Council of Governors appearing before the National Assembly on Thursday, January 23 2025. Photo
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro is in mourning after the loss of his father, who tragically passed away on June 15, a day set aside to celebrate fathers.
In a heartfelt post shared on his official social media on Sunday, the Kilifi County boss expressed deep sorrow at the untimely loss, describing the moment as particularly painful given the day’s significance.
“Today, on Father’s Day, I lost my father. It’s a deeply painful moment, but I’m truly grateful for the love, support, and prayers from family, friends, and all who’ve reached out. Your kindness is helping us through this difficult time. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart,” he wrote.
The message sparked an outpouring of condolences from Kenyans, fellow leaders, and supporters, many acknowledging the weight of losing a dad on a day meant to celebrate them.
Governor Mung'aro has since shared images of himself and some acquaintances at the Kilifi County Hospital Funeral Home, where his late dad's body was being kept.
Details surrounding the cause of death or funeral arrangements had not been made public at the time of this publication.
In the wake of the governor's announcement, the Orange Democratic Party, which was the political vehicle in which Mung'aro won his gubernatorial seat, has since shared a message of condolence, hailing the deceased as a 'great man'.
"On this Father’s Day, a great man has slept. Ex-Chief Gideon Baya Mung’aro a man who made the modern Malindi and Dabaso what it is today," a statement from ODM read.
"To our comrade Gideon Mung’aro and the entire Mung’aro family and the people of Kilifi County, poleni sana for the loss."
This is the latest tragedy rocking Kilifi county involving a senior government official. On April 1, former ODM Chairperson in Magarini, Kilifi County, Ahmed Maamun Ali passed away in a death which was described as sudden.
Weeks later, on June 2, former Kilifi County Executive Committee Member Alphonce Mwambura lost his life nearly eight years after he left his job in the public service.
Tokali's passing was confirmed by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, who hailed him as a public servant who worked with "utmost diligence and respect". By Rene Otinga , Kenyans.co.ke
Emergency workers walk amid buildings that were damaged after an overnight strike on June 14, 2025 in Ramat Gan, Israel. Picture: Getty
By Ella Bennett - LBC
Iran has launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes on Israel, killing at least three people and wounding dozens. Israel's assault used planes as well as drones smuggled into the country in advance, according to officials, to assault key facilities and kill senior generals and scientists.
Iran's UN ambassador said 78 people had been killed and more than 320 wounded in the attacks that targeted the heart of Tehran's nuclear programme.
Israel claims the barrage was necessary before Iran got any closer to building a nuclear weapon, although experts and the US government have assessed that Tehran was not actively working on such a weapon.
The Israeli military urged civilians to head for cover in bomb shelters around the country from late on Friday as Iran retaliated by launching waves of drones and ballistic missiles at Israel.
Israel's military said more drones were intercepted near the Dead Sea early Saturday. A hospital in Tel Aviv treated seven people wounded in the second Iranian barrage. All but one of them had light injuries. Israel's Fire and Rescue Services said they were wounded when a projectile hit a building in the city. A spokesperson for Beilinson Hospital said one woman was killed.
Hours later, an Iranian missile struck near homes in the central Israeli city of Rishon Lezion, killing two more people and wounding 19, according to Israel's paramedic service Magen David Adom. Israel's Fire and Rescue service said four homes were severely damaged.
A man inspects the debris at a site hit by a missile fired from Iran south of Tel Aviv. Picture: GettyPeople look beyond a barrier toward buildings heavily damaged after an overnight strike. Picture: Getty
Meanwhile, the sound of explosions and air defence systems firing at targets echoed across central Tehran shortly after midnight on Saturday.
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported a fire at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport. A video posted on X showed a column of smoke and flames rising from what the outlet said was the airport.
The Israeli military said it carried out overnight strikes on dozens of targets including air defences "in the area of Tehran".
Traces of projectiles are seen in the sky on June 13, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. Picture: Getty
Countries in the region condemned Israel's attack, while leaders around the globe called for immediate de-escalation from both sides.
