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Yahil Felix

Fuel prices could be reduced this week as the government conducts a crisis meeting with stakeholders in the energy sector.

The meeting will be chaired by CS Fred Matiang’i and will focus on the high cost of electricity according to the findings of the report of the presidential task force on the review of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

The team will discuss the challenges facing the energy sector and create a strategy to reduce the prices that have increased the cost of living.

Details of the meeting were revealed by the Super CS on Sunday when he stated the overhaul of scandalous Kenya Power will be among the key issues to be discussed.

While presiding over a fundraiser in support of Seventh-day Adventist Church in Isinya Kajiado County, Matiang’i said, “In light of the challenges facing the Ministry of Energy announced by the President, we shall this week start an aggressive programme to reduce the cost of fuel and electricity.”

The announcement comes a day after ODM leader Raila Odinga, while addressing a crowd in Bungoma hinted that the government would reduce the cost of fuel this week.

Dr. Matiangi’i said he would ensure the recommendations of the stakeholders’ meeting are implemented. The task force which is chaired by John Ngumi suggested an overhaul of Kenya Power and review of the PPAs between the company and private firms.

The task force noted the great difference between KenGen and IPP tariffs and electricity dispatch allocations and and lack of proper demand forecasting and planning as some some of the issues contributing to losses at Kenya Power.

Last week, Preident Uhuru Kenyata directed the Ministry of Energy to establish a path towards the reduction of the cost of electricity by over 33 percent within four months. In this anyone who spent Sh 500 per month for electricity shall by end of December 2021, pay shillings 330 per month.

On Wednesday, the President redeployed Energy CS Charles Keter and his PS Joseph Njoroge hours after receiving the report of the task force.

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Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has announced an extension of nationwide curfew for another 30 days.

In a statement issued on Monday 4th October 2021, the CS said the 4 am to 10 pm curfew will continue for another month in a bid to curb new infections of coronavirus.

Kagwe also announced that all public gatherings and political meetings have been banned nationwide.

This announcement comes as politicians continue traversing the country in campaign efforts ahead of the 2022 general elections.

In September, the CS said that the government would not easy COVID-19 protocols unless the infection rate go down.

“Our real problem has been funerals, funerals where people gather in large numbers and it’s crucial for us to avoid that. If the infection goes down, we will release the economy and allow people to attend funerals since we shall have curbed the virus. This is when people will have the freedom to run their normal activities but until then we need to be vigilant,” he said.

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Deputy President William Ruto’s tour of Kisii County on Sunday October 4, 2021 turned chaotic after his supporters clashed with those of ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Several people were injured after youths wearing ODM T-shirts clashed with Ruto’s supporters at Suneka, in Bonchari Constituency in Kisii.

The groups attacked each other with clubs and stones as DP Ruto approached Suneka junction to address the crowd.

The crowd donning ODM t-shirts heckled Ruto which caused supporters to clash with them in a fracas that lasted for minutes.

Less than five metres away, laid a man, helpless on the ground after being hit with a club on the head. Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi’s aides rushed him to hospital.

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Later, the DP headed to Mama Teresa home, a widow to the late former Bonchari MP Oroo Oyiako.

On his way back, another violence ensued causing a state of conodrum and panic while Ruto was preparing to address a crowd.

Residents scampered for safety and only returned after calm was restored when Ruto started his address. He condemned the act saying that it is not good for local leaders to pay youths to cause violence.

“I am calling on youths not to accept to be used to fight their colleagues. “You deserve a job and a business, not to be used as hooligans,” said Ruto.

He added that the money set aside for development should be used appropriately and not to pay for chaos.

He earlier on told off his critics for not taking serious his role in shaping Jubilee and development projects before falling out with his boss Uhuru Kenyatta.

He took credit for most development projects in Kisii saying that he took a big part in ensuring their implementation.

Ruto said he initiated the construction of over 3000 kms of tarmac road in the area, 140,000 households connected to electricity up from 27000 and provision of clean water.

His comments seemed to target interior CS Fred Matiangi who has also been taking credit of the achievements to his Gusii community. Ruto told the Gusii community to support him since he also has not abandoned them since 2013.

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Business man and presidential candidate Jimmy Wanjigi has launched attacks at ODM leader Raila Odinga saying that he should come out to confirm if he will run for presidency in 2022.

He condemned those who are opposed to his move to open ODM offices saying that he is marketing the party at the grassroots yet some people are fighting him. The business man also emphasized that he will not leave ODM saying that he has invested a lot in the party and expects free and fair primaries.

