Activist Boniface Mwangi during an interview with KTN. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard] Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has been released from detention by Tanzanian authorities, Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has confirmed. The release ends several days of silence and rising diplomatic tension between Kenya and Tanzania. Mwangi had been held since Monday under unclear circumstances, sparking alarm among his family, human rights groups, and the Kenyan government. Mudavadi announced his release in a brief statement on Thursday, May 22. “Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi confirms that activist Boni Mwangi has been released by the Tanzanian…
Author: By Mike Kihaki
Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Published Date: 2025-05-20 00:00:00 Author: By Mike Kihaki Source: The Standard
Mumias East MP Peter Salasya at Milimani Court on May 19, 2025 [Collins Kweyu, Standard] Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya was on Monday released on a cash bail of Sh200,000 in a hate speech case, as the court directed the state to reinstate his security. Milimani Principal Magistrate Paul Mutai issued the orders after Salasya was arraigned following his Friday arrest along the Isiolo-Nanyuki highway. The lawmaker was flown to Nairobi and held at Nairobi Central Station. Mutai instructed that Salasya’s security be enhanced and directed investigators to explain the whereabouts of his phone when the case comes…
Rights activists Bonface Mwangi and Hussein Khalid leads demonstrators in memory of Gen Z protest on July 25, 2024 [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard] Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has said Tanzania acted within its sovereign rights in deporting several Kenyan political figures and activists, adding that Kenya had no role in the decision. Mwaura was responding to the recent deportation of People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, and four other activists from Tanzania. “If the government of one of the member states of the East African Community decides to deny an individual entry into their country, it…
Activists Boniface Mwangi (Left), Hussein Khalid and former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, walk to DCI headquarters Nairobi on June 24, 2024 [John Muchucha, Standard] Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Vocal Africa Chief Executive Officer Hussein Khalid and journalist-activist Hanifa Adan were detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and denied entry into Tanzania early Monday under unclear circumstances. The three had travelled to attend the court session of Tanzanian opposition politician and former presidential candidate Tundu Lissu, but were stopped by authorities upon arrival. They remained in custody for hours without formal explanation. “We, Willy Mutunga, Hanifa…
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika at Arimi Primary school during a requiem mass for 12 accident victims on May 15, 2025 [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged Kenyans to reject voices predicting violence in the 2027 General Election. Speaking in Teso North, Busia County, Kindiki assured the public that the government will not allow any kind of violence in the period leading up to and after the 2027 general election. “Let no one scare you. Those prophesying doom are unpatriotic and politically immature. We must never again go back to those dark days,”…
Teresia Wairimu Njenga chairman of the Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya with Kwame Owino CEO Institute Of Economic Affairs during the launch of a report on the future look at the apparel and footwear industry in Kenya 2022 – 2037. [Wilberforce Okwiri,Stndard] Kenya has emerged as a big importer of second-hand clothes, indicating a growing dependence on used, even as the local textile industry grapples with survival. Data from the Economic Survey 2025 shows that Kenyan textile imports for 2024 were Sh60 billion compared to Mitumba’s Sh28 billion, providing affordable wear for a broad section of the population. Additionally, the…
Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Published Date: 2025-05-15 00:00:00 Author: By Mike Kihaki Source: The Standard
Migori Senator Eddy Oketch in Parliament on May 14, 2025 [Snipping] Migori Senator Eddy Oketch was ordered out of the Senate chambers after a heated exchange with temporary Speaker Catherine Mumma on Wednesday, May 14. Senator Mumma directed that Oketch stay away for the remaining session over disorderly conduct. Trouble began when Oketch sought clarity from Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale regarding the welfare of the striking Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers who had been transferred to county governments but had not been paid. “What is the CS doing to resolve the strike of UHC workers?” Oketch asked. “Will those…
