Women whose marriages end in divorce must facilitate the return of dowry paid during customary marriage ceremonies, the High Court has ruled in a landmark judgment that has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s legal and social circles.
In the case of CKN v DMO, Justice DKN Magare declared on December 8, 2023, that dowry symbolizes the existence of a customary union and must therefore be returned when that union is dissolved, regardless of who received the payment.
The judge made it clear that where dowry was paid to the woman’s parents, as is traditional practice, the woman bears the responsibility of ensuring its return to her former husband’s family.
Should she wish to recover what she facilitates returning, the court noted, she has two years within which to file an indemnity suit against her own parents.
“The traditional marriage is cancelled by return of dowry. Whether the same is returned by her or her father, it is irrelevant,” Justice Magare stated in the judgment that has sparked heated debate about the intersection of customary law and modern constitutional principles.
The ruling, however, appears to diverge from established customary practices in some Kenyan communities, particularly among the Luo, where tradition dictates that not all dowry is returned even after divorce.
According to Magai Jonyo, a representative of the Luo Council of Elders in Karachuonyo, the customary process known as ‘waro dhok’ (collecting cattle) requires that one cow, called ‘dher pien’, must always remain at the bride’s paternal home even after separation.
“A cow and a goat should remain at her home. Not everything is taken away, even after separation,” Jonyo explains, adding that the symbolic cow serves as a gesture of gratitude for having been allowed to marry the woman, acknowledging the transformation that occurred during the union.
“In the past, a woman would be married as a virgin, but by the time she returned to her parents, she often had children. To put it simply, no one would expect to take back something once it has been used. You must show appreciation by leaving something behind,” the elder notes.
This customary practice raises questions about how Justice Magare’s ruling will be applied across Kenya’s diverse cultural landscape, where different communities maintain distinct marriage and divorce traditions that have been observed for generations.
The High Court judgment went further, addressing another contentious issue that has long been part of divorce proceedings in Kenya.
Justice Magare declared that alimony, the practice of one spouse supporting another after divorce, no longer exists under Kenyan law.
Citing Article 45 of the Constitution, which guarantees equal rights to parties “at the time of the marriage, during the marriage and at the dissolution of the marriage,” the judge held that the concept of alimony was fundamentally incompatible with constitutional equality provisions.
“The concept of alimony is an anathema to the equality of men and women,” the judgment read, noting that the practice was rooted in outdated notions that men and women were not equal partners in marriage.
The court explained that historically, alimony arose from the idea that “a man and woman join in holy matrimony and become one and that is the man,” which led to men being required to continue supporting their former wives indefinitely.
However, with the introduction of the 2010 Constitution’s equality provisions, this foundation had crumbled.
The judge applied this constitutional interpretation across all marriage types recognized in Kenya, stating explicitly that the equality principle applies whether the union was formalized under customary law or as a Christian marriage.
In the case before him, which involved two underlying marriage traditions, Kisii Customary Law and Christian marriage, Justice Magare ordered the return of instruments for both marriages.
The marriage certificate of the Christian union was to be returned to signal the cancellation of that marriage, while the dowry was to be returned to dissolve the customary union.
Jarongo Okumu, an elder from Kanyamwa in Ndhiwa, maintains that traditional practices should endure despite modernization.
“The same rule of leaving dher pien at the bride’s home should still apply, even if the divorce is granted through the courts. Modernisation may have altered some practices, but traditions should endure,” he says.
The elder adds that divorce was traditionally a rare occurrence, with the decision to separate subject to the judgment of elders who would first strive to reconcile the couple.
In cases where the animals used as dowry had been sold or slaughtered, other livestock or their monetary equivalent could be offered to complete the process.
However, the judgment was not without a human touch.
Justice Magare acknowledged the personal dimensions of the dispute before him, noting the “disdain” with which the appellant spoke of the respondent, who had moved on and was “happily married and staying in Mulolongo in Machakos county.”
“I express my sincere hope that the parties who still appear young can refresh and go back to the market without the baggage of the failed marriage,” the judge wrote, tempering the legal technicalities with recognition of the emotional toll divorce takes.
Legal experts suggest the ruling could have far-reaching consequences for divorce proceedings across the country, potentially affecting thousands of cases where dowry return and spousal maintenance have been points of contention.
The decision also raises questions about how courts will handle situations where dowry payments were made years or even decades ago, where livestock or other perishable goods were involved, or where the woman’s parents are deceased or unable to return what was received.
While the judgment firmly establishes that constitutional equality principles trump traditional practices that disadvantage either gender, it also preserves respect for customary marriage systems by requiring proper dissolution through dowry return.
The case serves as a reminder of Kenya’s ongoing struggle to harmonize constitutional values with deeply rooted cultural practices, a balancing act that courts must perform as they interpret laws affecting millions of Kenyans whose lives span both traditional and modern legal systems.
The tension between Justice Magare’s directive for complete dowry return and the Luo custom of retaining ‘dher pien’ illustrates the complexity of applying uniform legal principles across Kenya’s rich tapestry of cultural traditions.
New study reveals shocking rise in disease-causing mutations, forcing aspiring fathers to rethink family planning timeline
The biological clock isn’t just ticking for women anymore. Groundbreaking research published this month in Nature journal has sent shockwaves through the medical community, revealing that men as young as 30 are already experiencing significant deterioration in sperm quality, dramatically increasing the risk of passing deadly genetic mutations to their children.
The findings are stark and unsettling.
Scientists analyzing over 1,000 sperm samples from 81 men discovered that one in every 50 sperm samples from healthy men in their early thirties already carries harmful mutations capable of causing serious health disorders in offspring, including cancer and autism.
This isn’t just a minor uptick; it’s a red flag that experts say has been overlooked for far too long while all attention focused on maternal age.
What makes this research particularly alarming is that the risk doesn’t plateau. By the time men reach their mid-forties, that mutation rate nearly doubles, climbing to between three and five percent. Men in their seventies showed a staggering 4.5 percent of their sperm carrying these genetic time bombs.
But here’s where it gets truly disturbing. These mutations aren’t simply the result of DNA wearing down over time like an old photocopy.
The UK-based research team discovered something far more sinister: a natural selection process occurring within the testes itself that actually gives certain harmful mutations a reproductive advantage.
The body, in essence, is inadvertently promoting the very genetic errors that could harm the next generation.
The implications are profound.
While society has long accepted that women face fertility challenges and increased risks as they age, the myth of limitless male fertility has persisted.
This research obliterates that comfortable fiction.
The study identified 40 genes, including 31 newly discovered ones, undergoing this troubling selection process, affecting diverse cellular pathways crucial to healthy development.
Timing couldn’t be more critical.
This revelation comes as more couples worldwide are delaying parenthood into their thirties and beyond for career and financial reasons. The research suggests these decisions may carry hidden costs that prospective parents never considered when planning their families.
Adding to the crisis, global sperm counts have plummeted by over 60 percent since the 1970s, with the decline accelerating at roughly one percent annually since 2000.
African men, including Kenyans, aren’t immune to this trend.
A 2022 review documented deteriorating sperm volume and quality dating back to 1965, driven by sexually transmitted infections, hormonal imbalances, obesity, stress, alcohol, smoking, and exposure to pesticides and industrial chemicals.
The researchers emphasize that not every harmful mutation results in pregnancy. Some trigger miscarriages, prevent fertilization entirely, or stop embryonic development.
But for those that do lead to successful pregnancies, the consequences can be devastating and lifelong.
Medical experts are now calling for urgent expanded research to track how these rising mutation rates translate into actual health outcomes for children.
They’re also demanding a fundamental shift in how we discuss reproductive health, insisting that both maternal and paternal age must be considered equally when assessing risk factors for birth defects and developmental disorders.
For men contemplating fatherhood, the message is clear: the younger, the better.
The assumption that men can indefinitely postpone having children without consequences has been definitively disproven. The biological clock, it turns out, ticks for everyone.
President William Ruto has been ranked among the world’s wealthiest heads of state in a comprehensive analysis by Yahoo Finance, placing him at number 11 on a list dominated by authoritarian strongmen and business magnates turned politicians.
The Kenyan leader’s estimated net worth of $400 million places him alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in a ranking that highlights the vast wealth accumulated by global political leaders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin tops the list with an estimated net worth of $200 billion, followed by North Korea’s Kim Jong Un at $5 billion and Donald Trump at $7.2 billion. The ranking underscores the extraordinary financial power wielded by some of the world’s most politically influential figures.
Putin’s wealth remains shrouded in mystery, with experts struggling to pinpoint exact figures. Former Hermitage Capital Management CEO Bill Browder testified under oath before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, estimating the former KGB officer’s fortune at the staggering $200 billion figure, which would make him one of the richest individuals globally.
President Ruto’s wealth is primarily derived from real estate investments, including ownership of the high-end Weston Hotel in Nairobi and prime properties across Kenya. The president, who assumed office in September 2022, reportedly amassed the majority of his fortune through strategic property acquisitions and business ventures.
According to the Yahoo Finance report, Ruto owns hotels valued at over $24 million in Mombasa and Mara, in addition to his flagship Weston Hotel property. He also maintains a shareholding in the Africa Merchant Assurance Company (AMACO), further diversifying his investment portfolio.
The president’s wealth places him ahead of several other African leaders on the list, though he remains less affluent than his predecessor, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who reportedly has a net worth of $500 million.
