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Category: National News

  • Daystar Selected as ICGLR Research Institute of Reference

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo: CAS of ICT, Youth and Innovation Hon. Nadia Abdalla. Photo courtesy of Daystar University.

    Daystar University has been selected as the research institute of reference for the International Conference for the Great Lake Region (ICGLR).

    The office of the Vice-Chancellor and the Directorate of Research and Post-Graduate Studies will spearhead the initiative alongside the entire Daystar Fraternity. Owing to this, a multifunctional youth forum was held on Wednesday at the Nairobi Campus to deliberate on jumpstarting the process of developing the Regional Action Plan on United Nations Security Council Resolution. (UNSCR 2250).

    The Forum
    The forum was attended by the Speaker of the Senate, Hon. Ken Lusaka, CAS for ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Hon. Nadia Abdalla, and the VC Prof. Laban Ayiro. Also present were Ambassadors and High commissioners as well as representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United Nations (UN), youth-serving organizations, International Organizations, ICGLR Fora and Daystar fraternity.

    “We are honoured as Daystar that you chose to convene this very important youth forum in this University that has a serious intention in the area of research and is a university that is heavily built on values,” said Prof. Laban Ayiro. “Not just religious values, but the societal norms that this country is so much desiring for”.

    The UNSCR 2250 focuses on ways to give youth a greater voice in decision-making at the local, national, regional and international levels. The resolution defines youth as persons aged 18 to 29 and urges the Member States to set up mechanisms that will enable them to participate in peace processes and dispute resolution.

    “Despite the fact that the youth account for more than 70 per cent of the population, they are not involved in social, economic and political spheres,” said Speaker of the Senate, Hon. Ken Lusaka, during his speech at the forum. “If the youth are not engaged in the designing, planning and implementation of programs and policies that affect not only them but also the country at large, their knowledge skills and energy become underutilized”.

    Speaker of the Senate, Republic of Kenya, Hon. Ken Lusaka. Photo courtesy of Daystar University.

    The VC Prof. Laban Ayiro insisted that the destiny of the country is in the youth, hence the need to strengthen them. “We must increase young peoples’ economic framework. Strengthening youth service system is very important,” stated Prof. Ayiro

    ICGLR is an inter-governmental organization of the countries in the African Great Lakes Region, whose purpose is to promote sustainable peace and development in African countries. It has 12 core member states including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, South Sudan, Zambia, Angola, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa Republic and the Republic of Congo.

  • MKU becomes the First University to Acquire COVID-19 Testing Machine


    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of tuko.co.ke.

    Mount Kenya University has become the first university in the country to purchase a Real-Time PCR machine that will be used for detecting COVID-19.

    The machine, acquired at Ksh15 million, is set to arrive in days from China through TBC biotechnology corporation. “Ours is a commitment to the student population and the society at large that we want to ensure we can test all our students for the virus, at any time,” said MKU’s new Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratious Jaganyi. “We not only want to have the ability to test, but also impart skills to our medical students on how this is done since COVID-19 will be with us for a long time.”

    Prof. Jaganyi further added that the institution is considering extending the service to the community at a reasonable rate, this being part of their corporate social responsibility.

    MKU Council Chair, Prof. David Serem (right) hands over the University’s Mace to the new VC Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi during his installation ceremony on 29th January 2021. Photo courtesy of KCB.

    Real-Time RT-PCR is one of the most widely used laboratory methods for detecting COVID-19. Many countries use it to diagnose other diseases such as Ebola and Zika virus. Currently, there are 34 medical institutions in Kenya which have approved PCR machines and some charge as high as Ksh10,000 for Covid-19 test

    In 2020, MKU Medical School was ranked the best in Kenya with a score of 82 out of 100 points in an inspection conducted by a team of technical health experts from East African Community Partner States National Medical and Dental Practitioners Regulatory Councils.

  • Somalia’s Threat to Withdraw from IGAD

    By: Evelyne Syombua (issyombua@gmail.com)

    Somalia’s President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed. Thumbnail photo courtesy of africanews.

    On Wednesday the 27th of January, Somalia threatened to withdraw from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development after the group sided with Kenya in a diplomatic row between the two countries. On Monday the 25th of January, Somalia ordered all its diplomats in Kenya to leave within seven days while also giving Kenyan diplomats to quit within the same period. This comes after the diplomatic relations between Kenyan and Somalia being severed for the recent weeks with Somalia blaming Kenya for meddling in its internal political affairs.