While speaking in Mombasa, he urged ODM leadership to carry out genuine elections to identify real members in the party. He said Raila cannot be an umpire, player, the referee, the lines man and the VAR. He should announce his candidature and face all other interested candidates within the party law,” said Wanjigi.

ODM’s Central Committee on Wednesday threatened to take a disciplinary action against members planning to open branch offices in the grassroots without consulting the national office. This seemed to be a response to Jimmy Wanjigi after his move of opening offices in Central region.

ODM’s Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said anyone willing to open the offices should consult the national office, failure to do so attracts a disciplinary action. Sifuna’s response came days after the Registrar of Political Parties acknowledge receiving a letter from Wanjigi seeking that the part summarizes the presidential nomination process.

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A class eight pupil at Mumias Muslim Primary School in Kakamega County died after being electrocuted while hanging clothes in a clothing line at her home in Lumino Village. According to reports, the 14 year-old Charity Stacy touched a clothing line that had come in contact with a live wire on Saturday.

Her sorrowful mother Ms. Violet Bwire narrated that the little girl accidentally touched the wire while spreading a wet blanket. She was confirmed dead while receiving treatment at Jamia Medical Center. Ms. Fazia Atira, and her fellow teachers said that she was a disciplined and quite girl.

They said that her death is a big loss to the school since she was one of the candidates they were looking up to for good results in the coming national exams.

Neighbors also said that they suffered electric shocks when they touched the wire. They asked their landlady to fix the issue. The residents asked Kenya Power to investigate the matter while attributing the mess to a contractor who did shoddy work by leaving hanging wires in the building thus exposing residents to shock.

Mumias West sub-county Police Commander Stephen Muoni said the matter is under investigations.

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The Energy and Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has released a list of 14 fuel stations that sells adulterated fuel in various town of the country. The authority has also released names of Liquefied Petroleum Gas dealers who have been operating illegally.

EPRA began a 3-month investigation in July 2021, carrying out over 5000 tests. As a result, they discovered 1151 petroleum sites were selling fuel meant for exportation. The sites were identified after a close monitoring of the quality of petroleum motor fuels on sale, storage and transport throughout the country.

The various stations are located in Nakuru, Homa Bay, Nairobi, Bungoma, Busia, Marsabit and Kakamega. The stations situated in Nairobi include; Spareman Trading Limited Home Gas found along Enterprise Road, Alfa Gs Limited in Makadara, Easi Cooking Gas Limited off Lunga Lunga Road, Unregistered Site along Rangwe Road, More Gas Limited in Indistrial Area and Menengai Engeneering and Petroleum in Makadara.

Others are Tydes General Merchants Limited at Nyeri Ragati in Market, Depar Limited in Sagana town, Kirinyaga, Saxiib Filling Station in Murang’a, Street Travellers SACCO Filling Station at Kanu Street in Nakuru, Jasho Filling Station in Homa Bay, Saifa Filling Station in Kemera, Nyamira and Nyang’inja Filling Station in Kendu Bay.

The rest are Homa Bay, Ola Energy Kakamega A service station in Kakamega, Geoffery Omenda Filling Station at Kimwanga Kanu in Bungoma.

Also those who didn’t miss out are; Bahari Filling Station in Wundanyi, Taita Taveta, Habiba Adan Fuel Samples at Moyale Police Station in Marsabit, Mariam Ibrahim Adan Fuel Sample at Moyale and Fatuma Hassan Adan Fuel Sample at Moyale Police Station.

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A middle aged woman from Likoni has cried foul after a Mombasa court sentenced a 40 year-old man to 25 years in prison after defiling and killing her daughter in 2015.

Pauline Njeri said the sentencing is ‘lenient’ and wants the convict to be jailed for life.

Manfred Otieno Odhiambo was on Friday sentenced by Mombasa High Court judge Dorah Chepkwony after he was found guilty of committing the offense.

Miss. Njeri said that she expected Odhiambo to be given a life or death sentence.

Njeri said she got disappointed that the man was given a ‘lenient’ sentence for two capital offences.

Odhiambo had been accused of defiling and murdering Njeri’s daughter, who was in class seven at that time.

Justice Chepkwony found him guilty for murdering the minor on December 14, 2015 in Likoni.

The judge said the Prosecution put up a strong case implicating the accused in the murder.

The mother said her daughter was killed by the neighbor in a brutal way and he deserved a harsher sentence.

