Court Finds Businessman Brian Yongo Has Case to Answer in Threats to Kill Charge

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February 20, 2026

By Andrew Kariuki

City businessman and debt collector Brian Yongo has suffered a setback after the Milimani law court ruled that he has a case to answer in a matter where he is accused of threatening to kill.

Yongo appeared before the Milimani Law Courts, where the trial court placed him on his defence after finding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against him.

Through his defence, Yongo indicated that he intends to call two witnesses to testify in support of his case.

He has denied the charge of threatening to kill businessman Rajendra Sanghani, the Managing Director of Granada Trading Company.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offence occurred on April 12, 2024, at an undisclosed location within the Republic of Kenya, where Yongo is said to have issued threats against the complainant.

The court heard that Yongo allegedly made alarming statements suggesting that he could mobilise individuals to harm the complainant and that he had influential connections that would shield him from consequences.

In part of the evidence presented before the court, Yongo is alleged to have told the complainant:

“My friend in Spring Valley, I want to send you visitors. Tonight don’t sleep. I want to show you… you say you were shot in the eye, I want to show you I know people who shoot. I swear upon my mother, this one even Sonko will not help you.”

The prosecution maintains that the words amounted to a direct threat to the life of the complainant, thereby constituting the offence.

The matter will now proceed to the defence stage, where Yongo will be required to respond to the allegations and present his evidence before the court makes its final determination.

Court Sets Judgment Date in Sharon Otieno Murder Case as Second Accused Fails to Appear Over Illness

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February 20, 2026

By Andrew Kariuki

The case of the killing of university student Sharon Beryl Otieno, in which former Migori Governor Zacharia Okoth Obado is charged alongside Michael Juma Oyamo and former Migori County Clerk Caspal Ojwang Obiero continued before the Milimani Law Courts.

The trial proceedings of former Migori Governor Zacharia Okoth Obado and his co accused took a turn after the absence of the second accused, Michael Juma Oyamo, who is said to be unwell and currently admitted to hospital.

Through his legal team, the court was informed that Oyamo had been admitted to Rapogi Hospital in Wendo on the recommendation of a doctor.

His advocate stated that a letter explaining his condition had been filed in court on February 19, 2026, and copied to all parties, including the prosecution.

The defence added that the second accused remains hospitalized and expressed regret over his absence.

However, no medical documents were presented in court to confirm his admission, with the defence arguing that such records are typically issued upon discharge.

Counsel for Oyamo urged the court to grant an adjournment, stressing that illness is not something that can be anticipated.

“Nobody premeditates sickness. It is at the time of discharge that one is given those records,” the lawyer submitted, questioning the expectation for immediate documentation.

The prosecution opposed the application, noting that there was no formal proof before the court to demonstrate that the second accused was indeed admitted.

State counsel argued that even a basic document such as an admission note or doctor’s letter would have sufficed to explain the absence.

The prosecution expressed concern that doing so without proper documentation could raise issues on appeal.

They urged the court to give clear directions and require written confirmation that the accused consents to the proceedings continuing in his absence.

Meanwhile, counsel for the first and third accused persons indicated that they were ready to proceed and were willing to forgo highlighting their submissions, stating that the written submissions already on record were sufficient.

In her ruling, the judge stated that she required time to review the submissions filed by all parties before making a determination on whether the proceedings could continue in the absence of the second accused.

The court subsequently set March 18, 2026, as the date for judgment, which will be delivered virtually. Additionally, the judge directed that the second accused must attend the next mention and produce documentation to confirm that his absence was due to genuine medical reasons.

Shakahola Tragedy Trial: Investigators, Experts and Families Testify in Mackenzie Manslaughter Case

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February 20, 2026

By Andrew Kariuki

The trial of Paul Nthege Mackenzie and 93 co-accused persons continued today at the Mombasa Law Courts, with the prosecution presenting a series of witnesses in the case involving 283 counts of manslaughter linked to the Shakahola tragedy.

Among those who took the stand was Sergeant Benson Ingosi, a senior scene of crime documentation officer, who detailed his role at the Shakahola forest following reports that followers of the Good News International Church were fasting in the area and being buried in shallow graves.

Sergeant Ingosi told the court that he travelled to the scene alongside the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) from Lango Mbaya Police Station.

Upon arrival, they found several individuals living in makeshift structures covered with canopies and surrounded by thorny branches.

He documented the scene through photographs, capturing the shelters, bedding, houses believed to have been occupied by the victims, and images of bodies recovered from the area.

The officer further testified that some individuals found at the scene were in a critical condition, unconscious and unable to communicate.