    Last month IGAD created a fact-finding mission seeking an intervention which was aimed at settling the tension between the two countries. Somalia wrote to the members of IGAD on the 15th of December 2020, demanding an independent mission to verify its claims that Kenta was training forces to fight the Somalia National Army forces stationed in Gedo their common border. This came after it cut its ties with Kenya.

    The team which was led by Yacin Elmi Bouh, the Djiboutian Ambassador to Kenya and his colleague to Somalia Aden Hassan Aden and also included an IGAD observer said they had found no evidence supporting violations by Kenya.

    The Somalia Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Mohamed Abdirazak on Wednesday said the country will reject the report since those who took part in it were “biased, partisan, unfair, compromised and predetermined to exonerate Kenya”.

    IGAD SUMMIT’: UHURU IN DJIBOUTI OVER SOMALIA. Photo Courtesy of wardheernews.com

    The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the findings of the team were proof that Somalia’s claims were a political ploy meant to distract the region from security issues. “The report of the fact-finding mission affirms the fact that the allegations by Somalia against Kenya are wholly unfounded”, the ministry said in a statement. The ministry further said, “The impartial report definitively settles the matter, Kenya will not be drawn into the reckless campaign whose sole intent remains the creation of artificial fissures for parochial and domestic ends at the expense of regional peace and security and regional integration”.

    The report criticised Somalia for severing ties with Kenya, arguing the historical problems faced by the two countries could only be solved through deeper diplomatic engagements. “Somalia strongly holds to all its initial accusations against Kenya and will pursue all means to protect her sovereignty”, Abdirazak said in a statement, threatening that his country will withdraw from Igad.

  • KQ opts for Cargo Flights to Compensate low Passenger Numbers

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of LogUpdate Africa

    Kenya Airways (KQ) is reducing its dependence on passenger flights and turning to more cargo flights to stay afloat.

    On Tuesday, the airline said it had agreed with Avianor to collectively repurpose its aircraft cabins into cargo transportation on the Boeing 787. This joint effort is in response to the growing demand and need for increased cargo capacity.

    The repurposing began in December 2020 and was completed in January 2021. This is the first-ever cargo repurpose of this type to be performed on the Boeing 787 globally. The repurposed cabin has been certified to carry up to 16 tonnes of cargo, potentially enabling the aircraft to reach its maximum payload while in cargo operation of 46 tonnes.

    Kenya Airways Cargo plane at the airport. Photo courtesy of The East African.

    KQ CEO, Allan Kilavuka said the airline is prepared to respond to the outgoing demand for essential and medical goods and support future commercial opportunities for the local and regional economies. “We are excited to be part of the first-ever certified cargo conversion of this type on the Boeing 787 aircraft”, Kilavuka said.

    Kenya Airways has received airworthiness approval from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCCA) and Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) for the repurposed aircraft. “This represents a unique design and certification challenge and we are thrilled to demonstrate once again, our ability to find unprecedented solutions to customer needs,” Avianor President Matthieu Duhaime said.

    The move to cargo flights follows a big drop in the number of international travellers due to the Covid-19 pandemic, that saw the airline plunged into losses. KQ net loss for the six months ended June 2020 widened by 67.3% to Sh14.33 billion due to the disruptions that led to the grounding of flights. The crisis hit the global aviation industry hard, with African airlines alone expected to lose $6 billion this year in revenue. KQ had estimated the virus will cut its revenue by almost Sh100 billion.

  • Jane Mugo: The Kenyan Spy Queen

    By: Joy Ng’ethe Shiku3joy@gmail.com

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of bbc.com

    On January 25, 2021, Jane Mugo, a private Kenyan detective was brought into the limelight through a BBC Africa documentary which highlighted her life and work practice. Jane Mugo was referred to as a ‘Spy Queen’ or rather ‘Kenya’s James Bond’ in the documentary.

    She mentioned that she is hired by politicians to spy on their opponents making her an easy target for death threats. This in turn makes her very conscious including using her right-hand man, Charlie one to taste her food before she eats to ensure it is not poisoned. The documentary also showed that Jane’s chef has to eat the food too so that she can make sure it is good for her consumption.

