Kenya Insights

Author: Agencies

  • ‪Melinda French Gates Resigns From Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation‬

    ‪Melinda French Gates Resigns From Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation‬

    Melinda French Gates has announced her resignation from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Melinda stated on her X account that the 7th of June will be her last day of work as co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation one of the world’s biggest private charitable foundations that she co-founded with her former spouse more than 20 years ago.

    Melinda leaves $12.5 billion for the foundation to benefit women and families, assuring that the organization would be in the competent leadership of Mark Suzma, CEO of the Melinda Gates Foundation, the Executive Leadership Team, and an experienced Board of Trustees.

    Bill and Melinda Gates filed for divorce in 2021 after 27 years of marriage but had pledged to continue their philanthropic work together.

    The Gateses said in 2021 that they had reached an agreement on how to divide their marital assets, but no details of that agreement were disclosed in the final divorce order filed in court.

    “I am sorry to see Melinda leave, but I am sure she will have a huge impact in her future philanthropic work,” Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said in a post on X.

    The foundation is one of the most powerful and influential forces in global public health, having spent more than $50 billion over the past two decades to bring a business approach to combating poverty and disease.

  • Kenyans With Emergency To Be Given Passports On The Spot, Kindiki Announces

    Kenyans With Emergency To Be Given Passports On The Spot, Kindiki Announces

    Kenyans with emergency situations that need immediate travels outside the country will now be able to get their passports issued immediately.

    Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki announced new changes in passports issuance which will see the days of issuance reduced to 3 by the end of the year.

    “Going forward, all new applicants will receive their passports within 21 days from the date of application, while urgent cases will receive theirs immediately. Effective August 1, 2024, the waiting period will be reduced to 7 days and further to 3 days effective November 1, 2024.” Kindiki said on Monday.

    Kindiki attributed the traditional delays to poor equipment and lengthy processes in acquiring effective printing machines which have been recently acquired by the ministry easing the restrictions.

    “It took a bit of time to get exchequer funding, pay pending supplier debts, dismantle the corruption cartels, and acquire and install modern, high capacity printing equipment.”

    Backlog cleared

    Kindiki added that the backlog of passports that led to public outrage has since been cleared saying only a small portion is yet to be processed.

    “All 724,000 passports that were part of the historical backlog that had accumulated between June 2021 and March 2024 have now been printed, and 684,500 of them already collected by their holders.”

    The CS today gave an impromptu visit to Nyayo House, where he held a service delivery efficiency review meeting, inspected the production, registry, and archival facilities, and had an interaction with passport applicants to pick new ideas on improvement areas.

  • Boxing: Mike Tyson Warns Jake Paul Ahead Of July Fight

    Boxing: Mike Tyson Warns Jake Paul Ahead Of July Fight

    Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, preparing for his first professional fight since 2005, warned YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on Monday (May 13) that his life will be on the line during their July 20 bout.

    The 57-year-old Tyson, speaking at New York City’s Apollo Theater during a press conference to promote a fight against an opponent who is 30 years his junior, said he wants to show the world he is still a great fighter.

    “I really like Jake a lot but once he’s in that ring he has to fight like his life depends on it, because it will be,” said Tyson.

    The heavyweight bout at the Arlington, Texas home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys will be contested over eight two-minute rounds with each fighter using 14-ounce gloves. The outcome will be included in both fighters’ professional boxing records.

    Tyson, who said he requested the shorter rounds because he feels it will lead to greater action and a more entertaining fight, shot back at critics who suggested he is making a big mistake by returning to boxing.

    “The people who said that wish they were up here,” said Tyson. “Because no one else can do it. Who else can do this? Who else can shut the sporting world down, no one else can do it. So you got the both of us.

    “We’re friends, but in that ring we’re not going to be friends.”

    Tyson also said he did not hesitate at the chance to fight Paul.

    “It was a no-brainer,” said Tyson.

    “He was the new up and coming guy on the scene and I like shaking the sports world to it’s core and I’m doing it now. It’s just something I want to do.”

    Paul, a 27-year-old YouTube influencer-turned-boxer, has won nine of 10 boxing matches with six knockouts against a mix of celebrities and middling fighters.

    He suffered his sole career boxing loss in February 2023 when he lost a split decision to Tommy Fury, the half brother of World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

    Paul said people should not overlook Tyson.

    “Age doesn’t matter, age is just a number. He’s a killer, he’s a warrior, he’s been doing this his whole entire life. So it’s second nature to him. I’ve been doing this for four years,” Paul said.

    Paul suggested he is being underestimated by Tyson and boasted that he has more power than the man once considered one of the most feared men in the world.

    “I know it’s going to be tough, I know I’m going to have to fight through adversity, I know I might even go to the canvas,” said Paul.

    “I’m scared, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not about the fear stopping me, it’s about going into it even though I am scared and that’s what true bravery is.”

    Tyson and Paul will participate in another press conference on Thursday in Arlington.

  • Why Kenyans Are To Continue Experiencing Slower Internet

    Why Kenyans Are To Continue Experiencing Slower Internet

    Internet services across Kenya are expected to experience intermittent outages and sluggish speeds in the coming days after multiple undersea fibre optic cables were damaged, according to the country’s telecommunications regulator.

    The Communications Authority of Kenya said a deep-sea fibre cut occurred at the Mtunzini cable landing station in South Africa, impacting several crucial submarine cable systems that carry internet traffic to and from the East African nation.

    Among the affected cables are the high-capacity Seacom and East African Submarine System (EASsy) lines, which suffered severe disruptions that have already begun to degrade internet connectivity for businesses and consumers across Kenya.

    In a statement on Monday, the regulator said repair efforts were underway but cautioned that internet services would likely remain “intermittent” and speeds could be slow for several days until the cables were fully restored.

    “We wish to inform individual and corporate consumers that the recovery process has since commenced but internet intermittency and slow speeds may remain in the coming few days before services are fully restored,” said David Mugonyi, the Authority’s director-general.

    To mitigate the impact, Kenyan internet service providers have been instructed to reroute traffic through alternative routes, including the East Africa Marine System (TEAMS) cable, which was not affected by the cut. Backup terrestrial links to South Africa have also been activated.

    The cause of the fibre cut is still under investigation, but such incidents are not uncommon, often resulting from anchors dropped by ships or underwater environmental factors like seismic activity.

  • Infidelity: Jay-Z Admitted To Cheating On Beyoncé

    Infidelity: Jay-Z Admitted To Cheating On Beyoncé

    Rapper Jay-Z has opened up about marital struggles with his wife, superstar Beyoncé in an interview with The New York Times.

    Jay-Z admitted to cheating on Beyoncé during their marriage, attributing it in part to unresolved issues from his childhood.

    “The hardest thing,” he said in a remorseful tone, “is seeing pain on someone’s face that you caused and then having to deal with yourself.”

