Uhuru, Raila Set For Joint Nationwide Tour Starting in Nyanza

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his handshake partner, ODM leader Raila Odinga, will reportedly embark on a joint countrywide tour next week.

Raila confirmed the tour saying it will begin in Nyanza, Western, Coast, and upper Eastern. During his visit to Murang’a on Tuesday for an event to celebrate artists, Odinga declared the dawn of a political movement.

The former Prime Minister said they will use the tour to reinforce the unity agenda ahead of the Court of Appeal’s verdict on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

“We are here today and you can see the face of Kenya. Now from Gatanga we are marking the beginning of a new journey. When I said we were working on something, some people did not believe me. But now it’s starting from here. The resolve to unite Kenya as a result of the Handshake begins here,” Raila said.

He added: “Next week we shall be in Nyanza, then move to Western then Coast. We shall criss-cross the entire country to unite Kenya as one nation with Uhuru standing on one side and Raila on the other.”

According to sources, President Kenyatta and Raila are likely to first visit Homa Bay and Migori counties.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/07/uhuru-raila-set-for-joint-nationwide-tour-starting-in-nyanza.html

PHOTOS – First Lady Margaret Kenyatta Opens New Mental Hospital in Nairobi

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on Thursday appealed for greater national focus on mental illnesses by stakeholders in the health sector.

The First Lady said mental health should be given the same priority as other medical conditions noting that, with proper attention, mental illnesses are treatable.

“It (mental sicknesses) can be treated and many people we know have recovered enough to lead healthy lives. Yet, too many individuals are being left to deal with these issues on their own, and many face complicating life circumstances like drug and alcohol addiction, confinement or abandonment. We must do a better job. We must not accept this,” First Lady Margaret Kenyatta said.

She observed that the recent escalation in the numbers of Kenyans affected by mental illnesses, especially during the current Coronavirus pandemic, makes the case for urgent attention.

As part of the renewed approach, the First Lady advised stakeholders to aim at providing greater access to quality mental health treatment, appropriate medical and psychosocial support.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta spoke during celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of Chiromo Hospital Group and the official opening of Chiromo Bustani Level 5 Hospital in Nairobi. Chiromo Bustani is a new mental hospital in Nairobi County.

The First Lady hailed Chiromo Hospital Group for their sustained commitment to mental health in Kenya saying, the experience and knowledge gained by the hospital over the years should be leveraged to expand mental health provision in the country.

“In the conversation today, we have learned some very important facts about these illnesses that we probably did not know 25 years ago when this institution first started.

“We can now use this knowledge to implement better policies,implement better treatment modalities and scale up interventions that will support a reliable mental care system,” First Lady Margaret Kenyatta said.

She observed that mental health was a growing global and national concern noting, that the rising number of cases were ravaging communities and households across the country.

“We all know of, or have heard of, someone who has battled with mental illness. This is a signal to our nation that we must do whatever it takes to heighten our efforts to create awareness about mental diseases,” the First Lady advised.

Despite the challenges faced in the provision of mental healthcare in the country, the First Lady applauded efforts being made by Government and partners to ensure the services are expanded, and called for more awareness creation.

“We have made progress in learning about mental diseases in the last few years, so that we understand them more scientifically.

“We need to be aware of the cost of untreated mental illness; the lost school days, lost work days, dropout, marital distress, and also lost opportunity cost—the economic effects of individuals who are not functioning at full capacity,” the First Lady advised.

Public awareness, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta noted, could change negative perceptions around mental illnesses citing her experience in maternal and child health advocacy through the Beyond Zero Initiative.

“One of the ways we can change the misguided perceptions is through more public awareness.I know heightened advocacy and awareness works through my own work in Beyond Zero highlighting maternal and child health. We also have many great examples of how advocacy works through joint collaboration, through the media and community support,” she said.

Once again, the First Lady reiterated her commitment to continue advocating for mental health and assured of her support for the global ‘Tufunguke’ campaign which is encouraging people to open up about their mental illnesses.

Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi, who also spoke at the launch event, said mental illnesses were a major challenge and welcomed the private sector’s support Government efforts to expand mental healthcare in the country.

On his part, Dr Frank Njenga, the Chairman of the Chiromo Hospital Group, who led several people to tell their success stories after receiving treatment at the facility, said the 580-bed capacity hospital handles an average of 100 cases daily.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/07/photos-first-lady-margaret-kenyatta-opens-new-mental-hospital-in-nairobi.html

Two Arrested For Drugging a Couple, Gangraping Varsity Student in Kitui

DCI detectives on Wednesday night rescued a varsity student from two men who had taken her hostage and raped her in turns in Kitui.

The DCI reported that the suspects, Biron Orwa, 25, and Samwel Mulama, 22, were caught in the act as the seemingly intoxicated victim lay on a bed at Diani Apartments in Kitui’s Kwa Vonza market.

Detectives established that the first-year student at a Kitui-based university was at the Monte Christo Bar in Kitui town with her boyfriend and the two suspects.

“The three had been spotted at the bar where it is believed that the lady was stupefied before she was dragged to one of the suspects’ rooms.

“The first-year student had walked into the bar earlier in the day accompanied by her boyfriend & the two suspects. Her boyfriend is known to the suspects. The suspects mischievously ordered for rounds after rounds of alcohol, which left the victim’s boyfriend in a complete state of helplessness. Unable to comprehend what was going on, he staggered to his abode in his drunken stupor, leaving his girlfriend in the marauding jaws of the thugs,” the DCI report noted.

Orwa and Mulama then dragged the 18-year-old to a room where they raped her in turns.

“Police officers got wind that two men had been spotted dragging a young woman who could barely support herself to a room. The officers responded by storming the room and busted one of the suspects cringed under the bed trembling, while the victim lay helpless on the bed.

“The second suspect was arrested at the bar where he had gone to collect the victim’s shoes & part of her clothings which they had left behind after partly undressing her,” said the DCI.

The victim was taken to Kitui General hospital in serious condition for tests and medical attention, while the two suspects also underwent medical examination.

The suspects will be arraigned today, Friday, July 30.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/07/two-arrested-for-drugging-a-couple-gangraping-varsity-student-in-kitui.html

What’s Trending in Nairobi This Last Weekend of July

We are now entering the month of August, and the year is officially old. On this last weekend of the month, let’s look at what’s trending.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/07/whats-trending-in-nairobi-this-last-weekend-of-july.html

Kenya And The UK Sign Two Key Health Agreements In London

Kenya and the United Kingdom (UK) on Thursday signed two key agreements in the health sector, on the third day of President Kenyatta’s official visit to the European nation.

The first pact, signed by Labour Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui and UK’s Secretary of State for Health Sajid Javid, is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Health Workforce Collaboration.

The second agreement, also an MoU, is on the launch of the UK-Kenya Health Alliance, was signed by University of Manchester’s Vice-President Prof Graham Lord, Dr Richard Cowan of Christie hospital, John Wareing of the University of Manchester Foundation Trust and Kenya’s High Commissioner to the UK Amb Manoah Esipisu.

The agreement on health workforce collaboration provides a framework for capacity building and exchange of health workers between Kenya and the UK, while the health alliance is a collaborative platform for healthcare providers.

Speaking at the Royal College of Physicians in central London where the agreements were entered, President Kenyatta expressed optimism that the two pacts will deepen the Kenya-UK partnership in healthcare provision.

“I am delighted to note that these two new MoU’s will create a platform for health workers exchange and capacity building of healthcare professionals not only in Kenya but also across our region.

“But more importantly, it will also strengthen the management of cancer and therefore be in a position to provide our people with the kind of healthcare that they deserve,” President Kenyatta said.

