Blog

On 16 August 2026, a political mobilisation tour organised by the Linda Mwananchi movement, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and including other prominent figures, encountered serious violence while attempting to hold rallies and processions in Homa Bay County. The events centred on efforts by the movement to address public gatherings in parts of the county, including areas around Homa Bay town and Nyandiwa. Local political rivalries, intensified by competing claims to influence in the post-Raila Odinga Nyanza political landscape, formed the broader context for the confrontation.
Armed groups described by police and witnesses as “goons” erected roadblocks, attacked the Linda Mwananchi convoy with stones and crude weapons, and set fire to at least six vehicles. Journalists covering the events were assaulted and had equipment stolen; a beach hotel was stormed and looted; the Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital was vandalised as attackers reportedly sought injured supporters; and a church facility was also targeted. Police reported that one officer died after being struck by a stone, while a civilian (a Ugandan woman) was fatally run over amid the chaos. Dozens of civilians and several additional officers sustained injuries, with some requiring specialised treatment.
In the immediate aftermath, the National Police Service arrested dozens of suspects (initially 37, with further persons of interest identified) and recovered significant quantities of crude weapons. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations continued probing alleged mobilisation and financing of the violence. Linda Mwananchi leaders accused certain local politicians and security agencies of complicity or failure to provide adequate protection, while government and rival voices attributed the disorder partly to the movement’s decision to enter a politically contested area. Weeks later, Senator Sifuna publicly pledged that the movement would replace a taxi driver’s vehicle that had been torched during the incidents.
The Homa Bay events highlighted the volatile intersection of opposition mobilisation, local power contests, and public-order challenges in the lead-up to the 2027 general election. They also prompted renewed calls from multiple sides for strict adherence to constitutional rights of assembly alongside firm enforcement against organised political violence.

By Hadrine Joyce
September 22, 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya

Kenya Power has announced planned electricity interruptions in several parts of the country on Tuesday, September 22, as the utility company carries out routine maintenance on its electricity network.

The interruptions are scheduled in selected areas of Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, Kilifi, Kisumu, Uasin Gishu, Kitui, Embu and Nyeri, among other locations. Most of the affected areas are expected to experience interruptions between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., although the exact times vary depending on the location. 

In Nairobi, areas listed for the maintenance include parts of Karen and Gachie. In Mombasa, parts of Jomvu are also scheduled to experience an interruption, while parts of Mariakani in Kilifi County are included in the maintenance programme. 

Other affected locations include parts of Kisumu, Uasin Gishu, Embu and Kitui. Kenya Power says the interruptions are necessary to allow its teams to undertake network maintenance.

The company has advised customers in the affected areas to make arrangements before the scheduled interruptions and to check its official communication channels for updates.

Kenya Power operates most of Kenya’s electricity distribution network and currently serves more than 9.6 million customers. 

Source: Kenya Power notice reported by K24Digital

PHOTO:Martin Oduor/K24

Edwin Watenya Sifuna was born on 22 May 1982 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Mumias, Kakamega County, and raised in a working-class family in Western Kenya. His father served as a civil servant with the former municipal council, while his mother worked as a teacher at Moi Primary School in Bungoma before retiring. Sifuna began his formal education at Kakamega Township Primary School and later attended Musingu High School, where he completed his secondary examinations.

He proceeded to the University of Nairobi, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 2006, obtained a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law in 2007, and was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 2008 after completing pupillage at Kairu & McCourt Advocates in Nairobi.
Before entering elective politics, Sifuna practised as a lawyer, serving in corporate legal roles and later establishing his own firm. He became involved in opposition coalition politics from 2013, first as a technical and advisory committee member of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) and later of the National Super Alliance (NASA).

