Kenya's High Court upholds 12-year sentence for former Kiambu governor Waititu in Sh588m graft case
First published Mon, Nov 2
Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu was sentenced to 13 years in prison over the Sh588.7 million Kiambu road tender scandal, and fined Sh21 million or five years in prison for money laundering. The sentencing came despite his public apology for the graft allegations in the Sh588 million case.123
Waititu and his co-accused asked the court to spare their wives, pleading: "Punish us but spare our wives." The Director of Public Prosecutions sought a severe sentence for Waititu to serve as a warning to "sharp boys."45
On Thursday the High Court upheld a 12-year sentence in the Sh588 million graft case, a blow to Waititu. Before that ruling, Waititu and his wife begged the court for a lenient sentence over the Ksh588 million corruption scandal, and he pleaded for leniency ahead of sentencing.678
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Former Nairobi PC Davis Chelogoi jailed three years over Sh1.35bn land fraud
First published Mon, Nov 2
Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.
Former Nairobi provincial commissioner Davis Chelogoi was sentenced to three years in prison over a Sh1.35 billion land fraud case. He was convicted of defrauding businessman Ashok Shah of land in Lower Kabete.123
Chelogoi is a Moi-era administrator who was found guilty of fraud in the multi-billion-shilling case. The conviction and sentence were handed down in the same case, with reports describing the property at the centre of the dispute as the Lower Kabete land.43
Attributed claim: Outlets differed on the length of the sentence. The Star, Kenya and People Daily reported 13 years, Citizen Digital reported 14 years, while Daily Nation, Capital FM Africa, Kenyans.co.ke, the-star.co.ke and NTV Kenya reported three years.56718492
The case involved a Sh1.35 billion land fraud, with some reports putting the value at Ksh.1.3 billion. The sentence was reported on Monday and again on Thursday as the conviction was confirmed.10792
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Uganda begins withdrawing peacekeeping troops from Somalia after two decades fighting al-Shabab
First published Mon, Nov 2
Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.
Uganda has begun withdrawing its peacekeeping troops from Somalia, ending a deployment of about two decades. The Ugandan army confirmed the start of the pullout. The troops were part of the force that helped repel al-Shabab militants in the country.123
The withdrawal follows 20 years of fighting al-Shabab, the militant group Ugandan forces were deployed against. The EastAfrican reported that the exit comes as rifts hurt the war on Shabaab, describing the pullout as a signal of a wider military exit by Uganda.24
Attributed claim: The EastAfrican frames the pullout around divisions damaging the campaign against al-Shabab, while the BBC and Somali Guardian present it as the close of a 20-year deployment against the militants. The EastAfrican's account ties the timing to strained relations affecting the fight, a cause the other accounts do not state.254
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Nairobi Governor Sakaja leaves UDA for ODM as MP Karauri attacks the switch
First published Mon, Nov 2
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has left the United Democratic Alliance and joined the Orange Democratic Movement, according to reports on the switch. Kenyans.co.ke said the move comes amid uncertainty over which party he would use to seek a second term as Nairobi governor.123
Sakaja said Raila Odinga told him to join ODM, People Daily reported. The governor's account makes the ODM leader the direct author of the defection.4
MP Karauri attacked Sakaja over the party switch, Tuko News reported, warning in English translation that Sakaja "will be very surprised." The same outlet carried video of a legislator being badly heckled as he declared a bid for the Nairobi governor seat.56
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Kenya lawmaker Nelson Koech flags rogue agencies recruiting Kenyans to fight in Russia's war
First published Thu, Nov 5
Kenyan lawmaker Nelson Koech raised an alarm over rogue agencies recruiting Kenyans to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, saying the recruitment network had penetrated state agencies. The Star reported that jobless Kenyans were lured to the Ukraine frontlines through these networks.12
The Standard reported that 502 African nationals enlisted in the Russian military have been killed. Africa Defense Forum carried accounts from recruits under the heading "We Were Cannon Fodder."34
Kenya is pushing to end the recruitment of its citizens to the Russia-Ukraine war, according to The Star.5
Also this week
Published earlier this week and since overtaken by bigger stories. Open one to read it in full.
Kenyan court weighs death sentence for Paul Mackenzie after 191 Shakahola murdersPaul Mackenzie and 28 others were found guilty in the Shakahola killings and appeared in court under heavy security for sentencing. The High Court convicted Mackenzie and 30 followers of 191 murders in the Shakahola forest case.
Kenyan court weighs death sentence for Paul Mackenzie after 191 Shakahola murders
First published Fri, Nov 6
Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.
