Tension High In Sondu As One Person Dies In Suspected Ethnic Clash

By

-

July 12, 2023

A violent clash between two communities in Sondu, bordering Kericho and Kisumu counties, has resulted in one person’s death and four others, including a police officer, being hospitalized.

The deceased was stabbed in the neck and hacked on his head during the confrontation.

Two others were shot with arrows and rushed to the hospital with lodged arrows in their bodies.

A senior police officer attached to Sondu Police Station sustained injuries after being hit with a stone by the protesters.

The clash occurred after protesters from the Kisumu side crossed the border and entered Kericho County territory, vandalizing and looting businesses.

Police officers were overwhelmed, forcing the youth from the other side to arm themselves with bows and arrows and repulse their neighbors.

The deceased was caught in the melee and stabbed and hacked before being rescued and pronounced dead.

Tensions in Sondu are high as security officers are beefed up to restore peace.

July Maandamano Death Toll Rises To Seven

By

Dan Ojumah

-

July 12, 2023

Kenyan protests on Wednesday resulted in at least seven deaths as demonstrators protested the high cost of living.

Police confirmed three deaths in Mlolongo, two in Kitengela, and one each in Emali and Sondu.

Thousands of people, including police officers, were injured in the protests, which were called by Opposition leader Raila Odinga.

The epicenter of the protests was Nairobi, with the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights warning against excessive use of force on protesters.

No immediate statement was made by police headquarters regarding the ban on the protests.

Six more individuals were shot dead last week in Kisumu, Kisii, and Migori, eliciting condemnation from the Kenya National Commission for Human Rights, which urged police against using excessive force against protesters.

Raila Odinga accused the Police of using brutal force to disperse protesters.

“All our meetings have been peaceful until the police show up.”

Maandamano: Omanyo, Wajackoyah Almost Stoned To Death, Chased Away By Busia Youth

By

Dan Ojumah

-

July 12, 2023

Busia women Rep Catherine Omanyo and Roots party leader George Wajackoyah attempted to hold demonstrations in Busia town, but were met with angry youths who stoned their motorcade.

The youths vowed to stand firm and protect Busia town’s status, which they believe has shown signs of improvement.

They reiterated their refusal to engage in bribery to fuel the town’s destruction. Omanyo, along with Wajakoya and Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala, faced challenges in addressing Azimio supporters in Bulanda and Marachi estates, forcing them to flee for safety.

Busia is on a face-lift with the expansion of the road from Korinda to OSBP and the creation of the Nasewa Export Processing zone.

Busia Youth Alliance president Lazarus Ojijo condemned some leaders for funding the destruction of peace and developments in the name of anti-government demonstrations, aiming to discourage investments.

The youths vowed to engage any group attempting to destruct the county’s operations.

Ex-President Kenyatta Lands In Goma To Assess Peace Progress

By

John Mutiso

-

July 12, 2023

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is currently in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for the second meeting of the Executive Consultative Technical Team.

Kenyatta, the Facilitator of the East African Community (EAC)-led Nairobi Peace Process, was welcomed in Goma by Mbusa Nyamwisi, the country’s Minister of State for Regional Integration.

The meeting is also attended by DRC Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Jean Pierre Bemba, President Félix Tshisekedi’s Special Representative Prof. Serge Tshibangu Kabeya, and North Kivu Governor Gen Ndima Kongba.

Various stakeholders and international organisations are also present to discuss key issues aimed at enhancing both the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes.

Kenyatta urged disputing members to consider open consultative dialogues in a bid to address hostility in the region during a meeting in Nairobi late last month with various stakeholders on cantonment issues in North Kivu in the eastern DRC.

He emphasised that the cantonment is a delicate aspect of the peace-building process that necessitates transparency, open consultation, and stakeholder dialogue.