She said her child was brilliant and would be completing high school by now.

She appealed to DPP Noordin Haji to intervene on this prosecution.

State prosecutor Valerie Ongeti earlier asked the court to issue a harsh sentence against Odhiambo.

She argued that the sentence should be commensurate with the crime he committed, she added that a severe punishment would act as an example to those who may think of engaging in similar crime.

The court was told that the accused lured the girl into his house when she was alone.

He then allegedly defiled and killed her.

The accused however denied the charges saying that he was away and when he arrived home in the evening, he was told by a neighbor that a girl had been killed in the estate.

He said he was shocked to find the girl’s remains under his bed, and that he didn’t know who placed her. He argued that the charge was levelled against him.

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Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua has torn into Mt. Kenya tycoons days after ODM leader Raila Odinga met them in a bid to seek support in the region.

According to Gachagua, the tycoons who met and endorsed Raila for the presidency are only interested in securing their wealth and creating more in future.

The Deputy President William Ruto ally sought to disapprove the claims by the billionaires that they are out to fight for the interests of Mt. Kenya residents.

” Those rich men do not care about the issues affecting Mt. Kenya residents, they are only interested with protecting their wealth and making more in the next government,” said Gachagua.

The politician while speaking at an event held at DP Ruto’s residence in Karen recalled various instances where the tycoons kept mum as the government suppressed Mt. Kenya locals.

“When our people were evicted from Nyamakima, they dd not meet to address the issue. They also failed to make donations to the displaced persons in Laikipia when the skirmishes broke out. They didn’t even help our people with PEPs during the COVID-19 period, yet they have the wherewithal to purchase face marks for everyone in the region,” he added.

The legislator further added that the Mt. Kenya Foundation have for a long time spread their risks and are not trusting. He said that the foundation financed both former President Mwai Kibaki and his opponent President Uhuru Kenyatta’s campaigns in 2002.

According to Gachagua, financing rivals by the foundation showed that they have no stand and are only interested in securing their wealth and investment opportunities.

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Radio presenter Stacy Atieno has come out to reveal how controversial artiste Willy Paul sexually assaulted her two years ago.

During an interview with a local blog, she stated that the singer sexually assaulted her when she went to look for a job opportunity at his music studio Saldido in Sosian Estate, Nairobi.

The presenter also shared screenshots of her direct message to the artiste telling him the accusations she made against him. The screenshot shows the radio girl explaining to Willy Paul that she had exposed what he allegedly did to her at an interview with a local blog.

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Stacy Atieno. Photo/Courtesy/Stacy Atieno Facebook

She stated that she was irked at the mention of Willy Paul’s name during the interview and she got triggered to expose him.

The radio girl cum video vixen revealed that Willy Paul touched her ‘butt’ without her consent, made her sit on his laps while showing her a song with a lady from Jamaica. She further said that the artiste forced her to touch his genitals. “But you know I made peace with myself cause I was not at fault. I was just a naive little girl with no job and excited to meet ‘Pozze’ but little did I know your intentions,” she stated.

Willy Paul however downplayed her allegations saying that it was just a clout chasing stunt as he is yet to release a new album.

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Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has pointed a blame finger at Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed over the stalling of Kamariny Stadium in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Murkomen had on Jue 12, 2018 taken to social media to announce that the stadium was taking shape, and even went further to thank the government for progress.

“Kamariny Stadium in Elgeyo Marakwet County is taking shape thanks to the Government of Kenya,” Murkomen posted.

However, the construction of the much hyped stadium has remained stalled, three years later.

Netizens on Friday October 1, 2021 reminded Murkomen of his post, which has now returned to haunt him.

To save his image, the former Senate Majority Leader shifted the blame to the current sports minister, arguing that Kamariny Stadium has stalled under her watch.

Kamariny Stadium came into limelight in 2017 after Deputy President William Ruto promised that it would be completed in six months time alongside other stadia in the country.

CABINET SECRETARY AMBASSADOR DR. AMINA MOHAMED – KENYA'S CANDIDATE FOR THE  POSITION OF CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION | Embassy of the  Republic of Kenya in Spain
President Uhuru Kenyatta with Sports CS Amb. Amina Mohamed. Photo/Courtesy.

The promise was made when the ruling Jubilee party was launching its campaign manifesto in 2017.

Murkomen also attacked the State House and the Presidential Delivery Unit, that mainly improves the coordination of National Government flagship programs, monitors, evaluates and reports on the timely fulfillment of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s important development priorities.

