Author: Mercy Auma

93 Kenyans have died in Saudi Arabia and other gulf countries since 2019, the government has said. This, the labour PS Peter Tum said was attributed to deaths due to Covid-19, cardiac arrest, cancer, childbirth, respiratory complications, tuberculosis and meningitis. The PS was appearing before the National Assembly’s Labour and Social Welfare Committee which is chaired by MP Wachira Kabinga. Other deaths, the PS said was due to suicide and accidents. “Since January 2019, the ministry has received reports of 93 deaths of migrant workers in the Gulf region,” the PS said. Read: Patricia Wanja, Woman Enslaved in Saudi Arabia Returns…

Starting and running a business in Kenya is one of the most tedious tasks given the tough economic times currently experienced. However, for most people who have mastered their nitch, doing business within the capital is very easy and profitable. Not everyone is cut for the 9 AM-5 PM. Ultimately, employments are temporary and can be gone just as soon as they came. Thus,  having a side hustle on the side is very essential and comes in handy especially when one is retrenched or experiences a tough life situation such as sickness or even luxury. Some of these businesses do…

Kenya has announced 188 Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours after 2,354 samples were tested. The country’s caseload is now at 188,942. This brings the country’s positivity rate to 8.0% with the cumulative tests so far conducted now at 2,018,013. From the cases 174 are Kenyans while 14 are foreigners. 102 are males and 86 females. The youngest is a two-year-old child while the oldest is 85 years. Sadly, one patient has succumbed bringing the country’s death toll to 3,723. Also, 341 patients have recovered from the disease with 250 from Home-Based Isolation and Care, while 91 are from…

Lawyer Harriete Chiggai who is shortlisted for the IEBC position has been put on the spot over links with Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress (ANC) party. During the interview on Monday, it emerged that Chiggai has an affiliation to the ANC party as she chairs its Internal Dispute Resolution. This, the interviewing panel noted would be a hindrance to her duties and thus influence how she would deliver her role should she get the job. Addressing the same, the lawyer stated that she is non-partisan and her affiliation to the ANC would not hinder her from doing her job. Read: Candidate…

A burial in Webuye East turned chaotic yesterday after supporters of Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati and Senator Moses Wetangula clashed. Reports indicate that following the drama, the burial of  Mama Selina Soita, mother to former councilor Patroba Soita was forced to end prematurely. For instance, it is reported that MCAs allied to Governor Wangamati accused those pledging allegiance to Wetangula of sabotage. Hell broke loose when Sitikho MCA Grace Sundukwa, who is said to be sabotaging the Governor’s administration took the microphone to address mourners. Read: Wetangula Condemns “Selfish” Removal Of Malala As Minority Leader Sundukwa called out MCAs allied to…

Kenyan passport holders have been barred from accessing 54 countries due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In a new report by the Henley Passport Index, Kenya is among the countries affected by Covid-19 travel restrictions. Thus, Kenyan passport holders have been banned from accessing the following countries: Hong Kong Bangladesh Chile Czech Republic Cyprus Cameroon Australia Argentina Belgium Cambodia United Kingdom (UK) Canada Portugal Denmark Bulgaria Singapore Earlier in January, the Kenyan passport dropped from the top 10 most powerful in Africa. It was ranked as position 11 by the Henley Passport Index Report. In last year’s ranking, Kenya was ranked…

Kenya has announced 536 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours after a sample size of 6,036 was tested. The country’s caseload is now at 188,513. This brings the country’s positivity rate is to 8.9% with the cumulative tests so far conducted now at 2,012,698. Sadly, three deaths have been reported in the last 24hours bringing the cumulative death toll in Kenya to 3,721. Currently, a total of 1,092 patients are admitted to various health facilities countrywide, while 3,982 are under the Home-Based Isolation and Care program. 120 patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 39 of whom…

