Arbeloa: Real Madrid not ‘inferior’ to Manchester City

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March 11, 2026

Álvaro Arbeloa insisted on Tuesday that his Real Madrid team “shouldn’t feel inferior” to Manchester City as they prepare to meet in the Champions League round of 16.

City beat Madrid 2-1 in a dominant display at the Bernabéu in the league phase in December, in one of the games that signalled the end for Arbeloa’s predecessor, Xabi Alonso.

Madrid’s form has been inconsistent since, with two defeats in their last four matches in all competitions, but — speaking in a news conference ahead of Wednesday’s first leg — Arbeloa said his side can go into the tie “looking [City] in the eyes.”

“We’re Real Madrid, we never feel less than anybody.” Arbeloa said. “We shouldn’t feel inferior to anybody. We all know the opponent very well, the club, the coach [Pep Guardiola], the players. They were champions two years ago. But we go into it with a lot of excitement … Tomorrow we’ll play to win.”

“It’s a slightly different match than last time,” midfielder Federico Valverde said. “Now it’s home and away, and that changes things quite a bit. But it’s important to get a good result for the second leg… We don’t want what happened last time to happen again, when we let it slip away because of our own mistakes.”

Madrid host City with a string of senior players unavailable, including stars Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, as well as Éder Militão, Álvaro Carreras — whose calf problem was confirmed on Monday — and Rodrygo, who underwent surgery on his cruciate ligament injury on Tuesday.

“[Mbappé] is much better,” Arbeloa said. “As I’ve said, it’s about going day by day, how he evolves, but this week has been very positive. He’s much better, so we’re expecting him back soon.”

Arbeloa was part of the Madrid team which went up against Guardiola’s Barcelona over a decade ago, and now faces Guardiola for the first time as a coach.

“[Pep] always has a surprise prepared,” Arbeloa said. “He’s a coach who, as much as you watch his teams, will have something different prepared, with the variations he’s capable of using. I’d be surprised if there weren’t some change in their structure, how they want to attack, or a player who hasn’t played recently.”

Arbeloa also hit out at Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who had claimed in a radio interview on Monday — organised as part of the club’s presidential elections — that Madrid had “dominated” the refereeing sphere “as long as I can remember” when quizzed about the investigation into payments made by Barça to Spain’s former vice president of refereeing, José María Enriquez Negreira.

“Candidate Laporta?” Arbeloa said. “I think it was him who quadrupled the payments to Negreira. It isn’t necessary to say much more.”

Ellie Goulding announces birth of second child

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Editor

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March 11, 2026

Ellie Goulding is a mom of two.

The British singer, 39, recently welcomed a daughter, her first child with her boyfriend Beau Minniear.

Goulding shared the news Monday on Instagram Stories alongside a photo of her baby girl.

“On Friday, I gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl. We are totally obsessed with her,” the star captioned the post.

“It was fitting that I spent International Women’s Day with her and the incredible female care team at St Mary’s, who provided me and my baby with extraordinary care and kindness. I will always be in awe of midwives.”

Goulding is also mom to Arthur, her 4-year-old son with her ex-husband, Caspar Jopling.

“This addition to my family fills me with so much joy, especially as Arthur is so so happy to become a big brother to this little angel,” she said.

Goulding is known for the singles “Burn,” “Love Me Like You Do” and “Outside” with Calvin Harris. She released her fifth album, Higher Than Heaven, in 2023.

Bill to criminalise match-fixing in Kenya introduced in parliament

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John Mutiso

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March 11, 2026

Efforts to curb match-fixing and restore confidence in Kenyan sport have taken a significant step forward after the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was formally introduced in the National Assembly of Kenya.

The Bill, sponsored by Senator Irene Mayaka, was read for the first time in Parliament, beginning the legislative process aimed at outlawing the manipulation of sports competitions in the country.

If passed, the Bill will amend the Sports Act of Kenya to explicitly prohibit match-fixing and other forms of sports manipulation, while introducing legal penalties for individuals found guilty of influencing sporting outcomes.

Seven-month push to criminalise match fixing

The Bill’s introduction follows months of advocacy and legislative preparation.

On July 22, 2025, Mayaka appeared before the Parliamentary Sports Committee during the pre-publication scrutiny stage, where she defended the proposal and emphasised the urgent need for stronger legal safeguards to protect the integrity of Kenyan sport.

At the time, she warned that match-fixing had become an increasing threat to local competitions, eroding public trust while exposing athletes and clubs to manipulation by illegal betting syndicates.

