NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 12 – The Ministry of Health has formally declared the Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus) disease a formidable epidemic disease, paving the way for the implementation of public health measures to strengthen surveillance, screening and management of suspected cases.The declaration by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale was published in a Special Issue of the Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 240, Legislative Supplement No. 132, dated October 12, 2026.“Legal Notice No. 203, issued by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale under the Public Health Act (Cap. 242), declares the Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus) disease a formidable epidemic disease through the Public Health (Declaration of Formidable Epidemic Disease) Order, 2026,” the notice stated.The designation provides a legal framework for measures to prevent and control the spread of the disease, including interventions at designated points of entry.The Gazette also contains Legal Notice No. 204, which introduces the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026, outlining specific procedures for managing the public health threat.The rules are organised into different parts, beginning with Part I, which contains preliminary provisions covering citation, interpretation, objects, application and the designation of a technical lead institution.Part II sets out public health measures at points of entry, with Rules 6 and 7 addressing entry controls and screening, as well as medical assessment, isolation and referral.The provisions establish a regulatory framework for identifying travellers who may require further medical evaluation and determining the appropriate steps for assessment and referral.The new legal instruments come amid heightened public health vigilance over Ebola, with the government seeking to strengthen preparedness and response measures against the disease.The declaration and accompanying rules provide the legal basis for implementing measures under the Public Health Act, with further provisions in the rules detailing the applicable controls and procedures.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 12 – Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) deputy party leader Cleophas Malala was on Monday tear-gassed at Kakamega Central Police Station as police moved to disperse a group of opposition politicians and activists who had gathered to protest alleged political intimidation in the county.Police also fired shots into the air as tensions escalated, triggering running battles inside the station and disrupting efforts by the group to present a petition against Governor Fernandes Barasa.Malala, accompanied by lawyer Ken Echesa and other DCP officials, had gone to the station to demand investigations into allegations that the county government was using gangs to intimidate political opponents.The confrontation also unfolded amid protests over the arrest of digital creator Anyamah Wa Anyamah, who was detained over alleged cyberbullying and harassment linked to social media content targeting Barasa.According to reports, the content included an allegedly fabricated or digitally manipulated video depicting the governor in a compromising situation. The allegations surrounding the video have been disputed, with the county government previously describing it as manipulated.Malala claimed responsibility for the disputed social media posts, questioning why Anyamah had been arrested over content he said he had published himself.“If you want who posted Barasa, then it is me. It is me who posted. Why are you arresting him?” Malala said, according to reports from the station.The DCP official accused authorities of targeting political critics and demanded the blogger’s release, arguing that the arrest raised concerns about freedom of expression.The group subsequently presented a petition to police leadership, accusing the county administration of tolerating political violence and calling for investigations into alleged attacks against government critics.In the petition, Malala claimed that more than 300 people had been recruited and trained to attack political opponents, torch houses and intimidate residents opposed to the county administration. He presented photographs purporting to show burnt houses and injured people in support of his allegations.Malala also called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to investigate the alleged attacks and questioned the conduct of police officers in the county, accusing some of failing to act on reported incidents.Journalists covering the confrontation were also caught up in the chaos, with reports indicating that police confiscated equipment, including a mobile phone belonging to a Citizen TV journalist. The phone was later returned following Malala’s intervention.The incident adds to growing political tensions in Kakamega as Malala positions himself to challenge Barasa for the governorship in the 2027 General Election.The two leaders have traded accusations in recent months, with Malala repeatedly alleging that gangs were being used to intimidate his supporters and other critics of the county government.Barasa, who is seeking to defend his seat, has also initiated legal action over the circulation of the disputed social media material, which his administration has described as defamatory and digitally manipulated.
Read briefing South Africa’s deputy police chief has resigned three weeks after he was charged with sexual offences.A lawyer representing Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya submitted his resignation letter at his disciplinary hearing on Monday, a police spokesperson said.The charges relate to allegations that he sexually groomed a 16-year-old girl and raped an 18-year-old woman. He is also facing a charge of trafficking.Sibiya has denied all the charges. He says he did have sex with the 18 year-old but says it was consensual.He has been in custody since he was arrested three weeks ago after his bail application was denied.Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said in a post on X that his departure from the police force was regarded as a dishonourable discharge.The case comes as the police service is in the spotlight at a major public inquiry over allegations of corruption and collusion with criminals.The inquiry, known as the Madlanga Commission, began in September 2025 and has heard accusations that Sibiya received a gift of 20 impalas from an alleged criminal kingpin in exchange for a police contract.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 12 – The government has intensified operations against criminal gangs in Nakuru County amid concerns that the groups could be recruited by politicians to fuel violence ahead of the 2027 General Election.Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara warned that failure to dismantle the gangs could allow unscrupulous politicians to use them to intimidate opponents and disrupt public meetings during the election period.Kibaara said security agencies had been pursuing criminal groups operating in low-income neighbourhoods, including Manyani, Kivumbini, Kaptembwa, London, Kwa Rhonda and Flamingo. However, he noted that some remnants continued to terrorise residents.Speaking during a County Multi-Sectoral Coordination and Collaboration Forum on Peace and Security, the commissioner described the gangs as a major security concern, particularly amid fears of politically sponsored violence.He said the regional administration was also stepping up the fight against illicit alcohol, warning that dangerous concoctions were increasingly finding their way into the local market.“People are mixing poison and selling it to revellers as liquor. There is an upsurge of the illicit and dangerous alcoholic concoction in the city because it is a transit route for ethanol,” Kibaara said.The meeting also saw the launch of a toll-free hotline and SMS service, 107, under the Early Warning and Early Response initiative, known as EWER107.The service was introduced by MidRift Human Rights Network in partnership with the Administration Police Service and other security agencies to enable members of the public to report security incidents and potential threats.MidRift Executive Director Joseph Omondi said the service would allow people from any part of the country to submit information anonymously and at no cost.“The more toll-free lines we have, the merrier. This one is fool-proof because it has to be verified by the nearest local authorities, the chiefs and their assistants,” Omondi said.He acknowledged concerns that criminals could abuse the reporting system to mislead security agencies but said safeguards had been incorporated into its design to counter misinformation.Omondi said timely information from the public would help authorities identify emerging threats and respond before incidents escalated, particularly in the run-up to, during and after the 2027 elections.He urged the public to use the hotline responsibly and provide accurate information to support efforts to maintain peace and security.The peace and security forums are organised by MidRift Human Rights Network in collaboration with the Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa (ELGIA) under the Strengthening Capacities of Peace Actors for Peaceful Elections (SCOPE) project, funded by the United Kingdom.The initiative brings together representatives from the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the Judiciary, the Media Council of Kenya, the Administration Police Service, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, among other institutions.Participants, including sub-county police commanders and deputy county commissioners, shared updates on security interventions, implementation plans and commitments aimed at ensuring credible, peaceful and fair elections.The initiative seeks to strengthen coordination among security agencies and other stakeholders while improving the identification and prevention of threats that could undermine peace during the 2027 General Election.