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Dust pollution from mining trucks sparks call for urgent government intervention in Macalder

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By Erick Otieno

MACALDER, MIGORI COUNTY – Growing concerns over environmental degradation and public health risks caused by heavy trucks transporting mining materials through Macalder Township have prompted the Nyatike Green Revolution Development Project to petition the government for urgent intervention.

In a letter dated 4th July 2026 and addressed to the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) of Macalder Sub-County, the organisation, working in conjunction with philanthropists and the Macalder Business Fraternity, called for a multi-stakeholder meeting to address the worsening dust pollution caused by mining activities in the area.

The petition, signed by the organisation’s Director, Jared Ongalo Owuonda, cites the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, and the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act (EMCA), arguing that residents have a constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment.

According to the organisation, heavy tipper trucks transporting mining materials and tailings along the township’s rough roads generate excessive dust, particularly during the dry season. The dust, they say, has become a serious environmental and public health concern affecting learning institutions, health facilities, businesses, government offices, and thousands of residents.

“We request urgent intervention to protect the public from excessive dust generated by heavy tipper trucks transporting mining materials,” reads part of the letter.

The petition highlights several institutions said to be adversely affected, including the Deputy County Commissioner’s Office, Macalder Sub-County Government Offices, Macalder Police Station, Macalder Sub-County Hospital, St. Gabriel Primary School, Macalder Catholic Church, Macalder Central SDA Church, Macalder Primary School, Joy Gracious Academy, Macalder Vocational Training College, Rongo University–Macalder Campus, World Vision, Imela Clinics, and numerous businesses within Macalder Township.

The organisation expressed particular concern over school-going children, saying pupils are exposed to heavy dust during learning hours and lunch breaks, creating an unhealthy environment that could negatively affect their education and health.

Patients seeking treatment at health facilities, government employees, traders, and other members of the public have also been identified among those bearing the effects of the persistent dust.

Director Jared Ongalo Owuonda urged the government to convene a meeting involving mining companies, relevant government agencies, and community representatives to develop practical and lasting solutions.

“We respectfully request your office to convene a meeting involving all mining stakeholders, including the Chinese mining companies, relevant government agencies and community representatives,” Owuonda stated.

Among the proposals presented by the organisation are requiring mining companies to deploy water bowsers to regularly spray roads used by heavy trucks, participate in the maintenance and improvement of damaged roads, and adopt environmentally responsible transportation practices aimed at reducing dust pollution.

The organisation believes these measures will significantly reduce environmental pollution, improve public health, protect school children, and promote peaceful coexistence between mining companies and the local community.

Copies of the petition were forwarded to several key offices, including the County Commissioner, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the County Executive Committee Member for Environment, area Members of Parliament and Members of County Assembly, the Public Health Office, mining companies operating in Macalder, and other stakeholders expected to participate in finding a sustainable solution.

Residents now hope the appeal will prompt swift government action to safeguard public health while ensuring mining activities continue in a manner that respects environmental standards and the well-being of the community.

Eye for an eye in Ruto and Linda Mwananchi dog fight

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By Anderson Ojwang’

President William Ruto made good his promise to secure the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) from the rebel faction of Siaya Governor James Orengo, Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.

But in return, President Ruto has suffered a political setback after he lost the Murang’a gem, Governor Irungu Kangata, to the Linda Mwananchi group of the Orengo-led faction.

The kick

In October last year, at the burial of the former Prime Minister, the late Raila Odinga, the immediate party leader of ODM, Ruto said he would protect the party from slipping into the wrong hands.

“The future of ODM matters a great deal to me. I will not allow, in honour of Raila, and I will do what it takes. So God help me, are those who want to remove ODM from government and use it to play opposition politics? That will not happen,” he said at the burial then.

Ruto said he would respect the ODM party in honour of Raila and that it was the wish of Raila that the party remained in the broad-based arrangement.

“I am proud that ODM is part of the government. I know I am the party leader of UDA. From Baba’s wishes, he built the largest political party, ODM. I want to tell you that I will respect ODM. I will hold ODM together, and it must be strong as we go to the 2027 general elections,” he said then.

The retaliation

Kangata earlier in the year declared that he would not defend his seat on a UDA ticket and would seek an alternative vehicle.

Kangata, one of the top performers, won the 2022 gubernatorial elections with a total of 256,561 votes and was followed by Jamleck Kamau of the Jubilee Party with 91,154 votes, from a total registered voters of 620,929.

In the last general election, the voter turnout was 68 percent, with President Ruto securing 343,421 votes against Azimio La Umoja Presidential candidate, the late Raila Amolo Odinga’s 73,519 votes.

Kangata quoted President Ruto that the people were supreme and that it was incumbent upon him to adhere to what the people had told him.

“President Ruto has always told us that the people are supreme, and thank you for that statement. Therefore, my responsibility is to adhere to what the people have told me. And in light of that, and because I have tried my best to have these issues resolved internally, I have had a candid discussion with the President one on one, where we shared these ideas, but we did not reach what we call full convergence,” he said.

Kangata said he had conclusively decided to defend his seat on a different platform and not UDA.

“I have no doubt to say that after careful reflection, I wish to state that come 2027, I will not defend my seat on the current party ticket. I will later, at a certain stage, communicate the platform on which I will present myself to the electorates,” he said.

The Thika Rally

The presence of Kangata in the recent Linda Mwananchi rally in Thika was the icing on the cake and sweet revenge by the faction on Ruto. An eye for an eye, a tit-for-tat kind of battle.

