Category: News

NIS Boss Noordin Haji, Nelson Havi Among 54 Newly Named Senior Counsel

Kenya has unveiled its largest ever cohort of Senior Counsel nominees, naming 54 high-profile lawyers and public figures to the country’s top legal rank after a three-year pause.

The list, released by the Committee on Senior Counsel, features National Intelligence Service Director-General Noordin Haji, former Law Society of Kenya presidents Nelson Havi and Eric Theuri, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, maritime law expert and former PS Nancy Karigithu, and President William Ruto’s former ICC defence lawyer Katwa Kigen.

If approved by the Chief Justice, the new conferments will almost double the number of Senior Counsels from 66 to 120.

Committee chair Philip Murgor said the 54 were chosen from 105 applicants, marking what he called one of the most competitive rounds since the title—modelled on the British Queen’s Counsel tradition—was introduced.

Senior Counsel status confers courtroom precedence, ceremonial privileges and a formal place within Kenya’s legal hierarchy.

Haji’s nomination immediately sparked online debate given his transition from Director of Public Prosecutions to intelligence chief, with critics questioning whether state officers should benefit from a rank historically linked to active legal practice.

Supporters argue his record in public prosecutions and national security reforms meets the threshold of “exceptional contribution” recognised by the committee.

The 2024/2025 class is notable for its breadth. Speaker Wetang’ula adds political weight; Karigithu strengthens the representation of women in the elite circle; while scholars such as Prof P.L.O. Lumumba and Prof Kariuki Muigua reflect academia’s rising influence.

Corporate governance veteran Richard Omwela, sports lawyer Ambrose Rachier and IPOA chair Ahmed Issack Hassan round out a group that cuts across government, private practice, public interest, regulation and litigation.

Past conferments have drawn criticism over opacity, political favouritism and uneven standards, controversies that resurfaced as the new names circulated online.

The committee insists it tightened its vetting criteria and applied “strict merit standards” to restore confidence in the rank.

A full list of the 54 nominees includes: Rapinder Singh Sehmi, Paul Ndiritu Ndungu, Clement Muturi Kigano, Eliud Ng’ang’a Njoroge, Evans Thiga Gaturu, Ambrose Rachier Otieno, Richard Omwela, Moses Masika Wetang’ula, Alexandra Kontos, Nancy Wakarima Karigithu, Moses Kipng’etich Kurgat, Rubeena Dar, Dr Kivutha Kibwana, Lumatete Walubengo Muchai, Njoroge Regeru, Prof Patrick Otieno Lumumba, Anastacia Kioko Mululu, James Ochieng’ Oduol, Jane Njeri Onyango Njoki, Christine Agimba Anyango, Hillary Chacha Odera, Njeri Caroline Ndegwa Kariuki, Mercy Wangari Buku, Isaac Edwin Okero, Prof Kariuki Muigua, Dr Hosea Kimutai Kili, Kennedy Ogeto, Praxedes Chepkoech Tororey, James Mburu Kamau, William Ikutha Maema, Patrick Lutta Odongo, Ruth Anyango Aura, Dr Mercy Mwarah Deche, Hassan Nunow Lakicha, Koki Muli Grignon, James Aggrey Mwamu, Adil Khawaja, Ahmed Issack Hassan, Paul Lilan, Henry Ongicho Asugah, Joseph Kipchumba Kigen Katwa, Jedidah Wakonyo Waruhiu, Mohammed Salim Balala, Rose Waithera Njoroge, Nazima Malik, Michi Kirimi Kanyiri, Noordin Mohamed Haji, Richard Harney, Ahmed Sheikh Adan, Nelson Andayi Havi, Eric Theuri Njeru, Elisha Zebedee Ongoya, Dr Muthomi Thiankolu and Immaculate Muringo Kassait.

The nominations now await formal approval and gazettement by the Chief Justice.

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December 4, 2025
Kenyan MPs Accuse British Soldiers Of Decades Of Sexual Abuse

Kenya’s parliament has accused British soldiers of decades of sexual abuse, killings, human rights violations and environmental destruction while training in the country.

The report detailed harrowing testimony from communities in Laikipia and Samburu counties, near the military training bases.

The British soldiers are accused of evading accountability by refusing to cooperate with the parliamentary investigation.

The UK High Commission in Kenya said it regretted that its submission was not reflected in the report’s conclusions and affirmed its readiness to investigate the allegations “under our jurisdiction fully, once evidence is provided”.

For decades, troops from the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (Batuk) have been training in central Kenya but their presence has long attracted controversy, with soldiers accused of misconduct and rights abuses.

More than 1,000 Kenyan soldiers receive British training each year, while thousands of UK troops are sent to Kenya for training exercises.

In a 94-page report following a two-year inquiry, Kenya’s parliamentary Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations accused Batuk of continued ethical breaches, rights violations and environmental negligence, as well as employment and labour concerns.

The panel cited oral and written submissions from affected civilians, victims, community leaders, civil society organisations and public agencies.

The report said that during the inquiry, host communities had complained of killings, assaults and maimings, including public fights and fatal traffic incidents, involving Batuk soldiers.

The report said that Batuk was “increasingly seen as an occupying presence rather than a development partner, with affected residents drawing parallels to colonial injustices”.

Among the worst cases was the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru, whose body was found in a hotel septic tank in the central garrison town of Nanyuki, nearly three months after she was alleged to have spent an evening with British soldiers.

The panel said the “pursuit of justice has been slow and fraught with frustration”.

“It was submitted that the process of investigation has faced undue interference and obstruction, allegedly by Batuk personnel, which continues to hinder the delivery of justice,” it added.

A former British soldier accused of Wanjiru’s murder was arrested last month after a warrant was issued in the UK and he now faces extradition to Kenya. He has denied the charge, and his lawyers said he intended to contest the extradition.

Another case was the “unlawful killing” of herder Tilam Leresh allegedly by a Batuk sergeant in 2012, “yet no arrest or prosecution has taken place in either Kenya or the UK”.

The UK has previously expressed regret over Leresh’s shooting by an on-duty British soldier, but in a statement to the parliamentary committee in October, the Ministry of Defence noted that British prosecutors had concluded there was insufficient evidence to bring charges. The UK said it remained open to considering any new evidence that might emerge.

The report also noted “disturbing trends of sexual misconduct by Batuk personnel” and claimed that survivors of sexual violence reported cases being dropped or mishandled by local authorities, with “many victims denied access to justice”.

It cited “compelling evidence” of widespread sexual violence perpetrated by Batuk soldiers particularly against women from the Samburu and Maasai communities.

“Cases of rape and sexual violence by Batuk soldiers remain unresolved, and justice has not been served to the victims.”

Agnes Wanjiru was killed near the British forces’ training camp in 2012

The report documented testimony from victims, detailing how British soldiers had allegedly preyed on local women, attacking them while they were fetching firewood, water, or grazing livestock.

