Omanyala, Samidoh and Azziad join Eric Omondi’s Sisi kwa Sisi fundraiser walk from Nairobi to Busia

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March 2, 2026

Several Kenyan stars gathered in Nairobi on Monday morning, 2 March 2026 to flag off comedian-turned-activist Eric Omondi for his long distance charity walk from Nairobi to Busia.

Leading the supporters was Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, who officially flagged off the activist as he began the journey.

Omondi has embarked on a gruelling 466-kilometre walk from the capital to the Busia border to raise funds for the completion of the Sisi Kwa Sisi Help and Rescue Centre.

Recently, Omondi and his Team Sisi Kwa Sisi won multiple humanitarian awards in recognition of the impact of the movement’s community support.

According to his own social media announcement, the team secured the Social Impact Transformational Award and the Humanitarian Service and Community Leadership Award at the Kenya Social Impact Awards, an event that celebrates organizations and individuals using their influence for social good.

This isn’t the first time Sisi Kwa Sisi has been recognized. In December 2025, Omondi and his team received the “Humanitarian Impact of the Year” Award at the Pride of Kenya Awards, where the movement was honored for its outreach and contribution to vulnerable communities.

In his acceptance, Omondi dedicated the accolade to the supporters who have contributed to the cause.

Earlier recognition also came in late 2024 when Omondi was named Humanitarian of the Year by the National Council of Community-Based Organizations (NCBOC) at an awards gala in Nairobi’s Serena Hotel, where he was praised for mobilizing resources to help Kenyans in need through his philanthropic campaigns.

The Sisi Kwa Sisi movement has been active for several years, using public mobilisation to help individuals and communities facing hardship including fundraising campaigns to pay medical bills, support education costs, and provide emergency relief.

Omondi’s philanthropic approach blends celebrity influence with grassroots support, inviting ordinary Kenyans to contribute whatever they can towards collective needs.

His current walk builds on the momentum of his earlier 486-kilometre “Walk of Love” from Nairobi to Mombasa in February 2026, which drew national attention and helped mobilize funds for the rescue center project.

Organizers describe the Busia walk as both a fundraising drive and a way to directly engage communities along the route.

The Sisi Kwa Sisi Help and Rescue Centre, the project at the heart of these campaigns is envisioned as a hub for community support that could include emergency services, medical outreach, storage facilities, and other programmes once sufficient funds are raised.

The walk from Nairobi to Busia marks another chapter in Omondi’s effort to sustain the project and broaden its impact across Kenya.

Deadly Texas bar shooting ‘potentially act of terrorism’, FBI says

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Editor

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March 2, 2026

Two people were killed and over a dozen injured in a shooting outside a beer garden in Austin, Texas, in an incident the FBI says may be related to terrorism.

The suspect has been identified as Ndiaga Diagne, a naturalised American citizen born in Senegal, according to the BBC’s US partner CBS News and other US media.

After responding to calls of an active shooter at around 02:00 local time (08:00 GMT) on Sunday near Buford’s bar in the southern US state’s capital, police said they shot and killed the suspect, bringing the death toll to three.

Police have not offered a motive and have not officially identified Diagne. Of the survivors, 14 were taken to hospital, three in a critical condition.

Two sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News that the gunman was wearing a sweatshirt with the words “Property of Allah”.

CBS was also told by an official with knowledge of the investigation that officers who searched the gunman’s home found an Iranian flag and pictures of Iranian leaders.

The attack came on the weekend that the US and its ally Israel launched multiple strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said officers who were on patrol in the more popular, crowded bar district known as East Sixth Street quickly responded to reports of a man with a gun at Buford’s, located farther down on West Sixth Street.

She said a man in a large SUV driving by Buford’s put on the vehicle’s hazard lights, rolled down his window and fired a pistol, striking people on the patio and pavement outside the bar.

He parked the vehicle nearby, got out with a rifle and started walking back towards the bar, according to Davis. Three police officers confronted the suspect at an intersection, and shot and killed him.

By Anthony Solly

Governor Nassir launches ‘Mombasa Care Desk’ to improve services; announces 7-day mortuary bills waiver

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John Mutiso

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March 2, 2026

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir on Monday, March 2, launched a customer care initiative dubbed the ‘Mombasa Care Desk’, in a bid to improve service delivery in Mombasa City.

