Home Author
Author

Yahil Felix

A family from Gatuuma village in Kandara, Murang’a county says they are in distress for not being able to bury their kin two years after his death.

The family claims their is no road to access the village and they have to borrow neighbors to be allowed to access their homes.

The deceased’s brother, Michael Mwangi said that he passed on in 2019 but they were forced to return the body back to the morgue when their neighbors denied them to pass through their land.

Mwangi said this situation has led t pain and depression, leading to the death of another family member.

He said that during the burial of their father seven years ago, the neighbors allowed the family and mourners to pass through their farms but later turned their back on them forcing the mourners to look for an alternative route after the ceremony having blocked the way.

He said that for the past 14 years, they have been making attempts to have an access road to their village demarcated to no avail.

Mwangi said they were told to get the first edition of the demarcation map that was doe in 1963. He sad that even after visiting the Survey headquarters of Kenya in Nairobi, they were told the map could not be traced.

He said the map could have helped them identify where the access road was, a road he claims has been encroached by people who grabbed public land in the area.

Even after making several visits to lands office in Murang’a and Nairobi, they are given different answers.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Kenyan billionaire businessman David Langat has been sued for allegedly failing to pay Shs.16.9 million air fare.

According to court documents filed by African Touch Safaris Limited, the billionaire flew around the country and abroad and in the process, spent Sh 8.1 billion for both his personal and business trips.

The complainant claimed that despite making demands, Mr. Langat has refused, neglected and failed to pay the amount or a sum of it.

The billionaire has been sued alongside his wife, children and companies.

In response to this, they said they had no contract between them and the agent.

According to the travel agency, Dr. Langat promised to pay top dollar and Kenya Shillings for sorting family trips but he has not met his end of the bargain.

The amount being demanded from the businessman accrued from 2018 to September 2019. Africa Touch Limited argues that Langat directed them to organize trips for his family and invoice him.

The company narrated that following the instructions, it opened both dollar and Kenya Shillings accounts for them.

Court documents reveal that he owes the firm 3.8 million in dollars and 1.9 million in the Kenya shillings account. The debt interest has accrued to 5 million shillings.

Reports say Langat owns DL Group of companies, Rift Valley Tea Solutions Limited and Ibera Tea factory limited.

The documents state that Langat mostly traveled from Nairobi to Eldoret. The firm is also suing his wife, Helen Jerobon Langat alleging that she signed a contract to help manage the transport in 2018.

It is alleged she accrued Sh. 5 million between the date she signed the contract and June 2020. The firm states that Jerobon has declined to foot her bills despite traveling to Eldoret just like her husband.

The company is also demanding for Sh. 3.7 million for their children. It alleges that Natalia Langat owes it Sh. 339,624; Nicole Langat 889,011; and Kirk Langat Sh 624,419.

Also, it further demands Ksh 743,546from Christopher Langat, Sh 315,520 from Emmanuel Koima, Sh 332,855 from Raymond Sang,Sh 234,398 from Samson Langat while its case against Priscilla Maiyo and Abraham Kurgat involves Sh. 22,552 and Sh 279,270 respectively.

The fare demanded from the accused involves travels around 2019.

According to the firm, DL group promised to foot the bill in February 2020 on a monthly basis and top up two percent interest on the accrued amount.

But in their reply, the family said the company cannot claim money from a non-existing contract.

Langat wants the court to dismiss the case and compel the company to pay costs. All the cases have been filed at Milimani Magistrate’s Commercial Court.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

The senate’s investigation into the killing of environmentalist Joannah Stutchbury will drag for another two weeks.

This is after Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko and Kiambu Governor James Nyoro requested for more time to present the required information.

The two leaders were questioned by the committee on National Security, Defense and Foreign Relations chaired by Kisumu Senator Fred Outa, since the killing occurred outside the environmentalist’s home in Kiambu County.

More than 13 conservationists, under the umbrella of Conservation of Kenya Alliance, requested the Senate to probe the murder.

“The petitioners pray that the Senate investigates the circumstances leading to the alleged murder of Joannah Stutchbury and other environmentalists and conservationists in the country,” read the petition.

Stutchbury was passionate about the environmental conservation of among others, Kiambu Forest reserve.

In his request, Mr. Tobiko said, “I am not able now to go into full length of my submission because I am still expecting the complete dossier.

I, therefore, request a little more time to get to the bottom of this as the CID continue with further investigation.”

On the other side, D r. Nyoro said he wanted more time to present the information. He said he preferred to appear before the committee with enough findings on “the grabbing evidence, the individuals and entities involved.”

