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Friday, May 8, 2026
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Four suspects arrested in Migori gang robbery and killings

Police have arrested four suspects believed to be members of an armed gang linked to a series of violent robberies and killings in Migori County.

The gang is suspected of carrying out multiple attacks across Kuria West Sub-County, targeting businesses, individuals and homes in nighttime raids that often left victims seriously injured or dead.

One of the most violent incidents occurred in Kehancha Chini, where four armed men stormed a home occupied by two brothers, one of whom was a businessman involved in the gold trade between Kenya and Tanzania.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, one of the attackers was armed with an assault rifle, while the others carried crude weapons.

The gang reportedly ordered the victims to surrender their valuables before stealing Sh20 million belonging to the 23-year-old businessman.

One of the assailants shot the businessman through the mouth, killing him instantly, before the gang fled.

Police officers from Kehancha Police Station, working with detectives from the DCI, responded to the scene, documented evidence, and transferred the body to Kehancha Sub-County Hospital mortuary pending a post-mortem examination.

Investigations later linked the same gang to a series of violent robberies across Kuria West.

On November 3, 2025, the suspects raided the home of a Namba Five area resident at about 9.45 pm.

The victim’s sister-in-law had stepped outside to fetch water and encountered the gang. When the homeowner went outside to investigate, the attackers ordered him to lie down and assaulted him with the blunt sides of pangas.

They then entered the house, robbing his mother and sister-in-law of Sh3,000 and Sh49,000 respectively, before fleeing on a waiting motorcycle.

Days later, on November 7, 2025, the gang attacked a soldier at his home. Armed with an AK-47 rifle, pangas, and heavy clubs, the suspects fired several shots into the air before assaulting the officer and his wife while demanding money and gold.

They stole Sh10,000, a mobile phone, and the soldier’s Kenya Defence Forces identification card. Both victims sustained serious injuries.

On November 10, 2025, the gang struck an M-Pesa shop in the Kobinto area. They robbed the shop owner of Sh28,000 and a mobile phone, and fatally shot a customer in the chest. The owner escaped through a back door.

Another fatal shooting occurred on January 20, 2026, near Nyaigutu Primary School. A 30-year-old man walking home from a funeral night vigil was confronted by three men, one armed with a rifle and the others with pangas. The gunman shot him in the head, chest, and legs, killing him instantly.

Mourners attending a nearby vigil pursued the suspects as they fled on a motorcycle. One suspect was captured and fatally beaten by the mob, while the others escaped.

Investigators later used ballistic analysis and technological evidence to link several attacks to the same criminal network.

A breakthrough came on March 5, 2026, when detectives launched an intelligence-led operation that led to the arrest of four suspects believed to be behind the attacks.

The suspects were arraigned before the Senior Principal Magistrate’s Court in Kehancha, where detectives sought custodial orders to complete investigations.

The court granted 10 days for investigators to finalise the probe and formally charge the suspects.

They remain in custody at Kehancha Police Station and are expected back in court on March 18, 2026, as investigations continue.

Gachagua Accuses Ruto of Targeting Mount Kenya Businesses Through Demolitions

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday, March 10, accused President William Ruto of targeting Mount Kenya businesses in the recent demolitions.

Speaking to the press at the DCP Headquarters, Gachagua claimed that the demolitions experienced in Roysambu, Githurai and Uhuru Markets targetted mebers of the Gikuyu, Embu and Meru communities.

He claimed that Ruto was using state agencies to punish entrepreneurs from the Mount Kenya region, and accused his former boss of ethnic profiling.

“This is persecution of a community. It is ethnic profiling, and it is unacceptable,” Gachagua declared.

The DCP leader accused President Ruto of being insensitive to the plight of Kenyan entrepreneurs and questioned why the demolitions happened at night.

Former DP Rigathi Gachagua during a press briefing on March 10, 2026.

He claimed he had received intelligence reports of more demolitions, citing Tsunami, Nyayo, Kamukinji, Gikomba and Mowlem Markets.

Gachagua questioned the real motive behind the demolitions. He argued that if it was an issue of encroachment into public land, then even top politicians had a case to answer.

“If it is genuine that public land and spaces should be vacated, why is the Weston Hotel standing tall on KCAA land?” Gachagua posed.

The former DP accused Ruto of plotting to exile GEMA entrepreneurs from Nairobi County to prevent them from voting in the county.

Gachagua claimed that the President was in the hoots with Governor Johnson Sakaja, whom he accused of undertaking measures to undermine businesses belonging to the GEMA communities.

“We also have information that Sakaja has ordered that business people and contractors who have rendered services to the county and come from Mount Kenya should not be paid.

“They have been struggling with pending bills for the last three years, and these communities have been targeted for impoverishment and being denied their dues,” he reiterated.

