Bahati Member of Parliament Irene Njoki has strongly condemned the killing of Rev. Julius N. Ndumia, the Parish Minister of PCEA Tabuga Parish, terming it a heinous and unacceptable act.
In a statement shared on her Facebook page, the MP called for immediate action from security agencies, insisting that those behind the murder must be brought to justice without delay.
“I strongly and unequivocally condemn the heinous murder of Rev. Julius N. Ndumia. This was a brutal and unacceptable act, and those responsible will not escape justice,” the MP stated.
She revealed that she had spoken directly with the Inspector General of Police, urging swift and thorough investigations into the incident.
“I have spoken directly with the Inspector General of Police, and investigations must be immediate, thorough, and conclusive. There must be no delays, no excuses, and no half measures,” she added.
The legislator emphasized the need for police to act decisively and ensure all those involved are apprehended and prosecuted.
She further assured residents that their safety remains a priority, warning that she will not allow a situation where people live in fear.
“Let there be no doubt, I will not allow our people to live in fear. I expect swift, concrete results, and I trust our security agencies to act with the urgency and professionalism this matter demands,” she said.
Three people have died on a cruise ship in the Atlantic, the WHO said Sunday, one a confirmed case of hantavirus — an illness usually transmitted to humans from rodents.
The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, travelling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde.
“To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and there are five additional suspected cases,” the World Health Organization told AFP.
“Of the six affected individuals, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.”
Earlier Sunday, South Africa’s health ministry told AFP there had been an outbreak of a “severe acute respiratory illness”, which had killed at least two people, with a third in intensive care in Johannesburg.
The patient treated in Johannesburg tested positive for a hantavirus, a family of viruses that can cause hemorrhagic fever, South African spokesperson Foster Mohale said.
In its statement, the WHO said hantavirus infections “are typically linked to environmental exposure (exposure to infected rodents’ urine or faeces).
“While rare, hantavirus may spread between people, and can lead to severe respiratory illness and requires careful patient monitoring, support and response.”
Husband and wife
The first person on the cruise to develop symptoms was a 70-year-old passenger. He died on board the ship and his body was currently on the island of Saint Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic, Mohale the South African spokesman said.
His 69-year-old wife also fell ill on board and was evacuated to South Africa, where she died in a Johannesburg hospital, he said, adding that they were not yet able to confirm the victims’ nationalities.
The third case, a 69-year-old Briton, was also evacuated to Johannesburg, where he was being treated in intensive care.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X that the agency was working with the ship’s operators and member states affected.
“WHO is facilitating medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, conducting a full risk assessment, and supporting affected people onboard,” he added.
“Rapid, coordinated action is critical to contain risks and protect public health.”
Earlier Sunday, a source close to the case speaking on condition of anonymity had said a Dutch couple were among the dead. The third fatality was still on board the ship.
Discussions were under way to decide whether two other sick passengers should be placed in isolation in hospital in Cape Verde, after which the ship would continue to Spain’s Canary Islands, the anonymous source said.
The MV Hondius is listed as a polar cruise ship on the websites of several travel agencies. It is operated by a Dutch-based tour company, Oceanwide Expeditions.
One of the cruises offers an itinerary departing from Ushuaia for Cape Verde, with stops in the islands of South Georgia and Saint Helena.
According to several online ship-tracking sites, the MV Hondius was just off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on Sunday.
The vessel can accommodate around 170 passengers and has some 70 crew members.
Humans can catch hantaviruses from contact with infected mice or rats or their droppings, or being bitten or inhaling contaminated dust. There are multiple types of hantaviruses in different parts of the world, with different symptoms.
AFP contacted the cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions but has not yet had a reply.
ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga on Monday, May 4, warned members of his party from endorsing each other for top leadership positions ahead of pre-election negotiations with UDA.
Oburu termed the endorsements as premature since the talks between ODM and UDA had not yet begun
He explained that any roles negotiated for ODM within the Broad-based government arrangement would be assigned to individuals after proper consultation.
“We are yet to begin our negotiations, and I would like to request that, before we start endorsing one another, we ensure a thorough and consultative process is undertaken,” the statement read in part.