The governor declared ll assets grabbed by greedy individuals would be returned. The conservationists want the Senate to compel the Ministry of Environment and KFS to revoke grabbed parcels of Kiambu Forest Reserve.

The also want appropriate recommendations of environmentalists and conservationists.

Strutchbury was shot dead outside her home on July 16.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

A family in Busia created a scene on Thursday after storming Port Victoria Hospital mortuary and took off with the body of their keen that had been detained for two months.

The Busia Magistrate Court had barred the burial of Paul Abulweyi on a disputed land that he called home in Budalangi.

The son of the deceased, George Asembo whole responding to the act, said that they all wanted to give their father a befitting sendoff.

He said the morgue had agreed to release the body on Monday but changed this on the last minute.

“We had settled the mortuary bill and even purchased clothes for my father in readiness for his burial on Monday,” said Asembo.

He said the morgue attendant however told them it was not safe to take the body on Monday. He urged them to come at 4 am on Tuesday. But on Tuesday, he was nowhere to be seen.

The family was kept in waiting for the better part of the day on Tuesday. Their patience ran out and they decided to storm the cold room, dressed the body, put it in a casket and left with it.

Asembo said the guard at the gate denied them exit when they became hostile. The guard ran away leaving the gate locked.

“We had no option but to jump over the gate with the body in the casket,” said a relative.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

High Court sitting on Tuesday morning rejected the decision by the state to roll out Huduma number cards ruling out that it was illegal.

Justice Jairus Ngaah during his ruling faulted the government for not conducting a data protection impact assessment before rolling out Huduma Number cards last year.

The High Court Has also ordered the government to carry out an impact assessment before rolling out the Huduma cards.

“Order of mandamus is hereby issued compelling the government to conduct a data protection impact assessment in accordance with Section 31 of the data protection act before processing of data and rolling out the Huduma cards,” ordered the judge.

This decision comes after Katiba Institute and law scholar Yash Pal Ghai challenged the roll out of the cards over lack of guarantees of theft of misuse of Kenyans’ personal information.

The lobby group and Yash Pal Ghai argued that the state failed to subject the fresh registration of Kenyans to data protection impact assessment (DPIA) which is a requirement under the law.

The assessment’s objectives is to flag risks that could reveal breaches of privacy, loss of data and unlawful use of information like names, date of birth, post codes and residences.

Currently, majority of Kenyans have received Huduma Namba cards after its roll out. The current national identity cards will be invalidated on December this year.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

When Florence Akinyi Omollo gave birth to her daughter in 2019, she was elated. Little did she know this joy wouldn’t last long as her baby began developing persistent chest problems.

She resorted to getting the best medication for her daughter Everlyne Tiffany Owino by going to India on October 3.

The girl was to undergo an open-heart-surgery at New Delhi’s Fortis Escort Heart Institute (FEHI).

Since their stay was to last for three months in India, and the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) having committed to pay Ksh 500,000 as part of the bill, she decided to travel while her husband, a mechanic in Umoja Inner core, mobilized funds through friends and relatives.

She found out she was wrong after realizing that the surgery would cost Ksh 1 million. A double price from the 500,000 NHIF had committed to pay.

Since October 33, the little girl has not been admitted due to lack of hospital fees. On October 6, FEHI wrote to confirm that they had received the NHIF’s Guarantee of Payment (GOP) but noted the estimated cost was higher than ‘GOP.’

The mother is now forced to stay with her daughter in an affordable hotel in India, the girl survives only on suckling or blended fruits.

Akinyi has maintained that nothing can stop her from finding the straight and hopes.

Her decision to move to India was as a result of the doctor’s warning that time was running out and that the surgery would have to be done before the end of October.

With the decision she made with her husband, she traveled to India with the baby while the husband remained in Nairobi to organize a fund drive. Her return ticket cost sh 94,000.

“Due to the complexity of the case and severe PAH (Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension), the baby has been referred abroad where the pulmonary measures can be managed,” wrote Kenyatta National Hospital’s Naomi Gachara, the KNH’s Pediatric Cardiologist.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga might have suffered a blow after One Kenya Alliance Principals made a new move to bar him from re-uniting with them.

The team has revealed that they will sign a coalition agreement that prevents them from joining any political coalition.

Sources have revealed that OKA technical committee are working tirelessly to have a coalition agreement signed by the principals as soon as possible.

The agreement will bring together six senior political bigwigs in the country, that is, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, KANU’s Gideon Moi, Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetangula and Cyrus Jirongo who recently joined the alliance.

