KBC Channel 1

Author: Nicholas Kigondu

  • Govt. commits 15.1 billion shillings to digital super highway and the creative economy

    Govt. commits 15.1 billion shillings to digital super highway and the creative economy

    The digital and the creative economy was among the gainers in the 2023/24 budget.

    While presenting the 2023/24 budget, National Treasury CS Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u said the digital super highway will play a critical role in enabling the government realize its objectives of the bottom up economic transformation agenda as well as enhancing revenue collection via automation of VAT systems.

    “Digitization and automation will increase productivity and competitiveness through providing quick access to the market and reducing information asymmetry as well as improving risk management.” Noted Professor Njuguna.

    He said promotion of music theaters, graphic design, digital animation, fashion and crafts among others will increase employment for the youth.

    The Cabinet Secretary announced that 15.1 billion shillings will be set aside to fund initiatives in the ICT sector. The amount will include 600 million shillings for the government shared services meant to fast track the development of the Konza technopolis city.

    A further 4.8 billion shillings will cater for the horizontal infrastructure phase 1, 1.2 billion shillings for Konza data center and smart city facilities and 475 million for the construction of the Konza complex phase 1B.

    Other proposed allocations include 5.7 billion shillings for the construction of the Kenya advanced institute of science and technology at Konza technopolis and 1.3 billion shillings for maintenance and rehabilitation of the national optic fiber backbone phase 2 expansion.

    According to the treasury CS, implementation of these interventions is expected to stimulate economic recovery while at the same time secure sustainable and inclusive growth amid emerging challenges as well as improve the quality of growth from the public sector investment led growth to a dynamic private sector led growth.

  • World of Work Summit: President Ruto roots for inclusion of the jobless in ILO dialogue

    World of Work Summit: President Ruto roots for inclusion of the jobless in ILO dialogue

    President William Ruto has challenged the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to expand its dialogue to include the unemployed.

    Speaking on Thursday during the International Labour Organization’s World of Work Summit in Geneva, the president said ILO system has been chiefly worker-oriented yet labour rights also touch the unemployed.

    This, he explained, will pave the way for sustainable solutions to unemployment.

    “As we speak about matters pertaining to work, we must also speak about the millions of jobless people whose voices cannot be heard at conferences like this,” he said.

    The President said it was concerning that Africa has recorded the highest unemployment rates in the world with many countries reporting between a quarter and a third of their populations as jobless.

    He called on African States to accelerate the actualization of Agenda 2063 and the sustainable development goals to create more opportunities for the people.

    President Ruto said consolidating the African market through the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area will bring more job opportunities.

    “Africa has a vast opportunity to radically transform economic productivity, thereby creating employment on an unprecedented scale,” he said.

  • A section of opposition MPs stage walkout ahead of budget reading

    A section of opposition MPs stage walkout ahead of budget reading

    Drama unfolded on the floor of the house as a section of Azimio coalition members walked out when National Treasury CS Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u commenced reading the 2023/24 budget statement.

    The legislators, who had been previously seated and following proceedings in the house, staged the walkout as the CS took the floor to present the maiden Kenya Kwanza administration’s budget.

    National Assembly speaker Moses Wetangula had earlier informed members that the treasury cabinet secretary would make the pronouncement on the 2023/24 budget without any questions or clarifications of any sort.

    After a short break in proceedings occasioned by the walkout, Wetangula would signal the CS to continue presenting the budget statement where he would highlight five points that he described as major concerns for Kenyans. They included high cost of living, high unemployment rate, high tax burden, wastage of public resources and increased public debt.

    Speaking shortly after the walkout, National Assembly minority whip Junet Mohammed said the opposition had no faith in the budget statement whose reading was underway and will push for amendments next week in the third reading of the Finance Bill 2023.

    The development came just hours after the Finance Bill sailed through the second reading stage paving way for its third reading and determination by the committee of the whole House next week.

    In a heated session in parliament, 176 Mps voted to endorse the Bill at the second reading stage with 81 MPs opposing.

  • Museveni excite netizens with “comical” health status message

    Museveni excite netizens with “comical” health status message

    Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni says he is recovering well following his Covid-19 diagnosis.

