Air travellers have been thrown into disarray after flights between Western Europe and the Middle East were abruptly cancelled following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday that a “major combat operation” had taken place, triggering widespread disruption across the region. In response to the escalating conflict, both Iran and Iraq shut their airspace, forcing airlines to rethink established routes almost overnight. With Israel launching missiles towards Iran and Tehran responding in kind, aircraft that would typically pass over those countries have been diverted. Footage from flight tracking website Flightradar24 shows a steady overnight flow of…
Author: Samuel Njihia
The Open Society Foundations has condemned the arbitrary detention of its Managing Director of Programs, Brian Kagoro, by Kenyan authorities. Kagoro was held for over ten hours after arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on Sunday night. During this time, he was questioned, denied entry, and eventually sent back to Johannesburg. The foundation reports that no formal charges were filed and no written explanation was provided for his deportation following questioning by national intelligence officers. “Kagoro has never been charged with or convicted of any criminal offence,” the statement said. “The removal order authorising the air carrier to…
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has dismissed his removal as Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), calling the decision illegitimate and insisting he will continue in the role. Speaking at a Nairobi press conference on Thursday, Mr Sifuna accused the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) of sidelining him through what he called an unconstitutional process. “I remain a loyal member and the duly elected Secretary General of the ODM party,” he said. The senator, who has faced ongoing factional disputes within ODM, reaffirmed his dedication to the party’s principles and the broader fight for democracy in Kenya. “I remain committed…
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has confirmed that Chief Executive and Commission Secretary Marjan Hussein Marjan will be leaving by mutual agreement, with more than a year remaining on his contract. In a statement on Wednesday, IEBC chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the decision marks the start of a process to recruit a new CEO and Commission Secretary. “IEBC will announce an interim replacement who will take over as Acting CEO/CS in due course. This is in line with our commitment and resolve to ensure we have a seamless transition designed to maintain momentum in carrying forward the…
Low and middle-income earners in Kenya are set to receive major tax relief as the government moves to ease the financial burden on salaried workers. The changes are aimed at giving employees more disposable income amid rising living costs. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi announced the plan on Monday at the Budget and Privatisation Public Engagement Forum for the Upper Eastern region, held at Meru National Polytechnic. The programme will abolish income tax for workers earning less than Sh30,000 a month, while those earning between Sh30,000 and Sh50,000 will see their tax rate reduced to 25 per cent from the…
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has raised concerns over a Sh22.9 billion budget shortfall that could slow preparations for the 2027 elections and disrupt ongoing work. According to IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, the commission requires Sh63 billion to cover voter registration, voter education, and election logistics for the current election cycle, and the shortfall threatens to hinder these critical preparations. Ethekon, who was peaking during the 2026 Legislative Retreat in Naivasha, highlighted past underfunding, noting that in the last financial year, IEBC requested Sh14 billion but received only Sh4.7 billion. He urged Parliament to intervene, warning that inadequate…
Parliamentary leaders have called on the country’s two largest political parties to begin talks well ahead of the 2027 General Election, arguing that early engagement would reduce uncertainty and help shape the next government. National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot said discussions between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) should start soon to allow both sides to align their priorities and avoid rushed deals close to polling day. The appeal was made during a fundraising drive for new classrooms at Midoti Senior Secondary School in Suna East Constituency, an…
Kenya Power workers have issued a strike notice after talks over a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) stalled, sparking fears of power outages if the standoff continues February 28. The Kenya Electrical Trades and Allied Workers Union (KETAWU) said employees at the state utility were under severe financial pressure and saw the proposed CBA as the only immediate relief available. Speaking in Kisumu during the union’s elections, KETAWU National General Secretary Ernest Nadome said rising living costs had eroded workers’ earnings. “We all agree that the economy and inflation are affecting everybody. We have issues of affordable housing, taxation and…
The Supreme Court has lifted a ban that had persisted for two years, barring Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi from appearing before the country’s highest court and restoring his right to practise there. Delivering the ruling, Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, and Justice Smokin Wanjala confirmed that Ahmednasir, his law firm, or any advocate holding his brief may now appear before the Supreme Court, including in ongoing cases. “Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi, an employee of his law firm, or any person acting pursuant to his instructions may from the date of this ruling appear and practise before…
Raila Odinga’s repeated bids for the presidency fell short due to a combination of powerful interests, voter behaviour, and campaign missteps, ODM’s Junet Mohamed has revealed in a candid assessment of the opposition leader’s political journey. Speaking on Citizen TV’s JKLive on 21 January 2026, Junet argued that Raila’s defeats were not merely the result of voters’ choices but, in his view, deliberate obstruction by entrenched political forces determined to keep him out of State House. “The people who normally make presidents in Kenya did not want to make Raila president. That is what I believe, without mentioning who’s who,”…
