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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

Trump Administration Moves to End Work Permits for H-1B Spouses, Impacting Diaspora

Trump Administration Moves to End Work Permits for H-1B Spouses, Impacting Diaspora

The Trump administration has announced a new proposal that could revoke work permits for spouses of H-1B visa holders, a move that has raised concerns among the Kenyan and African diaspora in the United States. This p…

Kenyan Police Officer Struggles with Debt Despite Earning Sh58,000

Kenyan Police Officer Struggles with Debt Despite Earning Sh58,000

A police officer in Kenya has revealed that despite earning a salary of Sh58,000, he takes home only Sh4,900 after deductions, raising concerns about the financial struggles faced by many in the security sector. This…

WHO Launches Africa Health Data Hub for 47 Countries

WHO Launches Africa Health Data Hub for 47 Countries

The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled a pioneering Regional Health Data Hub in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, marking a significant leap in the continent's public health management. Launched on August 27, 2026, the…

37 Killed After Russian Strike on Weapons Depot as Ukraine Blames Negligence

37 Killed After Russian Strike on Weapons Depot as Ukraine Blames Negligence

A Russian airstrike on a weapons depot located in a residential area near Kyiv has resulted in the deaths of at least 37 people, according to Ukrainian authorities. The incident occurred on August 29, 2026, and has sp…

White House Plan to End H-1B Grace Period Approved, Impacting Kenyan Professionals

White House Plan to End H-1B Grace Period Approved, Impacting Kenyan Professionals

The White House has approved a significant change to the H-1B visa policy, eliminating the 60-day grace period for workers under this program, a move that could have profound implications for Kenyan and other African…

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Renegade Soldiers Attack Presidential Palace and Airport in Niger

Renegade Soldiers Attack Presidential Palace and Airport in Niger

In a significant escalation of military unrest, renegade soldiers in Niger launched coordinated attacks on key sites in the capital, Niamey, including the presidential palace and a major airport. The Nigerien defense…

Mwakilishi News Bulletin - Evening Edition, Saturday 29 August 2026

Mwakilishi News Bulletin - Evening Edition, Saturday 29 August 2026

The bulletin covers diaspora safety, immigration changes, and notable events in Kenya and globally.

COTU Treasurer General Albert Njeru Obed dies after short illness

COTU Treasurer General Albert Njeru Obed dies after short illness

Albert Njeru Obed, the Treasurer General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), has died after a short illness. The announcement was made in Nairobi, Kenya, where he had been receiving medical attention p…

Gaza runs out of cancer medicines, as Israeli strikes continue

Gaza runs out of cancer medicines, as Israeli strikes continue

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a critical point as Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital officials reported a complete depletion of cancer medications amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes. The shortage of essential medi…

Kenyan Businesses Brace for Increased Costs as WhatsApp Discontinues Free Messaging

Kenyan Businesses Brace for Increased Costs as WhatsApp Discontinues Free Messaging

Kenyan businesses are facing a significant challenge as WhatsApp, a widely used messaging platform, has announced the discontinuation of free messaging services. This change is expected to impact many small and medium…

Somali piracy surges as the impact of the US-Iran war ripples outwards

Somali piracy surges as the impact of the US-Iran war ripples outwards

The resurgence of piracy off the Somali coast has raised alarms as two ships were seized within a span of four days last week, escalating the total number of attacks to at least 13 since the beginning of the year. Thi…

Trump hails 'historic' deal for US to control 65bn barrels of Venezuela's oil

Trump hails 'historic' deal for US to control 65bn barrels of Venezuela's oil

In a significant development for both Venezuela and the United States, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 'historic' agreement that allows the United States to control 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil. This a…

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Mwakilishi News Bulletin - Midday Edition, Saturday 29 August 2026

Mwakilishi News Bulletin - Midday Edition, Saturday 29 August 2026

Today's bulletin covers diaspora safety issues, Kenyan and world events, and tax changes for creators.

Africa Brought Deals to Washington - The Test is Whether the Money Moves

Africa Brought Deals to Washington - The Test is Whether the Money Moves

Washington, DC - The inaugural Africa Business Investment Summit, held in Washington, DC, has set an ambitious target of $500 million in structured commitments, aiming to bridge the investment gap between Africa and i…

Kenya: Wetangula - Politicians Cannot Choose the 'Referee' Ahead of 2027 Polls

Kenya: Wetangula - Politicians Cannot Choose the 'Referee' Ahead of 2027 Polls

In Nairobi, Kenya's National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula, has issued a stern warning to political leaders attempting to interfere with the operations of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)…

NACADA Conducts Major Crackdown on Counterfeit Alcohol in Jericho, Nairobi, Leading to Arrests

NACADA Conducts Major Crackdown on Counterfeit Alcohol in Jericho, Nairobi, Leading to Arrests

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has made significant strides in combating counterfeit alcohol, arresting three individuals during a recent operation in Jericho, Nairobi…

Zimbabwe minibus carrying church members crashes, killing at least 27

Zimbabwe minibus carrying church members crashes, killing at least 27

A tragic accident occurred in Zimbabwe when a minibus transporting church members was involved in a collision that resulted in the deaths of at least 27 individuals. The incident took place as a truck overtook another…

Ruto Increases Police Constable Pay Amid Security Reforms

Ruto Increases Police Constable Pay Amid Security Reforms

Nairobi, Kenya -- President William Ruto has announced a significant increase in the entry-level basic salary for police constables, raising it from Sh21,645 to Sh29,360. This adjustment comes as part of the governmen…

Russian attack on warehouse near Kyiv kills at least 27

Russian attack on warehouse near Kyiv kills at least 27

A Russian attack on a warehouse located near Kyiv, Ukraine, has resulted in the deaths of at least 27 individuals. The incident occurred outside the capital city, triggering a series of explosions that led to a signif…

Spain seeks EU assistance to manage influx of Ceuta migrants

Spain seeks EU assistance to manage influx of Ceuta migrants

Spain has requested assistance from the European Union as it grapples with the arrival of approximately 5,000 migrants in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The surge of migrants has caused significant unrest among local r…

Irungu Thairu — Mwakilishi.com