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 12 – President William Ruto has renewed his attack on retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing him of betraying their political agreement and misleading other leaders as tensions build ahead of the 2027 elections.Speaking in Uasin Gishu County on the second day of his development tour of the North Rift, Ruto revisited his fallout with Uhuru, claiming the former president had promised to support his presidential ambitions after serving two terms.“I, William Ruto, voted for you four times. I stood with you when you began your journey to seek leadership. I stood with you in 2013. I stood with you in 2017. You conned me. You said 10 years of Uhuru, 10 years of Ruto,” he said.Ruto accused Uhuru of abandoning him when he sought the presidency in 2022, saying the retired president had instead urged Kenyans not to vote for him.Uhuru backed Raila in the 2022 presidential race, while Ruto won the election and succeeded him as president.“When the time came for you to stand with me, you conned me, you avoided me, you told Kenyans not to vote for me,” Ruto said.The President also accused Uhuru of misleading former Prime Minister the late Raila Odinga and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.He further criticised Uhuru’s reported political involvement with Jubilee party leader Fred Matiang’i and other leaders seeking to challenge the current administration.“My friend, please, retire. Stop the con artistry,” Ruto said, urging Uhuru to stop advising Kenyans on whom to elect and how to conduct elections.Ruto also appealed to residents of the Lake region, reminding them of their past support for Uhuru and arguing that the former president should not oppose him after their years of political cooperation.“You are the most ungrateful person I have met. You are the most deceitful character I have met,” he said in a series of sharp personal attacks.The President at the same time defended his administration’s performance, accusing the previous government of leaving problems in education, the economy, housing and healthcare.He said his government had employed teachers, built classrooms and changed the university funding model to address challenges inherited from the previous administration.On the economy, Ruto claimed his administration had revived growth and dealt with inflation.He also cited the affordable housing programme, saying the government was building houses, markets and student hostels.On healthcare, Ruto said 33 million Kenyans were covered under the government’s Universal Health Coverage arrangements.
Read briefing A man has died after being attacked by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, police have confirmed.The man was seen entering the tiger enclosure at the park near Doncaster just before police were called at 13:35 BST on Saturday.South Yorkshire Police said the tiger then attacked the man and he died at the scene. The animal was uninjured and remained in the enclosure following the incident – but the park was closed and will remain shut for the rest of the weekend.Foreign Secretary and MP for Doncaster North Ed Miliband said he was “deeply saddened” to hear of the incident and sent his “thoughts and deepest condolences to the family of the individual who died.”He added he was “very grateful to the emergency services and staff of the park who responded.”Yorkshire Wildlife Park said in a statement: “Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the family and loved ones of the person who has lost their life.”Police said the man’s family were being supported by officers. “Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time,” the force said in a statement.It added: “We are aware of videos circulating online and we would encourage people not to share this footage.”Earlier on Saturday, in a statement posted on its website, the park said its emergency response procedures had been “immediately activated” and it was “working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened”.Karmelle Pelham, 39, from Worksop, had been enjoying a family day out when park staff told them the site was being evacuated.She said she had heard what sounded like “gunshots” and an air ambulance had circled above.She praised park staff for their handling of the incident, saying it had been “very, very well organised”.Lee Pitcher, MP for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, expressed his gratitude to emergency services for their response.In a statement shared to social media, he said he was “deeply saddened to hear about the tragic incident that has taken place at Yorkshire Wildlife Park today”.“As ever, I offer my heartfelt thanks to the emergency services for their speed and professionalism, and I know I speak for everyone in Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme when I say our thoughts are with all of those affected by today’s events.”Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009, with its Land of the Tigers area opening in 2011.The purpose-built two-acre reserve is home to Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with around 500 left in the wild.Photos of the enclosure on the park’s website shows a high walkway for visitors and fencing above the section where the tigers can roam.
Read briefing Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned Donald Trump’s announcement of a deal to import Russian diesel into the US.Zelensky called it a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin that amounts to “an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged”, a position quickly backed by Ukraine’s European allies.Trump said Putin had agreed to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately “to the American and global marketplace” followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and a further one million after that.It is understood that the US Treasury is suspending sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April as part of the deal, but other assets like those in American banks are still frozen.Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that a further three million tonnes of Russian diesel would be delivered “within a short period”, dependent on the condition of its refineries, which have been attacked by Ukraine.Putin later said that Russia, which introduced a ban on diesel exports earlier this year, was willing to supply both the US and global markets with oil and petroleum products,but his statement did not specify amounts.“We count on America’s fair support for our defence of life, for our defence of people in Ukraine – and on the United States having a correspondingly strong conversation with Russia. A strong one, not a weak one,” he wrote.He later pointed to deadly overnight strikes on Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv as Russia expressing “its thanks” for the agreement.Analysts have questioned whether Russia is capable of providing that quantity of diesel and the extent to which doing so will ease prices for American consumers.Tim Armitage, an investment strategist at Quilter Cheviot, said the numbers mentioned by Trump were “relatively small”.He said the first tranche equated to approximately 2.25 million barrels, and daily US consumption was around 3.8 million barrels, “so it won’t make a material difference to pump prices in the US”.“Granted, there are then two more releases to come, but it does appear to be a slightly desperate move by President Trump to try to lower inflation ahead of the midterms,” he said.Paul Johnson, former director of the Institute of Fiscal Studies think tank and provost of The Queen’s College, Oxford, said: “What would make a difference, of course, is sorting out what’s happening with Iran.“Let’s be clear, President Trump has created this problem himself,” he told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.“This is a problem not created because of Ukraine and Russia in terms of diesel prices at the moment, this is created by the war in the Middle East.”The BBC has asked the White House what Russia will get from the US in return for the commitment.The agreement with Russia also opens Trump up to criticism from European allies and pro-Ukraine politicians in the US that the American president is now helping to fund Moscow’s war machine.The EU’s foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said suspending sanctions “provides Moscow with more revenues to wage war”, adding: “This is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe won’t.”She said European foreign ministers intended to approve the biggest set of sanctions on Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion on Monday.Meanwhile, a UK government spokesperson said its position “could not be clearer” and that it would continue working with international partners to support Ukraine and bring about sustained peace.“We will also maintain pressure on Russia through the toughest sanctions regime ever imposed by the UK, increasing the cost of Putin’s aggression and supporting efforts to secure a just and lasting peace.”Friday’s announcement is the latest effort from Trump to lower fuel prices in the US ahead of the midterm elections, after months spent grappling with the political consequences of the Iran war.That conflict, which began in February, has sent the cost of petrol and in particular diesel skyrocketing, which has soured his standing with the American public who have been stung by the higher pump prices and knock-on effects that led to across-the-board inflation.The average diesel price in the US is currently $6.28 (£4.74) a gallon, according to the AAA, down from the record high of $6.53 recorded at the end of September.Shortly after Trump’s announcement, the US Treasury formally issued a temporary licence allowing Russian diesel into the market.Putin said he had spoken to Trump about the global energy situation on Friday, adding: “The Russian side confirmed its willingness to supply oil and petroleum products to the US market and global markets at large.”An envoy for Putin, Kirill Dmitriev, welcomed the deal on social media, saying: “Russia-US co-operation on diesel and energy will benefit the world.”Russia has this year experienced two waves of severe fuel shortages across the country as a result of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries. Its diesel production has fallen by nearly 30%, according to International Energy Agency estimates.
