By JOSPHINE MWENDE 

In some areas, children are still forced to study outdoors due to a lack of classrooms and learning resources, exposing them to harsh weather conditions and an unconducive learning environment.

These challenges disproportionately affect girls, many of whom are denied access to education, forced into early marriages, or subjected to harmful cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

For the past 17 years, Kakenya’s Dream has been working alongside communities in southwestern Kenya to change this narrative by expanding opportunities for girls and young people through education, healthcare, leadership development, economic empowerment and social norms transformation initiatives.

The organisation seeks to eliminate systemic barriers that prevent girls from achieving their full potential, while empowering communities to embrace gender equality and child protection.

Through scholarships, school support programmes and mentorship initiatives, Kakenya’s Dream has transformed the lives of thousands of girls and women. The organisation has also invested in healthcare services, climate resilience initiatives and economic empowerment programmes aimed at improving livelihoods of vulnerable communities.

On May 9, 2026, the organisation, led by its founder, president and chief executive officer Dr Kakenya Ntaiya, organised simultaneous charity walks in Karen, Nairobi County, and Enoosaen in Kilgoris, Narok County, to raise awareness about girls’ education and empowerment.

The walk, themed “Steps Towards Change”, sought to mobilise communities and stakeholders to support efforts aimed at protecting girls from harmful practices and early marriages while promoting safer, healthier and more inclusive environments for children.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Ntaiya said the organisation had made significant strides over the years in supporting girls’ education and empowering communities.“Over the past 15 years, we have reached more than 35,000 individuals, worked closely with 80 schools and awarded scholarships to over 1,000 girls to support their education,” she said.“We are also working with schools to provide life skills training that empowers girls to speak up, build confidence and understand their rights.”

Despite these achievements, Dr Ntaiya noted that major challenges still hinder efforts to uplift girls and children in remote areas. Among the key concerns, she said, is poor road infrastructure, which limits access to schools, healthcare facilities and support services.“We are calling upon the government to improve road infrastructure to make it easier for organisations, human rights defenders and well-wishers to reach communities that need help,” she said.

Dr. Ntaiya also highlighted the need for improved counselling and healthcare services for survivors of harmful cultural practices and violence.

According to her, the organisation’s health facilities currently receive more than 1,500 patients monthly seeking counselling and related support services.“We want the government to expand such services to dispensaries and healthcare facilities across the country so that young people can access immediate help whenever they need it,” she added.

She further urged both the national and county governments, alongside the private sector, to prioritise improving learning infrastructure in underserved schools to create a better future for children.“The government should go beyond making promises and closely monitor areas that urgently need support so that effective interventions can be implemented on the ground,” Dr Ntaiya said.

As rural communities continue to grapple with poverty, inadequate infrastructure and gender inequality, organisations such as Kakenya’s Dream are offering renewed hope to thousands of girls striving for education, dignity and a chance at a better future.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

The remarks by the locals comes as burial preparations for the 14-year-old boy who was killed by camel herders triggering demonstrations in Mwingi and blockade of the Mwingi-Garissa highway is set to be laid to rest tomorrow. 

Joseph Mutemi is said to have gone to prepare some wood for charcoal burning when he was attacked and chopped with a knives by assailants believed to be camel herders. 

Ruth Muema, a resident of Kathûngû says that the killings of a child and a woman in the recent rampage in Kitui was a red line that caused animosity between a farming community and camel herding one.

"We have never witnessed killing of women and young kids before. These people have gone too extreme. Flashing out all the camels from Kitui is the only lasting solution," said Ruth. She said that flashing out of all camels from Kitui was the only route to get long lasting peace in Kitui.

Elizabeth Masila, a resident of Katangini in Sosoma location says that in the recent past even school going children flee from school, just by the sight of a camel due to trauma caused by the recent killings.  "Our children are living in fear. Once they see a camel on their way to school, they run back home for fear of being killed," she narrated. 

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Speaking during a church service at Livingstone Church and Mwamba Imara NICA Church in Embu today Sunday 10th May 2026, Ruku dismissed recent remarks by Gachagua urging Mt Kenya residents to “listen to President Ruto and let him go,” saying such statements were reckless and misleading.

Ruku said the Head of State is a national leader elected by all Kenyans and therefore has every right and responsibility to tour any part of the country without intimidation or political conditions from any individual.

He accused Gachagua of trying to portray himself as the political gatekeeper of Mt Kenya politics, insisting that no single leader owns the region or has authority to dictate who should address residents.

“The President has a bigger responsibility of serving all Kenyans equally. There is no part of this country where he cannot go to launch projects and inspect development,” Ruku said amid cheers from congregants.