    The interview revealed the couple’s journey through therapy and reconciliation.

    Jay-Z described a coping mechanism that led him astray, explaining, “You go into survival mode, and… you shut down all emotions.”

    He elaborated on how this impacted his relationship with Beyoncé, stating, “You shut down emotionally, so you can’t connect. In my case… that’s how things happened.”

    The infidelity caused significant strain on their marriage, with Jay-Z acknowledging that many couples wouldn’t survive such a situation.

    “You know, most people walk away, and, like, divorce rate is like 50% or something ’cause most people can’t see themselves,” he admitted.

    However, through dedication and therapy, they were able to overcome the challenges.

    These struggles were reflected in their music. Jay-Z’s album, “4:44,” contained lyrics that alluded to his infidelity, such as, “Look, I apologize… Took for my child to be born to see through a woman’s eyes.”

    The year prior, Beyoncé’s album, “Lemonade,” hinted at the situation with the now-famous line, “He only want me when I’m not there/He better call Becky with the good hair.”

    Originally, the couple planned to create a collaborative album, but ultimately decided to release individual projects.

    “We were using our art almost like a therapy session,” Jay-Z explained. He continued, “But her album came out as opposed to the joint album that we were working on.”

    Despite the challenges, Jay-Z and Beyoncé remain one of the most powerful couples in the entertainment industry.

  • Execution Of Kenyan In Saudi Arabia Postponed

    Execution Of Kenyan In Saudi Arabia Postponed

    Saudi Arabia has acceded to Kenya’s request to postpone the execution of Stephen Munyakho that was set for Wednesday to allow for further negotiations between all parties.

    According to Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei, Kenya will be engaging stakeholders in Nairobi and Riyadh, including religious leaders, to agree on the next urgent steps.

    “As we devise strategies to bring this matter to a more acceptable conclusion, and thereby giving both families the closure they so urgently need and deserve, we shall continue to lean on the warm and solid friendship that we have with our Saudi partners, as well as on the goodwill of all Kenyans,” he stated.

    Earlier while lauding Kenyans for banding together to help Munyakho’s family raise the Sh150 million, Sing’Oei expressed optimism that diplomatic pathways could resolve the issue.

    He expressed “deep concern” about the case and assured the convict’s family of the government’s efforts to broker a deal that would save Munyakho from execution.

    “This is a case that has been in the books for a couple of years. This young man (Munyakho) inadvertently occasioned the death of another,” he said noting that Saudi laws provide for payment of blood money by way of compensation or capital punishment.

    “The circumstances that this gentleman is in are dire.”

    PS Sing’Oei added that he remains optimistic that the Saudi courts would review the sentencing which he described as “egregious”.

    “Our hope really is within the next couple of weeks we will be able to know the direction, most likely there will be an opportunity to go back to court for a review off this particular penalty because if you look at it, it’s egregious, it’s almost unattainable it’s almost as if you have no option but to go through the death penalty,” he said.

  • Finance Bill: M-Pesa, Bank Transaction Charges To Go Up

    Finance Bill: M-Pesa, Bank Transaction Charges To Go Up

    Mobile and bank transactions in Kenya are likely to go up by at least five per cent if the Finance Bill, 2024 is signed into law in its current form.

    According to the Finance Bill, 2024 measures to fund the budget for the financial year starting July 1 seen by the Star shows that the Kenya Kwanza government is proposing a total overhaul of tax relief on transactions introduced in 2022.

    According to the proposed law, excise duty on bank transactions has been reverted to 20 per cent from 15 per cent while those on mobile phone transactions like M-Pesa which had been revised to 12 per cent from 15 per cent have been pushed to 20 per cent.

    This means telcos are likely to raise transfer and withdrawal charges to cover the additional tax burden.

    Today, transferring Sh101-500 on M-Pesa costs Sh7 while users are charged Sh29 as withdrawal charges.

    A five per cent increase means that transfer and withdrawal charges will rise to at least Sh7.35 and Sh30.45 respectively.

    Those intending to transfer a higher limit of Sh250,000 will now pay Sh113.40 up from the current Sh108. Those withdrawing this upper limit amount will now incur Sh324.50 up from the current Sh309.

    Excise duty on bank transactions on banks which had been relaxed to 15 per cent in 2022 has been raised to 20 per cent, an aspect that might trigger costly bank charges.

    Although the government aims to boost revenue collection to over 20 per cent of the GDP in the next fiscal year to about Sh2.95 trillion up from Sh2.6 trillion set for the current financial year, high charges on mobile transactions could hurt Kenya’s progress as a digital superhighway.

    The government is also planning to raid farmers in a bid to bring more informal players into the tax bracket.

    Farmers

    According to the proposed law, President William Ruto’s regime is contemplating introducing a five per cent withholding tax on agricultural produce delivered to organized groups such as co-operatives.

    The proposed withholding tax will act as an initial step in ensuring that farmers are within the tax net.

    The farmers will be expected to account for tax on the income they receive from co-operatives if the proposal in the National Tax Policy and the Medium-Term Revenue Strategy FY 2023/24-2026/27 (MTRS) is implemented.

    Additional steps that will be implemented to ensure the collection of additional revenue include the progressive phasing out of preferential corporate tax rates and the rationalization of tax exemptions for corporate entities and individuals.

    The National Tax Policy articulates broad guidelines to guide tax administration while the MTRS outlines the specific reforms that will boost revenue collection during the strategy period.

    Content creators

    The government is also planning to amend Section 2 of the Income Tax Act to expand the definition of digital content monetization to include creative works, creating or sharing of materials, or any other materials that are noted exempted under the Act.

    During this period, the government is planning to review the digital service tax (DST) to bring on board residents.

    DST is currently payable by non-residents on income derived or accrued in Kenya from services offered through a digital marketplace.

    The applicable rate is 1.5 per cent of the gross transaction value. It is not clear whether the DST will be an advance tax for the affected resident or whether it will be the final tax.

    The previous government introduced DST alongside VAT on digital market supply.

    Starting in January 2021, individuals earning income by offering services or products through online platforms were required to pay this tax.

    Furthermore, the law specified that both Kenyan residents and non-residents with permanent establishments in the country could utilize the tax amount as a deduction against their income liability for that particular year.

    Last year, Kenya doubled DST to three per cent which earned KRA Sh5.3 billion.

    Other changes include the introduction of income tax on repatriated income, and digital asset tax payable by persons who derive income from the transfer or exchange of digital assets.

    They include ride-hailing services, food delivery, freelance, professional and rental services.

    Although the proposal aims to review upward excise duty on alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, tobacco and sugar-containing products, the bill has given relief to manufacturers of alcoholic drinks and beverages.

    The tax proposal now wants them to remit excise duty within five days and not 24 hours from the time the drinks are removed from the stockroom.

    This requirement has faced repeated criticism for the reason that it is counterproductive and unfair to demand tax before the manufacturer sells the product and reconciles their sales.