Several African leaders feature prominently on the wealth ranking. South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa is listed at $450 million, while Rwanda’s Paul Kagame is estimated to be worth $500 million.
Ramaphosa built his fortune through investments before entering politics, notably as chairman of the Shanduka Group, while Kagame’s wealth is reportedly tied to Crystal Ventures, a holding company with assets spanning various industries.
Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has ruled the oil-rich nation since 1979, appears at number six with an estimated $600 million fortune, according to Forbes estimates cited in the report.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s net worth is currently pegged at $7.2 billion by Forbes, largely attributed to the success of World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency venture he established with his three sons. This represents a significant increase from his 2016 net worth of $4.5 billion.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 12, 2025. REUTERS
The cryptocurrency business has proven so lucrative that Trump’s youngest son, Barron, age 19, is reportedly worth more than his mother, Melania Trump, with an estimated fortune of $150 million.
China’s Xi Jinping appears at number five with a possible net worth of $1.5 billion, though the true extent of his wealth remains unclear. In 2012, revelations emerged about Xi and his family’s hidden investments in multiple holding companies, including a substantial stake in property investment firm Shenzhen Yuanwei.
Despite holding some of China’s most powerful titles, Xi officially earns a modest annual salary of just $22,000, highlighting the discrepancy between official income and estimated wealth among authoritarian leaders.
The ranking has sparked political controversy in Kenya, with opposition politicians criticizing Ruto’s inclusion on the list. The president has faced questions about wealth accumulation during his tenure in public service, serving as deputy president from 2013 to 2022 before winning the presidency.
Critics have questioned how public servants accumulate such substantial wealth, particularly in countries facing economic challenges. Kenya has grappled with high inflation, unemployment, and public debt concerns during Ruto’s tenure, making the wealth disparity between leaders and citizens a contentious political issue.
The Yahoo Finance ranking relies on a combination of public disclosures, Forbes estimates, investigative reporting, and financial analysis. However, net worth estimates for world leaders remain inherently difficult to verify, particularly for those in countries with limited financial transparency.
Many leaders on the list have faced allegations of corruption or questions about the origins of their wealth. The ranking does not distinguish between wealth accumulated before entering politics and fortunes built during political tenure, though this distinction remains central to debates about political ethics.
The list highlights the extraordinary concentration of wealth among political leaders, particularly those in resource-rich countries or nations with limited democratic oversight. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko is estimated to be worth $9 billion, while Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan are each valued at approximately $500 million.
In contrast, some democratic leaders appear lower on the list or are absent entirely. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, despite his background with Goldman Sachs and his tenure as governor of both the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, has assets estimated at over $21 million, substantially less than many authoritarian leaders.
The wealth rankings underscore ongoing debates about political accountability, transparency in public service, and the relationship between political power and personal enrichment across different governance systems worldwide.
This story is based on Yahoo Finance analysis and reporting. Net worth estimates are approximate and subject to debate.
When JOO and his estranged wife, MBO, walked out of their marriage in 2008 after nearly two decades together, they left behind more than broken vows. They ignited a legal battle that would eventually reach the highest court in the land and reshape how Kenyan couples think about matrimonial property.
The question before the courts was deceptively simple yet profoundly complex: Does saying “I do” automatically entitle a spouse to half of everything accumulated during marriage?
The answer, delivered first by the Court of Appeal and later affirmed by the Supreme Court, was an unequivocal no. Marriage alone, the judges ruled, does not confer ownership rights. Property must be earned through contribution, whether financial or non-financial, and that contribution must be proven.
The ruling has sent ripples through Kenya’s legal landscape, forcing couples to confront uncomfortable truths about love, labour and the law. It has vindicated some and disappointed others. But most importantly, it has brought clarity to a debate that has raged in courtrooms for years: fairness, the courts say, does not always mean splitting everything down the middle.
The Foundation: Echaria Sets the Stage
Before JOO and MBO became a landmark case, Kenyan courts looked to another matrimonial dispute for guidance. In 2007, a five-judge bench of the Court of Appeal delivered a decision in the case of Peter Mburu Echaria, a former diplomat, and his estranged wife, Priscilla Mburu Echaria that would set the tone for years to come.
The Echarias’ divorce had been acrimonious. When it was finalized in 1993, the High Court awarded Ms Echaria, who died in January 2019 aged 83, an equal share of their 118-acre Tigoni Farm. The decision relied on Section 17 of the Married Women’s Property Act of 1882, which presumed that property bought during marriage was co-owned and should be sold and divided equally in case of divorce.
Mr Mburu appealed, and in February 2007, appellate court judges Philip Tunoi, Emmanuel O’Kubasu, Erastus Githinji, Philip Waki and William Deverell rewrote the rules. They found that for a wife to claim a share of property registered in her husband’s name, she had to prove her contribution toward its acquisition. Distribution, the judges said, should be based on what each party brought to the table.
The Echaria ruling became the guiding principle in matrimonial disputes. It introduced a shift from automatic entitlement to evidence-based distribution. Marriage, the court declared, was not a free pass to someone else’s assets.
When Contribution Becomes Contested
JOO and MBO married under Abagusii customary law in 1990. Over the years, they built a life together, acquiring land and developing rental units in Nairobi. But when the marriage collapsed in 2008, the question of who owned what became bitterly contested.
The High Court initially awarded MBO a 30 percent share of the land and 20 percent of the rental units. Dissatisfied, she appealed, and the Court of Appeal ruled in her favour, granting her a larger share. But JOO was not done fighting. He took the matter to the Supreme Court, arguing that his estranged wife had not proven her contribution to the property.
In January 2023, a four-judge bench led by Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu delivered a judgment that would become one of the most significant rulings on matrimonial property in Kenya’s legal history. The apex court emphasized that Article 45(3) of the Constitution, which guarantees equality between spouses, was never intended to mandate automatic 50-50 division of property.
Instead, the judges said, equality means fairness. Each spouse is entitled to their fair share based on what they contributed, and no more. The ruling underscored that contribution could be direct or indirect, financial or non-financial, but it had to be demonstrated, not assumed.
What Counts as Contribution?
The courts have been careful to define contribution broadly. It is not just about who wrote the cheque to buy the land or who paid the contractor to build the house. A spouse who stayed home to raise children, who managed the household, who provided emotional support, or who sacrificed career opportunities to enable the other spouse to thrive has also contributed. These non-monetary inputs, the judges have said, are just as valuable as financial investments.
But here is the catch: they must still be proven. A homemaker cannot simply claim entitlement based on the fact of marriage. They must show that their actions, their sacrifices, their labour created an environment that enabled the acquisition of property.
Justice Patrick Kiage, in a 2017 concurring decision, captured the complexity of this task. “The reality remains that when the ship of marriage hits the rocks, flounders and sinks, the sad, awful business of division and distribution of matrimonial property must be proceeded with on the basis of fairness and conscience, not a romantic clutching on to the 50:50 mantra,” he wrote.
He added that dividing property is not a matter of simple mathematics, like splitting an orange in two. Justice, he said, does not come from cutting a contested object into equal parts. It comes from understanding what each party deserves based on what they have given.
The Law and Its Intentions
Section 7 of the Matrimonial Property Act is clear. Ownership of matrimonial property vests in spouses according to their contribution, and it shall be divided between them if they divorce or their marriage is dissolved.
In 2018, the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA) challenged this provision, arguing that parties to a marriage are entitled to equal rights under the Constitution. But the High Court dismissed the petition, warning that allowing automatic 50-50 division would create a loophole for fortune seekers to benefit from their spouse’s success without making any effort.
The Supreme Court echoed this concern in the JOO v MBO case. If Article 45(3) were interpreted to mean automatic equal division, the judges said, it would encourage some people to enter marriages, make no contribution, and then wait for divorce to claim half of everything.
“Noting the changing times and the norms in our society now, such a finding would encourage some parties to only enter into marriages, comfortably subsist in the marriage without making any monetary or non-monetary contribution, proceed to have the marriage dissolved then wait to be automatically given 50 percent of the marital property. That could not have been the intention of our law on the subject,” the judges ruled.
Equity, Not Equality
The concept of equity lies at the heart of the court’s reasoning. Equity, the judges explained, recognizes that a spouse who did not contribute more resources to acquiring property may have nonetheless, through their actions or deeds, provided an environment that enabled the other party to accumulate wealth.
This is what amounts to indirect contribution. Equity ensures that a party who lacks the means to prove direct financial contribution is not barred from getting a share of matrimonial property. But it also ensures that someone who invested money, acquired land, or developed assets is not stripped of half simply because they got married.
The Supreme Court stressed that to hold otherwise would bring huge difficulties within marriages. It would undermine the institution, turning it into a transactional relationship where one party could exploit the other’s hard work.
A Balancing Act
The ruling is a balancing act. On one hand, it protects those who have worked hard to build wealth from being unfairly disadvantaged in divorce. On the other, it recognizes that homemakers, caregivers, and those who contribute in less visible ways deserve recognition and compensation for their sacrifices.
But it places the burden of proof squarely on the shoulders of the party claiming a share of property not registered in their name. This can be a daunting task, especially for spouses who may not have kept records of their contributions or who may not have the resources to hire lawyers to argue their case.
Critics of the ruling argue that it disadvantages women, who are more likely to take on unpaid domestic work and childcare responsibilities. They say that requiring proof of contribution ignores the structural inequalities that exist within many marriages and places an unfair burden on those who have already sacrificed so much.
