Traders in Kenya’s informal sector are on the verge of facing severe consequences if they fail to pay the 1.5 percent housing levy, with Kenya Revenue Authority ready to freeze bank accounts and block PINs on those who do not comply with the levy as the authority scales up efforts to enforce compliance. The levy was introduced by the government in July 2023 to fund affordable housing for low-income earners. While a majority of the salaried employees comply through their employers, a number good enough to dent the economy, comprising hustlers operating businesses such as salons, bars, and corner shops,…
Author: Samuel Njihia
In a landmark ruling, the Employment and Labour Relations Court has determined that an employer cannot simply plead abandonment of duty as grounds for terminating an employee’s contract. Justice Monica Mbaru ruled that employers must demonstrate they have taken reasonable steps to locate the employee and ask them to return to work. “The employer must, where possible, demonstrate that they addressed the matter of the employee’s unexplained absenteeism through available internal channels,” Justice Mbaru stated. This decision followed an appeal by Central Furniture Shop Ltd, which contested a ruling that its employee, Mr Alfani Mohamed, had been unfairly dismissed due…
The High Court has struck down the decision by Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja to ban anti-government protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District, declaring it unconstitutional. The court also overturned the requirement that protests must have a designated leader, calling it an unlawful restriction on fundamental rights. The ban, introduced in response to youth-led protests that erupted in June 2024, had been justified by Kanja on the grounds that criminal gangs had infiltrated the demonstrations. He argued that the lack of a designated leader made it challenging for police to enforce safety measures and protect public order. Kanja further cited…
A push to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome from office has taken a dramatic turn after the Judicial Service Commission officially asked her to respond to a petition filed by lawyer Christopher Rosana concerning a controversial decision involving Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi. A letter from Winfridah Mokaya, the JSC Secretary and Chief Registrar, dated February 4, 2025, confirms that Koome has been granted time to file her response. The petition, filed by Rosana on August 1, 2024, was considered by the JSC on January 24, 2025. After deliberation, the commission decided to formally request a response from the Chief Justice.…
The Kenyan government has refuted claims that a freeze in US funding for the Kenya-led Haiti Multi-National Security Support Mission (MSS) would jeopardise its operations, asserting that these allegations are false and unfounded. In light of the ongoing situation, Government Spokesperson Dr Isaac Mwaura clarified that the MSS mission is supported by the UN Trust Fund for Haiti, which was established under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699 in October 2023. The mission was designed to assist Haiti’s authorities in combating criminal gangs that control large areas of the country. Dr Mwaura further explained that the Kenya-led mission also involves…
Thousands of workers in Kenya are facing unemployment as the fallout from US President Donald Trump’s executive order begins to take effect. The order, which restricts foreign aid funding, has caused a severe disruption in crucial HIV/AIDS programmes funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), leaving many workers without jobs. The Catholic Church, one of the largest providers of health services in the country, has been hit hard. The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) announced the immediate suspension of its HIV/AIDS programmes under the KCCB-ACTS programme. Dr Moses Muriuki, the programme director, sent out a letter…
Tensions between Kenya’s judiciary and the legal profession have escalated following a declaration by lawyers to boycott a judicial dialogue forum scheduled for today. The move comes amid growing concerns within the legal community over widespread corruption in the courts, including bribery at registries, frequent absenteeism and lateness by judges and magistrates, and significant delays in issuing rulings. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Branch Chairs Caucus has strongly criticised the judiciary for failing to address these serious concerns, which have been raised at both the national and branch levels. On Thursday, the LSK instructed its members not to attend…
The High Court has ruled that former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, along with two co-accused, must answer to charges relating to the murder of university student Sharon Otieno and her unborn child. The incident occurred on the night of 3 September 2018 in Homa Bay County, when Sharon, who was pregnant, was brutally killed. The case has drawn significant public attention, with Obado, Michael Oyamo, and Caspal Obiero facing accusations of her murder. During the final submissions on 8 November 2024, Obado’s legal team, led by Kioko Kilukumi and Rodger Sagana, argued that the charges should be dropped, claiming the…
Sarah Wairimu, the widow of Dutch tycoon Tob Cohen, who was murdered six years ago, was arrested on Thursday evening and scheduled to appear in court on Friday to respond to fresh murder charges. Ms Wairimu was arrested at her home in Nairobi and detained at Kilimani Police Station, with detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) stating that new evidence has linked her to the gruesome murder of her husband. “The suspect was arrested by DCI detectives from the headquarters, but she is now in our custody,” Kilimani OCPD Patricia Tegon told reporters on Thursday. Sources revealed that…
The High Court has stopped businessman Samuel Kamau (SK) Macharia from airing cautionary ads that warned the public against dealing with Directline Assurance. The insurer had sought the court order, claiming that the ads, broadcast by Macharia’s Royal Media Services, were defamatory and harming its financial position. Justice Francis Gikonyo issued a temporary restraining order, highlighting that Directline is a distinct legal entity and its financial stability must be protected. The judge stated, “Accordingly, the 1st defendant (SK Macharia), his agents, employees or servants or any other person is restrained from publishing, printing, distributing, airing or otherwise circulating the advertisements…
