Day: January 12, 2024

A total of 459 students from Kakamega have been selected to benefit from the prestigious Elimu scholarship.

The Scholarship is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation(JKF) that targets students from vulnerable families.

The Scholarship covers school fees, shopping, uniform, school kit, transport to and from school and pocket money.

Kakamega Acting County Commissioner Ngalia Ndaya flagged off the beneficiaries of the scholarship at Masinde Muliro University noting that the government is committed to ensure 100% transition.

Speaking during the flagging-off ceremony, the County Executive Committee member for education Dr. Bonface Okoth urged parents of the beneficiary students to monitor their children’s academic and character development.

Okoth encouraged other students across the county to apply for the African Canadian Continuing Education Society(ACCES) scholarship that targets to support top students from all the 12 sub-counties to pursue higher education.

H
e noted that the county government has also increased its annual bursary allocation from Sh120 million to Sh240 million while encouraging students to apply.

‘We are committed to supporting our county residents to access quality education by ensuring that students go to school and shoulder the burdens of parents during tough economic times,’ he noted.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Two people have been arrested in connection to the killing of a 29-year-old surveyor, who was murdered, Thursday Morning, as he entered his homestead at K24 Estate in Narok town.

Narok County Commissioner, Isaac Masinde, spoke after holding a closed-door meeting with Narok Governor, Patrick Ntutu and a security meeting at the Commissioner’s office.

Also in the meeting was the Narok County Assembly Speaker, Davis Dikirr and the Assembly’s Majority Leader, Dominic Lemain.

Masinde said the two arrested will help the police unveil more information about the murder of late Lawrence Nkamasiai, but called on any resident with any information that could lead to the killing of the young man to volunteer information with the police.

Masinde blamed those spreading fake news on social media, on allegedly increasing incidents of insecurity in Narok town, saying this was the first incident of killing in the area since November 2023.

He refuted claims on social media that a certain community was being targeted, saying
Narok County is a cosmopolitan county, where people from all communities live in peace.

‘No one should incite the other on issues of security in Narok County. What happened, yesterday, is an isolated case that we have to dig deep to know the cause of the murder. I call upon Narok residents, to desist from spreading propaganda on social media,’ he said.

Governor Ntutu mourned the death of the young surveyor whom he described as an intelligent and hardworking man.

The Governor said his Administration will install security lights and set aside a piece of land to build a police post, so as to curb cases of insecurity in the area.

Ntutu reiterated that the County is a peaceful County where every community is allowed to live and invest, but warned those who came from other counties, to embrace peace like the local residents.

He asked landlords in the busy town to keep a profile of their tenants, so that they can easily be identified in case of a crime.

Earlier, Governor Ntutu had visited the family of the lat
e Nkamasiai to condole with the widow and her three-year-old boy.

Narok North Member of Parliament, Agnes Pareyio, who visited the home of the deceased also called for quick investigations on the killings.

Pareyio said issues of insecurity have been on rise in Narok town and its environs and called on the security team, to intensify patrols in the area.

Late Nkamasaiai will be buried tomorrow, Saturday, at his home in Leshuta area in Narok West Sub-county.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Embu County doctors have suspended their strike and agreed to return to work to pave way for negotiations with the County Government to address their grievances.

The development came after a meeting with the County Government, Wednesday, where the parties agreed to form a bipartisan technical committee, with a view to resolve the issues that prompted them to take the industrial action Tuesday.

Some of the issues the doctors resolved include non-remittance of statutory deductions, stagnation and denial of study leave.

The Committee is set to hold the first meeting, today, and give a report in five days’ time, that will among other issues come-up with recommendations for terms of employment of doctors in future.

In a joint press briefing that brought together county officials led by Governor Cecily Mbarire and the leadership of Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentist Union (KMPDU) Upper Eastern under their Chairman Dr. Denis Mugambi , the doctors agreed to return to work this morning to give r
oom for negotiations.

