Breaking News

Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) on Tuesday announced that its surveillance helicopter crashed in Boni Forest, Lamu County on Monday night during a routine patrol.  

In a statement, KDF identified the plane that crashed as a Huey Helicopter but did not reveal the number of soldiers on board when it crashed.

KDF has mounted a recovery and evacuation exercise as investigations on the crash commence. This is the second crash this year, even as experts query the airworthiness of Kenya's military aircraft.

"A Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter was crushed last night while on night patrol in Lamu County. The crew and other military personnel onboard were part of an air surveillance squadron intensifying day and night patrols and surveillance for the ongoing Operation Amani Boni," KDF stated.

General Francis Omondi Ogolla and the Chief of the Defence Forces

Photo

KDF

KDF noted in the statement a board of inquiry has been constituted and dispatched to the scene to establish the cause of the crush.

The Huey helicopter is a utility military helicopter designed and produced by the American aerospace company Bell Helicopter.

It is the first member of the Huey family, as well as the first turbine-powered helicopter in service with the United States military.

It has a crew of three and can carry up to 14 passengers. The Huey helicopter is known for its versatility and reliability, and has been used in a wide range of military and civilian roles.

The Huey helicopter was first introduced in the early 1960s and quickly became a mainstay of the US military. 

It was used extensively in the Vietnam War, where it was used for troop transport, medical evacuation, and fire support. The Huey helicopter also played a major role in the Gulf War and the Iraq War.

In addition to its military use, the Huey helicopter is also used in a variety of civilian roles, including firefighting, search and rescue, and law enforcement. 

In Kenya, it is mostly used to transport military personnel, including special operations and surveillance.

On Thursday, July 20, another Kenya Defence Forces helicopter crashed but the military confirmed that the crew and all passengers on board survived. 

The passengers were on their way to Nairobi from an official duty when the chopper developed mechanical challenges and crashed.

It was reported that the military chopper, identified as a Fennec Helicopter, did not take long in the air after lift-off. 

Wreckage of KDF Chopper that crashed in Baringo County on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

Photo

Kenya Defence Forces

Kisumu Girls High School has been closed indefinitely.

According to reports, the school was closed on Sunday following a period of sustained unrest from students.

The reports also indicate that some of the students have been complaining about inhabitable environment at the school. 

A section of the students reportedly demanded the resignation of the current principal and other officials in the school's administration. 

The situation escalated on Sunday morning, leading to loud chants from the students, prompting police officers to be deployed to the institution to restore normalcy.

A photo of Kakamega Girls High School students going home on Sunday, September 17, 2023

Photo

Kisumu news

Reports also indicated that the situation had been tense from Friday, with the situation boiling over through the weekend forcing the abrupt closure.

Nyanza Regional Director Of Education Nelson Sifuna revealed that the students also complained of corporal punishment.

The official explained that some of the allegations were being investigated by the school administration.

“The situation worsened yesterday when officers from the National Government Administration and Ministry of Education tried to address them at the Dining Hall but they were angry," he added.

Sifuna revealed that the students refused to voice their grievances leading to change of tact, giving them papers to write.

Kenyans.co.ke contacted the school but did not get a response by the time of publishing this article.

Meanwhile, photos circulating online, showed the school girls carrying their backpacks heading home with some boarding boda bodas at the school gate.

The photos also showed adults believed to be parents and guardians at the school gate.

If the issue is not resolved, form four students will be disadvantaged as they prepare for the national examinations scheduled for November.

This came two days after the Ministry of Education announced the official closing dates for schools countrywide.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang announced that the third term will run up to October 27 to allow candidates to sit for the national examinations.

Education PS Belio Kipsang makes his remarks during the Bennial Universities Fund Conference on February 23, 2023.

EduMin

The Energy Petroleum and Regulatory Authority  (EPRA) on Thursday released the fuel prices for the period between September 15 to October 14.

