In a sweeping move that has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s digital marketing landscape, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has imposed a 30-day suspension on all gambling advertisements across media platforms.
The directive specifically targets influencer marketing, dealing a significant financial blow to content creators who rely on betting partnerships.
BCLB Chairperson Jane Makau cited growing concerns over misleading promotions that portray gambling as a “legitimate investment opportunity and shortcut to wealth creation,” warning of “devastating effects on individuals, families, and the broader community.”
The comprehensive ban covers all advertising channels including television, radio, social media, print media, outdoor advertising, SMS campaigns, and notably, “celebrity endorsements and influencer marketing.”
All gambling activities fall under the suspension, including betting, gaming, lottery prize competitions, and related promotional undertakings.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has thrown its full support behind the measure, pledging to enforce the suspension rigorously.
In a strongly-worded statement, the DCI specifically called out social media influencers and bloggers, urging them to “refrain from promoting betting platforms through paid partnerships,” which they described as “unethical and harmful to the public good.”
Of particular concern to authorities is the exposure of minors to gambling content during watershed hours (5:00 am to 10:00 pm), contributing to gambling addiction among vulnerable populations.
The DCI highlighted how mobile money services and online lending platforms have made gambling more accessible, “deepening the crisis.”
Moving forward, operators will be required to submit all advertisements to the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) for approval before publication.
The BCLB has also mandated that operators implement comprehensive measures promoting responsible gambling practices.
The Association of Gaming Operators Kenya (AGOK) has been identified as a key stakeholder in championing consumer protection through education and advocacy as the industry navigates these new restrictions.
This regulatory crackdown represents one of the most significant interventions in Kenya’s rapidly growing betting industry, with potentially far-reaching implications for digital marketing strategies and influencer revenue streams.
In what appears to be another significant blow to Kenya’s once-thriving betting industry, online gambling platform Betway has initiated voluntary liquidation proceedings amid an escalating Sh5.2 billion tax dispute with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
BlueJay Limited, the company operating the Betway brand in Kenya, filed for dissolution through law firm Anjarwalla & Khanna Advocates on September 30, 2024. The petition is scheduled for mention before the High Court’s Commercial and Tax Division on May 5, 2025, according to court filings reviewed by this reporter.
“This decision marks the potential end of Betway’s decade-long presence in the Kenyan market, where it had established itself as the country’s third-largest bookmaker,” said a source familiar with the proceedings.
Tax Dispute Details
The KRA’s tax demand against Betway spans multiple categories, including:
– Sh4.13 billion in withholding tax on winnings
– Sh16.37 million in excise duty
– Sh24.46 million in betting and gaming tax
The tax appeals tribunal had previously ruled against Betway, granting KRA permission to collect these outstanding amounts. This ruling appears to have contributed significantly to the company’s decision to exit the market.
Signs of Trouble
Warning signs of Betway’s difficulties emerged nearly two years ago when, on May 16, 2023, the company ceased accepting new customer registrations and deposits.
At that time, the betting firm cited “challenging macroeconomic conditions” as the reason for these restrictions, allowing existing customers only to withdraw their balances.
Industry analyst Jane Muriithi notes, “Voluntary liquidation is typically a last resort for companies that have become insolvent and cannot meet their financial obligations. In Betway’s case, the substantial tax liability likely made continued operations unsustainable.”
Ownership Structure
Corporate registry documents reveal that BlueJay Limited is 70% owned by Rosehall Global Limited, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands—a jurisdiction known for its favorable tax policies, including zero income tax, capital gains tax, and corporate withholding tax on payments to non-residents.
Sources indicate that South African businessman Merrick Wolman Zane, a director of Super Group Limited, holds beneficial ownership in BlueJay.
Super Group Limited operates both the Betway and Spin gaming segments globally.
The ultimate controlling interest in Betway has been traced to Martin Paul Moshal, described as a “reclusive online gambling mogul” who only acknowledged his ownership after British journalists connected him to offshore trusts controlling the betting empire.
Pattern of Betting Industry Exits
Betway’s pending departure continues a concerning trend of betting companies exiting the Kenyan market over tax disputes.
Since 2019, when former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration intensified regulatory scrutiny of the gambling sector, several major players have withdrawn:
– SportPesa initially exited in September 2019 over tax disagreements (though the brand later returned under new management)
– Betin closed Kenyan operations in September 2019, also citing tax issues
According to data from Business Restructuring Services (BRS), 24 businesses across various sectors showed distress signals in just the first three months of 2025, suggesting broader economic challenges beyond the betting industry.
“Kenya’s betting industry has been particularly vulnerable to regulatory shifts and tax enforcement actions,” explains economist Michael Odhiambo.
“While the government has legitimate concerns about gambling’s social impact and appropriate taxation, the exodus of major operators raises questions about finding the right balance for sustainable regulation.”
For Kenyan betting enthusiasts who frequented Betway’s platform, the company’s exit represents another reduction in legitimate gambling options, potentially driving some toward unregulated alternatives.
As the liquidation proceedings move forward, creditors and other interested parties can appear at the May 5th hearing.
If granted, the liquidation will formally end Betway’s operations in Kenya, adding another chapter to the ongoing evolution of the country’s gambling industry.
Kenyan author and Pan-African media strategist Gina Din-Kariuki’s autobiographical book, Daughter of Africa, is set to become a film following the signing of a book-to-film pipeline partnership by her American publisher.
Gungnir and Storyteller Media have announced a new partnership to publish and develop a powerful slate of original works designed for both page and screen.
The other work set for the film pipeline is Darian Sanders’ debut memoir, Don’t Fear Your Roar, published by Storyteller in late 2024.
“At Storyteller, we start every publishing conversation by asking, ‘What impact can this story make?’” said Charles Allen, Publisher of Storyteller Media. “We believe Daughter of Africa and Don’t Fear Your Roar are perfect examples of stories making a meaningful impact, and we are thrilled to amplify their voices with readers and viewers around the world.”
With a built-in book-to-film pipeline, powered by Curiosity Entertainment’s critically acclaimed team, this alliance represents a bold new model for publishing, where stories are developed with multi-platform potential from the outset. Whether memoir, fiction, or graphic novel, each release is backed by the resources and industry reach of a proven entertainment powerhouse.
Curiosity Entertainment is currently in preproduction, working on a slate of projects including the next show by co-creator of Ozark, Mark Williams, a feature film co-production with Panay Films, and a television show by The Umbrella Academy writers, the Neese Brothers.
“At Curiosity, we believe in supporting stories from their very first spark to their final frame. Through Storyteller Media and our partnership with Gungnir, we’re able to go upstream, discovering bold and visionary IP early and cultivating it for the screen. This is how we build legacy stories that last,” Adhrucia Apana, Founder, Curiosity Entertainment said.
Ahead of the film, the autobiography, Daughter of the Soil, will be re-released for North American audiences in 2025 with an entirely new work by Din – A companion workbook on leadership and legacy, designed to offer practical guidance for entrepreneurs rooted in the author’s vast business experience as founder of Africa’s most awarded PR firm, The Gina Din Group.
The Gungnir-Storyteller alliance represents a new model in publishing: one where creators retain ownership, secure mainstream traditional distribution, receive tailored publicity support, and see their work considered for high-quality screen adaptation from day one.
