By Habil Onyango

Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Dr Raymond Omollo has urged Kenyans to embrace President William Ruto’s call to shape a new long-term national development vision that will guide the country beyond Vision 2030 and secure prosperity for present and future generations.

Speaking at Ambassador Pamela Mboya Girls High School in Suba, Homa Bay County, Dr Omollo said the National Conversation on Kenya’s Future Beyond Vision 2030, which will be formally launched on August 12, 2026, will give every Kenyan an opportunity to participate in defining the country’s next chapter.

He said the conversation would bring together young people, students, the elderly, professionals, political leaders, faith communities, the private sector and civil society to develop a people-driven national vision that transcends political and electoral cycles.

“We owe it to the current and future generations to have an honest conversation, safeguard the gains we have made, and address the longstanding challenges that have held our country back since independence,” Dr Omollo said.

The PS said President Ruto’s vision is to transform Kenya into a prosperous, high-income, industrialised and globally competitive nation while ensuring that no community, county or generation is left behind.

He noted that this commitment to inclusive development was already evident in reforms expanding access to National Identity Cards, healthcare and education, alongside investments in roads, modern markets and other essential infrastructure across the country.

“Development must never depend on how a community voted or where a citizen comes from. Every Kenyan must be treated equally, and every region must receive a fair share of national progress,” he said.

Dr Omollo commended Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and the county’s MPs, Senator, Woman Representative and MCAs for agreeing to work together to advance development and ensure the people of Homa Bay benefit fully from the Government’s transformation agenda.

He said political differences should not be allowed to undermine development gains, calling upon leaders to place the interests of citizens and the country above partisan considerations.

He challenged students to reciprocate the investment made by the Government, parents and communities by remaining disciplined, respecting their teachers and fellow learners, and working hard in their academic and extracurricular activities.

Dr Omollo also commended the approximately 130 eligible students who recently registered for National Identity Cards through the Government’s school-based registration programme. He said the initiative would ensure learners leave school with the identification documents required to pursue further education, access opportunities and participate fully in national development.

The PS reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to taking registration services closer to citizens, operationalising new administrative units and deploying chiefs and assistant chiefs to strengthen grassroots service delivery, security coordination and access to Government programmes.

Present were Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’, Members of the County Assembly and other national and county leaders.

By Hope Barbra

In public imagination, the business of a County Assembly is often defined by spirited debates, passionate speeches, and occasional political standoffs.

Yet behind every Plenary sitting, every Bill passed, and every committee report lies an administrative engine that keeps the institution running. At the heart of that engine now sits Advocate Nashon Kusina Opanga, the new Clerk of Kisumu County Assembly.

His appointment marks more than a change in office. It is the culmination of years spent mastering the intricate operations of one of Kenya’s most important democratic institutions.

Unlike many public officials whose journeys begin in the spotlight, Opanga’s career has largely unfolded behind the scenes. As Deputy Clerk, he became one of the Assembly’s principal custodians of parliamentary procedure, ensuring that legislative business is conducted efficiently, lawfully, and in accordance with constitutional principles.

He first joined the County Assembly of Vihiga in 2013 as a Legal Officer before rising to be the Deputy Clerk, a position he has now held cumulatively for 12 years.

At the national level, he chairs the Deputy Clerks Council of Kenya, a body that brings together all the Deputy Clerks from the 47 County Assemblies in the country.

He played a pivotal role in crafting the County Assembly Services Act, 2017, a legislation that now guides operations of the County Assemblies in Kenya.

Those who have worked alongside him describe a professional whose strength lies not in public theatrics but in meticulous preparation, legal precision, and an unwavering commitment to institutional integrity. It is a reputation that has earned him the confidence of colleagues and positioned him to take up the Assembly’s highest administrative office.

“He is a very knowledgeable and experienced officer, and we have confidence in his ability to provide steady leadership and ensure continuity in the Assembly’s administrative and procedural functions,” says Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Lumumba Owade.

“He has practically demonstrated that he is equal to the task during the period he has served as Deputy Clerk, and we are sure he shall carry on from where Owen has left,” he added.

Built from Within

Leadership transitions often test an institution’s resilience. When long-serving Clerk Mr Owen Ojuok proceeded on terminal leave, the Assembly faced the task of preserving continuity while preparing for the future. In Opanga, it found both.

