Category: News

In a bombshell ruling that has rocked Kenya’s digital economy, the High Court has exposed logistics giant Sendy Limited in a massive Sh82 million tax evasion scheme, finding that the company deliberately misrepresented its business model to dodge Value Added Tax obligations.

Justice Helene Namisi delivered the damning judgment on October 23, tearing apart Sendy’s elaborate cover story that it was merely a “technology platform” connecting customers with independent transporters. The judge found that this was nothing more than a smokescreen to avoid paying taxes on the full value of delivery services.

“The Respondent does not merely introduce a customer to a driver. It sets the rules of engagement, controls the allocation of the job, determines the price, and most critically, takes responsibility for the entire billing and payment process,” Justice Namisi declared, effectively calling out Sendy’s business model as a tax avoidance scheme.

The fraud came to light when KRA auditors discovered shocking variances between what Sendy declared in tax returns and what was actually flowing through the company’s bank accounts.

After analyzing banking records in November 2021, investigators found that Sendy had been collecting full payment for delivery services from customers but only declaring VAT on the small commission it paid itself, leaving the taxman empty-handed on the bulk of the transactions.

The court heard how Sendy brazenly issued “Requests for Payment” to customers, collected money directly into its own accounts, and controlled every aspect of the delivery service from pricing to driver dispatch. Yet the company had the audacity to claim it was just a harmless tech platform deserving special tax treatment.

Even more scandalous, Sendy had previously obtained a private ruling from KRA in June 2020 that seemed to bless its questionable tax arrangement. But when investigators dug deeper during the 2021 audit, they realized the company had pulled a fast one. KRA moved swiftly to correct its mistake, issuing fresh assessments in December 2022.

Sendy fought back viciously, dragging the case through the Tax Appeals Tribunal, which initially bought the company’s story hook, line and sinker. The Tribunal ruled in Sendy’s favor in April 2024, swallowing the argument that because Sendy didn’t own delivery vehicles, it couldn’t possibly be in the transport business.

But Justice Namisi wasn’t having any of it. Drawing on international cases involving Uber and OnlyFans, she exposed the fatal flaw in Sendy’s defense. “A platform’s power lies not in physical capital but in its control over the network, the data and the transaction itself,” the judge ruled, dismissing the Tribunal’s decision as dangerously naive about how the digital economy actually works.

The court found that from the customer’s perspective, they were doing business with Sendy, not some random driver. Sendy’s app dispatched the driver, Sendy’s system set the price, Sendy’s platform demanded payment, and Sendy’s bank account received the money. The so-called “independent transporters” were mere puppets in Sendy’s elaborate tax dodge.

“This level of integration and control places the Respondent squarely in a position of principal supplier for VAT purposes,” Justice Namisi declared, ordering Sendy to cough up the full Sh82,248,150.74 in unpaid taxes.

The ruling sends a chilling message to other digital platforms operating similar schemes. Bolt, Uber, Glovo, Little Cab and a host of other gig economy players could now find themselves in KRA’s crosshairs as the taxman applies the same logic to their operations.

Industry insiders say the judgment could force a complete overhaul of how platform businesses operate in Kenya. Companies that have been skating by on the “we’re just tech companies” excuse will now have to face reality: if you control the transaction, you pay tax on the full amount.

For Sendy, the defeat is particularly bitter. Not only must it pay the Sh82 million assessment, but the company’s carefully crafted business model has been exposed as nothing more than an elaborate tax evasion scheme. The court even refused to award costs to either party, a subtle dig suggesting both sides had engaged in questionable conduct.

While Justice Namisi acknowledged that KRA’s decision to renege on its own 2020 ruling was “questionable conduct,” she made clear that administrative incompetence cannot override the law. “An administrative opinion, while creating a legitimate expectation for the taxpayer against the administrator, cannot override a judicial determination of the law,” she ruled.

The judgment arrives at a time when KRA is under intense pressure to meet ambitious revenue targets. With the government’s appetite for taxes growing by the day, digital platforms that thought they could hide behind fancy technology jargon are learning a harsh lesson: in Kenya, everyone pays their fair share, or faces the consequences.

For the thousands of Kenyans who depend on gig economy platforms for their livelihoods, the ruling raises uncomfortable questions. Will companies pass the additional tax burden on to customers through higher prices? Will drivers and riders see their already meager earnings squeezed further? Or will some platforms simply pack up and leave the Kenyan market altogether?

What is certain is that the cozy days of digital platforms playing fast and loose with tax obligations are over. The taxman has their number, and he’s coming to collect.

British government expands methanol poisoning warning to Kenya, raising fears of widespread contamination in bars and clubs

The British government has issued a chilling warning to its nationals in Kenya, cautioning them against consuming cocktails, shots, and drinks served in jugs amid growing concerns over methanol poisoning from counterfeit alcohol flooding the country’s entertainment scene.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has placed Kenya on a list of high-risk countries where toxic methanol is being mixed into alcoholic beverages, a practice that has already claimed lives across multiple nations. The industrial chemical, commonly found in antifreeze and paint thinners, is being illegally added to spirit-based drinks by unscrupulous operators looking to cut costs and maximize profits.

The stark reality is that methanol is a silent killer. Tasteless and odorless, the toxic substance gives no warning before it strikes.

Even small amounts can cause permanent blindness or death within 12 to 48 hours of consumption. By the time victims realize something is wrong, it is often too late for medical intervention to prevent catastrophic damage.

British nationals have been explicitly told to avoid consuming homemade or street-side alcohol and to exercise extreme caution with pre-mixed cocktails, shots, and drinks served in buckets or jugs at entertainment venues. The advisory recommends purchasing only sealed or bottled drinks from licensed establishments, a warning that has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s vibrant nightlife industry.

