KBC Channel 1

Author: Prudence Wanza

  • ODPP unveils digital case review system in bid to decongest prisons

    ODPP unveils digital case review system in bid to decongest prisons

    Kenyans now will have an opportunity to file complaints, track progress as well as request for a review of court cases through a digital platform.

    This follows the launch of an online platform by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) that sets in motion plans to expeditiously dispense cases involving petty offenders through a paperless platform.

    Speaking at Nairobi Remand prison in industrial area, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Hajj said the system will enhance efficiency and transparency while reducing backlog of cases.

    The DPP raised alarm over the congestion on inmates saying the ODPP Malalamishi Complaints system will the proverbial slow wheels of justice.

    “The 134 prison facilities in Kenya are currently holding over 60,000 persons yet they have a capacity of 30,000 people. Pretrial detainees are 35,000 which is 51% of total prison population,” said Haji

    “In a bid to further decongest our prisons the ODPP has reviewed 1, 419 files from the Nairobi remand prison from Makadara, Kiambu, Milimani and Kibera,” he added

    The platform will enable the public easily track progress of their case via a short message service sent to their cell phones notifying them of the next mention and hearing of their cases.

    The Commissioner General of Kenya prison service Brigadier Retired John Kebaso and civil society groups welcomed the move saying it is timely in fasttracking cases and in turn reduce congestion in prison through a speedy justice system.

  • First Lady urges church leaders to partner with gov’t in actualizing bottom up agenda

    First Lady urges church leaders to partner with gov’t in actualizing bottom up agenda

    The First Lady, Mama Rachel Ruto, has urged leaders to support the actualization of the projects envisaged in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda by the Government.

    The First Lady was speaking in Nairobi during the 70th birthday celebrations for Bishop Dr. JB Masinde, the founder and senior pastor of Deliverance Church International, Umoja.

    Mama Rachel Ruto singled out a multistorey residential housing development that will be built on Kangundo Road by Deliverance Church Umoja.

    She urged other leaders present to identify similar potential projects alongside the priority areas of agriculture, MSME housing and settlement, manufacturing, the digital superhighway and creative economy, the service economy, and environment and climate change.

    She further expressed optimism for the nation’s full economic recovery from the effects of the prolonged drought that was the worst in 40 years, with some areas missing rainfall for more than five consecutive years.

    The First Lady was accompanied by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Nairobi Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri, Spouse to the Deputy President Pastor Dorcas Rigathi and Embakasi West Member of Parliament Mark Mwenje among other leaders.

  • President Ruto shifts land valuation responsibilities to Ministry of Lands

    President Ruto shifts land valuation responsibilities to Ministry of Lands

    The Ministry of lands will now be in charge of Land valuation in a bid to curb corruption and ensure transparency in compensation for government projects.

    President William Ruto announced the new changes on Sunday during a prayer service held in Isiolo.

    Ruto expressed concern over the prevailing corruption within the National Lands Commission (NLC) which has led to unfair compensation of land acquired for government projects.

    “Valuation of government projects for compensation will no longer be done by the National Lands Commission. It will be done by the Ministry of Lands to eliminate corruption. It is not proper for the NLC to value and compensate at the same time,” said Ruto

    The head of state criticized the NLC saying the commission had become a breeding ground for corruption and vowed to put an end to the malpractices.

    “National Lands Commission has become a market for corruption and over-valuation and this must stop. Corruption won’t have room in the compensation for government projects,” he said

     

  • Uhuru has no authority to call for Jubilee NDC – Kanini Kega

    Uhuru has no authority to call for Jubilee NDC – Kanini Kega

    A section of Jubilee Party members under the Kanini Kega led faction have dismissed the planned National Delegates Conference organised by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

    The NDC which is planned to take place on Monday comes amidst contention over the party’s leadership.

    Speaking on Sunday during a prayer meeting held in Isiolo, Kega warned that the NDC remains illegal until the wrangles with the party are resolved.

    “As the Jubilee Party Secretary Jubilee I want to announce that there will be no NDC meeting on Monday. We will call for a meeting at the right time,” said Kega

    Nominated Senator Sabina Chege expressed similar views, emphasizing that the former President should refrain from engaging in political matters and instead concentrate on his retirement.

    “The NDC slated for Monday is nothing but a normal political meeting. We will call for the official NDC,” she stated

    The Jubilee party has been embroiled in leadership wrangles after the Kega led faction made leadership changes which saw Uhuru ousted as party leader.

