Author: Eva Nyambura

Kisumu governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o is no longer the acting County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Health and Sanitation. In a letter dated April 8, Nyong’o named Boaz Otieno Nyunya as his replacement. “Pursuant to powers conferred by Article 179 (2) (b) of the constitution 2010 and Section 30 (2) (d) of the County Government Act 2019. I have today nominated Dr Boaz Otieno Nyunya to serve as the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health and Sanitation,” the letter read in part. Read: Homa Bay County Officials Wanted Over Fraud During Regional Conference Mr Otieno is a consultant Obstetrician-Gynaecologist…

The ministry of health is unaware of coronavirus positive Members of Parliament (MPs). Addressing reporters at Afya House, Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi said the ministry was however in know about reports circulating online. She also noted that the ministry was yet to receive a formal report on the 17 MPs. “The ministry is aware of the reports in the media indicating a section of legislatures have tested positive, but as it stands now is that we have not received any formal report of the cases,” Dr Mwangangi said. But the ministry, she added, is planning to embark on mass…

Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi has announced 7 more people have tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases to 179. All the cases are Kenyans, Dr Mwangangi said, adding that five of these are from Nairobi, one from Mombasa and one from Uasin Gishu. Of the seven, four are female and three are male. She also noted that in the last 24 hours, 305 samples have been tested. In addition, one patient who was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has been discharged to the general ward. Read: MP Mohamed Ali Claims Fake Reports About “17 MPs”…

Kenyans woke up to news of at least 17 members of Parliament had tested positive for the novel COVID-19 which has so far spread to more than 200 countries. These reports have however been shut down by Speakers of the National Assembly Justin Muturi and his senate counterpart Ken Lusaka, They claimed there was no way to know who really was infected as the results were sent to the individuals. “People should not spread uncalled for rumours. That was voluntary testing and the results are given to the person who has been tested,” Lusaka said. Read: Aga Khan Medics Who…

Google will for the next two weeks appreciate all Coronavirus helpers using the Doodle. The campaign which began on Monday will appreciate health workers all the way to the teachers. “This week, we’re beginning a series of Doodles to recognize the many people responding to COVID-19 — from doctors and nurses caring for people on the front lines, to teachers and food service workers ensuring essential goods and services are still available,” Google said. The theme will see the “G” sending a heart to an ‘e’. Monday featured graphs depicting curves, while the one on Tuesday saw the last letter…

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on Tuesday announced new measures that will see little to no physical submissions at their offices. In a notice, the taxman said that documents will no longer be presented unless the situation necessitates it. “Taxpayers are supposed to submit documents and in some instances, appear in person at our premises. This is not tenable in the current environment,” the statement read in part, adding that those required to appear in person will be duly notified. The authority also noted that taxpayers will, in the meantime, be required to “submit evidence of transactions through callcentre@kra.go.ke.” KRA urged those…

Standard Group which owns KTN, The Standard Newspaper, and a number of radio stations will subject its employees to pay cuts as the economy takes a hit due to the spread of the novel COVID-19. In a memo signed by the group CEO Orlando Lyomu, the pay cuts will be dependent on the employee’s job group. For instance, those earning more than Sh100,000 per month will have their salaries slashed by 25% while those making less than the Sh100,000 will suffer a 20% pay cut effective April 1, 2020. “As a result of the disruption caused so far, we have…

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has on Tuesday confirmed that of 696 cases tested in the last 24 hours, 14 people have tested positive. The 14, twelve Kenyans and two foreigners, have been moved to quarantine facilities and contact tracing is on going. This then brings the number of positive cases to 172. Out of the new 14 cases, seven are from Nairobi, two from Mombasa, two from Mandera while Machakos, Kisii and Kiambu had one case each. “Let us embrace that which will save us from lurking danger. It’s important we adhere to measures if we are to score significant…

Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa in Kwale county shut down operations on April 1 after slashing their employees salaries by 50 percent for the month of March. In a letter shared by a former staff member on Facebook, the hotel will no longer sustain its employees due to the coronavirus pandemic that has paralysed businesses. The employees on Sunday protested against the pay cut on grounds that they worked for the entire month. According to online sources, the hotel owes at least 200 employees Sh160,000 each. The arrears were supposed to be settled by the end of March. But…

On Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta banned movement in and out of Nairobi County and three coastal counties to contain the spread of the novel COVID-19. The three coastal counties are; Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale. Here, cessation of movement will take effect on Wednesday 7 pm. Apart from Nairobi County, the ban was extended to parts of Kiambu county. According to Uhuru, the Nairobi Metropolitan Area is designated as Nairobi City County, Part of Kiambu County up to Chania River Bridge (Thika), including Rironi, Ndenderu, Kiambu Town; Part of Machakos County up to Athi-River, including Katani; Part of Kajiado County including…

Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) boss Major General Mohamed Badi on Monday downplayed claims that he was overstepping his role. According to Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko,  Badi did not communicate his intentions to transfer 6,052 employees from City Hall to NMS. In a letter referring to Badi and Public Service Commission (PSC) intentions, Sonko said the alleged transfers were the “height of impunity”. On Saturday, Sonko called off the two day meeting at KICC where the employees collected letters of secondment earlier on today. The meetings, he said, flouted the government directive banning social gatherings. “There is a Presidential Directive expressly…

Kenya has confirmed 16 more cases of COVID-19 bringing the total number of cases to 158, President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced. Addressing the nation from State House on Monday, the head of state said that 4,277 people have been tested so far. Uhuru also confirmed that two more people have succumbed to the novel COVID-19. This brings the total number of fatalities to six since the first case of coronavirus was reported on March 13. He also noted that while the coronavirus is an extraordinary emergency, he urged Kenyans to take seriously the measures put in place by the health…

The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) called out the Kenya Airways (KQ) management over claims of putting at risk the lives of their flight crew amid coronavirus scare. In a statement dated March 24, Kalpa CEO Captain Murithi Nyagah said the national carrier was still using its crew members who were under mandatory quarantine at government facilities. This, Capt Muriithi said, exposed other staff members and passengers as well as the various cities and countries the flights operate to. “In as much as it is argued that the crew are not symptomatic, it is a fact that their status is…

Citizen TV news anchor Jeff Koinange has denied reports that his residential property in Kitisuru is up for grabs. In an advert doing rounds on the interwebs, the two four bedroom villas will be auctioned on April 28 at 11 am by a company located in Westlands. The 0.6575 acre piece of land, registered under LR No 7741/263 has apparently accrued penalties. As a result, willing bidders will deposit Sh5 million before being allowed to bid. “The title is a free hold interest. The current annual rates payable amount to Ksh 16,500. The annual rates payable together with accrued penalties…

Four more cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has announced. Addressing reporters at Afya House, the CS noted that of the four, three are Kenyan nationals and a Pakistani. “Two of the new cases travelled from Malawi and Pakistan while the other two contracted the virus locally,” Kagwe said. They range from 34 and 44 years of age. Three of them are male while one is female. In the last 24 hours, the CS said, at least 300 people have been tested for the coronavirus. The CS confirmed a total of 1,781 contacts are being monitored.…