Polish National In Court For Flying Drone Over DP Ruto’s Karen Residence

A tourist of Polish origin was Wednesday arraigned at the Milimani law courts over a drone that strayed into the private residence of Deputy President William Ruto in Karen on Monday night, March 29.

Piotr Lukasz Litwiniuk was charged with four counts: importation of unmanned aircraft without a permit issued by the authority, operating an unmanned aircraft system without authorisation, operating an unmanned aircraft system without a pilot licence, and failing to register an unmanned aircraft.

According to the charge sheet, Piotr Lukasz imported the Mavic Air2 drone model number MA2UE3W through the Moi International Airport on January 7, 2021 without a permit from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority(KCAA).

He was also charged with operating an unmanned aircraft system without authorisation from KCAA on March 29.

The court heard that GSU officers manning Ruto’s residence spotted the drone flying over the home and monitored it as it retreated to a neighbour’s compound.

The incident was reported to Hardy Police Station before it was referred to the DCIO’s office who later visited the scene together with the OCS for Hardy police station.

They discovered the drone in the neighbour’s residence. The suspect, who is the owner of the drone, told police he is in Kenya for holiday.

Appearing before Milimani chief magistrate Martha Mutuku, Litwiniuk denied the charges.

The court released the accused on a cash bail of Sh200, 000 or a bond of Sh500, 000.

The matter will be mentioned after two weeks.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/04/polish-national-in-court-for-flying-drone-over-dp-rutos-karen-residence.html

AstraZeneca Vaccine Recipients Reveal Side Effects of Covid-19 jab

As of Wednesday, March 30, 2021, over 130, 500 people had been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Kenya since the country received 1.12 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines on March 3.

The AstraZeneca Covid-19 jab has been received halfheartedly in Kenya after several countries suspended its use over safety concerns.

A couple of Kenyans who have since been innoculated shared their experiences, revealing some of the jab’s side effects.

Businesswoman Mercy Claire said she started feeling some of the effects hours after getting the shot.

“Getting the jab itself is not painful. The nurse gives you a shot in the arm and you go away, to await the second dose after eight weeks. The nurse says you should contact the doctor if you have a headache or any other symptom.

“After getting the jab, I did not feel anything the whole day until the night fell. I started feeling feverish and sweaty and a little dizzy,” she said as quoted by the Star.

Mercy added: “I did not pay much attention to what was happening, but the night was not smooth and I could barely sleep. I have headache, fever, nausea and a lot of pain in my left arm. I could not sleep on the left side where the jab was administered because of pain. It is stinging a lot.”

According to the publication, Mercy said when she woke up the next day, the nausea was worse and she had an elevated temperature with no appetite.

“The headache, fever and sweating became too much. I even tried taking breakfast but could not do it. I am still feeling dizzy,” she recounted.

To alleviate the fever and nausea, Mercy took a mixture of ginger, honey and lemon.

“I got some relief but not a lot. Dizziness still persists. I still cannot lift my left arm without pain. I have to position my hand with a formula when typing! Direct touch to the site of jab is like a bee sting!” she said.

Another AstraZeneca Vaccine recipient, Edward Mathenge, said he also got a bad fever at night.

“I woke up from my sleep shaking at around 3am and the first instinct was to pull over a blanket from the foot of the bed for double cover,” Mathenge said.

After a while, the businessman said he started sweating profusely.

“I started sweating heavily but could not get out of bed because my body was very numb. I managed to get out of bed at 6am,” he revelead.

Mathenge said he was forced to take paracetamol which reduced the fever and numbness.

“The arm that was jabbed is still numb,” he said.

The Centre for Disease and Control says the side effects are normal and that they may be more intense after the second shot.

“These side effects are normal signs that your body is building protection and should go away within a few days,” CDC notes.

The Ministry of Health added: “Mild reactions go away within a few days on their own.  Severe or long-lasting side effects are extremely rare.”

Health ministry acting director general Dr Patrick Amoth, who was the first Kenyan to take the vaccine on March 5, said he did not experience any effects as he encouraged more Kenyans to get the jab.

“I did not experience major side effects, apart from soreness (which lasted for 47 hours). I took no medication for the side effects as I expected them to be transient. Better take the vaccine when your turn comes. It is either you get the vaccine or Covid-19.”

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/04/astrazeneca-vaccine-recipients-reveal-side-effects-of-covid-19-jab.html

Jennifer Wambua Murder Probe: Sh2M Withdrawn From Account of Deceased NLC Official

A probe into the murder of National Lands Commission (NLC) official Jennifer Wambua has taken a new twist after detectives established money was withdrawn from her bank account prior to her death.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) discovered that Sh2 million was withdrawn from her account two days before she went missing.

The money was part of some Sh2.7 million that NLC had wired to Wambua’s account to pay for supplies of goods and services offered during the launch of the 2021-2026 strategic plan for the commission.

Wambua, who was the deputy director of communication at NLC, was in charge of the launch which was commissioned on March 5.

Detectives handling the case say suppliers claimed that they have not been paid.

The investigators are now trying to establish whether Wambua’s death was linked to the money.

Officers are also looking into the 58 calls that were made to Wambua’s mobile phone days and hours before her death.

Among those who called her on the day of her death was her pastor who police say talked to her “for long”.

Wambua’s husband Joseph Komu, who was questioned for two days, told police that the pastor in question was close to Wambua and had been “praying for her”.

No arrests have been made as Wambua’s family said it was losing hope of getting justice due to a lack of substantial progress in the first two weeks of the investigation.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/04/jennifer-wambua-murder-probe-sh2m-withdrawn-from-account-of-deceased-nlc-official.html

This is What’s Trending in Nairobi This April Fools

It’s the first day of April, and this is what’s trending.. for real.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/04/this-is-whats-trending-in-nairobi-this-april-fools.html

Man Strangles Sons To Death Before Committing Suicide

A man and his two sons have died in an apparent murder-suicide in Mbooni, Makueni County.

The 37-year-old -man is said to have strangled the children aged 9 and 4 years at their home in Nduluku location on Wednesday morning.

He then took his life by hanging himself on a mango tree within his farm.

Nduluku Chief, Jeremiah Makau, said the man’s wife, a casual labourer, was away on night duty in Mlolongo at the time of the incident.

The bodies of the children were found lying in one of the rooms of the three-bedroomed house.

Neighbours later found the body of the man dangling from a tree.

It was not immediately clear why the man killed his own children and hang himself thereafter.

The three bodies were moved to a mortuary in Tawa town in the same county.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/04/man-strangles-sons-to-death-before-committing-suicide.html

Governors Summoned Over Misuse Of COVID-19 Billions

All 47 county governors will in coming weeks undergo grilling on how they spent billions of public resources disbursed to counties to fight the coronavirus pandemic in the 2019/2020 financial year.

The Senate Health Committee says it has issued summons to county bosses and their Executive teams to appear before it for the probe.

The summon follows an in-depth analysis by the committee on a Special Audit Report on the utilization of COVID-19 funds by the devolved units.

According to the report by Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu, counties flouted procurement laws, awarded tenders to select firms, and made questionable payments where billions of taxpayer’s money may have been lost.

Gathingu recommended to the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate at least 27 counties.

Some of these include Nairobi (Nairobi Metropolitan Service), Trans Nzoia, Murang’a, Busia, Kakamega, Meru, Embu, Homabay, Kisii, Bungoma, and Bomet counties.

