Cameroon President’s Daughter Comes Out, Challenges Anti-LGBT Laws

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July 10, 2024

Written By Lisa Murimi

Brenda Biya, daughter of Cameroon’s long-serving President Paul Biya, has publicly come out as a lesbian, aiming to challenge her country’s laws banning same-sex relations.

In an interview with Le Parisien, Brenda, 27, expressed hope that her revelation would inspire others facing similar challenges.

Her Instagram post showing her kissing Brazilian model Layyons Valença sparked diverse reactions in Cameroon. Brenda acknowledged that she hadn’t informed her family beforehand, emphasizing the importance of her public declaration in advocating for change.

“I find the anti-gay law unfair, and I hope that my story will change it,” Brenda stated, highlighting the impact of Cameroon’s legislation that predates her father’s presidency.

While Brenda received support and criticism, including from her family, she remains determined to advocate for LGBT rights. Same-sex relations in Cameroon are illegal, punishable by imprisonment.

Human rights groups have praised Brenda’s courage, though some question whether her privilege shields her from the law’s harsher impacts on others. The government has not officially commented on Brenda’s announcement, citing it as a private matter.

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza Faces Scrutiny Over County Legal Issues

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Editor

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July 10, 2024

Written By Lisa Murimi

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza came under scrutiny on Tuesday from the County Public Accounts Committee of the Senate regarding the legal status of the county.

During the session, Governor Mwangaza revealed that Meru County is embroiled in 800 court cases on various matters. However, she failed to provide a comprehensive list of these cases, confirming details for only two, which have already cost the county over Ksh601 million in legal fees.

Senator Fatuma Dullo expressed concern over the lack of transparency regarding the legal cases, emphasizing the potential financial implications for the county if ruled against.

The committee also raised questions about an audit query from the Auditor General’s Office, highlighting Ksh38.9 million spent on legal fees in the 2021/22 financial year without adequate documentation.

Additionally, the office of the Auditor General detailed that there were no documents to support an additional expenditure of Ksh9.4 million in legal fees from the previous financial year.

Moreover, the committee criticized Governor Mwangaza for not appointing a County Attorney as required by the Constitution, noting that legal matters were being handled by a political appointee, the CEC for Public Service Management and Legal Affairs. Senators argued against this arrangement, stressing that legal responsibilities should not be entrusted to political appointees.

“The roles of County Attorney cannot be executed by a CEC. A political appointee should never take over the responsibilities of legal affairs, ” Senator Moses Kajwang noted.

Government Eager to Achieve Human, Wildlife Coexistence to Address the Cause of Wildlife Loss

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Vanessa Kariuki

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July 10, 2024

Mr. Silvia Museiya, the Principal Secretary for Wildlife, and Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, the Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, took part in the inaugural workshop on advancing human wildlife management effectiveness in Kenya through an integrated strategy today at a Nairobi hotel.

The effort is part of the GEF-8 Global Wildlife Programme (GWP), which is one of the eleven integrated programmes under the Global Environment Facility’s eighth replenishment cycle (GEF-8).

The Global Wildlife Programme from GEF-6 and GEF-7 was successful in tackling the core causes of wildlife loss, and this project seeks to replicate that success through national, trans-boundary, regional, and global interventions.

KWS, WRTI, KWCA, and other partners will work with the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife (State Department of Wildlife) and Conservation International (CI) to carry out the project.

Incorporating a new focus on zoonotic spill over reduction through enhanced surveillance and monitoring of zoonotic and animal diseases, the project aims to support integrated management of Human Wildlife Conflicts (HWCs) and institutional strengthening, strengthen community-led conservation to address HWCs and livelihoods, and promote learning, knowledge sharing, and project coordination.

Mob storms Gachocho police station in Murang’a, killing suspect

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John Mutiso

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July 10, 2024

A storm of rage erupted in Kigumo, Murang’a County, on Wednesday, July 10, as an angry mob overwhelmed police defences and killed a suspected murderer within the station’s walls.

Villagers, incensed by the alleged fratricide, swarmed the station in large numbers, easily overpowering the officers on duty. The mob then broke into the cells and beat the suspect to death.

The deceased, accused of killing his own brother, had been in police custody awaiting further investigation.

Police officers deployed to contain the mob lobbed tear gas and used rubber bullets, but tear gas ran out after a long running battle.

The mob eventually overpowered the police, pelting their landcruisers with stones before breaking into the cells and fishing out the suspect before beating him to death.

The suspect who was beaten to death is said to have plotted with his other brother to murder their sibling.

The police have yet to release an official statement on the matter, leaving the community and the nation in suspense.

