Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has leveled serious allegations against the Nairobi Funeral Home, previously known as City Mortuary, and the Nairobi County Government, claiming they are involved in concealing the remains of Kenyans who were allegedly abducted and murdered by police.
This accusation comes in light of the recent discovery of the bodies of Justus Mutumwa and Martin Mwau, two of three men who were reportedly taken by suspected government agents in Mlolongo on December 16, 2024, and found at the morgue on January 30.
Despite the families’ earlier attempts to locate their loved ones at the facility, they were informed that the two bodies had been there since December 18, just two days after the men went missing. This revelation contradicts the families’ previous searches, raising alarming questions about the morgue’s role in these disappearances.
In a post on X on Friday, Sifuna highlighted the inconsistencies in the morgue’s statements, suggesting a troubling collaboration between the mortuary staff and the alleged kidnappers.
“Nairobi City Mortuary, its management, and the County Government are complicit in the abduction and killing of Kenyans. How is it that the bodies of the men from Mlolongo have been there since December 18, yet families couldn’t find them during their visits?” the senator questioned.
“It is evident that the management is colluding with the abductors and must be held accountable.”
Mwau and Mutumwa, along with Karani Muema, disappeared in late December. For over a month, their families have been frantically seeking information about their loved ones, facing repeated denials from police regarding their whereabouts. Muema remains missing.
Since the anti-government protests in June, there has been a surge in abductions targeting critics of the government. Individuals of all ages have been taken, with many found dead and others still unaccounted for, despite police consistently denying any involvement.
Three suspects on a motorbike reportedly ambushed a woman walking down the street, striking her with a metal rod before stealing her bag and phone.
Witnesses to the attack quickly alerted others nearby, leading to a swift response from the crowd.
Two of the suspects were soon captured by the mob, facing a brutal fate as they were beaten to death on the spot. The third managed to flee the scene on the motorbike.
The injured woman was promptly taken to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), where she is now recovering.
Authorities have initiated a search for the remaining suspect.
In 2024, insider-led cyber security attacks emerged as the most significant threat, resulting in organizations losing billions, as highlighted in the inaugural Digital Identity Fraud in Africa Report.
The rise of insider-assisted account takeover fraud (ATO) has become increasingly alarming, alongside traditional methods such as phishing and credential stuffing.
The report indicates that this trend was especially notable in West Africa, with East Africa also witnessing high-profile incidents in commercial banks and fintech companies.
“In the second quarter of 2024, several Nigerian banks dismissed multiple employees involved in fraudulent activities, leading to substantial financial losses for the sector. Similar incidents were reported in Kenya and Uganda,” stated Mark Straub, CEO of Smile ID.
He emphasized that the danger of insider-assisted ATOs lies in their capacity to circumvent standard security measures like multifactor authentication.
Fraudsters exploit either compromised access or willingly shared credentials, making these breaches particularly challenging to identify and thwart. The resulting financial and reputational harm to institutions can be profound.
“The key to effective fraud prevention is adaptability. While AI equips fraudsters with advanced tools, it also empowers security professionals to leverage global intelligence to combat zero-day attacks and automate previously manual processes,” Straub noted.
“Fintech platforms with inadequate know-your-customer protocols are particularly at risk, as these criminals utilize identity farming to establish fraudulent accounts that obscure the origins of illicit funds. Addressing these vulnerabilities necessitates collaboration among industries, governments, and technology providers to foster a safer digital environment.”
The findings from Smile ID, a leader in identity verification solutions, reveal that in addition to internal cyber theft, East Africa experienced the highest rejection rates for biometric and document verification due to outdated, inconsistent, and low-quality identity documents, complicating the verification process.
East Africa has seen the highest rejection rate for combined biometric and document verification attempts, hitting 27 percent in 2024. This issue largely stems from the use of outdated, inconsistent, and low-quality identity documents, which complicate the verification process, according to the report.
Utilizing anonymized data from over 110 million identity verification checks performed by Smile ID across Central, East, West, and Southern Africa in 2024, the report revealed advanced fraud tactics that exploit weaknesses in fintech platforms and digital ecosystems. These tactics have been exacerbated by emerging technologies like generative AI, deepfakes, and insider-assisted schemes.
Document fraud continues to be a major form of identity fraud in Africa, adapting alongside technological advancements and the growing dependence on digital verification methods.
