The Bars, Hotels, and Liquor Traders Association (BAHLITA) has made a passionate appeal to well-wishers and stakeholders to sponsor match tickets for fans unable to afford entry into the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament.
Speaking during a press statement issued on Monday, BAHLITA Secretary-General Boniface Gachoka expressed deep concern after witnessing over 20,000 football lovers stranded outside Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, during a recent Kenya match. Despite the stadium’s capacity of 60,000, only 44,000 were admitted—leaving thousands of passionate fans disappointed and voiceless.
“Many of those left outside were youth from informal settlements, students, persons with disabilities, and other low-income Kenyans who simply couldn’t afford a ticket,” Gachoka lamented.
BAHLITA, which represents 54,000 members across 42 counties, recently launched its Sports, Health, and Wellness Department during its 2024 Annual General Meeting. One of the department’s key goals is to mobilize support for access to sports events, especially for the underprivileged.
Already, BAHLITA members have pooled funds to purchase 1,000 tickets for traders, their families, employees, and some members of the public. But with the overwhelming turnout and unmet demand, the association is now reaching out to corporations, businesses, churches, bloggers, civic-minded individuals, and all Kenyans of goodwill to join the cause.
“Let’s not leave our fans outside the gates while the stadium still has space,” said Gachoka. “We are committed to knocking on every door until every passionate fan can cheer Kenya from the stands.”
BAHLITA also emphasized that sports are not just entertainment but powerful tools for national unity, mental wellness, and youth empowerment—especially when access is equitable.
Upcoming CHAN fixtures at Kasarani include:
Angola vs Kenya – Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 12:00 PM
Kenya vs Morocco – Monday, August 10, 2025, at 3:00 PM
Kenya vs Zambia – Sunday, [date to be confirmed]
Kenyans are encouraged to contribute to the campaign and ensure that the stadium atmosphere reflects the full spirit of the 12th man—the fan.
Kenya Export Promotion & Branding Agency (KEPROBA) has inked a strategic partnership with DHL Group aimed at empowering Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to become export ready. The collaboration focuses on equipping entrepreneurs with knowledge and skills crucial for global competitiveness, particularly in export processes, compliance, and market access strategies.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, KEPROBA Chief Executive Officer Floice Mukabana emphasized the pressing need to bridge gaps that hinder SMEs from fully tapping into global markets. She noted that despite their immense potential, SMEs account for less than 15 percent of Kenya’s exports. “This partnership addresses critical challenges including access to last mile delivery, warehousing, and fulfillment centers abroad, factors that are key in scaling cross border trade,” said Mukabana, adding that empowering SMEs to go global is at the heart of KEPROBA’s mandate.
On his part, DHL Express Kenya Managing Director Paul Makolosi hailed the agreement as a transformative step that will enhance SMEs’ capacity to compete in international trade. “This initiative is about more than training, it is about ensuring SMEs can actively participate in the global marketplace, fostering sustainable growth and prosperity for communities,” he said.
DHL Supply Chain Chief Executive Donavan Brent highlighted the economic importance of SMEs, noting they provide over 60 percent of employment and contribute up to 40 percent of GDP in many African countries. He stressed that SMEs are critical to innovation, job creation, and economic resilience.
Pramod Bagalwadi of DHL Global Forwarding added that the partnership deepens DHL’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship across Africa, stating that by equipping SMEs with the right tools and knowledge, the program will strengthen Africa’s export competitiveness.
This partnership supports Kenya’s agenda to accelerate SME growth as a driver of national development and leverages opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Combining KEPROBA’s expertise with DHL’s global reach, the collaboration will roll out capacity building programs, trade facilitation tools, and sustainable financing options.
The initiative is expected to create tangible pathways for SMEs to scale both within Africa and globally, contributing to economic diversification and long term prosperity.
Kenyan SMEs are set for a global push! KEPROBA and DHL have signed a strategic deal to equip entrepreneurs with essential export skills, unlocking new opportunities in international trade and fostering sustainable economic growth.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has officially unveiled former international football star Dennis Oliech as the Pamoja CHAN 2024 Ambassador for Kenya.
The announcement, made in Nairobi on August 1, 2025, is seen as a key step in mobilizing nationwide support for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN), which Kenya is hosting.