Israel had long threatened such a strike, and successive American administrations sought to prevent it, fearing it would ignite a wider conflict across the Middle East and possibly be ineffective at destroying Iran's dispersed and hardened nuclear programme.
But developments triggered by Hamas's October 7 2023 attack - plus the re-election of US President Donald Trump - created conditions that allowed Israel to follow through on its threats. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the US was informed in advance of the attack.
Photo from inside a house across a targeted residential building shows extensive damage in Tehran. Picture: Getty
On Thursday, Iran was censured by the UN's atomic watchdog for not complying with obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.
The crossfire between Israel and Iran disrupted East-West travel through the Middle East, a key global aviation route, but Jordan's state-run Petra news agent said the country was reopening its air space to civilian aircraft on Saturday morning, signalling it believes there is no immediate danger.
Among the key sites Israel attacked was Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air. It also appeared to strike a second, smaller nuclear enrichment facility in Fordo, about 60 miles south east of Tehran, according to an Iranian news outlet close to the government that reported hearing explosions nearby.
Israel said it also struck a nuclear research facility in Isfahan and destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran. Iran confirmed the strike at Isfahan.
Yossi Beilin, Former Israeli Justice Minister, who initiated the 1993 Oslo Accords, told LBC News: "[Iran] are not recognising our existence and they are not ready to talk to us and we don't talk to each other...we cannot negotiate with them."
Iranians gather in Tehran's Enghelab Square to watch and celebrate the country's ballistic missile retaliation against Israel. Picture: Getty
UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi told the Security Council that the above-ground section of the Natanz facility had been destroyed. The main centrifuge facility underground did not appear to have been hit, but the loss of power could have damaged the infrastructure there, he said.
Mr Netanyahu said the attack was months in the making and had been planned for April before being postponed.
Israel's Mossad spy agency positioned explosive drones and precision weapons inside Iran ahead of time, and used them to target Iranian air defences and missile launchers near Tehran, according to two security officials.
Among those killed were three of Iran's military leaders: General Mohammad Bagheri, who oversaw the entire armed forces; General Hossein Salami, who led the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard; and General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the Guard's ballistic missile programme.
A stock theft suspect who had been held at the Katito Police Station in Kisumu has died while in police custody. According to the station's police, the suspect died by suicide after he allegedly used his vest to hang himself on the cell door.
He had been arrested on suspicion of stealing goats and was held in solitary confinement. Police at the station said they were alerted to a commotion coming from the cell on June 13 at about 10:00 am.
Upon checking the source of the commotion, they realised the suspect had allegedly hanged himself.
His body was moved to the Nyando Morgue pending investigations.
This case comes barely two days after yet another suspect died by alleged suicide at the Ukwala police station in Siaya county on June 12.
The body of the 26-year-old was found hanging on a metal rod in the cells’ toilet, police said. He had been arrested following the issuance of a warrant by a court in the area.
The suspect had been accused of defilement. Police said he hanged himself in a toilet at the cells using his shirt.
According to the police at the Ukwala Police Station, the suspect was found hanging on a metal water pipe with his shirt around his neck.
These subsequent cases of alleged suicide in police stations follow the case of teacher and social media influencer Albert Ojwang, who police had initially alleged had died by suicide at the Central Police Station.
Police claimed Ojwang had self-inflicted injuries by hitting himself on the wall severally. However, preliminary investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and a government pathologist have disputed this claim, revealing that Ojwang died from head injuries, neck compression, and multiple bruises, suggesting blunt force trauma and strangulation.
These cases continue to raise questions about the safety of Kenyans in police custody, which is expected to be the safest place, yet is now turning out to be one of the most unsafe. by Christine Opanda, Kenyans.co.ke
Okiya Omtatah in March 2025 during the Busia County Executive’s appearance before the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds. PHOTO/@OkiyaOmtatah/X
Busia County Senator Okiya Omtatah has strongly condemned the ongoing destruction of Shamata Forest in Nyandarua County, where numerous trucks have been spotted ferrying freshly cut trees, raising serious concerns about the person who issued this order.
