Category: LATEST NEWS

Kisii University admits more students than other top universities in Kenya. Kenyans have been wondering why this is the reason.

There are a few reasons why Kisii University admits more KUCCPS students than even top-tier institutions like JKUAT:

1. JKUAT is a tech and engineering-heavy university, meaning most of its programs require expensive infrastructure—labs, workshops, qualified instructors, and strict student-to-equipment ratios. Kisii, on the other hand, leans more towards arts, education, and business courses, which generally require fewer resources per student. That naturally limits how many students JKUAT can admit.
2. Kisii University has gone big on marketing, especially online. In recent years, they’ve been very aggressive on social media and education platforms—something even older universities haven’t done as actively. That visibility is pulling in more applicants.
3. More vacancies = lower cut-off points. With Kisii declaring more spaces in its courses, many students with mid-range and lower cluster points get placed there automatically.
4. Also worth noting — Parliament once raised eyebrows when Kisii declared more capacity than even UoN. The probe didn’t go far, but it left people wondering whether the Commission for University Education (CUE) might have some internal bias or external influence in approving capacities. The top leadership of CUE is largely from the Kisii Community, heavily influenced by the fact that most recent CS Education came from the Kisii Community

So yes, Kisii is growing fast — maybe too fast — and that’s both an opportunity and a concern.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said that Raila is now irrelevant in Kenyan politics. Speaking in USA,Gachagua claimed that if Raila contests in 2027,Ruto will finish number 4 in that race.

“1 can tell you Raila Odinga brings nothing to the table. The Kambas were behind him, but they have left, the Kisiis have left, the Luhyas have left, the Masaais have left; the Luo nation has been divided in the middle, even if they are together, we will beat them 70 plus one.

If Raila decides to run, Ruto will be number four in the election, either way, he is one term, so there is no problem, do not be worried the people of Kenya have made decisions which are finalised and nothing will change, 70% of Kenyans do not want him back”

Right now,Ruto has lost support of most regions in Kenya—he is only relying on Luo and Kalenjin votes. The Luo votes are not reliable because Raila can bolt out any time.

A bad accident has just happened in Kijauri Nyansiongo involving a lorry and several cars. The lorry ,which was carrying wood,lost control and rammed into other vehicles before ploughing into people in the market. A total of 7 people died and several others were injured.

The accident occurred in an area which is notorious for accidents. In a year,3 accidents have been witnessed in Kijauri. The last one claimed lives of 3 people and it happened towards the end of 2024.

Below are some of the photos from the accident scene:

 

YOU MUST GO TO SCHOOL IN ORDER TO LEGALLY OPERATE A SEMI TRUCK  ON AMERICAN ROADS

NO EXCEPTIONS .

DURATION OF CLASSES  (3–6 weeks, 120–240 hours)

TUITION

Private schools:3,000–$10,000 for full Class A programs

Community colleges $1,000–$6,000 (often $2,500–5,000

MANDATORY FEES

* Permit/license: $50–$200

* Testing: $100–$200 (skills/road test)

* DOT physical: $50–$150;

drug screen: $30–$60;

background checks: $50–$100

STUDY MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT

* Manuals, textbooks, practice tests $30–$200

* Safety gear $100–$200

LIVING & TRANSPORTATION COSTS

* Room & board(if away from home $500–$1,500/month

* Meals: $300–$600/month;

transport$100–$300/month

ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATION

* Endorsements: HazMat $100–$150; Tanker, Doubles/Triples, Passenger $20–$50 each

FULL COURSEWORK & TRAINING MODULES

Classroom Theory

* FMCSA & ELDT-regulated content: regulations, hours-of-service

* Vehicle systems & air brake training

* Pre-trip/post-trip inspections

* Logbooks, cargo securement, documentation

* Trip planning, route choice, handling CB radios

* Defensive driving: night, mountain, skid recovery

* Safety & compliance: fatigue, wellness, enviro regs, anti-human trafficking

 

