Hello and welcome to the Easter edition of the Evening Brief Newsletter where Kenyans are opting out of the city for the festivities.
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Bye Nairobi
As Kenyans commenced the 4-day Easter festivities, the newsletter team embarked on a study to examine the trends in travel plans among Kenyans.
One of the key highlights that was established in the study was the high outflow from the city. This was established by studying online booking platforms of various bus companies, airlines and the Standard Guage Railway (SGR).
SGR
The Evening Brief Newsletter established that SGR trains headed to Mombasa were fully booked on Good Friday. Those visiting the website to plan for their short-term holiday at the Coast were advised to travel on Saturday.
A similar trend was also witnessed in the Sunday bookings for the Madaraka Express train leaving Mombasa at 3 pm and 10 pm.
Notably, the recent surge in the use of SGR is credited to the fare rate as they are cheaper than most buses.
For instance, Kenyans travelling in Economy class pay Ksh1,500 while a seat in most of the bus companies is being charged at Ksh2,000.
Kenyans seeking to have a first-class experience on the other hand pay Ksh4,500.
Buses
On the other hand, most buses are heading to Western Kenya. Research on online booking platforms revealed that tickets for most bus companies on Friday were completely sold out.
Key destinations for those leaving the city by bus were Kisumu, Busia and Mumias.
Kenyans travelling to the westside are being charged between Ksh1,600-Ksh1,800.
Notably, this is also a similar route to be used by Kenyans who are heading for the Safari Rally in Vasha
Airlines
Most Kenyans who prefer the skies are heading to Mombasa and Kisumu. For instance, most airlines had sold out their tickets for their trips to the lakeside city on Good Friday.
Mombasa was also favoured by some Kenyans seeking to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus on the white sandy beaches.
Kenyans who are choosing to fly are paying between Ksh8,000 and Ksh20,000 to be in the skies.
The Note: The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned of fluctuating weather patterns that will be characterised by rains and sunny intervals. Therefore, wherever you go prepare accordingly.
Guess Who?
Can you guess who said these words?
"2022 politics had become so dirty. It had reached a point, where we had lacked respect, hurling insults to Mama Ngina. I wouldn't again like the Mt Kenya community to get to that point of lacking respect for our elders. I would like to ask for forgiveness."
To find the correct answer, simply scroll down as you read this newsletter.
The Bodyguards Arrest
A senior officer attached to Parliament was arrested on Thursday owing to his alleged involvement in a robbery incident in Kapnguria.
In an Occurrence Book report, it was revealed that the officer was attached to the security detail of a nominated Senator.
As reported in the OB, the officer together with six other officers intercepted a businessman while on his way back home in Narok.
Armed with three pistols, the officers placed the businessman in handcuffs and ordered him to surrender his mobile phones.
"Two men boarded his motor vehicle and all three vehicles were driven towards Bomet via Kaprong direction. The RAV 4 driver stopped at a petrol station and one of his confiscated phones was returned to him to pay for the petrol.
In the process, he managed to disable his motor vehicle engine using the car track mobile application. It stopped on the main road prompting the occupants to flee from the scene and it was later towed to Bomet Police Station," the OB report read in part.
The victim reported to the police that the officers also forced him to surrender Ksh156,000 which he had on his phone and bank.
Police indicated that the suspects were taken to the Kericho Law Courts and were released on a bond of Ksh1 million.
Weekly Kenyans.co.ke Quiz
Do you think you are a news guru? Every week, the newsletter team brings you a 10-question quiz testing your knowledge of the top news topics for the week.
Take our quiz and test how well you understood the week's most important stories.
Here are the top five stories of the day;
NTSA suspends licenses of two saccos over non-compliance.
Haiti’s renowned gang leader, Jimmy Chérizier, alias Barbecue, warns Kenyan police and military that they will be treated as aggressors should they be deployed.
Read David Ndii's notes on how the Shilling is gaining against the dollar.
EPRA issues importation licence to the Uganda Nation Oil Company (UNOC) after months of trade woes and boardroom negotiations.
Govt Rewards 15-Year-Old Girl Who Ran 3000M Steeplechase Barefoot.
The Guess Who Answer
Correct. The answer is Rigathi Gachagua. Gachagua made the remarks on Monday during a roundtable interview.
This newsletter was written by Washington Mito and edited by Brian Muuo.
Derrick Kubasu contributed to the content.
Graphics prepared by Adongo Kyalo and Ronnie Mbugua.