    Experts have also argued that the Excise tax is also a consumption and not an advance tax, and for these reasons, we expect that this year, the requirement to pay the tax within 24 hours will be reviewed.

    In addition to the above, the government is considering developing a framework that will guide the introduction of a carbon tax in Kenya.

    Over and above promoting the generation of additional revenue, this initiative is expected to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and ensure the State meets its environmental sustainability goals.

    In a bid to have free access to data, the Government, according to the MTRS, will pursue an amendment to the Data Protection Act, 2019 to exempt the processing of personal data for purposes of taxation.

    Intended reduction of the VAT rate by 1 percent and adjustment of the VAT registration threshold from Sh5 million to Sh8 million.

  • Three Bank Accounts Frozen In 400KG Fake Gold Scam

    Three Bank Accounts Frozen In 400KG Fake Gold Scam

    Milimani Commercial Court Judge A. Mabeya has granted orders for the freezing of several accounts held in three different banks over 400 KG of fake gold deals in a ruling dated March 15, 2024. The banks, namely Kenya Commercial Bank, National Bank, and Eco Bank, were ordered to freeze all the accounts that were used in the fake gold scam until the case was heard and determined.

    In an application dated May 16, 2023, filed by Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Bernard Shiaunda Aete, Ojaja Residency Limited, Shamiri Technologies Limited, and Helen Nkechinyelu Chikezie, they sought orders that the accounts held by Osewe Alphonce Collins Odoyo, Odero Osiemo & Co. Advocates, and Collins Grace & Associates Advocates be frozen, as well as the accounts held in the three banks.

    The applicants further sought orders that they be allowed to trace the money deposited in bank account numbers 6628003244, 1296631389, and 02020259622700 and that the defendants be compelled to avail bank statements for the aforementioned accounts or, in the alternative, be ordered to furnish security of USD 610,000. The application was supported by the affidavits of Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and Prof. Bernard Shiaunda Aete, both sworn on May 16, 2023.

    The applicants’ case was that the plaintiffs had transferred USD 610,000 into Alphonce Osewe’s account held at ECO Bank for onward transmission to the seller of the alleged 400 kg of gold. The plaintiffs were victims of a cross-border gold trading scam involving the defendants. According to the applicants, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, through Helen Nkechinyelu, had been approached by Alphonce Osewe for business involving the sale of gold. Osewe assured Adeyeye that he had a genuine client who was in the business of selling gold, and on May 5, 2023, an agreement was entered into for the purchase of 400 kilograms of gold.

    Through various transactions, money was deposited in Osewe’s accounts on diverse dates; however, buyers never received the 400 kilograms’ gold bars, nor were the money refunded.

    The defendants, however, claimed that no transaction was done and that the only transaction was on account of the legal relationship. They averred that on April 13, 2023, Shamiri Technologies Limited entered into a legal relationship with Collins Grace & Associates Advocates for legal services at a consideration of USD 350,000, and a deposit of Ksh. 26,100,000 was paid out.

    Further, it was claimed that the money claimed by the plaintiffs was wired back by the firm of Odero Osiemo and Company advocates.

    The judge in his ruling noted, “In this regard, I find that the plaintiffs have demonstrated that they have an arguable case, and there is a risk that if the freezing orders are not granted, the funds in the said accounts would be dissipated. Accordingly, I find merit in the application, and the same is allowed.”

  • UN Vote On Palestine: What It Means

    UN Vote On Palestine: What It Means

    By Steve Williams

    The UN recently voted to upgrade Palestine’s status at the international body with a total of 143 nations – including Kenya – voting in favour of the resolution. 25 countries abstained while nine countries voted against the decision. This placed Palestine on the path of full UN membership as various experts noted.

    While the vote is significant, it still hasn’t brought Palestine near to the coveted status of full membership. The vote improved Palestine’s status at the body and now Palestine has new privileges like being arranged alphabetically among the Member States, Declaring positions on behalf of a group, providing suggestions and changes, and then presenting them and also co-sponsoring changes and ideas.

    Palestine would also be able to suggest topics for the preliminary agenda of regular or special sessions, as well as the power to ask that supplementary or extra items be added to the agenda of regular or special sessions.

    The ability of State of Palestine delegation members to run for office and be elected to the Main Committee and Plenary of the General Assembly is also included in the new privileges granted by the latest resolution.

    Lastly, they would be able to be active and involved in United Nations conferences, as well as international conferences and meetings held under the direction of the General Assembly or, when applicable, other United Nations bodies.

    That one is a huge upgrade from their current status. The privileges won’t kick in till 10th September 2024 when the next General Assembly meeting is expected to take place.

    However, being a full member requires recommendations from all the five permanent members who also happen to form the United Nations Security Council.

    Being a full member comes with benefits such as being elected to serve in the Security Council for a period of two years, voting in General Assembly sessions, and seeking membership in the influential Economical and Social Council.

    In the recent resolution, the general assembly determined that the State of Palestine has met all the requirements of being a full member of the UN and asked the Security Council “reconsider the matter favorably”.

    The US which voted against the resolution has been clear that Palestine would not become a full UN member until the security and future of Israel as a democratic Jewish State has been secured.

    “We have been very clear that we support it and seek to advance it meaningfully. Instead, it is an acknowledgment that statehood will come from a process that involves direct negotiations between the parties,” Ambassador Robert who is the US ambassador to the UN insisted.

    He also added, “there is no other path that guarantees Israel’s security and future as a democratic Jewish State. There is no other path that guarantees Palestinians can live in peace and dignity in a State of their own.”

    It is worth noting that the US had earlier vetoed a similar earlier attempt of Palestine trying to become a full member. The situation is likely to continue until the conflict is solved comprehensively.

    Solving the conflict comprehensively means issues such as the status of Jerusalem which is divided into East and West and home to several religions is determined and fully solved.

    Both Israel and Palestine lay claim to the whole of Jerusalem as their eternal capital and none has indicated they are likely to cede that position.

    Israel moved its capital from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and such a move is recognized by the US and other countries. The US moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018 during the Trump administration.

    Settlements that dot the West Bank are also a thorny issue and have been a huge subject of controversy and chaos. The borders of a modern State of Palestine are also under contention but most people favor the 1967 withdrawal borders which encompass the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

    While extremist groups regularly favor dissolving the State of Israel and assuming stewardship of the whole area, it is practically impossible to execute that idea and it may lead to unintended consequences since Israel has indicated it is very much prepared for that scenario under a plan called the Samson Option.

    Other issues such as borders, airspace control, customs, Gaza seaport, Palestinian nation army, recognition of Israel by a future Palestine state, prosecution of war crimes committed on both sides, freedom of movement between Gaza Strip and West Bank, and reparations would most likely prolong the dialogue that would lead to Palestine becoming a full member of the UN.

