Kenya (KAAB TV) – Kenyans are celebrating the 15th edition of Mashujaa Day, a day that was formerly known as Kenyatta Day.

This year’s national event is hosted at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County, presided over by President William Ruto.

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye landed in the country on Sunday and is attending this significant event in Kenya’s history where national heroes are honoured.

President Ruto arrived at the stadium shortly before 10am, and at exactly 10am, the national anthem was sang, followed by the East African Anthem.

Thereafter, the Head-of-State was escorted by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Charles Kahariri to inspect the guard of honour.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura in a press release had earlier clarified that despite the deployment of government apparatus and resources to Bondo to facilitate the burial of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga in yesterday’s event, the Mashujaa Day celebrations would go on as earlier planned.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, on Monday penned an emotional tribute to Odinga.

Ms Odhiambo said Mashujaa Day celebrations often come as an opportunity to celebrate Kenya’s heroes, both past and living.

“This year’s Mashujaa Day is different because it comes with the weight of saying goodbye to a once-in-a-lifetime hero,” she wrote.

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Beyond the solemn rituals and clerical rites, the event revealed layers of political meaning, public sentiment, and historical continuity.

Leading the nation in mourning, President William Ruto joined former President Uhuru Kenyatta, foreign dignitaries, and a wide array of government officials in paying tribute to Raila. Their presence signified the unifying influence Raila wielded in life and, now, even in death.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and Siaya Governor James Orengo also joined the delegation, underlining Raila’s continental stature.

One moment that captured the nation’s attention was when Oburu Oginga—Raila’s elder brother—approached the casket with a glass of whisky in hand, echoing the very gesture their father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, made during the funeral of Kenya’s founding President Jomo Kenyatta.

It was a symbolic passing of generational rituals, steeped in Luo traditions and family legacy.

The ceremony was not merely political; it was also deeply spiritual. Bishop Emeritus Joseph Wasonga and Bondo ACK Diocese Bishop David Kodia presided over a moving Christian service, reaffirming Raila’s connection to the church.

Bishop Kodia recalled the challenges of Raila’s early days in the faith, including a baptismal controversy over his name—an issue later resolved in Canterbury, where Raila was eventually confirmed.

“Had we more time today, we would have shared Holy Communion with him,” Kodia remarked, emphasizing that Raila was accorded full Christian burial rites.

However, it was Bishop Wasonga’s sermon that provided perhaps the most poignant moment of introspection, both for the family and the country.

His message was laced with caution, realism, and hope: that no earthly institution—not even political parties—can offer permanent solace.

“The ODM party may splinter, as it did after Jaramogi’s passing,” he warned. “But what must remain unbroken is the love and unity that binds this family and their ideals.”

His words rang with prophetic clarity—reminding mourners that Raila’s absence could trigger political realignment but also that his moral compass should guide future leaders.

Bishop Wasonga’s sermon echoed themes of justice, humility, and moral leadership. “If leaders want to truly honour Raila,” he said, “they must let justice flow like a river.”

The clergy urged Kenya’s political elite to emulate Raila’s values—especially his advocacy for gender equity, social justice, and listening to the cries of ordinary citizens.

Indeed, Raila’s commitment to progressive ideals was a recurring theme throughout the ceremony.

Speakers present highlighted his ability to balance the often-competing demands of public service and family life. His love for his wife, Mama Ida Odinga, and the unwavering support of his brother Oburu were noted as pillars of his grounded yet politically charged life.

In a nod to Raila’s fight for inclusivity, the clergy encouraged the electorate and leadership to ensure women’s representation in politics, denouncing domestic violence as dishonouring his legacy.

“Go home today and remember Raila by treating your wives with dignity. He championed gender parity,” Bishop Wasonga said pointedly.

Yet amid all the tributes and calls for reflection, a somber truth lingered. Raila’s death has created a vacuum—within his family, his party, and the national psyche. Dreams have been deferred, political calculations disrupted, and a familiar voice for the voiceless has fallen silent.

Still, as Bishop Wasonga reminded mourners, “Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.”

