Author: KahawaTungu Reporter

Richard Allen, a US man convicted last month of killing two teenagers in the state of Indiana, has been sentenced to 130 years behind bars for their deaths.  The bodies of teenagers Liberty German, who was 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, were found near their hometown of Delphi in 2017. The case that went cold for years and became a focal point for true-crime enthusiasts. It gained national attention as one of the victims recorded possible evidence on her phone, including audio and a Snapchat video of a possible suspect. Allen, 52, was given 65 years for each victim, according…

Motorists using the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway were for the second day in traffic chaos as many rushed to various destinations for Christmas festivities.  Despite deployment of extra police officers on the route to manage the flow, many motorists and passengers complained they were stuck on the roads. Others who managed to drive through said they started their trips at 2 am. Some said they left Nairobi at 4 am but on reaching Limuru they were stuck in the chaos. The chaos started Friday December 20 morning and ran throughout the day up to about 10 pm when police said the flow…

Two people were killed, including a child, and dozens injured after a car drove into a crowd at a Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg, officials say. In a statement, authorities said 68 people had been injured, 15 of whom seriously. Reiner Haseloff, the premier of the state of Saxony-Anhalt, told reporters at the scene that the suspect – who has been arrested – was a 50-year-old Saudi citizen who arrived in Germany in 2006 and had worked as a doctor. He said a preliminary investigation suggested the alleged attack was acting as a lone wolf and…

At least 13 suspects were arrested in an operation targeting people adulterating assorted bags of cement in Athi River, Machakos County.  This followed numerous complaints by members of public especially the end users of cement concerning the quality and quantity of various brands in the market. Police said an intelligence-led market surveillance was conducted by a multi-agency team which established the extent of this illegal cement activities. The team said the manufacture and sale of counterfeit and substandard cement and siphoning of cement from properly packaged bags which end up being underweight are rampant. There is also adulteration of genuine…

Former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria and former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth are among new politicians appointed to government in new changes.  President William Ruto named Iria as the chairman of Public Procurement Regulatory Board and Peter Kenneth as the chairman of Kenya Bureau of Standards Council. Bruno Obodha was named the Managing Director of East Africa Portland Cement Company while Douglas Kaibos was named the Chief Executive Officer of Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency. Ruto formally appointed Gerald Nyaoma as Central Bank of Kenya deputy governor. He appointed new members of his advisory council of economic advisors.…

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi replaced the chief of staff of the armed forces and dozens of other senior military figures in one of the biggest shake-ups of its kind in recent years, state television said on Thursday. The presidential order read by the broadcaster did not give a reason for the removal of armed forces chief Christian Tshiwewe Songesha, who has been replaced by Lt-Gen Jules Banza Mwilambwe. Others replaced include the head of military intelligence and most of Democratic Republic of Congo’s commanding officers including those in charge of security operations in the volatile east, which since 2022 has been…

Four children were on Thursday night burnt beyond recognition after their house caught fire in the Gakoigo area of Maragwa, Murang’a County. According to eyewitnesses three of the victims are from the same family. Police say the cause of the fire that killed two boys and two girls has not been established. The children were aged four, three, two and one. The mother had locked them in the house and went to a local market when the fire broke out, police said. She was shocked to come back and found the house on fire. All the children were burnt beyond…

More contingents of police were Friday dispatched to help in managing traffic flow on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway.  Other teams were sent to Mai Mahiu route where motorists were stuck on the road for hours. This followed traffic chaos experienced on the routes as motorists and other passengers rushed upcountry for Christmas festivities. The police on the ground said there were tens of vehicles involved in traffic chaos. Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said he had ordered deployment of reinforcement teams including General Duty Police Officers from all police stations along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway and dispatched a police chopper from…

The High Court Friday declared the new university funding model unconstitutional and discriminatory. The court cited a lack of public participation, prohibiting the government from implementing it. Justice Chacha Mwita said the model also known as Variable scholarship and Loan Funding (VSLF) is biased as it introduces clusters based on perceived financial ability. “It’s unrealistic if not unfair to consider someone earning Sh70,000 per month as needy considering the level of taxation in the country,” said Mwita. The model, the judge said will only be allowed to operate if and until the government complies with constitutional legal requirements where necessary.…

Amsons Group, a leading pan-African manufacturing and energy conglomerate, has closed the takeover offer of Bamburi Cement Plc.  In a regulatory notice published by Amsons Group, through its Kenyan subsidiary and investment vehicle, Amsons Industries (K) Ltd, secured 96.54%acceptances from Bamburi shareholders. Amsons Group Managing Director, Mr Edha Nahdi, expressed the company’s commitment to a swift and smooth closure of the US$180 million deal. “This acquisition aligns with our strategy to expand into specialized cement manufacturing and complements our broader growth objectives. With Bamburi Cement now part of the Amsons family, we anticipate creating significant mutual benefits through this integration,”…

A funny thing happened on the way to a bipartisan agreement to fund US government operations and avoid a partial shutdown this week. Conservatives in Congress – encouraged by tech multi-billionaire Elon Musk – balked. Republicans tried to regroup on Thursday afternoon, offering a new, slimmed-down package to fund the government. That vote failed, as 38 Republicans joined most Democrats in voting no. All this political drama provides just a taste of the chaos and unpredictability that could be in store under unified Republican rule in Washington next year. The man at the centre of this week’s drama holds no…

The legal case against Luigi Mangione expanded on Thursday, with the federal government filing four criminal charges against him, including one punishable by death. Mr Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month, arrived by helicopter in Manhattan in the afternoon after being extradited from Pennsylvania. He disembarked in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs and, surrounded by officials and armed guards, walked before cameras and journalists to the van that would take him to court. The 26-year-old will remain behind bars as his lawyers said that they would not yet present an application for bail.…

A union representing more than 11,000 Starbucks baristas in the US says its members will hold a five-day strike starting on Friday morning, in a dispute over pay and working conditions. Workers United says the walkouts will happen in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle, with strike action set to spread each day and reach hundreds of stores by Christmas Eve unless a deal is reached. It follows the union calling for the coffee shop giant to raise wages and staffing, as well as implement better schedules for its workers. “We are ready to continue negotiations to reach agreements. We need…

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki Thursday evening presided over the signing of an agreement between doctors and the Ministry of Health.  This will now see the nationwide strike initially set for December 22, 2024 effectively called off. The agreement, which was also signed by the Council of Governors (CoG), will see intern doctors paid a salary of Sh206,000 in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed between the government and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) in 2017. KMPDU, led by Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah, also noted that it was agreed during the meeting that the…

President William Ruto has reshuffled his cabinet, again. The head of state has moved Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen to the Interior docket. Murkomen will be replaced by Salim Mvurya. Former Health CS in retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government, Mutahi Kagwe is the new CS for Agriculture. Former Kiambu governor William Kabogo is the CS for ICT while Lee Kinyanjui lands the Trade CS role. More follows