Author: Eva Nyambura

Kenya’s leading mobile network operator has changed its name from Safaricom Limited to Safaricom Public Limited Company (PLC). The announcement was made on Wednesday, February 28. The notice states that the change took effect on 31 January, 2018. The company’s shareholders approved the name change during the Annual General Meeting held on September 15, 2017. “All contractual relationships and obligations that the company has with its customers, partners and other stakeholders are not affected by this change of name,” the notice read in part. Read: These are the Companies which Smuggled Poached Ivory from Kenya to Thailand A public limited…

A Kenyan national was arrested in Ghana trying to smuggle cocaine worth at least Sh9 million on January 9. Ivy Mugure Daniels was apprehended by Ghana’s Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) at the Kotoka International Airport with a big parcel wrapped with a black polythene material containing an off-white powdery substance, the local media reports. Ms Daniels told the authorities that she was handed a traveling bag by her boyfriend who she identified as Benson, but had no idea what was in the bag. She did however admit to attempting to smuggle the package into Ghana. Authorities say that the 26…

Nation Media Group’s Advertising Director, Michael Njoroge has allegedly been fired after the Jimmy Wanjigi ‘death and funeral announcement’ appearing on the Daily Nation on February 7. But according to the Nation, he was not forced out of the company, rather he retired after 16 years at the Aga Khan owned media house. Mr Ngugi took up the advertising director’s role in January 2009 and has according to the Editor-in-chief To Mshindi has ‘done a great job over the years.’ He joined the company as the Head of circulation and distribution in 2002 and was thereafter promoted to the General…

A vote recount for Embakasi East constituency has confirmed that Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino won the MP seat. After the recount as ordered by Justice Joseph Sergon, Babu beat his opponent Francis Mureithi by 4,316 votes. Babu won the seat with 46,587 votes only for the votes to increase to 46,817 after scrutiny. Mureithi has after the recount garnered 42,501 up from 42,253. The deputy registrar submitted that the scrutiny and recount exercise was a success, except for a regrettable incident where one of the deputy registrar’s phone was stolen. “The Deputy Registrars are however, positive that the data…

Jubilee MPs want the government to concentrate more on the regions that overwhelmingly voted them in instead of the unappreciative opposition strongholds. Speaking in Kirinyaga, Senate deputy speaker Kithure Kindiki noted that the Jubilee Government in its first term in office had major development projects in Coast and Western regions but did not get the votes in the August/October elections. The Tharaka Nithi senator said that it was about time President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto spurred growth in Central and other areas that supported the duo. Sharing Kindiki’s sentiments was Nyandarua Women Representative Faith Gitau who said…

A Tanzanian court has sentenced to five months in jail a politician and a member of parliament for using abusive language against President John Magufuli. Mbeya Presiding Magistrate Michael Mteite found Mbeya Urban Member of Parliament Joseph Mbilinyi alias Sugu and Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) Southern Highlands Secretary, Emmanuel Masonga guilty of the charges. Sugu and Masonga are said to have used the insulting language against the head of state on December 30, 2017 at Mwenge Primary School. The honourable MP reportedly said that the people would like Magufuli better is he had not shot Singida East MP…

A lawyer has accused Chief Justice David Maraga, his deputy Philomena Mwilu and five members of the Judicial Service Commission of ‘serious violation of the Constitution.’ Adrian Njenga has petitioned the National Assembly and is seeking to have them removed from office for gross misconduct. “The aforementioned have failed to promote and facilitate the independence and accountability of the Judiciary and the transparent administration of justice,” the lawyer says. He also argues that the seven have ‘without any constitutional regard or justification dismissed petitions presented to the JSC.’ The other members of JSC, Mr Njenga wants gone are: Justice Mohammed…

