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Refugees organisation appeals to Kenyan government to restore registration, supply of essential services to asylum seekers from Ethiopia and Eritrea

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By Anderson Ojwang

Members of Ethiopian and Eritrean asylum seeker communities in Kenya have expressed concern over the suspension of registration and prolonged denial of essential services to asylum seekers.

They have also appealed to Kenya’s administration to restore registration and the provision of essential services.

In a press statement, the Horn Refugee Voices Community-Led Organisation (RLO) expressed concern over the registration suspension for Ethiopian and Eritrean nationals seeking asylum.

“We, members of the Ethiopian and Eritrean refugee and asylum-seeker communities in Kenya, express our deep concern regarding the suspension of registration for Ethiopian and Eritrean nationals seeking asylum and refugee protection,” read the statement.

The statement also expressed concern over what it termed as the prolonged interruption of critical services by the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

“Since the suspension of registration measures introduced in 2025, many asylum seekers have been unable to access refugee status determination procedures, obtain documentation, or receive protection services,” the statement read.

The court

Human rights organisations challenged the directive in court, and the High Court subsequently issued conservatory orders suspending its implementation pending further legal proceedings.

Last year, the High Court in Nairobi temporarily suspended the government directive that stopped the registration of asylum seekers from Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Justice Chacha Mwita issued conservatory orders on October 2, 2025, barring the Interior Ministry and the Commissioner for Refugee Affairs from enforcing the July 31 directive, which had halted asylum registration for nationals of the two countries.

The order will remain in effect until October 22, 2025, when the case will come up for further directions.

The ruling followed a petition filed by Refugee Legal Networks, the Refugee Consortium of Kenya, and three other petitioners challenging the legality of the government’s move.

The petitioners argued that the suspension was unconstitutional and violated the rights of asylum seekers under both domestic and international law.

In his decision, Justice Mwita said the conservatory order was necessary given the urgency of the matter and the potential harm that could result if the directive remained in force while the case was pending.

The case, which was before the High Court at Milimani, was expected to clarify how Kenya balances national security concerns with its international obligations to protect refugees and asylum seekers.

Services

The organisation said several affected individuals continue to face uncertainty and barriers in accessing protection.

“For more than six months, numerous asylum seekers and refugees have reported difficulties accessing essential services,” the statement read in parts.

The services include registration, documentation, case processing, status updates, movement-related services, protection referrals, and other support mechanisms.

“The absence or delay of these services has left many individuals vulnerable to arrest, detention, exploitation, homelessness, and lack of access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. We respectfully call upon,” it read.

The statement appealed to the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) to fully restore and facilitate timely registration and documentation services for all asylum seekers, including Ethiopians and Eritreans, in accordance with Kenyan law and international refugee protection standards.

“We appeal to UNHCR to strengthen its protection response, improve communication with affected communities, and ensure that vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees can access essential assistance and legal protection,” it read.

The statement said the Government of Kenya should uphold its obligations under the Refugee Act, the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention, and other relevant human rights instruments. It also called on development partners, civil society organisations, and the international community to support efforts aimed at protecting the rights, dignity, and safety of refugees and asylum seekers affected by these measures.

“We acknowledge Kenya’s long-standing role in hosting refugees and appreciate the challenges facing refugee management systems. However, protection mechanisms must remain accessible to individuals fleeing persecution, conflict, and serious human rights violations,” it read.

They urged the stakeholders to take immediate action to restore access to registration, documentation, and protection services and to ensure that no person seeking asylum is left without legal recognition and humanitarian protection.

Climate Finance Readiness Is Not Proposal Writing: Why Institutions Must Build Systems Before Chasing Funding

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By Simon Okola

Across Africa and much of the developing world, many institutions are working hard to access climate finance. County governments, community-based organisations, NGOs, universities, private enterprises, and public agencies are developing concept notes, submitting proposals, attending donor calls, and responding to funding opportunities. Yet many still struggle to move from interest to approval, and from approval to actual disbursement. The common explanation is often simple: “We need a better proposal.” But this is only partly true.

In climate finance, a strong proposal is important, but it is not the same as readiness. Proposal writing is only one part of the process. Climate finance readiness is much deeper. It is about whether an institution has the systems, evidence, governance, partnerships, financial discipline, risk controls, and monitoring capacity required to receive, manage, implement, report, and account for climate finance. This distinction matters because climate finance is not ordinary grant funding. It is finance tied to public accountability, environmental integrity, social safeguards, measurable climate outcomes, and long-term development transformation. Funders are not only asking whether an idea sounds good. They are asking whether the institution can deliver results, manage risk, protect communities, track impact, and account for every shilling, dollar, or euro received.

The Misconception: Readiness Means Having a Proposal

Many organisations begin their climate finance journey by asking: “Can you help us write a proposal?”

This is understandable. Proposals are visible. They are the documents submitted to donors. They appear to be the gateway to funding. However, a proposal is only the final expression of a deeper institutional reality. If the systems behind the proposal are weak, the document may look impressive but still fail during technical review, due diligence, accreditation, risk assessment, or implementation planning. A climate finance proposal is like the roof of a house. It is important, but it cannot stand without a foundation. The foundation is readiness.

That foundation includes institutional governance, financial management, procurement systems, climate data, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, environmental and social safeguards, gender responsiveness, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to demonstrate measurable climate impact.

Without these, proposal writing becomes cosmetic. It may produce a polished document, but not a fundable institution.

What Climate Finance Readiness Really Means

Climate finance readiness refers to the capacity of an institution or country to access, absorb, manage, and account for climate finance effectively. It is the level of preparedness required to transform climate priorities into bankable, implementable, and measurable programmes.

A climate-ready institution should be able to answer several critical questions:

  • What climate problem are we addressing?
  • Who is most affected?
  • What data proves the problem exists?
  • What solution are we proposing?
  • How does the solution contribute to mitigation, adaptation, resilience, or loss and damage response?
  • What indicators will measure success?
  • How will funds be managed?
  • What risks could affect delivery?
  • How will communities participate?
  • How will gender, youth, and vulnerable groups be included?
  • How will results be verified?

These questions cannot be answered through writing alone. They require systems.

The Four Core Pillars of Climate Finance Readiness

1. Data Systems

Climate finance begins with evidence. Institutions must demonstrate that the climate problem they are addressing is real, measurable, and urgent. This requires reliable data systems.

For example, an adaptation project cannot simply state that farmers are affected by climate change. It must show trends in rainfall variability, drought frequency, crop loss, water stress, livelihood vulnerability, or household resilience. A clean energy project must show emissions reduction potential, energy access gaps, cost savings, adoption rates, and long-term sustainability.