The ODM Party Leader’s caution came after ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga endorsed Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho for the Deputy Presidency if the talks with UDA culminated in a coalition partnership.
A file photo of ODM Leader Oburu Oginga.
Oburu further expressed concern about the increased infighting among elected party members, warning that the division would destroy the party.
“As we move forward together as a team, let us remember that we are one family with a party to protect. Loyalty and dedication to the party must guide our actions.
“We must put an end to internal conflicts, as they do not serve our interests but instead create divisions that may become difficult to repair,” he reiterated.
The Siaya Senator directed that ODM should only have one command centre, adding that it would be costly to have multiple voices issuing conflicting party positions.
“I will communicate and provide guidance together with the Trustees and the Executive, we will communicate official party positions so that we present a strong and unified front.” Oburu disclosed.
The Ministry of Interior has urged all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) across the country to transition to the new Public Benefit Organisations (PBO) regulatory framework by May 13, 2026.
The PBO regulatory framework is an administrative system established under the Public Benefit Organisations Act to govern how non-profit organisations operate in Kenya.
The system sets out the rules for registration, compliance, reporting, and oversight of NGOs and other charitable entities in the country, replacing the older NGO Coordination framework.
The system is designed to enhance transparency and accountability by requiring organisations to disclose their activities, sources of funding, and governance structures, while also ensuring that they operate within the law and effectively serve the public interest.
In a statement on Monday, the Ministry said that organisations must submit the prescribed information and supporting documentation to facilitate re-registration and issuance of the appropriate certificate before the deadline.
“Kindly note that the transition period lapses on 13th May 2026, and all compliance requirements must be fulfilled within this timeframe, with failure affecting the organisation’s legal status in the country,” the ministry stated.
The NGOs Coordination Board indicates that over 14,000 NGOs are registered in Kenya as of 2025. These organisations, ranging from local to international, focus on sectors like education, health, and development.
However, only about 4,000 of these are fully compliant with regulations, with over 12,000 members listed under the National Council of NGOs.
The government has been keen to tighten regulations governing NGOs, especially after the country experienced major anti-government protests in 2024 and 2025.
Last year, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei called for government bodies regulating NGOs to take action against unregistered organisations that are backing activists in the country.
Addressing the media on June 20 last year, the lawmaker said that the government should leverage foreign intelligence networks to track alleged payments made by NGOs to activists.
“Most of our foreign friends are not happy that our country is stable. That is why they are pouring illicit money to fund some of these demonstrations,” the senator said.
“I want to appeal to the government to use foreign intelligence networks to be on the lookout for the money that is being sent into the country to finance some of these illicit and illegal activists,” he added.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino on Monday, May 4, confirmed that the Linda Mwananchi presidential candidate would only serve for one term if he or she emerged the winner of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during an interview, Babu stated that he would take over the reins of power in 2032, which he declared as the ripe time for him to be president.
The lawmaker disclosed that he was focused on Nairobi County leadership in 2027, but would go for the top seat in 2032.
“The voice of the people is the voice of God. As of today, I am so focused on the people of Nairobi, and in 2032, get used to your president early enough.
“Whoever we are going to choose as Linda Mwananchi, we want that person to serve for one term, then hand over to Babu to go for two terms,” Babu reiterated.
A file image of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
The MP confirmed that the Linda Mwananchi group plans to have a candidate on the ballot paper in 2027, and was willing to work with any other political group.
“We are insisting and working on that (having a candidate at the ballot). We will also work with like-minded individuals from other coalitions and parties,” he added.
Babu confirmed that he would not run for Nairobi Governor under an ODM party ticket, nor run as an independent candidate.
He hinted that the Linda Mwananchi group would morph into a political party and would use the ticket to run for the gubernatorial seat.
“ODM does not exist. What we have now is a lemon, not an orange anymore; it is LDM. I can assure you 100 percent that there will be a new political party,” he disclosed.
Earlier, Babu addressed concerns about his character, as a section of Kenyans brought up the gun drama involving DJ Evolve.
The MP admitted that ideally, he should be in jail for shooting the DJ, but argued that he also faced the law through what he defined as reconstructive justice.
He intimated that he had so far spent close to Ksh70 million on the entertainer’s recovery process, adding that he was forced to take loans from banks and his SACCO.
