Four dead in collapsed Shauri Moyo building, Nairobi

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March 17, 2026

Four people have died after a building collapsed during a demolition exercise at Blue Estate in Shauri Moyo, in Nairobi.

The incident occurred on Monday in the Blue Estate area of Shauri Moyo within Kamukunji Sub-County during an attempted demolition along the Nairobi River riparian corridor under the Nairobi River Regeneration Project.

Nairobi North County Commissioner Simon Osumba said four people have so far been rescued from the rubble, one of whom sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

However, four fatalities have also been confirmed, while the number of people who may still be trapped under the debris remains unknown.

“The number of individuals who may still be trapped remains unknown. The victims were removing steel bars and other construction materials from the abandoned structure when it gave way,” Osumba said.

A multi-agency team comprising the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, National Government Administrative Officers and the Kenya Red Cross was deployed to the scene, with search and rescue operations still underway.

Osumba added that they are continuing to monitor the situation as rescue teams work to clear the debris and search for any additional victims.

The Ministry of Interior and National Administration said the building came down following an attempted demolition earlier in the day.

The structure was among several buildings located along the riparian corridor of the Nairobi River that have been earmarked for removal under the Nairobi River Regeneration Programme being implemented by the Nairobi Rivers Commission.

Reports indicate that more individuals could still be trapped beneath the rubble, prompting an urgent search and rescue operation involving multiple government agencies.

Officials have urged members of the public to keep away from the affected area to allow rescue teams to operate without interference.

The incident comes amid an ongoing government effort to reclaim land along the Nairobi River and restore the waterway, which has for years been affected by pollution, illegal dumping and encroachment by informal and permanent structures.

The Nairobi River Regeneration Programme, launched in recent years, aims to clean up the river system and remove buildings constructed within riparian zones, which are protected environmental areas meant to safeguard waterways from pollution and flooding.

Authorities have in the past warned that structures built along riparian land are vulnerable to collapse and pose safety risks, particularly during demolition or heavy rains.

US embassy in Iraq hit by drone strikes as UAE reopens airspace after missile threats from Iran

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March 17, 2026

Drones and rockets have been launched at the US embassy in Iraq’s capital Baghdad, in what’s been described as “the most intense assault” since attacks started.

The United Arab Emirates has reportedly reopened its airspace after closing it due to missile and drone threats from Iran.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump says he’s “not happy” with the UK after PM Keir Starmer said it would not be drawn into a “wider war” over Iran.

Trump repeats his call for other nations, particularly Nato allies, to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, and says he has been surprised more world leaders were not “eager” to be involved in the key oil shipping route.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says this war “is not a matter for Nato”, while Nato says “allies have already stepped up to provide additional security in the Mediterranean”

Meanwhile, leaders of the UK, Canada, France, Germany and Italy issued a joint statement, saying a significant Israeli ground offensive in Lebanon would have “devastating humanitarian consequences”

Earlier the Israeli military said it had begun “a wide-scale wave of strikes” in the cities of Tehran, Shiraz and Tabriz.

European leaders condemn escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah

The leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the UK are urging Israel and Lebanon to begin negotiating a “sustainable political solution”, following what they say is “deeply alarming” humanitarian situation in Lebanon.

In a joint statement, they call on Lebanon’s Hezbollah to disarm and cease attacks on Israel, condemning the group for the “decision to join Iran in hostilities”.

It goes on: “A significant Israeli ground offensive would have devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a protracted conflict. It must be averted.”

The statement came during reports of Israeli air strikes across Beirut overnight, which Lebanon’s National News Agency say were localised to southern neighbourhoods.

On Monday, Israel’s military said its troops had begun “limited and targeted ground operations” against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political and military group backed by Iran, and has been designated a terrorist organisation by countries that include the UK and US.

Strikes on Iraq continue into Tuesday

Iraq has been hit by a series of strikes this week, which have continued into early Tuesday morning.

