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A photo collage of Boni Khalwale's daughter Melissa Khamwenyi Khalwale and her 2025 KCSE results.
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2025 KCSE Results: Khalwale Celebrates Daughter After She Scores B-

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has taken to social media to celebrate his daughter, Melissa Khamwenyi Khalwale, who has scored a mean grade of B- in the just-released 2025 KCSE results.

Taking to his official X account, Khalwale shared how his daughter, who wrote her exams at St. Bridgid’s Girls High School, Kiminini, had performed in various subjects.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale

He was elated after she earned herself a direct University entry.

“As my dota, Melissa Khamwenyi Khalwale, shines all the way to the University, I want to thank the St Brigid High School-Kiminini fraternity and my family for the support they bestowed to Liza in her studies. And above all I thank God for the gift of my little girl,” Khalwale stated.

The veteran politician is known for celebrating the results of his children and grandchildren on social media, almost immediately after the release of every national examination.

In 2024, he celebrated the results of his other daughter, Gift Atubukha, who excelled in the 2023 KCSE examination.

Atubukha scored a mean grade of B+ (plus) at St Brigid’s High School, Kininini. Khalwale credited Atubukha’s achievement to the support of the girl’s family and the teachers at the school. Predictably, Khalwale posted on X thanking his family, the St Brigid’s High School-Kiminini community, and God for guiding and supporting his “little Tubu” to that milestone.

Khalwale was not seen on social media celebrating in 2024, but in 2022, he was on X again to celebrate a double milestone after another set of his children excelled in the 2021 KCSE.

He praised his daughter, Flavia Shimuli, and son, Stephen Kapten, for their strong performances, noting that both cleared the minimum university entry threshold.

Shimuli, who attended Alliance Girls High School, scored 75 aggregate points, an A-, while her brother Kapten, of Kakamega Boys High School, posted 47 aggregate points, a C+. True to form, Khalwale thanked God and the teaching and non‑teaching staff of both schools for their support.

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2025 KCSE Results
Latest News

How Candidates Performed in 2025 KCSE

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

The Ministry of Education has released the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination results

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba, while announcing the results on Friday, January 9, 2026, at AIC Chebisas High School in Eldoret, noted that 993,226 candidates sat the 2025 examinations, up from 962,512 in 2024, representing an increase of 30,714 candidates (3.19%).

17 subjects recorded significant performance improvements, the same number as in 2024, while 11 subjects saw a decline, slightly higher than the ten subjects that declined the previous year.

A total of 1,932 candidates (0.19%) attained an overall mean grade of A (plain), compared to 1,693 candidates (0.18%) in 2024.

The number of candidates achieving the direct university entry grade of C+ and above rose to 270,715 (27.18%), up from 246,391 (25.53%) in 2024. Similarly, those scoring C– and above increased to 507,131 (50.92%), compared to 476,889 (49.41%) the previous year. Candidates attaining a pass grade of D+ and above also rose to 634,082 (63.67%), up from 605,774 (62.76%) in 2024.

In terms of school performance, national schools produced the highest number of top performers, with 1,526 A (plain) grades, followed by Extra County schools (197) and private schools (185). At the mid-performance level, Sub-County schools outperformed County schools in the number of candidates attaining C+ and above, with 72,699 compared to 36,600, respectively.

On examination irregularities, CS Ogamba reported that 1,180 candidates were found to have engaged in misconduct. “Consequently, and in line with the applicable law and regulations, their examination results have been cancelled,” he stated.

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Maurice Akech
Crime & Investigations

Mounting Pressure on NCA Boss Maurice Akech as Activist Files Petition Demanding His Removal

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

The walls are closing in on National Construction Authority Executive Director Maurice Akech as a damning legal petition lays bare what activists describe as years of catastrophic regulatory failure that has turned Kenya’s construction sector into a killing field.

Human rights activist Francis Awino has thrown down the gauntlet at the High Court, demanding Akech be declared unfit for office and immediately removed for what the petition describes as gross negligence, incompetence and a systemic failure to enforce construction laws that has cost lives and left thousands of Kenyans living in death traps.

The explosive court documents paint a devastating picture of an authority asleep at the wheel while developers flouted safety regulations with impunity, buildings rose illegally into the sky, and enforcement notices were treated as mere suggestions rather than legal orders.

The latest tragedy, the South C building collapse that killed two people, has become the catalyst for what could be Akech’s professional downfall. But it is far from an isolated incident. The petition reveals a chilling pattern of regulatory lapses stretching back years, with deadly consequences that Awino argues were entirely preventable.

According to court filings, investigations by both Nairobi City County and the NCA itself revealed that the doomed South C building was constructed without approved structural plans, lacked mandatory geotechnical assessment reports, and never underwent required statutory inspections. The developer allegedly exceeded the approved 12 floors by adding extra storeys without authorisation, yet construction continued unchecked.

Most damning is the timeline of inaction. The petition reveals that Nairobi City County issued enforcement notices to the developer and contractor warning of violations in May, July and December 2025. Three separate warnings. Three opportunities for the NCA to step in and halt construction. Three chances to save lives.

Yet nothing happened. Construction continued. Workers toiled on the illegal floors. And on January 2, 2026, physics and gravity combined to deliver their inevitable verdict as the building pancaked to the ground, crushing two people to death.

“The NCA, under the leadership of its CEO, failed to enforce compliance with construction and safety standards despite having the mandate to do so,” the petition states bluntly. Awino argues that Akech had direct authority over compliance but failed to enforce regulations, halt construction or sanction developers, describing his inaction as administrative maladministration and abuse of office.

When asked by journalists why the NCA failed to stop construction at the South C site despite the obvious non-compliance, Akech declined to explain, instead directing reporters to a statement issued by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku. The deflection speaks volumes.

Even more troubling is what Awino describes as Akech’s public admission after the collapse that the building was non-compliant at the time it fell. In other words, the regulator knew the building was illegal, knew it was dangerous, yet did nothing to protect the public until it was too late.

But South C is merely the latest chapter in what the petition describes as a broader pattern of regulatory failure under Akech’s watch. The activist points to previous building collapses in Zimmerman in September 2023 and Kahawa West in October 2024, each attributed to poor workmanship, substandard materials and weak oversight.

In Kahawa West, the multi-agency team had condemned the eight-storey building on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, and issued an evacuation order. By Sunday, October 20, the building had collapsed. While tenants were evacuated in time, preventing mass casualties, residents revealed that instead of demolishing the structure, the developer had been allowed to attempt repairs to visible cracks, essentially papering over a structural catastrophe waiting to happen.

The statistics are horrifying. Kenya has recorded 87 building collapses over the past five years, with an estimated 200 people losing their lives and over 1,000 injured, according to NCA’s own reports. The 2018 audit by the National Building Inspectorate found that of 14,925 buildings examined, only 2,194 were safe. That means 723 buildings were classified as very dangerous, while 10,791 were deemed unsafe.

A subsequent 2021 NCA audit revealed that 35 per cent of buildings in Kenya are at risk of failure. These are not hidden problems. These are known dangers, documented in official reports, sitting in government files while Akech has led the authority tasked with preventing exactly these disasters.

The timeline of Akech’s tenure raises uncomfortable questions. Appointed as Executive Director on September 27, 2019, for a four-year term, Akech came to the role with impressive credentials: a master’s degree in Construction Engineering and Management and a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, both from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He is registered as a civil engineer by the Engineers Board of Kenya and holds over 20 years of experience in design, construction supervision and management.

Yet despite this pedigree, the building collapses have continued. In fact, data shows that after a promising decline from 21 collapses in 2015 to just two in 2019, the numbers began rising again under Akech’s watch, with three buildings collapsing in a single week in Nairobi in November 2022.

