Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

Tanzanian journalist Erick Kabendera, who has been in detention for over a month now after he was charged with economic crimes, needs urgent medical attention, the defense team told the court on Friday. Kabendera’s lawyer, Jebra Kambole, told Kisutu Resident Magistrate Janet Mtega that his client recently developed breathing problems while in custody. Further, Kambole noted that Kabendera, who is detained at Segerea prison, was experiencing difficulties walking. “Nilienda kumwona usiku wa kuamkia Agosti 21, 2019 nikakuta amepooza mguu na kushindwa kutembea kwa siku mbili pamoja na kuishiwa nguvu, sisi kama mawakili na ndugu hatujui nini anachoumwa, loosely translating to,…

Kenyan actor Davis Mwabili, popularly known as “Inspekta Mwala”, has come out to address reports that he hit and killed a pedestrian, Samuel Mwaki, on Monday night in Kaloleni, Kilifi County. Taking to his Twitter handle, Mwala, who is out on Ksh40,000 police bond, regretted his acts. “Am sorry for what happened and pole to the family, ” said Mwala. Mwala, known for his police inspector role in a comical show that airs on Citizen TV, however, urged Kenyans not to brand him a ‘killer’. “If am a killer then I would have joined Al Shabab, my point is… lets b…

Martin Kamotho, popularly known as “Githeri Man”, who last year graduated from a rehabilitation centre in Kiambu, is battling stage five of addiction Kahawa Tungu has learnt. Sergent Moses Kimenchu, a drug and addiction counsellor, visited Githeri Man at his home in Kayole, Nairobi, and concluded that the man had gone back to excessive drinking. Kimenchu noted that Kamotho now needs urgent rehabilitation and medical attention. “The man requires urgent medical attention, mentorship and counselling before his case gets out of hand,” Sgt Kimenchu told a local media in Murang’a. The counsellor noted that he decided to visit Kamotho after photos…

Governors have threatened to paralyze county operations from September 16, if the current revenue standoff is not resolved. In a statement on Thursday,  Wycliffe Oparanya, Council of Governors Chairman, stated that counties are cash-strapped and if the stalemate over the 2019 Division of Revenue bill is not resolved the governors will have no choice but to shut down all county operations. “The County Governments will not be able to pay salaries at end of this month going forward. Beyond, the 16th of September 2019, if the matter is not resolved the County Governments will have no option but to shut…

At least four people have been arrested following chaos that were witnessed outside the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) headquarters, Nairobi, on Thursday morning. The individuals were among officials who stormed the KNUT offices in a bid to remove embattled KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion from office. The charging officials were later restrained by police officers who deployed to the scene a few minutes after 9am. This comes just hours after the Labour Court issued orders stopping KNUT’s National Executive Council (NEC) from convening a meeting to forcefully remove Sossion from office. Read: KNUT Factions Storm Union Headquarters In…

Uganda’s Minister for Security, General Elly Tumwine, has confirmed existence safe houses in the country alleged to be torture chambers. This was after singer-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi popularly known as Bobi Wine tabled a list of 30 individuals before a parliamentary committee on human rights whom he claimed had been tortured in the houses. Pressed to explain Wine’s claims, Tumwine acknowledged existence of the houses, but said they are used for intelligence purposes. “Hata mimi mwenyewe siwezi kufahamu ni nyumba ngapi zinazotumiwa na vikosi vyote vya ujasusi nchini Uganda. Nyumba za safe house zipo kwa ajili ya kufanya uchunguzi wa siri…

Tanzania Music Regulatory body, Baraza la Sanaa la Taifa (BASATA), has come out to defend Rayvanny and Diamond’s hit song ‘Tetema’ that was recently restricted by the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB). Ezekiel Mutua, KFCB CEO, on Tuesday, stated that ‘Tetema’ and ‘Wamlambez’ by Sailors, will be played strictly in clubs and bars. He said the songs are obscene and “not suitable for public consumption, especially children.” “Both songs are pure pornography. While we may not ban them because they are coded, it’s important for the public to know that they are dirty and unsuitable for mixed company. Let them…

