KeNHA Warns of 35-Day Traffic Disruption Along Mombasa Road

Motorists have been advised to follow the traffic management plan and cooperate with police officers and traffic marshals stationed at the site.

DP Kindiki says Ruto's development scorecard is extensive and impossible to ignore

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki hailed the National Infrastructure Fund as the answer to Kenya's road financing problems, promising major roads across Mt Kenya East. Prof Kindiki said the next major dual-carriageway project after the Rironi-Mau Summit Road would run from Makutano through Mwea, Embu, Chuka, Meru and Maua. "After the Rironi-Mau Summit Road, the next [...] The post DP Kindiki says Rutos development scorecard is extensive and impossible to ignore appeared first on Kahawatungu.

New framework ends KSL training monopoly for law students

The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has introduced a new framework ending a monopoly at the Kenya School of Law (KSL) on training advocates. KSL has been enjoying the monopoly for 18 years which among others affected the quality of services offered. This came after CLE introduced two regulatory frameworks: the Legal Education (Licensing and [...] The post New framework ends KSL training monopoly for law students appeared first on Kahawatungu.

Woman assaulted, murdered as three children tied to tree in Kilifi

Police in Kilifi County have launched investigations after a 36-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted and murdered at Mbuuni area of Sosoni Ndogo Centre in Magarini Sub-County. Police said Neema Charo Nchengo was allegedly lured from a makeshift structure together with her three children before the children were tied to a tree. The three children were [...] The post Woman assaulted, murdered as three children tied to tree in Kilifi appeared first on Kahawatungu.

Woman murdered on her way to toilet in Meru in suspected love triangle saga

A 31-year-old woman was brutally murdered in Muthathia area of Buuri West, Meru County, on Thursday morning while reportedly heading to the toilet. The deceased, identified as Charity Kinya, was attacked at around 5am near Full Gospel Church, police said. Kinya had woken up and was walking towards the toilets within a rental compound when [...] The post Woman murdered on her way to toilet in Meru in suspected love triangle saga appeared first on Kahawatungu.

