By Hope Barbra

Apart from evangelism, a Kenyan Catholic priest based in South Africa is also using music in a quest to unite Kenyans.

Rev. Fr. Charles Orero Ochieng, a priest and music composer has learnt the art of delicate balancing his spiritual calling with composing music both for the church and agitating for the country’s unity and peace.

Rev Orero, a Consolata Missionary priest from Kenya, who works in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg in South Africa, composes for his local Kenya’s Church, St Joseph Mission Kendu Bay, in Karachuonyo, of Homa Bay County.

“I first came to South Africa in 2013 for my theological studies, having completed my philosophical studies in Kenya. 

I got ordained as a deacon in South Africa in the year 2018, after which I went back to Kenya for priestly ordination.

I was ordained a priest in the year 2019. I was then sent to Rome, Italy, for further studies in the year 2020. 

I did a masters in Christian spirituality at Pontifical Gregorian University. In the year 2022, I was sent back to South Africa to serve as a priest,” he says.

Rev Ochieng says the rich experience in Kenya and South Africa, is what motivated him to compose a song’ Kenya Kipenzi Changu (Kenya My Love).

“My experience is that both Kenya and South Africa are blessed with diverse and very rich cultural heritage. My experience has taught me that, without unity, no country can stand firm. In addition, my experience in Kenya and South Africa has taught me that, regardless of language or tribe, we are all children of God, “he explains.

As a Consolata Missionary priest, he has been, for a long time, overwhelmed by the quest for a united Kenya. 

“My prayer and greatest wish is always that Kenya becomes one family. A family of rich diverse culture, a family of justice, a family of love, a family of forgiveness, a family of peace, a family of prayer, a family of support and encouragement, a family of honesty and unity,” he says. 

Rev Orero says his quest for a united Kenya led to composing a song with the title “Kenya Kipenzi Changu.’’ 

“The song reminds us that Kenya is indeed our Mother and if is dear to us, then  we won’t burn her, if Kenya is indeed dear to us then we won’t destroy her properties, if Kenya is indeed dear to us, then we won’t bring division, if Kenya is indeed dear to us, then we  will pray for her, if Kenya is indeed dear to us, then we shall live in peace as brothers and sisters, if Kenya is indeed dear to us , then we will create development and if Kenya is indeed dear to us , then we will promote nationalism. These are the messages contained in my song “Kenya Kipenzi Changu.” he says.

He argues that diversity in language or even tribe is a richness and a great gift from God that, rather than creating division, should indeed be an instrument for complementing one another.

“I find this very evident in the community of the Twelve Apostles, who Jesus called to be with him in serving humanity (Mathew 10:1-4). 

Though they were all Jewish and descended from the twelve tribes of Israel, the group likely contained a mix of people with various regional differences.

Despite this, they had a common goal, and that was to teach the World the virtues taught by Jesus through preaching the Gospel. 

One of their greatest missions was theologically called , “the missionary mandate’’ where Jesus charged them to go to the whole world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to observe all the commands that I gave you ( Mathew 28:19-20)”, he says.

Rev Orero just like the mandate given to the 12 disciples Kenyans too have a mission to build and unite the nation.

“The mission of these twelve Apostles is the mission for every Kenyan. 

To begin with, every Kenyan has a duty to make our Country not only a nation but one family, a family where each individual has a right of expression, a right to religion, a right to equitable distribution of national resources. 

Each Kenyan must bear in mind that, by virtue of birth, we are a people of identity. We cannot help it, but I identify wholly with our Country. 

It is this identity that creates a bond of communion among us. In addition, this identity enables us to appreciate one another and to encourage one another, leading to a source of mutual help and stability for our Nation,” he says

Rev Orero is a music composer for a period of 13 years and has recorded four albums with Saint Joseph’s Kendu Bay Choir. 

“Among my songs is the famous song ” HUYU NI NANI ANAYEITA MITUME.” As a Consolata Missionary priest, I use songs to evangelize people because I believe that a song has the highest power to convey a message that provides solace, comfort, healing, and a deeper connection with God, with one another, and with the whole universe. God bless Kenya,” he says. 

By Reporter

Governors have vowed not to revert to the recently introduced electronic government procurement system (e-GPS) as they threatened to institute legal proceedings against the National Treasury for allegedly forcing them to use the new system.

Through the Council of Governors (CoG) caucus, the county chiefs accuse National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi of ignoring a recent decision by the National Assembly to annul the mandatory use of e-GPS by all public procuring entities effective July 1, 2025.

The governors claim that the new system has been implemented haphazardly leading to confusion and paralysis in delivery of services in counties.

Last week, the National Assembly overturned a circular issued by Mbadi making it mandatory for all government procurement entities to use the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system.

