The trucks, which will be deployed immediately, aim to enhance garbage collection in the Central Business District (CBD), key corridors, and major markets.

“These 24 trucks will play a critical role in ensuring efficient garbage collection. With their deployment, the work begins immediately,” Governor Sakaja said during the launch.

Speaking to the waste management team, Sakaja emphasized the importance of delivering on the promise of a cleaner city. “Our residents demand service delivery, and we cannot afford to fail. Let’s make use of these resources to maintain a clean and healthy environment,” he urged.

Accompanied by Green Nairobi CEC Maureen Njeri and Environment Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria, the Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to making Nairobi one of Africa’s cleanest cities.

“Just two days ago, over 3,500 Green Army members took part in cleaning efforts across the county. Cleanliness is next to godliness. We cannot thrive in a dirty environment, and that’s why we must ensure our markets, streets, and estates are spotless. Let’s do what is necessary,” he said.

To sustain these efforts, Governor Sakaja announced plans to establish Green Nairobi Company Limited, a parastatal dedicated to maintaining the city’s cleanliness. Modeled after Nairobi Water, the company will operate independently to ensure consistent funding and efficient operations.

“This entity will bring efficiency and accountability to waste management. Garbage collectors will remain part of the system but will follow new procedures designed to enhance effectiveness,” he explained.

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The operation, spearheaded by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) in collaboration with the Anti-Narcotic Unit (ANU) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), also uncovered dry green plant material believed to be cannabis.

The drugs, packed in two sacks and a basin, were seized alongside two mobile phones. The tariffs were found stored in a plastic water container.

Further intelligence from the operation led the team to a house within the Pandipieri area, suspected to be a hub for drug trafficking activities.

A search of the premises resulted in the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of additional contraband, including 40 tariffs and 230 sticks of suspected cannabis, 1.5 liters of chang’aa, uncustomed cigarettes, dry plant material, and an improvised black smoking device.

Speaking about the operation, NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Omerikwa praised the teamwork between the involved agencies.

“This successful operation highlights the strength of our multi-agency approach in combating the proliferation of illicit drugs and alcohol. We are determined to safeguard communities from the adverse effects of substance abuse,” Dr. Omerikwa said.

The CEO reaffirmed NACADA’s zero-tolerance stance on alcohol and drugs, emphasizing the devastating impact of substance abuse. “We cannot allow our neighborhoods to be overrun by the devastating consequences of drug abuse. These substances destroy lives, families, and the very fabric of our society,” he added.

The confiscated items will undergo forensic analysis as investigations continue, and the suspects are expected to face legal action. Dr. Omerikwa also called on the public to be proactive in the fight against substance abuse by reporting suspicious activities to authorities.

“We urge community members to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to authorities. Together, we can create a safer, healthier environment for all,” he said.

NACADA reiterated its commitment to the strict enforcement of laws against illicit drugs and alcohol. Dr. Omerikwa concluded, “This operation is a testament to our resolve to address this issue head-on. We will not relent in our efforts to protect our people and uphold the law.”

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Speaking separately, the clerics said the abuse of the platforms, especially by the youth, was reason fueling the growing number of abductions in the country.

The latest disappearances have been primarily young men who have criticized President William Ruto online.

Some of the victims have been released traumatized.

Police have denied involvement, but activists have questioned why they appear not to be investigating the disappearances.

“Social media is open to all of us, let there be honest efforts to exploit the space with meaningful communication not defaming the country’s leadership,” said Pastor Denis Sosi of Glorious Life International church.

Social media, he added, is an important means of disseminating information today and provides large space which should be exploited for the good of society.

“They (youth) can use it to market things online and innovations but not abusing leaders disparaging them with caricature in a way that erodes the significance of such spaces,” added the cleric.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) says there had been 82 abductions carried out “clandestinely, with unidentified armed persons” since June, with 29 still missing.

Refecting on 2024, Sosi said the was truly a tumultuous both economically and politically for most Kenyans but expressed optimism that things would brighten as they walk the path of 2025.

“Around Kisii, especially funeral, there were constant skirmishes engineered by politicians. Such are among the things that we should abandon as a people and forge forward on the path of development,” stated Sosi.

He also called for surveillance against prevalent drug use amon the youth.

He especially asked the chiefs to scale up vigilance in the villages where drug abuse was steadily growing.

