Haiti drone operation strikes home of gang leader ‘Barbecue’Haitian security forces on Wednesday bombed three houses belonging to top gang leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, local outlet Gazette Haiti reported on Wednesday, after unverified footage showed a large explosion in the capital Port-au-Prince. Hours earlier, Haiti’s National Police said it was carrying out an operation targeting the house of gang leader Cherizier in Port-au-Prince’s Delmas 6 neighborhood, a longtime stronghold for armed groups working under Cherizier. The company Vectus Global, run by Blackwater founder Erik Prince, has been supporting Haiti’s government with the drone operations since early last year. The gang leader, accused of a wide range of crimes including ordering several massacres around the capital, has branded himself as an anti-elite revolutionary and sought to transform Viv Ansanm into a political party. The operation comes several weeks ahead of the February 7 deadline for the current transitional government’s mandate to end.

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and his Embakasi East counterpart Babu Owino. [File, Standard]Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and his Embakasi East counterpart Babu Owino have criticised the leadership of their own parties, saying the parties have lost direction ahead of the 2027 general election. I don't think now the party is doing what we sold to the Kenyan people," said Nyoro. The Embakasi East MP accused current party leaders of abandoning Odinga's principles and political strategy. One faction, led by Owino and Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, advocates exiting the government and charting a new leadership direction.

Kenya is set to enjoy key trade benefits with China after the Asian nation agreed to negotiations allowing Kenyan goods to enter its market without tariffs, amid U.S.-imposed trade barriers affecting local exports. China’s broader duty-free and quota-free policy for African goods primarily benefits Least Developed Countries, leaving developing nations like Kenya initially excluded. Photo MITA"We are pleased to share that these engagements have resulted in a preliminary agreement that allows for 98.2 per cent zero-duty market access for Kenyan goods. The introduction of zero-duty access will unlock vast economic potential for Kenyan exporters, allowing for diversification of our export basket, especially in the agricultural sector, which is the mainstay of our economy," Kinyanjui said. The CS indicated that the zero-duty access could increase profits for Kenyan exporters, expand market reach, and create employment opportunities across multiple sectors.

The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has responded to claims by Juja MP George Koimburi that he has defected from the party, stating that he has never formally been a member. In a statement released on Thursday, DCP Secretary-General Hezron Obaga claimed Koimburi had not participated in party activities in recent months. The statement also outlines that, according to the party, Koimburi requested an urgent meeting with the party leader (Rigathi Gachagua) on Monday, January 12. According to the party, Koimburi requested a written assurance of a direct nomination and sought to be excused from attending public functions with the party leader until February next year. The response comes after Koimburi spoke publicly on Wednesday about his loyalty to the party leader, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

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Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui announced on Thursday that, following recent bilateral trade talks with China, Kenya will now be able to export 98.2 per cent of its products duty-free. ALSO READ:“We are pleased to share that these engagements have resulted in a preliminary agreement allowing for 98.2 per cent zero-duty market access for Kenyan goods. The CS added that zero duty access could boost profits for exporters, expand market reach, and create employment opportunities across multiple sectors. The announcement comes amid U.S. trade barriers, including a 10 per cent baseline tariff on Kenyan exports, which have prompted businesses to seek alternative markets. China’s agreement positions it as a key destination for Kenyan products, offering lower costs and more predictable trade terms.

But he was reluctant on Wednesday to lend his full support to Pahlavi, the son of the late shah of Iran, who was ousted from power in 1979. "He seems very nice, but I don't know how he'd play within his own country," Trump said. It's very hard to ⁠see how much support he has or how much support any figure has in Iran," she said. "When you win the presidency, you don't win the midterms," he said. “We have to get President Zelenskiy to go along with it," he said.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has taken a decisive step by removing director M Nazmul Islam from all his responsibilities, including his key role as chairman of the finance committee. ---Advertisement---BCB Statament“The BCB reiterates that the interests of the cricketers remain its highest priority. ---Advertisement---Players demanded resignation from Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Islam over his controversial remarks made in public against the country’s cricketers. Nazmul Islam had been one of the more influential figures within the BCB, especially due to his control over financial matters. What lies for BangladeshFor Bangladesh cricket, this development could mark a turning point.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto/PCSThe late Isiolo South Member of Parliament, Tubi Bidu Mohamed/FILEA fresh battle is looming between President William Ruto and his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, in the Isiolo South MP by-election. Apart from the Isiolo South MP seat, a fresh battle is unfolding between the ruling UDA party and the opposition. The West Kabras ward seat was once occupied by David Ndakwa, who has since been elected to the MP seat following the November 2025 by-election. The united opposition's strategy for the Isiolo South MP seat remains unclear, largely because Jubilee already claims the space with Bina’s candidacy. As the campaign season begins, the Isiolo South by-election is set to mirror the current political landscape, especially in the Northeastern region.

