KBC Channel 1

Author: Nicholas Kigondu

  • Bright but needy student in need of support to join form one

    Bright but needy student in need of support to join form one

    A vulnerable but bright student from Kisauni sub-County is appealing to well-wishers to help him secure his form-one admission.

    14-year-old Clinton Wityukha, was raised by her mother single handedly after his father died in a road accident in Thika on October 7, 2018, while he was only in Class Three.

    He is among students who missed out on various scholarships offered by the national government, the County Government of Mombasa, and various private organizations, and he is at the brink of missing his opportunity to pursue education and his dream career.

    Despite ups and downs of life with his mother, who makes life ends meet by doing menial jobs as a house help Wityukha, managed to excel in his final examination by scoring 400 marks in the 2023 in the KCPE topping his school Servestar Academy, in Mshomoroni, Kisauni sub-county.

    At Servestar, Wityukha was sponsored by the school director Mama Violet, who had seen the struggle he and his mother, Eunice Khadiav aged 38, had gone through.

    The struggle had taken a toll on Khadiav, who had also lost a pillar and was now left with their only child.

    At one time, while in Class Five, the young boy had to stay out of school for almost a whole year due to lack of school fees.

    But Mama Violet came to her aid and employed her in her school as a help, earning a salary of 5,500 shillings a month.

    “From that 5,500, I had to pay my rent which is 2,500 shillings, and Wityukha’s food in school which was 1,000 shillings a month,” Khadiav said.

    Wityukha had been called to a school in Meru, but Khadiav could not afford it and told him he would have to persevere and start school in Term Two, at a day school near home.

    “My son has been crying a lot since I told him that and refuses to eat. This is not his body. He has even threatened to commit suicide”, adding that “I only have one prayer. If someone out there is kind enough to ensure my Clinton goes to school, I would appreciate it. I did not go to school, and I would not want my son to not go to school too.”

    Wityukha, whose dream is to be a lawyer says the last straw for him was seeing his only friend who he could confide in, go to join Form One, leaving him behind.

     

     

     

  • AFCON 2023: Focus on Cape Verde

    AFCON 2023: Focus on Cape Verde

    Cape Verde has qualified for the Knockout phase of Africa Cup of Nation in remarkable fashion, secured the first position in Group B with 7 points after two wins and a draw.

    The exploits set them on a collision course with Mauritania in the next round.

    The Blue Sharks opened their campaign with a shocking 2-1 victory over Ghana as a Garry Rodrigues late finish relegated the four-time champions to their first loss of the tournament.

    The Islanders have never lost an opening match at the Africa cup of Nations.

    They would drub Mozambique 3-0 in the following match to guarantee them a place in the round of 16, with a match against Egypt to spare.

    They would later hold the 7-time champions to a 2-2 draw in one of the most surprising conclusion to a group-stage competition.

    The country that is located off the Western Coast of the African Continent had been written off by many, after a ‘tough’ draw in a tournament that saw them pitted against multiple champions Egypt and Ghana.

    However, the Blue Sharks have had the last laugh as the Black Stars were eliminated, with the Pharaohs narrowly avoiding exit, with results elsewhere coming to their aid.

    This is the fourth time the team has been involved in the African Cup of Nations, the first one being in 2013 in South Africa, with the team looking forward to improve on their best finish in the tournament, which came back in the same campaign where they lost 2-0 to Ghana.

    The Sharks are looking to hoist their national flag high, with a nation of less than 600,000 people fully behind them and cheering their team.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Congolese Jonathan Kuminga shines in cameo against the hawks

    Congolese Jonathan Kuminga shines in cameo against the hawks

    Steph Curry had 25 points and 8 assists as the Golden State Warriors beat the Atlanta Hawks, 134-112 on Wednesday night in a match played at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

    Warriors, who were playing their first game after the death of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, went eight days in between games, the first team to go eight or more days without playing in the regular season, not including the All-Star break or stoppage for the pandemic.