YARD & SIMULATOR TRAINING

* Pre-trip vehicle inspection

* Air-brake testing

* Backing drills: straight-line, offset, 90°, docking

* Coupling/uncoupling trailers

* Control skills: shifting (double-clutching), gear selection

BEHIND-THE-WHEEL (ON-ROAD)

* City, highway, rural, night, inclement conditions

* Emergency maneuvers, railroad crossings, mountain slopes

* Supervised driving with instructor

ENDORSEMENT PREP

* HazMat, Tanker, Doubles/Triples, Passenger modules

* Written tests + any specialized training

EXAMS & LICENSING

Written CDL knowledge test  (plus separate endorsement tests)

Skills test includes pre-trip, basic maneuvers, on-road driving

Many schools offer on-site testing using their vehicles for road test

EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES

Job placement  80–100% at community college & carrier-affiliated programs

Starting salary $45K–$60K/year for new Class A drivers

Experienced/specialized

$60K–$100K+ annually

Companies Many offer tuition reimbursement ($3K–$7K) after hire

FUNDING & FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS

Pell Grants & WIOA/state workforce programs

Scholarships  e.g., Women in Trucking, state trucking associations

Employer sponsorships employer-funded training with contractual work commitment

Payment plans & private loans

These are the behaviours of major tribes in Uganda:

*BANYANKOLE* : They have beautiful bodies and faces, they love themselves so much, they are so united, in most cases if a rich munyankole finds a poor munyankole, he will always help them. But they are very arrogant people. They take themselves to be on top of others

*LUGBARA* : They are hardworking people, they have the most honest women, but most lugbaras are not friendly, they are short tempered people, u have to be very careful wen dealing with them, they rarely joke

*ITESO* : They like studying so much, and they are good performer in schools. They are very good at taking alcohol, no one can challenge them.

*BAGISU* : They have good looking ladies who like sex so much, to bagisu women, sex is better than food. Bagisu women respect their husbands so much. They are hardworking people. Bagisu are very energetic people. Bagisu men are very good at beating women, they like mistreating women.

*BAGANDA* : They talk too much, they like minding other people’s businesses, they dont want to be used, as in they don’t want to be under bosses, they want to be thier own bosses. They like business deals, they are sweet talkers and calculate alot when it comes to businesses, that’s why most Bagandas are conmen. They are not trustworthy people. They even fear themselves, a muganda fears a fellow muganda.

*BAKIGA* : These are intelligent people, they like being leaders. If u put bakigas in ur businesses, u will benefit alot. They are very rude and tough people, even a mukiga woman can beat a man if she’s very annoyed.

*BADAAMA/JAPADOLAS* : They like working on sites as porters and in factories. They know how to survive during hard times, coz they don’t underestimate jobs. But they are good thieves, they like stealing so much, both women and men.

*ACHOLI/ LANGI* : They are also good performers in schools. They are educated people. They are good listeners at their places of work. But they are so violate, their short tempered people, not easy to deal with.

*BASOGA* : Most of the basoga people know only one job in life, frying chapatis, they like thier language so much, they have very nice ladies who are sweet in bed, most of the basoga women are good in bed. But it’s believed that basogas take long to understand.

*BATOORO* : These are the coolest people in Uganda, they talk slow, they are so honest. They like being their own bosses, that’s why most of them are hawkers (Batembeyi)…But they like cheating so much, a mutooro can’t be satisfied with one man or woman. Batooro women are so easy to convince. (Not all of them but most of them). Batooro are like Banyankole, they also like themselves so much.

*BASAMYA* : They think that they are the wisest people in Uganda, most basamyas are good mathematicians, they are very good wen it comes to business issues. But they are difficult people, they don’t want to pay, if ur demanding a musamya ur money, he can make u suffer until u forget it or use forceful means to pay u.

*BAFUMBIRA* : There is a slite difference btn Bafumbiras and Rwandese. They have nice eyes, they mind about their business, they dont like putting their nose into other people’s business. But this is the laziest tribe in Uganda.