The parties also agreed to effect some changes immediately, including promotion of six senior doctors above 55 years, as well as those due for common cadre promotions that have no much budgetary implications.

The County Government also agreed to address the severe shortage of doctors by availing funds to replace those who have exited through retirement, natural attrition or in search of greener pastures.

Another deal arrived at, was the absorption of the nine contracted doctors on permanent and pensionable terms, using the funds which were being paid to doctors who have retired for the last one year.

The devolved unit also agreed to remit third party deductions on time and also clear all the pending remittances amounting to Sh. 278 million in the next budget cycle.

Governor Mbarire said no doctor will be victimized for taking part in the strike.

Dr. Dennis Mugambi, who is the KMPDU Branch Chairman in Upper Eastern, called on all the doctors to report back to work, as they continue
engaging the employer on how to improve their working conditions.

‘We have decided to suspend the strike and I ask the doctors to go back to work as we continue engaging,’ said Mugambi.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Members of the Law Society of Kenya in Siaya today took to the streets to protest President William Ruto’s verbal onslaught against the judiciary.

The demonstrations, part of the countrywide activity by the law society of Kenya saw the advocates practicing at the Siaya law courts, venture into the streets carrying placards that called for respect between the various arms of the government.

Led by lawyer Leonard Okanda, the lawyers said that there were procedures to be followed in case the President feels that some members of the judiciary were not performing to the public expectations.

Addressing the media outside the Siaya law courts, Okanda said it would be better for the President to respect the independence of the Judiciary adding that both arms were creations of the constitution.

LSK member, Victor Oduol said lawyers will not tire in reminding those in power to respect fidelity to the law and the constitution.

Another lawyer, Brian Ochanyo maintained that they will defend the oath that they took as
advocates to protect the rule of law and reminded the President that court orders must be obeyed.

They said that president Ruto’s persistent claims of corruption in the judiciary should be left to investigative agencies.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The County Government of Mombasa has temporarily suspended Bamburi Cement coal operations, to ensure the safety of its neighbouring residents.

The decision came after a comprehensive site inspection conducted by Deputy Governor (DG), Francis Thoya and the officials from the Environment Department, Public Health, and National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

The Deputy Governor called for immediate action, urging Bamburi Cement to formulate effective mitigation plans, to combat the coal dust problem. He has forcefully ordered the immediate cessation of coal operations in the Company and instructed them to devise methods to store or cover exposed coal.

He further noted that residents of Mombasa County, particularly those residing in Kadzandani and Bamburi, have been raising their concerns to the government regarding a persisting issue of dark dust infiltrating their homes for the last month.

The unsettling situation has not only resulted in persistent coughing among the affected residents but has a
lso disrupted their sleep patterns, leaving them restless at night. Hence, after conducting a thorough investigation, the County Government of Mombasa, in collaboration with the public health sector, it was revealed that Bamburi Cement has been bringing in coal and not storing it in a proper warehouse.

Instead, the coal has been left exposed in an open area, leading to the release of dark dust that has been infiltrating nearby homes. The irresponsible storage practice has been identified as the primary cause of the persistent dust problem affecting the residents of Kadzandani and Bamburi.

The decision was made to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents affected by the persistent dust issue. The County Government has directed that Bamburi Cement must establish a proper storage facility for their coal before resuming its coal operations.

‘It’s stipulated in law that for any company to handle coal it’s required to have an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) license because through that license one
can explain in detail how they will mitigate the potential dangers and impacts associated with coal,’ said Thoya.

‘The County Government does not have any plans of preventing investors from investing, we are here to protect the residents from the dangers of coal.’ The DG further said it’s the government’s duty as stipulated in the constitution to ensure its citizens have access to a clean and healthy environment.

However, Bamburi Cement in its position statement stated unprecedented winds during coal storage operations at the plant led to the spread of the coal. ‘In collaboration with the County Government of Mombasa, we have voluntarily suspended certain activities, implementing additional measures and forming a cross-functional committee.

