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  • Good News, Visually Impaired Kenyans Will Cast Their Votes

    Good News, Visually Impaired Kenyans Will Cast Their Votes

    The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) now says the visually impaired voters will not have the option of doing so independently as the ballot papers will not be printed in braille.

    IEBC chairman, Wafula Chebukati, stated on Saturday, July 17, that the visually impaired will be assisted by trained Commission personnel who will be located in every polling station across the country during the General Election. “In this coming election, we are not going to have braille material in the form of ballot papers. As a Commission, we have moved a step ahead, we have voter education material in braille,” Chebukati stated.

    EBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati in a past event
    IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati in a past event PHOTO FILE

    In previous elections, visually impaired persons were allowed to vote via an assistant who was obligated to take an oath of secrecy before the exercise. In the upcoming August polls, only presiding officers will be allowed to assist them in the exercise. These officers are trained in such a way that they will keep their votes secret.

    IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati says the Commission has not added features on ballot papers for use by the blind voters in the upcoming elections, noting that blind voters will need the assistance of IEBC authorized and trained personnel who will help them in the process.

    Chebukati said the budget allocated to the Commission could not allow them to factor in all the requirements for people living with disabilities.

    However, the agent will stand behind to listen in to what the presiding officer will ask the voter for instance, which candidate to choose. The IEBC chairman noted that the Commission had made efforts to make the polls inclusive for disabled persons but the braille ballot papers would not be available because they were not budgeted for.

    The IEBC chairman promised to introduce the braille ballot papers in future elections, saying that budget for the visually impaired will be factored in moving forward. “We would like to introduce braille ballot papers in future elections, but we did not have a budget for this time. We shall factor it in our budget and future elections” Chebukati added.

    IEBC Official in a polling station assisting votersFILE
    Voters lining up to exercise Voting Process as per the IEBC guidelines in a polling station PHOTO FILE

    According to the World Health Organization fact sheet of 2021, out of the 39 million people living with blindness in the world, 224,000 are Kenyans. The leading cause is uncorrected refractive errors and cataracts. The report further revealed that 750,000 other Kenyans from the 39 million globally are suffering from severe vision impairment.

    The need to provide and support the visually impaired in the upcoming August polls have put IEBC on the spot after a candidate, Simeon Pikyech, last year told the IEBC selection panel that Commission should cater for ballot papers for the visually impaired.

  • Justice Angote Assumes Office

    Justice Angote Assumes Office

    “With population growth, there is no doubt that we are bound to face challenges of land scarcity, and with that comes conflict over the access, ownership, and use of this valuable asset,” stated the CJ.

    Koome asked the Presiding Judge and the judges of the ELC to always note that part of the causes of instability in Kenya relates to land questions.

    “You have a responsibility of mediating conflicts about property and property rights, to ensure peaceful co-existence of families, communities, and the nation at large,” she emphasized.

    President of the Supreme Court of Kenya Justice Martha Koome made her remarks during the Installation and Assumption of office ceremony of Justice Oscar Angote as Presiding Judge of the Environment and Land Court held on 13th July 2022 at Milimani Law Courts grounds, Nairobi. Photo by Edwin Mang’eni

    The CJ called upon the Presiding Judge and all ELC judges, to ensure they meet the target of the courts and to conclude cases within three years of filling to avoid constant complaints of delayed justice and backlog.

    She at the same time commended the outgoing Presiding Judge, Justice Samson Okong’o, for setting the bar high for other principal judges and for the exceptional commitment toward the lives of the many litigants he touched during his tenure.

    In her remarks, the Deputy Chief Justice and Vice President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, Justice Philomena Mwilu, reiterated that access to justice on land issues must be proficient since Kenya relies on agrarian production and agricultural sector, in both subsistence and commercial.

    “It is essential that the value of land is not locked up in long winding disputes,” she stressed.

    Mwilu added that the value of land for production and as a facilitator for commerce and trade as security should be protected and enhanced by effective dispute resolution processes in the courts and tribunals.

