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  • Former Mungiki leader grilled by DCI in Nakuru

    Former Mungiki leader grilled by DCI in Nakuru

    Former Mungiki leader, Maina Njenga was on Wednesday evening briefly held at the Nakuru County Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) where he was interrogated for 45 minutes before being released.

    Detectives at the offices directed Mr Njenga who was accompanied by his lawyers Ndegwa Njiru and Steve Biko to report to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters in Nairobi at 8.am Thursday where he is listed as a wanted person in relation to the recovery of two firearms and over 90 rolls of bhang at a home linked to him.

    The self-confessed ex-Mungiki boss was grilled by DCI officers after Nakuru Senior Resident Magistrate, Emmanuel Soita declined to issue clear orders on Maina’s re-arrest.

    His lawyers had pleaded with the court to interpret orders issued by Nairobi High court which stated that Maina should not be arrested until charges are preferred against him.

    Maina moved to the Milimani Law Courts and was granted an anticipatory bond of Ksh100,000 on May 17, 2023.

    Mr Soita indicated that Mr Njenga had appeared before a different court from the one handling his case therefore the magistrate could not issue orders or give bail and bond for the applicant.

    Mr Njiru had submitted before the Senior Resident Magistrate that they had presented their client before the after DCI issued a communiqué on Monday putting their client on its wanted list.

    The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), through a post on its Facebook account, made the announcement on Monday night saying; “Detectives in Nakuru County are looking for ex-Mungiki leader Maina Njenga in relation to the recovery of two firearms and over 90 rolls of bhang at a home linked to him.”

    The recovery was made on May 12 when the police raided Maina’s in Ngomongo village in Bahati, Nakuru.

    “Officers arrested eight suspects, aged between 37 and 58, during the raid. They also found three rounds of 9mm blank ammunition hidden in one of the rooms,” the DCI said in the post.

    According to the police, one of the firearms was a homemade pistol, capable of firing, and the other was a Tokarev with defaced serial number.

    “Any information on the whereabouts of the ex-Mungiki leader who has since gone into hiding may be volunteered through the #FichuaKwaDCI anonymous hotline 0800722203,” the DCI announced.

    Detectives raided Maina Njenga’s three homes in Nakuru Nairobi and Laikipia on the morning of May 12.

    According to sources privy to the investigations, the police intended to charge Maina with allowing his residence to be used as a venue for the meeting by the group.

    “On diverse dates between May 12 and May 18, 2023, in Nakuru North sub-county, Nakuru County, jointly with others not before the court upon the reasonable ground were identified as members of an outlawed organized criminal group to with links to Mungiki,” the charge sheet for the twelve reads in part,”

    Reporting Dennis Rasto

  • Jubilee Insurance banks on intermediaries to increase uptake

    Jubilee Insurance banks on intermediaries to increase uptake

    Jubilee Insurance Group’s plan to bring on board additional one million policyholders is on course according to chief executive Dr Julius Ngetich.

    Through its recently launched Jijenge na Jubilee Incentive Programme, the firm aims to revolutionize healthcare access and affordability in Kenya by working with intermediaries to promote and distribute affordable health insurance products.

    “We are committed to improving the accessibility of health insurance in Kenya. Our intermediaries are our brand ambassadors, and we will continue to invest in their growth which ultimately contributes to our collective success,” said Dr Julius Kipng’etich, Jubilee Insurance Group CEO.

    The insurer is eying the incentive to help boost insurance uptake whose penetration rate is just under 3pc as many consumers are forced to dig deep into their pockets for health care expenses.

    The programme also seeks to ensure more households across the country are beneficiaries of comprehensive health insurance coverage.

    “We are excited to launch the Jijenge na Jubilee Incentive Programme to appreciate our intermediaries and support them in their efforts to expand access to health insurance solutions,” said Njeri Jomo, Jubilee Health CEO.

    Jomo says Jubilee Health Insurance is actively driving awareness about the importance of insurance uptake through personalized and affordable insurance solutions.

    The programme has shown its support to intermediaries by awarding round one winners with cash and apartments since launch last month.

  • JLAC wants IEBC allocated more funds to clear pending bills

    JLAC wants IEBC allocated more funds to clear pending bills

    The National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs committee now wants the National Assembly to allocate an additional Ksh2.6 billion to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for settling pending bills owed to lawyers.

    Committee chairperson, George Murugara, Wednesday told the Budget and Appropriations Committee that failure to clear the legal fees will put the electoral agency at risk of being taxed.

    Chairpersons of various national assembly departmental committees appeared before the Budget and Appropriations Committee to defend the budget estimates of state departments that are under their watch.

    On his part, Trade Committee chairperson, James Gakuya, urged MPs to allocate more resources for expanding infrastructure in the special economic zones.

    Health committee chairperson, Robert Pukose, pushed for enhanced allocation of funds towards universal health coverage and employment of community health workers.

    The 2023/2024 budget aims to allocate the lion’s share of resources to agricultural production, education and industrialization.

