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Articles by Eric Matara
The city money trap: Rich in revenue, poor in power Original
What you need to know: The law provides for cities and municipalities to manage a range of functions including physical planning and development. Other functions are road maintenance, storm-water drainage, street lighting, markets, bus parks and public amenities.
Why President Ruto has pitched camp in his Rift Valley stronghold
What you need to know: The strategy is aimed at providing a balance to the loss of support in regions seen to have abandoned Ruto's UDA. President Ruto pitched tent in Bomet, Kericho, Narok, Samburu and Kajiado counties, urging residents to vote for him.
No new Ebola case among 108 quarantined contacts in Kenya
The government has announced that 108 contacts of the Ebola case reported five days ago are in quarantine and being monitored closely, with none developing symptoms of the Bundibugyo virus disease. In a statement on Sunday, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said no new case had been recorded beyond the single imported case involving a Kenyan who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo through Uganda.
Naivasha Special Economic Zone for EAC countries roars to life Original
What you need to know: South Sudan among the first countries to begin construction of a dedicated ICD within the Naivasha Special Economic Zone. Government activated the Maai Mahiu-based Special Economic Zone, as a strategic hub for clearing transit cargo bound for neighbouring countries. Kenya allocated each East African nation 10 acres as it strengthens its role as a regional logistics gateway.
Hospitali za kaunti 37 zakaukiwa dawa
HabariHabari za KauntiHabari za Kitaifa Hospitali za kaunti 37 zakaukiwa dawa Na ERIC MATARA October 7th, 2026 Kusoma ni dakika: 2 HOSPITALI za umma katika kaunti kadhaa zinakabiliwa na uhaba wa dawa muhimu na vifaa vya matibabu huku baadhi ya serikali za kaunti zikitenga fedha nyingi kwa safari na makongamano kuliko ununuzi wa dawa.
Hospitali za kaunti 37 zakaukiwa dawa
HOSPITALI za umma katika kaunti kadhaa zinakabiliwa na uhaba wa dawa muhimu na vifaa vya matibabu huku baadhi ya serikali za kaunti zikitenga fedha nyingi kwa safari na makongamano kuliko ununuzi wa dawa.
Role of MCAs in Kenya’s devolved system Original
In Kenya, Members of County Assembly (MCAs) serve as the direct link between local communities and the county government. While their key roles are like those of MPs to legislate, provide oversight of the Executive and represent their constituents, on a day-to-day basis, this is what they do. They draft, debate and pass local laws that govern the county. These laws cover areas such as local business licensing, county transport, markets and sanitation.
Presidential election petitions in Kenya: The process and what the Supreme Court looks at Original
Kenya had presidential election petitions in 1992, 1997, 2013, 2017 and 2022. In 1992, for instance, six petitions were filed in the High Court after the late President Daniel arap Moi won the poll. The court threw out five cases on procedural grounds, even before their hearings commenced. Kenneth Matiba's case was the only one heard, but the court later dismissed it because he did not sign the petition himself, as required by the law at the time. It had been signed by his wife.
Role of MPs and place of parliamentary majority Original
Kenya has a bicameral Parliament consisting of the Senate and the National Assembly, both with the key roles of legislation, oversight, and representation of the people. Broken down further, these functions can be said to be: MPs act as the voice of their constituents in Parliament, bringing local concerns, challenges and aspirations to the national level. They draft, debate, review and pass new laws or amend existing ones that govern the country.
Nairobi, Nakuru zadaiwa Sh75.7 bilioni
KAUNTI za Nairobi na Nakuru zinadaiwa Sh75.7 bilioni za mapato ambayo hayajalipwa, kiasi kinachozidi madeni yanayodaiwa na kaunti 45 zilizosalia kwa pamoja. Kiasi hicho ni zaidi ya theluthi mbili ya Sh113.3 bilioni ambazo kaunti zote 47 zinadaiwa kufikia Juni 30, 2026.