Read briefing The US justice department (DoJ) has said it is investigating several TV networks over whether they broke federal competition laws when they recently suspended pool coverage of President Donald Trump.Last month, five networks paused their presidential coverage for several days in response to the Trump administration withdrawing the credentials of reporters from CNN, MS Now and Politico.The justice department asked ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News to hand over communications related to the pool and said that the boycott could violate the Sherman Act, referring to a law that bars companies from engaging in monopolistic business practices.A DoJ spokesperson said: “The Antitrust Division is simply investigating to determine whether these news organisations have violated the antitrust laws.”Trump blocked CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House last month after accusing the organisations of writing “fiction or lies” about his team.The White House later reinstated their access after a ruling from a judge. The three outlets had sued the Trump administration, arguing the restricted access violated their First Amendment rights.The First Amendment forbids the government from “abridging” the freedom of the press – language that courts have traditionally interpreted as preventing the government from discriminating against the media based on the content of their coverage.The Trump administration has taken a number of legal actions against news publications in the US, including lawsuits over coverage of the president.In February, the White House announced it was taking control of the press pool which has access to Trump and had for more than a century been managed by the White House Correspondents’ Association.The same month, the Trump administration moved to bar Associated Press (AP) reporters and photographers from spaces where access is limited, such as the Oval Office or Air Force One, because of the outlet’s usage of the term “Gulf of Mexico” instead of “Gulf of America”. AP filed a lawsuit and the case remains ongoing.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 11 – President William Ruto has set April 2027 as the new completion deadline for the Rironi-Mau Summit highway, bringing forward an earlier commitment to deliver the major road project by June 2027. Ruto said the first phase would connect Rironi to Mau Summit, after which the government would begin work on extending the highway to Malaba on the Uganda border, opening up a key trade corridor linking the Port of Mombasa to neighbouring countries. “I want to assure you that the road will connect Mombasa and neighbouring countries like Uganda. Phase One will reach Mau Summit. I will open the road in April 2027. That is when we will begin the construction of the Mau Summit-Malaba highway,” Ruto said. The President added that the highway would have four to six lanes along different sections to ease congestion and generate revenue for the country. “We will construct it with six lanes in some areas and four lanes at some points to reduce congestion and also help us generate revenue,” he said. The latest timeline marks a shift from the deadline Ruto announced when he launched the project on November 28, 2025, when he directed contractors to complete the Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit highway by June 1, 2027, coinciding with Madaraka Day celebrations. The 233-kilometre project, valued at about Sh184 billion to Sh200 billion in various reports, is being implemented through...
Read briefing KISUMU, Kenya, Oc 11 – Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga has challenged staff at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) to improve patient care and address public complaints over service delivery.During a visit to the Kisumu-based facility, Oluga called for greater accountability, professionalism and teamwork, saying the hospital must take concerns raised by patients and their families seriously.He warned that the institution could not ignore complaints about patients’ experiences, regardless of whether all allegations circulating in public were accurate.“ Irrespective of whether those complaints are accurate, we as a professional institution cannot afford to bury our heads in the sand,” Oluga said.The PS urged hospital management and staff to reflect on their conduct and assess how their actions affect people seeking treatment.He said public confidence in healthcare depended not only on the quality of medical treatment but also on how patients were received, guided and handled throughout their hospital visits.Oluga assured residents that the Ministry of Health had taken note of their concerns and was committed to ensuring the facility improved its services.“I want to tell the community that we hear you, we are here for you and we are going to do everything possible to ensure that when you come here, there is no other agenda other than your health,” he said.Oluga announced plans for transformational training targeting hospital staff to strengthen teamwork and promote a culture of patient-centred care.He said every employee had a role in shaping patients’ experiences, from security guards and cleaners to nurses, doctors and administrators.According to the PS, patients could receive appropriate medical treatment but still leave dissatisfied because of poor treatment by other members of staff.“Sometimes the doctor treated you very well, but the watchman didn’t talk to you well,” he said, emphasising the need for professionalism across all departments.He also called for closer collaboration between JOOTRH and nearby training institutions, including Maseno University and Uzima University, to strengthen professional standards and improve healthcare delivery.Oluga said healthcare services depended on integrity and urged staff to earn the trust placed in them by patients and their families.The PS noted that JOOTRH served patients from more than 14 counties, making its performance critical to healthcare access across western Kenya.The facility was elevated to a teaching and referral hospital in June 2025, with the change intended to strengthen specialised services and reduce the need for patients to travel to Nairobi for treatment.Oluga identified cancer, sickle cell disease and complicated malaria among the conditions requiring stronger specialised healthcare services in the region.He highlighted the burden of cervical cancer, saying about 4,000 of the estimated 7,000 patients he cited came from the region.The PS said expanding treatment capacity at JOOTRH would help reduce the financial burden on patients who travel to Nairobi for specialised procedures, including radiotherapy, as well as lengthy waiting periods for treatment.He acknowledged the hospital’s positive response during previous emergencies but cautioned that achievements in some areas should not shield the institution from scrutiny over service delivery complaints.Oluga urged residents to continue raising concerns through constructive channels, saying public feedback was essential to strengthening the institution and improving patient care.He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring JOOTRH fulfils its mandate as a major referral centre serving western Kenya and surrounding regions.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 10 – June Ndinya is moving from shaping what audiences watch to helping steer the company behind the content, bringing her transformative and creative leadership experience to the helm of Cape Media following her appointment as Acting Chief Executive Officer. Ndinya, who has served as the company’s Creative Director, was appointed on Saturday, October 10, replacing Mwenda Njoka in a leadership change announced by the company. The changes also saw Keneth Kazungu appointed Acting Editor-in-Chief, replacing Simon Macharia Gachuru. With more than 24 years of experience in the media industry, Ndinya brings a career built around storytelling, programme development and creative leadership to the new role. At Cape Media, she has been working alongside Dr Farida Karoney, the former Royal Media Services Chief Operating Officer who played a key role in the growth and transformation of the media house into one of Kenya’s leading media groups before her appointment to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Cabinet. Their collaboration at Cape Media has included developing new content for TV47, supporting a transformative creative direction focused on attracting younger audiences through programmes that reflect their interests, experiences and aspirations. The experience has placed Ndinya at the intersection of content creation and strategic leadership, as media companies increasingly...
