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Headteacher lands in hot soup on first day of KCPE

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A headteacher at NYS Primary School in Gilgil has found himself in trouble when interior cabinet secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i evacuated candidates from a classroom with a leaking roof during KCPE exams.

The powerful CS has ordered disciplinary measures to be taken against the head teacher.

The teacher faces sanction for failing to alert relevant authorities that four classrooms needed urgent renovations to avoid putting pupils’ lives in danger.

The Interior CS however urged the county director of education to ensure that the school is allocated funds to renovate the affected classrooms.

Matiang’i witnessed the opening of the examination container and distribution at Gilgil DCC’s office.

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Magoha fires warning to headteachers as KCPE exams kick off

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Mahoga on Tuesday morning warned headteachers against blocking class eight candidates from sitting for their national examinations.

Magoha, who witnessed the opening of the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination in Mombasa, said every child should be allowed to sit for their papers.

“I want to take this opportunity to warn very few centre managers, who may attempt to block children from taking examinations for whatever reasons. You cannot stop a child to sit for an exam because they failed to pay Sh300,”  he said.

The CS reiterated that every child must be given access and if there are any other issues, they will be sorted out later.

At the same time, Magoha said in this year’s KCPE examinations there were very few cases of fake papers being spread around.

“These  exams have been seen for the first time this morning as I had told the nation earlier. Its fidelity is unquestionable,” Magoha said.

He said the good news is that this year,  they did not pick any fake examination papers prior to the starting date.

“We have not picked any fake examinations even though we had a lot of backroom plans by certain teachers in certain hotspots,” he added.

Magoha said parents, teachers and students should not be worried about cheating because there will be 100 percent transition into the secondary school.

For the regions affected by the floods, Magoha said the government has 10 helicopters that will be used to facilitate delivery of the papers in good time.

“The downside of this year’s examinations are the rains that have affected some regions. However, we have 10 helicopters that are at our disposal. No child will miss an examination,” he said.

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Latest News

Senate report on Likoni Tragedy exposes Kenya Ferry badly

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Senators have raised the alarm about the state of the five vessels operated by the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS), terming them potential deathtraps.

According to a report tabled in the Senate, MV Kwale, MV Nyayo, MV Kilindini, MV Harambee and MV Likoni, all plying the Likoni channel, are dysfunctional and unseaworthy.

In particular, the report reveals that MV Harambee does not have functional ramps, which is a contravention of International Safety Management (ISM) regulations, that requires all vessels to dry-dock after 8,500 hours of operations.

Further, the report accuses KFS of operating three decommissioned ferries, including MV Harambee, MV Nyayo and MV Kilindini.

The three vessels are some of Kenya’s oldest ferries, having been bought as used vessels in 1990.

The report tabled by Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior on Wednesday condemns the five vessels, saying they pose danger to the more than 300,000 passengers and over 6,000 motorists plying the Likoni channel every day.

“I have it on record that the ramps commonly referred to as prows are not functioning and in the case of MV Kilindini, the prows are rising at less than 45 degrees,” he said on the floor of the House on Wednesday.

“Had the ramp of MV Harambee been functioning properly, the untimely death of Mariam Kighenda and her daughter Amanda Mutheu on 29th September 29,  2019, could have been avoided.”

Mariam Kighenda, 35, and her daughter Amanda, 4, died when their vehicle slid from MV Harambee into the Indian Ocean as the ferry was crossing the channel.

Investigations are underway and several employees of KFS who were in charge of the vessel on the day the tragedy happened have already been interrogated.

“I received information that this incident was as a result of the sorry state of our five ferries operating on the Likoni channel; that is MV Kwale, MV Nyayo, MV Kilindini, MV Harambee and MV Likoni,” the senator concludes.

According to the Makueni senator, MV Harambee was refurbished in what is commonly referred to in maritime terms as a dry dock at a cost of Kshs157million in the Financial Year 2016/ 2017.

“I strongly suspect that the said amount of Kshs157million was misappropriated. This matter requires urgent investigations,” he said.

The senator also called for a probe into the management of African Marine Limited which KFS has single-sourced for the servicing of its vessels.

