Author: Damaris Gatwiri

A plane carrying hundreds of Indian nationals who were held for days at an airport in France over human trafficking fears arrived in India Tuesday. The chartered Airbus A340, which had been flying from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Nicaragua, aroused suspicion during a refuelling stop. It left with 276 passengers but 25 people including two minors remained in France after applying for asylum. Two suspected traffickers also remain in France for further investigation. However the two were set free by the courts. The Legend Airlines flight landed in Mumbai early on Tuesday local time. It had initially been…

A six-year-old child died in a house fire on Monday, December 25, at police quarters in Kayole. Police said the deceased’s twin sister suffered serious burn injuries and is being treated at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). Their mother, a police officer at the Kayole police station was in the house with the children when the fire broke out. Her husband who is a police officer was on duty and learned of the same after being called there. The female police officer sustained  24 percent burns, according to doctors. She was admitted at KNH after first aid. The fire was…

Police are investigating the death of four men after they were allegedly beaten up by guards at the Del Monte pineapple farm in Murang’a County. This brings the controversy surrounding the farm’s security guards into the limelight. The farm that supplies most British supermarkets have been accused of brutally assaulting and killing people suspected of trespassing on its land. The bodies were found separately- two on Sunday and two on Monday floating on Thika River. They drowned as they escaped from the hands of the guards at the farm who had allegedly earlier on beaten them up. The four had…

Kenyans have been urged to embrace peace and co-existence during this festive season because there is hope for a brighter future. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi says it is important for the country to invest in peace, stability and remain optimistic despite the tough situations being experienced in some parts of the globe. Mudavadi says the current economic hardships could be attributed to arising  conflicts between some nations and races. “We might be blaming ourselves for problems that are beyond us. We totally have no control over what was experienced between Russia and Ukraine and also the conflict in the…

The Government has emphasized on the need to support talent and skills in sports and creative arts. Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi has affirmed Government’s commitment to support the youth, nurture and grow their talents across the country. He also highlighted the benefits of monetizing talent and creative works as a means of empowering the youth, job creation and contributing to economic growth. “Let us remain united as a people, look at emerging opportunities for the youth and help build their talents so that their talents can take them to greater heights,” said Mudavadi. He was speaking when he presided…

Four young men were Sunday morning shot dead by gunmen in an ambush in Nairobi’s Buruburu area. Police said they are investigating the incident that happened at about 3 am. A team that visited the scene said they recovered swords from the men aged between 20 and 30. Other sources said the car and some of the suspects had been spotted and linked to a robbery in Kisii that had gone bad. This was during a robbery at a supermarket last week. Some of the suspects managed to escape the drama. Out of the six suspects who had been linked…

President William Ruto’s announcement that Kenya will become visa-free from January 2024 continues to receive positive backing from key government officials and leaders. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is the latest top government leader to laud the initiative barely two weeks after the presidential pronouncement on the same. Mudavadi says it is a step towards the right direction and it will be a significant move to boost tourism and foster global connections for business and jobs. President Ruto made the announcement on 12th December 2023 during the Jamhuri Day celebrations where Kenya was marking its 60 years of independence. “The…

The National El Nino Emergency and Disaster Response has reported that more than 450,000 individuals have returned home following their displacement due to floods. The response team announced the closure of 51 camps across nearly 12 El Nino-affected counties. El Nino, which commenced in October this year, prompted the establishment of camps in various regions, including Mombasa, Wajir, Kitui, Meru, Marsabit, Elgeyo Marakwet, Turkana, Narok, Nyandarua, Busia, and Nairobi. The response team confirmed that these areas currently have no displaced households or camps. Also Read: Nairobi County Gov’t’s El Niño Preparedness, Response Plan Stepped Up, Saves Billions All roads, especially…

Metropolitan Archbishop of Nairobi Rev. Philip Anyolo, has cautioned priests against endorsing same-sex marriages. He emphasized that the church’s stance on marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman. According to Rev. Anyolo, the pastoral practices of the church regarding marriage and family are firmly rooted in the Gospel of Christ and the enduring traditions of the church. “The pastoral practices of the church regarding marriage and family are always based on the Gospel of Christ which leads to enternal life (John 6:68), and the enduring practices of the church rooted in the Apostolic Tradition,” Anyolo said. “It is…

Ugenya Member of Parliament David Ochieng escaped unhurt when a rowdy mob confronted him at a funeral event in his constituency, Siaya County. Ochieng was among those attending a funeral event for former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) secretary William Ohonde when the incident happened. Also present was ODM leader Raila Odinga, Siaya governor James Orengo and House Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi. Also present was KNUT secretary general Collins Oyuu. Police said Ochieng had stood to give his speech when a mob attacked him with stones and clubs. His bodyguards intervened and shot to the air before rescuing him…

Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale lauded the move to crackdown on Shisha users in the country, saying it is an offense and those found culpable should face the law. The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) conducted an operation in a shisha joint in Kilimani on Friday night, where 25 people were arrested and shisha bongs confiscated. In response to the operation, Duale said consumption of Shisha was banned in Kenya in 2017, and anyone found using or selling it should face the law. “Shisha addicts must face the law, as it is illegal in Kenya…

Kenya has launched a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, known as ETA Kenya, marking a shift from the existing online entry visa platform. The ETA Kenya website will be operational from January 1, 2024, streamlining the process for travelers seeking entry into the country. President William Ruto had declared Kenya’s intention to become a visa-free country. Under the ETA system, travelers will now be required to pay 30 euros instead of the previous $51 for a three-month stay in Kenya. This move is part of the government’s efforts to enhance the ease of travel and attract more visitors to…

Police are investigating an incident in which the Officer in Charge of Anti-Terror Police Unit was attacked and robbed of his official car in Kisumu Town. The Chief Inspector of police who is in charge of Kisumu was alone in his car and had stopped at a petrol station along Kisumu-Nairobi when he was attacked. He said he was attacked by four men, one of who was armed with an AK47 rifle. Police said the incident happened around 4:35 am Saturday December 23 at the Hub Petrol Station. According to a police, the attacker drew the AK47 rifle as the…

At least 25 people were arrested Friday night and 117 shisha bongs confiscated at a shisha joint in Kilimani, Nairobi. This was during a night raid by officers from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) on December 22. NACADA CEO, Anthony Omerikwa led the operation at Yejoka Gardens in Kilimani, a popular spot for shisha users in Nairobi. Omerkiwa said despite the ban on shisha since 2017, its use remains prevalent in the country. “Shisha was declared illegal in 2017. The sale and use was banned,” said Omerikwa. “Our team and multi-agency will continue…

Text Book Centre, Kenya’s leading provider of educational materials, general books and office products, Saturday announced the commencement of its Back to School Campaign dubbed ‘Masaa ya Ushindi’, offering customers the opportunity to win school fees worth Sh50,000 every week and a grand prize of Sh100,000  worth of school fees to one lucky winner. The campaign, set to run until February 9th, 2024, aims to ease the financial burden faced by Kenyan families amidst the ongoing economic challenges. The first draw was held today at the Text Book Centre, Sarit Centre branch where Miss Kristina Pratt the campaign’s first winner,…