Tory Lanez To Be Sentenced For Shooting Megan Thee Stallion

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August 7, 2023

Written By Lisa Murimi

The approaching sentence of rapper Tory Lanez in connection with the shooting of fellow musician Megan Thee Stallion has piqued fans’ and the media’s interest.

The incident, which occurred in July 2020, generated a court struggle, raising concerns about accountability and justice in the entertainment business.

Tory Lanez is accused of shooting the Hot Girl Summer rapper in the feet following a heated altercation last year.

The incident sent shockwaves through the music world and prompted a wave of discussions surrounding gun violence and the treatment of women in the industry.

Megan Thee Stallion, known for her outspoken advocacy and empowering messages, emerged from the incident as a symbol of resilience and strength.

Many are closely watching to see how the case will be resolved and what implications it might have for both artists’ careers.

The incident has prompted important conversations about the intersection of fame, gender dynamics, and accountability in the entertainment industry.

Regardless of the outcome, the case serves as a reminder of the responsibility that artists and public figures carry as role models and influencers.

It also underscores the importance of addressing issues of violence and mistreatment, even within the glamorous façade of the music world. The forthcoming sentencing will undoubtedly have significant ramifications and could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.

Retired Public Officers Must Be Blocked From County Jobs – MPs

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Editor

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August 7, 2023

Written By Lisa Murimi

Kenyan Members of Parliament (MPs) are reportedly considering a proposal to prevent retired public servants from taking up employment in county-level positions.

The initiative aims to address concerns surrounding potential conflicts of interest, bureaucratic inertia, and limited opportunities for younger generations.

The plan to block retired public servants from county jobs is part of a broader effort to revamp local governance and inject fresh perspectives into administrative roles.

Proponents argue that such a measure could encourage the recruitment of more dynamic and innovative individuals, ensuring that county offices remain open to new ideas and approaches.

However, critics of the proposal emphasize that experience and institutional knowledge gained by retired public servants could be valuable assets in local administration.

They caution against a blanket exclusion of experienced personnel, suggesting that a balanced approach that combines both seasoned professionals and young talent may yield better outcomes.

As discussions around this proposal unfold, it highlights the ongoing challenges faced by policymakers in striking a delicate balance between tapping into the expertise of experienced public servants and fostering opportunities for the next generation.

The outcome of this initiative will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the structure, efficiency, and vitality of county-level governance in Kenya.

Pastor Ezekiel To Demolish Mega Kilifi Church

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Editor

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August 7, 2023

Written By Lisa Murimi

In a bold and unprecedented move, Kenyan Pastor Ezekiel Odero has unveiled plans to demolish the existing New Life Church and replace it with a historic and architecturally significant landmark.

The decision has stirred excitement and curiosity within the community, as the pastor sets out to create a spiritual and cultural centerpiece that will stand as a testament to faith and heritage.

The project represents a departure from conventional approaches to church development.

By embracing the challenge of demolishing the old to make way for the new, Pastor Ezekiel added his goal is to infuse the essence of the past with the ‘promise of the future.’

While the decision has sparked discussions about the preservation of architectural heritage, Pastor Odero said he aims to create a space that resonates with both the faithful and the broader community, transcending the confines of religious boundaries.

Co-Hosts Australia Beat Denmark To Reach Quarters

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John Mutiso

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August 7, 2023

Sam Kerr came off the bench as Australia surged into the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals with a win over Denmark in front of nearly 76 000 fans in Sydney on Monday.

The co-hosts will play France or Morocco on Saturday in Brisbane after making fairly light work of a toothless Denmark.

To cap a good night’s work for the Matildas, talismanic striker and captain Kerr came on with 10 minutes left to huge cheers for her first action of the tournament after a calf injury.

The dangerous Caitlin Foord ran Denmark ragged throughout and scored a fine first goal after being set up by the impressive Mary Fowler on 29 minutes.

