KBC Channel 1

Author: Prudence Wanza

  • DCI launches manhunt for suspect linked to disappearance of 4-year-old child

    DCI launches manhunt for suspect linked to disappearance of 4-year-old child

    The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is appealing to members of the public to share any information that could lead to the arrest of a suspect linked to the disappearance of a four-year-old in Nakuru.

    According to the DCI, the child was reported missing at Mwariki Police Station on June 11, 2026.

    Investigators say the suspect later allegedly contacted the family and attempted to negotiate a ransom, deepening the family’s distress as they searched for the missing child.

    Acting on intelligence leads, detectives from the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit (AHTCPU), working jointly with officers from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) and Mwariki Police Station, tracked the suspect to a plot in the Quarry area of Rongai.

    However, the suspect reportedly escaped into nearby slums after noticing detectives closing in on him and has remained at large since then.

    Police said a search of the room where the suspect had spent the night yielded a mobile phone, personal belongings and a mother-and-child clinic booklet bearing the details of another minor from Nakuru County.

    The recovery has prompted investigators to pursue additional leads as they seek to establish the suspect’s activities and locate the missing child.

    The DCI has urged members of the public with information that could aid the suspect’s arrest or help establish his whereabouts to report to the nearest police station.

  • Trump says US-Iran deal to be signed on Sunday as Tehran casts doubt on timing

    Trump says US-Iran deal to be signed on Sunday as Tehran casts doubt on timing

    President Donald Trump has said a deal to end fighting between the US and Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday, after Iran cast doubt on the timing.

    In a post on social media, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route, would be “open to all” once the deal is agreed.

    On Saturday, Pakistan, a key mediator, also said the deal was “likely expected” to be finalised within 24 hours and they were “preparing for the electronic signing”.

    Before Trump’s comments, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei expressed caution over the timeline, saying: “We will have to wait and see about the exact date of the signing of the memorandum of understanding, although it will not be tomorrow [Sunday].”

    A delegation from Qatar, which has also mediated in the talks, arrived in Tehran on Sunday, Iranian media reported.

    It was not clear if the visit would affect the timing of Iran’s expected signature of the deal.

    In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump wrote: “The Deal is scheduled to get signed tomorrow, and immediately after it is signed, the Hormuz Strait is OPEN TO ALL.”

    In an apparent reference to Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles, Trump said that “at the appropriate time, when all is calm, we will go in and get the Nuclear Dust”, adding it would later be destroyed.

    For decades, Iran has been accused by Western countries of trying to build a nuclear bomb. It has denied the accusations saying its programme is for peaceful purposes – to generate electricity and for research purposes.

    Trump also warned that if things would not “work out quickly, easily and smoothly”, Washington had “the ultimate alternative, hopefully never to be used again!”

    Earlier on Saturday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that “we are closer to a peace deal than ever before”.

    “With finalisation likely expected in the next 24 hours, Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the peace deal immediately after, followed by technical level talks next week,” Sharif wrote on X.

    On Friday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that a deal with the US was close.

    The agreement envisaged an end to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, he said.

    Talks on Iran’s nuclear programme would begin later.

    US officials have confirmed some of the details of the agreement, saying economic benefits for Iran would depend on Tehran meeting its obligations.

    In recent months, variations of an agreement have been expected several times but have not been completed in the later stages.

    The war began with US and Israeli strikes across Iran on 28 February, prompting Iran to attack Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf – as well as effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.

    Despite having agreed a ceasefire in April, the US and Iran have exchanged intermittent fire.

    Previous reports from the US had suggested that the conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah Lebanon may not be part of this deal – with Iran reportedly insisting on it.

    Israel is not part of the US-Iran deal and has also insisted it will continue striking Hezbollah, in response to its attacks in northern Israel.

    On Sunday, Israel issued evacuation orders for 29 villages in southern Lebanon – a move that usually precedes air strikes.

