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By Cantona Joseph Published on: March 28, 2026 08:13 (EAT)

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File image of a judge’s gavel. PHOTO|COURTESY

The High Court in Embu has ordered a limited scrutiny and recount of ballots in the contested Mbeere North Constituency by-election held in November 2025.

In a ruling delivered virtually on Friday, Justice Richard Mwongo directed that the exercise be conducted in selected polling stations where irregularities were reported.

The process will be supervised by the Deputy Registrar of the court.

The by-election, overseen by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), had declared Leonard Wamuthende Njeru of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) as the winner.

However, the outcome was challenged by Newton Kariuki Ndwiga of the Democratic Party (DP), who filed an election petition disputing the results.

Justice Mwongo ordered the opening and examination of ballot boxes and electoral materials in several polling stations, including Gitiburi 1 and 2, Kaungu, Siakago Social Hall, Mwondu Primary School, and Gikuyari Primary School. Additional stations listed for scrutiny include Nthigirani 1/1, Kamauwa 1/1, Gwakaithi 1/1, Mbaruari 1/1, and Cingera 2/2.

The court also directed the opening of 15 boxes containing KIEMS kits, alongside four additional boxes holding strategic election materials such as Polling Station Diaries (PSDs) and Forms 32 at the tallying centre.

“It is necessary to open all the 15 boxes containing the KIEMS kits… to obtain the kits used in the various polling stations where scrutiny and recount will be required,” Justice Mwongo ruled.

The court cited multiple irregularities, including violence, disruptions, and breaches in the chain of custody of election materials.

At Gitiburi 2 polling station, a fire caused by a gas lamp explosion forced officials to move ballot boxes to a vehicle.

The presiding officer later left the materials unattended while retrieving personal belongings, raising concerns over the integrity of the ballots.

Video evidence presented in court showed individuals armed with sticks storming the polling station—an incident the presiding officer admitted should not have occurred.

Ballots from both Gitiburi 1 and 2 were ultimately counted at one station, an anomaly that the court found warranted a full recount.

At Kaungu polling station, voting was temporarily suspended after the facility was attacked by stone-throwing individuals, an incident the court said could have influenced the outcome.

The court also flagged serious concerns regarding the voter register.

Evidence indicated that unregistered individuals were allowed to vote at Siakago Social Hall, while new voters were allegedly added at Mwondu Primary School after the official register had been closed.

In another case, a voter testified that she had been transferred from Gikuyari to Karatina polling station without her consent, effectively denying her the right to vote.

Justice Mwongo directed the Deputy Registrar to oversee the scrutiny process and file a report by April 17, 2026.

The case will then proceed to final submissions on April 22, 2026, where the court will determine the validity of the election.

The outcome of the scrutiny is expected to play a critical role in deciding whether Wamuthende’s victory will stand or if further legal remedies will be pursued

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Man’s body found in River Thiba in Kirinyaga, identified as Naromoru resident

Onlookers in shock after a man’s body was found in Kirinyaga. /JOHNSON MURIITHI

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Residents of Ngurubani, Soweto and Thiba in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, were left in shock after a man’s body was discovered in River Thiba on Saturday morning.

The body, believed to be that of a man aged about 50, was found under a bridge along the Mwea–Embu highway by locals going about their daily activities.

Michael Kariua, chairman of boda boda operators in Mwea, alerted traffic police officers stationed near Ngurubani Primary School. The officers responded swiftly and called for backup to secure the scene.

Residents suspect foul play, noting that the body appeared clean and the man was well dressed, raising concerns that he may have been killed elsewhere and his body dumped in the river.

The incident took a dramatic turn when detectives answered a phone found on the deceased. The caller, who identified herself as the man’s wife, said she was calling from Naromoru in Nyeri County and was searching for her missing husband. Authorities later confirmed that the deceased was indeed a resident of Naromoru, deepening the mystery surrounding how he ended up in Mwea.

“This is very disturbing. People are being killed and their bodies dumped in Kirinyaga,” said John Maina, a businessman in Ngurubani. “We are shocked and saddened by this incident and demand justice for the deceased and his family.”

