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  • LSK President Havi eyes Westlands MP seat

    by Diana Wambui

    (dianangotho17@gmail.com)

    President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Nelson Havi – Citizen TV

    The president of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Nelson Havi, on Tuesday showed interest in running for the Westland’s MP seat in the upcoming 2022 elections.

    In a short statement via his Twitter on Monday, the 34-year-old staunch lawyer made a shift from law to politics.

    “I have accepted the request of the people of Westlands constituency to serve them and the Nation in that capacity effective August 2022 or earlier if Parliament is dissolved,” said Havi.

    His new inclination was brought about by the residents of Westland’s constituency, who are banking on his leadership skills. The constituency has 5 wards namely Kitisuru, Karura, Kangemi and Mountain View located in the Suburban areas of Nairobi County.

    Havi went ahead to outline duties of MPs as members of National Assembly stating, “The constitution enumerates functions and duties of a member of National Assembly making laws, protecting the constitution, determining allocation of national revenue and oversight of its expenditure, reviewing conduct of state officers and oversight of state organs, infrastructural development, wealth creation and poverty alleviation at the constituency level.”

    Nelson Havi vows to check on government excesses and to serve diligently leaving no stones unturned. The outspoken lawyer has had quite a tumultuous journey in the Judiciary.

    The advocate was always a top performer throughout his primary and secondary education, and his father’s death during the 1992 post-election violence encouraged him to be a lawyer.

    The incumbent Tim Wanyonyi is serving his second term on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket since 2013. He is currently eyeing the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the next general elections after he shut down rumours of Bungoma bid.

    Nelson Havi will rival Arthur Mandela an award winning Kenyan vlogger of 31 years of age in the upcoming poll. Arthur Mandela alias Xtian Dela, expressed his disappointment on Twitter over lack of support from young people who he claims to be representing.

    The latter was responsible for the “Club Covid” invention in 2020 on Instagram at the helm of Covid-19, capturing young women competing in inappropriate dance contests over a cash price. He came under fire from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and three parents who sued him for airing explicit content and infringing on rights of teenagers.

    Whereas the future is uncertain for the two aspirants, the answer lies with the registered voters.

  • WHO classifies India variant as ‘global concern’

    By Rozanne Nthambi.

    (rozannenthambi37@gmail.com)

    A Covid-19 patient rests inside a banquet hall temporarily converted into a Covid care centre in New Delhi – AFP

    The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday classified the Coronavirus variant first found in India, as a global “variant of concern”. The organization said studies of the variant known as B.1.617, show that it may be more transmissible than others.

    Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical lead for Covid-19 in the WHO said that the variant may also be able to evade some of the protections provided by vaccines. The shots, however, are still considered effective.

    “And as such, we are classifying this as a variant of concern at the global level,” said Maria in a press conference. “Even though there is increased transmissibly demonstrated by some preliminary studies, we need much more information about this variant in this lineage, in all of the sub lineages, so we need more sequencing, targeted sequencing to be done.”

    According to WHO, a variant can be labeled as “of concern” if it has been shown to be more contagious, more deadly or more resistant to current vaccines and treatments.

    The group however issued a clarification to their earlier remarks to state that Covid-19 vaccines “remain effective at preventing disease and death in people infected with this variant.”

    WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom attends a press conference on July 3, 2020 – CNBC

    India is in a critical place as the country is recording hundreds of thousands of new cases each day, with more than 366,000 cases reported on Monday alone. Moreover, the country is averaging about 3,879 Covid deaths per day, according to data compiled by John Hopkins University.

    WHO says the variant has already spread to more than 30 countries including the US, UK, France and Japan.

    The surge in India rose rapidly last month, overwhelming hospitals of the harders hit cities in the country.

    “This is unlike the first wave. And so I think what we’re seeing is more transmissible,” said Soumya Swaminsthan, Chief Scientist at WHO.

    The Wall Street Journal released reports saying that only 2% of India’s population have been vaccinated, out of a population of 1.4 billion people, making the country largely vulnerable.

    The WHO however does not recomment border closures, saying countries should take a nuanced assessment before imposing restrictions and disruptions to global travel.

  • Netflix prices to increase in Kenya over inclusion of VAT charge

    by Sumaya Hussein

    (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    The Netflix interface on a flat screen – Photo/ Business Today

    Netflix monthly charges have increased after the company included a value added tax (VAT) charge in its billing.

    The subscription service has reviewed its rates to Ksh1,100 from Ksh950 for the standard package and Ksh1,450 from Ksh1,200 for the premium package. The new prices are set to take effect from end of May.

