Terror suspect gunned down, three arrested in Malindi raid

 

"Killed suspect Rashid Sultan reportedly had a gun and had blocked police from accessing one of the houses." 

A terror suspect was killed during a shootout with anti-terrorism police in Malindi on Wednesday morning.

Three others were arrested when police raided two houses believed to be the locations for recruitment and plotting terror attacks.

Killed suspect Rashid Sultan reportedly had a gun and had blocked police from accessing one of the houses.

Police found jihadi literature, 18 photocopies of IDs and 15 passports size photos of youths believed to have joined terror group al Shabaab.

They also found a pistol, 15 bullets, six mobile phones and a laptop.

Abdullaziz Ali from Majengo area was among those arrested. He is facing attempted murder and terror-related charges.

An officer who was shot in the left hand and chest was taken to Aga Khan Hospital in Mombasa.

Regional police boss Francis Wanjohi said security has been heightened in the coastal region to prevent attacks by al Shabaab militants.

Muthama links Ruto to hate speech arrests

Coalition for Reforms and Democracy members Senators Johnson Muthama (left) and James Orengo address the media at their Capitol Hill office in Nairobi on May 19, 2016. Senator Muthama accused the Jubilee of misusing the police by giving them unconstitutional orders aimed at harassing those who were keen on exposing corruption in government.

Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama on Sunday sensationally claimed that the plot to arrest the “Pangani Six” and “Muthaiga Two” was hatched at State House by Deputy President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery.

Mr Muthama further accused the two officials of “a conspiracy to silence the Opposition in its fight against the many ills being perpetrated by the Jubilee government”.

He also accused the leaders of misusing the police by giving them unconstitutional orders aimed at harassing those who were keen on exposing corruption in government.

“Ruto should stop attacking the Opposition. We are well prepared to send him home in the next General Election. He should stop misleading Kenyans. He gave orders for our arrest but we are prepared for any eventuality,” he said.

He made the remarks during the homecoming party for Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire in Nyamira County. The event was attended by Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) leader Raila Odinga and a host of MPs, senators and other Opposition leaders.

Mr Odinga said Cord would root for reforms within the police force to make it more independent and free of manipulation by the government.

“We fought so hard to bring about all the changes which we are witnessing in the country, but the Jubilee government is eroding all the freedoms and have now decided to take us back to the era of one-party which we had long forgotten,” said the former Prime Minister.

“We will fight hard to resist such attempts and if it will mean going out into the streets again, then let it be,” he added.

Mr Odinga addressed three rallies at Keroka market, Magombo and Manga Stadium, where he took a jibe at the Jubilee administration for allegedly embezzling billions of shillings through NYS projects, Eurobond and other corrupt deals in government departments.

“It’s unfortunate that more than three years since we ushered devolution, the government has sent only Sh600 billion to counties, while over Sh5 trillion which the national government had reserved cannot be accounted for adequately,” he said.

Other leaders who addressed the rallies were governors James Ongwae (Kisii) and John Nyagarama (Nyamira), MPs Charles Geni, James Gesami, Junet Mohammed, Tom Kajwang and Silvance Osele, and senators James Orengo and Janet Ong’era.

10 world famous personalities with Kenyan roots

Kenya has produced famous people spread all over the world. 

Some prominent personalities who have had their roots in Kenya happen to be among the most powerful man on earth but before him, others who have made a mark as 'Global Citizens' with their roots in Kenya are:

1. Wangari Maathai

The Late Professor won the prestigious Nobel Prize in 2004 for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace, making her the first African woman to ever win the prize. 

Wangari Mathaai even met Oprah Winfrey who has nothing but great things to say about the late Professor on an article on her website Oprah.com by the title ‘Phenomenal Woman: Wangari Mathaai’.

2. Lupita Nyong’o

Having starred alongside Brad Pitt in the movie 12 Years A Slave, Lupita won an Oscar Award and graced numerous red carpet events, Lupita is now a celebrity known all over the world and proudly celebrated back in her home country Kenya.

3. Victor Wanyama

Wanyama, recently signed a deal with the spurs Tottenham Hotspur. Previously he was playing for Southampton and is known for his sportsmanship and leadership qualities is a well-known figure in England, Africa and beyond.