Kangata’s presence at the rally, after he recently ditched President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), was a political earthquake in the current dispensation.

The Governor emotionally whipped the crowd, saying he had attended the rally because the movement was to unite Kenyans for a common purpose.

“I have come here for a reason. I know Kenya is for us all, regardless of your tribe. You did not apply to be born in a particular community. We are one family brought together by a common desire – a united Kenya,” he said.

He said Linda Mwananchi was the movement which has brought Kenyans together, led by Sifuna, Babu, and Orengo.

“I look at the manifesto for the country. This country is overtaxing companies, leading to unemployment in Thika and every part of the country. Unemployment is a serious cancer in this country which we must tackle,” he said.

He took a swipe at the government for failing to prioritise education and health sectors and only concentrating on the construction of houses.

“We are prioritising education and health sectors, and currently we have a serious crisis. The government is only constructing houses,” he said.

The disappointment

Cabinet Secretary Alice Nganga expressed disappointment at the decision by Kangata to move to Linda Mwananchi.

“So you know he left the party and announced and went to various media outlets. We are supporting two terms. Last two weeks ago, I saw him at Thika Stadium. He defected to Linda Mwananchi. Do we have Linda Mwananchi in this region?” she said.

The desperation

The ODM Linda Ground have been desperate for President Ruto’s attention, and in him, their political survival lives.

ODM party leader Oburu Oginga echoed President Ruto’s sentiment of ODM producing a president or forming a coalition government.

“If President Ruto sees our party as the most active, you may see him rejoin us and even seek to be our presidential candidate.”

Oburu said at the party’s anniversary that Ruto was free to rejoin ODM, being a founder member.

ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati, during a recent meeting with ODM party officials from Nairobi, said that President Ruto was welcome back to the party.

“William Ruto, I welcome you back to ODM, and in honour of Raila, let’s ensure the party wins the 2027 general elections. William Ruto was a founder member of the party, so were Uhuru Kenyatta and Kalonzo Musyoka. If you respect Baba, come back to the party,” he said.

“We will compete for the ODM presidential flag bearer so that we get the winner,” he said.

Fight back

Orengo has claimed that a section of the party leadership had been paid to sell out the party.

He said there was a scheme meant to devalue the party from a national outfit and regionalise it as a Nyanza party.

“I see an attempt to try to drive ODM to become purely regional, and if not, a Luo party. The elements of the party from other regions are fairly quiet when we have this civil war within the party,” he said.

The mysterious hand

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi gave an insight into what could be happening in the party and the emergence of a mysterious hand pulling the strings in the party.

“There was a very quick transition even before Baba’s body arrived. When Mzee Oburu announced that he had accepted to be the party leader, he said he did not even know that there was a process to make him party leader. What that implies was that that call came from somewhere else. And that worries me a lot. This is because it therefore seems that ODM is getting directions and controls from somewhere else,” he said.

Drama unfolds

For now, it is a drab draw for both Ruto and the Orengo-led faction.

But as the clock ticks, President Ruto should be worried about Linda Mwananchi’s invasion and possible big fish catches from his fold.

He has successfully nestled ODM into his fold, but the people may have walked in the opposite direction.

Leadership Must Begin with an Honest Appreciation of Reality

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By Paul Njenga, Researcher and Finance & Development Expert

As political activity gradually gathers momentum ahead of the next electoral cycle, Kenyans are once again being treated to ambitious promises, grand visions, and bold declarations from aspiring leaders. While vision is an essential ingredient of leadership, it must be anchored in reality. In this regard, the observation by Ndindi Nyoro that anyone seeking the office of Governor or President should first understand the prevailing conditions under which government operates deserves serious consideration.

The temptation during campaigns is often to promise everything to everyone. Candidates pledge to create jobs, lower taxes, build infrastructure, improve healthcare, transform agriculture, and expand social protection programmes, all at the same time. Yet governing is not an exercise in wishful thinking. It is the management of scarce resources amid competing priorities and often difficult circumstances.

Those aspiring to lead counties or the nation must therefore begin by demonstrating a clear understanding of the realities they will inherit. They must appreciate the state of public finances, the revenue outlook, debt obligations, pending bills, demographic pressures, infrastructure deficits, and the broader economic environment. Without such appreciation, campaign promises risk becoming little more than political slogans.

At the county level, gubernatorial aspirants must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the environment they seek to inherit. This includes appreciating the magnitude and composition of pending bills, the county’s fiscal position, the existing revenue collection systems, and the effectiveness of current human resource structures. Equally important is a thorough understanding of county legislation already enacted by County Assemblies, ongoing policy reforms, contractual obligations, and regulatory frameworks that are at various stages of development and implementation.

Effective leadership is not about starting from scratch or governing as though history began on the day one assumes office. Rather, it is about understanding the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks embedded in the systems, policies, projects, and institutions one inherits. Leaders who fail to appreciate these realities risk disrupting ongoing programmes, creating policy uncertainty, and delaying development outcomes that citizens expect from their governments.

The importance of understanding existing conditions is particularly evident in public finance management. Governments do not operate in a vacuum. Every administration inherits commitments from its predecessors. Salaries must be paid, loans serviced, contracts honoured, and essential services maintained. These obligations significantly influence the fiscal space available for new programmes and projects.

At both national and county levels, leaders often discover after assuming office that the resources available are far less than what campaign rhetoric suggested. Revenue collections may underperform projections, expenditures may exceed expectations, and inherited liabilities may constrain development spending. The result is a growing gap between promises and delivery, leading to public frustration and declining trust in government.

