KBC Channel 1

Author: Beth Nyaga

  • Ruto, US Secretary of State discuss trade, peace and security

    Ruto, US Secretary of State discuss trade, peace and security

    President William Ruto engaged in a telephone conversation with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday evening, focusing on trade relations, regional stability, and international security.

    In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, President Ruto revealed that the discussions centered on the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

    He emphasized the need for continued US support for AGOA, a key framework that enhances trade relations between the United States and African nations.

    Additionally, both leaders agreed on the importance of greater engagement from the US Department of Commerce in facilitating trade growth across the continent.

    President Ruto also welcomed the recent appointment of Massad Boulos as the US Special Envoy to the Great Lakes region, calling it a strong demonstration of the US government’s commitment to Africa’s regional stability and peace efforts.

    He expressed gratitude to former US President Donald Trump for the appointment, noting its significance in resolving ongoing conflicts.

    The conversation also touched on the ongoing crisis in Haiti, where Secretary Rubio reaffirmed US support for Kenya’s leadership in stabilizing the country.

    President Ruto acknowledged the Secretary’s backing in securing sustainable United Nations support for the Multi-National Security Support Mission in Haiti, underscoring Kenya’s commitment to fostering peace beyond the African continent.

    Regarding regional security, Secretary Rubio commended Kenya’s leadership in efforts to resolve conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan and South Sudan.

    President Ruto provided an update on the recent Joint Summit of Heads of State of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on the DRC peace initiative.

    He reiterated Kenya’s role in facilitating dialogue among Sudanese factions to restore civilian governance, as well as ongoing collaborations with partners such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to encourage peace talks.

    On South Sudan, President Ruto briefed Secretary Rubio on the state of affairs, highlighting Kenya’s efforts to mediate between the government and opposition groups to de-escalate violence and recommit to peace negotiations.

    Terrorism in Somalia was another critical point of discussion.

    President Ruto underscored the need for Kenya and the United States to strengthen cooperation in countering terrorist threats, which pose a significant challenge to regional and global security.

    The discussion reaffirmed Kenya’s growing diplomatic role in global security efforts and economic partnerships.

    President Ruto’s engagement with the US leadership signals continued collaboration between the two nations in addressing shared challenges and advancing mutual interests.

  • Fraudsters nabbed trying to steal 6,000 litres of diesel in Kajiado

    Fraudsters nabbed trying to steal 6,000 litres of diesel in Kajiado

    Two men, Boniface Karanja, 32 and Daniel Kimani, 54, have been arrested for attempting to siphon 6,000 litres of diesel worth Ksh 1.2 million from a petrol station in Kajiado on Sunday evening.

    Their plan was foiled by a vigilant pump attendant.

    At around 4 p.m., the suspects arrived at Sajjy Petrol Station in Bisil township, Oloililai Sub-County, in an Isuzu NPR tanker.

    Posing as wealthy customers, they claimed to have wired Ksh 1.2 million to the station owner’s bank account and were ready to collect their fuel.

    Appearing confident and constantly on the phone, they convinced the attendant to begin pumping.

    However, after dispensing about 100 litres, the attendant excused himself and called his boss to confirm the payment.

    His suspicions were confirmed, the money had not been received, nor had any such transaction been authorized.

    Sensing fraud, the attendant discreetly signalled his colleagues, who restrained the suspects and alerted the police.

    Officers arrived to find the duo firmly secured.

    They were arrested and their vehicle, registration number KCC 312G, was impounded.

    Preliminary investigations revealed that the two had travelled from Nairobi and were part of a larger syndicate targeting petrol stations in small towns.

    Police have launched further investigations into the racket.

  • Maragua residents urge leaders to end water politics

    Maragua residents urge leaders to end water politics

    A section of Maragua town residents has lauded the recent stability in water supply, attributing it to the operationalization of the Maragua Dam.

    According to the residents, access to clean and uninterrupted water became a reality after President William Ruto directed the Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco) to connect parts of Maragua constituency to the dam’s water supply.

    The directive, issued in 2023, saw the national government facilitate the necessary infrastructure, significantly improving water availability in the area.

