Oman Lens is preparing to launch a new earth observation satellite in early 2026, a mission that will expand the nation’s capabilities in space technology. Equipped with a 50-cm panchromatic camera and multispectral imaging sensors including RGB and near-infrared (NIR), the satellite will also feature an artificial intelligence platform capable of executing more than 400tn operations per second, according to a report by Muscat Daily.

The satellite is designed to support critical applications ranging from flood prediction and urban planning to road development and vegetation monitoring. It builds on the success of Oman Lens’ first satellite, OL1, launched in November 2024, which delivered one-meter resolution imagery. The upcoming mission aims to combine higher-resolution imaging with AI-driven data analysis to enhance the monitoring of environmental and urban changes.

The announcement was made during a signing ceremony where Oman Lens confirmed agreements with Oman Chromite Company, Ankaa Space and Technologies and authorised resellers including Mustafa Sultan Telecommunications, GIS HUB, and Bedrock Mineral Resource Consulting.

Working with Star Vision Space and the Bahrain Space Agency, Oman Lens has also developed an onboard processing algorithm that can distinguish between cloud cover and the Earth’s surface. This innovation is expected to improve the accuracy of natural resource management and environmental monitoring across the Middle East and North Africa.

“This is a historic moment in Oman’s journey into space, reinforcing its regional leadership in space technology,” said Ali bin Nasser al Wahaibi, Director of Marketing and Sales at Oman Lens. He stressed that the mission highlights the company’s commitment to developing national talent, advancing artificial intelligence, and delivering remote sensing solutions that support social, environmental, and economic progress.

Wadha al Jumaidi, Director of Administrative Affairs at Oman Lens, noted that OL1 is already registered under Oman’s name with the International Telecommunication Union, and confirmed that the new satellite will operate in the same field with greater efficiency and resolution.

The initiative is aligned with Oman Vision 2040, the country’s long-term strategy to foster innovation and technological growth, with the ultimate aim of positioning the sultanate as a regional hub for space and AI-powered solutions. SatelliteProMe.com

Kyalo Mbobu. PHOTO/@FaithOdhiambo8/X 

The legal fraternity and academic community in Kenya continue to mourn the loss of Kyalo Mbobu, a towering figure in law, an impassioned teacher, and a mentor to generations of lawyers.

His tragic killing in Nairobi on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, has left a deep wound in the hearts of many who knew him not just for his intellectual rigour, but for his unwavering commitment to justice and education. 

According to the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, Mbobu, was fatally shot by unknown assailants in a drive-by attack before the attackers sped off on a motorcycle. 

Among those who paid tribute was Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma, who shared a deeply personal message.

“I am shocked at the killing of my teacher and friend, Kyalo Mbobu. A top-notch lawyer and lecturer of law, Prof. Kyalo taught me the Law of Evidence,” Kaluma said.

Who is Kyalo Mbobu?

His career spanned nearly three decades, during which he served as an advocate, academic, and governance leader.

He previously chaired the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT), where he presided over high-stakes nomination disputes and intra-party wrangles.

The tribunal, established under the Political Parties Act of 2011, plays a critical role in resolving disputes arising from party primaries, coalition agreements, and internal contests.

He was active in the 2017 elections at the PPDT.

As chair, Mbobu earned respect for steering the tribunal through tense election seasons, offering aggrieved aspirants a fair legal avenue to challenge contested nominations.

His leadership was widely credited with strengthening the tribunal’s credibility as a pillar of Kenya’s democratic process.

Beyond his tribunal work, Mbobu was a senior partner at Kyalo & Associates Advocates, a firm specialising in commercial litigation, arbitration, and corporate law.

He also left a lasting imprint on academia.

Teacher at heart?

He lectured at the University of Nairobi School of Law and the Kenya School of Law, training hundreds of students in law, governance, and dispute resolution.

Mbobu’s expertise extended into corporate governance. He served as a board member of the Institute of Directors Kenya and chaired Quest Holdings Limited and Core Capital Group Limited.

Mbobu was more than just an accomplished lawyer; he was first and foremost a teacher, a mentor, and a guide. His lectures on the Law of Evidence, Constitutional Law, and Legal Ethics were legendary across several Kenyan law schools, most notably at the University of Nairobi and the Kenya School of Law.

The Law and Practice of Evidence in Kenya,  one of his top written works, is a 411-page volume, covers key principles such as admissibility, burden of proof, witness testimony, confessions, and documentary evidence.

The book, widely used in law schools, simplified complex legal concepts and became an essential reference for advocates, judges, and students alike.

Legal scholars have hailed it as one of the most comprehensive and accessible works on evidence law in Kenya.

Through his practice, teaching, and writing, Mbobu cemented his place as a thought leader in Kenya’s legal fraternity.

