Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

Meru County Senator Mithika Linturi has issued an apology following protests from a section of members of the public over his remarks in Eldoret on Saturday. The ‘madoadoa’ remarks made at Eldoret Sports Club during Deputy President William Ruto rally in the region were described by some as inflammatory. The words are linked to the 2007/08 post-election violence that left more than 1,100 people dead and 600,000 others displaced. But in a statement on Saturday night, the lawmaker defended himself saying he had no sinister motive while uttering the words. He claimed his speech was taken out of context adding…

Four police officers lost their lives and several others injured in a suspected Al-Shabaab attack at Milihoi area, Lamu County, on Friday morning. The vehicle the officers were traveling in was hit by an explosive device at Nure Corner along the Lamu-Witu-Garsen road at around 9am. The officers were heading to the Ndeu roadblock to continue with their escort duties. Coast Regional Commissioner, John Elungata confirmed the attack but declined to reveal the number of casualties. “I can’t be sure about Al-Shabaab militants but it is true, an incident involving police vehicles that had finished their escort duties have come…

Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu has confirmed extending the tenure of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) by six months. The two-year contract between the Nairobi County Government and NMS was set to expire in February this year. It will now run until August. Governor Kananu said on Friday that the extension will allow Major General Mohamed Badi’s team to conclude pending projects. “To address the speculations that are happening concerning the extension of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services. I want to put on record that I extended their contract for six months because I did not want them to leave their projects…

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has broken its silence about the ongoing debate on mandatory drug tests for high school students amid a surge in indiscipline cases. In a statement to newsrooms on Thursday, NACADA CEO Victor G. Okioma stated that there is no law currently that requires schools to test students for drug use. Okioma, however, advised that even when conducted, drug testing should be part of a comprehensive intervention program and thus should not be used as a sole solution to the problem of alcohol and substance abuse in institutions of…

Motorists have been dealt a blow after the High Court declined to suspend the planned increase of insurance premiums. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) moved to court yesterday seeking to have the review halted pending hearing and determination of its petition. In the case filed at the High Court in Nairobi, the commission through lawyer Kelly Malenya, termed the new terms as discriminatory, unjustified and illegal. But Justice Anthony Mrima declined to issue the orders sought by KHRC. He, however, certified the case as urgent. The judge directed parties to appear for directions next week. Read: Petition Filed Challenging…

President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered an immediate stop of all evictions in the Mukuru informal settlement, Nairobi. Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said on Thursday that the government will ensure all those who were affected by the Christmas Day evictions will be settled within the next 30 days. He criticized the evictions as ‘insensitive and unnecessary’ adding that they had been executed by rogue officials who had already been disciplined for the aberrations. Read: Hundreds Left Homeless in Ongoing Mukuru Slums Evictions He indicated the government is currently pursuing lasting solutions and consensus on land ownership, property rights and infrastructure…

Businesswoman Mary Wambu has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. Wambui was arraigned in court on Thursday, a day after her dramatic arrest. She faced a second count of possessing a firearm without a licence. She denied the charges before Milimani chief magistrate Wendy Kagendo and was released on a bond of Ksh100,000 with an alternative bail of Ksh50,000. The Purma Holdings director’s lawyers Nelson Havi and Kipchumba Murkomen had earlier protested the businesswoman’s detention last night. They asked the court to release her on Ksh5,000 cash bail. “The offense for which my client has been brought to…

The government has disclosed why the Kazi Mtaani Phase Three Programme is yet to kick off more than a month after the application exercise closed. Speaking to a local daily, Housing Principal Secretary (PS) Charles Hinga indicated the government is still waiting for the National Assembly to pass its Supplementary Budget before over 1.2 million youths who applied for the jobs are recruited. “Fingers crossed that Parliament passes the supplementary budget and we can resume Phase Three of Kazi Mtaani (KM) in earnest in January,” the PS told The Star in an interview. The House went on a short recess…

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has moved to court to challenge a move by insurance providers to increase premiums. In a petition filed at the High Court in Nairobi, the commission through lawyer Kelly Malenya, termed the new terms as discriminatory, unjustified and illegal. “Considering the mandatory nature of motor-vehicle insurance the said actions of insurance companies are discriminatory, unjustified and illegal. The said actions also amount to a violation of consumer rights and are punitive, insensitive and oppressive,” court documents read. KHRC wants the court to halt the changes pending hearing and determination of the case. The petitioner…

ODM leader Raila Odinga has unveiled the ‘engine’ of his 2022 presidential bid. The Raila Odinga Campaign Board was unveiled on Wednesday, coming just months to the August 9 General Election. The Odinga camp named Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi as the chairperson of the ‘dream team’ tasked with securing the former Prime Minister the top seat. In a statement to newsrooms, Odinga said Muriithi— a financial markets expert and an economist—brings over 29 years of experience in leadership and management to the table. “Governor Muriithi was instrumental in the drive to have the derelict Nairobi-Nanyuki and Gilgil-Nyahururu railway lines rehabilitated.…

The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority has confirmed irregularities at the state-run Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) regarding the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. KEMSA is accused of bungling a Sh7.7 billion tender for the emergency procurement of COVID-19 protective gear. In an investigation report seen by Kahawa Tungu, the authority established that some of the PPE tenders were marred by irregularities and contravened sections of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015. The authority, that conducted the probe following a request by Parliament, established that some COVID-19 related items were procured in excess quantities…

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has released a list of petrol stations found selling adulterated fuel in various parts of the country in a recent crackdown. In a public notice on Tuesday, January 4, EPRA  also exposed petrol stations found selling export bound motor fuels in the local market in contravention of the law. The 19 petrol stations were flagged between October and December 2021. During the period, EPRA said, a total of 5,242 tests were conducted at 1,100 Petroleum sites. From the tests, 98.27 per cent of the sites were found to be compliant. “However, tests from…

Four people have been arrested in connection with a suspected Al-Shabaab attack at Widhu Majembeni area in Lamu County that left six people dead on Monday morning. Police Spokesperson Bruno Shioso said on Tuesday that authorities are also investigating if the attack is linked to local land disputes. “There are four suspects in custody arrested over the attack,” said Shioso. “Investigations have shown the attack is linked to local land disputes.” It was earlier reported that the Al-Shabaab militants raided the village before torching several houses. Read: Six People Killed In Al-Shabaab Attack In Lamu’s Majembeni Area One of the…

The British Council has launched investigations into claims of systematic racism of its black employees in Kenya. Seven current and former Kenyan staffers had in July last year protested against the ill-treatment by senior white executives at the organisation in a letter to the Council and Kenyan authorities. The organisation is the British government’s cultural arm abroad. In the 10-page document seen by this writer, the Kenyan-born staffers claim the current Country Director Jill Coates uses organisation systems and processes to bully, threaten and discriminate Kenyans engaged on local terms. Some of the cases highlighted by the victims include selective…

Truck drivers operating between Kenya and Uganda have protested against mandatory Covid-19 tests at the Malaba border. The long-distance drivers went on strike on Monday. The drivers allege a plot by Ugandan authorities to make money in the name of the pandemic. The drivers are required to get tested after every 14 days with each test going at $300 (Ksh3,396). The tests are mandatory with each driver required to present documents as proof of test in Kenya. Read: EAC Member States Roll Out System To Simplify Inspection Of Truck Drivers’ Covid-19 Test results Both the countries introduced measures to curb…