Good data systems help institutions collect, store, analyse, and use climate-related information. They also support baselines, targeting, decision-making, and reporting. Without credible data, climate finance proposals become weak because they rely more on assumptions than evidence.

In many institutions, the real problem is not lack of ideas. It is lack of organised data.

2. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Systems

Climate finance providers are deeply interested in results. They want to know what will change, how change will be measured, and how lessons will be used to improve implementation.

This is where MEAL systems become central.

A strong MEAL framework links activities to outputs, outcomes, and long-term climate impact. It defines indicators, baselines, targets, data sources, reporting timelines, verification methods, and learning processes. It also ensures that communities are not treated as passive beneficiaries but as active participants in defining success.

For climate adaptation, this may involve tracking resilience indicators such as improved water security, reduced climate-related losses, diversified livelihoods, improved early warning access, or increased adoption of climate-smart practices. For mitigation, it may involve tracking emissions reductions, renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, tree survival rates, or carbon sequestration.

Without MEAL systems, institutions may receive funding but struggle to prove impact. In climate finance, inability to prove impact can damage credibility and reduce chances of future funding.

3. Governance and Financial Management

Climate finance is built on trust. Funders want assurance that resources will be managed transparently, efficiently, and ethically.

This means institutions must have clear governance structures, decision-making processes, internal controls, procurement policies, financial reporting systems, audit mechanisms, and accountability procedures. It also means they must demonstrate the ability to manage large funds without misuse, duplication, conflict of interest, or weak documentation.

For community-based and local organisations, this is often the biggest readiness gap. They may have strong community legitimacy and excellent ideas, but weak financial systems. For public institutions, the challenge may be coordination, bureaucracy, slow procurement, or unclear accountability between departments.

Climate finance readiness therefore requires institutional strengthening before proposal submission. It is better to fix the systems early than to lose credibility later.

4. Risk Visibility and Safeguards

Every climate project carries risk. These risks may be financial, environmental, social, political, operational, or reputational. A serious climate finance proposal must show that the institution understands these risks and has a plan to manage them.

For example, a tree planting project must address land tenure, seedling survival, community ownership, grazing pressure, water availability, and long-term maintenance. A climate-smart agriculture project must address market access, farmer adoption, input costs, weather shocks, and gendered access to productive resources. A clean cooking project must address affordability, cultural acceptance, supply chains, and monitoring of usage.

Safeguards are also critical. Climate finance should not harm the very communities it is meant to support. Projects must consider gender equality, youth inclusion, indigenous knowledge, grievance mechanisms, environmental protection, and social risks.

Readiness therefore requires more than ambition. It requires risk intelligence.

Why Many Good Climate Ideas Fail

Many climate ideas fail not because they are irrelevant, but because they are not ready.

A county may have a strong need for climate-resilient water infrastructure, but lack feasibility studies, designs, cost-benefit analysis, climate risk data, and maintenance plans. A community organisation may have an excellent nature-based solution, but lack baseline data, land agreements, safeguarding policies, and financial controls. A private enterprise may offer a green technology, but lack a bankable business model, market analysis, or measurable climate impact.

In all these cases, the problem is not simply proposal writing. The problem is readiness.

This is why institutions should stop asking only, “Who can write us a proposal?” and start asking, “Are we institutionally ready to receive and manage climate finance?”

Proposal Writing Comes After Readiness

This does not mean proposal writing is unimportant. A well-written proposal is still necessary. It communicates the problem, solution, budget, implementation plan, theory of change, risk framework, and expected results.

However, proposal writing should come after readiness assessment.

A strong proposal should be built from existing institutional evidence, not invented during writing. The budget should come from real implementation costs. The indicators should come from a functioning MEAL system. The risk matrix should come from actual risk analysis. The governance section should reflect existing structures. The sustainability plan should be grounded in institutional capacity, community ownership, and financing strategy.

When proposal writing is disconnected from readiness, it becomes storytelling. When it is built on readiness, it becomes investment preparation.

The Way Forward for African Institutions

African institutions seeking climate finance must invest in readiness before chasing funding calls. This requires a shift in mindset.

First, institutions should conduct climate finance readiness assessments. These assessments should examine governance, financial systems, data capacity, MEAL systems, safeguards, project pipeline quality, partnerships, and risk management.

Second, institutions should build climate project pipelines instead of responding randomly to donor calls. A pipeline helps identify priority projects, prepare them gradually, and match them with appropriate financiers.

Third, institutions should strengthen MEAL and data systems. Climate finance follows evidence. Institutions that can measure, report, and verify results will have a stronger competitive advantage.

Fourth, institutions should invest in partnerships. Climate finance increasingly requires collaboration between governments, communities, technical experts, private actors, financiers, and civil society.

Finally, institutions should treat readiness as a continuous process, not a one-time activity. Readiness grows through learning, implementation, accountability, and adaptation.

Conclusion

Climate finance readiness is not proposal writing. It is the disciplined work of preparing institutions to access, manage, deliver, and account for climate finance.

A proposal can open the door, but readiness determines whether an institution can walk through that door and deliver results. For Africa, this distinction is urgent. The continent does not lack climate needs. It does not lack ideas. It does not lack communities ready for transformation. What is often missing is the institutional architecture that gives financiers confidence that resources will translate into measurable, equitable, and sustainable climate impact.

The future of climate finance will belong to institutions that are not only good at writing proposals, but also ready to manage complexity, prove results, reduce risk, and build trust. In climate finance, readiness is the real proposal before the proposal.

Author

Simon Okola
PhD Candidate in Project Financing | Climate Finance & MEAL Consultant | Helping NGOs, MFIs, SACCOs & Counties Become Climate-Finance Ready
Email: info@agendabeyondborders.org
Official website: www.agendabeyondborders.org

No longer a scramble for ODM certificate: What next for Oburu Oginga-led faction?

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Western Insight Newsroom
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By Anderson Ojwang

What could be ailing Kenya’s most populous opposition party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)?

Where did the rains begin to beat the party, and can the leadership restore public confidence, or will they preside over its eventual death and burial?

Will Dr Oburu live to uphold the legacy of his younger brother, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, or will he dance on the grave of his brother’s treasured asset, the ODM party?

These are some of the emerging issues that the party needs to urgently address ahead of the elections.

That is why last Sunday, at a burial in Kisumu County, Oburu’s younger sister and Kisumu Women Representative Ruth Odinga smelt a rat, panicked, and opted to cry out loud.

In what appeared as panic and anxiety, Odinga was alarmed by the dwindling fortunes of the party of change and opted to cry out aloud.

Fear of the butcher’s knife, Odinga, in a searing tone, did not hold back but opened her heart to the mourners and the public.

She wondered why all the aspirants who had been invited to speak only sold their policies and announced their candidatures but were silent on the political vehicle – the party.

