Chief Justice Martha Koome joined regional Chief Justices for the opening ceremony of the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices’ (SEACJF) Annual Conference in Zanzibar, attended by the President of Zanzibar, H.E. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi.

The conference themed “Transforming Justice Delivery: Innovation, Efficiency and Court Administration Reform.”

Speaking at the conference, CJ Koome called on African Judiciaries and governments to strengthen the relationship between justice systems and the people they serve, even in the face of resource constraints.

She said this could be achieved through institutional reforms, technology, effective case management and prudent use of available resources.

"Financial independence of Judiciaries means the capacity to determine resource needs, receive allocated funds in a timely and predictable manner, manage them according to judicial priorities, and remain free from improper influence while accounting responsibly for public resources,” she said.

Sharing Kenya’s experience, CJ Koome said the people-centred justice model prioritises citizens’ justice needs over physical infrastructure.

She highlighted initiatives including the e-filing system, virtual courts, the Case Tracking System, Mahakama Popote and multi-door pathways to justice, which have helped make justice more accessible, timely and cost-effective.

Kwetu Nairobi, Curio Collection by Hilton has been recognized in Tripadvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards Best of the Best for 2026.

The highest level of Tripadvisor’s awards, the Best of the Best winners are among the top 1% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor.

As the world’s largest travel guidance platform, Tripadvisor has unparalleled authority with travelers and diners.

This award is based on genuine feedback from anyone in the community who has visited and left an authentic, first-hand review on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period, making it a valuable and trustworthy designation of travelers’ favorites.

"Being named among Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best 2026 is incredibly meaningful to us because it reflects the experiences and voices of the people who matter most: our guests. We are deeply grateful to every guest who has chosen Kwetu Nairobi and taken the time to share their experience, and equally proud of our team, whose passion and commitment to genuine hospitality bring our philosophy of Our Place, Your Home to life every day. To be counted among travelers’ favorites is an honor we share with all of them,” says Alexandre Glauser, General Manager, Kwetu Nairobi, Curio Collection by Hilton.

"Congratulations to Kwetu Nairobi, Curio Collection by Hilton on its Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award: Best of the Best win for 2026,” said Laurel Greatrix, Chief Communications Officer, Tripadvisor Group.

“Earning a place among the top percentage of listings globally is no small feat. It reflects the lasting impression made on travelers who took the time to go online and leave a glowing review about their experience. Travelers look to Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best as a trusted guide to the world’s top destinations and experiences. We hope this recognition helps inspire even more visitors in 2026 and beyond!”

Kwetu Nairobi, Curio Collection by Hilton has been recognized in Tripadvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards Best of the Best for 2026.

The highest level of Tripadvisor’s awards, the Best of the Best winners are among the top 1% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor.

As the world’s largest travel guidance platform, Tripadvisor has unparalleled authority with travelers and diners.

This award is based on genuine feedback from anyone in the community who has visited and left an authentic, first-hand review on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period, making it a valuable and trustworthy designation of travelers’ favorites.

“Being named among Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best 2026 is incredibly meaningful to us because it reflects the experiences and voices of the people who matter most: our guests. We are deeply grateful to every guest who has chosen Kwetu Nairobi and taken the time to share their experience, and equally proud of our team, whose passion and commitment to genuine hospitality bring our philosophy of Our Place, Your Home to life every day. To be counted among travelers’ favorites is an honor we share with all of them,” says Alexandre Glauser, General Manager, Kwetu Nairobi, Curio Collection by Hilton.

“Congratulations to Kwetu Nairobi, Curio Collection by Hilton on its Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award: Best of the Best win for 2026,” said Laurel Greatrix, Chief Communications Officer, Tripadvisor Group.

“Earning a place among the top percentage of listings globally is no small feat. It reflects the lasting impression made on travelers who took the time to go online and leave a glowing review about their experience. Travelers look to Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best as a trusted guide to the world’s top destinations and experiences. We hope this recognition helps inspire even more visitors in 2026 and beyond!”