Trans-Nzoia Senator Michael Mbito, who chairs the committee, tabled the findings of his panel saying they have summoned governors to explain the illegalities and irregularities flagged by the auditor.

“I wish to inform the House that the committee is seized of the special audit report of the Auditor-General on the utilization of Covid-19 funds by the county governments and is set to commence hearings with various county governments,” Mbito said.

“The committee is scheduled to hold hearings with the 47 county governments in the coming weeks. The hearings will be held for purposes of seeking clarifications from the Counties on the findings of the Special Audit Report, and establishing the level of pandemic preparedness and response across the counties,” he added.

The committee will hold hearings with two counties per day, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

“At an average rate of six counties per week, the Committee expects to finalize conducting its hearings in approximately two months,” he added.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/04/governors-summoned-over-misuse-of-covid-19-billions.html

List Of Petrol Stations Caught Selling Adulterated Fuel

The Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Body (EPRA) has released a list of petrol stations that were found selling adulterated fuel.

In a public notice on Tuesday, March 30, the authority said it found 12 stations across the county that were either selling diluted fuel or fuel bound for export.

“During the period January – March 2021, a total of 5,536 tests were conducted at 1,182 petroleum sites. From the tests, 98.99% of the sites were found to be compliant. However, tests from Twelve (12) sites turned out to be non-compliant,” EPRA said.

The stations were identified through continuous monitoring of the quality of petroleum motor fuels on sale, transport, and storage throughout the country.

EPRA said the petrol stations found to be non-compliant were situated in Embu, Busia, Nakuru, Kisii, Meru, Trans Nzoia, Busia Murang’a Wajir, Nyamira, and Mandera counties.

Most of the filling stations were found to be offering Diesel or Petrol containing high sulphur content.

The regulator closed the pumps and fined some petrol stations up to Sh560,000 in taxes and penalties to have the pumps reopened.

EPRA further requested members of the public to report suspected cases of petroleum fuel adulteration or export dumping through the hotline number (0708444000) as well as through the Authority’s USSD Code (*363#) and SMS service code (40850).

Here is the list of the petrol stations caught selling diluted fuel:

1. Rani Filling Station – Embu

2. Lexo Energy Busia Service Station – Busia

3. Half Moon Filling Station – Nakuru

4. Nyatieko Filling Station – Kisii

5. BM Kanyakine Filling Station – Meru

6. Jire’s Filling Station – Trans Nzoia

7. Eagle Filling Station – Busia

8. Kuwait Filling Station – Murang’a

9. Northstar Energy Service Station – Wajir

10. Zams Filling Station – Nyamir

11. Quality Energy Service Station – Mandera

12. Mohamed Kosman Service Station – Mander

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/04/list-of-petrol-stations-caught-selling-adulterated-fuel.html

DJ Joe Mfalme – Everybody Deserves A Second Chance

Veteran Kenyan disc jockey Joe Mwenda Munoru alias DJ Joe Mfalme has spoken for the first time since Radio Africa Group terminated his contract at Homeboyz Radio over the weekend.

Radio Africa sacked DJ Joe Mfalme alongside Shaffie Weru and Neville Musya following public outrage over statements the trio made while discussing an incident in which a man pushed a woman out of a 12th-floor window on their first date.

Joe Mfalme, who was sacked despite issuing a public apology, says he is still remorseful.

“You know, after you do an apology, I mean, everybody deserves a second chance. After a slip of the tongue, you issue an apology and wait for forgiveness, there is not much you can do, however, remorseful you are,” he said.

The former Capital FM resident DJ said he has talked to his clients regarding the incident and his businesses were not immensely affected.

DJ Joe Mfalme said his mixtapes business was still booming and that he has resolved to work behind the scenes on some of his TV shows.

“I am working at Maisha Magic and K24 TV and I am continuing with my mixtapes. At K24 TV, I work as a producer for a couple of shows there. Sometimes I make guest appearances on the morning show. I produce ‘Playlist’ and ‘Countdown’ shows on K24 TV, and on Maisha Magic, I work on the ‘Turn Up’ show,” he said.

On whether he is planing to sue Radio Africa like his colleague Shaffie, Mfalme said it is a private matter whose decision he would make on his own.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/04/dj-joe-mfalme-everybody-deserves-a-second-chance.html

Churches Are Not Bars, Pastor Ng’ang’a Protests Closure

The outspoken Neno Evangelism Centre preacher James Ng’ang’a has opposed the recent govt directive suspending gatherings at places of worship to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The famous preacher faulted the government for likening churches to bars. He argued that church-goers are more disciplined compared to drunk revelers.

Pastor Ng’ang’a also noted that the church is the first place people seek refuge in times of need.

“In 2007, people ran to church to seek for comfort. But right now, naona wameanza kushikanisha bar na kanisa. Kanisa sio walevi wako huko. They are people who can control themselves,” he said.

At the same time, pastor Ng’ang’a said the government has allowed matatus to continue operating yet churches are more spacious and orderly.

“My message is that people should not forget God. Empty you came and empty you will go. No matter how rich you are.”

Since COVID-19 struck, Ng’ang’a has been in Kajiado where he is building a megachurch.

“I have started building another church in Kajiado, which will look like Jerusalem city. The pandemic has not affected me as I am still serving God and building God’s house, not a kiosk. It is the house of the Lord and it is built by the few appointed,” he said.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/04/churches-are-not-bars-pastor-nganga-protests-closure.html

Betty Kyallo – I Can’t Be A Housewife

Celebrity media personality Betty Kyallo appears to have lost all hope of remarrying.

Speaking in a recent interview, the KTN TV game show host said she is nowhere near to getting married. Betty Kyallo explained that she still has a lot of personal goals to achieve before considering marriage.

“Mi nakaa kuwa wife material? Hiyo maneno ilinishinda kabisa, acha ningangane kiviangu. I can’t be a housewife and just sit there. I also have things I want to achieve,” she told Mwende.

Speaking of wife material, Betty was also expected to feature in Eric Omondi’s reality show. She explained that the show just wasn’t for her.

“Eric is my friend and I watched the show, but do you see how those girls dance? I do not know how to twerk. I also have a job to go to, a kid to take care of, so acha ningangane kiviangu,” she said.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/04/betty-kyallo-i-cant-be-a-housewife.html

Shaffie Weru Demands Sh21 Million from Homeboyz Radio for ‘Unlawful Termination’

Following his dismissal by Homeboyz Radio over the weekend, Shaffie Weru had decided to fight back.

A veteran in the radio business, Shaffie was let go by Homeboyz and its mother company Radio Africa, alongside DJ Joe Mfalme (Joseph Munoru) and his co-host Neville Musya, over the weekend.

This came following outrage over statements the 3 had made on their show concerning gender-based violence. They were discussing a court case in which a man was accused of pushing a woman he had met on Facebook out of a 12th floor window on their first date.

Some people understood that they were blaming the victim for the incident.

“We were having a conversation around Eunice, the 20-year-old lady who last year, found a date on Facebook, went on a first date and after that… became immobile, she’s still limping because apparently this guy she found on Facebook invited her to a building, they were having a date on the 12th floor”.

“And then guess what happened? The guy tried to make moves… She said ‘yo I’m not doing this, I’m not about this’ and then the guy pushed her over the 12th floor and now she’s a cripple.

“And I’m calling on all the ladies… you guys need to play hard to get.”

