Neglected killer: kala-azar disease surges in Kenya
[AFP]For nearly a year, repeated misdiagnoses of the deadly kala-azar disease left 60-year-old Harada Hussein Abdirahman's health deteriorating, as an outbreak in Kenya's arid regions claimed a record number of lives. Cases of kala-azar, also known as visceral leishmaniasis, have spiked in Kenya, from 1,575 in 2024 to 3,577 in 2025, according to the health ministry. But there are "very few facilities in the country able to actively diagnose and treat," kala-azar, Dr Paul Kibati, tropical disease expert for health NGO Amref, told AFP. Northeastern Kenya, as well as neighbouring regions in Ethiopia and Somalia, have experienced a devastating drought in recent months. "Kala-azar affects mostly the poorest in our community," Kibati said, exacerbated by malnutrition and weak immunity.
Source:Standard Digital
February 08, 2026 17:34 UTC
Ruto: Judge leaders by work, not tribe, religion or appearance
President William Ruto addresses residents in Pipeline Estate, Nairobi on February 8, 2026./PCSPresident William Ruto has urged Kenyans to elect leaders based on their development record rather than ethnic, religious, or personal considerations. Si ni kazi?” Ruto posed. President William Ruto addresses residents in Pipeline Estate, Nairobi on February 8, 2026./PCSHe said leaders should be judged solely on what they have delivered to wananchi, adding that he would present his administration’s development record for public scrutiny. “Mimi nitakuja hapa na kazi yangu, ya affordable housing, ya markets, ya barabara na ya kusafisha city, na nyinyi mtaamua,” he told the crowd. The Embakasi event drew thousands of residents and local leaders, including Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 16:59 UTC
We don’t know the current ODM, says Babu Owino as he questions party direction
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino / HANDOUTEmbakasi East MP Babu Owino has cast doubt on the direction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), declaring that he no longer recognises the party in its current form. “We don’t know the current ODM because it is business,” the legislator said. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP, and a section of Orange Democratic Movement leaders began the Linda Mwananchi Tours. Beyond citizen engagement, the tour also serves a strategic positioning purpose for Sifuna, Owino, and allied legislators in the broader political landscape. The faction has maintained a critical stance toward the current broad-based government alignment pursued by other ODM figures, reflecting divergent political strategies within the party.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 15:58 UTC
Change is coming! Kalonzo defends 'Ruto Must Go' slogan
Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has defended the United Opposition’s slogan of 'Ruto Must Go' as a rallying call for change. Kalonzo says that contrary to attacks by President William Ruto that his opponents have no agenda outside the Ruto Must Go, the team is well organised with an agenda that can only be achieved with Ruto’s exit. “The current regime attacks us daily because they sense what we already know: change is coming, and it is inevitable. The President accused opposition leaders of recycling the same one-term rhetoric without offering clear alternatives on the economy, jobs and the cost of living. Ruto said his administration remains focused on delivering its development agenda and urged Kenyans to judge leaders by tangible programmes rather than slogans.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 15:46 UTC
Millicent Omanga ditches UDA, aligns with United Opposition
Businesswoman and former Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga has officially broken ranks with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and declared her alignment with the United Opposition. Omanga, who has been a long-time UDA loyalist and a vocal supporter of President William Ruto in the 2022 elections, however, stopped short of announcing the political party she will contest under. She further confirmed that she will once again seek the Nairobi County Woman Representative seat in 2027, a position she narrowly lost in the last general election. Earlier, on February 6, Omanga had publicly confirmed her intention to run for the Nairobi Woman Representative seat, saying the decision followed consultations with her supporters. Omanga joins a crowded race to succeed incumbent Esther Passaris, who has declared she will not defend her seat in 2027.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 15:12 UTC
Ruto: I will trounce Azimio in the morning
President William Ruto has dismissed attempts to revive the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, insisting that the opposition alliance poses no threat to his re-election bid in 2027. Ruto downplayed renewed efforts to reorganise Azimio, arguing that the coalition lacks political weight without its former key affiliate, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). We will beat Azimio so early in the morning in 2022,” he said. The Azimio coalition was formed ahead of the 2022 elections as a broad alliance to challenge then-Deputy President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza coalition. Newly appointed Azimio Secretary General Caroli Omondi criticised alleged instructions to the Government Printer to withhold publication of the coalition’s leadership changes.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 15:06 UTC
Ruto: We can now reduce taxes and transform the nation
We can now reduce taxes and that is how we will transform our nation,” Ruto said. According to the President, the foundation of the current economic recovery was laid by prioritising economic stability at the start of his administration. That was the biggest problem we had, the stability of our economy,” Ruto said. “We are taking proposals to Parliament when they resume next week because we are in the process of reducing the tax burden on Kenyans,” Ruto said. “Those earning up to Sh50,000 we reduce the tax by 5 per cent,” Ruto said.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 14:50 UTC
Kihika’s Nakuru grip tested as rivals circle, Gachagua looms
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika at Kisima Farm, Njoro, in Nakuru County. The governor accused Cheruiyot of ethnic mobilisation in Nakuru, a cosmopolitan county with a majority Kikuyu and Kalenjin population. A close aide of Senator Cheruiyot told the Star that during the meeting, residents expressed disgruntlement with Kihika’s leadership, accusing her of marginalisation. Gachagua, the DCP leader, has announced a two-day tour of Nakuru county on February 27-28, despite what he has alleged to be threats by Kihika’s husband, Sam Mburu, not to step in the county. Sources in DCP indicate that Gachagua is expected to back former NHIF chief executive Geoffrey Mwangi as the party’s preferred candidate for the Nakuru governor seat.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 14:27 UTC
How London's men got caught in a blizzard of cocaine
In the UK, men are twice as likely to report using cocaine as women. They also made up nearly 80 per cent of the deaths involving the drug in 2024 (a figure which has increased consecutively each year for the past 13, attributed to the rise in cocaine’s purity, making it easier to overdose). In both men’s experiences, inside and outside of work, it’s men who do cocaine the most. Studies have shown that men are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviours, but surely there must be more to why blokes love coke so much?
