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In recent weeks, it has been a game of tug of war between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja in Parliament, with each party contending to land on the majority side of the House.

On October 6, 2022, after the general election, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula declared the Kenya Kwanza Coalition the majority party.

Wetang'ula's decision back then to name Kenya Kwanza as the majority side was recently opposed on February 7, 2025, by the Kenyan High Court, which termed it null and void, noting that the Speaker had no justifiable basis for reassigning 14 members from various parties to Kenya Kwanza.

Wetang'ula, however, surfaced and cemented that Kenya Kwanza remains the majority party with 165 MPs, while Azimio remains the minority party with 154 MPs.

A photo collage of the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and Members of Parliament at a past sitting.

Photo

Kenyans.co.ke

"Arising from the foregoing, Kenya Kwanza is the majority, and Azimio is the minority. The leadership of the House remains unchanged," he said.

Wetang'ula's declaration this month has faced pushback from the Azimio side, who have, for the past two years, opposed Kenya Kwanza's supremacy in the House. You might wonder: why is being declared the majority in the National Assembly such a big deal?

So, here is why being the Majority and Minority in Parliament is a big deal:

Parliament is a legislative, elected body of government tasked with representing the electorate, making laws, authorising government expenditure, scrutinising activities of government ministries, departments, and agencies, and providing a forum for debate on national issues.

Political parties in Parliament are responsible for exercising power, either by supporting the government or opposing it. They are divided into two: the Majority and Minority sides, depending on the number of members on each side.

Some of the key functions of the Majority side, which consists of more members, include forming the government, proposing and passing legislation, setting the legislative agenda, making leadership and committee appointments, and defending the government's policy.

The Minority side, on the other hand, which consists of fewer members, is responsible for scrutinizing government policies and legislation, providing checks and balances, and holding the government accountable for its actions, especially in areas like budgeting, public expenditures, and oversight of state agencies. 

This means that the Majority side has a slight advantage in accomplishing its political mandate in the House compared to the Minority.

Each side has a leader, as provided by Article 108 of the Constitution. The leader of the Majority is responsible for functions such as planning daily, weekly, and annual legislative agendas, while the Minority Leader is tasked with developing and championing the Minority position on issues and debates of the Minority party.

On Tuesday, February 18, speaking in an interview with Citizen TV, Kitui Central Member of Parliament Makali Mulu further revealed that having the Majority and Minority is a key determinant of which side steers which committees in the House.

According to Mulu, the Majority in Parliament is tasked with chairing the majority of the committees, while the Minority side chairs "watchdog" or oversight committees, which are fewer in number.

"Immediately you are declared to be the Minority, you have very few committees to chair, but once you are told you are the Majority, even first-timers can chair committees," he said.

"It is dishonest to Kenyans to start mixing that you are in the Minority, and you are taking committees meant for the Majority. If it is determined that Azimio is the Majority, can they take all the committees that are supposed to be chaired by the Majority? And if Kenya Kwanza is the Minority, can they take the committees meant to be chaired by the Minority, which are the watchdogs?" he added.

A committee is a small group of members appointed and empowered by the House to perform one or more specific tasks.

In the Kenyan National Assembly, committees are tasked with reviewing legislation, reviewing and approving the budget and expenditures, scrutinising government programmes, policy frameworks, and development plans, conducting investigations on special issues, vetting and approving executive appointments, and providing a platform for public participation, among others.

Budget and Appropriations Committee in session in the National Assembly.

Parliament of Kenya

Building designs have evolved over time with structural engineers continually developing innovative concepts that prioritise both environmental sustainability and cost savings.

One of those modern concepts is Cobiax technology, which utilises a unique hollow-core slab system to reduce the amount of concrete needed in floor and roof construction. This is done by incorporating spherical void formers made of plastic.

Cobiax is a company name from Germany that utilises modern designs to create innovative building solutions.

Currently, most structural engineers and developers use concrete to build rooms, a practice that is more common in residential and commercial areas where storied buildings are necessary. 

A collage of construction workers laying concrete on Cobiax balls and a normal concrete spreading technology.

How it works

According to experts, this method is used at two stages of construction, either at the foundation or at the roofing level.

In this new technology, once the house reaches the preferred level of use, spherical balls are placed inside metal reinforcement bars filling up the space that was initially taken up by a lot of concrete in old construction models. A layer of concrete is then added to spherical balls.

 Benefits 

The old roofing and flooring methods often employed a risk factor though minimal, where a lot of weight was added to the overall structure due to the large amount of concrete used.

Experts, however, swear that this method reduces the weight load by eliminating dead load. Further, it offers the construction of a membrane-reinforced concrete slab in the upper and lower beams as well as the formation of internal network 2 along the placement of the balls across the central space.