    However, fresh controversy over the mega dam’s management has emerged, with Maragua residents urging an end to water politics, fearing potential disruptions to their supply.

    Some groups have accused Muwasco of diverting water from the dam to neighbouring Kiharu constituency, claims that the water utility has dismissed.

    Muwasco’s Managing Director, Eng. Isaac Gitogo, refuted the allegations, terming them as baseless propaganda. He explained that Kiharu is located on the upper side of the dam, making it physically impossible to pump water against gravity.

    Previously, Maragua fell under the jurisdiction of the Muswasco, which also serves Kigumo, Kandara and parts of Murang’a South.

    Currently, Muwasco has connected over 50,000 households in Maragua town and lower parts of the constituency with clean water from the dam.

    Residents who spoke to KNA highlighted the positive impact of the stable water supply on sanitation and daily life.

    Charles Wang’ombe, a local resident, recounted how he struggled with inconsistent supply before Muwasco’s intervention, often receiving water only once a week.

    He expressed concern that political interference could jeopardize the progress made so far.

    “We are happy with the water services from Muwasco, and we don’t want political wrangles to interfere with the steady supply,” Wang’ombe said.

    Another resident, Gideon Muriu, echoed similar sentiments, urging leaders to support Muwasco’s mandate to supply water from the multipurpose mega-dam.

    “We must uphold the President’s directive and allow the water company to continue its work without interference,” Muriu stated.

    He noted that the ongoing disputes have negatively impacted institutions like Kaharo Boys Secondary School, which has gone months without water.

    The situation has forced students to fetch water from downstream daily as they await a resolution.

    With President Ruto’s scheduled visit to Murang’a and the larger Mt. Kenya region, Maragua residents are calling on him to resist any attempts to sabotage the water connections they are currently benefiting from.

  • UNICEF warns of surging cholera cases in Eastern and Southern Africa

    UNICEF warns of surging cholera cases in Eastern and Southern Africa

    UNICEF has reported a staggering rise in cholera cases across Eastern and Southern Africa, with over 178,000 confirmed infections in 16 countries between January 2024 and March 2025.

    The outbreak, exacerbated by limited access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare services, has claimed nearly 2,900 lives, many of them children.

    “Access to safe water is a fundamental need, vital for the survival and development of our children, and most importantly, a human right,” said Etleva Kadilli, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa.

    “We have seen the devastating impacts when communities lack water, sanitation, and hygiene services, especially during droughts, floods, and disease outbreaks.”

    South Sudan and Angola are experiencing the worst of the crisis. In South Sudan, children under 15 make up 50% of cases, while in Angola, they account for 40 per cent.

    Between September 28, 2024, and March 18, 2025, South Sudan recorded over 40,000 cases and 694 deaths, its worst cholera outbreak in two decades.

    Angola, between January 7 and March 18, 2025, reported more than 7,500 cases and 294 deaths across 14 provinces, with the risk of further escalation remaining high.

    The crisis is compounded by a severe lack of clean water. Data from 2022 showed that nearly 120 million people—half of them children, drink unsafe water in the region.

    About 22 per cent of the population has no access to clean water, while 174 million people lack hygiene facilities at home, and at least 71 million practice open defecation.

    Climate shocks, including floods and droughts, have further destroyed water infrastructure, depleting groundwater sources and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.

    Contaminated water poses life-threatening risks, leading to infections such as cholera, diarrhoea and typhoid.

    The lack of sanitation facilities also disrupts education, especially for girls who face additional challenges during menstruation.

    Additionally, women and girls are disproportionately affected as they bear the responsibility of fetching water for their households.

    To address the crisis, UNICEF is working with governments, civil society, and communities to improve access to clean water and sanitation.

    Marking World Water Day, the organization reaffirmed its commitment to supporting children in humanitarian settings and called for urgent action, including:

    • Increased funding to strengthen water and sanitation systems and ensure access to clean water during crises.

    • High-level political commitments to improve access to safe water and sanitation for vulnerable communities.

    • Greater investment in climate adaptation to enhance the resilience of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure.

    • Strengthening emergency response capacity in the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector.

    “Investing in climate-resilient WASH infrastructure is crucial for child well-being and offers significant cost savings, especially in humanitarian crises,” added Kadilli.

