Author: KahawaTungu Reporter

The Law Society of Kenya wants police to urgently investigate claims Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya threatened Kakamega Resident Magistrate Gladys Kiama. LSK president Eric Theuri urged the DCI to conduct thorough, speedy and impartial investigation to determine the facts surrounding the alleged threats. He said Judicial officers must be able to carry out their functions without fear of intimidation or threats while adhering strictly to the law. “The safety of judicial officers is critical to maintaining the integrity of the Judiciary and we expect that all necessary steps will be taken to provide a secure environment for…

Alex Murdaugh, the South Carolina lawyer convicted of murdering his wife and son, has been sentenced to 27 more years in prison for financial crimes. He pleaded guilty to 22 counts earlier this month relating to fraud and money laundering. Murdaugh was confronted in court by his fraud victims on Tuesday, with one telling him: “Do you not have a soul?” As his victims spoke, he appeared to listen closely as he sat in the courtroom in an orange jumpsuit. Murdaugh is already serving two life sentences without parole for the two murders. State prosecutors say his plea agreement resolved…

A Command Center for Flood Emergency Response and communication has been set up at the National Disaster Operations Center in Nyayo House to document and report all flood disaster information from across the country. This is after the government established a Multi-Agency team due to the ongoing heavy rains. The team comprising of 11 Ministries and their relevant agencies, adopting a Whole of Government Approach, will provide early warning information, flood alerts, flood preparedness, safety and emergency response information to stakeholders and the public. According to Internal Security Principal Secretary, Dr Raymond Omollo, the Council of Governors as well as…

Salaried Kenyans will continue to pay for affordable housing after the High Court granted stay orders restraining the quashing of the housing levy until January 10, 2024. This is after a three-judge bench declared the levy unconstitutional, violating Article 10, 2 (a) of the Constitution. The orders come after lawyer George Murugara asked for 45 days to comply with the court ruling. “In those 45 days, I urge you to suspend the oppression of those particular findings in the judgement and any decree that may flow therefrom pending the filing of a formal application under the Mutunga Rules and the…

President William Ruto has praised the partnership between Kenya and United States (US) in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), President Ruto said Kenya has made impressive strides in the fight against the scourge. “We are highly grateful to the US government for this partnership that has changed the fortunes of our nation. Such strong show of solidarity is highly appreciated and we do not take the friendship and support for granted,” said President Ruto. “I must say this is one of these very rare partnerships,” added the President. He regretted that…

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on Kenyans to be responsible and exercise caution during the ongoing El Nino rain that has killed at least 87 people and driven others from their homes. Asking Kenyans to stop daring nature, the DP said out of the deaths caused by El nino 37 are by drowning of some people crossing flooded rivers. “We appeal to Kenyans to be responsible and exercise caution even as they ask the government to intervene. At least 37 deaths from El Nino were as a result of drowning and daring nature. There are people crossing rivers when…

A doctor testified in a Makadara court in an assault case on a British national in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area. This was in a case where the woman Ayni Hussein Muhammud sued Abdihakim Saidi Jama for assault. Jama has denied charges of assault and causing bodily harm. The prosecutor informed the court that he was ready to proceed with three witnesses among them two investigating officers and the doctor who examined the victim. The doctor confirmed Ayni sustained several injuries inflicted by the accused. The medical report before court indicated that the victim had injuries on the neck, abdomen, swollen right…

The South African presidency is investigating whether parts of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech last week were written using the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT, local media report. It follows claims online that a section of the speech delivered last week at an education forum by the president did not come from the president or his speechwriters. The president’s spokesman, Vincent Magwenya, denied this, saying they do not use AI tools for content such as speeches. He said that parts of the speech were written by the department of education for the president’s office, adding that they were following up regarding…

A three-judge bench has declared the Housing Levy unconstitutional. Justices David Majanja, Christine Meoli and Lawrence Mugambi on Tuesday found that Section 84 of the Finance Act amending the Employment Act introducing the Housing Levy is unconstitutional. The bench ruled that the levy lacks a comprehensive legal framework and is irrational. It also ruled that the levy violates the principles of taxation and as contained in the Finance Act 2023 is discriminatory and unfair for making distinction between formal and informal sector thus creating unequal and inequitable principles. “The levy against persons in formal employment to the exclusion of other…

A section of top officials at the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) were Tuesday grilled in a Sh16.5 billion food importation saga. The officials who are directors at the KNTC were picked from their offices and taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation headquarters for grilling sessions. They include KNTC CEO Pamela Mutua. The officials were picked up from their houses. Trade Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said Pamela spent the night at DCI for questioning over an unrevealed matter. Also grilled were managers of a bank that is said to have guaranteed the business. Sources said those grilled were also…

Police in Kitui are probing the death of an AP officer assigned to guard Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s Tseikuru rural home. Reports indicate that the officer died on Sunday morning. Kitui county police commander Leah Kithei told reporters that the officer died after ingesting a poisonous substance. Speaking on Monday, Kithei said that the deceased’s colleagues heard sounds from his house within Kalonzo’s compound at around 8.30am on Sunday. They found him on his bed after which they rushed him to a nearby hospital. He died while receiving treatment. “They found him lying unconscious on his bed and rushed him…

Police are investigating an incident in which a cop was shot and killed during a confrontation with a mob in Kasarani area, Nairobi. The mob wanted that wanted to free a group of touts in Kasarani area, Nairobi Police said constable Mohamed Happi was among a group of officers who had been arresting rioters touts at Hunters area on Monday evening. They targeted the group for not wearing uniforms while on duty. In the process of the operation, a mob converged at the site and demanded the release of those arrested. Police said it was that a gunshot was heard…

Police are looking for Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya over claims he threatened to kill a magistrate. This is after Kakamega Resident Magistrate Gladys Kiama reported to police Salasya had threatened to kill her. Police said they had been searching for the MP in vain and now want him to surrender. He is said to have switched off his mobile phones. His aides said they did not know where he is. Police want to hear his side of the story in the saga. The magistrate drove to the Kakamega police station on Monday afternoon and reported the MP…

The government suffered a blow after the High Court Monday suspended the planned implementation of the Social Health Insurance Act 2023 by the Ministry of Health until February 2024. In a brief ruling rendered by Justice Chacha Mwita on Monday, November 27, 2023, the court temporarily stopped the state from enforcing three new funds gazetted by Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Susan Nakhumicha pending the determination of a case lodged in court by activist Joseph Enock. “In the meantime, a conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the respondents (President William Ruto, CSs in the Ministry of Health and Information, the Attorney…

Two more government officials accused of conspiring to defraud the Government Sh49 million in fake fertilizer deal were Monday charged at a Nairobi court. The two, Kiprotich Ronald Tonui and Edwin Ombui Oseko appeared before Milimani Magistrate Bernard Ochoi and denied several counts. They were charged that jointly with others not before the court, conspired to defraud the government 19,913 bags each of 50 kilograms or subsidy fertilizer valued at Sh49.7 million. They allegedly committed the offense on July 28, 2023 at an unknown place within the country. They faced a second count of abuse of office against the law.…