KBC Channel 1

Author: Dismas Otuke

  • Moroccan Sahara: Kenya supports autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty

    Moroccan Sahara: Kenya supports autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty

    Kenya expressed on Thursday its support for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty and affirmed its intention to cooperate with like-minded states to promote its implementation.

    This position was expressed on the occasion of the first session of the Morocco-Kenya Joint Cooperation Commission, co-chaired in Nairobi by Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita and Prime Cabinet Secretary and Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi.

    In the Joint Communiqué adopted at the end of this Joint Commission, Kenya “welcomed the growing international consensus and the momentum driven by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in favor of the autonomy plan presented by the Kingdom of Morocco,” describing autonomy as “the only credible and realistic solution to resolve the dispute over the Sahara.”

    Deeming the autonomy plan presented by Morocco to be a “sustainable approach” to resolving the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, Kenya stated its intention to “cooperate with like-minded States to promote its implementation.”

    Kenya also welcomed the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2797, which enshrines “the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty as the basis for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable resolution of the dispute.”

    In this regard, Kenya stated that it “endorses the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to facilitate and conduct negotiations based on the autonomy plan.”

    In this Joint Communiqué, the Kingdom of Morocco “welcomed the support of the Republic of Kenya for the United Nations framework as the exclusive mechanism to achieve a lasting political solution” to the dispute over the Sahara issue.

    Morocco further expressed its “appreciation for Kenya’s recognition of the Kingdom’s continued cooperation with the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to advance the political process” on the basis of the relevant Security Council resolutions.

  • ADD confirms Morocco’s role at GITEX Africa 2026,renews its CAITA Presidency

    ADD confirms Morocco’s role at GITEX Africa 2026,renews its CAITA Presidency

    The Digital Development Agency (ADD) has acknowledged Morocco’s role at GITEX Africa 2026 by renewing its African Council of Information Technology Agencies (CAITA) Presidency mandate.

    This was confirmed during the 4th CAITA meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, from 7th to 9th April at the sidelines of GITEX Africa 2026.

    Held under the April High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this continental event confirmed its position as a strategic platform dedicated to strengthening integrated, operational, and impact-orientated African digital cooperation.

    The convening of this 4th CAITA meeting illustrated the growing influence of this key coordination mechanism serving the continent’s digital transformation dynamics.

    As a consultative body of Smart Africa, the Council brings together national digital and IT agencies to promote strategy alignment, expertise sharing, and the development of concerted responses to African digital challenges.

    Opening the proceedings, Mr Amine El Mezouaghi, Director General of the Digital Development Agency and current President of CAITA, emphasised the importance of this gathering.

    Organised within the framework of GITEX Africa Morocco, it brings together public decision-makers, private sector players, investors, academics, and civil society representatives for three days to address major digital issues.

    “It is an immense honour for me to preside over this 4th CAITA meeting in Morocco and to reaffirm our commitment to actively contribute to the realisation of its missions and activities,” he stated, while also praising the momentum driven by Smart Africa and the commitment of the participating African agencies.

    This meeting builds upon the work initiated since 2023.

    The inaugural CAITA meeting, held in Marrakech on June 1, 2023, alongside the first edition of GITEX Africa Morocco, brought together 15 national agencies and marked the election of Morocco, through the ADD, to the Council’s presidency.

    A second extraordinary meeting held online structured CAITA’s operating procedures and adopted its 2024 action plan.

    The third meeting, held on May 29, 2024, in Marrakech, consolidated this momentum through strategic work and capacity-building sessions for members.

    Continuing this trajectory, a meeting held in Rabat in July 2025, chaired by the ADD, launched structural initiatives, notably the development of the first African guidelines for cross-border data exchange, reflecting a shared ambition for digital integration based on interoperability and trust.

    In this dynamic, the ADD presented an ambitious roadmap for CAITA, centred on a dedicated 2026-2027 action plan.