    “Thanks to our partners, we have built sustainable systems that reduced water supply costs by over 90 per cent. But these investments must continue, or we risk losing hard-won progress for an entire generation of children. UNICEF is determined to stay and deliver, but we cannot do it alone. We need the continued commitment of governments, the private sector, and individuals who believe that every child deserves a future.”

  • EACC recovers Ksh 25M Kenya Railways land in Kisumu

    EACC recovers Ksh 25M Kenya Railways land in Kisumu

    The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has successfully recovered 0.1116 hectares of illegally acquired public land in Kisumu County, valued at Ksh 25 million.

    The land, belonging to Kenya Railways Corporation, was reclaimed following a ruling by the Kisumu Environment and Land Court.

    In a judgment delivered on March 20, 2025, Justice Samson Okong’o ordered the cancellation of the Certificate of Title for Kisumu Municipality Block 7/559, which had been unlawfully issued to Fred Ogonji.

    The court affirmed that the land was part of a larger parcel reserved for Kenya Railways and was never available for private allocation.

    EACC investigations established that the parcel was originally owned by the defunct East African Railways and Harbors Administration under Legal Notice No. 440 of 1963.

    In 1986, it was transferred to Kenya Railways Corporation, its legal successor, through Legal Notice No. 24 of 1986.

    However, in a shocking turn of events, the land was unlawfully allocated to Ogonji in 1998, who received an allotment letter on October 12 of that year.

    Two years later, on June 30, 2000, then Commissioner of Lands, Sammy Komen Mwaita, issued a Certificate of Lease, completing the fraudulent registration process.

    EACC filed suit in 2020 under case ELC/E39/2020, seeking a declaration that Kisumu Municipality Block 7/559 was public land and calling for the revocation of Ogonji’s title.

    In his ruling, Justice Okong’o declared that the property had been fraudulently acquired and that the Certificate of Lease was illegal, null and void.

    This latest recovery is part of EACC’s broader efforts to reclaim grabbed public land in Kisumu County.

    Other notable recoveries include land belonging to the Kisumu Law Courts, Kenya Railways (Kisumu Port) and the KIWASCO water treatment plant.

    Kisumu County has been plagued by rampant land grabbing, with EACC currently pursuing cases involving illegally acquired properties valued at over Ksh 4 billion, which are pending before the Environment and Land Court.

  • China’s 2025 Two Sessions: Balancing growth, innovation and reform

    China’s 2025 Two Sessions: Balancing growth, innovation and reform

    Reflecting on China’s 2025 Two Sessions, the annual gatherings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), held in Beijing from 4–11 March 2025, the policy roadmap unveiled during the meetings underscored a determined, albeit challenging, push to meet the nation’s economic ambitions.

    Against a backdrop of sluggish global demand, demographic pressures, and technological competition with the West, the sessions crystallised a multi-pronged strategy to achieve the coveted 5 percent GDP growth target for 2025, a figure seen as critical for stabilising employment, boosting investor confidence, and fulfilling the closing milestones of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025). While the headline growth goal mirrored 2024’s target, the granular policy shifts revealed a sharper focus on overcoming structural bottlenecks, from innovation gaps to an ageing population, which threaten long-term prosperity.

    A cornerstone of the discussions was China’s intensified commitment to technological self-reliance, a theme elevated by ongoing US-led export controls on advanced semiconductors and AI-related hardware. The government announced a 7.2 percent year-on-year rise in public funding for science and technology, amounting to ¥1.2 trillion (£132 billion), with ¥450 billion (£49.5 billion) earmarked for semiconductor manufacturing and quantum computing research.

    This builds on China’s 2023 R&D expenditure of ¥3.3 trillion (£363 billion), which represented 2.64 percent of GDP, but still lagged behind the OECD average of 2.74 percent. The 2025 budget aims to push R&D spending beyond three percent of GDP, with private firms like SMIC and Huawei incentivised through tax breaks to co-invest in “bottleneck” sectors. Officials also confirmed the launch of a third national semiconductor fund, targeting £22 billion in public-private financing to localise production of 7-nanometer chips by late 2025, a tacit acknowledgment of the hurdles imposed by US sanctions.