Paul Mackenzie and 28 others were found guilty in the Shakahola killings and appeared in court under heavy security for sentencing. The High Court convicted Mackenzie and 30 followers of 191 murders in the Shakahola forest case.123
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Ingonga, is seeking the death penalty for Mackenzie. The sentencing hearing follows convictions tied to the deaths of followers who were told to starve in the forest.41
Attributed claim: Accounts differ on the sentence already handed down. RFI reported that the Kenyan cult leader was sentenced to 200 years for the Shakahola forest deaths, while The Jerusalem Post reported Mackenzie was found guilty of murdering 190 children and Head Topics put the conviction at 191 people killed in a starvation cult.567
Daily Nation reported that for many, Shakahola followed a process of mobilisation, persuasion and radicalization, with families losing relatives and property sold with money unaccounted for.8
Kenyan MPs question Interior CS Murkomen over abductions and political goonism before 2027 voteKenyan MPs put Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on the spot over abductions and political goonism ahead of the 2027 polls. The questioning came the same day Chief Justice Martha Koome and Directorate of Criminal Investigations head Amin Mohamed traded blame over rising political goonism.
Kenyan MPs question Interior CS Murkomen over abductions and political goonism before 2027 vote
First published Thu, Nov 5
Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.
Kenyan MPs put Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on the spot over abductions and political goonism ahead of the 2027 polls. The questioning came the same day Chief Justice Martha Koome and Directorate of Criminal Investigations head Amin Mohamed traded blame over rising political goonism.12
Attributed claim: The Star, Kenya / Citizen Digital: Koome called on police to arrest the sponsors of goons rather than the foot soldiers. The DCI and the Chief Justice each attributed responsibility for the violence to the other side.32
Separately, the family of Nairobi lawyer Abshir Abdi moved to court over his alleged abduction. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has denied police involvement in the disappearance.4
Transparency International launched a four-year project to promote ethical leadership ahead of the 2027 elections. The project, called Restoring Ethical and Accountable Leadership Phase Four, was launched in Kisumu and will run in Kisumu, Uasin Gishu, Nairobi and Mombasa counties.5
Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu pleaded for leniency ahead of sentencing in a Ksh 588 million graft case.6
Kenya's TSC shortlists five for CEO job as new court case seeks to halt selectionKenya's Teachers Service Commission has shortlisted five candidates for the position of Secretary and chief executive, including acting CEO Evaleen Mitei. The vacancy drew 124 applications after the commission relaunched the recruitment exercise.
Kenya's TSC shortlists five for CEO job as new court case seeks to halt selection
First published Thu, Nov 5
Kenya's Teachers Service Commission has shortlisted five candidates for the position of Secretary and chief executive, including acting CEO Evaleen Mitei. The vacancy drew 124 applications after the commission relaunched the recruitment exercise.12345
The relaunch followed a High Court ruling that invalidated the previous recruitment process, and a new court case now adds further legal hurdles to the hiring. A plaintiff is seeking to halt the selection of the TSC chief executive.671
The shortlist and the fresh legal challenge were reported the same week, with the commission naming the five candidates and setting an interview date.8910
Kenya's Phoebe Okowa wins re-election to the ICJ for a nine-year termKenyan law scholar Phoebe Okowa has been elected to the International Court of Justice for a nine-year term, with Citizen Digital describing the result as a re-election to the bench. The UN elected five judges to the court in the same round.
Kenya's Phoebe Okowa wins re-election to the ICJ for a nine-year term
First published Wed, Nov 4
Kenyan law scholar Phoebe Okowa has been elected to the International Court of Justice for a nine-year term, with Citizen Digital describing the result as a re-election to the bench. The UN elected five judges to the court in the same round.12
President William Ruto and Chief Justice Martha Koome led congratulations after the vote, and the Director of Public Prosecutions hailed what it called a historic nine-year appointment. Ruto called it "a moment of great pride," Tuko News reported.345
Okowa brings more than three decades of academic scholarship and practical judicial service to the court, according to Daily Nation's profile of her career.6
The election took place as the court handles a record caseload, Al Jazeera reported.2
Kenya's EACC freezes Embu MCA's land and six vehicles in Sh111.5m graft caseKenya's Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission secured preservation orders against land and six vehicles linked to an Embu Member of County Assembly, in a graft recovery case valued at Sh111.5 million. The orders bar the sale or transfer of the property while the case proceeds.
Kenya's EACC freezes Embu MCA's land and six vehicles in Sh111.5m graft case
First published Wed, Nov 4
Kenya's Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission secured preservation orders against land and six vehicles linked to an Embu Member of County Assembly, in a graft recovery case valued at Sh111.5 million. The orders bar the sale or transfer of the property while the case proceeds.123
A court then declined to lift the freeze on the MCA's vehicles and land in the same Sh111.5 million case, keeping the restrictions in place.4
The freeze covers land and six vehicles, the assets at the centre of the recovery suit against the Embu MCA.56
Kenya survey finds teenage pregnancies down to 11.9 percent as county poverty gaps persistA new Kenyan demographic and health survey released on Wednesday reports that teenage pregnancies have fallen to 11.9 percent, KBC Digital reported. The same survey shows inequalities persisting across counties, according to The Standard.
