Dr Ida Odinga. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]The nomination of Canon Dr Ida Betty Odinga as Kenya’s top diplomat to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has ignited a familiar political debate, balancing praise for her decades of service against claims the move is a trap to weaken ODM. The appointment, announced by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, is intended to crown Ida’s lifetime of advocacy. In a letter from State House, Mr Koskei stated that President William Ruto had, “in exercise of the prerogative vested in the Head of State and Government, nominated Canon Dr. Ida Betty Odinga, E.G.H., for appointment as Ambassador/Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).”

Inefficiency here does not stay within the harbour walls—it ripples outward, inflating business costs, delaying cargo, and eroding regional competitiveness. It acknowledged a fundamental truth: port efficiency cannot be mandated from headquarters alone. For Mombasa to retain its premier status, efficiency must evolve from an aspiration into a measurable, sustained reality. What stands out in the leadership of Mr Wattanga and Cap Ruto is their recognition that institutional silos strangle port performance. Ultimately, this renewed commitment by KRA and KPA presents an opportunity to reset the narrative around the Port of Mombasa.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has issued an update following the temporary suspension of nil tax returns. KRA revenue service assistants at work. Why did KRA suspend filing of nil returns? "You are not allowed to file zero returns for your 2025 income between now and the end of March. Before allowing nil returns, the authority will be able to precisely evaluate taxpayers' obligations thanks to these pre-filled returns.

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Former Deputy President and DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua, during an exclusive interview with KTN at his Karen Residence on October 5, 2025. [Benard Orwongo, Standard]Opposition parties face a litmus test in their quest to remain cohesive and send President William Ruto home during the 2027 General Election, with the most daunting task being to agree on a single presidential candidate. The parties include Wiper Patriotic Front led by Kalonzo Musyoka, Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) headed by Rigathi Gachagua, Martha Karua’s People’s Liberation Party (PLP), Democratic Party led by Justin Muturi, Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party, Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) headed by Eugene Wamalwa and Party of National Unity led by Peter Munya.

Speaking during a Luo Leaders Forum held in Kisumu for consultation and reflection on the political and socio-economic future of the community, Oburu said leadership requires restraint, collective decision-making, and accountability to the people. “As a leader, I cannot plunge people into deep waters or take them to a place that is not secure,” Oburu told the forum, drawing loud approval from the gathering. The meeting brought together leaders drawn from different sectors across the four counties of Siaya, Kisumu, Migori and Homa Bay. “I never applied to be the ODM party leader. Oburu warned against political strategies that would confine the Luo community to permanent opposition while other communities benefit from participation in government.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has praised the nomination of Ida Odinga as Kenya’s next Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), describing the move by President William Ruto as timely, fitting and well thought out. The nomination, announced Friday, January 23, acknowledges Ida’s long record of public service and advocacy as a boost to Kenya’s role in global environmental diplomacy. “Her nomination for appointment as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme by President William Ruto is timely, fitting and well thought out,” Murkomen wrote, noting that Ida's record of service positions her well to elevate Kenya’s voice on global environmental matters. Nandi Senator Kiprotich Cherargei hailed the appointment as fruits of the broad-based governmentCherargei said the appointment will bring more stability in the ODM party. "Your wealth of experience in leadership, education, advocacy and public service makes you an excellent choice to represent Kenya on the global stage.

Eric Omondi called on Kenyans to raise funds for Kitiki Sam's cancer treatment. Photo: Kitiki Sam. What did Kitiki Sam say about his illness? Source: InstagramHow did Eric Omondi help Kitiki Sam? Watch the video below:How did Eric Omondi help John Mwangi?

China's defence ministry says it has opened an investigation into the country's highest-ranking general over "grave violations of discipline and the law". The ministry gave no further details about accusations against General Zhang Youxia, who has widely been seen as President Xi Jinping's closest military ally. In its announcement, the ministry said another senior military officer, General Liu Zhenli, was also under investigation. His father was one of the founding generals of the Chinese Communist Party. He has called corruption "the biggest threat" to the Communist Party and said the fight against it "remains grave and complex".

1 / 8niversities2 / 8Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University are widely known for UPSC preparation. 4 / 8Majority of Students Prepare for UPSC Here, we are talking about Allahabad University (Prayagraj). 5 / 8Hundreds of Students Have Cracked UPSC So far, hundreds of students from this university have successfully cleared the UPSC exam. 8 / 8Other Universities Popular for UPSC Preparation Apart from these, Lucknow University and IIT Kanpur are also quite popular for UPSC preparation. In 2023, IIT Kanpur student Aditya Srivastava secured the top rank in the UPSC examination.

Accident on Southern Bypass on Saturday, January 24, 2026./SCREENGRABPanic erupted along Nairobi’s Southern Bypass on Saturday after a fuel tanker caught fire following a collision near the Swaminarayan Tunnel Bridge. “The accident has claimed one life involving the driver of the lorry carrying flour, while the tanker driver was taken to hospital,” he stated. Similar incidents have in the past led to multiple fatalities, including a 2009 tanker accident in Sachangwan, Nakuru County, which killed more than 100 people. The Southern Bypass, a key artery for Nairobi traffic, was temporarily closed as emergency crews worked to bring the situation under control. Accident on Southern Bypass on Saturday, January 24, 2026./SCREENGRABAccident on Southern Bypass on Saturday, January 24, 2026./SCREENGRAB

[File, Standard]Kenya Airways has cancelled its flights from Nairobi to New York on Saturday, January 24, and the return flight from New York on Sunday, January 25, due to severe weather conditions in the United States. KQ further warned that Monday’s flight from New York to Nairobi, scheduled for January 26, could also be disrupted due to a spillover from tomorrow, Sunday. The cancellations come amid widespread snowstorms in the US, which have affected thousands of flights. Heavy snow and ice, especially from Texas through North Carolina, has forced the delay or cancellation of at least 3,400 flights today. The storms have brought extreme winter conditions, including heavy snowfall, ice accumulation, and dangerously low temperatures, affecting millions of Americans.

A rare bipartisan moment is quietly taking shape behind the scenes, with President William Ruto and the ODM leadership edging closer to a shared political roadmap anchored on the 10-Point Agenda and the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) Report, a convergence that could fundamentally reshape Kenya’s politics. What began as a tactical ceasefire after months of protests, political tension and economic anxiety is increasingly morphing into structured cooperation, with both sides signalling a willingness to move from political rhetoric to measurable implementation.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka during a past political rally in Makueni. [File, Standard]Kenya’s opposition politics has reached a defining moment. With the 2027 General Election steadily approaching, the idea of a “united opposition” can no longer remain a rhetorical comfort or a last-minute electoral tactic. History has repeatedly shown that alliances hurriedly stitched together on the eve of elections are fragile, incoherent and ultimately self-defeating. If the opposition is serious about presenting a credible alternative to President William Ruto, then the most urgent and strategic decision it must make is to choose its presidential candidate now — not later.

President William Ruto with Prime Cabinet Secretary during a meeting at State House, Nairobi. [PCS]Thursday's High Court ruling that nullified the merger between the Amani National Congress (ANC) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has triggered sharp reactions across Western Kenya. The ruling, which revisited the legality and process of the ANC–UDA merger, comes at a critical time of political realignments in the country, even as former ANC party officials insisted the decision has largely been overtaken by political events on the ground.