The waiter who was captured being canned by a Chinese Supervisor in a viral video last year has been awarded Sh3 million for inhumane treatment by the High Court. In a ruling by Justice Nduma Nderi, the petitioner was subjected to inhumane treatment and sexual molestation by the supervisor. Hence, he was awarded Sh3.072 million. The court further awarded Sh72,000 (six months’ salary) in compensation for unlawful and unfair summary dismissal. “The petitioner suffered extreme cruelty, humiliation, psychological trauma, pain and suffering; loss of self-esteem as a result of the continuous sexual harassment, corporal punishment, verbal abuse and confinement while…

The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that heavy rainfall is expected in different parts of the country for the next five days. In a notice on Twitter, the weatherman announced that Isolated storms are likely to occur over parts of the highlands west of the Rift Valley and the northwest. The areas likely to be affected are Trans Nzoia, Kericho, Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Baringo, Elgeyo-Marakwet and the northwestern counties of Turkana, West Pokot and Samburu. “Cool and cloudy conditions (accompanied by light rains ) are expected over the Highlands East of the Rift Valley (including Nairobi County) as well as…

Two people have been reported after a night house party in Nairobi’s Kilimani estate on Thursday, July 8, 2021. Police reports reveal that the two, one identified as a 23-year-old Nigerian citizen jumped from the 7th floor of the building. It is however unclear whether the duo was pushed or committed suicide. According to witness statements, there was a party being held in celebration of the life of a Nigerian national who had passed on days earlier. Apparently, those who attended the party were mainly Nigerians with the total number of members who were present said to be 20. Read: Detectives…

Kenya has announced 452 new Covid-19 cases after 4,876 samples were tested in the last 24 hours. The country’s caseload is now at 187,977. This brings the positivity rate to 9.3% with the cumulative tests so far conducted now at 2,006,662. The death toll has risen to 3,718 after 2 patients succumbed to the virus. 1,327 patients have also recovered, 1,272 are from the Home-Based Isolation & Care, while 55 are from various health facilities. Total recoveries now stand at 177,783 out of which 141,858 are from the Home Based Care and Isolation program, while 35,925 are from various health…

The University of Nairobi has announced new changes in its administration in a major restructuring move aimed to cut costs. Among the changes, the Institution has abolished 5 Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) posts. Thus, only two harmonized positions have remained and have been renamed to Associate Vice-Chancellor. Also, the institution has trimmed and abolished 24 colleges from the total 35 to now only 11. All college principal and deputy principal positions were also removed, and will be replaced by 4 executive and associate dean posts. This, according to the institution is aimed to cut costs and promote efficiency. Read: UoN Students Block…

President Uhuru Kenyatta has been accompanied by his handshake partner, Raila Odinga for the tour of Kalonzo Musyoka’s Ukambani backyard. In photos circulating on social media, the Head of State arrived at Makueni County to inspect the ongoing construction of Thwake Dam. The 688 million cubic metre Thwake dam is a Vision 2030 flagship project and a key initiative of the Government’s big 4 agenda. Leaders from various sections of the Ukambani region were present including governor Charity Ngilu, Alfred Mutua, Kivuta Kibwana, Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior among others. https://twitter.com/StateHouseKenya/status/1413439977954873344 Read: President Uhuru Cancels Two-Day Ukambani Trip For Fear of Covid-19…

For the better part of last week, social media was swirling with news of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni’s death. Speculations on Twitter alluded that the Head of State was in a critical condition and had been flown to Nairobi for treatment. Other sources claimed that Museveni had contracted Covid-19 and had been admitted at the Nairobi Hospital’s ICU. This, netizens from different parts of the world likened to the death of Tanzania’s President John Magufuli whose sickness was kept under the rags until his demise. Read: Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli Is Dead Magufuli fell ill and was off the limelight…

A lecturer at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has been found dead inside his house in Kakamega. Reports indicate that the lecturer, Professor Ezekiel Kasiera was discovered unconscious by his house help on Thursday Morning. The house help ideally intimated that prior to his death, the professor had been coughing vigorously at night. “When I woke up, I found the toilet he uses was dirty so I cleaned it,” the house help is quoted by a local publication. Read: KU Lecturer Awarded Sh6 Million for Wife’s Death in a Road Crash More information on the same is yet…