KENYA NEWS AGENCY 254

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has found itself under scrutiny following disturbing revelations that a mobile phone belonging to  OCS Julius Talaam , a senior officer stationed in Kajiado County, has allegedly been used to solicit money from members of the public. As a result, a parliamentary committee has officially  summoned the IPOA chairperson  to explain the circumstances surrounding the case and the agency’s response to the matter. The summons were issued by the  National Assembly’s Committee on Administration and Internal Security , which is now demanding full disclosure from IPOA on the investigation into the scandal. The committee expressed deep concern that a phone line linked to a senior police officer could be involved in possible extortion, and called for urgent measures to restore public confidence in law enforcement institutions. According to reports tabled before the committee,  multiple complaints have been made  by cit...

In a landmark ruling that sends a strong message against terrorism, a Nairobi court has sentenced  Mohamed Abdi  and  Hussein Abdille  to  30 years in prison each  for aiding the planning and execution of the  Dusit D2 terror attack  in January 2019, which left  21 people dead  and dozens injured. Delivering the verdict at the Milimani Law Courts, Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku found the two guilty of providing material support to the Al-Shabaab-linked militants who executed the coordinated assault on the Dusit D2 complex along 14 Riverside Drive in Nairobi. The attack, which shocked the nation and attracted global attention, involved gunmen and suicide bombers who stormed the upscale office and hotel complex in broad daylight. The court heard that  Mohamed Abdi , a Somali national with permanent residence in Kenya, helped facilitate logistics and communication between the attackers and their handlers in Somalia. He was also found g...

In a breakthrough for Kenya’s devolved system of government, Members of Parliament (MPs) have finally reached a consensus to allocate  Sh415 billion  to counties for the 2025/2026 financial year. The agreement, which ends weeks of gridlock and political wrangling between the National Assembly and the Senate, marks a significant milestone in ensuring that counties have sufficient resources to deliver essential services. The consensus was reached late Wednesday evening during a special sitting of the  Mediation Committee on Division of Revenue , which comprises representatives from both Houses of Parliament. The breakthrough comes after intense lobbying by governors, senators, and civil society organisations that had decried delayed funding and increasing pressure on counties to meet public expectations with limited financial support. Senators had initially pushed for an allocation of  Sh444 billion , citing inflation, increased devolved functions, and the rising cost ...

Kenya has taken another major step in its ongoing commitment to wildlife conservation, with fresh efforts to restore populations of the critically endangered  eastern black rhinoceros . In a carefully coordinated operation led by the  Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)  and supported by international conservation partners, a tranquillised eastern black rhino was successfully revived as part of a broader relocation and monitoring exercise. The event, captured in a dramatic image by renowned conservation photographer  Ami Vitale , showed KWS staff scattering as the powerful animal regained consciousness, thankfully, with  no injuries to either humans or the animal . The operation took place in one of Kenya’s protected wildlife sanctuaries, which cannot be disclosed for security reasons. The rhino had been briefly sedated to allow conservationists to fit it with a GPS tracking collar and conduct a health assessment, part of a strategy to bolster rhino numbers and curb po...

Residents of Bukembe market in Bungoma County have been cautioned to be on high alert after a disturbing incident involving suspected fraudsters posing as WiFi installers unfolded earlier today. According to eyewitness reports,  three individuals operating a vehicle with registration number KDP 516R  attempted to defraud a family by gaining unauthorised access to their home under the pretence of setting up internet services. The suspects, all male and dressed in uniforms resembling those of legitimate telecommunications workers, reportedly approached the unsuspecting family, claiming they had been assigned to install WiFi services that had been pre-ordered. They asked for upfront payment, stating it was required to activate the connection. However, their suspicious behaviour raised concerns among the family members. According to one of the victims, a female occupant of the home began taking photographs of the vehicle and its occupants when she became uneasy with their question...