Hamish Falconer, the UK Minister responsible for Consular and Crisis Affairs, did not mince words about the severity of the threat. “Methanol poisoning can kill. It can be difficult to detect when drinking, and early symptoms mirror ordinary alcohol poisoning. By the time travellers realize the danger, it can be too late,” he warned.

The symptoms of methanol poisoning read like a nightmare. Initial signs including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and confusion can easily be mistaken for ordinary intoxication. But within 12 to 48 hours, victims experience blurred vision, complete blindness, or difficulty breathing. Without immediate medical intervention, death follows swiftly.

Kenya now finds itself in alarming company on the UK’s methanol warning list, joining Ecuador, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Russia, and Uganda. The inclusion of two East African nations has raised serious questions about the extent of alcohol counterfeiting operations across the region.

John Mwangi, a spirits and wine dealer in Mombasa, admitted the advisory was deeply concerning. “I read the notice, though there’s some truth, it is alarming. This will make me only order my stock from credible suppliers,” he said, acknowledging the reality behind the British warning.

The Kenyan government, however, has moved quickly to reassure both locals and visitors. The Kenya Bureau of Standards insists that all methanol in the country, whether locally manufactured or imported, undergoes mandatory denaturation with denatonium benzoate, the bitterest chemical known to science. This process theoretically makes methanol impossible to consume as the extreme bitterness prevents ingestion.

“All methanol in the country is denatured by adding the bitterest chemical known. This ensures methanol found in Kenya can never be mistaken for alcohol, as the compound gives it an extremely bitter taste that prevents ingestion,” KEBS stated with confidence.

But the British warning suggests a different reality on the ground. If methanol is being successfully mixed into drinks consumed at bars and clubs, questions arise about how bootleggers are obtaining untreated industrial alcohol or whether denatured methanol is being processed to remove the bitter additive before being mixed into cocktails.

The warning comes at a particularly sensitive time for Kenya’s tourism and hospitality sectors, which are still recovering from pandemic-era disruptions. The country’s nightlife and entertainment industry generates billions of shillings annually, and any perception of unsafe drinking environments could have devastating economic consequences.

Industry insiders worry that the British advisory, now public knowledge, will damage Kenya’s reputation as a safe destination for international visitors. The timing is especially painful as the country pushes to attract more tourists and business travelers to support economic growth targets.

The FCDO has launched a campaign called “Know the Signs of Methanol Poisoning” to educate travelers about the dangers. The campaign follows engagement with parliamentarians, industry bodies, and families affected by methanol poisoning incidents overseas.

For revelers planning their weekend activities, the message is clear but unsettling. That innocent-looking cocktail or shot could contain a deadly surprise. The drink served in a large jug for sharing among friends might be laced with industrial poison. And there is absolutely no way to tell by taste, smell, or appearance.

The crisis has exposed the dark underbelly of Kenya’s alcohol industry, where the pursuit of profit has led some operators to play Russian roulette with consumer safety. While legitimate manufacturers and retailers follow strict standards, a shadow market of counterfeit and adulterated alcohol continues to flourish, targeting unsuspecting consumers at bars, clubs, and informal drinking establishments.

Medical experts warn that anyone experiencing symptoms after drinking should seek urgent medical attention immediately. Methanol poisoning requires specific treatment, and delays can mean the difference between recovery and permanent disability or death.

As the weekend approaches and Kenyans prepare to unwind at their favorite watering holes, the British government’s warning hangs heavy in the air. The question on everyone’s mind is simple but terrifying: Is my drink safe?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has officially cleared prominent city lawyer Cecil Miller of allegations made by Kenya’s ambassador to India, Peter Munyiri, who had accused the advocate of failing to refund legal fees.

According to official records, the complaint was addressed by the LSK in April 2025, which concluded that the matter could not be pursued since the issues raised were already the subject of an ongoing court case between the two parties.

Despite the LSK’s findings, Munyiri is said to have continued sponsoring social media posts through bloggers, accusing the veteran advocate of withholding funds allegedly owed to him.

However, email correspondence dating back to March 2016 between the two men paints a different picture — showing that all payments made by Munyiri were explicitly acknowledged as legal fees.

In the communication, Munyiri reportedly confirmed to Miller that the funds were meant to cover professional services rendered, effectively nullifying any claim of debt.

The LSK’s determination now puts to rest weeks of online speculation and smear campaigns targeting Miller, who has represented several high-profile clients in both civil and criminal matters.

By confirming that no money is owed, the professional body has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding fairness and protecting advocates from unfounded or politically motivated allegations.

“We have perused the complainant’s letter dated 1st April 2025 and the pleadings in HCCC E053 of 2023, Cecil Guyana Miller vs Peter Muriviri, and determined that the allegations against the advocate are subject to the proceedings in the referenced court case.

The Law Society of Kenya does not have jurisdiction to determine a complaint whose subject matter is pending before a competent court of law,” the LSK stated.

Detectives from Capitol Hill police station have launched a dramatic crackdown on Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives Ltd (Kuscco), grilling ten accountants suspected of orchestrating a sophisticated cover-up to conceal financial improprieties that plunged the institution into a staggering Sh13.3 billion hole.

The interrogations, which sources say will culminate in multiple arrests within days, follow explosive allegations that rogue staff members linked to the previous administration have been systematically destroying evidence and tampering with crucial financial records to hide what investigators now describe as one of the biggest financial frauds in Kenya’s cooperative movement history.

Lawyer Cecil Miller, representing the embattled Kuscco board, filed a damning complaint with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations alleging criminal destruction of documents, theft, and violations of the Data Protection Act.

The legal salvo has sent shockwaves through the cooperative sector, with whispers of a widening dragnet that could ensnare more individuals as investigators peel back layers of financial misconduct.

