Father Nicodemus Ombworo Laid To Rest At Don Bosco Utume

By

John Mutiso

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July 11, 2023

The Catholic Priest who succumbed to road accident injuries was laid to rest on Tuesday evening.

Father Nicodemus Ombworo, a Salesian of Don Bosco was laid to rest at Don Bosco Utume Catholic Church compound.

The requiem Mass was led by Bishop Joseph Kariuki of Marsabit Diocese and Bishop John Mairura of Kisii Diocese.

More than 200 Priests attended.

Father Ombworo was involved in a grisly accident in Marsabit County on June 29, 2023.

He was rushed to matter hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

He suffered multiple ribs and spinal cord injuries, according to the autopsy report read out to mourners.

Bishop Kariuki described the late priest as a workaholic dedicated fully to the service of humanity.

Kariuki described the 39-year-old as a selfless Priest whose life was brutally snapped by the accident.

Watch below:

CS Murkomen Suspends Mandatory Re-Testing Of Drivers

By

John Mutiso

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July 11, 2023

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Tuesday, July 11, halted the mandatory re-testing of Public Service Vehicles (PSV) until September 1, 2023.

The CS stated in a statement that the stakeholders agreed on the formation of a multi-agency committee tasked with reviewing the grievances raised by PSV drivers and conductors.

They also agreed that the names of officials representing all industry players would be submitted by August 1, 2023.

“Towards this end, the Ministry and the stakeholders have agreed on the formation of a multi-agency committee that will among others review the grievances raised by the drivers and conductors, a copy of which has been submitted to my office today 11th July 2023 at 3.00 pm.

“We have agreed as well that they shall submit the names of the officials representing ALL the industry players by 1st August 2023. The exercise will take 14 days and the report with recommendations submitted for further decision-making,” read the statement in part.

“Taking note of the above, I hereby halt the retesting of drivers until 1st September 2023 to give the multi-agency committee time to address the rising concerns,” Murkomen added.

PS In Ruto’s Cabinet Found With A Case To Answer In Wife’s Assault

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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July 11, 2023

Principal Secretary for Cabinet Affairs Julius Korir has a case to answer in his assault case.

Milimani Magistrates Court found permanent secretary for Cabinet affairs Julius Korir with a case to answer in a case he is charged with assaulting his estranged wife Evelyn Koech.

Senior principal magistrate Dolphina Alego ruled that the prosecution had proved their case against PS Korir beyond any reasonable doubt.

“Having reviewed the evidence on record, I conclude that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the accused,” Magistrate Alego declared.

The court directed the case to be mentioned on August 25 for defence hearing.

Korir’s lawyer had questioned the admission of a P3 form that was not original arguing it was a photocopy and therefore inadmissible before the court.

The magistrate stated that because the medical record was prepared and signed by a government doctor and presented to court, it made no difference whether he was dead or alive.

In March, Dr. Stephanie Wakaba testified that in 2020 while carrying out her duties at Nairobi hospital, she received a patient by the name of Evelyn Koech.

The court was told that Koech appeared to be sick because she had bruises and linear marks on her back, butt and a tear on her arm.

In November 2022, Koech narrated to the court how she was beaten by the PS, stating that Korir returned home one day and asked for food but, before she could respond, he had already started beating her.

“On a fateful day, I was putting our child to bed when my husband walked into the children’s bedroom and shouted ‘Leo utaniona, iko wapi chakula?’ And before I answered the accused started slapping me. I was trying to protect the baby from the slaps,” she narrated.

The PS is charged that on September 17, 2020, at Ndalat Road, Karen, in Nairobi, he assaulted Koech and caused her actual bodily harm.

Court Dismisses New Evidence In Sonko Corruption Case

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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July 11, 2023

The High Court has dismissed an application by the Office of Director of Public Prosecution to review documentary evidence in a case where former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko is charged with corruption.

The ODPP had asked the court to revisit a judgment that refused to admit nine Equity Bank account statements and account opening documentation.

The high court found that granting the motion would be a miscarriage of justice and a mockery of the legal process.

Additionally, Justice Nixon Sifuna instructed that the anticorruption case proceed and be completed on time.

The Judge stated that interlocutory revision applications, like interlocutory appeals, are generally disruptive in nature and frequently serve to jam the criminal judicial system as well as prolong cases.

“I am of the polite view that the judiciary needs to develop some screening process for revision application, preferably at the registry level. But even at case management sessions. This will be to weed out improper revision applications such as this one,” he noted.

The court noted that by delaying the conclusion of cases, they end up with a case backlog, thereby undermining the efficient case disposal and dispensation of justice.