MPs sitting on the National Assembly’s Finance and National Planning Committee questioned the readiness of public entities to adopt the digital platform as well as its transparency and accessibility.

The National Treasury had last year issued the circular directing all public institutions, including ministries, state corporations, and county governments, to exclusively use the e-GP system for procurement activities by the end of the 2024/2025 financial year.

The government says the system, launched last July, was aimed at automating and streamlining procurement processes, enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability while reducing opportunities for graft.

Mbadi had said the government projected that the e-GP system could save Kenya up to Sh50 billion annually by curbing procurement-related corruption and inefficiencies.

But the MPs raised several concerns about the mandatory adoption of the e-GP system, arguing that it could disadvantage small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and businesses in remote areas with limited internet access.

Several legislators said the digital infrastructure required to support the system is not yet uniformly available across the country, particularly in rural regions.

They cited the risk of excluding businesses that lack the technological capacity or resources to engage with the online platform, potentially stifling economic participation.

The committee, chaired by Molo MP Kuria Kimani, also pointed out that the Treasury had failed to conduct adequate stakeholder consultations before issuing the circular.

They further said that the directive was implemented hastily, without sufficient training or sensitization for public institutions and suppliers.

Several legislators called for a phased approach to the e-GP system’s rollout, suggesting that the government address infrastructure gaps and provide capacity-building programs before enforcing mandatory use.

But Mbadi dismissed the MPs decision, claiming that they lacked powers to overturn his circular which he said only a Cabinet decision can revoke it.

Speaking during the Development Partnership Forum on Thursday, Mbadi insisted that government officers have no legal or procedural excuse to ignore his circular and that the country will not return to the manual procurement system.

“There has been contention that e-procurement was revoked. Let me be clear: Parliament has not revoked anything. If any government officer is going to use that as an excuse, I will not accept it,” Mbadi stated.

He explained that the circular, like other Treasury-issued directives on zero-based budgeting and the Treasury Single Account, remains legally binding and forms part of the government’s reforms to enhance transparency and efficiency in public financial management.

But governors are now accusing Mbadi of contravening a decision made by the National Assembly which they say is legally binding.

The county chiefs claim that the rollout of e-GPS has been hasty, incomprehensive and marred with inconsistencies that have caused confusion and paralysis of service delivery in various procuring entities.

“Legally, with the annulment of the circular, it is expected that all procuring entities will revert to the public procurement framework s before which is also provided for in existing laws and regulations,” CoG chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi says in a protest letter to Mbadi dated August 23, 2025.

Abdullahi says the implementation of the circular has been devoid of legal regulatory basis and has not considered the distinctiveness of county governments.

“In this regard, the council asks the National Treasury to lift any administrative blocks related to the implementation of e-GP, failure to which we shall be constrained to seek legal redress on the underlying issues as this borders on provision of services across all counties,” Abdullahi says.

By Anderson Ojwang

President William Ruto could be setting a precedent in the fight against corruption, and it could be a matter of time that several governors, his allies may be charged in court over corruption allegations.

Ruto could be preparing to use the anti-corruption crusade in the country as one of his campaign platforms during the 2027 presidential election campaign.

This can be affirmed by recent events where he accused the parliament and senate over corruptions and demand of bribes from the executives.

Similarly, Ruto also recently formed a new multiagency  to the fight against corruption and economic crimes in the country.

In a recent presidential proclamation issued, Ruto said the Multi-Agency Team on War Against Corruption (MAT) will boost coordination in investigations, prosecutions, financial intelligence, and asset recovery.

The team brought together 10 state agencies, including the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), Asset Recovery Agency (ARA), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).

And the directive by the Director of Public Prosecution to prosecute Bomet governor Prof Hillary Barchok, a key ally of President Ruto and the first high profile leader from his community over alleged abuse of office, conflict of interest and money laundering is telling and a warning to the governors that the axe may soon fall on them.

By allowing prosecution of Barchok, Ruto is affirming his statement that the time for scared cows is over, and no phone calls will derail prosecution.

The ODPP directed that Barchok be charged with conflict of interest after he received Ksh2,750,500 from companies that traded with the county between the financial years 2019/2020 and 2024/2025.

Also to be charged together with governor is the Director of Chemasus Construction Limited, Evans Kipkoech Kori.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, also directed that files on Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and Marsabit Governor Mohammed Mahamud Ali be submitted to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for further probe for corruption allegations.

Additionally, the DPP has ordered the prosecution of former Bungoma Governor Wycliff Wangamati on corruption charges.

During the Devolution conference and Kenya Kwanza and ODM Parliamentary group meeting, Ruto declared a clump down on corruption.

He claimed the legislature was breeding corruption by demanding bribes from cabinet secretaries and governors.

