By Anderson Ojwang

A day that was meant to celebrate the delivery of the Premier League crown by Gor Mahia to the immediate former Patron, the late Raila Amolo Odinga’s family, in honour of the promise, only turned to evoke sad memories and pain for his wife and children.

The reappearance of Raila’s bodyguard, Maurice Ogeta, changed Mama Ida Odinga and her daughter Rosemary Odinga’s mood and prompted them to ask tough questions of Ogeta while Raila Junior watched in disbelief.

Mama Ida: “I thank God that Gor Mahia has brought you here finally. Since Baba died, you never came here.”

Rosemary: “We did not know where to find you.”

Ogeta: “I am the third patron of Gor Mahia. No election for my seat. Writing a signature is a problem here.”

Mama Ida: “Write here. Iwache ni kawuoni ibiro (write that today you have come).”

But Ogeta, in a telephone interview, wondered about the statements uttered by Mama Ida and Rosemary, saying it has not been easy for him after the demise of his boss.

“I am wondering until now. I am not a family member. It was not easy for me to go there. My employer was dead. It is too early for me, and I have not healed. Going back has a lot of memories for me in Karen,” he said.

Ogeta said visiting Karen gives him the kind of feeling that he needs to get over, as it is still too emotional and traumatising, remembering his days with Raila.

“It is Karen where I would walk and train with Jakom, pick him and drop him home after work. The memories are still fresh, and I have not overcome his death,” he said.

He said he was still processing and will visit Raila’s family at the right time when he has emotionally healed.

“I am still processing. It’s hard for many. Raila touched us differently, and it is not easy for me. But I will be going at the right time. At the moment, it is still difficult,” he said.

Employment

Ogeta was early in the year employed by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir as the Advisor on Security Affairs following the formal establishment of new positions by the County Public Service Board in line with the law.

In a statement released on January 8th, 2026, Ogeta was widely remembered as one of Raila Odinga’s most trusted security aides, a man who walked closely with the former Prime Minister through some of Kenya’s most turbulent political moments.

For years, he was not just a bodyguard but a constant presence in Raila’s public life, earning a reputation for discipline, loyalty and quiet professionalism.

According to the governor, Ogeta’s appointment is anchored on his “many years of experience and deep institutional knowledge built at local, regional and global levels” – qualities that now place him at the centre of Mombasa’s security planning and advisory structure.

Ogeta said the appointment to the advisory role is the employment he currently has and was grateful to the governor for the appointment.

The promise

Raila had a breakfast meeting with Gor Mahia before he travelled to India for medical care and challenged them to deliver the silverware.

And when Gor Mahia won the league, they kept the promise and brought the crown to Karen, to the family, in fulfilment of the promise.

By Remmy Butia

Gubernatorial hopeful Cynthia Muge has rolled out an ambitious 11-point roadmap aimed at rescuing Nandi County’s ailing road network, which she describes as the backbone of the region’s agricultural and economic transformation.

Through her official Facebook page, Cynthia Muge noted that nearly 70% of non-bitumen roads in the county are in poor condition, severely hampering farmers, traders, and residents.

Nandi County boasts a total road network of approximately 7,542 kilometres – comprising 368 km of bitumen roads, 294 km currently under upgrading, about 2,500 km of gravel roads, and roughly 4,500 km of earth roads.

“Provision of a reliable and motorable road network is essential for sustainable development,” Muge said.

Among her key proposals is the establishment of a GIS-based road asset management system, which will use GPS surveys to map every road, track conditions, and guide equitable resource allocation across all wards.

She also pledged to survey, beacon, and protect road reserves – an issue she first raised as Kilibwoni Ward Member of the County Assembly via a motion. “It is time to actualise it,” she asserted.

To improve durability, Muge proposes the adoption of quarry dust, crushed hardcore, and quality murram with mechanical compaction. Maintenance machinery would be decentralised into three-ward clusters, reducing fuel costs and response times.

Recognising water as “the greatest enemy of road infrastructure,” her plan includes comprehensive drainage systems – mitre drains, culverts, and stone-pitched waterways – with runoff safely directed to farms where possible.

Other interventions include acquiring county quarry sites for reliable material supply, upgrading steep rural roads using low-cost bituminous surfacing, and partnering with tea factories, sugar companies, and dairy cooperatives to ensure cess funds are prudently used.

Muge also intends to bring in the National Youth Service (NYS) for labour-intensive maintenance such as drain cleaning and erosion control, creating youth jobs while cutting costs. Local contractors will be engaged for specialised works such as bridge construction and soil stabilisation.

On urban roads, she targets upgrading at least three kilometres annually across major towns including Kapsabet, Nandi Hills, Lessos, Maraba, Kaptumo, Kobujoi, Serem, Kabiyet, Himaki, Kaiboi, Kipkaren Salient, Chesumei sub-county headquarters, and Chemundu.

