Former Chief Justice David Maraga has condemned the violent scenes encountered by Butere Girls’ School students, who were set to perform the ‘Echoes of War’ play during the Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Music Festival in Nakuru County.

Police lobbed teargas at the students, and this act has been condemned by various leaders, the latest being the retired judge, who says the use of force against students is not acceptable. 

“I condemn, in the strongest terms possible, the actions by the police and persons in authority that sanctioned and condoned the recent acts on students of Butere Girls High School at the annual Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Film Festival in connection with their school play ‘Echoes of War’.

“The use of force against minors—children who were engaging in a peaceful, creative, and educational activity—is not only unconscionable but also unconstitutional and therefore totally unacceptable. It is a flagrant violation of the Constitution,” Maraga said in a statement on X posted on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

While condemning the state, Maraga cited Article 33 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which guarantees every person the right to freedom of expression, including artistic creativity.

“No child should be punished or endangered for thinking critically, speaking boldly, or performing creatively. Silencing students through force and fear is a direct assault on their constitutional rights.

“The authorities responsible for this heinous violation of students’ rights must remember that in due time they will be held accountable. The wheels of justice, though they grind slowly, will surely give us the country we deserve. The perpetrators will be brought to book someday,” he said.

Defending rights

Maraga added that every citizen has a duty to protect the rights guaranteed under the constitution.

“Let us not raise a generation that fears its own voice, especially when they are constitutional guarantees. Let us protect, nurture, and celebrate the courage of our young people—their voices matter. 

“Any responsible citizen of Kenya, therefore, should play their part in protecting and promoting constitutional guarantees,” he concluded.

At the centre stage of the drama is former Kakamega County Senator Cleophas Malalah, who is the play’s scriptwriter.

A 40-year-old woman has found herself on the wrong side of the law for allegedly putting drugs in a man's drinks at a club before stealing. 

Margaret Makena, according to court documents, laced the drinks of a fellow patron (name withheld)  with still no tabs, a stupefying drug, on July 1 at a resort in Njiru Sub-county.  

Margaret is also said to have stolen Sh560,000 from the complainant on the same night after he lost consciousness due to drugging. 

On the material day, the complainant went to the resort to grab a few drinks when he found it full to capacity since there was a Mugithi night.  

He sat at a table where he was joined by a lady and later two men. They all had fun until the complainant paid his bills at around 5:30 pm when the complainant lost consciousness until the following day, when he regained consciousness at a bush past Thika town at around 3 pm having only his inner garment. 

His shirt, trouser, socks and shoes had been scattered 800 meters away from where he had been dumped. His mobile phone and an empty wallet was placed near him. Previously, the wallet had Sh 120,000 in cash but was at the same time missing. 

He collected his clothes and wore them. He sent his wife the location to pick him up after narrating to her what had happened to him. He later reported the matter to authorities.   

This year, on April 4, the complainant spotted Makena at Jam Rescue and tipped the police, who arrested her. Makena was later presented before the principal magistrate  Renee Kitagwa where she denied the accusations.  

She was granted a bond of Sh 200,000 and an alternative cash bail of Sh 100,000. The matter shall be heard on July 9.  By Lilian Chepkoech, The Standard

A group of senior SPLM-IO party members in Juba on Wednesday endorsed Stephen Par Kuol, the country’s peacebuilding minister, as the party’s interim leader, replacing detained chairman Dr. Riek Machar.

Kuol will serve until Machar is released from house arrest. However, the meeting to establish the interim leadership was largely boycotted by top SPLM-IO officials, including Interior Minister Angelina Teny, Mining Minister Martin Abucha and Secretary-General Regina Kaba.

The faction supporting Kuol includes Federal Affairs Minister Lasuba Wango, Council of States Speaker Deng Deng Akon and former Deputy Finance Minister Agok Makur. Analysts say the controversial move could lead to Machar’s removal as first vice president, a position created for him under Article 1.7.2 of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement.

This marks the second major rift within Machar’s party. In July 2016, then-chief negotiator Taban Deng, now vice president, replaced Machar after deadly clashes in Juba.

Addressing reporters after the meeting at a hotel, Kuol said discussions focused on peace commitments, the status of deputy chairman Oyet Nathaniel and the formation of interim leadership amid Machar’s detention.

