馃嚢馃嚜KenyaEast Africa
Petition filed to prevent Kenyan government officials from blocking citizens on social media
via Tuko2 min read
A new petition has been filed at the High Court in Kenya seeking to bar government officials and state agencies from blocking citizens on their official social media accounts. Petitioners James Ochieng and Olive Ambrose argue that this practice violates constitutional rights, including access to information, freedom of expression, and equality, by denying citizens access to vital public information and communication. They contend that as government officials increasingly use social media for official communication, these platforms become public information channels that must remain open and accessible to all. The petition, filed at the Constitutional and Human Rights Division of the Milimani Law Courts, lists the Attorney General, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government, the Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, the Council of Governors, and the National Assembly as respondents. Interested parties include the Katiba Institute, the Law Society of Kenya, and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. The move comes amid public claims that government officials have blocked individuals who have criticized them on social media.
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The Kenya Medical Research Institute KEMRI has addressed viral social media claims suggesting it is recruiting 200 volunteers to be deliberately infected with malaria in exchange for payment. KEMRI clarified that these posts are inaccurate and do not reflect its research practices. The institute emphasized that all studies involving human participants are conducted under strict ethical and regulatory guidelines, prioritizing participant safety and informed consent. The false reports claimed KEMRI would pay KSh 48,000 to each volunteer, with an additional KSh 2,000 daily remuneration for hospital stays. KEMRI urged the public to verify information through official channels and avoid spreading unverified claims, reaffirming its commitment to responsible research and ethical standards.
Doctors at Kenyatta National Hospital KNH successfully removed a 4-kilogram liver tumour during a seven-hour surgery. This procedure, a right hepatectomy, was a key achievement of the Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary HPB Surgical Camp held at KNH from June 10 to June 12. The surgery was a collaborative effort involving KNH, the Europe-Africa Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association, the University of Nairobi, Aga Khan University, and visiting surgeons from the University of Science and Technology Hospital in Egypt. The surgical team was led by HPB specialist Professor Soriman, alongside KNH and University of Nairobi surgeons including Dr K. Ondede, Director of Surgical Services, Dr Muia, Dr Kaisha, and Dr Nthambi, and invited HPB surgeons Dr Karan and Dr Misoi. A specialized anaesthesia team and a theatre nursing team provided critical support. Beyond this landmark tumour removal, the three-day camp performed 13 other specialized HPB procedures, including liver resections, a Whipple procedure, hepaticojejunostomies, and laparoscopic cholecystectomies. The camp, led by Dr Gibson Musila, Head of the Department of General Surgery at KNH, also focused on mentorship and skills transfer to strengthen local expertise. KNH stated that this achievement demonstrates its increasing capacity to provide world-class specialized healthcare, reducing the need for patients to seek treatment abroad.
Mediamax Network has denied claims that its radio station, Kameme FM, would cease broadcasting for 30 days. A statement circulating online, attributed to Mediamax, suggested that Kameme FM, which broadcasts in the Kikuyu vernacular, would go off air from Thursday, June 18, 2026. This purported shutdown was said to be in response to a show-cause notice from the Media Council of Kenya, which was reportedly displeased with the conduct of some of the station's broadcasters. The fake statement also indicated that Mediamax would conduct a company-wide editorial training session on Friday, June 19, 2026, and that the station would be off-air for a review of policies and internal restructuring. However, Mediamax, through Kameme FM's social media pages, clarified that the notice was fake and that the company had not authorized any closure. The company did not address the alleged show-cause notice from the Media Council of Kenya.