Rich beggars: Counties chase Sh113bn as cash in unpaid revenue piles up
Nairobi and Nakuru are owed Sh75.7 billion in revenue, a sum that exceeds the combined arrears owed to the remaining 45 counties and accounts for more than two-thirds of the Sh113.3 billion owed to all 47 second-tier governments. According to the County Governments Implementation Review Report for the 2025/26 financial year by Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o, Nairobi had the highest revenue arrears at Sh59.09 billion as of June 30 this year, followed by Nakuru at Sh16.64 billion.
Rich beggars: Counties chase Sh113bn as cash in unpaid revenue piles up
Nairobi and Nakuru are owed Sh75.7 billion in revenue, a sum that exceeds the combined arrears owed to the remaining 45 counties and accounts for more than two-thirds of the Sh113.3 billion owed to all 47 second-tier governments. According to the County Governments Implementation Review Report for the 2025/26 financial year by Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o, Nairobi had the highest revenue arrears at Sh59.09 billion as of June 30 this year, followed by Nakuru at Sh16.64 billion.
Vyama vya kisiasa vyageuka bidhaa moto
UCHAGUZI mkuu wa mwaka 2027 unapokaribia, juhudi za wanasiasa na wafanyabiashara wa siasa kutafuta vyama vya kisiasa zimegeuza mazingira ya siasa nchini kuwa uwanja wenye ushindani mkali, huku zaidi ya vyama 100 vikiwa vimesajiliwa. Baadhi ya wanasiasa tayari wamenunua na kubadilisha sura ya vyama vilivyokuwepo huku wengine wakiharakisha kusajili vyama vipya. Hali hiyo imeibua maswali kuhusu nafasi halisi ya vyama vya kisiasa katika demokrasia ya Kenya.
Power, money and leverage: Kenya’s political party mania
What you need to know: Some politicians and brokers have acquired and rebranded existing parties, while others rush to register new ones. Behind the lofty language of democracy and representation lies the reality that parties are becoming cash-minting assets. As the General Election approaches, the scramble to own political parties has turned the country’s democratic landscape into a hyper-fluid, high-stakes arena, driven by a dizzying proliferation of more than 100 registered parties.
What 50%+1 threshold in Kenya’s presidential election is and how vote tallying works Original
Article 138(4)(a) of the Constitution requires that for a candidate to win Kenya's presidential election in the first round, he or she must secure more than 50 per cent of the total valid votes cast (50%+1). According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), after vote counting is completed, the 50%+1 threshold is among the factors considered in determining the winner in a presidential race.
County staff risk retiring in poverty as unpaid salaries, unremitted deductions hit Sh100bn mark
Thousands of county employees face uncertainty over their retirement after counties failed to remit Sh100.24 billion in statutory deductions, salaries and staff claims, some outstanding for more than a decade. The report by Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o for the 2025/2026 financial year shows county executives accounted for Sh98.44 billion of the arrears, while county assemblies owed Sh1.80 billion.
Explainer: How Kenya’s party nominations work Original
A party nomination is defined by Section 2 of the Political Parties Act as a process by which a political party selects its candidates to run for elective seats, such as President, Governor, Senator, Member of Parliament, Woman Representative and Member of County Assembly, in an election.
Explainer: How Kenya’s campaign financing works Original
What you need to know: Article 88(4)(i) of the Constitution of Kenya mandates the IEBC to regulate the amounts of money spent by or on behalf of any candidate or political party. Under the regulations, presidential election spending has been capped at Sh6.11 billion for the 2027 General Election and that of political parties at Sh24.45 billion.
Revealed: How counties hide billions of shillings in irregular spending Original
What you need to know: Some county governments use a vague expenditure code of Other Operating Expenses. In other counties, expenditure items on maintenance is recorded with vague descriptions. More than half of the 47 county governments can not account for billions of shillings that were spent under hidden budgetary allocations, raising fresh concerns over transparency and accountability.
Explainer: How the Kenyan President is elected
Caption for the landscape image: Kenyan elections are never about substance. There is never a thorough diagnosis of the country’s biggest problems. Shutterstock In Kenya, the President is elected directly by registered voters through a secret ballot in a General Election held every five years on the second Tuesday of August, according to the Constitution.