Professional bodies have been scathing in their assessment of the regulatory environment. Institution of Engineers of Kenya President Shammah Kiteme’s question cuts to the heart of the accountability crisis: “Who was the responsible structural engineer? Is it the one in the NCA records? The one on site?”

The Architects Alliance President Senator Sylvia Kasanga has demanded that the NCA blacklist all contractors with compliance issues and make the list public. “Can NCA blacklist all contractors who have issues? Make it public,” she stated, highlighting what she sees as a culture of impunity enabled by weak enforcement.

Architectural Association of Kenya President Prof George Ndege warned that many buildings would collapse if even a minor tremor struck Nairobi, describing the built environment as living on borrowed time. “We are living by the grace of God,” he said, a damning indictment of the regulatory regime under Akech’s leadership.

The petition seeks a court declaration that Akech is unfit to hold office, along with orders for his removal or suspension. But Awino is not stopping there. He also demands immediate halts to all non-compliant construction projects in Nairobi, full accountability for enforcement lapses between 2021 and 2026, and mandatory inspections and sanctions for violators.

The activist contends that Akech’s actions, or more accurately his inaction, violated constitutional rights to life, fair administrative action and access to safety information, while also breaching the National Construction Authority Act, the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, and county building laws.

The State Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and the NCA itself are listed as interested parties in the case, which has been filed before Justice Lawrence Mugambi.

Perhaps most troubling is the culture of impunity that appears to have taken root under Akech’s tenure. Despite the establishment of the NCA in 2011 specifically to control the construction sector and prevent such disasters, professional bodies say there is no evidence that lessons have been learned from previous investigations.

“Many investigations have been done. There is no evidence that we have implemented the lessons learnt from the dissections and investigations. The failure to make people take responsibility makes this culture of impunity entrenched and there is no way to stop it,” the professional lobbies warned.

The South C building itself exemplifies this culture. The NCA issued registration for the project on November 8, 2023, before mandatory approvals from county government and the National Environment Management Authority were secured. Additional floors were approved without proof of structural review or inspection of ongoing works. The developer was listed as the engineer, creating obvious conflicts of interest. And perhaps most damningly, construction continued despite enforcement notices and stop orders from both the NCA and county government.

All of this happened on Akech’s watch. All of this occurred while he held the authority’s highest office, with direct responsibility for compliance and enforcement.

When Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome promised that those responsible for the South C collapse would be held accountable and would “carry the burden of punishment,” she may not have anticipated that the net would widen to include the very regulator tasked with preventing such disasters.

“A building that is professionally designed and constructed using the right materials should not collapse and kill people. Those responsible will carry the burden of punishment, and we will crack down on rogue developers, contractors and quacks,” Wahome declared.

But what about rogue regulators? What about enforcement officials who watch violations multiply and do nothing? What about authority directors who preside over a system where 85 per cent of buildings in the capital city are unsafe for human habitation?

The petition argues these are not mere administrative lapses but fundamental breaches of the public trust that demand the ultimate professional sanction: removal from office.

As the case proceeds through the courts, Akech’s defenders may point to the complexity of the construction sector, the multiple actors involved, the political interference, the corruption that oils the wheels of illegal development. All true. All documented. All damning in their own right.

But Francis Awino’s petition poses a simpler question: If the head of the National Construction Authority cannot or will not enforce construction laws, halt illegal developments, or protect Kenyans from buildings that kill, then what exactly is he there for?

Two bodies pulled from the rubble in South C deserve an answer. So do the 200 people who have died in building collapses over the past five years. So do the millions of Kenyans who go to bed each night in structures that professional engineers warn could become their tombs at any moment.

The question before Justice Mugambi is stark: Has Maurice Akech failed in his duty to protect Kenyan lives, and if so, should he pay the price with his job?

As the evidence mounts, the answer appears increasingly clear. And increasingly damning.

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Minnesota fraud
Crime & Investigations

How Little-Known South C Company Became Conduit for Stolen American Covid Funds as Kenyan Properties Emerge in Massive International Scandal

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

A nondescript office in Nairobi’s South C neighbourhood hides a dark secret that has sent shockwaves across two continents and put Kenya at the centre of America’s largest Covid-19 fraud investigation.

Capital View Properties Limited, registered on February 24, 2021, became the destination for nearly Sh92 million in stolen American taxpayer money meant to feed hungry children during the pandemic. The firm’s emergence as a key player in the Sh39 billion Minnesota fraud has exposed how international criminals exploited Kenya’s financial system to launder proceeds from one of the most audacious scams in US history.

Court documents reveal that between May and June 2021, just months after its registration, Capital View Properties received three wire transfers totalling Sh91.7 million from Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, the convicted mastermind of the fraud scheme who is now serving 28 years in an American prison.

The transfers came in rapid succession. On May 4, Sh26.4 million arrived. A week later, another Sh38.7 million landed in the company’s accounts. By June 1, a final payment of Sh26.6 million completed the money trail from Minneapolis to Nairobi.

But these transactions were merely the tip of the iceberg. In a chilling WhatsApp conversation intercepted by FBI agents, Abdiaziz boasted to an accomplice that he had invested Sh774 million in Kenya over just three years. The message, sent in December 2021 as American investigators closed in, revealed the staggering scale of money being pumped into Kenyan real estate and businesses.

The Perfect Cover

Capital View Properties appeared legitimate on paper. Corporate records show five shareholders controlling 1,000 ordinary shares. Zeitun Garat Abdinoor holds 150 shares, Abdullahi Maalim Aftin another 150, Abdiwahab Maalim Aftin 100, Abdifatah Maalim Aftin 500, and Abdigani Maalim Aftin 100. The company has no recorded loans or encumbrances, presenting a clean financial profile that masked its sinister purpose.

The firm’s registered address off Shapara Road in South C offers no hints of its connection to international crime. Neighbours and business associates had no idea that the company was processing millions stolen from American children’s feeding programmes during the darkest days of the pandemic.

When contacted, Capital View Properties, a woman identifying herself as Zeitun answered the phone. Her responses were carefully measured, acknowledging the American connection while distancing the company from criminal activity.

“He lives in America and does business with some of the people who have been mentioned,” Zeitun said, referring to one of the directors. “He is one of the directors and he is the one who was sending money.”

She vehemently denied that the company had any knowledge of the fraud, insisting that Abdiwahab Maalim Aftin, one of the directors, had been tried and acquitted by an American jury in June 2024. The acquittal, she argued, proved the company’s innocence.

However, American prosecutors tell a different story. While Abdiwahab may have escaped conviction, the money that flowed through Capital View Properties remains tainted by its origins in the massive Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.

The Minnesota Nightmare

The fraud that funded Capital View Properties was breathtaking in its scope and cynicism. Between 2020 and 2022, a network of predominantly Somali-American fraudsters exploited Covid-19 emergency measures to steal up to Sh38.7 billion meant to feed vulnerable children.

The scheme centred on Feeding Our Future, a Minnesota nonprofit that acted as a sponsor for smaller organisations supposedly running meal programmes for needy kids. When pandemic restrictions loosened oversight requirements, fraudsters saw their opportunity.

They created fake feeding sites, inflated meal counts, and submitted false documentation to claim millions in federal reimbursements. Few, if any, children were actually fed. Instead, the money went towards luxury cars, properties in America and Africa, and lavish lifestyles for the conspirators.

Abdiaziz Farah emerged as the scheme’s leader, personally pocketing over Sh1 billion during his 18 months of involvement. His text messages, recovered by investigators, paint a picture of breathtaking greed and arrogance.

