Category: News

By Leeroy Wuone

General Francis Omondi Ogolla MGH EBS HSC `ndc’ (K) `psc’ (FRA) perished in a fatal helicopter crash on the April 18,2024 that also claimed the lives of 9 others. It was not immediately clear what caused the crash.

The military helicopter crashed in a remote forested area in Sindar area,Kaben location,Tot division Elgeyo Marakwet county. This is the first time a sitting Chief of Defence Forces(CDF) has passed away while in office since independence times of Kenya. The unsettling trend of chopper crashes now raises concerns for the need of a thorough review of the airworthiness of Kenya’s state-owned aircraft.

The other 9 victims killed in the fatal chopper crash were Brig Swaleh Saidi,Col Duncan Keittany,Lt Col David Sawe, Maj George Magondu, Capt Sora Mohamed, Capt Hillary Litali, SSgt John Kinyua Mureithi, Sgt Cliphonce Omondi and Sgt Rose Nyawira.

The late General Ogolla had hoped to accomplish much and was focused on a mission of defending Kenya’s sovereignity as a republic. The late general was also on a mission of modernizing the military, weaponry included,“militaries evolve and threats to national security change everyday. We must keep evolving and equipping ourselves, said the late general earlier on. He was also on a mission to ensure that those under his command were well housed, their families well taken care of and the education of their children taken care of too.

The late Ogolla joined the KDF on April 24,1984 and was commissioned on May 6,1985 as 2^nd Lieutenant having trained as a fighter pilot with the US Air Force and as an instructor at the Kenya Air Force (KAF). He received a first class Honors in Bachelor of Arts in political science, Armed Conflict and Peace studies. He also holds a master of Arts in International studies from the University of Nairobi. The late Ogolla held senior positions in the military, including commanding officer Laikipia Air base Tactical flight wing in 2007, Base commander Laikipia Air base 2008-2014. He was also the chief flying instructor at the Kenya Air Force flying training school, and operations desk officer at Kenya Air Force headquarters (KAF). He was promoted to Brigadier April 10,2012 and subsequently appointed as Deputy Air Force Commander on July,2018,he was promoted to major General and appointed commander of the Air Force.The late General Ogolla was then promoted to Lieutenant General in July 23,2021 and named as the Vice Chief of Defence forces(VCDF) deputizing Ex CDF Rtd General Robert Kariuki Kibochi (2020-2023).

Upon the exit of General Kibochi, according to the Tonje rules,the CDF position was decided upon rotations among the 3 services the Kenya Army,Kenya Air Force and the Kenya Navy. According to the rules,the two Snr most officers after General Kibochi’s exit were Lt. General Ogolla and Lt. General Mohamed Badi. Former CDF Daudi Tonje was former CDF who served between 1996 and 2001 under the Moi regime. He remembered the late Ogolla as a pilot who trained Kenya Air Force Officers (KAF) where he mentored many young pilots.

The late General Ogolla was married to Aileen, and blessed with two children and a grandson. Marking his first 100 days in office, he said, “I like to read, I used to love golf, but the day I was appointed CDF I kept my golf clubs aside. I said`let me focus on this job wholeheartedly.”

Rest in Peace son of the soil, in the final words of General Douglas MacArthur’s an Ex USA chief of Defence,final address to a joint session of the United States Congress recorded in 1951),the old soldiers never die, they just fade away.In the eyes of Kenyans,we would put it as old General Francis Omondi Ogolla never dies, he just fades away.

By Samira Mohamed

Women provide joy, strength, and endless beauty to our days, creating a vibrant tapestry of existence. As the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day today, we celebrate the amazing women in our lives: mothers who care for their children (A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take), daughters who are role models, wives who provide support, aunts who are charming, and friends who support. They are the source of our most treasured memories, the unsung heroes of our victories on a daily basis, and the epitome of courage, love, and hope. Together, they create a story of empowerment and harmony that enriches our everyday lives with their wisdom, humour, and enduring friendship making our everyday ordinary lives extraordinary.

