By Dr. Edris Omondi esq

Last Thursday, Parliament received and positively considered a public petition by the Association of Pentecostal Vocational Training Institutions of Kenya (APVOTIK) proposing a new framework for theological education and ministerial formation in Kenya.

The proposal has now moved to the next constitutional stage being public participation; where citizens and faith communities will have the opportunity to shape its final form.

At a time when national conversations around religion are often framed in terms of state control, it is important to clarify a fundamental point: this initiative is not about government regulation of faith. Rather, it is about strengthening self-regulation within the religious sector.

Kenya’s Constitution is clear on matters of faith.

Article 8 affirms that the country has no state religion, while Article 32 guarantees freedom of conscience, belief, and worship. Any attempt by the State to control doctrine or spiritual practice would run contrary to these protections. The framework currently before Parliament respects these constitutional boundaries.

Instead of regulating religion itself, the proposal focuses on the quality and integrity of theological education–the training systems that prepare ministers, pastors, priests, and other religious leaders.

Across Kenya, hundreds of theological training institutions operate within different denominations and traditions. Many have faithfully served their communities for decades, yet their programs often lack standardized academic recognition within the national qualifications’ framework. This creates challenges for graduates seeking professional recognition and for institutions seeking consistent academic standards.

The proposed framework seeks to address this gap by establishing a faith-led, self-regulatory structure for theological education. Under this model, religious communities would take primary responsibility for setting training standards, accrediting institutions, and promoting ethical leadership within their own traditions.

Importantly, this is not a state-controlled commission dictating religious practice.

It is a collaborative structure in which recognized umbrella faith bodies; play a central role in guiding standards and accountability within the sector.

This approach reflects a simple but powerful principle: faith communities are best positioned to regulate their own theological training while working within the broader national education framework. This is constitutionalism, an upstream model that – Crime Prevention Initiative Trust (CPIT) stands for.

The benefits of such a system are significant. It would strengthen academic credibility for theological institutions, create pathways for recognition of prior learning among experienced ministers, and enhance ethical standards for those entering religious leadership. For communities, it would build confidence that spiritual leaders are trained within accountable and credible institutions.

Equally important, a self-regulatory model protects religious freedom while promoting public trust. Rather than imposing control from the outside, it empowers faith communities to uphold their own standards of responsibility and integrity.

The next stage, being public participation, is therefore crucial.

Parliament will now open its doors for citizens, religious leaders, educators, and community members to contribute their views on the proposed framework. This process ensures that the final legislation reflects the diversity of Kenya’s religious landscape while remaining faithful to constitutional principles.

Public participation is not merely a procedural step; it is an opportunity for the faith sector and the wider public to help shape a system that strengthens both freedom of worship and responsible leadership.

In the end, the goal is straightforward: to support credible theological education, encourage ethical ministry, and reinforce the public trust placed in religious institutions across the country.

This indeed is important, considering the times we are in.

A self-regulating framework offers a balanced path forward, one that preserves constitutional freedoms while enabling faith communities to lead in maintaining their own standards. As the conversation continues, the voices of Kenyans will play a decisive role in determining how this vision is realized, and perhaps, this was the missing link that was to sharpen the stalled religious organization bill too.

By Hope Barbra

Kisumu City has moved to put in place structures for flood preparedness during this rainy season and has put the disaster department at both the City and County levels on high alert.

Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o said the government has received flood warnings and expects floods in Nyamasaria, Kapuothe, Dunga and Migosi areas.

He said a crisis meeting with Red Cross officials and officers from the city and county departments of disaster management will be held on Monday to mitigate possible flooding in the area and to mobilize resources for any eventuality.

“The Nairobi flooding was a wake-up call to all of us and that is why we are reviewing and enhancing the disaster response structures we had put in place. We want to avoid such destruction as was witnessed in Nairobi,” he said.

Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga said 80 percent of the city was free from flooding and there was no cause for alarm.

“In Kapuothe, the works have not been completed and with River Nyamasaria, Alewra and Wigwa almost breaking their banks, we are likely to have floods in the area,” he said.

He said the city disaster department was on high alert and ready to evacuate those affected by floods to safer and higher areas.

“We have and are still mobilizing resources to respond to floods and to ensure the victims are not left to suffer. We are mobilizing medical supplies and other assorted foodstuffs and requirements,” he said.

Kenya Red Cross has issued urgent guidelines for residents in flood-prone areas, saying that even shallow moving water is dangerous: six inches can knock an adult off their feet, and one foot of fast-flowing water can sweep away a vehicle.

Residents are advised to evacuate to higher ground, switch off electricity in inundated homes, avoid driving near rivers, and never cross flooded bridges.

Additional precautions include using a stick to test water depth, avoiding downed power lines, and refraining from walking through electrified or muddy water.

Authorities and communities are urged to remain vigilant, follow official updates, and use the toll-free emergency line 1199 for assistance.

By Anderson Ojwang

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched investigations over alleged senior officers at Maseno University with fake academic papers.

The Commission is also investigating incidences of nepotism which are rampant at the institution.

Central Nyanza EACC Director Abraham Kemboi said they are investigating some senior officers holding key positions on account of fake academic documents.

“We are investigating senior officials who hold key positions on account of fake academic documents.
An institution of higher learning employing officers who have fake academic documents is a serious matter,” he said.

Kemboi said they are processing the suspects and appropriate action will be taken soon and they could possibly be charged in court.