The DCP leader stated that the government was irresponsible and unjust for demolishing businesses without offering alternatives.

He called the relevant authorities to cease the demolitions with immediate effect and subject the exercise to a fair and transparent review.

His sentiments came after the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) demolished structures in Githurai and Roysambu to pave the way for the construction of modern bus bays.

Traders in Uhuru Market also incurred insurmountable loss after waking up to find their stalls flattened by bulldozers.

In Brief: JLAC Meets Agencies in Review of 2025/2026 Supplementary Estimates

Members of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs have met with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) under its purview to receive submissions on the Supplementary Estimates for the 2025/2026 Financial Year.

The Committee, chaired by Hon. George Murugara (Tharaka) engaged heads of institutions within the justice and governance sector as part of its review of the proposed adjustments to the budget.

Among those who appeared before the Committee were the Principal Secretary in the State Department of Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Judith Pareno, and the Solicitor General, Hon. Shadrack Mose, both from the Office of the Attorney General.

The Committee also received submissions from the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Correctional Services, Ms. Salome Beacco, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Renson Igonga, and representatives from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.

By Anthony Solly

Government to Cover Medical and Burial Costs for Flood Victims, Senate Committee Told

The Government will meet medical and burial expenses for Kenyans injured or killed in the recent floods that have claimed dozens of lives across the country.

Appearing before the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations this Tuesday, the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku, told Senators that the Government would settle hospital bills for all those injured, cover burial expenses for the deceased and assist families whose homes were swept away by the floods by supporting the reconstruction of houses.

CS Ruku informed the Committee that the Government was doing everything possible to support those affected, revealing that 45 people had so far been confirmed dead following the floods witnessed across the country.

Of the reported deaths, Nairobi recorded 27, Eastern Region Kenya 11, Rift Valley Region 5, Nyanza Region 1 and Coast Region 1. Four people were injured, one at the Coast and three in Nairobi. In addition, the Cabinet Secretary said four people remain missing, two in the Rift Valley and two in Nairobi.

According to the CS, a total of 9,033 households have been displaced, affecting about 42,819 people. He assured the Committee that his Ministry was making every effort to assist those affected.

“The State Department for Special Programmes has embarked on the provision of relief food assistance and appropriate non food items to displaced persons through the National Disaster Operations Centre and stakeholders will continue to monitor the evolving situation, coordinate national response efforts and provide regular situation updates to the State Department for Special Programmes,” said CS Ruku.

On drought response, the CS told the Committee that the State Department for Special Programmes had adopted a multi sectoral and multidisciplinary approach to mitigation and response to ensure the needs of humans, livestock and wildlife are addressed. He revealed that the Government had committed Ksh10.1 billion for priority response actions over the past three months.

The funds have supported relief food for 2.6 million people, emergency water trucking, borehole support, cash transfers, livestock vaccination, provision of livestock fodder and school feeding programmes.

His sentiments were echoed by the Cabinet Secretary for East African Community Affairs, the Arid and Semi Arid Lands and Regional Development, Beatrice Askul who called for a collective effort to address the challenges posed by both drought and floods.

Members of the Committee called for continuous preparedness among all relevant agencies to avoid delayed responses during emergencies.

They urged the Ministries to involve all agencies in disaster planning and preparedness, while criticising county governments for what they termed inadequate action in disaster management.

Despite the Council of Governors, through Nathif Jama Adam, the Governor of Garissa County earlier submitting a report to the Committee on measures being undertaken by counties in disaster management, the Committee maintained that little had been done on the ground.

“Counties are doing zero as far as drought and emergency are concerned. There is nothing tangible that the CoG has said counties are doing as far as the situation is concerned,” said Committee Chairperson Sen. Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo).

Senators present during the meeting included Vice Chairperson Prof Tom Ojienda (Kisumu), Okongo Mogeni (Nyamira), Julius Murgor (West Pokot), Dr Lelegwe Ltumbesi (Samburu), Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), Joseph Githuku (Lamu) and Chemitei Kiprono (Baringo).

By Anthony Solly

Kenya Railways Issues Warning After Claims of Passengers Travelling Beyond Booked Destinations

Kenya Railways has responded to claims suggesting that passengers on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) can travel beyond the stations indicated on their tickets.

The discussion began after a social media user shared a post claiming that it was possible to book a ticket for a shorter distance but remain on board until the final destination without being detected.

“I just realised you can book an SGR from Msa to Voi, and stay until Nairobi; or Nairobi to Adhi River, and stay ’til Mombasa and technically nothing will happen to you,” the user wrote.

Responding to the claim, Kenya Railways dismissed the assertion and noted that ticket inspections are regularly carried out throughout the journey to ensure passengers comply with their booked travel destinations.

The corporation warned that passengers who attempt to travel beyond their booked destinations risk being arrested and handed over to the police.