    Kenyan vote

    In the latest vote, Malawi was the sole African candidate that abstained from voting and 45 countries voted Yes, including Kenya.

    Eight non-voting members were not able to vote, possibly due to non-remittance of UN fees and dues.

    Outgoing Kenyan Ambassador to the UN, Martin Kimani hailed the decision “Kenya voted YES to give the State of Palestine additional rights and privileges in the UN, furthering its quest for full membership. We can no more deny others who legitimately seek self-determination than we can deny our nature as a country made from an independence struggle,” he said.

    “Kenya’s statement supporting full UN membership for Palestine, rooted in our fight for self-determination. Emphases the illegitimacy of Hamas in a peace-loving Palestinian state. Recognises Israel’s security concerns but condemns its breaches of international law in Gaza. Advocates for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and negotiations toward a two-state solution.” He added.

    The current Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs in Kenya, Singoei Korir also appeared to praise the decision by adding “Kenya votes with 142 other countries in support of the UN General Assembly Resolution for the admission of the State of Palestine to the UN. This endorsement is consistent with our historical vote on the matter.”

    As the issue stands now, Palestinian full membership of the UN is so near, yet so far. Good faith and intense diplomacy stand to accelerate the process rather than violence and insurgency.

  • Finance Bill: Govt To Take 20pc Of Betting Stakes

    Finance Bill: Govt To Take 20pc Of Betting Stakes

    Gamblers will pay the government Sh20 for every Sh100 staked after the National Treasury proposed to increase excise tax on betting stakes to 20 percent, in the latest State onslaught to lower the appeal of betting.

    The proposal is contained in the draft Finance Bill, 2024 and if adopted by Parliament will increase the tax from the current 12.5 percent.

    The Bill is expected to be adopted by Cabinet and tabled in Parliament for debate and approval before the end of June. Currently, the government takes Sh12.50 from every Sh100 similar amount to be wagered.

    “The first schedule to the excise duty Act is amended by deleting the words twelve-point five percent and substituting thereof the words twenty percent,” the National Treasury says in the draft Bill.

    This is meant to lower the appeal of betting to millions of Kenyans, especially the youth and unemployed who have turned to gambling as a source of income.

    The government has in recent years publicly pushed for increased taxes in a bid to curb the betting craze that has made Kenya home to the highest number of youthful gamblers at 76 percent, placing the country ahead of Nigeria and South Africa.

    Adoption of the new tax rate will lower the amount that gamblers stake, in turn reducing the possible pay-out from a winning bet.

    The 20 percent rate will be in addition to a similar rate charged as withholding tax on every winning bet that the State takes.

    Betting firms are under law required to deduct the withholding tax and remit it to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) by the 20th of the following month.

    Besides gamblers, the State has also set its eyes on the betting firms and last year proposed two new taxes through the Gambling Control Bill, 2023 that has since been debated in Parliament.

    These were the gambling tax which will be charged at the rate of 15 percent of a betting firm’s gross gaming revenue and a further one percent monthly levy on the same revenue.

    But the National Assembly committee on Sports proposed reduction of gambling tax to 13 percent from 15 percent and removal of the one percent gambling tax in its report tabled before the House in December last year.

    Increased taxation on the betting industry is bearing the desired impact at least in the eyes of the government. BCLB data shows that betting firms made Sh60 billion in revenue for the 2021/22 year, an 80 percent drop from Sh299 billion posted in the year to June 2019.

    Data from the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) released last year shows that gamblers spend an average of Sh2,500 to bet every month with 80 percent of the winning punters earning less than Sh30,000 per month.

    The Treasury has previously failed in bids to tax betting stakes at the rate of 20 per cent, after Parliament gave in to pressure from gaming firms and lowered the rate. The first time the Treasury proposed the 20 percent rate was in 2019.

    Excise tax on betting stake was increased to the current 12.5 percent from 7.5 percent in July last year as the State raided the industry in a bid to take away the shine from the betting craze.

  • Forced Disappearances Are Back In Garissa, Leaders Raise Alarm

    Forced Disappearances Are Back In Garissa, Leaders Raise Alarm

    A section of MCAs from Garissa have raised concern over the increasing cases of enforced disappearance in the county which they blame on security agencies.

    The MCAs say that despite concerns from the local leadership and demonstrations by residents the situation continues to persist.

    According to Liboi MCA Abdirahman Ali, this year alone a total of five people have been abducted and are yet to be traced.

    They include Abdihakim Mohamed and Jama Adan abducted on 6th and 9th April,Osman Yussuf abducted in February while Djibril Abdullahi and Hareth Adan were abducted two months ago.

    “We are here to raise our serious concerns about the enforced disappearance and extra judicial killings of our people which unfortunately have become a norm in this part of the country,” he said.

    Ali said that despite numerous efforts to follow up on the matter with the relevant authorities are yet to bear fruits as the numbers of missing persons keep on increasing.

    “A fortnight ago a young Abdihakim a taxi driver from my ward was picked from his homestead by people believed to be security officers and to date he is yet to be traced. This has caused a lot of anxiety and panic to not only the family members but also the residents at large who fear for their lives not knowing who will be picked next,” he said.

    Abdihakim was brazenly abducted in broad daylight on Saturday, the 6th of April,2024 at DNA petrol station in Garissa town at around 17:00hrs, by men posing as security personnel using a silver Toyota probox with plate number KDE769J.

    Screenshot of a CCTV footage showing Abdihakim being kidnapped and driven away in a probox by unknown persons.
    Screenshot of a CCTV footage showing Abdihakim being kidnapped and driven away in a probox by unknown persons.

    Ali was flanked by other MCAs including Adow Omar (Holugho) Mohamed Abdi (Dadaab),Abdirahman Borr (Sankuri), Mohamed Sheikh (libahsigale) and Mahat Abdikadir (Modogashe).

    Others were Abdiweli Aden (saka), Yunis Ibrahim (Masalani),  Omar Abdi (Damajaley), Issa Abdi (Sabena), Hassan Dahir (Baraki), Hussein Dakane (Township), Ahmed Noor Aden (Dekahrja), Idriss Ismail (Danyere), Hajir Mohamed (Abakaile) and Hajir Farah (Maalim).

    The MCAs are now appealing to President William Ruto to personally intervene into the matter.

    “The current government promised to stop enforced disappearance and extra judicial killings across the region. It is one of the reasons why people overwhelmingly voted for President Ruto,” Ali stated.

    Nominated MP Umulkher Harun added her voice urging the president and the interior ministry to intervene.

    “President William Ruto has time again said that he will not allow extra judicial killing/forceful disappearance, yet our youth are still missing. I urge the Interior Ministry to enforce the words of the President. If we remain silent we will be collecting bodies from River Tana and Yala,” she said.

  • Govt Warns Of Fake Cancer Treatment Drugs In The Kenyan Market

    Govt Warns Of Fake Cancer Treatment Drugs In The Kenyan Market

    The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has issued an alert over a suspicious batch of counterfeit breast cancer treatment drug, Herceptin 440mg (Trastuzumab 440mg), detected in the market.

