Six people have been shot and injured in Dandora, Embakasi North Sub County, when police officers pursued suspected robbers, according to authorities.
The six were brought to Mama Lucy Hospital and are being treated for bullet wounds.
Doctors at the facility, on the other hand, reported that due to the severity of his injuries, one of the victims who was shot in the head had been taken to the Kenyatta National Hospital for specialized care.
Buruburu Sub County Police Commander Francis Kamau told the press that the incident occurred while three suspected thieves were being pursued by police officers connected to the Dandora Police Station following an alarm raised by members of the public.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has responded to criticism over the decision to explore possible military intervention in Niger over last month’s coup.
He insisted that this, and the ultimatum given to Niger’s military coup leaders to reinstate the ousted president, was the Ecowas regional bloc’s decision and not a Nigerian mandate.
It comes as Mr Tinubu, who is also the current Ecowas chairman, has been under fire for supposedly canvassing for military intervention in Niger.
A spokesperson for the Nigerian government said the president “has deemed it necessary to state unequivocally that the mandate and ultimatum issued by Ecowas is that of Ecowas’ position”.
In a statement, the spokesperson also says the financial sanctions against Niger are imposed by Ecowas.
Ecowas had said it prefers a diplomatic and political resolution aimed at restoring Niger’s elected President Mohamed Bazoum. It said a military intervention would be a “last option”, should the junta remain defiant.
Following the expiration of the Ecowas deadline on Sunday, Ecowas heads of state will be meeting on Thursday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, where deliberations on the next line of action on Niger will be in focus.
Talks between the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and the opposition Azimio la Umoja alliance to ease political tensions over growing living costs and election changes are set to restart.
Kenya Kwanza team led by Governor Cecily Mbarire was first to arrive at the Bomas of Kenya. Kimani Ichung’wah, who was on a working trip with President William Ruto, is yet to arrive at the venue.
Shortly after, Kalonzo Musyoka led the Azimio delegation to the venue.
Azimio spearheaded fatal protests against President William Ruto’s government in March and July, demanding the reformation of the electoral commission and a reduction in the cost of living.
The turmoil increased after the government raised taxes and levies in July 2023 to fund President Ruto’s first budget.
At least 30 people were killed in the protests, according to rights groups, but the opposition claimed 50 were killed.
The 10-member panel is still in disagreement over the agenda of the talks.
After losing elections last year, opposition leader Raila Odinga’s team wants to debate the cost of living and electoral reforms, but the government maintains it is already working to cut inflation and the cost of essential commodities.
Protests were temporarily halted in April and May to allow for a similar bipartisan conversation process, but they resumed once the talks failed.
FILE PHOTO: Migrants on board of NGO Proactiva Open Arms Uno rescue boat looks at boat Guardia Costiera heading to Lampedusa island, in central Mediterranean Sea, close to Lampedusa island, Italy, August 19, 2022. REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo
Forty-one migrants have died in a shipwreck off the Italian island of Lampedusa, survivors told local media.
A group of four people who survived the disaster told rescuers that they were on a boat that had set off from Sfax in Tunisia and sank on its way to Italy.
The four survivors, originally from the Ivory Coast and Guinea, reached Lampedusa on Wednesday.
More than 1,800 people have lost their lives so far this year in the crossing from North Africa to Europe.
The survivors – three men and a woman – told rescuers that they were on a boat carrying 45 people, including three children.
They said their boat left Sfax on Thursday last week, but sank within hours.
They added that they were rescued by a cargo ship and then transferred to an Italian coast guard vessel.
The Italian coast guard reported two shipwrecks in the area on Sunday, but it is not clear whether this vessel is one of those.
Tunisian authorities say Sfax, a port city about 80 miles (130km) from Lampedusa, is a popular gateway for migrants seeking safety and a better life in Europe.
In recent days, Italian patrol boats and charity groups have rescued another 2,000 people who have arrived on Lampedusa.
Tunisia has seen a wave of racism against black Africans in recent months and attempts to leave the country by boat have increased.
Lady Justice Mugure Thande, who suspended President William Ruto’s Finance Act 2023, is one of 13 judges who have been reassigned in the current judicial upheaval.
Mugure has been transferred to Malindi Court as a result of amendments made by the Principal Judge of the High Court, Justice Eric Ogola.
