The meeting comes amid rising tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, accused of supporting the M23 rebel movement. It also follows Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s rejection of Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi’s offer for dialogue during the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels.

Kabila, who ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019, was recently sentenced to death in absentia for high treason and alleged collusion with the M23. His conviction has turned the Nairobi meeting into a controversial political statement, which many in Kinshasa see as a challenge to state authority.

The choice of Nairobi is not accidental. The Kenyan capital has long played a role in Congolese political crises and peace processes. This time, analysts believe Kabila is seeking to use Nairobi’s influence to reposition himself on the regional stage and test Kenya’s diplomatic balance between the West, Rwanda, and Kinshasa.

The presence of Congolese fugitives wanted by Kinshasa’s justice system has fueled speculation about President William Ruto’s stance and Nairobi’s possible tolerance of political maneuvers that could destabilize the DRC.

For Kabila, the Nairobi meeting is less about diplomacy than survival. It is an attempt to counter the weight of his conviction by projecting an image of continued political relevance at home. Whether this risky move pays off will depend on how Kinshasa, its regional partners, and the international community respond to what some describe as a calculated act of defiance.

Nairobi Times

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by Chris Mahandara

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Some of the institutions represented at the forum  included Moi University, Eldoret Polytechnic, Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI), University of Eldoret, AIRADS, ETTI, who offered a general insight on the pertinent issues on security at their institutions. Speaking during the forum held at the County Multipurpose Hall, Eldoret, Dr Nyale said the platform just like the nationwide ‘Jukwaa la Usalama,’ the forum offer opportunity for stakeholders’ input on how to improve on service delivery in regards to security in the communities.

He noted that the Jukwaa La Wasomi is informed by UN Security Council Resolution 2250, adopted on 9th December 2015, which is a landmark resolution on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS), that recognizes young people’s positive and critical role in maintaining international peace and security. “It was thought wise that Kenya as a country that it engages the youth through Jukwaa La Wasomi in line with peace and security convention for youth, a landmark resolution that formally recognizes the important role of our young people in building peace and promoting security,” Noted the County Commissioner.

He added that the UN resolution calls upon Member States, societies and international organizations, to empower and involve youth as partners in peace building conflict prevention and decision making.
Dr Nyale affirmed the government’s commitment, to ensure youth participation at all levels of decision-making related to peace processes, protection, prevention of violence, promote partnerships and addresses disengagement and reintegration of youth affected by conflict.

The resolution urges Member States to create policies that support youth’s socio-economic development and education for peace, and to develop mechanisms for meaningful youth engagement in peacebuilding.
“The government has created a platform for you to amplify your voices in regard to governance, development without forgetting peace and security in our institutions, residential areas and communities,” he said.
Noting that learning institutions face a number of challenges as a society, the County Commissioner called on all the stakeholders and head of institutions to sit down, dig-deep on the root cause of these challenges and how best they can address these challenges like, radicalization, mass demonstrations and other issues that affect the studies.

“In our context and environment, especially in the learning institutions, we have cases of violence that happen such as  GBV, societal violence within institutions. Students fight, stab each other to the extent of losing life. This resolution calls for protection of youth against such violence,” explained Dr. Nyale. The CC further encouraged youth to take active roles in community initiatives in terms of peace dialogue, volunteerism, civic leadership, noting that it will help in changing the perception of youth and young people from being seen merely as perpetrators of violence, but being central agents of peace and conflict prevention.
Uasin Gishu County Executive for Trade and Industrialization, Eng. Martha Cheruto, who spoke on behalf of the Governor, lauded the forum on peace and security dialogue for the youth.

“This gathering comes at a very important moment when the voices of the young people must be placed at the center of peace building, leadership, and development. We appreciate the initiative of bringing together scholars, students, and leaders to reflect on how we can build a safer, more cohesive, and a more prosperous country,” she noted. She noted that peace is not just the absence of conflict. It is the presence of justice, fairness, and opportunity. It is what allows students to learn without fear and the children to operate freely. It allows the farmer to cultivate confidently and to arrive safely. It allows us to visit our beautiful sites without fear. When peace cries, education blossoms.

