Author: KahawaTungu Reporter

Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) has replaced suspended Managing Director Bernard Njiraini Esther Ngari in an acting capacity. The Kebs board also appointed Bernard Nguyo as acting Director Quality Assurance and Inspection while Zachariah Lukorito was named the acting Director for Standards Development and Trade. Njiraini was among 27 government officials sent packing for aiding the release of expired sugar that was earmarked for destruction in 2018. Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on Wednesday evening announced that the suspensions had been instigated by two ministries – the National Treasury and Investments and Trade – pending investigations into the matter.…

Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has ordered back to work Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) employees. Over 200 Kemsa workers have been working from home since November 2022. The board asked them to work remotely as it sought to restructure following the COVID-19 scandal. On Thursday, however, the CS said there was no need for the government employees to be ‘sitting at home”. Read: President Ruto Sacks PS Mburu Over Kemsa Scandal “I direct the Chair to make sure that the staff understand what is expected of them, it does not make sense to have paid over 200 people sitting at home…

Embattled Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni says the party has secured two venues for the planned Special National Delegates Convention (NDC). Speaking to K24, the former Ndaragwa MP remained cagey about the locations but stated that the details would be communicated to members at a later date. He did, however, note that the venues are within the country’s capital, Nairobi. The former legislator claimed that the government was determined to make sure that the NDC does not take place. Read: Jubilee NDC in Limbo as Bomas Venue Unavailable “We know that this is part of the government’s scheme to ensure that…

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s plans to hold the Jubilee National Delegates Conference at the Bomas of Kenya on May 22 have been put on hold after the management said the venue was unavailable. The former President’s notice stated that members would meet to deliberate, create, and ratify party policy. The announcement further noted that the National Executive Committee (NEC) will adopt any other matters and submit a status report to members during the convention. However, the Bomas management claimed that the former ruling party would not be able to use the venue as it would be closed for renovations beginning…

The 14-person team assigned to lead the negotiations between the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja coalitions on Wednesday said it was satisfied with the talks’ development. The team stated that they were making progress in finding peaceful solutions to the issues at hand. George Murugara, a member of the Kenya Kwanza side, stated that they have decided to work with a hybrid model that will acknowledge both the parliamentary process and engagements outside of parliament, allowing people outside of parliament to voice their opinions and serve as rapporteurs. “As you can see we are agreeing on one issue after…

President William Ruto received a standing ovation in South Africa as he delivered a speech at the Pan-African Parliament Summit on Climate Policy and Equity. The President wondered why foreign heads invited African leaders to their countries to discuss matters affecting the continent. Dr Ruto who spoke for more than an hour decried the maltreatment of African heads yet the continent greatly contributes to the global economy. “Why would you call 50 African heads only to give them one minute as part of the engagement?” posed Dr Ruto. Read: US Applauds Ruto, Raila Over Commitment to Peaceful Dialogue “If you cannot…

Hundreds assembled at Pastor Pius Muiru’s Maximum Miracle Centre on Wednesday to meet Pastor Ezekiel Odero. Pastor Ezekiel is under investigation over links to the Shakahola massacre. The church which is located within the city was full to capacity forcing others to follow the proceedings from the streets. “Kwanzia leo nimepona na nimeokoka,” faithfuls shouted from the streets. Read: Pastor Ezekiel Seeks to Withdraw Sh50 Million From Frozen Accounts The followers caused a traffic snarl-up in and out of Odeon and adjacent streets. https://twitter.com/omwambaKE/status/1658754080687235072 Ezekiel is visiting Muiru’s church following his release from jail on a Sh3 million bond with a surety of…

The announcement that Kenyans can now travel to Canada for job prospects has been rejected by the Canadian government. The announcement was made by Kenya’s Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Alfred Mutua on Tuesday. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada stated in a statement that the information was inaccurate and the programs mentioned did not exist. The IRCC advised Kenyans to check its immigration website for accurate information on how to immigrate to Canada. “Disinformation is circulating which suggests that special programs are welcoming Kenyan immigrants. This is false, and the immigration programs referenced do not exist. For accurate information on…

