Author: KahawaTungu Reporter

President William Ruto has once again defended his numerous foreign trips that have attracted criticism from a section of Kenyans. Speaking in Kimende, Kiambu County on Sunday, Ruto said the foreign trips are meant to benefit Kenyans, contrary to reports. “You have heard that I have toured many parts of the world and I have travelled with a plan, I am not a tourist. Because for this country to change it has to be changed and that is done by thoughts and plans,” he said. “As we speak our CS for Labour (Florence Bore) is in Saudi Arabia because we…

East African Community, ASALs, and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza was at the weekend heckled when she tried to defend president William Ruto over the cost of living.  She was addressing mourners in Chuluni, Kitui East, during the burial of a renowned journalist Musungu Kyumbe who succumbed to skin cancer. Malonza had claimed Ruto is doing everything in his power to address the soaring cost of living when the crowd heckled her. “The cost of living is very high, even the President understands that. That is why you see him going abroad to borrow money because we found empty…

The son of Somalia’s president — alleged to have knocked over and killed a delivery rider in Istanbul — has fled Turkey despite an international arrest warrant, media reported Saturday December 9.  Police had released Mohammed Hassan Sheikh Mohamud without any bail conditions after preliminary investigations into the accident, said daily newspaper Cumhuriyet. “The suspect left Turkey freely,” said Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday. The mayor, a leading opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accused the authorities of “allowing this escape” and being “incapable of defending citizens’ rights in their own country.” The…

A team of detectives was sent to Igembe, Meru County to investigate the violent attack by a mob on two police stations. An AK47 rifle with 29 bullets was stolen during the raid by locals, police said amid a hunt on the attackers. According to police, the mob also burnt property, destroyed chairs and freed suspects from a cell before leaving in the December 6 incident. Police said a mob of about 500 had attended a funeral of a 16-year-old boy who had been murdered on November 19 in the area. They were angry no action had been taken since…

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has opened an investigation on a case where a parastatal boss is accused of holding multiple public office jobs. EACC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Twalib Mbarak confirmed they have summoned CEO of Council of Legal Education Jennifer Gitiri to appear before the commission and shed light on the accusations. This is after a Nakuru based surgeon filed a case before High court accusing Gitiri of holding eight public jobs which were against the law governing public appointments and as abuse of administrative power. Apart from serving as CEO of the Council of Legal Education,…

A church wedding came to a sudden halt after the would-be bride asked for more time to make a decision. The wedding was set for Saturday in Kapsoiyo, Bomet County. The officiating reverend wrote to the planning committee led by Kapsoiyo Africa Gospel Church (AGC) Pastor Clement Chalulot, informing them that the two families were yet to come to an understanding hence the cancellation of thr wedding. Pastor Chalulot said the event was canceled despite the groom’s family paying dowry; three cows among other things. “Yesterday, as by the agreement, she refused to give us her documents like ID and…

At least five boys died and 28 others are admitted to several hospitals in Elgeyo Marakwet following a botched circumcision exercise. Officials said the 28 were rushed to hospital with various symptoms including bacterial infections while others even showed signs of pneumonia. The county’s Health CEC Michael Kibiwot said that out of the 28 boys who are admitted, one was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. The group had undergone the right of passage and were kept at a place for healing as a procedure when they fell sick. It is suspected they contracted a bacterial infection. “We have admitted 28…

President William Ruto will leave the country on Saturday December 9 for Djibouti to attend the 41st Extraordinary session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Djibouti City. Officials said Presidents from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda and the host will also attend. The IGAD summit is expected to discuss various issues of regional and international importance, such as security, trade, infrastructure, energy, and climate change. The 40th Extraordinary Assembly of the IGAD Heads of State and Government was held virtually on April 16,  2023, on the situation in Sudan. The Heads of State…

European Union officials have reached a provisional deal on the world’s first comprehensive laws to regulate the use of artificial intelligence. After 36 hours of talks, negotiators agreed rules around AI in systems like ChatGPT and facial recognition. The European Parliament will vote on the AI Act proposals early next year, but any legislation will not take effect until at least 2025. The US, UK and China are all rushing to publish their own guidelines. The proposals include safeguards on the use of AI within the EU as well as limitations on its adoption by law enforcement agencies. Consumers would…

American actor Ryan O’Neal, best known for his Oscar-nominated role in 1970 romance Love Story, has died at the age of 82, his son said. His family did not share a cause of death, but O’Neal was diagnosed with chronic leukaemia in 2001 and prostate cancer in 2012. He also starred in 1970s hits What’s Up, Doc?, Paper Moon and A Bridge Too Far. His son said his father was “a Hollywood legend. Full stop.” “My dad passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side supporting him,” Patrick O’Neal wrote on Instagram on Friday. He added that…

Taylor Swift’s concert tour was clearly a sensation: It crashed ticketing sites, sold out hotels and generated earthquake like seismic activity.  It also brought in about $1.04bn (£829m) in gross sales across its first 60 shows, trade publication Pollstar said. That is a new record, according to Pollstar, which tracks music sales. The pop star’s success came during a bumper year for a concert business that has roared back from Covid lockdowns. Overall, the top 100 global tours brought in more than $9bn (£7.17bn) this year in gross sales, up 46% from 2022, which had itself seen record-setting spending, Pollstar…

Harvard’s president has apologised for controversial remarks she made at a congressional hearing about antisemitism on US college campuses. When asked whether calls for the genocide of Jews constituted harassment under university policy, Dr Claudine Gay said it depended on the context. Dr Gay, and two other university presidents who gave similar answers, have since faced fierce criticism. “I am sorry,” she said in an interview with The Crimson student newspaper. “Words matter. When words amplify distress and pain, I don’t know how you could feel anything but regret,” she added. Addressing the criticism in her interview with The Crimson,…

President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, has accused Republicans of trying to “kill” him in an effort to undermine his father’s presidency. His death “would be a pain greater than my father could be able to handle”, the younger Biden told musician Moby in a podcast that aired on Friday. The first of the two-part broadcast was recorded before Mr Biden was charged with nine major tax crimes on Thursday. Republicans have accused the president and his son of influence-peddling. The White House has dismissed a congressional impeachment inquiry into the president as a “fishing expedition”. Hunter Biden, a recovering…

The United States vetoed a United Nations resolution Friday backed by almost all other Security Council members and dozens of other nations demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. Supporters called it a terrible day and warned of more civilian deaths and destruction as the war goes into its third month. The vote in the 15-member council was 13-1, with the United Kingdom abstaining. The United States’ isolated stand reflected a growing fracture between Washington and some of its closest allies over Israel’s months long bombardment of Gaza. France and Japan were among those supporting the call for a cease-fire.…

National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced a two week flight interruption. In a statement on Friday, the carrier explained that some of its planes might remain grounded during the festive season owing to challenges in acquiring aircraft spare parts. KQ Group Managing Director and CEO Allan Kilavuka said the airline would extend grounding time for flights as a safety precaution. “Our current flight schedule may experience disruptions in the coming weeks mainly due to challenges in the aircraft spare parts global supply chain. These challenges are leading to extended ground time of our aircraft for maintenance,” Kilavuka said. “Additionally,…