KBC Channel 1

Author: KNA NEWS

  • Homa Bay student fatally stabbed by boyfriend, family demands justice

    Homa Bay student fatally stabbed by boyfriend, family demands justice

    A family in Lambwe, Homa Bay County, is demanding justice following the brutal killing of their 20-year-old daughter, Sheryl Awino, a first-year Land Survey student at Mawego National Polytechnic.

    Awino, who was four months pregnant, was fatally stabbed by her boyfriend, also a student at the institution, in a shocking attack that took place under unclear circumstances on Saturday.

    According to a family member, Daniel Obuya, Awino had spent Friday night with the suspect at her hostel before a commotion was heard early Saturday morning.

    A fellow student who witnessed the disturbance sounded the alarm after seeing the suspect dragging Awino.

    The suspect fled the scene, abandoning his motorcycle and mobile phone. Awino was rushed to Kendu Adventist Hospital in Rachuonyo North, where doctors confirmed her death.

    It was at the hospital that medical personnel discovered she had been pregnant.

    Rachuonyo North Police Commander Lydia Parteyie confirmed that officers are actively pursuing the suspect as investigations continue.

    However, the motive behind the attack remains unknown.

    Awino’s body was first taken to Kendu Adventist Hospital mortuary before being transferred to Med 25 in Kirindo, Mbita Sub-county. Her devastated family has called for swift justice to ensure the suspect is held accountable.

    Meanwhile, another fatal stabbing occurred in Ongogo Tir village, Ongogo sub-Location, Suba North constituency, where a 27-year-old man lost his life following an altercation.

    The victim, Boas Owino, was reportedly stabbed by a student from Asumbi Teachers Training College during a confrontation involving a Form Four female student. Owino succumbed to his injuries while being rushed to Homa Bay Referral Hospital.

    The suspect was immediately arrested and taken to Mbita Police Station. The incident was confirmed by Acting Area Chief Tobias Ong’wena, who assured that investigations are ongoing.

  • Police officer fatally stabbed in Trans Mara bar attack

    Police officer fatally stabbed in Trans Mara bar attack

    Police in Trans Mara, Narok County, are investigating two separate incidents that occurred on Friday, a police officer’s fatal stabbing and the brutal murder of a man by his stepbrother.

    Confirming the incidents, Narok County Police Commander Riko Ngare said the officer was attacked while at a drinking joint in Gem Shopping Center.

    The officer, attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Changamwe, was stabbed below the left armpit.

    He was rushed to Oasis Hospital in Kehancha before being referred to Ombo Mission Hospital in Migori County, where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.

    Police have since arrested the main suspect, Michael Masande, and recovered a Maasai sword believed to have been used in the attack. The weapon has been preserved as evidence.

    The officer’s body has been moved to St. Akidiva Mabera Hospital Mortuary in Migori County, awaiting a postmortem examination.

    In a separate incident, police are investigating the killing of a 51-year-old man, Douglas Korio, allegedly murdered by his 30-year-old stepbrother, Kishoyian Korio, in a suspected land dispute at Enkosipa Sub-location, Trans Mara West Sub-county.

    Douglas was attacked in his maize plantation, just a few meters from his homestead. His body was found with gruesome injuries—his head and fingers had been completely severed and his left hand was broken.

    A Maasai shuka and a mobile phone belonging to the deceased were recovered at the scene.

    Efforts to apprehend the suspect are ongoing, while the body has been moved to Trans Mara Sub-county Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem examination.

  • Kenya’s transport sector embraces green technology for zero emissions

    Kenya’s transport sector embraces green technology for zero emissions

    The Kenyan government has affirmed its commitment to collaboration, peer review, and knowledge exchange to advance sustainable and green practices in port development.

    Speaking at a workshop on Sustainable and Green Ports in Nairobi, Principal Secretary for Transport Mohammed Daghar highlighted Kenya’s dedication to decarbonization, alternative energy sources, digitalization, smart port technologies, and capacity-building for sustainable port operations.

    PS Daghar noted that Kenya has made substantial progress toward achieving zero emissions in transportation, despite the high resource demands of such initiatives for a developing nation.

    He emphasized the importance of partnerships with development partners, citing Kenya’s strong relationship with the United States in the shipping and maritime sectors.

    Engineer Michael Muchiri, delivering the speech on his behalf, echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for investment to reach sustainability goals.

    The transport sector contributes around 20% of Kenya’s greenhouse gas emissions, with shipping accounting for approximately 3% of global emissions.

