Kenya Insights

Author: Agencies

  • Estimates: Paris Olympics To Significantly Impact French Economy

    Estimates: Paris Olympics To Significantly Impact French Economy

    One of the biggest sporting events worldwide, the Paris 2024 Olympics is estimated to significantly boost France’s economy.

    With the participation of approximately 10,700 athletes, the games are scheduled to take place on July 26–Aug. 11.

    The investments made in France’s construction sector prior to the event have revived the industry, while the high number of visitors led to an increase in demand and activity in the service sectors.

    Paris 2024 becomes most ticket-selling Olympic game in history

    Having sold 9.3 million out of 10 million tickets so far, the Paris 2024 Olympics became the most ticket-selling Olympic game in the event’s history.

    Ticket prices range from around $97 to over $2,900, and the most expensive ticket holders have also bought a package for included catering at $4,200.

    Tourists in the French capital are estimated to spend $2.8 billion during the event, according to the Paris Tourism Office.

    The tourist spending is expected to give a boost to the French economy while inflation and the cost of living are on the rise.

    The official budget of Paris 2024 Olympics is estimated at $9.5 billion, and the hosting country’s expenditures for the duration of the event is estimated to reach $10.8 billion.

    The games are expected to contribute around $7.2 billion to $12 billion to the Paris Region, data from the French-based research organization Center for Law and Economics of Sport (CDES) showed.

    The event will create 181,000 jobs and act as a lever to boost economic activity and employment, according to the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

    A study conducted by the consultancy firm Asteres revealed that the spending associated with the organization of the Olympics is equivalent to public spending, as the study estimated that France will generate $5.7 billion in tax and social security revenues from the event.

  • Activist Boniface Mwangi Arrested

    Activist Boniface Mwangi Arrested

    Activists Boniface Mwangi were arrested and are currently being held at the Central Police station, his lawyer James Wanjeri has confirmed.

    This is a breaking news and will update.

  • 200,000 Condoms And Lubricants Distributed At The Paris Olympics Village

    200,000 Condoms And Lubricants Distributed At The Paris Olympics Village

    All athletes need protection.

    The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris officially kicks off on Friday, July 26, and the athletes in the Olympic Village will be provided with a place to sleep, food and, of course, condoms.

    As the 14,500 athletes and staff begin to arrive in the City of Love, room tours are popping up on social media, showing off the infamous anti-sex beds and a huge supply of Olympic-branded condoms in every room.

    The bright and colorful condoms given to the athletes have images of the official mascots of the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, the Phryges, and have little messages on each packet.

    Messages on the condoms include: “On the field of love, play fair. Ask for consent,” “Don’t share more than victory, protect yourself against STDs,” “Score a win: Yes to consent, no to STDs,” and “No need to be a gold medalist to wear it!”

    200,000 male condoms, 20,000 female condoms and 10,000 oral dams will be available in the Olympic Village. Maja Hitij/Getty Images

    Condoms are usually provided to athletes — even during the unofficial “intimacy ban” of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, where organizers ordered 160,000 condoms to be handed out, according to NPR.

    This year, Laurent Dalard, who will coordinate first aid and health services for the Paris Games, previously said in a news conference that 200,000 male condoms, 20,000 female condoms and 10,000 oral dams will be available in the Olympic Village.

    That’s about 230,000 protection options, and if you do the math, that’s about 20 condoms per person for each of the 10,500 athletes. However Olympic organizers don’t actually expect those in the Village to use their entire supply of condoms.

    In fact, it appears that they might even try to deter athletes from getting busy outside of the Games — thanks to the “anti-sex beds.”

    According to Inside the Games, sustainability is cited as the primary reason why Olympic officials opted for the beds this year — not preventing wild sex from occurring among Olympic athletes.

    The twin-size beds discourage people from snuggling up with another competitor, and though the polyethylene mattresses and cardboard bed frames are 100% recyclable, they likely aren’t going to immediately attract horny Olympians.

    But the 16,000 modular mattresses made by Japanese company Airweave are safe for sex regardless of size and material.

    Airweave US’ Chief Operating Officer Brett Thornton has said that the cardboard frames are actually “designed far sturdier than typical wooden bed frames,” meaning athletes are safe to take advantage of the condom supply.

    Besides, athletes don’t need beds to get kinky.

    Over the years, there have been plenty of stories about Olympians’ wild sexcapades in the media — and they take place anywhere and everywhere.

    One athlete had sex on a balcony at the 2004 Games in Athens, while others have seen people “getting down and dirty” out in the open on the grass or between buildings — and there’s even been a reported orgy in a hot tub.

    Safe to say, horny Olympians who want to take full advantage of their provided condoms will have no logistical issues doing so.

  • Documents Reveal Details of Adani Group’s Controversial Bid to Run Kenya’s Largest Airport

    Documents Reveal Details of Adani Group’s Controversial Bid to Run Kenya’s Largest Airport

    By Organized Crime And Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP)

    Kenyans angered by the deal’s lack of transparency planned to occupy Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi in protest. A senator immediately requested that the government provide information about the plan, which had never been publicly mentioned before. On Tuesday, a coalition of Kenyan civil society organizations wrote to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) demanding full disclosure.

