KBC Channel 1

Author: Prudence Wanza

  • CS Kindiki: Gov’t to establish seven new Divisions in West Pokot

    CS Kindiki: Gov’t to establish seven new Divisions in West Pokot

    Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has directed the establishment of seven new Divisions in West Pokot County.

    Kindiki, who spoke during a security baraza at Sarmach, further directed the establishment of a GSU Camp in Sigor Constituency.

    The CS promised to curb insecurity in the North Rift, Eastern and Coast regions by deploying more police officers and National Police Reservists within the regions.

    “Security operations in North Rift Valley, Upper Eastern, North Eastern and Upper Coast regions primarily aim to silence the guns, restore law and order and assure residents of their safety and security,” said Kindiki

    “Once the armed criminals are neutralised and all firearms illegally in the hands of civilians are recovered, the government will roll out an extensive martial plan to develop these regions through infrastructure, agriculture, and education,” he added

    Kindiki said all schools that were vandalised by bandits in West Pokot will be reopened and more teachers  deployed to the area to ensure full resumption of learning.

    “All schools vandalised by bandits and armed criminals in West Pokot County will immediately be reconstructed by the Kenya Defence Forces supported by NYS officer,” he said

  • Book publishers set to roll out Grade 8 books in December

    Book publishers set to roll out Grade 8 books in December

    Book Publishers are in the process of rolling out grade eight books with the goal of distributing them by December.
    Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) chairperson Kiarie Kamau stated that they will begin publishing books within the next three months to support grade seven learners as they transition to grade eight in January.
    He spoke during the opening of the first Eldoret regional book fair, where about 30 book publishers to showcased their latest book titles.
    At the same time, Kamau appealed to devolved units to support the book industry by purchasing learning materials for ECDE and vocational centres from local publishers.
    “Our desire is that we have lifelong learning, from ECDE and up to those working. We have biographies, general books and we want to encourage everyone to read books to broaden their knowledge,” he added.
    Prof Chebutuk Rotich, a publishing expert from Moi University noted that a good relationship between authors, publishers and government is crucial in having a vibrant and thriving book industry.
    A majority of booksellers have welcomed the decision by KPA to seek collaboration between publishers and bookshop owners in delivery of books.
    “It is our hope to have a national book reading policy so that each one of the stakeholders have a distinct role in book trade,” says Lily Nyariki, a book seller in Eldoret and book reading advocate.
    Stakeholders in the industry also called on local publishers to churn out books for the early childhood Education centres (ECDE), vocational as well as higher education to promote reading culture.
    Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) Deputy Director Winrose Rono said that there is a need for local publishers to publish content for ECDE learners who have been disadvantaged.
    Uaisn Gishu county executive in charge of education Dr Janet Jepkosgei also said that they will champion for the community libraries to promote reading culture among the locals in the region.
  • Prosecution gathers 35 witnesses to testify in late Jeff Mwathi’s inquest

    Prosecution gathers 35 witnesses to testify in late Jeff Mwathi’s inquest

    The Director of Public Prosecutions has lined up 35 witnesses to testify in the inquest regarding Jeff Mwathi’s death.

    The matter, which came up for a mention before Senior Principal Magistrate Zainab Abdul has been scheduled for a hearing on 10th August, 2023.

    Abdul granted the prosecution more time to summon witnesses in the case and record statements which will be supplied to the family lawyer Danstan Omari.

    Ann Mwathi, the late Jeff’s mother, who was present in court, told the media that her family has been in agony since Jeff’s passing.

    Jeff Mwathi died on 22nd February, 2023 at DJ Fatxo’s residence in Redwood Apartments, Kasarani in what was initially said to be suicide.

    The death sparked a public outcry, leading to the arrest of DJ Faxto and two others.

    DJ Fatxo has so far been cleared after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations established no evidence linked the Muguthi Star to the murder.

  • Police arrest four, seize 50,000 bags of subsidized fertilizer

    Police arrest four, seize 50,000 bags of subsidized fertilizer

    Police have arrested four suspects for repackaging subsidized fertilizer meant for distribution along Nanyuki road in Lungalunga Nairobi.

    According to Regional Police Commander Adamson Bungei, the police received a tip off from members of the public and took swift action.

    During the raid at a godown where the operations were taking place, the police discovered that the team was also repackaging relief food to Indian brands.

    A total of 1,360 bags of Rice and 200 bags of maize which were in the process of being repackaged, were seized.

    Additionally, 50,000 bags of subsidized fertilizer were also nabbed during the operation.

    Addressing the media on Thursday, Bungei issued a warning to all those involved in such activities.