The full 2025–2026 publishing slate will be announced in the coming months and includes titles spanning memoir, genre fiction, graphic novels, and social impact storytelling, all designed for potential adaptation into film and television.
“Our goal at Gungnir has always been to create narratives that go beyond the expected,” said Matt Medney, CEO of Gungnir Publishing. “Storyteller’s approach to turning books into cross-media experiences aligns perfectly with our mission. This partnership gives bold voices the platform they deserve — in print, on screen, and beyond.
NAIROBI — Long-serving Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has signaled his imminent departure from leadership, issuing a stark warning that Kenyans will soon “realise there is something amiss” in the country’s labor movement after he steps down.
Speaking at a pre-Labor Day meeting on Saturday, Atwoli emphasized COTU’s significance on the continental stage, describing it as “one of the most powerful trade union organisations” in Africa.
“Soon, I will exit with all this group, that is when you will start realising there is something amiss in Kenya’s labour movement. You will see,” Atwoli told attendees, suggesting that his departure may create a leadership vacuum in Kenya’s trade union scene.
Francis Atwoli.
The veteran labor leader, who has held his position since 2001, earlier hinted at retirement during an address on May 14, noting that President William Ruto would likely be the last Head of State he serves under before returning to his home in Khwisero.
“I have had the opportunity to serve all the Presidents of Kenya since independence,” Atwoli reflected.
“I have seen the government of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the founding father of this nation, I have seen Mzee Daniel Moi’s government, which we were with for 24 years, I have seen the government of Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and yours (William Ruto).”
His remarks come as COTU prepares for Labor Day celebrations in 2025, a traditional platform for the union to address workers’ concerns nationwide.
Atwoli defended his legacy, highlighting achievements including his fight to secure paternity leave for Kenyan workers and his role in establishing five sets of labor laws.
He also pointed to COTU’s international influence, referencing the organization’s role in securing key positions for African representatives in global labor bodies.
The COTU Secretary General’s tenure has been a subject of public debate throughout his nearly quarter-century at the helm, with many questioning the duration of his leadership.
Despite these criticisms, Atwoli maintains that his contributions to Kenya’s labor movement will only be fully appreciated after his departure.
“Kenyans are keen on remembering their leaders after they have left office and not when serving them,” he observed, suggesting that his legacy will be better recognized in retrospect.
While Atwoli did not specify an exact retirement date, his statements mark the clearest indication yet that one of Kenya’s most recognizable and enduring labor leaders may soon step aside, potentially reshaping the landscape of workers’ representation in the country.
The Kenyan government has invoked the Official Secrets Act in what critics describe as a calculated move to silence dissenting former government officials, particularly targeting former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, appearing before the National Assembly’s Administration and Internal Affairs Committee on Tuesday, issued a stern warning that public officials who disclose classified government information risk prosecution under the Official Secrets Act.
“There are those who are older but do not abide by the Act,” Murkomen stated, adding that “there are attendant consequences to this.”
The CS emphasized that the oath of secrecy taken by public officers prohibits them from disclosing classified information, suggesting that doing so “says something about the person you have entrusted with a public office.”
Under Sections 3 and 20 of the Official Secrets Act, unauthorized disclosure of government information can lead to imprisonment for up to 14 years without the option of a fine.
The law specifically targets individuals who possess or control information entrusted to them in confidence by government officials and subsequently disclose it.
Constitutional Concerns Raised
The move has drawn sharp criticism from legal experts and the targeted former officials themselves.
Former CS Justin Muturi and lawyers David Ochami and Anthony Musau have argued that such application of the Act violates the Constitution.
“All I did was respond to President Ruto, who was my coalition partner within the Kenya Kwanza alliance, because he had exposed me to the public. In any case, I cannot respond to Murkomen because he is not at my level,” Muturi stated in response to the threat.
Legal expert David Ochami noted that contrary to popular belief, the Official Secrets Act does not offer blanket protection to all classified information.
“Despite the Act, past and present officials cannot be penalised for disclosures made in the public interest, especially if the information prevents crimes or wrongdoing by the State,” he explained.
Anthony Musau further criticized the application of the Act as being “at odds with the spirit of a democratic society,” pointing out that “the necessary safeguards to prevent abuse by an overzealous regime are lacking.”
Background of Dissent
The government’s invocation of the Act follows public statements by both Gachagua and Muturi alleging corruption and human rights abuses within the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Muturi previously claimed that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) abducted his son and held him incommunicado, forcing him to seek President William Ruto’s intervention.
He also alleged being coerced by President Ruto into signing a multi-billion shilling tree-planting deal with the Russian government at a foreign airport, and accused the President of using Indian conglomerate Adani to capture operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Gachagua, for his part, has publicly accused President Ruto of engaging in questionable business dealings with leaders of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia group blamed for fueling instability in that country.
Constitutional Protections
Legal experts emphasize that freedom of expression is enshrined in Kenya’s Bill of Rights. Article 24 of the Constitution outlines specific conditions under which such rights may be limited, requiring that any limitations must be “reasonable and justifiable in a democratic society.”
Article 33 only allows for curbs on free expression in cases involving incitement to violence, hate speech, or propaganda for war—not to shield government officials or actions from public scrutiny.
Musau summarized the legal contradiction, stating, “The Constitution is the supreme law and binds all persons, including Mr. Murkomen, as well as all State organs at both levels of government.”
As this situation develops, many observers are watching closely to see whether the government will follow through on its threats of prosecution, potentially setting up a significant constitutional test case on the limits of state secrecy versus freedom of expression in Kenya’s democracy.
Kenya is poised to draw down the first tranche of $500 million (Sh64.8 billion) next week from its $1.5 billion (Sh194.3 billion) United Arab Emirates-backed commercial loan, as the government races to meet its external budget financing targets before the end of the fiscal year in June.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi confirmed that all necessary procedures for the loan have been completed, with the funds expected to arrive in Kenya’s accounts by next week.
Speaking on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington DC, Mbadi noted that while the government has the option of drawing down up to $1 billion before the end of June, they have opted to start with half that amount.
“The facility has been negotiated and signed, but the drawdown doesn’t have to be a bullet,” Mbadi told a local newspaper. “The maximum we may take this financial year is $1 billion, but we are starting with $500 million. If there’s still pressure in meeting all our external financing, we can go for the $1 billion.”
The seven-year loan, negotiated last year at an interest rate of 8.25 percent, represents Kenya’s first foray into commercial financing from the Gulf region.
Previously, the country has relied on Eurobonds, syndicated bank loans, bilateral project financing, and concessional loans from multilateral institutions like the World Bank and IMF for its external borrowing needs.
Filling the Budget Gap
The UAE loan is part of Kenya’s broader strategy to secure external financing for its Sh887.2 billion budget deficit for the fiscal year ending June 2025.
According to the revised figures in the second supplementary budget, the deficit is to be funded through net domestic borrowing of Sh605.7 billion and external borrowing of Sh281.5 billion.
With this UAE loan drawdown, Kenya’s total expected inflows from new external loans by the end of the fiscal year will reach $1.37 billion (Sh177.5 billion).
This includes $265 million (Sh34.3 billion) expected from the African Development Bank and $600 million (Sh77.7 billion) from the World Bank before the end of June.
The government’s push for external financing comes after widespread protests against new taxes in June last year hampered its ability to increase ordinary revenue, forcing greater reliance on debt-funded components in the national budget.
