By Team

A Nairobi High Court has issued a warrant of arrest for businessman Julius Mwale over an unpaid court decree totalling Sh 34,104,384 owed to Sifatronix Limited.

At the same time, Mwale has been accused of issuing fake RTGS transfers to the law firm representing the petitioner, amounting to $39,540 on December 18, 2025, and $45,040 dated November 26, 2025, respectively.

Mwale did not respond to our text messages and telephone calls on the issuance of the alleged fake RTGS transfers to the petitioner’s law firm.

Mwale is a globally recognised entrepreneur, technology innovator, and the founder of multi-billion-dollar ventures, and now has a date with the Kenyan courts.

Mwale developed biometric security technology and established SBA Technologies in the U.S., and in Kenya his flagship project is Mwale Medical and Technology City (MMTC).

In Nairobi, Milimani Court Judge Noelle Kyanya, in a ruling dated 19-12-2025, issued a warrant of arrest for the execution against Mwale.

“Whereas J/Debtor Tumaz & Tumaz Enterprises Limited & Julius Mwale were, by decree of this court dated 27th February 2025 in the above-mentioned suit, ordered to pay the decree holder the sum of Sh 17,128,300, and whereas the sum of Sh 34,104,384 remains unpaid in respect of the said decree, these are to command you to arrest the said J/D and unless they shall pay to you the sum of Sh 34,104,384.46 as noted in the margin, together with the executing officer’s expenses and fees, if any, to bring the said judgment-debtor before the court with all convenient speed,” it read.

The Judge ruled further: “You are commanded to return this warrant as soon as it is executed or the money noted in the margin is tendered to you, with an endorsement certifying the day on which, and the manner in which, it has been executed, or the reason why it has not been executed.”

However, Mwale moved to the Milimani Court to vacate the warrant of arrest, but the court directed that he deposit his passport with the court or provide a surety security amount as ordered by the court.

“In order to balance the interests of both parties, I grant Order 3 of the said application and vary the stay orders granted on 19th December 2025 to the extent that the 2nd defendant, Julius Mwale, shall deposit his passport in court not later than the close of business on 24th December 2025, or in the alternative provide a surety for the security amount ordered by this court, within the same period, who is permanently resident in Kenya and of means,” ruled Justice Githeru Freda Mugambi.

Justice Mugambi also directed that, in default of depositing his passport or providing security, the warrant of arrest would remain in force.

“In default of this, the stay order shall be deemed to have automatically lapsed and the respondent shall be at liberty to execute,” the Judge directed.

By Anderson Ojwang

For decades of living in obscurity, away from the trappings of power and playing second fiddle to his younger brother, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, the Siaya Senator, Dr Oburu Odinga, only tasted and smelt power from a distance.

For Oburu, despite the trappings of power residing at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s stead, he only smelt it from a distance, at his brother’s parlour.

While Raila enjoyed the trappings of power both at home and internationally, Oburu struggled to carve himself a niche but fell down the pecking order even to new entrants who found him in politics but wriggled their way into Raila’s seat of power.

While Raila flew in choppers and was welcomed and received by near-fanatical crowds, Oburu travelled by road or used commercial airlines to reach his destinations.

But the demise of Raila opened up a new world to Oburu — a world he had only smelt from afar and dreamt of, but which had evaded him for three decades.

With attention now focused on him after his appointment as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Oburu is the new kid on the block.

Oburu has undergone a complete metamorphosis and is currently clad in designer outfits, and is ever in choppers attending functions and parties that were previously the preserve of Raila.

Currently, Oburu is the centre of attraction and the focal point, as he has the ear of President William Ruto. In him, President Ruto hopes that for a second time he will deliver the Luo vote in 2027, after he successfully delivered his younger brother, Raila, to the broad-based arrangement.

On Saturday, Oburu told those who thought he would die soon that he is still alive, saying he is an age-mate of US President Donald Trump and will remain the party leader.

“I am not going to be shaken and I will sit on the seat of party leader of ODM squarely.
And anybody who thinks that Oburu Odinga is about to die, or that Oburu Odinga is going soon, is seriously mistaken.
I am of the same age as Trump, the US President. Trump is also 82 years of age, like me,” he said.

Oburu was propped up to the seat by a mysterious hand even before the body of his younger brother arrived in the country, following a 6.00 am meeting in Nairobi.