“I have made it absolutely clear to the chair of the Anti-corruption commission and to the CEO that there will be no sacred cows and there will be no telephone calls anywhere below or above to stop anybody from being prosecuted for matters of corruption,” he said

Ruto accused the parliament to be breeding and call for an end to the vice where the bicameral parliament have turned the house committees into money minting rings and ignoring their oversight responsibilities.

“There is something going on in our legislature that we must call out. There is money being demanded from the executives and governors, from ministers, and from people in the executives especially for those who go for accountability before our house committees in the parliament.

It cannot continue to be business as usual, it is not possible that committees of parliament demand to be bribed and paid for them to write report or to look the other way for what is happening in the national government or the county government.

Somebody who has stolen public funds and then goes to court and then gets anticipatory bail. This makes it impossible for such a person to be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.

“What is the job of chair of welfare in the committees? What is the job? Extortion and that is what is the prime minister Raila Odinga was saying. You know what is Soko uhuru. Tell me. You know Soko uhuru?

Let me ask you for example members of the parliament seated here, do you for example know that a few members of your committee collected sh 10 m so that could pass the law on anti-money laundering. Did you get  the money? So going forward, there are people who are destroying credibility of parliament, and they are collecting money in the name of parliament.

And some of the time that money never gets to parliament, but it gets to a few people. We are not going to a shame them but we are going to arrest them. Do we agree?“

Soon after Ruto’s stand on corruption, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) revealed that in  the past eight months, it has completed 89 cases, forwarding 82 of them to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for action.

The Chief Executive officer (CEO) Mr. Abdi Ahmed Mohamud said investigations were underway, among them cases involving five sitting and 11 former governors facing allegations of embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, and unexplained wealth.

“Four of the cases involve current and former County Governors; two former Cabinet Secretaries, a Principal Secretary and CEOs and MDs of various State Corporations.

“Over the past eight months, the Commission has completed eighty-nine (89) high-profile cases. These investigation files have been submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), with recommendations to prosecute eighty-two (82) of the cases.

In addition, the Commission is at an advanced stage of investigating five sitting Governors, 11 former Governors. These investigations relate to allegations of embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest, money laundering, and possession of unexplained wealth, among other offenses under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.

In the counties, the Commission is pursuing cases worth Ksh1.6 billion involving over 800 officials linked to irregular payrolls, allowances, and loan embezzlement.

This year, the commission has recovered 12 properties corruptly acquired, valued at approximately Ksh 600M and over Ksh105M in cash.

Further, it has averted the possible loss of Ksh7.2 B through proactive investigations,” he said.

By Hope Barbra
A sitting governor, former governor, chief officers and directors of various companies will be charged in court over allegations of corruption, abuse of office and conflict of interest.

Office of the Director of public Prosecution, said Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok, Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wagamati and several government officers and directors of companies should be charged in court.

The Director Renson Igonga said Barchok should be charged with RECEIPT OF KSHS. 2,750,500 FROM COMPANIES THAT TRADED WITH THE SAID county BETWEEN THE FINANCIAL YEARS 2019/2020 AND 2024/2025.

He wrote “On 18th July 2025, the ODPP received an inquiry file from the EACC accompanied by a report under section 35 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, Cap 65 Laws of Kenya.

The EACC recommended that the following Persons be arraigned in court are Hillary Kipng’eno Barchok, the Governor County Government of Bomet, and Evans Kipkoech Korir (E2), Director of Chemasus Construction Limited.

The EACC proposed the following charges against the aforementioned persons; Conflict of interest contrary to section 42(3) as read with sections 48 of ACECA.

Money Laundering contrary to section 3(b) as read with section 16(1) of Proceeds of Crime and Anti-money Laundering Act.

Acquisition of proceeds of crimes contrary to section 4 as read with section 16 of Proceeds of Crime and Anti-money Laundering Act
Unlawful acquisition of public Property contrary to section a5 (1) (a) as read with section 48 of ACECA.

For Wagamati the ODDP preferred charges over allegation of embezzlement of shs 70.205 882 public funds through private companies.

Also listed to be charged in court include: Michael Wangamati, 2. Nicholas Wangamati 3. Edward Barasa Wangamati 4. Nabwala construction ltd: acquisition of proceeds of crime contrary to section 4(a) as read with section 16 (1) of the proceeds of crime and anti-money laundering act, cap 59a.

Edward Maaya Makhanu 2. Sandra Soita Nasambu 3. Valeria construction limited 4. Wakoli Chesititi: fraudulent practice in a procurement proceeding contrary to section 66 as read with section 777 of the public procurement and asset disposal
Bramwel Wafula 2. Edward Maaya Makhanu 3. Mundesi contractors 4. Wakoli Chesititi; fraudulent practice in a procurement proceeding contrary to section 66 as read with section 177 of the public procurement and asset disposal act,2015.

