Kenya Power Condemns Rising Assault Cases Among Employees

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July 5, 2023

Kenya Power Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joseph Siror has condemned all forms of assault against the organisation’s staff while on official duty.

This comes a day after Kitui East Member of Parliament (MP) Nimrod Mbai was captured on video beating up a Kenya Power engineer for allegedly disconnecting an illegal power line at his home in Kitengela, Kajiado County.

In a statement on Wednesday, Siror noted that MP Mbai’s incident was the latest to be observed among many attacks which have been staged on Kenya Power’s staff while on duty.

The Company said the emerging trend of violent attacks on employees doing their work is ”regrettable”.

“While working to weed the network of illegal and dangerous connections, we regrettably note an emerging trend of violent attacks against our staff. The latest of these incidents happened on Monday, July 3, in Kitengela where our staff were attacked by the Kitui East Member of Parliament, Nimrod Mbai”.

“We have taken up this issue with the relevant authorities and the matter is now before the courts. As an entity that prioritizes the welfare of its staff and the public, we condemn this incident and we wish to categorically state that we do not condone any form of violence, at least not on our staff while on official duty,” Siror said.

The Managing Director has noted that KPLC will be working with security agencies to ensure safety of their members while undertaking their responsibilities.

“The company will intensify network surveillance and continue to work closely with the administration offices and other security agencies to stamp out illegal connections,” he said.

Further, Siror has invited members of the public to report any cases of vandalism, illegal connection and other suspicious activity on the electricity network through 9771.

“We are inviting the members of the public who suspect the connection they have is irregular or is connected illegally, to come forward so that we take steps of correcting it otherwise, if through our efforts we find them, then the penalties will follow them,” Siror warned.

Similarly, the Institution of Engineers of Kenya has condemned MP Mbai’s attack demanding firm, legal action against him as it calls for the former police officer’s firearm license taken away and have him permanently barred from being a licensed arm holder.

Boda Boda Riders To Get 100,000 Electric Motor Bikes

By

John Mutiso

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July 5, 2023

KCB has partnered with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to roll out a programme that will see 100,000 riders benefit from electric motorbikes over the next 6 years.

This is expected to create over 150,000 new green jobs in the boda-boda sector.

The Bank will provide green affordable loans to the riders to acquire electric bikes and tuktuks through local electric motorbikes sellers.

The project was commissioned by the Cabinet Secretary, Roads and Transport Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen in Nairobi and has been rolled out in Machakos county with a plan to extend it to all counties through the period.

The move is in line with KCB Group’s commitment to enhance sustainable finance, consequently accelerating the transition to a low-carbon resilient economy. Currently, the Group has set a target of transitioning 25% of its total loan portfolio to green investments by 2025, as part of its Net Zero ambition.

KCB Group CEO Paul Russo said: “The initiative is in line with our commitment to increasing our green lending loan portfolio by working with like-minded partners to enhance green job creation and attaining the net zero ambitions.”

“We seek to make it possible for players in the transport sector to acquire electric motorbikes at an affordable rate and earn a living. At the same time, the boda-boda riders play a key role in reducing carbon emissions in the environment, which is part of our long-term plans to conserve the environment,” Russo said.

The programme is aligned to the government’s plans to roll out an electric vehicle public transport system that seeks to bring down the cost of transport for all stakeholders.

This is aligned to the government’s economic transformation agenda and climate action, which is also expected to reduce the country’s carbon emissions.

Cabinet Secretary, Roads and Transport Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen said “The government has prioritized the adoption of e-mobility, to achieve a number of targets. There is a need to reduce carbon emissions by 32% by 2030. In 2022 emissions in the transport sector were estimated to be 1.26 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.”

“The adoption of electric motorbikes by boda-boda riders will help the country to achieve this target given that 1CE motorcycle emits more carbon than two saloon cars” added Murkomen.

Over 60 youth boda-boda riders drawn from across Nairobi were the first recipients of the electric boda-bodas today, following comprehensive training on electric bikes, the rule of law, customer service and mastering conflict resolution. The youth will also get training in Business Development and Entrepreneurship.