As we gather to commemorate this wonderful day, we go beyond the happy celebrations to recognize the incredible power, achievements, and resiliency of women globally. This day is a stark reminder of the breakthroughs made for women’s rights such as voting and working which was unheard of in the last 50 years as well as the enormous obstacles that millions of those still face, especially in countries where severe acts of violence, insecurity and genocide have occurred.

Women have been trailblazers all over the globe, bursting through limitless possibilities, shattering glass ceilings, and causing seismic shifts. They have made incalculable contributions to science, politics such as female presidents, Samia Suluhu being the first female president of Tanzania in East Africa, businesses where we have female CEOs and sports with the likes of Serena Williams dominating, these efforts continues to make a difference in our societies. As we honor Women’s Day, it is essential to consider both the phenomenal achievements and the horrendous instances that so many have to endure.

Let’s embrace this tremendous day of esteem and give tribute to the magnificent mosaic of female accomplishments that inspires and empowers people everywhere. Women have shaped history, from the scientific achievements of Marie Curie to the poetic brilliance of Maya Angelou, leaving an imprint on the course of time.

Throughout the improvements, it is critical to be aware of the harsh reality that many women face on a daily basis. In many regions of the world, systematic discrimination, gender-based violence, and genocide still occur. Women’s bravery in the face of hardship knows no geographical bounds. They surpass adversities with a resolute poise that is deserving of a standing ovation in places like Palestine and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the traumas of genocide have tarnished the narrative. Their stories are not tales of victimhood but instead are narratives of audacious triumphs against all odds.

International Women’s Day offers a chance for action and introspection in addition to celebration. It is a call to raise the voices of those who are frequently marginalized, to stand up for the rights of all women, and to strive towards eradicating gender-based violence and making equality a reality rather than just an ideal.

Let’s show our support for those who are suffering from the atrocities of genocide while we celebrate the accomplishments of women today. A world where every woman is free to follow her ambitions, where her strength is cherished, and where her contributions are acknowledged and valued even in the most challenging of circumstances is the essence of what International Women’s Day is all about.

So, here’s to the women who turn every challenge into a triumph, who light up the world with their radiant resilience. Happy International Women’s Day – may the celebration of women’s brilliance be as boundless as the stars in the night sky!

By Joe Aura,

{Aurajoe6@gmail.com}

Demonstrations against femicide in major Kenyan cities have drawn hundreds, highlighting the urgency of addressing violence against women. Women’s Representative, Esther Passaris, faces criticism following the march, defending herself on social media amid accusations of insufficient action.

Esther Passaris, a key figure in Kenyan politics, found herself at the center of controversy after being booed during the End Femicide march. Passaris took to Twitter to address the criticism, stating that she became a “punching bag” for political frustrations, emphasizing her active involvement in planning the march from its inception.

However, the public reaction on social media was swift and critical. One individual “Lady Njeri Thorne Lovely” expressed concerns about Passaris’ perceived delayed response, suggesting the need for frameworks to combat the misogyny contributing to femicide. Other users accused Passaris of neglecting her role as Women’s Representative, urging her to use her influence effectively.

Moreover, others questioned Passaris’s priorities, asserting that her energy defending herself should be directed towards speaking out against femicide. Users like MUTINDA @snrMUTINDA and Zollz @zollz criticized Passaris for what they perceived as a lack of action and called for accountability.

The exchange on social media revealed a divide in public opinion, with some arguing that Passaris joined the cause too late, while others accused her of political opportunism. The disagreement highlights the complexity of leadership responses to such pressing issues and raises questions about the effectiveness of leaders in addressing femicide.

The controversy surrounding Passaris brings to light a broader issue—do leaders’ responses play a role in the persistence of femicide? Critics argue that delayed or insufficient action may contribute to the prevalence of such cases. The heated online exchange reflects the public’s frustration and demands for accountability from leaders.

