KBC Channel 1

Author: Prudence Wanza

  • Power outages hit France as record heatwave set to peak

    Power outages hit France as record heatwave set to peak

    Tens of thousands of homes in western France are without power, with temperatures set to peak across the country on Wednesday during a record-breaking heatwave.

    About 68,000 homes in Brittany have been affected, with electricity unlikely to be fully restored until Wednesday night at the earliest, authorities said.

    More than half of the country remains under a red heat alert, with a high of 43C (109.4F) possible later in the day in the southwest, according to forecaster Météo France.

    The peak comes after the country experienced its hottest day since records began on Tuesday, with an average temperature of 29.8C (85.54F).

    Pissos, in the south-western Landes region, saw a scorching temperature of 44.3C on Tuesday, Météo France said.

    The country also experienced its hottest night ever recorded from Monday night into Tuesday, with an average temperature of 29.9C across the country, the forecaster said.

    The heatwave spread to other parts of western Europe on Wednesday, with an orange alert for dangerous weather in place for parts of the Netherlands.

    A rare red alert is in place for parts of the UK, where temperatures could hit 38C on Thursday.

    Temperatures are expected to peak in the Netherlands and Belgium on Friday, while the mercury in Germany is expected to rise to 40C over the weekend.

    The heatwave will also extend to eastern Europe over the next few days, with severe heat warnings issued for countries including Poland, Croatia and Hungary for later in the week.

    So far, France, Spain and Italy have been hardest hit by the heatwave.

    At least forty people have drowned in heatwave-related incidents in France since last Thursday, according to the prime minister.

    On Wednesday, red alerts in France were extended to include four more regions, Météo France said, bringing the total number to 58. Thirty-one more regions are under an orange alert.

    As of 05:00 local time, La Rochelle in the southwest had already recorded a temperature of 29C, the forecaster said.

    Highs of 39 to 40C are forecast across much of the country’s west, from Paris to Brittany, and are expected to remain the same until the weekend.

    In Bordeaux, it is possible that the city’s all-time record temperature could be broken for a third day running. The previous record was 41.6C on 11 August 2025. But on Monday it reached 41.8C, while on Tuesday it was 42.1C.

    Some relief from the heat is expected from Friday, with temperatures forecast to gradually drop over the weekend. This change will come with thunderstorms, bringing a risk of flash flooding and large hail.

    Speaking to French radio, labour minister Jean-Pierre Farandou said “we’re in the process of finding out we’ve become a hot country” and warned society may need to adapt.

    Authorities warn that the risk of forest fires is higher during such a prolonged and intense heatwave.

    In the Maine-et-Loire region, more than 150 firefighters were deployed to fight a major fire on Tuesday in the Breignon forest in Saint-Macaire-du-Bois. It was brought under control overnight, authorities said, with no-one reported injured.

    Sights in the French capital Paris have also been impacted by the hot weather.

    The world’s most visited museum, the Louvre, said it would close its doors earlier this week.

    The Louvre said its historic building “remains fragile, external and is not sufficiently adapted to climate change”, adding that the “build-up of heat is at its highest at the end of the day, and intensified by the volume of visitors”.

    The Eiffel Tower is also closing earlier than usual on Tuesday and Wednesday.

    Among those who died in heatwave-related drownings was a six-year-old child who had gone to an unsupervised beach with his parents in Bègles, Gironde on Tuesday evening.

    A 17-year-old girl also drowned while swimming in a prohibited area of the Marne river in Champs-sur-Marne, on the outskirts of Paris.

    Several drownings have also been reported in Germany, including that of a 26-year-old man who died after going into the Danube River near Regensburg in Bavaria on Tuesday evening.

    Emergency services spent hours searching for the Syrian man, who could not swim, using a helicopter and boats. Attempts to resuscitate him after he was found some hours later were unsuccessful.

    Temperatures are expected to reach 37C on Wednesday in Germany, and people are being warned not to underestimate the dangers of swimming.

    There are also fears of drought in some regions. In Brandenburg, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia, authorities are urging people to use water sparingly, German newspaper Die Welt reports.

    Barbecue bans have also been introduced in cities including Stuttgart and Freiburg in Baden-Württemberg, local media report.

    While Spain has experienced baking heat over the last few days, temperatures are expected to start falling on the Iberian peninsula on Wednesday.

    But red heat alerts remain in place for parts of northern Spain, with a maximum temperature of 42C possible in parts of the Basque country, forecaster Aemet said.