Kenya’s private sector is straining under the weight of systemic challenges, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI). Get Trusted News for Only Ksh99 a Week Subscribe Today & Save! Get Started Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters Already a subscriber? Log in Published Date: 2025-05-14 00:16:00 Author: By Mike Kihaki Source: The Standard
Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Published Date: 2025-05-08 00:00:00 Author: By Mike Kihaki Source: The Standard
IEBC chair nominee Charles Nyachae when he appeared before the selection panel in Nairobi on March 24, 2025. [Collins Oduor, Standard] Charles Ayieko Nyachae is no stranger to power, legacy, or controversy. The 67-year-old lawyer has spent a lifetime navigating the complex intersections of law, politics, and public service often with a towering family name behind him. He is the son of the late Simeon Nyachae, a powerful Cabinet Minister and Ford People party leader, and grandson of colonial Chief Mzee Musa Nyandusi. Charles Nyachae grew up in a household steeped in influence and tradition. A graduate of the London School of…
Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were was addressing journalists at his home in Kachien Village. [James Omoro, Standard] The investigation into the murder of Kaspul Member of Parliament Ong’ondo Were has taken a dramatic turn after his personal driver and bodyguard were arrested and detained for questioning. Police arrested the two late Tuesday night in a house located in the Mihang’o area of Kayole, describing them as persons of interest in the fatal shooting of the second-term legislator. According to detectives, the pair gave conflicting statements about their knowledge and actions during the shooting, prompting their continued detention. Police have also arrested…
Knight Scrap Metal Dealers Association Chairman Evans Ng’ang’a during public hearing on the Business Laws (Amendment ) Bill, 2024 before the National Assembly’s Trade Committee at Bunge Towers, Nairobi, on November 27, 2024. [File, Standard] Scrap metal dealers have appealed to Parliament over proposed changes in the Finance Bill, 2025 that would raise the withholding tax on scrap metal transactions to five per cent, saying the move could cripple the industry and result in mass job losses. Knight Scrap Metal Dealers Association chairman Evans Ng’ang’a, said the tax proposal threatens to dismantle a vital cottage industry that supports more than…
President William Ruto in Rongo, Migori on May 5, 2025 [Anne Atieno] Throughout history, throwing a shoe has served as more than a physical act—it is a powerful symbol of contempt. Rooted in cultural and religious disdain, the gesture of hurling footwear has become a form of protest against those in power. From eggs to shoes, sandals to stones, the world’s most powerful leaders have often faced public outrage with more than just harsh words. From presidents to prime ministers, few global leaders have escaped the sting—literal or symbolic—of airborne shoes. The most iconic instance occurred during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s…
Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga speaks in a funeral in Bondo on January 11, 2025 [Michael Mute, Standard] A political storm is brewing within the Orange Democratic Movement as several party leaders harshly criticised Siaya Governor James Orengo for his outspoken resistance to the ongoing collaboration between ODM leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto. Speaking during a Sunday church service in Migori County, Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga publicly called out Orengo for his continued opposition to the broad-based government. “I do not know why my governor Orengo is annoyed. Is he annoyed with us or with himself? The truth is…
Suna East MP Junet Mohammed in a past event in his constituency on April 29, 2024 [Caleb King’wara, Standard] Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohammed has dismissed a new opposition alliance led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, calling the coalition a recycled outfit with no fresh ideas. Speaking on Sunday during an interdenominational church service in Migori County attended by President William Ruto, Junet, who is the National Assembly Minority Leader, ridiculed the alliance’s unveiling as political theatre that offers nothing…
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is expected to make his first public appearance in the Gusii region on Friday, May 2. According to his allies, he will be accompanied by a host of elected leaders from Kisii and Nyamira counties, including Governors Simba Arati (Kisii) and Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira), as well as Senators Onyonka and Okong’o Omogeni. Several Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) from both counties are also expected to join the tour. The Friday visit will feature a series of meet-the-people engagements and official stops at the two county governments (Nyamira and Kisii). Matiang’i and his entourage are…
Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Live Published Date: 2025-04-29 00:00:00 Author: By Mike Kihaki Source: The Standard
Police contains a demonstrator during Gen Z protest in Nairobi July 16, 2024. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard] It has been ten months since thousands of young Kenyans marched toward the National Assembly, determined to stop the passage of the 2024 Finance Bill. In the process, blood was spilled at Kenya’s Parliament in Nairobi as MPs pushed to pass what youth called an oppressive law. According to the BBC African Eye documentary titled, Blood Parliament, the 58-minute film paints a gloomy picture of what transpired the day Parliament was invaded by demonstrators. “Every time we take to the streets in a peaceful…
Police contains a demonstrator during Gen Z protest in Nairobi July 16, 2024 [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard] It has been ten months since thousands of young Kenyans marched toward the National Assembly, determined to stop the passage of the 2024 Finance Bill. In the process, blood was spilled at Kenya’s Parliament in Nairobi as MPs pushed to pass what youth called an oppressive law. According to the BBC African Eye documentary titled, Blood Parliament, the 58-minute film paints a gloomy picture of what transpired the day Parliament was invaded by demonstrators. “Every time we take to the streets in a peaceful…
Thousands of students who apply to join Kenya Medical Training College (KTMC) fail to report due to lack of funding, Kenya Medical Training College CEO Kelly Oluoch has said. Oluoch revealed that 34 percent of students called to KMTC are unable to join, with 27 percent of students who enroll discontinuing learning due to funding constraints. Appearing before a joint Health and Education Committee on Thursday, April 22, he pointed out that currently, the college is struggling with Sh1.5 billion of unpaid fees from its students. “Most of our learners are unable to join the college even after successfully being…
Thousands of students who apply to join Kenya Medical Training College (KTMC) fail to report due to lack of funding, Kenya Medical Training College CEO Kelly Oluoch has said. Oluoch revealed that 34 percent of students called to KMTC are unable to join, with 27 percent of students who enroll discontinuing learning due to funding constraints. Appearing before a joint Health and Education Committee on Thursday, April 22, he pointed out that currently, the college is struggling with Sh1.5 billion of unpaid fees from its students. “Most of our learners are unable to join the college even after successfully being…
Thousands of students who apply to join Kenya Medical Training College (KTMC) fail to report due to lack of funding, Kenya Medical Training College CEO Kelly Oluoch has said. Oluoch revealed that 34 percent of students called to KMTC are unable to join, with 27 percent of students who enroll discontinuing learning due to funding constraints. Appearing before a joint Health and Education Committee on Thursday, April 22, he pointed out that currently, the college is struggling with Sh1.5 billion of unpaid fees from its students. “Most of our learners are unable to join the college even after successfully being…
Thousands of students who apply to join Kenya Medical Training College (KTMC) fail to report due to lack of funding, Kenya Medical Training College CEO Kelly Oluoch has said. Oluoch revealed that 34 percent of students called to KMTC are unable to join, with 27 percent of students who enroll discontinuing learning due to funding constraints. Appearing before a joint Health and Education Committee on Thursday, April 22, he pointed out that currently, the college is struggling with Sh1.5 billion of unpaid fees from its students. “Most of our learners are unable to join the college even after successfully being…
President William Ruto. [Kipsng Joseph, Standard] President William Ruto has warned leaders against divisive politics, saying unity is Kenya’s true strength. Addressing the faithful during church service in Ntulele, Narok County, on Sunday, President Ruto called on Kenyans to embrace unity, faith, and transparency, emphasising that these values are the foundation of Kenya’s future. He described his newfound political partnership with ODM leader Raila Odinga and coexistence in the country as “divine unity.” “Unity of the country is paramount. A united people can achieve anything, and nothing can defeat them. The unity we are pursuing in Kenya is divine —…
Junior Secondary School National spokesperson Omari Omari addressing the media after they were included to the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) as the Acting vice chairman Moses Korir and other officials looks on, on 25, March, 2025 at a Nairobi hotel. [Jenipher Wachie, Standard] Thousands of school principals across the country are undergoing training in preparation for the transition of Junior Secondary School (JSS) learners to Senior Secondary School starting next year. The ongoing nationwide training, spearheaded by the Ministry of Education and facilitated by the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), is targeting more than…
