Victims recount night of horror at hands of police in Nandi Hills
Video shows police assaulting men playing pool in Nandi Hills. Residents of Nandi Hills town are reeling from shock and trauma after allegedly being robbed and assaulted by police officers during a night patrol operation. Business owners and other urban residents are counting losses following the raid, which they say was carried out by men in police uniform on the night of January 10, 2025.
Source:Standard Digital
January 16, 2026 17:04 UTC
Kanja orders internal probe after CCTV shows police assaulting pool players
Inspector General of police Douglas Kanja during the official commissioning of two boreholes at the National Police Service's Embakasi campuses. [Jenipher Wachie, Standard]Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has ordered an internal investigation after CCTV footage showed police officers assaulting people who were playing pool in Nandi County. In a statement on Friday, January 16, Kanja directed the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) of the National Police Service (NPS) to conduct a swift probe and submit findings within three days. Public pressure escalated after the footage emerged, showing officers beating people inside what appeared to be a pool hall in Nandi Hills town. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei urged Kanja to interdict and suspend the officers to allow independent investigations.
Source:Standard Digital
January 16, 2026 16:50 UTC
CS Mvurya Pledges Immediate Support for Angela Okutoyi After Sponsorship Appeal
Kenya's historic Wimbledon champion Angela Okutoyi is finally getting the support she desperately needs after making a public appeal for sponsorship to continue her professional tennis career. Okutoyi, who made history in 2022 as the first Kenyan to win a Grand Slam title at Wimbledon girls' doubles, revealed she currently has no sponsorship despite her remarkable achievements. Angela Okutoyi during the Wimbledon Junior Grand Slam in July 2022. Mvurya praised Okutoyi as a remarkable Kenyan talent whose journey inspires young athletes nationwide. Despite her success, the lack of consistent sponsorship has forced her to balance academics at Auburn University with her professional tennis aspirations while struggling financially.
Source:The Star
January 16, 2026 16:13 UTC
Kenyans risk illness in prolonged tree-hugging exercises, Health PS warns
PS Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has warned Kenyans against participating in prolonged tree-hugging challenges after several participants suffered serious health complications. “People have started tree-hugging, a strenuous exercise. Pastor James Irungu of Murang’a collapsed at 79 hours during an 80-hour tree-hugging exercise aimed at raising cancer awareness. Muthoni warned the exercises pose severe risks, including organ failure, dehydration, and other life-threatening complications.
Source:Standard Digital
January 16, 2026 15:32 UTC
Uganda polls: Museveni takes early lead with 3.9 million votes
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni/XUganda’s electoral landscape is taking shape as President Yoweri Museveni establishes an early commanding lead in the 2026 presidential elections. The Uganda Electoral Commission (EC) released the second preliminary results on Friday, revealing that Museveni has so far garnered 3,960,438 votes, representing 76.25 percent of the total valid votes counted. The results, announced by Justice Simon Byabakama, Chairperson of the EC, are based on tallies from 22,758 polling stations, covering 5,194,338 valid votes. They include Frank Bulira has 23,267 votes (0.45%), Robert Kasibante 15,929 votes (0.31%), Joseph Mabirizi 10,910 votes (0.21%), Mugisha Muntu 29,504 votes (0.57%), Mubarak Munyagwa 14,742 votes (0.28%), and Nandala Mafabi 108,301 votes (2.08%). Uganda’s election process came under sharp focus on Thursday after President Yoweri Museveni himself was affected by biometric verification failures that disrupted voting across the country.
Source:The Star
January 16, 2026 15:23 UTC
Opposition supporters killed in overnight clashes as Uganda president takes election lead
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has taken a strong lead in results from Thursday's presidential election, the electoral commission says. At least seven opposition supporters were killed in overnight violence in Butambala, about 55km (35 miles) south-west of Kampala, in clashes between opposition supporters and the police. Asked about the timing of the final results announcement, Byabakama said: "We are on course to announce the winner of the presidential election within 48 hours. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke dismissed these complaints, accusing opposition supporters of being disruptive. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, had called on his supporters to protest, if Thursday's election results were manipulated.
