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By Cantona Joseph March 31, 2026 05:08 (EAT)

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Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja appears before the Senate on March 31, 2026. Photo/Courtesy

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja appeared before the Senate on Tuesday, March 31, following an arrest warrant issued over his failure to honour Senate summons.

Upon his arrival, Sakaja said his failure to appear before the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) was in line with a directive from the Council of Governors, which had urged governors to boycott the summons over alleged extortion by some senators.

“I came to the Senate to meet the leadership and members of the committee. First, I am a law-abiding citizen,” Sakaja stated. 

“I have appeared before these committees many times six times this year alone and about ten times last year. I have even responded to audit queries dating back to 2015, including those from my predecessors.”

The Governor questioned why his case was singled out, citing that 29 governors had been summoned before the same committee, with most failing to appear. 

“It is wrong to single out one county or one governor. The drama we are seeing is not fair. The CoG is an institution just like the Senate, let the two institutions resolve the matter collectively,” Sakaja added.

The governor called for an amicable resolution between the Senate and the CoG leadership to find a lasting solution. 

“I have spoken to the Speaker of the Senate, the Chair of the Council of Governors, and my fellow governors. We need to resolve these issues so that we can be held accountable as required by the Senate,” he said.

He reiterated his commitment to appear before the committee once the underlying issues between the two institutions are addressed.

“I have appeared before the committee before and I will continue to do so. All we want is for the issues between the CoG and the Senate to be resolved,” he highlighted. 

The developments come after police officers camped at City Hall in a bid to arrest the Governor for failing to appear before the CPAC, chaired by Moses Kajwang’.

“We have been looking for him, and we never got him, but we received information that he might be around. That is why we are here this evening. The work is not finished because we have not taken him to the Senate, but that we will do. We do not tolerate impunity. We have a country to protect,” Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud told the press on March 30, 2026.

CAK raids 6 foam mattress firms over alleged anti-competitive conduct

Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) Director-General David Kemei. | PHOTO: CAK/Handout

The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has conducted simultaneous raids on premises of six major foam mattress manufacturers and distributors across Nairobi, Machakos, Kiambu and Kisumu counties as part of investigations into suspected anti-competitive practices.

The operations saw the Authority retrieve critical electronic and physical evidence for forensic analysis, including hard disks, thumb drives, laptops, mobile phones, management reports and sales records.

CAK said the intervention in the foam mattress sector follows actionable intelligence gathered through market surveillance, pointing to suspected cartel-like practices among competitors.

“Foam mattresses are an essential household commodity, used by millions of Kenyan consumers. Our intervention seeks to establish whether collusive practices are undermining the affordability and accessibility of these products for ordinary households,” said CAK Director-General David Kemei.

CAK cited Sections 31 and 32 of the Competition Act, which empower the Authority to enter premises and inspect documents and records to establish the existence of restrictive trade practices such as abuse of dominance, collusive tendering, price fixing, and market or customer allocation.

The Authority clarified that dawn raids are a key investigative step aimed at securing credible evidence that could otherwise be concealed, destroyed or altered if advance notice is given, and do not in themselves imply guilt.

The Authority noted that the rights of the businesses involved, including access to legal representation, were upheld during the raids, with efforts made to minimise disruption to operations.

While the Competition Act does not set a statutory timeline for concluding such investigations, CAK said the process could take several months depending on factors such as the number of parties involved, their level of cooperation, and the complexity of the evidence under review.

“Based on our experience handling complex cases, this investigation is reasonably expected to take several months to complete. However, our proactive measures, such as upskilling our case officers, installation of an in-house modern forensic laboratory, and thorough planning ahead of the searches will improve the case completion time,” added Kemei.

The Authority stated that upon reviewing the evidence collected, it will determine the next course of action in line with its guidelines and procedures, while ensuring parties are accorded fair administrative action, including the opportunity to make oral and written submissions.

If found culpable, firms may face penalties of up to 10 per cent of their gross annual turnover, alongside orders to cease and remedy any illegal conduct.

CAK has also urged members of the public with information on suspected anti-competitive practices in any market to report to the Authority.

MP Babu Owino condemns Gikomba demolitions, says court order ignored

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino addresses affected Gikomba market traders after demolitions.

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has condemned the demolition of parts of Gikomba market, terming the exercise unlawful and a violation of traders’ rights.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, the legislator said he stood in solidarity with traders whose businesses were destroyed despite the existence of court orders barring the demolition.