Justice Chacha Mwita, the Presiding Judge of the Milimani Constitutional and Human Rights Division, will take her post.
High Court Principal Judge Eric Ogolla has transferred 13 judges in the latest changes affecting several divisions in the Judiciary.
Among those who were transferred on Tuesday, August 8, include High Court Judge David Majanja who is the presiding judge in the petitions challenging the Finance Act, 2023.
Justice Majanja has been moved from the Commercial and Tax Division to the Civil Division which is responsible for hearing and determining civil cases, including contract disputes and tort claims.
In his new role, Majanja will also hear and determine cases on property disputes, family law matters, employment law matters and constitutional law matters of civil nature.
The other judges who were transferred include Lady Justice Hedwig Ong’udi who was transferred from the Constitutional & Human Rights Division to the Nakuru High Court.
Justice Hillary Chemitei has been moved from the Nakuru High Court to the Family Division.
In the heart of Nairobi, lies Kibra, the largest slum in Africa, characterized by overpopulation, drug abuse, crime teenage pregnancies and so much more in between.
The slum has an approximated 700,000 residents with little support from the government. Nevertheless, life in Kibra has to go on more like any other well-enabled hood.
In 2010 there was a new array of hope, that shined so bright to light up all corners of the shanties and cause a real lite up among the people in the hood.
This was Mr Isaiah Nyongesa who after touring the slum and starting a women’s organization (Restore a Life Women Group).
He financed the whole registration process, in addition; he opted to start a tuition centre to cater for the slum population’s educational needs.
But from the look of things, not all that glitters is gold!
Silver Springs Secondary School, a mixed secondary school in Kibra (Olympics) opened in 2010 by Mr. Nyongesa Isaiah.
He set up with the help of his late wife; Susan Mavou who passed away shortly afterwards.
Short Stretched Staff
The school that flooded with close to 200 students in forms one to four, in less than two months, is now facing the real wrath of the slum.
With the school in shambles of dilapidated classrooms, staffroom and laboratory, not forgetting ill infrastructure all combined, Silver Springs, the short-staffed Secondary school in Kibra (Nairobi Kenya), has managed since to take over 600 students to higher learning institutions.
This journey began back in 2013, with the school being tested in the national scope of academic performance and allowed a chance to participate in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) after three years of existence and service delivery, which saw their very first top student score a C Plain.
Nyongesa, who was let off as an accountant in 2008 after the bank he worked for was integrated, committed his entire pension as well as some of the family land to the establishment of Silver Springs.
He meticulously selected the school’s composition by including students who scored 150 marks and above in KCPE, but he again went further and admitted students expelled from other schools and rejected by others due to, drug abuse and addiction and victims of teenage pregnancies.
All this changed in 2018 with the government’s 100 per cent transition, through the Ministry of Education under Hon. Amina Mohammed then, with joint efforts and help from the Ministry of Interior led by Dr. Fred Matiang’i then, who saw through the policy being implemented.
This killed his 150 marks threshold for form one admissions but he traded safety on numbers at least he could manage.
Community Rehab Centre
The school, which also serves as a “rehabilitation centre,” has a staff that is short on hands.
This works out to only 15 teachers for a body of almost 300 kids. Only 7 of the 15 instructors on TSC posts were placed in the school in 2016, with the highest billed teacher receiving a meagre wage of KSH 13,000 per month, while the remaining 8 teachers are on voluntary service.
Nonetheless, the team has worked together to generate a student or two for campus admissions each year, as well as a reasonable number for other high-learning schools.
Imagine being examined at the national level in a school that doesn’t have a laboratory, leave alone the lab equipment and still you have practicals to conduct besides competing favourably with students from other schools in the country.
This is the exact situation at Silver Springs secondary school. Regardless of the rough and tumble of Kibera not to mention the poverty rates in the slum and the kind of students admitted to the school, the institution still managed 7 students landing campus admissions in 2022 KCSE examinations by attaining the C plus (C+) education ministry’s threshold for University entry.
When asked about his lowest moment, Mr Nyongesa alluded to the fact that he sometimes cries due to the situation in the school.
“The biggest challenge that has made me cry is that day the students miss their meals, this has made me shade a lot of tears.” He said. “..because missing a meal in the school kitchen means missing the same until the next day, 48 hours with no meal ain’t a joke.” Director Nyongesa added.
