Betty Kyallo Issues Statement Over Alleged ‘Explicit’ Video

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January 17, 2023

Media personality Betty Kyallo has broken her silence following reports that she was allegedly featured in an explicit video, which has been trending on social media since Monday.

Through a statement released on Tuesday by her management, MEDIOS Limited, they have lodged an official complaint with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Director of Cybercrime (CR and IB) over the matter.

“We have been assured that any person(s) and/or blogs, or social media accounts found guilty of originating the false news will be prosecuted,” the statement read.

We take this opportunity to repudiate the attempt to remotely or directly link Betty Kyallo with the false narrative made in the fake news stories,” stated Medios Limited.

“We have lodged an official complaint with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Director of Cybercrime (CR&IB) and we have been assured that any person(s) and/or blogs, social media accounts found guilty of originating the false news will be prosecuted.”

Medios says the nature of content circulating on Social Media platforms is false, malicious and of the intent to tarnish the Betty Kyallo brand which has been carefully cultivated over the past decade.

“The aforementioned content is in no way a representation of the Betty Kyallo brand,” added Medios Limited.

“The Betty Kyallo brand has served as an inspiration to many young Kenyans, has directly and indirectly created employment for many and it purposes to continue doing so via the creation and promotion of credible, informative and entertaining content for her fans, followers and supporters in a tasteful fashion.”

Girlfriend Recalls Final Hour Before TUM Student Was Found Dead

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Cyrus Kimanga

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January 17, 2023

A 24-year-old Technical University of Mombasa student who was discovered dead inside his home on Monday evening spent his final days with his nine-month-old son.

Gregory Mutinda lived in the Kaa Chonjo area of Tudor, Mombasa, where his body was discovered inside his home.

According to his girlfriend, Ms Mercy Munyao, he had spent the day before with their son.

“I wasn’t there that day. But he and his friend came to my house and spent the day with our son. In my mind, I knew everything was fine. We spoke early the next morning, around 9 a.m., and asked if he was going to the workplace where he was doing his internship.

“He replied in the affirmative, and we said our goodbyes,” Ms Munyao said.

Ms Munyao recalls Mutinda calling her and borrowing Sh150 to buy ‘Mandazi’ minutes later

“I didn’t have any money in my Mpesa, so I told him I had cash, and he went silent and hung up. “I texted Gregory around 11 a.m., but the message was not delivered,” Ms Munyao explained.

She says she assumed her boyfriend was busy at his workplace.

“Around 3pm I called my boyfriend and he did not pick up. “I decided to give him a few minutes, assuring myself that perhaps he was in a matatu on his way home, and that once he arrived, he would call me back,” Ms Munyao explained.

MP Gakuya Graft Case Adjourned Till February 2023

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Cyrus Kimanga

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January 17, 2023

The hearing of a graft case against James Gakuya Mwangi and his co-accused persons has been adjourned to February 1, 2023.

The new development came after the defense counsel learnt that the trial Magistrate had been transferred and that the file had to be allocated to another Court for trial.

James Gakuya is charged alongside 10 other persons with a conflict of Intrest, fraudulent acquisition of public property, and willful failure to comply with the Law relating to procurement.

The charges relate to allocation of Kes 40 million by the National Government, Embakasi North Constituency fund committee in 2014/2015 to roads that were constructed by Kenya rural Authority.

The issue was detected by banks, which noticed he was transferring CDF money to his family companies.

EACC spokesman Yassin Aila said investigations had shown the MP used family companies that he registered to do businesses.

“The businesses included construction works in the constituency. He used the companies to procure and supply for the CDF which is against the law,” said Aila.

Kenyan Bouncers Want Gov’t To Allow Them Own, Carry Guns

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John Mutiso

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January 17, 2023

The Bouncers Association of Kenya is now pleading with the government, through the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, to allow its members to own guns and train them on proper firearms handling.

Speaking to the press at City Hall, Nairobi, the union said that its members are faced with different challenges including threats from people who own dangerous weapons and cause harm to individuals in events they provide security, especially clubs.

The association’s leaders added that their members encounter all types of life-threatening dangers and should be well-equipped to deal with any looming attacks.

“Security stewards are every day dealing with threats of people who are licensed or unlicensed firearm holders,” said the association Chairman Brian Omondi.