By Samira Mohammed

A public advisory has been released by the Mombasa County Government, advising the public to emphasize strict hygiene standards due to a rise in occurrences of conjunctivitis, also known as ‘Pink Eye Infection’. The County Department of Health Services expressed concerns in an official statement over the concerning increase in instances of this extremely infectious and contagious disease. Conjunctivitis can be triggered by various factors such as viruses, bacteria, allergens, or irritants, manifesting to  eye pain, swelling, redness, itchiness, and eye discharge.

The County Government has instructed residents to follow stringent cleanliness guidelines in order to curb the infection from spreading. These precautions include sharing personal items such towels, pillowcases, eye drops, or makeup; not touching or rubbing the eyes and face; and routinely and thoroughly washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

The advisory also emphasizes the infectious nature of Conjunctivitis, highlighting the importance of covering the nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing, proper disposal of tissues, frequent disinfection of surfaces that are regularly touched, and the use of sunglasses to reduce further eye irritation.

Residents who experience symptoms such as redness, itching, blurred vision, or eye discharge are urged to seek immediate medical attention to prevent the spread of the infection.

Following a recent outbreak of conjunctivitis in the neighboring country Tanzania, that forced the country’s health authorities to declare a high alert, the County Government has called for increased hygienic regulations.

With this period of increased infection risk, the goal of these preventive actions is to stop the spread of conjunctivitis and safeguard the well-being of residents in Mombasa County.

By Beverly Mautiah

The dean calls off the pajama/lounge wear party claiming it was unacceptable.
The event, organized by the Nairobi Campus Secretary, Ken Andrew, through an email, stated that students were invited to a pajama party.

“ I am excited to welcome all students next week to a first-of-its-kind event in Daystar: a pajama party”. Read the email.
The event was to take place on January 26 from 3pm to 10.30 pm at the Nairobi Campus.

A number of activities were planned for that day such as eSports, movie night ,board games and many others.
A football tournament with a cash prize for the winner was also among the scheduled activities that was to be conducted during the event.
In response to the email , the dean remarked that the invite was not approved by the Student Affairs Department.

It was noted by the dean that pajamas are meant for private use only.
“ The flyer mentions the event dress code as “ Pajamas and Lounge wear”. Pajamas are nightwear worn for sleeping and for private use, not public”. Dean noted.
He then claimed that it was against Daystar University’s dress code. “ Pajamas aren’t part of the acceptable Daystar University dresscode”. Said the Dean.

By Samuel Owino.

On Sunday evening, December 17, at statehouse various media stations held a joint media interview with the president of Kenya His Excellency, Dr. William Ruto.

This media interview comes one month after the president gave a state of the nation address in parliament. During the state of the nation address the president did not comment many topics that affected Kenyans at the time such as the fuel prices, a sore topic then for many Kenyans.

During the interview, Dr. Ruto said that the price of fuel is not controlled by the Kenyan government but by the producers. He also stated that the price of fuel was the same all across East Africa because it is bought from the same producers.

“There is no miracle that is going to happen. We live in a global economy. The price of fuel is not controlled by the Kenyan government. It is controlled by the producers.”

The president also mentioned that the cause of the shilling free fall against the dollar is because the Federal Reserve had increased the rate to 5.25%, the highest in history.

He mentioned that his promise to control the freefall is not yet fulfilled because of the external factors that keep changing, “if things remain constant, I would have fulfilled my promise.”

On privatization of state owned companies, the president explained that he was not “selling” the companies but looking for strategic investments to maximize generation of revenue.

“The value in what privatization does. So let us accept as Kenyans, a company like Kenya Pipeline we can privatize. It will give us money, it will give us revenue… what have other countries done, so that we can reduce the pressure on taxes because we can raise more revenue by sweating the assets that we have.”

The president also pointed out that most hotels in Kenya have been closed or are struggling because of the lack of conference facilities and in turn affecting the tourism industry.

