Author Archives: Standard Digital

Ruto lauds Nairobi leadership for unity, vows to support transform the city

President William Ruto, Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson, Dagoreti North MP Beatrice Elachi, and Dagoreti South MP John Kiarie attended the United Pentecostal Church of Kenya in Dagoreti North. During the event, Ruto lauded Nairobi County MCAs for their unwavering support for the Governor and pledged his support to transform the city.[Elvis Ogina/Standard] President William Ruto has praised Nairobi County MCAs for their unwavering support of Governor Sakaja Johnson, highlighting the county’s progress despite a minority of MCAs aligning with the Governor. He specifically acknowledged the bipartisan backing from the majority opposition, Azimio, which has strengthened governance in the city. “Nairobi started a broad-based Government. Let me say, you understood the letter in the envelope. This unity is the way forward, and we will continue to support the county to perform,”

Coffee market fetch Sh957 million after the Christmas break

Chairman to Gatumbi coffee factory Mr Kaihura wa Karanja attends one of his coffee trees [Boniface Gikandi, Standard

Chairman to Gatumbi coffee factory Mr Kaihura wa Karanja attends one of his coffee trees  [Boniface Gikandi, Standard] The coffee auction netted Sh957.3 million in the weekly market after the sale of 18,138 bags that were bought by 12 dealers. The trading at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) was low compared to the previous auction two weeks ago that achieved Sh1.1 billion from the sale of 21,636 bags. In the auction report, Kianjiru and Karumandi factories in Kirinyaga allied to Baragwi Farmers society achieved the highest price of Sh52,836 per bag and Sh52,706 per bag respectively after the produce was brokered by Alliance Berries Limited. Thikagiki farmers cooperative society in Kandara achieved Sh49,598 for each of its 17 bags of grade AA. Alliance Berries Limited delivered the large consignment of

EACC arrests nine traffic officers for taking bribes

Traffic Police officer (center) based at Kisumu Central police station in handcuffs after he and his colleagues were arrested for taking bribes along Kisumu-Busia and Kisumu-Kakamega roads on November 20,2019. The five officers were released on police bond.[ Courtesy]

Traffic Police officer (center) based at Kisumu Central police station in handcuffs after he and his colleagues were arrested for taking bribes along Kisumu-Busia and Kisumu-Kakamega roads on November 20,2019. The five officers were released on police  bond.[ Courtesy] The Ethics and Anticorruption Commission has arrested nine traffic police officers caught extorting money from motorists in Nakuru, Kajiado and Kisii. The commission’s spokesperson Eric Ngumbi confirmed that the nine officers were compromising road safety during the festive season. He said an officer in Embu escaped. “The officers who were seen collecting bribes, were in the guise of traffic law enforcement,” Ngumbi said. Ngumbi said the officers were arrested at different notorious bribe collection spots in Nakuru, Kajiado and Kisii between December 25 and 31, 2024. He added that they were released on cash bail pending finalization of the investigation and

Governor Sakaja Waives Sh 2.52M in hospital bills, releases 81 new mothers

Mbagathi hospital mothers being released on 1st January,2025. [Elvis Ogina,Standard] Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson has ushered in the New Year with a humanitarian gesture, waiving medical bills worth over KSh 2.5 million and facilitating the discharge of over 81 mothers stranded in four major hospitals due to financial constraints. At Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, 25 mothers were discharged after the hospital waived KSh 987,345. Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital CEO Martin Wafula explained that the bills were cleared through the Social Health Authority (SHA) program, which the hospital arranged with the authority after registering the mothers. “The bill for the 25 mothers was KSh 987,345. We decided to pay for them through SHA. We registered them for one year at a cost of KSh 120,000. SHA will clear their outstanding bill

Karua to Ruto: Manage your anger and stop insulting Kenyans

Narc Kenya Martha Karua. [Standard] Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua has told President William Ruto to manage his anger and stop using bad language towards Kenyans demanding accountability. She said Ruto’s rage, laden with insults, will not cow Kenyans from asking tough questions about poor economic policies and runaway graft. Speaking in Ikolomani constituency, Kakamega County, Karua said President Ruto should focus on delivering what Kenyans are demanding and stop calling Kenyans bad names. “We want to tell Ruto and his government to stop getting angry at Kenyans and instead work on what the people are demanding of him to do,” said Karua. She added, “Ruto should contain his anger. The language he is using is inappropriate and not presidential; it does not bring harmony. People know what they want