    This plan aims to accelerate the implementation of structural projects, strengthen cooperation mechanisms between member agencies, and consolidate the emergence of coordinated, inclusive, and results-orientated African digital governance.

    Furthermore, Council members commended the progress achieved under the Moroccan presidency and decided to renew the mandate of the Kingdom of Morocco through the ADD at the head of CAITA.

    The decision testifies to the confidence placed in the Kingdom’s leadership in driving this continental dynamic.

    By organising this 4th CAITA meeting in Marrakech, the Digital Development Agency reaffirms its leading role in structuring a coordinated and pragmatic African digital governance.

    By placing these proceedings at the heart of GITEX Africa Morocco, the ADD contributes to strengthening a collective momentum capable of accelerating the continent’s digital transformation for the benefit of African citizens, economies, and institutions.

  • Opening Diamond League in Doha postponed to June 19

    Opening Diamond League in Doha postponed to June 19

    The opening Wanda Diamond League meeting set for Doha on May 8th has been rescheduled to take place at the Khalifa International Stadium on June 19.

    The Mazzraty Doha Meeting was originally scheduled to take place at the Qatar Sports Club .

    In recent weeks, the Diamond League has been monitoring the situation in Doha, working in close coordination with meeting organisers, Qatari authorities and other stakeholders.

    In the interests of athlete and spectator safety, a decision has now been taken to postpone the meeting. Should conditions allow, it will now be held on June 19.

    As temperatures are expected to be higher in Doha in June, the meeting will also be moved from the Qatar Sports Club to the Khalifa International Stadium.

    The stadium, which hosted both the Diamond League and the World Athletics Championships in 2019, is temperature regulated, allowing athletes to compete safely even in hotter conditions.

    The new date will fall between the Bislett Games in Oslo on June 10 and the Meeting de Paris on June 28, making Doha the eighth leg of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League.

    The Diamond League series will begin in Shanghai/Keqiao on May 16 and end at the Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels on September 4-5.

    The Diamond League will continue to monitor developments in the Middle East in the coming weeks.

    The series and meeting organisers remain committed to delivering the highest level of safe and secure competition for athletes, media and spectators.

  • Leopards coach Ambani and Rangers striker Macharia crowned best in March

    Leopards coach Ambani and Rangers striker Macharia crowned best in March

    AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani and Posta Rangers forward Jackson Macharia have been named the SportPesa League Coach and Player of the Month for March, following their outstanding performances.

    Ambani’s leadership inspired a resurgent AFC Leopards side back into the league title race and earned him the accolade, his second of the season, while Macharia’s decisive goals single-handedly dragged his team out of an 11-game winless run.

    Ambani opened the month of  March in style thumping Shabana FC 5-1 ,followed by a shock 4-1 humbling by Mathare United before piecing together three wins on the bounce to close the gap on rivals Gor Mahia .

    “March was an important month for us because the team showed character and belief in every match. Our focus now is to maintain this momentum and keep pushing towards our goals,” he said.

    “It’s been a while since our club was in such a strong position around this time of the season. We are taking it one game at a time and hopefully we’ll give our loyal fans something to celebrate at season end,” added the former Kenya international.

    Ambani won the accolade accompanied with  Ksh75,000 which is his 2nd honour this season after grabbing the December 2025 gong.

    He joins Gor Mahia’s Charles Akonnor as a double winner this campaign. For a second month running, Akonnor finished runner-up after guiding Gor Mahia to a 67% win rate in 3 matches, scoring 6 goals and conceding thrice.

    Meanwhile Macharia stopped what would have been an Ingwe clean sweep as he edged Tyson Otieno for the players’ award.

    The experienced attacker had an outstanding March run, stroking home 4 goals in 4 matches, the highest in the period, which included the opener in a 1-1 draw against Gor Mahia and a brace that edged Kariobangi Sharks 2-1.

    Posta Rangers midfielder Jackson Macharia displays his SportPesa League Player of the Month award for March at the Thogoto Teachers Training College where the team is training

    Macharia who pocketed Ksh 50,000 and a customized trophy said the recognition reflects the collective effort of the team and technical bench.

