Russian gas supplies to EU states via Ukraine have ended after a five-year deal between Ukraine’s gas transit operator Naftogaz and Russia’s Gazprom expired. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier that his country would not allow Russia to “earn additional billions on our blood” and had given the EU a year to prepare. The European Commission said the continent’s gas system was “resilient and flexible” and that it had sufficient capacity to cope with the end of transit via Ukraine. Russia can still send gas to Hungary, as well as Turkey and Serbia, through the TurkStream pipeline across the Black…
Author: David Wafula
ODM leader Raila Odinga has called on Kenyans to prioritize dialogue this year, describing 2024 as a challenging and dramatic period for the nation. In his New Year message, Raila acknowledged that many of the issues faced in 2024 would persist into 2025. “It is up to us, as Kenyans, to decide whether to carry on divided, bitter, and cursing into 2026, or to find a way of coming to the table, discussing our problems jointly, and agreeing on a mutual solution that secures our country and provides a template for our beloved continent of Africa,” he said. Raila has…
The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has sparked speculation after changing his name on his social media platform X to “Kekius Maximus”. The tech mogul – and close confidant of US President-Elect Donald Trump – offered no immediate explanation for the name or his new profile image which depicts the character Pepe the Frog – a meme that has been used by far-right groups. The move has sent ripples through the cryptocurrency world, sending the value of a memecoin – a digital currency inspired by internet memes – that shares the same name skyrocketing. In the past, Mr Musk has…
The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) Wednesday explained an incident involving a metallic object that fell from the skies and landed in Mukuku Village, Mukuku Sublocation, Nduluku Location, Waia Division, Mbooni East Sub-County, Makueni County. The incident happened on December 30, 2024. The Agency said the object, a metallic ring measuring approximately 2.5 meters in diameter and weighing about 500 kilos is a fragment of a space object. “Preliminary assessments indicate that the fallen object is a separation ring from a launch vehicle (rocket).” “Such objects are usually designed to burn up as they re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere or to fall…
The Kenya Airport Authority (KAA) has named Nicholas Bodo, an executive in the Ministry of Transport, as its Acting Managing Director. This decision follows the re-advertisement of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer position on December 24, 2024. KAA Chairman Caleb Kositany announced the interim appointment on December 31, 2024, stating, “To ensure a smooth transition, the Board has appointed Nicholas Bodo as Acting Managing Director, effective immediately.” Bodo currently serves as the Director of Air Services at the Ministry of Transport. However, the re-advertisement of the MD/CEO position has sparked criticism from legal experts, who have termed the move unconstitutional.…
Over 2.2 million girls in Kenya received free sanitary towels during the 2022/2023 financial year, contributing to improved school attendance and retention rates. Acting Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, Arts, and Heritage, Musalia Mudavadi, highlighted this achievement, noting that over 12.5 million girls have benefited from the program since its inception in 2011. “Kenya has achieved near gender parity in enrollment across all education levels. The Gender Parity Index stands at 1.05 in pre-primary, 0.97 in primary, and over 1.05 in secondary levels. The provision of sanitary towels has been instrumental in ensuring girls stay in school,” said Mudavadi. The…
Kenya Airways has resumed flights to Dzaoudzi (DZA), Mayotte, after temporarily halting operations due to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido. In a Tuesday notice, the airline confirmed receiving clearance from authorities in Mayotte to resume flights. “We are pleased to announce that we have received clearance from authorities in Dzaoudzi (DZA) to resume our flights,” the statement read. Kenya Airways apologized for the inconvenience caused by the suspension and assured passengers that their safety was a top priority. The airline had earlier resumed flights to Comoros on December 16, following the reopening of the airport in the region. Operations…
