President Uhuru Kenyatta has today announced a ban on the use of single-use plastics in protected areas in the country.
The ban announced on World Environment Day covers national parks, forests and beaches, and will become effective on 5th June 2020
The ban comes two years after Kenya banned the use, manufacture and sale of environmentally harmful plastics, polythene bags and packaging materials.
“As you are aware, Kenya is hosting to the global environment programme, and has remained a campaigner for a sustainable environment. In light of this commitment, two years ago we banned the use, manufacture and sale of environmentally harmful plastics, polythene bags and packaging materials,” the President said.
“Building on this, today we are announcing another ban on single use plastics in all our protected areas, including: National Parks, beaches, forests and conservation areas, effective 5th June 2020,” he continued.
The President made the announcement when he addressed the plenary session of the ongoing Women Deliver 2019 Conference at the Vancouver Conference Centre in Canada.
Former prime minister Raila Odinga visited ailing Dr. Joyce Laboso, whop is in london for treatment of an illness yet to be disclosed.
The goveror has been away on a 1 month medical leave and all functuions were left with her deputy governor, Hillary Barchok.
“During her four-week absence, Deputy Governor Hillary Barchok will hold brief for her. She will be assisted by the county secretary Evalyn Rono and the chief of staff Jayne Sigilai,” statement from the communication office.
Raila was accompanied by Kenya’s Special envoy to the UK, Manoah Esipisu.
It is however interesting that most leaders in public offices would rather fly out to get medical services, than trust our very own health facilities. Anyways,…
While we wish her quick recovery, it’s such a shame that she controls billions of budgeted revenue and can’t build a proper hospital befitting her sick self. What a bunch of zombies
— Moses Omolo, SPDM, CHN (@omolomoses1) June 5, 2019
BY PRUDENCE WANZA – Two civil activists have moved to court seeking to suspend the intended acquisition of National Bank of Kenya (NBK) by the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) pending hearing and determination of the case.
In a certificate of urgency, Evans Aseto and John Kiptoo want the court to suspend any deliberation or negotiation in relation to the intended acquisition of National Bank.
Through lawyer Duncan Okatch, the two want orders compelling both banks to furnish them with documents and information in respect to the intended acquisition.
Lawyer Duncan Okatch, the two want orders compelling both banks to furnish them with documents and information in respect to the intended acquisition | PRUDENCE WANZA
They further want an order to conduct independent audit of the assets of National Bank be conducted by an independent audit firm and the costs of the said audit be borne by the respondents.
The activists said the Banks have embarked on a share swap transaction that will see National Bank duly acquired by KCB.
“The share swap or transfer is irregular on the basis that the same has been conducted in contravention of the basic tenets of the constitution, in that the National Treasury and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) have up to 50 percent shareholding at National Bank making it a public entity and thus the public ought to have been involved by way of comprehensive public participation process which has not been done,” said the activists.
“Public participation in a transaction of this nature is couched in mandatory in the constitution and in its absence, the share swap/transfer is null and void,” they added.
They said to make the matter worse, both banks have not obtained authorizing order by Central Bank of Kenya and competition Authority of Kenya which is the entity mandated to oversee such transaction and subsequently grant or deny approval to such transactions after careful consideration of the effect of the same would have on competition in the market.
They said application for approval by Central Bank of Kenya and Competition Authority of Kenya would entail submissions of an extensive report on the effect of the intended acquisition such as details on the fate of the employees of National Bank once the acquisition is completed. “In absence of such a report, the fate of the employees remains uncertain as some might end up losing their jobs.”
The activists added that in the view of the fact that both banks are listed companies trading on the Nairobi Stock Exchange, KCB has since issued a notice on the intended acquisition to the Capital Markets Act, is a clear indication that the firms are hell bend on pursuing the acquisition, the glaring irregularities not withstanding.
They said they are apprehensive unless the court intervenes, the banks will proceed with the transaction which is being conducted in defiance and contravention of fundamental statutory and constitutional provisions.
“Unless this court intervenes, due to the clandestine manner in which the transaction is being conducted there is imminent risk that the acquisition of National Bank (which is a public property) by KCB will proceed unchecked and the same right lead to pilferage and laws of public funds.