Having spent years within the institution, he understands not only its legal framework but also its culture, traditions, and evolving responsibilities. His rise reflects the value of institutional memory, a reminder that leadership can be cultivated through dedication, experience, and steady professional growth.

As Deputy Clerk, Opanga was deeply involved in coordinating legislative programmes, supporting committee work, advising on parliamentary procedure, and managing the Assembly Secretariat. While elected leaders occupied the public stage, he was among the professionals ensuring that the institution functioned effectively behind the curtain. That experience now becomes one of his greatest assets.

More Than an Administrator

The office of Clerk extends far beyond paperwork and protocol. It demands legal expertise, strategic leadership, financial accountability, and administrative excellence.

As the chief administrative and accounting officer of the County Assembly, Opanga is responsible for steering the Secretariat, safeguarding public resources, supporting the Speaker and Members of the County Assembly, and ensuring that every legislative process complies with constitutional and statutory requirements.

His legal training complements these responsibilities. As an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, he brings a disciplined understanding of governance and legislative interpretation, qualities that are increasingly indispensable as county governments navigate complex legal and policy questions.

A New Chapter for the Assembly

Opanga assumes office at a defining moment for devolved governance in Kenya. County assemblies continue to shoulder growing expectations from citizens who demand transparency, prudent use of public resources, meaningful public participation, and stronger oversight of county executives.

Meeting those expectations requires more than political leadership. It calls for capable institutions supported by professional administrators who understand both governance and public service.

For Opanga, the challenge is to build upon the Assembly’s achievements while modernising its operations and strengthening public confidence in the institution. He says his leadership would be guided by accountability, professionalism, and inclusivity as he seeks to improve the Assembly’s operations.

In his message of gratitude, he acknowledges the County Assembly Service Board and Speaker Hon. Elisha Oraro for their confidence in his leadership.

He says his vision is focused on building a united, motivated, and high-performing Assembly administration where every staff member is treated with fairness and empowered to reach their full potential.

Central to his agenda is fostering synergy and ensuring equal opportunities for all staff members.

“One of the things that I felt when I came here is that there are so many staff who feel like they are not part and parcel of the family. That is one of the things that I want to work on,” he emphasised.

The Acting Clerk pledged to serve diligently, guided by the Constitution and public service values, while working to leave behind an institution that is robust, more efficient, more professional, and better equipped to serve the people of Kisumu County.

By Odiwuor Alala

Raila Odinga left us with a monumental, unshakeable legacy: devolution deeply entrenched in our land. He fought to ensure power and resources flowed down to the grassroots, and that is a victory no one can ever take away from the people of Luo Nyanza.

However, with that constitutional foundation secured, our battle line as a community has shifted. The ultimate salvation for Luo Nyanza will not come through political rhetoric or patronage. It will come from our resolve at the ballot box to elect policy-oriented and development-focused leaders, particularly in the governor’s seat.

Look around as campaign seasons heat up. I shudder at the staggering amounts of money being peddled across our towns and villages—buying voters, purchasing instant loyalty, and treating the public’s trust like a commodity in an open market.

We must pause and ask ourselves a hard truth: when has leadership bought with cash ever truly served the people?

When an aspirant spends millions buying votes, they are not serving a calling—they are making a business investment. Once in office, their primary goal will never be fixing our county hospitals, building feeder roads, or creating jobs for our youth. Their priority will always be recovering their spent capital with interest. Leadership gained through money seldom, if ever, serves the electorate.

Devolution pours billions of shillings directly into Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, and Migori every financial year. The office of the governor is the ultimate executive engine of regional transformation. If we hand that engine over to money-wielding merchants of transactional politics, our counties will remain locked in stagnation.

It is our solemn duty as voters to break this cycle:

• Reject the Cash-Wielders: Refuse to let our dignity, healthcare, and infrastructure be bought for a few thousand shillings at a political rally.
• Demand Clear Policies: Ask every gubernatorial candidate for a concrete manifesto. What is their actionable plan for agricultural processing, youth employment, water provision, and trade?
• Focus on Executive Merit: A governor is essentially the CEO of a county budget running into billions. We need managers, policy strategists, and visionaries—not deep-pocketed political merchants.

The devolution legacy given to us is a powerful tool for economic emancipation, but a tool is only as effective as the hands that hold it. Let us safeguard the future of Luo Nyanza by saying a firm NO to transactional politics and electing leaders of policy, integrity, and development.