    “In light of Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire agreement, the IDF is compelled to act against it with force,” Israeli army spokesman Col Avichay Adraee said – a reference to two suspected drones which hit a military zone in northern Israel.

  • Speaker Wetang’ula to MPs: Seal legal loopholes to safeguard Sacco savings

    Speaker Wetang’ula to MPs: Seal legal loopholes to safeguard Sacco savings

    National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged Members of Parliament to urgently review cooperative laws and close loopholes that expose members’ savings to mismanagement and loss.

    Wetang’ula urged MPs to look at the law critically and seal all loopholes that could allow the plundering of resources.

    This even as he warned that weak governance systems continue to endanger savings in cooperative societies.

    Speaking during the launch of Shirikiana Sacco on Saturday at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology , the Speaker said the initiative represents a key pathway to reducing poverty, building wealth and improving livelihoods across the country.

    He likened the cooperative movement to models in developed economies citing Sweden as an example where, he said, the entire population participates in cooperatives.

    “In Sweden, all citizens from the President and Prime Minister to ordinary citizens are members of the cooperative movement. People save not for the sake of it, but because they have plans for the future and know the benefits when the need arises,” he said.

    Wetang’ula encouraged Kenyans, especially farmers and business owners to consistently invest part of their income in Saccos saying savings in cooperative institutions remain one of the most reliable forms of financial security.

    He also commended President William Ruto for appointing Wycliffe Oparanya as Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and SMEs saying the move had strengthened the sector.

    “When the President appointed Hon. Oparanya, I told him that great people build great institutions. Today, the cooperative movement is something Kenyans can be proud of,” he said.

    The Speaker singled out governance challenges as a major threat to the sector and called on the parliamentary committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives led by Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali to strengthen oversight and reforms.

    He said Parliament must ensure legal safeguards that protect members’ savings from abuse by rogue officials.

    Wetang’ula further announced that senior government leaders, including himself would join Shirikiana Sacco alongside the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and MPs to provide seed capital and strengthen its foundation.

    “Today we will all join Shirikiana Sacco led by the President. I will join together with other leaders, so that we can give it strong seed capital,” he said.

    He cited his personal experience in Saccos, noting that cooperative savings had supported his family and personal obligations over the years.

    “I joined Parliamentarians Sacco, which helped me pay school fees. I am also a member of Bunge Sacco and Ngarisha Sacco in Bungoma, which continue to benefit me through dividends,” he said.

    Nevertheless, Wetang’ula called for unity among Western Kenya leaders and other regions saying political cooperation and peace were essential for national development and shared prosperity.

  • School unrest: CS Ogamba says no grievance justifies violence

    School unrest: CS Ogamba says no grievance justifies violence

    Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has called on students to resolve grievances through peaceful means, saying the recent spate of unrest in schools is disrupting learning, destroying infrastructure and putting lives at risk.

    Speaking on Saturday during the 80th anniversary celebrations of Thika School for the Visually Impaired, which coincided with the commemoration of International Albinism Awareness Day, Ogamba said schools must remain safe spaces for learning, character development and personal growth.

    His remarks come amid growing concern over student unrest, with at least 200 schools closed so far.

    “These incidents are deeply concerning because they disrupt learning, destroy infrastructure, endanger lives and undermine the substantial investments made by parents, communities and Government in education,” said Ogamba.

    The CS urged parents, teachers, religious leaders and the Government to work together in instilling positive values among learners, noting that no grievance can justify violence or destruction of property.

    “As parents, teachers, the clergy and the Government, we must train and guide our children with positive values and virtues. Our children must learn that whatever grievances they may have, there is no justification for causing harm to others and destroying property,” he said.

    The CS stressed the need for enhanced efforts to create safer and more supportive learning environments across the country.

    “Let us work together to guide our children in this dynamic and fast-evolving world. It is my hope that these experiences will strengthen our collective resolve to build safer, more caring and more supportive learning environments for every child,” he added.

