Trump Says Prosecutors Seeking To Restrict His Free Speech Rights

August 8, 2023

Donald Trump pushed back on Monday against a bid by government lawyers to restrict what he can share publicly about his historic prosecution for allegedly conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

“I shouldn’t have a protective order placed on me because it would impinge upon my right to FREE SPEECH,” the former president said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

“Deranged Jack Smith and the Department of Injustice should, however, because they are illegally ‘leaking’ all over the place!” he added in a reference to the special counsel who filed the case against him.

In a court filing, lawyers for the former president also argued on Monday that the restrictions proposed by Smith would violate Trump’s right to free speech under the First Amendment to the Constitution.

“In a trial about First Amendment rights, the government seeks to restrict First Amendment rights,” Trump’s attorney John Lauro said, putting forward a line of argument that defense lawyers are expected to make at trial.

Prosecutors asked US District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is to preside over the case, for a protective order on Friday after Trump posted “If you go after me, I’m coming after you!” on Truth Social.

“Such a restriction is particularly important in this case because the defendant has previously issued public statements on social media regarding witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others associated with legal matters pending against him,” they said.

“If the defendant were to begin issuing public posts using details — or, for example, grand jury transcripts — obtained in discovery here, it could have a harmful chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the fair administration of justice in this case,” they added.

In his response to the government motion, Lauro, Trump’s lawyer, said it was “overbroad” and prosecutors were asking the court to “assume the role of censor and impose content-based regulations on President Trump’s political speech.”

Lauro asked the judge to limit the protective order to “genuinely sensitive materials” while “preserving the First Amendment rights of President Trump.”

The court filing came just hours after Trump repeated his demand that Chutkan, who was appointed by former Democratic president Barack Obama, be recused from the case.

The twice-impeached Republican has unleashed a stream of invective against those prosecuting him for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election results and defraud the United States.

On Sunday, Trump said “there is no way I can get a fair trial with the judge ‘assigned’ to the ridiculous freedom of speech/fair elections case. Everybody knows this, and so does she.”

Trump also said he would seek to have the trial moved out of the nation’s capital, which leans heavily Democratic.

Chutkan, 61, has a legal history with Trump, having ruled against him in a November 2021 case in which she notably declared that “presidents are not kings.”

And she has handed down lengthy sentences to Trump supporters who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 in a bid to block the congressional certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s election victory.

American Red Cross Ends Blood Donation Restrictions Targeting Gay Men

John Mutiso

August 8, 2023

The American Red Cross on Monday announced it will now allow gay and bisexual men to donate blood without restrictions that specifically target them over their sexual orientation.

“The Red Cross celebrates this historic move as significant progress and remains committed to achieving an inclusive blood donation process that treats all potential donors with equality and respect while maintaining the safety of the blood supply,” the humanitarian organization said in a statement.

The policy change follows updated guidance announced by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May, and is set to expand the pool of people eligible to donate.

Under the FDA’s new individual assessment policy, all prospective donors are asked about new or multiple sexual partners in the past three months.

If they report having a new sexual partner, or more than one sexual partner in the past three months, they would be asked if they had anal sex in the past three months. If the answer to the last question is yes, they would then be asked to defer their blood donation.

Penetrative anal sex has a higher risk of spreading many types of sexually transmitted diseases, because the thin lining of the anus is easily damaged, making it more vulnerable to infection.

The new rules replace policies that singled out men who have sex with men (MSM), or women who have sex with MSM, for time-based deferrals.

Andrew Goldstein, a cancer researcher from Los Angeles who was a regular blood donor in his younger years before the FDA’s previous policies made him ineligible to donate as a gay man, welcomed the move.

“Something like giving blood feels like something so small that you can do, and it means a lot to me that I’ll be able to do that again,” said Goldstein, who participated in a clinical study in 2021 that paved the way for the new guidance.

Every two seconds, someone in the United States requires blood or platelets, whether for surgery, cancer treatment, chronic illness or traumatic injuries, according to the Red Cross.

“Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation,” it says.

AU Mission Sticks To Somalia Exit Plan As Al Shabaab Hit Kenya

John Mutiso

August 8, 2023

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (Atmis) is keeping its exit plan, preparing a pool of another 3,000 troops to leave the country as part of a long-term rebuilding plan for Mogadishu.