By Valentine Omondi

Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o has moved fast to develop a roadmap to ensure most of the pending bills are paid before next year’s general elections.

Of importance and top priority is the payment of Sh2.9 billion pending bills for contractors and suppliers in the county.

CEC Finance Mr George Okongo said as at 30th June 2025, the pending bills stood at Sh6.5 billion.

“After verification and payment of Sh2 billion, pending bills dropped to Sh4.5 billion. They were classified as contractors and suppliers accounting for Sh2.7 billion, legal and court decrees Sh1.8 billion, and old pension accounting for Sh0.9 billion,” he said.

Payment of pending bills to contractors and suppliers

Okongo said in the last year’s payment plan, they had targeted to pay Sh2.7 billion of the debt but were able to pay Sh2 billion, accounting for 74 percent.

“We did not pay Sh700 million, which was carried forward after verification into the new year,” he said.

Okongo said in this financial year, the payment plan for pending bills stands at Sh1.4 billion and estimated the carry forward to the new financial year would be Sh400 million.

“We have budgeted to pay Sh1.4 billion in this financial year and carry forward a balance of Sh400 million. I want to say it is possible for Governor Nyong’o to pay the contractors before the general elections,” he said.

Decrees and legal costs

Okongo said the county inherited Sh1.8 billion debt from the old county councils, with some of the bills having ballooned because of interest and penalties.

“There are some bills, for instance, where the initial debt was Sh20 million but rose to Sh230 million, while others had a debt of Sh75 million and because of court decrees now demand Sh120 million,” he said.

Okongo said they have been constantly harassed and detained for non-payment of the court decrees.

Old Pension

Okongo said the pending bill for Local Authority Pension and county pension, which is an old debt, was initially at Sh93 million and rose to Sh281 million due to interest and penalties.

“If you look at these pending bills, most of them are high because of interests and penalties. We have engaged in negotiations on the way forward,” he said.

He said for NSSF, the debt stands at Sh680 million inclusive of interest and penalties.

On Monday at the Senate, the senators asked Nyong’o to show payment plans for the pending bills before he exits office.

Senate Public Accounts Committee Chairman Moses Kajwang’ asked Nyong’o whether he was planning to hand over Sh5.9 billion debt to the next administration.

“Are you planning to hand over Sh5.9 billion debt to the next administration? What is the plan, because these responses, whatever is on paper, is just accounting speak. You close that year with Sh5.9 billion as debt. Whether it is legal fees or whether it is one year old or ten years old, but after 10 years of being in office, would you be handing over Sh5.9 billion as unpaid debt to the next administration?” he asked.

Kajwang’ said there was serious concern over Sh5.9 billion of unpaid pending bills, while the revenue for the year was Sh9 billion, which exceeded the debt-to-revenue ratio capped at 20 percent but was at a high of over 60 percent.

“Do you have a payment plan, and have you submitted it to the Controller of Budget, and to what extent has this debt been reduced?” he said.

The senators questioned the sharp rise in pending bills to Sh5.9 billion, demanding a clear strategy on how the county intends to reduce the debt burden.

The committee interrogated Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and county officials over what it described as a 108 per cent increase in pending bills within a single financial year.

Committee member Senator Tom Ojienda sought an explanation on the county’s debt reduction strategy, asking what measures had been put in place to bring down the growing obligations.

Okongo said the increase was largely driven by court decisions requiring the county to settle long-standing claims, including liabilities arising from a consent agreement with the National Housing Corporation.

They also cited poor local revenue performance as a major contributor to the growing debt.

By Anderson Ojwang

Pretenders to the throne, claiming to be husband of teams – which, where and when? The only known husband of teams is the mighty Gor Mahia K’Ogalo, Mahono.

At the top of the log is Mahia, while after President Paul Kagame threatened to strip his army, they rose to the occasion and dispatched President Yoweri Museveni’s Vipers.

Even the feared Uganda Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba couldn’t stop APR from neutralising the Vipers and taking away the poison to the barracks.

While the ‘fake husband’ of teams was left in tears, Kenya had the last laugh, months to the first anniversary of the former Prime Minister, the late Raila Amolo Odinga.

K’Ogalo Mahono, a 10-man team, wiped away the tears of Kenyans after they dismissed the Djibouti representatives, Garde Republicaine, by a solitary goal.

