The High Court dismissed a petition by members of the Rastafarian community seeking to legalize the use of cannabis (bhang) for religious purposes, ruling that they failed to prove that the country’s drug laws violate their constitutional rights. Justice Bahati Mwamuye held that the petitioners did not discharge the burden of demonstrating that the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act infringes on their freedom of religion, conscience and belief as protected under the Constitution. The judge however, acknowledged the need for a wider national conversation on cannabis policy. “We ought to have frank conversations on cannabis and which direction…
Author: Oki Bin Oki
Fuel prices will remain unchanged for the period between July 15 and August 14 after the government intervened to cushion consumers from rising global oil costs. Under the latest pricing announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), a litre of super petrol will retail at Sh214.03, diesel at Sh222.86, and kerosene at Sh191.38 in Nairobi. The stability in pump prices follows the government’s decision to extend the 8 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products for another three months. In addition, the State spent Sh945 million from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund to offset higher landed…
Police launched investigations after the body of an unidentified man was retrieved from the Ruiru River beneath a bridge along the Thika–Nairobi Superhighway in Juja, Kiambu County. According to police, the incident was reported at around 12:55 p.m. on Tuesday after members of the public spotted the body of an unknown African male, believed to be about 40 years old, floating in the river near Gwa Kairu. Police responded to the scene and confirmed the report. As authorities waited for divers from the Kiambu County Government to retrieve the body, a crowd of onlookers became agitated and blocked the Thika–Nairobi…
Twelve states have sued to block Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent, kicking off a high-stakes antitrust battle that could impede the media mega-merger. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the antitrust lawsuit, filed Monday in the Northern District of California, is necessary because “this merger would snuff out competition, drive up prices, diminish content quality, and produce fewer movies and shows each year.” On Monday night the states asked the court for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction. The motion was made to “make sure that the proposed merger is halted during the pendency of…
Mining giant De Beers is suspending production at South Africa’s biggest diamond mine for two years, as changing consumer habits continue to shrink profits. Prices across the industry have fallen because fewer people are buying diamonds than in the past, especially in China, and there is stiff competition from much cheaper lab-grown gems. Announcing its decision to close the Venetia mine, De Beers said it needed to cut costs and streamline operations given the depressed state of the world diamond market. The Venetia mine, in the far north of South Africa, accounts for more than 40% of the country’s diamond…
The prosecution secured a life sentence for former Kenya Army Major Peter Mwaura Mugure following his conviction for the brutal murder of his two young children and their mother. In a matter, Justice Martin Muya of the High Court in Nyeri sentenced Mugure to life imprisonment on all three counts of murder, with the sentences to run concurrently, after finding that the offences warranted the harshest punishment. In arriving at the sentence, the court considered a victim impact statement by the victims’ family and submissions by the Prosecution, which had urged the court to impose the death penalty. The judge…
Inflation in the US eased last month as the cost of energy and filling up at the pumps fell, official figures show. Prices rose 3.5% in the year to June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), down from 4.2% recorded in May. Gasoline prices decreased 9.7% last month, but are still much more expensive than a year ago. On Tuesday, the national average had risen to $3.86 a gallon from $3.79 a week ago, according to motorist advocacy group AAA. While the rate of inflation has fallen more than expected, the easing of price rises could be short-lived…
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) have renewed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in the investigation and prosecution of corruption and money laundering cases. The pledge was made during a high-level strategic meeting held at the Kenya School of Government, bringing together EACC Chairperson Dr. David Oginde, Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud, commissioners, Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga, and senior officials from both institutions. The meeting reviewed the progress made in the partnership between the two agencies and explored ways of enhancing coordination to improve the fight against economic…
The European Union (EU) has banned the purchase, import and transfer of gold from Sudan, saying the trade has become a key source of financing for the country’s civil war that erupted in April 2023. The conflict between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, forcing more than 14 million people from their homes. Sudan is one of Africa’s largest gold producers and its vast reserves have become a crucial source of revenue for both sides, according to rights groups. EU foreign ministers approved the measures alongside a…
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with faith-based organisations, describing the Church as a key partner in promoting peace, national unity, good governance and socio-economic development. Mudavadi made the remarks after meeting Archbishop Philip Anyolo of the Archdiocese of Nairobi and Archbishop Anthony Muheria of the Archdiocese of Nyeri, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops. The two church leaders briefed him on preparations for the 21st Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) Plenary Assembly, which…
Every individual experiences moments of stress, emotional exhaustion, and uncertainty in their personal or professional life. While modern lifestyles offer convenience and opportunities, they can also create mental and emotional pressure. As people become more aware of the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and overall well-being, holistic practices are becoming a popular way to restore balance. Pranic healing dubai is one such approach that focuses on energy wellness and personal harmony. The foundation of this practice is based on the belief that the body has an energetic system that plays an important role in overall wellness. Similar to how physical…
President Donald Trump has said the US is reinstating a naval blockade of Iranian ports and will impose a 20% charge on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade would stop “Iran’s ships or customers” from entering or leaving the key oil shipping route, but “all other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait”, he said in a social media post. Trump insisted the strait “will remain OPEN, with or without Iran”. Iran earlier said it would not allow the US to “interfere” in management of the waterway, which it said was closed. Tehran…
A Nigerian man accused of illegally obtaining a Kenyan national identity card and unlawfully residing in the country denied the charges against him at the Milimani Law Courts. Joseph Temple Tochukwu, also known as Joseph Temple Obare, appeared before the court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to two counts. He is charged with being unlawfully present in Kenya, contrary to Section 53(1)(j) as read with Section 53(2) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, and obtaining registration by false pretences, contrary to Section 320 of the Penal Code. During the proceedings, the defence applied for favourable bond terms…
A suspected member of an armed gang linked to the recent robbery at a popular Westlands restaurant was shot dead during a police operation in Joska, Machakos County, as detectives intensified efforts to dismantle a criminal network blamed for a string of violent robberies in Nairobi and its neighbouring counties. According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspect was killed after opening fire on detectives who had raided a house in Joska Town, where he was reportedly hiding at his girlfriend’s residence. The operation was conducted jointly by detectives from DCI Headquarters and DCI Matungulu following intelligence on…
A person was killed Monday in an ICE-involved shooting in Biddeford, Maine, according to the state’s speaker of the house — just days after a federal agent fatally shot a Mexican immigrant during a traffic stop in Houston, sparking mass protests and demands for transparency and accountability. “A person was killed. ICE was involved. State Police and the Department of Public Safety are now on scene to gather details and would expect the FBI to investigate as well,” Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau said in a statement on Facebook. “These are the details that I have at this time. I…