The prosecution also presented testimony from Anthony Wambugu, a senior engineer with Telecom Kenya specialising in phone data analysis.

He informed the court that he was tasked with analysing 16 mobile phone numbers and 10 IMEI numbers connected to the investigation.

Wambugu explained that his analysis covered registration details, call data records, mobile money transactions under TCash, and links between devices and users.

He told the court that 15 of the numbers were registered with Telecom Kenya, while two were associated with TCash services. He subsequently compiled and submitted a report of his findings to investigators.

In addition to expert testimony, the court heard emotional accounts from family members who lost loved ones in the Shakahola incident, with some testifying virtually.

Jembe Justus Chengo, 39, told the court that she lost both her sister and her eight-year-old child, who had been followers of the church.

Another witness, Silvano Ambakwa, recounted the loss of his younger brother, a father of five.

He told the court that his brother had joined the Good News International Church at its Lwanda branch and later started his own ministry.

According to Ambakwa, his brother had been away from home for nearly two years before briefly returning, only to leave again without informing the family.

The court also heard from Mama Ruth Kadzo Kahindi, who identified herself as the mother of Mary Kadzo and mother-in-law to Smart Mwakalama, both of whom are among the accused.

She told the court that she had previously been a member of the church but was expelled by Mackenzie after disagreements. She added that she is unaware of the whereabouts of her grandchildren.

The prosecution is expected to continue calling witnesses as it builds its case against Mackenzie and his co-accused in connection with the deaths linked to the Shakahola forest.

Catholic Diocese of Kitui to Launch the 2026 Lenten Campaign at Holy Spirit Zombe Parish.

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February 20, 2026

The Catholic Diocese of Kitui will launch its Diocesan Lenten Campaign on 22nd February 2026 at Holy Spirit Zombe Parish in a ceremony to be presided over by Rt. Rev. Joseph Mwongela starting with a holy Mass at 10:00 am.

The Lenten Season officially began on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The diocesan launch comes after the National Campaign Launch, which took place on February 13, 2026, in the Diocese of Lodwar.

The 2026 Lenten campaign, themed “Building a Just, Peaceful and United Kenya: Upholding Equity and Human Dignity,” seeks to guide the faithful through a period of prayer, reflection, and action during the Lenten season. During this season which lasts for 40 days, the faithful are called to embrace the pillars of Lent; prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

The five-week Lenten period will focus on the following weekly topics:

Week One: Leadership and Integrity

Week Two: Ballooning Debt and Over-Taxation

Week Three: Sanctity and Dignity of Human Life

Week Four: Youth and Technology

Week Five: Response to the Cry of the Earth

wishing you all prayerful Lenten season 2026.

Ex-Nairobi Governor Kananu defends Ruto-Sakaja deal, denies transfer of county functions

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February 20, 2026

Former Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu has come out to defend the cooperation agreement between President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, dismissing claims that the deal amounts to a transfer of county functions to the National Government.

In a statement issued on Friday, Kananu termed the criticism as stemming from a misunderstanding of constitutional provisions, stressing that a “cooperation agreement” is legally distinct from a “transfer of functions.”

Drawing from her experience during the formation of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services, Kananu recalled that four key county functions among them health services, transport, planning and development, and public works were formally transferred to the National Government under Article 187 of the Constitution.

She explained that the arrangement at the time involved a complete shift of operational control to the national level, with NMS directly managing the departments. Kananu pointed out that staff were seconded to the agency, revenue streams such as parking fees were collected by the Kenya Revenue Authority, and a substantial portion of the county budget was redirected to support the transferred roles.

“That is what a transfer of functions entails,” Kananu said, noting that although she remained constitutionally accountable as governor, the day-to-day execution of those mandates rested with the national administration.

In contrast, she argued that the newly signed framework is anchored in Articles 6(2) and 189 of the Constitution, which require consultation and cooperation between the two levels of government rather than a surrender of devolved powers.

According to Kananu, the agreement is designed to mobilise additional resources for Nairobi, injecting an estimated Ksh.80 billion into the city on top of the county’s annual allocation of about Ksh.40 billion.

She emphasised that Sakaja remains the county’s chief executive and chairs the implementation committee overseeing the projects, even as national government representatives participate.

Addressing accountability concerns, Kananu maintained that the arrangement does not create an oversight gap. She said national funds remain subject to scrutiny by the National Assembly of Kenya, while devolved matters continue to fall under the oversight of the Senate of Kenya.

“All funds move through structured government systems subject to audit, parliamentary scrutiny, and established accountability institutions,” she stated.

On the question of public participation, Kananu said the constitutional value must be interpreted alongside the obligation for intergovernmental collaboration, adding that the fact the matter is before the courts demonstrates that constitutional safeguards remain active.

