Author: Guy Bolding PW

Tsavo East National Park, Tuesday, 8 April 2025 – The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has successfully located and rescued a family of four who went missing in Tsavo East National Park, following an intensive 24-hour search operation that showcased seamless coordination between government agencies, conservation partners, and local stakeholders.

The family—a couple and their two children—entered the park on Saturday, 5 April, at 5:40 p.m. through Manyani Gate for a two-night stay at Luggards Falls Special Campsite.

They were expected to exit via Sala Gate by Monday evening, 7 April, but failed to check out by the 8:00 p.m. deadline, prompting park authorities to launch an immediate search.

Preliminary reports indicate that the family’s vehicle became immobilized during an unauthorized deviation from their planned route while on a game drive, highlighting the critical role their vehicle played in their timely rescue.

KWS initiated a ground search on Monday at 8:00 p.m. along the Luggards Falls–Sala Gate route, deploying two Land Cruisers.

The teams cleared the route but found the campsite abandoned, with the family’s camping gear left behind, heightening concerns for their safety.

The search continued overnight, and by Tuesday morning, aerial support was deployed, including two fixed-wing aircraft and one helicopter to scour the vast park terrain.

The breakthrough came on Tuesday, 8 April, at 9:30 a.m., when Tsavo Trust pilot Nick Hailer spotted the family on the remote Yatta Plateau, approximately 50 kilometers north of their planned route near Kabaguji Rangers Camp.

Hailer landed his helicopter and confirmed that all four individuals were unharmed and in good health. Ground teams from KWS and Tsavo Trust, supported by local rangers, swiftly moved in to secure the area and facilitate the family’s safe return.

“They were found near Kabaguji Rangers Camp. Their status is all okay, and they are currently being driven by rangers back to their camp before exiting the park,” KWS confirmed in a statement.

The rescue operation demonstrated the rapid mobilization of resources, including two fixed-wing surveillance aircraft, one helicopter unit, multiple ground teams from KWS and Tsavo Trust, and local ranger support. KWS commended the sharp vigilance of Pilot Nick Hailer and the dedication of all teams involved in the rescue. The family, currently undergoing routine medical evaluations, will be reunited with their loved ones, with a full debriefing to follow to better understand how they became disoriented in the park’s expansive terrain.

Former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has disclosed that she was unaware of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s alleged involvement in a Sh3.7 billion Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) tender during her tenure.

The Former Health CS made the revelations before the National Assembly committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Affairs during her vetting.

Nakhumicha, nominated as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UN-Habitat, was questioned about procurement irregularities at the Ministry of Health.

The committee chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech inquired specifically about Gachagua’s purported role in influencing the mosquito net procurement tender in favor of his two sons.

“With the information that I was given, his involvement was not there. I got to learn of his involvement when the House was going through the impeachment process,” Nakhumicha stated.

Gachagua faced impeachment in October 2024 with one of the charges being allegations of abusing executive power to secure the tender.

He denied these claims, labeling them as ‘ridiculous and baseless’and asserted no involvement in the tender process. He emphasized that investigations exonerated the implicated officials.

The tender’s irregularities led to significant administrative actions. Health CS Nakhumicha acknowledged errors in the tendering process, noting that the Ministry identified problems during the advertisement phase. She sought explanations from suspended KEMSA CEO Terry Ramadhani regarding these discrepancies.

Nakhumicha revealed that Ramadhani attributed the issues to instructions from the Global Fund to alter tender specifications.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) investigated the matter, uncovering attempts to modify tender specifications to favor specific companies.

Deputy EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud reported that changes were made to suit Shobika Impex Limited, represented locally by Crystal Kenya Ltd.

These alterations prompted the Global Fund to cancel the tender, citing procurement irregularities. 

During her vetting, Nakhumicha also pointed out on challenges faced as Health CS, including a 56-day doctors’ strike. She admitted to difficulties in resolving the industrial action promptly, describing it as an occupational hazard.

“I will take them as occupational hazards, and even in this job that I am taking, I am sure other issues might come up. I am happy to deal with them when they do,” she stated.

Blow for senior presidential adviser Moses Kuria after the High Court declined to stop the auctioning of his multi-million-shilling properties due to an outstanding loan.

Justice Aleem Visram rejected an application by Kuria, who sought to block the sale through his legal team. The court found that Kuria had failed to honor his financial obligations on a loan he took several years ago from a local bank.