    Sabina Chege was nominated as the party leader in an acting capacity while Kega replaced Jeremiah Kioni as Secretary General.

  • Transport paralysed along Isebania-Sirare road as residents protest over insecurity

    Transport paralysed along Isebania-Sirare road as residents protest over insecurity

    Transport along the Isebania- Sirare road was brought to a stand still for the better part of Sunday as locals protesting over  insecurity  engaged officers in running battles.
    The irate locals claim the spate of insecurity in the region has left scores dead with the latest being 3 businessmen who were gunned down by unknown assailants Sunday morning.
    The demonstrators barricaded the highway and lit bonfires paralysing movement along the busy corridor.
    Police officers at Isebania  had hectic time containing the situation as locals seemed not to relent on the matter.
    A special security meeting has been convened with the business community to restore tranquility with the town center.
    Gunshots and teargas however continue to rent the airwaves with the security officers optimistic in repelling   the rioters away from the town center.
  • Drafting of EAC Political Confederation Constitution on course

    Drafting of EAC Political Confederation Constitution on course

    The journey to strengthen the political authority in the East Africa Community (EAC) is on course.

    This was revealed by Justice Dr. Benjamin Odoki, retired Chief Justice for Uganda and chairman to a committee of experts appointed at the EAC summit to draft the constitution for the proposed political confederation of EAC.

    While in Garissa for a public participation exercise, Justice Odoki said a reasonable ground has been covered in the process of drafting the EAC constitution.

    “We are tasked with drafting a confederation constitution and we have been going round all the seven counties collecting the people’s views that we shall use to draft the constitution,” he said.

    Justice Odoki revealed that his team of experts will not be drafting a federal one but a confederal constitution that provides a transition to a federation.

    Ms Fatuma Yusuf from Wajir urged the committee to ensure there is inclusivity in the regional governance system.

    “I want sign language to be included among the recognized four in the EAC so that people living with disabilities can feel being part of the EAC population,” she said.

    Mr Hassan Noor, a resident of Garissa, asked the committee for a borderless region.

    “I want a free region so that I can be able to move freely in the region. Resource sharing should be equal so that cases of conflicts are minimized in the region,” he said.

  • Include Pentecostal voice on proposed rules governing churches, religious leaders say

    Include Pentecostal voice on proposed rules governing churches, religious leaders say

    Religious leaders have called on the government to include the Pentecostal voice on the proposed rules and regulations that will govern the operations of all churches.

    Speaking during the consecration and ordination of Prophet Fred Akama Tent Of Testimonies Ministries International (TOT), Archbishop Arthur Kitonga of the Redeemed Gospel Church said the church should lead by example to the entire society as per the Bible teachings.

    Bishop Akama was of the view that no religious group should be left behind in the process and urged the committee to be cautious on how they will come up with laws that will regulate the churches.

    “We fully support the government plan of regulating the religious group in Kenya. However all we want is an all inclusive voices of the Pentecostal churches so that no religious group will feel that they were left out in the review process. Remember we are dealing with matter of faith and we need to be careful on how we come up some of the laws that will regulate the religious leaders,” he said.

    “Our church is growing and as per the law, we must have a bishop who will be incharge of all the branches both in Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria. Today as the new bishop I will be responsible for the running of the ministry,” said after his consecration and ordination.

    This comes after a 17-member taskforce committee was formed by the Head of State to review legal and frameworks governing religious institutions in the country.

    The committee will be chaired by former National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Secretary-General Mutava Musyimi.

    The team is expected to propose legal and governance changes to prevent religious extremism.

    Other members include Bishop Mark Kariuki, Bishop (Dr.) Eli Rop, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia, Judy Thongori, Rev (Dr.) Alphonse Kanga, Bishop Philip Kitoto and Dr. Faridun Abdalla will sit on the committee as members.

    They will also be joined by Prof. Musili Wambua, Joseph Khalende Wabwire, Mary Awuor Kitegi, Charles Kanjama, Leah Kasera, Nancy Murega and Wilson Wanyanga.

    Martin Ndiwa Talian and Maria Goretti Nyariki will serve as the task force’s joint secretaries.

    The task force’s main responsibilities will include identifying gaps that have allowed extremist religious organizations to set up shop in Kenya, as well as formulate a legal framework preventing radical religious entities from operating locally.

