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Category: News

  • Museveni Declared Uganda Presidential Election Winner

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of Citizen TV

    Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has been declared the winner of Uganda’s presidential election with 5,851,037 (58.64%) of the total electoral votes. Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, came in second with 3,475,298 (34.83%) of the total votes. Museveni who has ruled Uganda since 1986, now going for his sixth term, is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.

    Bobi Wine had on Friday claimed that the election had seen “widespread fraud and violence”, but he remained positive as votes were counted under an internet blackout.
    “Despite the widespread fraud and violence experienced across the country earlier today, the picture still looks good. Thank you, Uganda for turning up and voting in record numbers,” Wine tweeted shortly after internet was restored.

    Opposition Maestro, Bobi Wine. Photo courtesy of Amnesty.

    Moreover, he went ahead to say that there was ballot stuffing and his party agents had in some places been beaten and chased away from polling stations.
    “Whatever is being declared is a complete sham we reject it and we dissociate ourselves with it,” added Wine on Friday, promising to provide video evidence once the internet was restored.
    He, however, did not give details about his accusations which contradicted the government’s account that the Thursday’s vote had been peaceful with no major cases of violence reported.

    The Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation in Uganda also noted that they were impressed with the peaceful conduct exhibited on Thursday during voting. “We saw an extremely well-organized election exercise with people very orderly waiting to cast their votes and everything went on very peacefully. We are impressed…the (Electoral Commission) presiding officers were very professional,” Ambassador Pacifici said.

    The election took place with no major international observer mission aside from the African Union, with the United States saying too many of its staff were denied permission to monitor the vote.
    Biometric polling machines were used at 34,000 polling stations. Once past the biometric verification, voters were directed to three ballot boxes to vote for their district level, parliamentary, and presidential candidates.

    Police had advised people not to go out to celebrate or protest after results are announced citing draconian COVID-19 rules that were regularly used to crack down on the opposition.

  • 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.

  • Museveni Shuts Down Social Media Ahead of Election Day

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of pmldaily

    Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has shut down social media two days before the country heads to the polls.

    Museveni has accused Facebook and unnamed outside groups of “arrogance” after it removed Ugandan accounts linked to his re-election campaign.
    “That social channel you are talking about, if it is going to operate in Uganda, it should be used equitably by everybody who wants to use it,” said President Museveni, during a National address on Tuesday.

    He added that he was “sure the government has closed social media” and apologized to Ugandans for what he called an inconvenience.

    Earlier, Uganda’s communications regulator has ordered internet services providers to shut down social media and messaging services. Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director, Irene Sewankambo, ordered telecommunications companies to “immediately suspend any access and use” of social media and online messaging platforms. The list of banned social media sites include Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Viber.

    This came as Bobi Wine, Museveni’s challenger, said police had raided his home and beat two security guards.
    Bobi Wine, a popular singer and politician whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, said the raid on his compound happened while he was doing an interview with Kenya’s Hot 96 FM radio station.
    “I have to end the interview because I can see soldiers beating my security guards,” he said.
    Patrick Onyango, police spokesman for the capital Kampala, denied Bobi Wine’s home had been raided or that anyone was arrested. “We were just rearranging our security posture in the area near his home, specifically removing some checkpoints,” said Onyango.

    Ugandan Opposition figure head, Bobi Wine. Photo courtesy of AFP.

    At 38, Bobi Wine who is half the age of Museveni has attracted a large following among young people in the nation who make up 80% of the population.
    He is consideredto be the frontrunner among 10 candidates challenging the former rebel leader who seized power in 1986.
    Bobi Wine and other leading opposition candidates said they had launched a concerted effort to protect against vote rigging at polling stations.
    They are urging protestors to stay within 100 metres of polling stations rather than return home as the electoral commission is demanding. This is likely to lead to confrontations with security forces.

  • Daystar Ramps Up Covid Protocols Ahead of Physical classes

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)


    Daystar University campuses have improved on Covid-19 protocols previously set up in the school, in preparation for physical classes of the January 2021 semester.


    Measures taken include setting up isolation rooms in both campuses, remarking classrooms and public places for social distancing, setting up temperature checks, handwashing and sanitization stations.

    Handwashing stations at Athi River Campus. Photo courtesy of Emmanuel Laguma.

    “We have isolation rooms in both campuses and we have doctors and medical personnel. We are ready and prepared, and we have done our best as a University,” said Pius Muia, Senior Human Resource Manager.


    Masks will also be provided in the campuses for those unable to obtain. With the protocols in place, the main campus in Athi River can accommodate 1,500 students while the Valley Road campus can take 600 students.


    “We had many of them saying the preferred face to face, and we wondered about the reasons and we agreed on who will be face to face,” said Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Faith Nguru, during the freshmen parents’ welcome on Monday.

    Social distancing in lecture rooms. Photo courtesy of Emmanuel Laguma.

    Currently, the University is offering blended learning whereby both physical and online classes will be ongoing. A survey that was conducted by the school revealed that more students preferred face to face learning over online learning.

    Students from the school of communication can also make arrangements in groups to use the studios in the campuses. Those undertaking online classes have the privilege of choosing their units from both the Athi River and Nairobi campuses, which include day and evening classes.