Additionally, a peaceful environment enables business growth, infrastructure expansion, and communities to flourish. “When peace is threatened, everything else, health, learning, trade, and social order begins to crumble. That is why this conversation is so important because peace is not only a model of value, it is an economic driver and the invisible currency that powers our country’s growth,” added Eng. Cheruto.
Stakeholders from various higher learning institutions collectively emphasized the importance of peace and security for education and economic growth, pledging to promote peace in their institutions and communities.
Edwin Lagat, Moi University Secretary General, highlighted insecurity due to lack of streetlights on the Chebarus–Cheboiywa road, which has led to nighttime attacks.

He complained that no action has been taken despite multiple requests since the year began as he urged immediate installation of streetlights and collaboration with landlords to improve lighting near student areas.
Similar security concerns were echoed across several institutions, including Moi University, RVTTI, Ziwa TTI and University of Eldoret; particularly around dark, unsafe areas and the Sosiani River, which has been flagged as insecure for over 20 years. Cleopas Bartinga discussed Alternative Justice Systems and wider societal issues, extending beyond security, urging deeper collaboration among stakeholders.

Abigail Chelagat from Moiben Technical Training Institute, raised issues of overcrowding and inadequate resources due to population growth, and requested the release of County land for expansion. She also sought clarification on the TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (CDACC) curriculum and related implementation details. Kelvin Kibet from Koshin TTI expressed his concern over drug abuse near his Institution. He alleged collusion between administrators and drug dealers.

He also criticized unequal allocation of streetlights, noting they were directed toward a Member of Parliament’s residence rather than benefiting the public. Adeli Akwele from KMTC raised alarm over rampant drug abuse among students, describing it as a national crisis harming youth potential. She highlighted how cheap drugs going at Sh 50 to Sh 70 are easily accessible in local parks and called for law enforcement and county intervention. She advocated for affordable in-campus housing to reduce students’ exposure to drugs, crime, and gender-based violence, noting that health trainees must remain healthy themselves to serve effectively.

by Ekuwam Sylvester and Godfrey Kipkulei

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Contrary to speculation, President Tshisekedi did not announce any withdrawal from the Doha peace process. His position remains one of open, responsible diplomacy, grounded in the search for negotiated solutions rather than confrontation. Reiterating his longstanding message of peace and cooperation, the Congolese leader emphasized the DRC’s good faith and its refusal to engage in a spiral of military escalation.

Speaking before world leaders, President Tshisekedi directly addressed his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, urging him to return to the Doha and Washington negotiation tables.

“It is not too late to make things right,” he declared. “I take this forum as a witness as I extend my hand to you, Mr. President, so that we may achieve a peace of the brave. This requires that you order the M23 troops, supported by your country, to stop this escalation that has already claimed too many lives.”

Through this pointed yet conciliatory appeal, Tshisekedi once again placed pressure on Kagame, holding him accountable for Rwanda’s alleged involvement in the conflict ravaging eastern Congo. His intervention in Brussels was both a diplomatic reminder and a moral appeal a call for Rwanda to face its responsibilities and for the international community to recognize the human cost of the ongoing crisis.

By turning the Global Gateway Forum into a platform for truth and reconciliation, President Tshisekedi reaffirmed his vision of a peaceful, interconnected, and forward-looking Africa.

The Editorial Team

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Two Kenyan human rights activists have gone missing in Uganda after reportedly being abducted by armed men while attending opposition leader Bobi Wine’s campaign event. Bobi Wine strongly condemned the “abduction” of Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, saying the pair had been “picked up mafia-style” at a petrol station and driven off to an unknown destination.