But supporters of the ruling say it is a necessary safeguard against exploitation. It ensures that marriage is not used as a tool to gain access to someone else’s wealth without effort. It promotes fairness, they argue, even if that fairness is sometimes difficult to achieve.
The Road Ahead
The JOO v MBO ruling is now the law of the land. It has been cited in numerous subsequent cases and has become the benchmark for how courts approach the division of matrimonial property. But it is not the end of the conversation. Couples continue to litigate over what counts as contribution, how to prove it, and what constitutes a fair share.
The ruling has also sparked broader discussions about the nature of marriage itself. Is it a partnership of equals, or is it a contract where each party must account for what they bring to the table? Can love and law coexist, or does the cold logic of contribution undermine the very foundation of what marriage is supposed to be?
These are questions without easy answers. But for now, the law is clear. Marriage is not a 50-50 affair. It is a union where what you get depends on what you give. And when love ends, the burden of proof begins.
Kenya is staring at a fresh HIV crisis after new data revealed more than 20,000 people contracted the virus this year, with Nairobi County bearing the heaviest burden.
Figures released by the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) show a total of 20,105 new HIV infections in 2025, cementing fears that the country’s progress in curbing the epidemic is slowing.
Women remain disproportionately affected, accounting for nearly two-thirds of new infections—13,236 cases compared to 6,869 among men.
Children under 15 contributed 4,349 cases, exposing persistent gaps in preventing mother-to-child transmission despite reported 90.1% PMTCT coverage.
The council warned that the 9.26% mother-to-child transmission rate remains unacceptably high.
Nairobi recorded the highest number of new infections at 3,045, with women making up more than two-thirds. Other hotspots included Migori (1,572), Homa Bay (1,180), Kisumu (1,341), Mombasa (817) and Siaya (873). On the other end of the spectrum, Mandera, Marsabit and Lamu reported some of the lowest infection rates at 67, 40 and 36 cases respectively.
The report further shows that 1.3 million Kenyans are now living with HIV, with Nairobi once again topping the chart at 151,916 people, followed by Homa Bay (104,317) and Migori (99,510).
Wajir registered the lowest prevalence, with just 701 people living with HIV.
AIDS-related deaths remain devastating. An estimated 21,009 people died of AIDS in 2025, including 2,688 children. Nairobi led with 1,267 deaths, while Nakuru posted the highest toll at 1,698 fatalities.
Experts are warning that Kenya risks undoing hard-won gains unless prevention, treatment, and community awareness campaigns are urgently stepped up.
“The numbers speak for themselves. Women and children continue to pay the highest price, and we cannot afford complacency,” said an NSDCC official.
The grim data comes as a ray of hope emerges globally.
The Gates Foundation recently announced an ambitious partnership with Indian drug-maker Hetero Labs to roll out low-cost lenacapavir, the world’s first twice-yearly injectable HIV prevention drug.
Priced at about $40 a year, the medicine could significantly boost access to prevention tools in Kenya and other low- and middle-income countries.
For now, however, the challenge remains clear: infections are rising, deaths are mounting, and Nairobi stands at the epicenter of a crisis that Kenya thought it had tamed.
American actress and singer Selena Gomez married her boyfriend, music producer Benny Blanco, in a star-studded southern California wedding ceremony on Saturday.
The “Only Murders in the Building” star posted a slideshow of pictures and videos on Instagram from the wedding, showing Gomez, 33, in a wedding dress and Blanco — real name Benjamin Joseph Levin — donning a tuxedo, with the couple seen in a variety of affectionate poses.
The post is captioned “9.27.25” between two white emoji hearts, with Blanco commenting: “my wife in real life.”
The ceremony was held in Santa Barbara County’s Hope Ranch, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles, according to Vogue Magazine.
Among the 170 guests were US pop superstar — and longtime Gomez best friend — Taylor Swift, as well as British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, socialite Paris Hilton, and Gomez’s “Only Murders” co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short.
The fashion magazine also reported the couple wore wedding outfits from Ralph Lauren.
The high-profile couple went public with their relationship in December 2023, with the pair becoming engaged a year later, according to Vogue.
Blanco, 37, had a hand in producing some of Gomez’s biggest chart hits, including 2015 singles “Same Old Love” and “Kill Em with Kindness.” The duo released a collaborative album, “I Said I Love You First,” in March.
Kenyans at risk of HIV infection will soon have access to a groundbreaking twice-yearly injectable medication at just Sh2,585 per dose, marking a significant breakthrough in the fight against the virus that has affected 1.38 million people in the country.
The revolutionary drug, lenacapavir, will be available through a partnership between the Gates Foundation and Indian pharmaceutical manufacturer Hetero Labs, which will produce a generic version of the original medication developed by Gilead Sciences.
The initiative targets 120 low- and middle-income countries, with large-scale production expected to begin in 2027.
At an annual cost of approximately Sh5,170 for two injections, the medication represents a dramatic shift from traditional daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) pills, offering a more convenient and potentially more effective prevention method for those struggling with daily medication adherence.
Dr Vamsi Krishna, managing director of Hetero Group of Companies, expressed the company’s commitment to the partnership, stating their dedication to ensuring access to innovative HIV medicines for patients in India and other low- and middle-income countries.
The long-acting injectable works as a capsid inhibitor, blocking the virus’s protective shell and preventing multiplication. This mechanism makes it particularly effective for both treating resistant HIV strains and serving as pre-exposure prophylaxis.
Kenya’s Ministry of Health had previously established an annual price cap of around Sh6,000 per person for HIV prevention medications. However, this new global partnership could significantly reduce costs, making protection accessible to a broader population at risk.
The medication addresses a critical challenge in Kenya’s HIV prevention efforts.
Despite recording over 544,000 oral PrEP initiations since its introduction, uptake remains disappointingly low, with adherence presenting ongoing difficulties.
Among adolescent girls and young women, one of the most vulnerable groups, PrEP uptake stands at merely 22 percent.
President Bill Clinton, board chair and co-founder of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, described the development as transformational, noting that protecting someone for six months with a single injection at the same cost as daily pills represents a historic breakthrough in HIV prevention.
Additional competition in the generic market is expected through partnerships between Unitaid, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and Wits RHI with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd, another Indian manufacturer.
This increased competition could further drive down costs and improve availability.
The medication has received significant regulatory approval, with the US FDA approving lenacapavir for PrEP in June 2025, followed by World Health Organization recommendations in July and European Commission approval in August.
With Kenya’s adult HIV prevalence rate standing at 4.3 percent among individuals aged 15 to 49, the introduction of this long-acting injectable could transform prevention strategies, particularly for populations who have struggled with daily oral medication regimens.
Dr Philippe Duneton, Unitaid’s Executive Director, emphasized that securing the Sh5,170 annual price point directly addresses calls from countries and communities for lenacapavir to be as affordable as existing oral PrEP options, ensuring the most advanced prevention tools are accessible from the outset.
The development represents hope for Kenya’s ongoing battle against HIV, potentially offering a more practical and effective prevention method for the millions at risk while supporting the country’s broader public health objectives in combating the epidemic.
In Kenya’s complex web of business and political power, few figures operate with the calculated precision of Faryd Abdulrazak Sheikh. While most tycoons court publicity and flaunt their wealth, Sheikh has perfected the art of influence from behind the curtain emerging only when billion-shilling government contracts are at stake.
This is not the story of overnight success or accidental fortune.
It’s the methodical dissection of how one businessman has transformed strategic anonymity into perhaps the most effective government contracting operation in modern Kenya, positioning himself at the nexus of political power and public procurement with surgical precision.
THE MASTER OF STRATEGIC INVISIBILITY
For years, Sheikh operated in Kenya’s business shadows building relationships, establishing companies, and positioning assets while avoiding the spotlight that typically follows major wealth accumulation.
Unlike his contemporaries who built empires through flashy acquisitions and media attention, Sheikh constructed his influence network through careful relationship cultivation and strategic partnership selection.
This approach has paid extraordinary dividends. Today, Sheikh’s fingerprints appear on government contracts spanning transport, agriculture, energy, and hospitality sectors yet many Kenyans have never heard his name.
Such invisibility in a country where business success often courts celebrity status suggests deliberate strategy rather than coincidental discretion.
The effectiveness of this shadow approach became clear when investigations revealed the breadth of his government contracting portfolio.
Sheikh and his business partner Jabir Abdul Nassir Al-Kandy have secured a combined 41.17 percent stake in Pesa Print, positioning them for the Sh45 billion National Transport and Safety Authority smart driving license contract spanning 21 years.
THE PRESIDENTIAL CONNECTION: BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP DISGUISED AS FRIENDSHIP
The relationship between Sheikh and President William Ruto extends far beyond casual friendship into joint business ventures that blur the lines between personal relationships and commercial interests.
Sheikh is linked to the Sh600 million Mombasa Dolphin Resort in Shanzu, which former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i listed among properties associated with then-Deputy President Ruto and accorded round-the-clock police protection .
This arrangement is particularly revealing. Kenyan taxpayers were effectively subsidizing security for a private commercial venture jointly owned by Sheikh and the presidential family.
The hotel wasn’t just a business investment, it was a statement about the intertwining of political power and private wealth.
The depth of their relationship was publicly displayed when President Ruto personally attended Sheikh’s son’s wedding in May 2023.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale accompanied the President, posting on social media about the honor of attending with “our dear friend Faryd Abdulrazak Sheikh”.
President Ruto at the wedding.
