Latest news with #KenyaPolice
CAF
7 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
McCarthy rings changes as Kenya refines CHAN 2024 squad
Published: Wednesday, 16 July 2025 Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has trimmed his CHAN 2024 provisional squad as the Harambee Stars intensify preparations for the tournament they will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania from August 2 to 30. With just weeks to go before the curtain-raiser against DR Congo at Nairobi's Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, the South African tactician has made five changes to his 30-man training camp roster. Notably, veteran goalkeeper Bryne Omondi—currently unattached after parting ways with Bandari FC—has been recalled, adding valuable experience between the posts. McCarthy also brought back Kenya Police FC's midfield anchor Marvin Nabwire, reinforcing the engine room with physical presence and versatility. However, five players have been released after falling short of expectations during the initial phase of camp, including Tusker FC goalkeeper Brian Opondo, AFC Leopards' Kelly Madada, Shabana FC's Keith Imbali, and Ulinzi Stars duo Yakeen Muteheli and Staphod Odhiambo. Kenya, drawn into Group A—arguably the 'Group of Death'—will face heavyweights DR Congo, Morocco, Zambia, and Angola in what promises to be a demanding campaign. Yet, optimism abounds in the Kenyan camp, especially with local stars stepping up. The country's top three domestic league scorers—Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Emmanuel Osoro (FC Talanta), and Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC)—have all been retained, underlining McCarthy's desire to inject attacking firepower and reward domestic form. Record champions Gor Mahia and coastal side Bandari FC dominate the roster with five players each, while national league title holders Kenya Police FC contribute four, including vice-captain Abud Omar and utility man Brian Musa. McCarthy, appointed earlier this year, has emphasized structure, discipline, and player development since taking over the reins. With the Harambee Stars chasing a historic run on home soil, the South African legend is expected to blend youth and experience as he eyes a strong start in front of passionate home support. The team will continue training at high altitude before shifting base to CHAN facilities designated by the Local Organising Committee. Kenya kicks off their campaign against DR Congo on August 3 at Kasarani, while Nyayo Stadium will also host key Group A matches throughout the tournament. Kenya Provisional CHAN 2024 Squad Goalkeepers Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC) Sebastian Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks) Bryne Omondi (Unattached) Defenders Siraj Mohammed (Bandari FC) Manzur Suleiman (KCB) Pamba Swaleh (Bandari FC) Abud Omar (Kenya Police) Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia) Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia) Michael Kibwage (Tusker FC) Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police) Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards) Kevin Okumu (KCB) Midfielders Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia) Marvin Nabwire (Kenya Police) Brian Musa (Kenya Police) Mathias Isogoli (KCB) Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia) Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia) Forwards Mohammed Bajaber (Kenya Police) Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars) David Sakwa (Bandari FC) Emmanuel Osoro (FC Talanta) Edward Omondi (Sofapaka) Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC) Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz) Beja Nyamawi (Bandari FC)
The Guardian
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘We want closure': family searches for answers over Kenyan police officer missing in Haiti
The relatives of a Kenyan police officer who went missing while working in Haiti have spoken of their anguish and anger at Kenyan authorities over a lack of definitive information about what has happened to him. Benedict Kuria and some colleagues were ambushed in March by suspected gang members. Haitian media reported that he had died, but Kenya's police service says a search is continuing. 'We've tried many times to get information from the government, but they've refused,' said Kuria's wife, Miriam Watima. 'We don't know what to do any more.' Hundreds of Kenyan officers have been posted to Haiti as part of a US and UN-backed mission to help police in the Caribbean country get to grips with rampant gang violence. More than a million people have been forced from their homes in a relentless cycle of indiscriminate killings, kidnappings, gang rapes and arson. Kuria's case has reignited public concern over Kenya's involvement in the multinational security support mission (MSS), which started last year and was the subject of intense domestic public and legal scrutiny from the outset. In a search for answers, Kuria's family filed a court petition in June that listed the attorney-general, the inspector general of police and various ministers as respondents. A Nairobi court has scheduled a hearing for September but the family, who want the matter treated with urgency, have called for the session to be brought forward. 'We entrusted our son with the government,' said Kuria's mother, Jacinta Kabiru. 