Political leaders in Garissa county have accused the Kenya Defence Forces of grabbing grazing land in Modika town.
They said the army has started fencing off the 40 Squares community land to build military barracks.
Speaking to the Star on the phone yesterday, Garissa Township MP Aden Duale urged the military to cease or be sued.
"They should restrict themselves to their land until this issue is resolved amicably," he said.
Leaders who agreed with him include area MP Balambala MP Abdikadir Omar.
Others are MCAs Abdiwahab Suleiman (Sankuri), Mahat Osman (Jarajilla) and Noor Osman (Danyere), who spoke to the press in Modika.
Duale urged KDF to consult before proceeding with any construction works.
They should talk to residents, the National Land Commission and the Lands ministry, he said.
Omar said the army is violating land laws.
“It is unacceptable take any land without involving the community who are likely to be displaced,” he said.
"KDF's actions are intimidation and abuse of the our community's right to ownership of their God-given land."
The MP said the territory is "the only remaining grazing land" in the constituency.
The MCAs said the land is a lifeline for pastoralists.
They said they will play their oversight role to ensure the it is not taken away forcibly by any government agency.
“It has a water point for livestock and residents,,” Suleiman said.
The MCA said residents were shocked to see vehicles transporting building materials to fence off the land.
Suleiman said they found out from government agencies the land was earmarked for military barracks.
Sunday, 3 January 2016
SONKO:I HAVE FORGIVEN THEM
Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko has forgiven the five suspects who trailed him and his entourage from Machakos to Nyali for about five hours on Tuesday night.
Sonko said he convinced the police to release the suspects so that they can connect with their family members in ushering in new year.
"Despite having several enemies, my conscience was not clear. I begged police to release them," he said on phone.
The five were release on Thursday after spending a night at Nyali Police station but ordered to appear before Mombasa CID on January 10 for more questioning.
According to one of the detective who sought anonymity said their gadgets are being monitored keenly.
"They will report on January 10, we took all the details including finger prints." he said.
The suspects who were in a Porsche Cayenne (KCB 209H) and a Range Rover Vogue (KBJ 630V), were identified as Benard Kirimi, Josiah Omutuko, Willy Omundo, Dennis Ondula and Mohammed Liban.
The Star has established that Mohamed Liban Mohmaed was booked in two Presidential suits at Whitesands hotel in Mombasa.
Sonko said he convinced the police to release the suspects so that they can connect with their family members in ushering in new year.
"Despite having several enemies, my conscience was not clear. I begged police to release them," he said on phone.
The five were release on Thursday after spending a night at Nyali Police station but ordered to appear before Mombasa CID on January 10 for more questioning.
According to one of the detective who sought anonymity said their gadgets are being monitored keenly.
"They will report on January 10, we took all the details including finger prints." he said.
The suspects who were in a Porsche Cayenne (KCB 209H) and a Range Rover Vogue (KBJ 630V), were identified as Benard Kirimi, Josiah Omutuko, Willy Omundo, Dennis Ondula and Mohammed Liban.
The Star has established that Mohamed Liban Mohmaed was booked in two Presidential suits at Whitesands hotel in Mombasa.
MOSES KURIA:WE SHALL SUPPORT RUTO 2022
Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and Kiambu Governor William Kabogo have assured the Kalenjin community that their Kikuyu counterparts will not abandon Deputy President William Ruto in his bid for the presidency in 2022.
Kuria said the Kikuyu community of today is sincere and would not make any political mistakes to disown Ruto at eleventh hour.
Governor Kabogo said Uhuru and Ruto unity in 2013 general election was to unite the Kalenjin and Kikuyu communities in Rift Valley and that member Central Kenya will not make any political mistake to support any other person other than Ruto to succeed Uhuru in 2022.
In 2017 general election, Kuria said they will support Uhuru and Ruto under the new political oufit Jubilee Party of Kenya(JPK).
They spoke at Kabianga High School sports grounds in Belgut during the home coming party for the newly appointed Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter.
Kuria said the Kikuyu community of today is sincere and would not make any political mistakes to disown Ruto at eleventh hour.
Governor Kabogo said Uhuru and Ruto unity in 2013 general election was to unite the Kalenjin and Kikuyu communities in Rift Valley and that member Central Kenya will not make any political mistake to support any other person other than Ruto to succeed Uhuru in 2022.
In 2017 general election, Kuria said they will support Uhuru and Ruto under the new political oufit Jubilee Party of Kenya(JPK).
They spoke at Kabianga High School sports grounds in Belgut during the home coming party for the newly appointed Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter.
MARAKWET:MAN LINCHD OVERBKILLING
A man accused of hacking his three-year-old nephew to death over a land dispute was lynched in Marakwet East on Friday.
Julius Cheserek, 30, allegedly killed baby Calmax Kiplimo at their home in Karel village, Kerio Valley, using a panga after a meeting on the dispute.
Cheserek is believed to have killed the baby after elders decided against him in the case involving his brothers and cousins, said police boss Emmanuel Rono.
“The deceased may have unleashed his anger on his opponent’s child as revenge. We have launched investigations," Rono said.
He said Cheresek fled after the baby was killed but that villagers looked for him and lynched him.