    The Deputy CJ commended Justice Okong’o for his outstanding service and congratulated Justice Angote for getting the position, noting that she did not doubt that he will build on the progress of ELC and enhance its productivity and effectiveness.

    Justice Angote said the Court will continue working with its partners to digitize the court’s system which will go a long way in streamlining its operations.

    Angote added that he will continue to build on the programs Justice Okong’o put in place to strengthen the judiciary professionalism, as well as follow the principles set by CJ Koome which include accessibility, efficiency, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and shared leadership, cooperative dialogue, and social justice.

    “I follow in the line of remarkable leaders in the Judiciary who have been given the mantle to lead their divisions. As a court we should look beyond our role of resolving land and environment disputes and have a strategic priority for good governance,” said Angote.

    Justice Okong’o who assured Justice Angote of his full support also thanked Judges of the ELC and the entire judiciary for their support when he introduced the new working methods and case management strategies.

  • IEBC dismisses claims of Wetangula’s alleged ballots scandal

    Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati has dared anyone with evidence linking him to Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula on the alleged ballots scandal to table it.

    Speaking during a press conference at the Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday night, Chebukati defended the electoral body saying everything was above board.

    Chebukati denied claims that he held a series of meeting with Wetangula to influence and lobby the open tendering process of the ballot paper to Inform Lykos in Greece.

    Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition leaders had alleged that Chebukati and Wetangula were the masterminds who solicited for the tender to be awarded to the Greek Firm.

    Wetangula dismissed the allegations that he was involved in the ballot paper printing tender for the August general election.

    The Bungoma Senator delinked himself from the claims saying it is a political witch hunt by his rivals from the Orange Democratic Movement aimed at disparaging his name ahead of the polls.

  • Fuel prices for July to remain unchanged

    Fuel prices for July to remain unchanged

    Fuel prices are set to remain unchanged for July following a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday.

    In the directive announced by State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena, diesel will continue to retail at Ksh 140.00, petrol at Ksh 159.12, and Kerosine at Ksh 127.94 after the Head of State authorized an additional fuel subsidy of Ksh 16.675 Billion.

    “It is notified that His Excellency the President has today authorized an additional fuel subsidy of Ksh 16.675 Billion, to cushion Kenyans from a further increase in fuel prices. With today’s presidential action, diesel will continue to retail at Ksh 140.00, petrol at Ksh 159.12, and Kerosine at Ksh 127.94,” said President Kenyatta.

    Without such State interventions, the President noted that pump prices would have been Ksh 193.64 for diesel, Ksh 209.95 for petrol, and Ksh 181.13 for Kerosene.

    “In response to these challenges, the Government has over the last year implemented a fuel stabilization program that has offered a reprieve to Kenyans at the pump through a subsidy of Ksh 101.852 Billion, to date,” he said.

    The fuel stabilization program has ensured that fuel prices remain the most affordable in the East and Central Africa Region, further cushioning Kenyans from the high cost of living already experienced.

    “As a caring Government, we will continue to roll out similar actions to provide further direct relief to all Kenyan families and establish the necessary safeguards for protecting Kenyan consumers from further increases in the cost of living,” said President Kenyatta.

  • Businessman in court over Ksh3M hides, skins fraud case

    Businessman in court over Ksh3M hides, skins fraud case

    A businessman from Bungoma county has been charged before Milimani Law Courts for obtaining money through pretense contrary to section 313 of the Penal Code.

    The trader identified as Kelas Galvood Wafula is accused of obtaining Ksh3,407,069 from Kamaldin Ibrahim Ahmed to ship hides and skins to Nigeria.

    According to the prosecution, Wafula allegedly obtained the money by pretending that he was in a position to supply hides and skins to Nigeria.

    The accused is alleged to have committed the offense to defraud the complainant of millions between October 21, 2020, and February 14, 2021.

    Bungoma businessman granted cash bail

    Wafula denied the fraud charges before Senior Resident Magistrate Ben Mark Ikhubi. After denying the charges, Wafula through his lawyer sought lenient bail terms stating that the case emanates from a sour business transaction between friends.

