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  • Meru residents consume Ksh4B worth of alcohol annually, report reveals

    Meru residents consume Ksh4B worth of alcohol annually, report reveals

    Meru county has been ranked the 1st alcohol consuming county in the country with a revenue of Ksh4 Billion annually being spent on alcohol.

    Stakeholders have now embarked on a residents sensitization campaign and a mop-up of all illegal joints, an exercise that has since led to the closure of 135 bars.

    Speaking today during a roadshow aimed at sensitizing the residents of Meru County on the effects of alcohol consumption and addiction, Meru County Alcoholic Board CEO Mbaabu Muguna said there is need to regulate bars and other alcoholic joints within the county.

    Additionally, the board has closed down various alcoholic joints in areas where there are education institutions.

    He said as a board they are going to work hard with the NACADA in ensuring that all illicit brew and the counterfeit alcoholic drinks are faced out.

    Muguna said the Meru county government has already come up with a program to ensure that those in addiction goes to the county rehabilitation center.

    Kanana Nteere the Meru county Maendeleo ya wanawake Meru County echoed the sentiments by Muguna Baabu saying that as maendeleo ya wanawake they are working hard to fight alcoholism in the county.

    Kanana said most of the people who suffer due to alcoholism are women and children as their fathers go into a drinking spree leaving them vulnerable.

  • Senate Committee tours Shakahola, recommends additional rescue personnel

    Senate Committee tours Shakahola, recommends additional rescue personnel

    The Senate Committee Probing the Shakahola massacre has called upon the government to deploy additional search and rescue personnel to haste the rescue operation in Shakahola forest where 235 bodies have so far been exhumed.

    The Committee led by Tanariver Senator Danson Mungatana described the scene as horrific and an Act of genocide.

    Addressing journalists after the tour and brief meeting with the security team conducting the rescue operation and exhumation he said as a committee they will do what it can to tell Kenyans exactly what happened.

    “These are not statistics we have come face to face with the depth of our people who died here, we have come face to face with the skeletons of people who were found here, we have come face to face with the ugly side of radicalization and the misuse of religion,” he said.

    Mungatana said the committee intends to visit different the country where rogue Pastor Paul Mackenzie reportedly had branches of his Good News International Church.

    The Senators called upon Kenyans, wherever they may be, to provide any information that will help unravel the mystery behind the radical teachings of the Pastor.

    “We have been able today to visit the place known as Galilea where Mr. Mackenzie was having his house, we have been able to see where he would institute punishment and judgement to his followers in the name of religion,” he said.

    “For the remaining days of the 90 days we will execute this mandate and we will come up with a good report and we are promising Kenyans this will not happen again,” he said.

    The Chairman said they have been reliably informed that there are other forces behind the cultic teachings and vowed to go to the bottom of the matter.

    He said they were not a Judicial commission or a court and would collect all the information they will get to be used in their report to make a legislative framework on how religious institutions will operate.

    The legislator said there were complaints from locals that they reported to Police but action was not taken as fast as it was.

    He said they are waiting for the Department of Police dealing with international affairs to submit their report after completing their report which will be part of the senate report and all those who will be mentioned shall be dealt with in accordance to the law.

    Mungatana was accompanied by His Vice Chair and Nominated Senator Shakila Abdalla, Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, Tabitha Mutinda (nominated) Faki Mohamed (Mombasa), William Cheptumo (Baringo), Veronica Maina (nominated), Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Hamida Kibwana.

  • Uhuru announces new venue for Jubilee NDC

    Uhuru announces new venue for Jubilee NDC

    Jubilee party National Delegates Conference scheduled for Monday will now be held at the Ngong Racecourse.

    Former President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the new venue for the delegate’s conference after his party was blocked from using the Bomas of Kenya for the much-anticipated meeting.

    “Notice is hereby given that the venue of the Jubilee NDC has been moved to Ngong Race Course, Nairobi. All other details remain as per the notice published on April 29,” said the former head of state

    This comes a day after Jubilee party faction led by Sabina Chege suspended secretary general Jeremiah Kioni and Vice Chairperson David Murathe.

    Meanwhile, the party’s Internal Dispute Resolution Committee also published a notice in the dailies suspending the convention, which was aimed at ousting rebels led by East African Legislative Assembly MP Kanini Kega and nominated MP Sabina Chege.

    The Kanini Kega faction has also indicted the retired President for alleged gross misconduct and violating the party’s constitution by irregularly convening the delegates’ conference.

    Jubilee’s internal dispute resolution committee has since written to the former president demanding his response to accusations in two days.

    Story by Kevin Wachira

  • Pastor Dorcas Rigathi advocates for youth empowerment through sports

    Pastor Dorcas Rigathi advocates for youth empowerment through sports

    The Spouse of the Deputy President Pastor Dorcas Rigathi graced the Laikipia County Governor’s Cup Finals at Nanyuki Stadium Saturday.

