A joint operation by detectives from the Anti-narcotics Unit and their counterparts from the Operations Directorate resulted in two arrests and the confiscation of illegal drugs in the Kimbo region of Kiambu County.

During their activities in the Backstreet area, the detectives initiated a raid on a residence, where they discovered dried green plant material, numerous cannabis rolls, weed cookies stored in transparent buckets, a digital scale, and an electric oven used for baking.

The occupant of the house, however, managed to evade capture.

At a second site, which also operated as a shop, detectives detained two suspects and seized several packaged rolls of cannabis sativa, along with items believed to be linked to the illegal drug trade.

Law enforcement has intensified operations targeting this business, resulting in the seizure of dozens of bales worth millions of shillings.

Authorities have noted that the rising use of shashamane poses a significant challenge in the battle against substance abuse.

This drug is typically boiled in a pot and smoked like shisha or rolled into joints. Some users even combine it with mustard seed oil and cannabis before rolling it up. The smoke can affect individuals up to four meters away.

A suspect was apprehended along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, leading to the recovery of 80 bales of bhang. This operation took place on Monday, orchestrated by detectives from the Anti-narcotics Unit in collaboration with officers from Lari police station.

The vigilant officers managed to stop a vehicle driven by the suspect, and a subsequent search uncovered a stash of drugs cleverly hidden in a secret compartment.

Both the suspect and the vehicle were taken to the DCI headquarters, where a detailed examination revealed 80 bales of dry green plant material believed to be narcotics, concealed within a false compartment of the vehicle.

These narcotics are often mixed with various chemicals to enhance their potency before being sealed at the border and transported to markets, particularly in Nairobi and Mombasa.

Authorities have ramped up their efforts to combat this issue, even as traffickers continuously adapt their routes.

The National Transport and Safety Authority has put forward two groundbreaking safety initiatives that are set to transform the landscape of commercial vehicle operations in Kenya.

The Draft National Transport and Safety Authority (Operation of Commercial Service Vehicles) Regulations, 2025, introduces a crucial requirement for commercial service vehicles to be equipped with underride protection devices (UPDs).

This implementation of UPDs marks a significant advancement for commercial vehicles in Kenya.

These devices are designed to enhance the safety of interactions between passenger vehicles and larger trucks or trailers during various types of collisions, including head-on, rear-end, or side impacts. They effectively reduce the likelihood of smaller vehicles sliding beneath larger ones in the event of an accident.

According to the proposal, “The Draft Regulations stipulate that every commercial service vehicle must be fitted with underride protection devices on both the rear and sides, where applicable, in accordance with the relevant Kenyan Standards set by the Kenya Bureau of Standards.”

In addition, the NTSA has recommended the compulsory installation of a vehicular telematics system, which will enable fleet managers to optimize the performance of their commercial vehicles.

The proposal states, “As part of the responsibilities of Commercial Service Vehicle Operators, the Draft National Transport and Safety Authority (Operation of Commercial Service Vehicles) Regulations, 2025, mandates that each commercial vehicle must be equipped with a vehicular telematics system that complies with the applicable Kenyan Standards as outlined by the Kenya Bureau of Standards.”

Telematics systems are essential for collecting vital data such as vehicle location, driver behavior, engine diagnostics, and overall vehicle performance. They utilize Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, sensors, and engine data to gather this information effectively.

Data collected from vehicles is temporarily stored in telematics devices installed in each unit. This information is then securely transmitted via private cellular networks to dedicated servers.

This centralized data hub empowers fleet management software to deliver clear visualizations, enabling fleet managers to enhance the efficiency of their commercial vehicle operations.

Telematics devices are already in use by taxi-hailing services, where they connect seamlessly to in-cab driver interfaces.

These devices facilitate various functions for cab drivers and passengers, including receiving trip requests, documenting proof of delivery, conducting pre-trip inspections, and providing real-time feedback on driving performance and experiences.

Additionally, the NTSA has proposed that commercial vehicles must feature retro-reflective contour markings with a minimum width of two inches, adhering to the Kenyan Standard as outlined by the Kenya Bureau of Standards, as detailed in the Second Schedule.

Furthermore, commercial vehicles are required to carry a fully functional fire extinguisher, positioned for immediate accessibility at all times.

In the event of a breakdown, drivers of commercial vehicles must place two red reflecting triangles on the road, at least fifty meters from the vehicle. One triangle should be positioned in front and the other behind the vehicle, ensuring visibility for approaching drivers from both directions, as recommended by the NTSA.

Detectives in Kirinyaga have successfully located a 14-month-old baby who had been reported missing last week in the Kingombe area, following allegations that a relative had taken her.

The dedicated team of investigators, in collaboration with local police, apprehended the primary suspect involved in the case.

According to the detectives, the suspect was tracked down in the Kimbi region and subsequently brought to the Kutus Police Station, where family members chose to forgive and move forward together.

The baby had been missing for five days after her mother, Mary Njoki, left her in the care of a nephew while she went to a barber shop in Kiangothe town. Upon returning, Njoki discovered that both her child and nephew were gone.

In a state of distress, the family promptly reported the incident to the Kutus Police Station on the same day.

Fortunately, investigators confirmed that the child was found unharmed at the suspect’s hideout and was later joyfully reunited with her parents, who had been kept informed throughout the rescue operation.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticized the government’s affordable housing initiative, labeling it a deceptive scheme disguised as a job creation effort for Kenyan youth.

The project, introduced by President William Ruto’s administration—where Gachagua served for two years before his impeachment last October—was promoted as a solution to the housing crisis faced by low-income Kenyans while also promising job opportunities for thousands of young people.

Since 2023, employed Kenyans have been contributing 1.5 percent of their salaries to this initiative, with employers matching that amount.