“A motorable, efficient, and well-maintained road network is the foundation of economic growth, agricultural transformation, and social development,” Muge said. “Through strategic planning, innovative maintenance, strong partnerships, and prudent use of resources, we can transform Nandi’s road infrastructure and unlock opportunities for every resident, farmer, trader, student, and entrepreneur.”

By Hope Barbra

Learning has resumed at Ambira Boys High School after most of the parents have taken back their students.

This followed a move by a section of them moving to the High Court to challenge the levy imposed on them by the administration after the recent strike.

The Principal, Mr Boaz Adit, expressed satisfaction with the turnout, saying they were committed to resuming studies immediately.

“We are happy with the number of students who have reported and the positive gestures by the parents on resumption of learning,” he said.

Adit also dismissed a video clip which went viral alleging that the returning students were being given corporal punishment.

“This is a wider scheme by our enemies to tarnish our names. We have held productive engagement, and we know that corporal punishment was banned in the country,” he said.

On Thursday, a group of 165 parents from Ambira Boys High School moved to the High Court seeking orders to stop the school from compelling Grade 10 students to pay a Ksh 33,000 levy imposed following damage caused during a student strike.

In a petition filed before the Constitutional and Human Rights Division, the parents argued that their children were not involved in the unrest that occurred on May 18 and 19, 2026, and should not be punished for actions allegedly carried out by other students.

The parents have sued the school’s Chief Principal, the Board of Management, the Principal Secretary for Basic Education and the Teachers Service Commission, claiming that the levy violates the students’ constitutional rights to education, fair administrative action, equality and a fair hearing.

According to the court documents, the school suffered extensive damage during the strike, with losses estimated at Ksh 50 million.

The petitioners state that during a parents’ meeting held on May 21, the principal assured them that Grade 10 learners would not face disciplinary action because they had not participated in the unrest.

However, the parents contend that the school later issued a letter directing all students to report back on June 2 and requiring each learner to contribute Ksh 33,000 towards repairs.

The parents are seeking declarations that the levy is unlawful, orders compelling the school to readmit the affected students unconditionally, and compensation for the alleged violation of their constitutional rights.

By Reporter

For many Nairobians, particularly those who have spent their lives in the city, the mention of a slum often evokes a familiar stereotype. We are conditioned to believe that the youth who live in these communities are criminals, phone snatchers, drug users, and individuals who have somehow chosen a life of lawlessness. It is a narrative that has been repeated for decades, shaping public perception and influencing how society engages with some of its most vulnerable citizens.

This year, I made a deliberate decision to challenge that narrative. I spent considerable time in informal settlements across Kibra and Lang’ata, not as an observer passing through, but as someone seeking to understand the realities of the people who call these communities home. I attended Kamukunji Bunge la Wananchi, sat with young people in Lang’ata, shared meals and tables with them, listened to their stories, and engaged in countless conversations about their lives, their aspirations, and their frustrations.
What I discovered has been one of the most profound learning experiences of my life.

The youth of our informal settlements are not criminals. They are not inherently wayward. They are young Kenyans searching for opportunities in a country where poverty is often manufactured through exclusion, neglect, and unequal access to resources. Like any other young people, they dream of a better future. They want jobs, education, dignity, and a chance to contribute meaningfully to society.

Yet their realities are shaped by challenges that many outside these communities rarely understand.
One young man captured this frustration in a few painful words: “Tunakaa kwa nyumba, hakuna mauradi ama mauradi ziko lakini lazima ujuane na chifu. Inabidi tuibie wasee.” We stay at home. There are no jobs, or when opportunities arise, they are reserved for those with connections. We are left with no option but to steal from others.
His words reveal a deeper truth. Unemployment remains one of the leading drivers of crime in informal settlements. Young people are willing to work, but opportunities are scarce and often distributed through patronage networks. When livelihoods depend on who you know rather than what you can do, frustration grows. Hunger grows. Desperation grows.

The solution is not condemnation; it is opportunity.
Both the national and county governments must become more deliberate in creating sustainable pathways for youth employment. Skills training programmes must be expanded and made accessible. Community-based industries such as waste recycling, environmental conservation, urban farming, and sanitation initiatives should be developed to create jobs within the settlements themselves. When young people are given meaningful work, crime declines, incomes rise, and communities become safer and more prosperous.

Water presents another urgent challenge. In many parts of the settlements, residents pay between two and five shillings for water that should be readily available and affordable. Yet water is not a luxury—it is life. Without reliable access to clean water, sanitation becomes impossible, health risks increase, and families are forced to spend a significant portion of their income on a basic necessity.

The continued exploitation of slum residents by water cartels is unacceptable. Governments must invest in reliable and affordable water infrastructure that serves these communities directly. Organizations such as Shofco have demonstrated what is possible through consistent water provision in Kibra. Their efforts show that when access is prioritized, lives improve. Scaling such interventions would lead to healthier communities, reduced disease outbreaks, and greater economic stability for families.

