confirmed that Ksh22.12 billion has already been disbursed in first-semester funding to continuing university students and TVET trainees. Clarification on Funding Models and Legislative Transition The extension follows recent reports of confusion within public universities regarding disbursements, which reportedly left hundreds of first-year students stranded without loans or scholarships. Addressing these concerns, CS Ogamba clarified that applications from first-time applicants will continue to be processed under the current Student-Centered Funding Model. The Ministry noted that appropriate transitional mechanisms toward a universal access and funding framework will be implemented once Parliament passes the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, 2026. All eligible first-time applicants in universities and TVET institutions are urg...
Read briefing Kenya Dairy Board chairperson Genesio Mugo reassured Kenyans on Thursday that the country’s milk shortage remains minimal, urging the public to avoid panic buying that has left some supermarket shelves empty. Speaking during a press conference, Mugo stated that the deficit stands at approximately 3 percent and noted that unnecessary bulk buying has largely caused the intermittent stock-outs seen across retail outlets. “We want to send a message that the shortage is not big at all; it is minimal, and therefore there is no cause for alarm and no need for panic buying,” Mugo said. He encouraged consumers to stick to their regular purchasing habits, assuring them that supply channels will remain steady. “Let us just buy the normal amount that you require, because there will be milk tomorrow,” he said. Warnings Against Unsafe Milk and Adulteration Mugo cautioned consumers against purchasing unpasteurized milk from hawkers or unauthorized vendors, pointing out that unregulated milk could contain harmful substances. He issued a strict warning to traders who adulterate milk by adding water, chemicals, or other additives before selling it to the public. “We are sending a warning to you that, please, that is not right, don’t do that, and if you are caught by the law, then the law will take its course,” Mugo said. Government Interventions to Ease Feed Shortage The regulatory warning comes...
Read briefing President William Ruto has ordered an immediate reduction in the minimum customs benchmark for general containerized consolidated cargo, lowering the tax threshold from Ksh3.2 million back to Ksh2 million. Addressing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) traders at State House on Wednesday, the President announced the policy shift to protect small-scale importers from severe business disruptions and rising operational costs. To ensure fairness, President Ruto directed the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to compile and publish a designated list of high-value commodities that will no longer qualify for container consolidation privileges. “Mr Commissioner General, create a list of the high-value goods and share it with these traders,” Ruto instructed KRA leadership. The president argued that importers bringing in high-value goods worth tens of millions of shillings must pay their fair share of revenue, rather than exploiting consolidated cargo tariffs meant to cushion small traders. KRA will now assess and tax those exempt high-value items independently from standard consolidated shipments. Freight Charges Cut and Boma Line Facility Overhaul In a further move to lower logistics expenses for small businesses, President Ruto instructed Kenya Railways to reduce freight transport charges for cargo destined for deconsolidation, capping the rate at Ksh10,000. The Head of State also o...
Read briefing President William Ruto has ordered a major national crackdown on foreign nationals operating small businesses across Kenya, setting Monday, September 7, as the deadline for state agencies to enforce shut-downs. Addressing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) traders at State House on Wednesday, September 2, the Head of State insisted that the government must reserve small-scale trade and informal retail exclusively for Kenyan citizens. Ruto instructed law enforcement and trade officials to initiate compliance operations next week, taking direct aim at foreign nationals who venture into micro-retail. “From next week, all traders doing those small businesses should close them,” Ruto told the gathering. The president stressed that while government economic reforms aim to attract major international capital, foreign investors should not displace local micro-entrepreneurs in neighborhood markets and urban centers. “We have made efforts to improve the economy… We have not improved investor confidence for hawkers to come to Kenya,” Ruto said. He maintained that Kenya must establish clear boundaries to safeguard small traders from external competition. “It cannot be that a person comes from China or elsewhere to be a hawker or open a small shop,” he added. Fast-Tracking the Local Content Bill, 2025 To permanently shield local markets, President Ruto directed National Assembly Maj...
