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  • CS Kindiki Announces Re-Opening Of Garissa Immigration Offices

    CS Kindiki Announces Re-Opening Of Garissa Immigration Offices

     

    Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has announced that the government will re-open the Garissa Immigration Offices starting July this year.

    Prof. Kindiki, who made a tour of various security installations in the region on Friday, said the move was part of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s efforts to enhance equal access to government services. 

    The offices were shut down in 2014 over a wave of terror attacks and insecurity in the country.

    The CS also announced that the government will inject Ksh.20 billion to modernise equipment and other facilities for various security agencies.

    “Tulikuwa hapa na ofisi ya uhamiaji ambayo ilifungwa. Nataka nitangaze ya kwamba, tutafungua ofisi mpya ya kupeana passports za Kenya hapa Garissa kuanzia tarehe moja mwezi ujao,” Kindiki said.

    Former Immigration boss Gordon Kihalangwa ordered the closure of the Eastern Regional immigration offices in Garissa eight years ago.

    At the time, Kihalangwa said closing down the offices was necessitated by the need to allow the department to review its procedures in an attempt to seal the operational loopholes that had allowed aliens to access crucial immigration documents. 

    The directive affected three other regional offices in Embu, Nakuru and Eldoret, forcing residents of those counties to seek passport issuance services in Nairobi. 

    Garissa residents have welcomed the decision to re-open the regional immigration offices. 

    “Tulikuwa tunasafiri hadi Nairobi shida baada ya kuapply passports pia inachukua time,” Hussein Ali, a resident said.

    Abdikadir Hassan added: “Tunafurahia na kufunguliwa kwa ofisi ya uhamiaji kwa sababu ilikuwa ni challenge kutravel hadi another county.”

    The Interior CS also visited several specialised security units in Garissa to commend officers who thwarted a series of planned terror attacks in the last 3 weeks.

    Prof. Kindiki added that the government has introduced a two-fold model of policing; General Service Policing that will focus on day-to-day crimes and specialised policing that will entail dealing with high-risk modern crime and security threats. 

    Tumetoa bilioni ishirini ya kuboresha vifaa vya ofisaa wetu wa usalama ili kuhakikisha kwamba maofisa wetu wako na magari yaliyolindwa na nguo na vifaa za kujilinda wakati wanaenda shughuli hii. The days of terrorists, harassing us, killing our security officers, government officers, that time, that period is over,” Kindiki emphasized.

    The modernization will see the security sector acquire modern aircraft and firearms as well as the purchase of the latest technologies to help the country effectively deal with modern-day security threats.

  • Kenya Kwanza and M.O.A holds fundraiser for owner of Matatu Burnt during Demonstrations

    Kenya Kwanza and M.O.A holds fundraiser for owner of Matatu Burnt during Demonstrations

    By Mary Mukabane.

    Majority Leader Of National Assembly Hon. Kimani Ichungwah and The Matatu Owners Association (MOA) held a fundraiser to help buy a new bus for the owner of the matatu that was burnt during a past Azimio demonstrations.

    Speaking during the event held in Nairobi, Ichungwah said Kenya Kwanza has vowed to improve the livelihood of all Kenyans and have decided to fully support the young man who lost his vehicle.

    “I have come with our personal contributions from President William Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, myself and other party leaders and it will enable the young man to buy a new Matatu. We also call upon all Kenyans to support the government in it’s plans to improve the quality of lives of Kenyans. One of the ways the government will help Kenyans is by supporting the housing tax bill that will help the government get rid of the slums and provide decent and affordable housing for all Kenyans,” He said.

    Also speaking at the event, the owner of the burnt Matatu Mr. Henry Mungai Muiruri said that he appreciates the efforts made by Hon. Ichungwah and The Matatu Owners Association in helping him get another Matatu since it will help him to continue taking care of his family.

    “I would like to thank Kenya Kwanza and the Matatu Owners Association for coming together to help me recover my source of income. The contributions will help me buy a new Matatu and get back to my business,” he said.

    Also speaking at the same event, M.O.A chairman for Nairobi, Christopher Muya said that the Association is doing everything possible to support and protect young entrepreneurs operating in the Matatu industry and vowed to help young Henry to get back on the road seamlessly.

    “While we do our best to support Matatu business owners, we urge politicians and their supporters to carry out their demonstrations peacefully. Destruction of property and spoiling other people’s businesses is totally unacceptable. Let us all respect each other as Kenyans,” he said.

    Other stakeholders that brought their contributions to the fundraiser event included KCB bank, Ummoinner Sacco, notable M.O.A leaders and members, friends and family.

