Author: Francis Muli

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has vowed to sue IPSOS Synovate for releasing a survey report indicating that Kenyans perceive her as one of most corrupt in Kenya. Addressing the media in Kirinyaga shortly after the release of the report, Waiguru rubbished the survey as political propaganda, accusing IPSOS of pushing a smear campaign against her. “I will this say to IPSOS: Shame on you. Shame on you for pushing an agenda that you know very well is political. I have never been taken to court because of any matter regarding corruption. So you cannot come and say that I am…

Women from across Africa will in October converge in Nairobi for the entrepreneurship and innovation summit whose main objective is to unlock their economic and strategic potential. The two-day summit, to be held at the Boma Hotel between October 10 and 11, will bring together over 300 delegates from 30 African countries who will include business leaders, managers and innovators as well as artists and opinion shapers from various sectors. The delegates will explore ways how women can play a bigger role in innovation-led economies under the theme, “Opportunity Countdown.” Read: Melania Trump To Make First Africa Visit In October The…

People globally spent a whopping 85 billion hours (3.5 billion days or 9,676,684 years) collectively on WhatsApp in the last three months according to data released by the US-based app analytics company Apptopia. This translates to more than 56 hours or close to two and half days per person for its 1.5 billion users. In turn, this turns out to be close to 40 minutes a day. Conversely, users spent 30 billion hours on its parent company, Facebook. “It’s clear that WhatsApp is the global messaging app of choice,” Apptopia’s spokesperson Adam Blacker was quoted as saying. “Apps having to do…

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) top managers have been placed on the spot by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) for abuse of office and misappropriation of funds. Among those implicated include the Managing Director Waithaka Waihenya and his deputy Paul Jilani, Finance Manager Mr Momanyi, Mrs P. Mogaka and Daniel Okoth. In the last financial year, KBC lost Ksh7 billion in what managers termed as spending more that the broadcaster earned. Speaking to the Senate Committee for Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) in July, Mr Samuel Otieno – who represented the managing director – revealed that the company was spending…

The Ugandan military (UPDF) has apologised beating and arresting journalists who were covering a protest in the capital, Kampala, on Monday. Issuing the statement, the army termed the act as unprofessional conduct of soldiers, which was seen in a video widely shared on social media where Reuters photographer James Akena is seen cowering as soldiers beat him, among other incidences which were not reported. The beating carried on even after Mr Akena put his hands up and fell to his knees. According to AFP news agency, he was detained for several hours after being beaten. “UPDF wishes to express its displeasure over such…

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and eResident Limited have collaborated to launch a new digital platform to aid paying and collecting of rent. The e-payment solution, founded in 2017 is tailored to serve the real estate market, specifically in the management of rental payment. According to the authors of the platform, eResident will offer benefits such as security, convenience and cut collection cost for landlords and agents. The benefits apply to tenants too who will not have to deal with agents or queue at the bank to make payments. “The platform also makes tracking of payments easier since the money is…

Police and the army in Uganda engaged protesters in running battles in the afternoon in Kampala  protesting over Bobi Wine detention. The protesters, chanting Mr Wine’s slogan, ‘People Power. Our power’, on Monday afternoon lit bonfires in the middle of roads at Kisekka Market, Namirembe Road and Kikuubo Market Lane. The crowds demanded the release of the Kyadondo East MP. So far at least 10 have been arrested in the hullabaloo, in which the protesters blocked roads and police launched tear gas canisters and at times live bullets. Read: Kenyans Block Busia Border Over Boby Wine’s Detention  This follows earlier…

Cash-strapped cement manufacturer ARM (formerly Athi River Mining Company) has been suspended from trading their shares at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), days after the company was put on administration. The suspension which was effected today will last for a period of seven working days, according to a statement issued by NSE. “This is to inform you of the suspension in trading of Athi River Mining Cement Plc shares, following the placement of the company under administration pursuant to Section 534(1) of the Insolvency Act, 2015,” “The suspension is issued with the approval of the Capital Markets Authority pursuant to Regulation…