    At the same time, Ogamba reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, including persons with albinism.

    He noted that people living with albinism continue to face stigma, discrimination, social exclusion and health challenges, saying more work is needed to build an inclusive society.

    The CS said the Government will continue partnering with stakeholders to promote awareness, improve access to education and healthcare to ensure all Kenyans are treated with dignity and respect.

  • Farmers urged to embrace post-harvest technologies to maximise profits

    Farmers urged to embrace post-harvest technologies to maximise profits

    Farmers across the country have been encouraged to adopt essential post-harvest agro-processing technologies to increase the value of their produce, reduce losses and maximise profits.

    Agricultural experts from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) said the adoption of modern post-harvest practices is key to transforming raw agricultural produce into durable, marketable and value-added products.

    Speaking during an agricultural expo held at KALRO in Thika, post-harvest researcher Dr. Charity Gathamberi highlighted modern storage solutions, refrigeration, drying and dehydration technologies, as well as automated grading and sorting systems as some of the critical innovations that can help farmers preserve quality and improve returns from their harvests.

    The experts noted that significant quantities of agricultural produce are lost after harvesting due to poor handling and storage practices, underscoring the need for farmers to invest in technologies that enhance efficiency and reduce wastage.

    During the exhibition, farmers were also urged to embrace modern farming technologies to boost productivity, lower production costs and improve their incomes.

    The experts emphasized that technology-driven farming is increasingly becoming essential in ensuring food security and sustainable agricultural growth. KALRO Centre Director Dr. Joseph Kori Njuguna called for improved dietary habits among Kenyans as part of efforts to reduce the prevalence of lifestyle diseases.

    He encouraged the consumption of indigenous foods, noting their nutritional benefits and contribution to healthier lifestyles.

    Farmers were further advised to regularly update their knowledge and skills through training and retooling programmes to keep pace with emerging farming and harvesting technologies.

    Participants who attended the exhibition welcomed the initiative, saying it had broadened their understanding of modern agriculture and exposed them to innovative practices that could improve productivity and profitability.

    The expo brought together researchers, farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector to showcase innovations aimed at enhancing agricultural production, value addition and food security in the country.

  • West Pokot leaders back Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid

    West Pokot leaders back Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid

    A section of leaders from West Pokot County has declared support for President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027, arguing that an additional term will allow him to fully implement projects across the country.

    Led by former West Pokot Governor Prof. John Lonyangapuo, the leaders dismissed early political campaigns by some opposition leaders, saying those seeking to challenge President Ruto are free to do so within the democratic space but should be prepared to face him at the ballot.

    Lonyangapuo said residents of the North Rift region have witnessed improved peace and several key development projects initiated by the President.

    Former Kacheliba MP Mark Lomunokol called on politicians to embrace democratic principles and issue-based politics instead of divisive rhetoric rooted in tribalism and regionalism.

    He urged the Pokot community to rally behind President Ruto, citing government projects such as the Affordable Housing Programme, road infrastructure development and other national initiatives as evidence of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s efforts to transform the country.

    Lomunokol also warned political leaders against engaging in ethnic-based politics, saying Kenya’s future depends on national unity and peaceful coexistence.

    He said political campaigns should be conducted in accordance with the Constitution and urged Kenyans to maintain political tolerance as the country gradually approaches the next General Election.

    At the same time, he criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of promoting divisive tribal politics and political blackmail against the Kenya Kwanza administration.

    Lomunokol maintained that leadership should unite rather than divide the country, adding that leaders must promote peace, cohesion and issue-based politics that advance national development.

    The leaders spoke in Sigor, West Pokot County.

  • Wetang’ula says Western Kenya preparing to produce next president in 2032

    Wetang’ula says Western Kenya preparing to produce next president in 2032

    National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has declared that Western Kenya is strategically positioning itself to produce Kenya’s next president in 2032, while urging the region to rally behind President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.