Hayley Raso grabbed a second to make the game safe 20 minutes from time.

The Chelsea predator Kerr, who was supposed to have been the face of the World Cup before injury struck on the eve of the tournament, said it was “a big relief to be back”.

“I feel good. I think I was a bit rusty but, no, I feel great.

“I’ll sleep better tonight than I have for the last three weeks.”

The home side are thriving on growing excitement at what they can achieve at this World Cup, where holders the United States are out, opening the door for a new champion.

“I think we’re embracing it, I think the girls are loving it,” Kerr said of the expectation.

“The Australian public has been amazing. We’ve felt the love, just walking down the street it’s been a real buzz.”

‘PRETTY SCARY’

Denmark were contesting their first knockout game at the World Cup since 1995 and they had the first sniff of goal, but Rikke Madsen just failed to connect with the ball while sliding in at goal.

The Danes, ranked 13th in the world to Australia’s 10, could have taken the lead on the quarter-hour at Stadium Australia but Pernille Harder shot straight at goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.

Australia were on the back foot early but took the lead against the run of play when Fowler threaded a superb long pass down the left to play in Foord.

The Arsenal forward still had plenty to do and she did it brilliantly, taking one touch with her right foot to guide the ball into her path and then firing with the left through the legs of goalkeeper Lene Christensen.

Foord was all over the Denmark defence with her pace and movement down the left.

Minutes later she rampaged down the wing again, chopped back inside and let fly with her right foot, the ball taking a big deflection and whistling just beyond the top corner.

Into the second half and Foord seemed to be everywhere, sliding in to stop a Denmark counter-attack and earning vigorous applause from Australia’s coach Tony Gustavsson.

Defender Janni Thomsen decided she had had enough of Foord and was booked for crudely pulling her down as she arrowed towards the Danish box.

The crowd sensed a second could be coming and it duly did, Fowler again playing a key part to set up Emily van Egmond, who teed up Raso to fire into the bottom corner.

But the biggest cheer of the night was yet to come as Kerr belatedly came to the World Cup party as a substitute.

Foord called Kerr’s return “a massive boost for us”.

“For (other) teams looking ahead it’s pretty scary to know that she’s back in the team and she’s going to be a part of it with us,” she said.

Foord called the heaving Stadium Australia crowd “our 12th man” and Gustavsson said of the support: “I get emotional, I really do.

“The support – we feel it, thank you. Wow.”

Even Zoom Is Making Its Staff Return To The Office

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John Mutiso

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August 7, 2023

Zoom, the company that powered the remote work revolution during the pandemic, is telling its employees to come back to the office.

In a statement, Zoom said it’s now enforcing a “structured hybrid approach,” meaning that employees who live near an office must return to it for a “set number of days” because it’s “most effective” for the video-conferencing service.

“As a company, we are in a better position to use our own technologies, continue to innovate, and support our global customers. We’ll continue to leverage the entire Zoom platform to keep our employees and dispersed teams connected and working efficiently,” the company said.

Putting aside the irony, Zoom isn’t excluded from the return to office trend that’s sweeping tech companies. In recent months, Google, Amazon and Salesforce have enacted similar policies, ending a Covid-era approach that gave employees more freedom to work from home. However, businesses have faced some pushback from employees after workers grew accustomed to greater flexibility.

Zoom (ZM) has had its own difficulties as demand wanes following a pandemic-fueled surge. In February, Zoom (ZM) cut approximately 15% of its staff, amounting to about 1,300 employees, after growing too quickly. Members of the executive leadership team also reduced their base salaries by 20% for the coming fiscal year and forfeited their fiscal year 2023 bonuses.

More than most companies, the videoconferencing service came to define the early days of the pandemic, as many turned to its platform to video chat with friends and colleagues during lockdowns. By mid-2020, Zoom reported skyrocketing revenue fueled by a spike in business customers from the many companies forced to turn to remote work.