Shahbal amkaidi Ruto, atema ODM na kuapa kuwania ugavana Mombasa

UAMUZI wa mfanyabiashara na mwanasiasa Suleiman Shahbal kukataa jaribio la Rais William Ruto kumshawishi asigombee ugavana wa Mombasa, na kutangaza kujiondoa katika Chama cha ODM, kumesababisha mwelekeo mpya wa kisiasa katika ushindani wa ugavana wa kaunti hiyo. Awali, Bw Shahbal alitarajiwa kushindania tikiti ya ODM dhidi ya Gavana Abdulswamad Nassir kuwania ugavana 2027, kabla Dkt Ruto kujaribu kumshawishi ajiondoe kwenye kinyang'anyiro Jumanne. Katika mahojiano na wanahabari wa Mombasa Jumatano usiku, mwanasiasa huyo alisisitiza atakuwa debeni hata kama ODM haitampa tikiti. Alidai kuwa, Rais Ruto alishawishiwa na watu wanaotaka kumtoa kwenye kinyang'anyiro hicho. "Ninaamini Rais alichochewa kutamka maneno hayo, kwamba mimi ni mfanyabiashara na ninapaswa kuwaachia wanasiasa siasa. Ndiyo maana wanasukuma suala la kugawana maeneo. Kwa nini hamwaachi wananchi waamue?" Bw Shahbal alisema. Huku akitangaza kujiondoa kutoka ODM, alisema anaamini chama hicho hakitamteua. "Tuko katika 'talaka ya kirafiki' na ODM. Chama hakitaniteua na ninajiandaa na jukwaa jipya la kisiasa. Tuna chama chetu cha kisiasa ambacho tutakitangaza hivi karibuni," Mjumbe huyo wa Bunge la Afrika Mashariki (EALA) alisema. Katika uchaguzi wa mwaka wa 2022, Bw Shahbal alijiondoa katika kinyang'anyiro cha ugavana na kumuunga mkono Bw Nassir. Jumanne, Rais Ruto alimshauri kutorejea katika kinyang'anyiro hicho, akisema Kenya ingenufaika zaidi kutokana na ujuzi wake wa biashara, uwekezaji na uundaji wa nafasi za ajira kuliko kuingia katika siasa. Rais alikuwa akizungumza wakati wa kutiwa sahihi kwa makubaliano ya Sh12 bilioni kati ya GulfCap Group ya Bw Shahbal na kampuni ya kimataifa ya shughuli za bandarini ya DP World, kwa ajili ya kuanzisha eneo maalumu la kiuchumi lenye ukubwa wa ekari 535 Jomvu. Bw Shahbal alikiri kuwa ana urafiki na Dkt Ruto na akamsifu Rais kwa kutambua mafanikio yake katika biashara. Hata hivyo, alisema hakubaliani na ushauri wa kuachana na siasa. Alihoji kwa nini Rais, ambaye pia ni mfanyabiashara, angemwomba achague kati ya biashara na uongozi wa kisiasa. Kulingana naye, wanasiasa wengi wa Kenya wamewekeza katika biashara, akisema biashara na siasa zina malengo tofauti. "Unajua biashara ni jambo la kibinafsi; unapata hasara na faida ambazo hunufaisha familia yako na wafanyakazi wako. Lakini katika siasa, unapogombea uongozi, ni tendo la kujitolea kuwahudumia wananchi," alisema. Alikosoa ODM kwa kutumia vibaya uteuzi wa wagombea kwa manufaa ya watu wachache, akidai kwamba baadhi ya madiwani waliotaka kumuunga mkono mwaka wa 2022 walitishiwa kunyimwa tiketi za chama. "Enzi ya kuamua wanasiasa wanaopaswa kugombea na wale wanaopaswa kujiondoa imepitwa na wakati," alisema. Uamuzi wake wa kuondoka katika chama hicho unaweza kujaribu uwezo wake wa kujenga nguvu za kisiasa nje ya chama ambacho kimekuwa nguvu kubwa katika siasa za Mombasa kwa zaidi ya muongo mmoja. Hata hivyo, Bw Shahbal amekuwa akitumia vyama tofauti katika azma zake za uongozi, vikiwemo Wiper na Jubilee, tangu mwaka 2013. Alikanusha pia uwezekano wa kukubali nafasi ya uwaziri iwapo atapewa. Bw Shahbal anasema hagombei wadhifa huo kwa ajili ya kujipatia fedha, bali anataka kuwatumikia wananchi. Amependekeza kutengwa kwa Sh50 milioni kila mwaka kwa kila wadi kwa ajili ya miradi ya maendeleo katika sekta za afya, vijana, wanawake na usalama, akisema rasilimali zinapaswa kugawanywa moja kwa moja zaidi hadi ngazi ya mashinani.

Burundian Diplomat Loses Job Moments After Criticising Ruto's Order

Thousands of Burundians are still stuck at the nation's embassy in Nairobi, seeking to get visas and other travel documents.

Oburu confirms UK medical trip

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Oginga confirmed that he travelled to the United Kingdom for a routine medical check-up, assuring party members that the political outfit has sufficiently strong structures to continue operating in his absence. Oburu said in a statement issued on Thursday, he travelled to the UK on the advice of his [...] The post Oburu confirms UK medical trip appeared first on Kahawatungu.

Azimio to rebrand, include more opposition parties

United Opposition leaders under the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition umbrella have resolved to rebrand the political outfit into a more inclusive opposition coalition party. Speaking at the SKM Command Centre in Karen on Thursday, Azimio Secretary General Caroli Omondi said the decision followed a meeting held by Joint Azimio Council and National Executive [...] The post Azimio to rebrand, include more opposition parties appeared first on Kahawatungu.

Korane vows to reinstate 6,000 sacked county workers if re-elected Garissa governor 

Former Garissa Governor Ali Bunow Korane pledged to reinstate 6,000 county employees he says were dismissed after he left office if elected Governor in the 2027 General Election. Korane, who served as Governor from 2017 to 2022, said his bid to reclaim the seat was driven by an unfinished development agenda and lessons he learnt [...] The post Korane vows to reinstate 6,000 sacked county workers if re-elected Garissa governor  appeared first on Kahawatungu.