The underlying message was that in this moment of national mourning, there is also an invitation—to rebuild, to reflect, and to reimagine Kenya’s democratic journey.

Raila’s sendoff is more than a funeral. It was a mirror held up to the nation: a call to leadership that listens, a reminder of justice delayed, and a testament to a life lived in pursuit of democracy.

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It is a profound expression of culture as a symbolic language, one that communicates respect, unity, and shared national identity beyond tribal creeds.

In times of loss, cultures often turn to ritual.

For the Nandi, and more broadly the Kalenjin community, livestock—especially bulls—carry deep meaning.

They are not merely animals but vessels of tradition, honor, and spiritual significance.

In this context, the bulls are far more than a generous gift; they are symbols of a cultural narrative that binds individuals to their community, and communities to the nation.

The 80 bulls being offered to the Odinga family represent not just condolence, but an act of national communion.

It is a gesture rooted in age-old customs, yet one that resonates with Kenya’s current political and social fabric.

Tinderet MP Julius Melly captured this sentiment succinctly, saying, “Raila was a symbol of unity… We believe this is the right way to pay our last respects.”

His words highlight how culture can serve as a vehicle for political and emotional expression. Raila Odinga, a political titan and statesman, was not of the Kalenjin community.

Yet in mourning him with such an overtly cultural gesture, the Nandi elders transcend ethnic boundaries.

The bulls become symbols of unity—an embodiment of Kenya’s collective grief and, perhaps more importantly, its collective identity.

This is not the first time Kenyan communities have turned to cultural rituals in moments of political or national significance.

The use of livestock in ritual exchanges—whether as bride price, peace offerings, or funeral condolences—has long served as a means of communication. In traditional African societies, where oral histories and symbolic actions often held more weight than written records, such rituals were forms of storytelling.

They preserved values, conveyed respect, and built alliances.

The number 80, too, is significant—not in a literal sense, but symbolically.

It reflects the scale of Raila’s impact. Offering a large number of bulls signals not just wealth or generosity but the weight of loss felt by the community.

It is a way of saying, “Your loss is our loss,” not in words, but through action.

Moreover, the communal aspect of this gesture cannot be overlooked.

According to MP Melly, over six million members of the Kalenjin community are expected to join hands with other mourners. Such participation is itself a cultural act, transforming individual mourning into a collective ritual.

This fusion of tradition and nationhood shows how symbolic acts grounded in culture can be powerful tools for building unity.

The presence of elected leaders such as Nandi Hills MP Bernard Kitur and other elders in escorting the bulls adds a further layer of symbolism.

It represents an endorsement by both traditional and modern political structures.

In a country where the tension between these two systems sometimes flares, their collaboration here reinforces the potential harmony between Kenya’s cultural heritage and its democratic present.

In essence, the delivery of 80 bulls is not just about mourning a man—it is a cultural script, performed in full view of a nation still learning to reconcile its diversity.

It is a reminder that culture is not static. It adapts, reinterprets, and speaks. In this case, it speaks eloquently of respect, reconciliation, and nationhood.

At a time when Kenyan politics is often defined by ethnic division and contestation, this act of symbolic unity is refreshing. It shows that culture—when invoked inclusively—can be a powerful unifier.

It communicates what political speeches often fail to: shared humanity.

The Nandi elders’ gesture is thus not just traditional—it is deeply modern in its implications.

It asserts that in Kenya, culture remains one of the most potent forms of symbolic diplomacy. And in mourning Raila Odinga, it has spoken louder than words.

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The decree was announced by Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen in Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 157, published on September 19, 2025, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

The order criminalizes membership, financing, association, or propaganda in support of the two groups.

Al-Islah, which operates through factions known as Dam Jadiid (New Blood) and Dam Qadiim (Old Blood), has already been banned in most Arab countries, though it continues to wield influence in Qatar and Turkey.

In Somalia, the group holds considerable sway, with strong networks across government institutions, businesses, universities, and private companies.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, and several cabinet ministers are known to have ties to Al-Islah — a designation that now risks straining relations between Nairobi and Mogadishu.