Kariua also called for thorough investigations. “Police must pursue this matter and bring those responsible to justice. We need answers on what happened and why the body was brought here,” he said.

Another resident, Maina Simba, echoed the concerns, saying, “We are tired of such incidents. Our county is becoming a dumping ground for bodies. Something must be done.”

The body has been moved to Kerugoya Hospital mortuary, where it awaits formal identification by family members.

Police have yet to issue an official statement on the incident. Meanwhile, residents are urging authorities to intensify security patrols and surveillance in the area as investigations continue.

Kenya secures over Ksh.449B in investment deals as KIICO 2026 opens

From Left to Right: John Mwendwa (Invest Kenya CEO), PS Abubakar Hassan Abubakar (PS Investment Promotion), Chileshe Kapwepwe (SG COMESA), and Heba Salama (CEO COMESA) launching the COMESA Interactive Investment Map at the 2nd CIF 2026.

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The Kenya International Investment Conference (KIICO 2026) opened with the announcement of investment deals worth over US$2.9 billion (approx KSh 449.5 billion), which are expected to create more than 63,000 direct jobs in the country.

The investments, announced by President William Ruto during the official opening ceremony, cut across key sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, healthcare, ICT, real estate, and energy, signalling strong confidence in the economy from global and local investors.

From the 20 deals showcased, agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and real estate account for a substantial share, with a combined value of over US$2 billion.

In agriculture and agro-processing, investments of approximately US$890 million will expand value addition in the sector and support smallholder farmers in rice, sugar, and horticultural production while creating over 27,000 new job opportunities.

The deals announced in this sector were Tana Bliss Kenya’s US$300 million integrated rice and irrigation project, Tana River Sugar Company’s US$285 million modern sugar milling facility, and Blue Skies’ investment in fresh-cut mango processing, which links Kenyan smallholder farmers to premium UK and EU markets under the Kenya-UK Trade Agreement.

Manufacturing attracted new capital to the tune of US$600 million through 8 deals in fertilizer production, textiles, solar panel manufacturing, plastics recycling, and glass bottle manufacturing, which have strong export linkages under the AfCFTA and AGOA frameworks.

In the mining sector, the Buru REE project by Australia-based NGX Limited will inject US$350 million in Kericho, unlocking new mineral value chains and boosting export earnings.

Meanwhile, US$630 million has been committed to real estate developments led by Mombasa Creekside Gardens at a US$380 million investment, which anchors Mombasa’s urban infrastructure development, and Nairobi Belle Vue Arch with a US$250 million capital injection. These two projects represent significant Gulf-linked investment into Kenya’s two biggest cities, where infrastructure and housing demand are high.

With the country’s push toward universal health coverage, healthcare has attracted key private sector investments, including Bounty Management Global in Nairobi (US$60 million), RVL Healthcare Ltd (US$50 million, Nairobi), and Balmer Healthcare (US$200 million, Uasin Gishu).

These projects are expected to expand access to specialised care, strengthen regional healthcare infrastructure, and reduce the need for Kenyans to seek treatment abroad.

In his keynote address, President William Ruto underscored the government’s support in ensuring investor interest is converted into bankable, executable projects.

“We have implemented bold, investor-friendly reforms to enhance competitiveness and the ease of doing business. These include zero-rating VAT on exported services, tax reforms that allow corporates to offset verified tax claims against future liabilities, and the removal of the 30 percent domestic equity requirement for ICT companies, unlocking significant new investment into Kenya’s rapidly expanding digital economy.”

“Through our One-Stop Investment Centre, investors now access seamless, world-class facilitation services. By the end of 2026, this platform will be fully digitized, enabling permits and licenses to be secured entirely online, reducing costs and improving efficiency for our investors. Our Export Processing Zones and Special Economic Zones provide globally competitive incentives, including tax breaks and streamlined regulatory processes, ensuring that Kenya remains a cost-competitive and globally connected hub for manufacturing and export-led growth.”