“The SPLM-IO reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, both in letter and spirit,” Kuol said. “We believe this agreement is the sole pathway to lasting peace and reconciliation among South Sudan’s diverse communities.”

He called for Machar’s immediate release and an end to military clashes between government forces and SPLA-IO fighters.

“The National Liberation Council urgently calls for the immediate release of SPLM-IO Chairman Dr. Riek Machar Teny and all comrades detained following recent clashes in Nasir involving armed civilians and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces,” Kuol said. “This detention undermines the principles of peace and dialogue essential for our nation’s recovery.”

He added: “The SPLM-IO leadership urges parties involved in ongoing military offensives to create an environment conducive to peaceful dialogue. The SSPDF’s advance toward Ulang County, particularly efforts to redeploy in Nasir Town, must halt to allow political solutions.”

Regarding Nathaniel, Kuol said the Juba-based group had cut ties with him.

“We delink ourselves from Hon. Nathaniel Oyet Pierino and henceforth resolve to treat him as former deputy chairman and commander-in-chief,” he said. “This decision is informed by the fact that SPLM-IO headquarters has been in Juba since the unity government’s formation. The party cannot be led by self-exiled leaders—decisions are made where the government is established, not remotely.”

Kuol announced the interim leadership: himself as chairperson, Losuba Ludoru Wongo as interim deputy and Agok Makur Kur as interim secretary-general.

When asked if the decision aligned with the 2018 peace agreement or amounted to a coup, Kuol dismissed the suggestion.

“The decision is in line with the agreement. The NLC is the lawmaking body of SPLM-IO, so it is legitimate and constitutional,” he said. “Is this a coup? A coup against whom? Our chairman remains Dr. Riek Machar Teny until the next convention. We have resolved a leadership crisis caused by his detention and the desertion of other leaders.”

On Monday, Nathaniel suspended Kuol and three others, accusing them of conspiring with President Salva Kiir to oust Machar. Kuol called the suspension “the joke of the year.”

Since Machar’s detention, several senior SPLM-IO members have fled the country or gone into hiding. Tensions escalated after Kiir placed Machar under house arrest on March 26 following clashes in Upper Nile state that killed a general and several soldiers.

South Sudan’s government sought military support from Uganda, with Defense Minister Jacob Oboth confirming Kiir’s March 10 request to avert a security crisis.

The rift coincides with a two-year extension of South Sudan’s transitional period, delaying elections until December 2026.

Regional concerns over instability prompted an African Union delegation to visit Juba last week, though they were barred from meeting Machar. The visit followed mediation efforts by regional bloc IGAD, led by Kenyan envoy Raila Odinga, who said his request to meet Machar was denied. Radio Tamazuj

Former Chief Justice David Maraga now says the country needs a fresh start. In a statement on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Maraga, who is eying the top seat in 2027, says the country’s economy, education and healthcare are on the verge of collapsing if not salvaged soon. 

According to Maraga, the country is also faced with deteriorating relationships with its neighbours and other countries in the continent. 

“Now more than ever, it is clear that Kenya needs a reset. We must end impunity and corruption. We must save our collapsing economy, education and healthcare. We must reset relations with our brothers and sisters in the region and Africa,” Maraga stated.

Maraga says there have been several violations of the constitution, calling for urgent action to bring to book those who have flagrantly violated the Constitution.

“We must push for fidelity to our Constitution and its full implementation. We must bring to book and hold accountable those who have flagrantly violated the Constitution. It is time for true change. For a reset,” Maraga added.

This comes a day after Maraga asked the youth to stop concentrating on online and street activism alone, and instead aim to capture power by joining competitive politics.

Maraga says the young people can bring the change they want in the country if only they clinch leadership positions during elections.

Speaking during the Kenya Ideas Festival held in Nairobi on Monday, April 7, 2025, Maraga asked the older generation to support the youth and help them get into leadership positions.

“As a person who belongs to the older age category, I have served this country and its people and I have made my small contribution to change. However, just like any other parent or older person, and justifiably so, I worry about the future the country holds for your children, grandchildren and the heritage we will leave for our young people,” he stated.

“Those of us from the older generation must support the youth to be at the helm of implementing that change. We need young people, not just on the streets and online. We need them on the political leadership of the country. We need them in county assemblies, in parliament and public institutions. We must dismantle the barriers that keep them out.” By Francis Muli, People Daily