  • Senate finance committte rejects the prompt payment bill

    Senate finance committte rejects the prompt payment bill

    The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget held a meeting today to consider and adopt the report on the Prompt Payment Bill. The Prompt Payment Bill, 2022 (Senate Bill No. 8 of 2022) was published vide a Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 195 dated 29th November 2022 and read for the First Time in the Senate on Thursday, 16th February 2023 seeks to provide for a legal framework for prompt payment for supply of goods, works and services procured by government entities at both levels of Government.
    It requires among others a procuring entity in the national or county governments to pay a supplier by the prescribed payment date failure to which, a procuring entity shall be liable to pay an interest calculated on the basis of the Central Bank base rates and a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both fine and imprisonment for an accounting officer who, without reasonable cause or negligently fails to pay the amount due.
    The Bill further provides that where a procuring entity returns an invoice, the procuring entity shall pay the supplier at least fifty percent of the amount due or as the procuring entity and the supplier may agree and in that respect, a supplier who receives an invoice from a procuring entity shall, within fourteen days, deliver a corrected invoice to the procuring entity. Interest shall accrue upon the expiration of fourteen days after the receipt by the procuring entity of a corrected invoice or after the prescribed payment date, whichever is later.
    The Bill sponsored by Sen. Mariam Omar was committed to the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget for consideration pursuant to the provisions of Article 118 of the Constitution and standing order 145 of the Senate Standing Orders.
    In today`s meeting which was chaired by the Mombasa County Senator Mohamed Faki, the committee adopted a report recommending rejection of the Bill by the Senate.
    The committee noted that while the Bill would be an effective legal tool to promote business and cure late payments, the public procuring entities entirely depend on the availability of funds from the exchequer with the exchequer releases depending on the revenue collection performance which at times fails to follow the planned projections.
    The committee warned that the proposed interest rates to be charged to procurement entities as a result of late payments will be an additional cost and burden to the existing menace of pending bills.
    In addition, the committee argued that the proposed penalties under offenses to accounting officers of procurement entities are exorbitant, noting that the officers have little control over the availability of funds to meet the financial obligation when they fall due.
    Further, members said in the report that the provisions in the Bill have adequately been addressed under the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal (PPAD) Act, 2015, and its attendant Regulations that were approved by Parliament in 2020.
    The committee held meetings with various stakeholders during the consideration of the Bill who submitted their views on the Bill among them the Council of Governors (CoG), Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA), Controller of Budget (CoB), Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK).
    In addition, the National Treasury and Economic Planning, the National Gender Equality Commission, the Association of Public Relations and Communication Management Firms (APRECOM), and the Institute of Social Accountability (TISA) submitted their views on the Bill.
    The sponsor of the Bill Sen. Mariam Omar who also held a session with the committee during consideration has however differed with the committee`s recommendations saying she will continue prosecuting the Bill in the Senate hoping to convince the House to support it.
  • DPP Boss declines to reveal his net worth before Defence and Intelligence committee

    DPP Boss declines to reveal his net worth before Defence and Intelligence committee

    DPP Noordin Haji has today during the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations declined to reveal his net worth saying that at some pointit will pose a Security threat causing confusion during the vetting.

    When he was tasked  by the Chairman Nelson Koech to table his wealth for the purposes of record, the DPP instead requested to be allowed to present a summation of his financial income to just the committee in the absence of the cameras.

    “I’m being guided by the Legal Counsel that you need to say your future source of income on record,”Hon. Koech, who is the Belgut Member of Parliament noted.

    Haji responded: “Honourable Chair, I was going to request, considering the sensitivity of the office that I’m going to hold, that I give this to the committee…it might be a national security issue at some point.”

    KinaKinangop Hon.Thuku Kwenya further took the DPP to task over a specific section of his response, which he took to imply that Haji was certain of cruising through the vetting process and assuming office as the new NIS boss.

    “I’ve heard the nominee say ‘the office that I’m going to hold’…it’s as if you’re done with our business and therefore we should just show up and go,” stated Kwenya.

    Haji said: “Sorry, maybe it is just an oversight, if you allow me (to hold the office). I apologise if that is how it came out.”

    Wealth declaration is anchored by the Public Officer Ethics Act, 2003, which states that every public officer must make financial declarations of incomes, assets and liabilities.

    Further, Haji was tasked to explain why his office withdrew multiple cases implicating senior government officials.

    He noted that his office was guided by the Constitution which dictated that the ODPP ought to withdraw a case if the evidence is wanting or an abuse of the process of acquiring the evidence.

