The suspects, identified as Faith Gathoni Njoroge and Tyson Marango Owuor, are attached to KRA’s Upper Hill offices in Nairobi.

According to EACC, the arrests followed a complaint from a taxpayer who alleged that the two officials demanded Sh3 million in exchange for influencing the resolution of a Capital Gains Tax assessment valued at Sh4.5 million.

Following the complaint, anti-graft investigators mounted an operation during which the two suspects were allegedly caught receiving Sh900,000, said to be part of the demanded bribe.

The cash was recovered as evidence and the suspects taken into custody.

EACC said the two are currently being processed at the Integrity Centre as investigations continue.

The Commission indicated that appropriate action will be taken under the Anti-Bribery Act, 2016, upon completion of the investigations.

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In the petition, Gachoka wants Patrick Kiage, Aggrey Muchelule, and Lydia Achode removed from offices  on grounds of gross misconduct in their handling of matters connected to the government’s proposed sale of a 15 per cent stake in Safaricom PLC.

Gachoka on Monday escorted his co-petitioner, Samuel Kahara Macharia, to Pensions House in Nairobi, where the petition was formally lodged at the JSC.

 Macharia is himself a petitioner in one of the consolidated High Court constitutional challenges against the share sale in which he named the National Treasury, the Privatization Commission, the Capital Markets Authority, the Attorney General, and Vodafone Group PLC as respondents.

The move marks a significant escalation in a months-long campaign by Gachoka and allied petitioners to block the divestiture of the government’s 15 per cent stake in Safaricom to a South African firm, a transaction expected to raise an estimated Sh204.3 billion.

The JSC petition is directly linked to Court of Appeal Civil Application No. E261 of 2026, in which the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning and five others are seeking to overturn conservatory orders that blocked the national government from selling Safaricom shares.

Gachoka had already put his concerns in writing before lodging the JSC petition.

Just days ago, he and nine other petitioners wrote to the President of the Court of Appeal seeking clarification over what they termed as an unusual alteration and fast-tracking of the State application.

In a letter through advocate Lempaa Suiyanla of Mugeria, Lempaa and Kariuki Advocates, they raised concerns over the scheduling of the case.

The petitioners said parties were initially served with a hearing notice indicating that the matter would be heard on June 29, 2026.

However, they were later informed of a change fixing it for June 24, and were subsequently served with another amended notice advancing the hearing further to June 18 before a three-judge bench constituted by the President of the Court of Appeal

“It was therefore with considerable surprise that the parties subsequently received an amended hearing notice indicating that the application would instead be heard on June 18 at 9am,” the letter stated, with the petitioners arguing that the abrupt changes had created “genuine concern and apprehension” among the parties.

The petitioners also sought assurances that there exists no predetermined outcomes in Civil Application No. E261 of 2026 and that the matter shall be determined solely on the law and the merits presented by the parties.”

The High Court extended orders restraining the government from selling its 15 per cent shares in Safaricom to Vodacom South Africa, pending determination of three petitions, with a three-judge bench appointed by Chief Justice Martha Koome saying serious fundamental and constitutional issues had been raised.

The petitioners have argued that the proposed transaction would effectively reduce the State to a minority shareholder at 20 per cent in Safaricom, while granting the foreign-owned Vodacom Group controlling majority shares at 55 per cent.

They have further contended that the transaction implicates Kenya’s digital sovereignty and the financial flows underpinning M-Pesa.

Gachoka and other petitioners have also argued that the proposed transaction lacked transparency and was not subjected to independent evaluation, verification, or due diligence to ensure a lawful and competitive sale process, and that allowing the sale to proceed before the petitions are resolved could cause irreversible harm, including the loss of citizen control, dilution of sovereignty, and exposure of sensitive national and personal data.

The litigation has produced multiple satellite applications.

The High Court earlier dismissed applications by Gachoka and Prof. Fredrick Onyango Ogola seeking to bar Senior Counsel John Ohaga and advocate Andrew Mukite Musangi from representing parties in the proceedings, with a three-judge bench finding that the applicants had failed to prove any actual or perceived conflict of interest.