Such personal attention from a sitting President to a businessman’s family celebration signals relationships that extend far beyond ordinary political courtesies.
THE NTSA COUP: PRECISION TIMING AND STRATEGIC POSITIONING
The National Transport and Safety Authority tender represents Sheikh’s most sophisticated procurement positioning to date.
The timing of his corporate movements reveals either extraordinary foresight or access to privileged information that allowed perfect positioning for this multibillion-shilling opportunity.
Company registry documents show that Sheikh and Al-Kandy made their entry through Simbabanc Investments and Cropharmony Africa, companies registered in August and October 2023 respectively – just weeks after the National Treasury approved the project’s feasibility study in July 2023.
The sequence raises questions about information access and decision-making processes within government.
Normal businesses typically spend months or years developing capabilities before positioning for major contracts.
Sheikh’s entities were incorporated and positioned for this specific opportunity within weeks of government approval, suggesting either remarkable prescience or insider coordination.
This NTSA deal isn’t just another contract – it’s a 21-year monopoly that will generate revenue from every Kenyan driver seeking license services.
The strategic value extends beyond immediate profit to include decades of guaranteed government business with built-in inflation adjustments and service expansion opportunities.
THE SUGAR STRATEGY: SECTORAL DOMINATION THROUGH POLITICAL ALLIANCES
Sheikh’s expansion into Kenya’s politically sensitive sugar industry demonstrates sophisticated understanding of how government-dependent sectors operate in Kenya.
Rather than attempting standalone entry, he’s aligned with established political families who understand agricultural policy dynamics and subsidy systems.
His partnerships with the families of Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot and Kipchimchim Supermarket founder Samuel Kipsoi Kipketer Ngetich for the Tinderet Sugar Factory in Nandi and Soit Sugar Factory in Narok represent strategic political insurance.
These alliances provide local political protection, community acceptance, and insider knowledge of regulatory processes that could make or break sugar ventures.
The sugar industry in Kenya has historically rewarded political connections through import duty protection, government bailouts, and preferential pricing arrangements. Sheikh’s entry into this sector suggests confidence in accessing these traditional benefits through his political alliance strategy.
THE POWER SECTOR GAMBIT: Diversifying Through Strategic Partnerships
Sheikh’s involvement in the Kenya Power contract through Kreative Concrete Products, his partnership with a healthcare magnate, reveals his expansion strategy across essential service sectors.
The Sh113 million electrical infrastructure contract represents diversification beyond his established transport and agriculture interests.
This partnership model – aligning with sector-specific entrepreneurs while providing political connections and capital appears to be Sheikh’s preferred approach to new markets.
Rather than developing in-house expertise, he leverages partnerships that combine technical capability with his political access and financing capacity.
The power sector entry is particularly strategic given Kenya’s ongoing electrical infrastructure expansion and the government’s emphasis on energy access improvement.
Positioning in this sector provides long-term revenue potential as national grid expansion continues.
THE PROXY NETWORK: Corporate Structure as Competitive Advantage
Investigation reveals Sheikh operates through a sophisticated network of corporate entities that allows multiple simultaneous government contract pursuits while maintaining competitive appearances.
His registered address serves as headquarters for various companies that can bid independently while ultimately serving unified strategic objectives.
This structure provides several advantages: circumventing single-entity contract limits, creating appearance of competitive bidding processes, and offering plausible deniability when questions arise about market concentration.
The sophistication suggests deep understanding of procurement regulations and their potential circumvention.
The proxy approach also facilitates risk distribution across multiple entities while concentrating decision-making authority.
Should any individual company face regulatory challenges, others can continue operations while maintaining overall network coherence.
THE INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION: Offshore Complexity as Strategic Tool
Sheikh’s business operations extend beyond Kenya through international partnerships and offshore arrangements that add complexity to regulatory oversight.
These structures potentially facilitate capital flows, tax optimization, and ownership obscuration that provide competitive advantages over purely domestic competitors.
The involvement of UAE-registered entities in his network suggests sophisticated financial engineering designed to maximize flexibility while minimizing transparency requirements.
Such arrangements are common among politically connected businesspeople seeking to optimize their global commercial positioning.
THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT: Operating Within System Limitations
Sheikh’s success occurs within Kenya’s existing regulatory framework, exploiting gaps and limitations rather than operating outside legal boundaries.
His corporate structures, partnership arrangements, and contract positioning appear to comply with technical requirements while potentially undermining competitive intent of procurement regulations.
This approach – working within system limitations while potentially contradicting system objectives, represents sophisticated regulatory arbitrage.
Rather than challenging rules directly, Sheikh appears to leverage their inadequacies and enforcement limitations.
The regulatory response to his activities will test Kenya’s institutional capacity to ensure competitive procurement processes.
His success in securing multiple major contracts across sectors raises questions about whether current regulations adequately protect competitive market dynamics.
THE ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS: Market Concentration and Competition Effects
Sheikh’s expanding portfolio of government contracts across multiple sectors raises broader questions about market concentration and competitive dynamics in Kenya’s government-dependent industries.
When single networks secure dominant positions across transport, energy, agriculture, and other essential sectors, the effects extend beyond individual contract values.
Such concentration can lead to reduced innovation, inflated pricing, and decreased service quality as competitive pressures diminish.
The long-term contracts Sheikh has secured provide revenue guarantees that reduce incentives for efficiency improvements and customer service excellence.
For other businesses seeking government contracts, Sheikh’s success demonstrates the premium placed on political connections over technical capabilities or competitive pricing.
This dynamic can discourage legitimate business investment in sectors where political access appears more valuable than operational excellence.
THE INSTITUTIONAL TEST: Governance Systems Under Pressure
Sheikh’s operations present a significant test for Kenya’s governance institutions and their ability to ensure competitive, transparent procurement processes.
The concentration of contracts within his network raises questions about whether existing oversight mechanisms adequately protect public interests.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, and sector-specific regulators face the challenge of ensuring fair competition when politically connected networks operate within technical legal requirements while potentially undermining competitive market objectives.
The institutional response to Sheikh’s activities will indicate whether Kenya’s governance systems can evolve to address sophisticated regulatory arbitrage or will continue enabling systematic advantages for politically connected business networks.
THE STRATEGIC POSITIONING: Building Sustainable Competitive Advantages
Sheikh’s approach represents more than opportunistic contract seeking – it appears to be systematic positioning for sustainable competitive advantages across multiple sectors.
His political relationships, corporate structures, and sector diversification create mutually reinforcing competitive advantages that become increasingly difficult for competitors to challenge.
The Presidential friendship provides political protection and access, the corporate network enables regulatory arbitrage and risk distribution, and the sector diversification creates multiple revenue streams with different risk profiles.
This integrated approach builds sustainable competitive moats around his business empire.
Such positioning suggests long-term strategic thinking rather than short-term profit maximization. Sheikh appears to be building infrastructure for decades of government contracting success rather than pursuing individual opportunities opportunistically.
THE DEMOCRATIC IMPLICATIONS: Private Interests and Public Policy
The intersection of Sheikh’s business interests with government policy raises fundamental questions about democratic governance and public policy formation.
When major government contractors maintain such close relationships with political leadership, the independence of policy decisions becomes questionable.
Sheikh’s success across multiple sectors provides him significant influence over government policies affecting transport, agriculture, energy, and other areas where his companies operate.
This influence potential raises questions about whether public policies serve broader national interests or benefit specific private networks.
The challenge for Kenya’s democratic institutions is ensuring that business success doesn’t translate into policy capture that serves private interests at public expense.
Sheikh’s growing influence will test institutional capacity to maintain independence between government policy and private business interests.
THE ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTION: Transparency and Public Oversight
Sheikh’s operational approach – strategic anonymity, complex corporate structures, and international partnerships – creates significant challenges for public accountability and oversight.
Traditional transparency mechanisms struggle to address sophisticated networks that operate within legal requirements while potentially undermining public policy objectives.
The media, civil society, and opposition political parties face difficulties investigating and exposing networks that operate through legal corporate structures and maintain arms-length political relationships.
Sheikh’s approach appears designed to avoid the direct exposure that typically enables public accountability.
This dynamic raises questions about whether Kenya’s accountability systems can adapt to address modern forms of influence and ensure that business success serves broader public interests rather than narrow private objectives.
THE FUTURE IMPLICATIONS: Precedent and System Evolution
Sheikh’s success establishes precedents for how business networks can leverage political relationships to secure sustained competitive advantages.
His model – strategic anonymity, political relationship cultivation, regulatory arbitrage, and sector diversification – provides a template for other ambitious entrepreneurs.
The proliferation of similar networks could further concentrate government contracting within politically connected circles while reducing opportunities for businesses that lack comparable political access.
This dynamic could systematically disadvantage competitive market development in favor of relationship-dependent business models.
The long-term implications extend beyond individual business success to questions about Kenya’s economic development model and its compatibility with competitive market principles.
Sheikh’s approach represents a test case for whether political connections or competitive merit will determine business success in critical sectors.
THE RECLUSIVE STRATEGIST EMERGES
Faryd Abdulrazak Sheikh represents a new archetype in Kenyan business: the strategic phantom who builds influence networks while avoiding public attention.
His emergence from the shadows to dominate government contracting across multiple sectors reveals sophisticated understanding of political relationship management and regulatory system navigation.
Whether Sheikh’s approach represents legitimate business strategy or systematic advantage creation at public expense remains an open question.
