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Beatrice Elachi On The Spot Over Irregular Promotions

by Yahil Felix September 27, 2021

Former Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi is on the spot over promotion of 28 senior officers when she was serving as the county speaker. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is currently investigating an alleged irregular promotion of the officers between 2017 and 2020 by Elachi who was then the chair of County Assembly Public Service Board.

The CAS have been accused of conducting the promotions in total disregard of the law and due process. A letter from the EACC to the clerk of the county assembly dated September 22 read, “The Commission pursuant to its constitutional and statutory mandate is investigating allegations of abuse of office against Hon. Beatrice Elachi, the former Speaker and Chair, Nairobi City County Assembly Service Board and the illegal conduct of the board.”

Sources reveal that Elachi and the board are being accused of conducting promotions without requisite budgetary provisions. They did not take budgetary provisions nor engage the Commission for Revenue Allocation to cater for the promotions in 2019.

They further stated that their actions strained the budget and led to the suspension of critical services to allow the assembly to pay salaries. This led to creation of bills worth 51 million by the end of the financial year 2020/2021. The board is further accused of bias and discrimination while carrying out direct appointments; “favoring contract employees related to the chairperson of the board as of 2019.”

It is revealed that the assembly had 18 interns but all their services were terminated except for a few. Later on, the terminated interns were recalled and employed on contract. In addition, the officers continued to earn salaries without contracts of employment, leading to loss of public fund.

Other allegations include; disregard for schemes of service in terms of qualification and experience there was appointment of officers to positions they were not qualified for, others were promoted and appointed to positions that were not vacant, leading to redundancies, overlaps and loss of funds. Further, the move by the board to create two offices of the Deputy Clerk is a matter of concern to EACC.

The Commission has requested to be furnished with documents that will assist in further investigations. It further wants personal documents of the Deputy Clerk Administration and all the Directors of the Nairobi County Assembly Service Board. It further wants the list of all principal officers, senior officers and all officers given direct appointments among other documents. Elachi however denied receiving any letter from the EACC

September 27, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

Who Will Marry Us? Women In Murang’a Decry Shortage Of Men

by Yahil Felix September 27, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

Women organizations and men advocacy groups in Murang’a have expressed their worries offer dwindling numbers of men in the region. They have warned that there might be a marriage crisis if this issue is not resolved. They attributed the dwindling numbers to mob lynching and imprisonment of young men.

Interior CS Kranja Kibicho while launching Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) against narcotics and illicit brews in Thika last week, he said that 30,000 youth in Central region have died since July 2015 and 40 percent are from Murang’a. This is at the time Uhuru Kenyatta ordered a crackdown on illicit brews in the area.

Central Region Commissioner Simon Nyagwanga added that the main threats against the boy child are being played out in the 280,855 population of those in the ages between 20 to 29 years. He said that the nonsense of illicit brews, mob lynching and narcotics and all threats to legit enterprise must be deal with firmly and in civility through education and religion.

In another event, Joseph Kibugi of the Kibugi wa Ihii Foundation said that the society must realize it is molding and empowering the girl child to become a family woman in an environment of depleting potential husbands. “Everyday, we see at least 400 boy child population being sentenced to jail in Murang’a courts. In the past one month, approximately 21 males here were killed by mob lynching,” said Kibugi.

He said before thinking of shipping women to be married, they should preserve their numbers to ensure they can bring in girls from other counties to ensure they sustain their population. Various groups blamed the DCI for failing to come up with a structured way of dealing with organized crime. They cited that this has led to mafia-like illicit brews, narcotics and vigilante cartels that have continued to threaten the male population.

Former Nyumba Kumi National Security Initiative Chairman Joseph Kaguthi said that what is happening in Murang’a is a calculated move to destroy families. He said while in office, he was privy to undeclared position that Murang’a County is a dumping area for illicit brews. He castigated the society for being hostile to men and does not care to correct the delinquents before they are jailed or lynched. He finished that Murang’a is a county that if not given special attention, will wipe out its men.

September 27, 2021 0 comment

Politics

Meet Former MP Who Now Sells Wines And Spirits After Losing His Seat

by Yahil Felix September 27, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

After 2013, life has never been the same for former Maragua MP Peter Kamande Wambuku. Having served two times, he was first elected to parliament in 2002 and later in 2013 where he recently lost to Wamaua, he is now wine and spirits distributor in Ciumbu Village, Makuyu in Murang’a County.

