Burkina Faso’s Military Junta Bans Homosexual Acts

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July 12, 2024

Burkina Faso’s military junta has announced a ban on homosexual acts, making it the latest African state to crack down on same-sex relations.

The decision comes despite strong opposition from Western powers and will criminalize what was previously tolerated in the socially conservative West African state.

According to Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, the junta’s cabinet has approved legislation making homosexuality punishable by law. However, details of the new law remain unclear. The move is part of an overhaul of Burkina Faso’s marriage laws, which will only recognize religious and customary marriages.

Burkina Faso’s decision follows a trend of African states cracking down on the LGBTQ community in recent years. Uganda has also adopted legislation aimed at further restricting the rights of the community, despite widespread condemnation from local rights groups and Western powers.

The development is seen as part of a broader shift in attitudes towards the LGBTQ community in Africa, with many states adopting increasingly conservative stances. Burkina Faso’s military seized power in 2022, and has since moved away from its previous ties with France, adopting a more pro-Russian stance.

The new law will punish “homosexual acts and associated practices”, according to Bayala. The move is likely to be met with widespread criticism from international human rights groups and Western governments, which have consistently called for greater protection and recognition of the rights of the LGBTQ community.

Burkina Faso was one of 22 African states where same-sex relations were not criminalized. The country has a population that is around 64% Muslim, with Christians making up around 26%, and the remaining 10% following traditional religions or having no faith.

Kevin Hart Sued by Fellow Actor Jonathan T. Jackson for $12 Million

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Gerald Gekara

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July 12, 2024

Actor Kevin Hart is facing another legal battle, this time from his former friend and fellow actor Jonathan T. Jackson, who is suing him for $12 million in damages.

Jackson alleges that Hart’s false accusations of extortion and blaming him for his leaked sex tape destroyed his career.

According to Jackson’s lawsuit, his life was turned upside down after Hart accused him of making false extortion claims and blamed him for the release of a sex tape featuring Hart and Montia Sabbag.

The scandal led to widespread criticism and a damaged reputation for Jackson.

The drama began in August 2017, after the release of Hart’s infamous sex tape. Jackson claims that Hart held him responsible for the scandal and fabricated false extortion claims against him.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office conducted a raid initiated from the extortion report “falsely reported” by Hart and his team.

The situation escalated in 2019 when Hart released a stand-up special in which he accused Jackson of extortion and involvement in the creation and dissemination of the sex tape.

Jackson claims that this comedy special “significantly influenced public opinion and damaged” his reputation with the entertainment industry.

In an interview, Jackson stated that his career was ruined as a result of Hart’s actions, saying: “My reputation was unjustly tarnished due to a series of malicious actions by the defendants, leading to profound emotional distress, financial losses, and professional setbacks.”

This lawsuit is just the latest in a series of legal troubles for Kevin Hart, who is also being sued by his former assistant Miesha Shakes for defamation.

No Stopping? Gen Zs Now Push For Investigations Into Sacked Cabinet

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Gerald Gekara

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July 12, 2024

Following President William Ruto’s surprise move to dissolve his entire cabinet, a group of youths popularly known as Generation Zs have vowed to keep pressing the government until all their demands are met.

The youths, who have been at the forefront of protests against the government, gathered in a virtual space to discuss their next move. They celebrated the dissolution of the cabinet as a victory, but emphasized that it is only the beginning of their fight for a better country.

“We have to be very petty, today we have had a win let us not get tired. We need to show them it is not business as usual,” said one of the listeners on the X Space.

The Gen Zs also demanded that all former Cabinet Secretaries be audited and held accountable if they had any cases going on. They expressed determination not to succumb to any games, saying President Ruto might be deterring them from their course.

“President Ruto is full of ‘cards’ we need to be sure which one he is playing, the first card we saw, he went and united with Raila, what is his endgame?” said another.

The youths also want a reshuffling of all Permanent Secretaries (PS) once the new CSs with clean track records are in as a step to fighting corruption. They believe that corruption is not limited to the national level and want to see similar reforms implemented in county governments.

“We are far from the end of it, after this, let us now look into The County government, it is where corruption is rampant,” they said.

The Gen Zs are hopeful that their protests are not in vain and will continue to push for change until their demands are met.

Atwoli Praises President Ruto For Dissolving Cabinet

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Gerald Gekara

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July 12, 2024

The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) has commended President William Ruto’s decision to dissolve the Cabinet, describing it as a bold and decisive step towards addressing the grievances and aspirations of Kenyans.

In a statement, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli hailed the move, saying it marks a significant step towards reform. “This bold and decisive action is a modern approach to addressing the grievances and aspirations of the Kenyan people,” he said.

Atwoli emphasized the need for a Cabinet that not only defends government policies but also effectively articulates the needs and priorities of the nation. He also stressed the importance of having competent and experienced Kenyans in the Cabinet, committed to serving the interests of all citizens and maintaining accountability.