Explainer: How the Kenyan President is elected
In Kenya, the President is elected directly by registered voters through a secret ballot in a General Election held every five years on the second Tuesday of August, according to the Constitution. "Presidential elections shall be held on the same day as a General Election of Members of Parliament, being the second Tuesday in August, in the fifth year," states Article 136(2) of the Constitution.
Revealed: 10 counties leading development spending
At least 10 counties emerged as the top performers in development expenditure, using more than 70 per cent of their allocations in 2025/26. A report by the Controller of Budget released last week shows that Kilifi, Wajir, Mandera, Meru, Trans Nzoia, Kirinyaga, Marsabit, Samburu, Kericho and Vihiga achieved the highest development expenditure absorption.
Revealed: 10 counties leading development spending
At least 10 counties emerged as the top performers in development expenditure, using more than 70 per cent of their allocations in 2025/26. A report by the Controller of Budget released last week shows that Kilifi, Wajir, Mandera, Meru, Trans Nzoia, Kirinyaga, Marsabit, Samburu, Kericho and Vihiga achieved the highest development expenditure absorption.
NCIC kutumia Sh962m kuzuia ghasia za uchaguzi
Habari NCIC kutumia Sh962m kuzuia ghasia za uchaguzi Na ERIC MATARA September 25th, 2026 Kusoma ni dakika: 1 TUME ya Uwiano na Utangamano wa Kitaifa (NCIC) inapanga kutumia Sh962.6 milioni kudhibiti matamshi ya chuki, ukabila na ghasia za kisiasa kuelekea Uchaguzi Mkuu wa 2027. Mpango huo, unaojulikana kama Salama 2027, unalenga kutambua mapema maeneo yenye mivutano, kukabiliana na matamshi ya chuki mitandaoni, kuwahusisha vijana na kurejesha imani ya wananchi katika taasisi.
Expensive peace: A look at NCIC's Sh963m price of peace in 2027 Original
What you need to know: NCIC plans to spend an estimated Sh962.6 million on a peace roadmap. It adds to the cost of the 2027 election, which has been estimated at about Sh60 billion. Sh250 million expected from the Exchequer through supplementary budgets and the remainder to be raised from development partners and donors.
Why drug traffickers are ditching trucks for luxury SUVs Original
What you need to know: Traffickers are now using high-end vehicles like Land Cruisers, Prados and Range Rovers. Authorities say they have noted the growing trend and intensified surveillance and operations along major drug trafficking routes, including key highways.
Counties’ secret bank accounts hit 6,585 Original
What you need to know: The number has increased by about 3,000 within just one year, raising fresh concerns over transparency in the management of devolved funds. The opening of opaque bank accounts has remained one of the persistent governance concerns in Kenya’s devolved units. Ten months to the 2027 General Election, governors have quietly opened thousands of commercial bank accounts, some of which have been flagged as irregular, a report has shown.
Sh13bn travel spree: County officials fly to Singapore as projects languish
What you need to know: In Baringo County, a county official spent Sh450,740 in Gaborone, Botswana, for an unspecified meeting. Twenty-one members of the Kitui County Assembly spent Sh8.5 million attending a training and benchmarking visit to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) in Arusha. Governors, county officials and Members of County Assembly (MCAs) splashed more than Sh13 billion on luxury local and international travel in nine months, a new report has revealed.
Sh13bn travel spree: County officials fly to Singapore as projects languish
What you need to know: In Baringo County, a county official spent Sh450,740 in Gaborone, Botswana, for an unspecified meeting. Twenty-one members of the Kitui County Assembly spent Sh8.5 million attending a training and benchmarking visit to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) in Arusha. Governors, county officials and Members of County Assembly (MCAs) splashed more than Sh13 billion on luxury local and international travel in nine months, a new report has revealed.
How once-profitable pyrethrum sector lost farmers and markets
In the tropical highlands of Molo, Nakuru County, 66-year-old Mary Wambui looks at a sack of pyrethrum with little enthusiasm. She has planted the crop on only one acre of her 12-acre farm in Turi. Her lack of enthusiasm is compounded by uncertainty over when she will be paid after the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPCK) collects her crop. She is among growers who have abandoned the once-lucrative crop after years of hard labour, turning instead to alternative farming.
