Mbunge wa Dagoretti kusini John Kj Kiarie alijiwasilishi kwa kituo cha polisi cha Kabete. Mbunge huyo alichapisha ujumbe katika mtandao wa kijamii akidai kuwa idadi ya watio waliokurantini ni 7000. Katika ujumbe huo pia KJ anahisi kuwa wakenya watakaoambukizwa ifikapo mwezi ujao ni 10000.
Wycliffe Oparanya alitangaza kuwa atafanyiwa vipimo vya Covid-19. Hii ni baada ya kutangamana na maafisa watatu ambao walisafiri nchini Italia hii majuzi ambapo ndio imeathiririka zaidi na janga hilo. Watatu hao walikosa kufuata kanuni ya kuingia karantini wiki moja iliyopita baada ya kurejea nyumbani.
Oparanya pia ametambua kwamba maafisa hao watatu hawakujitenga ghafla baada ya kurejea nyumbani wakitokea Italia ambapo walikuwa wamekwenda kutafuta kifaa cha maji kinachohitajika na kaunti hiyo.
Watatu hao huenda wakakamatwa kwa kukiuka maagizo ya serikali ambapo kila mtu anayeingia nchini ni lazima kujitenga kwa siku 14.
Wakenya wanaoishi mijini wameshauriwa wasisafiri kuelekea mashinani wakati huu ambapo serikali inajitahidi iwezavyo kudhibiti ueneaji wa virusi vya corona. Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Magavana Wycliffe Oparanya, alisema kuhepa mijini itawaweka wakazi hao pamoja na jamaa zao katika hatari ya kuambukizwa virusi hivyo hatari.
Oparanya pia anahofia kwamba, kuna wazee wengi wanaoishi vijijini, na wazee wametambuliwa kuwa katika hatari zaidi ya kupata madhara makubwa endapo wataambukizwa. Kiongozi huyo ambaye pia ni Gavana wa Kakamega aliongezea kuwa njia bora ya kujikinga na virusi hivyo ni kuosha mikono kwa sabuni kila mara na kuepuka maeneo yaliyo na watu wengi.
Hii ni baada ya kuripotiwa kuwa wakazi wengi wa mijini hususan Nairobi wameanza kusafiri kwenda mashambani tangu kisa cha kwanza cha virusi vya corona kilipotangazwa nchini Ijumaa wiki iliyopita.
Wizara ya Afya imeripoti kisa cha kwanza cha virusi vya ugonjwa wa corana nchini. Kulingana na Waziri wa Afya Mutahi Kagwe, Mkenya huyo alithibitishwa kuwa na virusi hivyo usiku wa Alhamisi, Machi 12 baada ya kurejea nchini kutoka Marekani.
Mgonjwa huyo mwenye umri wa miaka 27, alithiitishwa kuwa na virusi hivyo, Alhamisi, Machi 5 na amelazwa katika Hospitali ya Kitaifa ya Kenyatta (KNH). Waziri ameripoti kuwa, mgonjwa huyo wa kike aliyejipeleka hospitali mwenyewe baada ya kuhisi maumivu anaendelea vizuri na matibabu, na kwamba joto lake la mwili limepungua.
Pia sekta ya Uchuuzi wa Umma imetakiwa kuchukua tahadhari ya mapema na kuhakikisha inawapa wateja wao sabuni za maji zenye kemikali ya kuua vidudu.
Kufikia sasa, nchi zaidi ya 100 zimeripoti visa vya virusi vya corona huku Kenya ikiwa nchi ya 13 Afrika kuripoti kisa. Duniani kote visa zaidi ya 134,930 vimeriptiwa huku idadi ya walioaga dunia kufuatia mchamko wa virusi hivyo ikifikia 4,990. Waliopona baada ya kunaswa na virusi hivyo ni watu 70,396.
Rais Uhuru Kenyatta amekutana na baadhi ya magavana kutoka mkoa wa Bonde la Ufa katika Ikulu ya Nairobi Mkutano huu umejiri huku kukiwepo na wasiwasi mkubwa wa viongozi kutoka eneo hilo kugawanyika kwa ajili ya mpango wa BBI. Mkutano wa BBI unatarajiwa kufanyika Jumamosi, Mach 21, mjini Nakuru baadhi ya ajenda waliojadili magavana hao ilikuwa ni kuhusu mchakato wa BBI.
Kufuatia taarifa kutoka Ikulu, magavana hao walimhakikishia Uhuru kuwa mkutano huo utakuwa wenye mafanikio makubwa na utaendeshwa kama ilivyoratibiwa. Mkutano huo wa BBI ulikuwa ufanyika Jumamosi, Machi 7, ila ukaharishwa baada ya ule wa Meru kukumbwa na vurugu.
In the interior part of Kangemi, at the shoreline of River Nairobi settles a home fenced using trees that has green well trimmed leaves. It is inside this compound that a lady, whose enthusiasm to environment stays. She was born and brought up here several years back.
Ruth Wangari Githaika says the idea
of how wastes could be reused is something that kept on crossing her mind for
several years. At some point she decided to research around waste management.
In 2011, she learnt of how other countries had been taking care of environment.
That gave her an idea of how to make briquettes. Briquettes are compressed
blocks of coal dust or other combustible biomass material used for fuel. The
term briquette derives from the French word brique, meaning brick.
Ms. Githaika with Mtaani radio reporter Tebby Otieno, during an interview at their home in Kangemi on February 28, 2020
`I just happened to be thinking so much about environment but my main concern was the issue of there is a lot of logging, there is a lot of deforestation and the cry was the logging is not about timber, it is about charcoal. And I was wondering, now if this is the case when I go through books, charcoal can be made from so many things, why don`t we start this.` Ms. Githaika recalls .
When she decided to put her research into practice, Ms. Githaika who is now a mother and a grandmother, thought of how her work could create employment not only for her but also to others in her community that is in the Kangemi informal settlement, without having to rub shoulders with the government.
Ms. Githaika carrying two pieces of briquettes in her hand. She is inside a store of sacks of briquette in her Kangemi home on February 28, 2020
`We are not fighting with the
government and all that about deforestation because of charcoal, that one we`ll
have eliminated. Unfortunately, it is not a two or three months fight. I have
always said it takes all of us to move this world. As we are talking that we
want to preserve our forest/trees then somebody else somewhere needs to be
saying instead of this, this is what we are going to be doing. And of course in
every place anywhere we live in our country or anywhere in the world there is waste
that can be turned into use or waste that can create energy in my
household/neighborhood, in the next hotel near me` Ms. Githaika narrates
Ms. Githaika in the briquette production room on February 28, 2020
Briquettes making
Briquettes are made from various agricultural or biogas wastes. This includes cattle wastes, waste food from kitchen, and grass among others. This is contrary to the commonly known charcoal that is burnt from trees. They can either be made using hands or machines
`After we have collected cow dung,
we have an open place to dry it. After which we smoke them without producing
flames to remove dioxide in them. What you get is black and can burn. There are
machines that we make and use to produce briquettes. However, it is not a must
one gets machine to produce briquette. What you got after smoking the waste
which is now black dust, is what you mix with water making it very light then
place it in a machine that will produce for you a particular compressed shape,
very solid which when you dry in the sun for two days will burn like charcoal
or much better than charcoal burnt from fire wood` She explains
Economic
A burning jiko of briquettes in an energy saving jiko on February 29, 2020
Unlike charcoal burnt from wood,
briquettes burn very slowly to about three consecutive hours. This is because
of how they are compressed during
production. They are also cheaper and less in the market. The value is best experienced
by the person using them
` The briquette is more economical
than ordinary charcoal because briquette will take much longer. It is going to
save you a lot of time and a lot of money in terms of resources because
briquettes do not burn very first. The combustion rate of briquette is
controlled by the producer or whoever is making it. If you take briquettes to
the current charcoal venders whom we have everywhere in the streets , they will
never appreciate your product because ordinary charcoal, you might realize that
I have bought a bag right now and within the next few minutes I need another
one. Which is so different with the briquettes? Briquettes are there to serve
you` She assures briquette consumers.
