Author: KahawaTungu Reporter

Israel’s Supreme Court struck down a controversial judicial reform that triggered nationwide protests last year against the Benjamin Netanyahu government. The change would have limited the power of the Supreme Court in overturning laws it deemed unconstitutional. Critics say it would have severely undermined the country’s democracy by weakening the judicial system. There is strong opposition to the current Netanyahu government, seen as the most right-wing in Israeli history. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the law passed by the government in 2023 follows months of internal turmoil. In July, the government passed into law what is now known as…

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen Monday explained why the the government increased Expressway toll fees.  Murkomen attributed the increased fees to the depreciation of the Kenya Shilling to the United States dollar (USD), adding that the adjustment was done based on the project agreement following the gazettement of the Toll rates in April 2022. This is despite the project being done under the Build, Operate and Transfer program. The government guaranteed minimum annual revenue in dollars. If not raised, , government covers the deficit. “The formulae for computing the new rates are already embedded in the agreement, taking into account…

A man was mauled to death by a lion at the Shimba Hills National Park Reserve in Kwale County. The victim was riding on a motorcycle in the park when he was attacked on Sunday night. Kenya Wildlife Service said they discovered the body of the deceased while on patrol at around 9am on New Year. A warden found an abandoned motorcycle at Marere forest area on the Kwale – Kinango road and suspected something was not okay. He also found lion foot prints in the area. After a short follow up the warden was joined by his colleagues and…

Ethiopia has signed a historic MoU with Somaliland to “secure access to the sea and diversify its access to seaports.” A a memorandum of understanding was signed between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland’s President Muse Bihi Abdi signed who is on a state visit to Ethiopia since Sunday. According to the official readout, the MoU will “pave the way to realize the aspiration of Ethiopia to secure access to the sea and diversify its access to seaports.” Redwan Hussien, National Security Advisor to PM Abiy, said the MoU will also “paves the way for accessing a leased Military base…

At least four people have died following a grisly road accident in Timboroa along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway. A saloon car is said to have collided with a truck on Monday. On Sunday, seven people perished along the same highway. The Sunday morning accident that happened at the Eveready Roundabout involved a 14 seater matatu and a long distance trailer. Survivors were rushed to Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital for advanced treatment. Read: Death Toll in Eveready Roundabout Accident Rises to Seven Images from the scene painted a grim image of the severity of the accident, with the matatu belonging to Ngata…

Nairobi City County residents and entrepreneurs are in for a pleasant New Year’s gift following the activation of the electronic Unified Business Permit (UBP) regime, as part of an ease-of-doing business reform initiative. The UBP combines the business, fire, food, health, and advertising licenses into one and will be available on the Nairobi City County Government’s NairobiPay Revenue service online portal. The activation of the UBP regime eliminates the issuance of multiple licenses. It has been in the development and pilot stages in recent months and was one of the key commitments made by Governor Sakaja Johnson in his manifesto.…

Japan Monday urged residents to “evacuate immediately” after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the central region. A major tsunami warning was issued for the coastal Noto area in Ishikawa, warning of waves as high as 5 meters. Authorities also issued tsunami warnings for the neighbouring Niigata and Toyama prefectures, where they said waves could reach 3m. Public television flashed “EVACUATE” in big letters, urging residents to flee to higher ground despite the cold. An NHK presenter urged affected viewers: “We realise your home, your belongings are all precious to you, but your lives are important above everything else. Run to…

There was panic when a fire broke out during the New Year celebrations at the Old Mutual Towers in Nairobi.  The fire was however put out minutes later by staff who were handling the fireworks, officials said. Officials said a New Year fireworks display at the iconic skyline reportedly caused the huge fire on Monday morning. https://twitter.com/KahawaTungu/status/1741744336742560238 Images and videos doing rounds across social media platforms showed thick smoke billowing from the building with a visible fire at the top floors shortly after a spectacular display of fireworks. The tower management, in a statement on Monday, confirmed the fire incident…

Police in Eldoret Sunday arrested two suspects linked to the murder of an athlete whose body was found in a car in the town. The suspects include a boda boda rider. The runner was identified as 37-year-old Benjamin Kiplagat. Moiben sub county police commander Stephen Okal confirmed the arrests. He said a knife suspected to have been used to stab the athlete was recovered from the suspects. Okal said the motive of the killing appeared to be a criminal incident and that a mobile phone and money were stolen from the deceased. But further investigations are ongoing, he said. The…

Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga Sunday sent a congratulatory message to DR Congo president Felix Tshisekedi for his re-election. Odinga said he wishes “the people of DRC all the best in their determination to reclaim, steady and steer their country”. The two go back many years, and Odinga was instrumental in Tshisekedi’s campaign strategy that surprised many when he won the presidency in December 2019 despite being a rank outsider to then frontrunners Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary and Martin Fayulu. Tanzania president Samia Suluhu, Comoro’s President and the African Union chairperson Azali Assoumani and Burundi’s Evariste Ndayishimiye also sent their congratulations…

Former world champion cyclist Rohan Dennis was charged in connection with the death of his wife, Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins, who died after being struck by a vehicle while riding in Adelaide. Australian media reports said Dennis had been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, endangering life and driving without due care. The reports said he had been released on bail to appear at the Adelaide Magistrates Court in March. Hoskins, 32, competed for Australia lat the London and Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Police said emergency services were called to an address in Medindie, an Adelaide suburb, around 8…

A Colorado mother suspected of killing two of her children has been found and arrested abroad, authorities confirmed on Sunday. Kimberlee Singler, 35, was taken into custody in the United Kingdom on Dec. 30, Colorado Springs Police said Sunday evening. Singler has been accused of lying about a burglary at her home earlier this month in which two of her three children were found dead, Colorado Springs police previously said. Singler is suspected of killing two of her children and injuring a third. Authorities said Sunday no further information would be shared until a later date. Prior to her arrest…

Sudan’s pro-civilian Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum) led by its Chairman, former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, is expected to meet with Mohamed Hamdan Daglo of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Addis Ababa, on January 1. Taqaddum said in a statement“the meeting aims to address pressing issues related to protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian aid delivery, and exploring pathways towards a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict in Sudan.” Despite series of letters sent by Taqadum to Sudan’s Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and Hemetti, urging them “to engage in urgent discussions to address the humanitarian crisis and…

Danes were given a surprise on New Year’s Eve as Queen Margrethe II announced her abdication. The world’s only reigning queen and the longest-serving living monarch in Europe will step down on 14 January, which will be 52 years to the day since she became queen. “I will leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik,” she announced live on TV. But what do we know about Denmark’s soon-to-be king? Crown Prince Frederik was known in Denmark as somewhat of a party prince in the early 1990s, but perceptions started to change after he graduated from Aarhus University in…

President William Ruto has ended 2023 by highlighting a few of his administration’s accomplishments. In his new year’s address, the head of state subtly criticized the judiciary for some of its judgments. Ruto acknowledged that he made some decisions that were difficult but will be advantageous in the long run. He mentioned the implementation of new tax measures to increase tax revenues by Sh600 billion and cutting expenditure by up to Sh400 billion. “The choices we have made over the last year were neither easy, populist, nor convenient; they were however meaningful, appropriate, and necessary,” the President said. “Inflation has…