The party contends that its wins in Muminji and Evurore wards have reshaped the political landscape of the assembly, giving it grounds to demand additional nominated Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).

With the latest triumphs, UDA now boasts 16 MCAs in the Embu County Assembly, effectively making it the majority party in the House and strengthening its legislative influence.

Party insiders argue that nomination seats are distributed based on proportional representation, meaning any increase in elected members must automatically trigger a recalculation of the allocation formula.

Speaking on behalf of UDA, party lawyer Dr. Adrian Kamotho emphasized that the law governing nomination slots is clear and must be strictly adhered to following changes in party strength.

He stated that the party will formally write to the IEBC to claim what it considers its rightful share of nominated positions, noting that the by-election results significantly altered the numerical balance.

Kamotho added that the victories in Muminji and Evurore have tipped the scales in UDA’s favour, making it necessary to realign nomination slots to reflect the current political reality.

His sentiments were echoed by UDA party leader Cecily Mbarire who said UDA is the giant party in Embu County Assembly and that by next week they will write to the IEBC requesting more slots.

Embu County Assembly Speaker Josiah Thiriku confirmed that before the by-elections, UDA had 14 MCAs, including nominated members, but the figure has since risen to 16.

According to Thiriku, the new numbers firmly place UDA as the majority party in the assembly, even without factoring in support from other Kenya Kwanza–affiliated parties.

He observed that should the IEBC approve the petition, some political parties currently holding nominated seats may be compelled to relinquish them to accommodate UDA’s increased representation.

The Speaker also announced that the two newly elected MCAs will be sworn in next Tuesday, after which the assembly will move to reconstitute its committees in line with the new majority configuration.

Meanwhile, Mbeere North MP Leo Muthende hailed the by-election victories as a significant boost to UDA’s political dominance in the region. Muthende noted that with UDA now controlling approximately 67 per cent of elected leadership positions in Mbeere North, the party’s focus is to further solidify its presence and position itself strongly ahead of the next general election cycle.

Many young people use these platforms as a space of self-expression, entertainment, learning, business and a tool of communication globally since they connect people across the world. Social media is a very powerful source of news. It also helps youths to stay touch with their friends and family members. 

In addition, social media also promotes creativity and talent development among youths as they showcase their talents on social media platforms.

However social media also presents some challenges like peer pressure, misinformation, online addiction, cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content i.e. pornographic videos and mental health issues. Today, very many young people spend a lot of time on social media platforms consuming information. They are always on phones and laptops. 

Research shows that 95% of youths aged 13-17 years report using at least one social media platform with nearly two-thirds using it daily and over one third almost constantly.

Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that 11-13% problematic social media use is often linked to anxiety, depression and body image usage which is very dangerous to the teens.

The UK Government along with the countries like Australia, Greece and Spain is actively implementing bans on social media for children under 16 years to combat these challenges. The parents are also called upon to take full responsibilities in nurturing moral behaviors of their children.

The former Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Communication Edward Kisiang'ani warns youths who make majority of social media users on the improper use of Internet. He insisted that digital freedom should not exceed its limit.

In a nut shell, social media is a powerful tool that has greatly shaped the lives of young people today. It shapes how they learn, communicate, think and even express themselves. The impact of social media therefore, is not determined by the platforms themselves but by how they are being used. With proper guidance from the parents, educators and most specially society and with self-control and awareness from youths themselves, social media can be transformed from a distraction into a meaningful or rather a powerful tool for growth and positive change among youths. 

Ultimately, the responsibility lies in ensuring that teens use social media as a stepping towards personal development, meaningful communication and for a brighter feature. When used wisely, it can also empower youths to grow, succeed and positively influence the world around them.

One of the most common beliefs is that contraceptives cause permanent infertility. Many young women fear that once they begin using family planning methods, they may never conceive again. However, according to the World Health Organization, most modern contraceptives are safe, effective and reversible, meaning fertility typically returns after discontinuation.

Another widespread misconception is that contraceptives damage a woman’s health or “spoil the womb.” In reality, health experts explain that while some methods may have mild side effects, serious complications are rare when used correctly under medical guidance.

Research across Kenya shows that misinformation remains a major barrier to contraceptive use. Studies highlighted by the Guttmacher Institute indicate that belief in contraceptive myths remains high, especially among young people and in rural areas.

These misconceptions often include fears of birth defects, long-term illnesses, or loss of fertility none of which are supported by scientific evidence.

Despite these fears, contraceptive use in Kenya has steadily increased. Data from the African Institute for Development Policy shows that more than half of married women use modern contraceptive methods.

However, a significant number still lack access to accurate information or services, creating what experts describe as an “unmet need.”

The persistence of misinformation is closely linked to how people access information. Many young individuals rely on friends, partners, or community narratives rather than trained health professionals. Without clear and open education, false beliefs spread quickly and become accepted as truth.

Cultural and religious influences also play a role. In some communities, discussions about contraceptives are considered sensitive or even discouraged, making it harder for individuals to seek reliable information. This silence allows misinformation to persist.

Health professionals emphasize that improving access to accurate information is key. Open conversations, community education, and youth-friendly health services can help bridge the gap between myth and reality.

Contraceptives are not just about preventing pregnancy. They empower individuals to plan their lives, protect their health, and make informed choices. Until myths are replaced by facts, however, many will continue to make decisions based on fear rather than knowledge.

