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The National Government collaborates with County Governments to establish rehabilitation Centers in Every County – PS Omollo

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By Habil Onyango

For a long time, drug and substance abuse has been a major challenge facing Kenyans, especially the youth.
Many affected families struggle to afford rehabilitation services due to their high costs.

Additionally, some individuals have exploited vulnerable families by opening unauthorized rehabilitation centers across the country, taking advantage of the scarcity of legitimate facilities and fleecing those in need.

Recently, the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) ordered the immediate shutdown of 15 rehabilitation centers in Kenya after inspectors uncovered serious breaches that endangered patients.

Chief Executive Officer Anthony Omerikwa explained that this decision followed a Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) conducted in November 2025.

During this initiative, a multi-agency team reviewed 236 treatment facilities across 36 counties. The findings revealed that only 135 centers met the required standards and were granted full accreditation.

These compliant facilities provide close to 3,800 residential beds, highlighting the limited capacity available for safe treatment nationwide.

NACADA emphasized that the closures are intended to protect vulnerable patients and ensure that only properly licensed and well-managed institutions continue to operate.

In response, the National Government, in collaboration with County Governments, is planning to construct rehabilitation centers in every county.
According to Dr. Raymond Omollo, the Permanent Secretary in charge of Internal Security and National Administration, this initiative aims to combat drug addiction across the country.

“It is true we do not have adequate rehabilitation centers across the country. This issue has been caused by the underinvestment and underdevelopment that we, as a government and a country, have failed to address over the years,” said the PS.

“This is not a new phenomenon; it is a historical problem we have been facing as a country,” Omollo added.

Under the guidance of President William Ruto, the government will work with County Governments through the Council of Governors to ensure that every county has a rehabilitation center.

“The County Governments will be tasked with providing a piece of land, and the government will construct the facility, which the counties themselves will run due to their responsibilities in managing this challenge,” he stated.

The PS further revealed that treatment and care for patients at the centers will now be included in the Universal Health Care program through the Social Health Authority to make costs more manageable.

“In the past, drug addiction has been viewed differently, but it is a disease like any other,” he said.

“As a society, we must treat drug addiction with the same care we provide for other diseases that Kenyans are struggling with,” Omollo emphasized.

According to recent reports from NACADA and related studies (2022–2025), general population statistics indicate that one in every six Kenyans (approximately 4.7 million people) aged 15–65 is currently using at least one drug or substance of abuse.

The statistics further reveal that one in every three males uses at least one drug, compared to one in every sixteen females, with alcohol being the most widely used substance, followed by tobacco, khat (miraa), and cannabis.

The report indicates that one in every eight Kenyans (3.2 million) consumes alcohol, while one in every twelve (2.3 million) uses tobacco. Approximately 10.4 percent of the population suffers from alcohol use disorders, and 6.8% have tobacco use disorders.

“Today, literally every household faces this issue; whether it’s from immediate family or someone close to you, everyone is struggling with alcohol or other drug and substance addictions, which shows the severity of the situation,” said Omollo.

“People who should be actively engaged in nation-building are completely unable to do so, which has also affected our society in terms of morals,” he added.

Ends.

The Guardian Bus Loses Its Operating Licence in NTSA Crackdown

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By James Okoth

Fatal crashes and regulatory breaches prompt strict action against public transport operators

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has suspended the operating licences of six public transport operators following a string of fatal crashes during the December 2025 festive season and early January 2026. The move targets companies that failed to adhere to the requirements of KS 2295‑2023 and violated several provisions of the NTSA (Operation of PSV) Regulations, 2014.

The Guardian Coach Limited was at the center of the crackdown after a fatal road traffic crash on 6th January 2026 along the Nairobi–Naivasha Road at Kimende area. NTSA has imposed strict penalties on the operator:

The company is given 21 days to comply with set safety and operational conditions. Failure to comply will result in suspension of its operating licence from all driving duties.

According to NTSA, the suspension is part of its mandate to enforce compliance among public service vehicle (PSV) operators and protect passenger safety.

“The Authority is committed to upholding road safety and will not hesitate to suspend any operator that endangers lives through negligence or non-compliance with statutory requirements,” NTSA stated.

Other Operators Affected

The other operators impacted by the crackdown include:

  1. Monna Comfort Sacco
  2. Greenline Company Ltd
  3. Naekana Route 134 Sacco Ltd
  4. Uwezo Coast Shuttle
  5. Nanyuki Express Cab Services Ltd

The companies were implicated in fatal crashes and repeated non-compliance with safety regulations. They are now required to meet strict operational, night travel and statutory compliance conditions before their licences can be reinstated.

