By Billy Mijungu

Mgala muue, haki mpe. Even if you dislike a person, you must give them their due credit. Today, as Kenyans dance to the rhythm of football victories and celebrate the remarkable milestones our national teams are recording, we must pause and acknowledge one man who set the stage, Ababu Namwamba.

When history is written about the revival of Kenyan football, his name should not be sidelined. In 2022, when he took over as Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports, and the Arts, the sports sector was in tatters. Stadiums were crumbling, players were demoralized, and Kenya was even staring at international bans due to governance issues. It was Ababu who stepped in and laid the foundation for the restoration we are now witnessing.

His first major assignment was infrastructure. Ababu moved with urgency to ensure stadiums across the country were not just painted but renovated to modern standards. Kasarani, Nyayo, Kipchoge Keino, Bukhungu, and others saw real investment in facilities. For a country that had grown used to empty promises, this was refreshing. Today, as our players showcase their talent in improved grounds, the link between these renovations and current success cannot be ignored.

Second, he anchored players on a predictable path. Ababu understood that talent alone cannot thrive without structure. He invested in grassroots sports and supported initiatives that put young players on a clear developmental ladder from academies, to local leagues, to the national team. That is why we now have a pipeline of stars who are not only skilled but also disciplined and professionally prepared.

Third, his reforms extended beyond football. Athletics, boxing, rugby, and even the creative arts felt his touch. But it is in football, the heartbeat of Kenyan passion, that his legacy shines most brightly. Ababu was willing to get his hands dirty in an area where many had failed. He faced criticism, he faced resistance, yet he soldiered on.

Of course, it was not an easy tenure. Critics often accused him of prioritizing sports at the expense of youth programs. They said he was too flamboyant, too focused on appearances. But in hindsight, this was not vanity, it was a deliberate strategy to put Kenyan sports back on the map. And today, as Harambee Stars and Harambee Starlets inspire hope once again, we see that his persistence paid off.

His reform credentials cannot be erased by politics or public opinion. The current wave of success is not an accident, it is a continuation of a journey he started. For that reason, the Ambassador deserves to be named among the heroes of this era.

As fate would have it, at this very moment of national sporting pride, Ababu is mourning the passing of his beloved mother. Life has a way of balancing triumph and sorrow. But as he walks through this valley, Kenyans must remind him, we celebrate you.

Ababu Namwamba is a man of many firsts and many successes. His imprint on Kenyan sports is bold, undeniable, and lasting. Long after the final whistle of his public service career is blown, Kenyans will look back and say: “This was the man who restored faith in our game.”

Thank you, Ababu. We will remember you.

By Anderson Ojwang

The impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua could have walked into a different terrain and uncharted waters in the United States of America (USA) and now he has been forced to cut short his two-month tour after only three weeks of visit.

Could the former Deputy President have chewed more than he bargained for and is waking up to the reality that he could be a toddler in geopolitics and international diplomacy. Exit Gachagua, enters President William Ruto.

Interestingly, before Gachagua announced on his social media handle X that he would cut short his tour of the US, President Ruto met with USA Ambassador to Kenya Carla Benini, where they committed to a close working relationship.

But Gachagua had come under a barrage of attacks for promoting tribalism during his tour and was viewed to be on a mission to divide Kenyans living abroad along ethnic lines.

In a statement on Thursday, Gachagua described his three-week stay in the US as “very successful and fulfilling,” citing “serious engagements” with Kenyans in the diaspora.

He wrote on his X handle “I regret being unable to visit the remaining states on my itinerary as I need to return home to join our party in preparing for the upcoming by-elections in various parts of the country,” he said.

Gachagua apologised to Kenyans he was unable to meet, noting that the engagements had been rescheduled to early next year. He added that he would take a few days to rest before heading back and would make his travel itinerary public.

“I thank the Kenyans in the States for the love, warmth, and hospitality they accorded us. I salute the organisers and officials of the DCP chapters for superb planning, organisation, and meticulous coordination. You are simply the best,” he said.