“Do you think Kenyan chiles [women] are too available, are they too loose, too willing, too desperate and that’s why they get themselves caught up in such situations?” the discussion went.

Shaffie would later apologize, but then Radio Africa quickly suspended them.

Following pressure from the Media Council of Kenya, the Communication Authority and major advertiser of the show EABL, Radio Africa soon made that suspension a permanent termination.

Now, Shaffie has engaged lawyers in a bid to get paid what remains of his contract, as well as other benefits.

In the letter to the General Manager Radio Africa, Shaffie argues that he should receive his entire 1 month salary of Sh682,500, as well as 12 months salary for unfair termination, which would amount to a further Sh8,190,000.

He also demands a gratuity of one month salary for every 18 years he has been of service to the company. This amounts to Sh12,285,000.

In total Shaffie Weru is demanding a payment of more than Sh21 million from Radio Africa.

On top of the hosting job, he was also the Program’s Controller at Homeboyz Radio.

This is the letter his lawyers have sent his former employer.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/shaffie-weru-demands-sh21-million-from-homeboyz-radio-for-unlawful-termination.html

4-hour Police Chase Ends In Arrest Of Three Al Shabaab Terror Suspects

Three men suspected to be Al Shabaab militants were Monday arrested in Lagdera, Garissa County while in possession of an assortment of illegal weapons.

Lagdera police said that they were on patrol along the Baraki-Maalmin Road when they spotted the three men of Somali origin in a white Toyota Succeed car at around 5 pm.

When police commanded them to pull over their vehicle, the men sped off prompting a chase that lasted about four hours.

A multi-agency team of agents from the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit and officers from nearby security stations in Mogodashe, Afweini, and Maalmini was deployed to track down the suspects.

According to a police report, two officers who were using their personal vehicle cornered the suspects about 40km south of the CCM Lagdera Police Station.

The men all had Kenyan identity cards. They were identified as Nur Ibrahim Alaso Hadadob (the driver), Jimale Abey Mahamad Griftu, and Abdirizack Mohamed Ali Elwak.

Police recovered nine AK-47 rifles, 2,104 bullets, and 20 litres of petrol. There were also eight empty magazines.

Detectives believe the weapons were to be used in a terror mission. North Eastern police boss Rono Bunei said they are investigating further to establish what the suspected Al-Shabaab militants were planning.

“These were transporting them for a terror-related mission here. We are on alert,” he said.

Police termed the arrests and recovery a win in the war on terrorism.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/4-hour-police-chase-ends-in-arrest-of-three-al-shabaab-terror-suspects.html

Nairobi Police Boss Warns Bar Owners, Patrons Hiding In Bars, “We’re Everywhere”

Nairobi police commander Augustine Nthumbi has cautioned bar owners and their revelers against violating President Uhuru Kenyatta’s closure order.

Nthumbi said bar owners risk losing their licenses while patrons could find themselves cleaning city streets and markets.

“And we have done it in the previous few days. We break in and arrest all the people in there. We are grateful that the judiciary has been helping us on that. Around 74 people were sentenced under a community service order and that is where the Nairobi Metropolitan Service came in and assigned them to clean city streets and markets for a day,” said the police chief.

Nthumbi noted that some bars have been locking revelers inside the establishments to drink. He warned that his officers are monitoring bars closely to bring culprits to book.

“We are going to the bars and listening from outside to confirm that there are no people inside. There is no escape. We are everywhere,” he said.

Nthumbi added that officers have heightened surveillance in Nairobi to ensure total compliance with the 8 pm -to 4 am curfew.

At the same time, Nthumbi said police roadblocks have been mounted in all sub-counties to enforce the curfew and cessation of movement directives.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/nairobi-police-boss-warns-bar-owners-patrons-hiding-in-bars-were-everywhere.html

Everything Trending in Nairobi This Wednesday

On this last day of the month, here’s what’s trending.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/everything-trending-in-nairobi-this-wednesday-2.html

Nyeri Businessman Accused Of Killing Son Implicates Daughter-in-law

A prominent businessman from Nyeri accused of hiring hitmen to kill his son wants the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to carry out fresh investigations into his son’s death.

Stephen Wang’ondu, 75, wrote to the DCI in a letter dated March 19, asking the security agency to probe and record statements from his son’s wife.

He said he was ready to provide any information that may solve the murder of his 32-year-old son Daniel Mwangi.

According to Wang’ondu, there was an exchange of messages between Mwangi and his wife’s family members before he died.

He said a day before he was arrested, Mwangi’s wife was within his property and told him he would be arrested. Wang’ondu told the DCI that he believes he is being framed for his son’s murder.

“In penning this letter, I recognise that in exercise of the powers conferred upon your office, you are enjoined to always have regard for public interest and the need to prevent and avoid abuse of office, power and legal process,” the accused wrote.

“I believe that I am being fixed by some of my family members that are eyeing my estate,” he stated.

The High Court will on April 20 rule on whether the five suspects; Wang’ondu, his driver James Mahinda, Geoffrey Warutumo, Eddy Kariuki, and Raphael Wachira will be released on bail.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/nyeri-businessman-accused-of-killing-son-implicates-daughter-in-law.html

Reprieve For Mike Sonko In Sh14m Graft Case

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been handed a temporary reprieve in his Sh14 million graft case.

Sonko appeared before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ooko on Monday when the trial hearing against him and two others had been scheduled to commence.

He, however, waited in court for several hours and then left. His lawyers Evans Ondieki, Migai Oketch and Paula Atukunda, waited for magistrate Ooko to issue fresh directions.

The magistrate apologised to the lawyers and accused persons for the delay and postponed the hearing to April 19.

Ooko cited a directive by acting Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu which suspended open court sessions indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The case will be mentioned virtually on April 7.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/reprieve-for-mike-sonko-in-sh14m-graft-case.html

Kazi Mtaani Beneficiaries To Be Paid Just In Time For Easter

Beneficiaries of the Kazi Mtaani programme under Cohort A will receive their latest payment just in time for the Ester holidays.

Principal Secretary of the State Department of Housing and Urban Development, Charles Hinga, on Tuesday apologized for the delays saying funds will be disbursed to Kenyan youth today, Wednesday, March 31.

“To all Cohort A Kazi Mtaani youths, your payment is being processed, should be paid latest tomorrow. Once again apologies for the delay in payment,” he said.

Hinga explained that the funds were delayed for two days due to administrative issues.

“Since it’s a new phase there were few administrative issues delays but all has been sorted now,” he said.

Unveiled in July 2020 to cushion Kenyan youth against the effects of COVID-19, Kazi Mtaani programme employs 280,000 young people in 900 informal settlements across the 47 counties.

We apologize for the delay in payment for Kazi Mtaani – Cohort A. Please note that we have started processing the payment and you shall receive your payment by 31/3/2021. #KaziMtaani pic.twitter.com/Wqo1QT56Qb

— Kazi Mtaani (@kazi_mtaani) March 30, 2021

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/kazi-mtaani-beneficiaries-to-be-paid-just-in-time-for-easter.html

President Kenyatta Signs Employment And Business Laws Amendment Bills Into Law

President Uhuru Kenyatta Monday signed into law the Employment (Amendment) Bill of 2019 and Business Laws (Amendment) Bill of 2021.

The new Employment (Amendment) Act, 2019 amends the Employment Act of 2007 to, among other provisions, include a one-month pre-adoptive leave with full pay to parents who apply for the adoption of children.