Trump promises to send $500 to nearly 1 million Americans for Obamacare 'overcharges'

US President Donald Trump has promised to send $500 (£370) to nearly one million Americans, as refunds for what he described as Obamacare overcharges collected during the Biden administration. The refunds, to be sent out starting in October, will go to people in 30 states who buy health insurance through the federal marketplace and do [...] The post Trump promises to send $500 to nearly 1 million Americans for Obamacare overcharges appeared first on Kahawatungu.

Jimmy Kimmel says interview with Democrat won't air on TV, cites regulator 'threats'

TV host Jimmy Kimmel says his interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico will not air on television due to pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Speaking on his talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, on Wednesday, Kimmel said the FCC, under Donald Trumps presidency, had threatened him and his show based on simple traditional [...] The post Jimmy Kimmel says interview with Democrat wont air on TV, cites regulator threats appeared first on Kahawatungu.

US airport security weighs major changes 25 years after 9/11

American airports dramatically changed in the wake of 9/11, but new policy changes are restoring some previously banned travel practices after 25 years. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that it will soon allow individuals without tickets to pass through security and go to airport gates with loved ones. TSA is also considering allowing some [...] The post US airport security weighs major changes 25 years after 9/11 appeared first on Kahawatungu.

Digital justice leaves no one behind, Justice Lenaola says 

Supreme Court Judge and Chairperson of the Integrated Court Management Systems and Communication Committee (ICMS), Justice Isaac Lenaola, has called on the justice sector to ensure that no one is left behind as institutions embrace digital transformation. Speaking during an engagement with justice-sector actors on the Digital, ICT and AI Accessibility Roadmap for government services [...] The post Digital justice leaves no one behind, Justice Lenaola says  appeared first on Kahawatungu.

Korti yazima mchakato wa zabuni ya karatasi za uchaguzi wa 2027

MZOZO wa kisheria umeibuka kuhusu kampuni zinazostahili kuchapisha karatasi za kura za uchaguzi wa 2027, huku Mahakama ikichunguza masharti ya zabuni ya Tume Huru ya Uchaguzi na Mipaka (IEBC). Kampuni ya humu nchini, Oilmax Ventures Ltd, imewasilisha mzozo huo Mahakama Kuu baada ya Bodi ya Mapitio ya Ununuzi wa Umma (PPARB) kukataa malalamiko yake kuhusu masharti ya uzoefu na uwezo wa kifedha. Mahakama imesimamisha mchakato wa zabuni hadi kesi hiyo itakapoamuliwa. Mzozo huo unahusu zabuni iliyotangazwa na IEBC Agosti 11, 2026 ya kusambaza karatasi za kura, vifaa maalumu kwa wapigakura wenye ulemavu wa kuona, Sajili ya Wapigakura na fomu za kutangaza matokeo ya uchaguzi mkuu. Zabuni hiyo ilihitaji kampuni zinazowania kuwa zimekamilisha angalau mikataba miwili ya awali ya uchapishaji wa stakabadhi za uchaguzi zenye alama za usalama, mmoja ukiwa wa angalau karatasi za kura milioni 150 ndani ya miaka mitano iliyopita. Pia, zilitakiwa kuwa na wastani wa mapato ya Sh6 bilioni kwa mwaka 2023, 2024 na 2025, pamoja na uwezo wa kupata Sh10 bilioni kwa mtiririko wa kifedha wa kugharamia usambazaji. Oilmax ilipinga masharti hayo ikisema ni ya kibaguzi, yenye kuondoa ushindani na yasiyolingana na zabuni hiyo. PPARB ilikataa malalamiko hayo Septemba 3, ikisema Oilmax haikuthibitisha kuwa masharti hayo yalikuwa kinyume cha sheria. Bodi hiyo ilikubali maelezo ya IEBC kwamba uchaguzi wa 2027 utahitaji takriban karatasi za kura milioni 168. Ilibaini kuwa hitaji la karatasi milioni 150 lilikuwa sawa na asilimia 89.3 ya mahitaji hayo na lilihusiana na ukubwa wa zabuni. Hata hivyo, Oilmax sasa imeibua suala jingine kuhusu sharti la asilimia 40 ya maudhui ya ndani katika zabuni hiyo. Kampuni hiyo inasema kampuni za kimataifa zenye uwezo wa kuchapisha karatasi milioni 150 huenda zisitimize sharti la asilimia 40 ya ushiriki wa kampuni za Kenya. Mkurugenzi wa Oilmax Mohammed Ali alisema angalau asilimia 40 ya mkataba ilipaswa kutekelezwa na watengenezaji wa Kenya au wakandarasi raia wa Kenya. Kesi hiyo itatajwa Oktoba 7.