4. David Rudisha

The Kenyan middle-distance runner is the current Olympic champion and world record holder in the 800 metres. Everyone who is a sports junkie knows David Rudisha.

5. Edi Gathegi

Edi is a Kenyan American film, stage and television actor. He’s featured in famous productions such as The Twilight Saga, X-Men: First Class, Criminal Activities, to mention but a few and even received a nomination for Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Chemistry.

6. Richard & Louis Leakey

Louis is known for pioneering the study of human evolution and human evolutionary development in Africa. He has also been featured on National Geographic.

7. Ajuma Nasenyana

The Kenyan born model has graced the fashion runways along side big shots in the modeling world such as Naomi Campbell and Alek Wek for Designers like Baby Phat and Carlos Mienes. Ajuma has also modeled for the famous American Designer, Victoria’s Secrets and also starred in a short film called ‘To Catch A Dream’.

8. Professor Ali Mazrui

The late Mazrui was an academic Professor and Writer on African and Islamic studies. He is well known for his writing and being ranked as one of the world’s top 100 public intellectuals.

9. Julius Yego

Famously known as the YouTube man, he learnt how to play javelin through YouTube.

He is the African record and Commonwealth record holder for the event with a personal best of 92.72 metres.

10. Barack Obama

Current President of the United States of America, born to a Kenyan father, labeled as the most powerful man in the world and who is definitely the world most famous and known person.

SAFARICOM BOSS SUES BLOGGER CYPRIAN NYAKUNDI

Safaricom chief executive Bob Collymore and his predecessor Michael Joseph have both sued controversial blogger Cyprian Nyakundi.

Lawyers representing the two, Muriu, Mungai and Co Advocates, placed an advertisement in local dailies on Tuesday to serve Mr Nyakundi with a notice of the suit.

The notice read in part: “Take notice that the application will be heard on June 28, 2017. If you do not attend, the application will be heard your absence withstanding.”

It is not known why the two have sued the blogger, but in the past few months Mr Nyakundi  published a three part article in his blog that claimed Mr Collymore and Mr Josephn are corrupt.

One of his article was titled, ‘How Safaricom steals from Kenyans with third parties,’ while another was titled, ‘Your privacy and Safaricom are two different thing’. The third series was titled ‘Time to put Safaricom back in its box before it seriously hurts Kenyans.’

My Nyakundi is already facing a separate case filled by Safaricom in June 2015, in which the telco claims that he defamed it by posting ‘baseless and unsubstantiated claims’ on his blog.

The blogger has also been sued by former Central Bank of Kenya governor Nahashon Nyagah, together with senior counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi for defamation in connection to Tatu City.

Mr Nyakundi is also facing another civil case filled by Bidco CEO Vimalkumar Bhimji Depar Shah for defamation.

Nyakundi is one of the most popular bloggers in Kenya with a Twitter following of more than 687,000 people.

 

Safaricom chief executive Bob Collymore at the Milimani law courts.

Ruto-Jacob Juma fallout linked to Sh210b mineral find in Mrima Hills

The late Jacob Juma (L) and Pacific Wildcat Director David Anderson (R) address a press conference in Nairobi while announcing that the Company will undertake mining of nobium and rare Earth minerals in Kwale County. 

A Canadian newspaper has linked the fallout between Deputy President William Ruto and slain businessman Jacob Juma to the Sh210 billion mineral find in Mrima Hills.

The Financial Post reported that Juma had convinced the board of the Canadian company – Pacific Wildcat Resources Corp – that he would help it fight corruption and bureaucratic barriers that were being erected by functionaries in the Kenyan Government after the mineral find.

 Trouble for the company started shortly after the Jubilee administration took over. Its licence, which had been granted in March 2013, just weeks to the General Election, was cancelled. 

Its representatives met President Uhuru Kenyatta shortly after he was elected, who posted a picture of the meeting on Facebook, accompanied by a note saying he would "encourage growth" of Kenya's mining sector.

But immediately Najib Balala was appointed Mining Cabinet secretary, he started making noise about nationalisation, suggesting Kenya was not getting enough from its mineral resources. This is the time Juma stepped in to try to address the situation.

"The businessman had just teamed up with Pacific Wildcat, having convinced the board that he could help the company get through some of the inevitable bureaucratic delays in Kenya. This was going to be his first big challenge," the paper reports.