    Klay Thompson would score 24 points, but the night would belong to a 21 year old Jonathan Kuminga who imposed himself on the match with 25 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals across 29 minutes.

    With Steph Curry on the bench in the fourth quarter, Congolese basketball player Jonathan Kuminga took charge, securing a crucial win for the Warriors and bolstering their position in the standings.

    Kuminga showcased his prowess by sizing up Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson, driving powerfully past him for a layup and later making a critical steal, setting the stage for a resounding victory against the Hawks.

    In a remarkable feat, Kuminga tied Chris Mullin’s 1990 franchise record by making all 11 of his shots, contributing 25 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks in just 29 minutes.

    The Warriors selected Kuminga born October 6, 2002, with the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft.

    During his rookie season, he won an NBA championship with the team.

     

     

  • Judgment in Monicah Kimani murder adjourned yet again

    Judgment in Monicah Kimani murder adjourned yet again

    Judgment in the case against former TV anchor Jacque Maribe and her ex-fiancée Joseph Irungu over the murder of businesswoman Monicah Kimani will now be delivered on March 15 this year.

    Justice Grace Nzioka, who had travelled from Naivasha to Nairobi to deliver the ruling, deferred the decision after she was informed that one of the accused, Jacque Maribe, was unwell and in hospital. Her co-accused Joseph Irungu alias Jowie was already in court.

    Her lawyer, Katwa Kigen, had sought to have the court give his client seven days to recover. While fixing the new date, the judge ordered that medical document for Maribe be tabled in court as evidence.

    The two are accused of playing a role in the murder of Monicah, who was killed five years ago in her Lamuria garden apartment in Kilimanai area on September 19 2018 shortly after arriving from South Sudan.

    The duo was charged for her murder a month later on 15th October 2018 with the court putting them on the defence after it determined that they had a case to answer.

    High Court Judge Grace Nzioka failed to deliver the judgment last month, further postponing delivery of her pronouncement which was initially scheduled for October 6th 2023, after she fell ill.

    During the trial, the prosecution presented 35 witnesses who testified against both defendants.

     

     

  • Setback for government as Court of Appeal suspends Housing levy deductions

    Setback for government as Court of Appeal suspends Housing levy deductions

    Efforts by the government to continue collecting the housing levy from employees suffered a setback after the court of appeal suspended the deductions.  

    A three judge bench constituting Justices Joyce Achode, John Mativo and Mwaniki Gachoka, ruled that the levy remains suspended as directed by the High Court.

    In their decision, the judges said the application by the government to have a stay order on the High Court judgment on affordable housing lacked merit arguing that public interest tilts in favour of not granting the stay or the suspension sought.

    “The question that begs an answer is whether in the circumstances of this case it would be in public interest to grant a stay whose effect is to allow a statute that has been found to be constitutionally infirm to continue being in the law books pending the hearing of an appeal. We do not think so.” Submitted the Judges.

    The court argued that public interest favored not granting the stay or the suspension sought awaiting the determination of the issues raised in the intended appeals.

    The court had granted the government a window to continue deducting the charges until today when the court was to issue further directions on the matter.

    In the January 3rd decision, the Court of Appeal had granted the government the status quo to continue collecting the levies after the state argued that failing to award the stay order would have devastating consequences on state plans.

    In its judgment delivered on November 28th last year, the High Court had declared the levy unconstitutional arguing that it was discriminatory as it was introduced without a legal framework and was only targeting a section of Kenyans.

     

     

  • Monicah Kimani murder: Jowie, Maribe to know fate today

    Monicah Kimani murder: Jowie, Maribe to know fate today

    The high court will this morning deliver its judgment against former TV anchor Jacque Maribe and her ex-fiancée Joseph Irungu over the murder of businesswoman Monicah Kimani.

    The two are accused of playing a role in the murder of Monicah, who was killed five years ago in her Lamuria garden apartment in Kilimanai area on September 19, 2018, shortly after arriving from South Sudan.

    The duo was charged for her murder a month later on 15th October 2018 with the court putting them on the defence after it determined that they had a case to answer.