“In 7 months, if things stay the same, you are a multimillionaire with 0 debt,” he texted an accomplice. To another, he wrote simply: “Bro, the next multi-legit millionaires will be me and you.”

True to his word, Abdiaziz went on a spending spree that included five luxury vehicles purchased within six months. Among them was a Sh38.7 million Porsche, a GMC truck, and a Tesla. He bought land in Minnesota and Kentucky, investing approximately Sh541 million in American properties.

But Abdiaziz knew that American law enforcement would eventually come calling. He needed to move money beyond their reach, and Kenya became his sanctuary.

The Kenyan Connection

The full extent of Abdiaziz’s Kenyan investments remains murky, but court documents provide tantalising glimpses. American prosecutors confirm he purchased real estate and a high-rise apartment building in Nairobi using fraud proceeds, investments they admit are now beyond the reach of US law enforcement.

His brother, Ahmednaji Maalim Aftin Sheikh, played a crucial role in moving money to Kenya. The 28-year-old Kenyan national, indicted in September as the 74th defendant in the case, allegedly helped launder and send millions abroad through a series of sham corporate entities and bulk cash smuggling.

Court papers describe how Ahmednaji received funds and helped conceal their origin by investing in Kenyan real estate. In April 2021, he helped Abdiaziz purchase an apartment building in South C, strategically located adjacent to Nairobi National Park. He also facilitated the purchase of land in Mandera Town, near Kenya’s borders with Somalia and Ethiopia.

The brothers’ WhatsApp conversations, now part of court evidence, reveal their criminal partnership. “You are gonna be the richest 25-year-old InshaAllah,” Abdiaziz texted his younger brother in July 2021. Ahmednaji responded: “I love you so much.”

Two months later, Ahmednaji sent his brother a photo of Sh17.8 million in cash. By December, another photo showed banker’s boxes stuffed with Sh34.8 million in cash that Abdiaziz had smuggled to Kenya. The physical movement of currency highlights how the conspirators bypassed international banking safeguards designed to detect money laundering.

From Minneapolis to Diani

Capital View Properties is just one piece of a complex money laundering network that stretches from Minnesota to Kenya’s coast. The fraud’s tentacles reach far beyond Nairobi, touching some of Kenya’s most desirable real estate.

Liban Yasin Alishire, another conspirator who pleaded guilty in 2023, was forced to forfeit the Karibu Palms Resort in Diani, a luxury property on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline. He also surrendered a house in Nairobi, several cars, and a boat. At age 43, Alishire’s plea agreement stripped him of assets purchased with his share of the stolen Sh315 million he obtained from the scheme.

The coastal property seizure sent ripples through Kenya’s tourism industry, raising uncomfortable questions about due diligence in high-value real estate transactions. How had no one questioned the source of funds for such expensive purchases? Were banks and lawyers complicit, or simply negligent?

American Fury

The scandal has reignited America’s immigration debate with unprecedented ferocity. US Attorney General Pamela Bondi revealed that 72 of the 78 defendants are of Somali descent, a statistic that has inflamed political tensions.

Tom Emmer, the Majority Whip of the US House of Representatives, has called for the harshest possible measures. “I have three words regarding Somalis who have committed fraud against American taxpayers: Send them home,” he declared on social media. “If they’re here illegally, deport them immediately. If they’re naturalised citizens, revoke their citizenship and deport them quickly thereafter.”

FBI Director Kash Patel described the Minnesota case as “just the tip of a very large iceberg” and promised that investigations would continue. The FBI has deployed additional personnel to Minneapolis, conducting door-to-door raids at suspected fraud sites.

The Department of Homeland Security announced it is actively pursuing defendants who fled to Africa, though officials have not specified which countries are harbouring the fugitives. Five suspects remain at large, their exact whereabouts unknown.

Questions Without Answers

Despite the millions that flowed through Capital View Properties, critical questions remain unanswered. How exactly was the Sh91.7 million invested? Did the company purchase specific properties, or was it used as a holding vehicle for other transactions? Are there additional companies in Kenya serving similar purposes?

The lack of transparency is frustrating both American investigators and Kenyan authorities. While US prosecutors have successfully frozen and seized assets in America, the Kenyan properties remain largely untouched. The complexities of international asset recovery mean that recovering the stolen funds could take years, if it happens at all.

Kenyan financial regulators now face difficult questions about how such large international transfers escaped scrutiny. The Central Bank of Kenya and the Financial Reporting Centre, which monitors money laundering, have remained silent on whether they are investigating Capital View Properties or other companies linked to the scandal.

Lost in the staggering figures and international intrigue is the scandal’s original victims: hungry American children who went unfed while fraudsters enriched themselves.

During the pandemic’s darkest days, when millions of families struggled to put food on the table, these criminals exploited emergency programmes designed to help the most vulnerable. They claimed to serve millions of meals to needy children. In reality, few if any were ever provided.

The psychological impact on Minnesota’s Somali community has been devastating. Law-abiding Somali Americans now face increased scrutiny and discrimination because of the actions of a criminal minority. Community leaders have condemned the fraud while defending their community against collective punishment.

Kenya’s Dilemma

For Kenya, the scandal presents a diplomatic and legal nightmare. American officials are demanding cooperation in tracking assets and potentially extraditing suspects, but Kenya’s sovereignty and legal processes cannot be simply brushed aside.

The case has exposed weaknesses in Kenya’s anti-money laundering framework and raised concerns about the country’s attractiveness to international criminals seeking to hide ill-gotten gains. Real estate, with its high values and relative lack of transparency, remains particularly vulnerable to money laundering.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on President Donald Trump to pursue fraud beneficiaries in Kenya “Venezuela-style,” referencing aggressive international enforcement actions. However, such dramatic measures would require unprecedented cooperation between Kenyan and American law enforcement, something that has historically been challenging.

As the legal process grinds forward in American courts, Capital View Properties continues to operate from its South C office. The company has not been charged with any crime in Kenya, and without a formal asset freeze, it remains free to conduct business.

Abdiaziz Farah, now 36, faces decades in prison. Beyond his 28-year sentence, he awaits additional sentencing for attempting to bribe a juror with Sh15.5 million in cash. He has been ordered to pay Sh6.1 billion in restitution, money that will be collected through asset seizures and prison wages for the rest of his life.

His brother Ahmednaji awaits trial, facing up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted. The evidence against him appears overwhelming, including photos of cash-stuffed boxes and incriminating WhatsApp messages.

For the shareholders of Capital View Properties, the future is uncertain. Even if they claim ignorance of the money’s origins, they may find their assets frozen as American prosecutors pursue every dollar of stolen funds.

The scandal serves as a stark reminder that in our interconnected world, no country is immune from international crime. A fraud conceived in Minnesota has reached deep into Nairobi’s property market, touching businesses and individuals who may never have set foot in America.

As investigations continue, one thing is clear: the full story of how stolen American Covid funds flowed through Kenyan companies has yet to be told. Capital View Properties is just one chapter in a much larger tale of greed, deception, and international crime that continues to unfold.

The question now is whether Kenyan authorities will take decisive action to investigate these transactions, or whether Capital View Properties and other similar companies will continue operating in the shadows, processing money from sources that dare not speak their name.

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CS Rebecca Miano inspects the construction of Bomas International Convention Complex
Business

Bomas International Convention Complex to Play Key Role in Advancing Kenya’s MICE Sector, Says CS Miano

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

Kenya is set to significantly strengthen its position as Africa’s leading destination for global conferences and exhibitions with the fast-approaching completion of the Bomas International Convention Complex (BICC), Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano has said.