A report by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has revealed that Citizen TV was the most-watched TV station in Kenya in 2025.
In the State of the Media 2025 report released on Monday, May 4, MCK ranked Citizen TV as Kenya’s most popular station with 56 percent.
NTV came in second place with 8 percent, followed by KTN Home and Inooro TV with 7 percent each.
Cape Media’s TV 47 and KBC tied in fourth place each with 4 percent, while Ramogi TV, Maisha Magic, and K24 tied in fifth place with 3 percent each.
The report also revealed that the number of people watching TV daily in Kenya declined by 6 percent, from 63 percent in 2024 to 57 percent in 2025.
File image of MCK CEO David Omwoyo and other stakeholders during the launch of the 2025 State of the Media report.
According to MCK, 73 percent of TV viewers in the country watch during prime time, between 7 pm and 10 pm, while 20 percent watch television during the morning hours, from 6 am to 10 am.
At the same time, the report ranked Radio Citizen as the most listened to radio station in Kenya in 2025, with a 17 percent audience share, followed by Radio Maisha at 14 percent.
Kass FM was ranked third with 6 percent listenership, while Classic 105 came in fourth at 2 percent.
The report also disclosed that social media has overtaken television as the most widely consumed medium weekly.
MCK highlighted that the weekly consumption of social media stands at 27 per cent, while TV is at 25 per cent.
Radio comes third with a weekly consumption of 19 per cent.
“Digital consumption is no longer growing alongside broadcast; it is growing at its expense,” the MCK report stated.
President William Ruto on Monday, May 4, presided over the swearing in of 49 new judges at State House, Nairobi.
The new judges include 24 judges of the High Court, 13 judges of the Environment and Land Court, and 12 of the COMESA Court of Justice.
Speaking during the event, President Ruto congratulated the new judges as they officially assumed office.
“I extend my congratulations to each of the judges taking the oath today. Your appointment is both a great honour and a great responsibility and a solemn commitment before God, to serve people with integrity, diligence, and humility,” said Ruto.
The Head of State urged the newly appointed judges to take their mandate and oath of office seriously in the service of the public.
“I want to plead with you that the job you applied for goes beyond an appointment letter, you have been sworn in to mandate, and therefore please take this appointment and swearing-in very seriously,” President Ruto added.
The swearing-in comes weeks after the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) nominated 24 judges for appointment to the High Court and 13 others to the Environment and Land Court.
The new High Court Judges include: Robinson Ondieki Kebabe, Roseline Akinyi Oganyo, Paul Kipkosgei Rotich, Joyce Mkambe Gandani, Joseph Maloba Were, Dickson Odhiambo Onyango, Alex Kimanzi Ithuku, Martha Wanzila Mutuku, Benard Wafula Murunga, Francis Nyungu Kyambia, Letizia Muthoni Wachira Rwiga and Kennedy Lenkamai Kandet.
Others are: Richard Kipkemoi Koech, Emmanuel Omondi Bitta, David Wanjohi Mburu, Dominic Kipkemoi Rono, Winnie Narasha Molonko, Judith Chelangat Mutai, Joseph Kipkoech Biomdo, Anne Mary Auma Okutoyi, Abdi Mohamud Hassan, Nabil Mokaya Orina, Patricia Naeku Leparashao and Catherine Akaigwa Kassim.
On the other hand, the new Environment and Land Court judges are: John Walter Wanyonyi, Jecinta Atieno Orwa, Peter Muneeno Musyimi, Cyprian Mugambi Nguthari, Charity Chebii Oluoch, Gerhard Gitonga Muchege, Charles Nchore Ondieki, Robert Omondi Owino, Lillian Tsuma Lewa, Bellinda Akoth Akello, Ben Mark Ekhubi, Josphat Ngeria Kuyioni, and Elena Gathoni Nderitu.
The fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) sector in Kenya is growing with new players and new subscribers. However, this positive growth has a negative aspect, with the cables on poles and trenches becoming an eyesore across the country.
Now, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), the regulatory agency for the ICT sector in Kenya with responsibilities in telecommunications, is moving in to arrest the mess.
As part of its mandate, the authority has published draft guidelines to establish standards for cable installation and maintenance.