“The cantonment aspect presents a sensitive and urgent challenge. We must ensure that all parties are adequately consulted and reach an agreement regarding this crucial stage. It is imperative to address all necessary technical and logistical matters, including establishing open and indirect lines of dialogue and consultation with the armed groups we aim to canton,” said the former President on June 30, 2023.

Eastmatt, Quickmart Supermarkets Vandalised During Protests

By

John Mutiso

-

July 12, 2023

During the anti-government protests in Kitengela on Wednesday, July 12, rioters broke into Eastmatt Supermarket and stoned Quickmart Supermarket.

Protesters were repelled by police officers, and looting was halted in the Eastmatt supermarket.

On two separate occasions, the rowdy rioters pushed police officers to the Kitengela Police Station, where they almost entered.

Off-duty police officers came out of their houses in large numbers to fight back the rioters.

“Go ahead! go ahead! Don’t let them enter the police station,” the commander’s voice could be heard ordering his squad.

Police officers found it difficult to guard the police station next to the makeshift Kitengela retail market.

At one point, a civilian grabbed the rioter deterred by a police officer. Police land cruisers were pelted with stones.

During the clashes, five people, including three police officers, were injured and taken to Kitengela sub-county hospital. Injured civilians suffered gunshot wounds.

Hundreds of trucks carrying goods from the Namanga border were stuck in Maili Tisa town, Nkatatoek and Ilbisl, costing Kenya millions in trade money.

During the Opposition’s anti-government protests, Mlolongo was also among the most violent regions.

At least three people were seriously injured during the chaos in the region as damage of unknown value was made to the Nairobi Expressway.

Kenya on Board to Improve Progress of Health Initiative in Africa

By

Vanessa Kariuki

-

July 12, 2023

Kenya is prepared to participate positively in fostering the progress of public health initiatives in Africa during the 11th Ordinary Session of the Governing Board.

Nakhumicha S. Wafula, the health cabinet secretary, emphasised Kenya’s delight in participating in the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s initiatives to improve health systems, fight infectious illnesses, and advance health security throughout the continent.

With a particular emphasis on the New Public Health Order for Africa, Kenya confirms its steadfast dedication to supporting the session’s success by offering required resources and facilities.

“Kenya is honored to be hosting the 11th Ordinary Session of the Governing Board of the Africa CDC in Nairobi. On behalf of the people and the Government of Kenya, we would like to extend a warm and sincere welcome to all participants. Your presence is highly valued as we convene to strengthen collaboration and further the mission of Africa CDC. ‘Karibu Kenya’,” said CS Nakhumicha.

At the Africa CDC Governing Board Meeting, Cabinet Secretary Nakhumicha S. Wafula emphasised Kenya’s commitment to public health.

The CS reiterates that Kenya’s dedication is perfectly in line with the goal of the Africa CDC, which is to improve the ability and capabilities of Africa’s public health institutions in identifying and responding to disease threats and outbreaks quickly and effectively.

“Underlining Kenya’s position as a regional hub for health and innovation, the nation also acknowledges its responsibility as the host of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Centre on behalf of 14 African Union Member States in the Eastern Africa Region,” said the Health CS.

She added, “Kenya is deeply committed to leveraging this opportunity to enhance collaboration, coordination, and communication among countries in the Eastern region and beyond.”

Court Of Appeal Declares Life Imprisonment Unconstitutional

By

Cyrus Kimanga

-

July 12, 2023

The Court of Appeal made a groundbreaking decision by declaring life sentence unconstitutional, hence abolishing it.

This ruling has the potential to impact previous criminal cases, setting a significant legal precedent.

Justices Pauline Nyamweya, Jessie Lesiit, and George Odunga delivered this landmark ruling while presiding over the case of Julius Kitsao Manyeso versus the Republic in 2023.

The three judges stated that it was unfair to eliminate the death penalty only to subject convicts to lifetime incarceration.

They argued that a life sentence contradicts the purpose of conviction, which is to rehabilitate offenders.

