Latest
Trump Administration's Green Card Freeze Raises Concerns in Bay Area Tech CommunityAliko Dangote Acquires Significant Stake in Kenya Pipeline CompanyHow Kenyan Entrepreneur Wakenya Clewis Turned Her Tattoos into a Business in the USWhy You Are Not Allowed to Smile in Passport and ID PhotosKenyan Teachers Could Find New Jobs as Bahamas Explores RecruitmentUS Journalist Margot Kiser Sues Kenya Over Deportation and Immigration BanTrendingHow Kenyan Nurses in the US Are Going from CNA to RN to BSN to NP: Complete Career PathwayTrendingU.S. Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Could Get $500,000 Under New BillTrendingUSCIS Ends 540-Day Automatic EAD Extension, Impacting ImmigrantsTrendingKenyan-Born Biotech Executive Enoch Kariuki Appointed to EpiCRISPR Board of DirectorsTrendingTwo Years in Seattle and My Cousin Who Grew Up in Matungulu, Machakos Already Talks Like a CNN AnchorTrendingHow Far Does $100K Go in America's Top Cities for Kenyan Immigrants?
AdvertisementTop banner · 970×90 / 728×90

Irungu Thairu

News Writer

Irungu Thairu is a news writer at Mwakilishi, covering Kenyan, diaspora and international news. He joined Mwakilishi in 2009, which makes him one of the site's longest-serving writers.

He writes on the stories shaping Kenya and its diaspora, from politics and current affairs at home to immigration, the green card lottery and community life abroad. His reporting aims to keep Kenyans everywhere connected to the news that affects them, wherever they are.

When he is not working, Irungu likes to spend time with his family, travel and play golf.

3,427 articles

US Judge Orders USCIS to Resume Frozen Immigration Cases for 39 Countries
Immigration

US Judge Orders USCIS to Resume Frozen Immigration Cases for 39 Countries

In a significant development affecting immigrants from 39 countries, a United States immigration judge has ordered the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to restart processing previously frozen immigrat…

Sep 9, 2026
As the UK sanctions Israeli settlements, is the two-state solution dead?
World

As the UK sanctions Israeli settlements, is the two-state solution dead?

The recent decision by the United Kingdom to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements has sparked significant debate among international observers regarding the viability of a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palesti…

Sep 9, 2026
Kenya's Crackdown on Foreign Traders Sparks Xenophobia Concerns
Immigration

Kenya's Crackdown on Foreign Traders Sparks Xenophobia Concerns

In a move that has stirred fears of xenophobia, Kenyan President William Ruto has ordered a crackdown on foreign nationals working as street hawkers. The directive, aimed at regulating the informal trade sector, has r…

Sep 9, 2026
Mwakilishi News Bulletin - Midday Edition, Wednesday 09 September 2026
News Bulletin

Mwakilishi News Bulletin - Midday Edition, Wednesday 09 September 2026

Today's bulletin covers diaspora news, immigration challenges, Kenyan issues, global conflicts, and business developments.

Sep 9, 2026
Emotional Poem by Young Girl Moves Kenyan President to Tears
Diaspora

Emotional Poem by Young Girl Moves Kenyan President to Tears

A young girl's emotional poem has captured the attention of many, including Kenya's President William Ruto, who was visibly moved to tears during a recent event. The heartfelt performance, which included the phrase 'W…

Sep 9, 2026
AdvertisementIn-feed ad
Zimbabwean Tycoon Chivayo Says $200m Kenya Investment Is Finally Taking Shape After Ruto Meeting
Business

Zimbabwean Tycoon Chivayo Says $200m Kenya Investment Is Finally Taking Shape After Ruto Meeting

Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo's ambitious US$200 million investment plan in Kenya is moving forward, marking an important development in cross-national economic relations between African nations. The progres…

Sep 9, 2026
Ruto Secures Major Investment for 15 New Hospitals in Kenya
Kenya

Ruto Secures Major Investment for 15 New Hospitals in Kenya

In a significant development for the healthcare sector in Kenya, President William Ruto has unveiled a deal with Italy to construct 15 new hospitals across the country. This announcement marks a substantial investment…

Sep 9, 2026
'Sh20,000 a month? Not worth our girls' dignity!' Former FGM Cutters Embrace Alternative Livelihoods in Narok
Diaspora

'Sh20,000 a month? Not worth our girls' dignity!' Former FGM Cutters Embrace Alternative Livelihoods in Narok

