Speaking at the Kiambu Law Courts where a suspect Douglas Baya was arraigned over the fake sex tape, Gedi said her opponents were out to tarnish her name/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 28-Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Gedi has for the first time spoken following her alleged sex tape that has been trending on social media platforms for the past three weeks.
Speaking at the Kiambu Law Courts where a suspect Douglas Baya was arraigned over the fake sex tape, Gedi said her opponents were out to tarnish her name.
“I would like to thank all the people who stood with me during this trying moment. Thank you for the messages of encouragement and the overwhelming support,” she said.
Rashid Ali who is a family member said the fake sex tape has caused them a lot of pain as a family hoping that justice will be served.
“It’s really painful what she has gone through and hopefully justice will be done to her in the next few days,” said Ali.
Ali said they are yet to know who are behind the fake video but said they are hopeful the Director of Criminal Investigations will get to the bottom of the matter.
Baya has been detained for two more week to allow police to seek for his accomplices.
He will be held at the Muthaiga Police station and is set to be arraigned in court in January 14 awaiting more suspect arrests.
LAIKIPIA, Kenya, Dec 30 – Residents and a section of leaders from Laikipia County are pushing for the government to relocate marauding elephants that have been terrorizing them in the recent past.
The residents pointed out that this could serve as one of the best solutions to deal with the rising cases of human-wildlife conflict.
Speaking at Thome shopping Centre in Rumuruti Division, they lamented over the huge losses incurred as a result of the wild animals’ invasions into their farms.
They at the same time accused the government of doing little in giving them hope by compensating them for the losses.
The stated that since the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (2013) that stipulates that a genuine victim of human-wildlife conflict has a right to seek compensation was enacted, nothing has been forthcoming despite numerous claims being filed lodged over the invasion.
According to the Act, the loss of life, injury or property damage must be reported to the nearest Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) office within 48 hours.
Laikipia Senator John Kinyua said the wild animals have wreaked havoc in the region and hence called on the government to move with speed and look for better solutions in addressing the menace.
He noted that some of the excuses being given by the KWS over handling of the jumbos were un-excusable and hence the department ought to identify the best option in tackling the matter.
He also blamed some residents who interfere with electric fence erected to wade of off the animals.
However, according to KWS Game Warden in-charge of the Laikipia West Station Mohammed Mandera, cases of human wildlife conflict were rampant, a matter he attributed to a lack of enough pasture and water for the animals that migrate from Samburu, Baringo and Isiolo areas.
He said though the KWS was putting forth frantic efforts into place to erect and electric fence around Rumuruti Forest more need to be done in collaboration with the local communities.
Paris, France, Dec 30 – From a spy drama that poisoned ties between Russia and the West to major US turnarounds under President Donald Trump, here are some of the major events that marked 2018.
– Russian spy poisoning saga –
On March 4, Russian former double agent Sergei Skripal and his adult daughter are discovered unconscious and poisoned by a highly toxic nerve agent, Novichok, on a bench in Salisbury, England.
London points the finger at Moscow and in September issues arrest warrants against two Russian operatives. Moscow rejects all charges.
Angry exchanges between the two capitals bring in other Western nations behind London. Dozens of Western and Russian diplomats are expelled in tit-for-tat reprisals, and new sanctions are brought against Russia.
The Skripals survive but in June a British woman dies after coming into contact with Novichok in a village outside Salisbury. Her partner falls gravely ill.
– Syria regime victories –
On April 14, the Syrian army declares that all anti-regime forces have been forced out of the Eastern Ghouta area adjoining Damascus after a blistering two-month offensive that leaves more than 1,700 people dead.
It is a major victory in the government’s effort to reassert control after the 2011 uprising that pulled the entire country into a devastating conflict.
The same day the United States, Britain and France carry out pre-dawn strikes against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in response to a suspected chemical attack on the Eastern Ghouta town of Douma that killed scores of civilians. The regime denies the allegations.
Backed by Russia’s military might, Assad’s forces go on to notch up a series of victories against rebels and jihadists, regaining control of two-thirds of the ruined and divided country.
On December 19, US President Trump orders the withdrawal of some 2,000 American soldiers deployed in northeastern Syria, where they are fighting Islamic State jihadists alongside a Kurdish-dominated force.