In her wisdom, ODM, which has been the dominant party in the region, was expected to draw a scramble for the ticket, but that was not forthcoming.

Which party?

Shocked by the unfolding scenario, Odinga decided to ask the aspirants who spoke about their political parties.

“Jok ma ochung ma nitiere kaye tee. Un uchung e party mane? (Those aspirants who are here, which is your political party for 2027?) Nikech anenou ka ubiro ka. Uwacho mana ni adwaro MCA, MP kata ngama wacho ni ODM achiel ok awainjo kuomu. Un gi party uru moro. (I have seen aspirants come and declare the seats they are eyeing. But not even a single aspirant has declared interest on the ODM ticket. Which party do you people have?)” she asked.

Odinga was concerned by the emerging narrative, which she said was detrimental to the growth and survival of the party.

“Why are the speakers here not talking about ODM as their preferred party in the next general elections? ODM has been our party, and we cannot run away from it,” she said.

Nyanza is ODM

Odinga said every region has a political party they affiliate with, and for Nyanza, ODM is the stronghold.

She said ODM was the party of the region and that she would not defect but will go out to mobilise and popularise it.

“It is ODM, the only party we can use as a vehicle to contest the 2027 elections. That is our ticket. I do not have any political vehicle to use in the 2027 elections, and the only ticket for me is ODM,” she said.

Hard tackle

Former Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma, speaking at the same function, delivered a scorching tackle to Odinga, saying the ODM certificate fiasco had driven prospective aspirants from the party.

“When people are not sure of transparent and accountable nomination, they will shift. ODM has a bad history of unfairness in nominations. That is why you didn’t hear the majority talk about the party,” he said.

Illusive ODM unity

Odinga said it was important to reunite the ODM party to make it a formidable one, and that is why she was on a mission to broker peace.

Already ODM is split into two factions: Linda Ground of Dr Oburu and Linda Mwananchi of Siaya Governor James Orengo, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.

Linda Ground continues to wobble while Linda Mwananchi is drawing traction and support across the country, with various leaders joining the fray.

The latest entrant in the park is Murang’a Governor Irungu Kangata, who graced the Thika rally.

But for Linda Ground, it continues to suffer disquiet from the moderate group, who have been boycotting most of their functions, and it is only a matter of time before they cross the ship to the other wing.

Odinga said she was not a fence-sitter and had no bad blood with her elder brother Dr Oburu.

In the recent past, Odinga has been attending most of Oburu’s functions and re-ignited the family closeness to forestall the ship from sinking deeper into the ocean.

Sh200 million to mobilise

The recent much-hyped ODM rally consumed a whopping Sh200 million to mobilise residents to attend the event.

Unlike the Linda Mwananchi rally, which was organic and successful despite attempts to disrupt it by goons and local leaders, last Sunday’s Linda Ground meeting told a different story.

The three weeks of planning and strategic meetings for the rally in the once bedrock of ODM and its founder, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, only culminated in renting and branding the crowd for a show of might and making a statement.

ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga claimed the rally was attended by 115,000 people and showed the might of the party in the region.

“We held one of the biggest rallies in Kisumu. We used drones to count the people, and we came up with 115,000. ODM is strong, and we have resolved to remain united and to be in the broad-based government,” she said.

But Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda has opened the lid to the inside story of how the party leadership used millions of shillings to ferry people to the rally.

Ojienda said Members of County Assembly from Kisumu were each given Sh100,000, while the MPs were given between Sh500,000 and Sh600,000 for the same purpose.

For instance, Kisumu County Assembly has 42 MCAs, which translates to Sh4.2 million, while there are seven constituencies; at Sh600,000 each, that comes to Sh4.2 million, totalling Sh8.4 million.

Apart from Kisumu, Migori, Homa Bay and Siaya were also expected to bring people to the rally, and all were bankrolled for the meeting, running into millions of shillings.

This was just the first avenue through which funds were channelled, including the county party office and the sub-branches.

Ojienda said: “I was never given a cent. But I know so well that the MCAs were given Sh100,000 each to bring people to the meeting. I know the MPs were given, I think, between Sh500,000 and Sh600,000 to bring people to the rally.”

The ODM party leader, Dr Oburu Oginga, in a recent interview with a local TV station, said the government had released Sh200 million for their operations.

Oburu’s plea

Oburu at the rally pleaded with the region not to decamp from the party, saying his elder brother, Raila, would haunt them.

But as things stand, ODM is softly and painfully walking the path of Kanu, DP, and Narc as the clock ticks.

Kenya’s netball giant, Oyugi Ogango Girls, living the legacy of the founder

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Western Insight Newsroom
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By Anderson Ojwang’

A story of faith, self-belief, and sacrifice. In the footsteps of the founder, the former Permanent Secretary for Provincial Administration, the late Hezekiah Oyugi Ogango, Oyugi Ogango Girls in Migori County has never disappointed.

The founder is credited with making huge transformations and uplifting the community in all spheres to national limelight, and that is why he stands out and is still recognised for his contribution to education, socio-economic, and political growth in the region.

The making of the giant

In secondary school games, netball has been perceived as the game without giants. But Oyugi Ogango has defied the odds to create netball giants.

2007 was the last time the school reached the regional competition and was knocked out. For 14 years, the school watched as others triumphed and rejoiced in glory.

But in 2021, when the country was reeling from the effects of the Corona pandemic, the school was waking up from the ashes. A new journey and a rebirth. The leadership changes by the Ministry of Education ushered in a new dispensation at the school.

The arrival of Chief Principal Rose Adhanja in 2022 radically reset the factory setting. In 2023, the once passive observers nearly caused a scare at the Nyanza Secondary School games when they nearly lost to Nyakach and Kobala Girls.

The statement of intent was declared, and the eyes were not only set on the regional but also the national trophy.

Coach Titus Okello said the arrival of the principal, who is also a former netballer and the head of the technical bench, was the rebirth the team needed.

“In her first year, we lost at the regionals. We went back to the drawing board, and it was time to make a mark. We resolved to succeed at the national level,” he said.

When fasting brought the glory

For teacher Celestine Obuya, in charge of boarding and spirituality, the journey to the trophy-laden success didn’t come from a silver platter but from hard work and commitment.

“Ahead of the games, we go into fasting at the school chapel, and our commitment to prayers has seen us through and brought glory,” she said.

She said the school has ensured the right diet and nutrition for the team, and this has enabled them to grind out results.

The champions

New kids on the block were born, and in 2023, the dream was actualised. There was no stopping henceforth. The taste of glory was the sweetest moment.

The urge for more silverware became a reality, and nothing was going to stop Oyugi Ogango Girls from walking that path.