Shares of the company are up about 4% for the year.

Former Busia County Officer Denies Conspiring To Defraud County Ksh8M

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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August 7, 2023

Former Busia County director and development head has denied conspiring to defraud the county of Sh8 million by engaging in projects without proper planning and abusing his position.

On Monday, Samuel Oseko testified before Anti-corruption Senior Principal Magistrate Eunice Nyutu that the controller of budget kept all revenue in Busia County and that no money was ever withdrawn from the County government in violation of the law.

Oseko testified in court that all procedures for obtaining funds to make payments were followed.

“It is my testimony that section 109 was followed and nobody has been charged with withdrawing money from the county without authorization. The procedure was well followed,” he told court.

After the court found him, former Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, and his co-accused persons, namely Bernard Aite, Leonard Wanda, Allan Omachari, Edan Odoo, Renish Omullo, Sebasian Hallensben, and Madam R Enterprises, with a case to answer, he was testifying in his defence.

In 2018, they were charged with a conspiracy to commit an economic crime.

He went on to say that the money paid to Madam R Enterprise was public money, and that it was withdrawn from Busia County with the controller of budget’s approval.

According to Oseko, section 109 (2) of the Public Finance Act was never violated because all withdrawals were legal.

“There is no way you could access money from the County without the approval of the controller of budget, your honor this manual was launched and signed by the CS of National Treasury then Henry Rotich,” he said.

“I am an accused and the forms used as evidence in this court would have been gone through for any evidence before being charged but they did not, it is my testimony that the form B that came in relation to the money paid to Madam R enterprises was approved by the controller of budget,” Oseko told court.

He added that he was charged with a charge of conspiracy however, the prosecution did not point him to the crime.

“The witnesses were here and witness number 19 (Abraham) who was the IO in this matter, testified before this court and confirmed that indeed he did not recommend me to be charged. He said that from the investigation he did not get evidence to associate me from any wrong doing. Pw 20 ( Muga Wahome) also confirmed that he too did not recommend me to be charged, he said he was not aware if there was another investigator who did further investigation and recommended my charging,” he said.

The hearing continues on Tuesday.

Last year, the court admitted documentary evidence relied on by one of the defence witnesses who was testifying for Ojamong.
The former governor is separately charged with engaging in a project without prior planning and abuse of office.

Others are accused of wilfully failing to comply with the law relating to the management of funds.

They are accused of knowingly approving payments amounting to Sh8,000,000 to Madam R Enterprises Ltd for a feasibility study on solid waste management, a project for which funding had not been appropriated.

They were placed on their defence after the prosecution called 20 witnesses. Ojamong gave an unsworn statement in June 2021 and defended the Sh8 million spent on the study by Madam R Enterprises, an alleged German company.

CS Nakhumicha: NHIF To Get A New CEO Soon

By

John Mutiso

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August 7, 2023

Health and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has said that in one month’s time, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) will have a new CEO.

Speaking at a funeral service in Bungoma over the weekend, the CS noted that when she took over the health docket, it was in a huge mess.

“When I was appointed the CS for Health, I found the Ministry in a huge mess. There was corruption both at Kemsa and NHIF, which I have managed to contain and will be installing a new CEO soon,” Nakhumicha noted.

To improve health delivery to the grassroots, Nakhumicha said the government has employed 100,000 community health promoters who have been equipped with first aid kits.

She said the community health promoters will be moving around the community to help offer first aid to the sick.

“The work of the community health promoters is not only offering first aid but also sensitising locals on the importance of enrolling in NHIF health cover,” she said.

The CS called on the locals to register in large numbers to access the health services without straining.

She revealed that the government intends to lower the NHIF subscription fee from Sh500 to Sh300 to allow many people to get enrolled.

She said the government has injected Sh4.1 billion into the Linda Mama programme to help expectant mothers deliver in a decent environment, cater for all antenatal care visits (ANC), pay for the delivery fees at the facility, and cater for four clinic visits after delivery.