MAFA Academy from Isiolo and MCF Starlets from Machakos have been crowned the new Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Region champions after dominant performances in the boys’ and girls’ finals held at Moi Stadium in Embu.

MAFA Academy claimed their maiden regional title in a spectacular fashion, after overpowering Mikinduri Rock-Star FC 8-0 in a one-sided boys’ final.

Zakar Mohamed opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the seventh minute after Linus Mwirigi was penalised for bringing down Hussein Edin inside the box. Edin doubled MAFA’s advantage in the 18th minute before Abduba Daud added a third two minutes before the break to give the Isiolo side a 3-0 lead at half-time.

MAFA picked up from where they left off in the second half, with Abdizak Ali finding the back of the net in the 56th minute before Mohamed grabbed his second goal of the match in the 68th minute. Wako Dabaso then joined the scoring spree, netting twice in the 71st and 81st minutes to stretch MAFA’s lead to 7-0. Mohamed completed his hat-trick in the 85th minute, capping a superb individual performance and sealing a commanding 8-0 victory for the Isiolo outfit.

Mikinduri Rock-Star FC came close to finding a consolation goal in the 55th minute, but their effort came back off the crossbar as MAFA comfortably saw out the contest.

“This is a big milestone in our football journey as an academy. We have been preparing for this tournament for two years, and today we are very proud of what the boys have achieved. They played good football and made sure we maintained possession as per our game plan. Personally, Chapa Dimba took me to Spain, and now, coming back as a coach and winning the regional title is something I am very happy about. The journey is not yet over. Our focus now immediately shifts to the National Finals,” said Ibrahim Abdisalan, Head Coach, MAFA Academy.

In the girls’ final, MCF Starlets from Machakos denied hosts Manyatta Royal Queens Academy home advantage, overcoming the Embu side 3-1 to lift the regional crown.

MCF Starlets took the lead in the 17th minute before doubling their advantage in the 62nd minute. Royal Queens responded three minutes later, with Justa Mwende pulling one back in the 65th minute to give the hosts hope of a comeback.

However, MCF Starlets remained composed and continued to threaten on the counter. They sealed the victory in the 90th minute when Jacinta Nzuna found the back of the net for a third time, extinguishing Royal Queens’ hopes of a late fightback and securing the Machakos side the Eastern Region title.

“Nothing makes us happier than winning the Chapa Dimba Regional Trophy. It has been our dream, and we are proud to be the first team to take the regional trophy to Machakos. We came well prepared, although it was not an easy game because we were playing the hosts and they had tremendous support from their fans,” said Abednego Matata, Head Coach, MCF Starlets

“We thank Safaricom for giving these young girls a platform to showcase their talent. They are very happy and highly motivated. At the Nationals, we know we will not only be representing Machakos but the entire Eastern Region. We are determined to ensure the Season Five national trophy comes to Eastern.” Added Matata.

In addition to securing a place in the National Finals, both MAFA Academy and MCF Starlets took home Ksh. 250,000 each, alongside individual prizes including smartphones and airtime.

The runners-up, Mikinduri Rock-Star FC and Manyatta Royal Queens Academy, received Ksh. 150,000 each.

The Best Goalkeeper awards went to Redemptah Mutanu of MCF Starlets and Abdullahi Muhammed of MAFA Academy, while the Top Scorer awards were claimed by Justa Mwende of Royal Queens and Zakar Mohammed of MAFA Academy.

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards went to Cecilia Wanjiku of MCF Starlets and Hussein Edin of MAFA Academy. Each MVP received Ksh. 30,000, in addition to a fully funded tertiary education scholarship under Safaricom’s Citizens of the Future Programme.

MAFA Academy and MCF Starlets now join Awendo Football Academy and Plateau Queens of the Nyanza Region, St. Joseph Starlets and LYSA from the Central Region, and Vihiga Cranes and Lugari Progressive from the Western Region, who have already secured their places in the National Finals.