“The taste of success was so inspiring and sweet that we resolved to make history. We wanted to be in the annals of Kenya Secondary Schools games history,” Obuya said.

Three titles and trophy for keeps

The beginning was in 2023, when the school won the nationals. That history resorted to changing the trend in netball.

Previously, no single team had won the netball competition in a row. The title kept changing hands from one team to another.

But that was not to be the case with the mighty Oyugi Ogango Girls. The history makers.

When the trophy arrived in Rakwaro, the home of the legend, just some 2 kilometres from the former provincial administrator’s home, it found peace and glory.

“The trophy found a haven and comfort. No more tossing from one region to another. No shorter visitation. We have built a home, and now because we have won it three times consecutively, it stays here permanently. What an achievement and history,” said Derick Wariadho, a coach.

He said in netball, it is not easy for a team to beat an opponent twice in a row, but for Oyugi Ogango, that is a norm and a milestone.

Story behind the success

The journey to success is torturous, tiring, and dispiriting at times, but success is sweet and has many friends.

The story behind the success is hinged on various factors: hard work, passion, commitment, discipline, and dedication.

Without the above pillars, success would be elusive, and that is how the principal modelled her team to victory.

“When the top espouses the above tenets, success will easily come home. That is why we have been able to make it as national champions and show good encounters of ourselves at the East African Sports,” said coach Dolphin Oyugi.

She said the technical bench and the girls are so passionate, dedicated, disciplined, and committed to the deliverables.

The principal gave more time for training and opportunities to blend.

Inspiration

Currently, the team is inspired to win the East Africa trophy and has been training for the event.

They are optimistic about retaining the nationals but have their eyes on the East Africa games.

“We are inspired to face off against the four Ugandan teams. They have dominated the game, and it is time we changed the story. We cannot accept allowing the comfort the Ugandan teams have enjoyed for decades to continue,” Okello said.

But Oyugi Ogango has been making steady progress in rewriting the story of Ugandan teams and last year only lost by a margin of 5.

“We have our eyes on the final and the cup. St Mary Kitende from 2023 have been winning, and in 2023 they beat us by 23 scores, in 2024 by 12, and last year by a margin of 5. If you look at the deviation, it tells a positive story,” he said.

Camp and talent nurturing

The school is focused on talent development and often invites prospects to a camp where the successful ones are integrated into the school team.

“During the holidays, we invite those who wish to join us from Grade 10 and Form Three. Those who come for training, we retain those who have qualified,” he said.

Competitors

The main challengers to Oyugi Ogango Girls in the Nyanza region include Asumbi Girls, Nyakach, Kobala, Lambwe, Kandaria, and Nyabera.

At the national level include Bumala, Bukholo from Bungoma, St Joseph Kitale, Anderseen, Kinale from Central Kenya, and Kaya Tiwi.

The deliverer

The principal is a believer in holistic education, and that is why she complements academics with sports.

She believes academics and sports go together in creating a complete and unique human resource for the country.

That is why Oyugi Ogango Girls is currently synonymous with netball in the country.

Through her efforts, some of the players have been invited for trials with the national team under 18 in previous years.

In her office, trophies and awards do the speaking and are a sign of delivery.

Sahaj Yoga: Aaj Ka Maha Yoga and the Urgent Need for Law

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Western Insight Newsroom
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By Ashwani Kaushik

A World Yoga Day Precursor on Sustaining Global Safety, Honoring the Adi Shakti, and Clarifying the Distinction Between Divine Legacy and Family Lines

As World Yoga Day approaches, humanity stands at a critical spiritual crossroads. While the world celebrates yoga primarily as a system of physical postures and stress relief, the time has come to recognize its ultimate, supreme evolution.

Sahaj Yoga. Founded by Her Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, Sahaj Yoga is not an exercise philosophy; it is the definitive Maha Yoga (the Great Yoga) of modern times.

It represents a monumental, unprecedented leap in human evolution by achieving what no other spiritual incarnation, prophet, or avatar in human history has ever accomplished: mass, spontaneous Kundalini awakening.

The transformative power of this supreme yoga is deeply tangible, profound, and intensely emotional. In an era where modern medicine often manages superficial symptoms rather than curing root causes, Sahaj Yoga achieves genuine, miraculous inner restoration.

Consider a profound reality intimately known to me a sahaj yogi suffering from severe, debilitating psychiatric illness alongside painful, epilepsy-like disorders.

This individual underwent the harrowing trauma of sixteen Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) sessions within a single month—a devastating toll that pushed the human nervous system to its absolute limits.

Yet, where conventional interventions reached a dead end, the divine mechanism of Sahaj Yoga triggered a complete turnaround. Today, this person is doing fine, practicing Sahaj Yoga, and living in complete stability, vibrant health, and profound peace.

By cleansing the subtle energy centers (chakras) and directly stabilizing the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, this divine science proves itself not just as a theory, but as a supreme therapeutic and evolutionary force.

A Global Appeal for World Heritage Recognition

Because it is the ultimate living spiritual heritage of mankind, Sahaj Yoga deserves formal, high-level global recognition.

Its unprecedented contribution to human well-being, global peace, and spiritual ascension qualifies it perfectly to be recognized by world heritage bodies. We explicitly call upon international organizations, including UNESCO to formally register and protect Sahaj Yoga as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Furthermore, we urge world heritage councils to recognize the holy sites, ashrams, and international centers established by Shri Mataji as sacred monuments of global spiritual history. This official global designation is not for status, but for structural preservation—ensuring that this profound, living science is shielded by international protocols and preserved for generations to come.

However, for an international legacy of this magnitude to be preserved for thousands of years, the global Sahaj Yoga collective cannot rely on external recognition alone.

We must urgently transition from loose, vulnerable administrative setups to an ironclad framework of unyielding institutional law.

The Urgent Need for Stronger Internal Laws

First, there is a dire need for stronger, standardized trust laws worldwide. The basic principles taught by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi must be codified into absolute, non-negotiable legal frameworks.

These laws must ensure that no divergent views, personal interpretations, or ego-driven distortions can ever dilute the original teachings. The rules must be structurally rigid enough to guarantee that Sahaj Yoga can never be divided, fragmented, or split into competing regional factions.

The administrative machinery must exist solely as an impenetrable shell, protecting the absolute purity of the spiritual mechanics.

Second, we must legally secure the absolute safety of the properties and ashrams where Shri Mataji physically visited, worked, and resided.

These holy sites of Sahaj Yoga are not mere real estate; they are highly vibrant, spiritually charged epicenters of divine energy where the Adi Shakti poured out Her love. If trust rules are weak, these sacred lands risk being compromised by local disputes, financial mismanagement, or secular inheritance claims. Strong, centralized global trust laws must permanently safeguard these properties from any form of encroachment, commercial exploitation, or fragmentation, ensuring they remain protected sanctuaries for seekers for millennia.