The announcement, which comes as Ankara is threatening an offensive against Kurdish forces, leads to the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
– Trump quits Iran nuclear deal –
On May 8, President Donald Trump pulls the United States out of the hard-won 2015 accord that limits Iran’s nuclear weapons programme in exchange for an easing of sanctions against the Islamic republic.
One of his complaints is the “one-sided deal” does not go far enough in preventing Iran from creating a nuclear bomb.
The remaining parties to the accord — Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China — insist Iran has abided by its commitments and vow to keep the deal intact.
In August, Washington reimposes a first wave of sanctions on Iran; in November there is a second.
On May 14, the United States opens its new embassy in Jerusalem, infuriating the Palestinians — who also claim the holy city as their capital — and flouting years of international policy.
Clashes erupt on the border with Israel and the Palestinian territory of Gaza: after the bloodiest day in the dragging conflict in years, around 60 Palestinians are dead, killed by Israeli gunfire.
– Populists take charge in Italy –
On June 1, a populist coalition government takes power in Italy formed by the anti-establishment Five Star Movement and far-right, anti-migrant, eurosceptic League.
Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, leader of the League, introduces a hardline immigration policy, largely closing Italy’s borders to migrants.
Already in April, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had led his anti-immigrant party to a crushing victory in legislative elections.
On June 12, Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meet in Singapore, the first-ever meeting between sitting leaders of the two countries.
They sign an agreement reaffirming Pyongyang’s commitment to the “complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula”.
So far however, North Korea has taken few concrete steps to abandon its nuclear weapons, and the two sides have argued over the meaning of the vaguely worded agreement.
On June 13, the war in Yemen escalates when pro-government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, launch an assault to wrest back control of the vital aid port of Hodeida from Iran-backed Huthi rebels.
The war, which started in 2014, has already killed about 10,000 people with 20 million at risk of starvation, according aid agencies.
On December 18, after UN-brokered peace talks in Sweden, a ceasefire takes effect. Observers are sent to oversee its implementation and the withdrawal of both warring parties from Hodeida city.
– Eritrea, Ethiopia find peace –
On July 9, Horn of Africa neighbours Eritrea and Ethiopia announce the end of their two-decade war. A whirlwind peace process sees embassies and borders reopened, telephone and flight links reestablished and trade ties resumed.
It comes after Ethiopia’s new prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, announces in June that his government would drop claims to a disputed border territory.
The accord also leads Somalia and Eritrea to re-establish diplomatic links on July 30. The United Nations lifts sanctions on Eritrea on November 14.
– Thai cave boys –
On July 10, the last of 12 young football players and their coach are extracted safe and sound from a flooded cave in northern Thailand, 17 days after they were trapped there.
The fate of the junior football team was followed around the world, with US and British diving experts joining the rescue effort and former Thai navy diver losing his life.
In July-August Europe swelters in a heatwave that approaches the continent’s record 48 degrees Celsius (118.4 Fahrenheit), as deadly forest fires rage in Greece, Portugal and Spain.
In November, California is ravaged by its deadliest fire ever: 85 people perish before it comes under control after two weeks.
The UN’s World Meteorological Organization announces in November that 2018 is set to be the fourth-hottest year on record.
On October 2, dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a contributor to The Washington Post, enters his country’s consulate in Istanbul and is never seen again.
After more than two weeks of denials and contradictory statements, Riyadh admits that he had been killed inside the consulate after what it says was a brawl.
It fires various officials and arrests others, finally acknowledging that the journalist’s body had been dismembered.
On December 13, the US Senate adopts a resolution holding crown prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible, despite vehement denials from Riyadh.
November 6 midterm elections see the Democrats win control of the House of Representatives while the Republicans bolster their majority in the Senate.
The final days of campaigning are rocked by the worst anti-Semitic attack in US history, when a gunman kills 11 people in a synagogue in Pittsburgh; and the mailing of pipe bombs to high-profile Democrats including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
An approaching caravan of thousands of Central Americans also draws headlines away from the campaign. The migrants arrive at the heavily patrolled Mexico-US border from mid-November.
On November 17, protests flare across France in opposition to rising fuel taxes and living costs, then swell into a broader movement against the policies of the government of President Emmanuel Macron.
The “yellow vest” protests, named after the fluorescent safety jackets worn by demonstrators, come to a head with rioting and looting in Paris.
After the government backs down on the planned fuel tax, Macron on December 10 outlines other measures to calm the anger, including a boost to the minimum wage.