UAE’s Growing Influence
The UAE-backed loan marks another milestone in the Gulf nation’s growing economic influence in Kenya under the Kenya Kwanza administration.
This relationship has been characterized by several high-profile agreements and collaborations:
– In March 2023, Kenya entered into a direct petroleum importation agreement with the UAE and Saudi Arabia during a dollar crisis in the country
– The UAE provided a private jet used by President William Ruto during his four-day state visit to the US in May 2024
– In May 2024, the UAE pledged $15 million (Sh1.94 billion) in aid to Kenya for flood relief
– Abu Dhabi firm Apeiro Limited is the majority shareholder (55.99%) in a consortium awarded a Sh104.8 billion contract for Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage plan
These closer ties align with the UAE’s broader strategy to establish itself as a top investor in Africa alongside the US, China, and the European Union, as it works to diversify its economy beyond oil and grow its global economic influence.
Economic Growth Prospects
The new financing comes as Kenya’s economy is showing signs of strength. According to recent International Monetary Fund projections, Kenya is set to overtake Ethiopia as East Africa’s largest economy this year, with an estimated gross domestic product of $132 billion in 2025, compared to Ethiopia’s $117 billion.
The Kenyan shilling has strengthened approximately 21% last year, making it the world’s best-performing currency.
This strength was further bolstered by a successful $1.5 billion bond sale in February, increased diaspora remittances, and higher export receipts.
However, Kenya continues to face fiscal challenges.
The government’s aggressive plan to increase taxes and reduce the budget deficit sparked violent protests last year, forcing policy reversals that complicated meeting targets under its previous four-year $3.6 billion IMF program.
The program was terminated prematurely, with Kenya forgoing about $850 million, and the country is currently in talks for a new arrangement.
As Kenya navigates these economic complexities, the UAE loan represents not just a financial lifeline but also a symbol of the country’s evolving international financial relationships and its strategic pivot toward Gulf partners for commercial financing needs.
Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado has now admitted to having an affair with slain university student Sharon Otieno as he defended himself against her murder.
Obado further indicated that he took responsibility for Sharon’s pregnancy and was transparent with his wife who also knew the ‘open secret.’
The former Governor indicated that he apologized to his wife and assured her that the relationship with Sharon was over.
He revealed further that his wife had offered to give Sharon one of their houses, a gesture he declined, insisting he had no intention of marrying a second wife.
He opened up about a private meeting where he found his wife, a journalist, and a man identified as Lawrence Muller in a boardroom.
His wife had already been briefed about the affair in August, claiming to have received messages from wanted to confirm the details.
Obado said his wife stepped out briefly to make tea, allowing Muller and the journalist to brief him on what had brought them into his house.
“My wife was in that meeting—even when I gave them money. It was actually my wife who loaned me the Sh30,000 I handed over to them,” Obado said.
He described a meeting with Muller at Heron Court Hotel in Nairobi, where Muller discussed Sharon’s proposal for housing assistance in either Nairobi or Kisumu.
Obado said he rejected those options and instead suggested purchasing land in Homa Bay and building a house worth Sh3 million.
“Muller told me Sharon refused the Homa Bay option and insisted on a 50 by 100 plot in Kisumu town. But I was clear—I only supported buying land in the rural area,” Obado said.
He further revealed that Sharon’s pregnancy-related health issues were discussed, and he promised to support her through Muller. He also arranged for her to have a medical cover.
According to Obado, Sharon had agreed to move into a rental house while waiting for her house to be built, a transition she was reportedly comfortable with.
Renowned activist Boniface Mwangi has found himself at the center of a controversial case involving allegations of police brutality and what he describes as a miscarriage of justice.
According to detailed accounts shared by Mwangi on social media, what began as a routine noise complaint response has escalated into a situation where the activist now faces criminal charges despite claiming to be the victim.
Mwangi recounts that on April 2, 2025, around 9:30 pm, three police officers—Inspector Stanley Yano, Sergeant Osman Omar, and Constable Robert Ouko—arrived at his Sema Ukweli office citing a noise complaint.
The situation allegedly deteriorated when Constable Ouko, whom Mwangi describes as “drunk and chewing miraa,” began physically confronting individuals present.
“A scuffle ensued when I questioned why an intoxicated officer was on duty with a firearm,” Mwangi stated.
He claims that during the altercation, Constable Ouko attempted to discharge his weapon but was prevented by one of Mwangi’s colleagues.
The activist alleges he was subsequently handcuffed, dragged from his office, and assaulted in front of witnesses.
According to Mwangi, the handcuffs caused injuries to his wrists before coming off during the struggle—handcuffs he claims his team recovered and still possesses as evidence.
Mwangi states that after being detained at Kilimani Police Station, he received additional beatings from Constable Ouko inside the holding cell.
He was later taken to Nairobi Hospital under police escort in the early hours of April 3rd after the station’s Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Albert Chebii, observed his condition.
Medical examinations reportedly revealed no fractures but documented injuries to his wrists, knee, lip, ribs, and left eye.
After treatment, Mwangi says he filed a formal assault report (OB No. 84/02/04/25) and was released on a Ksh 5,000 police bond. He also alleges his watch and AirPods were taken during the arrest and have not been returned.
Charges Against the Activist
In what Mwangi describes as a troubling turn of events, police filed charges of “offensive conduct and assault” against him at Kibera Law Court on April 7th while he was abroad on work-related travel to Brazil and Ghana.
“I was assaulted by the police, physically injured, had my watch and AirPods stolen by them, and I’m the one being charged with a crime?” Mwangi wrote in his statement.
Despite his attorney presenting evidence of his international travel commitments, the court reportedly issued an arrest warrant and rescheduled his plea hearing for April 22, 2025.
Prior to departing Kenya, Mwangi filed a complaint with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), stating he did so because “you can never fully trust our police.”
The case raises significant questions about police conduct, accountability, and the treatment of activists in Kenya. Mwangi, who has long been a vocal critic of police brutality and corruption, concluded his statement with a sobering observation: “I got my first black eye at the age of 41 at the hands of a drunk officer.”
Police authorities have not yet issued a public response to Mwangi’s allegations. The case continues to develop as the activist prepares for his scheduled court appearance tomorrow.
Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has unearthed Sh13.26 billion worth of cancelled suspicious payments by fifteen counties for more than 15,000 suppliers, raising concerns over the diversion of public funds meant for verified contractors.
According to Gathungu, the funds were withdrawn from county revenue accounts and approved for payment by the Controller of Budget (COB) and the National Treasury, but were later cancelled without explanation, despite suppliers having been vetted and confirmed as legitimate.
The audit reveals that these cancellations, which largely took place towards the end of the financial year in June 2024, are partly due to delayed disbursements from Treasury, but the diversion of funds for unapproved transactions is also a significant concern.
The cancelled transactions were deemed legitimate and had undergone scrutiny by the COB before being approved for payment.
“Further, the voided payments had not been disclosed as pending accounts payable and utilisation of funds which were initially meant to pay the voided transactions was also not explained,” reads the audit, citing Kajiado County as an example.
“In the circumstances, the funding may have been utilised to finance transactions that were not approved by the COB.”
Kisumu County led the pack, with 4,127 cancelled transactions worth Sh2.67 billion, followed by Kajiado (1,922 transactions worth Sh2.28 billion) and Busia (transactions valued at Sh2.16 billion).
