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President William Ruto has announced a three-day period of national mourning following the devastating blaze that claimed the lives of 18 students of Hillside Endarasha Academy on Friday, September 6. 

The period of mourning will commence on Monday, September 9, and conclude on Wednesday, September 11.

In a heartfelt statement issued late on Friday, President Ruto, currently in China and expected back in Kenya over the weekend, declared, "As a solemn testament to the indelible mark left upon the nation's consciousness by the spirits of the eighteen departed children, Kenya shall observe a three-day period of national mourning."

During this time, the President has mandated that the flags of Kenya and the East African Community (EAC) be flown at half-mast. This directive extends to the State House, all Kenyan diplomatic missions, public buildings, public grounds, military bases, naval vessels, and across the entire country, from dawn on Monday until sunset on Wednesday.

One of the Wooden structures at the school in Endarasha

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The victims, aged between 9 and 13 and in Grades 4 to 8, perished in a blaze that has left the nation in deep mourning.

The inferno, the details of which are still emerging, has sent shockwaves through the country. The loss of these young lives is felt acutely, as communities across Kenya grapple with the grief and loss of children whose futures were tragically extinguished.

The search for missing students continues as the government and humanitarian agencies work tirelessly to account for those affected by the catastrophic inferno at the school in Nyeri.

The blaze, which engulfed the school’s dormitory in the early hours of Friday, has raised urgent questions as families and authorities grapple with the aftermath.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has disclosed that 70 students are still unaccounted for. This figure does not necessarily indicate casualties but includes students who might have been taken home by their parents or remain lost amidst the chaos.

“We still cannot account for 70 pupils,” Gachagua stated, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding their whereabouts.

He urged parents and local residents to report any children who might have been removed from the scene during the confusion. “I am appealing to each and every parent who took their child to report to us so that we know where those children are,” he emphasised.

This plea aims to clarify whether the missing students have been safely relocated or are still untraceable.

The inferno has tragically claimed the lives of 18 boys following the confirmation that one student succumbed to injuries in hospital.

The blaze consumed the dormitory of a boarding school housing 311 students, including 156 boys, all of whom were present when the inferno erupted.

According to Gachagua, the government has managed to confirm the whereabouts of 86 students. Of these, 27 are hospitalised with injuries, and 37 have been located with their parents. Despite these efforts, the remaining 70 students’ whereabouts are still unknown, leaving families in a state of desperation and distress.

Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki has visited the site and assured that there will be “full accountability for all whose action or inaction contributed to this tremendous loss.”

The government has pledged to mobilise all available resources to support the affected families, with various ministries coordinating their response to address the crisis.

The authorities continue to work around the clock, with a comprehensive response plan in place to aid those impacted and ensure a thorough investigation into the cause of the blaze.

The president in his statement asserted, "No child should lose their life in a place that is meant to be a safe haven for education, growth, and social development."

The administration block of Hillside Boarding school where 17 pupils lost their lives.

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Kenya Power on Friday announced a nationwide power outage that left most counties across the country plunged into total darkness. 

The parastatal in a statement, noted the outage which began on Friday morning at around 9 am affected all the regions across the country except the Rift Valley.

While making the announcement, Kenya Power expressed remorse and assured Kenyans of their efforts to restore normalcy.

"Apologies for the inconvenience. We are experiencing an outage affecting several parts of the country. We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible," the parastatal announced.

"We will keep you updated on the progress and share more information on the restoration efforts as soon as possible."

Kenya Power engineers repair a collapsed pylon.

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Kenya Power

The latest incident comes hours after Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary James Wandayi expressed the ministry's commitment to reduce frequent power outages.

According to CS Wandayi, the ministry had already rolled out several strategies aimed at stemming the trend of frequent power outages.

"What I am here to say is that we have put up measures and systems that would mitigate the blackouts, but if they happen there would be a system to swiftly restore power," Wandayi promised. 

"We are also continuing to invest in the infrastructure both at the generation level and at the transmission level."

CS Wandayi's sentiments followed five days after the country recorded another outage that left most parts of Kenya in darkness.

The blackout which struck the country on Friday, August 30, left areas such as Nairobi, Voi, Murang’a, Embu, Lang’ata, Ongata Rongai, Kitale, Kericho, and Malindi in darkness.