The Eastern Region finals were preceded by an exhibition match between Safaricom staff and Embu-based journalists, with the Safaricom team securing a 3-0 victory.

With the Eastern Region finals now concluded, Safaricom Chapa Dimba heads to the Nairobi Region as the nationwide youth football tournament continues its search for the country’s next generation of football stars.

Safaricom Chapa Dimba is a nationwide tournament targeting young people aged 14 to 17 years, providing them with a platform to showcase their talent, compete at the highest level and pursue opportunities both on and off the pitch.

The Parish Priest of St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church, Mikindani, Father Patrick Maingi, has recalled emotional moments involving some of the 16 church members who died in a road accident while travelling to Subukia for the National Prayer Day.

Father Maingi said some of the pilgrims appeared to have had a deep sense of peace in the days leading to their journey, leaving the church community reflecting on their final moments.

“I remember one of them approached me on Wednesday and told me, ‘Father, I am now at peace. I have achieved what I had been longing for,’” Father Maingi recalled.

He also narrated how another church member visited his office shortly before the journey and paid her tithe, explaining that she did not want to “go to God with any debt.”

“There is another one who came to the office and paid her tithe, saying she does not want to go to God with any debt,” he said.

According to Father Maingi, it is a norm at the church for members to pray before embarking on any journey, with the priest blessing them before departure.

“As a norm, before we start any journey, we have to pray and I bless the team. That is what I did on Friday afternoon before they left,” he said.

He said the moments have remained deeply emotional for the church, but added that the faith of the departed members should also give the congregation comfort.

“As a church, we should be proud that our colleagues are now in a better place, resting,” Father Maingi said.

The priest said he received news of the accident at around 12:10am after a traffic officer, who is also a member of the church, contacted him.

“I received the message of the accident at around 12:10am. The traffic officer who called me is a member of this church,” he said.

Father Maingi said the officer was able to identify some of the victims through the scarves they were wearing, which had been branded with the name of St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church.

“He identified the victims from the scarves they were wearing on their heads, which had been branded St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church,” he said.

The priest said the church is now considering holding a special joint service to remember all the departed members.

“We are planning to have a joint service for all our departed colleagues here at the church. That will also depend on the planning team, but that is our wish,” Father Maingi said.

He also expressed gratitude to leaders and well-wishers who have stood with the church and bereaved families during the difficult period.

“We thank our leaders for standing with us during this difficult time,” he said.

The tragedy has plunged the Mikindani Catholic community into mourning, with relatives, friends and fellow worshippers coming to terms with the loss of the pilgrims who were travelling to Subukia for the National Prayer Day.

The church continues to offer prayers and support to the bereaved families as preparations for the final send-off of the victims continue.

President William Ruto has vowed to end the long-standing squatter problem at the Coast region, saying his administration will accelerate the issuance of title deeds to residents who have lived on their land for decades without formal ownership documents.

Speaking on Friday at Mama Ngina Drive in Mombasa during the issuance of title deeds to residents, President Ruto said his government was targeting the issuance of 300,000 title deeds as part of efforts to address historical land ownership challenges at the Coast.

“Residents of the Coast region have been living like squatters for a very long time. It is high time that we do away with this,” Ruto said.

The President said the government was determined to ensure residents acquired legal ownership of their land and ended years of uncertainty, court battles and disputes involving land.

“That is why my government has decided to issue title deeds to the residents. We are issuing 300,000 title deeds. The issue of squatters has to stop,” he said.

Ruto acknowledged the challenges faced by Coast residents, including prolonged court cases and alleged land grabbing, saying the government would intervene to protect legitimate landowners.

“I know the challenges you have been facing. Some of you have been suffering from court cases, your land being grabbed by grabbers. This is what we want to finish,” the President said.

He told residents receiving the documents that they would leave the event with their title deeds, describing the move as part of efforts to restore security of land ownership.

“All of you here will leave with your title deeds,” he said.

The President also issued a warning to individuals he accused of illegally acquiring land, saying the government would take action against land grabbing.

