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

CS Murkomen: Don't Condemn All Police Officers for Mistakes of a Few

 

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has come out in strong defense of the country’s security officers, calling on Kenyans to recognize their hard work and sacrifices. He emphasized that while some officers may have erred, the majority serve with honor and professionalism.

Murkomen noted that it is unfair to brand the entire police service negatively because of isolated incidents involving a few rogue individuals. According to him, such generalizations risk demoralizing officers who dedicate themselves to protecting lives and property.

He pointed out that police officers are often the first responders in times of crisis, facing danger head-on to maintain order. From handling protests to fighting crime and terrorism, the CS said their contribution to national safety is undeniable.

The Interior CS acknowledged that there are cases of misconduct within the force, but insisted that the government is actively dealing with them through investigations and disciplinary actions. He urged Kenyans to report wrongdoing but avoid blanket condemnation of all officers.

Murkomen stressed the need to separate the actions of individual officers from the entire institution. He explained that one rotten apple should not spoil the whole basket, especially when thousands of officers are performing their duties diligently.

He called on citizens to work with law enforcement rather than against them. Building trust, he said, is the first step toward creating a more accountable and community-friendly police service.

Murkomen also urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and other relevant agencies to act swiftly on complaints. However, he warned against turning every confrontation into a political issue without proper investigations.

According to the CS, constant vilification of the police creates a toxic environment that undermines law and order. He encouraged the public to appreciate the good while demanding justice where it is deserved.

He concluded by reaffirming the government's commitment to police reform, professionalism, and respect for human rights. In his words, Kenya needs both responsible officers and a supportive public to achieve lasting peace and security.

Lawyer Kibe Mungai Wants UDA Deregistered Over Poaching Azimio MPs

 

Prominent constitutional lawyer Kibe Mungai has moved to court seeking the deregistration of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party. He accuses the party of systematically poaching elected leaders from the Azimio la Umoja coalition, an act he terms as a direct attack on Kenya’s multi-party democracy.

Mungai filed the petition on Thursday, arguing that UDA’s actions amount to political banditry. He wants the Registrar of Political Parties compelled to act decisively to safeguard the political rights of minority parties.

The outspoken lawyer warned that failure to rein in such “political bad manners” will eventually erode the foundation of competitive politics in Kenya. According to him, the ongoing wave of defections is illegal, unethical, and undermines the will of voters.

Interestingly, Kibe Mungai was formerly a staunch defender of ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was impeached by both Parliament and Senate. He represented Gachagua vigorously during the proceedings, maintaining that the charges were politically instigated.

However, his latest court action has shifted focus from defending political figures to safeguarding political institutions. He emphasized that democracy can only thrive if political parties operate under the law and respect coalition agreements.

Mungai further said that the continued silence by the Registrar of Political Parties and the IEBC on this matter is “not just negligent but dangerous.” He called for the immediate investigation and punishment of UDA for violating the Political Parties Act.

He noted that the law requires a member of one party to resign before joining another, a step many defectors have conveniently ignored. Mungai contends that without legal consequences, parties will continue raiding each other, leaving voters confused and betrayed.

The petition has already triggered mixed reactions within political circles, with Azimio leaders welcoming it. Some UDA allies, however, dismissed the case as political drama meant to divert attention from opposition disarray.

Kibe maintains his suit is not partisan but a patriotic duty to preserve political order. The court is expected to set a hearing date soon, which could shape the future of political party operations in the country.

Ruto Dissolves Performance Department in Major Government Shake-up

 

President William Ruto has dissolved the State Department for Performance and Delivery Management in a fresh effort to restructure the government for improved efficiency.

The announcement was made public through Executive Order No. 1 of 2025, signed by the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei. The order repeals Executive Order No. 2 of 2023, officially dissolving the department that had been operating under the Ministry of Public Service.

With its functions now scrapped, the remaining roles of the disbanded department will be absorbed into the Executive Office of the President. Oversight of government performance and service delivery will now fall under Deputy Head of Public Service Eliud Owalo, who has been tasked with tracking progress across all ministries.

The department had been without a Principal Secretary since July 2024, when its former boss, Veronica Nduva, was appointed as the Secretary General of the East African Community.

