Raila Finally Responds to Ruto’s Meeting Invitation

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July 26, 2023

Azimio Leader Raila Odinga has responded to President William Ruto’s call for a truce by warning that the Head of State could not be trusted.

Raila wondered why the Head of State chose to extend the invitation through social media channels rather than formal channels while speaking to Al Jazeera at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation.

“The President is not being serious. If he wanted to meet with me he would not have sent an invite through social media.

“He knows my address and telephone number and everything. He is basically just playing games. That is like his public relations exercise,” the former prime minister remarked during the interview.

The Azimio leader reiterated his earlier claims that Ruto ignored his Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu, despite the fact that she was invited to Kenya by the government.

“I mentioned yesterday that two weeks ago, the President of Tanzania Suluhu Hassan, came here to Kenya at his invitation and she spent two days here wishing to bring us together,” he stated noting that Suluhu was intending to mediate between the two leaders.

Raila revealed that after Suluhu arrived in Kenya, she was humiliated by the President’s refusal to meet with her.

While accusing Ruto of not being sincere, Raila stated that his willingness to engage in dialogue was demonstrated by his appointment of members to participate in the parliamentary bipartisan talks.

According to Raila, the President refused to participate in the talks after observing that the country was peaceful as a result of the opposition calling off nationwide protests.

Raila revealed that the opposition’s protests were intended to shake Ruto out of his denial that the country was in an economic crisis. He vehemently denied wanting a piece of the government.

On Tuesday, July 25, President Ruto stated that he was willing to meet with Raila one-on-one to end the current political impasse.

Raila was noncommittal in the interview when asked if he would accept the invitation. Raila previously stated that he would continue to engage in civil disobedience.

Actor Kevin Spacey Cleared Of All Charges Of Sexual Assault

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John Mutiso

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July 26, 2023

Actor Kevin Spacey has been cleared of all charges in his sexual assault trial in London.

The jury returned not guilty verdicts for nine sexual offence charges relating to four men between 2001 and 2013.

The 63-year-old Oscar winner had denied the allegations and previously called the case against him “weak”.

Mr Spacey cried at Southwark Crown Court as the not guilty verdicts were read out.

BasiGo Bringing Its Electric Buses To Rwanda

By

John Mutiso

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July 26, 2023

Electric bus pioneer, BasiGo, has made a second entry into the African market with the launch of BasiGo Rwanda Ltd., a new entity focused on electrifying the public transport system in Rwanda.

BasiGo has partnered with AC Mobility, Rwanda’s leading provider of automated fare collection systems for public transport.

The partnership will deliver electric buses to Kigali transport operators by October of this year through BasiGo’s innovative Pay-As-You-Drive financing model.

BasiGo and AC Mobility have signed letters of intent for the pilot with Kigali Bus Service, Royal Express, and Volcano Express, three of Kigali’s leading bus operators.

BasiGo Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder Jit Bhattacharya speaking on the expansion said:

“Rwanda has led the way in creating an enabling ecosystem for E-mobility. BasiGo is proud to be partnering with AC Mobility, a technology leader in Rwanda’s transport sector, to help accelerate the transition to electrified public transport. Electric buses will bring bus operators freedom from rising fuel prices while also dramatically reducing air pollution and CO2 emissions. Through our Pay-As-You-Drive model, we are excited to bring a complete E-Bus solution to make this technology affordable, accessible and convenient for all bus operators in Rwanda.”

Speaking on the partnership, Jones Kizihira, Chief Executive Officer, AC Mobility Rwanda said:

“We are excited to partner with BasiGo to drive Rwanda’s public bus electrification. The country has recorded rapid transformation, creating a need for a more robust and cost-effective public transport system. The electric buses will help ease the cost burden of public bus transporters and advance Rwanda’s transition to clean mobility. We look forward to leveraging BasiGo’s experience and network to build a strong electric bus business in Rwanda.”