Night Travel Safety Conditions

To ensure safe long-distance and night travel, NTSA requires the operators to demonstrate compliance with the following:

  1. Valid authorization for night operations and adherence to route licensing conditions.
  2. Fatigue management systems, including designated driver rest areas and/or driver change-over arrangements along long-distance corridors.
  3. Operational offices or coordination points at major county pick-up and drop-off locations for dispatch, passenger handling, complaint resolution and incident reporting, along with a list of licensed routes and vehicles assigned per route.
  4. Mandatory use of accurate passenger manifests for long-distance trips, with records maintained for inspection.
  5. Updated fleet maintenance schedules and service records to ensure continuous roadworthiness.
  6. Internal operational manuals, journey management procedures and safety protocols covering speed monitoring, driver assignment, night operation controls and emergency response procedures.

“These measures are designed to protect passengers and ensure operators meet the highest safety standards,” NTSA stated.

Compliance With Statutory Requirements

Operators must also submit:

  1. Signed contracts for drivers and staff, with proof of compliance with Section 5(1)(e), including six months’ payroll, PAYE, NSSF and SHA remittances.
  2. Last quarter reports (Oct–Dec 2025) detailing compliance status, challenges and proactive measures to enhance safety.
  3. Road Safety Sensitization reports for all drivers, including photos, minutes and attendance lists. Sensitizations must be facilitated by NTSA.

NTSA will conduct safety compliance audits on the operators before licences can be reinstated.

Public Advisory

The Authority has warned the public:

“Members of the public are advised not to board vehicles belonging to the suspended Saccos/Companies. Vehicles operating contrary to this suspension will be impounded by the Traffic Department. This measure is part of our unwavering commitment to the highest standards of passenger and road safety.”

The Authority’s action sends a strong message that public transport operators must comply fully with the law or face strict penalties, including licence suspension, vehicle impoundment and potential legal action.

Arts and Sports Students Seek Transfers Amid Deadline Extension

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lom robb
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By Reporter

Deadline exposes disparities and sparks calls for investment in creative and athletic talent

The government’s decision to extend the school reporting deadline to January 21st has been welcomed by administrators. Many parents are struggling to meet school costs.

“The extension was necessary and very welcome. Parents do not have money,” says Nelly M. Otieno, principal of Dr. Ida Odinga Girls, Asango.

By Friday, 51 students had reported, bringing the total to 135 out of 200 expected. But Otieno is concerned about students placed under the Arts and Sports pathway.

“I had been given 10 students under Arts and Sports. Only five reported and all of them have requested to move to STEM or Social Sciences,” she revealed.

The situation reflects a national challenge. While the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system is meant to nurture diverse talents, many schools lack the facilities to support Arts and Sports students.

Art studios are poorly equipped, music rooms lack instruments and sports grounds are often underdeveloped or missing entirely. Students may be forced to merge with other classes, limiting hands-on learning.

At Nyakach girls national school in Nyakach subcounty, Kisumu county, the situation might be different. According to Tom Opondo, the deputy principal, they are yet to witness any challenges in the admission process, save for a few parents who report without the required fee of. Ksh. 27000.

“As at now, we are over 50% in admission process. As a school, our target is 1400 but have since admitted 700 students with a surety of more by the end of the day. However, we have witnessed instances where parents only show up with as little as Ksh. 5000, an amount way below the government requirement,” says Opondo.

Nyakach girls national school has however made a name and a global mark in sports, currently, holding the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom National Title among other titles with a strong athletic identity.

In contrast, a few well-resourced schools tell a different story with established theatres, music rooms, libraries and modern sports fields, professional coaching and ample opportunities for students to showcase their talents.

At Dr. Ida Odinga Girls, Asango, half of the Arts and Sports students have requested transfers, while the rest are yet to report.

“This is not just a number. It reflects hope turning into hesitation,” Otieno said. “Without proper guidance and facilities, learners abandon their passions for streams that seem safer or more recognized.”

Education experts warn that prioritizing STEM and Social Sciences sends a message that creative and athletic talents are less valuable. This threatens the inclusivity CBE was designed to promote.

If the trend of abandoning Arts and Sports pathways continues, Kenya risks losing a generation of creative and athletic talent. Schools are the first step in developing athletes, musicians, artists and performers. Without proper pathways, the pipeline of talent feeding national competitions, professional sports and cultural sectors will shrink.

This also threatens careers, economic growth and national pride. Students forced into streams that do not match their passion may underperform, while cultural and sporting institutions lose participants. Urban schools with better facilities will continue to thrive, leaving rural and under-resourced schools further behind, widening inequality.

Despite the challenges, the deadline extension provides an opportunity for schools to guide students and show that their talents matter.

“We need to show our learners that being an artist, musician, or athlete is as meaningful as being a scientist or economist. Their dreams deserve space to grow,” Otieno emphasized.

Policymakers and school administrators are being urged to bridge the gap with better facilities, trained teachers and clear career pathways. Without such steps, the nation risks losing the potential of Arts and Sports students.

