Love Match At Wimbledon For Power Couple Tsitsipas And Badosa

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July 4, 2023

Move over Posh and Becks, forget “Brangelina” or “Kimye”, there’s a new power couple in town in the shape of Wimbledon lovebirds Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa.

Only romantically involved since May, Greek world number five Tsitsipas and Spain’s New York-born Badosa, who has been as high as number two in the rankings, are very much a modern couple.

They already have a joint Instagram account blending their names into one — “Tsitsidosa”.

“Best friends and soulmates. Nothing less; nothing more,” purrs its tagline.

Boasting almost 57,000 followers, the platform has showcased the couple in Dubai, splashing about in a swimming pool, training and taking selfies on Centre Court.

“0 Grand Slams in one photo, but hey, love conquers all,” they captioned one picture.

Tsitsipas recently told Greek media outlet SDNA that the relationship only started after he messaged Badosa to congratulate her on defeating Ons Jabeur in Rome.

“It was meant to happen,” the 24-year-old said. “I feel like I’m falling in love for the first time in my life. I never expected this to happen and it gives me a new perspective on life.”

All England Club spectators, shivering in the damp and cold on Tuesday, will get the chance to warm to the couple on Tuesday when they start their Wimbledon campaigns.

Tsitsipas was facing former US Open Dominic Thiem while Badosa is up against Alison Riske-Amritraj.

Golden couple

They were not the only golden couple looking to make the second round on Tuesday.

Britain’s Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur of Australia, who have been dating for two years, open their campaigns on the same Court 18.

Boulter was first up against Daria Saville before De Minaur, the world number 17, faces Kimmer Coppejans of Belgium.

Boulter and De Minaur are renting a nearby house during the championships.

“I feel like we continually both push each other,” said 26-year-old Boulter, the British number one.

“There’s a lot I’ve learned from him as a person and as a player. I’m very lucky to have an insider who knows the emotions that I go through on and off the court.

“He’s an incredible player and, as you can see from his ranking, he does it week in, week out. I’ve got a lot to learn from him. I do my best to watch what he does and emulate it.”

Britain’s Jodie Burrage also has matters of the heart on her mind after winning her first main draw match at a Slam on Monday, which put her on the brink of breaking into the top 100.

The 24-year-old has been in a relationship with Scottish rugby union international Ben White for two years and they share a home in Richmond, southwest London.

However, 25-year-old scrum-half White will be playing in France with Toulon next season after his London Irish club folded.

“He’s so excited. It’s tough because I won’t be going with him. My base is here, my training is here,” said Burrage.

“We’ve always said we’ll do what’s best for our careers. We’ve always put that first. We have a great understanding with that. That’s why we work so well.”

She added: “South of France isn’t a bad place to go and visit.”

Several Injured As ENA Coach Bus Overturns Along Nakuru-Kericho Highway

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John Mutiso

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July 4, 2023

Several passengers sustained injuries after ENA Coach bus travelling from Nairobi to Usenge overturned along the Nakuru-Kericho highway on Tuesday, July 4.

An ENA Bus Company official confirmed to a local media outlet that the injured were taken to the nearby Londiani Hospital for treatment.

“It is true the accident occurred when the bus was moving from Nairobi to Kericho. Passengers suffered minor injuries and were rushed to Londiani Hospital,” the bus stated.

Students returning to school after the midterm break were among those aboard.

Residents were assisting other emergency personnel in rescuing passengers from the bus at the time of publication.

However, the cause of the accident was not immediately determined.

The Ena bus coach accident happened just a few kilometres away from the tragic Londiani accident, which killed 52 people. The trailer’s braking system failed, according to the driver, causing the crash.

Unemployment Curse: Only 11% Of Kenyans Hold Full-time Jobs

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Cyrus Kimanga

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July 4, 2023

A poll done by market research firm Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA) has drawn a bleak image of Kenya’s job condition.

On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, TIFA presented the results of a study performed using Computer-Assisted-Telephonic-Interviews (CATI) with 1,500 respondents between June 23, 2023, and June 30, 2023.

The survey subjects focused on Kenyans’ experiences and perceptions of the condition of the economy. It also included components of the newly enacted 2023-24 Budget, including the Finance Bill, which was signed into law by the President on June 26, 2023.

In terms of employment, according to the TIFA poll, just 11% of Kenyans hold full-time occupations.

According to the research, over one-third of Kenyans (31%) who are now unemployed had never worked before.

Further, the report indicates that the great majority of Kenyans live on very low earnings, with only 3% of the working workforce earning more than Ksh50,000 per month.

12% of respondents stated they make less than Ksh5,000 per month, with the same percentage earning between Ksh5,000 and Ksh10,000.