The head of state further stated that he is not only looking for strategic investors for KICC but he is also looking for strategic investors for the Bomas of Kenya. He says that this will even improve the tourism industry.

The interview ended with the president assuring Kenyans that, “we are going to change Kenya and I have every intention to do it.”

By Samuel Owino.

Kenyans gathered at Uhuru gardens, Nairobi on Tuesday 12 December to celebrate Jamhuri Day that marks 60 years of Kenya’s independence.

The Jamhuri day celebrations, themed, Youth, Creative and Sports, was presided over by President William Ruto. This is the second Jamhuri day celebration that he has presided over since he assumed office in 2022.

In attendance was the deputy president Rigathi Gachagua with his spouse  pastor Dorcas Rigathi, Prime cabinet secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, the governor of Nairobi, Johnson Sakaja, and others.

Foreign dignitaries such as the president of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde, Zanzibar’s president, Hussein Mwinyi, Burundi’s president, Prosper Bazombanza also graced the occasion.

Other notable figures include, Zanzibar’s First Lady Mariam Mwinyi, and Uganda’s Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga.

Speaking to a crowd of approximately 30 000 Kenyans, who have much complained about the harsh economic times, President William Ruto confirmed that the economy is stable, debt-free and inflation rates have dropped.

“Proudly, these sacrifices have paid off: I can now confirm that Kenya is safely out of the danger of debt distress and that our economy is on a stable footing.

The economic indicators point to good news. Inflation is now at 6.8%, down from a high of 9.2% last year.

In the last 6 months, our GDP has grown at 5.4%, making Kenya the 29th fastestgrowing economy in the world, according to the World Bank.”

The president also stated that come January 2024, tourists wishing to visit Kenya will not be required to apply for a visa to get in the country.

“Kenya is the home of humanity, a scientific fact that fills us with pride and underscores our rich heritage. It is with great pleasure, as President of this extraordinary country, to make a historic announcement of the decision of the Government of Kenya. Beginning January 2024, Kenya will be a visa-free country.

It shall no longer be necessary for any person from any corner of the globe to carry the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya. To echo the call of the Turkana people to the world: “Tobong’u Lorre!” Kenya has a simple message to humanity: Welcome Home!”

During the event, hundreds of Kenyans were awarded state honours for contributions to the nations in various capacities by president Ruto. Hon Wandayi James Opiyo, a graduate of Daystar University, was among those awarded with an Elder of the Order of Golden Heart. (EGH)

In Athi River today, Daystar University Students Association (DUSA) in conjunction with Shine FM, led a group of students and staff in a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) event visit to the pillars of hope children’s home in an effort to give back to the community.

This event is the last event for the September trimester as students and staff finish up on examinations and prepare for the festivities.

By Samira Mohamed

On Tuesday 28th November 2023, a ground-breaking ruling was made by the High Court of Kenya, defusing a blow to President William Ruto’s ambitious Affordable Housing plan by declaring key sections of the Finance Act 2023, including the controversial Housing Levy unconstitutional. The High Court, led by Justices David Majanja, Christine Meoli and Lawrence Mugambi affirmed that the imposed levy solely on formal sector workers was discriminatory and violated the Constitution.

Justice Majanja specifically emphasized that the singling out of formal employment for the housing levy without any justification was, “discriminatory, irrational, arbitrary, and against the constitution”. The ruling ordered an immediate cessation to the collection of levy sending ripples through the government’s financing mechanism for Ruto’s Housing Initiative. Justice Mugambi pointed out that the Finance Bill was a money bill, but it contained unconstitutional elements while acknowledging that budget estimates were legally presented.

The court, pleased with the public’s participation process, criticized the Parliamentary Committee for neglecting proposals from Kenyans. The petitioners, led by Busia senator Okiya Omtatah and the Law Society of Kenya further argued that the National Assembly failed to involve the Senate in the law’s formulation. The bench ruled that the National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula didn’t require unanimity from the Senate speaker Amason Kingi highlighting procedural shortcomings.