    “Starting May 30, a value added tax (VAT) will be included in your Netflix price,” read the company’s message to subscribers.

    Subscribers under the basic plan that goes for Ksh700 will however not be affected.

    The increasing cost of the service has been slowly pushing people out of Netflix, which some now consider a luxury.

    The Digital Service Tax (DST) came into force on January 1 and was introduced to both the Income Tax Act (ITA) and Value Added Tax Act (VAT). Both Acts prescribe that DST shall be payable by a person whose income is earned in Kenya from the provision of services through a digital market place.

    The VAT applies to supplies undertaken in the digital marketplace at the standard rate when supplied in Kenya.

    Under the ITA, businesses selling services online are expected to pay a flat tax of 1.5 per cent on the value of goods supplied and sold online, or services offered through digital platforms.

    Services and goods that fall under the ITA bracket include e-books, movies, music, games, tickets for live events and theatres and subscription-based media including news, magazines and digital content.

    Online businesses have become a target for government to widen its tax base, with the aim of lifting domestic tax revenues. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is targeting businesses and persons under the new digital taxes selling services and goods online.

    The taxman is banking on the Covid-19 disruptions that accelerated the use of online platforms to sell goods and services, and raise Ksh5 billion from the sector in the six months to June.

    The latest data from the Communications Authority (CA) shows that mobile data subscriptions in Kenya stood at 44.4 million in the second quarter of 2020.

    Factors driving the growth include increased population coverage of 3G and 4G networks, availability of affordable smartphones and data plans. Moreover, the increased consumption of e-commerce, e-government, social media and other online content have also contributed to the growth.

    Why digital taxes?

    The KRA previously stated in Techpoint Africa’s previous report that digital companies like Google and Facebook generate a lot of revenue from Kenya but do not pay taxes. On top of that, several businesses in and out of Kenya, do not remit VAT for their transactions.

    Online businesses usually have no physical structures or addresses from which they operate, making it easy to escape taxations.

    The argument for taxing the digital economy is the same in most countries of the world – digital companies defy today’s tax laws and international trade agreements.

    However, it is difficult to determine where value is being created for digital companies Netflix, for instance, has engineers in the US and partners with video production houses all over the world. Where then are Netflix’s services being produced?

  • Daystar to retain Blended Learning for May Semester

    By Fatiha Shabir

    (fatihashabz@gmail.com)

    Daystar University Athi River Campus – Photo/ Emmanuel Laguma

    Daystar University will continue administering blended learning where both physical and online classes will be ongoing during the May 2021 semester.

    According to a memo sent to the school on Thursday by the VC Prof. Ayiro, those to resume for physical learning include nursing students, continuing diploma students, new and continuing Certificate students, and those admitted during the October 2020 and January 2021 semester.

    “School of Science students taking Applied Computer Science, Biomedical Science, Environmental Health and MIS will study online,” said VC Ayiro.

    New students of Diploma and Undergraduate programs will have physical learning and are to report for orientation at the Athi River campus on May 17, at 8:30am.

    However, new postgraduate students will learn virtually and undergo virtual orientation on May 17 before classes officially begin on May 24.

    “All new students are encouraged to read their admission letters carefully and plan early payment of both orientation and semester fees,” said Prof Ayiro.

    Continuing Post-graduate students will resume blended learning as they will be allowed to attend seminars and have contact with supervisors during their thesis defences.

    Ongoing students are set to begin classes on May 10 while the new Diploma and Undergraduate students will start their classes on May 24.

    Since the new students will miss two weeks of the semester, their timetable will be adjusted so that they attend classes twice a week to cover the necessary classroom hours.

    The Daystar community has been urged to follow all Covid-19 protocols in both campuses to ensure that everyone’s health is safeguarded.

  • Kenya ranked poorly in World Press Freedom Index

    By Sumaya Hussein

    (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Kenyan Journalists and members of the civil society marching during World Press Freedom Day in 2018 – Photo/DTE

    Kenya ranked 102 out of 180 countries on the Reporters without Borders (RSF) 2021, World Press Freedom Index report that was released last week. The report, published every year since 2002, evaluated the state of journalism in 180 countries and territories.

    Countries ranked in the index are assigned a score calculated from data on abuses and violence against journalists during the period being evaluated. Also used were questionnaire answers completed from journalists, media lawyers, researchers and media specialists.

    Norway ranked first in the index for the fifth year, running as the country with the freest press. Eritrea on the other hand was ranked the worst country in upholding press freedom. Namibia remains the top country in press freedom in Africa.