    Speaking during a fundraising event at St. Theresa Parish Catholic Church in Eregi, Kakamega County, Wetang’ula said the region has reached a critical stage in its political evolution and must remain united if it hopes to ascend to the country’s highest office.

    “Western Kenya stands at a defining moment in its political journey. As a region, we are deliberately and strategically positioning ourselves to produce Kenya’s next President in 2032,” he said.

    The Speaker argued that the region has spent years building political goodwill and forging relationships across the country, creating a foundation that could support a future presidential bid from Western Kenya.

    Wetang’ula described Ruto’s re-election as both a development and political strategy for the region, saying the current administration has given Western Kenya unprecedented recognition through key government appointments and development projects.

    “To secure our place at the national table and strengthen our bargaining power, we must stand firmly behind President William Ruto’s re-election in 2027,” he said.

    The Ford Kenya party leader also called on the Luhya community to unite behind a common political agenda, urging all 18 Luhya sub-tribes to reject divisive politics and speak with one voice.

    “History has shown that no community achieves great political milestones when fragmented. Our strength lies in our unity, our numbers and our ability to speak with one voice,” he said.

    Wetang’ula further challenged young people in the region to register as voters and actively participate in the country’s political processes.

  • US kills leader of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang in airstrike, Trump says

    US kills leader of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang in airstrike, Trump says

    The US military has killed the leader of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in an airstrike, President Donald Trump has announced.

    “At my direction, the United States Southern Command delivered a swift and lethal kinetic strike to successfully execute Niño Guerrero,” Trump wrote on social media.

    Niño Guerrero, whose full name is Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, was the longtime leader of Tren de Aragua. The gang is one of the most notorious criminal groups in Latin America and has been a target of the Trump administration.

    The president has accused the group of engaging in “irregular warfare” against the US and declared it a foreign terrorist organisation.

    Trump posted footage of what appears to be the airstrike, showing a green building with a nearby shed being blown up, debris flying into the air. Trump said the military action was “coordinated closely with our friends in Venezuela, with whom we are working very well”.

    Venezuelan authorities confirmed their involvement in what they described as a “joint operation”.

    In January, American forces seized then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from his compound in a dramatic overnight raid to face criminal charges in New York. The US accused him of collaborating with the gang. The indictment named Guerrero Flores as a co-conspirator.

    Since then, the US has sought to tighten ties with Maduro’s successor, Delcy Rodríguez, lifting sanctions on her and pushing to collaborate on the extraction of Venezuela’s oil reserves – the most plentiful on earth.

    Under Guerrero’s leadership, Tren de Aragua expanded into Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile and diversified from extorting migrants into sex-trafficking, contract killing and kidnapping.

    It was originally a prison gang that Niño Guerrero turned into a “transnational criminal organisation”, according to the US state department, which had offered millions for information leading to his arrest.

    Guerrero spent years in and out of prison. In 2012, he escaped by bribing a guard and was then rearrested in 2013.

    Upon his return, he transformed the Tocorón Prison in the northern Venezuelan state of Aragua into a leisure complex, complete with zoo, restaurants, nightclub, betting shop and swimming pool.

    In September 2023, Maduro – then still president – sent 11,000 soldiers to storm and wrestle back control of the jail. Guerrero escaped – again.

    In and out of prison, he was still able to expand the gang’s influence, seizing control of gold mines in Bolivar state, drug corridors on the Caribbean coast, and clandestine border crossings between Venezuela and Colombia, according to the US state department.

    By most accounts, Tren de Aragua spread out of Venezuela when the country entered a humanitarian and economic emergency in 2014 that made crime less profitable, and now is believed to have nodes in eight other countries, including the US.

    The group, in part, operates by forming alliances and partnerships with local criminal organisations.

    In Ecuador, for example, the gang is believed to work with groups loosely affiliated with Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, while in Colombia some have alleged that they have worked with members of the left-wing National Liberation Army guerrilla group, or ELN.

