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A middle-aged woman has been charged at a Nairobi court with trafficking bhang after police allegedly found 30 kilograms and 303 rolls of the narcotic drug in her house.

Grace Wanjiru Gathii appeared before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki and denied the charges.

Woman charged with trafficking bhang

The prosecution told the court that Wanjiru, together with others who were not before the court, trafficked the drugs on April 8, 2025.

The alleged offence took place in the Gachui area within Nairobi County.

According to the prosecution, Wanjiru trafficked the bhang by storing it in her house. The impounded drugs had an estimated street value of Ksh465,000.

Second charge of possessing bhang

Wanjiru also faces a second count of being in possession of bhang, contrary to the law.

The court heard that police found her with 30 kilograms and 303 rolls of bhang on the same day and in the same area.

She denied both charges when she appeared before Magistrate Ondieki.

Defence seeks lenient bond terms

The defence lawyer asked the court to release Wanjiru on lenient bond terms.

The lawyer assured the court that the accused would comply with any conditions imposed by the court.

“Your honour, I pray for the release of the accused person on lenient bond terms, assuring this court she is ready to comply with the rules to be set by this court,” the lawyer submitted.

The defence further told the court that Wanjiru is an unemployed mother of three and has a known place of residence.

Court grants woman Sh200,000 bond

The prosecution did not oppose Wanjiru’s release on reasonable bond terms.

Consequently, Magistrate Ondieki released her on a bond of Ksh200,000 with a surety of a similar amount.

The court also granted an alternative cash bail of Ksh100,000 with one contact person.

The case will be mentioned on April 24, 2025.

Philip Nahashon Aroko, the prime suspect in the killing of Kasipul MP Charles Were, has secured release on a cash bail of KSh300,000.

Justice Diana Kavedza of the High Court in Kibera granted the bail on Tuesday and imposed strict conditions to protect the ongoing investigations.

Court imposes strict bail conditions

The court ordered Aroko to deposit his passport with the court.

Justice Kavedza also barred him from travelling to Homa Bay County or its surrounding areas.

Additionally, the court prohibited him from contacting any suspects or witnesses connected to the case.

The judge scheduled the next mention of the matter for June 26, when the court will confirm whether prosecutors will charge him with murder.

Aroko had remained in police custody

Aroko had stayed in custody at Kilimani Police Station since last week.

Earlier, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, successfully challenged a decision by the JKIA Law Courts that had allowed Aroko’s release on bail pending investigations.

The High Court later granted the prosecution’s request to detain him for seven more days to allow detectives to continue their investigations.

Defence seeks release pending investigations

While seeking his release, Aroko assured the court that he would comply with every condition imposed during the investigations.

He told the court he was ready to cooperate fully with investigators.

Prosecution does not oppose bail

The prosecution did not oppose Aroko’s application for bail.

State counsel informed the court that investigators had already recorded his statement.

The prosecution also confirmed that investigations into the killing of MP Charles Were remain ongoing.

A UK-based civil society organisation has called on the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) to suspend senior officials of the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over allegations of enforced disappearances, abductions, and deaths involving Kenyan citizens.

The Justice and Equity Council (UK Chapter) made the appeal in a statement addressed to the Chairperson and Secretary of the National Police Service Commission.

Group cites recent disappearances and deaths

The organisation expressed concern over what it described as a growing number of enforced disappearances and deaths.

It cited the death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody and also referred to the cases of Gideon Kibet, Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, and Bernard Kavuli.

According to the council, the incidents raise serious constitutional and human rights concerns.

NPSC urged to suspend senior officials

The Justice and Equity Council urged the National Police Service Commission to suspend senior police leadership pending investigations.

The organisation argued that the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Inspector General, and DCI Director Mohamed Amin should be investigated over alleged failures in protecting citizens.

It maintained that the commission has the constitutional responsibility to ensure police leaders meet the highest standards of integrity and accountability.

Call for constitutional accountability

The council argued that the Constitution guarantees every Kenyan protection from unlawful treatment, torture, and abuse.

Furthermore, it criticised what it described as inadequate action by security agencies in addressing reported disappearances and deaths.

The group also questioned official statements regarding the death of Albert Ojwang and called for transparent investigations.

