The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has barred members of the public from accessing sections of Karura Forest following heavy rainfall that has caused rivers within the forest to overflow.
In a statement on Friday, March 6, KFS said the ongoing rains have led to flooding in some areas of the forest, forcing authorities to close several trails for safety reasons.
“Due to the ongoing heavy rainfalls, rivers flowing through Karura forest have burst their banks. As a result, paths leading to the caves, waterfalls and bridges have been closed off,” the statement read.
KFS further warned visitors against attempting to access the restricted areas, urging the public to remain cautious and follow directions issued by forest officials.
“No member of the public is allowed to get into that area, until further notice. The public is advised to exercise caution and report to the Foresters office for any concerns,” the statement added.
Photos obtained by Uzalendo News show a section of Karura Forest where a river has overflowed, flooding a footpath and a small bridge.
The muddy brown water has partially submerged the metal railings along the trail.
This is not the first time Karura Forest has been hit by flooding. In 2024, heavy rains also caused rivers to overflow, damaging trails and infrastructure.
Kenyans had been warned that such incidents could become more frequent as extreme weather continued to affect the country.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced that it will hold a Special Delegates Convention later this month in Nairobi County.
In a notice on Friday, March 6, the party said the convention is scheduled to take place on Friday, March 27, 2026, starting at 9:00 a.m.
“PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Articles 47 and 49, as read together with Articles 51(3) (d) and 21(1) (i) of the Orange Democratic Movement Party Constitution, a Special Delegates Convention shall be held on Friday 27th March 2026, in Nairobi County, commencing at 9:00 am,” read the notice in part.
The notice indicates that the high-level gathering is expected to address key internal party matters, including ratification of leadership decisions and constitutional resolutions.
According to the announcement, the convention will bring together a wide range of ODM leadership structures and representatives from across the party’s national and county-level organs.
Those expected to attend include all members of the National Executive Committee, the party’s Parliamentary Group, as well as members of the Council of Governors and Deputy Governors affiliated with ODM.
The party has also invited all chairpersons of the Branch Executive Committees and chairpersons of County Coordinating Committees, alongside majority and minority leaders of county assemblies aligned with the party.
In addition, the convention will include leadership from the party’s special leagues, including national officials of the ODM Youth League, Women League, and Disability League.
Members of the party’s standing committees will also participate in the convention.
File image of Chungwa House
The notice further outlines a series of nominated delegates meant to ensure representation from different regions and party structures.
Each county will have one member representing marginalized groups.
Branch Executive Committees will also nominate one representative in counties where the Member of the National Assembly is an elected ODM member.
County Coordinating Committees will nominate additional representatives in specific circumstances.
These include one woman where the County Woman Representative belongs to ODM, one representative where the Senator is an ODM member, and one representative where the Governor is an ODM member.
To ensure broader participation, the National Executive Committee will also determine top-up delegates drawn from party branches.
The convention will follow a structured agenda beginning with prayers, followed by formal notice to convene the meeting and adoption of the agenda.
Delegates will then deliberate on key resolutions, including the ratification of the National Governing Council’s resolution regarding party leadership.
They will also take note of a resolution by the National Executive Committee concerning Article 87 of the party constitution, before proceeding to speeches and an address by the party leader.
However, the election of party officials remains conspicuously missing among the activities that would happen on the day.
Pressure to convene the meeting had been mounting from sections of the party leadership who argued that only a delegates’ convention could legitimise major decisions, including party leadership.
Among those who raised concerns was Winnie Odinga, daughter of the late ODM leader, who criticised changes within the party following her father’s death.
The planned convention comes against the backdrop of an intensifying internal power struggle within ODM that has drawn sharp divisions among senior party figures and supporters.
It escalated last month after the party’s National Executive Committee resolved to remove Sifuna from the influential position of secretary general during a meeting held in Mombasa.
The NEC cited concerns about discipline within the party leadership and installed Omanyo in an acting capacity pending the election of a substantive office holder.
However, the decision immediately triggered political turbulence within ODM, with several leaders rejecting the move and rallying behind the outspoken Nairobi senator.
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) issued orders blocking Sifuna’s removal and directed parties involved in the dispute to present their submissions on March 12, 2026.
Despite the tribunal’s intervention, the disagreement has hardened into two distinct camps within the party, each advocating a different political direction.
One faction, commonly referred to as the “Linda Ground” group, is aligned with ODM leader and Siaya senator Oburu Oginga and is seen as supportive of a political arrangement that could see the party cooperate with President William Ruto’s camp ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The opposing camp, known as Linda Mwananchi, includes Sifuna and several ODM leaders such as Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya governor James Orengo.