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 14:03 UTC
Boycott drama continues, but India vs Pakistan set to go ahead as PCB negotiates with ICC that…
The cricket world could be just days away from confirmation of its most anticipated fixture. Sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have confirmed that discussions are ongoing, and Colombo has emerged as the likely venue. The governing body also warned that such a stance could have long-term implications for Pakistan cricket and the wider global ecosystem. Leading India for the first time in a T20 World Cup match, Suryakumar Yadav set the tone with a sublime unbeaten 84, helping India post 161/9. Also Read: Bad news for Babar Azam as he may be dropped from Pakistan match against USA due to…
Source:News 24
February 08, 2026 12:30 UTC
Poor feeder roads hurting Athi River factories, PS Mukhwana warns
Industry PS Juma Mukhwana, accompanied by Softcare Kenya Managing Director Tom Li and other officials, during a factory tour in Athi River. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]Industry Principal Secretary Juma Mukhwana has warned that poor feeder roads are derailing industrial activity and hurting investors in Athi River. “I have noted with concern that almost all feeder roads passing through the factories are in a pathetic condition,” noted Mukhwana. Softcare Kenya operates a modern manufacturing facility in Athi River, producing hygiene products for domestic and regional markets. Managing Director Tom Li said the company’s operations rely heavily on road access to distribute products across East Africa.
Source:Standard Digital
February 08, 2026 10:00 UTC
Why Western is crucial for Ruto
[Kipsang Joszeph,Standard]The forceful return of President Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2027 General Election political matrix means the Western Kenya vote will now be very crucial for President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza coalition. With more than 2.6 million registered voters, Western Kenya remains a crucial battleground, and competition for its support is expected to intensify as 2027 approaches. The Mulembe nation deserves the same opportunity.”Still, not all analysts are convinced Western Kenya retains the leverage to dictate terms. Western Kenya may have lost ground and should avoid overplaying its hand,” says Ombayo. Ombayo notes that while Mudavadi and Wetang’ula were instrumental in delivering Western Kenya to Ruto in 2022, coalition politics rewards party strength, and ODM’s numerical advantage could overshadow regional demands.
Source:Standard Digital
February 08, 2026 09:53 UTC
Magical Kenya Open: Why young talents are not left behind as preparations intensify
2025 Absa 'Beat the Pro' Challenge winner Kanana Muthomi of Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club presented her award by Absa Bank Kenya Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Abdi Mohamed. [ABSA BANK KENYA]Every year, the prestigious Magical Kenya Open (MKO) golf tournament, presented by Absa Bank Kenya, pumps in millions of shillings into the Kenyan economy. “The contest targets junior players between 12-18 years and with handicaps not less than 9.0, but the whole criteria will be decided over by the JGF. While expounding about the junior contest to be held alongside the MKO, Absa Bank Kenya Marketing and Corporate Affairs Director Mwihaki Wachira noted: “We are holding the challenge for the second-year running. When they stand next to the global pros, our junior players get to learn one or two things from that experience.
Source:Standard Digital
February 08, 2026 09:21 UTC
This phone will now go to moon, NASA makes big move; astronauts to use Meta, Instagram
NASA has announced a small but significant change for upcoming lunar missions, astronauts will now be allowed to carry modern smartphones, including iPhones, for the first time. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Crew-12 and Artemis II missions will include astronauts using smartphones during their journey. Additionally, the public will get a glimpse of these moments through photos and videos shared from space. Why smartphones matter in spaceUntil now, astronauts were not permitted to carry personal smartphones aboard space missions. Enhancing the astronaut experienceNASA hopes that allowing smartphones will give astronauts a better way to record and share their experiences.
Source:News 24
February 08, 2026 08:17 UTC
‘A Coke, yosi and a smile’: Mar Roxas looks back on ‘good times’ with PNoy
Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas is reminiscing about the good times with the late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. Aquino, the former leader known for leading a firm anti-corruption drive, a key territorial win against China, and the country’s economic resurgence, would have been 66 on February 8. In a Facebook post, Roxas greeted his friend a happy birthday “in heaven,” admitting how much he still misses him. “Good times: A coke, yosi and a smile. Happy birthday in heaven.
Source:Daily Nation
February 08, 2026 06:45 UTC