Battle for Mt Kenya Intensifies As Gachagua, Uhuru Clash Over Supremacy

The political contest for influence in Mt Kenya is assuming a more intricate character as prominent leaders reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta occupy different political spaces, but both remain consequential figures in a region where political loyalties have become increasingly fluid.

Gachagua has been cultivating a political identity centred on regional representation, grassroots mobilisation and resistance to what his supporters regard as diminishing influence within the national administration. His increasingly assertive engagement with communities has enabled him to present himself as a potential rallying point for voters seeking an alternative political direction.

His political language has frequently invoked the collective interests of Mt Kenya, particularly concerns surrounding representation, economic opportunities and the distribution of political influence. Such messaging could strengthen his appeal among sections of the electorate dissatisfied with the relationship between the region and President William Ruto's administration.

Uhuru Kenyatta possesses a markedly different political asset: institutional experience acquired during his decade in State House and extensive relationships developed throughout his political career. Although he no longer occupies an executive position, his historical association with Mt Kenya politics gives his interventions considerable significance whenever questions concerning the region's political future emerge.

Yet Uhuru's previous dominance cannot simply be transferred into the present political environment. Mt Kenya's political landscape has become more fragmented, with younger politicians asserting themselves, local leaders pursuing independent interests and voters displaying greater willingness to reconsider traditional political loyalties.

The contest is therefore taking place within a broader struggle over who will define the region's political bargaining position after Ruto. Gachagua appears to be pursuing a more grassroots-oriented political structure, while Uhuru retains networks and political experience that could become influential in negotiations involving competing national coalitions.

Ruto is also intensifying efforts to regain political traction within Mt Kenya, a region that contributed substantially to his 2022 electoral victory. Senior government officials have increased their presence in local communities, highlighting government programmes while attempting to rebuild confidence among voters who have become increasingly critical of the administration.

The political calculations extend beyond the three nationally recognised figures. Governors, senators, Members of Parliament and emerging political actors are positioning themselves according to local interests, prospective alliances and assessments of which national coalition could provide the strongest political leverage.

Economic conditions are likely to add another dimension to the contest. Questions surrounding employment, agricultural incomes, taxation, public services and the cost of living could influence how voters assess competing political narratives, particularly in communities where political allegiance is closely connected to tangible economic expectations.

Generational transformation is equally important. A younger electorate is increasingly exposed to political discourse through social media, where traditional political hierarchies can be challenged rapidly and where emerging leaders can acquire substantial visibility without possessing the extensive institutional networks previously required to establish regional influence.

Source: https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/gachagua-vs-uhuru-the-battle-for-mt-kenya-after-ruto-5588778

This creates an unpredictable political environment in which neither historical stature nor current visibility guarantees enduring dominance. The struggle for Mt Kenya's political allegiance will depend heavily on organisational capacity, credibility, grassroots structures, strategic alliances and the ability of competing leaders to accommodate divergent interests within the region.

With the 2027 election approaching, Mt Kenya is consequently becoming a crucial arena for political realignment. As always, it is a matter of wait and see, for only time will tell who will command the region's political allegiance when the decisive moment arrives.

Governor Barasa Thrown Into Mourning As Close Family Member Dies

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa is mourning the death of his mother-in-law, Mama Juliana Nakhumicha Kasilly, who passed away on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The governor shared the news publicly while expressing sympathy for his wife, Kakamega First Lady Prof. Janet Kassilly Barasa, and other members of the family.

Barasa remembered Mama Juliana as a woman whose character was defined by kindness, dignity and strength. He said her presence had been deeply valued by the family, making her death a painful loss that would be difficult to overcome.

The governor also acknowledged the grief being experienced by his wife following the death of her mother. He called on relatives, friends and well-wishers to support the family through the difficult period as they come to terms with the loss.

In his message, Barasa prayed for comfort and strength for the bereaved family. He also prayed for the departed to receive eternal rest, while emphasizing the importance of standing together during a period of mourning.

