THE
HEAR
This page is an archive of main headlines from Kenya for 21.02.2026.
It displays 93 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.
21.02.2026 ⇢ The Day of the Kakamega Tear Gas Confrontation
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Morning headlines focused on a deepening fiscal crisis, with editors contrasting a Sh260 billion funding gap in public universities against reports of a Sh10.4 billion spending spree by State House on luxury travel and hospitality. Simultaneously, legal and security concerns converged as the DCI announced crackdowns on liquor syndicates and the Russian Embassy addressed rumors regarding diplomatic summons. By midday, editorial priority shifted entirely to the 'Linda Mwananchi' rally in Kakamega. Media outlets tracked the physical escalation as police deployed tear gas to disperse supporters of Senator Edwin Sifuna. The narrative evolved from a security standoff into an internal party ultimatum, with Oburu Oginga telling Sifuna’s faction to leave ODM if dissatisfied. The evening was marked by reports of domestic infrastructure fallout, specifically the violent protests following the Githurai market demolitions and a fatal multi-vehicle collision on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.
21.02.2026
00:03
05:58
MZOZO uliotikisa chama cha Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) unatarajiwa kuingia hatua mpya leo...
3 mins ago
05:58
06:04
Parliament under pressure as funding crisis reveals cracks in student-centred model and threatens loans, salaries.
06:04
06:36
Additionally, the optimism is underpinned by expectations of favourable weather conditions, increased government infrastructure spending, and accelerated adoption of technology, including Artificial Intelligence, automation, and broader digital innovations.
06:36
06:43
06:56
MASWALI kuhusu uwezo wake wa kitaaluma, maarifa na tajriba katika kushughulikia changamoto za...
40 seconds ago
06:56
07:22
Kenyans.co.ke
SACCOs have in recent years faced challenges due to poor governance, leadership wrangles, and reported cases of…
07:22
07:44
07:44
07:54
08:00
DCI detectives have arrested key suspects linked to a string of armed robberies targeting liquor shops in three counties....
08:00
08:00
ANDREW Mountbatten-Windsor, kakake Mfalme Charles wa Uingereza, aliyekamatwa Februari 19, 2026 kwa...
5 mins ago
08:00
08:01⇢The State House Spending Spree
⌨Kenyan editors are pivoting toward a fiscal accountability crisis, highlighting a Sh10.4 billion State House spending spree on travel and luxury alongside a Sh260 billion funding hole in the university model (Standard Media, Daily Nation). This focus on public sector financial strain coincides with reporting on political friction surrounding the 'Linda Mwananchi' rallies and new regulatory crackdowns on SACCOs (People Daily, YNews Digital, Kenyans).
08:51
Findings indicate that Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru acted in violation of procurement law, risking potential sanctions for committing funds without approval from the National Assembly.
08:51
08:58
From insider to icon: How ODM secretary-general became the 'symbol' shaking Kenyan politics.
08:58
08:58
MHUBIRI tata Paul Mackenzie amepata pigo jingine baada ya mkuu wa “usalama” wa Shakahola wakati...
3 mins ago
08:58
09:11
Western Regional Police Commander Issa Mohmud said no formal communication had been delivered to his office regarding the planned gathering at Amalemba Grounds.
09:11
09:14
The Kenya Times
09:14
09:24
09:37
09:58
MKAGUZI wa Hesabu za Serikali, Nancy Gathungu amefichua dosari kubwa katika mradi wa...
3 mins ago
09:58
10:14
10:14
10:18
10:18
10:45
10:47
The Kenya Times
10:47
10:48
"This is fake and not true," police said in a poster on X.
10:48
10:58
The KRA industrial attachment programme presents a valuable opportunity for university and college students to gain…
10:58
10:59
WAKILI Chris Kabiro anayeng’ang’ania umiliki wa jumba la Sh200milioni na Gavana wa Kirinyaga,...
4 mins ago
10:59
11:05
11:16
“There’s nobody who has come to my office requesting for any assistance, but we’ll assist them as much as we can,” Mahoud said.
11:16
11:19
WAKILI Chris Kabiro anayeng’ang’ania umiliki wa jumba la Sh200milioni na Gavana wa Kirinyaga,...
24 mins ago
11:19
11:32
11:32
Today marks a high-stakes showdown in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as rival camps hold massive parallel rallies, intensifying the party’s internal battles and testing grassroots loyalty ahead of 2027…
11:32
11:34⇢The Kakamega Rally Showdown
⌨Kenyan editors are prioritizing the escalating confrontation within the ODM party as rival factions led by Edwin Sifuna and Oburu Odinga organize parallel rallies in Kakamega and Siaya. Police have intensified scrutiny of Sifuna’s 'Linda Mwananchi' gathering, citing security concerns and procedural disputes (Eastleigh Voice, Citizen, TV47 Digital, Capital FM, YNews Digital, Daily Nation). This political friction follows reports of substantial State House spending (Standard Media).
11:39
KRA will pay successful applicants a Ksh7,000 monthly stipend....
11:39
11:39
11:49
The Kenya Times
11:49
12:07
12:07
12:13
This was after Western Region Police Commander, Issa Mohamud, alleged that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna plans to bring…
12:13
12:18
12:18
12:21
12:21
12:23
Assorted unserviceable mobile phones believed to be stolen property were also seized.
12:23
12:27
Eastleigh Voice
The shortfall covers a wide spectrum of obligations, including scholarships, Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans, private university liabilities, delayed projects, and collective bargaining arrears.
12:27
12:34
Gachagua is aggressively courting President Ruto’s Rift Valley stronghold.