    Now, OCCRP can reveal that although experts advised the Kenyan government to put out a public tender to expand the airport, the government instead allowed a “privately-initiated proposal” submitted by Adani Airport Holdings Inc in March to move forward. According to documents seen by OCCRP, the Adani proposal was approved to proceed to the “project development phase,” which entails additional consultation and negotiation.

    It is unclear why or how a privately-initiated proposal even came to be considered as an option for the airport expansion project. In February, when Spanish consulting firm ALG concluded a feasibility study for the project, it recommended using a “competitive bidding procedure” to “maximize the value-for-money for the Contracting Authority.”

    “We are not aware of any privately-initiated proposal for the Project (and generally we do not advise to use such methods),” the study said. (ALG did not respond to a request for comment.)

    The following month, however, Adani submitted a privately-initiated proposal (PIP) for a long-term concession to expand and operate the airport for 30 years in what’s known as a “build, operate, transfer” deal, according to documents obtained by OCCRP.

    Adani Group, one of India’s largest and most politically influential conglomerates, has interests in energy, agribusiness and weapons as well as its airport division. But it has also been hard-hit by scandal in recent years, including accusations of fraud and insider trading. (It has denied the claims).

    In its proposal to the Kenyan government, Adani argued that a PIP “offers distinct advantages over competitive bidding.”

    “PIP allows the government to secure terms beyond purely financial considerations, ensuring the welfare of citizens,” it wrote. “Conversely, competitive bidding risks making the deal purely transactional, without room for mutual considerations. A PIP creates a win-win scenario for the people of Kenya, the GOK, and private investors.”

    Under the terms of its $2.047-billion proposal, Adani would build and refurbish airport terminals, improve its taxiways, and possibly construct a new runway. These improvements would be financed by revenue from the airport, increasing airport fees, and raising money from private investors. After 30 years, Adani would receive an 18-percent equity stake in the airport. A separate document seen by OCCRP noted that this figure was high for an airport concession.

    The Adani proposal also said the success of the airport project would be “highly dependent on favorable tax policies” and asked that the Kenyan government consider “exempting it from corporate income tax derived from the concession for certain years.”

    The Adani Group did not reply to a request for comment.

    The CEO of KAA, Henry Ogoye, wrote in a statement on X that Adani Airport Holdings Inc. had indeed submitted a proposal to build a terminal and improve the infrastructure. He said the proposal would be “subjected to technical, financial, and legal reviews along requisite due processes.”

    In his statement, which was also sent to OCCRP in response to a request for comment, Ogoye also said that investment required for the airport was “significant” and could not be executed “without recourse to private funding.”

    But Nelson Amenya, the digital entrepreneur who had originally revealed the proposal on X on July 11, said he was concerned that the terms of the potential deal had been kept completely secret from the public.

    “This deal has been done clandestinely,” Amenya told OCCRP.

    After obtaining the documents, Amenya contacted Kenyan Senator Richard Onyonka about the project. Onyonka immediately wrote to the Standing Committee on Roads and Transportation requesting information on the deal. On Wednesday he addressed parliament, asking for the KAA board to be summoned.

    “The right things were not done, there were no public hearings,” Onyonka told OCCRP. “We should table the agreement, look at it, and evaluate it.”

    A feasibility report seen by OCCRP also stipulated that KAA would be responsible for “mitigating and managing any public opposition [or] protestor actions,” related to the airport project.

    This appears to have been prescient, #OccupyJKIA started trending on social media shortly after Amenya’s post, and thousands of Kenyans planned to head to the airport to protest. The anger over the airport deal came amid a turbulent month in Nairobi, which has already been convulsed by protests over proposed tax hikes and alleged corruption in the government of President William Ruto.

    On Monday evening, the National Police Service warned protesters against accessing the airport, which is classified as a protected area in Kenya. On Tuesday after a heavy ground and surveillance presence was deployed by police, protesters flooded into Nairobi’s central business district instead and were met with heavy tear gas by police.

    Last week, a letter submitted to the KAA on behalf of “the people of Kenya” asked why the authority was “surreptitiously rushing to conclude” the privately-initiated proposal with Adani. Titus Makhanu, public advocate and author of the letter, told OCCRP his firm planned to submit a petition to a court in Nairobi by this Friday “to stop the takeover.”

    Meanwhile, following public outrage, the Kenyan government tried to make it clear that the deal did not entail selling the airport.

    “JKIA is not on sale,” said Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. “It is a strategic asset and if it was going to be sold, it can only be done after a full public process that Parliament endorses.”

  • Dirty Dealings By Adani, Firm Linked To JKIA Secret Lease Deal

    Dirty Dealings By Adani, Firm Linked To JKIA Secret Lease Deal

    Under the control of Gautam Adani—among Asia’s richest men with a wealth of $102 billion(Sh13.5 billion), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index—the sprawling Indian conglomerate with interests from power to ports is no stranger to controversy.

    Adani Group has been subject to multiple government investigations that have alleged money laundering and corruption, but it was a private investigation in 2023 that may have come closest to deflating Gautam Adani’s empire.