A responsible gubernatorial candidate should therefore explain not only what projects they intend to undertake but also how they intend to finance them. Citizens should demand realistic proposals supported by credible revenue projections, expenditure rationalisation measures, and practical implementation strategies. Development cannot be achieved through declarations alone.

A case in point is Laikipia County, where a change in administration was accompanied by the abandonment of several flagship initiatives associated with the previous government under Ndiritu Muriithi. Among these was the county’s pioneering infrastructure bond initiative, conceived as an innovative mechanism for financing long-term development projects. Long-term leasing arrangements and other strategic reforms initiated by the previous administration were also discontinued or substantially altered.

Whether one agreed with these initiatives or not, their discontinuation raises important questions about how governments evaluate inherited programmes and investments. Before terminating any initiative, a responsible administration should assess the resources already committed, the anticipated benefits, the implementation status, and the long-term implications of abandoning it. Public investments should not be judged by who initiated them but by the value they are capable of delivering to citizens.

To be clear, this is not an argument for continuity for its own sake. Blind continuity can be as harmful as reckless change. If existing policies, systems, projects, or institutions are underperforming, they should be improved, restructured, or replaced altogether. Citizens do not elect new leaders to perpetuate mediocrity; they elect them to deliver better results and accelerate development.

The real issue is whether change is informed by a proper understanding of what already exists. An incoming administration should not discard a project because it was initiated by a predecessor, nor should it retain one simply because it is already in place. The test should always be whether the intervention creates public value and advances development objectives. Effective leadership therefore requires the ability to distinguish between what should be scaled up, what should be reformed, and what should be abandoned.

Another common mistake made by incoming county administrations is the tendency to abandon existing revenue collection systems and procure new ones merely to signal a departure from their predecessors. What is often overlooked is that revenue management systems are public assets acquired using taxpayers’ money. They embody significant investments in technology, data, institutional knowledge, business processes, and human capacity developed over many years.

While there may be legitimate reasons to upgrade, integrate, or enhance existing systems, replacing them wholesale without a thorough technical and financial evaluation can result in unnecessary expenditure, disruption of revenue streams, loss of historical data, and reduced operational efficiency. More importantly, it undermines the principles of prudent public financial management.

County governments should treat revenue collection systems in the same manner they treat any other public asset. The key consideration should not be who introduced the system, but whether it is effectively serving the county’s interests. Incoming administrations should focus on improving functionality, sealing revenue leakages, strengthening oversight, and maximising collections rather than pursuing costly replacements driven by political considerations.

The same principle applies to human resource systems, development plans, policy frameworks, regulations, databases, and institutional structures. Counties do not inherit liabilities alone; they also inherit valuable assets, systems, knowledge, contracts, and governance frameworks that have been financed by public resources. Good leadership requires understanding these assets before making decisions regarding their future.

The aspiration should therefore not be continuity but progress. Counties and nations move forward when leaders build on strengths, correct weaknesses, and introduce innovations that enhance efficiency, service delivery, and economic growth. The most successful administrations are not those that preserve everything they inherit, nor those that discard everything they find; they are those that have the wisdom and courage to make evidence-based decisions in the public interest.

Similarly, presidential aspirants must demonstrate a deep appreciation of the country’s economic realities. Kenya faces a complex mix of opportunities and challenges, including public debt management, youth unemployment, climate-related risks, infrastructure financing needs, and the imperative of sustaining economic growth. Addressing these issues requires more than political charisma; it requires technical understanding, strategic thinking, and policy coherence.

An honest conversation about these realities would significantly improve the quality of political discourse. Instead of competing over who can make the biggest promises, candidates would compete on the strength of their ideas, the credibility of their plans, and their understanding of the challenges facing the country. Such a shift would empower voters to make more informed choices and strengthen democratic accountability.

There is also a broader lesson for citizens. As voters, we must resist the allure of unrealistic promises and instead reward leaders who demonstrate honesty, competence, and a clear grasp of prevailing circumstances. It is easy to applaud ambitious pledges during campaigns; it is far more important to interrogate whether those pledges can realistically be achieved.

The future of Kenya depends not only on the quality of its leaders but also on the quality of its public discourse. Elections should be opportunities for serious conversations about policy, governance, and development rather than competitions in political theatre. Leaders must be prepared to tell citizens not only what they want to hear but also what they need to hear.

Ultimately, leadership begins with an honest appreciation of reality. A Governor or President who understands existing conditions is better positioned to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, manage expectations, and deliver meaningful results. Vision remains important, but vision without realism is merely aspiration.

As the next generation of leaders presents itself to the electorate, Kenyans should ask a simple but fundamental question: Do these individuals truly understand the conditions they seek to inherit and govern? The answer may well determine the success or failure of their leadership long before they take the oath of office.

The UDA Ward Congress: The game plan in President Ruto’s 2027 matrix

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Western Insight Newsroom
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By Anderson Ojwang

President William Ruto is strategically mapping and consolidating his vote block ahead of the 2027 general elections for a battle of the bulls with the opposition.

Similarly, he is setting up an election structure for the party’s nominations to avoid fallout during the exercise.

Already in the basket is the 543,000 nationwide party officials’ vote block from all the polling centres in the country.

And the party has now embarked on strengthening its grassroots party structure by embarking on the election of the UDA Ward Congress in each of the country’s 1,450 wards.

