NAIROBI, June 10, 2026 — President William Ruto’s digital strategist Dennis Itumbi has sparked fresh political debate after claiming that Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has settled on Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as his preferred running mate for the 2027 General Election.
In a lengthy open letter circulated on social media and addressed to a figure he referred to as “Jofri”, a name widely interpreted in political circles as a reference to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Itumbi laid out what he described as the opposition’s emerging political strategy ahead of the next election.
According to Itumbi, Kalonzo and Sifuna are expected to lead a coalition under the banner of the Ukombozi Linda Mwananchi Alliance, bringing together Kalonzo’s Komboa Kenya campaign and Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement.
The strategist further alleged that the opposition has already identified key candidates for Nairobi’s top elective seats.
He claimed Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has been earmarked for the Nairobi governor race, while former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Irungu Nyakera is being considered for the Senate seat.
In a pointed attack on Gachagua, Itumbi claimed the opposition leadership had rejected advice allegedly advocating for a Kikuyu candidate in the Nairobi governor contest, suggesting growing tensions over the direction of opposition politics and the role of the Mount Kenya region within the coalition.
The most serious allegations in Itumbi’s statement concerned the planned protests scheduled for June 24 and June 25, as well as the anticipated Saba Saba demonstrations.
Without providing evidence, Itumbi accused Gachagua of being the architect of the planned protests and claimed the former deputy president follows a recurring pattern of distancing himself from events when demonstrations turn chaotic.
The allegations are likely to intensify an already heated political environment as opposition leaders continue to mobilise supporters against the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Neither Kalonzo, Sifuna nor Gachagua had publicly responded to Itumbi’s claims by Wednesday evening.
The remarks come at a time of heightened political activity within opposition ranks. Kalonzo recently intensified his Komboa Kenya campaign, signalling his intention to mount another presidential bid, while Sifuna and allies associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement have been conducting political rallies across several regions.
Political observers view Itumbi’s intervention as part of the increasingly aggressive battle for narrative control ahead of 2027.
While some interpret the claims as an attempt to expose and potentially destabilise opposition plans, others argue the level of detail contained in the statement suggests deep knowledge of ongoing discussions within rival political camps.
The claims also place fresh pressure on Gachagua, who has been seeking to consolidate support following his fallout with President Ruto and subsequent impeachment battles.
Whether Itumbi’s assertions reflect genuine political realignments or form part of a broader contest for public opinion remains unclear. What is certain is that the statement has injected fresh intrigue into an opposition landscape that is still taking shape more than a year before the next General Election.
A PREDAWN raid on a lakeside hotel in Kisumu has ignited a high-voltage political and business dispute, with former Principal Secretary and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) patron Irungu Nyakera squarely accusing Interior PS Dr Raymond Omollo of masterminding what he calls a hostile takeover of his Sh235 million investment.
Nyakera, who built a reputation as a no-nonsense technocrat before aligning himself with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the opposition, says that at around 5am on Tuesday, more than 100 men stormed his hotel, damaging property and assaulting members of staff, including tying up a female security guard who was on duty at the time.
Nyakera says he rushed to the scene and fired two warning shots into the air before the attackers fled.
“I called the OCS and asked for backup, but an hour later, when no backup was forthcoming, I sent him a message that I intend to shoot anyone stepping into my property,” Nyakera said in a statement published on his social media accounts, adding that he hoped the OCS had shared the warning through the relevant security communication channels.
Nyakera Irungu.
The incident is not the first of its kind. Nyakera says that three weeks prior, goons working alongside the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) arrived at the premises, carted away merchandise belonging to his business and locked him out. He says he subsequently reported the matter to Kisumu security agencies, where officials told him something that now forms the centrepiece of his allegations against the Interior PS.
“Upon reporting the matter to the security agencies in Kisumu, I was informed that PS Raymond Omollo had directed that I cannot continue being a tenant in a government building because I am in DCP,” Nyakera said.