TSC CEO Nancy Macharia before the Parliament Educaion Committee at the Bunge Towers July 17th,2024 [Elvis Ogina,Standard ] An estimated 179,000 teachers in primary and secondary schools have stagnated in the same job group due to underfunding. While appearing before the National Assembly Education Committee – chaired by Kasipul MP Eve Obara – Teachers Service Commission (TSC) CEO, Dr. Nancy Macharia, painted a grim picture of a stark reality where the teachers’ career progression is stifled. According to her, TSC needs Sh3 billion to promote 178,871 teachers who have remained in the same job groups for years despite qualifying for…
President William Ruto speaks during an interview at a hotel in Seoul on June 5, 2024, on the sidelines of the 2024 Korea- Africa Summit. [AFP] Kenya will host the 11th edition of the Our Ocean Conference in 2026, becoming the first African country to do so. The decision is a recognition of Kenya’s growing influence and leadership in marine conservation, climate action, and sustainable development, according to President William Ruto. The annual summit, launched in 2014, brings together governments, NGOs, scientists, private sector leaders, and civil society to address threats to ocean health, including climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution,…
President William Ruto at Kapng’etik grounds in Elgeyo Marakwet County during an interdenominational prayer service.[PCS] President William Ruto has reacted to the much-publicised Echoes of War Drama, saying the government will deal decisively with those out to corrupt the minds of students. Speaking at a church service in Elgeyo Marakwet, Ruto indirectly addressed the controversy surrounding Echoes of War, a student play that was not staged in this year’s Kenya National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru despite qualifying. He said the government would not sit and allow children to be wasted. “We must protect our children from pedophiles, from…
Kenyan politicians who loved theatre. (Courtesy) Former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala has been news all week for the brouhaha brought about by his play ‘Echoes of War’. He is a politician who has made a mark in theatre, even before politics bought his art the wrath of the State. And he is not the only politician with a love for performing arts. Kenya boasts a rich tapestry of politicians who have seamlessly blended their artistic talents with public service. From drama and music to poetry and comedy, these individuals have leveraged their creative background to connect with their political…
Group of african american college students having conversation. [Getty Images] University Vice-chancellors from East Africa have called for regional integration, internationalisation, and joint recognition of academic programs. In a three-day National Sensitization Forum on the East African Community (EAC) Common Higher Education Area, the leaders rallied around the goal of transforming the region into a cohesive, globally competitive education hub. The conference held in Nairobi brought together Vice-chancellors, representatives from EAC member states, the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), and the Commission for University Education (CUE). Prof. Banyan Kimbona Executive Secretary, IUCEA hailed the progress already made under the…
Nominated Senator Crystal Asige and Education CS Julius Migos Ogamba during the launch of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Foundation scholarship programme, dubbed ‘Inuka’,on 7th April 2025, that aims to support secondary and tertiary scholarships for students with disabilities. [Edward Kiplimo,Standard] Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has unveiled an education sponsorship programme to support children with disabilities in secondary education. Dubbed INUKA, the programme aims to bridge the persistent inequality in education access for learners with special needs. Under the program, two bright and needy students with disabilities from each of Kenya’s 47 counties will receive full secondary school sponsorship…
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba (right), Principal Secretaries Belio Kipsang and Beatrice Inyangala during the release of 2024 KCSE results at Mtihani House, Nairobi, on January 9, 2025. [File, Standard] Thousands of students from vulnerable backgrounds across Kenya are unable to collect their KCSE certificates or result slips due to unpaid school fees. This critical document is key to higher education, job opportunities, or even joining vocational training programs. Yet, for many, they remain locked away in school offices. Without their certificates, students cannot apply for Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funding or be placed in universities and Technical and…