    In a statement, Haji returns to the National Intelligence Service after a six-year sojourn as the Director of Public Prosecutions.

    The statement further reads that Before becoming the nation’s apex public prosecutor, Haji served as the Deputy Director of the Counter Organised Crime Unit within the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

    Nordin says.” I do not regret withdrawing prominent graft cases”

    The DPP will assume the office if the committee guarantees him power or passes the vetting by presenting the report and his name forwarded to the speaker of the national assembly and the decision read on the floor of the Member.

  • SAMSUNG UNVEILS REVOLUTIONARY 98-INCH TV, SETTING NEW STANDARDS IN HOME ENTERTAINMENT

    SAMSUNG UNVEILS REVOLUTIONARY 98-INCH TV, SETTING NEW STANDARDS IN HOME ENTERTAINMENT

    Samsung, a global leader in consumer electronics, has unveiled its latest groundbreaking innovation in home entertainment with the launch of the impressive 98-inch Neo QLED TV. This stunning display promises to transform the way consumers experience their favorite movies, sports events, and gaming sessions, bringing them closer to the action than ever before.

    Featuring state-of-the-art technology and a breathtaking design, the 98-inch TV sets a new standard for immersive viewing experiences. With its expansive screen size, the 98-inch Neo QLED TV delivers an unparalleled level of realism, allowing viewers to feel fully immersed in the content they love. Whether it’s the latest blockbuster movie, a live sporting event, or a thrilling video game, users will be captivated by the lifelike visuals and vibrant colors brought to life on this impressive display.

    According to market research firm Omdia, the global market size of 85-inch screens has grown exponentially from 180,000 units sold in 2019 to 1.87 million units sold in 2022. Likewise, for 98-inch screens, the global market has increased from less than 1,000 units sold in 2019 to about 160,000 units sold in 2022.

    Speaking at the unveiling of the TV, Head of Consumer Electronics at Samsung Electronics East Africa, Sam Odhiambo, said that the Samsung 98-inch TV combines industry-leading picture quality with advanced features to create an unforgettable entertainment experience. “Equipped with cutting-edge resolution, viewers can enjoy incredibly sharp and detailed images that reveal even the smallest nuances in every frame. The TV also incorporates Quantum HDR technology, enhancing contrast and providing a wider range of colors for a more dynamic and lifelike picture,” he said.

    Mr. Odhiambo added that in addition to its remarkable visual capabilities, the 98-inch TV comes packed with smart features that elevate convenience and accessibility.

    “About ten years ago, a 60-inch TV was considered a large TV. But as time went by, 65-inch TVs became mainstream, and now 75-inch and 85-inch TVs have become popular, demonstrating consumers’ growing demand for larger TVs,” said Heejin Chae, TV Product Planning, Samsung Electronics. “In fact, our customer survey showed that 75% of consumers bought, on average, a TV 13 inches bigger than their previously purchased TV model.”

    Furthermore, the Samsung 98-inch TV is designed to be a hub for all forms of entertainment. It supports an array of connectivity options, allowing users to effortlessly access their favorite content from various sources. Whether it’s streaming services, gaming consoles, or external devices, this TV offers a seamless and hassle-free entertainment ecosystem.

    Samsung remains committed to user-centric innovation and sustainability. The 98-inch TV incorporates energy-efficient technologies, ensuring minimal power consumption without compromising performance. This dedication to eco-friendly design aligns with Samsung’s long-standing commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and creating a greener future.

  • Pwani Oil Honors Exceptional Women for Their Contribution to Society

    Pwani Oil Honors Exceptional Women for Their Contribution to Society

    ·         The honours were executed in partnership with Africa Inland Church (AIC)

    ·         The celebration centred around honouring extraordinary mothers who have made significant contributions to their families and the community at large.

    Leading edible oils manufacturer Pwani Oil has paid tribute to over 150 remarkable women for their outstanding contributions to the community and their transformative impact on people’s lives.

    The event took place in a heartfelt event in Malili, Makueni County organized in collaboration with Africa Inland Church (AIC). At least 13 AIC churches participated in the celebration marked with prayers and religious renditions from scores of choirs and leading gospel artistes.

    Aligned with the company’s mission to uplift and refine the communities it serves; the initiative was part of Pwani Oil’s Month of May Mother’s Day celebration.