Kenyans at the Busia border have blocked roads over Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine troubles in Uganda. According to reports, the residents took to the streets and blocked all trucks heading to Uganda. Wine is currently facing treason charges before a military tribunal over the possession of weapons, local media reported last week. He is standing trial before a military tribunal. On Thursday, two lawyers who attended a military court session where Wine was brought in to be charged said he was unable to talk or walk, bore visible injuries and was not aware of his surroundings. Read: Ugandan MP…

Four suspects were arrested last week on Friday for an alleged stealing money amounting to Ksh72,619,951.83  from Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB). The amount was transferred from KCB in smaller amounts to accounts domiciled with various banks in Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret and Malindi. The four, Mr Benson Mwai Karugu, Mr Edmund Kirturi Mutua, Mr Evans Kenda Kiplagat and Mr Macdonald Mochama Mongwe will be charged today, after spending the weekend in police custody. Read: Tanzania Denies Work Permit To Safaricom’s Sylvia Mulinge According to evidence gathered by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), 37 fictitious merchant companies were registered with KCB to facilitate…

The Department of Defence (DoD) is on the spot over exaggerated meat supply tender awarded to a Nairobi firm, Quality Meat Packers. The dossier was revealed by another disgruntled meat supplier, Jack Wright (1982) Ltd, who applied for the tender at a lower cost but was denied. According to Jack Wright, Quality Meat Packers was a bit more expensive by Ksh38 per kilo of fresh meat. “On May 2015, we tendered for the supply of meat to the Nanyuki base unit only to receive a regret letter that we were not successful. Apparently, the contract was awarded to a Nairobi firm,…

Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security Fred Matiang’i has issued a gazette notice declaring Tuesday, August 21 a public holiday to mark Muslim’s Idd-ul-Azha. Idd ul Azha, also called “Eid al Adha” (meaning “Feast of the Sacrifice”), is celebrated in Kenya every year by the 10 percent of Kenya’s people who follow Islam. “It is notified for the general information of the public that, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Co-ordination of National Government declares that Tuesday, the 21st August, 2018 be a public holiday to mark…

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) flag has been spotted on an apartment block located along Lenana Road, on the junction of Wood Avenue and Lenana Road. The flag comprises of the rainbow colours, with an addition of hot pink colour at the top. Despite being outlawed, LGBTs have become bolder nowadays, with some coming out in the public and admitting subscribing to the group. They have gone further to create a coalition and an online platform, the Gay And Lesbian Coalition Of Kenya (GALCK).  According to information on their website, GALCK was established in 2006, and began with an initial membership…

The Naivasha-Kisumu Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) construction will cost Kenyans Ksh380 billion, Ksh53 billion more than the Mombasa Nairobi section which cost Ksh327 billion. In a tweet, the Secretary of Innovation, Digital and Diaspora Communication in the Office of the President Denis Itumbi said that Cabinet Secretary James Macharia would lead the delegation to China that will secure financing for Naivasha to Kisumu. He revealed that the railway would cost Ksh380 billion. https://twitter.com/OleItumbi/status/1030406478316937216 The 255km-line is the third phase of the SGR, that is set to push the total cost of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration pet project to Ksh867 billion.…

A team of legislators  yesterday noisily waded into the controversial Tatu City hearing, causing a raucous as Bidco owner Vimal Shah was giving evidence. The MPs, Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Owen Baya (Kilifi), Olago Aluoch (Kisumu West), David Sankok(Nominated), Silvanus Osoro(South Mugirango) and Gideon Kosgey(Chepalungu), had been ousted out of the committee by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi’s recent ruling to rid the House of  “friends of the committee”. The team of “friends (of Stephen Jennings)” was led by Luanda MP Chris Omulele, who did not want to hear any word from witnesses castigating Jennings. Jennings has been adversely implicated in the Tatu City…