    Updating Ugandans on his health three days after he was diagnosed with the disease, Museveni said he is recovering well with his doctor establishing that he was suffering from a mild case.

    “According to my longtime doctor, Diana Atwiine, this is a mild case and should be managed conservatively by using vitamin C, other vitamins, especially –D and some anti-histamine,” wrote Museveni.

    In the tweet, the Ugandan president would graphically illustrate the events after his diagnosis.

    “Yesterday, day 2 of my corona status, I felt very sleepy around 11am (the fifth hour of the day according to we, the People of the Tropics), yet I had slept well the previous night. Hence, I slept soundly up to the ninth hour of the day (3PM according to the People of the Temperate lands),” explained Museveni.

    ”I slept at the fourth hour of the night, which the Europeans call 10PM and woke up at the 9th hour of the night (Shaaha mweenda z’ekiro) with a slight vague headache. I call it vague because it was not obwaabe (temples headache), it was not oruhora-hoore (the crown of the head) headache and it was not around the engata (the ring) of the head. When I sat up and drank more water as advised by my daughter Patience Kokundeeka, the headache went away and I slept again.” Added Museveni.

    As he wished his countrymen happy heroes day celebrations, Museveni urged them to ensure they are immunized against the disease to help them fight off the disease in case they get infected.

    “I will wait for two more days and do the test again. It seems immunization and the boosters for the immunization, do help. I will keep you informed. Let everybody be fully vaccinated and for the elderly get boosters.” Advised Museveni.

  • Drama as police arrest illicit brewer in Nanyuki

    Drama as police arrest illicit brewer in Nanyuki

    Drama unfolded at the Majengo Informal settlement in Nanyuki town as an elderly woman engaged security officers during an illicit alcohol crackdown operation.

    The officers had raided her home following intelligence reports that she was among those behind illicit brews in the area.

    The nonagenarian, identified as Marikuni Tanaba, was found hiding six litres of chang’aa beneath her clothes with officers giving a hard time arresting her. During the operation, the elderly woman threatened to curse security officials who dared touch her.

    During the sting operation, by the multi-agency security team, they further unearthed several bottles of illicit alcohol and crude weapons which were suspected to be used for conducting criminal activities within Nanyuki town and its environs. Over forty kitchen knives, a crowbar, five axes and six pangas were recovered during the raid.

    Some of the crude weapons recovered at the home of a 99-year-old woman at Majengo informal settlement in Nanyuki, Laikipia County during a raid on illicit brews on Thursday, June 8, 2023.
    Some of the crude weapons recovered at the home of a 99-year-old woman at Majengo informal settlement in Nanyuki, Laikipia County during a raid on illicit brews on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

    Confirming the incident, Laikipia East Deputy Commissioner (DCC) Patrick Muli said the 99-year-old woman had been conducting illicit brew selling business for some time.

    “We have been informed that this woman has been a nuisance for a long time, we have recovered nine litres of illicit brew and over forty kitchen knives hidden in a metallic box, a crowbar used for breaking into houses, five axes and six pangas,” said Muli, adding that, other items were recovered believed to be proceeds of crime.

    Laikipia East sub county commander John Tarus lifting an illicit brew tank with a stick at the Likii riverside on Thursday, June 8, 2023. About 760 litres of Kang’ara were destroyed.
    Laikipia East sub county commander John Tarus lifting an illicit brew tank with a stick at the Likii riverside on Thursday, June 8, 2023. About 760 litres of Kang’ara were destroyed.

    Laikipia East sub county police commander John Tarus warned that whoever is found operating an outlawed business would be arrested regardless of their age.

    Elsewhere, in Likii informal settlement, about 760 litres of Kangara were destroyed during the operation. The illicit brew was recovered hidden along the riverbanks of Nanyuki River.

     

     

  • KENHA goes for reflective signage to curb road carnage

    KENHA goes for reflective signage to curb road carnage

    The Kenya National Highway Authority (KENHA) has moved to erect new reflective road signs along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway in a bid to reduce rising fatalities along the busy highway.

    The authority has earmarked various black-spots mainly in Naivasha where over 20 people including students have died through road accidents over the last two months.

    The move comes just weeks after the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) warned over an increase in fatal accidents along the highway.