    Although Kenya has a small registry of vessels, its strategic location on the East African coast serves as a key transit hub for landlocked neighbouring countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

    In 2023, Kenya managed 35.98 million metric tons of cargo throughput and 1.62 million TEUs of containerized cargo, underscoring the importance of decarbonization in the shipping sector.

    The Ministry of Roads and Transport recently revised the Integrated National Transport Policy (INTP) to incorporate environmental sustainability measures aimed at reducing carbon footprints in maritime transport.

    To support climate-resilient infrastructure, the ministry has adopted climate-proofing standards and is developing long-term strategies for sustainable transport.

    Regulations have been introduced to prevent and manage fuel spills and other hazardous materials, with initiatives to shift cargo transport from road to rail, pipeline for petroleum products, and inland waterways to reduce congestion and minimize population exposure.

    Since 2023, Kenya has also promoted greener mobility, including investments in electric vehicles, fuel-efficient vehicles, noise reduction for vehicles and aircraft, advanced aviation technologies, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

    Market-based measures have also been adopted to lower the carbon footprint across the transport sector.

    The workshop brought together officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy, CEOs from Kenyan state departments and agencies, leaders from intergovernmental organizations, private sector representatives, and media to discuss sustainable transport strategies.

  • Kilifi’s informal settlements to receive Ksh 1.2B upgrade

    Kilifi’s informal settlements to receive Ksh 1.2B upgrade

    The national government has launched the upgrading of seven informal settlements in Kilifi County through the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project (KISIP 2), with projects totalling Ksh 1.2 billion.

    These World Bank-funded infrastructure projects, implemented in partnership with the Kilifi County Government, will bring significant improvements to informal settlements, including 13 kilometers of tarmac roads with drainage systems, street lighting, 250 public toilets, and other essential amenities.

    Kilifi County Housing and Urban Development Chief Officer Ali Abubakar stated that the upgrades are underway in Kibaoni, Baya Magonzi, Kalolo, Mtaani, and Kisumu Ndogo in Kilifi town, as well as Muyeye and Kibokoni M17 in Malindi town.

    The project also includes a land tenure component, regularizing land ownership in the targeted areas with the issuance of title deeds in Mazeras and Kibokoni.

    Additionally, 16 cargo containers are being repurposed into 96 business stalls in two Kilifi settlements, while in Muyeye, Malindi town, the construction of 250 public toilets is underway.

    “Kilifi County has received Ksh 1.2 billion for these projects, including roads with drainage, street lighting, and public sanitation facilities,” Abubakar said.

    KISIP Project Manager, Engineer Julius Kiplimo, noted that the projects are approximately 50 per cent complete and are expected to conclude by February 2025.

    Residents expressed enthusiasm during a recent inspection by KISIP officials, stating that the roads, streetlights, and sanitation facilities will improve security and living conditions.

    They also highlighted that the value of land in targeted settlements has increased, with plots now valued as high as Ksh 4 million, up from Ksh 600,000 to Ksh 800,000.

    Jackson Haro, a Kilifi resident, emphasized that the improved roads and lighting will boost communication and security, a sentiment echoed by other residents, including Lilian Senti, Hamisi Katambo, Zena Mwadena, and Lawrence Ndegwa.

    Youth in the area, like Julius Ndegwa, applauded the projects for creating job opportunities.

    In Muyeye, residents welcomed the construction of toilets, addressing the lack of sanitation facilities that previously forced them to use nearby thickets, posing health and safety risks.

    Mariam Salim Makokha, a resident, noted that this issue has disproportionately affected women, some of whom have faced harassment in unsafe areas.

    Project management committee vice-chair Judith Fadhili confirmed that 125 out of the planned 250 toilets have already been completed, with residents hoping KISIP 2 will expand services to other areas.

    Residents of Kibokoni, including Kadii Katana Baya and Alfred Chogo, expressed appreciation for the new road and streetlights, noting that they would ease transport, reduce flooding in rainy weather, and support a 24-hour economy by deterring crime and increasing land value.

  • Family planning efforts in Migori boosted as teen pregnancy rates surge

    Family planning efforts in Migori boosted as teen pregnancy rates surge

    Teenage pregnancies have been on the rise in Migori County, prompting health practitioners to promote family planning as a potential solution.

    Recent health data from 2023 shows that teenage pregnancies account for 19% of all pregnancies in the county.

