By Reporter

Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) has disowned any association with former Permanent Secretary Irungu Nyakera over the lease agreement on a hotel premises in its facility.

Similarly, the Tribunal Court in Nairobi gave LBDA the authority to go ahead and auction the tenant, Fairways Hospitality Kisumu, over unpaid rent.

Justice Joyce Osodo, in a ruling dated March 9, 2026, set aside earlier orders that restrained LBDA from carrying out the eviction and auctioning of the tenant.

“A stay of execution, enforcement and/or implementation of the ex parte interim orders issued by this honorable tribunal court on February 25 together with all consequential directions arising therefrom is hereby issued, pending the hearing of the application inter partes,” she directed.

LBDA Managing Director Wycliff Ochiaga said at no time did the authority enter into any tenancy contractual agreement with Nyakera and instead asked the police to investigate the imposter.

He said the lease tenancy agreement was between Fairways Hospitality Kisumu and not Nyakera, who is not even listed as a director in the company.

In a press statement, Ochiaga said that in the CR12, Eunice Wambura Njoki is listed as a director while Fairways Hospitality Holdings Limited is listed as a shareholder.

“The LBDA has no known relationship with any party called Irungu Nyakera as the previous agreement was with an institution called Fairways Hospitality Kisumu Limited. CR12 attached,” he wrote.

The MD asked the police to open an investigation into the activities of Nyakera in regards to the shooting incident at the facility earlier today.

“We call upon the police to immediately initiate investigations as the actions of the said party who has made a declaration that he is ready to shoot anyone at the premises and who has confirmed that he had fired shots, yet he has no right in the property,” Ochiaga said.

Nyakera claimed over 100 goons stormed the facility early this morning, destroyed his properties and beat up his employees.

He posted on his Facebook page: “At 5:00 a.m. today, over 100 goons attacked my hotel in Kisumu, damaging property and injuring our staff.”

An enraged Irungu said he shot twice in the air to scare the goons and claimed that despite his telephone call to the OCS to intervene, it was not heeded.

“Upon hearing the commotion, I quickly went after them, shooting twice in the air as they fled. I called the OCS and asked for backup, but an hour later, when no backup was forthcoming, I sent him a message that I intend to shoot anyone stepping into my property. I hope he shared the message in their security WhatsApp group,” he said.

Nyakera said he had a similar incident three weeks ago where goons, working alongside their landlord LBDA, came to the premises, carted away their merchandise and locked them out of their own premises.

Wycliff Ochiaga said the company had failed to pay rent on the facilities and this prompted the termination of the lease and eventual eviction.

“We refer to the above matter, the demand notice dated October 16, 2025 and court ruling of February 12, 2025, details of which are within your knowledge.

As you are aware, you have fundamentally breached these covenants. Despite acknowledging a debt of Sh27,431,473 in the consent agreement dated June 3, 2025, you failed, neglected and refused to honor the repayment schedule, culminating in High Court Civil Suit No. E028 of 2025 wherein you sought to bar the lessor and its agent from executing against you for failure to comply with your payment obligations under the lease agreement and consent agreement,” read the letter dated February 12, 2026.

Ochiaga said the investor had defaulted on settling rent from the month of May 2025 to date despite formal demands issued on September 22, 2025 and October 18, 2025.

He said the accumulated rent as of February 2026 stood at Sh25,968,655 and consequently the lease was terminated by the authority.

“Pursuant to Clause 6(a) of the lease agreement, the landlord is empowered to terminate the lease and re-enter the premises if rent remains unpaid for 45 days. Take notice that the authority hereby exercises its right of immediate termination of your lease.

The leasehold estate created is hereby determined absolutely, and the authority shall proceed to re-enter and repossess the premises situated on Land Reference Number 15299, Kisumu including all fixtures and fittings, as provided for under Clause 6(a) and Clause 4(a) of the lease agreement,” he wrote.

By Reporter

A battle over a government-leased hotel premise at the Kisumu Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) mall has been turned into a goons’ paradise.

The goons from each side of the divide have turned the facility into a battleground, with one overseeing the eviction while the other presides over the return of the evictee to the facility in the recent past.

The investor, former Permanent Secretary Irungu Nyakera, trading as Fairways Hospitality Kisumu Limited, is in a battle with the LBDA management after his lease was terminated over alleged failure to pay rent.

