Author: KahawaTungu Reporter

Normal but optimal services resumed on the government’s e-Citizen platform following system interruptions by an attempted cyber attack. ICT CS Eliud Owalo on Thursday confirmed that hackers attempted to compromise the system during the course of the week. The Ministry of Interior and National Administration announced later that the platform is now operating optimally. “We wish to notify the general public that services through the e-Citizen platform (ecitizen.go.ke) have resumed following a regrettable downtime since Sunday, July 23, 2023,” said the ministry. Read: ICT CS Owalo Confirms Hacking Of E-Citizen Platform “The momentary disruption was caused by an attempted cyber-attack on…

Telecommunications company Safaricom has rectified a technical hitch affecting M-Pesa services on its applications. Safaricom on Thursday acknowledged that M-Pesa services were not available on the M-Pesa and My Safaricom Apps. However, the telco stated that while it is attempting to restore the apps, Kenyans can make transactions by dialing *344#. “M-PESA services on the M-PESA and Safaricom apps are currently unavailable. We are working to restore our apps, in the meanwhile, you can make M-PESA transactions through *334#. We do apologize for any inconvenience caused,” said Safaricom. Read: Safaricom Foundation Sets Aside Sh100 Million for Phase 5 of Ndoto Zetu…

The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has announced a system glitch due to a network breakdown of its service provider. In a statement, the lighting company said the purchase of prepaid tokens through M-Pesa and USSD Code *977# had been affected. Kenya Power directed its clients to purchase tokens through their banking halls, Airtel Money, and authorized banks. “We are working with our service provider to restore the affected services as soon as possible. We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience caused,” it said. Read: ICT CS Owalo Confirms Hacking Of E-Citizen Platform Kenya Power clients who attempted to…

The prime suspect in the murder of Rahab Karisa, a Chief Officer for Fisheries and Blue Economy in Kilifi County was on Thursday arraigned at Kilifi Law court. Justice Justus Kituki granted the prosecution 14 days to detain Diana Naliaka Wanyonyi to enable police to complete investigations into the matter. Naliaka, who worked as a house help at the late Karisa’s home is said to have stabbed her boss on July 20. Read: Police Arrest House help in Murder of Kilifi County Official Rahab Karisa She then fled to an unknown location. On July 25, Naliaka was arrested in Kakamega while…

Foreign Affairs Ministry says hacking of the e-citizen platform will affect the issuance of visas. In a statement issued on Thursday, the ministry asked airlines to onboard travelers destined for Kenya. The ministry also announced that travelers will be issued visas upon arrival at all entry points. “The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to renew to all Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations in Kenya the assurances of its highest consideration,” it said. Read Also: ICT CS Owalo Confirms Hacking Of E-Citizen Platform This comes moments after Information, Communication and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud…

Villagers in Igembe, Meru County are up in arms after gunmen raided the area and killed three people. The motive of the attack is yet to be known and locals want police boss Japhet Koome and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to ensure their safety. The two hail from the area. According to police and locals, the first victim was identified as Florence Mukira, 22, who was shot as she transported a sack of maize she had harvested on the night of July 24. Her husband Nicholas Mugambi who escaped unhurt, said they were attacked as they harvested some crops…

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has said that he will not hold discussions with President William Ruto without a third-party mediator. In a social media post addressed to Raila on Tuesday evening, Ruto stated his willingness to meet with him. “As you have always known, am available to meet one on one with you anytime at your convenience,” tweeted the president. Speaking to AFP on Wednesday, the former prime minister maintained that he would only meet with Dr Ruto in the presence of a mediator. Read: Inviting Raila for Talks via Twitter is Disrespectful – Wandayi Tells Ruto According to Raila, the…

Information, Communication and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo on Thursday confirmed that there was a cyber-attack on the e-Citizen platform. This affected many who were seeking government services online. Owalo confirmed the hacking that was reported this week. “Oh yes! To me that was not strange because cyber-attacks are predominant the world over,” Owalo told Spice FM on Thursday. Read: How to Register, Resign from a Political Party on the ORPP Portal on eCitizen “There was an attack. We are addressing that, we are not just coming up with instant remedial measures to address the current situation, we will…

Gospel singer Alex Apoko alias Ringtone has been accused of illegally occupying and destroying property belonging to a South Sudanese national. Ringtone was arrested on July 21 in Karen for assaulting five foreigners during an alleged home invasion. He and his co-accused were taken to Lang’ata Police Station and later presented before Kibera Chief Magistrate where they were charged with assault and malicious damage to property. The others were; Samson Onunga alias Kazola, Victor B Maringa, Kevin Nyaoke, Brian Jumba Luseno, and Geoffrey Mose. Read: Ringtone On The Verge Of Losing “Grabbed” Runda Home As Owners Come Knocking The family of…

I shall not be silenced, Jubilee party official Pauline Njoroge has said after her dramatic arrest over the weekend in Watamu. In a lengthy tweet on Thursday, Pauline who was released on free bond on Monday, said orders to arrest her were issued on Wednesday last week. The digital strategist said the orders came from Nairobi and immediately DCI sleuths started tracking her. She recounted how a person claiming to be a banker reached her asking her to collect documents in Malindi. Read: Blogger Pauline Njoroge Released on Free Bond Her friend, Jane Nduta, also received a call on Saturday from…

Detectives are investigating an incident in which the body of a man was found in a manhole outside the Kenya Ports Authority gate in Mombasa. The body was found Tuesday at the freight yard near KPA gate 26 by pedestrians. Police who visited the scene said it was found inside a blocked manhole within the said area. The body had bruises around the right eye, shoulders and both hands. Police said they are investigating murder in connection with the discovery. The body was moved to the mortuary pending autopsy and identification as part of probe into the incident. Read: MCA Aspirant…

There was drama when anti-riot police on Wednesday night dispersed a group that converged in Makadara, Nairobi for a vigil for victims who were shot and killed or injured by police in past anti-government protests. Police declared the meeting illegal before dispersing it using teargas canisters. The group had converged on the roadside in the estate at about 8 pm and lit candles when anti-riot police arrived. Police argued they had not been notified about the event at the place hence the move to disperse the group. Read: Police Deployed Despite Cancellation of Anti-government Protests Police said they were not aware…

Soldiers in the West African country of Niger Thursday announced a coup on national TV. They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed the nation’s borders. Niger President Mohamed Bazoum has been held by troops from the presidential guard since early on Wednesday. He was promised Washington’s “unwavering support” in call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also said he had spoken to the president and offered the UN’s full support. Mr Bazoum is a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militancy in West Africa. Two neighbouring countries,…

The Employment and Labour Relations Court Tuesday quashed the appointment of Bernice Sialaal Lemedeket as Principal Administrative Secretary (PAS) and Accounting Officer of the National Police Service (NPS). Nakuru surgeon Dr. Magare Gikenyi had filed a petition challenging Sialaal’s appointment saying the position of PAS does not exist in Kenya’s Constitution. He added president William Ruto did not initiate public participation in its creation. Dr. Gikenyi argued that the position would only be a waste of public resources since the PAS would be acting as an Accounting Officer, a role that is already under the docket of the Principal Secretary…

By Agencies A London jury has found Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey not guilty of seven sexual assaults and two other sexual offenses against four men. The Hollywood star, 64, had faced historical sex offense charges that allegedly took place between 2004 and 2013, during which time Spacey served as artistic director at London’s Old Vic theater. He pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. Justice Mark Wall had sent the jury at London’s Southwark Crown Court out to consider its verdicts on Monday at 12.45 p.m. local time. After 12 hours and 26 minutes of deliberation across three days,…