Benard Mokamba Onchwari

Writer

[Kenyans.co.ke @Kenyans]

76% of Kenyans say the country is headed in the wrong direction- Tifa Research

[Citizen TV Kenya @citizentvkenya]

We are told by the Controller of Budget that Ksh.12 billion has been
spent on 'chai na mandazi' at State House- Sifuna

[Benard Mokamba Onchwari @MokambaBen]

A Bill now before Parliament could fundamentally change how needy students are supported to access university, college and TVET education in our country: the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, sponsored by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.

Under the current model, needy students in public universities can receive government scholarships covering up to 70% of their tuition. The proposed shift would replace that support with a model in which government-sponsored students finance the full cost of their education through loans.

That would place a much greater debt burden on some of the most vulnerable students. For instance, if you manage to get a job, the Bill says that up to 25% of their money to be deducted towards repayment of the loan.

Picture this. If someone earns KSh30,000, a 25% deduction could be as much as KSh7,500. At KSh40,000, it could be as much as KSh10,000. How much of that salary will they actually be left with after paying the Housing Levy for a house they may never live in, SHA for healthcare they may still struggle to fully access, and all the other statutory deductions taken from an already bleeding payslip?

And from what remains, how are they supposed to pay rent, commute to work, buy food, and support their families?

If repayment is supposed to begin within a year of completing their studies, what happens to the graduate who cannot find a job? Does interest continue to accrue while they search for work? What happens to the graduate surviving on irregular income?

The priority for President Ruto and Parliament should be to fix delayed scholarship disbursements, ensure genuinely needy students are identified correctly, make the contribution expected from families realistic, and give students certainty about how their education will be funded. Replacing scholarships with loans does not solve those problems. It simply transfers the burden of a failing funding system onto the student.

[The Standard Digital @StandardKenya]

The Standard has since confirmed that KDG 125E belongs to a government vehicle under the use of the Kenya Police. However, yesterday evening an entry had been made at the NTSA portal saying the number belongs to a Honda vehicle registered to an Alex Maundu.

https://t.co/vAMIQkqwqQ

[Citizen TV Kenya @citizentvkenya]

DCI unit of terror

Sources: Shadowy police unit ‘abducted’ Kiprotich
Sources: Retired police officer part of unit

Sources: Unit targets government critics
Sources: Unit reports to DCI director
#JKLive

[KTN News @KTNNewsKE]

THE STANDARD GROUP PLC
PRESS STATEMENT
Nairobi, Kenya
September 1, 2026

STANDARD GROUP CONDEMNS ABDUCTION OF ITS SENIOR EDITOR, DEMANDS HIS IMMEDIATE AND SAFE RELEASE

The Standard Group PLC confirms that shortly before 9:20pm this evening, our Associate Editor, Alex Kiprotich, was abducted along the Gilgil–Nakuru road while travelling to Nakuru. We do not know where he is as we issue this statement.

This is the second time in as many months that Mr Kiprotich has been targeted. On 27 June 2026, armed men in a Toyota Probox a vehicle model repeatedly linked to enforced disappearances of government critics in Kenya, tried to seize him from his car as he drove to work in Nakuru. He got away by locking his doors and driving off. That attempt came days after President William Ruto publicly criticised this Group over its coverage, and our own investigations traced the vehicle to the National Police Service's Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau. No one has ever been held to account for it.

Tonight, that threat has been carried out.
We do not believe this is a coincidence. Mr Kiprotich has been at the forefront of our editorial output, including reporting that has scrutinised the conduct of the State, and tonight's abduction bears all the hallmarks of a targeted attack on a journalist for doing his job.

We believe it may be linked to elements within the State seeking to intimidate this Group into silence. If that is confirmed, this is not simply a crime against one man. It is an assault on the Constitution of Kenya, on the freedoms of expression and of the media guaranteed under Articles 33 and 34, and on the right of every Kenyan to independent information.

We say this plainly and without equivocation: the Standard Group holds the State responsible for Alex Kiprotich's safety and his life, and for anything that happens to him while he remains missing. Protecting the life and liberty of every citizen is the State's first duty, not an afterthought, and Mr Kiprotich's safety now rests entirely in its hands.

We are demanding:
1. The immediate, safe and unconditional release of Alex Kiprotich.

2. A prompt, transparent and independent investigation into his abduction, and into why no one has ever answered for the attempt of June 27, 2026.

3. Real, visible guarantees that journalists in Kenya will be protected, in keeping with commitments the President has already made publicly and has so far failed to honour.

We are calling on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the Law Society of Kenya, the Media Council of Kenya, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and everyone who values a free press in this country, to demand answers alongside us until Mr Kiprotich is found safe.

We will keep the public informed as we learn more, and we will not let this matter quietly fade from view.

CHAACHA MWITA,
GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
THE STANDARD GROUP PLC

[KTN News @KTNNewsKE]

David Maraga: People should know that when you don’t have competitive recruitment, anybody who is admitted by the President is going to be loyal to the President and not to the country.