A single truckload of preassembled Cobiax void balls can replace the equivalent of seven truckloads of concrete, while one truckload of unassembled Cobiax components can substitute up to 25 truckloads of concrete.

This method also reduces the amount of steel required to reinforce the concrete, translating to a more cost-effective and efficient construction process.

By recycling the waste plastics to make the balls, the technology offers an immediate alternative to recycle the waste materials. 

Cement production is also associated with a complex industrial process that is associated with carbon emissions. The reduction of the amount of concrete used means that its use is reduced significantly. 

Additionally, the technology allows for better energy efficiency in buildings. The hollow cores in the slabs help to improve insulation, reducing the need for heating and cooling. This contributes to lower energy consumption and sustainable building practices.

Application

This technology can be applied in the construction of any type of house. Currently, the technology is highly used in developed areas where large-scale commercial and residential buildings where open spaces are required without excessive weight.

The Cobiax technology is also appropriate for the construction of high-rise buildings, bridges, and parking garages. 

This technology is set to significantly redefine the construction industry, especially at a time when the world seems to be moving to environmental sustainability and design flexibility.

A collage of cobiax technology layering and normal concrete layering.

Cobiax/Orad

January is one of the months that a majority of Kenyans often find themselves in constant fights with their landlords over rent payments and associated delays.

Landlords, in return, respond by either locking doors, cutting supply to water, power or even completely ejecting the tenants from their property. 

Did you know you can sue your landlord for seemingly simple yet costly actions such as cutting off power or water access to your rented house? If not, this article will guide you on how to take legal action.

In 2021, a tenant in the case of Joseph Njoroge v Peter Karanja (2020) won Ksh200,000 in damages after being evicted without notice, as required under the Landlord and Tenant Act. Initially, the landlord had punished the tenant through water and power disconnection.

An apartment building in Nairobi.

Photo

NEMA

The laws of Kenya under the Landlord and Tenant Act, alongside other legal provisions, protect tenants from harassment, including wrongful disconnection of utilities.

Section 12 of the Landlord and Tenant (Shops, Hotels, and Catering Establishments) Act, provides that landlords are obligated to provide uninterrupted services to their tenants unless there is a legal agreement to the contrary.

If a landlord does any form of disconnection without due process, then that can be deemed as harassment, making the landlord liable for legal action.

What to do

If your landlord has cut off your water or power supply for failure to pay rent, you can file a complaint with the Rent Restriction Tribunal or the Environment and Land Court. 

However, it is important to note that the Rent Restriction Tribunal handles rent disputes involving rental units with monthly rent not exceeding Ksh2,500. For those with higher rent amounts, tenants are advised to approach the Environment and Land Court.

The court has the mandate to resolve broader landlord-tenant conflicts, including wrongful eviction and utility disconnection.

But you should first issue a demand letter to the landlord, highlighting the illegality of the disconnection and seeking the immediate restoration of services.

Should the landlord fail to comply, then the law provides that you can file a formal complaint with the tribunal. The complaint may include a petition for compensation for the losses incurred due to the disconnection of water and electricity.

Outside Courts and Tribunals

If you find it difficult to follow the legal mechanisms, then alternatively you can contact local water and electricity utility companies to intervene on your behalf.

However, this might be a challenging task especially if it is the landlord who has the immediate legal engagement with the providers.

In summary, the law is however not pegged on a strict amount of money to be awarded, but from our observations, the award may range from between Ksh50,000 to Ksh200,00 depending on the stress that the landlord might cause to you. 

A collage of a token meter displaying the 'connect' (left) and several Customer Interface Units (CIU) of a building (right).

Photo

Kenya Power

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has been conducting compliance checks on major highways, frequently apprehending drivers and members of the public violating traffic regulations.

Did you know you can verify the details NTSA officers check during crackdowns on your own to avoid breaking the law? In this article, we’ll guide you on how to use the NTSA app to perform these checks.

Download the NTSA App

You will first need to download the NTSA app which is available on the Play Store or App Store, depending on the type of phone you are using. Once you have the app, you will be prompted to register or log in to your eCitizen account. 

 Log into the App

The system will then automatically lead you to open the NTSA app and you will proceed to log in using your credentials. You may need to create an account if you are a new user. 

National Safety and Transport Authority(NTSA) and traffic officers doing road safety compliance checks around Sewerage area in Embu County on January 6, 2025

NTSA

Access the Verification Section

Once logged in, navigate to the section to verify PSV details. This is often labeled as "Vehicle Information" or "PSV Verification.'' You may also find options like "Driver Verification" and "Conductor Verification" under the same menu.

Vehicle/Driver/Conductor Details

To verify specific details of the vehicle you are travelling in, you will need to enter the vehicle registration number. This will allow you to view the vehicle’s details, such as its insurance status, license validity (valid or expired), inspection details where the vehicle was inspected, and owner information. 