    Speaking during the match Pastor Dorcas acknowledged the role of sporting activities in safeguarding the future of the youth. She said such activities take the youth out of idleness and thus are productive.

    “It is always very important to have the youth participating, recognized, respected and honored, this is the future of this nation. When the youth are involved, we get them out of frustrations, we get them out of drugs,” she said

    “This is something that we should replicate across the 47 counties. With sports we are going to have other activities so that we can involve everyone and keep our young people busy,” she added

    Pastor Dorcas added that the tournament is in line with her boychild agenda. Under her office Pastor Dorcas will sponsor the tournament in the county of Laikipia for another 3 months.

    The office of the Spouse of the Deputy President is also on course in establishing rehabilitation centers in various parts of the country among them Laikipia County.

    “Am looking forward to seeing these young people’s dreams validated, and it must be done. There is nobody who is useless. These are people whose future depends on the way we treat them,” she said.

    Pastor Dorcas further emphasized on the boychild agenda saying by saving the boychild she is advancing the agenda of the girlchild as well.

    Laikipia Governor H.E Joshua Irungu said the tournament has helped in reforming many lives of young people in the county.

    The tournament has been running for the last one and a half months bringing together over 400 teams of young people from across the county.

    Others leaders present were Laikipia Deputy Governor Reuben Kamuri Ngatia and County MP Jane Kagiri and several MCAS.

  • Ruto unveils comprehensive plan to end youth unemployment

    Ruto unveils comprehensive plan to end youth unemployment

    The government has a well laid out plan to tackle youth unemployment in the country, President William Ruto has said.

    Ruto noted that the government will focus on digital jobs, agricultural aggregation, industrial growth and the housing program to provide jobs for millions of young people.

    “We must have a deliberate plan on how to sort out unemployment. The plan the government of now has a comprehensive intentional plan on how to sort out unemployment,” said Ruto

    “The housing program is going to provide at least 1 million jobs for the young people of the republic of Kenya,” he added

    The head of state further stated that the government will set up ICT hubs across the country which will serve as centers for technology innovation, provide training and employment opportunities in the digital sector.

    To boost connectivity, the President said his administration is rolling out one hundred thousand kilometers of fiber optic.

    Ruto spoke on Saturday during the centenary anniversary of Limuru Girls High School.

    He was accompanied by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa and Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi among other leaders.

  • Owalo launches Jitume Centre in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County

    Owalo launches Jitume Centre in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County

    Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy Eliud Owalo on Saturday launched the Jitume Centre in Eldama Ravine Baringo County.

    The CS said the development of Jitume Centres is part of government’s transformative agenda.

    “We are setting up Jitume centres as part of fulfilment of the charters that President William Ruto signed with the people of Kenya in consultative forums in every county in the country, ahead of last year’s 9th August General Elections. We are placing at least one Jitume centre in every ward in the country,” said Owalo

    The Jitume centres will enable youth to train for digital jobs on the Internet which is in line with the government’s Kenya National Digital Masterplan 2022-2032 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

    “We are moving our youth from learners to earners. ICT is the future,” noted Owalo

    The CS later launched a government sponsored free public Wi-Fi hotspot in Marigat, Baringo County.

    The CS was accompanied by Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi, PS ICT Eng. John Tanui, Area MPMusa Sirma, Baringo Woman County MP Hon. Florence Chematui, Senate ICT Committee Chairman and Senator for Trans Nzoia County Hon. Allan Chesang

  • Ukambani Governors resolve to speak in one voice to spur Social Economic growth

    Ukambani Governors resolve to speak in one voice to spur Social Economic growth

    The three Ukambani governors have resolved to develop a strategic plan for the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB) in order to achieve the shared dream and desire to address the regional common challenges.

    Speaking after their second summit meeting which was held in Kitui, the Governors, Dr. Julius Malombe (Kitui), Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos) and Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Makueni) said the SEKEB will embark on developing the plan focusing on the key thematic areas that include strengthening the political bargain by speaking in one voice to promoting unity of purpose, infrastructure and industrialisation.

    Other emphasis will be food Security, agriculture, trade partnerships, human resource – Youth, women and PWDS empowerment and ICT and innovation – completion of Konza Techno City, talent search and development, training, and skills development.

    SEKEB will also ensure each county has a specialised units (Kitui to have a renal unit, Machakos to have a cancer centre and Makueni to have a trauma centre), rural electrification and green energy, development of tourism circuit within the bloc.

  • Farmers in Isiolo to benefit from livestock pasture insurance program

    Farmers in Isiolo to benefit from livestock pasture insurance program

    Livestock owners in Isiolo County are set to benefit immensely through a livestock pasture insurance program that was introduced recently by the county government of Isiolo in partnership with the national government and Drought Resilience in Isiolo County (DRIC) program that is funded by the European Union.

    The building Drought Resilience program (DRIC) has conducted forums to facilitate the training of livestock keepers in Isiolo County on the scheme and sensitize them on the importance of enrolling in the insurance program.

