By Katie Mohamed

Domestic violence is tearing at the moral fabric of our nation. Survivors are silenced, perpetrators are protected, and communities remain complicit. Confronting this crisis requires courage, empathy, and collective responsibility.

The Violence Hidden in Plain Sight

For years, I believed that what happened behind closed doors was mine to manage, a burden to bear, and a secret to keep. I thought silence would keep me safe. It did not. Silence protects harm, not healing. The impact of domestic violence extends far beyond the home. It shapes the way children grow, the way families function, and the way society views power and control. When women live in fear, the entire nation is weakened. A country cannot thrive when safety is a privilege.

A Crisis in Numbers

Domestic violence is one of South Africa’s most underreported crimes. Behind every statistic is a life disrupted by fear and a story erased by shame.

• In 2024, SAPS recorded more than 55,000 cases of domestic violence. Experts estimate that for every report, at least nine cases go unrecorded.
• The South African Medical Research Council reports that one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner in her lifetime.
• Between April 2021 and March 2022, 41,739 rapes were reported, with 62% taking place in homes.
• Half of all women murdered in South Africa are killed by their intimate partners.
• The Human Sciences Research Council found that 21% of women have been physically abused by a partner, while 7.9% have endured sexual violence in a relationship.

 These figures expose a pattern of violence that permeates every layer of society. Domestic violence affects children’s development, burdens the healthcare system, and destabilises communities. It undermines economic productivity and drains national resources. Every unreported case widens the gap between justice and protection.

 The Hidden Wounds

Violence is not always visible. It can be the controlling partner who tracks every movement, the financial dependence that erodes freedom, or the constant humiliation disguised as affection. I know this intimately. I lived through the quiet kind, the one that drains your spirit while you smile for the world. I was a professional, a mother, a public figure, yet behind the façade was fear.

That fear lingers long after the shouting stops. It appears in the instinct to flinch, the anxiety at sudden sounds, and the loss of trust in one’s own safety. Recovery takes time, patience, and courage to speak, even when the voice trembles.

From Awareness to Action

Awareness alone does not save lives. Action does. Law enforcement must treat domestic violence as a violent crime, ensuring survivors are heard, believed, and protected from the moment they seek help. The courts must prioritise cases of abuse, granting protection orders swiftly and applying firm sentences to those who harm. Shelters and support centres need sustainable funding, counselling services, and secure locations accessible to women in every province. Workplaces should adopt clear domestic violence policies to safeguard jobs and offer psychological and financial support. Schools must integrate education on respect, consent, and emotional intelligence to break the cycle early. Faith and community leaders carry influence. They can challenge harmful cultural norms and create spaces where survivors are met with compassion, not judgment. Accountability also lies with the public. When neighbours, friends, or colleagues stay silent, they protect the perpetrator, not the victim. Every person has a duty to act when harm is visible.

A Nation’s Duty

October, marked as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, calls the country to confront its conscience. It is a time to listen to the stories long ignored, to stand beside those who have survived, and to hold accountable those who have enabled harm through silence or neglect.

Domestic violence reflects the values of a nation. A society that tolerates abuse cannot call itself free or just. Safety must be a right for every woman, child, and family, regardless of income or status.

This month needs to renew our commitment to systemic change. The crisis demands collective will: from government that enforces protection, from institutions that uphold justice, and from citizens who refuse to look away.

Collective healing begins when truth is acknowledged and accountability becomes the norm. When women heal, families rebuild. When homes are safe, nations grow stronger.

About the Author :

Katie Mohamed is the CEO and Founder of BrandFusion, W-Suite, and ChangeHub. A strategist, speaker, and media personality with over 30 years’ experience, she is passionate about women’s empowerment, leadership, and nation branding. Through her platforms, she champions conversations that inspire personal growth, social impact, and sustainable change.

President William Ruto has posthumously conferred on the late Raila Odinga the highest honour in Kenya, Chief of the Golden Heart of Kenya (CGH).

The conferment was formalized under Gazette Notice No. 15198, titled “Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya,” and reflects the nation’s official recognition of Mr. Odinga’s monumental contributions to the country’s democratic journey and political history.

"The government and people of Kenya inscribe Hon Raila Odinga’s name among the foremost of our heroes, under the public seal of the Republic." Ruto said.

