ODM leader Raila Odinga speaks after chairing the party's Central Committee meeting on July 2, 2024. [Emmanuel Wanson, Standard]Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has joined calls to have President William Ruto resign over his handling of nationwide protests. In a stinging statement, the opposition party said the president had “blood on his hands” referencing the killings of innocent protesters, saying the protests of June 25 were a vote of no confidence against Ruto. He spoke after a Central Committee meeting convened by ODM leader Raila Odinga, who flanked him during the press briefing. ODM dismissed Ruto’s call for dialogue, arguing the environment he had created through the heightened police suppression of protests contradicted the president’s talks plea.

NCBA Group PLC (NCBA), on 1st July announced the completion of its 100% acquisition of AIG Kenya Insurance Company Ltd (AIG Kenya), strengthening its position in the financial services industry. NCBA has held a minority share in AIG Kenya for over 18 years and this strategic move brings into NCBA an over 50-year-old insurance business, with a heralded market reputation for offering a sophisticated general insurance proposition to Corporates, SMEs, and individuals. “We are excited to welcome AIG Kenya to the NCBA family, and this acquisition will enable our customers to conveniently access all their financial products under one roof,” says NCBA Group Managing Director, Mr John Gachora. “With insurance increasingly becoming a basic financial need for the type of customers we serve, an ecosystem of NCBA’s physical and digital distribution platforms and AIG Kenya’s insurance capabilities will unlock opportunities to catalyze deeper insurance market penetration in Kenya and the East Africa region.”> Safaricom, Absa Bank to Create Forest at the CoastMs Stella Njunge, CEO of AIG Kenya said the acquisition marks a significant milestone in the company’s evolution. With the full acquisition, NCBA is set to tap into a sizeable insurance industry in Kenya valued at Ksh309 billion, which continues to grow at a CAGR of 10% amidst ongoing macro-economic challenges.

In the last year, Dr. Pepper surpassed Pepsi to become the second biggest soda brand in the U.S. The company, which was a long-standing regional favorite in the U.S. South, is now trailing only Coke, a titan in the soda world. Currently, while 34% of U.S. adults regularly drink Coke, 24% drink Dr. Pepper. However, CivicScience data also show that Dr. Pepper has a larger Gen Z and Millennial customer base compared to Coke, which could account for the soft drink’s growing popularity. Keep reading to see what differentiates Dr. Pepper die-hards from Coke connoisseurs.

By REUTERS More by this AuthorComoros President Azali Assoumani has put his son, Nour El Fath, in charge of coordinating government affairs as he reshuffled his cabinet following a tense January election that his opponents alleged was tainted by voter fraud. Read: Comoros top court confirms President Assoumani's re-electionPolitical analysts, opposition leaders and local media said Assoumani appeared to be preparing El Fath, a 40-year-old with a background in finance and who has worked as senior economic adviser to the president since 2019, to replace him. He made Ibrahim Mohamed Abdou Razakou finance minister, Said Omar Houmadi justice minister, and reappointed Youssoufa Mohamed Ali as defence minister. Mohamed Jaffar Abbas, the head of the coalition of opposition parties, said it was clear Assoumani was "trying to build a dynasty". Constitutional reforms in 2018 extended a requirement that the presidency rotate among the three main islands of Comoros from every five years to 10.

The government of Kenya on Tuesday moved to assure foreign nations of its commitment to maintain national security amid the wave of protests that have been witnessed in most parts of the country in the past two weeks. “The state will continue to protect the people, public institutions and private property within its territory,” Mr Mudavadi assured. He spoke as the country witnessed a series of violent protests on Tuesday in most parts of the country including the four cities of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru. “What began as peaceful protests turned violent, leading to loss of lives, injuries and destruction of public and private property. “The Government acknowledges that the youth have a long-drawn stake in the future of our beloved country,” he said.

The Standard Media Group employees under the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) have given a 14-day strike notice to the media house. The Standard Media Group employees drawn from all departments of the media house have stated that they will be going on strike after going for seven months without salaries. “For seven months now, staff at the Standard Media Group, the oldest media house in Kenya, have gone through untold suffering due to unpaid salaries despite hard economic times in the countries,” said KUJ Secretary General Eric Oduor. “Staff at the Standard Group have been pushed to depression as they live in a state of uncertainty about the millions of shillings they invested and saved in Standard Sacco. “We condemn the Standard Group’s attempt to intimidate staff by collecting biometric data to enforce a new reporting time policy.

A villager was at the weekend arrested after he was found with 30 kilos of elephant tusks valued at Sh3 million in Keiyo, Elgeyo Marakwet County. A police officer and a civilian were Sunday arrested while trafficking elephant tusks valued at Sh2.9 million in Naivasha, Nakuru County. Elephant tusks fetch a fortune in the black market as a surge in demand for ivory in the East continues to fuel the illicit trade in elephant tusks, especially from Africa. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and stakeholders have put in place mechanisms to eradicate all forms of wildlife crime, particularly poaching. On April 30, 2016, Kenya set ablaze 105 tonnes of elephant ivory and 1.35 tonnes of rhino horn.

