Author: Cyrus Munyao

Suba South Member of Parliament Caroli Omondi has urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to maintain livestreaming of election results ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Omondi said the electoral commission should ensure that Kenyans can follow the announcement of election results through audio and video platforms, regardless of whether journalists are physically present at tallying centres.

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His remarks come amid debate surrounding proposed amendments to the Elections Act and the legal requirements governing the transmission and public announcement of election results.

Government Spokesperson Charles Owino had earlier clarified that Parliament had not abolished the existing requirement under Section 39 of the Elections Act.

The clarification followed the National Assembly’s decision to delete a contested clause in the Elections (Amendment) Bill on October 22, 2026.

Livestreaming is intended to enhance transparency by allowing members of the public to follow the announcement of results as they happen.

The debate comes as political parties, election observers and other stakeholders begin preparations for the 2027 General Election.

Three university workers’ unions have appealed to Parliament to guarantee the release of Sh20 billion promised under the lecturers’ return-to-work agreement.

The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) and Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA) made the appeal before parliamentary committees on education and labour.

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The unions want the National Treasury to release the funds to facilitate the implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreements.

Under the agreement signed on October 30, 2026, the Treasury is expected to release approximately Sh6.7 billion annually in three instalments covering the 2026/2027, 2027/2028 and 2028/2029 financial years.

UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga said the government must honour its financial commitments to prevent another dispute between university workers and their employers.

The unions have also called for the settlement of outstanding debts owed to public universities.

Meanwhile, Labour Committee Chairperson Ken Chonga warned that failure to secure Treasury backing could threaten the agreement and potentially trigger another strike.

The development comes as public universities seek to restore stability following prolonged disputes over staff remuneration.

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Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has revealed that new security technology embedded in the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination papers can help investigators trace examination leaks to specific centres and candidates.

Ogamba said the Kenya National Examinations Council had introduced special security features, including serialised examination papers and anonymous identification indicators.

The technology is designed to help investigators establish the examination centre and room associated with leaked examination materials.

The CS warned candidates and examination officials against photographing and circulating examination papers through social media platforms.

He said individuals involved in examination malpractice risk exposing themselves and other candidates to investigations.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has also deployed specialised officers to work alongside KNEC in investigating suspected examination irregularities.

Other security measures include smart padlocks on examination containers, colour-coded cartons and personalised examination papers.

The 2026 KCSE written examinations began on November 2, with the government maintaining heightened security around examination materials.

The government is stepping up investments in the fishing industry around Lake Victoria in a renewed effort to improve fishermen’s incomes and strengthen the country’s blue economy.

Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo said the government was implementing infrastructure and security projects aimed at transforming fishing into a more profitable economic activity.

Speaking during an engagement with Beach Management Units and business representatives in Migori County, Omollo highlighted the construction of nine modern fish landing sites around Lake Victoria.

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The facilities are expected to include cold-storage rooms, hygienic fish-handling areas and improved trading infrastructure to minimise post-harvest losses.

The government is also expanding water transport infrastructure, with projects at Muhuru Bay, Usenge, Mbita and other locations.

Additionally, Omollo announced plans to increase police deployments and patrol boats on the lake before the end of 2026 to address insecurity affecting fishing communities.

The investments are expected to strengthen trade, improve fish preservation and create additional economic opportunities for communities that depend on the lake.

The County Government of Machakos is targeting approximately 30,000 households for electricity connection under a new rural electrification programme.

Governor Wavinya Ndeti announced that the county would partner with the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) to install 100 transformers across underserved areas.

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The governor said the county administration would invest more than Sh400 million in electricity infrastructure to expand access to power and stimulate economic activities.

Speaking at Maasini Market in Ndithini Ward, Ndeti said the initiative would prioritise communities that have historically experienced limited electricity connectivity.

The project is expected to benefit households, small-scale traders and entrepreneurs who rely on electricity to operate businesses.

Improved electricity access could also support educational activities, healthcare services and agricultural enterprises in rural communities.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to expand energy access and improve living standards through infrastructure development.

The government has launched a nationwide campaign to trace more than half a million Kenyans who have yet to collect their national identity cards following registration.

Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services Belio Kipsang revealed that 557,930 identification cards were still uncollected across the country.

Speaking before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on November 5, Kipsang said the government had enlisted chiefs and assistant chiefs to help locate the applicants and facilitate the collection of their documents.

The local administrators are expected to sensitise residents and identify individuals whose identification cards remain at registration centres.

The initiative seeks to improve access to essential government services by ensuring that eligible citizens obtain their identification documents.

Kipsang also disclosed that the government had invested in live-capture machines to improve the processing and production of identity cards.

The campaign comes amid ongoing efforts to improve civil registration services and ensure that more Kenyans can access government services that require official identification.

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Royal Caribbean Tour Renews Debate Over Britain’s Colonial Legacy

King Charles III has arrived in the Bahamas as part of a nine-day Caribbean tour that comes amid renewed calls for Britain to engage with demands for slavery reparations.

The visit places the historical relationship between Britain and Caribbean nations in the spotlight, with questions about slavery, colonialism and the long-term consequences of exploitation remaining central to regional discussions.

The debate involves questions of historical responsibility, economic inequality and how governments should address the legacy of slavery.

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The royal visit provides an opportunity for renewed diplomatic engagement, although the extent to which reparations will feature in formal discussions remains an important question.

At Least 20 Somali Soldiers Reported Killed in Militant Ambush

At least 20 Somali soldiers were killed in an ambush by Islamist militants, according to a military officer cited in an Associated Press report published on 28 October.

The attack underscores the continuing security challenges facing Somalia as government forces confront armed groups operating in parts of the country.

Ambushes can cause substantial military casualties and complicate efforts to maintain security around vulnerable communities and transport routes.

The incident also raises questions about the protection of military personnel and the effectiveness of security operations in areas affected by armed violence.

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Serbian Authorities Investigate Attack on Police Officer Guarding Israeli Embassy

Serbian authorities are investigating an attack on a police officer stationed outside the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade.

According to an Associated Press report published on 28 October, an assailant armed with knives attacked the officer and was killed during the incident.

The attack has prompted renewed attention to security at diplomatic missions and the protection of personnel responsible for guarding foreign embassies.

Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances of the incident and any evidence relevant to the attacker’s motives.

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 Sudan’s Humanitarian Crisis Deepens After Deadly Market Strike

Reported Drone Attack Kills More Than 100 People at Market in Sudan

Sudan’s ongoing conflict has suffered another devastating development following a reported drone strike on a market in Nyala, South Darfur.

An Associated Press report dated 27 October said a Sudanese rights group reported that more than 100 people had been killed in the attack.

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The incident underscores the dangers facing civilians as the conflict continues to disrupt daily life, destroy infrastructure and restrict access to essential supplies.

Markets are particularly important in conflict-affected communities because they provide access to food, household necessities and other goods. Attacks on these locations can deepen food insecurity and disrupt local economic activity.