As January 21st approaches, Dr. Ida Odinga Girls reflects the national landscape: talent cannot thrive on paper alone. It needs opportunity, guidance and recognition.

15 billion Trees, One Chance: Why Agenda Beyond Borders Is Calling for Stronger Government Partnerships

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By Simon Okola

Kenya’s commitment to grow 15 billion trees by 2032 is one of the most ambitious environmental initiatives ever undertaken in the country. For communities already grappling with floods, droughts, degraded farmlands, and shrinking water sources, this initiative offers hope not just for more trees, but for restored ecosystems, livelihoods, and climate resilience.

However, the success of this programme will not be measured by how many seedlings are planted during national campaigns. It will be judged by how many trees survive, how landscapes recover, and how communities benefit over time.

This is why Agenda Beyond Borders (ABB) believes that the 15 billion Trees Initiative must be driven by strong partnerships, accountability, and community ownership, alongside government leadership.

Planting Is Not the Same as Growing

Kenya has a long history of tree-planting efforts. Many were well-intentioned but fell short because survival, monitoring, maintenance, and incentives were often overlooked. Trees died quietly, and valuable lessons were rarely documented or applied.

Today, the stakes are higher. The initiative is closely linked to Kenya’s climate commitments, the Carbon Market Regulations (2024), and devolved governance. Counties now play a central role in climate action, yet many face capacity gaps in planning, financing, and long-term monitoring of restoration efforts.

Without strong systems, the country risks counting seedlings instead of lasting impact.

Where Agenda Beyond Borders Comes In

Agenda Beyond Borders is a Kenyan policy, climate, and project finance advisory organisation working at the intersection of climate action, monitoring and evaluation, research, and community development. ABB exists to help ambitious government policies translate into measurable, sustainable outcomes on the ground.

ABB seeks to partner with the Government of Kenya to strengthen the 15 Billion Trees Initiative in four practical ways:

  1. Accountability and Learning – designing robust MEAL systems to track tree survival, ecosystem recovery, and community benefits, ensuring public and donor resources deliver real value.
  2. County-Led Implementation – developing locally appropriate restoration strategies aligned with County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs), ensuring trees are planted where they matter most.
  3. Community-Centred Restoration – promoting agroforestry, fruit trees, bamboo, and livelihood-linked restoration models that create income, enhance food security, and build resilience, particularly for women and youth.
  4. Climate and Carbon Finance Readiness – supporting carbon project pre-feasibility assessments, benefit-sharing frameworks, and monitoring systems to unlock sustainable climate financing.

A Call to Government Agencies

For the 15 billion Trees Initiative to succeed, government agencies cannot work alone.

Agenda Beyond Borders calls upon:
• The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry
• The Climate Change Directorate
• The Kenya Forest Service
• County governments and their climate units

to deepen structured partnerships with credible Kenyan institutions that bring technical expertise, learning systems, and community-level experience. We invite government agencies to engage with ABB in designing and implementing tree-growing models that are finance-ready, community-led, and results-driven.

Partnership, Not Parallel Efforts

Agenda Beyond Borders does not seek to replace government leadership. The 15 billion Trees Initiative belongs to the Kenyan people and is rightly led by the state.

Government provides mandate and scale. Communities provide ownership and local knowledge. Organisations like ABB contribute technical expertise, accountability systems, and access to finance. When these strengths align, trees do not just get planted they grow, survive, and deliver lasting benefits.

Kenya has a rare opportunity to demonstrate that large-scale climate action can be locally driven, socially just, and economically viable. Agenda Beyond Borders stands ready to partner with government agencies to ensure the 15 billion Trees Initiative succeeds not as a numbers exercise, but as a foundation for Kenya’s green and inclusive future.

Because in the end, trees grow best where policy, people, and partnerships meet.

About the Author

Simon Okola is an educator, project finance expert, and the Founder of Agenda Beyond Borders (ABB), a Kenyan-based policy and advisory organisation focused on climate action, community development, and sustainable financing solutions.

Contact Agenda Beyond Borders:
Email: agendabeyondborders@gmail.com
Website: www.agendabeyondborders.org

Bring it on: Chogo, Winnie, the Real Genz throws the gauntlet to Dr Oburu, Kenya’s Genz Mkongwe

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By Anderson Ojwang

Kamkunji ground in Kibra was organic and jubilant. In droves they converged in their tens. The bedroom shook and yielded. The crowd was alive and electrified just like when the Enigma visited the backyard.

The organization was real and the master of ceremony spiced and dictated the event and the crowd synched. The statement was loud and clear.

And when Winnie Odinga, the late Raila Amolo Odinga youngest daughter rose to speak, she ungloved and in her, the father’s rebellion DNA was profound.

