Former Amukura Central Member of the County Assembly Moses Pius Ouma alias Mose Baaba and three others were today charged in Malaba Court for malicious damage to property during last week’s anti-tax protests. The accused appeared before Malaba Principal Magistrate Ocharo Momanyi where they denied the charge. Mose Baaba, Francis Munyasi, Peter Elungata, and Stephen Edolore Emusala also denied the second charge of causing harm to St Jacob’s Kaliwa Secondary School driver, Evans Okwara. The four were released on a cash-bail of Sh5000 each and were directed to appear in court for the hearing on July 3. They were arrested…
Author: Special Correspondent
Sections of Kenya’s parliament were on fire on Tuesday as protesters overwhelmed police to storm the compound where lawmakers had just passed a contentious bill that would introduce a raft of new taxes. At least 50 people were injured by gunfire, a paramedic outside parliament said, as police clashed with hundreds of demonstrators. In chaotic scenes, protesters overwhelmed police and chased them away in an attempt to storm the parliament compound. Flames could be seen coming from inside. Police opened fire after tear gas and water cannon failed to disperse the crowds. A Reuters journalist counted the bodies of at…
First 400 police officers for the United Nations Peace Mission in Haiti flagged off President William Ruto on Monday flagged-off the first 400 group of police officers for the United Nations peace mission in Haiti. The President expressed confidence that the Kenyan contingent, together with others from contributing countries, will help in returning lasting peace in the conflict-ravaged Haiti. Speaking at the National Police College, Embakasi Campus in Nairobi, President Ruto told the officers that they were selected for the peace mission on the basis of their integrity, professionalism and capabilities. He handed the peace mission the Kenyan flag during…
President William Ruto has expressed his willingness to engage in “a conversation” with thousands of young protesters who held nationwide demonstrations last week to oppose proposed tax increases. The protesters, who began their demonstrations on Tuesday, say the administration of Dr Ruto has gone back on its pledge to reduce taxes and lower the cost of living. Organised on social media and led largely by young Kenyans who livestreamed the demonstrations, the protests caught Ruto’s government off-guard, as discontent mounts over his economic policies. “I am very proud of our young people… they have stepped forward peaceful[ly] and I want…
Eyeball-scanning cryptocurrency startup WorldCoin is gearing up for the resumption of operations in Kenya after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) closed its investigation into the company. Local media reported on Thursday that the ODPP had instructed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to drop the probe into allegations of illegal data collection and transfer by the firm, as no criminal charges were substantiated against the firm. In a letter dated June 14 addressed to Coulson Harney the firm’s legal representative, the DCI said that the chief prosecutor had directed the closure of the investigation file without…
An American national has been arraigned in a Malindi court on charges of sexually assaulting a sixteen-year-old girl. Alexander Antoine Ziegler appeared before Malindi Resident Magistrate Nkrunnah Namnyak but did not take plea after investigation officers asked the court to allow them to hold the suspect for five days to complete investigations. In a miscellaneous application, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer John Otieno claimed that the foreigner was under investigations on allegations of defiling young girls at his residence in Jimba in the outskirts of the tourist resort town of Watamu in Kilifi County. Mr Otieno said the suspect…
Wednesday, June 19 afternoon’s parliamentary session was anything but ordinary as lawmakers engaged in a fiery debate over the Finance Bill, which has stoked controversy and sparked demonstrations in various cities and towns. Initially proposing taxes on bread and vehicles, the Bill was amended to remove these provisions. However, it retained an increase in taxes on importation of finished products. This change has significant implications for everyday Kenyans, particularly women, as it directly impacts the cost of essential items such as sanitary towels and diapers. Given Kenya’s limited manufacturing capacity, most of these products are imported, meaning women and mothers…
A Kenyan national has been sentenced to 11 years and three months in a United States federal prison for orchestrating an elaborate advance fee and investment scheme. Paul Maucha, who moved to the U.S. 36 years ago seeking employment, has been jailed for perpetrating advance fee fraud, a form of white-collar crime where payment is requested upfront from businesses or individuals in exchange for promised stocks, services, funds, or goods that are never delivered. This type of Ponzi scheme typically involves victims receiving solicitations via mail, fax, or email from individuals impersonating business representatives or government officials. These fraudulent entities…
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has announced a new initiative to provide financial support to students pursuing courses in the maritime sector. In a statement on June 17, HELB said the initiative targets students at the Bandari Maritime Academy and other maritime training institutions approved by the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA). According to the institution, applicants must be pursuing a craft certificate or diploma in nautical science and marine engineering to qualify for the loans. “Maritime Education and Training Scheme (METS) offers financing to students pursuing courses in the Maritime Sector being offered at Bandari Maritime Academy and other…
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) is a public service organisation in Kenya that provides social protection and financial security benefits to workers. The NSSF was established in 1965 by an Act of Parliament and was originally a Provident Fund that paid out benefits as a lump sum. In 2013, the NSSF Act was amended to transform it into a Pension Scheme that offers benefits such as: Retirement benefits: A monthly life pension upon retirement Survivor benefits: Basic assistance to dependents in the event of death Invalidity benefits: Basic compensation in the event of permanent disability Payment of the NSSF…