Read briefing Standard Group Chief Executive Officer Chaacha Mwita has revealed the dramatic sequence of events following the Tuesday night abduction of the media house’s Associate Editor, Alex Kiprotich. Speaking near Masinga Dam, where authorities and colleagues found Kiprotich safe on Wednesday morning following his kidnapping along the Gilgil–Nakuru Road, Mwita recalled receiving an urgent distress call around 9:20 p.m. from a colleague. “He had received a distress call from Alex on an ongoing abduction that Kenyans have now seen on camera. It was done in disregard of the law,” Mwita said. The Standard Group immediately mobilized its internal security team, alerted police stations across Nakuru and Nairobi, and broadcasted news of the abduction across its media platforms to raise public awareness. Anxious hours ended early Wednesday morning when news broke that the assailants had dumped Kiprotich in a remote area near Masinga Dam. The abductors reportedly misled Kiprotich by telling him he was in Baringo, ordering him to remain still until instructed otherwise. Once the attackers fled, Kiprotich sought refuge at a nearby home, where a local family sheltered him and provided a mobile phone to contact his family and employers. “The people who had abducted him had switched off his phone. There was no way of reaching him, which added another layer of trauma around this. Fortunately, at aroun...
Read briefing A Nairobi court has ruled that banks can be held responsible for customer losses when weak account verification systems allow fraud to unfold. The decision, delivered by the Milimani Small Claims Court, concerns a case where fraudsters exploited a customer’s stolen identification documents and phone to access his account. The court ordered the bank to refund the customer Ksh511,000 after unauthorized access led to transfers carried out without consent. According to the ruling, the fraud began after criminals used the customer’s stolen national ID, ATM cards, and phone to bypass security checks. In its findings, the court concluded that the bank breached its duty of care. It noted that the bank permitted a new digital banking profile to be created on an account that had previously been used offline. The judges stated that the bank’s onboarding process for new digital channels did not provide adequate security safeguards. “This Court finds that the Respondent’s “Know Your Customer” (KYC) and onboarding process for new digital channels was inherently insecure. A bank’s duty of care must extend to ensuring that a significant change to an account, such as the activation of digital banking, is verified with a high degree of certainty,” the judgement stated. Robbery Triggered Unauthorized Digital Access The dispute started in July 2025 after the customer, who had used the bank for mor...
Read briefing Lawyer Angela Mulwa and co-accused Nelson Masiga Makaralu appeared in court on Wednesday to face criminal charges over the alleged theft of a Range Rover Sport valued at Ksh.15 million, belonging to the Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health (AFRIMEB). Appearing before the court, both suspects pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit a felony under Section 393 of the Penal Code. The prosecution told the court that Mulwa and Masiga, alongside others who were not present, conspired to steal the high-end luxury vehicle at an undisclosed location within the country. The duo faces a direct second count of stealing a motor vehicle contrary to Section 278A of the Penal Code. According to court records, the alleged theft occurred on February 12, 2026, at Kathangaita in Mlolongo, Machakos County. The vehicle, a Range Rover Sport bearing registration number KDU 799Y, was stolen while parked at the home of AFRIMEB Director Prof. David Musyimi Ndetei, the widower of slain psychologist Dr. Victoria Mutiso. In an alternative charge of handling stolen property, state prosecutors alleged that authorities, who had reason to believe the SUV was stolen, recovered the vehicle on August 1, 2026, at Rose Residential Homes in Karen, Kerarapon 14 West, Nairobi County, while in the possession of the two suspects. Mulwa and Masiga also face charges of malicious property damage. The prosecution al...
Read briefing Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Fred Matiang’i has urged President William Ruto to form a judicial commission of inquiry into the discovery of dozens of bodies in River Yala, declaring his complete readiness to testify under oath. Speaking during an interview on Inooro Radio on Wednesday, September 2, the former Interior Cabinet Secretary addressed the mystery surrounding the 36 bodies retrieved from the river between 2021 and 2022. Matiang’i maintained that he has nothing to hide and wants all top officials who served on the National Security Council during that period to account publicly for their knowledge. “On the issue of River Yala, I am the one who called for a commission of inquiry. I said that if there is an issue about what I said and what was said in the Security Council, then we should go public,” he said. Matiang’i directly challenged President Ruto to institute the public probe, promising to be the first witness to appear. “You can set up a commission of inquiry even at KICC. I am ready to swear with the Bible. I will be the first to arrive there very early in the morning,” he stated. Pointing to the security architecture of the previous administration, Matiang’i highlighted that President Ruto served as Deputy President during the discoveries, while Joseph Boinett, who now serves as Ruto’s national security adviser, headed the police service as Inspector General. “At...
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