Justice Gatembu Kairu was on Thursday sworn in as the President of the Court of Appeal, taking over the leadership of Kenya’s second-highest court after being elected by fellow Court of Appeal judges. Chief Justice Martha Koome, who presided over the swearing-in ceremony, described the occasion as a significant constitutional milestone and congratulated Justice Gatembu on his election, saying it reflected the confidence his colleagues have in his integrity, leadership, professional competence and sound judgement. She expressed confidence that he would provide visionary leadership while building on the institutional gains made by the Court of Appeal over the years. In…
Author: Davin Muthoni
Kenyans applying for Certificates of Good Conduct will from Monday receive the document within a day following the rollout of a new biometric identification system by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The agency announced that it will officially launch the Multi-Biometric Identification System (MBIS)- ABIS Version 5 (MBIS-ABIS V5) on July 20, 2026, replacing the Automated Palm and Fingerprint Identification System that has been used for years. The upgrade is expected to reduce the processing time for Police Clearance Certificates from the current 14 days to just one day. Describing the new platform as a major technological advancement, the…
A pistol licensed to Court of Appeal Judge Aggrey Muchelule has been linked to a series of violent crimes, including the recent armed robbery at Chaii Wali Cafe in Nairobi’s Westlands area, after detectives recovered the weapon from a suspected robber killed in a police operation. Investigators established that the Beretta 92-series pistol, licensed to the judge in 2018, was recovered on Monday during a shoot-out in Joska, Machakos County. The suspect was believed to be among four men captured on CCTV robbing customers of phones, cash, and other valuables at the Westlands restaurant. According to police, officers from the…
The High Court has suspended the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) decision to fine Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia Sh1.5 million over an alleged breach of the Electoral Code of Conduct. Justice Nabil Orina Mokaya issued interim orders on Monday stopping the implementation of the IEBC Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee’s decision delivered on July 10, 2026, pending the hearing and determination of the MP’s application. The orders were granted shortly before the expiry of a deadline requiring Ms Muhia to pay the fine and issue a public apology. “Pending hearing and determination of the application, an order is hereby…
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will not present a presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election and will instead support President William Ruto’s re-election bid, party leader Oburu Oginga has announced. Oburu said the decision was part of ongoing coalition negotiations aimed at strengthening the broad-based government and securing development opportunities for the Nyanza region. Speaking during a church fundraiser at St Pascal’s Chiga Catholic Church in Homa Bay Town on Sunday, Oburu said ODM had already agreed to support President Ruto for a second term. “In this coalition that we are negotiating, we already know this time round ODM…
Concerns over escalating political violence intensified yesterday after suspected goons disrupted two events linked to the Linda Mwananchi movement in Nyahururu and Kisumu, leaving several people injured and renewing criticism over security at opposition gatherings. The latest incidents occurred barely a week after a Linda Mwananchi convoy was attacked in Keumbu, Kisii County, where one person was killed and more than 20 others injured. In Nyahururu, two people sustained serious gunshot wounds after armed men and suspected goons descended on a rally organised by the movement. Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata confirmed that his driver was among those shot. The violence…
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has formally launched investigations into a suspected Sh6.2 billion payroll fraud after receiving audit reports and forensic findings exposing widespread irregularities in the government’s payroll system. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku on Wednesday handed over the payroll audit reports and supporting documents to the DCI, marking the implementation of a Cabinet directive issued after a meeting chaired by President William Ruto on June 30. The directive ordered that all cases arising from the payroll audit with possible criminal elements be investigated. “The integrity of the government payroll is central to fiscal discipline, effective…
Nearly 9,000 students who qualified for university admission after the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations chose diploma and certificate programmes instead of degree courses, reflecting a growing preference for technical and vocational training. The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) said 8,900 candidates who met the minimum requirements for university admission did not seek placement in degree programmes, opting instead for alternative higher education pathways. The figure rose from 7,640 recorded last year. The statistics were released during the announcement of placement results for the 2026/2027 academic year, in which 293,869 students secured places in…
A court has released Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs’ bodyguard on a free bond of Sh20,000 as police continue investigating the fatal shooting of Cecil Otieno Anyango in Nairobi, Kariokor area. Rashid Charo appeared before the Makadara Chief Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday but did not take a plea after detectives sought additional time to complete investigations into the suspected murder. The case will be mentioned on August 10. Court documents indicate that the shooting occurred after the Principal Secretary attended a function at a social hall in Kariokor, where a group of youths allegedly demanded money from him. “It…
Glee Hotel Ltd, a luxury Runda-based hotel associated with businesswoman Mary Wambui, has been placed under administration after Equity Bank moved to recover a Sh7.75 billion debt. In a public notice, the lender announced the appointment of Kamal Anantroy Bhatt of Anant Bhatt LLP as the hotel’s administrator, effective July 6, 2026, signalling that control of the company’s operations and assets had shifted from its directors. “Pursuant to section 563(2) (b) of the Insolvency Act 2015 OF Kenya, notice is hereby given that effective 6 July 2026, Kamal Anantroy Bhatt, of Anant Bhatt LLP, has been appointed as administrator of…