*SEBEYI* : They are coperative people, but they are very backwards. Is the tribe that is still backwards

*BANYORO* : These ones don’t want to be understimated. Most of them hate Bagandas so much. They can deal with any tribe but not baganda. They have a saying in their tribe that “U rather deal with a snake but not a muganda”

*BAKONJO* : They are very humble people, they are disciplined people. But most bakonjo men disrespect women yet they don’t want to disrespected. In most cases bakonjos are confused people.

NOTE ON THIS POST: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

This content reflects informal, generalized perceptions and stereotypes gathered from a Ugandan student’s perspective. It is important to understand that these statements do not represent factual or universally true characteristics of any tribe in Uganda.

Uganda is a richly diverse country made up of many ethnic groups, each with unique cultures, histories, and contributions to society. While some parts of this post may seem humorous or relatable to certain cultural experiences, many of the claims are based on subjective opinions and broad generalizations, some of which can be harmful or offensive if taken literally or shared without context.

Stereotypes can mislead: Individuals are shaped by many factors beyond tribe—like education, environment, upbringing, and personality.

Avoid prejudice: Let’s be cautious not to promote bias or division based on ethnicity.

Purpose of the post: This should be seen as a cultural commentary—NOT as a scientific or sociological analysis.

Respect matters: We can celebrate our differences with humor, but we should also remember to respect every tribe and individual equally.

David Mutaaga (69) and his wife Deborah Florence Mutaaga (62) were found savagely murdered in their home in Lugonjo–Nakiwogo, Entebbe, on July 6, 2025.

The couple had recently returned to Uganda after spending more than 30 years building a life in Switzerland…

Their bodies, riddled with stab wounds, were discovered with blood pooling around them…a scene too brutal to comprehend.

There were no signs of forced entry,and when investigators reviewed the CCTV footage,.. they saw intruders jumping over the perimeter fence, breaking through the roof,shattering the bedroom window.

A sniffer dog traced the scent to the main gate, indicating a calculated and easy escape.

Police and neighbours strongly suspect the gruesome murders may be because of bitter, long-standing family dispute over inherited property.

David they narrate,.. was the sole custodian of properties his father left in his name..

Ni kama wenzake walimpangia njama wakamuua.

No arrests have been made,..and the hunt for answers continues as detectives comb through CCTV footage, retracing the couple’s last moments..

He passed away quietly in late May, alone in his apartment in Azusa, Los Angeles County. His final days were marked by a silence that no human being should ever endure.

Patrick was once a proud father of three: Lawrence, Laura, and Lauren. Their mother-his wife-passed away in 2017. Since then, life became unbearably quiet.

Patrick took his own life, leaving behind a note and a phone with just one name in it-his son Lawrence.

Life had pushed him to the edge. He was living with a grade 4 brain tumor, at time experiencing memory loss, confusion, and pain. It was the kind of suffering you cannot always explain with words. His heart had been wounded many times-by grief, by separation, by distance, by time. He had known love and he had known loss.

After his wife’s passing, he tried to rebuild. He found love again with a Filipino partner, and they had a daughter. But that too was taken from him-mother and child moved away, to the Philippines, and he never saw the little one again. That toddler had become his new light, and when she left, something inside him broke even more.

His relationship with his older children had grown strained over time. Life happens. Distance happens. Wounds do not always get a chance to heal. His daughters had chosen to walk their own path, and even Lawrence-his only son-had grown distant. But Lawrence never fully let go. They would still speak, every so often.

When Patrick died, the county prepared to cremate him. No one had claimed the body.

But then, Lawrence showed up.

He lives in Las Vegas now, working, trying to figure life out like many 28-year-olds do. The last time he visited Kenya, he was just seven. That was the last time he saw his grandmother-Patrick’s mother.

And in an unbearably cruel twist of fate, today, Patrick’s mother-overwhelmed by grief, collapsed and passed away too. She had just escorted mourners who had come to support her for losing a son.

I came to know of this story after a post on Wanderlust called for any Kenyan in Los Angeles who could help. I reached out. I was connected to Wambui, who then shared Lawrence’s number. After several tries, I finally got through to him

Lawrence opened up to me about his father. He told me about the man who once served two tours of duty in the U.S. Marines. A man who wanted the very best for his children. Life after the military changed him-perhaps in ways not even he understood. But beneath all the layers of pain and distance, Lawrence still saw his dad as a good man. When sober, when smiling, he was the most loving father in the world.