    New York financial firm Hindenburg Research last year called Adani Group “the largest con in corporate history,” alleging that the group had engaged in a long-running stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme.

    Citing a two-year investigation that included site visits and interviews with insiders, Hindenberg noted that most of Adani’s wealth has come amid gains in the market value of the conglomerate’s seven main listed companies. The value of these firms ballooned by an average of more than 800 percent in just three years, while the companies took on substantial debt that put them under near-term pressure to meet financial obligations, Hindenberg alleged.

    The research group also leveled accusations that Adani family members have used offshore shell companies to generate illegitimate revenue for Adani Group firms and siphon money from the conglomerate’s publicly listed entities. Shell companies linked to Adani Group have also been used to hold vast swathes of Adani firm shares, in violation of Indian securities regulations, Hindenberg alleged.

    Hindenberg is a so-called short seller, a type of trading firm that takes positions betting on the decline in value of a company’s shares, with short sellers often making public statements and releasing research to back up their bets.

    In the case of Adani, Hindenberg’s report was initially crushing: shares in companies associated with the conglomerate plunged in value, wiping away some $150 billion in market capitalization in a matter of days and weeks. The stock of Adani’s flagship iron and coal mining and trading firm, Adani Enterprises, lost as much as 70% of its value.

    The pain was not prolonged, however. Shares in Adani companies have pared their losses since the Hindenberg report, with many of the stocks trading near or even above levels seen before the damning allegations were made public.

    Adani Group has resolutely denied Hindenberg’s claims. And while the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) continues to probe the conglomerate, it has been Hindenberg that has not come through unscathed. Last month, SEBI alleged that Hindenberg colluded with another U.S. investor in betting against Adani stock, in violation of Indian regulations. Hindenberg has in turn denied those allegations.

  • Court Hands Mwangaza A Temporary Reprieve In Her Impeachment

    Court Hands Mwangaza A Temporary Reprieve In Her Impeachment

    The Meru High Court has stopped MCAs from debating impeachment motion against Governor Kawira Mwangaza, which was  scheduled for Thursday.

    Judge Linus Kassan issued the ruling on Wednesday, pending a decision on a case filed by Mwangaza challenging the impeachment process.

    “The impeachment process is halted Pending my ruling and since this is a matter of public interest, the rulings will be delivered on Monday 29th July 2024 via email to all parties,” the Judge ruled.

    Governor Mwangaza sought to prevent the local MCAs from pursuing her impeachment, arguing that the motion is flawed and driven by her political opponents.

    The decision comes as a reprieve for the Governor, who is facing intense political pressure from the local MCAs and her fourth impeachment attempt.

    The MCAs have accused Mwangaza of gross violations of the Constitution, national and county laws, and alleged abuse of office.

    On Monday, a section of MCAs opposed the proposed motion to impeach Governor Mwangaza, a move that could see the motion collapse in the assembly.

    The 10 MCAs who initially signed in favor of the proposed motion made a U-turn, asking the mover to withdraw the motion and allow for dialogue between the two arms of government.

  • Ruto Names Opponents To Cabinet, Protesters Slam ‘Corrupt’ Deal

    Ruto Names Opponents To Cabinet, Protesters Slam ‘Corrupt’ Deal

    Kenyan President William Ruto on Wednesday nominated four members of the main opposition party to a “broad-based” cabinet he promised in response to nationwide protests, but activists criticised the new government as a corrupt bargain.

    The opposition members, including the pick to lead the finance ministry, John Mbadi, are allies of opposition leader Raila Odinga, whom Ruto defeated in the 2022 election.

    In a speech from his official residence, Ruto called the new government “a visionary partnership for the radical transformation of Kenya” and thanked those who had consulted on its formation for the “historic gesture of their patriotism”.

    Young protesters behind six weeks of demonstrations that forced Ruto to withdraw $2.7 billion in tax hikes said the unity government would perpetuate a tradition of leaders co-opting the opposition at the expense of the population.

    More than 50 people have been killed in the protests, which are the biggest crisis of Ruto’s two years in power.

    Demonstrations have continued even after he shelved the tax raises, with many activists now calling for him to resign and for far-reaching reforms to tackle graft.
    “Zakayo has appointed corrupt people to fight corruption,” Boniface Mwangi, a prominent anti-government activist, wrote on X.

    Zakayo is the Swahili name for a greedy tax collector in the Bible that protesters have used as a nickname for Ruto.

    “It’s important to note @RailaOdinga is a traitor. He has betrayed the people, and formed a government of national looting with Zakayo,” Mwangi said.

    On Monday, Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement said it was not in negotiations with the government “for any coalition or political arrangement”. The ODM was due to hold a news conference shortly after Ruto’s speech.
    The party’s coalition allies have strongly opposed a unity government.
    NEW PROTEST CALLS
    Besides the four opposition members, Ruto named five members of the cabinet he dismissed earlier this month in response to protesters’ demands. Last week, Ruto announced 11 nominations – six of whom were holdovers from the previous cabinet.

    The background of one of the nominees on Wednesday was not immediately clear. Ruto said he would announce additional nominees soon.

    He also said he would be proposing amendments to anti-corruption and public procurement laws and called on the police to release any innocent people who may have been arrested during the demonstrations.

