Former DP Rigathi Gachagua during a past interview at his Karen residence. [File, Standard] Rigathi Gachagua’s entrance into the presidential race has ruffled a few feathers, numbed the excitement of some in the opposition circles, and left others in a dilemma — unsure of what that means to the united opposition. My take is that his decision could only mean two scenarios, with one being the most probable. One is that Gachagua may have chosen to be selfish about his personal political agenda, where winning the presidency isn’t really the target, but his personal influence is. However, the more probable…
Author: By Mike Nyagwoka
There are many reasons why someone might suddenly decide to be a hitman. For some, they are hardened criminals who have lost all sense of morality. For others, it’s poverty — when the only job available is one most people can’t stomach: killing. But there is yet another reason. Some take up such work because they believe they live in a state where justice never really takes its course. It happened to the late former Kasipul Kabondo MP Ong’ondo Were, and now it has happened to lawyer Kyalo Mbobu. Both were brazenly assassinated on public roads, and in both cases,…
LSK President Faith Odhiambo takes Oath of Office as the vice Chairperson of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Protests and riots on September 4, 2025. [Benard Orwongo, Standard] I still believe LSK President Faith Odhiambo should have declined her appointment to the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Public Protests and Demonstrations. The day I learnt of her appointment, I got extremely conflicted on her behalf. I tried to play out all scenarios, but there was only one conclusion: Faith would be out of place in that panel and the reasons are obvious. Faith has built…
Raila Odinga’s journey from an underdog in the 1997 elections to a clear favourite in 2007, and a formidable force thereafter, was built on a foundation of political alliances and relentless campaigning. [File, Standard] Bunge la Mwananchi Jeevanjee elections, which saw defeat of the seemingly favoured Joakim Simiyu by the lesser-known Lawrence Oyugi, offer a valuable case study in Kenyan politics. Simiyu, a clear frontrunner in the public eye, had an extensive media presence, featuring on numerous podcasts and social platforms. His high visibility and popular appeal made his loss perplexing to many. However, a deeper analysis reveals a phenomenon…
Kenya Harambee Stars forward Ryan Ogam celebrates scoring against Zambia Chipolopolo during their 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) Tournament match at Kasarani Stadium on August 17, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] The Harambee Stars’ debut at CHAN was, without a doubt, a resounding success that filled the country with pride. As President William Ruto put it, no one gave them a chance, yet they battled like giants in a group of death that included powerhouses like DRC Congo and Morocco. They fought for every ball and defended with a passion that united a nation, allowing us to momentarily forget our daily struggles and celebrate…
President William Ruto during a meeting with boda boda officials from all sub-counties at State House, Nairobi, on August 7, 2025. [PCS] I would not have any quarrel with citizens who turn up at State House for so-called empowerment meetings; my problem is with those who invite them. The guests are simply accepting an invitation. It is the hosts we must question. With an election two years away, these State House meetings are a desperate attempt to arm-twist Kenyan voters using state resources, the allure of short-term gains, and bragging rights that might come with taking photos on those well-manicured…
Siaya Governor James Orengo at the burial of Rarieda’s first MP & former Ambassador Bob Jalang’o in Obaga, West Asembo. [Courtesy/James Orengo/X] When people hear “fake news,” they often think it was born on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp. It wasn’t. Fake news has been around as long as news itself—only the tools have changed. It’s worn many disguises over the years: propaganda, hoaxes, satire and even “harmless” comedy. Take the Great Moon Hoax of 1835. A New York newspaper claimed life had been discovered on the Moon—winged creatures, forests, oceans, the works. They even credited the “discovery” to a respected astronomer, Sir John Herschel. It sold…
From left: Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Deputy President and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua and former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i during a recent tour of Western. [File, Standard] There are political lessons Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua seem to have mastered—lessons that elude many of their peers in opposition. Kenyan politics is a fiercely antagonistic arena, and understanding this is key to unlocking power, as both former President Uhuru Kenyatta and current President William Ruto demonstrated in their rise. The two skillfully used their International Criminal Court (ICC) indictments to create a high-octane political atmosphere,…
Treasury CS John Mbadi during the 2025 Budget reading on June 12th, 2025 at Parliament. [Elvis Ogina, Standard] In any functioning society, there exists a social contract between the government and its people: citizens pay taxes, and in return, receive essential services. Health and education, the pillars upon which societies are built, should be guaranteed rights and not favours dispensed at the whim of the government. When access to these services becomes uncertain or restricted, it is not just a financial failure; it is a betrayal of public trust. Kenyans have consistently fulfilled their end of the bargain. Year after year, they pay taxes, levies, and fees, even…
Former Chief Justice David Maraga he attended a court case where 37 youths were charged with acts of terrorism by allegedly burning down Dagoretti Police Station during the Gen-Z protests on July 16, 2025. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard] Former Chief Justice David Maraga is quietly transforming from a nondescript candidate into a formidable contender. He possesses unique qualities that distinguish him: a slow but sure approach, unyielding convictions, and the courage to express them in both word and deed. There’s a sage-like aura about Maraga, reminiscent of a monk who, after years of solitary observation, has decided that enough is enough. He’s steadily moving in…
