Scores injured after a bus crushed while avoiding a lorry that had lost control at Ngethi No Ùndû near Mwingi town.

‎By JOHN MUSEMBI

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Kitui county weather forecast for the week of 31 March to 6 April, 2026|Kenya Meteorological Department

‎The temperature range will be mild, signalling a departure from dry spell which marked the first three months of the year. The maximum temperature range is forecast to vary between 23°C and 32°C while the minimum temperature range will range from 16°C to 22°C.

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‎Wind speed remains unchanged this week as has been before blowing at around 25 knots or 12.86m/s.  It will blow from north eastern side to south east.

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By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

At the heart of the partnership is an Agri-Supplier Financing solution that allows suppliers to convert verified invoices into immediate cash. This invoice discounting model will enable farmers, aggregators, distributors, and exporters to restock quickly, fulfil orders on time, and maintain consistent supply without financial strain.

Avenews Group CEO Jonathan Tseelon said the initiative is tailored to the realities of the fresh produce sector, where perishability and speed are critical. He emphasized that immediate and flexible capital is essential to keep the value chain functioning efficiently. According to him, the company is committed to developing financing solutions that move at the pace of trade rather than traditional banking timelines.

The partnership also aims to reduce reliance on informal and high-cost borrowing, which many small and medium agribusinesses turn to when faced with delayed payments. By aligning financing with real trade flows, businesses will be able to operate continuously and strengthen supply cycles.

Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya CEO Okisegere Ojepat noted that delayed financing often disrupts shipments, damages supplier relationships, and leads to losses due to spoilage. He highlighted that limited access to timely funding has long been a barrier to entry, especially for youth and women entrepreneurs.

Ojepat said the new financing model is expected to open doors for more players to participate in the sector while strengthening existing businesses. He added that the fresh produce industry already supports more than three million people directly and indirectly, and the partnership aims to expand this impact to over ten million livelihoods nationwide. 

Avenews Managing Director Nancy Kinyanjui described the initiative as part of a broader shift toward embedded financing models where capital is structured around real economic activity. She explained that the company is working to fix long-standing structural gaps in agribusiness by unlocking capital through practical, time-based solutions that support the movement of goods.

The partnership was officially launched during a joint dinner workshop held at Crowne Plaza JKIA, bringing together more than 100 members of the Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya and key stakeholders across the value chain.

With the collaboration industry players say it could transform how agribusiness operates in Kenya  making the sector more resilient, inclusive, and economically impactful.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon.The monthlong voter registration exercise will end on April 28, 2026.

This is after IEBC registration officer in charge of the voter listing Malonza Mule acknowledged the propaganda may make Kenyans to shy away from the exercise. "This is propaganda and a lie because voter registration and voting are two distinct exercises. Each has its own time."

The IEBC official called upon residents to register as voters for them to get an opportunity of being led by leaders of their choice.

"If you fail to enrol as a voter, you are like a registered voter who will not turn up to cast his or her ballot.  You will be helping leaders you don't want to be your leaders. There is no way someone can vote during the voter registration exercise", said Mr Mule.

By BAYAN WEDDY KANANA

Kenyan President William Ruto with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during the Road and Belt Forum for International Cooperation at the Great Hall of the People on October 18, 2023.

However, this progress has raised an important question: is Kenya developing sustainably, or becoming dependent? While these projects bring visible benefits, the structure of the agreements often limit local participation. Chinese loans are typically tied to Chinese contractors, meaning the same country financing the project also controls its execution. As a result, Kenyan engineers are frequently sidelined—not due to lack of skill, but because they are not given the opportunity to lead.

Another concern is debt. Kenya has borrowed heavily to finance these developments, with a significant portion owed to Chinese lenders. If these projects fail to generate enough revenue, repayment could strain the economy and limit national decision-making. This creates fears of economic dependence, a key feature of neo-colonialism.

Supporters argue that Kenya willingly enters these agreements and benefits from fast, efficient development. Unlike historical colonial powers, China does not impose direct political control. 

Still, the imbalance in power and control raises valid concerns about long-term independence.Ultimately, the issue is not whether Kenya has engineers—it does. The real question is whether the country is creating systems that allow them to lead. For development to be meaningful, it must empower local capacity. Otherwise, progress risks becoming dependency rather than true growth.