In February 2025, Kenya’s Raila lost to Djibouti’s candidate Mahamoud Ali Youssouf in the seventh round of the election after the winner garnered 33 votes.

Mahamoud’s victory did not go down well with Kenyans and specifically K’Ogalo fans, who have now found an opportunity to revenge and honour Raila by lifting the trophy.

Gor Mahia’s new kid on the block picked up from where he left by scoring the all-important goal to take Gor Mahia to the semis.

Gor Mahia wrote on social media platforms: “And ladies and gentlemen, it’s over here in Kigali as we pull a win to top Group A of the 2026 CECAFA tournament and qualify to the semi-final. Good one.”

While Vipers FC only managed to post: “Full time at Amahoro Stadium. 2-1.”

In the first game, Gor Mahia had punished and humiliated Rwanda’s APR and bragged as the husband of the teams.

Vipers, in their second game, poisoned Gor Mahia by a solitary goal, leaving the Ghanaian tactician claiming a backstab in the club.

Vipers bragged on their social media platform: “Gor Mahia fans: – ‘We are the husbands of all teams.’ Gusto Mulongo: – Say it again. Good Morning, Venoms. It felt good to start off the week in a good mood after a sweet revenge on the K’Ogalos. Msiwache wapunzike, remind them tulishinda.”

Eliud Owalo, Gor Mahia patron, wrote: “Congratulations to Gor Mahia for cruising to the Semi-Finals of the CECAFA Kagame Cup courtesy of a 1-0 win over Garde Republicaine.”

FKF President Hussein Mohammed wrote: “Congratulations Gor Mahia FC on qualifying for the semi-finals of the CECAFA Kagame Cup following a well-deserved victory over Garde Republicaine. The final is within reach. Keep striving, keep pushing, and continue representing the nation with honour across East and Central Africa.”

AGM

Court issued interim orders halting the planned AGM scheduled for August 2, 2026; the matter to be mentioned on October 7, 2026.

Gor Mahia Football Club had officially announced that its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Sunday, August 2, with members expected to deliberate on several key governance and financial matters that could shape the club’s future.

In a formal notice issued by Secretary General Nicanor Arum on behalf of the Executive Committee, the meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be conducted through a hybrid format, allowing members to participate both physically at the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC).

By Valentine Omondi

A new conversation, a journey into the future. Exit Vision 2030 after the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, and now a walk into the future.

At a press conference in State House, President Ruto made a bold move by asking Kenyans to dream of the future and engage in a national conversation.

Ruto unveiled plans to develop a new long-term national development blueprint to succeed Vision 2030, calling on Kenyans to take part in what he described as the country’s “most consequential national conversation” since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.

In a Special National Address from State House, Nairobi, on Thursday evening, Ruto said Kenya has reached a point where it must begin planning for the decades beyond Vision 2030, arguing that recent economic gains provide the right environment to chart the country’s future.

“Tonight I invite every Kenyan to what I believe will become the most consequential national conversation since the adoption of our Constitution in 2010. A national conversation about Kenya’s development. This conversation must rise above politics, transcend electoral cycles and unite us around a shared destiny,” the President said.

Ruto said the process of crafting the new blueprint will be informed by wide consultations with leaders, experts and ordinary citizens. He revealed that he had already consulted current and former national leaders, political leaders and scholars, and appointed a team of experts to begin examining Kenya’s future beyond Vision 2030.

“I have sought the counsel of current and former national leaders, political leaders, scholars… It was in that spirit that I invited Prof. Hiroyuki Hino, Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o and their distinguished colleagues to begin examining Kenya’s future beyond Vision 2030,” he said.

The President argued that Kenya is entering this new phase from a position of economic stability, crediting his administration’s reforms with restoring investor confidence and strengthening key economic indicators.

“Because we have restored stability, rebuilt investor confidence, and laid a firm foundation for our economy, now is the perfect opportunity for Kenya to begin shaping the next phase of our national development,” he said.

Ruto highlighted what he described as the government’s economic achievements, saying the country had regained macroeconomic stability after a difficult period.

“Together, we achieved that. We have restored macroeconomic stability. We have stabilised our currency. We have rebuilt our foreign exchange reserves to nearly US$14 billion, providing almost six months of import cover. Inflation has fallen. Borrowing costs have declined. Investor confidence has returned,” he said.

