FAHAMU NETWORK

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...

  The High Court in Kitale is set to give directions on the delivery of judgment in a petition seeking recognition of polygamous Christian marriages under Kenyan law, following submissions by the Attorney General urging the court to dismiss the case. The Attorney General, through State Counsel Lotiir E. Henry and Deputy Chief State Counsel Joyce Chilaka, has opposed the petition filed by 80-year-old Bonface Ndura Koimburi, arguing that he has failed to demonstrate any constitutional violation arising from provisions of the Marriage Act, 2014. In their submissions before Justice Robert Limo, the State Counsel maintained that the petitioner was seeking to legitimise a personal preference rather than address an infringement of constitutional rights. “What is before you is a figment of imagination. It is not a violation of the law. It is an idea that the petitioner had conceived and wants the court to legitimise,” Lotiir told the court. The Attorney General argued that Koimburi had fai...

  People's Renaissance Movement (PM) party leader Caleb Amisi has challenged the United Opposition to abandon ethnic-based political manoeuvres, warning that attempts to unite voters along tribal lines could play into President William Ruto's hands ahead of the 2027 General Election. Amisi said the opposition cannot dislodge Ruto by assembling ethnic voting blocs, arguing that only a broad-based, non-tribal political alliance with nationwide appeal can mount a challenge against the incumbent. Speaking during a church function in Likuyani, the Saboti MP accused opposition leaders of undermining their own efforts by mobilising communities along ethnic lines instead of rallying Kenyans around a common national agenda. "Some say they are going in one group, others say they are going in another group. We told them, you only remove William Ruto using a non-tribal card. The moment you start playing tribal politics, you are playing in William Ruto's goal," he said. ...