Mother, Daughter Guilty Of Killing Two People In High-Speed Car Chase

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August 5, 2023

Mahek Bukhari, a British Tiktoker, and her mother, Ansreen Bukhari, were found guilty of double murder.

Ansreen’s lover, 21-year-old Saqib Hussain, was killed during a high-speed car chase on February 11, 2022, after he allegedly threatened to leak a sex tape exposing his affair with Mahek’s 46-year-old mother.

Hussain’s friend, Hashim Ijazuddin, 21, was in the vehicle that burst into flames before colliding with a tree after exiting the A46 dual carriageway near Leicester. Ijazuddin was also killed in the accident.

Sky News reports that before his demise, Hussain called 999 operators informing them of his and Ijazuddin’s predicaments while noting that two vehicles were trailing his car and attempting to ram it off the road.

The Bukahris and fellow defendants Rekhan Karwan, Raees Jamal, Natasha Akhtar, Ameer Jamal, Sanaf Gulamustafa, and Mohammed Patel were in the two vehicles.

“They’re trying to ram us off the road. Please, I’m begging you, I’m going to die,” the recording played before the Leicester Crown Court said, according to Sky News.

The call was abruptly disconnected by the sound of a collision.

Mahek and Ansreen denied the charges but were convicted after more than 28 hours of deliberations.

Karwan and Jamal were also convicted of the two counts of murder while Akhtar, Ameer, and Gulamustafa were acquitted of the murder charges but convicted of manslaughter. Patel was not convicted of murder or manslaughter.

Detective Inspector Mark Parish, a senior police officer investigating the case, labeled the attack as ‘callous and cold-blooded’.

“After setting Mr. Hussain and Mr. Ijazuddin up, chasing them at high speed, and then ultimately ramming their car off the road, none of the defendants made any attempt to help the victims or to call for help. Instead, they drove on and then even drove back past the collision site. Still, no one attempted to offer any help,” he told the Court.

“As the defendants found guilty were arrested, charged, and stood trial before a court, lies were continually told to try and cover their tracks. Their only concern during the whole incident and investigation has been for themselves.”British Tiktoker Mahek Bukhari and her mother, Ansreen Bukhari, have been found guilty of double murder.

President Ruto’s Government Sued Over Backdated Taxes

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Cyrus Kimanga

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August 5, 2023

The Kenya Human Rights Commission, along with six other organizations, has filed a legal challenge to the backdating of the Affordable Housing Levy, which was set at 1.5 percent of gross salary in the Finance Act 2023.

The petitioners want conservatory orders issued against the collection of backdated taxes, according to court documents filed before the Nairobi High Court.

They contended that if the courts rule that certain provisions of the Finance Act are unconstitutional, the taxes deducted will not be refunded.

Other institutions that supported the suit included the Katiba Institute, The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA), Transparency International Kenya, the International Commission of Jurist – Kenya, Siasa Place, and Tribeless Youth.

“Accordingly, Petitioners seek a conservatory order suspending specific provisions whose implementation has an irreversible effect and cannot be refunded,” read the Court documents in part.

“Giving the Act retrospective effect to July 1, 2023, as opposed to the date of Court of Appeal ruling lifting the conservatory orders is akin to punishing the petitioners for daring to question the measure in court and should be suspended,” the activists added.

The petition by the seven civil groups was about the move by the Ministry of Lands to backdate the 1.5 percent Housing Fund to July 1. This directive is going to see employees double taxed for the Housing Fund this August.

UN Expressed Concern Over Decline Of Kenyan Female Police Officers

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Cyrus Kimanga

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August 5, 2023

UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women has expressed concern about the declining number of female officers in the Kenyan National Police Service (NPS).

On Saturday, August 5, the organization that advocates for women’s rights revealed that the number of registered female police officers in 2018 was 14,042.

However, the number fell sharply to 13,279 in 2021 and has continued to fall in subsequent years, denying women vital employment opportunities.

“Addressing challenges in policing for women will reverse the decline and bring a comprehensive approach to policing,” the UN Women stated.

Female police officers, according to the organization that champions women’s rights, account for 11 percent of the total National Police Service workforce.

By 2021, the number of female officers in the National Police Service had significantly reduced to 9 percent, denoting a setback for gender equality in Kenya.

UN Women also noted that women are less represented in key institutions in society due to many factors, including stereotypes about their role in society, which may discourage women from pursuing a career in law enforcement.

It went on to say that female police officers in Kenya face significant challenges, with a lack of support both within the force and in society at large.

Among the key issues it wishes to address is unfair recruitment, which discriminates against women and impedes their advancement and representation in the police force.

As a result, the UN called on the NPS to investigate various issues affecting women and to increase the number of female officers in the police force.