Irungu today posted on his Facebook page claiming that at 5:00 a.m. today, over 100 goons attacked his hotel in Kisumu, damaging property and injuring their staff.

An enraged Irungu said he shot twice in the air to scare the goons and claimed that despite his telephone call to the OCS to intervene, it was not heeded.

“Upon hearing the commotion, I quickly went after them, shooting twice in the air as they fled. I called the OCS and asked for backup, but an hour later, when no backup was forthcoming, I sent him a message that I intend to shoot anyone stepping into my property. I hope he shared the message in their security WhatsApp group,” he said.

But the Managing Director of LBDA, Wycliff Ochianga, said Nyakera had not been paying rent on the facilities and this prompted the termination of his lease and eventual eviction.

In a termination letter captioned “Termination Notice and Demand for Settlement of Rent Arrears, Legal Costs and Incidental Expenses Regarding Lease over Land Reference Number 15239,” the authority outlined the reasons for ending the lease.

“We refer to the above matter, the demand notice dated 16th October 2025 and court ruling of 12th February 2025, details of which are within your knowledge.

As you are aware, you have fundamentally breached these covenants. Despite acknowledging a debt of Sh27,431,473 in the consent agreement dated 3rd June 2025, you failed, neglected and refused to honor the repayment schedule, culminating in High Court Civil Suit No. E028 of 2025 wherein you sought to bar the lessor and its agent from executing against you for failure to comply with your payment obligations under the lease agreement and consent agreement,” read the letter dated February 12, 2026.

Ochianga said the investor had defaulted on settling rent for the month of May 2025 to date despite a formal demand issued on September 22, 2025 and October 18, 2025.

He said the accumulated rent as of February 2026 stood at Sh25,968,655 and consequently the lease was terminated by the authority.

“Pursuant to Clause 6(a) of the lease agreement, the landlord is empowered to terminate the lease and re-enter the premises if rent remains unpaid for 45 days. Take notice that the authority hereby exercises its right of immediate termination of your lease.

The leasehold estate created is hereby determined absolutely, and the authority shall proceed to re-enter and repossess the premises situated on Land Reference Number 15299, Kisumu, including all fixtures and fittings, as provided for under Clause 6(a) and Clause 4(a) of the lease agreement,” he wrote.

Nyakera said he had a similar incident three weeks ago where goons, working alongside their landlord LBDA, came to the premises, carted away their merchandise, and locked them out of their own premises.

Facts about the facility

Location: The facility is situated at the Mamboleo Junction along the Kisumu–Kakamega Road, approximately 3.5 km from the Kisumu CBD.

Hotel Facility: The five-floor, 60,000-square-meter complex features a modern three-star hotel within the mall structure.

Features: The site includes a 330-car parking area, showrooms, and is secured with 24-hour CCTV and electric fencing.

Status: The mall has been open to the public since 2017.

By Anderson Ojwang

Nyanza Professionals and Business Caucus have objected to the proposed Siaya nuclear power plant by the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA).

The group said, as independent professionals and on behalf of the communities living within and around the Lake Victoria basin, they object to the Government of Kenya’s pursuit of a Nuclear Power Program that has been outlined in the National Energy Policy 2025–2034, advanced by the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) and announced in various public forums.

They demanded that the Government must halt any further advancement of the nuclear power program until the concerns raised herein are adequately and transparently addressed.

In a letter to various government ministries and committees of the National Assembly, they said the first sites for the plant were rejected by locals after lack of public participation and the inherent dangers from a nuclear plant.

“The sustained advocacy, supported by independent legal analysis from the University of Essex Human Rights Centre Clinic and a science-based review of the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) by the Öko-Institut on behalf of CJGEA, identified critical gaps in public participation, access to information, environmental assessment, and constitutional compliance that remain wholly unresolved,” they wrote.

The group’s interim chairman, Prof George Odera, said the sudden designation of a new preferred site at Lwanda K’Otieno in Rarieda Constituency, Siaya County, on the shores of Lake Victoria does not cure those aforementioned failures.

“In fact, it compounds them, extending the same unacceptable process to a new community that has been given even less notice, less information, and no genuine opportunity for consent,” he said.