– The fall of Carlos Ghosn –
On November 19 tycoon Carlos Ghosn, head of the giant Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi auto alliance, is arrested in Japan over allegations of under-reporting his salary for years, which he denies.
He is fired as chairman of Nissan and Mitsubishi and formally charged on December 10, when his detention is extended. On December 22 he faces fresh allegations of breach of trust and his detention is extended until at least January 1.
– Brexit deal –
On November 25, after 17 months of tough negotiations, the European Union and Britain agree on an accord covering Britain’s exit from the bloc by March 2019.
But British Prime Minister Theresa May on December 10 postpones a parliament vote on the deal set for the following day, acknowledging it would be rejected.
She survives an internal party no-confidence vote on December 12.
hrough a statement, Haji said that the Judge was in no way involved in the matters giving rise to the prosecution of lawyer Tom Ojienda who has since been arrested and taken to court over the matter/file
NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 31 – The Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji says Court of Appeal Judge James Odek is not under investigations over the Mumias Sugar Company saga.
Through a statement, Haji said that the Judge was in no way involved in the matters giving rise to the prosecution of lawyer Tom Ojienda who has since been arrested and taken to court over the matter.
“I wish to confirm that indeed Professor James Otieno Odek, Judge of Appeal was a partner in the firm of professor Otieno Odek – Professor Tom Ojienda and Wanyama Advocates,” he stated.
“However, investigations into the matter have been concluded and a decision to charge Professor Tom Ojienda made on the basis of the available evidence. Indeed, Professor James Otieno Odek was not in any way involved in the matters giving rise to the prosecution of Professor Tom Ojienda and is therefore not criminally culpable,” he stated.
The DPP however revealed that after making a statement in connection with the saga, Justice Odek will be a prosecution witness against Ojienda.
Haji reiterated that the decision to charge Ojienda was made on the basis of proof and amongst the charges against him include filing a fake case and conspiring to receive payment for work not done.
“I wish to reassure the country that we shall wage the war on corruption independently and at no time shall we succumb to the whims of any particular sections of our society and we shall present cases before our courts on the basis of evidential and public interest considerations and nothing else.”
Ojienda had indicated that he has never obtained money by false pretenses and described himself as a person of integrity saying that all his records with the Mumias Sugar Company are intact.
He also stated that he has never conspired with anyone to be paid for work not done and read malice in the charges proffered against him.
Ojienda’s arrest followed a protracted court battle with the Kenya Revenue Authority over tax compliance.
The County Government had also requested the management of the hotel to provide its approvals to city hall for verification including certificate of occupation/COURTESY
NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 31-Environment and Land Court has issued temporary orders barring the Nairobi City County Government from demolishing Marble Arch Hotel which is located within the Nairobi Central Business District.
While issuing the orders, Justice Okong’o further directed the Officer Commanding Central Police Station Nairobi to provide protection to the business premises and ensure its not interfered with.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko had notified that the hotel will be brought down for encroaching on a road prompting the investor to go to court.
The County Government had also requested the management of the hotel to provide its approvals to city hall for verification including certificate of occupation.
The popular hotel located along Lagos road is owned by businessman Mike Maina who according to Sonko was the one at the center of the recent demolitions at Nyama Villa estate in Kayole.
In a viral recording of a conversation between Sonko and Maina, Sonko was heard hurling insults to the businessman accusing him of using fake title deeds to get eviction notices to demolish residential houses in Kayole.
Sonko also threatened to have his property demolished saying its illegally constructed.
True to his words, the parking lot of the hotel was flattened and the building marked for demolition.
The Government has already suspended demolition of illegal structures and buildings countrywide.
The Laikipia’s branch Executive Secretary Ndungu Wangenye said their members will not participate in the strike and hence asked them to report to their respecting stations/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 31 – The Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET) has dismissed calls to go on strike by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) saying there were other pertinent issues that needed to be addressed.
The Laikipia’s branch Executive Secretary Ndungu Wangenye said their members will not participate in the strike and hence asked them to report to their respecting stations.
He accused KNUT of taking teachers for a ride saying it should instead be talking of other issues such as how they are going to deliver the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and the stagnation of teachers in the same job group.
Wangenye observed that there was room for dialogue with the TSC and assured parents that learning will not be affected as schools’ re-opens.