He went further, claiming that the Nyanza Region DCI boss told him that PS Omollo has personal interests in the property, a claim that Nyakera said made perfect sense given that Omollo is a former Chief Executive of LBDA, the state agency that owns the premises, and that Omollo’s cousin currently serves as LBDA’s chief executive.
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LBDA is a regional development authority established by Parliament in 1979 under Cap 442 to coordinate and implement development programmes across 18 counties in the Lake Victoria basin region, with its headquarters in Kisumu.
Dr Omollo served as its Managing Director from 2019 before being appointed Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration in December 2022 by President William Ruto, making him one of the most powerful civil servants in the country and the youngest person ever to hold that office.
A Nation investigation published in February 2023 had earlier linked Omollo, while at LBDA, to an alleged scheme in which retrenched employees were denied benefits worth at least Sh100 million through fictitious court processes involving a string of lawyers. Omollo denied any knowledge of or involvement in the alleged fraudulent arrangement at the time.
Nyakera, who has invested in the LBDA-owned premises since 2019, says he holds a 50-year lease on the property and that court records confirm he has sunk more than Sh235 million into developing what was a shell when he took it over. He was blunt in his message to the PS.
“If he indeed wants to take over the property, let him come and we do a valuation and I sell it to him. Sending goons here, chanting ‘hatutaki Mkikuyu,’ will not drive me away. I am an investor, but I am not stupid,” Nyakera said, using language that raises the spectre of ethnic targeting in what he frames as a politically motivated campaign of intimidation.
The ethnic dimension of the alleged chants adds a volatile layer to an already combustible standoff. Nyakera, who hails from Murang’a in Central Kenya, is a prominent critic of the Ruto administration and a key organiser for Gachagua’s DCP in Nairobi, where he is the party’s patron and an aspirant for the Nairobi governorship in the 2027 elections. He had previously served on state boards, including as chairman of KEMSA and KICC, before President Ruto revoked both appointments, moves Nyakera has attributed to his refusal to dissolve his political affiliations.
Kenya Insights sought a response from Dr Omollo’s office and the Interior Ministry regarding the allegations but had not received a statement by the time of going to press.
The LBDA communications office also did not respond to queries on whether it had authorised any action against Nyakera’s tenancy or whether any formal eviction proceedings had been initiated.
If Nyakera’s account is accurate, it raises serious governance questions.
The Interior PS not only oversees national security and law enforcement coordination across Kenya, but also sits on the board of the Communications Authority of Kenya.
An allegation that a serving PS is directing a parastatal over which he previously held executive authority to act against a political opponent, and that security agencies are declining to respond to distress calls from that opponent, strikes at the heart of Kenya’s constitutional guarantees of equality before the law and protection of property rights.
Political observers will note that the timing is not incidental. Nyakera has become one of the more vocal and visible faces of the DCP opposition project, lending financial credibility and policy weight to Gachagua’s platform. His public profile has grown sharply since his sacking from the KICC board in April 2025, which he described at the time as a badge of honour. That trajectory, from government insider to opposition irritant, appears to have attracted consequences that now extend beyond the political arena and into his business affairs.
For now, Nyakera says he is not going anywhere. His message to those behind the raids was unambiguous: come with a valuation, not with goons.
In a second statement published hours after the attack, Nyakera appeared to validate a recent Standard Media Group investigation into the security situation in Kisumu under PS Omollo’s watch, and issued a stark warning to the investor community.
“Standard Media was right. PS Raymond Omollo has turned Kisumu into goons territory. The chants of ‘Hatutaki wakikuyu’ cut deep for me after all the investments I have made. Anyone from outside Nyanza planning to invest in Kisumu, hold off till the security situation here improves. It’s 2007 all over again.”
The 2007 reference will send a chill through anyone who lived through Kenya’s post-election violence, which claimed over 1,300 lives and displaced more than 600,000 people, with Kisumu and the Lake Region among the worst-affected areas.