It suggests the late businessman was summoned to a meeting at Balala's house in July, and what happened next is heavily disputed. 

By Juma's account, the politician demanded a bribe of Sh80 million or else the Mrima Hill licence would be cancelled. Balala called a Press conference and refuted these claims.

Balala defended the cancellation of the licences because they were awarded during a transitional period, and he wanted to crack down on "briefcase" companies that did not invest in Kenya. 

Balala has since been moved to the Tourism ministry. 

Pacific Wildcat executives were stunned, according to David Anderson, the firm's director and head of its Kenyan unit. 

Later that month, the company hosted a Press conference after it received a key environmental approval for Mrima Hill. 

Balala did not show up at the event, but Anderson said that Moses Masibo, Kenya's commissioner of mines at the time, pulled him aside to say the minister wanted to renegotiate the licence. 

"Pacific Wildcat's board flat out refused to renegotiate. A few weeks later, its licence was indeed cancelled, along with dozens of others," the paper reports. 

The cancellation was officially announced on Twitter, according to the company. The resulting international arbitration case is believed to be the first to revolve around a tweet. 

Anderson told the paper that about a year after the cancellation, he met with Balala and Ruto to try to resolve the crisis. 

To his shock, Anderson said they demanded that the Mrima Hill licence be transferred to a new company, and that the Government wanted to get up to half the project for free. 

That is when the company decided there was no way it would get its licence back on reasonable terms in what led it to launch the arbitration case. The company is seeking at least $2.1 billion in compensation.

https://youtu.be/3lG6IJUGdKA 

Shortly after the cancellation, Pacific Wildcat let go its Kenyan staff, apart from the general manager and a few employees. 

"We abandoned everything. We abandoned vehicles, all our records, workshops and tools. Everything," Anderson said.

Niobium, manganese, and rare earth elements were found in 1919 in Kenya but several attempts to exploit these deposits commercially have not been successful.

The lifespan of the Mrima Hill mine is forecast at 20 years, with a mining footprint of 0.22 square kilometres a year. It is expected to produce approximately 750,000 tonnes of niobium and rare earth a year. In April 2008, Pacific Wildcat Resources Corp (PAW), which owns the majority stake in the Cortec Mining operation at Mrima Hills through a holding structure investment, got a special prospecting licence (256), which grants full and exclusive rights to prospect and explore for all minerals on the hill. Three years later, the Canadian firm unearthed larger deposits than had earlier been estimated.

Ababu Namwamba under siege as Cord hits back

ODM Secretary General and Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba. 

Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba has failed in his duties as ODM secretary general, and is only looking for excuses to cover up the failures, ODM Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya has said.

A section of Western Kenya legislators led by Namwamba in a Tuesday press conference accused Cord of side-lining leaders from the region in its activities.

Namwamba and Funyula MP Paul Otuoma slammed Cord for allegedly referring to them as Jubilee moles in the coalition.

They accused Cord leaders of not consulting them over its activities and said they have the right to express divergent views as party members.

In a rejoinder statement on Wednesday evening, Oparanya termed Namwamba’s statements as “dangerous, unfortunate and not befitting of a leader in the position he holds.”

Oparanya said the fact that Namwamba has been missing in action and failing to provide leadership at critical moments in ODM was a clear indication that he is not committed to the party’s agenda.

“It is not a secret that the Secretary General has been missing in action and failing to provide leadership at critical moments. He was missing as the party prepared to welcome its leader Hon Raila Odinga back into the country after a three month sabbatical in the US. The SG was missing throughout the Okoa Kenya pro-referendum campaign and lately he has been missing from all effort to disband and reform the IEBC. Yet reform of the IEBC is critical to ODM’s plans for ascending to power,” said the Kakamega governor.

“As we approach elections, many leaders will be seeking excuses for their failure in an effort to find their way back. ODM supporters must remain alert to such maneuvres and hold individuals to account for the positions they held,” he added.

The ODM deputy party leader also dismissed claims by the Western MPs that the Luhya community is not well represented in ODM and Cord.

He said that the utterances by Namwamba were an embarrassment to the Luhya community, and assured ODM supporters that the party is strong in the Western region.