Her proposal has now progressed into the formal legislative process following the Bill’s first reading in the National Assembly.

What the Bill defines as match manipulation

A central element of the proposed law is the introduction of a clear legal definition of what constitutes the manipulation of sports competitions.

Under the Bill, manipulation is defined as any act in which a person offers, gives, solicits or receives financial or other advantages in order to improperly influence the result, progress or conduct of a sports competition.

It also covers situations where individuals conspire with others to manipulate a sporting event or intentionally underperform or fail to compete at their best in order to achieve a predetermined outcome.

The definition further includes the use of insider information for betting purposes or to influence the outcome of a competition. In addition, the law would cover cases where individuals threaten, induce or facilitate another person to participate in manipulating a sports event.

The proposed definition is intended to close loopholes that have previously made it difficult to prosecute individuals involved in fixing matches.

The Bill also proposes expanding the powers of sports regulatory bodies in Kenya.

Tanzania President Samia Suluhu adopts infant dumped by mum after birth

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John Mutiso

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March 11, 2026

Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan has adopted a newborn girl who was abandoned in Nzega District, Tabora Region,pledging to give her care and guidance with a protected and supportive upbringing.

The baby, now named Grace Samia Suluhu, was handed over to the President in Dodoma State House today, March 11, 2026, by Nzega District Commissioner, Naitapwaki Tukai.

Tukai explained that the child was found on January 17, 2026, near the Kasulu guest house in Nzega town.

Upon receiving the report, she coordinated with the police to take the baby to a hospital for medical care, while attempts to locate her mother have so far been unsuccessful.

President Samia via her the state house Instagram page @ikulu_mawasiliano welcomed the child into her family, promising to provide her with all necessary care, protection, and support to grow up in a safe and loving environment.

“Those who abandon children do not realize the consequences. It is better to hand them over to legal authorities or childcare centers. Every child is a treasure, and we cannot know what their future holds,” she wrote.

Bahati plans to take woman claiming to be his mother to South Africa for a second DNA test

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John Mutiso

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March 11, 2026

Musician Bahati has promised to take Judith Makokha, the woman who claimed to be his biological mother to South Africa for a second DNA test, after she declined to accept the results of an earlier test that ruled out a biological relationship between them.

This fresh development comes days after results from a maternal DNA test confirmed that the woman, identified as Judith Makokha, was not Bahati’s biological mother. However, Makokha has reportedly rejected the outcome, insisting she still believes the singer could be the child she lost years ago.

In response, Bahati said he is willing to facilitate another test in South Africa in order to remove any lingering doubt surrounding the matter.

According to the doctor who conducted the first test, the maternal DNA analysis compares genetic markers between a mother and a child and is considered highly accurate. The medical expert maintained that the results were conclusive and expressed confidence in the findings.

Despite this, Makokha said she had hoped the results would confirm her belief but had prepared herself for either outcome. She explained that the situation has been emotionally difficult, noting that the public attention and constant questions from people have made the experience uncomfortable.

Makokha previously claimed that she left her child at Mama Ngina Children’s Home many years ago due to financial hardship, believing the institution would offer the child a better life. She has maintained that the baby she left behind carried the same name as the singer, which led her to suspect he could be her son.

For Bahati, the unfolding events have also been emotionally complex. He had said that if the first DNA test had confirmed the woman was his mother, he would have welcomed the news, but the results instead deepened the confusion surrounding the situation.

Even so, Bahati has maintained that he wants to help Makokha find answers. Beyond the planned second DNA test, he has also pledged to support efforts to trace the child she believes she left behind at the children’s home.

Controller of Budget Flags Ksh44.52 Million Spent by Deputy President’s Spouse Office Without Budget Allocation

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Editor

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March 11, 2026

The Controller of Budget (CoB), Margaret Nyakang’o, has raised concerns over Ksh44.52 million spent by the Office of the Spouse of the Deputy President, Dr. Joyce Njagi, during the first half of the 2025/26 financial year, despite the office having no budget allocation from the National Assembly.

According to the latest Controller of Budget report, the expenditure occurred between July and December 2025, even though Parliament had not approved any funding for the office in the national budget.

The report indicates that the spending was likely facilitated through the Office of the Deputy President, which had been allocated Ksh3.07 billion during the financial year.

However, the CoB further noted that the Deputy President’s office itself overspent its recurrent expenditure budget by Ksh219.3 million, raising additional concerns about adherence to constitutional public finance management rules.

Under Article 223 and other public finance provisions of the Constitution, government spending must be authorized through parliamentary approval and budgetary allocation before funds are utilized.

