Author: Agencies

A senator now wants the management of Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to explain how it entered into an alleged private deal to lease the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to an Indian firm, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka wants KAA to provide details of the contract between them and transaction advisor ALG, a Spanish firm citing the ownership of the company, processes undertaken to identify and final award of the contract to develop an Air Transport Policy in Kenya and subsequent payment of Sh160 million to the company.

Public land

In a statement tabled before the Senate Plenary, Onyonka further wants the airport management to furnish the Senate with the notice of the meeting, agenda, minutes and resolution of the board meeting convened by KAA on July 15, 2024.

“In the statement, the committee should state the reasons for the government plans to make available free land to the company to build a city-side development on public land which may lead to land issues in areas surrounding JKIA,” reads part of the statement.

According to Onyonka, KAA entered an agreement with ADANI Commercial a private company to ‘Build, Operate and Transfer’ to lease JKIA and the process to pay a fixed concession fee as will be agreed in the concession agreement.

Onyonka argues that the tenure of the model was to be 30 years where the assets developed through capital expenditure by the company will be transferred to KAA at the expiry of the concession term.

In addition, the value was to be determined and agreed upon by the parties which value shall be structured to grant the company an equity of 18 per cent. “The company will be entitled to set the charges it levies from airline and other users for its services at JKIA among other proposed terms of the concession,” reads part of the statement.”

Faced criticism

Onyonka also wants the Senate Roads and Transport committee chaired by Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang’wa to explain the government’s plans to provide free land to the company for a city-side development on public land, which may lead to land issues in areas surrounding JKIA.

“We must not allow the auctioning of our International Airport, JKIA. They wanted to privatise it, they failed now they are trying to enter into backdoor deals with international firms in total disregard of the law,” said Onyonka.

JKIA has long faced criticism over issues such as leaking roofs, inadequate drainage, and lack of shelter, which have been particularly problematic during the onslaught of heavy rainfall in early March.

It has been established that KAA awarded the initial contract of refurbishing terminal 1A n B to a Chinese company- China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation Company Limited at Sh316.95 million.

Already a lawyer Titus Makhanu has written to the KAA Managing Director requesting information regarding the privately initiated proposal (PIP) for the development and operation of JKIA by ADANI Airports Holding Limited.

In a letter dated July 17, 2024, Makhanu claimed that after the lapse of the 30 years’ period, ADANI Airports will own 18 per cent Equity in the project for life in spite of not funding anything. “This is absurd. Considering that the project is of serious public interest and stake, urgently supply us with the information failing which, you may not withstand the next cause of action,” stated Makhanu.

A contingent of security officers from various units has been mobilized to ensure the safety of travellers and normal operations at JKIA.

The deployment is in response to the anticipated protests at the facility.

A group of protesters are planning to occupy the facility.

A spot check has shown a multitude of officers, especially from the General Service Unit (GSU), and anti-riot officers from the administration police service.

Sources within the security apparatus reveal that the deployment followed a day-long meeting Monday between top security bosses and the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) at the facility.

At the primary screen yard which is the main entry point to the facility, hundreds of armed security officers kept vigil from as early as 6am.

The area is normally manned by regular officers from the JKIA police station assisted by GSU officers from the nearby Embakasi Training School.

Services, however, remained uninterrupted inside the facility.

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has called for applications for placement in various programmes offered at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) for the September 2024 intake.

KUCCPS said the application must be submitted through the Student’s Portal  from 22nd to 27th July 2024. students.kuccps.net.

The applications target qualified KCSE holders from 2014 to 2023 who wish to enroll in KMTC programmes.

“Our officers will be located in all KMTC campuses to assist students to submit applications. Applicants who require guidance are advised to visit their nearest KMTC campus.”

The campuses include Nairobi, Karen, Mathare, Kiambu, Thika, Gatundu-Mutunguru Satellite, Gatundu Campus, Karuri, Murang’a and Murang’a-Kangema Satellite Campus, Makueni, Makindu, Mbooni, Machakos, Kangundo and Wajir.

