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Showing posts with label FEATURED STORIES. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FEATURED STORIES. Show all posts

Free Ride to KJSEA Marking Centres for 400 Kitui JSS Teachers Courtesy of KUPPET

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By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

History was made on Monday in Kitui County after the Kitui branch of  Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers sponsored free transport to over 400 Junior Secondary School to their Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment marking centres across the country.
JSS Teachers from Kitui county pose for a photo beside one of the vans hired by the KUPPET Kitui branch to transport them to KJSEA marking centres across the country.  Kitui KUPPET branch Executive is Secretary Philip Maanzo is in their midst. |MWINGI TIMES

According to the Kitui KUPPET branch Executive Secretary Philip Maanzo, the move was  a  fulfillment of a key campaign promise as contained in the branch manifesto to teachers. He said it marks a dream come true for the union branch  leadership. 

Flagging off the convoy from Kitui and Mwingi towns, Maanzo dispatched five hired buses, the  union branch bus, and 15 hired 16-seater vans ferrying the elated teachers to their respective marking centres.

Maanzo said the initiative was proof that under visionary leadership, the branch was committed and determined to serve teachers beyond the ordinary and make them proud members of KUPPET.  "This is a dream come true. We promised our teachers that we would stand with them, and today we have delivered," he said.

He also added; "KUPPET Kitui branch is determined to serve the teachers of this county with dignity and ensure they are facilitated to deliver on their national duty."

Mulwa joins push for expansion of Mombasa-Nairobi highway to curb accidents

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By LYDIA NGOOLO 

Head of the National AIDS and STI control programme(NASCOP) Andrew Mulwa has joined the push for the expansion of the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.

NASCOP Head Dr Andrew Mulwa speaks at Kilome Constituency of Makueni County.  MWINGI TIMES |Lydia Ngoolo

Addressing various rallies in Kilome Constituency, Dr Mulwa said dualing the road is key to taming series of fatal road accidents along the busy highway.

He said pushing for its expansion will be his priority if he is elected as Makueni Senator in next year’s General Election.

 

31-Year-Old Man Arrested in Embu for Allegedly Sitting KCSE Exams on Behalf of Another Candidate

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By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Police in Embu have arrested a 31-year-old man for allegedly impersonating a KCSE candidate and sitting examinations on behalf of another person at Urban Integrated Senior School.
The 31-year-old man being escorted by police after arrest at Urban Integrated Senior School in Embu town. MWINGI TIMES |Brian Musyoka

The suspect was arrested at the examination centre after reportedly sitting the ongoing 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations for another registered candidate since Monday.

He was subsequently escorted to Embu Police Station, where he is being held as investigations continue. His motorcycle, which he allegedly used to travel to the examination centre, was also impounded.

The incident comes as 141 private candidates are undertaking their KCSE examinations at the Urban Integrated Senior School centre.

The whereabouts of the actual registered candidate remain unknown, with preliminary reports indicating that the two men may be acquaintances.
Police storm Embu Urban Integreted Senior School to arrest a 31-Year-Old Man who allegedly impersonated another candidate in the ongoing administration of KCSE exams. MWINGI TIMES |Brian Musyoka 

Embu County Director of Education Samuel Mutemi, together with officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), have taken over the investigations to establish how the suspect managed to access the examination centre and undertake the examinations.

Investigators are also seeking to establish whether other individuals were involved in facilitating the alleged impersonation.

Examination impersonation is a criminal offence under the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) legal framework and attracts penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

The incident has renewed concerns over examination security and the effectiveness of measures put in place to prevent malpractice during national examinations.


Surviving USB Malfunction Scare

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By MUSYOKA NGUI 

From everything running smoothly to sudden stalemate? Actually,   this is enough to depress and suck psyche. 
Default USB Configuration in an Android phone. 

I summoned my best ideas and my best team of experts. Of course with some level of humility (and decorum) because my circle is ever busy with deadlines and mainly adulting and debts.  Stuff. The economy is on its knees in an election year, after all.

This task is both enlightening and relieving.  It teaches you to become a developer.  

Go to the Settings section of your Android phone and search File Transfer settings. It will first prompt you to give the security log in.  In my case, it was a fingerprint.  It opened and then closed. Back to my misery. 

Next step is going to your  Settings again. Further, check About Phone or Software Information. When you reach there,  click Build Number 7 times until you see a number saying , "You are now a developer ".

Go to Default USB Configuration and change your phone from "Charging only" to File Transfer/Android Auto.

You can search on YouTube for relevant tutorials too. It should be a straightforward navigation.  If not, hit me up. 

That way, you dont become a victim of your own success. This setting seeks to keep private information out of reach of unintended people. Only use the setting if you alone uses your phone or another person you trust does.

Some telco apps will warn you of the dangers of your new Settings. Tell them you know what you're doing.