Julius Cheserek, 30, allegedly killed baby Calmax Kiplimo at their home in Karel village, Kerio Valley, using a panga after a meeting on the dispute.
Cheserek is believed to have killed the baby after elders decided against him in the case involving his brothers and cousins, said police boss Emmanuel Rono.
“The deceased may have unleashed his anger on his opponent’s child as revenge. We have launched investigations," Rono said.
He said Cheresek fled after the baby was killed but that villagers looked for him and lynched him.
PRISONNERS ON DEATHROW JOIN LEARNING PROGRAM
Five hundred death row prisoners have joined the Naivasha GK Prison learning programme that is part of reforms in the penal department.
Education has become key to reforming prisoners, Reform facility officer in charge Patrick Mwendwa noted, adding the programme has at least 1,500 members.
“For years death row inmates have not been allowed to work or join any learning programme but we have decided to change this,” Mwendwa said.
He spoke at the prison on Sunday after hosting visitors who promised that volunteering teacher-inmates would undergo formal training.
Mwendwa welcomed the training saying it would improve the standard of education at the facility and improve 87 instructors' teaching skills.
Mt Kenya University quality assurance director Peter Wanderi said ways to implementing the programme were being sought.
Wanderi said he would urge academics to offer in service training to teacher-inmates before ways of offering structured training through an established curriculum are established.
“I am impressed by the inmates' ability to teach but they still require basic training that will enable them discharge their teaching duties effectively,” he said.
Wanderi congratulated the institution on top performers, noting this was despite the lack of teaching materials and qualified personnel.
He was in the company of Germany-based Jane Muchiri-Marquard who has, since 2014, donated Sh300,000 for the education programme.
Muchiri-Marquard praised the reforms that include the introduction of formal education.
She said the annual donation was made in partnership with well-wishers keen on supporting the education programme.
Volunteer Esther Wagaki said she would introduce an e-mentoring programme to enable prisoners share ideologies.
“We have realised some of them have composed songs and produced documentaries which they can market online,” she said.
Education has become key to reforming prisoners, Reform facility officer in charge Patrick Mwendwa noted, adding the programme has at least 1,500 members.
“For years death row inmates have not been allowed to work or join any learning programme but we have decided to change this,” Mwendwa said.
He spoke at the prison on Sunday after hosting visitors who promised that volunteering teacher-inmates would undergo formal training.
Mwendwa welcomed the training saying it would improve the standard of education at the facility and improve 87 instructors' teaching skills.
Mt Kenya University quality assurance director Peter Wanderi said ways to implementing the programme were being sought.
Wanderi said he would urge academics to offer in service training to teacher-inmates before ways of offering structured training through an established curriculum are established.
“I am impressed by the inmates' ability to teach but they still require basic training that will enable them discharge their teaching duties effectively,” he said.
Wanderi congratulated the institution on top performers, noting this was despite the lack of teaching materials and qualified personnel.
He was in the company of Germany-based Jane Muchiri-Marquard who has, since 2014, donated Sh300,000 for the education programme.
Muchiri-Marquard praised the reforms that include the introduction of formal education.
She said the annual donation was made in partnership with well-wishers keen on supporting the education programme.
Volunteer Esther Wagaki said she would introduce an e-mentoring programme to enable prisoners share ideologies.
“We have realised some of them have composed songs and produced documentaries which they can market online,” she said.
Saturday, 2 January 2016
THE TERROR FAIL IN MOMBASA KILIFI
Coast police have foiled two New Year's Eve terror attacks targeting a Kilifi county police station and a popular nightclub in Mombasa.
Had they succeeded, the suspected al Shabaab terrorists would have caused numerous casualties and maximum damage, police said.
They did not identify the nightspot or the police station.
A wanted terror suspect was arrested on Tuesday.
Forty-three 43 suspected Mombasa Republican Council members were arrested on Thursday at Tiwi, Kwale county commissioner Evans Achoki said.
Intelligence reports said the nightclub and police station attacks had been planned by al Shabaab militants who sneaked out of Boni Forest on Tuesday night, evading a major security operation to flush them out.
Regional police commandant Francis Wanjohi said the attacks were to be launched when thousands of revellers were ushering in 2016 at churches, clubs and other entertainment venues.
“We share a lot of information with different agencies, including spymasters. That's why we managed to foil the two intended attacks planned to do maximum damage,” Wanjohi said.
All police and security agencies are working around the clock throughout the Coast region, he said.
More Boni Forest has been the site of a massive operation to drive out more than 300 al Shabaab militants based in the vast forest.
On Tuesday, the General Service Unit mounted a roadblock around Kona ya Musa at Ukunda where they nabbed Rashid Mwamtaka, who is on the police wanted list. He was arrested while driving his Toyota Probox along the busy Lunga Lunga-Likoni highway.
“Mwamtaka is among other dangerous suspects we are seeking to hand them over to the Anti-Terror Police Unit,” one officer, who did not wish to be named, told the Star.
“We have many terror suspects whose names have not been made public. Once we arrest them, they are handed over to the ATPU for action,” he said.