By PHILLIP ORWA

Kenya’s leading sports betting and entertainment company, Betika, has announced a landmark Sh42 million sponsorship deal with the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), as the Official Sponsor for the upcoming 2025 CECAFA Kagame Cup.

Betika-sponsored Kenya Police FC will represent Kenya, while Singida Black Stars will do so for the host nation, Tanzania. Last year’s finalists and three-time winners APR will fly the flag for Rwanda. Vipers SC (Uganda), El Merriekh SC Bentiu (South Sudan), Mlandege SC (Zanzibar), Flambeau du Centre (Burundi), Garde Cotes FC (Djibouti), Ethiopian Coffee SC (Ethiopia), Al Hilal Omdurman (Sudan), and Alahly SC Wad Madani (Sudan) will make up the other teams for the tournament.

The regional inter-club competition is scheduled to take place from 2nd September to 15th September in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as 12 teams from within the region battle for glory.

“Football is more than a game, it’s a powerful force that unites communities and sparks passion across borders. But our vision goes beyond one team. We are proud that Betika will also be represented in Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Uganda, and our local teams will be on the ground throughout the tournament to ensure players, clubs, and fans feel our full support.

This sponsorship is not just about funding football; it’s about investing in people, building connections across nations, and giving the region’s immense talent a platform to shine. Our commitment is to provide the resources, visibility, and experiences that will make this Kagame Cup the most memorable yet,” said Mutua Mutava, Betika Group CEO.

CECAFA Vice President Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam said:
“We are pleased to enter a partnership with Betika. With them as the official sponsor, we are taking this great tournament into a new era. This partnership reflects the power of collaboration between football and the private sector, and it demonstrates the confidence that a leading brand has in the value and potential of CECAFA competitions.”

The Kagame Cup, named in honour of H.E. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda and a long-time patron of the tournament, has grown into a premier football event in East and Central Africa. Beyond the fierce on-pitch competition, the tournament embodies sports diplomacy, cultural exchange, and regional unity through the love of football.

By Habil Onyango

The establishment of the 47 county governments in Kenya has brought several issues to light, including concerns over corruption and ethnic biases in employment.

Some prominent leaders, including the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who played key roles in the creation of Kenya’s new constitution—establishing these devolved units—are now advocating for a reduction in their number.

They argue that having so many counties contributes to corrupt practices within the devolved system.
However, reducing their number could potentially undermine the service delivery successes that these counties have achieved.

Odinga has proposed a three-tier governance system comprising National, Regional, and County levels.

“The time has come for the country to re-examine the whole issue of devolution,” Odinga stated during the Katiba at 15 national celebrations on 27 August.

He pointed out, “In my view, Kenya is too small for 47 devolved units; we have just five counties compared to the vast number in the United States.”

FCPA Hezborn Omollo has pointed out that while Kenya’s 47 counties were designed to bring the government closer to the people, two decades later, the system appears to be strained.

He remarked that Kenyans have not received the adequate services that were intended with devolution.

“We are neither witnessing smooth delivery of services nor the grassroots development envisioned by devolution,” he noted.

Omollo highlighted the prevalence of bloated staffing rosters and increasing wage bills, often attributed to the notion that counties are “too small.”

He stressed that the core challenge facing devolution is not geographical but rather one of governance.

“County assemblies and executives have routinely failed to translate budgets into tangible outcomes,” he explained.

According to Omollo, Auditor-General reports indicate a troubling trend: funds are allocated, contracts are awarded, yet performance targets are frequently missed.

“When a constituency is genuinely underserved, the instinct should not be to redraw boundaries but to hold leaders accountable for unrealistic staffing levels and ineffective service plans,” he asserted.

He said that managing 47 semi-autonomous administrations incurs significant overhead costs.

“It is essential to implement caps on wage bills at 35 per cent, linking them to performance metrics, while also capping operational costs,” he said.

He said that counties that cannot justify their payroll should not be allowed to increase it, nor should they be permitted to sit on unspent or misallocated funds.

Further, Omollo revealed that rethinking boundaries as a catch-all solution risks diverting attention from the critical issue of leadership quality.

He said that instead of debating whether Kenyans need fewer or more counties, they must demand transparent budgeting, credible development plans, and prompt consequences for those who fail to perform.

He said that civil society, the media, and citizens must heighten scrutiny, from cash-flow dashboards to town hall scorecards.

“If 47 counties are unable to sustainably provide basic health services, roads, and water projects, it is not the number of counties that is the problem, but rather the absence of strong civic pressure,” he said.

“Devolution was never intended to shield mismanagement; it was designed to empower communities,” added the FCPA.

“It is time to remind our leaders of this promise and demand that they either fulfil their responsibilities or step aside,” said Omollo.