Uhuru-Led Peace Envoy Vows To Lasting Peace Solution in Eastern DRC

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January 23, 2023

Written By Vanessa Kariuki ||

On January 20, 2023, former president H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta met with the technical advisory team composed of representatives from the EAC member states as the AU-Kenya Peace Envoy and EAC Facilitator of the Nairobi Process on peace and security in Eastern DRC.

The advisory committee convened a week-long conference in Mombasa, Kenya, where they discussed how to improve the peace process and bring back stability, security, and peace to the Eastern DRC.

Speaking to the group, the EAC facilitator urged the newly established team to cooperate in order to help the region’s Heads of State and governments accomplish their goal.

“I want to thank all of you for agreeing to be part of the team, to assist in this endeavour of trying to find lasting peace in one of our neighbouring countries DRC,” said EAC facilitator.

The facilitator also expressed gratitude to the EAC secretariat for planning and hosting the conference, noting that long-lasting peace in the DRC will eventually contribute to the region’s ability to advance its economic success.

Benzema, Kroos Lead Real Madrid To Victory At Bilbao

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John Mutiso

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January 23, 2023

Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos’s goals kept Real Madrid on Barcelona’s tail in LaLiga with a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

After the Catalans had beaten Getafe 1-0, champions Madrid won a tight clash at the San Mames to remain three points behind their rivals.

Benzema broke the deadlock with a superb volley in the first half while Kroos fizzed home the second late on to kill off Athletic’s hopes.

After losing the Spanish Super Cup to Barcelona last weekend, anxiety had increased in the capital, but a stirring Copa del Rey comeback against Villarreal on Thursday settled nerves.

This victory in Bilbao will reassure Los Blancos fans further, ahead of their derby clash in the cup with Atletico Madrid next week.

“It’s clear that the team is defending well again, (we were) compact, solid,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told DAZN.

“With us ahead in the game we needed to defend and we did it well. We did not give things away and in the end we won.”

Madrid had let in eight goals in their previous four games across all competitions, but despite the injury absences of David Alaba and Aurelien Tchouameni, they were far more sturdy in the Basque Country.

Anticipating a physical clash with the Basques, Ancelotti benched midfield stalwarts Luka Modric and Kroos, opting to line up with Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde as part of his central trio.

Dani Ceballos, Nacho Fernandez and Marco Asensio also started after their fine performances against Villarreal.

Athletic started well and Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tipped away Aitor Paredes’s dangerous header.

The goalkeeper forced Inaki Williams wide of goal in the 23rd minute and the Ghana international fired into the side netting from a tight angle.

A minute later and Madrid punished him for the miss, with Benzema reacting well to volley home from Asensio’s header back in his direction.

It was Benzema’s 228th La Liga goal, pulling him level with the iconic Raul Gonzalez as Madrid’s second top scorer in the competition — with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the way on 311.

“What Karim does is incredible, he helps us a lot with his goals, it’s good that’s he’s on fire for us,” Nacho told DAZN.

In the second half Unai Simon was called into action to deny Nacho as Madrid sought to double their lead, with Asensio dragging a shot narrowly off-target.

At the other end Nico Williams followed suit, firing wide when well-placed.

Athletic continued to turn the screw in their search for the equaliser with Ernesto Valverde throwing on more attacking players, including captain Iker Muniain.

Inaki Williams found the net in the 77th minute but the goal was swiftly ruled out for offside against Gorka Guruzeta.

Eventually, the hosts were finished off by Kroos, who steered home from the edge of the box to wrap up Madrid’s victory in the 90th minute.

Athletic sit eighth, five points below the Champions League qualification spots.

“We did everything to win today, from the first minute until the last,” Valverde told DAZN.

“Opponents like Madrid are unforgiving and we have to create a lot to be able to score.”

Police Recover Consignment of ‘Fake’ Alcohol in Thika

By

Vanessa Kariuki

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January 23, 2023

Written By Vanessa Kariuki ||

Detectives have seized a shipment of fake alcoholic beverages as part of an ongoing investigation into sophisticated tax evasion tactics by sellers of alcoholic products.