    Under the Trump administration, US forces have launched dozens of strikes on boats they say are part of a large-scale operation to ferry drugs into the US, including those it claims are linked to Tren de Aragua.

    More than 200 people have been killed in strikes since September, according to US media.

    But the military has not provided evidence that the attacked boats were carrying drugs or drug smugglers, sparking criticism of the operation and questions around its legality.

    Some legal experts have argued that the strikes could violate international law by targeting civilians without offering them due process.

    The Trump administration has said the killings are lawful. In a statement to Congress last year, the White House said US President Donald Trump had “determined” that the US was in a formal armed conflict with drug cartels and that crews of drug-running boats were “combatants”.

  • Deal to end fighting would lead to Hormuz reopening, Iran says

    Deal to end fighting would lead to Hormuz reopening, Iran says

    A deal with the US to end fighting in Iran is close and includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Foreign Minister has said.

    Seyed Abbas Araghchi told state TV the deal also includes the lifting of a US blockade of Iran, but that talks on Iran’s nuclear programme would begin later.

    US officials have confirmed some of the details of the agreement, saying economic benefits for Iran would depend on Tehran meeting its obligations.

    The war began with US and Israeli strikes across Iran on 28 February, prompting Iran to attack Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf – as well as effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.

    Despite having agreed a ceasefire in April, the US and Iran have exchanged intermittent fire, including two rounds of tit-for-tat strikes this week.

    US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he had cancelled “scheduled attacks” against Iran, because negotiators had “just made a great settlement” – a deal that was likely be to signed imminently.

    On Friday, Iranian media published some details from the alleged 14-point deal which Trump said had “nothing to do with the terms that were agreed to” and “bears no relation to the truth”.

    A few hours later, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country helped mediate the deal, said the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the US and Iran had been agreed and awaited finalising.

    Iran’s Araghchi was quoted in state media saying there are “supporters and opponents” of the latest terms of the deal among Iran’s top security body, the Supreme National Security Council.

    However, he added that a collective decision had not been reached. “For now, we must wait. If approved, the agreement will be signed remotely,” he said.

    Israel is not involved in the talks which are meant to lead to an extension of the ceasefire and the start of negotiations on key issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme. For decades, Iran has been accused by Western countries of trying to build a nuclear weapon. It has denied the accusations saying its programme is for peaceful purposes – to generate electricity and for research purposes.

    In a detailed briefing with journalists on Friday afternoon, US officials said the deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, in return for the US lifting its blockade on Iranian shipping.

    Those steps would come into effect more or less immediately. This would be followed by a 60-day period of negotiation – focusing on Iran’s enriched uranium – an essential ingredient to make a nuclear bomb. Officials said that this would result in all that material being destroyed on site and then removed from the country, though the precise mechanism for doing so is still to be worked out.

    On the economic side, officials stressed there would be no money provided up-front – an apparent rejection of earlier Iranian news reports suggesting some Iranian assets would be unfrozen before substantial negotiations had begun.

    Instead, US officials said, there would be a staged reintegration of Iran into the global economy, with measures such as the lifting of sanctions and the potential unfreezing of assets happening incrementally.

    The deal calls on Iran to stop funding proxy groups in the region – a reference to Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies across the Middle East.

    The US officials emphasised that the MOU was not based on trust or promises, but on “performance” – Iran would only receive economic benefits when it could be verified it had implemented measures it had committed to.

    Even though there is a sense of cautious optimism from all sides – the US, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar which has also helped with mediation efforts – there is still a small distance to go. Variations of this agreement have been expected several times over the past month or two, only to fall away at later stages.

    The difference now, according to the US administration, is both a greater level of optimism and a greater openness about the substance of the agreement.

    For his part, the Iranian foreign minister said that “as soon as the final stages of our negotiations are completed, this agreement will be signed and announced”.

