Prime CS Mudavadi Challenges Africa to Take Action for Better Representation in the UN Security Council Reforms

By

-

June 11, 2024

The Kenyan delegation to the 11th Ministerial meeting of the African Union Committee of Ten (C-10) in Algiers, Algeria, was led by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, H.E. DR Musalia Mudavadi.

During his speech, H.E. Dr. Mudavadi restated Kenya’s stance on the need for a unified voice to promote Africa’s shared stance on UN Security Council changes.

He identified as a historical injustice that needs immediate repair Africa’s underrepresentation in the non-permanent category and absence of representation in the permanent category of the UN Security Council, the body tasked with preserving international peace and security.

According to him, Africa has to be prepared and willing to seriously examine all options, both strategically and pragmatically, in order to guarantee that the reform process acknowledges and prioritises the continent’s quest.

With a deep understanding of the political, historical, and global dynamics, Africa hopes to enhance her interactions with other Member States, interest groups, and regional groups by articulating the Common African Position on the reform model.

Kenya’s permanent envoy to the AU, Ambassador George Orina, together with senior officials from the Kenyan Embassy in Algeria, accompanied the Prime Cabinet Secretary.

Photos: Gachagua Hosts Young Girl Who Presented a Poem During Akorino Prayer Conference

By

John Mutiso

-

June 11, 2024

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday, June 11, hosted Princess Angel, a young girl from Nakuru County, who recited a poem during the Akorino National Prayers Conference.

Princess Angel wowed President William Ruto and hid deputy Gachagua on Sunday during the Akorino Prayers Conference with a poem at Nakuru High School.

“Princess Angel is a talented, bold, and sharp young girl who wowed President William Samoei Ruto and I, with her profuse, profound prowess in poetry, mastery of English and Swahili, and sweet soothing refined rendition skills during the Akurinu National Prayers Conference at Nakuru High School, Nakuru County on Sunday,” Gachagua said.

The young poet was in the company of her mother Ann Kariuki. The Deputy President promised to cater for her education until the University level.

“We have secured admission at Utawala Academy, Nairobi, for the 11-year-old Princess to continue shaping and sharpening her skills. I will take care of her education needs until she becomes the heavy weight Lawyer she desires to be,” Gachagua stated.

Former Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto Appointed JSC Vice Chairperson

By

John Mutiso

-

June 11, 2024

Former Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto has been elected the Vice-Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

In a statement by JSC on Monday, June 10, Rutto was elected unanimously by the members of the commission.

“The Members of the Judicial Service Commission unanimously elected Hon. Isaac Kiprono Rutto, EGH as the Vice Chairperson of the JSC in a meeting held on 7th June 2024,” read part of the statement.

The ex-county boss has been serving as a representative of the public in the Commission having been appointed on June 15, 2023, by President William Ruto.

According to JSC, Rutto was a seasoned leader who embraced values of inclusivity, accessibility, and responsiveness in leadership.

“He is a seasoned leader with more than thirty years of experience and a champion of good governance across all sectors including the National and County Governments. Hon. Rutto espouses values of inclusivity, accessibility and responsiveness in leadership and management,” JSC stated.

Rutto served as the Governor of Bomet County between 2013 and 2017 and was also the Chairperson of the Council of Governors.

He also previously served as a Member of Parliament for Chepalungu Constituency between 1998 and 2002 and in another term between 2008 and 2012.

The former governor will now take over from Macharia Njeru, whose term at the commission expired in May 2024.

He will deputize Chief Justice Martha Koome who is the Chairperson of the commission.

European Suspect Behind Sh11 Billion VAT Fraud Arrested in Kenya

By

John Mutiso

-

June 11, 2024

A suspected ringleader of an €85 million (Ksh11 billion) VAT fraud has been arrested in Nairobi (Kenya), after hiding from the authorities, following an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Hamburg (Germany), code-named Goliath.

The suspect is a Danish citizen who had fled Denmark to escape arrest, prior to an action targeting an international criminal ring, carried out by the EPPO on 22 November 2023.

At that time, another suspected ringleader of the fraudulent scheme was arrested. The whereabouts of the second suspect were unknown to authorities.

After a six-month surveillance undertaking, the EPPO was able to locate and arrest the suspect in Nairobi, on 23 May 2024, with the support of the Danish authorities, Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt: BKA) and Germany’s State Criminal Police Office of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landeskriminalamt Nordrhein-Westfalen).

On 5 June 2024, the suspect was deported and taken into custody at the airport in Frankfurt by the Organized crime unit of the State Criminal Police Office of North Rhine-Westphalia, at the request of the EPPO, under a European Arrest Warrant.

The suspect was wanted in connection with a criminal organisation, active in the international trade of consumer electronics (mainly AirPods).