Apart from making briquettes, Ruth
Wangari Githaika has also trained a number of women in different parts of
Nairobi. She is the founder of Alfa Star Group, whose motto is Turning Waste to
Fuel. Through this group that she registered in 2015, Ms. Githaika has been
training organized women groups in Kangemi, Dagoretti, Kasarani, and Embakassi
parts of Nairobi. These women have been trained on making of alternative
Bio-fuels, Briquetting Machines, Training in skills development among others.
She looks forward to a time that the whole country will be using briquettes that
she will never satisfy the demand. Through that, she says she shall have
created job opportunities to many. She wants to be link to people.
Polisi huyo ambaye anaaminika kuwa alikwa na taarifa muhimu kuhusu sakata ya zabuni ya kununua vifaa vya jeshi alipatikana chumbani kwake wiki iliyopita akiwa amefariki. Kulingana na upasuaji uliofanywa na serikali, sajini huyo alikwa na donda moja la risasi chumbani.
Sajini Kenei alionekana mara ya mwisho akiwa na maafisa wenzake aliokuwa akihudumu nao katika afisi ya Ruto – Kenei alipatikana akiwa ameaga dunia nyumbani kwake mtaani Imara Daima Alhamisi.
Alitarajiwa kuandikisha taarifa katika makao makuu ya DCI kuhusu sakata ya KSh 40 bilioni inayomkabili aliyekuwa waziri wa michezo Rashid Echesa – Ripoti za awali ziliarifu kuwa Kenei huenda alijitoa uhai lakini familia imepinga vikali madai hayo.
Maafisa wa upelelezi wanaendelea kufanya uchunguzi kubaini kilichosababisha kifo cha Sajini Kipyegon Kenei ambaye alikuwa akihudumu katika afisi ya Naibu Rais William Ruto ya Harambee Annex. Kenei alipatikana akiwa ameaga dunia nyumbani kwake mtaani Imara Daima.
During a public participation in February 2018, it was raised that there was need to have that at least two secondary Schools within Dagoretti South especially around Riruta. Now arising from the pressure of the Ministry of Education 100 transition policy, the dream of having two secondary schools are becoming a reality.
The ministry ahead of the setting up of the proposed schools, scaling up of the infrastructure has already started. The new school has already enrolled 87 students who otherwise would have failed to pursue their goals.
On Friday a delegation from the Ministry led by Director of Secondary schools donated lockers and chairs to the students. They announced that building of classrooms and other amenities will commence within the donated space in the compound.
Kupitia kwa Mkuu wa Utumishi wa Umma Joseph Kinyua, serikali pia imetoa utaratibu utakaofuatwa wakati wa shughuli ya mazishi hadi atakapozikwa mzee. Moi aliyeaga dunia Jumanne, 4 akipokea matibabu katika Nairobi Hospital atazikwa Jumanne, nyumbani kwake Kabarak, Kaunti ya Nakuru.
Rais Uhuru Kenyatta ataongoza wakenya kutizama mwili wa RaiS Moi katika bunge la taifa siku ya Jumamosi. Ibada ya wafu itaandaliwa Juma Nne kabla ya mwili kupelekwa nyumbani kwake Nakuru atakapozikwa.
Mtaani radio reporter, Tebby Otieno poses for a picture next to Satelite Primary School`s sign board on February 5, 2020
The government`s 100 % transition policy has gotten a boost in Dagoretti Sub County, following the launch of a new secondary school within the area. Three days after the Riruta Satelite Day Secondary school was launched by Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang, 31 students have been enrolled.
Speaking to Mtaani
radio reporter in her office, Riruta Satelite Primary school and principal
Riruta Satelite Day Secondary school, said the school has two classrooms that
have been set aside for the form one students, since the new secondary school
is a subsidiary of Riruta Satelite Primary school.
Agness Murugi Muchiri said some of the students had missed their chances in the previous secondary schools, where they had been selected to join because their parents/guardians could not afford school fees.
Mtaani radio reporter, Tebby Otieno poses for a picture next to Satelite Primary School`s sign board on February 5, 2020
`There was a lot of desperation because parents could not afford to take their children and therefore there had to be a mobilization by the area chief and other administrators to fetch them out of their dens of wharever they had stayed desperately not knowing what to do. So far from Monday we have received 31 and we are expecting more. Our aim is to get 60. That will be one class. ` Mrs. Muchiri told Mtaani radio reporter.
The launch of Riruta
Satelite Day Secondary school, has bridged the gap between Dagoretti North`s
Dagoretti Mixed Day school and Dagoretti South`s Beth Mugo Mixed Day school.
This therefore, means day scholars within Dagoretti Sub-County can slightly commute
at ease. Even on its first week, parents/guardians within Dagoretti already
feel its impact.
`He is an orphan, father and mother died and he came here in
Nairobi after sitting class eight examinations but I did not have money to take
him to school. God has opened a way, a school has been found here in Satellite.
We have been given a form with a rubber stamp and told to bring him here at
school, so now I am taking him to join. I appreciate` a parent told Mtaani
radio.
`This is bringing development; people will not be struggling
to look for far secondary. Once they complete class eight they will join
secondary in the same school` Another parent added.
Other residents in
Dagoretti however, feel that all public primary schools should have subsidiary
secondary schools. They say the government should also get a public primary
school within one of the Dagoretti South`s Ngando ward.
`Wow, I hope the same will be done in Ngando ward which has
no public primary and secondary school apart from Lenana School. Riruta ward
has several public schools including, Ndurarua, Kinyanjui Road and Satellite
primary schools. Riruta ward now has a secondary school. I also hope all public
primary schools can have a corresponding public secondary school` Read part of
Anthony Muchuma Kutiri`s WhatsApp comment after he learnt of the school.
100 % Transition
2019 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, KCPE examination candidates started joining form one in respective secondary schools on January 13, 2020. The government`s efforts to have all the 1,088,986 is still on. The effort has been made successful through collaboration between most school heads and parents.
An example is the newly found Riruta Satelite Day Secondary
school, as the school`s principal Agness Murugi Muchiri says
`Our uniform is Navy blue skirts, white blouses and navy blue sweaters and yea they look very smart. Actually, the most important thing is to have them in class. We are not pushing them, we are not sending them away, we are not even asking for anything. We are providing lunch at least for a few days as they settle down. The government has promised to pay all their fees` Mrs. Muchiri told Mtaani radio
Speaking in Kisumu
County on February 5, 2020 Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha said,
99% of 2019 KCPE candidates had joined various secondary schools. He however,
said there were still some 10, 000 candidates who were not yet in schools
especially in Narok, Kajiado, Embu, Nyandarua and Tana River counties. He asked
anyone who identifies a child who should be in school but is not to contact a
government person.
`Otherwise we are at 99% which is thoroughly commendable for
this effort. I have a team involving the whole of Provincial Administration, Teacher’s
Service Commission, both field and headquarter officers are in the field and
the important thing is, you have seen that even at 99 % today I still found
another ten students here in Kisumu. My request is that everybody from where
they are operating must continue to identify where the children are. Said
education CS.
Wabunge wa Jubilee wakiongozwa na Seneta wa Elgeyo Marakwet Kipchumba Murkomen wametangaza amza hiyo. Kiongozi huyo aliyetoa hotuba kwa wanahabari pamoja na Alice Wahome, Moses Kuria, Aisha Jumwa na wengine wamesema kuwa wataalika viongozi wote nchini kutoa maoni yao kando la kupeleka nakala kwa wananchi.
Seneta Kipchumba Murkomen alizua hisia mseto Jumamosi, Januari 25, baada ya kugeuka ghafla na kuanza kumsifia kinara wa ODM Raila Odinga. Kando na kumsifu Raila kwenye jukwaa alipopewa kipaza sauti, picha zinaonyesha Murkomen akimsalimia kiongozi huyo wa ODM kwa heshima kubwa.
Murkomen anatoa kofia kama ishara ya heshima na kisha kupinda kiuno na kumpa Raila mkono wake tayari kwa salamu. Hiyo huyo ni ishara ya heshima kuu kwa kiongozi na huonyesha kuwa mtu anamtambua vilivyo. Hilo halikutarajiwa kwa mwandani huyo wa Naibu Rais ambaye awali amekuwa akitoa cheche za maneno dhidi ya Raila.