It recounted a horrific 1997 incident in Archer’s Post where “30 women were gang-raped at knife-point”, some inside their own homes.

Batuk said it had “zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse” and took any such allegations very seriously.

Witnesses also described instances of public indecency by soldiers, including exposing themselves in social venues and town centres, often involving intoxication, disorderly behaviour, and in some cases, violent or sexually aggressive conduct.

Besides rape and assault, the inquiry also documented cases of abandoned “fatherless” children.

“Dozens of children have been fathered by British soldiers who returned home, leaving behind single mothers facing stigma and financial hardship,” it stated.

The MPs also alleged that Batuk has never carried out the legally required environmental and social impact assessments for its field exercises, and raised concerns over the possible use of white phosphorus, which they described as “notorious for the severity of the injuries it causes”.

Residents reported respiratory issues, miscarriages, and livestock deaths due to toxic fumes and leftover military waste.

In one case, a ranger reportedly died after taking home unexploded ordnance from a Batuk range, while a child is said to have lost both arms and an eye after encountering another.

In its defence, Batuk said that independent environmental audits showed high levels of compliance with Kenyan regulations.

The investigating panel said Batuk had “persistently” declined to appear before the committee and instead “invoked claims of diplomatic immunity”.

The British defence ministry said it had responded to the issues highlighted during the inquiry and “outlined the actions taken to address the concerns raised”.

In a statement, the UK High Commission said it was prepared to investigate “where new allegations have come to light in the committee’s report”.

“We deeply regret the challenges which have arisen in relation to our defence presence in Kenya,” it said.

But the parliamentary panel found the existing defence cooperation agreement between Kenya and the UK was “structurally flawed”, saying the legal instrument has huge gaps.

It noted that “the offence of murder, despite its gravity, is not explicitly listed… as an offence deemed outside the course of official duty”.

This, it argued, created a “significant obstacle to justice,” adding that the existing oversight mechanism was largely ineffective.

The committee recommended the military agreement be amended to introduce a visiting forces code of conduct, zero-tolerance rules for gender-based violence, environmental obligations, and civilian oversight.

It also called on the Kenyan defence ministry to negotiate with the UK government on mechanisms to hold Batuk soldiers accountable for child support.

December 4, 2025
How Arrest of a Soldier’s Spouse Dragged KDF Into Alleged Theft of Meth Haul in Mombasa

A routine anti-narcotics sweep in Mombasa has spiralled into a high-stakes investigation that now threatens to stain the Kenya Defence Forces and complicate Kenya’s cooperation with international partners targeting drug cartels along the Indian Ocean route.

What began as a quiet arrest of a woman suspected of dealing crystal meth quickly escalated when detectives realised the suspect was not only married to an active KDF soldier but also connected by marriage to a sitting Member of Parliament. Security sources now say her arrest has exposed suspicions that part of the Sh8.2 billion methamphetamine haul seized at sea in October may have been siphoned off before it reached official custody.

The woman was arrested last week after intelligence teams linked her to the local distribution of crystal meth in Mombasa. Investigators said the packaging of the kilos recovered from her house bore striking similarities to the 1,024-kilogramme consignment seized in a multi-agency operation roughly 630 kilometres offshore in October. Officers also recovered about Sh700,000 in cash believed to be proceeds of the illegal trade.

Once her identity surfaced, Military Police immediately took over the case, transferring her to a KDF facility for interrogation. Multiple military personnel linked to the October interception have also been placed under scrutiny, with some expected to face court martial proceedings if the allegations are confirmed.

The October operation, carried out jointly by the Kenya Navy, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and foreign security agencies including those from the United States, resulted in the arrest of six Iranian nationals aboard a stateless dhow believed to have been used by a regional cartel that moves narcotics between the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa.

Senior officers familiar with the probe say investigators are now examining whether a portion of the drugs was siphoned off on the high seas before the dhow was towed to Mombasa. “We understand something fishy happened when the personnel intercepted the haul in the dhow,” a security officer said, adding that rogue soldiers may have concealed part of the shipment before it was handed over to civilian agencies.

On Tuesday, KDF issued a rare public statement acknowledging that some of its personnel were under investigation.

The military said it was aware of allegations that narcotics may have been stolen as the crystal meth was being offloaded from the intercepted vessel. It insisted the declared cache of 1,024 kilogrammes remained intact and under round-the-clock guard by a multi-agency team, but confirmed disciplinary and legal action would follow if any wrongdoing by its officers was proven.

Meanwhile, the six Iranians arrested during the operation—Jasem Darzaen Nia, Nadeem Jadgai, Imran Baloch, Hassan Baloch, Rahim Baksh and Imtiyaz Daryayi—are being held for an additional 21 days on orders of a Shanzu court. Detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit are working to trace the origins and ownership of the meth shipment, which was disguised in bags labelled as premium Arabica coffee and found to be 98 per cent pure by the Government Chemist.

The dhow, christened MV Mashallah, was intercepted on October 19 before being escorted to Mombasa Port on October 25. Investigators say the vessel, operating without a flag, fits the pattern used by transnational syndicates that have increasingly chosen the East African coastline as a covert trafficking corridor. Previous seizures—including the 2006 cocaine haul valued at Sh6 billion and the 2014 interception of the MV Amin Darya carrying more than 33,000 litres of liquid heroin—show the scale and frequency of attempts to use Kenyan waters to funnel drugs across borders.

The involvement of a soldier’s spouse, and the possibility that serving KDF personnel may have dipped into the consignment they were meant to secure, has unsettled national security officials. It has also raised concerns that the scandal could strain operational trust between Kenya and foreign agencies that rely on joint maritime missions to pursue powerful narcotics networks.

Investigations are continuing, and more arrests are expected as military and civilian teams piece together how the illegal meth pipeline might have penetrated the country’s security system—and who among those tasked with shutting it down may have instead tried to profit from it.

December 4, 2025
‘There’s Nothing Left for Me On This Earth,’ Beryl Odinga’s Daughter Recalls Her Mother’s Heart-breaking Reaction to News of Raila’s Death

Beryl Odinga’s daughter has opened an emotional window into the grief her mother carried after the passing of her brother, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, revealing that the loss shattered her in ways the family never fully understood until now.

Speaking during Beryl’s memorial service at Consolata Shrine on Wednesday, Chizi Ambala told mourners that her mother’s life changed the moment Raila died.

The two shared a bond so profound that Beryl openly declared she no longer felt she had a purpose on earth.

“When Baba passed, the first words out of my mom’s mouth were: ‘There is nothing for me on this earth anymore,’” she recalled, her voice breaking as she described a relationship that shaped their entire family.

Chizi painted a picture of two siblings whose closeness stretched across decades.

She recounted stories her mother told often, tender memories from the years when a young bachelor Raila lived in Nairobi West.

He would pick up his sister, take her to his apartment, and insist she sleep in his bed while he lay on the hard floor.

