The County Diary

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli addresses shop stewards at the cotu - Kenya headquarters IN  NAIROBI, on April 18, 2026 . NAIROBI, KENYA – In a high-stakes consultative meeting at the COTU Solidarity Centre today, convened to finalize preparations for the 61st Labour Day celebrations in Vihiga, the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) set the stage for a major industrial showdown. Secretary-General Dr. Francis Atwoli issued a bold, non-negotiable mandate for a 23% increase in the minimum wage, warning that the Kenyan worker is being crushed by an economy where the cost of living "no longer walks, but runs." Addressing a national assembly of General Secretaries and shop stewards, Atwoli painted a grim picture of the eroding dignity of labor. "Fellow workers, we stand at a crossroads," Atwoli declared. "The Kenyan worker, the backbone of our nation, is being squeezed by inflation and a shifting labor market. We make this firm demand for a 23% incre...

  Presiding over the launch on Monday, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni underscored the gravity of the health crisis and called for urgent collective action. Nairobi, Kenya - April 20, 2026 - Kenya has solidified its position as a hub for continental healthcare innovation by hosting the second edition of the Mental Health Leadership Programme (MHLP). Held at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in partnership with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the two-week intensive training brings together professionals from 17 African countries to bridge the gap in mental health governance and care. Presiding over the launch on Monday, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, underscored the gravity of the crisis. She noted that in Kenya, approximately one in four people seeking medical care has an underlying mental health condition, emphasizing that mental wellness is...

By Maximilla Wafula, Crime Journalist, The County Diary News NAIROBI, Kenya – Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja Kirocho has issued a decisive statement from the National Police Service (NPS) Headquarters regarding a "disturbing pattern" of coordinated lawlessness across several counties. Addressing the nation on April 17, 2026, the Inspector-General condemned recent attacks on police stations, law enforcement officers, and critical infrastructure, describing these acts as a direct assault on national security and public safety. He emphasized that police stations are the bedrock of emergency response and that any assault on these installations regardless of perceived justification is an attack on collective freedom that requires immediate, decisive action to prevent further escalation. The Inspector-General specifically highlighted a surge in political violence and thuggery, alleging that certain leaders across the political divide are using criminal gangs and "g...

Kitui Rolls Out Agripreneur Model to Modernize Extension Services and Empower Youth Kitui County has taken a bold step toward modernizing agricultural support with the rollout of the Agripreneur Model, a hybrid extension approach designed to empower youth and improve services to smallholder farmers. County Executive for Agriculture and Livestock, Dr. Stephen Mbaya Kimwele, this week presided over a three-day training of 183 agripreneurs in Kiusyani, Kitui Rural, and Mutomo Sub-Counties. The initiative is part of a strategic plan to strengthen farmer support systems and unlock agribusiness opportunities across all 40 wards. *Blending Agriculture with Enterprise*   The training brought together young innovators, agricultural actors, Community-Driven Development Committees (CDDCs), Frontline Extension Officers (FEOs), and Sacco leadership. Participants were equipped with skills to deliver modern, demand-driven extension services while positioning themselve...

By Maximilla Wafula  In a scathing indictment of the current administration, the United Alternative Government led by H.E. Kalonzo Musyoka, H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, Hon. Eugene Wamalwa, and Hon. JB Muturi has uncovered what they describe as a predatory fuel scandal designed to enrich a few at the expense of struggling Kenyans. During a high-stakes press conference at the SKM Command Center, the leaders detailed how a manipulated procurement process has directly spiked the cost of living. Reading the joint statement, H.E. Rigathi Gachagua alleged that the government utilized "staged arrests" to distract the public while shielding the true masterminds of the scheme. According to the opposition, the original, law-abiding emergency procurement procedures were bypassed to forcibly insert select oil marketing companies specifically Gulf Energy into the supply chain, despite their failure to meet technical and timing requirements. The financial implications of ...

By Maximilla Wafula  In a high-stakes legal showdown at the Milimani Law Courts, Wiper Patriotic Front and Azimio la Umoja leader H.E. Kalonzo Musyoka spearheaded a formidable legal and political front to challenge the proposed sale of Safaricom shares. Flanked by a diverse coalition of leaders, including Hon. Eugene Wamalwa, Mike Mbuvi Sonko, and Tony Gachoka, Musyoka framed the petition not merely as a commercial dispute, but as a critical battle for Kenya’s national sovereignty and economic security. The atmosphere at the court was charged as the legal team, led by Advocates Ndegwa Njiru and Soyinka Lempaa, argued that Safaricom represents a strategic national asset that must remain protected from opaque divestment. Addressing the press following the court proceedings, Musyoka emphasized that the telecommunications giant is the backbone of the country’s financial inclusion and digital infrastructure. He warned that any move to dilute national interest in the firm could expose ...