“This claim is incorrect. Ticket checks are conducted during the journey, and anyone traveling beyond their booked station will be handed over to the police. Kenya Railways remains committed to fair and safe travel for all,” the corporation said.

ICT CS Kabogo’s Mourns Death of His Sister-in-Law

The family of William Kabogo is in mourning following the death of a close relative, with the ICT Cabinet Secretary sharing a heartfelt message announcing the loss.

In a statement on Tuesday, March 10, the Cabinet Secretary revealed that his sister-in-law, Mariam Wanjiru Gitau, had passed away, describing her as a warm and compassionate person.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my dear sister-in-law, Mariam Wanjiru Gitau (Mama Sharon), a truly humble and gentle soul whose warmth and generosity touched everyone she met,” he said.

Kabogo noted that Mariam had a special way of connecting with people and making them feel valued, saying her generosity and warmth would be remembered.

“Mariam had a rare gift for making people feel loved and seen, and her kindness left a lasting mark on all who knew her,” he added.

Kabogo also extended his condolences to Mariam’s immediate family, encouraging them to remain strong during the difficult period of grief.

“To my niece Sharon and the entire family, my heartfelt condolences are with you during this painful season. May God surround you with His comfort, grant you strength beyond your own, and give you peace that surpasses all understanding,” he concluded.

Aga Khan Sells Nation Media Group to Tanzanian Tycoon Rostam Azizi

The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) has announced it is exiting its investment in Nation Media Group, ending a 66-year partnership with one of East Africa’s most influential media houses.

AKFED will sell its 100% shareholding in NPRT Holdings Africa Limited to Tanzania-based Taarifa Ltd, owned by Rostam Azizi.

Rostam Azizi is a businessman, entrepreneur, and economist with experience across multiple sectors, including media, mining, telecommunications, agriculture, real estate, port facilities, energy, and construction.

NPRT holds a 54.08% stake in Nation Media Group, equivalent to 92,618,177 ordinary shares, giving Taarifa Ltd a controlling interest in the company.

“The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development S.A. (AKFED) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its 100% shareholding in NPRT Holdings Africa Limited,” read the statement.

Nation Media Group was founded in 1959 when His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV purchased the Kiswahili weekly Taifa Leo to create an independent press during the colonial period.

For six decades, the company has grown into a multi-platform media platform in four countries, with over 30 brands, reaching more than 62 million digital users and employing over 1,000 professionals.

The media house has been central to Kenya’s democratic development, from coverage of the multiparty transition in the 1990s to civic education during the 2010 constitutional referendum.

AKFED Director Sultan Allana stated that they are confident that NMG will continue to uphold the values of digital journalism.

“AKFED is proud of its contribution to building one of Africa’s most respected media institutions. We are confident NMG will continue to uphold the values of independent journalism and service to the public that have defined it for over six decades.” said Sultan Allana

Key milestones AKFED in NMG include:

  • Founded East African Newspapers (Nation Series) Ltd and acquired the Kiswahili weekly Taifa Leo – 1959
  • Launched the Sunday Nation and Daily Nation – 1960
  • Listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange – 1973
  • Launched The EastAfrican, hailed as one of sub-Saharan Africa’s finest newspapers – 1994
  • Launched NTV Kenya and Easy FM 1 – 1999
  • Regional expansion through acquisition of Daily Monitor (Uganda) and establishment of Mwananchi Communications (Tanzania) – 2002–2005
  • Among the first African media companies to establish a comprehensive online presence – 2006
  • Launched the Newspapers in Education programme, promoting literacy and civic awareness – 2009
  • Inaugurated a USD 20 million state-of-the-art printing press, the largest media investment in East and Central Africa – 2016
  • Digital audience exceeds 62 million users – 2024

According to Rostam Azizi, the acquisition by Taarifa Ltd sets the stage for NMG’s digital growth.

“We are honored and deeply committed to becoming the majority shareholder of Nation Media Group. NMG is an institution of profound importance to East Africa, and we will uphold its editorial independence while investing in its continued success as the region’s leading independent media organisation.” said Rostam Azizi.

Taarifa Ltd has stated that it does not currently plan to make a mandatory or voluntary offer for the remaining shares or to delist.

NMG shares will continue to trade on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and other cross-listed platforms.

While exiting NMG, AKFED will continue to support journalism education through the Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications (GSMC).

GSMC offers programs in Digital Journalism, Media Leadership and Innovation, and Strategic Communications, as well as executive courses.

Over the last decade, GSMC has graduated over 200 postgraduate professionals and trained more than 7,000 practitioners.

Its initiatives include 52 environmental documentaries and over 100 public forums and masterclasses, building media capacity across East Africa.

3 Suspects Behind Kiambu-Murang’a Murder, Abduction and Robbery Spree Arraingned

Detectives drawn from Thika West Sub- county have arraigned three notorious criminals behind a string of crimes, including murder, violent robbery, and abductions in Kiambu and Murang’a counties.

