By Habil Onyango

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) parliamentary deputy chief whip Millie Odhiambo has come to the defense of Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga over criticism of her development record.

Odhiambo dismissed critics as people motivated by petty jealousy and bitterness over a woman’s leadership and success.

She said Wanga has made significant strides in improving the lives of Homa Bay residents and transforming the county’s image.

Millie, who is also the Suba North MP, asked Wanga to disregard the negative criticism from a few individuals who, she claims, oppose women in leadership roles.

“Forget about the noise orchestrated by a few individuals who sat in a room and concluded that a woman should not continue receiving credit for changing lives and transforming the face of Homa Bay County,” she said.

But a community-based organization has demanded transparency and accountability on the ward-based development fund.

In a petition to the governor, Interface Community Help Desk wrote:

“We, the undersigned Human Rights Defenders working within Homa Bay County and Kenya at large, write to raise serious concerns regarding the Ward-Based Development Fund (WBDF) allocations amounting to Ksh. 26,500,000 per ward, totaling Ksh. 1,060,000,000 annually across 40 wards in Homa Bay County.

According to the county budget framework, the funds were to be disbursed and utilized in the following manner per ward:

1. Department of Roads – Ksh. 10,000,000 (road works)
2. Department of Education – Ksh. 4,000,000 (Ondoa Kaunda initiative)
3. Department of Water – Ksh. 3,500,000 (drilled and solar-equipped boreholes)
4. Department of Agriculture – Ksh. 1,000,000 (seeds for farmers)
5. Department of Health – Ksh. 4,000,000
6. Department of Trade – Ksh. 1,000,000 (upgrading markets)
7. Department of Sports – Ksh. 1,000,000 (upgrading playgrounds)
8. Department of Trade – Ksh. 500,000 (two boda sheds per ward)
9. Department of Energy & Mining – Ksh. 500,000 (two solar lights in markets)
10. Department of Energy & Mining – Ksh. 1,000,000 (transformers per ward)

This allocation adds up to Ksh. 26,500,000 per ward, meant to directly benefit citizens across all 40 wards.

Our Observations:

1. In FY 2023/2024, only Ksh. 19,000,000 per ward was reportedly spent. However, the balance of Ksh. 7,500,000 per ward (Ksh. 300,000,000 countywide) remains unaccounted for.
2. In FY 2024/2025, only the following projects were procured:
   • Seeds: Ksh. 1,000,000 per ward = Ksh. 40,000,000 countywide
   • Roads: Ksh. 10,000,000 per ward = Ksh. 400,000,000 countywide
     Leaving a balance of over Ksh. 600,000,000 unutilized and unexplained.
3. The Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury has publicly stated that all allocations to the 47 counties were released as per their approved budgets.

Our Demand:

We hereby call upon the County Government of Homa Bay to:

1. Publicly disclose and publish a comprehensive report on the utilization of the WBDF for the financial years 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025, ward by ward and department by department.
2. Explain the whereabouts of the unspent funds, amounting to more than Ksh. 900,000,000, including Ksh. 300 million from FY 2023/2024 and over Ksh. 600 million from FY 2024/2025.
3. Ensure that all projects earmarked under WBDF are implemented in full and with transparency, as they were budgeted for and financed by taxpayers.
4. Subject the entire WBDF expenditure to an independent audit for public accountability,” wrote Evans Gor, the chairperson.

Millie took issue with what she termed a systematic online attack intended to distract Wanga from discharging her responsibilities, with the goal of returning Homa Bay to its wanting state a decade ago.

“These attacks are not about development or service delivery; they stem from fear, jealousy, and a refusal to accept that real change is occurring under a woman’s leadership,” she said.

Millie reiterated that this resistance often comes from those who never believed a woman could lead effectively.

“Every day, Governor Wanga continues to prove them wrong with bold projects and initiatives that uplift the people of Homa Bay,” she said.

She encouraged the governor to focus on her service rather than respond to unfounded criticisms.

“On the ground, the majority of Homa Bay residents still support her GENOWA (our hope) transportation agenda and her broader vision for development,” Millie said.

“In health, despite challenges, Governor Wanga has made significant progress in improving services and laying strong foundations for better healthcare delivery,” she defended the governor.

