Orengo faces fierce challenge as former allies turn against him
Siaya Governor James Orengo during an interview at his office. [File, Standard]Less than four years after riding a united political machine into office, Governor James Orengo now faces his toughest challenges yet. This threat does not come from the opposition, but from former allies who once backed and defended his rise to power.
Source:Standard Digital
January 11, 2026 17:07 UTC
Advantage Leopards and Gor as Homeboyz falter
[File]AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia were handed a boost in their pursuit for the 2025-2026 title after Kakamega Homeboyz were stunned 2-1 by Bandari’s two stoppage-time goals in Saturday’s SportPesa Premier League match at KPA Sports Club. In Mombasa, Homeboyz headed into the encounter behind their headline 1-0 win over leaders Leopards last weekend, a win they needed to back this weekend to reclaim top spot. After stalemate first half, Homeboyz took the lead through Oliver Machaka in the 58th minute, a narrow advantage they protected till the 90th minute. Additionally, history also favours Gor Mahia in this fixture. Overall, the two sides have met 40 times in league competition, with Gor Mahia claiming 25 victories, 11 draws, and only four defeats, while scoring 60 goals and conceding 22.
Source:Standard Digital
January 11, 2026 16:57 UTC
Nairobi Mother in Distress after Daughter's Fallout with Ex-Son-in-Law Escalates into Threats
Source: Getty ImagesAccording to police records, Ruth Bandi reported that her daughter’s former husband had been sending a series of threatening messages. Why Ruth Bandi's ex-son-in-law issued threatsShe told TUKO.co.ke that the man allegedly vowed to harm her daughter, Beatrice Avuzikha from Vihiga, should she return to Kenya from abroad. The matter has been classified as “threatening to life” under OB No. Police sources further indicated that a handwritten statement detailing the alleged threats and previous encounters with the suspect has been added to the official case file. The complainant claims that her daughter had earlier fled the country after experiencing prolonged mistreatment, and that the threats have continued through mobile phone messages even after she sought refuge abroad.
Source:Daily Nation
January 11, 2026 16:53 UTC
Nyeri Governor Kahiga pledges support for Ruto
From Left, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, President William Ruto and Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga during a church service at St Paul’s Church, Kariki Chinga in Othaya, Nyeri on January 11, 2026. [Amos Kiarie, Standard]Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has declared his full support for President William Ruto, saying his decision to work with the Kenya Kwanza administration is driven by the need to deliver development for his people. “I voted for President William Ruto. The governor said welcoming the President to Nyeri and engaging with him on governance issues was part of his constitutional duty. “But for now, let’s support the government to work for us.” President William Ruto shares a word with Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga at St Paul’s Church, Kariki Chinga in Othaya, Nyeri County on Janaury 11, 2026.
Source:Standard Digital
January 11, 2026 16:40 UTC
Old guards stamp dominance as new entrants steal the show
Pangani Girls School, Nairobi Principal Dr Millicent Odhiambo and students celebrate KCSE 2025 results at the school. The school scored a mean grade of 9.718. January 10th, 2026. [Elvis Ogina Standard]Traditional giants have once again secured their place at the top of the 2025 KCSE results released Friday, even as a handful of little-known schools entered the national scene to disrupt the long-established order. An independent analysis of the top 100 schools by The Standard indicates that national schools dominated the top 20 slots countrywide.
Source:Standard Digital
January 11, 2026 16:30 UTC
KCPE stars shine brightly, maintain top scores in KCSE four years later
Allan Wainaina of Nairobi School celebrates with relatives at their home in Kiamunyi, Nakuru County on January 9, 2026. He scored an A of 83 points in the 2025 KCSE examinations and got 400 marks in KCPE examinations four years ago. [Daniel Chege, Standard]Four years after sitting their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations, a cohort of former top pupils has once again risen to the occasion, posting outstanding results in the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations. Their journeys, marked by resilience, discipline and perseverance, reaffirm the belief that early academic promise, when nurtured, can translate into sustained excellence.
Source:The Star
January 11, 2026 16:20 UTC
Trump tells Cuba to 'make a deal, before it is too late'
US President Donald Trump./SCREENGRABUS President Donald Trump has urged Cuba to "make a deal" or face consequences, warning that the flow of Venezuelan oil and money would now stop. Trump has been turning his attention to Cuba since US forces seized Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in a 3 January raid on its capital. Trump did not specify the terms of a deal or the consequences Cuba could face. While the Trump administration has not stated clear plans for Cuba, Trump has previously said that US military intervention is not needed, because the country is "ready to fall". The Trump administration's tactic of confiscating sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers has already begun to worsen a fuel and electricity crisis in Cuba.
Source:The Star
January 11, 2026 16:12 UTC
Kalonzo, Gachagua diverge as fault lines persist in United Opposition
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DCP’s Rigathi Gachagua are increasingly finding themselves at odds over strategy, messaging and the path to the 2027 polls as the opposition struggles to present a united front. The latest public disagreement played out on Wednesday, when Kalonzo was forced to clarify claims that the opposition is against the Somali community. Speaking at the funeral of Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia’s father Muhia Njoroge, Kalonzo sought to calm the backlash against the opposition and particularly Gachagua from the leadership of Northeastern. The owner of BBS Mall has been a serious businessman in this country way before President William Ruto came to power,” he said. While Kalonzo publicly disowned the claims, Gachagua’s comments were interpreted by some in the opposition as the behind-the-scenes lobbying and negotiations that are still ongoing in the coalition.
