Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

Armed thieves disguised as health workers made away with a huge amount of money from a supermarket in the South African city of Pietermaritzburg. BBC reports that the group of men pretended to be Covid-19 health inspectors when they entered Checkers supermarket. In a CCTV footage obtained from the scene, the men wore masks and face shields. They were also wearing gloves and white lab jackets just like the Covid-19 health workers. Reports indicate that they made away with 200,000 South African rand from the pension payout point. This is about Ksh1.25 million in our local currency. The pensiones were…

Fairmont Hotels and Resorts management has withdrawn a notice issued last month indicating that it was laying off all its staff over the effects of the novel Coronavirus on the economy. In a memo on Thursday, the management said its earlier decision was reviewed after a consultative meeting held with the Workers Committee Management and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions and Hospital Workers (KUDHEIHA) on Wednesday. “We would like to reiterate that the owners, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts and subsequently Accor Hotels are very committed towards the health, safety and wellbeing of the employees,” read part of…

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been ordered by a Nairobi Court to return two pistols and a Range Rover vehicle that were confiscated from former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa in February this year. Echesa had last month moved to court demanding the release of his vehicle arguing that the use of public transport was exposing him to the novel Coronavirus. Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot on Thursday allowed the request further directing the DCI to surrender his firearms – a Beretta 92 and a Ceska pistol. While delivering the ruling, the magistrate noted that confiscation of the firearm is…

Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa has accused Deputy President William Ruto of abandoning his foot soldiers in the hour of need. Echesa, a DP ally, who was dropped from cabinet in 2019 after President Uhuru Kenyatta accused him of politicking instead of serving Kenyans, now questions the DP amid a purge targeted on his allies. Echesa was reacting to the recent changes in the National Assembly that saw Mumias East Member of Parliament Benjamin Washiali stripped of his Majority Whip role. “I am sure if Mr Ruto had pleaded with the President, Mr Washiali would have survived the axe,…

Garissa Township Member of Parliament Aden Duale has hit out at Kieni Member of Parliament Kanini Kega over plot to kick him out of the National Assembly Majority position. This is after reports emerged on Wednesday evening that Kega, who chairs the Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, was collecting signatures to impeach Duale. Duale, who has served as majority leader for seven years, retained his yesterday as perceived errant MPs lost their seats during a Jubilee Parliamentary Group meeting hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi. The seasoned politician has now termed as malice the alleged plot…

123 more people have tested positive for the novel Coronavirus in the country raising the national tally to 2,216. In a statement on Wednesday, Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Rashid Aman said a total of 2,112 samples had been tested in the last 24 hours. The new cases are distributed as follows: Nairobi (44), Mombasa (34), Busia (20), Uasin Gishu (12), Kiambu (3), Kajiado (3), Nyeri (3), Kilifi (2), Garissa (1) and Laikipia (1). The 44 cases in Naiorbi are from Kibra (10), Westlands (9), Dagoretti (4), Embakasi West (4), Embakasi South (3), Lang’ata (3),  Makadara (3), Mathare (3), Kasarani…

The U.S. embassy in Tanzania has issued a fresh travel advisory to its citizens regarding the Coronavirus situation in the country. In a statement on Tuesday evening, the embassy warned that the risk of contracting the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remains high in Dar es Salaam and other locations in Tanzania. The Embassy recommended that U.S. government personnel and their families reduce movement outside of their home except for essential activities and limit the number of visitors entering their home. “Healthcare facilities in Tanzania can become quickly overwhelmed in a healthcare crisis. There have been instances during the COVID-19 outbreak…

For a second time, the government is seeking to discontinue the use of cash payment in Public Service Vehicles (PSVs), Kahawa Tungu has learnt. But this time, the government wants to invest in a digital fare collection system that will also have the technical capability to contact trace passengers hence help in the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic. Contact tracing breaks the chains of transmission of infectious diseases and is widely being used to contain community spread of Covid-19. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), which is charged with the role of regulating the road transport sector, has…

15 people have been killed by police and 31 others left with serious injuries as the authorities implement government measures aimed at containing the spread of the novel Coronavirus, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has revealed. The incidents, IPOA says, are directly linked to enforcement of the dusk to dawn curfew which was imposed by the government in March following the outbreak of Covid-19 in Kenya. In a statement on Tuesday, IPOA said about 87 complaints which include deaths, shootings, harassment, assaults resulting to serious injuries, robbery, inhuman treatment and sexual assault are under investigation. “After preliminary investigations, fifteen…

A Nairobi Court has deferred Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina’s plea taking after the defence team opposed the incitement charge preferred against their client. Defence lawyers led by George Ojackoya told Milimani chief magistrate Martha Mutuku that the charge against Ledama is defective. The lawyer requested the court for more time to file a formal application opposing the taking of plea in the incitement case. The request was opposed by the prosecution led by Joseph Riungu who argued that the application was in bad faith as the charge sheet was properly drafted. The state prosecutor told the court that the…

Kipipiri Member of Parliament Amos Kimunya has been appointed as Jubilee Coalition Joint Parliamentary Group Secretary. President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Kimunya to the position during the National Assembly Parliamentary Group meeting held at State House Nairobi on Tuesday. The former Finance Minister was touted as a perfect replacement for National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale who was spared in today’s purge against perceived errant MPs. In the changes announced by State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena, national assembly majority whip Benjamin Washiali and his deputy Cecily Mbarire were bundled out. Read: Duale Maintains Majority Leader Seat As Washiali, Mbarire Are Axed…

Kenyans on Twitter popularly known as KOT are up in arms against the killing of a homeless man in Mathare by police on Monday night. A disturbing video of the man who was reportedly shot dead by police in Bondeni area was shared on Twitter by Human Rights activist Boniface Mwangi. According to Mwangi, the man identified by locals as Vaite was shot after he was found outside during curfew hours. Hundreds of residents stormed the streets to protest Vaite’s killing. “Kenya Police have shot dead a homeless man in Mathare, Bondeni area. He works as a loader in Marikiti…

59 new cases of the novel Coronavirus have been confirmed in the country raising the national tally to 2,021. In a statement on Monday, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said a total of 1,518 samples had been tested in the last 24 hours. At the same time, five more patients have succumbed to the disease. This now raises the death toll to 69. Eight more people have been discharged from hospital after making full recovery. The number of recoveries now stands at 482. Read: Uhuru Hints At Gradual Reopening Of Schools, Churches Amid Covid-19 Pandemic The new cases are distributed…

President Uhuru Kenyatta has hinted that there is a plan to reopen schools and churches but with a clear protocol on minimizing the spread of the novel Coronavirus. Speaking on Monday during the 57th Madaraka Day celebrations at State House, Nairobi, the Head of State stated that just like many parents he was concerned on the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the school calendar. The President noted that he acknowledges the anxiety among parents and children particularly for those preparing for national exams. The Head of State also indicated that he shares a heavy heart for faithfuls across the…

President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed the National Treasury to allocate Ksh2 billion to the tourism sector to cushion members of staff from the unprecedented effects of the novel Coronavirus pandemic on the economy. The hospitality industry is one of the sectors that have been worst hit by the pandemic with hotels shutting down operations and sending employees home. Speaking on Monday during the 57th Madaraka Day celebrations at State House, Nairobi, the Head of State said the funds will be distributed to support hotels and related establishments to ensure that they are able to maintain their staff compliments. The President…