In our commitment to compliance, we are conducting thorough reviews, enhancing community engagement, and maintaining normal operations,’ reads Bamburi Cement’s position statement.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Defilement is the most reported offence followed by burglary and mugging, in Mbale town and its environs in Vihiga County.

Vihiga Sub-county Police Commander (SCPC), Joseph Muturi, said hardly a week passes without a defilement case, being filed at the Mbale Police Station.

Muturi stated in some instances, the perpetrators are close relatives of the victims, such as a father, uncle or brother preying on the underage girls, who are sometimes impregnated.

The SCPC has called on the residents to preserve evidence and be willing to be witnesses so that the offenders are taken to the courts for justice to be served to the victims.

Speaking to KNA at his office, the police boss said since the beginning of the month, there have been a few assault cases, one theft of a motorcycle and two murder cases reported.

He said the police have been mounting night patrols for maintaining law and order because the two murder incidents, one in Mbale and another one in Kidundu area, occurred at night.

He said, they are coll
aborating with Chiefs and their Assistants, as well as the community policing members to ensure security prevails in the Sub-county.

‘We are also cracking down on the sale and consumption of drugs and illicit brews, as the users of these often turn to crime,’ he stated.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Lugari Deputy County Commissioner Simon Mutai has urged Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs to understand and uphold the law in their duties.

He made the appeal yesterday at Marakusi chief’s centre during the installation of Marakusi Assistant Chief Night Okumu. Mutai reminded the administrators that they willingly joined the public service hence they should diligently strive to serve the public as per the law.

The speaker emphasized on the importance of following the law and referring issues to the appropriate authorities if they cannot handle them. ‘I will not tolerate the issue of kangaroo courts especially on cases like defilement. Once the case has been reported to you, it is your solemn responsibility to cooperate with members of the public and ensure the culprit has been apprehended by the police officers,’ he said.

He called for a closer working relationship between the law enforcers, administrators and members of the public in dealing with societal challenges in order to maintain law and order, and he ap
pealed to members of the public to resolve issues affecting them amicably through those they have bestowed the leadership responsibility, like pastors, administrators and elected leaders.

Mutai told the new Assistant Chief that she is now a public servant and that her responsibilities had now increased from the family unit to the general public hence should be ready to serve them around the clock.

Lumakanda Assistant County Commissioner Christine Cheboi asked Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs to intensify the fight against illicit liquor across the Sub County saying it is an impediment towards development. Okumu pledged to serve all Marakusi residents diligently in accordance with the law.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo has revoked the tenant agreement of kiosks leased to traders in the entire county and ordered for fresh application.

Nyaribo said he made this order following increased cases of malpractice by scrupulous traders who are renting out their kiosks at exorbitant prices to other traders yet they fail to remit their statutory monthly revenue to the county government.

‘Traders who applied to benefit from the county kiosks have turned cons and have without any permission leased these same kiosks to others who never managed to get the kiosks to trade from there. They are the same traders who are the highest defaulters in remitting statutory monthly tax to the county.’ Nyaribo said.

‘All traders interested with the county kiosks to submit a fresh application for vetting by the department of trade to ensure genuine traders ready to use the kiosks for business as directed benefit. Further the previous statutory monthly remittance will be reviewed to match with the current market rent rat
es so that our county will not lag behind in revenue collection. The Governor stated.

He hinted that the vetting committee will consider all groups of people including youths, women, men and people with disability and are able to run small scale businesses.

‘Traders who know those who have been leasing their kiosks to others need to report so that those who rightly deserve benefit from these kiosks to equally have an opportunity to sustain their livelihoods in their day to day business ventures,’ the county boss commented.

Nyamira County put up 400 kiosks in various trading centres in all the 20 wards in Nyamira for trades to use in operating their small businesses to help the county generate revenue and boost government’s collection.

Source: Kenya News Agency