Oliech, widely regarded as one of Kenya’s most iconic footballers, is expected to spearhead fan engagement campaigns, promote continental unity, and inspire a strong home crowd presence throughout the tournament. “Dennis Oliech is an icon of Kenyan football, and his involvement will rally support not just from fans but also from aspiring young players who see him as a role model,” said CS Mvurya.
Oliech expressed gratitude for the appointment, promising to use his influence and experience to unite fans and amplify excitement ahead of the tournament. “I am honored to take up this role. Football has given me so much, and this is my way of giving back by uniting fans and promoting Kenya on the continental stage,” he said.
The CHAN tournament, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is unique because it features players actively competing in their respective domestic leagues. Hosting the championship provides Kenya with a platform to showcase not only its football talent but also its hospitality and organizational capacity to host major continental events.
Oliech, known for his powerful striking abilities and prolific international career, previously captained the national team, Harambee Stars, and remains Kenya’s all-time top goal scorer. His appointment as ambassador reflects both his impact on Kenyan football and his ability to inspire the next generation of players and fans.
The Pamoja campaign will run nationwide to build momentum for the tournament, position Kenya as a welcoming host for visiting teams and fans, and promote messages of unity, sportsmanship, and national pride.
Kenya’s hosting of CHAN 2024 is expected to boost tourism, create economic opportunities, and provide a legacy of improved sporting infrastructure and grassroots football development.
By Churchill Simiyu, Reporter Nairobi, July 31, 2025 — Under the clear Nairobi skies and the weight of global injustice, a new form of resistance is taking root—literally. In a compelling blend of climate action and humanitarian solidarity, a coalition of leading Kenyan Muslim organizations has launched a nationwide tree-planting drive for Palestine. The campaign, led under the banner Voice of Palestine, is as much about hope as it is about justice. Spearheaded by the Jamia Mosque Committee, NAMLEF, SUPKEM, and the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK), this initiative seeks to raise both funds and awareness amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The symbolism is striking: for every tree planted, a statement is made—that life must be preserved, dignity restored, and silence broken.
“This is more than a tree-planting campaign. It’s a moral stand,” said Ahmed Shariff, a spokesperson for the coalition. “It’s a call to protect life, restore dignity, and reclaim justice.” The campaign launch comes at a time when Gaza is enduring what many international observers and human rights groups describe as a genocide. Over 70,000 lives have been lost, the majority being women and children, in more than two years of relentless military assault. With over 2.3 million Palestinians displaced, and humanitarian convoys blocked at key crossings, the suffering is compounded by what organizers call a shameful silence from the global community.
The coalition didn’t stop at symbolism. In a strong statement directed at policymakers, they called on the Kenyan government to: Demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Push for unrestricted humanitarian access, and Reassess diplomatic relations with Israel.
There were powerful reminders that Kenya, too, has known the sting of injustice. Speakers at the event drew chilling comparisons to Kenya’s colonial history and the international failure to intervene during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. The Muslim Kadhi delivered a particularly fiery address, criticizing not only Western powers like the U.S., U.K., and Germany for arming and backing the conflict, but also Kenyan Muslim lawmakers who, he claimed, have chosen silence over principle.
“If you’re scared to speak up, then step aside,” the Muslim Kadhi challenged, addressing the youth and fellow leaders alike. He also took aim at misinformation, warning that many young Kenyans—unknowingly—parrot colonial narratives shared online. Citing the historical example of a Congolese child exhibited in a European zoo, the senator reminded the crowd that the fight against imperialism is far from over. “Palestine will one day be free—just as Kenya gained her independence,” he said, adding with a grin, “I can’t share coffee with anyone who lacks moral clarity.” The event concluded with a rallying call: for grassroots mobilization, for consumer boycotts of Israeli-aligned companies, and for public protest. As I watched dozens of young Kenyans gather around saplings, I was struck by the quiet defiance in the act. These trees are more than environmental tokens—they are living protests. In planting them, Kenyans are choosing to remember Gaza’s pain, to honor its struggle, and to stand up—rooted in both faith and conscience. From Nairobi’s dusty grounds to Palestine’s broken cities, a message is growing tall: justice may be delayed, but it will not be denied.
Kenya on Monday committed to reverse the growing trend of land degradation amid climate change threats.
Mamo Boru Mamo, director general of National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) said in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya that one significant issue facing the nation is land and environmental degradation, which is predicted to cost the economy 390 million U.S. dollars annually, or three percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).