Others are, Othaya, Nyeri Campus, Nakuru, Molo Campus,Embu, Kericho, Kapkatet, Sigowet , Tharaka Nithii, Chuka, Imenti, Meru-Maua Satellite Campus, Meru-Miathine Satellite Campus, Bomet, Narok, Trans-Mara, Mandera, Baringo and Kabarnet.

In the Coast region applicants will visit Kilifi, Kwale, Msambweni, Lamu, Tana River, Taita Taveta, Port Reitz and Mombasa campus.

The Initial damage assessment of the extent of destruction following the invasion of precincts of Parliament last month during the anti-finance bill demonstration now stands at over Sh100 Million.

The Parliamentary Service Commission indicated that the assessment is ongoing with the figures expected to increase.

The revelation was made during the presentation of the 2024/2025 supplementary budget by the commission.

“They were substantive damage with the physical damage so far is Sh100 million, we are yet to get the estimates from the system which was mainly the security side is estimated to be quite high,” PSC Director General Clement Nyandiere said.

The youth, demonstrating against the Finance Bill 2024, managed to breach security and gain entry into the bicameral house, leading to chaotic and unprecedented scenes.

The Commission stated the cost of damages, destruction of building and property will be catered for by Insurance while the institution will bear the cost of vandalism.

“We had insurance for buildings and fire which will be taken care of. The insurer has given us information on things which will not be taken care of which include systems which may be significant,” Nyandiere stated.

For three week now, the parliament precincts has been regarded as a ‘crime scene’ as investigation continues on the security breach with repairs ongoing following the destruction.

Members of the Public who include journalist had temporarily been barred from accessing the main precincts of the bicarmel house to pave way for the renovations.

The demonstrators, initially gathered along City Hall Way, charged towards Parliament Road, raising concerns about how they managed to overpower the police and gain access to the highly secured area.

Within minutes, the youth breached the exterior gate adjacent to the Jomo Kenyatta Mausoleum and divided into groups, wreaking havoc inside Parliament.

One group targeted the Senate Chambers, causing widespread damage by shattering windows, destroying furniture, and removing decorative fixtures. Although they attempted to gain access to the house, the locked doors thwarted their efforts.

Another group managed to enter the National Assembly Chambers, which were open at the time.

A third group raided the dining area, helping themselves to the arranged buffet for MPs who had just exited the chambers after passing the Finance Bill 2024. The demonstrators, lacking cutlery, ate with their hands as parliamentary staff fled for safety.

The situation escalated further as protesters vandalized windows and set fire to the new wing of the Parliament building, causing significant damage. MPs and parliamentary staff scrambled for safety, questioning how the demonstrators managed to breach such a secure zone.

Kenyans will need to renew their national ID cards every 10 years, the Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services, Julius Bitok, has announced.

In a statement issued on Monday, the PS clarified that the expiry date has no direct correlation with the general election date and dimistified the claims that dismissed claims that the expiration dates of the newly introduced Maisha Card are tied to the timing of general elections.

Bitok explained that the card’s microchip, similar to ATM cards, has a shelf life of 10 years from the date of issuance.

“The Maisha Card features a machine-readable microchip that contains relevant security features and personal details. Like other documents, such as ATM cards, the microchip has a shelf life of a maximum of ten (10) years from the date of issuance. The expiration date has no direct correlation with the general election date,” he stated.

The clarification comes after civil society organisations raised concerns over the legality and expiration dates of digital identity cards.

Bitok said that the introduction of the Maisha Card seeks to enhance the security of national identification and comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements.

The government rolled out the issuance of Maisha Cards on February 23 to replace traditional IDs.

So far, 972,630 cards have been issued, with 531,329 being new applications and 441,301 duplicates.

Holders of the Maisha Card will be required to renew their IDs every ten years without undergoing new biometric registration, although updated photos will be required to reflect changes in facial features.

“Applicants seeking renewal of expired National ID cards will not be required to undergo fresh biometrics. However, they will retake their passport-sized photos due to potential changes in facial features over the years,” explained Bitok.

