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Showing posts from January, 2025

Uganda reports Ebola outbreak

  Kenya has intensified surveillance across all counties and border points following confirmation of an Ebola outbreak in neighboring Uganda. Uganda’s Ministry of Health declared the outbreak on Thursday after a 32-year-old male nurse from Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala succumbed to the Sudan Ebola virus on Wednesday. This marks the country’s eighth Ebola outbreak, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to deploy an emergency medical team to assist in containing the situation. Kenya’s Health Principal Secretary, Mary Muthoni, stated that a rapid assessment of the country’s readiness to handle a similar outbreak is underway. "Following this, a comprehensive preparedness and response plan will be developed," she added. As a precaution, surveillance measures have been strengthened at all entry points and within counties. Understanding Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Ebola is a highly virulent and often fatal disease, with case fatality rates reaching up to 9...

Somali soldiers surrender to kenya at Hulugho

 At least 11 soldiers from the Somali National Army (SNA) have surrendered to Kenyan authorities at the Hulugho border. According to witnesses and military officials, the group, armed with rifles and carrying over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, surrendered on Sunday evening. Locals had reported seeing the soldiers moving towards Garabey, Kenya, near the main border, prompting the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and other security agencies to deploy to the area. Upon arrival, they found the defectors already seated and awaiting further instructions. Officials confirmed that some of the defectors were Kenyan nationals. Among the surrendered weapons were AK-47 rifles, a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) launcher with three warheads, and a PKM machine gun. The ammunition carried varied, with some soldiers having as many as 267 rounds. One of the defectors, a Kenyan, was unarmed. The defectors cited harassment and discrimination as their reasons for fleeing. There has been no immediate response...

Kalonzo says oppsition is still strong

 Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has reaffirmed the opposition's strength and commitment to its role in the country. Speaking to Dagoretti residents on Sunday, Kalonzo emphasized, "The opposition is still in place. We will not allow the country to go astray." He also expressed support for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship. "If he secures it, in the next election, those of us remaining will push forward for the top seat," he added. Kalonzo was joined by Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, along with other leaders, who reiterated their dedication to fighting for Kenyans' rights. Kalonzo affirmed that members of the Azimio coalition would continue advocating for better governance. "We remain the people's loyal opposition, standing by the citizens of Kenya," he stated. Sifuna, addressing members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) during a church service, issued ...

Tough laws for Boda bodas

 Commercial motorcycles, popularly known as boda bodas, will soon be required to adopt prescribed colors and undergo regular inspections under proposed measures to regulate the sector. Riders will also need to display registration number plates on both the front and rear of their motorcycles, similar to motor vehicles. These provisions are part of the proposed amendments to the Public Transportation (Motorcycle Regulations) Bill, 2023, by the Senate Roads and Transportation Committee. The Bill, sponsored by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, aims to streamline the boda boda sector and curb misconduct among riders. “The primary goal of this Bill is to establish a legal framework to regulate the use of motorcycles (boda bodas) and three-wheelers (tuk-tuks) in Kenya by introducing guidelines for registration, operation, and safety at the county level,” the Bill states. The Senate committee recommends that the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Ministry of Transport...

A family in Nigeria volunteered for five decades as grave diggers

 For over 50 years, one family has devoted itself to maintaining the largest cemetery in Kaduna, northern Nigeria, earning the gratitude of locals who are reluctant to handle the dead. Until recently, they worked without formal pay, digging graves, washing corpses, and tending to the sprawling Tudun Wada Cemetery, relying only on small donations from mourners. The cemetery, established a century ago for the city’s Muslim community, became the responsibility of the Abdullahi family in the 1970s when brothers Ibrahim and Adamu began working there. Today, both men are buried in the same graveyard, and their sons have taken over the role of custodians, continuing the family’s legacy. Magaji Abdullahi, 58, the eldest son of Ibrahim, now leads operations alongside his younger cousins, Abdullahi (50) and Aliyu (40). They work full-time, arriving at 7:00 a.m. for 12-hour shifts, seven days a week. Always on call, they respond quickly to requests, as Muslim burial rites require interment ...