12:34
12:34
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has cautioned leaders against inciting residents of the Nyanza region and supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) against President William Ruto’s re-election bid…
12:34
12:55
13:01
Thousands of examiners were deployed to handle the three national examinations taken in 2025....
13:01
13:14
13:24
The graduates, drawn from Nakuru and Narok counties, received certificates in key hospitality disciplines including Food Production & Baking Technology, Housekeeping & Laundry, Front...
13:24
13:35
The sudden turn of events caused brief confusion, with some people retreating from the grounds as others sought cover away from the smoke.
13:35
13:35
The announcements were made on several notices in the gazette, with the appointments coming nearly a year before the…
13:35
13:41
It was a brief but chaotic interruption.
13:41
13:43⇢Tear Gas Clouds the Linda Mwananchi Rally
⌨Kenyan editors are focusing on the escalation of the 'Linda Mwananchi' rally in Kakamega, where police deployed tear gas against Senator Edwin Sifuna and his supporters (Daily Nation, Eastleigh Voice, Citizen, YNews Digital). This physical confrontation mirrors the intensifying rhetoric within ODM, as leaders warn against internal incitement and state-led efforts to destabilize the opposition party (People Daily, TV47 Digital).
13:53
The Kenya Times
13:53
13:53
CS Ogamba acknowledged concerns raised by hundreds of supervisors, invigilators, examiners and security personnel over unpaid allowances.
13:53
13:56
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15:31
The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rainfall advisory warning of intensified downpours across several parts of the country from February 21 to February 25, 2026. In the notice…
15:31
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16:10
16:30
Comedian and entrepreneur Sammy Kioko has lifted the lid on a Sh19 million tender dispute with Machakos County, alleging that senior county officials told him that even legal action would…
16:30
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16:37
16:37
Somewhere right now, a girl is skipping lunch because she believes she is too big. In parts of Mauritania, another girl is urged to keep eating because she is considered…
16:37
16:42
Speaking at a memorial service attended by family, friends, and political leaders, Musyoka recalled his brother’s sincerity and warmth, noting that Meja was a...
16:42
16:43⇢Tear Gas Clouds the Linda Mwananchi Defiance
⌨Kenyan editors are focusing on the physical escalation of the 'Linda Mwananchi' movement in Kakamega. Reports highlight the ODM team, led by Senator Edwin Sifuna, defying police attempts to block their rallies despite the deployment of tear gas and heavy security (Standard Media, Citizen, Daily Nation, Eastleigh Voice, YNews Digital). While some outlets track individual political shifts and government appointments (People Daily, Kenyans), the dominant narrative remains the state's forceful response to opposition mobilization.
16:52
Five people, among them a student, have lost their lives following a grisly road accident at Salama in Makueni County along the busy Mombasa–Nairobi highway. The victims were travelling in…
16:52
17:07
Students are reported to be among the victims who lost their lives in the accident that occurred on Saturday afternoon.
17:07
17:18
The Kenya Times
17:18
17:18
Oburu dismissed rumours that ODM intends to expel dissenting members.
17:18
17:30
Daily Nation
'You have the most clueless PS in the ministry. He only sits in Nairobi and has no idea what is happening on the ground.' - MP Ichung’wah
17:30
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18:00
A tense moment unfolded at Amalemba Grounds in Kakamega County today when tear gas was lobbed near the podium during the ongoing Linda Mwananchi rally, briefly interrupting proceedings as Nairobi…
18:00
18:16
They said that despite being open to dialogue with the government, non-action would make them consider industrial…
18:16
18:23
UNAPOMTEMBELEA mtoto wako shuleni au hata ukienda hospitalini, kabla ya kuruhusiwa kuingia ndani,...
4 mins ago
18:23
18:47
18:47
SERIKALI inawazia kuanzisha sheria ya kumtoa Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor katika orodha ya urithi wa...
7 mins ago
18:47
19:11
Githurai traders face severe losses after KeNHA's demolitions for road safety improvements, sparking protests and a debate on safety versus local business support.
19:11
19:18
19:18
19:34
A major breakthrough has brought relief to traders across Kajiado, Kiambu and Nairobi counties after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) dismantled a criminal syndicate linked to a series of…
19:34
19:47
Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan, who attended the event as the chief guest, thanked the youth group for sustaining the programme over the years and noted that community-driven efforts play a key role in supporting families during the fasting period.
19:47
19:56
Manchester United return to Premier League action on Monday evening with a trip to Merseyside to face Everton FC. After a weekend break due to FA Cup fixtures, United shift…
19:56
20:11
The company’s sudden shutdown has raised fresh concerns about the stability of Kenya’s economy amidst uproar over the…
20:11
20:11
20:12⇢Oburu's Ultimatum To Sifuna
⌨Kenyan editors are focusing on the widening internal rift within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Senior leader Oburu Oginga has issued a blunt ultimatum to the faction led by Senator Edwin Sifuna, signaling a departure from previous attempts at reconciliation (Citizen, YNews Digital, Capital FM). Concurrently, the human cost of infrastructure policy is highlighted through the Githurai market demolitions and a fatal collision on the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway (People Daily, Tuko).
22:37
Eastleigh Voice
Orengo, who skipped the major political meeting in his own county to attend one organised by the Sifuna faction, now finds himself between a rock and a hard place, given that Siaya County remains an ODM stronghold.
22:37
23:31
Eastleigh Voice
She added that Besigye’s every movement, including visits to the prison clinic, is monitored by military personnel, and that the judiciary operates under the influence of the military.
23:31
23:59