EPRA increased the cost of Super Petrol to Ksh211.64, Diesel to Ksh200.99, and Kerosene to ksh202.61 per litre in Nairobi.

"The maximum allowed petroleum pump prices in Nairobi are as follows: Super Petrol increases by Ksh16.96, Diesel increases by Ksh21.32 per litre & Kerosene increases by Ksh33.13 per litre," EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo announced.

EPRA explained that the cost increased due to the spike in the total landed cost of the petroleum products.

Photo of a person fueling a car at a petrol station in August 2018.

Photo

EPRA

"The average landed cost of imported Super Petrol increased by 4.80 per cent from Ksh108,516 (USD739.21) per cubic metre in July 2023 to Ksh113,721 (USD774.67) per cubic metre in August 2023 while Diesel increased by 12.52 per cent from Ksh103,052 (USD701.99) per cubic metre to Ksh115,955 (USD789.89) per cubic metre,"

"Kerosene increased by 19.79 per cent from Ksh101,377 (USD690.58) per cubic metre to Ksh121,441 (USD827.26) per cubic metre," the authority stated.

Motorists in Mombasa will pay Ksh208.58 for Super Petrol, Ksh197.93 for Diesel, and Ksh199.54 for Kerosene. While those in Nakuru will pay Ksh210.63 for Petrol, Ksh200.40 for Diesel, and Ksh202.01 for Kerosene.

In Kisumu, Super will retail at Ksh211.40 at the pump while Diesel and Kerosene will be sold at Ksh201.16 and Ksh202.77 per litre respectively.

"The prices are inclusive of the 16% Value Added Tax (VAT) in line with the provisions of the Finance Act 2023, the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2020, and the revised rates for excise duty adjusted for inflation as per Legal Notice No. 194 of 2020," the statement read in part.

In the last review, the government cushioned Kenyans against the rising costs through subsidies from the Petroleum Development Levy.

Motorists in Nairobi paid Ksh194.68 for a litre of Super Petrol, Ksh179.67 for a litre of Diesel, and Ksh179.67 for a litre of Kerosene.

The government introduced a subsidy of Ksh7.33, Ksh3.59, and Ksh5.74 per litre of Super Petrol, Diesel, and Kerosene respectively.

The high cost has pushed Kenyan motorists to seek alternative fuels such as natural gas and electricity. Local public transport providers have also introduced electric vehicles to their fleets.

A photo of an electric bus operated by Roam Rapid in Nairobi CBD on January 16, 2023.

Photo

Roam

Veteran sports commentator Sean Cardovillis has passed away at his house along Rhapta Road in Westlands, Nairobi.

Close friends privy to the matter who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke on condition of anonymity confirmed that a relative found him dead at his house. 

Police, who spoke to the media, said that he was found outside his house. The sports journalist has been battling a protracted illness. 

In 2022, he was admitted to the High Dependency Unit (HDU) at a city hospital, with doctors monitoring his progress. Cardovillis was later diagnosed with pneumonia, prompting his family to appeal for help to clear medical bills. 

Capital FM sports commentator Sean Cardovillis poses for a photo at the station's studios.

Photo

Sean Cardovillis

"Sean has been hospitalized for a while now.  He is receiving professional treatment and is improving, but needs monitoring and further care," read the poster circulated by his family.

Cardovillis is among the most renowned sports presenters and personalities, with more than 20 years of experience in radio and TV.

He has previously worked for Capital FM, Standard Group PLC and Nation Media Group in the Sports category. Between 2006 and 2012, he worked for Paradise FM in the Tal FM in the Seychelles.

Throughout his career, he won accolades, including the 2007 BBC Africa Radio Award for sports and the Sport Award at the 2007 CNN/Multichoice African Journalist of the Year Awards.

The journalist has also covered international sporting events, including the London and Rio Olympics, the Cricket World Cup, the Commonwealth Games and the Africa Cup of Nations. He has also interviewed golf legend Tiger Woods twice in Dubai at the Dubai Desert Classic.