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Latest News

Team of 70,000 security officers deployed to secure KCPE exam papers

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A team of 70,000 security officers have been deployed to secure Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exam papers and the candidates countrywide as the exams kick off today (Tuesday) .

Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i was also on location at the Gilgil DCC’s Office to oversee the opening of a container in readiness for the exams.

Military helicopters are also on standby to ferry exam papers to centers unreachable by road either due to bad roads of flooding.

A total of 1,088, 987 candidates for sit the three-day exam that starts with Mathematics on Tuesday morning. English language and Composition tests are scheduled for mid-morning and afternoon respectively.

On Wednesday, the candidates will tackle Science, Kiswahili and Insha before completing the test with Social Studies and Christian Religious Education on Thursday.

There was fears the ongoing heavy rains might disrupt the exam in some areas but the ministry on Monday said it was adequately prepared.

Wajir, Mandera, Turkana, Marsabit and Isiolo have been mapped out as counties with potential flooding challenges that might require special attention.

Devolution CS who distributed relief food to residents of Wajir on Sunday said they will use military helicopters to deliver exam papers in centres cut off by floods.

On Monday, Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang said they were working closely with the Environment Ministry to get updates on the weather situation.

Kipsang spoke after visiting Nairobi Primary School during the KCPE exam rehearsal.

“We have acquired choppers that will be used in places where the rain has cut off the road,” Kenya National Examinations Council CEO Mercy Karogo said on Monday.

The security officers are expected to guard the papers both in examination centres and the containers at the county and subcounty levels.

They will also accompany headteachers who also double up as centre managers to collect the exam papers from the storage containers every morning and in the evening when the papers are returned to the containers for collection.

A command centre has been set up at Jogoo House from where all security operations will be monitored and coordinated. The government is also banking on surveillance to close in on possible use of gadgets to facilitate cheating and early exposure of the exam papers.

“I can say for sure that our centre managers, supervisors and invigilators are adequately prepared. We ask the centre managers to take charge of their centres,” Kipsang said.

During the Monday rehearsals, the supervisors and invigilators were expected to ensure the candidates and the schools were properly registered and that the rules and procedures to be followed during the exam were clear to everyone.

They were also to ensure exam rooms have proper lighting, ventilation and that candidates have appropriate seats. Writings or drawings that can affect the exam must not be in the exam room or with the precincts of the centre.

This year’s exam will mark a shift in the use of traditional index numbers that ranked students according to performance. Candidates will instead use their admission numbers.

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Latest NewsPolitics

Mzee Moi admitted to ICU, experiencing difficulty in breathing

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former President Daniel Moi is admitted at The Nairobi Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.

Moi was rushed to the hospital on Thursday last week from his Kabarnet Gardens home, Nairobi, barely two weeks after being discharged from the hospital after a medical checkup.

According to the sources that spoke to the Star, Mzee Moi is experiencing difficulty in breathing.

“It is something to do with the breathing system. He is experiencing difficulty in breathing,” a doctor who sought not to be identified was quoted by the Star.

The local daily reports that Moi’s press secretary Lee Njiru, who is away in Nakuru county, Moi’s rural home, dismissed the hospitalisation claims, saying the retired President was relaxing at his Kabarnet Gardens home.

“Retired President Moi is relaxing at Kabarnet Gardens. He left the hospital like two weeks ago. He is not back to the hospital but is resting at his home,” Moi’s long-serving spokesman emphasised.

However, Kanu secretary Nick Salat confirmed that Moi is admitted at the hospital “for a regular check-up and not in the ICU”.

Salat said Moi had gone to the facility two days ago for a check-up, which had been scheduled the last time he was there.

“He was there some days back and had just returned as requested by his doctors. He is an old man and regular check-ups for people of his age are just normal,” he added.

He continued,“Mzee has grown old and every day he is okay we thank God. We all have people who are of that age and they go to the hospital every other time.”

Moi is under the care of his personal doctor, David Silverstein.

Moi was discharged from the same hospital on October 16 and was taken to Kabarnet Gardens, which is a few kilometres from the facility.

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Business

Goldenscape merges with Silverstone to enable investors own land

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Local agribusiness company Goldenscape has merged with Silverstone Property sellers to enable investors own land in addition to leasing greenhouses.