    According to Bungei, the DCI officers, along with the police from the jurisdiction, will investigate on the matter to unravel the whole syndicate.

    The four workers have been arrested and are expected to be arraign in court once police conclude investigations.

  • Nakuru: Police intensify crackdown on criminal gangs, nab crude weapons

    Nakuru: Police intensify crackdown on criminal gangs, nab crude weapons

    Police in Nakuru are holding in custody 78 more people linked to notorious gangs that have been causing terror in the city in recent weeks.

    Confirming the development, Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara said among those in custody is a suspected gang leader of Mauki gang, a group police are associating with the Confirm gang, an infamous online fraud group.

    Kibaara said the suspected kingpin will face charge, including being a member of an outlawed group, as well as being in possession of crude weapons with the intention to commit a felony.

    The weapons, which were displayed at Kaptembwo Police Station, included machetes, knive, blunt metal objects, bows and arrows, hammers and electric Taser, among others.

    These arrests follow what the Administrator termed as a change of leadership at the Kaptembwo Police Station.

    Police have reported that three people have died in a series of intense gang wars involving three gangs; Mungiki, Confirm, Mauki and TZ gangs, following the mysterious murder of a gang leader.

    Kibaara expressed concern about the high number of teenagers being recruited into the gangs and urged parents to keenly observe the behavior of their teenage sons’ and seek assistance from professional counselors.

    He assured residents of Ponda Mali, Top 10, Sewage, Stima Line, Jasho, Posta and Grogon, where the crimes were rampant, that officers who may have colluded with criminals will be identified and punished.

    According to Police reports, a total of 380 suspects have been arrested over the past three weeks in sting operations conducted in Nakuru Town West and East Sub-Counties.

  • Ruto to attend COMESA Heads of State Summit in Zambia

    Ruto to attend COMESA Heads of State Summit in Zambia

    President William Ruto is set to leave the country today to attend the 22nd Summit of the COMESA Heads of State and Government in Lusaka, Zambia.

    According to Statehouse Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the focus of the Summit will be on promoting economic integration among COMESA member states.

    “The summit aims to foster economic integration for a thriving COMESA, anchored on green investment, value addition, and tourism,” said Hussein

    Additionally, the Heads of State will discuss the current status of in the COMESA region, as well as matters concerning peace and security.

    In a statement, COMESA said there was need to address the current regional and global economic trade dynamics, including the effects of COVID-19 which especially affected tourism-dependent economies.

    “The prevailing geopolitics that continue to affect global supply chains, such as the conflict in Eastern Europe, high debt burden, and extreme weather conditions, among others, continue to weigh heavily on regional economic,” the statement reads

    “The high-level dialogue will be led by a Presidential Round Table, where the Heads of State and Government will discuss with private sector stakeholders on the measures to accelerate recovery of COMESA Member States from Covid-19, focusing on green investment, value addition and tourism.”

    The Summit will also bring together over 2,000 delegates from COMESA Member States, private and development partners.

  • Kenya keen on hosting more automotive players

    Kenya keen on hosting more automotive players

    Kenya is committed to hosting more automotive players to increase local production of vehicles.

    President William Ruto said the National Automotive Policy has created a conducive environment for firms to set up in Kenya.

    He noted that the policy has tamed instability in the sector, especially regarding tax laws.

    “Our plan is for more assemblers to set up and operate at full capacity so that we can supply Africa with competitive units,” he noted.

    The President said this will create more jobs, enhance skills development and reliable mobility.

    He maintained that it was time for Kenya to claim its rightful place among Africa’s leading vehicle manufacturers.

    The Head of State spoke on Wednesday when he launched the first ever electro-deposition paint plant at the Isuzu East Africa

    It is expected that the KSh500 Million will deepen the firm’s manufacturing, improve local production and make it globally competitive.

    Present were Isuzu East Africa Managing Director Rita Kavashe, Trade Principal Secretary Alfred K’Ombudo, Isuzu East Africa Chairman Hiroshi Hisatomi, Deputy Chief of Mission Counsellor in the Embassy of Japan Kitagawa Yasuhisha, among others.

    “With investments like Isuzu’s, we can propel Kenya back to its original vision of leading Africa’s automotive competitiveness.”

    The President urged investors to advance their investment in Kenya by moving into Tier One component of manufacturing.

    He said Kenya intends to fully exploit the immense opportunities presented in the automotive industry’s untapped potential.

    Mr Yasuhisha noted that Isuzu’s investment will stimulate the transfer of technology, knowledge and expertise.