On its part, the Business Laws (Amendment) (No.2) Act of 2021 amends several statutes to facilitate the ease of doing business in Kenya.

The Law of Contract Act (Cap. 23), The Industrial Training Act (Cap. 237), The Stamp Duty Act (Cap. 480), and The National Hospital Insurance Fund Act, 1998 are among the statutes amended by the new law.

Others are The National Social Security Fund Act, 2013, The Companies Act, 2015, The Insolvency Act, 2015, and The Small Claims Court Act, 2016.

The signing ceremony at State House, Nairobi was attended by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Majority Leader Amos Kimunya and Clerk Michael Sialai.

Also present were Head of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua, Solicitor General Ken Ogeto and Treasury PS Dr Julius Muia.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/president-kenyatta-signs-employment-and-business-laws-amendment-bills-into-law.html

Eric Omondi, CS Wamalwa Hold Talks To Help Kenyan Artistes

Comedian Eric Omondi met with Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa on Tuesday, March 30 to discuss how the government can help the entertainment industry.

The CS reached out to Omondi to come up with ideas on how Kenyan creatives can be cushioned against the negative financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent govt measures.

“Cabinet Secretary Devolution Hon. Eugene Wamalwa called me to his office today to discuss different ways in which the ministry can help support artists during these hard times,” Omondi said.

The comedian said Wamalwa tasked him with coming up with solutions to the challenges facing the entertainment industry.

“He challenged that apart from myself as Eric Omondi, how can the industry be salvaged, and told me to come back with resolutions on the same.

“Because it is not something I can do by myself, I said I’d have to consult other artistes and deliver the recommendation next week,” Omondi explained.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eric Omondi (@ericomondi)

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/eric-omondi-cs-wamalwa-hold-talks-to-help-kenyan-artistes.html

Samidoh Asks God For Another Chance After Falling Into Temptation

Popular Kikuyu musician Samuel Muchoki alias Samidoh has seemingly “sanitised” his recent infidelity scandal with a new song asking God for another chance.

In the song dubbed ‘ ‘Ihinda Ringi’ (Another chance), Samidoh pleads with God to protect him from his enemies and to never allow him to be a slave of his mistakes.

He also thanks God for his talent saying fame would have been his downfall were it not for the prayers of those who love him.

“Please let my relationship with you be permanent and even when I make stupid decisions, kindly forgive me. Give me another chance. I prayed that you expand my territories and you gave me a favour, now they know me all over,” Samidoh sings.

“Give me another chance and hide my star from my enemies. My talent is to build rather than destroy them. I am human and at times I will fall into temptations.”

The song is a follow-up to Samidoh’s public apology to his wife Edith for having an affair and siring a child with Karen Nyamu.

The father of three regretted putting his family in a bad situation as he affirmed his commitment to his wife. Samidoh also pledged to fully support his son with Nyamu.

“I bless my generation and may it continue growing. I now apologise to you my fans for setting a bad example. I take full responsibility for my mistakes, which I regret. We have had our own shares of ups and downs but we are stronger and happy together,” he said.

Watch ‘Ihinda Ringi’ below.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/samidoh-asks-god-for-another-chance-after-falling-into-temptation.html

Why Gospel Singer Doesn’t Want Govt, MCSK Officials To Speak at His Funeral

The renowned gospel musician Reuben Kigame has issued a demand barring government officials and those from the copyright bodies such as MCSK and PRISK from speaking at his funeral.

In a statement Tuesday, Kigame said he was struggling to make ends meet despite releasing songs since 1986.

“I wish to go public about something and I want this marked well: if you one day hear musician Reuben Kigame is dead, do not allow any government representative or those from the so cold copyright societies to speak at my funeral service. What I have been through under them is enough,” Kigame said.

The visually impaired singer noted he has 29 albums to his name that receive airplay in many stations around Kenya but he has been receiving peanuts in royalties.

“My songs are played on just about every public event including by police and military bands. Yet at the end of the month I can only look forward to about ksh18,000 in royalties,” he added.

The musician said he was not only speaking for himself but for other Kenyan artistes who are struggling.

“Before I am told to be grateful, think about MCSK and PRISK hoarding royalties from 2009, Safaricom and other bodies getting the bigger share in collections, piracy, and cartel theft! If anyone doubted God can provide, ask me,” he said on social media.

“I am one of those doing very well, or so I assume. What are other musicians getting? Out of Ksh 10 of skiza royalties, I keep Ksh 2 or 3. The rest is somebody else’s!”

Kigame disclosed that in February 2021, he only received Ksh10,545 after a loan deduction of Ksh6,986.

“If I was not doing it for God I would have quit long ago because even from the church, all you can get is acclamation and encouragement.

“God has been faithful to me because I have eaten, got a home, raised a family and kept going and serving through his miraculous provisions,” he concluded.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/why-gospel-singer-doesnt-want-govt-mcsk-officials-to-speak-at-his-funeral.html

All The Trending Memes and Tweets this Tuesday

As always, let’s begin the day by looking at what’s trending.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/all-the-trending-memes-and-tweets-this-tuesday-4.html

We Must Continue Demanding! Martha Karua Demands Free COVID-19 Treatment For Kenyans

Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua has strongly condemned the Kenyan government for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Karua, who is emerging as the official opposition leader, said the State should bear the cost of testing and treating COVID-19 patients in all public hospitals.

Noting that the newly-imposed cessation of movement is not an end in itself, Karua argued that a majority of Kenyans have suffered from the effects of the virus and can no longer afford the high costs of treating the disease.

“The government must immediately take up the cost of testing and treatment of COVID-19 patients in all public hospitals, and avail the vaccines in all public hospitals countrywide,” she said on Monday.

According to Karua, the Jubilee Party-led government must invest heavily in the health sector and purchase COVID-19 vaccines in bulk to contain the current situation since the partial lockdown is having devastating impacts on the lives of Kenyans.

“Cessation of movement in 5 counties is in effect a lockdown of the whole country for they are a gateway to the country,” said the former Justice Minister.

Martha Karua observed that many Kenyans are likely to lose their jobs and asked the government to put in place measures to cushion them especially with the rising costs of living.

At the same time, Karua faulted the President Uhuru Kenyatta-led administration for the increase in infections saying they disregarded measures aimed at combating the spread of the coronavirus.

“It’s a case of missed opportunities and misguided efforts, by now we should be having testing capacities in all 47 counties, capacity to respond to the critically ill and we should have the benefit of improved health services countrywide,” she declared.

The former Gichugu MP also wondered why one year down the line the government has not prosecuted those who looted funds set aside to fight the pandemic.

“As Kenyans were suffering covid millionaires and billionaires were being minted. These continue to walk scot free enjoying their ill-gotten wealth while Kenyans are being ravaged by COVID-19 and ill-served by an ill-prepared health system that is unable to respond to the critically ill and unable to provide adequate vaccines.  The second lockdown provides them with more opportunities to continue looting, unless and until action is taken,” said Martha.

Karua challenged President Kenyatta to personally take charge and make sure the culprits are dealt with.

“We are reminding you for the umpteenth time, 21 days are over, we have another COVID wave and your government has not caused the arrest and prosecution of the culprits, we must continue demanding,” Karua stated.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/we-must-continue-demanding-martha-karua-demands-free-covid-19-treatment-for-kenyans.html

German National Living in Fear After Kenyan Fiancée Stole His Millions

A German national living in Kenya is counting losses and living in fear after his Kenyan fiancée allegedly stole Sh5.4 million from his villa at Harbour Key cottages in Malindi.