Drama as City Lawyer Threatens to Jump From 8th Floor During Arrest

During the arrest, the lawyer bit two DCI officers, injuring them, but they managed to handcuff him and escort him to the station.

Oburu asafiri Uingereza kwa matibabu, ODM ikitoa ratiba ya ukumbusho wa Raila

KIONGOZI wa ODM, Oburu Oginga, amesafiri Uingereza kwa uchunguzi wa kawaida wa afya huku akitarajiwa kushiriki shughuli za kisiasa na Wakenya wanaoishi nchini humo. Safari hiyo imejiri wakati ambapo chama cha ODM kimezindua ratiba ya shughuli za mwezi mzima za kumuenzi marehemu Raila Odinga, ambazo zitafanyika katika sehemu mbalimbali za nchi hadi mwishoni mwa Oktoba. Mkurugenzi wa Mawasiliano wa ODM, Philip Etale, alisema kuwa safari ya Dkt Oburu haipaswi kutafsiriwa kama jambo la dharura la kiafya kwani ni ukaguzi wa kawaida ambao kiongozi huyo hufanyiwa mara kwa mara. Alifafanua kuwa Dkt Oburu, ambaye wiki iliyopita alionekana katika hospitali moja jijini Nairobi kwa matibabu ya kawaida, ameelekea Uingereza kwa uchunguzi zaidi pamoja na majukumu ya kisiasa. "Oburu ni binadamu wa kawaida kama wengine. Ameenda kwa ukaguzi wa afya pamoja na shughuli za kisiasa," alisema Bw Etale. Kwa mujibu wa afisa huyo wa ODM, Dkt Oburu pia anapanga kukutana na Wakenya wanaoishi jijini London ambao wamemualika kwa mazungumzo kuhusu hali ya kisiasa nchini Kenya na mustakabali wa taifa kuelekea uchaguzi mkuu wa mwaka 2027. "Watakuwa na mazungumzo kuhusu nchi yetu na masuala mbalimbali yanayohusu Kenya," aliongeza Bw Etale. Safari hiyo imezua mjadala kutokana na historia ya changamoto za kiafya ambazo zimewahi kumkumba kiongozi huyo mwenye umri wa miaka 83. Hata hivyo, ODM imesema hakuna sababu ya kuwa na wasiwasi kwani ratiba yake ya afya na shughuli za kisiasa zinaendelea kama kawaida. Tangazo la safari ya Dkt Oburu limejiri huku chama hicho kikitangaza mpango wa kitaifa wa kumuenzi Raila Odinga, ambaye ODM inamtaja kama mmoja wa viongozi waliotoa mchango mkubwa katika kupigania demokrasia na haki za kisiasa nchini. Mbunge wa Kisumu Magharibi, Bi Rosa Buyu, alisema shughuli hizo zitatoa nafasi kwa wanachama na wafuasi wa ODM kuadhimisha maisha, kazi na maadili ya Raila huku wakijitolea upya kuyasimamia. Ratiba hiyo itaanza rasmi Oktoba 12 kupitia shughuli zitakazoandaliwa na familia ya Raila kabla ya kufikia kilele katika hafla ya kumbukumbu itakayofanyika Kango Ka'Jaramogi huko Bondo. Baadaye, Oktoba 17, chama hicho kitafanya mkutano mkubwa wa kumbukumbu katika mji wa Garissa utakaowaleta pamoja wanachama na viongozi kutoka kaunti za Garissa, Wajir, Mandera na Marsabit. Vilevile, shughuli za kumbukumbu zitafanyika katika eneo la Pwani kati ya Oktoba 18 na 19 kabla ya taifa kuadhimisha Siku ya Mashujaa Oktoba 20. Baada ya hapo, shughuli hizo zitaendelea Kaunti ya Kajiado Oktoba 21 kabla ya Turkana ambako mikutano mbalimbali itafanyika kuanzia Oktoba 23 hadi 25. ODM imesema lengo la ratiba hiyo ni kupeleka urithi wa Raila katika maeneo mengi ya nchi na kuwafikia wafuasi nje ya ngome za jadi za chama hicho. Hii ni pamoja na maeneo ya Kaskazini mwa Kenya, Pwani, Kajiado na Turkana. Shughuli zote zitahitimishwa Oktoba 31 jijini Nairobi katika mkutano mkubwa wa kumbukumbu ambao ODM imetaja kama kilele cha maadhimisho ya "Mwezi wa Baba". "Mnamo Oktoba 31, 2026, ambao ni mwezi wa Baba, tutakuwa na mkutano mkubwa wa kumbukumbu Nairobi. Tunawaomba wafuasi wote kujitolea upya kwa maadili na misingi aliyotuachia Baba," alisema Buyu.