Man collapses and dies in CBD

 A man collapsed and died at the Luthuli Avenue and River Road junction on Monday night. Police reported receiving information at around 9:00 p.m. about an unidentified man, approximately 30 years old, who fell, attempted to crawl, and then became motionless. Officers on patrol were alerted by a witness and arrived at the scene, where they found the body without visible injuries. The area was processed and documented, and the body was moved to the City Mortuary for further examination. In a separate incident in the KCC area of Dandora, Nairobi, 21-year-old Philip Wathome died by suicide. Police reported that he hanged himself using a rope on the rooftop of his rented house. Officers visited the scene, and while no suicide note was found, the body was transferred to the Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital mortuary. Additionally, in Dandora Phase 4, another man, identified as Barasa Abuko, was found unconscious in his house by his brother, Wandera Majoni. Witnesses rushed Abuko to Brother A...

2017 police officers arrive in Haiti

 Approximately 30 female police officers were among 217 additional Kenyan officers who arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Saturday aboard a chartered airplane escorted by the U.S. military. The escort was necessary due to the closure of the Port-au-Prince airport, prompted by threats from gang violence. The plane, accompanied by U.S. military aircraft, landed in Haiti shortly after 11 a.m. This security measure followed incidents in November when three U.S. jetliners flying over Port-au-Prince airspace were struck by gunfire, raising concerns about the safety of the area. Upon arrival, the Kenyan contingent chanted Kenya mambo mbaya , a tradition observed during overseas missions. These officers will join 400 other Kenyan personnel already stationed in Port-au-Prince, bringing the total number of foreign security forces to nearly 800. The current contingent also includes police and military personnel from Jamaica, The Bahamas, Belize, Guatemala, and El Salvador. This deploymen...

Decomposing body of a woman found in a borehole

 The body of a woman who had been missing for over two weeks was discovered in a family well in Themu village, Mukurwe-ini, Nyeri. The body, found in a gunny bag with the hands and legs tied and two stones placed between, had decomposed significantly. She was reported missing on January 3, and locals in Mwambao village alerted authorities on January 16 after detecting a foul smell from the well. Police confirmed the presence of the body and retrieved it from the well, which was located on a farm and actively in use. The woman's husband has been identified as a person of interest, and efforts to locate him for questioning are ongoing. The motive behind the incident remains unclear. The body has been taken to the mortuary for an autopsy, which will help determine the cause of death and guide the investigation. In a separate incident, police in Kisumu arrested a suspect linked to the fatal stabbing of a man following a dispute over Sh50. The victim suffered multiple stab wounds to t...

Embu senator defends Muturi says he didn't do anything wrong

 Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi has voiced his support for Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi amidst calls for his resignation following criticism of the government's handling of abductions. Mundigi, who is affiliated with the Democratic Party to which Muturi belongs, dismissed the calls as unfounded, stating that Muturi did not commit any wrongdoing. Speaking at a funeral in his county, Mundigi emphasized that removing Muturi from office would disrupt the coalition agreement between the DP party and Kenya Kwanza, potentially destabilizing the political landscape. He urged President William Ruto to convene a meeting with Muturi to resolve any differences amicably, asserting that such internal discord could negatively impact Embu County. "Even if Muturi voiced criticism against the government, I see no justification for pressuring him to resign," Mundigi remarked. "Let the President, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and other leaders engage in dialogue ...

Tanzanian activist Mariah Sarungi says she is safe after alleged abduction

 Tanzanian activist and human rights defender Maria Sarungi has confirmed she is safe following her alleged abduction from Chaka Place in Nairobi’s Kilimani area. In a video shared on her X account hours after being reported missing on Sunday, Sarungi assured her supporters of her safety and promised to share details of her ordeal on Monday. "Asanteni sana, niko salama, Mungu ni mwema na kesho nitachukua muda niwashukuru vizuri," she said, which translates to, "Thank you so much, I am safe, God is good, and tomorrow I will take time to properly thank you." Appearing in the video alongside Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, Sarungi became emotional as she expressed gratitude to both Kenyans and Tanzanians who demanded her release. According to Amnesty Kenya, Sarungi was abducted by three armed men in a black Noah vehicle from Kilimani at around 3:15 p.m. on Sunday. "Maria, a Tanzanian independent media editor and human rights defender, was k...