“I know we still have many residents who have been going through hell from land grabbers. We are going to deal with the land grabbers. Your time is up,” Ruto said.

He said the government would not allow people to use illegally acquired title deeds to intimidate or displace other Kenyans.

“You cannot continue to let our people suffer because you acquired title deeds illegally. The government is going to stand with the people,” he said.

Ruto further said the government would not tolerate demolitions arising from disputed land ownership and maintained that all Kenyans should be treated equally before the law.

“We will not allow demolitions. No Kenyan is more special than the other,” he said, adding that many of the individuals involved in alleged land grabbing were based in Mombasa.

Joho: Residents waited decades for title deeds

Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho welcomed the issuance of the title deeds, saying many Coast residents had waited for decades to secure formal ownership of their land.

Joho said some residents had reached old age without receiving title deeds for land they had occupied for many years.

“It is very sad that some of our people had to wait until they reached 60 and 70 years to get their titles,” Joho said.

He commended the President for what he described as a significant step towards giving Coast residents security of land ownership.

“President Ruto, you have really dignified our people through issuing these title deeds,” Joho said.

The CS also criticised previous administrations, arguing that they had failed to adequately address the region’s longstanding land ownership challenges.

“The previous governments failed. They were not keen on empowering our people through ensuring they get their title deeds,” Joho said.

The issuance of the title deeds is expected to provide residents with formal documentation of land ownership and help address longstanding disputes and insecurity surrounding land in parts of the Coast region.

The National Land Commission (NLC) has launched a landmark report seeking to address the longstanding land ownership crisis at the Coast, including the plight of thousands of residents living on ancestral land without title deeds.

NLC Chairman Dr Abdillahi Saggaf Alawy said the Tenants-at-Will report provides a roadmap for addressing the challenges facing squatters, tenants and communities that have lived on land for generations without secure tenure.

Speaking in Mombasa during the launch of the report, Dr Alawy said the commission would use the proposed regulations to strengthen mechanisms for investigating historical land injustices and reviewing land grants and dispositions suspected to have been acquired illegally.

“The Tenants-at-Will report provides a clear roadmap towards addressing the longstanding challenges faced by communities living on ancestral land without title deeds. Through the proposed regulations, we want to ensure that historical claims are properly investigated and that legitimate land rights are protected,” he said.

The launch, co-funded by the European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), also marked the beginning of public participation on two key regulations — the Historical Land Injustices (HLI) Regulations and the Review of Grants and Disposition (RGD) Regulations.

The HLI Regulations are intended to strengthen the commission’s ability to investigate and address historical land claims, while the RGD Regulations seek to provide a framework for reviewing land grants and dispositions that may have been irregularly acquired.

The process has renewed hopes among residents and descendants of historical communities in Mombasa, many of whom say they have lived on land they consider ancestral property for decades without title deeds.

Speaking during the launch former Mombasa mayor elderly  Rajab Sumba said the Coast had continued to experience land ownership challenges since independence, linking the region’s problems to historical laws and land administration systems.

“We, the people of the Coast region, have been living as squatters on our own land. The injustices we have faced date back many years and continue to haunt us to this day. We thank God that President William Ruto has shown willingness to address some of these longstanding issues and help find a lasting solution,” Sumba said.

Likoni MP Mishi Mboko challenged the National Land Commission to put in place strict and effective measures to resolve the longstanding land question at the Coast.

Mboko said Members of Parliament were ready to support legislative amendments and other recommendations aimed at addressing historical land injustices and securing land rights for affected communities.

“As Members of Parliament, we are ready to help you in passing the amendments and other recommendations that will help us solve the historical land injustices. It is very unfortunate that past governments have not been able to help, but instead have made things even harder for our people,” Mboko said.

She said some of the disputed land holdings were linked to former political figures and alleged that political affiliations and connections had in some cases been used to facilitate land acquisition.

“The other sad part is that most of these lands with problems are linked to former politicians who also used dubious means to acquire them. Some used to get these lands through political affiliations and connections,” she added.

