As 2024 draws to a close, Kenya finds itself struggling with a turmoil year marked by abductions, corruption, and widespread human rights violations.
Kenyans, particularly the youth, the year has been marred by pain, fear, and a sense of betrayal by those entrusted with the nation’s governance, according to several human rights groups, and as witnessed with hunger and anger that engulfed the nation on June this year, Gen-Z demonstrations.
Recently, after President Ruto took the mantle of leadership, he insisted that not under his reign and watch abductions will be given space.
The alarming rise in abductions and arrests of young Kenyans has caused anguish and pain, with families enduring the agony of searching for their loved ones during the festive season.
The current events have led to growing frustration and public outcry as citizens pleaded for action from President William Ruto’s administration.
The message landed on deaf ears with chest-thumping leaders, leaving many to question the government’s commitment to upholding the Constitution’s obligations and protecting its people.
The discontent has not been limited to the public now Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has taken a bold stance against the current state of governance, announcing their decision to boycott the State New Year’s Eve Dinner at the Kisii State Lodge.
In a statement seen by Kenyaleo.co.ke, the senator expressed deep dissatisfaction with Ruto’s perceived failure to uphold his oath of office.
‘’I have a strong conviction that the president has fallen short of his Oath of Office, where he should obey, preserve, protect, and uphold the sovereignty, integrity, and dignity of the people of Kenya,’’ the statement read.
Onyonka said that the decision to decline the invitation reflects a broader sentiment of disillusionment among Kenyans who feel abandoned by their leaders during a time of crisis.
The senator’s criticism echoes a growing call for fidelity to the Constitution and the rule of law.
‘’Expectations are that after these pleas from Kenyans of all walks of life, the Head of State, in his new year clarion call of unity of purpose, magnanimity, and brotherliness to all Kenyans, would have released these young Kenyans who were abducted and some arrested, but he has not,” Onyonka said.
He strongly maintained that he would not attend the dinner. ‘’Therefore, because of my deeply held views on these issues, I will not be attending the State New Year’s Eve Dinner at the Kisii State Lodge on the evening of Tuesday, 31st December 2024, in my capacity as the Senator of Kisii County. I therefore decline the invitation.’’
Onyonka has expressed his discomfort and dissatisfaction with sitting with the president during the dinner.
‘’I’m uncomfortable with the idea that some of us will be normal, happy, and excited with color and pomp when other Kenyan families are agonizing in pain looking for their loved ones to share during this season, but in vain.’’ Statement read.
A somber but heartfelt eulogy marked the funeral of Josephine Anyona on Sunday, December 29, 2024, as Dr. Charles Onchoke, MP for Bonchari Constituency, joined mourners in celebrating her remarkable life and legacy.
The ceremony, held in Dallas, brought together family, friends, and members of the Kenyan diaspora to honor a woman described as a beacon of faith, generosity, and resilience.
Speaking on behalf of 20 Members of Parliament from Kenya’s Gusii region, Dr. Onchoke painted a vivid picture of Josephine Anyona’s impact on her family, community, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.
“Josephine was not only a daughter, wife, mother, and sister but also an altruist, a friend, provider, benefactor, and role model to many,” he said. “She was a woman of candor, faith, honor, integrity, purpose, and valor.” Dr. Onchoke’s eulogy read.
In his deeply personal remarks, the MP said Anyona’s role as a source of wise counsel and unwavering support. He also lauded her for her generosity and nurturing spirit, which extended even to sharing organic foods such as enderema, risosa, and egesare, a testament to her deep connection to her roots.
Addressing the family, including Josephine’s husband Evans, children, and the wider Onchoke and Ongera families, Dr. Onchoke offered heartfelt condolences. “Poleni sana,” he said, expressing empathy for their grief.
He also comforted mourners with a powerful metaphor, quoting author Max Lucado: “When heaven sees a breathless body, it sees the vacated cocoon and the liberated butterfly.”
Dr. Onchoke called on those gathered to find inspiration in Anyona’s legacy, urging them to carry forward her values of love, generosity, and faith.
He said, “Josephine, we now surrender you for the angels to lift you high up to the bosom of our Heavenly Father,” he concluded. “You will have no more pain or sorrow, but plenty of joy. Fare thee well, my dear sister and friend, till we meet again.”
The funeral highlighted the strong ties between the Kenyan diaspora in the United States and their homeland, as well as the enduring bonds of community and shared heritage.
According to Dr. Onchoke, he strongly maintained that Josephine Anyona’s memory will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of all who knew her, both in Kenya and abroad.
A new survey has ranked Ndindi Nyoro of Kiharu and Alice Ng’ang’a of Thika Town as the best-performing legislators for the year 2024.