While launching the ‘Mombasa Care Desk’, Governor Nassir said his administration will be banking on the initiative to boost registration of Mombasa residents with the Social Health Authority (SHA) and streamline health services.

The desk, which will be stationed in all public health facilities, will be manned by trained agents tasked with ensuring timely updates, monitoring and reporting on service delivery, and strengthening relations between patients and medical practitioners.

County officials say the move is designed to enhance accountability and improve patient experience in government-run facilities.

In a bid to address emergencies and public complaints swiftly, the county also unveiled a 24/7 toll-free line, 1599, to enable residents report emergencies and raise concerns directly to county health facilities.

The governor described the initiative as a critical step towards achieving access to affordable, quality healthcare, noting that it complements the expansion of medical facilities and the establishment of satellite level four hospitals across the county.

At the same time, Governor Nassir announced a seven-day waiver on mortuary bills to help decongest facilities ahead of the official re-launch of the renovated mortuary, a move expected to offer relief to bereaved families and restore order in county health institutions.

Saracen Marketing Group appoints Clifford Kinyua as Group Chief Executive Officer

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John Mutiso

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March 2, 2026

Saracen Marketing Group, a leading pan–African marketing group with operations in Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, and Ethiopia, has appointed Clifford Kinyua as Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 1^st October 2025.

The appointment aligns with Saracen’s 23^rd anniversary and reflects a broader governance transition as the company moves from founder-led management to an institutional Group structure to support long-term growth across African markets.

Mr. Kinyua has over a decade of experience in strategy, media, and enterprise leadership across Africa, having held senior roles within global networks and organisations, including Jubilee Insurance, Betika and WPP, and Omnicom-affiliated agencies.

Most recently, he served as Group Chief Transformation and Sustainability Officer at Betika, leading enterprise-wide transformation across strategy, operations, brand, and regional expansion, while working closely with the Board and executive leadership to strengthen operating discipline, scale across African markets, and embed long-term sustainability.

He succeeds co-founder Lenny Nganga, who has served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer since its inception. As part of the transition, Nganga will move into the role of Group Chairperson, providing strategic oversight and continuity at the Board level as the founder steps back from day-to-day management.

Making the announcement, Lenny Nganga, co-founder and incoming Group Chairperson, said; “As Saracen marks 23 years, we are deliberately evolving our leadership to match the future we are building. This is a transition from founder-led to founder-backed growth. Clifford brings the strategic clarity, commercial discipline and regional experience needed to lead the Group into its next phase, while the founders continue to safeguard Saracen’s values and long-term vision at Board level”.

Mr. Kinyua is not new to Saracen. He previously worked within the Group and returns with both deep institutional understanding and an external vantage point on how African brands and businesses are evolving.

Commenting on his appointment, Clifford Kinyua, the incoming Group Chief Executive Officer, said, “Saracen has helped shape East Africa’s media and marketing landscape for more than two decades. The next chapter is about building calmer, more predictable growth systems across markets by combining the craft the Group is known for with stronger data, technology, and regional integration”.

In parallel with the leadership transition, Saracen is continuing work already underway to strengthen its operations and governance, and to position the Group for long-term, capital-backed growth. This includes evaluating a range of strategic options with advisers, including potential access to institutional capital to support regional expansion.

Founded in 2002, Saracen Marketing Group has grown into a trusted regional partner for leading local and international brands and is actively exploring opportunities in additional African markets.

The existing country and business unit leadership teams remain in place and empowered, ensuring continuity for staff, clients, and partners as the Group executes its long-term strategy.

KCB, Alliance High School partner to launch Solarization Project during Centenary celebrations

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John Mutiso

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March 2, 2026

KCB Bank Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating Kenya’s clean energy transition through its support of the solarization project launched during the centenary celebrations of Alliance High School.

The milestone event, which marked 100 years of the institution’s legacy in academic excellence, was graced by the President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, Dr. William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H., highlighting the growing national focus on sustainable infrastructure within the education sector.

