On the RadarVoters in Ol Kalou Constituency are heading to the polls today, Thursday, July 16, to elect a new Member of Parliament in a closely watched by-election that is expected to offer an early indication of the political mood in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Polling stations opened at 6 am and will close at 5 pm, with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) assuring voters that anyone in the queue by the official closing time will still be allowed to cast their ballot.
The by-election has attracted national attention, with the contest widely viewed as a political showdown between President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the opposition alliance led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The outcome is expected to provide an early test of the ruling party's support in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region as political realignments gather pace ahead of the next general election.
Justice Gatembu Kairu to be sworn in as President of the Court of Appeal
Chief Justice Martha Koome will preside over the swearing-in and assumption of office ceremony for Justice Gatembu Kairu as the President of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court building at 10 am.
Justice Gatembu Kairu was elected President of the Court of Appeal of Kenya, securing 26 of the 41 votes cast by appellate judges in an election overseen by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Kenya economic report
He succeeded Justice Daniel Musinga, whose five-year non-renewable term expired on May 24, 2026.
As head of the country's second-highest court, Justice Kairu’s primary responsibilities include steering the court's administrative affairs, coordinating operations, and providing judicial leadership to the judges serving across the appellate benches.
CS Chirchir to face senators over modernisation of JKIA, state of Wilson Airport
The government has stepped up efforts to modernise Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as part of a broader strategy to position Kenya as East Africa's leading aviation and logistics hub.
Planned upgrades include expanding passenger handling capacity, modernising terminal facilities, improving aircraft parking bays, upgrading cargo infrastructure and enhancing airside operations to accommodate growing passenger and freight traffic.
The improvements are also expected to strengthen JKIA's competitiveness as a regional transit hub while supporting tourism, trade and investment.
At the same time, concerns have been raised over the condition of Wilson Airport, Kenya's busiest domestic airport and a critical gateway for regional travel, tourism, medical evacuation services and flight training.
Operators have cited ageing infrastructure, limited terminal capacity, congestion and inadequate facilities as challenges that need urgent attention.
KRA, KEBS, and KEPHIS to appear before MPs over importation of raw sugar
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Bureau of Standards and Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service will appear before the Trade Committee over the importation of raw sugar into the country.
The meeting follows allegations that imported industrial raw sugar intended for refining was diverted into the retail market for direct human consumption, prompting parliamentary investigations and renewed scrutiny of the country's sugar import licensing system.
Lawmakers are seeking to establish whether the consignments, imported through the Port of Mombasa, were processed as required or illegally repackaged and sold as table sugar.