    High Court Judge Grace Nzioka failed to deliver the judgment last month, further postponing delivery of her pronouncement which was initially scheduled for October 6th 2023, after she fell ill.

    During the trial, the prosecution presented 35 witnesses who testified against both defendants.

  • A bad day in the office for coaches at AFCON 2023

    A bad day in the office for coaches at AFCON 2023

    The Africa Cup of Nations has had its share of thrills, drama and shocking moments.

    As the tournament culminates to the knockout rounds, poor performances from some of the tournaments best have left much to desire, with respective Football Associations placing the responsibility on managers, resulting in termination of their contracts.

    Algeria has sacked their coach, DjamelBelmadi; a day after the Desert Foxes were bundled out of the tournament, following a 1-0 loss to minnows Mauritania.

    Belmadi’s tenure ended prematurely and equally for his team in this tournament, whose record saw them draw their first two matches of Group D against Angola and Burkina Faso.

    They needed a solitary point against Mauritania, but fluffed their lines as the team from the western region of Africa took all the points on offer.

    The Desert Foxes won their second AFCON title in 2019, but would be bundled out in the group stage of the last edition held in Cameroon two years ago with just one point and one goal scored. Belmadi could not turn their fortunes for this campaign leading to the termination of his contract.

    The tournament’s host, Ivory Coast; who narrowly avoided exit from the tournament after Morocco won 1-0 over Zambia have also sacked Jean-Louis Gasset after a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Equatorial Guinea.

    The country’s football federation released a statement saying Gasset and his assistant Ghislain Printant’s contracts were terminated due to insufficient results.

    The decision comes a day after the Black Stars of Ghana axed former Brighton and Newcastle coach, Chris Hughton after his team’s campaign saw the team finish group competition on 2 points.

    The final-straw for Hughton however, came after his team blew a 2-goal lead against Mozambique to draw 2-2, subsequently exiting the tournament.

    The Ghana Football Association also took the decision by further dissolving the whole technical team.

    The knockout rounds are scheduled to kick off on February 2nd.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • President Ruto: Country ready for next level development

    President Ruto: Country ready for next level development

    President William Ruto says his government remains committed to deliver on the promise of providing viable employment opportunities for the youth.

    Speaking during a development tour of Meru County, where he launched a series of projects, the President hit out at those questioning the development agenda of his government saying the country is now on the right development trajectory.

    He said plans are on course to expand opportunities for young and unemployed which include the Timau Affordable Housing in Buuri, which is part of the government’s affordable housing programme, that will see about 4,000 people gainfully engaged.

    The 320 –unit project, according to the president, will in turn inject more than 230 million shillings into the country’s economy.

    “The main focus is to ensure that we engage these skilled, energetic and talented young people in productive work that will drive our growth,” said the president.

    He also opened the Ngusishi Potato Cold Storage Facility that aims to support more than 35,000 farmers and reduce post-harvest losses, eliminate brokers and stabilize potato prices thereby increasing farmers’ earnings.

    “We are supporting our farmers to enhance agricultural productivity to ensure we produce enough for both our domestic needs as well as export. This will help us save 500 billion shillings we use every year to import food that we can produce,” added the president.

    Other projects that the president launched on the first day of his tour include Karumo TTI Konza Digital Skills Laboratory, Institutional Management Block in Tigania West in Meru, construction of the 43 km Kwa Mumero –Kithithina Primary-Mia Moja ,Timau- Rugirando-Ngusishi,Makutano-X lewa-Mbuju-ngare Ndare Roads and the upgrading to bitumen standard and maintenance of link roads in Buuri among others.

     

  • 39 suspects in court over Shakahola massacre

    39 suspects in court over Shakahola massacre

    Thirty nine persons accused of acts of commission and omission in the Shakahola massacre Thursday appeared before Tononoka Children’s courts in Mombasa.

    The accused persons appeared before Principal Magistrate Hon. Nelly Chepchirchir facing 17 offenses under the children Act 2012, prevention of torture Act 2017 and basic education Act 2013.