“The people also see improvements in roads, new classrooms, and opportunities that continue to enhance their lives,” she said.

Governor Wanga has defended her development record and the appointments she made, asserting that nearly half of the county appointments have gone to individuals from Karachuonyo, including her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga, who also serves as the Agriculture Chief Executive Committee Member (CECM). Other appointees from the region include Joash Aloo (Trade), Dannish Onyango (Roads), Solomon Obiero (Finance), Elijah Munga (Sports), and the Speaker of the County Assembly, Polycarp Okombo, among others.

By Hope Barbra

The tree planting initiative by the provincial administration in Nairobi has witnessed over 500,000 trees planted in the recent past.

Starehe Deputy County Commissioner Mr. John Kisang said the chiefs had designated every first Friday of the new month as tree planting day, and the program was a success.

He said in Starehe Sub-County alone, the chiefs have planted 60,000 trees since the inception of the program, and the number is expected to increase.

The DCC, who spoke during a stakeholders’ breakfast meeting to promote environmental sustainability through education, community engagement, and impactful projects, said the government, in collaboration with other stakeholders in the environment sector, was committed to improvement and that is why they have come up with various initiatives.

“We have developed a common practice that every first Friday of a new month is a day reserved by chiefs to plant trees. Every chief has a tree nursery, and we have been planting trees in police stations, chiefs’ camps, and any open space. We appeal to residents to join us in this noble agenda,” he said.

Present at the stakeholders’ breakfast were Dr. Hayombe Sibul, Dr. Young Tello, CEO of Go Green Org, Miss Climate Kenya Sanny Kamwaro, and Angelina Tut, Go Green ambassador.

The stakeholders said they have been engaged in tree planting across the country and in the cleaning of the Nairobi River.

President William Ruto in March this year launched the Nairobi River Regeneration and Engineering Works Program to be implemented at a cost of KSh50 billion.

The project was envisaged to create 40,000 jobs, up from the current 22,000 working under the Climate Works Mtaani Initiative, besides the construction of a 60 km sewer line and 50,000 affordable houses in the reclaimed areas.

The Nairobi Rivers Commission and the ministries of Housing, Environment, and Defence will jointly implement the project.

During the launch, President Ruto pointed out that the government would ensure that the City of Nairobi remains clean and safe for residents and visitors.

He described the project as a life-changing initiative that will ensure dignified living, sustainable transport, and economic empowerment for thousands of residents.

By Reporter

The County Government of Kisumu is committed to advancing disaster preparedness response. The CECM for Public Service, County Administration and Participatory Development, Salmon Orimba, reaffirmed the county’s commitment to advancing disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience across Kenya.

Orimba, who spoke during a consultative meeting on Disaster Risk Management, said the county was developing a Disaster Response Policy which is in the process of being published as a draft. He said the policy was currently before the public for their participation and ownership.

The meeting resolved that the county governments, under the leadership of CECMs, should establish and operationalize fully resourced county disaster response management units with clear mandates, structures, and dedicated budget lines by the end of FY 2025/26.

The Chair of the Council of Governors in charge of the DRM CECM Caucus, Esther Muthoni Ndung’u, who is also Nyeri County Sports CECM, said they will ensure that DRM is integrated into CIDPs, ADPs, and county budgeting processes.

“We will lobby for adequate budgetary allocations for DRM and leverage partnerships with development partners, the private sector, and civil societies,” she said.

Ndung’u said that the CoG shall provide technical support to counties in fast-tracking the enactment and implementation of County DRM Bills and Policies. She added that the CoG Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Committee shall undertake a comprehensive mapping of all partners and stakeholders engaged in the Disaster Risk Management sector with the aim of establishing a consolidated database to guide, coordinate, collaborate, and mobilize resources.

The meeting, which received technical and financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), brought together key partners including UNICEF, UNDP, UNDRR, NDOC, and the National Treasury, whose participation underscored the importance of intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder collaboration in strengthening disaster resilience.

By Rev. Fr. Charles Orero IMC

Our religious congregation is known as the Consolata Missionaries. We were founded in Italy by Saint Joseph Allamano in the year 1901.
Our religious congregation is spread in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. We are named after Our Mother Mary Consolata.
It is from here that we get our name, Consolata Missionaries. The title “Consolata” is dear to us because it determines our choices and style of work.

