KBC Channel 1

Author: Nzula Nzyoka

  • ‘Voices in Motion’ launched to support emerging storytellers

    ‘Voices in Motion’ launched to support emerging storytellers

    A new initiative aimed at strengthening sports storytelling in Africa will culminate in a creative summit set to take place from July 29 to August 2.

    The summit forms part of ‘Voices in Motion’, a platform launched by Rolling Stone Africa and ON Kenya to support emerging storytellers documenting African sport.

    Speaking during the launch, ON Kenya’s Navalayo Osembo said the initiative aims to help young creators develop the skills and networks needed to tell African sporting stories from local perspectives.

    “Across Africa, we have extraordinary athletes whose achievements inspire millions, yet many of their journeys remain unseen,” said Navalayo Osembo from ON Kenya. “Through Voices in Motion, we are creating pathways for young creators to develop the skills, networks and opportunities needed to tell these stories authentically and powerfully. We believe that the future of sports storytelling in Africa should be shaped by Africans themselves.”

    The programme was launched against the backdrop of growing calls for more African-led storytelling around the continent’s sporting achievements.

    While Africa has produced some of the world’s most celebrated athletes, many of the stories behind their successes are often told through international media outlets.

    Rolling Stone Africa Editor-in-Chief Gwen Madiba said storytelling plays an important role in shaping culture, preserving history and documenting the journeys behind athletic achievements.

    “Every record broken, every sacrifice made and every triumph achieved deserves to be documented by storytellers who understand the communities and cultures from which these stories emerge. ‘Voices in Motion’ is about ensuring that Africa not only produces world-class athletes but also world-class storytellers capable of sharing these journeys with the world.”

    Applications for the programme are expected to open to aspiring creatives from across Kenya. Successful applicants will gain access to mentorship opportunities, industry exposure and participation at the summit in July.

    The launch event brought together leading creators, media personalities, athletes, journalists, and cultural influencers in a symbolic celebration of storytelling.

  • How the World Cup is blending soccer with music

    How the World Cup is blending soccer with music

    The World Cup, which begins on Thursday, isn’t only about soccer: FIFA is drawing on music stars to elevate the competition into a global cultural event, broadening its reach beyond sports fans.

    From world-famous artists performing at the opening ceremonies to an unprecedented Super Bowl-style halftime show during the final, here is what to expect.

    A musical opening

    Shakira and Burna are expected to perform their song “Dai Dai” at the opening ceremony

    The festivities begin on Wednesday, on the eve of the tournament, with concerts in Mexico City, Toronto, and Los Angeles that combine international superstars and major regional figures.

    Big names include American pop singer Katy Perry, Canadian artist Alanis Morissette, US rapper Future, Brazilian urban pop figure Anitta, Thai K-pop icon Lisa, and Nigerian afrobeats star Rema.

    They will perform alongside artists with strong home country followings, such as Mexican institution Los Angeles Azules, Bollywood singer Nora Fatehi, and French rapper Vegedream.

    “There’s a concerted effort around the FIFA World Cup and their marketing team to leverage music as a through line to connect different audiences from around the world,” said Clayton Durant, a music industry entrepreneur and New York University professor.

    This initiative is not new: in 2021, the organisation launched its FIFA Sound program, describing it as “a strategy to connect with audiences worldwide through shared passions of football and music.”

    Grand Finale

    Colombian music star Shakira, S.Korea band BTS and Madonna will headline the first-ever World Cup halftime show on July 19

    The most striking event will be the halftime of the final, on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

    For the first time, the show will feature a concert with three global headliners: American singer Madonna, Colombian star Shakira, and South Korean group BTS.

    That lineup was conceived in the “spirit of trying to unite the whole world,” said Hugh Evans, head of the NGO Global Citizen, which is producing the show.

    Imagined by Chris Martin, the frontman of Coldplay, the halftime performance is designed to highlight “the best of humanity” and “all the things that unite us,” Evans told AFP.