    Kenya rose from position 103 in 2020 to 102 this year, though the situation in the country is still classified as “problematic”

    According to RSF, “Kenya has seen a slow erosion of media freedom in recent years. The political situation and security concerns have been used since 2016 as grounds for restricting the freedom to inform.”

    Newspapers in a display stand in Nairobi – Photo/ The Star

    Today marked World Press Freedom Day 2021 and Kenya joined the world in celebrating the day whose theme is “Information as a Public Good”. The theme is a call to affirm the importance of cherishing information and exploring ways of advancing transparency and journalist empowerment.

    The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) held a series of events since last week to mark the day. This comes in the wake of muzzling, not just by state operatives and politicians, but also within media houses, with some resorting to self-censorship amid intimidation by the powerful.

    This year, two ranking measures – the World Press Freedom Index 2021 and African Media Barometer publications – indicate that journalists globally continued to face multiple challenges. These include intimidation, physical or online harassment, surveillance, disappearance, threats, arbitrary arrests, assaults and lack of access to public facilities, authorities or data.

    Reporters Without Borders reported that 50 journalists from around the world died in their course of duty. Their deaths were linked to investigative stories about corruption, misuse of public funds, organized crime and coverage of protests.

    Nevertheless, several leaders have come out to support media freedom, and promote protection of journalists in their line of duty.

    Speaking at one of the MCK events in Nairobi, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi said, “Media owner should pay reporters and correspondents very well then demand integrity, otherwise we risk making them captives of government and news sources.”

    United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the day is marked at a time many journalists and media workers are facing many challenges.

    “In too many countries, journalists and media workers face censorship, abuse harassment, detention and even death, simply for doing their jobs. On #WorldPressFreeedomDay, I urge all governments to do everything their power to support a free, independent and diverse media,” he said in a video posted on his Twitter.

    He went on to add that free and independent journalism is “our greatest ally in combating misinformation and disinformation,” he said.

  • Daystar Company appoints University’s 4th Chancellor

    by Sumaya Hussein

    (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Daystar University’s newly appointed Chancellor Dr. Florence Muindi – Photo/ Life in Abundance

    Daystar Company Limited, the trustee body that sponsors Daystar University, on April 20, 2021, appointed Dr. Florence Muindi as the fourth Chancellor of the university. Dr. Muindi will be taking over from Prof. Mary Murimi, whose term is set to end on June, 21, 2021.

    According to a memo sent to the university from the VC Prof. Laban Ayiro, the company board is preparing to induct Dr. Muindi ahead of installation to office.

    According to the Daystar Company by-laws, the induction should be conducted within 30 days from the date of appointment. It includes a structured introduction to the University’s strategic plan, a guided tour of the university and familiarization with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Daystar Company, the University Charter, and the main university operating policies, plans and organizational structure. Moreover, the new Chancellor will be presented to the requirements and expectations of the office.

    The quest for the fourth Chancellor began in December 2019, when the company constituted a Search Committee, to lead the process and present a short-list of three possible candidates.

    The Search Committee was led by Rev. Prof. Zablon Nthamburi, a Daystar Company Limited Trustee.

    Dr. Muindi was identified from among nine possible candidates in a rigorous process that lasted almost a year.

    After reaching out to all University Stakeholders and para-church organizations, the committee handed over the names of four candidates to the Company board in November 2020.

    Dr. Florence Muindi is the Founder and CEO of Life in Abundance (LIA) International, a non-profit and faith-based organization that partners with local churches around the world to transform lives.

    She is also a medical doctor specialized in Public Health and graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery in 1988, and a Master’s in Public Health in 1993.

    The mother of two grown sons is also a published author, ordained minister of the gospel, and a global itinerant in conferences, churches and institutions of higher learning on wholistic community development and empowerment of poor and vulnerable communities.

    Dean of Students Rev. Mutinda Musyimi congratulated Dr. Muindi on her new appointment shortly after the memo was sent.

    “My congratulations to Dr. Florence Muindi, the 4th Chancellor, Daystar University. May God guide her steps,” said Rev Musyimi.

  • Why Group Work in University is a Raw Deal

    By Nicholas Kweyu

    (nicholaskweyu99@gmail.com)

    Group work certainly comes in handy when one is navigating through units in their course. It presents the opportunity to divide a large mass of work into smaller manageable chunks, that can be split among members. It also allows for multiple perspectives when coming up with content because well, two heads are better than one and more of course is best.

    However, these are advantages mostly in the best-case scenario- when the group is comprised of proactive members. Lucky students have been in a few groups like this, where the work simply flows between the members. Before they know it, the work is done- quite well.

    In other experiences, group work tends to go the other way. This is when the group is comprised of perhaps one or two active members, and a majority of ‘joyriders’.