It is our pride, our identity, our umbrella, and banner. In fact, we all do everything possible to keep the dignity of this title “Consolata.” It is for this reason that our Founder, Saint Joseph Allamano, insisted that we should have holy pride over the fact that our religious congregation has the title “Consolata.”

The same should apply to the name “Kenya.” This name “Kenya” should be the pride of every citizen, it should be the identity of every citizen, it should determine the mode of operation of every citizen, and it should be the banner under which every citizen operates.
Therefore, borrowing the words of Saint Joseph Allamano, every Kenyan citizen should be proud of the name of our country. Before saying or doing anything, each one ought to find out how his or her words and actions will affect the title “Kenya.” Just like the Consolata Missionaries, every Kenyan should do everything humanly possible to safeguard the dignity of the title of our country, Kenya.

Our style of life as a religious congregation has a lot to contribute towards the unity of Kenya. To begin with, we study our history with great interest, and we remember our founder, Saint Joseph Allamano, and our fellow missionaries who have gone to be with the Lord.
Through this study, we learn how our religious congregation came to be, the struggles and challenges that Saint Joseph Allamano went through in bringing the congregation into existence, and we also learn more about the lifestyle, virtues, and achievements of our deceased missionaries.

All these help us to cherish our congregation, to appreciate the efforts of our Founder, and to imitate the good life lived by our brothers who preceded us.

This is what every Kenyan is called to do. As a nation, Kenya has a very beautiful history, a history of struggle for independence, a history of self-giving as seen in the lives of our brothers and sisters who gave their lives to ensure that independence was achieved. In addition, Kenya has a good history of the life of our founding fathers and mothers, who, like Saint Joseph Allamano, went through many challenges to bring about the independence and the stability of Kenya.

Such history should occupy a special place in the heart of every Kenyan, and it should be taught in schools so that the next generation might know them—even the children not yet born, and they in turn will teach their own children (Psalm 78:6–8). The awareness of this beautiful history will enable every Kenyan to value and appreciate the struggle for independence, and no one will think of dragging the nation back to dark ages. In addition, through this, every Kenyan will learn the style, the struggle, the self-giving, and the dream of our founding fathers and mothers.

It is from this that each Kenyan will avoid any behavior or utterances that might kill the dream of our founding fathers and mothers. In line with this, it should be the effort of every Kenyan, particularly those charged with matters of education, to give special attention to collecting, preserving, and distributing the memoirs of our founding fathers and mothers so that their memory may remain alive in every Kenyan. In fact, they are our heroes.

Our religious congregation is international and includes members from different countries and continents.

Despite this, we live as one family gathered together in the Lord’s name.

We consider each other brothers, and we live and work together, bringing in the richness of our cultural diversities. We show concern for each other, and we are united in mind and soul.

It is this fraternal unity that is the life and soul of our religious family.

Kenya, as a country, should learn from this. If we, Consolata Missionaries, even though we come from different continents and countries, can live as one family, what about Kenya, which is a single country?

If Consolata Missionaries can show concern for one another regardless of the continent and country of origin, what about Kenya?

If Kenyans learn from Consolata Missionaries, then all tribes in the country will be one family. Yes, it is possible for unity to be the soul and life of our country, Kenya.

This will eliminate every form of tribalistic tendency and gender inequality, which are the greatest enemies of the unity of Kenya.

We are not born as Consolata Missionaries. We are trained to be Consolata Missionaries, and through this training, we acquire the basic fundamental elements that form the characteristics of our congregation.

These elements become part of our life, they define us, they give us identity, and they determine our lifestyle. They help us commit ourselves to live a kind of life in our religious institute, aiming at achieving its purpose.

As Kenyans, we have a lot to learn from this. To begin with, most of us are born Kenyans, we grew up in Kenya, and we live in Kenya.

If Consolata Missionaries can be taught and learn the lifestyle desired by their religious congregation, how much more can every Kenyan acquire and live those inborn virtues which will determine the prosperity of our nation? Saint Augustine of Hippo once said that new vessels will for a long-time smell of what is first poured in them.