Ugandan police spokesman Kituma Rusoke told the BBC the two were not in their custody. Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said that foreign affairs officials were working to ensure their safe release.
“It is the duty of the government of Kenya to protect its citizens in any part of the world,” Murkomen said.

Bobi Wine, a pop star whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, is running for the presidency in next year’s elections, challenging President Yoweri Museveni, 80, who has held power since 1986.
He said the two Kenyans were being targeted by the Ugandan government for associating with him.
“We condemn the continuing lawlessness by the rogue regime and demand that these brothers are released unconditionally! The criminal regime apparently abducted them simply for associating with me and expressing solidarity with our cause!” he posted on X.

Are East African governments uniting to silence dissent?

In a joint open letter to the Ugandan High Commission, the Law Society of Kenya, rights organisations Amnesty International Kenya and Vocal Africa said the latest incident was “yet another alarming case in a pattern of abductions and enforced disappearances” in the region.

The organisations have called on Ugandan authorities to disclose the whereabouts of the Kenyan activists and ensure their safety. Mr Rusoke said “those fellows are not in police custody. Reach out to any other [security] agency maybe, just in case”. When contacted by the BBC, army spokesperson Felix Kulayigye said he could not speak about the matter because it was an allegation involving non-uniformed “security operatives”.
He also tasked Bobi Wine to prove the allegations of abduction and which security agency was involved.
Ugandan security agencies have often been accused of orchestrating the detention of opposition politicians and supporters while not in uniform. Some of those arrested have later resurfaced in court facing criminal charges.

A fellow activist who witnessed what happened on Wednesday afternoon said that four armed men forced the pair into a vehicle and sped off.

“There were four of them. There was also a lady who was seated in front; they took Bob and Oyoo Ochieng, who is the secretary general of the Free Kenya Movement,” the witness, who wanted to remain anonymous for security reasons, told Kenya’s Citizen TV. He said both were unreachable on phone and their whereabouts were unknown. Videos shared online show Njagi actively participating in Bobi Wine’s campaign, and appears on stage beside the opposition leader.

The activists had reportedly travelled to Uganda on Monday with some Ugandans before linking up with the campaign. Njagi was also picked up in Kenya last year by masked men during a wave of abductions believed to have been targeting government critics in the country. He remained missing for over a month before resurfacing, after a court ordered police to produce him. He later recounted the harrowing conditions in captivity – isolated and denied food for most of the days. Their latest disappearances mirror past incidents involving politicians and activists across the East African region.

Earlier this year, Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and his Ugandan counterpart Agather Atuhaire were detained in Tanzania and held incommunicado for days before being abandoned at their respective national borders. They later recounted being brutally mistreated, including sexual torture at the hands of the Tanzanian authorities – allegations which police dismissed as “hearsay”. Last year, another Uganda opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, mysteriously disappeared in Nairobi only to surface four days later in a military court in Uganda, where he faces treason charges.

The cases have since sparked widespread condemnation and concerns that East African governments could be collaborating to contain dissent.

The post Kenyan activists abducted in Uganda, opposition leader says appeared first on Nairobi-Times.

Kibaara assured the public that security agencies have already apprehended key suspects and that they will face justice in accordance with the law.

The incident, which occurred at Davison Village around 2 a.m. on Monday, saw the victim attacked and fatally shot with an arrow while inside his house. The attackers are believed to have been targeting livestock from the homestead.

Following the incident, angry residents staged demonstrations to protest what they termed as police laxity in responding to distress calls and rising insecurity in the area. They appealed for enhanced patrols and closer cooperation between law enforcement officers and the community to ensure such crimes are curbed.
A resident, Joseph Kiarie, lamented that similar attacks have been recurring, calling on authorities to prioritize their safety and take firm action against the perpetrators.

County Commissioner Kibaara reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining security and restoring public confidence in the region. “We will not allow criminals to disrupt the peace in our communities. Security operations have been intensified, and those involved in this heinous act will be brought to book,” he assured.