Speaking at the event, KCB Bank Kenya Managing Director, Annastacia Kimtai, underscored the Bank’s strategic approach to clean energy financing as a driver of long-term economic efficiency and environmental stewardship.

“KCB is leveraging its financial expertise to unlock new investment in the sector by de-risking lending and providing flexible financing models to ensure that solarization growth is both sustainable and inclusive, especially in learning institutions,” she remarked.

The solar installation at Alliance High School is expected to enhance energy reliability, reduce operational costs, and lower the institution’s carbon footprint, demonstrating how renewable energy solutions can strengthen resilience in learning environments while contributing to Kenya’s broader climate commitments.

The Bank currently offers four key options; solar-powered cooking systems that also power lighting and equipment during non–cooking hours; steam-based cooking combined with solar for energy needs; LPG for clean cooking alongside solar power, and biogas systems that convert organic waste into energy, reducing fuel costs and promoting sustainability. So far, KCB have financed over 250 schools with solarization and LPG facilities.

KCB’s support is anchored in its Clean Energy Customer Value Proposition (CVP), a structured framework designed to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy solutions among households, SMEs, agribusinesses, and institutions.

Through accessible financing, tailored advisory services, and innovative funding models, the Bank is lowering barriers to clean energy uptake and catalyzing inclusive green growth.

As institutions increasingly seek cost-efficient and climate-smart infrastructure, KCB Bank Kenya continues to position itself as a key financial partner in advancing sustainable development across the country.

India and Canada reset ties with ‘landmark’ nuclear energy deal

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Editor

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March 2, 2026

India and Canada have announced a host of agreements, including a 10-year nuclear energy deal, after their prime ministers met in Delhi to reset ties that plummeted due to diplomatic tensions.

Narendra Modi and Mark Carney also struck agreement in areas such as technology, critical minerals, space, defence and education.

Carney said they agreed to conclude a free trade deal, years in the making, by the end of 2026. Both countries want to reduce exposure to punitive US trade tariffs.

Under Carney, the two governments are trying to repair ties that were strained when his predecessor accused Delhi of a link to the 2023 assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

India vociferously rejected the allegation by Justin Trudeau.

Trade and diplomatic relations almost came to a standstill as both sides expelled each other’s diplomats and cancelled visa services. Canada hosts a huge expatriate Indian community.

But since Carney took office last year, the relationship has been cautiously rebuilt – helped by the fact that his government has said it believes India is not currently linked to violent crimes or threats on Canadian soil.

The case of four men charged over Nijjar’s killing is still before the courts.

At talks in Delhi, both Carney and Modi underscored India and Canada’s long-standing relationship, mutual goals and close people-to-people ties.

“In civil nuclear energy, we have reached a landmark deal for long-term uranium supply. We will also work together on small modular reactors and advanced reactors,” Modi told reporters after their meeting at Hyderabad House in Delhi.

He described the two countries as “natural partners in technology and innovation” and said they would enhance co-operation in AI, supercomputing and semiconductors, as well as jointly host a renewable energy summit.

Carney said Canada was well positioned to contribute to energy-hungry India’s nuclear fuel needs and added that the two countries were launching a strategic energy partnership.

He hailed the progress made in rebuilding relations.

“There has been more engagement between the Canadian and Indian governments in the last year than there has been in more than two decades combined,” he said.

On trade, Modi said: “Our target is to reach $50bn in bilateral trade. This is why we have decided to finalise a comprehensive economic partnership soon.”

Carney said he wanted to reach a deal on the “ambitious agreement” by the end of the year. It’s been discussed on-and-off for the past 15 years so concluding it would be a significant achievement.

Analysts say that Carney’s decision to put diplomatic tensions behind him and extend an olive branch to India is a pragmatic one, based on present day geopolitical shifts.

The same holds true for India, which is looking to forge new trade partnerships to diversify its imports and also reduce its reliance on Russia for its energy needs.

Earlier on Monday, Carney met India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar where the two discussed charting a “forward-looking partnership”.

Carney’s four-day trip began with a visit to the financial capital, Mumbai, where he met business leaders and ministers on 28 February with a view to boost trade and investment in India.