“The Luhya community is equally well represented and catered for in the party, holding key positions like that of Deputy Party Leader, Vice Chairman, Deputy Organizing Secretary and chairman of Disputes Tribunal, among others,” said Oparanya.

“At the beginning of the 11th Parliament, the party was also kind enough to reward our support with the chairmanship of the powerful Public Accounts Committee, which went to Hon Namwamba and which we lost through reckless arrogance and selfishness,” he added.

I will beat Ruto if I vie for President in 2022 – Jirongo

Former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo

Former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo says he will beat Deputy President William Ruto in 2022 if he vies for President.

Jirongo has in the recent past engaged the DP in a war of words over the murder of businessman Jacob Juma.

The United Democratic Party (UDP) leader who bagan his political career in the 1990s says his style of leadership is different from that of Ruto.

“There are things I admire about William Ruto. He is hardworking, has too much energy and gets everything correct, but his vision of leadership is different. I would beat him hands down if I vie in 2022," Jirongo said on KTN Wednesday night.

Ruto has declared interest in the country's top seat in 2022.

Jirongo declared an interest in running for the President in the 2013 Kenyan Presidential election.

He eventually opted to run for the Kakamega Senate seat and support Raila Odinga's bid for the presidency. He lost the bid to Kakamega Senator Bonny khalwale.

He became an MP at the 1997 elections, when he won the Lugari Constituency seat.

Two years later, he fell out with Kanu and was associated with United Democratic Movement party. 

Nevertheless, ahead of the 2002 elections, he was appointed the Rural Development Minister. At the elections he represented Kanu but was defeated by Enoch Kibunguchy of Narc.

Man sentenced by Nakuru court over M-Pesa fraud

 

A 32-year-old man was on Tuesday sentenced to two years in jail by a Nakuru Court for fraudulent M-Pesa transaction. 

A 32-year-old man was on Tuesday sentenced to two years in jail for stealing from an M-PESA agent in a fraudulent transaction reversal incident.

Samuel Mwangi was accused of stealing Sh89,338 belonging to Sarah Oduor on January 12, 2016 within Nakuru Town, charges which he denied.

It was alleged that Mwangi pretended to withdraw from the M-Pesa agent but then claimed to have withdrawn from the wrong agent number and requested for a reversal of the transaction.

The court heard that the M-Pesa shop operator was duped into revealing vital information to an accomplice of the accused which led to the loss of the amount.

Mwangi is said to have given her his phone to call a number which was apparently appeared to be a genuine Safaricom customer care number but later she realized that she had been duped.

When she later learnt that she had lost the money, the M-Pesa shop operator reported the matter at the Nakuru Central police station.

Mwangi was arrested on February 11, 2016, when he was applying for a certificate of good conduct.

An M-Pesa printout produced before the court showed that on the said date, the money was sent to a certain Emanuel Kimani in Nairobi who was not traced, with some of the money being transferred to the account of the accused.

Senior Resident Magistrate Judicaster Nthuku said the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the accused was involved in the theft of the money.

Mwangi was later sentenced to two years behind bars with 14 days to appeal.

ERC raises kerosene price by Sh7.2

A pump attendant sells fuel at a petrol station. The ERC has increased the price for kerosene by Sh7.2. 

Even before kerosene consumers could settle with the price that was announced last week, the Energy Regulatory Commission made a U-turn and increased the price of kerosene by Sh7.2

In  a statement, ERC said it had not factored in the increase of Sh7.205 per litre in excise duty in its prices which were released on June 14.

"The increased duty took effect from June 10, 2016, a period which fell outside the period considered by the commission in the determination of petroleum prices as per the provisions of energy regulations (Petroleum Pricing) 2010," said the ERC notice.

According to the new changes, kerosene will now retail at Sh55.20 in Mombasa, Sh.58.04 in Nairobi, Sh58.93 in Nakuru and Sh60 in Eldoret and Kisumu.

According to ERC General Director Joseph Ng'ang'a, the pricing regulations stipulate that in determining the maximum retail pump prices, the commission shall use costs and volumes of cargoes arriving in the country between the 10th of the previous month and the 9th of the pricing month.

Machakos Governor walks out of TV interview after being 'trapped'

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua. 

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua walked out of  KTN interview Monday evening after he found two other MPs from his county in the studios.

He was reportedly shocked to find MPs Francis Mwangangi and Peter Mathuki all ready for the debate, prompting him to walk out.