The Global Ranking Analysis has released the performance report form for the central region counties constituencies, citing the intensive analysis conducted, placing the team as the top performing in the region.
The team conducted an extensive and deep analysis with a comprehensive study on the key performance of various MPs in fulfilling their constitutional mandate for the Kenyan people.
During the analysis, the team examined several key areas, including the MPs’ oversight roles and activities, the reports presented in the House, the levels of participation by MPs in respective committee meetings, and the Bills they have sponsored.
The report further assessed the societal impact of their legislative initiatives and the consequences that have impacted them.
The study Global Ranking Analysis research has placed Wambui as the second-best member of Parliament behind Kiharu legislator Ndindi Nyoro and Wainaina Wambugu of the Othaya constituency of Nyeri, settling in the third position.
Additionally, the analysis deeply reviewed the critical role in shaping the nation and the media presence and impact felt across online platforms, both regional and mainstream media.
Critically, the research and analysis further explored the community engagements by the respective MPs and how they have considered evaluating the frequency of field visits attended in the constituency, interactions with local communities across, and efforts to gather feedback from the public and the feedback that it has offered.
The Wetang’ula-led Committee on Appointments will conduct approval hearings for nominees proposed by President William Ruto for Cabinet executive positions.
Mutahi Kagwe, a former Health Cabinet Secretary under the retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, has resurfaced to head the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has been tasked to lead the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy docket as his counterpart, Lee Kinyanjui, proposed to lead the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry.
Kagwe, the man referred to as the vaccines master, has been scheduled to appear on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at noon as the first nominee as Kabogo takes the stand at 3:00 p.m. followed by former Nakuru governor Kinyanjui feeling the economy heat at 5:00 p.m.
The Nelson Koech-led committee will, on the other hand, vet nominees for ambassadorial, high commissioner, and diplomatic representative positions on Friday, January 10, 2025.
Ms. Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u, the immediate former Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, will take the podium over the nomination as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Accra, Ghana.
Dr. Andrew Karanja, the immediate former Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, nominated as Kenya’s Ambassador to Brazil, will appear at 11:00 a.m.
Ababu Namwamba, the former Sports Cabinet Secretary and the nominee as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, will face the Gen-Z rattled panel at 2:00 p.m.
Former Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. Noor Gabow, nominated as Consul-General to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, will seal the process at 4:00 p.m.
The Committee on Labour will conduct approval hearings for nominees to fill vacancies at the Public Service Commission (PSC) on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
The former Principal Secretary for the State Department for Public Service, Wanjira Kimonye, was named the new Vice-Chairperson of the PSC and will be joined by six other nominees for commission member positions: Harun Maalim Hassan, Boya Molu, Irene Cherotich Asienga, Francis Otieno Owino, Joan Andisi Machayo, and Francis Meja.
The public has been invited to submit written statements on oath (affidavits) with supporting evidence contesting the suitability of any nominee to be sent to the Clerk of the National Assembly or emailed to cna@parliament.go.ke by 5:00 p.m. on January 3, 2025.
The dividends are payable to farmers through their factories, which are the 54 Corporate Shareholders of KTDA Holdings Ltd.
The dividends are derived from the profits made by KTDA Holdings and its subsidiaries, which include KTDA MS, KTDA Power, Majani Insurance Brokers, Greenland Fedha, Chai Trading Company, TEMEC, Chai Logistics, and Ketepa.
This financial year also marked the highest amount of money paid to the tea farmers under KTDA management, as they earned a whopping Ksh. 89.21 billion compared to Ksh. 68.22 billion last year.
While declaring the dividend, KTDA Holdings National Chairman Enos Njeru said: “Our focus is to ensure that every decision and strategy we adopt directly benefits our farmers by increasing their earnings, reducing costs, and improving overall efficiency in the tea value chain where the farmers have invested.”
On his part, KTDA Group CEO Wilson Muthaura added that KTDA will continue to invest in new technologies and innovations to enhance operational efficiency.
“As management, we are working with factories to increase efficiency and diversify our products. In the wake of climate change, we are also looking to introduce high-yielding teas to ensure that tea production remains sustainable.”
The National Chairman applauded continued government support, especially on fertilizer subsidy, which saw farmers this year save Ksh. 900 per bag of 50 kilograms.
Irungu Nyakera, Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) Board of Directors Chairperson and the Party Leader, National Chairman of the Farmers Party, and the Irungu Nyakera Foundation’s patron
As the country grapples with a severe economic crisis, despite President William Ruto’s assurances that it is heading in the right direction, Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) Board of Directors Chairperson Irungu Nyakera has voiced sharp criticism of the government’s approach.