The presence of Raila Junior at the venue and the passage of his mother’s Ida Odinga greeting to crowd was pregnant and spoke volumes.

The return

Winnie threw the challenge to Kenya’s Genz Mkongwe and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Dr Oburu Oginga.

“Leo tume rudi nyumbani. Nilisikia kuna watu wali sema eti hatuwezi kuja hapa (Today, we have returned back home. I hear there were some people saying we cannot come back here.”

“Hawa ni wakina nani? Waelezi nime rudi nyumbani. Nimepitia kwa bedroom ma hata sasa natoa viatu (Who the hell are they? Tell them, I have returned home. I have been to the bedroom and I am even rooming my shoes)” she said.

Pause the negotiations, Let’s talk

After, Chogo, the last born triumphant entry to her father’s political bedroom, Winnie took the battle with her Uncle a notch higher over the leadership of the party and asked them to pause the negotiation and give dialogue a chance.

“Kwenye hi safari sisi tulikuwa abiria na baba alikua driver ya basi hili. Na kuna siku moja tuliamuka na tukashtuka driver amekufa (In the journey, we had the passengers and Raila was the driver of the political bus. One day we woke up to sad news of the demise of the driver).”

“Aliaga dunia. Kidogo wale walikuwa wana keti mbele wamekimbia kwenye steering wheel kila mtu an vutia pande hi na hi (The driver died. Within a short moment, those who were sitting on the front seats took over the steering wheel and everyone steering to a different direction).”

“Wame tukushukuma Sisi kama magunia. Wamesahau, tunasema ngonje ni tu baba alukufa juzi tu. Haraka ya nini bwana. Wacha tuonge kwana simamiza. Wacha tuonge kwanza. Tushonge mbele pamoja (They have thrown us outside lack a sack. They have forgotten us. We are saying wait, Baba just died the other day. What is the hurry for. Let us talk. Stop the negotiations. Let us talk and after that we can move together)” she said.

The podium

Winnie’s team outsmarted Oburu’s in the general arrangement of the venue and the podium. Winnie had a teleprompter and dais placed before she could speak and her delivery was perfect and crisp. The crowd obeyed and stayed away from the main dais while the security arrangement was similar to that of his father.

For Oburu, it was total confusion with the main podium crowded. His speeches was drown in noise and he constantly begged to be allowed to speak.

MP Tom Kagwang tried to calm the crowd and asked Dr Oburu to speak: Daktari speak. “Sema Jambo kwa dakika moja. Daktari. Mos jo piny. (Doctor speak to the people for a minute. Doctor, greet the people)”.

In response Oburu said: “Koro eka adwa wuoyo (it is now when I want to speak). To koro ok miya thuolo mondo alosi (Why do you give me the opportunity to speak). Miya uru thuolo mondo Alosi. Yawa (Kindly give me the opportunity to speak).”

Kajwang tried calming the crowd: “ongea tu daktari, wuo awuoya. (Daktari just speak)”.

In the chaos and confusion Oburu request again: “Koro wena uru mondo Alosi. (Now allow me to speak)” and he speaks out “Wanainchi wa kibira, hamjumbo. ODM” but drown in noise and said “ok owena thuolo mondo Alosi wena uru thuolo mondo Alosi yawa (kindly grant me the opportunity to speak, my people)”.

Oburu in Raila’s bedroom

Last Wednesday, Oburu led a team of ODM leaders allied to him and support the ODM-UDA pre-election pact with President William Ruto.

In his entourage were party national chairman Gladys Wanga, Deputy party leaders Abdulswamad Nassir and Simba Arati among other leaders.

“Nimeanza na kibra, kwasababu nilipoteza ndugu yangu rafiki, ambaye alikua party leader wangu (I have started my rallies with Kibra because I lost my brother and my party leader)” and then speaks in Dholuo “Jodalawa pod ayuago raila ok ungeyo ni pod ayuago raila. Ema omiyo aduogo e bedroom mar Raila mondo ayuage (I have returned to Raila’s bedroom to mourn with you and seek your support)” he said.

Oburu- Winnie Tiff

At the ODM 20th anniversary, Winnie and Oburu fall out became apparent and it was just a matter of time and recently Oburu responded to Winnie saying he was the brain behind the broad based government and that he chaired all the meetings.

“There is something, I wanted to tell you. When it came to the mater of broad based government, the people of ODM entrusted one person with the management of that relationship. That person was Baba Raila Amolo Odinga.”

“That relationship is complicated and therefore we are looking and we are wondering, those who are taking upon themselves to manage it now, are they capable of managing that relationship?”

“I don’t think that is the question for me to answer. That is the question for the people of ODM to answer. That is why the party leader, why I am requesting, we need to go back to the people and have a NDC to see who the people want to pick to manage that same relationship,” she said.