In the 2017 general election he unsuccessfully sought the ODM nomination for Kanduyi Constituency and subsequently contested the Nairobi senatorial seat, finishing second. In February 2018 he was appointed Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement, a position he held until mid-2026.
In the August 2022 general election Sifuna was elected Senator for Nairobi County, securing 716,876 votes. He assumed office on 8 September 2022 and was later appointed Deputy Minority Whip in the Senate.

His tenure as ODM Secretary-General ended in 2026 following internal party processes that were upheld by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal. As of September 2026 he continues to serve as Nairobi Senator and remains an active figure in national opposition politics, particularly through association with the Linda Mwananchi movement.

In recent public statements Sifuna has indicated his ambition to contest the presidency in the 2027 general election, positioning himself as a challenger to the incumbent administration. Several political figures aligned with the Linda Mwananchi grouping have publicly endorsed the idea of his candidacy, describing him as a potential standard-bearer for a new opposition realignment.

Whether this ambition materialises will depend on future coalition negotiations, party structures, and voter support in the intervening period. His career to date illustrates the trajectory of a lawyer who moved from advisory roles within opposition coalitions into elective office, senior party leadership, and, more recently, open national presidential aspiration.

Congolese superstar Fally Ipupa has announced that his song “KITAMATA” will be removed from his new album “XX DÉLIRIUM” and taken down from all streaming platforms. The track, a tribute to the late TP OK Jazz legend Josky Kiambukuta, had been one of the best-received songs from the album since its release.

Speaking to Top Congo FM, Fally revealed that despite prior agreements with the children of the late Josky Kiambukuta and properly crediting the deceased icon as the author of the song, he is facing demands for what he described as exorbitant royalties from certain members of the family. “The song was already doing very well and was well received by the public. It will be removed from the album today because, despite all the agreements reached with the children and Josky Kiambukuta being credited as the author of the song, certain members of his family are asking me for exorbitant rights,” he said.

Fally clarified that before recording and performing the tribute, he had contacted the legitimate rights holders who were set to receive all royalties generated by the song. He said the decision to withdraw the track was made to avoid unnecessary controversy. “Faced with certain behavior, I no longer want to become the subject of an unnecessary controversy simply because I wanted to pay tribute to the late great artist,” he added.

“KITAMATA” will be officially removed from the “XX DÉLIRIUM” tracklist today, though the rest of the album remains available on all platforms.

By Hadrine Joyce
September 21, 2026

Kenya is set to host UN Tourism Week 2026 from September 21 to 27, bringing together tourism stakeholders to discuss the future of the industry.

The week will bring together policymakers, tourism industry leaders, development partners and other stakeholders. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Management, the event will showcase Kenya’s culture, creativity and diverse tourism experiences. 

The programme will also examine the role of technology and digital platforms in tourism, including data-driven destination management, artificial intelligence and smart travel services. The organisers say the discussions will also address sustainable tourism, investment, inclusion and job creation. 

The celebrations will include cultural showcases, live events, digital engagements and opportunities for visitors to connect with communities across the country. 

Photo credit: Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife / @Min_TourismKE. 

By Hadrine Joyce | September 20, 2026

Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and three other East African countries are testing a new airspace system that could allow airlines to use shorter and more direct flight routes across the region.

The initiative, known as Free Route Airspace (FRA), allows airlines to plan flexible routes between destinations instead of following predetermined airways.

According to The EastAfrican, trials are expected to continue until December, with the system targeted for full operation in East Africa at the beginning of 2027.

The new system could help airlines reduce fuel consumption, flight times and operational costs. The African Airlines Association has also said the initiative could contribute to lower aviation-related emissions.

Currently, aircraft operating in the region often have to follow fixed routes, which can result in longer journeys and higher fuel consumption.

The development is expected to have implications for major regional aviation hubs, including Nairobi, Entebbe and Dar es Salaam.

Source: The EastAfrican, September 20, 2026.

By Hadrine Joyce | September 20, 2026

The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned residents in several parts of the country to expect rainfall and cold, cloudy conditions between Sunday, September 20 and Thursday, September 24, 2026.