While neither the Muslim Brotherhood nor Hizb ut-Tahrir has carried out major attacks in Kenya, intelligence agencies have long flagged them for radicalization, clandestine recruitment, and links to global terror networks.

Kenya is the first East African country to outlaw the Brotherhood, joining nations such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Russia, which have already blacklisted it.

Founded in Egypt in 1928, the Brotherhood is widely regarded as the ideological fountainhead of modern political Islam.

Kenya’s decision comes amid persistent insecurity linked to Somalia’s al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Shabaab, blamed for deadly attacks including the 2013 Westgate Mall siege, the 2015 Garissa University massacre, and the 2019 DusitD2 hotel bombing.

Officials say the ban strengthens Kenya’s counterterrorism framework, giving security agencies wider powers to disrupt extremist networks.

It also underscores the country’s role as a frontline state in the global fight against terrorism.

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The operation, carried out on Friday, was confirmed by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Friday.

Officers from the Nairobi regional office acted on intelligence and raided a location in the Upper Hill area, where the suspects, identified as Ifrah Ali Jeyte and Qamar Salat Abdi, were taken into custody.

According to the DCI, detectives recovered bundles of $100 notes concealed inside a handbag. The cash was later counted at the DCI Nairobi Area Headquarters, confirming the total amount seized.

Both women remain in custody as investigators continue their probe ahead of possible court proceedings. Officials emphasized that the case is ongoing.

The DCI urged the public to report suspicious activity linked to financial crimes through its anonymous tip-off lines, stressing the importance of public cooperation in disrupting counterfeit currency networks.

Kenya, which shares a porous border with Somalia, has increasingly been a target of money laundering and terrorism financing.

In March 2025, the United States warned that unregulated trade between the two countries facilitates illicit financial flows.

Kenya’s National Terrorism Financing Risk Assessment Report, published in December 2023, identified Somalia as the highest-risk source of terrorism financing entering Kenya through both legal and illegal channels.

The report also noted that large sums of money collected within Somalia and entering Kenya pose a significant threat.

Counterfeit and smuggling cases are not new. In October 2022, six Somali women were arrested attempting to smuggle 103 million Kenyan shillings in cash through Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

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One man was subsequently seen lying motionless on the road with a bloody wound in the latest demonstrations to hit Kenya since the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody last month gave fresh impetus to public protests.

Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Authorities have ramped up police deployments in Nairobi since youth-led protests in June 2024 that initially focused on tax hikes but expanded to cover issues such as graft, police brutality and unexplained disappearances of government critics.

A Reuters reporter saw police use tear gas and water cannon on Monday to disperse crowds along a key artery in Nairobi as hundreds of demonstrators advanced. Some blew whistles as they marched in Kangemi, a northwestern suburb of the capital.

Hours later, protesters and police scuffled, with police opening fire on the crowd, according to the Reuters reporter.

There were other demonstrations around the East African country, local media said, including in the towns of Nyeri, Embu and the lakeside city of Nakuru, where half a dozen police officers mounted on horses dispersed stone-throwing protesters.

Police had earlier blocked major roads leading into Nairobi and they heavily restricted vehicle traffic within the city, leaving streets deserted but for the demonstrators who turned up on foot. Most schools and at least one shopping mall were shut in anticipation of possible trouble.

“We are not ready to go back (home) because who will fight for our rights then? We will be here till evening,” Francis Waswa, a construction worker, told Reuters.

‘HIGH ALERT’

Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, who last month described the protests as “terrorism disguised as dissent”, said on his X account on Sunday that the government was committed to protecting life and property.

“Our security agencies are on high alert to deal decisively with criminals and other elements of ill intent who may seek to infiltrate peaceful processions to cause havoc, mayhem, or destruction of property,” he said.

Unidentified people forced their way into the offices of the non-profit Kenya Human Rights Commission on Sunday to stop a press conference ahead of Monday’s protests.

At least one person, a board member, was injured, said Ernest Cornel, who works at the commission.

Activists rally every year on July 7 to mark the date in 1990 when opponents of then-president Daniel Arap Moi launched a bid to transform Kenya into a multiparty democracy. The protest is called “Saba Saba” – “seven seven” in Kiswahili – because of the date.

