NAIROBI DAILY - 16 MARCH 2026
Ruto Begins Five-Day Western Kenya Tour With Kakamega Infrastructure Inspection; Nairobi Governor Orders 48-Hour Flood Action Plan As Death Toll Stands At 66; Mudavadi Arrives In Moscow For Bilateral
Kenya Medical Association condemns arrest of veteran doctor and four Nairobi Hospital board members in leadership dispute
Capital FM and NTV report Kenya Medical Association condemned detention of veteran obstetrician Dr Job Obwaka and four Nairobi Hospital board members including Vice Chairman Samson Kinyanjui and former board chairman Dr Chris Bichage, with families questioning whether law was followed in arrests linked to hospital leadership row.
PCS Mudavadi arrives in Moscow for two-day talks on Kenyans fighting for Russia
KBC and Capital FM report Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi arrived in Moscow March 15 for bilateral meetings with top priority being discussions over Kenyan citizens fighting for Russia, after National Assembly report indicated over 1,000 Kenyans are fighting for Russia having been duped into war frontline.
Flooding death toll reaches 66 as woman's body recovered in Kitui while heavy rains continue nationwide
The Standard and KBC report flooding death toll climbed to 66 after woman's body retrieved from Kathonzooni Rock Catchment in Kitui County, as President Ruto activated multi-agency response and Kenya Meteorological Department warned heavy rains expected to continue.
French naval vessels arrive in Mombasa as part of EU Operation Atalanta maritime security mission
Capital FM reports French naval vessels made port call in Mombasa to boost regional maritime security operations conducted under European Union's Operation Atalanta.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: President William RUTO on 15 March began a five-day development tour across Western Kenya, starting with inspection of ongoing rehabilitation and expansion works at Kakamega Airstrip, which the President said is expected to enhance regional connectivity. Nairobi Governor and Chair of the Implementation Committee on the Cooperation Agreement Johnson SAKAJA on 16 March ordered preparation of a 48-hour action plan to address flooding, drainage failures, and infrastructure damage across the capital, following an urgent meeting with several Principal Secretaries and representatives from key national government agencies. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia MUDAVADI arrived in Moscow on 15 March for a two-day bilateral visit, with discussions expected to cover education, labor mobility, health, infrastructure, and energy cooperation, while also addressing the status of Kenyans recruited into Russian armed forces—though The Standard reported the repatriation issue was "pushed from top agenda." National Youth Service (NYS) on 16 March launched nationwide recruitment for youth aged 18-24, with the exercise running through 21 March at sub-county recruitment centers. Kenya Medical Association condemned the arrest of veteran obstetrician Dr. Job OBWAKA, with five Nairobi Hospital board members—including Vice Chairman Samson KINYANJUI and former board chairman Dr. Chris BICHAGE—remaining in custody in connection with a leadership dispute at the institution. END SUMMARY.