“That was the kind of love they had,” she said.

Even after Beryl’s marriage collapsed, Chizi said Raila’s support never wavered. One of the most defining chapters of their journey came when the two moved to Zimbabwe.

Chizi described the country as a second home chosen by both her mother and her uncle, a place where they built a shared life and lasting memories.

Throughout her tribute, she emphasised how present Raila had been in her mother’s life, in childhood and adulthood, in joyful seasons and in painful transitions.

“You often cannot tell how close two people really were until one of them is no longer here,” she said, describing a bond so deep that Beryl openly confessed life had lost its meaning the day Raila died.

Chizi remembered her mother as intelligent, strong willed, warm, and fiercely loving. But she also witnessed how grief aged her, softened her, and finally exhausted her.

“I prayed and prayed, but I now know I was selfish. I wanted her to stay here for me, not realising she had given so much and needed to rest,” she said quietly.

Beryl lived boldly and made her presence felt wherever she went. Now, as she navigates life without her, Chizi takes comfort in believing her mother has reunited with the people she loved most.

She said she is convinced Beryl is now at peace with Raila, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and Mama Mary.

“I will walk with grief for now, but one day grief will leave,” she said. “Heaven has taken you while my sorrow has engulfed me. I am grieving, yet I am glad you got to live life on your own terms.”

For Chizi, the pain remains fresh, but so does the love, a love she believes will outlast even the heaviest sorrow.

December 4, 2025
Powerful Individuals Behind Mwenda Mbijiwe’s Disappearance, Court Told as Judge Summons IG and DCI Boss

The mystery surrounding the disappearance of security analyst Mwenda Mbijiwe resurfaced dramatically on Wednesday after the High Court summoned the Inspector General of Police and the Director of Criminal Investigations to personally account for his whereabouts, four years after he vanished without a trace.

Justice Martin Muya issued the summons during a tense session at the Milimani Law Courts, directing the two top security chiefs to appear before him on December 16 at 11:00 am.

The judge said the time for vague explanations and incomplete investigations was over.

“I have considered the application made by both sides and therefore order the 2nd and 3rd respondents to appear in court physically on December 16 to explain the whereabouts of Mbijiwe,” Justice Muya ruled.

The order came after a charged submission by family lawyer Evans Ondieki, who accused the State of deliberately withholding crucial information about the former military officer last seen in June 2021.

Ondieki told the court that Mbijiwe was arrested along Roysambu Road by police officers, after which he disappeared in what the family believes was an enforced disappearance.

He noted that no meaningful update has ever been issued, no suspects identified, and no explanation offered as to whether Mbijiwe is alive or dead.

“Four years later, no explanation has been given regarding the purported investigations,” Ondieki said. “The DCI and the ODPP have not clarified his status. It appears someone wants this file buried.”

Court documents reveal that an earlier DCI report forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions did not identify who abducted Mbijiwe or shed light on the circumstances of his disappearance. The family insists that key information has been intentionally concealed.

In what drew gasps from the courtroom, submissions indicated that “powerful leaders” in the country are suspected of being involved in the disappearance.

The court was told that Mbijiwe had expressed interest in contesting for the Meru gubernatorial seat shortly before he vanished — a move his family believes attracted political hostility from influential figures.

Outside the courtroom, emotions spilled over. A visibly shaken Ondieki broke down in front of journalists as he accused authorities of attempting to initiate an inquest without first telling the family what happened to Mbijiwe.

Lawyer Evans Ondieki broke down while addressing journalists at Milimani Law Courts on December 3, 2025/SCREENGRAB

“They want to start an inquest. They cannot start an inquest unless they are aware he is not alive,” he said. “Every life counts. Wealth, influence, and power should not be used to bend the law. This mother deserves justice.”

Mbijiwe’s mother, Jane Gatwiri, who has been pleading for answers for four agonising years, accused several high-profile individuals of fabricating allegations against her son shortly before he disappeared.

“I want to address DCI Kenyatta, the former governor of Meru and other prominent people who sat down and created false allegations upon my son,” she said. “If at all they killed my son, God in heaven is watching them. They will pay. But I still believe my son is alive.”

Gatwiri told the court through her affidavit that she has spent years moving from one government office to another, only to be met with silence.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, through counsel Zachary Omwenga, told the judge that the ODPP planned to forward the investigation file to a magistrate to initiate a formal inquiry. He confirmed that the DCI report had failed to name any suspects.

The family, however, strongly rejected the proposal for an inquest, insisting it is a tactic to declare Mbijiwe dead without ever investigating those who may have orchestrated his disappearance.

As the December 16 date approaches, pressure is mounting on the country’s top security officials to finally break the silence on a case that has become one of Kenya’s most unsettling unresolved disappearances.

For Mbijiwe’s family, the question remains unchanged after four long years:

Where is Mwenda Mbijiwe — and who is protecting those who made him vanish?

December 4, 2025
HELB Faces Class Action Suit After Court Rules Interest Cannot Exceed Double the Loan

The Higher Education Loans Board is bracing for a potential class action lawsuit following a landmark High Court ruling that declared the institution cannot demand more than double the principal amount borrowed by loan beneficiaries.

The ruling, delivered by Justice A. Mabeya in the case of Mugure and two others versus HELB, has opened the door for thousands of former students who have struggled under the weight of ballooning loans to seek redress.

Already, angry borrowers on social media are threatening legal action against the state corporation, with some accusing it of predatory lending practices that have trapped graduates in cycles of debt.

The case that sparked this potential legal storm involved three former students who argued that HELB had imposed excessive interest and penalties that caused their loans to spiral out of control.

In one particularly striking example, a youth with a disability took out a loan of Sh82,980 in July 2004 at an interest rate of 2 percent.

By July 2016, the amount he owed had ballooned to Sh540,464.10, more than six times the original sum.

Another petitioner borrowed Sh146,090 in July 2016, only to see the outstanding balance grow to Sh335,207.28 by March 2021.

A third loan of Sh135,000 obtained in July 2016 had increased to Sh336,573.83 by February 2021.

At the heart of the court’s decision was the application of the in duplum rule, a legal principle derived from Latin meaning “in double.”

The rule prevents interest from continuing to accumulate once it equals the principal amount borrowed.

HELB had argued this principle only applied to commercial banks under Section 44A of the Banking Act, but Justice Mabeya disagreed.

The judge ruled that the in duplum rule is grounded in public interest and therefore applies to all lenders, including statutory bodies such as HELB.

He noted the rule was introduced to protect borrowers from unending interest accumulation and to ensure fairness in lending.

Justice Mabeya found that HELB’s practice of allowing interest and penalties to exceed the principal amount discriminated against its borrowers.

He pointed out that borrowers in the banking sector are protected by the in duplum rule, yet HELB borrowers, most of whom are students from financially challenged backgrounds, had no such protection.

