Author: Mercy Auma

BBC’s Larry Madowo has finally made his return to television after taking a one year break to further his studies. Taking to Instagram, Madowo stated that he was back to reporting as a correspondent adding that he is now focused on covering pivotal moments in America amid the Coronavirus pandemic. “A year after I took a career break, I’m back to reporting. I’m doing a new thing as a US Correspondent covering this pivotal moment in America for BBC.  My first story, from inside a COVID-19 ICU, airs today across the BBC,” he wrote. https://www.instagram.com/p/CDLvrQ4lihN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Read: Larry Madowo Allays Coronavirus Fears…

Bomet Senator Christopher Andrew Langat has replaced Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja as the chairman of Senate Ad Hoc Committee on COVID-19. According to Star, this was confirmed by the Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kang’ata through a motion of approval. “The I’s have it,” Senate speaker Ken Lusaka said after a majority approved the nomination. Last week, Sakaja was forced to resign as the chairman of the Senate Adhoc Committee on COVID-19 following his controversial arrest. Read: Sakaja Forced To Resign As Chairman of Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Covid-19 “I take responsibility for having flouted the COVID-19 rules, I was outside my…

A standoff has been witnessed at City Hall as a section of Nairobi MCAs made attempts to serve Speaker Beatrice Elachi with an impeachment notice. General Service Unit (GSU) police have been deployed at the location to restore order as the chaos escalated leading to exchange of blows. They have been forced to lob teargas in the air to disperse the crowd. In videos circulated online, MCAs are captured trying to make their way into the Speaker’s office with reports indicating that Elachi locked herself in her office. https://twitter.com/titusokello13/status/1288041703736320006 Read: Speaker Elachi Swears In Clerk Ngwele’s Replacement A Day After His…

The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) will cater to costs relating to Coronavirus in government hospitals. In a statement by the Institution CEO Peter Kamunyo, COVID-19 patients and their beneficiaries will receive support when admitted in designated facilities by the Ministry of Health. These facilities include Kenyatta National Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital and Mbagathi County Hospital. Others are; county-designated facilities and any other facility as may be designated by the ministry. Read: NHIF Accountant At KNH Reportedly Goes Missing “The health and wellness of our members is of utmost importance to us, and in…

Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in tough economic times prompting businesses to shut down leaving people jobless and unemployed. An emerging trend has revealed that Nairobians are deserting the city permanently for upcountry and other areas. The trend has seen houses left vacant as tenants flee the city to avoid the huge expenses that have been attributed to the deadly virus. Some of those who have left the city include celebrities who have opted for other towns such as Mombasa, Kilifi, Nakuru, Nanyuki, Machakos and even Embu. Last week, popular Youtubers and content creators Ramzzy and Shiko Nguru revealed that they…

President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed the changes in the closing time for eateries and restaurants from 8 PM to 7 PM. Speaking today during the state of the nation address, the President reiterated that eateries and restaurants need to observe the directives issued by the Ministry of Health to be able to operate. Bars are also set to remain closed for the next 30 days. Read: Nationwide Curfew Extended By Another 30 Days For instance, failure to heed these directives would warrant a permanent closure of the restaurant and revoke of the licence to operate. This move comes barely a month…

Widow to the late Charles Bukeko popularly known as Papa Shirandula, Beatrice Andega Afwai has recounted a low time in their lives where they lost four children. Speaking during the final tribute to her husband and Kenyan icon aired on NTV’s Churchill Show, Beatrice narrated their earlier years and their meeting in 2004 through mutual friends in church. Following their meeting, the couple settled down but unfortunately, their childbearing process had several challenges of one miscarriage after the other. They had their first child in 2006 but at this time they had already lost 4 to miscarriages. Read: Legendary Actor Papa…

The weatherman has warned of expected heavy rains above 70 mm in different parts of the country this week. Through twitter, the Kenya Met Department outlined a 7-day forecast with the counties of Baringo, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot, Uasin Gishi, Laikipia and Kwale expected to receive heavy rainfall. https://twitter.com/MeteoKenya/status/1287641712865705984 According to the forecast, moderate rainfall between 50-70 mm is expected over some parts of Bungoma, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nakuru, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Mombasa and Kilifi Counties. Read: KWS Issues Warning Over Inaccessibility At Amboseli National Park Due To Heavy Rains Some parts of Busia, Kakamega, Nandi, Kisumu, Kericho, Nyamira, Murang’a, Kiambu, Nyeri, Samburu, Turkana,…

