[Courtesy]Politicians eyeing the presidency in the forthcoming 2027 General Elections have been warned to treat the slippery Mount Kenya region with caution. The Mukurweini MP argued that Mount Kenya also has a strong ability to mobilize voters during general elections, particularly when it feels threatened or sidelined. “That is the day the voting bloc started shifting towards William Ruto and that was quite early,” he observed. He said President Ruto benefited from a similar political strategy now being deployed in Mount Kenya by his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua. “When William Ruto, who was not really a son of Mt Kenya, was chased away, the people of the mountain revolted.

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A collage of Uganda Opposition leader Bobi Wine and General Muhoozi KainerugabaA fresh political confrontation has erupted in Uganda after General Muhoozi Kainerugaba posted a public ultimatum giving opposition leader Bobi Wine 48 hours to surrender to the police. “You ordered the raid on my house to harm me,” he wrote, arguing that he had “escaped” an alleged attempt to capture him. Bobi Wine further said the security establishment of serious acts he called “atrocities against Ugandans,” saying he would “resurface” on his own terms. Bobi Wine said he managed to escape, although his wife and other family members remain confined at the residence. Bobi Wine attributed widespread speculation about his whereabouts to a nationwide internet shutdown and the heavy security presence at his home, which he said led neighbours to believe he had been abducted.

Three friends, a tiny office, and one bold idea, within nine months, they turned it into Snabbit, one of India’s fastest-growing startups, now valued at Rs 1,800 crore, making everyday tasks effortless for millions. Three IIT Friends Turn Their Luck AroundRahul, Neha, and Vikram were working as executives at Zepto when they dreamed of doing something different. Growth and Valuation in Just Nine MonthsBy June 2025, Snabbit had over 50 lakh downloads, 12 lakh active users, more than 3.5 lakh registered service providers, and 15 lakh monthly bookings. Within nine months, Snabbit’s valuation soared to Rs 1,800 crore, making it one of India’s fastest-growing startups. The company plans to expand into healthcare, beauty-at-home, pet care, and home renovation services, making everyday life even easier for users.

Fresh details have emerged regarding the botched cosmetic surgery that claimed the life of Lucy Wambui in October 2024. This was after her husband appeared in court on January 19 and provided his account of how the ordeal unfolded. Taking the witness stand at the Kibera Law Courts, the husband told the magistrate that he did not sign any consent form at the clinic. Upon arriving home, the witness said Wambui's condition worsened, and he attempted to rush her back to the facility. Lucy Wambui underwent a liposuction surgery and BBL on October 16, 2024, at Body by Design Clinic in Nairobi, before her condition worsened, which led to her demise.

The corridors of Milimani Law Courts have become the stage for a tense family showdown, where grief, millions of shillings and legal interpretation collide. At the centre of the dispute is Annette Majanja, sister to the late High Court Judge David Majanja, who has publicly opposed her brother Martin Majanja over the distribution of the judge’s multi-million-shilling Group Life Assurance Policy. She insists that the life assurance proceeds are governed not by Justice Majanja’s general will, but by statutory rules under the Insurance Act. Justice Majanja reportedly left a will covering specific properties but did not complete a beneficiary nomination for his Judiciary-linked life assurance policy. Martin contends that the insurance policy qualifies as a “chose in action”—a legal right enforceable in court—and should therefore fall under his exclusive inheritance.

Suna East MP Junet Mohammed has dismissed claims of divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), insisting that the party remains united. Junet said there is only one ODM party, describing it as indivisible and guided by properly constituted and functional party organs. “There is only one ODM Party, indivisible, and it is led by our Party Leader, Oburu Odinga,” Junet said. “Once the relevant party organs have settled on a position, our party base expects that we all fall in line. On Thursday, ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga said that the party intends to negotiate for a structured power-sharing arrangement in the next government.

St Helens Theatre Royal is set to stage a pantomime production of Jack and the Beanstalk. Chantelle Joseph, theatre manager and director, said: "Jack and the Beanstalk is one of the tallest tales in panto and it’s always a real favourite at St Helens, so I can’t wait to bring it back to the Theatre Royal stage this February. Mr Heath returns to the St Helens stage after starring in the same role in 2023. Jack and the Beanstalk is directed by Chantelle Joseph with choreography by Nazene Langfield and musical direction by Callum Clarke. For more information and to book tickets, visit the St Helens Theatre Royal website or contact the box office directly.