Tiktoker Jakababa In Trouble For Inciting Kisumu Youths To Violence

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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July 11, 2023

End of the road for the famous Omosh Jakababa alleged to have been at the forefront of inciting antigovernment protests in Kisumu.

Shadrack Omondi Orwa alias Omosh Jakababa believed to be behind a Tiktok video where he alleged that Raila should go to Russia and procure guns for his supporters to invade state house was today arraigned at a Nairobi Court under miscellaneous application to detain him for 14 days pending charging.

Omosh Jakababa was ferried from Kisumu to Nairobi under tight security on Monday 10 July 2023.

According to the DCI, Omosh Jakababa among other suspects still at large is said to have published through Tiktok a malicious video captioned ‘Baba enda Russia utuletee bunduki’ Omosh Jakababa…roughly translated as (Baba go to Russia bring us guns).

DCI believes that the averred publication went further to state and appears to indicate that once they acquire the purported weapons, they would be able to face off with the law enforcement officers.

Further, DCI told the court that the utterances by Omosh Jakababa involved incitement to take up arms to advance to a protected area (State House) without permission.

In his objection through lawyer Danstan Omari, Omosh stated that DCI has not linked the Tiktok account to him hence it is hot air.

Further, he said that the word Baba enda Russia does not disclose any offence because Russia is not a restricted country hence anybody can access Russia.

He also told the court the wording ‘utuletee bunduki’ has a million and one meanings.

“The word utuletee bunduki has a million and one meanings, “bunduki za michezo(sports), bunduki for game hunting, bunduki in the term of toys” it is not certain, also Baba simply means father, which Baba, the world has a trillion of father, whom do you assign that name to, the police should do better than that,” submitted Lawyer Omari.

Omari submitted that it is absurd that the state is telling the court that Omosh is also being investigated for the offence of terrorism.

He urged the court to ignore the sensational averments by the DCI and released the respondent.

Omari urged the court to take into consideration that on July 10, 2023, over 73 protesters were dragged to court but later on the ODPP chose to withdraw all charges against them.

The court ruled that it would be unfair to detain the respondent for 14 days only to move court later with an application to have the withdrawn for lack of evidence.

“I have heard the application by the investigating officer to detain the respondent. However, I feel that it would be unfair to detain the suspect for 14 days only to move the court later with an application to have the matter withdrawn for lack of sufficient evidence. I will not grant the 14 days as prayed, I will grant 7 days starting on 10th July 2023 when he was placed in custody.” Ruled SPM Nazushi.

Kioni Runs Turns To High Court Over Jubilee Wrangles

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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July 11, 2023

Ousted Jubilee secretary Jeremiah Kioni has threatened to pursue justice at the High Court over what he calls a planned takeover of Jubilee Party by the ruling Kenya Kwanza Party.

The former Ndaragwa MP said he will challenge the Tribunal judgment upholding his expulsion from office to the High Court, adding that the judgment was flawed.

“We will undoubtedly proceed to the High Court to challenge this illegal decision,” he stated.

He alleged that some parties were aware of the verdict before the court convened to make a decision.

He further stated that such activities were intended to facilitate the Jubilee party’s unlawful takeover.

“It is said we have a copy of a ruling that is already signed and which was made available yesterday and yet it is being delivered today,” he said at Kalonzo Musyoka Command Centre on Tuesday.

Kioni claimed that President Ruto is determined to take down any other party that can pose a danger to him in the larger Mt Kenya region,

CS Owalo Visits Geneva, Pushes For Collaboration In Achieving Kenya’s Digital Agenda

By

John Mutiso

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July 11, 2023

The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy Eliud Owalo has urged telecommunications investors to do business in Kenya.

Owalo stated on Tuesday at the International Telecommunications Union Council meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, that the government is working to streamline regulations in order to encourage and increase private sector investment and participation in ICT in Kenya from around the world.

He highlighted potential areas of collaboration, such as cellular mobile and broadband services, to help Kenya’s Digital Transformation Agenda grow.

“Today, 98 percent of our population has access to cellular mobile and broadband services. About 1.7 million are not covered. Furthermore, while our network is ahead of most of our neighbours, 45 percent of our people still lack access to smart devices. This is a challenge we must solve urgently, for meaningful universal digital transformation.”

“Accordingly, we are rolling out programmes that address these concerns. We have begun rolling out an extra 100,000 Km of fibre optic cable, to be complete by 2027; We seek to digitalise all Government services by the end of this year; We are setting up at least two world-class data centres; and we are lowering the cost of calls and data bundles,” Owalo said.