“We are dealing with robbers and terrorists and different kinds of threats. It is very efficient and very important for members of our organisation to basically know gun safety.”

They have also asked their employers to increase their wages attributing it to security challenges.

State Start Building Sports Complex Ahead Of Madaraka Day

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John Mutiso

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January 17, 2023

The stadium at the Embu showground at Njukiiri will be built in the next four and a half months, to host the Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1.

The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration Dr Raymond Omollo, who led a high powered team of government officials on an inspection tour of the grounds, said contractors may be compelled to work day and night to see that the works were complete in time.

Dr Omollo was accompanied by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and the Principal Secretaries for Defence, Roads, ICT, Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Environment, and Culture. Eastern Regional Commissioner Paul Rotich was also in the entourage.

The PS said he could not immediately quantify what the intended works would cost but said the works had already commenced and were at the documentation stage.

He said the renovated stadium will have capacity to sit 20, 000 people who are expected to attend the celebrations whose theme will be “Universal Health Care”.

He added that he expected the completed works to be a good example of what can be achieved when national and county governments work together.

Governor Mbarire said they were proud to have been selected to host the event which she said would bring a lot of opportunities for Embu residents.

The MP for Manyatta Constituency Mr Gitonga Mukunji in whose constituency the event will be held said he hoped the proposed developments will create up to 5, 000 employment opportunities and urged local youth to present themselves to participate.

The developments include the upgrade of the stadium and supporting infrastructure.

Others in the entourage included Embu Woman Representative Njoki Njeru, Mbeere South MP Nebert Muriuki and Embu Senator Alexander Munyi Mundigi.

Kericho Governor Mutai Calls For Truce Between Conflicting MCAs

By

John Mutiso

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January 17, 2023

Kericho County Governor Dr. Eric Mutai has implored Kericho Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to initiate dialogue to resolve their issues amicably rather than resorting to physical fights at the Assembly as witnessed last Friday during an ongoing session at the County Assembly.

The Governor who spoke Tuesday morning in a televised broadcast lamented that no single legislation had been advanced at the Kericho County Assembly due to wrangles among the members and urged them to settle down and focus on delivering on their mandate for the best interests of their electorates.

“For me that particular day I did not expect the chaos, I was pushing for the supplementary budget to be approved by the house, because my feeling is that a lot of things need to be done, the Assembly has had wrangles over and over, no single legislation, nothing is happening, and I really wanted the Supplementary budget to go through.” Said Dr. Mutai

“We need to mature our county assemblies more so that they are able to negotiate within themselves and reach a consensus among themselves on who should be a majority leader just like in the Senate and the National Assembly.” Added Dr. Mutai

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has already issued summons through a letter to the Kericho County Assembly Speaker Dr. Patrick Mutai to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee for failing to control the County Assembly during a session on January 13, 2023, leading to chaos, conflict, violence, and commotion.

According to the letter from UDA, the Speaker failed to guide the house in giving effect to the party’s clear directions in the matter and as a result, there arose confusion, confrontation, violence, and commotion in the house as extensively covered and published in the media compromising the party’s interest, dignity, and reputation.

The letter further says that the House Speaker Dr. Mutai is obligated to represent the party’s interests and uphold its values and principles in all of his business dealings, however, he fell short of that obligation

President Ruto: There Was A Plot To Abduct, Kill Wafula Chebukati

By

John Mutiso

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January 17, 2023

President William Ruto now claims that there was a direct attempt to assassinate outgoing Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati during the August 2022 elections.

President Ruto stated that he is aware that a few actors were interested in compromising the elections and threatened Chebukati to subvert the presidential results.

“We know that there was a direct attempt to abduct Wafula Chebukati and murder him so that the commission would be paralyzed, or a compliant commissioner take over and subvert the people’s sovereignty,” he said.

“It was a hard, cold and lonely time, the threats were dire, the promised rewards lavish and the pressure relentless.”

He spoke on Tuesday at State House during the inauguration of a collaborative framework between the executive and commissions and independent offices towards the implementation of the constitution.

The Head of State added that there were Chebukati and two IEBC commissioners Abdi Yakub Guliye and Boya Molu as well as the CEO, Hussein Marjan, were “threatened with dire consequences for them and their families if they did not do the ‘system’s bidding and overturn the choice of Kenyans.”