Odera said communities in the Lake Victoria region, and other national and regional stakeholders, have received no meaningful consultation whatsoever, contrary to Article 35 on the Right to Access Information.

Prof Odera said NuPEA has failed to provide the community with information on the proposed plant, which negates the right to access information as contained in the Access to Information Act 2016.

“There has been no information on the upcoming nuclear plant in Siaya, and this pattern of denying access to information constitutes a clear breach of Article 35 and the Access to Information Act 2016,” he said.

He said any forceful displacement of the lakeside community without prior engagement would be a violation of rights and the Constitution.

“Any displacement of lakeside communities for nuclear infrastructure without full, prior and meaningful community engagement would violate Article 40,” he said.

“Any decision affecting the Lake Victoria region must respect county and community authority and not be imposed from the centre without genuine consent,” he said.

He said Siaya County has an operative County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023–2027, anchored on an agriculture-led development model focused on food and nutrition security, fisheries expansion, and investment in the blue economy of Lake Victoria.

“The Siaya County Spatial Plan formally designates the Lake Victoria lakefront (including Rarieda Constituency) as an exclusive Tourism Promotion Zone with a 5km inland buffer for ecotourism, marinas, lodges and water sports, and as a Fisheries Development Zone for the development of fish landing beaches and aquaculture.

A nuclear power plant is not a permitted or compatible use under either designation. Furthermore, the Spatial Plan’s energy strategy identifies solar, wind, biogas and small hydropower as the county’s energy development pathways, with no reference whatsoever to nuclear energy,” he said.

He said the CIDP or the Spatial Plan has no provision for a nuclear power facility at any location within Siaya County.

“Imposing a nuclear plant without alignment with these duly adopted county planning instruments is a direct violation of the Objects of Devolution and an affront to the county’s constitutionally protected right to determine its own development trajectory,” he said.

He said the Integrated National Energy Plan Regulations 2025 by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum now require every county government to establish a County Energy Planning Committee and prepare county energy plans aligned with the Integrated National Energy Plan (INEP).

“No county energy plan for Siaya or any other lakeside county has incorporated nuclear energy as a component, nor have communities been meaningfully consulted on such inclusion.

A nationally imposed nuclear siting decision that bypasses these newly established county energy planning processes is fundamentally inconsistent with both the letter and spirit of devolution and the 2025 energy planning regulatory framework,” he said.

He said Kenya was a signatory to the Protocol for Sustainable Development of the Lake Victoria Basin, which establishes a regional legal framework for the joint management of Lake Victoria as a shared natural resource with social, economic and cultural significance for several Partner States of the East African Community.

“The development of a nuclear power plant in close proximity to Lake Victoria has serious potential ramifications given the attendant risks we have already highlighted.

Yet the decision to develop the proposed nuclear facility has been made without any formal notification to EAC Partner States,” he said.

He said Lake Victoria supports one of the most productive freshwater fisheries on the continent.

“The fishing industry provides direct and indirect livelihoods for 1.5 million people, including fishermen, fish traders, processors, transporters, net-makers, boat builders, fuel suppliers and fish market vendors whose livelihoods are wholly dependent on the health and reputation of the fishery.

The East African Community has formally designated the Lake Victoria basin as an ‘economic growth zone,’ recognizing its status as one of the most significant regional economic assets in East Africa.

Radioactive or thermal contamination, even at levels deemed ‘safe’ by regulators, poses an unacceptable risk to fish stocks, fishing communities and regional food security,” he said.

The group said the mere association of Lake Victoria with a nearby nuclear facility will trigger severe market stigmatization of its fish.

“International buyers, national urban markets and export partners will avoid or discount Lake Victoria fish products on the basis of perceived contamination risk, devastating an already vulnerable fishing economy even before any actual contamination is proven, thereby undermining the area’s economic mainstay,” he said.

“Lake Victoria serves as a primary drinking water source for lakeside communities and nearby urban populations.

Agriculture and irrigation: communities in the Lake Victoria basin rely on the lake and its feeder rivers for irrigation.

Contamination of the lake or its tributaries whether through radioactive leachate, thermal discharge, chemical effluents or accidental release of cooling water additives would devastate smallholder farmers and undermine food sovereignty,” he said.