In a statement, Nyakera, the Party Leader, National Chairman of the Farmers Party, and the Irungu Nyakera Foundation’s patron, emphasized that excessive borrowing is undermining the nation’s economic stability and contributing to a decline in domestic growth.
‘’Government borrowing crowding out the private sector, leading to domestic credit growth dropping to an all-time low of 2.3% in September 2024.’’ Irungu’s statement read.
Nyakera added that pending bills have largely derailed development projects, which is why heavy auctioneers are experienced.
‘’ Spiraling pending bills. Pending bills made under the just concluded verification exercise amounted to over Ksh. 670bn, owed to over 115,000 claimants. Most of these pending bills add up to the current 16% private sector non-performing Performing Loans with banks and is the main cause of the auctions we are seeing in our dailies.’’ Nyakera stated.
Nyakera also voiced his concerns regarding the growing burden of unsustainable debt obligations.
‘’Kenya’s total debt service obligation for FY 2024/25 stands at Ksh 1.85 trillion, constituting debt redemption at Ksh 843.4 billion and interest payment at Ksh 1.1 trillion. Without a thorough reassessment of debt sustainability, continued borrowing will lead to a severe debt trap, constraining fiscal space and limiting the government’s ability to invest in essential services and development initiatives.
He has called on Kenyans to seek accurate information and urged the relevant authorities to address and re-evaluate the underlying issues to rescue the nation from its current challenges.
‘’Until we can address these three issues, our economy will continue struggling.’’ Nyakera added.
The Kenyan government is upbeat about the gains achieved in fostering women in courses that have been perceived as male-dominated.
The move manifested at this year’s Railway Training Institute (RTI) 61st graduation ceremony, where approximately 45 percent of the graduates were women, many of whom were supported by scholarships from county governments and other institutions.
The Principal Secretary for the State Department of Transport, Mohamed Daghar, presided over the ceremony held at the institute’s main campus, South B Nairobi, and commended the organization for enhancing diversity and gender inclusivity.
“The near-equal representation of male and female students affirms the government’s commitment to empowering women in the transport sector and ensuring equitable access to education and opportunities,” he said.
Kenya Railways Chairman Abdi Duale and Managing Director Philip Mainga emphasized the pivotal role of education and training in enhancing operational excellence within the sector.
They encouraged the graduates to remain at the forefront of innovation and safety in the railway industry.
The Railway Training Institute has a rich history as being one of the oldest training institutions in the East African region, dating back to the colonial era.
The institute was set up to meet the increasing demand for skilled workforce required to manage the East African railways and harbors.
The institution celebrated the academic achievements of 1,415 graduates in various fields, including maritime studies, business, and engineering.
It is a curious thing, reader, to meet a man whose name, though famed in far-flung corners of the world, is unknown to the common multitudes. I met such a man this past August, during the FESTAC Africa Festival in Kisumu County, Kenya, and his name is Dr. Farzam Kamalabadi. If you have not heard of him, I do not fault you, for neither had I before that fateful week. Yet, I am compelled to recount my encounter with him and the monumental impact he has had on my vision for Africa, for it is a tale worth telling, one that may kindle a flame in your heart as it has in mine.
Dr. Farzam Kamalabadi is not like the usual dignitaries whose presence graces such events. He is a man of paradoxes, a figure as humble as he is accomplished and as unassuming as he is influential. They say he has spent decades working in China, mastering its language and its ways, helping to transform its economy into the powerhouse it is today. They say he has advised presidents and kings, yet he walks among the young as though he were one of them. These things I did not know when I first saw him, but I came to know them in the days that followed, and they have left an indelible mark upon my soul.
We first crossed paths in a room filled with luminaries, former President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Honorable Raila Odinga of Kenya, and countless other statesmen and women of renown. Yet, it was Kamalabadi who stood out, not for his appearance, which was modest, nor for his manner, which was unassuming, but for his words. When he spoke, it was as though the very air in the room changed, charged with a sense of possibility. He spoke of Africa, not as a continent weighed down by its past but as a phoenix on the cusp of rising, its wings poised to take flight.
And rise it will, if the vision outlined in his Future Trends Manifesto for Africa is embraced. This document, which he entrusted to me, is no ordinary piece of writing. It is, as I have come to understand, both a roadmap and a mirror—showing us not only where we must go but also who we must become to get there.
The manifesto begins with a simple yet profound premise: Africa is not broken. It does not need saving by foreign powers or pity from outsiders. What it needs is for its people its youth most of all—to recognize their own strength, to harness their boundless energy, and to unite in purpose. The manifesto calls this “embedded benevolence,” the idea that Africa’s wealth, whether of resources, talent, or spirit, should remain within Africa, fueling its growth and prosperity.