He told me his dad would call and cry about missing his youngest daughter. That he left behind a note that simply said how much he loved Lawrence. And when Lawrence scrolled through Patrick’s phone, he found his own name as the only saved contact.

And that broke him.

Today, Lawrence is grieving not just a father and grandmother, but the complicated weight of everything that was, and everything that could have been. Yet in his voice, I also heard something else-hope. Because now, the Kenyan community has surrounded him. A WhatsApp group is up. Plans are underway. People are showing up. Not for a headline, not for attention-but because this is what community does. This is who we are.

Patrick’s relatives had hoped to come to America to send off their son. Now they must bury his mother instead. And his father-an old man now-must be comforted in Kenya with this double heartbreak.

Lawrence says he no longer feels alone. That for the first time in a while, he feels lifted. Last few weeks he has cried, but now he feels strong; the community is carrying him. And when all this is over, he hopes to travel to Kenya, not just to grieve, but to honor his father and now his grandmother in a way they deserve

I am hoping I can reach out to his sisters. Because grief does not have to divide. Maybe, just maybe, there is still a way to bring them together-one more time-for daddy.

If you are a Kenyan in America, can you chip in? Cashapp, Venmo or Zelle me. We also have a WhatsApp group and prayer sessions. Let’s do this. (DM me)

In the book of Job we read: “When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.”

Liberty Kenya donated desk top computers, laptop and early childhood classroom chairs worth 350, 000 to the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST) Primary School, a public school located in Nakuru County, reinforcing its commitment to equitable access to digital literacy and quality early learning.

Each computer is equipped with Scratch, a globally recognised visual programming platform developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The software introduces children to coding through a user-friendly interface that supports early development in logic, creativity, and problem-solving. The program compliments the Curriculum Based Education (CBE) initiatives to support learners in acquiring computer related skills at an early age.

To complement the digital tools, Liberty Kenya also provided a set of age-appropriate ergonomic ECDE chairs. Designed for young learners, the furniture is intended to support comfort and focus during lessons. Research shows that classroom readiness at this stage significantly influences long-term learning outcomes.

The donation is part of Liberty Kenya’s sustainability initiatives and aligns with the global SDG 4 on Quality Education and SDG 10 on Reduced Inequality by expanding access to learning tools at a stage where gaps in education often begin. It also reflects the insurer’s evolving ESG strategy, where governance has been a foundation and social investment through education is now a key priority.

RVIST, a long-standing technical and vocational institution and recently awarded National status, supports the primary school as part of its broader community engagement. Many of the learners are children of RVIST staff and the community that surrounds the institution, making the impact of the donation both institutional and personal.

“This investment reflects our belief that quality education must begin with access to the right tools, from the very start,” said Kieran Godden, Group CEO of Liberty Kenya. “As a company, we are committed to sustainability that delivers real outcomes. This includes narrowing the digital divide, and empowering young people across Kenya to thrive in a fast-changing world.”

RVIST primary school Principal Eric Owino welcomed the donation and noted that the support would strengthen the school’s ability to deliver relevant, technology-enhanced learning and enable students acquire skills to make them relevant and competitive in the global environment. RVIST Principal Sam Chemoiwa pledged continued support to the parents, students and teachers of the school and the local MCA Hon Alex Langat commended Liberty Kenya for the donation and the county governments expectations of the institution.

Liberty Kenya actively supports education nationwide through its flagship scholarship program, which provides comprehensive sponsorship for high school and university students and extends to facilitating opportunities for gainful employment upon completion of their studies.