The Government of Rwanda recently announced an initiative to rapidly scale the size of Kigali’s public transport fleet while also aiming to convert 20% of the public bus fleet to electric by 2030.[1]

Founded in 2021, BasiGo has led the introduction of electric buses in Nairobi’s public transport fleet. BasiGo has sold 19 Electric Buses to public transport operators in Nairobi and has secured reservations for over 100 additional buses.

BasiGo electric buses have driven over 460,000 kilometers and carried over 580,000 passengers. BasiGo has also deployed Kenya’s first DC Fast Charging stations for Electric buses.

Nairobi: Marijuana Addict Shocks Court, Explains Why He Must Smoke

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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July 26, 2023

There was shock in court as a man arrested with bhang informed the court that the drug gives him some relief after smoking it.

Njoroge Chege was arrested and charged with possessing 100 grams of bhang worth Sh2,000 before Kibera chief magistrate Ann Mwangi.

He pleaded guilty to the allegation and begged the court for mercy, claiming he had a peculiar sickness on his private parts and that only smoking bhang relieved the tension of the condition.

“I have some diseases that affected my private parts. Smoking bhang created some relief for me. I am very sorry and apologetic your honor,” Chege said in mitigation.

He however did not disclose to the court exactly what was ailing him.

Chege asked the court to have mercy on him stating that he was going to change his habits.

The court ordered a probation report before sentencing.

Shakahola Victims Engaging In Sexual Activities At Rescue Centres – DPP

By

John Mutiso

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July 26, 2023

The State has expressed fear that 65 victims, who are key witnesses in the case against suspected Shakahola cult leader Paul Mackenzie, are engaging in sexual activities at the rescue centres.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), through Assistant DPP Yamina Jamii, informed Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Joe Omide that the State would be facing yet another serious crisis of unwanted pregnancies and cases of gender-based violence if the victims continued to be held at the rescue centre.

“The victims have now fully recovered, they are energetic and they have been reported to have sexual intercourse. Most of their time is being spent in this, alongside eating and freely socializing inside their hostels,” he said.

Jamii sought orders from the court to have the victims transferred from the rescue centres to Shimo La Tewa G.K prison where they will be held in the male and female cells and their daily activities easily supervised.

The court heard that two of the survivors have since been diagnosed with mental health conditions, adding that they would be dealt with in accordance with the law once their family members are traced.

“We are now seeking for the court to make orders to have all the victims held at the prison to avoid a possible crisis where the State will be forced to deal with even before they are turned into witnesses,” he said.

The 65 victims were rescued from the Shakahola forest in March this year after allegedly being recruited into the cult by suspected cult leader Paul Mackenzie.

At the time of their rescue, they were being forced to fast to hasten their death to meet Jesus.

In May last year, the State had threatened to charge the victims with the offence of attempting to commit suicide after they declined to eat in solidarity with their cult leader Mackenzie.

It has now emerged that the victims have continued to frustrate the State’s efforts to build a water-tight case against Mackenzie by declining to record statements and share crucial evidence with homicide detectives.

This after Jamii told the court that the victims had continued to lie about the number of children they had left with for Shakahola and their whereabouts.

It still remains unclear if the victims are ready to testify against Mackenzie, considering that they have declined to cooperate with homicide detectives and have so far they have declined to sign their written statements which are set to be used against the preacher.

They are being held at the Shanajad rescue centre.

The hearing is now set for July 31.

Court Blocks Government From Kenyatta Son’s Guns, Licenses

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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July 26, 2023

The High Court has temporarily stayed the state’s intention to remove Jomo Kenyatta’s firearm license.

Justice Jairus Ngaah stated that the matter will be heard by way of written submissions.

“In view of the impending August/September recess, parties will highlight their submissions in the new term,” Ngaah said.

The matter has been scheduled to proceed on September 27.

Jomo had urged the Milimani Law Courts to intervene and prevent the state from canceling his guns license in an urgent plea.

He urged the court to prevent the Chief Licensing Officer, the guns Licensing Board, and the Attorney General from demanding his license “without following the due process set out in the Firearms Act.”