Babu alikana mashtaka dhidi yake na atazuiliwa kwa siku saba zaidi huku uchunguzi dhidi yake ukiendelea. Kama ilivyoripotiwa awali, Babu alikamatwa baada ya kumpiga risasi na kumjeruhi vibaya DJ huyo siku ya Ijumaa, Januari 17.
Wakili wa Owino Cliff Ombeta alitaka mteja wake aachiliwa huru kwa dhamana ila hakimu mkuu wa mahakama ya Milimani Francis Andayi alikataa ombi hilo kwa madai kuwa mshukiwa angeharibu ushahidi. Babu kwa sasa anazuiliwa katika kituo cha polisi cha Gigiri huku DJ Evolve akiendelea kupokea matibabu katika hospitali ya Nairobi. DJ Evolve anatarajiwa kufanyiwa upasuaji 3 kulingana na ripoti ya daktari.
Mwili wa msichana wa umri wa miaka kati ya kumi na minaNe na ishirini na sita ulipatikana kwenye mto karibu na eneo la Cabby Centre Kabiria. Msichana huyo anaaminika kuwa alikuwa ameuwawa na kufungwa na kamba kisha kuwekwa kwenya gunia na mwili wake kutupwa kwenye mto. Baadhi ya wakaazi waliopata mwili huo wanahoji kuwa walipoenda kuteka maji katika Kisima kilichokaribu, waliskia harufu wa na kufika hapo walipopata mwili huo. Mwili ulipelekwa katika hifadhi ya Maiti ya City huku Polisi wakiendeleza uchunguzi.
Kwenye kanda ya video iliyosambazwa katika mtandao wa kijamii, jamaa anayeaminika kuwa Babu na ambaye alikuwa amevalia shati lenye rangi ya machungwa alionekana akimfyatulia risasi kadhaa DJ huyo mwendo wa saa moja asubuhi Ijumaa.
Maafisa wa polisi waliweza kumkamata Babu saa chache baada ya kisa hicho na anazuiliwa katika kituo cha polisi cha Kilimani. Tayari uchunguzi umeanzishwa kuhusiana na kisa hicho huku Babu akida kutishiwa maisha na mahasidi wake wa kisiasa.
The Excellence School principal, Moses Wokono addressing students and teachers at the school assembly on January 14, 2020
At thirteen years old, he was so happy that his hard work
had finally landed him opportunity, in a boarding boy’s national secondary school
in Kitui County. This only lasted for a year due to what he describes as unfavorable
climate.
Fidel Mutemi, now 17 year old travelled back to Nairobi`s Kawangware
slum, where he had been brought up. His parents then transferred him to a day
private secondary school.
The Kawangware I`m living in, Helped me acquire goals I was looking for
Despite the daily
challenges that he faced, being a day-scholar, Mutemi remained focused. His
dedication rewarded him. When he was admitted at The Excellence Mixed Day
School in 2017, he felt he was in a really good place. This is the institution that was to mould him how to relate
with reality of life.
` For me I can say that the Kawangware I`m living in, It is
a really good place. In this place you know the reality of life, how life goes
on outside here. So even if you are a form one, do not look for a school
outside. I have studied here and at the end I have managed to acquire goals I
was looking towards to. Teachers here make sure students have put into
consideration what the syllabus is all about` he says
Top 2019 KCSE Candidate
When Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha
announced the 2019 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination results,
Mutemi was in the list of top students. He scored a mean grade B+ of 68 points
and became the top candidate at The Excellence School in Kawangware slum.
`My school has been great. I joined this school in form two because the school I was at initially, the climate in that area was affecting me so I had to move to The Excellence School. They warmly welcomed me into this school. Teachers have greatly supported me in education journey, I can say that my class teacher has been a good example; the principal has been a good role model. My family encouraged me to come to The Excellence School; they have really supported me in every step I take. They knew when I come here; I would be able to achieve my goals in life. Greatly, I would like to thank God` Says Mutemi.
Top KCSE candidate, Fidel Mutemi and Mtaani radio`s Tebby Otieno during an interview on January 14, 2020 in front of The Excellence School`s boardroom
What next after KCSE results
Fidel Mutemi is optimistic that the body charged with
admitting students to public universities, Kenya Universities and College
Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) will recognize his excellence and place him
either at Maseno University or University of Nairobi to study either of his
coveted course which is medicine and engineering.
`For now I want to take a degree course in nursing at Maseno
University. For second option I would like to do electronic engineering in
University of Nairobi ` He concludes
I plan to have a bright future, just here at The Excellence
Even as Fidel Mutemi leaves The Excellence School to join university, he is a pacesetter to those behind him in the school. Vivian Muyuka, a 16 year old first born girl in their family also stays with her family in Kawangware. She has been studying at the same school since form one. Now in her fourth year, Ms. Muyuka does not want any grade below B+.
Every morning she walks to her dream school, she believes in
success of hard work. She is looking forward to being a lecturer so that she
can change people`s lives
`I plan to have a bright future, just here at The
Excellence. I plan to have a good grade, an A minus at the end of this year and
I hope I`ll make it because everything is possible with God`
Brain behind The Excellence School
The last born in a family of fourteen who became an orphan
in his teens, stayed in Kawangware for long time from time he checked in for his
hustles. After sometimes, he felt the need to give back to community. His
interest was in gathering needy children together in the slum setting.
In 2005, Moses Wokono became the founder of The Excellence School
in Kabiro, Kawangware in Dagoretti Sub County. The school is a registered
Community Based Organization (CBO) that began as a temporary feeding centre
with eight children.
Now 2020, Moses Wokono has every reason to wake up early because the school now has more demand from the community. The Excellence School integrate primary and secondary , both performing excellently.
`We received our Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, KCSE
examination results and for sure the results were very impressive that our 2019
candidates, did us proud by posting a very impressive mean score of above 5.5
and we are really happy. So as I talk to you today, we are a happy lot with the
teachers who are with us here today because of the good job they did. ` Mr.
Wokono expressed his excitement to students and teachers during their morning
assembly at the school compound.
He encouraged his team, that even in 2020 they want to set
the record. He says, this will require more efforts from candidates
` 2020 is another year….but still we are up to the task,
what is important on your side is to make sure that you become consistent and
persistent in what you do. We shall encourage you and we shall walk with you
through this journey of 2020 and make sure that we maintain the fire of the
excellence school. This is where the heroes are made and born and surely, we
want to bear more heroes out of this family of the excellence school. ` Mr.
Wokono concluded
The Excellence School emerged the top five overall and number one in private schools in Dagoretti Sub-County with a mean score of 5.51 in the 2019 KCSE results, an increase from the previous 3.14 2018 mean score.
Rais Uhuru Kenyatta alisitisha utekelezwaji wa masharti mapya ya Hazina ya Kitaifa ya Bima ya Afya (NHIF) ili kuruhusu mazungumzo zaidi kati ya washika dau . Amri ya rais aliyoitoa Jumanne, Januari 14, katika Ikulu ya Mombasa iliwadia baada ya Wakenya kulalamika, wakiwemo Muungano wa vyama vya wafanyakazi (COTU) na viongozi kadha kutoka pembe mbalimbali za nchi.
Hazina hiyo ya matibabu ilikuwa imetangaza masharti mapya magumu na miongoni mwayo kupunguza idadi ya wanufaishwa kuwa mke mmoja na watoto watano. Mabadiliko mengine yaliyokuwa yamependekezwa ni wateja wapya kusubiri siku 90 kuanza kupata huduma na pia mteja anahitajika kulipia huduma mwaka mmoja mbele katika kipindi cha kusubiri.
Mbunge wa Gatundu Kusini Moses Kuria alipongeza Rais Uhuru Kenyatta kwa kufanya mabadiliko kwenye serikali yake. Kuria alikutana na aliyekuwa waziri wa Kilimo Mwangi Kiunjuri na kuashiria huenda wakaanza ushirikiano wa kisiasa.
Kwenye taarifa kwa vyombo vya habari kabla ya kukutana na Kuria, Kiunjuri alikuwa amewaambia wanahabari kuwa haendi popote alipoulizwa iwapo atakuwa anajiunga na siasa za kitaifa. “Siendi popote … nitakuwa na nyinyi tu huku … Nashukuru Mungu kwani nimekuwa nikipitia hali ngumu. Nilidhalilishwa na ni Mungu pekee na familia yangu ambao wanajua niliyopitia,” alisema Kiunjuri.