“In fact before we begin blaming the youth, let our security agencies go for those who trade in these drugs,” he said.

Speaking separately, Pentacostal Evangelistic Fellow of Africa (P.E.F.A.) cleric Rev Andrew Ogola asked the government to streamline higher education in the country.

He said issues that have been raised are critical and should not be triviliazed by those in authority.

Ogola also urged leaders to invest more time in action, undertake development and stop early campaigns for the sake of the country.

“When people already campaigning when they are already in office it smells of incompetence. It is time to work not make noise around,” Ogola said.

He was speaking at an event at the Pefa church in Kisii town where widows were gifted with merchandise and food by Purity International.

The Charity leader Rebecca Moseti asked the government to empower widows so as to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country.

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It further fingers suspicious payments to unauthorized staff among them a senior officer employed irregularly.

In most incidents, Governor Simba Arati was at pains explaining the expenditure of funds allocated to him in 2023-2024 fiscal year.

He breached the law by also supplying to auditors doctored records on spending.

For instance a staggering Sh14 million could not be accounted for after the administration reported using Sh96 million on domestic travel and tea.

The Auditor however reported variation in the data captured in the Integrated Financial Management Information System (Ifmis) with the officers saying they had expended Sh82.7 million.

As a result Sh14 million could not be accounted for.

The report narrates how the County officers sold a lie of receiving at a total of Sh96 million in reimbursements when in fact they were paid before setting out for field assignment.

The officers had reported that they were paid as reimbursements for using own cash in carrying out official assignments.

An analysis of the Ifmis system, indicated that money was actually paid out to them before going out for work related activities pointing to suspicion of graft.

The report has also raised concerns on the county attorney, who continues to earn a salary despite his appointment getting quashed in court early this year.

According to the Auditor General, a private citizen moved to the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kisumu to challenge the appointment of the county attorney, which was done on December 1, 2022.

On January 24, 2024, the officer’s appointment was quashed by the court.

But an analysis of the financial statements as per September 2024, found out that the officer was still drawing salary from his account.

It was established that between January 2024 and August 2024, the officer had taken home a hefty pay of Sh3,384,632.

Another anomaly was discovered in the Department of Trade Development and Regulations where an excess of Sh698,000 was paid to a contractor for the printing and the supply of assorted materials.

The contractor had been given a contract sum of Sh2,298,500 but he ended up receiving Sh2,997,000 with no explanation being given for the excess payment.

Audit queries have also been raised on the running of the banana processing plant at Kisii Agricultural and Training Centre (KATC).

The auditors noted that there was great secrecy in the manner in which the investor who is currently running the plant was brought on board even if the leasing of the factory was advertised through an open international tender.

The plant’s construction was co-funded by the County Government of Kisii and the European Union with an ambitious vision of helping banana farmers reap maximum benefits from the cultivation of the crop that is grown in plenty in the region through value addition.

Upon its completion, the plant according to the auditor general was handed over to an irregularly appointed investor who was supposed to pay a rental income of Sh150,000 per month.

However, it was established that the amount had been un-procedurally slashed to Sh90,000 after the grace period of six months given to the investor elapsed.

Interestingly, after that reduction, auditors established that the investor who was given the responsibility of running the factory had not paid any rent to date and the 30-year lease given to the investor also remains a mystery on how it was arrived at.

The Department of Education has also been put on the spotlight in terms of how it distributed bursaries to needy students.

An analysis of the records from the sampled beneficiaries list revealed that 54 students were evaluated and given bursaries of Sh289,000.

However, these beneficiaries did not have school admission numbers.

There was also a double allocation of bursaries amounting to Sh225,100 to 37 students who had identical student and parent details but were listed as coming from different wards.

In addition, the auditors also noted that there was another double allocation of bursaries of Sh344,000 to 46 students who had identical student and parents’ details but were listed as coming from different schools.

It was also established that some 18 students were awarded double bursaries amounting to Sh416,000.

Each bursary ranged between Sh10,000 to Sh20,000 but no justifiable reasons were given for the double allocations.

The department is also said to have allocated Sh20,000,000 to 1,854 students whom were classified as special needy cases but no evidence was provide that this money was actually given out.

Auditors also raised concerns whether the value of money was achieved in several projects that are currently being undertaken by the devolved unit.