Three organisations are on DCI radar for operating illegally.

The Public Benefit Organisations Regulatory Authority previously NGO Coordination Board Monday revealed that the NGOs in question were not registered and were receiving funds they cannot account for channelled through unauthorised accounts.

Addressing a presser, PBO Chairperson Mwambu Mabongah withheld the names of the organisations which are now under further investigation by the detectives.

He further confirmed that 16 organisations which had been flagged by the government are registered, three under the PBOs Act, 2013 while the rest by both the Registrar of Societies and Companies.

Some of the listed organisations were linked to anti-government protests over alleged funding by the Ford Foundation.

“Out of the 16 organizations listed in the correspondence by the PS State Department for Foreign Affairs, only 3 are registered under the PBOs Act, 2013 whereas the rest are registered by both the Registrar of Societies and Companies” Mabongah stated.

However, an inquiry into allegations of regulatory breaches exposed the three PBOs for running unauthorised bank accounts.

“The Authority has further forwarded to the DCI for further investigations, PBOs that are currently in operation without obtaining the requisite registration and yet the PBOs in question are receiving funding and running bank accounts that have not been authorized and implementing projects that cannot be quantified or accounted for,” he said.

PBOs Act

The Public Benefit Organisations Act, 2013 (the Act) came into force in May replacing the Non-Governmental Organisations Coordination (NGO) Act.

With the new law, all organizations engaging in Public Benefit in Kenya are required to either obtain public benefit status as provided for under section 7 and/or register with the Authority under sections 10 and 11 of the PBOs Act.

NGOs registered under the NGO Coordination Act shall be deemed to be registered as PBOs under the Act and shall have up to one year from the commencement date to seek registration as a PBO while those that were exempted from registration under the NGO Coordination Act have three (3) months from the Commencement Date to apply for registration.

Failure of NGOs to register as PBOs under the Act within the specified periods will lead to loss of PBO status.

Several containers of Sodium Cyanide are missing following a road accident that occurred on Saturday in the Rironi area along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway, Kiambu County.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has issued a serious warning to the public regarding the hazardous nature of the contents.

The public is cautioned that the contents of these containers are extremely harmful and should immediately report any sightings to the nearest police station or chief’s office.

The truck involved in the accident was transporting Sodium Cyanide, a toxic chemical posing severe risks to both human health and the environment.

The missing containers contain this dangerous substance, recognizable as a white pellet-like material.

In response to the incident, the Ministry of Health Saturday issued a public alert urging people to avoid the area and cooperate fully with authorities.

“The ministry advises the public to avoid the site of the incident and to cooperate with our emergency and disaster response teams as they work to contain the situation,” Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni stated.

According to Muthoni, the substance is extremely toxic, and ingestion or inhalation of even small amounts can be fatal.

“Exposure can cause immediate symptoms such as headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting.”

“Severe exposure can lead to loss of consciousness and convulsions within minutes,” she added.

Prolonged or repeated exposure to lower levels can result in long-term health issues, including neurological damage, thyroid dysfunction, and cardiovascular problems.

In terms of environmental hazards, Sodium Cyanide can pose a significant threat to aquatic life.

Any accidental release into waterways can cause extensive fish kills and long-term damage to aquatic ecosystems.

“Although Sodium Cyanide can degrade over time, its initial impact is often devastating,” Muthoni pointed out.

She also recommended proper personal protective equipment when handling the substance to prevent direct exposure.

The ministry remains committed to ensuring public safety and managing the risks associated with the chemical.

“Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” the statement read.

The newly appointed Cabinet has sparked mixed reactions, with Bishop Cleophas Osese of the Nakuru Catholic Diocese criticizing the move as superficial.

The outspoken cleric accused President William Ruto of recycling individuals previously rejected by the public, warning that this could incite a new wave of demonstrations.

Speaking two days after the President appointed 11 members of the Cabinet in the first phase, Osese expressed disappointment, stating that the appointments fell short of the country’s expectations.

