Denis Ireri, a former Vehicle inspector at the National Transport and Safety Authority concludes that former Nyeri Governor’s driver did not apply any brakes in the fatal crash near Thika.
While testifying during the inquest to the death of the governor, Mr. Ireri said that as per his observation, no skid marks were spotted on the road.
He also established that the braking system was working perfectly, and saw no reason as to why the brakes were not deployed.
The Mercedes vehicle at the scene of the accident had flattened 5 posts and bent 3 of them, implying that it was travelling at a high velocity and did not apply any brakes.
On the issue of airbag deployment, Mr. Ireri claimed that contrary to earlier testimonies, the airbags deployed normally.
The witness, while explaining why the airbag was not spotted in the photos, said the airbag could have been removed by the rescuers who removed Mr Gakuru from the wreckage.
The inquest will proceed on Thursday, October 3.
Gakuru Inquest: Nyeri governor’s driver did not apply brakes in the fatal crash — Witness claims
Key Dusit D2 attack suspect arrested, Kenya Police confirms
A terror suspect linked to the dreaded Dusit D2 attack in Nairobi, has finally been apprehended by Authorities.
After tracking his movements since September, Mr Fawaz Ahmed Hamdun was fushed out of his house in Majengo estate, Mombasa.
He is wanted for facilitating the stealth and aonymous movements of Mahir Riziki, the suicide bomber who blew himself up in the Dusit D2 attack.
He is also wanted by authorities for running the Ramadhan Kufungwa cell, a radicalization group that recruits Alshabab militants at the Kenyan Coast.
Digital Taxi Buses blacklisted, NTSA revokes licenses over non-compliance
Digital taxi buses have been on the rise in Kenya, with many preferring them over matatus due to their formal, clean and organized fashion.
But the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) are not having it.
Following the clamp down of a majority of buses belonging to the Little Cab and SWVL digital taxi companies, NTSA has moved to revoke the lincenses of the companies, accusing them of operating with negligence of the Public Service Transport laws.
“The vehicles under these hailing app companies have acquired Tours Service License (TSL) but are engaging in commuter service within Nairobi therefore contravening the terms of the Tour Service License (TSL),” read the statement.
The NTSA moved to blacklist their Tour Servce Lincenses, stating that the breach was undermining their Tours lincense.
However it has been said that NTSA has tried to reach out to the two companies to dicuss a way forward on the matter.
This has however taken Kenyans aback, claiming that the ‘Matatu cartels are working against change in the system’.
This government regulating bodies, especially NTSA, KRA should stop this combatant approach and assist businesses to comply with the regulations instead of dragging them to the ground. Its backward! @SwvlKenya @ntsa_kenya @KRACare
@ntsa_kenya Why would you chase away clean buses that operate smoothly and in a timely professional fashion?
Little Shuttle and Swvl are just elite matatus. The traffic act requires them to be licenced as PSVs and to meet set requirements including having drivers and conductors on a set salary. You can scream all you want but they can’t circumvent this by licensing as tour operators!
Outlawed Alshabab claims US Millitary base attack in Somalia
Outlawed militant group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility of a terrorist attack on one of the United States military bases in Somalia.
In a statement, Al-Shabaab said: “In the early hours of Monday morning, an elite unit of soldiers… launched a daring raid on the US military base” in Baledogle.
“After breaching the perimetres of the heavily fortified base, the Mujahideen (holy fighters) stormed the military complex, engaging the crusaders in an intense firefight.”
The Baledogle base was attacked by the millitants who launched explosives at the facility and engaged the forces on duty in a fierce gunfight.
According to reports, the Baledogle base is a key site for America’s drone operations in Somalia that have mainly targeted the outlawed alshabaab.
The number of casualties is yet to be known.
Trade CS Munya directs Kenya Farmers Association to be placed under Caretaker board
BY FAITH MUTETE – Today the cabinet secretary for industry, trade and cooperatives Hon.Peter Munya held a press release at NSSF building concerning the current status and reforms to be implemented In the Kenya farmers association limited.
This comes following a directive from the president for the CS to take over operations in kfa that has been dormant and is in the verge of collapsing.