To qualify for the loan, the youth participants are obligated to undergo a mandatory training covering technical skills training, capital and business management, safety and peace building under KCB Foundation’s 2jiajiri youth programme. This is to enable them to qualify for green loans from KCB micro bankers.

The transport sector is the second highest contributor of GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the country and has been identified as a focus sector in Kenya’s enhanced National Determine Contribution (NDC) commitments and National Climate Change Action Plan.

KCB launched 2jiajiri in 2016, a programme that seeks to formalize the informal sector and skill for self-employment targeting the youth and small businesses. It focuses on growing youth micro-businesses in the informal sector, bringing them to a place where they can employ others.

Since its inception, 20,736 youth have received skills training and the bank has disbursed over KShs. 246 million loans to the youth as capital and asset financing, which has resulted in 64,380 jobs being directly created. A total of 3,402 small businesses are under incubation within the business development phase of the programme.

Woman Accused Of Impersonating KFS Officer, Falsely Obtaining Ksh. 600K Charged

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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July 5, 2023

Woman in Court for impersonating a Kenya Forestry Service (KFS) officer and obtaining money by fraudulently pretending to be having some open slots at the KFS.

Margret Warigia while posing as a Kenya Forestry Service officer, is said to have fraudulently obtained Ksh 600,000 from Magret Munde Ngambwa by falsely pretending she would employ her son at the KFS.

According to the charge sheet, the accused approached Magret on March 8, 2023, at Upper Hill in Nairobi County in the company of another woman with a sweet deal of helping her son join Kenya Forestry Service.

She is said to have posed as a high-ranking officer in KFS and convinced Magret that indeed her son would get a job in the disciplined force.

She however demanded a bribe of Ksh 600,000 which she claimed she would share equally with her superiors to ensure the recruitment process proceeds uninterrupted and the son secures the job.

Convinced that the deal was a prayer answered, Magret proceeded to call her family members and friends to help her raise the ‘fee’.

However, the suspect disappeared in thin air after receiving the money forcing Magret to involve the police in a deal that was supposed to be kept far from the Authorities.

Appearing before Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina, the accused denied the charges and was released on a cash bail of Ksh 200,000.

Fight For Nyachae’s Billions Rages On As Court Defers Case

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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July 5, 2023

The High Court has deferred the hearing of Simeon Nyachae’s case, in which a woman has challenged his will and is demanding a piece of his Sh2 billion fortune.

Margaret Chewya, a US-based woman, sued the Nyachae family for excluding her from the inheritance, claiming she was a wife and had three children for him.

Lawyers Danstan Omari and George Muchiri, representing the US and Kenyan families, respectively, did not object to the adjournment but urged the court for a near hearing date.

Charles Nyachae and Margaret’s son Roney Chweya, who claims to be a son, appeared in court today.

Leon Nyachae, one of the Nyachaes’ sons, presented a private investigator’s report in court last week, claiming Margaret had four husbands.

The report had names of all the alleged men she was married to and some even claimed that they had children with her.

All these were in a bid to show the court that the woman who is laying a claim to their father’s wealth was not to be trusted and believed.

The family has asked the court to dismiss her application saying she was never a wife and should not be recognized as one.

Margaret, on the other hand, refuted the claims that she was married to four other men, saying that she was only wedded to Nyachae.

She claimed to be Nyachae’s fourth wife, and that he had even paid dowry for her. She also stated that she was willing to take a lie-detector test to back up her allegations.

She claims that Nyachae paid her dowry to her late uncle in 1970 and that all three of her children who are older than Leon are his children.

She has requested that the court order a DNA test on all three children to determine and confirm the claims.

Omtatah Wants EPRA Boss Jailed Over Fuel Prices

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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July 5, 2023

Okiya Omtatah has asked Court to Jail EPRA boss for six months for increasing fuel prices.

The Senator has informed Court that he begged the boss on WhatsApp not to violate the court orders by altering the prices but none of his pleas was admitted.

Senator Omtatah now wants EPRA Managing Director, David Bargoria committed to a six-month civil jail term, for failing to comply with a court order stopping him from effecting new pump prices after the Judiciary suspended the contentious Finance bill of 2023.

