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Category: News

  • Daystar Launches Sexual Harassment Policy

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of Daystar University

    Daystar University launched a sexual harassment policy that applies to all members of the institution during the February 11 chapel service at the Nairobi campus.

    Spearheaded by the Human Resource Department, the purpose of the policy, is to create a safe working and learning environment in the institution and allow ease of reporting mechanisms.
    “We want to ensure the environment where the students are studying is safe and secure, and so we came up with that policy”, said Human Resource Manager, Pius Muia.

    DVC-ARSA Prof. Faith Nguru and Human Resource Manager Pius Muia present the Sexual Harassment Policy to Head of Youth and Mainstreaming, Ministry of Education Mr Stephen Jalenga. Photo courtesy of Daystar University.

    The policy contains procedures of how students and staff can make complaints, guidelines for carrying out follow up investigations as well as information on how to handle emergency situations. According to Legal Manager, Mueni Nyobaki, the policy will also serve to create awareness around sexual harassment and promote a culture of good conduct. “The policy promotes training and education at all levels, so when we invite you for sexual harassment policy training, don’t be shy, please come”, said Nyokabi.

    Legal Manager, Mueni Nyokabi during her presentation on the Sexual Harassment Policy. Photo courtesy of Daystar University.

    In attendance was Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, Research and Student Affairs, Prof. Faith Nguru, Head of Youth and Gender Mainstreaming Ministry of Education, Mr Stephen Jalenga, members of the faculty, students and staff. “Anyone can be affected by sexual harassment. More ladies are affected than men, therefore, we need concerted efforts to combat the vice…” said Mr Jalenga.

    DVC-ARSA Prof. Nguru mentioned that sexual harassment cases are common and Daystar itself has had such cases brought to the University’s disciplinary committee. “Not even too long ago, we had an issue last week of this nature, so this is not something that is far removed from Daystar and even the other universities”, said Prof. Nguru.

    The sexual harassment policy has been in Daystar since 2013, however, in 2017 during the student’s unrest, matters of sexual harassment came up and therefore there was a need to revise the policy.

  • Former Daystar DVC Appointed as St. Paul’s VC

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo: New St Paul’s VC James Kombo. Photo courtesy of St Paul’s University

    Daystar’s former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. James Kombo, was today installed as the third Vice-Chancellor of St. Paul’s University (SPU).

    In a ceremony held today at St. Paul’s University in Limuru, the process of installation was performed by the University Chancellor, Prof Margaret Kobia, who is also the CS for Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs.

    “I, James Kombo, do accept the position of Vice-Chancellor in this University, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, amen”, declared Prof. Kombo, after which he began to be robed in the St. Paul’s gown.

    VC Prof. James Kombo signing his acceptance statement. Photo courtesy of St Paul’s University.

    The event was attended by the Senate Majority Leader, Hon. Samuel Poghisio, former St. Paul’s VC Prof. Joseph Galgallo, Daystar VC Prof. Laban Ayiro, Daystar DVC Finance, Administration and Planning, Dr Muturi Wachira and Vice-Chancellors from other various universities.

    Students receiving the new VC through their leaders. Photo courtesy of St Paul’s University.

    The former St. Paul’s VC handed over the University seal, charter, mace, logo and flag to Chancellor Kobia, who then gave them to Prof. Kombo. The installation was finalized when Prof. Kombo signed his acceptance statement, witnessed by the Chancellor.

    Former St Paul’s VC Joseph Galgallo. Photo courtesy of St Paul’s University.

    The Chief Guest Hon. Samuel Poghisio during his speech acknowledged Prof. Kombo saying that his installation “marks yet another milestone in the long journey of SPU to transform itself into a centre of excellence within the context of Kenya and Africa’s realities and needs”.

    Hon. Samuel Poghisio, EGH, MP – Leader of the Majority in the Senate. Photo courtesy of St Paul’s University.

  • 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.

  • VC Rewards Worship Team During Prayer Day

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi

    The Vice-Chancellor Professor Laban Ayiro, has gifted members of the worship team Ksh1000 each for properly conducting the prayer day held on Thursday 21st January 2021, at the main campus.

    Members awarded include University Chaplain Reverend Steven Nduto, assistant Chaplains Josphat Musili and Pastor Rachel Ngugi, Eva Muholo chair of the worship team, music directors Mike Muchiri and Joel Mwendwa, choirmaster, the pianist Hesbon Orange, the bassist Grace Wangare, drummer Sidney Kamwana, Joel Mumo and June Mwangi.

    Bassist Grace Wangare playing the background music during the sermons. Photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi

    “I am very proud of you and I’m not exaggerating that, but I am particularly proud of Grace because I have never seen a lady playing a guitar here,” said Prof Ayiro. He went on to call the members on to the stage to “bless them” and give them “something small so they can buy simsim”. “I don’t know whether there is simsim here, if the simsim is a sausage that’s up to you, if it is chips…” he said before handing each of the members on stage the shinning notes. Still, in his spirit of appreciation, the VC added that the Chaplaincy team should take a trip to visit Israel on a pilgrimage.

    Prof. Laban Ayiro handing out rewards to the worship team. Photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi.

    University Chaplain, Reverend Steven Nduto, thanked the VC on behalf of the worship team, for awarding them. “I want to thank you again for the simsim, on behalf of everybody else who received that, we want to say thank you for that consideration and we pray it continues like that,” said Rev. Nduto cheerfully, “And also thank you for promising that the Chaplains need to go to Israel, we’ll be watching that space graciously,” he added.

    VC Prof Laban Ayiro and University Founder Dr Don Smith. Photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi,

    The prayer day was held at Amphitheatre and streamed online on the Daystar University Live YouTube channel, with the theme being “Turning to God”. The ceremony was attended by the University founder Dr Don Smith, both DVCs Prof. Faith Nguru and Dr Muturi Wachira, Finance manager Phyllis Mutua, HR Manager Pius Muia together with other members of the faculty, staff and students.

    Students bowing their heads in prayer. Photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi

    The prayer day was closed with the assistant Chaplain Josphat Musili leading the school into taking the Holy Communion and the University founder Dr Don Smith, praying for the entire institution.

    Assistant Chaplain, Josphat Musili leads the University in prayers. Photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi.

  • 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.