“We initially took the President at his word, believing the project was genuinely about job creation, filled with a lot of rhetoric,” Gachagua remarked on Monday during the launch of the DAP Party’s new headquarters in Nairobi. Previously, he had praised the initiative as “highly beneficial” for skilled workers and artisans.

“However, I soon realized that it’s not about that at all; it’s a business venture. To build these houses, you must sign a subcontract with the Housing Principal Secretary to purchase materials like cement, metal, and roofing sheets from specific companies.”

Gachagua alleged that “some of the most prominent figures in Kenya” are linked to these unnamed companies.

“This housing levy is designed to ensure ongoing construction so they can profit from selling building materials; that’s what the President accused me of failing to grasp and labeled me incompetent,” he continued, referencing some of the reasons cited in his impeachment motion.

“Once a new government takes office, this housing levy must be repealed to restore the integrity of payslips.”

During the Mashujaa Day celebrations on October 20 last year, Ruto announced that his government had set aside Ksh.4.4 billion specifically for payments to “Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)” involved in the affordable housing program.

“Our partnership with the Jua Kali sector has shown the Affordable Housing Program’s immense potential to revolutionize local manufacturing,” he stated at that time.

Gachagua has been actively building alliances with political figures he once opposed, particularly following his removal from Ruto’s administration. He has labeled these gatherings as consultative as he charts his political path forward.

On Monday, he met with opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa, the head of DAP, where he pledged to hinder Ruto’s chances of re-election in the upcoming 2027 general election.

“We are united in this effort and will embark on this journey together to free our nation,” Gachagua declared. “We are prepared to make any sacrifices needed to ensure that William Ruto serves only one term as president.”

Over the weekend, he paid a visit to Martha Karua, the leader of NARC Kenya, who ran against the Ruto-Gachagua ticket as Raila Odinga’s deputy in the 2022 elections, at her residence in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County. Additionally, he has welcomed various leaders to his home in Wamunyoro, Nyeri County.

A heartbreaking event unfolded on the Mwea-Embu Highway in Kirinyaga County, resulting in the death of a boda boda rider after a pickup truck loaded with miraa collided with his motorcycle.

The pickup, which was reportedly speeding from Meru to Nairobi, crashed into the motorcycle at Kianjiru, close to the Kianjiru Trading Centre.

In the wake of the accident, the driver and his passenger narrowly avoided serious injury, while furious locals retaliated by setting the pickup ablaze.

Eyewitness Peter Macharia described the collision as devastating, noting that the driver of the miraa truck dragged the rider for several meters along the busy road.

“The driver dragged the rider several meters from the scene,” Macharia recounted, visibly shaken by the traumatic incident.

As the vehicle burned, traffic police from the nearby Wanguru Police Station watched helplessly as tensions rose. “The police cannot control this crowd,” remarked Mary Wambui, a local resident who witnessed the chaos.

The scene left many in shock, with the crowd’s anger unmistakable.

Traffic along the Mwea-Embu Highway was severely disrupted for over two hours, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, leaving commuters and transport operators stranded as vehicles were unable to navigate the area due to the blockage. Local resident Joseph Wanjohi noted, “Traffic police are struggling, but the angry residents claim this is the same pickup that killed two children in Ngurubani Town just weeks ago.”

David Irungu, the chairman of boda boda operators in Kimbimbi Trading Centre, confirmed that the deceased was a local rider. He extended his condolences to the family and urged for increased focus on road safety. “This is yet another tragic loss for our community, and it’s becoming a frequent occurrence. Action is needed,” Irungu stated.

The fatal accident has ignited outrage among residents, many of whom are calling for government intervention.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has reported that individuals abducted in December 2024 were given between Ksh.2,000 and Ksh.3,000 by their captors, with strict instructions not to disclose their experiences.

This money was allegedly meant to help them return home, as they were reportedly left in unfamiliar locations.

In an effort to hold the government accountable for these abductions, the commission’s attorney asserted that the victims endured torture during their captivity.

“The petitioners were stripped of their clothing for several days, shaved, and physically assaulted,” the court was informed.

Before Justice Bahati Mwamuye, the commission contended that the state bore responsibility for the abductions and that the National Police Service (NPS) should face consequences.

In a related matter, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), along with the Katiba Institute and other petitioners, is demanding that the state account for other missing individuals, whether they are alive or deceased.

“The authorities have failed to present the two in court, and the only recourse is to hold them accountable, as they have access to public resources and cannot claim ignorance of their whereabouts,” stated LSK President Faith Odhiambo in court.

Lawyer Dudley Ochiel pointed out that the two missing individuals have been unaccounted for for over a month.

“The respondents are in contempt of court; they have refused to release the two and have not adhered to court orders,” the court was informed.

During the proceedings, several video clips were presented, depicting the abduction incidents.

Lawyer Martha Karua noted that abductions have reached epidemic levels in the country. Among the videos was one featuring President William Ruto pledging to end abductions, alongside another showing plainclothes officers detaining Amnesty International Director Hughton Irungu.

“This case requires us to illustrate a pattern and prove that the state is aware of the situation at the highest levels,” Karua emphasized.

Sixty students from Kalyet Secondary School in Kipkelion, Kericho County, have been admitted to Londiani Hospital due to suspected food poisoning.

Dr. Collins Kipkoech, the hospital superintendent, reported that the students were brought in early in the morning after experiencing symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.

It is believed that the students consumed Githeri that may have been contaminated.

Dr. Kipkoech mentioned that while most of the students have been stabilized and are likely to be discharged soon, a few will remain for further monitoring.

The symptoms presented, including diarrhea and vomiting, strongly suggest a case of food poisoning.

As of now, the school management has not released any statements regarding the incident.