The country's latest blackout has since raised uproar among Kenyans who faulted the new energy minister for failing to actualise his promise.

CS of Energy and Petroleum, Opiyo Wandayi at a past media briefing.

kenyans.co.ke/Opiyo Wandayi

17 pupils have been reported dead while several others are nursing serious injuries after a fire broke out at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County.

According to reports, the 17 pupils were burnt beyond recognition during the night incident when a fire engulfed a dormitory at the institution.

The injured pupils were rushed to to Nyeri Provincial General Hospital for specialized medical treatment.

National Police Service Spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed the incident, however, the cause of the fire was yet to be established by the time of publishing this article.

“We are investigating the cause and will take the necessary action,” Resila told journalists

An image of the school's administration block

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Nyeri County Police Commander Benjamin Rotich also confirmed the fatalities stating the fire broke out around midnight when most of the students were asleep.  

Reports further indicate that first responders arrived at the scene but were unable to contain the raging inferno which had spread quickly making it hard to contain.  

 Reports indicate that the students were at the dormitory when the incident occurred.

After the fire broke out, 15 of the pupils were confirmed dead at the scene while one died while being rushed to hospital. 

The school's management was also reported to have informed parents about the situation.  

The scene is currently cordoned off from the public by the police.

As of Friday morning, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Deputy Director  John Onyango and Director of Homicide Martin Nyoguto were dispatched to the school to initiate investigations into what transpired.

 It is expected they will immediately embark on investigating the cause of the fire and whether there was possible negligence that led to the pupil's deaths. 

The Kenya Red Cross is on-site to provide psychosocial support services to the pupils, teachers, and affected families and has set up a tracing desk at the school.

The aid organization has dispatched a mental health and psychological support team from Nairobi to relieve the unit from Nyeri. 

Fire razes down a 120 student capacity dormitory in Kirinyaga Boys High School

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Ugandan long-distance athlete Rebecca Cheptegei died on Thursday at the Moi Referral Hospital in Eldoret after days of battling for her life at the medical facility.

Cheptegei reportedly suffered 80 per cent burns on Sunday after she was doused in petrol by her estranged boyfriend who also sustained burns during the incident.

According to the Trans Nzoia Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Koisiom, the deceased's boyfriend bought a jerrican of petrol and poured it on her before setting Cheptegei ablaze. 

The area chief while detailing the occurrence revealed he heard the two fighting over the ownership of a piece of land where their house was built, a situation locals believed preceded the tragic incident.

Rebecca Cheptegei running during a past marathon

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UAF

While addressing the matter, Cheptegei's parents claimed the athlete bought the piece of land as she wished to be near the athletes' training centre.

Earlier this week, Uganda's Athletics Federation released a statement condemning the incident. In its statement, the federation confirmed the athlete sustained serious injuries.

"We regret to announce that our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei who competed at the Olympics has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalized at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret," the federation announced.

"This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire to her.

At the scene of the tragedy, police officers managed to recover a five-litre jerrican containing petrol and a mobile phone believed to belong to the deceased's boyfriend.

The tragic occurrence followed weeks after Cheptegei participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics where she emerged 48th position in a competitive race.

Meanwhile, detectives are still conducting investigations which were still ongoing by the time of publishing this article. 

Cheptegei's tragedy marks the latest horrific occurrence involving athletes within the East African region.

A silhouette image of Kenyan athletes running in a field

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The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has called off the teachers' strike following a consultative meeting with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

Addressing the press, KUPPET's Secretary General Akelo Misori noted that the strike was suspended after entering a tentative agreement with the TSC.

As a result, he directed teachers registered under the union to resume duties immediately as they iron out the issues they had raised.

"In the ensuing arrangement and in compliance with the court order which is coming up on September 5, Thursday, from the union side, we suspend our strike and ask all our teachers to go back to class pending the speedy resolutions of these matters as already agreed upon between us and the commission," he stated.

KUPPET secretary-general Akelo Misori (left) and chairman Omboko Milemba (right) during a press briefing in February 2022

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KUPPET

TSC, whose CEO Nancy Macharia was part of a presser, noted that the parties held fruitful bi-partite negotiations with the KUPPET union to end the work boycott through alternative dispute resolutions.

Macharia confirmed that the commission reached an agreement with KUPPET after the meeting.