But that may mean deeper security challenges for neighbouring Kenya, which has lately been suffering from attacks from the militant group Al Shabaab.

This week, Atmis chiefs said the latest drawdown of troops will be done by end of September. And the African Union and the United Nations missions in Somalia reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s state-building to fill the gap. Yet, the programme directly affects Kenya which may be banking on adequate stability in Somalia to manage own security.

Mohamed el-Amine Souef, head of Atmis, and Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, head of the UN Support Office in Somalia (Unsos) visited Kismayu, a town in southern Somalia, where they met UN and Atmis personnel to discuss ongoing offensive against the Shabaab, security and political issues.

And Souef urged the personnel to continue to provide specialised training and knowledge transfer to Somalia’s public servants to help increase the number of skilled personnel in various sectors.

“Somalia has made great progress, and that progress is due to the collaborative work with Atmis and the UN in terms of improving security and fighting against Al Shabaab militants. Today, people in Somalia can live safely,” he said in a joint statement issued in Mogadishu.

“I would like to remind you that we are here for a good cause to support the people of Somalia. Whatever we do, we should put their interests first,” Souef added in his address to the mission’s staff based in Kismayu.

The visit by the two officials came at a time when the Atmis and its partners are preparing to conduct a joint technical assessment on phase one of the Atmis troop withdrawal, which was concluded in June. The findings will inform the second phase which requires the Atmis to withdraw another 3,000 troops by the end of September. During phase one, the Atmis withdrew 2,000 troops from Somalia and handed over six military bases to the Somali security forces.

The phased withdrawal of the African peacekeepers in Somalia is happening as Kenya faces more attacks in the northeastern and coastal regions.

Lamu County has experienced the most attacks since June, as Al Shabaab is employing improvised explosive devices, attacks of villages, and stationing militants by the roadsides in northern and coastal regions of Kenya that ambush public and police vehicles.

On August 2, 60 Al Shabaab militants were killed by the security forces after trying to attack four fleets of buses at the Lamu-Tana River counties intersection. Two people died while 10 others, including a ward representative, James Njaaga, were injured after Al Shabaab laid an ambush at Mwembeni area on the Lamu-Witu-Garsen road on August 1.

Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki said that unknown people were missing. The militants using rocket-propelled grenades unsuccessfully attacked an armoured personnel carrier belonging to the Special Operations Group.

These attacks came only a few days after Kenya’s President William Ruto and Prof Kindiki toured Lamu and assured residents of their security. Prof Kindiki said that despite Lamu having witnessed insecurity, the government is working hard to ensure that residents are protected from future attacks.

Three weeks earlier, the militants attacked Salama area where five people were killed and six houses burned. These increased Al Shabaab activities in Lamu have adversely affected economic activities such as tourism, fishing, and agriculture. In the northeastern counties of Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa, none-locals are particularly at risk of attack, In the last two months, 37 teachers and 30 security personnel have been killed in the northeastern region.

Prof Kindiki, said Kenya has intelligence of the increased presence of terror elements in the northeastern region and that the government has decided to withdraw none-local teachers from various areas of residence and put them in central safe areas where they are guarded and are escorted to and from work.

It is now a concern that the drawdown will increase insecurity in the entire region as Al Shabaab gets emboldened by the inability of the Somalia security forces to hold on to liberated areas.

Due to these concerns, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti—three of the five troop-producing countries that are directly affected by the activities of Al Shabaab—have offered to retain a certain number of troops in Somalia even if Atmis entirely withdraws by the end of 2024.

Governor Khalif expressed concerns during a forum by four countries; Mandera, Wajir; Garissa, and Lamu that have been attacked by Al Shabaab in recent times. The attacks mainly occurred in June when Kenya’s national police force said that some 20 people were killed in Lamu within one week.

Gen Peter Kimani Muteti, the Atmis Deputy Force Commander in charge of Support and Logistics, said that the peacekeepers had fulfilled their key components of the mandate including degrading Al Shabaab, protecting civilians, ensuring that we are giving access to and escorts to humanitarian assistance, mentoring Somali Security Forces (SSF), and not forgetting issues of supporting stabilisation.