“We now know that Chebukati, commissioners Abdi Yakub Guliye and Boya Molu as well as the CEO, Hussein Marjan, and their staff, were offered stupendous financial rewards to cooperate with the agents of impunity, but they bravely resisted,” said Ruto.

“We also know that they were subsequently threatened with dire consequences for them and their families if they did not do the ‘system’s bidding and overturn the choice of Kenyans. Again, we know that they stood strong and firmly said “NO!”.”

As a result, President Ruto praised the Chebukati-led team for remaining devoted and firm to their critical roles and exemplifying what he called integrity and leadership.

“It is this uncompromising commitment to his constitutional responsibility that enabled Chebukati to lead IEBC in learning effectively from the 2013 and 2017 elections to deliver an election that met the highest standards and, in fact, that was ‘unstealable’,” said Ruto.

He emphasised the importance of having vigilant independent institutions that are steadfast in carrying out their constitutional mandates.

President Ruto added that he will accomplish this by initiating a collaboration between the Executive and commissions and independent institutions to benefit the nation.

“If every institution rises to their highest potential and operates effectively, there will be an opportunity for coordination, collaboration, cooperation and complementarity, as well as healthy competition for the benefit of Kenya and our people.”

On Monday, during the launch of the Post Election Evaluation report, Chebukati said he exits the commission “a very content man”.

“Our tenure comes to an end on January 17. It is incumbent upon the commission and staff to adhere to the constitution. This launch marks my last duty as chairman, I exit as a very content man and I can say we did our best.”

Chebukati exits alongside commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu following the lapse of their tenure on January 17th.

Hungary To Aid Kenya in Ahero Modernization Project

By

Vanessa Kariuki

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January 17, 2023

Written By Vanessa Kariuki ||

H.E. Zsolt Meszaros, the ambassador of Hungary to Kenya, met with Hon. Alice Wahome, the cabinet secretary for water, irrigation, and sanitation, and the PS irrigation, Gitonga Mugambi, to discuss the expansion of the rehabilitation and upgrading of the pumping station in the Ahero Irrigation Scheme.

The Ministry has determined that the rehabilitation and improvement of the pumping station in the Ahero Irrigation Scheme in Kisumu County will be supported under the tied-aid arrangement. This was done through the National Irrigation Authority.

The Hungarian scheme in Ahero, which intends to set up a solar pumping system, has received praise from CS Wahome.

She added that the Ahero modernization project would lower water pumping expenses, lowering the cost of farmers’ rice production.

“The government is keen on expanding irrigated areas under rice as it has recently done in Mwea where an additional 10,000 acres has been opened up for production as a result of the Thiba dam,” said the CS.

On his part, H.E. Mr. Zsolt Meszaros expressed appreciation for the positive working relationships between the two nations and stated that the meeting’s goal was to expedite the implementation of the Hungarian tied-aid project in Aid.

During the discussion, a timeline for completing the tendering process, signing the commercial agreement, and finalizing the finance agreement for the project was laid out.

Nema Arrests 7 Traders Found With Banned Plastics Bags

By

John Mutiso

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January 17, 2023

The National Environment Management Authority (Nema) has arrested seven traders from Ololulunga Market who were in possession of banned plastic bags.

According to the agency, the traders will appear in court.

“NEMA appeals to all markets countrywide to desist using banned plastic bags and any offender found guilty risks a fine of not less than 2m or 6 months jail term,” Nema said.

Earlier, two traders were arrested in Eldoret for packaging their products without a prerequisite clearance from Nema.

The prerequisite clearance from the organisation allows for primary packaging of products from manufacturers in such bags.

According to Nema, plastic bags exemption clearance is free.

CS Mutua Courts India To Back Amb Karingithufor As IMO Sec. general

By

Vanessa Kariuki

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January 17, 2023

Written By Vanessa Kariuki ||

Dr. Alfred Mutua, the CS for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, visited Hon. Om Birla, the Honorable Speaker of the LokSobha (Lower House) of the Indian Parliament.

Along with the Speaker, they praised the close ties between Kenya and India.

Mutua advocated for the transfer of medical technology and asked Indian hospitals to establish themselves in Kenya and provide high-quality healthcare not just to Kenyans but also to the rest of the region in an effort to improve our bilateral relations.

Additionally, he urged the Speaker to support Amb. Nancy Karingithu’s candidacy for Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization and urged India to import pulses and other agricultural goods like mangoes and avocados.