Our investigations revealed one of the suspected senior officials at the university resigned recently to avoid being arrested by the EACC.

The senior officer must have been advised by some quarters to resign to evade arrest.

The senior officer is said to have scored Grade D+ in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and the university could not establish how the officer secured a doctorate.

Sources at the university revealed that the officer was being protected by a senior administrator at the institution and was untouchable even after questions were raised on the competence and performance in the sensitive department.

Maseno University Council Chairman Prof Omolo Ongati said there were allegations of some officers with fake academic documents holding key positions.

“We heard of an incident where an officer holding a key position was alleged to have fake academic documents. The officer has resigned and we will investigate if we have similar cases,” he said.

Kemboi said cases of nepotism in employment were rampant at the institution and they have launched investigations.

Sources at the university claimed employment opportunities were being distributed and shared among families and friends, leaving out deserving cases.

Kemboi said they have also launched investigations at Kaimosi Friends University over overpricing of a tuition block.

“We are investigating the university over a tuition block which they overpriced. We will take remedial action. These institutions should do what is expected of them,” he said.

By Anderson Ojwang

In the 1980s–1990s, when Kenya’s football and the rivalry between the country’s two most successful teams, the Mighty Gor Mahia and the dreaded Ingwe, AFC Leopards, ticked, three names dominated.

Eng Alfred Wekesa Sambu, also fondly referred to as Abiola in reference to Nigerian Chief Moshood Abiola, a Nigerian millionaire who founded Abiola Babes, which became a formidable side in African football. Sambu and Abiola shared one thing in common: deep pockets and love for football. They would spend anything for football.

While Sambu ticked at the Leopard den, at the Mighty Gor Mahia the late Job Omino, as the patron, while Douglas Oyieng Dola was the chairman, called the shots and Kenya’s football glowed continentally, regionally and at home. The national team Harambee Stars became mainly made up of players from K’Ogalo and Ingwe. That was when Kenya’s football reigned and ruled continentally.

Sambu in 1984 led AFC to the semifinals of the Africa Cup Winners’ Cup, losing to Leventis United of Nigeria on a 2–1 aggregate after having won the first match by a solitary goal.

In 1987, Omino and Oyieng Dola won the cup, later renamed the Nelson Mandela Cup in his honour, at the City Stadium on a 2–2 score on away goal advantage, and Kenya’s name became scripted in Africa’s annals of football history.

Veteran Sports Editor and Analyst Mr Robbin Toskin said Sambu’s contributions to Kenya’s football cannot be downplayed and he deserves a special place in the country’s annals of history.

“Sambu was able to galvanize AFC Leopards as a family. He brought the team to play at the top league. He scaled the heights and only lost at the semi-finals of the Africa Cup Winners’ Cup to Leventis United of Nigeria in 1986,” he said.

Toskin said Sambu built a strong team which consisted of Kenya’s internationals Dr JJ Masiga, Mohammed Abbas, Wellington Lidonde, Robert Matano, Wilberforce Mulamba, Josephat Murila among others.

“We had one of the best players in the team and AFC Leopards had deep squad depth. Sambu built something special for the team. Those sweet old days. Very memorable and momentous. The King,” he said.

Toskin said Sambu single-handedly bankrolled the AFC Leopards team, catering for all the expenses. His pocket was so deep for Ingwe, his boyhood team.

“For the domestic league and continental games, Sambu bankrolled the team. One day, the team was stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and could not travel to Cameroon to play against Diamore FC. Sambu just drove to the airport, purchased the tickets and the rest is history,” he said.

During the World Bank structural adjustment program in Kenya, which saw several football players retrenched from employment, Sambu still catered for their salaries.

Gor Mahia dominance and unbeaten run

One of the key missions of Sambu was to break Gor Mahia’s dominance of the league and indeed AFC won the league with an unbeaten record.

Toskin said Sambu created an aura in the Leopards family that made them indomitable and a force to reckon with.

“Sambu broke the Gor Mahia dominance and for the first time in history AFC won the league with an unbeaten record. He is a good man with a deep heart and pocket. He motivated players and had his way with the fans and the players,” he said.

Toskin said Sambu negotiated very crucial player deals for the team and won their hearts by driving the targeted players in a Mercedes Benz, and that would conclude the negotiations.

Toskin said Sambu broke the age-long belief that AFC Leopards could not lure and sign a player from the Gor Mahia outfit.

“Sambu broke Gor Mahia’s heart by signing their midfield engine, John Okello Zangi, and this heightened the rivalry. It was a bitter pill for K’Ogalo fans to swallow. He made history,” he said.

KFF chairman

Football administrator Tom Alila said Sambu was a powerhouse in Kenya’s football administration and became the KFF chairman in 2004.

Sambu became the chairman with Dan Omino as the Secretary General, but with the boardroom wrangles in 2005, Mohammed Hatimy’s team dislodged them from the office.

Failure to professionalize AFC Leopards

Toskin said one area that became Sambu and Omino’s undoing for both AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia was the failure to professionalize the teams.

“They did not professionalize the clubs. They had the ability and power to help the clubs become professional but they opted to drain their own pockets, which was unsustainable in the long run,” he said.

Currently, AFC Leopards are emerging from the shadows and challenging for silverware against bitter rivals Mighty K’Ogalo. This season Ingwe registered a first-leg victory over K’Ogalo and have seen remarkable progress in the league and stand in position two behind Mahia.

Pipping K’Ogalo to the crown this season would be one of the best dream-come-true moments for Sambu.