President William Ruto on Thursday presided over the 3rd Cabinet Retreat and Midterm Review for the National Executive at a high-level gathering held in Karen, Nairobi. The meeting brought together Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and other senior government officials to evaluate the performance of the Kenya Kwanza administration at the halfway mark of its five-year term. The retreat, which focused on assessing the progress of key government programs and the implementation of flagship policies, comes at a crucial time when the country is grappling with economic challenges, public discontent, and demands for greater accountability from elected leaders. The event was themed  “Accelerating the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA)” , echoing the administration’s commitment to inclusive economic growth. In his opening address, President Ruto emphasised the need for a results-oriented public service and reminded his Cabinet that Kenyans expect delivery, not excuses....

June 5, 2025 — Nairobi, Kenya  — A growing number of young Kenyans are choosing to delay marriage, citing financial constraints, career ambitions, and emotional caution as key reasons for putting off what was once considered a rite of passage by the age of 30. A recent feature by  Citizen Digital , published just hours ago, has sparked fresh national debate on the shifting attitudes towards relationships and marriage among Kenyans aged 25 to 40. Data and expert opinions presented in the report paint a sobering picture of a generation caught between economic hardship and changing social expectations. According to relationship experts and sociologists, the traditional markers of adulthood—marriage, children, and home ownership—are becoming increasingly elusive for Kenya’s millennials and Gen Z.  High unemployment rates, the rising cost of living, expensive weddings, and mounting debt  have made marriage appear less of a priority and more of a long-term dream. “You can’...

June 5, 2025 – Nairobi, Kenya  — In a significant development in Kenya’s education sector, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially confirmed 46,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable (P&P) terms of service. This long-awaited transition marks a major milestone for thousands of young educators who have been serving under internship contracts since 2023. The confirmation, which was finalized in early June 2025, comes after months of pressure from education stakeholders, teacher unions, and lawmakers who had urged the government to regularize the employment of the intern teachers. The interns, who have been playing a crucial role in implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), can now breathe a sigh of relief as they join the mainstream teaching workforce under improved terms. TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia, in an official press release dated June 4, 2025, said the Commission had concluded all necessary processes and documentation for the transition. “We a...

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially reopened the application window for its 2025 teacher promotion vacancies, giving another chance to eligible educators across Kenya to apply for advancement in various leadership roles. The revised deadline for submitting applications has now been extended to  July 22, 2025 , offering a brief but crucial grace period for those who missed the initial opportunity. In a recent notice shared earlier this week, TSC reiterated its intention to fill key administrative positions in primary and secondary schools, as well as in Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs). The Commission emphasized that this re-advertisement is part of its continued effort to strengthen school leadership and uphold a fair, merit-based promotion process across the education sector. Vacancies are available for a variety of posts. In primary schools, teachers can apply for roles such as Senior Teacher I and II, Deputy Headteacher II, Headteacher, and Senior Headteacher. S...

Nairobi, June 22, 2025  — In a major step forward for teacher career advancement, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially announced the commencement of the issuance of promotion letters to successful candidates. Beginning today, June 22, 2025, teachers who passed the recent promotion interviews will begin receiving formal letters confirming their new positions. This latest move affects post-primary school teachers who applied and participated in promotion interviews conducted earlier this year. According to a statement from the TSC, thousands of educators who met the qualifications, demonstrated professional competence, and performed well in interviews will be elevated to higher grades within the teaching service. At the same time, teachers who were not successful in the selection process will be issued regret letters, informing them of their status and encouraging them to reapply in future openings. The commission emphasized that the promotion process was conducted in...

Nairobi, June 3, 2025  — The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially published the list of promoted teachers on its website, following successful applications from two major promotion drives conducted in June and December 2024. In total,  25,633 teachers  have been promoted across various grades, a major step in addressing stagnation in the teaching profession. According to the TSC,  5,690 teachers  were promoted after applying for the vacancies advertised in  June 2024 , while a further  19,943  secured promotions from the  December 2024  advertisement. The positions cover both primary and post-primary levels and include promotions across several job groups, including those moving from C1 to C2, C2 to C3, and others ascending into administrative roles such as Deputy Principals, Senior Masters, and Headteachers. However, despite the significant progress, the TSC revealed that  381 vacancies remain unfilled . These unfilled ...