The announcement attracted messages of condolence from Kenyans, with many people expressing sympathy to Barasa, his wife and the wider family. Several commenters asked God to give the family strength and comfort as they mourned their loved one.

The messages reflected the sadness surrounding the loss, with some mourners remembering Mama Juliana as an important family figure. Others sent personal messages of encouragement to the governor and the First Lady as they navigate the painful period.

Mama Juliana's death comes as the Barasa family prepares to mourn and celebrate the life of a woman who played an important role within her family. Her passing leaves relatives and friends facing the difficult task of saying goodbye while remembering the moments they shared with her.

The governor's public tribute also highlighted the personal dimension behind the responsibilities of public leaders. Despite his position as Kakamega's governor, Barasa joined his family in grieving the death of a close relative.

Prof. Janet Kassilly Barasa is expected to receive support from relatives and friends as she mourns her mother. The loss of a parent is a deeply personal experience, and the governor's message showed solidarity with his wife during the difficult moment.

The family has received condolences from members of the public and other well-wishers following the announcement. Such messages have become a common source of encouragement for families facing bereavement, particularly when the deceased was closely connected to a prominent public figure.

Source: https://www.tuko.co.ke/entertainment/celebrities/639083-fernandes-barasa-mourns-mother-law-mama-juliana-nakhumicha/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_id=tuko&utm_content=pp&fbclid=IwY2xjawUNxyJwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHiZ542dJXBTtVH1tIX0uAzJA5uKQ7FDxlCsjoDCZrVCrocsDVTU6srr7miFr_aem_iGuWU62sXl0EoYjojzEu3Q

Mama Juliana Nakhumicha Kasilly will now be remembered by her family and those who knew her. The circumstances surrounding her death were not detailed in the governor's announcement, and no further information about funeral arrangements was provided in the reported message.

The mourning period comes at a time when the family is focused on supporting one another and preparing to lay their loved one to rest. Barasa's tribute offered a glimpse into the personal loss facing his family while asking for prayers during the period of grief.

Foreign Traders Get 90-Day Reprieve as Ruto Government Intensifies Crackdown

 

Foreign nationals operating small-scale enterprises in Kenya have been accorded a 90-day grace period to regularise their immigration status, work permits, business registrations and operating licences before stringent enforcement of the law commences.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed announced the reprieve on Tuesday, September 8, providing temporary respite to foreign traders whose businesses had been thrown into uncertainty following President William Ruto’s directive targeting foreigners engaged in small-scale commerce and hawking.

Mohammed said the government would utilise the 90-day period to facilitate an orderly and structured compliance exercise. The arrangement gives affected traders an opportunity to rectify documentary deficiencies and bring their commercial operations into conformity with Kenyan law.

The exercise will be spearheaded by relevant government agencies in consultation with the embassies of countries whose nationals are affected. This intergovernmental coordination is intended to establish a coherent framework through which foreign traders can understand, satisfy and document their statutory obligations.

Authorities have simultaneously emphasised that the regularisation process must be administered impartially, consistently and without discrimination. The clarification is particularly significant amid heightened apprehension among foreign nationals over potential harassment, intimidation and arbitrary displacement.

The announcement follows scenes of mounting anxiety among Burundian nationals, hundreds of whom reportedly sought assistance from their embassy in Nairobi as uncertainty intensified over their continued commercial activities and immigration status.

State House has also issued an unequivocal warning against individuals who harass, threaten, intimidate or unlawfully interfere with foreign nationals or their businesses. Such conduct, the government cautioned, will attract appropriate legal action.

The administration has consequently sought to distinguish legitimate regulatory enforcement from extrajudicial persecution. Immigration and commercial regulations, it maintains, must be implemented through established legal and administrative mechanisms rather than coercion, vigilantism or intimidation.

The reprieve, however, is strictly time-bound. Upon expiry of the 90-day regularisation window, immigration, work-permit, business-registration and licensing requirements will be enforced firmly in accordance with Kenyan law and due process.