Noting that Kenya and the UK enjoy solid and effective research cooperation since the early 1980s, through various programmes among them a partnership between the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Welcome Trust and UK Aid, the President said the collaboration has contributed immensely to the advancement of medical research in Kenya.

The President, particularly, applauded the UK for its partnership with Kenya in Covid-19 research, a groundbreaking exercise that saw KEMRI undertake sero-surveillance, transmission modelling and testing for the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.

“This work will help us as a country to model our health systems capacity and determine how best to enhance the capacity of the systems to manage Covid-19 cases,” the President said.

Once again, President Kenyatta affirmed his administration’s commitment to the advancement of the Kenya-UK partnership in order to assist Kenyatta accelerate the attainment of universal health coverage as well as the other Big 4 Agenda programmes.

In his address, Secretary Javid said the signing of the MOU on health workforce collaboration will go a long way in supporting Kenya’s efforts towards achieving universal health coverage.

On his part, University of Manchester Vice-President Prof Lord announced that his university and Christie hospital will establish two scholarships named after Kenya’s founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta to help support Kenyans in the medical field at the university.

As part of its broad objectives, the UK-Kenya Health Alliance seeks to improve cancer care in Kenya and development of a centre of excellence for cancer research at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTTRH).

Further, the alliance aims at promoting the exchange of health workforce between Kenya and the UK as well as developing a centre of excellence for health education and training at Kisii University in Kenya to serve the whole of the East African region.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/07/kenya-and-the-uk-sign-two-key-health-agreements-in-london.html

Graduates Awarded Sh15m After Failing to Get Jobs with Degree

A court has ruled in favor of some 75 students who failed to secure employment using an engineering degree awarded by Technical University of Kenya (TUK).

The High Court awarded Sh15 million to the former University of Nairobi students.

The learners were admitted for engineering courses by the University of Nairobi (UoN) between 2009 and 2011, when Kenya Polytechnic (which later became TUK) was a constituent college of UoN.

They were, however, awarded degrees from TUK, which is not recognised by the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK).

The graduates argued that they were unable to secure jobs because the engineering courses at TUK are not recognised by board(EBK).

In his ruling, Justice James Makau directed TUK to forward the names of the students to UoN to be included in the list of graduates during the next graduation.

“I am therefore in agreement with the petitioners that they were students of the UoN and were entitled to be awarded degrees by the university in the absence of any legal provisions transferring the responsibility of awarding degree certificates to the TUK,” Justice Makau said.

The court found that where there is need for accreditation with a professional body before a course is offered, then there is a legitimate expectation that the learning institution has obtained the necessary clearances before offering the courses.

The judge noted that the students expected degrees awarded by UoN and not TUK.

“In the circumstances, I find that the TUK and the UoN violated the petitioners’ legitimate expectation that the degree certificates to be awarded to them would be from the UoN and not any other university,” Justice Makau ruled.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/07/graduates-awarded-sh15m-after-failing-to-get-jobs-with-degree.html

Chitembwe, Muchelule Case: How Detectives Laid Ambush and Recovered Sh6m from Judges’ chambers

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) says detectives found $50,000 in the chamber of Justice Aggrey Muchelule and $7, 000 from Justice Juma Said Chitembwe.

In an affidavit filed in court, the DCI, through Chief Inspector Felix Karisa Banzi, said $50,000 was recovered from an unidentified woman in Justice Muchelule’s chambers.

“That the search at chambers 230 and on the person of the occupants resulted to seizure of among others…..USD 50,000 on the person of a lady present in the chamber and USD 7,000 on the person of 2nd interested party himself,” the affidavit reads.

The Inspector detailed how detectives laid an ambush leading to the seizure of the cash.

Karisa said the DCI received intelligence on July 21 at 3 pm that after a series of meetings between certain judges and some brokers, a Sh7 million bribe had been agreed upon. The bribe was to be delivered to the residence of a judge at 7 pm.