'They should give us the information.' Kuria, a 33-year-old administration police officer, joined the MSS last July. On 26 March the MSS said he was 'unaccounted for' after an ambush the day before on a team who had gone to assist the recovery of a Haitian police vehicle stuck in a ditch that it suspected had been dug by gangs. Later on 26 March, Kenyan police said a search and rescue mission was continuing, while local leaders and police chiefs went to Watima's house in the town of Kikuyu, north-west of Nairobi in Kiambu county, to tell her that her husband was missing. But the following day, Haitian media outlets reported that Kuria had been killed, quoting Haiti's presidential transitional council as saying that he 'fell … while carrying out his mission' and 'gave his life for a better future for our country'. In the months since, his family's desperate scramble for clarity has included visits to police – who have told them a search and rescue mission is continuing – and politicians' offices. Through their lawyer, Mbuthi Gathenji, they have petitioned parliament and written letters to Kenya's attorney-general and María Isabel Salvador, the special representative of the UN secretary-general in Haiti. Their court petition accuses government officials of 'refusing and/or neglecting' to provide the family with information on Kuria's whereabouts 'to ease their agony', and asks judges to assist in 'compelling the respondents to disclose information'. 'You can imagine the pain that the parents and relatives are going through,' said Gathenji. 'We are asking the government to come out with finality.' The Guardian has approached Kenya's interior cabinet secretary as well as the MSS and the Kenyan police for comment. Kenya's leading role in the mission stemmed from a desire by the US and the UN to restructure international intervention in Haiti with a multinational mission headed by an African country, after a series of floundering UN missions during which UN troops caused a cholera outbreak and peacekeepers were accused of sexual assault. Kenya, which has participated in many peacekeeping missions internationally, volunteered to lead the Haiti intervention. For its president, William Ruto, the deployment was a chance to position his country as a reliable international partner and burnish the reputation of its police force, which regularly uses violence against civilians. The arrival of the Kenyan officers in June 2024 brought some hope to Haiti, but the mission, beset by funding, equipment and personnel issues, has failed to repel the criminal advance. In April, Salvador said Haiti was approaching a 'point of no return'. And on Wednesday, Ghada Waly, the executive director of the UN office on drugs and crime, told the UN security council that gangs now controlled an estimated 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Kuria's mother had tried to dissuade him from joining the mission after learning about Haiti's violent reputation, but he was determined to go, motivated in part by the extra pay the job came with, which he planned to use to improve his relatives' lives. 'This is an opportunity we have got as a family,' his brother, Philip Kuria, recalled him saying. Kuria was due to return this year at the end of his one-year contract. 'It's a struggle,' said Philip. 'What we want is closure.' Kuria's uncle, Daniel Ndung'u, said the family was open to any news. 'My prayer is that he's going to come back to join us,' he said. 'This suspense is actually torturing us.' Watima recalled her last call with Kuria as they discussed academic plans for their 17-year-old daughter. She tops up credit for her husband's phone so it doesn't get deactivated, hoping that one day he'll call again. In the meantime, she waits for the government. 'They should tell us whether he's alive or not,' she said. 'That's all we want to know.'
CAF
03-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
McCarthy names provisional TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024 Harambee Stars squad
Kenya's head coach Benni McCarthy has unveiled a 30-man provisional squad that will begin preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, exactly one month before the Harambee Stars play their opening match of the tournament. Kenya will co-host the biennial Continental showpiece alongside neighbours Uganda and Tanzania between 02 – 30 August 2025. Former champions and FKF Premier League's runners up Gor Mahia and Bandari FC have each contributed five players to the squad while Police FC who clinched the league title for the first time ever have four players in the 30-man list. The Ulinzi Stars duo of Staphod Odhiambo and Yakeen Muteheli will drape in national colours for the first time ever after earning their debut call ups. Meanwhile, Tusker FC goalkeeper Brian Opondo will train for the first time ever with the national team. He was called up for the last World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and The Gambia, but was not able to join up for camp. In attack, coach McCarthy has included the top three scorers from the just concluded season, with Moses Shummah (17), Emmanuel Osoro (16) and Ryan Ogam (15) all getting a nod to show their scoring prowess on the Continental stage. Ogam, who plays for Tusker FC, missed most of the second leg with a knee injury and only returned for the final game of the season, playing 45 minutes. He scored 15 goals in 19 appearances for the Brewers. McCarthy's team is scheduled to report for camp on 10 July, to begin preparation for their debut in the tournament tailor-made for local based players. The Harambee Stars have been drawn in Group A alongside DR Congo, Morocco, Angola and Zambia. They kick off their campaign against 2016 Champions DRC on 3 August at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani. FULL SQUAD: Goalkeepers Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari), Sebastian Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks), Brian Opondo (Tusker FC) Defenders Siraj Mohammed (Bandari FC), Manzur Suleiman (KCB), Pamba Swaleh (Bandari FC), Abud Omar (Kenya Police),Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Michael Kibwage (Tusker), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police), Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards), Kevin Okumu (KCB) Midfielders Brian Musa( Kenya Police), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards), Keith Imbali (Shabana), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (KCB), Staphod Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia) Forwards Mohammed Bajaber (Kenya Police), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), David Sakwa (Bandari), Emmanuel Osoro (FC Talanta), Yakeen Muteheli (Ulinzi Stars), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka), Ryan Ogam (Tusker),Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Beja Nyamawi (Bandari)