    The development has won praise from residents and drivers. According to Dan Wainaina a resident of Kinungi in Naivasha, the exercise by KENHA was timely and would help address the bane of road accidents.

    He called for the erection of more speed bumps between the trading center and Naivasha town as one way of reducing speeding by motorists.

    “This idea is timely as the road signs are very big and can be spotted from a distance and they will help address the number of accidents,” he said.

    This was echoed by another resident John Karanja who termed the road signs as a blessing for motorists and pedestrians.

    He however expressed concern over rising cases of vandalism targeting the signs adding that this would compromise their effectiveness.

    “Unlike the other road signs, these ones are reflective and can be spotted from far and we hope security agents will deal with those vandalizing them,” he said.

    A trader Silas Maasai called for more road-signs along the busy highway especially around black-spots.

    “For years, this road had become the killer-highway and we hope that the latest initiative will help address this and bring back sanity,” he said.

    Speaking two weeks ago, NTSA Director-General George Njau, said they were working with KENHA to increase road signs along major roads. Njau said that the authority was rolling out intelligence road management and safety systems targeting PSVs as part of ongoing efforts aimed at reducing road carnage.

  • Mackenzie questions his right to fair trial over Kithure’s remarks

    Mackenzie questions his right to fair trial over Kithure’s remarks

    Controversial cleric  Paul Mackenzie has filed an application seeking assurance that his trial will be fair.

    The petition by the leader of the Good News International Ministries follows remarks attributed to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki indicating that Mackenzie and his collaborators will spend the rest of their lives in prison.

    In an application before Shanzu Senior principal magistrate Yusuf Shikanda through his Lawyer Wycliffe Makasembo, Mackenzie argues that the comments by the cabinet secretary raises question on whether he and his co-accused will be subjected to a fair trial.

    The defense team says they need assurance from the Chief Justice, Justice and legal affairs committee in the National Assembly, Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Law Society of Kenya that their clients will receive a fair hearing.

    Makasembo argues that the words uttered by the CS pointed to the possibility that the accused had already been tried and condemned even before they were heard.

    He said some of the respondents have resorted to hunger strike and warned that they could boycott court proceedings if the matter is not addressed.

    The prosecution however urged the court to dismiss the application filed by the defense counsel terming it misplaced.

    Ogega Bosibori from the Office of the of ice of the Director of Public prosecution and Yusuf Abubakar from Haki Africa, who is representing the victims, said the judiciary was an independent entity  and the defense should not rely on utterances by the cabinet secretary who is not part of the case.

    Trial magistrate Yusuf Shikanda assured the Defense team that the Judiciary was an independent institution and will accord them a fair hearing as they were not answerable to the CS neither was he a party to the Case.

  • Parliament choir wows crowd at the 20th national prayer breakfast

    Parliament choir wows crowd at the 20th national prayer breakfast

    It was a break from the past as the parliament choir took the floor for a presentation during the 20th National prayer breakfast.

    After years of ridicule, with their talent said to lie elsewhere for their not so synchronized vocals, the members of parliament would find redemption as they made their presentation at the prayer breakfast.

    With South Mugirango and majority chief whip at the National Assembly Silvanus Osoro as the lead vocalist, and Tana River senator Danson Mungatana as the choir master, the Bunge fellowship choir belted out the popular hymn amazing grace.

    Save for a hiccup with the instruments at the start of the presentation, the legislator belted out the hymn published in 1779 and written by English Anglican clergyman and poet John Newton, winning approval from those attending as well as those watching the proceedings.

    At the end of the presentation, there was an enthusiastic applause led by President William Ruto and First Lady Rachael Ruto.

    According to Osoro, their success was a result of hard work by the team members who practices every Wednesday.

    When the Bunge choir took the floor, led by Nyandarua Woman representative Faith Gitau to sing the popular song hakuna mungu kama wewe, though not as smooth as their counterparts who presented the  first song , there was notable improvement as compared to previous presentations by the parliament choir.

    The prayer breakfast is interdenominational and emphasizes the importance of national unity and leaders acknowledging their responsibilities and privileges before God. It serves as a reminder that regardless of political or religious differences, the well-being and progress of the nation should be a shared endeavor.