The Inspector told the court that the time and venue of the meeting were abruptly changed. The exchange was rescheduled to July 22 at 7.45 am at Chamber 233 within Milimani law courts.

Justice Aggrey Muchelule a the DCI headquarters

Due to the last-minute changes, detectives couldn’t obtain a search warrant, Karisa said.

He told the court that they arrived at Milimani law courts at 7.30 am and waited for the exchange. The meeting was allegedly being facilitated by Justice Chitembwe, the occupant of Chamber 233.

“We waited around the relevant meeting area from our time of arrival until 2 pm when information was received that the exchange was about to take place, but at chamber 230 which belongs to Justice Muchelule, ” the affidavit reads.

It is during an ambush in Justice Muchelule’s chamber that a woman was found with $50,000 and Justice Chitembwe allegedly had $7,000.

Muchelule was on his way to deliver pending judgments, while Justice Chitembwe was attending to a law student when detectives stormed their offices that are just a wall apart and took them to the DCI headquarters for questioning.

The officer also refuted allegations that officers arrested the judges.

Justice James Makau extended orders stopping the arrest and prosecution of the two judges. The case will be mentioned on October, 18 of this year.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/07/chitembwe-muchelule-case-how-detectives-laid-ambush-and-recovered-sh6m-from-judges-chambers.html

Mutahi Ngunyi Offers Cash Reward For “Bottom Up” Viral Video

The “Bottom-Up” economic model adopted by Deputy President is still raging on amid confusion from MPs affiliated to the DP about how it works.

Ruto’s right-hand woman, Kandara MP Alice Wahome, was one of these MPs when she appeared for an interview on Citizen Tv’s Daybreak show on Tuesday. The lawmaker was at pains to explain the bottom-up model, sparking a barrage of online mockery.

One of the memes used to mock Alice Wahome was a funny video of men bending and moving their bums to the popular Solfege scale, Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do.

A Twitter user,  James Mutinda @JMutinda_snr, shared the clip Wednesday, captioning it: “KOT interpretation of Bottoms down economic model of Alice Wahome. I’m dead.”

Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi retweeted the video and offered a monetary reward to the producer of the clip.

“This one got me cracking. It is silly but it got me thinking that Alice Wahome is not to blame. “Matako Juu” is the work of David Ndii. Alice Wahome was just repeating what Ndii taught them -Gibberish. Can the producer of this comic relief collect Sh20,000,” Ngunyi tweeted.

Meanwhile, Ms Wahome has since played down her embarrassing gaffe saying she is happy that people are talking about Bottom Up.

“I’m happy that we are all now talking about ‘bottom up economy.’ Even the clueless ruling party’s SG with diarrhea of the mouth. JP went to the dogs. Completely. What was that?” she wrote on Facebook.

This one GOT me CRACKING. It is SILLY. But it got me thinking that Alice Wahome is NOT to BLAME. “Matako Juu” is the work of David Ndii. Alice Wahome was just REPEATING what Ndii TAUGHT them -Gibberish. Can the producer of this COMIC relief collect 20K. Send number by message. https://t.co/v9fSpr6eXC

— Mutahi Ngunyi (@MutahiNgunyi) July 28, 2021

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/07/mutahi-ngunyi-offers-cash-reward-for-bottom-up-viral-video.html

Marriage is a Scam, DJ Creme Shouts After Wife Denise Takes Off With Kids

The marriage between celebrated deejay George Njuguna, popularly known as DJ Crème de la Crème, and Denise Njuguna has apparently hit rock bottom.

This became apparent after the two took to their social media pages to share some cryptic messages. Dj Crème appeared to be hurting the most from the separation as he lamented that marriage is a scam.

“Marriage is a scam. Don’t let anybody lie to you!” he posted on his Instastories, adding: “Imma Be Aight.”

Denise on her part shared a Bible verse: Psalms 46:5, which reads, “God is within her, she will not fall”.

Speaking to Standard Entertainment, Dj Crème disclosed that Denise up and left with their two children.