KNUT cited a raft of issues, including demands that mass transfers be halted, appraisals and promotions.
Other issues likely to shape teaching and learning as schools reopen include implementation of the new curriculum, and the promise of 100 per cent transition from primary to secondary schools.
Wangenye however took issues with the disbursement of government text books to public schools claiming they were substandard.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 1 – Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika’s husband Samuel Mburu has denied defrauding the government Sh64 million in taxes.
Mburu denied making a false custom entry number for import of seven containers at 40 feet each falsely declared as machinery instead of assorted household goods and spare parts.
He faced an alternative charge of willfully refusing to answer questions by an authorized officer relating to customs entry.
Mburu is among 14 who were charged in the case.
Others include former Kenya Bureau of Standards Managing Director Charles Ongwae, Eric Chesire Kiptoo, Esther Wangui Watene, Ali Thuo Chuphi, Elizabeth Nyambura Kimani, Alex Maina Ndiritu, Cornelius Mwanyamba Mwango and Fredrick Cheruiyot Busongo.
Others are Sameul Mburu Kamau, George Hilary Kamau, Ibrahim Twahil Mohamed, Harrison Ngige Muchiri, Nuh Abdille Hassan, Dahir Yusuf and Jimal Mahamud Haasan.
Ongwae was however not present in court for plea taking.
His Lawyer told Senior Principal Magistrate Martha Mutuku that his client was upcountry attending a funeral service and only learned yesterday from the press that he was supposedly under arrest.
Mutuku subsequently directed that he appears in court on the 23rd of this month to take plea when the case will be mentioned against the other accused persons.
She however issued a warrant of arrest against George Hillary Kamau and Alex Mina.
Mburu and Kamau run Landmark Freight Services Limited which is one of the companies accused of concealing imported goods with the aim of evading taxes.
According to the charge sheet, Gendipe Enterprises and Rupai Trading Ltd and their clearing agent Landmark Freight Services Ltd — concealed imported goods with the aim of evading taxes and reducing amount of penalties payable for goods arriving without certificate of conformity from the country of origin.
The two companies reportedly imported goods from Dubai which they declared to be machinery but were later found to be cooking oil.
Maina on the other hand is accused of conspiring to defraud the government of revenue amounting to sh50 million by unlawfully concealing and releasing import goods in containers containing assorted house-hold goods and spare parts concealed as machinery to evade payment of the requisite tax.
The accused persons were each released on a cash bail of sh200,000 and a bond of sh500,000.
Kibwana says Ukambani needs a serious meeting of its leaders and people to take stock of what Musyoka’s leadership since demise of Mutisya in 2004 has achieved at the national level/CFM NEWS
MAKUENI, Kenya, Jan 2 – The deteriorating relationship in the Wiper party has escalated in the New Year, after Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana called for an audit of Kalonzo Musyoka’s leadership since the death of Mulu Mutisya.
Kibwana, who worked as a human rights activist for years, says Ukambani needs a serious meeting of its leaders and people to take stock of what Musyoka’s leadership has achieved at the national level since the demise of Mutisya in 2004.
Kibwana charges that the party leader is destabilising Ukambani leadership and more so in the Wiper party.
“The culture of top leadership is of the thinking that must never be questioned. Those who offer constructive criticism are treated as people who have committed crimes against the apex party bosses,” he says.
In a statement, a tough-talking Kibwana says he is not in self or voluntary exile as suggested by the Wiper party Deputy Organising Secretary Peter Mathuki.
“I have freedoms of association and expression and cannot be forced to do certain things by Mathuki and company,” he adds.
The former Muungano Party leader accuses the top leadership of undermining democracy saying in Wiper, “you have to toe the line.”
“You lead people by their consent in democracies not by chest thumping,” says Kibwana.
The Former Kilifi Deputy Governor was shot dead last month by gunmen at his Nyali residence in Mombasa County/FILE
MOMBASA, Kenya, Jan 4 – Police are holding three suspects in connection with the shooting of former Kilifi Deputy Governor Kenneth Makombo Kemto.
Police say a phone stolen from the house maid during the shooting was recovered in course of the arrests by detectives from the DCI Homicide Forensic Unit.
The arrests took place at Kisumu Ndogo Area in Mombasa’s Nyali Estate.
The Former Kilifi Deputy Governor was shot dead last month by gunmen at his Nyali residence in Mombasa County.