"After a day long meeting, we are happy to report to the nation that we have reached an amicable settlement which will enable our teachers to resume duty immediately," she told the press.

On August 21, 2021, the government promised to provide funds for the second implementation of the teachers' Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) which was to take effect on July 1 2024.

Macharia, however, confirmed that all teachers have benefited from the implementation of the second phase of the CBA, with all the arrears settled.

"The government has successfully implemented all the provisions of the 2021-2025 CBA with the teachers' unions, specifically the second phase of the CBA which was due on July 1, 2024," she added.

Among the things resolved are the remittance of third-party deductions, restoration of medical scheme and promotion of 51,232 teachers. Further, the government has provided more resources for retooling of JSS teachers. The government pledged to iron out the remaining issues.

The call off the strike efectively ends KUPPET's weeklong strike that kicked off on August 26. Earlier, today, however, learners were sent home over a lack of teachers due to the strike.

TSC CEO Nancy Macharia appearing before Senate Trade Committee on March 26, 2024.

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The Senate of Kenya

The Anti-Corruption Court on Thursday evening ordered former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal to pay Ksh84.5 million after he was found guilty of engaging in a Ksh83 million corruption scandal.

In his ruling, Justice Thomas Nzioki further banned the former county boss from applying for any public office for ten years.

According to Nzioki, Lenolkulal will also be required to pay Ksh2 million for engaging in a conflict of interest and unlawfully acquiring property with millions.

Failure by the former county governor to pay the Ksh2 million he would be forced to spend eight years in prison.

The Milimani Law Courts building which hosts the High Court

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Office of the Registrar High Court

Lenolkulal's accomplice, who was accused of aiding the former governor in stealing the county funds, was ordered to pay Ksh83 million.

According to the judge, Lenolkulal's actions contravened the tenets of the constitution under leadership and integrity and by engaging in corruption, he broke the public's trust.

“There was no excuse for him to rade with the county. The acquisition of the Ksh83 million was a benefit that went to his pocket and that of his accomplice,” Judge Nzioki ruled.

“This being a corruption matter, I have considered various objectives being deterrence, retribution, denunciation and community protection.”

Lenolkulal's lawyer, while addressing the former governor's sentencing, noted his team will appeal the judge's ruling decision at the Supreme Court.

According to the ex-governor's lawyer, Lenolkulal was innocent since the county government received the services it paid to the company.

The sentencing comes a day after Moses Lenolkulal was found guilty of engaging in corruption through conflict of interest and unwarrantedly acquiring property.

Lenolkulal was found guilty of receiving Ksh83 million for the supply of petroleum products to Samburu County during his tenure.

President William Ruto with National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula while receiving former Samburu Gover Moses Lenolkulal to UDA, 2022.

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DPSC

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Collins Oyuu on Sunday announced that the union had called off the teachers' strike which was set to begin on Monday.

The Secretary General in a press conference therefore directed teachers affiliated with KNUT to report to schools for the third term following the withdrawal of the strike notice.

Oyuu, in the presser, communicated that the decision had been reached after extensive deliberations by the union's National Executive Council (NEC). However, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET's) NEC at the same time insisted that the strike was still on.

"The NEC has, therefore, today August 25, 2024, agreed to withdraw the strike action notice which was elapsing midnight August 25, 2024, since we have commenced addressing the remaining matters administratively," Secretary-General Collins Oyuu announced.

KUPPET members during a press conference on August 25, 2024.

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KUPPET

"In light of the latest developments, we direct our teachers to resume duty effective Monday, August 26, 2024," he added.

While giving their justification for calling off the planned strike, KNUT stated that although the union had not deviated from the position that the government was addressing the grievances slowly, enough goodwill had been demonstrated to warrant the decision.

Among other pressing issues, KNUT demands included the permanent employment of 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers and promotion of 130,000 teachers.

While announcing the strike, KNUT had demanded the government address various issues including the immediate implementation of the second phase of the 2021/2025 amended Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed between the Teachers' Service Commission and the union.

KNUT also demanded the immediate remittance of the third-party deductions accrued to their respective organizations.

In the build-up to the decision to call off the strike, TSC agreed to cave into some of the demands presented by KNUT including agreeing to promote some 51,232 teachers. The process of implementing the amended CBA, however, is still in the works.