Following the painstaking investigation carried out by DCI sleuths and representatives from the Kenya Revenue Authority, approximately 300 cartons carrying thousands of bottles of fake spirits intended for the local market were confiscated.

The fake beverages, whose safety for consumers could not be immediately determined, were packaged in well-known brands that are popular among young people, including Kane Extra, King Vodka, Nest Vodka, Hunters Vodka, Chrome Vodka, Blue Ice Vodka, Konyagi, Triple Ace, Hunters Vodka, K.C Vodka, and Kibao, among others.

In a previous operation, the detectives acting on information, seized the unlawful consignment, hundreds of liters of ethanol, empty bottles of various brands, and residential property at Mugi Court in Makongeni Thika Sub-County.

“KRA officers accompanying our officers during the operation also confirmed that the seized drinks had counterfeited revenue stamps affixed on them. The recovery comes days after the detectives arrested suspects engaged in the printing of fake KRA stamps including those from neighboring countries of Uganda and Tanzania,” said DCI.

“The ongoing operation follows a recent directive by His Excellency President William Ruto to the police, to conduct intelligence-led operations targeting counterfeit goods, after it was discovered that crooked businessmen had devised new ways of evading taxation,” DCI added.

Eddie Nketiah Fires Late Goal In Critical Win Over Man United 3-2

By

Dan Ojumah

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January 22, 2023

Arsenal retained control of the Premier League title race after Eddie Nketiah’s 90th-minute winner gave them a dramatic victory over Manchester United in a thriller at Emirates Stadium.

Manchester City’s earlier win over Wolverhampton Wanderers applied pressure on the Gunners but they responded with character and quality, even after going behind, to secure a five-point advantage at the top with a game in hand.

United’s man of the moment Marcus Rashford fired home a superb right-foot strike from 25 yards to give them a 17th-minute lead.

Arsenal responded fiercely and were level seven minutes later when Granit Xhaka’s cross created a heading opportunity for Nketiah, who got in ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka at the far post.

Bukayo Saka’s angled drive put Arsenal ahead eight minutes after the break but their advantage lasted only six minutes, with Lisandro Martinez heading his first goal for the club after keeper Aaron Ramsdale dropped a corner.

Arsenal looked the more likely winners in the closing stages, with Saka hitting the post and Nketiah denied by David de Gea’s outstanding save.

The pressure paid off in the closing moments when Nketiah – a striker who is doing an outstanding job filling in for injured Gabriel Jesus – turned in from close range to spark wild scenes of celebration at Emirates Stadium.

Haaland Goal Machine Closes Mancity-Arsenal Gap

By

Dan Ojumah

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January 22, 2023

Erling Haaland scored his fourth Manchester City hat-trick and took his goal tally for the season to 31 in all competitions as relegation-threatened Wolves were swept aside by Pep Guardiola’s men.

By his own incredibly high standards, Haaland had been going through a barren spell.

But after ending a three-game drought against Tottenham on Thursday, the Norwegian demolished Wolves in a 12-minute spell either side of half-time.

Haaland initially rose to head home Kevin de Bruyne’s cross to put the hosts ahead at the break.

He then drove home a penalty after Ilkay Gundogan had been fouled by Wolves skipper Ruben Neves, before sweeping home his third after Jose Sa’s pass out of his six-yard box went straight to Riyad Mahrez.

Haaland has now scored 25 goals in City’s first 20 Premier League games. That is five more than Luis Suarez managed in 2013-14, the previous highest figure at this stage in the season.

The Norwegian striker’s current total would have been enough to earn him the Golden Boot in more than half of the 30 campaigns since the English top flight was renamed in 1992.

He has also already scored as many Premier League hat-tricks as Mo Salah, and a third of Sergio Aguero’s record 12, which the Argentine achieved across his magnificent decade with City.

