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Photos: 20-Year-Old Beautiful Azimio Girl Behind Governor Sakaja’s Fast-Growing TikTok Account

by Daily Trends January 30, 2023

Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja Saturday announced that he had joined the now famous social media platform, TikTok.

With barely two days of joining the platform, Sakaja has already gained over 206,000 followers as at the time of publishing this article.

Behind the fast growth of his, there is a 20-year-old lady who has been running it since its launch on Saturday.

Speaking on Saturday, January 29 while unveiling the account, Governor Sakaja revealed that the 20-year-old content creator Mbaka Wainaina was behind his new TikTok account.

“I can see everyone is asking who is the one person am following, it is my social media manager, follow her as well,” Sakaja announced while introducing her to the public.

Though a famous TikToker, Mbaka came to the limelight during the campaigns ahead of the 2022 general election.

She had been campaigning for Azimio and pushed hard to influence her followers in voting for her fellow woman, NARC Kenya party leader, and Azimio running mate Martha Karua.

She worked closely with Diana Ngao, head of communications, Martha Karua’s secretariat. She is also a co-founder of Girls for Girls Teens.

Mbaka is the only person being followed by Sakaja on TikTok.

Below are some of the photos we picked from her TikTok account.

January 30, 2023 0 comment

Lifestyle

Ni Kubaya! More Kenyan Marriages To End in Premium Tears Following Latest Court Ruling

by Daily Trends January 29, 2023

written by Daily Trends

More Kenyan marriages may soon end in premium tears.

This follows the latest supreme court ruling that was delivered by Supreme Court judges Philomena Mwilu, Smokin Wanjala, Njoki Ndungu, Isaac Lenaola and William Ouko.

According to the Apex Court judges, the doctrine of presumption of marriage is on its deathbed following changes to the matrimonial laws in Kenya.

So where does this leave Kenyans who have been in come we stay marriages for a very long time?

Well, the court said the presumption of marriage should only be used sparingly where there is cogent evidence to support it.

Therefore, no matter how long you live together with your spouse in a come we stay set up, it cannot be recognized as marriage.

“It is becoming increasingly common for two consenting adults to live together for long durations where these two adults have neither the desire, wish nor intended to be within the confines of matrimony,” they said.

“Where such a situation is evident and there is no intention whatsoever of contracting a marriage, the presumption of marriage must never be made where this intention does not exist. It must always be remembered that marriage is a voluntary union. As such, courts should shy away from imposing ‘marriage’ on unwilling persons,” they added.

They said they recognise that there exist relationships where couples cohabit with no intention whatsoever of contracting a marriage.

For instance, the court observed that a person may have been in a marriage before and the marriage is no more due to the death of a spouse or divorce and due to their prior experiences, such persons may choose to have an interdependent relationship outside of marriage.

For others, the judges said, it may just be their desire never to marry but have a partner without the confines of marriage.

The judges urged the National Assembly, the Senate and the Attorney-General to formulate and enact Statute law that deals with cohabitees in long-term relationships, their rights, and obligations.

This ruling stems from a dispute between two long cohabitees who were fighting for an equal share of a property that they jointly acquired.

The case was first instituted by the man against the woman whom he claimed to be his wife.

His arguments were that they began cohabiting as husband and wife sometime in 1986 and that from joint savings, they purchased a property that later became the bone of contention after he was evicted from it.

January 29, 2023 0 comment

Business

KURA Director General’s Mistress Incensed After Mising Road Deal

by Daily Trends January 24, 2023

written by Daily Trends

The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) Director General’s Mistress is on the spotlight for influencing tenders in the government parastatal over a deal gone sour.

The KURA Director General Silas Kinoti’s mistress who works as a clerical officer in the authority was incensed after a tender was awarded not in her favour.

The DG’s mistress Judy Mose is said to have threatened to revenge after a roads tender in which she had a direct interest was awarded to a different contractor despite the fact that the Director-General had assured her of the tender.

A furious Mose has sworn to teach the Acting Director, Urban Roads Planning and Design Engineer Jacinta Mwangi for frustrating her efforts of landing the deal.

Mwangi is not happy with Mose’s tricks in the multibillion roads agency whose mandate is the management, development, rehabilitation and maintenance of national urban trunk roads.

The Acting DG has been insisting that public procurement laws must be followed to the latter as she sealed loopholes used as corruption.

Trouble started when the authority floated tender number KURA/RMLF/CE/056/2020-2021 for the Periodic Maintenance of Lot 7 Roads Nanyuki/Sweet Waters Road /Ngoro/ Theru/ Nanyuki Road in Nanyuki Municipality worth KShs 14.2 million.

The tender was awarded to a contractor by the name Kaboi Building Contractors Ltd on October 12, 2020, to the disappointment of Judy, who immediately stormed the Director-General Engineer Silas Kinoti’s office to protest.

A tweet by prominent and controversial lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi who has a twitter following of 2 million followers raised the alarm and attracted attention on the influence that the junior officer at the authority has courtesy of her alleged love relationship with the DG.

Kenyans went viral with Ahmdnasir;s tweet and challenged the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to take necessary action at the KURA headquarters

Kenyans on Twitter have exposed KURA DG Mistress who influences Tenders and has been having an affair with the KURA DG who is under the heavy spotlight for trying to extend his term illegally. A Viral Tweet by Lawyer Ahmednasir ignited the debate that has been trending on Twitter for two days now as Kenyans turn the heat on DCI and EACC, demanding immediate action on the scandals.