“The arrests and ongoing investigation signal intensified efforts by the new management and board to recover the lost billions and ensure accountability for those responsible,” Miller declared, adding that the current leadership is determined to restore confidence in an institution that serves 247 Saccos representing thousands of Kenyan savers whose deposits now hang in the balance.

At the heart of the scandal lies a devastating forensic audit by global accounting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which laid bare how former managers rendered Kuscco technically insolvent to the tune of Sh12.5 billion, with total losses ballooning to Sh13.3 billion.

The report has become the smoking gun in what appears to be a carefully orchestrated scheme to loot the cooperative union while covering tracks through document destruction and record manipulation.

The plot has thickened further with revelations that critical financial documents relating to transactions worth a mind-boggling Sh5.318 billion have vanished into thin air.

According to Miller and Company Advocates, repeated requests for proof of payment and payment vouchers dating back to January 2025 have hit a brick wall, with the union claiming the original records were either deliberately destroyed or spirited away during the chaotic management transition.

In a desperate bid to piece together the financial puzzle, Kuscco has now turned to Kenya’s banking sector, formally requesting nine major lenders including Co-operative Bank, Absa Bank, Gulf African Bank, NCBA, Consolidated Bank, Sidian Bank, Family Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank, and National Bank to provide copies of the missing records.

The banks are believed to hold duplicate transaction records that could prove crucial in reconstructing the paper trail and nailing those responsible for the alleged heist.

Investigators are treating the case as a complex white-collar crime involving possible collusion between accounting staff and former senior management.

Sources close to the probe indicate that digital forensics experts have been brought in to recover deleted electronic records, while handwriting analysts are examining documents for signs of alteration or forgery.

The scandal has sent panic rippling through the cooperative movement, with member Saccos demanding urgent answers about the safety of their deposits.

Industry insiders warn that the crisis threatens to undermine public confidence in the sector, which serves as a financial lifeline for millions of Kenyans locked out of traditional banking.

Those arrested are expected to face a raft of charges including theft, fraudulent destruction of documents, concealment of documents linked to financial losses, conspiracy to defraud, and breaches of the Data Protection Act.

Legal experts suggest the charges could carry lengthy prison sentences if convictions are secured.

The current Kuscco board and management have vowed to pursue every legal avenue to recover the missing billions and restore the institution’s financial health.

However, with key evidence apparently destroyed and suspects allegedly working to obstruct investigations, the road to recovery appears long and treacherous.

As detectives continue their interrogations at Capitol Hill police station, the question on everyone’s lips is how such massive financial impropriety went undetected for so long, and whether the missing billions can ever be recovered.

For now, the fate of thousands of cooperative members hangs in the balance as investigators race against time to unravel what may prove to be one of Kenya’s most brazen financial frauds.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Nairobi – In a scandal that shreds the façade of Kenya’s justice system, high-powered lawyer Cecil Guyana Miller is using his legal clout to crush truth-tellers. Activist Solomon Maina has been dragged into court by Miller for daring to expose what he alleges are the lawyer’s dirty secrets.

Meanwhile, outspoken blogger Maverick Aoko accuses Miller of running a “buy-off the media with cash” empire tilted against ordinary Kenyans.

According to Aoko’s posts, Miller has a sordid track record of smearing critics into silence. On X she alleges he scammed one client out of Ksh 24 million, then turned around and sued a whistle-blower for daring to expose him. Aoko publicly tagged the Law Society of Kenya and asked: “Kenya Judiciary – until when?”

But Aoko isn’t just posting tweets.

She has staked a reputation as a fearless “media you can’t reckon”, unafraid to call out the elite from Nairobi’s legal corridors.

Her sudden disappearance in late 2024—found weeks later near the Kenya-Tanzania border—added fuel to the fire, raising questions about whether Miller’s legal machine is only the start of a darker campaign.  

Meanwhile Miller’s own legal history raises alarm bells.

He sued the Nation Media Group in 2016 for defamation after an article he claimed portrayed him as a wife-beater.

Earlier this year he issued a demand letter against blogger Nelson Amenya for alleging that Miller pocketed Sh30 million for non-existent work.  

Sources say a fresh complaint was filed before the Advocates Disciplinary Committee by one Peter M. Maina accusing Miller of misappropriating client funds—an explosive charge that could rock the legal profession if substantiated.  

For Kenyans watching, this is not just another lawyer-vs-blogger drama.

It’s a lightning-rod case spotlighting systemic collapse: when the men entrusted with justice morph into predators, and the courts become tools for vengeance rather than redress.

If Miller’s empire of influence holds, truth-telling may cost more than reputation—it may cost your freedom.

The question now: will the system fight back—or fold under pressure? The ordinary Kenyan deserves to know.

Nairobi — The Indian community in Kenya is planning to immortalize the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga with a grand statue in the heart of Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), in what is being hailed as one of the most profound tributes yet to the country’s iconic opposition leader.

The proposal, fronted by Parklands Highridge Member of County Assembly (MCA) Jayendra Malde, has stirred admiration and curiosity across the nation, underscoring the deep respect Odinga commanded beyond ethnic and racial lines.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, October 26, 2025, Malde announced that the Indian community was prepared to fully fund and construct the monument, describing Odinga as a visionary who fought for justice, unity, and democracy.

“We as the Indian community are ready to build Baba a big statue in the CBD in his memory, provided the governor approves,” Malde wrote. “Tomorrow we will send a formal letter to H.E. President William Ruto and H.E. Governor Sakaja to allocate us a site in Nairobi.”

The MCA, who represented the Parklands Highridge ward between 2017 and 2022, said the community viewed Raila not only as a political figure but also as a statesman who embodied courage, inclusivity, and the relentless pursuit of fairness.