On Monday, a drone sparked a fire at a luxury hotel in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, which is home to government buildings and where foreign embassies are located.

On Tuesday morning, the US embassy, which is located in the Green Zone, was targeted. A security official told AFP “three drones and four rockets attacked the embassy, with at least one drone crashing inside it”.

A witness told Reuters they saw at least three drones flying towards the US embassy. Two were shot down but a third struck inside the embassy compound, Reuters reports.

Iraqi security sources told AFP it was “the most intense assault since the attacks began”.

Bank of America settles over Epstein claims

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March 17, 2026

Bank of America has agreed to settle a lawsuit brought on behalf of victims of Jeffrey Epstein, who had accused the bank of facilitating his sex trafficking operation.

Terms of the deal, which now goes to the court for approval, were not immediately disclosed.

It marks the third such settlement by a major bank, after JP Morgan Chase and Deutsche Bank agreed to pay out $290m (£218m) and $75m respectively.

Sigrid McCawley, a lawyer for the victims, said in a statement that the resolution was “one more step on the road to much deserved justice”. Bank of America declined to comment.

The proposed class-action lawsuit was filed in October by a Florida woman who says she was abused by Epstein “on at least 100 occasions” between 2011 and 2019 and held two accounts at Bank of America at the direction of his business team.

It alleged that the bank had “a plethora of information regarding Epstein’s sex trafficking operation but chose profit over protecting the victims”.

It cites a record of “incredibly alarming and erratic banking behavior” in her own Bank of America accounts, which were used by Epstein’s team.

It also points to more than $150m paid to Epstein by billionaire Leon Block, co-founder of Apollo Global, to Epstein for “purported ‘tax and estate planning advice'”, via Black’s Bank of America account.

Black, who stepped down from Apollo amid scrutiny of his Epstein ties, has denied wrongdoing. He was due to be questioned as part of the case later this month.

Bank of America had previously urged the court to dismiss the lawsuit, saying it had provided routine services to people who at the time had no known links to Epstein, calling the complaint “threadbare and meritless”.

The two sides told a judge on Monday that they had reached a “settlement in principle”, according to court filings. They are due to provide more information on 27 March, with a court hearing set for 2 April.

“No repatriation for Kenyans serving in Russian army until contract termination” Kenya-Russia resolves

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March 17, 2026

Kenyans recruited to serve in the Russian military will not be immediately repatriated back home despite pleas from their families.

Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi on Monday held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, where they reached an agreement on the fate of the said Kenyan citizens.

Here, Lavrov argued that the persons recruited in the army did so voluntarily and would have to officially terminate their contracts with the defence ministry in Russia.

“All Kenyans, as well as other nationals who signed contracts, did it voluntarily. The contracts did not have any provision for repatriation. When the contracts are effective, they can terminate this contract, but this is done under the Ministry of Defence,” said Lavrov.

In tandem with the Russian minister, Mudavadi argued that Kenya seeks to solve the matter diplomatically.

“Some of these Kenyans did not disclose their intentions. In our laws, it is also illegal to do these things,” said Mudavadi.

The Russian minister further submitted that Nairobi and Moscow have signed a labour migration agreement to ensure there is a routine process

“Russia does not decide to recruit; people join voluntarily. No one can prevent their citizens from looking for jobs if they want to look for jobs. We don’t target Africa specifically. We have citizens from Asia and other countries,” said Lavrov.

During the bilateral talks, Kenya also secured an agreement with Russia to stop the recruitment of Kenyan citizens into the Russian military.

Mudavadi said the two countries had agreed that Kenyans will no longer be enlisted into the Russian defence forces.

“We have now agreed that Kenyans shall not be enlisted in the Department of Defence and they will no longer be eligible for enlisting in the military here in Russia,” Mudavadi said in Moscow.

He added that arrangements are also being made to assist Kenyans who are currently hospitalised in Russia through consular support.