The lawmaker claimed that the two bodies have abandoned their roles and instead involve themselves in politics, giving state projects little attention.

He also claimed that most government projects stalled immediately President Uhuru Kenyatta made “Handshake” with his former political rival Raila Odinga.

“Madam Amina Mohammed from 2018 to date Kamariny stadium has stagnated under your watch. Meanwhile State House and PDU Delivery are busy playing politics. The story of GOK under handshake/BBI administration is that of broken promises from Big 4 Agenda to stadiums, A laughing stock,” tweeted Murkomen.

The self-spoken politician went on to attack President Uhuru Kenyatta for persecuting politicians who fought for him in his maiden term of presidency and in his quest for re-election.

According to Murkomen, the government has abandoned Rift Valley since the DP fell out with his boss.

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Nelius Mukami, the wife of former nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura has opened up about depression. She candidly narrated this on her social media saying that living with depression costs her a lot. She stated that living with anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the hardest experiences she has faced in life.

“It has taken a lot from me and it continues taking. It just takes so much effort to avoid it and it still finds me even i my happiest of days and in my solitude,”said Mukami. She also said that she sometimes finds it difficult to wake up in the morning for her routines.

Mukami said nobody seems to understand how it drains her just to get out of bed. She said depression has robbed her memories, experiences and people. “I find myself being broke and unworthy,” she claimed. She added that she has lost herself and she sometimes stare at the mirror and cannot recognize herself.

In a past interview with World Is, she revealed that she faced a rough time after losing two-thirds of her triplets. She disclosed that she has been fighting depression since April 2018 after being discharged from the hospital. She said her mental health journey has been a roller coaster and many find it hard to understand her.

Mukami lamented that her condition is not a state of mind that can just be done away with without proper motivation. She said she is however grateful for the days she lives. “I know deep down I am not broken and I am worthy. I know there is till so much for me to conquer,” she said. She regretted that she took a lot of time grieving the woman she was and forgot the woman she was becoming. “I am a work in progress,” said Mukami.

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Sirisia MP John Waluke and his Kimilili counterpart Didmus Barasa are facing a possible arrest and prosecution for allegedly masquerading as former senior officers at the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has written to the National Assembly, warning the lawmakers against misuse and misinterpreting of military titles.

Waluke has been referring to himself as a Major (rt) while Didmus refers to himself as a Captain.

The MPs who are Deputy President William Ruto’s foot solidiers in Western Kenya have now been warned that the continued use of the titles is criminal under the Penal Code and Leadership and Integrity Act.

EACC boss Twalib Mbarak says that his office had written to Parliament and the military after noting that the two lawmakers left the military as private soldiers and not as holders of the titles they purported to have held at the time of their discharge from service.

Mbarak noted that this is one of the unfortunate cases of senior State officials impersonating as former senior military officers yet they never attained the titles.

Barasa who is facing other charges relating to fraud and assault told Parliament that he served at Kenya Armed Forces as a Captain attached to the technical wing in the years 2001 and 2007.

An investigation done by EACC has however, revealed that Barasa only served for one year before he was fired for absenteeism and forgery.

According to sources, Barasa was successfully recruited to the military in October 2007 and completed his training in May 2008.

He then proceeded to the Kenya Defense Technical College in Nakuru. It was after he absconded duty for many days without permission, an offense under the military laws, that he was arrested in 2009 and subsequently fired.

The letter sent to the MP with a copy to National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Clerk Michael Sialai and Chief of Defense Forces General Robert Kibochi warned Barasa against giving false information and misleading the public.

On the Parliament’s official website, he is identified as a former Kenya Air Force Captain who served in the military for six years.

Waluke on the other hand joined the military on April 1980, and was deployed to the 76 Armored Reece Battalion in Gilgil where he worked as a tank loader and later a driver at the headquarters in Nairobi.

The MP served for 14 years and attained the rank of Senior Private (SPTE) but left in May 1994 “Upon approval of your request to be discharged on compassionate grounds.”

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The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has changed the day of Gazettement of the 2022 General Elections.

In an announcement made on Friday, the commission said that it will Gazette the date of elections on January 19, which is a change from an earlier set date of March 14, 2022.

IEBC also announced that it has made changes to the date on when political parties should submit candidates’ names to the agency.

The new date for political parties to declare their candidates in the next General Election is May 26, 2022.

Initially, the parties were to conduct party primaries, resolve intra-party disputes and submit names of candidates from April, 16 2022 to May 19.