His career began in 1997 at Capital FM as a presenter and rose through the ranks to become the sports editor. After 17 years, he joined Nation as a radio sports commentator before transitioning to TV as a sports journalist.

In 2020, he confirmed leaving NTV and sought to take a break from active journalism. 

A year later, he announced a comeback to Capital FM after 18 years, presenting sports updates from Mondays to Saturdays. 

Capital FM's Sean Cardovillis poses for a photo at the station on September 2, 2023.

Photo

Sean Cardovillis

Supreme Court has dismissed Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah's petition challenging the Court of Appeal’s ruling that lifted orders barring the implementation of the Finance Act 2023.

The Court of Appeal last month lifted a High Court order barring the implementation of the Finance Act after the Treasury argued that the country stands to lose more than half a billion in revenues daily.  

The Court's decision now means that the Treasury will continue collecting the new taxes including adjusted Valle Added Taxes and Housing Levy as contained in the Finance Act 2023 pending a determination of a separate case pending at the High Court. 

"The four sets of written submissions filed out of time by the applicants on 15th August 2023 on the Court’s online platform be and are hereby struck out," the judgment read in part. 

Lawyer and Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah on June 18, 2023.

Photo

Okiya Omtatah

President William Ruto's administration plans to raise an additional Ksh211 billion from new taxes introduced in the Act and has been arguing that the suspension of the implementation of the new taxes will bring government operations to a halt.  

"The responses and/or submissions filed out of time by the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th respondents be and are hereby struck out. The applicants’ Notice of Motion dated 5th August, 2023 be and is hereby dismissed. There shall be no orders as to costs," the Supreme Court ruled. 

In their ruling, the Judges argued that suspension of the Act, just as it was observed by the Court of Appeal would have affected government operations.

Supreme Court also noted that Omtatah misapprehended an earlier ruling on a separate case that their case was based on. 

"It is important to clarify that this Court in the said decision did not pronounce itself on any exceptional or unique circumstances that would warrant it to entertain an appeal emanating from Rule 5(2)(b) as alluded by the applicants," the Judges ruled. 

"The appeal also did not arise from an order made under Rule 5(2)(b) and we reiterated the settled position that this Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain an appeal arising from the exercise of the Court of Appeal’s discretion under the said Rule."

The Judges also noted that they were guided by the principle of public interest, especially due to the fact that the matter at hand involves many people, most of whom are not parties to the case. 

"The appeal also did not arise from an order made under Rule 5(2)(b) and we reiterated the settled position that this Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain an appeal arising from exercise of the Court of Appeal’s discretion under the said Rule," the court ruled. 

Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu (left) and Chief Justice Martha Koome (right) during a petition hearing at the Supreme Court on August 31, 2022

Photo

Judiciary

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Executive Committee (NEC) has kicked out its Members of Parliament who have been associating with President William Ruto. 

The opposition party has expelled MPs Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o (Langata) and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda.

Speaking during expulsion, ODM Chairman John Mbadi revealed that the MPs had openly associated with and supported the activities of a rival party.

He added that the expelled MPs had also opposed lawful decisions and resolutions made by the party contrary to Article 11 of the ODM constitution.

Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o, Kisumu Senator Prof. Tom Ojienda, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, and Rongo MP Paul Abuor in a press conference denouncing the planned March 20 protests on March 17, 2023.

File

"The members be deemed to have resigned from the ODM and the party is hereby directed to commence the process of removing them from the register of ODM," Mbadi stated. 

During the briefing, Mbadi further announced that MPs Mark Nyamita (Uriri) and Paul Abuor (Rongo) should tender an apology to the party and pay a Ksh1 million fine. 

According to Mbadi, Nyamita and Abuor appeared before the Disciplinary Committee in person and offered explanations which were considered by the committee hence the spare from expulsion.