Omtatah wants Bargoria arrested and sentenced for failing to comply with a court order issued on 30th June by Justice Mugure Thande which suspended the implementation of Ruto’s Finance Act, until a case he had filed is heard and determined.

Further, Omtata accused the EPRA boss of ignoring the court order despite being physically served on WhatsApp and email with the same on Monday, 3rd July. Omtatah says he texted Bargoria on WhatsApp begging him not to defy court orders.

“By WhatsApp and by email (info@epra.go.ke), on the same day, the 1st Petitioner also served the orders on Mr. Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, the Managing Director of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), and even engaged him on a WhatsApp chat over the same, pleading with him not to disobey them. During the chat, the 1st Petitioner used his mobile phone number. By email, the 1st Petitioner, Okiya Omtatah Okoiti, served an electronic copy of the orders on all respondents and interested parties immediately they were issued,” stated Omtatah.

The senator has accused Bargoria of criminal contempt saying that his application is extremely urgent.

The Busia Senator added that it was a matter of public record that (EPRA), has hiked the prices of petroleum products in contemptuous defiance of the conservatory orders issued by Judge Thande

He further wants the Cabinet Secretary for Treasury, the AG and the speaker of the National Assembly denied audience in Court until and unless they purge the contempt by ensuring that Bargoria complies fully with the valid orders issued, by reverting the fuel pump prices to where they were when the Court Orders were made.

High Court Judge Thande directed the implementation of the law to be put on hold, slamming the breaks Ruto’s plan to raise additional funds through new taxes.

Omtatah had challenged the legality of the Bill, saying that it contravened the law since it was being led by the President.

Leicester City Fined For UK Anti-Competitive Arrangement With JD Sports

By

John Mutiso

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July 5, 2023

Britain’s competition regulator fined Leicester City on Wednesday after it found that the football club and retailer JD Sports JD.L colluded to restrict competition in the sales of branded sports kit, including replica shirts.

The Competition and Markets Authority said the club, which was relegated from the Premier League in May, would be fined up to 880 000 pounds ($1.12 million).

“We have provisionally found that Leicester City FC and JD Sports colluded to share out markets and fix prices – with the result that fans may have ended up paying more than they would otherwise have done,” the CMA said of the club which won the Premier League in the 2015-16 season.

JD Sports said in a separate statement that it had notified the regulator of the football club’s conduct in 2021, which allowed the major sports retailer to gain immunity from the CMA against any fines.

The retailer added none of its current or former directors or senior management were involved in the offence, which took place in 2018-2021, and it had co-operated fully with the probe.

Coaching Great Ancelotti Takes On Brazil Challenge

By

John Mutiso

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July 5, 2023

Real Madrid’s Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to become the first foreigner in almost 60 years to coach Brazil’s national team the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Tuesday.

Ancelotti, 64, has a season remaining on his contract with Real, which he has said he would like to honour, and will take over Brazil in time for the Copa America, in the United States from June 2024.

The Brazilian federation had announced earlier Fluminense’s Fernando Diniz would take charge of the team for the coming year.

“This guy (Diniz) is a coach who has a nice style of play,” Ednaldo Rodriguez president of the CBF told CNN Brazil.

“His style is similar to the coach who will assume the role at the Copa America, Ancelotti.”

The prize football-mad Brazil will want one of the most successful coaches in European football to deliver is a sixth World Cup trophy in 2026. It would be the first since 2002.

The 2022 edition was especially galling for the Brazilians as they exited in the quarterfinals, beaten by Croatia, and their bitter continental rivals Argentina lifted the trophy.

Tite brought down the curtain on his six years in charge following their elimination.

‘DECENT PERSON’

Ancelotti’s agreement to take over Brazil comes after months of negotiations with Rodrigues, who had the Italian at the top of the list.

Ancelotti had said the Real job would be his last after almost 30 years as a coach, but one of the most glamorous and challenging jobs in football brought a change of mind.

Brazilian hierarchy said they were attracted not only by Ancelotti’s record of winning trophies but also by his laid-back character and ability to develop close relations with the players.

“We went after him not only due to his record, but also because he is a decent person,” Rodrigues told beIN Sports recently.