Jomo said that when officials arrived in his home on July 21 requesting he surrender his guns, no cause was offered.

“On inquiry as to the reasons if any, that had caused an abrupt demand for my firearms, the offices feigned ignorance,” Jomo said.

He said he is apprehensive about strong-arm tactics that may be deployed, which is why he is pleading with the court to intervene.

Court Demands Arrest Of Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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July 26, 2023

A Nairobi court has issued a warrant of arrest against Keroche Breweries CEO Tabitha Karanja for failing to appear in Court during the hearing of her Sh14.5 billion tax returns case.

Milimani Law Courts principal magistrate Esther Kimilu issued the warrant after the court was told that the Nakuru Senator was not present for her case.

The prosecution requested the court to issue a warrant and schedule a hearing of the case on Thursday morning.

Senator Karanja is facing charges of tax evasion amounting to 14.5 billion.

According to the charge sheet, the accused and the company on dates between February 20, 2015, and January 20, 2016, unlawfully made incorrect statements in their excise duty returns by reducing their duty by Sh1.8 billion.

She allegedly also made incorrect statements for the January to December 2017 returns, which affected payable excise duty by Sh3.6 billion.

Further, the prosecution believes that between February 20 and July 20, the accused unlawfully omitted from their VAT returns for January to June affecting their VAT liability by Sh196 million.

Tabitha was also accused of under-declaring production volumes by 820,601 litres and misapplication of excise duty rates on Vienna Ice by using Sh27.06 instead of Sh175, thereby reducing her excise duty liability by Sh1, 855, 403, 900 payable to the commissioner as required by the Excise Duty Act.

Argentina World Cup Player With Ronaldo Tattoo ‘Not Anti-Messi’

By

John Mutiso

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July 26, 2023

Argentina’s Women’s World Cup striker Yamila Rodriguez has defended having a tattoo of Cristiano Ronaldo on her leg, saying: “I don’t hate Messi.”

The 25-year-old faced flak on social media from fans back home after they spotted the ink on her left shin of Portugal’s Ronaldo – the great rival of Argentina captain Lionel Messi.

“Please, enough, I’m not doing well. At what point did I say I’m anti-Messi?” Rodriguez wrote on social media in response.

“Messi is our great captain in the national team, but the fact that I say that my inspiration and my idol is CR7 (Ronaldo) does not mean that I hate Messi. Enough, it’s tiring and it hurts.”

Rodriguez, who came on as a substitute in Monday’s 1-0 World Cup defeat to Italy, has numerous other tattoos, including one of Argentina legend Diego Maradona.

Five-Star Spain Cruise Into World Cup Knockouts With Thumping Win Over Zambia

By

John Mutiso

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July 26, 2023

Spain coach Jorge Vilda warned there is more to come from his side after they thrashed Zambia to progress to the last 16 of the Fifa Women’s World Cup with a game to spare.

Jenni Hermoso and Alba Redondo both scored twice as the Spanish secured a second successive win at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

Spain have scored eight goals so far without reply, underlining their credentials as potential World Cup winners, but Vilda insists his side can play even better.

Spain play Japan on Monday, 31 July (08:00 BST) in a game that will decide the Group C winner, and the Vilda said: “We haven’t seen the best version of Spain, that is absolutely clear.

“We have four days to improve, recover physically and mentally, and put in a better performance against Japan.”

Spain opened their campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win against Costa Rica last week, having a total of 46 shots on goal.

They picked up where they left off against Zambia, racing into a ninth-minute lead when Teresa Abelleira drove in a stunning strike from distance.

Hermoso doubled the lead just four minutes later, heading home a cross on her 100th appearance for her country.

Redondo then rounded the goalkeeper in the second half before Hermoso scored her 50th international goal late on after a lengthy video assistant referee check.

Hermoso almost had a hat-trick soon after but her shot was pushed on to the crossbar, but Spain got their fifth when Redondo drove home in the final few minutes.