He said the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) contains no inventory of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), Important Bird Areas, or endemic species in the nuclear impact zone.

Kenya is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Under the CBD, Kenya has committed to protect its biodiversity, prevent species extinction, and integrate biodiversity considerations into sectoral planning, including in the energy sector, to avoid damaging ecologically sensitive areas.

No such assessment has been conducted for the proposed Lwanda K’Otieno site.

Already, the Luo and Luhya Council of Elders have rejected the project and the drum of objection grows louder.

They said a full cost-benefit analysis of the nuclear program must be published, including projected costs against alternative renewable energy investment scenarios, and must be subjected to parliamentary scrutiny and public comment.

They also demanded transboundary notification.

“The Government must formally notify Uganda, Tanzania, and other potentially affected Nile Basin states of the nuclear program and conduct transboundary consultations before any site in the Lake Victoria catchment is advanced,” they said.

Recently, the Luo and Luhya Council of Elders rejected the proposed nuclear construction and the drums of objection are growing louder day by day.

Siaya Governor James Orengo last week met with Prof Larry Gumbe and the board who paid him a courtesy call in his office.

By PHILLIP ORWA

Four day’s after President William Ruto asked The Cabinet Secretary in charge of Transport Davis Chiechir to ensure instant fines system is implemented, the ministry through the National Transport and Safety Authority has (NTSA) has started implementing the policy.

President Ruto last Thursday in a meeting with Cabinet at Statehouse asked Chirchir why the government had invested heavily in buying the technique that was not being used.

“Bwana Chirchir and the Ministry of Transport and other State agents charged with implementing this system, why can’t we start using the instant fines system? We invested heavily on this system, and it’s high time we started using it,” said President Ruto last week.

On Monday Motorists, woke up to a rude Shock as through its Social handles, the NTSA made a public announcement that they will now receive traffic violation alerts instantly on their SMS after after they (NTSA) activated a new automated fines management system designed to improve road discipline and transparency.

The authority announced that the Instant Fines Traffic Management System is now live and will automatically issue traffic violation notifications via SMS to motorists where applicable.

“The system is fully automated and does not require human intervention, a move expected to enhance fairness in traffic enforcement.

The Instant Fines Traffic Management System is now live. The system will automatically issue traffic violation notifications via SMS to motorists where applicable,” NTSA said in the communique

The communication added, “the digital system is intended to promote transparency, efficiency and accountability in road safety enforcement.

Motorists who receive violation notices will be required to settle the fines within seven days.

Payments will be processed through the branch network of KCB Group.”

NTSA warned that failure to pay within the stipulated period will attract additional costs.

“Failure to settle the fine due within the seven-day period will result in the amount due earning interest,” the authority said.

The agency further cautioned that vehicles or drivers with pending penalties will not be able to access services on NTSA platforms until the fines are cleared.

“In addition, the vehicle or the driver with pending fine will not be able to transact on NTSA service platforms until the fine is settled,” the statement added.

The move forms part of the government’s broader push to digitize public services and improve road safety.

Many Kenyans welcomed the move, indicating that it was a welcome move and would restore order if adhered to the letter.

Tuli Tulitu, a Kisumu resident said, “I hope this will restore order on our roads, Boda Boda Riders and Tuk Tuks especially in Kisumu have been a major violator of the rules, let’s see if the notice will help reign order on them.

Jeff Ogoda, a road user in Nairobi welcomed the move saying “l hope it helps with Matatu menace in Nairobi, matatu’s overlap, cut off other motorists and climb on pavements pushing other road users off the road, if this works, it will help.”

A sentiment that was supported by Brian Munyendo, a member of the Organisation of Online Drivers (OOD) who said.

“Many Boda Boda riders cause scratches on cars and run over pedestrians on pavements and walk ways, ride on the wrong side of the road and hardly follow traffic rules.

Same applies with Matatus, especially along Kangundo Road, Grogan, and other parts of the country, they shove you off the road as they seek to beat traffic jam, I home the fines catch up with them.”

By Anderson Ojwang

Previously, before the formation of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA), local governments were not real actors in development in Africa and played the least role in the continent’s economic growth.

The Founding Secretary General of UCLGA, Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, described the formation of the organization as a milestone in addressing common Africa’s development issues.