Woman’s dream for an education comes true despite early marriage

At only 15 years, young but weighed down by family poverty, Winfred Vaati, now a final year university student, eloped with a man to Taita Taveta County, after he promised to educate her. She had stayed at home for two years after sitting her Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination at Kanyungu primary school in Kibwezi in 2011. She topped in her class by scoring 329 marks out of 500. She was admitted to St Mary’s Girls’ Kinyambu but her mother was unable to pay fees. Vaati’s world came crushing down. Then a man who worked in the village promised to marry her and take her back to school. She jumped onto the offer without a second thought. “I thought it was a good idea to secure my future, especially after

10 people killed, 20 injured in Kakamega road accident

The scene of accident at Iguhu River Yala Bridge along Kisumu-Kakamega Road. [Courtesy]

The scene of accident at Iguhu River Yala Bridge along Kisumu-Kakamega Road. [Courtesy] At least 10 people have been confirmed dead while 20 others were seriously injured in a grisly road accident at the Iguhu River Yala Bridge along Kisumu-Kakamega Road. The Wednesday 6 pm accident occurred after a petrol tanker heading to Kakamega from Kisumu lost control and rammed into two oncoming Matatus heading in the opposite direction. Ikolomani OCPD James Makau said seven people died on the spot while three other people died while receiving treatment at Iguhu Sub-County Hospital.  “The tanker was speeding from Kisumu heading to Kakamega when it hit a bump before it lost control and hit two oncoming matatu vehicles, seven people died on the spot and other three died while in various hospitals,” said

Kisumu to be positioned as alternative beach and watersports destination in Kenya

Kisumu residents take part in a boat racing event at Lake Victoria. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Kisumu residents take part in a boat racing event at Lake Victoria. [Washington Onyango,Standard] Kisumu is set to become a key alternative beach and watersports hub, as the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife partners with the Kisumu County Government and private sector stakeholders to boost tourism in the region. Tourism Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa highlighted the immense potential of the region’s lake ecosystem as an attractive option for both domestic and international tourists, serving as an alternative to Kenya’s coastal beach destinations. During a tour of Kisumu’s key tourist attractions, including Ndere Island and Kit Mikayi, as part of the ongoing Kenya Tourism Week celebrations, PS Ololtuaa emphasized the need to diversify the country’s tourism offerings. Tourism PS John Ololtuaa aboard the water bus headed to Ndere Island which is

Kenya, Tanzania bet on new strategy to protect Mara ecosystem

East Africa Community delegates during the 13th Mara Day celebrations in Masai Mara. [Harold Odhiambo, Standard]

East Africa Community delegates during the 13th Mara Day celebrations in Masai Mara. [Harold Odhiambo, Standard] Kenya and Tanzania have pledged to implement a 15-point strategy to protect the fragile Mara River basin, a critical ecosystem for the Masai Mara and Serengeti parks facing threat of degradation. The new plan seeks to speed up the ongoing efforts to transform the collaborative efforts to protect the ecosystem that serves millions of people and wildlife in the two countries and hosts a spectacular event, the wildebeest migration, a wonder of the world. This came as delegates drawn from the two partner states, researchers, conservationists, and residents residing in the Mara ecosystem convened for the 13th Mara Day celebrations in Masai Mara. Led by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), delegates pledged to

Leaders urge state to reopen Mandera border

Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif. [File, Standard]

Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif. [File, Standard] Leaders have raised concern over the long closure of the Mandera border and called for the directive to be lifted to open up opportunities and enhance revenue collection. The border was closed more than 10 years ago but the leaders and locals have said that the situation may not have completely stopped illegal cross border trade, a situation that has a serious ripple effect on legitimate businesses. The Government closed the border as part of efforts to curb Al Shabaab terror attacks and prevent smuggling of goods into the country. Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif said discussions are underway to explore re-opening of the border. Khalif argued that while closing the over 500 kilometer border has reduced insecurity, it should be reopened with

Greener Future: AAR Insurance and student partners plant thousands of trees for sustainability

