The recent death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody has revived concerns over the disturbing trend of deaths in police cells, with at least 20 such fatalities recorded in the past decade. These deaths—all involving male victims—span various incidents, some of which have sparked public outcry and calls for justice. Since 2013, one case under scrutiny involved a minor. On May 29, 2024, Ms Zipporah Muteti’s one-and-a-half-year-old child tragically died at Kambuu Police Station in Makueni County. The incident followed a debt collection dispute, during which an officer allegedly turned violent and slapped Ms Muteti. The slap reportedly struck…
Author: Davin Muthoni
Teachers’ unions have cautioned that learning in public schools may face disruptions due to a deadlock in negotiations over a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), just three weeks before the current 2021-2025 CBA deal expires. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), and Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (Kusnet) have all pressed the TSC to commence talks urgently, warning of possible industrial action if no progress is made. “We submitted our proposals months ago, but instead of engaging, the TSC continues to hide behind…
What began as a warning five months ago from Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has escalated into a political storm that now threatens to derail Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire’s decades-long political career. Mbarire, who also serves as the interim chairperson of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), is reportedly facing increasing isolation within the party, amid growing speculation that she may soon fall victim to the “use and dump” strategy allegedly employed against other key political allies. President William Ruto himself has not been spared from the unfolding tension. There are mounting fears that Mbarire could defect, potentially joining a wider…
A parliamentary committee has rejected a petition by special needs education teachers seeking to compel the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to stop what they described as unlawful deductions of union dues. The National Assembly Committee on Public Petitions dismissed the educators’ appeal to halt deductions in favour of the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (Kusnet), which they claimed they had been forced to join without their consent. In their petition, the teachers requested that Parliament intervene and direct the TSC to immediately stop the deductions, arguing that they had not authorised them and were unaware of Kusnet’s existence.…
Eveleen Mitei has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) following the commencement of terminal leave by outgoing CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia, who is due to retire on June 30, 2025. In an internal memo dated June 1, 2025, Dr. Macharia confirmed her departure from office, marking the beginning of a leadership transition at the helm of the Commission. “I am proceeding on terminal leave with effect from June 1, 2025, pending my retirement from the Teachers Service Commission on June 30, 2025, after serving the Commission in various capacities. In the meantime, note that…
Human rights organisations have called for international sanctions against East African leaders following the reported arrest, secret detention, and torture of activists Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire in Tanzania last month. In a statement released on Monday, a coalition of civil society groups—spearheaded by former Kenyan Chief Justice Willy Mutunga—condemned the incident as a blatant violation of human rights and democratic freedoms. The groups also criticised the apparent silence of regional and international bodies, including the East African Community (EAC), the African Union (AU), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). “We demand immediate international sanctions against President Samia Suluhu…
Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has ordered the immediate enforcement of suspension letters issued to three senior National Youth Service (NYS) officials. The directive, issued on Thursday during a leadership transition ceremony at the NYS headquarters in Ruaraka, is part of a broader push to reinforce accountability and discipline within the institution. “This move aims to uphold accountability and restore discipline within the institution,” CS Ruku stated, adding that the NYS, a taxpayer-funded agency, must be protected from individuals seeking to exploit it for personal gain. “We have individuals who believe they can…
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has proposed a Sh57.4 billion budget for the 2027 General Election, with plans to register an additional 6.3 million voters beyond the current 22.1 million. Appearing before the Budget and Appropriations Committee, National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee Chairperson Gitonga Murugara revealed that the electoral body seeks Sh5.12 billion for electoral activities and Sh3.7 billion for routine operations in the run-up to the elections. In its proposed allocation for the 2025/2026 financial year, the IEBC has earmarked Sh9.6 billion, including Sh788 million for pending by-elections. Murugara indicated the commission intends to acquire…
President William Ruto has issued a public apology to Uganda and Tanzania amid ongoing tensions that have threatened bilateral relations within the East African region. The apology was delivered on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, during Kenya’s National Prayer Breakfast held at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi—a gathering attended by political leaders, religious figures, and regional diplomats. Speaking at the event, the Head of State extended an olive branch to Kenya’s neighbours, pledging to restore and strengthen regional partnerships under the spirit of unity and reconciliation. “Our neighbours from Tanzania, if we have wronged you in any way, forgive us.…
Parents across Kenya can breathe a sigh of relief following a decision by the National Assembly to allocate Sh5.9 billion towards the administration of national examinations for primary, junior, and secondary schools. The funding comes after widespread public outcry over initial budget estimates that omitted provisions for the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), leaving millions of learners potentially without examination support. Scheduled for September, the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams will now proceed as planned. The National Assembly Committee on Education proposed reallocating funds from…