“The consular services will also be arranged for Kenyans who are in hospital so that they can be assisted according to the law,” he said.

According to Mudavadi, Kenya does not want its diplomatic relations with Moscow to be viewed through the lens of the ongoing Russia–Ukraine War.

“We do not want for any reason our partnership with Russia to be considered through the lens of special operations,” he said.

The Foreign Affairs CS travelled to Moscow on Sunday to engage Russian authorities following reports that dozens of Kenyans had been recruited to fight for Russia in the conflict with Ukraine.

Some Kenyans have died on the battlefield, while others remain stranded in Russia after being recruited through what the government says were misleading job offers.

Mudavadi said the government is working with Russian authorities to secure the return of Kenyans who wish to come back home.

“As we resolve the concerns of Kenyan families, I believe we have now found a common ground to ensure no further enlisting,” he said.

His visit also seeks to strengthen relations between Kenya and Russia in areas including education, agriculture, labour mobility, infrastructure and energy

Presidents Ruto, Museveni to launch Naivasha–Malaba SGR project on Saturday in Kisumu

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March 16, 2026

President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni are expected in Kisumu on Saturday to jointly preside over the groundbreaking ceremony for the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Malaba.

The ceremony, a major milestone in regional infrastructure development, is expected to attract more than 20,000 people including residents, leaders, and stakeholders from across the region.

The event marks the start of the next phase of Kenya’s railway expansion aimed at strengthening trade and transport links across East Africa.

Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Davis Chirchir on Monday toured the Kibos SGR site in Kisumu to assess the level of preparedness ahead of the historic event that will bring together the two Heads of State.

Speaking at a media briefing at the site, Chirchir said the government was keen to ensure that all logistical, security, and organizational arrangements are firmly in place.

“We have arrived here in Kisumu today in Kibos to check the preparedness for the groundbreaking of the Standard Gauge Railway extension from Naivasha to Kisumu and eventually to Malaba,” said the CS. This is a big day that we will celebrate with our President and President Yoweri Museveni when they come to launch this very significant project,” he added.

The proposed railway line will stretch approximately 369 kilometers and is expected to form a critical segment of the regional transport corridor linking the Port of Mombasa to the western Kenya region and onward to neighbouring countries.

“This is a very significant construction that will open up the regional transport corridor, which is currently serviced predominantly by trucks,” he said.

“It will also have passenger facilitation in order to improve the transportation of goods to market and enhance the movement of people across the region,” he added.

The CS noted that the inspection visit was meant to confirm that all preparations were on course given the scale and significance of the ceremony.

He said organizers expect to host more than 20,000 people during the launch, making it one of the largest public infrastructure events to be held in the region in recent years. “Railways are not built every day and therefore this is a historic event for our country and for the region,” he added.

The CS noted that security agencies and event organizers had assured the ministry that key aspects of the preparations, including crowd management, security coordination, access routes and protocol arrangements, were progressing well.

The extension of the SGR to Kisumu and onward to Malaba is expected to strengthen regional integration by linking Kenya’s railway network with Uganda and the broader East African transport system.

Once completed, the line is projected to reduce the cost of transportation, improve efficiency in cargo movement, and boost trade between Kenya and landlocked countries in the region.

The project is also expected to spur economic growth in western Kenya by improving connectivity, enhancing mobility, and opening up new opportunities for investment and commerce along the railway corridor.

Court Extends Orders Blocking Nairobi County Waste Management Tender to Ghanaian Firm

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March 16, 2026

The High Court has extended conservatory orders stopping Nairobi City County from proceeding with the award of a multi billion shilling waste management tender to a Ghanaian company.

The matter came up on April 16, 2026 before Justice Moses Ado, where the petitioner successfully applied for an extension of the interim orders.

Lawyer Henry Kurauka, appearing for the petitioner, requested the court to extend the conservatory orders pending the determination of a preliminary objection filed in the case.