  By Maximilla Wafula  In a scathing rejoinder to recent criticisms from opposition figures, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has dismissed claims of a manufactured fuel crisis as "deceitful and amusing." In a formal statement issued from the Office of the Secretary General, Senator Hassan Omar Hassan categorized the opposition’s narrative as a calculated misrepresentation of global economic realities, accusing them of exploiting geopolitical challenges for selfish political expediency. Senator Omar emphasized that the current surge in fuel prices is a direct consequence of energy market disruptions in the Middle East, rather than domestic policy failures. He asserted that the government has moved aggressively to protect the Kenyan consumer by deploying KSh 6.2 billion through the Petroleum Development Levy to stabilize pump prices. Additionally, the reduction of Value Added Tax on petroleum products from 16% to 8% has been instrumental in keeping prices at the current re...

ODM Acting SG Catherine Omanyo demands respect from UDA, declaring the party energized and ready to field candidates for all elective seats to safeguard its grassroots ideological independence. By Maximilla Wafula  The political landscape has shifted as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) officially initiates a high-stakes, nationwide campaign to popularize and fortify its grassroots foundations. Driven by the conviction that its identity remains the primary pulse of the Kenyan majority, the party is moving beyond mere maintenance, aiming for a total consolidation of its strongholds while aggressively charting a path into new territories. This blueprint for a revitalized future starts with domestic order. Addressing administrative friction, the party has directed members in regions with incomplete grassroots elections to settle disputes through internal mediation. By prioritizing unity, the party intends to present a monolithic front, unburdened by localized rivalries. This inte...

From the Ground Up: How Dr. Mbaya’s Farm Visits Are Changing Kitui South Agriculture By DR. FAITH MUSYOKA & PATRICK KIMANZI  The real work of transforming agriculture doesn’t happen in boardrooms — it happens in the dust, between rows of onions and under the shade of citrus trees. That’s where Kitui Executive for Agriculture and Livestock Dr. Stephen Mbaya Kimwele took his team yesterday stepping onto Mr. Kennedy Mutati’s farm in Kyatune Ward, Kitui South. The visit came right after a sub-county review meeting in Mutomo, where Chief Officer for Agriculture Gladys Kivoto, Director Kitoo, and other technical officers gathered to assess programme performance and push for a results-driven approach to service delivery. But for Dr. Mbaya, the meeting was only half the job. The other half was boots on the soil. Mr. Mutati’s farm tells the story of where Kitui South is headed. Here, irrigated onions grow alongside citrus and pawpaw orchards — a model of diversification desi...

  By Maximilla Wafula, Nairobi, March 2026   The Coca-Cola Company has officially launched its vibrant ‘Coke with Meals’ campaign in Kenya, marking a fresh push to connect the iconic beverage with everyday dining experiences across the country. The campaign celebrates the simple yet powerful moments shared over meals whether it is a quick lunch with friends, street food after work, or a family dinner at home. At its core, the initiative highlights how a chilled Coca-Cola enhances not just the taste of food, but also the joy and connection that come with shared meals. Speaking during the launch, Monique Katana, Director of Frontline Marketing at Coca-Cola, emphasized the brand’s long-standing relationship with Kenyan consumers. She noted that food remains a strong cultural connector, bringing people together across generations and backgrounds. “Coca-Cola believes in the magic of shared meals. Through this campaign, we celebrate ‘A Recipe for Magic’ where great food, un...

By Maximilla Wafula NAIROBI, Kenya (April 2, 2026) In a move described as "breathing life into the Constitution," the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has officially launched the national rollout of Values-Based Education (VBE). The initiative aims to ensure that the Kenyan education system produces not just academic experts, but ethical, responsible, and integrity-driven citizens. The launch, held in Nairobi, follows a successful pilot program conducted across 19 counties, involving 79 schools and over 3,000 learners. Speaking during the historic event, KICD leadership emphasized that values are a foundational pillar of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and a core requirement under the 2010 Constitution of Kenya. "If we produce professionals and experts who miss out on values, then we are not doing justice to our country," noted the KICD representative. While the rollout of CBC has previously focused on curriculum designs and textbooks, t...