    In such groups, the problems begin right from the beginning when deciding how to go about the work. In some cases, people are reluctant to contribute their ideas and the only responses group leaders get are “I agree” or “that’s a good idea”. In worst case scenarios, there are no responses at all.

    There tend to be four types of group members when it comes to working on assigned tasks. The first are those who will do pretty good work and send it in on time (a Godsend for group leaders). The second are those who may send in work on time, but little or no effort is put into the work with blatant copy pasting and disregard to the APA style format.

    Then there are those who will send their work after persistent hounding and following up by the group leaders and other members. Finally, those who, try as one might, cannot work on a deadline. Their work, if any, will be sent in way past the set deadline.

    With these types of members, more often than not, it takes more time for the rest of the group to try and fix work that was shoddily done, than it would have taken doing the work yourself. Moreover, the time taken chasing after work is again time that could have been used to do the work.

    These challenges move from being  minor inconveniences to being potentially damaging as one progresses through their degree. In the earlier years where group work was mostly limited to single papers, such challenges were annoying but manageable. Later, when entire class projects and finals are structured as group work, the challenges become more problematic because a large portions of a student’s final grade are dependent on other people, who simply do not care about their grades the same way.

    “You could just remove the names of those who did not participate,” say the lecturers. Easier said than done. How about, students get the luxury of choosing their group members instead? At this point in time, the weight of group work for final projects will push serious students to ignore their friends, and pick members they will actively work with.

    Being placed in random groups is something that seems to happen more often now that we have moved to online learning. One could certainly agree that being in such groups prepares one for working with a variety of people in the world outside. However, the goals of students, especially those in their final year, are clearer now more than ever.

    All in all, group work is dynamic and experiences vary depending on the type of work and the members of the group. Addressing its negative side helps us all to realize the part we can play in making group work a more efficient, enjoyable experience.

  • Reminiscing Life in Campus before COVID-19

    by: Sumaya Hussein

    (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Orientation team of January 2020 – Photo/ Francis Gitonga

    Let’s rewind the clock back to 2019, before coronavirus. When there was no curfew, no ban on public gatherings, no wearing of masks and social distancing, and most importantly, no online learning.

    It is in the evening and the day for Daystarians in Athi River is just beginning. Classes ended few hours ago and students are roaming around all over the campus.

    Music can be heard coming from the PAC and the amphitheater. The last group of lecturers and day staff are just leaving.

    Students are gathered in groups and others are stretched out in the pathways leading to off campus. Two DELL buses from Nairobi arrive, full of students. They are greeted by a band playing music at the PAC.

    Students gathering for worship night at the amphitheater in September, 19 2019 – Photo/ Joseph Gichari

    Up the Agape Library, there’s a bit of warmth and murmuring as students clock in and out of the building. The reading rooms downstairs are filled cheerful laughter from students engaging in group discussions.

    At the amphitheater, the worship team is holding chapel rehearsals. The drums can be heard all the way from the Rugby pitch where teams are in practice.

    Daystar Falcons Women’s handball team during the KUSA competitions in February, 2 2020 – Photo/Joseph Gichari

    The blocks in the BCC and SBE buildings are brightly lit, every classroom having few students. The ICT area is buzzing with activity. Some students are having their dinner at the restaurant while others are lined up outside the theatre to see a play that was to start an hour ago.

    Students enjoying the play “Mildred” at the ICT theatre on October 31, 2019 – Photo/Tawa Powell

    Down at the TV room, screams of excitement and others of disappointment burst through the windows. Students are enjoying one of those few soccer matches that end before the school gates are closed.

    Offices at Hope Centre are still up and running with students coming in and out of the building. Behind it, the busiest of places in the campus at that moment; the cafeteria area. The smell of a variety of food is carried by cold winds all over the place.

    In the dining hall, students are seated in groups eating and sharing memorable moments of their days. The restaurant beside it is also busy, with each table having at least two diners, tapping away on their phones.

    Something is going down at the basketball pitch. It’s a dance off to break the ice before two teams face each other in a night match.

    Daystar Falcons before the Annual Floodlights competition on September 26, 2019 – Photo/Joseph Gichari

    The hostels are vibrant, with light coming from every window of each building. Students are idling outside the entrances in crocks and sweatpants, listening to their favorite tunes.

    On the other side of the Daystar gate, there are vehicles constantly passing on the newly built tarmac, competing with bikers and skaters for space. Student-owned vehicles are parked beside the street, each having at least 3 passengers inside.

