Meet IShowSpeed and Why He Is Taking Internet by Storm
Kenya took centre stage in global digital entertainment on January 11, 2026, after world-famous YouTuber IShowSpeed, popularly referred to as Speed, landed in Nairobi as part of his highly followed “Speed Does Africa” tour. A collage of Tourism CS Rebecca Miano and Gen Z Goliath, who met IShowSpeed during the "Speed Does Africa" tour of Kenya on January 11, 2026. By the end of his first day in Kenya, IShowSpeed had gained more than 360,000 new subscribers and pushed his total viewership past 48 million, setting a new personal record. Known for daring In-Real-Life challenges, including sprint races against elite athletes, Speed went a step further during his “Speed Does Africa” tour to race a cheetah. Today, global tours are a fundamental feature of Speed's brand as he continues with his "Speed Does Africa" campaign.
Source:The Star
January 12, 2026 13:16 UTC
More federal agents to be sent to Minnesota, Trump administration says
Protests against immigration enforcement have been held in cities across the US after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot in her car on Wednesday. "If they conduct violent activities against law enforcement, if they impede our operations, that's a crime, and we will hold them accountable to those consequences," she said. Minnesota has already seen a surge of federal law enforcement officials as the Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement in the state. The Minneapolis mayor added that the city's local law enforcement were "outnumbered by the number of ICE agents and beyond". On Sunday, Minnesota senator Tina Smith, a Democrat, accused the Trump administration of trying to cover up the shooting.
Source:The Star
January 12, 2026 12:48 UTC
Court bars public entities from hiring external lawyers
Justice Samuel Mohochi temporarily barred national and county governments from hiring external lawyers. The High Court in Nakuru has issued orders barring all public entities from procuring the services of external advocates pending the hearing and determination of a case filed by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, Nakuru-based surgeon Dr Magare Gikenyi, and five others. Justice Samwel Mohochi suspended the engagement, procurement, continuation, and pending payments to private advocates and law firms by all public entities. The court further directed the Controller of Budget and all public servants, whether state officers or public officers, and any other persons not to approve funds for the acquisition of external legal services by public entities pending the hearing and determination of the suit. The Office of the Auditor General, the Controller of Budget, and Katiba Institute are listed as interested parties.
Source:Standard Digital
January 12, 2026 12:10 UTC
He once criticised African leaders who cling to power. Now he wants a seventh term
But his critics say he has maintained his grip on power through a mixture of sidelining opponents and compromising independent institutions. In 1967, Museveni left Uganda to attend the University of Dar es Salaam in neighbouring Tanzania. "He was part of the colonial system," Museveni told the Global Indian Network in a recent interview. He launched a guerrilla struggle in 1981 and five years later, his rebel group, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), seized power and Museveni became leader. But with an eye on Bobi Wine, who is roughly half of Museveni's age, the president has been keen to show his vitality.
Source:The Star
January 12, 2026 12:09 UTC
MPs launch probe into State Sh244b Safaricom stake sale
Safaricom Headquarters on Waiyaki Way in Nairobi. [File, Standard]The National Assembly will on Monday kick off a multi-sector inquiry into the government’s controversial sale of a 15 per cent stake in telecoms giant Safaricom to South Africa’s Vodacom, summoning a wide range of industry, legal and civil society actors to testify. Two parliamentary committees will conduct a nine-day series of hearings to scrutinise the transaction.
Source:Standard Digital
January 12, 2026 12:09 UTC
You can’t dislodge me in Mt Kenya, Ruto tells Gachagua during Nyeri visit
PRESIDENT William Ruto has dismissed attempts by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to sink his political fortunes in the Mt Kenya region, saying the push is futile and doomed to fail. Gachagua has vowed to rally Mt Kenya voters to deny Ruto a second term in 2027. Ruto reminded congregants that Mt Kenya overwhelmingly supported him in the 2022 general election, insisting that the bond forged during that campaign remains intact. Ruto defended his administration’s development agenda, saying it was anchored on commitments made to the people of Mt Kenya. Other leaders present were Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga, Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami, Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina, Othaya MP Michael Wainaina, Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge and Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi.
Source:The Star
January 12, 2026 12:06 UTC
Owalo resigns after announcing plans to challenge Ruto
Former Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of delivery and government efficiency, Eliud Owalo, during an inspection of national government projects in Machakos County. [John Muia, Standard]Eliud Owalo has resigned as President William Ruto's Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of delivery and government efficiency. Owalo announced his decision to exit the role on social media on Sunday night, just hours after declaring his 2027 presidential run against his boss. He noted that by choosing to challenge President Ruto, serving in his face automatically became untenable, and he was therefore leaving State House immediately. Owalo joins a crowded field of presidential hopefuls, including seasoned politicians hoping to unseat President Ruto, who will be seeking re-election in the August 2027 polls.
