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Full List: Uhuru Makes New Appointments in Gov’t, Former Attorney General And Nick Salat Awarded New Roles

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

President Uhuru Kenyatta has made new appointments in state corporations. He has placed Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat as the new chairperson of the agricultural development board for three years.

Former Attorney General Githu Muigai has also been appointed as the none-executive chairperson of Council of Legal Education.

The head of state also reappointed Kathleen Openda and Andrew Musangi as chairpersons of Kenya Institute of Mass Communication council and Public Procurement Regulatory Board respectively. Here is the full list of the appointments:

Dorothy Kimeu- Chairperson of Special Economic Zones board

Dr. Andrew Kiplagat- Chairperson, Kerio Valley Development Authority board.

Ben Oluoch Olunya- Chairperson, Expoert Processing Zones Authority

James Mureu- Chairpersons Micro and Small Enterprises Authority

Patric Obath- Chairperson, Board of Directors of the National Oil Corporation of Kenya

Kioko Kilukumi- Chairperson, Energy and Petroleum Tribunal

Dr. Dinah Mwinzi- Chairperson Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute board.

Joe Ager- Chairperson National Mining Corporation board

Prof. Elishiba Njambi Kimani- Chairperson- Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development

Eva Adega Oduor- Non-executive Chairperson, Kenya Accreditation Service board

Nick Nesbitt- Chairperson, Capital Markets Authority board

Philip Charo- Chairperson, Coast Development Authority

Edwin Kinyua- Chairperson, board of directors of the East African Portland Cement Company Limited.

Prof. Ben Sihanya- Chairperson, board of directors of of the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis

Peter Musei Ntoyian- Chairperson, board of directors of the Consolidated Bank

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Others

Veteran Journalist Badi Muhsin Is Dead

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

Veteran Kenya Broadcasting Corporation journalist Bahdi Muhsin is dead. The Swahili maestro died on Friday, October 8, 2021.

Muhsin is a legend and celebrated journalist who made his way back to KBC.

The news anchor made his name at KBC and rose to be among the best Swahili news anchors. He led a bulletin for retired and late President Daniel Arap Moi.

Reports indicate that in 2020, the journalist underwent surgery to remove stones in his kidney.

Badi Muhsin who was born in Kitui was presented with the Order of Grand Warrior award in 2011 by the retired President Mwai Kibaki for his long service in journalism.

Muhsin retired a few years back but made a return to the national broadcasting soon after rebranding

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Crime & Investigations

Video: Activist Boniface Mwangi Beaten Mercilessly After Demanding IDs From GSU, “Fake” KRA Officers

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

Activist Boniface Mwangi had an unusual day on Friday after finding himself on the wrong side of some General Service Unit (GSU) officers who had accompanied NMS officers who had initially identied themselves as KRA officers.

The officers were going around Nairobi CBD buildings to arrest people doing business without proper permits.

In a video that has sparked uproar and praises towards Mwangi in equal measures, he is heard asking the men in civilian and a GSU officer to show their IDs.

Despite the police officer identifying himself, Mwangi adamantly told them to produce their IDs lest they won’t make any arrests.

“Nani ako na ID hapa from KRA?(Who has an ID here from KRA?) identify yourselves. Uniform sio kitambulisho (Police uniform cannot be used as a sign of ID),” Mwangi said while referring to the police officer.

He took to his twitter account to narrate the fiasco and shared the videos he recorded earlier.

“Thread of how broken our country is. I was at my barbershop when these young men walked in, with a GSU officer and arrested the receptionist. We asked them to identify themselves, they said they were from KRA but they didn’t have IDs. We asked them to call someone who had an ID.”

The men looked undeterred by Boniface’s demands and had confidence because there were accompanied by the police. It seems he (Mwangi) irked them and they decided to call for back up.

A scuffle soon ensued when a woman came and showed them her ID while asking why Mwangi was recording them.

“Madam unaitwa nani? kwa nini mnakuja kushika watu bila ID? hawa watu tumewauliza hawana ID,” Mwangi asked before other police officers intervened. This loosely translates to (“Madam what is your name? why do you come to arrest people without your IDs? we have asked these people but they have no ID.)

Mwangi also said they found out that the young men and GSU officers were under the command of Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) employee.

“It’s Friday and they’re picking people from shops, beating them and taking them to a lorry for not having “branding licences.'”

“Because I recorded them, the GSU officers wanted to take my phone, I refused and in my attempt to run away, I fell. They caught up with me, and beat me up. Even after the beating I didn’t hand over the phone,” continued Mwangi on his post.