In a statement shared on Saturday, June 14, 2025, the senator expressed deep disappointment over the rampant logging activities taking place in the forest. Omtatah pointed out that whether classified as legal or illegal, any form of logging that destroys ecosystems, depletes water sources, and threatens biodiversity cannot be justified.
“The reports of widespread tree harvesting in Shamata Forest are deeply troubling. Whether termed legal or illegal, logging that destroys ecosystems, dries up water sources, and endangers biodiversity is unacceptable,” Omtatah said.
He questioned who authorised the harvesting in Shamata Forest and demanded accountability from those behind the activity. The senator also challenged the reasoning behind the logging, warning that short-term gains should not come at the expense of future generations.
He emphasised the need to evaluate all logging activities through the lens of climate change, environmental justice, and sustainable development.
“We must urgently ask: Who authorised this? Who benefits? And at what cost to future generations?” he added.
Referencing Article 42 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, Omtatah reminded the public that every Kenyan has the right to a clean and healthy environment, which includes the protection of natural forests.
He argued that the current destruction taking place in Shamata Forest goes against this constitutional right and undermines national environmental goals.
“Even so-called ‘legal logging’ must be reviewed under the lens of climate change, ecological justice, and intergenerational equity. The Constitution of Kenya 2010, Article 42, guarantees every person the right to a clean and healthy environment, and that includes thriving forests.”
Nyandarua senator John Methu speaking in Meru on Sunday, February 23, 2025. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/DPGachagua
He said the discussions will seek to create a collaborative strategy to safeguard Shamata Forest from further damage. He reiterated his commitment to defending the environment, stating that he cannot sit back as the future of generations to come is loaded onto trucks and driven away.
“I will be reaching out to my colleague Senator @MethuMuhia to discuss the situation and forge a united path forward to protect Shamata and the Aberdares. We cannot watch in silence as our children’s future is felled, truck by truck,” he concluded. By Mabonga Makhanu, People Daily
Hassan Mtimkavu alias Paul Ositi, a Ugandan national who went viral daring police with a machete during London protests in Nakuru West on Monday June 9 2025. [Kennedy Gachuhi, Standard]
A daring machete-wielding man filmed confronting the police during protests in London, Nakuru West on Tuesday has been arrested. Details have emerged that the man in question, who went into hiding after the incident, is not a Kenyan citizen but engaged in protests following the shooting of Daniel Nderitu, a local.
Police shot Nderitu on Monday during a confrontation between a group of youth and the officers, minutes after arresting three suspected drug dealers in the estate.
Nakuru West Sub County Police Commander Stephen Kirui on Friday morning confirmed to The Standard that the man was in their custody.
"I arrested the suspect in the Hilton area of London Estate and we identified him as Hassan Mtimkavu alias Paul Ositi, a Ugandan national," said Mr Kirui.
The sub-county police boss said that after the arrest, the suspect claimed to be sick and was allowed to get medical attention.
"In our observation, he faked being sick, but we took him to Nakuru Level Five Hospital, where he was admitted and placed under our watch," said Kirui.
Kirui said that the suspect has been discharged and is being processed to charge him in court.
"He shall be taken to court today, Friday, or on Monday once the process is complete. One of the offenses he will face is being in Kenya illegally," he said.
He added that the suspect will be charged with other offenses, including incitement, stealing, robbery, and breaking in.
"His actions were an incitement to the other people who then engaged in robbing civilians, shops, and breaking into commercial and residential establishments within the area," said Kirui.
During the demonstrations, the protestors barricaded the road while some took advantage of the situation to rob pedestrians and motorists who had to part with cash for them to pass through the Nakuru-Marigat road.
In a video that has gone viral, Mtimkavu is captured wielding a panga and daring a uniformed police officer who was armed with a teargas launcher. By Ken Gachuhi | The Standard
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