66-year-old Reiner Hans Hermann Kreplin claims he has been receiving threatening messages from anonymous people since his 24-year-old girlfriend Mercy Adhiambo Achieng’ vanished with the money.

Kreplin had initially filed a missing person report after Ms Adhiambo disappeared from their shared villa. In the lead up to her disappearance, the lovebirds had celebrated Adhiambo’s birthday in Zanzibar in September 2020.

After they returned to Malindi, Kreplin said he went out for a morning coffee at Osteria restaurant and when he came back to their house Adhiambo was gone.

“After 1 pm, I got suspicious. I waited for two days to lapse to report her missing,’’ he said.

“I reported the matter to Malindi police station after she went missing. I went with the police to my cottage only to find the suitcase broken and Sh5.4 million in foreign currency missing,’’ he said, adding: “So, I had to say oops that’s a different case now. That must be a criminal case.”

The businessman said he had just returned to Kenya with a huge amount of money to buy a second villa at Harbour Key cottages.

He also had plans to initiate a multi-million irrigation project in the drought-stricken Ganze constituency, Kilifi county, and a recycling plant.

Kreplin, who is depressed, said police promised to follow up on the matter and arrest Ms Adhiambo but have not succeeded to date.

He has also been forced to abandon his house as a result of the threatening messages from people he fears could be tracking his movements.

Malindi police confirmed Kreplin’s complaint, with Malindi deputy subcounty commander Simon Muli saying he would follow it up.

Reiner Hans Hermann Kreplin said he first came to Kenya in January 2019 as a tourist from Ethiopia where he initially wanted to invest.

He said he met Adhiambo at Amada Resort, where she was a waitress, and they immediately fell in love.

They moved in together on October 29, 2019. Kreplin had also visited her family in Siaya and he supported them financially.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/german-national-living-in-fear-after-kenyan-fiancee-stole-his-millions.html

Accused Defiler Lured Three-year-old Girl With Biscuits, Court Told

Richard Otieno at the Kibera law courts. Photo/ The Star

A man was arraigned at Kibera law courts for allegedly defiling a minor in Kibra slums, Nairobi.

Richard Otieno allegedly defiled a three-year-old girl using his fingers on March 24. He is said to have lured the innocent minor with biscuits before he committed the offence.

On the first count, Otieno was charged with defiling the minor. On the second, the apparent pedophile was charged with committing an indecent act with a child.

The sex pest had initially pleaded guilty to the charges, but after he was warned of the hefty penalty associated with the offence, he changed his plea to not guilty.

Kibera senior principal magistrate Derrick Kuto released him on Sh500,000 bond and cash bail of the same.

The magistrate directed the case to be mentioned on April 9.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/accused-defiler-lured-three-year-old-girl-with-biscuits-court-told.html

Kisumu’s Senior Official Resigns Following Assault of Hawker

In an unprecedented move rarely seen on this side of the Sahara, a Kisumu county government official has resigned following an incident where city askaris assaulted a female trader.

Kisumu Acting Head of City Inspectorate Willy Lugusa took full responsibility for the shocking act that saw county askaris drag Beatrice Magolo by a vehicle on tarmac road on March 24.

The askaris had arrested Ms Magolo for hawking oranges and lemons in the Central Business District.

Lugusa tendered his resignation in a letter to Kisumu governor Anyang’ Nyongo dated March 26.

“I Wilberforce Lugusa Ndagona do hereby tender my resignation as the acting Head of The Inspectorate of the County Government of Kisumu on account of the matter which occurred on the 24th of March, 2021 involving certain junior officers under my watch and a lady, a mother, grabbed and dragged along a street,” read the letter.

“The act committed was unconscionable, diabolical and against all the rules of natural justice. I hereby take full and moral responsibility for the acts committed thereto.”

Lugusa further added: “I hereby extend my deepest regret to all the people of Kisumu County and the nation as a whole, for this is not what the County Government of Kisumu represents. I take this opportunity to express my most sincere gratitude for the opportunity you gave me to serve in your most able government.”

This cop must be commended for taking responsibility. So rare in our legacy of public service. #emulatewillylugusa pic.twitter.com/NIca0iEmOd

— David Makali (@davidmakali1) March 29, 2021

Nine county askaris were Friday arraigned at the Kisumu Law Courts where they were accused of causing bodily harm to the city trader.

They denied the charges and were freed on Sh50,000 cash bail each.

The mother of four has since indicated she will sue the Kisumu county government and the officers through lawyer Joshua Odhiambo Nyamori.

“Word is going around that I have dropped the matter, I haven’t. My children are suffering and I’m still in pain. I have no idea how I’ll raise rent which is due on the 4th,” she said.

“I was advised to spend a night at the hospital ward but I could not, given the situation back at home. I was treated and my lawyer bought me some drugs as advised by the doctors, but I am still in pain,” Ms Magolo added.

Her lawyer, Mr Nyamori, said: “The reason we have taken the route of the constitutional petition is that some rights issues under the Bill of Rights are involved. To enforce rights, we have to go to court through a petition.”

“We are also going to engage the county government because what happened was an exhibition of systemic failure,” said Nyamori.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/kisumus-senior-official-resigns-following-assault-of-hawker.html

Velvine Nungari Murder Suspect Released on Bail

Joseph Kinyua Murimi, the prime suspect in the murder of Velvine Nungari in Kiamumbi area, Kahawa West, has been granted bail.

This is after a Kiambu court dismissed an application by the prosecution to detain the suspect for 30 more days.

During a virtual hearing of the application, the prosecution said it had not received reports from various government agencies in regard to the ongoing investigations.

While declining the application for custodial orders, Kiambu Law Court 1 Chief Magistrate Hon Patricia Gichohi released Kinyua on Sh200,000 cash bail.

She also directed the accused to be reporting at the Kiamumbi police station every Thursday of the week.

The matter will be mentioned on April 29 for further directions.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/velvine-nungari-murder-suspect-released-on-bail.html

Cops Gun Down Notorious Nairobi Gangster In Dramatic Shootout

Detectives fatally shot a man believed to be part of a notorious gang that has been terrorising Nairobi residents.

DCI detectives on patrol in Kariobangi South spotted the gang of three at the KCC area on Saturday night.

According to the DCI, the detectives challenged the men to identify themselves before a dramatic shootout ensued.

“One pretended to be fishing out his ID from his pocket. Instead, he drew out his gun and opened fire. Luckily, none of the bullets caught any of the officers.

“Officers who had taken strategic positions returned fire, fatally injuring a suspect,” police said.

The other two suspects escaped in the darkness, escaping an appointment with their maker by a whisper, the DCI said.

Police recovered a Glock pistol and three live bullets from the deceased suspect.

“In the underworld, he operates under a cover-up name, ‘Kibe’. The suspect and his gang have been giving city residents sleepless nights,” the DCI stated.

The seized firearm and bullets were forwarded to ballistic experts at the DCI headquarters for analysis, while the body was moved to a city morgue.

A manhunt is ongoing for the other two suspects.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/cops-gun-down-notorious-nairobi-gangster-in-dramatic-shootout.html

I Used To Miss Magufuli’s Calls and Get Shocked, Says Diamond

Bongo music star Diamond Platnumz continued to share details of his relationship with the late Tanzanian President John Magufuli, revealing the Head of State used to call him every now and then.