On his arrival in the USA he wrote “Accompanied by my beloved spouse, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, I arrived at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Washington to kick off my diaspora engagement with Kenyans in the USA and the international community on issues affecting our beloved country. I was warmly welcomed by jubilant Kenyans here, and I am truly excited. The love and support are unmatched. God bless Kenya!” Gachagua said after the rousing welcome.

And before he left he said “Tonight, I will be travelling to the U.S. to talk to Kenyans in the diaspora and the international community about the state of the nation. I would have wanted to stay in the country at this very difficult time when our people are under siege, but I have engagements that I’m not able to postpone. I have been threatened by people close to (President) William Ruto, who called some of my people today that they will want to stop me from leaving the country,” he said.

“If you want to come and arrest me at the airport as you are threatening us, you can go ahead, I don’t have a problem. As I am out of the country, if I’m not stopped from going, we have made sufficient arrangements with other leaders in the United Opposition to create a pool of lawyers to come in for our young people who are being prosecuted for trumped-up charges.”

Recently, the Ambassador assured Ruto that Kenya remains central in its US-Africa policy.

‘Kenya remains central to US-Africa policy and when we do something in Africa, we do it in Kenya first. There is a reason for that because of our shared interests in alignment, governance, rule of law and democracy.

This visit in particular is really exciting because when we look at Kenya, its leadership in AI, agriculture and green energy to California interest in smart agriculture, energy generation, the embassy will continue to lead on that front in encouraging US investments in the country,” she said.

Ruto said “Your coming here is a great expression of friendship. It is a moment for us, to take our engagements to a whole new level. I am very happy that this morning you have engaged with the colleagues from different sectors in our country.

We appreciate that you have chosen Kenya to be your footprint around our continent and I promise you in front of these good people here, my colleagues from Kenya that we are ready and willing to partner and to see what we can do together in a mutually beneficial engagement between our two countries,” he said.

On Saturday, Ruto announced that he will visit the United States in September to meet with organisers of the Grammy Awards, aiming to establish world-class music studios in Kenya.

Speaking during the 97th Kenya Music Festival State Concert in Sagana, the President indicated that he will be travelling to New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), whereby he will visit the Grammy Awards Studios to discuss with them the need to establish a studio in Kenya.

“During my visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), I will meet leaders of major global technology companies to expand collaboration for the benefit of our creators. This includes integrating M-PESA into Facebook’s payment system to make our payouts faster, easier, and more accessible.

The Grammy team has already expressed interest in anchoring their presence within our new Talanta Hela Stadium in Nairobi.

Next month in the United States, I will meet with the Recording Academy, organisers of the Grammy Awards, to fast-track plans for establishing world-class studios here in Kenya and to set in motion the journey towards eventually hosting an African edition of the Grammy Awards in Nairobi.”

Prime Cabinet Secretary, Dr Musalia Mudavadi, accused Gachagua of speaking recklessly during his trip to the United States, terming his speeches unpatriotic.

Mudavadi said the former DP was a bitter person who had spent his entire time on his US tour planting tribalism abroad.

“Look at a scenario where Rigathi Gachagua, who has gotten to the level of Deputy President, goes abroad and champions tribalism until the people in the Diaspora tell him to shun away from it. As Kenyans, our goal is to preach peace across our region,” said Mudavadi.

Mudavadi questioned the DP’s call for the US government to investigate Kenya, accusing him of misleading the diaspora.

“If indeed Rigathi is a patriot, why is he saying he wants the government of the USA to investigate the government of Kenya? Is it that Rigathi is a police officer in the USA? You are a Kenyan, be patriotic, work for your people, speak for your people, and defend your country. That is what true patriotism calls for,” he said.

“They have both had large followings. They have now joined forces and decided to work together in the broad-based government. We also need to work together. Just as our leaders have resolved to walk together, we as the electorate need to also walk together and move forward,” he said.

He urged Busia residents to embrace the political unity symbolised by the broad-based government, noting that ODM had been the most popular party in the region, but its leader was now working alongside the President.

“We are united so that we can deliver for the people of Kenya. We need to steer away from divisive politics. Let us be nationals,” he said.

