Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

The High Court in Nairobi has banned community-based learning and ordered for reopening of all schools in 60 days. In a ruling delivered on Thursday, Justice James Makau held that the indefinite closure of schools in Kenya is a violation of school-enrolled children and learners’ right to education. The learning institutions were closed in March over coronavirus fears. Justice Makau stated that President Uhuru Kenyatta has no power under the Basic Education Act to order for the indefinite closure of learning institutions like he did. The judge declared community-based learning illegal arguing that Education Cabinet Secretary  George Magoha acted without…

Tanzania’s Inspector General of Police Simon Sirro has dismissed assassination claims by opposition leaders. Speaking to members of the press on Thursday, Sirro stated that police have no such information. Sirro said he personally wrote a letter to the Chadema party after its leader Tundu Lissu sought refuge at German embassy over claims that there was a plot to eliminate him for rejecting the outcome of the October 28 poll. Lissu lost to President John Pombe Magufuli in the election marred by claims of arrests, restricted access to polling stations, multiple voting, pre-ticking of ballots and widespread blocking of social…

Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Emma Mutio and two other medical officers have been detained for two days to allow police to conclude investigations into their alleged involvement in child trafficking. The CEO, administrator Regina Musembi and social worker Makalla Fred Leparan, were arrested after a BBC exposé linked the public hospital to the illegal business. They were arraigned on Wednesday. Magistrate Bernard Ochoi on Thursday allowed the prosecution’s request to detain the suspects pending investigations before being charged. The magistrate ruled that the investigating officer had raised genuine concerns on the possibility of the suspects interfering…

The Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has announced reopening dates for all students after months of closure over Covid-19 fears. This is following a senate sitting held on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, where the management resolved to adopt blended learning (integration of face-to-face and online instruction). In a memo seen by this writer, all colleges will reopen on Monday, November 23. The students will undertake practicals and exams up to Friday, December 4. “All students are required to adhere to the Ministry of Health Covid-19 containment measures,” JKUAT advised. Check the detailed schedule below: Tertiary institutions…

A woman has moved to court in an attempt to stop the burial of late Matungu Member of Parliament Justus Murunga. Agnes Wangui, through her lawyer Danstan Omari, claims Murunga fathered her two children, who she wants allowed to participate in the late MP’s burial arrangements. Wangui wants the court to issue orders barring Murunga’s two widows Christabel and Grace from conducting the burial saying there may be concerted efforts to “lock her and her children out of the burial arrangements and the actual burial event”. The woman also wants the court to order DNA tests to ascertain the children’s paternity.…

Three medical officers have been arrested in Nairobi after police busted a child trafficking syndicate. In a statement on Wednesday, Inspector General of Police (IG) Hillary Mutyambai said that investigations had revealed that senior medical officers in collusion with the child smugglers are highly involved in the illegal business. “During an operation by police to unearth the organized crime, police officers noted with a lot of concern that local public hospitals and children homes within Nairobi are involved, ” he said. “…So far three (3) medical officers from a public hospital in Nairobi have been arrested in connection with the…

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru is embroiled in a legal tussle over a Kitusuru property in Nairobi she claims she is the rightful owner. The county boss took property developer Kihingo Village Ltd to court after a threat to evict her from the upmarket Kitisuru house over a disputed $408, 000 (Ksh44.5 million) rent demand. In the eviction notice, the developer asked Waiguru to pay the money or vacate the Ksh80 million property by February 29 following a botched sale deal inked in September 2015. But according to the governor, the developer doesn’t have any right to evict her as she…

Popular Hot 96 radio presenter Annitah Raey has quit the station. Annitah, born Hannah Gaturu, announced her resignation through her social media pages. In a tweet seen by this writer, Annitah, who joined the Royal Media Services-owned station in 2018, said she could no longer put up with “toxic” bosses. “So I resigned. Best decision I have made in my 30 years…Toxic bosses is something I need to talk about… Video loading, ” she said on Tuesday. She added, “I have never ever ranted about my personal life online..I have never ranted about my work either… Am not about to…

Deputy President William Ruto has added his voice to calls by Kenyans to have the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) cover Covid-19. This comes days after Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe and NHIF CEO Peter Kamunyo said it is not financially viable to cover the bills for COVID-19 which are expensive. “The cost burden of financing Covid-19 testing and treatment for NHIF beneficiaries both in the National Scheme and the Enhanced Medical Schemes would not be financially viable since it was not envisaged in the current NHIF premiums computation and the existing benefits package,” CS Kagwe explained to the Senate…

Interfaith Council chairperson Archbishop Anthony Muheria has revealed that he recently tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and is currently receiving treatment at the Mater Hospital in Nairobi. In a message sent to fathers of Nyeri Archdiocese, Muheria said he is still placed on supplementary oxygen. However, the man of the cloth noted that his condition has improved and he can now eat and sleep well. “I am still on oxygen as they continue treating me. I remember you all in prayer, whenever I can say my rosaries and other silent prayers in my state,” he said. Read:…

Police manning a roadblock at Mwangazain in Molo, Nakuru County, on Tuesday found themselves on the receiving end of Kenyans’ wrath after deflating tyres of a moving 14-seater matatu. The officers, who were enforcing Covid-19 regulations in the area, are said to have thrown spikes across the road to bring the vehicle to a stop. In a video seen by this writer, members of the public caused scenes as they accused the police of endangering lives of passengers. “Did you have to risk the lives of all those passengers, couldn’t you have just taken down the registration number of the…

The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) has launched an investigation into the conduct of Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha after a video of him hurling insults at Uasin Gishu County Director of Education Dr Gitonga Mbaka went viral. In his visit to Langas Primary School on Friday, November 6, the CS was caught on camera calling the official a fool after he tried to respond to his queries on why the school was untidy. Yesterday, the commission summoned Dr Mbaka to record a statement over the incident at its North Rift office in Eldoret on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. “The…

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has reiterated that Kenya won’t preorder Covid-19 vaccines that have not received global scientific approval. The CS made the remarks on Monday during a Covid-19 press briefing after another US firm, Moderna Inc, announced that its experimental Covid-19 vaccine was 94.5 per cent effective. The biotechnology company said the results are based on interim data from a late-stage clinical trial. The trial involved 30,000 people in the US with half being given two doses of the vaccine, four weeks apart. The rest had dummy injections. The firm based its analysis on the first 95 to…

The Education Ministry has released a new calendar for the year 2021 following the disruption of learning in the country by the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking to the press on Monday, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha said all schools will reopen fully on January 4, 2021. In the new calendar, Pre Primary 1&2, Grade 1, 2 and 3, Class 5, 6 and 7 and Form 1, 2 and 3 will start their second term on January 4, and end on March 19. Prof Magoha announced that non-candidate classes will proceed for a 7-week break to allow for the administration, marking and…

Kirinyaga County has suspended operations at its headquarters in Kutus town for two weeks effective Monday, November 16, 2020, following a surge in Covid-19 cases and fatalities. In a memo addressed to all county officials, Anne Waiguru, the County Governor, noted that the number of cases has been on the rise despite institution of infection prevention and control measures. “Even more worrisome is some reported fatalities attributable to the Covid-19 disease. Despite efforts to keep the offices running and staff continuing to physically interact while strictly observing MOH COVID-19 guidelines, these have not borne the desired results; if anything, cases…