Migori Governor, Hon. Okoth Obado, was, today, freed on a KSh. 5M bail with 2 sureties of similar amount. But, the High Court denied his 2 co-accused bail, saying the prosecution produced enough evidence to deny them bail, though they have the right to appeal.
TOUGH CONDITIONS FOR OBADO
High Court Judge, Justice Jessie Lessit, ordered Obado; to deposit travel documents in court, not to visit the late Sharon Otieno’s murder scene or discuss the incidence on media or political rallies, not to skip any court session and not communicate with the deceased’s family.
The Prosecution has lined up 30 witnesses to testify in the case. Pre-trial conference is set for 14.2.2019, with murder trial hearing set to run from 6th to 17th, May, 2019.
Today aerial surveillance over Mount Kenya was undertaken and heavy rains were observed on the Southern side of the Mountain covering Castle forest in Kirinyaga thus
effectively putting off fires at this part of the forest. Fire is still very active in Chogoria
heading towards North West. Fire fighting teams were observed employing ‘back firing tactics in spirited efforts to contain the fire.
Forest fires in Ndaragwa, at Kamiruri area have successfully been suppressed by KFS and Community Forest Association (CFA)
teams.
In Geta forest, fire is still active at Sofia area at the steep gradients. Close to one hundred members of the CFA and KFS staff are still at the site fighting the fire.
The Shamata/Satima forest fire is still very active and burning towards Central moorlands of Aberdare. Monitoring of the fires is closely being done with the National and County Administrators. Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment and Forestry
Keriako Tobiko, has spoken about the need to allocate adequate resources to deal with
forest fires which are an annual occurrence. He was speaking at the Wangari Maathai
Day held at City Park today.
Elsewhere in North Rift Conservancy, fire was spotted in Chororget private farms along Kerio valley escarpment approximately over 10 kilometers from Penon Forest station with the wind blowing smoke to Penon forest. Residents who intend to burn any
vegetation in any areas adjacent to the forest have been warned that they need to give forty eight (48) hour’s written notice to the nearest Kenya Forest Service Office
Elias Njeru
HEAD, PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
@Environment Ke
Ministry of Environment&Forestry
The move to deduct 1.5% of gross salary of teachers and civil servants to finance the housing scheme is just but another oppression on the already overtaxed Kenyan teachers and civil servants of this country. Its totally unfair to hurt employees so as to advance political interests. It’s more strange that the scheme is only getting support from the government, no other Kenyan is supporting it but the government seems determined to push it through. This leads to the big question, who is the likely beneficiary of this scheme, is it the teacher or the ordinary Kenyan civil servant? The answer seems to be a big No.
In a country where plundering of public resources seems fashionable, corruption celebrated and rewarded, the 1.5% deduction is another opportunity for some people to smile all the way to the bank while the Kenyan teacher and civil servants who will be bank rolling the scheme cry all the way from the bank.
Kenya has more than enough money to finance the housing scheme without hurting and demoralizing the hardworking teachers and civil servants by adding another deduction and an obvious pathway yo more plunder of resources on our already overwhelmed payslips. A country where billions are looted almost everyday from almost every sector doesn’t need to overtax its citizenry to finance projects, all it needs is to seal corruption loopholes and save the billions which can then finance these ambitious projects.
Another question that begs for serious answers is, how will the units be distributed to these workers? What happens to the many workers who already have their own houses?
It’s time the leadership of this country listened to the teachers and other workers. Forcing unpopular deductions on our payslips without commensurate salary increments is unacceptable. A time has come for the Kenyan worker to be in solidarity with each other and make one voice in unison by saying NO to this housing deduction, that time is now.
By Laban Bosire.
(The Writer is the Current Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Chairman, Kisii County.)
The High Court in Arusha, Tanzania, has sentence flamboyant businessman and political activist Don Bosco Gichana to five years imprisonment and to pay a fine of 300million Tanzanian Shillings, equivalent to Kshs. 15 million.
Mr. Don Bosco who has been in custody in Tanzania since 2013, will now only have to pay the fine as he has already served the 5 years sentence. He has been on trial for conspiracy and money laundering, offences to which he pleaded guilty, last week.
Last Thursday, the prosecution led by principal state attorneys Oshwald Tibabyekomya and Hashima Ngole read out the charges to Gichana who pleaded guilty to all the counts. Gichana also admitted the four exhibits presented by the prosecution, reports confirmed by the Tanzanian media.
He was accused that between 2008 and 2010 he filed false tax returns electronically to the US State Department of Treasury internal revenue service using different names of Dale Houston, Herbert Breneman and Syron Hess among others.