    It will also formulate proposals on amendments to various laws so as to enable the State to effectively tackle religious cults.

    Story by Muraya Kamunde

  • Integrity Alliance opposes Haji’s nomination as NIS DG, cites compromised track record

    Integrity Alliance opposes Haji’s nomination as NIS DG, cites compromised track record

    The National Integrity Alliance has opposed the nomination of Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji as the next Director General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

    Addressing the media on Sunday, the Alliance pointed out compromised track record and failure to fulfil constitutional obligations during Haji’s tenure as DPP.

    The integrity watchdog raised concern over the recent withdrawal of cases linked to politicians and government officials saying such decisions by the DPP amount to incompetence and gross misconduct.

    “Haji has in the past demonstrated gross misconduct, incompetence and non-compliance with the Constitution of Kenya 2010, specifically Chapter 6 on Leadership and Integrity, the Public Officer Ethics Act 2003, the Leadership and Integrity Act 2012, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 2013, and the Decision to Charge Guidelines 2019.”

    “Haji has by his own admission indicated that he was ·politically influenced and demonstrated a lack of objectivity in decision-making. He failed to ensure that decisions are not influenced by favouritism, other improper motives, or corrupt practices because withdrawal of charges against specific individuals who have clear political connections,”

    The Alliance will on Monday petition the Public Service Commission to have Haji removed from office after which they will present a memoranda to the National Assembly Committee on defense, Intelligence and Foreign relations.

    President William Ruto nominated Haji to succeed Major General Philip Kameru who is serving his final term.

  • Barchok urges Kenyans to embrace Ruto’s call to plant 15 billion trees

    Barchok urges Kenyans to embrace Ruto’s call to plant 15 billion trees

    Bomet Governor Prof Hillary Barchok has urged Kenyans to embrace President William Ruto’s call to plant 15 billion as part of the government’s efforts to combat the effects of climate change.

    Speaking during Kenya Red Cross Bomet Humanity power walk at St Mary’s Mixed Day Primary and Boarding, Barchok noted the move will not only increase the country’s forest cover but also the alleviating human sufferings such as drought.

    “We should not leave the tree planting process entirely to the government alone but we need to supplement the government by planting trees in our farms,” said Barchok.

    “In order to achieve the forest cover, there is need to exercise tree planting exercise all the time so as to avoid experiencing issues that comes with not planting trees like drought and it would change the lives of the people,” he added

    He revealed that his administration will soon start planting trees in public schools and forests in a bid to conserve the environment.

    “We will start trees nurseries and supply seedlings to schools and engage students on conservation matters,” said Barchok, who is also the Kenya Red Cross Bomet patron.

    The Governor pledged to support Kenya Red Cross to build regional offices for South Rift region.

    “The offices will enable them to respond rapidly to challenges that might occur in these regions and we need to accord them support to achieve their dreams, ” he said.

    He called on the teachers and parents to encourage students to join clubs activities and societies so that build them resilient on individual in terms of having compassionate hearts towards other people.

    “Teachers should ensure that the students are impacted with the necessary skills on how tackle climatic change and taught them on the repercussions that will befall them if they are not taking the practices seriously when they have grown up and completed their studies, ” said Barchok

    Story by Stanley Mbugua

  • MPESA Foundation Academy’s first International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme cohort graduates

    MPESA Foundation Academy’s first International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme cohort graduates

    The M-PESA Foundation Academy has overseen the graduation of 40 learners who formed its first cohort of learners undertaking the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

    The Programme, which was introduced in 2020, addresses students’ intellectual, social, emotional, and physical well-being in preparation for tertiary education and beyond.

    Following their graduation, the 40 learners will transition to the institution’s Uongozi Centre from June to December this year to undertake programs that will equip them with skills and knowledge in readiness for tertiary education.

    The Centre will also offer them career guidance, help them with applications to technical institutions and universities and support them until they complete their next phase of learning.

    “This is a special day for M-PESA Foundation Academy, as we witness the first cohort graduating from the IBDP. As a leadership academy, our goal is to provide our students with the best chances at being game changers in society with the right leadership skills, and that is why we took up this curriculum,” said the Acting Executive Head of School, Mary Nyale.

    M-PESA Foundation Academy was established in 2016, and 946 students from across the country have been admitted to the institution since then, with 96 students joining in February this year.

    From 2019, the Academy has sponsored 133 students to study in universities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Switzerland, while over 116 students have found placement in local universities and TVETs.