Echoes of 2007: Harsh history lessons politicians have ignored ahead of 2027 polls
From the 2007/2008 violence that left more than 1,100 people dead and 600,000 others displaced, to the disputed 2017 presidential contest and the 2022 General Election, Kenya's electoral history has repeatedly been punctuated by political tension. Each election cycle has tested the country's institutions and revealed how quickly competition over State power can spill into violence when accountability lags behind ambition.
Decision 2027: Governors turn to county budgets for high-visibility projects
Governors seeking a second term are turning to their counties’ 2026/27 budgets to deliver high-visibility projects and fulfil key campaign pledges, as they position themselves for re-election in the August 2027 General Election. The spending plans approved by county assemblies at the start of the new financial year place a strong emphasis on health, education, roads, water and agriculture, sectors whose impact is most visible to voters at the grassroots.
Decision 2027: Governors turn to county budgets for high-visibility projects
Governors seeking a second term are turning to their counties’ 2026/27 budgets to deliver high-visibility projects and fulfil key campaign pledges, as they position themselves for re-election in the August 2027 General Election. The spending plans approved by county assemblies at the start of the new financial year place a strong emphasis on health, education, roads, water and agriculture, sectors whose impact is most visible to voters at the grassroots.
How counties are abusing imprest to overspend funds
At the advent of devolution in 2013, imprests were introduced as a remedy for procurement bottlenecks to payments of unplanned mini expenditures of up to Sh2 million by county officials. However, years later, imprests-- a form of cash advance or a float-- have now been turned into avenues of plunder of public resources by unscrupulous county government officials through fictitious requisitions.
Kenya steps up global push for Njoki, Okowa top courts races Original
Nairobi's parallel push to secure the election of Justices Njoki Ndung'u and Phoebe Okowa to two international courts based in The Hague, Netherlands, has gained momentum, with the latter receiving the backing of 26 countries. Justice Njoki Ndung'u is seeking to serve as a judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC), while Justice Phoebe Okowa is seeking a full term at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Ugatuzi: Kilichozima kabisa jumuiya za kiuchumi za kaunti
Habari Ugatuzi: Kilichozima kabisa jumuiya za kiuchumi za kaunti Na ERIC MATARA August 1st, 2026 Kusoma ni dakika: 2 MIAKA 13 baada ya ugatuzi kuanza, ndoto ya kuanzishwa kwa jumuiya za kiuchumi za kaunti ili kuimarisha maendeleo imekwama kutokana na ukosefu wa fedha, mvutano wa kisiasa na kukosekana kwa sheria zinazozitambua rasmi.
Ugatuzi: Kilichozima kabisa jumuiya za kiuchumi za kaunti
Habari Ugatuzi: Kilichozima kabisa jumuiya za kiuchumi za kaunti Na ERIC MATARA August 1st, 2026 Kusoma ni dakika: 2 MIAKA 13 baada ya ugatuzi kuanza, ndoto ya kuanzishwa kwa jumuiya za kiuchumi za kaunti ili kuimarisha maendeleo imekwama kutokana na ukosefu wa fedha, mvutano wa kisiasa na kukosekana kwa sheria zinazozitambua rasmi.
Secret meeting that sabotaged plot to bomb President Moi’s State House Original
What you need to know: During the failed coup, rebel Kenya Air Force soldiers planned to bomb State House, the DoD and the General Service Unit (GSU) headquarters. Lt-Gen (Rtd) Humphrey Njoroge was part of the think-tank that planned and executed the delicate operation to remove rebels who had stormed VOK.
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How rivalries, funding and legal gaps crippled county economic blocs Original
What you need to know: Regional economic blocs were billed as the engines that would spur economic growth across the country. The blocs, just like devolution itself, were intended to create the much-needed economic prosperity for Kenyans. More than 13 years after devolution, little has been realised from the much-hyped entities.
Businesses count cost of lost cash in power outage
What you need to know: Business owners and households are counting losses following a major electricity blackout on Wednesday night that lasted several hours. A major blackout on Wednesday night lasted several hours. The disruption in power supply was blamed on a fault on the national electricity transmission network.
