Senate To Investigate KCSE Results

By

-

January 24, 2023

The Senate has launched a probe into claims of cheating in the 2022 KCSE exams.

Scrutiny of the results by experts and netizens, revealed that some schools had seen an extraordinary increase in top-tier performers.

Senator Joe Nyutu, chairperson of the Senate Education Committee, says his committee is looking into concerns made after some institutions saw a dramatic increase in the number of applicants getting clean As.

“We are investigating whether there was leakage. We have seen queries by Kenyans on social media but we urge them to be patient. We want to ascertain the truth,” he said in Mombasa Tuesday where the matter was raised during an inaugural retreat of the chairpersons of 16 Senate Committees.

“The abnormal curve is also raising questions. A school cannot have a mean grade of 5 and then all of a sudden shoot to 9. After the probe we will issue our report.”

He did not, however, indicate what actions would be done if it was shown that there was cheating.

According to the results revealed last Friday by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, 1,146 candidates received A grades, up from 1,138 in 2021.

CS Machogu, on the other hand, has rejected the allegations of cheating, claiming that exams were not leaked in favor of specific schools in the Nyanza region.

Agriculture CS Linturi Found Guilty, Ordered To Appear For Sentencing

By

Dan Ojumah

-

January 24, 2023

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mithika Linturi and two other senior ministry officials have been charged for failing to restore Agro-Chemical and Food Company (ACFC) CEO Ashok Agarwal.

They have been told to appear in person in court on February 21 to be sentenced.

Mr Linturi, Mr Mohammed Bulle, and Timothy Ojwang disregarded a court order instructing them not to relieve Mr Agarwal of his duties, according to High Court Judge Justice Antony Ndung’u.

If the trio fails to appear in court, Justice Ndung’u has threatened to issue an arrest warrant.

According to Justice Ndung’u, the CS and the other two respondents were issued with the injunction barring Mr Agarwal’s removal but disobeyed it.

Although Mr Linturi, Mr Bulle, and Mr Ojwang claimed they were not served with the June 30, 2022 order, the judge said they were lying because they were personally served with it.

Court: Why Linturi Is Guilty

Mr Agarwal of Mehta International Limited (TML) claims to be the sole “manager and technical adviser of ACFC” in the dispute.

According to TML, the contract was not renewed.

“The first contemnor (CS Agriculture) directed the board of directors not to renew the management contract, recruiting a managing director internally with concurrence of the ministry and review the Memorandum and Articles of Association of ACFC,” states Mr Linturi.

Mr Linturi had said his decision to terminate the contract of TML was mooted by the losses incurred over the years by ACDC at the expense of two other shareholders Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) and Kenya Development Corporation (KDC).

“Any lapse in enforcement of court orders is a sure invite to the breakdown of the law and order and the rule of law as we know it,” the judge wrote in his judgement.

He claimed that neglecting to execute court orders and the law would lead to chaos and the deterioration of the social fabric.

“Any court that fails to enforce its orders has no business conducting any further trial because what value is such a trial if the conclusion is pyrrhic,” Justice Ndung’u added.

The judge decided in his decision that the three are in contempt of court orders imposed on June 30, 2022.

My Friend: Uhuru Mourns His Former Education CS Magoha

By

Dan Ojumah

-

January 24, 2023

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has joined fellow Kenyans in mourning former Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Omore Magoha.

Prof. Magoha died on Tuesday evening after collapsing in his home.

Uhuru lauded Prof. Magoha as a recognized educator who leaves a great legacy of public service.

“It is unfortunate and painful that we’ve lost my friend Prof George Magoha at a time when his family is mourning his brother.” he said.

The former President expressed his condolences to the Magoha family during this terrible time of great loss.

Uhuru, Ruto Celebrate Late CS Magoha's Legacy - Kenyans.co.ke

The Secretary of State was assigned to the Education docket in March 2019 after serving as chairman of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) since 2016.

Prof Magoha, as Education CS, oversaw the transition into the new CBC curriculum transformation and teacher training.

Several leaders have expressed their condolences on the death of former Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha.

President William Ruto characterized Magoha as a gifted, one-of-a-kind, distinguished, and remarkable servant of Kenya in his message.

President Ruto Joins Kenyans In Mourning Former CS Magoha

By

Dan Ojumah

-

January 24, 2023

Several leaders have expressed their condolences on the death of former Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha.