In Narok County, Kenya, a significant shift is occurring as former female genital mutilation (FGM) cutters abandon their traditional practices in favor of alternative livelihoods. This change comes in response to the…

Sep 9, 2026
High-Profile Corruption Case: Ex-PS Peter Kaberia Arrested in Sh330 Million Scandal
Kenya

High-Profile Corruption Case: Ex-PS Peter Kaberia Arrested in Sh330 Million Scandal

In a significant development in Kenya's ongoing battle against corruption, former Principal Secretary Peter Kaberia has been arrested along with five others in connection with the alleged misappropriation of Sh330 mil…

Sep 9, 2026
Israel Orders UK to Shut East Jerusalem Consulate Amid Deteriorating Relations
World

Israel Orders UK to Shut East Jerusalem Consulate Amid Deteriorating Relations

Israel has directed the United Kingdom to close its consulate in East Jerusalem within 30 days, marking a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The announcement comes as British-Israel…

Sep 9, 2026
Russia Bombards Kyiv Soon After Witkoff, Kushner Leave
World

Russia Bombards Kyiv Soon After Witkoff, Kushner Leave

Russia launched a barrage of attacks on Kyiv soon after prominent figures Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner departed from the Ukrainian capital. The agreement to abstain from bombarding the city during their visit was q…

Sep 8, 2026
Troops Repel Boko Haram/Iswap Attack on Base in Borno Community
World

Troops Repel Boko Haram/Iswap Attack on Base in Borno Community

In a significant military engagement, Nigerian troops successfully repelled an attack by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on a military base in the Borno community. The incident occ…

Sep 8, 2026
AdvertisementIn-feed ad
US Military Destroys Five Iranian Tankers Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions
World

US Military Destroys Five Iranian Tankers Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions

The United States military has destroyed five Iranian oil tankers following reported attacks by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on a US warship. The incidents occurred in the vicinity of the Strait of Hor…

Sep 8, 2026
Sudan's healthcare system on brink of collapse after cuts, medical charity warns
World

Sudan's healthcare system on brink of collapse after cuts, medical charity warns

Sudan's healthcare system is facing an imminent collapse, with the international medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) raising alarms over severe funding cuts. The organization warns that the healthcare infra…

Sep 8, 2026
Man Arrested Over Remarks Allegedly Targeting Burundians Amid Government Apology
Immigration

Man Arrested Over Remarks Allegedly Targeting Burundians Amid Government Apology

NAIROBI, Kenya — A 32-year-old man has been detained by law enforcement in Nairobi following remarks that allegedly targeted Burundian nationals with ethnic hatred, hostility, and calls for violence. The arrest comes…

Sep 8, 2026
Mwakilishi News Bulletin - Evening Edition, Tuesday 08 September 2026
News Bulletin

Mwakilishi News Bulletin - Evening Edition, Tuesday 08 September 2026

The bulletin covers Sudanese love stories, Kenyan migration amnesty, and Eric Omondi's arrest.

Sep 8, 2026
Innovative AI Tool Developed to Identify Mental Health Crises in Social Media Posts
Business

Innovative AI Tool Developed to Identify Mental Health Crises in Social Media Posts

A Kenyan data scientist has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool aimed at detecting hidden mental health crises in social media posts. This innovative technology is designed to analyze user-generated content…

Sep 8, 2026
Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis Edge Back to the Brink of War
World

Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis Edge Back to the Brink of War

Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi rebels are once again teetering on the brink of renewed conflict, as tensions have escalated with recent attacks and subsequent retaliatory vows. The Saudi authorities have reported num…

Sep 8, 2026
USCIS to Reject Outdated Work Permit Applications, Impacting Kenyan Immigrants
Immigration

USCIS to Reject Outdated Work Permit Applications, Impacting Kenyan Immigrants

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant change affecting work permit and legal status extension applications. As of September 8, 2026, USCIS will reject applications…

Sep 8, 2026
UN Human Rights Council Urged to Widen Sudan Arms Embargo and Extend Fact-Finding Mission
World

UN Human Rights Council Urged to Widen Sudan Arms Embargo and Extend Fact-Finding Mission

The United Nations Human Rights Council has been called upon to expand the existing arms embargo on Sudan, extending it beyond the Darfur region to encompass the entire country. This plea comes amid escalating violenc…

Sep 8, 2026