The ruling paves the way for the auction, scheduled for tomorrow, to proceed as planned.

Garam Investments Ltd has listed several of Kuria’s properties—including high-end apartments in Ruaka and Juja—for sale in a bid to recover the unpaid debt.

Kuria, who currently serves as the senior economic adviser in the Office of the President, has been locked in a legal battle to stop the auction, but the court ruled that the bank was within its rights to recover the loan through public sale.

Justice Visram noted that the court could not offer relief to a party who had failed to meet clear financial obligation.

Five chiefs abducted in early February in Elwak Town, Mandera County, have been released, authorities confirmed on April 07, 2025. However, the chiefs remain in Somalia, where suspected Al-Shabaab militants held them hostage for nearly two months.

The chiefs—Mohamed Adawa, Mohamed Hassan, Abdi Hassan, Mohamed Noor Hache, and Assistant Chief Ibrahim Gabow—were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen while traveling to a meeting with the Elwak Deputy County Commissioner to plan for President William Ruto’s visit to the region. They were intercepted in a Mazda vehicle belonging to Chief Mohamed Noor Hache near Wargadud, just a day before the president’s scheduled tour of northern Kenya.

Speaking after the incident, President Ruto described the abductions as an attempt to disrupt his visit. “These people thought I would not come if they did what they did. I have not only come to Mandera, but I am also going to sleep here. If I want, I can sleep here again because this is part of Kenya. I want to make it clear that every part of Kenya is important, and we are not going to cede an inch of our country to criminals or those who want to unleash mayhem,” Ruto declared during his visit.

The chiefs’ release was reportedly negotiated by local elders who engaged with the captors throughout their detention. It remains unclear whether a ransom was paid, though initial reports suggested the militants had demanded payment for their freedom.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the release, attributing it to a collaborative effort between the national government, Mandera County government, and local communities. “We have very good news that the five chiefs abducted in Mandera have been released and are now in the hands of Kenyan officials. They will be arriving home soon. This success stems from our decision to work together with the community and county government,” Murkomen said. He added that further updates would follow once the chiefs return to Kenya, noting they are currently with Kenyan officials in Somalia.

The announcement came hours after Mandera County Commissioner Henry Ochako expressed caution about unverified reports of the release. “I cannot confirm or deny the information because we have not yet seen them. Until they are on our side, we cannot say they have been released,” Ochako stated earlier. Some media outlets had reported that the chiefs were handed over to Garreh elders in Jilb, Somalia, with plans underway to bring them back to Elwak, Kenya.

The abduction underscored ongoing security challenges in the region, with the government relying heavily on local leaders to negotiate with the militants. While the chiefs’ release marks a significant breakthrough, questions linger about the terms of their freedom and the broader fight against Al-Shabaab’s influence along Kenya’s border with Somalia.

The Kenya Prisons Service has announced a mass recruitment drive for Professional Cadet Officers, Technicians, Artisans, and Constables. Interested applicants are advised to submit their applications before the deadline on April 30, 2025.

In an advert on Monday, April 7, KPS called on qualified Kenyans to apply for the positions.

“The Kenya Prisons Service wishes to announce to the general public that there are available vacancies for Professional Cadet Officers, Technicians, and Artisans,” read the advert in part.

According to KPS, prospective candidates wishing to apply must have Kenyan citizenship, have a valid National Identification Card, have no criminal record, be between the ages of 18–28 years for Diploma and Certificate holders and the ages of 18–30 years for Degree holders.

The candidates must also be at least 5 feet 4 inches tall for men and 5 feet 2 inches tall for women, be physically and medically fit, have good hearing and clear vision, and female candidates must not be pregnant at the time of recruitment and during training.

KPS noted that the candidates will undergo an intensive paramilitary initial training course lasting not less than nine months for constables, technicians, and artisans, and thirteen months for cadet officers.

The service also mentioned that cadet candidates must possess a relevant undergraduate degree from a recognized institution of higher learning, while technicians must have a certificate or diploma from a recognized institution and be registered with the relevant bodies, where applicable.

Artisan candidates, on the other hand, should possess a minimum mean grade of D+ at KCSE or its equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.

How to Apply

KPS urged prospective candidates to fill out the PSC.2 form which can be downloaded from www.publicservice.go.ke and attach clear photocopies of relevant academic/professional certificates and their National Identification Cards (ID).