By Billy Mijungu

The National Transport and Safety Authority Act needs urgent amendment to align vehicle registration with the actual year of manufacture. The current system that assigns registration purely based on the year a car enters the country or when it is first registered locally is outdated, unfair, and detrimental to both buyers and sellers. If a car was manufactured in 1992, its registration should indicate that, not mislead owners and the market by placing it under a later date.

This is not just a matter of administrative tidiness. The impact is real, immediate, and costly. Importers and manufacturers are among the worst hit by the irregularities created by the existing system. Asset values drop unnaturally because vehicles that should retain their worth are registered in ways that erode confidence and transparency. When market participants cannot trust the correlation between a registration number and the actual age of a vehicle, the market suffers.

The public too pays a heavy price. A buyer who invests in what is technically a newer vehicle can find that its resale value plunges because the registration suggests otherwise. For many car owners, this is not only a financial issue but also a psychological one. Imagine purchasing a car last year only to be told that, on paper, it looks older than another vehicle manufactured before yours but registered later. This creates confusion and frustration and distorts the perception of ownership.

Globally, many countries have already moved to align vehicle registration with the year of manufacture, not just the date of import or first use. In the United Kingdom, for example, number plates have long reflected the age identifier of the vehicle, making it easy for buyers and sellers to establish the approximate age of a car at first glance. In the United States, title documents and registration records clearly reflect the year of manufacture, ensuring that buyers know exactly what they are purchasing. Kenya should not lag behind when a transparent and fair model already exists in well-established automotive markets.

This reform would also have broader economic benefits. For one, it would protect the value of assets for millions of Kenyan households and businesses that rely on vehicles not just for convenience but also as financial security. Banks and lending institutions that use vehicles as collateral would have greater confidence in asset valuation. Importers would be able to market vehicles more accurately, reducing disputes with clients and improving trust in the automotive sector.

Additionally, aligning registration with year of manufacture would deter dishonest practices. Unscrupulous dealers sometimes exploit the current loophole by selling vehicles as if they were newer than they actually are. A transparent system would eliminate this ambiguity and protect unsuspecting buyers from being misled.

Critics may argue that introducing such a system would require restructuring of NTSA databases and reissuing some documentation, which could be costly. However, the long-term benefits far outweigh the transition costs. A phased approach could be adopted where all new registrations reflect the year of manufacture while older vehicles are progressively updated in the system.

The government has consistently emphasized its commitment to protecting consumers, strengthening markets, and ensuring accountability in public administration. Reforming vehicle registration to reflect the year of manufacture fits squarely within these priorities. It would enhance trust, safeguard asset values, and create a fairer playing field for all participants in the motor vehicle sector.

It is time for Parliament to move with speed and amend the National Transport and Safety Authority Act. Kenya deserves a vehicle registration system that reflects reality, protects citizens, and aligns with global best practice.

By Billy Mijungu

Baba has been right on many things, but his recent softening on protecting devolution was unusual and unexpected.

When he called for more functions to be assigned to Governors, including devolving basic education, many thought it was a bold idea. But the question remains: have Governors done so well with the powers they already hold that they deserve additional responsibilities? The truth is that they have not. Counties are still struggling with basic health care, stalled projects, mismanagement of funds, and constant fights with the Senate over accountability. Asking for more functions at this stage is like rewarding failure.

What was even more worrying was Baba’s call for the Senate to stop summoning Governors. That was underwhelming, almost disappointing. The Senate is the only institution that truly keeps Governors awake at night. It is the only arena where they must answer difficult questions about budgets, stalled projects, and misuse of funds. They must be summoned often, because summons are not for ordinary workers who report to their bosses every day. Summons are for suspects, for thieves, and for leaders whose decisions must be scrutinised in the interest of the public.

Baba is often shielded from criticism. He is treated as if he is always right, and when in doubt, many retreat to the first rule which says that he is right. But not on this one. Calling for more functions while lowering the guard on accountability is a contradiction. It is dangerous.