CS Miano noted that the flagship project will play a critical role in advancing Kenya’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, positioning the country as a competitive and preferred hub for high-level international events. She described the BICC as a strategic investment that will elevate Kenya’s capacity to host large-scale global summits and exhibitions.

Once completed, the BICC will have a seating capacity of 11,000, making it one of the largest and most modern convention facilities on the African continent. The complex is designed to host international summits, regional conferences, trade exhibitions and cultural events, reinforcing Kenya’s ambition to reclaim its status as Africa’s top destination for global meetings.

Speaking on the project’s progress, CS Miano said the Bomas International Convention Complex goes beyond infrastructure development and represents a deliberate effort to strengthen the tourism value chain.

“The BICC will be a crown jewel of our MICE offering. It will position Kenya competitively on the global stage while opening up new opportunities for growth across tourism, hospitality, transport, trade and the creative industries,” she said.

She added that the complex will offer a unique experience by combining world-class conferencing facilities with Kenya’s rich cultural heritage. Delegates and visitors are expected to enjoy authentic cultural experiences while conducting business at the highest level.

Strategically located in Nairobi — the “Green City in the Sun” and Africa’s diplomatic capital — the BICC is expected to further enhance the city’s attractiveness to international organizations and global forums.

According to CS Miano, the economic impact of the project will be far-reaching. By attracting major international events, the BICC is expected to increase visitor arrivals, boost hotel occupancy rates and stimulate demand for transport and logistics services. The project will also create opportunities for local suppliers, small and medium-sized enterprises and creative industries, while generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

CS Miano attributed the progress of the Bomas project to the leadership of His Excellency President William Ruto and the collective support of government institutions and stakeholders. She emphasized that the project aligns with the government’s broader agenda of positioning tourism and business events as key pillars of national economic development.

As Kenya prepares to welcome the world, CS Miano said the Bomas International Convention Complex stands as a symbol of confidence, ambition, and readiness, reaffirming the country’s commitment to hosting global conversations and showcasing its cultural identity on a world-class platform.

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Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa
Business

Crisis of Trust at Safaricom: Millions of Customers Doubt Data and SMS Billing as Regulator Sounds Alarm

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

Nearly one in every four Safaricom customers believes the telecommunications giant is shortchanging them on data and text message charges, a damning regulatory survey has revealed, exposing a crisis of trust at Kenya’s dominant mobile operator just as mobile data becomes its biggest money spinner.

The explosive findings from the Communications Authority of Kenya paint a troubling picture of widespread consumer suspicion, with only 77 per cent of Safaricom’s massive customer base trusting their data bills and 77.7 per cent believing they are accurately charged for SMS services. This means a staggering 23 per cent of subscribers, millions of Kenyans, harbour deep doubts about whether they are getting what they pay for.

The timing could not be worse for Safaricom. The company just recorded a historic milestone in its half-year results to September 2025, with mobile data revenue surging 18 per cent to Sh44.4 billion, overtaking voice revenue for the first time in the telco’s history. Voice, once the backbone of telecommunications, managed only a paltry 0.5 per cent growth to Sh41.09 billion, highlighting how critical data has become to the company’s bottom line.

But as Safaricom celebrates this financial triumph, the regulatory survey commissioned by the Communications Authority and conducted by Strategic Synergy Consultants between July 2024 and June 2025 exposes an uncomfortable truth: customers do not trust how they are being billed for the very services now driving the company’s profits.

“Safaricom shows lower performance compared to other providers. While still a majority, these lower figures indicate that Safaricom customers are less confident in billing accuracy, particularly for data services,” the report states with clinical precision.

The contrast with competitors is stark and humiliating. Jamii Telecommunications, a relative minnow in the market, enjoys the highest trust ratings, with 98.4 percent of customers confident in their data billing and 88.6 percent trusting SMS charges. Airtel Kenya follows closely with 98.3 percent and 86.2 percent respectively. Even Telkom Kenya, long struggling for market relevance, outperforms Safaricom on billing credibility.

The mistrust extends beyond data and texts. Only 80.2 percent of Safaricom customers believe they are correctly charged for voice calls, the lowest rating among all operators. By comparison, a remarkable 97.6 percent of Airtel customers trust their call billing, followed by Jamii at 96.7 percent and Telkom at 94 percent.

The survey, which covered more than 4,200 respondents, lays bare a fundamental problem: transparency. A paltry 18 percent of Safaricom customers say they receive monthly billing information, compared with 44.1 percent of Airtel subscribers and 35 percent of Jamii customers. Without regular, detailed billing statements, customers are left guessing whether the charges deducted from their accounts match the services consumed.

This opacity becomes especially problematic in an era when data consumption is exploding. Increased online learning, remote working and entertainment streaming have made data services indispensable, transforming mobile internet from a luxury into a necessity. Kenyans are using more data than ever before, making billing accuracy not just a consumer rights issue but a question of economic justice.

The survey notes that billing disputes consistently rank among the most common complaints lodged by subscribers with the Communications Authority, according to quarterly regulatory reports. This suggests the problem is not merely perception but reflects real, ongoing frustrations with how charges are calculated and applied.

Safaricom’s dominance in the market makes the trust deficit even more significant. The company controls approximately 65 percent of Kenya’s mobile subscriptions as of September last year, dwarfing Airtel’s 30.7 percent market share. Telkom and Jamii each hold about one percent. With such overwhelming market power, Safaricom effectively holds millions of Kenyans captive, unable to easily switch to competitors even when dissatisfied.

The billing trust crisis comes on the heels of other controversies that have dented Safaricom’s reputation. In late 2025, the company faced fierce public backlash after quietly slashing data allocations on its popular ‘No Expiry’ bundles by more than half, effectively doubling internet costs overnight. Customers who had been getting 255 megabytes of non-expiring data for Sh51 suddenly found themselves receiving only 102 megabytes for the same price.

Safaricom initially blamed the cuts on a technical issue, an explanation many customers found unconvincing given the changes persisted for over a week before the company restored original allocations under intense pressure. The incident reinforced suspicions that the telco was testing how much it could squeeze from customers before provoking rebellion.

Industry analysts note that billing transparency is fundamental to maintaining consumer trust in any service sector, but especially in telecommunications where complex tariff structures, data throttling and variable network quality create information asymmetries that favor providers over customers. When the dominant player in the market performs worst on transparency metrics, it raises questions about whether market power has bred complacency.

The Communications Authority report pointedly observes that improved billing transparency and clarity are key to sustaining consumer trust across all providers. For Safaricom, this is not merely a regulatory box-ticking exercise but an existential challenge as the company transitions from voice to data as its primary revenue engine.

The company’s response to these findings will be closely watched. Will Safaricom dismiss the survey results as statistical noise, or will it acknowledge that nearly a quarter of its customers, millions of Kenyans, feel they cannot trust the bills they receive? The answer will determine whether this trust deficit deepens into a full-blown crisis of confidence that competitors could exploit.

Rivals have already been circling, banking on lower call tariffs and aggressive data promotions to chip away at Safaricom’s dominance. Airtel has repeatedly positioned itself as the more customer-friendly alternative, offering better value data bundles and, according to this survey, significantly higher billing credibility. The trust gap revealed by the regulatory study hands ammunition to these competitors.

For ordinary Kenyans, the survey findings validate what many have long suspected: that the charges appearing on their mobile accounts do not always add up, that data bundles seem to deplete faster than usage would suggest, and that the dominant telco’s billing practices merit serious scrutiny.

As mobile data cements its position as Safaricom’s biggest revenue line, the company faces a moment of reckoning. Trust, once lost, is notoriously difficult to rebuild. With nearly a quarter of customers already doubting billing accuracy, Safaricom must act decisively to restore confidence or risk watching its hard-won market dominance slowly erode under the weight of consumer suspicion.