January 24, 2023 0 comment

Business

Your Salaries Are Not Safe! How Cooperative Bank is Stealing From Millions of its Customers

by Daily Trends January 22, 2023

written by Daily Trends

Kenya’s Co-operative Bank may have lost around 18,000 customers in the first half of 2022-23, following a plethora of accusations and poor publicity precipitated by its own internal poor controls and alleged corruption.

A banking insider told reporters he regarded the loss of any customer as a “irreparable damage” but argued the numbers leaving were not as bad as might have been expected, given the negative publicity that has hounded the bank.

“When you consider what the bank has gone through I don’t think it’s a bad outcome, but I certainly don’t want to appear, or nor am I, complacent about it,” the banker said.

The recent move, by some members of the Kenya Military, Police and Prisons services follows the varying charges on the RTGS. This, compared to the rest of the players, gives the bank hefty profits for a service offered freely by industry players,” says an insider with knowledge of the goings on.

“In most cases, when an employee is paid his or her salary, it is expected that the transfer is done free of charge. But, in the case of Cooperative Bank, they charge an amount, which is its right meaning is theft or rip-off. The bank is simply stealing from millions of its customers and you can imagine the money they collect at the end of the month,” says a member of the Armed Forces, Mwangi Daniel.

The customer loss was revealed on after the bank reported a narrower profit for the first six months of 2022-23.

Hot on the heels of a case of the bank charging Sh42 for alert messages, a case in Migori County where the bank unleashed auctioneers on a customer and case where a dead client.

In January social media influencer Pius Kinuthia reported that a family in Mogori sued the bank for damages, something that took the social media community by storm leading to the affected family suffering irreparable losses.

The move to sue the Migori branch manager invited a public outcry but as usual, the bank’s PR Department responded with hubris and condescending messages.

In another case, a customer accused the bank of deducting money from the mother’s account while the elederly customer was criticalluy ill in hospital.

Coop Bank, in their usual reply template, said in a message signed off by FN: “Hello, please DM the account holder details incluing the account number, mobile number and the date they visited Maua branch so we may do a follow up.”

A customer Edwin Ochieng said that money was educted from his account without his knowledge.

The bank was left fighting for its survival after a massive capital shortfall was exposed in June last year following a failed bid to buy of branches from loss making Jamii Bora Bank one of the worst performing financial institutions in the country.

Jamii Bora was rescued when investors including Saccos and farmers agreed to a recapitalisation which meant Co-op Group went from outright owner to holding just a small percent stake.

The bank’s problems were exacerbated when current Managing Director and CEO Gideon Muriuki was named in many cases and innuendos touching on his ownership of land and other property, including a case on his private life that generated lurid headlines in Kenyan social media platforms.

The negative publicity likely resulted in some customers becoming disillusioned with the bank, which had built its reputation around ethical credentials such as not investing in weapons, tobacco and alcohol manufacturers.

Despite that, insiders say Co-op Bank attracted nearly 10,000 new customers during the period, leaving it with a net loss of 28,199 current or checking account holders, equivalent to nearly 2 percent of the total.

Kenyans are often reluctant to move between banks because of the perceived difficulties involved, although new rules that guarantee the paperwork will be completed within seven working days have lifted the number switching.

Kenya’s third-biggest lender reported a pretax profit of more than Sh11 billion compared with a slight change over the same period the previous year, though banking insiders attribute the figures to massaging of the accounts.

“It is not rosy at the bank. Things have not been good and the net effect is that the management, using position and influence in the industry can make the figures glossy as they can be. Afterall, it is a private entity, only regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya,” says an insider.

Co-op Bank also said its core Tier 1 capital ratio, a key measure of financial strength, stood at 11.5 percent at the end of June and was expected to be significantly above the previous guidance of 10 percent at the end of 2020.

The bank raised an additional Sh400 million from investors in May after its Tier 1 ratio slipped to 7.2 percent, dangerously close to the 7 percent absolute minimum required by the financial regulator.

“A large proportion of our cost is in people and, consequently, we will continue to see job reductions. There have been one or two redundancy programmes and I believe there will be one or two more in that respect,” he said.

An independent review commissioned by the bank, published in April, concluded that the root of the bank’s problems lay in its 2009 takeover of the Jamii Bora Bank and poor management controls.

On the other end, it is claimed in many places that the bank made a hefty donation to the Kenya Kwanza campaign during the last General Elections in which William Ruto floored ODM leader an Azimio Presidential candidate Raila Odinga.

During the last days of the campaign run, Coop Bank CEO Muriuki is alleged to have visited the Hustler Campaign headquarters with a donation of Sh200 million, though some people quote a different figure.

January 22, 2023 0 comment

Museveni’s Brother And His Concubine Implicated in Scumming Bishop’s Family of Their Land

by Daily Trends January 22, 2023

written by Daily Trends

Media in Uganda has been awash with a scandal involving President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s younger brother and a woman said to be his side chick and also a senior staff at the Ugandan State House.

According to a story published by the country’s main online publication – New Vision, State House had been reported to be behind the plot to defrauded the family of late Bishop Shalita of their land with the help of Museveni’s brother Shadrach Kaguta Nzeire.