Read briefing LAIKIPIA, Kenya, Oct 10 – The British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) has joined the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), national and county government officials, conservationists, community members and students in planting 200,000 trees in Laikipia County as part of President William Ruto’s Green Challenge.The exercise formed part of a nationwide initiative targeting the planting of 5.1 million trees within one hour across 31 counties with favourable weather conditions, marking the climax of this year’s Mazingira Week celebrations.The tree-growing exercise was conducted simultaneously at four sites in Laikipia: the KDF Nanyuki Base, Lombere Dam, the National Youth Service (NYS) Kirimon site and South Marmanet.Each site was allocated a target of 50,000 trees, bringing the total target for the county to 200,000 seedlings.Laikipia Deputy Governor Reuben Kamuri and County Commissioner Duncan Muyesu led local leaders in urging participants to prioritise the survival of the newly planted trees.They warned that planting seedlings without ensuring their growth to maturity would undermine the objectives of the environmental conservation campaign.The leaders called on individuals, community organisations and institutions to take responsibility for nurturing the trees and protecting them against destruction.They also encouraged residents to plant fruit trees, saying the initiative could improve household nutrition while creating opportunities for income generation.Chief guest Omar Hassan from the State Department for Tourism described Laikipia as a region of significant environmental importance and a key destination for conservation and tourism.He underscored the importance of protecting the county’s natural resources, noting their contribution to environmental sustainability and tourism development.President Ruto’s one-hour tree-growing challenge was also highlighted as a national call to action, emphasising the role of environmental protection in Kenya’s development agenda.The initiative seeks to mobilise citizens, government agencies, conservation groups and other stakeholders to contribute to the country’s tree-growing and environmental restoration efforts.Participants were urged to sustain the momentum beyond the Mazingira Week celebrations by ensuring the seedlings planted during the exercise survive to maturity.
Read briefing NAIROBI,Kenya Oct 10 – The Ministry of Health has called on churches to become frontline partners in Kenya’s Ebola response, urging clergy to use their pulpits and community networks to educate the public on the disease and encourage people exposed to suspected cases to seek help early.Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said religious institutions could help spread accurate information, promote preventive measures and ensure that people suspected of infection receive medical attention without fear of rejection or discrimination.In guidance issued to church congregations, Muthoni urged religious leaders to incorporate Ebola awareness into sermons, church announcements, fellowship meetings and community outreach programmes.She said the institutions had a role to play in protecting families, particularly by encouraging prompt reporting of possible exposure and supporting those affected by the outbreak.“Churches have an important role in protecting families and communities by promoting preventive practices, encouraging early reporting and supporting those affected,” Muthoni said.The appeal comes as health authorities step up preparedness and surveillance following confirmation of an imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease in Kenya.The ministry warned that people who have been in contact with suspected or confirmed patients must notify health authorities immediately, even if they feel well.Those identified as contacts should follow instructions from public health officials, including guidance on movement restrictions, quarantine and symptom monitoring where applicable.Contacts are advised to monitor their health daily for 21 days after their last possible exposure. The ministry clarified that not everyone who comes into contact with a suspected patient necessarily requires isolation.The ministry cautioned Kenyans against dismissing early signs of the disease, which can take between two and 21 days to appear after infection.Symptoms include sudden fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea and skin rash. Unexplained bleeding may occur in severe cases.Muthoni urged anyone experiencing symptoms, particularly after possible exposure, to seek medical advice immediately rather than wait for the illness to worsen.People who suspect they may have contracted the virus have been directed to call the Ministry of Health’s toll-free hotline, 719, for guidance on referral and safe transport to an appropriate health facility.They should minimise unnecessary contact with other people while awaiting medical assistance.The ministry said early identification and appropriate treatment, including supportive care, could improve the chances of survival.The ministry has advised households to immediately alert health authorities if a family member develops symptoms associated with Ebola.Relatives should avoid direct physical contact with suspected patients and exposure to their bodily fluids. They should also refrain from sharing personal belongings that may be contaminated.The warning covers blood, saliva, sweat, vomit, urine, faeces, breast milk, semen and other bodily fluids.Kenyans have also been urged to avoid kissing or hugging anyone suspected of infection and to maintain proper hand hygiene by washing regularly with soap and clean running water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser containing at least 70 per cent alcohol.The ministry cautioned against sharing clothing, bedding, utensils, razor blades, needles and other items that may have come into contact with an infected person.Healthcare workers, caregivers and family members face increased exposure risks when they come into direct contact with infected people without appropriate protection.Muthoni said untrained relatives should not attempt to care for suspected patients without professional guidance, while healthcare workers must observe infection-prevention procedures and use recommended personal protective equipment.“Family members and untrained individuals should not attempt to provide direct care without guidance from qualified health professionals,” she said.The ministry has also cautioned Kenyans against handling sick or dead wild animals, including bats, monkeys, antelopes and porcupines.The public has been advised not to handle or consume bushmeat from animals suspected of being infected.Families have further been warned against touching, washing or handling the bodies of people suspected of dying from Ebola, as the remains can remain highly infectious.Instead, they should notify health authorities immediately to allow trained teams to organise safe and dignified burials in accordance with public health guidelines.The ministry also highlighted precautions for Ebola survivors, noting that the virus can persist in semen after recovery. Male survivors should follow medical advice on sexual activity, including abstinence or condom use until appropriate testing confirms that the virus is no longer present.
