Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

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

Raila’s birthday

Kenya’s candidate for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship Raila Odinga is celebrating his birthday on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

The former Prime Minister is turning 80.

Several leaders across the country are expected to send Raila birthday wishes, some of which might dominate news headlines.

Raila’s political party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), is among the first entities that have already sent birthday wishes to him.

“Happy Birthday, PL @RailaOdinga. We wish you nothing but God’s grace and blessings in your new year. May you succeed in all your plans and desires,” ODM stated in a post shared via their official X account.

Happy Birthday PL @RailaOdinga. We wish you nothing but God’s grace and blessings in your new year. May you succeed in all your plans and desires. pic.twitter.com/RowA54vGTZ

— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) January 7, 2025

Ruto in Ghana

Ghana’s President-elect John Dramani Mahama’s swearing-in ceremony will be conducted on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

President William Ruto on Monday, January 6, departed the country for Accra, Ghana, to attend the event.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said Mahama invited Ruto to the event during his trip to Kenya on December 29.

“While in Accra, President Ruto will hold talks with heads of state and government, including President-elect Mahama, focusing on key areas of mutual interest and cooperation, including trade, energy, oil, textiles, agriculture and diplomatic relations,” he said.

Ruto is also set to discuss reforms of the African Union and thank Ghana for supporting Kenya’s candidate – former Prime Minister Raila Odinga – for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position, Mohamed added.

Mahama is Ghana’s opposition leader and won the presidential election last month with 56 per cent of the vote, defeating ruling party candidate and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia who earned 41 per cent.

Reactions to release of abductees

More reactions from Kenyans are expected, on the release of five youths who had been reported missing after being abducted.

Cartoonist Gideon Kibet, alias Kibet Bull, who went missing moments after meeting Busia County Senator Okiya Omtatah in Nairobi, was the latest to confirm his release on Monday evening.

Taking to his official X account on Monday, January 6, 2024, Kibet confirmed that he had been dropped in Luanda, Vihiga County, on Monday, January 6, 2025, between 3:00 am and 4:00 am.

He says he had nowhere to go and had to wait until 6:00 am when he booked a bus ticket.

“They dropped me in Luanda Vihiga at 3-4 am, leo. Sikuwa najua where to enter or book a room. Kidogo form ya Disco Matanga came in and danced mpaka 6 am when I went to book a ticket,” a statement shared via Kibet Bull’s X account said.

The National Police Service (NPS) has assured the victims of abductions and their families of support after four of the many youths that have been reported missing resurfaced on Monday, January 6, 2024.

The police, in a statement issued by spokesperson Resila Onyango, said that Bernard Kavuli Musyimi, who was reported missing at Ngong’ Police Station, had presented himself at Moi’s Bridge Police Station.

However, the police noted that Kavuli is assisting the investigators with further information.

The police further confirmed that Billy Wanyiri Mwangi, Peter Muteti, and Rony Kiplagat, who were reported missing at the then-Embu Police Station, Kabete Police Station, and Thogoto Police Post, respectively, had been reunited with their respective families.