Author: Francis Muli

National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced that about 7,000 travellers have already booked to travel with it in the direct flights to New York ahead of the October 28 maiden journey. Through a deal signed between Kenya and US, KQ will operate daily flights between Nairobi and New York both ways. This is expected to boost tourism in the country, as Kenya hopes to double the number of American tourists visiting the country to ensure the US remains the largest market of tourists in the country. Read: SafariLink Launches Flights to Kisumu With KQ’s Mbuvi Ngunze as Boss During a…

Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter has expressed distaste on how the Finance Bill 2018 was passed, and later assented into a law by President Uhuru Kenyatta. In a statement, the outspoken legislator has thanked the members who tried to reject the presidential VAT proposal in the form of a memorandum, saying that since that day they became part of the ‘silent’ revolution in Kenya. “I put it to you members of the August house not all is lost,despite the pronouncement by the cartels camouflaging as the speakers,that the ayes had it,of course you all know what transpired. Honorable members, that…

The two Ugandan policemen arrested in Busia this morning for trespassing have been freed by Kenyan authorities, unconditionally. The two have been released following a lengthy meeting between security officers from the two countries at the Busia Police Station. Busia County Commissioner Jacob Narengo and Uganda Resident District Commissioner Hussein Matanda who received the officers on behalf of Ugandan government led the talks that hastened their release. “The two, alongside a driver, entered the country armed against the law. The action we took was to disarm and put them in custody. We have since established that the fish they were pursuing…

A video of University of Nairobi students spending nights in the cold has gone viral, further exposing the rot in the institution under the leadership of Prof Peter Mbithi. The video shows students spending nights in the TV room, corridors and even some seeking asylum in the already overpopulated halls of residence. According to sources within the university precincts, over 2000 students do not have a place to lay their heads on, let alone food. This has forced female students to fall into prostitution in order to be able to make ends meet in the city, while their male counterparts…

Two Ugandan policemen in are the custody of Kenyan police for trespassing. The two were in hot pursuit of fish believed to be from Uganda and were arrested after opening fire to the vehicle transporting the fish. The two officers who are being held at Busia Police Station have recorded statement so is the driver who escaped narrowly. Following the incidence, the County Commissioner of Busia Jacob Narengo is currently holding a meeting with Resident District Commissioner of Busia Uganda Hussein Matanda. Read: Business Halted As Ugandan Security Forces Lower Kenyan Flag At Migingo Island This is not the first time…

President Uhuru Kenyatta left the country on Friday night after signing into law the controversial Finance Bill 2018, and is currently in the United States for the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 73). He is expected to address the assembly which kicked off on September 18. On Monday, September 24, the UNGA will hold a high-level plenary meeting on global peace in honor of the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela, known as the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit. The plenary will adopt a political declaration negotiated by Member States. The first day of the high-level General…

An internal audit report reveals that the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI) could have lost a whooping Ksh550 million to international direct/single sourced questionable procurements, corruption practices and nepotism. This includes the purchase of Industrial Centrifuge (sharples) from Sigma for over Ksh3.7 million, Industrial ultrafilter at Ksh8.6 million, Vaccine filling machine at Ksh34 million among others The report reveals that sourcing of chemicals, serum, vaccine bottles and reagents from Argentina, China, and Germany without any contracts. Payments were done prior to delivery. Some direct procurements occur without the procurement department being involved in the sourcing of the materials. The procurement is only…

Detectives have today arrested two Nigerians and one Tanzanian for engaging in electronic fraud where local banks lost huge amounts of cash. In a tweet, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said that most of the money defrauded from the local banks was withdrawn outside Kenya. ATM cards, laptops, cheque books among other items were confiscated from the suspects, which are believed to have been used in committing the crimes. Read: Kidero Stole Funds Meant For Pumwani Upgrade – Sonko The three will spend the weekend in police custody and will be arraigned in court on Monday and charged. The DCI has…

Kibra Member of Parliament Kenneth Okoth has issued a notice of motion aimed at legalising bhang (marijuana). In the notice of motion addressed to Speaker Justin Muturi, Okoth proposes that the growth and use of marijuana is decriminalised and amnesty measures instituted for the removal of criminal records against citizens with prior convictions of marijuana use. “The proposed bill seeks to ensure inter alia that there is regulation for growth and safe use of marijuana and hemp including the registration of growers, producers, manufacturers and users; with special focus on protection of children/minors from illicit use just as we do…

Just before dust settles after Kahawa Tungu’s investigative desk revealed how senior management at the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) was stealing public money, details of how the institution has been turned into a family affair by the head of the Human Resource department Mr Julius Olayo have emerged. In a letter written by a section of employees to the State Corporations Inspectorate Committee and seen by this desk, Olayo has been hiring and protecting his relatives and friends at the expense of other staffers. One instance is recorded to have happened in the Financial Year 2016/2017 when a Dan…

The immediate former Nairobi deputy governor Polycarp Igathe has been confirmed and named the Managing Director of Equity Bank Kenya. This comes five months after joining Equity Group, after leaving his place at the City Hall in January 2018, where he deputised Governor Mike Sonko. Following the developments, Dr James Mwangi will now serve as the Group Chief Executive and Managing Director providing overall strategic direction and oversight to the Group. Speaking while making the announcement, Dr Mwangi said “The Board has completed the process of separating the operations and management of the Kenya subsidiary from that of the Group…

Huawei Technologies has signed a Framework Distribution Agreement in Kenya with Redington Gulf, a distributor of IT Telecom and Lifestyle products. Under this partnership, Huawei will work with Redington to provide technological equipment such as data centre facilities, and both IT and communications hardware and software for the Kenyan market. On its part, Redington will handle the local channel development for Huawei Technological solutions. Announcing the partnership at the Huawei-Redington Partner Summit, Huawei and Redington committed themselves to providing training and support. “In order to maximize Huawei’s robust ICT capabilities, Huawei has teamed up with partners and developers to explore…

Taxi hailing app Uber has launched uberPOA, a new feature that will provide transport in Mombasa using Tuk Tuk. The General Manager for Uber East Africa Loic Amado says that the company is taking the opportunity by launching services that resonate with the local citizens. “Tuk Tuks are a popular choice across Kenya. When we launched uberX two years ago, we knew that this city would surpass our expectations, we have managed to create hundreds of economic opportunities and we are excited to create even more with the roll-out of uberPOA,” said Amado. Dar Es Salaam was the first city…

The Kenyatta family is reportedly constructing a Ksh500 billion city, Northlands City,  in their 11,000 acre land located at Kahawa Sukari along the Thika Superhighway. Sources privy to the matter indicate that the family has already received approvals to build a mixed use development on the ranch that currently hosts Brookside Dairy and Peponi schools, both owned by the first family. The city is set to host 250,000 people with 3,570 acres set aside for residential housing including low density residential (3,134 acres), high density residential (306 acres) and medium density residential (130 acres). Works at the site have already started…

The Milimani Commercial Court has ruled that Kenya Orient should pay Kevin Kimani Mungai Ksh500,000 for using his photo on their Facebook page without his consent. Submissions made by the claimants lawyer Titus Koceyo before senior principal magistrate Addah Obura revealed that the insurer posted Mr Mungai’s photograph for a promotional advertisement without consulting him first. “The advertisement ran from October 18, 2013 and received over 18,700 likes and visitors for the defendants (Kenya Oriental Insurance) own economic gain,” submitted Mr Koceyo. Read: Tax For Cashless Transactions, Kerosene To Go Up In Uhuru Suggestions The photo was taken when Mungai went to collect…