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Trump’s Intent to crash the Dollar using Tarrif Wars can help Kenya Pay Its Debts Cheaply and help Reorganise Our Financial System and Debt Instruments.

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By Billy Mijungu

Donald Trump returned to the White House and reignited self-imposed tariff wars, the United States could very well have triggered a crash of the US dollar.

For many, this would spell global economic anxiety but for Kenya and much of Africa, it may just present a rare financial lifeline.

Kenya’s external debt, currently standing at KES 5 trillion and denominated almost entirely in US dollars, would become significantly cheaper to service when the dollar weakens.

The falling value of the greenback means that fewer shillings are needed to repay every dollar borrowed a short window of relief for a country that spends billions each year on interest and principal payments.

This creates a strategic opportunity. The government can accelerate the repayment of dollar-denominated debt before the market corrects.

John Mbadi and his Treasury officials should be closely watching forex trends and act decisively buying dollars when they’re cheapest, and paying down chunks of external liabilities that have long weighed down our fiscal health.

At the same time, Kenya could explore refinancing options, approaching multilateral lenders and bilateral partners to restructure existing loans or swap high-interest commercial debt with more favorable terms.

A temporary dip in the dollar is also a perfect chance to consider sovereign bond buy-backs purchasing Kenya’s own Eurobonds in the secondary market at discounted prices, thereby reducing long-term obligations with smart, timely moves.

Beyond debt, a weaker dollar has trade advantages. Kenyan exports, from tea to flowers to avocados, would become more competitive, earning more in shillings for every dollar brought in.

Diaspora remittances already a leading source of forex would carry even more weight. That additional foreign exchange can be used to shore up reserves or directly service debt.

On the domestic front, with internal debt climbing to KES 5.8 trillion, the government could issue long-term infrastructure bonds to restructure local borrowing swapping short-term, high-interest T-bills with affordable instruments that offer sustainable yields.

A “Shilling Sovereign Bond,” targeted at local and diaspora investors, could serve both to reduce pressure and increase national ownership of debt.

Ironically, Trump’s aggressive economic nationalism is not just about American jobs or trade surpluses—it is also aimed at preserving the dollar’s global dominance. With the BRICS bloc (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) pushing toward the creation of a new alternative currency to challenge the dollar’s supremacy in international trade, Trump’s proposed tariff walls serve a double purpose.

By making it more expensive for goods to enter the U.S., he not only pressures trading partners into submission, Europeans who were headstrong are already breaking, but also dampens global trade volumes effectively weakening the very foundation upon which a new BRICS currency could thrive.

A trade squeezed world economy is unlikely to support a fledgling reserve currency built on the hopes of multipolar cooperation.
So while Trump seeks to cripple the competition before it matures, his policies may end up weakening the dollar in the short term. And in that moment of weakness lies Kenya’s chance.

It’s also timely for those keeping the Dollars to sell off because it’s bound to be significantly cheaper. In the short or medium term, holding onto Dollars is a Risk.

A rare alignment of global politics and market dynamics gives us the opening to reduce our external debt, strengthen our currency, and build economic resilience.

This moment calls for boldness, not business-as-usual. Kenya, like many African countries, has long been shackled by the weight of dollarized borrowing. If the global order shifts and the dollar declines, that might be the very storm that sets us free. We must not wait to see how the winds blow we must set our sails now.

How the demise of Raila’s Aide, Oduor leaves the family limping

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By Anderson Ojwang                      

On Saturday, at Ramba village in Rarieda constituency, Raila Amolo Odinga buried one of the two trusted, loyal and cherished family employees who have been the cog that has ensured they operate seamlessly. 

In  Raila’s family, two of his employees have been key to the effective and efficient management of the  family’s businesses and  security. 

The two employees hold the family deep guarded secrets in business and security and are the trusted engines that glue the family together.

For Mama Ida Odinga, her secretary Judy Owino, is all that she needs to effectively and efficiently run the family business, Spectra International. 

In Judy, Raila trusts that Mama Ida is in safe pair of gloves and the business is safe and rolling.

While for Mama Ida, George Oduor gave her the confidence and peace of mind that husband, Raila’s security and safety was guaranteed. 

For Mama Ida , the presence of Oduor next to Raila was a reassurance that her husband was safe despite uncertainty and unpredictable moments that her husband faces in his daily political life. 

That is why emotions were high with Raila’s family breaking down while other mourners couldn’t hold back the tears. 

And leaders and mourners led by President William Ruto converged in Ramba to condole with Raila and his family.

Raila in his tribute said ” Georges’ departure marks not just the end of an era in my political journey but also a celebration of an enduring legacy of dedication and excellence that set him apart from his peers and enabled him to get where he did. 