The offer will see investors own land in prime spots in major towns in Kenya by contributing 85 per cent of Sh500,000 capital of the home through roll over from their Agribusiness returns and pay in flexible instalments.
“We decided to merge the two projects owing to the demand we have from our clients, who have enjoyed returns from the green houses,” said Goldenscape Group chairman Peter Wangai.

The company plans to launch their agribusiness model of land ownership countrywide after a successful 100- acre pilot phase in Laikipia County which started in April last year. The move comes after the firm successfully rolled out the lease a greenhouse project where more than 500 investors took up the opportunity that has seen them earn more than Sh30 million from sale of horticultural produce grown in their leased greenhouses.

Apart from greenhouse management, the firm sells the groceries on behalf of the owners, partnering with more than 3,000 grocery stores to stock and sell the produce.

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Silverstone Air plane makes emergency landing after losing a rear tire

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A Silverstone Air plane that took off from Lodwar at around 9.30am on Monday had to make an emergency landing at the Elodret International Airport after losing a rear tire.

On board were, nine people, four passengers and five crew members who all safely landed. 

According to One of the Silverstone officials, the captain of the plane decided to land in Eldoret International Airport in the interests of the continued safety of the passengers and crew.

The official said that the emergency landing was purely a precautionary action and the aircraft landed safely. 

The official also assured their customers that they have taken appropriate measures to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew.

Uasin Gishu County Commander Johnstone Ipara while speaking to our K24’s Eldoret-based correspondent, Timothy Simwa, confirmed that they received reports from their counterparts in Lodwar that the aircraft had a technical problem which necessitated an emergency landing.

“We put measures in place to make sure that those on board alighted safely.” Johnstone Ipara said 

“Nobody was injured, nobody panicked or fainted, all of them walked out majestically, humbly.”

The Police county boss also warned those spreading fake news on social media and asked them to verify information before sharing. 

“Those spreading the ‘purported’ right information on social media must always strive to get the right information before they feed Kenyans with misinformation that may cause fear and panic particularly to the families of those on board.”

“Through the proper training the pilot has undergone, he was able to land safely and in a professional way. The landing was safer than any other.”

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Court orders immediate closure of four Kilimani palatial bars

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The Environment and Land Court in Nairobi has ordered the immediate closure of four bars, B Club, Kiza Restaurant, Space Lounge and Explorers Tavern over noise pollution.

The court declared the clubs business permits illegal.

Justice Loice Komingoi issued the ruling on Monday after Kilimani residents sued pubs over loud music played daily and for hosting rowdy and drunken revelers.

The residents claimed that the loud activities have deprived them of their sleep and security.

Further, the Kilimani residents claimed that the clubs were a bad influence on the moral development of their children.  

“Some of the negative effects from the establishment are littering by patrons, obstruction, exposure to immoral and indecent behaviour by the patrons inside their vehicles,” the residents claimed.

The value of their property, the tenants claimed, has also depreciated as a result of the nearby degrading activities.

However, the court issued a stay of execution for 30 days.

The closure order is set to be executed by the Nairobi County government, National Environment Management Authority and Nairobi City County Alcoholic Drinks and Licensing Board.

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Politics

Flamboyant City Lawyer issues chilling advice to Kibra residents on voting Mariga

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

As Kibra constituency by election campaigns continue getting hotter as days elapse, flamboyant city lawyer Donald Kipkorir has issued a chilling advice to Kibra residents on voting Jubilee candidate McDonald Mariga.

Just a day after Deputy President Dr William Ruto storming Kibra with a tight security to woe voters, the city lawyer has taken to social media to criticise Jubilee’s campaign strategy.

According to Donald Kipkorir, for Kibra people be told that “someone who wasn’t born in Kibra, semi-illiterate and hasn’t voted and wont vote for himself will bring you development is witchcraft! “

The lawyer tells Kibra residents further that Kibra is part of Kenya and if they lack roads and better houses, they should blame the successive governments that have been in power since 1963.

“Dear Kibra: Kibra is part of Kenya & if you lack roads, houses et al blame the successive Gov’ts that have been in power since 1963 …. To be told that someone who wasn’t born in Kibra, semi-illiterate & hasn’t voted & wont vote for himself will bring you dev’t is witchcraft! ” reads Donald Kipkorir’s tweet.