“The Indian community in Kenya has benefited immensely from the peaceful and democratic environment that Baba helped shape,” Malde said in a follow-up post. “A statue in the heart of Nairobi will remind future generations of the importance of selflessness, courage, and patriotism.”

If approved, the monument will be one of the most significant additions to Nairobi’s growing list of statues honoring Kenya’s national heroes, including the towering figures of Tom Mboya and Dedan Kimathi along Moi Avenue.

The proposed Raila Odinga statue is expected to capture his likeness in a powerful pose — possibly mid-speech or holding a national flag — symbolizing the indomitable spirit that defined his decades-long struggle for democracy.

The announcement has since sparked a wave of emotional reactions online. Supporters of Odinga have praised the move as a “beautiful gesture of solidarity,” noting that the Indian community’s involvement mirrors the inclusive politics Raila often championed.

Others see it as a symbolic bridge between Kenya’s diverse communities — one that speaks to the deep historical and economic ties between the Indian diaspora and Kenya’s independence journey.

Political analysts have described the planned monument as a “rare act of civic diplomacy,” noting that the Indian community has long maintained strong relations with Odinga’s family and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Raila was a frequent guest at Indian cultural events in Nairobi and had long been admired for his efforts to promote tolerance and multicultural coexistence.

Raila Odinga, who died on October 15, 2025, while receiving specialized treatment in India, was laid to rest in his ancestral home in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Bondo, Siaya County.

His passing triggered an outpouring of grief both locally and abroad, with tributes pouring in from world leaders, business magnates, and citizens alike.

Should the statue project receive government approval, it would stand not only as a memorial to Raila’s legacy but also as a powerful emblem of Kenya’s multicultural identity — a reminder that unity, as he often said, “is the only foundation on which a just nation can stand.”

As one social media user commented under Malde’s post, “Even in death, Baba continues to unite us.”

NAIROBI — Kenyan authorities announced plans to publicly destroy more than one ton of methamphetamine valued at 8.2 billion shillings following the arrest of six Iranian nationals aboard a vessel intercepted hundreds of miles off the East African coast, reviving concerns about the country’s role as a conduit for international narcotics trafficking.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said during a church service in Kisumu on Sunday that the drugs would be destroyed after the suspects face charges in court, calling the operation a demonstration of President William Ruto’s administration’s commitment to combating the flow of illicit substances through the region.

The seizure, Kenya’s second-largest drug bust in history, has thrust the country back into the international spotlight as investigators work to build a prosecution case complicated by maritime law and the haunting memory of a similar case that collapsed spectacularly in court.

The dhow, named MV Mashallah, was carrying 1,024 kilograms of crystalline methamphetamine concealed in black plastic bags deceptively labeled as premium coffee when it was intercepted by a multinational task force approximately 630 kilometers east of Mombasa.

The stateless vessel, crewed entirely by Iranians, ignored multiple commands to stop before naval officers boarded it during what authorities described as Operation Bahari Safi.

Mohamed Amin, director of criminal investigations, said government testing confirmed the seized substance was 98 percent pure methamphetamine, a powerful stimulant whose chronic use can lead to severe malnutrition, dramatic weight loss and psychological addiction. Authorities declined to specify the intended destination, though officials believe the drugs were meant for regional distribution networks.

The operation involved an elaborate coordination between the Kenya Navy, criminal investigators, anti-narcotics units, coast guard services, revenue authorities, port police, intelligence services and port security.

A Seychelles Coast Guard patrol aircraft assisted in escorting the vessel to Mombasa aboard the KNS Shupavu.

Yet the success of the interdiction operation may prove easier than securing convictions.

The interception occurred well beyond Kenya’s territorial waters, which extend just 12 nautical miles from the coastline, and even beyond the country’s exclusive economic zone, which reaches 200 nautical miles offshore.

This places the seizure in international waters, creating a complex legal challenge that has already proved fatal to previous prosecutions.

In June, Kenya lost a case involving 1.3 billion shillings worth of heroin after the High Court found that prosecutors failed to establish the precise location and nationality of a vessel intercepted in 2014.

That case featured conflicting testimony from officers who disagreed on whether the ship was six nautical miles or 203 nautical miles from shore.

The court ruled the vessel had been seized outside Kenyan territorial waters, and despite initial life sentences handed down by a magistrate, seven foreign nationals walked free due to procedural failures and contradictory evidence.

The vessel in that case, which carried 377 kilograms of solid heroin along with thousands of liters of liquid heroin and heroin-laced diesel, was destroyed on orders from then-President Uhuru Kenyatta. The suspects were released.

Eleven years later, Kenya confronts remarkably similar circumstances.

The MV Mashallah was stateless, flying no flag, and was intercepted in international waters. Prosecutors will need to navigate a web of domestic and international law to bring charges that withstand judicial scrutiny.

Legal experts note that Kenya does have grounds for prosecution under international conventions. The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea permits any state to board and seize vessels without nationality on the high seas.

The 1988 Vienna Convention against illicit drug trafficking further authorizes countries to take action against stateless ships suspected of smuggling narcotics.

In the earlier heroin case, the High Court acknowledged that Kenya had acted within its rights under international law, noting that stateless vessels engaged in drug trafficking are subject to the jurisdiction of any state.

Still, the burden will fall on prosecutors to document the interception with precision and establish an unbroken chain of evidence linking the suspects to the contraband.

Any contradiction in witness testimony or gaps in documentation could provide grounds for dismissal.

Murkomen sought to frame the seizure as evidence of Kenya’s determination to combat the narcotics trade, which he linked to international terrorism.

“You have seen, through the determination of President William Ruto, supported by our army, police and Coast Guard, that we have successfully intercepted drugs linked to ISIS, operated by Iranians near our waters,” he said.