Nyandarua and Siaya counties also saw high numbers of voided payments, contributing to 71 per cent of all cancelled transactions.
The audit also highlighted that a significant number of cancellations took place in June 2024, with Busia County reporting that 36 per cent of its voided transactions, amounting to Sh772,602,862, were cancelled during this period.
“The highest voided transactions were in June, 2024, amounting to Sh772,602,862 or 36 per cent. No explanation was provided on why the payments were voided after being approved by the COB,” Gathungu said.
Kisumu, Nyandarua, Kajiado and Siaya were the top four counties responsible for 71 per cent of all cancelled transactions by value and volume.
These counties also represented 63.3 per cent of the total value of the voided transactions.
COB Margaret Nyakang’o expressed concern over the ongoing diversion of funds, pointing out that many suppliers, who had been approved for payment, were left unpaid as counties used the funds for other transactions.
“Many of the pending bills are suppliers who have been listed for approval of their payments, but after money is availed to counties and it gets to payment, the counties fail to pay them and make payments to different suppliers who had not been approved,” Nyakang’o said in an interview with Nation.
Nyakang’o further explained the limitations her office faces in tracking these cancellations. Once transactions are approved by the COB, there is no way for her office to determine whether those transactions are subsequently voided, unless complaints arise from the affected suppliers.
“After I approve transactions, I have no way of establishing if they have been voided, until complaints emerge from suppliers later that some transactions which had been approved were not paid,” she said.
Meanwhile, Nyakang’o revealed that the Controller of Budget and the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) have developed a new system to track all public transactions on the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS) platform. The system, set to roll out on April 22, 2025, will allow both CBK and the COB to monitor transactions, providing greater transparency in the management of public funds.
“The system was to kick off on April 22, 2025, but Treasury has indicated that IFMIS is not ready yet. The CBK and COB are ready for this system and we are only waiting for Treasury,” Nyakang’o said.
The new platform aims to prevent the upload of unapproved transactions, ensuring that funds are only used for verified suppliers and contractors.
The ongoing audit raises significant questions about the accountability and transparency of county governments in managing public funds, with taxpayers left wondering how billions of shillings meant for legitimate suppliers were misdirected.
Kenya’s digital content creators are feeling the squeeze as President William Ruto’s administration implements a new Value Added Tax (VAT) policy on digital services, threatening to undermine the very digital revolution the government has promised to foster.
Effective May 1st, 2025, the 16 percent VAT charge on digital services under Kenya’s VAT E-Invoicing and Digital Management System (EIDMS) Regulations has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s growing creator economy, raising questions about the government’s commitment to nurturing digital entrepreneurship.
Tools of the Trade Now More Expensive
For many Kenyan content creators, AI-powered platforms like OpenAI, Canva Pro, Adobe Firefly, Descript, and Runway ML have become essential tools that enable them to produce professional-quality content that can compete globally despite limited resources.
OpenAI has already notified its Kenyan users about the tax change, requiring them to provide Kenya Revenue Authority PIN numbers for proper documentation.
What might seem like a modest increase—from Sh3,170 to Sh3,680 annually for ChatGPT Plus—becomes substantially burdensome when creators must subscribe to multiple services.
“We have to come up with ways of creatively earning income for ourselves in ways that the older generation would never have thought of, only to be slapped with tax. From all the tax changes, ours is the craziest,” said Mohammed Alby, a popular creator with substantial followings across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Digital Hustle Already Challenging
The new VAT policy comes at a time when Kenyan creators already face significant hurdles. Equipment costs for cameras and laptops often exceed global averages, and reliable internet access remains expensive.
The additional tax burden could deter newcomers from entering the space, potentially stifling job creation in a sector that has provided economic opportunities for Kenya’s youth.
George T, an actor and digital creator, expressed frustration at the lack of institutional support: “It is not worth it when facilitation for creators to grow financially is not upheld. Most creators are a forgotten lot, and the taxes only create a strain.”
Broader Impact on Digital Economy
This latest tax measure follows the December 2024 replacement of the Digital Services Tax with a Significant Economic Presence tax, which imposes a three percent levy on gross turnover earned by non-resident digital service providers with substantial Kenyan user bases.
While these policies primarily target international technology firms, local users bear the consequences. According to a 2023 Kenya Private Sector Alliance report, over 1.2 million Kenyans—predominantly under 35—earn income through digital platforms.
For a generation that has embraced content creation as legitimate employment in a challenging job market, these additional costs raise a troubling question: Is the government building a digital economy or simply taxing it into extinction?
As one creator put it, in today’s “Gen Z content economy that moves at lightning speed,” AI tools are no longer luxuries but necessities for staying competitive. With each new tax burden, Kenya risks undermining its own digital revolution before it truly takes flight.
The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has dismissed claims of system failure in its operations.
It has, however, assured that the ongoing application exercise is on track and proceeding smoothly.
In a statement, KUCCPS clarified that it was misleading and unfair to allege low turnout, noting that the exercise, targeting over 246,000 students, is still underway and set to conclude on April 30, 2025.
Speaking during a monitoring visit at Nyamache Sub-county, KUCCPS representative Prof. John Oluoch confirmed that the agency had adequately deployed personnel across the country to fast-track and support the application process.
Prof. Oluoch added that the KUCCPS portal was reopened on March 23, 2025, to allow new applicants and latecomers, who missed the initial and subsequent revision phases, to submit their applications to universities, colleges, TVETS, and teacher training colleges (TTCS).
Several students and parents interviewed expressed satisfaction with the process, citing improved access to Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) services, government scholarships, and university funding.
They credited this to the intervention of local education champion Dr. Siringi, a professional from the area.
Among those who spoke were Peter Nyaboga, a parent, and students Joash Machuka, Sheba Mogere, and Joyce Bosibori.
They petitioned the government to consider annual student induction programs to ease the transition into tertiary education.
However, some students admitted to facing initial challenges, including demands for unofficial payments to access assistance, while others were discouraged from applying altogether.
Michael B. Jordan net worth stands at $50 million, thanks to his successful career as an actor, producer, and director.
Known for his powerful roles in Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Black Panther, Jordan has earned critical acclaim and numerous awards.
Beyond his work in Hollywood, he has made headlines for his real estate investments, personal life, and business ventures, including part-ownership of a football club.
This article takes a closer look at his journey, from early roles to major achievements, exploring his wealth, lifestyle, and lasting impact.
Michael B. Jordan began acting in 1999 with roles in The Sopranos, Cosby, and the film Black and White. In 2001, he appeared in Hardball with Keanu Reeves. [Photo: Courtesy]
Michael B. Jordan Net Worth
Michael B. Jordan is an American actor with a net worth of $50 million. He rose to fame through hit films like Fruitvale Station (2013), Creed (2015), and Black Panther (2018).
On TV, he starred in The Wire (2002), All My Children (2003–2006), Friday Night Lights (2009–2011), and Parenthood (2010–2011).
Jordan has won many awards for his acting, including 3 BET Awards, 5 NAACP Image Awards, and a National Society of Film Critics Award.
Besides acting, he has appeared in music videos for Pleasure P, Jay-Z, and Snoh Aalegra. He has also voiced characters in video games like Gears of War 3, NBA 2K17, Wilson’s Heart, and Creed: Rise to Glory.