Recently Oburu declared that he has been the one chairing all the broad based meetings between Raila and Ruto, which probably makes him the brainchild and the chief negotiator in the arrangement.

“Those who are saying that Oburu is not validly elected, I challenge them, if they say it is NDC, let us go with them to the NDC and I will call it very soon,” he said.

Oburu said he is the one who has been chairing all the broad based arrangements between Ruto and the late Raila.

“Those who are saying Oburu does not talk, are talking nonsense. In this broad based arrangement, I want to assure those who are saying that it was only Raila who could handle it and that Oburu does not know anything about it.”

“I want to tell them that all the meetings of the broad based arrangements with Ruto, the chairman has been Oburu Odinga before you here today,” he said.

Will the Real Genz outsmart the Genz Mkongwe to drive home to victory?

Why Homa Bay Deputy Governor Magwanga Has Refused to Occupy His New Official Office

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lom robb
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By Habil Onyango

Five months ago, the Homa Bay County Government moved nearly all its services to a new, modern County Headquarters located in the Arujo area, shifting from the main Central Business District.

The headquarters was officially opened by President William Ruto during his visit to the county, which is known for its vast potential.

The building serves as a central hub for county services, aiming to boost efficiency and transform Homa Bay into a city while facilitating hospitality development by relocating offices away from the lakefront.

However, Joseph Oyugi Magwanga, the Deputy Governor of Homa Bay, has refused to enter his assigned office.

Magwanga claims that the office has been “bewitched” by certain individuals within the County leadership and insists he will only occupy it if assigned a different one.

“I will not step into a bewitched office occupied by known individuals within the County leadership,” Magwanga stated.

His staff however continued to report to work until one day they found the office locked changed and they could not get access to it.

“When his staff reported for work, they found that the office lock had been changed, preventing access,” he said.

“My office is still closed, and my staff have no access to it. What kind of management is this? You cannot close a public office and deny the holder access.”

He expressed concern, stating, “This is a violation of the Constitution. But it is only a matter of time before the people of Homa Bay lock you out through the ballot. Your time is up, and you are going home.”

Magwanga has already declared his intention to run for the 2027 gubernatorial seat.

The rift between Magwanga and his boss, Governor Gladys Wanga, who also serves as the ODM National Chairperson, began during the Kasipul by-election.

In that election, Magwanga supported independent candidate Philip Aroko against the party’s chosen candidate, Boyd Were.

Following the election, Wanga relieved Magwanga of his duties as the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Livestock Development just days after Were’s victory.

Calls for His Resignation

Several County leaders close to the Governor, including County Assembly Majority Leader Richard Ogindo, have been calling for Magwanga’s resignation as the 2027 general elections approach.

On January 16, 2026, Solomon Obiero, the County Executive Committee Member for Finance, challenged Magwanga to resign if he intended to run for the county’s top seat in the upcoming elections. Obiero stated that Magwanga could not continue to serve and earn a salary as Deputy Governor while simultaneously opposing Governor Gladys Wanga.

“If Magwanga has decided to run against the Governor in the 2027 elections, let him resign first. He cannot earn a salary as Deputy Governor while also backbiting his boss,” Obiero stated.

“How can someone start campaigning early while still serving as Deputy Governor? Magwanga should leave the office and openly face us in the next general elections,” he added.

Obiero emphasized that the upcoming elections will focus on candidates’ past development achievements while in office.

“Magwanga should inform us about what he has accomplished for the people while serving as Homa Bay County Deputy Governor and as Agriculture CECM,” he urged.

For some time, Magwanga has publicly criticized Wanga’s re-election, claiming she has failed to serve the people of Homa Bay. He has voiced his intention to challenge her in the 2027 elections, asserting that Wanga has mismanaged the county, leaving it in disarray and unable to pay contractors or secure basic necessities for daily operations.

“Wanga is a one-term governor, and her time is up. I sacrificed to help you become governor, but you are ungrateful. Now it is time for payback,” he said.

Magwanga dismissed Obiero’s remarks, labeling him “a small fish” politically, and stated that he would not respond to what he considered baseless comments. He emphasized that he is still the County Deputy Governor, prepared to offer his services from anywhere but not from the “bewitched” office.

Winnie to visit Kibra, the father’s bedroom, 3 days after Uncle Oburu’s ODM-UDA pre-election pact coalition rally

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lom robb
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By Anderson Ojwang

Today, political tectonic will unfold and reverberate from the late Raila Amolo Odinga bedroom, Kibra constituency.
This time, it’s his last born daughter, Winnie Madekezia Odinga, named after South African freedom fighter Winnie Mandela, the respected wife of South Africa’s first independent president, the late Nelson Mandela.

Winnie, Raila’s trusted political lieutenant and key ally in his father’s political journey, will today mark her political birth and liberation from the shadows of her father.