Kiunjuri alipigwa kalamu baada ya Rais kufanya mabadiliko katika baraza lake la mawaziri.Monica Juma aliyekuwa katika wizara ya masuala ya nje amepelekwa kwa ulinzi, huku Rachael Omamo aliyekuwa ulinzi akichukua nafasi ya Monica Juma. Seneta wa Nyeri Mutahi Kagwe ametwaliwa Afya huku Peter Munya akipewa nafasi ya ukulima alipotemwa Kiunjuri.
Jaji John Mativo alitoa amri hii Ijumaa akiskiza kesi iliyokuwa unaangazia uwezekano wa wakili Miguna Miguna kurejea nchini. Mativo anasikitika na mienendo ya serikali kukaidi amri za mahakama zilizotolewa mwaka wa 2018 Miguna alipofurushwa kuelekea Canada kwa lazima.
Wakili Christopher Marwa aliyewasilisha serikali kwa mara ya kwanza kuhusu kesi hiyo anasema kuwa Paspoti ya kusafiri yenye Miguna anayo ni ya zamani na kumkubalia kutua kinyume bila stakabadhi tajika ni kukiuka sheria za kimataifa ya kusafiri.
Juma tatu wiki Jaji Weldom Korir aliamrisha Serikali kurejesha Miguna nchini bila shinikizo yoyote. Mativo ametoa amri kwa Mwanasheria wa serikali Kihara Kariuki kufika mahakamani Juma tatu wiki ijayo kuelezea msimamo wa serikali kuhusu masaibu ya Miguna.
Je ,wafahamu ukiwa mfanyabiashara mdogo ambaye anapata shilingi 1000 utahitajika kulipa ushuru wa uzalendo(patriotism tax)? iwapo una duka la matunda ,sehemu ya kuuzia mboga, duka la ususi almaarufu salon ama biashara yoyote ndogo uwe tayari kuanza kulipa ushuru.
Kwa kila mfanyabiashara ambaye anapata kima cha shilingi elfu moja kwa siku atahitajika kulipa ushuru wa shilingi thelathini kila mwezi kwa mamlaka la kutoza ushuru hapa nchini.Mamlaka ya ukusanyaji ushuru (KRA) ipo kwenye harakati za kutekeleza sheria ya ukusanyaji ushuru yenya utata ya asilimia tatu ya mauzo kila mwezi na hivyo kulenga wafanyabiashara milioni 2.5. Utelekezaji huu ukitarajiwa kuanza tarehe moja mwezi januari mwaka huu.Ushuru huu wa uzalendo hauadhiri utendakazi wa biashara yako.
Mfanyibiashara wa chini atahitajika kuweka rekodi za kudhibitisha kuwa anafuata sheria na wakati wa ukaguzi wa rekodi na shirika la KRA.
Kwa wanao lipa leseni ni vyema kufahamu kuwa atahitajika kulipa zaidi kwa asilimia kumi na tano zaidi hii ikiwa ni shilingi mia saba hamsini kwa wale wanapata leseni ya shilingi elfu tano.Kwa leseni ya shilingi ya elfu kumi utahitajika kulipa shilingi elfu moja na mia tano zaidi. Wafanyabiashara wa salon, maduka ya nyama wakihitajika kuandikisha biashara katika mitandao na kulipia kila mwezi.
Ushuru huu wa uzalendo ukiwaanza waliosajiliwa kwenye ushuru wa vat, wafanyabiashara wanaopata zaidi ya milioni tano kwa mwaka. Shoka hili la utelekezaji wa ushuru wa uzalendo ukitaka wamiliki wa trekta kuhitajika kulipa asilimia kumi na sita ila kwa trekta za kilimo zikiponea shoka.
Je, kwa kampuni za kamari zikipata pigo kwa kutakiwa kulipa asilimia 20.ushuru huu ukiongezwa zaidi ili kupunguza shughuli za kucheza kamari.Uzalendo huu ukiwa afueni kwa wawekezaji wa kutengezeza upya watalazimika kulipa asilimia kumi na tano kwa kipindi cha miaka mitano kinyume na hapo awali walipokuwa wakilipa asilimi 30. Msuada huu uliotiwa sahihi na rais uhuru kenyatta ukijitenga na aina yeyote ya dhamana itakayo tumika katika miradi au miundo misingi ikikosa kutozwa.
Hata hivyo muungano wa kutetea maslahi ya mfanyikazi ikienda mahakamani kupinga ushuru huo na kutaka serikali kuangalia upya njia mwafaka ya kutoza ushuru kwa mfanyabiashara mdogo. muungano huo wa cuto ukisema kuwa itayumbisha uchumi wa taifa na kusababisha ukosefu wa ajira kwa wakenya.
Huku shule zikifunguliwa kwa muhula wa kwanza, baadhi ya shule nchini wanapitia changamoto za kuendesha masomo yao kama kawaida. Mojawapo ya changamoto hizi ni ukosefu wa vitabu, walimu tosha na hata vyakula.Eneo la Kabiria Dagoretti, watoto wa shule ya msingi ya Kangaroo Junior School wamelazimika kusalia nyumbani kwani,shule haina uwezo wa kuwalisha.
Mwalimu mkuu wa shule hiyo Truphesa Ondiso anasema kuwa ndoto ya wanafunzi hao imekwama kwani mhisani aliyekuwa anatoa usaidizi wa vyakula alisitisha. Hata hivyo shule hiyo inataka wazazi kuwachilia wanao 150 kurejea shuleni licha ya changamoto hizi. Mkuu huyo wa shule anatoa wito kwa wasamaria wema kujitokeza na kufadhili mradi huo wa chakula shuleni.
Mwakilishi wa wadi ya Ngando Peter Waihinya amekiri kuwa yuko katika harakati za kufanikisha miradi ya mwaka 2020. Mwakilishi huyo alitoa kauli hii katika mahojiano ya kipekee na mwandishi wetu juma tano hii. Miradi hii ni pamoja na ukarabati wa barabara kadhaa eneo hilo kando na usambazaji wa maji kwa wakaazi wa eneo hilo. Kumbuka eneo hilo la Ngando linachangamoto si haba. Wazazi wanalazimika kupeleka wanao kwa shule za kibinafsi kwani wadi hiyo haina shule na hospitali ya umma.
Gavana wa Nairobi Mike Sonko alikamatwa na makachero wa tume ya kupambana na ufisadi nchini EACC eneo la Voi. Haya yalijiri saa chache baada ya kiongozi wa mashtaka ya umma Noordin Haji kuamrisha kukamatwa kwa Gavana huyo akisema kuwa uchunguzi waliofanya unamhusisha na ubadhirifu wa shilingi milioni 357.
Mzozo uliibuka kati ya Gavana huyo na maafisa wa polisi barabarani baada ya kudaiwa Gavana huyo alidinda kupanda helikopta ya polisi. Hatimaye alilazimishwa na kupelekwa katika afisi za EACC jijini Nairobi kuandikisha taarifa akingoja kushtakiwa mahakamani.
Noordin Haji pia akihutubia wanahabari, alitoa wito kwa idara ya mahakama kuhakikisha mkondo wa sheria umefuatwa kwa kesi zinazohusu ufisadi. Iwapo Gavana atashtakiwa mahakamani, atalazimika kun’gatuka mamlakani kwa muda huku uchunguzi ukiendelea na kupisha spika wa kaunti Beatrice Elachi kushikilia nafasi hiyo kwani hakuwa ameteua Naibu Gavana.
Wajumbe watano wamerizai wakati wakiwa kwenye foleni wakisubiri kuruhusiwa kuhudhuria Kongamano kuhusu idadi ya watu. Kongamano hili linaendelea katika jumba la mikutano la kimataifa la KICC.
Maelfu ya wajumbe pia wamekosa nafasi kuhudhuria ufunguzi wa kongamano hilo na matukio ya siku ya Jumanne. Wajumbe hao walisalia kwa muda wa masaa manne kabla ya kukubaliwa kuingia.