He stated that viable partnerships and collaborations will make it easier to achieve the goals.

KEMRI, Nagasaki University Extend MOU To Five Years

By

Vanessa Kariuki

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July 11, 2023

Positive diplomatic connections between Kenya and Japan are still present.

The Memorandum of Understanding between Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and Nagasaki University was extended today, and it will now govern their joint projects for the following five years.

The MOU was signed in the presence of the Japanese Ambassador to Kenya, Amb. Ken Okaniwa.

It aims to close existing gaps in human health research by utilising modern technologies and developing approaches to deal with newly emerging and re-emerging diseases.

Since the Institute’s founding in 1979, the two organisations have collaborated successfully on research projects and opportunities to enhance capability.

Both Nagasaki University President Prof. Shigeru KOHNO and Ag. DG KEMRI Prof.

Elijah Songok stressed the need of embracing new research methods and approaches during their speeches at the ceremony.

Kenya To Host The 8th African Indian Ocean (AFI) Aviation Week Conference

By

Vanessa Kariuki

-

July 11, 2023

The 8th African Indian Ocean (AFI) Aviation Week Conference will be held in Nairobi for the first time thanks to an agreement Kenya has struck with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

At a ceremony on Tuesday at the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Headquarters, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed.

It signalled the start of a solid relationship and commitment between the Kenyan government and ICAO to advance the aviation industry in the continent of Africa.

The ICAO ESAF Regional Director, Lucy Mbugua, attended the event on behalf of ICAO Secretary General, Juan Carlos Salazar, and she conveyed her appreciation for the cordial welcome she received upon her return to the aviation industry in her new position.

She expressed Salazar’s greetings and emphasised the value of the MOU.

“The MOU for the hosting of the 8th AFI Aviation Week Conference in Nairobi signifies the strong partnership and commitment between the Kenya Government and ICAO,” Mbugua stated.

She added, “This event will bring together key stakeholders in the aviation sector from across the African continent and beyond, providing a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.”

Emile Arao, Director-General of the KCAA, announced after the signing that this will be the second meeting of the regional safety oversight organisation; the first meeting was held in 2017.

He emphasised that by funding the event, the Kenyan government has expressed its support for the AFI Aviation Week Conference.

Emirates Airways and Qatar are two additional organisations that have endorsed the event.

The ICAO AFI Aviation Week, which is scheduled for August 21–25, is a much-anticipated event that fosters collaboration and addresses difficulties faced by the aviation industry, especially in the areas of safety, security, convenience, and sustainability of air transport in the African region.

Kenya intends to show its steadfast commitment to promoting aviation in the area and to reaffirm its commitment to upholding the State’s duties to ICAO as a contracting State by hosting this important event.

Nyanza Region Music Festival Kicks Off In Migori

By

Editor

-

July 11, 2023

The 2023 Nyanza Region Music Festivals have kicked off in Migori County with both primary and secondary schools from Siaya, Kisumu, Kisii, Nyamira, Homabay and the host Migori gracing the event.

The four-day event was officially flagged off by Migori County Governor Ochilo Ayacko at Migori Teacher’s Training College (TTC) with the theme of promoting, preserving and fostering unity in African culture.

Nyanza Regional Director of Education (RDE), Nelson Sifuna revealed that they expect the event to be a success both from the primary and high school levels.

The director recognized the impact of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) on harnessing the talents of every child by ensuring that talent counts through music, art and games.

Sifuna further assured the participants of total security in the wake of Wednesday’s opposition-scheduled demonstrations after security concerns were raised over the safety of the children bearing in mind that Migori has been flagged as a hotspot county.

“We have liaised with the internal security team and other private security firms to ensure proper security is provided during the event,” assured Sifuna.

While echoing the RDEs sentiments on security, Ochilo appreciated the freedom to picket and called upon the demonstrators to picket peacefully for the sake of the Music festival students.

“We appreciate our desire and commitment to expand our freedom of expression and association. It will contribute a lot if we are able to accommodate these festivities within our civil liberties. I’d like to encourage the demonstrators to encompass our quest for freedom while also protecting our pupils and students,” echoed Ochilo.

On his part, Migori County Senator Eddy Oketch stated that the event would aid in building talents among the young people.

Oketch added that the 13,000 pupils and students attending the festival will greatly contribute to the cultural interaction and promotion in our African setup.

The Senator also promised to liaise with the county government to provide financial support to Migori County schools that will progress to the national competition.

The Legislature thanked the organisers for selecting the county as the host of the music event and noted that the county will forever be grateful for the honours accorded.

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