THE NEWSROOM

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has commended the judiciary for sentencing a man to two years in jail for vandalizing road infrastructure in Mariakani,Kilifi county.  Fredrick Rakoro was arrested earlier in the week by the Axle Load Enforcement Highway Unit (ALEHU), Coast Region while vandalizing drainage infrastructure and removing reinforcement bars from a newly constructed section of the Mombasa–Mariakani (A8) Highway near Jomvu.  According to KENHA, Rakoro was arraigned before the Mombasa Law Courts, where he pleaded guilty to the offence under Section 24 of the Scrap Metal Act, 2015 (Act No. 1 of 2015). He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment at Shimo La Tewa Prison without the option of a fine, after pleading guilty. KeNHA also strongly warned against all acts of vandalism and theft of road infrastructure which, not only, undermines public investment but also endangers the safety of road users as well as compromise the integrity ...

Police have  arrested two suspected drug traffickers and a consignment of cannabis sativa recovered following a coordinated operation by officers from Mariakani Police Station in Kilifi County. The officers intercepted a motorcycle ferrying the narcotics at Njoro area of Mariakani Township, leading to the arrest of Ali Mbaji alias “Mkadinali” and Rashid Mustafa alias “Malalo.” Police recovered 59 and 25 large rolls of bhang respectively, bringing the total haul to 84 large rolls. The suspects are in police custody, undergoing processing pending arraignment.  "Meanwhile, the recovered narcotics and the motorcycle have been detained as exhibits", reads police report.

Chief Justice Martha Koome has launched a raft of justice sector reforms aimed at enhancing coordination, improving service delivery and accelerating Kenya's transition to a fully digital and paperless justice system. Speaking during the launch of the reforms and the opening of the 38th National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) meeting in Mombasa, Koome said technology would play a central role in making justice more accessible, transparent and efficient.  Koome said the Judiciary has already integrated its Case Tracking System with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions' Uadilifu Case Management System, while also establishing digital platforms for the Kenya Prisons Service, Probation and Aftercare Service, and other justice sector agencies to enable seamless sharing of information.  "The time has come for us, as a justice sector, to embrace electronically authenticated documents and progressively transition away from pape...

Kombani Youth FC and Mombasa Sports have advanced to the Round of 16 of the Sisi Ni Dola Super Cup competition. Mombasa Sports secured their place after beating Wanderers 2-1 in Saturday's match played at Mombasa Sports Club. Sudi Maurice of Mombasa Sports was named the Man of the Match. The club is, however, wary of Good Hope FC, whom it will face in the Round of 16, according to captain Mohamed Madigi. "They will be our main challengers. They have the exuberance of youth, while we have experience. We shall contain them," he said. Kombani Youth advanced after a narrow 2-1 win over Mtwapa All Stars. Kombani had earlier conceded an own goal before bouncing back to claim victory. The club's assistant coach, Juma Zani, praised his players for their resilience despite being engaged in another tournament. "We fielded our second eleven because we are also participating in another tournament. However, the second eleven is, as always i...

Two matches in the Sisi Ni Dola Super Cup will be played today at the Mombasa Sports Club. In the first fixture, Kombani Youth will face Mtwapa All Stars, while Abson Wanderers will take on Mombasa Sports Club in the second match. Yesterday, Magongo United was eliminated from the tournament after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Green Eagles. The lone goal of the match was scored by Alex Nyamawi in the 45+2nd minute, earning him the Man of the Match award. In the second match, Nabadda FC and Fayaz FC played to an entertaining 4-4 draw. Steve Jiragwa of Nabadda FC shone by scoring two goals and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP), as both teams displayed great determination and attacking football until the final whistle. "We thank God. In the Round of 16, we are going to add two more experienced players," said Mohammed Basho, Nabadda FC head coach. Fayaz FC Technical Manager Jafar Mohammed said the tournament was expected to be highly competitive because ...

Three suspected fraudsters have been arraigned before the Kilifi Chief Magistrate's Court over an alleged multi-million-shilling procurement scam that reportedly targeted suppliers in Kilifi and Laikipia counties. According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspects , Naftali Kimani Chege alias Ignatius Njenga, Kenneth Thuo Karanja alias Bosco Mbugua Ng'ang'a, and Michael Munene , allegedly posed as officials of the Programme Against Malnutrition (PAM) to fraudulently obtain goods from unsuspecting suppliers without making payment. The DCI said the suspects allegedly convinced suppliers that they were procuring goods on behalf of the organisation before disappearing after receiving the deliveries. "In Kilifi County alone, the suspects allegedly swindled six suppliers out of goods valued at Sh14,952,990," the DCI said in a statement. The agency added that the goods obtained through the alleged scheme included cooking o...