The JSC is the constitutional body mandated under Article 168 of the Constitution to receive and process complaints against judges, with removal proceedings triggered upon a finding of gross misconduct or incompetence.

The petition against Justices Kiage, Muchelule, and Achode has not yet been responded to by the named judges or the Court of Appeal.

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Karua said immigration officials at Entebbe International Airport informed her that she had been flagged under a “red alert” before serving her with a notice declaring her a prohibited immigrant and persona non grata.

Documents issued by Uganda’s Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control show that Karua was denied entry under Uganda’s Citizenship and Immigration Control Act and ordered to be returned to Kenya on the next available flight.

The notice, dated June 22, 2026, identifies Karua as a Kenyan national and states that she was denied entry on grounds that she was considered “persona non grata.”

Addressing journalists upon arrival at JKIA, Karua displayed the immigration notice and questioned the basis of the decision, saying she had travelled to Uganda in her capacity as an advocate.

Her deportation comes amid heightened political tensions in Uganda and days after several developments involving the legal team representing veteran Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye.

Karua has been part of Besigye’s defence team in ongoing court proceedings in Kampala.

Earlier on Monday, the Uganda Law Society confirmed that Karua had initially been cleared at Entebbe before immigration officials reversed the decision and barred her from entering the country. According to the society, she was subsequently ordered to return to Kenya.

Ugandan authorities had not publicly explained the alleged “red alert” by the time of publication.

However, the immigration notice seen by journalists cites only one reason for the denial of entry: “Persona non grata.”

The incident is likely to trigger diplomatic and legal questions, particularly given Karua’s role as counsel in ongoing cases involving Ugandan opposition figures.

In recent weeks, members of Besigye’s legal team have reported arrests, restrictions and legal challenges linked to the high-profile treason proceedings facing the opposition leader.

The Senior Counsel Bar of Kenya had earlier condemned Karua’s detention at Entebbe, describing it as a violation of her rights and interference with her professional duties as an advocate representing a client before Ugandan courts.

Further details are expected as Karua addresses the circumstances surrounding her deportation and possible next legal steps.

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The Bar through its Chairman, Senior Counsel Philip Murgor, says Karua was detained while in Uganda to attend the court mention and bail ruling of Hon. Erias Lukwago and has been denied access to her lawyers, defence team and family.

The Senior Counsel Bar said the detention and threatened deportation of Karua violated her rights and amounted to interference with her duties as an advocate representing a client before a Ugandan court.

The Bar has demanded that Karua be granted immediate access to her lawyers, family and the Kenyan diplomatic mission, while calling for any deportation process to be halted pending lawful determination.

The statement further urged the diplomatic missions of Kenya and the international community, alongside relevant United Nations Special Procedures, to urgently intervene in the matter.

The Senior Counsel Bar of Kenya demanded “the immediate and unconditional release of Hon. Martha Karua SC, and non-interference as she goes about her duties in Uganda and elsewhere as a duly accredited advocate to appear before a Ugandan Court to represent an accused person.”

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Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura made the clarification today, emphasizing continuity of economic activities and warning against any attempts to disrupt normalcy.

“June 25 will be a normal working day. There is no holiday declaration and all Kenyans have been asked to report to their working places. Politicians planning to take advantage of the Gen Z commemoration to cause chaos have been put on notice,” Mwaura stated.

He added that the government has put in enough mechanisms to protect businesses across the country and maintain law and order.

The clarification comes ahead of planned peaceful marches and vigils marking the second anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z-led protests against the Finance Bill, which turned deadly with dozens of deaths and injuries. Similar commemorations occurred in 2025.

Organizers, including families of victims, activists, and opposition leaders, have notified police of intentions to hold marches to Parliament to demand justice, compensation, and accountability for those killed.Siaya Governor James Orengo has called for the day to be observed as a public holiday.

“Mark your calendars: June 25th will be observed as a Public Holiday. No work, no school!” Orengo declared.