The Communications Authority has thrown down the gauntlet. The question now is whether Safaricom has the will to pick it up.

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James Wanjohi
Politics

Why Kenya Must Elect Performing Members of Parliament in 2027

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

By Hon. James Wanjohi

As Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election, we face a defining moment in our democratic journey. The question before us is not merely who will win political contests, but what kind of leadership we choose to entrust with our future.

At the heart of this decision lies the role of the Member of Parliament (MP)—a position too often misunderstood, underutilized, or reduced to symbolism. If Kenya is to progress socially, economically, and institutionally, we must commit to electing MPs who perform.

Members of Parliament are not elected to be ceremonial figures or crowd-pleasing entertainers. They are lawmakers, overseers of public resources, and defenders of the Constitution. Parliament shapes the laws that govern our economy, our education system, our healthcare, and our freedoms.

When MPs fail to legislate effectively, skip parliamentary sessions, or neglect committee work, the cost is borne by ordinary Kenyans in the form of poor services, weak accountability, and stalled development.

A performing MP is one who understands that representation goes beyond election season. It means consistently articulating the needs of constituents in Parliament, participating actively in debates, and contributing to meaningful legislation. It means scrutinizing government spending, demanding transparency, and standing firm against waste and corruption—regardless of political convenience. Oversight is not opposition; it is patriotism.

Equally important is the responsible management of devolved funds, including the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF). These resources are intended to expand access to education, improve local infrastructure, and uplift vulnerable communities. Electing MPs with integrity, competence, and a track record of results ensures that such funds are used efficiently and equitably, rather than lost to mismanagement or patronage.

Kenya’s challenges today—youth unemployment, rising cost of living, public debt, and strained public services—demand serious, informed leadership. We cannot afford leaders who confuse noise for impact or loyalty for performance. Parliament needs men and women who read bills, understand policy, consult experts, and place national interest above personal gain.

The power to change the quality of our leadership rests with the voter. As citizens, we must look beyond handouts, slogans, and last-minute generosity. We must ask hard questions: Has this MP attended Parliament? Have they sponsored or contributed to laws that improve lives? Have they been accessible, ethical, and effective? Performance is measurable, and information is available to those willing to seek it.

The 2027 election offers Kenyans an opportunity to reset expectations and raise the standard of leadership. By electing performing MPs, we strengthen Parliament, deepen democracy, and lay a firmer foundation for inclusive development. Our future depends not on promises made, but on work done. Let us choose performance.

Hon James Wanjohi is a well known business mogul and an aspiring member of Parliament. Kabete constituency

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Mohamed Osman Abdile
Crime & Investigations

Eastleigh Businessman Mohamed Osman Abdile Accused of Sh296 Million Theft, Money Laundering Scandal

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

In what prosecutors are describing as one of the most audacious cases of employee theft in recent times, a businessman has been charged with stealing a staggering Sh296 million from a city shopping mall over a period spanning seven years.

Mohamed Osman Abdile, who worked at Mega Shopping Mall in Eastleigh, appeared before court on Monday to face a litany of charges that paint a damning picture of systematic looting and elaborate money laundering schemes designed to conceal the source of the stolen funds.

The 30 criminal counts against Abdile read like a thriller: conspiracy to commit a felony, stealing by servant, money laundering, and being in possession of proceeds of crime.

Each charge represents another thread in what investigators allege was a carefully woven web of financial deception.

According to court documents, the theft occurred between January 2018 and February 2025, with Abdile allegedly using his company Fatzam Enterprises Limited to transfer money to various companies and individuals in a bid to hide where it came from.

The prosecution painted a picture of a man who allegedly exploited his position of trust. The money belonged to business mogul Abdi Mohamed Ali and came into Abdile’s possession by virtue of his employment at the mall, the court heard.

Sophisticated Money Laundering Operation

But the theft allegations are only part of the story. Prosecutors allege that Abdile went to extraordinary lengths to legitimize his ill-gotten gains.

The Director of Public Prosecutions charged him with money laundering for concealing the source of over Sh116 million held in accounts at Kenya Commercial Bank, Absa Bank and Equity Bank. Additionally, he was indicted for possessing more than Sh107 million believed by police to be proceeds of crime.

In one incident detailed in court, police on March 12, 2024 discovered Sh4.7 million in an account at KCB Eastleigh Branch registered under Fatzam Enterprises Limited, the company Abdile operated with fellow director Hussein Ibrahim Barre.

Ghost Director and Pending Arrests

Barre, who is jointly charged in the case, did not appear in court for plea taking, raising questions about his whereabouts. The accused faces 17 counts of money laundering and 10 counts of being in possession of proceeds of crime, according to court records.

Investigators say the scheme involved multiple accomplices, some of whom remain at large. Police are yet to arrest other conspirators for arraignment, the court was told.

Bond Granted Despite Magnitude

Despite the gravity of the charges and the massive sums involved, the prosecution surprisingly did not oppose Abdile’s application for release on bond.

He was freed on Sh3 million bond with an alternative cash bail of Sh2 million after entering a not guilty plea to all 30 charges.

The Eastleigh Context

The case comes at a sensitive time for Eastleigh’s business community, which has been working to shake off negative associations and position itself as a legitimate economic powerhouse in Nairobi.

Eastleigh, often dubbed “Little Mogadishu,” is home to several major shopping complexes including the newly opened Business Bay Square Mall, a Sh25 billion development that has transformed the area’s commercial landscape. The neighborhood is a major contributor to Nairobi’s revenue through its bustling wholesale and retail trade.

This theft case, however, serves as a stark reminder that even in Kenya’s most vibrant commercial districts, internal fraud can flourish when oversight mechanisms fail. The seven-year duration of the alleged theft raises uncomfortable questions about financial controls and audit procedures at Mega Shopping Mall.

As the case proceeds through the courts, attention will focus on how an employee could allegedly steal such colossal amounts over such an extended period without detection. The trial is expected to reveal details about the mall’s internal controls, the methods allegedly used to siphon funds, and the network that may have facilitated the laundering of the stolen money.

For now, Abdile remains free on bond as he prepares to fight 30 criminal charges that could see him spend decades behind bars if convicted. The case also shines a spotlight on the need for robust financial oversight in Kenya’s retail sector, where trust and internal controls are often the only barriers between businesses and catastrophic losses.

The matter will be mentioned in court for further directions on the trial date.

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Joseph Kimote
Latest News

Ethnic Power Wars Rock NCPB as Kimote Acquittal Sparks High-Stakes Succession Battle

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

A bitter succession battle has erupted at the National Cereals and Produce Board, exposing dangerous ethnic fault lines that threaten to paralyse one of Kenya’s most strategic agricultural institutions.

At the centre of the storm is Joseph Kimote, the former managing director whose dramatic acquittal in a Sh209 million fake fertiliser scandal has triggered a ruthless power struggle that has dragged State House, Cabinet, and tribal power brokers into an increasingly toxic confrontation.

Kimote, whose lawyers are now demanding his immediate reinstatement following his surprise acquittal by the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court late last year, finds himself locked in a fierce contest with acting MD Samuel Ndung’u, who has held the position since Kimote’s criminal prosecution began.

But this is no ordinary boardroom succession dispute.

Behind closed doors, the fight has degenerated into a naked tribal contest pitting Mount Kenya powerbrokers against what insiders describe as the Rift Valley mafia, with Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe caught uncomfortably in the middle.