Mwangi further said no one was arrested because they raised their voices to protest. “I was slightly injured. The harassment and the brutalization of innocent citizens going about their business was captured on their building’s CCTV.”

Watch the video in Mwang’s Twitter thread below.

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Crime & Investigations

Man Commits Suicide After Wife Threatened To Report Him For Defiling Their Daughter

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

A man in Kakamega is the talk of town after he allegedly committed suicide over claims that his wife threatened to report him after finding out he has been sexually harassing their daughter.

The body of the 40 year-old Moses Kariuki, a father of two and mitumba salesman was found dangling in his rented house in Kenya Power scheme estate in Kakamega.

The deceased is said to have hanged himself after his 30 year-old wife threatened to report him at Kakamega Police Station for defiling their 12 year-old daughter.

According to reports, the girl, a class six pupil at St. Teresa Primary School refused to go home after the holidays.

She disclosed to her female teacher that she will not go home for fear of being sexually harassed by her biological father.

This prompted the teacher to call her mother at home.

K24 digital reveals that the mother went to school. They together with the teacher and the girl called the husband to confirm if the allegations were true.

However, Mr. Kariuki pleaded with her to return home so that they can solve the issue.

On reaching home, he turned hostile which compelled his wife to report to the police. She however found all doors locked from inside.

She managed to enter the house using the bedroom window only to find the body of her husband dangling from the roof with a rope tied around his neck.

His friends mourned him saying he has helped a lot of people in the society. He had employed a Masinde Muliro University student to help in selling the mitumba.

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Politics

“Hakuna Kufanya Mapenzi! No Nonsense Natembeya Fires A Warning At County Commissioners

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya has warned newly recruited Assistant County Commissioners (ACCs) against having sexual relations with their juniors and civilians.

Natembeya said this while addressing over 200 ACCs who are fresh graduates to ensure they maintain a positive image in their profession.

He told them to conduct their social life in the right way,”If you go sleeping around with people in the villages, you will be in trouble individually and bring shame to the government,” he said.

This warning comes barely a week after police rescued a chief in Londiani from the wrath of an irate mob after he was caught in the act with a married woman.

“If you are an ACC and you sleep with a chief, it is equal to elevating that chief to your level. They will have reduced you to the level of a chief,” he stated.

“Such a chief will not respect his equals and those in ranks between you and them. The y will have the audacity to insubordinate their immediate seniors boasting that they share a bed with an ACC,” said Natembeya.

The ACCs will get several privileges and among them are government vehicles. He warned them of using the cars for their personal gains. “Some of the drivers are very handsome. Don’t be tempted to go for drinks with them, then you end up sleeping together,” he added.

He said that any sexual intimacy with government officers will be revealed and asked them to be careful.

“For civilians, it will be a great achievement. They will run around the villages telling everyone every detail of what you did together. But this won’t be the case with government officials.” said Natembeya.

He told the ACCs to be careful not to lose themselves in the comfort of government facilities and warned them against any corrupt dealings. “Sometimes, you will take a bullet for the government before senior goverrnment officers come to make subsequent responses. Do not be part of a corrupt system if you find any.”

He further advised,”You have landed a well-paying job while you are very young. Don’t forget about your life. Invest for your future. Learn to plan for your future early.”

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Politics

Adamant Ruto Takes Credit For Government Projects As He Steals Show In Trans-Mara

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

Deputy President William Ruto has once again boasted of several government projects.

While addressing residents of Kilgoris in Transmara on Thursday, October 7, 2021, Ruto took credit for the ongoing and completed government projects.

Among the projects are a sugarcane factory, road constructions, a teacher-training college and electricity access in Narok County.

He said this while continuing to criticize Raila and Uhuru for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

“I am neither a drunkard nor a fool, and I am not mad as well. I have said that those who are seeking to create positions for themselves by amending the constitution will have to wait until the youth have jobs,” stated Ruto.

While addressing hundreds of residents who lend him an ear, Ruto promised to improve the lives of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs and the youths.

“While we were here in 2013, only 20,000 households were connected to electricity. Now there are about 90,000 connected households,” the DP said.

He added that because all those projects were successful, one important thing remaining is to create jobs for the youth and support SMEs.

“We don’t want the rich to disturb us with constitutional amendments to create seats for themselves. That will wait until we all have jobs,” Ruto added.