Source:The Star
January 16, 2026 15:01 UTC
I'm still under house arrest! Bobi Wine says
Ugandan Opposition leader Bobi Wine has said he remains under house arrest following Thursday’s elections, describing the military’s actions around his home as a sign of fear rather than strength. In a statement on Friday, Bobi Wine said the military moved in immediately after he cast his ballot, surrounding his residence and preventing anyone from entering or leaving. “Yesterday, after casting my ballot, the military deployed all around my home in order to place me under house arrest,” Bobi Wine said. His home in the capital, Kampala, has been surrounded by security forces "effectively placing him and his wife under house arrest", his National Unity Platform (NUP) said. According to the poll, Museveni commands 60.94 per cent support nationally, compared to Bobi Wine’s 35.26 per cent.
Source:The Star
January 16, 2026 14:52 UTC
Kenya secures landmark zero-duty trade deal with China
President William Ruto and Chinese President Xi Jinping during bilateral talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on September 3, 2024. [File, Standard]The government has confirmed that it has secured a preliminary trade agreement with China that will allow 98.2 per cent of its goods to enter the Chinese market duty-free.
Source:Standard Digital
January 16, 2026 14:42 UTC
Petroleum coke exports surge in 2025 after fluctuation in previous years
16 January 2026 18:37 (UTC+04:00)Full digital access to all news for 1 yearFull digital access to all news for 6 monthsFull digital access to all news for 3 monthsFull digital access to all news for 1 monthFind the plan that suits you best. In the first eleven months of 2025, Azerbaijan exported about 195 thousand tons of petroleum coke worth $59.9 million, according to the State Customs Committee, Azernews reports. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. SubscribeYou can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaperThank you!
Source:The Star
January 16, 2026 14:41 UTC
Outcry after video shows police assaulting men playing pool in Nandi Hills
Screegrabs from the video. A video showing police officers assaulting men playing pool in Nandi Hills town has drawn widespread condemnation, prompting calls for the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) and Inspector General Douglas Kanja to act. The eight-minute video widely circulated on social media shows the assault took place on January 10, 2026.
Source:Standard Digital
January 16, 2026 14:36 UTC
When faith, medicine and miracles collide
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.
Source:Standard Digital
January 16, 2026 14:34 UTC
Why Grade 10 admission period could be extended
A Grade 10 student prepares for admission at Moi Girls High School in Kakamega on January 14,2026. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]With just 24 hours left before the close of admission for the first cohort of Grade 10 learners, the government’s 100 per cent transition policy is facing its biggest challenge yet as it first takes effect under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Official data from the Ministry of Education portal shows that less than half of the 1.1 million learners expected to join senior school have so far reported to their respective institutions.
Source:Standard Digital
January 16, 2026 14:28 UTC
Kenya's 'night runner': How a rural ritual with links to witchcraft became an urban staple
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.
Source:Standard Digital
January 16, 2026 14:26 UTC
Judge Mwita defends decision in medical case where a child died
High Court Judge Chacha Mwita. [File, Standard]High Court Judge Chacha Mwita on Thursday defended his decision to require a parent serve documents to a hospital on an urgent intervention where a child was in critical condition. The minor allegedly passed away. Justice Mwita, in an interview with the Judicial Service Commission, said the application was written in a way that his orders would finalise the case before it was heard, adding that the parties came later to him and explained that they had struck a deal that the minor had been discharged.
Source:Standard Digital
January 16, 2026 14:16 UTC
Kenyan Newspapers Review: Cracks Emerge in Rigathi Gachagua's Camp as MPs, Allies Dump Ex-DP
On Friday, January 16, 2026, Kenyan newspapers reported a significant political setback for former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, as several of his key allies abandoned his camp. The dailies also covered an alleged multi-billion-shilling scandal at the National Youth Service (NYS). People DailyFollowing the defection of Juja Member of Parliament (MP) George Koimburi from Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), the former DP is once again at the centre of attention. The StandardIn yet another alleged National Youth Service (NYS) scam, fresh revelations have emerged about an intricate plan to embezzle billions of taxpayer funds. Following the passing of former vice president Michael Wamalwa in 2003, Mudavadi and Wetang'ula assumed control of Western politics.
Source:The Star
January 16, 2026 14:03 UTC