Sources within NCPB reveal that Ndung’u has been frantically warning allies that powerful forces within President William Ruto’s State House are plotting to advertise the MD position and install a compliant figure. His greatest fear is that Kimote’s unexpected legal victory has complicated these schemes, giving the former boss a legitimate claim to return.

The tribal arithmetic is stark and troubling. The NCPB board, chaired by Samuel Ragwa, includes a Rift Valley dominated lineup featuring Chris Kiptoo, Principal Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning, William Kirwa, Laban Kiplagat, and Jonah Marindich. Together with directors Winnie Beauttah, Galgalo Abasoud and John Thongori, they form a powerful voting bloc that Ndung’u believes can be mobilised against him.

In private conversations, the acting MD has complained bitterly that his Mount Kenya roots now count against him, especially following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, which has left the region politically marginalised in Ruto’s administration.

The tribal dimensions extend deep into NCPB’s management structure. Mount Kenya executives occupy what insiders describe as strategic positions including John Gichuru as acting general manager for finance and accountancy, Gideon Muthuri heading marketing and operations, Ambrose Njoroge in internal audit, Karanja Wainaina managing security, and Theuri in human resources.

Kalenjin officers, while present, reportedly hold less influential posts. These include Noah Koskei in corporate planning, Tito Keino heading ICT, Bernard Yegon in risk and compliance, Philip Kandie overseeing warehousing, Dennis Mutai as regional manager for Lake and Western regions, and Emily Kikwai managing the South Rift region.

This ethnic imbalance at senior levels has become ammunition for those seeking wholesale changes at the parastatal. Disturbingly, sources say Ndung’u has complained of facing pressure to pay millions in protection money to rogue board directors and money hungry MPs from various parliamentary committees.

The scandal that brought down Kimote continues to cast a long shadow. While the court acquitted him, it ordered NCPB officials Joseph Ngerich and John Matiri, who chaired the business development and advisory committee, to stand trial alongside businessman Josiah Kariuki, his company Fifty-One Capital Limited, and JBL Innovate Manufacturers over the substandard fertiliser allegations.

Particularly controversial is Nelson Sawenjah, head of procurement services, who allegedly betrayed former colleagues now facing criminal prosecution. Multiple sources claim Sawenjah operates as an underground state security operative, reporting directly to various intelligence arms, a role that has made him untouchable despite the procurement scandals.

The looming changes have already identified casualties. Philip Kandie, the acting head of warehousing, is reportedly being groomed by Rift Valley power barons as the next MD, a move that would consolidate ethnic control over the institution.

Other senior officers watching nervously include Veronica Mapesa, acting corporation secretary and head of legal services, Rosemary Kweya, deputy manager for corporate planning, John Ndonje managing markets and information, and Muoka Mwanga heading technical services.

The ethnic politicisation of NCPB, which plays a critical role in Kenya’s food security through strategic grain reserves and farmer payments, raises alarming questions about governance in state corporations. How the board has failed to address or even acknowledge the dangerous tribal dimensions at senior management levels remains unexplained.

As Kimote manoeuvres for his comeback and Ndung’u fights to retain his acting position, the real casualties may be Kenya’s farmers and food security, held hostage to tribal calculations and personal ambitions that have nothing to do with competence or the national interest.

The Agriculture Ministry has not responded to requests for comment on the succession crisis and the ethnic composition of NCPB leadership.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during his meeting with ODM party leader Oburu Oginga. PHOTO/The ODM party/X
Politics

Sifuna, Oburu Hold Crucial Unity Talks as ODM Moves to Contain Rising Internal Rifts

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Senator Oburu Oginga, on Wednesday, January 7, 2025, held a high-level meeting with the party’s Secretary General, Senator Edwin Sifuna, in a move seen as an attempt to steady the party amid growing internal tensions.

In a brief statement shared via X, ODM confirmed that Sifuna paid a courtesy call on Oburu at his Nairobi office, with discussions centring on party unity, cohesion, and the future growth of the movement.

“Secretary General Sen. Edwin Sifuna this morning called on Party Leader Sen. Oburu Oginga at his office in Nairobi. Their meeting centred on the unity and the growth of the party,” the party said.

Attempts to expel Sifuna

The meeting comes just a day after Migori Senator Eddy Oketch stepped back from a controversial motion seeking to de-whip and expel Sifuna from the ODM party, opting instead for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

In a letter dated January 6, 2026, Aguko, Osman & Company Advocates, acting on behalf of Senator Oketch, announced the withdrawal of a motion that had been filed just a day earlier on January 5. 

The lawmaker said the decision followed consultations with the party leader and Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga.

The advocates cited the legacy of the party’s founding leader, the late Raila Odinga, as instrumental in the change of approach.

“Following wide consultations with the Party Leader, Senator Dr Oburu Oginga and with utmost respect to the spirit of the founding Party Leader the late Raila Amollo Odinga, who embraced dialogue even with his fiercest enemies as the most preferred method of dispute resolution, we have received further instructions from our client,” the letter stated.

Despite withdrawing the motion, the letter maintained that there were legitimate concerns about Nairobi Senator Sifuna’s conduct.

“Being cognizant of the breaches as outlined in our aforementioned letter and the offensive remarks made by Hon. Senator Edwin W. Sifuna both against the Party and its members,” the advocates wrote, Senator Oketch had been “persuaded to withdraw the Motion Letter dated January 5, 2026.”

Instead of pursuing expulsion, the party will now invoke Article 16(1)(g) of the ODM Constitution, which empowers the party leader to facilitate amicable dispute resolution through Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms.

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Edwin Sifuna and the late Raila Odinga during a past event.
Latest News

Sifuna Honors Raila’s Birthday With Sharp Message to Kenya’s Political Class

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has marked the late Raila Odinga’s birthday with a powerful tribute that doubles as a sharp warning to Kenya’s political class, accusing the current leadership of betraying the ideals Baba stood for and presiding over a dangerous drift toward impunity and intolerance.

In a lengthy and reflective statement shared on Wednesday, Sifuna said that nearly three months after Raila’s death, the sense of loss remains as raw as ever for millions of Kenyans who drew inspiration, courage, and political direction from the veteran opposition leader.

“Many of us are no closer to overcoming this loss than we were two months ago,” Sifuna wrote, noting that Raila’s towering national stature means the country may never fully stop mourning him.

As Kenyans marked what would have been Raila Odinga’s birthday, Sifuna said the day offered a moment not only for remembrance, but also for deep reflection on the state of the nation since Baba’s passing.

While celebrating Raila’s life as one defined by courage, sacrifice, and an uncompromising commitment to freedom and justice, the Nairobi Senator lamented what he described as a growing culture of impunity, dictatorship, and intolerance that has emerged in the post-Raila political landscape.

“Over the past two months, the ideals and principles by which Raila lived and conducted his politics have been violated,” Sifuna said, warning of a conspiracy of silence in the face of threats to multiparty democracy.

He described Raila as Kenya’s foremost second liberation icon and the undisputed father of multiparty democracy and the 2010 Constitution, reforms that gave birth to devolution and were meant to curb excessive state power while ensuring equitable sharing of national resources.

Sifuna argued that multiparty democracy was intended to foster free expression, ideological diversity, and strong, independent political parties—values he said Raila jealously guarded to the very end.

“It is no wonder Baba insisted on respect for multiparty democracy and the integrity of political parties being anchored in the MoU he signed with President William Ruto,” he said.

According to Sifuna, Raila’s death has created an opening for regression, shrinking democratic space, and the erosion of political tolerance—developments he said Raila would have firmly resisted.

“The country misses the wisdom and foresight of Baba more than ever,” he added.