Below is a list of Kalenjins President William Ruto has appointed to top government positions in Kenya:

1. Head of Civil Service – Felix Kosgei
2. Kengen CEO – Abraham Serem
3. Kenya Power CEO – Joseph Siror
4. Kenya Pipeline CEO – Joe Sang
5. Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Agency CEO – Daniel Kiptoo
6. Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority Director General – James Keter
7. KETRACO Company Secretary – Lydia Sitienei
8. Kenya Ports Authority CEO– William Ruto
9. KEMRI CEO – Elijah Songok
10. New KCC CEO – Nixon Sigey
11. NSSF CEO– David Koros
12. NCPB CEO – John Ngetich
13. Agriculture and Food Authority Chair – Cornelly Serem
14. Kenya Seed Company CEO – Sammy Kiplagat
15. Nyayo Tea Zones CEO – Peter Korir
16. Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization CEO – Eliud K. Kireger
17. Kenya Meat Commission, Chair – Joseph Kiptoo
18. Kenya Dairy Board CEO – Margaret Kibogy
19. Kenya Animal Genetics Resource Centre CEO – David Kios
20. Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Chair – Mr. Richard Cheruiyot
21. Kenya National Accreditation Services CEO – Martin Chesire
22. Special Economic Zones Authority CEO – Kenneth Chelule
23. Insurance Regulatory Authority CEO – Godfrey Kiptum
24. Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation CEO – Hellen Chepchumba Chepkwony
25. Privatization Commission CEO – Joseph Koskey
26. Director General of Immigration – Evelyn Cheluget
27. Kenya Space Agency, CEO -Hillary Kipkosgey
28. Kenya Post Office Savings Bank Chair – Sarah Serem
29. Kenya Water Towers Agency, CEO –Julius Tanui
30. Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) CEO – Joshua Cheboiywo
31. Tourism Regulatory Authority, CEO – Norbert Talam
32. Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) CEO – John Chirchir
33. North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency CEO- Edwin Cheruiyot Rotich
34. National Employment Authority Chair – Vincent Kigen
35. Kenya Pipeline Chair – Faith Boinnet
36. kenya Ports Authority Chair – Caleb Kositany
37. Chemilil Sugar CEO – Kiptoo Kiplum
38. Nzoia Sugar MD – Ezron Kotut
39. NPS Service Co e.t.c

Below are the things President Ruto has done right.

1. Inflation Rate

Kenya’s inflation rate has shown a significant decline (and stability) in the past-2 years, reaching 2.8% in November 2024, the lowest level in at least 17 years.

Historically, Kenya’s inflation has fluctuated, with a high of 46% in 1993 and an average of 9.29% from 1960 to 2024.

The 2024 rate of 4.7% (annual average) (lowest in 17 years) reflects a moderation in price pressures, driven by easing fuel, food, and utility costs

2. Tourism Recovery

In 2024, Kenya’s tourism sector achieved record-breaking growth, welcoming 2,394,376 international visitors, a 15% increase from 2023, and generating KES 452.20 billion in earnings, up 20%.

This success could be attributed to multiple strategic initiatives, including the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, enhanced digital marketing, improved air connectivity, and diversified tourism offerings like cruise tourism (up 163.5%) and MICE tourism (27% of arrivals).

3. Agricultural Production

The country has recorded an improved agricultural Production in the past two years, with Maize Production increasing by 8%, Rice Production by 30%, Sugarcane Production by 38% amongst others

While favourable weather in the past two years plays a significant roles in the improved agricultural Production especially the good performance of the 2023 and 2024 Long Rains, access to subsidised farm inputs especially seeds and fertilizers can’t be wished away

The digitisation of the farming households in the country is a major milestone in enhancing planning and driving evidence based decision making

4. Improved Balance of Trade

The total value of exports from the country has increased by nearly 27%, from 873B KES to 1.1T KES largely driven by re-exports (2022 to 2024)

The growth in the total exports, which outpaced the increase in imports (9% increase in imports), led to an improvement in the balance of trade deficit. That is, the balance of trade shrunk by 2%

Similarly, the cover ratio (exports/imports), has slightly increased to 41% up from 35%, meaning a lowered trade balance

5. Others

Teachers: Employment of over 60,000 teachers in under 2 years, marking the largest recruitment in Kenya’s history is such a period of time. Actually, as of 2022, Kenya had 349,000 Teachers, a number that rose to 411,000 in 2 years

