Hillary Clinton accuses Trump administration of Epstein files ‘cover-up’

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February 17, 2026

BBC -Hillary Clinton has accused US President Donald Trump’s administration of a “cover-up” over its handling of files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

“Get the files out. They are slow-walking it,” the former US secretary of state told the Media in Berlin, where she attended the annual World Forum.

The White House insisted that by releasing the files they had done “more for the victims than Democrats ever have”.

Millions of new files relating to the late sex offender Epstein were released by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) earlier this month.

At the time, the deputy attorney general said three million pages were not released – due to the existence of personal medical files, graphic depictions of child abuse or other material that would jeopardise investigations.

When asked whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should go before a congressional committee, Hillary Clinton said: “I think everybody should testify who is asked to testify.”

Appearing in the files is not an indication of wrongdoing. Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing.

The committee does not have the power to compel him to appear in front of them, but put pressure on the Clintons to do so, which they agreed to last month.

Bill Clinton will make his appearance on 27 February and Hillary Clinton will appear the day before.

A planned vote to hold the Clintons in contempt of Congress for initially refusing to appear was shelved after the pair agreed to testify. It will be the first time a former US president has testified to a congressional panel since Gerald Ford did so in 1983.

Hillary Clinton reiterated the couple’s call for their congressional committee hearing to be in public rather than a closed-door deposition.

“We will show up but we think it would be better to have it in public,” Hillary Clinton stated.

Republican committee chair James Comer had accused the Clintons of “delay”, saying the pair “caved” as a contempt vote loomed.

“I just want it to be fair,” said Hillary Clinton. “I want everybody treated the same way.”

“We have nothing to hide. We have called for the full release of these files repeatedly. We think sunlight is the best disinfectant.”

The former presidential candidate argued that she and her husband were being used to divert attention away from Trump.

“Look at this shiny object. We’re going to have the Clintons, even Hillary Clinton, who never met the guy.”

Hillary Clinton said she had met Ghislaine Maxwell – Epstein’s convicted associate – “on a few occasions”.

Bill Clinton – who was featured in the Epstein files – was acquainted with Epstein but said he cut off contact two decades ago.

Neither Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing by survivors of Epstein’s abuse, and both have denied knowledge of his sex offending at the time.

The millions of new files relating to Epstein that were made public by the US justice department earlier this month after Congress passed a law requiring the agency to release material related to investigations of Epstein.

The Department of Justice (DoJ) has now said it has released all of the files required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, but lawmakers have argued the release is insufficient. Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who co-wrote the law, called for the DoJ to also release internal memos outlining past decisions on whether to charge Epstein and his associates.

Epstein died in a New York prison cell on 10 August 2019 as he awaited, without the chance of bail, his trial on sex trafficking charges. It came more than a decade after his conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor, for which he was registered as a sex offender.

Andrew, the former prince, has faced growing pressure from some US officials and the family of his prominent accuser Virginia Giuffre to testify before the Oversight Committee about his links to Epstein.

Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022 containing no admission of liability. Giuffre died by suicide in 2025.

Trump – who is mentioned in the Epstein files – has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, with whom he says he severed contact decades ago, and has not been accused of any crimes by Epstein’s victims.

When asked about Hillary Clinton’s comments in the interview, Trump told the Media he had nothing to hide.

“I’ve been exonerated. I had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. They went in hoping that they’d find it, and they found just the opposite,” he said aboard Air Force One.

“They’re getting pulled in. And that’s their problem… Clinton and many other Democrats have been pulled in.”

In relation to the allegations against Trump, the DoJ has previously said: “Some docs contain untrue and sensationalist claims against Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear the claims are unfounded and false and if they have any shred of credibility they certainly would have been weaponised against Trump already.”

The White House said: “By releasing thousands of pages of documents, co-operating with the House Oversight Committee’s subpoena request, and President Trump recently calling for further investigations into Epstein’s Democrat friends, the Trump Administration has done more for the victims than Democrats ever have.”

LSK campaigns come to an end as lawyers prepare for polls

By

John Mutiso

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February 17, 2026

The countdown to the much-awaited Law Society of Kenya (LSK) elections has begun, with the polls set for February 19, 2026.