Heavily armed GSU officers stopped Mwamtaka at the roadblock, checked his driving licence to confirm his identity and arrested him.
Kwale commissioner Achoki confirmed the arrest and said Mwamtaka is being interrogated.
He said the 43 suspected MRC members were holding an illegal meeting at a homestead and were booked at Kwale police station. They are to be taken to court on Monday.
He revealed police disrupted another meeting of the outlawed MRC at Mwananyamala in Lunga Lunga, Kwale county, on Thursday morning.
Police said the MRC members were raising funds to bail out three of their fellows who were arrested and charged with being members of an illegal group three weeks ago.
Had they succeeded, the suspected al Shabaab terrorists would have caused numerous casualties and maximum damage, police said.
They did not identify the nightspot or the police station.
A wanted terror suspect was arrested on Tuesday.
Forty-three 43 suspected Mombasa Republican Council members were arrested on Thursday at Tiwi, Kwale county commissioner Evans Achoki said.
Intelligence reports said the nightclub and police station attacks had been planned by al Shabaab militants who sneaked out of Boni Forest on Tuesday night, evading a major security operation to flush them out.
Regional police commandant Francis Wanjohi said the attacks were to be launched when thousands of revellers were ushering in 2016 at churches, clubs and other entertainment venues.
“We share a lot of information with different agencies, including spymasters. That's why we managed to foil the two intended attacks planned to do maximum damage,” Wanjohi said.
All police and security agencies are working around the clock throughout the Coast region, he said.
More Boni Forest has been the site of a massive operation to drive out more than 300 al Shabaab militants based in the vast forest.
On Tuesday, the General Service Unit mounted a roadblock around Kona ya Musa at Ukunda where they nabbed Rashid Mwamtaka, who is on the police wanted list. He was arrested while driving his Toyota Probox along the busy Lunga Lunga-Likoni highway.
“Mwamtaka is among other dangerous suspects we are seeking to hand them over to the Anti-Terror Police Unit,” one officer, who did not wish to be named, told the Star.
“We have many terror suspects whose names have not been made public. Once we arrest them, they are handed over to the ATPU for action,” he said.
Heavily armed GSU officers stopped Mwamtaka at the roadblock, checked his driving licence to confirm his identity and arrested him.
Kwale commissioner Achoki confirmed the arrest and said Mwamtaka is being interrogated.
He said the 43 suspected MRC members were holding an illegal meeting at a homestead and were booked at Kwale police station. They are to be taken to court on Monday.
He revealed police disrupted another meeting of the outlawed MRC at Mwananyamala in Lunga Lunga, Kwale county, on Thursday morning.
Police said the MRC members were raising funds to bail out three of their fellows who were arrested and charged with being members of an illegal group three weeks ago.
CORD POORLY PERFORMED IN PARLIAMENT 2015
The Opposition's performance in Parliament in 2015 was lacklustre, signalling weak leadership of the 141 Cord Coalition MPs.
Cord failed spectacularly in calling for impeachment of President Uhuru Kenyatta and sacking of Devolution CS Anne Waiguru — both nonstarters considered emblematic of the opposition's divisiveness.
Individually, Cord MPs introduced more bills than their Jubilee counterparts but their leaders failed to whip them and were unable to generate numbers to push their agenda.
Though the Standing Orders don't allow party-sponsored bills, Minority Leader Charles Nyenze did not present a single bill to the assembly.
Out of 57 bills introduced in the Assembly, 35 were brought by Majority Leader Aden Duale, the Government link in Parliament.
Cord MPs brought nine bills — two disowned by Coalition leadership — while Jubilee MPs brought seven private member bills.
The rest of the bills came from chairpersons of Budget, Finance and Justice and Legal Affairs committees.
In the Senate, while Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki brought one bill, Minority Leader and Cord co-principal Moses Wetang'ula brought none in 2015.
Fifteen bills were introduced in the Senate, five coming from committees, five from Cord senators and five from Jubilee, including Kindiki.
Even when Government-sponsored bills were presented to the House, most opposition MPs shied away from proposing amendments.
Several government-sponsored bills that critics said undermine the constitution were passed — while the Opposition watched.
But ODM chairman John Mbadi said the Opposition performed relatively well.
"We did better than Jubilee but we can do better. We faced challenges, including getting the numbers to counter Jubilee. However, we defeated the bills on NGOs, the ones muzzling the media and we raised the issue to deal with the draconian security bill," Mbadi told the Star.
Cord also faced challenges in Parliament due to "a Speaker who is not willing to give the opposition their say".
When Cord MPs showed their dissatisfaction, they staged walkouts to stop business due to lack of forum, instead of voting.
Since 2013, Cord MPs have walked out at least once a year, and then complained to the public.
Even when they exit, majority leader Duale has always raised a quorum, a minimum 50 MPs.
Several times, Cord leaders have failed to whip members to force a physical vote, instead of less certain acclamation.
Despite having 141 MPs, the Opposition has mostly failed to have 30 MPs in support of a physical vote when acclamation is uncertain.
Mbadi admitted Cord's legislative leadership is less than ideal.
"The opposition outside Parliament has done better in exposing corruption in government. This is mainly because our leadership outside is more experienced," Mbadi said.