Only Alan Shearer has scored more Premier League hat-tricks in a single season, with five.

Lift Axle Menace: Drivers Call For More Sensitization On Vice

By

Dan Ojumah

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January 22, 2023

Kenyan truck drivers have urged the government through KENHA to widen stakeholder engagements with truck owners to sensitize them on overloading.

Speaking to Uzalendo News, Nelson Gombe said part of the reasons why they commit the offense is to reduce track damage and maintenance costs, often deducted from their salaries.

“We acknowledge KENHA for its work to keep the roads maintained but please talk to our bosses because when the tires wear out, they come for our salaries, or fire us for poor truck maintenance.”

Mr. Gombe explained the sole reason for axle lifting was to elongate the lifespan of their tires and save on fuel costs.

“Up until now, we used to think we are saving by reducing the trucking costs, but now that we see we are damaging the roads, we know better.”

Trucks can lift one set of wheels thanks to a technology known as axle lifting. Many manufacturers automate the changeover and forbid its use on public roads. This is a result of the general harm axle-lifting does to the road tarmac.

At the beginning of the year, KENHA engineer raised an alarm over the rampant abuse of the axle-lifting system, after virtual weight sensors detected an upsurge in the vice. KENHA has since increased its surveillance throughout the Northern Corridor.

Truck drivers have been advised to uphold the Axle Load Control Act in order to protect Kenya’s $3 trillion road system.

The East Africa Axle Load Control Act 2016 lays out the regional regulations for axle loads that are intended to safeguard vital road infrastructure.

Transporters who violate these rules risk fines of up to Ksh. 45 million or a three-year prison term.

DP Gachagua: EX-DCI Boss Kinoti Was Ordered To Abduct, Kill Dennis Itumbi

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John Mutiso

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January 22, 2023

According to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the former administration plotted to kill social media strategist Dennis Itumbi for supporting President William Ruto, who had a falling out with his then-boss Uhuru Kenyatta.

Itumbi worked at State House during Kenyatta’s first term, but then moved to Ruto’s office, where he remained.

“There was a meticulous plot in place to execute this young man” (Itumbi). His kidnappers treated him inhumanely as they planned his execution, but because there is God, people raised alarm through social media, forcing his tormentors to abandon the plot,” Gachagua said of Itumbi’s abduction.

Speaking in Kerugoya on Sunday, Gachagua revealed that Itumbi was a close aid of President William Ruto.

“Many of you wonder what is the work of Itumbi. His office is come here go there. He is a close friend to our President,” he said.

Itumbi was kidnapped by people he thought were police officers, who tortured him before releasing him with serious injuries. He was later rescued and taken to the hospital by a boda boda rider.

Gachagua, who spoke in Itumbi’s Kirinyaga backyard on Sunday, said the initial plan was to kill him, but it was scrapped due to social media pressure.

Gachagua stated that Itumbi owes his survival to God and Kenyans while recounting the events of the day of his kidnapping, noting that his execution had been sanctioned by powerful forces in the previous regime.

He went on to say that, in light of the “crimes” committed by the Uhuru Kenyatta administration against Kenyans, it would take time for some of the victims, including himself, to forgive their perpetrators.

Despite Gachagua acknowledged the bible says we forgive wrongdoers, he said some incidents were hard to forgive and forget.

“Our Bishop has preached of forgiveness but some scenarios are hard to forget,” he said.

Itumbi, who switched allegiances to President Ruto after a falling out with Uhuru, was kidnapped from a barbershop in Kiambu, tortured, and dumped in Lucky summer by people suspected of being state agents in December 2021.

He was later rescued by a Good Samaritan and taken to the hospital for treatment of serious leg injuries.

Itumbi said last month, a year after his ordeal, that he had forgiven his tormentors, who had nearly killed him.

“I forgive all those who wronged me. I forgive the senior security officers who abducted and tortured me,” Itumbi said this week when he hosted a chapati forum that involved frying chapatis for distribution to the disadvantaged ahead of Christmas, “I am now very happy and this event is to remember the events of that fateful night when they wanted to kill me,” Itumbi said on December 25.

