Breaking News

Members of the Meru County Assembly have voted to impeach Governor Kawira Mwangaza.

59 members present in the house voted in favour of the impeachment. No MCA opposed or abstained.

''It is now my pleasure to announce at this juncture, the ayes have it and the motion is passed and the Governor stands impeached by the County Assembly of Meru,'' the Assembly Speaker pronounced.

The embattled Meru Governor faced seven serious charges, including gross misconduct, misappropriation of County funds, usurping the law and the Constitution, nepotism, bullying, contempt of court, and naming a public road after her husband without following the stipulated process.

Meru County Assembly Majority Leader Evans Mawira addresses the media at the local police station after appearing before the Directorate of Criminal Investigations on Friday, October 21, 2022

Daily Nation

A motion of impeachment was tabled by the Majority Leader Evans Mawira of Mitunguu Ward which up to the day of the vote had the support of 57 MCAs who had appended their signatures.

The MCAs backing the motion retreated on Monday, October 23 to write a report after conducting a public participation exercise as required by the law.

Kawira had the backing of the Council of Governors (CoG) but faced opposition from various politicians and interested parties.

These include; Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Lenturi, and members of the Njuri Ncheke 

The Governor had earlier on made an attempt to stop her impeachment through the Court of Appeal in Nyeri which however declined to issue orders to stop the proceedings.

Mwangaza who was not present in the house was represented by a battalion of seven lawyers led by Danstan Omari.

She had earlier in a statement asked Kenyans to pray for her ahead of the proceedings.

"Please pray for our County of Meru. Please pray for me, pray for justice," she said.

This is the second time the embattled Meru Governor has been ousted after surviving a similar impeachment in December last year which however was quashed by the Senate.

An overwhelming 67 MCAs voted in support of the motion on grounds of abuse of office barely three months after being elected into office.

A special committee consisting of 11 senators chaired by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale when reading a report said that the 62 allegations leveled against her were unsubstantiated.

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza takes the stand to respond to questions during the hearing of her impeachment motion at the Senate on December 28, 2022.

Kanini Joan

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has upheld a decision by Azimio Members of Parliament to strip off Nominated MP Sabina Chege her role as Deputy Minority Whip.

In a ruling made on October 25, Speaker Wetangula confirmed her dismissal from the parliamentary role.

Chege has been replaced with Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje.

“Currently there is no bar against the decision made by the minority party to replace its whip. In this regard, Mark Mwenje replaces Sabina Chege as the Deputy Whip of the Minority party,” Wetang'ula ruled.

Photo of Kenya Senate

Photo

Parliament of Kenya

Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi had written to Speaker Moses Wetangula communicating the decision by Azimio to remove Chege as Deputy Minority Whip, a decision that was vehemently opposed by Jubilee MPs.

Sabina Chege got the backing of Kenya Kwanza and Jubilee MPs while ODM and Wiper lawmakers affiliated to Azimio insisted on her ejection following communication from Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi.

Wetangula had clarified that the request seeking the removal of the Nominated MP as the Deputy Minority Whip would be fair and based on the rule of law.

Azimio Coalition accused the Nominated MP of defying official party position on numerous occasions and unapologetically associating with Kenya Kwanza.

The ruling also follows complaints by Opiyo Wandayi questioning the delays in replacing Chege with the opposition coalition alleging foul play.

“We are giving a notice that if the court orders issued on 9th October are not affected by the Speaker for Hon Mark Mwenje to be the Deputy Minority Whip then it will not be business as usual. This joke has dragged on for too long and it must come to an end,” Wandayi said at the time.

Sabina Chege had moved to court to stop her removal from the Deputy Minority Whip role.

The resolution to replace Chege had been backed by 130 Azimio members, including party leaders.

Azimio MPs walking out of the chambers on June 15 2023.

Kenyans.co.ke

Ezra Chiloba has resigned as the director general of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) over allegations of graft and abuse of office.