Today, in Kibra, Winnie Odinga will be born politically, and Kenya will likely witness the rebirth of Raila Amolo Odinga in his daughter as Winnie begins her journey in her father’s footsteps.

Raila begun his political journey from Langata constituency, today Kibra constituency, in 1992 as the first multi-party elected Langata MP and turned it into his political bedroom.

Today, Winnie, for the first time 92 days after the death of her father—whose body she received in her hands in India and brought home—visits her bedroom.

The Visit

Winnie in a press invite to the media wrote “The Office of Hon Winnie Odinga, EALA MP, respectfully invites your media house to cover her visit to Kibra constituency. Her itinerary will be as below.”

“Events details
Date 18/01/2028
Kibra Makina ACK Church from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm – Thanksgiving church service.
Kamkunji Ground from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm – Officiate as guest of honor at the opening ceremony of the 2026 sessional assembly of Kamkunji pressure group.”

This is a powerful and pregnant engagement at her father’s bedroom loaded with political undertones.

Oburu in Kibra

On Wednesday, the ODM party leader, Dr Oburu Odinga, took his first ODM-UDA pre-election pact engagement rally to Kibra, saying whenever Raila had an issue to address, he started with his bedroom, Kibra.

But Oburu’s visit to Kibra was chaotic and marked by a false start, confusion, and low turnout.

Confusion and chaos galore

Confusion and chaos visited and built a home at the main podium as Oburu was heard begging to be allowed to address the crowd as MP Tom Kajwang urged him to speak.

Kajwang: “Daktari speak. Sema jambo kwa dakika moja. Daktari. Mos jo piny.”
(Doctor, speak to the people for a minute. Doctor, greet the people.)

In response, Oburu said: “Koro eka adwa wuoyo.”
(It is now that I want to speak.)

“To koro ok miya thuolo mondo alosi?”
(Why don’t you give me the opportunity to speak?)

“Miya uru thuolo mondo alosi, yawa.”
(Kindly give me the opportunity to speak.)

Kajwang tried calming the crowd: “Ongea tu daktari, wuod awuoya.”
(Daktari, just speak.)

In the chaos and confusion, Oburu requested again: “Koro wena uru mondo alosi.”
(Now allow me to speak.)

He began: “Wanainchi wa Kibra, hamjambo? ODM…” but was drowned in noise and added, “Ok owena thuolo mondo alosi… miya uru thuolo mondo alosi, yawa.”
(Kindly grant me the opportunity to speak, my people.)

As the crowd continued to push and pull, Kajwang called one of Oburu’s security aides, Ken Adhu, saying “Adhu pang uru joma nitie tok daktari go.”
(Adhu, kindly handle the people behind Dr Oburu.)

Oburu took the microphone again: “Apenjie aye uru mondo koro alosi.”
(I ask you to move so that I can speak.)

“Wanainchi wa Kibra, munanisikiza. Leo ni leo.”

“Nimeanza na Kibra kwa sababu nilipoteza ndugu yangu na rafiki yangu ambaye alikuwa party leader wangu.”
(I started my rallies in Kibra because I lost my brother and party leader.)

Switching to Dholuo, he said: “Jodalawa pod ayuago Raila. Ok ungeyo ni pod ayuago Raila. Ema omiyo aduogo e bedroom mar Raila mondo ayuage kaye, ema achake bura.”
(My people, I am still mourning Raila. That is why I have begun my rallies from Raila’s bedroom.)

Oburu–Winnie tiff

Oburu and his niece Winnie are reading from different political scripts, with the latter demanding that a new team be appointed through an NDC to manage the coalition with President William Ruto.

During the November ODM celebrations in Mombasa, Winnie said:

“When it came to the matter of the broad-based government, the people of ODM entrusted one person with the management of that relationship, and that person was Baba Raila Amolo Odinga.
That relationship is complicated. Those who have taken it upon themselves to manage it now—are they capable?
That is not for me to answer. It is for the people of ODM to answer. That is why we need to go back to the people through an NDC to decide who should manage that relationship.”

Recently, Oburu said:

“Those who say Oburu is not validly elected, I challenge them. If it is an NDC they want, I will call it very soon.”

He added:

“Those who say Oburu does not talk are talking nonsense. In this broad-based arrangement, all meetings between Raila and Ruto were chaired by Oburu Odinga.”

On cabinet appointments, Oburu said:

“I chaired the meeting that appointed Opiyo Wandayi, John Mbadi, and Hassan Joho to the Cabinet.
We also negotiated 14 permanent secretary positions. We entered this government by accident after it was shaken by Gen Z.”

Petty Offences Must Not End in Cells or Remand Through Police Action

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lom robb
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Billy Mijungu

By Billy Mijungu

Petty offences should never be a gateway to incarceration. Yet every day, minor infractions—real or imagined—are escalated by police action into arrests, remand, and needless suffering for ordinary citizens.