He also said unlike his UDA party, his rivals have no proven track record and that their only agenda is fighting him.

“I helped President Uhuru build new roads and even a railway line, do you think implementing the Bottom-up economic model is hard for me?” he posed.

After the address, he donated one million shillings to women in small businesses and Sh 3 million to Boda Boda operators in Migori.

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Crime & Investigations

Man Kills Wife And Commits Suicide Over Suspicion She Infected Him With HIV

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

Police in Nyamira are investigating a case where a man killed his wife before committing suicide over claims that he suspected her to have infected him with HIV/Aids.

George Nyauma Asiba and his wife Mary Kwamboka were found dead in their bedroom on Wednesday. The 51 year-old man’s body was found dangling in the bedroom’s roof with a mosquito net tied on his neck. The lifeless body was found on the bed with an injury probably inflicted by a blunt object.

A police report says that a suicide note allegedly written by the man indicated that he found his wife in an extra marital affair with an HIV positive man. The man henceforth believed that his wife had infected him.

The two bodies have been moved to Nyamira County Hospital mortuary.

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Business

Why Kenya Power Has Been ‘Taken Over’ By Government

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

The struggling Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) is now a special project for the government.

The government on Thursday decided to take over the company in a bid to deal with the mess that is choking the energy giant; by ordering detectives to uncover the mess in the parastatal.

The mismanagement affecting the national power supplier threatens to affect the fundamental sectors of the economy as electricity prices in Kenya becomes on of the highest in the world.

The government’s intervention seeks to save the company from the brink of bankruptcy and see all its operations from recruitment, management to procurement come under close watch.

This decision came shortly after a three-hour crisis meeting chaired by Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, led by Kenya Power board Vivienne Yeda and acting Kenya Power acting managing director Rosemary Oduor.

Others are Energy Principal Secretary Gordon Kihalangwa, his Treasury counterpart Julius Muia and Anne Erickson a member of the presidential taskforce on the Review of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

Dr. Matiang’i ordered a forensic audit to unearth financial dealings that are similar to fraud and sabotage.

Given the task is a multi agency team comprising of detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Financial Reporting Agency, Asset Recovery Agency and others.

This investigation comes after allegations that some workers are colluding with large electricity consumers to either lower or evade paying electricity bills.

The team will also investigate power purchase agreements that have punished consumers to expensive electricity bills, notorious multi-billion shillings tenders, inside trading, conflict of interests by top management of the company and other illegal dealings by its workers.

This comes several weeks after President Uhuru Kenyatta created a taskforce to investigate and bring recommendations that would see reduction in the cost of electricity. The government ordered the company to reduce the bills by 33 percent within four months.

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Politics

Ruto’s Lawyer Confirms Government Sent Tractors And Goons To Demolish Weston Hotel

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi, the Weston Hotel’s counsel in a case involving a parcel of land in which the facility stands has claimed that the government sent tractors and goons to demolish the hotel two days ago.

Weston Hotel has remained top on social media trends for the past 48 hours over claims that bulldozers allegedly sent by government had been seen around the facility.

The claims were first posted by Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi, who had shared some of the pictures of the bulldozers allegedly at Lang’ata Road where the Hotel stands.

“The Deep State are indeed cornered. They have today decided to express their fury by demolishing Weston Hotel,” posted Sudi on October 6, 2021.

Ahmednasir through his official Twitter account on Friday October 8, 2021 confirmed that indeed the tractors had been sent before the operation was later on called off.

Weston Hotel VS KCAA hearing set for today - Mahakamani News
Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi. Photo/Courtesy

“As counsel on RECORD for Weston Hotel I can OFFICIALLY CONFIRM that the GOVERNMENT of the REPUBLIC of KENYA 48 hours ago sent tractors and goons to demolish the Hotel. The operation was called off after the tractors reached the hotel and the powers that be changed its mind,” he posted.

Weston Hotel had in September this year moved to the court of appeal faulting a judge of the High Court who insisted on hearing a petition filed by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) over the land row.

In the appeal, Weston Hotel which belongs to Deputy President William Ruto, said it was dissatisfied by a ruling issued in March this year by Justice Benard Eboso, allowing the petition by KCAA to proceed for hearing.

The hotel management, Priority Ltd and Monene Investment, wanted the suit by KCAA dismissed arguing that the authority erred by filing a fresh suit instead of filing an appeal against a decision by the National Land Commission, dated January 2019.