Nyakera is not alleging that organised political violence of that scale is imminent, but his invocation of that period as a frame for the current security climate in Kisumu is a measure of how seriously he regards the threat he says he and his staff now face.
His investor warning carries its own economic weight. Kisumu is the third-largest city in Kenya and has in recent years positioned itself as a regional hub for trade with Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo through the Northern Corridor and the LAPSSET development framework.
An allegation by a prominent businessman that the county has become unsafe for non-Nyanza investors, made in the context of ethnically charged attacks and alleged state complicity, will not be ignored by the business community or by development finance institutions with exposure in the region.
PS Omollo’s office, the Interior Ministry, LBDA and the Kisumu County Commissioner had not responded to media requests for comment by the time of publication.
A former Permanent Secretary has raised serious concerns about the recent acquisition of a Sh1.6 billion stake in HF Group by former Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) chairman Anthony Mwaura and his family, suggesting a senior politician may be the real power behind the controversial transaction.
Irungu Nyakera, a former Permanent Secretary, took to social media to warn Kenyans that the high-profile investment may not be what it appears on the surface. In a pointed post, Nyakera claimed that “Anthony Mwaura is not the buyer” and warned existing shareholders to consider selling their stakes before an anticipated delisting.
“If you own HF shares, buy more as the buyer will be making a full acquisition and delisting HF in not too long,” Nyakera cautioned, suggesting the transaction is part of a larger strategy to take the mortgage firm private.
The warning comes amid growing public scrutiny over how the Mwaura family managed to raise such substantial funds for the investment.
According to Business Daily reports, the family collectively purchased a 12.72 percent stake worth Sh1.6 billion through HF Group’s recent rights issue, making them the second-largest shareholder after Britam Holdings.
The breakdown shows Mwaura acquired 81.6 million shares worth Sh548.3 million through his company Toddy Civil Engineering, while his wife Rose Njeri secured a 4.21 percent stake worth Sh533.5 million through Effort Merchants.
Their daughter Susan Wanjiru obtained a 4.18 percent stake valued at Sh528 million under Janton Investments.
Nyakera’s allegations have added a new dimension to the controversy, with the former PS suggesting that Kenyans are being presented with a false narrative about the transaction’s true ownership structure.
Former PS Irungu Nyakera.
His reference to someone “selling you a dynasty vs hustlers narrative” appears to allude to Kenya’s recent political discourse while warning of potential manipulation.
The timing of the acquisition has raised eyebrows, coming just months after Mwaura was moved from his KRA chairmanship to head the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) in December 2024.
His tenure at KRA was marked by controversy, including court proceedings related to a Sh357 million embezzlement case involving Nairobi County Government, though he was later acquitted.
Public reaction has been swift and critical, with many Kenyans questioning the source of the family’s wealth on social media platforms.
The fact that Mwaura’s daughter, who holds no known major business position, could afford a half-billion shilling investment has particularly sparked debate about transparency in public service.
HF Group has been experiencing a remarkable turnaround, with its share price gaining 64.3 percent over the past six months to trade at Sh6.72 at the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
The company doubled its earnings to Sh524 million in 2024, making it an attractive investment target.
Despite the controversy, Mwaura has publicly stated that the investment represents a retirement plan and that he will not take an active role in HF Group’s management.
“I don’t know much about banking,” he told Business Daily, emphasizing his hands-off approach.
However, Nyakera’s warning about an impending full acquisition and delisting suggests the investment may be more strategic than initially presented.
If accurate, current shareholders could face a buyout scenario that would remove HF Group from public trading.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has faced calls to investigate the transaction’s funding sources, though no formal probe has been announced.
As the debate continues, the controversy highlights growing public concern about wealth accumulation by former public officials and demands for greater transparency in Kenya’s corporate sector.
The unfolding situation serves as a test case for corporate governance and public accountability, with stakeholders watching closely to see whether regulatory bodies will respond to the mounting concerns about this high-stakes financial transaction.
Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu’s Farmers Party has formally notified the Kenya Kwanza Coalition of its intention to withdraw from the coalition within the next 30 days.
