Oman’s Salalah Port suspended all terminal operations until further notice on March 11 after several drones struck its fuel storage tanks, according to a customer advisory notice. It’s from there that tea is dispatched to Iran, Egypt, Pakistan, UAE, Russia and even to Britain. Kagombe, who is also the Gatundu South MP and sits on the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Agriculture, is now warning that the Iran war will hurt Kenyan tea farmers. It is hard-hitting for us as tea farmers. Data from the Tea Board of Kenya shows that in 2024, total earnings from tea amounted to Sh215.21 billion.

Editor's Review NYS has announced the start of its nationwide recruitment exercise, inviting young Kenyans to present themselves at designated centres across the country. The National Youth Service (NYS) has announced the start of its nationwide recruitment exercise, inviting young Kenyans to present themselves at designated centres across the country. In a notice on Monday, March 16, NYS confirmed that the recruitment process will take place simultaneously in all sub-counties for several days. "The National Youth Service (NYS), nationwide recruitment exercise has officially kicked off today across all sub-counties, as earlier advertised. "The National Youth Service (NYS) is in the process of establishing the National Youth Service Enterprises and Services Company to act as a commercial arm of the National Youth Service commercialization agenda.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 16 – Kenyan companies have recently attracted growing interest from Tanzanian billionaires, with several high-profile acquisitions raising questions about why investors from the neighbouring country are increasingly targeting local firms. In 2024, Tanzanian businessman Edha Nahdi, the Managing Director of Amsons Group, acquired Bamburi Cement in a deal that strengthened the group’s presence in Kenya’s construction sector. Through Bamburi, Amsons has also begun construction of a 5,000 tonnes-per-day clinker facility—equivalent to about 1.6 million tonnes annually—in Kwale County. In another major development last week, Tanzanian billionaire Rostam Azizi acquired control of Nation Media Group from the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development. The transaction gave Azizi majority ownership of Nation Media Group through the acquisition of 92,618,177 ordinary shares.

CDF Charles Kahariri was honoured in France with the highest order of merit. Why was General Kahariri honoured? Who is General Charles Kahariri? These include the Commanding Officer, Kenya Navy Ships Mamba, Madaraka, and Umoja, as well as the Commanding Officer at Kenya Navy Manda Base. He was also appointed the Squadron Commander, Commander of the Kenya Navy Fleet, and Deputy Commander of the Kenya Navy.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya / FILEThe Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has filed a Notice of Appeal challenging a High Court decision that acquitted Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya in a case involving the alleged graft. In the ruling, the court also awarded the governor general Sh2.5 million in damages, plus interest at court rates from the date of judgment until payment in full. The High Court agreed, noting that he had been denied access to legal counsel and subjected to procedural irregularities, including the execution of warrants in a manner that breached due process. "A declaration be and is hereby issued that the institution and continuation of criminal proceedings in the Milimani Anti-Corruption Case of 2025 is an abuse of process, is unlawful, and is unconstitutional," he ruled. In addition to quashing the charges, the court awarded Natembeya Sh2.5 million in general damages to compensate him for the humiliation, distress, and reputational harm he suffered.

Uganda opposition leader Bobi Wine says he has left country after disputed voteUgandan opposition leader Bobi Wine said he has temporarily left the country after two months in hiding in the wake of a presidential election in January that kept long‑time leader Yoweri Museveni in office. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, disputed the outcome of that contest, alleging fraud, and had been in hiding since fleeing his home in Uganda’s capital Kampala. In a five-minute video message posted on X on Saturday, Wine said he had left the country for “critical engagements outside Uganda”, without specifying where he was or what the engagements were. In the message published on Saturday, Wine said security forces had erected roadblocks and conducted raids to try to find him. He said that while outside of Uganda he would engage international allies and later return to continue what he called a push for freedom and democracy.

"I have carefully considered the nature of the offences and the status of the accused persons who are not in the class of flight risks. While granting them bond also warned the accused persons that they risk their bonds being cancelled should they flout the bond terms. She directed the prosecution to supply the accused persons with evidence material before the lapse of 14 days. After spending over 30 hours in custody, the accused persons were charged after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions okayed their prosecution on Monday at 2 pm. The four top officials were charged with offences relating to their roles as directors of the Kenya Hospital Association Limited, the entity that operates the Nairobi Hospital.