The CS further faulted Gachagua for allegedly attempting to divide leaders and communities through premature political campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Ruku also challenged Gachagua’s repeated declarations that he will vie for the presidency in 2027, arguing that an impeached leader cannot claim moral authority to lecture others on leadership and national unity.

At the same time, Ruku defended the Kenya Kwanza administration, saying President Ruto has fulfilled many of the promises he made to Kenyans through ongoing development projects across the country.

He said the government remains committed to delivering better services, empowering youth and women, and improving the livelihoods of ordinary wananchi despite criticism from opponents.

The CS also turned his guns on Gitonga Mukunji, accusing the Manyatta MP of failing to initiate meaningful development projects in the constituency while concentrating on “one-term politics” and endless political rhetoric.

According to Ruku, Mukunji should focus on improving the lives of residents instead of engaging in unnecessary political battles and early campaigns for the Embu gubernatorial seat.

Ruku claimed the MP had lost touch with the needs of the people and warned that leadership is judged through service delivery and not political slogans or online popularity.

The CS also criticized former Meru governors Peter Munya and former Kawira Mwangaza over their attacks on Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, urging them to respect him and acknxowledge his growing influence in the Mt Kenya region.

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

The Ministry of Health says the move is aimed at ensuring early detection and rapid response in the event of any suspected case entering the country. Surveillance officers and emergency response teams have already been placed on alert across the country.

Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni Muriuki said Kenya is focusing on long-term prevention measures instead of waiting to react during health crises.

Speaking in Siakago Mbeere North, the PS emphasized the importance of strengthening disease surveillance systems to detect zoonotic diseases early, especially those associated with rodents and environmental changes caused by climate change.

She noted that climate change has continued to increase the risk of emerging infectious diseases globally, making it necessary for countries to invest heavily in preparedness and prevention systems.

Mary Muthoni said Community Health Promoters will play a critical role in grassroots sensitization, disease surveillance and public awareness campaigns aimed at educating wananchi on preventive measures against infectious diseases.

According to the World Health Organization, eight cases, including three deaths, have so far been reported aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius operating in the Atlantic Ocean.

Preliminary investigations by international health authorities indicate that the infections are linked to the Andes strain of Hantavirus, a rare but dangerous variant that is capable of limited human-to-human transmission.

Health experts say Hantavirus infections are commonly spread through contact with infected rodents, particularly through inhalation of contaminated particles from rodent urine, droppings or saliva.

The Ministry of Health says Kenya’s digital disease surveillance systems and laboratory networks have been placed on high alert to enhance rapid detection and reporting of any unusual illnesses across counties.

County governments have also been directed to strengthen infection prevention and control measures in health facilities and intensify public sensitization campaigns to keep citizens informed.

The PS urged Kenyans not to panic, maintaining that the country has not recorded any confirmed case of the virus, but added that preparedness remains critical due to increased global travel and cross-border interactions.

On matters concerning the Social Health Authority (SHA), Mary Muthoni called on members of the public to ignore leaders criticizing the health insurance programme, saying some of the same leaders condemning the initiative are already benefiting from medical insurance services.

She urged wananchi to continue registering for SHA in order to benefit effectively from affordable healthcare services, noting that the government remains committed to strengthening universal health coverage across the country.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

He noted that the Reclamation, Transformation and Prosperity Agenda for Kitui County is being achieved as per his Manifesto's commitment to improve livelihoods through transformative, equitable and participatory leadership. 

“Since August 2022, we have walked a deliberate path guided by our development blueprint - The 16-Point Agenda, popularly known as The Kitui Promise,” the governor observed.

He made the remarks on Friday in a communique he issued at the close of a weeklong third edition of the Kitui County Executive Working Retreat at a hotel in Mombasa. “This Communiqué highlights some of the key legacy projects that have been implemented by my government through the various sectors,” said Malombe.

The Kitui county boss said that the theme of the retreat was, “Vision to Legacy: Communicating the Four-Year Score Card and Achievements of the Kitui Promise.” He pointed out his government has made substantial progress across all the 16 Sectors operation, implementing a total of 2,931 projects covering all 247 villages in all Kitui county's 40 wards. 

“The sectoral project aggregates are as follows:  Agriculture 109; Water 663; Health 388; Education 354; Urban Development 61; Roads and Construction 389; Trade and Investments 5,” he added.

The governor said in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, 57 were undertaken, in the Cooperative Societies sector 5 notable projects while in the Tourism and Hospitality 15 projects have been implemented among others.