“Land degradation not only reduces productivity but also contributes to socioeconomic problems like food shortages, water scarcity, and frequent animal losses,” Mamo said during the National Stakeholder Forum on Sustainable Rangeland Management Project that was organized jointly with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Selly Kimosop, Environment Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry said that Kenya is keen to mitigate unintentional adverse land degradation since it has an impact on the nation’s agricultural sector, natural resource base, and eco-environmental balances.
He revealed that the country, has already made huge strides in ensuring that the integrity of diverse ecosystems is protected and conserved through ratification of a number of international Conventions, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
In the heart of Kenya’s mounting political unrest, a disturbing pattern is taking shape-one marked by bullets, batons, and blatant intimidation. Political leaders, their supporters, and even ordinary citizens are increasingly becoming targets of state-sponsored violence and harassment, as a chilling climate of fear settles across the nation.
The most recent flashpoint occurred in Murang’a County, where a Sunday rally in Kiharu turned into a scene of terror. Members of Parliament, Senators, and coalition leaders were caught in a coordinated attack-vehicles riddled with bullet holes, evidence of live rounds fired not as warning shots, but as a message of suppression. Among those targeted were Senator Methu and Hon. Jamleck Kamau. Some of the bullets, still lodged in their vehicles, serve as grim evidence of an operation designed not to scare-but to silence.
As Hon. Chair addressed a parliamentary committee on the matter, the urgency was palpable. This was not political theatre; it was a desperate plea for justice. Backed by medical reports, photographs, eyewitness testimonies, and the damaged vehicles themselves, the leaders presented a body of evidence that paints a harrowing picture: opposition politics in Kenya has become a deadly gamble.
And the Murang’a attack is just one chapter in a growing dossier of political persecution. Weeks earlier in Subukia, Nakuru County, police-under the command of OCPD Lilis Washira-launched a brutal assault on opposition supporters. Tear gas rained down. Drivers and bodyguards were beaten. Yet, none of the officers responsible have been brought to justice.
The violence extends beyond the Rift Valley. During a coalition tour of the western counties, including Kakamega and Bungoma, further attacks were reported. In Chwele, former MCA Bernard Aliangana suffered a life-altering injury-losing his eye in a brutal assault. His only crime: being part of the convoy. His case joins a growing list of political casualties in this unseen war. The message is unmistakable. A section of rogue state machinery is being used to silence the opposition, muzzle dissent, and intimidate those bold enough to speak truth to power. Arbitrary arrests, fabricated charges, and state-enabled violence have become tools of political control. Hon. Mukunji, for instance, was arrested under terrorism charges and reportedly beaten while in custody. His experience reflects a broader strategy of suppression, masked under the guise of law enforcement.
This is not merely a security issue-it is a constitutional crisis. The democratic space that Kenyans have long fought for is shrinking, eroded by fear, force, and a weaponized police force. Once hailed as agents of reform, elements of the Kenyan police service now serve as instruments of repression, undermining the very ideals they were created to protect.
What the opposition demands is not vengeance, but accountability. A transparent investigation. Prosecution of those involved. An end to political violence and the restoration of civil liberties. These are not partisan demands-they are democratic imperatives.
The evidence is damning: vehicles pierced by bullets narrowly missed their human targets. The line between life and death has never been thinner.
In this precarious moment, Kenya stands at a historic crossroads. Will it continue to drift toward authoritarianism, where police bullets replace ballots and silence becomes state policy? Or will it return to the path of democracy, where every citizen-regardless of political affiliation-can live, move, and speak freely? The answer lies in action, not rhetoric.
At the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Hon. Jamleck Kamau delivered a powerful and deeply personal statement. He described the attack on his life in Kigumo as an assassination attempt. Two bullets struck his vehicle just inches from where he was seated. “If the car hadn’t been moving,” he said, “I would have been shot in the head.”
Kamau claims to have video evidence identifying officers and bodyguards affiliated with Murang’a political figures. While he has withheld their names publicly, he vowed to submit the footage through formal channels. His statement carried a direct rebuke of the Ruto administration’s silence and inaction. “Why is this happening under President William Ruto’s watch?” Kamau asked, referencing the president’s past pledges to prevent political bloodshed.
Kamau rejected any notion that the attack was provoked and firmly stated that his team had no obligation to notify police of their presence at a church service. “I am not afraid of death,” he concluded. “If they kill me, others will carry on the fight.”