Source:The Star
January 11, 2026 15:53 UTC
Mother and daughter die as fire razes house in Ainamoi
Residents at the scene where a house was razed by fire in Poiywek village, Kericho County Nikko Tanui, on January 11, 2026. [Nikko Tanui, Standard]A woman and her daughter died in a fire incident in the Poiywek village, Kericho County. Kericho County Police Commander James Ngetich said the fire broke out at around 4:30 am and quickly spread through the timber house where the victims were sleeping. An elderly woman, her daughter and a house-help died after their house in Kugerwet village, Kericho County, was razed on Saturday. The victims are an 82-year-old woman, her 52-year-old daughter and their 20-year-old house help.
Source:Standard Digital
January 11, 2026 15:48 UTC
Ruto: No one will separate me from Mt Kenya
“There are people who think they can create a rift between me and people of Mt Kenya,” he stated, adding, “They cannot destroy what the region and I have built together. We will meet in 2027 with those who like insulting other leaders,” Ruto said. Once Ruto’s chief lieutenant in the Mt Kenya region, Gachagua has become a vocal critic, accusing the President of sidelining the region and its leaders. Gachagua has repeatedly asserted that Ruto has lost the support of the Mt Kenya region, alleging that voters feel betrayed over government appointments, development priorities, and key decision-making. Ruto underscored his efforts to consolidate support in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Source:The Star
January 11, 2026 15:18 UTC
China, Russia dominance pushing Trump to do the unthinkable
Demonstrators hold signs in support of ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro outside the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse on January 5, 2026 in New York. [AFP]Donald Trump has just reminded us again. We live in a defective diplomatic world. Powerful states moralize what they do not practice, and practice what they do not moralize. International law is for the small and weak.
Source:Standard Digital
January 11, 2026 15:06 UTC
Old guard shown the door in Machakos Kuppet elections
Kuppet Machakos branch executive secretary Musembi Katuku addresses a press conference on August 26, 2024. [File, Standard]The wind of change is blowing in Machakos county after teachers overwhelmingly voted out long-serving Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) branch executive secretary, Muusembi Katuku, terminating his 24-year reign at the helm of the union. The hotly contested elections, held at Machakos University at the weekend were the first Kuppet branch polls countrywide, setting the pace ahead of similar elections scheduled to roll out every weekend until March this year. A total of 3,108 votes were cast, with 22 spoilt ballots recorded in the Executive Secretary race. Chairman Martin Mutisya said the new leadership would faithfully implement the vision articulated by teachers during the campaign period.
Source:Standard Digital
January 11, 2026 15:02 UTC
The Luhya moment at Jirongo's funeral that we must be alive to
At the funeral of Cyrus Jirongo, something rare happened in Kenyan politics: grief did not dissolve into platitudes; instead, it hardened into truth. Leaders and citizens used the solemnity of death to confront life, power, responsibility, unity, and moral failure. Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlimited access to all premium contentUninterrupted ad-free browsing experienceMobile-optimized reading experienceWeekly NewslettersMPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted
Source:Standard Digital
January 11, 2026 15:02 UTC
Sudan PM announces govt return to Khartoum from wartime capital
[AFP]Sudan's Prime Minister Kamil Idris announced on Sunday the government's return to Khartoum, after nearly three years of operating from its wartime capital of Port Sudan. It has pursued a gradual return to Khartoum since the army recaptured the city last March. "Today, we return, and the Government of Hope returns to the national capital," Idris told reporters in Khartoum, promising "better services" for residents. For close to two years, the Sudanese capital -- composed of the three cities of Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum North (Bahri) -- was an active battlefield. South of Khartoum, the RSF has pushed through the Kordofan region, after dislodging the army from its last stronghold in Darfur last year.
Source:Standard Digital
January 11, 2026 15:00 UTC
Kibera-Based Social Media Star Among 10 Global Winners to Build Village with Mr. Beast
A Kibera-based social media influencer has been selected among ten global winners to join YouTube star Mr Beast in a major charity mission in Ghana after taking part in the 2026 One Billion Followers Summit, which concludes Sunday, January 11, 2026, in Dubai, UAE. Participants were required to carry out an act of kindness, post it on social media, tag Mr Beast and the One Billion Followers Summit, and submit a link to their content for consideration. In a social media update on his Instagram account on January 10, 2026, ten creators were later selected and announced live during the summit, earning an opportunity to travel with Mr Beast to Ghana to help build a village. Beast, is an American content creator and philanthropist who launched the '1 Billion Acts of Kindness' campaign. His story has since inspired many online, reinforcing the campaign’s message that, 'simple acts of kindness, when shared, can create global impact.'
Source:The Star
January 11, 2026 14:40 UTC