Every Kenyan, from birth, is similar to a vessel in which virtues are poured. Just like Consolata Missionaries, every Kenyan is invited to commit themselves to putting into practice these virtues, bearing in mind that righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34). Our missionary family has its own particular organization (government) designed to effectively achieve its purpose and to support the life and activities of its missionaries. As a matter of fact, our religious family is governed by the Superior General (the president) and his Council (Cabinet).

The General Superior is elected by the assembly of legitimate representatives of our religious congregation, called the General Chapter. These members are drawn from all the countries where we are working.

The General Superior (president) is a symbol of unity in the congregation. He has a duty to visit every country and continent we are working in each year. Whenever he visits a country, he must have a dialogue with each missionary. His visit is usually anticipated because his presence encourages, comforts, and gives new impetus. Our leaders in Kenya should borrow a leaf from this, in that every leader must be a man or a woman of the people. Each leader must go to the people, listen to them, identify with them, encourage them, and find solutions to their challenges. It is from this visit that the leader will come to know the needs of his or her people—whether they have good roads, clean water, electricity, proper health services, and education.

Currently, the General Superior of our religious congregation is Kenyan, Fr. James Bhola Lingerin. This is a pride for Kenya that one of her sons leads such a great religious congregation all over the world. However, it must be made clear that he was not elected because he is a Kenyan.

He was elected unanimously because of the leadership qualities that the chapter members saw in him. In him they saw a man of God, in him they saw a man of deep spiritual life, in him they saw a man of prayer, in him they saw a man of concern, in him they saw a man who listens, in him they saw a man of reconciliation, in him they saw a man of great integrity, and in him they saw a man capable of fostering unity. As Kenyans, we should ask ourselves this question: what inspires us to elect our leaders? Do we elect them because of their leadership qualities? Do we elect them because they are men and women of God? Do we elect them because they can unite our country? Do we elect them because they are men and women of unquestionable integrity?

In each country where we work, we have one missionary in charge called the Regional Superior (governor). He is the representative of the General Superior. It is interesting that, in some of the countries, Kenyans have been elected as the superiors. For example, in South Africa, Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Kagwima is the delegate superior; in Colombia, Rev. Fr. Venanzio Mwangi from Kenya is the Superior; and in Asia, the superior is Rev. Fr. Gakocha Clement Kinyua from Kenya. What should Kenyans learn from this when it comes to leadership? The lesson is that a Kenyan has the ability to lead beyond any geographical region. Therefore, no leader in Kenya should be limited by any regional boundaries. Based on this, it would be pleasant to see a Kikuyu being elected as the Governor or Member of Parliament in Nyanza Region; it would be pleasant to see a Kamba being elected as Governor or Member of Parliament in Mount Kenya Region.

This would be a sign of great political maturity. In other words, geographical boundaries should not be an impediment for any Kenyan to exercise their leadership gifts.

May God bless and unite Kenya.

Father Orero is currently based at Catholic Diocese of Iringa, Tanzania.

By Anderson Ojwang

Sleeves have been rolled up and gloves off. It is a bare-knuckle for Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and his successor, Governor Fernandes Barasa.

Premium tears await in this high-voltage contest that pits close allies of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga.

Oparanya on Friday returned to Lurambi Constituency in Kakamega County, where he declared his readiness for a battle with his successor.
The CS spoke of his preparedness for a duel with his successor, whom he accused of scheming to fix him through the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over alleged corruption.

Oparanya also told Barasa that he was lightweight and that he must be prepared for the political consequences, adding that he should not rely on Raila’s support to win a second term.

“He thinks he is such a powerful and very important person. He talks about Oparanya all the time, but I don’t even think about him. Tell him that he is a small person before me. He is a junior fellow in front of me.

Let him call a rally in Bukhungu Stadium so that we can compare who has the masses and respect.

I have said, leave me out of Kakamega issues. He is the person who carries files to EACC. I worked here, and the development projects I left behind speak for themselves. Where are his development projects?

You know, the person who took files to EACC—even if Oparanya was a thief—can you not see the development I undertook during my tenure?
Let them report, I don’t fear anything. I supported you to be the Kakamega governor, and now you have turned against me.

You now call me names, but just know I am back. We will face off. You will know who Oparanya is. I have been in Kakamega politics for 25 years. A two-year politician cannot scare me.