The official campaign window closes today, wrapping up weeks of vigorous outreach and lobbying efforts by aspirants aiming to steer the legal profession.

Advocates nationwide are expected to vote for new office bearers, including the President, Vice President, and Council Members.

In the race for the presidency are Peter Wanyama, Charles Kanjama, and Mwaura Kabata, each running on platforms centred on reforms, transparency, and amplifying the voice of the Bar.

The election comes at a pivotal time as Kenya edges closer to the next General Election, placing the LSK at the heart of major constitutional and governance debates.

Outgoing President Faith Odhiambo’s term has been characterised by robust advocacy on constitutional issues and the welfare of members, shaping what many view as a consequential contest for the society’s future.

With voting day fast approaching, candidates are delivering their final messages to members ahead of the ballot.

Maraga condemns State over violence at Sifuna’s meeting

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Editor

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February 17, 2026

Former Chief Justice David Maraga, now leading the United Green Movement, has strongly condemned the State following violence at a rally hosted by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna in Kitengela.

Condemnation of State Tactics: Maraga attributed the chaos to a government in “panic,” accusing the administration of using violence to suppress political opposition.

The incident occurred during a rally in Kitengela on Sunday, February 15, 2026. Reports indicate that police used tear gas and force, resulting in at least two deaths and approximately 50 injuries.

Maraga issued these statements while on a political tour in Meru, where he also reaffirmed his commitment to a long-haul presidential bid.

This follows a pattern of Maraga’s vocal criticism against the current administration, including previous demands for an apology after a tear gas incident at a church in Othaya in January 2026.

Senator Sifuna and other opposition figures, including Kalonzo Musyoka, have similarly accused the State of choosing “bullets over dialogue” and unleashing violence instead of addressing national challenges.

By Anthony Solly

TikTok Deletes Over 580,000 Videos in Kenya for Breaching Rules

By

John Mutiso

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February 17, 2026

TikTok has revealed it removed more than 580,000 videos in Kenya between July and September 2025.

In a report released on Tuesday, February 17, TikTok said the videos posted by Kenyan users violated the social media platform’s community guidelines.

According to TikTok, 99.7% of the videos were pulled down from the platform before anyone reported them, with 94.6% of the videos being deleted within 24 hours of posting.

TikTok also highlighted that 90,000 live sessions were interrupted for not following the platform’s content guidelines during the period.

“In the third quarter of 2025, TikTok removed more than 580,000 videos in Kenya for violating its Community Guidelines. Of these, 99.7% of them were proactively removed before anyone reported them, and 94.6% removed within 24 hours of posting. Additionally, the third quarter of 2025 saw around 90,000 Live sessions interrupted for not following platform content guidelines, representing 1% of live streams in this time,” read the report in part.

TikTok noted that it has integrated advanced automated moderation technologies alongside thousands of safety professionals to ensure the swift removal of any content violating its guidelines.

The popular social media platform explained that the measures are aimed at ensuring the platform remains safe from harmful content.

“This approach is vital in ensuring that we provide a safe platform for our community, as we uphold our policies against harmful content, including misinformation, hate speech, and other violations,” TikTok added.

This comes months after TikTok announced it banned more than 43,000 accounts and removed over 450,000 videos in Kenya during the first quarter of 2025.

In a report in August 2025, TikTok said 92.1 percent of the removed videos were taken down before they were viewed.

Meanwhile, 94.3 percent of the videos were removed within 24 hours of being posted, demonstrating TikTok’s commitment to maintaining a safe digital environment for its Kenyan users.

“By integrating advanced automated moderation technologies with the expertise of thousands of trust and safety professionals, TikTok enables faster and consistent removal of content that violates our Community Guidelines,” the company stated in its report.

Kenya Pilots Warn Flight Safety at Risk Amid Ongoing ATC Strike at JKIA

By

John Mutiso

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February 17, 2026

The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) has issued a safety appeal following ongoing disruptions affecting flights at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

In a statement on Tuesday, February 17, KALPA acknowledged the industrial action led by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union which has contributed to delays, diversions, and cancellations at JKIA and beyond.

“The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) takes note of the ongoing industrial action by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), including Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel, which has resulted in significant operational disruptions at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and across the country’s airspace.