Justice and Equity Council expresses concern

The organisation said public confidence in law enforcement has declined because of repeated allegations involving security agencies.

It further argued that democratic institutions must respond firmly whenever public officials face serious allegations.

According to the statement, accountability is necessary to restore trust in the National Police Service.

Appeal to the National Police Service Commission

The Justice and Equity Council urged the National Police Service Commission to exercise its constitutional mandate by investigating the officials named in the statement.

The organisation maintained that independent investigations and appropriate disciplinary action would strengthen the rule of law and protect constitutional rights.

It concluded by calling on the commission to act without delay in the interest of justice and public confidence.

Grace Kathina Veki denied all the charges before magitrate Geoffrey Onsarigo.

She is being charged that on diverse dates between 1 February and 28th of February 2024 in Nairobi County, jointly with others not before court, by means of fraudulent trick induced Rosemary Ndunge Malonza of Novatus Limited to deliver 400 pieces of 20 litres Somo cooking oil valued at Sh. 2,358,000.

The court has been informed that on the diverse dates between 1 of July and 30th July 2024 in Nairobi County jointly with others not before court,by means of fraudulent trick, induced Job Omondi Mark Imboko of Sharklet Enterprises Limited to deliver 150 pieces of 20 litres Top Fry cooking oil valued at Sh. 847,500.

She was released on a bond of 1 million or alternative cash bail of Sh.400,000 pending hearing and determination of her case.

The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi has ordered the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) to reinstate an employee and compensate her after finding that the authority unfairly failed to renew her contract.

Justice Mathews Nduma ruled that KCAA acted unreasonably by delaying its decision on the contract renewal of Vivian Nyakerario Ongwae, violating her employment rights.

The judgment was delivered on September 25, 2025, following a petition filed by Ongwae through lawyer Henry Kurauka.

Court finds KCAA breached employee’s contract rights

Vivian Ongwae had worked at KCAA under three consecutive fixed-term contracts.

Her final contract expired on December 31, 2023.

The court heard that Ongwae applied for renewal in September 2023, following the terms of her employment agreement.

However, KCAA Director General Emile Arao informed her that the contract would not be renewed through a letter dated January 12, 2024.

By the time the authority communicated the decision, the contract had already expired.

Judge criticises delayed communication

Justice Nduma said KCAA should have communicated its decision within a reasonable period.

Although the contract gave the Director General discretion over renewal, the court ruled that the discretion had to follow fair administrative procedures.

The judge noted that employees need enough notice to prepare for the end of employment and make alternative financial arrangements.

The court observed that delayed communication affected Ongwae’s ability to plan, especially considering her financial responsibilities.

KCAA ignored renewal recommendation

The court found that KCAA’s Human Capital Advisory Committee had recommended renewing Ongwae’s contract.

However, the Director General rejected the recommendation without providing reasons.

Justice Nduma ruled that this decision violated Ongwae’s legitimate expectation and her constitutional right to fair administrative action under Article 47.

The court also cited the employee’s right to fair labour practices under Article 41 of the Constitution.

Court orders contract renewal and compensation

The court cancelled KCAA’s January 2024 decision not to renew Ongwae’s contract.

It issued a mandatory order requiring KCAA to renew her contract for three years from the date of judgment.

The authority must also pay Ongwae general damages equivalent to six months of her salary.

The compensation amounts to KSh 2,221,104 and will attract interest until full payment.

KCAA will also cover the legal costs of the petition.

Ruling sets standard for public employers

The decision highlights the responsibility of public institutions when making employment decisions.

The court emphasized that public bodies must exercise their powers fairly, reasonably, and transparently.

The ruling reinforces that administrative decisions affecting employees must respect constitutional protections and legitimate expectations.

Somali land grabber Adan Haji Issack and his associates are harassing Lumumba Nyaberi, a 60-year-old law professor, lawyer, and lecturer at Catholic University. The disputed plot, measuring 1.2 acres, is located on Peponi Road in Westlands.
Adan Haji Issack has forcibly evicted the professor using goons armed with machetes and crude weapons. The professor has reported the incident to Spring Valley Police Station, filing a complaint for trespassing.

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has declined to issue interim orders requested by former ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna to stop the Registrar of Political Parties from gazetting his removal.

The decision allows the process arising from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Executive Committee (NEC) resolution of June 22, 2026, to continue.