    He said the amount spent on producing the event is comparable to the Super Bowl halftime show, the final of the American football championship. That is somewhere between $10 and $20 million, according to sources.

    The artists themselves will be performing for free.

    The show is intended to support an education fund that FIFA, regularly accused of putting financial profits first, has set up with Global Citizen.

    Hit single?

    For the official World Cup song, FIFA turned to a safe bet: Shakira. She was behind “Waka Waka,” the 2010 World Cup anthem that became a global sensation.

    Her new track “Dai Dai,” performed with Nigerian singer Burna Boy, blends Latin pop and afrobeats.

    It appears on an official 18-track album that includes the electro group Major Lazer, reggaeton artist Daddy Yankee, and the Rolling Stones, once again heavily mixing genres.

    Artist exposure

    BTS during their comeback concert earlier this year

    The artists featured in these globally broadcast concerts stand to gain a great deal in visibility.

    Durant said those performing will see “fans who have maybe never heard of them and really start to gain a ton of new attention and fandom and consumption of their music and their intellectual property.”

    The World Cup also creates opportunities for more seasoned musicians like Madonna, who, at 67, has not had a major success since “Confessions on a Dance Floor” in 2005.

    The July 19 concert represents a chance for her to rekindle the spark during the promotion of her new album “Confessions II,” scheduled for release on July 3.

  • How the youth are preserving indigenous food and knowledge

    How the youth are preserving indigenous food and knowledge

    The National Museums of Kenya hosted a Food Heritage Festival at the end of May aimed at reclaiming and promoting traditional food systems through a joint partnership between The Tendet Foundation and the Scaling Up Nutrition Civil Society Alliance Kenya (SUN CSA Kenya).

    The event brought together farmers, chefs, researchers, journalists and food enthusiasts for a celebration of Kenya’s traditional foods. In addition to serving and showcasing foods such as arrow root, boiled maize, cassava and original seeds, the event highlighted the urgent need to preserve ancestral food practices that have sustained communities for generations.

    One of the key themes emerging from the festival was the role of indigenous foods in addressing modern health challenges. Panel discussions led by SUN CSA Kenya, food scientists and journalists explored the politics of food, micronutrient deficiencies and the growing prevalence of obesity and diet-related diseases.

    Perhaps, the most surprising thing about the event, however, was the number of young people in attendance who were passionate about preserving Kenya’s traditional culture, whether through food, knowledge, music or fashion.

    Tendet Foundation Team. From left to right: Denis Waweru (Field Operations Officer), Muusi Nzyoka (Co-Founder & C.O.O.), Mitchelle Tendet (Founder & C.E.O.), Charity Mwabu (C.F.O.), and Pamela Otieno (Programs Manager). (Photo: Boniface Muema)

    Most of the young attendees were invited through the Tendet Foundation, founded by two University of Nairobi Anthropology graduates – Mitchelle Tendet and Muusi Nzyoka.

    Speaking exclusively to KBC Digital, the two founders of the Tendet foundation shared their motivation for organising an event celebrating traditional food and knowledge.

    “In Kenya, traditional food has been under threat from historical factors and the pressure of modern lifestyles,” Muusi Nzyoka, Co-Founder and COO, said. “A festival creates a living, breathing space where that knowledge is celebrated rather than mourned.”

    For Mitchelle Tendet, Founder and CEO, her lightbulb moment was realising that there was an audience and market for such a festival.

    “One of the most powerful insights was the realisation that there is still a deep appreciation for indigenous foods across generations, but there are very few spaces where these conversations can happen collectively,” she said. “It was amazing to witness the multi-stakeholder and intergenerational engagement before my very eyes.”

    In addition to food, the event was aimed at sharing indigenous knowledge and finding ways to preserve it.