Nyakang’o flagged the expenditure as irregular, noting that the Office of the Spouse of the Deputy President is not recognized as a budgeted entity under the national budget, meaning it cannot legally incur expenditure without funds being appropriated by Parliament.

The revelation has drawn criticism from sections of the public and governance analysts, especially at a time when President William Ruto’s administration has been pushing austerity measures aimed at reducing government expenditure by up to Ksh300 billion.

Critics argue that spending by offices without approved budgets undermines fiscal discipline and accountability in public finance management.

The Controller of Budget’s office is constitutionally mandated to oversee the implementation of national and county government budgets, ensuring that public funds are used lawfully and in accordance with approved appropriations.

The report is expected to trigger further scrutiny from Parliament and oversight bodies regarding the source of the funds and the legality of the expenditure incurred by the office of the Deputy President’s spouse.

NTSA: Ambulances, police and military vehicles exempted from new fines system

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John Mutiso

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March 11, 2026

Emergency service vehicles will not be penalised under the National Transport and Safety Authority’s new instant fines system, allowing ambulances, police, and military vehicles to exceed speed limits when responding to emergencies.

Other motorists, including motorcycles, three-wheelers, and standard cars, will still be liable to automatic penalties captured by the system.

Speaking on March 10, NTSA Director General Nahashon Kondiwa explained that the automated cameras can read both front and rear number plates, ensuring that no regular motorist is overlooked.

“The cameras have the capabilities to read both the front plate and the back plate, and therefore no motorists are exempted. We can read motorcycles, vehicles and even three-wheelers,” Kondiwa said.

He also reassured drivers that anyone who believes they were wrongly fined can contest the penalty through an established appeal process.

“Every case like this must have an appeal process. We are not angels, as NTSA, and sometimes somebody can dispute,” Kondiwa said.

Evidence of violations, including images and short GIF clips showing the vehicle at the time of the offence, will support motorists in presenting their case to the courts.

Despite the new automated system, Kondiwa noted that some offences cannot be captured by cameras.

Enforcement officers, including those from the National Police Service (NPS), will continue to patrol the roads and manually record offences when necessary.

“There are offences for which you cannot use the camera, so the enforcement officers, including the NPS, will still be on the road, and they capture these offences manually,” he added.

On speed zones, Kondiwa said all sections of roads with cameras will be clearly marked, and motorists will receive advance notice when entering these areas.

“All the cameras we are putting on, we are making sure that it is accompanied by the right speed sign that is showing very clearly that this section of the road you are supposed to have this kind of speed,” he said.

Speed limits will vary depending on the design of the road and the surrounding land use

Job Losses Loom as German’s Wurth Kenya Set to Cease Operations in May 2026 After 29 Years

By

John Mutiso

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March 11, 2026

Wuerth Kenya Ltd, a subsidiary of German industrial supplies giant Würth Group, will close its operations at the end of May 2026, closing nearly three decades in the East African market as its German parent undertakes a strategic restructuring of its global footprint.

In a notice dated March 10 sent to customers seen by TechCabal, the Nairobi-based distributor of industrial fastening and assembly products said it would halt operations after 29 years in Kenya.

It marks one of the latest examples of multinational suppliers reassessing their presence in smaller African markets, including CMC Motors, GlazoSmithKline, and Procter & Gamble amid shifting global priorities.

The company said it would continue trading normally until the end of May 2026 while it winds down operations and settles outstanding obligations with customers and partners.

“This decision has been made after careful consideration and forms part of a broader strategic restructuring of the Würth group’s operations,” the company said in the notice signed by managing director John Anderson.

The closure will end a long chapter for the Kenyan unit of the German industrial supplies giant, which operates in more than 80 countries and supplies tools, fasteners, and assembly materials to sectors ranging from vehicle assemblers, automotive repair, and construction to manufacturing and engineering.

Würth’s exit signals the mounting pressure facing specialised industrial distributors in Kenya, where rising operating costs, currency volatility, and intensified competition have squeezed margins for foreign-owned suppliers.

Kenya’s industrial supplies market—serving garages and motor assemblers, construction contractors, and manufacturing firms—has become competitive over the past decade, with local distributors and regional importers offering cheaper alternatives to multinational brands.

While Würth built a reputation globally for premium fasteners and technical assembly solutions, companies operating in a price-sensitive market such as Kenya have struggled to compete with lower-cost imports from Asia, particularly China.

The company did not disclose the number of employees affected by the closure, though its Nairobi operation has historically served a network of industrial and automotive clients across the region.