Read briefing KISII, Kenya, Oct 10 – Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba says the government plans to generate revenue from tree planting through the international carbon credits market, with proceeds expected to support the education sector.Speaking at Nyangweta Forest in South Mugirango Constituency during national Mazingira Day celebrations, Ogamba said the government was exploring ways to turn the country’s afforestation campaign into an economic opportunity while addressing climate change.He said trees absorb carbon dioxide and contribute to carbon stocks that can potentially generate revenue through carbon credit trading, with the proceeds channelled towards education.“Planting trees will help us feature prominently in the carbon credits market and the money generated will be channelled to help education in the country,” Ogamba said.The Cabinet Secretary described tree planting as an important intervention in tackling global warming and mitigating the effects of climate change, which continue to affect Kenya through prolonged droughts and unpredictable rainfall.“Climate change is real. Planting trees will also reduce global warming and help in fighting climate change. We must act now for the sake of the next generation,” he added.Ogamba led leaders, learners, teachers, forest officers and residents in planting 30,000 tree seedlings at Nyangweta Forest, a key water catchment area that has experienced degradation linked to encroachment and logging.He said schools had land that could be used for tree growing, urging education institutions to integrate environmental conservation into learning and encourage pupils and students to become environmental ambassadors.The CS also challenged local residents to protect the newly planted seedlings, warning that planting trees without ensuring their survival would undermine conservation efforts.Local leaders accompanying Ogamba welcomed the initiative, highlighting Nyangweta Forest’s importance to rainfall formation and water supply in South Mugirango and neighbouring areas.Mazingira Day is marked annually on October 10 to promote environmental conservation through tree planting, clean-up exercises and public awareness campaigns.This year’s celebrations were held across all 47 counties as the government pursues its target of increasing the country’s tree cover to 30 per cent by 2032.The proposed carbon credit initiative could provide an additional financing stream for education while encouraging communities and institutions to participate in forest restoration and climate action.However, generating revenue from carbon credits depends on meeting applicable requirements for measuring carbon sequestration, verifying the climate benefits and ensuring the credits meet recognised market standards.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 10 – The Ministry of Health has suspended meetings, seminars and conferences scheduled to take place in hotels following confirmation of Kenya’s first imported Ebola case, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s preparedness against the deadly virus.Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed to Capital News the suspension of the meetings affecting the Ministry alone.“The measure does not constitute a blanket suspension of government meetings, conferences or seminars held in hotels,” Duale said.The decision comes days after Kenya confirmed its first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease, raising concerns about the risk of further transmission and prompting intensified contact tracing and surveillance.Kenya confirmed its first imported case on October 6 after a Kenyan man who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for seven years travelled to Nairobi while ill.According to the Ministry of Health, the man travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda, before boarding Jambo Jet flight 8523 to Nairobi on October 3.He was taken to Nairobi Hospital, where he was isolated and tested after presenting symptoms that included fever, chills, fatigue, muscle pain, a sore throat and bleeding under the skin at injection sites.Laboratory tests confirmed the infection. The patient later died on October 5, according to the World Health Organization.Health authorities have since launched contact-tracing efforts to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus during the patient’s journey and treatment.Duale has said Kenya is not experiencing a wider Ebola outbreak, describing the confirmed case as an imported infection from the DRC.The government has intensified surveillance, contact tracing and preparedness measures as health officials work to prevent further transmission.The Ministry has identified 57 contacts linked to the case, according to its October 7 update. Ten had been accounted for and placed under quarantine at the National Police Service Hospital in Nairobi, while efforts to trace the remaining contacts continued.Authorities have also identified designated facilities to isolate and manage suspected or confirmed cases.The World Health Organization is supporting the response as Kenya and neighbouring countries monitor possible links to the ongoing outbreak in the DRC.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 9 — The United States has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) as President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies its campaign against the tribunal, with the court to condemning the move as an assault on the rule of law.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on Friday, accusing the Hague-based court of seeking to expand its authority over American citizens, military personnel and political leaders.In a statement, Rubio said Washington would block transactions with the court, arguing that the ICC posed a threat to American sovereignty.“President Trump will never allow the International Criminal Court to prosecute Americans. That is why, today, the United States is sanctioning the International Criminal Court,” Rubio said.“We will ban transactions with this rogue court, cutting off their resources and crippling its ability to operate.”The announcement marks an escalation in Washington’s confrontation with the Hague-based institution, which was established under the Rome Statute to investigate and prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.The ICC strongly rejected the sanctions, describing them as an attempt to obstruct justice and undermine the international legal order. It urged member states to defend its operations.In a statement issued on October 9, the court said the designation targeted an independent judicial institution entrusted by 125 States Parties with investigating and prosecuting some of the world’s gravest crimes.“This is an assault on the rule of law and on the very foundations of the international legal order which strikes at the simple principle that no one stands above the law,” the court said.ICC President Tomoko Akane said the sanctions would not prevent the institution from carrying out its responsibilities.“The Court will continue to fully discharge its mandate, with independence and impartiality, acting only on the basis of the law and the evidence, for the sake of the countless victims of grave crimes,” Akane said.The court warned that the measures were intended to disrupt its operations and intimidate those who work for or cooperate with it.It also urged member states to take concrete steps to ensure the institution retains the resources required to continue its work.“Yet the Court cannot stand alone. Its fate now rests also in the hands of the States that created it,” the ICC said.“This is not just about defending a single institution, but about safeguarding the international order grounded upon the rule of law.”Rubio said Washington had deferred the institutional designation in the hope that the ICC and its member states would address American concerns.He accused both the court and States Parties of failing to take meaningful steps to resolve the dispute, while maintaining that Washington remained open to a diplomatic solution.“We have structured this action to provide an opportunity for States Parties to negotiate and present a solution to address our concerns,” Rubio said.The US secretary of state also called on American allies that belong to the ICC to rein in the institution, arguing that the court should not exercise jurisdiction over Americans without the consent of the United States.“Our message is clear: the United States and its people are not subject to the jurisdiction of the ICC,” Rubio said.He issued a further warning that Washington would continue targeting the institution if its demands were not met.The statement concluded with a warning that the United States would continue its campaign against the court “brick by brick” until it no longer posed what Washington described as a threat to Americans.The ICC called on States Parties to uphold the commitments underpinning the Rome Statute and ensure the court could continue pursuing justice for victims of mass atrocities.The court said it had undertaken measures with member states to maintain the continuity and resilience of its operations despite the challenges.It argued that the dispute went beyond the institution itself, raising questions about the international community’s commitment to accountability for serious crimes.