In a meeting on Wednesday chaired by the UDA National Elections Board (NEB), Mr Anthony Mwaura agreed to conduct nationwide grassroots party elections at the ward level, marking another significant milestone in strengthening the party’s grassroots structures.

UDA polling station formation

In the recent UDA party’s successful and most elaborate grassroots elections ever conducted at the polling centre level, more than 543,000 party officials were elected.

In every polling centre, party members elected 20 representatives comprising three farmers, four MSMEs representatives, three professionals, two members, three religious representatives, four youth representatives, and one representative of Special Interest Groups (SIGs).

The Ward Congress

The 20 elected officials from each polling centre will form the electoral college responsible for electing the UDA Ward Congress in each of the country’s 1,450 wards.

Mwaura said the process, anchored in the UDA Party Constitution, was designed to strengthen the party’s grassroots operational architecture ahead of the 2027 General Election.

President Ruto, during a meeting with UDA aspirants, said the grassroots level was the most important structure for the party’s success.

President Ruto has embarked on a move that will ensure senior members of the party hold leadership at the ward and branch levels.

“The grassroots is very important. I want to encourage you here to go and become the chair of the ward in your county. Those are the people going to decide for the party going forward. Nominations will be decided by the party going forward, whether it is the nomination of MPs or MCAs. They will be decided by the party, and the party must have legitimacy. The legitimacy of the party comes from the membership voting for the party officials. We are going to redo the exercise where we did not do well.”

President Ruto said the party members at the polling stations will have the mandate of who leads them, and that the elections will not be determined on friendship.

“I know you have friends. I also have friends. Even if your guy, the person you want at the polling station, and if you think he is a good guy and loyal, the people at the polling station may not have the same view. So tell your guy to go and compete at the polling station. We must accept whoever is elected. All of us have our people.”

Shock to the aspirants

President Ruto observed that in some counties there was low participation in the grassroots elections and ordered a repeat.

“We have positions of 540,000 for officials in the party. 20 people per polling centre. We carried out the elections the other day, and many of the senior leaders here, MCAs and MPs, did not even bother to participate. Very few participated. I give credit to Kirinyaga and Bomet counties; at least in those two counties, we saw many members come to participate,” he said.

Ruto said in other counties the participation was very low and worrying, and subsequently ordered a repeat.

“You could only find 50 people or 20 people came to vote in a polling centre. Tell me, if 30 people came to vote in a polling centre, do we say we had an election? So we have instructed the National Elections Board that any polling centre where less than 50 voted, we repeat. The reason why ODM is where it is, is because they carry out elections at the polling centres. So there is no other way; we have to have elected officials at the polling centre,” he said.

In the 2022 general elections, UDA did not have offices and party officials across the country except from its strongholds of Mt Kenya and Rift Valley regions.

Currently, it is UDA and ODM with countrywide grassroots party officials, while other political parties only enjoy support from their regions.

The polling station is the political aorta of any political party, where it is made or unmade, and that is why Ruto has ungloved to reposition UDA nationally.

“Successful countries that are democratic were built on a solid foundation of a political party. It is important for us to make the political party stronger at the grassroots level,” he said.

He said it was at the polling station where the political party was made or unmade.

“If you go to any successful political party, its success is in the grassroots,” he said.

The Sh50 Convenience E-Citizen fee: Where is the truth?

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Western Insight Newsroom
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By Anderson Ojwang

Are Kenyans still paying for the Sh50 E-Citizen convenience fee after the High Court declared it unconstitutional and unlawful? To Kenyans, the answer is yes.

But to the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, the answer is a plain “no,” and the claims are functionally incorrect.

However, a human rights organisation insists that the fee is still being levied, a burden to millions of Kenyans, and continues to violate the Constitution of Kenya.

According to a letter dated 21st February 2026 from the Homa Bay human rights-based organisation, Interface Community Help Desk, captioned “DEMAND FOR COMPLIANCE WITH COURT ORDERS DECLARING THE E-CITIZEN KSHS.50 CONVENIENCE FEE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND NOTICE OF INTENDED CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS,” concerns were raised.

Concerns

The CBO chairperson, Evans Oloo Gor, said the government has continued to levy the Sh50 convenience fee even after the Court found it unconstitutional.

In his letter, Oloo wrote: “We hereby lodge this formal complaint against the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of the National Treasury and Economic Planning, and the Office of the Attorney General for failure to fully comply with court decisions concerning the Ksh. 50 convenience fee charged on the E-Citizen payment platform.”

He said Mbadi and the Attorney General were yet to comply with the High Court ruling and the subsequent Court of Appeal ruling upholding it.

“That on 1st April, 2025, the High Court of Kenya declared the Ksh. 50 convenience fee charged on transactions conducted through the E-Citizen platform unconstitutional and unlawful. That the Government subsequently appealed against the said decision, but on 21st November, 2025, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the High Court and affirmed that the continued imposition of the Ksh. 50 convenience fee was unconstitutional,” he wrote.

Functionally incorrect

But Mbadi, in his response dated 3rd June 2026, acknowledged receipt of the letter regarding compliance with court orders on the eCitizen platform convenience fee.

He wrote that the allegations that the National Treasury continues to levy the Sh50 convenience fee were factually incorrect.

“The allegation that the National Treasury continues to levy the fixed KShs.50 convenience fee is factually incorrect,” he wrote.

Mbadi said the Sh50 convenience fee that was the subject of court proceedings was no longer being charged as a standard fee.