Mboko urged the NLC to ensure that the review process is transparent and leads to practical solutions for communities that have endured land disputes for generations.

Six counties in the Nyanza and Western regions are set to benefit from improved newborn care following the handover of neonatal incubators under the Okoa Malaika programme.

The equipment, donated by Ushiriki Wema Foundation, is intended to support premature and critically ill babies, addressing gaps in facilities where health workers may lack the equipment needed to save newborn lives.

Speaking during the Phase Nine handover at Lumumba Sub-County Hospital in Kisumu, foundation chairperson Tessie Musalia said the incubators represented more than medical equipment, offering vulnerable newborns a better chance of survival.

She called on beneficiary counties and hospitals to ensure the equipment was properly installed, maintained and supported by trained health workers, warning that its impact depended on whether it remained functional and readily available when needed.

The latest phase targets Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Kisii, Nyamira and Migori counties, extending support to facilities serving mothers and newborns across the region.

Kisumu First Lady Dorothy Nyong’o welcomed the intervention, noting that referral hospitals serve families beyond county boundaries, including patients from neighbouring counties and across the borders with Uganda and Tanzania.

She said strengthening newborn services at the facility would therefore benefit families far beyond Kisumu, while urging health teams to use the donated equipment effectively and sustain improvements through training and mentorship.

The handover comes as Kenya pursues its Every Woman, Every Newborn, Everywhere acceleration plan, which seeks to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

For families whose babies arrive too soon or require specialised care, access to functioning equipment and skilled health workers can make the difference between life and death.

The County Government of Mombasa announced today a 15% decrease in both reported road traffic crashes and series injuries in 2025 compared with 2024--marking encouraging progress in the county’s efforts to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries.

This data comes from the newly released Mombasa Road Safety Report 2025.
Mombasa Deputy Governor  Francis Thoya officially released the report, which was created with the support of global health organization Vital Strategies as part of the county’s participation in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS).

Speaking during the launch, Thoya said that the findings indicated encouraging progress after years of efforts to save lives.

“Sustaining this progress will require renewed commitment from all stakeholders. I therefore urge the National Police Service, the National Transport and Safety Authority, county departments, development partners and all other stakeholders to mobilize the resources and collective action needed to further strengthen road safety, particularly along the high-risk Mombasa–Nairobi and Mombasa–Malindi corridors,” said Thoya.

He further reiterated that significant challenges remained in addressing and reducing road traffic fatalities and reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to continued collaboration with the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety and other road safety partners towards achieving zero road traffic deaths and ensuring safer roads for all Mombasa residents.

The report further highlights Mombasa–Nairobi Road, Mombasa–Malindi Road, Makupa
Causeway, Likoni–Ukunda Road, and Port Reitz–Airport Road as the top five fatal crash
corridors.

Two- and three-wheeler users accounted for 44% of all reported road traffic deaths, while pedestrians accounted for 37%.

Males accounted for 86% of reported fatalities, while deaths and serious injuries were frequently reported among people aged 30 to 39 years.

According to the report, the highest number of deaths resulted from crashes that occurred on Saturdays, with fatalities frequently associated with crashes occurring between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 am and between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

The report further indicated that vulnerable road users continued to bear a significant share of the road safety burden.

Mombasa county Traffic Officer, Antony Nyongesa, said the report would strengthen the use of evidence to guide targeted enforcement efforts, public awareness, infrastructure improvements and other interventions towards the locations, road users and times associated with the greatest risk.

“This report is an invaluable resource for guiding evidence-based enforcement and
strengthening our collective response to road safety challenges. The insights
enable us to focus our efforts where they can have the greatest impact in
preventing crashes, reducing fatalities and minimizing serious injuries,” Asha said.

“While enforcement remains central to our mandate, road safety cannot be achieved through enforcement alone. Sustainable improvements require strong partnerships, safer road engineering, continuous public education, informed planning and close collaboration among all stakeholders,” she added.