Source:Standard Digital
January 12, 2026 11:59 UTC
DCI Arrests Three Suspects Linked to Violent Criminal Gun, Recover AK-47 Gun
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has recovered an AK-47 gun and apprehended three suspects linked to a violent criminal gang in Uasin Gishu County. Detectives have assured that they will continue with investigations to apprehend other individuals linked to the gang. "The three suspects are currently being processed for arraignment in court as investigations continue. Detectives are also intensifying efforts to arrest other members of the gang who are still at large," DCI stated. According to the detectives, upon the arrest of the six suspects, they recovered several items, including two Falcon pistols and three live ammunition.
Source:Daily Nation
January 12, 2026 11:27 UTC
St Helens man sentenced in court for cocaine possession
Michael Chapman, of Knowles House Avenue, Eccleston, appeared before Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens Magistrates' Court on Monday, January 5. He indicated guilty pleas to possession of a Class A and Class B drugs. On March 20, this year, the defendant was caught with a quantity of cocaine and cannabis on him. For the cocaine offence, Chapman was fined £120, and made to pay costs to the Crown Prosecution Service of £85. Possess a controlled drug of Class B - Cannabis / Cannabis Resin On 20/03/2025 at St Helens in the county of Merseyside you, Michael Chapman had in your possession a quantity of cannabis a controlled drug of class B in contravention of section 5(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Source:The Star
January 12, 2026 11:13 UTC
Why 2026 might become the President's year of reckoning
President William Ruto during the FCPA Barasa Governor’s Cup at Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega County, on January 1, 2026. [PCS]President William Ruto has framed 2026 as the decisive year of implementation. And by that standard, 2026 may prove to be less a year of consolidation and more a year of political reckoning. Ultimately, 2026 will not be decided by press conferences, road launches, or carefully staged development tours. If the lived reality of Kenyans does not improve meaningfully, 2026 may become less a year of implementation and more a year when political patience finally runs out.
Source:Standard Digital
January 12, 2026 11:09 UTC
Museveni will win election, but the landscape has changed
With 57 seats in parliament, National Unity Platform became the country’s official opposition party. This makes it difficult to know how the National Unity Platform might perform in a free and fair election. In the run-up to the 2026 election, prominent the National Unity Platform members remain in detention and have been tortured. Video footage recently captured police and defence force soldiers beating National Unity Platform security personnel. Subsequently, the Democratic Party – Uganda’s second oldest political party – entered into a formal cooperation agreement with the ruling National Resistance Movement.
Source:Standard Digital
January 12, 2026 11:09 UTC
Chebwagan Boys High School Closed Indefinitely After Student Night Strike
Barely a week after reopening, students at the Chebwagan Boys High School in Kericho are back at their homes after they held protests on the night of Sunday, January 11. According to reports, the Kericho County Director of Education ordered the indefinite closure of the institution to neutralise the situation. An undated photo of Chebwagan Boys High School in KerichoVideos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed the students storming out of the school gate carrying their belongings while being supervised by police officers who were deployed to assess the situation on Monday, January 12, morning. It remains unclear whether the students went on a rampage and whether any property within the school premises was destroyed during the strike. The High School administration is yet to issue a formal response on the strike amid a wave of uncertainty on when the students will resume their learning.
Source:Daily Nation
January 12, 2026 11:07 UTC
New Jack City cast today: Where the stars of the 1991 classic are now?
Did you know the "New Jack City" cast delivered some of the most unforgettable performances of the '90s? Mario Van Peebles, Judd Nelson, and Ice-T looking ahead in a scene from the film 'New Jack City', 1991. New Jack City cast members todayNew Jack City characters helped define one of the most talked-about crime movies in 1991. In 1991, he was cast as Duh Duh Duh Man in New Jack City. FAQsWith many people curious about New Jack City cast today, here are some facts you should know about where the stars of the 1991 classic are now.
Source:The Star
January 12, 2026 11:02 UTC
![ODM Leadership Meets for Consultative Talks on Party Direction [Photos]](https://nairobileo.co.ke/storage/uploads/2026/01/IMG-20260112-WA0006-1768210089.jpg)
ODM Leadership Meets for Consultative Talks on Party Direction [Photos]
Editor's Review The ODM Party leadership has held high-level consultative talks as the party reflects on its political priorities amid evolving national developments. The ODM Party leadership has held high-level consultative talks as the party reflects on its political priorities amid evolving national developments. "I met with my friend, Senator Edwin Sifuna the Secretary General of the ODM Party this morning. We are united as the ODM Party," he said. "Minority Leader in the National Assembly, Junet Mohamed, this morning called on the Party Leader, Dr Oburu, at his office in Nairobi.
Source:Daily Nation
January 12, 2026 09:51 UTC
I am not safe! Gachagua claims, insists he wants security restored
Speaking on Monday, Gachagua claimed the decision to withdraw his security detail was unjustified and dangerous, arguing that his influence and public standing still warrant state protection. The government withdrew security from him despite his senior status in the country,” Gachagua claimed. Gachagua claimed the withdrawal of his security is linked to what he described as political fallout with the current administration and disagreements over the Mt Kenya region. According to the former Deputy President, the alleged plan involves creating divisions within the Mt Kenya bloc to dilute its voting power in future elections. Gachagua claimed the plan is "to divide the mountain between Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West and sometimes telling Kiambu to get out of the mountain."
Source:The Star
January 12, 2026 09:45 UTC