Women-led drive key in ending conflict, says AU official

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By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

An African Union official has hailed efforts being made by women through dialogue to build peace among communities living along the volatile Kitui-Tana River counties common border. Retired Lady Justice Effie Owour who co-chairs the FemWise Africa, the AU’s Women mediators network’, noted that the homegrown women-led initiative to dialogue had the potential to bring sustainable peace.
A woman participant taking part in the community peace dialogue session at Ukasi town in Mwingi Central constituency on Tuesday.|MWINGI TIMES

Justice Owour described the move as an exemplary trailblazer noting that in most parts of Africa whenever conflicts occur, the intervention of government is usually sought  as opposed to using homegrown mechanisms.
Retired Lady  Justice  Effie Owour  speaking  during the Ukasi   community  peace  dialogue in Mwingi Central,  Kitui County on Tuesday.| MWINGI TIMES

She spoke on Tuesday during a community peace dialogue at the Ukasi trading center in Mwingi Central constituency. The area had borne the brunt of incessant conflicts between local and armed camels herders who encroach into Kitui from Garissa through Tana River.

The session that was held under tree shades was organized by the Patricia Mutemi-led Kitui Women for Peace and Security organisation with support from Conciliation Resources NGO that was represented by Ellyjoy Maslia.
Patricia Mutemi, the Executive  Director  of Kitui Women for Peace and Security  addressing  participants  during  the Ukasi  community peace dialogue  session on Tuesday.|MWINGI TIMES

Justice Owour said that seeking dialogue with elected leaders of communities involved in conflict was the best way to getting lasting solutions to disputes that lead to confrontational situations as opposed to seeking external intervention. 
She noted that not only that the Kitui Women for Peace and Security group  invited leaders of all shades of life to dialogues but also county and national government official to  made  the exercise all-inclusive. 
"What I am saying is that you are doing a very good job. You have the right spirit to solving your local issues. That is the most important thing,” said Justice Owour who a member of the AU Panel of the Wise representing Eastern Africa.

She pointed that since elected leaders serve the wishes and interest of the people who elect them, they must be reached out and brought to the table to participate in dialogues that would result to peace. “We put everyone in those positions from the president to MCAs,” she said pointing out that they must be central in talks that would create peace among waring communities just as the Kitui Women for Peace and Security outfit was doing.

She said that conflicts were being experienced in many parts of Kenya thus becoming a national issue but added that the Kitui initiative was an eye opener on how such conflicts could be resolved. Justice Owour said the lesson learned was that elected leaders must be involved in peace building regardless of whether they come from the ruling UDA and ODM or whichever party since they are all Kenyans.
She said the Kitui example should be escalated to other conflict-hit areas where women should summon their senators and MPs through dialogue impress on them to finds ways to end conflicts borrowing from the Kitui experience.

She said the era when women were voiceless was long gone saying that even at the continental and international level women voices were being recognized at the AU and the UN. “It was decided then that in everything happening in the Africa continent, women must be key players. That is why FemWise was formed at the AU,” she said.

PS Confident About Seku's Growth Trajectory

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By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Kitui-based South Eastern Kenya University is growing to be a centre of excellence providing research,  innovation and creative solutions to today's challenges beyond lecture halls. 
Higher Education Secretary Carol Hunja speaking at the 13th graduation ceremony in Seku. She represented Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangala.|MWINGI TIMES

In a speech read on her behalf, Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala said it was noteworthy that Seku is increasingly positioning itself  as a university that impacts the society beyond its the teaching sphere. Higher Education Secretary Carol Hunja read the PS's statement during the institution's 13th graduation ceremony on Friday.

"In 2026 alone, the university has undertaken several initiatives that demonstrate its commitment to innovation,  research, community engagement  and national development", said PS Inyangala.

1327 graduands were awarded and conferred with degrees from the highest level of PhD to degrees and diplomas. 
A section of graduating Seku students at the ceremony.  |MWINGI TIMES

Some of the transformative projects done by Seku include the Horizon Europe TWIN4READY project that is aimed at strengthening climate resilience and flood preparedness. 

The Higher Education PS lauded Seku saying it is using its international research networks to solve problems affecting the immediate neighbourhoods. "Climate change is no longer an abstract concept in our country. We have witnessed floods, droughts and other climate-related challenges affecting livelihoods in recent times", she observed.

Situated in an arid and semi-arid land with the motto: Arid to Green; transforming lives,  Seku's development in research and innovations will come in handy as the region battles climate change challenges. 

Seku Vice Chancellor Prof Douglas Shitanda said the university had celebrated significant milestones in becoming a top academic centre in the region and country. He said they currently have a student population of 13000. This, he said, was due to increased demand for higher education as well as diversification in courses offered.
The CEO of SHA Dr Mercy Mwangangi, the Seku Council Chairperson Prof. Crispus Kiamba and the varsity's VC Prof. Douglas Shitanda during the graduation ceremony.|MWINGI TIMES

"The introduction of programmes that respond to emerging industry and market needs, coupled with the continued confidence that students and stakeholders have placed in the university,  has also contributed to this growth", said Prof Shitanda.