    According to the board, the product batch is claimed to be manufactured in Germany by Roche Products Limited, bearing the Batch number C5830083, manufactured in December 2021 and expected to expire in November 2024.

    “The public is notified that this specific product batch number C5830083 is a confirmed counterfeit. It is not authorised to be in the market and is a falsified product in view of the falsified contents, packaging and labelling aspects which have been confirmed by the brand owner,” warned the board.

    The board cautioned the public against the use, supply, sale or distribution of the product batch number C5830083 stating that the safety, quality and efficacy cannot be assured.

    The board, in collaboration with government investigative agencies, has instituted legal and regulatory actions against individuals suspected to be perpetrating the illegal activities in contravention of the Pharmacy and Poisons Act (Cap. 244).

    “The PPB has initiated a rapid response and heightened surveillance of the market to ensure that safety and public health is protected. We would like to assure the public that PPB has established robust market surveillance and control system that continuously monitor the quality and safety of medical products in the Kenyan market.”

    The board is urging members of the public and healthcare providers to report and volunteer information on suspicious activities that may be related falsification, as well as suspicious, substandard, and falsified medical products through its official communication channels.

  • Finance Bill: Vehicle Owners To Pay Annual Tax

    Finance Bill: Vehicle Owners To Pay Annual Tax

    Vehicle owners will start paying an annual tax of up to Sh100,000 depending on the value of their cars if Parliament endorses the proposal that looks set to increase motoring costs amid costly fuel and spare parts.

    The Finance Bill 2024 proposes the introduction of a 2.5 per cent annual tax on the value of vehicles, with the deduction set at a minimum of Sh5,000 and a maximum of Sh100,000.

    The deduction, called motor vehicle tax, will be paid on each vehicle at the time of issuing an insurance cover.

    This means second-hand cars like the Toyota Harrier and Mercedes Benz C-Class that were in February averaging between Sh4 million and Sh4.4 million in many yards in Nairobi will attract the maximum tax of Sh100,000, with the value only falling if valuation declines in subsequent years.

    “The rate of tax in respect of motor vehicle tax charged under section 12H (which introduces the tax) shall be 2.5 per cent of the value of the motor vehicle,” reads the bill in part.

    Engine capacity

    “The value of a motor vehicle shall be determined on the basis of the make, model, engine capacity in cubic centimetres and year of manufacture of the motor vehicle.”

    The only exemption from the 2.5 per cent tax includes ambulances, or motor vehicles owned by the national government, county government, Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, National Intelligence Service or a person exempt from tax under the Privileges and Immunities Act.

    Insurance cover

    The tax looks set to increase the cost of operating motor vehicles in Kenya, in addition to insurance cover, fuel and servicing costs. The State had last year mulled introducing a congestion charge —a fee charged on cars and motor vehicles being driven within zones marked as heavy traffic areas. The proposed tax in the Bill has not made it clear if this is linked to environmental protection.

    There are global efforts to introduce special taxes on vehicles running on diesel or diesel due to their pollution.

    Official data shows Kenya has witnessed a nearly doubling of registered motor vehicles in the past five years to 2.19 million in 2022 compared with 1.27 million in 2013. The number of newly registered motor vehicles in the same period hit 512,779, translating to an average of 102,556 every year.

    The Finance Bill makes insurers the agents of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and they will be required to collect and remit the tax within five working days after issuing a motor vehicle insurance cover.

    Escape the tax

    The Insurance Act makes it mandatory for every car on the Kenyan public road to have a minimum of a third-party motor insurance cover in place.

    Tying the motor vehicle tax with insurance means it is going to be difficult to escape the tax.

    The bill proposes a penalty of 50 per cent of the uncollected tax on insurers who fail to collect and remit the motor vehicle tax to KRA. They will then be required to remit the actual amount of the uncollected tax.

    The planned tax is in line with last year’s proposal to introduce an annual wealth tax for car owners, depending on the engine capacity and also roll out a gradual rise in the excise duty on cars running on fuel.

    The Treasury had said it was going to assess the viability of introducing the motor vehicle circulation tax as a form of wealth tax. It had indicated that this was going to be paid at the point of acquiring an insurance cover.

  • Europe Becomes New Center For Student Protests Supporting Palestine

    Europe Becomes New Center For Student Protests Supporting Palestine

    Europe has become the new center of student demonstrations in support of Palestine, which started at Columbia University in the US in mid-April.

    More than 2,500 people have been detained so far in protests in which the police intervened at the request of the administrations at many universities in the US.

    Students at universities around the world are gathering on their campuses to support the demonstrations that started at Columbia University and to protest Israel’s attacks on Gaza.

    University protests in European countries continued after Israel decided to continue its attacks in Rafah after Hamas announced that it had agreed to the “cease-fire proposals”.

    Finland

    Pro-Palestine demonstrations were held at the University of Helsinki.

    Students, who demanded that the university administration terminate all student exchange agreements and research collaborations with Israeli educational institutions, announced that they would continue their protests until relations are severed.

    Denmark

    Students at the University of Copenhagen, who reacted to the police breaking up demonstrations at the University of Southern California in the US, set up camps to show solidarity.

    At the University of Southern California, police removed students who supported Palestine and removed the Gaza Solidarity Camp on the campus.

    The UK

    Protests continue at the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, University College London (UCL), Newcastle, Sheffield, Warwick, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester in England.

    In the protests attended by approximately 50 students at Newcastle University, the university was urged to “cut off relations with Israel.”

    Also, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reacted to the ongoing protests in support of Palestine in universities in the country and said a group of minorities in universities affects the education and life of other students.

    Spain

    At the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE), it was decided to “cut off relations with Israeli educational institutions that are not in favor of peace.”

    “We are committed to reviewing and, where appropriate, suspending cooperation agreements with Israeli universities and research centers that do not express a firm commitment to peace and compliance with international humanitarian law,” CRUE said in a statement.

    Professors and university administration also support students in the ongoing protests in some universities in other regions of Spain, such as Basque Country, Navarra, Aragon, Andalusia and Catalonia.

    University protests in Spain started on April 29 at the University of Valencia.

    Switzerland

    Demonstrations continue at the universities of Geneva and Lausanne to condemn Israel’s attacks on Gaza and to support the pro-Palestine protests at universities in the US and Europe.

    Pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which started at the University of Lausanne on May 2 and at the University of Geneva campus on May 7, continue uninterrupted.

    Due to the protests attended by hundreds of students and academics, the university administration is expected to take a clear stance on the academic boycott of Israeli institutions.

    Austria

    Students kept protesting as the police forcibly ended a demonstration in support of Palestine at the University of Vienna at night.

    Many demonstrators gathered in front of the Votive Church near the University of Vienna and reacted to the peaceful campus protest being dispersed by the police force.