Oburu told reporters: “When we were receiving the body of Raila at the airport, and the party had just met at 6.00 am in the morning, the NEC and somebody just came and whispered to me, when I was still in shock, ‘Do you know what the NEC has done? You have been appointed as the interim party leader.’
I was so shocked. How did they appoint me at this time, when I am still in this state? Then they told me to think about it. They have nominated you to be the one. I feel I am the most sober in the circumstances, and I am trying to sober myself in terms of experience — which other people match mine?’”

ODM Deputy Party Leader and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir read a press statement after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

“We believe in unity of purpose and a stronger democratic party — a party that must live on for many years to come. With this regard, the NEC has designated the Senator of Siaya County, Dr Oburu Odinga, to be the acting party leader until the time top party organs will meet and elect a substantive party leader to fit the big shoes that have been left by our party leader,” he read.

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi recently spoke of the emergence of a mysterious hand pulling the strings in the party.

“There was a very quick transition even before Baba’s body arrived. When Mzee Oburu announced that he had accepted to be the party leader, he said he did not even know that there was a process to make him party leader.
What that implies is that that call came from somewhere else, and that worries me a lot. This is because it therefore seems that ODM is getting directions and control from somewhere else,” he said.

Oburu recently told off Deputy Party Leader Geoffrey Osotsi, saying there was no power vacuum in the party and that he had fully assumed the position.

“I want to call for unity in our party. I also want to say there is no vacuum. Raila left very big shoes, but I have been given those shoes and I am sitting there.
Hon Osotsi, don’t say that you are going to go down to arrange. What are you going to arrange again? I ask our people, let us stand with ODM and let us not accept to be divided, but united,” he said.

During the ODM celebrations in Mombasa, Winnie Odinga called for a National Delegates Conference (NDC) to choose a new team to manage the broad-based arrangement with President Ruto.

“There is something I wanted to tell you. When it came to the matter 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 wondering: those who are taking it 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, as party leader, I am requesting that we go back to the people and have an NDC to see who the people want to pick to manage that same relationship,” she said.

Yesterday, Oburu asked party members to support the broad-based arrangement, saying it was Raila’s will.

“My people, I am telling you that this broad-based arrangement which Raila left us is the best arrangement he could have done, and this is where our people should stay.
We are going to move forward so that in 2027 our people are in government and in opposition,” he said.

As things stand, Oburu has finally landed on the trappings of power, and he is not about to relinquish them any time soon.

By James Okoth

His death marks the end of an era for Kisumu’s medical community, but his legacy will live on through the systems he built and the lives he touched.

The medical fraternity in Kenya is mourning the passing of Dr. George Rae, the distinguished former Chief Executive Officer of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), whose death has left a void in Kisumu’s healthcare landscape and across the nation.

Dr. Rae, who until recently served as an adviser on partnerships and resource mobilisation in the Kisumu County Department of Health, is being remembered as a visionary leader, reformist administrator and compassionate mentor who devoted his life to improving healthcare delivery and nurturing young professionals.

A Life of Service and Vision

Soft-spoken yet firm, Dr. Rae led with clarity, humility and precision. During his tenure at JOOTRH, he spearheaded the transformation of the facility from a regional hospital into a premier referral and teaching institution, serving as a hub for specialised care, research and medical training in Western Kenya.

Under his stewardship, JOOTRH witnessed significant expansion in infrastructure and services. He oversaw the establishment of neurosurgery, cardiothoracic, renal and burns units and laid the groundwork for a radiotherapy centre, giving hope to thousands of cancer patients who previously had to travel long distances for treatment.

He also pushed for the creation of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and paediatric dialysis services, recognising the urgent need for child-focused critical care. Beyond physical infrastructure, Dr. Rae prioritised staff training, systems reform and accountability, ensuring that patient care remained at the heart of every hospital decision.

“He believed hospitals were not just buildings filled with equipment, but living systems that reflect the compassion and commitment of those who serve within them,” said a senior clinician at JOOTRH.

“He was the kind of leader who knew his staff by name, and whose door was always open to ideas,” added another staff member.

A Champion of Collaboration and Reform

Dr. Rae’s tenure was marked by his relentless pursuit of partnerships to strengthen the county’s health system. He cultivated collaborations with universities, research institutions and development agencies, ensuring that JOOTRH became not only a centre of treatment but also of innovation and learning.