The completed applications should be addressed to the Commissioner General of Prisons, Prisons Headquarters, P.O. Box 30175-0100, Nairobi, and delivered at the Prisons headquarters in Magereza House.

The deadline for the applications is on 30th April 2025 at 5.00 P.M.

On the other hand, the recruitment of constables will be carried out across all the counties in the country on 30th April 2025.

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has once again questioned how several constituencies spent bursaries amounting to millions of shillings that are not accounted for.

In a report for the year ending June 2024, Gathungu said the constituencies had failed to provide crucial documents to support payments sent to secondary schools and tertiary institutions.

A review of more than 50 National Government-Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) payments unearthed bursaries issued but with no crucial information to auditors, such as a list of beneficiaries in secondary schools, cheque dispatch registers and acknowledgement letters from recipient schools.

Among the constituencies are Mbeere South represented by Bernard Muriuki, Balambala (Shurie Abdi), Baringo North (Joseph Makilap), Bomachoge Chache (Alfah Miruka), Rongai (Paul Kibet), Samburu West (Naisula Lesuuda), Lafey (Abdirahman Mohamed), Mandera West (Adan Haji), Mandera South (Haro Abdul), Nyakach (Aduma Owuor), Emurua Dikirr (Johana Ngeno) and Baringo Central (Joshua Kandie).

In Mbeere South, for instance, the report queries over Ksh56.7 million spent on bursaries, Ksh35 million of which went to secondary schools and Ksh21.7 million to tertiary institutions.

The list of applicants, as well as acknowledgement letters and receipts for bursaries, were not provided for audit, contrary to Regulation 104(1) of the Public Finance Management (National Government) Regulations, 20’15.

“In the circumstances, the accuracy, completeness and value for money in the bursaries amount of Sh56,771,223 could not be confirmed,” the report says.

In Baringo Central, the report flags Sh61.8 million in bursary payments, Sh36.5 million of which went to secondary schools and Sh25.3 million to tertiary institutions.

The report notes that the bursaries were not supported by acknowledgement receipts to confirm that the money was credited to the school or college fees accounts for the targeted beneficiaries as required by guidelines from the NGCDF Board in the circular N-CDFB/CEO/BOARD CIRCULARS VOL ll (021) of 1B June, 2020.

“It was not possible to confirm whether the bursaries were applied for the intended purpose,” the report says.

“In the circumstances, the propriety of bursary-secondary schools and bursary- tertiary institutions amounts of Sh36,537,302 and Sh25,329,679 respectively could not be confirmed.

“In addition, Management was in breach of the law.”

Unsupported grants

In Balambala, the report cites unsupported grants amounting to Sh4.5 million that was not accompanied by acknowledgement receipts and student fees statements from the institutions that received the bursaries.

In Baringo North, bursaries to secondary schools amounting to Sh40.3 million could not be confirmed as ward vetting committee minutes, acknowledgments by schools, and application forms were not provided for audit

In Bomachoge Chache, the report says out of Sh85 million under grants and other transfers, bursaries to secondary schools worth Sh56.1 million differs from the  total Sh39.8 million reflected on the list of beneficiaries for secondary schools, resulting in unreconciled variance of Sh16.3 million.

The report also says the list of individual beneficiaries for tertiary institutions amounting to Sh19.3 million was not provided for audit, while acknowledgement letters from recipient secondary schools and tertiary institutions were also not provided for audit.

“In the circumstances, the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of the bursary disbursements totalling Sh85,041,749 could not be confirmed,” the report says

In Rongai, the report highlights bursaries totalling Sh65.5 million that could not be confirmed as the disbursements were not supported by acknowledgement receipts.

In Samburu West, a total of Sh47.2 million was disbursed to beneficiaries – Sh32,240,074 to secondary schools and Sh15,000,000 to tertiary institutions – but the payments were not supported with acknowledgement letters from beneficiary institutions and thus the accuracy and completeness of the figures could not be confirmed.

In Lafey, the report says bursary payments amounting to Sh47.5 million – Sh7.5 million to secondary schools and Sh40 million to tertiary institutions – could not be confirmed as the payments were not acknowledged through official receipts or acknowledgement letters from the recipient institutions.

In addition, the cheque dispatch register was not maintained to record cheques issued to the beneficiaries.

In Mandera West, bursary payments amounting to Sh1,725,000 for tertiary institutions were not acknowledged through official receipts or acknowledgement letters from the beneficiary institutions.