    Sanitizer station in Athi River campus. Photo courtesy of Emmanuel Laguma.

    Students set to resume for physical classes this January include those taking nursing and science-based courses. The rest will study online but have access to the facilities in both campuses such as the libraries and labs.


    Both physical and online classes are set to begin on January 11, 2021. Orientation of new students was conducted physically with strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.

  • January 2021 Freshmen Matriculated into Daystar University

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of Moses Wafula


    Freshmen of January 2021 semester were officially matriculated into the University on Wednesday, in a ceremony held at the Daystar main campus in Athi River. The matriculation ceremony signifies the formal entry of freshmen into the University by taking a matriculation oath.

    Those in attendance during the Matriculation ceremony were the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Laban Ayiro, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs and Research, Prof. Faith Nguru, as well as other members of the faculties and staff.

    Freshmen taking the matriculation pledge. Photo courtesy of Moses Wafula

    The VC and DVC led the freshmen into taking the pledge, thereby officially admitting them as students of Daystar University.
    “With the authority given to me by the University Council, I hereby admit you to pursue the courses in the discipline of your calling,” said the VC Prof Ayiro.
    “This (oath) will initiate you to formally become a student of this great University, and doing so also comes with a number of responsibilities, the most important being your obligation to contribute for the realization of the University’s mission and vision, as well as your own mission and vision,” said DVC Prof. Nguru to the freshmen.

    This semester’s freshmen will be among the first to experience a different learning approach that is problem-based and collaborative learning. The new teaching method introduced by the VC Prof. Ayiro, aims to produce students who are problem solvers. “The Daystar you are coming into is a Daystar that aspires to teach the way Harvard, Stanford and Oxford University teaches,” said Prof Ayiro during the matriculation ceremony.

    Photo courtesy of Moses Wafula.

    Currently, the University is offering blended learning whereby classes are partly physical and partly online. Covid-19 protocols have been ramped up in both campuses ahead of physical classes and include handwashing and sanitization points, isolation rooms and social-distance markings in classrooms and public places.

  • Biden, Harris certified as winners of 2020 US elections amidst pro-Trump Protests

    By: Valyne Laibuta (vklaibuta@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of nbcnews.com

    The US Congress certified that President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris, are the victors of the 2020 US elections. US congress confirmed the results today despite the delays caused by pro-Trump supporters who stormed and occupied Capitol building in Washington DC on Wednesday, 6th January 2020 to disrupt the final election count. 

    The Capitol riot was President Donald Trump’s last efforts to halt the certification of the election results after spewing false claims of election fraud in a weeklong campaign. Despite inciting the riots, President Trump released a statement earlier today agreeing to respect the election results. The statement came shortly after Congress certified the results earlier today. 

    “Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th,” stated Trump. 

    A Trump supporter pictured sitting in Nancy Pelosi’s office during the Capitol Protests. Photo courtesy of arkansasonline.com

    US leaders and world leaders alike have condemned the Capitol riots that were instigated by Trump’s baseless claims. President-elect Joe Biden denounced the riot and called protesters “extremists” and stated that the violence the protesters have caused is “an assault on the citadel of liberty the Capitol itself. An assault on the people’s representatives and the Capitol Hill police sworn to protect them … An assault on the rule of law … An assault on the most sacred of American undertakings: The doing of the people’s business.”

    Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, told Russian News agencies that the US electoral system does not meet “modern democratic standards”.

    “This is largely the reason for the split in society now observed in the United States”, added Zakharova. 

    Protesters outside Capitol building during Congress proceedings. Photo courtesy of Spencer Platt/Getty Images.

    Washington DC Mayor, Muriel Bowser, extended a state of emergency for 15 days after the Capitol protests left at least 4 people dead and 14 police officers injured. Mayor Bowser decided “to extend the state of emergency to ensure peace and security through the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris”.

  • Daystar Introduces Problem-Based Learning

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of Moses Wafula


    Daystar University has changed its learning system to a problem-based and collaborative learning approach, beginning with the first and second years this January 2021 semester.
    Problem-based learning (PBL) is a student-centred approach in which students learn about a subject by working in groups to solve an open-ended problem.


    Speaking during the Parents’ Welcome on Monday’s orientation, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Laban Ayiro, called for students to “enhance the intellectual rigour of the university”.
    “We have decided in management, and we are taking this to the senate, that we are overhauling the way we teach completely,” said Prof Ayiro.
    The VC argued that the University cannot continue teaching students the same way it did thirty years ago. He added that the goal is to make students “have the ability to learn and relearn constantly.”

    Vice-Chancellor, Professor Laban Ayiro, during his presentation at the Parent’s Welcome. Photo courtesy of Moses Wafula.


    Problem-based learning includes self-directed learning strategies and team participation that will allow students to be more active in learning processes. Students will engage in collaborative learning and turn out to be more skilled, competent and have a competitive edge.


    “This is an ideal Ayiro is prepared to die for,” said the VC. “It must happen. If there’s something I’m going to leave behind in Daystar, is that we are going to produce students who are problem solvers.”