In a letter addressed to Kenya Kwanza’s Coalition Secretariat on Tuesday, the party’s Secretary General, Simon Kamangu said the notice to exit followed a green light by its National Executive Committee to pull out from the ruling coalition.
The notice to leave takes effect today (Tuesday) and aligns to the Coalition Agreement which they signed on 23rd March 2022.
“Accordingly, the National Executive Committee of the Farmers Party met on 7th April 2025 and unanimously resolved on the subject matter. Therefore, Farmers Party hereby issues a thirty (30) day notice of intention to exit the Kenya Kwanza Coalition, pursuant to Clause 8 (Termination) of the Coalition Agreement,” he said.
In the letter, Kamangu cited dishonesty, political infidelity, and outright disregard for both the Constitution of Kenya (2010) and the spirit of our Coalition Agreement as reasons to exit Kenya Kwanza.
“Our belief in the binding commitments of the Coalition’s manifesto guided our participation. However, it is with deep regret that we note a consistent pattern of dishonesty, political infidelity, and outright disregard for both the Constitution of Kenya (2010) and the spirit of our Coalition Agreement,” he said.
Other reasons include; signing of a Broad-Based Government Agreement between the Kenya Kwanza Coalition and the ODM Party — without consultation or involvement of the Kenya Kwanza constituent parties.
“This move not only violates the trust upon which our coalition was founded, but also undermines the principles of inclusivity, transparency, and mutual respect,” he added.
This announcement comes shortly after former Farmers Party leader Irungu Nyakera was dismissed by President Ruto from his role as board chair of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). He was replaced by Samuel Waweru Mwangi.
The Farmers Party leadership changed hands in February, with the Registrar of Political Parties confirming that Ferdinand Waititu had taken over from Irungu Nyakera.
President William Ruto has stirred controversy by ousting Irungu Nyakera as Chairman of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) Board, appointing Samuel Tunai as his successor effective August 23, 2024.
This decision raises serious questions about Ruto’s commitment to fighting corruption and upholding meritocracy in public service.
By prioritizing tribal and political alliances over genuine reform, Ruto’s actions risk fueling growing discontent across the nation.
KEMSA Scandals: Political Patronage Over Reform
Nyakera’s dismissal follows intense pressure on Ruto to address rampant corruption within KEMSA under Nyakera’s leadership.
The former chairman faced multiple financial scandals, including illegal appointments and fraudulent tender awards to companies linked to his political allies in Murang’a County.
Despite these significant issues, Ruto’s choice to replace Nyakera with Tunai—a politician who has remained close to Ruto after losing the Narok gubernatorial seat in 2022—highlights a trend of political patronage rather than a sincere effort to clean up KEMSA.
Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa has closely monitored Nyakera’s activities, uncovering a web of corruption that involved illegal hiring for high-paying positions without public advertisements or due process.
These unilateral appointments allowed Nyakera’s personal assistants to draw substantial salaries from KEMSA’s already strained budget.
Such blatant abuse of power has further eroded public trust in KEMSA, an institution already suffering from previous scandals involving manipulated tenders and opaque financial dealings.
Concerns About Ruto’s Priorities
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is currently investigating Nyakera’s dubious dealings, which many view as the final nail in the coffin of his controversial tenure.
Ruto’s appointment of Tunai—a political reject whose previous role as Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Interior the courts declared illegal—raises serious concerns about the President’s priorities.
Is Ruto genuinely committed to eradicating corruption, or does he prioritize appeasing his political base?
In another move that suggests political appeasement, the government swiftly reassigned Nyakera as Chairman of the Kenya International Convention Centre (KICC), replacing Adelina Mwau.
This strategic move indicates that Ruto is more interested in maintaining political balance and quelling potential unrest in the Mt. Kenya region than in holding corrupt officials accountable.