Reads the report: “In the circumstances, the accuracy and completeness of bursary payments amounting to Sh1,725,000 could not be confirmed.”

Official receipts

In Mandera South, the report says that bursary payments amounting to Sh1.3 million for tertiary institutions were not acknowledged through official receipts or acknowledgement letters from the beneficiary institutions.

Further, NGCDF managers did not provide bursary subcommittee minutes and lists of all the applicants who were vetted.

In Nyakach, the report cites unsupported bursaries for tertiary institutions amounting to Sh507,000, including two technical and vocational centres that did not keep proper records, thus making it impossible to get students’ statements and balances.

The report also mentions unsupported bursaries paid to 60 schools, including a special-needs one, amounting to Sh904,000, with payment vouchers and expenditure returns from the institutions not provided for audit.

Of the 60 schools, 40 did not fall under the special-needs category but received a total of Ksh412,000 with no justification for the payments

A 30-year-old police officer stationed in Marsabit has reportedly taken his own life after killing his three children in Kakdhimu East Location, Kagoga Village, Karachuonyo West Sub-County, Homa Bay.

The officer, David Okebe, who was on leave, is reported to have poisoned a six-year-old boy, a five-year-old girl, and a five-year-old nephew before taking his own life.

Preliminary investigations suggest the act may have been linked to long-standing domestic disputes involving his wife and in-laws.

According to a suicide note seen by Kenya Insights, the deceased expressed his grievances against his in-laws, whom he perceived as having humiliated him due to their perception of his poverty and inability to provide the dowry befitting their daughter.

In his final wishes, he requested to be buried alongside his children in a single grave, rather than being placed in a coffin.

He vowed to confront the spirit of the man who had taken away his wife and directly blamed his wife’s infidelity for the tragic loss of their children and his own demise.

Confirming the incident, Homa Bay County Police Commander Laurence Koilel urged the public to seek peaceful ways of resolving domestic conflicts and avoid resorting to violence or suicide.

Authorities have launched investigations into the matter.

The bodies were moved to the Homa Bay Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has blamed the state for Sunday morning’s attack in a church in Kasarani and warned that any attempts to eliminate him will complicate President William Ruto’s politics even more.

Gachagua, while speaking at Mwiki PCEA Church in Kasarani on Sunday, April 6, 2025, claimed the state, through Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja, sent goons to attack them during the service.

He further said that Sakaja is an ungrateful leader, for he has not shown kindness to the people who elected him.

“Sisi tunakualika ufanye vile unataka. Governor, hawa watu wa Kasarani walikuchagua, and you cannot pay them back kwa kutuma goons ndani ya kanisa. Surely, it does not matter how ungrateful you are.

“Walikupatia mamlaka, how can you send goons into their church when they are raising funds for the completion of their church? It is very insensitive and very unkind and something that we do not understand. Msijali,” Gachagua stressed.

Gachagua questioned the President on why he is hellbent on unleashing a purge against him to the extent of taking it to holy premises.

“I didn’t mind having goons sent for me everywhere if that is his modus operandi, but sending goons inside the church, Mr. President, what happened to you?” he posed.

“We thought you’d only do so outside the church; now you are even sending them inside the church. You have become bold; you don’t care anymore that you are sending goons through the Governor of Nairobi to come and disrupt the church.”

Gachagua further alleged that police officers were ordered to stand down and not respond to the attack, as only a few well-wishing officers volunteered to help.

“It’s okay, there is no problem. We are aware that the Deputy Inspector General told the police not to come, but I have a few police in plain clothes who came to help,” he claimed.

While directly addressing his former boss, Gachagua said even if he is eliminated, the anti-government movement has enough soldiers to carry on the fight.

“I want to tell you, Rais, tafadhali, vile mambo yanaendelea hii Kenya, even if you eliminate Rigathi Gachagua, nothing will change; it will just complicate your politics more than it is already complicated.

“We have enough soldiers to carry on the struggle. You may bring me down if that is what you think will help you, but we have enough soldiers here to carry on with the struggle,” Gachagua said.

The attack comes four months after Mr. Gachagua and his allies were stoned in Limuru, Kiambu County, in what the former deputy president later described as an attempt on his life.

The relationship between the President and Gachagua turned sour after the latter’s impeachment in October 2024.

Gachagua has been mounting criticism against the State, establishing himself as the Mt. Kenya region’s opposition leader.