“I don’t really want to talk about this but what I can tell you is that at the moment I am alone. My wife took the kids so I’m living one day at a time. You know as a man you just have to deal with life,” he said.

DJ Creme de la Creme and Denise at his first house in Kiambu in 2006.

DJ Creme added: “I am here (Kericho) where I am building a club and a restaurant…But I am easy, haina pressure. Every good thing comes to an end.”

The pair have since deleted photos of each other from their socials

DJ Creme and Denise have been together for 14 years, with the DJ finally proposing earlier this year.

The proposal now seems to have been an attempt by DJ Creme to appease Denise, who reportedly had a hard time after they relocated to Kericho last year.

“My wife couldn’t believe we were actually moving, but this was important if we were to manage life through the hard times. We had to swallow our pride, even as everyone wondered how I, arguably Kenya’s best deejay, would move back to what you would call village life. I knew this was the only way out and explained to my wife that we would start all over again,” Dj Crème said.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/07/marriage-is-a-scam-dj-creme-shouts-after-wife-denise-takes-off-with-kids.html

Ben Kitili Quits KTN To Return To NTV

Ben Kitili has called it a day at Standard Media Group’s KTN News after eight years.

Reports reaching our newsdesk indicate that Kitili tendered his resignation on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.

Sources at KTN intimated that Kitili is set to join NTV as an editor. He will be in charge of the NTV newsroom, guiding reporters and anchors as well as improving NTV’s news coverage.

“He will be helping the managing editor as well as anchor news and host shows,” an insider told a local publication.

At KTN News, Kitili spearheaded political news while also anchoring Prime news. He hosted a political show every Sunday from 11 am to 1 pm where he interviewed political leaders.

The journalist will be returning to NTV, where he left in 2013 to join KTN.

Kitili started his journalism career at K24 TV where he worked as a Sports reporter and anchor.

On social media, Kitili only hinted at his new job, writing: “All progress takes place outside the comfort zone.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ben Kitili (@benkitili)

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/07/ben-kitili-quits-ktn-to-return-to-ntv.html

Ringtone Vs Alai Assault Case Hits a Snag

The second round of the Ringtone versus Alai duel was anti-climatic after the pair’s case failed to take off.

The controversial musician and the equally controversial blogger came to blows in a fit of road rage last Friday, with Ringtone coming off worst.

The singer then dragged Alai to court, accusing him of assault and malicious damage to his prized Range Rover.

On Thursday, Ringtone, a renowned clout-chaser, caused drama at the Kibera law courts when he attended the plea taking of Robert Alai. He arrived in court in an ambulance accompanied by medics.

He was also dressed in what seemed like a hospital gown, with parts of his body including his face and hands heavily bandaged.

During the court session, Ringtone was further reduced to tears after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions recalled the file for further perusal.

The matter was adjourned, with Ringtone urging the DPP and Inspector General of Police to act swiftly. He argued that he was unwell and needed further treatment in South Africa.

A day before the dramatic court appearance, Ringtone claimed that the attack from Robert Alai set him back a cool Sh500,000 in treatment and damages.

He also denied faking the incident for publicity.

“I am still in pain. I have been experiencing severe headaches, my jaw hurts, my arms hurt, and I’m constantly dizzy,” he lamented.

“There is no way I could have faked the blood dripping from my face. The injuries I sustained when Alai hitting me are real, and the 500k worth of damages made to my property is also very real.”

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/07/ringtone-vs-alai-assault-case-hits-a-snag.html

President Kenyatta Woos UK Investors With 10 Multibillion Projects

President Uhuru Kenyatta has invited United Kingdom (UK) investors to tap into emerging business opportunities in Kenya, saying the country remains one of the most attractive investment destinations in Africa.

The President showcased 10 investment opportunities worth over USD 5 billion that are immediately available in Kenya under the PPP framework, among them; Nairobi Smart Street Lights Project, Nairobi Bus Rapid Transport System, Intelligent Traffic Management System Project and Galana Kulalu Food Security Project.