A later publication, however clarified that State House was not in anyway behind the plot.

“Our core investigations unearthing the orchestrated plans to grab the late Bishop Shalita’s land in Kiruhura has exonerated State House whose reputation had been brought to near shame. One State House Staff has meticulously, for a long time managed to make different bodies of Government knock heads over a scandal involving a few members of the first family attempting to steal Bishop Shalita’s land at Ekimomo, Kyeera, Kayonza, Kikatsi in Kiruhura district.”reads the story.

One Ndyomugyenyi Sandra, it is reported has been in a secret marital affair with the Kaguta brother who often prefers calling himself “Kaguta”, to cunningly evoke his relationship with H. E The President and intimidate unknowing victims of his trade.

Some of the Government officials who have talked to our reporter in confidence allude to the inconvenience of the selfish behavior of the duo. Officials have been intimidated almost to submission.

“The trick stars alleging the President sends them to relay his State House directives aggressively on a daily basis coerce the officials to effect the unwritten directives of the President,” one senior Government official lamented.

In a recent meeting held under the auspices of Ministry of Lands at the Hearing of the Bishop Shalita and Kajundira fraud title scam, a one Grace Majoro rebuffed Sandra in public putting her on the back foot when Grace said “” State House does not make verbal orders, they always make formal written communications.”

Sandra was able to save her face by staging a walkout.
Deep findings revealed that the lady purporting to be dragging State House into the 4 illegal title woes, the said Sandra Ndyomugenyi is indeed acting on her own.
This is not the first time Ndyomugyenyi is facing ‘fire’ and being distanced by State House.

Last year the Presidential Press Secretary released a statement rubbishing a letter signed by Ndyomugyenyi on behalf of the President’s Private Secretary Dr Kenneth Omona.

This was in a matter involving an allegation of non-payment to cyber security experts where Sandra Ndyomugyenyi, purportedly wrote on behalf of the Principal Private Secretary to H.E the President without authorization, in reference to a complaint about Non-Payment for work done by Cyber Security Experts.

“We would like to assure the general public to totally disregard the letter and its contents for it is baseless, false and should be treated with the full contempt it deserves,” PPU said in a statement dated 28th October, 2022.

Documentary Evidence

Highly confidential documents we have seen reveal that Ndyomugyenyi is intimately working to promote the interests of Nzaire Nuwomugisha Sedrack, alias Kaguta, President Museveni’s younger brother who is also the NRM Chairperson of Kiruhura District where the purported illegal four titles were planned from.
The offices of the Chairperson NRM Kiruhura district where Nzaire sits

Conflict Of Interest Unearthed.

Sandra Ndyomugenyi works as a Legal aide in State House, where she is supposed to mediate neutrally when issues regarding conflict resolution are brought before the Fountain of Honor.

For starters, the lawyers MNA (Mpamizo, Nabaasa & Akineza Advocates) representing the Christopher Kajundira, (the alleged grabbers of the late Bishop Shalita land) are the same lawyers working for Sandra Ndyomugenyi in her other private matters which documents show she has joint interests with Nzaire.

Top State House officials have revealed to us in confidence that State House as headed by H.E President Museveni is not taking any sides in the land wrangle that has lasted for over 30 years and more so when Courts have already pronounced themselves over the matter.

We can reveal that Sandra Ndyomugyenyi in an affidavit application in support of a Caveat of a property allocated jointly to her and Nzaire by the Departed Asians Property Custodian Board, located on Plot 2 Fort Road LRV 118 Folio 8, located at Old Kampala,

Kampala, she uses the same lawyers representing the late Kajundira family, as her lawyers in the matter. Evidently this was not planned by State House.

Fictitious Property Allocation Busted

On October 12 2021, the Departed Asians Property Custodian Board issued a temporary allocation of a property on Plot 2 Fort Road LRV 118 Folio 8 Kampala (See letter below) to Sandra Ndyomugenyi and Nzaire Nuwomugisha Sedrack.

This was in response to her application of 15 Sept 2021. Surprisingly, DAPCB allocated the property in just one month!

The allocation letter was signed by Bizibu George William the Executive Director DAPCB. (look out for the details in one of our publications )

Who is Nzaire in the Illegal title scam

An Incontrovertible source has revealed to our reporter, how Nzaire has been the architect of the creation of the 4 illegal titles over land occupied and owned by Bishop Shalita’s family and realtives. Thescam was processed through the Kiruhura Land Board. Nzaire is Chairman of the ruling party in the same District.

It has been revealed that Nzaire’s interest goes beyond the obvious marriage relationship with the Kajundira’s, a plot to buy the land from Kajundira’s after the battle with the Family and relatives of Bishop Shalita has already been mooted between Nzaire, and one other younger Kaguta brother of his.

Blood Relationship

It is now a well-confirmed fact that Nzaire Kaguta is related through marriage to the family of Kajundira and therefore, he must have found it inevitably strategic to use his powers in Kiruhura to perfect the crime with the creation of the 4 illegal titles on Block 90 Plot 12 in 2022, and have them mounted on top of the old existing Survey of Bishop Shalita of 2005, with the assurance of protection from his well placed Sandra.