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Kenya deputy police chief step aside over di death of Albert Ojwang for police custody
Kenya Deputy Police Chief, Eliud Lagat, don step aside to allow for investigation into di death of Albert Ojwang, wey die for police custody. Lagat, announce di decision on Monday, as protesters dey demand for accountability and im immediate removal from office for days. "In di good and conscious thought of my role and responsibilities as di Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Service, and in view of di ongoing investigation on di unfortunate incident of di death of Mr. Albert Ojwang. Today I don decide to step aside from di office of di Deputy Inspector General Kenya Police Service pending completion of investigations," e tok. Dem arrest di blogger and teacher, afta Lagat file formal complaint against am, accusing am of sharing defamatory content on di social media platform X. E die for police custody and autopsy don reveal say im die of from likely beatings. "Di cause of death dey very clear; head injury, neck compression and oda injuries spread all ova di body and dat dey point towards assault," state pathologist Bernard Midia tok. Dem detain di 31-year-old Ojwang afta di deputy police chief, accuse am say im tarnish im name on social media. Lagat don deny say im dey involved in di death but im tok say e go fully cooperate wit investigators. "I undertake to provide any support wey dey required of me during di investigations of di unfortunate incident," e tok. "I offer immense condolences to di family of Mr. Albert Ojwang for dia great loss." Until dem conclude di probe, Lagat no go get any access to im office, and na im deputy go handle im functions. Di move dey come as pressure dey, wit more demonstrations wey dey planned dis week by activists wey dey demand for independent and transparent investigation into di case. Kenya President Williams Ruto inside one statement on Wednesday tok say "di tragic occurrence for di hands of di police dey heart-breaking and unacceptable." "I strongly condemn di actions and omissions, wey include any negligence or outright criminality wey fit contribute to im untimely death," President Ruto tok. Di kontri leader call on di National Police Service to fully cooperate wit di Independent Policing Oversight Authority wey dey torchlight di mata, and make dem ensure transparent, and credible investigation into di death of Oga Ojwang. Di president assure say di truth about wetin really happun to Ojwang go come out soon, and justice go dey served. E also caution di public against making "premature judgments or drawing conclusions wey fit scata di process and its outcome". Wetin di autopsy show? Police arrest Oga Ojwang for Homa Bay, one town for western Kenya, on Friday, sake of one post e make on X wey allegedly dey critical of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat. Dem later transfer am go di capital, Nairobi, wey dey ova 350km (220 miles) from wia dem arrest am and book am for di Central Police Station on Saturday. Police tok say dem later find am unconscious for im cell wit injuries e do on imself (self-inflicted injuries). But one autopsy, wey five pathologists carry out and dem release unanimous report, reveal say Ojwang get severe head injuries and e suffer neck compression and multiple soft tissue trauma. Dr Midia, wey lead di team of pathologists, tok say Mr Ojwang no hit imself on di wall, as police bin tok for statement on Sunday. E say if Ojwang bin injure imsef, di pattern of injuries for dey different, and dem go see frontal bleeding on im head. "But di bleeds wey we see on di scalp… for di skin of di head no dey togeda, including on di face, sides of di head and for di back of di head," Dr Midia tok for one press conference. "Multiple soft tissue injuries also dey wey spread all ova di body, including for di head, neck, upper limbs plus di trunk and lower limbs... these na injuries from attack," e add. Di injuries dey consistent wit "external assault" and signs of struggle also dey, according to pathologists. Inside one initial statement, police tok say Ojwang "bin sustain head injuries afta e hit im head against one cell wall" for custody. However, Ojwang family lawyer, Julius Juma, tok say di body show signs of severe physical trauma, wey include swelling on di head, nose and ears. Oga Juma also say im see bruises on Ojwang shoulders and hands - injuries wey e say no dey consistent wit one single impact against a wall. Speaking at a press conference, Inspector General Douglas Kanja tok say di police go give di investigators all "necessary support" to solve di case. Dem find Ojwang unconscious during one routine inspection of di cells and dem "rush am go hospital, wia dem pronounce am dead on arrival", police tok. Di director of Amnesty International Kenya branch, Irungu Houghton, tell BBC say Ojwang death dey "very suspicious". Oga Houghton tok say e dey "quite shocking" say dem no book Ojwang for di local police station afta dem detain am, but instead dem carry am on long journey. On Sunday, 8 June, e call on independent investigators to secure wetin e describe as "di crime scene" for di police station for Nairobi. Ojwang death for detention dey come at a time of rising concern on top how dem dey treat some goment critics. Last week, software developer Rose Njeri, wey create one tool to help pipo oppose one goment finance bill, dem sama am charge wit accuse say she violate cybercrime law. She deny di charge.