With Jaramogi’s death, we had to undertake a lot of reorganization both around our family businesses and political organizations. 

There were new deployments and redeployment of existing personnel.

In that reorganization, we agreed to take George as personal security and aide.

This was a very challenging and uncertain time.

I was looking for someone who was loyal, and honest, who could be trusted with things like money, important documents and information.

Just as I had hoped, George turned out to be a person of impeccable character, innocent, sincere, generous and trustworthy. 

He therefore turned out a man of great vigilance and a cornerstone of my security operations with meticulous attention to detail. 

You could trust George with money, instruct on where it is to be spent and I could be sure it would reach the intended recipient.

He would pick a precious item you left behind and hand it to you intact. 

He was civil and accommodating but smart and extremely alert.

He could smell danger from far and promptly and call for extreme caution or advise that we exit a place immediately. 

His dedication to work and the overall cause was unmatched. Even as his health sometimes dwindled, he insisted on pulling himself up and showing up at work.”

Winnie Odinga, Raila’s last born wrote in her tribute “You were a true hero, taking care of Jakom and the family, saving our lives more times than one can count .

If there were a medal for loyalty and honor, you would have a whole wall of them. 

So, that’s how I will remember you George: cool, calm, collected, a man of true loyalty and honor; saving our world, one day at a time. Until we meet again.”

Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga said “This man lying here was a great man.

I can tell you the man he was taking care of , Raila Amolo Odinga, is not a very easy person to take care of.

I can tell you, because I am his elder brother.

He was more than security to Raila,  he was like a brother, he knew everything about Raila.

He knows what is ailing Raila and his programs, he could judge on the next course of action and was very sensitive on what Raila did.

George was my friend, I knew him in 1992, when he was with my dad, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, he campaigned for me under very difficult times.”

Kisumu Women Representative Ruth Odinga said George was irreplaceable and the demise was blow to the Odinga’s family.

“We knew that with George, Raila was safe.

We entrusted Raila’s security and safety in his hands and indeed, he delivered. He was a brother to us and the demise is a blow to us,” she said.

President Ruto said “I have come here not because George was elected in any capacity or wheels any public position, but I have come here because George has demonstrated beyond any doubt that he was a Kenyan who had demonstrated competence and integrity as confidant.

He has shown immeasurable loyalty as a Kenyan patriot and when he was trusted with the security of Raila. 

We are celebrating a competent police office, confidant with great integrity and a loyal patriot as a security officer of the republic of Kenya.”

The Gift of Time: Sailing Through Life with Purpose and Grace

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Dr.Edris N.Omondi(Advocate)

attorneyedris@ywcg.org

“Charles Dickens once wrote in A Tale of Two Cities, ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.'”

In this timeless opening line, Dickens sets the stage for a reflection on the duality of life—how the passage of time can simultaneously bring us joy and sorrow, success and failure, hope and despair.

Time, in all its complexity, is a force that shapes the very essence of our lives. We cannot control it; we can only navigate through it, making the best of every fleeting moment.

The Gift of Time

The truth is, time is both a gift and a mystery. It belongs to the gods, as the saying goes, and we, mere mortals, must simply sail through it.

There is no command we can give over its flow; it neither waits for us nor slows down. But what we do with the time we’re given—how we choose to fill it—defines the quality of our lives.

As I age gracefully, I have become more acutely aware of this fact.

The days slip away, I have become more spiritual, deliberate and aware of the years accumulate, and with each passing moment, I am reminded that my time on this earth is limited, and indeed as the good book says help me number my days.

Time and Health: The Foundation of Living Well

Consider the example of Nelson Mandela, who, after spending 27 years in prison, emerged not only as a political leader but as a symbol of resilience and wisdom.

 As Mandela grew older, he became more spiritual, more reflective, and more attuned to the deeper meanings of life.

He had no control over the time lost in prison, but he made every minute count when he finally stepped into freedom.

Through his advocacy for peace, equality, and forgiveness, he redeemed his years and left a legacy that will endure far beyond his lifetime.

Mandela’s example is a reminder that, with time, we must also prioritize our health.

As we age, we can no longer take our bodies for granted.

Good health becomes more than just a physical state—it becomes a reflection of how we’ve spent our time.

Those who maintain their health—through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and mental well-being—are the ones who find joy and purpose in their later years.

Its a challenge, a cross I am willing to carry- Time, when invested in health, yields strength, vitality, and longevity. Without it, wealth and success pale in comparison.

The Spiritual Journey: Aging with Grace

As time passes, many of us turn inward, seeking peace and spiritual growth.

