Author: Journalist Benedict

President William Ruto has signed two major bills into law — the Social Protection Bill 2025 and the Conflict of Interest Bill 2023 — in a move aimed at expanding government support for vulnerable Kenyans and promoting higher standards of transparency and accountability in public service. The Social Protection Bill 2025, signed at State House, Nairobi, introduces a broader system of monthly financial support, extending beyond the traditional groups like the elderly, orphans, and people with severe disabilities. The new law now covers more Kenyans who are suffering from extreme poverty, natural disasters, pandemics, job losses, and other major economic…

In a major move to reduce the ongoing rice shortage in Kenya, the government has approved the duty-free importation of 500,000 metric tonnes of grade 1 white milled rice. This decision is expected to give a big relief to rice importers and help stabilize rice supply and prices in the local market. The announcement was made in a gazette notice published on Tuesday, July 29. According to the notice, the imported rice will not attract any taxes until December 31, 2025. This tax exemption aims to ease pressure on the local market, where rice demand has been outpacing supply in…

The High Commission of India in Nairobi has announced a public auction of a wide variety of used and outdated items, inviting bids from interested individuals and businesses. In a public notice released on Tuesday, July 29, the commission called on potential buyers to participate in the auction, which will feature numerous items from its inventory that are no longer in use. The goods set for auction are currently located at two different properties: the Indian Residential Complex on High Ridge, Wangapala Road in Parklands, and at India House along Limuru Road in Muthaiga, Nairobi. “The High Commission of India…

President William Ruto could soon grant early freedom to even more prisoners if a newly proposed law — the Power of Mercy Bill, 2025 — is passed. On Tuesday, July 30, the Cabinet officially gave its support to this important bill, which aims to modernize and streamline how the presidential pardon process works in Kenya. According to the Cabinet, this new law will not only offer a clear, updated structure for granting pardons, but will also allow the President to release inmates early — especially those who have shown signs of full rehabilitation. The overall goal is to reduce overcrowding…

The investigation into the killing of Rex Masai during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests has taken a dramatic turn, with new testimony contradicting the claims made by the main suspect, Police Constable Isaiah Murangiri. On Tuesday, July 29, a photojournalist took the witness stand and told the court that Murangiri was indeed present at the scene of the protests where Rex Masai was shot. This directly challenges the officer’s earlier claims that he was off-duty and nowhere near the protest area when the incident occurred. According to the witness, he had observed and followed Murangiri for two full days during…

A team of armed police officers on Tuesday raided the home of Patrick Osoi, a former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Special Forces soldier and U.S. Army veteran, arresting him over accusations of attempting to rally ex-security officers into an anti-government political movement. Osoi had recently made headlines after launching a civil rights group known as Fighting Brutality and Impunity (FBI), which seeks to challenge police brutality and support officers who have faced victimization for defying illegal orders. His arrest has triggered widespread concern, especially among human rights defenders and his growing base of supporters. According to a statement issued by…

Thousands of Kenyan households and businesses are at risk of missing out on much-needed electricity connections due to serious financial challenges currently facing the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO). According to a recent report, KETRACO is grappling with financial risks totaling approximately Ksh12.97 billion. These risks are largely due to unresolved court cases, compensation claims from contractors, and pending payments to landowners whose land was used for power transmission infrastructure. Members of the Public Investments Committee on Energy raised the alarm during a meeting held on Tuesday, July 29. The committee, chaired by Pokot South Member of Parliament David Pkosing,…

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), led by Renson Ingonga, is facing growing criticism over its failure to act swiftly in the case of Kennedy Kalombotole, a suspect linked to multiple murders at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). The ODPP is being accused of ignoring investigative findings from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which had earlier recommended the prosecution of Kalombotole following the death of a patient, Gilbert Kinyua, on February 6, 2025. According to reports, the DCI had thoroughly investigated the circumstances surrounding Kinyua’s death and had pointed to Kalombotole—his hospital roommate—as the prime suspect. A…

Members of Parliament are pushing the government to resolve longstanding disparities in hardship allowances given to public servants, calling for a standardized system that ensures fairness across all sectors. The Cabinet is expected to soon review a detailed report that evaluates which parts of the country are officially classified as hardship areas. This follows increased pressure from lawmakers, who are concerned about the unequal treatment of public workers posted in similar tough environments but receiving different benefits. The matter was brought up during a session of the National Assembly’s Committee on Implementation, which was evaluating the progress of a House…

Members of Parliament have called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Judiciary to launch investigations into suspected financial mismanagement in the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme. This directive came from the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation (CII), chaired by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie. The order followed a parliamentary session held on Tuesday at Parliament Buildings, during which the committee examined a petition submitted by aggrieved KBC pensioners. The former employees, who are now retirees, raised serious concerns over the failure by KBC to remit staff pension deductions totaling a…