    “I’m grateful for this award and thankful to my teammates and coaches who have supported me throughout the season,” said Macharia. “Football is a team sport and every goal I score comes from the work we do together. I’m motivated to keep working hard and help the team achieve even more in the remaining matches.”

    SportPesa’s Head of Partnerships and Sponsorships, Japheth Akhulia congratulated both winners, saying: “The level of competition in the SportPesa League continues to rise, with clubs and players delivering outstanding performances week after week.Celebrating excellence through these monthly awards is an important way of recognising the progress and quality in our game.”

    The SportPesa Player and Coach of the Month awards recognize monthly exceptional performances and are informed by detailed match data and performance metrics compiled by Tisini, ensuring transparency and objectivity in the selection process.

  • CAF is open to investigations into corruption allegations,says Motsepe

    CAF is open to investigations into corruption allegations,says Motsepe

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Patrice Motsepe, has said they welcome any investigation into corruption allegations at the organisation.

    Motsepe said this on Wednesday during his visit to Senegal, the first of its kind since the 2025 AFCON final debacle, which has elicited many reactions, with the Senegalese government calling for an investigation of the CAF officials for corruption.

    Senegal’s government last month demanded an investigation into corruption after the ‌country was stripped of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title by the CAF Appeal Board, and the trophy was awarded to the final opponents, Morocco.

    Motsepe met with officials from the Senegalese Football ⁠Federation and Senegal president Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Wednesday, where he urged unity following ​the fallout from the final.

    “I would welcome any investigation into corruption at CAF, be it by a government or any institution,” Motsepe told reporters. “In fact, I would encourage it. We will give them our full cooperation.I have been told ​there were problems in the past, and we intervened. It is not just in football but in business and politics too. We cannot give our children the perception that if you want to ‌succeed ⁠in life, be corrupt. There has to be zero tolerance for corruption.” Motsepe said

    Motsepe also denied claims of favouritism to Morocco in the CAF appeal’s case.

    Senegal has filed an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport challenging the CAF appeals committee’s decision of declaring Morocco as AFCON 2025 champions.

  • Winners of Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon 2025 awarded prize money

    Winners of Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon 2025 awarded prize money

    Winners of the 22nd edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon have received a total of Ksh 11,775,000 in prize money, with 42km champions Bernard Chepkwony and Hellen Chepkorir each awarded Ksh 2 million.

    Chepkwony and Chepkorir delivered outstanding performances in the men’s and women’s full marathon, clocking 2:11:01 and 2:27:17, respectively.

    Alex Chepkwik Saekwo, who finished second in the marathon, received Ksh 1 million, while Omullo Ezekiel Kemboi took home Ksh 500,000 for his third-place finish.

    Naomy Chepkorir secured second place to bag Ksh 1 million.

    In the half marathon, Joshua Kithuku and Fridah Rerimoi claimed top honours in the men’s and women’s categories, each taking home Ksh 300,000.

    In the wheelchair 21km categories, athletes were awarded a combined total of Ksh 1.3 million.

    David Mwindi, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, said: “The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, which is Kenya’s only World Athletics Road Race Label event, is more than a race; it is a platform that transforms lives. Today’s awards recognise athletic excellence while reinforcing our commitment to equipping athletes with financial knowledge for long-term success.”

    Beyond recognising athletic achievement, the event also featured a financial literacy and legal advisory session led by Standard Chartered experts.

    Joyce Kibe, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing, Kenya & Africa at Standard Chartered: “For over two decades, this marathon has been more than a race, raising approximately KSh 520 million channelled into initiatives empowering women and persons with disabilities with skills to improve their livelihoods. Last year alone, we raised KSh 76 million from the marathon.”

    The President of Athletics Kenya, Gen. Jackson Tuwei, emphasised the importance of holistic athlete support: “The continued growth of the marathon reflects strong collaboration between partners and Athletics Kenya. By rewarding performance, supporting athlete development and empowering athletes with financial knowledge, knowledge helps them safeguard their careers, earnings and long-term wellbeing.”