Kenya survey finds teenage pregnancies down to 11.9 percent as county poverty gaps persist
First published Wed, Nov 4
A new Kenyan demographic and health survey released on Wednesday reports that teenage pregnancies have fallen to 11.9 percent, KBC Digital reported. The same survey shows inequalities persisting across counties, according to The Standard.12
The survey also records a decline in Kenya's fertility rate, with women in Embu and Kiambu recording the lowest birth rates, Citizen Digital reported. The Star said the KNBS survey indicates Kenyan women are living longer and better lives.34
The World Health Organization's Africa office said the survey is Kenya's first mini demographic and health survey and tracks how the country's youngest children are developing.5
Nairobi lawyer Abshir Abdi's family goes to court over alleged abduction as DCI denies police roleNairobi lawyer Abshir Abdi has reportedly vanished in a suspected abduction, and his family has moved to court over the disappearance. CCTV footage captured the alleged abduction near Kilimani Police Station, and accounts describe him being dragged into a Land Cruiser.
Nairobi lawyer Abshir Abdi's family goes to court over alleged abduction as DCI denies police role
First published Tue, Nov 3 · Updated Fri, Nov 6
Nairobi lawyer Abshir Abdi has reportedly vanished in a suspected abduction, and his family has moved to court over the disappearance. CCTV footage captured the alleged abduction near Kilimani Police Station, and accounts describe him being dragged into a Land Cruiser.123
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations denied that police were involved in the alleged abduction of Abshir Abdi. The DCI's denial came as CCTV showed the lawyer's last moments before he disappeared.45
Lawyers linked Abshir Ahmedsadak Abdi's abduction to a case against senior police officers. The family asked the court to intervene after he vanished.67
Opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka issued demands after the reported abduction of the Nairobi lawyer. The family's court filing followed the disappearance.8910
UPDATES
· New development
Two friends of missing Nairobi lawyer Abshir Abdi have also been reported missing, deepening the mystery of his disappearance.1112
Attributed claim: Police said Abdi was living a double life, an account that adds a new line to the dispute over why he vanished.13
Kenya discharges five Ebola patients as 52 contacts remain in quarantineKenya discharged five Ebola patients and reported no new cases, the health ministry said. Health Cabinet Secretary Duale said Kenya has successfully contained Ebola.
Kenya discharges five Ebola patients as 52 contacts remain in quarantine
First published Tue, Nov 3
Kenya discharged five Ebola patients and reported no new cases, the health ministry said. Health Cabinet Secretary Duale said Kenya has successfully contained Ebola.123
Fifty-two contacts of the patients remain in quarantine, and 46 more contacts were due to be released. The health ministry issued Ebola safety guidelines for Kenyan workplaces.3
Kenya's Rironi-Naivasha highway opening pushed to December as Naivasha stretch reaches 90 percentTransport Cabinet Secretary Chirchir has pushed the opening of the Rironi-Naivasha highway to December, missing an earlier deadline. The Naivasha stretch of the Nairobi-Nakuru road is reported to be 90 percent complete, with the work billed as an end to the jams on that route.
Kenya's Rironi-Naivasha highway opening pushed to December as Naivasha stretch reaches 90 percent
First published Tue, Nov 3 · Updated Thu, Nov 5
Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Chirchir has pushed the opening of the Rironi-Naivasha highway to December, missing an earlier deadline. The Naivasha stretch of the Nairobi-Nakuru road is reported to be 90 percent complete, with the work billed as an end to the jams on that route.123
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said construction of the Rironi-Mau Summit road is stalling because of corruption, and he alleged a plan to halt the Ksh200 billion project.45
Attributed claim: People Daily / Citizen Digital: Senator Aaron Cheruiyot hit back at Gachagua over the Rironi-Mau Summit road, rejecting the corruption claim. The exchange sets the deputy president's allegation against the senator's rebuttal, with the two accounts differing on why the road work has slowed.64
The Rironi-Mau Summit road carries a price tag of Ksh200 billion in the accounts of the dispute. The Rironi-Naivasha highway opening now falls in December, according to the transport ministry's timeline.51
UPDATES
· New development
Attributed claim: Kenyans.co.ke / The Standard: Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi rejected Rigathi Gachagua's claim that President William Ruto pocketed Sh3.5 billion from the Rironi-Mau Summit Road deal.78
Attributed claim: The Standard: Gachagua, the former Deputy President, alleged that Ruto took Sh3.5 billion from the Rironi-Mau Summit Road deal.8
Kenya begins second-last KCSE as over 1 million candidates sit written papersMore than 1 million candidates began the written Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations on Monday, in the second-last sitting of the exam. The theory papers started the same day, with the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) administering the tests.
Kenya begins second-last KCSE as over 1 million candidates sit written papers
First published Mon, Nov 2 · Updated Fri, Nov 6
More than 1 million candidates began the written Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations on Monday, in the second-last sitting of the exam. The theory papers started the same day, with the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) administering the tests.12
Knec said each paper will carry extra security features as part of a new strategy against cheating. The council also expanded the list of items banned during the examinations.34
The Interior Ministry issued a warning to parents and teachers ahead of the 2026 KCSE exams. Exam cheats were put on notice as the national tests began.56
In Kitale, journalists were barred from covering the distribution of KCSE exam papers.7
UPDATES
· New development
The government has published a bill that would raise the legal drinking age to 21 and bar the sale of alcohol in supermarkets.8910
The bill would also ban online alcohol sales, home delivery and online advertising, according to Techish Kenya.10