    The protests, which have been mostly organised online and have no official leaders, began peacefully but turned violent as the police fire tear gas and live rounds. Some demonstrators briefly stormed parliament on June 25.

    Activists circulated calls on social media for a march on Thursday to present a petition to the office of the president and lay flowers at parliament for those killed a month earlier.

    Ruto initially praised protesters for being peaceful and mobilising across the ethnic lines that have traditionally defined Kenyan politics.

    But he has stepped up his criticism of the protest movement in recent days. In comments over the weekend, he vowed to stop the demonstrations, saying they were causing “mayhem and anarchy”.

    Anti-government activists have blamed incidents of violence and looting on thugs hired by politicians to discredit the movement and advance their own agendas.

  • Meta Removes 63,000 Instagram Accounts In Nigeria Over ‘Sextortion’ Scams

    Meta Removes 63,000 Instagram Accounts In Nigeria Over ‘Sextortion’ Scams

    Meta Platforms said on Wednesday it had removed about 63,000 accounts in Nigeria that attempted to engage in financial sexual extortion scams mostly aimed at adult men in the United States.

    Nigerian online fraudsters, known as “Yahoo boys”, are notorious for scams that range from passing themselves off as people in financial need or Nigerian princes offering an outstanding return on an investment.

    Meta said in a statement the 63,000 accounts were on Instagram, adding that it had also removed 7,200 Facebook accounts, pages and groups dedicated to providing tips on scamming people.

    Meta said the removed accounts also included a smaller coordinated network of around 2,500 that were linked to a group of around 20 individuals.
    “They targeted primarily adult men in the U.S. and used fake accounts to mask their identities,” Meta said.

    In sexual extortion, or “sextortion”, people are threatened with the release of compromising photos, either real or faked, if they do not pay to stop them.

    The investigation showed that the majority of the scammers’ attempts were unsuccessful and although mostly targeting adults, there were also attempts against minors, which Meta reported to the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in the U.S.

    The company said it had used a combination of new technical signals developed to help identify sex extortion.

    Nigeria’s scammers became known as “419 scams” after the section of the national penal code that dealt – ineffectively – with fraud.

    As economic hardships worsen in the country of more than 200 million people, online scams have grown, with those behind them operating from university dormitories, shanty suburbs or affluent neighbourhoods.

    Meta said some accounts were providing tips for conducting scams.

    “Their efforts included offering to sell scripts and guides to use when scamming people, and sharing links to collections of photos to use when populating fake accounts,” it said.

  • Nigeria’s Police Chief Warns Against Kenyan-Style Protests

    Nigeria’s Police Chief Warns Against Kenyan-Style Protests

    Nigeria’s police chief warned against Kenyan-style protests on Tuesday after frustrated citizens used online platforms to call for demonstrations against poor governance and a cost of living crisis.

    In what could be President Bola Tinubu’s biggest challenge, Nigerians have taken inspiration from young Kenyans – whose protests forced a government U-turn on tax hikes – and are using X and Instagram platforms to call for peaceful protests from August 1.

    The last big protest in Nigeria was a demonstration against policy brutality in October 2020. It ended in bloodshed, which demonstrators blamed on soldiers and police, who denied using live rounds.

    Africa’s most populous nation is grappling with its worst economic hardships in a generation, marked by soaring prices after Tinubu removed some petrol and electricity subsidies and sharply devalued the naira.

    Widespread insecurity has displaced farmers, contributing to higher food prices.

    Kayode Egbetokun, Nigeria’s inspector general of police said protests were ill-advised.

    “Some groups of people, self-appointed crusaders and influencers, have been strategising and mobilizing potential protesters to unleash terror in the land under the guise of replicating the recent Kenya protests,” Egbetokun said after meeting senior officers in Abuja.

    “We will, therefore, not sit back and fold our arms to watch violent activities unleash violence on our peaceful communities or destroy any of our national critical infrastructure and assets again.”

    Under the theme “End Bad Governance in Nigeria,” the protesters seek to force the government to reverse petrol and electricity price hikes, offer free education, declare a state of emergency on inflation and disclose lawmakers’ pay, among other demands.

    On Tuesday, lawmakers passed a bill to more than double the minimum wage to 70,000 naira ($44.16) a month, ending months of wrangling between the government and labour unions.

    Egbetokun said peaceful protests were allowed under the law but the planned action was designed to forment trouble.

  • Kalonzo Asks State House To Approve Budget For Kitchen Utensils For His Office

    Kalonzo Asks State House To Approve Budget For Kitchen Utensils For His Office

    Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, who is also the leader of the Wiper Democratic Movement, has asked State House to approve several items including kitchen utensils for his office.

    This is according to a request memo dated May 13, 2024 written by James Matiki, who works as Musyoka’s Personal Assistant (PA).

    In the memo, Matiki asked State House to approve requisition forms, stationery, gardening and kitchen items.

    Among the 25 gardening items Musyoka wants President William Ruto to provide are 4 shavers, 5 pairs of gardening gloves, 10 garden sprinklers, scissors for cutting fences, 5 jembes, slashers, spades, 4 wheelbarrows, 4 horse pipes, 5 spades, ropes, axes and mattocks.

