Audio By Vocalize President William Ruto (third right), accompanied by Governor Andrew Mwadime, Sports CS Salim Mvurya, Women Representative Haika Mzighi, during a tour of Taita-Taveta county, on April 12, 2026. [Kelvin Karani, Standard] President William Ruto has launched the rehabilitation of the Voi-Mwatate-Taveta railway line that ceased operations nearly 20 years ago. The line, which was a crucial corridor linking Kenya to northern Tanzania, fell into disuse due to declining freight and passenger services. On Friday, the President announced that the government would spend Sh5.5 billion in the revitalisation and renovation of the metre gauge line. In addition, a…
Author: By Renson Mnyamwezi
Audio By Vocalize Taita Taveta County, as aspirants for the position of Governor, are preparing to wrestle incumbent Andrew Mwadime from power in next year’s polls. However, local residents and leaders noted that the voters will look at the humility and development performance of the aspirants. Other candidates for the seat include former Governor Granton Samboja, Senator Jones Mwaruma, Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako, and Mwatate legislator Peter Shake. Others who have publicly declared interest for the top county seat include former KPA MD Ambassador John Mwangemi, KPA’s Handling Equipment Manager Engineer Anderson Mtalaki and former Principal Secretary Dr Margaret Mwakima,…
Audio By Vocalize Brachiaria grass used as fodder. [File, Standard] Taita Taveta County Executive has challenged smallholder farmers in the Taita Hills to put more land under fodder crops and pasture production. The experts say the move will enhance livelihoods’ income besides reducing persistent human-wildlife conflict in the region. Stephen Mcharo, the County Chief Officer (CCO) for Agriculture, said there should be a paradigm shift from maize growing to fodder crops in the wake of frequent monkey and baboon invasions of settlement areas, which have badly affected food security in the region that is entirely dependent on rain-fed agriculture. The…
Mining Principal Secretary Harry Kimutai says the delay in the formation of the CDACs continues to fuel illicit financial flows and deny the country revenue. [File, Standard] The government has launched a major crackdown on gemstone dealers, frustrating the formation of Community Development Agreement Committees (CDACs) in their areas of operation. This is in spite of the existence of the Mining Act and mining regulations enacted in 2016. Speaking in Taita Taveta on Wednesday, senior Ministry of Mining officials noted that mining operations in the region and across the country have long been characterised by a “veil of secrecy”, with…
Taita Taveta Woman Representative Lydia Haika. [File, Standard] President William Ruto’s supporters in Taita Taveta clashed with Opposition leaders over the ‘one term’ slogan during the launch of the construction of the Sh280 million Voi Modern Market. Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo, Woman Representative Lydia Haika and county Trade Executive Gertrude Shuwe, who are supporting Ruto’s re-election clashed with Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Continue Reading Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Already a subscriber? Log…
Former Governor Granton Samboja is seeking to recapture the seat in the 2027 General Election. [File, Standard] Taita Taveta governor aspirants are lining up to take on the incumbent, Andrew Mwadime, in the 2027 elections. However, residents and leaders say voters will focus on the development track record of the aspirants. The candidates include former Governor Granton Samboja, Senator Jones Mwaruma, Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako and Mwatate MP Peter Shake. Others are former Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) managing director John Mwangemi, KPA Handling Equipment Manager Eng Anderson Mtalaki, and former Principal Secretary Margaret Mwakima. Woman Representative Lydia Haika withdrew from…
President William Ruto and Devki Group Chairman Narendra Raval during the commissioning of the Sh11 billion Devki Iron Ore Pelletisation Plant at Manga in Taita-Taveta County, on December 3, 2024. [File, Standard] The Ministry of Mining is on the spot for issuing Devki Group of Companies permission to extract iron ore for his Sh11 billion steel plant without consent from ranch owners. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Already…
A section of coast legislators parliamentary caucus led by Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako at the parliament buildings, Nairobi. August 24, 2023. [File, Standard] Two MPs in Taita Taveta County have declared to lead the “Ruto must go” opposition campaign agenda in the region. Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako and his Voi counterpart Abdi Chome had earlier joined President Ruto’s political bandwagon, but have now shifted to the opposition. The two Wiper MPs had asked for forgiveness for voting against the 2024 Finance Bill during President Ruto’s recent tour of the Coast region, and promised to back his re-election bid. Yesterday, the two leaders said they will work with…
Opposition leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua (DCP) address locals in Voi, Taita Taveta county on Saturday. [@rigathi, X] Opposition leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua yesterday claimed they are ready to dislodge President William Ruto from power in 2027. Under their ‘One Term Movement’ slogan, the opposition leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together to achieve their mission. They warned their critics that they will not break up ahead of the next polls but will instead unite and work with other opposition leaders to ensure President Ruto becomes a one-term president. The…
Opposition leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua (DCP) address locals in Voi, Taita Taveta county on Saturday. [@rigathi, X] Opposition leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have claimed they are ready to dislodge President William Ruto from power in 2027. Under their ‘One Term Movement’ slogan, the opposition leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together to achieve their mission. They warned their critics that they will not break up ahead of the next polls but will instead unite and work with other opposition leaders to ensure President Ruto becomes a one-term president. The…
Opposition leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua (DCP) address locals in Voi, Taita Taveta county on Saturday. [@rigathi, X] Opposition leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have claimed they are ready to dislodge President William Ruto from power in 2027. Under their ‘One Term Movement’ slogan, the opposition leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together to achieve their mission. They warned their critics that they will not break up ahead of the next polls but will instead unite and work with other opposition leaders to ensure President Ruto becomes a one-term president. The…
Camels graze on settlement areas in Mwatate Sub County, Taita-Taveta County. [File, Standard] Tension is high in parts of Taita-Taveta County following the invasion of farms by hundreds of camels. Rong’e Ward MCA Dorcus Mlughu on Tuesday said that armed herders were harassing farmers with impunity in search of water and pasture in Chakaleri, Mwatate Sub County. Mlughu warned that the tension could escalate to a confrontation between the herders and farmers as witnessed in the past. In 2019, herders were attacked at Majengo village by angry youths in retaliation over the murder of a farmer. The incident occurred after…