Prominent Kenyan opposition figure Rigathi Gachagua has alleged there was an attempt on his life during a Sunday church service. He had previously accused his former ally President William Ruto of ordering the attack but did not provide any evidence. Ruto has not commented but government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura accused Gachagua of staging the attack. Gachagua said that after he was helped to safety, the attackers set his car on fire and "mercilessly" beat up those gathered outside the church. On Monday, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said Gachagua had orchestrated the attack himself.

Tree-hugging Ambassador Truphena Muthoni./FILEThe Guinness World Records has recognised Truphena Muthoni's 72-hour tree-hugging world record. In a statement on Monday, January 26, Guinness World Records described Muthoni's feat as an act by a "passionate environmental activist from Kenya sending a strong message about protecting the Earth after hugging a tree for three whole days." "Truphena Muthoni has set the record for longest marathon hugging a tree with an unbelievable total of 72 hours," Guinness World Records said. According to Guinness World Records, Abdul Hakim Awal (Ghana) broke it in 2024 with 24 hours, 21 min, 4 sec, and Truphena first came along in February 2025 to take the title after setting a new 48-hour record. “The first attempt was a statement, a way to reintroduce humanity to the Earth through a simple, intimate act,” Truphena told Guinness.

Presidential aspirant Eliud Owalo./HANDOUTFormer Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency Eliud Owalo has detailed his vision for the country should he mount a successful presidential bid. Owalo argued that corruption remains the single most destructive threat to Kenya’s economic stability, estimating that the government loses at least Sh2 billion daily through graft. If elected, he pledged to enforce a sweeping clean-up anchored on digitalization of revenue systems and historical audits. If I’m elected president, I will reopen all cases of corruption from 2010 to date. Youth unemployment, Owalo noted, remains a major national challenge that requires innovation and structural reforms.

Scotland have announced their squad for T20 World Cup 2026 after replacing Bangladesh in Group C. This marks their seventh appearance at the marquee event and the side will be captained by Richie Berrington with Owen Dawkins as the head coach of the side who are now prepared for international challenge. Zainullah Ihsan receives maiden call-upThe squad has some notable changes with Zainullah Ihsan earning maiden-call up after he became recently eligible to represent Scotland. Also Read: T20 World Cup: Will Pakistan boycott India matches or the entire tournament? “The coaching staff, selectors and I are all really excited about the squad that has been picked. Bangladesh made multiple venue change requests but ICC remained firm on its stand that changing venue last minute for a team isn't logistically possible.

Organisations that advocate for children report that predators can use AI to analyse a child’s online behaviour, emotional state, and interests to tailor their grooming strategy. Organisations that advocate for children report that predators can use AI to analyse a child’s online behaviour, emotional state, and interests to tailor their grooming strategy. AI is also enabling offenders to generate explicit fake images of real children, driving a new form of sexual extortion. That's why we set out these child online protection guidelines. Global organisations are urged to integrate children’s rights across all AI-related policies and strategies.

[File, Standard]Mariam Lufti Njoki, formerly Christine Njoki is over the moon even as she awaits approval by World Athletics to represent her new country – Qatar. The fast-rising star says she has switched allegiance as she looks to achieve her dream of competing at the premier athletics competitions – World Championships and the Olympics. On Sunday, Njoki competed at the 35th edition of Discovery Kenya Cross Country in Eldoret and successfully defended her title. “Representing Qatar is a big motivation for me because it is tough to make it to the top and to get selected to represent Kenya,” Njoki says. In Njoki’s case, Athletics Kenya had released Njoki to her new federation – Qatar Athletics Federation but World Athletics Nationality Review has to confirm whether the deal was genuine before approving it.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Monday that a final decision regarding Pakistan’s participation in next month’s T20 World Cup has been postponed. “If Pakistan decide to withdraw, Bangladesh would be given the opportunity to replace them in Group A and play all their matches in Sri Lanka as per BCB’s original request. Sources close to the issue told HT that the ICC is planning to recall Bangladesh as a replacement if Pakistan pulls out of the tournament. The absence of a proper reason to withdraw from the tournament is one of the reasons why the PCB is reluctant. Also Read: Pakistan told to skip T20 World Cup 2026, avoid humiliation amid Mohsin Naqvi’s boycott threatsThe PCB is said to be seeking other options.

