A court dispute between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and a former senior pensions official has exposed how fictitious bank accounts were allegedly used to siphon money meant for retired teachers before the fraud was uncovered by the National Treasury. The Employment and Labour Relations Court ruled that TSC had sufficient grounds to dismiss Acting Senior Deputy Director Pauline Mbithe over negligence and insubordination linked to the fraudulent payments. However, the court also found that the commission violated her constitutional rights through an irregular disciplinary process and unlawful retention of her personal financial records. The fraudulent scheme was first detected…
Author: Davin Muthoni
Siaya Governor James Orengo has claimed his life is in danger following the withdrawal of his security detail, accusing the government of using intimidation tactics against leaders critical of President William Ruto’s administration. Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Thursday, Orengo revealed that nine security officers attached to him in Nairobi and Siaya counties were recalled on Tuesday evening without explanation, leaving him vulnerable amid growing concerns over political violence. “I’m worried about it, but I’m not intimidated,” Orengo said. The governor warned that Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja should be held personally responsible if any harm…
President William Ruto has directed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to allow matatu operators to continue displaying graffiti and artistic artwork on public service vehicles, signalling government support for Kenya’s vibrant matatu culture despite ongoing regulation debates. Speaking during a live address from State House in Mombasa on Friday, the President said the government would support creative expression in the transport sector while ensuring that safety standards and respect for other road users are maintained. “Recognising the important role of creativity and self-expression within our transport culture, I have directed NTSA to facilitate an enabling environment for matatu…
Fresh legal challenges have emerged against the appointment of Adan Abdulla Mohamed as Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), with petitioners seeking to block him from taking office over claims that he has exceeded the mandatory public service retirement age. Two separate cases filed at the Employment and Labour Relations Court and the High Court in Nairobi argue that the former Cabinet Secretary’s appointment is unconstitutional, illegal and invalid because he is allegedly above the age limit allowed for public officers. The petitions, lodged by the Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) and Nairobi resident Bernard Opere, seek conservatory…
Fresh debate has emerged over Kenya’s age of consent laws following years of judicial concern that teenagers involved in consensual sexual relationships are being subjected to excessively harsh punishment under the Sexual Offences Act. The discussion resurfaced after recent court rulings directed police and prosecutors to distinguish between exploitative sexual offences and consensual relationships involving adolescents of close age proximity. However, the debate is not new. Senior judges and legal experts have for years questioned whether the current law adequately addresses the realities facing young people. In 2019, the Court of Appeal proposed that Kenya consider lowering the age of…
The High Court has ordered police and prosecutors to stop automatically treating all consensual sexual relationships between adolescents as criminal offences, marking a major shift in how Kenya handles teenage sexuality and child protection cases. In a landmark judgement delivered on Tuesday, Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled that authorities must distinguish between exploitative sexual offences and consensual relationships involving minors of close age who are not coercing or abusing each other. The court found that the blanket application of the Sexual Offences Act in such cases conflicts with several constitutional rights, including dignity, equality, privacy and the best interests of the…
Energy regulator reduces diesel prices by Sh10.06 per litre while increasing kerosene prices by Sh38.60 in a mid-cycle fuel review.
The Teachers Service Commission has signalled plans to phase out the controversial Career Progression Guidelines (CPG), a framework that has governed teacher promotions for nearly a decade amid growing criticism over stagnation and delayed career advancement. The move comes as the commission receives an additional Sh2 billion allocation in the 2026/2027 financial year to support teacher promotions, with nearly 30,000 educators expected to benefit under the proposed new system. Introduced in 2017 to replace the traditional schemes of service, the CPG framework tied promotions to the availability of administrative positions and budgetary allocations. However, teachers and unions have consistently accused…
Lawyers representing the National Assembly of Kenya and petitioners in the impeachment case against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have defended the process that led to his removal from office, dismissing claims that he was denied a fair hearing. During court proceedings, lawyer Michael Muchemi, appearing for petitioner Mwengi Mutuse, argued that Gachagua had lost both parliamentary backing and the confidence of the political party that sponsored him to office. Muchemi further maintained that impeachment proceedings are political rather than criminal in nature and therefore should not be subjected to the strict standards applied in ordinary judicial trials. Lawyers representing…
Former Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok is facing renewed scrutiny following allegations that foreign nationals, including individuals linked in reports to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), obtained Kenyan passports and identity documents during his tenure. The allegations in this report are primarily based on reporting by The Standard, which cited documents and statements from unnamed sources. According to The Standard, the allegations are contained in documents and claims suggesting that some applications may have been processed through irregular channels within the immigration system. These claims have not been independently verified. The newspaper reports that officials linked to Bitok’s office may…