"We assure our members that the union is committed to resolve the matters herewith, failure to which we shall revert to the initial position since the strike notice has only been withdrawn," KNUT stated.

Meanwhile, KUPPET's NEC had earlier on Sunday given the green light for the strike to proceed as planned after 68 members unanimously voted in favour of proceeding while 2 dissented.

On August 13, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua met with KNUT officials in a bid to avert the strike where he asked the teachers' representatives to shelve the strike.

Labour CS Alfred Mutua (second left) meets KNUT leaders on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.

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Alfred Mutua

The Supreme Court has intervened to halt the Court of Appeal's ruling that declared the Finance Act 2023 unconstitutional. 

On Tuesday, August 20, the apex court issued a stay order, temporarily overturning the lower court's decision that had nullified the Finance Act in its entirety.

This decisive move by the Supreme Court grants the government a crucial reprieve, allowing it to continue enforcing the Finance Act 2023 while the legal battle progresses. 

The Court of Appeal's previous judgment, handed down in July, had deemed the Finance Act 2023 “fundamentally flawed and therefore void ab initio and consequently unconstitutional.” 

This ruling sparked widespread uncertainty among employers and taxpayers, who have been grappling with confusion over applicable tax bands and financial regulations.

The Supreme Court's stay order specifically targets Order No.6 from the Court of Appeal, which had provided Kenyans a temporary relief from the contentious Finance Act 2023. This Order effectively halted the implementation of the Act, leaving a void in the tax landscape as the Finance Bill 2024 was withdrawn and the previous legislation was invalidated.

Chief Justice Martha Koome reading her ruling on the BBI Appeal at the Supreme Court on March 31, 2022.

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Judiciary

In its latest ruling, the Supreme Court highlighted that public interest heavily favoured the preservation of the status quo pending a final determination. The court pointed to the importance of maintaining legal clarity and stability for both employers and taxpayers amid ongoing judicial reviews.

The Supreme Court has also mandated that the consolidated appeal be scheduled for mention before the Deputy Registrar. 

The court has set a timeline for further proceedings, with virtual hearings scheduled for 10th and 11th September, 2024, starting at 9 am on each day.

Finance bills, presented to Parliament at the start of each financial year, are crucial tools for the government to outline its revenue-raising strategies, including tax increases and new levies.

The 2023 Finance Act faced intense scrutiny and legal battles, primarily due to contentious measures such as a significant increase in the value-added tax on fuel, the introduction of a housing tax, and a hike in the top personal income tax rate.

These changes sparked a wave of political opposition and violent street protests. In response, a three-judge bench of the Court of Appeal declared that the Finance Act 2023 was unconstitutional due to the government's failure to comply with constitutional requirements.

The aftermath of the court’s ruling has been marked by widespread confusion. Banks, employers, and other sectors are grappling with uncertainty over which tax regimes to apply.

On August 20, it was reported that banks have increased the excise duty on money transfer charges to 20 per cent, up from 15 per cent. This adjustment, intended to comply with the ongoing legal and regulatory turmoil, will be retroactively applied from August 1. Customers will see a backdated five per cent increase on transactions charged at the old rate.

The banks have issued notifications to customers about these changes, reflecting the chaotic response to the evolving tax landscape.

Questions have arisen regarding the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA)'s decision not to lower fuel prices following the court ruling, which had anticipated a reduction in fuel costs due to the nullification.

Critics have sharply criticised the government for allegedly disregarding the court's directives. The court had mandated a reduction in the value-added tax on petroleum products from 16 per cent to 8 per cent, and the removal of new pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) tax bands—32.5 per cent for incomes between Ksh500,000 and Ksh800,000, and 35 per cent for earnings above Ksh800,000. 

Despite these orders, the anticipated changes have not yet been reflected in the tax and fuel pricing adjustments. However, now the government has legal standing to continue using the Finance Act 2023, until the appeal at the apex court is heard and determined.
 

Supreme Court judges, from left: Justices Isaac Lenaola, Smokin Wanjala, Philomena Mwilu (DCJ), Martha Koome (CJ), Ibrahim Mohammed, Njoki Ndungu and William Ouko outside the apex court premises.

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Judiciary

Update, Tuesday, August 20: The death toll in the early morning accident that occurred around 4 am at the Migaa area near Salgaa along the Nakuru- Nairobi highway has risen to 13.