    The Netherlands

    Demonstrations started on May 6 at the University of Amsterdam and were followed by the Utrecht University students.

    Thousands of demonstrators gathered on the Roeterseiland campus of the University of Amsterdam and marched from the campus to the city center after they were prevented by the police.

    The demonstrators chanted anti-war slogans such as “Stop the occupation”, “Amsterdam says no to genocide” and “United people will never be defeated.”

    France

    In Paris, police teams used pepper gas against pro-Palestinian students gathered in front of Sorbonne University.

    Activists camped in the lecture hall of Sorbonne University and demanded that the university administration end its partnerships with universities and companies that contributed to the “genocide” in Gaza.

    Students chanted slogans such as “Prosperity, we are all with you”, “We are all children of Gaza” and “Algeria won, Palestine will win too” and demanded an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

    The police used pepper gas and pushed the students away from the entrance of the university. The police entered the university and forcibly removed the students protesting in the lecture hall.

    On Monday, Israeli forces issued evacuation orders for Palestinians in eastern Rafah, a move widely seen as a prelude to Israel’s long-feared attack on the city, home to some 1.5 million displaced Palestinians.

    A day later, Israeli forces seized control of the Rafah border crossing, which connects Gaza and Egypt, closing it to all traffic.

    Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the Oct. 7 Hamas incursion last year that killed about 1,200 people.

    Tel Aviv’s war has since killed more than 34,900 Palestinians, mostly women and children, while some 78,500 others have been injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

    Over seven months into Israel’s genocidal war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins, pushing 85% of the enclave’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine, according to the UN.

    Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January said it is “plausible” that Israel is committing genocide in the Palestinian territory.

    It also ordered Tel Aviv to stop such acts and asked it to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to Gaza’s civilians.

    *Writing by Gozde Bayar

  • Kylian Mbappe Announces He’s Leaving PSG

    Kylian Mbappe Announces He’s Leaving PSG

    (AFP)-Kylian Mbappe confirmed on Friday that he will leave French champions Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season, with Real Madrid widely expected to be his next destination.

    The announcement brings an end to a prolific association with his hometown team, which began when he signed from Monaco in 2017 in a deal worth 180 million euros ($194 million).

    “I wanted to announce to you all that it’s my last year at Paris Saint-Germain. I will not extend and the adventure will come to an end in a few weeks,” Mbappe, 25, said in a video posted on social media.

    “I will play my last game at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.”

    PSG have already secured the Ligue 1 title, their 10th in the last 12 seasons, and the Qatar-owned club will pick up the trophy after Sunday’s game against Toulouse, which will be their last of the campaign on home turf.

    Luis Enrique’s side were eliminated from the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals on Tuesday when a 1-0 loss in the second leg at home sealed a surprise 2-0 aggregate defeat.

    It means Mbappe will be denied the send-off he had hoped for in the Champions League final at Wembley on June 1 and will end his seven-year spell at PSG without ever having won Europe’s elite club competition.

    Mbappe informed PSG privately in February of his intention to depart when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

    The 2018 World Cup winner had never confirmed publicly he was leaving, though, far less said where he will be going next, but it appears certain that he is bound for Real Madrid.

    “It’s a lot of emotions, many years where I had the chance and the great honour to be a member of the biggest French club, one of the best in the world,” said Mbappe.

    “It allowed me to arrive here, to have my first experience in a club with a lot of pressure, to grow as a player of course, by being alongside some of the best in history, some of the greatest champions,” he added.

    “It’s hard and I never thought it would be this difficult to announce that… but I think I needed this, a new challenge, after seven years.”

    Second largest fee in history

    Mbappe’s arrival in the capital as a teenager in 2017 came after he had helped Monaco win the league title.

    After initially joining PSG on loan, his transfer fee became — and still is — the second largest in football history.

    It came just weeks after PSG paid a world-record 222 million euros to sign Neymar from Barcelona.

    PSG have dominated French football since their 2011 Qatari takeover, but despite also adding Lionel Messi to their line-up for two seasons, European success has remained tantalisingly out of reach for a club that has spent billions on some of the world’s best players.

    The closest they came was the 2020 Champions League final defeat by Bayern Munich, when PSG academy graduate Kingsley Coman scored the winning goal against his former club.

    The defeat to Dortmund this week ruled out the prospect of Mbappe facing his likely future employers, 14-time European champions Real Madrid, in this year’s final.

    Mbappe did not find the net in that tie but has scored 43 goals in all competitions this season, with 26 of those coming in Ligue 1.

    He will still hope to add to his club-record tally of 255 goals for PSG and win another medal in the French Cup final on May 25 — Mbappe has so far won six Ligue 1 titles, three French Cups and the now defunct League Cup twice in his seven years at his hometown team.

    After Sunday’s game, PSG will complete their league campaign with away matches at Nice and at relegation-threatened Metz, before Mbappe wraps up his career with the club in that Cup final in Lille.

    Mbappe was frozen out at the start of the campaign with the club putting pressure on him to sign a new deal or agree to be sold rather than simply run down the last year of his contract.

    His relationship with PSG boss Luis Enrique has also come under the spotlight since he told the Qatar-owned club of his plans to leave earlier this year.

    Now the worst-kept secret is out and Mbappe’s departure follows that of Messi and Neymar at the end of last season, which left PSG in a period of transition, but the loss of the France captain is an even greater blow.

  • Why The US Has Suspended The Shipment Of Weapons To Israel

    Why The US Has Suspended The Shipment Of Weapons To Israel

    (France 24)-Is this the end of unconditional US support for Israel? With Netanyahu’s government seemingly ignoring Washington’s warnings of the dire humanitarian consequences of a ground incursion for Rafah’s civilian population, US President Joe Biden on Wednesday threatened to stop deliveringcertain types of munitions to Israel if it pushes into the southern Gaza city, notably the 2,000-pound bombs Israel has been using in its offensive.

    “Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs and other ways in which they go after population centers,” Biden acknowledged in a one-on-one interview with CNN.

    “I made it clear that if they go into Rafah … I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities.”

    The US president’s ultimatum came as Netanyahu’s government said it was preparing a “limited” offensive in Rafah despite UN warningsthat a ground assault could lead to a “bloodbath”. Around 1.4 million Palestinians, most of them displaced by Israel’s months-long assault on the besieged enclave, are believed to be crammed into the city.

    Biden’s threat has already partly been carried out, US officials have said. Washington last week suspended the delivery of 1,800 of the 2,000-pound bombs, a US official told AP on condition of anonymity, likely MK-84s as well as 1,700 smaller 500-pound bombs.

    US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told a Senate hearing on Wednesday that an area as densely populated as Rafah demanded less powerful and more precise weapons. The city, which borders Egypt, has an average of 20,000 inhabitants crammed into every square kilometre, according to the UN – the same urban density as the city of Paris.