By Emily Kadzo

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Habib Lukaya, Country Manager at Roam, said: “The ride is not just about distance, but about proving that Africa is already writing its own story in the global electric mobility transition. After the 900 km and 6,000 km expeditions, the Road to Addis demonstrates once again that Roam Air can go the distance, built in Africa, for Africa.”

Each journey has redefined what is possible for electric motorcycles on the continent, and this latest adventure continues to showcase Africa’s leadership in clean transportation innovation.
Timed to arrive in Ethiopia ahead of Africa E-Mobility Week, one of the continent’s most influential gatherings on sustainable transport, the journey aims to prove what many riders are asking: Can electric motorcycles go the distance even where charging infrastructure is limited ?

The Roam Air, designed and manufactured in Kenya, is built to answer that question. With a 160-kilometer dual-battery range and the ability to charge from any standard power outlet, it eliminates range anxiety, demonstrating that electric mobility is not just a vision for tomorrow but a reality for Africa’s roads today.
The full trip will go through Moyale, Yabello, Hawassa, Ziway, Adama, and finally Addis Ababa. Along the route, the team will engage with communities, schools, and local leaders, while documenting the realities and opportunities of electrification.

The expedition is being produced in collaboration with Intro. Africa, with storytelling captured through live updates, a docuseries, and a feature film that will highlight both the technical performance of the motorcycle and the human stories encountered along the way.

The initiative is powered by Munja Energy as Platinum Sponsor, with Kenya Power (KPLC) providing charging infrastructure across Kenya and the Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) enabling access on the Ethiopian side.
With more than 76% of Kenyan households already connected to the grid and a dedicated e-mobility tariff in place, Kenya Power continues to be a driving force for clean mobility, ensuring that electric motorcycles like the Roam Air can be charged anywhere, anytime.

The rider is expected to arrive in Addis Ababa on October 10th, just in time for Africa E-Mobility Week, where the expedition will be showcased to policymakers, investors, and innovators from across the continent.

By Joseph Ng’ang’a 

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In Mandera, 62 residents who applied for new ID cards last week have already received them within seven days, following Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s directive during the Jukwaa la Usalama visit.
Handing over the IDs, Mandera County Commissioner, James Chacha, urged residents to take advantage of the simplified system.
“We encourage all eligible residents to come out in large numbers and register. The process is now much easier and more efficient,” he said.

Chacha also confirmed that the National Registration Bureau has rolled out Live Capture Unit technology, which allows mobile registration of students in schools and residents in remote areas.
“With this technology, every Kenyan will be able to access this crucial document without unnecessary delays,” he added.

The County Commissioner revealed that the mobile registration exercise will officially kick off this month across all sub-counties.
According to the Ministry of Interior, newly registered applicants will now receive their ID cards within three to seven days.

The reforms follow President Dr. William Ruto’s directive scrapping extra vetting requirements for border region residents, as well as the abolition of fees for first-time applicants.
Local leaders and residents have welcomed the changes, noting that access to national identification will boost participation in education, employment, and voter registration.