    “Food felt like the most immediate entry point, it is something every Kenyan interacts with daily, yet most of us don’t stop to ask where that knowledge comes from, who holds it, or what we lose when it disappears,” Mr Muusi said. “The Food Heritage Festival specifically appealed to us because food is not just nutrition, it is memory, identity, and community.”

    “Food is more than nutrition; it is heritage, memory, and community,” Ms Mitchelle adds. “When traditional foods disappear, we risk losing entire knowledge systems that have sustained communities for generations.”

    The two who just recently graduated say this idea began sprouting in their university days.

    “Our journey began through university as anthropology students where we were exposed to the deep inequalities surrounding how indigenous knowledge systems are treated in Kenya,” Mr Muusi said. “That experience planted the seed. I grew up as a “naeza skia lakini siezi ongea” Kenyan, and as an adult, I feel a deep responsibility to help preserve our cultural heritage.”

    Despite their age, Ms Mitchelle hopes to spark significant change through the Tendet Foundation.

    “It is often seen as unusual for young people to be concerned about traditional knowledge systems, yet this is exactly why our involvement is important. Young people are not only the future custodians of these knowledge systems; they are also innovators, storytellers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and advocates.

    “We hope to see more young people embracing indigenous foods, supporting local farmers, documenting community knowledge, and helping reimagine food heritage in ways that speak to contemporary realities while preserving the wisdom of the past.”

    One of the major discussions that arose from the festival was the stigma around traditional food and the imagined prestige associated with fast food, prompting the need to sensitise the youth.

    In Kenya, local foods have long been looked down upon and associated with poverty and backwardness,” Mr Muusi said. “Reversing that stigma, especially among youth, is foundational to everything we do. The balance isn’t about choosing between the old and the new. It’s about making sure the old never gets left behind.”

    “I believe this is a societal problem. That we as individuals need to take an initiative to unlearn and deconstruct. There are two conditions we chase that I believe have led us here,” Ms Mitchelle added. “Convenience and validation; Globalisation, urbanisation, and Classism, all these are winning due to these conditions that provide a very enabling environment, combined with aggressive marketing, have made imported and processed foods more desirable.”

    As Kenya faces the “triple burden” of malnutrition, characterised by persistent undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and rising rates of obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs), according to the Ministry of Health, the duo want to continue building “intergenerational platforms.”

    “Over the next few years, Tendet Foundation hopes to continue creating intergenerational platforms that connect communities, particularly young people, to culture, heritage, sustainability, and environmental stewardship,” Ms Mitchelle said.

    The foundation is expected to host another event in Busia geared toward knowledge preservation through tree planting.

    “Through annual initiatives such as the Food Heritage Festival, Mazingira week, this year will be our second edition, and traditional community garden projects such as the one we hope to do in Busia in July, community engagements, storytelling, and creative learning spaces, we want to make heritage and traditional knowledge accessible, relevant, and inspiring to younger generations, while enabling older generations to pass down these crucial knowledge systems to them,” Ms Mitchelle adds.

  • Film director’s son seeks access to trust fund from parents he’s charged with killing

    Film director’s son seeks access to trust fund from parents he’s charged with killing

    Nick Reiner, the son of legendary US movie director Rob Reiner, is demanding access to a $1.5 million (Ksh. 194m) trust fund set up by the parents he is charged with murdering, court documents show.

    A 136-page petition filed in Los Angeles says Reiner should have begun receiving the money two years ago, and his inability to access it left him unable to pay the expensive attorney who had originally represented him after his arrest over the December stabbing of his mother and father.

    “Nick loved his parents, and he is devastated by their deaths,” the petition, filed Monday, says.

    “But the facts about what did and did not happen to them are not at issue in this trust litigation.”

    The 32-year-old was arrested on December 14 after the bodies of his filmmaker father and his mother, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, were discovered at their home in the Brentwood neighbourhood of Los Angeles.

    Prosecutors said 79-year-old Reiner, who helmed huge hits including “When Harry Met Sally” and “A Few Good Men”, and his wife, 70, were knifed to death.

