We are breaking down the biggest stories of 2018. Here is part two.
18. DCJ Philomena Mwilu Arrested
In one of the most daring arrests of 2018, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu was apprehended at the Supreme Court over alleged corruption.
Prior to her arrest, Mwilu had been under investigation for months after being reported by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to the DPP over the suspicious transfer of large amounts of money in and out of several bank accounts.
She was later released on bail with her lawyers arguing that matters of judicial misconduct ought to be handled by the Judicial Service Committee.
19. Uhuru Meets Trump
In August, President Kenyatta left for the United States to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House.
The two held talks on a wide array of subjects among them trade and regional security.
They also discussed ways of strengthening the blossoming Kenya-US relations focusing on the two nations’ shared democratic values and mutual interests.
20. 16% VAT Tax
September was a particularly hard time for Kenyans with the revision of fuel prices. Petrol retailed at Kshs 127 following the coming into effect of the VAT tax Act.
The 16 percent value-added tax (VAT) deduction imposed on petroleum products was in line with a promise made to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) two years ago.
Following an outcry from the public, President Kenyatta proposed a 50 percent reduction in the 16 percent VAT to eight percent to lessen the burden on Kenyans.
21. China Loans
A report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) revealed that Kenya's debt to China has increased by 52.8 per cent to Ksh478.6 Billion in 2017 compared to Ksh313.1 Billion in 2016.
The report, therefore, divulged that in the past one year, Kenya's economy accrued debt from China of about Ksh165 Billion.
It was further established that the world's second-largest economy controls 66 percent of Kenya's total bilateral debt, which stood at Ksh722.6 billion as at June 2017.
22. Sharon Atieno’s Murder
Sharon Atieno was a student at Rongo University at the time of her murder. There were allegations that she was also having an affair with Migori Governor Okoth Obado.
Key members of the Governor’s team were adversely implicated in the murder investigations. Sharon’s body, who was 7-months pregnant, was discovered in a thicket near Oyugis town.
On September 3, 2018, the first report about the abduction of Sharon and Nation Media Group journalist Barrack Oduor was received at Kadel Patrol Base. Governor Obado and his Personal Assistant Michael Oyamo were charged in court for her murder.
23. Migori Governor Okoth Obado
Governor Obado was the key suspect in Sharon’s murder. He was arrested and arraigned in court.
Prior to his arrest, Obado came clean about his affair with Sharon admitting that the baby was his.
He was released but apprehended later when police found eight guns in his homes.
This followed a raid by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives on his homes in Nairobi and Migori.
Five of the firearms were recovered in Nairobi while three were recovered at his home in Uriri and in Migori County.
24. Monica Kimani Murder
When the news of Nairobi businesswoman Monica Kimani being brutally murdered in her apartment in Kilimani broke, it was treated as any other homicide.
However, as detectives carried out investigations, the details provided more of a mystery into her killing as the prime suspect turned out to be Joseph Irungu aka Jowie, who was also Citizen TV anchor Jacque Maribe’s fiancé.
Jowie was later arrested with police reports indicating that he was nursing a gunshot wound after shooting himself.
However, Irungu claimed that he was shot on September 21 as he dropped Maribe home, claims that were not proven by witness statements.
25. Jacque Maribe Arrest
The anchor was thrown into the limelight after her fiancé was arrested over the murder of Nairobi businesswoman Monica Kimani.
What followed was a month-long detention and dramatic court sessions in an attempt to get her out on bail - her key reason being her young son who she couldn’t take care of while incarcerated.
She was released on a cash bail of Ksh1 Million with three sureties of similar amounts and further directed not to read news relating to the case.
In December she was spotted at Citizen TV studios, with Royal Media Services innovations director Linus Kaikai confirming that Maribe had resumed duties.
26. Rafiki Movie
When the lesbian-themed movie “Rafiki” came out (pun intended), KFCB immediately put a ban on it with its CEO Ezekiel Mutua terming it an abomination and an attempt at promoting homosexuality in the country.
The film director, Wanuri Kahiu, determined to have the movie screened for a chance of winning an Oscar Award moved to court.
Justice Wilfrida Okwany granted a seven-day suspension of the ban allowing the film to be eligible for nomination.
However, the Kenyan Oscars selection committee chose Supa Modo to represent Kenya.
27. Melania Trump in Kenya
United States First Lady Melania Trump visited Kenya in her first solo trip to Africa.
She made several visits in the city including holding talks with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta at State House and the US Embassy Offices.
She even showed off her dance moves as she was welcomed to an orphanage in Gigiri, Nairobi.
28. SANY With The Demolitions
Since the demolitions were sanctioned in Nairobi, one name has rung in people’s minds - SANY. The bulldozers the county government tasked with bringing down condemned buildings.
In its casualties’ list is a host of malls and multi-million buildings including South End Mall along Lang’ata Road, Taj Mall, and most recently the Grand Manor Hotel in Gigiri.
29. Governors related arrests
A number of governors found themselves on the wrong side of the law in 2018.
First on that list was Migori Governor Okoth Obado who was apprehended for the murder of Sharon Otieno (a university student he was having an affair with).
Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong was arrested in Busia county together with three other officials and taken to EACC headquarters at Integrity Centre in Nairobi.
Ojaamong and his 3 co-accused were later taken to Milimani Anti-Corruption Court by EACC detectives to answer to the alleged irregular acquisition of integrated solid waste management services worth Kshs8 Million.
In August, Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu's wife Susan Wangare Ndung'u was among 15 people arrested over the illegal and unapproved construction of buildings in Nairobi.
The buildings are reported to have been constructed on public land without approval from the National Construction Authority (NCA).
Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero was also arrested twice in a span of two months by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over graft allegations.
His son, Ronald Kidero was also not left out and found himself in cuffs for allegedly dealing in adulterated fuel.
30. Eliud Kipchoge Record-Breaking Run
Celebrated athlete Eliud Kipchoge cemented his place in the legends books by smashing the world marathon record in Berlin.
Kipchoge led a clean sweep of the podium with a new time of 2:01:39 establishing himself as the greatest marathoner of all time.
In December, he was crowned the Male Athlete of the year by the IAAF.
31. Matatu Crackdown
The matatu crackdown had been a long time coming with Governor Sonko postponing the removal of all matatus from Nairobi CBD since he took over office in 2017.
In December, the notice came to effect much to the dismay of commuters who had to trek for long hours because of lack of matatus.
Sonko suspended the ban calling for more consultations following uproar from all sectors on how the exercise was conducted.
“I have noted with deep concern the plight of Nairobi residents as a result of the ban, and hereby announce that the full implementation of this directive has been suspended with immediate effect,” the statement read in part.
He, however, warned Nairobians to prepare to walk again as his administration was keen on finding a solution to the congestion in the CBD.
The situation was exacerbated by a matatu crackdown that occurred a week earlier resulting in PSV owners who had not complied to Michuki rules keeping their vehicles off the road.
32. New Kenyan currency launch
On December 11, 2018, President Kenyatta launched the new Kenyan currency in accordance with the 2010 constitution.
Officiating the launch of the new generation currency at the CBK, he noted, "We shall be unveiling a set of new generation coins which are compliant with our 2010 constitution. I am extremely pleased that today we can achieve another milestone."
"I am informed that the new generation coins continue the tradition of depicting an aspect that best describes our country," he added.
The new coins will bear symbols not portraits of persons.