Ruto’s campaign pledge of providing affordable housing will be affected more broadly by this historic ruling. The finance law’s 1.5% levy nullification will disrupt the government’s plan to alleviate Kenya’s housing shortage by increasing home accessibility.

The court’s involvement highlights the need for a thorough legal framework and the judiciary’s responsibility in ensuring that government policies are in line with the constitution.

Apart from the housing fee, the Finance Act also doubled the fuel tax, therefore raising the highest income tax rate, which incited protests around the country. The court’s scrutiny demonstrates its dedication to protecting constitutional rights and serves as a reminder to the executive branch of the significance of following the law when implementing policies.

“The High Court bench has declared the Housing Levy unconstitutional for violating key provisions including singling out the formal sectors,” said Omtatah in celebration of the decision. In addition to having an effect on Ruto’s Housing project, this statement raises questions about other social welfare initiatives. The government’s proposal to create the Social Health Insurance Fund was further delayed until February 7th, 2024, by the court’s judgment which also put a hold on other legislation intended to improve social welfare.

To sum up, as the country grapples with the outcome of this court ruling, concerns arise about the future of the Affordable Housing Initiative and its comprehensive impact on President Ruto’s agenda. The Judiciary’s oversight role in safeguarding constitutional principles is evidence of the balance of power echoing the importance of adhering to legal frameworks while shaping public policies.

By Benjamin Wanguba

On Wednesday, Daystar University emerged as the first runners up during the annual Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK) bootcamp. The PRSK bootcamp is an annual event, where various Universities from across the country come together for mentorship from industry professionals and thereafter engage in a PR competition amongst the attending schools. The theme of this year’s event was ‘Sustainable PR practices in a Disrupted World.’

During the competition, The Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU) emerged victorious with 148 points with Daystar University coming closely in second place with 145 points and Mount Kenya University finishing in 3rd. This was an improvement as the team that represented the school in the previous year’s event had emerged 3^rd in an event where St. Paul’s University won the overall bootcamp. The Daystar team, which was comprised mostly of Public Relations and other Communication students was brought together by the Public Relations Association of Daystar (PRAD). The association has been one of the most active clubs in the school in the last year and has been organizing events whilst actively recruiting students to its ranks, even previously being recognized as the best association during the Clubs and Association (CLASS) week in Athi River.

Wendy Rugut, the association’s Finance Manager, expressed her joy over the outcome of the Bootcamp. “I am very happy with our team. Even though we did not emerge as the top, we put in a good fight and it was a great experience overall. Getting to network with our peers as well as these distinguished mentors was a fun experience and I am looking forward to the bootcamp next year,” Ms. Rugut said.

The bootcamp usually consists of two parts. During the first session, the attendees attend a special session where they get to listen to industry professionals who speak about their experience in the field of PR as well as offer guidance to the students. This year’s bootcamp saw noteworthy individual’s address the students. First to go up on stage was Ruth Chitwa, The Communications Manager at Living Goods Kenya. She was followed by Peter Mwaura, the Corporate Communications manager at KCB Group. Next up was Evelyn Serro, the Sustainability Manager at Safaricom PLC followed by Ms. Maureen Mambo, the Director of Nation Brand Development, Marketing and Communication at KEPROBA. To sum up the presentations came Cleophas Agwanda who currently serves as the Marketing Manager at IMAX Africa Ltd.

During the final session, the speakers create a challenge for the participating schools, where the students are expected to pitch a campaign in about 5 mins. This year’s campaign centered around communicating the actions of Climate Change and how they affect Sustainable development. The speakers then participate as the judges during this section.

PRAD President Shirlene Omondi congratulated the PRSK for the organizing of a stellar. “The event was fun and educational and despite taking the second place, we were able to learn from the other competitors and identify where we made mistakes during the case study challenge,” she said.