Kenyan Law Leaves No Child Behind in Inheritance

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BY AMOS MUOKI

NAIROBI – Grace was twenty-three when her dying mother told her the truth. The teacher who had raised her was not her father. Her father was a wealthy businessman named Peter, who had never acknowledged her. Peter has since died, and Grace is left asking whether she has any right to a share of his estate.
Every Kenyan child is entitled to inheritance. |FILE

Across the country , another family faces a different dispute. John and Mary adopted a baby girl in 2005 under a lawful adoption order. They raised her, paid her school fees and loved her as their own. When John died without a will in 2024, his relatives argued that she could not inherit because she was "not really John's child."

Both cases turn on one question: in Kenyan succession law, who counts as a child? The answer is more inclusive than many Kenyans realise. The Law of Succession Act, read together with the Children Act, the Legitimacy Act and the Constitution, protects children regardless of how they came into the family.

Adopted children stand in the shoes of biological children

Once a court makes an adoption order, the child is treated in law as the child of the adopter. The legal ties to the birth parents end, and new ties are formed with the adoptive family. Under the Children Act, the parental rights and duties over the child's custody, maintenance and education pass to the adopter, and the child is treated as one born to the adopter within marriage. The Act also entitles an adopted child to a share of the adopter's estate as if the child were the adopter's natural child.

In practice, this means an adopted child inherits exactly as a biological child would. The child counts in the distribution of an intestate estate and may benefit under a will. The same ties that bring new rights also end old ones: because the adoption order severs the link with the birth parents, the child generally cannot claim against a birth parent's estate.In In re EL aka RB , the High Court confirmed that an adoption order gives a child every right a biological child enjoys, including the right to inherit. The court noted that the applicant understood and accepted those consequences.

For families like John and Mary's, the lesson is plain. Relatives cannot shut out an adopted child by calling her an outsider. The law says otherwise.

Legitimated children: when parents marry after the birth

A child born to parents who are not married to each other is, in law, a child born out of wedlock. If the parents later marry each other, the child is "legitimated" and is treated as though born within the marriage from the start.

The Legitimacy Act allows a legitimated person, together with their spouse, children and remoter issue, to take an interest in an intestate estate as if the person had been born legitimate. The Act also governs how the property of a legitimated person who dies without a will passes on. The practical effect is that such a child can inherit from the father, from the father's relatives and from the mother, on the same footing as any other child.

The rule matters in a country where many couples live together and start families before formalising their union. The timing of a wedding, the law says, should not permanently disadvantage the children.

Children born out of wedlock: recognition and acceptance

Under customary law and, traditionally, Islamic law, a child whose parents never married often had no claim on the father's estate. The Law of Succession Act changed that. Section 3(2) widens the meaning of "child" for succession purposes. A child born out of wedlock is the child of their mother for all purposes. As far as a father is concerned, the term covers a child he has expressly recognised, in fact accepted as his own, or for whom he has voluntarily assumed permanent responsibility.

The test looks at the father's conduct, not paperwork. He need not have married the mother, and his name need not appear on the birth certificate. What matters is whether he recognised the child, accepted the child or took on responsibility for the child.

The courts have read the provision generously. In Re Estate of Reuben Nzioka Mutua (deceased), a woman's purported customary-law marriage failed because the man had earlier contracted a statutory marriage, so she was not his wife. Her children, however, had been recognised by the deceased and qualified as his children under section 3(2).

In Re Estate of Jonathan Mutua Misi (deceased), Mwera J held that the child of an adulterous union may inherit from the father, reasoning that such a child is the father's offspring and cannot be required to prove the mother's marriage. The Court of Appeal reached the same position in John Ndung'u Mubea v Milka Nyambura Mubea matters.

Supreme Court: no discrimination because of birth

The most significant recent development came from the Supreme Court in Fatuma Athman Abud Faraj v Ruth Faith Mwawasi & Others (2025). The case concerned a Muslim man who had children by several women. Some were born within Islamic marriages and others were not, and the question was whether the latter could inherit, given that Islamic law traditionally excludes them.

The Court held that letting children born within marriage inherit while denying the same to others is unjustifiable discrimination, contrary to Articles 27 and 53 of the Constitution. It read Article 24(4), which allows Islamic law to apply to personal status, as subject to proportionality. Any departure from the guarantee of equality, the Court said, must be narrowly tailored, reasonable, justifiable and necessary, and Article 24(4) is not a blanket exemption. Punishing children for the supposed "sins" of their parents was neither reasonable nor justifiable.

The decision means that even under Islamic succession, children born out of wedlock cannot be excluded automatically. Their claims must be weighed against the constitutional promise of equality and the best interests of the child.

Proving paternity: Section 118 and the DNA test

How does a child prove who their parent was? The starting point is section 118 of the Evidence Act. It provides that birth during a valid marriage between the mother and a man, or within 280 days after the marriage ended while the mother remained unmarried, is conclusive proof that the child is that man's legitimate child. The only exception is where it is shown that the spouses had no access to each other at any time when the child could have been conceived.

Courts guard the presumption closely. In Njenga v Njenga [1985], Madan JA, drawing on English authority, said that if the husband had intercourse with the wife, the presumption is not displaced by showing that other men did too. The law does not weigh up who is the likelier father. The evidence needed to rebut it must be strong, distinct, satisfactory and conclusive, because the consequences for the child and the mother last a lifetime.