This disparity, he ruled, violated Article 27 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality and non-discrimination.

The court also found that the petitioners’ socio-economic rights under Articles 43(1)(e) and (f) and consumer rights under Article 46(1)(c) of the Constitution had been violated.

The judge emphasized that many students finish school without immediately securing jobs, making it difficult to repay their loans quickly.

Allowing interest and fines to compound indefinitely was unfair and contrary to the purpose of the HELB fund.

While the court did not strike down Section 15(2) of the HELB Act, which provides for penalties, it ruled that the section must be read together with the in duplum rule.

This means HELB may impose fines and interest, but only up to the point where the total reaches double the principal. All further interest and fines must stop beyond that point.

Following the judgment, HELB issued a statement on December 3, 2025, clarifying that it fully complies with the in duplum rule and that all loan accounts continue to be managed in line with the judgment.

The institution said it remains committed to fair, lawful, and transparent loan management for all beneficiaries.

However, this assurance has done little to calm the anger among borrowers who feel they have been exploited. On social media platform X, a lawyer, one Brian Thuranira responded to HELB’s clarification with a threat of legal action, writing: “Wameogopa the class action suit, but we will sue regardless! Your appetite has become insatiable, many comrades are suffering because of you! Did you have to wait for my tweet so that you can abide? We are coming for you, get your legal team in order!”

The challenge for potential plaintiffs in a class action suit will be proving that HELB violated the in duplum rule before the judgment was issued.

Legal experts note that courts typically do not apply rulings retroactively unless there is clear evidence of unconstitutional conduct.

The ruling comes at a time when HELB is grappling with a massive default crisis. CEO Geoffrey Monari has repeatedly warned that the fund’s sustainability is under threat, with over 380,000 defaulters collectively owing Sh42 billion.

He has noted that many of the country’s most educated professionals, including lawyers, accountants, doctors, and engineers, are among the worst culprits, despite being gainfully employed.

HELB operates on a revolving fund model, meaning repayments from past beneficiaries are used to fund current students.

The high default rate has raised concerns about the board’s ability to continue supporting needy students seeking higher education.

In recent months, HELB has intensified its loan recovery efforts, with over 120,000 defaulters already listed with Credit Reference Bureaus.

The board is also pursuing legal reforms to gain authority to freeze bank accounts of those able but unwilling to pay.

The court’s ruling, however, may complicate these recovery efforts.

While borrowers are still required to repay what they owe, the cap on interest and penalties could significantly reduce the amounts HELB can collect from long-term defaulters.

This could potentially affect the fund’s ability to support new students, creating a difficult balancing act between protecting borrowers’ rights and ensuring the sustainability of higher education financing in Kenya.

For now, HELB beneficiaries who believe their loans have exceeded the double principal threshold are being advised to contact the institution through its official customer support channels to have their accounts reviewed and adjusted in line with the court’s ruling.

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December 4, 2025
What Latest Ukraine Talks Reveal About Putin’s State Of Mind

What does the latest round of diplomacy on Ukraine tell us about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s mood and intentions?

For starters, that he’s not ready to sign a peace deal. At least, not right now.

And certainly not the deal (or deals) on the table.

“No compromise version has yet been found,” commented Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov after five hours of talks in Moscow involving Putin, US envoy Steve Witkoff, and Donald Trump’s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

No compromise is no real surprise, considering the Kremlin leader’s uncompromising comments in recent days.

In various statements he has condemned the Ukrainian leadership as a “thieving junta”, accused European leaders of trying to sabotage peace efforts, and insisted that Russia holds the initiative on the battlefield.

On a couple of recent occasions Russian TV showed Putin in military fatigues, studying maps of the front line and trumpeting military gains, many of which Ukraine and international observers have denied.

After nearly four years of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, despite the heavy losses Russia has suffered on the battlefield and the damage to the Russian economy, President Putin seems convinced that he is winning this war and that now is not the moment to stop.

At least, that is what he would like the West to believe: that nothing can stop him now from achieving his goals.

I’ve said before that, in many ways, Vladimir Putin reminds me of a car with no brakes, no steering wheel and no reverse gear; a vehicle careering full speed down the motorway.

Nearly four years after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine there is still no sign of the “Putinmobile” turning off, turning back, or coming to a halt.

He certainly wants his opponents to think that nothing or no one can force him to change direction: neither European leaders, nor the Trump administration, nor President Zelensky.

But cars need fuel (a constant supply).

And, to fight a war, countries need money (a constant supply).

For now, despite international sanctions, Russia’s government is still able to finance the “special military operation” – its war on Ukraine. But economic pressures are building: revenues from oil and gas have been falling, the budget deficit growing.

Even Putin admits there are problems, referring to “imbalances” in the economy.

“In several sectors, production output not only failed to increase this year but actually decreased,” Putin said this week. “Are we satisfied with such trends? No.”

The big unknown: at what point, if at all, will economic concerns start to influence the Kremlin’s calculations on the battlefield?

(BBC)

December 3, 2025
Ex-NGO Boss Fazul Mohamed Accused of Holding Fake Egerton University Degree

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has, for a second time, been asked to investigate former Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) Director-General Fazul Mahamed over alleged forgery of a Bachelor of Science degree.

Mr Haggai Thenye Odiawo wants the commission to investigate Mr Mahamed, saying Egerton University disowned his degree a decade ago.

The EACC in 2016 investigated Mr Mahamed over the biochemistry degree, which he used to secure a job as the NGO Coordination Board chief executive.

The investigation stalled after the said forged degree went missing from Mr Mahamed’s personnel file.

Mr Mahamed did not respond to calls to his known mobile phone number. He also did not respond to text and WhatsApp messages on the degree.

In a 2017 quarterly report, the EACC said investigations showed Mr Mahamed did not have a degree, but that with the absence of the said forged document, it could not sustain prosecution of the then-NGO Coordination Board chief.

Degree from Egerton

In his complaint to the commission, Mr Odiawo says Egerton University’s letter to the National Council of NGOs, and a 2016 Commission on Administrative Justice report confirm that Mr Mahamed did not have a degree, which was a basic requirement for the two corner offices he occupied.

The complainant wants the EACC to recover more than Sh56.2 million in salary Mr Mahamed drew at the NGO Coordination Board and the PSRA, and to investigate if he was involved in procurement and other irregularities when in office.

In a letter to the National Council of NGOs on September 10, 2015, Egerton University stated that Mr Mahamed was admitted to the institution in 2007 to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree before switching fields of study within the same faculty.

The letter added that Mr Mahamed left Egerton University in 2010, when in his third year and did not graduate.

The Commission on Administration of Justice investigated the same complaint in 2016, and interviewed two former NGO Coordination Board members who said Mr Mahamed presented a Biochemistry degree from Egerton University when being interviewed for the chief executive position in 2014.

December 3, 2025
Fraud-Linked Lawyer Stephen Juma Ndeda Now ‘Unstoppable’ as New Cases Surge

City lawyer Stephen Juma Ndeda is once again at the centre of multiple fraud allegations, including a case in which he is accused alongside others of defrauding an investor of USD 190,000.

The advocate, who critics say has perfected the art of high-stakes deception, has also been linked to a separate Sh500 million dispute in which an American investor claims he was swindled.

A Milimani court on Monday issued a search warrant against him. Sources familiar with his conduct claim that Ndeda rarely appears in court to represent clients and instead thrives on deals, brokering arrangements and activities they describe as questionable.

“Ndeda has perfected his craft. As an advocate of the High Court, I have never seen him personally appear in court for a client. He focuses on corporate work and quick deals that require his signature to rake in millions. He does not seem concerned about safeguarding his name,” a lawyer told The Star.

In previous years, Ndeda was charged with malicious damage at the Makadara Law Courts. He was also accused of threatening to kill a security guard. The matters were later closed, but more details on the fresh complaint are expected.

He is currently before the Kahawa Law Courts, where he faces a Sh352 million money-laundering charge.

These cases, observers say, represent only a fraction of the complaints piling up against the self-styled advocate, with more alleged victims stepping forward claiming they were left seeking justice after losing money.

More to follow..

December 3, 2025
Trump Says He Doesn’t Want Somalis In US As ICE Plans Minnesota Operation

US President Donald Trump has said he does not want Somali immigrants in the US, telling reporters they should “go back to where they came from” and “their country is no good for a reason”.

“I don’t want them in our country, I’ll be honest with you,” he said during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Trump said the US would “go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country”.

His disparaging comments came as immigration authorities were reported to be planning an enforcement operation in Minnesota’s large Somali community.

Officials in the state have condemned the plan, arguing it could unfairly sweep up American citizens who may appear to be from the East African nation.

Minneapolis and St Paul, which together are known as the Twin Cities, are home to one of the largest Somali communities in the world and the largest in the US.

In his comments on Tuesday, which came at the end of an hours-long televised cabinet meeting, Trump said:

“I don’t want them in our country. I’ll be honest with you, OK. Somebody will say, ‘Oh, that’s not politically correct.’ I don’t care. I don’t want them in our country.”

“With Somalia, which is barely a country, you know, they have no, they have no anything. They just run around killing each other. There’s no structure,” Trump said.

He then turned to criticising Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democrat and the first Somali-American to be elected to Congress who he has clashed with repeatedly.

“I always watch her,” Trump said, adding that Omar “hates everybody. And I think she’s an incompetent person”.

“His obsession with me is creepy,” Omar said in a social media post. “I hope he gets the help he desperately needs.”

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been directed by the Trump administration to target undocumented Somali immigrants in the Twin Cities, a person familiar with the planning told the BBC’s US partner CBS News on Tuesday.

Hundreds of people are expected to be targeted when the operation begins this week, the official said.

The New York Times first reported the operation.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, declined to comment on planned operations and denied that any people would be targeted based on race.

“Every day, ICE enforces the laws of the nation across the country,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

“What makes someone a target of ICE is not their race or ethnicity, but the fact that they are in the country illegally,” she said.

In a news conference, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said that an operation by ICE “means due process will be violated”.

According to local leaders, there are about 80,000 people living there who are originally from Somalia, and the vast majority are American citizens.

The Trump administration has intensified its immigration crackdown in the wake of the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington DC last week, which killed Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and seriously injured Andrew Wolfe, 24.

The suspect, who has been arrested and charged with murder, is originally from Afghanistan.

Last week, Trump said on social media that he was planning on ending the Temporary Protected Status – a programme for immigrants from countries in crisis – for Somali residents living in Minnesota. A few hundred immigrants would be affected by that order.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also suggested on Tuesday her agency would target visa fraud in Minnesota.

Somalia is one of the poorest nations in the world, and many of the migrants who moved to the US left in the 1990s during the country’s decades-long civil war.

Local leaders in Minnesota have condemned the Trump administration’s reported plan.

Minnesota state Senator Zaynab Mohamed said on X that “when ICE agents interact with Somalis here, they will find what we’ve been saying for years: Almost all of us are US citizens”.

Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who was Kamala Harris’s running mate in the 2024 presidential election and who has been sparring with the president in recent days, said:

“We welcome support in investigating and prosecuting crime. But pulling a PR stunt and indiscriminately targeting immigrants is not a real solution to a problem.”

(BBC)

December 3, 2025
Imran Khan Healthy But Cut Off In Jail, Sister Says As Family Seeks Access

LAHORE, Pakistan, Dec 2 (Reuters) – Imran Khan, Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister, is in good physical health but facing isolation and psychological strain, his sister said on Tuesday, after a rare supervised visit following weeks in which his family said access had been blocked.

Uzma Khanum, one of Khan’s three sisters, was the only family member permitted to meet him in Adiala Jail, where supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party had gathered outside to protest against conditions of his detention.

She told reporters her brother “looked healthy” but had been confined indoors for long periods with no communication with relatives or aides.

“He is physically well,” said Khanum, who is a doctor. “But he is kept inside all the time and only goes out for a short while. There is no contact with anybody.”

The meeting took place under strict supervision and without mobile devices, she said, declining to provide further details.

Khan, 73, who served as prime minister from 2018-2022, has been in jail since his August 2023 arrest on corruption charges and is serving sentences in several cases he says are politically motivated.

PTI says routine visits have been blocked for weeks despite court orders, fuelling rumours about his condition and possible prison transfers.

Authorities deny any mistreatment and say Khan is receiving all entitlements available to prisoners. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said decisions about prison visits were up to jail officials and not under control of the government.

Last week, one of Khan’s sons told Reuters the family had no direct or verifiable contact with him for more than three weeks and “no verifiable information at all” about his condition, saying they feared “something irreversible” might be concealed.

They have also sought renewed access for his personal physician, who has not examined him for over a year.

Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission, an independent rights monitor, said in a post on X it was “seriously concerned” by reports that Khan had been subjected to restrictive detention conditions and limits on family meetings.

It called for regular access to relatives and legal counsel, which it described as a “fundamental safeguard against isolation and misuse of detention powers”, and urged authorities to comply with constitutional and international standards of humane treatment.

December 3, 2025
Homa Bay Deputy Governor Magwanga Claims Office Closed After Fallout With Wanga After Kasipul Polls

Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga now wants Governor Gladys Wanga to reopen his office, which was closed as fallout over the by-election escalates.

The relationship between Wanga and Magwanga has deteriorated after the deputy governor’s offices were locked abruptly on Monday.

The closure of the offices came after the governor sacked Magwanga as the CECM for Agriculture.

The deputy governor said his office was locked illegally. He wants the governor to order those who locked the office to re-open it.

“I call upon Governor Wanga to rein on those who are involved in locking the office to immediately reverse these unlawful closure, restore access to all locked offices and recommit to serving the people with honour and fairness,” Magwanga in a press statement.