She urged Kenyans to engage the issue based on legal clarity and facts rather than misinformation.

The former Governor concluded by underscoring Nairobi’s unique status as the country’s capital, arguing that structured national support for infrastructure, water and sewerage systems, roads, lighting, waste management, and security aligns with global practice for major cities and reflects Nairobi’s strategic economic and political importance.

“Nairobi is not an ordinary county; it is the capital city and the face of Kenya, and globally capital cities operate with structured national support because of their strategic economic and political significance. Additional funding to strengthen infrastructure, water and sewer systems, roads, lighting, waste management, and security is therefore not a constitutional violation but recognition of Nairobi’s national importance,” she said.

National Treasury secures Ksh290B to beat 2028, 2032 Eurobond debt deadline

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February 20, 2026

In a fresh borrowing move, the government has mobilised Ksh290 billion to manage Eurobonds set to mature in 2028 and 2032, providing relief to the country’s debt schedule.

In a statement on Friday, February 20, 2026, the treasury said the government raised the money from international markets through a fresh bond sale.

“The government of Kenya is pleased to announce the successful pricing of a new dual-tranche Eurobond issuance totalling $2.25 billion,” the statement read in part.

The proceeds have been earmarked to partly refinance existing debts, which mature in 2028 and 2032, and to bridge the budget deficit ahead of the 2026/2027 budget cycle.

Kenya has been named alongside several African countries, including the Ivory Coast and Congo, which have returned to international markets after borrowing conditions improved in recent weeks.

According to the treasury, the government issued Ksh116 billion in seven-year bonds and Ksh168 billion in 12-year bonds, attracting strong investor interest.

“The Eurobond issuance attracted strong, high-quality demand, with the order book significantly exceeding the offered amount,” the treasury said.

The issuance is aligned with the government’s strategy to smooth the maturity profile of Kenya’s external debt and proactively manage public debt liabilities.

It comes at a time when global borrowing conditions have slightly improved, making it easier and cheaper for countries to access international financing compared to previous years.

President Trump directs US government to prepare release of files on aliens and UFOs

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February 20, 2026

US President Donald Trump says he will direct US agencies, including the defence department, to “begin the process of identifying and releasing” government files on aliens and extraterrestrial life.

Trump made the declaration in a post on Truth Social, after he accused Barack Obama earlier in the day of revealing classified information when the former president said “aliens are real” on a podcast last week.

“He’s not supposed to be doing that,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, adding: “He made a big mistake.”

Asked if he also thinks aliens are real, Trump answered: “Well, I don’t know if they’re real or not.”

Former US President Obama told podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen that he thinks aliens are real in an interview released last Saturday.

“They’re real, but I haven’t seen them, and they’re not being kept in Area 51,” Obama said.

“There’s no underground facility unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.”

After the comment made headlines, Obama sought to clarify he thinks it is statistically likely life exists beyond Earth, given the vastness of the universe.

In a follow-up post on Instagram, Obama, who served as US president between 2009-17, clarified: “I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!”

Obama’s initial comments were made during a quickfire “lightning” round of questions on the podcast.

There was no indication that Obama relied on classified information when he gave the interview. The BBC has contacted Obama for comment. The Democrat and Trump, a Republican, are longstanding mutual political antagonists.

For his part, Trump said on Thursday on Air Force One that while a lot of people believe in the existence of aliens, he never talks about it, and “doesn’t have an opinion on it”.

Then a few hours later, he posted on Truth Social that “based on the tremendous interest shown” he will seek the release of files “related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters”.

The US has seen renewed public interest in UFOs and extraterrestrial life in recent years, sparked in 2017 by reports about a secret Pentagon programme to probe testimony from pilots and other US military members who had reported seeing strange objects in the sky.

In 2022, Congress held the first hearings on UFOs in 50 years and the Pentagon promised more transparency on the matter – setting up a dedicated office to collect reports of all military UFO encounters.

The following year, a US House of Representatives panel on the topic produced no major bombshells nor confirmation of alien life. In a 2024 report, the Pentagon said there was “no evidence” that the US government had encountered alien life, and that most UFO sightings were just ordinary objects.

President Ruto pledges to settle Ksh.2B Methodist University debt

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February 20, 2026

The government will allocate Ksh.2 billion to settle part of the debt it owes the Methodist University during the next financial year, President William Ruto has said.

He made the remarks when he hosted a delegation of leaders from the Methodist Church in Kenya at State House, Nairobi, on Friday.

The President noted that the money would lighten the financial strain on the institution, enabling the university to continue offering essential services to Kenyans.