With age often comes a deeper sense of understanding, a quiet wisdom that only the years can impart.

We become more attuned to the fragility of life and more aware of our spiritual needs. People like Mahatma Gandhi, whose later years were marked by spiritual reflection and commitment to truth, show us that the journey through time isn’t just about accumulating material wealth, but about aligning with a greater purpose.

In his final years, Gandhi often spoke about the importance of living with love, compassion, and a sense of duty to others.

He understood that time, though fleeting, could be a tool for spiritual growth and personal transformation.

His example teaches us that, as we age, we can find deeper meaning through introspection, service, and connection to something greater than ourselves.

It is not in power or wealth that we find fulfillment, but in living with intention, peace, and happiness.

Aging Like Fine Wine: The Beauty of Time’s Passage

There is a saying that “aging is like fine wine—it gets better with time.”

As we age, we may find that, with each year that passes, we become more resilient, more compassionate, and more understanding of life’s complexities.

Time, in its own mysterious way, adds richness and depth to our character.

Take my friend Reginald Dunham, for example.

In his 60s, Dr. Dunny as i fondly call him, is impacting Africa, influential, and spiritually centered than ever before.

What makes his story remarkable is not just a rich history he carries with him or a great Baptist minister impacting Africa, but the way he has selflessly used his time to help others.

As he ages, he shares the wisdom of his experiences, empowering others to live their best lives.

He is a living example that time, when spent in alignment with one’s values, results in fulfillment that goes far beyond material possessions.

Dunham’s journey highlights a key aspect of aging: it’s not about what you have, but how you live.

In fact, many of those who live the most fulfilling lives in their later years are the ones who prioritize happiness, inner peace, and human connection over power and status.

Time spent cultivating relationships, pursuing passions, and serving others is the most valuable kind of time.

Living in the Moment: A Call to Action

The passage of time brings inevitable challenges—aging bodies, missed opportunities, regrets, and losses.

But it also brings the chance to make a difference, to leave a legacy, and to find peace with oneself.

The key is to redeem the time we have, making every minute count in the areas that truly matter— Your spirituality,health, wealth, and strength.

The more we embrace the passage of time, the more we realize that it’s not about accumulating wealth, building empires, or attaining power. It’s about living fully and meaningfully, with a heart open to learning, growth, and love.

It’s about finding contentment in the present moment, rather than chasing after a future that may never come.

It’s about letting go of the things we cannot control, and focusing on the things that bring us true happiness.

As we grow older, we begin to understand that happiness isn’t something to be sought after in distant dreams or grand accomplishments.

It’s something we create in the here and now, through relationships, through gratitude, and through the small moments of joy that come with each passing day.

As a pastor friend from India, once authored-how to recreate our world-that’s where our true happiness is as we age gracefully.

Conclusion: Embracing the Gift of Time

In the end, time is not something we can control, but something we must navigate with wisdom, grace, and intentionality.

Whether we’re young or old, we all have the same gift of time, and it is up to us how we spend it.

Like the characters in Dickens’ story, we may experience both the best and worst of times, but it is in how we choose to spend each moment that we truly shape our lives.

So, as we sail through life, let us remember that time, though fleeting, is a precious gift.

Let us embrace the opportunities it offers, nurture our health, and cultivate meaningful relationships.

As we age, we don’t need to be obsessed with wealth or power; instead, we can focus on becoming better versions of ourselves, like fine wine, more complex, more fulfilled, and more attuned to the beauty of life.

 For in the end, it is not in the passing of time that we find our worth, but in how we choose to live it.

(Dr. Edris Omondi is a Preacher, Social Thinker, Mentor, Writer, Author and a Public Motivational Speaker)

Windfall Taxes on Banks Are a Necessity. They’re Profiting off Government and Won’t Fund Enterprises. It Must Stop

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By Billy Mijungu

In an economy grappling with countless challenges, where ordinary Kenyans are struggling to stay afloat, one sector seems completely untouched by the prevailing hardship: the banking industry.

At a time when businesses are closing shop, unemployment is on the rise, and the cost of living is becoming unbearable, banks are reporting record profits with an almost surreal detachment from the realities faced by the rest of the country.

Let us take a look at the recently released full-year 2024 profit results for some of Kenya’s top banks.

KCB posted a 65 percent jump in profit after tax to Sh62 billion. Equity Bank registered a 12 percent increase to Sh49 billion.

Co-operative Bank’s profits rose by 10 percent to Sh25.5 billion. Standard Chartered reported a 45 percent surge to Sh20 billion.

NCBA earned Sh22 billion, a 2 percent rise.

Absa’s profits went up 28 percent to Sh21 billion.