    Contraceptive usage among women of reproductive age stands at 69%, thanks in part to efforts by NGOs like Amref, Lwala Community Alliance, and government-backed programs like the Beyond Zero Campaign, which have helped increase uptake from 61% in 2021 to 69% in 2023.

    Despite these gains, family planning (FP) methods still face resistance due to community stigma and misconceptions.

    Critics claim that FP leads to health risks, and infertility, and encourages sexual immorality among teenagers.

    Irene Oyuga, a health practitioner at Midoti Health Facility in Suna East, highlights that these myths have prevented many from accessing critical FP services.

    “Family planning is safe and scientifically proven not to cause harm or infertility,” Oyuga stated, adding that her team has been actively educating the community to dispel these misconceptions.

    Oyuga noted that the facility has launched educational campaigns targeting adolescents to inform them about the benefits of family planning and to provide accurate information that counters prevailing myths.

    Training health practitioners to guide young people on FP methods is part of this outreach, which has also integrated FP services that have contributed to lowering maternal deaths among teenage mothers by preventing complications such as uterine rupture and postpartum bleeding.

    “The womb of a teenage girl is not biologically ready to carry a child, and such pregnancies lead to high risks like uterine rupture and cervical tears that can result in fistula,” Oyuga explained.

    Through programs like Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), run by Johns Hopkins’ JHPIEGO, youths in Migori are receiving sensitization on family planning and reproductive health services. TCI has also equipped health promoters with tools to raise awareness effectively.

    Oyuga urged health partners to focus on school-going teens, especially during the long holiday period, to counter the stigma associating family planning with immortality.

    “Schools are closed for over two months, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect teenagers from early pregnancies,” she said in a press interview in Migori.

    Community members like Lydia Atieno, a 21-year-old mother from Suna East, have seen firsthand the positive impact of family planning.

    Atieno, who had to drop out of school to care for her child, shared that FP methods have helped her and her husband avoid unplanned pregnancies, easing their financial burden.

    Similarly, Maryanne Merix, a 21-year-old student, credits her mother’s guidance on FP for helping her complete school without the challenge of an early pregnancy.

    For some, the experience has been more challenging. Irene Awino, a 23-year-old who became pregnant in Form Two, managed to resume school and now mentors teenagers as a social worker.

    Her use of FP has allowed her to plan her family size carefully, a choice she hopes to inspire in others.

    Dorothy Minyiri, Director of the Community Resource and Empowerment Organisation (CREAMO), noted that hidden contraceptive use often breeds mistrust in relationships.

    She encouraged open communication between partners to find an agreeable and healthy approach to FP.

    CREAMO has been supporting young mothers by educating them on FP and providing referrals where needed.

    Minyiri emphasized the need for NGOs and development partners to tailor their FP initiatives to the specific needs of their target audience (ages 14–24) to ensure the effective uptake of contraceptives among young people.

  • EU envoy urges Kenya to diversify exports under new trade agreement

    EU envoy urges Kenya to diversify exports under new trade agreement

    The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, has urged Kenyan entrepreneurs to expand their range of export products to the EU under the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to boost profits.

    While noting that Kenya primarily exports horticultural products such as flowers and vegetables, Geiger emphasized the potential for increased earnings if exporters pivot toward manufactured and high-value goods.

    Speaking at a Kenya-EU EPA sensitization forum in Athi River, Machakos County, Geiger highlighted that the EPA presents Kenya with a valuable opportunity to build industrial capacity and advance toward its goal of becoming an upper-middle-income country.

    “Kenya aims to achieve upper-middle-income status, and this can be realized through establishing manufacturing and processing companies,” she stated.

    Machakos County has been proactive in seizing this opportunity by setting up Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which Geiger praised, calling on other counties to follow suit.

    “These SEZs offer unique opportunities that can significantly drive manufacturing growth,” she added.

    The ambassador assured Kenya of the EU’s commitment to supporting EPA implementation and mentioned that similar forums will be conducted in Europe to attract investment into Kenya, thereby strengthening bilateral trade.

    “I encourage the Kenyan government to partner with the private sector to foster a conducive environment for business. Kenya boasts one of the strongest private sectors in Africa, which is why many companies are choosing to establish operations here,” she said.

    Joseph Rotich, Director of External Trade at the State Department for Trade, highlighted that the EPA provides Kenyan exporters with unrestricted access to the EU market.

    “The agreement guarantees quota-free and duty-free access to all 27 EU countries,” Rotich noted, adding that this will help expand Kenya’s industrial base and open new markets, including the United States.