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has called for the prosecution of police officers implicated in excessive force and torture during protests against abductions and enforced disappearances. In a statement, the commission condemned the violent dispersal of demonstrators, describing the police response as unnecessary and disproportionate. KNCHR emphasized that Article 37 of the Constitution guarantees all Kenyans the right to assemble, picket, and present petitions peacefully. The protests, initially peaceful in Nairobi and other counties, were reportedly disrupted by heavy-handed police interventions, including tear gas and arbitrary arrests. “The commission condemns in the strongest terms possible the unwarranted…
Three individuals were arrested on Tuesday in Kiambu County for possessing government property and an imitation firearm. Officers from Githika Police Station detained the suspects following a tip-off from alert residents. The suspects, identified as Rogers Okidos, 26, Godfrey Ndiba, 25, and William Rohara, 25, were apprehended during a raid on a house in Githangi village, a location described by authorities as a hub for packaging and selling bhang. “Acting decisively on intelligence from alert locals, the officers raided a house in Githangi village, notorious for being a hub where young men and women package and sell bhang. The operation…
Kisii County Senator Richard Momoima Onyonka has turned down an invitation to attend the State New Year’s Eve Dinner at the Kisii State Lodge, where President William Ruto is set to be present. In a statement issued on December 31, 2024, Senator Onyonka accused the president of failing to uphold his constitutional obligations, which include preserving, protecting, and upholding the sovereignty, integrity, and dignity of Kenyans. The senator expressed disappointment, saying that despite pleas from Kenyans for unity and justice, President Ruto had not addressed concerns about the abduction and arrest of young Kenyans. “We are ending the year on…
Linda Lavin, an accomplished American actress, singer, director, and producer, boasted a net worth of $6 million at the time of her passing on December 29, 2024, at the age of 87. Renowned for her captivating performances on stage and screen, Linda achieved widespread recognition as the titular character in the CBS sitcom Alice (1976–1985) and left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Linda Lavin’s Net Worth $6 Million Date of Birth October 15, 1937 Place of Birth Portland, Maine Died December 29, 2024 Nationality American Profession Singer, Actor, Television Director, Television producer, Teacher Early Life Born on October…
Cliftonville defender Michael Newberry has died suddenly at the age of 27. The English defender joined the club in the summer and made 25 appearances for the Reds. Newberry, who started his career with hometown club Newcastle United, also had a spell in Iceland with Vikingur before he joined Linfield in 2021. The former Northern Ireland Under-21 international spent three years with the Blues, winning two Irish Premiership titles and the Irish Cup. Cliftonville’s game against Dungannon Swifts and Linfield’s match with Larne on Monday night have both been postponed. In a statement posted on the club’s website, Cliftonville said…
Former reality TV star Kristin Cavallari has revealed new details about her past relationship with country music sensation Morgan Wallen. Speaking on a recent episode of Bunnie XO’s Dumb Blonde podcast, Cavallari shared candid insights into their brief romance. Cavallari described Wallen “He’s a great f**k buddy,” the former reality star said. “He was good in bed,” recounting how he took charge of the evening. “He was like, ‘I’ll pick you up, I’ll pick the place,’” she said, adding that he “handled business” and even kissed her in the rain, an experience she called “the sweetest thing.” Kristin Cavallari relationship…
Linda Lavin, the award-winning actress and singer best known for her role in the long-running CBS sitcom Alice, passed away on Sunday at the age of 87. Linda Lavin Cause of Death According to her representatives, she succumbed to complications from recently discovered lung cancer. Lavin’s career spanned more than seven decades, showcasing her talents on stage, television, and film. Born into a musical family, she began performing at the age of five. Lavin honed her skills at William & Mary and later found her footing in New York City, where she starred in Broadway plays and musicals throughout the…
Five individuals have been charged in connection with the tragic death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne, who died in October after falling from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Payne was 31 years old. According to Argentina’s prosecutor’s office, the accused include Payne’s representative, the hotel manager, and the head of reception, all charged with manslaughter. If convicted, they could face up to five years in prison. Additionally, a hotel employee and a waiter are accused of supplying Payne with cocaine during his stay and face up to 15 years in prison. The court…