“As Government, we sent students to you; you taught them, but we did not pay you. But we will pay you. I will look for at least Ksh.2 billion by June,” he pointed out.

Present were Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church John Maromba, Emeritus Presiding Bishop Joseph Ntombura, and other leaders of the church.

President Ruto revealed that the government owes public and private universities more than Ksh.120 billion, which he said would be settled in due time.

The President said the new, higher education student-centred funding model has financially stabilised public universities, saving 21 of them from bankruptcy.

On road projects, the President said design work for the infamous Nithi Bridge is now complete and the contractor is on site to begin construction of the new Ksh.7 billion bridge.

Additionally, he said, the government will by the end of the year launch the dualling of the Makutano-Embu-Meru-Maua road, easing persistent traffic gridlock along the route.

He urged the leaders to support the proposed National Infrastructure Fund which seeks to raise Ksh.5 trillion to transform Kenya through new highways, airports, railway lines, and mega dams for electricity generation and irrigation.

“By April, we will have half of the money we require for these projects,” he highlighted.

President Ruto said the government will compensate the church for the property, which has been invaded by squatters, it holds in Nairobi and Mombasa.

“I have already linked the necessary people to handle this matter and give me a report soon,” he remarked.

Following a request by the leaders, the President said the government would help equip Mau Methodist Hospital with oncology equipment, which they will pay through the Social Health Authority (SHA).

“Let us have a strategic relationship so that we can help you where we can, and you as the Church can help us.”

DP Kindiki highlighted the values of hard work and a saving culture, saying the Methodist Church is well-known for the virtues other religious groups ought to emulate.

“Saving is part of Wesslyian (Methodist) doctrine – that a man must work very hard, save as much as possible, and give as much as possible,” he noted.

The Rev Maromba said the Church is a partner with the government on development matters, complementing State efforts across sectors including health and education.

“We will partner with you on matters of peace and justice. Today, we renew our covenant of cooperation with your government,” he added.

The President called on the church to help the government fight drug abuse among the youth by imparting moral and spiritual guidance.

“It cannot be done by the State alone. We can use all the other interventions, but there is a moral issue the church must addess,” he stated.

Austrian climber found guilty after girlfriend froze to death on mountain

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February 20, 2026

An Austrian climber has been found guilty of gross negligent manslaughter after his girlfriend froze to death on Austria’s highest mountain last year.

The man, named only as Thomas P in line with Austrian privacy laws, has been given a five-month suspended sentence and fined €9,600 (£8,400).

His girlfriend, Kerstin G, died of hypothermia during a climbing trip on the Grossglockner mountain in January 2025.

In a statement sent to the BBC, the court said it considered Thomas P’s previous clean record and the loss of a person close to him “to be mitigating factors”.

It said it also took into account “the public discussion on social media, which was incriminating for the defendant”.

The judge, Norbert Hofer, himself an experienced climber who works with mountain and helicopter rescue teams in Tyrol, said Thomas P was an excellent Alpinist, but that his girlfriend was light-years behind him in terms of her climbing abilities.

He said the couple should have turned back as Kerstin G did not have enough experience in winter conditions.

Although the judge decided Thomas P had misjudged the situation, he said he had not left her behind “wilfully”: “I don’t see you as a murderer, I don’t see you as cold-hearted.”

The court also heard from Andrea B, a former girlfriend of Thomas P, who described how he had left her alone on a previous tour on the Grossglockner in 2023.

She said she had been at the end of her tether, feeling dizzy and her headlight had gone out.

She said she was crying and screaming when he suddenly disappeared, walking ahead and leaving her behind.

By Anthony Solly

Brazil demands Fifa and Uefa issue ‘rigorous’ punishments in Vinicius Jr racism case

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February 20, 2026

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has written to Uefa and Fifa stressing the need to “identify and punish” anyone found guilty of racially abusing Vinicius Jr.

Uefa is conducting an investigation after Vinicius Jr alleged that he was subjected to racist abuse during Real Madrid’s match against Benfica

The Real Madrid forward reported an instance of alleged racial abuse to referee Francois Letexier after scoring in Tuesday’s Champions League play-off win against Benfica, with the Spanish club later pointing to winger Gianluca Prestianni as the subject of the complaint.

Prestianni vehemently denied making racist comments in a post on Instagram, while his club defended the Argentine and spoke of a “defamation campaign” against him.

Letexier activated anti-racism protocols, suspending play for 10 minutes, with Uefa subsequently initiating an investigation into the incident.

Now Vinicius’ national federation, led by president Samir Xaud, has come forward to lobby the European and global governing bodies.

By Anthony Solly

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