Owino described the affected traders as hardworking Kenyans who depend on the market for their daily livelihoods, noting that many wake up before dawn to sustain their families and contribute to the local economy.

“Despite obtaining court orders to protect their businesses, their premises were still demolished. This is not just a violation of the law; it is a violation of dignity, trust, and justice,” he said.

The MP faulted the authorities behind the operation, arguing that disregarding court directives undermines the rule of law and erodes public confidence in institutions meant to protect citizens.

He warned that such actions risk setting a dangerous precedent where legal protections can be ignored without consequence, particularly to the detriment of ordinary wananchi.

“We cannot build a fair society if the rule of law is ignored, especially at the expense of ordinary citizens,” Owino stated.

He called for accountability from those responsible for the demolition and urged relevant agencies to respect court orders and uphold the rights of traders.

Owino reaffirmed his support for the traders, whom he represented in their court case against the demolition, vowing to continue pushing for justice and protection of their livelihoods.

“Their struggle is our struggle. Their resilience is our inspiration. We will not be silent,” he added.

The High Court previously directed that status quo be maintained at Gikomba market and surrounding areas along the Nairobi River pending the hearing of an urgent application filed by traders.

“The current status quo on the suit land be maintained,” ruled Lady Justice Lilian Kimani on March 4, 2026.

In the case, the petitioners – through lawyer Babu Owino – moved to court arguing that they had been issued with a 14-day notice threatening to demolish permanent multi-storey residential and commercial structures belonging to over 3,000 members.

The demolition was carried out on the night of Monday, March 30, flattening structures in the shoe section of Gikomba Market, leaving traders counting losses.

Footage from the scene showed bulldozers and excavators clearing the area, with traders later seen combing through debris in an attempt to salvage goods.

Opposition leaders have since argued that the manner in which the exercise was conducted failed to consider the welfare of affected traders, many of whom depend on the market for their daily income.

Azimio leaders oppose plan to handpick 2027 flagbearer

A section of Azimio coalition leaders has opposed a reported plan by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka to settle on the coalition’s 2027 presidential flagbearer through a closed-door retreat, warning that such a move could deepen divisions within the opposition alliance.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, the leaders said the coalition must embrace an open, transparent, and consultative process in choosing its presidential candidate if it hopes to remain united ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The leaders cautioned that any attempt to handpick a candidate behind closed doors would amount to imposing a “boardroom candidate” on the coalition, a move they said risks alienating key stakeholders and grassroots supporters.

Reports have indicated that a retreat was being planned to determine Azimio’s next standard bearer, but the dissenting leaders insisted that such a critical decision cannot be left to a small group of insiders.

National Liberal Party (NLP) Secretary General Omondi K’Oyoo urged Kalonzo to abandon what he described as exclusionary tactics and instead convene all coalition partners for an inclusive discussion.

“A boardroom candidate remains a closed-circle candidate,” said K’Oyoo, adding that the coalition should not repeat political mistakes that could weaken its chances against President William Ruto in 2027.

NLP Party Leader Dr Augustus Kyalo Muli echoed the same concerns, saying the coalition must prioritize inclusivity and consensus in selecting its flagbearer.

“We request that you shelve that plan, if indeed it exists, and give room to all parties and participants in this critical process,” said Dr Muli. “A boardroom candidate remains a closed-circle candidate, but we require a participatory process that births an all-inclusive candidate for the coalition.”

Another coalition figure, Saulo Busolo, warned that Azimio’s credibility as a democratic opposition outfit would be undermined if it resorts to secrecy in deciding its future leadership.

He argued that a secretive retreat could erode trust among supporters and trigger unnecessary tensions within the coalition at a time when unity is crucial.

Health Committee to engage stakeholders over rising Cancer cases

Health Committee Chairperson Dr James Nyikal.

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The Departmental Committee on Health has resolved to engage Ministry officials and other key stakeholders in the sector to address the increasing number of cancer-related deaths in the country.

Committee Chairperson Dr James Nyikal (Seme) announced the resolution during a meeting on Tuesday after members of the House team raised an alarm over the high number of people dying from the disease.

During a session to adopt the committee schedule for April, members noted that action needs to be taken to reduce the number of cancer cases and also to create awareness about how to manage and prevent the disease.

“We need a serious national cancer dialogue. The dialogue should start by establishing the status of the disease, the national response, and the magnitude of the problem. As a committee, we are ready to spearhead the process with key stakeholders,” said Nyikal.

Earlier, Prof. Jaldesa Guyo (Moyale) and Dr Robert Pukose (Endebess), who are both medical doctors, observed that many people die from forms of the disease that can be cured if diagnosed early.