Mathira MP Wamumbi: Viral Impeachment Motion Against DP Gachagua Is Fake

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John Mutiso

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July 10, 2024

Mathira Member of Parliament Eric Wamumbi has dismissed social media reports that he has filed an impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

In a statement via Facebook on Wednesday, July 10, Wamumbi said a letter circulating online purporting to have been authored by him was fake.

The UDA lawmaker urged the people behind the fake letter to focus on their work and avoid sideshows.

“Attention. Kindly note that the letter doing rounds on social media is fake. I ask all leaders to focus on their work and avoid sideshows. Asante,” said Wamumbi.

The fake letter which was addressed to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula accused DP Gachagua of several offences including violation of constitutional provisions, criminal conduct, and gross misconduct.

This comes days after Wamumbi revealed that there was a rift between him and the Deputy President.

In a statement on July 7, Wamumbi said their fallout was not about the re-opening of closed bars in Karatina.

The Mathira MP threatened to reveal the details of their differences with Gachagua for the people to pick a side.

“It is true, There is a Rift between the Deputy president and I. The rift is not about the closed bars in Karatina town which have left the town dead for four months. It is about something bigger than that, he should say the truth and nothing but the truth. I will be telling the truth, and the people of Mathira will pick which side to believe in,” Wamumbi stated.

His wife and Muranga Women Rep Betty Maina has also threatened to spill the beans about the Deputy President.

Govt Orders All CSs To Cut Number Of Advisors

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John Mutiso

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July 10, 2024

Head of Public Service and State House Chief of Staff Felix Koskei has directed all Cabinet Secretaries to reduce the number of advisors from two to one.

Koskei said the move is part of the austerity measures announced by President William Ruto to cut government spending.

“It is notified that His Excellency the President directed that the number of advisors in government be reduced by 50% with immediate effect. By dint of that Presidential Action, the number of advisors assigned to each Cabinet Secretary has been revised from two to one,” read the letter in part.

However, Koskei said the number of personal staff attached to CSs will remain two as set out in the Public Service Commission guidelines.

The Head of Public Service directed each CS to indicate the advisor that they will retain noting that advisors beyond the set threshold would be phased out of the public service.

“Consequently, you are requested to assess the requirements of your office and indicate the advisor you would wish to retain to support you in the discharge of your portfolio mandate. Any advisors beyond the set threshold will be immediately phased out from the Public Service,” Koskei stated.

Further, he asked the CSs to submit the full names of the advisors who will be retained to PSC and send a copy to his office, by Thursday, July 11, 2024.

I’ve Been Told You Don’t Want a Handshake – Raila Responds After Backlash

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John Mutiso

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July 10, 2024

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has broken his silence after Kenyans slammed him for supporting the formation of a multi-sectoral forum to address issues raised during the recent protests.

In a statement on Tuesday, July 10, Raila said he had been briefed by a section of ODM leaders that Kenyans don’t want a handshake between the opposition and the government.

The former Prime Minister noted that he has heard the concerns raised by Kenyans.

“I have been told by these leaders that you have said you do not want a handshake. The message has been received,” said the ODM leader.

Raila on Wednesday at KICC welcomed President William Ruto’s move to form a multi-sectoral forum saying it is the way forward to get out of the current crisis in the country.

The opposition chief noted that he held consultations with President Ruto on the forum which will be held from Monday, July 15, 2024, to Saturday, July 20, 2024.

“I am happy to confirm that we have had consultations and we have agreed that dialogue is the way forward out of the crisis we are having today in our country.

“We have agreed that we give people an opportunity to be heard, to express themselves to come out with the grievances which are ailing our country today so that a last solution can be found,” Raila stated.

Raila’s move was not well received by Kenyans online including his son Raila Odinga Junior who distanced himself from the dialogue.

Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, and DAP K leader Eugene Wamalwa also came out to differ with Raila about the forum.

1.4 billion KPA scandal: Tender document lacked a commencement date and contractual amount, Court told

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Cyrus Kimanga

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July 10, 2024

One of the directors of a company at the center of a 1.4 billion Kenya Ports Authority scandal involving Nyaribari Masaba Constituency MP, Daniel Manduku told Milimani Anti-corruption court Chief Magistrate Hon. Dr. Victor Wakumile that the tender document lacked a commencement date and contractual amount.

Testifying against former KPA managing director Daniel Manduku, the director Abdisalaam Hassan could not state the total amount in the contract agreement entered between his company Absam and Sun Limited and KPA.

When asked by the court to indicate the date and the amount involved, Hassan could not locate it in the tender and agreement documents that his company was awarded for the construction of concrete barriers at the Inland Container Depot, Kilindini Port and Makongeni Goods

Though the agreement between his company and KPA did not articulate the contractual some, the witness was quick to state that paid Sh 84.3 million by KPA for the construction of the concrete barriers by the ports authority.