Kimilili MP Chris Wamalwa has said that the technical committee has finalized the coalition’s instrument which seeks to bring the principals together.

The news about this coalition agreement comes a day after Kalonzo Musyoka vowed never to back Raila in his presidential bid. He said it is time for the ODM chief to support him having done the same for him in the last two elections.

Kalonzo also urged Raila to retire from politics noting that he is old enough to go home. Kalonzo expressed confidence that OKA is becoming a serious political challenger in 2022 contest and urged other political parties to join them.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on Wednesday October 13, 2021 stated that he is also tired of the new mode of operation in the country since Kenya reported the first case of Covid-19.

He appreciated the fact that Kenyans are tired with the different measures such as the nationwide curfew, set by the government to curb the spread of the pandemic.

The CS while speaking exclusively to a local radio station said that the government will soon ease some of the Coivid-19 restrictions once the country registers a positive rate.

“I am tired too and I am a Kenyan and I want to get back to normal life but it will take a while to get back to what we call normal life because even after opening the economy, things like wearing of masks and social distancing will remain,” said Kagwe.

According to the CS, Covid-19 fatality rate has dropped significantly as a result of the government’s intervention.

He further stated that Kenya has made improvements in the fight against the novel virus, stating that the country’s fatality rate is currently below the global average.

He attributed this drop to Kenyans’ adherence to Covid-19 protocols and the commitment by health workers in the fight against the virus.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

In a petition filed in court by activist Okiya Omtatah, Busia High Court has stopped 22 businessmen from grabbing Busia Airstrip.

Justice Ann Omollo while making her ruling said that the petition by Omtatah has merit and has a chance of success.

The judge further issued conservatory orders restraining the respondents whether by themselves , their servants or agents from occupying, causing any damage, cultivating, developing, converting to using, transferring or alienating Busia Airstrip land including land registering as private property under the deeds or subdivisions pending hearing and determination if the suit.

Omollo gave these orders after Activist Omtatah went to court seeking to stop the illegal and unconstitutional grabbing of the said land by the businessmen.

The activist argued that the constitutional rights of Kenyans have been gravely compromised and violated through the illegal grabbing.

Omtatah asked the court to dispose of the question of the rightful owner of the airstrip land than wait to do so in a municipality of suits saying it will be vital to the court in pursuit of justice since it presents a more comprehensive history.

A part of his petition read, “That it is overriding and overwhelming interests of justice, that it’s disposed to determine whether or not Busia Airstrip land is a public property.”

The County Government of Busia which is a party in the case argued that the respondents have fraudulently and illegally obtained turtles to the land thereby putting selfish private interests that cannot override public interests.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

A prison warder based in Thika GK Prison in Kiambu County is currently in police custody after allegations that he conspired with his colleague to rape a 21 year-old woman.

The woman claims that she was sexually abused on October 4, when she had gone to visit her husband who works at the facility.

The alleged victim said she lives in Kisii where her husband previously worked and her husband had sent her fare by M-pesa to go visit him in Thika.

She said she and her one-and-a-half year-old son arrived in Thika at 8 pm on Monday.

She met two prison warders at Thika GK Prison’s main gate and she informed them that she came to visit her husband who was unreachable on the phone at that time.

She therefore asked the two officers to assist her in tracing him. She sat at the visitors’ waiting bay for two hours and at 10 pm, the two warders returned and told her their attempts to trace her husband were futile.

Because it was raining, one of the officers took her and the child to shelter in his house in the police quarters.

“It was a small mabati house,” said the woman. She was told to shelter there and she would be assisted in the morning of October 5 in tracing her husband.

She then said a few minutes to 11 pm, the two warders returned and locked the door inside using a chair.

She said one of the grabbed and pinned her on the floor, he then brandished a firearm and warned to kill her if she dared scream.

According to the alleged victim, the two took turns in raping her. They then left after committing the crime. The woman said she spent the whole night crying in the room.

In the morning she met a female prison warder and she confided in her. ‘She took me to her senior supervisors where I reported the ordeal, I, thereafter, went to a hospital in Sega town,” said the woman.

According to her, she was referred to Thika Level 5 Hospital for examination. Later that day, she went to Thika Police Station and filed a rape report.

Sources say that her O.B number 88/12/10/2021 was issued on Tuesday October 12 after several cover-up complaints by the woman.

Her medical report confirmed that she was indeed raped. On Tuesday October 5, Thika West Sub-County Police Commander Daniel Kinyua confirmed that one of the prison warders suspected of sexually assaulting the woman was arrested.