Despite the challenges, Sifuna called on leaders mentored by Raila to remain steadfast and to spearhead a new political renaissance rooted in the Constitution’s values of sovereignty of the people, equality, democracy, social justice, and the rule of law.

“We do not have the luxury of rest, nor do we possess any fear in pursuit of Raila’s ideals,” Sifuna declared, portraying the late ODM leader as a man who consistently chose principle over convenience and resistance over silence, even at great personal cost.

He concluded by reaffirming his personal and political commitment to staying the course Raila charted, saying that honoring Baba’s memory requires action, courage, and unwavering fidelity to the values he lived and died for.

“On his birthday, we renew our dedication to the principles he stood for,” Sifuna said. “Happy birthday Baba.”

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CS Rebecca Miano
Latest News

Hope, Growth and Opportunity: Kenya’s Tourism Vision for 2026

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

As we look ahead to 2026, Kenya’s tourism sector stands at an inflection point—one defined by ambition. Tourism has always been a cornerstone of our economy and a powerful expression of who we are as a nation. Today, our task is to reimagine its future, deepen its impact, and ensure that growth is inclusive, sustainable, and resilient.

Our vision is clear. By 2026, we aspire to welcome five million tourists annually and significantly increase tourism revenues. These are not abstract targets; they represent jobs for our youth, livelihoods for communities, and resources for conservation.

They reflect our confidence in Kenya’s unique offering and our belief that tourism can remain a leading driver of national development.

Kenya’s natural heritage—our wildlife, landscapes, and coastline—remains our greatest asset. From the iconic savannahs of the Maasai Mara to the pristine beaches of the Indian Ocean, we are unmatched in diversity. Yet the future of tourism cannot rely on traditional attractions alone. Diversification is no longer optional; it is essential.

We are deliberately broadening our tourism portfolio to meet evolving global demand. Beyond leisure and safari tourism, we are investing in meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), sports tourism, cruise tourism, film tourism, cultural heritage experiences, and eco-tourism. These segments allow us to attract visitors throughout the year, extend their length of stay, and spread tourism benefits beyond traditional circuits.

Community-based tourism is central to this transformation. When local communities are active participants and beneficiaries, tourism becomes a shared national enterprise. We are strengthening frameworks that ensure communities earn directly from conservation, cultural experiences, and hospitality enterprises. In doing so, we safeguard our wildlife while empowering the people who live alongside it.

Sustainability underpins every aspect of our strategy. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation pose real threats to tourism globally. Kenya is responding by championing responsible tourism practices, supporting conservation financing, and promoting low-impact experiences that protect our ecosystems for future generations. Our wildlife must not only survive, but thrive.

Equally important is connectivity and ease of travel. We continue to enhance air access, modernize tourism infrastructure, and leverage digital platforms to market Kenya to the world. Visa reforms, targeted destination marketing, and strong partnerships with the private sector are enabling us to remain competitive in an increasingly crowded global tourism market.

As Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, I am optimistic about what lies ahead. The road to 2026 is one of collaboration—between government, the private sector, communities, and our international partners. Together, we are building a tourism sector that is innovative, inclusive, and resilient.

Kenya’s story has always captivated the world. By diversifying our tourism offering, protecting our natural heritage, and boldly pursuing growth, we are ensuring that this story continues to inspire—and to deliver shared prosperity—for many years to come.

The writer is Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.

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Babu Owino
Latest News

He Pulled The Trigger Thrice: Babu Owino Finally Speaks After Explosive Kilimani Gun Incident Involving Robert Alai

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has broken his silence following a tense and alarming confrontation with Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai at a popular Kilimani restaurant on Saturday, January 3, 2026.

The incident, which unfolded in full view of diners, has reignited debates over political tensions and the presence of firearms in public spaces.

Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai

According to Owino, the altercation began after he approached Alai’s table to greet him. Eyewitnesses say Alai accused Owino of orchestrating a series of online attacks against his wife, a claim the MP vehemently denied.

“Yesterday afternoon, a friend of mine who is a senior clergyman invited me for a meeting at a popular restaurant along Lenana Road in the Kilimani area. Having released my security detail for the Christmas holidays, I drove myself to the venue and arrived at approximately 3:40 p.m. We held our discussions for about twenty minutes, after which I stood up to leave. As I was departing, I noticed a group of people known to me seated at an adjacent table. Out of courtesy, I approached the table and greeted those present, including the MCA for Kileleshwa Ward, Hon. Robert Alai,” Babu Owino narrated.

“Without provocation, he accused me of being behind alleged social media attacks on his wife. I calmly explained that I do not know his wife, that she has never wronged me in any way, and that I have no reason whatsoever to involve innocent family members in politics. It is not my style to advance my politics by attacking women. I hold out respected ladies in the highest regard. I further pointed out that I do not even engage him personally, and therefore could not have engaged his wife.”

The situation escalated rapidly, with Alai allegedly drawing a pistol and striking Owino on the chest and jaw before pouring water on him.

Diners reportedly panicked as the confrontation unfolded, prompting the MP to leave the venue and report the matter to Kilimani Police Station.

“At that point, Hon. Alai became aggressive, pushed me, drew a pistol, and struck me on the chest and jaw with it, all in full view of patrons at the establishment. I stood my ground and urged him to calm down, asking him to explain what wrong I had committed to warrant such a violent reaction. He appeared to cool down, and we briefly sat, with another person positioning himself between us,” the MP stated.

“Moments later, he again turned hostile, picked a glass of water from the table, and poured it on my face. By then, a crowd had gathered, disturbed by his conduct. Upon witnessing this escalation of affairs, and wishing to avoid any physical confrontation, I then immediately left the premises and proceeded to Kilimani Police Station, where I reported the matter.”

Owino described the episode as part of a “sustained campaign of physical harassment and threats” against him, which he claims began after the funeral of former ODM leader Raila Odinga.

“As leaders, we are expected to set an example for society. Our calm should never be mistaken for fear,” he said.

https://twitter.com/HEBabuOwino/status/2007726950077415504?s=20

While no injuries were reported, the dramatic encounter has sparked public concern over security and political violence in Nairobi’s public spaces.

The incident has already reignited conversations about accountability, gun control, and the culture of political intimidation in Kenya.

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Babu Owino with Robert Alai
Latest News

Drama as Robert Alai Allegedly Pulls Gun on Babu Owino After Heated Confrontation

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

A lunchtime outing at a popular Kilimani restaurant nearly descended into tragedy on Saturday after a heated confrontation between Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino spiralled into a terrifying gun scare that left diners shaken.

The dramatic incident unfolded at Cedars Lebanese Restaurant, where the two politicians arrived separately. According to eyewitnesses, Babu Owino was already seated and having lunch with another man when Alai walked in, spotted him, and headed straight to his table.

What began as a tense verbal exchange quickly escalated into a full-blown confrontation.

Witnesses say Alai accused Babu Owino of orchestrating a series of online attacks against his wife, allegedly through controversial social media commentator Maverick Aoko. In recent days, Aoko has published several stinging and highly personal posts on X targeting Alai’s wife.

“Alai alleged that Owino was behind the attacks and had hired Maverick Aoko to tarnish his wife’s name,” said a witness who was seated at the bar. “Babu denied it completely and said he does not even know Alai’s wife personally and has no reason whatsoever to malign her.”

As the argument intensified, tension rippled across the restaurant, with diners turning their attention to the unfolding standoff. Moments later, the situation took a shocking turn.

Several witnesses allege that Alai pulled out a pistol, cocked it, and pointed it directly at Owino, attempting to fire multiple times. The firearm, however, failed to discharge.

Panic erupted instantly. Diners screamed, ducked under tables, and scrambled for cover as fears of an imminent shooting gripped the restaurant.

