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

Maraga Coast tour

Former Chief Justice David Maraga is expected to continue popularising his 2027 presidential bid in the Coast region.

Maraga is expected to hold meeting in Kinango constituency in Kwale County on Saturday May 24, 2025, having concluded a similar engagement in Matuga and Lunga Lunga constituencies on Friday, May 23.

Note to  the Public on my Engagements pic.twitter.com/PX6DDnq0Qa

— David Maraga (@dkmaraga) May 20, 2025

Severe weather

The Kenya Meteorological Department on Friday, May 23, 2025, issued a severe weather alert for May 23–25, 2025, forecasting strong winds exceeding 35 knots (65 km/h) and waves over 2 meters in the Southeast lowlands, Northwest Kenya, and coastal areas.

This is driven by a high-pressure system in the Indian Ocean, a pattern often linked to seasonal monsoon shifts in East Africa.

The alert highlights risks of structural damage, like roofs being torn off, and marine disruptions, particularly affecting coastal communities and fishing activities, with historical data showing similar conditions in May 2018 causing over Ksh500 million in damages along the Kenyan coast.

⚠️ Weather Alert: Strong Winds & Large Waves
📅 23–25 May 2025
🌬️ Winds >35 knots in SE lowlands, NW Kenya & Coast
🌊 Waves >2.0m along the coast
🏚️ Risk of roof damage, ⚓ marine disruption

🔗 Stay updated: https://t.co/TBfhKXCNH5
📲 Join: https://t.co/E9TeOjKrHn#KenyaWeather… pic.twitter.com/EKatZa2buP

— Kenya Met Department 🇰🇪 (@MeteoKenya) May 23, 2025

Residents are urged to secure property and avoid marine activities. Mombasa County Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir has since ordered the closure of public beaches, suspension of ocean activities, and halting of construction to ensure safety.

⚠️ URGENT PUBLIC NOTICE ⚠️ #Mombasa pic.twitter.com/CetE73hv1D

— Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir (@A_S_Nassir) May 23, 2025

Kerio Valley insecurity

Leaders are expected to continue voicing their concerns on the insecurity in the Kerio Valley region following the recent killing of Catholic priest Fr. Allois Cheruiyot Bett, who was shot dead while returning from celebrating mass in Kakiptul on Thursday.

The incident has since seen learning in more than 20 schools across the volatile Kerio Valley come to a halt.

This is after teachers’ unions withdrew their members over rising insecurity in the region.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) announced the decision following the killing of the priest.

John Cheberi, Knut Secretary for the Marakwet branch, and Paul Biwott, Kuppet Secretary in Elgeyo Marakwet County, said the situation has become too dangerous for teachers, especially non-locals, who they claim are now being deliberately targeted by armed criminals and bandits.

“We have decided to withdraw the teachers because of serious security concerns in the region,” Cheberi told journalists.

“Three non-local security officers have also been killed recently. It’s clear that this violence is not random.”

The killing of Fr. Bett has shaken the community and prompted a dusk-to-dawn curfew in parts of Kerio Valley.