Their rivalry has played out through parallel political rallies, competing public statements and disagreements over the party’s long-term strategy
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed he will not attend the burial of late Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno.
In a statement on Friday, March 6, Gachagua said he would have wanted to attend the funeral of Ng’eno, but his principles can’t allow him to sit together with other leaders who allegedly tormented the late MP.
“I am abhorred by the hypocrisy of your tormentors. I have seen your tormentors who hunted you like an antelope shedding crocodile tears and shamelessly pretending to mourn your death,” Gachagua said.
Adding, “I would have wanted to come and bury you but my principles can’t allow me to sit with those who tormented and persecuted you in life as they pretend to love you in death.”
The former DP went on to eulogize Ng’eno as a great leader, friend, confidant, and political soul mate.
File image of the late Johana Ngeno.
Gachagua also described the late lawmaker as a brave, courageous, focused, brilliant, and selfless leader who gave his all for his people.
“You were unbowed and resolute in championing the interests of the Kipsigis community, a hardworking community that has been marginalized and demeaned for decades,” he said.
Gachagua also extended his condolences to the family of Ng’eno, the residents of Emurua Dikirr constituency at the Kipsigis community.
“May almighty God give your young family comfort and fortitude as they come to terms with the reality of your untimely departure,” he added.
Ng’eno died on Saturday, February 28, along with five others, when a helicopter they were in crashed in Nandi County.
The helicopter went down at Kabiet sub-location in the Mosop area at approximately 4:30 P.M.
KCAA, in a statement, said the helicopter was flying from Endebes to Mosoriot when it crashed.
Ng’eno, who was serving in his third term as the Emurua Dikirr MP, will be laid to rest on Friday in Narok County.
A joint funeral for Ng’eno and five others who died in the helicopter crash will be held at Emurua Dikirr Primary School, after which each family will proceed with burial at their respective homes.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has convened a Special Delegates Convention later this month in Nairobi, a move that comes at a time when the party is grappling with an escalating internal power struggle.
In a formal notice dated March 5, 2026, the party’s Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo announced that the Special Delegates Convention will be held on March 27 in Nairobi starting at 9a.m.
Omanyo said the meeting has been convened pursuant to provisions of the party constitution and will bring together senior officials and delegates drawn from the party’s various organs, including members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), the Parliamentary group, Governors, County Assembly leaders and representatives of the party’s youth, women and disability leagues.
The agenda will include ratification of a National Governing Council (NGC) resolution on party leadership, consideration of a NEC resolution on Article 87 of the party constitution and an address by the party leader.
The notice effectively sets the stage for what could be a decisive moment for ODM as factions within the party jostle for control and direction.
The convention is being organised under Omanyo’s watch after the ODM NEC last month resolved to remove Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from the powerful Secretary General position.
The decision, reached during a party meeting in Mombasa on February 11, cited concerns about discipline within the party leadership and installed Omanyo in an acting capacity until a substantive office holder is elected.
Sifuna’s removal immediately triggered a political storm inside ODM, with some leaders backing the decision while others rejected it and rallied behind the vocal Nairobi Senator.
ODM party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga later clarified that Sifuna had only been removed from the administrative role but remained a member of the party, insisting the action was a disciplinary measure rather than an expulsion.
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has since however issued and extended orders barring Sifuna’s removal as Secretary General, directing all parties in the matter to highlight their submissions on March 12, 2026.
The dispute has now, however, crystallised into two competing factions within ODM. One camp, known as ‘Linda Ground,’ is aligned with Dr. Oburu and is viewed as supportive of a broad-based political arrangement that could see the party cooperate with President William Ruto’s camp ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The opposing group, dubbed ‘Linda Mwananchi,’ is associated with Sifuna and several other ODM leaders among them Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo, who oppose closer ties with the ruling coalition and insist the party should remain firmly in the opposition.
The rivalry has played out through parallel political rallies, public statements and disagreements over the party’s strategic direction, raising fears among supporters that the once formidable opposition movement could fracture.
The planned convention comes amid sustained pressure from a section of leaders within the party who had been pushing for its immediate calling to address leadership, governance and coalition issues.
Among these included late longtime party leader Raila Odinga’s daughter Winnie Odinga, who recently raised sharp concerns over how the ODM leadership transition was handled following her father’s death.
Winnie accused sections of the political outfit of sidelining members, flouting its constitution, and conducting critical decisions behind closed doors.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s ‘The Explainer’ show on January 27, 2026, she said the party failed to openly communicate with its membership at a sensitive time, instead allowing what she described as a small clique to dictate the party’s direction without consultation.