13% of respondents stated they make Ksh10,000 to Ksh20,000 per month, whereas 10% of case study participants claimed they earn Ksh20,000 to Ksh50,000.

The survey also indicated that Kenyans save their money for a variety of reasons with the three most common being general savings/investment, unexpected/emergency needs (16%), and education costs.

DPP Drops Sh167M NYS Graft Case Against Former PS Lilian Omollo

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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July 4, 2023

Hon. Lilian Omollo is finally off the hook in a multi-million NYS scandal that saw Kenya mysteriously lose over Ksh167 million through the power of a pen of people entrusted to protect the NYS funds.

Today, Milimani anti-corruption court presided over by Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina allowed the DPP to withdraw a Ksh. 167 million shillings NYS case against former Youth and Gender PS Lillian Omollo.

Subsequently, the Court dismissed the 12 charges of abuse of office and conspiracy to commit an economic crime against Hon. Omollo.

The ODPP relied on Section 87(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code to withdraw the charges.

According to the application to have Omollo set free, all the prosecution witnesses who testified against her failed to directly or indirectly link the former PS to the fraud.

“Upon evaluation of the request by the prosecution and since the same is not opposed by Omollo, l, therefore, allow the withdrawal of the charges under Section 87 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC),” Onyina ordered.

According to court documents, the irregular payments were made long before the PS took the oath of office.

Speaker Kingi Set To Be Cross-Examined Over Finance Bill

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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July 4, 2023

Busia senator Okiya Omtatah has filed an application to cross-examine Senate Speaker Amason Kingi on his affidavit on Finance Bill 2023.

He claims that Kingi’s declaration contains speculative assertions.

“The timelines apparent in the affidavit conflict with what actually happened in terms of the consideration of the Finance Bill, 2023,” Omtatah argues.

Senator Omtatah has told the Court that cross-examination of the evidence submitted by Kingi is absolutely necessary for the proper decision of the petition, adding that a letter from the speaker does not negate the constitutional requirement for concurrence by the two Houses of Parliament on Bills, including whether they affect counties and their governments.

“Among the evidence the petitioners presented was a legally very sound letter from the Speaker of the Senate, expressing the Senate’s and his concern that the Bill had not undergone the mandatory concurrence of the two Speakers of Parliament as required by Article 110(3) of the Constitution,” reads court documents.

Omtatah contended that the letter raises the question of whether it is clandestine and exclusively at the discretion of the two Speakers, and at what point the two Houses are regarded to have consented.

Omtatah filed a lawsuit in court last Monday, and the judge temporarily halted the implementation of Finance Act 2023.

The case is set to be mentioned tomorrow for further directions.

Speaker Kingi: Court Wrong On Stopping The Finance Bill

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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July 4, 2023

The Senate Speaker, Amason Kingi, has hinted that the conservatory orders imposed by the High Court suspending the Finance Act 2023 are against the public interest.

In his affidavit, Kingi alleges that the order issued has the effect of suspending the government’s revenue-raising efforts, thereby bringing the government to a standstill.

According to the speaker, the government faces serious consequences for the money lost in uncollected taxes as a result of the suspension of the Finance Act 2023’s implementation.

“If the conservatory orders remain in effect, the impugned tax is unlikely to be recovered, and this will cause a void in the operations or governance structure that, even for a short time, is likely to have very serious consequences for the citizenry,” asserts Kingi.

He now wants the court to set aside the orders on grounds that there is no imminent danger if they are set aside.

On whether the senate was involved in the Finance Act 2023, the speaker said that in consultation with the speaker of the National Assembly, they resolved that the Bill does not concern county governments and is therefore considered only in the National Assembly in accordance with the constitution.

He is accusing Okiya Omtatah and other petitioners for obtaining a letter improperly and producing it in court as evidence.

CS Murkomen Orders Mandatory Installation Of Dashboard Cameras On All Matatus, School buses

By

John Mutiso

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July 4, 2023

Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has released a set of regulations proposed by his ministry to reduce the number of road accidents in the country.

Speaking during Interdenominational Prayers for Londiani Junction accident victims, Kericho County, the CS stated that all Public Service Vehicles (PSVs), as well as school buses and vans, must be equipped with dashboard cameras and vehicle telematics.

“Telematics will have a GPS system showing where a vehicle will be at any particular time, it will have a black box recorder that will be transmitting the speed of every vehicle at every time.

“It will show the location of every vehicle and show when and who maintained the vehicle. It will show where the vehicle was serviced and who serviced the vehicle,” he stated.

Murkomen stated that dashboard cameras should have a link to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) website, and that all government ministries should be able to access the service at the touch of a button where a vehicle will be. The cameras will be installed in the front and rear of the vehicle.