    Speaking at the event, The Makueni Deputy Governor Ms. Lucy Mulili thanked Pwani Oil and emphasized the essential role that mothers play in shaping societies. “Our mother’s selflessness, resilience, and unwavering dedication serve as the foundation of our thriving communities. Through their tireless efforts, our mothers create a nurturing environment where families thrive, and the community flourishes. I thank Pwani Oil for their gesture”, she said.

    Pwani Oil Regional Sales Manager Pauline Mbinda said “As a company, we extend our heartfelt wishes to all the incredible mothers in Malili, Kenya and beyond. Kindly, consider this a tribute to your immeasurable impact and a recognition of your profound role in shaping communities and enriching lives”

    The celebration centred around honouring extraordinary mothers who have made significant contributions to their families and the community at large. Each woman in attendance received a specially curated hamper as a token of gratitude and admiration for their exceptional deeds, symbolizing the company’s appreciation for their remarkable efforts.

    Furthermore, the attendees were treated to exclusive discounts on Pwani Oil products, offering them an opportunity to explore and experience the extraordinary quality and value that Pwani Oil brings to their daily lives. All items on offer sold out, underlining the confidence the buyers have in Pwani Oil products. The event also showcased the company’s diverse range of high quality products, including the renowned Salit, Detrex, and Sawa, as well as the beloved Ushindi brand. Attendees had the privilege of firsthand experience with Pwani Oil’s outstanding offerings.

    The company reaffirmed its commitment to refining the lives of the communities it serves and demonstrated its deep appreciation for the extraordinary women who play a vital role in shaping society and enriching lives.

  • Counties owe Ksh ??.?B in arrears, as Unions calls for legislative actions

    The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds convened today, addressing the escalating pension crisis in Kenya. Under the leadership of Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, the committee engaged the representatives of The Kenya County Government Workers Union (KCGWU), seeking solutions for the massive pension debt burdening the country.

    The cumulative debts owed to the Local Authorities Pensions Trust (LAPTRUST) and the Local Authorities Provident Fund (LAPFUND) currently stand at KES 65.7 billion. The largest contributor to this debt is Nairobi City County, followed by Mombasa, Garissa, and Migori. Besides, several water sector companies have similarly failed to remit pension funds for their employees.

    Ali Roba, Secretary General of KCGWU, presented to the committee, attributing the pension debt rise to the onset of devolution and insufficient regulation and enforcement. According to Roba, pension contributions have been poorly managed across the 47 counties, leading to disputes between LAPTRUST and LAPFUND, and consequently, workers are left without retirement benefits.

    In response to the crisis, Roba proposed new legislative measures. These include empowering the National Treasury to directly distribute funds to pension schemes and enforcing compliance with remittance of statutory deductions through the Office of the Controller of Budget. Roba also suggested revising the County Governments Act and other regulations to hold office holders accountable for non-remittance of pension funds, an issue predating the era of devolution.

    The failure to remit pension dues has caused significant hardship for retirees who are struggling to access their pensions. This situation is exacerbating poverty among older members of society.The union underscored the potential for a loss of workers’ savings if the issue is not urgently addressed, highlighting the need to tackle issues of mismanagement within pension schemes.

    Among others invited to make presentations at the hearing were the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC), the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA), and LAPFUND. However, these institutions failed to properly submit their documentation, leading to their exclusion from the session.

    The IGRTC and RBA provided incomplete documents and LAPFUND presented unsigned documents, breaching procedural guidelines. Furthermore, LAPFUND is currently without a substantive accounting officer, a necessary requirement for representation before the committee.

    The three institutions are slated to attend a follow-up hearing on a later date.

  • Lagdera MP calls for enhanced security in land dispute attacks in border town of Kambi Samaki area

    Lagdera MP calls for enhanced security in land dispute attacks in border town of Kambi Samaki area

    Lagdera Member of Parliament Hon. Abdikari Hussein Mohamed
    Lagdera Member of Parliament Hon. Abdikari Hussein Mohamed

    Lagdera Member of Parliament Hon. Abdikari Hussein Mohamed has condemned the killing of two people in the Kambi Samaki area, which is located on the border of Isiolo and Garissa Counties.

    In light of the recent wave of banditry attacks in the region, Mr. Mohamed has called upon the government to reassure Lagdera residents of their security. He accused unidentified individuals of orchestrating the dawn attack, claiming that their motive was to force the local inhabitants off the land in order to receive compensation.

    Addressing a press conference at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, Mohamed stated, “Last night (Sunday), my people in Lagdera constituency were attacked, resulting in fatalities. This same village was targeted in 2021, and 21 people lost their lives. The attackers are driven by an expansionist ideology aimed at displacing my people from this road to pave the way for their compensation.”