“The party has not fulfilled its mandate in an open manner. Our party leader died, the party has not once come and addressed us as members to inform us our party leader has died. They’ve picked a new team; the party has not once come to tell us they’ve picked a new team,” she said then.
Winnie insisted that ODM’s governing structures – including the NEC and the Central Committee – cannot lawfully act on behalf of the party without ratification by the delegates convention.
Emirates and Etihad Airways were resuming limited flight schedules to key global cities from their United Arab Emirates hubs on Friday, though the threat of missile fire piled pressure on airlines as they scramble to accommodate travellers.
With most airspace in the Middle East still closed over missile and drone concerns since the start of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, authorities have been arranging charter flights and securing seats on limited commercial services to evacuate tens of thousands of people.
A government-chartered Air France (AIRF.PA), opens new tab flight to bring French nationals back from the United Arab Emirates was forced to turn back on Thursday due to missile fire in the area, French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said.
“This situation reflects the instability in the region and the complexity of repatriation operations,” he said.
Britain’s first repatriation flight from Oman landed at London’s Stansted Airport early on Friday after being rescheduled due to operational issues, including delays in boarding passengers.
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad said on Friday it would resume a limited flight schedule through March 19. The flights will operate to and from Abu Dhabi and around 70 destinations including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Delhi, New York, Toronto and Tel Aviv.
As of Thursday, traffic at Dubai airport, normally the world’s busiest, had almost doubled from Wednesday, but remained only about 25% of normal levels, flight-tracking website Flightradar24 said.
Dubai-based Emirates said late on Thursday it was operating a reduced flight schedule to 82 destinations including London, Sydney, Singapore and New York until further notice, and customers transiting in Dubai would only be accepted if their connecting flight was operating.
The limited operations at Middle Eastern hubs have hit travellers on routes from Europe to the Asia-Pacific region particularly hard.
Combined, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad normally fly about one-third of passengers from Europe to Asia and more than half of all passengers from Europe to Australia, New Zealand and nearby Pacific Islands, according to Cirium data.
A tiny possum with one extra-long finger on each hand is one of two species thought to have been extinct that have been discovered in West Papua, in what’s been called an “exceptional” scientific discovery.
The other is a a ring-tailed glider with a tail that can grasp branches. Both have been found living in remote rainforests after they were thought to have disappeared 6,000 years ago.
Finding living examples of a lost species is rare, but discovering two is “remarkable,” say scientists who published their findings in the Records of the Australian Museum journal on Friday.
Such discoveries are known as “lazarus taxon”, a term inspired by a biblical figure who was raised from the dead.
“The discovery of one lazarus taxon… is an exceptional discovery,” said Prof Tim Flannery, a prominent Australian scientist best known for his 2005 The Weather Makers book about climate change.
“But the discovery of two species, thought to have been extinct for thousands of years, is remarkable.”
U.S. President Donald Trump encouraged Iranian Kurdish forces in Iraq to launch attacks against Iran as the Middle East conflict widened, with Azerbaijan warning it would retaliate for being targeted by Iranian missiles.
Israel on Friday said it had started a “broad-scale” wave of attacks against infrastructure targets in Tehran, as Gulf cities came under renewed bombardment by Iran.
Iran launched an overnight drone attack on the U.S. Al Udied airbase in Qatar, the biggest U.S. base in the Middle East, Qatari officials said. There were no reported casualties.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Iranian forces had targeted the Ramat David airbase and a radar site in Israel, the Al-Adiri camp in Kuwait where U.S. forces are stationed, and a drone attack on a base hosting U.S. troops in Erbil, Iraq.
A Guards spokesperson said new initiatives and weapons would soon be deployed to confront Israeli and U.S. aggression, without giving details.
The seven-day war has now seen Iran target Israel, the Gulf states, Cyprus, Turkey and Azerbaijan, and spread to the Indian Ocean where a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian naval ship.
“This was an ‘existential war’ for Iran, leaving us with no choice but to respond wherever American attacks originate from,” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said at the Raisina Dialogues conference in Delhi on Friday.
On the possibility of the Iranian Kurdish forces entering Iran from neighbouring Iraq, Trump told Reuters on Thursday: “I think it’s wonderful that they want to do that, I’d be all for it.”
Two Iranian drone attacks targeted an Iranian opposition camp in Iraqi Kurdistan on Thursday, security sources said.
Texas Republican congressman Tony Gonzales has dropped his re-election bid after admitting an affair, which he had previously denied, with a staff member who died by suicide.
The decision comes after the most senior members of his party in Congress released a statement calling for him to end his campaign.
“After deep reflection and with the support of my loving family, I have decided not to seek re-election,” he said in a statement posted to X.