The KIICO 2026 outcomes also highlight Kenya’s success in attracting a diverse pool of local and international investors from key FDI markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, China, India, and South Korea, reinforcing its position as a key investment gateway into East and Central Africa.

The Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, said the quality and readiness of the deals reflect a maturing investment environment.

“In literally every sector of the economy, opportunities abound, waiting to be explored. From manufacturing to agribusiness and the digital economy, the country is a cocktail of opportunities waiting to be explored… We have embraced adaptation and innovation as our clarion mantra. Together, we can design solutions that meet your investment goals while addressing some of our needs such as employment creation, energy, and food security.”

As the conference continues through Friday, March 27, attention will turn to implementation timelines, deal closures, and discussions on tackling key sectoral challenges to ensure the full economic impact is realized and that Kenya remains competitive on the global stage.

KIICO 2026 will also feature the COMESA Investment Forum (CIF) and the Africa Green Industrialization Initiative (AGII), further deepening the conference’s regional and sustainability agenda.

The COMESA Investment Forum convenes investors and policymakers from Eastern and Southern Africa to deliberate on unlocking cross-border opportunities and strengthening regional value chains. AGII will focus on renewable energy, e-mobility, the circular economy, and waste management, positioning Kenya at the forefront of Africa’s transition to low-carbon growth.

CA threatens to revoke Standard Group licences over Ksh.48.8M fees as media house cites Ksh.1.2B State debt

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) offices in Nairobi. PHOTO | COURTESY

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The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has threatened to revoke six broadcasting licences held by Standard Group PLC over supposed unpaid regulatory fees.

In a ruling delivered on March 27, 2026, the Communications and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal dismissed the media house’s appeal, clearing the way for the regulator to proceed with cancelling the licences tied to stations including KTN News, KTN Burudani, Radio Maisha, Spice FM, Vybez Radio and Berur FM.

The Authority says the action stems from arrears amounting to Ksh.48.87 million, comprising licence fees and the Universal Service Fund levy, which it maintains the broadcaster failed to settle despite multiple notices, extensions and engagements over several years.

“The impending revocation was lawful, valid, and in accordance with the Kenya Information and Communications Act,” the regulator said in a statement.

However, the Standard Group has pushed back strongly, terming the move premature and legally contestable, while signalling plans to challenge the move by the Communications Authority to the High Court.

In a press statement, the media house framed the dispute as a financial standoff with the State, claiming it is owed more than Ksh.1.2 billion by government ministries, state agencies and county governments for advertising and media services rendered.

The broadcaster acknowledged the outstanding regulatory fees but attributed non-payment to cash flow constraints caused by the government’s failure to settle its debts.

“Yes, the Group has outstanding regulatory fees. But these arrears were never settled not because of bad faith, but because the same Government that now seeks to shut us down has itself failed to honour its obligations to The Standard Group PLC.”

“To date, the Government of Kenya, through various ministries, state corporations, and county governments, owes The Standard Group in excess of KShs. 1.2 billion for advertising and media services rendered over several years,” reads the statement. 

The Standard Group further disputed claims that it had entered into a binding payment plan with the Authority, saying discussions on settling the arrears were exploratory and ultimately undermined by its financial position.

“If the Government paid what it owes us, we would have settled our regulatory obligations long ago. It is the height of irony, it is an abuse of process for the same State, through one of its agencies, to brand us as a defaulter while its other arms remain in arrears of over a billion shillings,” the Group stated.

“The Government cannot hold a knife to our throat with one hand while extending an empty promise of payment with the other. The remedy is simple: Pay what you owe The Standard Group, and we will pay what we owe the CA. We have instructed our legal team to lodge an appeal against the Tribunal’s decision.”

The regulator, however, maintains that the broadcaster had ample opportunity to regularise its obligations, pointing to notices of contravention issued as far back as December 2023 and subsequent revocation notices in 2024 and 2025.

The tribunal sided with the Authority, ruling that statutory obligations under KICA are clear and enforceable, and that claims of legitimate expectation or constitutional violations could not override compliance requirements.