Teachers’ wrangles over the impending ouster of Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Wilson Sossion have taken a new twist after factions stormed the union headquarters, Nairobi, on Thursday morning. This comes just hours after the Labour Court issued orders stopping KNUT’s National Executive Council (NEC) from convening a meeting to forcefully remove Sossion from office. However, speaking outside KNUT headquarters some of the officials said the meeting will go on. “We are here to reclaim the union, as it’s the union doesn’t belong to the teachers because of the wrangles that have been there, created by the outgoing…

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party has postponed nominations for the Kibra by-election, which were set for Saturday, August 31, over security concerns. In a tweet on Wednesday evening, the party stated that the National Elections Board (NEB) had pushed the nominations to September 7. “NEB has postponed the party nominations exercise in Kibra Constituency due to lack of provision of security personnel for the exercise occasioned by the ongoing national census,” said ODM. https://twitter.com/TheODMparty/status/1166735551808049155?s=20 Majority of police officers across the country are engaged in enhancing security in the ongoing census that is expected to be concluded on August 31.…

A majority of Nyeri Members of County Assembly (MCAs) on Wednesday opposed Thirdway Alliance’s Punguza Mizigo draft bill. This is after the Punguza Mizigo campaign proponent, Ekuru Aukot,  presented the bill in the 46-member assembly. According to the ward representatives,  the draft bill’s proposals are not practical. They further, questioned its motive arguing that it was a scheme to undermine the National Assembly. The MCAs, led by Kirimukuyu Ward Representative Muriithi Ndagita now say they will not back up the bill since it seeks to trim powers of the National Assembly and give veto power to the Senate. Read: Court…

Maryanne Kitany, estranged wife to Meru Senator Mithika Linturi, on Wednesday returned to court in a bid to prove her disputed marriage with the politician. In a series of photos tabled before the court, Kitany sought to convince Milimani Chief Magistrate Peter Gisore that she was married to Linturi on March 26, 2016, under the Meru and Nandi customary laws. The court heard that infidelity ruined the couple’s marriage. The 45-year-old stated that she at one time peeped at her husband’s phone and “found a woman had sent him a pornographic video”. “I became suspicious about his movements, he would…

Maryanne Kitany, estranged wife to Meru Senator Mithika Linturi, has now claimed that cheating and sexual frustrations pushed her to file a divorce against the politician. Testifying before Milimani Chief Magistrate Peter Gisore, Kitany stated that she at one time peeped at her husband’s phone and “found a woman had sent him a pornographic video”. The court heard that besides Linturi cheating on Kitany with other women, he also denied her conjugal rights. “I filed for divorce because Linturi was cheating on me,” Ms Kitany told the court, adding: “He slept with other women in town.” She added, “Linturi would…

The divorce case pitting Mithika Linturi and his estranged wife Maryanne Kitany continued on Wednesday with Kitany supplying the court with photos as approve that she was married to Linturi under the Nandi and Meru customary laws. Testifying before Milimani Chief Magistrate Peter Gisore, Kitany stated that she was married to Linturi on March 26, 2016. This was after she divorced her previous spouse in 2015. A 30-day decree nisi, which was issued by the court on December 4, 2015, elapsed on January 3, 2016. During the Wednesday court proceedings, the court played a slide show of images provided by…

The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) is in the process of acquiring new cars that will cost the company Ksh379 million, Kahawa Tungu has learnt. In a tender notice that was approved in July, KPLC is set to purchase the cars from four different suppliers. Toyota Kenya, which was given the highest tender, will be supplying the company new cars worth Ksh241.54 million. Other cars dealers are Simba Caetano Formula, Isuzu East Africa and Simba Corporation which signed Ksh52.66 million, Ksh51.26 million, and Ksh34.4 million deals respectively. The revelations come at a time the company is lurking in huge…

Six Bomet County Executives, whose reappointment by governor Hillary Barchok was rejected by area Members of County Assembly (MCAs), have vowed to challenge the process in court. The six will be moving to court on Wednesday in a bid to quash the assembly proceedings. They are Mr Justus Maina (Administration), Mr Benard Ngeno (Sports), Benson Kipsang (Water), Philip Kipngeno (Roads), Ms Daisy Chelangat (Land), and Dr Julius Tuwei (Agriculture). The members, who were appointed by the late governor Joyce Laboso, accuse the MCAs of “engaging in a witch hunt and deploying lynch mob psychology in  the course of discussing and…