    He outlined 37 kitchen items needed in his office, ranging from an electric cooker, a gas cooker, microwaves, tea spoons, table spoons, forks, knives, a table, mop, mop bucket, cleaning brush, washing brush, tea cups, tea mugs, small thermos, medium thermos and salt shaker.

    Other kitchen items requested include 4 pieces of cooking sticks (mwiko), sieves, trays, hand basins, 2 vacuum cleaners, water jugs, plastic jugs and leads for sufurias.

    Stationery includes 5 boxes of A3 brown envelopes, 10 boxes of A4 brown envelopes, 10 boxes of A5 brown envelopes, 4 reams of A4 blue and yellow branded letterheads and 100 spring files.

    Musyoka’s office has also requested 2 dozen pencil sharpeners, 3 dozen foolscaps, delivery books, in and out trays, waste paper bins, ballpoint pens, paper punches, office pens, white out, photocopy paper and rubber bands.

    “I write to forward the above-mentioned items as per the attached requisition form. Submitted for your kind consideration and approval,” Matiki said.

    As part of the retirement package for former vice presidents, Kalonzo is entitled to an office, office equipment and staff.

    The request for approval comes as Kenyans continue to protest against the high cost of living in the country, forcing the president to declare austerity measures in his government.

    Pressure from the Generation Z protesters pushed the president to freeze funding for the First Lady’s office.

    Musyoka is among the opposition leaders who have opposed President Ruto’s call for dialogue to quell the anti-government demonstrations.

  • Raila Men Join Ruto’s Govt

    Raila Men Join Ruto’s Govt

    President William Ruto has nominated four ODM stalwarts to his broad-based cabinet.

    The four close allies of opposition leader Raila Odinga are nominated MP and ODM chair John Mbadi who is the new CS nominee for Treasury. Others are Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya and Opiyo Wandayi.

    The President unveiled an additional 10 nominees Wednesday afternoon during the State of the Nation address at State House, Nairobi.

    Former Attorney General Justin Muturi, CSs Rebecca Miano, Alfred Mutua, Salim Mvurya and Kipchumba Murkomen have also made a comeback.

    The list has a newcomer Stella Soi Langat who has been nominated Gender CS.

  • Ruto Names Second Batch Of The Cabinet

    Ruto Names Second Batch Of The Cabinet

    List of 2nd batch of nominees to cabinet:

    1. Ministry of Defence: Hon. Roselinda Soipan Tuya

    2. Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry: Hon. Aden Barre Duale

    3. The National Treasury and Economic Planning:Hon. John Mbadi Ng’ongo

    4. Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry: Hon.Salim Mvurya Mgala

    5. Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife:  Ms. Rebecca Miano

    6. Ministry of Energy and Petroleum: Hon. James Opiyo Wandayi

    7. Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports: Hon. Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen

    8. Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs: Hon. Hassan Ali Joho

    9. Ministry of Labour and Social Protection: Hon. Dr.Alfred Nganga Mutua

    10. Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development: Hon. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya

    11. Ministry of Public Service and Human Capital Development: Hon. Justin Bedan Muturi

    12. Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage: Ms. Stella Soi Lang’at

  • Police, Prison Officers And Security Agencies To Get Payrise This Month, Ruto Says

    Police, Prison Officers And Security Agencies To Get Payrise This Month, Ruto Says

    President William Ruto has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promise of salary increase for prison and police officers effective this month.

    Speaking Wednesday morning at State House during the swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed Prisons Service Commissioner General, Patrick Mwiti Arandu, President Ruto said starting this month, the servicemen will receive the first installment of their salary increment.

    The pay rise is in line with the recommendations made by the Taskforce chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga last year.

    “As a commitment that I made last year to our men in uniform, from this month we will be living up to our commitment to enhance salaries, from this month the prison officers and all security agencies will receive the first instalment of increment of salaries” he said.

    President Ruto at the same time pledged his support to Commissioner Arandu, urging him to ensure the prison land complements efforts in ensuring food security in the country, and decent housing for officers.

    “You come in the office with good tidings, I look forward to working with you to ensure Kenya Prisons Service moves to the next level,” He said.

    He congratulated him for the years put in service and assured him of his support and that of the entire government in transforming the service into a correctional service of excellence

    “We are transforming our correctional practices from punishment to rehabilitation so as to empower prisoners and prepare them for productive participation in the running of our country”, he stated.

    The President also shared his expectations from the incoming CGP namely contributing to national tree-planting exercise to combat climate change, food security by ensuring arable land is put under food production and impeccable leadership and stewardship to KPS.

    Arandu is set to replace Brigadier John Wariobah who is proceeding on terminal leave pending the end of his tenure of Office.

    In his first 100 days, the incoming Commissioner General said he will prioritize modernization in the prisons department.

  • Nairobi Cat Owners To Pay Sh200 License Fee

    Nairobi Cat Owners To Pay Sh200 License Fee

    If you own a cat in Nairobi, be prepared to part with an annual license fee.

    According to a proposed Nairobi City County Animal Control and Welfare Bill 2024, cat owners will pay sh 200 to the county government.