The presumption does not apply to a child born outside marriage. Such a child can establish paternity by showing that the father recognised or accepted them under section 3(2), by producing documents or witnesses, or by DNA testing. Courts have grown more willing to order tests. In Re Estate of JWK (Deceased) (2026), the High Court upheld an order for DNA testing where a woman said she was the deceased's biological daughter and had been left out of the grant. The court held that the pursuit of truth justified the order.

What this means for Grace

Grace's position depends on a fact her story leaves open: was her mother married to the teacher when Grace was born? If she was, section 118 presumes Grace is the teacher's child, and Grace would first have to overcome that presumption by proving non-access. If her mother was unmarried, Grace may prove Peter's paternity through his recognition or acceptance, through documents and witnesses, or through DNA evidence. 

In either case she should seek legal advice early, because a deathbed statement alone is unlikely to carry a claim.

Advice for families

Lawyers say there are practical steps every family can take. Adoptive parents should make sure the adoption is formalised by a court order. An informal arrangement, however loving, does not give a child the automatic status of an adopted child, although the child may still have other routes to a claim, such as being a dependant of the deceased. Parents who marry after having children should update the children's records and keep the marriage and birth certificates together.

Unmarried fathers who want their children to inherit should recognise them, accept them as their own or take on permanent responsibility for them, and keep evidence of having done so. Making a will removes any doubt.

Children who believe they have a claim should gather everything that shows the relationship, from birth certificates and photographs to messages, proof of school fees and witness statements, and be ready for a DNA test if paternity is disputed. 

Relatives who try to exclude adopted, legitimated or out-of-wedlock children, meanwhile, increasingly risk losing in court.

The final word

Kenya's succession law has travelled a long way from the days when adopted children and children born out of wedlock were shut out of the family estate. Family, the courts now say, is not defined only by blood or by a marriage certificate, and children should not pay for the choices of their parents.

For John and Mary's daughter, the law is clear: she is John's child for every purpose, including inheritance. For Grace, the door is open, but she will need evidence. In Kenyan succession law, all children count.

The Writer is committed to educating Kenyans on their legal rights and responsibilities. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers with specific concerns should consult a qualified advocate.

22 Killed in Grisly Kanga Road Crash on Nairobi-Mombasa Highway

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By LYDIA NGOOLO 

At least 22 people have been confirmed dead following a head-on collision at Kanga along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway on Sunday morning.

Wreckage of the ill-fated bus and tractor. MWINGI TIMES |Lydia Ngoolo



The accident occurred at around 7:45am when a bus belonging to the Power of the World Church International, registration number KCN 373N, collided with a TIPA trailer, registration number KDB 473W/ZG504FW.

According to Makueni County Commissioner Khalif Abdullahi, the Isuzu bus was heading to Mombasa from Nairobi with 45 passengers on board when the driver attempted to overtake a fleet of vehicles.

He said the driver lost control, causing the bus to skid off the road and land on its right side on the opposite lane, where it rammed into the oncoming trailer.

The trailer driver reportedly tried to swerve to avoid the collision, but the crash was unavoidable.

Makueni County Chief Officer for Health, Dr Harvey Mulei, said four county ambulances were immediately dispatched to the scene to evacuate casualties. He said 14 survivors are admitted at Mtito Andei Sub-County Hospital, while two others were referred to Makindu Sub-County Hospital for specialized treatment.

The tragedy comes barely days after another fatal crash along the same highway claimed 17 lives involving passengers traveling from Mombasa.



Kamuwongo elders told to deliver results as government begins paying stipends

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By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

The national government has challenged village elders in Kamuwongo, Kyuso sub-county, Kitui county, to improve their performance and demonstrate greater commitment to their duties now that they earn government stipends.
Kamuwongo Assistant County Commissioner Edward Mwangi speaking at the Mashujaa day celebration at Kamuwongo market on Tuesday.|MWINGI TIMES

Kamuwongo Assistant County Commissioner, Edward Mwangi said the payments should motivate the elders to work harder, deliver tangible results and strengthen their contribution to grassroots administration. Mwangi, who described the elders as “village managers”, said the government expected them to justify the financial support by enhancing service delivery and demonstrating greater responsibility in their communities.
A cross section  of the village elders who attended the Mashujaa day fetes at Kamuwongo on Tuesday.|MWINGI TIMES

The newly posted administrator was speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kamuwongo Modern Market on Tuesday. He urged the elders to recognise themselves as an integral part of the national government rather than peripheral actors in the administration system.
“There should be no ambiguity about the government’s position on your role as village managers. You are part of the government, not an appendage. “That is part of the reasons the government has decided to provide you with stipends,” Mwangi told the elders.

He said their responsibilities mirrored those of chiefs and assistant chiefs, albeit at a lower administrative level, making them indispensable representatives of the national government at the grassroots. "The job description of village managers mirrors that of chiefs and their assistants, but at the lowest level. You are indispensable representatives of the national government at the grassroots,” he said.