"On behalf of a grateful nation, and through the authority vested in me as President, I have today posthumously conferred upon the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga the highest honour of the Republic, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (C.G.H.)."

The award recognizes a political career spanning over four decades, during which the former Premier served as a Member of Parliament, an Opposition leader, and ultimately the country’s Second Prime Minister. The Gazette emphasizes that he consistently upheld ideals of democracy, socio-economic prosperity, and Pan-Africanism.

The Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya is reserved for the most distinguished service to the nation and is rarely awarded. Past recipients include heads of state and extraordinary figures who have shaped the country’s destiny.

The conferment comes a day after the former Prime Minister was laid to rest at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County. 

Raila died on October 15, 2025, while receiving treatment at Devamatha Hospital in Kerala, India. 

The government has declared Friday, October 17, 2025, a public holiday in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga, who passed away while receiving treatment in India.

In a special gazette notice published on Thursday, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, announced the declaration under Section 3 of the Public Holidays Act (Cap 110).

“It is notified for the general information of the public that in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares that Friday, the 17th October, 2025, shall be a public holiday in honour of the departed former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga,” the notice read.

A state funeral will be held at Nyayo Stadium on Friday.

Raila's body is expected to arrive at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 9:30am where it will be received by President William Ruto and the late ODM boss's close family members. 

From JKIA, Raila's body will be moved to Lee Funeral Home before being transported to the Parliament buildings, where it will lie in state.

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Executive Secretary Dr Workneh Gebeyehu has mourned the death of former Kenya Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

In his condolence message, Dr Gebeyehu described the late Raila Odinga as a Pan-Africanist, he dedicated his life to the pursuit of democracy, justice, and unity.

"Today, Africa mourns the loss of one of its most iconic sons, H.E. Raila Amolo Odinga.An unwavering Pan-Africanist, he dedicated his life to the pursuit of democracy, justice, and unity. His lifelong struggle for freedom and equality inspired generations across Kenya and beyond, reminding us that leadership is not about power, but about service and sacrifice." reads the statement.

Adding "IGAD stands with the people and Government of Kenya in this moment of profound sorrow. His legacy will forever echo in the democratic foundations he helped build and in the enduring hope he instilled across our continent.May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his example continue to guide us toward a freer and more united Africa."

A pall of profound sorrow descended upon Kenya and the African continent on October 15, 2025, with the news of the passing of Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.

The Speaker of the Senate, Rt. Hon. Amason Jeffah Kingi, encapsulated the national mood, declaring that "A COLOSSUS HAS FALLEN".

He mourned Hon. Odinga, revered by many as "Baba," as a true son of the soil, a patriot, Pan Africanist, and a fearless defender of democracy and the rule of law, saying his death was a source of deep shock and grief for the nation. 

The Senate Speaker further acknowledged Odinga's monumental political influence, stating that he was a political giant who mentored many.

Kingi himself attested to Odinga’s personal and political mentorship, calling him his political mentor and father figure, adding, "I was privileged to have passed through the Raila Odinga Academy of Politics".

 Odinga’s legacy included championing multipartysim and being celebrated as the father of devolution in Kenya following his staunch support for the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. 

His impact on the nation's political landscape was undeniable. As the Speaker noted, "Baba shaped the politics of this country and was loved and celebrated by many". 

Speaker Kingi described the loss as an event that would irrevocably alter the nation's course: "The political terrain of this country will never be the same again," the Speaker stressed adding that "the country and the continent have lost a great son, an icon".

In a poignant use of an African proverb, the Speaker reflected on the magnitude of the loss, stating, "As they say, Mti mkubwa ukianguka, wana wa ndege huyumba," loosely translated to when a big tree falls, the young birds scatter. 

He expressed the collective devastation of the country saying, "Baba, we are devastated by this huge loss. Kenya will miss you, Africa will miss you and the World will miss you".

The Speaker concluded by extending his condolences "to Mama Ida and family", and offering a final prayer: "May the Good Lord Rest his soul in eternal peace".

By Kwame Akyeampong (GEEAP Panelist & Professor of International Education and Development at The Open University)

In classrooms across Kenya, millions of children attend school each day, yet some will leave school without having learnt the basic skills of literacy and unable to read a simple text.

Across Sub-Saharan Africa almost 9 in 10 children are unable to read and comprehend a simple text by age 10 (World Bank, 2020). Literacy is not a distant goal, it is the foundation upon which much of a pupil’s academic journey depends, and for Kenya’s children, the consequences of inaction are enormous.