    The bill addresses various aspects of animal care, control and welfare, aiming to create a harmonious coexistence between residents and animals.

    The bill, which is set to come into effect upon assent by Governor Johnson Sakaja, is set to undergo public participation on August 2.

    According to the Bill, cat owners will have to renew the licenses annually, ensuring that all cats are up-to-date with rabies vaccinations and are kept in conditions that promote their well-being.

    Incase there’s change of hands of the cats then a Sh100 transfer fee will be paid by the new owner.

    If your cat gets on heat and needs a male, the bill says, “a person who owns a female cat in heat shall confine it or cause it to be confined in a building or enclosure so that it cannot come in contact with other cats, except those belonging to that owner. Provided that such a cat may be conveyed under the control of a
    competent person to a veterinary clinic or a boarding kennel.”

    This initiative aims to create a systematic way to monitor and manage the cat population in Nairobi, reducing the incidence of stray and abandoned cats.

  • FACTBOX – Summer Edition Of Olympic Games Returns To Paris After 100 Years

    FACTBOX – Summer Edition Of Olympic Games Returns To Paris After 100 Years

    • The French capital went through a near-decade-long process since its application to host this year’s Summer Games, setting aside a budget of over $6B

    • The 2024 Olympics will feature medals embedded with fragments of the Eiffel Tower’s iron, as well as a unique 10-peice design of the Olympic torch

    The 2024 Summer Olympics will see the Games return to Paris after a century, with the French capital previously hosting the world’s biggest sporting event in 1900 and 1924.

    The 33rd edition of the Summer Olympics will kick off on Friday, with an opening ceremony on the River Seine, and run until Aug. 11.

    The closing ceremony will take place at the Stade de France.

    Since 1896, the modern Games have been held every four years aside from 1916, 1940 and 1944, when they were canceled because of World Wars I and II.

    Alongside 29 traditional sports, the Summer Olympics will feature breakdancing, sport climbing and wave surfing. Over 17 days, a total of 10,500 athletes will vie for medals in these events.

    Athletes who win will take with them a part of the Eiffel Tower, as the medals feature fragments of iron sourced from the iconic structure.

    The medalists will display an authentic segment of the Eiffel Tower on their chests, as each medal will feature a central piece of iron weighing 18 grams.

    The metal comes from parts of the monument’s structure removed during renovation work during the 20th century.

     

    Candidacy process

    On Sept. 13, 2015, France formally submitted its bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

    The letter outlining the application highlighted that “the Olympic spirit and the Parisian identity are defined by unity in diversity, tolerance of differences, and a collective commitment to peace.”

    It was endorsed by Denis Masseglia, then-president of the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF), and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.

    At the time, Paris, which had set aside a budget of €6.2 billion ($6.7 billion), for the Games, was considered a more formidable contender in 2015 compared to its competitors.

    Paris had last hosted the Olympics in 1924 and had bid for the Games in 1992, 2008 and 2012.

    Alongside the French capital, other cities that declared their candidacy for the 2024 Summer Games included Los Angeles, Hamburg, Budapest and Rome. They announced their bids at various times throughout 2014 and 2015.

    After Hamburg, Budapest and Rome withdrew their bids, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) urged Los Angeles and Paris to reach a compromise.

    The Committee proposed that Los Angeles host the 2028 Olympic Games and offered $1.8 billion in support for their preparation.

    With Los Angeles accepting this proposal, Paris then agreed to host the 2024 Summer Olympics.

     

    Paris 2024 Olympic mascot

    The Organizing Committee unveiled the designs for the mascots of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on Nov. 14, 2022.

    Named Olympic Phryge, the Paris 2024 mascot is based on the traditional small Phrygian hats that the mascots are shaped after.

    Its name and design were chosen as symbols of freedom and to represent allegorical figures of the French Republic.

    The mascot’s eyes were designed to be both mischievous and expressive and were also compared to the cockade of France, the French national ornament.

    Its features, attire and gestures reflect the mascot’s passion for sports.

     

    Olympic torch

    The Olympic torch relay, a central tradition of the event, was introduced at the 1936 Berlin Summer Games.

    The Paris 2024 Games torch was designed by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur.

    Unlike traditional designs, this year’s Games feature a torch with a unique structure, composed of 10 distinct parts.

    Carried by 10,000 people over thousands of miles, the torch, crafted from metal by steel giant Arcelor Mittal, resembles an oval iron pipe with a rounded center.

    Upon its arrival, the torch will have been carried to more than 400 locations, including France’s overseas territories, until the opening of the event on July 26.

     

    Russian, Belarussian athletes to compete as neutrals

    According to the International Olympic Committee, athletes from Russia and Belarus will compete under neutral status and will not participate in the opening ceremony.

    The flags, emblems and anthems of Russia and Belarus will not be used, and athletes from these countries must adhere to the same anti-doping regulations as all other participants.

    No officials from the governments of either country will be invited or accredited as part of the games.

    The closing ceremony will take place at the Stade de France national stadium on Sunday, Aug. 11.