After concluding his trip in Delhi, Carney is set to travel to Australia and then Japan as part of his strategy to diversify Canada’s trade and invite new investments.

By Anthony Solly

Central African Republic launches high-quality digitization project

By

John Mutiso

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March 2, 2026

Complete digitization of processes throughout the Ministry of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation
Reduction of processing times by approximately 70%
Potential savings of up to 30% on administrative costs
The central database for all governmental, international and humanitarian projects
Fills information gaps and increases the efficiency of the administrative department
Prof. Richard Filakota stands out as “Pioneer of digital administrative modernization in the Central African Republic”

A historic step in the modernization of the Central African Republic’s public administration. With the official launch of the Dûnîa digital platform, an entire ministry was fully digitized for the first time – both in terms of internal processes and cooperation with external partners.

The platform was developed on behalf of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation (MEPCI) and marks a unique structural shift in the governance of economic policy, development planning and international partnerships.

The official launch of this Platform took place on February 23, 2026 under the patronage of the President of the Republic, Head of State, Professor Faustin Archange Touadera, and is under the banner of the National Development Plan (NDP-2024-2028).

“Dûnîa is much more than just an e-government project. It is an integrated, modular and scalable digital platform that maps all of the ministry’s administrative, operational and strategic processes. A strategic lever for development and digitalisation – and an important element of our Ambition28 programme,” says Professor Richard Filakota, Minister of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation.

On the platform, all HR and budget management processes of the Ministry of the Economy are automated: document management is managed entirely electronically, project management is digitally centralized, macroeconomic analyses are modeled based on data and international funding is tracked transparently. The platform is built on an open-source microservices architecture with high resiliency (99.8% availability), encrypted data structure, and API interoperability.

Concrete gains in efficiency and transparency

Digitalization brings measurable improvements. Administrative processing times are reduced by up to 70%. Around 40% of human resources can be used for value-added tasks in the future. In the case of recurring administrative costs, a potential savings of up to 30% is expected.

In addition, all processes will be fully digitally traceable in the future to minimize the risk of corruption. After all, reporting is carried out in accordance with international standards – and in an automated way.

Of particular importance is the new central project register, which for the first time brings together all governmental, international and humanitarian projects in a common database. This reduces information gaps and avoids duplication of structures – an important step towards making more effective use of international development funds.

Digital governance of more than $9 billion in development finance

The platform directly supports the implementation of the National Development Plan 2024–2028, for which more than USD 9 billion has been mobilized as part of the International Investors Roundtable held in Casablanca in September 2025.

By grouping and digitally coordinating all projects, overlaps can be reduced and a potential savings of 15 to 20 percent can be realized. In addition, outflows of funds are accelerated, impact assessments are improved and territorial imbalances are compensated. This makes digitalization the central instrument for effective development management.

The development and implementation of Dûnîa is carried out in partnership with the Central African technology company EDEN TiiiT, led by Cédric PIDJOU who pre-financed the previous phases of the project from his own funds.

“This model underlines the growing role of the local private sector in the country’s digital transformation and sends a strong signal to international partners and investors,” says Professor Richard Filakota. “With Dûnîa, the Central African Republic is positioning itself as a pioneer in digital administrative modernization. A model of digital sovereignty for a country! »

This platform strengthens the state’s capacity for action, increases transparency and accountability, and creates the basis for evidence-based policymaking. The digitalization of the Ministry is therefore not only a technological step, but also a strategic cornerstone for sustainable growth, institutional stability and international partnership.

The name Dûnîa means “the world, the universe, a place with an infinite number of solutions” in Sango, the local language. It was chosen to symbolize the opening of the CAR to the world, its repositioning among the countries with high digital potential, and the acceleration of its economic growth thanks to an infinite number of innovative solutions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ambition28.

‘Go to Bondo for Baba’s signature’, Sifuna says on MoU extension

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John Mutiso

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March 2, 2026

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has dismissed calls to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), insisting the agreement will expire as scheduled on March 7, 2026.

Speaking during a media interview, Sifuna said anyone interested in extending the agreement must seek direct approval from ODM leader Raila Odinga.

“Anybody who wants to extend this MoU must go to Bondo and get Baba’s signature,” Sifuna said.