He condemned the closure of the office, saying it amounts to denying the people of Homa Bay services.

“It has come to my urgent attention that my office has been unlawfully locked, barring staff from performing their duties,” Magwanga said.

The Deputy Governor termed the act unethical, illegal, alarming display of blatant impunity and abuse of power.

“I condemn this shameful and retrogressive assault on public administration in the strongest possible terms,” he added.

Magwanga expressed concerns that locking up government offices over political disagreements is an intolerable attack on democratic institutions and the rule of law.

The Deputy Governor said the decision was aimed at undermining his office and obstructing the county government functions.

Magwanga said the act amounted to intolerance for dissent and disregard for public interest.

He argued that a public office should not be held by an individual as a private property.

The deputy governor said political differences must be solved through dialogue and respect.

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“Political differences should not be solved through a toxic approach. Our county deserves leadership that puts people first and safeguards the laws which protect our democracy,” he wrote.

Wanga and Magwanga disagreed over the recently concluded Kasipul by-election.

In the by-election, Magwanga supported Philip Aroko, an independent candidate, while Wanga supported ODM candidate Boyd Were.

December 3, 2025
KDF Probe Officers Over Alleged Drug Theft

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers are under probe over claims that they were involved in the theft of drugs during their operation in Mombasa.

However, the military has brushed off the claims that its soldiers stole a portion of a methamphetamine consignment during an intelligence operation.

In an X post on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the military clarified details surrounding a multi-agency security operation in which a dhow was intercepted while transporting drugs.

“We wish to clarify that the entire 1,024 kilograms of methamphetamine offloaded ashore remains intact and is under continuous, round-the-clock protection by a dedicated multi-agency security team,” KDF said in a statement.

According to the KDF, the dhow was intercepted on October 25, 2025, while transporting 1,024 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine, often referred to as meth, is illegal in Kenya and is classified as a highly addictive drug and psychotropic substance with severe negative impacts on an individual and society as a whole.

It is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system.

It has been an illegal drug in the country since the implementation of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act of 1994, which came into effect in August 1994.

The stateless dhow, which had been under the watch of international drug enforcement agencies, had repeatedly evaded prior crackdowns until its interception by the Kenyan Navy.

The operation was conducted in coordination with the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC) in Seychelles and the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC) in Madagascar, which provided surveillance through Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).

Reports emerged that, as the narcotics were being offloaded for transport ashore, some KDF officers involved in the mission stole and concealed a portion of the narcotics for personal gain.

However, KDF noted that an investigation had been launched by the relevant authorities into the allegations, with the defence forces insisting that should the allegations be substantiated, stern action would be taken.

“The suspected KDF personnel are currently under investigation by the relevant authorities. Should the allegations be substantiated, appropriate disciplinary and legal measures will be taken in accordance with the law,” the statement read.

December 3, 2025
‪David Mutiso, Architect Who Designed KICC Building Dies‬

The architect behind the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi’s most iconic and signature structure, David Mutiso, has passed away.

Mutiso died on December 2, according to a statement from his family.

He served as Chairman of the Association of Professional Societies in East Africa between 1975 and 1977 and was a distinguished member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), leaving behind a profound legacy that has shaped Kenya’s architectural landscape for decades.

“We mourn the passing of Arch David Mutiso, Kenya’s first indigenous architect, former Chairman of the Association of Professional Societies in East Africa (1975–1977), and a distinguished member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK). He leaves behind a remarkable legacy,” read the announcement.

Mutiso’s early life saw him attend various primary schools before earning a place at Alliance High School, where he studied between 1949 and 1952.

It was during this period that an unexpected encounter shaped his future. While visiting an uncle employed as a cook for a white architect, Mutiso watched him light a fire using rolled-up sheets. On closer inspection, he discovered they were architectural blueprints signed by Architect Imray Rosa.

Eager to learn more, he sought guidance from Alliance’s headmaster, Carey Francis, who connected him with European architects. Instead of encouragement, Mutiso was told architecture had no place for Africans, who “lived in mud huts” and did not require professional design services. The remarks, meant to deter him, only strengthened his resolve and planted the ambition that would later define his career.

With little support, Mutiso initially pursued a different path. In 1953, he enrolled at Makerere University for a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. After returning to Kenya, he joined the City Council of Nairobi as a draftsman while attending evening classes at a technical college to sharpen his skills.

The iconic KICC building

During his time at the City Council, the colonial government announced bursaries for Makerere alumni to study abroad. Mutiso applied and, during the interview, met his former headmaster, Carey Francis, who was on the panel. He secured a full scholarship and, in 1954, joined the University of Sheffield. He graduated in 1959 and earned membership in the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 1960.

His practical training included apprenticeships with J. Womersley of the Sheffield Corporation, Professor Quaroni in Italy, and Richard Hughes in Kenya. After completing postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom, he returned to Kenya in 1964 and joined the Planning Department.

Within a year, he rose to Superintendent Architect in the Ministry of Public Works, becoming a deputy to the Chief Architect. When the Chief Architect retired in 1967, Mutiso was appointed to lead the department, marking a milestone for both his career and Kenya’s architectural history.

During his tenure, he played a central role in shaping Kenya’s early public infrastructure.

Among his most notable achievements was contributing to the design and vision of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), a landmark that has since become one of the most recognisable emblems of Kenya’s national identity.

December 3, 2025
UDA Removes Khalwale As Senate Majority Whip

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has become the second casualty of the recent by-elections fall-outafter being replaced by Kenya Kwanza as Senate Majority Whip.

The senator has been replaced by his Bungoma counterpart David Wakoli, who hails from National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s Ford-Kenya party.

Senator Khalwale was replaced during a meeting on Tuesday by President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

In a communication dated December 2, 2025, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi said he received correspondence from Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot regarding changes in the majority party leadership, affecting the office of the Senate Majority Whip.

He said that from the correspondence, the minutes indicate a resolution to remove Mr Khalwale in accordance with Standing Order 22(5).

Consequently, the Majority Party elected Senator David Wakoli to take over.

“I am satisfied that the change was made in accordance with Standing Order 22(5) and (7) of the Senate, and meets the threshold required under Standing Order 22,” said Speaker Kingi.

“Accordingly, I wish to communicate to the House that the Majority Party Coalition has effected changes in the Office of the Senate Majority Whip which shall now take effect. The office holder therefore is Senator David Waful Wakoli, MP,” he added.

December 3, 2025
NTSA Returns Alcoblow, Mobile Courts and Night Patrols Ahead of Festive Season

The government has reintroduced Alcoblow, mobile courts and intensified night patrols in a renewed nationwide crackdown targeting drunk driving and rampant traffic violations as the festive season gets underway.

The joint operation by the National Transport and Safety Authority and the National Police Traffic Department marks the toughest road safety campaign in recent years, coming at a time when Kenya is recording a worrying rise in fatal crashes.

