President William Ruto is set to begin his five-day State Visit to China today, becoming the first African leader to visit Beijing since US tariffs disrupted global trade. This visit, analysts say, presents Kenya with a unique opportunity to capitalise on the fallout. The East African nation is among the 185 countries affected by the punitive trade tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration. Since 5 April 2025, a 10 per cent baseline tariff has applied to all imports into the US from these countries. The 10 per cent levy is described as a “commencement tariff”, meaning there will be…
Author: Samuel Njihia
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican has confirmed. He passed away at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta within Vatican City, according to the Vatican News Service. “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church,” said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in tribute. His death comes just a day after he appeared in St Peter’s Square to wish “Happy Easter” to thousands of worshippers. According to BBC News, Vatican officials said the Pope had been in declining health in recent months but continued to carry out limited public duties. His…
The US has warned it may withdraw from ongoing efforts to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia within days unless there are clear signs of progress, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Washington “won’t stay at the table indefinitely. Speaking to reporters on Friday, April 18, 2025, following a summit in Paris with European counterparts, Rubio stressed that time was running out for a breakthrough. “We need to determine very quickly now — and I’m talking about a matter of days — whether or not this is doable,” he said. “If it’s not going to happen, then we’re just…
Public officers, including members of the police force and staff at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs), are now free to operate liquor outlets without fear of losing their jobs. This follows a ruling by the High Court that declared a government directive barring them from engaging in the alcohol business as unconstitutional and invalid. The directive was part of a 25-point policy package introduced in March 2024 by then Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, now Deputy President, in a bid to curb alcohol abuse across the country. Among the measures was a controversial…
Geoffrey Ruku and Hannah Wendot Cheptumo have officially been sworn in at State House, Nairobi, as Cabinet Secretaries for Public Service and Gender, respectively. Their appointments are the latest in a series of changes within President William Ruto’s Cabinet, following a recent reshuffle. Ruku, who previously served as the Member of Parliament for Mbeere North, and Cheptumo both underwent thorough vetting by the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments earlier this week. During the sessions, they were questioned extensively about their public service records and their plans for tackling challenges within their new portfolios. Their elevation to Cabinet roles follows the…
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has been arrested by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) following early morning raids at his private residence and county offices. The arrest is part of a broader investigation into alleged corruption, including the embezzlement of public funds and conflicts of interest in county procurement deals. Along with Wamatangi, nine senior county officials were also detained during the operation. EACC investigators seized crucial documents and electronic devices that are expected to play a significant role in the ongoing investigation. The crackdown comes after months of mounting pressure from Kiambu leaders, who had called for…
Silas Apollo, a political reporter with The Nairobi Law Monthly, has died after being involved in a road accident on Kiambu Road, police have confirmed. Apollo, 35, was hit by a speeding motorcycle on the night of Wednesday, 9 April, while attempting to cross the busy road on foot. He was initially rushed to St. Teresa’s Hospital before being transferred to Kiambu Level 6 Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His identity was not immediately known, as he was not carrying any identification documents at the time. The incident was initially recorded by police as “unknown person hit…
The Supreme Court of Kenya has dismissed Ruth Kamande’s petition, rejecting her attempt to have her conviction for the 2015 murder of her boyfriend, Farid Mohamed Halim, reconsidered under the “battered woman syndrome” defence. Kamande, who was convicted of stabbing Halim 25 times, sought to have the principle of battered woman syndrome recognised as a standalone defence for women who kill in abusive relationships. During her trial, Kamande had argued that she acted in self-defence after an argument with Halim escalated. She claimed that she discovered a card with her boyfriend’s name on it linked to the “Aids Control Program,”…
Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has commended the learners of Butere Girls High School for their bold protest after being denied proper support for their play, Echoes of War, at the National Drama Festival. Speaking on phone from Eldama Ravine Police Station on early Thursday, Mr Malala described their decision to walk out as a “heroic moment.” The play, directed by Mr Malala, critiques contemporary issues such as governance, technology, and social justice. The students were denied key resources like microphones and props, leading them to sing the national anthem before walking off the stage. “It was a heroic moment…
Chief Justice Martha Koome has expressed concern over the growing corruption within the Judiciary, emphasising its recent surge and the resulting erosion of public confidence. Speaking on Tuesday at this year’s Magistrates and Kadhis colloquium in Naivasha, Koome noted that the Judiciary’s performance is now under intense public scrutiny. She revealed that several corruption cases involving court staff had been reported to her office, warning that such behaviour would not be tolerated. She assured that appropriate action would be taken. “Allegations of graft in the Judiciary cannot be ignored. We must ensure a corruption-free system, as the public has great…
