KBC Channel 1

Author: Nicholas Kigondu

  • Government launches probe on Thogoto Care Home for the aged

    Government launches probe on Thogoto Care Home for the aged

    The government has launched a probe into claims of mistreatment and neglect of vulnerable persons at the Thogoto Care Home for the aged.

    According to State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs principal secretary Joseph Motari, the government  took proactive steps with a view to fully investigate the matter after it was made aware of the expose by BBC on June 5th this year.

    “On the same day, a team from the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs was dispatched to PCEA Thogoto Care Home for the Aged to investigate the allegations,” observed Motari.

    The team undertook due diligence to investigate the claims which included interviewing a number of older persons residing at the institution, neighbors among others to uncover the truth.

    According to Motari, the team further interviewed the care home’s manager to assess the admission procedure as well as the criteria, care and support services offered to those housed at the institution.

    “It is important to note that the State Department periodically conducts spot-checks on both residential and non-residential care homes for the elderly to assess compliance with the National Standards and Guidelines on the establishment and management of Institutions for older persons.” Said the PS.

    He said the department remains committed to working with various stakeholders including families, communities, state and non-state actors to develop robust strategies and frameworks for safeguarding the welfare of older persons.

    As part of the commitment to the well-being of senior citizens, Motari says the cabinet has approved the enlisting of an additional 500,000 older persons to the lnua Jamii Cash Transfer Programme beginning the 1st of September 2023.

    Earlier this week, a BBC Africa Eye investigation revealed vulnerable residents at the care home being mistreated and neglected.

    The care home was set up by the Women’s Guild of the local PCEA church but is now managed independently and is home to around 50 elderly women and men.

     

     

  • Ugandan officers on recovery mission rescued

    Ugandan officers on recovery mission rescued

    Five Ugandan marine officers on a mission to recover bodies from last week’s accident in Lake Victoria were rescued on Sunday after their boat capsized.

    An overloaded boat carrying 34 people left 20 people dead after it capsized on Tuesday last week. Nine people were rescued with the remaining reported as missing.

    On Saturday, police said they had recovered five bodies, all women.

    They however said they were “facing challenges due to the rough conditions of the lake and heavy rainfall”.

    Investigations into the accident are still ongoing.

     

     

  • Geothermal wells discovery to drive down cost of energy in Kenya

    Geothermal wells discovery to drive down cost of energy in Kenya

    State owned Geothermal Development Company has discovered a Geothermal well at Paka Hills in Baringo County, expected to produce 22 Mega Watt of power, raising prospects of green and affordable energy in the country.

    Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, while presiding over the opening of the well, described the resource as a significant ingredient in ongoing government’s efforts to lower the cost of power. He said the government intends to tender and invite investors to convert the steam to affordable hydro electricity.

    Geothermal Development Company contributes about 48.4% of geothermal power to the national grid. The government is banking on geothermal energy to arrest the rising cost of power. Chirchir said Kenya Electricity Transmission Company will start work on the modalities of evacuating cheaper power from Paka hills to the national grid making geothermal power competitive in the energy market.

    “With such low tariffs and considering that geothermal is green energy , Kenya will attract inventors who will also take advantage of our infrastructure like the Standard Gauge Railway,Information Communications and Technology and educated workforce,” the CS observed.

    GDC Managing Director and CEO Paul Ngugi said the development will raise Kenya’s industrialization prospects in Baringo and is a step towards achieving energy security. The Geothermal Development Company envisions the Paka field generating a substantial 100MW by 2030.

    Engineer John Mativo of the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company said his organizations plans to establish a 197km transmission line, linking Paka hills power plants to western Kenya, with completion expected in 2026.

    GDC’s extensive geothermal efforts span across Silali,Korosi,Suswa, Menengai,where significant strides are being made towards a more sustainable future.

  • Suspect in the murder of Kilifi chief officer to remain in police custody for 14 days

    Suspect in the murder of Kilifi chief officer to remain in police custody for 14 days

    The key suspect in the murder of Kilifi chief officer for blue economy Rahab Karisa will spend a further 14 days in police custody.

    Kilifi senior principal magistrate Justus Kituku allowed police to detain Diana Naliaka at the Kilfi police station as investigations into the murder continues.

    Naliaka, who was a domestic worker at Karisa’s home, is suspected to have stubbed her employer at her residence in Mnarani, Kilifi County last Thursday before escaping.

    Rahab had just arrived from a week-long work tour of Italy when an argument is said to have ensued between her and her aunt, and the house help. She is said to have discovered 32,000 shillings missing from the 100,000 shillings she had been keeping in her house.

    The suspect was arrested on Tuesday at the Busia border crossing as she attempted to flee the country.

    Investigators say the suspect who hails from Bungoma County, was arrested in Kakamega as she sought to escape to a neighboring country.

  • Nobody will get away with impunity, president Ruto declares

    Nobody will get away with impunity, president Ruto declares

    President William Ruto has warned organizers of the ongoing anti-government protests that the government will deal firmly with those intent on subverting the rule of law.