Mwangi challenged the elders to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing challenges within their communities, warning them against turning a blind eye to wrongdoing or becoming complicit in activities that undermine law and order. “You have special responsibility and a serious role to play in society. You must not look the other way when things are going wrong or become complicit,” he said.

He urged the elders to intensify security surveillance, promote peaceful coexistence, help eradicate illicit brews and drug abuse, and ensure all school-age children attend school.

Mwangi also underscored their responsibility to resolve community disputes through dialogue and reconciliation, saying they should take the lead in restoring harmony whenever conflicts arise. "It is your responsibility to restore peace among community members in the event of conflicts by encouraging dialogue and reconciliation among disputants,” he said.

On education and child protection, the administrator called on the village elders to help curb child and teenage pregnancies among schoolgirls. He urged them to work closely with parents and other community stakeholders to ensure that girls who become pregnant are supported to resume their education after childbirth. “In cases where girls fall pregnant, you should seek solutions, including encouraging parents to take them back to school to continue with their studies after giving birth,” Mwangi said.

Women in peace drive in Kitui, Garissa and Tana River border over pasture conflicts

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By MWINGI TIMES TEAM 

On Friday, women-led organisations from Tana River, Kitui and Garissa counties  held a peace meeting to find ways of ending perennial community clashes which lead to loss of lives and property. This is due to camel herders from Garissa and Tana River encroaching on farm lands of Kitui county residents who take up bows and arrows to drive out the herds. In retaliation, communities from pastoralist counties possess illegal fire arms which they are believed to use in retaliation. 
Director of Kitui Women for Peace and Security Patricia Mutemi speaking during the peace meeting.|MWINGI TIMES

Kitui Women for Peace and Security Organization director Patricia Mutemi said residents from the three counties will be involved in finding a lasting peace. "We are ultimately seeking to find a gender sensitive solution to the frequent skirmishes that often arise from misunderstanding over pasture between camel herders from Garissa and Tana River who encroach  into Kitui to graze their animals" said Mutemi.

Last Friday,  the Kitui women group organised a stakeholders' peace dialogue with the Garissa County Women Movement at Madogo in Tana River county. "We are fully aware that it is women and children who bear the biggest brunt and consequences of the killings that often occur when herders from Garissa and Tana River encroach into Kitui County", said Director Patricia Mutemi.

During the meeting,  both national and county governments officers recommended amicable ways to solve the ensuing conflicts. This is important as the country goes into general elections next year. 

Mr Elijah Amoyo who is the Deputy County Commissioner for Bangale in Tana River county represented the county commissioner. He admitted that occasionally lives are lost due to clashes along the Kitui-Tana River border. "When camels stray in farms in Kitui, they react by shooting them with bows and arrows. In return, the herders who own illegal arms retaliate opening fire leading to mindless deaths", said the Bangale DCC.

Amoyo called upon residents from the three neighbouring counties to embrace dialogue over fighting for grazing fields.
"We must embrace the fact that we are all Kenyans and neighbours. We have to live in peace and seek dialogue whenever there is a dispute. There is no need to kill one another" he said.

Mwingi Central Deputy County Commissioner Catherine Njoroge who represented the county commissioner at the Friday meeting hailed the women leaders from Kitui, Garissa and Tana River counties for leading efforts in finding peace. "These women-led peace dialogue forums are essential in sustaining the prevailing peace. They should continue to ensure that the triggers that make people go into conflicts are preemptied", said DCC Njoroge.

Warm weather to last for a week then rain season starts

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By JOHN MUSEMBI 

The newly revised October-November-December short rains onset date lies between fourth week of  October and first week of November 2026. In the latest weekly weather forecast  advisory report  shared by the  Kitui County Director of Meteorological Services Dr Daniel Mbithi, he said; "onset is expected to occur between 26th October and 7th November 2026".
Kitui county rainfall distribution outlook from 20th to 26th October 2026. |Kenya Meteorological Department

The forecast adds that across all the 40 wards in Kitui county, sunny intervals have been forecast to last throughout the day in the next seven days. 

However, it furthers says, morning rains as well as afternoon and night showers may be experienced in some parts of the county towards the end of the forecast period.

As indicated above, with sunny intervals being expected to last for a week, it is no doubt that this week has been described by the weatherman to be warmer than average. The maximum temperature range is forecast to be between 23°C and 37°C while the minimum temperatures readings are likely to range from 15°C and 24°C.

There will be strong winds likely to blow intermittently in some parts of Kitui county with speeds being forecast to be more than 25knots or over 12.86m/s.

No plans to shut borders amid Ebola scare, says NASCOP head

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By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Kenya does not intend to close its borders following the Ebola outbreak in neighboring countries, the Head of the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), Dr. Andrew Mulwa, has said.

Head of the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) Dr Andrew Mulwa speaks at AIC Kiatineni, Mbooni consistency,  Makueni county. |MWINGI TIMES

Dr. Mulwa said the government has instead prioritized heightened surveillance and improved preparedness across the country.