KeNHA Worries Over Rampant Axle-Lifting On Northern Corridor

By

John Mutiso

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January 22, 2023

Kenya National Highways Authority has upped its surveillance on the Northern Corridor after virtual sensors recorded an increase in axle-lifting among truck drivers.

Gilgil cluster manager said the vice has contributed to extensive road damage on the northern corridor.

“Our biggest challenge is axle lifting. This makes drivers put more pressure on the remaining axles, and this eventually damages the expensive roads.”

Axle lifting is a technology that allows trucks to lift one set of wheels. Many manufacturers make the switch automatic and do not allow them to be used on the road. This is due to the overall damage axle-lifting causes on road infrastructure.

Truck drivers have been urged to play their role in safeguarding the Ksh. 3 Trillion road network by abiding by the Axle Load Control Act.

The East Africa Axle Load Control Act 2016 lays out the regional regulations for axle loads that are intended to safeguard vital road infrastructure.

Transporters who violate these rules risk fines of up to Ksh. 45 million or a three-year prison term.

KeNHA Boosts Surveillance As Ruto Order Increases Trucks In Mariakani

By

John Mutiso

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January 22, 2023

The Kenya National Highways Authority has urged transporters from Mombasa to shun axle-lifting in order to safeguard roads.

Speaking to the media over the vice, Shem Ongera, the contractor in charge of the Mariakani weighbridge cluster noted an increase in axle-lifting offenders.

“It is unfortunate that drivers have resorted to tampering with the axle-lifting system to manage their running costs, at the end damaging critical road infrastructure.”

Shem noted the offense has skyrocketed since President William Ruto restored the truck-hauling business to Mombasa Port.

“We now register over 1,000 trucks per day. Out of which, about 400 have axle-lift issues and are overloaded.”

He has called on truck drivers to take up their responsibility in protecting the Ksh. 3 Trillion road infrastructure by adhering to the Axle load control act.

The East Africa Axle Load Control Act 2016 spells out the regional laws designed to protect critical road infrastructure through the regulation of axle loads.

Transporters flouting these regulations could face fines of up to Ksh. 45 Million or a 3-year jail sentence.

KENHA has called on the relevant authorities including the judiciary to aid in the fight against overloading by imposing fines on guilty transporters.

DP Gachagua To President Ruto: Leave Raila To Us

By

John Mutiso

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January 22, 2023

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked President William Ruto to keep on administering his job and leave Raila to him, affirming that he will protect his leadership at whatever cost.

During a church service at Kerugoya Stadium in Kirinyaga County, Gachagua stated that it was his duty as President Ruto’s deputy to protect his leadership.

“I urge you Mr. President, on behalf of those helping you. Leave this man to us you step aside and focus on the economy and developments. But with this man, leave him to us. We know him,” he said.

“One of my duties is to protect his (Ruto’s) leadership and nobody will touch him.”

In response to a whistleblower dossier in which the Azimio coalition claims that the whistleblower has provided more evidence of how the previous year’s election was rigged, argued that Raila’s move is not foreign since he has also tried the same with the previous regimes.

You have gone and looked for a white man, Jeffrey Smith, he is working for you under a contract and you tell us its whistleblowing. What you are doing is what you have done all these years,” Gachagua said.

“The president is busy and he has work to do,” he added.

DP Gachagua cautioned Raila against causing disruptions in running the government and should leave the President to deliver on his mandate.

“With these claims you are making, we know you. You want to sell fear to us so that we call you. Do not sell fear to our president,” said DP Gachagua.

“I want to tell you please, go look for those who supported you and leave our president alone. The president is busy and he has work to do.”

Odinga is expected to return to the country tomorrow.

He will travel from the airport to the Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi for a people’s baraza, continuing the engagements he promised citizens would take place after the general election.

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader intends to use the dossier to advocate for a thorough examination of the presidential election on August 9, 2022.