The police boss said they are investigating the rap allegation against the two warders and the woman. He added that they won’t cover it up if they find the two culpable.

Up to date, the husband of the alleged rape woman is still out of reach.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Kenya’s 5,000m women’s representative to Tokyo Olympics Agnes Tirop has been found dead.

Tirop was found dead in her house on Wednesday, October 13, in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

According to Barnaba Korir, the chairperson of Athletics Kenya, the athlete had stab wounds in her stomach. It is suspected her ex-lover is behind the killing.

During Tokyo Olympic games, the 25 year-old emerged fourth in the 5,000m women’s finals afetr clocking 14:39.62.

Tirop was the 2019 World 5,000m bronze medalist. She also won the senior Cross Country Championships honours.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Suspected child serial killer Masten Wanjala has escaped from Jogoo Road Police Station.

It is not clear how he managed to escape from the highly guarded police station. This emerged after he failed to appear in court where he was expected to appear in connection with the murder of 12 children.

A source from the police has said the 25 year-old has escaped from the station and a manhunt has been launched to re-arrest him.

“Everyone was shocked when it turned out that Wanjala was nowhere to be seen and immediately officers were dispatched to check around on his whereabouts,” said the source.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Embattled Migori Governor Okoth Obado, his four children and eleven other people might face another rough time as the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) is set to table new evidence in the Sh 73.4 million corruption case.

When the case came up for hearing on Tuesday before trial magistrate Lawrence Mugambi, the DPP through Senior State Counsel Eva Kanyuira told the court that this office has new evidence in the case against Obado and his co-accused parties.

The senior counsel told the magistrate that in the course of the pre-trial proceedings with the investigating officer, they discovered 500 new pieces of information which will be vital in the case.

She stated that the state would like to amend the charges against all the accused persons following the fresh evidence that has emerged.

Kanyuira asked the court to allow the prosecution to amend and substitute the charge sheet “in the interest of justice.”

“It will not cause any prejudice or injustice to the accused persons as they shall be accorded sufficient opportunity and time to test and challenge the prosecution case as presented,” the DPP said.

The State also sought more time to have the defense team go through the new evidence before the trial started.

The magistrate hesitantly allowed the defense lawyers and accused persons a day to go through the new evidence until Thursday morning when the case is expected to begin.

Among the new evidence introduced in the case are documents recovered from Obado’s home in Uriri in Migori, Migori county government, evaluation committee report for meeting NoECR/263/2015-2016 dated June 8 to 14 of 2014, offer for sale agreement for Loresho Ridge townhouse dated August 12, 2014 and bank account statements from KCB, Co-operative banks, Central Bank of Kenya and Bank of Scotland.

Other documents include payment vouchers for several companies including M/S Deltrack ICT Services, Dolphus Softwares, Peuslus Supplies, Kajulu Business Solutions Associates, Atinus Services and Victorious Investments.

The defense led by George Kithi had declined the request by the State to have the case proceed without them being given an opportunity to go through the new evidence.

Only Obado was present during Tuesday hearing while the rest of the co-accused attended virtually.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Popular artist and producer Nixon Wesonga popularly known as Visita has come out to cry for help after claiming he has gone broke over the past few months.

While speaking in an interview on YouTube on Tuesday, the artist said his rent arrears have accumulated for five months forcing him to sleep in the apartment’s corridors for a week.

Visita later reached out to his DJ friend who has been temporarily hosting him in his studio which he shares with his wife Ann Lenana.

“I have been looking for ways to lay out my challenges in vain. If there is someone out there who feels I should get out of this situation, I’ll appreciate,” stated the ‘Fukuza Mapepo’ hit maker.

He further thanked his girlfriend for being with him throughout despite his financial difficulties.

“I am not embarrassed, such is life. God has a better plan and the fact that she is still with me, I know God has a hug plan, said Visita.

Visita first opened up in May this year, saying that he ran into a financial quagmire after the government closed entertainment spots to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“Many celebrities go through tough times but tend to remain silent for fear of what the public might say. I am not doing well financially,” he told a local daily.

Visita said he owes several months’ rent and could be locked out of his Roysambu house at any moment.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

A court has acquitted a man who was accused of defiling a minor leading to a pregnancy that lasted 11 months. The alleged act occurred three years ago at Emakhwale Village in Mumias East Sub-County in Kakamega.

DNA tests done on the accused Rashid Akhulunya Wasabo and the child of his alleged victim revealed that there was 99.99 percent chance that he sired the minor.

Court records indicated that Wasabo’s alleged victim, 17, was defiled on November 17, 2018 and she gave birth on October 1, 2019, eleven months later.