“Those drugs will be taken to court together with the six Iranians, and thereafter we shall destroy them in the open.”

The interior secretary provided no evidence for the connection to the Islamic State, and it remains unclear whether the claim refers to the terrorist organization or represents a characterization of the crew’s nationality and the broader geopolitical context of Iranian-linked smuggling operations in the region.

Methamphetamine, while not as historically prevalent in East Africa as heroin or cocaine, represents a growing threat across the continent.

The drug belongs to a class of amphetamine-type stimulants commonly manufactured in clandestine laboratories and can be consumed in various forms including powder, tablets or crystals resembling glass fragments.

Users may swallow, snort, smoke or inject the substance.

The current seizure ranks just behind the 1.1 tons of cocaine worth 6 billion shillings that police confiscated in Nairobi and Malindi in 2006, making it a record-breaking haul for methamphetamine specifically.

Deputy Navy Commander Brigadier Sankale Kiswaa emphasized that the interception occurred under the framework of the Regional Coordination of Operations Centre and Safe Seas Africa, highlighting the increasingly collaborative nature of maritime security in the Indian Ocean.

The coordination reflects growing recognition among regional governments and international partners that drug trafficking networks operate across borders and require multinational responses.

Kenya’s position along major maritime routes linking Asia, the Middle East and Africa has long made it attractive to traffickers seeking to move narcotics between production zones and consumer markets.

The country serves as both a transit point for drugs heading to other destinations and, increasingly, as a market itself as domestic drug use rises.

Murkomen pledged that the government would maintain its focus on combating narcotics and related threats.

“As a nation, we have resolved to stand firm against drugs, illicit alcohol, and all other vices eroding the lives and dignity of our people,” he said.

Whether that resolve can overcome the procedural and evidentiary challenges that derailed the previous major case will determine if the six Iranians now in custody face the life sentences that Kenyan law prescribes for drug trafficking, or if they too will be released to resume their interrupted voyage.

A diplomatic storm is brewing over Russia’s Alabuga Start Programme, with international intelligence agencies investigating claims that the vocational training initiative is being used as a front to recruit young Africans into the Ukraine war.

The probe, which involves multilateral diplomatic and intelligence coordination, has cast a spotlight on recruitment intermediaries and agencies linked to Russian institutions operating across the continent.

At the heart of the investigation are allegations that Kenyan and other African youths are being lured with promises of lucrative employment and educational opportunities, only to find themselves funneled into military training camps.

“The Alabuga Start initiative is being closely scrutinised. There is concern that it is being manipulated for covert recruitment into Russia’s war effort,” a senior diplomatic source familiar with the matter revealed, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The controversy deepened in September when Russian national Mikhail Lyapin was arrested, interrogated and subsequently deported over suspected links to a recruitment ring. While the Directorate of Criminal Investigations initially stated that Lyapin was working for the Russian embassy, the mission denied he held diplomatic status.

The Alabuga Start Programme was originally launched to promote technical training and industrial innovation at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan.

However, in recent months, the programme’s foreign student component has come under intense international scrutiny amid allegations that it has been repurposed to attract young people from developing countries under false pretenses.

Investigative reports, including those by African Uncensored, have documented troubling patterns. A comprehensive study by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime revealed that 14 Kenyan women were among 200 young Africans employed under the programme in Tatarstan. The facility’s proximity to conflict became starkly evident in April last year when Ukrainian drones struck the special economic zone, hitting one of the dormitories housing Alabuga Start participants and injuring several people. In response, the programme released a video featuring a Kenyan participant who claimed that she and her colleagues remained undeterred by Ukrainian threats.

The research found that reports of labour exploitation at Alabuga had triggered official responses in both Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya, agents from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations questioned immigration department officials about how Alabuga recruits had obtained passports to leave the country.

Beyond those deceived into recruitment, intelligence sources indicate that some Africans, particularly former soldiers, have voluntarily signed up for frontline duty, attracted by significantly higher payment packages than those available in their home countries.

The Russian Embassy in Nairobi has strongly rejected the allegations, characterizing them as part of an anti-Russian propaganda campaign spreading across Africa. In a statement, the embassy defended the Alabuga programme, describing it as a legitimate employment initiative for young specialists.

“The Alabuga Special Economic Zone, established in 2006 in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, hosts the Alabuga Start international programme for the employment of young specialists in Russia. Young people from all over the world are recruited for programmes, where they undergo a full cycle of training, including a practical part, receive real skills and employment opportunities,” the embassy stated.

The mission further accused Western countries of orchestrating a smear campaign to undermine Russia’s growing influence in Africa. “Western countries, which realise their position in the world is becoming increasingly precarious, are resorting to various, sometimes the most despicable, tools,” the statement read.

Adding another layer of complexity to the controversy, Alabuga publicly highlighted a visit by Kenya’s Ambassador to Russia, Peter Mathuki, to the facility in May. According to a statement released by Alabuga, the centre exceeded the ambassador’s expectations.

“I had heard about Alabuga before, but it helped a lot to see this technological industrial park with my own eyes. I am impressed,” the statement quoted Ambassador Mathuki as saying. During his visit, the ambassador toured the industrial site, the Alabuga Polytech educational centre and residential complexes housing company employees, including Alabuga Start participants.

The ongoing investigation reflects growing concerns among African governments and international bodies about the vulnerability of young Africans seeking opportunities abroad. As the probe continues, diplomatic sources indicate that more evidence is being gathered on the operations of recruitment networks and their connections to Russian military objectives in Ukraine.

