Here is what you need to know to keep up to speed with today’s happenings.

Ruto’s Mt Kenya tour

President William Ruto will continue with his development tour of the Mt Kenya region. The Head of State is on Friday, April 4, 2025, expected in Tharaka Nithi and Embu counties.

Ruto will commission police houses in Chuka Igambang’ombe (Tharaka-Nithi) and student hostels at Tharaka University.

In Mbeere South Constituency (Embu), the President will inspect the ongoing Kiambere Bulk Water Project.

Ruto will visit modern fresh produce markets in various stages of completion in Runyenjes and Manyatta (Embu).

IEBC interviews

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel, led by Dr Nelson Makanda, is set to continue interviewing the 110 applicants it had shortlisted to fill in for the six positions of commissioner, with six candidates expected to make their case on why they are suitable for the position before the panel members.

The exercise of recruiting the commissioners for a body that is behind schedule and has missed crucial constitutional deadlines continues against the backdrop of questions emerging on the high number of shortlisted candidates, with the risk being that the long duration could see Kenyans disinterested in keenly following the proceedings.

The question of timelines has also been raised given the pending by-elections, uncertainty over delimitation of boundaries, whose time expired last year in March, and the engaging process to adequately prepare for the 2027 General Election. 

Reactions to Kanja’s appearance in Ruto’s tour

Reactions to the calls for the resignation of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja after he appeared at President Ruto’s rally in Mt Kenya are expected to continue.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK), which is leading the criticism, called out Kanja for attending Ruto’s rally in Nyeri on Wednesday, March 2, 2025.

The LSK says the presence of Kanja in the meeting raises institutional concerns, as the police must be seen to be impartial when it comes to political matters.

“From the onset, we must point out that the Inspector-General has a constitutional obligation to serve all Kenyans impartially, regardless of political affiliation.

“We are apprehensive that the events in Nyeri yesterday amounted to a political gimmick, whose unintended effect may be the ostracization of parts of the population that hold alternative political views from those advanced by Mr. Kanja through his presence and remarks at yesterday’s rally.

“Such a situation is untenable and amounts to an inexcusable violation of the constitutional edicts that are incumbent upon the Inspector-General,” a statement signed by LSK President Faith Odhiambo read.

The National Police Service (NPS) has since reacted to the calls, stating that Kanja’s appearance at the said meeting does not in any way undermine the principle of impartiality required of the IG’s office, as argued by LSK.