Top of the projects whose implementation has been flagged as irregular, is the ongoing construction of the new county headquarters that is taking place next to Kisii school.

The project, which is being done by a private company will gobble Sh500,000,000.

But auditors have queried why the contractor was paid an advance payment of Sh99,999,113 yet he had been deemed to be financially sound and there were no any exceptional circumstances that guaranteed this payment.

This was done in total disregard of section 146 of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2025, which provides that contracts for works, goods or services may only be paid for after they are executed and approved by the accounting officer.

The Auditor General asked why the county government had to use another Sh24,921, 817 to renovate the old municipal building which hosts the current county executive offices yet it had other ambitions of building new county headquarters, a few metres from Kisii town.

A similar scenario has been raised in the ongoing construction of the county industrial and aggregation park in Bomachoge Borabu Constituency.

This park, whose construction fee is being co-shared with the national government was allocated Sh477,941,470 by the devolved unit.

The company, which was given the tender is said to have been given an advance payment of Sh95,588, 294 yet it had been deemed as financially stable.

“No evidence of exceptional circumstances that warranted the advance payment of the company deemed financially sound was provided,” the draft report said.

The Auditor General now wants the county government of Kisii to respond to these findings before it makes its final comment on the matter.

In a letter addressed to the county’s finance executive Kennedy Abincha, dated December 9, 2024, the Auditor General asked the county executive to submit its written responses within three days from the issue date, failure to which, the findings in the draft report would be taken as they were for further processing.

“Kindly submit your written responses to this draft Audit Report within three days from the date of this letter for further examination. If no comments are received by 11 December 2024, it will be assumed that you agree with the facts as stated and the report will be processed as it is for issue,” part of the letter signed by Dr Simon Nabosu on behalf of Auditor General Nancy Gathungu said.

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The project was launched in August 2024 at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital.

“You will get a final warning. If you don’t pull up your socks, I’m sorry, we will have to terminate this contract and bring in another contractor to ensure this cancer centre becomes operational,” President Ruto said.

He criticized the contractor for poor performance, emphasizing that his administration would not tolerate delays, particularly when all financial obligations had been met.

“I will not allow this kind of thing to continue. You have been paid all the money required. There are no pending certificates, and there is no reason for this project not to be complete,” he added.

The Kisii Cancer Centre is a Sh2.9 billion ($22.8 million) initiative funded by the Kenyan government (Sh380 million), the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (Sh1.3 billion), and the Saudi Fund for Development (Sh1.3 billion).

President Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto hosted Kisii leaders and residents at the Kisii State Lodge for a New Year’s Eve dinner.

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The prayers focused on rising abductions and other national challenges.

The group, mostly from the region, convened at Samson Corner along Mwea Embu road in Kirinyaga county and started the journey at around 7am, with the annual prayers to seek divine intervention for the country.

The group conducted their prayers by driving anti-clockwise around Mt Kenya, stopping at seven designated points for prayer.

Travelling in vehicles adorned with sky-blue ribbons, the faithful made several stops around the mountain, offering prayers for the nation.

They said this year has brought many shocking events to the country among them abductions, which they condemned.

They highlighted the importance of collective and personal prayer, thanking God for the year and seeking blessings for the future.

As the group concluded their pilgrimage, calling for unity among Kenyans and a return to values rooted in cultural and spiritual traditions to navigate the country’s challenges, they condemned rising cases of abduction among the youth across the country calling for an end to cases of human rights violation.

This has been a norm for some in the region.

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Speaking at Lady Northey Grounds in Dagoretti North Sub-County during the event, Governor Sakaja emphasized the importance of community sharing during the festive season.

“I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and let’s share with others during this special time,” he said.

The trucks were stocked with essential food items, including maize flour, wheat flour, cooking oil, and rice.

Distribution efforts were organized to ensure fairness, allowing struggling families to receive their share of the Christmas gift pack.

Governor Sakaja acknowledged that Christmas can be challenging for families facing financial hardships, reaffirming his commitment to supporting vulnerable communities.

This initiative aligns with his manifesto and aims to foster a sense of togetherness during the festive season.

According to an Infortrak Christmas Poll, due to financial difficulties, 60% of Kenyans will forgo traditional Christmas celebrations this year.

Rising living costs have weighed on the festive season, traditionally a time for family gatherings, religious activities, and communal celebrations.

