Kenya recently announced a new tender for the Mrima Hill rare earth and niobium deposits — a prize long coveted by both the United States and China for its critical minerals. Yet Chuanshan nternational Mining Company, once a frontrunner led by Chinese investor Han Ke, has fallen conspicuously behind. Is this due to fierce external competition, or something more insidious — perhaps a bitter corporate infighting? As journalists dug deeper, the truth turned out to be far from straightforward.

A cloud of controversy has engulfed Chuanshan International Mining Company, once hailed as a key player in Kenya’s extractives sector, after startling claims emerged of forged court documents, an alleged faked death, and a coordinated scheme to push out one of its founding directors. Documents reviewed by journalists raise serious questions about corporate governance, the integrity of official processes, and the role of state agencies in what is shaping up to be a high-stakes corporate dispute with international implications.

Mr. Han Ke was once at the center of the firm’s operations in Kenya. A seasoned investor in the mining sector, Han played a pivotal role in establishing the company’s footprint in Baringo County, where he spearheaded the development of the region’s first diatomite processing facility. The project not only opened up economic opportunities but also created jobs and supported community development initiatives among the local Pokot population.

Under his leadership, the company expanded its activities and gained recognition, including participation in the Kwalai Rare Earth Standard Project under Kenya’s Ministry of Mining in January 2024, where it reportedly achieved top performance results. Chuanshan also entered into a Community Development Agreement (CDA) with local stakeholders, with projections of creating up to 1,500 jobs and establishing an industrial park focused on health and manufacturing.

The company’s community engagement efforts were equally visible. In one notable initiative, it donated 160 solar panels and batteries to remote households in Baringo, helping to bridge the region’s energy access gap. Local leaders and residents praised the move as transformative, underscoring the firm’s role in grassroots development.

However, behind this public image of progress and partnership, a bitter internal dispute appears to have been unfolding.

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According to documents now in the possession of journalists, the company tried to remove Han from his position as director under circumstances that are increasingly being questioned. Central to the dispute is a court document — referenced as E161/2025 — which purportedly declared Han dead, thereby paving the way for a change in the company’s shareholding structure.

But in a dramatic twist, the Kenya Companies Registration Authority flagged the document as suspicious. Subsequent verification efforts revealed that the alleged death certificate and court ruling were forgeries. Authorities at Capital Hill Police Station were drawn into the matter, launching investigations to authenticate the documents. Preliminary findings confirmed that the records used to effect changes in the company’s ownership were not legitimate.

The implications of this revelation are profound. Legal experts note that falsifying court documents and declaring a living person dead to alter corporate ownership constitutes serious criminal offenses, potentially involving fraud, conspiracy, and abuse of office. These claims, while yet to be fully substantiated in court, add a troubling dimension to the unfolding saga.

The fallout has already been significant. Chuanshan, once a strong contender for the very rare earth tender announced earlier, saw its advantage evaporate overnight after the forgery scandal became public. The damage to its credibility has severely undermined its operations in Kenya. Industry observers warn that the controversy could also dent investor confidence in the country’s mining sector, particularly at a time when Kenya is seeking to attract more foreign investment.

Government officials who had previously supported the company’s projects, including senior figures from the Ministry of Mining, had emphasized the importance of such investments in driving industrialization and improving livelihoods. The project had been aligned with national development blueprints such as Vision 2030, with expectations that it would transform Baringo into a hub for mineral-based industries.

Now, those ambitions risk being overshadowed by allegations of misconduct and governance failures.

For local communities in Baringo, the uncertainty is palpable. While the company’s projects had promised jobs, infrastructure, and economic growth, the ongoing dispute raises concerns about the sustainability of those benefits. Community leaders have called for transparency and accountability to ensure that development commitments are honored regardless of the corporate wrangles.

For Han, the battle appears far from over. From building a mining enterprise in Kenya to allegedly being declared dead on paper, his case underscores the high stakes and complex power dynamics that can define major investment projects.

What remains clear is that this unfolding scandal has exposed deep vulnerabilities not just within a single company, but within the systems meant to safeguard corporate integrity and the rule of law.