Why Dassault lost deal with Colombia? Saab AB has billed its Saab JAS 39 Gripen as a "smart" fighter aircraft designed for mid-sized air forces. Gripen fighter jet is relatively light and flexible, with relatively cheaper operational costs than the Rafale or the Eurofighter Typhoon. India has purchased 36 Rafales for the Indian Air Force and 26 for the Indian Navy, and negotiations are underway for a gigantic Rs 3.25 lakh crore deal, under which Dassault Aviation will supply 114 new Rafale fighter jets to India. If the deal materialises, it would make IAF the second-largest operator of Rafale fighters after the French Air Force.

Wrangles within ODM over its cooperation agreement with President William Ruto’s administration continue to deepen, with leaders allied to the deal now calling for dissenters to quit the party. Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo has told ODM members opposed to the broad-based government arrangement to resign instead of, as he put it, “rocking the party from within.”“Baba left us in a broad-based government. Organs make decisions on behalf of the party, and we are all required to adhere to their resolutions,” he said. “Anyone opposed to the decisions of party organs is a rebel hell-bent on breaking the party,” he added. The Gem MP said the ODM Central Management Committee had resolved to support the broad-based government and that the matter should be considered settled.

Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei hosted the ambassadors and consuls-general-designate for a preparatory luncheon on Saturday, January 17, 2026. We are confident in each designee’s capacity to meet the demands imposed by their high duty,” PS Sing’Oei said. He emphasised that diplomacy is anchored in persuasion rather than coercion, and that consensus-building and mutually beneficial partnerships are key. The acting DG underscored the government’s focus on economic diplomacy, urging Kenya’s missions abroad to function as vibrant hubs for investment promotion, trade expansion, and job creation. He also emphasised the importance of digital diplomacy, encouraging the envoys to enhance their communication and social media skills to project Kenya’s image positively and counter misinformation.

Building on this landscape, Coca-Cola facilitated the return of the FIFA World Cup™ Original Trophy to India after 12 years and amplified the moment with the first-ever Coke Studio Bharat Live. The FIFA World Cup Original Trophy tour arrived in Delhi on 11 January 2026 at NSIC Exhibition Ground, followed by Guwahati on 13 January 2026 at ACA Stadium, Barsapara. For football fans, this was a rare opportunity to see the Original trophy up close, not on screens, but in real life. Across both cities, fan interactions, spontaneous singalongs and meet-and-greet moments contributed to the live format, reinforcing Coke Studio Bharat’s role as a cultural connector. The initiative also reaffirmed Coca-Cola’s long-standing association with football and the FIFA World Cup.

Bangladesh is scheduled to play three group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. The BCB has insisted on either changing the match venues or switching groups so their games can be held in Sri Lanka. In a recent meeting with ICC officials in Dhaka, the BCB suggested swapping Bangladesh with Ireland in Group B, which includes Sri Lanka, Australia, Oman, and Zimbabwe. This change would let Bangladesh play all its group matches entirely in Sri Lanka. Relations between India and Bangladesh have worsened following the killing of Hindus in Bangladesh.

Reinsurance Plaza in Nairobi. The reinsurer, whose 60 per cent owned by the government, has proposed major amendments to its Articles of Association. [File, Standard]Kenya Reinsurance Corporation (Kenya Re) has proposed the restructuring of its governance framework in a move to lock out political appointees from its board, even as the board gets full powers to fire and hire the managing director (MD). The reinsurer, whose 60 per cent owned by the government, has proposed major amendments to its Articles of Association, which will also see the number of board members reduce to nine as well as its shares reclassified into two categories – one of shares owned by State and the other category being shares owned by other investors; in a move that could see Treasury solidify its hold on the firm.

The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) has expressed concern over the health of its leader, Dr Kizza Besigye, saying his condition has become “critical and deteriorating” while in custody. The group further maintained that he is being held unlawfully, saying, “We reiterate that Dr Besigye is being held in total disregard of the law. “We ask all compatriots and lovers of freedom to keep Dr. Besigye in your prayers and to remain vigilant,” it said. Senior Counsel Martha Karua raised concerns over Besigye’s health, saying the man was experiencing bouts of dizziness, and his health had been compromised by the lengthy incarceration. “It is concerning that the health of Dr Besigye has been greatly compromised by his lengthy and unnecessary incarceration,” Karua said.