    The event holds great significance in Kenya’s calendar as it promotes national unity, reconciliation, and spiritual reflection among the country leaders.

     

  • Kabarnet court sentences man to life imprisonment for defilement

    Kabarnet court sentences man to life imprisonment for defilement

    A Kabarnet court has sentenced a 45- year -old man to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of defiling an eight-year-old girl.

    Stephen Kemboi, who appeared before Resident Magistrate Edwin Mulochi on Tuesday, is said to have committed the act on January 25 2022 at around 4pm at Tebei village in Baringo South Sub County.

    Kemboi had been charged with two counts of defilement contrary to section 8(1) as read with section 8(2) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2006 with an alternative charge of committing an indecent act with a girl contrary to section 11 of the Sexual Offences Act of 2006. He was also accused of threatening to kill the father of the minor using a panga, an offence that he denied.

    He told the court that the probation report was biased against him as it stated that the community termed him unfit to get a non-custodial sentence which he had prayed the court to grant him.

    The father of the minor who witnessed the culprit committing the heinous act told the court that Kemboi, who is their neighbour, had called the victim ostensibly to give her mangoes.

    But alarmed by the delay in her returning back, the father of the minor would go looking for her at the culprit’s home where he found the suspect in a maize store with his daughter lying on the ground. According to the father’s testimony, the culprit strangled him while threatening to slash him with a panga when he questioned him.

    During the confrontation, the minor is said to have got an opportunity to escape and ran back home and explained the ordeal to her mother.

    The mother stated that the child was referred to Baringo County referral hospital for specialized treatment before reporting the matter to the police.

    The doctor who presented a medical report to court confirmed that the girl was indeed defiled and had developed fistula.

    Mulochi sentenced the accused to life imprisonment and gave him 14-days right of appeal.

    “The law does not allow a non-custodial sentence given the gravity of the offense which involved a vulnerable person and it is not the first time. In addition, according to the probation report the offender takes advantage of weak and vulnerable children and women in the society,” Mulochi ruled.

     

  • DP Gachagua urges UN to expand the Nairobi Office for efficiency

    DP Gachagua urges UN to expand the Nairobi Office for efficiency

    Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged the United Nations to expand the Office in Nairobi for efficiency and effectiveness in delivery on its mandate.
    Speaking at the UN Complex at Gigiri during a Reception for delegates attending the Second Session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly on Tuesday evening,   Gachagua said the UN Office in Nairobi is critical to the work of the UN in Africa, hence the need to enhance it. He added that Kenya will continue working with the UN in peace and security matters.
    “Kenya remains one of the countries in Africa enjoying peace and stability. It is also the launchpad for UN peace, security and humanitarian assistance initiatives at the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa. In this regard, Kenya is contributing to Goal 16 on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies,” the Deputy President said.
    He added: “With this increased role beyond the initial hosting of UNEP, there is an urgent need to expand, upgrade and strengthen the UN Office in Nairobi in physical and technical capacity for effectiveness and efficiency.”

    The Deputy President also called on the UN to support developing countries in mitigating the impact of climate change.

    “As we battle Climate Change, majorly due to pollution globally, we challenge the UN and other mandate agencies to lead in ensuring developing countries, particularly in Africa, are adequately compensated for loss and damage. This will help emerging economies to take adequate measures in climate action as defined by the COP27 Agreement on Loss and Damage,” he said.

    Gachagua said the government of Kenya will deliver the affordable and decent housing through public private partnership and salary contributions to the housing fund.
    “We are pooling resources in the Housing Fund for affordable homes across the nation. This has been factored into the Finance Bill, 2023.  Employed Kenyans are expected to contribute 3% of their salaries to this Fund. Progressively, this will help us address inequality in access to decent housing while creating jobs in the goods and services in the supply chain.” He observed.
    As the government implements the affordable housing project across the country, Gachagua said, it will ensure balance with the environment to limit pollution, especially to water bodies. He called for partnership in cleaning Nairobi rivers.
    “We have established the Nairobi Rivers Commission to coordinate activities of cleaning the city’s rivers. We call for more technical and financial support from the UN and other stakeholders in implementing long term measures of restoring the Nairobi Rivers and other water bodies in Kenya,” the Deputy President said.