Justice cannot be delivered from a distance. Law enforcement must, in practice and perspective, be where the people are. Only then can public order reflect the lived realities of those it is meant to serve rather than punish.

An arrest may outwardly resemble enforcement of the law, but in many cases it becomes the gravest injustice. Procedure applied without context turns legality into oppression. When discretion is abandoned, the law ceases to be a shield and becomes a weapon.

Consider the common case of a boda boda rider arrested for obstruction after refusing or failing to pay a bribe.

Such allegations are nearly impossible to disprove. When these encounters are processed mechanically, they often culminate in fines or detention that devastate livelihoods.

These are citizens who live hand to mouth. A single night in custody means lost income, missed responsibilities, exposure to health risks, and sometimes permanent economic damage, all arising from petty and often unjustifiable offences.

Many end up paying more money to escape prolonged detention for crimes they did not commit or offences they cannot afford to contest. The predictable outcome is the entrenchment of corruption at police stations, where arrests become tools of extraction rather than instruments of public safety.

A bottom-up justice renaissance requires confronting these realities honestly. Public order must not be blind to poverty or deaf to power imbalances.

Discretion must be exercised with humanity, proportionality, and social awareness.

Law enforcement itself must be supported and reformed. Police officers should be equipped with modern accountability tools such as body cameras, rolling CCTV systems, and digital recording devices to objectively justify arrests and actions. It can no longer be a matter of one word against another. Evidence must be verifiable, transparent, and credible.

Public safety will not be achieved through punishment alone, but through accountability, empathy, and institutional integrity. A system that understands the street will better serve society.

Uganda’s Willy Deus Survives Late Scare to clinch the Sunshine Development Tour Absa Invitational at Thika Greens

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By Phillip Orwa

Uganda’s Willy Deus secured his inaugural win during the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing that was held at Thika Greens, after holding a final day charge by Kenya’s David Wakhu to win the Absa Invitational Series at Thika Greens on Friday, January 16, 2026.

This was his second time of asking for the 34-year-old, his first shot in the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, having been at VetLab Sports Club in November last year where he finished 13th.

The Ugandan played rounds of 68, 68, and 72 for a total score of 5-under par 208 to finish ahead of Njoroge Kibugu and David Wakhu who were joint second on four under par 209.

He entered the final round tied at the top with Mutahi Kibugu but endured a difficult day on the course that had bogeys on holes two, six, fifteen, and eighteen and limited birdies on holes four, seven, and twelve while playing par on the rest to post a 1-over-par round and take home Sh400,000.

“It feels really good to be the champion. A win is always a win, and it feels great when you finish the job, especially knowing how much work goes into putting yourself in that position. When I give myself the chance and close it out, it’s always a great feeling.

Today was tough. The wind was strong and the course was set up to be very challenging. I also had a bit of bad luck with a few bounces that put me in spots I shouldn’t have been in, so it wasn’t easy out there.” said Dues.

He credited his mental strength in his victory: “I’ve worked a lot on my mental game this year. Last year, I don’t think I would have handled moments like this the same way. I’ve been working closely with my coaches, focusing on staying calm, taking a deep breath, and doing what I needed to do at the moment. To come to Kenya and get my first professional victory here is very special. It’s an amazing feeling and one I’ll always remember.”

On his part, Njoroge played a conservative round for par with birdies on holes six, ten, fourteen and eighteen, bogeys on the seven, fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen to finish second.

A blemish-free start in the front nine that included birdies on the first and second holes saw Wakhu take the lead as he took the turn at 2-under par, but bogeys on number twelve and sixteen, followed by a double bogey on the 18th saw him end the round on par to finish joint second alongside Njoroge as each of them won Sh179,350.

Reflecting on his final round, Njoroge Kibugu said he felt encouraged by improvements in his ball striking but admitted that a difficult day on the greens ultimately held him back.

“Today I hit the ball a lot better than I did for most of the tournament. My swing was a bit rusty, and a few bad habits crept in over the holidays, so I spent the first two days trying to work through that.”

“I felt much better with my ball striking today, but unfortunately my putter went cold and I finished at level par. I missed a short putt on 15, made a soft bogey, then hit it right on 16 and couldn’t get up and down. On 17, I three-putted again. The putter just wasn’t my friend today.”

“I had a couple more three-putts and missed a few putts from around six feet. It was just one of those tough days on the greens.”

Muthaiga Golf Club’s Greg Snow and Uganda’s Ronald Rugumayo finished third on three under par 210, both playing equal par on Friday to take home Sh94,800 each.

Snow, who came into the Absa Invitational at Thika on the back of winning the Limuru leg of the tour, started off badly with bogeys on the first, third, and fourth but attempted to recover with a birdie on the sixth and eleventh before dropping another shot on the thirteenth with more birdies on the 14th and 17th.