The court allowed the application and directed that the interim conservatory orders remain in force, effectively preventing the Nairobi County Government from awarding or proceeding with the contested tender.

During the proceedings, the court further directed the parties to file written submissions within seven days addressing the issues raised in the preliminary objection.

The case will be mentioned again on April 27, 2026, when Justice Moses Ado is expected to give directions and indicate a date for the ruling.

The extension of the conservatory orders means the disputed waste management procurement process will remain suspended until the court determines the preliminary issues raised in the petition.

DPP appeals Governor Natembeya’ acquittal

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March 16, 2026

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has filed a Notice of Appeal challenging a High Court decision that acquitted Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya in a case involving the alleged graft.

The appeal follows a judgment delivered on March 4, 2026, by Justice Bahati Mwamuye, which barred the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission from investigating, recommending prosecution, or initiating criminal proceedings against the governor over the matter.

In the ruling, the court also awarded the governor general Sh2.5 million in damages, plus interest at court rates from the date of judgment until payment in full.

The governor had earlier been arrested and arraigned at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on charges of alleged financial irregularities, including transactions that, according to his own records, were lawful per diems.

The charges came after what the court noted was a public announcement of a Sh1.4 billion loss, which the judge said was sensationalised and contributed to a process “driven by factors unrelated to the fair and impartial administration of justice.”

During the proceedings, Natembeya moved to the High Court challenging the lawfulness of his arrest, detention, and the collection of evidence, arguing that his constitutional rights had been violated.

The High Court agreed, noting that he had been denied access to legal counsel and subjected to procedural irregularities, including the execution of warrants in a manner that breached due process.

“The respondent’s conduct of premature charging, reliance on post-factual evidence, denial of legal representation and publicising unverified allegations constitutes a clear abuse of power and malafides under Article 157(11),” Justice Mwamuye observed.

To remedy the violations, the court permanently quashed the arrest and detention of Natembeya, prohibited the use of unlawfully obtained evidence, and barred further investigations or prosecution of the case.

“A declaration be and is hereby issued that the institution and continuation of criminal proceedings in the Milimani Anti-Corruption Case of 2025 is an abuse of process, is unlawful, and is unconstitutional,” he ruled.

The interim conservatory orders that had previously been issued to protect his rights were also confirmed.

In addition to quashing the charges, the court awarded Natembeya Sh2.5 million in general damages to compensate him for the humiliation, distress, and reputational harm he suffered.

The award, which will accrue interest at court rates from the date of judgmen

State House defends President Ruto’s role in Nairobi Hospital dispute

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March 16, 2026

State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed has defended the involvement of President William Ruto in the ongoing governance dispute at the Kenya Hospital Association, which owns and manages The Nairobi Hospital.

He said the President’s role stems from both his position as patron of the association and as Head of State.

Hussein said the President received numerous memoranda and representations from stakeholders over several months.

These included doctors affiliated with Nairobi Hospital, members of the association and patients currently receiving care at the facility.

According to the spokesperson, the stakeholders appealed for intervention to address governance, financial and operational challenges affecting the hospital.

“These appeals raised serious concerns about the potential impact of longstanding governance and financial challenges on patient care, clinical governance and operational stability,” Mohamed said.

In a statement on Monday, he said the issues raised included disputes over membership, board elections and annual general meetings.

There were also allegations of conflicts of interest, mismanagement, leadership wrangles and mounting litigation.

Hussein explained that the President’s engagement was informed by the association’s Articles of Association.

The provisions allow for the position of a patron, a role President Ruto accepted in 2023 after being nominated by the association.

“It is therefore in both his capacity as patron and as President of Kenya that he was briefed and appealed to by concerned stakeholders,” he said.

The State House spokesperson said several institutional processes had already been initiated to address the governance challenges.

He revealed that Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei convened at least 14 consultative meetings over the past year.