Mbassi, who is the outgoing Secretary General, said previously the continent was divided and operated along colonial legacy organizations which denied a common approach to development in Africa.

“Our members operated within colonial legacy organizations such as English, Portuguese and French organizations. We were divided and followed colonial relics. We had to wake up and unite for a common purpose which is development,” he said.

Speaking in an interview in Kisumu City, Kenya, Mbassi said the organization was aimed at breaking the barriers and giving solutions to Africa’s development agenda.

He said the organization has been at the forefront of development issues on the continent and has hosted the AFRI Cities conferences in the continent which have been a turning point.

“We now speak with one voice. We meet as Africans and we are no longer divided along colonial relics. We have a common approach to Africa’s development,” he said.

He said the organization has provided strong advocacy to get decentralization and devolution at the heart of the continent.

“In 2005, during the founding congress in South Africa, we strove to work for the unity of Africa and development from the grassroots. We adopted the bottom-up approach and not the top-down approach to development,” he said.

Mbassi said the organization has realized various achievements including putting local governments on the map to be recognized as developmental actors.

“We have realized financial and administrative achievements for the last 20 years. We have succeeded in giving local governments the convening powers.

This has enabled us to hold several AFRI Cities conferences with Kenya having hosted two editions, in 2006 in Nairobi and 2022 in Kisumu,” he said.

He said the organization is the rallying point to discuss local government contributions to development and growth on the continent.

Mbassi said the organization has made strides after they concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the African Union to get local governments to be part and parcel of the AU agenda.

“We have drafted the Africa chapter on values and principles of decentralization, local governance and development. It was adopted by Heads of State of Africa in 2014 at a conference in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea,” he said.

Mbassi said at the conference they created the High Council for Local Authorities as an African Union organ so that the voice of local governments is heard and considered.

“We targeted empowerment capacity of the Local Government Academy to provide training and exchange of experience,” he said.

Mbassi said Africa is one of the implementing partners of an initiative of the UN Secretariat called Building Climate Resilience for the Urban Poor.

“This initiative is championed in Africa by Kenya’s President William Ruto. The aim is to build resilience for 150 million people across Africa. Already 20 countries are part of the program and the hub is in Nairobi, Kenya,” he said.

Mbassi said despite the success stories, the organization has faced several challenges ranging from financial constraints to lack of economic literacy among the population.

“Financial constraints have forced us to go through crises because of the magnitude of what is to be delivered, but we have been able to steady the ship,” he said.

He said there was need to ensure that local governments deliver on their mandates, investments and how to use the creativity of the African people.

“We must build our economy to sustain job creation and use emerging new technologies. We must participate in building a peaceful environment,” he said.

The outgoing Secretary General said cooperation in local government was the way to improve mutual comprehension, enhance trans-border cooperation and help in the integration of the continent’s economic agenda through a bottom-up approach.

Incoming Secretary General Dr Francois Menguele said he will build on the foundations already set to make the organization a success and to charter Africa’s development agenda.

He said despite the African continent being endowed with vast wealth, the ability to transform this opportunity has been negated by lack of economic literacy.

He said population is the basis of wealth creation and it is unfortunate that 90 percent of the African population lacks economic literacy.

“For realistic growth and development, economic literacy is important to help transform what we have in the physical environment into wealth. That is why a literate population is a vehicle to wealth creation and growth,” he said in an interview.

He said wealth was a transformational power and acquisition of skills will allow for the exploitation of the physical wealth present on the continent.

Menguele said through economic literacy it was possible and easy to turn the potential into wealth for the continent.

“We have the skills and capacity to see the potential. We are surrounded with wealth. But we have a situation where our youths leave the continent because they think there is nothing to gain. It is called lack of the eye to see the potential in Africa,” he said.

By Reporter

Former Kisumu Member of County Assembly Bob Ndolo has appealed to residents of Kisumu and friends to support his legal fees over a defamation suit against him by Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga.

Ndolo, the founder of the group Public Property Protection, pleaded with friends and residents to support his legal cause by donating through a pay bill number.

“I wish to inform you that the City Manager of Kisumu, Abala Wanga, has filed a defamation case against me following my continued public commentary on issues of governance, corruption and impunity within the leadership of the City of Kisumu,” he wrote.