Electricity is equally concerning. During my visits, one resident lamented, “Manyumba zetu zinachomeka.” Our houses keep burning down.

Because of high electricity costs and limited access to safe connections, many residents resort to illegal and unsafe power connections. The consequences are devastating: frequent fires, loss of property, injuries, and sometimes loss of life. If Kenya is serious about improving living conditions in informal settlements, it must explore subsidized electricity programmes and affordable solar energy solutions. Safe and affordable power would reduce fires, improve security, support small businesses, and enhance the overall quality of life.
Education remains perhaps the most critical challenge of all. Many informal settlements lack adequate schools, and where schools exist, fees often remain beyond the reach of struggling families. The result is that thousands of children are left out of the classroom.

When children are denied education, they do not simply remain idle. They become vulnerable to exploitation, crime, substance abuse, and early pregnancies. During one of my recent visits, I was told the story of a ten-year-old girl who was already pregnant. I struggled to believe it, yet it was a painful reminder of what happens when society fails to protect and invest in its children.

We must strengthen access to quality education in informal settlements. This means building and equipping schools, supporting vulnerable families, expanding scholarship programmes, and ensuring that no child is denied learning because of poverty. The result will be a generation empowered with knowledge, skills, and hope—a generation capable of breaking the cycle of poverty.
My time in Kibra and Lang’ata has taught me that the greatest mistake we make is viewing slum dwellers through the lens of stereotypes. The young people I have met are not problems to be solved; they are potential waiting to be unlocked.
If we invest in jobs, we will reduce crime. If we provide affordable water, we will improve public health. If we ensure access to safe electricity, we will enhance safety and economic productivity. If we strengthen education, we will secure the future of our nation.

The future of Kenya cannot be separated from the future of its informal settlements. The youth of these communities do not need pity. They need opportunity. They need inclusion. They need leaders who see them, hear them, and invest in them.
When that happens, we will not only transform the slums—we will transform Kenya itself.

By Habil Onyango

An Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) feeding programme provides critical nutritional support, which boosts brain development, increases school enrolment, and enhances daily attendance.

Many learners in many countries suffer from classroom hunger; these programmes are essential for concentration and overall cognitive development.

However, it is worth noting that despite the programme, learners are entitled to clean and safe learning infrastructure, which is essential as they shift the focus from routine memorisation to skill-building.

Learners utilise technology, flexible layouts, and self-paced models to foster critical thinking, collaboration, and digital literacy. This ensures students are well-prepared for the demands of the real world.

In Homa Bay County, the administration has prioritised infrastructure development before venturing into the feeding programme.

Appearing before the Senate Standing Committee on Education chaired by Senator Betty Montet, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga noted that her government had prioritised infrastructure because they found insufficient work done by the previous regime during their 10-year tenure when they came into power.

Wanga, however, assured the committee that her administration is working on the programme and the model, as it is one of the priorities in the education sector among the ECDE.

“We shelved the feeding programme, even though it is a priority for us. We are going to work out the cost and the model that will work for us since we have to feed our children even on islands,” said Wanga.

The governor, who was flanked by County Committee Members Martin Opere (Education) and Solomon Obiero (Finance), was also asked to explain why some schools have very high teacher-to-learner ratios.

She admitted the issue, noting that her administration has been verifying personnel in the system, especially those hired on contract when she took leadership.

The governor said they started with teachers hired in 2013, and the verification process has been ongoing, although it incurs high payroll costs.

She revealed that her administration has not hired new teachers yet but has completed confirmations and plans to begin hiring in the next financial year.

“We have placed 1,657 teachers on permanent and pensionable terms and are working toward a 1:25 teacher-pupil ratio.”

The county supports over 60,000 learners across 881 ECDE centres.

Wanga also revealed that through the “Ondoa Kaunda” Classroom Initiative, her administration has upgraded infrastructure in 604 centres, down from 23 centres inherited from the previous regime, at a cost of Ksh 1 million per classroom, with local contractors carrying out the work.

“Some village committees do the construction works and even leave some cash for furniture. The level of prudence is remarkable, and the most important thing is the economic stimulus,” she said.

“So, in case we disburse Ksh 3 million, all the money remains in the region, circulating locally among contractors and hardware shops,” added Wanga.

She further revealed that all 35 public Vocational Training Centres are operating optimally, with modern infrastructure and 1,200 youth trained and certified through the “Fundi Mang’ula” Initiative.

“We remain committed to giving Homa Bay’s children and youth equal opportunities to reach their educational and career goals,” she stated.

“We have made significant progress in education; we found 23 ECDE classrooms, and by the end of this financial year, we will have built over 600 classrooms in less than four years. This reflects the tremendous effort we have put into education,” she concluded.