He invited Kenyans to participate: “We invite all Kenyans, mothers, fathers, siblings and friends to march to Parliament to demand justice and lay flowers where our children’s lives were cruelly taken.” Parallel vigils are planned across all 47 counties.

President William Ruto has reinforced the government’s position on normal operations.

“Children will go to school because it is their right, workers will go to work, and businesses will open their businesses so that we grow our economy,” Ruto said.

“We must never allow things that take Kenya backwards… We will defend the rights of everybody because we are a country that believes in order, we are a civilised country, an organised society that believes in the rule of law.”

He warned against mobilization for destruction of property or chaos.

The government has assured that peaceful assemblies will be facilitated under the Constitution while security agencies remain vigilant against violence or infiltration by those seeking political mileage ahead of the 2027 elections.

Police have set conditions for any processions to ensure they remain peaceful and have engaged organizers accordingly. A Sh2 billion compensation framework for protest victims has been announced in coordination with relevant bodies.

Businesses, schools, and public services are expected to operate normally on June 25.

The government has stressed its commitment to protecting lives, property, and economic stability while upholding citizens’ rights to peaceful expression and remembrance.

As tensions build, authorities have reiterated that any attempts to incite unrest or exploit the commemorations for chaos will not be tolerated. Kenyans are urged to prioritize peace, productivity, and the rule of law as the nation marks this sensitive date.

Further updates on security arrangements are expected in the coming days.

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The appellate judge secured 26 out of 41 votes cast in Monday’s election, defeating Lady Justice Lydia Achode, Justice Patrick Kiage and Lady Justice Agnes Murgor in a race closely watched within legal and judicial circles.

The election attracted all judges serving at the Court of Appeal, delivering a 100 per cent voter turnout.

The secret ballot was supervised by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Justice Kairu’s victory marks the end of a succession process triggered by the retirement from office of former Court of Appeal President Justice Daniel Musinga, whose five-year term ended on May 24, 2026.

His election places him at the helm of a court that routinely handles some of the country’s most consequential disputes, including constitutional petitions, election appeals, commercial conflicts and criminal cases.

Moments after being declared the winner, Justice Kairu expressed gratitude to his colleagues for the confidence they had shown in him.

“I am deeply humbled by the trust and confidence reposed in me by my colleagues. I undertake to serve the Court and the people of Kenya with diligence, integrity and fidelity to the Constitution,” he said.

Among judges who participated in the election were Justice Imaana Laibuta, Lady Justice Grace Mumbi Ngugi and Justice Issack Hassan.

The position of President of the Court of Appeal is one of the most influential offices in the Judiciary. Besides presiding over appellate proceedings, the office holder is responsible for the administration and management of the Court of Appeal and plays a critical role in shaping judicial policy and case management.

Justice Kairu assumes office with an extensive legal career spanning private practice, academia, arbitration and judicial service.

He joined the Court of Appeal in 2012 after years in legal practice and alternative dispute resolution. Before his appointment to the bench, he was a partner at Kairu & McCourt Advocates and later worked as an arbitrator and mediator.

A holder of a Master of Laws degree from Boston University, Justice Kairu also earned his law degree from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.

His contribution to legal education is equally notable. For more than two decades, he lectured at the University of Nairobi School of Law, teaching Civil Procedure, Banking Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and has chaired several Judiciary committees, including the Integrated Court Management System Committee.

Justice Kairu takes over leadership of the Court of Appeal at a time when the Judiciary faces mounting pressure to clear case backlogs and efficiently handle a growing number of high-stakes appeals with significant political, economic and constitutional implications.

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In a judgment delivered on Friday, a five-judge bench led by Chief Justice Martha Koome dismissed appeals by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA), upholding a Court of Appeal decision in Aboo’s favour, whose three Equity Bank accounts holding a total of Sh19,688,152.35 had been targeted for forfeiture by the State.

Aboo, who is the spouse of a former Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) employee, had contested the attempted forfeiture of the funds, which investigators alleged were proceeds of crime.

The Supreme Court affirmed that investigators must establish a clear link between suspected criminal activity and any property targeted for forfeiture under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).

