Masengeli Long Day in Court & Safaricom's New Airtime Limit

Masengeli’s Long Day in Court, Safaricom’s New Airtime Limit & What Next for University Funding

Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of The Roundup.

We begin with the ruling by High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi on Friday, September 20, to set aside his conviction and the six-month sentence issued to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Gilbert Masengeli on September 13 for contempt of court.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi in his ruling said the court confirmed and was satisfied that Masengeli regrets and was genuinely remorseful of his actions in the court.

He added that Masengeli’s answers appeared genuine, and that he appeared calm and polite.

“The intention of the court was not to punish Masengeli for the sake of it but to ensure that the sentence restores the dignity and the authority of this court,” Mugambi said.

“It is not the work of this court to punish a genuinely remorseful man.”

Deputy IG Gilbert Masengeli in court. Photo/ Screen Grab

New IG of Police Sworn In

The National Assembly on Wednesday, September 18, approved the appointment of former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Kenya Police, Douglas Kanja as the new Inspector General (IG).

Subsequently, Kanja was sworn in on September 19 at the Supreme Court in Nairobi.

The new IG takes over from Japhet Koome who resigned on July 12, 2024, after a wave of protests by Gen Z youth over the Finance Act 2024.

Kanja becomes the 16th police boss since independence and the 5th IG under the new Constitution.

Kanja has served for thirty-nine years in the NPS. He started working as a constable in 1985 and rose through the ranks to become the DIG and now the IG.

Ruto’s Dilemma in Dropping Gachagua as Mt Kenya Divisions Surface

The debate over the Mount Kenya region’s political leadership has intensified as Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) from 12 counties split between supporting Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki and Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua.

This comes at a time when there are claims and signs of a fallout between President William Ruto and his deputy.

The MCAs clashed over the resolution to endorse Kindiki as the link between the Mount Kenya region and the national government.

MCAs convened in Murang’a County on September 18 to support the move to have Kindiki link them to the executive instead of Gachagua.

Deputy Presidet Rigathi Gachagua,Farouk Kibet, second from left and President William Ruto. PHOTO/ William Ruto — Deputy Presidet Rigathi Gachagua, and President William Ruto in a past function. PHOTO/ William Ruto

Safaricom Introduces Ksh1 Airtime Purchase Option

Safaricom PLC on Tuesday 17 issued a new update on its airtime purchase policy for customers using the M-Pesa mobile payment service.

In the recent development, Safaricom lowered the minimum amount required for buying airtime through M-PESA from Ksh5 to a new Ksh1.

The update took effect on Monday, September 16, 2024, and Safaricom urged customers to test the update by purchasing the airtime in a statement.

Committee to Review New Funding Model Formed

President William Ruto appointed a committee to review the new university funding model.

The committee comprises four workstreams or sub-committees that will review the Structure of Student Loans, among other responsibilities.

The Chairpersons and Co-Chairpersons of the workstreams will constitute the coordination Board of the Committee for the New University Education Funding Model.

Professor Japheth Micheni Ntiba has been appointed the Chairperson of the board, with members including the chairpersons and co-chairpersons of the four workstreams.

Also Big This Week

President William Ruto on Tuesday September 17 appointed Dr Mohammed Abdi Mohammed as the new chairperson of Social Health Authority (SHA).
Justice Jairus Ngaah of the High Court on Thursday, September 19, directed the suspension of a Ministry of Education order requiring mandatory registration of learners under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
More than 1,000 government employees have been fired after a report by the Public Service Commission (PSC) revealed that they were illegally employed.
A non-profit civic tech research lab known as Threats, developed a digital database for 5,000 lies told by President William Ruto.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, founder and owner of the American satellite internet service provider Starlink, reacted to the news it is now providing Nairobi City County with reliable internet services.
Human rights activist Bob Njagi and Kitengela brothers Jamil and Aslam Longton were on Friday September 2o released by their abductors after being held for nearly a month.