• For Driver Verification: You will be prompted to enter the driver’s license number or ID number to verify the driving history, license validity, and whether there are any sanctions.
• For Conductor Verification: Similarly, you will need to enter the conductor's ID number or relevant details to confirm their registration status and other relevant information.

View Results

Once the required information is entered, you will receive details of the vehicle, driver, or conductor. This will include essential information such as:

• The vehicle's registration details (owner, insurance status, inspection date, etc.)
• The driver’s license validity and any potential restrictions or suspensions.
• The conductor’s certification and registration status, if applicable.

Report Inconsistencies

If you notice discrepancies or irregularities in the information provided, you can report them directly to NTSA through the app. By using the NTSA app, you can ensure that public service vehicles, their drivers, and conductors are fully compliant with the necessary regulations for safe transportation.

Additional Tips

You can use the vehicle registration number to check if a long-distance PSV is authorized for night travel.

The app enables you to use vehicle body information to verify the Sacco or company name. The app provides the operator's name as recorded in the system.

Matatus at a terminal in Nairobi in August 18, 2024.

Photo

Kenyans.co.ke/

Over the last year, Kenyans' voices online have become prominent, with some landing in the crosshairs with the law over their use of social media. 

This has particularly been the case with the sharing of personal and sensitive information related to political topics and other issues of national importance.

However, many may not be aware that certain actions online can immediately result in legal trouble. In this article, Kenyans.co.ke explores some common mistakes that could land individuals in jail for violations of the law.

Sharing people’s passwords

Did you ever imagine that a simple mistake such as sharing a colleague's password could land you in prison? 

A picture of a hooded person coding behind a computer.

Photo

Canva

If not then here is how: According to the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, if you disclose any password entrusted to you or access code to unauthorized persons, then you are liable to a prison term of 5 years, a fine of either Ksh5 million or Ksh10 million, or both.

Spying

Under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, any individual who accesses a computer system (these include phones, and apps among others)  without authorization by introducing spyware software can face severe consequences. If convicted, the offender may be fined up to Ksh5 million.

Additionally, the same offence could lead to a jail term of up to three years or both imprisonment and a Ksh5 million fine.

Surprisingly, if you are found guilty of accessing someone’s computer system without their permission or facilitating the same, for instance, by providing cash, then you could be sent to prison for 10 years or be penalised with a fine of Ksh10 million. 

Unlawful Blogging

In Kenya, any time computer crimes are mentioned, a lot of focus tends to shift to bloggers. Under Kenyan laws, if you are found guilty of publishing false or misleading information, then you are liable to a fine of Ksh5 million, a prison term of two years or both. 

''A person who intentionally publishes false, misleading or fictitious data or misinforms with the intent that the data shall be considered or acted upon as authentic, with or without any financial gain, commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh5 million or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both,’’ adds the Act. 

Phishing 

Phishing, a common computer misuse offence where fraudsters impersonate trusted entities to steal personal information through deceptive emails or websites, can also result in jail time.

If you are found guilty of the same offence, then you are liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding Ksh300,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both.

Developing Scammer Websites 

In the wake of unemployment, many tech-savvy Kenyans have resorted to the creation of apps or websites that can be able to mint money from banks and financial institutions.

If found guilty of this offence, then you could be subjected to a fine of Ksh10 million or imprisonment of 10 years in prison. 

Additionally, you will be subject to fines if you create an app that could be a risk to national security, for instance, trading national secrets.

''A person who intentionally and without authorisation does any act which causes an unauthorised interference, to a computer system, programme, or data, commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding Ksh10 million or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both,’’ Section 16 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act reads in part.

Dealing with unauthorized apps

If for any reason you find yourself buying any of the above-developed software or apps meant for theft of funds or spying on others, then you will also likely end up in prison or be penalized.

The government will also take action against you for distributing such apps or access codes. If found culpable, then you will have to part with Ksh20 million or be jailed for 10 years.

''A person who knowingly manufactures, adapts, sells, procures for use, imports, offers to supply, distributes, or otherwise makes available a device, program, computer password, access code, or similar data designed or adapted primarily for the purpose of committing any offence under this Part commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding Ksh20 million or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, or to both,'' reads Section 18 of the Act.

Selling Data to Foreign States

Probably you are aware that selling information to a foreign country is unlawful. But then just to let you know, if you are found guilty of sharing such information with a foreign state, then you be liable to a prison term of 20 years or a fine of Ksh10 million.

''A person who unlawfully and intentionally possesses, communicates, delivers or makes available or receives, data, to, from or within a critical database or a national critical information infrastructure, with the intention to directly or indirectly benefit a foreign state against the Republic of Kenya, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period not exceeding twenty years or to a fine not exceeding ten million shillings, or to both,’’ reads part of the Act.

A hacker wearing a hoodie operates a computer.

File