National Assembly approves Erastus Edung Ethekon nomination as IEBC Chairperson. [File, Standard] National Assembly has approved Erastus Edung Ethekon as chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, alongside six commissioners. Ethekon was nominated by President William Ruto on May 8 to replace Wafula Chebukati, who died in February. The approved commissioners are Ann Nderitu (Nyandarua), Moses Alutalala Mukhwana (Kakamega), Mary Karen Sorobit (Uasin Gishu), Hassan Noor Hassan (Mandera), Francis Odhiambo Aduol (Kisumu) and Fahima Araphat Abdallah (Lamu). The approval followed Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s directive to the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) to proceed with vetting, brushing aside an…
Author: By David Njaaga
Importers warn the new vehicle tax values set to begin July 1 could price many Kenyans out of car ownership. [File, Standard] Car importers have opposed the Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) new valuation list set to take effect from July 1. In a statement on June 4, the association warned it could crush the used car market, cause job losses and reduce tax revenue. The Car Importers Association of Kenya (CIAK) has formally objected to the Current Retail Selling Price (CRSP) list, which KRA uses to calculate taxes on imported vehicles. In a letter to the Commissioner of Customs and…
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. [File, Standard] Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has urged President William Ruto to take retaliatory action against Tanzania, including banning its ruling party leaders from Kenya and withdrawing from the joint hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (CAF) tournament. Sifuna’s statement comes a day after activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan human rights lawyer Agather Atuhaire shared chilling details of their alleged abduction, torture and deportation by Tanzanian authorities — a harrowing ordeal that has drawn condemnation from across the region. Speaking in Nairobi a week after returning from Tanzania, Mwangi recounted a terrifying experience that…
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. [File, Standard] Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused the government of targeting young people, saying the arrest of software developer Rose Njeri over a tool opposing the Finance Bill 2025 was an attempt to crush civic expression. Njeri, a software developer in Nairobi, built a digital platform allowing citizens to submit objections to the proposed Finance Bill. The site was taken offline last week, and Njeri was reportedly taken into custody by plainclothes officers. She remains in custody at Pangani Police Station, where she is expected to be arraigned in court on Tuesday, June…
Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu (right) with European Business University founder James Mulli. [File, Standard] The government is eyeing emerging job opportunities in Luxembourg’s digital economy through new diaspora partnerships focused on skills transfer and labour mobility. Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu on Friday met European Business University founder James Mulli in Luxembourg, where the two discussed ways to expand access to education and work opportunities for Kenyans abroad. “The conversation is about positioning Kenyans to take up quality jobs abroad through strategic skills transfer and education support,” said Njogu. The talks explored scholarships for Kenyan students at…
Workers at Export Processing Zones. [File, Standard] As Kenya marks Madaraka Day, attention turns to the thousands of workers powering the country’s Export Processing Zones (EPZs), a sector long marked by low wages and high staff turnover. The country’s apparel factories, which form the bulk of the EPZ workforce, have come under increased scrutiny for working conditions and labour protections. Critics say progress remains slow despite government promises to improve jobs for women and youth. Some firms are trying new approaches to tackle these challenges by focusing on staff training, career development and financial wellness support. One such firm is…
President William Ruto during Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay on Sunday, June 1, 2025. [PCS] President William Ruto has announced Kenya has maintained an average annual growth rate of 5 per cent since August 2022, surpassing the global average of 3.3 per cent and the regional average of 3.8 per cent. “Just last month, the International Monetary Fund projected our GDP to reach $132 billion, making us the largest economy in our region and the sixth largest in Africa,” said Ruto during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebration at Raila Odinga Stadium. He reported inflation declined sharply from 9.6 per…
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula. [File,Standard] National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has directed the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) to proceed with the vetting of nominees to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), brushing off a High Court order that temporarily halted their formal appointment. Wetang’ula said on Thursday that no law or section of the Constitution gives any party the authority to block Parliament from executing its constitutional duties. “Parliament is a constitutional body enjoined with the authority to discharge constitutional functions. Once a matter is before Parliament, whether in committee or plenary, proceedings in committees mirror…