    Spain’s state meteorological agency said the country recorded its highest daily average temperatures in June since at least 1950, with Tuesday’s average of 28.17C breaking the previous 2025 record of 28.01C.

    In Italy, meanwhile, 16 provincial capitals are now under red heat alerts, with Latina added to the list on Wednesday, while Bari will be added on Thursday, Italian news agency Ansa said.

    The Dutch weather service, the KNMI, has issued a Code Orange weather alert, which refers to a “high chance of dangerous weather” in southern and central areas of the Netherlands from Wednesday until at least Friday.

    KNMI said maximum temperatures of 37C were expected, while Friday could see the mercury hit 39C.

    In Belgium, most of the country is under an orange alert with highs of 37C expected over the next few days.

    After meeting on Tuesday, Belgium’s Risk Management Group said it was activating the “alert phase of the national ozone and heat plan” for only the second time. The first occasion was in August 2020, although no specific national measures have been announced, other than to raise awareness and call for extra care for the elderly and children.

    Climate change is driving up temperatures around the world – but particularly in Europe. It is the fastest warming continent, heating up twice as fast as the global average, according to the Copernicus climate service.

    This is causing increased summer heatwaves, greater pressure on Europe’s water supply, and more intense wildfires. Last year, more than one million hectares burnt across Europe – a record level – with Spain particularly affected.

  • IEBC: Public officers seeking elective posts must resign by February 9, 2027

    IEBC: Public officers seeking elective posts must resign by February 9, 2027

    Public officers intending to contest in the 2027 General Election have until February 9, 2027 to resign from office, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced.

    The deadline is part of the key dates announced by the IEBC as the electoral body rolled out its preparations for the August 10, 2027 General Election through the launch of the Election Operation Plan 2025-2027 and the IEBC Strategic Plan 2024-2029 on Wednesday.

    The official campaign period will start on May 29, 2027 and run until August 7, 2027 at 6pm, with the commission also setting June 12, 2027 as the deadline for closure of voter registration.

    IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the two documents provide a framework for a transparent and accountable election process.

    “By unveiling these two strategic documents, we set in motion a deliberate, transparent and accountable journey towards the 2027 General Election. We reaffirm our constitutional mandate, our institutional resolve and our solemn duty to protect and uphold the sovereign will of the people of Kenya,” he said.

    Ethekon said the plan identifies four priority areas that will guide the commission’s work over the next five years, including effective management of elections, citizen engagement and participation, equitable representation and strengthened institutional governance.

    He committed to a credible electoral process while calling for collective responsibility among key stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, state institutions, the media, civil society, development partners and citizens.

    “I wish to assure all Kenyans that the Commission has listened to your expectations. We have reflected on lessons from previous electoral cycles and carefully considered recommendations from election observation missions, court decisions, post-election evaluations and stakeholder engagements,” he said.

    Ethekon said the commission will focus on protecting the integrity of the electoral process, including safeguarding the secrecy of the ballot and ensuring the outcome reflects the will of voters.

    “We will safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. We will protect the secrecy and sanctity of every vote and uphold the sovereign will of the people of Kenya. When the story of the 2027 General Election is written, our desire is that Kenyans will say their Electoral Commission prepared diligently, acted impartially, rose to the occasion and faithfully discharged its constitutional mandate,” said Ethekon.

  • Kikuyu elders warn against violence during June 25 Gen Z anniversary protests

    Kikuyu elders warn against violence during June 25 Gen Z anniversary protests

    The Kikuyu Council of Elders has urged security agencies to take firm action against acts of goonism ahead of the June 25 Gen Z commemoration to honour lives lost during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.

    Speaking during a General Council meeting, the elders called on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to ensure peace and prevent criminal elements from disrupting the commemorations.

    In a statement read by the Council’s Secretary General James Nene, the elders said maintaining peace remains a collective responsibility, noting that elders have a duty to guide society, identify emerging challenges and caution against actions that could threaten national cohesion.

    The council noted that Kenya has largely enjoyed peaceful coexistence among its more than 40 communities, save for politically instigated ethnic clashes witnessed in 1992, 1997 and 2007.

    However, the elders expressed concern over rising political tensions, inflammatory rhetoric and reports of planned violence in major urban centres as the anniversary of the 2024 protests approaches.

    They also raised alarm over allegations of organised gangs being mobilised to cause chaos, as well as claims of financial support being channelled towards violent activities.

    The elders warned that such actions could undermine national stability and urged political leaders to consider the long-term consequences of their decisions.