Clarifying the Divine Succession

Crucially, it is time for Sahaj Yogis worldwide to deeply understand, feel, and internalize a fundamental truth: Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi never declared any successor, nor can there ever be one. She stands entirely alone in spiritual history.

She came to this earth as the Adi Shakti (the Primordial Cosmic Energy) incarnate, holding all cosmic powers within Her, for the sole, compassionate purpose of granting mass Self-Realization to humanity.

Her spiritual authority cannot be inherited, passed down, or claimed by any individual, council, or biological family member.

On numerous occasions, Shri Mataji explicitly stated that Her biological family has nothing to do with the spiritual domain of Sahaj Yoga.

While Her family is deeply loved, respected, and honored by the collective for their presence during Her earthly walk, they hold no hereditary claim to governance, properties, or spiritual succession.

In the eyes of the Divine, the biological family is completely distinct from the mandate of Sahaj Yoga. Their private claims must never supersede or interfere with the global collective of Sahaj Yogis who carry Her work forward.

Sahaj Yoga belongs entirely to the genuine seekers of truth, governed directly by the timeless principles laid down by the Adi Shakti Herself.

As we celebrate World Yoga Day, let the global collectivity rise to its ultimate responsibility with a fierce, protective love for what we have been given.

By demanding recognition from world heritage bodies, enforcing airtight internal legal protections, securing our sacred heritage sites from family or external claims, and uniting under the absolute finality of Shri Mataji’s teachings, we will ensure that this magnificent Maha Yoga survives uncorrupted, guiding human ascension for thousands of years to come.

The Writer has been practicing Sahaj Yoga since 2004 and is a former Trustee of The Life Eternal Trust, Delhi.

I&M Bank Invests Sh10 Million in Nairobi City Thunder, Backing the Future of Kenyan Basketball

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Western Insight Newsroom
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BY PHILLIP ORWA

Nairobi City Thunder (NCT) have received a shot in the arm after a Sh10 million sponsorship from I&M Bank.

Thunder became the first Kenyan club to qualify for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in 2024, then went on to repeat the feat in 2025, on top of winning the Kenya National Basketball Federation league undefeated two seasons in a row – the 2023/2024 and the 2024/25 campaigns.

I&M Bank Limited announced a Sh10 million investment to support NCT, reaffirming its commitment to the growth of Kenyan sport and youth development.

The investment will see I&M Bank become the team’s Official Banking Partner for the remainder of the 2026 Kenya National Basketball League season, while supporting the club’s ambition to elevate Kenyan basketball onto the continental and global stage.

The deal runs from 25 May 2026 until the conclusion of the season in September 2026, with an automatic extension if the season continues beyond that date, until conclusion.

I&M Regional CEO, Kihara Maina, said: “We are proud to stand with Nairobi City Thunder at a time when the club continues to raise the standard of basketball not just in Kenya, but also across the region. This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting homegrown excellence, investing in youth, and building meaningful connections with communities through sport.”

The NCT club’s CEO and Founder, Colin Rasmussen, termed the partnership a statement of belief from the bank, adding that they hope to build on it to give their fans the perfect experience.

“When people think about basketball, they see the players. What they don’t always see is the ecosystem around it – creators, businesses, event staff, media professionals, and young entrepreneurs. Partnerships like this help grow that entire ecosystem. We are delighted to launch this partnership with I&M Bank today as it provides essential resources and enhances our operational capacity.”

The sponsorship goes directly into supporting Nairobi City Thunder to prepare and participate in upcoming tournaments, ensuring that they have all the necessary requirements to effectively compete in tournaments like the Basketball Africa League (BAL) and beyond.

Forward Tom ‘Bush’ Wamukota said the support would add to the players’ motivation. “This partnership means a lot to us as players because it shows that our work is being recognised at the highest level. Having I&M Bank behind Nairobi City Thunder gives us extra motivation to compete hard, represent the badge well, and make our supporters proud throughout the season.”

Under the agreement, I&M Bank will receive back-of-jersey branding on all game jerseys.

Indiza Clinches Kabete Challenge Title in Dramatic Playoff Finish

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BY PHILLIP ORWA

Kakamega Sports Club Pro Dismas Indiza claimed his second Sunshine Development Tour title after edging out Karen Country Club’s Edwin Mudanyi in a dramatic sudden-death playoff at the conclusion of the Kabete Challenge at VetLab Sports Club on Tuesday.

Indiza and Mudanyi finished regulation play tied on 3-under par 213, forcing a playoff after an enthralling final round that saw both players trade blows in pursuit of the title, in an event that attracted 67 players from 10 countries, including professionals, amateurs and junior golfers from across East Africa and beyond.

Indiza began the day tied for the lead alongside Mudanyi and Michael Karanga and returned 2-under par 70.

The Kakamega pro posted birdies on the 4th, 5th, 17th and 18th holes, and scored bogeys on the 2nd and 7th that threatened to derail his charge.

But he reclaimed his charge, posting a birdie on the 18th hole to post the clubhouse lead and pile pressure on Mudanyi in the final group.

Indiza said: “I’m very happy with the win. It wasn’t easy because the competition was very strong and Edwin played really well today. I stayed patient, trusted my experience and kept fighting until the last hole. Making that birdie on 18 gave me a chance, and once we got into the playoff, I knew I just had to stay focused and give myself an opportunity. This is a good result for me and a big boost for the rest of the season.”

Mudanyi seemed poised to secure the title after leading for much of the day. The Karen Country Club professional produced a steady round highlighted by birdies on the 1st, 7th and 10th holes, with his only dropped shot coming on the 3rd, as he also signed for a 2-under par 70.

Heading to the 18th hole, Mudanyi held a one-shot advantage and appeared set to seal a victory. However, a par on the closing hole, coupled with Indiza’s birdie moments earlier, saw the pair finish tied and head into a playoff, where Indiza eventually emerged victorious.

“It’s disappointing to come so close and not get the win, but that’s golf. I played solidly throughout the week and gave myself a chance. There are plenty of positives to take from this performance, and I’ll use it as motivation going into the next events on the Tour,” Mudanyi said.

Indiza pocketed Sh300,000 from the tournament’s Sh1.5 million prize purse, while Mudanyi earned Sh160,500 for his runner-up finish.

Finishing third was elite amateur Adel Balala of Nyali Golf & Country Club, who carded a tournament total of 2-under par 214. Balala once again demonstrated his growing stature on the regional golf scene with a consistent three-round performance against a strong professional field.

Newly turned professional Michael Karanga continued his impressive start to life in the paid ranks, finishing fourth on 1-under par 215.

Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera was the highest-ranked foreign player, finishing tied eighth alongside Kenya’s Mutahi Kibugu on 4-over par 220.

The tournament formed the third leg of the 2026 Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing season and offered players valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, and Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points, which are crucial for progression to the main Sunshine Tour.

Wanga appears before CPAC, reaffirms commitment to accountability, transparency, and responsible management of public resources

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By Habil Onyango

On Tuesday, Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga appeared before the Senate Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), chaired by Senator Moses Kajwang, to discuss the implementation status of recommendations from the Auditor General’s reports for the 2024/2025 financial year. Initially, the Governor and her team had boycotted the committee’s session following directives from the Council of Governors.

“We have embraced the audit process as an indispensable tool for improving systems, strengthening internal controls, and ensuring value for money in public expenditure to deliver better services to our people,” said Wanga.

The committee pressed Wanga to explain her report on the lawful and effective use of public resources. The Auditor General questioned the expenditure of Ksh1,616,696,508 under the Facilities Improvement Financing (FIF) Act, 2023, citing non-compliance.

During the review of revenue records from Level 4 and Level 5 health facilities in Homa Bay County, the Auditor General found that 24 health facilities had collected a total of Ksh1,616,696,507 for facility improvements. Of this amount, Ksh915,941,725 was transferred to the FIF Special Purpose Account (SPA) at the Health Department. However, the Auditor General reported that the FIF SPA reimbursed only Ksh687,007,505 to the health facilities, resulting in a deficit of Ksh228,934,221. This situation contravened Section 5(1) of the Facilities Improvement Financing Act, 2023, which mandates that all funds raised by public health facilities must be retained within the Hospital Facilities Improvement Financing account.

“The failure to reimburse the full amount negatively impacted service delivery at the health facilities,” noted the Auditor General.

Wanga clarified that the county government had retained 20 percent of the total amount transferred to the FIF SPA. She explained that out of the total transferred, Ksh193,188,345 was lawfully retained and utilised within the healthcare sector. This retained money funded programmes such as supervising health facilities and providing support for Level 3 and 4 facilities.

Wanga also stated that the remaining Ksh687,007,504 was reimbursed to the facilities during the financial year.

“As of June 2025, Ksh45,745,875 remained unreimbursed, which formed part of the cash and cash equivalent balance of Ksh76,144,115 disclosed in the SPA balance,” Wanga informed the committee. “However, these funds were later reimbursed to the facilities in July 2025,” she added.

The Auditor General pointed out that the National Law under the FIF Act, 2023, requires that all funds collected be retained at the facilities. He noted a conflict between National and County Government laws, suggesting a need to amend the Act. According to the Auditor General, the management of the County Executive was in breach of the law by retaining 20 percent of the total FIF collections for Homa Bay, which was not aligned with National laws. Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni questioned the rationale behind the 20 percent retention.

Wanga explained that when drafting the Facilities Improvement Bill, they adopted a standard legislative template circulated among the counties. “The retained money is used for supervision and support for lower-level facilities within the catchment area of Level 4 facilities, and that is the rationale behind this retention,” she informed the Senate committee. “This was a countrywide approach that we adapted for Homa Bay,” she said.

Omogeni advised that issues related to health should be discussed further between the Senate and the Council of Governors. He suggested that if the retention of 20 percent improves health service provision, the National law could be amended accordingly.

However, Kajwang noted that the Senate passed laws intending to ensure that money collected from facilities is reinvested there. “In the hierarchy of laws, National laws are superior to County laws, and if there is a need for further discussions, the Senate is open to engagement,” said the Chairman.

Wanga highlighted that the appearance of a breach in National laws results from the conflict between National and County laws, which may not fit all counties uniformly. She revealed that they are currently working on amending their own laws to align with national legislation. “All these efforts are aimed at improving service delivery and ensuring compliance,” Wanga said.

The Senate, however, raised concerns about the Ksh700 million discrepancy between the funds deposited in the FIF SPA and the money reimbursed to the facilities.

According to the Auditor General, Ksh1.6 billion had been collected from the 24 health facilities; however, the county government reported only Ksh915 million.

The Senate inquired whether the funds were classified as expenditures at the source.

However, according to Wanga, health facilities report the amounts they have claimed from the SHA as their revenue, rather than what the SHA has actually reimbursed them at any given time.

“They may report these amounts in their records, but based on the claims, they have not received the reimbursements,” she clarified.

“While every treatment leads to a claim being filed, the money does not necessarily come back to them promptly. Sometimes, we have to report revenue based on those claims, hoping to eventually receive the funds. This might have caused the confusion; we have tightened regulations we have regarding expenditures at the source,” she said.

Ad Hoc Committee calls for forensic audit after identifying suspicious transactions and systemic failures in bank statements and records of Kisumu County Government

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By Anderson Ojwang

The Ad Hoc Committee, after reviewing the bank statements and records, established and identified suspicious transactions and systemic reconciliation failures.

And now the committee has recommended an urgent forensic audit into the suspicious transactions.

“The reviewed KCB bank statement records identified suspicious transactions and systemic reconciliation failures that warrant forensic investigation,” the committee wrote.

The committee further established that reconciliation between the county and Safaricom PLC was conducted only quarterly, a structurally deficient arrangement.

“The gap between 21 and 23 hospital Paybills operating outside the IRMS, accounting for Kshs 1,932,649,051 in FY 2024/2025, means the dominant driver of Own Source Revenue growth was entirely outside the automated reconciliation framework,” it observed.

The committee said the mismatch between the approved budget figure of Kshs 3,804,073,100 for FY 2024/2025 (Budget Implementation Report, Quarter 4) and the actual collections of Kshs 2,463,027,946 represents a 65% performance rate.

Similarly, the Revenue Board CEO’s performance contract target of Kshs 2.1 billion created a discordance of Kshs 1.5 billion against the approved budget of Kshs 3.6 billion for FY 2025/2026 – an institutionalised underperformance target.

Findings

The committee found that the failure to sweep daily collections fully to the County Revenue Fund account contravenes Section 109(4)(b) of the PFM Act; the quarterly reconciliation cycle is structurally inadequate and has enabled the accumulation of arrears; and the deliberate alignment of the CEO’s performance contract at Kshs 2.1 billion against a budget of Kshs 3.6 billion institutionalised underperformance and created a governance contradiction that cannot have been accidental.

Equally, two years after the allegations of the Sh273 million revenue loss by Kisumu County Government, the Finance department was yet to undertake reconciliation and forensic audit.

Why has the CEC Finance, George Omondi Okongo, failed to reconcile the books or undertake a forensic audit following the allegations of Sh273 million revenue loss?

The committee revealed the existence of off-system cash collections, informal collection arrangements, and unreceipted transactions that materially undermine the ability to conclusively attribute any alleged revenue discrepancies to the IRMS itself.