January 22, 2023 0 comment

Business

Angry Kenyans Contemplate Quitting Cooperative Bank Over Illicit E-Banking Charges

by Daily Trends January 11, 2023

written by Daily Trends

Kenyans banking with the Co-operative bank of Kenya are angry over what they have termed as illicit charges applied by the bank on their e-banking services.

The Co-operative Bank of Kenya charges clients a total of Sh22 to buy Safaricom credit worth Sh10.

The deductions include a Sh10 for the airtime, Sh10 (bank charges) and Sh2 (excise duty).

Clients have been voicing oppositions over high charges, coming at a time when a majority of them are facing tough economic challenges induced by the coronavirus.

A section of them have taken to social media to claim that they will soon dump the bank over the hiked charges.

MPs increased excise duty on airtime and data to 20 percent from 15 percent, which is expected to earn the Government Sh8 billion from operators such as Safaricom, Telkom and Airtel.

Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) reinstated charges on transfer of funds from Banks to MPesa wallets, representing a win for financial institutions.

On March 16 2020, the Government waived charged as part of an emergency plan to encourage mobile money transaction at the height of Covid-19 pandemic.

January 11, 2023 0 comment

Nairobi South Hospital Fined shs 7 Million For Detaining Two Infants

by Daily Trends January 11, 2023

written by Daily Trends

The High Court has fined the Nairobi South Hospital shs 7 million for detaining two minors whose parents were unable to settle a hospital bill.

In February 2021, a couple Charles Kyalo Ndonye and Virginia Adhiambo Olembo visited the hospital and Virginia gave birth to quadruplets through C-section.

In petition no. E082 of 2021 dated 17th March 2021, the parents said that the minor’s rights were violated.

They sued the hospital demanding kshs 48 million in damages.

According to court documents, Virginia Adhiambo Olembo four (4) sons were prematurely delivered through a C-section on 11th February 2021 at the Hospital.

The Hospital said it had to purchase two more CPAP machines to accommodate the four (4) minors.

Since they were underweight they were kept at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

They therefore required specialized care and treatment which came at a considerable cost.

The Hospital said two of the minors were discharged into their grandmother’s care upon attaining the required weight, since their mother still needed medical care.

This was on 26th February 2021.

Their mother was later discharged on 5th March 2021 but the two other minors remained behind due to their low weight.

They were later discharged on 14th March on the recommendation of the Pediatric doctor-the hospital said in court documents.

The Nairobi South Hospital said that as at the time of discharge of the first two minors and the mother, the pending bill was Kshs. 1,467,429.

Charles Kyalo Ndonye was to pay Kshs. 200,000/= by 8th March 2021.

At the time of discharge of the remaining minors (25th March 2021) the outstanding bill was Kshs. 3,137,848.83, which the hospital said is yet to be settled.

The hospital said all along the parents have never been serious about settling the bill.

The hospital said in court documents that even the pledge Ndonye made on 15th March 2021 has never been honored.

The Hospital said it complied with Article 43(1)(e) of the constitution by offering medical services to Virginia and her four (4) babies.

The couple’s medical Insurance AAR undertook to only pay Kshs. 200,000/= as the limit.

The hospital said the couple never notified it that they were not able to settle the charges for a private facility.

Nairobi South Hospital said that before starting an online campaign to tarnish its name, the couple had never made any offer of settling the bill.

However, High Court Judge H. I Ong’udi said the Hospital violated the couple and the minor’s rights by holding onto the minors as lien as a condition for payment of the outstanding hospital medical bill.

According to the Court, the infants were detained at the Nairobi South Hospital for 10 days between 15th March 2021 to 25th March 2021.

“I find an award of Kshs. 3,000,000/= for each minor to be appropriate. I award the petitioners Kshs. 500,000/= each,” the Judge ruled.

The Court said that the conduct of holding onto the minors as a condition for payment of the outstanding medical bill is unlawful and unconstitutional as it violates the minor’s rights under Articles, 28, 29(1), 53(1) (c) 7 (f) and the petitioner’s rights under Article 25(a).

The ruling was delivered on 20^th December 2022.

The Hospital is located in Nairobi’s South C region.

January 11, 2023 0 comment

Business

Norsad Capital and TLG Capital establish a $400mn African credit platform

by Daily Trends December 13, 2022

written by Daily Trends

A joint partnership encompassing $400mn in assets under management focused on African small and medium enterprises
The partnership will allow for building and enhancement of the capabilities of both firms by sharing, presenting, and co-investing in well-structured credit investment opportunities with strong layers of downside protection and equity upsides embedded.
Both companies are long-standing investors in the region and alongside financial return, aim to create strong social impact by financing primarily the mid-market growth companies that are profitable, stable, and are poised to expand but lack the required financing to do so.

Norsad Capital and TLG Capital announced today the beginning of a partnership to cement the market leading private credit platform for medium sized companies across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

The partnership will allow for building and enhancement of the capabilities of both firms by sharing, presenting, and co-investing in well-structured credit investment opportunities with strong layers of downside protection and equity upsides embedded.

This partnership will, amongst others, further promote syndication opportunities and platforms, risk participation structures, jointly offer larger ticket sizes, and provide a balanced capital offering with a mix of senior and subordinated debt.

Norsad Capital and TLG Capital aim to leverage each other’s structuring and legal expertise, including a presence in SSA, to provide the ideal financing solutions for their clients.