“The Shs. 50 convenience fee that was the subject of the proceedings is no longer charged as a standard fee,” he said.

He said save for statutory charges, a number of government services available through platforms were being accessed freely.

“Kindly note that, save for statutory charges, a significant number of government services available through the platform are provided without access charges. Currently, 759 services are entirely free, while 2,888 services are exempt from transaction charges, bringing the total number of services available to the public at no cost to 3,647,” he wrote.

Mbadi said the government was committed to providing and facilitating public access to digital services.

“This demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to facilitating access to public services while ensuring the sustainability of digital service delivery,” he wrote.

Mbadi said the government was committed to complying with court orders and directives.

“I would like to reassure you that the Government remains committed to complying with lawful court orders and directives,” he wrote.

Violation

But Oloo insists that despite the above court determinations and the advisory from the Office of the Attorney General, the National Treasury has failed, neglected, and/or refused to fully comply with the court decision to date, thereby occasioning continued prejudice and financial burden to members of the public using government services through the E-Citizen platform.

“We had previously written letters seeking intervention and compliance from the relevant offices,” he wrote.

Oloo also said there was need to compel the relevant government offices to fully comply with the judgments of the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

“Safeguard the public interest by ensuring unlawful charges are not continued against members of the public. This matter is of great public importance as it affects millions of Kenyans accessing government services through the E-Citizen platform, and continued non-compliance undermines the rule of law, constitutionalism, and public confidence in government institutions,” he said.

How limited funding, political interference, capacity constraints, and mismanagement delayed the implementation of Homa Bay ward-based projects for FY 2024/25

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By Habil Onyango

Homa Bay County Assembly established a ward projects initiative aimed at transforming grassroots developments and bringing essential services closer to residents.

The focus of these ward projects varies according to the unique needs of each community, often encompassing infrastructure development such as road construction, water and sanitation projects, health centres, schools, and agricultural initiatives.

These projects are typically initiated through community consultations and are overseen by the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for the respective ward. This structure promotes local development plans tailored to each of the county’s 40 wards, allowing MCAs to identify specific grassroots needs and secure funding in the budget to ensure equitable distribution of county resources.

Project identification involves public participation, where residents attend local meetings to voice their ward’s most pressing needs. These needs are then recorded in the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).

The County Assembly (MCAs) is responsible for approving the budget, after which the County Executive advertises tenders, hires contractors, and begins construction.

For the Financial Year 2024/2025, Homa Bay County allocated approximately KSh960 million towards ward-based projects, translating to about KSh24 million per ward across all 40 wards.

A report from the Department of Legislative and Committee Services of the County Assembly of Homa Bay noted that while ward projects have significantly contributed to local development and service delivery, they have also encountered challenges such as limited funding, political interference, capacity constraints, and cases of mismanagement.

“Nonetheless, they remain a critical tool for fostering inclusive development and empowering local communities in Kenya,” stated Committee Chairperson Sophy Koweje, who is also the Lambwe MCA.

“Over the years, Homa Bay County has implemented numerous ward-based projects focusing on education, water, sanitation, infrastructure, and climate resilience,” she added.

The report highlighted several successes, noting that the county has constructed Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres, enhanced water supply systems, improved marketplaces, increased accessibility, and built sanitation facilities across various wards.

Furthermore, according to the report, the Department of Public Health and Medical Services was allocated KSh120 million for ward project implementation across the county, with each ward receiving a budgetary allocation of KSh3 million for FY 2024/2025. It is important to note that the projects carried out during this financial year were rolled over from FY 2023/2024.

The department reported 11 completed projects, 11 projects requiring a change of scope and subsequent retendering, five projects to be retendered, two projects abandoned, one facility supplied with assorted medical equipment, nine ongoing projects, and one facility that had not received medical equipment.

Some notable projects facing challenges include the proposed construction of the Wikondiek Laboratory in Kanyaluo Ward, which had a change of scope and had not yet started by the time of the visit. The proposed construction of the Homa Line Maternity Block in West Karachuonyo Ward, the completion of the Kijawa staff house, and the renovation of the Koduogo Health Centre also needed retendering or a change of scope and had not yet commenced by the time of the visit.

Additionally, the report indicated that the Sports, Youth, Talent Development, and Gender Department was allocated KSh40 million, translating to KSh1 million per ward for upgrading 40 ward playfields. However, the committee reported that no projects had been tendered by the time of the visit.

“It is noteworthy that the projects implemented in the financial year under review were rolled over from FY 2023/2024,” the committee reiterated.

“The KSh1,000,000 allocated per ward was inadequate, and we recommend that the Bill of Quantities be reviewed to accommodate a pavilion and fencing,” the committee noted.

According to the report, this revision would attract an additional KSh495,065 per ward, which the department requested to be incorporated into the supplementary budget for FY 2025/2026.

Furthermore, the Committee directed that public lands be identified for construction, emphasising that the Department should avoid constructing on institutional lands, as this may lead to future conflicts regarding management and ownership.

The Water, Irrigation, Sanitation, Environment, Energy, Forestry, and Climate Change Department was allocated KSh140 million for the implementation of ward projects across the county, with each ward having a budgetary allocation of KSh3.5 million for FY 2023.

During the site visits, the committee observed that the projects implemented in the financial year under review had been rolled over from FY 2023/2024. The department reported a total of 25 completed projects, including four boreholes that have been drilled but are awaiting solar installation, four ongoing projects, and five projects that are in the retendering stage. One project was terminated while another project had stalled.