In a bitter satire of corporate malfeasance, a once excellent Chinese-funded company and a Chinese investor were effectively “killed” in Kenya — a damning indictment of both the perpetrators and the victim, while the forger’s actions stand as a blatant provocation to the Kenyan judiciary.

As of press time, Chuanshan had not responded to reporters’ requests for comment.

StarTimes has unveiled the H50 Solar Solution, a new solar energy system designed to help households maintain reliable power for everyday activities and enjoying wide range of digital entertainment during electricity outages.

The solution combines a 5kVA hybrid inverter, a 5.12kWh battery, and 2.3kWp solar panel capacity delivered through four high-efficiency solar panels.

The integrated system is designed to provide stable backup power for modern homes while supporting the growing shift toward clean and renewable energy.

Myke Mwai, Head of PR and Content Syndication at StarTimes, said the solution is aimed at improving the overall customer experience while helping households manage power disruptions more effectively.

“At StarTimes, our goal has always been to ensure customers enjoy a seamless digital lifestyle. The H50 Solar Solution allows households to continue enjoying their favourite StarTimes TV content without interruption, even during blackouts. With reliable solar power, families can stay connected, entertained, and informed,” he said.

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With its capacity, the H50 Solar Solution can power several household appliances including a refrigerator, iron box, television, microwave, Wi-Fi router, electric kettle, and sound system, while also supporting up to 40 LED lights.

Mwai said the latest launch will allows households to continue cooking, working, studying, and relaxing even during unexpected power interruptions.

“The hybrid system is designed to intelligently manage solar energy generation, battery storage, and grid electricity, ensuring optimal performance and efficient energy use. This helps households reduce reliance on grid power while ensuring consistent electricity availability.,”Mwai said.

He advised customers interested in the H50 Solar Solution to visit the nearest StarTimes Business Hall, where teams are available to provide product information, consultation, and installation support.

At the inaugural African MRO Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Kenya Airways has presented sustainability as a practical operating priority, linking cleaner processes and technical efficiency to the continent’s wider effort to build a resilient aviation ecosystem.

The conference hosted by the Government of Ethiopia, brought together AFRAA and Africa’s founding MRO providers to address the theme of building a sustainable regional maintenance base. The event attracted more than 450 delegates from over 50 countries, including airline executives, regulators, and technology providers.

Kenya Airways Engineering & Maintenance used the platform to present its response to the sustainability challenge through a case study titled “Green Maintenance: Decarbonizing the African MRO Value Chain.”

The presentation outlined a comprehensive sustainability governance framework that integrates environmental priorities directly into maintenance operations. This roadmap includes a snapshot of impacts from 2025 and a 2026 flight path focused on scaling physical infrastructure, advancing digital maintenance tools, and achieving technical operational mastery.

George Kamal, Acting CEO of Kenya Airways, said the shift toward green maintenance is designed to make the African MRO sector more competitive and resilient.

“Currently, a large share of aircraft maintenance for African airlines is conducted outside the continent, a trend that drives annual capital outflows, increases operating costs, and extends aircraft downtime,” said Kamal.

By strengthening regional capability and improving supply chain resilience, Kamal said KQ’s MRO aims to demonstrate that sustainable practices are an essential part of the modern operating model required to keep African aviation competitive.

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Eric Mulati, KQ’s Lead of Technical Strategy, Risk & Compliance noted that the company is embedding sustainability into its core maintenance operations by aligning governance and shop-floor processes with long-term investment.

This approach is intended to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact while simultaneously strengthening Africa’s overall MRO capability.

“Kenya Airways Engineering & Maintenance is embedding sustainability into the heart of our operations. By aligning our governance and shop-floor processes with long-term investment, we are improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact while strengthening Africa’s MRO capability,” said Mulati.

Operating from its base in Nairobi, Kenya Airways Engineering & Maintenance is a key player in the regional landscape, offering base maintenance, line maintenance, and component support across multiple aircraft platforms.

