Willis Oketch

Journalist at The Standard (Kenya)

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Articles

American scholar Prof Ndiangui recalls last moment with Prof Ngugi

1 week ago | standardmedia.co.ke | Willis Oketch

Renowned Kenyan author Prof Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. [File, Standard]Even in the last hours of his life, Prof Ngugi wa Thiong'o kept on emphasizing the importance of mother tongue and advised members of his community not to forget writing in Gikuyu. According to Prof Peter Ndiang'ui of Florida Gulf Coast University, Ngugi still had great love for his language despite having settled in America many years ago.
Kenya: Investor embroiled in legal battles over Galana Kulalu land arrested

1 week ago | farmlandgrab.org | Willis Oketch

The Standard | 26 May 2025Investor embroiled in legal battles over Galana Kulalu land arrestedBy Willis OketchThe director of Sahal Agro-Holdings Limited, who is embroiled in a fierce legal battle over a 100,000-acre parcel of land at Galana Kulalu, was arrested on Friday. Abdillahi Hassan was arrested in Sagana, Nyeri County, on his way to Nanyuki, for allegedly conspiring to defraud Agriculture Development Corporation (ADC) over the Galana Kulalu land.
Investor embroiled in legal battles over Galana Kulalu land arrested

1 week ago | standardmedia.co.ke | Willis Oketch

President William Ruto inspects the completed works at the Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project in Kilifi and Tana River counties on May 16, 2025. [PCS]The director of Sahal Agro-Holdings Limited, who is embroiled in a fierce legal battle over a 100,000-acre parcel of land at Galana Kulalu, was arrested on Friday. Abdillahi Hassan was arrested in Sagana, Nyeri County, on his way to Nanyuki, for allegedly conspiring to defraud Agriculture Development Corporation (ADC) over the Galana Kulalu land.
Concerns as Mombasa Island gradually turns into a residential city

2 weeks ago | standardmedia.co.ke | Willis Oketch

Some of the residential high buildings in Mombasa. May 20,2025. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]It’s daybreak, and shafts of sunlight are streaming through the open floors of high-rise buildings under construction in the suburbs near Mombasa’s Central Business District (CBD). The sun's rays metaphorically dance on the ocean at the Likoni crossing channel as ferries transport thousands of passengers to the island amidst the rising construction of skyscrapers.
Kenya, Ethiopia ink free-cross border trade agreement

1 month ago | standardmedia.co.ke | Willis Oketch

The construction of the road linking the Port of Lamu to Ethiopia is 85 per cent complete, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, has said. He noted that the completion of the Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor would enhance trade between Kenya and Ethiopia, following the recent signing of a free trade agreement between the two countries. Talks on cross-border trade between Kenya and Ethiopia have taken 12 years to conclude.
Raila: ODM will challenge Ruto in 2027 elections

2 months ago | standardmedia.co.ke | Willis Oketch

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Saturday declared ODM party will field a presidential candidate in the next elections. Raila said this yesterday during the Mombasa Governor’s Eid Baraza at Treasury Square which was attended by top area leaders, including Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho.
Teacher to serve 25 years in jail for defiling 10-year-old minor

Feb 20, 2025 | standardmedia.co.ke | Willis Oketch

The High Court has jailed a teacher for 25 years for defiling a 10-year-old minor at Ufunu Academy in Kisauni Mombasa. Earlier, the convict, Joseck Okumbe, had been acquitted by a magistrate court because no one witnessed the defilement. The magistrate said the key witness, a fellow teacher, did not give evidence linking Okumbe to the defilement. Okumbe was accused of defiling the girl between October 20 and December 19, 2020.
Leaders oppose Kalonzo's choice of Mombasa Wiper official

Feb 18, 2025 | standardmedia.co.ke | Willis Oketch

A section of Wiper supporters at the Coast have opposed Kalonzo Musyoka’s endorsement of businessman Dr John Chamia as the Mombasa branch chairman. In a petition to the party, they opposed the ‘arbitrary selection of Dr Chamia’ without going through an election. The businessman is linked to Joacham Hospital and other businesses in the Coast region. Mvita party branch chairman Abdulsalaam Kassim opposed the endorsement of the official, saying it violates the party’s constitution and ideals.
Standoff over Sh700 parking levy disrupts Mombasa port activities

Feb 2, 2025 | standardmedia.co.ke | Willis Oketch

A standoff between the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and truck owners over Mombasa County Government's Sh700 parking fee at the port threatens to disrupt cargo evacuation from the facility. The Road Haulers Association (RHA), representing owners of over 1,500 trucks, is opposed to the new levy and has vowed to rally its members not to pick cargo from the port starting Monday.
Muturi hits out at Kuria as contracts for 8,000 interns expire

Jan 29, 2025 | standardmedia.co.ke | Willis Oketch

The fate of over 8,000 graduate interns hired on one-year contracts by government agencies and departments hangs in the balance as their tenure ends today. Yesterday, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi said the matter was under the Public Service Commission (PSC) and dismissed an earlier directive freezing their employment.