Gichana was first arrested on March 29, 2013, at the Namanga border point on his way back to Kenya after visiting his business partner, a Mr. Mwale, at the Arusha Central Prison.
There have been concerted efforts by H.E Raila Odinga and H.E Kalonzo Musyoka, among other luminaries, have been probing for the release of Don Bosco Gichana.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Noordin Haji, has instructed the police to arrest vibrant Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu aka ‘Baba Yao’ over alleged embezzlement of Ksh. 588million public funds. Waititu is to arrested alongside his wife Susan Wangari Ndung’u
The DPP said he is satisfied with evidence against Waititu and 12 other suspects linked to irregular procurement for upgrading several roads in Kiambu County.
“I find that the award of the contract for Ksh.588,198,328.20 in respect to tender No.CGK/RTPW&U/142/2017-2018- for the upgrading of various gravel roads to Bitumen surface in Thika, Limuru, Gatundu North, Juja and Ruiru sub-counties was skewed in favour of M/s Testimony Enterprises Ltd, and the county government officials were culpable. The directors of M/s Testimony Enterprises Ltd were close associates of Ferdinand Ndung’u Waititu Babayao, the Governor of Kiambu County. The total amount of Ksh.147,274,055.39 have so far been irregularly paid to Testimony Enterprises Ltd in relation to the subject tender,” reads the DPP’s statement.
Waititu and his co-accused are facing charges that include: conflict of interest, dealing with suspect property, fraudulent acquisition of public property, money laundering abuse of office, wilful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement and engaging in fraudulent practice.
The seemingly controversial Governor; Waititu, defeated William Kabogo to clinch the Kiambu Gubernatorial seat in the last General election.
Nairobi County Governor, Honourable Mike Sonko, has recorded a massive positive improvement in the the latest County Governments’ Performance rating by TIFA research limited. The survey that was conducted between 17th October 2018 and 5th November 2018 shows that the Nairobi County Governor was rated the most improved Governor with a C grade from D+; that he scored in the previous survey; in May 2018. Nairobi residents gave a green light to the Governors improvements in the Central Business District (CBD) painting, street lighting, according to latest poll by the research firm.
Nairobi County Governor, Mike sonko, records positive performance index in latest research
The study that focused on Service Delivery in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Kiambu counties, places Kisumu Governor, Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o at the top spot with a rating of a C+ (plus) having an average score of 59% up from 56% in May. Mombasa Governor, Ali Hassan Joho, dropped two points to score an average of 51% down from the 53% garnered in the last survey.
Mike Mbuvi Sonko accumulated an average of 51% up from the previous score of 44%. While, Kiambu Governor, Ferdinand Waititu alias ‘Baba Yao’, scored an average of 53%. The survey’s objectives were: to assess the performance of the county governments, to establish awareness and approval of various programmes in target counties, to establish awareness and approval of the 2/3 gender rule, to establish awareness and approval of the women representative position and to establish approval of the proposed referendum.
The survey focused at such key areas as: Street Lighting, Education Bursaries, ECDE, Trade/ Business environment, Feeder Roads, Youth Polytechnic Education, Public Health Services, Market Centres, Keeping the County clean, Access to clean water and Sewerage systems.
The November 2018 County Score Board- Kisumu County Governor, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, leads with a C+
Mombasa governor, Ali Hassan Joho, was given a thumps up for street lighting (63% rating), Education (56%) and Early Childhood Development Education ,ECDE, (55%). He was lowly rated in Sewerage Systems with 37% rating.
Kisumu governor, Anyang’ Nyong’o, scored high ratings Keeping the County Clean (65%), Street Lighting (64%) and Early Childhood Development Education ,ECDE, (62%). He performed dismally in Sewerage Systems where he scored 47%. On the other hand, Kiambu governor, Ferdinand Waititu, scored 59%, %9% and 57% for Street lighting, Keeping the County clean and Education bursaries respectively. Waititu was disapproved, though, for poor Public Health services in Kiambu County with respondents giving him a rating of 47%.
Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA) is an African based full market research company offering market, social and sports research.
Do you agree with these findings? What are your views? Please give your comments below.
Facial recognition cameras mounted in Mombasa will greatly boost security of the city and it’s environs.
President Uhuru Kenyatta who visited the National Police Service, NPS, Stand in Mombasa International Show expressed satisfaction over the effectiveness of the facial recognition surveillance cameras currently in operation in Mombasa and Nairobi Communication Command and Control centres.