President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during the second day of the third National Executive Retreat at the KCB Leadership Centre in Kajiado County. [PHOTO: EDWARD ALSUA/PCS. 20/6/2025] The persistent clamour for “dialogue” in Kenya has become a tired refrain. What exactly is so profound about endless dialogue in a setting where the challenges and solutions are so glaring and obvious? If dialogue is indeed the answer, then surely, the first item on the agenda should be “matters arising”—a stark confrontation with the unfulfilled promises and inconsistencies from previous sit-downs. All too often, these dialogues serve fleeting interests of the moment, not well-being of the…
A protesters speaks to World War 1 Memorial Stature along Kenyatta Avenue during Justice For Albert Ojwang Protests on June 17, 2025. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard] The tragic death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody is yet another indictment of Kenya’s pervasive culture of impunity and alarming nonchalance among public servants. It is disturbing that, to date, no one has been compelled to resign out of personal conscience, or even face adequate public scrutiny, for an incident that so starkly exposes fragility of the rule of law in our nation. This isn’t merely about Ojwang, who was laid to rest on Friday; it’s about the countless individuals…
Anti-Finance Bill protestors demons along the streets of Nairobi’s CBDl. June 26, 2024. [Jonah Onyango, Standard] June 25th has firmly cemented its place in Kenya’s national consciousness. It’s a date now synonymous with the growing power of its youth. The events of June 25th, 2024, and commemorations in June 2025 are not just fleeting moments; they are, undeniably, remarkable chapters in a global story of young people forcing changes in national politics. Kenya finds itself at a critical point, facing an anger that mirrors historical youth-led movements. The similarities between Kenya’s current situation and the May 1968 student protests in France are quite striking. In Paris, young university students, tired of government…
Former DP Rigathi Gachagua during a political rally at Mulu Mutisya grounds in Machakos town on May 30, 2025. [John Muia, Standard] The enduring definition of democracy is that it is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. This noble philosophy forms the very foundation upon which Kenya’s constitutional order is built. That is why, every five years through universal suffrage, every citizen has the right to choose their leaders. This act confirms that “power to the people” means power to the whole nation. More than six decades after independence, Kenya is still grappling with an uncomfortable truth:…
Meshack Ojwang, the father of the late Albert Ojwang, blogger who died in police custody at Central Police Station, Nairobi. June 8, 2025. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard] “Will I be safe?” This was the haunting question that plagued Albert Ojwang from the moment he was taken from his home village in Kakelo, Kabondo Kasipul. We all learned that he wasn’t. Today, on Father’s Day, a father is still grappling with the brutal demise of his only son. Every time I try to re-enact that scene in my mind, I’m momentarily breathless. As a father, this is the worst kind of experience imaginable. One minute, you’re sharing precious moments with your loved…
Standard Gauge Railways (SGR) Nairobi Terminus . December 6th,2024 [Elvis Ogina, Standard] The term “white elephant” comes from the olden days in Siam, now Thailand. White elephants were precious but problematic. They couldn’t be sold or killed, and they were expensive to maintain. They were like a money pit, where you keep spending without getting much back. A story says if a king wanted to punish someone, he’d gift them a white elephant, knowing its upkeep would drain their resources. Today, “white elephant” describes costly, pointless projects that waste money. Sadly, Kenya has its share of these “white elephant” projects. Looking at government projects in the last…
The new Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Act 2025, championed by nominated Senator Crystal Asige, marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s journey toward full disability inclusion. It is one of the most progressive legislative efforts to date, promising a new era of mainstreaming disability rights and welfare. Prior to these proposed amendments that are now law, the government had made commendable strides in addressing systemic challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities. Key among them were tax and duty exemptions that have improved quality of life for many PWDs. Institutions such as the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and the National…
Opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i, Martha Karua, Rigathi Gachagua, Eugene Wamalwa, Mukhisa Kituyi, Justin Muturi, Mithika Linturi after a meeting in Nairobi, on April 29, 2025. [Denish Ochieng, Standard] Kebaso Morara’s apprehension about Kenya’s evolving political landscape is a sentiment shared by many who cling to the ideal of merit-based elections, transcending tribal and wave-driven voting. This small but significant group represents the enduring hope for a “new Kenya,” a nation where leadership is dictated by competence and integrity, not political expediency. Morara’s concern stems from composition of recent political gatherings. The presence of Mithika Linturi, Justin Muturi and…
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during the Mwai Kibaki 2nd Memorial Lecture & Luncheon at Nairobi Serena Hotel on 11th April 2025 [David Gichuru, Standard] Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is a definite asset to whatever political side he aligns with, but there are signs and symptoms that he can also become a liability—eventually. Gachagua is a political bulldozer, which enabled him defy the usual political trajectory and become Deputy President after serving only one term as MP. His political sharpness is no accident. The man graduated with a BSc in Political Science and Literature—a potent combination, especially if you…