KBC Channel 1

Author: Prudence Wanza

  • Preparations in top gear for Ruto’s state visit to Italy – Mudavadi

    Preparations in top gear for Ruto’s state visit to Italy – Mudavadi

    Preparations are underway for President William Ruto’s state visit to Italy, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said.

    Mudavadi, who also serves as Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, said he had received a detailed briefing from senior ministry officials on the progress of the visit scheduled for next week.

    According to Mudavadi, the state visit is expected to advance negotiations across multiple strategic sectors including water, tourism, the digital economy, energy, agriculture, health and labour mobility.

    The talks will also review gains made since Italian President Sergio Mattarella visited Kenya in 2023, as both countries seek to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations.

    The Prime CS added that preparations are also ongoing for a separate visit by Portugal’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel.

    “I was also briefed on the forthcoming visit of H.E. Paulo Rangel, Portugal’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, with whom I will hold consultations to strengthen political and economic cooperation, ahead of his engagement with H.E. President Ruto at State House,” said Mudavadi.

    He noted that Kenya’s foreign policy agenda remains focused on building practical, results-oriented partnerships that expand economic opportunities and deliver measurable benefits to citizens.

  • KFS assures swift reinstatement of staff medical cover after disruption

    KFS assures swift reinstatement of staff medical cover after disruption

    Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has assured staff across the country that efforts are underway to restore medical cover services following a recent disruption affecting employees and their dependants.

    In a statement shared on X, KFS Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko said the Service has already put in place measures aimed at reinstating the medical insurance cover in the shortest time possible.

    He noted that the interruption had affected access to healthcare services for staff and their families, adding that the institution regretted the inconvenience caused.

    “Kenya Forest Service Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko, has reassured all staff countrywide that measures have been put in place to reinstate medical cover services to all staff and their dependants in the shortest time possible. The Service regrets all inconviniences caused to its staff and dependants following the recent disruption of medical cover services,” the statement read.

    The assurance comes amid growing concerns among staff over the disruption of medical benefits, which form a key component of employment welfare packages in public service institutions.

    KFS is yet to provide details on what led to the disruption.

  • Bungoma Governor Lusaka dissolves entire Cabinet in major shake-up

    Bungoma Governor Lusaka dissolves entire Cabinet in major shake-up

    Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has dismissed his entire Cabinet, alongside the County Attorney and County Secretary, in what he termed a reorganisation of the county executive.

    In a statement, Lusaka said the move was undertaken in exercise of his constitutional mandate to ensure effective governance and improved service delivery across Bungoma County.

    “Subject to Section 40(1)(a) of the County Governments Act, all Members of the County Executive Committee, the County Attorney and the County Secretary have been relieved of their duties with immediate effect,” the statement read.

    The governor said the decision was made in the broader public interest, noting that the changes are intended to streamline operations within the county administration and safeguard institutional integrity.

    Despite the abrupt overhaul, he sought to allay fears of disruption, stating that administrative measures have been put in place to ensure continuity of essential services.

    Lusaka said communication on interim arrangements and subsequent appointments will be made in due course, in accordance with the law.

    He also expressed appreciation to the outgoing officials for their service, reiterating his administration’s commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law and due process.

    “The Governor appreciates the service rendered by the affected officers and reaffirms the County Government’s commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law and respect for due process.”

  • Three suspects arrested over attack on Vihiga Senator Osotsi

    Three suspects arrested over attack on Vihiga Senator Osotsi

    Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi.

    In a statement on X, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the arrests were made by detectives in Kisumu County following the attack, which occurred on Wednesday at a restaurant at West End Mall.

    The suspects, identified as Carlos Owiti alias Kalonje, 24, from Nyalenda; Eric Otieno alias Dude, 39, from Manyatta; and Vincent Odhiambo alias Tinga, 27, also from Nyalenda, are in police custody and are being processed for arraignment.

    The DCI said investigations have been intensified, with detectives pursuing additional suspects believed to be linked to the attack.

    “The Directorate of Criminal Investigations thanks members of the public who have volunteered useful information to aid the ongoing investigations and urges continued cooperation as detectives work to bring all perpetrators to justice,” the agency said.

