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Showing posts from February, 2026

Duale Presides Over Grand Finale of 16th Garissa County Qur’an Competition

By Ahmed Salat Ali  Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale presided over the grand finale and awarding ceremony of the 16th Annual Garissa County Qur’an Competition held at Garissa High School, marking another milestone in the county’s long-standing tradition of promoting Islamic scholarship. The competition, organized by the Garissa County Qur’an Association, brought together 219 contestants drawn from various madrassas across the region. Participants showcased remarkable mastery in the recitation, memorization and interpretation of the Holy Qur’an, impressing judges and attendees alike with their discipline and eloquence. Abdikhalid Gedi Sheikh of Markaz Al-Bayan Madrassa emerged as the overall winner and was awarded a brand-new motor vehicle in recognition of his outstanding performance. Mahir Mohamed Yussuf, who finished as the first runner-up, received a fully sponsored Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, while Rayan Ibrahim Yarow was awarded an Umrah pilgrimage. Speaking during...

Tarbaj MP Seeks Accountability on Housing Levy Funds, Demands Equity for Northeastern Region

 By Ahmed Salat Ali AARAN TV KE  Tarbaj Member of Parliament, Hussein Abdi, has formally sought a comprehensive statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works regarding the utilization of funds collected under the national Housing Levy for the Affordable Housing Programme. Addressing the House, the MP called for transparency and equitable distribution of resources, with particular focus on the Northeastern region and Tarbaj Constituency. “Housing is a fundamental pillar of socio-economic development,” Hussein Abdi stated. “While significant progress has been reported in major urban centres, our arid and semi-arid regions continue to face acute housing shortages, inadequate urban infrastructure and limited access to planned settlements — despite citizens’ continued contributions to the levy.” In his request, the legislator is seeking clarity on the total amount collected under the Housing Levy and how the funds have been...

Wajir Makes History with Inauguration of First High Court

 By Ahmed Salat Aaran Tv Ke  Wajir County has marked a historic milestone with the inauguration and operationalisation of its first-ever High Court, a development expected to significantly improve access to justice in the region and end decades of reliance on courts outside the county. The newly established court, set up by the Judiciary, will also host an Environment and Land Court, bringing critical judicial services closer to residents of Wajir and the wider North Eastern region. For years, litigants have been compelled to travel to Garissa to pursue High Court matters, often incurring heavy transport and accommodation costs. Presiding over the ceremony, Justice John Onyiego, the resident judge of the Garissa High Court, described the development as a transformative moment for the county. “This is a new beginning and a new birth for Wajir,” he said. “For a long time, Wajir was the only county without a High Court. Today, we take a significant step forward in strengtheni...

Wajir stadium set for June completion as security team inspect progress, Commissioner Dismisses Insecurity Claim

 s By Ahmed Salat Ali | Aaran TV Ke The County Security Team, led by Karuku Ngumo, on Monday inspected the ongoing construction of the Wajir Stadium, expressing satisfaction with the pace and quality of work at the site. Addressing the media shortly after the tour, Ngumo said the 10,000-seater stadium is on course for completion before June, terming it a flagship national government project that will transform the region’s sports and economic landscape. “The project is progressing well and we are confident it will be completed within the stipulated timeline. Over 1,000 local youths have been employed at various stages of construction,” he said. Ngumo noted that once completed, the stadium will not only host football tournaments and other sporting events but will also stimulate economic empowerment for residents through job creation and growth of the sports industry. “This facility will open up Wajir to major sporting activities and nurture local talent. It will enhance economic opp...

Senator Asige Presses Executive to Enforce Landmark Disability Law

Special Report  By Ahmed Salat Ali AARAN TV KE political Affair  Nominated Senator Crystal Asige has intensified pressure on the government to operationalise the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025, warning that nearly a year after its enactment, the law remains dormant due to the absence of implementing regulations. Speaking in the Senate on Thursday, February 20, 2026, the visually impaired legislator directed her appeal to President William Ruto, urging the Executive to move with urgency on what she termed “low-hanging fruit” that continues to delay justice and inclusion for millions of Kenyans living with disabilities. “Mr President @WilliamRuto, allow me to re-emphasise one such idea — the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025. It has been law for almost a year and is yet to be operationalised,” Asige stated in a post on X, which she accompanied with video footage of her address in the Senate chamber. She decried the prolonged delay in drafting and gazetting regulations ne...