I am back here on the ground. I told them to leave me alone when I was in Nairobi, but they refused. They kept on following me. I am back in Kakamega for a face-off.

We will see who will lose. I have nothing to lose in this fight. I don’t want any elective seat here—it is them who are interested in the seat.

Barasa thinks Raila will come to Kakamega to help him secure votes, but he doesn’t know Raila. I know Raila better than him.
We don’t want to lie to one another over cheap unity while we strategize against each other behind the scenes,” he said.

Oparanya and Barasa’s feud boiled over during the ODM Kakamega County branch election, where the latter accused the former of supporting his rival MP Nabii Nabwera.

Oparanya recently attended Nabii’s victory party, where they claimed he was the county party chairman—a statement that was dismissed by Barasa.

Oparanya wrote on his X handle:

“This afternoon, I was honored to grace the homecoming ceremony of the newly elected ODM Chairperson–Kakamega County, Hon. Nabii Nabwera.

The event, held at St. Immaculate Heart Secondary School Grounds, Lugari Constituency, was also attended by MPs, MCAs, thousands of ODM supporters, among others.”

Barasa said:
“Our party leader is Raila Amollo Odinga. Raila recognizes me as the party chairman. I want to say this with all due respect: those MPs who are being misused by the CS, who is not happy with the appointment he was given.

Bwana CS, you were honored by the broad-based government to unite the people of Kakamega and the entire Western, but because you are not happy with the appointment, you send MPs to tell President Ruto that you wanted to be Cabinet Secretary for Finance.

Now the CS is using MPs to undermine and create chaos in the ODM party. I want to tell President Ruto to call his CS Oparanya to order.

This is because in Kakamega, we control the politics of the area. You cannot fly to Kakamega and attend a homecoming of someone who was never elected the party county chairman.

I want to tell Oparanya to avoid embarrassing himself. We know you are using MPs to achieve your personal interests. I want to tell Raila and Ruto to call the CS to order. He can’t be coming to Kakamega every day to create chaos.”

Earlier, Barasa had also written on his X handle:
“Honored by the trust of ODM Kakamega delegates who have elected me as ODM Kakamega County Chairperson. Together, we now roll up our sleeves to strengthen our party ahead of 2027. Chama iko imara.”

The grappling in the party leadership has been worsened by a recent statement on Friday, September 12, 2025, where ODM advised its supporters to ignore reports that it had called for repeat elections.

“The National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) of the ODM party has not called for any repeat election of the party in Kakamega at the County Coordinating Committee level. Any information to the contrary is false and should be ignored,” the party stated.

The party is yet to issue an official statement on the bona fide holder of the position.

Nabii also wrote on his Facebook page:
“Lugari MP Hon. Nabii Nabwera had the great honor of hosting leaders, ardent ODM supporters, and residents of Kakamega County/Lugari Constituency at St. Immaculate Heart Secondary School Grounds, Lugari, for his homecoming as Lugari MP and newly elected ODM Kakamega County Chair.

The event was graced by his brother and mentor, CS for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Dr. FCPA Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, EGH, and brought together leaders from across Kakamega, including Hon. Elsie Muhanda, Hon. Aseka Miradi of Khwisero, Hon. Benard Shinali of Ikolomani, Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe of Navakholo, and Hon. Bishop Titus Khamala of Lurambi Constituency. Their presence was a true demonstration of unity and strength within the ODM Party.”

By Kepher Otieno

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), is set to host the 2025 Afreximbank Compliance Forum (ACF2025) in Kigali, Rwanda, from November 12 to 14. Under the theme “Better Compliance – Better Trade: Embracing AI to Promote and Secure Trade Through a Modern Compliance Framework,” the forum represents a significant turning point in how Africa approaches regulatory compliance, positioning Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the heart of a new continental trade governance agenda.

At its core, ACF2025 signals a strategic realignment of compliance—long considered a regulatory burden—into a pivotal enabler of trade facilitation, financial integrity, and investor confidence. Afreximbank’s emphasis on AI as a transformative lever reflects broader trends in the financial sector, where digital intelligence is redefining how institutions manage risks, detect fraud, and monitor cross-border transactions in real time.