In one such instance, the deceased Magufuli called Diamond after his television station, Wasafi TV, was suspended.

In January of this year, the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) suspended Wasafi TV for six months for allegedly violating broadcast regulation.

TCRA interim director Johannes Kalunge said the Diamond Platnumz-owned station aired indecent content during a live show. He alleged that Wasafi TV televised singer Gigy Money dancing at the Tumewasha festival on January 1 while scantily dressed.

Fortunately for Diamond, Magufuli intervened and rescued Wasafi TV from serving the full ban.

“I was lucky to have the blessings of speaking to him from time to time on the phone. When my TV station was closed, he called me and asked what I had done this time around,” said Diamond during the burial of the late President.

“To say the truth, he helped me get it back and ease the ban. He asked me not to let him down anymore. He treated me like his son.”

Diamond also revealed he would miss the President’s calls before he(Magufuli) started calling the singer in the evenings.

“I used to get his missed calls and get shocked. He would call me in the morning and later changed and started calling me in the evenings.”

Diamond paid tribute to Magufuli in a song titled ‘Lala Salama’, alongside a host of Tanzanian artistes.

“We have tried in the few minutes of the song to say what he has done. We can’t finish saying all he did but we tried to praise him because we loved him and will always remember him.”

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/i-used-to-miss-magufulis-calls-and-get-shocked-says-diamond.html

Njambi Koikai Calls Out Media Houses In Kenya Following Homeboyz Radio Scandal

Media personality Njambi Koikai has called out Kenyan media houses accusing them of overlooking trained broadcast journalists for social media influencers.

According to the experienced radio presenter, various media companies have been hiring unskilled personalities based on their social media influence instead of journalistic merit.

Njambi spoke after Radio Africa’s Homeboyz Radio was caught up in a storm following a breach of media ethics laws on March 2 by its presenters Shaffie Weru, Joseph Munoru (DJ Joe Mfalme), and Neville Musya.

Taking to social media, Ms Koikai said the media industry has become diluted as a result of media houses turning to social media personalities.

“Most of us, professionally trained broadcast journalists, with experience have been overlooked since the advent of social media. It’s very common to see people spewing hate, vitriol, sexist remarks with no ethics at all, picked from these social media streets and placed in a studio behind a microphone or a screen,” she said.

“It has been our silent struggle. Our industry became diluted. Experience didn’t matter. Great grades didn’t matter. Numbers matter. But at what cost? It’s become an industry of consideration over merit,” added Njambi.

She further lamented that many media school graduates remain jobless while those who have jobs are gagged by their employers.

“Every year, universities are churning out broadcast journalists with nowhere to go. If you stand your ground and focus on your values, you’re too feisty and traditional. I’ve been in this space for far too long. Bosses dictating what ‘content’ you should engage in at the expense of???? For TV, we now have to be sexy to be presenters,” Njambi averred.

She went on: “I’ve consistently heard how some of these people behind a mic or Tv claim to have no influence and people should mind their own business. A microphone is a powerful tool, it has led to wars, it has brought peace.”

Njambi Koikai further recalled her media journey saying she underwent two years of rigorous training before she had her own show.

“I’m an alumnus of the great KBC. It was common for broadcasters to prep their shows, take them for analysis and by the time the mic is on, they knew what was at stake. There was no room for some of these things we experience today. It was common occurence for anyone heard engaging in unethical content or trying to engage, hounded out of studios mid-air. At KBC, I was trained rigourously for 2 years before I could have a show of my own,” wrote the Trace FM resenter.

Njambi also appreciated her new employers saying: “I’m glad I found a new space at Trace Radio that adheres to the same broadcast ethics. It has taken me more than a decade to finally find a radio station where my beliefs, values, and broadcast-style is appreciated.

“May the Kenyan media learn from this and engage in due diligence. There are many unemployed graduates who are also fun and hype. Search for them and train them. Remember this new generation Z is not playing,” she concluded.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/njambi-koikai-calls-out-media-houses-in-kenya-following-homeboyz-radio-scandal.html

“Witchcraft Exists. I Was A Victim,” says Rapper Bamboo

Veteran Kenyan rapper Simon Kimani, popularly known as Bamboo, says he took time out from doing music to focus on his Christian faith and his family.

He explained that the music hiatus allowed him to grow and find out what it really means to be a Christian, understand the commandments and get a grasp of how the Kingdom of God works.

“It takes a process and I decided to step back from the music aspect and learn,” Bamboo said in a recent interview.

“During the process, I got married to Erica and got into family. Being a family man changes you. God wanted me to come out as a family man and evolve from this bachelor who is rapping.”

Bamboo, who adopted the name Abraham Kimani after giving his life to Christ, also opened up about his experience with dark spiritual forces.

Also Read: “My Wife Got into Witchcraft When She Was 8 Years Old,” Bamboo Speaks After Wedding

He said after coming back to Kenya from America in 2012, he was bewitched by people who didn’t want to see him prosper.

“When I came back from the States, I was excited. Within a short time, some people were jealous… and there are guys who use dark powers to shut you down. I found that doors that were previously opened were shut down. Everything was going wrong,” he narrated.

“I would arrive at the studio and lights would go off. They would come back as soon as I left. Just strange things happening consistently for a whole year. The ATM would eat my card. I wasn’t a religious person and I realized life is spiritual.”

Bamboo added: “I witnessed that witchcraft exists. It is more than just a fairytale. I was attacked by those same things and I made it through. The process of getting through it is what opened my eyes. If you are not aware of them, you can go around getting robbed. Those forces make people not make genuine progress. They make people totally deflated, and Christianity fights against that.”

Bamboo, who was part of hip hop group K-South alongside Abbas Kubaff, says his fight against dark forces sharpened him and he is ready to put out music.

He has since released ‘Karibu Home’ featuring Tanzanian singer Martha Mwaipaja. He said the song seeks to bring people back to God.

“During this Covid period, people have been feeling like God is far from them. They pray and feel like God is not answering their prayers. People have gone astray. God is welcoming them back home, no judgement,” he said.

“The message coincided with Martha and she is really talented. It is something that people were not expecting.”

Bamboo promised his fans more music this year. “More music, more work, and more messages,” he said.

The rapper has also published five books on spiritual warfare and money.

Watch ‘Karibu Home’ below.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/witchcraft-exists-i-was-a-victim-says-rapper-bamboo.html

President Kenyatta Condoles With The Obama Family

President Uhuru Kenyatta has condoled with the Obama family following the death of Mama Sarah Onyango Obama.

Mama Sarah, who is the third wife of the paternal grandfather of former US President Barack Obama, died Monday morning in Kisumu.

In his message of comfort, the President mourned the Obama family matriarch as an icon of family values and a philanthropist whose contribution to the progress of the Kenyan nation shall be missed dearly.

“The passing away of Mama Sarah is a big blow to our nation. We’ve lost a strong, virtuous woman. A matriarch who held together the Obama family and was an icon of family values,” the President eulogised.

Mama Sarah Obama will be remembered by many for her philanthropic work especially in her Nyang’oma Kogelo home in Siaya County where she initiated several community development projects.

“She was a loving and celebrated philanthropist who graciously shared the little she had with the less fortunate in her community,” the President mourned Mama Sarah, 99, who passed away while receiving treatment at a Kisumu hospital.