He was left with no option and resorted to distributing liquor in Saba Saba, Kabati, Kaharati and Makuyu. However, sources reveal that life has never been the same for the former politician, he faced a stiff competition from well-established sellers in Kobil town. This forced him to shut down his shop and relocate to Ciumbu village, next to his small hotel and butchery.

Photo: Peter Kamande with ANC Party leader Musalia Mudavadi/ Courtesy

Sources reveal that Kamande has not been doing well financially when the school he had opened closed down due to COVID-19. Further reports indicate that unlike other politicians, Peter Kamande dd not relocate to posh estates in Nairobi and during his time as an MP, he was always seen in the village.

Residents claim he lived a simple life and after losing to former MP Elias Mbau in 2017, he moved to Mombasa, Saba Saba area where he was purportedly employed as a lorry driver. Reports say that tycoons in Maragua were not happy with Mbau’s leadership and they told Kamande that they would sponsor him to vie. He was however unlucky during Jubilee nominations.

It is believed that Kamande has a huge following in Makuyu, Saba Saba and Kamahuha areas. To save his political career, he has collaborated with ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi and he has been made the ANC party leader in Murang’a County.

September 27, 2021 0 comment

Politics

DP Ruto Shares His ‘Brilliant’ Economic Idea, Slams Politicians Claiming He Is Inciting The Youth

by Yahil Felix September 27, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

Over the weekend, the deputy president William Ruto took his his campaign to Meru. While addressing the residents, he claimed that there is a group of people who want to decide the country’s direction as elections nears. He alleged that they have a plot to ensure the political direction favors them.

Photo: DP Ruto in Makutano, Meru County on Sunday/ Courtesy

He said ‘hustler nation’ won’t accept a few people too decide fate for Kenyans, and for them to change the constitution to create positions at the expense of the people. “They have created a gang to conspire against us. But can they defeat all hustlers of Kenya?,”Ruto posed while addressing the residents of Makutano in North Imenti. He was accompanied by Senator Mithika Linthuri and eight MPs.

He slammed his political opponents for spreading lies that he is inciting the youth through his hustler nation bottom-up approach. He said he wants to change the economy and empower the less privileged, not changing the constitution as others were working for. He blamed the ‘elite’ for working on changing the constitution to create positions for themselves instead of prioritizing the economy. “They should allow us change the economy first,” said Ruto while adding that mama mbogas, boda boda operators and small scale traders want the economy to be improved first.

He said empowering the small scale traders and creating jobs for the jobless youth will enable the country to raise money through taxes which in turn will reduce the dependence on international borrowing. He asked the people to support UDA now that Jubilee Party had been weakened by ‘outsiders.’ He said he created a national party that unites al and one that plans for development, adding that the same ‘visitors’ messed the big four agenda too.

Senator Mithika Linturi and MPs John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South, and Halima Mucheke (nominated) said Meru supports UDA and the deputy president and that they are confident he will win the next general elections.

September 27, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

Mother, Three Children Die As Fire Razes Down Their House

by Yahil Felix September 25, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

Residents of Taru in Kwale County are mourning the death of three children and their mother after fire razed down their house. The are police boss Fred Ombaka said that the fire whose caused was not established was reported to him on Friday at 10 pm by the chief.

He then sent an emergency report team as soon as he received the news. However, they could not save the mother and her children from the house within Taru trading center. The police boss added that the three were inside the house when the fire broke out, “We are investigating the case,” said Ombaka.

Taru chief Raphael Rurumo said the house belongs to one Hussein Mwanyikombo, a teacher at Egu Primary School. Mwanyikombo had gone to watch football at the nearest trading center when the incident occurred. A nyumba kumi representative Muthui Makau revealed that the fire might have started after a PVC caught fire. He said there was no electricity at that time and the family lit a candle. The four bodies were taken to Kinango mortuary.

September 25, 2021 0 comment

DP Ruto Buys An Umbrella For Ksh 20,000 In Migori

by Yahil Felix September 25, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

The deputy president William Ruto on Saturday took his campaign to Okoth Obados backyard. Residents thronged the area to witness the second in command and the politicians who accompanied him. While addressing a crowd on the roadside, he saw a woman identified as Mackline Otieno carrying an umbrella and he asked her if she could pass it to him.

Mackline quickly gave it to Ruto who was addressing the crowd on top of his vehicle. He in turn gave shillings 20,000 to the woman. In another incident, a man walking in crutches asked to be allowed to have a word with the deputy president. He got his surprise of the day when he was also given Ksh 20,0000.