    “This could happen in the coming days. I am very hopeful,” Araghchi told state TV.

    He stressed that the first point mentioned in the MOU was the lifting of the US naval blockade of Iran.

    As for the Strait of Hormuz – the crucial waterway through which some 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally transits – Araghchi said its administration would “no longer be the same as before”. Since closing the Strait, Iran has insisted on a fee to be paid by vessels seeking to cross, with the US insisting passage should be free to all shipping.

    The senior Iranian official also said the MOU envisaged an end to the conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah in Lebanon. Previous reports from the US have suggested Lebanon may not be part of this deal – with Iran reportedly insisting on it.

    Israel’s prime minister has said his country will strike Hezbollah if it continues attacks against northern Israel.

  • Kenya Airways seeks Ksh194B fresh capital injection to fund turnaround plan

    Kenya Airways seeks Ksh194B fresh capital injection to fund turnaround plan

    Kenya Airways (KQ) requires approximately $1.5 billion (about Ksh194 billion) in fresh capital to fund its long-term turnaround strategy, Board Chairman Kiprono Kittony has said.

    Speaking during the airline’s 50th Annual General Meeting on Friday, Kittony said the capital injection will position the national carrier to compete effectively in the evolving global aviation market and support its growth ambitions over the next decade.

    “The amount of money we think that the airline will require for it to really be able to capture the imagination of the future consumer is about $1.5 billion. Aviation is not a cheap industry, so we are looking at about $1.5 billion in new capital,” said Kittony.

    “We must either evolve or we will not see the light of day, but the turnaround work is well in progress,” he added.

    The airline plans to release an Investment Memorandum (IM) as it explores various funding options, including equity financing, strategic airline partnerships and financial investors from both local and international markets.

    Kittony said the board is evaluating the most appropriate financing structure and expects to conclude the exercise by the first quarter of next year.

    “We intend to run an open and transparent IM. We as a board will sit down to determine what sort of capital we should be looking at. Is it going to be equity, debt, an airline strategic partner or a financial partner?” he said.

    The chairman expressed confidence that Kenya’s capital markets can support the fundraising effort, noting that the airline’s ownership structure remains largely local, with the government holding just under 50 per cent and a consortium of Kenyan banks owning about 38 per cent.

    KQ targets 100-aircraft fleet by 2035

    Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Captain George Kamal said Kenya Airways is targeting a fleet of 60 aircraft by 2030 and 100 aircraft by 2035 through a combination of owned and leased planes.

    However, the airline has temporarily slowed its fleet acquisition programme after rising geopolitical tensions and fuel prices increased uncertainty in the aviation sector.

    “We had a very robust plan in place. This year in February we slowed down once we saw the geopolitical issues and the prices of fuel increasing, which might impact us significantly. We moved the plan to 2027,” Kamal said.

    As part of its operational recovery efforts, the airline expects several grounded aircraft to return to service in the coming months.

    Kamal said three Embraer aircraft and two Boeing 787 Dreamliners are currently grounded while awaiting engines, while another Dreamliner is undergoing a heavy maintenance check in Kenya for the first time.

    The airline expects a number of its grounded aircraft to return to service between July and August, boosting capacity during the peak travel season.

    In addition, a 400-seat Boeing 777 is set to rejoin the fleet in July and will initially operate on the London route during the busy summer travel season.

    Plans are also underway to install Wi-Fi across the fleet and refurbish aircraft cabins to improve competitiveness and enhance customer experience.

    Despite a Ksh17.2 billion loss for 2025, management said the airline’s core business remains viable, citing soaring fuel costs as the main factor behind declining profitability and rising operating expenses.

    According to Kamal, fuel now accounts for between 51 and 52 per cent of flight operating costs in Africa, up from about 40 per cent previously, largely due to higher fuel prices and levies.

    The airline is also reviewing underperforming routes and strengthening cost optimisation measures as it works towards restoring profitability.