    In the new learning approach, students will be able to acquire 70% of their grade during the semester and therefore, the tension of final examinations will no longer exist.
    Prof Ayiro, who was a former Vice-Chancellor in Moi University, acknowledged that Problem-based learning was adopted in its school of Medicine, which saw their doctors stand out today.


    The VC added that Daystar will no longer be a passive institution whereby students come for lectures, write notes and go. Rather, they will be engaged with their faculties in case studies, debates, discussions and models. Students will also pursue solutions to authentic problems by asking and refining questions.

    Parents, staff and freshmen observing social distancing during the Welcome. Photo courtesy of Moses Wafula.

    “I want my students to debate ideas, to make predictions, to design plans and experiments, to collect and analyze data, to draw conclusions, to communicate ideas and findings, and ask questions, and above all create products,” said the VC.

  • The UK Approves AstraZeneca Vaccine


    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of The Times.


    The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved by the UK medicines regulator, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA). This makes it the second vaccine to be approved in the UK after Pfizer.


    The approval by the body of the came after weeks of examining trial data by experts and it was concluded that the vaccine met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.
    The vaccination programme will start on Monday and will aim to reach millions of people in at-risk categories as quickly as possible.


    The new variant of the virus causing high rates of infection has made vaccination much more urgent. The government’s joint committee on vaccination and immunization (JCVI) has advised that priority should be to give as many at-risk groups their first dose of either the Oxford or Pfizer vaccine, other than providing two doses in four weeks.

    AstraZeneca PLC company. Photo courtesy of EPA.


    “Everyone will still receive their second dose and this will be within 12 weeks of their first. The second dose completes the course and is important for long term protection,” said a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).


    AstraZeneca said its vaccine would be made available to some of the poorest regions of the world at low cost and not being manufactured for profit. CEO of the company, Pascal Soriot, said AstraZeneca could provide the UK with up to 2 million doses a week and would start shipping the first doses “today or tomorrow”.


    “The good news with this is we are going to be able to inject a lot of people with one dose very quickly, provide them with a reasonably good dose of protection until they get their second dose two to three months later. That will enable us to protect more people because we can wait two to three months for the second dose,” added Soriot.

    Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca CEO. Photo courtesy of EPA.


    The UK has ordered 100m doses of the vaccine and eventually, all adults will be offered, according to Matt Hancock, the UK health secretary.
    “Because we’ve got enough of this vaccine on order to vaccine the whole population – we’ve got 100m doses on order- add that to the 30m doses of Pfizer and that’s enough for two doses for the entire population,” he said in an interview on BBC Breakfast.
    “So I can now say with confidence that we can vaccinate everyone except of course for children because this vaccine has not been trialled on children and anyway children are much less likely to have symptoms from the disease,” he added.

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson, celebrated the news as “truly fantastic news and a triumph for British science”.
    “We will now move to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible.” he tweeted.

  • 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.

  • Miguna announces gubernatorial candidature for Nairobi by-election

    By: Muhanguzi Tola (tolakofa1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of Twitter

    Political activist cum lawyer Miguna Miguna on Saturday, December 19 expressed his interest in the Nairobi gubernatorial seat following the impeachment of Governor Mike Sonko.

    The exiled author who had vied for the same seat in 2017 on an independent ticket stated via twitter that the decision comes after receiving legal advice from constitutional lawyer Waikwa Wanyoike.

    “Having received competent legal advice…I Miguna Miguna, a Kenyan citizen by birth and registered voter in Nairobi, hereby declare my candidature for the position of Governor of Nairobi in the upcoming by-election,” he declared.

    The fiery lawyer had on Friday taken to his twitter account to criticize the ousted governor, claiming that the latter had been imposed on Nairobians by President Uhuru Kenyatta, as he quoted his statements from the 2017 gubernatorial debate.

    “My friend Sonko is looting every land in Nairobi. He has a criminal record from Mombasa where he was jailed because of fraud, forgery and drug dealing,” claimed Miguna during the debate held at Daystar University.

    Sonko’s Impeachment

    Former Nairobi Governor, Mike Sonko. Photo courtesy of the-star.co.ke

    The seat fell vacant after the ouster of former Governor Mike Sonko by the senate on December 17, on accounts of gross violation of the constitution or any other law, abuse of office, gross misconduct and crimes under national law.

    Nairobi county assembly speaker, Benson Mutura, takes over as interim governor given the absence of a deputy governor since the resignation of Polycarp Igathe in January, 2018. According to Article 182(4) of the constitution, the speaker of the county assembly shall act as county governor with an election to the office of county governor being held within sixty days after the speaker assumes the office of county governor. 

    The speaker’s swearing-in ceremony that had been scheduled for Friday 18 had to be postponed following the late arrival of the judge assigned to preside over the ceremony.

    Reactions Following Announcement

    Kenyans have taken to twitter to react to offer their thoughts, with most of their sentiments directed towards the self-proclaimed general of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Notable was blogger Robert Alai’s remarks which warned Nairobians against voting for the ‘general’.

    “Replacing Sonko with Miguna is like replacing Wahome of Helicopter with Kanyari. Mad men! Zero work!” stated Alai.