The President wished the Obama family God’s grace as they mourn their departed matriarch.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/president-kenyatta-condoles-with-the-obama-family.html

Q&A With Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) CEO, Moses Ikiara

Moses Ikiara, the Managing Director at Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), responded to questions from the public via Sunday Nation.

How is KenInvest helping counties to be mega-investment hubs? Hassan Malik Mohamed, Garissa County

Counties are teeming with attractive investment opportunities and therefore have what it takes to be mega hubs but the opportunities have to be systematically identified and packaged. The government, through KenInvest, launched the Kenya Investment Policy (KIP) in 2019 to address investors’ concerns relating to tedious investment processes, lengthy dispute resolution timelines, inadequate information on investment opportunities and procedures, among others. KIP is a comprehensive and harmonised policy to guide attraction, facilitation, retention, monitoring, and evaluation of private investment.

There are other ways in which KenInvest is working with the counties to boost investment hubs, including by encouraging and advising them to set up explicit and effective County Investment Units (CUIS) which will act like “mini KenInvest”, advising counties on how to identify and package investment opportunities and market their investment opportunities to local and international investors.

What is the authority doing to create a better investment environment for young people? Komen Moris, Eldoret

We have developed a concept known as “Investing Made Easy Business Clinics,” which aims at helping aspiring entrepreneurs and startups walk their investment journeys from idea generation, packaging to implementation. Moreover, KenInvest has always involved MSMEs in investment forums, conferences as well as business-to-business meetings and offered linkage opportunities both nationally and internationally in collaboration with local and development partners. The national government has further bolstered the support for MSMEs by putting in place Biashara Centres, an infrastructure that is meant to provide a one-stop centre experience for MSMEs.

Isn’t it time to merge KenInvest with other State institutions that have more or less similar mandates? I have in mind Kenya Tourism Board, Kentrade and Brand Kenya. Masai Mandela

A Presidential Task Force on Parastatal Reforms was established with the responsibility of interrogating the policies on the management and governance of Kenya’s parastatals and how best they would contribute to national development.

One of the recommendations of the taskforce was to merge key government agencies with mandates to promote exports, investment and tourism. The amalgamation of those entities was expected to play a significant role in building the capacity of Kenya’s export products, tourism and investment portfolio to the world market thereby contributing to the country brand and economic growth. So far, two of the initially targeted institutions have already been merged, the Export Promotion Council and Brand Kenya Board.

While mergers can deliver enhanced efficiency and effectiveness, it is necessary but not sufficient. Ireland for example has two government agencies doing what KenInvest is doing. One of them focuses on foreign direct investment and the other one domestic investment. Each of them has more than five times the staffing level KenInvest has and a much larger budget.

The outcome is that out of every 100 multinationals, at least 80 have a presence in Dublin. Thus, with or without the merger, critical factors for success are adequate budget and also an institutional architecture that ensures effective coordination of institutions relevant for delivery of each mandate.

The high cost of doing business in Kenya has been cited as one of the major reasons that scare foreign investors. What should be done to check on this trend? Dan Murugu, Nakuru

The high cost of doing business is a genuine concern. However, the issue remains a top priority for the government and progress is being made to resolve it. Moreover, the country has other factors helping to compensate for the relatively higher costs in some of the areas. Kenya has a market-based economy and is the economic, commercial, and logistics hub of East and Central Africa. With the strongest industrial base in the region, and much higher labour productivity compared to many other countries, Kenya has been successful in attracting multinationals. The average annual FDI inflow into our country around year 2000-2002 was $0.4 billion. Ten years later, around 2010-2012, this had grown to $1 billion and further to $1.4 billion around 2017-2019.

Because of the importance of land as a factor of production to all investors, the government has set up a number of Export Processing Zones and Special Economic Zones where the government undertakes infrastructure development to attract investors by reducing the cost of land. Further, the zones are also linked with key transport infrastructures like roads and railways.

Local investors face a myriad of challenges including lack of capital, technical support, market, poor prices for their goods and services, flooding of counterfeits and unfair competition by foreign investors. Can the government help them overcome these challenges? Dan Murugu, Nakuru

The government has prioritised the elimination of counterfeits and has deployed a multi-agency approach to deal with the menace. Since the establishment of this team working closely with the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA), the reported cases of illicit goods entering the country has greatly reduced.

Regarding competition being faced by smaller segments of the business sector, innovative programmes such as preferential procurement by government agencies in favour of enterprises ran by women, youth and people living with disability, promotion of local content and Buy Kenya Build Kenya (BKBK), and identification of almost 200 categories of products that will be promoted domestically, are evidence of supporting public policy.

It is disappointing that KenInvest still tells investors to rely on a 2013 Regulation of Wages Order when so much has changed in the economy. This could be abused by investors to exploit Kenyan workers. What is your take on this? Susan Amondi, Ngong’

The government, as required by the Labour Institutions Act, 2007, publishes the Regulation of Wages Order that sets out minimum wages. Investors tend to add a premium of 20 per cent to this. One of the labour market reforms that the government has sought to achieve over time is to remove market rigidities and other impediments to employment creation.

Specifically, the government has been aiming to align wage determination to labour productivity. Kenya’s industrial relations machinery provides for collective bargaining between employers and trade unions. The agreements have staggered long-term contracts, conditions of employment, fringe benefits and union membership drives.

Nevertheless, Kenya ranks quite highly globally (top 60-70) on labour market flexibility and this, combined with high labour productivity and work culture, enhances our attractiveness to investors. In my opinion, we have a reasonable balance where there are structures to guard against exploitation of workers while also providing labour market flexibility for investors to cope with changing business realities.

What are you doing to ease procedures of obtaining licences and other documents related to investment by foreigners who intend to come to Kenya? Shariff Mohamed, Thika Town

The government has set up a One Stop Centre (OSC) at KenInvest with the following agencies under one roof: National Environmental Management Authority; Export Processing Zones Authority; Special Zones Authority; Department of Immigration; Kenya Revenue Authority; Business Registration Services and Kenya Power. This is to help reduce costs of establishing new investment.

How are you helping small enterprises to navigate the Covid-19 disruption? Davis Basweti Ombane, Juja

At the height of the pandemic, we played our role by contributing to the design of economic stimulus packages and the Covid-19 Response Guides that were crucial in assisting businesses to navigate the pandemic period. Moreover, a number of counties have partnered with KenInvest to generate Post-Covid Recovery Strategies and Implementation Plans, economic blueprints that seek to position MSMEs on the path of economic recovery.

What investment opportunities have you marketed in the past five years and what has been the response both from internal and external investors? Virginia Nthenya, Nairobi

From 2016-2020, KenInvest has been able to facilitate 1,089 projects with proposed foreign capital investment worth Sh470.39 billion and local capital investment worth Sh116.26 billion. The proposed investment has the potential to create employment to 67,580 Kenyans.

The investments were mainly in construction, manufacturing, energy, services, wholesale and retail trade, tourism, agriculture and education. It is not professional to mention specific companies without their consent.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/qa-with-kenya-investment-authority-keninvest-ceo-moses-ikiara.html

Terryanne Chebet: Being Sacked Was The Best Thing That Happened To Me

After establishing herself as one of the most bankable media personalities in Kenya, Terryanne Chebet is now carving a niche for herself in the influencer domain with a goal to empower women not just in Africa but globally.

The former Citizen TV news anchor spoke to Eve Woman about why her sack in 2016 was a blessing in disguise, why she left her TV job last year, co-parenting with her ex, and what dating in her 40s is like.