Man Charged With Stealing Woman’s Purse After Entering A Toilet

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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August 7, 2023

A 21-year-old man was charged with stealing a woman’s purse after she entered a public toilet and left her possessions with him.

Lewis Njuguna appeared before Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi, where he was charged with stealing a handbag and an Infinix phone worth Kshs 28,000 from Grace Nyambura on July 31st.

According to the prosecution, Njuguna called Nyambura allegedly his long-time friend, and asked that they meet at the Khoja Bus Stage to exchange “greetings.”

According to police, Nyambura was escorting her sister to an interview in the CBD on that particular day.

However, before she came at the Kooja stage, she received a call from Njuguna, who asked her to meet him there to exchange greetings.

They then reunited at the Kooja stage, but Nyambura stated that she was pressed. And she needed to go to the washroom. She then informed Njuguna that she needed to use the restroom. She chose to use the stage’s public restroom.

She then left her handbag with Njuguna, which included her phone, an Infinix Hot 12j, a national ID, and other personal belongings.

When she returned, she found Njuguna had disappeared. She tried calling him on both his and her phones, but she couldn’t reach him since he had turned off both of their phones.

The particulars of the offense are that on the 31st day of July 2023 at Kooja stage public toilet, along Tom Mboya Street, he stole a Black handbag containing one mobile phone make Infinix hot 12j, a National Identity card and other personal items valued at Kshs,28,000 from Nyambura Maina.

She made a report at the Central police station where efforts commenced of tracing Njuguna.

He was later traced at Kingeero market, in Wangige. Njuguna pleaded not guilty and was freed on a cash bail of Kshs 50,000 or a cash bail of Kshs 20,000.

Barasa Embarks On Mission To Revive Mumias Sugar Company

By

John Mutiso

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August 7, 2023

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has assured sugarcane farmers of the revival of Mumias Sugar Company.

Barasa said that as an experienced sugarcane farmer, his primary focus is to revive the company, which has not been performing at its best.

“As the Governor of Kakamega, my goal is to ensure its resurgence and, most importantly, to benefit the local communities,” he said.

The Governor, who was speaking yesterday after celebrating Holy Mass at St. Mary’s Lwanda Catholic Church in West Kabras Ward, Malava Sub County, said he will address matters related to Mumias Sugar Company and the sugar sub-sector.

“It is essential to conduct a candid conversion involving stakeholders and experts. This discussion is scheduled to take place on the 8^th of next month at Bhukungu Stadium,” he said.

He said the conference includes other millers and a 14-member sugar-rich Lake Region Economy Block (LREB). The conference is expected to iron out challenges facing the sugar industry in Kenya by finding and implementing best management practises.

Present were MCAs led by the host, who is also Minority Leader, Mr. David Ndakwa, Chief Officer for Lands, and other leaders.

Mali, Burkina To Send Delegation To Coup-Hit Niger

By

John Mutiso

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August 7, 2023

The Malian army announced on Monday the dispatch to Niamey by Mali and Burkina Faso of a joint official delegation in “solidarity” with Niger, the scene of a military coup at the end of July and under the threat of a West African military intervention.

“Burkina Faso and Mali are sending a delegation to Niamey, led by the Malian minister” Abdoulaye Maïga, one of the strong men of the Malian junta, indicated the Malian army on social networks. “Objective: to show the solidarity of the two countries to the brotherly people of Niger”, she added.

The delegation is expected in Niger on Monday, according to Nigerien Foreign Affairs.

The announcement of this visit comes just after the expiry, Sunday at midnight, of the ultimatum set by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the Nigerien soldiers to restore the ousted president Mohamed Bazoum. ECOWAS threatened to use force after the deadline expired.

Mali and Burkina Faso, where military forces also seized power by force in 2020 and 2022, warned in a joint statement that they would consider such an intervention a ” declaration of war”.

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