The committee noted 26 completed projects, one incomplete project, three stalled projects, and six projects that had not started. Additionally, there was one dry borehole located in Kanyamwa Kosewe Ward, and another site in Arujo Ward was abandoned.

Furthermore, the committee found that out of the 101 projects planned for implementation by the Departments of Trade, Industry, Tourism, Cooperative Development, and Marketing, 77 projects were completed, 17 had not started, and one was stalled. They also reported concerns about a boda boda shade at Osodo in Gembe Ward, which had not been constructed to standard.

They noted five ongoing projects, one incomplete project, a boda boda shade at Sofia that was built on the wrong side, and the boda boda shade at Junction Dalawa in Arujo Ward, which was demolished to allow for the construction of a dual carriageway.

The department reported awarding 82 road projects in the Roads, Transport, Public Works, and Infrastructure ward-based status report for 2024-2025. Out of these, 51 projects were ongoing while 31 had not yet started.

According to the committee’s findings, the department successfully completed eight projects, while 30 projects were yet to start and 51 remained ongoing. Five projects were reported as stalled. It was noted that the Adega-Nyasore road was not a ward project as indicated; the actual ward project should have been the Kajakongo box culvert.

Observations:

The committee identified notable inconsistencies between departmental reports and the actual status of projects on the ground, as confirmed by Members of County Assembly (MCAs).

“The presentation of projects remained low in most departments, mainly due to the accumulation of pending bills by the County Government entities, particularly those departments implementing ward projects,” the report states.

“This situation has led to contractor apathy, as contractors have lost trust in the government’s ability to pay existing pending and current bills,” the committee observed.

Additionally, they noted that the procurement processes for most projects were initiated and started late, resulting in the completion of only a few projects within the intended timelines.

The committee also acknowledged that several contractors abandoned project sites or failed to return after contract awards, leading to stalled projects. Weak project supervision and monitoring contributed to poor workmanship, delayed completion, and substandard implementation of projects.

The Nairobi Hospital becomes Nairobi Polo Club healthcare partner for 2026/2027 season

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BY PHILLIP ORWA

The Nairobi Hospital and the Nairobi Polo Club have announced a landmark partnership that will see the Hospital become the Official Healthcare Partner for the 2026/2027 polo season.

The partnership, which will reinforce a shared commitment to promoting health, safety and sporting excellence in Kenya, was unveiled during a media briefing held at The Nairobi Hospital on Thursday.

Representatives from both institutions described the collaboration as a significant milestone for polo in Kenya and a demonstration of the growing role of strategic partnerships in advancing community health through sport.

The partnership is anchored on the two institutions’ longstanding legacy of service to the community. While The Nairobi Hospital has provided world-class healthcare for more than seven decades, the Nairobi Polo Club has played a pivotal role in developing and promoting polo in Kenya since 1907.

Under the agreement, The Nairobi Hospital will provide comprehensive on-site emergency medical support at Nairobi Polo Club throughout the 2026/2027 season. This includes ambulance services, trained emergency response personnel, medical equipment, player welfare initiatives, health screenings, and wellness education.

In addition to serving as the Club’s Official Healthcare Partner, The Nairobi Hospital will also be the Headline Sponsor of the 2026 Pink Polo Tournament, scheduled for October. The tournament forms part of the Hospital’s broader cancer awareness initiative aimed at encouraging early detection, regular screening, and timely access to quality cancer care. Through this partnership, the Hospital will leverage the popularity of polo to educate the public on cancer prevention, promote healthy lifestyles, and extend the reach of its preventive healthcare programmes to more individuals and families across Kenya.

The Nairobi Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Felix Osano, described the partnership as a natural extension of the Hospital’s mission beyond its facility walls, noting that sport offers one of the most powerful platforms for advancing health and wellness across communities.

“This collaboration allows The Nairobi Hospital to remain a visible presence in the everyday lives of our community, supporting people not only in moments of illness or emergency, but throughout their pursuit of healthier and more active lifestyles. Our role as Headline Sponsor of the Pink Polo Tournament further demonstrates our commitment to championing preventive healthcare, particularly cancer awareness and early detection, while using sport as a platform to inspire healthier communities,” said Osano.

Dr Barcley Onyambu, Chairman of the Board of Management at The Nairobi Hospital, said the Board views the partnership as a continuation of the trust both legacy institutions have built with the communities they have served over many decades.

“This partnership reflects our belief that healthcare extends beyond hospital walls. By supporting sporting events that bring communities together, we are investing in healthier, safer and more informed communities,” said Dr Onyambu.

Nairobi Polo Club Chairman, Mr Simon Muchene, welcomed the partnership as a significant milestone in raising the standards of polo in Kenya, saying it goes beyond emergency medical support to reflect both institutions’ shared commitment to healthy living, sporting excellence, and the sustainable growth of the sport.

“Player safety and spectator well-being are fundamental to the success of our sport. Partnering with The Nairobi Hospital gives our members, players and guests the confidence that world-class medical support will be available throughout the season,” he said.

The partnership marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration that brings together two iconic Kenyan institutions united by a common purpose: promoting excellence, safeguarding the wellbeing of athletes and spectators, and creating lasting positive impact through sport, healthcare and community engagement.

Kisumu begins new chapter as construction of Sh700 billion SGR extension gets underway

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Western Insight Newsroom
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By James Okoth

The long-awaited extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Kisumu and onward to Malaba has entered the construction phase in Kisumu County.