Bus accident at Kisumu Londiani road

 At least three passengers were killed in an accident involving a bus on the Londiani-Kisumu Road. Police said the accident happened Saturday at about 4 am after the driver of the bus nicknamed Dreamliner lost control and landed in a ditch. At least 41 other passengers were injured and rushed to Londiani Sub County hospital for medical attention. They had multiple injuries, police and witnesses said. The dead included two adults and a child. The driver said he lost control of the bus while negotiating a bend and landed on the left side of the road. Traffic personnel attended the scene and detained the driver for interrogation. Fatal accidents have been on the rise amid campaigns to address the trend. More than 4,000 people were killed in accidents in the country. Thousands others are nursing wounds following the accidents, which have a negative impact on families at large.

Drama in Uganda as lawyers denied access to court

 There was tension at the Makindye General Court Martial when a group of lawyers was denied access to the premises. The lawyers had arrived to represent opposition leader Kizza Besigye and his aide, Sheikh Obeid Lutale, who are facing charges of security offences and unlawful firearm possession following their alleged abduction from Nairobi in November 2024. As the lawyers pressed against the court's gate, their chants of “Open! Open!” filled the air, demanding entry. The heavily guarded court was secured by police officers stationed on the other side of the gate. Over 40 lawyers are part of the defense team for Besigye and Lutale, but security personnel allowed only those on a pre-approved list to attend the proceedings. According to Daily Monitor , efforts are underway to ensure all lawyers gain access. Meanwhile, NTV Uganda reported that security officers requested the lawyers to agree among themselves on who would be allowed inside. Opposition leader Joel Ssenyonyi arrived ...

Police claims Mwiti died on a road accident

 The National Police Service has released preliminary findings regarding the death of 24-year-old Ibrahim Mwiti, who went missing in November 2024 and was later found dead at the Thika Level Five Hospital mortuary. Mwiti was last seen on November 11, 2024, in Nairobi city center, after which he disappeared, prompting a search by his family. His friends took to social media, alleging that he had been abducted. According to a statement issued by the National Police Service (NPS) on Sunday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) concluded that Mwiti died in a hit-and-run accident along Thika Road on November 12, 2024. The statement clarified that Mwiti had been reported missing by his mother at Kamukunji Police Station on November 15, 2024, and at Juja Police Station on November 18, 2024. A missing person notice was issued by Juja Police on November 22, 2024, after initial investigations yielded no leads. The police further revealed that Mwiti's body was discovered in the ...

Ruto arrives in Bungoma for the burial of Wetangulas mother

 On Friday, President William Ruto arrived in Bungoma County to attend the funeral of Anne Nanyama Wetang'ula, the mother of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and Westlands MP Timothy Wanyonyi. Mama Nanyama, born on March 9, 1930, in Sirare Village into the Babuya clan, passed away on December 21 after a prolonged illness. President Ruto was accompanied by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and was welcomed by Speaker Wetang'ula and his family. Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, as well as various governors and members of the Senate, were also present at the ceremony. Speaker Wetang'ula expressed deep gratitude for the condolences extended to his family following the loss of their matriarch. He remembered his mother as a committed and firm individual in all she undertook. "Mama Anne was a strict disciplinarian and a passionate advocate for educat...

East African lawyers demand an end to abductions

 The East Africa Law Society (EALS) has called for the immediate release of individuals who have been abducted across the region. Expressing concern over the rising violations of human rights and the rule of law, EALS emphasized that any arrests made by security agencies should be lawful, targeting individuals suspected of committing crimes. EALS President Ramadhan Abubakar stated that the frequency of abductions and enforced disappearances in the East African Community has reached a critical level. In a statement, he highlighted that human rights violations have been reported in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, while other countries, including Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia, face similar challenges. Abubakar noted that the ongoing issues of abductions, disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings are direct violations of the fundamental principles outlined in Article 6 of the East African Community Treaty. The statement was signed ...