They added that the National Bank books have not been audited by the Auditor general and therefore the status or financial health or value is not clear and it is hard to tell whether National Treasury is getting commensurate value for the intended swap.
The civil activists further said various attempts by public investment committee have been futile as several summons to the directors of the National Bank to appear before the committees have not been honored and it is therefore clear beyond peradventure that the banks are not willing to shed light on the intended acquisition.
“The petitioners are apprehensive that the acquisition of National Bank by KCB will occasion loss of jobs to many Kenyans under the employment of the Bank and there is high likelihood that various positions will be declared redundant,” they said.
BY UZALENDO – Details are emerging that an unknown assailant may have assaulted Agnes Saumu Sonko as she exited the Memphis Lounge.
According to an handwritten statement alleged to have been dictioned by Saumu, the lass, like other Kenyans went to the club to cheer Divock Origi of Liverpool and Harambee Stars captain as they battled for the prestigious Champions league.
And as Origi scored and lifted the trophy, some assailant followed Sonko’s daughter and tried to molest her as she left the club.
The Kwale born beauty was in the company of fellow Coastarian Anwar Loitiptip during the incident. The Senator was floored by 9 assailants…and according to the statement, had to be rescued by Saumu’s cousins.
Saumu also sustained injuries while trying to shield her alleged boyfriend from taking blows to the head.
“I covered his head to shield him from the beatings when I was also hit on the right arm sustaining injuries. Anwar sustained cuts on the head,” Saumu added.
Raising the million dollar question: where was the Senator’s security? Uzalendo News wishes the Senator and Saumu a quick recovery from the shock and Hopes that the culprits face the full force of the law.
BY PRUDENCE WANZA – The two on 22nd to 30th May at Clarence House hotel in Westlands received services worth 3.8m and failed to pay for the services.
It is alleged that they were attending conference at the hotel. The two Carolyne Muthoni and Julius Mwangi denied the charges before Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi at the Milimani Law Courts.
Carolyne was released on a cash bail of Sh. 500,000 while Julius was required by the court to pay Sh. 50,000 to the complainant and deposit a log book of his motorcycle to the court.
BY PRUDENCE WANZA – Five people have been charged of breaking into Oilibya Service Station, Juja road, and stole property Worth over 1.5 million.
Joyce Nekoye Wanjala, Nancy Waeni Mutune,Antony Mugo Stanley and Samuel Marete are charged with breaking and entering Juja service station where they stole property worth 1,530,000 million the property of Maced Limited.
They are also charged with stealing ten units of CCTV cameras worth Sh.400,00,Digital video recorder valued at Sh. 200 000, gas cylinders approximated at Sh.200,000, lubricants valued at Sh.500,000, car wash vacuum cleaner worth Sh.30,000 and fuel of an approximated value of Sh.200,000. All property stolen was valued at Sh. 1,530,000.
The are also accused that on June 7,2017 at Juja road Service Station they willfully and unlawfully damaged 5 door padlocks valued at Sh.12,500 the property of Maced Limited.
Maced Limited is said to have been in agreement with Libya Oil Kenya Limited to operate the Oilibya Juja Road Service Station and resell Oilbya products at the service station.
According to Oilbya, Maced was in breach of agreement and failed to maintain the minimum inventory levels and having unpaid cheques in respect to products delivered to Maced by Libya Oil Kenya Limited.
Thereafter Maced Limited made a criminal complaint alleging breaking and entry in to the Service Station and theft of property where three of their employees Waeni Kwainga, Anthony Muraya and Joyce wanjala as well as Libya Oil Kenya Limited employee Samuel Marete were then charged in court on August 2017.
Thereafter on 23rd January,2018 the prosecution withdrew charges against all the accused persons after a claim by the DPP that the matter is a civil one which was being dealt with the Civil Suit as referred to Arbitration.
Later on 30th May,2019 the high court ruled that the case stays as a criminal matter and be mentioned on 4th June,2019 which resulted to the accused persons being charged and taking plea today.
All the five accused persons denied the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot at the Milimani Law Courts. According to lawyer Ochieng Oduor who represented the accused persons in court,they were ready to begin trial in the case.
“Your honour the accused persons were released on Sh.100,000 cash bail each and for the sake of consistency i plead that they be released on the same since the court had not refunded the cash bail they paid ,”he said.