  • U-Turn: Raila Warns ODM Members From Joining Ruto’s Cabinet

    U-Turn: Raila Warns ODM Members From Joining Ruto’s Cabinet

    The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has backed the statement by his Secretary General Edwin Sifuna as he issued a stern warning to ODM members, urging them not to join the government.

    In responding to queries about members of ODM who are said to join the cabinet to be announced by the President, he clarified that he has not forwarded any names to the President for appointment to the cabinet.

    Raila said his position and the one that had been taken by the party was that there were critical outstanding issues that needed to be addressed by the government before any form of engagement was entered into.

    On Friday, Raila had issued a statement requiring that the government address some seven issues including, ceasing threats against Gen-Z demonstrators exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful protest.

    He also wanted the families of Kenyans killed by police during protests compensated as well as i⁠mmediately and unconditionally release all arrested political protesters.

    Odinga also wanted all pending charges against protesters dropped and abductions and extrajudicial killings of protesters be halted.

    Further, Odinga said that police officers involved in abductions and killings of protesters should be arrested and prosecuted adding that the reappointment of dismissed Cabinet Secretaries should be stopped.

    Earlier Tuesday, Edwin Sifuna, the ODM Secretary General issued a statement by the party stating that the ODM as a party had not endorsed any member to be appointed to the cabinet.

    Sifuna informed the public that any member seeking such appointment are completely doing so on their own and against the ODM’s position.

    On the current protests, Raila emphasized that both the party and the coalition are in solidarity with the issues being raised by the Gen-Zs, which seeks to address long standing governance issues.

    “Our commitment to the causes championed by Gen-Z remains steadfast. These are the same issues we have long been fighting for, including during last year’s Maandamano protests,” Odinga stated.

    Odinga said he had proposed a national convention, to afford all Kenyans an opportunity to find a lasting solution to these long outstanding issues and chat a way forward

    He therefore highlighted the importance of preparing for a national convention to ensure these outstanding issues are addressed. These issues include high cost of living, unemployment, corruption, ethnicity and tribalism in government employments other governance issues.

    He also said the plight of doctors and health workers must also be addressed immediately.

    Odinga further stated that the issue of odious debt, the cost of education and high taxation must be addressed.

    The ODM leader also identified procurement and revenue collection as a major source of corruption, contributing to Kenya’s economic and political crises.

    “We know exactly where the problems lie in this government and the loopholes that successive governments have exploited to plunder taxpayers’ money. These issues were eradicated during the Government of National Unity, leading to economic growth under Kibaki’s administration. Unfortunately, these problems have resurfaced, and the Gen-Z movement is right to demand an end to them,” Odinga concluded.

    Odinga clarified that the purpose of the convention is not to create new reports, but to look at modalities to implement over 26 reports that have been generated since Kenya’s independence, at the cost of taxpayers’ money but which remain unimplemented.

    He said that the participants will take cognisance of Kenyans diversity.

  • Secret Service Chief Resigns Over Trump Assassination Security Failures

    Secret Service Chief Resigns Over Trump Assassination Security Failures

    Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned Tuesday, following pressure from lawmakers for security failures during an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

    Citing sources, CNN initially said Cheatle tendered her resignation amid scrutiny of security lapses related to the July 13 assassination attempt.

    “In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to step down as your Director,” Cheatle said in her resignation letter that indicated “scrutiny over the last week has been intense and will continue to remain as our operational tempo increases.”

    She took “full responsibility for the security lapse.”

    Cheatle had led the agency since September 2022.

    She was grilled by lawmakers in the House of Representatives on the timeline of the shooting during a hearing Monday, and faced demands from several members to step down. Her responses to the questions fell short of satisfying lawmakers.

    Cheatle called the assassination attempt “the most significant operational failure” of the Secret Service.

    She said the agency’s mission is to protect US leaders and added: “On the 13th, we failed. As a director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse of our agency.”

    Republican House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, and ranking member Jamie Raskin, demanded Cheatle resign Monday in a bipartisan statement.

    US President Joe Biden said Cheatle “selflessly dedicated and risked her life to protect our nation throughout her career in the United States Secret Service.”

    “As a leader, it takes honor, courage, and incredible integrity to take full responsibility for an organization tasked with one of the most challenging jobs in public service,” he said in a statement.

    He noted that an independent review to get to the bottom of what happened July 13 continues, saying: “I look forward to assessing its conclusions.”

    “We all know what happened that day can never happen again. As we move forward, I wish Kim all the best, and I will plan to appoint a new Director soon,” he added.

    – ‘You should have been fired’

    Rep. Tim Burchett asked several questions at the hearing and later called the Secret Service chief a “DEI horror story,” in reference to a diversity, equity and inclusion framework to promote groups that have been historically excluded in the workplace based on identity or disability.

    “You said that ‘the buck stops with me,’ and I agree. I don’t think you should resign. I think you should have been fired,” Burchett told Cheatle. “Ma’am, you have not achieved today. You have let the American public down.”

    Rep. Nancy Mace was among the lawmakers who grilled Cheatle, asking her to answer a series of “yes” or “no” questions about the agency’s response to the assassination attempt.

    “Both sides of the aisle today have asked for your resignation. Would you like to use my five minutes to draft your resignation letter? Yes or no?” Mace asked.

