MKUBWA NA WANAWE

 Since assuming office in September 2022, President William Ruto has overseen an active and evolving programme of appointments and reappointments to Kenya’s state agencies, corporations, and commissions. These staffing changes represent a cornerstone of his governance strategy, aimed at realigning leadership with policy priorities, reinforcing institutional capacity, and strengthening political alliances. This blog post provides a structured, detailed analysis of these appointments, their context, and what they signal for Kenya’s governance landscape. Why State Agency Appointments Matter State agencies, parastatals, and semi-autonomous government bodies play a critical role in implementing public policy. They oversee essential functions ranging from export promotion, infrastructure development, law enforcement oversight, public revenue administration, licensing, and regulatory compliance. The leadership of these bodies directly affects service delivery, regulatory certainty, inv...

 The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots elections represent one of the most consequential internal political exercises in Kenya’s recent history. As the ruling party, UDA’s ability to organise credible, inclusive, and transparent grassroots polls is not only a test of internal democracy but also a signal of how the party intends to govern and engage citizens ahead of the 2027 General Election. These elections, conducted at village, ward, constituency, and county levels, form the foundation upon which UDA’s political strength is built. The leaders elected at the grassroots are the face of the party in local communities and play a decisive role in mobilisation, messaging, and conflict management. Understanding UDA Grassroots Elections UDA grassroots elections are internal party processes designed to elect officials who manage party affairs at the lowest administrative levels. These officials include village chairpersons, ward coordinators, constituency leaders, and repres...

 On Friday, January 9, 2026 , former Deputy President and leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) , Rigathi Gachagua , was caught up in a violent confrontation involving police forces as he travelled in Kirinyaga County for a scheduled rally. Scenes of tear gas, panic, and political tension among supporters circulated across Kenyan media and social platforms, triggering widespread debate about political freedom, state authority, and the future trajectory of Kenya’s turbulent political landscape. What Happened Today: Police and Teargas at Sagana According to reports from Kenyans.co.ke and eyewitness accounts, Gachagua’s motorcade was intercepted by police at Sagana — roughly 34 kilometres from the intended destination of Kagio . During the encounter: Police deployed teargas at the convoy , leading to chaos among his supporters and other commuters on the highway. Some vehicles were reportedly damaged and there were scenes of confusion, though authorities have no...

In Nairobi’s restless streets—where matatus blare, vendors shout, and survival is improvised daily—politics has always been part performance. Under President William Ruto, however, that performance has increasingly crossed into fabrication. The cheers are louder, the crowds thicker, yet the enthusiasm feels hollow. Buses roll in from Kayole, Mathare, and other informal settlements, unloading hundreds of people dressed in party colors or church attire, each promised a small cash allowance and a meal. What appears on television as popular support is, in reality, a carefully assembled audience. This is not a spontaneous groundswell of citizens rallying behind their president. It is a manufactured spectacle—one designed to conceal a widening gap between the regime and the public it governs. As Kenya edges closer to the 2027 elections amid economic strain, youth-led dissent, and memories of violent protest crackdowns, accusations that the Ruto administration relies on paid crowds have becom...

The political landscape in Nairobi is heating up ahead of the 2027 General Elections, and a new, formidable challenger has entered the ring. Moses Kuria, the current Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and a firebrand political figure, has officially set his sights on the Nairobi Governor seat.  This move sets the stage for a dramatic showdown, potentially pitting him against the incumbent, Johnson Sakaja, and a host of other seasoned politicians. But can Moses Kuria, a man known for his polarizing style and significant grassroots support in parts of the city, actually clinch the top county job? Let’s delve into the race, his key competitors, and the substantial hurdles that could block his path to City Hall. Who is Moses Kuria and Why Nairobi? Moses Kuria is no stranger to Kenyan politics. The MP for Gatundu South and now CS has built a reputation as a blunt, social-media-savvy operative who commands a loyal following, particularly among the youth and business communities in Nair...