As the first comprehensive study on identity fraud trends across Africa, this report sheds light on the persistent challenges and potential opportunities within the continent.
The shift towards biometric verification over traditional methods has notably enhanced fraud prevention, reducing the overall fraud rate during customer checks to 25 percent in 2024, a decrease of four percentage points.
However, this progress has led fraudsters to devise more sophisticated methods targeting biometric systems, resulting in significant financial losses across major African markets.
“Despite enhancements in KYC processes, overall fraud losses have surged in key African markets, including Kenya, where one of the largest lenders suffered a loss of Sh1.5 billion to fraud,” the findings indicate.
African digital platforms are increasingly vulnerable to cybersecurity threats, with authentication fraud rates now four times higher than those observed during the registration process.
This trend underscores the escalating risk of account takeovers as cybercriminals focus on user authentication systems.
Recent fraud statistics reveal that illegal activities on digital platforms are most prevalent from 10 PM to 6 AM East Africa Time (EAT), peaking at 2 AM EAT.
The cover of night seems to offer cybercriminals an advantageous opportunity to take advantage of security vulnerabilities.
Mobile Software Development Kits (SDKs) have emerged as the leading method for identifying fraudulent activities, responsible for 68 percent of all detected fraud cases.
Other fraud detection solutions made up the remaining 32 percent, highlighting the critical role of mobile security measures in the fight against digital threats.
The family of former Busia Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi has announced that he passed away due to cardiac arrest.
Mulomi, who held the position of second deputy governor of Busia, died unexpectedly on Wednesday while traveling in Nakuru.
According to his family, an autopsy performed on Friday morning confirmed that he died from cardiac arrest.
“Yesterday, we went through the necessary procedures with the DCI and police. His body was preserved at Umash Funeral Home in Nakuru, and today we conducted a postmortem, which confirmed that Mulomi suffered cardiac arrest,” a brother of the deceased shared with the media in Nakuru.
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating, halting blood flow throughout the body.
This interruption can lead to loss of consciousness, disability, or even death if not addressed immediately.
The family indicated that Mulomi’s body will be transported to Lifecare Hospital in Bungoma for preservation as they make burial arrangements.
“We are relieved that Mulomi is now on his way back from Nakuru, accompanied by many family members,” his brother remarked, highlighting Mulomi’s significant role in the family as more of a parent than just an elder sibling.
“Our parents passed away 25 years ago, and he took on the role of a foster parent, caring for our extended family with immense dedication and sacrifice.”
In a message of condolence released on Thursday, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma extended his wishes for God’s grace to Mulomi’s family as they cope with his unexpected loss.
“As a county, we share in their sorrow and will consult with the family to determine the arrangements for giving our brother a dignified farewell,” he stated.
Kakamega Governor Ferdinand Barasa also expressed his condolences, recognizing Mulomi as a distinguished professional who dedicated many years of service to the nation.
Prominent historian Professor Bethwell Allan Ogot, known for his expertise in African history research methods and theory, has passed away.
The esteemed academic died while undergoing treatment in Kisumu County on January 30, 2025.
Siaya Governor James Orengo is among the many leaders who have expressed their condolences to the Ogot family.
Orengo praised Professor Ogot as “one of the greatest scholars of our time.”
“He has left behind a remarkable legacy of influential works and historical analyses. A true intellectual and thinker of exceptional caliber. He now ‘belongs to the ages.’ May he rest in eternal peace,” Orengo stated.
Kenya Power has announced a net profit of Sh9.9 billion for the six months ending December 2024, marking a significant rebound in profitability since last year. This is a stark contrast to the Sh319 million profit after tax recorded during the same period last year.
The surge in profits this year is largely due to a decrease in the cost of sales and lower finance expenses, thanks to the stability of the Kenya Shilling against major foreign currencies. Additionally, electricity sales saw a five percent increase, rising from 5,225 GWh to 5,506 GWh.
However, despite this growth in sales volume, total electricity revenue fell by 5.4 percent, dropping from Sh113.5 billion in December 2023 to Sh107.4 billion in December 2024. This decline is linked to reduced passthrough costs, as the Kenya Shilling’s stability led to a lower average yield in line with the approved tariff reduction path.