    He added, “This village is located along the Garbatulla-Mandera road, which lies between Isiolo County and Garissa County. This road serves as the gateway to the Horn of Africa and is being constructed by KENHA. They want to remove my people from this land so that they can take over and claim compensation from the government.”

    While strongly condemning this heinous act, Mohamed called upon the police to investigate the individuals responsible for the attack, as well as those seeking to forcibly evict his constituents from the land they have inhabited for over 40 years. He expressed concern over the withdrawal of the local chief, leaving the residents vulnerable to banditry.

    “It appears that the government is succumbing to the demands of the bandits,” Mohamed remarked. He urged his constituents not to retaliate but to maintain peace and the good relationship that has existed between Garissa County and Isiolo County. Furthermore, he appealed to the government to deploy additional police officers and National Police Reservists (NPRs) to ensure the security of the residents.

    “I implore the government to retain the police officers and increase their numbers to protect the people, as they are unable to defend themselves. It is the government’s responsibility to safeguard them,” he emphasized.

  • DETECTIVES INTERCEPT ELEPHANT TUSKS WORTH MILLIONS

    DETECTIVES INTERCEPT ELEPHANT TUSKS WORTH MILLIONS

    Elephant tusks weighing over 110 kilograms have been recovered in Laikipia County and one suspect identified as Alfred Gathecha, arrested.

    In an intelligence led operation conducted by sleuths from the Serious Crimes unit, the 47-year-old man was arrested at Sipili area in Kirima Sub-County, after a vehicle ferrying the tusks was intercepted.

    Posing as well-oiled business men who rule the underworld, the sleuths lured the suspect before tightening the noose around him, shortly before 1pm yesterday.

    The suspect will be arraigned in court to answer to charges of dealing in endangered wildlife species contrary to section 92(2) of the wildlife conservation and management act of 2013.

    Elephant tusks fetch a fortune in the black market as a surge in demand for ivory in the East continues to fuel the illicit trade in elephant tusks, especially from Africa.

    Members of the public are urged to continue volunteering information regarding poaching of wildlife via the #FichuakwaDCI hotline 0800 722 203.

  • PS PUBLIC WORKS TALKS ON “Digital Transformation in the Built Environment”

    PS PUBLIC WORKS TALKS ON “Digital Transformation in the Built Environment”

    PRINCIPAL SECRETARY FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC WORKS, MR. JOEL ARUMONYANG, has taken a moment to tell us about the Digital Transformation in the built environment.

    “Digital transformation in the built environment adopts the use of technology to improve the way buildings and infrastructure are designed, constructed, and managed through a range of digital tools and technologies, including Building Information Modelling (BIM), artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, drowns, and data analytics.

    One key aspect of digital transformation in the built environment is the use of BIM, which involves creating a digital representation of a building or infrastructure project that can be used to manage its design, construction, and operations. BIM enhances collaboration amongst stakeholders and supports the identification of potential issues before construction begins, leading to greater efficiency and fewer errors.

    In the State Department for Public Works we have embraced digital technology in most of our projects. We are working closely with our stakeholders to ensure the use of BIM by the technical officers in the state department on the projects and services offered to our clients: Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

    digital transformation in this industry has the potential to revolutionize the way we design, construct, and manage buildings as well as infrastructure. This leads to greater efficiency, sustainability and cost savings.

    In addition to what I have mentioned above, allow me to highlight more benefits to be accrued from the digital transformation such as reducing overall cost, cutting down on human error, time efficiency on jobs, eliminating instances of repeat jobs, easy calculation verification, and improved collaboration between stakeholders. The use of digital technology will improve the project’s clarity as it tracks how information is shared among the various stakeholders involved in the project.

    In order for us to stay relevant, we are required to embrace and adapt to changes that arise as a result of Digital Transformation in the industry to increase our efficiency, uphold a competitive advantage and increase profitability.

    Finally, as I conclude, I want to leave a challenge for the symposium, what innovative ways can you initiate and champion to address the barriers to digital transformation in quantity surveying in the area of personnel competency, cost and affordability, data and cyber security issues as well as stakeholders’ concerns.

    I thank all of you for attending this special event, and I hope that you will make the most of this opportunity to learn and grow. I am excited to hear the presentations and participate in the interactive sessions, and I look forward to the discussions and networks that will be made.”

    The PS spoke as he officially opened the IQSK SYMPOSIUM AND AGM that is taking place ON 25TH – 26TH MAY, 2023 HELD AT SAROVA PANAFRIC HOTEL, NAIROBI.