Ruto also donated Ksh 2 million to boda boda saccos and small scale traders in the area. While addressing the residents, he blamed president Uhuru Kenyatta for frustrating his presidential bid, adding that his only hope now lies with ordinary Kenyans.

He criticized the government for failing to secure the economic welfare of Kenyans. He said that the work of the government is to make policies that ensure the youths are employed, or they can run their own business. Ruto pledged to allocate 120 million to support small scale traders across the country.

September 25, 2021 0 comment

Others

All Vehicles To Be Blocked From Picking And Dropping Passengers In Nairobi Petrol Stations

by Yahil Felix September 25, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

Public Service Vehicles in Nairobi are yet to be blocked from picking and dropping passengers in the city’s petrol stations. This is if a motion presented before the county assembly of Nairobi sponsored by Umoja One MCA Mugambi, goes through.

The MCA wants the executive and the Nairobi Metropolitan Service to issue a public notice prohibiting all PSVs from terminating at petrol stations to either pick or drop passengers. The MCA argued that the lives of Kenyans are being put at risk. Noting that petrol stations are places where highly flammable substances are sold. They are dangerous zones where deaths can easily occur in case of an explosion. Mugambi added that leaders have the task of saving lives. “There are better places where PSVs can do their business away from danger,” he said.

He said that most PSVs have colluded with corrupt county officials to set up such stations oblivious of the danger they pose. Sources reveal that most petrol stations in Nairobi offer parking and other services to matatus. The county government issued a similar directive in 2019 but it failed to take effect. The county is currently struggling with space as the Green park terminus which would provide an alternative is still closed.

September 25, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

Woman Arrested After Hacking Son To Death Over Ksh 100

by Yahil Felix September 25, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

Police in Kitui have arrested a woman accused of hacking her son with a panga in Kaveta area, Kitui Central. According to witnesses, the woman attacked her 10 year-old son with a cane before hacking him with the panga for losing sh 100.

Sources say that the boy had been sent by the mother to off set a bill but returned later that he had lost the amount. Kaveta Chief Jemmy Kalua has confirmed the heinous act, adding that investigations into the matter have commenced. His body has been moved to Kitui County Referral Hospital Mortuary.

September 25, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

Dramatic Scenes In Nairobi CBD After Police Shoot Boda Boda Rider Over Bribe

by Yahil Felix September 25, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

There were dramatic scenes in Nairobi CBD after a police officer allegedly shot and killed a boda boda rider after disagreeing over a bribe. The incident that happened along Kirinyaga Road irked residents and they began engaging the police in running battles.

According to sources, the plain clothes officer demanded a bribe from the rider but he refused, prompting the officer to brandish his gun and shot him to death. The incident that happened at Simba Coach area sparked protests from angry boda boda operators. Starehe Member of Parliament Hon. Charles Njagua commonly known as Jaguar joined them to protest the brutality of the officers from Kamukunji Police Station.

Police brutality has been on the rise recently, John Kiiru was shot by the police for allegedly violating curfew rules which prompted angry protests from the residents.

September 25, 2021 0 comment

Politics

Rigathi Gachagua Sends Stern Warning To Waiguru Over Joining UDA

by Mustafa Juma September 25, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua has warned Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru over her decision to ditch President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party for Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

According to Gachagua, UDA is the party that has been chosen by Mt. Kenya people.

The embattled lawmaker now warns that should Waiguru continue ignoring Kirinyaga residents’ party of choice, she risks facing the wrath of the people which he says is more ruthless and long term than State persecution.

Gachagua went ahead to warn that Waiguru will lose her gubernatorial seat in 2022 should she fail to honour residents’ call for her to join UDA.

The warning comes just days after the Krinyaga county chief hinted at decamping the Uhuru camp for the DP Ruto’s hustler nation.

“We applaud Governor Waiguru for the courage, I know they will pester her here and there. But it is better for her to be pestered by police than be punished by citizens. You know the citizens’ punishment is legal it has no appeal once they are done with you it is five years, but this thing of being apprehended on Monday, Friday is a simple thing,” Rigathi told Waiguru.

The Mathira MP who once served as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s personal assistance further extended the welcoming arm to other Jubilee members stating that UDA’s window is wide open for them.

“UDA is a very popular party here and we want to say that all those who are coming are welcome, our party is very democratic, very wide and we will accommodate everybody,” he remarked.