“On Tuesday 20 Jun 23, at Roysambu primary school Governor Sakaja wept, perturbed by the conditions of Nairobian schools, I think he should visit Silver Springs well-armed with lint-free tissues.”
And now Nyongesa is calling on Kenyans of goodwill to get on board and save the ‘wrecking academic ship’ at Silver Springs and all the slum hoods in the country. “So I’d like to call out a lot of people who may have the same interest in young the generation as I do, to join hands and support the school.” He said.
“…..and I think Governor Sakaja should visit the school too and do a project with us, I know it’ll be worth it.” Added the director.
In his humble opinion, Nyongesa thinks it would be better if the government through the Ministry of Education put in place a financing plan for private schools and even a better one for schools in marginalized areas.
“Private schools in Kenya are more like other schools, and we have our rough days too. So the government should include us during the budget allocation so that we could get capitation too.” Said Mr Nyongesa.
Dr Elizabeth Sherri, a fashion designer who’s been walking with the school hands-on for four years now, thinks that there’s more yet to be tapped from the students and with proper guidance they could do more. Besides she seconds the idea of private schools being financed too.
“These students have a lot of potential in them yet to be tapped, all they need is purpose and guidance for them to reform all around the clock.” She said.”……. and I additionally second the idea of the government including private schools in the school financing plan and projects too.” She insisted.
Sherri is in addition well-wishers who are willing to join her hands and invest in the school projects to create enabled environment, which in turn would ease crime in slum residential areas and create an enabling hood.
“Any Kenyan who believes in change and the vital role and power of education in transformation, is invited to join hands with me and my colleagues and together, let’s make an accommodating Kenya for all.” She said.
“….it’s a pity students trek all the way from Kangemi, Kawangware, and Kabiria only to meet this.” She added
Furthermore, the school’s performance in extra co-curricular activities is amazing, which is well evident for the school has managed to get two activities to the national level.
The school’s girls’ rugby team is in Kakamega ahead of the national school games in 2023.
Additionally, the school’s music students will be headed to Nyeri mid this week for the National competition with a choral verse to the world.
This is the second time the music group to appear in the Nationals with a piece, after a successful debut in the National schools’ competitions in 2018.
President William Ruto has signed the Malabo Protocol to the African Union’s Constitutive Act, making him free from prosecution by the International Criminal Court.
The Act, approved by President William Ruto on July 24, now prohibits the ICC from directly prosecuting him on the basis of a crime.
The Malabo Protocol was adopted by the AU in 2014 with the goal of establishing a regional accountability system and supporting the concept of African solutions for African challenges.
Ruto’s signing kicks off a three-month procedure that will offer Kenya’s president immunity.
If Ruto commits an offense, he must first go through AU processes before the ICC takes up the case.
According to the Act’s details, top state officials will not be prosecuted for comparable offenses until they leave office.
According to Article 4 of the Act, the AU has the power, before any other third party, to intervene in a Member State pursuant to a resolution of the Assembly in the case of severe circumstances.
War crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity are among the circumstances, as is a substantial threat to legitimate order in order to restore peace and stability to the Member States.
The Cabinet has put plans to privatize six state-owned sugar mills on hold and authorized a scheme to revitalize and commercialize them.
The directive puts the sugar sub-sector on a renewal route, with sugar millers functioning under a lease and operational structure.
Mumias Sugar Company, Nzoia Sugar Company, Chemilil Sugar Company, Miwani Sugar Company, Muhoroni Sugar Company, and South Nyanza Sugar Company are the entities.
“To address the high retail price of sugar, the Cabinet sanctioned the extension of the framework for duty-free importation of milled sugars to bridge the supply deficit,” the Cabinet dispatch stated.
Harveen Gadhoke has been appointed as the new administrator of Mumias Sugar Company by the High Court, the latest twist in the tortuous efforts to resurrect the bankrupt miller.
Justice Josephine Mong’are appointed the insolvency practitioner on Monday after the tenure of Kereto Marima, who was appointed by Justice Alfred Mabeya in April last year, expired.
The appointment throws the miller and its shareholders back to the drawing board, as the administrator must begin the process of selecting an investor and ways to repay the firm’s obligations all over again.