Earlier in the day, Dr Mutua had asked his supporters to stay tuned to KTN to watch him talk about the 2017 gubernatorial contest in Machakos.

Governor Mutua must have assumed he would be the only guest for the debate, which according to him, would yet be another opportunity to showcase his projects in Ukambani.

Cord suspends protests, IEBC talks set to commence

Cord co-principals Raila Odinga (centre), Kalonzo Musyoka (left) and Moses Wetangula (right) at a rally in Uhuru Park, Nairobi.  

Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) has suspended its weekly demonstrations seeking removal of the nine IEBC commissioners from office.

Siaya Senator and Cord co-chair James Orengo said in a press statement that the move will to pave way for talks with the Jubilee coalition in a bid to reform the electoral body.

Orengo stated that the major sticking points regarding the electoral body had been resolved.

“There are signs of a definitive white smoke above the political scene in reaching an agreement between Cord and Jubilee in respect of the IEBC issue and the electoral process,” read the statement in part.

“The major sticking points have been resolved and it is fair to say that there is an overwhelming likelihood that a bi partisan motion to trigger off the process of dialogue and to establish a joint select committee of Parliament can be tabled early in the week.”

Orengo further pointed out that a bi-partisan motion to trigger off the process of dialogue is set to be tabled in Parliament this week.

He said that Cord is looking forward to the Joint Parliamentary Select Committee with the full weight of the coalition and the Kenyan people behind it.

“In the circumstances, Cord is suspending until further notice all demonstrations against the IEBC in the light of this development,” he said.

Speaking in Lugari, Kakamega County, Deputy President William Ruto said he was optimistic that the few outstanding issues raised by the concerned parties will be resolved in the next few days to give room for dialogue in efforts to reform the electoral body

5 police officers killed in Mandera attack

Five police officers killed and four others injured in Mandera bus ambush. 

Five police officers have been killed and four others injured after an attack in Kotulo, Mandera County.

The officers are said to have been escorting passengers who had boarded a Makkah bus when their car was hit by a grenade.

Governor Ali Roba has condemned the attack stating that locals had warned of a possible attack yet nothing was done about it.

The attack is suspected to have been planned by the Al-Shabaab militia group.

This is the third time a Makkah bus is being ambushed and the police car that was hit was burned to ashes.

One of the officers is said to be missing and is being looked for.

STAND AS ONE WITH PEOPLE FORCED TO FLEE

60 million people worldwide have been forced to flee violence, conflict and persecution, millions more have left everything behind fleeing disasters.

These are ordinary people who have seen their lives destroyed by circumstances beyond their control. They've lost their homes, their jobs and their loved ones.

But this September, governments will meet at the UN in New York to make commitments to improve the way people forced to flee are treated. Together we can help make sure world leaders guarantee them safety, protection and a dignified future by delivering a petition with over 100,000 signatures!

We all have rights - and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. This is a global crisis.  The world must come together and stand as one with people who have lost everything.

Right now the world's richest countries are failing millions of the world’s most vulnerable people who have fled their homes because of violence, conflict, and persecution, while poorer countries are hosting the majority of refugees around the world.

In many countries in which people forced to flee are currently living, they do not receive adequate assistance and protection, they aren’t allowed to work and their children cannot attend school which undermines their opportunity to live a safe life with opportunities for the future.

To save and protect lives, governments worldwide must act together and responsibly.

Muslim leaders hail Mohamed Ibrahim's appointment as acting CJ

 

Justice Mohammed Ibrahim. Muslim leaders have lauded his appointment as the acting president of the Supreme Court.

Muslim leaders in Mombasa have welcomed the move to appoint Justice Mohamed Ibrahim as the acting president of the Supreme Court following the retirement of Willy Mutunga.

Led by the chairman of Council of Islamic preachers of Kenya CIPK Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa and Mvita MP Abduswamad Sherrif, the leaders said Justice Ibrahim was up to the task and urged the court to appoint him as the Chief Justice.

“We want to congratulate our brother for the acting position he has been given. We now want him to work hard in the given short period so as to clinch the position permanently,” said the Mvita MP.

Sheikh Khalifa on his part said that he should now work to serve all Kenyans in equal capacity and not be deterred or compromised by any force.

