FAHAMU NETWORK

  Supporters of President William Samoei Ruto drawn from across Western Kenya have launched an ambitious grassroots movement to drum up support for his 2027 re-election bid, unveiling an aggressive mobilisation drive targeting communities, youth groups and village networks across the region's five counties. Operating under the banner of the Magharibi Lobby Group, the supporters have declared their intention to reach villages, mobilise youth groups, recruit political volunteers and consolidate support for the President across the region. Herman Malavi Kahi, who was appointed chairman of the group's Trans Nzoia County branch, said the group was determined to make Western Kenya a key battleground in the 2027 General Election by taking its campaign directly to the people. "We want to take this message to every village, every community and every household. Our people must understand what is happening in government and why development programmes need continuity," Ka...

Police surveillance and crime response in Trans Nzoia County are set for a major boost following MOGO's donation of three motorcycles to the National Police Service in a move aimed at improving security coverage in remote areas inaccessible to conventional police vehicles. The motorcycles, handed over during a ceremony at Kitale Police Station, are expected to strengthen police patrols, improve response to distress calls and enhance surveillance in areas where poor road networks and difficult terrain have traditionally hampered security operations. The donation also included office tables, office chairs and plastic chairs to improve working conditions at police stations and enhance service delivery to members of the public. Speaking during the handover ceremony, MOGO Deputy Country Manager Branton Mutea said the donation was part of the company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme aimed at supporting communities and strengthening partnerships with public institutio...

The Chairman of Linda Mwananchi in Trans Nzoia, Ainea Masinde, has challenged President William Ruto and Governor George Natembeya to end their political rivalry, warning that ordinary residents are bearing the economic cost of their escalating differences. Masinde called on religious leaders, elders and representatives of different communities to unite and pressure the two levels of government to end the political standoff and prioritise service delivery. He urged the Luhya, Sabaot, Kalenjin, Kikuyu and Kisii communities, among others, to put aside their differences and speak out against political hostilities that he said were hurting local businesses and struggling households. "This is the time for all leaders of churches and communities to stand up and tell our leaders that they have no right to harm our people," he said. Masinde argued that the President and the governor should work together in addressing residents' challenges instead of allowing their pol...

Police on Tuesday blocked traders allocated stalls by the Trans Nzoia County Government from accessing Masinde Muliro Modern Market in Kitale, escalating a bitter standoff between the county and national government over control of the multi-million-shilling facility. The blockade thwarted Governor George Natembeya's directive ordering the traders to occupy the market, exposing a growing dispute over who controls the allocation and management of the facility commissioned by President William Ruto. On Monday, Natembeya told traders that only verified business owners holding allotment letters issued by the county's Department of Trade would be allowed to occupy the stalls. County Trade Executive Janerose Mutama said the governor's directive was meant to end months of delays that had kept beneficiaries of the county's allocation exercise out of the market. "The Governor has done his duty by allocating market spaces to the traders. There was no reason they s...

More than 1,000 boys around Kitale town and its environs have undergone medically supervised circumcision in an initiative aimed at protecting children from complications associated with unsafe traditional circumcision practices. The exercise, spearheaded by Kitale Family House of Hope, seeks to promote safer circumcision practices while preserving the cultural significance of the rite of passage through proper medical care, mentorship and parental involvement. The initiative comes amid growing concerns over complications arising from poorly conducted traditional circumcision procedures, including excessive bleeding, infections, permanent injuries, psychological trauma and, in severe cases, death. Health concerns have particularly been raised over the sharing of circumcision instruments, inadequate sterilisation and the absence of trained medical personnel during some traditional ceremonies, exposing boys to preventable health risks. Bishop Edward Khaoya, founder and director of Kitale...

  A woman who endured three years of agonising knee pain has found new hope after undergoing a successful knee replacement surgery at Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital, marking a breakthrough in specialised orthopaedic care in the region. For three years, Invio Latta Natecho from Maili Saba in Trans Nzoia endured persistent pain in her left knee, a condition that disrupted her life and left her struggling with the discomfort of a damaged joint. What began as injuries following repeated falls gradually developed into a painful condition that would keep her seeking medical attention for years, without the relief she desperately needed. When she eventually visited Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital, medical examinations and imaging revealed that she was suffering from severe left knee osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition that causes pain, stiffness and restricted movement. Her journey to treatment involved several hospital visits, medical revie...