Sifuna apanda bei, ang'ang'aniwa na mabalozi na vinara wa Upinzani

SENETA wa Nairobi, Edwin Sifuna, anaendelea kuimarika kisiasa kitaifa huku akivutia viongozi wa upinzani na wanadiplomasia wa kimataifa, jambo linaloashiria kuongezeka kwa ushawishi wake katika siasa za Kenya kuelekea uchaguzi mkuu wa mwaka ujao. Katika siku za hivi majuzi, ofisi ya Sifuna imekuwa kitovu cha mikutano muhimu ya kisiasa na kidiplomasia. Miongoni mwa waliomtembelea ni Balozi wa Ufaransa nchini Kenya, Arnaud Suquet, pamoja na Kaimu Balozi wa Australia nchini Kenya, Andrew Barnes, waliokutana naye katika nyakati tofauti. Sifuna alisema Balozi Suquet alimtembelea kumuaga kabla ya kumaliza kipindi chake cha huduma nchini Kenya. Katika ujumbe wake, Seneta huyo alimtaja mwanadiplomasia huyo kama rafiki yake. Siku moja kabla ya hapo, Sifuna alikuwa mwenyeji wa Barnes na ujumbe wake katika ofisi yake jijini Nairobi. Seneta huyo alisema walijadili masuala mbalimbali ya maslahi ya pamoja, huku ziara hiyo ikiongeza uzito wa hadhi yake inayoongezeka kimataifa. Mikutano ya kidiplomasia imekuwa sehemu muhimu ya kuongezeka kwa hadhi ya kisiasa ya Sifuna. Amewahi kukutana na Balozi wa Amerika nchini Kenya, Marc Dillard, katika Ubalozi jijini Nairobi, ambapo walijadili ushirikiano wa muda mrefu kati ya Kenya na Amerika pamoja na mikakati ya kuimarisha uhusiano wa kiuchumi kati ya mataifa hayo mawili. Katika taarifa baada ya kikao hicho, Dillard alisema walijadili namna ya kujenga uchumi imara wa ubunifu unaowanufaisha wananchi wa nchi zote mbili. Agosti 27, 2026, Sifuna alikutana na Balozi wa Uingereza nchini Kenya Matt Baugh, katika makazi ya mwanadiplomasia huyo jijini Nairobi. Mkutano huo ulifanyika wakati Seneta huyo anaendelea kuimarisha vuguvugu la Linda Mwananchi na kupanua mtandao wake wa kisiasa kuelekea uchaguzi mkuu wa mwaka ujao. Mikutano hiyo ya kidiplomasia inafanyika wakati Sifuna anapitia mabadiliko makubwa ya kisiasa. Mwanzoni mwa mwaka, alikuwa Katibu Mkuu wa chama cha ODM, moja ya vyama vikuu vya upinzani nchini. Hata hivyo, kuondolewa kwake katika wadhifa huo mnamo Juni kumemjenga kama kiongozi wa kitaifa anayevuka mipaka ya chama chake cha zamani. Ingawa kuondolewa kwake kulionekana kama pigo kisiasa, wachambuzi wengi wanaamini hatua hiyo imempa uhuru wa kujijenga nje ya mfumo wa chama. Badala ya kutetea maamuzi ya taasisi ya ODM, sasa ameonekana kuwa sauti ya kundi la viongozi wanaotaka upinzani uwe huru na mkali zaidi dhidi ya serikali. Katika miezi ya hivi majuzi, Sifuna amejenga vuguvugu la Linda Mwananchi, linalohimiza uwajibikaji serikalini na kulinda maslahi ya wananchi. Kupitia vuguvugu hilo, amefanya ziara katika maeneo mbalimbali ya nchi, ambapo amekuwa akihutubia mikutano mikubwa ya umma na kujenga mtandao wake wa kisiasa. Umaarufu wake unaonekana kuongezeka hata miongoni mwa wafuasi wa ODM. Tafiti za maoni zimeonyesha kuwa, sehemu