The allegations have placed African governments in a delicate position, balancing their sovereign relationships with Russia against mounting evidence of potential exploitation of their citizens. For the young Africans caught in the middle, the promise of a better future through vocational training may have led them into a conflict thousands of miles from home.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Kenyan government is staring at possible United Nations sanctions, including aid cuts, after failing to respond to official inquiries about widespread human rights abuses against protesters and government critics.

Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, has publicly expressed frustration over Kenya’s silence on two separate letters she sent seeking clarification on allegations of arbitrary arrests, abductions, enforced disappearances and excessive use of force by security agencies.

The first letter, dated October 1, 2024, sought answers on the government’s crackdown during the June 2024 protests against the Finance Bill. A second letter followed on August 5, 2025, addressing similar concerns about protests marking the anniversary of the June 25, 2024 demonstrations. Both letters have gone unanswered despite a mandatory 60-day response window.

Ms Lawlor has now gone public with her concerns, posting on social media that she regrets not receiving any response from the Kenyan government.

Her letters detailed allegations of abductions, enforced disappearances and detention of protesters, activists, lawyers, medical professionals and human rights defenders during the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.

The protests began in June 2024 when Kenyans took to the streets opposing punitive taxation measures in the proposed Finance Bill. On June 25, 2024, protesters stormed Parliament shortly after legislators passed the controversial bill, leading to deadly clashes with security forces. Reports indicate that five protesters died from gunshots within parliament precincts, 21 others were abducted, and dozens sustained injuries from live bullets and rubber bullets.

According to Ms Lawlor’s letters, between 300 and 400 protesters were arrested on June 18, 2024 alone. By June 20, about 100 more people had been arrested, with one person killed and over 200 injured from police violence. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, a state agency, reported that at least 59 persons were abducted or went missing during the protests.

The UN rapporteur highlighted particularly troubling allegations of a special team from the National Intelligence Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations monitoring social media to identify protest leaders and persons with large online followings. Many of those targeted were reportedly taken to unofficial detention facilities, interrogated without lawyers present, and later released in unknown locations far from where they were abducted.

Ms Lawlor noted that the allegations, if confirmed, would constitute serious violations of international human rights law and Kenya’s obligations under the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights, which the country ratified in 1972.

International Relations expert Professor Macharia Munene said the government’s silence gives the impression that it does not consider itself answerable to UN officials and believes it can act without accountability. The non-responsiveness invites scrutiny from the United Nations Human Rights Council, where Kenya is a signatory, potentially resulting in sanctions and damage to the country’s international reputation.

Efforts to reach Attorney General Dorcas Oduor and Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei for comment were unsuccessful. Former Attorney General Justin Muturi, who left office on July 11, 2024, said he was unaware of the letters.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has documented incidents of excessive force by police, including fatal shootings, assaults and abductions during the protests.

Ms Lawlor warned that her office is considering publicly expressing concerns about the case, believing the wider public should be informed about the implications for human rights in Kenya. She emphasized that any public statement would indicate that her office attempted to contact the government to clarify these serious allegations.

The UN rapporteur’s letters requested detailed information about the legal basis for arrests, the status of detained protesters, measures to protect human rights defenders, and investigations into the use of excessive and lethal force. The government has yet to provide any of this information, leaving the fate and whereabouts of many protesters unknown.

The Social Health Authority, Kenya’s newest hope for affordable healthcare, has been caught in the middle of a financial storm after a shocking Auditor General’s report revealed that a staggering Sh253 million has disappeared in dubious payments, bloated legal fees, and board allowances that cannot be traced. What was meant to be a reformist agency has turned into a cash cow for a few insiders, leaving lawmakers furious and Kenyans betrayed.

The explosive report, tabled before Parliament, shows that in less than two years of its existence, the Authority blew Sh247.8 million on questionable legal expenses and another Sh5.83 million in unsupported board payments.

Legislators who had expected progress in the country’s health reforms were instead met with figures that point to an institution sinking fast into the same swamp of corruption that killed its predecessor, the NHIF.

During a heated session at Parliament Buildings, SHA officials led by Chief Executive Officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi struggled to explain where the money went. Members of the Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture were left stunned as it emerged that the Authority paid a jaw-dropping Sh91.6 million in legal fees for court cases worth only Sh13.9 million.

The arithmetic was insulting even to the most forgiving mind.

“When you collect thirteen million by paying seventy-seven million, where is the value for money?” thundered Committee Chair Emmanuel Wangwe, his voice rising in disbelief. Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, who also sits in the committee, tore into the officials for what he termed as a culture of impunity masked behind pandemic excuses. “We are talking about billions of shillings of taxpayers’ money being squandered while hospitals go without medicine and patients die in corridors. The tired excuse of Covid-19 no longer holds water,” Amisi said.

As MPs pored over the audit findings, it became clear that the rot at the Authority went far beyond miscalculated legal fees.

The board had paid itself Sh5.83 million without any supporting documents, no minutes of meetings, no attendance registers, nothing to show that the money ever served a legitimate purpose.

“If five million was paid to the Board for nothing, that means thousands of Kenyans were denied treatment,” raged Ndhiwa MP Martin Peters as the room fell silent.

The drama intensified when legislators revisited the controversial multi-storey car park project, a venture that has ballooned from Sh909 million to a staggering Sh3.97 billion. What began as a routine construction has turned into one of the most suspicious public projects in recent memory. The Auditor General noted multiple unexplained payments and cost variations running over 337 percent. “The car park had more than two payments which raised the budget beyond logic,” said MP Wangwe, demanding that the management table all documents to show where every shilling went. Previous attempts to have the matter investigated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission have quietly died out, raising fears of a cover-up.

The report further exposed that SHA had failed to submit its financial statements for several years, making it impossible to verify massive balances, including Sh57.2 million in car loans and Sh1.29 billion in mortgage schemes. These schemes, some dating back over 20 years, have been run through commercial banks but without proper reconciliation, leaving auditors unsure whether the funds even exist in full.