    “No. Thank you,” Cheatle responded.

    The Republican representative later asked: “Have you provided all audio and video recordings in your possession to this committee, as we asked on July 15? Yes or no?”

    “I would have to get back to you,” Cheatle said.

    “That is a no. You’re full of sh*t today. You’re just being completely dishonest,” said Mace. “You are being dishonest or lying. You’re being dishonest here with this committee. These are important questions that the American people want answers to.”

    “And you’re just, you’re just dodging and talking around it in generalities. And we had to subpoena you to be here. And you won’t even answer the questions. We have asked you repeatedly to answer our questions. This isn’t hard. These are not hard questions,” Mace said.

    Rep. Glenn Grothman asked Cheatle whether the roof where the shooter was killed had been cleaned.

    “I don’t have an answer for that,” she replied.

  • Situation In Bangladesh: Curfew, Internet Blackout, Military Patrols Continues

    Situation In Bangladesh: Curfew, Internet Blackout, Military Patrols Continues

    Curfew, internet blackout and military patrols continued on Tuesday to quell the unrest that claimed at least 187 lives across the country over the reforms in the public jobs.

    In a fresh order, the government extended the curfew until Thursday. The curfew was imposed, along with military deployment, last Friday night.

    In line with the ruling of the apex court, the government issued a gazette notification on Monday night bringing down the quota to 7% from 56% in public jobs.

    Protesting students, who gave a 48-hour ultimatum to bring normalcy, said in a statement they would respond to the government after normalcy is restored.

    The student protests turned violent after police and ruling Awami League party men allegedly opened fire on protesters last week.

    Dhaka Medical College Hospital police outpost inspector Md Bachchu Mia told Anadolu that on average 70-80 students and people were admitted to the hospital daily since last Tuesday.

    At least 187 people were killed and hundreds of others injured since Tuesday last week. Of them, 13 died in hospitals on this Monday, national newspaper Prothom Alo reported on Tuesday.

    Meanwhile, business leaders, during a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday, termed the ongoing complete blackout of internet service “bloodshed” of business.

    They extended their support to the prime minister and demanded early restoration of digital services.

    The prime minister, however, said curfew, and blackouts would continue until the situation improves.

    On charges of violence, over 2,000 people, mostly opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami men, were arrested across the country.

    Protests surged in the South Asian since last week against the 56% quota system, with the government closing educational institutions in response to the unrest.

    Some 30% of the 56% quota in public jobs were reserved for the relatives of independence war veterans.

    However, the country’s top court on Sunday directed the government to reduce the quota to 7%, including 5% for progeny of war veterans.

    Due to internet blackout since last Thursday, the flow of information from Bangladesh has been minimal while most of local media has been unable to update their websites.

    The broadband internet services are expected to be restored on Tuesday night.

  • Ruto Moves Duale To Enviroment Ministry

    Ruto Moves Duale To Enviroment Ministry

    President William Ruto has reassigned the Defence Minister Adan Barre Duale to Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry.

    “I look forward to serving in my new portfolio and ensuring focus is on sustainable environmental management, combating climate change, and promoting reforestation and conservation efforts.” Duale said in his acceptance of the new changes.

    According to a communication sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula in which President William Ruto communicated the changes, Soipan Tuya will be taking the Defence Ministry.

    The names submitted to this House for approval for appointment as CSs are as follows
    1. Kindiki Kithure – CS for Interior & National Administration
    2. Dr Deborah Mulongo – CS for Health
    3. Alice Wahome – CS for Lands, Public Works, Housing & Urban Debt
    4. Dr Julius Ogamba – CS Education
    5. Soipan Tuya – CS for Defence
    6. Dr Andrew Karanja – CS for Agriculture & Livestock Devt
    7. Aden Duale – CS for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry
    8. Eric Murithi Muuga – CS for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation
    9. David Chirchir – CS for Roads and Transport
    10. Dr Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u – CS for ICT

    Names of the 11 cabinet secretary nominees have been referred to the Committee on Appointments, which is expected to vet and table a report of the nominees within 28 days.

  • SGR Introduces Premium Coaches To Cost Sh24,000 For A Round-Trip

    SGR Introduces Premium Coaches To Cost Sh24,000 For A Round-Trip

    Users of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) premium services will have to pay Sh24,000 round-trip to enjoy the new services.

    This was announced yesterday by the Ministry of Roads and Transport principal secretary, Mohamed Daghar, during the flagging off of 20 new passenger coaches from China in Mombasa.

    They include 10 revamped economy-class coaches, four premium-class coaches, one dining car, one power car, and four first-class coaches.

    The economy-class coaches, which can accommodate 28 passengers, have features designed to enhance passenger comfort and inclusivity, including charging points at each seat, baby-changing areas for freshening up babies during the journey, and fold-out tray tables.

    Likewise, the first-class coaches feature reclining seats arranged two by two across the width of the coach, while the premium-class coaches feature optimized seating arrangements with each coach limited to 28 passengers, ensuring ample legroom and personal space and enhanced luggage solutions for travelers with extra baggage.

    “This development is a significant milestone for the ministry as we continue to improve operational efficiency and service delivery in the transport sector,” Daghar said.