Guided by a previous holding of the Supreme Court of Kenya, the bench exercised its discretion to interfere with the unconstitutional sentence.

In the case, Julius Kitsao had received a life sentence from a magistrate court for allegedly defiling a minor.

He challenged the sentence, however, his attempts to seek legal remedy at the High Court were unsuccessful.

In a final attempt to secure his freedom, Kitsao appealed his case to the Court of Appeal.

The bench ruled that imprisonment serves the purposes of deterrence, rehabilitation, denouncement, or retribution for the committed offense.

Therefore, imposing a life sentence on Kitsao deviated from the intended objectives of sentence.

The Court of Appeal observed that a magistrate court’s imposition of a life sentence on Kitsao was akin to imposing a prohibited death penalty.

The bench concluded that practically speaking, both life and death sentences appeared to carry the same weight in terms of execution.

Consequently, Kitsao was ordered to serve a sentence of 40 years, starting from the date of his conviction, to fulfill the goals of deterrence and rehabilitation.

In reaching their judgment, the three-judge bench also relied on the notable case of Francis Karioko Muruatetu versus the Republic.

In a 2021 Supreme Court ruling, it was determined that sentencing Muruatetu to life imprisonment for murder contradicted the progressive Bill of Rights in Kenya’s 2010 Constitution and undermined the rule of law.

The Supreme Court affirmed a 2017 High Court ruling that deemed the mandatory death penalty for murder, which was imposed on Muruatetu, unconstitutional.

Itumbi Moves To Court To Appeal Court Ruling That Declared 50 CAS Positions Unconstitutional

By

Cyrus Kimanga

-

July 12, 2023

Former ICT CAS appointee, Dennis Itumbi has moved to the Court of Appeal to challenge the High Court decision that declared the 50 Chief Administrative Secretaries positions unconstitutional, null and void.

The former ICT CAS appointee says that he will continue to suffer adverse effects of inherently incompatible orders emanating from the two superior courts of equal jurisdiction.

“The applicant will remain in a state of career purgatory, since he can neither serve in the office to which they were legally recruited nor can they seek other gainful employment since their fate is indeterminate,” submitted Itumbi in Court papers.

In the appeal, Itumbi claims that the three High Court judges erred in law and fact in finding that the office of Chief Administrative Secretary was created by President William Ruto and Public Service Commission.

“The learned judges erred in law and fact in declaring as unconstitutional the entire complement of 50 Chief Administrative Secretaries, appointed vide Gazette Notice dated 16th March 2023 whose notification was published on 22nd March 2023, yet the matter is still pending adjudication before a higher Superior Court,” reads court papers.

He asked the Court of Appeal to grant an interim stay of execution of the judgment and orders of the High Court issued on July 3, 2023.

Sudan’s Rival Armies Hit With UK Sanctions

By

John Mutiso

-

July 12, 2023

Britain has announced sanctions against firms linked to the rival military groups in Sudan’s increasingly bloody conflict.

A British government minister, Andrew Mitchell, said the Sudanese army and paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had dragged their country into a wholly unjustified war.

The sanctions impose an asset freeze on three businesses linked to each side in the fighting.

Washington imposed sanctions at the start of June.

Since the fighting in Sudan erupted three months ago, it’s thought thousands of people have been killed.

Millions of people have been forced from their homes.

Man Shot Dead During Azimio Demos In Emali

By

John Mutiso

-

July 12, 2023

A middle-aged man was killed by a police bullet while protesting against the government in Emali Township on the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

The incident occurred following early morning protests in which hundreds of residents barricaded the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway, paralysing traffic on the busy road.

Protesters took to the streets to protest the country’s high cost of living.

The protests were called by Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga.

To protest the killing, angry demonstrators set fire to a police van and destroyed other properties in the town.

Several residents were injured during the clash with the anti-riot officers.

Create a free account, or log in.

Upgrade your subscription