Suna East MP Junet Mohammed was removed as Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition Secretary General. [File, Standard]Suna East MP Junet Mohammed has reaped heavily from political patronage since joining parliament in 2013 through a controversial nomination process, courtesy of the goodwill he enjoyed from the now-deceased ODM party leader Raila Odinga, but his political future now looks bleak. He has to not only reckon with the fact that Raila is no longer there to keep him under his wings, but also to deal with the many enemies he has made both within and outside the opposition because of his abrasiveness and loose tongue.

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka was picked as President William Ruto's western region campaign coordinator. [File, Standard]In the high-stakes theatre of Western Kenya politics, where loyalty is often as fluid as the Nzoia River, Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka is turning out to be the quintessential survivor. From the “Wheelbarrow” scandal of his first term to his return in 2022, Lusaka has mastered the art of political comeback.

The controversy has spread across Europe and the United States, with institutions acting quickly to limit damage to their image. In many cases, the resignations have come not because crimes were proven, but because associations with Epstein became public. UK and Norway see high-profile exitsIn the United Kingdom, Morgan McSweeney, chief of staff to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stepped down from his post. Pressure mounted on him after it was revealed that he had advised the appointment of Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the United States. Fallout reaches the United StatesIn the US, the Epstein files have led to several senior resignations.

[Benard Orwongo Standard]The economic relationship between Kenya and Brazil has long been characterised by a significant trade imbalance, with Brazil exporting far more to Kenya than Kenya exports to Brazil. Of this, Brazil exported goods worth $168.26 million (Sh21.8 billion) to Kenya, while Kenya’s exports to Brazil amounted to just $1.2 million (Sh156 million). Kenya’s exports to Brazil remain concentrated in low-value products, while imports from Brazil include raw sugar, industrial alcohol and agricultural machinery. The forum was designed to directly confront the trade imbalance and reposition Kenya as a production and investment base for Africa. Analysts projected this could bring an additional $2.15 million (Sh279.5 million) in trade value through expanded rice exports.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has dismissed a social media post alleging it has released mosquitoes in Kenya. “The Gates Foundation is aware of social media posts claiming that we release mosquitoes in Kenya. Another X user added, “Bill Gates Foundation released mosquitoes from their laboratories in Nairobi to eliminate the ones which were carrying Malaria. These people, I think, are creating problems so that they will benefit from it.”According to the Gates Foundation, malaria kills nearly 600,000 people each year, mostly African children. “These changes are designed to pass through future generations of mosquitoes, which gives gene drive the potential for long-term impact,” Gates Foundation stated.

A collage of CoG chair Ahmed Abdullahi and CPAC chairperson Moses Kajwang./HANDOUTA fresh standoff has erupted between county governors and senators over accountability for billions of shillings disbursed to devolved units. The governors are threatening to boycott Senate oversight sessions, accusing lawmakers of intimidation and political witch-hunts. He said the Senate oversight process had become punitive. “To this effect, the council has resolved that governors will not appear before the CPAC committee until these concerns are addressed,” Abdullahi said. The standoff now threatens to deepen tensions between the two arms of government, raising concerns over the future of county oversight and accountability.

Winfred Kagwiria, an official from State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, said the government has strengthened enforcement measures to eliminate the illegal practice and protect girls from grievous harm. Kagwiria strongly condemned FGM, describing it as an awful and uncivilised practice that violates the rights, health and dignity of girls. Those who will be caught engaging in FGM will be apprehended and charged according to the law,” she warned. The official added that modern-day girls face higher health risks from FGM compared to past generations, including severe bleeding and complications. It is heartbreaking for any parent to lose a daughter through such a harmful practice,” she noted.

Council of Governors chairman Ahmed Abdullahi addressing the press in Kilifi County on February 9, 2026. /HANDOUTCouncil of Governors chairman Ahmed Abdullahi addressing the press in Kilifi County on February 9, 2026. /HANDOUTGovernors have now threatened to snub any appearances before a key Senate watchdog committee over alleged harassment. Through the Council of Governors (CoG), the county bosses on Monday resolved to keep off the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) sessions until their concerns are addressed. “The Council of Governors notes with great concern the continuous and escalating political witch-hunt, harassment, intimidation, and humiliation of Excellency Governors by certain Senators when they appear before the CPAC committee,” CoG chairman Ahmed Abdullahi said.