    The charges include two counts of subjecting a child to torture with an alternative count of causing actual bodily harm, nine charges of cruelty to a child and six counts of infringing a child’s right to education.

    The accused led by Paul Mackenzie denied subjecting a child to torture contrary to torture contrary to section 25 (3) of the Children Act, 2022 as read with section 5 (1) of the Prevention of Torture Act, No. 12 of 2017.

    They also pleaded not guilty to  causing bodily harm contrary to section 251 of the penal code, Cap 63 laws of Kenya and cruelty to a child contrary to section 152 (1) (a) of the children Act, 2022.

    Some of the accused, who were charged with infringing a child’s right to education contrary to section 30 (1) (2) as read with section 30 (3) of the Basic Education Act, 2013, denied the offense.

    The suspects allegedly committed the offences on unknown dates between 2019 and 2023 at Shakahola forest within Kilifi County.

    The prosecution led by Deputy DPP, Victor Mule, Senior Assistant DPP Peter Kiprop, Assistant DPP Jami Yamina, Principal Prosecution Counsels Betty Rubia and Victor Owiti and Prosecution Counsels Eunice Odongo and Biasha Khalifa, opposed the release of the suspects on bond.

    However, the application supported by an affidavit of Inspector Francis Maina could not be heard immediately.

    The trial magistrate directed the application to be heard on 15 February 2024 to allow the defense time to reply to issues raised in the application.

  • Health experts urge caution in the wake of increased cases of Conjunctivitis

    Health experts urge caution in the wake of increased cases of Conjunctivitis

    The County Government of Mombasa has urged residents to prioritize hygiene measures as the county deals with increased cases of Conjunctivitis, commonly known as the Red Eye.

    The alert comes after over 1000 cases of ‘the red eye infection’ were recorded in Mombasa County, prompting the county health department to issue an alert to area residents.

    Mombasa County director of public health and disease prevention Dr. Salma Swaleh says the County has recorded over 150 incidences of the highly contagious and infectious disease in various public and private health facilities in the last two weeks.

    Dr. Swaleh urging residents to report any cases of the disease which presents itself with symptoms such as eye pain, swelling, redness, itchiness and eye discharge to the nearest health facility within the County.

    She also called on parents to keep an eye on school going children noting that if any of the symptoms occur they should restrain them from going to school.

    “A lot of reports have been coming from schools and madrassas where ideally children have been the most affected. We urge parents not to take their children to school in the event they notice symptoms of this contagious disease” said Dr. Swaleh.

    She further urged residents to prioritize hygiene measures as the ideal way to curb the fast spreading disease with includes proper sanitation in living quarters, hand washing, use of sanitizers, disinfecting surfaces and avoiding crowded areas for people already infected.

    The disease can be caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens, or irritants, and is characterized by symptoms such as eye pain, swelling, redness, itchiness, and eye discharge.

    County consultant Ophthalmologist Dr. Nadya Mustafa said the health department is at hand to assist and recommend remedies which will include acceptable home remedies coupled with prescriptions and medical advice from certified health practitioners.

    “We have acceptable home remedies which include warm and cold compresses with towels over the red and swollen eyes and in the event symptoms persist one should immediately visit a health facility for treatment” said Dr. Mustafa.

    In neighbouring Kilifi County, health officials have also issued a notice to residents urging them to wash hands with soap and water.

    They have also urged locals to avoid touching or rubbing their eyes, refrain from sharing personal items, and to temporarily stop using contact lenses until approved by an eye doctor.

    Kilifi Health CEC Peter Mwarogo has however underscored that there is no cause for alarm as the county has previously recorded cases of red eye infections.

    The outbreak, which was first reported in Tanzania in December, seems to be spreading fast to other areas in the coastal line.

    Tanzania has recorded an upsurge in the last three weeks with over 800 cases in Dar-es-Salaam.

    On Monday, neighboring Tanzania health authorities issued a health alert over the outbreak.