Sifuna challenges removal decision

The Tribunal directed parties to argue Sifuna’s fresh application on July 21, 2026.

Sifuna returned to the Tribunal seeking to overturn his removal. He argues that the ODM Disciplinary Panel acted unfairly and denied him a fair hearing during the disciplinary process.

He wants the Tribunal to stop the implementation of the decision and review the circumstances that led to his removal as ODM Secretary General.

ODM opposes Sifuna’s application

Appearing for ODM, advocate Ken Amondi, alongside Simeon Mongare and T.J. Kajwang, opposed Sifuna’s application.

Amondi argued that Sifuna received an opportunity to participate in the disciplinary proceedings but chose not to take part.

“The disciplinary process was open, transparent and fair, but the complainant elected not to participate despite being given the opportunity,” Amondi told the Tribunal.

The lawyer also argued that the Tribunal lacked jurisdiction to issue the orders Sifuna requested.

He said ODM had already implemented the NEC resolution and forwarded the changes to the Registrar of Political Parties.

“The decision of the National Executive Committee has already been implemented and transmitted to the Registrar of Political Parties. Once that statutory process commenced, the matter moved beyond the party and the Tribunal cannot issue orders to reverse or halt it,” Amondi submitted.

Amondi further urged the Tribunal to reject the interim application, arguing that ODM had already completed its role in the process.

“The Registrar is now undertaking a statutory mandate independent of the ODM Party,” he said.

Tribunal allows removal process to continue

After reviewing the submissions, the Tribunal declined to grant Sifuna’s request for interim orders.

The decision allows the Registrar to continue processing the changes while the main dispute remains pending before the Tribunal.

The matter was heard before a five-member bench comprising Presiding Member Gathu Kiragu, Jin Muzna Mohamed Yusuf, Stephen Musau, Theresa Chepkwony, and Abdirahman Adan Abdikadir.

The Tribunal will hear Sifuna’s fresh application on July 21, 2026.

Former Nairobi Governor and National Economic Development Party (NEDP) leader Mike Mbuvi Sonko paid the cash bail for nearly 200 people arrested during the June 25 Gen Z anniversary protests.

The move allowed the protesters to leave custody as they await the hearing of their case.

Sonko pays bail for protesters

Police arrested the protesters during the June 25 demonstrations and later presented them before Milimani Chief Magistrate Teresia Nyangena.

Prosecutors charged them with obstruction-related offences linked to the protests.

After hearing submissions from defence lawyers, the court granted each accused person a cash bail of KSh1,000.

The total bail amounted to about KSh200,000.

Sonko immediately offered to pay the full amount.

His intervention allowed the protesters to reunite with their families while awaiting further court proceedings.

Sonko explains his decision

Speaking outside the Milimani Law Courts, Sonko said he wanted to ensure the young people did not remain in custody before their case proceeds.

“These are young Kenyans who deserve justice and fair treatment. I have paid the KSh1,000 cash bail for each of them so that they can reunite with their families as they await their day in court,” he said.

Court sets next mention date

The court scheduled the matter for mention on July 2, 2026.

During the session, the court will issue further directions on the case.

Sonko assists mother arrested during protests

Earlier the same day, Sonko also helped a woman who appeared in court with her infant after police arrested her during the protests.

He offered to buy diapers and other baby essentials after learning about her situation.

“No mother should have to worry about how to care for her child while going through such an ordeal. I was touched by her situation and felt compelled to help,” Sonko said.

Families welcome the support

Relatives and supporters gathered outside the Milimani Law Courts after the release of the protesters.

Many praised Sonko for paying the bail and helping secure their release as the case continues in court.

The National Treasury has proposed a Ksh 4.82 trillion spending plan for the 2026/27 financial year, setting a new high for government expenditure as authorities navigate a tightening global economic environment.

Budget projections submitted to Parliament before the April 30 deadline indicate a slight easing in economic growth, expected to dip from 5.3 % to 5.0 %. The adjustment is attributed to external pressures, including geopolitical tensions affecting global trade flows.

To support the spending plan, the government targets Ksh 3.63 trillion in total revenue, with Ksh 2.99 trillion anticipated from ordinary collections. The remaining gap of about Ksh 1.1 trillion will be financed through borrowing.

