Author: Special Correspondent

Kenya’s sports journalists were on Friday put through rigorous paces ahead of the 56th edition of the Magical Kenya Open golf championship (MKO), set for Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi from February 20-23. The training – which included practical course sessions, rules and regulations, and golf jargon centred around the “gentleman’s game” – was designed to prepare the scribes for effective coverage of the upcoming DP World Tour event that has attracted 144 players from around the world. The workshop, sponsored by Absa Bank Kenya, brought together member scribes of the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) at the 9-hole…

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The passing of new tax reforms under the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024, which came into effect in December last year, signals a new era of retirement security with a strong focus on financial security and healthcare planning. Enwealth Financial Services hosted a pension sector stakeholder meeting in Nairobi today, providing a platform to discuss critical issues shaping Kenya’s pension sector. Emerging from the discussion as one of the most impactful changes introduced by the Act is the increase in the tax-deductible pension contribution limit, which translates to lower Pay As You Earn (PAYE) liabilities, as higher pension contributions will…

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The United States has frozen its financial contributions to a United Nations fund for a multinational security support mission in Haiti, a UN spokesperson said on Tuesday, a move that would stop $13.3 million in pending aid. “We received an official notification from the US asking for an immediate stop work order on their contribution” to the trust fund for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, said Stephane Dujarric, the UN secretary-general’s spokesperson, referring to the already underfunded Kenya-led force. The UN Security Council gave the green light in October 2023 to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission designed to…

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Billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader Aga Khan has died at the age of 88, his charity the Aga Khan Development Network has announced. Prince Karim Aga Khan was the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, who trace his lineage directly to the Prophet Muhammad. He “passed away peacefully” in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family, his charity said in a statement on social media. Born in Switzerland, he had British citizenship and lived in a chateau in France. The King has been made aware of the death of the philanthropist, who was a friend of both himself and his…

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At least 12 miners have now been rescued after a gold mine collapsed in Khayega, Shinyalu Sub-County, Kakamega, on Monday evening. The incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. when the walls of the mineshaft gave way, trapping 20 miners who were inside. A multi-agency rescue operation involving the Kenya Red Cross, local police, disaster response teams, and community volunteers managed to extricate 8 miners from the site shortly after the collapse. According to police, those rescued did not suffer any injuries. Shinyalu Sub-County Police Commander Daniel Makumbu confirmed that the search and rescue operation is ongoing and will continue until all…

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The William Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua 2022 Presidential Election Ticket was controversial from the word go. Two strong-willed individuals, it was evident to many that the ticket could hardly last a term. While on the campaign trail in 2021, Deputy President William Ruto promised never to subject his running mate, in the event they formed government, to the alleged humiliation he had suffered under the retiring President Uhuru Kenyatta. It was a hollow pledge. As a strong-headed individual, a laid-back personality was best suited for him as a principal assistant. Gachagua was too independent and entitled. Mr Gachagua, the second…

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EACC has filed 47 new civil suits to recover assets estimated at Sh9.2 billion, the Commission’s Annual Report for the FY2023/2024 has revealed. Launched yesterday at the Commission’s Headquarters in Nairobi, the Report discloses that the Commission also finalized and forwarded 126 investigation files on corruption, economic crimes, and unethical conduct to the Director of Public Prosecutions with recommendations to prosecute. Further, the Report shows that the Commission concluded 56 files on violations of Chapter Six of the Constitution and Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012, and recovered assets and unexplained wealth worth Sh2.9 billion illegally held by public officers in…

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The Anti-Corruption Court has convicted at least four of the 16 Accused persons in a procurement scandal at the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) that resulted in a loss of approximately Sh550 million in public funds. Chief Magistrate Hon. Felix Mutinda Kombo, sitting at Milimani, Nairobi, committed Fredrick Ogenga, Aero Dispenser Valves Ltd, Francis Omondi Obure, and Beryl Khasina, the 11th, 13th, 15th, and 16th accused persons respectively to a non-custodial sentence on January 24, 2025. Ogenga, a KPC Procurement Officer II (Overseas Procurement), was fined Sh750,000, Aero Dispenser Valves Ltd was fined Sh3 million, Omondi and Ms Beryl Khasina, Directors…

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By Alex Gakuru Artificial Intelligence (AI) has intensified the debate around bias and misrepresentation. The profound implications of technology on nearly every sector and aspect of life have raised concerns among the public and policymakers about the need for more local content online. Critics argue that the internet serves as a tool for powerful nations to erase non-English cultures, restructure global labour dynamics, and further impoverish the poor. Unless deliberate and effective measures are taken to transform the internet economy, Africans risk becoming modern-day slaves in digital plantations. Africa’s rich oral culture, heritage, and traditional knowledge—expressed through over 3,000 languages—contrast…

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WAINAINA NDUNG’U Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has adopted an east to west infiltration of vote-rich Mt Kenya as his 2027 presidential bid recently got turbocharged by Mr Raila Odinga’s hint of an impending exit following his interest in becoming the next Chairperson of the African Union Commission It is instructive that when Mr Odinga signalled his interest in the AU seat, Mr Musyoka was quick to point out at Azimio la Umoja, the minority coalition, would soldier on without him Mr Musyoka has over the last six months been on a mission to lure the Mt Kenya East vote block…

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