Both companies are long-standing investors in the region and alongside financial return, aim to create strong social impact by financing primarily the mid-market growth companies that are profitable, stable, and are poised to expand but lack the required financing to do so.

The alliance will have combined assets under management of circa US$400 million towards investments in mid-sized companies in sub-Saharan Africa.

Norsad Capital’s aspiration is to positively impact the lives of 100 million Africans by 2030 and target companies that can generate positive social impact and deliver strong financial returns – “profit with purpose”.

Norsad has invested over US$500 million into over 160 companies over its 32-year history.

TLG Capital aims to unlock $5 billion in African economic growth by investing in SMEs to accelerate their growth into Pan-African titans.

Operating with the conviction that great entrepreneurs are transforming Africa’s future, TLG has completed more than 30 investments to date and has exited more than 20 (notably, all with positive IRRs ranging from 6%-35%).

Kenny Nwosu, Chief Executive Officer of Norsad, said, “Our purpose as an organisation is to build a better Africa by providing financing to mid-market growth companies that contribute towards the continent’s economic growth and improvement.

“This partnership with TLG Capital is a demonstration of two entities that have over the years noted that lack of access to finance for businesses in Africa limits their ability to expand.

“We will be bringing our joint expertise to address some of the issues demonstrating our commitment to create sustainable impact in the region.

“Our relationship with TLG Capital has been fostered over time and we are excited to be working with an organisation that shares our vision and is flexible enough to experiment and drive growth in Africa.”

Zain Latif, Partner, and Co-Founder of TLG, said “Norsad is a well-known, well-respected institution within the African investment landscape, and we have known each other for years.

“It is therefore a pleasure to announce we will be working closely going forward, particularly given Norsad have been investing in credit deals in Africa for over three decades, longer than anyone else we have come across.

“Norsad’s focus on creating a positive social return across the regions it invests in also speaks to TLG’s mandate, and we look forward to a bright future together. As we continue to build on our venture financing deals, Norsad is the right partner to help drive that narrative over the next few years.”

December 13, 2022 0 comment

Lifestyle

The secret of houses that smell good

by Daily Trends November 14, 2022

written by Daily Trends

A home that smells fresh carries an aura of positivity that uplifts your mood as soon as you walk in, which is always a good sign.

Smell is one of our most powerful senses. It tells us what to eat or what perfume to wear. On the human front, the sense of smell is more closely linked with memory than the other senses.

This is partly because it evokes particular memories and is highly emotive, which helps us relax and also draws us to particular people.

1. Clean up smelly areas

A funky smell in a home will be the first thing that hits you as you walk in. Ideally, a clean home shouldn’t have a smell .

It should have a fresh feeling signaling that you’re walking into a clean space, says Alisha Rajan, Kenya Country Manager of home-cleaning service, SweepSouth.

“Dirty areas harbour odours, and while that may seem obvious, the longer you live with bad smells, the less you notice them. Walk around your home to identify if there are any areas that need to be refreshed. Carpets, curtains, fabric couches, and even cushions trap household smells like cooking and cigarette smoke, and unwashed bedding and towels, and dirty showers are sources of unappealing odours,” she adds.

Other obvious funky-smell traps are rubbish bins, diaper buckets, and pet litter trays that aren’t cleaned out every day. Layering fragrances over these smelly areas won’t help – the most effective approach is to regularly clean them.

“There’s no substitute for a deep cleanse to banish odour offenders – it’s the fastest way to deal with bad smells,” says Alisha.

“If you don’t like strong scents, opt for cleaning products that aren’t too heavily scented, and open windows wide to make your space feel cleaner.”

2. Bicarb magic

There are many great cleaning products on the market, but simple, affordable bicarbonate of soda is the unsung hero of the odour-neutralising world.

When applied to messes around the house, this powdery substance acts as an smell-absorber and a mild abrasive that can quickly loosen stuck-on gunk without damaging the surface.

Pair it with other household cleaners, such as dishwashing liquid, and it becomes an even more powerful cleaning agent, allowing you to break through greasy residue, polish metal, unclog drains, and more.

“Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on carpets and couches and leave for an hour to absorb smells, then vacuum up the residue,” advises Alisha.

“You can also eliminate stubborn kitchen odours by sprinkling it between layers of trash as the bin fills up. If your fridge has been cleaned but still has a lingering musty smell, place a small bowl filled with bicarb inside on a shelf to absorb the odour. You can even add half a cup of bicarb to a load of laundry to act as a deodoriser,” she says.

3. Add in subtle scents

If you love a fragrant home, introduce scent in a subtle way by burning a scented candle or an aromatherapy oil.

Find the perfect scent for a room by considering what mood you’d like for it – are you after an uplifting and invigorating feel, or a soothing, relaxed atmosphere?

Grapefruit and basil fragrances are great if you want an energised feel, while peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemon all impart the feeling of a clean, vibrant space.
To create a summary holiday atmosphere, light up an orange-scented candle infused with the sweet fragrance of pineapple, and even rum!
Vanilla scents are perfect for a soothing, warm welcome, and to alleviate anxiety and stress.
If strong scents are too much for you, have summer whisper through your home with the soft notes of coconut.
Uplift your senses and relax your mind with bergamot. It’s a mixture of floral, herbal, and spicy notes to uplift your senses and relax your mind.

4. When less is more

While essential oils are a great way to introduce fragrances to your space, if each room has a different scent going on it, it can clash and become overwhelming, cautions Alisha.