He was speaking on Sunday during a church service at AIC Kiatineni in Mbooni Constituency.

He called on county administrations to scale up their readiness and response systems to deal with any suspected Ebola case.

He further urged the public to stay alert, seek immediate medical care when symptoms appear, and work closely with health officials to contain the disease.

The government has now confirmed eight Ebola cases.


The Ultimate Leader Machakos School holds graduation and prayer day for transition of learners

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By LYDIA NGOOLO 

Learners in PP2, Grade 3 and Grade 6 were on Friday celebrated during a graduation and prayer day ceremony held in Machakos to mark the end of the 2026 academic year.

Director,  the Ultimate Leader Machakos Campus Mary Mutuku and some graduands. MWINGI TIMES |Lydia Ngoolo

The event brought together parents, teachers, learners and the school management to celebrate academic progress, character development and transition to the next level of learning.

Addressing the gathering, School Director Mary Mutuku thanked parents for entrusting the institution with their children and attributed the school’s progress to faith, partnership and teamwork.

“We normally begin our school activities with prayers, committing our pupils, teachers and parents into God’s hands. Today we can confidently say God has been faithful,” she said.

Mutuku said the year had been busy and exciting, with drama activities in first term, music festivals and sports in second term, alongside educational trips that exposed learners to learning beyond the classroom.

She commended parents for their financial and moral support, noting that the experiences had boosted learners’ confidence and personal growth.

The Director congratulated PP2 learners as they prepare to join Grade 1, urging them to remain curious, kind and eager to learn. She also celebrated Grade 3 learners for attaining an important milestone and challenged Grade 6 candidates to uphold discipline and values as they transition.

She noted that this year’s class is the second Grade 6 cohort since the school’s inception, describing it as a sign of growth and hope for the future.

“We may still have a long way to go, but with God’s guidance and your continued support, even greater things are ahead,” Mutuku said, while leading prayers for the Grade 6 candidates ahead of their transition assessment.

Head of Institution Naomy Kambua Kiio said the ceremony was a moment to celebrate hard work, perseverance and achievement, and to reflect on the journey travelled together in 2026.

Kiio said the academic year was characterized by commitment from teachers, learners and parents, with teachers working tirelessly to support learners academically, socially, emotionally and morally.

She said the institution emphasizes holistic education beyond examination performance, focusing on discipline, character, responsibility, teamwork, respect and leadership through sports, swimming, music, creative arts, religious programmes and academic competitions.

“These experiences enable learners to discover their talents, develop confidence and appreciate teamwork. We are not simply preparing learners to pass assessments, but to become responsible, confident and productive members of society,” she said.

Kiio lauded teaching and non-teaching staff for ensuring a safe, clean and conducive learning environment, and thanked parents for providing learning materials, meeting school obligations and monitoring learners’ progress.

She urged continued partnership between the school and home, noting that learners benefit most when both work together.

The ceremony ended with Christmas and New Year wishes to parents and learners as the school closed for the festive holiday.

The preacher of the day pastor Annancietta Ndunda reminded parents that the holiday is long and they should take extreme care of their children. Ndunda encouraged children to be wise and not listen to friends who want to ruin their lives.

ILLEGAL SAND HARVESTING BARAZA

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Let’s be counted
Let your voice be heard

Tommorow is the day

We MUST make a petition to protect our environment
We MUST protect our rivers.

Two Injured as Jumbos Wreck Havoc in Mumoni Ward of Mwingi North Constituency

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By MWINGI TIMES TEAM 

A herd of elephants has terrorised Syumukei village of  Mumoni Ward in Mwingi North constituency leaving two residents with serious injuries. Tension and fear has gripped the areas  as people flee and scampered to safety in the wake of the attack by the jumbos.
Two among the herd of jumbos roaming Mumoni Ward and outlying areas in Mwingi North constituency,  Kitui county. |COURTESY


An elderly lady and a middle-aged man sustained  serious injuries  including broken limps when the beasts charged on them as they tried to drive them from the ares.

Area MCA Titus Kasinga confirmed the presence of the jumbos in his Mumoni ward. He told MWINGI TIMES that they had roamed the area and the neighbourhood  for the last few days.
Mumoni Ward MCA Titus Kasinga.

Hon Kasinga has issued an advisory to the residents warning them to keep away from the animals which were still in the area by  the time  of going to press. The MCA has called upon the Kenya Wildlife Service,  KWS, to provide an helicopter to make surveillance of the invasion more efficient. "I have requested that KWS does provide an helicopter if possible to make it more easier for the KWS officers to drive away the animals back to their dwellings", said the local legislator.

More to come...

Kitui College Student Hospitalised After Alleged Brutal Stabbing by Lover

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By JOSPHINE MWENDE 

A 20-year-old student at Kitui Teachers Training College is fighting for her life at Kitui County Referral Hospital after she was allegedly attacked and stabbed several times by a man said to be her lover, who reportedly teaches at a Junior Secondary School (JSS) in Kitui East Sub-County.
A 20-year-old student lies in bed in Kitui County Referral Hospital after she was allegedly hit and stabbed by a man said to be her lover. MWINGI TIMES |Josphine Mwende

According to Mbula, a relative of the victim, the incident occurred on the night of Saturday, October 10, 2026, after the suspect allegedly lured the student from her college to his residence.