A responsible National Assembly should go even further. It should summon the head of the Executive, the President himself, to appear in Parliament for questioning. This is not a waste of time. It is a safeguard against the creation of forty eight little kings, each behaving as if he owns a kingdom. In established democracies across Europe, heads of government appear before Parliament regularly. They answer questions, clarify policies, and are even sanctioned when necessary. Why should our leaders, from President to Governor, act like monarchs above scrutiny? The slightest suspicion that they may behave like kings must be met with resistance.

It must also become easier to recall Members of Parliament and other elected leaders. Even the President should be made to account directly before Parliament. Any design that simplifies the removal of elected leaders is necessary to keep them humble and focused on service. It deters theft, corruption, and arrogance. Any attempt to make it harder to recall or impeach leaders is not about stability, it is about preparing to steal.

Those who are pushing this agenda claim it is about protecting democracy. But how many impeachments have ever caused a crisis in Kenya? None. More than ninety eight percent of leaders remain in office comfortably. Making it harder to remove them is not about leadership security. It is about shielding impunity.

That is why it is disturbing to hear calls to weaken accountability coming from Nyanza, a region that has always stood as the vanguard of good governance. It is sad to see Members of Parliament from that region join in the push to lower the guard instead of raising it higher.

Parliament can quarrel all it wants, but Senators must now deal a fatal blow to the National Government Constituencies Development Fund. NG CDF has outlived its purpose. It is unconstitutional, it undermines devolution, and it allows Members of Parliament to act as implementers of projects they are supposed to oversee. Those funds must be relocated to Counties, where development truly belongs. Any attempt to amend the Constitution to entrench NG CDF must be rejected.

Baba must be told the truth, even when it is uncomfortable. Leaders must be challenged even when the political culture says they are always right. On this one, he is not.

By Billy Mijungu

Kenya’s football dream is alive, and the boys have already done the country proud by booking a place in the quarterfinals of the CHAN tournament. But if there is one truth in football, it is that the journey is never complete until you finish the job. That job, in our case, is clear: we must beat Zambia to secure the top spot and guarantee that our quarterfinal will be played at Kasarani.

When two teams finish level on points, the first deciding criterion is not goal difference, as many people assume. Instead, it is the head to head record. Only if the head to head does not break the tie will goal difference across all matches be considered, and if still tied, then total goals scored comes into play.

That is why Kenya is safe. Having defeated both Congo and Morocco in the group, our head to head advantage secures qualification. Goal difference is not the first tie breaker in this tournament. On paper, it means Kenya can walk into the Zambia game with less pressure. But in reality, that is far from the truth.

Football is not just about qualifying, it is about positioning yourself for the best possible path. If Kenya defeats Zambia, we finish top of the group and will play Mauritius at Kasarani. That is more than just a fixture, it is an opportunity to harness home advantage. Anyone who has been to Kasarani on a good day knows the atmosphere: the drums, the chants, the flags waving, and the roar of the fans. It lifts the team, rattles the opponent, and turns a tough match into an unforgettable experience.

Now imagine the alternative. If Kenya loses or even draws and ends up second in the group, the team will have to play in Tanzania. That strips us of the one advantage that no coach can train for, home support. In knockout football, where margins are thin and nerves run high, playing at home can be the difference between triumph and disaster.

Beyond logistics and crowd support, there is also the psychological factor. The players themselves know what it means to carry the pride of a home nation. To run out onto the pitch and hear the Kenyan anthem ring across Kasarani before tens of thousands of supporters, it gives you an extra gear. You chase balls harder, defend tighter, and attack with greater belief.

Beating Zambia, therefore, is not just about topping the group, it is about keeping the dream alive under the best conditions possible. Zambia will not be an easy opponent, they are physical, disciplined, and have a tradition of producing stubborn results. But Kenya has shown resilience and hunger in this tournament. The boys have already beaten Congo and Morocco, proving they are not in this competition to make up the numbers.

If there was ever a time to make a statement, it is now. Winning against Zambia not only secures our quarterfinal at Kasarani but also sends a message to the continent that Kenya is not just passing through this tournament, we are here to compete, to fight, and to dream.

The fans are ready, the team is ready, and the path is clear. The mission is simple: beat Zambia, play at home, and harness the advantage. From there, anything is possible.