His advice comes a day after DP Ruto being criticised by Kenyans on twitter of tight security he displayed during a campaign rally at Lindi grounds in Kibra where he promised to transform Kibra to a city within Nairobi.

Mariga will face off with ODM’s Imran Bernard Okoth, ANC’s Eliud Owalo, Ford Kenya’s Khamisi Butichi among others on November 7.

The Kibra parliamentary seat fell vacant following the demise of Ken Okoth who succumbed to cancer.

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Latest News

Dandora dumpsite to become a recreational park

by The Star
written by The Star

Nairobi County Government intends to convert the Dandora dumpsite into a recreational park after it is decommissioned.

This is one of the highlights of the County Annual Development Plan 2020-2021. Previously the authorities intended to relocate the dumpsite.

CADP says methane will be generated from the residual waste at the dumpsite for power generation.

In July last year, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko said an energy recycling plant will cost the county Sh28 billion.

Sonko had at the time said the county was in the final stages of awarding a contract for the construction of the plant. There is no contract one and a quarter years later.

There will be no need to relocate the dumpsite since the recycling plant will convert the waste into 160MW clean and renewable energy per day.

However, in August this year, there were reports that the waste-to-energy recycling plant could take longer to be set up.

The county government was said to be scouting for technology specifically designed for the circular model of waste management proposed by authorities.

Yesterday, County Executive for Environment Vesca Kangogo said, “The Dandora dumpsite will still be operational but the dumpsite will be eventually decommissioned in an environmentally sound manner and eventually turned into a park.”

The county plans to have two landfills at Kamukunji and Lang’ata fore waste that cannot be recycled after the phase-out of the Dandora dumpsite.

Before then, a feasibility study will be done to come up with recommendations for a Resettlement Action Plan for households likely to be affected since the sites will be near human settlements, Kangogo said.

Kangogo told the Star that consultations were ongoing with the national government and the Public-Private Partnership Unit on the best way to get an investor to do the project.

Dandora dumpsite holds over 1.8 million tons of solid waste against 500,000 tons capacity.

More than 2,500 tonnes of waste is deposited at the site daily.

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Politics

Uhuru exposes ‘con’ politician

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Politicians have over a long period of time used little chances available to loot from public coffers. Most of them have been quoting high figures when they get a chance to be in charge of any development. Do you remember the incident where ex-Kasarani MP Elizabeth Ongoro used National Government Constituency Development Fund amounting to Ksh 48 million to build a non-existent Kasarani Girls High School?

Well, last month, one of the leading Kenya’s local dailies reported on a senior politician who had hatched a plot with some international businessmen to persuade President Uhuru Kenyatta to purchase a new ship for the refurbished Kisumu port.

Two weeks ago while inaugurating the Nairobi-Suswa SGR line, Uhuru made it public that indeed, the individual had attempted to present his scheme were it not for the Kenya Navy that told him that the vessel could not cost what the politician had quoted.

During Mashujaa Day celebrations, in Mombasa, the politician is said to have attempted to whisper to Kenyatta that it was unfair to embarrass him in public. Those in know say the President brushed him off.

On July 6, during his two-day private visit to Tanzania, Uhuru and Magufuli resolved to revamp ferry services on Lake Victoria.

The two heads of states noted that regular maritime travel between Kisumu, Mwanza, Bukoba and other ports on Africa’s largest lake “will help create employment, enhance connectivity and spur related economic activities.”

Kisumu Port has been under utilized for over 20 years.

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Politics

Public Service boss reveals why Uhuru can’t appoint youths to senior government posts

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The Public Service boss Prof Margaret Kobia has dismissed claims that President Uhuru Kenyatta has been overlooking the youth when making senior government appointments.

Speaking when she appeared on K24 TV’s Punchline on Sunday night, Prof Kobia said that if Uhuru appoints a 25-year-old to chair a board, they will feel inadequate because they lack experience.

“If you appoint a 25-year-old to chair a board, they will feel inadequate because they lack experience. And this is not a full time job, it pays so little. They only sit quarterly; it is not about the old versus the young. It is about the skills you bring to the table at the time,” said Prof Kobia.