PARANET Challenges Clan-Based Politics in Wajir, Urges Journalists to Defend Democratic Accountability

  By Ahmed Salat Ali Aaran Tv Ke  Wajir, Kenya — The Pastoralists Rights and Advocacy Network (PARANET), in partnership with Media Citizen Fronts, has convened a high-level dialogue with journalists in Wajir County to interrogate the entrenched practice of negotiated democracy and its impact on governance, accountability and development in Northern Kenya. The engagement, held at Heritage Hotel in Wajir Town, brought together more than 20 journalists drawn from mainstream media houses, digital platforms and freelance practice. The forum focused on the role of the media in safeguarding democratic principles amid growing concerns over the dominance of clan-based political arrangements in the region. A Norm Under Scrutiny In much of the North Eastern region, negotiated democracy — a system where clan elders broker political positions before elections — has become a customary pathway to leadership selection. While its proponents argue that it fosters unity and minimizes conflict, c...

DROUGHT-STRICKEN HYENA SEEKS WATER AT QARA HEALTH CENTRE

 By Ahmed Salat Ali AARAN TV KE  Residents of Qara open a tap at a safe distance as a thirsty hyena drinks within the health centre compound at night in Wajir West. Residents of Qara in Wajir West were met with an unusual sight this week when a visibly weak hyena wandered into the compound of Qara Health Centre at night in search of water. The animal, believed to have strayed from nearby grazing fields, appeared exhausted and dehydrated as it moved around the facility under the cover of darkness. Witnesses said it posed no immediate threat but seemed driven purely by thirst as the region continues to grapple with a prolonged drought. “We were shocked to see a hyena within the health centre compound at night,” said one resident. “But when we looked at it closely, it was clear the animal was only looking for water. It was weak and restless.” North Eastern Kenya has been experiencing severe dry conditions, with water sources drying up and pasture diminishing rapidly. The worsenin...

Wajir Rolls Out Ramadhan Iftar Programme to Support 40,000 Vulnerable Households

 By Ahmed Salat Ali  The County Government of Wajir County has launched its annual Ramadhan Iftar Programme, targeting 40,000 vulnerable households across all 30 wards in a renewed effort to cushion residents from the harsh effects of prolonged drought. Governor Ahmed Abdullahi presided over the flagging-off ceremony, announcing the distribution of 915 tonnes of food supplies. The consignment includes sifted maize, fortified porridge flour, dates, and cooking oil. The programme will also extend support to orphans in children’s homes, patients undergoing dialysis, and persons living with disabilities. “This initiative has been our tradition every Ramadhan, a time when we reaffirm our commitment to compassion and solidarity with the most vulnerable members of our community,” Governor Abdullahi said. “This year’s launch comes at a particularly difficult period, as our people continue to grapple with the devastating effects of drought that has disrupted livelihoods across t...

North Eastern Regional Commissioner Highlights Development Milestones, Drought Response in Wajir

 By Ahmed Salat Ali Aaran Tv Ke  Wajir – John Otieno, the North Eastern Regional Commissioner, has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to accelerating development across the region following the conclusion of a regional workshop aimed at strengthening service delivery at the grassroots. Speaking during a media briefing after the training session for government officers, the Regional Commissioner described the workshop as a critical step in equipping public servants with the skills and coordination needed to effectively implement national projects. “This training marks a new beginning for our officers. It is designed to ensure that government development programmes reach the grassroots efficiently and deliver tangible results to wananchi,” he said. Affordable Housing Gains Momentum Commissioner Otieno revealed that the Affordable Housing Programme in Wajir County has reached 55 per cent completion, expressing satisfaction with the pace of work. “We are pleased with the progr...

Former Wajir West Parliamentary Contender Mohamed Yussuf Elmi Joins Wajir in Marking 42 Years Since Wagalla, Survivors Renew Call for Justice

  By Ahmed Salat Ali Aaran Tv Ke   WAJIR — Hundreds of survivors and relatives of victims of the 1984 Wagalla massacre marched through Wajir town on Friday to mark the 42nd anniversary of one of Kenya’s darkest chapters, renewing demands for justice, compensation and full implementation of past reform recommendations. Carrying placards reading “We Want Justice,” “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied,” and “Compensate Victims Now,” the demonstrators walked solemnly through the town centre before converging at Orahey grounds for prayers and speeches. The commemoration brought together survivors, local leaders, activists and professionals, among them Professor Mohamed Yussuf Elmi — former Wajir West parliamentary contender, UDA deputy governor slot candidate and pioneer of Nuria College — who joined residents in honouring the victims and calling for renewed political goodwill to address the long-standing grievances. Painful Memories Resurface Speakers at the ceremony recounted t...