Detectives have rescued 48 young women in separate operations targeting alleged sexual exploitation and the production of obscene content in Ongata Rongai and Kiserian, Kajiado County. According to the Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Facebook post, police raided a house in Ongata Rongai in the Rimpa area and rescued 30 women aged between 19 and 27 who were allegedly being exploited in the commercial production of explicit online content. During the operation, detectives recovered seven laptops fitted with cameras and other equipment believed to have been used in producing the content. The suspects arrested are being held at Ongata Rongai Police Station pending further investigations and court arraignment. “Thanks to a joint effort by Police officers from Kiserian and Rongai Police Stations, 18 women were rescued from this grim reality and placed under police protection”, reports DCI. In a separate operation in neighbouring Kiserian, detectives rescue...

The 7th edition of Pwani Innovation Week, scheduled for October 26-31, 2026 in Mombasa County, is expected to create employment opportunities for nearly two million young people across the region. Speaking during the launch of the event, Swahilipot Hub founder Mahmud Noor said the initiative has already connected more than 25,000 young people to employment opportunities, adding that the next phase aims to significantly scale up that impact. Noor emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between Pwani Innovation Week and county governments to unlock more opportunities for young people. "We are positioning this region to attract investors because when they come, it will be easier for our young people to access job opportunities," he said. He also noted that Swahilipot Hub has expanded its programmes beyond Mombasa and Kilifi counties to Kitui and Nairobi, broadening its reach to more youth. Pwani Innovation Week Chairperson Dr. Kevit Desai said this...

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has has arrested a Senior Principal Magistrate attached to Kangema Law Courts in Murang'a County and a Principal Probation Officer over allegations of soliciting and receiving a Ksh 150,000 bribe. The two are accused of receiving a bribe from a litigant in exchange for influencing the outcome of a criminal case. The suspects, Hon. Martin Kinyua Mutegi, a Senior Principal Magistrate at Kangema Law Courts, and Julius Irungu Njogu, Principal Probation Officer, were arrested on 21st July 2026 at a restaurant within Kangema Township following an operation mounted by the Commission. According to EACC, the arrest followed a complaint lodged by a businessman from Murang'a County, who reported that he had been convicted on July 2, 2026, in a criminal case for obtaining money by false pretenses and was scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2026. Preliminary investigations established that the probation officer appro...

Police in Coast region have recovered illicit drugs with an estimated street value of KSh151 million  over the past three months. The haul included heroin with a street value of KSh111 million, bhang valued at KSh32 million, and cocaine. Speaking to the press in Mombasa on Tuesday, Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno said officers recently arrested a suspected drug trafficker at Moi International Airport as he prepared to board a flight to Dubai.  Security scans revealed that the suspect had swallowed 44 pellets of heroin with an estimated street value of KSh1.5 million. "Over the past three months, we have recovered 10,000 kilograms of bhang, 37,000 grams of heroin, and 1,330 grams of cocaine," said Nuno. He added that a subsequent search at the suspect's residence led to the recovery of 16 additional heroin pellets. "The suspect remains in police custody, and the matter is pending before a court of law," he said. Nuno further discl...

Coast leaders on Monday strongly condemned remarks by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urging tourists to stay away from Kenya, describing the statements as reckless and detrimental to the country's economy. Speaking at Kenya Maritime Towers after a three-hour closed-door meeting, the leaders, led by Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir, termed Gachagua's remarks irresponsible and driven by ill will. Joho said the region will not be detered on it's path of reviving their economy after falling behind other regions for a long time. " We are not sadists,we never discourage investments in other counties.Have you ever heard Gachagua criticize projects in Mount Kenya?.We caution him that we know how to tackle his utterances", said Joho. Sports CS Salim Mvurya reaffirmed the Coast region's support for President William Rut...

Residents and leaders in Lamu County have backed Nigerian billionaire businesman Aliko Dangote's proposed oil refinery project, but are demanding firm assurances on job opportunities for locals. The leaders want the government to guarantee that Lamu residents will receive the lion's share of employment opportunities and be fully involved in every stage of implementing the KSh2.2 trillion project. Led by Bajuni community Sultan Omar Sharif, the residents insisted that indigenous people of Lamu must benefit from the refinery, which is expected to process up to 700,000 barrels of oil per day. "Out of those approximately 60,000 jobs, the Lamu indigenes must benefit greatly. This is a very good project which we fully support, and we welcome our brother Aliko Dangote to Lamu," said Sultan Sharif. The Sultan also urged the investor to undertake Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including the construction of schools, roads and other es...