Stanbic recorded a 13 percent increase to Sh13.7 billion. I&M Bank rose by 22 percent to Sh15.4 billion. DTB was up 13 percent to Sh7.6 billion.

HF Group jumped 35 percent to Sh524 million, and Sidian Bank made a remarkable turnaround with a Sh287 million profit after a loss of Sh448 million in 2023.

These figures paint a clear picture. While the economy is failing, banks are flying.

At the same time, major shareholders and executives are taking home staggering dividends.

The Ndegwa family received Sh1.35 billion from NCBA Group while the Kenyatta family took home Sh1.2 billion.

Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi earned Sh543 million. Co-operative Bank CEO Gideon Muriuki pocketed Sh146 million.

These numbers reveal just how lopsided the current system is, where a few individuals continue to benefit immensely while the majority of Kenyans face increasing economic pressure.

More reason why Windfall taxes are a necessity, such taxes can directly fund Private Enterprises.

The mechanism behind these profits is even more alarming. The average Kenyan deposits their money into a bank.

That same bank then lends the money to the government, which in turn charges taxes to that same Kenyan.

The taxes are used to pay back the banks, with interest.

Essentially, Kenyans are not only providing the banks with capital, but they are also funding the profits through the taxes they pay.

It is a closed loop where the citizen is used as both lender and payer.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank Rate was recently reduced from 10.75 percent to 10 percent, a move intended to encourage banks to lend more to the public and stimulate economic activity.

But this reduction has proven largely symbolic.

Banks are still far more interested in lending to the government than to ordinary Kenyans or small businesses.

And who can blame them when government debt remains the most profitable and secure form of lending available?

This situation is deeply problematic. Kenya’s domestic debt has reached approximately Sh5.8 trillion.

As long as the government continues to borrow heavily from local banks, there is little incentive for these financial institutions to support the real economy.

Entrepreneurs and small business owners who desperately need credit to grow and create jobs are shut out.

Banks are choosing the easy, guaranteed returns of government lending over the more transformative but riskier investment in local enterprises.

The rise of money market funds further illustrates the imbalance.

These funds are now being fed by debt instruments that banks use to finance the government.

This means more and more of our financial system is geared toward sustaining government borrowing, not economic growth.

This is not sustainable.

It is time to introduce windfall taxes on banks that are posting outsized profits at the expense of the public.

If these profits are coming from public debt funded by our taxes, then the public deserves a share of that return through taxation and redistribution.

But beyond taxes, we must make the bold and necessary decision to end domestic borrowing altogether.

It is the only way to force banks to turn their attention to the real economy.

Only then will they begin to finance the ideas, innovations, and enterprises that can lift this country.

We must break this cycle.

The status quo serves a few and dooms the many.

We must make the impossible possible, or we will slowly perish as a nation. Banks, Micro-lenders are growing as the face of cartel in Kenya and if left unchecked.

Hey will be the most powerful weapon of control, they are already in 1 foot, two feet and Kenyans are done

It’s time Government relooks at how it borrows locally.

I dare say it’s important that Government gets and external buyer for the KES 5.8 trillion and leave banks awash with Money, they will be forced to hawk it Kenyans.

How a viral video clip on racial bias in public health landed a USA teen of Kenyan origin in the Michigan State Science Fair, emerging as a fourth-place award winner

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By Anderson Ojwang                    

In pursuit  and search for  self-identity  and consciousness, an American teen of Kenyan origin  embarked  on research that gave her freedom from the yoke of denial, fear  and self-pity.

The teen,  Amari  Carthron,  is in her senior year (Grade 12) and also attends Delta  College part-time to study sociology.

She came up with a research idea to answer her worries and those of many other Black persons in the world.

“I read about a viral video of a Black man who was unable to use a soap dispenser. From this video, I developed an idea  for my project to investigate racial bias  in public health.” 

Specifically, the video shows a Black guest of the marriott hotel in Atlanta struggling to use a soap dispenser in the hotel’s bathroom. 

The soap dispenser would not work on his hands because of their technology, and he had to have his white friend help him get the soap to wash his hands. 

“I was passionate about the experiment  because it was related to  my identity. 

Previously, I wasn’t really passionate about my science work and because of my identity as a Black woman, I haven’t really felt welcome in STEM spaces, but the research gave me a reason to celebrate who I am,” she says.

Amari’s research  was based on investigating the racial bias in public health.

The test involved study on automatic sinks which have the same infrared technology as that found in the soap dispenser from the viral video. 

This technology works using infrared sensors that emit infrared electromagnetic radiation that is reflected off the surface of hands back to the sensor. 

The sensor then triggers the faucet to dispense water. 