At its peak KFA was responsible for providing affordable farm inputs to farmers ,creating economies of scale, organizing marketing and provision of affordable credit to farmers ,but for the longest time it has been unable to perform its duties.
The institution is highly indebted to financial institutions, has not audited its financial statements and despite there being a former board the board has failed in its responsibilities.
Due to these failures the cs has come up with reforms geared to rising KFA which include
- Dissolving of the former board and appointing a caretaker board that will meet this week to discuss vital issues concerning KFA.
- The care taker board appointed will be in office for a period of six months and some of its responsibilities will be
- Verification of the assets and liabilities of KFA
- Supporting the government to restructure KFA
- Updating the books of accounts
- Reviewing and amending the bylaws of KFA
- Cleaning up the members register
The CS also stated that he was hopeful that KFA would soon go back to its days of glory.
Two Police officers charged in connection with the 72M G4S Theft,
BY PRUDENCE WANZA – Two Police officers have been charged in connection with the Sh.72m bank theft.
Simion Gichui Karuku,a police Constable and Carolyne Njeri Waithera,an administration police officer are accused of robbing G4S staff Ksh.74,483,000, 13 purge bins and 13 canvas bags all totalling to Ksh.75,947,350.
The two who are alleged to used actual violence while stealing,face other counts of conspiracy to commit a felony and malicious damage to property.
They are accused of willfully and unlawfully destroying 36 cassettes and 11 purge bins worth over Sh. 1.2m at Thogoto forest in Kiambu county on September 5. The police officers are alleged to have conspired together with other people to carry out the theft.
The two denied the charges before chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku at the Milimani law courts.
The two will have to wait for the court to rule on how much bail they will be released on in consideration with other people who have been charged with the same offence. The case will be mentioned on 9th October.
Machakos Governor Mutua accuses Senators of witchhunt
Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua has accused the Senate of waging a political war against him.
He said a recent summon to appear before the Senate was instigated by Senator Boniface Kabaka in a bid to force the county to pay a fake bill of Ksh.366million.
In a details letter to the Senate Speaker, the Governor denied disrespecting the Senate.
Kenya set to launch Likoni channel Mega Bridge
THE Construction of a bridge across the Likoni channel is set to start after completion of funding negotiations.
The Mombasa Gate bridge will ease crossing challenges to South Coast and boost economic activity in the region.
A document on the project, prepared by the Kenya National Highways Authority says the works will be launched soon.
KeNHA says.
The project designs, according to the document, are ready and the project is in the procurement stage.
The project is estimated to cost Ksh. 111Billion. It will be funded through a loan agreement between Kenya and Japan.
“The Exchange of notes between the Embassy of Japan and the National Treasury was signed on Friday 20th September 2019 confirming that the Government of Japan will extend a loan amounting to approximately 450Million USD towards the construction of the Mombasa Gate Bridge. However, the Loan Agreement is yet to be signed.” The document says.
The iconic bridge will span across the 15.8 kilometers, crossing, complete with a project to rehabilitate and expand streets leading to the link.
The bridge is will be elevated to compensate the large ships that use the channel to enter into Kilindini Harbour.
On Sunday, a car plunged into Likoni channel from a Kenya Ferry vessel, raising concerns on the level of preparedness to the numerous disasters at the channel.
Kenya Navy divers in frantic bid to recover body at sea bed
Kenya Navy divers are frantically trying to retrieve the body of a mother and her four year old daughter at the deep sea in Likoni.
The Divers are said to have employed sophisticated equipment to access the 60 metre deep sea bed.
The car is trapped at the deep end of the channel following the 6.30pm accident on Sunday.
The lady, according to her husband John Wambua was returning home from her farm at Mswambeni when her vehicle dropped from MV Harambee and plunged to the deep sea.
Kenya Navy divers confirmed that the car wasn’t electronically located at the sea bed, 60 metres down.
The bodies are feared to be trapped there.
The car was at the tail end of the ferry and is said to have reversed into the sea under unexplained circumstances.
The rear of the ferry is normally manned by Kenya Ferry staff to ensure security of the ferry users.
The lady was identified by the husband as Amandha Wambua.
Kenya Ferry Services’ mandate is now on the spot over the accident.