A female teacher is giving a math lesson in a classroom. [Getty Images] The government’s proposal to make Mathematics an optional subject at the senior school level under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) has sparked intense debate among stakeholders, with educators, parents, and professionals weighing in on the potential impact of the policy shift. The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has been at the forefront of opposition, arguing that eliminating Mathematics as a compulsory subject could undermine the country’s workforce development and educational standards. According to the union’s Deputy Secretary General Moses Nthurima, Mathematics remains a foundational subject critical to multiple disciplines,…
Candidates at Nyamachaki Primary School in Nyeri celebrate after sitting Kenya Primary School Education Assessement on November 1, 2023. [File, Standard] Registration for national exams officially closed last month and attention now shifts to the rollout of new assessments, which will be administered under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). This marks a new era of competency-based learning, with the 2025 assessments shaping up to be a litmus test—not just for learners, but for the education system. The big question now is if the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) is prepared to handle this task. More than four million candidates are expected…
European Union Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger during the Erasmus Plus Scholarship cocktail party at EU residence in Nairobi, on July 28, 2022. [File, Standard] A major campaign to attract Kenyan students to European universities is currently underway, following the launch of a recruitment initiative by the European Union Delegation to Kenya. This effort coincides with the increasing demand for global education among Kenya’s youth. The EU’s initiative not only aims to foster academic exchange but also demonstrates a deeper investment in the future workforce and leadership of Kenya. On April 5, 2025, a recruitment fair dubbed ‘Study in Europe’…
Path To Russia CEO and chairman Anna Semenova during a visit to Khuduru Primary School in Busia County. [Courtesy] Poor infrastructure, water scarcity, and alarmingly high dropout rates, particularly among girls, dominated the three-day Russian Cultural Workshop. The event, which brought together students, teachers, and community leaders from across Busia County, sought to blend cultural diplomacy with grassroots educational empowerment. It highlighted the challenges students face in accessing education. At St Peter’s Busibi Girls Secondary School in Samia Sub-County, with 340 students—86 of whom are boarders—the principal, Caroline Barasa, shared the hurdles that hinder academic performance. “Our girls are eager…
Prime Cabinet secretary for foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi addressed the media on 19, March,2025 [ Jenipher Wachie, Standard] Kenya is positioning itself to become Africa’s leading hub for artificial intelligence (AI) model innovation, with a vision focused on sustainable development, economic growth, and social inclusion. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said Kenya aims to lead in AI research and application by harnessing its transformative potential for the future. “In Kenya, there’s already a very serious conversation that is taking place, and our focus is to implement a strategy that provides a comprehensive framework to guide Kenya in harnessing…
Lawyer Charles Nyachae when he appeared before the vetting panel for the position of IEBC chairperson on March 24, 2025. [Collins Oduor, Standard] Lawyer Charles Nyachae now says the Parliament is to blame for the failed implementation. Appearing before IEBC’s selection panel vetting for the position of the commission’s chairperson, Nyachae said it is regrettable that the resistance by the National Assembly had left gaps in the constitutional reform process. The former Chairman of the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) told the panel that despite the commission’s efforts to guide the transition into Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, some…
Mzee Enock Ondego, who sang Kenya Nchi yetu hii ni ya historia. [File, Standard] What does Blasto Ooko, Ernest Waomba and Arthur Kemoli have in common? They were easily among Kenya’s best music composers, but few people know them, and their fortunes did not reflect the richness of their works. If you have hummed or sang to ‘Cha Kutumaini Sina’ or ‘Jiwe la Pembeni’, you have Blasto, who died last month on September 16, to thank. But behind the beautiful harmonies that captivate audiences lie the untold stories of composers who, despite their talent and musical brilliance, struggled to make…