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance coalition party leader Raila Odinga says the Finance Bill 2023 is only punishing Kenyans who are already going through turbulent times. The former prime minister on Tuesday said the Bill is severely punishing the middle class. “The Bill prepared by Kenya Kwanza government is a punishment that Kenyans cannot and should not entertain, the Bill proposes amendments for various tax statutes including Income Tax Act, Value Added Tax, Tax Procedures Act, and Miscellaneous Fees and Levies Tax among other laws,” he said. The ODM leader said the contentious Bill which proposes radical tax measures…

Pastor Ezekiel Odero wants the High Court to allow him to withdraw Sh50 million from his frozen accounts. The preacher who is under investigation over links to the Shakahola massacre, says he needs the monies for daily operations of his school and church. According to Odero says the freezing of his funds has greatly affected the operations of the two entities; New Life Prayer Centre and church and Kilifi International School. Through lawyers Danstan Omari and Shadrack Wambui, the preacher told the court that the financial overheads cannot wait for 30 days as ordered. “Cash flow issues occasioned by the…

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and his Nakuru counterpart Susan Kihika risk arrest after ignoring summonses by the Senate watchdog committee. The two were supposed to appear before the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee to respond to queries on the use of public funds in their counties. Governor Sakaja was supposed to appear before the committee on May 15 to respond to audit queries on the use of funds by the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company. The governor, instead informed the committee that he was out of the country. Read: Governor Sakaja Names Shaffie Head of Events, Branding On…

President William Ruto has sacked Principal Secretary, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Dr Josephine Mburu over alleged impropriety at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA). The head of state on Monday also revoked the appointment of the Kemsa chairperson and dissolved the entire board. Further, Dr Ruto appointed former PS Irungu Nyakera as chairperson of the board. The President who promised to take action also reconstituted the entire board with four new appointees. https://twitter.com/HusseinMohamedg/status/1658126540779954178 The new members are; Hezborn Oyieko Omollo, Bernard Kipkirui Better, Jane Masiga and Jane Nyagaturi Mbatia. Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has gazetted the…

A Mombasa High Court has rejected Pastor Ezekiel Odero’s request to unfreeze his more than 15 bank accounts. Judge Olga Sewe on Monday ruled that the orders issued in Nairobi against the “man of God” and New Life Prayer Centre and Church will remain in force. The presiding judge dismissed all the applications filed by the Pastor but allowed one that gives his followers access to his Mavueni Prayer Centre. The pastor requested a temporary halt to the orders freezing his bank accounts but the judge deemed it unacceptable. Read: Pastor Ezekiel’s Supporters Pray Outside Court (Video) “The application dated May…

National Assembly Majority Leader Kiamni Ichung’wa has threatened to drag lawyer Danstan Omari to court for withdrawing a defamation suit against him. Omari had sued the Kikuyu MP for allegedly claiming that he frequented Koinange Street that is best known for sex workers. But according to Ichung’wa through lawyer Cecil Miller, Omari had filed the case at the High court and later withdrew it. The matter is, however, before a magistrate court. Read: Lawyer Danstan Omari Demands Sh11 Million in Damages from MP Ichung’wa Over Defamatory Tweet On April 26, Justice Visram Aleem Alnashir transferred the matter to the magistrate court.…

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has reviewed upwards fuel prices. Starting May 15, a litre of Kerosene will retail at Sh161.13 after the government removed subsidies. The price went up by Sh15, in a move set to affect poorer households that depend on the commodity for lighting and cooking. The State also removed Diesel subsidies further increasing the prices. As a result, Diesel will now sell at Sh168.40, an increase of Sh6.40. Petrol prices shot up by Sh3.40 and will retail at Sh182.70. “The prices are inclusive of the 8% Value Added Tax (VAT) in line with the…