After the blackout: Businesses count the cost
Business owners, households and transport services in several parts of the country were left counting losses after a major electricity blackout on Wednesday night that lasted several hours. The outage, which began at about 8.30pm and continued into the early hours of Thursday, disrupted businesses, halted operations, particularly for small-scale traders and affected essential services that rely heavily on a stable electricity supply.
Above the law? Political motorcades leave death, sorrow behind Original
To them, traffic rules are mere suggestions, as is the safety of passengers and other road users. The impunity they drive with is at times, ironically, escorted and protected by police officers who are entrusted with enforcing traffic laws. For those that the law has caught up with after causing death or injury by reckless driving, a slap on the wrist in the form of fines has been the most grave outcome. They are the drivers hired by politicians during political rallies or similar events.
Dream jobs, dark web and online porn: Syndicate targets Kenya's desperate youth Original
Four weeks ago, police in Ngoigwa, Thika, Kiambu County, arrested several young women and men suspected of producing sexually explicit content for international markets. Acting on intelligence from local residents, officers raided a residential house where they found the suspects allegedly producing adult films. During interrogation, investigators said the group admitted the content was intended for buyers in overseas markets.
Vijana waingizwa katika biashara za ngono ajira ikiadimika nchini
Habari Vijana waingizwa katika biashara za ngono ajira ikiadimika nchini Na ERIC MATARA July 27th, 2026 Kusoma ni dakika: 2 UKOSEFU wa ajira unaozidi kushuhudiwa nchini umeanza kuwasukuma vijana wengi kuingia katika biashara haramu huku baadhi wakitumbukia kwenye mitandao ya utengenezaji wa filamu za ngono zinazouzwa kwa wateja wa mataifa ya kigeni.
Vijana waingizwa katika biashara za ngono ajira ikiadimika nchini
UKOSEFU wa ajira unaozidi kushuhudiwa nchini umeanza kuwasukuma vijana wengi kuingia katika biashara haramu huku baadhi wakitumbukia kwenye mitandao ya utengenezaji wa filamu za ngono zinazouzwa kwa wateja wa mataifa ya kigeni. Katika mwezi mmoja uliopita pekee, maafisa wa polisi wamevamia nyumba kadhaa katika kaunti za Kiambu, Nairobi, Kajiado na Nakuru na kuwaokoa zaidi ya wanawake 50 waliokuwa wakidaiwa kulazimishwa kutengeneza filamu za ngono.
Dream jobs, dark web: The syndicate trapping Kenya's unemployed youth
Four weeks ago, police in Ngoigwa, Thika, Kiambu County, arrested several young women and men suspected of producing sexually explicit content for international markets. Acting on intelligence from local residents, officers raided a residential house where they found the suspects allegedly producing adult films. During interrogation, investigators said the group admitted the content was intended for buyers in overseas markets.
30 arrests in six months as DCI ramps up war on 'wash wash' money Original
When police arrested a Nairobi businessman on February 16, 2026, it was only the tip of the iceberg in what investigators believe is part of a sophisticated regional money laundering network. The suspect, who operated a registered company in Kenya, was also linked to a gold scam in which an American national lost $217,900 (Sh28,196,260).
Untouchables: Police inaction on Ol Kalou goons raises eyebrows Original
As Ol Kalou voters made their way to polling stations on July 16, a black Toyota Land Cruiser bearing the number plate KDW 600Q led a convoy of vehicles ferrying armed, hooded men. KDW 600Q: Black Land Cruiser registered to Vipingo Industries Limuited. Company says they have same number plate, but for white Toyota Probox.
Wahuni wa wakubwa? Hakuna aliyekamatwa kwa ghasia Ol Kalou licha ya ufichuzi
ZAIDI ya siku nne baada ya ghasia zilizoshuhidiwa katika uchaguzi mdogo wa ubunge wa Ol Kalou, hakuna mwanasiasa, mfadhili au mmiliki wa magari yanayodaiwa kutumiwa na watu wenye silaha walioficha nyuso zao ambaye amekamatwa au kuhojiwa. Hali hii imezua maswali kuhusu iwapo wanasiasa wanaochochea vurugu wako juu ya sheria licha ya visa vya uhuni kushuhudiwa peupe.
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