Other leaders across the political divide have also welcomed the move. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna described it as a “solid start”, while Azimio spokesperson Makau Mutua tweeted “The deed is done. Thanks President William Ruto”.

President Ruto announced the sacking of all cabinet secretaries except Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi, citing Article 152(1) and 152(5)(b) of the Constitution and Section 12 of the Office of the Attorney-General Act. He vowed to engage in extensive consultations to set up a ‘broad-based government’ that will accelerate reforms and tame waste.

The decision comes after weeks of criticism from Gen Z, who called for a government overhaul, citing failure by Cabinet Secretaries. The protests escalated into violent clashes with police, resulting in tragic consequences, including the death of over 40 protesters and more than 300 injured.

Five Die in Grisly Road Accident on Murang’a-Kenol Road

By

Gerald Gekara

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July 12, 2024

A devastating road accident occurred on Thursday afternoon on the Murang’a-Kenol Road in Murang’a County, claiming the lives of five people.

The crash involved a Toyota Wish vehicle, registration number Mo KBM 461M, and a trailer, registration number KDL 214G.

According to police reports, the car was heading towards Murang’a from Kenol direction when it was struck by the trailer, which had veered out of its lane. The impact was severe, leaving the driver of the motor vehicle and four others fatally injured.

The bodies were transported to the Murang’a morgue, where they will undergo identification and autopsy. The identities of the deceased have not been released.

In a separate development, local youth reacted to the accident by barricading the road and setting tires ablaze, demanding the installation of a bump at the accident spot. The demonstration brought traffic to a standstill, causing inconvenience to motorists.

The incident serves as a grim reminder of the need for increased vigilance on our roads and for authorities to prioritize road safety measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring.

Grass To Grace: Ruto Sacrifices Cabinet To Save His Political Career

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Gerald Gekara

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July 12, 2024

From Grace to Grass : President William Ruto has sacrificed his entire cabinet to save his political career

Prof. Kithure Kindiki was the third most powerful man in Kenya. His snipers gunned down protesters in Parliament, and Ranger squads maimed unarmed children.

Aden Duale, Ruto’s political soulmate, was in charge of the military and had access to security briefs. He is now irrelevant and isolated. Duale deployed the military to help save the Ruto presidency after Gen Z invaded parliament.

Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u was the architect of the Finance Bill that brought Gen Z into the streets. This move nearly brought down the government.

Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen was a soft target of the Gen Z as he was accused of blatantly displaying opulence through expensive ornaments.

Eliud Owalo is a victim of the Gen Z army. He did/not do much to precipitate his sacking…

Susan Nakhumicha was accused of abetting graft in the Ministry of Health, and failing to resolve the doctors strike. She was to go with or without Gen Z.

Alice Wahome sacrificed her Parliamentary seat and now stands between a rock and a hard place.

Ababu Namwamba had already packed his bags to travel to France for the Olympics. He has to unpack and go back to the flood-prone Budalangi.

Soipan Tuya She worked hard to plant trees and achieve her targets but has found her Waterloo

Zachariah Njeru has been colorless and has nothing to show for his two-year stint.

Alfred Mutua; the drama king in the Cabinet, loses her job and has no family to turn to after divorcing his wife and losing his girlfriend to a rapper, Juliani, whose tunes fueled the Gen Z protests.

Davis Chirchir, a Ruto insider and brilliant strategist. You have not had the last of this techno-brain.

Simon Chelugui; the accountant-cum-clever minister, was the only surviving minister from the Uhuru Ruto government. He drives himself to Don Bosco Shrine every Sunday and is a down-to-earth person.

Ezekiel Machogu- the oldest cabinet minister whose blunders nearly killed children during the el-nino disaster. His midnight notice to stop schools from reopening remains a dent in his docket.

Moses Kuria spoke his way to the cabinet. He has spoken his way out of the cabinet. The most controversial of the CSs, albeit fearless, if not too careless,. You have not heard the last from him.

Mercy Wanjau: Lawyer turned cabinet affairs CS is a decent professional, and his appointment and exit from the cabinet was a shocker to everyone.

Peninah Malonza: She failed the interview in the first place, she was transferred from the Ministry of Tourism to the Ministry of EAC and ASAL areas. Her ‘death’ as a CS hangs in the air.

Mithika Linturi: This man has seen it all. He was accused of selling rocks branded as fertilizer to farmers and accused of bribing Senators to save him. He is suspected to be the minister who was caught up in a situation in a foreign country in unexplained circumstances

Justin Muturi : suffered embarrassment at seeing his son abducted by security forces during the Gen Z protests. He had attempted to sue the media for an article claiming he was locked out of President Ruto’s decisions. The media were vindicated after he was axed.