“Those who have worked with him say that he is open, cultured, and he appreciates Brazilian football.”

One moment his love of Brazilian football was put on hold was when he was assistant coach to Arrigo Sacchi as Italy lost to Brazil on penalties in the 1994 World Cup final.

With Brazil, Ancelotti will have some familiar faces from Real Madrid.

Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Eder Militao have been key players in his latest spell with Real which has resulted in six trophies.

“He is the best coach in the world,” said Vinicius, who has developed under Ancelotti and formed a close bond with the coach who supported the 22-year-old Brazilian when he was the target of racist abuse last season.

Ancelotti will be the fourth non-Brazilian to coach Brazil. The last was Argentine Filpo Nunez who was in charge for one game in 1965.

Ancelotti has won the Champions League twice with both AC Milan and Real Madrid.

He has won domestic league titles with Real and Milan, in England with Chelsea, in Germany with Bayern Munich and in France with Paris Saint-Germain.

Ramon Menezes has been in charge of the Brazil team since Tite stood down on a caretaker basis but will now hand over to Diniz.

“Fernando Diniz will lead the Brazilian team for a year, and I’m sure he will do it with great competence, as always during his professional career,” said Rodrigues in a video statement.

Diniz, 49, will be in charge of the first six South American qualifying games for the 2026 World Cup this year, including the clashes with world champions Argentina and Uruguay.

“It is a dream, an honour and a huge pride to serve the national team,” Diniz said.

Brazil will start their qualifying campaign in September at home against Bolivia and then away against Peru.

Man Utd Seal Swoop For Chelsea Midfielder Mount

By

John Mutiso

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July 5, 2023

Manchester United signed England midfielder Mason Mount from Chelsea for a reported fee of £55 million ($70 million) on Wednesday.

Mount, who agreed a five-year contract, said he “can’t wait to be part of this group’s drive to win major trophies” at Old Trafford.

The 24-year-old graduated from Chelsea’s youth academy and made 129 Premier League appearances, scoring 27 goals.

“It’s never easy leaving the club where you grew up, but Manchester United will provide an exciting new challenge for the next phase of my career,” Mount said.

“Having competed against them, I know just how strong a squad it is that I’m joining, and I can’t wait to be part of this group’s drive to win major trophies.”

Somali Forces Assume Control of Regions Previously Occupied by AU Troops

By

John Mutiso

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July 5, 2023

Somali ministry of Defence says its forces have assumed security responsibilities in five of six sectors formerly under the control of the African Union (AU) troops.

The army said it appreciated the “sacrifices” made over the years by the AU mission and the countries which had contributed soldiers – Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.

The statement is coming following the withdrawal of 2,000 AU troops expected to have departed by 30 June.

The Lower Shabelle region operated by the Burundian contingent of the mission are now under the full control of the Somalian army.

Although the entire force is due to be out of Somalia by the close of 2024, another batch of 3,000 AU soldiers is expected to leave by the end of September 2023.

Last week, Lt Col Steven Kashagama expressed confidence in the Somali National Army to secure the population and defend the area against Al-Shabaab terrorists.

“We are handing over the security responsibility for Albao and the neighbouring areas to the Somali security forces. For the time I have been with them, they have shown charisma, energy and resilience. I have no doubt they are ready to secure the population,” he said.

ATMIS Military Chief of Operations Officer, Col. Milton Katarinyeba, who was in Cadale, appealed to the Somali security forces to protect the community from Al-Shabaab attacks.

The AU has been assisting the fragile Somali government fight the al-Shabab terrorist group since 2007.

Fifty Bodies Unclaimed Weeks After India Crash

By

John Mutiso

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July 5, 2023

More than 50 bodies remain unclaimed a month after a deadly train crash killed at least 293 people in India.

The accident took place on 2 June in the eastern state of Odisha when a passenger train hit a stationary goods train and derailed on to an adjacent track.

Some of the overturned coaches were then hit by another passing train.

More than 1,000 people were injured in the crash, India’s deadliest rail accident this century.

The accident site has since been restored, but many families say that they’re unable to find closure as they’re still searching for the bodies of their loved ones.

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