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Director Mr. Hamis Mohamed (center), ARR Insurance Coast Regional Manager Julie Gaitho (right), AAR Insurance Group Head of Technology Eugene Sanya (left) and students of Al Nahyan participate in planting part of 40,000 trees at the school's compound to mark AAR' 40th anniversary. [Joackim Bwana, Standard]

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Director Mr. Hamis Mohamed (center), ARR Insurance Coast Regional Manager Julie Gaitho (right), AAR Insurance Group Head of Technology Eugene Sanya (left) and students of Al Nahyan participate in planting part of 40,000 trees at the school’s compound to mark AAR’ 40th anniversary. [Joackim Bwana, Standard] Students from Mombasa and Nairobi joined Kenya’s Insurance giants AAR Insurance to plant 40,000 trees in an initiative to nurture budding environmentalists. The Insurance partnered with students from Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mombasa County and Lenana School in Nairobi to plant 40,000 trees, an initiative that seeks to nurture young environmentalists in schools across the country. Dubbed ‘A tree, a life’ program, the Insurance planted trees across all AAR branches in the country to mark their

Flying to success: Ng’iya Girls rewards top students with Kenya Airways trip

Ng'iya Girls High School top students and teachers share a photo momemt at Kisumu International Airport on Thursday. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Ng’iya Girls High School top students and teachers share a photo momemt at Kisumu International Airport on Thursday. [Washington Onyango,Standard] The sun blazed across the Kisumu skyline on a remarkable Thursday morning as ten of Ng’iya Girls High School’s brightest students arrived at Kisumu International Airport. The anticipation was palpable, their faces glowing with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Dressed in their glittering white and blue school uniforms, the girls were about to embark on an extraordinary journey—a fully paid academic trip courtesy of Ng’iya Girls High School, in recognition of their academic excellence. Their hard work, dedication, and pursuit of greatness had earned them this unique reward—a flight to Nairobi. It was not just any trip; it was the fruit of their relentless commitment to their studies, a

New tourism circuits unveiled to showcase Kenya’s hidden gems

Tourism and Wildlife CS Rebecca Miano (second left), Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathew Owili and Narok County Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu. [Washington Onyango,Standard] Kenya’s tourism sector is set for a significant boost following the unveiling of nine regional tourism circuits by the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife. Launched as part of the broader Tembea Kenya initiative, the circuits aim to diversify Kenya’s tourism offerings and promote lesser-known attractions, targeting both domestic and international tourists. These circuits, covering all 47 counties, mark a renewed effort to reimagine the country’s tourism landscape and present Kenya as a destination that offers a wide array of experiences ranging from adventure and culture to eco-tourism and wellness. The launch event, held in Kisumu County, was graced by Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano

Legal reforms and research-backed solutions proposed to save Lake Victoria’s fisheries

Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o speaking to stakeholders during the inaugural Lake Victoria Aquaculture Forum in Kisumu.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o speaking to stakeholders during the inaugural Lake Victoria Aquaculture Forum in Kisumu.[Washington Onyango,Standard] In an effort to revive the fisheries sector in Kenya, key stakeholders are pushing for legal reforms and improved aquaculture practices. Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma has called for an urgent review of the Fisheries Act to align it with the 2010 Constitution, while the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) has developed a detailed map to guide fish farmers in Lake Victoria on the proper installation of fish cages. These efforts come in response to challenges such as declining fish populations and massive fish kills that have caused significant losses to farmers in Kisumu and Busia counties. Speaking at the inaugural Lake Victoria Aquaculture Forum in Kisumu, Governor Otuoma, who also

Tourism as a bridge for peace: Kenya celebrates 2024 UN World Tourism Day

Tourism and Wildlife CS Rebecca Miano flags off the UN World Tourism Day celebration at Kondele, Kisumu County.[Courtesy] Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, Rebecca Miano, has emphasized the need for stronger efforts to harness the transformative power of tourism to promote peace and coexistence in Kenya. Speaking during the 45th annual World Tourism Day celebrations held in Kisumu County, Miano underscored the role of tourism in fostering intercultural dialogue, social cohesion, and sustainable development. With the 2024 theme, Tourism and Peace, Miano highlighted how tourism can play a pivotal role in building bridges across cultures, promoting mutual understanding, and advancing economic equity. “As we commemorate this year’s World Tourism Day here in Kisumu, I implore the tourism fraternity to lead the charge in entrenching a culture of peace,” said Miano.