    Rotich affirmed the State Department’s commitment to fully implementing the agreement, with an EPA implementation strategy in the advanced stages.

    He pointed out that the EPA also aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), offering EU investors in Kenya access to wider African markets.

    Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) Acting CEO Tobias Alando welcomed the EPA as a promising opportunity for Kenyan manufacturers to both export to the EU and establish joint ventures with EU companies to set up operations in Kenya.

    “We call upon counties to adopt policies that create an enabling environment for the manufacturing sector,” Alando said.

    Chief Executive Officer of the Fresh Produce Exporters Consortium of Kenya, Okisegere Ojepat, urged Kenyan producers to seize the EPA opportunity and scale up production to meet EU demand.

    Ojepat observed that Kenyan exports to the EU had declined recently, primarily due to evolving regulatory requirements, but expressed optimism that the EPA would address these challenges.

    “We must ensure a steady supply to the 27-country economic bloc and encourage farmers and exporters to adhere to standards to access these markets,” he added.

    Ojepat also called on national and county governments to establish regulatory frameworks that enable farmers and exporters to access the EU market more efficiently.

    Other key figures attending the forum included Machakos County Secretary Dr. Muya Ndambuki, as well as public and private sector stakeholders.

    The forum in Machakos is part of a national series aimed at raising awareness of the opportunities provided by the Kenya-EU EPA.

  • State bans activities in Likia and Logoman Forests after fatal skirmishes

    State bans activities in Likia and Logoman Forests after fatal skirmishes

    The State has ordered the closure of Likia and Logoman forests to all human activities following recent skirmishes that resulted in four deaths and numerous injuries.

    Rift Valley Region Commissioner Dr. Abdi Hassan announced that all human movement, livestock grazing, and tree cutting in the forested areas are prohibited, warning that anyone found in the forests would be treated as a criminal.

    “We have received reports of a criminal gang residing in the forests, armed with spears and threatening residents. This cannot continue. From today, anyone found in the forest will be considered a criminal,” he emphasized.

    Dr. Hassan made these remarks on Wednesday during a tour of the Kirampa and Nessuit areas, which straddle the border of Narok and Nakuru counties. He urged local communities to coexist peacefully.

    He confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible for the recent killings.

    “Those accountable for the murders will be arrested and prosecuted. The guns allegedly used in some of these killings have already been taken for investigation,” he stated.

    Dr. Hassan warned residents against carrying weapons, assuring them that a sufficient police presence is in place to protect lives and property.

    “The government’s primary responsibility is to ensure safety. If we cannot achieve this, then our purpose is in question. The ongoing skirmishes in this area must cease immediately,” he asserted.

    He indicated that once peace is restored in the forest-adjacent areas, the State would reopen the forests for community use, including livestock grazing and firewood collection.

    “No community is superior to another; all residents have the right to benefit from forest resources,” he reminded.

    “Despite boundaries, the forest belongs to everyone. We must first restore peace before allowing people back into the forest.”

    Dr. Hassan also urged individuals in possession of stolen livestock to return them to their rightful owners before security officials launch a search for the stolen goods.

    “Today, we are asking for peace; tomorrow, we will enforce it to ensure normalcy returns. We cannot allow a small group of criminals to disrupt this area,” he warned.

    Additionally, the RC issued a stern warning to police officers and National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) who collude with specific communities to escalate violence, stating they risk dismissal and prosecution.

    The peace meeting was attended by Narok North Women Representative Agnes Pareyio, Olokurto Member of County Assembly Joshua Kishoyian, and members of the Rift Valley region and county security committees from Narok and Nakuru.

  • Court acquits father, says daughter lied to avoid school

    Court acquits father, says daughter lied to avoid school

    A Murang’a court acquitted a man on Tuesday after he was falsely accused of defiling his teenage daughter.

    Senior Resident Magistrate Eric Analo declared Samuel Kibugi innocent, finding that the 14-year-old had made the accusations out of spite.

    Witnesses and evidence presented in court revealed that the girl fabricated the claims because she did not want to attend school and was disciplined by her father for skipping classes.

    “The victim is quite stubborn and did not want to go to school. She did not specify the time or place of the alleged assault,” Magistrate Analo said in his ruling.

    The girl initially alleged that her father assaulted her on various dates between May and June, but was unable to provide clear details during testimony.

    Her mother, Rachel Wanjiku, stated that her daughter had a pattern of avoiding school and often acted out to avoid disciplinary action.