CA, on Thursday, stated that the board of directors accepted his resignation letter, even as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission launched investigations following the allegations. 

"On behalf of the Authority, I wish the outgoing Director General success in his future endeavours and appreciate his invaluable contribution to the organization and the wider ICT sector,' said the CA Board Chairperson Mary Wambui.

Entrance to Communications Authority of Kenya.

Photo

CA

Chiloba served as the CA Director General for two years, having been appointed in October 2021. However, the former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) CEO was recently suspended over graft allegations. 

The suspension was ratified by the board in mid-September this year. 

Chiloba was replaced by Christopher Wambua in an acting capacity, cutting short his term just two years into the job.

Other officials who were sent home alongside Chiloba included the Human Resources, Legal Services, Internal Auditor, and Finance directors. 

The employees were accused of misappropriating approximately Ksh662 million in the staff mortgage, causing the communications regulator to incur losses worth millions.

An investigation conducted by the Special Board Audit and Risk Committee further uncovered glaring gaps in the authority's funds. 

The committee alleged that Chiloba bought a house and seven acres of land, more than the required one-acre limit set by the Civil Servants Housing Scheme. 

"Management should hold those responsible to account and recover the liabilities within the next 30 days,” the committee recommended.

Former Communications Authority of Keya (CA) Director General Ezra Chiloba,.jpg

Photo

Communications Authority of Kenya (CA)

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has released fuel prices that will take effect from October 15 to November 14.

In the latest review, Super Petrol was increased by Ksh5.72, from Ksh211.64 to Ksh217.36. 

Diesel, on the other hand, was increased to Ksh205.47 from Ksh200.99, while Kerosene was increased to Ksh203.06 from the current Ksh202.61 per litre.

"Taking into account the weighted average cost of imported refined petroleum products, the changes in the maximum allowed petroleum pump prices in Nairobi are as follows: Super Petrol, Diesel & Kerosene increases by Ksh5.72, Ksh4.48 & Ksh2.45 per litre respectively.

A photo of a petrol attendant fueling a car on February 2020.

Photo

Ma3Route

"In Nairobi, Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene will now retail at Ksh217.36, Ksh205.47 & Ksh205.06 effective midnight for the next 30 days," read the statement in part.

In Mombasa, a litre of Super Petrol will retail at Ksh214.3, Diesel will go for Ksh202.41 while Kerosene will be sold at Ksh201.99. 

On the other hand, Super Petrol prices in Kisumu were set at Ksh217.12, Diesel at Ksh205.64 and Kerosene at Ksh205.22. 

Nakuru residents will purchase Super Petrol at Ksh216.35. Diesel and Kerosene prices were set at Ksh204.88 and Ksh204.56 respectively. In Eldoret, the prices of Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene were set at Ksh217.12, Ksh205.65 and Ksh202.22 respectively. 

Notably, Mandera motorists were the most affected in the latest review with a litre of Super Petrol hitting Ksh231.36. A litre of Diesel in the northern Kenya county will be sold at Ksh219.47 while the price of Kerosene was put at Ksh219.06.  

The authority explained that the increase was occasioned by the increase in landed costs.

The Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) has also been factored into October price calculations. According to EPRA, Super Petrol was to increase Ksh8 should have the prices not be subsidised.

"From the calculations, Super Petrol had been projected to increase by Ksh8.79/litre, Diesel by Ksh16.12/litre and Kerosene by Ksh12.05/litre," EPRA added.

EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo during a meeting in Nairobi on Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Photo

EPRA

President William Ruto has ordered the Ministry of Land to revoke titles of land that have not been developed in Athi River for over 10 years. 

Speaking at the launch of Square Pharmaceuticals Kenya at the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) in Athi River, Ruto stated that speculators who have been holding land without developing should be kicked out and the parcels transferred to EPZ. 

Ruto also ordered that part of the land that was grabbed from the East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) and which the court directed be returned to the company should also be transferred to the EPZ.