Vehicle assemblers like Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM), Mobius, BasiGo and Roam mostly rely on Chinese and Indian suppliers, cutting off operators like Würth.

Iran: Cargo ships hit in Hormuz as Dubai targeted by drones

By

Editor

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March 11, 2026

Iran attacked commercial ships on Wednesday across the Persian Gulf and targeted Dubai International Airport, escalating a campaign of squeezing the oil-rich region as global energy concerns mounted and American and Israeli airstrikes pounded the Islamic Republic.

Two Iranian drones hit near Dubai International Airport, home to the long-haul carrier Emirates and the world’s busiest for international travel. Four people were wounded but flights continued, the Dubai Media Office said.

Iran’s joint military command announced it would start targeting banks and financial institutions in the Middle East. That would put at risk particularly Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, which is home to many international financial institutions, as well as Saudi Arabia and the island kingdom of Bahrain.

Earlier, a projectile hit a Thai cargo ship off the coast of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, setting it ablaze. Authorities are searching for three missing crew members from the Mayuree Naree after 20 were rescued by the Omani navy, according to Thailand’s Marine Department.

Kuwait said its defenses downed eight Iranian drones and Saudi Arabia said it intercepted five heading toward the kingdom’s Shaybah oil field.

Iran has effectively stopped cargo traffic in the narrow strait through which about a fifth of all oil is shipped. It has also targeted oil fields and refineries in Gulf Arab nations, aiming at generating enough global economic pain to pressure the United States and Israel to end their strikes.

The U.N. Security Council was to vote later Wednesday on a resolution sponsored by the Gulf Cooperation Council demanding Iran stop attacking its Arab neighbors.

Witnesses reported continuous airstrikes hitting Tehran after Israel said it had renewed its attacks. Explosions were also heard in Beirut and in southern Lebanon after Israel said it was hitting targets connected to Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.

By Mary Mumbua

Arsenal FC Sends Memorabilia to Honour Raila Odinga

By

John Mutiso

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March 11, 2026

English Premier League giants Arsenal FC have sent a special piece of memorabilia to honour the late Raila Amolo Odinga, who was an ardent fan of the club.

Receiving the memorabilia on behalf of the late former Prime Minister at his office in Nairobi, ODM Director of Communication Philip Etale said that he was very elated as an Arsenal fan to have received the special recognition on behalf of his former boss.

Memorabilia refers to any object collected for its connection to memorable people, events, or experiences, often carrying deep personal, historical, or sentimental value. Common examples include autographed sports jerseys, vintage film posters, concert tickets, yearbooks, and old photographs.

In this case, the former PM has been posthumously sent a photo mount of the EPL side’s game against Liverpool that was played on January 8, this year.

During the game, Arsenal was held to a tight goalless draw by the reigning champions from Merseyside in what was the first barren draw between the two sides in the Premier League since August 2015.

Nonetheless, the English team engraved a special tribute to the former opposition veteran and multiparty democracy champion, stating: “Arsenal remembers the Rt Honourable Raila Amollo Odinga.”

Etale revealed that he would personally deliver the memorabilia to the family of Raila, led by Mama Ida Odinga, who is Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi.

“This parcel I have just received today, and I think that it was sent in January and could have been delayed by the post office, which could have failed to notify our office,” Etale said.

“I will look for Mama Ida Odinga to give her the gift which was sent to our hero and party leader, Raila Odinga,” he added while thanking Arsenal FC for remembering the departed hero.

Raila was an ardent Arsenal fan and often shared pictures of himself donning the EPL team’s jerseys while celebrating the team’s wins while at his various homes.

Additionally, the late Raila often travelled to England to watch Arsenal in action against other teams. In one of the visits, he was captured with his two children, Winnie Odinga and Raila Odinga Junior, at the Emirates Stadium.

The former ODM leader, who often made football references in his political rallies, had previously supported Manchester United, Liverpool, Hannover 96 and Bayern Munich; the latter two being during his studying period in Germany.

In his heyday, Raila also played for Luo Union football club (later known as Re-Union FC) in the 1960’s.

Meanwhile, in January, the government announced plans to permanently preserve local and international condolence messages received after the passing of Raila at national institutions.

The messages, received from governments, institutions, and individuals worldwide, have been carefully bound into volumes that will be accessible to future generations across multiple national repositories.

The compiled tributes will be placed at the Kenya National Archives, Kenya National Library Service, Foreign Affairs Library, and the Foreign Affairs Gallery at Uhuru Gardens.

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