At the centre of the dispute were three Equity Bank accounts at the Donholm branch containing a combined Sh19,688,152.35.

The ARA moved to recover the funds after receiving information in March 2017 that the money was suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The agency linked the funds to Aboo’s husband, Alex Mukhwana Khisa, then a KRA officer who had been investigated over allegations that he solicited bribes from clearing and forwarding agents.

However, the EACC’s parallel investigations into Khisa were later closed, while preservation orders obtained against him were vacated in January 2018.

In response to inquiries on the source of the funds, Aboo said the money came from her businesses dealing in agricultural produce, transport, perfumes and cereals. She also provided investigators with the identities of her business associates

The Supreme Court found that the agencies failed to sufficiently investigate or challenge her explanation.

“Instead of discounting the respondent’s explanation by investigating these sources, all the 2nd appellant stated in rebuttal was that the respondent had not produced any receipts to back up her claim,” CJ Koome led bench said

The bench held that an element of crime must form the basis of any forfeiture proceedings.

“A reading of the foregoing provisions leaves no doubt that an order for forfeiture under POCAMLA can only be made against property which, in one way or another, is associated with the commission of a crime, or is a proceed of crime. The incidence of crime remains central to such forfeiture proceedings,” the court held.

“It is therefore a requirement that the ARA has to establish a nexus between the subject matter of forfeiture and a crime or its intended commission when seeking an order of forfeiture.”

The judges noted that the agencies’ suspicions were largely based on the existence of substantial amounts of money in Aboo’s accounts and allegations previously made against her husband.

They questioned the evidence linking the funds to criminal activity.

“What is there on record to show that the monies in question were obtained by Aboo as a result of an offence or criminal activity?” the judges asked.

They added: “Where is the evidence on record to support such an allegation by the very institution that closed further investigations into the accusations of bribery against the respondent’s husband? Where is the incidence of crime in the entire chain of events that triggered the forfeiture proceedings?”

The Supreme Court further held that where an agency alleges that property constitutes proceeds of crime generated by a third party, that person should be joined in the proceedings.

“We are of the considered view that the requirement for a nexus between the impugned property and the alleged criminal conduct under the forfeiture scheme in POCAMLA makes it critical that the person alleged to have generated the proceeds of crime, in this case, the respondent’s husband, ought to be joined to the proceedings,” the court stated.

The ruling is expected to shape future civil asset recovery proceedings by clarifying that although forfeiture cases are civil in nature, investigators must still demonstrate a connection between property and criminal activity before assets can be seized by the State.

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Speaking during the funeral of Zipporah Kosgey, wife of former Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey, in Kipkoror Village, Nandi Hills Constituency, Murkomen said security agencies would not tolerate criminal activities disguised as peaceful protests.

The CS accused some politicians of attempting to exploit the planned demonstrations for political gain after failing to rally opposition against the Finance Bill.

“Some politicians who failed to find fault with this year’s Finance Bill, just want to cause chaos next week. These people are misusing other people’s children, yet neither they nor their children turn up in those demonstrations. They pay others to do it for them,” Murkomen said.

His remarks come amid growing anticipation over planned protests by youth groups commemorating last year’s nationwide anti-government demonstrations that were largely driven by Gen Z activists.

While acknowledging the constitutional right to assemble and demonstrate, Murkomen cautioned that the freedom does not extend to criminal conduct.

“The Constitution under Article 37 guarantees every Kenyan the right to protest and assemble peacefully, but that right does not cover criminal activities,” he said.

He warned that law enforcement officers would firmly deal with anyone found engaging in violence, destruction of public property or attacks on innocent citizens.

“Those who will burn police stations, loot, destroy government property and attack law-abiding citizens will be met with the full force of the law,” Murkomen stated.

The Interior CS further dismissed any notion that the government’s ongoing compensation programme for victims affected during previous protests should be interpreted as tolerance for lawlessness.

According to Murkomen, compensation efforts are aimed at addressing losses suffered by victims and should not be viewed as an opportunity for criminal elements to repeat acts of vandalism and looting.