President William Ruto receives the gender-based violence report from Dr Nancy Baraza at State House, Nairobi, Monday, January 26, 2026. [PCS]President William Ruto on Monday received the report of the Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence, including femicide, and pledged a coordinated national response to end the scourge. It details the scale and complexity of gender-based violence (GBV) in Kenya, highlighting domestic violence, harmful cultural practices, femicide, and technology-facilitated abuse. “This report lays bare the fears and hopes of Kenyans, especially survivors of gender-based violence,” noted Ruto, adding, “Violence rooted in gender, power, or inequality is a betrayal of our Constitution, our values, and our humanity.”The report calls for GBV, including femicide, to be treated as a national crisis requiring urgent action. Ruto explained that the government will review all recommendations through Cabinet, relevant ministries, and agencies to determine policy, legislative, and administrative measures.

The Muktsar police on Monday said that foreign-based gangster Goldy Brar’s parents were arrested in connection with an extortion case. According to PTI, Muktsar SSP Abhimanyu Rana said that Goldy Brar’s father Shamsher Singh and his mother Preetpal Kaur were arrested in the case. The SSP said that Goldy’s parents have a house in Adesh Nagar in Muktsar, but they are originally natives of Faridkot. Goldy Brar is one of the accused in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in 2022. Police have identified 1,200 associates of 60 foreign-based gangsters and their 600 family members who are allegedly involved in criminal activities.

US restricts visas for two members of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential CouncilThe U.S. State Department said on Sunday it was imposing visa restrictions on members of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council and revoking the visas of two council members and their immediate families. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for more information. Rubio insisted that the council dissolve as scheduled but emphasized the importance of Fils-Aime remaining in his post, a State Department spokesperson said. Two council members called on Friday for the removal of Fils-Aime from his post. The council was appointed in 2024 to oversee a move toward Haiti’s first election in a decade.

The Deputy President’s remarks come hours after Gachagua, who was teargassed inside the church sanctuary, claimed he was the target of an assassination attempt orchestrated by police officers. The Bigger Picture: This clash is not just about one church service; it is a battle for the political soul of the Mountain. With Gachagua sidelined but refusing to go quietly, and Kindiki moving to consolidate control, the region is becoming a theater of war. The desecration of a church for political battles crosses a red line in a deeply religious nation. The dust may have settled in Othaya, but the political teargas is just beginning to spread.

A powerful winter storm sweeping across the United States has claimed 10 lives and left nearly a million without power as freezing conditions persisted into Monday, officials and authorities said, reported Al Jazeera. The storm has prompted widespread travel disruption, including mass flight cancellations and warnings to motorists to stay off icy roads, while at least 20 states and Washington, DC, declared states of emergency. In Texas, authorities confirmed three deaths, including a 16-year-old girl killed in a sledding accident, and in Louisiana, two people died of hypothermia, state health officials said, reported Al Jazeera. Officials warned that an Arctic air mass trailing the system would keep temperatures dangerously low for days, prolonging travel and infrastructure disruptions. Several major airports in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, cancelled nearly all flights for the day as crews worked to clear runways.

Aishwarya Rai married Abhishek Bachchan and became part of the Bachchan family in 2007. She has collaborated with Amitabh Bachchan in several films. Amitabh Bachchan also shared how the entire incident left him shaken to his core. At the time, Aishwarya was not related to the Bachchan family, making Amitabh Bachchan's concern even more precious. Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan fell in love during Dhoom 2 and got married on April 20, 2007.

“Protecting life, dignity, and safety is not optional; it is a core duty of the State,” Ruto said, while stressing that ending gender-based violence cannot be left to government alone. Ruto called for a collective national response, urging families, faith institutions, community leaders, security agencies and citizens to take responsibility. Ruto said security agencies must act firmly and professionally in handling GBV cases. “Security agencies must act firmly, professionally, and without fear or favour,” he said, adding that citizens also have a role to play. “Citizens must speak out, report abuse, and stand with survivors.

President William Ruto chairs the UDA National Governing Council, State House, Nairobi on January 26, 2026 / PCSPresident William Ruto has dismissed criticism that his administration has failed to deliver on its campaign promises, saying the Kenya Kwanza government has achieved 80 per cent of its manifesto commitments. However, today we are standing here so that those who said that we lied should be ashamed of themselves.”“As we speak, we have eight million bags of fertiliser ahead of the long rains. Ruto added that 10.1 million bags of fertiliser were used last year and projected that usage will rise to 12.5 million bags this year. “We plan to use eight million bags in the long rains. Our commitment to making sure that we transform Kenya is solid, and it is on a solid foundation," the President said.