It is an approved EASA Part-145 and KCAA-certified organization, and it remains the only Embraer Authorized Service Centre in the region. Its technical services include heavy airframe checks, avionics and mechanical component repair, and non-destructive testing.

By combining operational efficiency with a focus on safety and reliability, KQ MRO is advancing a model that supports regional E-Jet operators and reduces the continent’s reliance on off-continent maintenance providers.

The National Intelligence Research University (NIRU) has crowned Caroline Gakii, Daniel Maitethia, and Ezekiel Otieno of Meru University of Science and Technology as the overall winners of its 2025 National AI Hackathon, spotlighting a new generation of Kenyan innovators developing practical and scalable solutions to address the country’s most pressing challenges.

The trio clinched the top prize for their project, “A Low-Cost AI-Powered Digital Microscope for Accessible Cancer and Malaria Diagnosis in Kenya,” earning KSh 2 million during the final showcase and awards ceremony held in Nairobi.

Joshua Radula of Strathmore emerged as the first runner-up with his “Word 2 Sign” project, an AI-powered solution that translates spoken or written words into sign language to improve accessibility for the deaf community, taking home KSh 750,000.

Kelvin Mulama secured third place with “Veritas AI, Autonomous Intelligence for Financial Fraud Detection and National Financial Integrity,” earning KSh 500,000 for his solution focused on strengthening financial systems and combating fraud.

The hackathon drew over 5,600 registrations and generated more than 2,500 AI solution submissions from across the country, underscoring the growing depth of Kenya’s digital talent and innovation ecosystem.

Speaking during the award ceremony in Nairobi, NIRU Vice Chancellor Dr. James Kibon said the initiative is designed to move innovation beyond ideas into real-world application.

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“What we are building is not just a competition, but a pipeline of deployable AI solutions. The quality of innovations we have seen demonstrates Kenya’s capacity to develop technologies that directly address our national priorities, from security and agriculture to public service delivery.”

The programme, delivered in collaboration with partners across government, academia, and industry, guided selected innovators through a structured incubation process. Participants received technical mentorship, product development support, ethical AI guidance, and commercialisation insights, enabling their solutions to evolve from concept to deployment- ready products.

Nordin Hajji, Chairman of the NIRU Board of Trustees and Director General of the National Intelligence Service, said the initiative is part of a broader national effort to strengthen Kenya’s technological self-reliance.

“By nurturing AI innovation locally, we are building the capacity to develop solutions that respond to our socio-economic realities while strengthening national security and economic resilience.”

On his part, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen commended the innovators, noting that their work reflects the country’s growing leadership in digital transformation.

“The diversity and quality of solutions presented here demonstrate that Kenya has the talent and creativity to compete globally. These innovations have the potential not only to solve local challenges, but also to create jobs and drive economic growth.”

The winning solutions were selected through a rigorous evaluation process based on national relevance, scalability, technical feasibility, originality, and measurable impact.

Innovations showcased during the hackathon spanned key sectors including security and intelligence, agriculture, cybersecurity, public service delivery, and digital infrastructure, highlighting the increasing role of Artificial Intelligence as a driver of national development.

“The winning solutions were recognised for their industry readiness and potential for real-world deployment across key sectors including security, intelligence, agriculture, public service delivery, cybersecurity, and digital transformation,” said Ali Hussein Kassim, the
Chief Judge of the Hackathon.

Beyond the competition, the hackathon is a critical bridge between digital talent and industry,bensuring that promising ideas are supported to scale into sustainable, real-world solutions.

The judging panel comprised of distinguished experts drawn from industry, academia, and the technology ecosystem, including Ali Hussein Kassim (Chair, FinTech Alliance Kenya), Juliana Rotich (Co-Founder, Ushahidi), Dr. John Olukuru (Head of Data Science and Analytics, Strathmore University, Business School), Joseph Mathenge (Technology and Digital Transformation Expert), Dr. Simon K. Nyambura (Academic and AI Researcher), Eng. Ruth Kirui (Engineering and ICT Specialist), and Oscar Otieno (Senior Deputy Data Commissioner, Office of the Data Protection Technology).