    Nick Reiner is one of three children they had together. Rob Reiner also adopted a child during his first marriage.

    Monday’s filing says the trust was one of three set up for their children with “unambiguous instructions” as part of an estate plan established in 1993.

    According to the petition, Nick Reiner should have received half of the money when he turned 30, with the other half available to him five years later.

    His attorneys say the awards are mandatory and unconditional.

    “They were a commitment by Nick’s parents, in the most binding way the law of trusts allows, that these resources would belong to Nick for his use and benefit,” the petition says.

    Reiner was originally represented by celebrity attorney Alan Jackson, who left the case a short time later. The petition says Reiner’s inability to access the trust money meant he could not pay the lawyer.

    Reiner, who has a history of addiction, has pleaded not guilty to murder charges. He remains in jail, and his case is next expected to be dealt with in September.

    If convicted as charged, Reiner could face life in prison without parole or the death penalty, although California does not typically carry out capital punishment.

    In April, his brother paid emotional tribute to the men’s parents, calling their deaths “almost too impossible to process.”

    “We lost more than half of our family that night in the most violent way imaginable,” Jake Reiner wrote in his first detailed public remarks about the killings.

    Rob Reiner, the son of legendary comedian Carl Reiner, started his showbiz career in acting.

    He won fame as the oafish son-in-law Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the groundbreaking 1970s sitcom “All in the Family,” before transitioning to directing.

    As a director, he struck Hollywood gold.

    His output included classic films like 1984’s rock music mockumentary “This is Spinal Tap,” fantasy gem “The Princess Bride” from 1987, and seminal coming-of-age movie “Stand By Me.”

    “A Few Good Men,” starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.

  • China-Hunam Film Week opens in Nairobi

    China-Hunam Film Week opens in Nairobi

    Kenya is once again offering film lovers an opportunity to learn about a different culture, this time through film.

    The China-Hunan Film Week officially commenced in Nairobi this week, with a delegation from Hunan Province in central China visiting the University of Nairobi to explore cooperation in film and television production.

    The visit and the Film Week in general are aimed at promoting dialogue, as well as the sharing of knowledge and experience, among senior officials, scholars and industry experts on future avenues for collaboration in the creative economy.

    Attending Tuesday’s opening ceremony, Kenya Film Commission CEO Timothy Owase delivered a keynote address celebrating the power of film to unite cultures and build global creative bridges.

    He highlighted the importance of international collaboration, noting that film transcends borders and opens doors for co-production, skills exchange, and shared storytelling between Kenya and China. The CEO reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to positioning the country as a leading filming destination and a hub for global creative partnerships.

    How and where to watch

    Century Cinemax (beginning June 10) are participating in the film week by showcasing some films from China for free this week. Timings are shown below.

    Cinemax Junction – Ngong Road

    However, if you can;t make it this week, the Unseen Nairobi will screen several Chinese films as a separate Chinese Film Week celebration beginning June 18 to 22. Kindly note that you will need to buy tickets for this one.

    Unseen Nairobi – Woodvale Grove

     

  • Azziad becomes new face of Garnier

    Azziad becomes new face of Garnier

    Content creator, media personality and beauty influencer Azziad Nasenya is now the official face of Garnier products in East Africa.

    Nasenya’s unveiling comes as the L’Oréal East Africa brand launches its Garnier Even & Bright Serum Cleanser, a 2-in-1 innovation that cleanses and brightens skin.

    This marks the first time a Kenyan has been selected to front a Garnier product campaign in the region. According to the company, the partnership is part of a broader effort to connect global beauty brands with local audiences through recognisable African voices and faces.

    Azziad described the opportunity as significant not only for her career but for representation in the beauty industry. She said she was excited by what the appointment symbolised for young Kenyan girls who rarely see themselves reflected in international beauty campaigns.