He emphasized that no other party official has the authority to extend or alter the agreement, noting that the deal was deliberately structured without an extension clause.

“No other signature can be appended to extend this MoU because Baba, in his wisdom, did not ask for a provision for extension of the MoU. Why didn’t he insist that we must provide for extension?”

According to Sifuna, the agreement, signed on March 7, 2025, was meant to address specific governance challenges within a fixed timeframe.

He explained that both parties intended to use the period to implement key reforms and later reassess their political direction ahead of the next General Election.

The cooperation framework between President William Ruto’s UDA and ODM outlined a 10-point agenda focused on national governance and reform.

Key priorities included protecting devolution, safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of Kenyans, and addressing cases of abductions and killings.

The agreement also provided a roadmap for cooperation and national dialogue, with March 7, 2026 set as the deadline for implementation and submission of a final progress report.

Meanwhile, the committee overseeing the implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report has expressed confidence it will deliver its report on time.

Committee chairperson Agnes Zani assured Kenyans that the process remains on track and urged the public to maintain confidence.

At the same time, ODM leader Oburu Odinga dismissed claims that the agreement would automatically collapse after the deadline. He clarified that the date marks a moment for evaluation rather than the immediate end of cooperation.

The future of the agreement now remains uncertain as the deadline approaches, with both parties expected to review progress and determine their next political steps.

Chuka university student stabbed 11 times by girlfriend

By

John Mutiso

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March 2, 2026

Police are investigating two separate murder incidents in Chuka, Tharaka Nithi county and Embu town.

In the first incident, one of the victims was stabbed 11 times by a suspect believed to be his girlfriend in Chuka.

Twenty two-year-old Kelvin Sigei – a second-year student, pursuing Bachelor of science in engineering – was found dead at the Rovines hostels within Ndagani area.

Police visited the scene and said there were signs of struggle due to scattered household items.

Blood was also strewn all over the room and the body had 11 visible open deep knife stab wounds on the chest and stomach.

Two blood-stained knives believed to be the murder weapons were recovered at the scene.

Preliminary information show that the deceased was last seen on Thursday night with his girlfriend, also a second-year student at Chuka University.

The motive of the murder is not yet known. The woman is at large and efforts to trace her are ongoing. The body was moved to the mortuary pending postmortem.

In Kangaru, Embu county, Eric Cheruiyot, a student at a local college was stabbed and killed in an attack.

He was stabbed in the back by men who were riding on a motorcycle on Saturday night, police said.

The motive of the attack was not immediately known, police said as they moved the body to the mortuary for postmortem.

The hunt on the assailants continued on Sunday.

And police are looking for two siblings who killed their brother in a domestic feud in a village in Giaki, Meru county.

Police said Patrick Kamakia, 50, was assaulted by his siblings in a quarrel on Saturday in the village.

The cause of the feud was not immediately known.

The body had multiple cuts on the head and legs when it was discovered and moved to the mortuary. The hunt on the suspects continued on Sunday.

Oil prices jump and shares fall as conflict escalates

By

Editor

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March 2, 2026

Global oil prices have risen as Iran continues to launch strikes across the Middle East in response to ongoing attacks by the US and Israel.

Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil prices, jumped by 10% to touch more than $82 a barrel on Monday after at least three ships were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz at the weekend. Natural gas prices also surged by as much as 25%.

Iran warned vessels not to pass through the crucial waterway in the south of the country, through which about 20% of the world’s oil and gas is shipped.

In London, the FTSE 100 stock market index opened nearly 1% down with shares in airlines falling after airspace was closed across the Middle East.

Leading stock markets in Europe sustained bigger drops. In France, the CAC-40 fell by 1.6% while Germany’s Dax dropped by 1.7%.

Meanwhile, the price of gold, which is viewed as a safe-haven asset during periods of uncertainty, added 2.3% to $5,395.99 an ounce.

International shipping has almost come to a standstill at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, with analysts warning that a prolonged conflict could push energy prices even higher.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) said that two vessels had been struck, and an “unknown projectile” was reported to have “exploded in very close proximity” to a third.

By Anthony Solly

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