    “It also furthers eco-friendly manufacturing at a time when the world is confronting climate change.”

    For the last four years, Isuzu East Africa has invested Ksh 1.3 billion in the expansion and upgrade, sending a clear signal of its confidence in Kenya as an investment destination

  • Police in Nyahururu intercept 392 crates of illicit brew

    Police in Nyahururu intercept 392 crates of illicit brew

    Police in Laikipia County on Wednesday impounded 392 crates on repackaged illicit brew in Manguu slum, Nyahururu.

    The operation was a collaboration between Nyahururu Deputy County Commissioner and the office of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

    Mutheki Ndambuki, who is the DCC Nyahururu Sub-county, stated that they raided a house in Manguù slum in the outskirts of Nyahururu, where the repackaging of adulterated brew was taking place.

    He cautioned those engaging in illegal activities in the county, emphasizing that the government will not tolerate crime and any illegal businesses in the region.

    The DCC said they are working with KRA and KEBS to identify any illegal products being snitched to the market and the culprits will face full force of the law.

    He thanked the locals for their continued support in the fight illicit brew, urging them to report any suspected cases to the nearest police station for immediate action to be taken

  • KNCHR seeks Public views on Intersex Persons’ Bill

    KNCHR seeks Public views on Intersex Persons’ Bill

    The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has kicked off a countrywide public participation exercise to collect Kenyans’ views on the proposed Intersex persons bill, 2023.

    KNCHR director, Anne Okutoyi said that once enacted into law, the bill will provide for the recognition, protection and safeguarding of intersex persons’ human rights in Kenya.

    Speaking in Siaya town during an exercise that brought together government and non-government actors, Okutoyi said that the law will further provide for equalization of opportunities, affirmative action and nondiscrimination of intersex persons.

    She said the bill wants to address the whole criminal justice system and processes, including access to justice and enhancing rights of any intersex person that is in conflict with the law.

    “This emanated from a case that was adjudicated in our courts where an intersex person was held at Kamiti maximum security prison and faced a myriad of violations” she said adding “it really brought to the fore the need to have an environment where any intersex person in conflict with the law is detained in a way that protects their rights”.

    The director said that children born with the condition often suffer unnecessary surgeries, some of which can have long term consequences.

    Okutoyi said that people living with the condition often suffer harassment and discrimination in educational institutions and work place.

    Western regional KNCHR coordinator, Jacqueline Ingutia said that the country’s last population census indicated that there were 1,524 intersex persons while Siaya county had 18.

    Ingutia said the journey towards enactment of the law protecting the group has been long and began with a taskforce that was formed by the office of the attorney general to look into their challenges.

    “Out of the task force, an implementation committee was formed that later recommended the need for enactment of a law” she said.

    Simon Emarion Lihanda, an intersex person, lamented that they have been suffering from rejection by the society that was yet to appreciate their condition.

    Lihanda said that some people even harass them, seeking to see their private parts as proof of their condition.

    “We are denied several opportunities just because we cannot be classified as either male or female” said Lihanda who welcomed the bill.

  • We must make bold choices, says Ruto on Finance Bill

    We must make bold choices, says Ruto on Finance Bill

    President William Ruto on Wednesday made a strong case for the proposed Finance Bill 2023, which is set to be tabled in Parliament next week.

    Ruto called for constructive criticism on the bill, stating that proposals such as the housing fund would create millions of jobs for young people in the country.

    “If we feel the pain of the 3 per cent then it’s because we are alive but if we feel the pain of the Seven million Kenyans who live in indignity in slums then we are human beings,” said Ruto

    “Although our ideas concerning the means, policies and strategies of achieving this vision may differ we must remain cognisant of line no one should ever cross. Of wishing that this nation fails or that her people suffer just to vindicate our politics,” he added

    Ruto spoke during the 20th National Prayer Breakfast which brought together leaders at the national level, MPs and Senators.

    The head of state declared that the government will no longer rely on borrowing but will instead focus on increasing revenue collection.

    “Our commitment is under test only bold decisions will enable us make the best of this opportunity to unlock the possibilities of the Kenya we all want for ourselves and for our children,” he said

    “It is time to be bold and brave. Delay tactics and sabotage are written in the shaky handwriting of cowards. Excuses are the nails used to construct the coffin of failure as procrastination is a thief of time.”

    Proposals in the Finance Bill 2023 include mandatory contribution of 3 per cent from every employed Kenyan which will be matched by their employers to enable them to own houses.

    However, the proposal has faced extensive criticism from Kenyans complaining of the current high cost of living.