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Kalonzo asks Pope Leo to pray for Kenya’s peace amid political goonism

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Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has welcomed Pope Leo XIV on his first apostolic visit to Africa, even as Kenya grapples with rising political tensions, claims of politically linked violence, and heightened anxiety ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement on Thursday, April 16, 2026, Kalonzo described the continent as a place of deep faith and resilience, stating that Africa, a continent of ancient faith, extraordinary resilience, and boundless hope, receives you with profound joy and deep spiritual solidarity.

“On behalf of the Wiper Patriotic Front, and on my own behalf, I extend to you a most cordial and reverent welcome to the African continent on your maiden apostolic journey as the 267th Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church,” he wrote on X.

“I humbly beseech Your Holiness to intercede in prayer on our behalf, that Kenya may be blessed with lasting peace, social harmony, and leaders who govern not for themselves, but for the common good of all our people.”

Although Kenya is not part of the Pope’s current itinerary, Kalonzo expressed optimism about a future visit.

“Kenya holds a place of enduring warmth for the Holy See, and we trust in the providence of God that the day shall come when we are once again privileged to receive you as our most honoured guest,” the post read in part.

He further praised the pontiff’s global leadership, saying Kenyan and African communities draw deep inspiration from Your Holiness’s steadfast championship of peace, the transcendent dignity of every human person, and the family as the first and most vital school of virtue and civic life.

The remarks come at a time of growing political unease in Kenya, with opposition leaders warning of increasing cases of violent attacks involving political goons ahead of the 2027 general election cycle.

Speaking after the Kikuyu chaos, where opposition figures claimed they were attacked, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa said the country was headed in the wrong direction and warned that Kenya risked instability if the trend continued.

He claimed what he called an unholy alliance between police officers and criminal groups. “If you continue planting the wind of goonism and violence, you shall reap the whirlwind of anarchy,” he stated.

Goonism insecurity threats

On his part, Jubilee Deputy Party leader Fred Matiang’i also weighed in, urging a shift in security priorities. He argued that political gatherings should not be treated as threats.

“Your threat cannot be leaders speaking to their people,” he said and instead called for greater focus on terrorism and drug abuse.

Meanwhile, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wah of orchestrating the disruption of his rally in Kikuyu using teargas, in what he termed a betrayal of the electorate.

Speaking during the rally in Kikuyu town on Saturday, April 11, 2026, Gachagua claimed that the MP, who has been elected by the area residents for three consecutive terms, had turned against the very people who entrusted him with leadership.

Gachagua claimed that Ichung’wah is working in collaboration with President William Ruto to frustrate his political activities in the region, accusations that Ichung’wah vehemently brushed off.

“Umeshikana na William Ruto kuangaisha jamii ya Kikiyu. Ni makosa kubwa sana wewe Ichungwah, hawa watu walikuchagua mara tatu kutuma polisi na teargas kuja kuwaangaisha watu walikuchagua,” Gachagua said.

Moreover, Gachagua has also warned that what he called ‘goonism’ could destabilise Kenya, saying organised violence linked to political actors is already emerging in parts of the country.

Speaking during a church service at PEFA Works in Kajiado County on Sunday, April 12, 2026, Gachagua drew comparisons between militia groups in Sudan, Haiti, and local incidents in Kenya, saying the pattern shows how violence grows when it is tolerated or supported.

“Hii maneno ya goonism, it will consume you,” he said. “Hii RSF started as a criminal gang, ya El Bashir. Then it developed into a state militia backed by the state. Today, it is a problem for the people of Sudan.”

He suggested that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group involved in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, began as a criminal outfit and later gained state backing before becoming uncontrollable.

“And probably that is why you are happy to work with them,” he added.

Gachagua also made claims about the issuance of Kenyan travel documents, linking them to security concerns.

“Na huyu … wako, ndiye anapeana passports to criminals threatening world order and peace. Criminals of RSF have been given passports here,” he said.

The Interior Ministry has previously denied claims that Kenyan passports are issued to non-citizens linked to the RSF, insisting that strict verification processes are followed before any document is issued-PeopleDaily.digital.

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National Assembly dismisses claims Sacco Bill is being rushed through Parliament

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The National Assembly has dismissed reports that the Sacco Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is being rushed through Parliament, saying the proposed law is still undergoing public participation.

Through infographics shared on Facebook on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Parliament said misleading information had been circulating online about the Bill, formally known as the Sacco Societies (Amendment) Bill, National Assembly Bill No. 32 of 2025.