There are over 300 surveillance cameras in Mombasa alone while over 1800 Cameras are mounted in Nairobi City and it’s environs.
Since installation, the surveillance cameras have assisted in identifying criminals for prosecution while a number of stolen vehicles have been recovered courtesy of the number plate recognition surveillance cameras in the two cities.
The NPS has upgraded its Integrated Command and Control system covering Nairobi and Mombasa, to incorporate Facial Recognition capability. The technology was installed in partnership with a Japanese electronics company and will help in fast and accurate identification of suspects.
The National Police Service have identified suspected accomplices in the abduction of Sylvia Constanca, a volunteer at Milele Africa; a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) that is based in Chakama, Kilifi County. The attack which occurred on 20th November, 2018, also left 5 locals injured. Read more details here: Armed Gang attacks Chakama village injures 5 and abducts young Italian Lady
“We have established that the following persons whose images are attached could have been involved in the commission of the crime. They are Ibrahim Adan Omar, Yusuf Kuno Adan and Said Adan Abdi,” reads a statement from the Inspector General of Police, Joseph K.Boinnet, released to the media today (Saturday 24th November, 2018)
Boinnet says the police have placed a Kshs. 1 million tag for any leads to the arrests of the suspects. “We consequently appeal to the public to inform the nearest police officer or police station, should they see any of the three persons for further action. A cash reward of Sh. one million will be offered to anyone with information leading to the arrest of the suspects,” Boinnet says.
After carrying out thorough investigations, the police say they ‘have also established that the two motorbikes that were found by (police) officers tracking the suspects are suspected to have been used as the gate away conveyance.’
The police have detailed the course of ownership of the motorbikes. “The motorbikes were originally assembled by Auto Industries Ltd (Limited) in Nairobi, who then sold them to Malindi Coast Motorcycles of Jamhuri Road in Malindi. The motorcycles were then sold to one Moses Suleiman Mbogo of ID No. 21524176, and one Joseph Bukuna Kazungu of ID No. 21498255,” IG Boinnet reports.
The police are now calling on Moses Suleiman Mbogo and Joseph Bukuna Kazungu to present themselves to the nearest police station immediately to record statements on the motorbikes. The police asks members of the public to promptly transfer ownership of motorcycles or motor vehicles once purchased within the stipulated time. This is avoid future inconveniences in case the motorbikes or motor vehicles are used to facilitate crimes.
IG Boinnet says the police officers deployed to search for the Italian lady are doing all they can to rescue her and also nab the abductors.
Above, Photos of the wanted suspects in relation to Chakama Trading centre attack and abduction of Italian volunteer Sylvia Constanca in Chakama, Kilifi County.
The Kenya Revenue Authority, KRA, has put a raft of measures to fight against corruption. The measures saw the tax man to record an enhanced revenue collection from Kshs. 1.365 trillion in the 2016-2017 financial year to Kshs. 1.435 Trillion in the 2017-2018 financial year. This is one of the many successes that KRA has recorded this year. Increased compliance by Taxpayers , Improved service Delivery and Reduced face-to-face contact between KRA staff and taxpayers are other successes that the Tax Man takes pride in.
To fight corruption, KRA has embraced Information and Communication Technology, ICT ,and other innovations to fight corruption. These innovations are: Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS); Automation of registration, filing and payment of taxes through the iTax Platform; Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS); Installation of command center’s in Mombasa and Nairobi (iScan); Installation of smart gates at the port of Mombasa; Customer Relationship Management System to enhance customer experience and service delivery (iCare) and activation of Gap Analysis on iTax to detect mismatch of invoices.
The Kenya National Examinations Council, KNEC, should invest in the people who make the examinations work and stop depending on voluntary service. The Deputy principals have been authorized to be in school during the entire examination period, the science teachers are expected in schools a day before the practical examinations and during the examinations to ensure everything is in place.
The chemistry teachers are expected to go a step further by doing the practical to get school values required for marking of the centres papers. The Agriculture, music, home science and computer teachers take the students through projects which run through several months. It’s worth noting that all these professionals play these roles without any contract with KNEC as if their roles do not matter; yet it’s these roles which make it possible for the examination to be deemed complete and effective.
All KNEC does is wait for the slightest of errors to punish these professionals without any regard as to how they are facilitated to enable them perform these tasks. It’s time KNEC invests in the examinations by compensating these professionals who invest time and resources in making the examinations a success.
By Mr. Laban Bosire Ouko.
(The Writer is an ardent defender of the teachers’ welfare and a vibrant unionist. He is currently the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, KUPPET, Chairman- Kisii County).