    At the same time, the council cautioned Kenyans against being manipulated through political promises or compensation narratives linked to deaths and injuries recorded during the 2024 protests.

    The elders argued that compensation funds are drawn from taxpayers and should not be politicised.

    National Chairman Wachira Wa Kiago urged citizens to reject violence and avoid retaliatory actions, saying such responses only fuel further bloodshed and derail the country’s development agenda.

    He called on the Executive, Judiciary and Legislature to work together to safeguard the country and ensure that the June 25 commemorations remain peaceful.

    Youth representatives who attended the briefing also appealed to their peers to observe the anniversary peacefully as they honour those who lost their lives during protests.

    They called upon participants to carry the national flag, white handkerchiefs and water as symbols of peaceful remembrance.

    The youth leaders, however, called on security agencies to provide adequate protection and prevent criminals from infiltrating the commemorations.

  • Catholic bishops raise alarm over alleged weaponisation of goons

    Catholic bishops raise alarm over alleged weaponisation of goons

    The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has raised concern over what it terms a resurgence of ‘goonism’, warning that the growing use of violence to disrupt public gatherings poses a threat to the rule of law and democratic freedoms.

    The bishops said the recent disruption of a meeting at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi, alongside previous incidents in places of worship, points to a growing trend of impunity.

    In a statement issued Tuesday, the bishops called on the government to address concerns among citizens over the alleged weaponisation of goons to intimidate people participating in lawful public engagements.

    “We are afraid there is a growing concern that ‘goonism’ is receiving official support. Can Government dispel this suspicion from the minds of citizens? Is there political will to deal with the menace of ‘goonism’ or is it in the interest of the political elite?” the bishops posed.

    The clergy urged politicians to respect places of worship, stating that they are protected sanctuaries that should not be turned into arenas for confrontation.

    The statement comes as police continue investigations into an incident where goons disrupted a post-budget review meeting at All Saints Cathedral.

    Three suspects have so far been arrested and are being held in police custody as investigations into the attack continue.

    The bishops called on the Inspector General of Police to conduct thorough investigations into the attacks, identify those behind the incidents and ensure they face prosecution.

    With June 25 approaching, when demonstrations are expected to be held to commemorate victims of the 2024 Gen Z protests, the bishops urged young people to uphold respect for human life and property while exercising their constitutional rights.

  • Duale cleared of contempt in Ebola facility case, warned against defying court orders

    Duale cleared of contempt in Ebola facility case, warned against defying court orders

    Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Bare Duale has been cleared of contempt after appearing before the High Court to explain alleged failure to comply with orders stopping construction of an Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Airbase in Nanyuki.

    Justice Patricia Nyaundi had summoned Duale after the court found him liable for contempt over claims that activities at the US-funded isolation and quarantine centre continued despite conservatory orders suspending the project.

    Duale told the court that construction of the facility has been halted pending the determination of the case challenging the project, adding that the government’s decision to establish the centre was based on public interest considerations and advice from health experts.

    The CS apologised to the court if his actions were deemed to have violated its directives, saying he did not intend to disregard the authority of the court.

    In her ruling, Justice Nyaundi accepted Duale’s explanation and apology, saying she had found that the CS respected the authority of the court.

    “I have found that Duale has indeed respected the authority of this court. He has apologised as required,” Justice Nyaundi said.

    The judge said she accepted Duale’s apology after noting that it was the first time he was addressing the matter before the court.

    “Since this is the first time Duale is addressing this issue, I will believe that he truly does not hold the court in contempt. For that reason, I will accept his apology, especially considering he has clearly stated that he respects the authority of this court,” she ruled.

    The dispute arose after Katiba Institute moved to court challenging the government’s decision to establish the quarantine facility at Laikipia Airbase to manage potential Ebola cases.

    The proposed facility also led to protests in Nanyuki, with residents raising concerns that its establishment could expose the area to Ebola infections.

    Kenya has not reported any Ebola case, although outbreaks have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

     

  • Mombasa residents warned against mob justice over genitalia disappearance hoax

    Mombasa residents warned against mob justice over genitalia disappearance hoax

    The Mombasa County Security and Intelligence Committee has warned residents against taking the law into their own hands following a wave of mob attacks sparked by false claims that people’s genitalia are disappearing.

    The committee, led by Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed Noor, said the claims are a criminal scheme by fraudsters seeking to exploit public fear to create chaos, attack innocent people, and loot businesses.

    The warning comes after two people were assaulted at Kongowea and Marikiti markets on Monday after being falsely accused of causing the alleged disappearance of other people’s genitalia through touch.