Foreign traders therefore have a limited opportunity to scrutinise their documentation, seek clarification from competent authorities and remedy outstanding compliance deficiencies before the government transitions from facilitation to uncompromising enforcement.

The measure could substantially alleviate immediate anxiety among Burundians and other foreign nationals while simultaneously underscoring Kenya’s determination to subject foreign participation in small-scale commerce to closer regulatory scrutiny.

Source: https://x.com/i/status/2097324125471506808

Court Rules Against Only Son in Heated Family Inheritance Dispute

 

A Malaba court has delivered a significant succession ruling, declaring that being the only son of a deceased parent does not automatically grant an individual exclusive authority to administer or control the estate. The decision underscores Kenya’s legal position that inheritance and estate administration cannot be determined by gender or traditional notions of male supremacy.

Resident Magistrate Ogange made the determination at the Malaba Senior Principal Magistrate’s Court on September 2, 2026, following a dispute involving beneficiaries of a deceased person’s estate. One beneficiary had opposed a proposal to appoint him as a co-administrator, arguing that his status as the only male child entitled him to administer the estate alone.

The court dismissed that argument and instead appointed him alongside another beneficiary as a co-administrator. This arrangement allows both individuals to participate in the management of the succession proceedings while preventing either party from exercising unilateral authority over the estate.

The succession dispute had reportedly remained unresolved since 2023, despite attempts by the parties to reach an agreement through clan-level intervention. When those efforts failed, the matter was referred to mediation, although the court found insufficient evidence that the parties had made a meaningful attempt to resolve their differences through the process.

In explaining the decision, Magistrate Ogange relied on Section 66 of the Law of Succession Act, which grants the court discretion when determining who should receive a grant of representation. The court noted that the overriding consideration should be the interests of all persons affected by the administration of the deceased’s estate.

The magistrate also referred to Section 38 of the Law of Succession Act, which provides for equal distribution of an intestate estate among surviving children where the deceased leaves children but no surviving spouse. The provision does not establish a superior inheritance position for sons simply because they are male.

The court further relied on a 2022 High Court decision, which established that neither being the firstborn child nor being a son automatically creates superior entitlement to administer a deceased person’s estate. Consequently, the beneficiary’s claim to exclusive control had no legal foundation.

Nevertheless, the court acknowledged his complaint that he had not been adequately involved in the succession proceedings. His appointment as co-administrator therefore provides him with an opportunity to participate in the process without granting him exclusive control.

The court also clarified that appointment as an administrator does not confer ownership of estate property. The beneficiaries’ actual shares will be determined later when the grant is confirmed.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/100064288795404/posts/1509961194490159/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Burundians Rush for Buses as Ruto’s Foreign Trader Crackdown Takes Effect

Burundi has begun preparing buses to help its citizens return home from Kenya following growing tension over a government crackdown on foreign nationals involved in small-scale trading.

The Burundian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Cooperation for Development said arrangements were being coordinated with the country’s embassy in Nairobi. Citizens wishing to leave Kenya will also receive free laissez-passer documents to facilitate their return.

The development follows President William Ruto’s directive requiring authorities to dismantle small-scale retail and hawking businesses operated by foreign nationals. The directive took effect on Monday, September 7, after the President said foreign investment should focus on larger ventures that create jobs and increase local production.

On Monday, large numbers of Burundian nationals were seen at Machakos Country Bus Station carrying luggage as they sought transportation home. Others reportedly gathered at the Burundian Embassy in Nairobi to obtain the documents required for repatriation.

Similar scenes were reported at Malaba, a major Kenya-Uganda border crossing, where some travellers were attempting to secure bus tickets to leave the country.

Burundi has raised concerns over the treatment of its citizens, claiming that some traders have faced violence and loss of property amid the heightened enforcement. The government said President Ruto’s remarks had contributed to increased tensions involving Burundian nationals.

While acknowledging Kenya’s authority to regulate trade within its territory, Burundi urged Kenyan authorities to protect the dignity and safety of its citizens. It also warned that Kenya could be held responsible for any harm suffered by Burundians living in the country.