Others are Lamu Fishing Port Project, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Training Complex Project, Mombasa Industrial Park, Meru Cancer Centre Project, Kenyatta National Hospital Project and Lamu Port Project.

“I am also happy to announce that discussions have commenced between Kenya’s National Treasury and Planning and the United Kingdom’s Export Finance (UKEF) to unlock financing for British companies pursuing PPP investments in Kenya,” President Kenyatta said.

The Head of State made the invitation during a business forum hosted by UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and the Lord Mayor of the City of London William Russell at Mansion House, the Lord Mayor’s official residence.

President Kenyatta announced Kenya’s ambition to deepen its cooperation with the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be formalized between the country’s National Treasury and the Private Sector Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG).

“The cooperation with Foreign Commonwealth Development Office is for a possible funding, through Private Sector Infrastructure Development Group, of 1.3 million US Dollars to support early and transaction-stage PPP project development activities in Kenya,” the President said.

During the event, a cooperation pact was signed between the Nairobi International Financial Centre (NIFC) and TheCityUK, a London business lobby group. The partnership agreement will the two entities to collaborate in business and investment promotion.

“The CityUK represents key financial and professional services firms in the UK and this partnership creates a framework for those institutions to deploy and share their expertise with their counterparts in Kenya and regionally. This is an important partnership, which my administration supports wholeheartedly,” the President said.

The Head of State noted that the NIFC is a platform established to make it easier and more attractive to invest in Kenya.

“It is an initiative that was conceived when I was the Minister for Finance; and although it has taken a while to get here, I am pleased to say that it will soon be open for business,” the President said adding that, the centre will prioritise attracting capital and investment into development projects.

It will also focus on attracting green finance for sustainable economic development and investments into fintech and new areas of innovation by leveraging on Kenya’s vibrant fintech ecosystem.

The President said NIFC is tailored to support global financial and professional services firms that want to establish their regional headquarters in Africa to efficiently and conveniently set base in Nairobi.

President Kenyatta informed the business forum in that Kenya’s economy is projected to rebound strongly from the slowdown occasioned by Covid-19, with an estimated economic growth of over 7 percent.

“We have also shown resilience during the last year, with our economy amongst the least affected globally. Further, underlining our stability is the fact that economic growth has averaged almost 6 percent over the last decade,” the President told London’s captains of industry.

He said Kenya’s stable economic performance is underpinned by prudent monetary and fiscal policies characterised by comparatively low interest rates and contained inflation.

Prudent macro-economic management, the President said, had fostered a predictable business environment, adding that the Kenya Government is implementing a fiscal consolidation plan so as to keep public debt within sustainable levels, while rationalizing public expenditure and improving tax administration.

“Our country also stands out as one of the most pro-business in Africa, with the World Bank Ease of Doing Business, currently ranking Kenya the fourth in Africa and fifty-sixth, globally.

“Kenya continues to pursue initiatives aimed at lowering the cost of doing business. Significant investments have been made to improve the quality of infrastructure, with our infrastructure ranked amongst the best in sub-Saharan Africa,” President Kenyatta said.

On climate change, President Kenyatta said Kenya is playing its part in developing the framework to encourage the growth of green finance, including having developed a comprehensive framework for the issuance of Green Bonds.

“I wish at this point to thank the UK Department for International Development for supporting our National Treasury and our Capital Markets Authority to develop this important framework,” President Kenyatta.

During the event, Foreign Secretary Raab announced Shs 20 billion of new UK Government and private investment into Big 4 Projects, including affordable housing and manufacturing.

The UK Foreign Secretary announced Shs 5.2 billion of UK Aid to be matched by Shs 3.5 billion of private investment to finance 10,000 green affordable homes in Kenya.