What’s undeniable is his effectiveness in translating political access into commercial success across sectors essential to Kenya’s economic development.
His story continues unfolding as new contracts emerge and his influence network expands.
The ultimate measure of his impact will be whether his success contributes to competitive market development or further entrenches advantages for politically connected business networks at the expense of broader economic competition and public service quality.
The phantom has stepped into the light, revealing an empire built on strategic relationships and systematic positioning.
Whether Kenya’s institutions can ensure this empire serves public interests as well as private ones will determine much about the country’s economic and political future.
Videos of young women dancing in colourful boubou gowns have exploded across social media in West Africa. Dubbed “Dior parties”, the social media trend that originated in Guinea is now stirring controversy. What many see as a joyful revival of African identity and sisterhood has met with fierce backlash from conservative critics and pushed Mali to place a country-wide ban on the celebrations.
The trend spread like wildfire, as did the intractable controversies around it. In just a few months, “Dior parties” have become all the rage on social media. Driven by videos shared widely on TikTok, the trend that originated in Guinea has now taken West Africa by storm.
The clips show groups of young women clad in bright, colourful gowns known as boubous, fired up and dancing to all the latest hits in apartments, nightclubs or restaurants. But these girls’ nights out have met with fierce backlash from conservatives across West Africa. Many young women have faced a barrage of criticism for posting these videos, deemed immoral by critics.
Luxury fashion jumps on boubou trend
Also known as “boubou parties”, the “Dior party” trend refers to the well-known French luxury brand – a symbol of wealth and elegance. The nickname has stuck not only to describe the traditional African gowns, but also the friendly and selective nature of these parties, most often reserved for women.
“Dior parties” and their hype also seem to be riding the wave of boubous coming back into style. Replaced by outfits that were considered more modern for some time, the traditional gown has regained popularity in recent years and is now being proudly worn as a symbol of African cultural identity.
A few years ago, Dior came under fire for using traditional African batik wax printing and tie dye patterns on several garments during a fashion show, sparking a debate on cultural appropriation.
Twerking, a touchy topic
But the parties have recently become a target on social media, with some calling them symbols of “youth depravity”. Specific dance moves broadcast in the clips like twerking, which consists of rhythmically shaking the hips and buttocks, have especially sparked outrage. Alcohol consumption has also furrowed many brows, as its use is still poorly regarded in some West African regions.
In response to the criticism, participants have stepped up to defend the Dior parties, underlying their role as celebrations of sisterhood and African culture.
An organiser quoted anonymously by online media outlet Ledjely recalled the African origins of twerking, saying the move is an “integral part of traditional Guinean dances from its forest regions”.
“If you don’t know how to twerk, you can be considered a bad dancer. For us, it’s a way to have fun,” she added, going on to explain how these parties allow participants to celebrate and dance in a safe environment, without fear of being harassed or sexually assaulted.
Lesbians in the firing line
The most fervent critics of the Dior parties have gone even further, claiming “excessively promiscuous” participants are naked under their boubous and that the celebrations are “lesbian” gatherings. Talking about LGBTQ rights is an especially thorny issue in Guinea, where gay or lesbian displays of affection are illegal and can lead to imprisonment.
Discriminatory attitudes towards LGBTQ people are quite widespread in West Africa. Burkina Faso banned same-sex conduct earlier this month, and Mali passed a law that made homosexuality a crime in December last year.
Singer Marie Fac, who has organised Dior parties, snapped back at these allegations by posting a video on her TikTok account and wrote: “Some swear on their mothers’ lives that I’m a lesbian, to prove what exactly? Please, let’s educate our children.”
Others opt for a more sarcastic tone to defend the parties. “Let’s be honest fellas. Is twerking really the problem, or is it the fact that you weren’t invited to come and grind?” a woman wrote on a Facebook post that has now garnered more than 100 comments.
“Men don’t really understand Dior parties,” says Yamciss, an employee at the Nimba Palace nightclub in Conakry, Guinea, who thinks the controversy around the trend is an “exaggeration”. The 27-year-old organised a boubou party on August 1 and insists that the celebrations went off “without a hitch”.
“It was a huge success, not only for the nightclub but also for the retailers we worked with for the occasion,” he says. Thanks to their popularity, Dior parties have been an important business opportunity for local seamstresses, stylists, hairdressers, retailers and make-up artists.
But it turns out that is not enough to keep them going. Two Guinean municipalities banned Dior parties at the end of August, claiming the “sensual dances” performed “undermine our customs and morals, as well as modesty in public places”.
Neighbouring Mali quickly followed suit. On September 8, the governor of the district of Bamako issued a similar ban on the parties “for public order reasons”, citing practices that were “contrary to public decency”.
A general ban has since been implemented by the Ministry of Justice country-wide.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 13 – The Kenyan passport has held onto its crown as the most powerful travel document in East Africa, even as it slid two places in the latest Henley Passport Index, dropping from 67th to 69th position globally.
According to the 2025 rankings released this week, Kenyan passport holders can now access 71 destinations without a prior visa, down from 76 destinations in 2024.
The country now sits alongside The Gambia on the index, reflecting a slight decline in global travel freedom for Kenyans.
Despite the dip, Kenya continues to outpace its neighbours.
Tanzania follows closely at 70th position with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 70 destinations, while Uganda ranks 71st with 67 destinations.
Rwanda remains further behind at 73rd with access to 63 destinations.
The slip comes after Kenya’s bold visa reforms, including the scrapping of traditional entry visas for most visitors in favour of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system launched in January 2024.
The move, spearheaded by President William Ruto, aimed to boost regional integration and attract tourists and investors.
“We are having a conversation as Kenyans because it is unfair to ask anybody coming home for visas,” President Ruto said during the rollout of the policy. “In a few months, we are seriously considering abolishing any visa requirement for travelling to Kenya.”
While the policy has been praised for making Kenya more accessible, experts say the lack of reciprocal agreements means Kenyan travellers are not enjoying the same freedoms abroad.
Globally, Asian powerhouses Singapore and South Korea continue to dominate the index, offering their citizens visa-free access to 192 destinations — nearly three times more than Kenya.
For many Kenyans, the passport ranking carries more than symbolic weight.
It shapes how easy it is to explore the world, pursue education abroad, and conduct business without costly or lengthy visa applications.
Yet, as the index shows, Kenya remains a step ahead regionally, giving its citizens the most travel freedom within East Africa.
Millicent Omanga Celebrates Son’s Milestone Birthday with Luxury Car Gift
Former nominated senator Millicent Omanga pulled out all the stops to mark her son Wayne’s 20th birthday on September 12, 2025, presenting him with a brand-new Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class in a touching display of maternal love and pride.
The political figure took to social media to share the joyous moment, posting photos of the surprise gift presentation alongside a deeply emotional message to her firstborn. Omanga described the occasion as a significant milestone, expressing her overwhelming pride in watching Wayne transition into manhood.
“Happy 20th Birthday, my dearest Wayne. Today marks not just another year, but a milestone in your journey to manhood,” the former senator wrote in her heartfelt tribute. “Watching you grow into the young man you are today has been one of my life’s greatest joys.”
The luxury vehicle gift was accompanied by a mother’s blessing, as Omanga offered prayers for her son’s future endeavors. Her message carried profound spiritual undertones, reflecting her hopes for Wayne’s continued growth and success in his adult years.
“May this new chapter bring you wisdom, strength, and endless blessings. I pray that God continues to guide your steps, protect your path, and fill your heart with purpose and peace,” she shared, demonstrating the depth of her maternal devotion.
The celebration photos showed a beaming Wayne alongside his mother, capturing the special bond between them during this memorable occasion. Omanga’s gesture reflects not only her financial capability but also her commitment to celebrating important moments in her family’s life.
In her closing remarks, the former senator reinforced her unwavering support for her son, telling him, “You are deeply loved and believed in more than you can imagine. Keep shining and embrace the opportunities ahead.”
The public display of affection and generosity has garnered attention across social media platforms, with many praising Omanga for her dedication to her family while maintaining her public profile.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, known for its luxury features and reliability, represents a substantial investment in her son’s future mobility and independence as he enters his third decade of life.
This celebration adds to Omanga’s reputation as a family-oriented public figure who doesn’t shy away from sharing personal milestones with her followers, maintaining a balance between her political legacy and her role as a devoted mother.
RIVALTA, Italy, Sept 8 (Reuters) – Family and close friends were set to gather in a private funeral on Monday for Giorgio Armani, the legendary Italian fashion designer who died last week at the age of 91.
Armani will be laid to rest next to his parents and older brother in a family chapel in Rivalta, a village about 100 km (62 miles) south-east of Milan and near the city where he was born, Piacenza.
In a mark of respect, Armani stores will close in the afternoon.
“We will say goodbye to him as a family and then move forward as he would have wanted. Everything is ready to remember him with his fashion,” his partner Pantaleo Dell’Orco was quoted as saying by Corriere della Sera daily.
Right up to his death, Armani was working on a retrospective exhibition and a fashion show to celebrate 50 years of being in business, during Milan Fashion Week in late September. His company has to date not announced any changes to the programme.
The designer’s death was announced on Thursday, sparking an outpouring of international grief, with tributes flowing in from Hollywood stars, sporting champions, business and political leaders and ordinary people.
Over the weekend, thousands came to pay their respects to the man known as “Re Giorgio” (King Giorgio) as his wooden casket, adorned with white roses, was put on display at Armani’s headquarters in Milan.