Ruto-Raila Bilateral Talks Saga As Ichung’wah Discloses Latest Instructions

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Cyrus Kimanga

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August 5, 2023

The scheduled talks between President William Ruto and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga are in jeopardy after the government, represented by the Kenya Kwanza coalition, reversed course on three key issues raised by the opposition.

Kimani Ichung’wah, Kikuyu Member of Parliament and National Assembly majority leader spoke out against plans to discuss the audit of the 2022 election results and the high cost of living in Murang’a County on Saturday, August 5.

Ichung’wah, who is also the Ruto delegation’s leader in the talks, added that they will not encourage dialogue centered on the opposition’s inclusion in government.

Ichung’wah made the remarks in Kiambu County while accompanying the Head of State on a five-day development tour in Mt Kenya region.

“If they want to reduce the cost of living, let them go to the farm and we can supply them with fertilizer,” he stated.

The lawmaker claimed that he had received clear instructions from Ruto regarding the planned meeting with Azimio, and that the talks would not result in any government agreement on a power-sharing formula.

Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan Sentenced To Three Years In Jail Over Corruption

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Cyrus Kimanga

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August 5, 2023

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been given a three-year jail sentence over corruption allegations.

A court in Islamabad found him guilty of not declaring money he had earned from selling state gifts. He denies the charges and says he will appeal.

After the verdict, Mr. Khan was taken into custody from his home in Lahore.

Mr. Khan was elected in 2018 but was ousted in a no-confidence vote last year after falling out with the powerful military.

The court also imposed a fine of 100,000 rupees ($451).

As the court decision was announced a crowd, which included some prosecuting lawyers, began chanting “Imran Khan is a thief” outside the building.

Mr. Khan is facing more than 100 cases brought against him since being ousted in April 2022- charges he says are politically motivated.

For months he had avoided arrest, with his supporters at times fighting pitched battles with police to keep him out of custody.

In May, Mr. Khan was arrested for not appearing in court as requested. He was then released, with the arrest declared illegal.

Since then, his party, Tehreek-e-Insaf, has been under intense pressure from the authorities.

Many senior officials have left and thousands of supporters have been arrested, accused of being involved in the protests that followed Mr Khan’s arrest.

Pakistan’s army plays a prominent role in politics, sometimes seizing power in military coups, and, on other occasions, pulling levers behind the scenes.

Many analysts believe Mr. Khan’s election win in 2018 happened with the help of the military.

In opposition, he has been one of its most vocal critics, and analysts say the army’s popularity has fallen.

Since being ousted, Mr. Khan has been campaigning for early elections.

The conviction would disqualify Mr. Khan from standing for office, possibly for life.

Pakistan’s parliament will be dissolved on August 9, leaving a caretaker government to take over in the run-up to the elections.

Cold Blood Murder In A Targeted Attack At Cyber Cafe

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Cyrus Kimanga

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August 5, 2023

Police in Siaya are investigating a gang that trailed and killed a man in a cyber cafe in Siaya Town.

According to police, the incident occurred at a joint on the Kenya Medical Training College-Siaya Stadium road.

Witnesses confirm that Felix Okoth Yugi, 19, was trailed and shot by two unknown assailants at Sunrise Cyber cafe.

According to police, the gang arrived on the motorbike they used to flee in the August 1 incident.

The victim was rushed to the Siaya County referral hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police responded to the scene and recovered one spent 9mm cartridge. The motive for the attack is yet to be determined, according to police.

The shooting happened in the area amid complaints from locals of increased gun attacks with zero solution.

Man City Sign Defender Gvardiol From Leipzig

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Cyrus Kimanga

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August 5, 2023

Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol has joined Premier League champions Manchester City from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig on a five-year deal, the treble winners announced on Saturday.

Gvardiol was signed for Sh14 billion, making the 21-year-old the second most expensive defender in history behind Harry Maguire, who was signed for Sh14.4 billion by Manchester United in 2019.

Gvardiol is Pep Guardiola’s second signing in this transfer window after Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic joined from Chelsea. City won their first Champions League title in June and also took the F.A. Cup to complete a rare treble.

“I have always dreamed of one day playing in England and to be doing so now with Manchester City – after the season they have just had – is a real honor for me,” Gvardiol said in a statement.

“Anyone who saw Manchester City play last season knows they are the best team in the world. To win the treble says everything you need to know about the quality of this team.

“To have the chance to work with Pep Guardiola will be amazing. I know I am not yet the finished article and I am sure my game will progress under the best coach in football.”

Gvardiol joined Leipzig from Dinamo Zagreb in 2020 and made 87 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga club since his debut in 2021, helping them win their first German Cup title and reach the Europa League semi-finals.

Leipzig finished third in the Bundesliga last season. Gvardiol, who has 21 caps for Croatia and helped them finish third at the 2022 World Cup, is the latest big name to leave the club.

Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai joined Liverpool in July while French forward Christopher Nkunku and Austrian midfielder Konrad Laimer switched to Chelsea and Bayern Munich, respectively, in June.