Early Life
Michael B. Jordan was born on February 9, 1987, in Santa Ana, California. His full name is Michael Bakari Jordan.
He grew up in Newark, New Jersey, with his mother Donna, a high school career counselor, and his father Michael, a caterer. He has an older sister named Jamila and a younger brother named Khalid.
Jordan went to Newark Arts High School, where he acted and played basketball. He graduated in 2005.
As a child, he worked as a model for Toys “R” Us, Modell’s Sporting Goods, and other brands. He landed his first acting role at age 12.
Career
Michael B. Jordan began acting in 1999 with roles in The Sopranos, Cosby, and the film Black and White. In 2001, he appeared in Hardball with Keanu Reeves.
A year later, he gained attention in The Wire and joined the soap All My Children, where he stayed until 2006.
He made guest appearances in shows like CSI, Cold Case, and Bones, and had lead roles in Blackout (2007) and Pastor Brown (2009).
In 2009, he starred in The Assistants and joined Friday Night Lights. In 2010, he joined Parenthood and was named a “face of the future” by Nylon magazine.
His breakout role came in 2013 as Oscar Grant in Fruitvale Station, earning him several awards. In 2015, he starred in Creed, which became a hit, and followed it with Creed II in 2018.
That same year, he played Erik Killmonger in Black Panther, which earned over $1.3 billion worldwide.
Jordan later starred in Fahrenheit 451, Just Mercy, and produced shows like Gen:Lock and Raising Dion.
In 2022, he returned as Killmonger in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and continued to take on major film and production roles.
Michael B. Jordan Net Worth, Latest Movie and Upcoming Projects
As of today, Friday, April 18, 2025, Michael B. Jordan’s newest movie Sinners has just hit theaters.
Sinners
Release Date: April 18, 2025
Director: Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Creed)
Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Buddy Guy, and Delroy Lindo
Genre: Period supernatural horror with action, drama, and thriller elements
Upcoming Projects:
Jordan is also busy with several new films:
Rainbow Six: He will star in and produce this action thriller.
Wrong Answer: He’ll play Damany Lewis in this true story drama.
The Thomas Crown Affair: He plans to star in and direct a remake.
Creed IV: In pre-production. Jordan will return as Adonis Creed and may direct.
I Am Legend 2: He stars alongside Will Smith in the sequel.
Real Estate
In 2016, Michael B. Jordan bought a 4,627-square-foot home in Sherman Oaks, California, for $1.7 million. He lived there with his parents and still owns the house today.
In 2019, he purchased a 4,530-square-foot home in the Hollywood Hills from model Daisy Fuentes for $5.8 million. He listed it for sale in March 2022 for just under $7 million and sold it in May 2022 for $6.95 million.
That same month, he bought a brand-new 12,300-square-foot mansion in Encino, California, for $12.51 million. The home sits on half an acre and includes a large guesthouse, pool, outdoor kitchen, cabana, cigar bar, and more.
During his six months there, Jordan reportedly spent $500,000 upgrading the security system, air conditioning, and exterior paint—changing it from white to a mix of grey and black.
He listed the property for sale in January 2023 for $12.998 million.
Personal Life
Michael B. Jordan has reportedly dated singer Iggy Azalea, model Catherine Paiz, model Ashlyn Castro, and actress Kiki Layne.
In November 2020, he began dating model Lori Harvey, the daughter of comedian Steve Harvey. They broke up in June 2022.
Jordan has loved anime since he was a kid. In 2019, he teamed up with Coach to design a line of anime-inspired products.
In December 2022, he became a part-owner of the English football club AFC Bournemouth.
Michael B. Jordan Net Worth, Awards and Nominations
In 2013, Michael B. Jordan won several awards for his role in Fruitvale Station, including honors from the Hollywood Film Awards, Gotham Awards, National Board of Review, Satellite Awards, and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
His performance in Creed (2015) earned him awards from the African-American Film Critics Association, Boston Online Film Critics, Black Reel Awards, and the National Society of Film Critics. That same year, Newark mayor Ras Baraka gave him the key to the city.
For his role as Erik Killmonger in Black Panther, Jordan won several awards in 2018 and 2019.
These included a Best Villain award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards, plus honors from the San Francisco and Seattle Film Critics, Teen Choice Awards, and the Online Film Critics Society.
He also shared a Screen Actors Guild Award with the Black Panther cast. In 2019, he received the Cinema Vanguard Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival for his work in Black Panther and Creed II.
Jordan has also been recognized by the Acapulco Black Film Festival (2014), BET Awards (2016, 2019, 2020), and the Black Reel and Black Film Critics Circle Awards.
He won NAACP Image Awards for Creed, Fahrenheit 451, Black Panther, Just Mercy, and was named Entertainer of the Year in 2016.
Justin Bieber is one of the most successful pop stars of the 21st century, with an estimated net worth of $300 million as of early 2025.
From a small-town Canadian teen sharing YouTube videos to a global music icon, Bieber’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary.
His wealth comes from chart-topping albums, sold-out world tours, major brand endorsements, smart business ventures, and strategic investments.
Beyond his financial success, Bieber’s life story, personal relationships, and award-winning career continue to make headlines.
This article explores his journey, income sources, lifestyle, and the many accolades he’s earned along the way.
Justin Bieber Net Worth
Justin Bieber, the famous Canadian pop star, has a net worth of $300 million. He started by posting singing videos on YouTube in 2007. Scooter Braun, a former marketing executive, found his videos and became his manager.
Since then, Justin has sold over 150 million records around the world. He has also gone on many successful global tours that made him millions.
During his touring years, he earns between $60 and 80 million dollars a year from all sources.
In December 2022, he sold the rights to his music catalog for $200 million.
From a Canadian pre-teen on YouTube to one of the world’s richest entertainers—Justin Bieber’s rise to fame is nothing short of incredible.
Early Life
Justin Bieber was born on March 1, 1994, in London, Ontario. His parents were never married. His mother was underage when he was born, so his grandmother and step-grandfather helped raise him.
As a child, he learned to play several instruments, including the piano, drums, guitar, and trumpet.
He graduated from St. Michael Catholic Secondary School in Stratford, Ontario, in 2012. At age 12, in early 2007, Bieber sang Ne-Yo’s “So Sick” at a local singing competition in Stratford and came in second place.
His mother recorded the performance and uploaded it to YouTube for family and friends. She kept posting videos of him singing cover songs, and his online presence began to grow.
Sources of Income
Justin Bieber makes money from many different sources. His wide range of income streams has helped make him one of the richest entertainers in the world. Here’s where his money comes from:
Music Sales and Streaming
Bieber is one of the top-selling artists of all time. He has sold over 78 million albums and gained more than 86 billion streams.
He earns royalties from this huge music catalog.
In 2023, he sold rights to 291 songs for $200 million.
Concert Tours
Touring is one of Bieber’s biggest money-makers.
