Edit One Kenya - EoK

EoK Editorial | Opinion  Another week, another political circus, this time in Western Kenya and it's Nzoia Sugar Company at the center of a storm, like always, the biggest losers are the very people politicians claim to be fighting for: the farmers, the workers, the families that have depended on this miller for generations. Leaders are shouting themselves hoarse some defending the leasing of Nzoia to billionaire Jaswant Rai, others threatening fire and brimstone if it goes through. Cameras are flashing, pressers are being called, and hashtags are trending. But beyond the noise, beyond the insults and manufactured outrage, there lies a quiet, painful question that no one dares to confront head-on: when will the people finally be heard? The people of Western Kenya, are not naive. We’ve seen this script before. We remember how PanPaper was auctioned off for a song under the guise of “revival.” We remember how promises turned into padlocks, how livelihoods became relics of a thriving ...

By EoK Editorial: Governor George Natembeya before the Senate Committee  Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya is facing intense Senate scrutiny following revelations by the Auditor General that Kitale Referral Hospital’s financial records are in disarray, with Ksh9.4 million withdrawn illegally to fund the county’s participation in the 2023 Devolution Conference. The Senate County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee, led by Senator Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga), termed the financial mismanagement a blatant violation of public finance laws. The Auditor General’s disclaimer on the 2023/2024 financial statements pointed to missing financial records from previous years, making an accurate audit impossible. “Governor, public funds must be properly accounted for. The Auditor General couldn’t even form an opinion on these statements. This isn’t just an anomaly, it’s a direct indictment of your administration’s financial incompetence,” Senator Osotsi declared during the Senate grillin...

By Joan Cherop CECM Phanice Khatundi at a past event. Phanice Khatundi, the County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, and Fisheries, also serving as the acting CECM for Lands in Trans Nzoia County, has found herself at the center of controversy following remarks that have drawn sharp criticism from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) survivors and advocates. Khatundi reportedly insinuated that a female politician "feels like men" because she comes from a community known to practice FGM. Her comments have been widely condemned as insensitive and damaging, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and undermining the ongoing efforts to combat the practice and support survivors. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AFv5uQKdK/ FGM is a deeply entrenched issue in Kenya, with a prevalence rate of 15% among women aged 15 to 49, according to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey. Despite legal prohibitions, the practice persists in some communities, inflic...

By EoK Editorial : Photo: Governor George Natembeya Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has dismissed the influence of the ‘ Tawe ’ movement beyond Trans Nzoia, arguing that it holds no significant weight in Western Kenya as a region and national politics. The movement, led by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya , has been perceived as a potential disruptor to established Western Kenya parties like ODM and Ford Kenya . However, Barasa insists that the recently signed political pact between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga is the real force that will consolidate the Luhya vote.   “ODM is very strong in Kakamega, Busia, and Vihiga. The soft handshake between Baba [Raila] and Ruto will bring Western together and shape future political alignments,” Barasa said during an interview on TV47 on March 26 . While acknowledging the push for Luhya unity, Barasa emphasized that political diversity is inevitable. Photo: Governor Fernandes Barasa “Democracy allows different...