    Noor said investigations have established that the claims are baseless, noting that no cases have been reported or confirmed by health facilities in the county.

    “We have been able to arrest one person who was doing that. He said that he had lost his genitals, but he was investigated and it turned out he had not lost anything. No one has the ability to remove it,” Noor said.

    He added that security agencies have checked with hospitals and health centres, but no cases of missing genitalia have been reported.

    “We went to all hospitals and health centres, no one has lost anything. It is gossip that is being misused, especially on TikTok,” he said.

    The County Commissioner said the incidents, which began in neighbouring Kwale County before spreading to Mombasa, are being used by criminals to create confusion and target traders and businesses.

    “In all these, they intend to create chaos to be able to rob traders and the shops. We have been able to get the videos, and we will apprehend those who did the assaults,” he said.

    Noor warned that anyone captured participating in the attacks will face prosecution, saying residents have no right to assault suspects based on unverified claims.

    “If you assaulted a person at the market without a reason because you saw others being assaulted, you too will be charged because you don’t have the right to take the law into your own hands,” he said.

    He further cautioned social media users against spreading the claims or creating content from the incidents, saying those found using the hoax to gain attention will be arrested.

    Mombasa County Police Commander Stella Cherono urged residents to ignore the false allegations and report any suspicious incidents to the police instead of resorting to violence.

    Cherono said three suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the incidents, with investigations ongoing to identify other individuals linked to the attacks.

  • Students in Mandera East to benefit from 1,050 new desks, chairs

    Students in Mandera East to benefit from 1,050 new desks, chairs

    Students in 11 secondary schools in Mandera East are set to benefit from 1,050 new desks and chairs distributed to improve learning conditions and create a more conducive classroom environment.

    Speaking during the launch, Mandera East MP Hussein Weytan said the initiative is being implemented through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) as part of efforts to strengthen education infrastructure across the constituency.

    Weytan said quality learning begins with a conducive environment, noting that students spend long hours in school and require appropriate furniture to support comfort and effective learning.

    He said the desks and chairs were deliberately designed using non-metallic materials to address challenges posed by Mandera’s harsh climatic conditions, where temperatures often rise above 40 degrees Celsius.

    According to the MP, metallic furniture has in the past made classrooms uncomfortable due to excessive heat, prompting the adoption of alternative materials that enhance learners’ comfort and safety.

    The distribution programme is part of a wider education support initiative targeting 22 secondary schools across Mandera East.

    The first phase has benefited 11 schools spread across the constituency’s three sub-counties, while the remaining schools are expected to receive furniture in the next phase.

  • Kenya, Japan sign Ksh22B deal to expand local vehicle assembly

    Kenya, Japan sign Ksh22B deal to expand local vehicle assembly

    Kenya and Japan have unveiled a new Ksh22 billion financial facility primarily aimed at rapidly expanding Kenya’s young automotive industry.

    The deal between the Government of Kenya and Japan’s Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) Company Ltd seeks to assemble more vehicles for the Kenyan market.

    The bulk of the facility, about Ksh13.1 billion, will be directed towards supporting Kenya’s National Automotive Policy, which shifts focus from importing built units to increasing local value addition.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony at State House Nairobi on Monday, President William Ruto said: “For too long, Africa has imported what it could build and exported the jobs that come with it.”

    “We are changing that. We will not simply import finished vehicles; we will assemble them here in Kenya by Kenyan workers,” he added.

    The agreement was signed on behalf of the Government of Kenya by Finance Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and NEXI’s Chairman and CEO Atsuo Kuroda.

    President Ruto pointed out that assembling vehicles locally creates jobs, builds Kenyan skills, talent and expertise while deepening the country’s manufacturing base.

    “When we assemble vehicles here in Kenya, we stop exporting our jobs and begin keeping them. We keep the value here at home; and we begin to balance a trade account with our partners around the world that has tilted against us for too long,” he said.

    The President explained that the agreement is the outcome of his visit to Japan in 2024 and Kenya’s participation in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in 2025.

    “At last, I have been vindicated. I was not on a journey as a tourist, but in pursuit of the best interests of our country,” he said.

    Mr Kuroda explained that the facility was developed from a Memorandum of Understanding signed between NEXI and the National Treasury during President Ruto’s 2024 visit, leading to the financial agreement in March 2026.

    “I believe this initiative will contribute to industrialisation and job creation in Kenya by leveraging on Japanese technology and support decarbonisation efforts in Kenya through energy efficiency,” he said.