They are suspected of evading tax by means of a VAT carousel fraud – a complex criminal scheme that takes advantage of EU rules on cross-border transactions between its Member States, as these are exempt from value-added tax – with estimated losses to the EU and national budgets of at least €85 million.

According to the investigation, the suspects established companies in Germany and other EU Member States, as well as in non-EU countries, in order to trade the goods through a fraudulent chain of missing traders – who would vanish without fulfilling their tax obligations. Other companies in the fraudulent chain would subsequently claim VAT reimbursements from the national tax authorities.

For the location and the arrest of the suspect, the EPPO counted on the support of Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt: BKA), the State Criminal Police Office of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landeskriminalamt Nordrhein-Westfalen), the German tax investigation unit of Nuremberg (Steuerfahndung Nürnberg), the Copenhagen Police in Denmark (Københavns Politi), the Operational Network (@ON – international police cooperation on mafia-style criminal groups) and the authorities in Kenya, in particular the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.

State House Denies De-funding, De-fueling Uhuru Kenyatta

By

Gerald Gekara

-

June 10, 2024

The government has called a bluff on retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s office for alleged neglect of its existence.

Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura, in response to a press briefing by Uhuru Kenyatta’s communications head, Kanze Dena, distanced the Kenya Kwanza administration from allegations that it had refused to fund the constitutional office.

On denied requisition of vehicles, Dr Isaac Mwaura stated that the Ksh140 Million budget was exorbitant and the cars currently in Uhuru’s fleet were ‘fairly new cars.’

“The office also claimed that the vehicles were old and not deserving of the retired president. But the records are clear: The vehicles were bought in the years ranging between 2020, 2021 and 2022. They are, therefore, very befitting of the person of the third retired President. They include 2 Range Rover Autobiography, 2 Range Rover Sport, a Mercedes S600L, an armoured Land Cruiser V8 and 4 Prados.”

“Moreover, the Office of the Third Retired President has sent a request for 4 vehicles whose cost is a staggering KSh140 million. They are the Range Rover Vogue (First Edition) at KSh51.3 million, the Mercedes Benz $500 at KSh66.4 million, the Toyota Land Cruiser ZX-VXRK6 at KSh22.5 million, and the Toyota Fortuner at KSh10.6 million.”

On the contentious Nyari office, Dr. Isaac Mwaura accused the former President of greed, wanting to benefit from leasing his personal property (the Uhuru Kenyatta Institute) as a government office.

“In 2012/2013, the government purchased an Office of the Retired President. This office is located in Nyari, Nairobi. This is the office the late President Mwai Kibaki used for 9 nine years, between 2013 and 2022. It is, therefore, a suitable office for any retired President. By rejecting this office and preferring that the government lease his own private home, the Third Retired President is inviting the government to violate procurement laws, regulations, and procedures.”

“The Third Retired President wants to be both a landlord and a tenant at the same time. It is an adventure that the government cannot engage in as this is a serious conflict of interest.”

Kanze Dena also made claims that her appointment and that of another staffer, Mr. George Kariuki were yet to be approved, straining the former president’s workforce.

“The Act also specifies that staff who work in the Office of the Retired President must be public servants. On Mr George Kariuki and Ms Kanze Dena. their names have not been forwarded to the State House Comptroller by the retired President for processing.”

Uhuru’s office came to the spotlight after details emerged that the former president has ditched the Nyari office set aside for Retired Presidents.

Plane Carrying Malawi Vice President Goes Missing

By

Gerald Gekara

-

June 10, 2024

A Malawi Defense Force aircraft carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others has gone missing, according to the country’s presidency.

Colleen Zamba, secretary to the president and cabinet, said in a statement that the plane did not land as planned, and that efforts by aviation authorities to contact the aircraft have so far failed.

Zamba stated that the plane, which left Lilongwe at 9.17 a.m., did not arrive at Mzuzu International Airport at 10.02 a.m. as scheduled.

According to the statement, President Lazarus Chakwera has directed regional and national forces to conduct an “immediate search and rescue operation to locate the whereabouts of the aircraft”.

Chakwera, who was scheduled to travel to the Bahamas for a work visit, has since cancelled his trip.

“As such the Commander of the Malawi Defence Forces, Gen Valentino Phiri, has since infomed his Excellency Dr Lazarus Chakwera of the incident and the president has since cancelled his departures for the Bahamas,” Zamba said.

She added that the president has directed all regional and national agencies to launch an immediate search and rescue operation to locate the aircraft.

“The public will be updated of any developments on the situation as facts are esytablished,” Zamba said.

Chilima was stripped of his powers in 2022 after being arrested and charged with graft in connection with a bribery scandal involving a British-Malawian businessman.