Theoretically, these sensors are less effective on darker skin because it reflects a lower amount of electromagnetic radiation. 

In her experimentation, Amari used synthetic human hands that were painted in an expansive range of skin tones. 

She had 10 hands total and tested them each against automatic sinks at three public locations. 

She performed 90 trials of experimentation and found that as skin pigmentation (how dark the skin is) increased, so did sensor response time (the time it took for a sensor to respond to a hand and trigger a faucet to dispense water).

Essentially, she did find significant (determined via t-test) racial disparities in the functions of automatic sinks, which are public health devices used in everyday life. 

“I was so passionate about the experiment, but there were many times when I got fatigued and I wanted to give up. 

The ups and downs of a research can weigh you down to the melting point. 

My parents stood by me, and they urged me to keep on going. 

My mentor, Ms. Clara Wagner was also a guiding light for me. 

My friends and my school also encouraged me to continue.

My aunt was very helpful with dropping me off and picking me up to collect samples for the experiment. 

Because of her help, I got a burst of new energy that propelled me to the full completion of the project,” she says.

Amari says the project enabled her to understand the reality of being a Black person and the beauty that goes with it, and she is proud of her work.

To her the project was not an individualistic desire for self-actualization but  for the good of the Black community and to help reinforce the importance of their identity.

“I am gifted and talented. I like doing research that has an impact on the human kind. 

I am happy that my project was for the good of my community and that is why I feel honored to have emerged among the best in the science fair,” she explains.

Amari Carthron placed fourth at the Michigan State science fair. 

Amari was also recognized by the American Statistical Association  with an award.

Amari’s  project was  “Investigating Racial  Bias in Public  Health” her research studied racial  disparities  in school  bathrooms, store bathrooms, and  restaurant bathrooms.

Her research found significant racial disparities in every bathroom she tested. 

Sensor response times between the lighter skin tones and the darker skin tones had significant differences between them (p-value ≤ 0.05) at every test location. 

This is significant because washing hands is the first line of defense in  proving  the spread  of illness. 

“Washing hands is also the most accessible form of disease prevention,” she said.

Celebrating her 18th birthday in style.

Amari is excited about her 18th birthday and is looking forward to marking it with a difference. 

A dreamer, she is turning dreams into reality. 

This year she is planning to launch her first book, a fantasy.

The book targets teens and young adults in college. 

She would prefer to keep the plot of the book secret, but she will say that it is a romantic fantasy featuring magic. 

Stay tuned!

“I like daydreaming. My stories are just written down versions of what I dream about. 

Last year, I was able to author my first book, which is a milestone,” she says.

Amari says her mother, Glenis Sungu’s resilience and commitment are the virtues that have been pillars in her life.

“I am proud of myself .

I have a long way to go to achieve a lot of things. 

This is just the beginning and I am committed to realizing greatness,” she says.

Her mother, Glenis says:

“Amari is a very hard worker. 

She doesn’t give up, and she’s a perfectionist. 

She’s patient, kind, and respectful. She’s a wonderful example to her younger sister. 

Amari has always loved school and reading since was young. 

I have always known that she is destined for greatness. I believe in her above all else.”

Butere Girls’s “Echoes of War” Teases Out a National Government With Weak Grassroots Tentacles

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Junior Secondary Schools

By Billy Mijungu

When it comes to kids, that is where citizens draw the line.

By the time Echoes of War was conceptualized and performed, right before Directors of Education, Chiefs, Assistant County Commissioners, Deputy County Commissioners, County Commissioners, and Regional Commissioners, where was NIS?

This was not oversight. It was deliberate. It signals something deeper, that state actors themselves may be rebelling from within. Has our intelligence system become too narrow or too rigid for its time? In the information age, why are we punching below our weight?

Political think tanks cannot simply morph into statecraft think tanks. There is a defined path to governance, and Kenya Kwanza has paid the price dearly for failing to walk it. Their response to Butere Girls was disproportionate to say the least.

Sacking the Board of Management or even the school principal cannot extinguish the embers of a fire still simmering. And truth be told, they may have had no clue about the play in the first place.

It is time to rethink how the Government is funded at the grassroots, currently starved of resources, crippled by poor leadership, and in many cases, totally absent. The National Government is no longer truly national in its grassroots reach. It has grown centralized, operating almost exclusively from headquarters, and this will cost the country dearly.

Bureaucracy is in chaos. Pesa haifiki chini. This spans nearly every ministry. For over a decade now, the National Government Administration and NGAOs have had minimal impact, thanks to funding locked at headquarters. Field offices can barely function.