A two day ​National Tong-IL-Moo-Do Junior championship event will be staged at the spacious St. Ursula Primary School in Kitale,Trans Nzoia County starting this  Saturday, 18th July and Sunday, 19th July 2026. According to organizers, this year’s championship is set to be the most competitive youth martial arts gathering of the season Young athletes representing various counties across Kenya are expected to travel to Kitale to stake their claim as national champions, fostering inter-county friendship, discipline, and unity through sport. ​The tournament offers a platform for boys and girls across three distinct educational tiers: • ​Primary School • ​Junior Secondary School (JSS) • ​Senior School ​Young martial artists holding all colored belt ranks will showcase their skill, heart, and dedication in three core tournament categories: 1. ​Sparring: Controlled, high-stakes tactical combat. 2. ​Forms: Artistic, precise displays of traditional sequences. 3. ​Special Techniq...

Security agencies have killed 11 suspected Al-shabaab terrorist in Mandera County. According to a report posted on Counter Terrorism's x account, seven suspects were injured in the dawn assault. "An intelligence led operation was carried out on AlShabaab makeshift camp near the Kenyan border by SOG team",reads the report. The alleged extremists were planning to carry out a terror attack in Mandera, according to the report. "The ground assault with aerial support was launched on the terrorists numbering about 30 fighters who were preparing to carry out a terror attack in one of the border villages in Mandera County" . Three 3 PKM guns and about 409 ammunitions were recovered while the injured militants retreated into Somalia, according to the report.  #Al-Shabaab #NCTC #Somalia #Mandera

Boda boda riders from Kenya's coastal region have been urged to report criminals posing as motorcycle taxi operators as they received training on road safety, security and financial literacy aimed at curbing motorcycle theft, improving rider safety and strengthening the sector's financial resilience. The training forum, which attracted more than 2,000 boda boda riders at Mkomani Showground in Mombasa, was organised by Mogo Kenya, East Africa's leading vehicle and smartphone financier in partnership with Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya (BAK). It brought together riders, county leaders, national government administrators and security agencies to discuss security, road safety and financial management challenges facing the boda boda sector. The forum comes amid growing concern over organised motorcycle theft along the Coast. Security officials revealed that criminal syndicates operating across Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Tana River and Lamu counti...

Two Suspects have been arrested for ferrying a massive consignment of cannabis worth approximately Sh24.7 million in Voi. Detectives from DCI ANU Mombasa and DCI ANU Voi, working jointly with officers from Voi Police Station, intercepted a Scania truck towing a trailer within Voi Township where a narcotics haul was unravelled. "A search of the vehicle uncovered 11 gunny bags packed to the brim with cannabis weighing a total of 825 kilograms", said DCI. The truck driver, Fredrick Otieno Ogode, and his accomplice, Edwin Ochieng Otieno, were arrested on the spot.  The two suspects are being held in custody alongside the vehicle and the recovered narcotics, pending arraignment, according to DCI. #DCI #Narcotics #Bhang

PROPEL-A program that offers industrial apprenticeship training to young Kenyans has officially expanded to Mombasa County. The program which aims at equipping them with practical skills as a way of tackling unemployment, was launched by Swisscontact. The program was launched in Nairobi four years ago. Speaking during the launch on Thursday, the company's Head of Programmes, Jimmy Delyon, said under the programme, apprentices spend three weeks each month gaining hands-on experience in different companies and one week in the classroom. Delyon added that the current cohort comprises 280 apprentices aged between 18 and 25 years with a minimum KCSE grade of D minus. “PROPEL-A is launching in Mombasa and is creating opportunities for young people who are keen on getting into plumbing and electrical courses. The program has grown to train over 400 apprentices getting them linked with good jobs. This is a good time to expand in Mombasa”, said Delyon. Meanwhile, Jup...

Small scale traders at the Likoni Ferry area have accused the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) of disregarding their sentiments over the ongoing alternative market construction project at the Customs area in Mombasa. Speaking on behalf of the business community, chairperson Abdalla Kadi said the project being implemented is different from what was agreed upon with the project committee.  He claimed the construction is proceeding without consulting or involving their elected leaders. " Our members are concerned about how they will access the proposed market, who will be in charge", he said. Hawkers' association chairperson Henry Kiragu said the traders are uncertain about their future once the two-year project is completed.  " KPA has not told us what will happen to us after the two year period expires.We fear being displaced for good" he stated. The business community have now urged the Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir to intervene ...