In a collision of sport, celebrity, and culture that only America can manufacture, Super Bowl LVIII exploded into a global spectacle defined as much by the stars in the stands as the action on the field. Latin sensation Bad Bunny anchored a halftime show that—while polarizing critics—undeniably cemented the cultural dominance of Latin music on the world’s biggest stage. The Bad Bunny EffectThe halftime show was a high-energy, chaotic tribute to the rhythms of Puerto Rico. Bad Bunny, currently the world's most-streamed artist, brought a pan-American flair to the 50-yard line, joined by heavyweights like Shakira and Cardi B. As the confetti settles, the takeaway from Super Bowl LVIII is that the event has completed its transformation.

A Super Bowl commercial for Pepsi parodied one of the most famous kiss cam moments in history. AdvertAnd Pepsi took to the airwaves with a humorous take on their longstanding rivalry with Coca Cola, as well as one viral moment featuring a kiss cam. This appears to shock the polar bear, who is left in disbelief that they chose Pepsi over Coke. It seems that the bears hit it off, as we next see them on the kiss cam at a concert, obviously grasping cans of Pepsi in their paws. A very blatant swipe at *that* viral Coldplay kiss cam moment from last year (Pepsi)After the kiss cam focussed on them, they immediately separated, with Cabot dropping to the ground.

Trump refuses to apologise for video on ObamaPresident Donald Trump condemned but did not apologise for a video on his social media account depicting Democratic former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama as apes, a post that triggered swift, bipartisan criticism for dehumanising people of African descent. The White House first defended the racist post on Friday, then deleted it 12 hours after it appeared. I mean, I give – I look at a lot – thousands of things.”Trump’s comments capped a day of competing narratives within the White House. Trump has long used social media to unveil policy, weigh in on issues and share fan-generated content to his nearly 12 million followers on Truth Social, a platform owned by his Trump Media & Technology Group. Thursday’s post raised questions about the protocols used around Trump’s social media communications, which can move markets and provoke adversaries.

Former CJ and United Green Movement (UGM) party presidential candidate David Maraga speaking to the press. Wajir County UGM Party Coordinator Amina Bishar Malim./STEPHEN ASTARIKO Prof. Mkawasi Mcharo—executive director of the presidential campaign./STEPHEN ASTARIKO. Former CJ and United Green Movement (UGM) party presidential candidate David Maraga with party officials and candidates contesting for various seats./STEPHEN ASTARIKO. The exercise aims to encourage residents to acquire identification documents and register as voters ahead of the 2027 general election. But for this dream to be realised, the youth must register as voters in large numbers and vote,” Amina said

Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo. [File, Standard]The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has warned lawyers against violating its Sexual Harassment and Anti-Bullying policy after more cases of sexual exploitation were reported recently, mainly by juniors. “These complaints indicate a worrying trend of abuse of power by senior colleagues against junior, vulnerable members of the profession,” said Odhiambo. LSK’s interventions follow confessions of alleged victims who shared their experiences on social media, explaining how professional engagements quickly morphed into unwanted intimate moments. 21 out of 22 alleged victims in the matter tabled before the Gender Committee declined requests to join the complaint.

Pastoralist communities in northern Kenya struggle with drought as water sources dry up and livestock weaken, raising fears of a growing humanitarian crisis. [File,Standard]The government is now seeking to raise Sh2 billion to rescue over 3 million Kenyans at risk of starvation. "The government will do everything possible and mobilise all the necessary resources to ensure Kenyans in the affected areas have sufficient food, water and medical supplies," said Kindiki. The meeting agreed on streamlining last-mile delivery modalities to cushion Kenyans and their livelihoods from drought effects following sub-optimal performance of the short rains in the October-December 2025 season. The government had earlier disbursed Sh6 billion in January to support drought mitigation interventions, including food distribution and livestock protection programmes.

In one post featuring a farewell message, Akothee wrote, “Akothee the calculator. Fans responded with a blend of sadness and support, with comments such as “We’ll see you back here in a few. Because there is no place like home” and “We are going with you anyway,” reflecting the bittersweet reaction to her departure. Akothee’s relocation removes a larger-than-life figure from Kenya’s entertainment and entrepreneurship landscape. As she embarks on this new chapter abroad, Akothee signed off with love for her supporters, writing, “I love you my fans and stay safe.”