Ndolo claimed that some powerful people could be supporting him in the suit and said he will rely on the goodwill of the people to meet his legal fees.

“While it appears that powerful interests may be supporting the City Manager, the only strength I rely on is the collective voice and support of the residents of Kisumu County. I would like to sincerely thank some Kisumu Boys Alumni, traders in Kisumu City and friends of Kisumu City for their continued online support. Should any friend of Kisumu City wish to support this legal process, particularly in meeting the costs associated with defending this case, you may contribute through the pay bill number in any small way possible,” he wrote.

Abala moved to court through his lawyer Felgona Atieno Omondi, who filed the case at Kisumu High Court before Justice Joe M. Omido, who set the inter partes hearing for March 19, 2026.

“THAT UPON PERUSING and CONSIDERING the application and the record; IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the application and all other court processes be served.

THAT inter partes hearing (orally) be on 19th March, 2026 at 0830hrs.

Take notice that any disobedience or non-observance of the order of the court served herewith will result in penal consequences to you and any other person(s) disobeying and not observing the same,” he directed.

Omondi said the applicant has been the victim of a persistent and vicious online attack by Ndolo and that the respondent has been on a malicious rampage to sully the good name and reputation of both the applicant and the office he holds as City Manager of Kisumu.

She argued that Ndolo has published and continues to publish defamatory statements against Abala on his social media platform, Facebook, under the profile “Bob Ndolo.”

“That Abala has suffered great turmoil as a result of such publications and the same has affected his professional and personal life.

The publications have affected the Applicant’s professional life as City Manager of Kisumu City as his subordinates as well as the residents of Kisumu have been exposed to such publication,” she argued.

She said that Ndolo has been adamant in publishing these false allegations and has even included the names of other county and national government officials.

“That Ndolo has intentionally sought to disparage Abala by publicly canvassing issues whose merits or otherwise are now the subject of two separate judicial proceedings in E063&64/2025 Republic vs Michael Abala Wanga and HCACECPET/006/2025 Michael Abala Wanga vs EACC, hence grossly prejudicing the Applicant’s right to fair trial and effectively subjecting the Applicant to speculative trial by the media,” she stated.

Omondi prayed for the court to issue mandatory and prohibitory injunctions against Ndolo prohibiting and barring him from publishing, speaking and posting the offending publications on any of his social media platforms including his Facebook account under the profile “Bob Ndolo.”

“That the continued publication of the offending allegations about the Applicant’s professional and personal life issues are not just defamatory but they substantively touch on matters already seized in formal judicial proceedings which prejudices the Applicant’s right to fair trial and it is only fair that he be injuncted pending the hearing and determination of this suit,” she said.

By Anderson Ojwang

Mwalimu Dr Joash Aloo is one of the administrators who has left an impeccable mark in schools where he has served as Chief Principal.

Dr Aloo is not only recognized for his administrative prowess but also for his transformational management skills, turning around decaying schools into some of the most sought-after institutions.

Dr Aloo has left indelible marks in schools he has led as a principal and the most remarkable one was Kabianga High School in Kericho County.

To cap it, during his tenure the school received presidential awards for community service, climate change mitigation through growing trees and assisting the vulnerable within the community.

At Kabianga School, he found the school reeling in debt with pending bills standing at Sh18 million with very little in the school’s bank account and left zero pending bills and Sh19 million in the school bank accounts.

“Dr Aloo left a surplus of Sh19M in the school’s accounts with zero pending bills. Yet on the contrary, he took over Kabianga School with pending bills of Sh18M with very little bank balance,” wrote the Board of Management Chairman of Kabianga School, Mr Lazarus Koech.

Apart from infrastructural development, Dr Aloo presided over remarkable improvement in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).

“I am pleased to inform you as the longest-serving Board of Management chairman that the school’s curriculum implementation and evaluation strategies under his watch were thorough and saw the school academic performance progress gradually from a mean score of 7.4 when he took over to 9.4 during his exit,” he wrote.

Within his tenure, Dr Aloo paid all the pending bills and left Sh19 million in the school bank account when he took early retirement to become County Executive Committee (CEC) member in Homa Bay after he was headhunted by Governor Gladys Wanga and the late Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.

He said the student population also witnessed drastic growth with the school becoming one of the most sought-after learning institutions in the country.