The Opposition chairs and constitutes the majority of members of the watchdog Public Accounts and Public Investments committees.
The PAC was dissolved and reconstituted this year over claims of members' corruption.
"We started well, then government started interfering and diverted attention to portray us as fighting each other. We have seen watered-down reports due to interference," Mbadi said.
Cord failed spectacularly in calling for impeachment of President Uhuru Kenyatta and sacking of Devolution CS Anne Waiguru — both nonstarters considered emblematic of the opposition's divisiveness.
Individually, Cord MPs introduced more bills than their Jubilee counterparts but their leaders failed to whip them and were unable to generate numbers to push their agenda.
Though the Standing Orders don't allow party-sponsored bills, Minority Leader Charles Nyenze did not present a single bill to the assembly.
Out of 57 bills introduced in the Assembly, 35 were brought by Majority Leader Aden Duale, the Government link in Parliament.
Cord MPs brought nine bills — two disowned by Coalition leadership — while Jubilee MPs brought seven private member bills.
The rest of the bills came from chairpersons of Budget, Finance and Justice and Legal Affairs committees.
In the Senate, while Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki brought one bill, Minority Leader and Cord co-principal Moses Wetang'ula brought none in 2015.
Fifteen bills were introduced in the Senate, five coming from committees, five from Cord senators and five from Jubilee, including Kindiki.
Even when Government-sponsored bills were presented to the House, most opposition MPs shied away from proposing amendments.
Several government-sponsored bills that critics said undermine the constitution were passed — while the Opposition watched.
But ODM chairman John Mbadi said the Opposition performed relatively well.
"We did better than Jubilee but we can do better. We faced challenges, including getting the numbers to counter Jubilee. However, we defeated the bills on NGOs, the ones muzzling the media and we raised the issue to deal with the draconian security bill," Mbadi told the Star.
Cord also faced challenges in Parliament due to "a Speaker who is not willing to give the opposition their say".
When Cord MPs showed their dissatisfaction, they staged walkouts to stop business due to lack of forum, instead of voting.
Since 2013, Cord MPs have walked out at least once a year, and then complained to the public.
Even when they exit, majority leader Duale has always raised a quorum, a minimum 50 MPs.
Several times, Cord leaders have failed to whip members to force a physical vote, instead of less certain acclamation.
Despite having 141 MPs, the Opposition has mostly failed to have 30 MPs in support of a physical vote when acclamation is uncertain.
Mbadi admitted Cord's legislative leadership is less than ideal.
"The opposition outside Parliament has done better in exposing corruption in government. This is mainly because our leadership outside is more experienced," Mbadi said.
The Opposition chairs and constitutes the majority of members of the watchdog Public Accounts and Public Investments committees.
The PAC was dissolved and reconstituted this year over claims of members' corruption.
"We started well, then government started interfering and diverted attention to portray us as fighting each other. We have seen watered-down reports due to interference," Mbadi said.
Friday, 1 January 2016
KENYANS DISOBEY BOINNET AND JOIN THE WORLD TO USHER IN 2016
Kenyans defied the odds and joined other cities across the globe in ushering the new year on Thursday night.
There were festivities across the city as the world ushered in 2016, with fireworks, church services and parties across country.
On Tuesday Boinnet had stated that people had to get permits to set off fireworks during the eve of new year's celebrations.
Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet directed the order to hotel owners, individuals and other establishments on Monday evening saying the order was a measure to curb on terrorism.
"No one is allowed to set off any manner of fireworks without the necessary authorisation from the Ministry of Mining which will in turn alert the nearest police station or camp," Boinnet said in a press statement.
There were festivities across the city as the world ushered in 2016, with fireworks, church services and parties across country.
On Tuesday Boinnet had stated that people had to get permits to set off fireworks during the eve of new year's celebrations.
Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet directed the order to hotel owners, individuals and other establishments on Monday evening saying the order was a measure to curb on terrorism.
"No one is allowed to set off any manner of fireworks without the necessary authorisation from the Ministry of Mining which will in turn alert the nearest police station or camp," Boinnet said in a press statement.
FIVE PEOPLE PERISH ON A ROAD ACCIDENT DURING NEW YEAR EVE AT SALGAA NAKURU
Five people died and three others seriously injured in Salgaa as Kenyans ushered in the New Year.
The three died after a Mbukinya bus and a Toyota Wish were involved in a head-on collision at around 3am on the Nakuru-Total highway.
All the victims were in the private car, no one in the bus was injured.
Witnesses told the Star the bus was speeding as it attempted to overtake another vehicle when it hit the small car.
Rift Valley traffic commander Mary Omari said the three people who were injured are receiving treatment at Nakuru Provincial Hospital.
The car was heading to Uganda while the bus was travelling to Nakuru from Eldoret town.
“I warn all road users during this festive season and especially as we head to school opening to strictly observe traffic rules to avoid more accidents,” Omari said.
The three died after a Mbukinya bus and a Toyota Wish were involved in a head-on collision at around 3am on the Nakuru-Total highway.
All the victims were in the private car, no one in the bus was injured.
Witnesses told the Star the bus was speeding as it attempted to overtake another vehicle when it hit the small car.
