Speaking at Nyuani Primary School in Mutonguni Ward, Kitui West, Stella Mengele  regretted that perpetrators of gender based violence collude with clan elders to defeat justice for victims of GBV. "Children get defiled and since their parents are poor,  they are given cows. The clan elders come to decide the cases. Some of our residents are not exposed.  They need someone to run to for assistance", said the founder of Stella Mengele Foundation,  an NGO.

According to the renowned Kamba Gospel artist,  all locals need is only one lawyer to be hired by county gender department for the purposes of handling cases of serious gender violations. 

While acknowledging the challenges ahead, she said residents need to be capacity built on how to report gender based violence cases including processing them until justice is served.

A report by Kenya National Police cited on the Unesco website shows the grim reality of gender based violence cases in Kenya. The study revealed that 40% of women in Kenya have experienced emotional,  physical or psychological intimate partner violence. 30% of women aged between 15-49 have experienced physical violence. 

To worsen the situation,  social and cultural norms aid these injustices as some people believe wives should be beaten under certain circumstances. 

"30% of women and 19% of men believe a husband is justified in beating his wife under certain circumstances", the report reads in part.

During the Presidency of Uhuru Kenyatta, Margaret Kenyatta transformed what had largely been a ceremonial space into a structured platform for national advocacy. Through the Beyond Zero Campaign, she championed maternal and child health, mobilizing both public and private sector support. Her initiative complemented government efforts such as the Linda Mama program under the national health agenda, expanding awareness about safe motherhood and access to healthcare facilities.

What distinguished her tenure was visibility combined with measurable engagement. She ran marathons to raise funds, partnered with county governments, and consistently maintained focus on healthcare inequalities. Beyond maternal health, she also sparked national conversation around the often-overlooked welfare of the boy child, arguing that empowerment should be balanced and inclusive. In doing so, she broadened the social agenda beyond traditional expectations.

In comparison, earlier First Ladies such as Mama Ngina Kenyatta during the era of President Jomo Kenyatta symbolized unity in a fragile post-independence state but did not operate structured national campaigns. 

First Lady Lena Moi, alongside President Daniel arap Moi, maintained a low public profile consistent with the political culture of that period. Their roles were largely ceremonial, reflecting the norms of their time rather than proactive advocacy.

The tenure of Lucy Kibaki during Mwai Kibaki brought visibility and personality, but without a long-term flagship social program comparable in scale to Beyond Zero. Her presence was felt in public discourse, yet it did not crystallize into a singular nationwide initiative that defined her legacy.

Currently, Rachel Ruto, spouse of current President William Ruto, has emphasized faith-based values, women empowerment, and community outreach. However, critics argue that her initiatives have not yet achieved the same scale, national mobilization, or measurable policy alignment that characterized Margaret Kenyatta’s tenure. Supporters, on the other hand, contend that impact must be assessed over time and within the context of prevailing economic realities.

The comparison raises a broader question: Should the effectiveness of a First Lady be measured by visibility, structured programs, policy influence, or public perception? Margaret Kenyatta’s era set a precedent where the Office of the First Lady appeared institutionalized, strategic, and results-oriented. This has inevitably raised public expectations for those who came before and those who follow.

Yet it is also important to recognize that each First Lady operates within a different political climate, economic capacity, and personal philosophy. What appears as underperformance may, in some cases, reflect differing priorities or quieter forms of engagement.

Even so, in Kenya’s evolving political culture, citizens increasingly expect measurable social contribution from the First Lady’s office. The standard has shifted from symbolism to structured impact. Whether future First Ladies will build upon, redefine, or surpass the benchmark set during Margaret Kenyatta’s tenure remains a question that time and performance  will answer.

Last week witnessed increased rainfall records given most parts of Kitui county received heavy downpour.  "A number of stations recorded very heavy rainfall exceeding 70mm in 24 hours on 3rd in Endau and Mui and again in Endau in 4th", said  Director Daniel Mbithi. 

The other weather conditions like temperature and wind remain unchanged this week since the maximum temperature will range between 24°C and 32°C while the minimum temperature range is expected to vary from 16°C to 22°C.

Strong winds are expected to blow from north eastern side to south eastern side of the county of Kitui at a speed of 25knots [12.86m/s].

The International media such as Al Jazeera and the BBC devoted large sections of their coverage to tell the story about the former Zambia President's worsening health,  death and divided legacy. Lungu had been receiving treatment for cancer at Mediclinic Medforum Hospital in Pretoria. His daughter, Tasila Lungu, broke the news to the public, saying, “My father passed away peacefully, but our hearts are shattered. We are trying to come to terms with the loss of a man who gave so much to his family and country.”

Yet, even as they mourned, the family found themselves entangled in legal battles and political tensions that would follow them for months.

For the Lungu family, the wish was simple: a quiet farewell. They had planned a private burial in Johannesburg, hoping to grieve away from the glare of politics. “We just wanted to say goodbye in peace,” said a family member, requesting anonymity.

The Zambian government, however, insisted that Lungu, as a former president, be honoured with a state funeral in Lusaka. Such ceremonies are customary for Zambian leaders since independence from the British in 1964.