The President also cited Kenya’s improved global competitiveness as evidence that the country’s reforms are bearing fruit.

“The 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking placed Kenya as the most competitive economy in Africa, reflecting the confidence our reforms have restored,” he said.

The announcement marks the beginning of the process to replace Vision 2030, Kenya’s long-term development strategy launched in 2008 under former President Mwai Kibaki. The blueprint sought to transform Kenya into a globally competitive and prosperous upper middle-income country by 2030 through reforms anchored on the economic, social and political pillars.

While Vision 2030 delivered landmark infrastructure projects, expansion of digital services, improvements in energy access, and growth in several sectors of the economy, many of its targets remain unmet due to economic shocks, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate-related challenges, and mounting fiscal pressures.

Ruto’s proposal seeks to build on the gains achieved under Vision 2030 while creating a new long-term framework that reflects Kenya’s changing economic, technological and demographic realities. The government says the new blueprint will be developed through nationwide public participation, with citizens expected to play a central role in shaping the country’s next chapter of development.

As Kenya approaches the final years of Vision 2030, the success of the proposed blueprint will depend not only on the ideas generated through public participation but also on the government’s ability to implement them and translate long-term plans into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.

By Valentine Omondi

What began as a series of seemingly routine procurement awards has culminated in one of the latest high-profile anti-corruption crackdowns, after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested seven current and former senior Nakuru County officials alongside a contractor over an alleged KSh120 million procurement fraud scheme.

According to the EACC, the alleged irregularities date back to the 2020/21 financial year, when three companies began securing contracts from the Nakuru County Government. Between the 2020/21 and 2024/25 financial years, Denken Building & Construction Limited, Murinchamba Investments Limited, and Windcom Solutions Limited were awarded 29 county contracts worth KSh120,042,417.

The anti-graft agency says the contracts later became the subject of investigations after allegations emerged that Lorna Karamuta Mubichi, an Economist II at the County Government of Nakuru, had a conflict of interest by allowing companies allegedly owned by her husband to conduct business with the county while she remained a public officer.

The EACC says investigations established that the three companies were owned and controlled by Kenneth Muriithi Ndubi, Mubichi’s husband, either solely or jointly with his brother, Brian Mwenda Ndubi. Investigators further allege that false documents were used to unlawfully secure the tenders and that part of the contract proceeds was transferred into joint bank accounts held by Mubichi and her husband. The commission also says it traced payments from the contracts to several senior county officials.

Following the investigations, the inquiry file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who approved the prosecution of nine suspects on charges including conflict of interest, money laundering, acquisition of proceeds of crime, corrupt procurement practices, and wilful failure to comply with procurement laws.

On Thursday, July 30, 2026, the EACC arrested seven current and former senior county officials and one contractor in connection with the case.

Those arrested are Lorna Karamuta Mubichi, Kenneth Muriithi Ndubi, Daniel Ndung’u Wainaina (Chief Officer, Medical Services), Kennedy Mungai Barasa (Chief Officer, Roads and Infrastructure), Timothy Kiogora Murithi (Chief Officer, Water), Peter Gitau Thabanja (Nakuru City Manager), and Solomon Sirma, the Baringo County Executive Committee Member for Finance and former Nakuru Chief Officer for Health.

The commission has also directed Brian Mwenda Ndubi and Josphat Kimemia, Chief Officer for Youth Affairs and Sports, who are believed to have gone into hiding, to report to the EACC’s South Rift Regional Office or the nearest EACC office for processing.

The suspects are expected to be arraigned before the Nakuru Law Courts on July 31, 2026.

The case has once again placed the spotlight on conflict of interest in public procurement, an area that has consistently featured in audit reports and anti-corruption investigations. Public procurement accounts for a significant share of government expenditure, making it particularly vulnerable to abuse where transparency, oversight and accountability are lacking.

In a statement, the EACC said the arrests underscore its commitment to safeguarding public resources and ensuring that those involved in corruption and economic crimes are held accountable. The commission also urged all state organs and public institutions to strengthen compliance with the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, through effective declaration, management, and prevention of conflicts of interest among public officers.

As the suspects prepare to face court, the case is expected to reignite debate over the effectiveness of Kenya’s procurement oversight systems and whether stronger enforcement is needed to deter public officials from exploiting public office for private gain.