In the decision, NLC directed Weston to compensate KCAA for the land at the current rates. But on March 2, Justice Eboso dismissed the objection by Weston and stated that Environment and Land Court had jurisdiction to hear the case and that the NLC decision was not binding.

Through senior counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi, Weston faulted the judge saying he failed to address pertinent questions, such as jurisdiction and instead digressed and made a finding on a matter that was not argued before him.

Weston further said the judge failed to determine the issues brought before him by the parties and instead framed for his own issues and gave his interpretation.

Last year, Weston Hotel claimed the land dispute case in court is all about the 2022 presidential election politics.

In its submissions to court, Weston Hotel said the case is a conspiracy between Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and certain political actors to politicise it for “cheap political drama”.

KCAA says the land where Weston Hotel sits belonged to the defunct 1977-era East Africa Community.

In June 1999, then Commissioner of Lands wrote to the Directorate of Civil Aviation citing an application by a church to use the parcel.

But Ruto says he acquired the parcel from Priority Management Ltd and Monene Investments Limited at Sh10 million in 2007.

NLC on its part said the land belonged to KCAA and directed that Weston Hotel pays off for the property at current market value.

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Politics

“She Only Bought Waru Za 350,” City Chips Vendor Shames Millicent Omanga For Faking Sponsorship

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The now viral city chips vendor Beverlyne Kwamboka has hit out at nominated senator Millicent Omanga for faking business sponsorship on her.

Taking to her official Twitter handle on Thursday October 7, 2021, Kwamboka who came to the limelight after after Kenyans rebuked her for wearing a short dress clarified that Omanga only gave out Irish potatoes worth Kshs.350.

The team that had been sent by the politician allegedly took photos with some other sacks of potatoes and then returned them to their vehicle.

They also gave out two aprons branded with Omanga’s campaign colors and slogans.

“For clarification, team @MillicentOmanga only bought waru za 350 came out of the vehicle with 5 umbrellas, took photos returned them and gave out one and two aprons. Hiyo mambo ya cash haikua plus stock ni ya 350. Hizo waru gunia kubwa i had bought and started the day,” Kwamboka posted.

Early this week, Omanga on social media insinuated that she had provided her with stock and cash to boost her business.

“Bevalyne Kwamboka is now sorted. Umbrella, cash and stock to boost her hustle. Mvua au jua haitamharibia biashara tena. Now let’s go eat those chips,” she said.

Omanga said she’s going to help the lady who confessed that she sells chips to fund her college education.

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Politics

Storm In UDA As Members Protest Appointment of 31 Officials

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

A storm has broken out in Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party over its appointment of 31 officials.

On Thursday, some dissatisfied members protested that the list of the 31 officials, filed with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) was not satisfactory.

UDA Chairman Johnstone Muthama on Tuesday said the officials would be members of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), an organ with a say in party nominations and elections.

Sources say the protests were so wrathful that UDA Secretary-General Veronica Maina in an attempt to calm the members reportedly posted in their Whatsapp group, “The party wishes to confirm that the list is not an actual representation of the party officials.”

However, Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu confirmed that the list earlier published by Nation was the one received in their office.

The letter showing the list of the officials was received by ORPP on September 15, two weeks after the resolutions were approved by the party on August 30.

Some of the dissatisfied members who protested had gone to some late entrants to the the ‘hustler movement’ and complained they had either been left out or their regions ignored.

As a prove of divisions in the party, some MPs claimed it was not the final draft while the beneficiaries of the appointment celebrated.

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Crime & Investigations

Father And Son Killed As Two Motorbikes Collide, Burst Into Flames

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

A father and a son are among the three victims that died in a road crash involving two motorbikes that collided head on in the Kombani area on the Mombasa-Lunga Lunga road.

Sources say that the two motorbikes collided before bursting into flames with the father and son sustaining serious burns in the wee hours of Thursday.

According to Citizen Digital, the man was on the motorcycle with his son and wife at that time, where a businessman who was on the other motorbike also succumbed.

Police reports say that the woman who lost her husband and son, and the other rider are currently receiving treatment at the Msambweni County Referral Hospital. The bodies of the deceased were also moved to the morgue of the same hospital.

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Crime & Investigations

Court Shocked As Boda Boda Rider Who Murdered, Mutilated Girl’s Body Is Found Guilty

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

A boda boda rider who murdered and mutilated a girl’s body before stuffing her in two sacks has been found guilty.

Cyrus Ondieki is currently waiting sentencing following the verdict in a case that shocked the High Court in Kisii. The victim identified as DN died after sustaining serious injuries on her neck, back and thighs and medical reports further indicated that she was strangled.

