The Sun Weekly

01/09/2026

Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich Reportedly abducted

01/09/2026

ODM Party leader Oburu Pawa Odinga has denied reports that he is scheduled to be airlifted to Europe for specialized medical examinations and treatment.

01/09/2026

01/09/2026

Senator Oburu Oginga Admitted to Nairobi Hospital as Doctors Restrict Access to Family Only

By our Political Desk

Siaya Senator and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Dr Oburu Oginga has been admitted to a Nairobi hospital, with doctors imposing strict visitor restrictions that have barred fellow politicians and even senior party officials from accessing the 83-year-old veteran leader.

Only his two spouses and children are permitted to visit him, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation. Several Members of Parliament who attempted to see the senator were reportedly turned away, with hospital staff informing them that the veteran politician was not at the facility or that the ODM leader's exact location was being kept confidential for privacy reasons.

The senator's hospitalisation has been marked by a pattern of admission and discharge. According to a close relative who confirmed the admission on Tuesday, September 1, Oburu was initially admitted on August 22 and discharged four days later, before being readmitted on August 26. A doctor at the facility, however, told The Sun Weekly that Oburu spent only two days at the hospital before being discharged on Monday after he was cleared by doctors, adding that "his sugar just went a bit low, but he is okay."

On Saturday, August 29, Oburu attempted to leave the hospital to attend the funeral of his uncle, a former intelligence officer, in Alego Usonga, Siaya County, but his doctors intervened and stopped him. On Sunday, he was permitted to go outside to sunbathe for a few hours, the first time he had been allowed outdoors since his latest admission.

Visitor Restrictions Enforced
The restrictions have caused friction within political circles. Homa Bay Governor and ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga was among the few leaders initially allowed access, but even that exception was later withdrawn. Hospital management and the medical team have insisted that the veteran politician requires uninterrupted rest.

A source familiar with the situation indicated that the family is exploring the option of flying Oburu to the United Kingdom for specialised medical attention, though the precise cause of hospitalisation has not been disclosed.

On Monday afternoon, hospital board members were reportedly preparing for the arrival of a "VIP visitor" who was expected to visit the ailing senator. Such visits are usually conducted clandestinely to avoid attracting public attention.

Oburu's absence from the public eye comes at a politically sensitive time for ODM. He assumed leadership of the party following the death of his younger brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who passed away in India in October 2025. He was subsequently confirmed as party leader in March 2026.

The ODM leader has been involved in political engagement with President William Ruto's UDA party as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election. His prolonged absence has drawn attention within political circles, particularly given the party's internal dynamics and ongoing negotiations.

Health History
This is not the first time Oburu's health has been the subject of speculation. In May 2026, he dismissed reports that he was unwell after a period away from public engagements, later appearing in Kisumu playing golf and saying he was neither sick nor abducted. A doctored image circulating online at the time, which appeared to show him hospitalised in India, was later debunked by Africa Check as digitally altered.

In August 2026, while standing before President Ruto at a Naivasha retreat, Oburu stopped reading a prepared speech and told those present that his eyesight was failing him. The 83-year-old senator turns 84 on October 15.

Attempts to reach the senator's office and ODM officials for comment were unsuccessful by the time of publishing.

01/09/2026

Simon Kyalo Allan Majisu

01/09/2026

Carlyto Lassa: The Rumba Legend Who Found God and Left a Timeless Legacy

By Margaret Wanjiku

The Congolese music world is in mourning following the death of Pastor Carlyto Lassa, the legendary singer whose velvet voice defined an era of Congolese rumba before he dedicated his life to gospel music. He passed away on Monday, August 31, 2026, in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the age of 65, following a heart attack.

Lassa, born Charles Ndombasi Lassa on 15 January 1961, was in the United States for an evangelisation campaign organised by a Congolese church in Cincinnati, where he had preached and performed just days before his death. The Forum des Congolais de Cincinnati confirmed his passing, sending shockwaves through the diaspora and across Africa.

Lassa's journey to stardom began in the 1980s when his talent was discovered by Gérard Madiata. He rose to prominence as a member of the legendary TPOK Jazz, the orchestra led by the immortal Franco Luambo, before joining Choc Stars, where his vocal prowess became unmistakable.

His breakthrough came with the timeless classic Maya, a composition by Lutumba Simaro that remains one of the most beloved songs in Congolese music history. Lassa's ability to convey deep emotion through his voice made him a standout performer, and he quickly became one of the most sought-after vocalists of his generation.

He also collaborated extensively with master guitarist Papa Noel Nedule, delivering unforgettable lead vocals on the album Bel Ami, and worked closely with Lutumba Simaro on other iconic tracks. Among his many contributions to the rumba canon are timeless gems such as Riana and the enduring classic Makolo ya Massiya.

From Rumba Icon to Gospel Pastor
In the 1990s, at the height of his secular success, Lassa underwent a profound personal transformation. He dedicated his life to Christianity and was ordained as a pastor, pivoting his musical artistry entirely to gospel rumba.

His 1996 release, Makolo ya Massiya ("The Feet of the Messiah"), became his most celebrated spiritual masterpiece. The song, released as part of the album Africa Na Moto, blends traditional rumba rhythms with deeply religious devotion . The lyrics tell the story of a woman betrayed by a lover who chose wealth over love, comparing her suffering to the wounds of Christ on the cross.