    The magistrate ordered that Wafula is released on a bond of Ksh1million with alternative cash bail of Ksh650,000.

    In addition to that, the court heard that the accused would also have to provide one contact person.

    The case will be mentioned on July 19 for pre-trial.

     

  • Uhuru awards Kanze Dena, 2 relatives Order of Burning spear

    Uhuru awards Kanze Dena, 2 relatives Order of Burning spear

    State House spokesperson Kanze Dena has been awarded the Order of the Burning spear by Pres. Uhuru Kenyatta in recognition of her outstanding and distinguished service to the country.

    In a gazette notice dated July 8, 2022, Kanze was feted alongside Supreme Court judge Isaac Lenaola, Court of Appeal President Daniel Musinga, and Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu.

    The Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (C.B.S) is the second highest honour after the Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (M.G.H)

    State House spokesperson Kanze Dena has been awarded the Order of the Burning spear by President Uhuru Kenyatta in recognition of her outstanding and distinguished service to the country.

    In a gazette notice dated July 8, 2022, Kanze was feted alongside Supreme Court judge Isaac Lenaola, Court of Appeal President Daniel Musinga and Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu.

    The Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (C.B.S) is the second highest honour after the Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (M.G.H)

    Notable individuals awarded the M.G.H include Uhuru’s nephew and personal aide Jomo Gecaga and former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita.

    Others are Laibuta Imaana, Kenya’s first blind judge who was conferred with the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (E.B.S) as well as political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi.

    Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) CEO Nana Gecaga is the other notable figure who received the E.B.S award. Nana is Uhuru’s niece.

    Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo is among 101 individuals who were conferred with the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S) alongside Obstetrician and Gynaecologist specialist Dr Francis Kagema and Nation Media journalist John Kamau.

    Retired judge Mary Ang’awa, former Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi, High Court judge George Dulu and Dean, School of Medicine, Moi University College, Atwoli Lukoye were also awarded the M.B.S.

    The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) Chief Executive Officer, David Njeng’ere, also received the M.B.S.

    Notable names among 156 individuals conferred with the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya (O.G.W) include Issac Andabwa, secretary general of the Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNPSWU).

     

  • Government warns politicians inciting people to decline relief food

    Government warns politicians inciting people to decline relief food

    Politicians inciting residents against the government and causing violence during the electioneering period are on the radar of security organs and will soon be apprehended.

    Central Regional Commissioner Esther Maina said they are on high alert to avert cases of hate speech and incitement adding that they will not allow politicians to turn the region into a violence hotspot during the electioneering period.

    The RC who spoke during a regional security committee meeting at Mang’u High School in Juja Sub County said reckless utterances would not be tolerated.

    She said some politicians have even gone to the extent of inciting residents not to accept the government’s relief food, painting the state in a bad light.

    While urging residents to ignore them, Maina said it made no sense for anyone to sleep hungry yet they have refused the government’s assistance.

    She said security organs are well briefed of the inciters and are hunting them down.

    Early this week, a section of Nyandarua residents declined to receive relief food from the government and instead demanded that the government instead reduce the cost of basic food commodities.

    “We shall not stomach such behavior from politicians. The distribution of relief food is not pegged on the elections. We have been giving relief food before and will continue even after to areas where people are hungry,” she said.

    On the security preparedness during the electioneering period, Maina said they are working on deployments to ensure every polling station has two police officers.

    She said they are also identifying the gaps to address them on time to ensure that there will be no security lapses during the period.

    At the same time, the RC raised concern over politicians who were attending rallies while drunk and hurling insults saying they lacked decorum and were a bad influence on the electorate.

  • Smallholder tea farmers receive bonus payment

    Farmers affiliated with Kenya Tea Development Agency have started receiving Ksh 37.1 billion as the final payment (bonus) for the Financial Year ending 30th June 2022 and monthly payment for June green leaf, representing a significant increase over the Ksh 21 billion paid out in the previous financial year.