Bill was published in June 2025

The National Assembly said the Bill was published on June 30, 2025, and had remained under consideration for more than 12 months.

It rejected suggestions that lawmakers were fast-tracking the proposed amendments without allowing enough time for scrutiny.

According to Parliament, the lengthy period between the publication of the Bill and its current consideration shows that it is not being rushed.

Bill currently before the National Assembly committee

The Sacco Societies Amendment Bill is currently before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.

The committee is conducting public participation and receiving views from members of the public and other stakeholders.

The submissions are expected to help the committee assess the proposed amendments before presenting its recommendations to the National Assembly.

What happens after public participation?

After the public participation process is concluded, the committee will prepare a report containing its findings and recommendations.

Parliament said the views submitted by members of the public and stakeholders could inform further amendments to the Bill.

The proposed legislation will then proceed to the National Assembly for consideration by MPs.

This means the Bill has not yet completed the legislative process and could still be amended based on the submissions received during public participation.

Bill will be forwarded to Senate

The National Assembly also clarified that the Bill will not proceed directly for presidential assent after being passed by MPs.

Because the proposed legislation concerns county governments, it will be forwarded to the Senate for consideration in accordance with the Constitution.

The Senate will be required to consider the Bill before it can complete the parliamentary process and be presented for presidential assent.

Parliament urged members of the public to rely on verified information about the Sacco Societies Amendment Bill instead of unconfirmed reports circulating online-PeopleDaily.Digital.

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Digital house-hunting platform bets on technology to reshape Nairobi’s rental market

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NAIROBI, Kenya, July 14 – A growing shift towards digital property searches is changing how Kenyans find rental homes, with real estate technology platform Reemio positioning itself as a solution to longstanding challenges.

This included fraudulent listings, costly house searches and limited market transparency.

As younger, tech-savvy consumers turn to online platforms to make purchasing decisions, the company says digitizing the rental process could improve efficiency for both tenants and landlords while lowering transaction costs.

“Our niche is to solve the problem of house hunting and also bring trust into that process. We use technology to connect renters and landlords,” said Kimani.

Kimani said the platform seeks to address inefficiencies that have traditionally made house hunting expensive and time-consuming.

Instead of physically visiting multiple properties, users can browse verified listings, take virtual tours, compare amenities and access information on additional costs such as water charges, electricity bills and service fees before scheduling physical viewings.

Beyond improving convenience for tenants, Reemio argues that technology can help landlords reduce marketing costs, shorten vacancy periods and reach a wider pool of prospective tenants, including Kenyans living abroad.

The company says its platform also generates market data that can help property owners and developers better understand evolving consumer preferences, although its long-term impact will depend on wider adoption of digital property platforms and continued investment in trustworthy online real estate marketplaces-Capitalfm.co.ke.

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ORPP edges two parties closer to joining Kenya’s political arena

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The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has issued a notice for the provisional registration of two proposed political parties, opening a seven-day window for members of the public to lodge objections.

In a notice published by the Registrar of Political Parties and Chief Executive Officer J.C. Lorionokou, the ORPP announced that the Social Democratic Party of Kenya (SDP) and the People’s Alternative Voice (PAV) are in the process of being provisionally registered under Section 5(2)(a) of the Political Parties Act.

The ORPP, a State office established under Section 33 of the Political Parties Act and Article 260 of the Constitution, said its mandate includes registering and regulating political parties as well as administering the Political Parties Fund.

According to the notice, the Social Democratic Party of Kenya (SDP) has adopted pink, white and sky blue as its official party colours, with the slogan “Change – Mageuzi.” The party’s symbol is the acronym SDP enclosed inside a circle.

The party’s listed founder members are Nyangong’ Duncan Nyumbah, Omwandasi Jared Dishon and Kinyua Mary Wacuka.

The founders of PAV are listed as Odenyo John Fitzgerald Elly, Nyando Rachel Mmboga and Ali Hussein Kiplangat.

The Registrar said particulars of the two proposed political parties have been published on the ORPP website to facilitate public scrutiny as required by law.

Any person wishing to oppose the provisional registration of either party has seven days from the date of publication of the notice to submit objections either in writing or in person to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties at Lion Place, Fourth Floor, Waiyaki Way at Karuna Close, Nairobi.

The provisional registration marks the first step in the legal process of establishing a political party in Kenya.

Kenya has 91 fully registered political parties. The ORPP’s updated register indicates that, as of January 2026, there were 91 parties that had met the legal requirements for full registration under the Political Parties Act-STAR.

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