Renowned Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o is dead. [File,Standard] Renowned Kenyan author and academic Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o has died aged 87 after a long battle with health complications, his family has announced. Ngũgĩ, who faced kidney issues and limited mobility in recent years, died on the morning of Wednesday, May 28. “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, this Wednesday morning, May 28 2025. He lived a full life, fought a good fight. As was his last wish, let’s celebrate his life and his work. Rîa ratha na rîa thŭa.…
Aftermath of the Embakasi gas explosion at an unlicensed LPG plant in Nairobi’s Mradi area. Over 12 people died and hundreds were injured in the February 2024 blast. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard] The High Court has ruled that senior Environment officers charged over last year’s deadly Embakasi gas explosion enjoy statutory immunity, making their prosecution unlawful. The unlicensed facility was at the centre of a devastating explosion in February 2024, which killed at least 12 people and injured hundreds. The blast triggered a massive fire that swept through the densely populated neighbourhood near the airport, destroying homes, vehicles, and businesses. Investigations…
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. [File, Standard] Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has defended his remarks, warning that possible rigging in the 2027 presidential election could spark worse violence than the 2007 post-election crisis. In a letter addressed to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), Gachagua’s lawyer, Kibe Mungai, said the deputy president’s statement was constitutionally protected under Article 33, which guarantees freedom of expression. “Our client warned that if the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission attempts to manipulate the 2027 elections, the country may experience worse violence than in 2007,” said Mungai. The NCIC had earlier censured Gachagua…
Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba. [File, Standard] The High Court has dismissed a petition by nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba seeking to block her expulsion from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), dealing a major blow to her efforts to retain her Senate seat. Justice Lawrence Mugambi rejected Orwoba’s application, describing it as “incompetent” and noting that she had introduced new parties to the case without the court’s permission. “The application is incompetent and is rejected,” Mugambi ruled on May 20. He maintained previous court directions, signalling that Orwoba’s challenge had failed at the preliminary stage. The ruling came just a day after…
A Nairobi SACCO has become the first in the city to operate an all-electric bus fleet on a key route, running 12 electric buses between Kariobangi South and Nairobi Central Business District (CBD). OMA Services Limited CEO and Director George Githinji said, “Every time we acquire an electric bus, we retire a diesel one. By 2026, we aim to have 30 electric buses in our fleet.” The SACCO has reserved 67 more electric buses from BasiGo, a Nairobi-based e-mobility company. OMA adopted BasiGo’s Pay-As-You-Drive lease model requiring a Sh1.5 million deposit and a mileage fee of Sh65 to Sh75 per…
Defence, Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committee chairperson Nelson Koech. [File, Standard] Nelson Koech, chairperson of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committee, has issued a direct rebuttal to United States Senator Jim Risch over concerns about Kenya’s relationship with China, saying the country seeks partnership, not pressure. Senator Risch, who chairs the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, questioned Kenya’s loyalty during a hearing on May 13, referring to President William Ruto’s statement that Kenya and China are “co architects of a new world order.” “We must stop building US policy in Africa around individual leaders and instead focus on strengthening institutions,…
People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, two human rights defenders denied entry to Tanzania. [File, Standard] Martha Karua, the People’s Liberation Party leader, claims Tanzanian officials denied her entry on Saturday morning at Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. Karua said immigration officers referred her passport to a supervisor who consulted senior officials before informing her that her entry had been refused. “The supervisor has now informed us that our entry into Tanzania has been denied, no reasons given,” said Karua on X. She added that Human Rights Defender Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi, both of whom…
Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi (centre), Germany Ambassador to Kenya, Somalia and Seychelles, Sebastian Groth(right), and PS Alex Wachira during Eastern Africa Regional Green Hydrogen Symposium in Nairobi. [Boniface Okendo. Standard] Kenya and Germany have launched the first Eastern Africa Regional Green Hydrogen Symposium in Nairobi, opening a rare forum to chart a shared green hydrogen agenda across borders. The event, attended by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, kicked off on Wednesday, May 14, at the Pullman Hotel. It brought together over 250 delegates from government, private sector, academia and civil society across Eastern Africa and beyond, seeking to unlock the…
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. [File, Standard] Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced his resignation from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), accusing the party of abandoning its founding ideals and harming the country’s future. In a letter to the UDA Secretary-General, Gachagua stated that the party had failed to deliver on promises made to the Kenyans, including economic transformation, agricultural reform and universal healthcare. He expressed disappointment in the Kenya Kwanza coalition, accusing it of mismanagement and corruption. “We promised the Kenyan people a bottom-up economic model and reform, but instead, the administration continues to fail in delivering,” Gachagua said.…
Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi. [File, Standard] Members of Parliament have been locked out of offices at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) due to unpaid rent of more than Sh50 million. A lawmaker has confirmed on condition of anonymity. The Parliamentary Service Commission, in a letter dated May 9, asked KICC to restore access as it works to clear the arrears before the financial year ends on June 30. In the letter, the commission explained that it has a long-standing contract with the Kenyatta International Convention Centre to provide accommodation and parking for lawmakers. “We request that you…
Former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malalah has called on President William Ruto to dissolve the government and seek a fresh mandate from the people, arguing that the current administration no longer reflects the will of Kenyans. Malalah’s statement follows a landmark Court of Appeal ruling that declared Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu acted unconstitutionally by appointing a three-judge bench to hear the impeachment case against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The court reinstated an earlier High Court order, blocking Gachagua’s impeachment and preventing Prof Kithure Kindiki from assuming office. “The Chief Justice, and she alone, can decide the…
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa. [Fi;le, Standard] Safaricom has reported a 10.8 per cent rise in net income to Sh69.8 billion for the year ending Monday, March 31, as total revenue surged past $3 billion (Sh390 billion) — the first time any company has hit that level in East and Central Africa. The company said the growth was driven by innovation across products, expansion in Ethiopia and Sh18 billion invested in community projects over five years. Safaricom will pay Sh48.08 billion in dividends, adding a final dividend of 65 cents per share to the interim payout of 55 cents. “We have…
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa. [Fi;le, Standard] Safaricom has reported a 10.8 per cent rise in net income to Sh69.8 billion for the year ending Monday, March 31, as total revenue surged past $3 billion (Sh390 billion) — the first time any company has hit that level in East and Central Africa. The company said the growth was driven by innovation across products, expansion in Ethiopia and Sh18 billion invested in community projects over five years. Safaricom will pay Sh48.08 billion in dividends, adding a final dividend of 65 cents per share to the interim payout of 55 cents. “We have…
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe (left), Head of Public Service Felix Koskei (centre) and Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika. [Courtesy] The government has banned more than 50 harmful pesticide brands, particularly those already prohibited in their countries of origin. Speaking on Wednesday, in Molo, Nakuru, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the government is determined to promote safer, locally-produced alternatives. The CS announced plans to expand pyrethrum farming from the current 10,000 acres to more than 70,000 acres countrywide. “This will boost local pesticide production and create thousands of jobs for Kenyans,” he said. Kagwe made the remarks…
Water, Sanitation and Irrigation CS Eric Mugaa(2nd right), Water and Sanitation PS Julius Korir(right), Water Secretary Samwel Alima(3rd right) and Water and Sanitation Providers Association (WASPA) Chairman and Water Kisumu MD Thomas Odongo(2nd left) during the Kenya Water and Sanitation International Conference and Exhibition 2025 Pre-Conference in Nairobi on May 5, 2025. [Boniface Okendo, Standard] Kenya is stepping up efforts to transform its water and sanitation sector with a sharp focus on climate resilience, digital innovation, and private investment ahead of the Kenya Water and Sanitation International Conference and Exhibition 2025. The conference, themed “Innovative Financing Models, Technology and Innovations for…
Wiper leader Kalonzo Wiper Democratic Movement and Democratic Action Party (DAP) leaders have warned President William Ruto against proceeding with appointments to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) without proper consultation. In a letter addressed to Ruto, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa said the Constitution and recommendations from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) require concurrence between ruling and opposition coalitions before the president appoints IEBC commissioners. “Any process that sidelines the opposition, or is limited to Kenya Kwanza Alliance and Orange Democratic Movement, will create a partisan IEBC and undermine public trust,” said…
Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni. [File, Standard] Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has declared that Kenya’s increasingly informed voters will no longer tolerate self-serving leaders, warning that the 2027 elections will bring a reckoning for those clinging to old political tricks. Speaking on Spice FM on Monday, May 5, Kioni doubled down on his push for former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to front Jubilee’s comeback, framing Matiang’i not just as a party man but as a leader equipped to meet the demands of a sharper electorate. “I keep vouching for Matiang’i because he has shown real interest…