Students often recalled his sharp mind, Socratic method of teaching, and his insistence that the law must always serve justice.

His impact extended beyond the classroom. He was known to take a keen interest in the personal and professional development of his students, many of whom rose to prominent positions in the judiciary, academia, and public service.

Advocate of the High Court

As an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya for over three decades, Mbobu built a reputation for excellence, integrity, and fearless advocacy. He specialised in constitutional law, civil litigation, and public interest cases.

His courtroom demeanour was marked by clarity, precision, and a calm but forceful presence that commanded respect from the bench and bar alike.

He represented clients in some of the most high-profile and complex cases in Kenya’s recent legal history, and his arguments often helped shape jurisprudence in key areas of constitutional interpretation and civil liberties.

Yet, despite his accolades, Mbobu remained deeply grounded. He often emphasised that the practice of law was not about prestige but about service. In legal forums and bar association meetings, he advocated tirelessly for judicial reform, access to justice, and the strengthening of the rule of law. By Aloys Michael, K24 Digital

Captain (Rtd.) Kung’u Muigai has accused top judges of taking millions in bribes to rule against him in a 33-year case with KCB, reviving fears that justice in Kenya is still for sale.

Kenya’s Judiciary is once again on trial in the court of public opinion. Explosive claims of bribery, backroom deals, and “justice for sale” have resurfaced after Captain (Rtd.) Kung’u Muigai accused senior judges of taking millions in bribes to rule against him in a 33-year loan dispute with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).

Kung’u, a cousin to former President Uhuru Kenyatta and patron of the National Council of Elders, narrated a dramatic tale of lost court files, phantom consent judgments, and judges allegedly pocketing cash in hotel basements and supermarket parking lots.

He claimed his company, Benjoh Amalgamated Ltd, and his family’s Muiri Coffee Estate were unfairly auctioned off after a loan dispute in the early 1990s.

“Our Judiciary is corrupt to the core. Judges take money openly and make rulings the way they want,” Kung’u said, vowing to put his life on the line to expose what he described as decades of injustice.

In his testimony, Kung’u named former and sitting judges, some now in the Supreme Court alleging payouts ranging from one million shillings to multimillion-dollar bribes.

He claimed a 450-acre estate worth Sh3.5 billion was sold for just Sh70 million in what he described as a fraudulent takeover facilitated by corrupt court rulings.

Former LSK President Nelson Havi picked up on Kung’u’s remarks to step up his criticism of Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola.

“If you read the complaint by Victoria Keen you must arrive at the conclusion that Isaac Lenaola is a dangerous criminal sitting as a Supreme Court judge. How can this continue unabated?” Havi posted.

– Ahmednasir’s long-running critique of Supreme Court corruption –

The fresh storm adds to long-running criticism by outspoken lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi, who has repeatedly branded the Supreme Court “the most corrupt institution in Kenya.”

Ahmednasir, banned in January 2024 from ever appearing before the apex court over his “relentless and baseless” attacks, insists he is merely speaking truth to power.

President William Ruto himself has publicly acknowledged Ahmednasir’s warnings about “sabotage by corrupt judicial officers,” while vowing to “root out the corrupt.”

The Judiciary, however, has dismissed Kung’u’s claims as malicious and unfounded.

In a strongly worded statement, Judiciary spokesperson Paul Ndemo said 17 appellate judges and several High Court judges had handled the matter, consistently upholding a 1992 consent judgment in which Benjoh admitted owing KCB.

“It is mischievous, to say the least, for Captain Muigai to allege that all judges who ruled against him were bribed, while those who sided with him were not,” Ndemo said.

The Judiciary maintains that no credible evidence has ever been presented before any competent forum to prove bribery.

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) reviewed Kung’u’s petitions and similarly found no impropriety.

– CJ Koome’s anti-corruption reforms in the judiciary –

Chief Justice Martha Koome has admitted that corruption remains a stubborn problem in some court stations.

In March 2025, she unveiled a new anti-corruption strategy, warning that “justice cannot be for sale.”

Koome has since rolled out Court Integrity Committees in all stations and stressed a zero-tolerance policy to graft within the Judiciary.

According to JSC data, 141 petitions on judicial conduct were lodged in 2023/24, with seven directly touching on judges.

Still, critics argue reforms have not gone far enough.

For Ahmednasir, nothing short of a radical clean-up of the Supreme Court will restore public trust.

For Kung’u, justice can never be done until the “ghost consent judgment” that has haunted him for three decades is struck out.

His claims, though unproven have reopened deep doubts about Kenya’s justice system.

For many Kenyans, the fear remains that without real reforms, justice may still be swayed by money and power. By Davis Ayega, Capital News