“The resultant flight delays, diversions, and cancellations have understandably caused inconvenience to passengers and stakeholders within the aviation sector,” the statement read.

Beyond operational challenges, KALPA raised concerns about the potential safety implications caused by irregular flight schedules and changes to crew planning.

It stressed that fatigue management remains a critical pillar of aviation safety and warned against allowing operational pressure to influence safety-related decisions.

“As professional aviators, our foremost responsibility is the safety of the flying public, crew, and aircraft. Aviation safety is non-negotiable. We are concerned that the ongoing disruptions may adversely affect crew scheduling and rest, thereby increasing fatigue risk,” the statement added.

KALPA further highlighted the importance of compliance with international flight safety regulations, particularly those governing working hours and mandatory rest periods for pilots.

The union said the limits are designed to protect both passengers and crew from the risks associated with fatigue and must be respected at all times.

“In this context, strict adherence to established Flight Duty Period (FDP) limitations and mandatory rest requirements is essential. These regulatory safeguards exist to mitigate fatigue and ensure that flight operations are conducted within internationally accepted safety parameters. Under no circumstances should operational pressures be allowed to compromise these limits,” the statement further read.

File image of KALPA Secretary General Murithi Nyagah

While reiterating their focus on safety, the pilots’ association also called for dialogue as the preferred path toward resolving labour disputes within the aviation sector.

“While we acknowledge the challenges currently facing the sector, we reiterate that labour matters are best resolved through constructive, good-faith dialogue. Meaningful engagement among all parties is essential to address outstanding issues and achieve mutually beneficial and sustainable solutions.

“Approaches that frustrate negotiations or entrench positions only lead to avoidable stalemates and further disruption to the industry and the travelling public,” the statement concluded.

The appeal comes barely a day after national carrier Kenya Airway announced flight disruptions out of JKIA.

In a travel advisory on Monday, February 16, KQ said JKIA is experiencing air traffic control delays due to the ongoing aviation workers’ strike.

The airline noted that the disruption at JKIA has affected certain departures and arrivals.

“We wish to inform our customers that, following the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority’s statement on the implementation of contingency measures to safeguard aviation safety and service continuity on 16th February 2026, we are currently experiencing air traffic control operational delays at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), affecting certain departures and arrivals,” the advisory read.

KQ warned that select departures may experience schedule adjustments, including potential delays.

The airline apologized to its customers for the inconvenience caused by the flight disruptions at JKIA.

“Passengers are advised to expect possible schedule adjustments, including delays. We sincerely regret the inconvenience and are working closely with the relevant aviation authorities and airport stakeholders to minimise disruption and maintain safe operations,” the advisory added.

Further, KQ urged passengers to check their flight status before traveling to the airport and monitor official communication channels for updates.

“Customers are requested to: Check their flight status before travelling to the airport, monitor official Kenya Airways communication channels for updates, and explore rebooking options via our mobile app or website where necessary,” the advisory further read.

KNEC Announces Training for KJSEA, KCSE Examiners At a Fee

By

John Mutiso

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February 17, 2026

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced it will conduct a training programme for Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examiners.

In a notice on Tuesday, February 17, KNEC said the training exercise will run from March 2026 to April 2026.

The council noted that shortlisted applicants for the training will be required to pay a training fee of Ksh10,500 after receiving notification through SMS and via the application portal.

“The training fee is Kenya Shillings Ten Thousand Five Hundred (Ksh10,500.00) and will only be paid by the shortlisted applicants who will be notified on how to make payments through a text message (SMS) and via the application portal,” KNEC stated.

The training will be a blend of online and residential training, and the trainees will receive instructions on how to access the online training materials.

The council said the venue for the residential training will be communicated to the shortlisted trainees at a later date, noting that the programme will be strictly residential.

KJSEA available papers include: English Composition and Literary Analysis, Kiswahili, Mathematics, Kenya Sign Language, Integrated Science, and Agriculture.

Others are: Social Studies, Christian Religious Education, Islamic Religious Education, Creative Arts and Sports, and Pre-Technical Studies.

On the other hand, available papers for KCSE examiners are: Kiswahili Insha, Kiswahili Lugha, Kiswahili Fasihi, Mathematics, Islamic Religious Education, Home Science, Computer Studies Practical, French, German, Arabic listening comprehension and dictation, and Arabic grammar, reading comprehension, and composition.