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left), former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i and former UDA Secretrary General Cleophas Maalala in Wamunyoro in Nyeri. [Rigathi Gachagua, Facebook] Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday hosted opposition leaders at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County, as political realignments intensified ahead of the 2027 General Election. Gachagua welcomed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and People’s Liberation Party Leader Martha Karua to the closed-door meeting. The gathering comes days after Matiang’i officially declared his presidential bid at Gusii Stadium in Kisii County. Matiang’i’s rally in Kisii last weekend drew…
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed. [File, Standard] Suna East MP Junet Mohamed on Wednesday told Parliament that the Finance Bill shared online in recent months is not the official document. Speaking in the National Assembly, Mohamed said the real Finance Bill was tabled this week and called on Kenyans to ignore earlier versions. “There has been a Finance Bill circulating and people discussing in public forums claiming that, oh, there is this taxation, there is that taxation,” said Mohamed, adding, “We want to urge Kenyans that the real Finance Bill is with us now.” He warned against misrepresenting the contents…
Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Published Date: 2025-04-30 07:20:00 Author: By David Njaaga Source: The Standard
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo (left) and Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie. [File, Standard] Lawmakers on Tuesday clashed over a new BBC documentary that links security officers to the killing of anti-tax protesters outside Parliament in June 2024. The BBC Africa Eye investigation, Blood Parliament, identifies police officers allegedly involved in the fatal shootings of three men during demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024. The men, all under 40, were among those opposing the Bill’s tax proposals, which triggered widespread anger and protests. Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo said the documentary had reopened old wounds and could fuel further unrest…
Kenya Police DT Sacco chief executive Solomon Angutsa. [File, Standard] Kenya National Police Deposit-Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Society has doubled its capital ratios compared to the industry average, even as most SACCOs and banks continue to face high loan defaults. The Johannesburg-based Global Credit Ratings on Monday, April 28, reaffirmed the SACCO’s long-term rating at A-(KE) and short-term rating at A2(KE), both with a stable outlook. The agency said the SACCO showed a strong capital base, stable member funding and consistent performance. As of Sunday, December 31, the SACCO’s core capital to total assets ratio stood at 33 per…
Global initiative empowers small travel businesses with funding, training, and market access. [Courtesy] A new global initiative aims to help small and medium-sized travel enterprises access funding, digital tools and training to scale their businesses and compete globally. The Together in Travel programme will provide SMEs with direct access to global markets, investment networks, sustainable business frameworks and upskilling platforms, recognising their central role in driving innovation, jobs and inclusive growth across the travel and tourism sector. Launched by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) with VFS Global as a Founding Partner, the initiative brings together leaders from across…
Janet Mutisya, CEO Career Management Center. [Christopher Gisiri, Standard] A new initiative aimed at transforming the sales profession in Africa has been unveiled in Nairobi. The Kenya School of Sales (KSS) seeks to address the critical skills gap in the continent’s sales industry. Co-founded by the Commercial Club of Africa (CCA) and Yusudi, KSS aims to professionalise the sector and provide formal training to sales professionals, with a goal of certifying 1,000 by 2026. The launch event, held at the Hyatt Regency, brought together over 50 senior executives, HR leaders and professionals from industries including FMCG, tech, manufacturing and finance.…
New sales training initiative launched in Nairobi to address skills gap Published Date: 2025-04-27 08:34:00 Author: By David Njaaga Source: The Standard
Food insecurity continues to affect vulnerable communities in the country, with many families struggling to access sufficient and nutritious food. According to the World Food Programme, 38.6 per cent of Kenyans live below the poverty line, with 29 per cent of children in rural areas stunted due to malnutrition. The country’s population of at least 52.4 million is increasingly affected by climate change, with severe droughts often followed by heavy rains and flooding, which destroy homes, livelihoods and land. Agriculture, which remains Kenya’s main economic driver, is highly vulnerable to these climate shocks. Arid and semi-arid regions, which make up…
Professionals in Nairobi call for urgent action on illegal high-rises threatening safety and city planning. [File, Standard] Built environment professionals in Nairobi have raised alarm over what they call a growing crisis of illegal and irregular high-rise developments in the city, warning that the surge threatens public safety, planning integrity and environmental sustainability. In a joint statement on Thursday, April 24, several professional associations and institutions demanded an immediate technical audit of all recent high-rise approvals and called for greater public accountability, including disclosure of development approvals and their compliance status. “Nairobi is at a tipping point,” said the group…