Read up how to best combine and blend aromatherapy scents. For example, if you want to promote an emotionally balanced space, combine lavender, bergamot and juniper berry essential oils.

Orange, lavender, douglas fir, and thyme essential oils can be used to support the immune system of your loved ones and keep everyone in your home healthy.

And, bring the fresh outdoors air in with a blend of lavender, tangerine and eucalyptus.

Other than lighting a scented candle or an aromatherapy oil burner, you can also make your own reed diffusers, or soak cotton balls with your favourite essential oils and place the balls underneath the lining of your bins and in the inner part of your toilet roll.

Whichever fragrance you choose, make sure visitors to your home aren’t overpowered by them.

“Visitors may be averse to strong smells, or have allergies, so don’t be tempted to envelop them in a scent, no matter how good it smells to you,” concludes Alisha.

November 14, 2022 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

Bungoma Politician Linked To Westlands Violent Eviction Arrested, Detained For 14 Days

by Daily Trends November 9, 2022

written by Daily Trends

Detectives from Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Wednesday arrested the main suspect in the Westlands mistery evictions.

Zachary Baraza, a Bungoma County politician who vied for the Bungoma gubernatorial seat in the August 2022 general elections was presented before court as detectives sought to detain him for 14 days.

The politician who runs an auctioneering firm dubbed Siuma Auctioneers was linked to the violent eviction of a family in Westlands, Nairobi.

He is currently being detained at Muthaiga Police Station after the court granted the detectives their request pending further investigations into the case..

The complainant Niraj Shah said that Baraza led 25 people to their family home and destroyed the establishments.

The DCI said they have since established that buildings on the parcel of land were extensively vandalised and losses incurred amounted to Sh70 million.

The court heard that since Baraza was arrested, the household goods and other personal effects of the complainant are yet to be recovered.

“Preliminary investigations have revealed that those household goods and personal effects may have been sold on the instructions of Baraza,” Sergeant Eric Onyango said.

The police said Baraza should remain in custody as they are yet to record statements from witnesses and a comprehensive valuation report by a registered property valuer to determine the actual loss incurred by family.

According to Niraj Shah and his wife Avani Shah, they are the legal occupants since their lease to the land, which was allegedly bought by a private company in 2010, expires in 2048.

Ksh.80 million worth property demolished

The couple has condemned the demolition of their Ksh.80 million worth property by a mob allegedly deployed by a private developer.

For over 40 years, the Shah’s have called the parcel of land their home but the Ksh.80 million property now looks nothing close to its former self.

Niraj said the investor in question demolished the house without following police protocol to do so.

“The right procedure is for them to go to the police, get assistance and come with the police. There is a procedure to follow if you have to evict someone but none of them were followed,” said Niraj.

Lariak Properties

Avani said Baraza showed her a document purporting that a private company named ‘Lariak Properties’ had bought the land from Metro pharmaceuticals in 2010.

The Shah’s however maintain that they are the legal occupants since their lease to the land is still valid, adding that they are in possession of a court order dated November 1, 2022, which directs that the plaintiff be restrained from trespassing or interfering with the couple’s possession of the land.

The couple claims that the eviction was executed without following due process and their efforts to seek help from authorities including the area police hit a deadlock.

A search at the registrar of companies shows that Lariak properties was registered in 2002 and has four directors namely Nathaniel Kipkemboi Barmasai, Samuel K. Chepkwony, John Kamaiyoa Rotich and Joel Kiplangat who sources say are connected to a high profile person.

November 9, 2022 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

Drama As DCI Sleuths Arrest Mastermind of City Gang Targeting MPesa Shops

by Daily Trends November 8, 2022

written by Daily Trends

John Mutiso Makau alias Katitu, the mastermind of a criminal gang targeting Mpesa shops in Nairobi was Monday arrested after a dramatic chase in Nairobi’s Kayole estate, pitting DCI detectives from the elite Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau.

The arrest came after a 48-hour operation.

Prior to his arrest, the DCI detectives had rounded up two of his accomplices Brian Wambua Mbindyo and Danson Musyoka Mulee.

According to DCI, Katitu was arrested after a 3-Kilometre chase.

Trouble for the thugs started when the headquarters’ based sleuths gathered sufficient actionable intelligence regarding their whereabouts, following the gruesome killing of a man who was shot at four times in broad daylight, seconds after walking out of a bank in Donholm, on October 31, 2022.

Donholm’s Family bank shooting

In the incident that attracted countrywide attention, the gun toting thugs had pumped four bullets into Nicodemus Mbuvi Munyasya, who was walking out of Donholm’s Family bank carrying a carrier bag, killing him on the spot.

The 38-year-old accounts clerk at extra paints manufacturing limited had deposited a cheque in the bank and was walking out carrying two disposable cups in the carrier bag.

Immediately he stepped out of the banking hall, two thugs on a motorbike accosted him and a scuffle ensued as the thugs snatched the bag from Munyasia, assuming that it contained a wad of cash.

When Munyasia resisted, he was shot at four times, three times on his legs and once in his chest by the fleeing thugs.

Forensic Crime Scene detectives recovered one spent cartridge and one bullet head at the scene.

Umoja Estate shooting

Three days before the incident, the suspects had accosted a woman as she left her Mpesa shop in Umoja estate, and shot her on the ankle before taking possession of her handbag which contained an unspecified amount of money.