Zoezi la uithinishaji iliendeshwa na UNFPA na kampuni mbili za kutoa huduma za uhusiano mwema (PR) nje ya majengo ya bunge la kaunti ya Nairobi. Wajumbe hao watano waliozirahi walipokea huduma ya kwanza nje ya jumba la KICC sehemu ambapo kongamano hilo linaendelea. Kongamano hilo limefunguliwa rasmi na rais Uhuru Kenyatta
Katibu mkuu wa chama cha Jubilee Raphael Tuju amethibitisha kuondolewa kwa Abdi Guyo kama kiongozi wa wengi katika bunge la kaunti ya Nairobi. Nafasi yake sasa inachukuliwa na Charles Thuo.
Haya yanajiri siku moja baada ya kushuhudiwa kwa ghasia katika majengo la bunge hilo, baada ya Spika Beatrice Elachi Kutangaza mabadiliko haya. Abdi Guyo aliongoza baadhi ya wawakilishi wadi wanaoegemea upande wa Jubilee kumn’gatua spika wa bunge mwaka moja baada ya kurejeshwa kazini na mahakama ya wafanyikazi nchini Labour Courts.
Peter Karanja mmoja wa mshukiwa katika mauaji ya bwenyenye Tob Cohen amekamatwa mapema hivi leo nje ya mahakama za Milimani. Mshukiwa huyo amekamatwa kufuatia ilani ya mahakama moja mjini Naivasha.
Mahakama hiyo ilikwa inamsaka Karanja, kwa tuhuma za wizi wa kimabavu. Karanja na Sara Wairimu Kamotho wameshtakiwa na mauaji ya mwanabiashara Mholanzi Tob Cohen. Kukamatwa kwa Karanja kunajiri saa chache baada ya mahakama kuu kuziunganisha kesi ya washukiwa hao wawili, ambapo watalazimika kushtakiwa upya.
Kampuni ya ndege ya Silverstone imesitisha kwa muda safari zake baada ya liseni yake kuondolewa. Wakati huu kampuni hiyo itawasiliana na wateja wake kuzuia mahangaiko zaidi.
Mapema ndege nane za kampuni hiyo zilipigwa marufuku ili kutoa nafasi kwa uchunguzi wa kina wa kile kilichopelekea kusababishwa kwa ajali hivi majuzi.KCAA pia imepiga marufuku huduma za ndege ya SAC inayoendesha biashara ya kubeba mzigo na Alof ambayo husafirisha gesi.
Hatimaye mama na bintiye waliokuwa wamezama baharini eneo la kivuko cha Likoni, Kaunti ya Mombasa wameopolewa kutoka majini karibia siku kumi na tatu baada ya mkasa. Shughuli ya kuiopoa miili ya Mariam Kigenda na mwanawe Amanda Mutheu imekuwa ikiendelea kwa muda huo wote, huku wapiga-mbizi wa mashirika mbalimbali wakitumia kila mbinu kuiopoa. Kuchelewa kwa miili hiyo kuopolewa kumechangiwa na kinachotajwa kuwa changamoto za baharini ikiwamo mawimbi makali chini ya bahari, wanyama, mvua na giza kali.
Shughuli ya kuiopoa miili ya Mariam Kigenda na mwanawe Amanda Mutheu imekuwa ikiendelea tangu Jumapili, Septemba 29, gari lao lilipozama. Source: Original Vitengo mbalimbali vya Polisi, ikiwamo afisi ya Mkurugenzi wa Uchunguzi wa Jinai (DCI), Shirika la Msalaba Mwekundu. Kuchelewa kwa miili hiyo kuopolewa kumechangiwa na kinachotajwa kuwa changamoto za baharini ikiwamo mawimbi makali chini ya bahari, wanyama, mvua na giza kali.
Mawingu ya simanzi itagubisha uwanja wa Posta eneo la Ngando huku wazazi na wanafunzi wakitarajiwa kuhudhuria ibada ya watoto 8 waliofariki katika mkasa wa kuporomoka kwa madarasa shuleni humo. Viongozi humu nchini wameendelea kukashifu kifo cha wanafunzi hao huku Serikali ya kaunti ya Nairobi ikiendelea kupokea lalama zaidi. Hatua kadha zimechukuliwa huku Gavana wa kaunti akiwapiga kalamu maafisa 16 wa kaunti kwa kile alichokitaja kama utepetevu kutekeleza majukumu yao.
Waziri wa elimu George Magoha kwa upande wake alikita kambi katika mtaa wa Kibra. Waziri huyo alifunga shule ya msingi ya St Catherine Bombolulu akihoji kuwa majengo hayo yalikwa na dosari na kutahadharisha maisha ya wanafunzi .Shule zingine 200 zimepewa ilani ya kufunga virago. “Usingoje nikuje ndio mahali , kama uko na majumba kama haya” Mogoha alisema.
Mmilikiwa shule hiyo na wazazi ambao wanao walipoteza maisha wameandikisha taarifa katika kituo cha polisi cha Kabete huku uchunguzi ukiendelea. Naibu wa Rais William Ruto ametoa hakikisho kuwa chini ya miezi mitatu serikali itajenga shule ya msingi katika wadi hiyo.
Mtu mmoja kati ya kumi hupoteza maisha huku watu wawili kati ya kumi wakilazwa kwenye hospitali kutokana na maradhi ya mshtuko wa moyo ulimwenguni. Ripoti hii ikiashiria kuwa idadi ya wanaopoteza maisha kutokana na maradhi ya moyo ni kadri milioni sita kila mwaka kote ulimweguni. Radhika Choksey msimamizi wa Mawasiliano Dijitali na mauzo katika kampuni ya Philip ,amesema kuwa kuna dakika kumi za kumwokoa yule ambaye anapatwa na mshtuko wa moyo.
Kampuni ya Philip barani Afrika linapania kufahamisha wakenya dhidi ya kukabiliana na mshtuko wa moyo kwa kutoa zaidI ya vifaa ishirini na tano vitakavyozuia vifo hivi kwa shirika la msalaba mwekundu( Red Cross) katika mashindano ya mbio zinazoendelea kwanzia tarehe 21 hadi 29 mwezi September. Kwa upande wake daktari Muthoni Ntojira kutoka shirika la msalaba mwekundu amesema kuwa tangu kuanzishwa ushirikiano na kampuni ya philip barani afrika ,idadi ya kuokoa maisha kupitia njia ya simu ambayo haitozwi imeongezeka. Ulimwegu unatarajia kuadhimisha siku ya maradhi ya moyo tarehe ishirini na tisa mwezi Septemba. Maradhi ya moyo, yanasababishwa na hali ya maisha ya watu ,utumiaji kupita kipimo wa sukari,mafuta na chumvi.
Wakazi, viongozi wa miungano ya mashirika yasiyo ya kiserikali waadhimisha siku ya amani katika mtaa wa Congo. Josephine Njeri Njiru kiongozi wa shirika la Dagoretti Community Centre,anasema kuwa ukosefu wa amani unasababisha ukosefu wa kazi na kutatiza biashara. Njiru anasisitiza kuwa mkutano huu ni wa kuhamasisha jamii umuhimu wa usalama.
Kwa upande wake Dicksoni Musembi Kasole ambaye ni afisa wa kutoa mafunzo kwa shirika la maendeleo kwa jamii, anasema kuwa kuadhimisha siku ya amani ni jambo ambalo wamekuwa wakilifanya kwa kuhusisha vijana kupata mafunzo yatakayowafanya kuwa na kazi.
Kaunti ya Nairobi imeweza kuandaa sherehe ya kuadhimisha amani huku ulimwegu ukijiunga kuadhimisha siku ya amani tarehe ishirini na mosi mwezi septemba kila mwaka.
Wanafunzi 7 wamedhibitishwa kufariki kwenye mkasa wa ukuta kuporomoka na hatimaye madarasa kuanguka katika Shule ya Precious Talent, eneo la Ng’ando, mtaani Dagoretti, jijini Nairobi.
Shule hiyo ipo katika mkabala na Barabara ya Ngong’; shughuli za uokozi zilikamilika huku ikiarifwa tayari wanafunzi zaidi ya 50 wametolewa kwenye vifusi na kupelekwa Hospitali Kuu ya Kitaifa ya Kenyatta (KNH) wanapoendelea kupokea matibabu.
Rais Uhuru Kenyatta, naibu wake William Ruto na kinara wa ODM wameongoza wakenya kuomboleza watoto walioangamia wakisistiza kuwa uchunguzi utafanywa kwa kina kun’gamua chanzo cha mkasa huo.