[Citizen TV Kenya @citizentvkenya]

Maraga: Police Under Capture

Maraga say police are under state capture

Former CJ makes good promise to release report

Maraga says police service is not independent

Maraga calls for change in appointment of the IG

Report proposed reforms like recruitment

Maraga: Without independence, we have no country

#CitizenMondayReport

[KTN News @KTNNewsKE]

David Maraga: The police wanted the public to be involved in the discussions through public participation, and they themselves made that request. I don’t think that has been done. What has been done is simply to implement it because of the financial gain involved.

[The Kenyan Vigilante @KenyanSays]

Former Chief Justice David Maraga has independently released the full and unedited Police Reforms Taskforce report, doing so after President Ruto failed to publish it within a 7-day ultimatum.

Maraga dedicated the document to victims of police abductions and enforced disappearances.

The scathing report declares that the National Police Service remains captive to political interference and demands immediate, sweeping changes.

Key recommendations include restoring competitive recruitment for top police chiefs, repealing retrogressive laws, and removing senior officials who have passed their mandatory retirement age.

Maraga warned that delaying these reforms has already fueled historic levels of police brutality and national instability.

[Citizen TV Kenya @citizentvkenya]

“Kanja and Amin are in office illegally,” Maraga says President Ruto bent the public officers’ retirement law during the appointment of Police IG and the DCI

[David Maraga @dkmaraga]

Fellow Kenyans, here is the link to the Report of the National Taskforce on Improvement of the Terms and Conditions of Service and Other Reforms for Members of the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service and National Youth Service, widely referred to as the Maraga Taskforce report:

https://t.co/6ATPBmSJyf

#Ukombozi2027

[Benard Mokamba Onchwari @MokambaBen]

I am saddened to learn of the passing of Edgar Waititu, popularly known as Stoopid Boy, the Gengetone artist best known for the hit song “G Bag Na Jug”.

Stoopid Boy had a raw, unmistakable talent that found its way into our popular culture. His passing at such a young age is deeply painful. It is also a reminder that people can be carrying struggles that are not always visible, even when their talent shines brightly.

We should be kinder to one another, more generous with our appreciation, and more deliberate about recognising and nurturing talent while people are still here to receive that support.

My deepest condolences to his family, friends, fellow artists and fans. May the Almighty give them comfort during this time of mourning.

[Cyprian, Is Nyakundi @C_NyaKundiH]

Small-scale traders in Nairobi’s Kamukunji, Gikomba and Nyamakima markets have shut their businesses, in protest over a new Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) customs valuation benchmark.

[Trending Stories 🇰🇪 @nairobipulse_]

🚨 Nairobi traders take to the streets over rising import costs.

Traders have gathered in large numbers in Nairobi CBD to protest against the reported increase in import duty from KSh2.5 million to KSh3.2 million.

They argue that the higher charges will significantly increase the cost of importing goods, with consumers ultimately likely to feel the impact through higher prices.

The traders are demanding answers, and relief.

LINDA Party Maandamano PS Ouma Oluga

[Ademba Allans @allans_ademba]

Situation in Nairobi CBD right now. Traders wamesema hawatatulia. Did you know an average of 2 protests happen in Kenya daily?

[The Kenyan Vigilante @KenyanSays]

A section of Nairobi CBD businesses has closed today as traders protest KRA's new customs benchmark. The minimum fee for a 40ft container jumped 28% from KSh 2.5M to KSh 3.2M. Areas like Tom Mboya Street saw light traffic amidst heavy police patrols heading to Times Tower.

[Citizen TV Kenya @citizentvkenya]

Current situation in Gikomba ahead of anticipated traders’ strike over KRA’s 28% customs valuation hike

[Benard Mokamba Onchwari @MokambaBen]

On this day, 16 years ago, Kenya promulgated a Constitution built on the fundamental principle that all sovereign power belongs to the people.

The framers of this Constitution understood the dangers of an imperial presidency. They deliberately distributed power through Parliament, the Judiciary, devolution, independent institutions and ensured that beyond the ballot, we the people continued exercising our power through public participation.

But if public participation was supposed to give the citizen a seat at the table between elections, Kenyans are only invited the citizen after the menu has already been decided.

Our political culture still continues to concentrate power at State House.

We have watched MPs troop to State House seeking “development” when their job is to represent the people and hold the Executive to account. Political parties have weakened. Devolution continues to struggle for resources and authority.

The erosion of our checks and balances has been to pave way for the wanton looting and the lack of accountability that we are seeing.

For instance, we were told that we would have to pay more taxes so that we reduce our dependence on borrowing. Instead, our government is still borrowing more even after raiding our pockets. And now it is borrowing against what it expects to take from your pockets tomorrow through securitization.

We never adopted the 2010 Constitution so that we could watch helplessly as those to whom we delegated power exercise it recklessly while the institutions created to check that power lose their effectiveness.

#KatibaAt16

[Edwin H. Dande @ehdande]

People are talking about the immediate effects of the Homabay chaos and goons, but the hidden ripple effects are even more heart wrenching.

Just heard of a mother who could not access Kendu Hospital from Homabay because of roads closure by the area MCA to block Linda Mwananchi. So she had to deliver in a local dispensary despite a complicated pregnancy, and ended up losing the newborn due to lack of oxygen at the dispensary and inability to access Kendu Hospital.