KEMSA Scandals and Implications for Kenya’s Healthcare System
As KEMSA serves as a critical lifeline for essential medical supplies in Kenya, the ongoing corruption and political maneuvering within its leadership threaten the nation’s already fragile healthcare system.
With millions of Kenyans depending on KEMSA for life-saving medications, the transformation of this institution into a playground for political elites raises profound governance issues—it’s a matter of life and death.
The public is now watching closely to see if President Ruto will take decisive action to root out the entrenched corruption in his administration or continue down a path of political expediency.
President William Ruto faces mounting pressure to fire Irungu Nyakera, the corrupt Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) chair.
Nyakera, entangled in a web of corruption, has been linked to looting billions of shillings hidden in offshore accounts, including in Egypt.
KEMSA Scandals: Blatant Corruption and Mismanagement
Ruto’s aides are concerned about Nyakera’s dirty dealings and believe he should not survive the ongoing purge.
They claim he has damaged KEMSA through corruption and mismanagement, warranting his immediate removal.
Nyakera is also accused of making illicit appointments. He reportedly hired individuals into high-paying positions without following legal procedures or KEMSA’s policies.
These hires, serving as his personal assistants, draw substantial salaries, straining KEMSA’s finances and raising ethical concerns.
“KEMSA made no advertisements for these positions,” revealed a source. “They were illegally appointed.”
Tainted Leadership
These revelations deal a significant blow to Nyakera’s leadership, already tainted by corruption allegations.
KEMSA has faced scandals involving manipulated tenders, fraudulent dealings, and opaque financial practices. This latest scandal only adds to the controversies surrounding Nyakera.
Nyakera is also under scrutiny for awarding lucrative tenders to companies tied to his political allies from Murang’a County.
These tenders, worth millions of shillings, have fueled accusations of nepotism and corruption. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is investigating these dealings, with illegal appointments possibly tipping the scale against Nyakera.
Violations in Procurement and Governance
KEMSA’s operations have raised concerns for some time. Reliable sources within the organization highlight the lack of an approved list of pre-qualified suppliers, violating procurement laws.
Acting CEO Dr. Andrew Mulwa, allegedly working closely with Nyakera, is accused of making dubious deals and pushing questionable procurement decisions, enabling corruption to thrive.
The scandal has intensified calls for accountability at KEMSA. Stakeholders and the public demand decisive action from President Ruto to address the monumental corruption and mismanagement within this critical institution.
KEMSA’s corruption not only drains public resources but also undermines Kenya’s healthcare system, posing a severe threat to millions of Kenyans.
President William Ruto’s advisors are urging sweeping changes at the corruption-plagued Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, urging the president to dismiss Chairman Irungu Nyakera, implicated in a corruption scandal web.
Impact on Kenya’s Healthcare System
Kenya’s healthcare system is already in crisis, with many citizens lacking access to necessary medical supplies and services.
The transformation of KEMSA into a vehicle for enriching elites exacerbates this crisis, turning the agency into a “vampire squid” siphoning resources meant for the public.
This situation is a matter of life and death. The public looks to the government for swift and effective action to restore integrity to KEMSA.
As investigations continue, the pressure on Nyakera and his associates mounts. The outcome will be crucial for KEMSA’s future and efforts to combat corruption in Kenya’s public institutions.
Nyakera’s KEMSA Scandals and Controversial Housing Project
Nyakera also faces scrutiny over a controversial housing project. His company, Sycamore Pine Limited, is under investigation as victims of the halted Samara Housing Project demand refunds.
Safaricom Investment Company (SIC) recommended the project, unveiling fraudulent dealings and fake promises of refunds.
In 2020, SIC signed a deal with Sycamore, expecting a 4.5% commission per unit sold. However, the agreement collapsed when it was revealed Sycamore lacked essential documentation for the project.
The project stalled in 2021 after Migaa Estate residents opposed high-rise apartments, leading to SIC terminating the agreement.
The public awaits President Ruto’s response to this crisis, hoping for a strong stand against the endemic corruption threatening Kenya’s healthcare system.