Rift Valley traffic commander Mary Omari said the three people who were injured are receiving treatment at Nakuru Provincial Hospital.
The car was heading to Uganda while the bus was travelling to Nakuru from Eldoret town.
“I warn all road users during this festive season and especially as we head to school opening to strictly observe traffic rules to avoid more accidents,” Omari said.
OCS IN NAIROBI DONATES FOOD TO STREET CHILDREN
Nearly three hundred members of street families benefited from a food donation by Central Police station OCS Alphonse Ngundo on Friday.
The OCS, accompanied by,the Chaplain of the station Pastor Joshua Kimengich and several police officers donated to them foodstuff as they celebrated the new year.
Ngundo urged members of the public not to neglect them as they are part of our society and they need to be loved.
"This people didn't choose to be here but it's only that they are unfortunate and if we cooperate with them the city will be okay",said Ngundo.
The Central station police boss said that through police cooperation with members of the street families,crime has reduced in the city through prevention and detection of it from their tips.
Among the beneficiaries was 18-year old Francis Kuria who sat for his class 8 at Gathiga children's home last year and scored 287 marks thanked the Police for their cooperation with them.
He said that it's through that relationship and advice from the Police that he was able to enrol at the children home and complete his primary education.
"I am grateful to the Central police station officers because they helped me shape my life by going back to school and i am hoping for a better future." He said.
The OCS, accompanied by,the Chaplain of the station Pastor Joshua Kimengich and several police officers donated to them foodstuff as they celebrated the new year.
Ngundo urged members of the public not to neglect them as they are part of our society and they need to be loved.
"This people didn't choose to be here but it's only that they are unfortunate and if we cooperate with them the city will be okay",said Ngundo.
The Central station police boss said that through police cooperation with members of the street families,crime has reduced in the city through prevention and detection of it from their tips.
Among the beneficiaries was 18-year old Francis Kuria who sat for his class 8 at Gathiga children's home last year and scored 287 marks thanked the Police for their cooperation with them.
He said that it's through that relationship and advice from the Police that he was able to enrol at the children home and complete his primary education.
"I am grateful to the Central police station officers because they helped me shape my life by going back to school and i am hoping for a better future." He said.
KISUMU GOVERNOR ASK THE MIGHTY PROPHET TO PRAY FOR THE NATION
Kisumu governor has called on Prophet David Owuor to pray for the nation in his three day rally at the Kibos grounds in Kisumu.
“We have seen miracles through his prayers and I am calling him to pray for the country,” he said while welcoming Owuor to the city on Thursday.
Prophet Owuor kicked off a three day crusade in Kisumu on Thursday with thousands of faithfuls braving the cold and rains.
The crowds arrived arrived in Kisumu for the New Year prayers to be led by Owuor from Friday last week at the Kibos grounds.
Guests came from as far Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Europe.
There is tight security as more than 1,200 police officers, including anti-terror experts were deployed to the venue and town.
Kisumu county commissioner John Elungata and Assistant IG Joseph Keitany said acts of lawlessness will to be allowed. They said police are on high alert to curb any crime.
Owuor arrived in Kisumu on Wednesday evening with a convoy of sleek cars escorted by police under tight security.
Last year more than 10,000 people, including those from Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Europe, attended Owuor’s crusade in Kisumu.
“We have seen miracles through his prayers and I am calling him to pray for the country,” he said while welcoming Owuor to the city on Thursday.
Prophet Owuor kicked off a three day crusade in Kisumu on Thursday with thousands of faithfuls braving the cold and rains.
The crowds arrived arrived in Kisumu for the New Year prayers to be led by Owuor from Friday last week at the Kibos grounds.
Guests came from as far Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Europe.
There is tight security as more than 1,200 police officers, including anti-terror experts were deployed to the venue and town.
Kisumu county commissioner John Elungata and Assistant IG Joseph Keitany said acts of lawlessness will to be allowed. They said police are on high alert to curb any crime.
Owuor arrived in Kisumu on Wednesday evening with a convoy of sleek cars escorted by police under tight security.
Last year more than 10,000 people, including those from Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Europe, attended Owuor’s crusade in Kisumu.
Thursday, 31 December 2015
2000 TO BENEFIT ON WINGS TO FLY
Two thousand students who scored more than 350 marks in the 2015 KCPE exam will get Equity Wings to Fly scholarships.
About 200,000 candidates attained the marks in the exam whose results were announced on Wednesday.
Applications will be open until January 6, said Equity Group Foundation Helen Gichohi.
She asked applicants to go to bank branches or agents with result slips and letters of introduction from their headteachers, to obtain application forms.
The scholarships under the programme launched in 2011 are for top performers who cannot afford secondary education.
It includes transport, pocket money, shopping, books and uniforms required for the four years of study.
On December 10, the foundation said it would award 30,000 scholarships in 10 years to the less fortunate.
Chairman James Mwangi made the announcement during the 6th Annual Education and Leadership congress that brought together more than 4,000 beneficiaries.
"You are being nurtured to be global leaders. Globalise your mind, there is life beyond your community and nation," he told the scholars.