My World Tour (2010–2011): Earned about $53.3 million
Believe Tour (2012–2013): Brought in $69.9 million
Purpose Tour (2016–2017): Made over $250 million
Justice Tour (2022): Despite cancellations, earned $89.1 million
He makes about $1 million per night on tour
Endorsements & Brand Deals
Bieber has worked with big brands and earned millions from endorsements:
Proactiv: Paid $3 million for a 2-year deal
Adidas: Became a brand ambassador
Calvin Klein: Reportedly earned $2–4 million
OPI Nail Polish: Made $12 million from 1 million bottles sold
T-Mobile: Paid $2 million for a 2017 Super Bowl ad
Tim Hortons: Launched “Timbiebs” in 2021
Business Ventures
Drew House: Co-founded this fashion label in 2019—very successful
SKYLRK: Another fashion brand he’s involved in
Generosity: A company focused on clean water tech
Real Estate
Bieber owns high-end homes including:
A lakeside mansion in Ontario
An estate in Beverly Hills
Investments
He’s invested in a variety of businesses:
Spotify and Shots (tech startups)
TMRW Sports and MoonPay
Personal Life
In December 2010, Justin Bieber began dating actress and singer Selena Gomez. Their relationship was on and off for several years and ended in March 2018.
During a break from Gomez, Bieber briefly dated Hailey Baldwin between December 2015 and January 2016.
They got back together in May 2018, got engaged in July, and tied the knot in an official ceremony on September 30, 2019. Hailey is the daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin and the niece of Alec Baldwin.
Justin Bieber Net Worth, Awards and Accomplishments
Justin Bieber has earned many awards and honors throughout his career, celebrating his influence and success in the music world. Here’s a breakdown of his biggest achievements:
Major Awards
Grammy Awards
Wins: 2 out of 23 nominations
Notable Wins:
Best Dance/Electronic Recording for “Where Are Ü Now” (with Skrillex and Diplo) – 2016
Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “10,000 Hours” (with Dan + Shay) – 2021
Also won a Latin Grammy in 2017 for the “Despacito” remix
American Music Awards (AMAs)
Wins: 18 out of 26 nominations
Highlights:
Artist of the Year—2010, 2012
New Artist of the Year—2010
Billboard Music Awards
Wins: 26 out of 76 nominations
Highlights:
Milestone Award – 2013
Top Male Artist, Top Social Artist, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Selling Song
Holds the record for most Top Social Artist wins (6 consecutive years)
MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs)
Wins: 22 out of 52 nominations
Records: Most EMA wins by any artist
Notable Categories:Best Worldwide Act, Best Male, Best Pop
Juno Awards (Canada)
Wins: 8 out of 32 nominations
Pop Album of the Year among other categories
GB Brit Awards
Wins: 2
International Breakthrough Act—2011
International Male Solo Artist—2016
Teen Choice Awards
Wins: 23
Most wins by a male artist
Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards
Wins: 9
Other Notable Honors
Guinness World Records
Holds 33 world records, including:
Youngest solo artist with five U.S. #1 albums
Most streamed track on Spotify in a single week
ASCAP Awards
Wins: 22
Recognized for his songwriting and publishing success
MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs)
Wins: 6 out of 35 nominations
Includes Best New Artist
Billboard Latin Music Awards
Wins: 9
Mostly in Crossover Artist of the Year for Latin music collaborations.
Social media has become a cornerstone of mainstream communication, allowing sharing of information, connection and self-expression.
Even as Apps like WhatsApp, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram provide users with platforms to connect and share their lives, police detectives also get a lot of information about planned or alreadycommitted crimes, and even crucial information about suspects’ movements and behaviour.
In one of the latest cases, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) oicers on Tuesday arrested two female suspects in Kisumu and recovered a firearm after one of them posted on her WhatsApp status a photo of herself brandishing a Canik pistol, while warning that any man who dared dump her would face severe consequences.
Oicers from DCI’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) tracked down and arrested Sharon Auma and Nancy Atieno Obura, and recovered the pistol illegally in their possession.
“Detectives swooped into Awasi town and apprehended Sharon. Upon questioning, she led oicers to a rented two-bedroom house belonging to her friend, and now co-accused, Nancy Atieno Obura,” the DCI said.
Locating suspects
They searched the house and the pistol in question, with an empty magazine, was found wrapped in clothes and stashed in a basin under the bed.
“Also recovered is a fake motorcycle number plate bearing the number KMGG 805M. Detectives are pursuing more leads to arrest more suspects in connection to the firearm,” the DCI said.
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), the practice of collecting and analysing publicly available data, has been used by detectives who use various tools and techniques to sift through vast amounts of data in order to gather evidence, uncover leads and even strengthen cases.
Such social media investigations are not just about reviewing public posts but also involve employing techniques to identify patterns, uncover hidden information, map movement of suspects, build strong cases and also solve crimes.
One of the processes involved in such probes is geolocation, the process of identifying the geographical location of the device and the person of interest.
In the case of Kisumu, the suspect was geolocated through her phone. The process involves a combination of techniques including cellular tower triangulation, IP address tracking, GPS, and Wi-Fi triangulation.
According to experts, most social media platforms have geotagged posts that can easily reveal locations where crimes were committed or criminals are.
“Location tags can enable detectives to identify patterns in a suspect’s routine, anticipate their movements and even confirm their connections to a crime under investigations,” the source said.
He added that corroboration of evidence is also key. It involves acquiring additional evidence that strengthens or confirms the initial evidence, especially in criminal cases.
“It is not just about giving validity of weak evidence, but about reinforcing and supporting credible evidence,” the source added.
The platforms also have a lot of data that can help detectives establish shared networks, hidden relationships, and connections between suspects and their accomplices and even the victims. This is possible through analysing information about comments, mutual friends, and public group memberships. “These connections can help detectives understand how suspects could be involved in certain criminal activities and also closely monitor unfolding events,” he added.
Kisumu suspect shared a photo of herself brandishing a Canik pistol on her WhatsApp status, warning that any man who dared dump her would face severe consequences
Open Source Intelligence, analyses publicly available data, to sift through vast amounts of data in order to gather evidence, uncover leads and even strengthen cases
Skeletons of the Standard Railway Gauge (SGR) landacquisition process have returned to haunt Kenya Railways Company following revelations that it could have irregularly acquired 74 acres of land where the SGRterminus in Nairobi sits.
The company is also at the centre of a probe by Parliament over the now controversial purchase and payout of Sh2.7billion for another 55-acre piece of land also occupied by the SGR and acquired from the Dupoto/Darfur settlement welfare scheme.
Details before the National Assembly Committee on Lands reveal that Railways bought the landfrom the Dupoto/Darfur settlement welfare scheme under compulsory acquisition but without following due process and without the relevant land titles.
It also emerged that since the construction of the SGR in 2015, members of the scheme were yet to receive payment for the 74 acres from Kenya Railways.
The Scheme’s chairperson Likam Ole- Kiambu told the Lands committee that the two parcels of land were part of the Nairobi block 125/2173 situated in Embakasi, Nairobi County and measuring 93 acres.
The MP Joash Nyamoko-led committee heard that the land had been under the scheme’s possession through allotment letters since 1958, and that it was in the process of acquiring title deeds for the same before the purchase by Railways.
“The total acreage of the land was 168 but later Kenya Railways took seventy-four acres…the payment for the 74 acres is what we are now pursuing. At the time we were not compensated for lack of documents. The area is what is now occupied by the SGR,” said Ole-Kiambu through the settlement’s lawyer.
His statement was in response to a question by Kaloleni MP Paul Katana who had sought to know the current status of the land in light of a dispute over the same.
“So, you are telling this committee that Kenya Railways took this land before you got the necessary documents and that the probability of you getting paid is fifty, fifty?” Posed Katana.
To which Ole-Kiambu answered in the affirmative.
