The High Court of Uganda has declared Kenyan activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo as “missing persons” following their alleged abduction in Uganda earlier this month.

The two activists were reportedly abducted on October 1 by four armed men believed to be security officers while accompanying National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Bobi Wine on his campaign trail.

In a ruling delivered on October 22, Judge Simon Peter Kinobe stated that the accusations made against the Ugandan government lacked sufficient evidence, noting that the arguments presented before the court did not implicate any of the named state officials.

The respondents in the case included the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS), Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Attorney General of Uganda.

Njagi and Oyoo’s lawyer told the court that the duo had been held incommunicado at a military facility in Mbuya for more than 48 hours without formal charges, terming it a violation of their constitutional rights.

However, the State denied the allegations, arguing that extensive checks across all detention facilities operated by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Directorate of Military Intelligence, and Uganda Police Force (UPF) confirmed that the activists were not in custody.

“The application is frivolous, vexatious, and brought in bad faith, aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the respondents,” the State’s representatives argued.

In his ruling, Justice Kinobe said there was no verifiable proof that the activists were being held by the State.

“The State cannot be compelled to produce persons whose whereabouts are unknown. There is no cogent evidence that the respondents have the applicants,” he said.
“One cannot squeeze blood from a stone. The State can only produce what it has.”

The judge advised the activists’ counsel to file a missing persons report with the Uganda Police Force to initiate formal investigations.

Human rights groups in Kenya have since called for urgent investigations and the immediate release of the two activists.

Raila Odinga Junior was on Thursday officially installed as the new head of the Odinga family in a traditional ceremony held at the family’s ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County.

The vibrant event, filled with Luo cultural rites, music, and dance, came just days after the burial of his father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was laid to rest on Sunday.

According to Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga, Raila’s elder brother, the ceremony marked the symbolic transfer of family leadership to the late ODM leader’s son.

“It is a cultural rite to bless and officially hand over leadership to the new head of the family,” said Dr. Oburu. “The shaving will be done by one of Junior’s grandmothers, after which he will receive and display the traditional instruments of authority.”

Family members, relatives, and community elders attended the ceremony, which featured traditional songs and dances. Raila Jr was presented with a traditional Luo shield and animal-skin cloak, symbolizing his new role as family patriarch.

In accordance with Luo customs, the eldest surviving son takes over family leadership following the father’s death. Raila Odinga Junior assumes this role after the passing of his elder brother, Fidel Castro Odinga, in 2015.

The United Kingdom has issued a travel advisory warning its citizens to be cautious when consuming alcoholic drinks in Kenya, citing the risk of methanol poisoning from counterfeit or contaminated beverages.

According to the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Kenya has been added to a list of eight new countries where such incidents have been reported. Other countries include Nigeria, Uganda, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Russia.

The updated guidance expands existing warnings for destinations such as Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, where British tourists have previously fallen ill after consuming tainted alcohol.

Methanol, a toxic industrial chemical found in products like antifreeze and paint thinners, is sometimes illegally mixed with alcoholic beverages to reduce production costs. Unlike ethanol—the safe alcohol produced through fermentation—methanol is synthetic and highly poisonous. It is tasteless and odourless, making it nearly impossible to detect.

Even small doses of about 30ml can cause blindness or death within 12 to 48 hours, according to Doctors Without Borders. Early symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and confusion, while severe cases can lead to blurred vision, respiratory failure, or death.

UK Minister for Consular and Crisis Affairs, Hamish Falconer, advised travellers to purchase only sealed beverages from licensed outlets and to avoid homemade or pre-mixed cocktails when visiting Kenya and other affected countries.

In response, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) assured the public that all methanol in Kenya is denatured with denatonium benzoate—a chemical that makes it extremely bitter and unfit for human consumption.

“All methanol in the country is denatured by adding the bitterest chemical called denatonium benzoate. This ensures it cannot be mistaken for alcohol,” KEBS said in a statement.