“We must consistently ensure that, whether jointly or individually as Atmis, we continue to deliver the mandate in the manner in which it is provided,” said Gen Muteti. Atmis withdrew 2000 soldiers from Somalia at the end of June and a further 3,000 will be withdrawn in September.

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan Recuses Himself From Kenya Cases

John Mutiso

August 8, 2023

The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan who is at the centre of conflict between President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza and opposition chief Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition has recused himself from all Kenya cases at The Hague based court to guard against conflict of interest, his office has revealed.

In a communique to the Nation following allegations by Mr Odinga’s camp that Mr Khan’s visit to Kenya last week could interfere with their case at the court, the office of the prosecutor (OTP)’s public information unit clarified that the official was in the country in his private capacity.

“The Prosecutor was in Kenya in a private capacity to receive an honorary degree. Please note that pursuant to Article 42.7 of the Rome Statute, Mr Karim A.A. Khan KC in his capacity as the Prosecutor of the ICC has recused himself from all Kenya cases before the ICC,” read the communication.

Mr Khan’s office further stated that he has since “instituted practical measures to protect against any conflict of interest that may be perceived to arise from his former representation of ICC suspects or accused persons.”

In the statement, the court also confirmed receipt of the case by Azimio.

“Under Article 15 of the Rome Statute, any individual or group may send information (which the ICC refers to as “communications”) on alleged crimes to the ICC Prosecutor, who is duty bound to protect the confidentiality of the information received.”

“The Office of the Prosecutor therefore does not comment on such communications, beyond confirming receipt of such communication if the sender has made that fact public. In this instance, we can confirm that we have received a communication as the sender has made that fact public,” it stated.

The statement came barely a day after Azimio slammed Mr Khan following his visit to the country as it prepares its case on police brutality against protesters by the police.

Azimio deputy principal Martha Karua termed Mr Khan’s visit as “not only suspect but also a blot on the credibility of ICC.”

“ICC prosecutor Karim Khan hosting in Kenya this weekend by Mt Kenya University and its founder a friend of his former client William Ruto at a time both the Azimio and Kenya Kwanza regime have written to ICC on the situation in the country, especially the killing spree of unarmed protestors by police is not only suspect but also a blot on the credibility of ICC,” said Ms Karua.

Mr Khan, known in Kenya for his role in defending President William Ruto at the ICC on charges of crimes against humanity, was on Friday August 4 awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Mount Kenya University (MKU) for his immense contribution to the promotion of justice and humanity.

Mr Khan was the lead lawyer who defended then Deputy President (now Head of State) Ruto and former radio journalist Joshua Sang’ when they were charged with crimes against humanity following the disputed 2007 post-election violence.

The duo’s case was dismissed by the court in 2016.

Mr Khan took over as ICC prosecutor in February 2021, following the end of the term of Gambian Fatou Bensouda.

US Envoy Meets Niger Coup Leaders But Sees No Headway

John Mutiso

August 8, 2023

The second-ranking US diplomat met Niger’s military leaders on Monday to press to reverse a coup but reported no headway a day after an ultimatum from the West African bloc was ignored.

Victoria Nuland, a veteran envoy and acting deputy secretary of state, said she met for more than two hours with military chiefs who ousted democratically elected Western ally Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.

Nuland’s trip, conducted in secrecy until she left, came after the expiration of a deadline set by the ECOWAS regional bloc to reinstate Bazoum by midnight (2300 GMT) on Sunday or risk military intervention.

The 15-nation ECOWAS bloc is reconvening for its own diplomatic push on the crisis with a summit Thursday in Nigerian capital Abuja.

A source close to ECOWAS said an immediate military intervention to restore Bazoum was not envisaged at this stage, adding that the path to dialogue still appeared open.

Speaking to reporters before her departure, Nuland described her talks as “extremely frank and at times quite difficult”.

She said she offered the coup leaders “a number of options” to exit the crisis and restore the relationship with the United States, which like other Western nations has suspended aid.

“I would not say that we were in any way taken up on that offer,” she said.

She added that the coup leaders did not respond to her requests to meet Niger’s self-proclaimed new leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, or the detained elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, although US officials have been in touch with Bazoum by telephone.