Last week, the Employment Court ordered the suspension of former Othaya MP Mary Wambui’s appointment to the National Employment Authority (NEA) board.

Justice Hellen Wasilwa directed that Ms Wambui should not assume office until a petition challenging her appointment is heard and determined.

Her appointment was contested by the Kenya Young Parliamentarians, who claimed that the Othaya MP is not qualified to lead NEA as its chairperson.

But the Public Service CS said their dispute is tainted by gender bias and they will take up the matter on behalf of Ms Wambui, even though the negative publicity may push the Othaya MP to reconsider the appointment.  

The petitioner claimed that the former Othaya MP does not meet the requirements set by Section 10(2) of the National Employment Authority Act, which requires at least seven years of experience in human resource management.

The Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association is headed by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja.  

Ms Wambui was appointed as the NEA chairperson on October 14, by the Labour CS Ukur Yattani.

But Ms Wambui defended her appointment last week, saying that she got the job because “she is better than those complaining.”

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Politics

Public Service CS defends Mary Wambui’s appointment to employment body

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia has defended former Othaya MP Mary Wambui’s appointment to the National Employment Authority (NEA) board.

Speaking when she appeared on K24 TV’s Punchline on Sunday, Prof Kobia said the attacks on Ms Wambui were unwarranted and motivated by gender bias.

“I did not take it very kindly that Mary Wambui was being dragged into that kind of a conversation that she was not qualified. One, I saw gender issues there. If it was a man, nobody would have talked.

“In a board you do not make decisions alone, it is a total sum of the skills mix on the table. We did not give Mary a chance to lead this board. Leading at the board is strategic and about policy. Since it has now been surrounded by negativity she may reconsider. My ministry was offended by her being picked on, there are many men who have been given that job, older than her, and nobody said anything,” said CS Kobia.

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Latest News

ISIS leader Bakr Al-Baghdadi killed by the US Forces

by Gabriel Omolo
written by Gabriel Omolo

ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi has been confirmed dead following an attack by US forces on a compound in Syria believed to be his.

Baghdadi detonated an explosive device after he was cornered in a dead end tunnel killing himself and three of his children.

The US confirmed the attack on Sunday with President Donald Trump issuing a press conference at white house in Washington dc.

In the presser that lasted close to one hour, president Trump narrated how the US forces used intelligence from the Kurds and cooperation from Russia, Iraq, Syria ans Turkey forces making the operation successful.

“He died like a dog, crying, whimpering like a coward,” said President Trump.

Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi who held a PHD in Islamic studies, founded ISIS later renamed ISIL and bcame its leader in 2014 after declaring himself the caliph the would be successor of prophet Mohammed.

ISIL carried out attacks around the world including in East Africa with their affiliate group Jahba East Africa(a break away of Al-Shabaab) based in Somalia.

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Crime & Investigations

75-yr-old Kakamega man caught defiling a 14-year-old girl in a thicket

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A 75-year-old man from Ikolomani in Kakamega County was on Saturday evening (October 26) arrested on suspicion of defiling a 14-year-old girl.

The suspect allegedly lured the teenager into a thicket, where he is said to have committed the crime.

Police say the septuagenarian “paid” the girl Ksh100 for the act.

He will be arraigned on Monday, October 28.

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Politics

Government dismisses reports on Dedan Kimathi’s grave

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The Interior Ministry has dismissed claims that the grave of iconic freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi has been found at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.

In a tweet, on Saturday the ministry said: “Our attention has been drawn to news on some platforms that the grave of our freedom fighter Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi has been found at Kamiti Prison.”

They cautioned the public not to believe any information on the same unless it is communicated by the ministry through official communication channels.

“Please note these claims are False; such info will be relayed to the public only via our official communication channels,” read part of the tweet.

The Dedan Kimathi Foundation on Friday said they had located the grave of Dedan Kimathi at Kamiti Maximum Prison, Nairobi.

The foundation’s CEO Wanjugu said the news is not only a relief to the family but also to the larger freedom struggle heroes fraternity.

Wanjugu said they were waiting for orders from the Chief Justice David Maraga on excavation and exhumation of his remains before arranging for a decent send-off.

Dedan died in February 1957 at the age of 37 after being convicted and executed for murder and terrorism by the British colonial government.

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