Health CAS Dr Rashid Aman has announced 375 more COVID-19 cases bringing the tally to  16,643. Speaking during the daily COVID-19 briefings at Afya House, Aman stated that within the last 24 hours, 2,052 samples were tested. 128 patients have ideally recovered bringing the total number of recoveries to 7,574. Out of those discharged, 74 came from the home-based program while 54 discharged from various facilities. However, on a sad note, 4 patients have succumbed to the deadly virus bringing the death toll to 278. Out of the positive cases, 229 were male and 146 were female. 351 are Kenyans…

Kenyans on Twitter (KOT) are outraged after NTV misquoted Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi. Speaking during the daily COVID-19 briefing on Friday, Dr Mwangangi said that the ministry has been identifying virus cases posthumously. This means that the cases have been identified long after the victims are dead. But according to NTV, Dr Mwangangi confirmed that Kenyans are mysteriously dropping dead and urged netizens not to panic. KOT thought the tweet was meant to cause jitters among Kenyans while others criticized the station for passing the wrong message. Here are some of the comments: https://twitter.com/njule_kevin/status/1286913451189731330 https://twitter.com/Karanimutonga/status/1286914739696803841 https://twitter.com/Paullycarp/status/1286910757104427008 Concerns have however,…

The University of Nairobi (UON) has confirmed 14 cases of Coronavirus in the institution with 4 deaths. Out of the 14 cases, 10 are members of staff while 4 are their dependants. Through a statement on Twitter, the University’s Vice-Chancellor Prof Stephen Kiama indicated that three active members of their staff and one retired staffer also lost their lives to the deadly virus. “It is a difficult period for our Country and UoN community. I convey my condolences to the affected families and pray to the almighty God to give them comfort and strength to overcome the pain and loss,”…

In February, a video footage that was making rounds on social media capturing a Chinese restaurant manager whipping a Kenyan waiter for reportedly showing up late to work ignited mixed reactions in the country. The footage captured the Chinese national said to have been the Head Chef in the hotel, hence was punishing the youthful waiter for allegedly reporting late to work. Following the uproar, Interior CS Fred Matiangi orchestrated their deportation of the Chinese,  Deng Hailan alongside his colleagues of Asian origin. They were said to be working and living in the country illegally without valid licences. Read: Court Suspends…

Government Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna has confirmed having tested positive for Coronavirus. Through a statement, Oguna indicated that he recently came from an assignment out of town and developed flu-like symptoms. Upon testing, the results came back positive. “Recently having come from an assignment out of town, I developed mild coronavirus symptoms and got tested. The results came back positive for coronavirus and I am now receiving medical care and responding well to treatment at an isolation and treatment facility,” reads the statement. https://twitter.com/ItsDavidMaina/status/1286603190075523077 Oguna further added that contact tracing was ongoing although his family is fine. He urged Kenyans to…

Citizen TV presenter Yvonne Okwara who has been out of the public eye for quite some time has finally made a comeback, disclosing that she had been unwell. Taking to Instagram, the celebrated presenter gave an update of her health disclosing that she had undergone spinal surgery following years of excruciating pain resulted from 2 slip discs in her lower spine. She further documented the troubles she had to go through every day in pain while putting up a smile and brave face for the cameras. “I’m alive and well! 😜 But I needed to take a step back and…

Two more MPs have tested positive for COVID-19 at parliament bringing to 50 the total number of infections confirmed in the House. According to Nation, Speaker Justin Muturi banned physical meetings in the house last week stating that the institution is among those worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We continue to take necessary precautions to protect MPs, staff and visitors against Covid-19 infections,” Muturi said. Apparently, two legislators who were first to contract the deadly virus have since recovered with the latest other 48 cases including two MPs and 46 staff, two of whom are cleaners. Read: Two MPs Have…