“Future generations, and above all the victims of mass atrocities, will ask how we responded when an institution created to protect them came under attack.”The court said it would continue working independently and impartially, while calling on governments to demonstrate their commitment to the principles of international justice.The latest measures follow earlier US sanctions targeting ICC officials, including President Akane and a senior trial lawyer, as the Trump administration pursues efforts to restrict the court’s activities.The ICC has repeatedly rejected the sanctions, insisting that threats against judicial officials undermine the rule of law and the ability of victims to seek justice.The latest institutional designation sets the stage for a further confrontation between Washington and the court over jurisdiction, sovereignty and the enforcement of international criminal law.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 9 – The Cabinet has approved the settlement of 28,726 verified Government pending bills worth Sh23.74 billion, alongside major investments in healthcare, energy, roads, water, education and the turnaround of Kenya Airways.The pending bills, all valued at Sh50 million and below, represent 98 per cent of the 29,257 claims recommended for settlement. Some suppliers and contractors have been waiting for payment since 2005, according to a dispatch from State House.The decision follows a review by the Pending Bills Verification Committee, which received 115,617 claims worth Sh664.8 billion. After verification, 29,257 claims valued at Sh155.34 billion were recommended for settlement.The National Treasury will oversee implementation, with priority given to micro, small and medium enterprises, particularly those owned by women, young people and persons with disabilities. Bills exceeding Sh50 million will be settled progressively.In healthcare, Cabinet approved a major hospital infrastructure programme that will include the construction of a 2,000-bed Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and a 1,000-bed Level Six hospital in Mombasa.It also approved the expansion of 13 Level Five hospitals by an additional 300 beds each in Mandera, Marsabit, Turkana, Kilifi, Embu, Nakuru, Laikipia, Migori, Nyamira, Baringo, Bomet, Narok and Kisii counties.Cabinet also endorsed a KSh8 billion healthcare programme with France to establish and equip specialised head and neck surgical units at Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and the University of Nairobi Dental Hospital.The programme will also strengthen cancer treatment and train 5,000 community health workers.Cabinet adopted the Kenya National Energy Compact, which seeks to mobilise approximately KSh2.47 trillion, equivalent to USD19 billion, in investment and connect an additional 5.1 million households to electricity by 2030.The Government says the plan will expand electricity access to underserved communities while supporting enterprise growth, industrial development and employment.Cabinet also approved a USD8.8 million electric cooking programme to support the uptake of 100,000 electric cooking appliances in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado counties.Cabinet cleared three strategic road corridors under the Roads for Rural Economic Development Programme.They include the 253-kilometre South Rift–Lake Region Gateway Corridor, the 256-kilometre Great Highlands Connectivity Corridor and the approximately 400-kilometre Lake Victoria Ring Road.The projects are intended to connect agricultural production areas, fishing communities and trading centres to wider markets while reducing transport costs and travel times.Cabinet approved an additional KSh12.83 billion to complete the Thwake Multipurpose Dam.The project is expected to supply 150,000 cubic metres of water daily to about 1.3 million people in Makueni and Kitui counties, including Wote and surrounding areas, as well as Konza Technopolis.Cabinet adopted the Sessional Paper on Transforming Education, Training and Research, paving the way for reforms aimed at improving access to quality learning and equipping young Kenyans with skills for employment, entrepreneurship and economic opportunity.The reforms will strengthen Competency-Based Education, address teacher shortages, expand technical and vocational training and better align education with labour market demands. CABINET NEWS OCTOBER 9, 2026Cabinet approved USD350 million in shareholder financing for Kenya Airways to meet urgent financial obligations, including aircraft maintenance and returning grounded aircraft to service.The funds will be disbursed in tranches under National Treasury oversight, with a repayment period of up to 10 years and the possibility of conversion into equity, subject to the necessary approvals.Cabinet also endorsed the proposed conversion of Sh122 billion in existing Government loans, plus accrued interest, into an equity-qualifying tradable instrument to strengthen the airline’s balance sheet and support future capital raising.Cabinet reviewed preparations for Mazingira Day on October 10 and reaffirmed its focus on tree growing, ecosystem restoration and climate action.The Green Challenge aims to mobilise 200,000 Kenyans to plant six million trees within one hour, contributing to the national target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032.Cabinet also considered plans to restore 462,299 hectares of degraded landscapes and approved additional financing for community-led climate action across all 47 counties.Cabinet further adopted the National Insurance Policy 2026, which seeks to make insurance more affordable and accessible, particularly for farmers, informal sector workers and small businesses.The policy proposes reforms to strengthen consumer protection, tighten oversight of insurers, combat insurance fraud and expand digital insurance services.Cabinet cleared the Architectural and Quantity Surveying Practitioners Bill, 2026, which proposes tougher action against unqualified practitioners and penalties of up to Sh2 million or two years in prison for false registration or licensing.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 9 — Kenya has failed to report meaningful enforcement action against public officials and recruitment agencies allegedly linked to human trafficking, with a new United States report warning that official complicity continues to undermine the country’s efforts to prosecute the crime.The 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report said Kenyan authorities investigated three Ministry of Labour officials suspected of accepting bribes to facilitate potential trafficking involving migrant workers travelling to the Middle East, but highlighted broader concerns over alleged collusion between public officials and recruitment networks.The report also found that the government had not reported action against recruitment agencies allegedly owned by government employees and suspected of facilitating trafficking, with authorities frequently pursuing lesser offences such as failure to register recruitment companies.“Corruption and official complicity in trafficking crimes remained significant concerns, inhibiting law enforcement action during the year,” the report stated.The findings raise questions about accountability within institutions responsible for regulating overseas recruitment and protecting Kenyans seeking employment abroad.Media reports cited in the assessment indicated that more than 10 per cent of Kenyan government officials held ownership interests in private employment agencies, including firms recruiting migrant workers for jobs overseas, creating potential conflicts of interest.Observers also alleged that criminal syndicates colluded with law enforcement and immigration departments at border checkpoints and airports to transport trafficking victims into and within Kenya.The report further cited allegations that some Kenyan embassy officials in Saudi Arabia demanded sex or cash payments from women seeking government assistance to escape abusive employers and return home.The allegations come against the backdrop of declining anti-trafficking prosecutions and convictions.Kenya convicted six traffickers in 2025, down from 21 in 2024, while prosecutions fell from 44 cases to 14.The government investigated 43 trafficking cases during the year, compared with 42 in 2024.The report also detailed allegations involving the fraudulent recruitment of more than 1,000 Kenyan men to fight for the Russian military in the war against Ukraine, with officials reporting that Kenyan and Russian officials had colluded with illicit recruiters to facilitate the recruitment.Despite the concerns, Kenya remained on Tier 2 in the US assessment, which recognises significant efforts to combat trafficking while finding that the government has not fully met the minimum standards for eliminating the crime.The report credited Kenya with identifying more victims, repatriating citizens exploited in overseas online scam operations, and securing its first civil judgment against a fraudulent recruiter.However, it said persistent concerns over official complicity continued to hamper law enforcement and victim identification, while protection services for adult survivors remained limited.Bruhan Makong is a Senior News Reporter for Capital FM in Nairobi, covering diplomacy, foreign policy, national security, climate, and human rights across East Africa and the wider region.