Cornered by MPs, Dr Mwangangi admitted that the Authority inherited incomplete records from the defunct NHIF but insisted that reforms were underway. “We are committed to transparency and accountability. We have made significant reforms to address past weaknesses,” she told the committee, a statement that did little to calm the storm. Legislators accused the Authority’s finance department of sabotaging audits and “letting down the CEO and the entire health authority” by refusing to cooperate with investigators.

The scandal has once again thrown Kenya’s health financing reforms into chaos. The Social Health Authority was formed barely two years ago through a gazette notice signed by then Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha on November 22, 2023, amid promises of restoring faith in the public health insurance system. Now, it appears to be following the exact footsteps of the NHIF, a once-promising institution that became a national symbol of corruption and mismanagement.

For many Kenyans, the revelations confirm their worst fears — that the billions poured into the health sector are being pocketed by bureaucrats while ordinary citizens die waiting for treatment. The missing Sh253 million is just a snapshot of a deeper rot eating away at the foundations of the healthcare system. As one MP remarked, “This is not just about money. It’s about lives lost because of greed.”

The parliamentary committee has ordered SHA to hand over all documentation related to the payments and to cooperate fully with the EACC in investigating the scandal. But even as the board promises reforms, Kenyans are watching closely, weary of the familiar dance of denials and empty promises that have accompanied every major public funds theft.

If history is any guide, the Sh253 million scandal at SHA may well be the latest reminder that in Kenya, every new agency created to clean up corruption often ends up becoming its newest victim.

For months, whispers followed me around the office like a shadow. Every time I walked into a room, conversations went silent. I could feel the judgment in people’s eyes, but no one ever told me what was going on. Then one morning, I was summoned to the HR office. My heart pounded as they showed me printed messages fake screenshots claiming I was sabotaging a project and talking badly about the management. I was speechless. Someone had gone out of their way to destroy me.

It turned out that my colleague, Brian, was behind it all. We had started at the same time, but when I was promoted to team lead, his attitude toward me changed overnight. He stopped greeting me, ignored my emails, and started spreading rumors. I tried to stay professional, hoping it would die down, but things only got worse. My boss began treating me coldly, my team lost trust in me, and I even started thinking about resigning. I had never felt so helpless in my life. To continue reading, click here.

Congregants at a popular church in Nairobi were left in shock last Sunday after their longtime pastor collapsed on the pulpit moments after making a stunning confession that had everyone gasping. According to witnesses, the service had begun normally with worship and prayer, until the pastor suddenly paused mid-sermon and said he could no longer live with the secret he had carried for two decades.

He told the congregation that although he had served faithfully for years, there was something from his past that had haunted him every single day. His voice trembled as he confessed that long before he became a man of God, he had wronged someone deeply and never made peace about it. “I have prayed, fasted, and begged for forgiveness, but the burden refuses to leave me,” he said, tears streaming down his face. Moments later, he clutched his chest, staggered, and collapsed.

Church members screamed in panic as ushers and elders rushed to his aid. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors said he had suffered a severe panic attack triggered by emotional distress. News of the incident spread quickly across social media, with many describing it as both shocking and heartbreaking. Some members said it was proof that even spiritual leaders can suffer under the weight of unhealed wounds. To continue reading, click here.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 23 — A man accused of orchestrating a multi-million shilling fake gold scam has been arraigned before a Nairobi court over allegations of defrauding foreign investors in a scheme involving fictitious gold sales.

Patroba Odhiambo Tobias, also known as Ishmael, was on Wednesday charged before Chief Magistrate Lukas Onyina with obtaining money by false pretenses and engaging in financial dealings suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Tobias is charged alongside lawyer Alphonce Collins Odoyo Osewe, a High Court advocate, who did not appear in court after his legal team informed the court that he is admitted to hospital. The magistrate directed that Osewe’s medical documents be produced in court on September 23, 2025, when the prosecution is expected to respond to the bail and bond application.

According to the prosecution, Tobias and Osewe allegedly obtained USD 260,400 (approximately Sh35.7 million) from businessman Bernard Shiaundu Aete by falsely claiming they could supply him with 400 kilograms of gold bars — a claim investigators say was completely fraudulent.

In a separate count, Osewe is accused of swindling Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi of Sh26.1 million using a similar ruse, also involving the promise of 400 kilograms of gold.

The offences are said to have been committed between May 1 and May 9, 2023, within Nairobi County. Prosecutors told the court that the two suspects were part of a wider network engaged in gold scams targeting unsuspecting local and foreign buyers using falsified export documents and fake mineral certificates.

Tobias denied all charges. The court ordered that the prosecution’s application to oppose bail be heard on the same date as Osewe’s medical review.

The case adds to a growing list of high-profile gold fraud prosecutions in Kenya, amid concerns that Nairobi has become a hub for transnational gold scams exploiting lax regulatory oversight and the global demand for precious minerals.

In a display of staggering incompetence and financial recklessness, the Social Health Authority has been exposed for burning through a jaw-dropping Sh77 million in legal costs to chase down a paltry Sh13 million, leaving MPs furious and Kenyans questioning how their healthcare money is being squandered.

The bombshell revelations emerged Wednesday when SHA officials, led by embattled Chief Executive Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, were hauled before the Public Investments Committee at Parliament Buildings to answer for a litany of financial scandals that paint a damning picture of an institution drowning in mismanagement and waste.

The Auditor General’s report, covering the 2021–22 to 2023–24 financial years, has torn the lid off a cesspool of questionable expenditures, ghost payments, and brazen disregard for financial regulations that would make even the most hardened corruption watchers wince.