AI as a Strategic Enabler of Compliance and Trade

AI is no longer a future consideration but an immediate operational necessity. In the context of compliance, its value lies in automation, scale, and precision. Afreximbank is leveraging AI to enhance anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) frameworks—areas that remain critical to unlocking access to international finance and restoring trust in African financial systems.

Machine learning algorithms, natural language processing, and predictive analytics are being integrated to streamline due diligence, identify suspicious activities faster, and reduce false positives that have traditionally slowed down compliance processes. These technologies help institutions move from reactive compliance to proactive risk management, thus enhancing their credibility in global financial markets.

Positioning Compliance as a Strategic Asset

Dr. George Elombi, the incoming President of Afreximbank, highlighted a critical paradigm shift: compliance is no longer a cost centre but a strategic asset. This repositioning aligns with the continent’s broader economic agenda—one that seeks to deepen African participation in global trade while securing intra-African commerce under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

By embedding AI into compliance architecture, financial institutions across Africa can reduce regulatory risk, improve onboarding procedures, and meet evolving global standards. This transition is essential to attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and facilitating cross-border financing.

Rwanda’s selection as the host of ACF2025 is emblematic of its growing stature as a leader in digital innovation and regulatory reform. Governor Soraya M. Hakuziyaremye of the National Bank of Rwanda reinforced this ambition, expressing Rwanda’s commitment to aligning with global financial standards and leveraging AI for market integrity. Hosting the forum enables Rwanda to showcase its digital finance ecosystem and further its role in shaping regional financial governance.

ACF2025 is expected to convene a diverse array of stakeholders—including central banks, regulators, financial institutions, legal experts, FinTechs, and compliance professionals—from across the continent and globally. The forum’s agenda is structured to offer practical insights into the deployment of AI across multiple compliance touchpoints.

Key topics will include: integration of AI into AML/CFT frameworks; insights from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on digital transformation; and case studies from countries exiting the FATF grey list.

Others are strategies to mitigate Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML); innovations in correspondent banking; and real-world applications of AI in customer onboarding and real-time risk scoring.

These discussions aim to bridge the current gap between digital innovation and regulatory governance, offering participants tools and frameworks to responsibly implement AI while safeguarding compliance integrity.

The momentum for ACF2025 builds on the success of the 2024 forum held in Dakar, which saw participation from 36 countries and over 25 expert speakers. That event marked a significant uptick in engagement, signalling growing awareness of compliance as a critical enabler of trade development.

Afreximbank is expected to unveil updates on its AI-driven compliance platforms, which are already contributing to faster onboarding, better fraud detection, and more secure transaction processing.

These innovations not only bolster institutional capacity but also elevate Africa’s standing in global trade networks.

ACF2025 comes at a pivotal time when Africa is consolidating its position within global trade systems and embracing technology to overcome long-standing compliance challenges. By placing AI at the forefront of its compliance strategy, Afreximbank is championing a vision of a more transparent, resilient, and digitally integrated African trade ecosystem. The Kigali forum is set to be a landmark event that underscores how compliance—powered by AI—can unlock new trade opportunities and secure Africa’s financial future.

By Hope Barbra

Kisumu National Polytechnic has been closed indefinitely after students went on demonstrations over alleged corruption at the institution.
In a notice, the Chief Principal Catherine Kelonye said the Interim Council of the institution held a meeting on Friday, 19th September 2025, and resolved to close the institution with immediate effect following disruptions.

“That demonstrations and boycotting of classes by trainees since Monday, 15th September 2025, preceded by various allegations against the Management by the Kisumu National Polytechnic Students Association (KINAPOSA),” read the circular.

The student union claimed fraud, theft, and corruption were being abetted at the institution by the Chief Principal and the Finance Manager in collusion with the ICT staff.

“Our fears are informed by the following pertinent concerns, that despite the Cabinet Secretary approving the fee for modularized CBET curriculum as per the letter dated 18th August 2025, the principal has willfully and unlawfully decided to increase fees on the same and other various categories of students abnormally.

Modularized CBET students approved at Ksh. 35,000 per module are paying Ksh. 40,000 to Ksh. 42,000 (Exhibit 1, 2).

KNEC curriculum students approved at Ksh. 67,000 are paying Ksh. 87,000 to Ksh. 89,000 (Exhibit 3).