Waiguru’s hint at joining UDA has ignited political rivalry in the region. Kirinyaga County Woman Representative Purity Ngirici is among the closest allies of Ruto who are seeking to battle it out with Waiguru.

Ngirici has already made her bid and has been on several campaign trails to popularise herself to the Kirinyaga electorates.

On her part, Ngirici has maintained that she is ready to face Waiguru in a fair UDA nomination if she makes real her decision to ditch the Jubilee party.

Apart from Ngirici, NARC-Kenya party leader Martha Karua is also in the race to try and unseat Waiguru. Karua has also made it bold that she will be taking her second stab at the Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat after losing in the 2017 General election even after staging several court cases.

Waiguru had earlier admitted that she would lose the Kirinyaga seat if she risked defending it on a Jubilee party ticket.

September 25, 2021 0 comment

Business

Oparanya Exposes Cartels Behind Sugar Factories’ Death

by Yahil Felix September 24, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

Sugar factories in Kenya have for a long time struggled to revive, with mismanagement and lack of funds being pointed out as the main hurdle.

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has opened up on why these factories have been struggling all along.

The county chief who spoke spoke on Thursday at Bukura Agricultural Training Collage while meeting sugarcane farmers said efforts to revive the factories are hindered by cartels with selfish interests.

“They want to ensure the factories don’t revive. They want the industry dead so that they can continue smuggling cheap imports into the country,” he said.

He added that the cartels have been using their illegally acquired money to ensure revival efforts don’t succeed.

He revealed that these cartels are working with elected leaders to further their selfish interests at the expense of the industry and farmers.

Oparanya accused some local leaders of working with cartels to kill the local sugar sector.

He said that politics have contributed to the collapse of Mumias Sugar Factory and the government currently has no say in the management of the company after it was put under receivership.

He has urged members of the public to avoid electing leaders who have selfish interests.

Oparanya served as a co-chairman to a task force created by Uhuru Kenyatta to investigate what was ailing the sector and suggest solutions.

September 24, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

Woman Allegedly Raped By Her Area Chief In Kericho Arrested

by Yahil Felix September 24, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a woman who was allegedly raped by her area chief in Kericho.

According to DCI boss George Kinoti, the woman only identified as Mercy is believed to have falsely accused her area chief of forcing himself on her, after her husband discovered that the two have been having a clandestine sexual affair since August.

The chief was on Wednesday on spotlight after allegations that he was caught with someone’s wife. Such an embarrassment went throughout the Cheptagulgei village in Londiani.

In a serious case lodged at Londiani police station on Tuesday afternoon, the woman from Kimasian location who was accompanied by her husband alleged that the area chief had stormed her homestead earlier in the day and ordered her out of the house.

“She further alleged that when she obliged, the chief then forced her into a nearby maize plantation where he raped her repeatedly. Detectives launched immediate investigations into the serious allegations against the local administrator who had since been detained,” said Kinoti.

DCI further reveals that when she accepted, the chief allegedly forced her in a nearby maize plantation and raped her.

Investigations revealed that the chief and Mercy have been in a relationship.

One message found on her phone revealed said, “Let’s meet hapo mahindi yenu,” the chief has also been sending her some money as records displayed she had received Ksh 327 followed by a message, “Nimekuwekea kitu tupatane I give you.”

the two were in constant communication and had agreed to meet at their usual place. “Let’s meet hapo mahindi yenu,” read one of the messages sent by the Chief on Sunday. On Tuesday another message followed followed “nimekuwekea kitu tupatane I give you….”
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) September 24, 2021

The husband stumbled upon text messages and discovered both have been going for their steamy session in a nearby maize plantation.

To revenge, she came up with the falsified claims against the local administrator.

It took the DCI’s intervention to save the chief’s name. They have warned the public against making such false allegations for revenge.

September 24, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations Latest News

Post-Mortem Reveals New Details of What Killed Nakuru Doctor Accused of Killing Children

by Yahil Felix September 24, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

Over the past few days, the whole country was in shock after a doctor based in Nakuru allegedly killed his two children. Reports indicate that Dr. Gakara injected a substance believed to be insulin on his children aged five and and three years old.

According to various sources, Dr. Gakara committed the beastly act after a disagreement with his wife who had made arrangements to go further her studies abroad. His sister however denied the allegations. While speaking to the press, she said that his brother is a cool person who would do anything to protect his children. The claims that he disagreed with wife on going abroad for studies is false because he knew about the plans and supported it by paying for her school fees, said Dr. Gakara’s sister.