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 9— Kenya’s convictions of human traffickers fell by more than 70 per cent in 2025, even as authorities identified more victims, with a new United States report raising concerns over official complicity, fraudulent overseas recruitment and inadequate protection for survivors.The 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report found that Kenya convicted six traffickers under its anti-trafficking law in 2025, down from 21 in 2024, while prosecutions fell sharply from 44 cases to 14.The findings point to a widening gap between the identification of trafficking victims and the prosecution of those responsible, despite increased government efforts to rescue Kenyans exploited abroad and strengthen victim assistance.“The government decreased anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts,” the report stated in its assessment of Kenya’s prosecution record.Kenya retained its Tier 2 ranking, meaning the government was making significant efforts to combat trafficking but had not fully met the minimum standards for eliminating the crime.The report credited authorities with identifying substantially more victims, partnering with civil society organisations to assist and securing the country’s first civil judgment against a fraudulent recruiter.However, it said prosecutions and convictions had declined, protection services remained limited, and allegations of official complicity continued to undermine enforcement.Kenyan authorities investigated 43 trafficking cases in 2025, compared with 42 in 2024.However, the number of cases prosecuted dropped from 44 to 14, while convictions fell from 21 traffickers to six.Of those convicted, five were involved in sex trafficking and one in forced labour.Two sex traffickers received 30-year prison sentences, three were sentenced to 20 years, and the labour trafficker received a 10-year sentence.The government reported 103 ongoing prosecutions, suggesting that numerous cases remained before the courts even as the number brought forward during the reporting period declined.The report also identified weaknesses in national data collection, noting that a centralised law enforcement database developed with an NGO had not become operational by the end of the reporting period.The absence of a functioning system hindered the collection and breakdown of national trafficking statistics, potentially contributing to underreporting.The report raised concerns about alleged corruption involving public officials, saying it continued to inhibit law enforcement action and efforts to identify trafficking victims.The government investigated three Ministry of Labour officials suspected of accepting bribes to facilitate potential trafficking crimes involving migrant workers travelling to the Middle East.Observers also alleged that criminal syndicates colluded with law enforcement and immigration personnel at border checkpoints and airports to move trafficking victims into and within Kenya.Media reports cited by the assessment indicated that more than 10 per cent of Kenyan government officials held ownership interests in private employment agencies, including firms recruiting workers for jobs abroad, raising potential conflicts of interest.The government did not report taking action against recruitment agencies allegedly owned by public employees and suspected of facilitating trafficking.Instead, authorities frequently pursued lesser offences, including failure to register recruitment companies.The report also cited allegations that some Kenyan embassy officials in Saudi Arabia demanded sex or cash from women seeking government assistance to escape abusive employers and return home.Separately, officials reported that Kenyan nationals had been fraudulently recruited with the involvement of Kenyan officials, Russian officials and illicit recruiters to fight for the Russian military in the war against Ukraine.More than 1,000 Kenyan men were reportedly recruited through promises of employment before being drawn into military service.Despite the decline in prosecutions, Kenya recorded progress in identifying trafficking victims and expanding assistance.Authorities identified 271 trafficking victims in the reporting period, up from 195 previously. Of those identified, 260 were victims of forced labour and 11 of sex trafficking.The government referred 44 victims to services, compared with none in the previous reporting period, while partnerships with non-governmental organisations enabled assistance to 483 victims, up from 321.The government also funded the voluntary repatriation of hundreds of Kenyans exploited abroad, particularly in online scam operations across Southeast Asia.However, the report found that services for adult victims remained inadequate, with limited shelter capacity for men and some victims being referred to homeless shelters or left without accommodation.Funding for direct victim assistance through the National Assistance Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking fell to Sh9.27 million from Sh20 million in the previous reporting period.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 9 — The United States Embassy in Nairobi will close its offices to the public on Monday, October 12, for the Columbus Day federal holiday, affecting Kenyans planning to access consular services and other official assistance.In a notice issued on Friday, the embassy said the closure would be observed in line with the US federal holiday, which falls on the second Monday of October each year.“The U.S. Embassy will be closed on Monday, October 12, 2026, in observance of Columbus Day,” the embassy announced.The closure means people intending to visit the mission for consular services or other official business should plan their visits around the holiday and check the embassy’s official communication channels for any appointment-related updates.Columbus Day commemorates Christopher Columbus’ 1492 voyage across the Atlantic, which brought him to islands in the present-day Bahamas. The holiday is observed annually in the United States on the second Monday of October.In a proclamation dated October 7, US President Donald Trump called on Americans to mark the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, while directing that the US flag be displayed on public buildings.The proclamation also defended Columbus’ historical legacy, describing his voyage as a turning point in the history of exploration and linking it to the development of the United States.“Today, we reaffirm that Christopher Columbus is a legend whose vision, fortitude, and perseverance unleashed a dynamic of history that led to the creation of the greatest, freest, and most just Nation in history,” Trump said in his proclamation on October 7.“We are forever indebted to his courageous voyage, and we will never allow his legacy to be erased by radical extremists.”Bruhan Makong is a Senior News Reporter for Capital FM in Nairobi, covering diplomacy, foreign policy, national security, climate, and human rights across East Africa and the wider region.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 8— Rwanda has called on the international community to support its efforts to address the threat posed by the FDLR militia in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, as Kigali sought to rally diplomatic backing for its security concerns. Rwanda Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Usta Kaitesi made the appeal while addressing diplomats accredited to Rwanda but based in Nairobi on Thursday, where she also highlighted the deepening strategic partnership between Rwanda and Kenya. Kaitesi said Rwanda was engaged in multiple diplomatic tracks to address the three-decade-old crisis in eastern DRC but maintained that the FDLR remained a central security concern for Kigali. “Rwanda remains committed to finding an end to this crisis with the support of the international community as a whole, who should demonstrate good faith in addressing our legitimate security concerns,” she told the diplomats. Kaitesi accused the DRC government of failing to neutralise the FDLR despite its commitment under the Washington Peace process to do so. “Despite the DRC’s commitment in the Washington Peace process to neutralize this group, it is disappointing to see that it still enjoys strong support and political cover by the DRC Government,” she said. Kigali regards FDLR as remnants of forces responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. She also raised concern over w...