    Meanwhile, ODM party leader Oburu Oginga condemned the attack, describing the incident as unfortunate and unacceptable.

    Oburu called for tolerance, stating that differences in political affiliation should not be settled through intimidation or physical confrontation.

    “ODM remains committed to the pillars of democracy, the rule of law, and the respectful exchange of ideas. I wish to reiterate our unwavering stance: we do not support, condone or tolerate violence in any form,” he said.

  • Tuju released on Ksh100,000 personal bond over false abduction claim

    Tuju released on Ksh100,000 personal bond over false abduction claim

    Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju has been charged with giving false information to a police officer at the Kibera Law Courts.

    The charge relates to an alleged report made on March 1, 2026, at Karen Police Station, where Tuju claimed he had been abducted.

    Appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Stella Atambo, Tuju pleaded not guilty.

    Through his lawyer, Edward Oonge, he requested bail, arguing that the offence is a misdemeanor and does not warrant continued detention.

    The court also ordered the release of Tuju’s motor vehicle, currently held at Karen Police Station.

    The matter is set for mention on April 15, 2026, to confirm compliance with issues including the release of his vehicle.

    The case follows an investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which found that Tuju had remained at his residence during the period he claimed to have been abducted.

    DCI Director Mohamed Amin said forensic evidence and mobile-phone tracking data reportedly contradicted Tuju’s account, prompting the prosecution to file charges of giving false information.

    The former Rarieda MP is also involved in legal disputes over his Karen property, which has led to eviction from Dari Business Park, with a related case on loan payment and the auction process ongoing in the High Court.

  • KUCCPS opens 2026 placement portal for universities, colleges and TVET

    KUCCPS opens 2026 placement portal for universities, colleges and TVET

    The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has opened applications for the 2026 placement cycle, targeting the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates and previous Form Four leavers.

    The online application period runs from April 7 to May 6, 2026.

    In a statement, KUCCPS said students who sat the 2025 KCSE can apply for degree and TVET programmes, with degree students expected to join universities in September, while TVET applicants can report to colleges from May, as placements for these institutions are continuous.

    “Whereas applicants for degree programmes will join universities from September, those applying for TVET programmes will be able to report to their respective colleges starting May, since TVET placement is continuous,” KUCCPS said.

    KUCCPS data shows that of the 980,444 candidates who sat the 2025 KCSE, 268,700 attained a mean grade of C+ and above, qualifying them for degree programmes in 43 public and 31 private universities.

    The remaining 711,744 candidates, who scored between C plain and E, are eligible for placement to public colleges and TVET institutions.

    “As required by the Universities Act, 2012, placement of students into the institutions will be on merit, considering applicants’ listed priorities, KCSE performance, and available capacities,” KUCCPS added.

    This year, students can apply to 251 public TVET colleges, including 33 university-affiliated TVET institutes.

    The minimum grade requirement for degree programmes remains C+, while applicants for TVET courses can have any KCSE grade from A to E, covering exams sat between 2000 and 2025. Candidates with C+ and above are eligible for degree programmes at the Open University of Kenya.

    The placement body revealed that last year it received course submissions and capacities from universities and colleges, which were verified and approved by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA).

    CUE approved 322,396 university degree placements, while middle-level colleges have 1,132,531 places across diplomas, certificates, and artisan programmes.

    Secondary Teacher Training Colleges have a total capacity of 2,480.

    During the application period, KUCCPS said it will send officers to universities and TVET institutions across the country to assist applicants, with details available on the KUCCPS website.

    Applicants have also been advised to seek assistance at all Huduma Centres nationwide.

    Last month, KUCCPS completed placement of students to Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) for the March 2026 intake.

    Candidates interested in the September 2026 KMTC intake can apply online after university placements are finalised, including those who repeated subjects to meet programme requirements.

  • Trial begins for six Iranians in Ksh8.2B Indian Ocean meth haul case

    Trial begins for six Iranians in Ksh8.2B Indian Ocean meth haul case

    The trial of six Iranian nationals accused of trafficking narcotics worth Ksh8.2 billion on the high seas has kicked off, with the prosecution presenting its first witness before a Mombasa court.