Mumias Chief Magistrate Teresia Odera said according to science, a pregnancy last 9 months.

“Although the DNA report implicates the accused-indicating he is the biological father of the minor’s child, it is trite law that expert reports are opinions which the courts must evaluate, and evidence supporting them produced,” said Odera.

She said the report that the minor was defiled on November 25, 2018 and she gave birth eleven months later does not add up, given a human being’s gestation period lasts nine months.

The magistrate however said the Prosecution satisfactorily proved that the alleged victim was a minor when the accused, who was in mid-thirties, allegedly defiled her.

“On identification of the accused, the minor said Wasabo had sexual intercourse with her. She consequently, conceived and gave birth to a child two months past the gestation period, which the defense took issue with..and the court also takes judicial notice of,” said the magistrate.

Wasibo had argued that the dates on which the girl conceived and when she gave birth were conflicting. According to him, a human being’s pregnancy lasts 280 days, while that of the alleged victim lasted 310 days.

He further argued that the alleged victim was born on July 30, 2001, and had already turned 18 years old by July 2019.

He further added through his lawyer that besides the baby born out of the alleged sexual offense being a girl, it was not a boy as indicated by the Prosecution and the investigating officer.

While testifying, government chemist Dalmas Kibet Kipsang said DNA test results indicated that the alleged victim and Wasabo were the minor’s biological parents.

The victim’s mother also testified in court, said she discovered her daughter was pregnant seven months after the said defilement.

The mother said she took her to St. Mary’s Hospital in Mumias where a pregnancy test was conducted and it turned out positive. She then reported the matter to police and Nyumba Kumi Initiative officials.

It is reported that Corporal Maurice Otieno was investigating the alleged defilement but he died before concluding the matter. Police Constable Line Mbalaka took over the investigation.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

A 17 year-old student, Cynthia Makokha did not know she wouldn’t make to spend her highly anticipated holiday with her family. She traveled from Nairobi to Mumias for the holiday but she met her untimely death when she was abducted, killed and her body thrown into a river.

The high school student went missing on October 4 which made her family in Kakamega to worry about her whereabouts.

The worry turned into agony days later when the girl’s body was found dumped in River Lusumu, few kilometers away from Mumias town.

The form four candidate was headed to her home in Shianda when she was abducted under unclear circumstances.

Cynthia lived with her aunt in Nairobi and she left the aunt’s house on October 4. She promised she would be back after four days to prepare for re-opening of schools on October 11.

She boarded Eldoret Express bus at 6 am and headed to Western where she was to alight at Shianda town, in Mumias East sub-county.

Her mother said that she talked with her daughter the previous day and she seemed eager to arrive home. She said she advised her daughter to carry her books so that she would continue with her studies at home.

As Cynthia was on the bus, she updated her mother and uncles in Mumias and her aunt in Nairobi on her journey.

However, after reaching Kapsabet in the afternoon, all communication stopped. The family said the girl was no longer picking calls. They assumed that she might have fallen asleep.

Around 8 pm after several attempts to reach her, she finally picked their calls and informed her worried family that she was in Butere, about 13 kilometers way from Mumias town.

Her uncle, Victor Wanga, worried about her, he rushed to Butere and he could not find her, she was no longer picking calls.

The uncle said while searching for her, her aunt in Nairobi got a message sent from her phone that she was safe.”I returned home around 11 pm hoping that she would join us the following morning,” said the uncle.

On October 5, hours after her disappearance, friends noticed that Cynthia’s Facebook page was updated with a photo of an unknown man.

Her family quickly reported her disappearance and the strange man’s photo to police in Mumias.

They discovered that the man was called Johnny and hailed from Maraba, a village in Mumias East.

Relatives and the police began a search for Johnny and when they arrived in his house, they found Cynthia’s bag and phone.

However, as the family were eager to hear from the man about Cynthia’s whereabouts, he kept silent and offered no information.

“The man denied knowing my daughter even after he was arrested. This left us confused because he had her phone and bag containing her clothes and books,” said the mother.

Six days later, while the police made frantic efforts to find Cynthia, her body was discovered floating in River Lusumu 200 meters from the home of the suspect.

Her heartbroken mother said the death of her daughter who is the first born out of five children shattered the family’s hope of a brighter future. The family is now crying for justice for Cynthia.

Mumias West sub-county police commander, Mr. Stephen Muoni confirmed that a suspect was in their custody and he will help in providing more information in the probe of Cynthia’s death.

Her body was moved to Kakamega County Referral Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail