Author: EZEKIEL Ikatwa

A sweeping reform in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) meal allowance system has sparked widespread discontent, particularly among unmarried soldiers who say the new model leaves them most vulnerable. Under the new directive, soldiers will no longer receive direct meal allowances in cash. Instead, the funds will be channelled into a centralised Defence Sacco (Desacco) account meant to streamline food access across military installations. While officials argue the change is intended to ensure nutritional consistency and reduce misuse of meal stipends, many soldiers are pushing back. Unmarried officers, who often rely on the cash to manage meals independently, especially those…

A fresh standoff has emerged between the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Office of the Auditor General over an upcoming audit targeting bursary funds, scholarships, and Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) programs in six counties. In a strongly worded statement issued Monday evening, county governors criticized the planned audit as lacking clarity and violating legal procedures. They accused the Auditor-General of initiating the process without adhering to the law, including the required timelines for notifying the counties. The governors further protested that they were not consulted before the audit commenced, terming the process as unfair, flawed, and a violation…

A 20-year-old Kenyan man has been arrested and extradited to the United States by FBI agents over the fatal shooting of a woman outside a Costco store in Tukwila, Washington. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle, the suspect is now being held at King County Jail with bail set at Ksh 647.5 million (USD 5 million). He is facing multiple charges alongside another 20-year-old suspect, including murder, robbery, and attempted robbery in connection with the killing of 67-year-old Yuam Ming. Court records indicate the incident occurred on January 26, 2024. The suspects allegedly attempted to snatch a purse…

KANU Chairman Gideon Moi has moved to court seeking to strike out an amended petition filed by 56 clansmen over a disputed 40-acre piece of land in Kabarak, Nakuru County. In court papers, the former Baringo senator terms the suit irregular, procedurally defective, and an abuse of the court process, accusing the petitioners of introducing new claims and additional parties without the court’s permission. The clansmen allege that the late President Daniel Arap Moi had gifted them the land decades ago, but his son allegedly failed to honour the promise, refused to process title deeds, and is now attempting to…

Fraud Allegations Put Cooperative Bank and NCBA A naked protest outside a Cooperative Bank branch has sparked outrage and raised tough questions about the treatment of customers by banks in Kenya. The shocking incident involved a woman who stripped outside the bank, claiming her money had mysteriously vanished from her account. The naked protest quickly went viral, not because of the act itself, but because it symbolised the deep frustration many customers face when banks dismiss their complaints. The woman’s actions were non-violent but highlighted a sense of helplessness and betrayal. Cooperative Bank only responded after the video circulated widely…

Felix Wambua, the National Coordinator of the FreeKenya Movement and a 2027 senatorial candidate for Machakos County, has criticized the government for what he termed as misplaced priorities—focusing on building churches and prisons while neglecting key socio-economic issues affecting ordinary Kenyans. Speaking in response to President William Ruto’s recent Ksh 20 million donation to AIC Church Machakos, Wambua questioned the growing trend of large-scale religious donations by political leaders. He pointed specifically to the construction of a Ksh 1.2 billion church at State House, which he said symbolizes the administration’s intention to use religion as a tool for psychological control.…

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiangi has urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to expand voting access for Kenyans living abroad by increasing the number of polling stations ahead of the 2027 General Election. Speaking during a diaspora engagement forum, Matiang’i emphasised the critical role Kenyans abroad play in the country’s democratic process and economy, urging the IEBC to prioritise inclusivity and fairness. “There are thousands of Kenyans abroad who want to participate in building the country through the ballot. We must make that possible by ensuring they have access to polling stations where they are,” he…

Alphonse Munene Mutinda The High Court has directed city lawyer Alphonse Munene Mutinda to refund over Sh25.9 million that he received more than 15 years ago for the acquisition of cemetery land on behalf of the defunct Nairobi City Council. Justice Esther Maina of the High Court ruled that the payment to Mr. Mutinda was part of a fraudulent scheme surrounding the controversial purchase of a 120-acre parcel of land in December 2008, for which Sh283 million was disbursed. The land was later deemed unsuitable for use as a cemetery, although the funds had already been distributed among individuals and…

Renowned activist Boniface Mwangi was arrested on Saturday, July 19, 2025, by detectives at his Lukenya home in Machakos County over alleged involvement in facilitating terrorist activities during the anti-government protests held on June 25. According to police sources, officers recovered two mobile phones, a laptop, and several notebooks from his residence during the early morning raid. Mwangi was later escorted to his Nairobi-based office at Mageuzi Hub on Rose Avenue, where a further search yielded nine assorted external hard drives, two laptops, company seals for Brave Media Ltd and Courage Ltd, a company stamp, six cheque books, stamp duty…

A matatu allegedly owned by President William Ruto’s son, George Ruto, has caused a stir online after a video emerged showing it completely covered in stickers, including across the windscreen. The vehicle, which operates in Nairobi, is plastered with vibrant stickers from the front to the rear, raising questions about visibility and road safety. Many Kenyans on social media are now wondering how the driver can see the road clearly, especially through the heavily obscured windscreen. Some users praised the matatu’s “unique artistry” and flashy urban appeal, while others criticised what they termed as a blatant disregard for basic traffic…