In a decisive intervention, a senior police officer who was dining at the restaurant swiftly moved in and disarmed Alai before anyone was hurt. The officer was later identified as Mohamed Amin Shurie, a top official at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Following the intervention, a visibly shaken Alai reportedly left the restaurant immediately. Owino remained briefly before also departing, as staff and patrons struggled to process what they had just witnessed.

“No one could believe what had just happened,” said another diner. “This was one of the most frightening moments I’ve ever experienced in a public place.”

The incident has reignited public concern over the presence of firearms in social spaces and the conduct of political leaders, particularly in Nairobi’s upscale entertainment districts.

It has also revived memories of Babu Owino’s own troubled history with firearms. In January 2020, the Embakasi East MP was arrested and charged with the attempted murder of DJ Felix Orinda, popularly known as DJ Evolve, following a shooting at B-Club lounge in Kilimani.

DJ Evolve survived the incident but suffered severe spinal cord injuries, leaving him permanently wheelchair-bound and dependent on constant medical care. The case was marked by numerous court delays and controversy after DJ Evolve’s family later filed an affidavit seeking to withdraw the attempted murder charges — a move that sparked widespread public outrage and allegations of coercion or an out-of-court settlement.

Although the state later pursued lesser charges of behaving in a disorderly manner while carrying a firearm, Owino has consistently maintained that the shooting was accidental.

When contacted over Saturday’s incident, Owino’s lawyer said he would consult his client and issue a statement, but had not done so by the time of publication. Alai had also not responded to requests for comment.

While no injuries were reported, those present described the confrontation as a chilling reminder of how quickly political rivalries can turn dangerous, even in the most ordinary public settings.

As investigations are expected to follow, questions are already being raised about firearm licensing, accountability, and the safety of Nairobi’s social spaces amid rising political tensions.

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Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.
Politics

Junet Fires Back at Sifuna, Accuses Uhuru and Muhoho Kenyatta of Hijacking Raila’s 2022 Agents’ Funds

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has fired back at Nairobi Senator and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna after he accused him of squandering the funds meant for the late Raila Odinga’s poll agents during the 2022 General Elections.

In a press statement shared via his official X account on Saturday, January 3, 2026, Junet acknowledged that, indeed, retired President Uhuru Kenyatta had released the funds meant for the agents but denied being the custodian of the money.

He accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his younger brother Muhoho Kenyatta of taking control of funds meant for Raila Odinga’s election agents and failing to deploy or pay the agents across key regions.

According to Junet, Muhoho Kenyatta received the funds and then appointed Peter Mburu to take charge of the recruitment and payment of agents.

“I wish to respond to Senator Edwin Sifuna, the ODM Secretary General who moonlights for former President Uhuru Kenyatta within our party and who has challenged me to explain why agents in the 2022 General Election were neither paid nor present at their designated polling stations,” Junet stated.

“The answer is simple, clear and verifiable: Former President Uhuru Kenyatta released the funds meant for election agents to his blood brother, Muhoho Kenyatta. Muhoho Kenyatta then appointed one Mr. Peter Mburu to take charge of the recruitment and payment of agents.”

Mburu, he claimed, presented himself as an IT expert capable of detecting and preventing any manipulation of results by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The Suna East MP also moved to defend his own political standing, rejecting insinuations that he may have betrayed the late ODM leader.

He argued that if he had at any point betrayed Raila, the late former prime minister would not have appointed him as the National Assembly minority leader.

“Let the record also be set straight: Hon. Raila Odinga would have had no reason whatsoever to appoint me—Hon. Junet Mohammed—as the Leader of the Minority in the National Assembly, if I had truly betrayed him,” he stated.

He argued that he had handled all the delicate assignments from Raila with fidelity and diligence for years.

Sifuna attacks Junet

Sifuna launched a fierce attack on Junet during the burial of Embakasi North MP James Gakuya’s mother, Alice Wangari Gakuya, in Makomboki, Murang’a County, on January 3, 2026.

He challenged Junet’s recent criticism of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s financial support for the Azimio campaign.

Sifuna reminded the crowd of Mount Kenya’s critical role in past elections.

“Unajua watu wengi wamesahau mlima Kenya, kwa mara ya kwanza baba Raila Odinga alizua kura zaidi ya milioni moja. Na ndio maana mliona nikipigia Uhuru Kenyatta asante kwa sababu alitusaidia. Mlitusukuma lakini alitusaidia,” he said.

He stressed Uhuru’s direct support for the opposition.

“Wengine alikula pesa ya Uhuru. Mimi najua kama katibu mkuu,pesa nyingi tulifanyia campaign ilitoka kwa Mweshimiwa Uhuru Kenyatta. Alitusupport kihali na mali,” Sifuna added.

“Lakini saa hii kuna mashenzi mmoja, ametambua kwamba kuna ubaya ya pesa ya Uhuru Kenyatta. Nataka niulize Junet: ‘Wewe Junet, pesa ya Uhuru ilianza kuwa mbaya siku gani?’”

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Parent flanked by school going children transacting at a local bank agent.
Business

Back-to-School Made Easy: How Equity Bank Agents Help You Lipa Bila Presha

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

Few things test the resilience of a household budget like the back-to-school season. The period comes with many financial demands, including school fees, uniforms, books, and daily supplies.

Getting ready for school has never been simpler. Equity Bank is placing its bank agents at the centre of the solution, helping parents pay, shop, and manage finances with ease.

By offering quick solutions for fee payments and mobile money transactions, the over 42,000 accredited Equity Bank agents, located in retail outlets, corporate offices, malls, postal outlets, and other convenient locations across the country, are turning a logistical headache into a smooth, stress-free process.

Instead of battling long queues at schools or struggling with last-minute payments, you can now rely on agents for a faster and more convenient way to handle these tasks and to lipa bills bila presha.

Pay Fees Through Equity Agents

Customers can conveniently pay school fees through banking agents and will be issued a receipt, which can be submitted to the school as confirmation of payment.

For customers who prefer assisted service, Equity Agents help guide the payment process using Equity’s approved channels, including:

  • *247#
  • Equity Mobile App
  • Equitel

By providing assisted access to these platforms, agents ensure school fees payments are completed accurately and on time, helping customers avoid delays during the busy back-to-school period.

Manage Cash and Deposits Near You

Equity Agents provide customers with convenient access to cash withdrawals and deposits within their neighbourhoods, making it easier to manage day-to-day back-to-school expenses. Parents and guardians can withdraw money for uniforms, books, and other school supplies, or deposit funds in preparation for school fees payments.

By transacting with an Equity Agent nearby, customers avoid long travel distances and queues at banking halls, allowing them to save time and handle school-related financial needs quickly and efficiently during the busy back-to-school period.

Complete Payments Even When Funds Are Low

Back-to-school expenses can be demanding. Customers who need flexibility can access financial solutions through Equity’s digital channels. Equity Agents help customers understand these options and help them complete transactions smoothly.

Bank agents can guide customers on how to:

  • Apply for loans of up to KSh 3 million via *247#, Equity Mobile App or Equitel
  • Complete transactions using Boostika prompts when paying through *247#, Equity Mobile App or Equitel

Don’t share your PIN with anyone, including the agent!

Enjoy Fast Service closer to home, even beyond working hours

Equity Agents are located within communities, making banking services more accessible during the busy back-to-school season.

Whether you are paying school fees, depositing money or withdrawing cash, agents provide a simple and reliable way to manage your finances close to home.

Visit an Equity Agent near you and enjoy Back to School Bila Pressure. Remember, your PIN is your secret, don’t share with anyone.

For assistance, contact Equity on 0763 000 000.

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