Photo: Dr. Gakara’s family members while waiting for post-mortem results on Friday [Courtesy]

The doctor was declared dead a few days after fighting for his life in the ICU. A government pathologist by the name Titus Ngulungu on Friday released the results of the post-mortem done on Gakara’s body. The results showed that Dr. Gakara died as a result of ingesting a foreign substance. He stated that there were injection marks on his arm but they are not sure if the substance was injected by the deceased or by another doctor.

Dr. Ngulungu has urged his family to go on with his burial as they have taken samples of his tissues and organs to establish if he might have been killed. The other results will be out but not sure when. The post-mortem done on the two minors could not establish what exactly killed them and detectives took their samples for further investigations. The two children and their father will be buried in their Mbaruuk home in Gilgil sub-county on Tuesday.

September 24, 2021 1 comment

Government Bans Mashujaa Day Celebrations In Counties

by Yahil Felix September 24, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

There is a new twist of events this time as the government bans Mashujaa Day Celebrations. In an announcement made on Friday, the government said that there won’t be such celebration as usual in counties due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo:Uhuru Kenyatta during the past Mashujaa Day [Courtesy}

The national celebration which was earmarked to be celebrated this time in Kirinyaga County will no longer be held. Traditionally, the event was celebrated at Nyayo Natinal Stadium since independence, but Uhuru’s government adopted a new policy which required it to be celebrated on rotation basis in counties. Last year’s celebration was held at Gusii Stadium in Kisii County.

Mashujaa Day is an important fete in Kenya celebrated on 20th of October every year. This was done as a commemoration of the first president of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta and the important task he took in fighting for independence from the British. He was arrested and detained alongside six others where they were later came to be known as the ‘Kapenguria Six.’

Photo: Billboard bearing Uhuru Kenyatta’s picture that had been erected during Mashujaa day celebration in Kisii [Courtesy].

September 24, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

Man Accused Of Shooting Ronalo Foods Owner Makes New Demands, Sentencing Stopped

by Yahil Felix September 24, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

In June this year, a man accused of shooting Nairobi hotelier William Osewe pleaded to be acquitted after he was prosecuted for attempting to kill the businessman.

In his argument, the accused, Tom Mboya said he was acting in self defense after the victim accosted him several times with allegation that he was having an affair with his wife.

The senior Counsel Tom Ojienda argued citing several cases where Mboya was threatened with possibility of elimination.

On Thursday, the accused requested the court to be given more time to obtain evidence before a verdict is made.

Tom Mboya was supposed to be sentenced on Thursday but the lawyer made the surprising application. The defense team argued that allowing the suspect more time to adduce evidence would shed more light on the case and offer a fair judgement to both parties.

Photo: Complainant and Ronalo Foods owner, William Osewe [Courtesy]

The defense team however declined saying the accused wants to buy time after knowing things were not going well for him.

In his defense, Mboya said his actions were only self defense since Osewe is always armed. However, the defense team led by Anderson Gikunda urged the court to find him guilty and sentence him, arguing that it is by chance Osewe is alive.

Tom Mboya said that Osewe has huge influence and he was afraid when he was followed by the complainant and cocked his hand twice but did not shoot.

He further stated that he shot the complainant’s hand to disarm him. “He once told me he would chop off my manhood if I don’t stop sleeping with his wife,” said Mboya.

The ruling on whether to allow his plea will be made on September 27th.

September 24, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

New Twist As Gun Belonging To Mombasa Police Boss is Found Despite His Robbing Claims

by Yahil Felix September 24, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

On Monday, Mombasa police commander George Kingi lost his gun and claimed that he was accosted by three armed men in TukTuk at around 10 pm as he was going home. They obstructed he road and robbed him the gun. However, there is a new twist after reports indicate that the boss’ driver found the gun behind his house. Police Constable Silas Kimani, his driver, said he found the gun wrapped in a disposable bag behind Mr. Kingi’s house.

Photo: Mombasa County Police Commander Manase Musyoka [Courtesy]

This could raise questions on his earlier claims that he was robbed. During that time, the gun had 15 bullets, further reports indicate that Mr. Kimani found it while he was supervising a laborer who was cutting grass in the compound. Manase Musyoka, the Coastal Regional Commander has said that the case is still under investigation.

September 24, 2021 0 comment

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