Most of this borrowing will be sourced domestically, with Ksh 995.7 billion expected from the local market, the highest level on record. External financing is projected at Ksh 116.2 billion.

Expenditure will be divided into three main areas: Ksh 2.89 trillion for the national government, Ksh 1.5 trillion for Consolidated Fund Services, and Ksh 420 billion allocated to county governments, reflecting a modest increase from the previous cycle.

A large portion of the national allocation will go toward recurrent spending, including public sector wages, operational costs and debt obligations, which together account for Ksh 3.54 trillion. Development spending is set at Ksh 749 billion.

Within the national government, the Executive is expected to receive Ksh 2.8 trillion, representing the bulk of the allocation. Of this, Ksh 1.98 trillion will cover recurrent expenses, while Ksh 840.6 billion is designated for development programmes.

Parliament has been allocated Ksh 48.69 billion, while the Judiciary is set to receive Ksh 30.44 billion.

The proposed budget reflects a continued balancing act between sustaining government operations, funding development priorities, and managing rising debt levels amid global economic uncertainty.

Alleged serial fraudster Brian Reeves Obare is facing Ksh51 million fraud charges at the Milimani Magistrates Court.

The prosecution alleges that he orchestrated a visa scam that caused substantial financial losses.

Fresh testimony from one of the alleged victims has revealed new details about the case.

Bonventure Aradi testifies in court

Bonventure Aradi, a director of Golden Key Travel Consultants Limited, testified before Magistrate P. Mutai.

He told the court that his company believed Obare could facilitate Canadian visas.

Aradi said Golden Key forwarded money collected from clients for visa processing.

“Employees of Golden Key were sending money to Brian… on behalf of the company,” he testified.

He explained that the company processed all payments through official channels.

According to Aradi, Golden Key paid more than Ksh51 million because it believed Obare had genuine connections to the Canadian Embassy.

He said the company expected Obare to process the visas successfully.

Company claims it trusted the accused

Aradi told the court that Golden Key collected passports and supporting documents from clients.

The company then handed the documents and payments to Obare.

He said several employees handled the transactions and documentation.

“Golden Key has employees… and those employees send money to Brian,” Aradi told the court.

He maintained that the company relied on Obare’s representations throughout the process.

He later discovered that none of the visa applications succeeded.

Clients and company suffer losses

The court heard that many clients failed to travel despite paying for visa services.

Some passengers were reportedly denied boarding, arrested, or turned back after authorities found their travel documents invalid.

Aradi said Golden Key has refunded more than Ksh34 million to affected clients.

He added that the company arranged alternative travel to European destinations for some customers.

Investigators recover alleged fake documents

The prosecution alleges that Obare presented himself as a Canadian consulate official.

Investigators told the court they recovered additional identification documents during his arrest.

The items allegedly included a fake Seychelles ID and an expatriate employee card from Seychelles.

Both documents carried Obare’s name and reportedly expired on October 30, 2024.

High court retains key exhibits

The High Court also heard a revision application challenging the release of property seized during Obare’s arrest.

The judge ruled that the lower court released the items too early.

“I find that it is/was premature to release the items at the Pre-Trial stage,” the court ruled.

The judge added that the orders breached legal procedure and required intervention.

The High Court ordered investigators to retain mobile phones, laptops, and a motor vehicle until the trial ends.

The judge also ruled that the trial court could not release exhibits before the prosecution formally produced them as evidence.

“I find that the court erroneously found that the listed items were not exhibits,” the judge stated.

Investigators continue to examine several digital devices through forensic analysis.

The court also retained a Land Rover Discovery, registration KDM 279R.

The judge said the trial must first determine ownership of the vehicle and its possible link to the alleged offences.

Fraud charges continue

Prosecutors have charged Obare with obtaining Ksh51,244,650 by false pretences contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code.

They allege that he falsely claimed he could process Canadian visas.

The prosecution argues that those representations caused major financial losses to Golden Key Travel Consultants Limited and individual clients.

The matter first came before Magistrate Lucas Onyina.

He later recused himself after stating that members of the defence had approached him in an attempt to compromise the case.

The trial continues.

The prosecution seeks to prove that Obare coordinated a deliberate scheme to defraud unsuspecting victims.