“All the Saccos must be enrolled in the application so that when you carry a child heading to Nairobi, the application can show where it is at any given time and the speed at which it is going, as well as details of the driver,” he stated.

Murkomen stated that the dashboard cameras will not cost more than Ksh30,000.

“If you will spend Ksh30,000 and below to fit this equiment, let it be, we will save many lives,” Murkomen asserted.

The new regulations were enacted after a truck rammed into several matatus and an open-air market in Londiani, Kericho County.

President Ruto Presides Over Swearing In Of PSs Salome Wairimu, Anne Njoki

By

John Mutiso

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July 4, 2023

New Permanent Secretaries Salome Wairimu of the State Department for Correctional Services and Anne Njoki of the State Department for Performance Management and Delivery Services were officially sworn in at a ceremony held at State House, Nairobi.

The ceremony, presided over by President William Ruto, marked the start of their respective tenures.

Wairimu will take over for Esther Ngero, who resigned from the position for personal reasons.

The two positions became available as a result of the President’s reshuffle.

Speaking during the ceremony, the President asked the two to work with their Cabinet Secretaries to deliver on the Government’s agenda.

“Kenyans expect us to deliver on our promises and make their lives better. You have the requisite knowledge to deliver on this agenda.”

He asked the State Department for Performance and Delivery Services to ensure that public servants are held to account, made more productive and remunerated accordingly.

“We must also embrace correctional best practices to empower prisoners besides preparing them for productive engagement in the country,” he said.

President Ruto urged them to ensure prudent use of public resources.

President Ruto observed that the Government is spending more resources on recurrent than the required numbers.

He said about 46 percent of the country’s spending is on salaries and wages.

“This is way above our target of 35 percent. We must work towards bringing down the figure.”

He noted that the move will ensure that the country’s development plan is not starved of funds.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Solicitor General Shadrack Mose among other leaders, were present.

TIFA: Only 3% of Kenyans Earn Monthly Salaries Of Above Ksh. 50,000

By

John Mutiso

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July 4, 2023

According to a new survey conducted by the research firm Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA), only 3% of Kenyans earn more than Ksh.50,000 per month.

The survey, which was conducted between June 23 and 30, with 1,500 respondents from across the country, found that 38% of Kenyans do not have a monthly income, while 12% earn less than Ksh.5,000.

12 percent of respondents earned between Ksh.5,000 and Ksh.10,000, while 13 percent earned between Ksh.10,000 and Ksh.20,000.

Meanwhile, 10% earn between Ksh.20,000 and Ksh.50,000 per month, while 11% are unsure.

“Even those in the two highest monthly income groupings combined Shs.20,000 and above Shs.50,000 are fewer than those earning nothing 13 vs 38. The vast majority of Kenyans thus survive on extremely modest incomes,” said the report.

In terms of Kenyan employment, nearly one-third of those who are currently unemployed (31%) have never worked, while some others (8%) have worked in the past.

Twenty-nine percent are self-employed, while fourteen percent are casual labourers or work part-time.

At the same time, 11% are employed full-time, while 4% are employed part-time. In the meantime, 1% of respondents are retired without a pension, while 1% are retired with a pension.

According to TIFA, the survey was conducted through assisted telephonic interviews.

Macron Suggests Fines For Parents Of Children Caught Rioting

By

John Mutiso

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July 4, 2023

French President Emmanuel Macron raised the idea of handing out quick-fire fines to the parents of children caught committing vandalism or robberies as part of the government’s response to days of rioting.

Of the nearly 4,000 people arrested since Friday during riots, more than 1,200 are minors, the justice ministry said.

Meeting police officers in Paris on Monday evening, Macron thanked them for their work and floated the idea of speedy punishments for parents who fail to control their children.

“With the first crime, we need to find a way of sanctioning the families financially and easily,” he said, according to comments reported by the Parisien newspaper.

The 45-year-old head of state said it would be “a sort of minimum price for the first screw up”.

At the height of the rioting last Friday, Macron had appealed to parents to control their offspring.

That followed the arrests of rioters as young as 12 during the breakdown in law and order sparked by police shooting a teenager dead in Paris.

“It’s the responsibility of parents to keep them at home,” Macron had said. “It’s not the state’s job to act in their place.”

French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti stressed the same message on Friday and outlined how parents were already legally liable for their children.

He said that parents could already be fined if they failed to accompany their children to a court appearance.

They were also financially responsible for any damages awarded to a victim of a crime committed by a child.

Under legal guidance issued by the minister, prosecutors were also reminded of article 227-17 of the penal code, which already enables fines against parents.

It authorises fines of up to 30,000 euros ($32,700) and prison terms of up to two years for parents who “fail to uphold, without a legitimate reason, their legal obligations to the extent of compromising the health, the security, the morality and the education of their child”.

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