And in the wake of the sale of 55 acres to Kenya Railways at Sh2.7billion and the contested pay out to members, the MPs sought to get to the bottom of allegations that some of the welfare members were forcefully evicted from the said parcel of land as part of the compulsory acquisition programme.
According to documents tabled before the House team, members of the welfare scheme claimed that despite having lived on the land for decades, members of the scheme were unjustly compensated with some receiving as little as Sh50,000- an amount they deemed as grossly inadequate.
They also claimed that their forceful eviction led to a loss of land rendering many of them homeless, while the authorities failed to adhere to legal and procedural requirements governing compulsory acquisitions.
Members also claimed that the compensation funds were fraudulently allocated to political figures and law firms benefitting at their expense.
“The noise you hear today about the billions that were paid to the scheme did not start today. I know members (of your scheme) who say they did not receive any payment despite having certificates. As a witness, I know around 10 members who are waiting to get the funds,” said Kilome MP Thuddeas Kithua.
The Committee chair, expressed concern on learning that Railways forked out the billions of shillings and bought the land on the strength of a letter from Ole Kiambu.
MP Katana further enquired about the criteria used to share the billions among the members.
“We need to know the basis on which the money was distributed. Was it through shares?” He posed.
To which Ole-Kiambu said that all the funds were paid through their lawyer and into the members bank accounts.
He however, went on to set the record straight on the certificates saying, “we are a scheme and not a company. Those claiming to have certificates from a Limited company are not our members.”
To ensure a thorough investigation and determination of the dispute involving Nairobi Block 125/2175, the Committee chair consequently directed that MPs conduct a field visit and physically inspect the land to ascertain its current status, occupation and ongoing developments.
Within 14 days, the Ministry of Lands is also required to verify the records at the LandRegistry and provide information on the bona fide ownership of the land in question.
They will further determine whether the affected parties were fairly and justly compensated for the loss of their property In line with legal provisions and market value rates. The committee will also conduct a review to establish the total number of beneficiaries compensated, the amounts received by each and whether all the eligible beneficiaries have been duly compensated.
“What we will be seeking to establish is what was the exact amount disbursed by the Kenya Railways for the compensation of the members of the Velfare Scheme? Was the compensation fully accounted for?” Posed the chair.
Kilimani detectives have arrested 44-year-old Abdi Yusuf Mohamed for allegedly defrauding a Kenyan woman of Sh12 million in a fake land sale scheme in Garissa Municipality.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Yusuf lured the victim with promises of selling her a prime plot, collecting payments in installments through his personal bank account from June 29 to November 21, 2023.
However, investigations uncovered that the land is registered to another individual, with the rightful owner holding the title since its original government allocation, as confirmed by the Garissa lands registry’s green card.
The DCI further revealed that documents Yusuf provided to claim ownership were fraudulent. After tracking him to a hideout in Eastleigh, detectives apprehended him, and he is now in custody at Kilimani Police Station, awaiting a court appearance.
The DCI has urged the public to exercise caution in land transactions, emphasizing the need to verify ownership and document authenticity to avoid falling prey to such scams.
Five individuals have been charged in a high-profile land fraud case involving a 12-acre parcel in Miritini, Mombasa County, valued at over Sh150 million.
The accused—Edward Marenye Kiguru, Abubakar Madey, Joseph Matheka, Mahmoud Abdalla Mahmoud, and Mohamed Saleh Hassan—appeared before the Chief Magistrate Court in Mombasa, facing allegations of orchestrating a fraudulent land registration scheme.
The case stems from a complaint lodged after employees of Kingorani Investment Limited, the original registered owner of the land since the early 1990s, were forcibly evicted from the property by the suspects.
Investigations revealed that the land had been unlawfully transferred to Mahmoud Abdalla Mahmoud and Mohamed Saleh Hassan through a meticulously planned scam.
Following a thorough probe, the case file was forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which authorized charges against the five.
A manhunt led to the arrest of Edward Marenye Kiguru, a registered private surveyor in Mombasa, on April 7, 2025.
Mahmoud and Hassan, aware that authorities were closing in, attempted to evade capture by fleeing to Nairobi. Their escape was thwarted when police tracked them to a hotel hideout in the capital, and they were promptly returned to Mombasa.
Joseph Matheka, a land administrator previously based in Kilifi County and recently operating in Eldoret, was apprehended at his Kangundo Road residence.
Abubakar Madey, a registered physical planner in Mombasa, surrendered to authorities after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
The suspects, whose roles ranged from surveyors to administrators and planners, allegedly exploited their expertise to manipulate land records and facilitate the illegal transfer.
All five pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court released them on a Sh500,000 bond or a Sh100,000 cash bail, with each required to provide one surety of the same amount.
The case is set for a pre-trial mention on May 5, 2025.
The Supreme Court of Kenya has dismissed Ruth Wanjiku Kamande’s appeal to overturn her conviction for the 2015 murder of her boyfriend, Farid Mohammed Halim, affirming her life imprisonment sentence. The landmark ruling, delivered on April 11, 2025, under Petition No. E032 of 2023, addressed critical legal questions surrounding self-defense, gender-based violence, and the constitutionality of mandatory life sentences for murder in Kenya.
Kamande, famously known as Miss Lang’ata Women’s Prison after winning a prison beauty pageant in 2016 while awaiting trial, was convicted in 2018 for stabbing Mohammed 25 times at his Nairobi home in September 2015. Initially sentenced to death, her sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by President William Ruto in 2023 as part of a broader commutation of death penalties in Kenya.
Kamande’s appeal, represented by Senior Counsel Prof Githu Muigai, sought to overturn her conviction on the grounds that her actions constituted self-defense amid an abusive relationship. She argued that the psychological impact of prolonged abuse, specifically “battered woman syndrome,” should be considered under the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act. Additionally, her legal team contended that the mandatory life sentence for murder violated judicial discretion, potentially leading to unfair outcomes.
The Supreme Court, comprising Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, and Justices Mohamed Ibrahim, Smokin Wanjala, and Njoki Ndung’u, rejected these arguments. The court ruled that the excessive nature of the attack—25 stab wounds—did not align with a proportionate response to an immediate threat. Post-mortem evidence contradicted Kamande’s claim that Mohammed had pinned her down during a struggle, suggesting instead a sustained and deliberate assault. “The defense of self-defense must be proportionate to the threat faced,” the court stated in its media summary, noting that Kamande’s claims of abuse lacked evidence of imminent danger at the time of the killing.
The court further dismissed the applicability of battered woman syndrome, emphasizing that the concept was not raised during the trial at the High Court or in the Court of Appeal. The bench noted that Kamande’s unsworn statement at trial, which could not be tested through cross-examination, described a typical romantic relationship rather than one marked by sustained abuse. The prosecution, represented by Ms. Fredah Mwanza and Ms. Magdalene Ngalyuka, argued that Kamande failed to meet the legal threshold for self-defense, which requires proof of an imminent threat and reasonable force on a balance of probabilities.
On the issue of sentencing, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of mandatory life imprisonment for murder under Kenyan law. Rejecting claims that such sentencing limits judicial discretion, the court affirmed that it aligns with Kenya’s legal framework and ensures consistency in addressing grave offenses. This decision reinforces Kenya’s stance on severe crimes amid ongoing debates about sentencing flexibility.