    During the recent drought, livestock owners who subscribed to the program received compensation in the form of cash which they said facilitated them buy supplements and fodder for their livestock.

    Simon Legeteti, one of the beneficiaries from Oldonyiro area of Isiolo said that the program has had a great impact but challenged the county government and partners to continue educating the public on how insurance works since many farmers lack the knowledge.

    While presiding over the three days livestock owner’s forum in Isiolo town, the Isiolo county chief officer in charge of livestock Mr. Isaiah Epuri called for more livestock keepers to enroll in livestock insurance which has proven to be a game changer.

    “Our farmers have been losing herds of cattle as a result of the frequent droughts and it is high time, we change our approaches and start to get insurance cover for the animals,” Isaiah said.

    He lamented that out of 50,000 targeted farmers by the county government and DRIC, only 8,000 have insured their animals in the entire county.

    Additionally, Isaiah said that his department will liaise with the county Assembly of Isiolo to come up with the necessary legislation related to livestock keeping.

    He said that the department will be partnering with other development partners to conduct resource mapping exercises in the entire county and identify where there is a necessity for more interventions.

    According to Dickson Chaulo, the deputy county director of livestock in Isiolo, the new approach of insuring pasture is beneficial to the farmers as the requirement for compensation is not the death of the animal. The compensation happens when there is a reduction of foliage that is arrived at through satellite mapping.

    Chaulo said that through the program, the county government has been subsidizing the premiums for the farmers by paying 80% of the premiums with enrolled livestock owners catering for the remaining 20% of the premiums.

    Denis Mwongera a field officer for the DRIC Project said that the satellite images of the rangelands are used to determine the pasture level index which helps determine when to start compensating those who have enrolled themselves for the insurance policy.

    Story by Bruno Mutunga.

  • Shakahola Massacre: Rescue operation extended to Tsavo East National Park

    Shakahola Massacre: Rescue operation extended to Tsavo East National Park

    Police officers searching for survivors in the Shakahola forest in Kilifi County will now extend the rescue operation to Tsavo East National Park.

    Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Interior and National Administration, Kithure Kindiki said the State will incorporate drone search to ensure all survivors in the starvation cult led by controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie are rescued.

    The CS noted that the second of the exhumation exercise in the 800-acre piece of land had been suspended to allow the State to conduct postmortem on the 123 bodies recovered.

    “Only the search for graves and exhumation of the victims of the Shakahola Massacre has been suspended to allow for logistical arrangements for the postmortem examination of the additional 123 bodies recovered in Phase 2 of the exhumation exercise,” said Kindiki

    “The search for and rescue of survivors within Shakahola Forest and The Chakama Ranch generally will continue uninterrupted,” he added

    The postmortem exercise will commence on Wednesday 24th May 2023 at the Malindi Sub-County Hospital after which grave search and exhumation shall resume.

    So far, the death toll stands at 235 while 613 people linked to the cult have been reported missing.

  • Main suspect in murder of US based Nyamira couple arrested

    Main suspect in murder of US based Nyamira couple arrested

    Police on Friday arrested the main suspect linked to the brutal murder of a couple in Nyamira County, which was reported on March 21, 2023.

    The 40-year-old suspect Denis Ondara, who was armed with a ceska pistol loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition, was arrested following a 4-day chase that ended at the Isebania border in Migori County.

    According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) the suspect is also believed to be behind a number of reported robbery with violence and murder incidents in Nairobi, Nyamira, Kisii and Migori counties.

    “Upon searching the suspect, 14 more rounds of 9mm calibre were recovered, assorted spanners, nuts, screw drivers and pliers all used for breaking into parked vehicles,” said the DCI

    The arrest comes two months after DCI Director General Mohamed Amin launched a comprehensive probe into the horrific murder.

    Amin noted that the arrest was possible through the research and analysis conducted by detectives based at the Crime Research & Intelligence Bureau, and the Cyber Forensics team from the DCI National Forensic Laboratory, that placed the main suspect at the scene of the murder on the night of the attack.

    On the morning following the murder, the country woke up to the shocking news of a couple that had been brutally murdered in Nyamakoroto village in Keroka, Masaba North Sub-County in Nyamira County.

    Edward Morema Nyangechi, 62 and Grace Mong’ina Morema, 58, both based in the U.S were found murdered in the house after they failed to turn up for breakfast by 10am on the fateful morning. The couple lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the United States.

    According to the initial report filed at Gesima Police Station, the house help Silvia Barongo, 19, was the first to become suspicious before she called the farmhand 30-year-old Jeremiah Bosire and together they raised alarm attracting the attention of other villagers.

    It is while the villagers were conducting search that the lifeless body of the woman was discovered sprawled on a bed in a pool of blood in one of the bedrooms, while the man’s body was found in the garage.

    The bodies bore deep cuts on their heads while their legs and hands were tied together using electric cables.

    An autopsy report released later by the government pathologist indicated that the two died as a result of strangulation and blunt object injuries on their heads and upper limbs.