Cheruiyot ruled that they be released on the same cash bail of Sh.100,000 and a bond of Sh.200,000.
The case will be mentioned on 18th June,2019 and the hearing will be on 18th September,2019.
The Women Delivery Conference was officially opened today in Vancouver, Canada, by the country’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with a call to redefine power at every level.
The conference focus is on gender equality, the health rights and wellbeing of girls and women across the globe under the theme: ‘power, progress, change’, through which it seeks to inspire women to take up their position in bringing positive change in their societies.
During the opening ceremony, indigenous Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam communities led leaders in a colorful entrance procession and prayers.
President Kenyatta outlined his administration’s action plan in ensuring gender equality in Kenya is realized through the introduction of compulsory free education policy for all from primary to secondary school.
He said through this policy, which also provides basic necessities such as sanitary towels, the Government aims at ensuring that girls access quality education thereby enabling them to be as competitive as their male counterparts.
“In order to keep our girls in school, the government is also providing sanitary towels for free and this has ensured that no girl suffers stigma,” President Kenyatta said.
He further said the government is going to enact a law to make it punishable for parents who fail to take their children to school.
President Kenyatta outlined his administration’s action plan in ensuring gender equality in Kenya is realized | PSCU
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country will continue championing gender equality and ensuring that rights of all citizens are respected and protected.
“We are not powerless, it’s up to us to fight back. All of us. Women, men, gender diverse people, neighbours and allies across communities. All of us together, all of us standing strong,” said the Canadian PM.
A Zambian young leader Natasha Mwansa challenged political leaders to walk the talk by involving the youth in decision-making as concerns their welfare. She cautioned governments against enacting policies and programmes concerning the youth without their input.
“It’s about time that governments involve young people in the making of decisions not making us beneficiaries of what they feel we need as young ladies. We need action, words don’t work anymore,” the young leader said.
President Sahle-Work Zewde said her appointment to the highest public office in her country is part of the reform agenda being implemented in Ethiopia and pledged to use her influence to create more opportunities for women.
“When you are a pioneer in something, it is your duty to ensure the door remains open for others to come through,” said President Zewde.
Ghanaian President Nana Akufo Addo challenged women to actively participate in all electoral systems so as to elect more women in political leadership and governance.
“There must be enough dynamism and activism, women must keenly participate in political party processes of empowering women to be in decision making positions,” President Addo advised.
The President and CEO of Women Deliver Katja Iversen said her organization has a strong global force which needs to utilize its power to bring lasting positive impact as concerns the welfare of women and girls.
Over 8,000 delegates including world leaders, governments representatives, policy makers, influencers, advocates, academics and activists are attending this year’s conference whose agenda is to come up with programmes to accelerate progress for girls and women globally.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has said women should be given equal opportunities of authority as men as they are able to deliver in equal measure.
The President acknowledged the need for the society to create an enabling environment for women to exercise authority and enable them exploit their skills and talents in providing services to the communities they live in.
“We need to make the society understand that women are as capable as men. We have to create an enabling environment and the opportunity for them to serve,” said President Kenyatta during a high level panel discussion at the ongoing Women Deliver 2019 Conference in Vancouver, Canada.
He noted that cultural and religious barriers as well as stereotypes have continued to be an impediment to women in realizing their potential in leadership and in achieving their dreams of a better society.
President Kenyatta, who is attending the conference at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said during his first term in office he made history by appointing six women in key cabinet positions thereby empowering them to impact the Kenyan society. Two of them were subsequently elected to governor posts during the last elections.
Push for More Women in Leadership
“At the executive we have appointed women in key Cabinet positions of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Public Service and Health,” said the President.
The President who is representing the African continent at the conference said he will not relent in pushing for more women to be included in leadership positions and pledged to use his influence to push for the passage of the two third gender law in the Kenyan parliament.
“My government is keen on the involvement of women in leadership roles. We have not accomplished the implementation of the 2/3 gender rule in parliament; we will not relent we will keep pushing ,” said the President.
The President said there is no way a country can make meaningful progress by excluding the largest segment of its population.
Kenya has managed to succeed in ensuring gender equality at the executive, judiciary and the devolved units, but has not made considerable progress at the legislature.