He noted that about 1,000 acres should be transferred from EAPCC to EPZ to enable the government's efforts to expand the facility. 

President William Ruto speaking at the launch of the Amazon Web Services Development Centre in Nairobi on October 4, 2023.

PCS

The directive will likely face opposition from squatters who have engaged the cement factory for years in a protracted legal battle. 

"I have given clear instructions to the management here that all speculators, people who have held titles to pieces of land for 10, 15, 20, 30 years without developing them, should be revoked so that we can give it to people who want to use this facility," he ordered.  

"I am informed that we now have an extra 250 acres of land that were originally occupied by speculators and we can bring additional pieces of land, additional space into the manufacturing space here in EPZ, Athi River."

"We have now been cleared by the courts on the land that is adjacent to EPZ that belong to Portland Cement. My instructions are we will take either 1,000 or 1,500 of that land and make it part of EPZ so that we can create more space for more companies to set camp in Kenya."

He added that the government is working round the clock to establish Special Economic Zones Thika, Eldoret, Busia, and Nakuru in the first phase. Through this, investors can capitalise by setting up companies in the areas, thus benefitting from the project. 

"I implore companies setting up camp in Kenya to look at the opportunities that exist in the East African community where we have close to 400 million people and to look at the opportunities in COMESA and look at combined opportunities in the Continent."

The President also assured investors that the water shortage experienced in Athi River would be solved by completing the construction of the Northern Collector Tunnel. 

"It was brought to my attention that the residents are facing challenges in accessing water so I have given orders to the Ministry of Water to ensure the Northern Collector Tunnel engaged in its construction is completed. We are at the tail end and working on a dedicated pipeline to Athi River so that residents and companies have access to support manufacturing in this space," he noted. 

Workers at the EPZ factory in Athi River on December 6, 2017.

Courtesy

A UK military jet has intercepted Kenya Airways KQ100 plane in London after detecting a potential threat. 

Reports indicate the plane which departed the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday morning was to land at London Heathrow and diverted to London Stansted Airport.

In response to the interception, KQ stated that it received an alert of a potential security threat on board KQ100 operating from Nairobi to London Heathrow.

"KQ management, in conjunction with the security authorities of the Government of Kenya and the United Kingdom, carried out a thorough risk assessment of the threat. 

Emergency vehicles at the London Stansted Airport where a Kenyan Plane was intercepted on October 12, 2023.

Photo

Plane Audits

"The crew onboard were briefed, and all safety and security precautions were taken to ensure the safety and security of our crew and passengers on board. The aircraft landed safely at Stansted airport, London, for security clearance by UK government security personnel," KQ stated in a press release shared on its social media pages. 

KQ maintained that it prioritises the safety of its crew and customers. 

UK's Daily Mail was the first to report the incident, with reports indicating heavy police presence at the Stansted Airport. 

Section of the UK media also reported that a bomb squad were also at the scene.

"Queues are beginning to form at Stansted as flights are being held due to this developing incident. No official confirmation yet, but nothing is going in or out of Stansted at this time," read the aviation news site Aviation Source report.

According to Essex Police, they also confirmed the incident, maintaining that they were attending to the security concern.

"We are currently attending an incident at Stansted Airport. A flight travelling from Nairobi to Heathrow was diverted to Stansted this afternoon. The airport remains open." the police stated.

Authorities are yet to give details of their investigations into the security threat.

KQ plane intercepted by UK military parked at the Stansted Airport in London on October 12, 2023.

Photo

Plane Audit

Emergency vehicles at the London Stansted Airport on October 12, 2023.

Photo

Plane Audits

Health Cabinet Secretary Nakhumicha Wafula has announced that the government will not renew its agreement with Cuban doctors who were brought into the country to fill gaps in county hospitals six years ago.

The 2017 agreement between Kenya and Cuba actualized an engagement program where the Cuban doctors would provide assistance in Kenyan hospitals and Kenyan doctors would go to Cuba for specialised training.