Audio By VocalizeA photo illustration of The Nairobi Hospital and President William Ruto. [File, Standard]The government has defended its direct involvement in the ongoing dispute over the management of Nairobi Hospital, which led to the arrest of four board members last Friday. In a statement, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed confirmed President William Ruto's hand in the recent developments, saying he was acting in his capacity as patron of the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA), which runs the hospital, and in response to numerous petitions from stakeholders. "Subsequently, and following petitions from concerned members of the Association and medical practitioners, the Attorney General invoked Section 800 of the Companies Act to appoint inspectors to investigate the affairs of the Kenya Hospital Association," Mohamed said. State House, however, maintained that Koskei's role over the past year had been to mediate between the disputing parties, though the consultative meetings ultimately proved futile.

South Africa rejects US pressure to distance itself from IranSouth Africa has no reason to cut ties with Iran, its director general of foreign affairs said, after the new US ambassador was quoted as saying the country’s association with the Islamic Republic was an impediment to good relations with Washington. In August Trump imposed a 30% tariff on imports from South Africa, a move that could cause tens of thousands of job losses at a time when a third of South Africans are out of work. Dangor said Pretoria was keen to improve ties with Washington, but “let’s engage about areas we agree on”. “We’re not going to let the domestic issues that they’ve put on the table become part of that equation,” Dangor said. The US also aims to process 4,500 refugee applications per month from white South Africans Trump claims are persecuted.

President William Ruto oversees the construction of the Nangina-Mundere road on March 16, 2026/PCSPresident William Ruto on Monday launched the Nangina-Mundere road in Busia, which he said will unlock trade and economic activity across the region. He announced this while embarking on a five-day tour in Western Kenya to oversee the development in the region. Ruto said that the country’s development was stalled by leadership that lacked vision, reassuring that he was shifting the narrative. Ruto also announced the construction of Budalang’i Modern Market and said it would be a conducive hub for women and youths. President William Rutgo addresses residents in Busia County on March 16, 2026/PCS

After months of speculation, Hong Kong actress Sisley Choi, 35, has announced her departure from TVB, after 13 years with the television network. She made her acting debut in the Hong Kong drama Overachievers (2014), as a woman in charge of a boxing club. The crime-themed drama Legal Mavericks (2017) and its sequel Legal Mavericks 2020 (2020), in which Choi portrayed a legal executive with a heroic spirit, propelled her into the spotlight. Her last drama with TVB was the aviation series The Airport Diary (2024), in which she played an airport manager. Hong Kong actor and singer Fred Cheng responded with two “flexed biceps” emojis, while Hong Kong actress Rosita Kwok wrote: “All the best.”Hong Kong-born singer Jocelyn Chan also commented: “Cheers to the past, present and future you!” - The Straits Times/Asia News Network

Diet Coke superfans will love this (Picture: Coca-Cola/Metro)If there’s one drink that really gets the girlies going, it’s a Diet Coke. These days, enjoying the sugar-free soda is practically a personality trait, with some die-hard fans going as far as to get Diet Coke tattoos and fill their home with themed merch. For those who prefer Coca-Cola Zero, there’s a 500ml version available, and of course, there’s also the OG Coca-Cola too. A cheaper Diet Coke option... Add us as a Preferred Source From the latest Walkers flavours to the secret McDonald's menu, Metro Food has it allPOLL Poll Are you a Diet Coke superfan?

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has said the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) should secure more than half of government positions if it enters into a political agreement with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the next General Election. “If we were to go with the current demographics, we should actually have more than 15 Cabinet slots,” Kaluma said. “That is why I am insisting that we will present a presidential candidate and our constitution is clear on who is our presidential candidate even before nomination,” he said. “Dr Oburu Oginga, our party leader, is our presidential candidate as we speak,” Kaluma said. “So when you go to negotiation and agree on a candidate, even if he is not from ODM, then he becomes our presidential candidate,” he added.

Names Wasim Jaffer as His Cricket IdolHardik Pandya revealed that during his childhood, his idol was former Indian batsman Wasim Jaffer. Considered a legend of domestic cricket, Jaffer played 31 Test matches for India and scored 1,944 runs, a tally that includes five centuries. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma Reveal Their IdolsDuring the same event, Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi also named their favorite players. Sanju Samson named the legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar as his idol, while Abhishek Sharma cited his mentor, Yuvraj Singh, as his inspiration. Young Players Inspired by Brian Lara and Yuvraj SinghYoung player Vaibhav Suryavanshi named the legendary batsman Brian Lara and Yuvraj Singh as his inspirations.

Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe have agreed to reduce and harmonise international roaming charges under the SADC One Network Area roaming charges framework. The new phase began in August 2023 when the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority began coordinating a fresh attempt to align roaming charges across participating states. The SADC One Network Area roaming charges framework tries to address this friction at a structural level. The SADC roaming framework follows that pattern. A Region Slowly Rewiring Its Digital GeographyFor the moment, the SADC One Network Area roaming charges framework represents a small but practical adjustment to everyday connectivity in Southern Africa.