Mbula said she received a phone call from the victim, who explained that the suspect had called her from his school and taken her to a hotel in the area where he works, against her wishes.

The victim reportedly refused to accompany him, but the suspect allegedly forced her to his house, where he hit her on the head with a hammer before repeatedly stabbing her with a knife as she lost consciousness.

The suspect is also alleged to have stabbed himself in the stomach before setting the house on fire in an apparent attempt to kill them both. However, neighbours reportedly rescued the two from the burning house.“My child is badly injured and was not even able to speak. She should be in school, but instead, she is receiving treatment in hospital. I am appealing for justice to be served,” Mbula said.

Both the student and the suspect are receiving treatment at Kitui County Referral Hospital.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, with investigations reportedly pending to establish what led to the alleged attack.

University of Embu Aligns Courses, Retools Lecturers Ahead of 2029 CBE Transition

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By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

The University of Embu is finalising plans to align its academic programmes with the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system ahead of the anticipated entry of the first cohort of CBE learners into universities in 2029.
The University of Embu Management led by Vice Chancellor Prof Daniel Mugendi (centre) and Chancellor Prof Musili Wambua shares a cake to celebrate 10 years of after it was awarded  Charter. MWINGI TIMES |Brian Musyoka

The university Management says it is retooling lecturers and other staff to equip them with the necessary skills and competencies to effectively handle students transitioning to the new education system.

Speaking during celebrations to mark 10 years since the University of Embu was awarded its charter, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Daniel Mugendi said the institution was reviewing its curriculum to ensure it meets the requirements of CBE.

Prof. Mugendi said the university had committed, as part of its performance contracting targets for the current year, to align at least 30 per cent of its curriculum with the requirements of the new education system.

He said the move was part of the institution's preparations to ensure a smooth transition for learners expected to join universities after completing their studies under the CBE framework. “The CBE curriculum is not like the normal curriculum we are using now. We are retooling our lecturers to ensure they are able to handle it properly,” Prof. Mugendi said.

The Vice Chancellor noted that successful implementation of CBE in universities would require a significant paradigm shift in teaching and learning approaches. He explained that unlike the traditional education system, which has largely emphasised content delivery, CBE focuses on learners' abilities, practical skills and the demonstration of competencies.

Prof. Mugendi said lecturers must therefore adapt their teaching methods to accommodate a more student-centred approach that places greater emphasis on individual learning abilities and practical application of knowledge.

The university's preparations come as institutions of higher learning begin planning for the transition of learners under the new education framework, which is expected to reshape university teaching, assessment and curriculum delivery.

The university Management said staff development and curriculum review would be central to ensuring that the institution is adequately prepared to receive the new cohort and provide training that responds to the demands of the competency-based system.

University Chancellor Prof. Musili Wambua expressed confidence that the new curriculum would be successfully implemented at university level, signalling optimism about the capacity of institutions of higher learning to adapt to the changes.

Prof. Wambua's remarks came as the university marked a decade since receiving its charter, an occasion that also provided an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and prepare for emerging developments in Kenya's education sector.

The University of Embu's ongoing reforms are expected to contribute to the broader transition towards competency-based learning, with the institution seeking to equip both its staff and students with the skills needed to navigate the evolving higher education landscape.

THE SILENT STRUGGLE: Mental Health Challenges among University Students

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By EMMAH KIHIU

The student answering questions in class may have spent the night battling panic and anxiety. The one laughing with friends may be carrying the weight of unpaid fees, family problems or an uncertain future. 
And the student who appears to be coping may be quietly reaching a breaking point.

Behind closed hostel doors, as most students are asleep,a different kind of struggle begins for some students. Some stare at their phones all night ,other lie awake worrying about the following day or problems they cannot bring themselves to discuss with anyone. 

To a passerby, they may look like ordinary university students attending lectures, laughing with friends and posting pictures and funny quotes online, but beneath the smiles ,some are fighting battles that nobody sees.

University is often described as a period of freedom, discovery and new opportunities, but with academic pressure, financial difficulties and relationship problems, emotional distress and depression arise.

Most carry the distress alone with fear that if they speak out nobody would understand them better. Stacy, a fourth year student battling depression recalls, "I hadn't slept more than two weeks. My heart was racing constantly and I felt this crushing weight in my chest.

CATs had began, exams were approaching, my fees was unpaid ,I had no gatepass meaning I couldn't access the school. 

There was no hope. Every time I thought about  asking for help, I froze. I thought everyone else was managing and if I break it means I am weak or simply don't fit here,so I kept quiet."

Many students, despite the mounting challenges, do not seek help. For some, admitting that they are struggling is viewed as a sign of weakness. Some fear being judged by friends and family members but they do not realise that it's causing a damage in their mental health.

They may describe themselves as simply being tired ,stressed or sleepy and continue pushing through the problem until it becomes more difficult to manage. The silence carry a more serious consequence.