CHPs: In addition, there is a significant increase in Trained Community Health Promoters, increasing by 20% in under 2 years

eCitizen: The number of government services on the e-Citizen platform increased from 320 in September 2022 to 4,000, enhancing access to services via mobile devices hence accelerating access to services

Passports: The waiting time for passports processing has significantly reduced in the past year compared with prolonged processes witnessed earlier. Currently, its taking an average of 14 days (assuming all documentation are in order), compared to over 50 days back in late 2010s

Elijah K Samual has shared a list of President Ruto’s failures for the past 3 years he has been in power. Here is the full list;

After sharing the successes of the current regime, yesterday I shared the areas of concern too

1. The contracting of the construction sector

Despite the heavy investment by the Government in Affordable Housing, the construction sector contracted in 2024 by 0.7%, the first time in over 10 years that the sector shrunk

It is worth noting that consumption of major construction inputs again dropped in 2024, with cement consumption dropping by 10% and iron & steel imports dropping by 9% etc.

The consumption of cement recorded the first drop in 20 years, and probably this was driven by multiple factors such as stagnation of budget allocation for public infrastructure, high borrowing costs, reduction in clinker imports mainly associated with a 17.5% import levy introduced in 2023, yet local production was unable to meet the demand etc.

In fact, the share of the construction sector to the GDP fell for the 2nd year in a row in 2024 to 6.3%, down from 6.7% in 2023 and 7.1% in 2022;

The overall number of people working in the private construction sector fell to 223,400 for the first time in five year

As earlier mentioned, high const of credit impacted negative on the sector, with the credit advanced to enterprises in the construction sector declining from KSh 602.7 billion in 2023 to KSh 528 billion in 2024 again the lowest in the five years of comparison

2. The slowing-down in the manufacturing sector

Despite the sector expanding by 2.8% in 2024, up from 2.2% in 2023, the sector’s share of the overall GDP was 7.3%, the lowest in 10 years and down from a high of 7.7% in 2022

This simply means that the sector failed to match the GDP expansion rate, this is a sector which carries the greatest potential in revolutionizing the economy.

Similar to the construction sector, in 2024, total approved credit to the manufacturing sector dropped to KSh 563.0 billion, largely due to a decline in credit from commercial banks, which fell to KSh 560.6 billion.

This drop in credit to the key sectors such as construction and manufacturing by commercial banks could be attributed to among others high interests, as well as preference for banks to lend to the Government

The sector in 2024 employed 347,300 formally, a 2% increase from 2023, but the slowest growth in the past 5 years (2021 and 2022 averaged 6% growth, 2023 and 2024 averaged 2.7% growth)

3. An economy that is slowing in employment generation

In 2024, the economy generated 75,500 formal jobs and 704,000 informal jobs in the year, the LOWEST in 5 years.

Now, the above is despite nearly 1 million Kenyans joining the job market each year; meaning that in 2024, approximately 300,000 Kenyans who joined the job market didn’t get employed (whether formal or informal).

4. Slow down in revenue collection

Up to 31 May 2025 within the 2024/25 FY, the Tax Revenue was estimated as 2.011 trillion KES, which was 4% higher than the tax revenue for the previous FY at the same time point

Now, compared with previous FYs since 2014/15, at this point of the FY, this was the slowest expansion on year-to-year comparison

Similarly, against the FY target, as of 31st May 2025, the collection was at 83%, meaning that the 17% has to be collected in June alone

For comparison, in the 2021/22 FY, at the same point in time, the revenue collected was 94% against the target for the same FY

5. Stagnant investment in public development expenditure

As of 31st May 2025, the Government had spent 265 billion KES on national level expenditure, which was approximately the same for the previous year which was estimated as 261 billion KES

On the flip side, in the 2021-22 FY, as of the same time of the FY, the expenditure was 283 billion KES implies a slight reduction in this investment by the current regime

Further to the above, as share of the tax revenue for the same period, the share of expenditure for the first time in two decades dipped below 15%, and this has been the case for the past 3 years

