Author: Judith Mwaura

The Ministry of Health has started talks with the Treasury to restore the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funding for students at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC). On Tuesday, KMTC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kelly Oluoch, shared that Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa is actively engaging with the National Treasury and key Parliamentary Committees to bring back this important financial support. In the past, KMTC students were able to access HELB loans, but the funding was discontinued at the end of the 2023/2024 financial year as part of the government’s austerity measures. These budget cuts and strict cost-cutting policies…

President William Ruto has hit back at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after Gachagua criticized the government for imposing a heavy tax burden on salaried Kenyans. Speaking at Mandera Teachers Training College in Mandera County on Tuesday afternoon, Ruto condemned Gachagua for attempting to undermine the government’s efforts by creating divisions among Kenyans based on regional backgrounds and by misusing people’s payslips. Ruto expressed his disappointment with his former deputy, calling him leaderless and without the moral authority or a clear plan to influence the decisions made by Kenyans. The President also assured Kenyans that the government was determined to…

A Gem Member of Parliament, Elisha Odhiambo, has publicly accused two top officials of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of causing internal turmoil within the party. The MP singled out ODM’s Deputy Leader, Simba Arati, and Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna, as the individuals responsible for the ongoing factionalism threatening to destabilize the party’s future. Speaking to the media outside Parliament on Tuesday, MP Odhiambo argued that the two leaders were orchestrating disorder within ODM. He specifically criticized Sifuna, accusing him of failing to use his position effectively to unite the party. Instead, he claimed that Sifuna was sowing discord by…

Francis Atwoli, the Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), has addressed concerns surrounding the government’s decision to double National Social Security Fund (NSSF) deductions, reassuring Kenyan workers that these changes will ultimately benefit them in the long run. In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 4, Atwoli dismissed the political backlash against the increased NSSF contributions. He accused political leaders of spreading misinformation and misleading the public on the matter. He emphasized that the NSSF Act of 2013, which is being implemented in phases, is crucial for ensuring that workers have a secure financial future upon…

Milka Moraa, a woman who once faced public humiliation at the hands of Pastor James Ng’ang’a, is now a beneficiary of the government’s Affordable Housing Program, securing a Ksh640,000 apartment in Mukuru, Nairobi. This incredible transformation marks a new chapter for Moraa, who is set to move into one of the newly completed units within the next two months. Moraa’s story started on a painful note when she appeared on television seeking help from Pastor Ng’ang’a, only to be mocked and humiliated. Her landlord had locked her out of her house because she couldn’t afford the rent, and she turned…

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is facing a new challenge after the Attorney General, Dorcas Oduor, issued a fresh directive. This comes as concerns grow about the ongoing process of boundary delimitation ahead of the upcoming general elections. On Monday, February 3, the Attorney General requested that the Supreme Court dismiss an advisory case filed by the IEBC regarding boundary delimitation. In March 2024, the IEBC approached the Supreme Court for clarification on whether they could proceed with boundary delimitation despite having only a partial commission—without six commissioners and a chair. However, Attorney General Oduor has questioned the…

On Tuesday, February 4, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs issued an urgent warning regarding the increasing cases of visa application fraud and fake job offers, advising Kenyans to be cautious and avoid falling victim to these scams. The ministry highlighted that it continues to receive numerous complaints from citizens who have been defrauded during their attempts to apply for travel visas to different countries. In an official statement, the Ministry emphasized the importance of using official channels when applying for visas to avoid being scammed. It urged Kenyans planning to travel for either work or leisure to ensure…

In a significant breakthrough, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have apprehended five suspects involved in a fake gold syndicate that defrauded two foreign nationals of more than Ksh15 million. The scam, which also involved firearms and ammunition, saw the criminals tricking the victims into believing they could supply them with 550 kilograms of gold. According to a statement from the DCI, the suspects were arrested at different locations after they managed to deceive two businessmen, one from Romania and the other from Switzerland. The fraudsters convinced the victims that the gold they were selling was stored in…

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed the details of a development agreement signed by President William Ruto with Western region leaders, including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. Gachagua disclosed these details during an interview on Tuesday, February 4, shedding light on the promises made to the region as part of the deal. According to Gachagua, President Ruto and the Western leaders signed an agreement that was witnessed by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and signed also by Simon Gikuru. The deal outlined several key commitments, such as the completion of all ongoing road projects,…

US Senator Warns of Chinese Influence in Africa After Trump Shuts Down USAID Weeks after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending foreign aid for 90 days, reports have now confirmed that his administration is planning to shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID) entirely. This decision has sparked growing concerns that China could take advantage of the situation to strengthen its influence in Africa. The suspension of aid has already led to job losses for hundreds of Kenyans, with more at risk of being laid off. USAID, which has been instrumental in funding various development…