Hello and welcome to the Evening Brief Newsletter where we are going off the railings a little bit. Also, stick around for my chat with the Kenya Red Cross Manager over the magnitude of the Mai Mahiu tragedy.
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Kingpin of Kings
If you are a Mt Kenya MP and you are not hitched yet, chances are Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is looking for you, to serve as your dowry negotiator.
On Saturday afternoon, the DP, dressed in a homburg hat and flowery traditional-looking shirt, led dowry negotiations for Juja MP George Koimburi's daughter, Shiru Koimburi. The ceremony is known as ruracio.
The MP's family was scheduled to receive a delegation from Western Kenya where Paul Wetosi, the groom, hails from.
Gachagua explained that he took on the negotiation duties since he is an elder of Mt Kenya.
What Gachagua Said: "As an elder in my community, I am called upon from time to time to perform tasks and duties as per our traditions. This afternoon was such a day when I joined fellow elders in dowry negotiations as we engaged elders from the Mulembe Nation, who accompanied their son Paul Wetosi. Paul is interested in our daughter Shiru, born and raised by Hon. George Koimburi, our MP for Juja Constituency."
Past Conquest: This was Gachagua's second negotiation in a span of five months, both of which involved MPs.
In November, Gachagua wore a similar hat and traditional attire to lead dowry negotiations of a love brewed in Parliamentary precincts.
He was the lead negotiator of the traditional wedding of Mathira Member of Parliament Eric Wamumbi and Muranga Woman Representative Betty Maina.
Gachagua had earlier in April delivered an ewe and a he-goat to the parents of Maina at Kangari Village.
Wamumbi is Gachagua's home MP and his immediate successor in Parliament.
Commander-in-Negotiations: Gachagua follows the footsteps of his boss, President William Ruto, who led dowry negotiations for his brother David Ruto in Uasin Gishu four years ago.
David Ruto was seeking the hand of Carol Kitur.
The President played the part dressed in a brown jacket and holding a gourd and cup which are used to store and serve traditional sour milk (AKA mursik). The ceremony is known as koito.
CS Kuria Employment Drive
If you are a driver and unemployed, you might be in luck. The Ministry of Public Service and Performance headed by CS Moses Kuria has launched a recruitment drive looking for 100 drivers
How to Apply: Applicants were advised to visit the ministry website for requirements and fill the Application Employment Form PSC 2 on the Public Service Commission website or alternatively emailed to recruitment2024.sdps@psyg.go.ke.
Manually, the applications can be sent to the State Department for Public Service at Uchumi House 12th Floor.
The deadline remains May 20 this year.
Chat With Kenya Red Cross Manager
Since the Kijabe dam tragedy in Mai Mahiu occurred on Monday morning, the death toll has hit 71 with scores still missing.
In my chat with Kenya Red Cross Emergency Response Manager Anthony Muchiri, he noted that the tragedy was devastating and had uprooted some houses straight from the foundation
President William Ruto has also ordered individuals living on fragile ecosystems affected by flooding, mudslides, and landslides to vacate by Thursday but vowed to help them.
Nationally, over 120 lives and left over 190,000 displaced.
Here is my chat with Muchiri:
Derrick Okubasu: How much economic damage can you estimate the Mai Mahiu Dam tragedy caused?
Anthony Muchiri: I wouldn't have a figure of an estimate. What you see is it is a whole village cleared off. I am not privy to the structures that were in the village. What I know is houses, even the foundations, have been cleared off the ground. Not being aware of what churches were there before, I wouldn't have an estimate of that.
Derrick Okubasu: How many people are still missing since the tragedy struck?
Anthony Muchiri: We have 69 missing who have been reported at our desk
Derrick Okubasu: From your experience at the Red Cross, what is the best strategy to approach the disaster?
Anthony Muchiri: It is already happening. The National Disaster Management Operations Center is in charge of coordinating the different agencies that are coming in to support.
Kenya Red Cross, we are supporting the humanitarian aspect of shelter where people sleep and the needs of accommodation, mattresses, blankets, and food. We are actively doing search and rescue.
Here are five more stories we are following up on for you;
- The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has launched investigations to validate the authenticity of Uji Power and Okra.
- As floods continue to wreck havoc countrywide, Raila wants Kenyans to help fundraise towards affected families.
- President William Ruto has made the decision to import 15 Simmental bulls and 40 heifers from Zimbabwe days after his state visit.
- Former President Uhuru Kenyatta pledges a personal donation of Ksh2 million to the Kenya Red Cross Society for flood victims.
- James Wanjohi, the alleged pastor who has recently been exposed for conning over 4,000 Kenyans, has in a video recording denied allegations that he runs a visa facilitation scam.
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This newsletter was written by Derrick Kubasu and edited by Brian Muuo.
Washington Mito contributed to the content.
Graphics prepared by Adongo Kyalo.