    Simultaneously, the sessions doubled down on revitalising domestic consumption, a priority given the fragility of household spending, which grew by just 4.1 percent in 2024, well below pre-pandemic averages. A £58 billion stimulus package was approved, including direct subsidies for rural households purchasing electric vehicles (EV), VAT cuts for small businesses, and vouchers for green appliances like solar panels and energy-efficient HVAC systems. These measures dovetail with ambitious industrial targets, including a 20 percent annual increase in EV output to 10 million units by December 2025, which would solidify China’s 60 percent share of global EV production.

    Infrastructure, long a lever for growth, retained prominence, with ¥4 trillion (£440 billion) allocated to projects ranging from the expansion of the Chengdu-Chongqing high-speed rail corridor to the rollout of 5G base stations in rural counties. The latter aims to connect 98 percent of villages to high-speed internet by 2025, narrowing the digital divide and supporting e-commerce in regions where per capita disposable income remains 40 percent below urban levels. Notably, ¥600 billion (£66 billion) was pledged to smart city initiatives, including AI-driven traffic management systems in 50 major cities and the integration of renewables into urban power grids, a move aligned with China’s “dual carbon” goals.

    On sustainability, the 2025 targets are nothing short of transformative: renewable energy capacity is set to reach 1,200 gigawatts (GW), including 600 GW from solar and 430 GW from wind, effectively doubling 2020 levels. To achieve this, the state grid will invest ¥1.8 trillion (£198 billion) in ultra-high-voltage transmission lines to channel wind and solar power from western provinces to eastern industrial hubs.

    Demographic reforms emerged as perhaps the most socially consequential focus. With China’s population declining for a third consecutive year in 2024 and the workforce shrinking by 4 million annually, policymakers unveiled a sweeping package to raise the fertility rate from 1.09 in 2022 to 1.4 by 2025, a goal many demographers deem optimistic.

    Monthly childcare subsidies were tripled to ¥1,000 (£110) per child in 30 pilot cities, while paternity leave was extended to 30 days nationwide. Pension reforms, including a 10 percent increase in rural payouts and a gradual rise in the retirement age to 65, aim to alleviate the fiscal strain of a greying population, which is projected to see 300 million citizens over 60 by 2035.

    Externally, the government signalled a pragmatic approach to trade, raising export tax rebates by 10 percent for advanced manufacturing sectors like robotics and aerospace, a bid to offset weakening demand in key markets like the EU, where Chinese EV imports face potential tariffs. This comes as China’s share of global exports dipped to 12.8 percent in 2024, down from 14.7 percent in 2022, according to WTO data. Meanwhile, the yuan’s controlled depreciation to 7.3 against the dollar in early 2025 drew scrutiny, with critics alleging a deliberate boost to export competitiveness.

    In essence, the 2025 Two Sessions revealed a balancing act. Leveraging state-driven investment in technology and infrastructure to prop up growth, while cautiously navigating global headwinds and internal vulnerabilities. Success hinges on execution, and on whether innovation and green transitions can outpace the drag of demographics and debt. As Premier Li Qiang noted in his closing speech, “The targets are within reach, but the climb grows steeper.” For China, 2025 will test whether its model of reform can adapt to an era of unparalleled complexity.

  • CS Miano pushes for Nyandarua tourism boom through UK partnership

    CS Miano pushes for Nyandarua tourism boom through UK partnership

    Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has called for a collaboration between her ministry and the Nyandarua County Government to unlock the region’s tourism potential.

    Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Ol Kalou, CS Miano emphasized the need for a joint proposal to the British High Commissioner to seek support in transforming the Happy Valley homes into key tourist attraction sites.

    She noted that the historical palatial houses, once owned by British settlers, could attract descendants interested in revisiting their heritage.

    “Nyandarua is a county of immense beauty, with natural landscapes that can be developed into premier tourist destinations,” said Miano.

    The forum brought together Governor Moses Kiarie Badilisha, Deputy Governor Mwangi Mathaara, County Commissioner Abdrisack Jaldesa, officials from the Tourism and Wildlife Ministry and hospitality industry stakeholders.