    Wanjiku added that the school principal frequently called to report her daughter’s absenteeism, and the accusations were her way of evading school.

    In his defence, Kibugi explained that he had recently disciplined his daughter for missing school, which she resented.

    Following this, she reported him to a village elder, who involved the area chief, leading to Kibugi’s arrest. Before his acquittal, Kibugi had spent five months in remand.

  • KEMRI DG highlights climate change as a public health crisis

    KEMRI DG highlights climate change as a public health crisis

    The Director General of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Professor Elijah Songok, has emphasized that the impact of climate change is not only an environmental or economic issue but also a public health crisis, especially in African countries.

    Speaking at the 3rd Health and Climate Change Conference held at the Machakos Convention Centre from October 15-18, 2024, Songok stressed that the effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures, shifting disease patterns, extreme weather, and environmental degradation, are significantly contributing to poor health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.

    “Climate change is predicted to reduce agricultural production in Africa by up to 20% by 2050, leading to food insecurity and malnutrition,” said Songok.

    He noted that the health impacts of climate change are costly, with estimates suggesting that they could cost African nations between 2-4 billion US dollars annually, underscoring the need for urgent action.

    The KEMRI Director General highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between research and practical implementation to build climate-resilient health systems.

    He stressed that such systems are crucial in addressing climate-related health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations who are at risk of falling into poverty due to limited access to healthcare.

    “As a research institution, KEMRI is committed to conducting research that informs policy and provides evidence-based solutions,” Songok added.

    Chairman of the KEMRI Board of Directors, Dr. Abdulahi Ali, echoed these sentiments, stating that the conference aims to inspire tangible actions that will positively impact millions of lives across the continent.

    “This conference is not just an academic exercise but a call to action,” said Dr. Abdulahi.

    He reaffirmed the board’s full support for KEMRI’s role in leading research, shaping policy, fostering partnerships, and supporting the initiatives emerging from the discussions.

    Dr. Abdulahi urged the delegates to seize the opportunity to form new alliances, share ideas, and commit to actions that will make a real difference in combating the public health effects of climate change.

  • Court directs IEBC CEO to Gazette Evans Kapkea as Uasin Gishu DG

    Court directs IEBC CEO to Gazette Evans Kapkea as Uasin Gishu DG

    The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chief Executive Officer, Marjan Hussein Marjan, has been given seven days to gazette Evans Kapkea as the newly appointed Deputy Governor of Uasin Gishu County.

    This follows an order issued by Eldoret High Court Presiding Judge, Justice Reuben Nyakundi.

    In his ruling, Justice Nyakundi directed the IEBC CEO to issue the gazette notice within seven days of receiving the court order, citing that the absence of a fully constituted IEBC, as per Article 88 of the Constitution, does not hinder the CEO from executing the mandate.

    He stated that both the Governor of Uasin Gishu County and the County Assembly had complied with all legal procedures concerning the nomination and vetting of Evans Kipruto Kapkea for the role of Deputy Governor.

    “An order of mandamus is hereby issued, directing the respondent administrative unit, headed by the CEO, to initiate the necessary steps with the Government Printer to officially publish the name of Evans Kapkea in the Kenya Gazette as the newly nominated Deputy Governor of Uasin Gishu County, effective from the date of his vetting by the county assembly,” ruled the judge.

    The court ruling came after the County Government filed a petition seeking to compel the IEBC Secretariat or its CEO to gazette Kapkea following his nomination by Governor Jonathan Bii and approval by the County Assembly.

    Kapkea, a former Member of the County Assembly for Tembelio Ward, was nominated on August 21, 2024, following the resignation of the former Deputy Governor, Eng. John Barorot.

    Justice Nyakundi ruled in favour of the petition on October 14, 2024, after the County Government, through its Solicitor B.K. Bulbul sought judicial intervention.

    The judge emphasized that the court had jurisdiction over the matter, noting that the petitioners had successfully demonstrated that the rights of Uasin Gishu residents—regarding representation, equality, freedom, and democracy—had been violated.

    The judge also affirmed that Governor Bii, as the appointing authority, had the liberty to proceed with Kapkea’s gazettement and swearing-in if the IEBC defaulted on the court’s order. Efforts by the IEBC to seek a stay on the ruling were rejected by the court.

    In response, Governor Bii praised the court’s decision, describing it as a victory for devolution.

    He expressed hope that the IEBC would fulfil its mandate promptly, allowing the county government to fully execute its duties to the people of Uasin Gishu County.