TVET CDACC students approved at Ksh. 70,092 are paying Ksh. 87,000 (Exhibit 4).

First-year students invoiced at Ksh. 70,000 are paying Ksh. 143,178 (Exhibit 5).

That the Principal has continued to charge Electrical Department Telecommunications Level Six (6) students Ksh. 500 annually for School IDs, despite IDs not expiring.

That the Principal has maliciously converted the School Ladies’ Hostel into a Guest House and is collecting revenue from outsiders.

Subsequently, the Principal has denied the Students Union the right to run the school mace and is running it personally for profit.

That the Principal has paralyzed Kisumu National Student Union operations by denying the budgeted union funds of Ksh. 15 million, yet students are forced to subscribe Ksh. 1,500 and Ksh. 900 annually.”

That upon raising concerns, the ICT Department tampers with the student portal to cover up fee increments.

“Administration has been harassing and intimidating students using the police whenever concerns are raised,” wrote Chairperson Adem Silas.

They also questioned whether it was standard procedure for a Principal to engage in business within the school.

“We therefore request urgent intervention for thorough investigations and audits. We hereby call for the stepping aside of the Principal and staff involved,” he wrote.

They resolved that, to ensure rights are not violated, the students opted to boycott classes and participate in demos.

The Principal asked the students to maintain peace and stay away from the Polytechnic premises pending further communication on the dates when classes will resume.

“The Council affirms that the inconvenient circumstances are highly regrettable and wishes to assure all the affected trainees, parents, and guardians that the concerns raised will be investigated and addressed expeditiously with a view to resuming normalcy in the operations of the Polytechnic. All staff will report for duty unimpeded unless advised otherwise,” she wrote.

By Hope Barbra

Siaya Governor James Orengo has declared that he will not interfere with the ongoing inquiry into the sacked health workers by the County Public Service Board.

Orengo said he has received petitions from several individuals expressing concerns about allegedly being unfairly dismissed by the County Government of Siaya from service in the Health Department. He noted that a similar petition has also been presented to the County Assembly of Siaya.

“At this stage, I do not wish to compromise or interfere with the inquiry or interventions that will be undertaken by the County Assembly or any other investigations that may be launched by the agencies of Kenya’s criminal justice system. I urge them all to carry out thorough investigations and expose this scam for what it is.

It would also be necessary to conduct lifestyle audits on some of the individuals who could be persons of interest. Those found responsible and liable must be punished for this callous and criminal enterprise,” he said.

He said his government will cooperate fully and abide by, in accordance with the law, all recommendations and resolutions made by the County Assembly and other relevant state organs, including the enforcement of administrative action.

The governor emphasized the need to engage with the victims and address their plight in the context of how the issue arose.

“There are clear procedures for qualified persons to be appointed and deployed as part of the staff establishment. Jobs must be advertised, applications must be made, and interviews conducted. That is the only path for qualified persons to be appointed and become employees of the County Public Service,” he said.

Orengo added that it was necessary to examine all the individual cases of the complainants to confirm whether they got their appointment and deployment lawfully and regularly.

“The case is made worse when there are whispers of fraudulent activity. It is alleged that there were exchanges of money, which would completely taint and render any alleged appointment null and void,” he said.

He said the process initiated by the County Assembly of Siaya will give the petitioners an opportunity to establish the legality of the purported appointments.

“We urge the County Assembly to expedite the hearing and determination of the petition before them and note that the Assembly had directed that the Executive should not take any action until the conclusion of the proceedings before the Assembly. Noting the public outrage over this issue, we urge the Assembly to conclude this matter in a fortnight rather than a month,” he said.

Recently, 382 health workers were dismissed by the Siaya County Government over claims they were irregularly hired using forged documents.

The County Public Service Board said an audit carried out with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations revealed massive irregularities in the recruitment process.

Siaya County Public Service Board Chief Executive Officer, Wilfred Ouma Nyagudi, explained that the investigation uncovered glaring discrepancies.

“We noted several issues. Some of them were inconsistencies in the sequence of reference letters. Any letter we issue, such as deployments, must be signed by the chief of health. We had cases where somebody had a deployment letter dated earlier than their appointment,” Nyagudi said.