The move follows President William Ruto’s groundbreaking in March 2026 for the multi-billion-shilling project extending the modern railway network from Naivasha through Kisumu to the Kenya-Uganda border at Malaba.

The Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba SGR is estimated to cost about Sh700 billion and will cover 371 kilometres. It includes a 264-kilometre Naivasha–Kisumu section (Phase 2B), a 107-kilometre Kisumu–Malaba section (Phase 2C), and an 8.69-kilometre branch line to the New Kisumu Port.

The corridor passes through Narok, Bomet, Kericho, Nyamira, Kisumu, Siaya, Vihiga, Kakamega and Busia counties before linking with Uganda’s planned SGR network at Malaba.

In Kisumu, leaders and residents witnessed construction begin at the Kibos section, where heavy machinery moved in to start earthworks for a future SGR station and cargo hub.

Speaking at the event, Kisumu County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo reaffirmed the National Government’s commitment to completing the project within the planned two-year period.

He said the government would work closely with the County Government of Kisumu and other agencies to ensure smooth implementation.

Mwabudzo also warned against vandalism and sabotage.

“We shall not tolerate vandalism of railway infrastructure, theft of construction materials or any acts of sabotage. Security agencies are fully prepared to safeguard this national project from beginning to completion,” he said.

Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o welcomed the project, calling it a historic investment that will boost the county’s economy and strengthen Kisumu’s role as a logistics gateway.

He urged residents to take advantage of the jobs expected during construction.

The Governor also thanked the National Government for fast-tracking the project after years of delay.

Addressing landowners along the corridor, Prof. Nyong’o asked for cooperation with the National Land Commission once compensation is completed.

“Those whose land has been acquired should vacate promptly after receiving their rightful compensation. This project is for the benefit of future generations and requires our collective support,” he said.

Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga said the project would create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

He encouraged local youth to prepare for skilled and unskilled work, while urging women and small traders to set up food kiosks and other support businesses for workers on site.

Mainga said the railway would transform Kisumu into a leading logistics and industrial city.

He added that more than 700 hectares of underused land along the corridor will be opened for commercial, industrial and logistics development after completion.

The Kibos terminus is expected to become a major freight and passenger station, with a cargo facility that will boost trade around Kibos Market and improve movement of goods to and from the Port of Kisumu.

Residents gathered in large numbers at Kibos to witness the start of construction. Business owners, transport operators, farmers and youth groups called the project a long-awaited boost for jobs, trade and Kisumu’s regional role.

Many said the railway will lower transport costs, attract industries and open new business opportunities around the station and cargo terminal.

Local traders said they expect more business from the workers arriving during construction, while youth welcomed Kenya Railways’ assurance that locals will be considered for jobs.

Some of the residents who spoke to the media welcomed the project:

“We have waited for this railway for many years. Today we are happy because we can finally see construction beginning. We hope our young people will secure jobs and our businesses will flourish.” – Local resident.

“The cost of transporting goods has been affecting traders for a long time. This railway will make business easier and attract more investors to Kisumu.” – Trader at Kibos Market.

“We thank the National Government and the County Government for making this project a reality. Our appeal is that local people should be given priority when employment opportunities arise.” – Youth leader.

“Kibos is set to become a busy commercial centre. We are already seeing hope that more businesses, better infrastructure and more customers will come to this area.” – Local business owner.

Once completed, the Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba SGR is expected to cut freight costs, ease congestion on the Northern Corridor, improve passenger travel, and strengthen trade between Kenya, Uganda and the wider East African Community.

The project will also position Kisumu as a multimodal transport hub linking road, rail and lake transport, with future connections expected to extend into Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As excavators roared into action at Kibos, leaders and residents described the day as the start of a new economic era for Kisumu and Western Kenya.

Why Homa Bay County Government reduced its 2026/2027 budget by 0.7 per cent compared to 2025/26 estimates

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Western Insight Newsroom
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By Habil Onyango

The County Government of Homa Bay has reduced its 2026/2027 budget estimates by 0.7 per cent compared to the printed estimates for Financial Year 2025/2026.

This follows the County Assembly’s approval of Ksh12,104,350,747 for the 2026/2027 Financial Year revenue estimates, compared to Ksh12,185,176,905 for the last Financial Year.

In the estimates, 69.4 per cent, which translates to Ksh8,404,043,481, has been set aside for Recurrent Expenditure, while another Ksh3,700,307,266 for Development Expenditure represents 30.6 per cent of the total estimates.

Ksh740 million has been allocated for Ward-Based Projects, which will be distributed equally at Ksh18.5 million per ward. The allocation targets key development sectors such as healthcare, education, water infrastructure, and agriculture.

Further, the County has set aside a total of Ksh405,708,043 towards mitigation of verified pending bills.

This revenue is expected to be mobilised from equitable share allocation, own source revenue, conditional grants, Appropriations-in-Aid (A-I-A), and other revenue streams.

According to the County Assembly Budget Committee Chair, Titus Asiago, the MCA for Ruma Kaksingri Ward, the reduction is directly mandated by changes in the approved Senate legislations.

The legislations include the Division of Revenue Act (DORA), 2026, the County Government Additional Allocation Act (CGAAB), 2026, and the County Allocation Revenue Act (CARA), 2026.

They significantly reduced the conditional grants from Ksh1,646,539,167 to Ksh1,305,104,867, which is nearly a 21 per cent slash to conditional grants that has impacted the targeted ceiling. An increase of Ksh504,355,696 from other revenue variables cushioned the overall budget impact, keeping the total revenue framework constrained at 0.7 per cent.