Mwangi said most of the beneficiaries have excelled in national exams, with 93 per cent qualifying for university and often taking up leadership positions in their schools and communities.
"Their performance has been nothing short of inspiring, validating our belief that given an opportunity, low income people are capable and industrious enough to work their way to prosperity," he said.
The conference featured mentorship and addresses by CEOs of corporate organisations, government leaders, academia and motivational speakers who encouraged participants to view leadership as an opportunity to serve.
SUSPECTS TRAILING SONKO ARRESTED
DETECTIVES in Mombasa are questioning five suspects who trailed Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko and his security team for about five hours on Tuesday night.
A close member of Sonko’s family, who sought anonymity, said they suspect the men had bad intentions because they followed the senator from Machakos to Nyali, Mombasa.
Sonko, who was accompanied by three cars, stopped severally on the way, and the men, who were in a Porsche Cayenne and a Range Rover Vogue, cars worth at least Sh50 million combine, also made several stopovers without talking or making any sign of acknowledgement.
“Sonko’s security team is very sharp. Even if it were a major shootout, the men would have been surprised by what would have happened to them. We highly suspect they had a bad intention,” the family member said. Sonko’s bodyguards shot in the air behind Nakumatt in Nyali.
Police are analysing the five men’s mobile phone records.
Kisauni CID boss Stephen Wambua said detectives are yet to complete investigations.
“There is a team of detectives handling the case keenly and once they are done, action will be taken,” he said.
Sonko said he has several enemies, including fellow politicians and landgrabbers.
“Let the police do their work. Several politicians, including former MPs Mugabe Were (Embakasi), Tony Ndilinge (Kilome) and George Muchai (Kabete) lost their lives after being trailed,” he told the Star on the phone.
CORD APPOINT A TEAM OF EXPERTS AHEAD OF 2017 ELECTIONS TO IDENTYFY FLAG BEARERS
CORD co-principal Moses Wetang’ula yesterday said the opposition has appointed a team of experts to identify their joint presidential candidate this year.
He said the team will help to find a workable formula through which one of the Cord presidential aspirants will be picked to run against Jubilee’s President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“This time around we are well prepared and a team is already working on that issue so we can move forward this new year,” Wetang’ula said.
The Bungoma senator was speaking in Eldoret town, where he met Ford Kenya officials from Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia counties.
Wetang’ula said he is in the presidential race with Cord leader Raila Odinga, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Justice minister Martha Karua.
“What I can assure you is that whoever will be picked, the opposition will beat Jubilee because they have completely mismanaged the country,” he said.
Wetang’ula blamed Uhuru and Deputy President William Ruto for the country’s economic problems caused by increased corruption.
65% OF KENYAN TEACHERS PERFORM POORLY IN THEIR SUBJECT
SIXTY-FIVE per cent of teachers in public schools do not have adequate knowledge of the subjects they teach, a Word Bank report released yesterday shows.
The Survey on the 2012-13 Implementation of Service Delivery Indicators in Education showed that only a third (35 per cent) of public school teachers showed mastery of the curriculum they teach, with seniority and years of training among teachers lacking correlation with better competence.
In private schools, 49 per cent of teachers understand the subjects they teach.
The report also discloses that half of teachers in public schools show up but do not actually go to class to teach.
Rural public schools are the biggest casualties of both classroom absenteeism, at 48.8 per cent, and school absenteeism, at 17.2 per cent, against urban public schools, at 42.6 per cent and 13.7 per cent, respectively.
According to the report, released by the ministry of Education, a public school child receives 1 hour 9 minutes less teaching daily than their private schools counterparts.
The implication is that every term, a child in a public school receives 20 days less of teaching time, with the situation being worsened by teachers’ lack of adequate knowledge in the subjects they teach.
This is despite the fact that 86 per cent of public schools have sufficient light for reading, and the average number of textbooks exceeds Kenya’s target of 3 per pupil, says the survey.
There are large and significant differences between private and public schools, with public school classes almost twice as large, at 37 pupils, than private school classes at 21 pupils.
Crowding is also more severe in urban schools, with average class sizes of 41 compared to rural schools with 36 students per teacher.
The report found there is large variation in the student‐teacher ratio across Kenya, with one teacher handling 50 students or more in 20 per cent of schools.
The research was conducted by the Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis and Kimterica, with support from the World Bank and USAID.
The research results deliver a withering verdict on public school tutors, just a day after the 2015 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examination results showed private academies outshone public schools.
The overall slump in performance was attributed to teachers’ chronic absenteeism in public schools, with many opting to miss classes on Thursdays and Fridays to attend funerals and other social activities.
The findings show the government has done better on the availability of inputs such as equipment, textbooks, and most types of infrastructure, but fails on provider knowledge and effort, which are relatively weak.
“Significantly, more investment is needed in ‘software’ than ‘hardware’,” the report notes.
The overall objective of the indicators is to gauge the quality of service delivery in primary education to enable the government and service providers to identify gaps and to track progress.
KBL IN BATTLE WITH KENYA FILM CLASSIFICATION BOARD
A legal battle is in the offing, after Kenya Breweries wrote to the Kenya Film Classification Board on threats of prosecution over what have been termed unclassified adverts.