“I feel very saddened, because he was a man of great style who, of course, has left an indelible mark… We are definitely losing a great, truly great talent”, Milan resident Alessandra Torchio said on Monday.
Armani died after a five-decade career in which he built a business empire spanning haute couture to home furnishing, with his name becoming synonymous with elegant simplicity.
He had no children but worked with a trusted group of family members and long-term confidants who are expected to carry on running the business over which he exercised tight control.
How celebrities, influencers, and ordinary Nairobians are embracing extreme measures for rapid weight loss—and why health experts are sounding the alarm
The morning gym crowds at Nairobi’s upscale fitness centers are thinning, but it’s not because the city has lost its appetite for weight loss.
Instead, Kenyans are turning to a new arsenal of rapid-fire solutions that promise dramatic results without the sweat: diabetes drugs repurposed for slimming, medieval-like jaw wiring procedures, and extreme fasting regimens that would make nutritionists shudder.
Welcome to Nairobi’s weight loss revolution; a high-stakes game where looking good fast has become more important than being healthy, and where social media influence often trumps medical advice.
The Ozempic Phenomenon
At the center of this transformation is Ozempic, a diabetes medication that has become the city’s worst-kept secret for effortless weight loss.
Originally designed to help manage Type 2 diabetes, the injectable drug works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar levels. The result? Dramatic weight reduction that has captured the attention of Kenya’s celebrity elite.
Content creator Kelvin Kinuthia made headlines in May when he announced losing 5 kilograms in just seven days.
“Losing 5kgs in 7 days is such a big flex,” he wrote to his thousands of Instagram followers, documenting his journey from 148kg to 143kg with the enthusiasm of someone who had discovered the holy grail of weight management.
The trend has swept through Kenya’s entertainment industry like wildfire.
Pritty Vishy lost an astounding 41 kilograms over several months using Ozempic combined with training, while radio personality Lydia Wanjiru openly shared how the drug helped her achieve changes she “never got even after six months in the gym”—despite experiencing severe side effects including vomiting, dizziness, and crushing fatigue.
Beauty influencer Murugi Munyi has incorporated Ozempic into her wellness routine, and most recently, content creator Nimo Gachuiri joined the trend in July, publicly announcing it as part of her “wellness reboot.”
But behind the glamorous before-and-after photos lies a more complex reality.
The black market for Ozempic injections is thriving, thanks to the growing demand for the drug. Kenya’s Ministry of Health and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board have launched investigations into the misuse of Ozempic, emphasizing that it’s approved for diabetes treatment, not cosmetic weight loss.
The Return of Jaw Wiring
Perhaps even more dramatic than the Ozempic trend is the resurgence of dental slimming wires—a procedure that literally wires the jaw shut to force users onto a liquid-only diet.
This isn’t a metaphor; it’s a medical reality that’s being glamorized across social media platforms.
Influencer Moniq Diary has become one of the most visible proponents of the procedure, documenting her 7-kilogram weight loss journey through jaw wiring with a mixture of triumph and transparency about the challenges.
Her content, featuring blended meals and liquid diets, has garnered thousands of views and inspired others to follow suit.
Another influencer, Redna Rey, has taken the documentation even further, creating a detailed video diary of every stage of the process, calling her decision “bold but necessary.”
The weight-loss trend of slimming wires involves temporarily wiring the jaw shut to limit food intake. While some users report success, medical professionals warn of potential risks like malnutrition, jaw pain, and even choking.
The procedure, performed quietly by dentists mostly through referrals, is marketed as non-surgical and reversible. But health experts are raising serious concerns.
The restriction imposed by jaw wiring not only alters eating habits but may also contribute to mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.
Additionally, having your jaw wired shut is basically making a massive breeding ground for bacteria and the onset of decay due to increased salivation and inability to properly clean between teeth.
The OMAD Obsession
Completing the trinity of extreme weight loss measures is OMAD (One Meal A Day), a form of intermittent fasting that restricts all daily food intake to a single hour.
Model and influencer Lynne Njihia became a poster child for this approach after losing 17 kilograms in eight months following childbirth, dropping from 71kg to 53.9kg while completely eliminating carbohydrates.
“This is what eight months of consistency and discipline will get you: 17 KGS DOWN. I feel lighter, and I am healthier,” she shared with her followers, proudly announcing her return to size Small clothing.
While OMAD has legitimate applications in supervised medical settings, its popularization through social media has many nutritionists concerned about the message it sends about sustainable, healthy eating habits.
The Professional Pushback
The fitness community is pushing back against what many see as a cultural shift away from health-focused wellness toward appearance-obsessed quick fixes.
Fitness coach Frankie JustGymIt has been particularly vocal about what he calls “cheating” the process of health improvement.
“So many people, men and women, are taking Ozempic. The normal person who does not suffer from any condition. Someone who has the ability and money to buy good food, good nutrition, and sign up for a good enough gym, why use a shortcut?” Frankie questioned in a recent social media post.
His concern goes beyond just the physical implications: “The shortcuts do not show that you are a person who values his or her body. You are valuing a look. Because you are doing it to look a certain way, not to function a certain way.”
Kenyan health authorities are taking notice of these trends with growing alarm. A 2025 report by the Reuters Institute shows that in Kenya, online influencers are the main source of false or misleading information.
The concern is especially high in African countries like Nigeria (58 percent) and Kenya (59 percent). Most of these campaigns target women.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has warned about counterfeit Ozempic products flooding the market, while medical professionals stress that these interventions should only be undertaken under strict medical supervision for appropriate candidates.
The Cost of Quick Results
What’s driving this dramatic shift in how Nairobi approaches weight loss? Cultural observers point to several factors: the influence of social media, the desire for instant results in an increasingly fast-paced society, and the pressure to maintain a certain aesthetic standard in Kenya’s image-conscious social circles.
But the real cost may be measured not just in shillings spent on procedures and medications, but in the long-term relationship Kenyans develop with their bodies, food, and health.
Medical experts warn that without addressing underlying lifestyle factors, dramatic weight loss through these methods often proves temporary. Weight regain was common after the removal of the wires, as individuals returned to their previous eating habits.
Moreover, the psychological impact of these extreme interventions is still being understood. The message that bodies need to be dramatically altered through medical intervention to be acceptable may be creating a generation of Kenyans who view their natural selves as inherently flawed.
As Nairobi’s weight loss revolution continues to evolve, the question remains whether the city can find a balance between the desire for effective solutions and the need for safe, sustainable approaches to health and wellness.
While Ozempic, jaw wiring, and extreme fasting may offer dramatic short-term results, health experts continue to emphasize that lasting wellness comes from understanding and addressing the root causes of weight concerns through comprehensive lifestyle changes, proper nutrition, regular physical activity, and mental health support.
The challenge for Kenya’s health system, influencers, and individuals will be navigating this new landscape while prioritizing long-term wellbeing over short-term aesthetic gains. As this trend continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the conversation about weight, health, and body image in Kenya has been forever changed.
For those considering any form of medical intervention for weight loss, health professionals recommend consulting with qualified medical practitioners who can provide personalized guidance based on individual health needs and circumstances.
NAIROBI – Kenya has implemented sweeping alcohol control measures, raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 and banning alcohol sales in numerous public venues as part of a comprehensive crackdown on substance abuse among youth.
The new policy, launched Wednesday by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), represents one of the most significant shifts in Kenya’s alcohol regulation framework in recent years.
Key changes
Age restrictions : No person under 21 will be permitted to consume alcohol or enter alcohol-selling premises, even when accompanied by an adult. Entertainment venues and retailers must strictly enforce this new threshold, ending the long-standing 18-year minimum age.
Comprehensive location bans : The policy establishes extensive restrictions on where alcohol can be sold and consumed. Events where children are present face complete alcohol sale prohibitions, covering sports competitions, music festivals, art competitions, and entertainment shows.
The geographical restrictions are equally sweeping, encompassing public beaches, parks, amusement facilities, medical centers, sports venues, and all transportation infrastructure including bus parks, railway stations, ferry terminals, and petrol stations. A 300-meter exclusion zone around all educational institutions, from primary schools to universities, creates alcohol-free buffer zones.
The policy fundamentally reshapes retail alcohol access by banning sales in supermarkets, outlets selling children’s products like toy shops, residential premises, and restaurants.
Traditional informal sales channels through vending machines, hawkers, and home deliveries are completely eliminated.
Even basic education institutions, tertiary colleges, and higher learning facilities become alcohol-free zones for both sales and consumption.
Comprehensive marketing restrictions : The advertising overhaul represents perhaps the most dramatic shift in alcohol promotion practices.
Beyond prohibiting celebrity endorsements, the policy mandates that anyone appearing in alcohol advertisements must be over 25 years old, creating a significant barrier for youth-targeted marketing.
The restrictions extend to lifestyle advertising that suggests alcohol consumption is fashionable or acceptable before, during, or after activities requiring concentration such as driving, operating machinery, or playing sports.
Television and radio face watershed restrictions, banning alcohol advertisements between 5 AM and 10 PM when young audiences are most likely to be watching.
Content creation across all media platforms faces new limitations, with the production and broadcasting of music, films, stage plays, and audio-visual programs that positively depict alcohol consumption now prohibited on electronic and print media.
Prize-oriented competitions and promotions designed to encourage increased alcohol consumption are banned entirely.