Students needs to understand that seeking help is not a sign of failure. A simple statement like "I am not okay "can be the beginning of getting support. 

Most of the universities have guidance and counselling programmes that are accessible by all students and are confidential. Friends should play an important role by noticing when someone begins withdrawing or behave differently. Lecturers can create an environment where students feel comfortable discussing difficulties without fear of humiliation. 

Seeking psychological support should be viewed same as treating a physical injury. Until the society and institutions prioritize wellbeing alongside academic achievement, the silent struggle inside the hostels and lecture halls will continue to demand our attention. 
 
As universities prepare students for careers and professional life, they must also help them develop the support system and coping skills needed to face emotional challenges. Students should be encouraged to seek help and see asking for help as strength rather than weakness.

Some times the student who needs help most is the one who looks like they need it the least.

The Writer is a Fourth Year Student, Chuka University

Embu Health Department Raises Alarm Over Double Vision Among Drivers

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By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

The Embu County Health Department has raised concerns over an increasing number of drivers experiencing double vision, warning that the condition could pose a serious risk to road safety if left untreated.
A police officer being checked in the eye during a medical camp in Embu Town. MWINGI    TIMES |Brian Musyoka


Eye health experts said cases of double vision among drivers are alarming, with many motorists reportedly operating vehicles without undergoing regular eye examinations.

The experts were speaking during a free eye medical camp held in Embu town to commemorate World Sight Day, with the exercise specifically targeting drivers.

The initiative brought together eye health professionals who screened drivers and members of the public for various eye-related conditions, including problems that could affect their ability to see clearly while driving.

Daniel Kige, the Vision Impact Coordinator in Embu County, said regular eye examinations among drivers were necessary because they play a critical role in ensuring the safety of passengers and other road users.

Kige said drivers require good vision to identify road signs, pedestrians, other vehicles and potential hazards, especially when driving at night or under difficult weather conditions.

He expressed concern that a majority of drivers rarely seek eye check-ups unless they begin experiencing serious problems with their vision.

He urged motorists to make eye examinations part of their routine health checks, saying early detection of vision problems could help prevent accidents and improve road safety.

Kige also called on drivers experiencing symptoms such as double vision, blurred vision or difficulty seeing clearly to seek medical attention rather than continuing to drive without treatment.

Pauline Nginyo, the County Health Promotion Officer, said the free eye screening was part of the county government's strategy to address eye-related problems among residents.

Nginyo encouraged residents of Embu County to undergo regular eye examinations, noting that many eye conditions can be detected and managed early when people seek medical attention.

She further urged members of the public not to wait until they experience severe vision problems before visiting health facilities for eye check-ups.

John Mwaniki, a driver who benefited from the free screening, welcomed the initiative, saying motorists often face eye-related challenges due to the nature of their work and the long hours they spend on the road.

Mwaniki called for more eye screening programmes targeting drivers, saying regular check-ups would help motorists maintain good vision and ultimately contribute to safer roads in Embu and beyond.

Critical Care Nurses Urge Government to Equip Intensive Care Units, Review Job Cadres

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By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Critical care nurses in Kenya have challenged the government to ensure critical care units across the country are adequately equipped with the necessary and sophisticated equipment to enable them discharge their mandate effectively.
Chairperson Society of Critical Care Nurses Conelia Ouma addressing press in Embu town. MWINGI TIMES |Brian Musyoka

The nurses say the rapid expansion of critical care units has not been matched with adequate resources, putting pressure on healthcare workers and potentially compromising the quality of care offered to critically ill patients.

Speaking during a two-day conference in Embu County to launch the Society of Critical Care Nurses, the chairperson of the society, Conelia Ouma, said there was an urgent need for the government to invest more resources in critical care services.

Ouma said many critical care units across the country are still operating without adequate specialised equipment required to manage patients with serious and life-threatening conditions.

She noted that critical care nurses require sophisticated equipment and appropriate working environments to effectively monitor, manage and provide specialised care to vulnerable patients.

"We call upon the government to recognize the specialization of critical care nurses for the specialization that it is," Ouma said.

She said the government should also review the existing Human Resource terms for critical care nurses and establish the correct job cadre that reflects their specialised training, skills and responsibilities.

According to the nurses, recognising critical care nursing as a specialised cadre would help address challenges relating to deployment, career progression, remuneration and professional development.

The Society of Critical Care Nurses, which represents specialised critical care nurses in Kenya, is also calling for the development of a clear structure that supports nurses working in critical care settings.

Ouma said increased resources should be directed towards critical care services, including equipment, staffing and other essential facilities required to support specialised nursing care.

The nurses further called for continuous capacity building to enable critical care nurses to keep pace with emerging technologies, procedures and developments in the management of critically ill patients.

They said strengthening the capacity of critical care nurses was particularly important as hospitals continue to establish and expand intensive and other specialised critical care units across the country.

The society urged the government and other stakeholders to work together in addressing the challenges facing critical care nurses, saying adequate investment in the sector would strengthen the country's ability to care for critically ill and vulnerable patients.
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