The victory also ensured Japan – who beat Costa Rica 2-0 earlier on Thursday – also progress. Spain are currently ahead of Japan on goal difference and a draw with them on Monday will secure first place for Vilda’s side.

Putellas returns as Spain send out warning

Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas was named on the bench in Spain’s opener against Costa Rica after working her way back to full fitness following a long-term injury, but she was handed a start against Women’s World Cup debutants Zambia.

The Barcelona midfielder showed no signs of rustiness as she was heavily involved in the action from the outset, and it was her cross that produced Spain’s second as she picked out Hermoso at the far post.

The two early goals hinted at a big win for Spain but Zambia – who would be eliminated with a defeat – did well to hold their opponents at bay until 20 minutes before the end.

By then, Zambia’s tiredness and Spain’s quality told as they added three further strikes to fairly reflect their overall dominance.

They also secured a second clean sheet of the tournament and a 13th win from the 15 games they have played since they were beaten by England in the Euro 2022 quarter-finals, with this latest victory sure to make their rivals sit up and notice.

Russia To Seek Deeper Alliance With Africa

By

John Mutiso

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July 26, 2023

Russia is readying itself to make deeper friends with Africa as the West continues to shun Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine last year in February.

And some of the African leaders are skipping the event, maintaining what has been Africa’s classic stance on the conflict: neutrality.

The Second Russia-Africa Summit has come four years after the first, largely due to Covid-19. But it has come amid a new geopolitical perspective including Western sanctions on Russia government departments, officials and entities with ties to the government owing to the war.

“Yet a preliminary programme released ahead of the meeting on July 27 shows the topics will be based on Moscow’s ties with African countries and businesses to do. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to address a plenary session at the Summit and will reportedly describe the state of and prospects for developing the full range of ties between Russia and African nations in the political, economic and humanitarian areas,” according to the Kremlin.

The participants, including African Presidents such as South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa and Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, will join in a final declaration of the summit which will dictate the future of ties.

“Russian and African officials, businesspeople and public figures have been invited to attend the session. The Russian President has plans to meet with the heads of African regional organisations,” the Kremlin added in a Telegram channel on Monday.

Vladimir Putin and the leaders of a number of African states will continue to discuss possible ways of settling the situation around Ukraine within the African Peace Initiative, which they launched in St Petersburg in June.

The President of Russia will hold bilateral conversations with all heads of African states taking part in the summit.

The Kremlin has not publicised the list of confirmed participants, but the number is expected to be lower for heads of state this time than in 2019, which reported 43. One is the pressure applied from the West on some of the African leaders may contributed to them staying away or sending representatives. Russia’s isolation also means a headache for travel plans especially in airspace clearances if overflying European countries backing the sanctions.

In 2019, Putin promised to double Russian trade with Africa in five years to $40 billion. This time, the Summit has adopted a humanitarian segment which will be held alongside one on business.

Participants will discuss issues like ‘Partnership for Food Sovereignty’ to be addressed by Konstantin Babkin, President of the Rosspetsmash Association and President of the New Commonwealth Industrial Union. Others include Andrey Guryev, the President of the Russian Association of Fertilizer Producers (RAFP), Boris Listov, Chairman of the Management Board of the Russian Agricultural Bank, and Benedict Okey Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), a programme brochure showed on Tuesday.

Russia argues Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world in terms of food security, despite agriculture employing more than 60 percent of its labour force.

“The only way to solve this problem is to achieve food sovereignty. This is a realistic possibility due to the continent’s immense agricultural potential,” the programme added.

In a commentary on Monday, Putin had said he will use the Summit “shape a non-discriminatory agenda for cooperation.” Russia, he argued, has consistently supported Africa to rid itself of the yoke of colonialism and oppression.

“We understand the importance of uninterrupted food supplies for the socio-economic development and political stability of the African States. Notwithstanding the sanctions, Russia will continue itsenergetic efforts to provide supplies of grain, food products, fertilizers, and other goods to Africa,” he wrote.

Putellas returns as Spain send out warning

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