"Na ko senga na Nzambe mikolo minso na losambo résurrection na ngai" ("I ask God every day in prayer for my resurrection"), Lassa sang, his voice carrying both the pain of worldly betrayal and the hope of spiritual redemption.

In 2001, he released the gospel album La Reconnaissance, followed by Confiance – Kili Kili Azongi in 2004, cementing his reputation as a leading figure in Congolese gospel music . Recent releases included Tala Muana na Mpate and Assurance, recorded in 2022 as part of the album Kili Kili Confiance .

An Indelible Legacy
Lassa's influence on Congolese music is immeasurable. His contributions to the classical rumba repertoire, from the secular masterpieces of his youth to the spiritual anthems of his later years, have inspired generations of musicians across Africa and beyond .

Even in death, his work continues to resonate. Makolo ya Massiya remains one of the most-streamed Congolese gospel tracks, a testament to the enduring power of his artistry . His decision to walk away from secular fame at the peak of his career to serve God remains one of the most remarkable transformations in African music history.

A Nation Mourns
News of Lassa's death has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans, fellow musicians, and religious communities across Africa and the diaspora. Radio Okapi, which had interviewed him just months ago for their programme Le Grand Témoin, described him as a "chantre incontournable" whose voice sang the glory of God.

"He was a man who used his gift to serve humanity," one fan wrote on social media. "From the dance floors of Kinshasa to the churches of Cincinnati, Carlyto Lassa's voice was a bridge between worlds."

The Congolese community in Cincinnati, where Lassa breathed his last, has already begun organising memorial services. His body is expected to be repatriated to the Democratic Republic of Congo for burial.

Carlyto Lassa: A Life in Music

| Born | 15 January 1961, Kongo-Central, DRC |
| Died | 31 August 2026, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA |
| Real Name | Charles Ndombasi Lassa |
| Notable Groups | TPOK Jazz, Choc Stars |
| Secular Hits | Maya, Riana, Don Padrino |
| Gospel Hits | Makolo ya Massiya, La Reconnaissance, Assurance |
| Conversion | Early 2000s, ordained Pastor |

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

31/08/2026

Hundreds Stranded at JKIA as Aviation Workers' Strike Enters Second Day

By our Business Desk

Hundreds of passengers remained stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Monday as a strike by aviation workers entered its second day, paralysing operations at Kenya's main gateway and causing widespread disruption across the region.

Travellers who arrived at the airport as early as 3am hoping to catch flights scheduled for Sunday found themselves in limbo, with no clear information from airlines or airport authorities.

"We have been here since 3am. My flight was yesterday, but we were told to come today at 7am," said stranded traveller Adow Mohammed. "I am even shocked that it is already 8am and no one is telling us anything. No one is talking to us about the flight."

Hundreds of passengers spent Sunday night in airport lobbies awaiting guidance, with some carriers on Monday morning beginning to process hotel transfers for affected travellers. However, some stranded passengers took to social media to accuse airport authorities of racial discrimination, claiming white travellers were accommodated in hotels while Kenyans remained at the airport with little assistance.

A Decade of Unresolved Grievances
The industrial action involves workers from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), and Jambojet, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways, who are demanding improved salaries and better working conditions.

Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) Secretary General Moss Ndiema said members would not resume duty until their grievances against all three employers were addressed. At the centre of the dispute is KCAA, where the union says workers have gone for more than 11 years without a Collective Bargaining Agreement or salary review.

"The CBA has been in arrears for more than 11 years. They have not had a salary review all that time. Others have retired without benefiting from the CBA negotiations, others have died, children have dropped out of school and employees have lacked medical care," Ndiema said.

The union also opposed the deployment of National Youth Service personnel at JKIA, describing it as a direct threat to members' jobs. Ndiema further alleged that KCAA intended to procure NYS services at KSh45,000 per officer per month, with the individual officer receiving only KSh5,000 .

A Pattern of Paralysis
The strike follows the collapse of a framework agreement signed on July 27, 2026, when Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir convened the union and employers, setting a 30-day timetable for direct negotiations. That deal suspended a previous walkout but has since collapsed, with Ndiema saying one employer declined to engage on outstanding issues.

KAWU issued a fresh strike notice on Friday after the failure of the negotiations.

By 2pm on Sunday, Kenya Airways had managed to operate only 30 per cent of its scheduled departures, with some flights delayed by more than three hours. The national carrier blamed air traffic control challenges for the delays into and out of the airport.

Disruptions affected check-in, immigration, boarding, and flight operations, creating long queues and delays at JKIA, with effects also felt at Moi International Airport in Mombasa. The disruption has affected international connections, leaving passengers facing missed onward flights and cancelled itineraries.

Kenya Airways advised passengers not to head to JKIA until further notice amid the disruption.

The Kenya Airports Authority said it was working with aviation agencies, airlines, and other stakeholders to manage the situation and keep operations moving. KAA has urged travellers to contact their airlines before travelling to airport terminals and called for an urgent truce and continued dialogue between the parties.

The Ministry of Roads and Transport has acknowledged congestion and operational bottlenecks at JKIA as efforts continue to address the dispute.

However, for passengers like Mohammed, the explanations offer little comfort. "Could the government just do something about it?" he appealed.

The strike is the latest in a series of industrial actions that have plagued Kenya's aviation sector in recent years, raising serious questions about the government's capacity to manage labour disputes at the country's main gateway and its ambition to position JKIA as a regional aviation hub.