by Adan Mohamed

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Thabanja noted that by putting robust policies in place, Governor Susan Kihika’s administration was helping launch enormous economic benefits in the Creatives Cultural Industry that go beyond financial gains, driving industry growth that would reach Kenyan artists, entrepreneurs, and young people throughout the country.
He observed that as a UNESCO Creative City of Folk Arts, it is important for Nakuru to adopt evidence-based culture policymaking and a multi-stakeholder approach in designing programmes that foster creativity for sustainable development.
The proposed policy provides for building partnerships among stakeholders, developing infrastructure for the creative and cultural sector. The policy also aims to promote technology use and document Nakuru’s cultural heritage.
If approved, the City Board will oversee implementation of the policy and establish a Council for Arts, Culture and Creative Industries and an annual review would be conducted to track progress and maintain relevance.
Thabanja indicated that the policy was expected to provide a strong framework to support the growth, protection and promotion of Nakuru’s creative sector while preserving the city’s unique cultural identity and driving socio-economic development.
Port Louis in Mauritius and Nairobi in East Africa are among 15 cities in the continent recognized by UNESCO for their commitment to place culture and creativity at the heart of their development and for sharing knowledge and good practices.
Last year, Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM) and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) selected Nakuru as a pilot city to map out existing cultural heritage and creative industries to determine the contribution of the industry to the local economy to leverage on the UNESCO 2030 Culture Indicators Framework.
According to Thabanja, the selection of Nakuru as a pilot City to spearhead the mapping initiative is an affirmation of the influence of culture in the multi-cultural city.
“The selection of Nakuru to pilot the project is an extra cap for the city, which takes pride in its cultural diversity, which earned it the recognition of UNESCO as a UNESCO Creative City under the folk and craft category,” he added.
The streets of Nakuru are a constant reminder of the vibrancy of culture, as seen on its streets and estates, which are adorned with vibrant murals, graffiti, and street art, adding a creative and visually appealing touch to the city.
The city occasionally showcases the cultural heritage and traditions of the region through exhibitions, performances, and interactive experiences.
The Nakuru Players Theatre is another contributor to the bustling cultural growth with a vibrant performing arts centre that hosts various plays, musicals, and cultural performances throughout the year, thereby promoting artistic expression in the city.
Another hallmark of the city is the popular Nakuru’s street food festival, which is a delight for food lovers. From mouthwatering samosas to delicious grilled meats, the city offers a wide range of delightful street food options from different communities at affordable rates.
Kenya’s creative sector is growing rapidly, contributing approximately five per cent to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
From fashion, film, music, and design to digital art and photography, the industry provides jobs and serves as an important cultural and economic driver.
But despite its potential, structural challenges persist, including limited access to funding, fragmented support systems, and inadequate infrastructure.
The creative and cultural industries are recognized as significant contributors to Kenya’s GDP, offering substantial potential for job creation, innovation, and revenue generation.

By Jane Ngugi 

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Speaking during the Economists Society of Kenya’s (ESK) annual conference at a Kwale hotel, Owalo says the economy, which was “on its deathbed” in 2022, was now on a firmer footing, following deliberate fiscal and monetary interventions by the Kenya Kwanza regime.

The Deputy Chief of Staff, noted that inflation has dropped significantly from 9.2 per cent in 2022 to 4.5 per cent in 2025, while the shilling has strengthened against the dollar, appreciating from an average of Sh160 to Sh129 during the same period. “Revenue collection has grown from Sh1.9 trillion in 2022 to Sh2.9 trillion today, while the fiscal deficit has narrowed from 6.2 per cent to 5.8 per cent,” he said.

Owalo further stated that foreign exchange reserves rose from $7.7 billion in 2022 to $10.9 billion by August 2025, while on lending rates, he acknowledged the challenges posed by the tight monetary policy, but said stability has now been restored, with the rates currently standing at 15.24 per cent after spiking to over 20 per cent in the past year.

Addressing public debt concerns, Owalo said Kenya’s debt rose from Sh8.76 trillion in October 2022 to Sh11.81 trillion by June 2025. However, he emphasised that the debt-to-GDP ratio has slightly improved, falling from 68.7 per cent to 67.8 per cent. “You cannot look at debt in isolation. What matters is how borrowed funds are used to expand the economy and increase the value of goods and services,” he explained.
Looking ahead, the Deputy Chief of Staff, pledged more efficiency, transparency and accountability in government.

He revealed that an Office of Government Efficiency had been established under his portfolio to streamline processes, enhance service delivery and curb revenue leakages.
“We want to seal loopholes that allow revenue loss and stop public officials from dipping their hands into the public jar,” he said

Furthermore, Owalo added that only recently, the government carried out a midterm review of its development plan and will introduce targeted interventions to address lagging areas, while consolidating progress made so far.

By Sadik Hassan

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