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 8 — The High Court has dismissed Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria’s challenge against sanctions imposed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over an Electoral Code of Conduct violation, clearing the way for enforcement of a Sh2.5 million fine and an order requiring him to issue a public apology and retraction.Justice William Musyoka dismissed Gikaria’s judicial review application on Thursday, finding that the MP had not met the threshold for the orders he sought. The court also made no order as to costs.The judgment discharged temporary orders issued on July 15 that had suspended implementation of the IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee’s July 14 determination.The case followed complaints over remarks Gikaria made while campaigning ahead of the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.The IEBC committee found that his remarks concerning cash handouts and the collection of national identity card details amounted to conduct prohibited under the Electoral Code of Conduct, including statements that could imply financial inducement of voters and mislead them about voting requirements.Gikaria had defended the collection of ID details, saying they were used to account for beneficiaries and were not intended to influence the by-election.“During voting, is it your ID that is used? No. People vote using their fingerprints.”The committee subsequently imposed the Sh2.5 million fine, ordered Gikaria to issue a public apology and retraction, issued a formal warning against similar conduct and referred evidence to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for investigation of possible election offences.Gikaria moved to the High Court after the IEBC determination, arguing that the proceedings violated his constitutional rights to fair administrative action and a fair hearing.He challenged the decision to proceed with the hearing while he was reportedly unwell and raised concerns over the time available to respond to a cyber investigation report relied upon by the committee.On July 15, Justice Musyoka certified the application as urgent and temporarily stayed implementation of the IEBC decision pending determination of the judicial review application.The IEBC committee had earlier rejected an application to adjourn the July 14 proceedings after Gikaria’s lawyer said the MP had been admitted to hospital.The committee said it had not been provided with sufficient medical documentation to substantiate the request and proceeded with the matter, noting that Gikaria was represented by advocates and that electoral proceedings are subject to statutory timelines.In dismissing the challenge, the High Court affirmed the legal framework under which the IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee can summon persons, hear complaints and make findings on alleged breaches.The court also recognised sanctions available under the framework, including financial penalties, restrictions on campaigning, formal warnings, apologies and disqualification, and noted that the enforcement process is distinct from criminal proceedings.The judgment further underscored the seriousness of voter bribery and schemes aimed at suppressing voter participation, highlighting the need for effective sanctions to protect electoral integrity.Following the ruling, the IEBC called on Gikaria to comply with the July 14 determination within the stipulated timelines, including payment of the fine and issuance of the public apology and retraction.The commission said the ruling reaffirmed its constitutional and statutory mandate to enforce the Electoral Code of Conduct and safeguard the integrity of elections.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 8— Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has moved to accelerate the operationalization of County Policing Authorities, in a push to give communities a more structured role in policing and strengthen accountability at the county level.Murkomen on Thursday met senior security officials led by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to review ongoing security reforms, with the meeting focusing on the legal and institutional arrangements needed to make the county policing structures fully functional.The move could deepen community participation in security planning by creating a formal platform bringing together national security agencies, county governments and representatives of local communities.He said the reforms would seek to strengthen public participation while ensuring policing remains anchored in the Constitution.“We remain committed to strengthening public participation in security matters, entrenching accountability and community policing, while ensuring that the implementation is undertaken within the Constitution,” Murkomen said.The County Policing Authorities are already provided for under the National Police Service Act, which establishes an authority in every county chaired by the governor and comprising representatives of the National Intelligence Service, National Police Service, county assemblies and community interests.The law also assigns the authorities a role in implementing community policing, including facilitating training, receiving reports from local policing structures and preparing county community-policing reports for submission to the Interior Cabinet Secretary.Murkomen said the latest discussions were aimed at addressing the legal and institutional requirements for the authorities to become operational.“We discussed the legal and institutional framework required to operationalise County Policing Authorities and agreed on the need for a coordinated approach involving all relevant institutions,” Murkomen said.The push comes as the government also moves to strengthen the National Police Service Reserve, another component of its wider community-based security strategy.Murkomen said he received an update on the National Police Service Reserve Policy, which is intended to provide a clearer framework for the management, coordination and deployment of National Police Reservists across the country.The National Police Service Act already provides for a National Police Reserve and allows reservists to assist the Kenya Police Service and Administration Police Service in maintaining law and order and preserving peace.The government has recently expanded training of reservists, particularly in areas affected by banditry and cattle rustling. In September, 705 newly trained National Police Reservists passed out at the Magado Field Training Camp in Meru County as part of efforts to strengthen security in vulnerable areas.Murkomen said the two reform tracks were intended to improve coordination and make policing more responsive to changing security threats.“These efforts are aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening coordination and ensuring that our policing remains responsive to the evolving security needs of the country,” he said.Bruhan Makong is a Senior News Reporter for Capital FM in Nairobi, covering diplomacy, foreign policy, national security, climate, and human rights across East Africa and the wider region.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 8 — At least 84 Kenyans have been killed or remain missing in connection with the Russia-Ukraine war, while a total of 354 Kenyan nationals have been identified by the government as having become involved in the conflict.The figures released by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs show the scale of Kenyan involvement in the war, with dozens still on the front lines, in military camps, hospitals or at unknown locations.According to the government’s latest records, 77 Kenyans are on the front lines, while another 38 are in camps.A further 52 Kenyans are listed at unknown locations or have yet to be classified, raising concerns over the whereabouts and welfare of dozens of nationals caught up in the conflict.The government has recorded 34 Kenyans as hospitalised, while 62 have been repatriated to Kenya.Five Kenyans are currently being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine, while one is in detention and another has completed their military contract.Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi told Parliament that families often approach the government only after losing contact with relatives believed to be in Russia, making early reporting critical to tracing and verification efforts.“It has been noted that families tend to engage with the State Department often after communication with their relatives in the Russian Federation has been disrupted or ceased. We encourage families to engage the Department as soon as possible,” Mudavadi said.The figures were contained in its response to a parliamentary petition concerning the recruitment of Kenyan nationals into the Russian military and the detention of Kenyans in Ukrainian prisons.The government said Ukrainian authorities confirmed on September 3 that five Kenyan nationals were being held as prisoners of war.They are Kibet Evans, detained since May 2025; Macharia Willi Muniu, detained since November 2025; Haron Kibet Pachenge, detained since March 2026; Joseph, detained since April 2026; and Ndarua Ndungu Francis.Kenya said its Honorary Consul in Ukraine had visited the Zakhid 1 prisoner-of-war camp and reported that the detainees were being held in humane conditions, with access to medical services and medical care.The government is seeking to have the five Kenyans considered as potential victims of human trafficking, saying many reported being recruited under false promises of employment.The proposed reclassification is intended to improve their access to assistance while Kenya pursues their repatriation.The government said it had facilitated the return of 62 Kenyans who had been involved in Russia’s military operation.It is also pursuing the cases of those killed or missing, including efforts to establish the whereabouts of nationals whose remains may be in Ukrainian custody.According to the government, Ukrainian authorities have reported that the remains of four Kenyan nationals are in Ukrainian custody.Kenya has warned that more remains could be located in combat zones in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where Ukrainian authorities say they cannot provide information on people in territories outside their control.The government said Kenya had also secured a measure aimed at stopping further recruitment of its nationals into Russia’s military operation.During an official visit to Moscow in March, Kenya secured inclusion on Russia’s “Stop List”, which effectively prevents further enlistment of Kenyan nationals in the conflict.The Kenyan Embassy in Moscow has since confirmed that no additional Kenyans have been enlisted following implementation of the measure.The government said it continues to pursue the welfare and repatriation of Kenyans through diplomatic channels, while strengthening measures to protect citizens from deceptive recruitment and unsafe migration.“Through the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, the Ministry continues to complement welfare interventions with preventive measures, including pre-departure orientation and coordination with the relevant regulatory agencies,” Mudavadi said.Bruhan Makong is a Senior News Reporter for Capital FM in Nairobi, covering diplomacy, foreign policy, national security, climate, and human rights across East Africa and the wider region.
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