The poll reveals that financial constraints are the main obstacle, with 86% of those surveyed citing lack of money as the primary reason for scaled-back festivities.

This financial insecurity affects all demographics, highlighting widespread economic hardship.

Nairobi and North Eastern regions are the hardest hit, with 100% and 91% respectively reporting financial difficulties, compared to 83% in the Rift Valley.

The findings underscore persistent economic disparities across the country, with urban and marginalized areas bearing the brunt.

For the 40% of Kenyans who still plan to celebrate, spending time with family emerges as the most common activity, cited by 63%.

However, only 28% intend to attend church or participate in religious gatherings, reflecting how economic pressures reshape spiritual practices.

Young adults aged 18-26 are the most affected, with 89% citing financial reasons for not celebrating.

Among those who can afford to celebrate, staying indoors (15%) has become a notable trend, signaling a shift toward more modest festivities.

Only 11% of respondents plan to go on holiday, and just 5% indicated they would host parties or engage in drinking.

Despite these constraints, the report highlights a resilient focus on family and community, with many finding simple ways to mark the holiday season.

“Economic struggles may be reshaping Kenya’s festive traditions, but the spirit of togetherness remains strong,” the report reads.

President William Ruto and other leaders also distributed Christmas goodies to their constituents.

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In the appointment notice, Governor Nassir reiterated his administration’s commitment to nurturing Mombasa’s creative economy.

“The County Government of Mombasa, under the Mwanzo Mpya manifesto, is dedicated to fostering innovation, talent, research, production, distribution, and the protection of intellectual property, including in audiovisual arts, performing arts, visual arts, design, and literary works,” the governor stated.

The nine-member task force will offer advice and recommendations to enhance the county’s creative economy. Members include Caroline Ngorobi as Vice-Chair, Awadh Salim, Hellen Mwanzia, Kessi Juma, Michel Jerry, Daudi Anguka, and Margaret Matunda, with Esther Ingolo serving as secretary.

Their tenure began on December 20 and is set to last six months.

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In a memo dated December 19, 2024, addressed to registrars, station heads, deputy registrars, and directors of units, Mokaya expressed concern over widespread laxity in service delivery and breaches of integrity, which she said have led to numerous complaints, including inappropriate court rulings.

“This memo serves as a reminder that you hold primary and personal responsibility for the management of human capital and processes under your supervision,” the memo stated.

Advocates, including Nelson Havi, recently raised concerns about corruption and forgeries in courts, particularly regarding rulings on title deeds.

Measures Announced

Mokaya directed all judicial officers and staff to wear identification badges while on duty to improve transparency. Court users and visitors will also be issued badges to enhance accountability.

She stressed the importance of adhering to turnaround timelines outlined in Service Delivery Charters, particularly for issuing court proceedings, decrees, orders, and processing refund deposits.

“A number of concerns that can be addressed at the station level are unnecessarily escalated to headquarters due to lack of or delayed response. It is prudent that concerns raised at the station level are addressed formally within the set timeline,” Mokaya said.

Heads of stations and deputy registrars are now required to submit quarterly reports on issues raised in Bar-Bench meetings and detail actions taken to address them. They are also expected to maintain leave rosters for judicial officers and staff to ensure proper workforce management.

Mokaya emphasized that all training activities must be planned and processed through the Judicial Academy. Additionally, every court station must have a staffed and functional customer care desk equipped with a feedback collection mechanism to manage visitors effectively.

Regular Leadership and Team Management (LTM) meetings must be held at all court stations, with integrity as a standing agenda item. Mokaya instructed that complaints related to integrity be addressed at the LTM level first, with appropriate actions taken promptly.

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The Juhudi Africa communications executive, Benard Nyamwaro, was however, rescued by police officers after raising alarm through a proxy.

Speaking to journalists, Nyamwaro claimed the goons had descended on him while visiting the office of a senior Kisii County executive Friday afternoon.

He was accompanied by Cephas Tungai, also an activist.

“We were visiting him with a friend when a group of goons sauntered into the office and viciously attacked me,” he told journalists outside Kisii Central Police Station where he went to file a complaint.

He said he sustained injuries to the abdomen from the kicks the thugs rained on him.

Tungai witnessed the drama.

It was not immediately established what the vocal activist had gone to do at the County office when he was manhandled.

Nyamwaro is, however, known for being vocal in criticizing the County administration.

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