REF: AFP SPORTS

WHO: Kenyans Are Only Partially Shielded From Lethal Tobacco Products

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Cyrus Kimanga

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August 5, 2023

According to the World Health Organisation, Kenyans are only partially protected from tobacco because the country has not implemented the full package of control policies.

Based to the organization, Kenyans and most people worldwide are protected by at least one best practice policy that helps save lives from deadly tobacco. Nonetheless, this represents significant progress since the Kenya Tobacco Control Act was passed in 2007.

In accordance to the WHO, 5.6 billion people worldwide – five times more than in 2007 – or 71 percent of the world’s population are now protected.

Pursuant to the WHO, smoking rates have decreased in the 15 years since WHO’s MPOWER tobacco control measures were implemented globally. Without this decline, the world would have an estimated 300 million more smokers today.

According to the Ministry of Health, tobacco still kills approximately 6,000 Kenyans each year.

This WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, focuses on protecting the public from second-hand smoke, highlighting that nearly 40% of countries now have smoke-free indoor public places.

The report rates the country’s progress in tobacco control and shows that two more countries, Mauritius and the Netherlands, have achieved a best-practice level in all MPOWER measures, a feat that only Brazil and Türkiye had accomplished until now.

“These data show that slowly but surely, more and more people are being protected from the harms of tobacco by WHO’s evidence-based best-practice policies,” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said.

“I congratulate Mauritius on becoming the first country in Africa and the Netherlands on becoming the first in the European Union to implement the full package of WHO tobacco control policies at the highest level. WHO stands ready to support all countries to follow their example and protect their people from this deadly scourge.”

“With a strong political commitment, we have made great progress in tobacco control policies in Mauritius. Our country has adopted the MPOWER strategy and is moving resolutely towards a smoke-free country,” Republic of Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth said.

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan Expresses Hope To Arrest And Prosecute Putin

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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August 5, 2023

Karim Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, has stated that they are committed to demonstrating to the world that justice at their level is not “hot air.”

Khan told TV 47 on Friday that the arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin has the legal force of a court order.

In March 2023, Khan issued an arrest warrant for President Putin.

It has accused Russia’s President of war crimes and has focused its claims on the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.

According to the report, the crimes were committed in Ukraine at least since February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, has also been served with an arrest warrant.

Khan stated on Friday that the ICC independent judges reviewed his warrant application before it was issued and agreed with the assessment that the standard of evidence was sufficient for issuance.

“I have been trying my best and I have given an undertaking God willing that we will not be bringing cases that are not strong,” he said.

“This is the time that we have to show international justice is not hot air and false promises. There is a foundation to it.”

Khan expressed confidence in that there is a foundation in the arrest warrant for Putin.

“Now it is for us to make sure that we can do our job in all situations of the world because every human life matters equally,” he added.

Khan stated that, while he respects Russia’s role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the law must be applied in the most effective way possible – “the law must apply as effectively as possible as far as possible.”

He stated that the Hague-based court is a last resort and that justice should be served at home.

History Of Sagana State Lodge In President Ruto’s 2022 Victory

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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August 5, 2023

President William Ruto for the first time since beginning his term as the country’s fifth today embarked on an extensive tour of the vast Mt Kenya region.

Despite Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s support for ex-prime minister Raila Odinga, the populous and strategic region was critical in Ruto’s presidential victory.

Aside from the numerous development projects that the president plans to commission and launch during his five-day tour, his trip is rich in political symbolism.

Ruto will visit the strategically located Sagana State Lodge for the first time, a venue that was crucial in Uhuru’s political schemes against him ahead of the 2022 general elections.

Ruto will hold a massive prayer and thanksgiving service at Sagan State Lodge on Sunday in an attempt to exorcise Uhuru’s past.

It was at this venue that Uhuru on February 23, 2022, that Uhuru officially endorsed Raila after hosting at least three meetings at the Sagana State Lodge.

In this Sagana three Uhuru said ‘Raila tosha”.”I’m asking you to support Raila Odinga as he means well for the Country. When “my young man reforms”, we will consider him,” Uhuru said as he appealed to his backyard to back Raila.

At the Sagana III meeting, Uhuru was bold in saying that Raila was the best fit not only for the Mt Kenya region but Kenya at large.

He later convened another final fourth meeting in July 2022 in which he put a strong case on why the region needed to vote for Raila and not Ruto.

Uhuru’s high-profile strategy meetings against Ruto’s presidential bid before the August 9, 2022, general elections, however, hit a cropper after he failed to rally the region behind Raila.

And on Sunday, as Ruto will be storming Mt Kenya to stamp his authority as head of state, the clergy will hold special prayers to cleanse the State Lodge and exorcise it of Uhuru’s ghosts.

The President will be storming the strategically located Sagana State Lodge at a time when he has sanctioned talks with the opposition despite his initial tough stance against dialogue.

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