According Kamto’s wife Fauzia, they were attacked at about 11pm by three armed men.
Charles Ndolo who was stationed at Kipevu Police Post, is said to have gone to the toilet before shooting himself on the head/FILE
MOMBASA, Kenya, Jan 5 – Police in Mombasa are investigating an incident in which a police officer, shot himself dead on Saturday morning at the Mombasa Port.
Charles Ndolo who was stationed at Kipevu Police Post, is said to have gone to the toilet before shooting himself on the head.
Mombasa Port Police Chief Patrick Lobolia confirmed the incident.
“Yes, it’s true. A police officer by the name Ndolo Charles shot himself dead today. We are still investigating the reason,” said Lobolia on phone.
He said Ndolo used an AK-47 rifle to shoot himself dead.
The body has been moved to the Coast General Provincial Hospital Mortuary.
“The misconduct of the head teacher is not only an infringement on the student right to education but also an affront to government education policies,” he says/FILE
KISUMU, Kenya, Jan 5 – Nyanza Regional Commissioner Moffat Kangi has ordered the arrest of a primary school teacher in Bondo, Siaya County and a local administrator for failing to open the school for this year’s term as directed by the Ministry of Education.
The head teacher of Kasau Primary School Samuel Aketch Agola and the local area assistant chief Margaret Anyango were picked up by police officers after the school failed to open January, 3 2019.
“The CS Education directed schools to open on 3rd January 2019. A few head teachers in Nyanza region expressed dalliance in promoting strike activism even after the court ordered the contrary,” Kangi said in a statement to newsrooms.
Kangi noted that Aketch unilaterally released pupils on the first school day until further notice.
“The misconduct of the head teacher is not only an infringement on the student right to education but also an affront to government education policies,” he says.
He faulted the local administrator “for sleeping on the job” noting that the failure to ensure the school was opened for learning is an act of negligence of duty and insensitivity to community needs.
Kangi says the two suspects recorded statements at Bondo Police Station and will be processed for prosecution.
“The government will ensure all pupils remain in schools and that schools are secured,” he said.
Kangi is set to the visit the school on Monday in the company of education officials from the region and Siaya County to ensure learning go on as usual.
He sent out a warning to officers frustrating government policies that they will face dire consequences.
Speaking in Machakos Boys where he oversaw the form one admission process, the PS said the system is taking less than two minutes to capture a student and the student moving to next process/file
MACHAKOS, Kenya, Jan 8 – Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang has assured Kenyans that the National Information and Management System (NEMIS) is working.
Speaking in Machakos Boys where he oversaw the form one admission process, the PS said the system is taking less than two minutes to capture a student and the student moving to next process.
He was countering information in some of the media sectors that the system is slow and at times not working.
“I can say with certainty that NEMIS is working and we shall engage ourselves moving forward is what else can NEMIS do,” he said.
“NEMIS should not be about admitting and transferring students. It is bigger than that,” he added.
He said that his Ministry will continue to engage school principals and other stakeholders to see what is the other scope that can be developed into NEMIS.
“This is going to be the driver in the education sector and we want it to be able to do more than what is doing right now” he alluded.
In the same function, the chairman Kenya Secondary school Heads who is also the Machakos boys School principal Kahi Indimuli has confirmed that the system of admitting students is smooth.
He said that the system is self-cleaning, clearing any doubts on the system.
“Anytime a parent makes a request in a school and is granted permission and the request is uploaded and approved, the name is removed from the list of original school and placed in the new school”, he said.
Police identified the victim as a 47 year-old George Mutunga who owned several M-Pesa shops in Kambu town/file
MAKUENI, Jan 8 – A Makueni businessman was on Monday night attacked and killed by unknown gunmen in Kibwezi-subcounty.
Police identified the victim as a 47 year-old George Mutunga who owned several M-Pesa shops in Kambu town.
Kibwezi Assistant County Commissioner Vitalis Ogur said the man had been shot several times and was pronounced dead upon arrival at AMREF hospital in Kibwezi.
“The incident happened around 10pm. Unknown gunmen attacked him at his M-Pesa shop known as Camco,” he stated.
“The motive of killing of the businessman is still unknown but police are investigating on the issue. We are still looking for the attackers,” he added.
The body of the deceased was transferred to Makindu hospital mortuary.