Kenya’s democratic experiment is on the line. Whether it survives depends not just on the bravery of those who resist-but on the will of a nation to demand better. Justice must not only be done, but be seen to be done-for every bullet that missed, for every voice that has been silenced, and for every citizen who refuses to live in fear.
Senior leaders from Kenya’s North Eastern region convened in Nairobi to deliberate on strategies aimed at improving the uptake of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which remains critically low across the region.
The HPV vaccine, recommended for girls aged 9 to 14 as a preventive measure against cervical cancer, has recorded an uptake rate of less than 10 percent in the region.
This low coverage has raised concerns among political, religious, and public health stakeholders, who have attributed the reluctance to prevailing myths, misinformation, and cultural misconceptions surrounding the vaccine.
The consultative meeting, under the auspices of the Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium (Keprecon), sought to engage influential regional leaders as advocates for vaccine acceptance.
According to Keprecon, the involvement of respected community figures is instrumental in addressing misinformation and fostering trust among the local population.
Among the notable attendees were Dr. Ali Maalim Mohamud, Deputy Governor of Mandera County, and Wajir County First Lady Rukia Abdinasir, both of whom underscored the importance of safeguarding girls’ health through timely vaccination.
The session brought together representatives from Mandera, Wajir, and Isiolo counties, with strong participation from both national and county governments, as well as leaders from the religious community.
The attendees of the forum concurred on the need to prioritize community engagement, enhance public education, and build trust to improve the vaccine’s acceptance and coverage across the region.
Simon Ngunjiri Gathoni is a Kenyan individual with a diverse professional, community-oriented and learned person,he has Qualified in counseling, private investigation, and HIV/AIDS & Reproductive Health (from PMTCT/UON).He also holds a Diploma in Sales & Marketing,Certificate in Social & Leadership from Merlina Foundation International. Ngunjiri Gathoni has held various roles, demonstrating a broad skill.Security and Investigation, Chairman/CEO of Capture Private Investigation and Security Services Ltd. This is a significant role, indicating his leadership in the security industry. Their services include investigations related to robbery, murder, corruption, theft, and general private investigations. Investigator Officer and Deputy Director at Njata Security Services and Private Investigation,he has also practiced Information Evidence Officer (volunteering) at the Police Department Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission-KACC – C.I.D Headquarters. In the year 2003 he was an Officer at American Life Insurance Co. ALICO (K) In 2005 he served at Department Collection Officer at Micro Enterprise Co. Ltd (MESCO) Ngunjiri has experience as a foreman and sales manager, Engineering Department at Hilton Hotel-Nairobi, Community and foundation Involvement. Simon Ngunjiri Gathoni is actively involved in community work, particularly in the fight against HIV/AIDS,Leads Capture Foundation International,champion for human dignity and social justice, leading Capture Foundation International with a commitment to ending HIV/AIDS discrimination. The organization’s mission focuses on prevention, care, and reintegration, and aims to create a stigma-free society where everyone has equal opportunities. In 2006,he was a trustee, Legal Adviser, and Board Member at Marina Foundation Int/N.G.O and received a Certificate in Social & Leadership from Merlina Foundation International (N.G.O) in 2005. Political Involvement “Hon. Simon Ngunjiri Gathoni” acted as the Deputy Secretary General of The New Democrats Party in Kenya. Ngunjiri Gathoni is clearly associated with two relevant organizations which are Capture Private Investigation and Security Services Ltd: This is a private security and investigation company where he serves as Chairman/CEO. This directly relates to “security.”
Capture Foundation International: This is a non-profit organization primarily focused on fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic. This directly relates to a “foundation.” Therefore, it appears the phrase .Mr Ngunjiri also capture security n foundation” refers to his leadership roles in both Capture Private Investigation and Security Services Ltd and Capture Foundation International, highlighting his involvement in both security services and philanthropic work.
Simon Ngunjiri Gathoni will vie for gubernatorial seat in Nairobi county in the coming 2027 election.
