The Office of former President Uhuru Kenyatta has refuted claims that the security of Former First Lady Ngina Kenyatta was reinstated after its withdrawal in June 2023.

Director of Communication Kanze Dena said that security details and vehicles were withdrawn via a phone call last year and haven’t been reinstated.

“Contrary to media reports, security personnel haven’t been reinstated,” Dena stated, lamenting the lack of vehicles provided by President William Ruto’s administration, despite entitlements as a former First Lady.

Mama Ngina is the spouse to founding president the late Jomo Kenyatta who died in office in 1978.

She now relies on three vehicles from previous regimes, with fuel cards blocked since March 2023, and vehicle maintenance denied, Dena revealed.

Furthermore, benefits, equivalent to 50% of retired president’s, haven’t been accorded to the former First Lady as required by law.

According to Dena, the fourth president Uhuru Kenyatta’s office received only Sh28 million out of the allocated Sh655 million during the 2022/2023 financial year, comprising 4.4% of the total budget.

Dena highlighted the government’s failure to address the constitutional needs of the retired head of state during a press conference aimed at clarifying the situation at Kenyatta’s office.

Over 100 illegal pharmacies have been closed in Rift Valley in an ongoing crackdown by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.

The board says the operation that has led to the arrest of 30 people is in response to unlawful pharmaceutical activities in the region.

The National Drug Regulatory stated that the individuals will face charges related to illegal distribution, sale and possession of pharmaceuticals. 120 cartons of assorted pharmaceuticals have been seized.

“These decisive actions follow a comprehensive investigation into unlawful practices within the pharmaceutical industry, including the illegal sale of prescription medications, fraudulent activities involving government drugs, and unlicensed pharmaceutical distribution channels” said the CEO Fred Siyoi.

“The Board remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain. The proliferation of illicit pharmaceuticals poses a significant threat to public health and safety” he added in a statement.

The enforcement operation took place between June 3rd to June 7th, 2024, in collaboration with the National Police Service, targeting various locations known for their involvement in illegal pharmaceutical activities.

“The Board is dedicated to eliminating these activities and holding accountable those who endanger consumer well-being. Through meticulous surveillance and intelligence gathering, the Board has identified and dismantled numerous criminal pharmaceutical enterprises” Siyoi said.

Additionally, the board hailed the support and collaboration from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and called upon the public to be on the lookout.

“The Board is committed to continue monitoring and enforcing compliance within the pharmaceutical industry by ensuring that, only safe and legitimate medications are available to the public. Consumers are urged to exercise caution when purchasing pharmaceuticals and to obtain medications only from licensed and reputable sources” he appealed.

The Central Organization of Trade Unions, COTU (K) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has been re-elected as a Titular member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) for the fifth time.

In a statement on Monday, June 10, COTU said Atwoli was re-elected during the ongoing 112th Session of the International Labour Conference.

Atwoli garnered 97 out of 130 votes to emerge as the number one candidate among the contestants in the race to represent workers in the ILO governing body.

“This historic re-election not only marks my continued commitment to the international labour movement but also establishes me as the longest-serving member of the ILO Governing Body and I don’t take it for granted,” Atwoli said after being re-elected.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a United Nations agency devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights, pursuing its founding mission that labour peace is essential to prosperity.

The ILO was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, to reflect the belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it’s based on social justice.

In 1946, the ILO became a specialized agency of the United Nations. The ILO governing body plays a crucial role in shaping international labour policies, setting standards, and ensuring that the rights and well-being of workers around the world are upheld.

It serves as the executive council of the ILO, making decisions on its policies, programs, and budget, and ensuring that its activities reflect the needs and aspirations of workers globally.

Besides being a member of ILO, Atwoli continues to serve as one of the Vice Presidents of the Global International Trade Union Confederation,(ITUC) and General Council Member of the ITUC African Regional Organization (ITUC-A).

The COTU SG also serves as the President of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) and has contributed to various boards including; the Social Health Authority (SHA), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC), National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), and National Bank of Kenya (NBK).

“All these appointments reflect the trust that workers in Kenya, and beyond, have in me, in regards with to contributing to the governance and strategic direction of key institutions in Kenya and beyond. It also speaks to the broad expertise and the years of experience that I have acquired while serving workers world-wide,” Atwoli added.

In a bid to maintain professionalism and uphold the integrity of its operations, the National Police Service (NPS) has introduced stringent guidelines governing the use of social media by its employees.

In a statement by the DCI on social media platforms on Monday, June 10, 2024, the new directives aim to balance the personal freedoms of officers with the necessity of preserving the public’s trust in the force.

The NPS has announced a comprehensive strategy to enhance its direct communication with the public.

This initiative includes the use of community newsletters, government access cable television shows, websites, public appearances by agency members, and public area bulletin boards.

These alternative methods are intended to foster transparency and community engagement, allowing the NPS to disseminate information effectively and promptly.

The newly issued orders set explicit standards for NPS employees’ personal use of social media, particularly when their association with the police service is identifiable.

The guidelines underscore the importance of separating personal opinions from official statements and maintaining a clear distinction between private and professional capacities.

Employees are strictly prohibited from making any official comments on social media about police incidents, policies, or procedures without prior authorization.

This responsibility is designated to spokespersons from the office of the Inspector General or respective Service headquarters.

These measures are designed to ensure that all public communications are accurate and consistent with the official stance of the NPS.

While NPS officers retain the right to participate in public debates and comment on social, economic, or other issues as private citizens, the guidelines emphasize that such comments must be entirely separate from their professional roles.

Officers are instructed not to reference their employment with the NPS or imply that their views represent the Service.

The guidelines also strictly prohibit the posting of offensive, racist, tribal, or obscene material, with violations subject to disciplinary action.

The NPS has outlined specific behaviours expected of officers when engaging in online activities, whether on or off duty.

Officers are required to clearly state that their posts represent personal opinions and avoid any content that could discredit the Service or embarrass the government.

The guidelines prohibit the disclosure of confidential documents, though linking to official documents is permitted.

Additionally, officers must refrain from commenting on ongoing investigations or making offensive remarks about the NPS or their colleagues.

Unauthorized sharing of confidential materials, such as training videos or police notes, is also strictly forbidden.

Officers are advised to remove any uncertain material and seek guidance from senior officers if necessary.

The directives are part of a broader effort by the NPS to ensure that its employees uphold the highest standards of conduct, both online and offline.

The guidelines are designed to protect the reputation of the NPS and ensure that its operations remain transparent and accountable to the public.