    “We’re going to continue to do what’s necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself,” Austin said. “But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah.”

    Austin said the US was pausing shipment of “high-payload munitions” over Israeli plans for an incursion into Rafah without an adequate plan for protecting the 1 million civilians who have sought shelter there.

    A history of violence

    MK-84 bombs have been used by the US militarysince the 1970s, first in Vietnam and then, more sparingly, in Iraq and Afghanistan due to their devastating impact on urban areas. Human Rights Watch has said that these munitions were also used by the Saudi-led coalition in the 2016 bombing of a market in Yemen that killed more than a hundred civilians.

    Although these bombs can be modified with the addition of a precision guidance system, this measure would likely do little to avoid civilian deaths in an enclave as densely packed as the Gaza Strip.

    Containing 900 pounds of explosives, these 4.5-metre-long bombs leave immense craters in their wake and scatter thousands of potentially lethal fragments in all directions. Nothing within a 350-metre radius can survive.

    Military experts say these deadly bombs may have already contributed significantly to the horrific death toll of the war in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, almost 34,000 Palestinians have been killed since war broke out following Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel that killed almost 1,200 people.

    Israel has frequently used these US-supplied bombs in an effort to dislodge Hamas militants from a labyrinthine network of underground tunnels beneath Gaza. According to a New York Times investigation published in December 2023, Israel dropped MK-84 bombs on Gaza every day during the first six weeks of the conflict. On at least 200 occasions, Israeli armed forces have directly targeted areas that were specifically designated as safe for Gazan civilians.

    Israel has been criticised for years by human rights NGOs for its widespread use of these gratuitously powerful bombs during previous conflicts in the Gaza Strip.

    “These bombs are used to inflict extremely heavy damage, either indiscriminately or completely deliberately, on residential areas or civilian infrastructure, which is forbidden under international law,” Amnesty International France director Jean-Claude Samouiller said. “This has not been respected by Israel, either during this current war in Gaza or in the past.”

    ‘Be careful’

    Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan described the US move in an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 as “a very disappointing decision, even frustrating”.

    The US is Israel’s leading arms supplier by far. Last month, Congress approved the sale of $14.3 billion in additional arms as part of a larger package that also earmarked military aid for Ukraine and Taiwan. That comes on top of the $3.8 billion in military aid the US sends Israel every year, most of which Israel must use to purchase US military equipment and services.

    But this generous support has been called into question since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. Amid outcry from the Muslim community and the progressive left as well as pro-Palestinian protests at major universities, some Democrats are worried about the consequences of the Middle East crisis on the November presidential election.

    This decision is the most spectacular sign to date of the mounting disagreements that are poisoning the Biden administration’s relationship with the Netanyahu government, which has brushed off US requests to take greater care to avoid the loss of Palestinian civilian lives.

    “It’s an insufficient first step, but it sends a strong signal to Israel,” Samouiller said.

    Biden’s announcement also comes amid the ongoing failure of ceasefire talks in Cairo. The latest ceasefire talks collapsed on Thursday with no agreement to halt the fighting or release hostages.

    Netanyahu instead maintains he is determined to annihilate Hamas by launching a bloody assault on Rafah, which he maintains is the Palestinian militant group’s last refuge.

    Israeli troops seized control of the Rafah border crossing on Tuesday – essential in the supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza – and ordered the evacuation of 100,000 Palestinians. The IDF has also launched what it calls “targeted strikes” in the city’s east.

    Washington’s decision is “some kind of diplomatic message to Mr Netanyahu that he needs to take into consideration American interests more than he has over the last few months”, former deputy head of Israel’s National Security Council Itamar Yaar told the Associated Press. Yaar added that while the decision would not have an immediate impact on Israel’s military capacities, he stressed that it was “a kind of a signal, a ‘Be careful’”.

  • Select Committee Conclude Linturi’s Impeachment Hearing, Retreats To Write Report

    Select Committee Conclude Linturi’s Impeachment Hearing, Retreats To Write Report

    The Select Committee on the Proposed Dismissal of Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Agriculture, wrapped up hearings today with closing statements from the mover of the Special Motion, hon. Jack Wamboka and the Hon. Franklin Mithika linturi.

    On May 2nd 2024, the National Assembly approved a motion that seeks the dismissal of CS Linturi, who is alleged to have approved the procurement and distribution of fake fertilizer by the National Cereals and Produce Board, has failed to exercise public trust and to carry out the duties in a transparent and accountable manner amounting to gross misconduct and gross violation of the Constitution.

    In his closing statement, CS Linturi, through his lawyer Senior Counsel Muthomi Thiankolu, distanced himself from the subsidized fertliser procurement process. “A cabinet secretary is not directly involved in procurement,” SC Thiankolu argued, placing responsibility on the NCPB Managing Director.

    SC Thiankolu also countered that the allegations as outlined in the motion lacked specifics and a clear link between CS Linturi and the alleged wrongdoing.

    However, Hon. Jack Wamboka, the mover of the dismissal motion, countered that “the responsibility falls to the minister.”

    Hon. Wamboka emphasized the impact on Kenyan farmers. “There are farmers who are affected,” he stated, “Kenyans social economic rights have been tampered with.” He urged the Select Committee “not to turn a blind eye” and uphold the constitution, highlighting “accountability” and the “moral fabric of any society.”

    Senior Counsel Khaminwa, representing Hon. Wamboka, argued that “fake fertilizer was put on the market” and the CS “must be held accountable.” He accused Linturi of trivializing the motion and claimed they had “proved the case that the minister must go.”

    During the meeting, Hon. Naomi Waqo(Marsabit County) gave a ruling regarding admittance of new witnesses. In a close vote , the 11 Member Select Committee opted not to invite the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Kipronoh Rono and the Managing Director of KEL Chemicals Limited to provide information to the Select Committee.

    In her closing remarks, Committee Chair, Hon. Naomi Waqo stated ,“the closing statements by the sponsor of the motion and the Cabinet Secretary marks the end of the investigation process. On 8th May 2024, we had an opportunity to hear the evidence of the sponsor of the motion, Hon. Jack Wamboka and 5 witnesses and on 9th May 2024, we concluded by hearing the evidence of Hon Mithika Linturi, the CS for Agriculture.”

    Hon. Waqo proceeded to acknowledge the commitment and dedication to duty by Members of the Committee. Adding that, “I thank all the media houses that have been present since this process began and up to today and even after here because I know it is their duty to release the information as needed by citizens.”

    The Select Committee on the Proposed Dismissal of Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development will prepare a report which will be tabled and considered by the National Assembly on Monday,13th May 2024 in a special sitting.

  • Harry, Meghan Visits Nigeria

    Harry, Meghan Visits Nigeria

    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived in Nigeria for a three-day visit.

    This is their first trip to the country as a couple, and it comes after Prince Harry concluded a brief visit to London, where he told the BBC it had been “great” to be back in the UK.