The cost of power purchases decreased by Sh1.65 billion, bringing it down to Sh71.4 billion during the review period, benefiting from the strengthening of the Kenya Shilling against the currencies in which most Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are denominated.
In terms of renewable energy, the company purchased 6,603 GWh, up from 6,199 GWh in the previous half-year.
Operating expenses increased by Sh4 billion, rising from Sh19.7 billion to Sh23.7 billion, driven by higher operational costs, including staff salaries, depreciation, and maintenance expenses necessary for supporting the expanded network.
During this period, the company also began repaying government on-lent loans that had been under a repayment moratorium since March 2020.
The working capital situation showed improvement, with a 30 percent increase from negative Sh27.4 billion in June 2024 to negative Sh18.9 billion in December 2024, as management focused on optimizing financial resources to achieve sustainability.
The board has declared an interim dividend of Sh0.20 for each share.
The Company is progressing with the transformer metering initiative aimed at enhancing energy balance and boosting system efficiency.
Kenya Power is also eager to take advantage of the expected removal of the moratorium on new power generation contracts to boost electricity sales in response to rising peak demand.
A bodyguard for Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu was discovered dead in what appears to be a suicide at a rental property in Nanyuki Town.
Constable Chrispine Ochieng, who had been serving the governor since September 2022, reportedly shot himself in the mouth on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 29, with the bullet exiting through the back of his head.
According to police reports, he used his personal Ceska pistol during the incident at his apartment. His body was found slumped in a chair on the rooftop, with blood visible from his mouth and nose.
Authorities recovered a Ceska pistol containing 12 rounds, along with three spent cartridges and a ricochet bullet head from the floor. Laikipia East police chief John Tarus confirmed the incident occurred around 3 PM.
The reasons behind this tragic event remain unclear. Ochieng lived alone in the estate but had a wife and a three-month-old child back in his rural home in Nyanza.
He had taken a boda boda ride from Nanyuki town to his residence, approximately three kilometers away, instructing the rider to wait for him to return to town together. The rider reported hearing a gunshot, which led him to notify the local police.
Law enforcement officials arrived at the scene and transported the body to the mortuary for an autopsy and further investigation.
This incident adds to a troubling trend within the police force, where an average of three suicide cases involving officers is reported each month. Over the years, an increase in deaths among police personnel has been attributed to trauma, including gun-related fatalities.
Authorities emphasize that police officers globally are more likely to die by suicide than the general population, urging those dealing with trauma and mental health issues to seek assistance or share their struggles to prevent such tragedies.
Two individuals lost their lives instantly when the personal vehicle they were in veered off and fell into the Thwake River on the Machakos-Kitui Road.
Stephen Mutua Ndambuki, the Assistant Chief of the Kithangaini Sub-location, reported that the car was carrying five passengers, resulting in two fatalities at the scene and three survivors.
Among the survivors, two have been swiftly transported to Machakos Level 5 Hospital, while one managed to flee during the rescue efforts.
A catastrophic fire erupted last night at Dr. Aggrey High School in Wundanyi, Taita Taveta County, resulting in the destruction of a dormitory and leaving numerous students without their belongings.
According to police reports, the fire is believed to have been ignited by electrical issues exacerbated by the heavy rains affecting the area.
The flames broke out shortly after the students had completed their evening meals and were on their way to night classes. Firefighters responded quickly and were able to control the fire, stopping it from spreading to other structures.
Thankfully, there were no reported injuries. School officials have reassured students to stay calm as they work to assist those impacted.
Parents and community leaders have been informed, and steps are being taken to ensure that educational activities can continue smoothly.
A tragic accident occurred on Thursday evening when a light aircraft crashed at Kedong Ranch in Naivasha, Nakuru County, claiming the lives of a foreign couple.
Marcus Dunn and Anne Dunn were returning to their farm in Loldia, Naivasha, when the unfortunate event took place.
Rescue teams and police worked tirelessly for over six hours to reach the wreckage, ultimately recovering the couple’s bodies along with their personal belongings, which included a firearm.
Naivasha’s Deputy OCPD, Charles Mwai, confirmed the incident, indicating that the foggy conditions in the area likely played a role in the crash. He also mentioned that the plane and its occupants became trapped in a valley upon impact, complicating the rescue efforts.
The bodies were later transported to a private mortuary.
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