“These new homes will be energy and water-efficient properties for low and middle-income families, and will contribute to Kenya’s goal of building 500,000 new affordable homes by 2022,” Mr Raab said.

The President was joined at the business forum by Cabinet Secretaries Ukur Yatani (Treasury), Raychelle Omamo (Foreign Affairs) and Mohammed Aden (East African Community & Regional Development).

Also present were State House Deputy Chief of Staff Ruth Kagia, and Kenya’s High Commissioner to the UK Manoah Esipisu as well as his UK counterpart in Kenya Jane Marriott.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/07/president-kenyatta-pitches-10-ksh5-billion-projects-to-uk-investors.html

Equity Bank Matuu: Two Arrested For Aiding Bank Robbers

Investigations into the daring robbery at Equity Bank Matuu branch on Tuesday morning have led to the arrest of two suspects believed to have helped the gang of five that made away with an unknown amount of money.

Machakos County detectives arrested the two Boda Boda riders who police claim are part of the gang.

“We believe the two riders in custody are part of the gang. They were five of them and investigations are ongoing to nab the armed thieves,” Machakos County Police commander Issa Mohamud said.

The police commander added that they have crucial leads that could lead to the arrest of the gang that also robbed two officers of their AK47 rifles.

“We have some leads and we will not relent until we arrest all those involved. We will magnify those leads and ensure the culprits are brought to book,” Mohamud stated.

The Equity Bank Matuu robbers are also said to have robbed customers in the banking hall of their cell phones and money.

“They also emptied the tellers’ cash boxes unknown amount of money but the bank is yet to consolidate and tell us the total cash stolen,” he said.

The police boss also mentioned that the two officers who were injured during the heist are nursing their injuries at the Matuu Level 4 Hospital as further investigations continue.

He further urged members of the public who might have information that could help in investigations to report to police.

Meanwhile, the Equity Bank management has temporarily closed the Matuu branch to allow for investigations into the robbery.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/07/equity-bank-matuu-two-arrested-for-aiding-bank-robbers.html

All That’s Trending in Nairobi This Thursday

This is what’s trending in the capital today.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/07/all-thats-trending-in-nairobi-this-thursday-3.html

President Kenyatta And UK PM Johnson Meet At Chequers (PHOTOS)

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday met British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for bilateral talks on the second day of the Kenyan leader’s official visit to the United Kingdom.

The leaders meeting at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s official country residence in Buckinghamshire, discussed the deepening of the Kenya-UK historic ties as well as explored new avenues of bilateral cooperation.

In their broad discussion, the President and the Prime Minister were clear that it was necessary to maximise on the benefits of a strategic partnership they signed when the Kenyan leader last visited the UK.

“It is time to fully pick up from the agreements last year. Implementation was affected by Covid-19 but we must start to strongly deliver on that agreement,” President Kenyatta told his British host.

On his part, Prime Minister Johnson reiterated his his administration’s commitment to continue working with Kenya in expanding British business footprints in Africa so as to reclaim the declining volumes of UK investments on the continent.

President Kenyatta and his host also spoke about the Covid-19 pandemic especially the growing challenge of access to vaccines for Kenya and the rest of the developing world.

Prime Minister Johnson pledged additional vaccines on a bilateral basis, in addition to the 400,000 doses announced earlier on Wednesday.

“As friends and allies, we are sharing UK vaccine doses to support Kenya’s fight against the pandemic,” Prime Minister Johnson said.

The two leaders also discussed several areas of mutual interest including regional peace and security.

President Kenyatta was accompanied to the meeting by Cabinet Secretaries Ukur Yatani (National Treasury), Raychelle Omamo (Foreign Affairs) and Dr Monica Juma (Defence) as well as Kenya’s High Commissioner to the UK Amb Manoah Esipisu and State House Deputy Chief of Staff Ruth Kagia.

The photos.

source http://nairobiwire.com/2021/07/president-kenyatta-and-uk-pm-johnson-meet-at-chequers-photos.html