    Speaking at Mugoiri girls’ high school in Murang’a County, the president said criminals must be dealt with firmly and decisively.

    Observing that Kenya is a democratic country where the right of every individual is respected, Ruto said every Kenyan must reciprocate the gesture by observing the rule of law.

    “During the campaigns, we committed to the country that we are going to stop impunity. The same way we promised that police will not engage in extra-judicial killings, is the same way we are committed  to making sure that there is no impunity.” Declared the president.

    He said his government will ensure that everybody respects the rule of law adding that impunity of any nature irrespective of the authority held or imagined will not be tolerated.

    “You cannot introduce impunity, cause mayhem and get away with it,” said the president.

    He at the same time commended security agents for the way they have dealt with the protests.

    Earlier, deputy president Rigathi Gachagua had lauded the role played by security agents who he said had lived true to their oath of office, to protect life and property.

    Saying that the decisions made by the president had brought to an end the politics of blackmail in the county, Gachagua observed that the only route to the presidency is through the ballot.

    His sentiments came on a day the three day anti-government protests called by the opposition appeared to have lost steam amid heavy police presence across most major towns.

  • Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga arrested

    Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga arrested

    Police on Wednesday evening raided the home of former mungiki leader Maina Njenga.

    Njenga, alongside his brother Njoroge Njenga and his personal assistant Ole Lekishe, was arrested in Kiserian area and driven away to undisclosed location.

    According to family sources, police officers raided the home at around 8:30 PM and took away the three with some of the officers left behind to conduct a search at the home of the ex-mungiki leader.

    The arrest was also confirmed by his lawyer Ndegwa Njiru who said he was unaware where his client is being held.

    “My client Maina Njenga arrested and taken to undisclosed location,” read a tweet by Njiru.

    It is not clear what motivated police to arrest Maina Njenga.  His arrest came on the first day of the planned three days anti-government protests organised by the opposition this week.

    Two months ago, he was charged of engaging in criminal activities after he was summoned to appear at the DCI headquarters in Nairobi for questioning after recording a statement at DCI Nakuru.

  • Azimio demos: Relative calm amid heightened security

    Azimio demos: Relative calm amid heightened security

    Wednesday morning was characterized by relative calm across the country as the third wave of anti-government demonstrations kicked off.

    In the capital Nairobi, there was heightened security with anti-riot police deployed on major roads and informal settlements with police officers patrolling the central business district.

    There was low traffic in the Nairobi central business district Photo by Farah Yusuf
    There was low traffic in the Nairobi central business district
    Photo by Farah Yusuf

    There was however tension in parts of the city’s informal settlements including Kibera and Mathare slums. Tension was also reported in Kisumu,Homabay,Siaya,Migori and Kisumu while Nakuru and Mombasa remained calm with little activity in the central business districts.

    It was however business as usual across many towns in the country including Lamu.

    At the historic Kamukunji grounds that have previously been used by the opposition to hold rallies, anti-riot police had taken control of the area.

    Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome had yesterday declared the Azimio protests planned for Wednesday to Friday illegal.

    Most schools within Nairobi remained closed following a government directive to have all-day primary and secondary schools closedPhoto by Farah Yusuf
    Most schools within Nairobi remained closed following a government directive to have all-day primary and secondary schools closed
    Photo by Farah Yusuf

    The government had on Tuesday evening ordered the closure of all-day primary and secondary schools in Nairobi and Mombasa ahead of anti-government demonstrations by Azimio.

  • Counting the cost: Death and destruction as anti government demonstrators hold protests

    Counting the cost: Death and destruction as anti government demonstrators hold protests

    While most of the country remained calm on Wednesday, some regions were characterized by chaos amid reports of fatalities and looting sprees.

    Drama unfolded in Kitengela as demonstrators attacked the area police station before heading to the assistant county commissioner’s office where they vandalized the office. The chief’s office was destroyed during the pandemonium as well as an armory belonging to administration police. Thousands of uncollected identity cards were destroyed. The demonstrators also broke into the Kitengela Eastmatt Supermarket carting away goods.

    Three people were injured during the skirmishes with police forced to use live ammunition to disperse the rioters.

    In Emali town, one person was shot dead and a police vehicle torched by demonstrators during Wednesday’s antigovernment protests.

    This as attempts by Ukambani politicians, led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, to lead demos in Wote Town were thwarted by police officers who lobbed tear gas to disperse their supporters.

    In Migori, one person was shot dead following violent confrontations between police and demonstrators.

    The Nairobi expressway was not spared by the anti-government protesters who engaged in looting and destruction of property along the critical infrastructure at Mlolongo forcing temporal closure of the expressway.

    Police used teargas to disperse antigovernment protesters in Homa Bay town with demonstrations in Busia led by ODM deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya and Roots party leader George Wajackoyah suffering a similar fate.