Besides tendering a written apology to the party within 7 days, the rebel MPs will also be required to pay a Ksh1 million fine within 60 days.

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris was reprimanded for her outright defiance of the party position on the Finance Bill 2023.

"She should issue a written apology to the party within seven days and be fined a sum of Ksh250,000 which should be paid within 60 days," the NEC resolved. 

Four nominated Members of the County Assembly were also kicked out over gross misconduct. They include; Carolyne Opar, Kennedy Ojwang, Peter Obaso and Regina Kizito.

Despite reprimanding its members for openly associating with Kenya Kwanza, ODM noted that it supported the ongoing bipartisan talks and urged its members to send a memorandum on the issues outlined by the dialogue team before the Friday, September 8, deadline. 

President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua meet nine ODM MPs at State House on February 7, 2023.

Photo: PCS

An anti-corruption court in Nairobi has ordered the arrest of former Meru Governor Peter Munya after he failed to appear in court to testify in the Arror and Kimwarer corruption scandal.

Magistrate Eunice Nyutu ordered the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to arrest and present the former Agriculture Minister in court.

Initially, the court had given Munya 90 minutes to appear in court to testify, but he did not present himself.

Police officers attached to the Nairobi Area have launched a manhunt for Munya after he failed to turn up for the court hearing.

Former Agriculture CS Peter Munya speaking during Azimio presser alongside former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua on July 30, 2022.

Photo

ODM

Munya who is under investigation had been ordered to appear in court at 11:15 a.m. to testify in the Ksh63 billion Arror and Kimwaer dam corruption case against former Treasury CS Henry Rotich.

"I order Munya to present himself in court by 11:15 a.m. His warrant of arrest still stands," Magistrate Nyutu ordered.

While appearing before the anti-corruption court, the investigation officer Douglas Chege disclosed that DCI bosses were unable to effect the previous warrant of arrest since Munya was no where to be found. 

However, Munya's Lawyer defended the former Cabinet Secretary, noting that he was not in hiding as had been portrayed by the State. 

In response, Magistrate Nyutu declined to entertain Munya's application, and ordered the police to execute the warrant of arrest as required. 

Arror and Kimwarer dams were supposed to be completed in 2017, but their construction is yet to kick off after the tendering process was mered by alleged corrupt activities.  

Former Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) claimed that the Kenyan government had not followed proper procurement procedures when awarding the contracts, hence creating avenues for corruption. 

In 2020, the High Court ordered the prosecution of top government officials, including former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich, over the scandal. 

Milimani Law Courts that hosts a number of courts within the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

Photo

Judiciary

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has been acquitted in the Felix Orinda popularly known as DJ Evolve shooting case. 

Ruling on the matter, Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi stated that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations.

He had been charged with misuse of a firearm and conducting himself in a disorderly manner.

"Yes, it is true. He has been acquitted of charges laid against him," his lawyer Duncan Okatch told Kenyans.co.ke.

A photo collage of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino (Left) and DJ Evolve (Right).

Photo/Babu Owino

The development marks a huge reprieve for the firebrand politician. The case has been a blot in his political career that has continued to go from strength to strength.

Signs that he would eventually win the case, emerged in 2020 after the victim, DJ Evolve, testified under oath that he did not see the parliamentarian at the time he was shot. 

DJ Evolve also told the court that he did not see the firearm that was used to shoot him. He also maintained that he did not see anything wrong with Babu Owino taking care of his bills since they were friends.

The DJ further told the court that he was having a conversation with Babu at a popular club in Kilimani, Nairobi, where he worked as a disc jockey moments before he was shot.

“I was injured by a bullet but I don't know from which gun. I just found myself in a vehicle to hospital," he said while insisting that he made the testimony voluntarily.

"I came to find out that Babu Owino was supporting me and as a friend I expected my friends to look after me.”

Even as DJ Evolve claimed that he did not know who shot him, Babu Owino in June 2023, revealed that he had spent Ksh53 million to offset the entertainer's medical bills since the shooting.