Burundi further invoked the spirit of the East African Community, emphasizing that member states should address disputes while maintaining regional cooperation.

Kenya’s government has maintained that foreign nationals who meet the required visa and regulatory conditions can continue operating businesses after obtaining the necessary licences. Authorities have also warned Kenyans against harassing foreigners, stressing that enforcement should be conducted within the law.

The situation has placed renewed attention on the delicate balance between protecting opportunities for Kenyan traders and safeguarding the rights of foreign nationals living and working in the country.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/100064288795404/posts/1509575074528771/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

IG Kanja In Trouble Over Failure to Arrest 'Untouchable' Governor

The Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) has summoned Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to explain why police failed to arrest and present Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo before the committee.

Kanja was expected to appear before the Senate on Monday, September 7, after previously being directed to arrest Guyo following his failure to honour a Senate summons.

Instead, the police chief sent a letter informing the committee that he could not attend because he was scheduled to travel to China. Kanja explained that he had already formed a special police team to locate and arrest the governor.

According to Kanja, the operation was unsuccessful after Guyo allegedly received information about the planned arrest and managed to evade the police dragnet. The explanation, however, did not satisfy the committee, which demanded that the Inspector General appear personally and account for the failed operation.

CPAC Chairperson Moses Kajwang criticised the police response, arguing that the incident created the impression that the National Police Service was unable to enforce a lawful Senate directive. He maintained that the failure to arrest a prominent public official raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of the police service.

The committee had ordered Guyo's appearance as it investigates audit queries concerning the use of billions of shillings allocated to Isiolo County. The governor is expected to respond to questions arising from reports by the Auditor-General regarding county finances.

The Senate has also involved the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission in the matter amid concerns over the possible misuse of public resources. The investigation is intended to establish whether county funds were properly managed and used for their intended purposes.

The latest summons places renewed pressure on Kanja to explain why the police have been unable to execute the Senate's directive. The committee is now seeking a direct explanation from the Inspector General rather than relying on correspondence about the unsuccessful arrest attempt.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C2EueVg8N/

KMPDU Boss Issues Fresh Strike Notice, Warns Government

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued the government with a seven-day ultimatum to address the ongoing nurses’ strike. The union warned that doctors could join the industrial action if authorities fail to resolve the dispute and restore essential services in public hospitals.

KMPDU Secretary-General Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah said the prolonged nurses’ strike has placed considerable pressure on healthcare facilities across the country. He explained that patients who require nursing care are struggling to receive essential services, creating difficult conditions for both patients and medical workers.

Atellah said doctors are being forced to handle heavier workloads because of the shortage of nurses in public hospitals. He cautioned that continued pressure on the available medical personnel could further compromise the quality and safety of healthcare services.

According to the KMPDU secretary-general, public hospitals have experienced serious operational challenges during the strike. He argued that the government could not continue treating the situation as normal while an important component of healthcare delivery remained disrupted.

The union’s warning comes as the dispute between nurses and authorities over a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) remains unresolved. Nurses have been demanding implementation of outstanding provisions contained in the agreement, while negotiations between their representatives and government authorities have continued.

Council of Governors Chair Ahmed Abdullahi recently appealed to the striking nurses to return to work as discussions continued. He maintained that negotiations had been taking place before the strike began and urged the parties involved to pursue a solution through continued engagement.

The nationwide nurses’ strike began in late July after talks failed to settle their outstanding demands. The industrial action has since affected nursing services in public hospitals, increasing pressure on county governments and national authorities to find an agreement.

KMPDU has now warned that the continued disruption could have wider consequences for Kenya’s already stretched healthcare system. The union says doctors are facing increased workloads and that the situation could become increasingly difficult if the strike continues without a resolution.

The seven-day ultimatum therefore places renewed pressure on the government to reach an agreement with the striking nurses. Failure to resolve the dispute could result in doctors joining the industrial action, potentially causing further disruption to healthcare services nationwide.

Source. https://read.kenyans.co.ke/p91Or