Aidha waziri wa usalama wa ndani George Magoha aliyefika hapo muda mfupi baada ya mkasa ametangaza wanafunzi waliobaki watasalia nyumbani kwa siku nne ambapo serikali itatoa mwelekeo. Shule hiyo ilikwa na wanafunzunzi 870 huku pia ikidhihirika kuwa hakuna shule ya msingi umma katika wadi hiyo.
Afisa huyo wa polisi anayetambulika kama Benson Indeche alikwa akihudumu katika kituo cha polisi cha Riruta na alikwa katika ngazi ya Inspekta. Mwendazake anadaiwa kupigwa risasi mara tano mwilini majira ya saa tisa usiku kabla ya kusafirishwa katika hospitali ya Nairobi Women ambapo madaktari walidhibitisha kifo chake.
Inadaiwa kuwa wahudumu wa bodaboda waliripoti kuhangaishwa na polisi huyo ambaye alikwa mlevi. Polisi wenzake walifika pale kun’gamua yaliyojiri. Hata hivyo inadaiwa kuwa mwenda zake alitoa bastola yake na kufyatua risasi. Polisi wamedhibitisha kuwa walimpata na risasi saba mfukoni. Mwili wake ulipelekwa katika hifadhi ya maiti ya Chiromo.
Tens of children are seated under mabati-walled structures staring at new faces in their compound. We visited the Tollen Centre in Dagoretti, here we observed a certain ambivalence when it comes to children satisfaction with the environment. Due to inadequate financing in these centers, this cohort can sometimes lack food and clothes. Education remains the only hope for a better future. In response, Oya Oya Family, a group of our drive show fans led by Mc Barr Prince which was founded in 2016 started projects to support the centers. During its inception Dagoretti youth were deeply immersed in drug abuse, crime, unemployment which translated to high poverty levels. In the long run, children born from these families were absorbed in children rescue centers for alternative parenthood.
OyaOya undertook resource mobilization from local leaders and the community to support the children Homes donating foodstuffs, constructing settlement structures. Tollen centre is hosting over 120 kids, the structures erected in a hectare land doubles as a home and school to them. Students study under mabati shanties and lacking sleeping mattresses. They are at risk of contacting weather-borne diseases such as Pneumonia.
This monthly initiative provides balanced nutrition to children from poor backgrounds to give them the necessary energy to better prepare their future.Through support from our external partners were are spearheading construction of toilets at the facility as well as donating Ungas and other commodities in the Centre. Through such programs we engage the community to realize fundamental primary human rights of children, women and youth in Dagoretti.
Chama cha chungwa kilikwa kimeorodhesha wagombeaji kumi na mmoja kumenyana katika uteuzi wa mwaniaji atakayepeperusha bendera ya chama. Hata hivyo, siku tatu kabla ya wakaazi wa Kibra kuelekea debeni, ODM sasa imetangaza kuwa shughuli hiyo itasitishwa kwa muda. Kwa mujibu wa taarifa iliyotumwa kwa vyombo vya habari na Katibu mkuu Edwin Sifuna, wamelazimika kufanya uamuzi huo baada ya serikali kuu kutoa madai ya upungufu wa maafisa wa usalama kulinda shughuli hiyo kwani, wengi wanasaidia katika zoezi la sensa linaloendelea. Zoezi hilo sasa litafanyika tarehe saba mwezi Septemba.
Hayo yakijiri, mgombeaji wa ANC ambaye alikwa mwanamikakati wa Raila Odinga Eliud Owalo ameweza kutwaliwa tiketi na sasa anaendelea kufanya kampeni ya kuridhi kiti hicho.
Chama cha Jubilee kimetangaza kuwa, wale wote wanaopania kuwania kiti cha ubunge Kibra kupitia chama hicho kuwasilisha majina yao kwa zoezi la uteuzi. Kiti hicho kiliwachwa wazi baada ya Mbunge Ken Okoth kuaga dunia baada ya kuugua Saratani ya Utumbo mwezi Julai.
Someone who goes to school today builds future life. This same person must be alive today to have a future. So can a child whose parent earns Ksh. 200 in a day be promised of future life, if even basic education that the government says is free is still paid for? Where is free basic education, in public primary schools? This is the question unemployed single parents in Dagoretti Nairobi are asking. Do you know that parents are charged admission fees of between Ksh. 3, 700 and 4, 700 per child? Thereafter, they are required to pay Ksh. 500 per month. Moreover, pupils are asked to report to school every Saturday each paying between Ksh. 50 and 100. Tebby otieno reports on the education burden with a focus in Dagoretti. http:// https://soundcloud.com/user-104653996/mzigo-wa-elimu-katika-shule-za-msingi-za-umma-dagoretti
The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis’s funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST).
His body will be transferred to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning at 09:00 local time (08:00 BST), where the coffin will lie in state until the burial to allow the public to pay their respects.
Pope Francis is currently laid out in a coffin at the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where he lived during his 12-year papacy.
The Vatican earlier confirmed that Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, following a stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure.
Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, issued the official certification of death.
According to the medical report, the Pope had a prior history of acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes.
“His death was confirmed through electrocardiographic thanatography. I hereby declare that the causes of death, to the best of my knowledge and judgment, are as stated above,” said Arcangeli.
The funeral will take place outdoors, in front of St Peter’s Basilica, and will be led by Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals.
Geoffrey Ruku and Hanna Wendot Cheptumo have been sworn in at State House, Nairobi, as Cabinet Secretaries for Public Service and Gender, respectively.
The duo are the latest additions to President William Ruto’s Cabinet, following recent reshuffles.
Their appointments come in the wake of a mini Cabinet reshuffle that saw former Attorney General Justin Muturi removed from the Public Service portfolio.
Ruku and Cheptumo were vetted earlier this week by the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments, where they were questioned on key issues related to their new roles and their previous public service records.
In a gazette notice dated April 16, 2025, President Ruto also named 14 new Principal Secretaries across various ministries.
The appointees include Dr. Jane Imbunya, Regina Akoth, Cyrell Wagunda, Dr. Caroline Karugu, and Dr. Fredrick Oluga Ouma. Others are Ahmed Ibrahim, Judith Pareno, Boniface Makokha, Prof. Shaukar Abdulrazak, Stephen Isaboke, Michel Lenasalon, Frikirini Kahindi, Carren Achieng, and Aden Millah.
Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has raised concerns over Kenya’s escalating debt, warning that the nation is on the verge of defaulting as its debt burden reaches Ksh.11 trillion.Speaking at the Institute of Public Finance’s annual budget review, Nyoro highlighted the rapid increase in public debt over the past twelve years—from under Ksh.2 trillion to the current Ksh.11 trillion.
Data from the Central Bank of Kenya indicates that as of December 2024, the country owed Ksh.10.9 trillion, with 54% attributed to domestic lenders and 46% to external sources.During President William Ruto’s tenure, public debt has surged by over Ksh.2 trillion, rising from Ksh.8.7 trillion.
Nyoro expressed concern over the government’s plans to renegotiate existing debts, cautioning that such moves could further destabilize the economy.He emphasized that any indication of Kenya’s inability to service its loans could have catastrophic consequences.
The upcoming 2025/2026 budget estimates project a total expenditure of Ksh.4.2 trillion, with approximately Ksh.1 trillion earmarked for debt interest payments.Nyoro noted that Ksh.750 billion is expected to service domestic debt, while Ksh.200 billion will address external debt obligations.
Additionally, Nyoro criticized the government’s approach to increasing taxes since 2022, arguing that higher taxes have negatively impacted economic decisions and overall revenue collection.
As Kenya navigates these financial challenges, Nyoro’s warnings underscore the urgency for prudent fiscal management and transparent debt handling to safeguard the nation’s economic stability.
A fatal road accident involving a vehicle allegedly from President William Ruto’s motorcade has been reported along Ngong Road near Greenhouse Mall.
According to eyewitness accounts and social media reports, a pedestrian, described as a foreign national, was knocked down earlier today.
Some reports indicate that the victim, an elderly Caucasian man, was crossing at a zebra crossing when the incident occurred.
Residents and passersby gathered at the scene, where the body remained on the road, causing a major traffic snarl-up in the area.