Magoha, 71, died Monday, January 24, in Nairobi Hospital after collapsing at home.

President William Ruto characterized Magoha as a gifted, one-of-a-kind servant of Kenya in his message.

“Prof. Magoha is a towering giant of our time, a great man who stood tall in the academy, where he excelled in learning, teaching and research, as well as in administration, where he led robust turnaround interventions at the University of Nairobi and the Exams Council,” the President said.

“I have been privileged to know and work with the late Professor in many capacities, from the university where I completed my post-graduate studies, to government, where he served with distinction as the chair of KNEC and later as my colleague in Cabinet.”

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua lauded his commitment to public service.

“Known for his independence of mind and fearlessness, Prof. Magoha was an accomplished professional who served Kenya with zeal as witnessed when he served as the CS for Education and other posts held earlier.”

Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula said, “I have vivid memories of this great and tough scholar who had distinguished himself by his immense contribution to the education sector of our country.”

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga eulogized Magoha as a transformational leader, renowned academic, dedicated public worker, and distinguished medical practitioner.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Prof. George Magoha, a transformational leader, illustrious scholar, dedicated public servant, and distinguished medical doctor who left an indelible mark on our country’s education system,” he said.

Former CS George Magoha Is Dead

By

Dan Ojumah

-

January 24, 2023

Former Education Secretary George Magoha has died.

The former Education Secretary died on Tuesday at the age of 71 in a Nairobi hospital.

The former CS passed out in his home. He was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead.

In a statement, the Nairobi hospital confirmed his death. He died as a result of cardiac arrest.

Friends Of Ondiri Wetland To Hold Community Run

By

John Mutiso

-

January 24, 2023

Friends of Ondiri Wetlands will host a community run on January 28, 2023, at Kikuyu Sub-County to commemorate World Wetlands Day, which is observed on February 2 each year.

Ondiri Wetland, also known as Ondiri Swamp, is a protected wetland and peatbog in Kikuyu, Kiambu County.

Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya (FOWK) was founded in 2016 to repair and safeguard the bog; they run awareness campaigns, plant trees, and organize community activities.

World Wetlands Day is observed annually on February 2nd, with the goal of raising worldwide awareness of the importance of wetlands to people and the environment.

In an invite, FOWK said that the global theme of this year is “Wetlands Restoration”.

“To mark this important occasion, The Friends of Ondiri Wetland are holding a community run and are thrilled to welcome you back to Kikuyu Sub-County to join us for the run on Saturday, 28th January 2023. We would like to invite you to register for the run via the link https://www.jotform.com/assign/230170768812052/230171720206038. You can sign up for the 3K family walk/ run, 5K or 10K runs. Registration closes on the 26th of January 2023,” part of the invite read.

Listed in 2021, the project’s conservation is part of a larger initiative by the Kenyan government to reduce pollution to major waterways that provide water supply to Nairobi as part of the Thwake Dam project.

The river is also essential for greenhouse agriculture in the area. Ondiri Wetland spans 3,713,549 square feet and is home to 40 springs that supply water to the surrounding town.

This day also commemorates the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar.

Since the 1700s, about 90% of the world’s wetlands have been degraded, and the World is losing wetlands three times faster than forests.

Wetlands, on the other hand, are crucial ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, freshwater supply, and global economies.

President Ruto Meets Macron, Agree To Enhance Business Opportunities

By

John Mutiso

-

January 24, 2023

Kenya and France have agreed to enhance their cooperation in developmental projects

The two countries have further undertaken to diversify and harness existing business opportunities between them.

In a meeting between President William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron at Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday, the two leaders admitted to further cooperation in peace and security in the East African region.

They acknowledged that Kenya and France enjoy warm and cordial historical relations that continue to grow on an upward trajectory.

“This has manifested through sustained cooperation in areas of trade, energy, health, water, infrastructure, agriculture, among others,” explained President Ruto who is in France for a one-day visit.

On the sidelines, Dr. Ruto met senior representatives of the French Business Community where he pushed for increased trade and investment between the two countries.

Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi: Who Sold The Most Smartphones In 2022?

By

John Mutiso

-

January 24, 2023

Samsung and Apple are succeeding and making headway in a global market that contracted by 11% in 2022. Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo, their Top 5 competitors, are all lagging behind.

Which companies were able to sell the most in the smartphone market in 2022? There’s not much of a surprise.

