The Illinois Supreme Court has overturned a conviction against actor Jussie Smollett, who prosecutors accused of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019 in Chicago. Smollett, who is black and gay, was convicted of five counts of disorderly conduct in 2021. He had claimed two men targeted him in a hate-crime, yelling racial slurs and putting a noose around his neck while he was walking down the street near his apartment. Two men testified that the Empire television show star paid them $3,500 (£2,700) to stage the attack. Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail, but…
Author: David Wafula
President William Ruto has announced that Kenya’s economy is projected to grow by 5% in 2024 and 5.6% in 2025, building on last year’s 5.6% growth. Speaking during the state address, Ruto attributed the steady economic growth to government initiatives aimed at revitalizing the agricultural sector. These efforts include providing farmers with subsidized fertilizer and other affordable inputs to boost production and productivity. “Our efforts to secure food security and stability are already bearing fruit,” Ruto said. “We project 5% growth this year and 5.6% next year.” Since February, the government has distributed subsidized fertilizer to 6.45 million registered farmers…
President William Ruto has directed the immediate cancellation of the Adani Group’s proposed takeover of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the recently concluded Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited- KETRACO deal, citing corruption concerns. In his State of the Nation Address, President Ruto emphasized his commitment to fighting corruption, especially when credible evidence comes to light. “I have stated in the past, and I now reiterate, that in the face of undisputed evidence or credible information on corruption, I will not hesitate to take decisive action,” Ruto said. The president ordered the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy…
President William Ruto has assured Kenyans that the Social Health Authority (SHA) will clear all October claims by next week as the government works to address challenges in transitioning from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the new healthcare system. Speaking during his State of the Nation Address, Ruto revealed that the government has paid Sh5 billion of the Sh12.9 billion debt inherited from the defunct NHIF. He pledged to settle an additional Sh3.7 billion by tomorrow, bringing the total disbursement closer to clearing the outstanding balance. “The good news is that SHA will pay all October claims in…
The government has launched a nationwide crackdown to shut down 2,257 bars and alcohol outlets located within 300 meters of schools. Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo issued the directive, ordering immediate enforcement of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act. In a letter to regional and county security committees, Omollo emphasized the dangers posed by the increasing number of alcohol outlets near schools. “There has been a proliferation of alcoholic outlets near basic education institutions. This has greatly hampered the government’s efforts to ensure that learning takes place in a conducive and safe environment,” said Omollo. The Alcoholic…
Nandi County Governor Stephen Sang has announced a significant reshuffle of county executives, aiming to improve service delivery and address key gaps in governance. The changes, made under Executive Order No. 1 of 2024, are in line with the County Government Act, 2012, and reflect the governor’s commitment to efficiency, productivity, and accountability. “Cognizant of the need to enhance responsiveness to the people’s needs and focus performance on devolved functions, I have reorganized my government to ensure efficiency and effectiveness,” said Sang. The reshuffle has affected several County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) and Chief Officers. Alfred Lagat has been reassigned…
Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has unveiled a Taskforce to review the Sports Act, 2013, aiming to address longstanding issues and modernize the framework governing Kenya’s sports sector. The team, tasked with delivering its recommendations within six months, will develop a robust legislative framework to promote transparency, align with the Constitution, and adapt to the evolving sports landscape. Murkomen highlighted that the sports sector has suffered from gaps in laws and policies, enabling corruption, favoritism, and mismanagement by sports federations. The Taskforce will outline government roles in promoting sports, regulating academies, and managing stadia. It will also propose a restructuring…
A Netflix subscriber has filed a lawsuit against the streaming giant following widespread technical issues during the much-anticipated Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight on November 15. Ronald “Blue” Denton, a Florida resident, submitted the complaint in state court on Monday, accusing Netflix of breach of contract and deceptive trade practices. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages and class-action status for other affected subscribers. Denton alleges that Netflix was “woefully ill-prepared” for the massive audience the event attracted, rendering the livestream “unwatchable” for many viewers. Social media lit up on the night of the fight, with complaints about frozen screens and…
Metro Boomin has opened up about his rumored feud with Drake in a recent interview with GQ Magazine. Appearing on the cover of the magazine’s “Men of the Year” issue alongside Future, the producer dismissed speculation that his collaborative albums with Future, We Don’t Trust You and We Still Don’t Trust You, were created to take shots at Drake. In quotes shared by journalist Elliott Wilson, Metro clarified that the idea of spending years crafting albums solely to target Drake was absurd. “People really think we spent two years making two albums just to go, ‘Yo, forget this dude.’ What…
Coachella 2025 lineup has been revealed, promising music fans an unforgettable experience. The world-famous festival will return to Indio, California, for its signature two weekends of electrifying performances. Headlining the event are global superstars Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Post Malone, with Travis Scott joining as a special guest. Scott, who also serves as the artistic director for ComplexCon and CactusCon, announced plans to debut a new “era” of music, alongside a Cactus Jack immersive experience set to transform the desert venue. Beyond the headliners, the festival will feature a powerhouse lineup of artists, including Missy Elliott, FKA Twigs, Megan…
Grammy-winning artist Lizzo has made a splash in the real estate world, purchasing actor Jeremy Renner’s Hollywood Hills mansion for an impressive $12.4 million (approximately Sh1.86 billion). The deal marks a significant profit for the “Hawkeye” star, who originally bought the property in 2012 for $4 million and invested $5.5 million in renovations. Renner, 53, had listed the luxurious 6-bedroom, 9-bathroom home for $13 million in August, but Lizzo, 36, closed the deal at the end of October, according to sources. Spanning roughly 9,000 square feet, the property is tailored for a musician of Lizzo’s caliber. It boasts a fully…
Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce has sparked speculation about his readiness for fatherhood after joking about having kids during an episode of Prime Video’s Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? In Tuesday’s episode, Kelce reacted humorously to comments from former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who suggested that becoming a parent makes you “wiser.” “Is that what happens when you have kids? You get smarter?” Kelce, 35, asked with a grin. “Man, that’s all I had to do to become brilliant?” Fitzpatrick quipped back, “Just have a baby,” drawing cheers from the audience. Fans quickly picked up on Kelce’s playful…
The government has reported an additional case of Mpox, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in Kenya to 18. Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa announced that the latest case was detected in Nakuru County. “The cases are distributed as follows: Nakuru (four), Nairobi (two), Mombasa (two), Kajiado (two), Bungoma (two), Taita Taveta (one), Busia (one), Makueni (one), Kericho (one), Uasin Gishu (one), and Kilifi (one),” said Barasa in a statement to newsrooms. Of the 18 confirmed cases, four are currently under management, while 14 individuals have fully recovered. The CS also revealed that 115 contacts have been identified, with…
The Law Society of Kenya has called on the Ministry of Health (MoH) to enhance its communication strategies following public backlash over the recent polio vaccination drive. The first round of the campaign, conducted between October 2 and 6, 2024, targeted children in eight counties: Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos, Turkana, West Pokot, Busia, and Trans Nzoia. During the same period, Uganda carried out a similar vaccination drive in Mbale. In Kenya, the campaign vaccinated at least 3.7 million children. A second round of vaccinations was conducted in the same counties between November 9 and 13. Despite its scope, the campaign…
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has called on the government to make public the 2014 GMO Taskforce report to foster transparency and public awareness. The GMO ban, which had been in place since November 2012 over safety concerns, was lifted by the government on October 3, 2022. The decision came amid the worst drought in 40 years in the East African region. The government cited recommendations from a task force on GMOs and food safety and referenced international treaties such as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The move sparked mixed reactions across the country and the region.…