The ‘literacy crisis’ is complex, but two things are clear: teachers lack confidence in teaching literacy effectively, and some children are not learning foundational literacy skills despite being in school.

Research I conducted across Kenya and five other African countries in 2013 found that newly qualified teachers consistently listed literacy as a difficult subject to teach, with tasks such as teaching pupils to ‘read for meaning’ perceived to be significantly more difficult than teaching letter sounds (Akyeampong et al, 2013).

While that study is almost a decade old, its findings remain strikingly relevant today as teacher preparation has not kept pace with the needs of learners.

For too long, pre-service and in-service teacher training has failed to equip educators with the skills and guidance they need to teach literacy effectively.

Curricula are inconsistent, pedagogical approaches are often unclear, and teachers are left to navigate classrooms with minimal support.

The result is a two-fold crisis: underprepared teachers who lack confidence in how to teach literacy effectively and children falling behind in acquiring their foundational literacy skills.

But there is now reason for optimism.

A forthcoming paper on Literacy endorsed by the Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel (GEEAP) provides clear, evidence-based guidance for teaching literacy in low- and middle-income contexts, including Kenya.

The paper is based on evidence from 75 countries across 106 languages and identifies the key skills pupils must learn, and that teacher must learn to teach, to effectively support the acquisition of literacy.

The principles of effective, evidence-based reading instruction are largely universal. Learning to read relies on two core skills (plus connection to writing, a separate skill), these skills are Decoding and Language comprehension.

Decoding is the ability to recognise written symbols (e.g., letters) and convert them into the sounds they represent to recognise words.

Language comprehension involves understanding the meaning of words, sentences and texts.

Decoding and language comprehension skills constantly interact while reading, and both are essential. To develop decoding and language comprehension skills, teachers need to provide children with explicit and systematic instruction in multiple literacy sub-skills.   

Teacher training institutions in Kenya and beyond must take note of these findings.

Training teachers to confidently deliver lessons focussing on developing the core literacy sub-skills should form a core component of both pre-service and in-service teacher training programmes.

Training must give teachers clear guidance, practical tools, and practical opportunities to develop their teaching practise in a classroom context.

This is not about adding more content to training programmes, which in many cases are already overly theoretical; it is about doing what works, focusing on strategies proven to deliver results.

To complement the teaching of these key skills policymakers and teachers can draw on evidence-based approaches or pedagogies to support the teaching of literacy and foundational skills more widely. Kenya’s TUSOME programme did just that.

Based on an approach called structured pedagogy, which the GEEAP’s Smart Buys paper labelled a ‘great buy’, it provided teachers with detailed lesson plans, student materials, and ongoing training and support.

Although TUSOME itself is no longer running, its core principles, well-designed materials, teacher support, and regular monitoring, have since been woven into Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Structured Pedagogy is only one of several Smart Buys highlighted by GEEAP, which when combined with the new evidence on literacy teaching and learning, can further strengthen classroom practice. 

The stakes could not be higher. Literacy underpins all subjects and equips children with the skills to participate fully in society and escape cycles of poverty.

By giving teachers the tools to teach reading effectively, Kenya can ensure children not only attend school but actually learn.

The evidence is clear and solutions exist: policymakers, teacher training institutions, and education partners must integrate evidence-based literacy strategies into pre-service and in-service teacher training. We now have the clearest evidence on how to achieve this.

Literacy is not an abstract goal; it is a basic human right and the key to opportunity. Kenya’s classrooms can lead the way, but only if teachers are confident, prepared, and equipped to teach children to read.

By Kwame Akyeampong (GEEAP Panelist & Professor of International Education and Development at The Open University)

In classrooms across Kenya, millions of children attend school each day, yet some will leave school without having learnt the basic skills of literacy and unable to read a simple text.

Across Sub-Saharan Africa almost 9 in 10 children are unable to read and comprehend a simple text by age 10 (World Bank, 2020). Literacy is not a distant goal, it is the foundation upon which much of a pupil’s academic journey depends, and for Kenya’s children, the consequences of inaction are enormous.

The ‘literacy crisis’ is complex, but two things are clear: teachers lack confidence in teaching literacy effectively, and some children are not learning foundational literacy skills despite being in school.