Heckling, rivalry mark Ruto’s Kiambu tour as Ichung’wa, Wamatangi clash

President Ruto flagged by Kiambu leaders after commissioning the upgrading of the Ksh.900 million Thika Stadium that will have a seating capacity of 10,000 in Thika town, Kiambu County on Friday, March 27, 2026. PHOTO | PCS

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Local politics took centre stage during President William Ruto’s tour of Kiambu, as supporters of rival leaders engaged in heckling matches.

Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi traded tactful barbs with Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wah, as each tried to outdo the other on their respective performance records.

“Siasa ni mapambano rais vile unapambana na wale wakora hata Kiambu pia tutaongea na kila mtu kazi yake ndiyo itamsimamia kwa ile kazi amefanya,” Ichung’wah said.

Wamatangi added: “Wakati ile saa rais anahesabu miradi amefanya… serikali ya Kiambu pia imefanya kazi… Si Wamatangi pia amefanya kazi… hebu nione mikono wangapi wanasema Wamatangi Wamatangi…?”

The president, on the other hand, steered clear of the local showdown and continued with his onslaught against the opposition, whom he said were the first to wade into the murky waters of petty politics.

“Wametukana mimi miaka mbili… wanasema mimi ni muuaji… wanasema mimi ni mwizi nataka niwaulize… kati ya mimi na wale watu, mwizi ni nani,” Ruto stated.

“Wale majamaa wametoka pale kwetu Mathira tunawapea notice wachaneni na rais nyinyi ni rika yetu tutadeal na nyinyi tuskie tena mmetusi rais,” Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi said.

President Ruto had toured various development projects across Thika and Juja constituencies, including affordable housing projects as well as inspection of ongoing works at Thika Stadium.

Faith Odhiambo hands over LSK presidency to Kanjama

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Faith Odhiambo has formally relinquished the presidency of the Law Society of Kenya, handing over to Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama at the Society’s 2026 Annual General Meeting held in Machakos, bringing the curtain down on what she described as “my life’s greatest honour.”

The ceremony, which drew members from across the country, saw Kanjama and the incoming 2026–2028 Council sworn in before Odhiambo surrendered the instruments of the presidency, making Kanjama the 52nd president of the Society.

In an appreciation letter to members ahead of the handover, Odhiambo recalled how, two years ago, she had engaged thousands of lawyers across Kenya seeking the mandate to serve as the 51st president.

She said members had overwhelmingly endorsed her PSP Agenda, which rested on three main pillars — making decisive progress in restoring the dignity of the premier bar, asserting LSK’s position as an indispensable voice for the rule of law, and creating sustainable stability within the Society.

“Two rapid years later, I can report with confidence that I have been faithful to these guiding beacons,” she wrote.

Odhiambo was unreserved in her gratitude, noting that members’ support had not stopped at the ballot but extended into material contributions towards enriching the Society’s discharge of its mandate under Section 4 of the LSK Act.

She reflected on three distinct privileges she said had characterised her interactions with members during her presidency.

She noted that she was comforted by some outspoken support at a time when Kenya’s rule of law space was particularly turbulent. She noted that on several occasions the Constitution was on test, and that duty as purveyors of justice demanded that the Society place its head and heart in the line of fire.

“The defiant courage required to do this would not be possible without the safety of having a 20,000-strong membership, firmly behind the work we do and ready to defend us against all adversity that came our way,” she said.

Faith praised the membership’s indomitable sense of sacrifice, a willingness to navigate a lot of obstacles in pursuit of the Society’s collective goals.

She acknowledged that none of the successes of the past two years would have been achievable without members’ readiness to set aside personal views, resources, and comfort for the good of the Society.

She commended the wise counsel she received from members throughout her tenure. Beyond the divergence of views that naturally exists within a body of professionals, Odhiambo said she found a wealth of ingenuity, innovation, vision, and strategy she could always rely on.

“Every difficult challenge we met was overcome through what came as natural solutions from the many of you who always offered your assistance and advice,” she said.