Traffic Commandant Dr Frederick Ochieng said officers will mount more night operations after data showed that most deadly accidents occur after dark. He said police will be relying heavily on breathalyzer tests and speed guns as they go after motorists who have turned highways into danger zones.

He added that mobile courts are being revived so that offenders can be dealt with immediately, eliminating the long court delays and loopholes that have for years allowed drunk drivers and reckless motorists to slip through the cracks.

According to him, those arrested will be arraigned and sentenced on the spot as part of a strategy to deter violations during the high-risk December travel period.

In an unprecedented move, authorities have also opened the door for the public to record and report corrupt traffic officers.

Dr Ochieng said a toll-free number will be published on major highways where citizens can share videos of officers soliciting or receiving bribes.

The initiative is meant to discourage the long-standing culture of motorists exchanging bribes for freedom and officers using roadblocks as informal revenue points.

The crackdown comes against grim statistics.

NTSA reports show that by October this year, 3,890 people had died in road accidents, an increase of more than 85 fatalities compared to the same period in 2023. Pedestrians remain the most affected group, followed by motorcyclists, drivers and passengers.

The trend has rattled road safety advocates who argue that the situation will not improve unless the government tightens control over long-distance trucks and the boda boda sector.

Road Safety Association of Kenya Chairperson David Njoroge Kiarie said heavy commercial trucks and motorcycles account for a frightening share of casualties, yet oversight over them remains weak.

He said lorries often operate without proper inspection and boda boda riders continue to flout traffic rules with impunity. He warned that without decisive action on these two categories of road users, enforcement against alcohol and speeding alone will not be enough to reverse the country’s deadly trend.

The holiday season is expected to see millions of Kenyans travelling across the country, and police have already increased their presence on major highways, rural roads and blackspots. Motorists have been warned to expect more checkpoints, more breathalyzer tests and more night patrols. The government hopes the tougher stance will rein in the behaviour that has turned December into Kenya’s deadliest month on the roads.

Authorities say the campaign will continue throughout the festive season with the goal of reducing deaths and ensuring safer travel.

Road safety experts, however, insist that lasting change will require sustained enforcement, regular vehicle inspections, tighter regulation of commercial transport and serious investment in awareness campaigns long after the holidays are over.

December 2, 2025
ICC Closes Kenya Case But Pursuing 2 Fugitives For Witness Tampering

NAIROBI, Kenya Dec 2 – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has formally closed its investigation into the 2007–2008 post-election violence in Kenya but is still pursuing two Kenyans accused of interfering with witnesses.

According to the latest report to the Assembly of States Parties, the Office of the Prosecutor announced on 27 November 2023 that it had concluded all investigations related to the Kenya situation, effectively ending a 13-year pursuit of accountability for the violence that left more than 1,000 people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands.

At the height of the ICC process, six prominent Kenyans faced charges of crimes against humanity: former President Uhuru Kenyatta, President William Ruto, former Cabinet minister Henry Kosgey, former Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, former Police Commissioner Mohammed Hussein Ali and journalist Joshua arap Sang. They all denied the allegations.

Between 2013 and 2016, the cases collapsed due to insufficient evidence, withdrawn testimony, and what the Court described as widespread witness interference and political meddling. Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said the failures reflected a systematic breakdown of evidence, attributed largely to intimidation and manipulation of witnesses.

Outstanding Arrest Warrants

While the main investigative phase has ended, the ICC says it is not completely disengaging from the Kenya situation. Its focus now shifts to preserving the integrity of the Court’s judicial processes.

Two active arrest warrants remain for Kenyan fugitives Walter Barasa and Philip Kipkoech Bett, both wanted for alleged offences against the administration of justice under Article 70 of the Rome Statute. They are accused of corruptly influencing or attempting to influence ICC witnesses—actions that prosecutors believe played a critical role in undermining the core cases.

“They are the subject of warrants of arrest for alleged offences against the administration of justice pursuant to Article 70 of the Rome Statute, consisting of corrupting or attempting to corruptly influence ICC witnesses,” the report states.

Obstruction of Justice and Collapsed Cases

Witness tampering had long been cited as a major obstacle to the Kenya cases. In 2014, charges against Kenyatta were withdrawn after prosecutors said witnesses had been intimidated or interfered with. The case against Sang was dismissed shortly after.

In 2016, the ICC terminated the case against President Ruto. Although the judges found insufficient evidence to proceed, one judge declared a mistrial, citing an “intolerable” level of political interference and a “troubling incidence” of witness tampering. Ruto had denied charges of murder, deportation, and persecution during the violence, in which about 1,200 people were killed.

Lingering Impact

The ICC’s decision effectively closes the chapter on international legal proceedings stemming from the 2007–2008 violence. For many victims and families, the collapse of the cases and the absence of convictions represent a painful reminder of unresolved injustices.

More than 500,000 people were forced to flee their homes during the violence, marked by targeted attacks and deep ethnic and political divisions. Despite numerous inquiries and reconciliation efforts, no senior figure has been held accountable for orchestrating or enabling the conflicts.

The ethnic tensions and trauma from that period remain deeply felt today, with critics saying the collapse of the ICC cases leaves key questions unanswered about responsibility, truth, and compensation for victims.

December 2, 2025
48-Year-Old Woman Who Pushed 25-Year-Old Boyfriend To Death From 14th Floor Kilimani Apartment Arrested

A night out in Kilimani turned into a shocking tragedy after a 25-year-old man fell to his death from the 14th floor of a short-stay apartment, leading to the arrest of a 48-year-old woman he had reportedly been dating and a second suspect who was with them earlier that night.

The victim, Festus Lee Owino Oromo, had checked into the apartment along Kindaruma Road on November 28 in the company of Lilian Moraa Mbeki, a Kenyan woman who police say also holds Costa Rican citizenship.

Investigators believe the two met online and had been seeing each other for some months. Later that evening, a man identified as Patrick Jagongo joined them for drinks.

What happened in the hours that followed remains unclear, but police say the apartment was found in a mess, suggesting a violent confrontation.

The male friend had already left by the time the incident happened, leaving Moraa and the young man inside the apartment.

Neighbours were startled by a heavy thud early Sunday morning and rushed to the parking lot, where they found Oromo’s naked body sprawled on top of a car.

The impact shattered the vehicle’s roof and left the 25-year-old with catastrophic injuries.

A postmortem later confirmed extensive trauma to his head, chest and abdomen, along with fractures on both legs.

Toxicology samples were taken to establish whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the events leading to his fall.

Police found Moraa asleep in one of the bedrooms when they entered the apartment.

She claimed that an argument had broken out earlier after the male friend left, and that she had gone to sleep, only waking up when residents and officers were already at the scene.

Investigators found the room disorganized, with the victim’s clothes and identification documents scattered inside, raising deeper questions about what may have transpired before he went over the balcony.