“We have decided not to renew the agreement with the Cuban doctors. Our very own healthcare professionals are committed to the cause,” Nakumicha noted. 

While making the announcement,  Nakumicha expressed confidence in the ability of Kenyan doctors to handle operations across Kenyan hospitals competently.

“As a ministry, I am confident that we will have a highly motivated workforce,” the CS said in a statement.

Ministry of Health's Afya House Building in Nairobi, Kenya.

Photo

Ministry of Health

The agreement between Kenya and Cuba signed during former President Uhuru’s tenure in power was marred in controversy as local health practitioners opposed the move. 

Kenyan doctors decried being sidelined arguing that they have the capacity to do everything that their Cuban counterparts could stating that they only lacked the necessary medical equipment and remuneration to perform their activities.

Local doctors also opposed the move, citing that it was unfair to unemployed Kenyan health practitioners.

Even so, Cuba’s healthcare system has been lauded as being one of the best worldwide.

This is due to its focus on a preventative approach to medicine rather than the curative approach, which had been widely practiced in Kenya.

Despite the backlash, after the two-year contract with Cuba ended, Kenya extended the deal  much to the chagrin of local doctors.

There have been calls by institutions like the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), calling for termination of the deal.

Complaints were made about the lucrative remuneration the Cuban doctors have been receiving including comprehensive medical coverage under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), with their utility bills totally covered.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha attending a meeting at Afya House on May 10, 2023.

Photo

Ministry of Health

The High Court on Monday blocked the Interior Ministry from approving a proposal to deploy Kenyan police officers to Haiti, a mission expected to restore peace in the troubled Caribbean Island. 

Justice Chacha Mwita issued a conservatory order blocking the government from deploying 1,000 police to Haiti following approval by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on October 2.

''That a conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the respondents from deploying police officers to Haiti or any other country until October 24, 2023,'' Justice Mwita ordered. 

The petition, filed by the Third Way Alliance through Ekuru Aukot on October 6, challenged the move's legality, which could derail the US-backed mission. 

A photo of Interior CS Kithure Kindiki.

DPPS

According to Justice Mwita, the court was satisfied that the questions the petitioners raised in their suit were issues of national importance that required urgent consideration.

The respondents therefore were ordered to file their responses within three days of the ruling.

''That the petitioners will then have three days after service to file and serve a supplementary affidavit, if any, together with the written submissions to the petition, not exceeding 10 pages,'' the court document read.

''That once served, the respondents will have 3 days to file and serve written submissions to the petition also not exceeding 10 pages,'' partly read the order.

The petition in question was filed by Third Way Alliance and Miruru Waweru wherein the two parties sued Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and four others.

The United Nations Security Council approved a multinational force led by Kenya to deploy police to the gang-dominated Haiti to restore peace.

Of the 15 council members, 13 voted to approve the deployment while 2 abstained and none voted against it.

The United States has already committed to funnel Ksh14.8 billion ($100 million) to assist Kenya in the mission.

President William Ruto and his US counterpart Joe Biden on separate phone calls in 2022.

PCS

White House

23-year-old Kenyan Marathoner Kelvin Kiptum has won the Chicago Marathon, shattering the record held by Eliud Kipchoge after clocking 2:00:35.

In a statement,  World Athletics announced that Kiptum becomes the first man in history to break 2:01:09 set by Kipchoge at the 2022 Berlin Marathon.

This means that Kiptum has eclipsed Eliud Kipchoge as the world's best marathoner.

Speaking after breaking his compatriot's record, Kiptum expressed his elation saying he did not expect to win, let alone gazump the best marathoner of all time.

Kelvin Kiptum crosses the finishing line during the Valencia Marathon held in Spain on December 4, 2022.

Photo

sportmedia.es

“I knew I was coming for a course record, but a world record – I am so happy. A world record was not on my mind today, but I knew one day I would be a world record-holder.” Kiptum told World Athletics.

