In one of Kenya’s boldest financial crimes in recent history, city lawyer Esther Bitutu Kadiki stands accused of playing a central role in a staggering Sh1.49 billion scandal that rocked Equity Bank and shook the country’s banking sector. Bitutu, an advocate of the High Court, was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on May 6. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) sought more time to detain her as they continued with investigations into what has been described as “a highly sophisticated bank heist”. Her arrest on May 5 followed months of surveillance and mounting evidence implicating her in…
Author: Special Correspondent
The arrest of 35-year-old Kenyan software developer and civic activist Rose Njeri has ignited widespread condemnation and protests, with activists, lawyers, and public figures demanding her immediate release. Njeri, a single mother of two, was detained on Friday, 30 May 2025, in Nairobi’s South B estate for creating Civic Email, an online platform designed to streamline public objections to the controversial Finance Bill 2025. Her continued detention at Pangani Police Station without formal charges or bail has raised serious concerns about democratic freedoms in Kenya. Njeri’s Civic Email platform allowed Kenyans to submit feedback on the Finance Bill 2025 with…
Chelsea Football Club etched their name into the history books Wednesday night, completing a sensational second-half comeback to defeat Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League final at Wroclaw Stadium. The victory marks Chelsea as the first club to win all five major UEFA men’s club competitions, adding the Conference League to their illustrious trophy cabinet alongside the Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup, and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup. Under the guidance of head coach Enzo Maresca, in his first season at the helm, Chelsea delivered a performance that showcased resilience, flair, and the brilliance of Cole Palmer,…
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has issued a stern directive to all matatu operators across Kenya, ordering the immediate removal of graffiti and tinted windows from public service vehicles (PSVs). The authority has warned that non-compliance will result in severe penalties, including vehicle impoundment and restricted access to NTSA services. In a statement released on Tuesday, NTSA Director-General George Njao emphasized that the move is part of ongoing efforts to enhance road safety and ensure uniformity in the public transport sector. “Graffiti and tinted windows on matatus pose significant safety risks, including reduced visibility for drivers and challenges…
The Trump administration has ordered a temporary suspension of new student visa interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. This move could disrupt the plans of thousands of Kenyan students hoping to study in the United States. The directive, issued via a diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, cites preparations for an expansion of social media screening and vetting for all student and exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa applicants. This policy shift marks a significant escalation in the administration’s immigration and national security strategy, raising concerns about its impact on…
In a surprising turn of events, the Sports Registrar, Rose Wasike, has officially canceled the highly anticipated AFC Leopards elections, which were slated for June 29, 2025. The decision, announced on Tuesday, has sent shockwaves through the club’s passionate fan base and sparked intense debate among stakeholders of one of Kenya’s most storied football clubs. The elections have now been rescheduled for June 2026, aligning with the end of the current executive committee’s four-year term under Chairman Dan Shikanda. Unexpectedly, the cancellation comes amid preparations for the elections, which were set to usher in a new chairperson following Shikanda’s election…
The strike by Universal Health Coverage (UHC) medics in Kenya escalated this week as hundreds marched to Parliament, demanding permanent employment and unpaid gratuities. Now in its second week, the strike threatens to disrupt hospital operations across the country. Eight health sector unions have warned of a national strike if the government does not address their grievances within two weeks. The medics, initially deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic, have long raised concerns over precarious employment conditions, receiving stipends without job security or benefits. ‘We risked our lives during the pandemic, yet we remain stranded without proper pay or contracts,’ said…
Sunday marked the end of the English Premier League 2024/2025 season. The campaign was an emotional roller coaster across all twenty clubs. Liverpool eventually emerged victorious under new manager Arne Slot, after parting ways with Jurgen Klopp at the end of last season. Mohamed Salah had a magnificent season, completing an unprecedented hat-trick by becoming the first player in history to win the Golden Boot, Playmaker, and EA SPORTS Player of the Season awards. Salah won the Golden Boot for the fourth time, equalling Arsenal legend Thierry Henry’s record for the most Golden Boots. Second-place Arsenal ended the season trophyless…
By Fuad Abdirahman The recent remarks by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that Kenyans will experience the fate of the 2007 post-election violence are chilling and a nightmare to families that lost loved ones or were displaced from their homes. As Kenyans approach the 2027 general elections, such remarks will only grow louder. What Kenyans have witnessed in the past few months amounts to veiled threats through coded language. This is tactic that politicians use as a tool to mobilise and divide the people and inflame passions that could divide the nation. The consequences will be dire, as the country…
Ugandan human rights defender and journalist Agather Atuhaire, who was abducted in Tanzania alongside Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, had been in custody since Monday. She was found abandoned near the border between Tanzania and Uganda. Agora Discourse, where she works as the team lead, confirmed her release on Friday morning through its deputy team leader, Godwin Toko. “Finally, Agather has been found, and I have talked to her via her sister’s phone just now. She was picked up from the border,” Toko posted on X. Agora stated that she was arrested by plain-clothed men who claimed to be Tanzanian police…