A viral tweet circulating online claimed that seven officers deployed on the Haiti Peacekeeping mission had diedThis prompted the National Police Service to issue a statement clarifying that the officers are alive and safeThe service explained that the Kenyan police officers in the Caribbean country were warmly welcomed by the Haitian policeThe National Police Service has denied claims that seven police officers on a peacekeeping mission in Haiti are dead. The National Police Service said that Kenyan police officers in Haiti are safe and sound. PAY ATTENTION:He further emphasized that Kenya's service in Haiti is a noble endeavor aimed at assisting the people of the Caribbean nation. The NPS statement followed online claims that seven officers had been killed in the war-torn Caribbean nation as armed gangs increased pressure on the deployed troops. The photo included a caption claiming that seven Kenyan police officers had been confirmed dead.

Eve Mungai and Trevor parted ways in 2023 after dating for three years. Photos: Eve Mungai, Director Trevor. Source: InstagramAre Eve Mungai and Trevor back together? Well, Eve has shared photos wearing a crop top with a message taunting her ex. Speaking to TUKO.co.ke Trevor revealed that they broke up in February 2023, denying that he took away Eve's channel.

Leaders have taken to social media to condemn the infiltration of the Gen Z protests by goons who are now engaging in wanton destruction of property. “It is unfortunate that what started as peaceful protests has now been hijacked by opportunists and goons who are looting, creating mayhem, and destroying property and infrastructure. “Over the past two weeks, the protests have been notably peaceful, characterised by participants carrying placards, and water, and chanting in solidarity. However, today's protests have been visibly infiltrated by a ragtag militia engaged in looting, vandalising property, and stealing from individuals,” he noted. Footage shared online showed what are believed to be goons vandalising businesses in various parts of the country.

As pods of whales swim off Hermanus' coast, whale crier 30-year-old Sive Mbizo blows his kelp horn to alert visitors of their presence. Mbizo, who is the only whale crier in the world, found his passion for marine life four years ago through a learnership programme at the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa.

Tom Hanks' son, Chet Hanks, recently admitted to abusing drugs in the past. During his appearance on the latest episode of the Raw Talk podcast, the 33-year-old actor recalled doing so much cocaine that even “cokeheads” told him to “chill.” Chet Hanks recalled his past drug abuse in a recent episode of the Raw Talk podcast(Chet Hanks/ Instagram)Chet Hanks admits to past drug abuseThe Greyhound actor explained that although he no longer does drugs, he struggled with cocaine in the past. “The drug I had the most problem with was just f**king coke, dude,” the Empire star told podcaster Bradley Martyn. Chet revealed that he would often come across fellow drug users, calling them “known cokeheads” in the club bathrooms. “A couple months ago, I was selling coke, doing coke until I couldn’t even snort it up my nose anymore because it was so clogged.

K24 political affairs reporter and anchor, Joel Chacha, is currently nursing an injury sustained while covering the intensifying anti-government protests in Nairobi. Videos circulating on social media captured the moment Chacha was assisted to seek medical attention, visibly in intense pain. Escalating protests turn violentADVERTISEMENTThe protests, which took place on Monday, have been marked by widespread looting and vandalism. Pulse Live KenyaADVERTISEMENTThe number is expected to have risen as the protests continue, with more demonstrators, law enforcement officers, and journalists getting caught in the chaos. Public outcry and calls for peaceMany Kenyans have expressed their concerns over the protests, which they believe have been hijacked by criminals.

First daughter Charlene Ruto (l) and President William Ruto (r). Photo: Charlene Ruto and William Ruto. Source: InstagramThe short clip, taken from an interview the president did with Citizen TV, shows a youthful and jovial Ruto playing with his daughter, Charlene, who was just a baby at the time. Young Ruto with baby CharleneIn the video, the baby girl playfully touches her father's cheeks, making him smile and play with her. Charlene praises parents, siblings after US tourAs we previously told you, Charlene penned a heartwarming message to her parents, Ruto and First Lady Mama Rachel.

At least 50 Kenyans who were allegedly kidnapped by security personnel, according to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, are allegedly being detained incommunicado. In a statement made public in Nairobi on Tuesday and delivered by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the party demanded that the state free the Kenyans who were purportedly being kept incommunicado right away. "We condemn the ongoing arbitrary abductions of innocent Kenyans who are carted away in the most violent manner and held incommunicado for the day," Sifuna stated. "As we speak, reports are that upward of 50 individuals have been illegally abducted and their whereabouts unknown," Sifuna continued. On Sunday, President William Ruto refuted claims that his government has approved kidnappings, asserting that those detained had been rightfully detained by the police for offences.