“It is during his tenure of leadership that the population of the school grew from about 1,400 students in 2015 to 2,600 in 2022,” he wrote.

That is why Koech wrote a testimonial on Dr Aloo in his honour, service delivery and changing the fortunes of the institution.

Koech wrote: “The above person has been known to me for a period in excess of eight years. He joined Kabianga High School on 4th June 2015 as the principal and was received by me on behalf of the Board of Management.

I wish to state that Dr Aloo is a focused, sociable and transformative leader who nurtured Kabianga School in seven years to emerge as the most sought-after school in Kenya. He oversaw the transition of the school from extra-county to national status.”

Koech said Dr Aloo is an administrator with a Midas touch who presided over turning around the institution in all forms.

“His leadership style was democratic and all-inclusive through building teams and this saw the school that had gone through mass indiscipline gain stability with least student turnover that was hitherto the trend.

During his tenure, the school infrastructure was improved through savings. He inculcated a culture of prudent financial management that ensured that annually the school made surpluses which were subsequently invested in infrastructure growth of tuition and boarding facilities,” he wrote.

Dr Aloo says he is driven by the desire to make learning institutions a better place for all stakeholders from students to parents.

Dr Aloo’s first taste of leadership was at Bodi Mixed Secondary School in Nyakach between 2002 and 2009 and then he moved to Darambili in Kisii County before moving to Kabianga between 2015 and 2022.

“At Bodi Mixed Secondary School, the student population stood at 16 when I joined and by the time I was leaving the population had risen to 383.

I transformed the school from a pure day school to a mixed boarding and day school and we had several students joining university,” he said.

At Darambili School, the story was the same, from a student population of 275 to 880 students and remarkable infrastructural growth.

Darambili became the most sought-after sub-county school because of academic excellence and discipline.

“I am convicted to transforming humankind in areas where I have been assigned. My mission is to leave any place where I work a better place than I found it. That has been my driving motto,” he said.

At Bodi and Darambili he engaged students from poor households in work-study programs such as painting and groundwork manual work during weekends and out-of-class hours to clear their fees, improve access and retention in school.

In Kabianga, parents paid school fees in kind by supplying bulls, firewood and other assorted foodstuffs, which was crucial in promoting quality education.

At Kabianga he improved the 42 hectares of tea and established a dairy which produced 200 litres of milk a day.

“The school has the potential to be self-reliant and I developed a horticulture farm and we did not buy vegetables because we had constant supply from the school farm,” he said.

Dr Aloo says through savings he was able to construct additional tuition blocks and boarding facilities at the institution.

“I left the school richer than I found it. I served my God in the best way. I feel honoured and happy from the constant reminder of my performance in the schools I have worked,” he said.

Kabianga offered holistic education by providing unique subjects such as aviation, electricity, French, German and others which hitherto were not taught before his arrival.

By Erick Otieno

Migori gubernatorial aspirant Pamella Odhiambo has called for urgent government intervention following devastating floods that have disrupted livelihoods and infrastructure across several parts of the country, including Migori County.

Speaking in the wake of the heavy rains that triggered widespread flooding last weekend, Dr. Odhiambo urged residents living in riparian areas to relocate immediately to safer ground as authorities continue assessing the damage.

“We cannot control the current crisis,” she said. “Those living in riparian lands must move with speed and relocate to safer areas to avoid further loss of lives and property.”

Her remarks come as several regions across Kenya grapple with flooding caused by torrential rains that have led to fatalities, displacement of families, and destruction of infrastructure.

Reports from disaster response agencies indicate that dozens of people have lost their lives in flood-related incidents in different parts of the country over the past few days, while hundreds of households have been displaced as rivers burst their banks and roads were washed away.

Dr. Odhiambo lauded the swift decision by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to temporarily close the Migori main bridge along the busy Kenya–Tanzania Highway after floodwaters weakened sections of the structure, posing a danger to motorists and traders who rely on the route.

“The temporary closure of the Migori main bridge was a prudent decision to protect motorists and avert a possible tragedy. However, the national government must move with speed to conduct a comprehensive assessment and fast-track the rehabilitation and reconstruction works,” she said.

She noted that the bridge is a vital economic link connecting Kenya and Tanzania, facilitating cross-border trade and the movement of goods and services within the East African region.