This is after seven more bodies were retrieved from the wreckage of the bus that lost control and rammed into a salon car before rolling along the highway.

According to Jasper Ombati, the Regional Police Commander in Rift Valley, 55 people have so far been confirmed to have sustained critical injuries from the accident.

Six people died on Tuesday morning after several vehicles including a 60-passenger bus got involved in an accident along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway.

While confirming the accident, the Kenya Red Cross Society revealed that about 36 people were injured in the early morning accident that occurred near the Salgaa area.

Following the accident, a multiagency team comprising police officers was dispatched to the scene to help rescue those trapped in the wreckage.

“Thirty-six injured individuals have been taken to Molo and Coptic Hospitals following a road traffic incident involving a PSV bus and multiple vehicles at Migaa in Molo, Nakuru County,” Kenya Red Cross disclosed.

A wreckage of salon car involved in a road accident near Salgaa area along the Nakuru-Nairobi Highway on August 20, 2024

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Lincon Njogu

The bus was en route to Mombasa from Kakamega when it lost control and rammed into a salon car before it rolled over the highway.

In the footage obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, the wreckage of the bus was captured in an upside-down position with glass scattered along the highway. 

Those injured were rushed to the Coptic and Molo hospitals for treatment with the deceased taken to the same hospitals. Meanwhile, the police have since launched investigations into the root cause of the accident.

Despite intense rescue efforts, there were fears that more people could still be trapped inside the bus wreckage.

According to one of the witnesses, the bus initially developed a mechanical hitch which was reported at the bus company's office in Kericho, however, the problem was not dealt with.

In an analogous situation in December last year, several people lost their lives on the same spot after a 14-seater matatu hit an oncoming lorry.

An emergency team comprising officers from the Kenya Red Cross were dispatched to the scene. “Kenya Police are currently clearing the scene and the Kenya Red Cross will provide psychological support to those affected,’ a statement from Kenya Red Cross read in part.

The accident that occurred around 10 am resulted in a huge traffic snarl-up along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway.

A scene of accident that occurred at Salgaa along Nakuru-Eldoret Highway on Saturday, June 24, 2023.

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Ma3Route

Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor, Engineer John Kibet Barorot, has officially tendered his resignation, marking the end of his tenure in the county government. 

Philip Kipng'etich Muigei, the Uasin Gishu County Assembly Speaker, confirmed to Kenyans.co.ke that the DG called it quits after he received a job offer with an international company to serve as its CEO. The identity of the company, however, remains a mystery.

"It is true he has resigned. We are going to press in the next few minutes. He has resigned because he has gotten an opportunity as a CEO of a multinational company," the speaker stated.

Barorot first made his resignation announcement during a meeting at a top hotel in Eldoret.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim (centre) and his Deputy John Kibet Cherorot (right) when they hosted avocado farmers at the County headquarters.

Jonathan Bii Chelilim

The meeting, which took place in the presence of Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii, was a moment of transition as Barorot prepared to step down from his role.

While confirming the resignation of his deputy, Governor Bii disclosed that Barorot was moving away from politics to the cooperate world and more specifically the ICT sector.

"Today we announce the exit of our deputy governor Engineer John Barorot who has secured a position as a Chief Executive Officer of an international organization in the ICT sector. His last day of work will be August 31, 2024," Governor Bii stated.

Engineer Barorot's resignation is expected to be formally announced at the Uasin Gishu County headquarters later. 

His departure comes after a period of service that has seen him contribute to various development projects and initiatives within the county earning it a City status that was lately conferred by the President.

Speaking passionately, Barorot maintained that he had a cordial relationship with his boss and the move was informed by his zeal for technological developments.

"Being a player or a catalyst in the space of technology is the reason why I have decided to take that role. Though in the private sector but it will be a very catalytic role to integrate modern technology," the deputy governor explained.

Barorot, a distinguished professional with a background in engineering and strategic management, holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Management from Moi University. 

He also earned a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology from the same institution.

As the county prepares for this significant leadership change, the focus will likely shift to the process of appointing a successor to ensure continuity in governance and the implementation of ongoing projects. 

His resignation comes weeks after Kisii Governor Simba Arati welcomed a new candidate to deputise him after the unceremonious impeachment of his former principal assistant.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim driving a tractor.

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Jonathan Bii