“The new list of Cabinet appointees does not meet public expectations, and we hope that Parliament will fulfil its role during the vetting process,” he said.

The Bishop also criticized the proposal to form a government of national unity with the opposition, arguing that it would undermine the spirit of democracy.

He claimed the President’s move was intended to weaken the opposition and should be rejected as it contravenes the spirit of the constitution.

“A country should have a vocal opposition, and we question whose interests these politicians are serving by seeking a government of national unity,” he said.

Addressing the press in Kinungi, Naivasha, after distributing food and clothes to the elderly, the Bishop expressed the church’s full support for the demonstrations by Gen-Z.

However, he condemned the loss of life due to excessive police force and the destruction and looting of property by demonstrators in parts of the country.

“As we call for peaceful demonstrations, we also urge the community to remember the elderly, who have been forgotten and are suffering due to poverty,” he said.

Jude Otogo from Ethel Foundation highlighted their efforts in supporting the elderly through nutrition, health checks, and advocacy, noting that many are suffering at home.

“We are working in five counties, marking this day by supporting the elderly who have been abused, violated, and neglected,” he said.

Hellen Kuria from Kenya Community Development echoed these sentiments, identifying neglect as a major challenge currently facing the elderly.

One beneficiary, Margaret Wambui, described the visit and gifts as a blessing, noting that many elderly individuals are enduring significant hardship.

“We thank the church and donors who have come to our rescue during these hard times when many of the elderly are perceived as a burden and forgotten,” she said.

The Ministry of Education Ministry nullified fees for first year students placed in universities by KUCCPS.

In a statement dated July 19, Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala said the new structure will be issued from August 5.

Inyangala advised parents to ignore earlier communication from the institutions.

“The Ministry of Education wishes to inform the public, particularly parents and guardians of students that the fees to be paid by students and their families as relates to the full cost of each degree programme as previously communicated in the admission letters is hereby nullified and does not apply anymore,” Inyangala said.

“Beginning August 5, the respective universities will communicate the new fees to be paid by each student as household contribution,” she said.

The ministry however said the placement of students in the respective academic programmes remain unchanged.

“We wish to confirm that their places in the academic programmes are firmly secured.”

Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) placed the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) 2023 cohort of students in various degree programmes. and the information communicated to the students by the respective universities.

This comes amid concern that thousands of students set to join universities in September might miss out on government funding.

Inyang’ala on Thursday told MPs they are unable to cater for loans and scholarships for the 2023 KCSE exam candidates that have already been placed in various universities.

Some 153,292 students are set to join university.

The National Police Service (NPS) has clarified it has not banned public demonstrations.

In a statement, the Ag. Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja says that the July 17th notice they sent out was informed by credible intelligence on potential threats planned on that day.

“Any individual who intends to organise a public gathering or procession must notify the OCS in charge of the area in writing at least 3 days but no more than 14 days prior.” Kanja said.

To ensure the safety of demonstrators Ag. IG Kanja called on all stakeholders to work together.

“Working together, we can ensure the safety of demonstrators while balancing the needs of the broader community. This includes safeguarding businesses from opportunistic criminal activities and ensuring access to critical services and infrastructure.”

President William Ruto has named a new cabinet in the face of Gen Z protests that saw him dissolve his previous cabinet.

In his address to the nation on Friday, the President nominated the first batch of 11 individuals for consideration and approval by the National Assembly for appointment as Cabinet Secretaries and Attorney General.

I. Ministry of the Interior and National Administration: Prof. Kithure Kindiki
ii. Ministry of Health: Dr. Debra Mlongo Barasa
iii. Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and
Urban Development: Alice Wahome
iv. Ministry of Education: Julius Migos Ogamba
v. Ministry of Defence: Aden Barre Duale
vi. Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
Development: Dr. Andrew Mwihia Karanja

vii. Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry: Roselinda Soipan Tuiya

viii. Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation:
Eric Muriithi Muuga
ix. Ministry of Roads and Transport: Davis Chirchir
x. Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy: Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u
xi. Attorney-General: Rebecca Miano

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