
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops KCCB has urged an overhaul of the Competency-Based Education CBE system ahead of school reopening, citing concerns that the system risks constant experimentation for learners. In a statement released on Thursday, April 16, the bishops criticized the CBE's implementation, stating it appears poorly thought-out and executed. KCCB chairman Maurice Muhatia Makumba noted that there was "little study, design, and thinking-through of the entire CBE system" before its rollout. While intended to prioritize practical skills, creativity, and critical thinking, the bishops argue that CBE has proven capital-intensive, requiring more teachers, equipment, and financing. They also highlighted significant gaps in both planning and design during its implementation. The KCCB called on the Ministry of Education to urgently form a multi-sectoral team to study, evaluate, and design the CBE system's implementation. They also stressed the importance of guaranteeing the rightful role of sponsors in educational institutions to uphold ethical and value content within the education system.
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Must ReadA team of five wildlife veterinarians from the Kenya Wildlife Service KWS and three conservancies successfully performed what is believed to be the world's first corrective surgery for atresia ani on a five-day-old white rhinoceros calf named Bahati. Bahati, born at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, had a fatal congenital condition that left the calf without a rectal opening. The two-hour procedure, conducted at Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, involved creating a functional rectal opening. The operating team included Dr. Mukami Ruoro Oundo and Dr. Mathew Mutinda Ndunda from KWS, Dr. Robert Aruho from Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, Dr. Joseph Mbuthia from Ol Pejeta Conservancy, and Dr. Benjamin Oundo from Northern Kenya Veterinary Services. Following the surgery, Bahati was successfully revived and passed stool for the first time, confirming the procedure's success. KWS highlighted this as a landmark achievement in wildlife veterinary medicine and conservation collaboration, emphasizing the importance of such efforts for the conservation of white rhinoceroses, a conservation-dependent species.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations DCI in Kenya announced a major technology upgrade for processing Police Clearance Certificates, also known as Certificates of Good Conduct. The new Multi-Biometric Identification System MBIS-ABIS Version 5 is set to go live on Monday, July 20, 2026. The DCI stated that this platform will offer faster processing, smarter technology, and an improved experience for applicants, aiming to eliminate delays and enhance efficiency through advanced biometric technology. The agency assured the public of a smoother and more efficient application process, with more details to be released during the official launch.

The High Court in Kenya has dismissed a petition by the Rastafarian community that sought to decriminalize the use of bhang, also known as cannabis. Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled that the evidence presented by the petitioners, aiming to link bhang use to their religious beliefs, was inconsistent. The petition had challenged the constitutionality of laws criminalizing bhang, arguing they infringed on the community's right to freedom of religion and worship. However, the court was not persuaded that the legal threshold to invalidate existing laws had been met. This decision means bhang remains an illegal substance in Kenya under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act, with possession, cultivation, trafficking, and consumption continuing to attract criminal penalties. The ruling is expected to influence future constitutional challenges regarding bhang use on religious grounds. The Rastafarian community has not yet indicated whether they will appeal the decision.