Member of Parliament for Othaya Constituency Wambugu Wainaina has been involved in several key developments, projects and initiatives in the area. The construction of decades awaited 15,000 capacity stadium and three storey market in Othaya has begun, this has come after President Ruto and Deputy president Kindiki Kithure launched them.This is a great achievement to residence of Othaya and Nyeri county at large because the completion is about three months time. His projects focuses on Education,this being a significant initiative, supported by the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), aimed at expanding access to education and reducing dropout rates. It emphasizes the importance of local action to complement government efforts in providing free primary and secondary education. Improved Learning Facilities initiative also pushes for better learning facilities and teacher training, Community-based programs: Addressing issues like child labor and early marriages that hinder girls’ education. Dormitory Commissioning: A 200-student capacity dormitory was commissioned at Kimana Girls. He is also in front line in building houses to eradicate Mud houses in the area,he has spearheaded a project to replace temporary mud houses with more decent timber houses for where more than 3500 underprivileged families in the constituency are beneficiaries, where community only provide labor. Infrastructure is another key role for him,He has launched projects to upgrade feeder roads within Othaya constituency, including gravelling several roads like Gatugi – Mbari ya Ngai Road, Kiyu – Kiruga Road, Mutundu Road, Kianjamba Road, Thunguri Road, Kwa Munyu Road/Kabebero Road, Rwathe-ini- Giakaru Road,Iriaini-Kairuthi road and Shinga-Mumbuini- Karisha road.Bodaboda riders aren’t left behind because few meters you find Bodaboda shades within those four wards, Social Welfare The MP has distributed relief supplies to needy families in the constituency, On matters of health he has Constructed new public hospitals and renovation of existing facilities, and facilitating equipment for local public hospitals. Security wise, Facilitating the construction of more police stations and police posts. Economic Development: residents have praised his contributions toward improving the socio-economic landscape of Othaya through targeted initiatives focused on economic development. Youth Empowerment: this includes initiatives like digital skills training whereby 150 students graduated from a mobile digital classroom and Ajira hubs.Hon Wambugu Wainaina also served as the Chairman of the Othaya CDF from 2013 to 2017, indicating a prior involvement in constituency development.Hon Wambugu said that he want to be relevant not popular.
Nairobi, Kenya – July 16, 2025 – In a powerful and urgent message to the nation, the Kenya Devolution Civil Society Organizations Working Group (KDCWG) has raised red flags over what it terms a deliberate erosion of Kenya’s hard-won devolution framework. Representing civil society networks across all 47 counties, the KDCWG issued a rallying call to defend the principles of devolution enshrined in the 2010 Constitution, warning that creeping centralization, executive overreach, and political patronage threaten to undo a decade of progress. At the core of the group’s concerns is a disturbing trend of State House-controlled development schemes, which it likens to a return to the old, centralized governance model. “We are witnessing county leaders queuing at State House for development pledges. This is not devolution—it’s regression,” the group declared in a statement that paints a picture of institutional backsliding. The KDCWG strongly condemned the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) and recent presidential initiatives that bypass constitutionally established county governments and the oversight role of Parliament. According to the group, such unilateral executive actions undermine transparency and public accountability. “Executive directives cannot replace constitutional processes,” they warned, emphasizing the need to uphold the rule of law. Perhaps most alarming is the revelation that the National Treasury is allegedly withholding Ksh. 272 billion, earmarked for functions already costed and devolved by law. The Omnibus Bill—crucial for formalizing the full transfer of these functions—remains inexplicably stuck at the Attorney General’s office, further delaying grassroots service delivery and weakening the capacity of counties to serve their people.
The KDCWG laid out a clear and firm set of demands: Immediate and full transfer of all constitutionally devolved functions, along with adequate funding. Total rejection of the NG-CDF Bill currently before the Senate; An end to political patronage and executive-controlled development agendas; Restoration of Parliament’s central role in development planning and budgeting; Elimination of duplicated roles between the national and county governments; and a complete overhaul of the Devolution Conference to make it inclusive and citizen-centered.
The group criticized the Devolution Conference for drifting away from its original mission of grassroots inclusion, calling it “a luxury event for elites” that has sidelined the very citizens it was meant to empower. “What was once Wanjiku’s conference has become inaccessible and symbolic of exclusion,” they said, urging reforms to return the event to the people. The statement, endorsed by the KDCWG Steering Committee—which includes representatives from all eight regional economic blocs—serves as a powerful reminder that devolution is not merely a bureaucratic arrangement, but a lifeline for millions of Kenyans. Their message is unambiguous: devolution must work for Wanjiku, the ordinary Kenyan—not political elites or centralized power structures. As Kenya marks over a decade since the birth of its devolved system, the KDCWG’s call is both a warning and a call to arms. The vision that birthed devolution—a more equitable, accountable, and citizen-driven form of governance—is under threat. And unless swift action is taken, the country risks squandering one of its most transformative reforms.
