Welcome to our weekly roundup, where we bring you the top stories that made headlines this week.
It has been an eventful week, and at the top of our list is the impeachment of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
The High court of Kenya issued conservatory order barring the implementation of the resolution of the Senate for removing Meru County Governor Kawira Mwangaza, from Office by way of impeachment.
The conservatory order was issued restraining the Speaker of the Senate, or any other person or authority, from publishing or causing to be published in the Kenya Gazette a notification or declaration of a vacancy in the Office of the Governor of Meru County.
“Upon a preliminary consideration of the same, I am satisfied that the Application raises constitutional, legal, and factual issues that meet the threshold that warrants immediate intervention by this Court by way of the issuance of ex parte interim conservatory orders,” reads the court orders.
This came after the Senate upheld Mwangaza’s impeachment on grounds of gross violation of the Constitution and other laws, gross misconduct, and abuse of office.
Raila Odinga Unveils AUC Campaign Team
Raila Odinga Unveils AUC Campaign TeamElsewhere, Azimio Party Leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday August 21 unveiled his campaign team for the African Union Commission Chairmanship (AUC) position race as the February 2025 election approaches.
Odinga’s campaign team, is led by former Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalim and Kenya’s former ambassador to the US Elkanah Odembo.
Others include former Nyeri County, Deputy Governor, Carolyne Karugu, and prominent blogger, digital strategist and social media influencer Pauline Njoroge.
Also in the team is Professor Makau Mutua and Seasonal Lawyer Anthony Okara.
Education Ministry Gives Directive on New Funding Model
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba directed students who are dissatisfied with the bands they have been placed in to file an appeal through the www.hef.co.ke or contact the Ministry’s dedicated teams at universities during admission.
The appeals will be processed within three weeks from the date of application, ensuring timely financial support for students in need.
The deadline for applications has been extended to 31st December 2024, to accommodate those who may face delays.
CS Ogamba also announced that no student will be turned away during university admissions regardless of their ability to immediately pay the household contribution.
This came after uproar that several needy students had been placed in band four and five requiring them to pay amounts they cannot afford.
Affected students argued that the new structure imposes an undue financial burden on their families.
Kware Murder Suspect Cell Break
Thirteen suspects, including the prime suspect in Kware dumpsite murders Collins Jumaisi on Tuesday August 20 escaped from Gigiri police station.
Reports indicate that the suspects simply walked out of the station’s main door while under the watch of two police officers on night shift duty.
Investigators revealed that a suspect arrested for fraud and booked in the cells on that fateful night stated that the detainees did not escape by cutting the wire mesh at the jail cells’ basking bay, as had initially been suspected.
The witness further revealed that when he arrived at the cells, he found all the suspects, including Khalusha, in the corridor outside their cell cubes.
Collins Jumaisi had already been unchained, and the door to his cell cube had been opened, allowing him access to the corridor.
Acting Inspector-General of Police Gilbert Masengeli interdicted eight police officers for allegedly aiding Jumaisi and other suspects in their escape from Gigiri Police Station.
The officers, who were immediately detained, included the Gigiri sub-county police commander, the officer commanding the station, and six other law enforcement personnel.
Is Finance Bill 2024 Making a Comeback?
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi disclosed that parts of the Finance Bill 2024 will be included in the new Tax Amendment Bill.
Mbadi revealed that the government will reintroduce 49 clauses of the Finance Bill in its new revenue-raising proposals as it seeks to collect Ksh150 billion more to cover the deficit caused by the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024.
Mbadi also said the controversial Eco Levy will be among those clauses making a comeback.
However, the CS stated that the tax will not affect sensitive commodities such as sanitary towels but could impact multinational companies.
“There are about 49 [clauses]; some don’t even have financial implications; some just align the laws. The levy will target those areas that would not affect the common mwananchi. Sensitive areas, like what was widely talked about, such as sanitary pads—those we can’t touch because Kenyans have spoken,” Mbadi said.
Jimi Wanjigi Woes
Businessman Jimi Wanjigi was arrested on July 19 after appearing at the DCI headquarters in response to a summon regarding his involvement in the planned Nane Nane protests.
Wanjigi was however on Tuesday August 20 released Ksh10 million bonds after opposing his prosecution for alleged illegal possession of 10 firearms, citing a High Court order.
While ordering for the release of Wanjigi and his aide, the judge also ordered for them to surrender their passports.
Further, the court set hearing for September 12, 2024, where the judge will deliver a ruling as whether to defer the charges.
Also Big This Week
- Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Kamau Thugge announced that the German firm Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technologies GmbH (G+D) has been awarded the tender for printing new banknotes.
- Twiga Foods, the Kenyan e-commerce and food distribution startup, announced a fresh round of layoffs that will leave 59 employees jobless as part of its business restructuring efforts.
- Bidcoro Africa Group (Bidco) joint venture fully acquired Suntory Beverage & Food Kenya Limited, the company which manufactures Ribena and Lucozade brands.
- The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) of Kenya issued a public alert regarding the voluntary recall of S-PRAZO (Esomeprazole Magnesium Delayed-Release Capsules 40mg), Batch No SPZ-302, manufactured by Laborate Pharmaceutical India Limited.
- Interior PS Raymond Omollo provided an update on the implementation status of the recommendation to increase salaries for members of the National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Prisons Service (KPS), and the National Youth Service (NYS).
- On Sad stories, Vice Chairman and lead soloist of Zabron Singers Marco Joseph Bukuru, has passed away on Tuesday, August 21, while receiving treatment at a hospital in Tanzania.
This week, The Kenya Times featured Charity Chigulu a journalist at Radio Africa Group who became visually impaired. Her journey through adversity has not only defined her career but also inspired many around her. Watch her story:
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