“The contractor documents presented to me by the DPP do not herein do not indicate the date we signed it and the amount involved,” Hassan stated.

Interestingly the witness said that the tender was awarded in 2016 but only implemented the same three years later.

Asked whether they were paid for the works per the rates of 2019, Hassan they received the money at the rate of 2016.

The witness was testifying in a case where the prosecution claims Manduku irregularly paid Mllion to the Hassan’s company construction of concrete barriers which had not been budgeted for or planned in the procurement plan of KPA in the financial year 2018-19

Hon. Manduku and his co-accused, Juma Fadhili, a former works officer at KPA are accused of disregarding the procurement law and regulations in awarding contracts.

The court heard that apart from causing the KPA to spend money that had not been budgeted for, the actions of the second accused Chigulu led to the overpayment of Sh244,837,908.59.

Man charged for allegedly breaking into Parliament building, stealing CCTV switches

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Cyrus Kimanga

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July 10, 2024

A young man was today charged before a Nairobi Court for breaking into the Kenyan National Parliament building and stealing CCTV switches and committing a felony contrary to the Law.

According to the prosecution, Kevin Mwamiri Mang’are on April 23, 2024 at around 1830hours broke into the Parliament building into the basement area of the main parliament building and stole two CCTV switches make CISCO valued at Ksh 890,000 the property of Megal Security Solutions Company.

He also faced another count of stealing where the prosecution alleged that on April, 20, 2024, the suspect broke into the Parliament building and stole two other CCTV switches valued at Ksh 890,000 the property of the same Company.

Further, the prosecution charged him with stealing yet another CCTV switch valued at Ksh 445,000 the property of Megal Security Solutions Company after breaking into the Parliament building basement No.1 area of the main Parliament.

Appearing before Milimani Law Courts Magistrate Gilbert Shikwe, the accused denied the charges and was released on Ksh 500,000 bond.

Cs Ababu Rallies The Police Fc Ahead Of Regional Assignments

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John Mutiso

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July 10, 2024

Sports CS Ababu Namwamba, alongside Sports PS Eng. Peter K Tum and PS Interior Raymond Omollo, today hosted a celebratory breakfast for Police FC and Kenya Police Bullets.

The teams recently qualified for the CAF qualifiers and the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers, respectively, thus the Police Bullets will represent Kenya in the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from August 17 to Sept. 1, 2024.

CS Ababu noted that the team had been boosted by #TalantaHela pipeline which has fed the women’s team with top talents such as the Harambee Junior Starlets captain Elizabeth Ochaka, who recently captained the junior starlets to the first ever FIFA World Cup in Kenya’s history.

He assured the teams of the government’s full support, commending them for their discipline & success, highlighting the deliberate investment in the sports and the creative economy to turn the talents into key drivers of the economy and to supporting livelihoods.

“President Ruto’s government is committed to transforming sports into a whole economy that can create jobs, supports livelihood and contribute to economic development of our nation,” he quipped.

Reflecting on the incredible success journey of sport and creative economy revamp in the country, the CS noted that his ministry had continued to deliberately and intentionally to structure ways and support to completely transform these industries.

“We have been deliberate in our investment right from the school ball games where we invested over 267 million shillings to support talent identification at the base, to striking a deal with KBC for live broadcasts of football matches, with the ministry supplied Ksh. 240 million.

This guarantees each Premier league team a minimum of Ksh. 10 million upon conclusion of the league,” he explained.

The CS added that he had instructed the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to host a KPL annual gala , where to award clubs and celebrate excellence from the season.

He noted that the support was part of the #TalantaHela initiative geared at growing talents across the sports and creatives ecosystem.

“Talanta Hela is really godsend for us. It has given us a pipeline to identify talents from schools and grow those talents in a very deliberate,intentional and structured style. Your team is full of Talanta Hela products, a clear indication of the success of this program,” he remarked.

He encouraged the teams to prepare thoroughly, assuring them of full government backing to compete effectively in the regional games.

The CS called on them to replicate Gor Mahia’s 1987 Mandela Cup victory and bring the trophy home.

“Since Gor Mahia won this cup in 1987, no Kenyan team has come close to winning it. Police Bullets, please go and bring this trophy back to Kenya,” he urged.

PS Raymond Omollo, the team’s patron, expressed gratitude for CS Ababu’s support and lauded his impact on the sports sector since taking charge. He assured that the team is ready to deliver their best performance in the upcoming tournament.

On his Part, PS Eng. Peter Tum reiterated the CS commitment to support the team, noting that as the ministry’s accounting officer he was ready to provide all the necessary facilitation for the team as they head to Adis Ababa.