State departments suffer the same fate. Their grassroots presence is barely scratched. Take the State Department for Youth. It barely has a budget to support youth officers. And the result is a glaring disconnect with young people, which became the springboard for the Gen Z revolution of June 25, a movement that has sustained itself to this day.

Today any crowd is as powerful and organized as a Gen Z crowd, and they have become the loudest messengers of the RutoMustGo wave that keeps shaking the foundations of government.

So the question Kenyans must ask about the Echoes of War debacle is this: where was the National Intelligence Service? And where, really, was the government?
As long as AIE holders lack the funds to run core operations, whether police, NIS, NGAOs, or ministries, the cracks will only grow deeper and the shame more persistent.

Now the Butere Girls play has received National attention. Inspired Script writing, inspired rebellion and as usual remobilised Geb z’s who fight is proving decisive and sustainable. What can Kenya Kwanza do ?

We are truly living in the shackles of doom, and Echoes of War laid that bare.

Murkomen: We are committed to freedom of speech

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By Correspondent

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has reiterated that the Government supports freedom of speech and is not in the business of censorship.

Speaking to journalists on the fifth day of his Jukwaa La Usalama county tours in Tana River, the CS said he was only concerned about the involvement of political activists using the drama festival for political reasons.

He denied condemning the play ‘Echoes of War’ by Butere Girls students, which has elicited national uproar.

During the 63rd Kenya National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru County, the students staged a peaceful protest.

He said the Government was not in any way threatened by ‘Echoes of War’ or “any script, for that matter.”

“Some of us studied literature and I know the important role it plays in our children’s mental growth. Let us allow the teachers to handle students according to the regulations,” he said.

He warned politicians against using students to engage in political activities.

“I am a supporter of freedom of speech and media so long as there is no hate, insults, or glorification of crime in it,” he said.

Yesterday, the CS apologised following the tear-gassing of journalists covering rehearsals of Butere Girls’ play, ‘Echoes of War’.

He also vowed to take action against security officials who might have used excessive force to deal with the matter.

While in Tana River, the CS assessed the delivery of government services including the ongoing mobile registration of IDs. The CS also assessed the implementation of new policies such as the removal of the discriminatory extra vetting of ID applicants from border counties and the scrapping of fees for first-time applicants of IDs.

The CS is also set to hold a town hall, where resource-related conflicts and disaster preparedness, among other issues, are expected to feature.

“Tana River is one of the counties most affected by climate change and we will be deliberating on ways of mitigating the effects, among other challenges,” he told journalists ahead of the meeting.

The CS was accompanied by Tana River County Governor Dr Dhadho Godhana, Senator Danson Mungatana, MPs Abdullahi Amina Dika (Woman Rep), Hiribae Said Buya (Galole), Ali Wario (Garsen), Yakub Adow Kuno (Bura), Deputy Inspector General of Police (APS) Gilbert Masengeli, PS Dr Idris Salim Dokota (Cabinet Affairs – ODP), and Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha,
among other leaders and officials.

PS Omollo Warns politicians againts violence, calls for peaceful engagement.

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By Correspondent

Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo has issued a warning against any attempts by politicians to destabilize the peace and stability currently enjoyed across the country.

Speaking during the commissioning of the new Kisumu East Police Station in Kasagam, Omollo stressed the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving national cohesion under the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Dr. Omollo stated that peace remains the cornerstone of the country’s socio-economic progress, and the government will not entertain any actions or rhetoric that threaten to reverse the gains made.

“We will not allow any politician — from whichever quarter — to come and destabilize the peace this country has achieved under this broad-based government,” said Omollo.

“Peace is not just an ideal; it is vital for development, for investment, and for the well-being of every Kenyan. That is why we must protect it and promote it with vigilance.”

Focusing specifically on the Nyanza region, Omollo reiterated that the government was fully committed to maintaining peace, especially as the country heads into the 2027 election season.

Nyanza is solidy rallying behind President William Ruto after ODM leader Mr Raila Odinga entered into a broad based coalition arrangement to ensure peace so that development can take place without political instability.

“In this region, we are not going to allow anyone to disturb the peace going forward into 2027,” he asserted.

“Our focus is national unity, and our security apparatus will be on high alert to deal with any form of incitement or destabilization.”

Looking ahead, Omollo called for a forward-thinking approach, urging Kenyans and leaders to embrace post-election reconciliation and dialogue as a means to heal past political divisions.

“After the polls in 2027, we shall re-engage with everyone — across the political divide — to reconstruct and build new bridges. National cohesion is not just a slogan; it’s a long-term goal we are actively working toward,” he said.

The PS’s remarks come amid a broader government agenda to entrench peace and stability as part of Kenya Kwanza’s governance framework.