So dominant was the win that Kiptum even had enough energy to celebrate his performance on the way to the finish line pointing to the crowds as he approached the finish line.

His dominance in the race was underlined by the fact that he won it by almost three and a half minutes.

In Sunday's race, another Kenyan Benson Kipruto came in second clocking a time of 2:04:02. Rotterdam Marathon champion Bashir Abdi of Belgium finished third after recording a time of 2:04:32.

John Korir, a Kenyan finished fourth clocking a time of 2:05:09.

In the past ten months, Kiptum has participated in 3 marathons.  In all these races, he achieved three of the six fastest times in history: 2:01:53 in Valencia, Spain, last December, followed by 2:01:25 in London in April. 

Until Kiptum's exploits on Sunday, Kipchoge has been the undisputed best marathoner for the last decade and has set his sights on winning three Olympic marathons, when the competition takes place next year.

What's more, Eliud Kipchoge is the only athlete in the world to have run 26.2 miles in under two hours.

However, this was not achieved in a competitive race. Kipchoge achieved this feat in a special race organised by UK billionaire Jim Ratcliffe through his company, Ineos.

Following Kiptum's win, President William Ruto took to his social media platforms to congratulate the athlete for his remarkable fete describing him as the new king of marathon.

''Kelvin Kiptum has written a new chapter in Marathon history, winning the Chicago Marathon in a majestic, staggering, and mind boggling time of 2:00:35,'' he stated.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also joined the Head of State in congratulating Kiptum's outstanding victory.

''Lowering the Record set by the legend Eliud Kipchoge is just stupendous. This is superb. Congratulations Kelvin for this amazing achievement,'' the DP stated.

Kelvin Kiptum and other athletes participate in the 2023 Chicago Marathon

Photo

World Athletics

President William Ruto on Wednesday appointed former nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura as the official government spokesman.

Mwaura will be deputized by Gabriel Muthuma and former K24 and KTN news anchor, Mwanaisha Chidzuga.

The appointments end months-long search for a government mouthpiece who will help Ruto communicate his policies to Kenyans after a period of incoherence and confusion over the dissemination of information. 

Mwaura had earlier been appointed as Chief Administrative Secretary at the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.

A photo of Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura speaking during the 70-year anniversary of Sight Savers International (Kenya) on Thursday, May 11, 2023.

Photo

Isaac Mwaura

Although he was sworn in, Mwaura had not started discharging his duties as CAS following a court ruling that declared the positions unconstitutional.

The position of Government Spokesperson has remained vacant for a year following the resignation of Col (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna in October 2022. Oguna left the position after serving for two years to join Siaya County Government as Chief of Staff.

Meanwhile, Mwaura remained loyal to President William Ruto even after he lost the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party nominations for the Ruiru parliamentary seat ahead of the August 2022 General Election. 

He later unsuccessfully applied for a role in the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) and Principal Secretary (PS), before he was appointed CAS and then Government Spokesperson.

Chidzuga, a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) politician, on the other end, is the wife to Tana River senator, Danson Mungatana. 

The journalist was among the new journalists unveiled at the much-hyped Radio 47 in March 2023 after she lost the Matuga Constituency parliamentary race to Tandaza Kassim Sawa of the Amani National Congress in the 2022 General Election. 

“I thank God for holding my hand in the race for the Matuga parliamentary seat. However, this race was plagued by controversy and voter fraud, making sure they robbed us of our victory and citizen’s rights. The important thing is that God is for us all and for now, we are taking legal steps to ensure that Matuga’s justice stands,” she lamented while conceding defeat. 

Wednesday's appointments also follow the reshuffle of the government that saw key cabinet secretaries moved as Ruto moved to restructure his cabinet two months after he complained of incompetence. 

Journalist Mwanaisha Chidzuga (left) and First Lady Rachel Ruto on Tuesday March 21, 2023

Twitter

First Lady of Kenya