CA claims, “When installations are poorly done, the result is slow speeds, frequent outages, and even safety risks.” That’s why new guidelines have been proposed.”
According to the document, the majority of internet service providers in Kenya ignore manufacturer recommendations when laying their cable infrastructure.
“Whereas there exist cable installation and maintenance guidelines from cable manufacturers to be adhered to for ensuring the networks are fit for purpose, the Authority has noted the proliferation of cables not only installed with disregard for the manufacturer standards but also poorly maintained,” the guidelines state.
Cable Installation Guidelines
The guidelines establish specific technical standards for both aerial and underground cable installations.
Aerial Cable Installations
All telecommunication poles must maintain a minimum vertical ground clearance of 23 feet
Maximum distance between poles limited to 100 feet
A maximum of ten(10) different providers of telecommunication cables shall share one pole
Minimum vertical clearance between adjacent cables on a pole set at one foot
The lowest ground clearance for a telecommunication cable running parallel to roads, railway line and crossing footpaths shall be 10 feet
The lowest ground clearance for telecommunication cables crossing an entry into estate gates shall be a minimum of 13 feet.
Cable sag restricted to no more than 2% of the cable span length
All slack loops shall be fixed on poles and supported with brackets or trays
A pole shall have only one slack; therefore, sharing service providers shall have to alternate their slacks
Guidelines From the CA’s Technical and Procedural Guidelines for Installation and Maintenance of Cable Telecommunication Infrastructure, 2026
Underground Cable Installations
Excavation depth must be at least three feet
Minimum trench width of 2.5 feet to accommodate at least four 100mm diameter ducts
Horizontal separation between ducts set at a minimum 50mm
Marking tape must be placed at maximum two feet from the top of the trench
Cable markers spaced at one-kilometer intervals along the entire route
Manholes to be positioned at almost 1,000-foot intervals
Fiber cables crossing rivers or lakes, an underwater ground continuous length cable should be used to avoid underwater joints, with the gradient of the cable route down the riverbed or lakeshore made as gentle as possible to avoid the fiber moving within the cable
Excavations crossing roads, railways and other underground utility infrastructure shall be done as guided by the respective utility providers.
Guidelines From the CA’s Technical and Procedural Guidelines for Installation and Maintenance of Cable Telecommunication Infrastructure, 2026
Every 300 feet, cables must be marked with permanent labels that clearly identify the service provider in bold or capital letters.
These labels must also specify the internal fiber count (such as 24F or 48F); the cable type, distinguishing between Singlemode (SM) and Multimode (MM); and the date the cable was installed.
To maintain high service quality, all fiber connections must use fusion splicing to minimize signal loss, with every joint enclosure marked by a permanent, weather-resistant label identifying the service provider.
During pulling and installation, cables must never exceed the manufacturer’s bending stress limits.
Specifically, the minimum bending diameter must be maintained at 40 times the cable’s outer diameter during installation and 20 to 30 times the diameter once fixed, while microduct cables must follow specific manufacturer guidance.
Infrastructure Sharing, Licensing, and Approval
The guidelines require all trenches to have at least four ducts installed to facilitate sharing among service providers. This aligns with the authority’s broader infrastructure-sharing regulatory framework and supports the “Dig Once” policy principle to reduce costs and avoid duplication.
Service providers wishing to install and operate telecommunications infrastructure must obtain a Network Facility Provider (NFP) license under the Authority’s technology- and service-neutral licensing regime.
Contractors and technical personnel working on behalf of service providers require separate licenses.
Different agencies are tasked with cable installation approvals. Service providers must seek the county governments’ approval for excavation permits and wayleave acquisition.
They must also seek relevant road authorities’ approvals (KeNHA, KURA, and KeRRA) for cable infrastructure crossing roads or road reserves.
Where public land is to be used, approval is given by the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning for public lands. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is the agency to be sought where environmental assessments are required.
Kenya Power (KPLC) for pole-sharing arrangements, water and sewerage agencies for installations near their pipelines, and Kenya Railways Corporation for infrastructure running within 15 feet of railway networks.