His comments also reflected a proactive stance to manage rising political temperatures as the next election cycle approaches.

The Kisumu NG-CDF office was built at a cost of Sh55 million, area MP Shakeel Shabbir disclosed.

IG Douglas Kanja, his Deputy Elija Langat, Nyanza Regional police boss Gisiri Nyamohanga, and ngcdf chairman Olago Oluoch and7 a host of MCAs and security officers.

Shabbir spoke as the PS disclosed that the government has implemented nearly half of the targeted reforms in the National Police Service (NPS), Omollo disclosed.

Omollo said the Kenya Kwanza administration is firmly on course to fulfil its campaign promise to overhaul the country’s policing system.

“The government has so far implemented 50 per cent of the reforms we committed to under the Kenya Kwanza manifesto.

This is a milestone that reflects our dedication to ensuring our police officers are empowered and properly facilitated to carry out their mandate,” Omollo said.

He noted that the reform process encompasses multiple facets, including infrastructure development, welfare improvement, training, digitization of operations, and provision of modern equipment.

The new Kisumu East Police Station, he explained, is a tangible example of the government’s resolve to improve the physical working conditions of police officers.

“Every officer serving in the National Police Service deserves a decent work environment and quality of life. These new facilities are not just buildings — they are symbols of our commitment to dignifying the men and women who serve and protect our nation,” said Omollo.

He further urged police officers to continue executing their duties with integrity, professionalism, and respect for the rule of law.

“With these investments come greater responsibility. We expect all officers to carry out their civil duties diligently and in service to the people,” he added.

Omollo also touched on the government’s efforts in the education sector, revealing that the state has hired 76,000 new teachers within the first 20 months of the Kenya Kwanza administration.

He emphasized that the government remains committed to recruiting even more educators to address the long-standing gaps in the country’s education system.

“This administration is committed to human capital development. We recognize that education and security are the twin pillars of national transformation, and we are investing heavily in both sectors to secure Kenya’s future,” he asserted.

The event was attended by top security chiefs from the region, Shabbir, and other national and local leaders, all of whom hailed the new police station as a boost to security and service delivery in Kisumu East Constituency.

The Echoes of Moi: Is Ruto Repeating History?

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By Gabriel Riako

In Kenya’s long and winding political journey, Daniel arap Moi’s rule remains a painful reminder of how quickly democracy can be strangled when power goes unchecked. For 24 years, Moi ruled through fear, patronage, and repression. Many Kenyans believed the 2010 Constitution had laid that ghost to rest. But today, under President William Ruto, those shadows are beginning to creep back. Different time, different tactics. But increasingly, the same outcomes.

While Kenya today enjoys the trappings of democracy, elections, independent commissions, and a vocal Gen-z beneath the surface, the script is changing. A culture of authoritarianism is quietly taking root, dressed in the language of “hustler empowerment” and “economic transformation.” But Kenyans are not fooled. They see the signs. They hear the echoes.

The Silencing of Dissent

The recent incident at Butere Girls High School is a chilling case in point. courageous students attempted to use their talent to perform a poem that held power to account, highlighting the daily struggles of Kenyans, the lies told in political rallies, and the widening gap between government promises and lived reality. Instead of applause, there was punishment. The supervising teacher was transferred. The students were reportedly intimidated, and tear gas thrown at young pupils . Why? For speaking truth in a nation that claims to value freedom of expression.

This mirrors the Moi era, when criticism was equated with treason. During Moi’s time, journalists disappeared, student leaders were detained, and any form of dissent was crushed under the weight of state machinery. Ruto’s regime may not yet be throwing critics into Nyayo House torture chambers, but it’s deploying the instruments of state power in equally chilling ways: economic intimidation, selective arrests, digital surveillance, and public smears. A softer, smarter dictatorship is still a dictatorship. President Moi also banned a play by Ngugi wa Thiong’o and a book by George Orwell in 1991.

The Rot of Corruption

Kenya has long been plagued by corruption, but what makes the current moment especially galling is the scale of impunity and the sheer audacity of the lies. From the very beginning of Ruto’s presidency, lofty promises were made, reducing the cost of living, eradicating corruption, and building a bottom-up economy. But instead of uplifting the hustler, the system seems to be bleeding the country dry.

Billion-shilling scandals have rocked the administration, from questionable fertilizer tenders to opaque government-to-government oil deals. Instead of accountability, we’re treated to PR spin, denials, and the occasional sacrificial lamb. The Kenya Kwanza government promised transparency, yet its biggest financial dealings are shrouded in secrecy. No meaningful prosecutions have been achieved. The President, meanwhile, continues to defend those accused of graft as long as they are politically loyal.