The victim, described as a middle-aged white man, was reportedly struck while attempting to cross the busy road, seemingly unaware of the oncoming vehicles.
Witnesses claim that the vehicle involved in the accident did not stop.
The National Police Service (NPS) has launched investigations into the death of a foreign national who was knocked down by President William Ruto’s motorcade along Ngong Road on Thursday afternoon.
President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have formally signed a political cooperation agreement aimed at fostering collaboration between their parties.
The Kenya Kwanza-ODM Framework Agreement was signed on Friday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi, in the presence of Members of Parliament allied to both leaders. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki was also in attendance.
Under this arrangement, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will share political infrastructure and engage in joint consultations on key national governance matters. The two parties will also deploy their top experts to contribute to discussions on national development and policy formulation.
Earlier in the day, thousands of ODM supporters gathered at KICC ahead of the signing ceremony. The event followed a series of nationwide consultations conducted by Raila Odinga in regions where he enjoys significant political support.
When was the last time you checked the ingredients in your face cream or questioned whether the lotion promising a ‘glow up’ is legally sold and free of health risks? It’s a question most of us rarely ask, especially when influencers flood our timelines with stories of impressive skin transformations, and e-platforms sell skin-lightening products at extremely low prices.
Beneath the filters and flashy packaging lies the true cost of these beauty regimens for lighter skin: mercury. While not all products contain mercury, the presence of other toxic chemicals like hydroquinone does not make them any safer for consumers. These chemicals, added as active ingredients, are meant to limit melanin production, leading to noticeable whitening—but at the cost of severe health risks. With the growing popularity of online markets, social media, and e-platforms, the sale and use of mercury-laced products have been on the rise.
The Illegal Sale of Toxic Products
Despite bans, these beauty products continue to be sold illegally in Kenya, as mapped out by the Center for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD) through monitoring and sampling creams from online marketplaces. The ease of purchasing them online has lured people—regardless of age, gender, or complexion—into bleaching their skin. The demand often overshadows concerns about quality, as seen in the rise of ‘mikorogo’ (homemade skin-lightening mixtures), leading consumers to disregard safety risks.
The Hidden Dangers of Mercury
The effects of mercury are far from the glamour portrayed. Inorganic mercury compounds found in these products can cause gastrointestinal damage, hormonal disruptions, and skin disorders. A fact sheet published by the Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG) in 2019 reported cases of kidney damage due to long-term use of mercury-containing skin-lightening creams. When users discontinued these products, their kidney function gradually improved.
Further studies published by PubMed indicate that chronic mercury poisoning from these creams causes severe pain in the limbs, head, abdomen, or lower back—pain that is often resistant to medication. Additional symptoms include renal damage, irritability, tremors (in the eyelids, tongue, or limbs), insomnia, vivid dreams, depression, anxiety, and memory loss. Sadly, symptoms of mercury poisoning often appear too late, after irreversible damage has been done.
Why Are People Still Bleaching?
The bigger question remains: why do people continue using skin-lightening products despite the known risks? A study published by PubMed and Dove Medical Press found that peer pressure (39.9%) and social media (37.4%) significantly influence the use of these products.
In a fact-checking survey conducted in February 2025, a group of university students from the Roysambu area in Nairobi participated in an anonymous online poll to explore why young people choose to bleach their skin. Many cited the desire to please their partners, low self-esteem due to darker skin, societal pressure linking fairness to beauty, and the hope of professional advantages as key motivators. Despite these personal reasons, skin bleaching remains a taboo topic, with many avoiding open discussions about it. However, online platforms continue to fuel the trend by promoting and glorifying quick results, often endorsed by influencers.
While traditionally seen as a women’s issue, skin lightening is also gaining popularity among men. A meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Dermatology found that approximately 28% of men globally have practiced skin bleaching.
“I have interviewed girls and women who have used these products and experienced severe side effects. Many believe they must look smart and impress men, which leads them to modify their appearances,” says Dr. Justa Mwangi, a postdoctoral researcher in Kenya specializing in gender issues.
The preference for lighter skin extends beyond personal relationships to workplace biases. Unfortunately, the same people who promote this ideology in personal spaces often reinforce it in professional settings, perpetuating colorism in Kenyan society. This ongoing cycle leaves more people vulnerable to the deadly effects of mercury exposure.
What Has Been Done?
While authorities have made efforts to crack down on physical beauty shops selling banned products, online markets remain a major challenge. The anonymity of online transactions allows sellers to operate through WhatsApp groups and Telegram channels, frequently changing names, promoting herbal mixtures that falsely claim safety, or offering “private” sales to customers.
In Kenya, the Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act (Cap. 254) prohibits the sale of cosmetics that can cause injury to health when used as directed. Additionally, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has banned several products, including 435 cosmetic items announced on October 31, 2022. These included skin-lightening lotions, creams, gels, and soaps containing hydroquinone, mercury, and its compounds.
Kenya is also a signatory to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, an international treaty aimed at protecting human health and the environment from mercury pollution. Article 4 of the treaty mandates a ban on mercury-added products, including cosmetics with over 1 ppm mercury by 2020, and all mercury-added cosmetics by 2025. As a result, the manufacture, import, and export of these products must be halted to curb their sale and distribution. However, despite these clear guidelines, enforcement and compliance remain major hurdles.
The recent Libreville Commitment urges African nations to collaborate in eliminating mercury-containing skin-lightening cosmetics and increasing public awareness. With ongoing research and policy reviews, governments must act now to eliminate mercury in consumer products and ensure compliance, particularly by enforcing stricter regulations against the illegal sale of these products in online markets that prey on uninformed consumers.
The Way Forward: Awareness and Action
The battle against mercury poisoning begins with awareness and action. Authorities must enforce strict regulations, and consumers must take responsibility—read labels, question online beauty trends, and resist the pressure to conform to dangerous beauty standards. After all, beauty should never come at the cost of health.
The Author is a Journalist and Communications Personnel at the Center for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD).
Industrialization has undeniably driven Kenya’s economic growth, creating jobs and fostering development. However, it has also introduced an insidious threat: Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs). Despite existing regulations, harmful chemicals continue to circulate in the Kenyan market, often unnoticed by consumers.
It’s a startling reality—the same chemicals that enhance product flexibility, efficiency, and durability can also pose serious health risks. TICs range from heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, and lead to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) found in plastics. These hazardous substances infiltrate various industries, from small-scale gold mining to the production of everyday consumer goods such as toys, cosmetics, jewelry, and paints.
The Hidden Dangers of Plastics
Plastics contain hazardous additives such as phthalates, short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), and heavy metals. These chemicals, intentionally added during manufacturing to enhance flexibility and durability, pose significant risks to human health and the environment. When plastics are recycled or disposed of improperly, these toxic additives leach into the environment, exposing people to substances linked to cancer, developmental delays, and organ toxicity.
The Spiderman suit has been identified as the most toxic toy extremely high levels of hazardous substances in a recent study by CEJAD. Photo credits: courtesy
A recent study by the Center for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD) further highlights the dangers of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) toys. Popular children’s products, such as bath and teething toys, contain harmful chemicals that children ingest through frequent hand-to-mouth behavior.
One alarming finding from CEJAD’s research is that the Spiderman suit was identified as the most toxic toy, containing extremely high levels of hazardous substances.
Cadmium: The Silent Threat in Jewelry and Batteries
Cadmium, a lesser-known but highly toxic heavy metal, is commonly found in cheap jewelry, batteries, and some children’s toys. Over time, it accumulates in the body, leading to kidney damage and an increased risk of cancer. The most dangerous forms of cadmium exposure come from brightly colored, low-cost metal accessories. Consumers should look for products labeled “cadmium-free” to reduce exposure.
Mercury: A Toxic Legacy in Gold Mining and Household Products
Mercury remains one of the most widely used TICs in Kenya, particularly in the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector. Despite its dangers, mercury trade and supply continue in ASGM hotspots.
In the amalgamation process, miners mix mercury with crushed gold ore to form an amalgam. This mixture is then squeezed to remove excess mercury before being heated to extract pure gold. Unfortunately, this process releases toxic mercury fumes into the air, endangering both miners and surrounding communities.