Sports sponsorship arrangements face complete restructuring, as manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers can no longer name sports teams after alcoholic products or sponsor sports leagues, tournaments, or national teams.
The policy also eliminates promotional practices like free sampling and discount sales that have traditionally driven retail alcohol sales.
Driving factors
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced the measures at Radisson Blu hotel, citing “an alarming rise in substance potency and variety, coupled with surging illicit drug trafficking.”
The policy responds to concerning statistics revealed in NACADA’s February 2025 university study.
Among 15,678 surveyed students, 87.3% consumed alcohol, 64.4% used cigarettes, and 41.2% used shisha.
Most troubling, 66.4% sourced substances from friends while 59.3% obtained them from neighborhood bars and canteens.
Retail and licensing implications : The new framework requires fundamental changes to alcohol retail operations across Kenya.
All entertainment venues and alcohol outlets must implement strict age verification systems, with no exceptions for adult accompaniment of minors.
This represents a significant departure from previous practices where parental presence could override age restrictions.
Licensing authorities face new obligations, as outlets located within three hundred meters of educational institutions will be prohibited from obtaining or renewing alcohol sales licenses.
This creates immediate compliance challenges for existing establishments in densely populated urban areas where schools and retail outlets often coexist in close proximity.
The policy also addresses packaging and labeling requirements, mandating that all alcoholic beverages display prominent health warnings, ingredient lists, and pictorial warnings.
Size restrictions and packaging specifications aim to reduce the appeal and accessibility of alcohol products, particularly to younger consumers who may be attracted to smaller, more affordable options.
“All stakeholders must act, leveraging the provisions of this policy to forge strong, synchronized partnerships with the government,” NACADA stated, emphasizing the need for coordinated enforcement.
When it will start working
While specific enforcement dates weren’t announced, the policy takes immediate effect for new licenses and operations.
Existing establishments will need to adapt their practices to comply with the age verification and location restrictions.
The measures represent Kenya’s most aggressive approach to alcohol control, targeting both supply-side restrictions and demand-reduction through marketing limitations.
Success will depend on consistent enforcement across the country’s diverse entertainment and retail landscape.
New study reveals deep generational and geographic rifts over bride price practice
In the bustling matatu stations of Nairobi, 28-year-old James Kimani scrolls through his phone, calculating figures that have nothing to do with his salary or rent.
He’s trying to figure out how much he’ll need for his girlfriend’s bride price—a tradition that’s becoming as contentious as it is expensive.
Kimani’s dilemma captures the essence of a groundbreaking study by Mwelekeo Insights that has peeled back the layers of one of Kenya’s most enduring cultural practices.
The research, which surveyed attitudes toward bride price among Kenyan men, reveals a nation wrestling with its identity as ancient customs collide with modern realities.
The findings paint a picture of a society in flux. While nearly every Kenyan knows about bride price, the study uncovers a fascinating paradox: universal awareness coupled with dramatically divergent interpretations.
For some, it remains a sacred rite that honors families and strengthens bonds. For others, it’s an outdated transaction that commodifies women.
“We’re seeing the DNA of our culture being questioned,” explains Dr. Sarah Wanjiku, a cultural anthropologist at the University of Nairobi who was not involved in the study.
“This isn’t just about money, it’s about identity, gender roles, and what it means to be Kenyan in the 21st century.”
Perhaps the most striking revelation is how geography and age have created distinct camps.
In rural areas, where traditions run as deep as the Rift Valley, older men remain steadfast supporters of the practice.
They view it as non-negotiable—a cornerstone of respect and family unity that has weathered generations.
But step into Kenya’s urban centers, and the narrative shifts dramatically.
Younger, educated men increasingly question the relevance of a tradition they see as financially burdensome and potentially exploitative.
The study reveals that exposure to diverse cultures and higher education correlates strongly with critical views of bride price.
“My grandfather sees it as honoring my future wife’s family,” says Michael Ochieng, a 32-year-old software developer in Kisumu.
“But I see it as starting my marriage in debt. How is that honoring anyone?”
The economic dimension of the debate cannot be ignored.
Kenya’s challenging economic climate has transformed bride price from a symbolic gesture into a potential financial nightmare for many young men.
The study found that affordability concerns drive much of the opposition, with some men delaying marriage indefinitely rather than burden their families with debt.
This economic pressure has sparked innovative discussions about alternatives.
Some families now negotiate symbolic payments, while others explore cost-sharing arrangements that reflect changing gender dynamics.
The influence of feminist awareness, the study notes, has introduced new conversations about fairness and partnership that were previously absent from these negotiations.
At the heart of the bride price debate lies a fundamental question about gender roles in contemporary Kenya.
Traditional supporters argue that the practice demonstrates commitment and responsibility, while critics contend it reinforces patriarchal structures that reduce women to commodities with price tags.
The study reveals that perceptions of fairness and gender equality strongly influence attitudes toward the practice.
Men who embrace progressive views on women’s rights are more likely to oppose or seek reforms to bride price, while those with traditional gender role expectations remain supportive.
“The conversation has evolved beyond just culture versus modernity,” notes Ruth Mumbi, a gender rights advocate. “We’re now asking whether our traditions can coexist with equality, or whether some practices are fundamentally incompatible with progress.”
As Kenya navigates this cultural crossroads, the study suggests that the future of bride price may lie not in its abolition or preservation, but in its transformation.
Some communities are already experimenting with reforms that maintain the symbolic meaning while addressing practical concerns.
The research indicates a growing appetite for dialogue that brings together different generations, urban and rural perspectives, and progressive and traditional viewpoints. This conversation, experts argue, is essential for any sustainable resolution.
“We’re not just talking about bride price,” reflects Dr. Peter Kagwanja, a political analyst. “We’re talking about how Kenya reconciles its past with its future, how we honor our ancestors while building an equitable society for our children.”
The Mwelekeo Insights study has opened a Pandora’s box that reveals the complexity of cultural evolution in modern Africa.
It shows a society grappling with questions that have no easy answers: How do we preserve what makes us who we are while embracing who we want to become?
As young Kenyans like James Kimani weigh their options, they’re not just making personal decisions about marriage and money.
They’re participating in a broader conversation about identity, tradition, and progress that will shape Kenya’s cultural landscape for generations to come.
The bride price debate, it seems, is really about something much bigger—the price of change itself, and whether a nation can afford to pay it while staying true to its roots.
ODM leader advocates for clustered housing model and funeral reforms to drive economic growth in Luo community
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has launched a bold campaign calling on the Luo community to abandon the centuries-old tradition of “goyo dala” – establishing individual homesteads in favor of modern clustered housing developments that would facilitate better infrastructure delivery and economic development.
Speaking at a recent meeting with leaders from Nyakach, including Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and members of the Luo Council of Elders, Odinga argued that the traditional practice has resulted in scattered rural settlements that complicate efforts to provide essential services such as electricity, water, roads, and healthcare.
Breaking with tradition
The “goyo dala” tradition represents a significant cultural milestone in Luo society, marking a young man’s transition to adulthood and independence when he establishes his own homestead on land allocated by his father.
Historically, sons would first build temporary structures called “simba” within their father’s compound before eventually moving to establish their own separate homestead.
“What we must do as a community is reflect critically on goyo dala and embrace more dignified, modern housing,” Odinga declared. “Our elders must initiate this dialogue. Let us learn from countries like South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore.”
The ODM leader proposed a community-based model where families live together in clustered homesteads, which he argues would strengthen family bonds while enabling more efficient delivery of public services.
Economic argument
Odinga’s call for housing reform is rooted in economic pragmatism.
He expressed concern over what he described as “rural slums” visible from the air, attributed to poor planning and unchecked land fragmentation.
“In earlier times, the population was small and land was abundant. That is no longer the case,” he explained.
“Rather than subdividing land endlessly, we should designate central zones for housing while preserving the rest for agriculture and amenities.”
To illustrate the problem, Odinga used a hypothetical scenario: “A father with 20 acres of land bequeaths it to four sons each receiving five acres. Over generations, these plots shrink and eventually become too small to accommodate even basic infrastructure.”
His vision includes integrated housing models where families would live in planned communities with access to shared amenities such as playgrounds, shops, and clean water within shared compounds.
The proposals have garnered backing from development professionals.
Victor Kanyaura, Chief Officer for Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development in Kisumu County Government, endorsed the concept, citing successful models in Kericho’s tea estates where workers live in consolidated quarters.
“This enhances unity and shared meals, which are integral to African culture,” Kanyaura noted, adding that clustered housing reduces infrastructure costs while fostering communal living.
He criticized the growing trend of subdividing land into tiny 50×100-foot plots, arguing this undermines meaningful development.
Ker Odungi Randa, Chairman of the Luo Council of Elders, has also expressed support for the shift. “Many are already embracing this including prominent members of our community. With time, even rural villagers will recognize its benefits,” he said.
The funeral economy challenge
Casket
Beyond housing reform, Odinga has also called for urgent conversation about the commercialization of funerals in the Luo community, which he argues has become a significant economic drain.
The scale of the problem is staggering.
Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi revealed that his Suba South constituency alone spends approximately Sh200,000 per funeral, with 43 people buried each week.
This translates to Sh8.6 million weekly, Sh34.4 million monthly, and Sh412 million annually – more than the constituency receives in National Government Constituency Development Fund allocations.
“We must have a conversation about our funerals and the economic impact it has on the community’s economy,” Odinga stated. “Funerals cannot be industries. The Luo community had a structured way for burials and it did not take a long time.”