The ruling situates Kamande’s case within Kenya’s evolving legal landscape on capital punishment. In 2017, the Supreme Court declared the mandatory death penalty unconstitutional, leading to mass commutations, including Kamande’s. Previous commutations by Presidents Mwai Kibaki in 2009 and Uhuru Kenyatta in 2016 further reflect Kenya’s shift away from the death penalty, though it remains in law, with life imprisonment now a common sentence for murder convictions.
Kamande’s case has reignited public debate about gender-based violence and the legal system’s handling of self-defense claims. Her story, amplified by her participation in a prison beauty pageant, has drawn significant attention, creating a complex public image. Mohammed’s family, who described the crime as heinous at the time of the original 2018 sentencing, welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision. “We’re glad justice has been upheld,” said Emmah Wanjiku, Mohammed’s aunt, echoing sentiments expressed after the initial verdict.
Legal experts view the ruling as a significant precedent, balancing the need for clear evidence in self-defense claims with the judiciary’s commitment to addressing gender-based violence. The decision underscores the importance of proportionality in such cases and reaffirms mandatory sentencing for murder, ensuring consistency while prompting continued discussion about judicial discretion and the psychological impacts of abuse in Kenyan law.
[pdf-embedder url=”https://cms.kenyainsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Judgment-SC-Petition-No.-E032-of-2023-Ruth-Wanjiku-Kamande-Vs-Republic.pdf” title=”Judgment-SC Petition No. E032 of 2023 Ruth Wanjiku Kamande Vs Republic”]
It’s impossible to find the plot of the play “Echoes of War” online. There were rehearsals, the troupe was preparing for the performance, the play was reviewed by the competition committee, and there was a court hearing regarding its content. Still: the plot of Malala’s play is nowhere to be found online.
What is available online? Furious discussions among users about video footage of Cleophas Malala’s arrest. And now we all want to know: what’s this play about? Everyone who said the police created free publicity for “Echoes of War” was right. Very soon, the plot will either be posted somewhere or start being reprinted and passed from hand to hand, and the author will become a cult figure. Bad idea number one.
Arresting a playwright for their work can be perceived as a violation of fundamental rights, such as freedom of speech, protected, for example, by Article 33 of the Kenyan Constitution of 2010. Do you understand? They wanted to avoid sparking new protests, so they created a new reason for protests. Bad idea number two.
There’s already been an example of such a mistake by the authorities in Kenya. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, one of Kenya’s most famous writers and playwrights, was arrested in 1978 for his play “Ngaahika Ndeenda” (“I Will Marry When I Want”), co-written with Ngũgĩ wa Mĩrĩĩ. The play criticized corruption and inequality in postcolonial Kenya, leading to his arrest and imprisonment in a maximum-security prison without trial for nearly a year. The international community expressed concern, which damaged Kenya’s reputation. Unexpectedly, his works became a symbol of resistance. Bad idea number three.
The police will likely charge Malala with incitement to violence, which is a criminal offense in Kenya. This is based on Sections 96 and 391 of the Kenyan Penal Code. Section 96 provides for a penalty of up to 5 years in prison. The Constitution protects freedom of speech, but if those words are interpreted as incitement, Malala falls outside the Constitution’s protection.
Now, the most interesting part. The play had already been excluded from the competition in Nanyuki due to incitement. But on April 3, Judge Winfrida Okwany ruled that 50 participants must perform. In other words, the judiciary interpreted the law and determined that there was no incitement in the play. Meaning Malala is under the Constitution’s protection. Bad idea number four.
Nevertheless, the police (the executive branch, which doesn’t interpret laws) arrest the playwright. What does this say? It speaks to a conflict between the security forces and the judiciary. Actually, this is a red flag indicating a disruption in the balance of the state system. The police disregard the judge’s ruling, undermining judicial independence. Judicial independence is protected by Article 160 of the Kenyan Constitution. If the police directly defy the courts, that’s bad idea number five.
In 2024, President William Ruto publicly criticized the courts for “activism” and accused them of sabotaging government projects, also pointing to a trend of pressure on the judicial system. Now, no matter how the president reacts—he’ll be “to blame” for the arrest in the eyes of the public. Even if he had nothing to do with it. Though formally, Ruto could now compare himself to Trump, who also wages war against activist judges in the U.S. We’re fine with Trump, whatever nonsense he gets up to in the U.S. Just don’t touch Africa. But for a local guy to play with authoritarianism is bad idea number six.
To avoid creating a conflict that could lead to a power crisis, the police could simply talk to Malala or charge him with something unrelated to the play. Both options are bad ideas. Inviting him so loudly for a quiet talk is unprofessional. If charges are filed, it’s fuel for political conflicts. Without all this, the play could have been forgotten by summer.
There’s a way out: release him and delay the play’s release. There’s a more elegant way out: William Ruto personally acknowledges a misunderstanding, attends the play as a spectator, withstands the criticism, and even discusses it with the author privately, not necessarily publicly. What do you think, is such a twist in this drama possible?
P.S. In the end, the play’s performance is set to proceed with restrictions. The girls from the troupe are being greeted like stars. The play’s author is currently under arrest and is literally two steps away from becoming a new symbol of resistance against the authorities.
NB: Script of the Play, ‘Echoes of War’ as filed in Court. (Starts at Page 11 of the Pleading)
[pdf-embedder url=”https://cms.kenyainsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4TH-APRIL-BUTERE-GIRLS-COURT-DOCS.pdf” title=”4TH APRIL BUTERE GIRLS COURT DOCS”]
At least 6 people have been killed following a cholera outbreak that is currently affecting Migori, Kisumu and Nairobi counties.
According to the Ministry of Health, 97 cases and six deaths have been reported as of April 6, 2025,
In Migori, 53 cases and one death have been recorded, affecting Suna East, Suna West, Kuria East, and Kuria West sub-counties, while Kisumu has reported 32 cases and four deaths, primarily in Nyando and Muhuroni sub-counties.
In Nairobi, 12 cases and one death have been reported, spread across Kasarani, Embakasi East, Embakasi Central, Roysambu, Kibra, and Dagoretti South.
Health CS Adan Duale has reassured the public that the country is adequately prepared to manage and contain the outbreak.
“We are on high alert in all counties, with heightened surveillance and increased community awareness to ensure a timely response to any alerts,” he said in a statement issued Tuesday.
To control the spread, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with county governments, has intensified surveillance and deployed rapid response teams.
Efforts include health worker training on case management, water sanitation, hygiene, and risk communication, alongside public awareness campaigns through media and community health promoters as well as distribution of information materials.
Additionally, health officials are conducting testing of suspected cases and offering prophylactic treatment to close contacts of confirmed cases.
The Ministry has urged the public to observe personal hygiene through frequent hand washing with soap and clean water after using the toilet and before eating.
Individuals are also advised to drink only clean, boiled, or chlorinated water, avoid untreated water from rivers and lakes, and properly dispose of waste to prevent contamination.
To maintain food safety, the Ministry called on the public to practice proper hygiene by washing hands and sanitizing surfaces before preparing meals, using clean water for cooking and washing produce, and ensuring all food, particularly meat and fish, is thoroughly cooked.
Cholera, a waterborne disease caused by the ‘Vibrio cholera’ bacteria, spreads through the consumption of contaminated food or water.
Symptoms, which may appear within 2 to 5 days of infection, include sudden severe diarrhea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and dehydration.