Woman squeezes mercury to extract gold in the amalgamation process, a technique that binds gold particles but poses serious health and environmental risks. Photo credits: Courtesy
According to joint research by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), short-term exposure to mercury vapors can lead to lung damage, vomiting, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and eye irritation. The nervous system, kidneys, cardiovascular system, and even unborn children are particularly vulnerable.
Hair sample studies conducted by CEJAD in Migori County reveal alarming levels of mercury exposure among women of childbearing age. Since mercury accumulates in the body, it can be detected in hair for up to 6 to 12 months, indicating long-term exposure.
Beyond mining, mercury is present in fluorescent lamps, electrical relays, batteries, dental amalgams, and even cosmetics—particularly skin-lightening creams. This widespread use proves that mercury exposure is not limited to miners alone.
Lead: The Persistent Poison
Lead, a neurotoxin that is dangerous even in small doses, continues to be widely used in paints, batteries, and old plumbing systems. It is particularly harmful to children, impairing brain development and nervous system function.
Lead-based pigments, once praised for their durability and color vibrancy, remain in circulation despite global bans. The energy sector still relies on lead-acid batteries, while electronics, ammunition, and radiation shielding continue to use lead-based materials. Unlike other pollutants, lead does not break down—instead, it accumulates in soil, water, and the human body, leaving a toxic legacy that persists long after its industrial use.
The Hidden Risks of Common Household Chemicals
Many toxic substances lurk under unfamiliar names on product labels, making it crucial for consumers to stay informed.
Formaldehyde (sometimes labeled as formalin or methanal) is found in furniture, carpets, and cosmetics. When inhaled, it can cause respiratory issues and increase cancer risk.
Arsenic, often found in contaminated water and pesticides, enters the body through drinking water and food. It silently damages organs without immediate symptoms.
A Call to Action: Stricter Regulations and Public Awareness
These hazardous chemicals don’t simply disappear when products are discarded—they persist in the environment, affecting human health for generations. Civil society organizations such as CEJAD and the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) have been at the forefront of research, advocacy, and policy recommendations to mitigate these risks.
A significant recent step was taken by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), which issued a public notice on February 13th, directing companies to register all toxic industrial chemicals in their possession. This initiative aims to foster accountability and safer handling of these substances.
However, addressing the pervasive threat of chemical exposure requires more than just regulations—it demands:
✔ Robust enforcement of existing laws
✔ Greater public awareness on chemical safety
✔ Adoption of safer alternatives in manufacturing and consumer products
With the right policies, collective action, and increased public consciousness, Kenya can take meaningful steps toward a healthier and more sustainable future. The question is not whether we can afford to act—but whether we can afford not to.
Candy Margaret Vizengwa is a Communications Personnel at the Center for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD)
Milimani High Court Judge, Justice Chacha Mwita, was on Wednesday urged to consider appeals from civil society organizations advocating for sexual and reproductive health rights.
The petitioners, drawn from Nairobi and other counties, argue that the 2022 Sexual Reproductive Health Policy was adopted through an unconstitutional process and should be overturned.
Petitioners Challenge the Policy’s Legitimacy
According to the petitioners, the Ministry of Health failed to conduct adequate public participation before implementing the policy.
Timothy Thondu, counsel for the 1st Interested Party—Kenya Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (KOGS), told the court that public participation was neither extensive nor inclusive, particularly of marginalized communities.
Thondu argued that consultations were limited to two exclusive locations Pride Paradise in Mombasa and Emory Hotel in Nairobi—thus excluding the majority of women whose voices should have shaped the policy.
He maintained that the only a constitutional process can ammend the Constitution and not the AG, the Ministry of Health or the courts.
The contentious policy restricts girls and women aged 18-21 from accessing sexual and reproductive health services without parental consent.
Thondu criticized this provision, stating that it violates the fundamental health rights of young women, particularly in reproductive healthcare.
Debate Over Safe Abortion and Parental Consent
On the subject of safe abortion, Thondu contended that the policy contradicts Article 26(4) of the Kenyan Constitution, which provides exceptions for abortion when a woman’s health is at risk.
He further argued that parental consent should not be mandatory for young women above 18 years seeking reproductive healthcare services, as this requirement infringes on their right to privacy and autonomy.
Civil Society Calls for Overturning the Policy
Representing Petitioner 2022—Rachael Mwikali, Esther Aoko, and other interested parties, Nyokabi Njogu of KELIN (Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS) questioned the authenticity of the public participation process.
She stated that the Ministry of Health only gave a one-day notice instead of the legally required 21 days, denying citizens ample time to review and provide input.
Additionally, Njogu pointed out that no documents were shared with the public for review before the engagement sessions, preventing an informed decision-making process.
She criticized the decision to hold participation forums in luxury hotels, arguing that this discriminated against marginalized women who could not attend.
Policy’s Discriminatory Impact on Women
Njogu highlighted that the policy restricts reproductive health services to women aged 25-49, excluding young women aged 15-25 without clear justification.
She emphasized that even post-menopausal women require reproductive healthcare, particularly for conditions like cervical cancer.
Questioning the policy’s ban on self-consent, Njogu asked how young mothers aged 18-25—who may be unable to reach their parents—could access reproductive services without violating their right to privacy.
She expressed frustration over the Ministry’s failure to submit additional evidence but relied on affidavits filed earlier to support her claims.
Grassroots Organizations Condemn the Policy
Speaking to Mtaani Radio Newsdesk, Rachael Mwikali, from the Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders Kenya, revealed that she personally petitioned the amendment due to the exclusion of marginalized women in the consultation process.
Despite requesting to participate, she said their applications were ignored, and they were barred from contributing to the policy’s formation.
Mwikali accused the Ministry of Health of deliberately holding workshops in inaccessible locations, effectively locking out women from low-income backgrounds.
Justice Chacha Mwita has scheduled the ruling for July 4, 2025.
IEBC Selection Panel Assumes Mandate Following Presidential Appointment.
The selection panel tasked with recruiting commissioners for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially assumed its mandate.
President William Ruto appointed the seven-member team, which includes Kiome Lindah Gakii, Prof. Oloo Adams, James Evans Misati, Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore, Amb. Koki Muli Grignon, and Carolene Kituku. Other members are Tanui Andrew Kipkoech, Dr. Nelson Makanda, and Fatuma Saman.
During the swearing-in ceremony on Monday, Chief Justice Martha Koome urged the panel to carry out its critical role with precision, emphasizing the importance of appointing commissioners of the highest integrity.
“The commissioners you appoint must be individuals of untainted credibility—committed to independence, impartiality, and the principles enshrined in our Constitution. The IEBC is not just another government agency; it is the custodian of our electoral integrity, and its composition must reflect the highest standards of professionalism and credibility,” said Koome.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula also directed the Secretary to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), Jeremiah Nyegenye, to make all necessary arrangements to support the panel’s work.
“The Act obligates the Commission to provide secretariat services, facilities to the panel, and to meet its expenditure,” Wetangula stated on X (formerly Twitter).
He added, “This is a matter of huge national importance. I urge the selection panel to expedite and conclude the recruitment process of the IEBC commissioners at the earliest opportunity, in accordance with the law.”
Last Friday, the High Court cleared the way for President Ruto to appoint the panel by dismissing a petition challenging its constitution. This development followed mounting pressure on the president to urgently establish the IEBC selection panel amid claims of interfering with independent institutions and stalling electoral reforms.
Mtaani Radio editor Kamadi Amata and senior reporter Evans Kibe are among the winners of the Association of Grassroot Journalists of Kenya (AGJK) community journalism awards 2024.
Kamadi emerged the winner in the Humanitarian reporting category while Kibe emerged 1st runners up in the Environment and climate change category.
Radio ASHE from Maralal town, Samburu County scooped the Radio station of the year award.
The winners were awarded during the Association of Grassroots Journalists of Kenya (AGJK) media conference 2024 held in Mombasa, the event was graced by Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki.
The awards recognize outstanding journalists working in the community media landscape for their exemplary contributions to grassroots storytelling and impactful journalism.
Milly Sabwani of North Rift Radio emerged the overall Journalist of the year winner.
Other winners included Otieno Oluoch of Ruben FM (Gender reporting), Yusuf Abubakar-Radio Salaam, (Children reporting) Isaac Waihenya (Health reporting), Johnrai Wekesa (Investigative reporting), Samuel Mkare (Sports, Art and culture reporting.