Kiambu Governor Hits Back at Tatu City Over Land Grabbing, Graft Allegations

By

Gerald Gekara

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July 11, 2024

Kiambu County Governor Kimani Wamatangi has rejected Tatu City’s claims that the county is delaying approval of their revised development master plan.

In a strongly worded statement, the Governor emphasized the county’s commitment to lawful land use and public utility allocation.

Tatu City, a 5,000-acre development, has been embroiled in controversy over their proposal to reduce public amenity land from 406 acres to 103 acres. The county government insists that 10% of the land should be allocated for public use, amounting to 500 acres.

Governor Wamatangi acknowledged the importance of supporting investors while adhering to legal frameworks. “We value and respect all investors in Kiambu County and have a policy to support them. However, we cannot compromise on the law,” he said.

The Governor cited the Physical and Land Use Planning Act 2019 and the Physical and Land Use Planning Regulations 2021, which mandate private developers to allocate land for public facilities such as schools, hospitals, fire stations, recreational areas, police stations, playgrounds, and other public utilities.

“We are not seeking land for private use, but for public utility purposes,” Wamatangi clarified. “It is insincere for Tatu City to claim otherwise.”

The dispute between the county government and Tatu City has raised concerns about the future of the development. The Governor’s statement aims to set the record straight and emphasize the county’s commitment to upholding the law.

How ministries will be run after Ruto fired his Cabinet

By

John Mutiso

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July 11, 2024

President William Ruto has announced that the operations of the government will run normally despite the dismissal of the Cabinet.

Addressing the nation at State House Nairobi on Thursday, the President said Principal Secretaries will oversee the government operations.

President Ruto also noted that other relevant officials would help to run the state operation.

“During this process, the operations of government will continue uninterrupted under the guidance of Principal Secretaries and other relevant officials,” said President Ruto.

He added, “I will be announcing additional measures and steps in due course.”

The Head of State fired all Cabinet Secretaries save for the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi.

Notable PSs who will be in charge of government operations include; Interior PS Raymond Omollo, Treasury PS Chris Kiptoo, Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang, and Defence PS Patrick Mariru.

President Ruto mentioned that he would proceed to engage with stakeholders from different sectors, political formations and the private sector to form a new and broad-based government.

He pointed out that the new government would help him in implementing his promises and tackling issues such as debt, wastage, duplication of government agencies, and dealing with corruption.

The new cabinet will also be tasked with making the Kenya Kwanza government lean, inexpensive, effective, and efficient.

“I will immediately engage in extensive consultations across different sectors and political formations, with the aim of setting up a broad-based government that will assist me in accelerating and expediting the necessary, urgent, and irreversible, implementation of radical programmes,” Ruto stated.

Content Creator Mike Muchiri Released After Being Arrested

By

John Mutiso

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July 11, 2024

Renowned content creator Mike Muchiri has revealed that he is okay moments after he was arrested in Kasarani, Nairobi.

Muchiri had taken to social media to reveal that he was being followed while on a live stream side a car. He said that they had told him to go to Kasarani Police Station, but he felt that he was being targeted.

“Please, guys amplify they are telling me to get into Kasarani police station ut I feel like I am being targeted cause I have been followed since I got out of town.”

The content creator was later arrested, and his lawyers had to swing into action.

He said: “I have a multitude of lawyers with me. I’m ok.”

Judiciary Fraternity Mourns Justice Majanja

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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July 11, 2024

The Judiciary and Judicial Service Commission have mourned the death of the late Justice David Majanja saying the vacuum he has left will be hard to fill.

The Chief Justice Martha Koome said Justice Majanja was passionate about preserving the rule of law and ensuring the fair administration of justice.

“He dedicated his life to advancing these values, committed to applying the law fairly and impartially to ensured equal justice for all,” the CJ said.

Further, CJ Koome said Justice Majanja served with distinction after he was first appointed to the High Court in 2011.

She said Majanja made significant contributions to the cause of justice and the development of the country’s jurisprudence and rendered judgment in a number of landmark cases.

She cited one such case in 2018 where Justice Majanja directed the reform of the Penal Code upon finding that the detention of persons with mental health conditions at the President’s pleasure was unconstitutional.

Koome said another groundbreaking judicial pronouncement Justice Majanja made was in 2012 where he ruled that the mandatory 30-days notice of intention to sue the government was a violation of the right of access to justice and amounts to unjustified limitation.

She said the entire Judiciary would do well to follow his exemplary path.

“Justice Majanja was a devoted servant to our nation, and his death leaves an irreplaceable void. He has left a profound mark on our justice institutions and on the rule of law more broadly.

“We extend our prayers and sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the Judiciary and JSC family,” Koome said.

She said the JSC is working with the family on the funeral arrangements and the Judiciary will hold Closing of the File Proceedings along with other memorial services in his honour.