The assistant county commissioner also issued a stern warning to those who are causing insecurity in the area, saying they will be fought hard.
Police said they suspect the large quantities of meat was from dogs and other wild animals, with investigations now being undertaken jointly, with public health officials/CFM NEWS
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 9 – Three Chinese and a Kenyan who were arrested for being in possession of game trophies that include leopard skin, ivory pieces, rhino horn and a live tortoise will be charged in court on Wednesday.
The suspects were arrested during a raid at their house in Nairobi’s Kilimani area where police also netted contraband goods that include cigarettes worth more than Sh2 million and alcoholic drinks.
The raid was carried out by a multi-agency team including detectives, officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Kenya Revenue of Authority.
Police said they suspect the large quantities of meat was from dogs and other wild animals, with investigations now being undertaken jointly, with public health officials.
Locals said they tipped police of the presence of the trophies after detecting a putrid smell from the house.
Another significant resignation was that of his Deputy Polycarp Igathe who said that he had failed to earn Sonko’s trust/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 9 – In the last one year since Governor Mike Sonko took over the leadership of Nairobi County, there has been a series of suspensions and resignations which has left many with questions over the trend.
On Monday, Sonko’s Cabinet yet again suffered a blow after one of the best performing CECs Janet Ouko of Education, Youth, Sports and Gender tendered her resignation.
Ouko’s resignation came as a surprise because she is among the few CECs who had their contracts renewed after her one year contract lapsed.
She has been reluctant to state the reasons behind her resignation but said she will be pursuing other interests.
Another significant resignation was that of his Deputy Polycarp Igathe who said that he had failed to earn Sonko’s trust.
This was barely five months after they took over the leadership of Nairobi County.
Since then, the position has been vacant and Sonko has been running the county without a deputy.
Ouko’s exit has once again raised questions over whether the problem is with the governor.
Out of 10 appointed to Sonko’s Cabinet, only two CECs have four-year contracts as the rest have one-year contracts that expired last December and their fate remains unknown.
Others have been dismissed.
None of the suspended officers has been recalled and none of them have had their contracts renewed.
The first CEC to taste a dose of Sonko’s suspensions was his Finance Executive Danvas Makori who he accused of spying for his enemies at City Hall.
Suspended County Secretary Peter Kariuki says it’s difficult to work with Governor Sonko but declined to give more details as to why that is the case.
“There are challenges everywhere but I must say it’s difficult to work with him,” he said.
Kariuki was suspended alongside Veska Kangongo who was then acting Health CEC, Health Chief Officer Jimal Mahat and County Attorney Lydia Kwamboka after they contradicted Sonko over the Pumwani Maternity Hospital dead babies saga.
Sonko accused the four of insubordination.
Hitan Majevda the first Health Executive and his Chief Officer Thomas Ogaro were dismissed by Sonko during a public function at the opening of Kangemi TB laboratory at the Kangemi Health Centre in the presence of donors, other public servants and citizens accusing them of laxity and poor services in county hospitals.
Environment CEC Larry Wambua who is among those whose contract has been renewed however says he has a good working relationship with Sonko and it’s easy to work with him.
Wambua first served as the Devolution CEC before being moved to the Environment department.
“Things have been good so far and am looking forward to delivering quality services to Nairobi residents,” said Wambua.
The launch of a monthly clean up exercise is one of the programs that he is proud of since he was appointed to the Environment docket and the ongoing beautification exercise as well.
Charles Kerich who is the current CEC Lands and Urban planning will also continue to serve in the Cabinet as his contract was also renewed.
Police said the woman left a suicide note behind indicating that she regretted she couldn’t raise the money/FILE
KITUI, Kenya, Jan 9 – A 37-year-old woman has committed suicide in Kitui after failing to raise fees for her daughter to join secondary school.
The mother of three is said to have taken the decision after her daughter threatened to kill herself if the family didn’t raise money to fund her schooling after she scored 396 marks in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE).
Police said the woman left a suicide note behind indicating that she regretted that she couldn’t raise the money needed to take her daughter to secondary school.
The student had received admission letters from Machakos Girls and Chogoria Girls, in Embu.
The body has been taken to the Kitui Level Four hospital mortuary.
They were arrested on Tuesday after neighbours complained of a foul smell emanating from their house where a deep freezer containing decomposing dog and game meat was found/CFM NEWS
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 9 – Police have been allowed to hold three Chinese nationals and one Kenyan for five days to conclude investigations after they were found in possession of game meat and ivory.