How can you best summarise Terryanne Chebet?

It is a difficult question but let me try, I am an entrepreneur passionate about women, young people, and development.

What motivated you to resign from your job as the GM at Metropol TV last year?

I found myself in a season where I could not shake this nagging feeling that I needed to do more with my life.

I have always wanted not just to live a good life but to live a life of legacy and impact. I began to realise just like companies have a five to ten-year strategic plan, I also needed one for my dreams and as soon as I began to work on mine, I realised I needed to change my path.

Also, I realised that I want my 40s to be my last actively productive years to build something special. I do not want to be toiling and hustling when I am in my 50s.

At that age, I want to be involved in projects that empower other women, and when not doing that, to be vacationing in the Maldives because I have built something for my future and my children’s future.

Of course, it was not an easy decision to leave, but I had such a strong conviction that it was not as scary as it probably should have been.

Tell us about your platform Africa’s Leading Ladies?

I resigned in June of 2020 and started it in July 2020. It is a Facebook platform for African women to gain knowledge and mentorship and access connections to enable them to grow professionally and reach their highest potential.

We not only provide a space to celebrate the accomplishments of women from all over the world, but we also provide free training opportunities by different organisations that we partner with.

So many Facebook groups are toxic and about gossiping, but I wanted to add something positive. It was also important for me to start a platform for mentorship of women because one of the things I often see women struggling to find is mentorship in their career paths. I now act as the bridge.

I help connect those who need mentorship with appropriate mentors. My hope is that the platform will grow from about 389,000 currently to over two million one day and also open a French-speaking chapter. My end game is that any partnership I get will also positively impact women in the group.

In 2016, you unexpectedly lost your TV anchor job, what did you learn from the experience?

The whole experience actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It was the wake-up call that I needed because at the time as I was comfortable and not really living in purpose.

I was in a place where I was doing the same thing over and over again and not really growing or pushing myself. Further, I was good at it and really enjoyed it, but I was not growing.

Being fired was the best thing that happened to me then. Certainly, it was painful, but growth is often painful and uncomfortable, and I am better for it.

Being out of work helped me to evaluate myself and discover what my passion was, what I was good at; it also helped me realise I am the captain of my future, not my employer or job.

You are now in your 40s, how has it changed you or what impact has it had on your life?

I am actually 42 and not only loving the experience, but I am grateful that I have come this far. For me, turning 40 changed a lot of things for me.

You wake up with this clarity about who you are, what you want and what you will not tolerate as a woman.

Secondly, saying NO comes so naturally, you no longer feel this need to say ‘yes’ to make others happy. It is truly liberating.

Lastly, you learn that you need to put yourself first, and not in a selfish way, but you cannot take care of others without first taking care of yourself or you will crash and burn.

What is your secret to always looking good and well put together?

Thank you, but I do not know if it’s a secret. I just try to live a healthy and wholesome life. I like to be active but, I do not do gym at all. I prefer to walk; I try to do 30kms a week.

I also intentionally take good care of my skin. I had problematic skin as a teenager and young adult and so I use a lot of natural products.

I do a facial once a month and a scrub once a week. Also, I take Vitamin C daily and lemon ginger water.

Additionally, although I eat healthy, it’s not really intentional. I just do not have a sweet tooth. Yes, I do indulge once in a while when I make homemade pizza.

Your eldest daughter now is a teenager, how has parenting changed as opposed to when she was a toddler or pre-teen?

I have two children, Imani who is 14, and Talaa who is 3. The way I parent Imani has changed a little in that, although I was firmer with her when she was younger to put her on the right path, I now give her some freedom.

Also, I try to create an open and free space with no judgements so she can talk to me openly about what she is going through. I try to be as close as possible to her but not as a friend; I am her parent and not her friend.

Apart from media, you are also an entrepreneur, tell us about Keyara Oganics?

My skincare company was inspired by my daughter who, at about age 4, had eczema.

The only product that worked with her skin was shea butter and it was in sourcing for it that I noticed a gap in the market and, in 2014, started my business, an organic and natural skincare line.

The online store has grown to the point where we now stock 15 different products.

Separating what is private and what is public, especially when you are active on social media, is not always easy. How do you manage?

I actually do not struggle with this because, from the beginning, I set clear boundaries on what I wanted to keep to myself and what I wanted people to see.

This is a personal choice; one person’s boundaries may not be another’s. For example, I do not mind sharing pictures of my daughters, but I know some people would not because we are all different.

However, there are certain things I never share on social media as they are private. Also, I understand the value and influence that comes from putting yourself out there on social media.

In fact, my advice to women is do not shy away from it especially if you are a businesswoman it is not only good PR, but a platform to showcase your products.

Are you dating anyone now?

Now that is private and I prefer not to talk about it.

How is it dating in your 40s, most people seem to believe that a woman who is in her 40s has no prospects of having a healthy dating life, basically that at this age the prospects are pretty much over, what is your experience?

You know they say that life begins at 40 and I can attest that they are not wrong. According to me, after 35 is one of the best times to date as a woman because you have had your children, you are settled in your career, you love yourself more and your confidence is on another level.

If you find yourself in your 40s and single either because you are widowed, divorced, or still searching, please do not crawl into a hole and disappear from life.

Dress up, go out and be seen, and enjoy life. Attend social events and meet new people, and you never know, anything is possible; life is what you make of it.

Do you see marriage in the future?

Yes, why not?

A lot of people today are finding themselves co-parenting with an ex, you have been doing that for a while now, any tips for those who may be struggling with it?

To begin with, let me acknowledge that it is not easy, but it must be done and done in a wholesome manner for the sake of the child who is innocent.

The first thing that has to be there for it to work is to put the needs of the child first. They did not ask for this. They are innocent and their needs are first and not the parents’ personal feelings.

Secondly, all parties must respect each other. After a relationship ends, respect can go out of the window but you have to relearn to respect your ex and their new spouse or partner. This applies to all parties.

However, although it does not come easy or happen overnight, I must admit that, with intentional effort, it does get easier. Thirdly, if you find that you are still angry with your ex, you need to find a way to forgive them for the sake of the child.

Pray, go to therapy, do something. Healing is not just for the sake of the child, but also for personal healing.

Unforgiveness in the end only hurts you most.

What is your parting shot to women out there?

The year 2020 basically showed us that the world can change in an instant. We must all learn to be flexible and adaptable.

It was a tough year as many lost jobs, closed down businesses, and lost loved ones but, through God’s grace, we made it to a new year and we must do things differently.

I, for one, now ensure that I live in the now, and not in yesterday or tomorrow.

I live my life with purpose; I intentionally make sure that I make time for those I love and that they know that I love them.

To help remind me to live purposefully, I have put my vision board in my bathroom. Every day when I wake up to prepare for the day, I see it. When the day is over, and I am brushing my teeth before bed I see it.

Terryanne’s business tips

– Get a mentor in a similar line of business as you — one who is physically present. If it not possible, find a public personality who is successful in a similar type of business who you can read about or follow online.

– Do not treat your business like a hobby. Make sure you keep the books on all your transactions and have a separate business account so you can track progress or loss.

– Go back to school or constantly do certificate courses as often as possible in order to grow in knowledge about your business.

– Build your brand, be seen; and do not ignore the power of social media to grow a brand.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/terryanne-chebet-being-sacked-was-the-best-thing-that-happened-to-me.html