The three winners are the same as they were the previous year, according to analysis firm Canalys, which bases its findings on the number of phones supplied by factories worldwide.

The top three are Samsung, Apple, and Xiaomi. Then we have Oppo and Vivo completing the top 5.

If the rankings have not changed, the numbers show that the top two consistently dominate.

Samsung rises from 20 to 22% and Apple from 17 to 19%, while Xiaomi drops from 14 to 13% and Oppo and Vivo drop to 9% of global sales.

It would be easy to assume that the two giants in the front had won everything, but the situation is more complicated than that. In 2022, shipments of smartphones dropped drastically by 11% to fewer than 1.2 billion.

Given that the iPhone release timetable has made it common knowledge that Apple often leads the fourth quarter, it should also be emphasized that Apple is having an extraordinary end to the year.

With 23% of the market share in 2020 and 2021, the Apple brand ultimately took the top spot with 25% of sales this year.

In the fourth quarter, Samsung increased from 19 to 20%, continuing its upward trajectory, much like Oppo, which came in at number four and improved from 9 to 10%. Vivo continues to have 8% of sales, while Xiaomi narrowly holds onto third place with 11%.

Allure of ‘Easy Money’ Fuelling Crime In Kenya

By

Cyrus Kimanga

-

January 24, 2023

The bulk of robbery with violence offenders breach the law because they want easy money, Kenya National Human Rights Commission has said.

According to a survey by KNCHR, the majority of robbery with violence prisoners on death row were motivated by money to conduct the crime.

In accordance with the article, ‘Living with a Death Sentence in Kenya: Prisoners’ Experiences of Crime, Punishment, and Death Row,’ 72% of robbery offenders were motivated by financial gain.

Mombasa Man Accused Of Murdering Grandmother

The survey show that more than half of people convicted of robbery work in regular employment or have unstable positions.

“More than half of those convicted of robbery were engaged in routine and more insecure jobs, for which they earned less on average than those working in normal occupations but charged with murder,” according to the research.

Further, the study indicates, individuals convicted of robbery got Sh15,241 each month, while those convicted of murder earned Sh24,542.

The research included 671 convicts from 12 different institutions, including those who are now on death row and those who were previously condemned to death but had their sentence commuted.

According to the survey, the majority of people convicted of murder were motivated by rage.

The report shows 27% committed the crime out of rage, 23% out of provocation, 13% were provoked by an ‘intense emotional condition,’ and 17% claimed to have acted in self-defense.

Ten Hag intent on ending Man Utd’s trophy drought

By

John Mutiso

-

January 24, 2023

Erik ten Hag has pledged to do everything in his power to end Manchester United’s worst trophy drought in 40 years ahead of their League Cup semifinal against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.

United have not won any silverware since the League Cup and Europa League in 2017, when Jose Mourinho was in charge at Old Trafford.

The English giants have reached at least the semifinal stage of various competitions on six occasions since then, losing the 2018 FA Cup final and 2021 Europa League final.

Ten Hag said United’s six-year wait for a trophy – a relative drought last experienced between 1977 and 1983 – was “too long”.

“It’s the best feeling you can have winning a trophy,” said the Dutch manager, who won the Eredivisie with Ajax last season.

“I had the luck in my career to win some trophies and it’s magnificent, especially for the fans. It’s so great and I think the fans here have some experience, especially the older ones.

“But now it is a period Manchester United didn’t win trophies and it is too long ago. We are aware of that fact and we have to do everything to bring a trophy in.”

United are looking to get back to winning ways in the first leg of the tie at Forest’s City Ground after two frustrating Premier League trips to London.

Michael Olise’s late free-kick rescued a 1-1 draw for Crystal Palace last week and Eddie Nketiah struck at the death as table-topping Arsenal triumphed 3-2 on Sunday.

“We left it behind,” Ten Hag said of the Emirates Stadium loss that led him to criticise some aspects of his side’s defending.

The United coach said defence was not an area of concern in general, pointing to the number of clean sheets his team had kept in recent weeks.

But he added: “When you concede three goals in a top game, then it’s really difficult to win a game. That’s what happens so that is one of the conclusions.

“It can’t happen. We set that conclusion, we talked about, we showed them, we have to learn and to take this lesson.”

Casemiro returns from suspension against Forest, but Anthony Martial, Diogo Dalot and Jadon Sancho are still absent.