His work ethic, discipline and belief in public service inspired a generation of medics. Many young doctors and nurses recall his mentorship with gratitude, describing him as a father figure who never stopped teaching even in the most challenging circumstances.

County Leadership Pays Tribute

Leading the outpouring of condolences, Kisumu Deputy Governor, Dr. Mathew Owili, paid glowing tribute to the late medical icon, describing him as a pillar of the county’s health transformation and a man whose integrity and vision changed lives.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. George Rae,” Dr. Owili said in his message of condolence. “He was a visionary leader, compassionate mentor and devoted servant of the people. Dr. Rae dedicated his life to strengthening our health systems and improving countless lives.”

Owili, who shared his message of condolence on his official social media platforms, described Dr. Rae’s leadership as exemplary, soft-spoken yet firm.

**“His leadership, wisdom and generosity of spirit left an enduring impact on the institutions he served and the communities he touched. My heartfelt condolences go to his family, colleagues and the entire medical fraternity for losing a soft-spoken yet firm, devoted public servant whose commitment was exemplary.

“We mourn the loss of a remarkable leader whose legacy will continue to benefit generations. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”**

The message, delivered with a tone of solemn gratitude, captured the sentiments of an entire county that had come to see Dr. Rae as both a professional beacon and a personal friend of the people.

A Mentor Beyond Measure

At JOOTRH, where he spent years shaping policy and practice, the news of his death brought work to a quiet standstill. Groups of nurses and doctors could be seen huddled in corridors, their eyes heavy with loss but full of admiration for the man who had guided them.

Outside the hospital, his influence extended into the community. He championed outreach programmes on public health awareness, maternal care and early diagnosis of chronic conditions. He believed that preventive medicine was as important as curative care, a conviction that guided his work long after leaving the CEO’s office.

“Dr. Rae led with empathy,” said John Onyango in a social media post.

“He cared about patient welfare as much as he did about staff welfare. He listened, he advised and he always found a way forward. His calm confidence gave us courage even in crisis,” he added.

A Legacy Etched in Humanity

Colleagues describe Dr. Rae as a professional who never chased personal glory but sought collective progress. He believed that the success of one hospital could uplift an entire region. His humility, paired with a deep sense of duty, earned him the respect of peers and patients alike.

In the words of one long-serving medic, “He never raised his voice, but when he spoke, everyone listened. He didn’t demand respect, but he inspired it.”

As the county prepares to honour his memory, plans are underway for a series of tributes by health institutions, reflecting the immense influence he wielded in shaping Kisumu’s health sector.

His passing marks the end of an era, but the systems he built, the leaders he mentored and the countless lives he touched will continue to speak for him.

In the quiet corridors of JOOTRH, one message captures the mood of all who knew him.

“He taught us that leadership in health is not about power, but about people. Today we grieve, but we also celebrate a life that healed, inspired and transformed.”

By James Okoth

Uriri MP Mark Nyamita has cautioned political leaders in Nyanza against engaging in what he termed a destructive wave of witch-hunts and political mudslinging targeting Luo leaders already serving in government.

Speaking during a public function in Migori County, Nyamita urged leaders, particularly those close to the President, to use their access to power constructively by lobbying for more appointments and development projects for the region, instead of discrediting those already in office.

“Those who have the President’s ear should not spend their time naming who should be fired,” Nyamita said. “They should use that access to lobby for more opportunities, more development and more representation for our people. That is how regions grow and gain strength.”

His remarks come against the backdrop of renewed tension within Nyanza’s political class, following the widely publicised feud between Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo. The clash, which attracted nationwide attention, laid bare long-standing mistrust and competition among Luo leaders in and outside government circles.

The public fallout between the two leaders sparked a national conversation on the state of unity within the region, with many Kenyans expressing concern that personal and political rivalries were beginning to undermine collective progress.

Nyamita, a vocal advocate for pragmatic leadership, said such divisions only weaken the region’s influence and bargaining power in national politics.

“When we begin fighting each other publicly, we lose credibility and make it easier for outsiders to dismiss us,” he warned. “Nyanza must stand together, because unity is our strength and disunity our greatest weakness.”

The Uriri legislator further cautioned that leaders fuelling internal divisions and smear campaigns risk being publicly exposed in the coming year.

“If this continues, early next year we will begin naming those sabotaging progress through backdoor politics,” Nyamita said. “The people of Nyanza deserve progress and not endless political quarrels that serve no one.”