In Tanzania’s shifting political climate, few figures attract both curiosity and criticism as consistently as Wanu Hafidh Ameir . Raised within the highest levels of political power and closely connected to the epicenter of Zanzibar and Mainland governance, she has emerged as an influential personality in a system increasingly defined by centralization, control, and limited political freedom. While many leaders rise through grassroots mobilization, public struggle, or long-term civic involvement, Wanu’s ascent is widely perceived as a direct product of political inheritance—an extension of a ruling environment accused by critics of tightening its authoritarian grip under President Samia Suluhu Hassan. To understand the controversy surrounding Wanu Hafidh Ameir, it is necessary to situate her within the broader political ecosystem that has shaped her visibility. Tanzania today faces growing concerns about shrinking democratic space, harassment of opposition voices, and the consolidati...

 The Controversial Rise and Fall of Evans Kidero: Evans Kidero, a Kenyan politician and former Governor of Nairobi County, has been embroiled in numerous scandals throughout his career, sparking widespread criticism and calls for accountability. Despite his fall from grace, Kidero continues to wield influence, leaving many to wonder how he has managed to evade lasting consequences. Early Controversies: Mumias Sugar Company Kidero's troubles began during his tenure as CEO of Mumias Sugar Company, where he oversaw the company's catastrophic collapse, devastating the livelihoods of thousands of people in western Kenya. An audit report accused him of being part of a network of executives that mismanaged the company, participating in fraudulent dealings that led to billions of shillings in losses  Nairobi Governor Scandals Kidero's governorship of Nairobi County was marred by allegations of corruption, poor service delivery, and financial mismanagement. The city faced numerous p...

The recent general election in Tanzania has been marred by violence, repression, and controversy. The election, held on October 29, 2025, saw President Samia Suluhu Hassan win a landslide victory with 97.66% of the vote. However, the process was criticized for lacking freedom and fairness, with several key opposition figures barred from contesting. The Violence and Death Toll The election was followed by violent protests across the country, with demonstrators angry about the electoral commission's exclusion of Hassan's two biggest challengers from the race. The protests were met with force by security personnel, resulting in a significant number of deaths. The main opposition party, Chadema, claimed that nearly 700 people were killed in the violence, while the UN human rights office reported at least 10 deaths in three cities. The government dismissed the opposition's death toll as "hugely exaggerated". Internet Blackout and Restrictions The government imposed a n...

Tanzania's General Election Marred by Controversy and Violence;Claims has it that 700 plus people were killed! Tanzania's recent general election, held on October 29, 2025, has been widely criticized for lacking freedom and fairness. The election, which saw President Samia Suluhu Hassan win a landslide victory with 97.66% of the vote, was marred by allegations of irregularities, repression, and violence. Election Irregularities and Suppression of Opposition The election was criticized for the exclusion of major opposition figures, including Tundu Lissu of the Chadema party, who was barred from contesting due to treason charges. Another opposition leader, Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo, was also disqualified on technical grounds. These exclusions led to widespread protests, which were met with force by security personnel. Violence and Human Rights Abuses The protests, which erupted in several cities, including Dar es Salaam, were marked by violence, with reports of police using t...

 The Shadow of Power: Unpacking the Controversies and Repressive Actions of President Samia Suluhu Hassan November 1, 2025 . When Samia Suluhu Hassan ascended to the presidency of Tanzania in March 2021 following the sudden death of John Pombe Magufuli, she was hailed as a beacon of hope. As the country's first female leader, she symbolized a potential break from Magufuli's authoritarian grip, promising reconciliation, resilience, reform, and rebuilding,her so,called "Four Rs." Early moves, like lifting bans on political rallies and releasing political prisoners, fueled optimism for a more open democracy.  Yet, as her tenure unfolded, this promise has curdled into a darker reality. Far from dismantling the machinery of repression, Hassan's administration has overseen a surge in human rights abuses, electoral manipulation, and economic decisions that prioritize elite interests over public welfare. By November 2025, with her re-election amid widespread protests and...