Author: Oliver Musembi

Striking workers at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) spent their day having fun games at the graduation pavilion as the nationwide lecturers’ strike entered its fourth week. Led by chapter leaders of Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), the employees broke from their usual picketing routine to enjoy themselves through athletic races and other fun activities. The unionists said they decided to derive various means of killing boredom while vowing to push ahead with the industrial action until their dues are paid in full. “We are prepared to go the full hog.…

Road safety lobby groups have raised alarms over infighting at the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), urging a probe into its operations. This follows reports that three employees are under investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for allegedly implicating a senior official in a bribery scandal. The conflict is believed to stem from corrupt deals involving money collected at driving test units (DTUs). Road safety advocates suspect the infighting at NTSA is due to a fallout over corrupt practices at driving test units. They are calling for the suspension of all senior officers pending a thorough investigation.…

Bad attitudes by drivers have been blamed for the alarming road carnage that is causing pain and huge economic loss to the country. Besides speeding and recklessness, negative attitudes by motorists have been pointed out as some of the causes of fatal road crashes. One such incident is last Sunday’s accident along the Nairobi – Nakuru highway which claimed the lives of 14 family members, a thing that opinion leaders say could have been avoided. The 14 were killed when the hired matatu they were traveling in collided head-on with a trailer at Kikopee area as the driver tried to…

The alarming road carnage has been attributed to a racket involving acquisition of driving licenses without having to undergo mandatory training. Road safety players, while raising concerns over the escalating death toll as a result of road accidents, called for the suspension of all the driving licenses acquired over the past six years claiming many of the holders did not go through driving schools. “We want those licenses cancelled and the drivers taken back to school because 80 percent of the licenses issued over the past six years are bogus. This is why the road carnage is increasing by the…

A blatant breach of protocol played out during the burial of National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah father’s burial attended by President William Ruto on Monday September 15. During the occasion Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi was denied a chance to welcome guests as the host county chief – which is the norm – but instead the role was taken over by his Embu counterpart Cecily Mbarire, in what observers say was utterly unprocedural. This unfolded during the burial of Mzee Isaac Ichung’wah, the late father of Ichung’wah, the MP for Kikuyu constituency. It lay bare the bitter political rift between…

As the government and regulators continue pushing for improved service delivery, financial sustainability, and governance across the country’s water sector, Tatu City Water and Sanitation Company (TATUWASCo) in Ruiru, Kiambu County has emerged as one of the top-ranked water utilities in Kenya. The company earned two national accolades from the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB), recognizing it as the Best Private Utility Company of the Year and for Excellence in Corporate Governance for Utility Providers. These awards followed WASREB’s comprehensive assessment of utility performance across key indicators, including water coverage, service quality, supply hours, non-revenue water, metering, staff productivity, revenue…

Tensions are escalating within Kenya’s tea industry following a controversial move by the Tea Board of Kenya to introduce independent, non-shareholding directors into the management of tea factories. The proposal, aimed at strengthening corporate governance and improving accountability, has drawn sharp criticism from farmers and industry leaders who see it as a threat to their control and interests. While the Tea Board argues that the inclusion of independent directors is in line with the Companies Act and is meant to enhance transparency and oversight, many farmers fear the move could erode their influence and reverse gains made in recent years.…