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. 

Police in Mombasa have launched investigations into the mysterious death of a 24-year-old university student.

According to local reports, Gregory Mutinda, a student at the Technical University of Mombasa was found lying on the floor of his rented house in the Kaa Chonjo area of Tudor, Mombasa county.

According to police OB number 64/26/1/ 2023, members of the public led police officers to the said house where the door was forcefully opened since it had been locked from the inside.

“The body of a young man was lying on the floor and a syringe with some fluids and pesticide powder beside him. A kitchen knife and blood-stained clothes were also found on the floor of the house,” part of the police statement reads.

According to his girlfriend, Ms. Mercy Munyao, who is assisting police with ongoing investigations, the boyfriend had spent the previous day (Sunday) with their son.

“I was not around that day. But together with his friend they visited my place and spent the day with our son. In my mind, I knew all was well. The next day we talked early in the morning around 9 am in the morning and asked if he was going to the workplace where he was doing his internship. He replied in the affirmative and we bid each other goodbye,” said Ms. Munyao.

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

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

She claims she assumed her boyfriend was busy at work.

“Around 3 pm I called my boyfriend and he did not pick up. I decided to give him a few minutes assuring myself that maybe he was in a matatu heading home, and once he arrives he will call me back,” said Ms. Munyao.

“He never missed picking up my calls, I was worried and called a friend who stayed in the same apartment as Gregory. The colleague informed me, he had moved out. I called two more people who said they were in school at the time. The fourth person I rang raised red flags, he told me the previous day that he was with Mutinda, he looked dull and in a somber mood and that I should immediately go and look for him, which I did,” said Ms. Munyao.

She peered through the window when she arrived at her boyfriend’s house and saw items scattered inside and her boyfriend’s body lying on the floor.

“I did not open the door, I went and bought credit and called my friends who came and we opened the door together. We had to break down the door since it was locked from inside. We found a syringe beside him and he had injuries on his left side of the chest,” she narrated.

Mutinda was a third-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology student at TUM.

At the time of his death, he was on attachment at Kenya pipeline Changamwe.

According to a police signal, a kitchen knife and blood-stained clothes were recovered on the floor of the house.

According to police, the deceased’s body had one deep knife stab.

Police are now looking into whether the death was a result of murder or suicide.

The body has been moved to the Coast General mortuary awaiting postmortem.

Late LGBTQ activist and model Edwin Kiprotich alias Edwin Chiloba has been laid to rest in Sergoit village, Keiyo North, Elgeyo Marakwet.

The late model’s body was removed from the mortuary at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital around 11 a.m. on Tuesday before the cortege made its way to his rural home.

Several dozens of people were in attendance at the late model’s funeral, according to a smattering of photos taken.

Chiloba, a fashion designer and model, was found dead inside a discarded metal box by the roadside in what turned out to be a crime of passion that gripped the country for days.

Five suspects have since been arraigned in court with police given 21 days to finalise their investigations and charge them.

They include the prime suspect Jacktone Odhiambo, who lived with Chiloba in Kimumu area, and will be taken back to court on January 31 to be charged.

The late fashionista died from suffocation, according to an autopsy performed by government pathologist Johansen Oduor.

After conducting the autopsy on the late Chiloba, Oduor told the media that the activist’s body had no physical injuries.

Although additional tests will be conducted to determine whether the late Chiloba was drugged prior to being suffocated, Dr. Oduor determined he died from a lack of oxygen.

“The cause of death was asphyxia by smothering of nose and mouth so that he could not breathe,” the post-mortem said.