A Malawian court dropped the charges against Chilima last month after he appeared in court several times.

African Court Orders Tanzania to Abolish Death Penalty

By

John Mutiso

-

June 10, 2024

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights has once again reiterated its longstanding directive for Tanzania to abolish the death penalty, aligning with the continental charter on the right to life.

In a recent judgment, the court also urged Tanzania to amend its criminal laws to align with Article 15, Subsection 1 of the African Children’s Charter. This directive stems from the life imprisonment sentence given to Daudi Magunga for a rape offense committed when he was a child.

Sitting in Arusha, the court delivered its verdict on two separate cases, emphasizing that mandatory capital punishment contravenes the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The court has given Tanzania a six-month ultimatum to excise the death penalty from its legal statutes.

This recent judgment underscores a series of similar rulings issued by the continental court, which have consistently called on Tanzania to abolish the death penalty. Despite these orders and growing opposition to the death penalty as a remnant of colonial-era laws, the punishment remains enshrined in Tanzania’s Penal Code.

This places Tanzania among several African nations that continue to retain the death penalty, despite a 1999 resolution by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The resolution calls on African Union member states to observe a moratorium on capital punishment.

Since 2014, only eight African countries have abolished the death penalty in both law and practice. However, many nations, including Tanzania and Kenya, have not carried out any executions in years. Tanzania’s last execution was in 1995. Currently, two offenses in Tanzania carry the death penalty: murder and treason.

The African Court’s latest judgment not only calls for the abolition of the death penalty but also highlights the need to reform criminal law provisions concerning juvenile offenders. The court’s directive to amend laws in line with the African Children’s Charter reflects a broader commitment to safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring justice for all, regardless of age.

The case of Daudi Magunga has brought significant attention to this issue. Sentenced to life imprisonment for a crime committed as a minor, Magunga’s situation exemplifies the harsh penalties imposed on juvenile offenders under current Tanzanian law. The African Court’s insistence on aligning national laws with international standards underscores the need for Tanzania to reform its criminal justice system comprehensively.

This judgment is part of a broader movement across the continent to re-examine and reform penal codes inherited from colonial rule. Many African countries are increasingly recognizing the need to align their legal systems with contemporary human rights standards. The African Court’s persistent calls for the abolition of the death penalty reflect a growing consensus that such punishments are incompatible with modern human rights principles.

As Tanzania faces this latest directive, the government will need to navigate both legal reforms and public opinion. The death penalty remains a contentious issue, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate. However, the African Court’s ruling presents an opportunity for Tanzania to join the growing number of nations moving towards a more humane and just legal system.

The e African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights has once again called on Tanzania to abolish the death penalty and align its criminal laws with international human rights standards. This judgment not only reflects ongoing efforts to reform penal codes across Africa but also underscores the need for Tanzania to take definitive action in upholding human rights and justice for all its citizens.

Murang’a own source revenue hits Sh1bn

By

John Mutiso

-

June 10, 2024

Murang’a County Government has managed to collect a billion shillings in its own source revenue in the year ending on June 30. In the year 2021/2022 the government had collected Sh520.3 million which was increased to Sh658.17 in 2022/2023 as a report on January 26,

Governor Irungu Kang’ata lauded the finance and revenue collection department for achieving the one-billion-shilling mark in the financial year 2023/2024. He congratulates the Finance CEC Prof Kiarie Mwaura, and the revenue collection teams in the nine sub counties for achieving the target set.

The County government, he said, congratulates sub-county revenue officers including market and parking attendants for the effort they have demonstrated in the collection of the local revenue.

” Today, revenue collected from the County has hit Sh1 billion for the financial year 2023/2024. Within one year, the County has doubled its collection. This has been achieved without adding any extra taxes. County taxes were increased last in 2018,” said Kang’ata.

Speaking in Kihumbu ini market on Wednesday, in company of Deputy Speaker Moses Gachui, Kang’ata said digitalisation of payments systems have assisted the county government in enhancing revenue collection and utilisation of the resources.

He explains that the county government utilises the revenue collected to facilitate Smart City Programme, Kang’ata Care with more than 40,000 households, and the ambitious Inua Mkulima. Other projects are in the ambitious community Projects, provide bursaries to learners in secondary schools, and provide Uji programme to 42,000 pupils in the over 700 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE).

” The county government was also employing health care workers in the cadre of nurses, clinical officers, interns and other projects, explains the Governor.

Early in May, Kang’ata disclosed that he projects the county government will achieve the target to collect a billion shillings in own source revenue up from Sh500 million registered in 2022.

