Mwakilishi News Bulletin - Midday Edition, Friday 09 October 2026

Midday Edition for Friday, 09 October 2026. Running time 8:50.

In this bulletin

Diaspora News

Immigration News

US halts key green card process, affecting foreign workers

Kenya News

World News

Sports News

WADA urges Kenya to enhance anti-doping efforts before 2029 Championships

Transcript

This is the news from Mwakilishi.com.

Good afternoon. It's midday on Friday, the ninth of October, and here is your midday edition.

Coming up.

Rose Mithamo aims to unite Kenyans in Belgium and Luxembourg.

Ethiopia and Eritrea escalate tensions with war accusations.

Kenya's anti-doping efforts scrutinised before 2029 World Championships.

Those stories, and more, in the next few minutes.

Turning to diaspora news, Rose Mithamo, president of the Association of Kenyan Diaspora in Belgium and Luxembourg, is prioritizing community engagement, cultural preservation, and stronger ties with Kenya. Elected in June twenty twenty-six, Mithamo aims to unite Kenyans abroad, improve access to information, and create opportunities for community involvement. The association seeks political neutrality, providing an inclusive platform for diverse political views. AKDBL, maintaining links with the Kenyan Embassy in Belgium, connects Kenyans with institutions and businesses at home while preserving its autonomy.

Staying with diaspora news, a US government report alleges Kenyan officials collaborated with agencies and Russia to recruit over one thousand Kenyans for military service in Ukraine. The Trafficking in Persons report claims some Kenyans were lured with promises of jobs but faced pressure to join Russia's Ministry of Defence. The report criticizes Kenya's handling of human trafficking, highlighting conflicts of interest within recruitment firms linked to officials. It raises concerns about enforcement and oversight, questioning the independence of regulatory bodies involved in overseas employment.

Also in diaspora news, remittances from Kenyans abroad fell by one point three percent in the year to August twenty twenty-six. The decline, noted by Central Bank of Kenya Governor Kamau Thugge, was due to reduced inflows from the US and Saudi Arabia. Despite the drop, remittances began recovering in recent months. The US, Kenya's largest remittance source, contributes nearly half of the funds sent home. Saudi Arabia's inflows also dipped, affected by changes in labour policies impacting Kenyans in the Gulf.

Turning to immigration news, the US Department of Labour has paused a key stage in the green card process, impacting workers at firms like Microsoft and Infosys. The suspension affects the PERM programme, a vital step for employment-based green cards. Without PERM approvals, applications face delays, affecting thousands of foreign professionals. The halt does not impact existing work rights but may delay permanent residency plans. Indian nationals, a significant part of the tech workforce, are among those most affected by this development.

Turning to Kenya news, Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja has left the United Democratic Alliance to contest the twenty twenty-seven Nakuru gubernatorial race on the Democracy for the Citizens Party ticket. Announcing her decision, Karanja criticized the Kenya Kwanza administration for not meeting voter expectations, citing rising living costs as a major issue. Her departure marks a shift in political alignment, as she was elected to the Senate on a UDA ticket in twenty twenty-two. Karanja's move signals early positioning for the upcoming elections.

Staying with Kenya, Canada has revised its travel advice for Kenya following an imported Ebola case in Nairobi linked to the Bundibugyo virus from the DRC. Travellers are urged to avoid healthcare facilities unless necessary and monitor their health. The advisory aligns with US and UK updates, urging caution. Kenya's Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale reassures that the situation is under control, with no local transmission or wider outbreak. Ten people linked to the case are in quarantine as a precautionary measure.

Also from Kenya, the US Embassy in Nairobi will close on the twelfth of October for Columbus Day, affecting consular services. The holiday commemorates Columbus's voyage to the Americas and is traditionally observed by Italian-American communities. However, the celebration is debated due to its impact on Indigenous populations, leading some regions to adopt Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Despite these discussions, Columbus Day remains a federal holiday in the US. The Embassy advises planning around the closure, with normal operations resuming afterward.

Turning to world news, Ethiopia and Eritrea have accused each other of initiating war, escalating border tensions. Ethiopia claims Eritrea is colluding with the TPLF, while Eritrea denies aiding the group. Reports suggest Eritrean troops have entered Ethiopia, prompting Ethiopian drone strikes on military targets. The situation recalls tensions since the end of the Eritrean-Ethiopian War in two thousand. Despite a rapprochement in twenty eighteen, relations remain strained. The international community monitors the situation, concerned about potential regional conflict.

Staying with world news, a Wajir patient initially suspected of Ebola has tested negative for the virus but positive for malaria. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed the diagnosis, alleviating Ebola fears. The patient was isolated in Wajir, a region near Ebola-prone areas, highlighting the need for vigilant health monitoring. Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Kenya. The patient also suffers from severe anaemia, complicating recovery. This incident underscores the importance of robust healthcare systems to address infectious disease threats.

Also in world news, a group of twenty graduates abducted in Nigeria while traveling for a national service programme has been rescued. The incident underscores ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom remains a significant issue. The Nigerian government faces pressure to improve security measures and address the root causes of such violence. Details of the abduction and rescue remain limited, but the event highlights the persistent dangers faced by citizens and the need for effective governmental intervention.

In world news, the US military plans to execute Nidal Hasan by firing squad on the third of December at Fort Hood, Texas. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth supports a proposal for a public broadcast of the execution, a first in more than sixty years. Hasan, convicted for the two thousand nine Fort Hood shooting, was sentenced to death in twenty thirteen. The proposed broadcast raises ethical and legal questions, as public executions are rare in the US, prompting debates on transparency and justice.

Turning to sports news, WADA President Witold Banka has called for Kenya to strengthen its anti-doping measures ahead of the twenty twenty-nine World Athletics Championships. Banka stressed the need for enhanced testing protocols and investigations to maintain credibility and uphold fair competition. With Kenya under scrutiny for doping scandals, WADA is collaborating with local authorities to improve the anti-doping framework. This includes training personnel and promoting transparency, aiming to ensure Kenya meets international standards and restores confidence in its athletes as it prepares to host the event.

And that is your midday edition. The next bulletin is at 6 o'clock this evening. You can read every one of these stories in full, and much more besides, at Mwakilishi.com.

Have a good afternoon.

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