    In Nakuru, sections of Nakuru West and Nakuru East also witnessed protests while police lobbed teargas to disperse Martha Karua, Jeremiah Kioni and Peter Munya who were headed to Muthara market in Tigania East.

    The chaos left some school going children stranded with some schools opting to suspend transport services to parts of Nairobi city.

    With police restraining assembly at the Kamukunji grounds in the city centre, protesters engaged with police with a KBC crew that was covering proceedings attacked during the mayhem, in the process losing personal property including mobile phones.

    Azimio leader Raila Odinga would later cancel the Kamukunji rally, citing intelligence reports of armed criminals out to attack Azimio leaders.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Senate to hold special sitting on Monday over Oduol’s impeachment

    Senate to hold special sitting on Monday over Oduol’s impeachment

    Senate speaker Amazon Kingi has called a special sitting of the senate to consider the report of a special committee formed to investigate Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol following his impeachment by the Siaya county assembly.

    In a gazette notice dated 22nd June, Kingi wants senators to consider the Report of the Special Committee on the Proposed Removal from Office, by impeachment, of the Deputy Governor of Siaya County.

    “NOTICE is given to all Senators that pursuant to standing order 33 (1) of the Senate Standing Orders, on the request of the Senate Majority Leader and with the support of the requisite number of Senators, I have appointed Monday, 26th June, 2023, as a day for a special sitting of the Senate. “ Read the notice.

    The sitting will be held on Monday afternoon in the Senate Chamber beginning 2.30 p.m.

    Oduol was hounded out of office after all the 42 members of the county assembly unanimously endorsed his removal over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

    In their allegations, they cited the purchasing of a chair worth 1.12 million shillings and several other transactions amounting to about 18 million shillings which they said was illegally expended for the comfort of the Deputy Governor.

    Appearing before the special committee formed to investigate him chaired by the Elgeyo Marakwet Senator William Kisang`, Oduol denied all the charges saying he was only a whistleblower who came out publicly to talk about suspicious and huge withdrawal of money from Siaya County coffers.

    Senate will now move to consider the report of the special committee whose findings they could either endorse or reject.

    In 2014, Machakos Deputy Governor Bernard Kiala survived impeachment after senate rejected a report by a special committee.

    The Machakos County Assembly had endorsed his impeachment over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office after a motion seeking his impeachment was brought to the house by Mutituni Ward Representative Joseph Kalunde.

    In the impeachment proceedings, forty Members of the County Assembly had voted to support his removal while 19 opposed the Motion.

  • Seven suspects arrested; illegal drugs worth over Kshs. 120 million recovered

    Seven suspects arrested; illegal drugs worth over Kshs. 120 million recovered

    Seven suspects including two foreigners are in custody following the recovery of a consignment of illicit drugs with an estimated value of over 120 million shillings.

    According to police, the drugs, cocaine weighing 24 kilograms and kentamine weighing over 1,200 kilograms,were recovered last weekend by anti-narcotics detectives based at DCI headquarters, following intelligence leads.

    The recovery of the drugs at a house in Ngara was preceded by the interception of a motor vehicle registration number KDE 868N, Nissan X-trail along Wangari Maathai road, on June 17.

    The vehicle with two occupants was headed to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport carrying approximately 23 cartons containing compressed packages of whitish powdery substances labeled ‘Boss Head’, suspected to be narcotic drugs.

    Detectives say 46 drums stashed with whitish powdery substances packed in clear polythene bags were recovered upon further search at the suspects’ residence.

    In addition, fifty-five (55) packages in clear polythene bags containing similar powdery substances suspected to be Narcotic drugs were also recovered alongside 133 sacks each weighing 25kgs marked sodium bicarbonate.

    Weighing and sampling of the seized substances was conducted at the DCI National Forensic Laboratory, in accordance with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act No. 4 of 1994 in an exercise presided over by a Government analyst from the Government Chemist, assisted by experts based at the forensic lab.

    Seven suspects Muhammed Salem Mohamed Hussein a Pakistan national,  Khan Mohamed Ashraf Changu an Indian National, Wesley Silvanus Adwenya, Paul Kivuli Sote, Railings Innocent Ogondi, Moses Liyai Imbwanga and Latif Mohamed Dawood are in custody in connection with the recovery.

    The suspects will be arraigned in court on Monday June 26, 2023 at the JKIA Chief Magistrate’s Court.

    Netima Ngamsap had concealed 3 kilograms of cocaine in a false bottom of her suitcase
    Netima Ngamsap had concealed 3 kilograms of cocaine in a false bottom of her suitcase

    Meanwhile, a Thai national identified as Netima Ngamsap was arrested yesterday at JKIA’s terminal 1C, moments before she boarded a flight to Singapore, carrying 3 kilograms of cocaine.

    Hawk-eyed anti narcotics detectives based at the airport detected the package that was carefully concealed in a false bottom of the woman’s suitcase. The suspect is currently in custody assisting our officers with investigations.