Mercy Mwende

2 weeks ago | nation.africa | Waikwa Maina |Mercy Mwende

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has defended what he calls an economic empowerment programme in which the government is dishing out millions of shillings to traders across the country, saying it was the best way of boosting informal businesses. Over the past two months, Prof Kindiki and other Kenya Kwanza leaders have criss-crossed the country and have so far given out over Sh100 million to women groups, youths and boda boda operators, drawing criticism over source of the funds.

Feb 27, 2025 | nation.africa | Mercy Mwende |Mwangi Ndirangu

The country is experiencing a sudden and alarming rise in forest fires, with 180 incidents recorded since January 2025, a new report by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has shown. Over 1,357 hectares of vegetation have been lost to wildfires across protected areas, including the Maasai Mau, North Rift, Coast, Central Highlands (Mt Kenya and Aberdares), and Eastern Conservancies.

Jan 31, 2025 | nation.africa | Gitonga Marete |Mercy Mwende

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has kicked off development tours in Mt Kenya region, dishing out goodies as he prepares the ground for President William Ruto’s visits to the restless region. While the DP was in Nyeri Friday January 31, he will be in Embu county on Saturday February 1. Speaking in Kieni Constituency when he launched construction of Endarasha-Charity-Watuka Road, which had stalled since 2019, Prof Kindiki said the government would revive such projects in the region.

Jan 29, 2025 | nation.africa | Gitonga Marete |Mercy Mwende

The September 5, 2024 fire tragedy at Hillside Endarasha Academy in which 21 boys perished evoked memories of a similar incident 14 years ago. On October 17, 2010, two boys were killed when a dormitory was set on fire at Endarasha Boys High School. While the institutions are about seven kilometres apart, it is the similarity of the two incidents that is puzzling. Both occurred during third term and parents were left in suspense for days as they waited for information about their loved ones.

Jan 28, 2025 | nation.africa | Gitonga Marete |Mercy Mwende

What you need to know:Three months later, bereaved families are yet to get closure over the incident that left permanent scars on their lives, as they continue living in torment. They sent children to school expecting them to actualise their dreams, but ended up with graves in their homes. In the words of one parent who lost his Grade Six son, “the world came down tumbling on us ... and today nobody seems to care. We’re on our own”.