    Jane Mugo, Kenya’s Spy Queen. Photo courtesy of tuko.co.ke

    “Sometimes politicians would be specific and they’d tell us ‘I want you to give me somebody who’d be a bodyguard and an intelligence officer’ during the campaign time,” said Jane.

    She also eagerly showed off her Taekwondo moves and her teams’ training session including torture methods used to interrogate suspects. Experts brought in during the documentary labelled her work as malpractice due to her unconventional methods to solve cases.

    Kenyans responded to the documentary with mixed reactions, with most calling out BBC for taking them on a ride thus forcing the channel to turn off comments on the video. With comments turned off, Kenyans took to social media to air their thoughts.
    “That BBC documentary on Jane Mugo is painful viewing. Should’ve come with viewer discretion for those who don’t want to burn their brain cells,” tweeted Gabriel Oguda

    Despite the negative reception of the documentary, Jane in an interview on Radio Jambo pointed out that she ought to be celebrated for breaking through a male-dominated field and emerging top. She also referred to those hating on her as idlers who have never appeared on a local radio station or in their village limelight and cannot show off what they have done in their village as they struggle to put food on the table yet they go-ahead to be jealous souls. In her closing remarks, she said that she’ll keep fighting for justice because she is the best and no one can beat her.

  • Kapedo’s Never Ending War

    By: Winfred Wacera Kamau (winfredwacerakamau@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of The Star

    Insecurity in Kapedo has once again become a subject of national security. The recent killings of General Service Unit Operation commander Emadau Tebakol and that of Chief Inspector of police in charge of Rapid Redeployment Unit (RDU) has led the government to deploy security personnel in the region to flush out armed bandit in the border area of Baringo and Turkana counties.

    More than 10 people have died in one week including police officers. These counterattacks have sparked tension among residents as hundreds of families have been forced to flee their homes fearing for their lives. The displaced families have been begging for humanitarian assistance from the government and well-wishers.

     Following the recent bandit war in Kapedo, four schools have closed, businesses have been shut down, residents are running out of food and essentials like medicine due to restrictions which have been imposed to affect the security operations in the area and the road to Marigat through Ameyan is inaccessible.

    Teachers Union have issued an ultimatum to the government to restore normalcy in the area within seven days or else they will withdraw their teachers from Kapedo

    Cabinet Secretary for interior security, Dr Fred Matiang’i, blamed leaders for funding the bandits. “We are in hot pursuit of certain people including leaders and I want to assure the country on this particular score we are going to act very decisively and we will make sure that those who are involved in that are facilitated to meet with the law.”  said CS Matiang’i “We will remain in that part of the country and we will remain in that operation until we have collected every one of those people who murdered our police officers.”

    The Rift Valley Regional Commissioner, George Natembeya, speaking to Citizen Tv on Monday said, “The government is prepared to end lawlessness in Kapedo.” Kapendo is currently under partial lockdown as the government is restricting the movement of people. The Rift Valley Regional Commissioner stated that “Kapedo is an active compact zone with ammunitions flying all over the place so you go there at your own risk. So those who are daredevils and want to go there they are welcome.”

    Disclaimer: Kapedo is a trading centre located in Turkana East sub-county of Turkana county. It is headed by a chief assisted by a village administrator recruited by the county government of Turkana.  It is approximately 4 hours from Nakuru town. Though with insufficient modern infrastructures for a town, Kapedo has a lot to offer from its hills which are a sight to behold, to its hot springs which are a few meters from the shopping centre is a good place for relaxation. Kapedo also has natural resources, several geological tests have been conducted where the mineral deposit has been discovered as well as Geothermal power.

    If all these resources can be utilized well Kapedo can be the heart of Turkana County.

  • Billions of Kenyan Shillings lost to Graft Daily

    By: Joy Ng’ethe (Shiku3joy@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of kenyans.co.ke

    Kenyans have expressed their outrage over remarks made by the president on 18th January during an interview when he confessed that Kenya loses up to 2 billion shillings daily to graft. The president made these remarks when he was being interviewed on various Kikuyu radio stations.

    The angered citizens took their frustrations to social media expressing their distaste in the state of affairs as revealed by the man who had promised to fight corruption in his manifesto.
    Some users are quoted as saying, “I like how in Kenya we talk about 2 Billion shillings like its 20 bob”. Another user commented, “No, Mr President. I cannot allow people to eat Kshs. 2 billion each day while paying MORE THAN 50% of my income in taxes. If that amount of theft (over Kshs. 700 billion a year) was extinguished, Kenya could soon have a budget surplus!”