At the heart of the scandal is the mind-boggling legal fees fiasco. SHA racked up a colossal Sh247.8 million in legal costs, with a staggering Sh91.6 million paid out to recover cases worth a measly Sh13.9 million. That represents an overpayment of Sh77.6 million, money that could have treated thousands of sick Kenyans now languishing without care while lawyers feast on taxpayer cash.

“Where is the value for money when you pay Sh77 million to collect Sh13 million?” Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, who chairs the PIC committee, demanded as he skewered SHA officials over the unconscionable waste. The question hung in the air like an indictment of everything wrong with Kenya’s public institutions.

The financial carnage doesn’t stop there. SHA’s board members pocketed Sh5.83 million in sitting allowances without a shred of documentation to prove they even showed up for work. No attendance registers. No signed minutes. Just millions disappearing into pockets while Kenyans die waiting for treatment they can no longer afford.

“If you say the board was paid Sh5 million, this means many deserving Kenyans were denied an opportunity to get medical treatment,” Ndhiwa MP Martin Peters Owino thundered, his voice dripping with contempt for the callous disregard SHA has shown for struggling citizens whose lives depend on the very funds being looted.

The hits keep coming. Remember the infamous multi-storey car park project that ballooned from Sh909 million to a grotesque Sh3.97 billion? That’s a 337 percent cost escalation that reeks of kickbacks, inflated contracts, and the kind of theft that has become synonymous with government mega-projects. Despite MPs ordering the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate, the probe has stalled, with no progress report submitted and no one held accountable.

“There were multiple payments that inflated the car park budget by 37 percent,” Wangwe revealed, directing SHA to cough up all payment records for verification. But don’t hold your breath waiting for transparency from an institution that can’t even produce basic financial documentation.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, the committee’s vice chairperson, wasn’t buying SHA’s feeble attempts to blame Covid-19 for the financial chaos. “A tired excuse used by government institutions that have misused public funds,” he dismissed with cutting precision, calling out the lazy deflection tactic that has become the go-to defense for every scandal-ridden parasite feeding off public coffers.

Nominated MP Bishop Kosgei turned his guns on SHA’s finance department, blasting officials for stonewalling auditors and refusing to cooperate with basic accountability measures. “The Finance Director has let down the CEO and the entire institution by refusing to cooperate with audit queries,” he said, exposing the culture of impunity that has taken root at the Authority.

Dr. Mwangangi, clearly on the back foot, tried to deflect blame onto the defunct National Health Insurance Fund, claiming SHA inherited most of its toxic records and liabilities. She promised reforms and transparency, the same hollow pledges Kenyans have heard a thousand times before from institutions caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

“We are committed to transparency and accountability. Significant reforms are ongoing to correct historical weaknesses,” Mwangangi offered weakly, her words sounding more like damage control than genuine contrition.

The committee wasn’t having it. MPs ordered SHA to produce missing documentation and prove they’re actually cooperating with EACC over the car park scandal before the next sitting. It’s a tall order for an institution that has demonstrated all the financial discipline of a drunk sailor on shore leave.

As ordinary Kenyans struggle to access basic healthcare under the collapsing SHA system, watching their premiums vanish into a black hole of incompetence and possible theft, these revelations confirm their worst fears. The very institution created to safeguard their health has become just another feeding trough for well-connected insiders, lawyers, and board members who treat public money like their personal ATM.

The question now is whether anyone will face consequences for this grotesque mismanagement, or whether SHA will join the long list of Kenyan institutions that stumble from scandal to scandal while taxpayers foot the bill and the sick continue suffering.

A solemn yet symbolic ceremony marking the continuation of one of Kenya’s most influential lineages was held at Opoda Farm in Bondo, where Raila Odinga’s son, Raila Odinga Junior, was formally installed as the new head of the Odinga family in accordance with Luo cultural traditions.

The event, held four days after the burial of the former Prime Minister, signified both the end of the mourning period and the transfer of family leadership, in line with ancestral customs that have guided the Odinga lineage for generations.

Speaking as the cultural head of the extended family, Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Oginga clarified that the ceremony was purely cultural, not political, and was intended to preserve the sacred values that define the family’s heritage.

“The seat of power in this home now rests with the new leader, Raila Junior, together with his mother,” Dr Oburu said.

“The mother will always be there to offer guidance and wisdom, but the young man must stand firm and lead this home. That is our culture.”

He explained that according to Luo tradition, the fourth day after burial known as chieng’ ang’wen—marks the closure of mourning.

It is the day when sons and close male relatives are released from the mourning period, while daughters married elsewhere return to their respective homes.

“My brother was buried on Sunday last week. Counting from that day, last night marked the fourth night. This is when the funeral officially ends,” he noted.

During the ceremony, Raila Junior was made to sit on a traditional chair as elders and family members gathered for prayers and blessings.

One of his grandmothers then performed the symbolic head-shaving ritual, an act signifying purification, renewal, and the assumption of responsibility.

“Junior will go through the ritual and receive the instruments of power—the symbols that affirm his role as the new head of the home,” Dr Oburu said.

He further urged the community to appreciate the ceremony for its cultural depth rather than misinterpret it as superstition.

“This is not witchcraft; it is a blessing. Religion does not stand against culture, the two must go hand in hand,” he affirmed.

Dr Oburu also noted that, as the senior-most member of the clan, he remains the overall cultural leader of the Odinga family, a position he held even during the lifetime of his late brother, much like their father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga before them.

The event mirrored similar rites conducted after Jaramogi’s passing in 1994, reflecting the Odinga family’s deep commitment to cultural continuity even amid their prominent role in Kenya’s modern political history.

The installation of Raila Junior marks a new chapter for the Odinga household, symbolizing renewal, unity, and the endurance of tradition within one of Kenya’s most respected families.