Nuland said she met Brigadier General Moussa Salaou Barmou, who has been named the new military chief of staff and who has worked closely in the past with the United States, which along with former colonial power France has based anti-jihadist operations in the Sahel out of Niger.

Nuland said she warned Niger against following neighbouring Mali in bringing in Russia’s Wagner mercenaries.

“The people who have taken this action here understand very well the risks to their sovereignty when Wagner is invited in,” said Nuland, who is known for her hawkish stance on Russia.

– Regional reaction –

Adding pressure on those seeking a diplomatic route out of the coup, Niger’s neighbours have strongly rejected the possibility of a regional military intervention.

Mali said it and Burkina Faso — which have both been suspended from ECOWAS over their own military coups — were sending a joint official delegation to Niamey to show “solidarity (with) the people of Niger”.

They have said military intervention would be tantamount to a declaration of war.

Algeria, which shares a long land border with Niger, has also cautioned against a military solution, which President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said would be “a direct threat” to his North African country.

Senators in regional heavyweight Nigeria urged everyone to focus on the “political and diplomatic option”.

– More envoys coming –

Just before the ultimatum expired on Sunday, Niger’s military rulers closed the Sahel country’s airspace and warned any attempt to enter it would meet with an “energetic and immediate response”.

They said there had been a “pre-deployment in preparation for intervention” made by two Central African countries, without naming them, and warned: “Any state involved will be considered co-belligerent.”

But Niger’s military rulers also urged an ECOWAS delegation to return for talks, Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou told French broadcaster TV5 Monde Monday, after an abortive first attempt.

Mahamadou said in his interview that Bazoum — held with his wife and son — was enduring deteriorating conditions.

“The junta have asked the ECOWAS delegation to return” and its members “will be in Niamey probably today (Monday) or tomorrow”, Mahamadou said.

An ECOWAS delegation arrived in the capital Niamey last Thursday but did not stay overnight as scheduled. It did not meet either Bazoum or Tiani.

The UN Secretary-General’s representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simao, was also in Abuja for talks on the crisis.

France, with which Niger’s new rulers have broken military ties, said it would “firmly” back whatever course of action ECOWAS took after the deadline expired.

On Monday, the military leaders appointed former finance minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine as the new prime minister and Habibou Assoumane as the new commander of the presidential guard.

Niger’s coup is the latest of several in Africa’s Sahel belt since 2020.

Niger has been critical to Western strategies to combat jihadist insurgencies that have plagued the Sahel since 2012, with France and the United States stationing around 1,500 and 1,000 troops in the country respectively.

HelpAge International Demands Justice For Elderly Abuse At PCEA Thogoto Home

John Mutiso

August 8, 2023

Help Age International, a global non-profit organisation dedicated to the well-being and dignity of older people, responded on Tuesday to the recent BBC exposé on alleged mistreatment and neglect of the elderly at the PCEA Thogoto home for the elderly in Kikuyu, Kiambu county.

The organisation has demanded that the National Police Service and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) respond to the report’s allegations.

They also stated that the police and the DPP’s office should ensure that those found guilty face the full force of the law.

According to HelpAge International, every individual, regardless of age, has the right to be treated with respect, compassion, and care, and mistreating the elderly is simply denying them a basic human right.

Over the years, HelpAge International has worked to improve the lives of older women and men in low- and middle-income countries.

The BBC exposed the mistreatment of the elderly at the Thogoto care home, which was established by the PCEA church.

Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs, Joseph Motari, condemned the mistreatment and promised appropriate action against those responsible.

The video showed some members of the care home’s staff physically abusing patients, failing to attend to their medical needs, and putting the elderly in deplorable conditions. In one image, an elderly woman is caned while surrounded by attendants.

According to the exposé, Jane Gaturu, the manager of the care facility, denied the allegations, claiming that there was no basis for the claims of medical negligence. She has also emphasised the facility’s adherence to Christian values and the rule of law.

The home operates independently and currently houses over 50 elderly people.

UoN Students Oppose VC Kiama’s Six-Month Leave

John Mutiso

August 8, 2023

The University of Nairobi Students Association has protested the decision by the University council to grant Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama leave terming the move as untimely.