In a letter through the law firm of Oraro & Company Advocates, the beer maker says that KFCB has no mandate on advertisement on any recorded visual medium meant for public consumption through television broadcasting.
But speaking at a press conference yesterday, the KFCB chief executive officer, Ezekiel Mutua, maintained the Board has the mandate of approving all adverts for public consumption that run on TV and that they must be rated and granted approval before they are aired.
Mutua said the Board will not be intimidated by KBL and is ready to move to court and seek clarification on the matter.
In their letter, KBL claim that they are recognised as “the second largest taxpayer in Kenya”. Mutua responded that while this may be true, “it is morally wrong and utterly unethical for the company to ride on their financial muscle to break the law with impunity.”
The Board on December 10 wrote to several companies, including KBL, Unilever (for its Lux soap advert), Pwani Oil and the makers of Durex condoms for running unclassified advertisements on TV.
According to Mutua, all the companies responded positively by either withdrawing the “offensive” adverts or submitting them for examination and classification. Some, including representatives from East African Breweries Ltd, the owners of KBL, sent a team to the Board for further engagement, he said.
However, he said, KBL later wrote a letter on December 30, stating that the Board was overstepping its mandate.
Mutua responded, “We must state that we shall utilise all the constitutional and legal authority bestowed on us by Kenyans to deal with such mischief and machinations as exhibited by KBL.”
The letter from KBL stated that the correct legal position with respect to advertising in Kenya is that it is a self-regulating industry, regulated by the Advertising Standards Committee (ASC). The letter said ASC has a comprehensive code, complaints body and an appeals tribunal.
While KBL copied its letter to the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions for a mediation session, Mutua said he had invited media owners, ASC, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, the Consumer Federation of Kenya and the Communications Authority, to create more awareness and compliance.
THE ENTIRE FAMILY OF THECOUNTYWATCHKENYA WISHING YOU A HAPPY 2016
WISHING YOU A HAPPY 2016
THE ENTIRE FAMILY OF THECOUNTYWATCHKENYA WISHING YOU A HAPPY 2016
Wednesday, 30 December 2015
12COUNTIES DIDNT CHEAT IN KCPE EXAM
Matiang'i, who announced the results on Wednesday, said the cases were reported in 35 counties. The number of candidates who sat for the exam was 927,789.
He said no cases of exam irregularities were registered in the other 12 counties.
The 12 are Taita Taveta, Siaya, Nyeri, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Marsabit, Kajiado, Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu.
The CS asked counties to follow up on the cases of cheating once the Kenya National Examination Council released reports to them.
“We will do whatever it takes to bring cheating to an end in all counties. We must be accountable because cheating is the lowest form of intellectual dishonesty,” he said at Mtihani House in Nairobi on Wednesday.
"We will hold Knec accountable because we want to find a way of dealing with cheating."
Knec CEO Joseph Kivilu said investigations on the root cause of national exam challenges, including cheating, are ongoing.
“We have identified pupils, teachers and security personnel responsible for cheating. They will soon be arraigned in court," he said.
He lauded the media for "responsible reporting" on the irregularities during the exam period. Several suspects were arrested with test papers before the exams began.
Pastor sets himself on fire after missing spot in Prophet Owuor's Kisumu convoy
A
pastor set himself on fire in his Nairobi house on Tuesday upon learning
he would not be in Prophet Owuor's convoy to a crusade in Kisumu.
Police
said preliminary investigations showed pastor Fred Otieno attempted
suicide after he was assigned duty in Kibos ahead of Owuor's trip on
Wednesday.
A security officer and reverend only identified as Gitonga said he noticed smoke emanating from Otieno's house at Runda Mumwe estate, gate 128.
"We rushed there and found the pastor [who serves at Kings Outreach Ministries] unconscious in his bedroom." he told officers from Kiambu police station.
Kiambu police boss Steven Ng'etich said Otieno's clothes were in a heap that was on fire and that a 13-kg gas cylinder was on.
Ng'etich said the pastor suffered burns to the legs, hands and forehead in the 10am incident but is in stable condition at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Thousands of Christians are expected to attend the newyear prayers
going on until January 4. Some 1,200 police officers were to be deployed to keep guard.
In 2014, more than 10,000 people, including those from Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Europe, attended Owuor’s gathering in Kisumu.
Police
said preliminary investigations showed pastor Fred Otieno attempted
suicide after he was assigned duty in Kibos ahead of Owuor's trip on
Wednesday.A security officer and reverend only identified as Gitonga said he noticed smoke emanating from Otieno's house at Runda Mumwe estate, gate 128.
"We rushed there and found the pastor [who serves at Kings Outreach Ministries] unconscious in his bedroom." he told officers from Kiambu police station.
Kiambu police boss Steven Ng'etich said Otieno's clothes were in a heap that was on fire and that a 13-kg gas cylinder was on.
Ng'etich said the pastor suffered burns to the legs, hands and forehead in the 10am incident but is in stable condition at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Thousands of Christians are expected to attend the newyear prayers
going on until January 4. Some 1,200 police officers were to be deployed to keep guard.
In 2014, more than 10,000 people, including those from Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Europe, attended Owuor’s gathering in Kisumu.