    The second component of the facility, Ksh5 billion, will fund the Reduction of Energy Losses Programme and help mitigate power losses in Kenya’s grid and ultimately lower energy costs.

    “Cheaper and cleaner power is the foundation of an industrial economy,” President Ruto said.

    The last tranche of the facility of Ksh4 billion will be used to support Kenya’s reform and development agenda, including delivering essential public services and protecting social investments.

    “This reflects Japan’s confidence in the progress we are making and our commitment to responsible economic management,” the President said.

    He explained that the partnership diversifies Kenya’s sources of finance, noting that this is the first time Kenya is accessing Japan’s financial market through a Samurai bond.

    “It speaks to our strategy to diversify our sources of funding for the national transformation programme in our country. Traditional sources of financing cannot suffice for us to take this country to the next level,” he said.

    Echoing the President’s position, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Mbadi said the Government is exploring more concessional loans charging between 0.5 and 3 per cent interest rate as opposed to expensive commercial loans.

    Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said the agreement addresses long-standing challenges Kenya has been facing in its quest to manufacture its own vehicles.

    Present were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Japanese Embassy Chargé d’Affaires in Nairobi Tomonobu Hori, Principal Secretaries, among others.

  • ODM NEC removes Edwin Sifuna as party Secretary General

    ODM NEC removes Edwin Sifuna as party Secretary General

    The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Executive Committee (NEC) has removed Senator Edwin Sifuna as the party’s Secretary General.

    In a statement issued after a NEC meeting held on, ODM Acting Secretary General Catherine Omanyo said the committee adopted recommendations by the party’s Internal Disputes Resolution Committee (IDRC) and unanimously endorsed his removal from office.

    “After going through the report and the findings of the IDRC under Article 74(2) of the Party constitution, the NEC unanimously resolved to adopt the Committee’s recommendations and endorsed the removal from office of Senator Edwin Watenya Sifuna. Effectively, Sen. Sifuna ceases to be the Secretary General of the ODM Party,” Omanyo said.

    The party said the decision followed an internal disciplinary process after Sifuna challenged ODM’s actions at the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT).

    ODM maintained that its process was conducted within the party constitution, citing the Tribunal’s position that political party officials are not above internal disciplinary mechanisms.

    “The day any official of a Party becomes above the law, so to speak, will be the day of the funeral of political Party democracy in Kenya,” ODM stated quoting the PPDT.

    The removal comes days after the PPDT found that Sifuna had been denied a fair hearing during an earlier attempt by ODM to remove him from office.

    In a ruling delivered on June 18, the Tribunal said there was no evidence that Sifuna had been notified that his conduct would be discussed during the NEC meeting that led to his ouster.

    The Tribunal, chaired by Gad Gathu, found that ODM had breached the principles of natural justice by removing Sifuna from the party’s third-highest office without giving him an opportunity to respond to the allegations against him.

  • Collaboration, mutual respect: Justice Kairu outlines vision for Court of Appeal

    Collaboration, mutual respect: Justice Kairu outlines vision for Court of Appeal

    Newly elected Court of Appeal President Justice Gatembu Kairu has outlined his leadership vision as he takes charge of the country’s second-highest court.

    Speaking after assuming office, Justice Kairu said his leadership will be guided by collective decision-making, mutual respect and a commitment to strengthening the administration of justice.

    “The strength of a collegiate court lies entirely in its collective wisdom. I view this presidency not as a position of singular authority, but as a commitment to serve you, to facilitate your vital work, and to ensure our Court is a beacon of administrative efficiency and uncompromised justice,” he said.

    Justice Kairu expressed gratitude to his colleagues for entrusting him with the role, describing the confidence placed in him as the highest privilege of his professional life.

    He also acknowledged the leadership of former Court of Appeal presidents Justice Daniel Musinga, Justice William Ouko and Justice Kihara Kariuki for their contribution to the institution.

    The new appellate court President praised Justice Musinga’s tenure, saying his leadership was defined by dedication, wisdom and commitment to the service of the court.

    “I take up this mantle with energy, optimism, and a profound sense of responsibility. I look forward to working closely with each of you to build upon our successes and meet the tasks ahead,” he stated

    Justice Kairu was elected President of the Court of Appeal after securing 26 of the 41 votes cast.

    The election followed the expiry of the term of former Court of Appeal President Justice Daniel Musinga on May 24, 2026.

    The process was conducted in accordance with the Court of Appeal Election Rules and overseen by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).