This is after the prosecution sought more time to prove that the four were engaged in poaching.
They were arrested on Tuesday after neighbours complained of a foul smell emanating from their house where a deep freezer containing decomposing dog and game meat was found.
Also recovered was two ivory tusk, two sculpture ivories, one lion sculpture, ivory bungles and necklaces, one leopard skin a rhino horn all valued at Sh6.3 million.
The raid was carried out by a multi-agency team drawn from detectives, officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Kenya Revenue of Authority.
Police said they suspect the large quantities of meat was from dogs and other wild animals, with investigations now being undertaken jointly, with public health officials.
“As far as I’m concerned, no bursary funds have been lost through my office. How comes this issue of bursary is coming up after I have resigned? The governor should accept I left and move on,” said Ouko/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 9 – Former Nairobi Education, Youth, Gender and Sports Executive Janet Ouko has dismissed Governor Mike Sonko’s claims that she colluded with cartels to operate illegal accounts where county bursary funds were channelled through.
Ouko said she was surprised to hear such allegations yet she has never received a letter from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission or the Director of Criminal Investigations on the issue.
“As far as I’m concerned, no bursary funds have been lost through my office. How comes this issue of bursaries is coming up after I have resigned? The governor should accept I left and move on,” said Ouko.
She said the only case she was aware of involves Sh370,000 which was collusion between one of the accountants and a Member of the Nairobi County Assembly who she didn’t name saying she is surprised how her name has been roped in.
According to Ouko, all the bursary transfers were done electronically to school bank accounts and that she didn’t receive any complaints from school heads.
“If indeed millions of shillings were lost and he is the one in charge, why hasn’t he arrested people and still why did he renew my contract if I’m corrupt?” posed Ouko.
She was among the few CECs whose contracts Sonko renewed after the one-year contract lapsed.
Ouko resigned on Monday despite having her contract renewed and went ahead to explain how difficult it has been to work with Sonko, saying they work under threats, blackmail and intimidation.
“It’s not possible to work with someone who constantly threatens to sack you, threatens to have you jailed and you have to work under tension; that’s why I decided to quit my job,” she said.
In her resignation, Ouko stated that she will be pursuing other interests after serving the county for one year.
Ouko said that other CECs go through the same challenges but are afraid of quitting for fear of being falsely accused or intimidated adding that she is not afraid of the governor.
“Why is it that out of 10 CECs there are only two CECs remaining?”
Sonko spoke to journalists in Mombasa on Wednesday where he accused Ouko of misusing bursary funds meant for needy Nairobi students.
Sonko said that he has evidence that bursary money had been mismanaged and that those involved including Ouko will face the full force of law.
He further defended the suspensions witnessed in his administration saying that each leader has their own style of leadership.
“I am subscribed to the 411 (Breaking News SMS) messages from Capital FM and was deeply touched. I will offer the girl full sponsorship,” said Kimani/CFM NEWS
KITUI, Kenya, Jan 9 – A well-wisher has come out to offer a full education sponsorship to a young girl from Kitui County after her mother committed suicide Wednesday morning over failure to raise school fees.
Betty Kimani, the Director at Marion Senior School in Kahawa West, Nairobi says as a mother, she was touched by Ruth Kalumu’s story.
“I am subscribed to the 411 (Breaking News SMS) messages from Capital FM and was deeply touched. I will offer the girl full sponsorship,” said Kimani.
The school director says it’s regrettable that Kamumu’s mother had to commit suicide because of the unfortunate situation.
Betty Kimani, the Director at Marion Senior School in Kahawa West, Nairobi says as a mother, she was touched by Ruth Kamumu’s story/CFM NEWS
“People should not commit suicide because of KCPE or KCSE… no, not at all; life has good things to offer. Always give people time to heal,” she advised.
Kalumu who scored 396 marks in last year’s KCPE had admission letters from Machakos Girls and Chogoria Girls in Embu and had threatened to kill herself if her family failed to fundraise for her secondary education.
On Wednesday, her 37-year-old mother, Esther Ndanu kioko committed suicide by hanging self on a tree, leaving a suicide note that said: “I regret I cannot raise money to take my daughter to secondary school.”
Her body was picked by police and taken to Kitui Level 4 hospital mortuary.