Senators Demand Arrest of Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo, Suspension of County Funds

By

John Mutiso

-

June 10, 2024

Senators have called for the arrest and prosecution of Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo. The move comes after Governor Guyo repeatedly failed to honor two invitations and two summons to appear before the Senate Standing Committee on Health.

This unprecedented demand underscores the escalating tensions between county leadership and national oversight bodies concerning the accountability and management of public resources.

The Senators, spearheaded by committee chairperson Jackson Mandago, have petitioned the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and Director of Public Prosecution Renson Ingonga to take immediate action against Governor Guyo for contempt of Senate proceedings.

This call for legal action follows the Governor’s persistent absence from scheduled meetings aimed at addressing critical issues, particularly the health sector’s status and the operational conditions of the Isiolo County Referral Hospital’s morgue.

The committee’s frustration was palpable, reflecting a broader concern about the reluctance of some county governors to engage with national oversight mechanisms.

“Governor Guyo’s repeated disregard for our invitations and summons is not just a contempt of this committee, but a contempt of the people of Isiolo and the resources entrusted to his administration,” Mandago stated emphatically.

He emphasized that such actions undermine the Senate’s role in ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

Moreover, the Senators are contemplating a motion to halt the disbursement of funds to Isiolo County and other counties whose governors exhibit similar non-compliance.

This drastic measure aims to compel governors to adhere to legislative oversight and account for the resources allocated to them.

“We cannot allow public resources to be mismanaged or unaccounted for. If halting funds is what it takes to ensure compliance, then so be it,” Mandago declared.

The demand for Governor Guyo’s arrest and prosecution highlights the critical issue of governance and accountability in Kenya’s devolved units.

The Senate Standing Committee on Health has been particularly concerned with the conditions of healthcare facilities and the efficient use of health funds.

Isiolo County Referral Hospital, as a case in point, has been under scrutiny due to reports of inadequate healthcare services and poor management of its morgue facilities.

Governor Guyo’s non-compliance not only raises questions about his administration’s transparency but also threatens the well-being of Isiolo residents who rely on public health services.

The Senators’ call to action signifies a firm stance against any form of negligence or misuse of public office, aiming to set a precedent for accountability across all counties.

As the situation unfolds, the response from law enforcement and the Director of Public Prosecutions will be crucial in determining the next steps.

The outcome will also likely influence the Senate’s approach to governance and oversight, potentially reshaping the dynamics between national and county governments in Kenya.

In conclusion, the demand for Governor Abdi Guyo’s arrest and the potential suspension of funds to Isiolo County signal a pivotal moment in Kenya’s pursuit of accountable governance.

It underscores the Senate’s resolve to enforce compliance and transparency, ensuring that public resources are managed effectively for the benefit of all citizens.

Suspected Islamists In Eastern Congo Kill More Than 80 In A Week

By

John Mutiso

-

June 10, 2024

The death toll has risen to 41 following an attack on Friday by suspected Islamist rebels on villages in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a Congolese army spokesman said, bringing the total toll in the region to more than 80 since Tuesday.

Friday night’s attack, on the villages of Masala, Mapasana and Mahini, had been carried out by members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), said lieutenant-colonel Mak Hazukay, an army spokesman in Congo’s North Kivu province.

The ADF, which is now based in eastern Congo, has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and mounts frequent attacks, further destabilising a region where many militant groups are active.

It originates from neighbouring Uganda and is alleged to be behind multiple assaults in the area over the past week, including one in the village of Masawu that killed 17 people, two civil society leaders said.

On Thursday, five bodies were found in the villages of Kabweli and Mamulese, according to Justin Kavalami, a civil society member who helped search for bodies. The same day, six bodies were recovered from a river in the village of Mununze, that village’s chief said.

On Friday, 13 bodies were found in the village of Makobu, a civil society leader and the village chief said, bringing the total number of people killed by suspected ADF militants since Tuesday to 82.

It was not possible to reach the ADF for comment.

‘CHAOS’

During the attacks on Friday evening, armed men used guns and machetes to attack residents of the villages in Beni territory, local official Fabien Kakule told Reuters.

Vusindi Nick Junior, a local civil society leader, said a local health centre had been set ablaze and nine people were injured in addition to the 41 killed.

“Several dozen civilians have been victims of the ADF in eastern DRC in recent days,” said EU foreign affairs spokeswoman Nabila Massrali, adding there was an urgent need to accelerate efforts to find a political solution.

“Terrorist groups are taking advantage of the chaos to expand their hold on an already very unstable region,” she said.

Julien Paluku, a former governor of North Kivu, said on X that Congo’s national government needed to do more to address insecurity in the east. The government has not yet made any statement on Friday’s attacks, and a government spokesman did not respond to requests for comment.

“People have the impression, rightly or wrongly, of being abandoned to their sad fate,” he said.