The 1990 protests paved the way for multi-party elections two years later, the first such polls in more than two decades.

The death of 31-year-old Ojwang, a blogger and teacher, has become a lightning rod for public anger, sparking a string of demonstrations last month.

The government-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said 19 people lost their lives nationwide during demonstrations on June 25 to protest Ojwang’s death and mark the one-year anniversary of rallies that culminated in the storming of parliament.

Prosecutors approved murder charges against six people, including three police officers, over Ojwang’s death. All six suspects have pleaded not guilty.

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The discussions centered on enhancing diplomatic relations between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of upholding constitutional institutions and safeguarding Somalia’s independence and territorial integrity.

Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to Somalia’s unity, and both ministers agreed to expedite the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meetings. These efforts aim to bolster collaboration in key sectors such as trade, education, security, and economic infrastructure.

Minister Dhay expressed his gratitude to Kenya for its ongoing support in peacekeeping efforts, particularly through its role in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

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He was pronounced dead shortly after two men shot him in his vehicle.

According to the National Police Service (NPS), the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. along Ngong Road near the City Mortuary roundabout.

The Kasipul MP’s white Toyota Crown had stopped at a red traffic light when two unidentified men on a motorcycle approached. One of the assailants got off the bike, walked up to the car, and fired several shots into the passenger side before fleeing on the motorcycle.

Were was rushed to Nairobi Hospital by his driver and a male passenger, both of whom were unharmed.

However, Hon. Ong’ondo Were was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver sustained minor injuries and is currently receiving treatment.

In an official statement, police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirmed the killing and described it as a “heinous and senseless crime.” He added, “The nature of this crime appears to be both targeted and predetermined.”

Senior police officers and detectives visited the scene shortly after the shooting to begin piecing together evidence. The assailants remain at large as investigations continue.

The NPS has urged members of the public with any relevant information to come forward by reporting to the nearest police station or using the toll-free hotlines 999, 112, or FichuakwaDCI at 0800 722 203.

The late MP was a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) under the Azimio coalition led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

He was first elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2022. He served on the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy and Irrigation.

Reports from those close to Hon. Were indicate that he had recently expressed concerns about threats to his life. Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, visibly shaken, shared on social media that they had spoken earlier the same day. “He told me, ‘I need a conversation with you,’ Five hours later, he is no more,” Amisi wrote.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, DCI boss Mohamed Amin, and Nairobi police commander George Seda had all visited the Nairobi Hospital on Wednesday night following the tragic incident.

Hon. Were held a Bachelor’s Degree and a Diploma in Business Management from Mt Kenya University, as well as a Certificate in Computerised Accounting from Meru University. Before entering politics, he served in leadership roles within the private sector.

The killing of the sitting MP has sent shockwaves across Kenya, raising serious concerns about the safety of elected officials and the country’s political climate ahead of future elections.

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Rubio was expected to arrive in Nairobi on April 28 as part of his first diplomatic tour of Africa since his appointment by President Donald Trump in January, State Department announced.

The visit was also set to include a stop in Ethiopia.

However, officials in Washington confirmed the trip has been called off at the eleventh hour, with no official reason given.

The cancellation comes just days after Kenyan President William Ruto returned from a high-profile five-day state visit to China, where he held talks with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and National People’s Congress Chairman Zhao Leji.

Ruto’s trip, aimed at strengthening trade, investment, and infrastructure ties with Beijing, has sparked unease in Washington.

State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed described the visit as a continuation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2017, highlighting Kenya’s role as China’s leading partner in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Africa.

During the visit, Ruto openly criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and, notably, condemned a recent U.S. vote at the UN Security Council that aligned with Russia—further straining relations with Washington.

Links to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) 

Concerns in Washington have also been fueled by Kenya’s recent decision to host Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Nairobi, as well as alleged support for rebel factions in eastern DRC.

Diplomats have privately expressed frustration with the Ruto administration’s regional posture.

Adding to the tension is the broader context of the Trump administration’s reported plan to close up to 10 U.S. embassies and 17 consulates worldwide, including several in Africa such as the Central African Republic, Congo, Eritrea, Gambia, Lesotho, and South Sudan.