Regina Chege, was approaching the gate to her house at around 9:30pm when the thugs on a motorbike struck.

This incident was similar to one reported at Embakasi police station on October 19, where one Dennis Musyoki and his wife who operates an Mpesa outlet were attacked at gun point as they walked home.

Ongata Rongai robbery

In yet another incident involving the armed miscreant gang, a retired managing director of Coast Development Authority, had been accosted at the gate to his compound in April, this year.

James Kahindi, was parking his vehicle at his home in Gataka, Ongata Rongai when, when two men opened the doors to his vehicle, a Toyota hilux.

Kahindi, a licensed firearm holder reached for his ceska pistol and fired two shots in the air, as the terrified thugs scampered for dear life.

During the incident, the thugs shot at Kahindi’s househelp who was rushed to Nairobi Women’s hospital in stable condition.

Preliminary findings from the Forensic Ballistic Unit based at the DCI National Forensic Laboratory, established that the firearm used in all the four incidents was similar.

The detectives also established that one of the main suspect’s accomplice Danson Musyoka, had a past criminal record and had been involved in various bank heists before going under.

Musyoka had recently sneaked back to the city where he teamed up with Katitu and Mbindyo to terrorize city residents.

RELIEF AS DETECTIVES ARREST CITY GANG TARGETING MPESA SHOPS ( A THREAD)

Following the spate of armed robberies that have rocked the city in the past few days, detectives have swung into action and arrested the mastermind of the attacks one John Mutiso Makau alias Katitu. pic.twitter.com/vVZzZYbSBv
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) November 8, 2022

In the ongoing investigations into the activities of the nefarious gang, last night detectives recovered 18 rounds of 9mm calibre from Katitu’s house in Fedha estate.

An operation to arrest the fourth accomplice only identified as Willie or Ibrah also a returnee from Somalia, is currently underway.

November 8, 2022 0 comment

Business

Fly 748 Flight Bookings Soar Amid KQ Pilots’ Strike

by Daily Trends November 6, 2022

written by Daily Trends

Fly 748 has seen an increase in flight bookings.

This is after Kenya Airways asked its passengers to opt for available airlines following aviation workers and pilots strike that kicked off Saturday.

KQ Pilots are protesting against failure to implement a pay rise.

Dozens of flights were disrupted at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi after Kenya Airways (KQ) pilots went on strike to protest the withdrawal of their provident fund by their employer.

The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (Kalpa), which draws a bulk of its membership from KQ, called for industrial action to protest non-payment of monthly pension contributions for staff, failure to implement pay agreements (CBA), and alleged victimisation of its members.

Fly 748 Managing Director Moses Mwangi in a statement sent to newsroom said the airline begun experiencing a surge in bookings from Saturday as he affirmed the airline has the ability to take up extra capacity.

“Over the last 24 hours we have experience rise in bookings including dignitaries. We will continue to monitor the situation and open more flights as the need arises,” said Mwangi.

“While the situation is to our advantage and other domestic operators, we hope that the current impasse at the national carrier will be resolved soonest, meanwhile we want to assure passengers that we have the capacity to ease current disruptions” he said.

Since June 2020, Fly 748 has been on an aggressive domestic routes expansion from flying to the Mara only, to now flying to flying daily to Malindi, Ukunda, Mombasa and twice weekly to Kisumu to support growth of business and leisure tourism.

November 6, 2022 0 comment

Business

Itel Kenya Launches The Highly Ranked Itel S18

by Daily Trends October 29, 2022

written by Daily Trends

Itel Kenya has launched the highly ranked itel S18, a compact and stylish smartphone that is their flagship 4G model as opposed to all other existing models.

The series that was unveiled at an event held at Serena Hotel on Friday succeeds itel S17 from late last year.

This year itel received a number of global recognitions from industrial media and organizations.

First is, among this year’s Top 100 Most Admired Brands in Africa that was announced by African Business magazine.

Itel was also recognized by the Titans of Tech Awards as 2022 Best Tech Company of the Decade for their continuous contribution over the decades in bringing tech innovation and products to the African market.

As a warmhearted brand advocating love and corporate social responsibility, itel gained the Most Committed Brand to Humanitarian Service Award by African Brand Congress 2022.

“S18 was designed to help users create their unique and fancy videos in an easier way. With selfie and vlog trend on the rise, itel has an in-depth research on short video shooting functions to encourage everyone become a lifestyle vlogger without downloading other video clip apps,” said Ray Fang, the country manager.

The country manager also added that “S18 is the beginning of itel’s brand new 4G experience, which means that itel will keep providing better innovation and service supported by the Android 12 (Go edition) .We are glad about the prospects, opportunities and user experience that the smartphone will create in their day to day interaction.

“Mr Patrick “Marketing Manager” For the past years, thanks to your relentless support and company, we have been able to achieve numbers of remarkable milestones and expand our presence in over 50 emerging markets globally. In 2022, itel remains No.1 Global Smartphone brand under $100 and No.1 global feature phone brand.”

October 29, 2022 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

RIP: 8 Hot Photos Of The DCI Officer Killed In a Hit And Run Accident

by Daily Trends October 23, 2022

written by Daily Trends

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) lead creative designer Boniface Muganda was Saturday night killed in a hit and run accident.

