EAST AFRICA TIMES

By Jameson Mutua   A file photo of Naivas Supermarket in downtown Nairobi. The retailer has opened a new store in Lucky Summer as part of its ongoing 35th anniversary celebrations. Naivas Supermarkets, Kenya’s leading homegrown retail chain, has today officially opened its newest outlet—Naivas Lucky Summer—located in the vibrant Baba Dogo neighborhood. The launch marks the company’s second store opening in 2025 and is a strategic milestone in its ongoing 35th anniversary celebrations. Positioned within Nairobi’s fast-growing northern suburbs, the Lucky Summer branch underscores Naivas’ aggressive expansion drive and commitment to bringing world-class retail experiences closer to the communities it serves. “The launch of Lucky Summer is not just another store opening—it’s a reaffirmation of our purpose,” said Andreas von Paleske, Chief of Strategy at Naivas Supermarkets. “At 35, we are still as committed as ever to being a brand that shows up where Kenyans live, work, and dream. Thi...

 By James Mutua   Senator Moses Kajwang, Chair of the Parliamentary Caucus on Climate Action,   Salome Awuonda, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Sustainable and Inclusive Development (ACSID) among other attendees during the launch of  climate-induced conflicts in Baringo County in Nairobi on Tuesday.  A new report highlighting the critical role of women in peacebuilding in the wake of climate-induced conflicts in Baringo County has been launched, calling for inclusive and actionable climate responses that prioritize community voices. Speaking during the report’s launch in Nairobi, Salome Awuonda, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Sustainable and Inclusive Development (ACSID), emphasized that the research is grounded in the lived experiences of local communities—particularly the Ilchamus and Endorois people. The report explores how climate change intensifies local conflicts, mainly due to drought and dwindling natural resources, and how women...

  By East Africa Times Reporter   What was meant to be a political milestone quickly descended into disgrace and violence on Thursday, as the launch of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) in Nairobi turned chaotic and hostile, leaving at least two journalists assaulted and media equipment destroyed. Held along Musa Gitau Road, the event was marred by disorder, poor planning, and total disregard for safety and press freedom. Eyewitnesses say the violence broke out when unidentified individuals forced their way into the venue, leading to a stampede-like situation. Hired private security and bouncers retreated by firing gunshots in the air to control the goons. In the mayhem, the bouncers turned their aggression toward journalists, physically attacking them and forcing them to delete footage documenting the chaos. Two major media houses reportedly suffered equipment damage, further highlighting the reckless and lawless nature of the gathering. Shockingly, there was no police p...

  By Jameson Mutua       Opposition Party Leaders Led by Wiper Democratic Party Leader Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka  at ACK St. Luke's Sigona, Kikuyu, Kiambu County on Sunday.  The United Opposition has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto and his new ally, Hon. Raila Odinga, accusing them of orchestrating a blatant attempt to rig the 2027 General Election through the recent reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). In a statement issued on Tuesday, opposition leaders — including Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Justice Minister Martha Karua, DAP-Kenya’s Eugene Wamalwa, and others — claimed the newly appointed IEBC is a "partisan project" designed to serve President Ruto’s re-election bid. They alleged the commission lacks independence, integrity, and credibility. “What we feared has now come to pass,” the statement read. “President Ruto has handpicked a partisan IEBC tailored to serve ...

By Jameson Mutua  SUPKEM National Chairman Al-Hajj Hassan Ole Naado addressing the press in Nairobi on Monday. SUPKEM has endorsed the recent nomination of the IEBC commissioners.  The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) has endorsed the recent nomination of the Chairperson and Commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), urging the National Assembly to fast-track the vetting process and facilitate the timely reconstitution of the electoral body. In a press statement issued on Monday in Nairobi, SUPKEM National Chairman Al-Hajj Hassan Ole Naado praised the Selection Panel’s work, calling it a significant milestone in strengthening Kenya’s democracy. The Council expressed full support for both the process and the outcome of the Selection Panel, to which it had contributed members through the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK). “SUPKEM unreservedly supports the Selection Panel’s recommendations and the President’s nominations currentl...

 By James Ndolo  From Left: Airtel Kenya MD, Ashish Malhotra, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of ICT & the Digital Economy William Kabogo, Communications Authority Director General David Mugonyi and Airtel Kenya Customer Experience Director, Goldermier Opiyo at Airtel’s launch of its Spam Alert Service. The service is the first in Africa, powered by AI. Airtel Kenya, the fastest growing telecommunications services provider in Kenya, has today launched a ground-breaking artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Spam Alert Service, which will be available to all its subscribers at no cost.   This unprecedented service, which offers Airtel smartphone and feature phone customers real-time alerts for suspected spam SMS messages, requires no additional application downloads and is automatically activated for all Airtel customers. Spam in this context refers to unsolicited SMS messages to phones, often from fraudsters and scammers. The messages are usually socially engineered an...