Emergency medical treatment is defined under section 2 of the Health Act, No. 21 of 2017 as “necessary immediate health care that must be administered to prevent death or worsening of a medical condition.” This definition captures the urgency and non-negotiable nature of emergency care.

Emergencies, by their very nature, do not wait for administrative processes, bed availability, or the ability to raise a cash deposit.

Medical research and practice identify emergencies across three broad categories. First are trauma-related emergencies arising from road traffic accidents, assaults, mob justice, penetrating injuries such as stabbings, snake bites, sexual assault, electrocution, and mass casualty incidents. 

Second are medical emergencies such as loss of consciousness, asthma attacks, poisoning, drowning, epilepsy, severe hypertension, infectious disease exposure, cerebral malaria, heart attacks, and internal bleeding. 

Third are obstetric emergencies, including labour complications, ectopic pregnancies, and abortion-related complications, many of which carry life-threatening risks for mothers.

The devastating consequences of denying emergency care were laid bare in the widely reported case of Alex Madaga in 2015. Mr Madaga, a 37-year-old man, suffered serious head injuries following a hit-and-run accident in Nairobi. What followed was an 18-hour ordeal that exposed systemic failures and ethical dilemmas within Kenya’s health system.

At Coptic Hospital and later at Ladnan Hospital, both private institutions a deposit of KSh 200,000 was demanded before admission. His wife, who had accompanied him throughout the night in the ambulance, could not raise the money. Admission was refused. By the time Mr Madaga was eventually admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital, his condition had deteriorated irreversibly. He died shortly thereafter. His death was not merely the result of injury, but of delay, delay occasioned by institutional refusals grounded in financial considerations.

The Madaga case starkly illustrated the tension between two competing interests: the constitutional right to emergency medical treatment and the commercial nature of private health care institutions. Do private hospitals, operating as profit-making entities, bear the same constitutional obligation as public hospitals? And if they fail to provide emergency care, what is the responsibility of the State?

In response to such tragedies, Kenya has taken significant legislative and policy steps. In 2017, Parliament enacted the Health Act, No. 21 of 2017, establishing a unified national health system encompassing both public and private providers. The Act reinforces the constitutional guarantee by prohibiting the denial of emergency medical treatment and by placing obligations on all health facilities to provide such care.

Further, in 2021, the Ministry of Health promulgated the Kenya Emergency Medical Care Policy 2020–2030. The Policy seeks to establish a functional Emergency Medical Care (EMC) system by integrating national and county health infrastructure, setting standards for quality emergency care, providing mechanisms for sustainable financing, and creating governance structures for emergency services. Importantly, the Policy aligns Kenya with the World Health Organization Resolution 72.16, which calls on all countries to ensure universal access to timely emergency care for the acutely ill and injured.

These reforms represent meaningful progress. However, enforcement remains the critical test. A right without effective enforcement mechanisms risks becoming hollow. For emergency medical treatment to be truly realized as a right, private and public institutions alike must be held accountable, and the State must play an active role in regulation, oversight, and financing.

When a Kenyan collapses, bleeds, convulses, or goes into labour, the Constitution does not ask whether they can pay. It does not distinguish between a public or private hospital. It speaks in absolute terms. The challenge before Kenya is to ensure that this constitutional promise is honoured not only in law books and policy documents, but in hospital corridors, emergency rooms, and ambulances where life often hangs in the balance.

The initiative forms part of Governor Cecily Mbarire’s broader development agenda focused on strengthening connectivity, stimulating trade, and uplifting livelihoods across the county.

Among the roads set for improvement are three access roads within Embu Town, Rwika Market Road in Mbeere South, Siakago Market Road in Mbeere North, and the Runyenjes Town exit in Runyenjes Constituency.

In addition to tarmacking, the works will include installation of street lighting, construction of drainage systems and culverts, as well as establishment of pedestrian walkways to enhance safety and accessibility.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Roads, Transport and Public Works, Francis Ndwiga, said the upgrades will significantly improve mobility for residents, traders and motorists by providing safer and more efficient transport networks.

Speaking during the official handover of project sites to contractors on Wednesday, Ndwiga noted that the improved roads are expected to spur sustainable economic growth by easing transportation of farm produce and goods, thereby supporting farmers and local enterprises.

Rwika Market is among the areas poised to benefit greatly from the project. The market hosts the Jeremiah Nyagah National Polytechnic, which has a student population exceeding 6,000.

The institution’s Trustee and former Kamukunji MP, Norman Nyaga, described the road upgrade as a long-overdue development that will unlock new investment opportunities in the area.

He observed that the poor condition of the road had previously hindered growth at the institution, contributing to stagnation in student enrollment due to accessibility challenges. He expressed optimism that the improved road network will attract more learners and ease movement to and from the institution.

Kirimari Ward MCA Ibrahim Swaleh also welcomed the initiative in Embu Town, saying it will enhance the business environment and improve movement within the town.

He pointed out that traders have for years endured hardships caused by dusty conditions during dry seasons and muddy roads during rains, affecting business operations.

Swaleh further urged the County Government of Embu to prioritize tarmacking of roads in urban centres over repeated graveling, terming bitumen roads as more durable, cost-effective and sustainable in the long run.