    The president went ahead to emphasize the importance of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) as well as defending the high cost of the referendum. He mentioned that the money needed for the referendum would probably be less compared to the amount of money lost to graft daily.

    Considering that the Kenyan debt is set to account for 69.8% of the country’s GDP by 2023, the rage expressed by the citizens is highly justified. The Kenyan debt to foreign countries currently stands at almost seven trillion with the expected addition of one trillion Kenyan shillings to the debt for the financial year 21/22. Given that 2 billion is lost to graft daily, it would take Kenya about one and a half years to repay her debts from this amount lost on a daily.

    Disclaimer: This calculation does not take into account the country’s earnings rather is using the amount mentioned by the president lost to his corrupt government. The president ended his remarks by saying that he is set on fulfilling his remaining goals for the next year he is in power.

  • DUSA President Eyes Nairobi Governor Seat

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of Aloys Otieno

    The incumbent Daystar University Students’ Association (DUSA) President, Aloys Lavern Otieno, is vying for the Nairobi governor seat on an independent ticket.

    Following the impeachment of Mike Sonko, the DUSA president states that there wasn’t a better candidate among the contesters, hence the decision to vie for the seat. “I made that choice, consulted one or two friends and before I even told my family, I went to get the nomination papers,” said Aloys.

    Mr Otieno has served as Daystar President since 2017, after developing interest in politics in 2016 when he was a member of another candidate’s campaign team. Still a master’s student, he says he does not feel as if he is taking a huge leap by vying for county governorship despite being referred to naïve. “It was the same thing (in Daystar), I wasn’t the most popular candidate when I first vied for the (presidency) seat. A lot of people actually advised me to go for a lower position like sports secretary, but I chose to go for the presidency and I won,” said Aloys.

    He went on to add that he is merely chasing his dreams and there will be no loss whether or not he wins. “I think I would have gained so many lessons that I can take with me towards whatever position I choose to go for next,” added Aloys.

    Aloys Lavern during his graduation in 2020. Photo courtesy of Aloys Otieno.

    With a strong team of youth backing him including Daystarians, Aloys mentioned that he is vying for the seat for the greater good of the county. Being a Nairobian, he says he has seen what the city is lacking and what it can “gain by having a great and a competent leader“.

    His symbol is the Wi-Fi symbol that resonates well with today’s generation and, according to him, the Wi-Fi bars signify progress, which has been his hashtag ever since he joined politics. Moreover, after serving in the ODM youth league for about three years, he has built a network of young leaders around Nairobi who will help with his campaign.

    Aloys’ manifesto comprises of four major things which are: waste management, promoting youth and women enterprises, education empowerment and, women and girl empowerment through providing free sanitary pads. To the surprise of many, Aloys says he is not at all intimidated by the other candidates competing for the same seat. “That’s the beauty of being an underdog, the pressure is not on you, it’s on the other candidates,” he said confidently, “I feel no pressure at all,”.

    Aloys says he is grateful for the support the school has given him, with the VC and lecturers reaching out to him and advising him. “The Vice-Chancellor has been a mentor in leadership ever since he took over Daystar, so, he is one person whom I know I can look to for help,” he said. Vice-Chancellor Professor Laban Ayiro had expressed his support for Aloys during the Parents’ welcome tea on orientation week, saying he made him “very proud” and he was “pleasantly shocked” when he heard the news.

    Current Daystar President, Aloys Lavern Otieno. Photo courtesy of Aloys Otieno.

    Jonah Karanja, the Daystar outgoing social welfare secretary, says Aloys’ decision to vie poses a challenge to the youth “to take power from the older generation.” “Aloys going for the gubernatorial seat will mean so many youths will start vying for various positions across the government,” he said, “So, I fully endorse him and call upon my fellow leaders and youths across the country and Nairobi to come out and support Aloys and challenge the system,” added Karanja.

    After serving as school President for three years, Aloys says one thing Daystar has taught him is servant leadership. This, he says, reminds him that however much power he has, his main agenda will always be to serve.

  • Supermodel Naomi Campbell, Appointed As Magical Kenya’s International Tourism Ambassador

    By: Daniel Nyaga (danielnyaga.dn@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of The Star by Oliver Valenta

    In a bid to help Kenya regain its spot top tourism destination, the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife announced Naomi Campbell as Magical Kenya’s International Tourism Ambassador on Tuesday.
    .