     

    Additional reporting by Kevin Wachira

  • BasiGo expansion gathers pace with third charging station in Nairobi

    BasiGo expansion gathers pace with third charging station in Nairobi

    E-mobility firm, BasiGo has began operating its third charging station for its electricity buses under the e-mobility tariff published by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) in March this year.

    The high-power DC Fast charging station in Bururburu will be utilized by OMA Services and Embassava SACCO which operate BasiGo electric buses plying Nairobi’s Eastlands route.

    According to the e-mobility tariff, consumers are charged Ksh 16 per kilowatt hour for monthly consumption of between 200-15,000 kilowatt-hour.

    “BasiGo is proud to have our Buru Buru charging station be the first connected through the new E-mobility tariff. Every Electric Bus we deploy, and charge replaces the consumption of 20,000 litres per year of imported diesel, with the consumption of 50 MWh of clean, renewable electricity produced here in Kenya.

    With the new E-mobility tariff, we can invest in infrastructure like this charging station and enable the rapid growth of the electric vehicle industry in Kenya,” said Jit Bhattacharya.

    As of last year, Kenya had 350 registered vehicles with the number expected to skyrocket with the planned incentives by the government beginning the next financial year.

    Speaking during the launch, Kenya Power Chief Executive Officer Dr Joseph Siror said Kenya is eying the e-mobility sector to cut emission from fossil fuel engines which is expected to rise to 17pc of total emissions from the energy sector by 2030.

    “To combat this trend, the E-mobility sector ought to be supported to grow and take off in the country. Being the biggest economy in the region, an innovation hub, and a clean energy global leader, Kenya stands an unparalleled chance to become the launch pad for the rest of the continent when it comes to the growth of the EV sector,” said Dr Siror.

    BasiGo now has 3 charging sites in operation in Embakasi, Kikuyu, and now BuruBuru, with capacity to charge over 20 electric buses.

    “The facility brings efficiency to our model of operations, because of its proximity and has helped us add additional 8-10 trips in our operations, which translates to revenue of around 22,000 per day,” said George Muriithi Githinji, Chairman OMA Sacco.

    BasiGo plans to bring online additional charging stations in Nairobi and across the country to support deployment of 1000 electric buses and make its charging stations open to the public to charge electric cars and trucks by the end of this year.

  • One person arrested with 23 pieces of elephant tusks in Laikipia

    One person arrested with 23 pieces of elephant tusks in Laikipia

    One person has been arrested and 23 pieces of elephant tusks recovered at Mahiga area, Laikipia County.

    The elephant tusks were valued at Ksh 11 million and weighed 113.75Kgs.

    According to Laikipia Police Commander John Nyoike, the tusks are suspected to have been ferried from Churo in Baringo County were intercepted at Mahiga area, within Sipili Township in Laikipia County,

    The police boss said the smuggler aged 43-years old was transporting the ivories using a Nissan Vannet was also arrested.

    The suspect was arrested by a multi-agency team from Laikipia and Serious Crime Prevention Unit  team from the headquarters in Nairobi was ferrying the consignment that had been concealed inside maize sacks and was suspected that he was preparing to hand them over to a buyer when he was nabbed.

    He said the man, a prominent businessman at Sipili Township was being held in custody at Rumuruti police station pending arraignment in court.

    Mr Nyoike noted that it is estimated that the ivory came from 12 elephants both adult elephants and calves as they were of different sizes.

    Though he said that poaching was not much prevalent in the county, Mr Nyoike said that they were working with police officers from the neighbouring counties of Baringo and Samburu to help tame the menace.

  • Accurate data will shape government policy, says President Ruto

    Accurate data will shape government policy, says President Ruto

    The Government is committed to documenting all citizens to enhance service delivery.

    President William Ruto said effective and inclusive governance of public services requires accurate citizen data.

    The Government, he added is working towards the implementation of a vital statistics system that meets the demands of a new digital era.

    He said the Government has also instituted measures to ensure 100 per cent registration of births and deaths by 2026.

    “We need accurate information on essential attributes of citizens to accurately allocate resources,” he said.

    Speaking during the 7th Identification For Africa Conference held in Nairobi, President Ruto said proper identity systems will boost democracy in Africa.

    President Ruto asked African national identity management agencies to work together and share knowledge on identity management innovations.

    He called on development partners to support Government’s identity management programmes.

    “We operate in an environment of escalating resource constraint and yet, at the same time, we cannot postpone or downgrade our identity management endeavours,” he said.

    Present were Cabinet Secretaries Kindiki Kithure, Eliud Owalo, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, the Executive Chairman of ID4 Africa Joseph Atick, several ministers from African countries and Principal Secretaries.

  • NTSA: 1,679 have died from road accidents this year

    NTSA: 1,679 have died from road accidents this year

    The numbers of pedestrians who have died on the roads this year continue to dominate the latest data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

    According to the data, 1,679 people have died from January to date with pedestrians leading at 571 and motorcycle operators at 449.

    This is however a drop by 4pc compared to the same period last year where 1,756 people had died across the country’s road.

    This came as the authority partnered with ten counties across major roads on a road safety campaign targeting to reduce the number of fatal accidents in the country.