“As a democracy we are working with opposition parties, in making this a reality, we are not yet there but the debate is ongoing,” said the President.
BY ABEDNEGO MBUA – Belgian Striker Divock Okoth Origi, 24, has confounded both friend and foe. Europe’s sensational impact squad player, Divock Okoth Origi, has proved that giving up is not an option.
After been shipped out to Germany on loan by Liverpool, to losing his place in the Belgium national team, Origi has weathered two tumultuous years in football.
But Origi believed. And coming back he did. Strongly. In his limited playtime, Origi has managed to become Liverpool’s fourth top scorer. He was introduced towards the last five minutes during the derby with Everton. He netted the winner.
While pressure was piling up on Liverpool in the first leg of the quarterfinal against Barcelona, Origi scored two goals in one of the most amazing comebacks in premiere league history.
Owing to his stellar performance, Klopp subbed Brazilian forward Firmino in Origi’s favour, just 32 minutes to the end of the game. Without a doubt the Belgian scored the late winner against Totenham to secure a 6th win for the Reds.
As a result of his hard work, Divock Origi has been recalled to the Belgium National team, and is also set to be rewarded with a new contract by Liverpool worth over 100,000 pounds a week.
“There’s an offer for a new contract on the table…. “We will see after the international games, but I think there will be talks with the club.”
President Uhuru Kenyatta today presided over the launch of new
generation currency notes for all denominations with an announcement
that the old 1000 shillings banknote will be withdrawn by October 1.
The
President presided over the rollout of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000
shillings notes that have been issued in accordance with the 2010
Constitution.
Central Bank Governor Dr Patrick Njoroge who took
the President through the profile of the new notes at Narok Stadium said
the CBK was guided by the constitution in choosing the features and
elements depicted on the banknotes as well as input from Kenyans through
an elaborate public participation programme.
“The Central Bank
of Kenya has now completed the process of producing the New Generation
banknotes, in accordance with the Constitution and all applicable laws. I
confirm that the New Generation banknotes were issued yesterday, May
31, 2019, by a Gazette Notice. They are now legal tender,” Dr Njoroge
said.
The Governor announced that the old 1000 shillings banknote
will be withdrawn by October 1 to deal with illicit financial
activities including reported cases of currency counterfeiting.
“We
have assessed the grave concern that our large banknotes—particularly
the older one thousand shillings series—are being used for illicit
financial flows in Kenya and also other countries in the region,” the
Governor said.
He said the issues concerning the 1000 shillings
note raised grave concerns that would jeopardize proper transactions and
the conduct of commerce in Kenyan currency.
“By a Gazette Notice
dated May 31, 2019, all persons have until October 1, 2019, to exchange
those notes, after which the older one thousand shillings banknotes
will cease to be legal tender. More details about this will be
provided,” the Governor said.
All the other new banknotes except the 1000 will circulate alongside those previously issued but not withdrawn.
The
launch of the new notes, witnessed by Deputy President Dr William Ruto,
was conducted immediately after President Kenyatta read his speech to
the Nation during celebrations to mark the 56th Madaraka Day.
“The
launch of the New Generation banknotes at the Madaraka Day celebrations
underscores that the history of the Central Bank is intertwined with
the history of our country,” Dr Njoroge noted.
The new banknotes
bear significant aspects of the Kenyan nation and will serve as a means
of passing knowledge, conserving culture and promoting the country’s
global uniqueness, the CBK boss said.
All banknotes bear the
image of Kenyatta International Conference Centre, one of the most
iconic and recognisable landmarks in Kenya.
The banknotes also
embody each of the big five; nyati, chui, kifaru, simba, and ndovu. Each
banknote has a unique theme to showcase the richness of the people and
nature in Kenya.
The fifty shillings notes showcase green energy, one hundred shillings (Agriculture), two hundred shillings (social services), five hundred shillings (tourism) and one thousand shillings has the governance theme.
“These are the drivers of a Newly Reborn and Prosperous Kenya,” said Dr Njoroge
The new banknotes bear features that make them more accessible to the visually impaired members of the society.
Governor
Njoroge said that in coming days, CBK will roll out an awareness
campaign to educate the public on the features of the new banknotes.