She went missing in December 26 2018 and two days later, her injured naked body was found on a farm with her hands tied with a clothing.

In a horrifying narration by nine witnesses, all pointed a finger at the boda boda rider. The mother of the victim told the court that she found her daughter with the accused a day before she went missing. She noted that the suspect was their neighbor.

She told Justice Rose Ougo that she was informed that a body had been found in a farm and she was shocked to learn that it was her daughter’s.

When her body was found, they went to the suspect’s house and found blood splattered inside the house and slippers which she claimed belonged to her daughter.

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BusinessLatest News

World Bank: Kenya’s Economy Is Set To Improve By 5 Percent, Faster than Sub-Sahara’s Normal Growth

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

According to World Bank’s latest report dubbed Africa Plus Report, Kenya’s economy is going to improve by five percent this year as a result of improved construction and ICT sectors and the continued roll out of COVID-19 vaccines.

The report indicates that the county’s economy is set to improve faster than Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth average of 3.5% this year.

This means that Kenya’s economy is set to rebound from 0.3 percent improvement in 2020 to 5.0 percent in 2021, and it is expected to grow at an average of 4.8 percent in 2022.

This positivity is attributed to the improvement s in the construction, education, information and communication and real estate sectors.

World Bank also said Kenya’s improvement in the economy would have been faster this year were it not for the third wave of COVID-19 fueled by the Delta variant.

The restrictions imposed hurt the external economy in Kenya which led to a decrease in the export of coffee, tea and roses which exerted pressure on the current account which led to a deficit.

This projection by the World Bank is different from that of the Treasury that had said Kenya’s economy would improve by 6 percent in the medium term caused by a turnaround in trade, increased agricultural output and the general improvement in world’s economy.

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Latest NewsPolitics

Government Declares Monday a Holiday, Changes Name

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

The government has declared Monday 11, 2021 a public holiday.

Photo: Courtesy

The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Ministry of Interior, Coordination and National Government.

In a statement issued by Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, he said that October 11 will be a public holiday because Utamaduni Day falls on Sunday 10 October 2021″In line with the provisions of Section 2 and 4 of the Public Holidays Act (Cap 110), it is hereby confirmed that 11 October 2021 will be a public holiday, by dint of Utamaduni Day falling on Sunday 10 October 2021.”

The statement further declares, “Whereas this day is already conferred by law, this shall be the first time Kenya will be celebrating Utamaduni Day and this press release serves to emphasize the need for all citizens to recognise and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Kenya in a manner that promotes unity, national cohesion, and economic progress in the country.”

Previously, 10 October was celebrated as Moi Day before it was later changed to Huduma Day and now Utamaduni Day.

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Lifestyle

Weird Church That Prevents Members From Going To The Hospital, Residents Want It Closed

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

Residents of Ngurunga village in Ithanga Gathanga in Murang’a wants the closure of church that does not allow them to go to hospital when they fall sick.

The residents claimed a lot of people have died and called upon the government to take action. This was sparked by the death of a 30 year-old woman while giving birth at her home.

According to reports, Stella Njeri developed birth complications which prompted one of the neighbors to call health officers to rush her to Maragua Hospital

On reaching there, her husband declined to have her undergo cesarean section delivery as advised by the doctor. A health officer identified as Ceciliah Mahinde said that Njeri’s husband appended a signature on the hospital records that he won’t allow his wife to be admitted in the hospital.

The officer said that she took her time to convince them to go to the hospital for safe delivery but on reaching there, they refused to be attended by the doctor. Reportedly, Njeri died a few hours after arriving home from the hospital.

The residents irked by this threatened to set ablaze their home claiming that it is not the first incident. Mary Wambui one of the residents said six people have died under the same circumstance for refusing to go to the hospital.

She added that the church called ‘Kigoocho’ has strict doctrines that prevents its members from seeking medical help. She said when the members are sick, they are advised to stay indoors as church leaders pray for them.

She further revealed that the founding bishop of the church alongside his wife and four children died for failing to seek medical attention.

Another neighbor John Waithaka called upon the government to take action against the church leaders saying that they take advantage of the vulnerability of the people to brainwash them.

County Executive officer for health Joseph Mbai said it is unacceptable for people to die in their homes instead of seeking treatment. He said he shall present a petition to Health CS Mutahi Kagwe and the Interior CS Fred Matiang’i to take action against such churches.

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