    Prince Harry and Meghan were invited by Nigeria’s chief of defence staff, General Christopher Musa, and will meet injured service personnel.

    Their visit is part of a series of events linked to the Invictus Games, the sporting event for injured service men and women founded by Prince Harry which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

    The couple landed in Abuja on Friday morning, and began their visit with a tour of Lightway Academy, a primary and secondary school in the capital city.

    They were greeted by traditional dancers and met some of the primary schoolchildren.

    One group of year five pupils told the BBC they were really excited to have the duke and duchess visit, saying they hope it will raise the profile of their school.

    The couple then went on to launch a two-day mental health summit, after which the prince will head to a military rehabilitation centre in Kaduna.

    The Duke and Duchess will also visit Lagos.

  • Blogger Sniper’s Murder Was Masterminded By People Close To Meru Governor Kawira, Kindiki Reveals

    Blogger Sniper’s Murder Was Masterminded By People Close To Meru Governor Kawira, Kindiki Reveals

    Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has revealed he has a watertight case against five persons involved in the brutal murder of Meru political blogger Daniel Muthiani aka ‘Sniper’ including those close to the Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.

    Appearing before the Senate on Wednesday morning, the CS said investigations by the DCI homicide unit have established an intricate web into the murder of Sniper which was masterminded by Kawira’s aide.

    “Investigations have so far established that on December 2023 the deceased, ‘Sniper’, was at his home when he received a call from Vincent Mureithi ‘Supuu’ who requested to meet with him at Meru town to attend an alleged meeting with the Meru Governor to discuss their differences, so that the deceased would stop attacking her on social media. Upon arrival, he was abducted and driven to Mutonga river in Chiakariga, Tharaka-Nithi County. He was killed and his body thrown into river Mutonga.” Kindiki said.

    The CS was responding to a question from Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi on the status of investigations into the case, who raised concerns about delays in concluding the investigation.

    Mr Murungi also questioned why the homicide unit had not investigated the sponsors or people who paid the five suspects currently in custody, and asked why there had been no link to other people at any point in the investigation.

    “Why has the investigating body never touched on the sponsors of this murder? Sniper is still in the mortuary and the whole community has agreed that he will never be buried until justice is dispensed,” the Senate deputy speaker posed.

    “If at all we can get that link of the sponsors of the murder because the CS’s statement was very clear on who Sniper was accused of attacking. We request for speedy investigations,” he added.

    Murder files

    However, CS Kindiki said that the investigation was not complete and the murder files were still open, as files are never closed and there is no statute of limitations for murder offences.

    “Therefore, I want to assure the House that all persons who may have participated in the murder in any way, directly or indirectly, in the heinous and cruel murder of the deceased will be held accountable,” he said.

    Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda also took the CS to task, claiming that all the key evidence of the murder pointed to a motive to stop criticism of Governor Kawira.

    “Key evidence for any murder is the body, weapon and the motive. In this case, you have the body and motive which was criticising the governor. We have Ken who is the brother of the governor, and Supuu who is a personal assistant to the governor’s husband and the crime scene,” said Ms Mutinda.

    “With all those common denominators focusing on one person, who is the governor of Meru, do you see any connection or financing by the governor because you said the basis for the call was to see how Sniper would stop criticising the governor?” she posed.

    However, CS Kindiki said that the basic principle of criminal law presupposes individual criminal responsibility and therefore one is linked to a crime as an individual and not through family relations.

    Not important

    “Therefore, for us, it is not important who is related to whom. What is important to the investigators is whoever participated in any way, directly or indirectly, or by being an accessory after the facts, an aider or abettor of the crime will be brought to book. Let us keep politics out of this as justice will be served,” he said.

    The CS further allayed fears of a delay in the investigation, pointing out that the murder investigation was launched immediately after the report was made, with a team of homicide detectives from Nairobi taking over the investigation from the local security team in Meru.

    The CS added that investigations have placed five accused persons at the scene of the abduction crime, saying they have a watertight murder case against the suspects.

    The five are Vincent Muriithi, Kenneth Murangiri, Christus Manyara Kiambi alias Chris, Brian Mwenda alias Brayo and Bonface Kithinji Njiiyia alias Dj Kaboom.

    Sniper went missing on December 2, 2023, and his mutilated body was found dumped in the Mutonga River in Tharaka Nithi County on December 16, 2023.

    CS Kindiki said investigations revealed that on December 2, 2023, the deceased was at his home when he received a call from Mr Muriithi requesting him to meet the deceased in Meru town to attend a purported meeting with Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza to discuss their differences so that the deceased would stop attacking her on social media.

    On arrival, the CS said, the deceased was abducted and driven to Mutonga River in Chakariga, Tharaka Nithi County, before being killed and his body thrown into the river, where it remained undiscovered for several days.

    Government Chemist

    Investigations revealed that the five accompanied the deceased from Meru town to Mutonga River, where the body was dumped.

    Samples taken and sent to the Government Chemist for analysis also revealed the presence of systemic insecticides in the body of the deceased.

    “Murangiri was in constant contact with Mureithi during the time of luring the deceased, abduction and disposal of the body. He thereafter met Vincent and the other accused persons at Makutano suburbs after the execution of the crime,” said CS Kindiki.

    “A charge of murder against recommended against the five. All were charged before the Kiambu High Court and all pleaded not guilty. They are remanded at Nairobi and Kitengela Remand Prisons,” he added.

    He said the case was last mentioned on April 23, 2024, with bail ruling set for May 16, 2024, followed by the hearing of the case between May 24 and 26, 2024.

    “From the foregoing, it is not true that there have been delays as the government is committed to upholding the freedom of expression or the right to information as enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.

    The CS said he would talk to the family and the community to bury the body, arguing that there was no point in keeping the body unburied as the government didn’t need any pressure to do the right thing.

    “We will reach out but the decision rests with the family on when to bury their loved one. I want to assure the House that the government is committed to making sure our agencies for enforcement act fairly and enforce the law against all persons without fear or favour or discrimination or bias,” said Mr Kindiki.

  • Four Charged In Sh6M Excavator Scam

    Four Charged In Sh6M Excavator Scam

    Three men have been charged with obtaining Sh 10 million from two traders pretending that they would sell him an excavator crane.

    Simon Ngigi Mwagi, Peter Kamau Maina and Irfan Rajwan Kamruddin were jointly accused of obtaining Sh6 million, from Michael Mangeli, with intent to defraud. It is alleged that they pretended that they would sell to him an excavator crane.

    The court heard that the trio committed the offence on diverse dates between November 2023 and 1st February 2024.

    The three was further charged with obtaining Sh4 million with intent to defraud Michael Yumba that on diverse dates between 28th November 2023 and 13th January, 2024.

    Abdlrasak Mohamed Adan, a fourth suspect did not appear in court for plea taking and the magistrate was informed that he was unwell.