FAMILY:WE WANT JUSTICE
A Kenyan woman who died under unclear circumstances in Saudi Arabia on July 7 was buried in Msambweni, Kwale county on Tuesday.
The body of Mwanakombo Mohammed, 39, had been detained by her employer; her family said they were informed of her death through a Kenyan agent.
Widower Omar Bakari said Mohammed's employer claimed she died after an illness. She had worked in the country for nine months.
“It is not clear why they did not inform us when she fell sick and was admitted. We have not received the autopsy report,” he said.
Bakari said the medical report sent to them was in Arabic. Mohammed had signed a two-year contract but was not paid her dues, he told the press and called for justice.
A relative noted that Bakari is unemployed and that he and Mohammed had eight children.
Another Kenyan, Salama Nyamvula, who also died under mysterious circumstances in Abu Dhabi, UAE, was buried last week in Kilifi county's Mtwapa area.
Mombasa Nominated Senator Emma Mbura said she received a distress call from a woman in Riyadh - Bahati Karisa - saying she reported that her boss had threatened her.
Mbura said: “She told me the mistreatment began in June. She wants to come back home. We must act fast to save her. We want her back home, not her body."
Karisa, a mother of six from Malindi, left Kenya for Riyadh in Saudi Arabia in February. The agent who allegedly took her to the country did not answer calls on Tuesday.
Several leaders have asked the state to launch investigations into the deaths of Kenyans working abroad, in the Middle East in particular.
The body of Mwanakombo Mohammed, 39, had been detained by her employer; her family said they were informed of her death through a Kenyan agent.
Widower Omar Bakari said Mohammed's employer claimed she died after an illness. She had worked in the country for nine months.
“It is not clear why they did not inform us when she fell sick and was admitted. We have not received the autopsy report,” he said.
Bakari said the medical report sent to them was in Arabic. Mohammed had signed a two-year contract but was not paid her dues, he told the press and called for justice.
A relative noted that Bakari is unemployed and that he and Mohammed had eight children.
Another Kenyan, Salama Nyamvula, who also died under mysterious circumstances in Abu Dhabi, UAE, was buried last week in Kilifi county's Mtwapa area.
Mombasa Nominated Senator Emma Mbura said she received a distress call from a woman in Riyadh - Bahati Karisa - saying she reported that her boss had threatened her.
Mbura said: “She told me the mistreatment began in June. She wants to come back home. We must act fast to save her. We want her back home, not her body."
Karisa, a mother of six from Malindi, left Kenya for Riyadh in Saudi Arabia in February. The agent who allegedly took her to the country did not answer calls on Tuesday.
Several leaders have asked the state to launch investigations into the deaths of Kenyans working abroad, in the Middle East in particular.
ring the 2015 KCPE
examination, KNEC analysed information received from the monitoring
team, examiners and the general public among others and identified 2,709
out of 927,789 candidates involved in examination irregularities.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000186581/full-list-of-counties-with-no-exam-irregularities-in-2015-kcpe
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000186581/full-list-of-counties-with-no-exam-irregularities-in-2015-kcpe
During the 2015 KCPE
examination, KNEC analysed information received from the monitoring
team, examiners and the general public among others and identified 2,709
out of 927,789 candidates involved in examination irregularities.
These candidates were found in 111 out of 25,127 examination centres,
representing 0.44% of the total number of examination centres.
The highest percentage of examination irregularities in the last 10
years was recorded in the year 2011 when 7974 (1.03%) of the total
candidates who sat for the examination were involved in examination
irregularities.
Collusion continue to be the most common form of examination
irregularities accounting for 98.7% of the total number of examination
irregularity cases reported in 2015 KCPE examination.
Out of the 47 counties, 12 did not have any cheating cases during the
2015 KCPE examination.
Counties with no exam irregularities include; Taita Taveta, Mombasa,
Kilifi, Tana River, Nyeri, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Marsabit, Uasin Gishu,
Kajiado, Elgeyo Marakwet and Siaya.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000186581/full-list-of-counties-with-no-exam-irregularities-in-2015-kcpe
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000186581/full-list-of-counties-with-no-exam-irregularities-in-2015-kcpe
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000186581/full-list-of-counties-with-no-exam-irregularities-in-2015-kcp
These candidates were
found in 111 out of 25,127 examination centres, representing 0.44% of
the total number of examination centres.
The highest percentage of examination irregularities in the last 10
years was recorded in the year 2011 when 7974 (1.03%) of the total
candidates who sat for the examination were involved in examination
irregularities.
Collusion continue to be the most common form of examination
irregularities accounting for 98.7% of the total number of examination
irregularity cases reported in 2015 KCPE examination.
Out of the 47 counties, 12 did not have any cheating cases during the
2015 KCPE examination.
Counties with no exam irregularities include; Taita Taveta, Mombasa,
Kilifi, Tana River, Nyeri, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Marsabit, Uasin Gishu,
Kajiado, Elgeyo Marakwet and Siaya.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000186581/full-list-of-counties-with-no-exam-irregularities-in-2015-kcpe
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000186581/full-list-of-counties-with-no-exam-irregularities-in-2015-kcpe
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