    According to NTSA Director-General George Njau, they had increased signage along the major roads and continued improvement of the roads by fixing potholes.

    Njau noted that statistics indicated that all motorists were affected by the fatal accidents adding that the authority was working with other stakeholders to address this.

    Addressing the press in Naivasha during a meeting with the counties, he said that the authority was rolling out intelligence road management and safety system targeting PSVs.

    “This system will be able to monitor and track PSV drivers speed and we shall be rolling it out in the next couple of days,” he said.

    Under the programme with the counties, he said that NTSA would help them come up with transport committees and address the rising cases of accidents involving boda boda operators.

    “We shall be sharing our proposals with the Council of Governors on areas where counties can improve in addressing issues of road safety at the grassroots level,” he said.

    The authority’s deputy director in charge of road safety Dr Duncan Kibogong pointed to pedestrians and motorcycle operators as the most affected by the fatal accidents.

    He said that there was a decrease of four percent in the number of fatalities this year compared to the same period last year.

    “As from January this year to date, we have lost a total of 1,679 people to road accidents compared to 1,756 in the same period last year with pedestrians and motorcyclists leading,” he said.

    Kibogong added that a total of 8,098 people had been involved in accidents this year compared to 7,848 the same span of time last year.

    On his part, Nathaniel Ng’ang’a from Machakos County lauded the road safety programme by NTSA noting that it would go a long way in taming the rising cases of accidents.

    “We are working with NTSA on how motorists can be assisted in processing required documents while training boda boda on road safety,” he said.

  • Accurate citizen data will shape Govt policy, President Ruto

    Accurate citizen data will shape Govt policy, President Ruto

    The Government is committed to documenting all citizens to enhance service delivery.

    President William Ruto said effective and inclusive governance of public services requires accurate citizen data.

    The Government, he added is working towards the implementation of a vital statistics system that meets the demands of a new digital era.

    He said the Government has also instituted measures to ensure 100 per cent registration of births and deaths by 2026.

    “We need accurate information on essential attributes of citizens to accurately allocate resources,” he said.

    Speaking during the 7th Identification For Africa Conference held in Nairobi, President Ruto said proper identity systems will boost democracy in Africa.

    President Ruto asked African national identity management agencies to work together and share knowledge on identity management innovations.

    He called on development partners to support Government’s identity management programmes.

    “We operate in an environment of escalating resource constraint and yet, at the same time, we cannot postpone or downgrade our identity management endeavours,” he said.

    Present were Cabinet Secretaries Kindiki Kithure, Eliud Owalo, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, the Executive Chairman of ID4 Africa Joseph Atick, several ministers from African countries and Principal Secretaries.

     

  • WFP plan aims to prevent further food aid diversion in Ethiopia

    WFP plan aims to prevent further food aid diversion in Ethiopia

    Following widespread diversion of lifesaving food aid in Ethiopia last month, the World Food Programme (WFP) has strengthened safeguards and controls in a bid to prevent further misuse, the UN agency said on Tuesday.

    WFP had paused distributions in the restive Tigray region in the north after finding evidence of significant supplies on sale in local markets, and immediately launched an investigation.

    Over 20 million people are in dire need of food assistance in Ethiopia, where communities continue to be affected by the impact of prolonged conflict and a historic drought across the Horn of Africa.

    Zero tolerance policy

    “WFP has zero tolerance for theft or diversion that prevents critical food from reaching the hungry families who need it to survive. Those found responsible must be held accountable,” Executive Director Cindy McCain said in a statement.

    “We are committed to doing everything it takes to guarantee that food assistance benefits the people who need it most,” she added.

    The WFP plan will be enacted across all its operations in Ethiopia. Actions include implementing real-time food security and needs assessments, strengthening targeting and management of beneficiary lists and identity checks, and reinforcing tracking to follow food movements from warehouses to beneficiaries.

    The Nobel Prize-winning agency will also work closely with Ethiopian regional and national authorities, and with partners, to implement needed reforms so that urgent food assistance can resume in Tigray and support intended beneficiaries nationwide.

    “Taking food away from starvation is unacceptable, whether in Ethiopia or anywhere else in the world,” said McCain. 

    “WFP is actively assessing all high-risk country operations to ensure stringent processes are in place so that our assistance makes it to the millions and millions of hungry people who depend on us.”

  • Interior PS arrives in Embu ahead of Madaraka Day preparations

    Interior PS arrives in Embu ahead of Madaraka Day preparations

    Internal Security Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo, has arrived at the Embu Stadium Grounds for a final inspection tour ahead of the official opening of the business expo by President William Ruto on Friday.

    PS Omollo is the chairperson of the National Celebrations Committee.

    The one-week exhibition, which is scheduled to run from May 26th to May 30th, is among a series of key events lined up to amplify the theme for this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations, with a prime focus on Cooperatives, MSMEs, Trade and Revenue.

    The rehearsal was attended by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, among other senior government officials, and area leaders. 

    Manyatta Member of Parliament John Mukunji whose constituency will host the celebrations observed that his constituency and Embu County in general had benefited from projects worth Ksh.4B.