    The suspects, Jasem Darzadeh Nia, Rahim Baksh Goharam, Hassan Baloch, Imran Baloch Mustafa, Nadeem Jadgal Abdulgani and Emtiyaz Daryayi, appeared before Shanzu Chief Magistrate Anthony Mwicigi on Tuesday.

    The prosecution told the court it will call 12 witnesses to support the case, maintaining that Kenya has jurisdiction to prosecute the matter under constitutional provisions and international law governing crimes committed at sea.

    “The vessel was not engaged in legitimate activity but in an organised trafficking operation,” said Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Joseph Kimanthi.

    Kenya Navy Lieutenant Colonel Joab Gitonga was the first to take the stand, outlining how a coordinated multinational operation led to the interception of the suspects’ vessel in international waters.

    Gitonga said the operation was conducted through the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC), a maritime security hub tasked with tackling transnational crime in the Indian Ocean.

    He testified that on October 17, 2025, the Kenya Navy received intelligence on two suspicious vessels, MV Igor and MV Chevy, and moved to track MV Igor, which was believed to be heading towards the East African coast.

    With support from a Seychelles Coast Guard patrol aircraft, the vessel was intercepted on October 20, 2025, about 350 nautical miles off the Kenyan coast.

    The court heard that the dhow, later identified as Mashallah, had no flag, failed to respond to radio calls and appeared to be drifting, indicators the prosecution linked to illegal activity.

    A boarding team of marine commandos found six crew members carrying Iranian identification documents but lacking vessel registration papers.

    A subsequent search recovered 769 packets of a white crystalline substance initially described as “ice,” later confirmed to be over one tonne of methamphetamine.

    The vessel was escorted to Mombasa and handed over to a multi-agency team for further investigations.

  • PHOTOS: Requiem mass for 16 Nyeri road crash victims underway

    PHOTOS: Requiem mass for 16 Nyeri road crash victims underway

    The requiem mass for the 16 people who perished in a road accident on the Nyeri-Nyahururu highway is underway at the ASK Kabiru-ini grounds in Nyeri.

    The interdenominational service brings together families, friends and leaders to honour the victims of Saturday’s crash.

    Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga are among leaders attending the service.

    The accident, which occurred at Matangaini in the Mweiga area, involved a 14-seater matatu that was carrying 17 passengers, among them two minors and the driver.

  • Burial preparations underway as late Ol-Kalou MP set to be buried Friday

    Burial preparations underway as late Ol-Kalou MP set to be buried Friday

    Preparations are underway for the funeral of the late Ol-Kalou Constituency Member of Parliament David Kiaraho, who passed away last week.

    A requiem mass is set to be held tomorrow in Ol Kalou, with burial scheduled for Friday at his farm in Tigoni, Limuru Constituency.

    Family, friends, and constituents are expected to attend the final rites.

    Local leaders led by Nyandarua Governor Moses Kiarie called for calm and order, urging residents to observe peace and cooperate with authorities during the funeral ceremonies.

    Security personnel are expected to be deployed to manage crowds and traffic around the church and burial site.

    MP Kiaraho, who represented his constituency with a focus on local development, is being remembered for his contributions to the area, and community leaders have encouraged residents to honor his legacy responsibly.

  • Suspected child trafficker posing as NIS officer arrested, minor rescued

    Suspected child trafficker posing as NIS officer arrested, minor rescued

    Detectives in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County, have arrested a 56-year-old man suspected to be a child trafficker and rescued a 10-year-old boy.

    According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), officers responded to reports of an unfamiliar man spotted at Nyamira Village in the company of a young boy.

    Upon arrival, the detectives found the suspect, identified as Gilbert Nyabuto, with the minor.

    Investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly posed as a “Deputy Commissioner” attached to the National Intelligence Service and presented an identification document bearing the rank and a service number.

    However, a search of his backpack uncovered a cache of suspicious items, including academic documents belonging to different individuals and blank fake Kenya Defence Forces calling letters, raising further concerns about his activities.

    When questioned, Nyabuto claimed he was assisting the child to secure accommodation.

    Both the suspect and the minor were taken to Kiminini Police Station for further processing.

    The child was later positively identified by his mother from the Salona area and has since been safely reunited with her.

    The suspect remains in custody as detectives continue with investigations to determine the full extent of his activities, including possible charges of impersonation and fraud.