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale in this photo taken on Thursday, April 17, 2025. [Jenipher Wachie, Standard] Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale did not hold back as he took aim at the Ministry of Health leadership over allegations of organ trafficking at Mediheal Hospital. In a video posted on social media, Duale questioned the lack of action during the shocking incidents of organ trafficking in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. “Where was the leadership when somebody was doing organ trafficking in Eldoret?” he asked. Duale’s remarks were blunt, condemning the alleged practice as both immoral and deeply troubling. “It’s very sad…
Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin. [File, Standard] Hours after the National Assembly Health Committee launched an inquiry into organ trafficking allegations at Mediheal Hospital, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has also begun investigating the claims. The Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) is leading the probe into human organ trafficking at the hospital’s Fertility and Transplant Centre in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. The DCI posted an update on its X account, urging anyone with information to record their statements at DCI Headquarters. “We are committed to a thorough investigation to ensure justice for all parties involved,” the DCI said.…
African Originals employees during a previous event. [Jenipher Wachie, Standard] A shift in consumer demand across Africa is forcing global alcohol producers to rethink their growth strategies, with sustainability and local relevance taking centre stage. In Kenya, African Originals, a Nairobi-based maker of cider, gin and soft drinks, is stepping into the space with a strategy built around local sourcing and waste reduction. The company has become Africa’s first gin and cider manufacturer to receive B Corp certification, a globally recognised sustainability standard awarded to businesses that meet strict environmental and social performance criteria. The milestone comes amid steady growth…
For many parents, the cost of education is a growing concern as the demand for quality schooling continues to rise. And with inflation driving up the cost of living, ensuring a child’s uninterrupted education requires careful financial planning. Experts say structured education policies are becoming a key solution for families looking to secure their children’s academic future. An education policy is a structured financial product that combines savings with insurance, ensuring that even in cases of death, disability, or redundancy, a child’s education remains covered. Britam Life Assurance Business Development Manager Rahab Wangaruro says education policies offer a disciplined approach…
For many parents, the cost of education is a growing concern as the demand for quality schooling continues to rise. And with inflation driving up the cost of living, ensuring a child’s uninterrupted education requires careful financial planning. Experts say structured education policies are becoming a key solution for families looking to secure their children’s academic future. An education policy is a structured financial product that combines savings with insurance, ensuring that even in cases of death, disability, or redundancy, a child’s education remains covered. Britam Life Assurance Business Development Manager Rahab Wangaruro says education policies offer a disciplined approach…
Real estate sector embraces sustainable housing with eco-friendly designs and smart technology. [AI generated image] Kenya’s push for sustainable housing is gaining momentum as real estate players and the government explore eco-friendly solutions. However, concerns over high costs, policy gaps and implementation challenges threaten to stall progress. A regional forum next month will bring together developers, policymakers and investors to discuss the adoption of green technologies in construction. The event aims to showcase advancements in energy-efficient building materials, smart home technologies and climate-resilient designs. “Sustainable housing is no longer a choice but a necessity,” said Daniel Ojijo, executive chairman of…
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi. [File, Standard] Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has called on Kenyans to take a firm stand against corruption, warning that the country is at a critical economic juncture due to mounting debt. “All Kenyans must come out to say no to corruption. All, all of us,” said Mbadi on Tuesday, March 25, during the launch of the Anti-Corruption Strategic Guiding Framework for Kenya’s justice sector in Nairobi. He emphasised that justice is a priority for the government in its fight against corruption. Mbadi observed that Kenya’s debt has reached a tipping point, with about Sh10…
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro during a press conference in Nairobi on Tuedsay, March 18. [ Collins Oduor, Standard] Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has downplayed the absence of senior government officials at his event on Wednesday, March 19, insisting he remains focused on development. Nyoro, who launched several projects in the Mjini area, unveiled a modern office block for the assistant county commissioner and commissioned a road project. However, senior government administrators boycotted the ceremony, fuelling speculation on his standing in President William Ruto’s administration. Addressing residents, Nyoro refrained from criticising the government but called for mutual respect among…