Research I conducted across Kenya and five other African countries in 2013 found that newly qualified teachers consistently listed literacy as a difficult subject to teach, with tasks such as teaching pupils to ‘read for meaning’ perceived to be significantly more difficult than teaching letter sounds (Akyeampong et al, 2013).

While that study is almost a decade old, its findings remain strikingly relevant today as teacher preparation has not kept pace with the needs of learners.

For too long, pre-service and in-service teacher training has failed to equip educators with the skills and guidance they need to teach literacy effectively.

Curricula are inconsistent, pedagogical approaches are often unclear, and teachers are left to navigate classrooms with minimal support.

The result is a two-fold crisis: underprepared teachers who lack confidence in how to teach literacy effectively and children falling behind in acquiring their foundational literacy skills.

But there is now reason for optimism.

A forthcoming paper on Literacy endorsed by the Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel (GEEAP) provides clear, evidence-based guidance for teaching literacy in low- and middle-income contexts, including Kenya.

The paper is based on evidence from 75 countries across 106 languages and identifies the key skills pupils must learn, and that teacher must learn to teach, to effectively support the acquisition of literacy.

The principles of effective, evidence-based reading instruction are largely universal. Learning to read relies on two core skills (plus connection to writing, a separate skill), these skills are Decoding and Language comprehension.

Decoding is the ability to recognise written symbols (e.g., letters) and convert them into the sounds they represent to recognise words.

Language comprehension involves understanding the meaning of words, sentences and texts.

Decoding and language comprehension skills constantly interact while reading, and both are essential. To develop decoding and language comprehension skills, teachers need to provide children with explicit and systematic instruction in multiple literacy sub-skills.   

Teacher training institutions in Kenya and beyond must take note of these findings.

Training teachers to confidently deliver lessons focussing on developing the core literacy sub-skills should form a core component of both pre-service and in-service teacher training programmes.

Training must give teachers clear guidance, practical tools, and practical opportunities to develop their teaching practise in a classroom context.

This is not about adding more content to training programmes, which in many cases are already overly theoretical; it is about doing what works, focusing on strategies proven to deliver results.

To complement the teaching of these key skills policymakers and teachers can draw on evidence-based approaches or pedagogies to support the teaching of literacy and foundational skills more widely. Kenya’s TUSOME programme did just that.

Based on an approach called structured pedagogy, which the GEEAP’s Smart Buys paper labelled a ‘great buy’, it provided teachers with detailed lesson plans, student materials, and ongoing training and support.

Although TUSOME itself is no longer running, its core principles, well-designed materials, teacher support, and regular monitoring, have since been woven into Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Structured Pedagogy is only one of several Smart Buys highlighted by GEEAP, which when combined with the new evidence on literacy teaching and learning, can further strengthen classroom practice. 

The stakes could not be higher. Literacy underpins all subjects and equips children with the skills to participate fully in society and escape cycles of poverty.

By giving teachers the tools to teach reading effectively, Kenya can ensure children not only attend school but actually learn.

The evidence is clear and solutions exist: policymakers, teacher training institutions, and education partners must integrate evidence-based literacy strategies into pre-service and in-service teacher training. We now have the clearest evidence on how to achieve this.

Literacy is not an abstract goal; it is a basic human right and the key to opportunity. Kenya’s classrooms can lead the way, but only if teachers are confident, prepared, and equipped to teach children to read.

Mombasa is set to make history with Anza MMA Fight Night, the first-ever Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event to take place in the city.

The landmark event will be hosted at Citi Mall, Nyali, on Saturday, October 11, 2025, and will showcase the rising talent and fighting spirit of Kenya’s coastal region.

The fight card will feature athletes from top combat sports gyms along the coast, including Diani Fight Club and Mombasa Sharks, putting the spotlight on local fighters who are helping grow the sport of MMA in Kenya.

Adding to the excitement, Anza MMA Fight Night will take place on the same weekend as the Mombasa Open Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship, which will gather over 100 competitors from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The back-to-back events promise to deliver a full day of high-level combat sports action, cementing Mombasa as a new hub for martial arts in East Africa.

“Anza MMA Fight Night is more than just a fight card—it’s a milestone moment for the coastal fight community,” said MMA Commissioner of the Kenya Oriental Combat Sports Federation Brian Munyi .