Reflecting on the legacy of her administration, Odhiambo said the bar now stood more united than ever, on a clear trajectory of growth, shared ambition, and assured success.

She urged members to guard that unity jealously and to use it to support Kanjama and his team in the next phase of the Society’s journey.

“It has been my life’s greatest honour to serve you, and it is one I will hold dear for as long as I live. I thank you all for what we have achieved, the lessons we have learnt, the time we have shared, and most importantly, the relationships we have built,” she wrote, signing off with a blessing for members and for the Law Society of Kenya.

Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama takes over from Faith Odhiambo. Kanjama was elected President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) after garnering 3,728 votes in a competitive race that attracted nationwide attention within the legal fraternity in February 2026.

Tiger Woods arrested, charged with DUI after Florida crash

By AFP Published on: March 28, 2026 10:34 (EAT)

Apr 14, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Tiger Woods stands on the 16th hole during the final round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY

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Tiger Woods was arrested and charged with driving under the influence Friday after a rollover crash near his Florida home, authorities said, as the 15-time major champion’s golf career veered into fresh turmoil.

Woods, 50, escaped injury but was detained after his vehicle clipped a truck while attempting to overtake on a residential road on Jupiter Island, flipping onto its side before sliding to a stop.

Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said Woods — who was arrested for driving under the influence in 2017 — showed signs of “impairment”, although he passed a breathalyzer test.

“When it came time for us to ask for a urinalysis test, he refused, and so he’s been charged with DUI, with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test in the crash,” Budensiek said.

In line with Florida DUI laws, Woods was detained at the county jail for eight hours and was photographed departing the facility in a car late Friday.

A booking photo showed a red-eyed, stubbly-chinned Woods when he arrived at the jail about two hours after the crash.

Budensiek said drug recognition experts who examined Woods at the scene found the golfer “lethargic” and believed he was impaired with “some kind of medication or drug.”

No drugs or medication were found in his vehicle and since Woods refused the urine test, his right under Florida law, authorities “will never get definitive results as to what he was impaired on at the time of the crash,” Budensiek said.

– ‘Could have been worse’ –

While neither Woods nor the driver of the other vehicle was injured, Budensiek said the incident on the two-lane road “could have been a lot worse.”

“Had somebody been moving in the opposite direction, we would not be having a conversation saying there was no injuries,” he said.

Budensiek said he didn’t know how fast Woods was driving in the moments before the crash.

He said the driver of the truck had slowed to make a turn, then tried to move to the side of the road when he saw Woods’s fast-moving vehicle attempting to overtake him.

“When I show you the photos, they kind of speak for themselves…you can see that (Woods) slid for a decent space before he came to a stop,” said the sheriff, who said that after the crash Woods climbed out of the passenger-side window of his Land Rover.

President Donald Trump expressed sympathy for Woods in remarks to reporters in Miami following the incident.

“He’s got some difficulty, there was an accident, and that’s all I know,” Trump said. “Very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person, amazing man, but, uh, some difficulty.”

Woods was arrested in Jupiter in 2017 after police found him asleep at the wheel of his damaged car. Woods eventually pleaded guilty to reckless driving and said he had taken a mix of painkillers.

Five years ago Woods was involved in a serious car crash in California that left him with severe right leg injuries that required pins inserted in his foot and ankle and a rod in his tibia as well as a follow-up surgery in 2023.

Woods returned from that crash at the 2022 Masters, where he struggled to walk all four rounds on the way to a 47th-place finish.

Woods, whose clean-cut image was left in tatters after a 2009 sex scandal that upended his career, has been working to return from an Achilles tendon rupture last March and back surgery last October.

He competed earlier this week in the TGL simulator indoor golf league finals and had not ruled out playing in next month’s Masters, where his five victories include his first major title in 1997 and his most recent in 2019.

“This body … it doesn’t recover like it did when it was 24, 25. It doesn’t mean I’m not trying,” said Woods, who last competed in a PGA Tour level event at the 2024 British Open. “I keep trying.”

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