The Embakasi East MP claimed that he was spending an average of  Ksh70,000 per month to cater to the DJ's bills and food expenses.

Felix Orinda, popularly known as DJ Evolve during a past event in Nairobi.

Photo/Lit Kenya

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers from the banking fraud unit have arrested Yogesh Pattni.

The arrest of Pattni comes just a day after Jaswant Rai was abducted by unknown men in the Kilimani area of Nairobi, raising concerns over State-sponsored gangland-style kidnappings.

Sources at the DCI did not immediately provide reasons for the arrest but confirmed that the tycoon who owns a private bank was picked for questioning.

The Harvard-trained executive heads one of the largest private banks in Kenya, which serves mostly private companies and wealthy individuals. 

An image of a man in handcuffs while holding a phone.

Photo

According to a source aware of the arrest, the CEO was taken to DCI Headquarters on Kiambu Road at about 6:00 a.m.

It was not immediately clear whether Pattni was picked up from his home or heading to work.

At the time of publication, the DCI and the National Police Service (NPS) were yet to release a public statement addressing the arrest.

The arrest is likely to cause jitters among President-Uhuru-era billionaires after the Saturday ordeal that raised more questions than answers.  

On Saturday, billionaire industrialist Rai was picked on Wood Avenue and whisked away. He was released on Sunday evening, hours after President William Ruto blamed him for the woes facing sugarcane farmers. 

Ruto's remarks at a church service in Bungoma came even as the police denied reports that they had taken Rai in for questioning. 

Rai, one of the largest sugar producers in the country, has investments in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. 

His lawyers led by Kioko Kilukumi said on Sunday that he had been blocked from sharing the details of their discussion, even as police continued to deny arresting him. 

Officers outside the Directorate of Criminal Investigation headquarters along Kiambu Road on June 13, 2022.

Photo

DCI

Transport Cabinet Secretary has terminated the contract of Alex Gitari, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Managing Director, after inspecting the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), which suffered a power outage on Friday night. 

Addressing the media after the visit, Murkomen announced that the contract of the MD was terminated by mutual consent. The decision was also reached after the CS held consultations with the KAA board.

Henry Ogoye will immediately replace Gitari but in an acting capacity.  

"By mutual consent, the contract of Mr Alex Gitari, who has been the managing director of Kenya Airports Authority, has been terminated. In his place, Henry Ogoye, who has been Head of Corporate Affairs, has been appointed as the Acting MD," he stated.

Former KAA MD Alex Gitari whose contract was terminated by Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen on August 26, 2023.

Photo

KAA

The CS also fired  Fred Odawo, General Manager Project and Engineering Services and appointed Samwel Mwochache in his place.

In other changes,  Abel Gogo, who served as the airport manager of JKIA, was transferred to Mombasa Airport.

Selina Gor, Kisumu Airport manager, was transferred to JKIA to succeed Gogo with immediate effect.  Peter Wafula, who held the portfolio of airport manager at Mombasa, was also transferred to Kisumu.

"Further; in order to ensure that a similar incident is not replicated, it has been decided that the two generators that were procured more than two years ago be immediately commissioned."

"I have further directed the Board to work on the staff attitude, mentorship and motivation to improve productivity," Murkomen announced.

Additionally, the CS indicated that the board would effect more changes in the coming days as they move to prevent similar challenges of power blackouts from recurring.

The changes come after the international airport experienced a two-hour power outage. While there was a nationwide blackout, the generators of the airport failed to come in handy, stalling the operations of the airport.

Other than the changes effected at KAA, Parliament also summoned Davis Chirchir, Energy Cabinet Secretary and Joseph Siror, Kenya Power Chief Executive Officer over the nationwide power outage.

The duo will appear National Assembly Committee on Energy with a detailed explanation of the causes of the outage. 

A photo of a departure terminal at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) taken on May 16, 2020.

Photo

KAA