He maintained that security agencies have been placed on high alert ahead of the planned demonstrations and reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property while safeguarding constitutional freedoms.

The CS urged young people to avoid being manipulated into participating in violent activities and instead exercise their rights within the confines of the law.

His comments are expected to fuel debate over the planned anniversary protests, which organizers say are intended to honour those who lost their lives and demand greater accountability from the government.

As the country prepares for the demonstrations, authorities have reiterated that peaceful protesters will be protected, but warned that anyone found engaging in criminal acts will face legal consequences.

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Speaking during a county governance forum, Ottichilo said the current classification unfairly limits counties’ ability to demonstrate investment in critical sectors that directly improve the lives of residents.

“Funds spent on education and health should be considered development expenditure because they contribute directly to human capital development,” Ottichilo said.

The governor noted that county governments are often under pressure to meet statutory thresholds on development spending, yet significant resources devoted to improving healthcare services and supporting education are classified as recurrent expenditure.

According to Ottichilo, the existing framework fails to recognize the long-term economic and social benefits generated through investments in healthcare and education.

He argued that spending on medical personnel, healthcare programmes, vocational training and other education-related initiatives strengthens human capital and should therefore be regarded as development-oriented investments.

“Human capital is one of the most important pillars of development. When we invest in health and education, we are building the capacity of our people and creating the foundation for economic growth,” he said.

The proposal comes amid ongoing debates over county finances and the balance between recurrent and development expenditure.

Under current public finance management guidelines, counties are required to allocate a significant portion of their budgets to development projects, while expenditure on salaries, operations and service delivery is largely categorized as recurrent spending.

Ottichilo maintained that the classification should be reviewed to reflect modern development priorities especially as counties increasingly shoulder responsibilities in healthcare delivery and skills development.

The governor said a revised approach would provide a more accurate picture of how devolved units contribute to national development and could encourage greater investment in social sectors.

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In a public notice, the authority announced a 24-month suspension on the licensing of new Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators, while also halting the addition of new routes and extension of existing routes for 12 months.

“The Authority, in exercising its mandate under the NTSA Act, 2012 and the NTSA (Operation of Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 2014, hereby issues a temporary moratorium on the licensing of new public transport operators (Saccos and Companies) for a period of 24 months,” NTSA said in the notice.

The authority further stated that there will be a freeze on the addition of new routes and existing route extension for a period of 12 months and the modification or reconfiguration of existing licensed routes including changes to pick and drop points for a period of 12 months.

NTSA attributed the move to persistent safety concerns and widespread non-compliance within the public transport sector.

According to the authority, the decision was necessitated by persistent non-compliance and road safety concerns within the sector and the proliferation of illegal operators who undercut regulated players by creating significant road safety risks, enabling insecurity, and engaging in unfair competition against licensed operators.

The regulator also cited its ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight of the sector.

“The Authority’s plan to strengthen oversight, enhance the transport management systems, and implement broader sector reforms” informed the decision, NTSA said.

It further noted that frequent route modifications had created instability in public transport operations.

The authority pointed to the modification of routes that has resulted in inconsistency and unreliable public transport services as another reason for the moratorium.

During the suspension period, NTSA said it will undertake a nationwide audit of road safety compliance and traffic management systems in consultation with stakeholders and county governments.

“During this period, the Authority, in consultation with relevant stakeholders and with the support of the County Governments, shall conduct a comprehensive audit of road safety compliance and traffic management,” the notice states.

The regulator added that it will assist existing operators to improve service standards and meet road safety requirements while working with county governments to redefine “consistent and profitable routes.”

NTSA clarified that no new applications for PSV operator licences will be accepted or processed during the moratorium.

“This decision applies to all prospective operators intending to be licensed by the Authority,” it said.

However, existing licensed operators will continue operating, provided they comply fully with safety, licensing and operational standards.

The moratorium takes effect from June 19, 2026, and prospective investors have been encouraged to use the period to submit memoranda and proposals aimed at improving road safety and the management of public transport in the country.

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