On Saturday, January 3, local newspapers covered the collapse of a 16-storey building in Nairobi’s South C area, detailing ongoing rescue operations and initial results as investigators begin to investigate what may have caused the disaster.
Source: UGC
1. The Saturday Standard
According to the publication, a family in Utange village, Kisauni sub-county, Mombasa, is mourning the death of their 14-year-old son, who was shot by the police during the New Year celebrations, an event that has sparked public anger and a new investigation into police behavior.
Denis Ringa, a Grade Six student at Utange Primary School, was shot and killed on the night of January 1 as young people started the New Year with fireworks.
Witnesses said the celebrations were peaceful until police officers on motorcycles arrived and tried to disperse the crowd.
In the chaos that followed, a bullet hit Denis as he was lighting fireworks, cutting short a promising young life.
His parents, Michael Charo and Nancy Kwekwe Mbaga, were left heartbroken. Speaking at their home, Denis’s mother was heartbroken when she described her son as obedient, smart and focused on his education.
He had recently taken his Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (Kepsea) and was eagerly awaiting the results.
He questioned why the police would use live fire on children celebrating the New Year and demanded justice for his son.
Denis’s father expressed deep disappointment with the police, condemning the use of extreme force against unarmed youths.
He showed reporters a spent bullet recovered from the scene, saying it was proof that live ammunition was used when the boy tried to run away.
Police confirmed the shooting and said an investigation has been launched. However, human rights groups have raised concerns about how the incident was handled.
Veteran African chief executive Hussein Khalid said initial findings showed intent to kill, accusing police of acting with impunity and failing to respect the sanctity of life.
The agency has contacted the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to press for an independent investigation.
2. Saturday Nation
According to the publication, police in Murang’a South are under increasing pressure over their handling of the killing of 29-year-old Livingstone Mwangi, with his family and residents questioning whether the investigation is being carried out thoroughly and without interference.
Mwangi, who was killed on December 23, 2025, was well known in Maranjau village for his understanding of the local criminal networks.
He frequently interacted with criminals and shared information with journalists, a history his family believes could make him a target.
Orphaned in 2019, Mwangi lived with his 80-year-old grandmother, Esther Waigumo, who says the family fears justice may be affected.
He insists that his grandson was killed by a powerful gang linked to illegal alcohol, drugs and hired criminals.
“As a family, we believe he was killed by a powerful gang involved in illegal alcohol, theft, drugs and hired killers. His mistake was trusting himself. He collaborated with some of them,” Waigumo said.
An autopsy showed that Mwangi died from a sudden head injury and lost a lot of blood, while the injuries indicated that he tried to defend himself.
His body was found dumped near his home, details that have raised serious questions about where the attack took place and whether the scene was tampered with.
Police say the investigation is ongoing. Murang’a South police chief, Charity Karimi, confirmed that officers recovered KSh300 and a mobile phone from the body and are investigating allegations that Mwangi had previously withdrawn KSh14,000 and spent KSh13,700 on alcohol.
Detectives are investigating whether the murder was a robbery or a targeted attack.
Attention has been directed to the local bar where Mwangi was last seen. Bloodstains were reportedly found inside and outside the premises, but the bar remained open and was cleaned up before police secured it.
Several key witnesses, including the bar’s owner and staff, had not recorded statements until days later, citing fear and logistical challenges.
“The information I have is dangerous. I fear for my life,” they said.
3. Nation Today
According to a Kiswahili newspaper, the New Year arrived in Kademba village, Siaya county, with new plans and hopes, but for the Ogutu family, time seems to stand still.
As the neighbors look forward to 2026, the family is still stuck in grief, uncertainty and an agonizing wait.
Their lives have come to a standstill since the death of John Okoth Ogutu, a 33-year-old teacher who was working Tanzania.
John was killed on October 29 during post-election violence, but more than two months later, his body has not been found. Without his remains, the family has not been able to bury him, leaving wounds that refuse to heal.
Each passing day increases the pain, as unanswered questions continue to haunt them. His elder sister, Celestine Ogutu, says the pain has become a daily burden that the family cannot escape.
For Ogutu, the New Year means little until John is finally brought home, and they are allowed to mourn, bury, and begin the slow journey toward healing.
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