    The 2025 edition attracted a record 30,602 participants from 92 nationalities, including over 200 elite athletes. Participation among persons with disabilities rose to 184, up from 146 in 2024.

    The 10km race recorded the highest turnout, with 12,855 runners.

    The top participating nationalities included Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, China, the United States and the United Kingdom.

  • Olympic champion Garby Thomas confirmed for Kip Keino Classic

    Olympic champion Garby Thomas confirmed for Kip Keino Classic

    American Olympic 200m Champion Garby Thomas is set to participate in the Seventh edition of the Kip Keino Classic continental tour, scheduled for the 24th of this month at Nyayo National Stadium.

    At 29 years old, Thomas, who led the US team to secure gold in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays at the 2024 Paris Olympics, will be competing in the 100m event in Kenya.

    Kenya will host the second gold tour meet of the season after  Australia’s Maurie Plant meet, marking the first time in history that it will be conducted under floodlights.

    The main program, featuring all core track events, is scheduled to take place from 7 pm to 9 pm.

  • Australia women’s team lands in Kenya ahead of FIFA Series

    Australia women’s team lands in Kenya ahead of FIFA Series

    The Australian women’s soccer team, known as The Matildas, touched down in Kenya early Wednesday morning in preparation for the first-ever FIFA series, scheduled to take place at Nyayo National Stadium from the 11th to the 15th of this month.

    Ranked as the top team in the Kenyan FIFA series in position 15th globally, The Matildas will kick off their campaign against Malawi on Saturday, the 11th, at 2 pm. Later that day, the Harambee Starlets will face India in a match set for 6 pm.

    Australia became the second nation to arrive at JKIA, following India’s landing on Wednesday evening.

    The teams that win their matches will advance to the final next Wednesday, while the losing teams will compete in the third-place playoff, which will serve as the curtain raiser.

  • Motsepe visits Senegal today in a bid to ease AFCON 2025 tension

    Motsepe visits Senegal today in a bid to ease AFCON 2025 tension

    The Confederation of African Football President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, is to visit Senegal today and meet the Senegalese Head of State, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and the Senegalese Football Federation President, Abdoulaye Fall.

    He will engage in discussions with Senegal’s Head of State, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and  Abdoulaye Fall, the leader of the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football.

    The visit is reportedly intended to defuse tensions, renew communication, and avert any further developments that could negatively impact the cohesion and standing of African football.

    Insiders reveal that CAF is committed to finding a fair resolution that upholds legal standards while addressing the mounting concerns of fans and officials.

    Motsepe’s involvement signifies the critical nature of the situation and the immediate requirement for top-level intervention.

    This marks Motsepe’s inaugural official visit to Senegal following the CAF appeals committee’s decision to revoke the 2025 AFCON trophy from the Senegalese team, subsequently awarding it to Morocco.

  • Chebet set to defend her SOYA award this Friday

    Chebet set to defend her SOYA award this Friday

    Double world champion Beatrice Chebet is the favourite to retain the Sportswoman of the Year award during the 22nd Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) set for this Friday at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi.

    The double Olympic champion was in scintillating form last year when she bagged gold for Kenya in both 5,000m and 10,000m at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships in September, equalling Vivian Cheruiyot’s 2011 achievement when she won double gold over the distances in Daegu, South Korea.

    The double Olympic champion won the 2024 Soya award in last year’s edition and will be defending her gong alongside fellow world champions Faith Kipyegon in 1500m, Faith Cherotich in 3000mSC, Lillian Odira in 800m and German-born Kenyan pioneer fencer Alexandra Ndolo.

    Sportsmen and women who excelled in 2025 will be awarded in 16 SOYA categories during Friday’s gala, which will be graced by former marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie from Ethiopia.

    The award was incepted by five-time world cross-country champion and retired NOC-K president Paul Tergat.