“We urge Justice Ibrahim Mohammed to work diligently in the capacity of Chief Justice and not to favour anyone based on his tribal or religious back ground,” said Sheikh Khalifa.

The leaders also praised the manner in which retired Chief Justice Willy Mutunga had steered the Supreme Court, and urged the acting CJ to uphold the judicial reforms that were initiated by Mutunga.

Dr Mutunga on Thursday gave his final speech as the CJ, where he named Justice Ibrahim as the acting CJ.

Politicians pushing Kenya back to dark old days, says former CJ Mutunga

Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga who retired on Thursday. He called on the government to work together with the opposition.

Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga on Monday said the efforts of freedom fighters of Kenya's independence made over the years risk being rolled back due to perpetual politicking.

Justice Mutunga, spoke while making his final address as the head of the Judiciary in Nairobi saying that the government and opposition politicians are likely to make the country sink if both sides will not allow dialogue to prevail.

''Kenya's development is likely to collapse if the war between Jubilee and Cord parties will not stop. This nation needs both parties to work together, uniting people so that it can boost its economy,'' said Mutunga.

His sentiments have been echoed by many Kenyans.

The Cord coalition has asked the Jubilee administration to reform the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission ahead of the 2017 general election.

Jubilee on the other hand has maintained that  IEBC will not be disbanded.

The issue has seen Cord hold anti-IEBC protests which have led to the killing of innocent people with the most affected region being Nyanza.

Uhuru appoints a 14 member taskforce on development of miraa industry.

Uhuru Kenyatta has appointed a 14 member taskforce on the development of Miraa Industry. 

The taskforce has three months to complete its assignment, according to a gazette notice published Friday.

Geoffrey Nchooro M’mwenda will chair the taskforce with PS Dr. Richard Leresian Lesiyampe as the alternate chairperson. 

Dave Ntawa Muthuri is the Vice Chairperson of the taskforce. 

In consultation with farmers, traders and relevant stakeholders the taskforce shall recommend strategies and interventions that will support development of the Miraa Industry. 

Specifically the taskforce will suggest ways to ensure recovery of lost markets and search for new markets for Miraa produce.

The taskforce will also identify initiatives, activities and interventions that may be supported by the resources availed by the government and any other development partners; 

Other tasks of the taskforce include research on Miraa agronomy, variety improvement, product development and value addition. 

The team will also identify opportunities for development of capacity among farmers including identification and establishment of demonstration farms. 

The gazette notice also requires the taskforce to suggest institutional and administrative structures for the Miraa value chain and additional farming enterprises for Miraa farmers. 

To ensure immediate implementation of the report the taskforce will also develop and attach a prioritized implementation matrix clearly stating the immediate, medium and long term strategies for development of Miraa. 

Mweria Joseph Miriti, Kinyua Geoffrey John, Kilemi Lucy Nkirote, Rimbere Peter Kinyua and Karumpu R. Rodgers are some of the members of the taskforce 

Others are, Henry Ntongai Ituuru, Hon. Joseph Mturia, Solomon Odera, Isabella Nkonge , Ephantus I. Njeru and George Karicha Thuranira.  

The Joint secretaries of the task force are Jasper Mbiuki and Philip Nyingi. 

The move comes after several consultations with different players in the industry including farmers, experts and leaders from Meru region. 

Murang’a teacher jailed 90 years for sexual assault

John Gichia who was accused of sexually assaulting​ primary school boys in Murang'a. Gichia was sentenced 90 years in jail.

A 23-year-old teacher in Murang’a County has been sent behind bars for 90 years.

John Gichia Mugi, a primary school teacher, was found guilty of sexually assaulting 10 boys at Muthiria Primary school where he was a boarding master.

The boys narrated to the court how Gichia used to lure them to his office at night and fondle their privates as he kissed them.

After listening to the witnesses’ accounts, the court sitting in Murang’a was convinced the suspect committed the offence.

In his defence, the accused claimed there was a conspiracy by certain teachers in the school to ‘fix’ him due to a rivalry that emerged after he got a promotion.

Resident Magistrate Jesse Masiga, however, said sexual assault bridges stigma and hence witnesses could not come out to lie about it.

“The prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that you had sexually assaulted the boys,” Masiga said.