“This event is set to bring together communities from various combat sport disciplines including Muay Thai, Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Taekwondo and Karate to measure which of them reigns supreme.”

Fight fans can expect an evening packed with adrenaline, skill, and heart as MMA takes center stage in Mombasa for the very first time.

Kenya’s hit drama series Single Kiasi is back for its highly anticipated fourth season, now streaming exclusively on Showmax.

The series, which has consistently ranked among Showmax’s most-watched titles in Kenya, returns with more drama, higher stakes and deeper emotional twists.

This season, Nairobi’s beloved girl trio face their most challenging chapter yet—fighting for their lives, careers and relationships as they navigate love and ambition in the city’s unforgiving social scene.

The season was officially launched last week at an exclusive red-carpet event hosted at Monaco Nairobi (2nd October), attended by the show’s cast, crew, media and fans.

"We’re pushing the girls to their absolute limits,” said co-directors and co-producers Phillipe Bresson and Grace Kahaki.

“Every decision has a consequence. We wanted to explore what happens when strong women are pushed into the deep end, do they sink or swim? Viewers will see them fight for survival in Nairobi’s concrete jungle like never before.”

Season 4 picks up from the explosive cliffhanger that left fans on edge. Sintamei (Gathoni Mutua) grapples with guilt after a night of questionable choices with Nick (Lenana Kariba) and throws herself into work to restore her reputation.

Rebecca (Faith Kibathi) and Nick’s relationship is tested by family interference, while Mariah (Minne Kariuki), reborn from heartbreak, reclaims her power in a bold new relationship dynamic.

Returning this season includes Kevin Maina (2 Asunder), Wanjira Longauers (Disconnect: The Wedding Planner), Hellen Keli (Selina), Jimmy Gathu (The Chocolate Empire) and Joy Kendi.

New cast members include Brian Ogola (Second Family), Xavier Ywaya (Jiji), Maqbul Mohammed (Crime & Justice) and Silayio Neema (Qware). 

Single Kiasi remains one of the most-watched titles of the year on the African streamer in Kenya for three years in a row.

The hit drama series was recently at the 2025 Zanzibar International Film Festival where it was nominated Best TV Drama Series in East Africa.

At the 2024 Kalasha Awards, the show also scored four nods including Best TV Drama.

Single Kiasi continues to earn critical acclaim across the continent.

The series was recently nominated for Best TV Drama Series in East Africa at the 2025 Zanzibar International Film Festival and received four nominations at the 2024 Kalasha Awards, including Best TV Drama.

The Mombasa County Government has announced plans to install electronic fines and CCTV cameras at major traffic light intersections in a bid to curb traffic offenses and enhance road safety.

The move is part of a broader smart traffic management initiative aimed at promoting discipline among motorists and ensuring smooth traffic flow within the city.

According to the Department of transport and infrastructure Chief officer Ali Sharif  the electronic system will automatically capture and record violations such as red-light jumping, speeding, and unauthorized lane changes. Offending motorists will then receive instant electronic fines, marking a shift towards a more efficient and transparent enforcement process.

Speaking during a media roundtable organised by the  Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), Sharif called on the media to support the county government in its effort to promote road safety.

Sharif pointed out several initiatives that the county government has undertaken in the road safety campaign including the recent reinstation of traffic lights at Sabasaba and Buxton intersections.

"As the County Government, we have already done our part on the engineering front. The next critical phase  sensitization and public educationnow rests with you, our partners in the media. We urge you to join us in this effort so that together, we can build a more informed and responsible community." said Sharif.

Adding "The media has a crucial role to play in promoting and advocating for road safety. You can also play a major role in changing the perception and behaviours of our people through your reporting, with the changes that the county is undertaking we need a change from the current behaviours."

Sharif noted that the initiative will not only deter reckless driving but also help reduce road accidents and congestion. The integration of technology, he said, will ensure accountability, improve compliance with traffic regulations, and support the city’s long-term goal of creating safer and more orderly roads.

The Chief Officer further noted that the county government is working with several partners and organisations including BIGRS in the road safety campaign.

On his part BIGRS Coordinator Vipul Patel also emphasized on the need for more support from the media noting that the organisation will continue partnering with the county government in the road safety campaign.

" Media is very key in this campaign, you are the ones who will help us pass the message to the masses and that's why we will also continue engaging you, let's get away from just criticising but also finding solutions" argued Patel.