A Euromonitor International study released in May 2024 revealed that illicit alcohol accounts for about 60% of all alcohol sales in Kenya. The report attributed this trend to high taxation on legal drinks, cheap pricing of illegal liquor, and weak enforcement at the county level, all of which continue to fuel the trade in unsafe alcohol.

Surgeons at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) have successfully carried out a groundbreaking Gigantomastia surgery on a 17-year-old girl, removing 20.86 kilograms of excess breast tissue in a delicate 11-hour operation performed on September 22, 2025.

The procedure brought immense relief to Lydia Musivi, who had endured the rare and debilitating condition for over 18 months. The removed tissue accounted for 37% of her total body weight, which had caused her severe pain, skin infections, and emotional distress, leaving her unable to stand or walk without agony.

“This was more than a surgical success — it was the restoration of a young woman’s dignity and future,” said Dr. Benjamin Wabwire, Head of Specialized Surgery and Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, who led the medical team.

Expressing her joy after the operation, Lydia said, “The weight is now over. I feel free, lighter, and ready to return to school.” She now hopes to resume her education and pursue her dream of becoming a teacher.

The landmark surgery involved a multidisciplinary team of local and international experts, including Professor Lew and Dr. Kim from Yonsei University, South Korea, alongside KNH specialists Dr. Claire Odero, Dr. Agnes Wanjiru, and Dr. Joy Mwangi. The anaesthesia team was led by Dr. Eileen Towett and Dr. Hellen Mwari, with Esther Munga and Eun Jin Chae providing critical nursing support.

Lydia’s mother, Naomi Mutendwa, recounted their long and painful journey seeking help.
“I watched my daughter disappear under the weight of this illness. It stole her confidence and her future. We were hopeless until we were referred to KNH from Garissa County Referral Hospital,” she said.
“The KNH team didn’t just treat her — they gave me back my daughter and a second chance at life.”

Acting KNH CEO, Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, hailed the operation as a world-class medical milestone, underscoring KNH’s leadership in advanced healthcare innovation in Africa.
“We are addressing local health challenges with global standards of innovation and compassion, setting new benchmarks for patient-centered care,” he said.

Lydia has since been discharged and is recovering well at her home in Mwingi, Kitui County, with plans to return to school in January 2026.

Residents of Dede in Awendo, Migori County have expressed growing concern over the rising cases of insecurity in the area.

Speaking at Dede trading centre, locals urged security officers to intensify efforts to curb a wave of break-ins targeting business premises.

Led by Fred Onyango, the traders reported several incidents of burglary, the latest occurring just two days ago. Onyango, who is among the victims, said that property worth millions of shillings has been lost to thieves in recent months.

He noted that several shops, including his own, have been broken into, calling on authorities to step up night patrols and provide a patrol vehicle for officers stationed at the Dede police post.

The residents also appealed to the National Police Service to deploy more officers to Dede and other police posts within Awendo to enhance security.

Another resident, Fredrick Mule, urged the county government and Kenya Power to repair non-functional street lights at Dede market, which have remained out of service for the past four months.

A spot check revealed severe staff shortages at local police stations, with Ranen Police Post in Awendo Sub-County reportedly operating with only four officers handling all duties, including escorting suspects to court.

Police in Kisumu East Sub-County have arrested five suspects linked to the vandalism and theft of Kenya Power electricity cables, following multiple complaints from residents.

Acting on a tip-off, officers raided a hideout in Kager Aredo area, Gita, where the suspects were found. The group reportedly attempted to flee on foot but was quickly overpowered by police officers who had surrounded the area.

During the operation, police recovered about 600 meters of stolen electricity cables believed to have been vandalized from local power lines.

The suspects were identified as Stephen Okok Ngeso (30), Kevin Omondi (29), Fredrick Onyango Mboo (30), Joseph Otieno Juma (34), and Ayub Ochieng Odhiambo (20).

They are currently being held at Gita Police Station and are expected to be arraigned in court once investigations are complete.