Dr. Odhiambo further called on engineers and disaster response teams to carry out meticulous assessments of rivers and shorelines in flood-prone areas.

“The assessment should be done swiftly and meticulously. Authorities should introduce more dykes along vulnerable shorelines and ensure that overflow from rivers is properly contained,” she said.

Within Migori County, several areas have been severely affected by flash floods following the swelling of rivers after continuous rainfall. Residents in Angugo Village, Nyora Village, and Kabuto Village are among those hardest hit, with homes inundated and families forced to seek refuge on higher ground.

The situation has also been dire along River Ongoche, where rising water levels have marooned sections of the area and left the Ongoche Bridge badly affected by the raging floods.

Dr. Odhiambo appealed to both national and county governments to step up emergency response efforts and provide immediate relief to affected families.

“I urge disaster management teams to urgently supply both food and non-food items to families who have been displaced by the floods. Many households have lost their homes and sources of livelihood and require urgent humanitarian support,” she said.

She also challenged the County Government of Migori to prioritize rehabilitation of drainage systems in Migori Town, noting that poor drainage has contributed to frequent flash floods whenever heavy rains occur.

Additionally, Dr. Odhiambo urged the national government—particularly the ministries responsible for transport and special programmes—to cushion affected traders and small businesses whose operations have been disrupted by damaged roads and closed transport routes.

“To restore normalcy, the county government must also move with speed to upgrade feeder roads across the county so that residents and businesses can resume their daily activities,” she said.

Kenya’s disaster management agencies have in recent days intensified response operations in flood-affected regions, warning that continued heavy rains could worsen the situation.

Authorities are urging residents in flood-prone
areas to heed evacuation advisories while long-term mitigation measures—such as improved drainage infrastructure, strengthened river banks, and better urban planning—are implemented to reduce future flood risks.

By Duncan Ammon

In a significant boost to the country’s digital transformation journey, the Kenyan government has launched a cutting-edge Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) center at the Siaya Community Digital Hub. The state-of-the-art hub, equipped with AI-assisted technology, is poised to revolutionize the country’s outsourcing industry, creating new opportunities for young Kenyans and cementing the nation’s position as a competitive player in the global market.

The launch, which took place during the Siaya Digital Summit 2026, was graced by President William Ruto, who emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to expanding digital connectivity, advancing youth skills development, and fostering the growth of Kenya’s creative economy. “Kenya’s digital future will be built in every county, in every ward, where young people are ready to innovate, create, and lead,” President Ruto said, underscoring the importance of digital empowerment.

The Siaya Community Digital Hub is part of the government’s ambitious Jitume Digital Hubs programme, which aims to establish hubs across all 1,450 administrative wards in Kenya. The programme is designed to bridge the digital divide, promote economic growth, and create new opportunities for young people.

A Hub of Innovation and Opportunity

The BPO center at the Siaya Community Digital Hub is a game-changer for the region, offering young Kenyans a chance to tap into the global outsourcing market. Twenty youth have already been trained to use the AI-powered platform, which enables them to intelligently handle customer service cases across messaging, web, and phone channels. This innovative technology is set to transform the way businesses operate, making it easier for companies to outsource services and for young people to access employment opportunities.

The hub is also equipped with high-speed internet connectivity, providing a conducive environment for digital innovation and entrepreneurship. The facility will serve as a collaborative space where youth can access connectivity, acquire practical skills, and explore opportunities in remote work, freelancing, digital content creation, and BPO.

A Bright Future Ahead

The launch of the Siaya Community Digital Hub is a testament to the government’s commitment to empowering young Kenyans and driving digital transformation. With over 75% of Kenya’s population under the age of 35, the government is keen to tap into the demographic dividend, creating new opportunities for young people to participate in the digital economy.

As Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo Gitau, noted, “Our Ministry remains firmly committed to expanding internet connectivity, equipping young people with practical digital skills, and ensuring access to affordable smart devices. These three pillars – connectivity, skills, and access – are the foundation of Kenya’s digital transformation.”

The Siaya Community Digital Hub is a shining example of what can be achieved when government, private sector partners, and communities come together to drive digital transformation. As Kenya continues to march towards its digital future, hubs like this one will play a critical role in shaping the country’s destiny.