The forecast indicates that Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Murang’a, Nyeri and Nyandarua are among the areas likely to experience intermittent rainfall and cloudy conditions. Coastal counties, including Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu, are also expected to receive showers.

In Nairobi, light rainfall is expected mainly during the mornings on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, followed by possible afternoon showers. Temperatures are expected to range between 14°C and 28°C during the five-day period.

The weather advisory is particularly important for motorists, pedestrians and residents in areas prone to flooding. Members of the public are advised to remain alert during periods of heavy rainfall.

The meteorological forecast covers the period from September 20 to September 24, 2026.

Source: Kenya Meteorological Department, as reported by Kenyans.co.ke.

Photo credit:The Star Kenya

NAIROBI, September 18, 2026

The Kenya Shilling remained stable against major international and regional currencies during the week ending September 17, even as remittance inflows increased by six percent in August 2026.According to the Central Bank of Kenya’s weekly bulletin, the Shilling exchanged at KSh129.62 per US dollar on September 17, compared with KSh129.45 on September 10.The CBK said foreign exchange reserves remained adequate at 10.088 billion US dollars, equivalent to 6.1 months of import cover, exceeding the statutory requirement of at least four months.Meanwhile, remittance inflows increased to 451.8 million US dollars in August 2026, up from 426.1 million dollars recorded in August 2025, representing a 6 percent increase.However, cumulative remittances for the 12 months to August 2026 declined by 1.3 percent to 5.013 billion dollars, compared with 5.079 billion dollars recorded during a similar period in 2025.In the government securities market, the Treasury bill auction held on September 17 attracted bids worth 42.7 billion shillings against an advertised amount of 28 billion shillings, representing a performance rate of 152.6 percent.The CBK also reported that a Treasury bond auction held on September 16 received bids totaling 81.4 billion shillings against an advertised 60 billion shillings, representing a performance rate of 135.7 percent.The Nairobi Securities Exchange, however, recorded declines during the week. The NSE All Share Index fell by 4.96 percent, while the NSE 25 and NSE 20 indices declined by 5.85 percent and 6.47 percent, respectively.The bulletin further reported that inflationary pressures remained a concern globally. United Kingdom headline inflation rose to 3.1 percent in August 2026, while the US Federal Reserve raised its federal funds target range by 25 basis points to between 3.75 and 4 percent.International commodity markets also recorded mixed movements, with Murban crude oil prices declining to 94.70 US dollars per barrel, while gold prices increased to 4,340.09 dollars per ounce.

Source: Central Bank of Kenya Weekly Bulletin, September 18, 2026.

NAIROBI, September 18, 2026

The Kenya Shilling remained relatively stable against major international and regional currencies, according to the latest exchange rates released by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).The CBK’s daily exchange rates for September 18 show that the US dollar was trading at KSh129.61, while the Sterling Pound stood at KSh173.30.The Euro was quoted at KSh148.90, while 100 Japanese Yen exchanged at KSh83.25.On the regional market, the Kenya Shilling exchanged at KSh30.36 against the Ugandan Shilling, KSh20.40 against the Tanzanian Shilling, and KSh11.36 against the Rwandan Franc.The South African Rand was quoted at KSh7.97.The exchange rates provide an indication of the value of the Kenya Shilling against selected international and regional currencies and are used as a reference by businesses, financial institutions and other market participants.The latest figures come as the CBK continues to monitor developments in the foreign exchange market and the wider economy.Source: Central Bank of Kenya

Kenya continues to face a high number of cyber threats targeting digital systems and internet users.
Data reported by The Star, citing Communications Authority figures, showed that more than 3.3 billion cyber threats were detected between January and March 2026. System attacks accounted for the largest share, followed by malware and brute-force attacks.
The figures highlight the importance of protecting personal information online. Internet users are encouraged to use strong passwords, update their devices and avoid suspicious links and messages.