For comparison, in the 2021-22 FY, this share was 17%, implies that 17 KES of every 100 KES tax revenue was allocated to development compared to an average of KES 13 in the since the current regime came to power

6. Reduced purchase of vehicles and motorcycles

The number of registered motor vehicles in 2024 dropped by 21%, the highest drop in 5 years, with commercial vehicles recording the highest drop

In that year, only 93,646 units were registered, the LOWEST in 8 years (even lower than 2020 during COVID-19)

Similarly, the number of newly registered motor and autocycles have more than halved in 2 years (from 131,513 in 2022 to 68,804 in 2024)

This drop could be attributed to multiple factors including increased taxes since 2023, high interest rates from lenders especially in 2024, eroded purchasing power amongst others

7. The ever-rising public debt

During Uhuru’s Tenure, the Public Debt skyrocketed to 8.7 Trillion KES up from 1.8 Trillion KES when Kibaki left office, which translates to an annual average of 720 Billion KES

Enter William and the Public Debt has hit a high of 11.4 Trillion KES (in April 2025) in 2.5 Years which translates to an annual average of 1.1 Trillion KES

Based on the above point, then William’s annual borrowing is approximately 48% higher than Uhuru’s annual average

As a share of the GDP, the public debt has hit the 70% mark up from 67% some three years ago

8. The high interest rates

In 2024, the commercial interest rates hit new average-highs in nearly 10 years, having hit an average-high of 17.2% in November 2024 (with some banks charging as high as 22%)

The above was nearly 5 percentage-point higher than the averages rates recorded in 2022 of 12.3% (averaged for different bank)

Although the rates are currently coming down, the current average of 16.1% still remains higher than the average recorded in 2022

I can pen more, but my ink is now dry

Data Sources: Mainly KNBS and Central Bank

Below is the biography of David Kimaiyo.

Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus was born on 31 July 1968 in Uasin Gishu County.  He was enlisted into the then Kenya Armed Forces as an Officer Cadet on 11 May 1988 and Commissioned as an Officer on 11 August 1989. After completion of his Cadet training, he was posted to 75 Artillery Battalion as a Troop Commander and served in other various appointments in the same Unit including as the Adjutant, Battery Commander and later on as the Battalion Second in Command.

Military Career and Appointments. Lieutenant General Tarus has held several Command, Staff and Instructional related appointments in various Kenya Defence Forces establishments. Notably, he has served as an Instructor at Peace Support Training Centre, Joint Command and Staff College for Grade Three Staff Course and Senior Directing Staff at Joint Warfare Centre. In Staff, he has served as Staff Officer at Headquarters Western and Eastern Commands, Headquarter Kenya Army and Defence Headquarters.

In addition, he was the Deputy Commander Artillery Brigade from 31 July 2015 – 28 July 2016 and later on Commander Artillery Brigade from 06 May 2019 – 30 December 2020. He was the Commandant Joint Warfare College from 31 December 2020 – 19 July 2022, General Officer Commanding Western Command from 20 July 2022 – 27 April 2023 and Deputy Army Commander from 28 April 2023 – 07 March 2024. He was promoted to his current rank on 08 March 2024 and appointed Commander Kenya Army.

Military Courses. Lieutenant General Tarus in his military career spanning more than three decades has attended various courses relevant to the various appointments he has held. Key among them:

Junior Command Course – Joint Warfare CentreGrade Two Staff Course – Joint Command and Staff CollegeCommand General Staff Course – USA LeavenworthSenior Command Course – Joint Warfare CollegeGrade One Staff Course – National Defence College

Civilian Education. He holds a Masters of Science (USA), Bachelors of Military Science (Egerton University), Diploma in Strategic Studies and Diploma in International Relations (University of Nairobi).

Peacekeeping Missions. He has served in United Nations Peacekeeping Missions in various parts of the world. Among the Peacekeeping missions he has served include the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and United Nations and African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

Honours and Awards.In recognition for his distinguished and exemplary service, H.E the President and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces has awarded him several medals, the highest being Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS).

Family. He is happily married to Monicah and blessed with four boys. He has two grandchildren.