“As such, I sentence you to serve a 10 years prison term for each of the nine counts of sexual assault. The sentences will run consecutively,” the judge added.

Consecutively means following one another, Masiga will therefore stay behind bars for 90 years if the judgment stays. 

Moses Kuria 'Abandoned' by His People

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria 

Residents of Gatundu South have reportedly refused to go on a rampage to demand the release of their legislator Moses Kuria.

Mr Kuria has been in police custody for the last three days after a video of him calling for the 'assassination' of CORD leader Raila Odinga went viral.

According to reports, the constituency's CDF officials organised the protest then tried to woe boda-boda operators who declined to participate unless they were paid.

"The few officials and Kuria sycophants took part in the tyre burning incident but it did not last. Had they paid us, we would not have disappointed them," one of the riders was quoted by the Nation.

A section of the locals noted that it was not an uncommon scene to see the legislator arrested adding that he had not even fulfilled his promises to them.

Another resident identified as Gichana Mukundi stated that: "Kuria committed the offence alone. Let him face the music. He is not a first-time offender”.

Kuria was arrested alongside seven other politicians from the CORD and Jubilee coalitions over inflammatory statements.

The eight alleged hatemongers were on Friday morning arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts and were set to be charged.

Raila arrives in Nakuru Jubilee strong holds

Cord leader Raila Odinga received by ODM Nakuru County Chairman Ole Osono and other officials.

Cord leader Raila Odinga has arrived in Nakuru town for a political rally at the Mkarafuu grounds.

Raila who arrived shortly after 11am on Saturday is also expected to meet party officials.

He was received by ODM Nakuru County Chairman Ole Osono and other officials.

On Friday, Raila was given a rousing welcome at Nyamira county while on a mission to open ODM party offices.

During his visit, Raila insisted that talks to resolve the IEBC standoff must be done outside parliament. Raila said if the talks fail, ODM has no option but to resort to demonstrations.

In April, Raila toured Meru County to woo voters in the region where he asked the government to provide more markets not subsidies for Miraa.

The president had announced that the state will give Sh1 billion to cushion miraa growers from the hardship caused by the ban of the crop in Europe two years ago.

2016/17 Budget won’t benefit the common mwananchi – MP

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich at the National Treasury buildings on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 before he read the 2016/2017 national budget.


Kiminini Member of Parliament Chris Wamalwa has criticised the 2016/2017 Financial Year Budget, saying it did not take care of the common mwanachi.
 
Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich read the Sh2.3 trillion budget on Wednesday afternoon in the National Assembly.

Wamalwa said the increase of tax on kerosene will hurt many Kenyans who use the commodity every day.

The Cord lawmaker said the reduction of excise duty on imported stoves was of no significance as far as relieving Kenyans from tax burden is concerned.

Rotich said tax on kerosene will increase by 10 per cent, while excise duty on stoves will reduce from 25 per cent to 10 per cent.

“This is a public relations budget. The common mwananchil will suffer more because of the introduction of tax on paraffin,” Wamalwa said.

“How many people use LPG gas? Very few, therefore, the reduction of VAT on LPG is of no benefit to most Kenyans,” he added.

The price of kerosene is set to rise by at least Sh6 per litre after the re-introduction of exercise duty on the commodity. 

Rotich said the move is primarily meant to deter oil marketers from adulterating petrol and diesel using kerosene.

The MP however praised the government for allocating Sh19.7 billion to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, saying there was need to pool adequate resources for 2017 polls.

The price of beauty products is set to go up after Rotich proposed to collect more taxes from cosmetics. 

The beauty products will now be charged an excise duty of 10 per cent.

Security, youth and women and farmers are among the big winners of the 2016/17 national budget.

Sh124.04 billion has been allocated to the Defence Ministry and the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

The State Department of Interior and Coordination of National Government received Sh140.6 billion allocation.

Rotich said the allocations would go towards military and police modernisation, and enhanced security operations across the country.

Treasury also set aside Sh4.9 billion to subsidise fertilizer and seeds.

Another Sh8.4 billion has been set aside for the modernisation of the Kenya Meat Commission, the revival of the pyrethrum sector, a livestock and crop insurance scheme as well as the mechanisation of agriculture.

Miraa farmers are also set to benefit from a crop diversification programme, which Treasury allocated Sh1 billion.