Directline Assurance has taken legal action against businessman Samuel Kamau (SK) Macharia, seeking to stop him from running cautionary adverts that warn the public against dealing with the insurer. The company claims the ads contain “reckless and false statements,” particularly asserting that its insurance covers are invalid. This legal move is expected to escalate tensions between Directline’s management and Mr Macharia, a major shareholder in the company. According to Directline, the adverts have caused significant financial damage, including a drop in revenue, and have sparked unnecessary panic in the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) insurance market, where Directline holds a dominant…
Author: Samuel Njihia
Judy Thongori, a distinguished family lawyer and outspoken rights advocate, has passed away in India following a brief illness. She was 60 years old. According to a statement from the Senior Counsel Bar (SCB), Ms Thongori had been unwell and had been flown to India for urgent medical care. Sadly, she succumbed to complications from her condition on Tuesday, 14 January. “Sadly, she died yesterday evening due to ensuing medical complications,” confirmed Dr Fred Ojiambo, Chair of SCB. A trailblazer in family law, Ms Thongori leaves behind an enduring legacy of legal excellence. With more than 30 years in practice,…
A Ugandan military court has charged opposition leader Kizza Besigye with treachery, a crime punishable by death. The charges come amid growing legal challenges Besigye faces after his controversial detention in Kenya last year. Besigye, a staunch critic of President Yoweri Museveni, is accused of plotting to undermine Uganda’s national security—a claim his supporters and human rights groups call politically motivated, especially as the 2026 elections approach. Besigye, a former military doctor under Museveni, has been a prominent figure in Uganda’s opposition for decades, unsuccessfully running for president four times. His accusations that Museveni is turning authoritarian have made him…
Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Justin Muturi, has boldly stated that he does not fear being dismissed by President William Ruto after his outspoken criticism of the government’s handling of the abduction crisis in the country. Muturi, who publicly broke ranks with the administration on Sunday, demanded an immediate end to extrajudicial operations targeting perceived enemies of the government. He emphasised that the growing number of abductions and illegal detentions in the country must be addressed transparently and without intimidation. On Monday, Muturi reiterated his stance in an interview with Nation, dismissing any fear of retribution for his actions. “What…
Joyce Akinyi Ochieng, one of Kenya’s most high-profile drug traffickers, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. The ruling was made on Thursday at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport court, where she was also fined Sh9 million after being found guilty of trafficking heroin valued at Sh5 million. Akinyi, a mother of four, was a prominent figure in Nairobi’s dark underworld. She was convicted alongside her Congolese lover, Paulin Kalala, who received a 10-year sentence and a Sh9 million fine. Kalala’s sentence was reduced by five years and six months due to time already served in custody since the…
As we move into 2025, it’s important to reflect on the stories that captured our readers’ attention in 2024. From major developments in government policy to personal stories that resonated with many, the Nairobi Law Monthly brought you the most vital news and insights. Below is a recap of the 24 most-read articles that sparked conversation last year. Why paybill tax will drive nail in Safaricom casket Govt to raid M-Pesa accounts, airtime of hustler fund defaulters Govt to convert M-Pesa paybills into KRA tax registers Mwalimu Dida serving seven years in US jail for stalking Dida’s dispute with his…
Four former presidents of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) have called for the resignation of Chief Justice Martha Koome, accusing the Judiciary of widespread corruption that has obstructed access to justice. Dr Gibson Kamau Kuria, Paul Muite, Ahmednasir Abdullahi, and Nelson Havi expressed concern on Friday over the growing use of fake court orders, particularly in land disputes, leading to illegal evictions. Dr Kuria stated, “We have reached a point in this country where there is no longer the rule of law but the rule of money. People are buying court orders from judges, and this is being normalised.”…
The High Court has declared the new university funding model unconstitutional, citing a lack of public participation. The government is now prohibited from proceeding with its implementation. In August, Members of Parliament asked the government to consider remodelling the recently unveiled university funding model to ease access for learners. The MPs argued that consolidating all funds intended to facilitate learning in both public and private universities would be a better way to make the funding more accessible to all learners. They stated that the current model was complex and inaccessible to most students, preventing many potential learners from benefiting from…
Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has revealed that she has not seen her Deputy Governor, Isaac Mutuma, for over a year, highlighting the growing rift between the two leaders. Their strained relationship has deepened since their fallout during the impeachment proceedings at the Meru County Assembly. Mwangaza accused Mutuma of working with her political opponents to undermine her leadership. In a recent statement, Mwangaza revealed that Mutuma had stopped attending Cabinet meetings, where critical county matters are discussed. “For the last year and a half, he has not been on duty, but he has been earning a full salary and using…
US President Joe Biden has issued an official pardon for his son Hunter, who was set to face sentencing this month on federal felony gun and tax convictions. In a statement on Sunday evening, Biden announced he was wiping out his son’s federal convictions, sparing him any possible prison sentence despite having previously insisted he would not interfere with the judicial process or use his presidential powers in such a manner. The president said although he believed in the justice system, “politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice” Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to tax…