    Farmers have also been paid over half-a-billion shillings (Ksh 519 million) as dividends from KTDA Holdings subsidiaries within the same payment disbursement.

    KTDA has invested in profitable subsidiaries along the tea value chain, and their profits are shared out as dividends to the farmers.

    Disbursement of these payments to farmers marks the close of the financial year ending June
    2022 which has seen a major recovery in growers’ fortunes.

    The pay slips farmers will receive from their respective factory companies will show the actual dividend payments, June monthly payments, final payment, and other farmer-specific transactions.

    “The performance in the just concluded financial year has been the best farmers have had in several years. As we continue to implement reforms, deploy technology and make our
    processes more efficient across the business, we expect to sustain this growth trajectory and
    put a smile on our farmer’s faces,” KTDA Holdings chairman David Ichoho said.

    “The payments will come in handy as we take our children back to school and will help us easily
    handle the upcoming financial obligations.”

    This is the first time the final payment is being made in July. Traditionally, the payment was
    made in October.

    The change is part of reforms to streamline farmers’ payments to better respond to their financial needs.

    Farmers in different factories earn varying amounts in bonus payments depending on the performance of their factories.

    These rates are declared by the respective factory boards based on Accounts that shall be ultimately tabled in the shareholders’ AGM.

    Factories in the west of Rift had the highest improvement in payment with an average rate
    increase of more than 55%.

    Factories that recorded the highest increment in total payment (monthly and bonus) this year include Sanganyi which paid its farmers a total payment of Ksh 48 for each kilo of green leaf compared to Ksh 24 in the previous financial year (2020/21).

    Kiamokama had an 84% improvement with total payments to farmers jumping from Ksh 22 to Ksh 40.50.

    Kapsara recorded an improvement of 81% from Ksh 22 to Ksh 40.

    The improved earnings were a result of the reserve price introduced in July, better tea prices, and favorable exchange rates.

  • 18 die in Nairobi-Mombasa highway accident

    18 die in Nairobi-Mombasa highway accident

    18 people have died in a road accident involving a PSV matatu and a trailer between Taru and Samburu along Mombasa – Nairobi highway.

    According to Coast Regional Traffic boss Peter Maina, two others have been seriously injured.

    The bodies of the deceased have been moved to Kinango Sub-County Hospital mortuary.

    In a statement from the police, the two people are currently receiving treatment at Mariakani Sub-county hospital.

    While warning the public to be responsible and make efforts towards safeguarding their own lives and that of others, the police said all evidence pointed to the fact that the driver was overtaking on a continuous yellow line at the time of the crash.

    “The preliminary incident report indicates that this tragedy and the senseless loss of lives could have been avoided if the matatu driver had maintained lane discipline.” Stated the police.

    Motorists have been urged to remain vigilant while enforcing the Traffic Act in a bid to ensure compliance with the requirements of the law.

    Police also called upon the members of the public to take part in the ongoing NTSA Usalama Barabarani Programme that aims to provide education on safe road use.

  • Top Lawyer Pushes for Wafula Chebukati removal

    Top Lawyer Pushes for Wafula Chebukati removal

    The former presidential aspirant Ekuru Aukot has been on the move to challenge Chebukati after he was denied a chance to view. According to Aukot, Chebukati should be removed from the commission as the chairman since he is corrupted. Aukot reveals that Chebukati should have resigned in 2019 but still held onto the seat.

    To add, the renown lawyer has stated that the IEBC chairman already knows the winner of the August election. This is after he stated that Chebukati possesses a script and that script is to announce who should be the president of the Republic of Kenya. According to Aukot, Chebukati Will announce Raila Amollo Odinga as the president even though he is not qualified.

    Ekuru Aukot: So right now, he has a script and that script is to announce who should be the president of the Republic of Kenya. It is a candidate called Raila Amollo Odinga, who is not even qualified in the first place.

    Wafula Chebukati however has received the first batch of ballot papers at JKIA.