“We have forms of cancer that are preventable, such as cervical cancer. If, as a committee, in conjunction with female lawmakers, we champion early screening and uptake of the HPV vaccine, we will reduce the number of people affected by the disease,” noted Prof. Jaldesa.

Dr Pukose said there is a need to invest more in research and empower institutions such as the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the National Cancer Institute to assess the types of cancer affecting people and their regional distribution.

“To understand the problem we are dealing with, we must examine the regional distribution of cancer and even narrow it down to specific types that may be prevalent in certain areas. We also need to engage institutions like KEMRI and consider increased funding for cancer research,” said Dr Pukose.

MP Julius Sunkuli (Kilgoris) and MP Cynthia Muge (Nandi) supported the calls for a national dialogue. They agreed that the disease requires a multi-agency and multifaceted approach, similar to how HIV and AIDS has been addressed after being first reported in the country in the late 1980’s.

Kenya pushes for coordinated, inclusive development financing amid funding pressures

Kenya is strengthening efforts to adopt a more inclusive and coordinated approach to development financing, with a focus on aligning governance, policy-making, and implementation.

Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga said the country, and Africa more broadly, must translate existing knowledge and professional capacity into measurable outcomes through improved coordination among stakeholders.

Speaking at the Kenya Partners Convening (KPC) 2026, organised by the Gates Foundation and held at the JW Marriott Hotel in Nairobi, Oluga emphasised the need to treat policy formulation and implementation as shared responsibilities.

He noted that mechanisms such as the government-led Health Policy Platform are critical in fostering collaboration and ensuring that policies are effectively executed.

The convening comes at a time when countries across the continent are grappling with declining donor funding and increasing fiscal pressures.

Discussions at the forum are centred on strengthening domestic resource mobilisation, enhancing efficiency in public spending, and improving service delivery across key sectors.

Participants at the meeting included AMREF Health Africa Chief Executive Officer Githinji Gitahi, University of Nairobi Senior Research Fellow in Health Economics David Khaoya, and Safaricom Foundation Director of Sustainable Business and Social Impact Karen Basiye.

50 investors eye DRC mining opportunities amid fuel supply concerns

A section of CEOs engage at an Equity Group trade mission forum, in the DRC, sharing ideas and perspectives about their respective markets. Photo/Courtesy

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Investors touring the Southern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have lauded opportunities in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining sector, even as concerns grow over an unreliable fuel supply in key regions.

The investors, drawn from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Lebanon, India, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and Germany, among other nations, toured the copper-rich areas of Kolwezi and Lualaba during an Equity-led mission, where large-scale mining operations continue to expand.

Despite strong interest, energy supply remains a major concern. Industry players stated that fuel shortages in Katanga and Lualaba are straining operations, with demand from mining, transport and construction outpacing distribution capacity.

“The region’s energy gap is relatively huge. We see opportunities in fuel depots, last-mile distribution, storage infrastructure and lubricants, and we’re planning to expand into the DRC,”  Elda Shaidi, Sales and Business Development Manager at Epson Energy Tanzania, stated. 

The gap, however, is also attracting investment interest in fuel storage, distribution and energy infrastructure.

At the same time, Paty Paterne Mushagalusa, Associate Director for Commercial Projects at Equity BCDC, hailed improved infrastructure in the country as a key anchor for meeting rapid demands. 

The Lobito Corridor was hailed for offering a shorter route to Atlantic ports, while the new Lualaba International Airport is set to enhance air transport for high-value and urgent cargo.

Major mining firms, including Kamoa-Kakula and CMOC Group, were highlighted for driving demand for logistics services such as warehousing, transport and distribution.

“Katanga and Lualaba continue to experience an unsteady fuel supply chain, coupled with rapidly growing demand driven by mining operations, transport, construction and expanding urban populations. Many see this as an opportunity,” said Ambrose Mwachilumo, CEO of Pyxida OLAM. 

The investors also lauded the DRC government for offering incentives, including tax breaks and a 10-year fiscal stability guarantee for those investing in the country. 

Growth in mining towns is also increasing demand for healthcare and food supplies, opening up more business opportunities.

Mpofu Vusi, Equity Group Director for Mining and Extractives, noted that their mission is to connect investors to lucrative opportunities and making the region more attractive for logistics and related investments. 

“Our goal as Equity is to connect capital to opportunity. When you visit the mines, the farms, the factories and the roads, you begin to see the real opportunity,” Vusi noted.