kubwa ya wanachama wa chama hicho wanaunga mkono msimamo wake wa kuendeleza upinzani huru badala ya kushirikiana na serikali kupitia mpango wa serikali jumuishi. Kadri umaarufu wake unavyoongezeka, ndivyo viongozi wakuu wa upinzani pia wameanza kujihusisha naye kwa karibu zaidi. Jana, Sifuna aliongoza ujumbe wa Linda Mwananchi katika mkutano na aliyekuwa Waziri wa Usalama wa Ndani na mgombea urais wa Jubilee, Fred Matiang'i. Mkutano huo ulihudhuriwa pia na Gavana wa Siaya James Orengo, Seneta wa Vihiga Godfrey Osotsi, Seneta wa Kisii Richard Onyonka na Mbunge wa Embakasi Mashariki Babu Owino. Akizungumza baada ya kikao hicho, Osotsi alisema viongozi hao walijadili namna ya kuimarisha vuguvugu la "Wantam" pamoja na kueneza ushirikiano ndani ya upinzani mpana wa kitaifa. Kwa mujibu wa Osotsi, mazungumzo hayo ni sehemu ya juhudi za kuwaleta pamoja viongozi wanaotaka mabadiliko ya kisiasa nchini. Alisisitiza kuwa mashauriano hayo yataendelea kuwahusisha viongozi wengine wa upinzani katika siku zijazo. Kabla ya kukutana na Matiang'i, Sifuna pia alikuwa amefanya mazungumzo na kiongozi wa chama cha Wiper, Kalonzo Musyoka, nyumbani kwake Karen. Kundi la Linda Mwananchi lilisema viongozi hao walijadili umuhimu wa kushirikiana katika kulinda demokrasia ya kikatiba na kuimarisha misingi ya taifa. Sifuna amekuwa akisisitiza haja ya viongozi wa upinzani kuungana ili kukabili serikali ya Rais Ruto. Amesema ni lazima viongozi hao washirikiane kulinda katiba na kuhakikisha sauti za wananchi hazipuuzwi. Hii ni mara ya pili katika kipindi cha miezi miwili kwa Sifuna na Kalonzo kukutana. Ushirikiano huo unaongeza hisia kuwa viongozi wa upinzani wanapanga mikakati ya pamoja kuelekea uchaguzi mkuu ujao. Wachambuzi wa siasa wanaamini kuwa kinachomtofautisha Sifuna na viongozi wengine wa upinzani ni uwezo wake wa kuvutia kizazi kipya cha wapiga kura. Akiwa mmoja wa viongozi vijana zaidi katika siasa za kitaifa, amejijengea taswira ya mwanasiasa anayewakilisha mabadiliko ya kizazi ncha Gen Z na siasa mpya zinazolenga uwajibikaji. Kwa mujibu wa mchambuzi wa siasa na mwanasheria Thomas Maosa, ongezeko la mikutano kati ya Sifuna na wanadiplomasia wa mataifa yenye ushawishi mkubwa duniani linaonyesha kwamba kiongozi huyo sasa anatambulika zaidi ya mipaka ya ODM na siasa za eneo la Nairobi. "Mabalozi hukutana na viongozi wengi, lakini wanapomtafuta mwanasiasa mara kwa mara, inaonyesha kuwa wameanza kumwona kama sauti muhimu katika mazungumzo ya kitaifa. Sifuna ameanza kujijenga kama sura inayoweza kuathiri mwelekeo wa siasa za upinzani na hata siasa za Kenya kwa ujumla," alisema Maosa.

From Kakuma to the world: Young Numukiza dreams big with Refugee Team at Olympics

Dakar-bound taekwondo teen on a mission to inspire girls in Kakuma to stay in school.

Sifuna, Matiang'i, Orengo, Babu Owino, other Opposition leaders after closed-door meeting in Karen