To qualify for KNEC training, an applicant must be a practicing teacher or tutor in the relevant subject area, be registered and or employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) or Public Service Commission (PSC), have a Diploma in Education and above, and a minimum teaching experience of three years.

The applicants are also required not to have been on interdiction or any other form of disciplinary action by the TSC, to be recommended by their Head of Institution, and to be aged 50 years or below.

How to Apply

Interested teachers are required to access the examiners’ portal using the link https://examinersapp.knec.ac.ke.

Applicants with CP2 accounts should log in to the portal using their usernames and passwords.

Those who have forgotten their CP2 passwords should click the reset password button, enter their mobile number starting with 254, and submit to get new passwords for logging into the system.

Teachers without CP2 accounts should click on create account and follow the prompts to obtain login credentials.

After logging in to the system, applicants are required to click apply for training and all the declared vacancies will be available for the applicants to choose.

“The training slots are limited and only qualified teachers/tutors who have presented all the required documents will be shortlisted on a first-come-first-served basis,” KNEC added.

This comes weeks after KNEC launched a free, self-paced online training program for senior school teachers to enhance their knowledge and skills in Competency-Based Assessment.

In a notice on Tuesday, January 20, KNEC announced that the training portal has been established specifically for senior school teachers, aiming to equip them with the requisite skills to implement Competency-Based Assessment under the new curriculum framework.

“Are you a Senior School teacher? Here’s your chance to improve your knowledge on Competency-Based Assessment. KNEC, through the Educational Assessment Resource Centre, offers free, self-paced online training at your convenience,” the examination body stated in its announcement.

The training portal, accessible at cbalms.knec.ac.ke, allows teachers to learn at their own pace without time constraints. Currently, access to the platform is free, making it available to all senior school educators across the country.

To access the training, teachers are required to visit the platform and click on the “Sign Up” option.

State House Spending Hits Ksh 10.4B, Surpasses Full-Year Allocation

By

Editor

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February 17, 2026

State House expenditure for the 2025/26 financial year reached KSh 10.4 billion by the end of January 2026, surpassing its full-year recurrent allocation of KSh 7.7 billion.

This overshoot occurred within the first seven months of the fiscal cycle, meaning the President’s official residence has already exceeded its approved ceiling by 35% (KSh 2.7 billion) with five months remaining.

According to recent National Treasury disclosures, the overspending is primarily driven by recurrent expenditures, which cover the daily functioning of state institutions.Domestic and foreign travel, hospitality, fuel, maintenance, staff allowances, and administrative support.

Reports indicate the administration spends approximately KSh 200 million daily on hosting delegations at State House.

The Controller of Budget has previously flagged high spending on hospitality and travel, noting a 125% overshoot of the first-quarter budget target.

State House has already requested and received approval for an additional KSh 4 billion in emergency financing for the current fiscal year.

Experts and the Controller of Budget warn that such runaway expenditure by top executive offices weakens fiscal discipline and may force increased government borrowing, further impacting Kenya’s public debt.

For context, the 2025/26 total national budget is KSh 4.239 trillion, with the education sector receiving the largest share at KSh 702.7 billion.

By Anthony Solly

Govt warns Kenyans over fake Luxembourg job recruitment scam

By

John Mutiso

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February 17, 2026

The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has issued an alert warning Kenyans against a fraudulent employment scheme promising jobs in Luxembourg.

In a statement on Monday, February 16, the department cautioned that the offers are not legitimate and are part of a coordinated scam.

The department revealed that a probe had already established that unauthorized persons were collecting money while falsely presenting themselves as recognized recruitment partners for Luxembourg-based jobs.

“The Government of Kenya wishes to alert members of the public to an ongoing fraudulent scheme targeting Kenyan citizens with false promises of employment opportunities in Luxembourg.

“A probe has established that certain individuals and organizations are unlawfully charging prospective job seekers recruitment and processing fees while falsely presenting themselves as authorized agents for employment placement in Luxembourg,” the statement read.

To further clarify the matter, the State Department explained that direct recruitment into Luxembourg is not allowed outside official frameworks.