Jagongo was traced and arrested in Kahawa West hours later, while Moraa was arrested at the scene. Both were presented before the Kibera Law Courts, where detectives were granted 14 days to complete investigations.

Police are treating the death as a murder and are also reviewing visitor logs from the apartment, which show that other unidentified guests had accessed the unit in the days before the incident.

The case has stirred fresh concerns about rising incidents of violence and mysterious deaths linked to short-stay apartments in Nairobi, especially where alcohol, intimacy and poorly monitored private gatherings intersect.

In an unrelated incident in Soweto, Kayole, a 51-year-old woman died by suicide at her brother’s home after reportedly hanging herself from a house truss using a piece of cloth.

Her body was moved to the mortuary as investigations continue.

Police say suicide cases have been rising across the city, prompting calls for better mental health support and early intervention mechanisms.

Back in Kilimani, detectives now hope phone records, witness statements, forensics and toxicology results will help piece together the truth about Oromo’s final moments.

His family is demanding answers, and the two suspects remain in custody as the investigation enters a critical phase.

December 2, 2025
Christine Lewis Arrested in the US After Allegedly Posing as Registered Nurse

A Kenyan woman with a chequered past in both Kenya and the United States is once again at the centre of a transnational fraud scandal after Arizona authorities arrested her for allegedly posing as a registered nurse and treating hospice patients using another woman’s professional licence.

Christine Nyambura Muturi, 41, who has been using the name Christine Lewis in the U.S., was arrested at her home in Mesa after investigators uncovered what they call a deliberate scheme to impersonate a qualified nurse across multiple hospice facilities.

She is now facing an array of felony charges including forgery, fraud schemes, identity theft, practising without a licence and computer tampering.

Muturi was first hired in August by Northern Arizona Hospice in Cottonwood after presenting herself as an experienced hospice triage nurse with years of service in Las Vegas.

She submitted a Colorado nursing licence that, at first glance, appeared genuine and allowed her to begin shadowing colleagues.

Court records show she even conducted a solo patient visit during her short stint at the facility.

Suspicion grew when administrators discovered that the licence number she provided had been issued in 1980, four years before her birth.

The real licence holder, a Colorado nurse nearly three decades older, confirmed she had never heard of Muturi.

When confronted, Muturi resigned abruptly but not before securing a second job at a hospice in Mesa.

A tip to investigators triggered a deeper background check that revealed Muturi had never been licensed to practise nursing in Arizona, Nevada, Colorado or any U.S. state.

On November 13 an undercover agent from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, posing as someone planning to open a new hospice, met Muturi in Mesa.

She repeated her claim of holding an active licence. That meeting led to her arrest earlier this week.

Her criminal history in the U.S. includes past arrests in Las Vegas for domestic battery and a fugitive-from-justice case in Los Angeles.

Those records contributed to the court’s decision to deny her bail.

Christine Lewis mugshot.

The Arizona case has revived scrutiny of Muturi’s troubled history in Kenya, where she previously faced charges for allegedly running an unaccredited nursing training operation.

As director of a company known as Westwick Institute Limited, she was accused in 2023 and 2024 of deceiving students out of nearly Sh2 million by offering uncertified nursing assistant courses and promising overseas job placements that never materialised.

Victims told Kenyan investigators they paid as much as Sh250,000 each for training that was not recognised by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA).

Kenyan courts charged her with multiple counts of cheating, fraud and offering unlicensed training services. She was released on a cash bail of Sh300,000 while the case proceeded.

The similarities between her Kenyan scandal and her new U.S. charges are striking. In Kenya she was accused of exploiting the ambitions of young people hoping to join the healthcare sector.

In Arizona she is accused of exploiting the healthcare system itself by inserting herself into hospice facilities as a nurse she was never qualified to be.

Arizona investigators say they are reviewing her employment history and interaction with patients to establish whether additional charges should follow.

Her next court appearance in the U.S. is expected later this month as prosecutors piece together what appears to be a pattern of deception stretching across two continents.

December 2, 2025
Court Strikes Down Shylock’s Predatory Loan Deal That Turned Sh7m Friendly Loan Into Sh69bn Claim

The Court of Appeal has delivered a major blow to predatory private lending after voiding a loan agreement that ballooned a Sh7 million advance into a staggering Sh69 billion claim and cost a borrower his family home.

In a decision that has jolted the unregulated lending scene, the court ruled that the terms imposed on businessman Kanwal Sarjit Singh Dhiman by lender Kenshavji Jivraj Shah were so harsh and exploitative that they were “oppressive and unconscionable.”

The judgment in Kanwal Sarjit Singh Dhiman v Kenshavji Jivraj Shah [2025] KECA 1264 (KLR) found the deal void from the outset.

The dispute traces back to late 1996, when Dhiman, under financial strain, sought a loan from Shah.

Shah agreed to advance Sh13 million in three tranches, secured against Dhiman’s property in Nairobi. Only Sh7 million was ever released.

Dhiman repaid Sh3 million, leaving a balance of Sh4 million. But a punitive 36 percent annual interest rate, compounded quarterly, turned the arrangement into a debt trap.

By 1999, Shah had obtained an ex-parte judgment for Sh17 million. Dhiman’s property was auctioned and transferred to Shah, who became the legal owner.

After years of litigation, the Court of Appeal set aside the ex-parte judgment in 2015, paving the way for a retrial. The High Court, however, ruled in Shah’s favour in 2019, ordering Dhiman’s eviction.

When the matter returned to the Court of Appeal in 2025, a bench of Justices Patrick Kiage, William Ouko and Joel Ngugi noted that the 36 percent compound interest had, over 26 years, pushed the Sh4 million balance into a figure “slightly over Sh69 billion.”

The court described the escalation as “a disproportionate increase” that equity could not enforce.

Citing established principles of unconscionability, the judges held that both the circumstances under which Dhiman entered the agreement and the substance of its terms justified intervention.

They drew from precedents including Ajay Indravadan Shah v Guilders International Bank Ltd and National Bank of Kenya v Pipeplastic Samkolit (K) Ltd, emphasising that courts will not enforce contracts that offend public policy or exploit vulnerable parties.

The Court of Appeal restored Dhiman’s title and revoked Shah’s ownership.

It also nullified all orders flowing from the 1999 judgment.

However, Dhiman must still repay the Sh4 million principal plus 12 percent interest from the date of the 2019 High Court ruling. Should he default, the property may be sold through a fair process to recover only that amount.

Each side will bear its own costs.

The judgment has ignited public debate, with many describing it as a watershed moment for private lending.

Lawyers and financial analysts say the ruling signals a tougher stance against exorbitant interest rates and could reshape the informal credit sector.

For Dhiman, the ruling marks the end of a decades-long battle to reclaim his family home. For lenders, it is a reminder that freedom of contract has limits—and that oppressive terms will not survive judicial scrutiny.

December 2, 2025