    Speaking at the launch, Marie Van Haesendonck, L’Oréal East Africa managing director, emphasised that the event signified two powerful moments: a historic Kenyan first and a genuinely world-class product offered at an accessible price point.

    This news comes months after Ms Nasenya was appointed as Maybelline New York’s Digital Spokesperson for Sub-Saharan Africa, a role she described as a historic first for a digital creator from Kenya and East Africa.

    Her latest partnership places her alongside other Kenyan personalities who have represented international beauty brands, including Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o, who serves as a global ambassador for Lancôme.

    Azziad’s appointment also follows a wider trend within L’Oréal-owned brands of partnering with African talent.

    In recent years, Maybelline New York appointed Nigerian singer Ayra Starr as a spokesperson for the brand in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    The beauty market continues to grow exponentially, with estimates forecasting the market’s growth into a $590B industry by 2030, according to a 2025 report by McKinsey.

  • “Don’t try to make James Bond woke” – Idris Elba

    “Don’t try to make James Bond woke” – Idris Elba

    British actor Sir Idris Elba has said that James Bond shouldn’t become “woke” and that some audiences would not accept a black male playing 007.

    Sir Idris, who has previously said that he was “never in the race” to play the famous spy despite years of rumours, told GQ that he was nevertheless flattered by the suggestion.

    He said that Bond “was written how he was written for a reason”, but added he was “complimented” by being linked to the role.

    “In realistic terms, some markets just don’t go for that,” Sir Idris said. “Bond is big all over the world. And [audiences] won’t [all] go for a black male, an African male, playing Bond. That’s not what they like in their culture. Period.”

    Sir Idris continued: “Bond is so unrealistic, so a hint of reality is good, but let’s not try and make it woke. I think you’ve got to be pure to what it is: escapism. Don’t try to answer the world’s taste. Just be Bond.”

    The actor, who is currently starring in the film ‘Masters of the Universe’ as Man-at-Arms, joked about the fact that his latest character – a 1980s cartoon character with a ginger moustache – looked nothing like him.

    “Talk about recasting,” he says. “I was a bit conscious about it. But then I was like, ‘What are you talking about?! Man-At-Arms could be any colour! He’s got green legs, for God’s sake!’”

    Rumoured casting

    The search for the next 007 officially began last month, after years of anticipation and speculation about who will take over from Daniel Craig.

    Auditions have been taking place in recent weeks, according to Hollywood outlet Variety, and the statement signals the beginning of the end of the long wait for a new James Bond.

    “While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right,” Amazon added.

    It’s been five years since the release of ‘No Time To Die’ Craig’s final film as the famous spy.

    The studio has already announced that the next movie will be directed by ‘Dune’s Denis Villeneuve and written by ‘Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight.

    Variety reported that Nina Gold, one of Hollywood’s leading casting directors, who has worked on the ‘Paddington’, ‘Star Wars’, ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Mamma Mia!’ franchises, is searching for a new lead actor.

    Rumoured possibles for the role include Callum Turner, who recently married Dua Lipa, Henry Cavill and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

  • Police officer turned Love Island US contestant faces backlash

    Police officer turned Love Island US contestant faces backlash

    For one Love Island USA contestant, the drama started before even entering the villa.

    The decision by a police officer in the US state of Pennsylvania to leave the force and chase love on one of the country’s most popular reality TV shows has ignited tempers and become the talk of the town in his hometown of Bethlehem.

    After Sean Reifel was announced as a cast member of the dating show last week, the mayor of the city of 75,000 residents expressed frustration over his departure – less than a year after he’d joined the department.

    “I never thought I’d see the day in America where reality show participation wins out over being a police officer,” Mayor J. William Reynolds said.

    “Our police department spent a lot of time training, and we paid thousands of taxpayer dollars to send him to the police academy,” the mayor said, according to Fox8.

    The vacant position cannot be filled until next year, he added.