This is according to the report by the Budget and Appropriation Committee on the consideration of the Homa Bay County Budget Estimates for FY 2026/2027.

“We recognise that this is the last budget estimate to be implemented under the first-term administration of Her Excellency, Governor Gladys Nyasuna Wanga,” said the Chair when he presented the budget before the House.

“While the administration may not have achieved 100 per cent attainment of goals in the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP), there is no doubt that the achievements so far recorded are impressive, under the general circumstances of the existence of her government,” he said.

“In line with the above, the County Government has constantly strengthened its internal financial base and focused on key sectors such as Healthcare, Education, Water, Infrastructure and Agriculture,” added Asiago.

Further, the County Government has prioritised the settlement of pending bills arising from completed works and services.

“Adequate provisions have been made in the FY 2026/27 budget to clear verified obligations, thereby improving liquidity for suppliers and contractors and restoring confidence in County procurement processes,” reads the report.

“In aligning expenditure priorities with available resources, the County Government is committed to matching its spending with realistic resource forecasts and improving own source revenue forecasting to avoid over-projection, thereby preventing further accumulation of pending bills,” reads the report.

“The County Treasury should establish realistic work plans, streamline its procurement process, and enforce quarterly expenditure review to shift from having huge unspent balances tied to the development expenditure component of the budget,” the committee noted.

The Committee further advised the County Executive Committee to undertake continuous payroll audits to uncover irregularities, to enable the county government to comply with the 35 per cent threshold on the wage bill, as this leaves reduced funds for development projects.

Own Source Revenue (OSR)

The County projects it will generate a total of Ksh1,671,087,323 from Own Source Revenue, comprising Ksh1,104,906,565 from the health sector Appropriations-in-Aid (A-I-A), mainly derived from user fees and reimbursements under NHIF/SHA.

“These funds are expected to support service delivery within health facilities and reduce reliance on exchequer releases for operational expenditures in the health sector,” the committee noted.

Another Ksh566,180,758 is expected from Ordinary Own Source Revenue streams, including fees, charges, and miscellaneous income collected by various departments.

Ordinary Own Source Revenue, on the other hand, refers to revenues generated locally by the County Government through taxes, levies, fees, charges, rents, fines, penalties, and other legally authorised collections.

“These revenues are critical in enhancing fiscal autonomy, supplementing the equitable share from the National Government, and financing service delivery at the county level,” noted the committee.

According to the report, expenditure in FY 2026/27 is focused on key county programmes aimed at improving healthcare, expanding access to education, enhancing infrastructure, promoting food security, and strengthening governance and service delivery systems.

“The prioritisation of these programmes aligns with the CIDP 2023–2027 and reflects the County Government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development,” noted the committee.

Owili Unveils KSh4.2 Billion Food Systems Investment as Kisumu Leads National Financing Pilot

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Western Insight Newsroom
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By James Okoth.

Kisumu County has launched a groundbreaking pilot programme to develop a food systems financial tracking model, a first-of-its-kind initiative expected to inform a nationwide framework for closing financing gaps across Kenya’s food ecosystem.

The programme is being implemented under the Financial Flows to Food Systems (3FS) framework with support from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and the Embassy of Ireland, marking a significant step towards building transparent, accountable and evidence-based financing for agriculture and nutrition.

Speaking during the Financing Agri-Food Systems Sustainably (FINAS) 2026 Forum at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili said financing, not policy, is now the biggest frontier in transforming Africa’s food systems.

“The challenge before us is not merely about increasing investments. It is about fundamentally rethinking how we finance food systems by ensuring that investments are coordinated, evidence-driven, climate-smart and capable of delivering lasting economic, social and environmental benefits,” Owili said.

He revealed that Kisumu has invested approximately KSh4.2 billion in food systems interventions over the past three financial years, with the bulk directed towards infrastructure, agricultural value chains, nutrition and climate resilience.

To strengthen coordination, the county has operationalized the Food Liaison Advisory Council of Kisumu (FLACK), a multi-stakeholder platform bringing together government agencies, development partners, private sector players and civil society to mobilize resources and accelerate food systems transformation.

Owili said the council will play a central role in aligning investments and ensuring financing reaches areas with the greatest impact.

“The future of Africa’s food systems will not be determined by the resources we possess alone, but by how effectively we mobilize, coordinate and invest those resources,” he said.

Irish Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Caitríona Ingoldsby, reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to supporting resilient and inclusive food systems, saying sustainable financing is essential to ending hunger while improving livelihoods and climate resilience across Africa.

“Strong partnerships and locally led solutions are essential if we are to build food systems that are resilient, inclusive and capable of delivering lasting benefits to communities,” Ambassador Ingoldsby said.

GAIN Kenya Country Director Ruth Okowa said the financial tracking model will enable governments to understand where investments are going, identify financing gaps and make better decisions that improve nutrition and strengthen food systems.

“Better data on food systems financing allows governments to invest more strategically, improve accountability and ensure resources deliver greater impact for farmers and consumers,” Okowa said.

The forum brought together governments, development partners, financial institutions and private sector leaders from across Africa to explore innovative financing mechanisms capable of transforming agri-food systems into drivers of economic growth, food security and climate resilience.

With Kisumu now hosting the pilot under the 3FS framework, the county is positioning itself at the forefront of shaping how Kenya and potentially other African countries, track, coordinate and finance sustainable food systems.

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