The department stressed that any employment pathway to Luxembourg must comply strictly with that country’s established procedures and warned that no private entity has been licensed to collect job placement fees on behalf of Luxembourg authorities.

“The public is advised that Direct recruitment for employment in Luxembourg is not permitted by the Agence pour le Développement de l’Emploi (ADEM), Luxembourg’s official public employment service.

“Any employment process involving Luxembourg must strictly follow official and regulated procedures established by the Government of Luxembourg. No individual or private entity has been authorised to collect fees on behalf of Luxembourg authorities for job placement,” the statement added.

The State Department warned that legal action would be taken against those behind the scheme and urged job seekers to rely only on verified government channels when pursuing overseas opportunities.

“Any individual or organization exhibiting the above characteristics should be treated with suspicion. Firm action will be taken against those exploiting Kenyan job seekers.

“For verification of legitimate overseas employment programs, members of the public are encouraged to contact the State Department for Diaspora Affairs through the above communication channels,” the statement concluded.

FA Cup draw: Full list of fixtures for 5th round

By

Editor

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February 17, 2026

Chelsea will travel to Wrexham in the fifth round of the FA Cup following the draw conducted on Monday.

The Welsh side reached this stage after defeating Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest in the third round and edging Championship rivals Ipswich Town on Friday.

Chelsea booked their place with a dominant 4-0 victory over Hull City in their previous match.

In other fixtures, eight-time winners and Premier League leaders Arsenal will take on League One side Mansfield Town, while either Port Vale or Bristol City—whose fourth-round tie was postponed due to bad weather—will host Sunderland.

Full FA Cup Fifth-Round Draw:

Fulham vs Southampton
Port Vale or Bristol City vs Sunderland
Newcastle United vs Manchester City
Leeds United vs Norwich City
Mansfield Town vs Arsenal
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool
Wrexham vs Chelsea
West Ham United vs Macclesfield Town or Brentford

Who will carry the day?

PS Omollo Issues Update on Reconstruction of 122Km Mamboleo-Miwani-Chemelil-Muhoroni-Kipsitet Road

By

John Mutiso

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February 17, 2026

Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has issued an update on the ongoing upgrading of the 122-kilometre Mamboleo–Miwani–Chemelil–Muhoroni–Kipsitet road.

In a statement on Tuesday, February 17, PS Omollo said the reconstruction of the highway targets approximately 63 kilometres of the main carriageway, while complementary works on feeder roads extend the project to 122 kilometres.

The Interior PS noted that once completed, the highway will provide a seamless link between Kisumu, Nandi and Kericho counties.

“The Mamboleo–Miwani–Chemelil–Muhoroni–Kipsitet Road (C674) is a strategic 122-kilometre corridor cutting across Kenya’s sugar belt and is currently undergoing an active upgrade as part of the Government’s sustained investment in modern road infrastructure nationwide.

“The core reconstruction focuses on approximately 63 kilometres of the main carriageway, with complementary works on feeder roads and associated sections extending the overall project scope to about 122 kilometres,” read the statement.

File image of the Mamboleo-Kipsitet road.

PS Omollo also mentioned that the road will function as a bypass, easing congestion within Kisumu City by diverting heavy commercial traffic away from Ahero.

He pointed out that the highway will enhance transport efficiency for sugarcane farmers and other agricultural producers across the belt.

“The corridor is expected to strengthen Kenya’s regional trade position by serving as a vital transit route for goods destined for Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” PS Omollo added.

Further, he said the implementation of the 122-kilometre project is supported by the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, which is working closely with implementing agencies and local leadership.

This comes a day after PS Omollo issued a comprehensive update on the expansion of the Mombasa–Mariakani section into a modern dual carriageway.

In a statement on Monday, February 16, PS Omollo said the expansion of the highway is being done in two phases.

PS Omollo noted that the first phase, which covers 11.4 kilometres from Mombasa to Kwa Jomvu, has been upgraded to a four- to six-lane highway, and is largely complete.

Meanwhile, the construction of the second phase covering 30.4 kilometres from Kwa Jomvu to Mariakani is ongoing, and the section is being developed as a durable dual carriageway to accommodate high traffic volumes and heavy trailers.

The construction works along the highway include new bridges, footpaths, drainage systems, and road safety features.

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