President Ruto has vowed the government will cover Social Health Authority contributions for impoverished Kenyans. Meanwhile, Education CS extended HELB and University Fund applications for first-year students to September 14, benefiting over 800,000 learners. Amid shortages, the government has opened a window for raw sugar imports. Separately, DPP Ingonga defended withdrawing high-profile cases citing a need to prevent malicious prosecutions, as the High Court declined to suspend Ruto’s panel on protest victims. In politics, Kericho Governor Mutai faces a Senate impeachment vote. In other news, the Ministry of Education banned parents from school prayer days, and a new report urges leaders to combat learning poverty.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has summoned Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok and former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati for questioning over corruption allegations, ordering them to appear at Integrity Centre on Monday, September 1, 2025 (8). The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has consented to their charges (8). Separately, four traffic police officers were arrested on Thursday, August 28, by the EACC in an undercover operation along the Nairobi–Nyeri–Embu Highway over bribery allegations (25). In a related context, DPP Renson Ingonga explained that the withdrawal of high-profile cases is primarily due to preventing malicious prosecutions against the government and avoiding hefty litigation costs (4).
![Bunge la Seneti lasikiliza hoja ya kumtimua gavana Mutai kwa siku ya tatu [ Part 2]](https://static.theonlinekenyan.com/news_images/Bunge-la-Seneti-lasi_1756457984-16x9.jpg)
The Senate is hearing the impeachment motion against Kericho Governor Dr. Eric Mutai, who is facing an impeachment trial over serious accusations. The proceedings stem from the county assembly's use of a contested text-based or digital voting platform, which the governor contends was valid while MCAs dispute its legitimacy. During the third day of the hearing, ward representatives alleged embezzlement of public funds and abuse of power, actively seeking to convince Senators to remove him from office. The Senate is set to decide Governor Mutai's fate following a vote audit report and the conclusion of hearing from his witnesses.
Online cab drivers threaten a strike over unfair exploitation. Mombasa wins a global award for road safety efforts. African Angel Academy expands investor training to tackle a significant funding gap for startups. Britam's half-year profit dropped due to higher claims.
Kenyan celebrities are reportedly fueling an Ozempic weight-loss craze as its creator faces global lawsuits. Meanwhile, singer Bahati downplayed his unfulfilled 1 million Kenyan Shillings pledge to Harambee Stars, calling it insignificant. Attention also turns to Kasarani for the CHAN 2024 Final while actor Abel Mutua celebrates his 39th birthday.
Harambee Stars players will get affordable two-bedroom housing units for 1 million shillings, announced President Ruto. Meanwhile, Sudan faces Senegal for third place in Chan 2024. Cricket Kenya has launched a new T20 League with a 255 million shillings five-year deal.
Poa Internet gets 517 million Kenyan Shillings from Finnfund to expand affordable broadband. Meanwhile, global tech news sees advancements in AI with new partnerships and integrations, and Samsung appliances gain security certification.
President Ruto announced the government will pay Social Health Authority contributions for poor Kenyans. Education CS extended the HELB and Universities Fund application deadline for first-year students to September 14 to benefit over 800,000 students. The government has opened an import window for raw sugar amid shortages. DPP Ingonga explained withdrawals of high-profile cases prevent malicious prosecutions. The High Court declined to suspend Ruto’s panel on protest victims. A new report urges leaders to combat learning poverty. The Ministry of Education banned parents from school prayer days ahead of national exams. Kericho Governor Mutai faces a Senate impeachment vote. EPRA will introduce new oil rules by December to regulate upstream investments.
The Kenyan government has extended the application deadline for the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the Universities Fund for first-year students to September 14 (5). Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba directed HELB to grant the two-week extension, which benefits 802,159 students following the disbursement of Ksh23.1 billion in financial support (2). In a separate directive related to education, the Ministry of Education has prohibited all extracurricular activities, including parental attendance at prayer days in schools, for the third term (27). This measure is intended to increase student focus ahead of the upcoming KCSE and KPSEA national examinations (27).
Hundreds of motorists were stranded for over 10 hours on the Nakuru–Nairobi Highway after a massive traffic jam began on Thursday, August 28, at 8:30 PM (21). The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) confirmed the gridlock stretched between Naivasha and Kikopey (21). KeNHA blamed the congestion on lane indiscipline and heavy traffic from the NYS pass-out parade in Gilgil, advising motorists to use alternative routes (10). In developments concerning the same corridor, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi stated he has not yet approved proposals for the planned Rironi–Mau Summit highway expansion (22). The 175-kilometre project is estimated to cost Ksh200 billion and will proceed as a Public-Private Partnership (22).
A parliamentary health committee visited Eldoret to investigate allegations of an illegal kidney trade reportedly linked to Mediheal Group of Hospitals. During the sessions, two victims, Emmanuel Kipkosgei and Amon Kipruto, testified that they were promised payments for their kidneys. Victims of the alleged trade also claim their IDs were altered to falsely link them to transplant recipients and that they received inadequate compensation from Mediheal. Amid the investigation, doctors in Eldoret have reported receiving numerous requests, primarily from young people, seeking to sell their kidneys.
The exhumation of bodies in Kwa Bi Nzaro, Kilifi County, has been halted. Prior to the stoppage, an additional seven bodies were exhumed, bringing the total death toll to 32. In a related discovery, seven bodies were exhumed at Kwa Binzaro and 54 body parts were collected from a nearby forest and transported to the morgue. Following these efforts, excavation activities were temporarily halted with the death toll remaining at thirty-two.
Jackson Kuria, also known as Cop Shakur, has stepped down from the FBI Movement activist group he co-founded, leaving leadership to Patrick Osoi and Hiram Kimathi. Separately, singer Bahati addressed the controversy over his unfulfilled Ksh1 million pledge to the Harambee Stars, claiming the amount is insignificant to him. VJ Patelo has also responded to a viral video showing his wife, Diana, slapping him publicly at a nightclub weeks after their wedding. The incident, which was captured at a nightclub, has ignited a social media debate. Meanwhile, actress Kate Actress is on a romantic vacation in Thailand with her boyfriend, Michael Mwangi, amidst rumors of his infidelity.
President William Ruto, while serving as Agriculture Minister, initially campaigned against the 2010 Constitution of which he is now a significant beneficiary. This has led to accusations of insincerity from critics like Martha Karua and Kalonzo Musyoka. As Kenya celebrated 15 years since the constitution's promulgation, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo highlighted that the Senate remains weak, particularly in the 13th Parliament. Conversely, Lady Justice Njoki Ndung’u noted significant progress in the judiciary's independence and capacity. Meanwhile, Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki criticized the opposition while promoting the government's job creation efforts, such as the Affordable Housing Programme, at Murang'a Technical and Training Institute.