Compliance Framework and Transition
Upon completion of installation, service providers must notify the regulator and submit a self-test report using equipment such as optical time-domain reflectometers, accompanied by photographic evidence of continuity tests, insulation resistance measurements, loop resistance, signal quality tests, and end-to-end optical power measurements.
CA will then conduct certification exercises within 14 days of receiving notification to verify compliance before allowing service providers to provision services on the installed infrastructure.
Service providers who currently have actively deployed cable infrastructure will be given 6 months after the regulations come into force to ensure they comply.
The document is still in draft form and subject to stakeholder consultation; hence, the effective date for the guidelines remains to be determined.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has said he has spent close to Ksh70 million on the medical care of DJ Evolve since the shooting incident that left the entertainer paralysed.
Speaking on Monday, May 4, the legislator said he chose to take responsibility and pursue what he described as restorative justice, adding that he has continued to finance treatment and other related medical needs over the years.
“This issue has been a serious issue from before but I took responsibility as a leader. People are saying that, in a working state, I should be in jail.
“I agree but there are different types of justice. There’s the retributive justice that says, punish, and then there’s the restorative justice that tries to restore to its original state,” he said.
Babu said the financial burden has been significant, revealing that he has had to borrow money to sustain the medical support.
“With this, I’ve been taking care of medical bills. Up to now, I’ve taken loans from banks and my SACCO. I’ve spent close to around Ksh70 million on DJ Evolve. The amount of money that we spend per month is close to Ksh500,000,” he added.
File image of DJ Evolve
According to the lawmaker, DJ Evolve has made notable progress in his recovery and is now able to speak and eat normally.
“DJ Evolve is talking; he’s eating; he’s healed. The only thing remaining is to go through the physiotherapy process so that he can walk. But he’s normal,” he further said.
Babu was acquitted from the case where he was accused of shooting DJ Evolve in 2023.
In a ruling on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi said the prosecution did not prove its case against the ODM MP.
“Having evaluated the evidence in court. I find that the prosecution has failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt,” said Magistrate Ochoi.
The ruling came barely two months after DJ Evolve told the court that he did not see Babu with a firearm during the incident at B Club in January 2020.
DJ Evolve who testified virtually said he did not know what happened to him as he found himself in an ambulance being taken to hospital.
“I was injured by a bullet but I don’t know from which gun. I just found myself in a vehicle to the hospital. I came to find out that Babu Owino was supporting me and as a friend I expected my friends to look after me.
“I received medical care and my utilities and general well-being are taken care of. I’m giving out this testimony voluntarily,” he told the court.
Babu on his part told the court that he has spent at least Ksh58 million to cater for DJ Evolve’s medical bills since the incident in 2021.
He explained that he also bought an apartment at Kilimani and hired two nurses physiotherapists, and an occupational therapist to take care of the DJ.
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has vowed to deal with cartels decisively if elected Nairobi Governor in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Monday, May 4, Babu said his first priority upon assuming office would be to dismantle the cartels.
The ODM lawmaker noted that he would mobilize millions of Nairobi residents to storm the homes of cartel members and flush them out of the capital.
“I will want you to observe how I will lead Nairobians. The first people I am going for are the cartels. I am going to deal with these cartels decisively. Because these are the people who, if given a job they don’t want to work.
If you are given a job, do it, take your profit, let the services be delivered to Kenyans, but if you don’t do it, I will come for you. I have the people; if I come with 5 million Nairobians to your house, you will relocate to the village. That is how this thing should be done,” said Babu.
File image of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
Babu defended his tough approach against cartels in Nairobi, arguing that leadership sometimes requires making difficult and unpopular decisions for the greater good.
“Leadership you must take certain decisions whether the people will be happy with it or not, and dealing with cartels it will be in the best interest of Kenyans,” he added.
Babu is among the politicians who have declared their interest in unseating the current Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja, as Nairobi County boss in the 2027 general election.
Other politicians who have announced gubernatorial ambitions in Nairobi include: Makadara Member of Parliament George Aladwa, Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya, and former PS Irungu Nyakera.
Previously, Babu had expressed fears that the ODM Party might deny him a ticket to run for Nairobi governor.
The Embakasi East MP has since joined the Linda Mwananchi movement, which is opposed to the leadership of Oburu Oginga.