Consulates in Douala (Cameroon) and Durban (South Africa) are also reportedly under review.

Troy Fitrell, the State Department’s top official for Africa, told reporters last week that U.S. diplomats on the continent have been instructed to prioritize support for American businesses and investment deals.

Sources also indicate that several U.S. companies, which had previously committed to multi-billion-dollar investments in Nairobi, have now pulled out, citing Kenya’s deteriorating corruption levels as a major deterrent.

The fallout has reportedly cost Kenya opportunities worth thousands of billions of shillings that were expected after Ruto’s White House visit last year.

Matters have further deteriorated with the closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a major funding channel for Kenya, signaling a dramatic shift in U.S.-Kenya relations.

The Kenyan government has yet to issue an official statement on the cancellation.

However, criticism has been mounting on social media, with some Kenyans questioning the timing of Ruto’s China trip.

“President Ruto chose the worst time to visit China—during heightened U.S.-China tensions over tariffs. Today, he’s seen as a betrayer by his former ally, America,” wrote Steve Mbogo, a prominent commentator on X (formerly Twitter).

Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi told People’s Daily that Secretary Rubio’s cancellation likely stemmed from growing concerns over corruption and Kenya’s engagement with rebel groups in the region.

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The move comes amid recent territorial advances by Al Shabab militants, which have intensified internal debate within the administration over whether to scale back or ramp up U.S. engagement in Somalia.

Al Shabab, an Al Qaeda affiliate, is also believed to be developing ties with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia, raising further concerns about regional instability and transnational threats.

Some officials at the U.S. State Department, cited by the Times, have advocated for a full withdrawal of embassy personnel as a precaution, fearing a potential Benghazi-style attack.

Others within the National Security Council oppose the move, warning that it could lead to the collapse of Somalia’s already fragile federal government.

They instead call for increased U.S. involvement, including greater military and intelligence support.

In early March, the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu issued a security alert warning of an imminent Al Shabab attack, urging vigilance among U.S. citizens and personnel.

Embassy staff reportedly relocated to Nairobi, Kenya, shortly after the warning.

On March 18, Al Shabab carried out a large-scale bombing in Mogadishu, killing at least 20 people, including prominent Somali journalist Mohamed Abukar Dabaashe.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud narrowly escaped the attack, which marked one of the deadliest in recent months.

Despite the security risks, the State Department maintains that the Mogadishu embassy remains “fully operational” and that threat assessments are ongoing.

However, with Al Shabab regaining control of key rural territories and inching closer to the capital, fears of a forced evacuation persist—though analysts note that heavy rains have temporarily halted the group’s advances.

The Trump administration’s internal rift reflects broader anxieties fueled by the 2012 Libya’s  Benghazi attack and the 2021 fall of Afghanistan’s Kabul to Taliban, with critics accusing the White House of lacking a coherent strategy for Somalia.

Counterterrorism adviser Sebastian Gorka, a hardliner, reportedly chaired a recent interagency meeting where the issue was discussed but no clear decision was reached.

Gorka is pushing for intensified drone strikes and air raids, warning that any drawdown would hand Somalia over to extremists.

Somalia’s security forces are said to be in disarray, with some units deserting to their clans and others being killed in clashes with Al Shabab.

The U.S. has spent years training Somalia’s elite Danab commandos and supporting them with air power, but those efforts have largely stalled.

President Mohamud has been accused of alienating key political allies, further weakening the government’s hold.

One controversial proposal being discussed is relocating U.S. operations to a Soviet-era airbase in Somaliland, the self-declared independent region in northern Somalia.

Although President Mohamud reportedly offered the base to the U.S., the Somali government does not control the area.

Al Shabab remains a potent force in the region. Since pledging allegiance to Al Qaeda in 2012, the group has launched deadly attacks beyond Somalia’s borders, including the 2013 Westgate Mall massacre in Nairobi and the 2020 assault on the Manda Bay U.S. military base in Kenya.

U.S. Africa Command is also monitoring possible cooperation between Al Shabab and the Houthis, as regional instability continues to grow.

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