Ruto Unveils Multi-Billion Development Drive as NYOTA Disburses KSh63 Million in Wajir

 By Ahmed Salat Ali AARAN TV KE  President William Samoei Ruto has outlined an ambitious development agenda for Wajir County, marking the conclusion of the national roll-out of the NYOTA Programme’s Business Start-Up Capital component with a KSh63 million disbursement to 2,520 beneficiaries in the county. The President said the first phase of the programme has so far benefited 121,800 young entrepreneurs across the country, with a total of KSh2.5 billion disbursed to support business start-ups and expansion. “In the coming weeks, each beneficiary will receive an additional KSh25,000, bringing the total allocation to KSh50,000 for every young entrepreneur under the programme,” President Ruto said. Beyond the financial grants, the Head of State noted that beneficiaries will undergo structured mentorship for six months and will subsequently be linked to affordable credit facilities to ensure sustainability and long-term growth of their enterprises. “This is not just about giving ...

Maraga Opens UGM Office in Wajir, Rallies Northern Kenya Ahead of 2027 Race

 By Ahmed Salat Ali Aaran Tv Ke  The United Green Movement (UGM) has intensified its grassroots mobilisation drive with the launch of a county office in Wajir, marking a significant step in the party’s preparations for the 2027 General Election. Speaking during the launch in Wajir town, UGM party leader and 2027 presidential hopeful, former Chief Justice David Maraga, said the new office forms part of a nationwide strategy to strengthen the party’s presence at the grassroots and engage directly with citizens on governance and development concerns. “I am here as the leader of UGM and a presidential candidate for 2027. Things are not going well in our country, and that is why we are moving around to listen to wananchi and change how things are done,” Maraga said. He noted that his consultations have taken him to several regions, including the Coast, Rift Valley and Northern Kenya, where residents have consistently raised concerns over governance, accountability and service deliv...

Jalang’o Throws Hat Into Ring for Nairobi Senate Seat, Eyes Showdown With Sifuna

 By Ahmed Salat Ali , Political Affairs Aaran Tv Ke  Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has announced plans to contest the Nairobi senatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, setting the stage for a potential battle with incumbent Senator Edwin Sifuna. Speaking during an interview on Radio 47’s Breakfast Show on Tuesday, Jalang’o said his decision was driven by extensive engagement with Nairobi residents and a deep understanding of their concerns. The first-term legislator noted that his frequent interactions with people across the city had convinced him that he is ready to serve Nairobians at a higher level. “I move around a lot. I talk to people, I listen to them, and that is what has given me confidence,” Jalang’o said. “I believe I have what it takes to serve Nairobi at any level.” He added that his experience on the ground has broadened his leadership outlook, making him confident in his ability to take up bigger responsibilities ...

Gachagua Threatens to Name Attackers After Church Incident

 Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has threatened to publicly disclose the identities of individuals who allegedly attacked him during a church service in Witema, Othaya, on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Speaking on Friday, February 6, 2026, during the funeral service of the late Jamleck Kamau’s mother in Kigumo, Murang’a County, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader said his team had gathered sufficient evidence identifying those behind the incident. Gachagua said the attack disrupted what had been a peaceful worship service, plunging the church into chaos and forcing congregants to flee the premises for their safety. He maintained that the matter was serious and warned that unless appropriate action is taken, he would have no option but to reveal the names of those he claims orchestrated and carried out the attack.

Aden Keynan Welcomes Court of Appeal Verdict Upholding Constitutionality of NG-CDF

 By Ahmed Salat Ali AARAN TV KE   The Court of Appeal has emphatically upheld the constitutionality of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), delivering a major victory for Parliament and reaffirming the fund’s critical role in driving grassroots development across the country.   In a landmark judgment delivered on 6 February 2026, a three-judge bench comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Daniel Musinga, Justice Fatuma Tuiyott, and Justice A.O. Muchelule set aside a High Court decision that had invalidated the entire NG-CDF Act, 2015. The appellate court ruled that the High Court erred in declaring the NG-CDF Act unconstitutional, finding that the legislation does not violate the principles of public finance, devolution, or the division of functions between the national and county governments.   “The remedy of striking down the entire Act was disproportionate and inconsistent with the principle of severability,” the j...