    Governor Badilisha urged the ministry to support Nyandarua’s bid to position itself as a prime sporting tourism destination, given its high-altitude terrain, which is ideal for training elite athletes.

    CS Miano acknowledged the county’s tourism potential and pledged the ministry’s support in developing various attraction sites.

    She also highlighted Kenya’s booming tourism sector, revealing that 2.4 million international tourists visited the country last year, generating Ksh 452 billion, up from Ksh 377 billion the previous year.

    “This year, we expect three million tourists, with revenue projected to hit Ksh 680 billion. By 2027, we anticipate reaching five million international visitors, generating close to Ksh 1 trillion in revenue,” Miano stated.

    However, she challenged Nyandarua’s hospitality sector to upgrade its facilities, noting that out of 29 hotels accredited by the Tourism Regulatory Authority, only two received a bronze ranking.

    The ministry and county leadership will now work closely to enhance infrastructure, marketing, and tourism services, ensuring Nyandarua fully taps into its rich tourism resources.

  • KMPDU announces mass action over public healthcare woes

    KMPDU announces mass action over public healthcare woes

    The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has announced mass demonstrations set for Tuesday, March 18, 2025, to protest the deteriorating state of the healthcare system.

    In a notice sent to media houses, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah confirmed that the demonstrations will follow a press briefing at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Library in Nairobi at 10:30 a.m.

    The protest march will cover key locations, including the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the National Treasury.

    The union is calling on the government to address critical healthcare issues, including the welfare of medical practitioners and unresolved employment concerns.

    KMPDU has been vocal about the challenges facing healthcare workers, including salary delays, lack of medical supplies and the failure to implement agreed-upon employment terms.

    The upcoming protests highlight growing frustrations within the sector as medical professionals push for reforms.

    This demonstration comes amid heightened tensions between the government and healthcare workers, who have repeatedly warned of industrial action if their grievances remain unresolved.

    The union is urging the media and the public to support their call for accountability and improved working conditions for healthcare workers across the country.

  • Mudavadi calls for urgent action to address DRC crisis

    Mudavadi calls for urgent action to address DRC crisis

    Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called for renewed and concerted efforts to address the worsening humanitarian and security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

    He emphasized that the situation remains fragile, with escalating conflict evolving into threats such as sexual exploitation, abuse, gender-based violence as a weapon of war, illicit resource trafficking and the erosion of state institutions.

    Speaking in Harare, Zimbabwe, where he co-chaired the joint ministerial meeting between the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Mudavadi highlighted the need for urgent intervention.

    The meeting reviewed progress on the implementation of resolutions adopted by the Heads of State and Government in Dar es Salaam in February 2025 regarding the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC.

    “The directive by the Heads of State and Government to merge the Luanda and Nairobi processes calls for EAC and SADC to accelerate a unified process to prevent duplication of efforts and focus on a common goal. We must fast-track immediate, medium, and long-term measures, including resource and financial mobilization to support the peace process,” Mudavadi stated.

    He expressed concern over the persistent presence of illegal armed groups, both local and foreign, which continue to fuel insecurity and displace populations.

    Mudavadi underscored the urgency of bringing all parties to the negotiation table, arguing that dialogue is the only viable path toward sustainable peace in the DRC.

    “The escalating humanitarian toll necessitates urgent regional and international intervention to prevent further suffering and displacement. We must consolidate and adopt key resolutions before the situation spirals further out of control,” he added.

    “A cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire are imperative as a precursor to ongoing peace initiatives since all warring factions must be willing to engage in dialogue for a lasting solution.”

    Monday’s ministerial meeting deliberated on reports by the EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defence following the Nairobi and Dar es Salaam meetings and addressed other outstanding issues concerning sustainable peace and security in eastern DRC.

    Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s position, advocating for a non-partisan, non-coercive, and collective process driven by diplomatic and political initiatives led by African leadership.

    “As we look ahead, we must establish mechanisms where African problems are addressed through African-led solutions. Many countries outside Africa are increasingly prioritizing their own affairs, and this is a wake-up call for the continent to take charge of its challenges,” he observed.

    He emphasized the importance of upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC while minimizing external influence, such as the involvement of mercenaries and foreign militaries.