The disagreement reached the courts. A High Court in Pretoria halted the private burial just hours before it was to begin. The court ruled that Lungu’s body be repatriated to Zambia for burial with state honours. At the reading of the judgment, his sister, Bertha Lungu, was seen in tears, a moment that captured the human toll of political disputes.

Even before Lungu’s death, his family had been navigating investigations that brought their private lives into public view. Authorities in Zambia examined properties, vehicles, and other assets believed to be linked to unexplained wealth acquired during his presidency.

His son, Dalitso Lungu, was arrested in 2023 alongside his wife after authorities said they had uncovered dozens of vehicles and other assets suspected to be proceeds of crime. A court later ordered him to surrender property and vehicles worth millions of dollars.

The former first lady, Esther Lungu, faced charges related to properties believed to be illicitly acquired. Even Tasila, who had publicly shared her father’s death, was later charged with money laundering.

“The accusations are politically motivated,” said a Patriotic Front party official. “Our family is being targeted even in mourning.”

Lungu’s political life was marked by both achievements and fierce rivalries. Defeated in the 2021 elections by Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development, the tension between the two men and their supporters has lingered, shaping Zambia’s political landscape.

Even after leaving office, the legal challenges facing his family have been influenced by the lingering shadow of political rivalry. The grief of losing a father and husband is intertwined with the stress of legal proceedings, creating a complex emotional landscape for the family.

Behind court rulings, asset seizures, and public debates is a family trying to heal. For the Lungu family, Edgar Lungu’s death did not bring closure; it opened a chapter of public scrutiny and national debate.

“Every time we try to grieve, there is a court case or a headline reminding us of his legacy in a way we cannot control,” said another family member.

For Zambia, the events highlight how the consequences of leadership and allegations of corruption can extend far beyond a president’s term. Decisions made in power can shape families, institutions, and national memory for years.

Edgar Lungu’s story is a reminder that leadership carries responsibilities, and that the human cost of politics often stretches beyond office  sometimes into the lives of those left behind.

The case pits the petitioner, Newton Kariuki Ndwiga, against the declared winner of the November 27, 2025 by-election, Leo Wa Muthende Njeru, with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission also named as a respondent in the proceedings.

The election dispute is being heard by Justice Richard Mwongo at the Embu High Court, after being assigned as an election court to determine the validity of the by-election results. By law, election petitions must be heard and concluded within six months. 

During the opening remarks, Kariuki’s legal team, led by Ndegwa Njiru, told the court that the petition seeks to nullify the by-election, arguing that the electoral process failed to meet constitutional standards of transparency, accountability, and adherence to the law.

The petitioner claims that several irregularities occurred during the voting process, including discrepancies between the number of voters who cast ballots and the number of registered voters in some polling stations.

Kariuki, who took the witness stand to testify in support of his petition, cited Ngagara Primary School and Ngiiri Polling Station as examples where the number of votes allegedly exceeded the registered voter turnout.

He told the court that such discrepancies raise serious questions about the integrity of the election and form part of the grounds upon which the results should be invalidated.

Kariuki further requested the court to order a forensic examination of the KIEMS kits, arguing that the devices should be scrutinized to determine whether all voters who cast ballots were properly identified and cleared through the biometric system.

In addition, he asked the court to order a recount of the votes cast during the by-election to verify whether the final tally accurately reflected the will of the electorate.

The petitioner also alleged irregular voting in Mwondu Polling Station, claiming that some individuals who cast ballots there were registered voters from counties outside Embu County.

Kariuki further told the court that violence was reported in several polling stations, including Kaugu Polling Station, which he claimed affected his supporters during the voting exercise.

“Violence was widespread across polling stations in Mbeere North and it was being instigated by State officers. This intimidated my supporters, and the fourth respondent became the beneficiary of that violence,” Kariuki told the court.

He also alleged that voter bribery occurred in multiple polling stations across the constituency, arguing that such acts compromised the credibility and fairness of the election. Among the polling stations Kariuki asked the court to scrutinize are Itiira, Ishiara, Kune, Kanyuambora, Maragu, Karwari, Kiathambu, and Ndutori Primary Schools, saying a detailed examination would help determine whether the number of votes cast matched the number of registered voters.

However, the defence team representing Wa Muthende, led by Dr.

Adrian Kamotho, dismissed the claims and told the court that the election was conducted fairly, transparently, and in full compliance with the law.

Lawyer Charles Mwongela, representing the electoral commission, also defended the process, stating that the commission conducted the election in strict adherence to the Constitution and electoral laws, adding that the petition seeks to overturn the legitimate will of the people.

The court proceedings come months after another petition challenging the same election was dismissed for failure to deposit the legally required security for costs, leaving Kariuki’s case as the main active petition questioning the legitimacy of the by-election outcome.

The hearing is expected to proceed on a day-to-day basis , with the court set to hear testimonies from witnesses, examine electoral materials, and determine whether the allegations raised meet the legal threshold to nullify the Mbeere North by-election.