As the US government plunges into shutdown chaos in Washington, ripples of concern are growing thousands of kilometres away in Nairobi, where the American Embassy has issued a public advisory warning of limited operations. In a statement posted to its official X account on Wednesday, the embassy warned of service disruptions due to the US government’s lapse in legal authority to spend money. “Due to the lapse in appropriations, this X account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information,” the embassy said. “Scheduled passport and visa transit services… will…
Author: Samuel Njihia
A land boundary dispute turned fatal in Kakrigu Village, Rusinga East Location, Homa Bay County, on Tuesday morning, when Prof Tom Odhiambo, an academic from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), was brutally killed in an attack that has shocked the Mbita Sub-county community. Prof Odhiambo, who had travelled home to resolve a long-running disagreement over land demarcation, was ambushed and hacked to death by two assailants wielding machetes. The confrontation took place before the scheduled arrival of a local chief and a land surveyor, who had been called in to mediate the dispute. According to local authorities, tensions had…
Collins Kweyu, a Standard Group photojournalist, says his life is in danger after receiving threatening messages via WhatsApp in connection with a case involving a Migori-based judge. According to the journalist, a person claiming to be an officer from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) sent him a message warning him to leave the judge alone, saying he had “touched a live wire.” The anonymous individual, who later identified himself as a fellow journalist, went on to tell Kweyu to prepare for the end of the world later that day. “Dunia inaisha leo,” the individual wrote. When asked to explain,…
Francis Thombe Nyammo, fondly known as FT Nyammo, a respected former Member of Parliament for Tetu and a beloved figure in Kenya’s Rotary community, has passed away at the age of 86. FT Nyammo died peacefully on the morning of his birthday, a poetic farewell that has moved many who knew and admired him. His passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in public service, community leadership, and personal generosity. A man of many titles—Charter Member, Major Donor, Past President, and Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Karen—Nyammo was celebrated not just for his contributions, but for his…
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has begun a nationwide voter registration drive, with the goal of signing up 6.3 million new voters before the November 27 by-elections and the 2027 General Elections. The registration exercise started on Monday in all 290 constituencies and comes with a new digital system to make the process faster and more accurate. Speaking on Citizen TV before the launch, IEBC commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana said the commission is focused on making the process clear and efficient for everyone. “The registration process has been restructured to minimise errors and eliminate duplication,” he said. Key among…
Pay-TV provider DStv has lost over a million Kenyan subscribers in a year as high prices and economic pressure push many of its customers to illegal online streaming. According to the latest data from the Communications Authority of Kenya, active DStv subscribers fell by over 84 per cent in 12 months, dropping from 1.19 million in June 2024 to 188,824 in June 2025. Active subscribers are those who have paid within the past 90 days. The collapse in numbers coincides with a series of price hikes by MultiChoice Kenya, the company behind DStv. In the past ten months, the company…
Keroche Breweries has launched a Sh10 billion lawsuit against its former managing director, Sam Shollei, accusing him of causing reputational damage linked to an advertisement of a pending liquidation petition. The dispute stems from a Sh75 million compensation claim by Mr Shollei, which Keroche says has been wrongly publicised. In court documents filed at the High Court, Keroche seeks damages and a retraction of the insolvency allegations. Their lawyer, Karuku Wachira, argued that the company’s “economic role of generating taxes and jobs means the advertisement risks potential economic repercussions, strengthening the case for urgent restraint.” Keroche directly employs 500 people,…
Directline Assurance is seeking court action against businessman Samuel Kamau (SK) Macharia, accusing him of contempt of court for forcibly removing the company’s board and installing a new management team in blatant defiance of a court order. According to court documents, Mr Macharia allegedly stormed the insurer’s offices at Hazina Towers in Nairobi on Monday, expelled CEO Sammy Kanyi and the sitting board, and replaced them with his own appointees. This move, which occurred despite a judicial directive dated October 4, 2024, effectively paralysed the insurer’s operations and locked out the existing management, putting both the public and policyholders at…
A dramatic boardroom clash at Directline Assurance unfolded Monday as media mogul Samuel Kamau (SK) Macharia stormed the company’s Nairobi headquarters, sacked top executives, and installed his own team—despite a standing High Court order barring him from such actions. The surprise takeover bid has escalated tensions between Mr Macharia, who claims control of the insurer via Royal Credit Limited, and the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), which has closely monitored Directline’s protracted leadership crisis. The latest twist saw Mr Macharia dismiss chief executive Sammy Kanyi, the head of finance, and several other senior managers. In their place, he named Wilson Wambugu…
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has launched an inquiry into bribery allegations involving a sitting judge amid mounting social media outcry and public pressure. In an official statement issued on Monday, 22 September, the commission confirmed that it had taken note of the circulating claims and assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted before any action is taken. “The Judicial Service Commission has noted allegations of bribery against a judge that have been circulating on social media,” the statement read. “In this regard, the Commission has commenced investigations into the matter and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to…