    Reifel’s former boss, Police Chief Michelle Kott, told the BBC that while the department respects his decision, “I would be less than candid if I didn’t acknowledge my disappointment in losing another police officer”.

    Kott said that with Reifel’s resignation, the department now has 16 officer vacancies. He has noted Reifel’s decision was not a good look.

    “Law enforcement agencies across the United States continue to face significant recruiting and retention challenges, and every vacancy affects our organisation and the community we serve,” the police chief added.

    The drama caused a stir among residents in the area known for its lush greenery, colonial architecture and industrial history.

    Kristine Ruff, a small business owner who lives in the area, was getting her hair done at a local salon.

    Ruff recounted the salon owner saying, “Oh my God, did you hear? One of the contestants is from Bethlehem. He’s a cop. I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s crazy.’”

    Ruff, whose kids go to school in Bethlehem, told the BBC she immediately texted her sister, who said: “Yeah, we were just talking about it.’”

    Everyone in the area is “sending the show clips from Instagram to each other, saying, like, ‘Can you believe that it’s a local guy that’s on the show?’” Ruff said.

    But the controversy with local officials has seeped into the excitement. Ruff said she’s watching the show this season as Bethlehem is thrust into the national spotlight.

    “Listen, I wish there was a different reason why we’re being put on the map,” she quipped. But, “if it gets more people to learn about this pretty part of the country, then I’m OK with that.”

    Residents in one community Facebook group appeared divided over the evolving saga.

    “This is such a great opportunity for him. I understand the older people think it’s silly (and that’s OK), but this little appearance could potentially set him up for life!” one community member wrote.

    “Truthfully, the mayor should be ashamed of himself. The fact that this man put his life on the line for HIS city and then be criticised… don’t criticise a man who has kept us safe,” the person continued.

    Another resident wrote, “Good for him. You do you boo!!”

    Others weren’t so supportive, some arguing they had paid tax dollars to help train him.

    One person said the content of this type of show was not “becoming of a police officer”.

    “It’s all about the work ethic,” another person remarked, noting this is a short-term opportunity that could impact his career. “I doubt any police department anywhere is gonna put any more energy into him after what he did to his previous department, which is let them hang low.”

    Reifel’s family has taken to social media to defend him, arguing the claims that taxpayers wasted money on his training were overblown.

    His sister, Brice Marie, said the city and police force could have used his appearance as an opportunity to “connect with the community, generate positive publicity for the town, and help improve perceptions of law enforcement”.

    “Instead, they chose a response that will likely reinforce the stereotypes they should be working to change.”

    Reifel’s mother, Beth Reifel Bow, also chimed in on social media, explaining statements by city leaders that they had paid for his training in the police academy were inflated. She said he had already worked as an officer before moving to Bethlehem and had some training.

    “I’m not saying they didn’t do any training, but they also weren’t fully honest about all the details,” she said.

    Bow said she is proud of her son. “It is a brave decision to put yourself out there to find love under the microscope of the world.”

    The Peacock reality series, a spinoff of the popular UK show, films in real time while episodes air almost daily. The season premiere on Tuesday introduced viewers across the US – and globe – to Reifel.

    In the first episode, he talked about his work on the force, telling viewers that working as an officer makes “you feel like you made a difference” each day.

    He also shared a story about a woman in his community calling him “officer sexy pants”, which he says was a “hit at work”.

    “I’m not a model, not an actor, I’m a police officer actually,” Reifel said. “You could be having the worst day of your life, and I’ll just help you sift through that.”

    ‘On Love Island’, the grand prize is $100,000 (Ksh. 12.9m), though the bigger prize is typically the fame and notoriety that comes with becoming an islander – including the lucrative brand deals and overnight influencer status on social media.

    Reifel was sworn into the Bethlehem Police Department in August 2025, according to a post on the department’s social media.

    The starting salary for an officer in Bethlehem is just under $70,000 (Ksh.9m), according to the department’s website.