It also comes as lawmakers prepare an ethics investigation into Gonzales, and days after he failed to convince voters to back him for the party’s nomination ahead of the mid-term congressional elections.
On Thursday, the Republican leadership in Congress said Gonzales should end his re-election campaign.
“We have encouraged him to address these very serious allegations directly with his constituents and his colleagues,” said a joint statement from Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer and congresswoman Lisa McClain.
On Wednesday, the married father-of-six confirmed he had had a relationship with married staff member Regina Santos-Aviles.
Gonzales had previously dismissed the allegations as “blackmail” and a “co-ordinated” attack to unseat him.
Hours before his admission, the House Ethics Committee announced it was launching an investigation into whether Gonzales “engaged in sexual misconduct” towards one of his employees.
Regina Santos-Aviles died in September 2025, after setting herself on fire near her home in Uvalde, Texas. The medical examiner ruled her death a suicide, according to the BBC’s US partner CBS News.
Gonzales told conservative podcaster Joe Pags in an interview released on Wednesday that Santos-Aviles’ death had nothing to do with the affair, saying she was “thriving” at work.
“I had absolutely nothing to do with her tragic passing,” he said. “And, in fact, I was shocked just as much as everyone else.”
If you are suffering distress or despair and need support, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide: www.befrienders.org. In the UK, a list of organisations that can help is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Readers in the US and Canada can call the 988 suicide helpline or visit its website.
The US and Venezuela have agreed to re-establish diplomatic and consular relations.
The agency said in a statement that the two sides would make joint efforts to promote stability, support economic recovery and advance political reconciliation.
While their diplomatic relations have been improving since the US military captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January in a surprise raid, the announcement of formal bilateral ties marks a hugely symbolic step.
President Donald Trump ordered troops to seize Maduro and his wife, bringing them to a Manhattan court to face weapon and drug offences, which they deny.
The US embassy in Caracas, which closed in 2019, has already reopened, and Washington has appointed a new diplomat in Venezuela.
The Venezuelan government said on Thursday it was willing to advance a “new stage of constructive dialogue, based on mutual respect”.
It said the relationship must result in the “social and economic happiness of the Venezuelan people”.
But the statement from Caracas made no reference to a transition or future elections, unlike the US state department’s.
The US has accused Maduro – who is due to stand trial this month in the US – and other members of his government of leading a criminal organisation involved in activities such as illegal mining and drug trafficking.
Sources told the BBC that more diplomatic staff from the US embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, are expected to be transferred to Caracas soon. The move will make it much easier for officials to negotiate face-to-face and provide consular services.
The US state department said its engagement was focused on helping Venezuelan people move forward through a “phased process that creates the conditions for a peaceful transition to a democratically elected government”.
After a visit to Venezuela, US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum told reporters on the runway in Caracas on Thursday on his way back to the US that it was a “brilliant strategic move” to intervene in Venezuela before Iran.
The US and Israel launched military action on Iran on 28 February. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed during the first wave of strikes.
Burgum, who leads President Trump’s National Energy Dominance Council, added on Thursday that the intervention would help ensure that “oil will flow to America”.
Since the US military strikes on Venezuela and seizure of Maduro, the US has struck new oil deals with Venezuela.
Washington has allowed the country to sell sanctioned oil with US oversight, and Venezuela has changed its law to allow more foreign investment in the oil sector.
On Wednesday, Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez and Burgum said the two countries would work together to develop mining in the country.
Along with having the largest proven oil reserves in the world, Venezuela is rich in gold, diamonds, critical minerals and rare earth minerals – including some of those used in mobile phones.
Hustler Fund CEO Henry Tanui has said the government will rely on borrower identification and sensitisation — rather than punitive tactics — to recover loans issued under the programme, insisting that recoveries will be pursued for all borrowers except those who have died.
Speaking on loan recoveries, Tanui said the facility is tied to the borrower’s national ID regardless of the SIM card used, adding that the fund can trace defaulters.
“The people who borrowed and thought they can disappear, they can’t because their IDs are linked to the loans,” he said.
Tanui added that the fund is determined to recover the loans.
“Except for those who have passed on, we will collect the money,” he said.
Tanui said Ksh83 billion had been borrowed up to Wednesday, with Ksh71 billion repaid and Ksh5.3 billion saved. He added that the fund’s default rate stands at 15 per cent.
He also said Nairobi leads in the number of people borrowing, followed by Kiambu County.
Responding to a question by North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood on whether defaulters would be arrested, Tanui said the fund would not use harsh debt recovery methods.
“We will not behave like shylocks. We will not come to pick your items if you default,” he said, adding that the fund would instead conduct sensitisation on the need to repay.