At least 37 people were killed by police and armed gangs during and after the repeat presidential polls, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) has revealed in its latest report. The report indicates that the police were responsible for at least 23 deaths while the gangs, claimed 14 lives. According to the report, most of the people were opposition supporters. The loss of lives occurred mostly when police confronted the protesters with teargas and live bullets. “Authorities need to acknowledge the full scale of election-related violence, and thoroughly investigate each and every killing,” said Otsieno Namwaya, Africa researcher at Human Rights…

The government has almost doubled passport fees for Kenyans living abroad. Those living in the Caribbean countries, together with those in the United States of America will be expected to pay the highest fees. For a 32 page passport, they will part with Sh8,000, Sh11,000 for 48 page and Sh14,000 for a 64 page passport. Before the changes were signed by Interior CS, Fred Matiang’i, the passports went for Sh4,500 for 32 page, Sh6,000 for 48 page while a 64 page passport went for Sh7,500. Diplomatic passports for those living in the aforementioned countries will be required to pay Sh17,000…

Nation Media Group has reportedly terminated David Ndii’s weekly column published every Saturday on the Saturday Nation. Ndii is Jubilee government critic and has for a while now been known for calling for the splitting of Kenya into two; Central and Peopl’s Republics. Business Today reports that today’s column, ‘Why IMF, CBK haven’t been telling Kenyans the truth about our debt’ was the economist’s last piece after writing for the Nation for close to four years now. Nation’s Editor-in-chief, Tom Mshindi communicated the decision which takes effect immediately. In today’s piece, the NASA strategist said: “There is also a tautological…

NASA leaders have come to former media personality, Louis Otieno’s aid as well as Citizen TV’s Swaleh Mdoe. Speaking on Friday during ODM’s National Governing Council meeting, Mbita MP Millie Odhiambo said that the coalition would do whatever it can to help the two. Louis lost his hearing while undergoing treatment for acute pancreatitis and is now in need of electronic ear implants that will cost him approximately Sh4 million. “Our attention has been brought to the plight of Louis Otieno, who was a top media personality in Kenya, and we want to say as concerned members of parliament, that…

Former Kakamega county senator, Boni Khalwale has asked NASA leader Raila Odinga to be a ‘statesman’ and avoid going back on his word that excludes his party, ODM from being part of the 2022 presidential race. Odinga hinted at his party going at it alone if push came to shove. “We must be prepared to fight alongside other like-minded parties and individuals. But we must also be prepared to fight alone should it come to that.” But Khalwale noted that a pact between the four parties that make up NASA, ‘expressly excludes ODM from the presidential race.’ https://twitter.com/KBonimtetezi/status/967261394482745344 The 2022…

Uganda President, Yoweri Museveni left President Uhuru Kenyatta in tears as he criticized the EAC Summit organizers for having the heads of states and other guests in an ill-conditioned room. He on behalf of the Ugandan group apologized for having the EAC partners in a ‘kafunda’ (squeezed room) without air conditioning. “I am very sorry for your suffering, I can see you are all sweating. Thanks to the poor organization of the Uganda group. They are always determined to inconvenience our visitors I don’t know for what reason,” Museveni said. Amid laughter, he warned the organizers saying: “This will really…

Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ababu Namwamba was reportedly hit by his estranged wife, Priscah Mwaro, on the head during one of their heated arguments hence his newly found love for hats. According to KenyaLiveNews the former Budalangi MP was attacked by Ms Mwaro with what might have been a ‘heavy kitchen object.’ She is said to have accused the former Labour Party leader of being a ‘philanderer’ and it is during the shouting match that things became physical. The always dapper-looking CAS had blood coming from his head but it is not clear whether he needed…

Uchumi Hyper branch located at the Sarit Centre will officially close on Sunday, 25 February at the close of business. The cash-strapped retailer will after close to 30 years of being in business close the branch as it seeks to keep up with the changing trends in modern trade. “The decision is part of the retail store’s comprehensive turnaround plan and new cost management strategy that seeks to streamline its store portfolio and intensify cost efficiency efforts per store,” said the acting CEO Mohammed Mohammed. The Chief Operating Officer Andrew Dixon noted that the retailer will henceforth relocate its branches to…