Regional Technical Advisor for Africa on Road Injury Surveillance at Vital Strategies Dr. Raphael Awuah, highlighted the importance of using data and evidence from the report to inform targeted policy, infrastructure improvements and road safety interventions.

“This report provides a detailed, data-driven analysis of road traffic crashes, deaths and injuries recorded in Mombasa in 2025. By identifying vulnerable road user groups, crash patterns and high-risk locations, the findings provide critical evidence to guide targeted
interventions and inform decisions aimed at reducing road traffic deaths and
serious injuries.”

“The report also examines behavioral risk factors among road users and highlights interventions currently being implemented to improve urban road safety. Its primary goal is to provide a strong evidence base to inform policy decisions, guide targeted infrastructure improvements and support strategic interventions aimed at reducing road traffic injuries and fatalities in Mombasa,” he added.

Mombasa County is committed to implementing global best practices to prevent road crashes and save lives through mass media campaigns, journalist training on road safety reporting, capacity building for enforcement officers, and infrastructure improvements that accommodate all road users.

“A recent post-campaign survey found that speeding remains the leading perceived cause of crashes, cited by 84% of respondents. Encouragingly, acceptance of speeding is declining, while 77% support a 30 km/h residential speed limit and 71% support lower limits near pedestrian areas,
Mombasa continues its work through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS).

In April 2026, Mombasa County announced that it would continue its participation in the initiative as part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ global commitment to preventing traffic deaths and injuries.

The collaboration supports proven road safety policies and infrastructure improvements, connected cycling networks, and continued efforts to reduce dangerous speeding.

While the 15% reduction in fatalities and serious injuries represents important progress, 84 people still lost their lives on the roads of Mombasa County in 2025, and the decline should be interpreted cautiously, as a single year of change does not necessarily indicate a sustained trend.

Continued monitoring and consistent data over time will be important to assess whether these gains can be sustained.

The report underscores the need for sustained action to protect vulnerable road users and address risks along Mombasa’s most dangerous corridors.

Nyali parliamentary aspirant Said Abdalla ‘Saido’ has intensified his voter registration campaign ahead of the 2027 General Election, urging residents to take an active role in shaping the country’s political future.

Saido led a voter sensitisation drive in Kadzandani and Freretown Wards, where he encouraged residents who have not registered to obtain their voter cards and participate in the electoral process.

He said voter registration was an important first step in ensuring residents have a voice in choosing their leaders.

“Your vote is your voice. If you want to determine the kind of leadership you want, you must register as a voter and participate in the elections,” Saido said.

He urged young people in Nyali, in particular, to take advantage of the voter registration exercise, saying their participation would be critical in the 2027 elections.

“We cannot continue complaining about leadership if we are not willing to participate in the process. I am asking every eligible resident, especially our young people, to register and make their voices heard,” he said.

Support for Small-Scale Traders

During the exercise, Saido also extended financial support to small-scale traders in the area, recognising their role in supporting families and sustaining the local economy.

He issued cheques totalling Sh300,000 to small-scale traders, saying the assistance was intended to help them keep their businesses running amid economic difficulties.

“Our small traders are the backbone of many families in Nyali. They wake up every day to look for something to put on the table. At a time when the cost of doing business is high, we must stand with them,” Saido said.

He said the support would help traders sustain their businesses, earn a livelihood and meet their daily household needs.

“This is not just about giving money. It is about helping someone keep their business alive, support their family and continue earning a living with dignity,” he added.

Saido linked the economic difficulties facing traders to a number of factors affecting the cost of doing business, including disruptions to global trade arising from the crisis in the Middle East.

“What happens internationally eventually affects the ordinary mwananchi. When global trade is disrupted, the cost of goods and doing business goes up, and it is the small trader who feels the impact most,” he said.

The aspirant said he would continue engaging residents across Nyali as he seeks to build grassroots support ahead of the 2027 elections.

The voter sensitisation campaign comes 318 days before the 2027 General Election, with political activity expected to intensify as parties and aspirants position themselves ahead of the polls.