    Tourism CS Najib Balala explained the appointment saying, “We welcome the exciting news that Naomi Campbell will advocate for tourism and travel internationally for the magical Kenya brand”.

    Her appointment caused a frenzy online as on Twitter (K.O.T) went on to criticise the decision to appoint her instead of appointing a Kenyan. However, Mr Balala was quick to respond to the criticism posting on Twitter stating, “Naomi Campbell will be Magical Kenya’s International Tourism Ambassador. That doesn’t take away from our domestic market, it only strengthens it.”

    Tourism CS Najib Balala and Naomi Campbell Taking a selfie after sealing the deal
    Photo courtesy of BBC News


    The Tourism CS believes this appointment will help Kenya gain more tourists as the International supermodel possesses a large following on her social media platforms with over 13 million followers.

    The tourism industry has greatly suffered due to COVID-19 pandemic. The Tourism Research Institute released data showing the number of tourists who visited Kenya fell by 72% between January and October 2020. As a result, there was a loss of revenue totalling Ksh 110 billion ($1.1 billion) during the said period. The tourism industry in Kenya contributes to 8.8 per cent of Kenya’s gross domestic product annually.

  • Speaker Mutura Sworn in as Nairobi’s Acting Governor

    By Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com) 

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of Capital FM

    Nairobi County Assembly Speaker, Benson Mutura, has been sworn-in as the county’s acting Governor by Judge Jairus Ngaah at City Hall, Nairobi.

    Mutura said that his first order of business would be to bring back on track the delivery of crucial services that have been stalled due to lack of funds. This was occasioned by the failure of former governor Sonko to assent to the finance Bill.

    “When Nairobians went to the polls in 2017, what they expected is service delivery. We therefore have no choice but to deliver. Today would have never occurred had we focused on service delivery,” said Mutura.

    Owing to this, Mutura signed the Governor’s warrant that gives the Treasury the green light to release money to the county. The governor’s warrant is a document that authorizes withdrawal of funds from the County Revenue Funds (CRF).

    Mike Sonko had refused to sign the warrant, thereby paralyzing operations in the county since October.

    By Mutura signing the warrant, this means that once the money has been released from the CRF, county and assembly staff will be paid their salaries. 

    Mutura will be assuming the role of governor in an acting capacity for 60 days, following Sonko’s impeachment on Thursday.

    He was to be sworn in last week but the event was postponed after the presiding judge failed to show up on time.

    Given that Nairobi County currently has no deputy governor, the speaker will serve for the next two months, as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) sets a date for a by-election.

    Residents of Nairobi will then go back to the polls to elect a new governor who will serve the remainder of the term that ends in 2022. 

    Nairobi Deputy Governor Polycarp Iagthe resigned in January 2018, citing Sonko’s lack of confidence in him.

    Mutura said he will work with all Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), despite the recent impeachment having left the members divided.

    “My assumption to the office of the Governor is temporary and is meant to guide transition to the next government. I want to assure you that in the 60 days, I will be at the helm of this County, I will provide the required leadership to ensure smooth transition,” he said.

    Mutura signs the Governor’s warrant immediately after his inauguration. Photo courtesy of Capital FM

    Sonko was impeached by the county assembly over charge of abuse of office, a gross violation of the law, committing a crime under the national and international laws and lacking the capability to run the county.

    Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka gazetted Sonko’s impeachment in less than an hour of his removal.

    “On Thursday, December 17, 2020, the Senate resolved to remove Hon. Mike Mbuvi Sonko, the Governor of Nairobi City County, from office by impeachment,” read a gazette notice signed by the speaker.

    According to the Constitution of Kenya, Article 182, Clause (4) says if a vacancy occurs in the office of county governor, and that of the deputy, or if the deputy is unable to act, the speaker of the county assembly shall act as county governor.

    “If a vacancy occurs in the circumstances contemplated by Clause (4), an election to the office of county governor shall be held within sixty days after the speaker assumes the office of the governor.”

    “A person who assumes the office of county governor under this Article shall, unless otherwise removed from office under this Constitution, hold office until the newly elected county governor assumes office following the next election under Article 180 (1).”

    Director- General of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), major-General Mohamed Badi and a few elected Nairobi leaders were present during Mutura’s inauguration.