Author: Opinion

Former Principal Secretary (PS) Lilian Omollo, who was implicated in the NYS scandal, was cleared to withdraw Ksh2 million from her frozen bank account. Allowing her application, Anti-Corruption Court Judge Hedwig Ong’udi instructed her bank to release Ksh2 million from her account to cater for her expenses. Judge Ongu’di allowed the PS to withdraw Ksh2 million from her account at Diamond Trust Bank, with the rest of the monies remaining frozen. She further asked Ms Omollo to adjust her lifestyle to fit her current financial status. In her application, Ms Omollo had requested to withdraw Ksh6.8 million from which she…

Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has recorded a 16 percent drop in their half year profit from Ksh2.9 billion in 2017 to Ksh2.45 billion for July to December, 2018. In a statement published in a local daily, the company noted that electricity sales grew by 21.4 percent to Ksh56.96 billion. Additionally, the results showed that the profits were pulled down by a four percent growth in operating expenses to Ksh61.7 billion from Ksh59.3 billion. KPLC’s acting managing director Jared Othieno further noted that even with the decreased profits, the company still continues to work on improving its efficiency. “The…

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has revealed that Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal’s property was fraudulently acquired. The anti-corruption body now wants the governor’s assets frozen. According to the commission’s detectives, the governor’s Ksh300 million Karen residence that sits on the one acre piece of land, which is on their radar, was acquired in the financial year of 2016/2017. His residential home in Milimani estate and another in Maralal town have been reported to also be in the anti-corruption body’s watch. The Milimani home is estimated to be worth Ksh100 million, while the commercial residential apartment that the governor is…

The slain human rights defender Caroline Mwatha, who was found dead at the City mortuary last week, was not honored by members from her church as, the religious organisation refused to hold a requiem mass for her. The Catholic Church, where the deceased activist’s family fellowships, refused to hold the service on grounds that she died procuring an abortion. The church is said to have a strong stand against abortion. Details of her death came to public light after a postmortem done revealed that she succumbed following complications that arose from attempting to procure an abortion. Her body was later…

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has stated that his ministry’s woes are being instigated by his political rivals. Speaking before the parliamentary Committee on Sports, Culture and Tourism, Balala stated: “We can fight corruption but the challenge sets in when we politicize the war. I am being blackmailed for political reasons.” Balala, who was being questioned by the legislatures over the awarding of a Ksh100 million contract, asserted that politics is behind his woes. He further revealed to the MPs that as soon as he had recorded a statement with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), an unidentified officer of…

Members of the National Assembly (MPs) have suspended plans by Kenya Airways to payout Ksh150 million to a transaction advisor in the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) takeover. The MPs, members of the Public Investments Committee, instructed Kenya Airways not to proceed with the payment. The committee’s chairman, Abdullswamad Nassir stated: “The deal seems to only benefit KQ which is a loss-making institution compared to KAA which made a profit of Ksh3.8billion.” The suspended payment was to be paid to the advisory firm which had been tasked to oversee the merger. However, the MPs advised that all dealings between KAA…

The National Treasury has declined Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) plea to grant them Ksh3.9 billion to offset pending bills. According to the electoral body, the pending bills were accrued from lawyers and other legal fees incurred following the several election petition cases. IEBC noted that lawyers and legal firms were demanding more than Ksh2 billion in legal fees from the requested Ksh3.9 billion. IEBC acting chief executive Marjan Husein Marjan told Parliament: “The commission requested funding from the Treasury in the Supplementary Estimates II to cater for pending bills carried forward from the last financial year and related…

Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed has been asked to tender an apology to the Kenyan youths following her statement that police would be used to crackdown Helb loan defaulters. In a statement to newsrooms, the angered Youth Congress asked the CS to clarify that the sentiments and declare them her own and not of the government. “We demand that the Cabinet Secretary immediately withdraws the statement and tender an appropriate apology and clarification that this does not represent the position of the government. “Deploying police to arrest HELB defaulters is to ignore the real problem, which is unemployment.  Also, the…

The judiciary has revealed that Chief Justice David Maraga is yet to occupy the palatial Runda home that cost the taxpayers Ksh310 million. Speaking to Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi, on Wednesday revealed that the residence is not in a habitable state and requires some repairs before it is occupied. Ms Amadi was put to task to explain why the posh home is lying idle by the members of the committee chaired by William Cheptumo. “We spent money to buy a house in Runda and up to now nobody is occupying the house,”…

Two of Tanzania regions, Njombe and Shinyalu, have been hit by condom shortage. Confirming the shortage, Tanzania’s deputy Health Minister Faustine Ndugulile stated that the government is aware of the regions that have been affected. “It is true that there is shortage of condoms, which is attributed to the change of supplying system,” Mr Ndugulile stated. He went ahead to add: “However, this signifies that the Tanzanian population are educated enough to use protection.” The two regions are stated to have a combined population of more than two million people. Speaking at an orphanage in Dar es Salaam, the assistant…

Kisumu-based Spectre International Company, associated to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga, faces auction over Ksh7.7 million debt. This followed a court case that Betric Kenya Ltd accused Spectre Company of defaulting to pay them money for fuel supplied to the in 2016. On Wednesday, a Mombasa court gave Betric Kenya Ltd permission to recover their money, plus interest, from the opposition leader’s firm. According to Betric Kenya, they had delivered 14,500 liters of fuel to Spectre International at a cost of Ksh8 million. Betric Kenya’s lawyer, Wameyo Onyango, further noted that since the supply, only a small…

Five police reservists were on Wednesday killed by cattle rustlers in Baringo County. The reservists were attacked in an ambush by the rustlers at Arabal in Baringo South Sub County. According to the locals, the police reservists were killed since they allegedly came from a different community. The attackers also injured two other individuals who were later rushed to Marigat Sub District Hospital and are said to be recuperating well. The rustlers are also accused of stealing cattle and fleeing towards Chepkalacha in Tiaty East. Speaking on the attack, Baringo South MP Charles Kamuren strongly condemned the act, emphasizing on…

For most Kenyans, Helb loans are the reason why life in Universities or Colleges was bearable, with most of them coming from humble backgrounds. However, upon the completion of the university programme, then does the weight of paying back the loan kick in. Sadly for most youth, the struggle to repay become even heavier as rarely do they get employed as soon as they complete their courses, hence have no income to help them service the loan. Despite that reality, the Ministry of Education on Wednesday announced that the board will be on a mission to recover Ksh7.2 billion owed…

A boy suffering from a spinal cord defect was flown to Nairobi on Tuesday evening in a helicopter sent by Deputy President William Ruto. Dr Ruto deployed his aide Emmanuel Talam to airlift the mother and son to Aga Khan Hospital. Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso was also among the team that brought Kipng’etich to Nairobi. Posting on her social media, the governor noted: “Accompanied Ian Kipkoech, who is proceeding for specialized treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi this afternoon. “Thank you Your Excellency the DP Dr William Samoei Ruto for keeping the promise you made during the launch of…

Gatundu South Member of Parliament, Moses Kuria, celebrated his 48th birthday on Tuesday night at the high-end club, Kiza Lounge. The vocal legislator celebrated his born-day alongside his close friends who graced his event, according to pictures that surfaced online. Ministry of Public Service Cabinet Administrative Secretary, Rachel Shebesh, attended the evening party. Posting on social media, Kiza Lounge, which prides itself of celebrating Africa through sight, sound and taste, shared images taken during the exclusive celebrations. “Celebrating Hon. Moses Kuria’s birthday. How many more February babies do we have out there? Look who shares this month with you,” the…