    Congolese nationals supporting their own during the ISADU Gala night on November 7, 2019 – Photo/Joseph Gichari

    The small hotels off campus are flooded with customers as the owners struggle to keep up with the busiest hours of the day. There’s a long line at Ideal Shop, where everyone is waiting for their turn to get a chapo smokie.

    Loud music is booming from the Play Station Shops, slightly overpowering the FIFA commentary, and Mortal Kombat sound effects.

    At the hostels off-campus, tenants are pitched on the balconies of Heri Homes, Wakes, Monique and Kryptons, taking in the night’s cool breeze, enjoying each other’s company.

    Then came COVID-19, that stripped us of the joy of campus life, the joy of togetherness and the joy of living a normal life. Some will graduate before tasting pre-Covid life in campus again, and some will join without ever having the idea of what it was like before.

    Ceremonial washing of feet during the 42nd Graduation Chapel on December 2019 – Photo/ Moses Wafula

    The good times however, remain in our memories, awaiting the day there will be a happy reunion and return to normalcy.

  • Uhuru eases Covid-19 restrictions, Schools to reopen

    By Fatiha Shabir

    (fatihashabz@gmail.com)

    President Uhuru Kenyatta during the Labor Day Celebration at State House – Photo/ The Star

    President Uhuru Kenyatta has today lifted the cessation of movement in and out of the five counties of Nairobi, Machakos, Nakuru, Kiambu and Kajiado, effective midnight.

    Speaking during his speech on Labor Day celebrations at State House, President Kenyatta announced that the curfew within the mentioned areas will revert to 10pm to 4am instead of 8pm to 4am.

    This follows a 74% decrease in the number of infections in Nairobi during the month of April and a 72% decrease in the caseload in the zoned areas. 

    Educational institutions are set reopen this month as planned, according to the Ministry of Education calendar.

    Bars all over the country will be allowed to operate until 7pm while restaurants and eateries in the zoned areas to resume, however, Covid-19 guidelines should be strictly adhered.

    In person and congregational worship shall resume and attending congregation is capped to 1/3rd of the capacity of the place of worship.

    All sporting activities, as well as recreational facilities, are allowed to resume.

    However, the ban against political gathering will remain extended until further directives.

    “The containment measures we have instituted today and all the interventions that the Government has made over the last 14 months have geared towards responding to the unprecedented health threat that has gripped the world,” said President Kenyatta.

    Hospitals have been directed to limit the number of visitors for hospitalized patients to one visitor per patient per day.

    The President also urged employers to allow staff workers, with exception of critical workers, to work from home.

    President Kenyatta however warned that restrictions could be re-escalated if Kenyans do not cooperate by following the safety protocols.

    “If we will fail to play our individual role, like it or hate it, it is my responsibility to protect life, I will do what I can to prevent what is happening in other countries,” he said.

    The lifting of the restrictions comes as businesses and Kenyans at large raised concerns about the state of the economy following restrictions.

  • No Marriages among Police Officers – CS Matiang’i

    By Fatiha Shabir

    (fatihashabz@gmail.com)

    Interior CS Fred Matiang’i – Photo/ The Star

    Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i plans to ban those serving in the National Police Service from dating and marrying each other. According to him, this will reduce the number of cases of sexual harassment and gender-based violence within the police service.

    Speaking on Friday at the Kenya Police Training College in Kiganjo, Nyeri, CS Matiang’i urged the ministry to implement rules banning police officers from having intimate relations with colleagues.

    “We will adopt a system similar to that of the Kenya Defense Forces which bars the soldiers from getting into intimate relationships with their colleagues,” said CS Matiang’i.

    The new regulations are set to be introduced in July this year after the proposal has been submitted to the National Security Council for approval.

    Following the implementation of this system, it will be illegal for a police officer to date or get married to another officer and if found one has to leave the Service.

    The CS also warned high-ranking police officers against sexually harassing their juniors, lest they be stripped of titles and sacked.

    “We won’t talk much moving forward, we will act,” he emphasized.

    The CS however said that officers who are already married to their colleagues won’t be affected by the new directive.

    Kenyans are left questioning whether the soon to be ban is lawful and how it will prevent two adults from falling in love.

    Matiang’i’s remarks come almost three weeks after a bodyguard attached to his office and his wife who was a traffic officer, died in a murder suicide.

    General Service Unit officer Hudson Wakise shot and killed his wife Pauline Wakasa before turning the gun to himself.

    Wakasa was given a full ceremonial send-off, but Wakise was buried without police presence.

    Last week, ODM leader Raila Odinga expressed sorrow over the increasing cases of spouses killing one another in domestic fights.

    Raila, who called for an urgent national discussion on gender-based violence, said the “abnormality of the murders cannot become the normal.”