The electoral body said that this will expand the timelines and allow parties a period of 129 days to conduct party primaries.

The Commission’s chairperson Wafula Chebukati last month said that the general elections will be held on August t, and no plans to adjust the date.

On August 9, during a meeting with media stakeholders in Mombasa, Chebukati said that he saw reports of planned delay of the general elections.

He said that IEBC does not react to opinions from organizations or individuals.

According to him, the election date is clearly indicated in the Constitution and no one has supreme power to alter poll dates.

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Jubilee Party has moved to de-whip Riruta MCA James Kiriba over his plan to have the deed of transfer agreement that saw City Hall cede four functions to the Nairobi Metropolitan Services revoked.

Jubilee on Thursday communicated their decision to have the ‘rebel’ MCA dismissed from all committees from going against the party’s stance on the matter.

This followed when Kiriba on Tuesday tabled a motion calling for creation of transitional oversight committee to instigate the reversal of the four transferred functions.

They included health, Planning, Transport, Public Works as well as utilities and ancillary services.

Kiriba argued that the the term of the NMS coming to an end in March 2022, the assembly needs to initiate the process of reversing the transferred functions in preparation of the end of deed of transfer.

In his proposals, the MCA said that the transnational committee should include the Leader of Majority, Leader of Minority, Majority Whip, Minority Whip and six chairpersons on behalf of the committees of the transferred functions.

The committee should also include three other members representing the youth, women, and persons living with disability from among the MCAs.

But in their response Jubilee through the Majority Whip Paul Kados saw Kiriba’s actions as an affront to the party psition.

Kados said Kiriba ignored advice from the party to avoid sponsoring a motion of such magnitude.

A letter released by the party revealed that they are contemplating a suitable action against Kiriba for going against the standing orders and the constitution of Jubilee with respect to sponsoring of party motions and the pursuit of such businesses.

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A primary school teacher created a scene in a Nairobi court on Thursday when he was being charged for defiling a standard six pupil. Fredrick Mwangi Wango, 45, cried before collapsing after the Principal Magistrate Found him guilty.

According to reports, the father of two taught in a school in Nairobi and used to sneak out of school at 10 am to go and defile his pupil at home. He did it while his wife and children were also away. After recuperating, the court asked him to remain seated so that the court could finalize delivering the judgement.

The Senior Principal Magistrate David Ndungi said he believed what the complainant told the court, who gave a graphic encounter of her ordeal she experienced with her teacher in 2015 and 2016. It was revealed that she could not remember how many times he defiled her, he warned her of dire consequences if she disclosed the illicit and illegal affair to anyone.

The magistrate said that when the act could no longer be kept a secret, the accused lured the girl into his house in Mathare estate at around 6 am while she was going to school and locked her up in the house. When she failed to return home, her parent called her school at around 6 pm and reported it to the police.

The girl was later found in the teacher’s house with school uniform. H e was arrested and when the girl was taken for medical examinations, it was found out that she was soiled with semen and hymen torn due to repeated sexual intercourse.

The course stated that Mr. Wango had turned the girl into his wife as she said that she sometimes sneaked from home to cohabitate with him. “The prosecution has proved that the accused defiled the complainant,” said the magistrate. Mr. Ndungi cancelled the bond offered to the accused and ordered for his detainment as he awaits mitigation and sentencing.

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A female Ghanaian prisoner, Theresa Forson, has revealed how she escaped from prison. Following her rearrest, the 27 year-old who was waiting to be sentenced at Nkafoa Police Station narrated how a police officer helped her escape after giving him sex.

Forson who was earlier convicted in a theft case said that Lance Corporal Isaac Apomah allowed her to escape after giving in to his sex demands. Assistant Superitendent of Police (ASP) Daniel Mensah presented a case against Apomah who made his first appearance in court on 27th September 2021. The superidentent revealed that Apomah had a conversation with the prisoner, he then told her the detective handling her case was troublesome, and that he would release her if she allowed him sleep with her.

Miss Forson reportedly agreed to the 36 year-old corporal and her intercourse with him. He then opened the up the cells to allow her take a bath. Apomah then gathered Forson’s belongings which were being kept in police custody and put them at the entrance of the station. He then signaled her to run away.

Forson then went to narrate her ordeal to her father-in-law who in turn went to report it at Bakaano Police Station. She was rearrested and handed over to Kotokuraba Police Station for investigations. Apomah was arrested and charged with rape and aiding in escape of a convict.

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