This restructuring marks a significant shift in how the executive intends to monitor delivery across state departments. It also reflects President Ruto's broader strategy to reduce duplication of roles and realign government functions.

In place of the disbanded unit, several new departments have been introduced. Among them are the State Department for National Government Coordination, the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, and the State Department for Public Investments and Asset Management.

Also established are the State Department for Special Programmes and the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development. These additions suggest a move toward specialized governance and a drive to broaden the focus of national development.

The changes are expected to pave the way for fresh appointments of Principal Secretaries, as the executive grows more segmented and technically focused.

While no official reason was given for the closure of the performance and delivery docket, insiders view it as part of Ruto’s plan to streamline the public service, eliminate bureaucratic overlaps, and accelerate decision-making within his administration.

The president’s reorganization is being closely watched as a test of his commitment to reforming the public sector and improving results across government institutions.

Omtatah Blasts Transfer of Ksh192M Kenya Pipeline Project to Nigerian Firm, Cites Constitutional Breaches

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Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has sounded the alarm over what he terms as blatant constitutional violations in the controversial handover of a Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) project worth Ksh192 million to a Nigerian firm.

In a statement released on Friday, June 13, Omtatah rejected the Ministry of Energy's response to his inquiry on the matter, branding it as “shallow” and showing a “contemptuous disregard” for the Constitution and laws governing public assets.

Omtatah claims the move breaches three key laws: the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (PPADA), and the Companies Act.

“The Ministry ignored laws that are not optional. These are the backbone of accountability in our democracy,” he stated.

He noted that KPC had already invested heavily in preliminary work, including demand surveys, engineering designs, and environmental assessments before the project was suddenly handed over. He argues this undermined public interest and violated sections of the PFMA that require transparency and accountability in managing public resources.

Omtatah also raised concerns over the procurement process. He questioned whether there was a competitive bidding process or transparency in selecting the Nigerian firm, warning that this could amount to a violation of the PPADA, which demands openness in public contracting.

He further argued that as a state corporation, KPC is bound by the Companies Act to act in the best interest of the public and its shareholders. Any decision made without proper board approval or shareholder consent, he said, may amount to a breach of fiduciary duty.

However, the government defended the transfer, citing budgetary constraints and the benefits of a public-private partnership. It promised to hold further meetings with the firm to find a formula that ensures public investments are safeguarded.

Kenya Breaks Silence on Israel-Iran Conflict, Demands UN Security Council Reforms

 

Kenya has expressed deep concern over the growing tension between Israel and Iran, as fears of a full-scale war loom. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Sing’oei urged both countries to exercise restraint and pursue peace through diplomatic channels.

Speaking on Friday, June 13, Sing’oei emphasized that Kenya is closely monitoring the unfolding situation in the Middle East. He highlighted Kenya’s recent support for a United Nations resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, which demonstrates Nairobi’s commitment to global peace efforts.

Sing’oei described the escalation as a dangerous development that could destabilize not only the region but also global security. He called on both sides to avoid actions that could worsen an already volatile situation.

The PS also took the opportunity to critique the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), calling for reforms to ensure that the body acts in the interest of all nations. While not naming specific countries, his message appeared aimed at powerful UNSC members closely aligned with Israel, such as the United States.

“This conflict is a reminder that the UNSC must function as a unified body committed to justice and peace,” Sing’oei said. He insisted that global institutions must respond effectively to threats that risk dragging entire regions into chaos.

Reports indicate that Israel carried out airstrikes that killed senior Iranian military officers, triggering threats of retaliation from Tehran. Meanwhile, a New York Times article suggested that Israel might be planning further attacks, prompting U.S. military families to leave the region.

Adding to the tension, former U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran of even deadlier strikes, touting America’s military capabilities and reaffirming support for Israel. He also criticized Iran for failing to strike a deal despite repeated chances.

Iran and Israel have long been adversaries, with their animosity tracing back to the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The rivalry has intensified due to Iran’s nuclear program and its support for militant groups hostile to Israel.

Kenya’s call for peace and UN reforms places it among nations urging diplomatic solutions over military action. The government maintains that lasting peace can only be achieved through mutual respect and a functional international system.