Two National Police Reservists (NPR) died on Wednesday, and two others sustained injuries in an explosion in Mandera County. The explosion happened some 100 meters on the Kenyan side of the border, killing Abdow and Ali. Abdi and Adan were taken to the Mandera Referral Hospital where they are being treated before a transfer to Nairobi for specialised care. A police report show that they suspected the IED was planted by the Somali National Army in a retaliatory attack. Detectives from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit in Mandera County are investigating the incident.

Scene of the incident that killed two officers and injured two others during an explosion in Mandera on January 14, 2026. [Ibrahim Adan Ali, Standard]Two National Police Reservists (NPR) have died, while a similar number sustained injuries following an explosion in Mandera. “On 14/01/2026 at Kulun Border Point Four along the Bulla Hawa (Somalia)–Mandera (Kenya) border, approximately 100 metres inside Kenya, NPR officers on duty were hit by an IED planted on the ground,” reads part of the report. The injured officers were admitted to Mandera Referral Hospital for treatment before being flown to Nairobi today for further medical care. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and officers from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) in Mandera are set to begin investigations today.

Medical services at Transmara West Sub-County Hospital in Kilgoris have been severely disrupted after hospital management abruptly shut down the facility following a violent attack on health workers. The hospital was closed after armed attackers stormed the facility on Tuesday night, assaulting nurses and leaving several health workers with injuries. According to hospital staff who spoke on condition of anonymity, the attackers arrived at the hospital with a patient who had been involved in a road accident. A sign outside Transmara West Sub-County Level 4 Hospital in Narok County Daily NationThis recommendation angered the group accompanying the patient, triggering chaos within the hospital compound. This attack on healthcare practitioners comes weeks after the Interior CS, Kipchumba Murkomen, declared Transmara West as a security-disturbed region and deployed security personnel to the region.

Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi tours his demolished business premises along Douglas Wakihuri Road Nairobi on January 14,2025. [Benard Orwongo,Standard]Kiambu Governor Paul Kimani Wamatangi, his wife, children, and 10 others have suffered a major blow after the High Court issued orders freezing their bank accounts over a Sh813 million graft scandal. Justice Benjamin Musyoki ordered five accounts to remain frozen pending the hearing of a recovery suit by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on February 4, 2026.

Former late President Mwai Kibaki was trending on Thursday morning as Kenyans flooded X with comparisons between him and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro. Nyoro, who spoke extensively about leadership readiness and economic discipline, said past leaders such as Kibaki had been well-prepared before assuming office. The rollout, part of the Masomo Bora education programme, will cover more than 12,000 students in Grade 10, Form Three and Form Four. Why Kibaki is trendingNyoro’s remarks on leadership, combined with ongoing public nostalgia for Kibaki-era economic stability, ignited a wave of comments on X. Both Babu and Ndindi emphasised education as a core factor in economic development.”Other reactions captured the national mood around the debate.

1 / 11Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are not just football legends, but global business icons. 2 / 11Ronaldo vs Messi: The debate around the wealth of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has long fascinated football fans worldwide. 3 / 11Ronaldo Enters Billionaire Territory: Recent global wealth estimates indicate that Cristiano Ronaldo has surpassed the $1.4 billion mark in total net worth. 7 / 11Messi’s Estimated Net Worth: According to the latest figures, Messi’s net worth is valued at around $650 million. Both stars invest heavily in real estate, private jets, and global brand deals.