The committee said the CEC Member, Mr George Omondi Okongo, submitted that an internal estimate had indicated up to 887,086 transactions, with an approximate value of Kshs 273,000,000, had been removed from active visibility within the IRMS, pending verification and reconciliation of records provided by Safaricom PLC and the technology partner.

Correspondence and supporting documentation shared by Safaricom PLC indicated that the removal process had been undertaken pursuant to formal instructions issued by the relevant county revenue authorities in the course of operational and administrative processes within the system.

Safaricom PLC acted on the basis of those instructions as communicated through the established engagement framework with the county and its designated stakeholders.

The committee further notes that the alleged Kshs 273,000,000 loss remains an unproven allegation of fraud and has not been conclusively established through any completed forensic audit, reconciliation exercise or judicial determination.

Further, as evidenced by the documentation and invoices provided by Safaricom PLC, no Software as a Service (SaaS) fees constituting four per cent (4%) of collections are payable to Safaricom PLC unless and until a detailed reconciliation process is undertaken, verified and formally signed off by both parties.

This demonstrates that the county not only reviews but actively verifies and approves the reconciled revenue figures prior to invoicing and payment, and that the invoices issued by Safaricom are neither arbitrary nor unilateral in nature.

On Transaction Deletion, Restoration and the Kshs 273,000,000 Claim

According to the County of Kisumu, approximately 887,086 transactions were archived at the request of the Kisumu Revenue Board, primarily consisting of unstructured revenue (such as unpaid parking fees held beyond 24 hours) and duplicated invoices.

A formal letter from a Revenue Board employee identified as Benter requested the removal of these records. Safaricom PLC and RevTech Innovation Limited complied with the directive issued by county officials, including the then-CEO Lawrence, who cited concerns about “perishable” unpaid invoices clogging the system.

Due to an inaccurate script used in the archiving exercise, some structured transaction invoices were mistakenly archived alongside unpaid ones. These were subsequently restored from cloud backups as a single batch without filtering.

This was confirmed by the Director of ICT during the meeting with Safaricom. Further, Safaricom PLC shared minutes dated 2nd October 2024 which, under the agenda item on Data Integrity, confirmed that the archived logs had been retained within the system without any further deletion.

Safaricom PLC also provided an email dated 11th October 2024 from Isaac Kabutha to the County Government of Kisumu confirming that the archived transaction records had subsequently been restored and uploaded back into the system.

The same correspondence further confirmed that a link containing the archived logs had been shared with the county’s ICT officer for access and verification.

Safaricom’s position

Safaricom maintains that no actual revenue was lost because the system’s payment flow directs all Pay Bill *427# payments directly into the county’s designated bank account, making diversion or financial loss through the archiving process technically impossible.

Safaricom further clarified that, prior to the county’s later assertions and demand letter, it had never previously been informed or made aware of allegations that 887,086 transactions valued at approximately Kshs 273,000,000 were allegedly missing.

Accordingly, Safaricom’s earlier response stating that it was “not aware of any missing transactions” was based on the understanding that the archived logs had already been restored and verified as communicated in the meetings and correspondence exchanged with the county.

Safaricom’s position was therefore that the Kshs 273,000,000 was an alleged loss and the calculation behind this loss was unknown.

During the committee proceedings, Safaricom reiterated its commitment to transparency, cooperation and full disclosure, including continued sharing of logs, audit trails and restoration records to support reconciliation and verification efforts.

However, the committee notes that the archiving exercise affected reporting accuracy and created discrepancies between certain system reports and bank balances.

The Kshs 273,000,000 claim

The committee found, based on evidence gathered at Sitting No. 21 (14th May 2026), Sitting No. 23 (20th May 2026), and the report submitted by Safaricom PLC on 22nd May 2026, that the archiving of transactions from the IRMS was undertaken pursuant to instructions issued by officers of the County Government of Kisumu.

The material presented before the committee indicated that a total of 3,366 logs amounting to Kshs 131,580,713.40, comprising both structured and unstructured invoices, were archived following formal requests attributed to county officials.

The evidence further demonstrated that the archived logs were subsequently restored onto the system, a position confirmed through minutes shared by Safaricom PLC as well as subsequent correspondence and email confirmations acknowledging that the removed records had been reinstated within the IRMS.

In light of the foregoing, the committee noted that the claim for Kshs 273,000,000 in alleged revenue loss remains unsubstantiated, particularly in the absence of a completed reconciliation exercise, forensic audit, or other conclusive evidence establishing actual loss attributable to the archived transactions.

Review

Safaricom PLC initiated an independent review into RevTech activities on 12th November 2024 following correspondence from the county dated 11th October 2024 raising concerns regarding possible irregularities.

The committee noted that, subsequent to the earlier sitting, Safaricom PLC shared additional reports, logs and supporting documentation relating to the matter, including information concerning archived and restored transactions.

The committee further noted Safaricom PLC’s continued participation in committee sittings, cooperation with requests for information, and stated commitment to transparency, accountability and continued collaboration with the county in resolving outstanding reconciliation and operational matters relating to the Integrated Revenue Management System.

The committee noted that despite the acknowledged system challenges, Safaricom PLC asserted a one hundred and thirteen per cent (113%) increase in revenue collection attributed to the ICRMS, demonstrating the system’s value in automation, transparency and real-time reconciliation.

On IT System (IRMS) Performance and Technical Deficiencies

The CEC Member submitted that a persistent identified issue was that payment postings take multiple days to reflect in the IRMS, affecting reconciliation and client service.

A Joint Technical Committee produced remedial recommendations. Data quality gaps were confirmed, including outdated land rates records, an incomplete business register, and inconsistent valuations. Safaricom shared communication that explains the archiving of transactions and confirmed restoration of the same.

Resolutions and Immediate Action Requests: The committee formally resolved:

  • That the Treasury reconcile accounts with Safaricom and pay any outstanding amounts found to be due;
  • That the CECM Finance obtain and verify Board minutes and resolutions authorising any transaction deletions;
  • That HR and legal consequences for implicated staff be pursued;
  • That technical fixes be completed, bank sweep anomalies be reconciled, datasets be integrated, and technical staff recruitment be operationalised;
  • That clearer communication on rates and receipts and visible value-for-money demonstrations be implemented;
  • That public awareness campaigns and clearer communication of billing practices be implemented;
  • That revenue collectors be vetted, with patronage-based appointments converted to performance-based contracts where appropriate.

Rigathi Gachagua: A man who never learns, from politics of shares to now cousins

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Western Insight Newsroom
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By Anderson Ojwang

The impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is yet to walk back the political path which alienated him from the government and the public.