It is Moi’s playbook all over again: protect your friends, punish your enemies, and treat public resources as political tools.

Privatization Without Accountability

One of the most disturbing trends under Ruto is the renewed push to privatize key public institutions often at throwaway prices and without public consultation. Parliament was recently bypassed in attempts to fast-track the sale of several profitable state-owned enterprises, including Kenya Pipeline and KICC. These assets, built with public funds, risk being transferred into private hands under the guise of “efficiency.”

Under Moi, similar actions saw entire sectors like banking, agriculture, and transport brought to their knees through corrupt privatization deals. Public institutions were looted, sold for peanuts, or left to collapse. Today, it feels like déjà vu, except this time the looters wear sharper suits and use digital signatures instead of rubber stamps.

A Presidency Built on Lies

Kenya is quickly becoming a country where the truth is optional. From the campaign trail to national addresses, President Ruto has made an art of contradiction. He promised to lower fuel prices then they doubled. He vowed to scrap the Housing Levy then implemented it. He claimed the Hustler Fund would transform lives, yet many beneficiaries struggle with microloans that barely cover airtime. The President travels the country making promise after promise, most of which evaporate the moment the motorcade drives off.

This isn’t just politics as usual. It’s a sustained campaign of misinformation, used to pacify a restless public while the real business of state capture and self-enrichment continues behind the curtain. Again, Moi did the same: long-winded speeches, empty pledges, and a state media that turned propaganda into national gospel.

The Danger of Normalization

What makes authoritarianism so dangerous is not just its cruelty, it’s how quickly it becomes normal. When the silencing of a schoolgirl becomes routine, when billion-shilling scandals are met with shrugs, when public assets are sold in silence, and when presidential lies become background noise, we are no longer just witnessing the decline of a government. We are watching the slow erosion of a republic.

Kenya cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the Moi era. We must remember that dictatorships rarely begin with coups,they start with excuses. “We must be tough.” “We need order.” “It’s for development.” And before long, we are told to stop asking questions and simply clap.

But Kenya is not yet lost. Brave citizens, keyboard soldiers and bold students like the one at Butere Girls still speak. And as long as they do, there is hope.

EACC “recovers” Sh 6.5M in the car of Turkana CEC Finance as it raids homes and offices of top officers over alleged embezzlement of Sh 600M

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By Anderson Ojwang
In a raid by officers from Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) yielded Sh 6.5M in the car of the county government of Turkana, Committee Executive Member (CEC) in charge of Finance.

The CEC Finance, Mr. Michael Eregae Ekidor is among the 10 senior government officers at County Government of Turkana that EACC is investigating over alleged embezzlement of Sh 600m.

The Commission’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Abdi Mohamud said the operation was a successful and will go a long way in helping determine the matter.

“During the operation, EACC obtained valuable evidentiary material to support the ongoing investigations including Sh 6.5 million in cash, recovered inside Michael Eregae Ekidor, who is the County Executive Committee Member (CEC), Finance,” he said.

He said a team from Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Thursday conducted searches at the residence and offices of 10 senior officers of Turkana County government over alleged embezzlement of Sh 600M.

“Today, Thursday, 10th April 2025, the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission, upon obtaining search warrants, conducted searches at the residences and offices of ten suspects including county executive committee member, chief officers and other senior officials of the county government of Turkana” he said.

The EACC after securing search warrant from the Court swung into action and raided the homes and offices of top officers who included county executive committee member (CEC) and chief officers among others.

The suspects included Michael Eregae Ekidor, County Executive Committee Member (CEC) , Finance, it was claimed that he amassed massive wealth, assets and income during his tenure.

Others were Peter Lomurukai, chief officer, municipalities and urban management, Mark Achila Ekiri, chief officer, roads and transport, samson Nakito, director, procurement, Lilian Alaper Ateyo, senior accountant, Annah Narot Longoli, cleaning supervisor, Turkana County and her spouse john Tioko Ekal.

Also, Abenyo Amathwel Etir, security warden, Turkana County government, Stephen Lowoton, former assistant director accounting, William Erex Aminit, businessman, and Nngiro Edung Ichor, businessman.

He said the commission had earlier obtained court order freezing Sh 180M in bank accounts belonging to Abenyo, a security warden at the county. and his associated companies.

Chief Executive officer said the operation was part of the ongoing investigations in the county government of Turkana in relation to alleged corruption.

“Allegations of embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest and abuse of office against several Turkana County government officials, which are alleged to have traded with the county through various companies, resulting in payments of over sh 600m for alleged procurement of goods and services between the financial years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024,” he said.

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