Cultural resistance and economic reality
The push for reform faces significant cultural headwinds. Luo funeral traditions are deeply rooted in beliefs about the afterlife and respect for the deceased.
The community believes that lavish funeral ceremonies appease the spirits of the departed and demonstrate proper respect for kinship ties.
However, critics argue these elaborate ceremonies have evolved into “eating festivals” that burden families with debt and divert resources from productive investments.
Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga noted that most event managers profiting from these ceremonies are not even from the Luo community.
“The majority of the event managers are not from the Luo community, and it is sad that after the burial, the bereaved families are confined to poverty,” she observed.
Odinga has positioned these reforms not merely as Luo community issues but as national imperatives.
He has emerged as a strong supporter of President William Ruto’s Affordable Housing initiative, arguing that moving away from generational land fragmentation aligns with the government’s efforts to create integrated housing solutions.
“We must move away from generational land fragmentation. It is no longer viable and we should support the government’s efforts to create affordable, integrated housing where diverse people live together,” he said.
However, he emphasized that such shifts must be accompanied by government investments in education, employment, and healthcare. “People must have access to jobs and markets to generate income. Without this, they cannot afford mortgage payments,” he cautioned.
The debate reflects broader tensions between cultural preservation and economic modernization facing many African communities.
While some view Odinga’s proposals as necessary adaptation to contemporary realities, others worry about the erosion of cultural identity and community bonds.
As Kenya grapples with urbanization pressures and the need for efficient service delivery, the Luo community finds itself at the center of a conversation about how traditional practices can evolve to meet modern challenges while preserving essential cultural values.
The success of Odinga’s reform agenda will likely depend on the community’s ability to find a middle ground that honors ancestral wisdom while embracing practical solutions for sustainable development.
As the former Prime Minister noted, change must come from within the community, guided by elders and embraced by the younger generation who will ultimately inherit both the benefits and challenges of these decisions.
The United States Embassy has implemented a strict new requirement that could significantly impact millions of visa applicants worldwide, including Kenyans seeking to travel to America.
All US visa applicants must now provide comprehensive details of every social media account they have used over the past five years, with failure to comply potentially resulting in visa denial and permanent ineligibility for future applications.
This mandatory disclosure applies to the DS-160 visa application form, where applicants must list usernames and handles from every social media platform they have accessed during the specified period. The requirement covers major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Reddit, Tumblr, Twitter, and YouTube, as well as regional platforms like Douban, VKontakte, and Youku.
“Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles for every platform they have used in the past five years,” the US Embassy stated in its recent announcement. The embassy emphasized that applicants must certify the accuracy of all information before submitting their applications, warning that “omitting social media information on your application could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future US visas.”
The enhanced vetting measures represent a significant escalation of social media screening policies that have been in place since 2019, but have become considerably more stringent under the current administration’s immigration policies. What makes this requirement particularly impactful is its retroactive nature, requiring applicants to recall and disclose social media activity spanning half a decade.
For international students seeking F, M, and J visas, the requirements have become even more demanding. Recent policy updates now require these applicants to make their social media accounts public, allowing consular officers to review posts, comments, shared media, tags, reactions, and account interactions as part of the vetting process. This level of scrutiny reflects the administration’s focus on filtering applicants based on their online expressions, particularly regarding political opinions, global issues, and content deemed potentially problematic.
The policy change comes amid heightened efforts to combat visa fraud and strengthen immigration controls. The US Embassy has simultaneously warned that individuals found engaging in fraudulent activities to obtain visas will face lifetime bans from entering the United States. “Those who commit visa fraud will be banned from the United States for life,” the embassy stated, adding that criminal charges may be pursued against offenders.
For travelers, this development signals a new era of digital transparency in visa applications. The requirement effectively means that casual social media users must maintain detailed records of their online presence, including platforms they may have briefly used or forgotten about. The policy recognizes that social media activity has become an integral part of personal identity verification and national security screening.
Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the extensive nature of this digital surveillance, particularly given that applicants must provide access to five years of personal online activity. However, the US government maintains that applicants are not required to provide passwords to their accounts, and consular officers cannot modify applicant profiles.
The practical implications for visa applicants are substantial. Travelers must now conduct thorough audits of their social media history, ensuring they can account for every platform used over the past five years. This includes not just major platforms but also professional networks, dating apps, gaming platforms, and regional social media sites that maintain user profiles.
Travel industry experts suggest that prospective applicants should begin documenting their social media usage immediately, creating comprehensive lists of all platforms and associated usernames. They also recommend reviewing past posts and online activity to ensure consistency with visa application information.
The new requirements underscore the evolving landscape of international travel, where digital footprints have become as important as traditional documentation. For the millions of people who rely on US visas for business, education, tourism, and family visits, this policy represents a fundamental shift in how personal information is evaluated in the visa process.
As global mobility increasingly intersects with digital identity, travelers must now navigate not just physical borders but also the complex terrain of their online presence, making social media literacy and digital responsibility essential skills for international travel in the modern era.
NAROK, Kenya, Jul 24 – President William Ruto on Thursday launched the 2025 Great Wildebeest Migration global live coverage at the Masai Mara, in partnership with China Media Group Africa, as part of efforts to showcase Kenya’s tourism offerings to the world.
The President said the broadcast of the annual spectacle, often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world, was part of a broader campaign to boost international tourist arrivals, with a target of five million visitors by 2027.
“This historic broadcast is a powerful reminder of what is possible when vision meets partnership,” Ruto said.
“It is also a call to the world to travel with purpose, to preserve what is precious, and to pass on a healthier planet to future generations.”
Ruto noted that the Masai Mara, which receives more than 400,000 visitors annually, is the crown jewel of Kenya’s tourism and a global symbol of conservation success, adding that the migration offers a rare life-and-death spectacle as wildebeests cross the crocodile-infested Mara River.
The President said the government is diversifying tourism beyond wildlife and beaches to include digital innovation, sports and conference tourism, and cultural experiences, positioning Kenya as the home of human origin and a top global travel destination.
He hailed partnerships such as those with China under the Belt and Road Initiative, saying they go beyond infrastructure to foster shared responsibility for protecting the planet.
President William Ruto enjoys a game drive at the Masai Mara National Reserve
In 2024, Kenya welcomed 2.4 million international visitors, a 15 percent increase from 2023, which Ruto described as a sign of growing global confidence in the country’s destinations.
He invited local and international tourists to experience the migration and other attractions, describing Kenya as “open, radiant, and ready to share her soul with the world.”
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano and Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu were among officials present at the launch.
Kenyans will soon have access to a revolutionary HIV prevention injection that costs Sh6,000 per dose and provides six months of protection, the government announced this week.
Andrew Mulwa, Head of the National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NASCOP), revealed that Lenacapavir will be available starting January 2026, marking a significant breakthrough in HIV prevention efforts.
The twice-yearly injection offers a more convenient alternative to daily oral PrEP pills, which many struggle to maintain consistently.
“This is a big leap for our HIV prevention efforts,” said Dr. Mulwa. “The injectable is easier to administer and track, and we’re working on the rollout modalities.”
The World Health Organization endorsed Lenacapavir on July 14, highlighting its 99 percent efficacy rate in preventing HIV transmission.
Unlike daily pills that can be stigmatizing and difficult to remember, the subcutaneous injection administered in the abdominal area provides discreet, long-lasting protection.
Kenya joins eight other African countries selected to receive the drug through programs funded by global health partners including the Global Fund, Tiko Africa, and UNAIDS.
The initiative prioritizes adolescent girls and young women at high risk of HIV infection across Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Uganda, and Eswatini.
For vulnerable groups like sex workers, the injection represents a game-changer.
Everly Nabwire, who leads a sex worker initiative in Mombasa serving over 1,000 women, described daily pills as “stressful and stigmatizing.”
Many forget their medication, especially after night shifts, while others face judgment from clients when seen taking pills.
However, cost remains a significant barrier. While the Global Fund negotiates reduced prices for early adopter countries, private access could cost up to $60 per injection. Most sex workers struggle to afford even Sh100 for pills at pharmacies, raising concerns about accessibility.
With Kenya ranking seventh globally in HIV burden and 1.4 million people living with the virus, the injectable offers hope for reducing new infections.
The Global Fund plans to supply at least 2 million doses globally, primarily targeting sub-Saharan Africa where HIV incidence remains highest.
As Kenya prepares for the rollout, health officials are finalizing eligibility criteria while ensuring the breakthrough prevention tool reaches those who need it most.
Every time my period came, it wasn’t just discomfort, it was pure agony. Crippling cramps that felt like knives twisting inside me. Nausea. Fatigue. Heavy bleeding that lasted for days. I would curl up on the floor, sweating, crying, unable to move, unable to speak. My friends would joke about “period pain,” but I knew what I was feeling wasn’t normal.
For years, I was told, “It’s just part of being a woman. You’ll grow out of it.”
I didn’t.
In fact, it got worse.
Pain during sex. Pain while using the bathroom. Pain that stayed even after my cycle. I couldn’t concentrate at work, couldn’t go out with friends, and honestly, I started to hate my body. It felt like it was punishing me every month.
After countless hospital visits, ultrasounds, bloodwork, and tearful explanations, I was finally diagnosed with endometriosis. It was a relief to have a name for the monster inside me, but also a heartbreak, because they told me there was no real cure. Just painkillers, hormone therapy, or surgery. To continue reading click here.