In a statement to the media, the association led by its President Monica Malith said that no sufficient information was given to the students or their leaders concerning the said leave and urged the council to recall the VC back.

“The deliberate course of action taken up by the University Council led by the Chair Dr Amukowa Anangwe:- to whose effect Prof Kiama s application request for leave was approved was wrong and untimely,” she said.

Malith said that the university has key functions lined up in the coming days and that the VC’s presence is much needed.

“The University is readying itself for two graduation ceremonies, resumption from recess, admission of the first year class of 2023 and the implementation of the New Universities Funding Model and hence the leave the VC took was untimely,” she added.

“We condemn the sudden leave of absence taken by Prof. Stephen Kiama. We register our elaborate dissatisfaction with the manner in which the University management through the Directorate of Corporate Affairs communicated the details surrounding this matter.”

She added that as a body mandated to safeguard the rights of students, the VC needs to come up and give reasons as to why he took the leave at such a time.

She also urged the council to recall the VC if possible for him to be part of the incoming program and they’re after resume his leave.

The President said that UoN is a reputable University in Africa and the mode of communication needed to be more effective for it to remain on the global map

IMF Calls Out Central Banks In Africa For Managing Currencies

John Mutiso

August 8, 2023

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called out central banks in Africa for selling forex reserves to manage currencies, terming it counterproductive.

In his keynote address during the 45th Assembly of Governors Association of African Central Banks in Zambia over the weekend, IMF African Department director Abebe Selassie said those exchange rate policies are not flexible.

“Central banks have for the most part responded to the pressures they faced by selling reserves and not as much by allowing exchange rate depreciation. These will not ease inflation nor stabilise currencies,” he said.

According to him, this kind of exchange rate policy has come at a considerable cost.

“In particular, there has been quite a pronounced decline in foreign exchange reserve in the region—problematic of course given the level of reserves in most countries were on the low side,” he said.

Abebe lamented shades of the rather messy monetary and exchange rate policy arrangements that prevailed in many countries in the 1980s have resurfaced, causing more harm than good.

“In the face of the brutal exogenous shocks that countries have faced, many of you have been caught between a rock and a hard place and had to make invidious tradeoffs. The question is whether these tradeoffs are optimal.”

As a result, parallel foreign exchange markets have re-emerged and, in the cases, where they already existed these premia have widened dramatically.

He called on regional countries to work on their exports, saying that it is the best way to ensure a steady flow of forex.

The IMF’s regional executive said the share of global exports has remained meagre, despite relatively strong growth performance and improvement in many other development indicators.

His tough talk at the governor’s meeting is coming at a time several countries including Kenya have seen their currencies widely depreciate against major international legal tenders.

Yesterday, the shilling slipped to 143 units against the US dollar, a new low, having depreciated 20 per cent in the past 12 months.

This is despite the Central Bank of Kenya rolling out a raft of monetary policies including hiking the base lending rate to 10.5 per cent in the past Monetary Policy Committee meeting in July.

The apex bank is expected to meet today, with bankers appealing to the committee to retain the rate as the country observes its impact on inflation.

In March, CBK introduced a new foreign exchange code that came with threats of punitive fines and license suspension for offenders after allegations of traders hoarding dollars.

The foreign exchange code, among others, prohibits banks from engaging in trading practices, quoting prices, or making transactions with the intention of manipulating price movements or disrupting the functioning of the market.

Despite this, the country’s forex reserves have threatened to slip below both local and East African benchmarks of at least 4 0r 4.5 months of import cover.

According to the latest CBK weekly bulletin, the usable foreign exchange reserves dropped to $7.3 billion or exactly four months of import cover.

“This meets the CBK’s statutory requirement to endeavor to maintain at least 4 months of import cover,” the apex bank said.

The reserve, which had started to build up on increased exports and high diaspora remittances has been dropping for the past four weeks, with experts suspecting that CBK is selling to iron out volatilities in the exchange rate market.

The regulator did not give reasons for the ongoing drop in FX reserve.

IMF has in the past accused Kenya of managing its currency to distort its actual value.

