Author: By Benard Lusigi

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen during a past press conference in speaks in Maralal Town, Samburu County. [File, Standard] Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has feigned ignorance of the presence of foreign soldiers in Mandera, despite the outcry from local leaders and residents. Speaking in Busia during the launch of the Jukwaa la Usalama tour in Western Kenya, Murkomen said the government was unaware of any Jubaland forces operating inside Kenya. He said that the government will, however, investigate the claims from the locals and a section of politicians. The CS criticised unnamed politicians for politicising the security of the country.…

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Kenyan based Zambia businessman Stanley Livondo speaks to the media at his late mum’s home in Ikolomany constituency, Kakamega.[Benard Lusigi, Standard] A section of leaders from Kakamega County have criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of being unpatriotic for threatening to share sensitive information about the Kenyan government with US authorities. Speaking in Irechero village, Ikolomani Constituency, during the burial of Mama Teresina Livondo, the mother of Kenya-Zambia based Businessman Stanley Livondo, leaders led by Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali said Gachagua had violated oath of office and tarnished the country’s image abroad. “A true leader should uphold the…

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DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala and Lawyer Edgar Busiega, the DCP candidate for Malava Constituency, during the campaign at Ingavira market. [ Benard Lusigi, Standard] The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) and the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) are threatening the chances of the opposition to win the Malava by-election. DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala wants DAP-K party-preferred aspirant Seth Panyako to drop out of the race in favour of its candidate Edgar Busiega.  Malala said the battle in Malava was between former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP and President William Ruto’s  United Democratic Alliance (UDA)…

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 Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa during the official opening of Mumias West ODM branch offices at Egero on November 8, 2024. [Benjamin Sakwa/ Standard] The rift among ODM leaders in the western region has widened, with some vowing to support the broad-based government days after others said it was time for the party to sever the ties. On Saturday, a section that backs the broad-based government accused ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna of trying to destabilise the arrangement to deny the Western region development. Led by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Baraza, the leaders vowed not to be distracted by Sifuna’s attacks against…

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Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during a Joint funeral service at Arimi Primary School in Molo sub county on May 15,2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki has warned his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua, against inciting Kenyans. He spoke as a section of Western region leaders demanded that Gachagua record a statement over an inflammatory poll remark. Leaders called on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to summon former Deputy President Gachagua and have him record a statement stating his utterances are inflammatory and risk causing violence in the 2027 polls. Speaking in Ikolomani Constituency, Kakamega County, during a development tour, Kindiki warned leaders,…

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Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during a Joint funeral service at Arimi Primary School in Molo sub county on May 15,2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki has warned his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua, against inciting Kenyans. He spoke as a section of Western region leaders demanded that Gachagua record a statement over an inflammatory poll remark. Leaders called on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to summon former Deputy President Gachagua and have him record a statement stating his utterances are inflammatory and risk causing violence in the 2027 polls. Speaking in Ikolomani Constituency, Kakamega County, during a development tour, Kindiki warned leaders,…

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President William Ruto with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on April 24, 2025.  [PCS] Leaders from Western Kenya have hailed the planned extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Malaba and the expansion of the Nairobi–Nakuru–Malaba highway, which are set to enhance trade and regional connectivity across Kenya and the wider East African region. This follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between President William Ruto and Chinese President Xi Jinping during Ruto’s four-day state visit to China. The project, which will require at…

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Kakamega Airstrip. [File, Standard] Barely two years ago, Kakamega Airstrip, located in Shinyalu Constituency, bustled with activity and stood as a beacon of economic promise for the surrounding communities. With regular flights, the facility served as a critical economic hub, offering jobs, boosting trade, and providing a vital transport link for residents. However, since Skyward Express suspended its operations due to the deteriorating condition of the runway, the once-thriving airstrip has fallen into disrepair. It now functions less as a gateway to prosperity and more as a grazing field and a hideout for criminal gangs—fuelling insecurity and disillusionment in equal…

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Kakamega Airstrip. [File, Standard] Barely two years ago, Kakamega Airstrip, located in Shinyalu Constituency, bustled with activity and stood as a beacon of economic promise for the surrounding communities. With regular flights, the facility served as a critical economic hub, offering jobs, boosting trade, and providing a vital transport link for residents. However, since Skyward Express suspended its operations due to the deteriorating condition of the runway, the once-thriving airstrip has fallen into disrepair. It now functions less as a gateway to prosperity and more as a grazing field and a hideout for criminal gangs—fuelling insecurity and disillusionment in equal…

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