    He also cautioned against unilateral sanctions imposed by Western nations against Rwanda, arguing that such actions undermine regional organizations, including the African Union (AU), EAC, SADC and the United Nations (UN).

    Mudavadi acknowledged the role of the international community in supporting regional and continental peace initiatives but insisted that assistance should align with the framework established under the ongoing initiative.

    He urged ministers to endorse the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2773, adopted on February 21, 2025, which backs regional efforts led by the AU, EAC, Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and SADC, particularly under the Luanda and Nairobi mediation processes.

    He further highlighted the AU’s request to establish a Joint AU/EAC/SADC Coordination Mechanism to provide technical support, enhance coordination, and complement the Luanda and Nairobi Processes in collaboration with other regional economic communities and mechanisms.

    “I commend the African Union for endorsing the Communiqué of the Joint EAC-SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held on February 8, 2025, in Dar es Salaam; the Communiqué of the Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of SADC on January 31, 2025; and the Communiqué of the 24th Extraordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State on January 29, 2025. We are looking to the AU for support, particularly in resource mobilization and mechanisms to access peace funds to sustain the process,” Mudavadi stated.

    The Harare meeting resolved to expedite the appointment of an expanded panel of facilitators to advance the ongoing peace process.

    Names of former African leaders, including ex-presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, were proposed to spearhead regional peace efforts.

    Additionally, there was a call to include a fourth facilitator from the SADC bloc, specifically a female leader, to ensure gender balance ahead of ratification by the Heads of State Summit scheduled for March 31, 2025.

     

  • Youth groups decry unfair exclusion from IEBC shortlist

    Youth groups decry unfair exclusion from IEBC shortlist

    The Notable National Youth Leaders Caucus and the Inter-Party Youth Forum have written to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel, strongly protesting the exclusion of young, qualified candidates from the recently published shortlist for the positions of Chairperson and Commissioners.

    The youth organizations, led by Alex Matere and Kidi Mwaga, have expressed outrage and disappointment over what they term as a deliberate sidelining of competent young applicants.

    In a letter addressed to the selection panel, the groups accused the panel of favoring individuals with tainted pasts and deep political affiliations while locking out deserving youth candidates.

    “The youth of this country have been shocked, outraged and dismayed by the shortlist published by the Selection Panel for the position of Chair and Commissioners of IEBC,” the letter reads.

    “We outrightly reject the list, which fails to reflect the constitutional principles of inclusivity, fairness and equal opportunity.”

    The protest letter highlights several concerns, including the sudden inclusion of new names in an addendum published on March 14 which were not present in the longlist released on March 6.

    The youth leaders questioned how these names surfaced despite there being no official extension of the application period.

    Furthermore, the youth groups have raised alarm over the integrity of the shortlisted candidates, claiming that the list features individuals with questionable backgrounds, including money launderers, persons charged with economic crimes, individuals with active and pending corruption cases, political party operatives and party officials, officers previously impeached or dismissed from public office over corruption allegations and current and former state officers ineligible for appointment.

    Despite the large number of qualified young applicants who met the constitutional requirements for the positions, none were included in the shortlist, raising suspicions of bias in the selection process.

    The youth groups have put forward four key demands. They are calling for transparency in the selection process, insisting that the panel must publicly explain the criteria used to eliminate youth applicants.

    They demand an immediate review of the selection process to incorporate qualified youth candidates. They want the current shortlist annulled and a fresh list published, ensuring at least 50 per cent representation of youth and persons with disabilities, in line with the principle of inclusivity.

    Additionally, they are asking for the publication of the criteria used in the selection and elimination process, as required by Article 35 (1) (a) & (b) of the 2010 Constitution.

    The youth leaders have warned that failure to address these grievances within 48 hours will result in nationwide protests, legal action, and parliamentary intervention.

    “We reject any process that seeks to entrench the same tainted electoral officials whose actions, by omission or commission, have historically led to disputed elections and loss of young lives. This selection process is evidently flawed and designed to produce a predetermined outcome,” the letter states.

    The protest against the IEBC shortlist adds to growing concerns over transparency and fairness in Kenya’s electoral processes, with youth leaders vowing to continue fighting for representation and accountability in key national institutions.