I have read this manifesto many times, most recently this morning, and each time I find myself struck by its audacity. It speaks of “vortex systems” and “digital economic integration,” terms that may seem arcane to the uninitiated but are, in truth, revolutionary. These concepts describe mechanisms by which Africa can leapfrog traditional models of development, using technology to create equitable systems of wealth distribution and governance. Imagine, if you can, a continent where every resource is accounted for, every opportunity is shared, and every individual has a role to play. This is the vision the manifesto lays before us.
But it is not merely a vision of economics or governance; it is a call to action for the youth. Kamalabadi understands, as few do, that the future belongs to the young. It is they who will build the systems, write the laws, and lead the movements that will shape Africa’s destiny. To them, the manifesto offers both inspiration and instruction. It urges them to embrace innovation, value collaboration over competition, and see themselves not as inheritors of a broken legacy but as architects of a new dawn.
During the festival, I saw Kamalabadi put these principles into practice. He surrounded himself with young people—bright minds from China, France, Germany, the UK, and beyond—and treated them not as subordinates but as equals. I watched as he sat on the cold concrete floor, speaking with my youth delegation for hours, listening as much as he spoke. It was a moment of humility that will remain etched in my memory, for it showed me that true leadership is not about standing above others but about walking beside them.
And yet, there is another side to this man, one that I glimpsed when he stood before the gathered dignitaries to deliver his speech. Gone was the gentle mentor who had sat among us; in his place stood a statesman, a visionary whose words carried the weight of history and the promise of the future. His voice rang out, calling upon Africa to rise, not as a shadow of other nations but as a light unto itself. It was a speech that shook me to my core, and I saw in it the power to awaken a continent.
From that moment, my path was set. Kamalabadi invited me to lead the youth wing of the Surprise Rise of Africa, an honor I accepted with gratitude and determination. He also pledged to partner with my company, Edulight International, to nurture the next generation of African leaders. These are responsibilities I do not take lightly, for they align with the very essence of the manifesto, a belief that Africa’s strength lies in its people and that its future will be written by those bold enough to dream.
As I close this account, I must say this: the Future Trends Manifesto for Africa is not merely a document. It is a torch, one that has been handed to me and countless others. It burns with the promise of a new Africa, an Africa that stands tall among nations, an Africa that is a beacon of hope for the world. But a torch is nothing if it is not carried forward, and so I implore you, reader, to take up this flame. Let us walk together into the light, and let us make the vision of this manifesto a reality. If we do, we will not only rewrite the story of Africa; we will write a story that will be told for generations to come.
During the analysis, the team examined several key areas, including the MPs’ oversight roles and activities, the reports presented in the House, the levels of participation by MPs in respective committee meetings, and the Bills they have sponsored.
The report further assessed the societal impact of their legislative initiatives and the consequences that have impacted them.
Top performing Woman Representatives
Nakuru Woman Representative Liza Chelule was the top-performing MP with 69.4%, followed by her Nyamira counterpart Jerusha Momanyi, who scored 66%.
Kericho Woman Rep Beatrice Kemei emerged third with 65.4%, followed by Turkana’s Cecilia Asinyen Ng’tit, who came in fourth with 60.5%.
The Authoritative Global Ranking Analysis research firm has released a report of the analysis of the Senate committees and Senate sessions for the year ending 2024.
The team conducted an extensive and deep analysis with a comprehensive study on the key performance of various Senate Committees in fulfilling their constitutional mandate for the Kenyan people.
In terms of activity and performance, Senator Mohamed Abass Sheikh, who chaired Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, led with 74.5 percent, followed by Senator Mohamed Chute with 73.5 percent, having chaired the National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity, and Regional Integration Committee.
In third was Senator James Murango, the Chairperson of the Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Committee, with 71.6 percent. Following him was Senator Roba Ali Ibrahim, who chaired the Finance and Budget Committee (69.6 percent), and Senator Allan Chesang, who led the Information Communication and Technology Committee (64.6 percent).
Overall, Senator Moses Kajwang, Chairperson of County Public Accounts, was ranked top with 75.8 percent, followed by Senator Godfrey Osotsi Atieno, County Public Investment & Special Funds (74.5%), Senator Mohamed Abass, Chairperson of Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations (70.7%), Senator Mohamed Chute, Chairperson of National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity, and Regional Integration (69.4%), and Senator James Murango, Chairperson of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (64.4%).
Additionally, the analysis deeply reviewed the critical role in shaping the nation when Standing Committees’ media presence is felt across online platforms and regional and mainstream media.
Critically, the research and analysis further explored the community engagements by the respective Senate committees; it considered evaluating the frequency of field visits attended to, interactions with local communities across the counties, and efforts to gather feedback from the public and the feedback that it has offered.