On the other hand, Rugumayo picked bogeys on the first, ninth, and seventeenth, birdies on holes four, five, and sixteen while picking pars on the rest for a total score of three under par 210 after three rounds.

The ninth leg of the SDT–EAS attracted 75 players from across Africa and beyond, all competing for a share of the Ksh 2 million prize purse, as well as Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, and Safari Tour Order of Merit points, which are critical for qualification into the 2026 Magical Kenya Open on the DP World Tour.

The Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing now moves to the tenth and final leg of the season, the second event under the Absa Invitational Series umbrella, scheduled for next week at the Karen Country Club.

ODM Presidential candidate: Ruth Odinga or Oburu Odinga. Who fits the bill to fly the flag ?

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By Anderson Ojwang

Last year in November, after the demise of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Raila Amolo Odinga, his younger sister, Ruth Adhiambo Odinga, stirred the murky political waters.
Adhiambo, the Kisumu Women Representative, made a bold move when confusion reigned in the party by declaring her interest to be the party presidential candidate.
Ruth’s declaration seems to have unsettled some political quarters who also moved to declare the current party leader, Dr Oburu Odinga, as the ODM automatic presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections.

Ruth, on her social media handles, wrote “Nothing stops me from contesting for the presidency. I have all it takes. But first, I want to see a vibrant ODM that is a safe space for everyone.”

The declaration must have destabilized political quarters hell-bent on driving the party into a coalition with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Ruth hinted that she may consider a presidential bid in the 2027 general elections and emphasized that any run would be under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) banner.

Ruth said she was not against the formation of a coalition but insisted that the party must first develop its structures before engaging in any form of negotiations.
“I am not against a coalition between ODM and other parties. What I keep saying is that we must have one strong ODM. We have been in the trenches and we know what unity can do,” she said.

Ruth in the trenches

Ruth Odinga, just like her father, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and Raila, were in the trenches for the political struggle and the new constitutional dispensation.
Ruth, while at a young age and in primary school, became key in the struggle as she smuggled letters from her father, who was under house detention, to his allies and vice versa.
Ruth became the voice of the struggle because through her, her father was able to communicate with the outside world.

The Kisumu Russia massacre in 1969

During the bitter exchange at the official opening of the Rusia Hospital, today known as Jaramogi Oginga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Ruth accompanied her father, Oginga, Raila, and Ker Odungi Randa, and escaped death by a whisker. They had to hide in a ward to escape police killings and were rescued after then President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s team left the venue.

Ruth in the demonstrations

Ruth has been part and parcel of the constitutional struggle and has been at the forefront of demonstrations. She stood by Raila during protests and has also been scarred by police violence against demonstrators.

Oburu’s presidential candidature

The ODM Director of Elections, Junet Mohammed, claimed that by virtue of Oburu being the party leader, he is the automatic party presidential candidate.
Oburu went on to state “I am the presidential candidate for ODM if ODM decides that it goes it alone. So anybody who is preparing himself to go for the presidential election in ODM, I think it is misplaced. If they want to go for presidential candidacy, they should look for another party. The presidential candidacy is already decided. The constitution says the presidential candidate is the party leader — the automatic presidential candidate for ODM.”

Precedent set in 2007 presidential nomination

But Oburu will have to contend with the party constitution and the precedent set in the 2007 presidential nomination and face off with his fiery and battle-hardened younger sister, Ruth.
In 2007, after the formation of ODM, Raila was the party leader but faced William Ruto, Musalia Mudavadi, Joe Nyaga, and Najib Balala for the party nomination and won before being declared the presidential candidate.

According to ODM party rules, a party member shall take part in elections through voting and be eligible for party and national elections at all levels upon nomination.
The National Delegates Conference (NDC) is mandated to nominate the party’s presidential candidate for the election of the President of the Republic of Kenya.
Ruth will be relying on the party constitution to fly the ODM flag in the 2027 presidential elections.

Oburu presidential candidate mirage

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, in what he termed the Mahaya declaration, demanded an immediate pre-coalition signing between UDA and ODM, with President William Ruto as the candidate.
“Going forward, let us hurry and develop a pre-election agreement between ODM and UDA. The negotiation will be headed by Oburu for ODM, while UDA will be headed by President Ruto. The Mahaya declaration is that Oburu starts negotiations with Ruto immediately.”

With only two aspirants who have declared interest in being the ODM presidential candidate, the question remains: who fits the bill to step into the shoes of the Enigma, Raila? Does Ruth fit the bill over the ageing Dr Oburu?
Or is the chief negotiator, Oburu Odinga, the best candidate to lead ODM to Canaan after five unsuccessful attempts by his younger brother Raila?

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