Boniface Muganda. Photo/Courtesy/DCI Twitter.

The DCI through her official social media pages Sunday said Muganda was hit by a speeding motorist last night along the northern by-bass at Marurui, near Ashaki club at 9:40pm.

dailytrends.co.ke

The officer who is attached to the DCI Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Unit was headed home on his motorbike when a speeding motorist hit his bike and took off.

The detective was rushed to Kenyatta University Hospital by good Samaritans but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His DCI colleagues rushed to the hospital and confirmed his death. His lifeless body was lying beside a bed at the emergency unit.

Hardworking and self-driven

The DCI has mourned Muganda as a hardworking, self driven and dedicated officer who performed his duties outstandingly and got along well with colleagues from across all cadres.

Talented

He was a gifted Communications Officer whose skills in photography, videography and graphics design propelled him to head the creative design desk.

The detective who has previously served at the forensic photographic and acoustics unit was the creative artist behind the latest edition of the DCI Magazine among other assignments.

He also took part in the coverage of last Thursday’s Mashujaa day celebrations at Uhuru gardens.

October 23, 2022 0 comment

Liz Truss Dramatically Resigns As UK Prime Minister

by Daily Trends October 20, 2022

written by Daily Trends

Liz Truss has resigned as the UK Prime Minister.

Ms Truss was elected by the Tory membership in September.

In a speech outside Downing Street, Ms Truss said the Conservative Party had elected her on a mandate to cut taxes and boost economic growth but given the situation, she said she is unable to deliver on the mandate.

Ms Truss said she entered “office at a time of great economic and international instability”.

This is as war rages in Ukraine and living costs skyrocket.

"I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party"

UK Prime Minister Liz Truss resignshttps://t.co/O5kO1WJ4tY pic.twitter.com/Gq6FtOGNIP
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) October 20, 2022

She said she would remain in post until a successor formally takes over as party leader and is appointed prime minister by King Charles III.

How Liz Truss lost her authority to govern

It was only six weeks ago that Liz Truss met Queen Elizabeth II and was appointed the new prime minister of the U.K

Truss, who remained loyal to her predecessor Boris Johnson before his resignation this summer, won the Conservative leadership contest with the promise of a low tax, high growth economy.

Spending plans criticized

Her spending plans were criticized by her leadership rival, former finance minister Rishi Sunak.

Kwasi Kwarteng, the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced the government’s first major policy plan to advance Truss’s economic vision in the House of Commons on Sept. 23.

Their package included measures to cut the rate of tax for the highest earners, cancel a planned corporation tax increase, remove a cap on bankers’ bonuses.

They were also promising billions to tackle the looming threat of rising energy bills ahead of the winter, attributed by the government to the war in Ukraine.

The plan was criticized by opposition politicians and economists, and the International Monetary Fund issued a sharp rebuke to their plans.

October 20, 2022 0 comment

Business

Nairobi West Hospital Launches First Ever Bone Marrow Transplant Unit in Kenya

by Daily Trends October 18, 2022

written by Daily Trends

The Nairobi West Hospital has launched the first Bone Marrow Transplant Unit in Kenya.

The unit provides a broad range of integrated and patient-centric services for the diagnosis and management of all kinds of blood disorders in adults and children, including cancers of the blood.

The Nairobi West Hospital Chief Medical Director Professor Andrew Kanyi Gachii who spoke during the launch noted that the importance of access to quality, affordable specialised healthcare in Kenya has been a major pain point for most patients who have to travel abroad for advanced medical procedures like a bone marrow transplant.

Medical tourism destination

According to him, an effective bone marrow transplant unit backed by world leading specialists could make Kenya a medical tourism destination.

The Bone Marrow Transplant Unit is an integral part of The Nairobi West Hospital, one of Kenya’s leading Level 6B multidisciplinary hospitals.

Easy access to bone marrow transplants

The hospital aims to provide easy access to bone marrow transplants as a possible cure for patients with complex blood disorders.

“Our dedicated and internationally recognised transplant specialists embrace the values of innovation, collaboration, confidentiality, empathy, integrity, and focus on providing comprehensive care to all patients. This is also an aim to be the leading BMT unit not only in East Africa, but across Africa,” Prof Kanyi Gachii noted.

Cure in treating blood cancers

Dr. Guarav Dixit, Head of the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at The Nairobi West Hospital noted that in some instances, BMT offers the only hope of cure in treating blood cancers like Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) and Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia (ALL), that would be otherwise be difficult to treat with conventional chemotherapy alone.

“It is usually a safe procedure for patients with sickle cell disease , if done at a young age. Other emerging indications that can be treated with BMT include Multiple Sclerosis and Paediatric immunodeficiencies.

“It is important to note that this therapy is evidence-based across the globe, and now readily available in Kenya to all who may need it in a world class facility that can rival many in the west,” he added.

Dr. Kibet Shikuku, Chief Consulting Pathologist for The Nairobi West Hospital, further said that the cancer burden is rising globally, exerting significant strain on populations and health systems at all income levels.

“Being diagnosed with blood cancer can bring fear, frustration and uncertainty. When detected and treated early however, blood cancer can be treated successfully. We are fortunate to have local healthcare providers like The Nairobi West Hospital which offers an effective and holistic treatment plan for patients,” he said.

October 18, 2022 0 comment

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