The infamous trio, Peter Gitau Muchiri, 25, James Mwangi Njogu, 45, and Francis Kimani Maina, 36, arrest and subsequent arraignment follow a meticulous intelligence-led operation conducted by detectives from the Operations Support Unit (OSU) and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB), as well as detectives from Kiambu, Thika West, and Gatanga.

On March 9, 2026, the trio appeared before the Thika Law Courts, where they were slapped with charges of robbery with violence.

In this incident, the suspects shot a victim in the neck before snatching his mobile phone, leaving him sprawled in agony as they vanished into thin air like ghosts in the night. They pleaded not guilty to the charges and are now locked up at Thika West Police Station as the case proceeds.

Piling onto his already weighty charge sheet, one suspect Peter Gitau Muchiri is also facing charges of Escape from Lawful Custody that took place on July 5, 2019.

The escape saw him and 18 other remandees bolt from the clutches of law enforcement while being transported from Thika Law Courts to Industrial Area Prison.

Before his escape, Muchiri was already entangled in another robbery with violence case. He pleaded guilty to the escape charges, with a mention scheduled for March 23, 2026.

Additionally, Peter Gitau Muchiri and James Mwangi Njogu also face charges related to the brutal murder of 75-year-old businessman Joseph Gitonga Kahwai. The elderly man was abducted from Thika town on January 22, 2026, only to tragically meet his end within Spur Mall in Juja. Their plea-taking is scheduled for March 16, 2026.

As detectives continue to connect the dots in the gang’s criminal network, a production order has also been issued requiring the suspects to appear before the Kikuyu Law Courts on Thursday, March 12, 2026, where they will face additional charges of robbery with violence.

By Anthony Solly

Floods death toll rises to 49 as heavy rains displace 2,600 families and damage infrastructure

The National Police Service (NPS) on Tuesday, March 10, asked Nairobi residents to remain vigilant as the heavy rains continue to fall in the county.

In a press release, Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirmed that 49 people had lost their lives in the floods last week and called on residents to monitor weather alerts.

Nyaga urged Nairobi residents to reach out to the law enforcement agencies to report any adverse weather conditions.

“As the rains persist, we urge all members of the public to exercise extreme caution and continue following updates and safety advisories issued by the Kenya Meteorological Department and other relevant government agencies.

“Any distress situations, emergencies or criminal activity should be reported through the toll-free numbers 999, 911, and 112, or via #FichuaKwaDCI on 0800 722 203 / WhatsApp 0709 570 000,” the statement read in part.

A file image of vehicles submerged in stormwater during the Nairobi floods.

NPS offered condolences to the families of those who died. Nyaga confirmed that 2,624 families had been displaced from their homes.

In addition, the rains caused damage to infrastructure and property across the country, including 16 police stations.

The Police Spokesperson revealed that officers were collaborating with other multi-agency response teams to conduct search-and-rescue missions, evacuate residents in vulnerable areas, and provide security.

Nyaga reassured that the police would mitigate the challenges experienced and ensure the continuous delivery of policing services to the public.

Earlier, Kenya Power issued a warning to residents living in areas affected by floods to avoid walking in pools of water where electricity poles had fallen.

The firm warned of a high risk of electrocution and urged residents to report such incidents immediately so that Kenya Power can deploy teams to address them.

The warning came amid the revelation that a number of the people who were found dead after the floods had been electrocuted.

Kenya Met had predicted that the rains would subside this week, but advised Kenyans to remain alert and report any adverse weather conditions.

Senator Chute Seeks Probe into Borehole and Community Land Rights in Moyam

Senator Mohamed Chute (Marsabit) has sought a Statement from the Senate Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources regarding the legality of development activities in the Moyam area within Marsabit County, particularly drilling works associated with a borehole and community land rights in the affected dry season grazing area.

Sen. Chute noted that Moyam is a strategic dry season fallback grazing area that supports pastoral livelihoods and resilience during prolonged drought periods.

“Any unauthorised developments around critical water points, therefore, carry significant implications for community stability and sustainable resource use. Reports of borehole drilling and related works by a neighbouring county government have raised concerns about possible encroachment and forced occupation of traditionally utilised grazing areas, leading to heightened tensions in the area,” submitted Sen. Chute.

The lawmaker wants the Committee to establish whether approvals and consents were obtained for the borehole drilling works and any related developments in Moyam, and the measures being taken to ensure the immediate cessation of any unauthorised activities.

Sen. Chute has also asked the Committee, chaired by Sen. Mohamed Faki (Mombasa) to determine how the County Government of Marsabit, working with the National Land Commission and other relevant agencies will accelerate community land registration in line with the Community Land Act, 2016.

By Anthony Solly

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