Nyamita also appealed to politicians to stop targeting civil servants unfairly, urging them to let technocrats perform their duties without fear of political victimisation.

“We cannot build Nyanza by attacking our own officers,” he said. “Let civil servants do their work. Political witch-hunts only slow down service delivery and development.”

His remarks were met with approval from residents and local leaders, who said the persistent infighting has overshadowed key priorities such as job creation, youth empowerment and infrastructure development.

Political observers note that Nyamita’s statement reflects growing frustration among reform-minded leaders keen to steer the region away from personality-driven politics and towards a shared vision of progress.

As the year draws to a close, Nyamita’s message strikes a chord across the lakeside counties as a reminder that unity, tolerance and focused leadership remain the cornerstones of Nyanza’s advancement.

“This is not the time to fight our own,” he concluded. “It is the time to stand together and build a stronger Nyanza, one that honours our past and secures our future.”

By Anderson Ojwang

The Council of Elders from the Luhya and Luo communities want the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership to resolve any emerging dispute without breaking the party.

The Elders said the party has been the backbone of Nyanza and Western Kenya and should never be allowed to disintegrate.

“The joint council called upon the ODM leadership to closely pay attention to the matter instead of division between the two communities,” the resolution read.

The elders said the two communities have never had any boundary dispute and have enjoyed a cordial political relationship, which must be nurtured at all costs.

“It was noted that Luos and Luhyas are the only neighbouring communities that have never had inter-tribal warfare,” they said.

The joint council resolved to unify the two communities for socio-economic and political dispensation.

“The joint council unanimously resolved to work together and form a formidable unity that will help them work together in resolving common economic, social and even political concerns,” they said.

ODM Deputy Party Leader Geoffrey Osotsi, Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo have accused a section of the party leaders, led by the National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, of trying to auction the party to President William Ruto through a broad-based government arrangement.

The leaders have claimed Wanga was trying to hand over the party to President Ruto in what they termed a hostile plot for a takeover.

“ODM is not for sale. ODM members have not decided and resolved on who to support as the president in the next general election.

The late Raila Odinga told us the ODM party has the power to produce a presidential candidate. If you want to tell us that you will support someone else, Baba asked us to ask you who told you?” he said.

Orengo said they will not allow the party to be auctioned and that he has evidence to that effect.

“ODM is not for sale. I know there are people who want to sell ODM, and I can even produce evidence that there are some people trying to sell this great party,” he said.

Orengo claimed the group wants a hostile takeover of ODM and is making deals on how to auction the party.

Osotsi said the 10-point agenda between ODM and UDA will determine future negotiations between the parties involved.

Wanga defended the party’s engagement in the broad-based government, saying it was the wish of Raila and for the good of the country.

“In the 2022 general election, we voted for Raila Odinga. This is not the government we voted for. But despite not having voted for it, when we sat at the table, we in ODM got six ministers.

We got critical dockets such as the Treasury Cabinet Secretary, for the first time after independence,”she said.

Wanga said politics was about interests and that they will be in the broad-based government up to 2027.

“We will go to the negotiation table with UDA and ODM, and that is why we must put our houses in order. As ODM, that is what we are doing,” she said.

Osotsi said if there will be any arrangements, the cards must be placed on the table for open and transparent negotiations.

ODM Party Leader Dr Oburu Odinga said the community will remain in government into the future and cannot break the agreement with President Ruto.

“Jim, do not think we are cowards; we know what is happening. We are careful. We have an agreement up to 2027 and we cannot break it because that is where Raila left us.

We cannot break it; we want to make ODM strong. We cannot leave the government, and even in the future we want ODM to be in government,”he said.

Oburu revisited the political coalition with former President Daniel Moi and Raila Odinga, where the council of elders visited the then president at his Kabarak home in Nakuru.

He said that could be one of the incidents Orengo might have been alluding to, where the community was betrayed.

Alego Usonga legislator Samuel Atandi has urged ODM party members to support President Ruto during the 2027 elections.

He said the ODM party currently has no capacity to contest the presidency and that the best bet for members was to support the re-election of the president.

The legislator said that former ODM leader Raila Odinga did not anoint anybody to run for the presidency on the party ticket, and the only option is to support the re-election of President Ruto.

“ODM, as a party, is not ready to present a presidential candidate in the 2027 general election. Those leaders who claim Raila never endorsed President Ruto have no capacity to run against him,” Atandi said.