In 2019, the international lender said that Kenya had overvalued its currency by 30 per cent, a move that saw CBK release a counter analysis indicating that the shilling was actually undervalued.

He explained that the consumer price index which was at Sh97 in 2009 has since risen to Sh192, meaning that Kenyans are spending Sh192 to buy what could be bought at Sh100 ten years ago, translating to a 50 per cent devaluation of purchasing power.

A comprehensive study by the banking sector regulator dubbed ‘Assessment of Exchange Rate Misalignment in Kenya’ showed the average undervaluation of the shilling between 2010 to 2017 outweighed the average overvaluation across three methodologies.

“The study finds that the Shilling was in fact, largely undervalued during most of the study period,’’ the report said.

All eyes are now on the regulator to see the next cause of action even as the shilling continues to tumble.

President Ruto Mourns Nyamira County Majority Leader Who Died In Grisly Accident

John Mutiso

August 8, 2023

President William on Tuesday mourned the death of Nyamira County Assembly Majority leader Elijah Osiemo who died in a road accident along Maai Mahiu-Naivasha road.

In a statement via Twitter, Ruto led Kenyans to mourn the MCA who passed away on Monday evening.

President Ruto also wished quick recovery to the other two MCAs who were injured during the accident.

Osiemo was in the company of two other MCAs Duke Masira and nominated MCA Priscilla Nyatichi during the accident.

“We join the people of Nyamira in mourning the passing of County Majority Leader Elijah Osiemo following a road accident Monday evening. We pray for the quick recovery of his Deputy Duke Masira and nominated MCA Priscilla Nyatichi, who are in hospital undergoing treatment,” said Ruto.

According to a statement from Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo, the injured MCAs were rushed to Naivasha Level Four Hospital for treatment and stabilization.

“I take this opportunity to wish the injured MCas a quick recovery and offer my heartfelt condolences to the late Osiemo’s family, residents of Nyamaiya Ward, and Nyamira County,” he stated.

Nyaribi described the late MCA as a young, industrious, talented, and focused leader who had an immense leadership and political life ahead of him.

His body has been transferred to Nairobi for preservation as burial plans commence.

The three MCAs were traveling to Nairobi for a meeting when the driver of the vehicle they were in lost control and overturned into the escarpment in Mai Mahiu, Narok County.

Kenya Power Dismisses Report On Inflating Electricity Bills By 20%

John Mutiso

August 8, 2023

Kenya Power has denied media reports that it has been inflating electricity bills by up to 20%, claiming that the company operates in a regulated environment.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the power distributor described the reports as “not only nonfactual, but also geared towards building a false narrative around the cost of electricity and tarnishing the brand”.

On Monday, media reports cited Auditor General Nancy Gathungu’s report, which claimed the company overcharges customers for electricity they do not use, claims the utility has denied.

“Kenya Power operates in a regulated environment that is guided by the Energy Act of 2019. All charges as contained in the electricity bills are approved by the regulator (the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority – EPRA) for all categories of customers,” Kenya Power stated in a statement.

According to the company, all bills are calculated based on customer consumption, which is the difference between the current metre reading and the previous reading (as taken during the previous month), as well as tariffs, levies and taxes.

According to the reports, part of what inflates electricity bills is the miscalculation of system losses, which are normally passed on to consumers.

“Part of power system losses are inevitable during transmission and distribution of power; therefore, the regulator sets a threshold for the allowable system losses that is factored in the tariff. Kenya Power meets the cost of system losses incurred above what is allowed,” Kenya Power stated.

EPRA has allowed system losses of up to 18.5% in the fiscal year 2023/2024.

Kenya Power also stated that the EPRA checks and verifies that the company charges its customers at the rates approved by the regulator.

Furthermore, the utility has dismissed claims that missing or faulty metres result in consumers receiving bills that do not correspond to their consumption.

The audit also revealed that only 38 of the 96 generation plants supplying power to Kenya Power had check metres, and all 38 were off-the-grid power stations.

“Kenya Power buys electricity through one hundred (100) delivery points from fifty-eight (58) power suppliers that include KenGen, IPPs, REREC, and imports and all these delivery points have been verified to have both main and backup meters (check meters) as required in the respective Power Purchase Agreements,” Kenya Power noted.

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