  • Actor James Handy dead at 81 after fatal stabbing

    Actor James Handy dead at 81 after fatal stabbing

    US actor James Handy, known for his roles in films including ‘Jumanji’ and ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, has been stabbed to death at his home in Los Angeles, police have said.

    Handy, who was 81, was found unconscious in the front garden of his home in Tarzana, California, on Wednesday with several stab wounds to the chest.

    Michael Gledhill, 44, the son of Handy’s girlfriend, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

    Officers responded to a report of “unknown trouble” after a caller dialled 911 and told police: “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”

    Handy was born in New York and appeared in a string of films and TV shows over six decades, often as a supporting character or for a small number of episodes.

    Despite rarely being the leading star, Handy racked up a long string of credits, including ‘NYPD Blue’, ‘K-9’, ‘Law & Order’, ‘CSI: NY’, ‘Logan’, ‘Alias’, ‘Castle’, ‘NCIS’, ‘The West Wing’, ‘Arachnophobia’, ‘The X-Files ‘ and ‘Murder, She Wrote’.

    His most recent film role was 2022’s ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, in which he played Jimmy, a bartender who works with the character played by Jennifer Connelly, Tom Cruise’s love interest.

    ‘Superb character actor’

    Paying tribute, entertainment writer Jay Bobbin said he was “heartbroken to learn about the passing of superb character actor”.

    Writer and producer Don Winslow, who created the 2001 procedural drama UC: Undercover, in which Handy appeared, described Handy as a “terrific actor”.

    “We were honoured to have him on UC: Undercover in a recurring role,” Winslow said. “His performances were always special.”

    Following Handy’s death, the LAPD said Gledhill “flagged down nearby responding officers, telling them he was the one they were looking for”.

    “The suspect resides at the location with his mother, who is the victim’s girlfriend,” a statement added.

    “Detectives believe this is an isolated incident and there appears to be no danger to the public.”

    After his arrest, Gledhill was transported to Van Nuys Jail and booked for one count of murder, with his bail set at $2m (KSh. 258.7M)

  • Eric Omondi arrested at JKIA over fuel protests, DCI say

    Eric Omondi arrested at JKIA over fuel protests, DCI say

    Former comedian-turned-activist Eric Omondi has been arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport over his actions during the fuel protests.

    The Directorate of Criminal Investigations confirmed the comedian’s arrest by releasing a statement online.

    “The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirms the arrest of Erick Omondi today, 5th June 2026, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA),” the statement from DCI read. “The arrest follows ongoing investigations in which several other suspects linked to the same incidents were previously arrested and subsequently arraigned in court on 18th May 2026.”

    In their statement, DCI said he had been arrested following credible intelligence gathering.

    “Following credible intelligence, detectives from DCI Central, working jointly with CRIB Nairobi Region, arrested the suspect in connection with offences committed under the guise of the recent fuel-related protests in Nairobi. He is currently recording his statement at the Nairobi Region DCI Headquarters as he is being processed for arraignment.”

    In May, Eric Omondi offloaded empty yellow jerricans onto the streets of Nairobi while yelling, “Punguza Mafuta.”

    The protest was meant to highlight the rising cost of living following recent fuel price increases announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra).

    However, the DCI cautioned Kenyans against breaking the law while demonstrating.

    “The DCI reminds the public that, while the Constitution guarantees the right to assemble, picket, and demonstrate peacefully, these rights must be exercised responsibly and within the confines of the law,” the statement continued. “Any criminal acts committed under the guise of protests, demonstrations, or civic action will be investigated and dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.”

    Following Omondi’s arrest, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino called the charges against Omondi “frivolous.”

    “We are with @ericomondi at Nairobi Area Regional Police Headquarters. Eric was arrested today at JKIA at 12.15PM,” Babu said. “The charges pressed against him are frivolous, fickle, limping and vexatious. The DCI officers have refused to admit him to bail. Let’s meet in Court on Monday and come prepared.”