The abrasive and negative politics of shareholding in President William Ruto’s government not only culminated in his impeachment but also alienated him from the opposition regions.

From the shareholding guillotine, Gachagua could be fattening himself for another slaughter at the altar of the politics of “my cousins.”

In his new brand of politics of cousins, Gachagua intends to unite the Bantu-speaking communities against other dialects.

For Gachagua, the politics of cousins brings together the Bantu dialect speakers who share a common heritage with the Mt Kenya community against the others.

The tormentor

Gachagua, while in power, tormented the opposition and openly advocated for politics of shares.

He criticised any attempts to unite the government with the opposition, and when the country had the opportunity to try him, they nailed him on the cross.

For instance, during the burial of Mau Mau veteran General Mathenge in Nyandarua three years ago, Gachagua took issue with the late Raila Odinga for asking him to allow ongoing consultations between Azimio and President William Ruto.

Raila then said: “If we can hold consultations, that is in order. Riggy, there is no harm in people talking. Let people have talks, even if you don’t want to hear my word, just listen to what I say.”

But the dismissive Gachagua said: “Former Prime Minister, we have not rejected talks, but we fear you. The reason is that you came and had a handshake with our son, former President Uhuru Kenyatta. He was a good person. He loved and worked for us. But when you got into a handshake with him, he changed. We from Mt Kenya fear you.”

The shareholding and demos

Gachagua, then an ardent defender of President Ruto, took every minute to humiliate and deride opposition leaders and regions that never supported them.

For the three years in office, Gachagua tormented and humiliated those who criticised the Kenya Kwanza administration and was opposed to any form of demonstration in the country.

“This region, nobody will be allowed to come and destroy property. We from Mt Kenya have never known the stupidity of killing people and destroying properties. It has never happened in this region. The people of Mt Kenya are progressive, businesspersons, and farmers; they do not know about wealth destruction but wealth creation and protection. Let me say now, let’s see how it will unfold. No responsible government will allow such hooliganism witnessed in Nairobi. You said demonstrations are your right. Is destruction of properties a right? What right are you fighting for?”

Current situation

Currently, Mt Kenya has witnessed massive demonstrations, destruction of properties, and loss of lives in protests in the recent past.

While other regions have remained calm, the restive Mt Kenya has been boiling and exploding.

Cousins

Gachagua’s brand of politics of cousins could easily be translated to a recreation of the GEMA bloc with a sole aim of winning the presidency.

“And the journey of cousins, the family of people who are like-minded, who were born together, who have the same tradition – the time for the cousins to come together is now. Let me ask again, should the cousins not vote together and form the government together? When life becomes very unbearable, you go back to the family. You look for your family members and you sit down and discuss a way out,” he said.

Gachagua, in his various speeches in regions perceived to share similar heritage, said: “I have been sent by the people of Mt Kenya to come and look for our cousins. Cousins, are you there?”

The justification

“I want to tell you, I heard some people complaining that I am forming a political alliance with Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka. Why do you want to get involved in family affairs? If someone has spoken to his cousin, is there any problem? You can also speak to your cousin,” he said.

Warning

“You, William Ruto, keep off family matters. Don’t get into our family affairs. Let me ask, should cousins stay together or not? Should the cousins walk together or not?”

Pitfalls

President Ruto has criticised Gachagua for dividing the country on tribal lines and now on ethnicity.

“It is my responsibility to unite all Kenyans, including brothers and cousins and even enemies, to make one united nation, Kenya. I have been given the opportunity to lead the nation, and God has brought us together. I want us to agree: we must unite the nation and serve all equally,” he said.

Health Cabinet Secretary Adan Duale, when he recently spoke in Thika, appealed to Kenyans not to be swayed by the politics of cousins, terming it as divisive.

“We want someone who unites Kenyans regardless of their tribe, race, and religion. Ruto’s only problem is to unite Kenyans. You have a right to live anywhere in the country. I have so many friends in Mt Kenya. I protected Uhuru Kenyatta’s government. When I was protecting Uhuru’s government, was I a Kikuyu? We must bring to a stop the politics of cousins. All Kenyans are cousins and aunties. We are brothers. Tribal politics has destroyed several of our neighbouring countries, and we must not allow this to befall Kenya. We must not allow forces of evil that preach tribalism and divisive politics to destroy the country,” he said.

Reactions

The recent Linda Mwananchi rally in Thika, in the heart of Mt Kenya, was a wake-up call to Gachagua over the politics of cousins.

The decision by Murang’a Governor Irungu Kangata to attend the rally and declare that the movement unites the country was a powerful statement and precedent-setting.

In a recent speech, Kiambu MP Anne Wamuratha, drawing inspiration from the national anthem, dismissed the politics of cousins, saying Kenya is one united family and termed the talks as reckless.

“We are brothers and not cousins. We are from the same mother and father called Kenya. We are a united nation,” she said.

Betrayer or opportunist

Gachagua turns out as a man who can easily renege on his word with prevailing circumstances and ride on any emerging opportunity for his own political goal and interest.

Three years ago, Gachagua hailed President Ruto for keeping his side of the bargain after the election and appointing Mt Kenya to various positions.

“I want to thank President William Ruto because he is a gentleman. Ruto and I did not sign any memorandum of understanding. I trusted him, and he trusted us. I told him we will not have any MOU with you; you are a good person and a Christian. We will give you all the votes from Mt Kenya,” he said.

Betrayal in the city

During the burial of his elder brother three years ago, Gachagua took an oath never to betray Ruto.

“On behalf of my family, let me thank you with Mama Rachel. I really want to thank you. You have been there for us. Anytime we have been in tears in this family, you always turn up with a handkerchief to wipe our tears. We have no words to say thank you, and the truth be said, from our relationship, you have become one of our family. We celebrate and cherish you. We don’t take that relationship for granted. Last time you came for my mother’s burial, I told you: this family of Gachagua, we are honest and people of integrity, and we value friendship.”

Opportunist?

“I told you if other Kenyans will betray you, that betrayal will not come from this family. We don’t know betrayal. We are people who are true to friends, and that is why with my family, we made a conscious decision to stand with you in very difficult circumstances. I gave very clear instructions to my family that I must serve you with loyalty and dedication. I was told by my family to give back to your support for this family and for your friendship. I will do whatever you tell me to do. The people of the country have high hopes in your leadership. I want to confirm before my family that I will not let you down, and I will do whatever it takes, and I will be there for you to give you the necessary support. The people of Mt Kenya, let me thank you; you have given our community respect in Kenya’s political landscape. The people of the mountain are honest people and have integrity and appreciate good deeds,” he said.

Current situation

Gachagua has been apologising to the public for misleading them to vote for President Ruto.

Will Gachagua ever learn?

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