The meetings brought together board members, doctors and other stakeholders to facilitate dialogue and resolve the disputes.

The engagements led to the reconstitution of the hospital’s Board of Management through a process agreed upon by stakeholders.

Various parties nominated representatives to accommodate different interests within the association.

Stakeholders also agreed on a five-point reform agenda ahead of the association’s annual general meeting scheduled for December 2025.

The agenda included verification and clean-up of the membership register and withdrawal of proxy litigation suits.

It also proposed reviewing governance instruments, appointing an independent firm to conduct a forensic audit and preparing for a credible annual general meeting.

Hussein said the Office of the Attorney General later invoked Section 800 of the Companies Act 2015.

This allowed the appointment of inspectors to investigate the affairs of the Kenya Hospital Association following petitions from members and doctors.

A multi-agency team conducted the probe and submitted its report to the Attorney General on March 6, 2026.

The team included the Business Registration Service, Asset Recovery Agency, Kenya Revenue Authority and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

Others were the National Intelligence Service and the Financial Reporting Centre.

The spokesperson also said President Ruto recently met senior doctors from Nairobi Hospital and patients receiving long-term care at the facility.

They briefed him on the challenges facing the institution and the need to restore stability.

During the engagements, the President directed the timely conclusion and implementation of the investigation report.

Hussein said this was aimed at safeguarding the interests of patients, medical professionals and employees.

He added that Nairobi Hospital remains a key pillar of Kenya’s healthcare system.

The hospital serves more than 290,000 patients annually, operates six satellite centres and supports over 700 specialist doctors.

“The government will continue to support all necessary steps within the law to restore stability and strengthen governance,” Mohamed said.

Several people feared trapped after building collapses in Shauri Moyo

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March 16, 2026

Several people are feared trapped following the collapse of a building in Nairobi. According to The Kenya Red Cross reports on March 16, the building has collapsed in the Blue Estate area of Shauri Moyo, next to structures that were being demolished on riparian land.

Reportedly, an unconfirmed number of people are feared trapped under the rubble as emergency responders conduct rescue operations at the scene.

In a press statement dated Monday, March 16, 2026, the ministry said the building collapsed after an attempted demolition earlier in the day.

It said the structure is among those located along the riparian corridor of the Nairobi River and had been earmarked for removal under the ongoing Nairobi River Regeneration Project, being implemented by the Nairobi Rivers Commission.

The ministry said reports indicate some individuals may be trapped in the collapsed structure.

It said the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the National Police Service, National Government Administrative Officers and the Kenya Red Cross were rapidly deployed to the scene and rescue operations are ongoing.

So far, two people have been rescued from the collapsed wall. The ministry said one sustained slight injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment, while the other was safe and unharmed.

The Office of the County Commissioner, Nairobi North, said it is monitoring the situation and will issue updates as rescue and assessment operations continue.

Members of the public have been urged to keep off the affected area to allow emergency teams to operate without obstruction.

Nairobi Hospital cannot be acquired or privatised -Health CS Duale says

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March 16, 2026

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said The Nairobi Hospital is owned by the Kenya Hospitals Association and is registered as a company limited by guarantee, meaning it is member-owned and has no shareholders, as he moved to clarify the facility’s governance status amid public debate.

Speaking during the Health Integration Summit in Mombasa County on Monday, Duale said the structure of a company limited by guarantee means the hospital cannot be acquired or privatised.

He added that the President of Kenya has traditionally served as the hospital’s patron, reflecting its long-standing role as a premier national and regional health facility.

Duale acknowledged that the hospital has faced governance and financial management challenges in recent months.

He said the challenges have affected the availability of essential health commodities and caused delays in some critical surgical procedures.

He said concerned long-serving doctors sought the intervention of the president, prompting the government to direct relevant authorities to investigate the situation.

According to Duale, the government’s involvement is aimed at safeguarding the hospital’s status and ensuring continued delivery of quality healthcare services.

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