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Leaders advocates for change in legal aid funds to help poor

By
Chidulu Said
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Tana River, KENYA: Tana River County leaders have requested the judiciary to push for at least sh. 1 million budget to county residence judges that would cater for lawyers’ payment.

Speaking at meeting held at Garsen, former area mp also a lawyer Mr. Danson Buya Mungatana told Chief Justice David Maraga to push for the Legal Aid Act fund to be brought under the residence judges, so as to help poor residents who can’t afford Lawyers.

According to Mr. Mungatana, many residents fail to follow up on their cases due to poor financial status and that proper allocation of the fund would help them in handling their cases.

“Residents are facing great challenge in dealing with their cases; they normally get confused because they don’t have lawyers. The residents who get lawyer’s help are those with major offences.  My Lord everything starts a little and I believe it is possible if every residents judge gets a line budget of at least one million shilling to work with local lawyers to make sure our people get representation,” Mr. Mungatana said.

Mr. Mungatana’s was also backed up by county governor Mr. Hussein Dado who lamented that it would be better if the poor residents would get assistance in  their cases through government paid lawyers.

Following utterances of the county leaders, CJ Maraga affirmed that the Legal Aid fund Act was in progress but the only challenge he mentioned was the fund being under the Attorney General’s office.

Mr. Maraga added that bringing the fund in line with the judiciary was the great challenge unless an amendment of the Act is done by the National Assembly.

“We have the Legal Aid Act has established a fund but that fund is going to be managed by AG’s office and that is our great challenge,” said Mr. Maraga.

IEBC should come clean on viability of holding elections in August, says Mudavadi

By
Christopher Nyamuta
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Nairobi, KENYA: Amani National Congress party leader Musalia Mudavadi has asked the independent electoral and boundaries commission ,IEBC to come out clean and tell Kenyans if it is possible to oversee the 2017 August polls.

Speaking at party headquarters in Nairobi on Thursday Mudavadi said that the electoral body should for warn Kenyans if it is viable to hold elections in August to avert a crisis if not well prepared.

“It is important for IEBC to come oit clean early enough so that they can forwarn Kenyans if they genuinely believe they are capable of holding elections that will be seen as free and fair by 8th of August .”Mudavadi said

He downplayed allegations that opposition has been going to court to complain on the issue of cleaning the voter register terming the move as a constitutional right to enhance accountability in electioneering process.

He assured Kenyans that the committee handling NASA’s presidential flag bearer is within the stipulated timelines and it wiĺl not affect opposition’s campaign trail schedule.

He asked the electoral body to make sure that the voter register is Meticulously cleaned in order to realise credible elections.

Meanwhile, the High Court has ruled that Mass Voter Registration (MVR) will continue until February 19, 2017.

Justice Chacha Mwita on Thursday directed that the MVR will stand closed after the extra three days.

The ruling was issued in a case filed by activist Okiya Omtatah, who wanted registration to continue until two months to the August elections.

Embattled Bwanmaka insists he is still CCU Chairman

By
Oscar Nyoha
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Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU) Chairman Abdalla Bwanamaka. FILE/PHOTO.

Mombasa, KENYA: Embattled Chama Cha Uzalendo chairman Maur Abdhallah Bwanamaka has insisted that he is still the legal chairman of the party, dismissing claims by some members that he was kicked out.

Addressing the press on Thursday  in Mombasa, Bwanamaka said they have a court order, issuing a temporary injunction against those claiming to be party officials from engaging in any party activity, until the case is heard and determined.

“We have orders to stop those who claim to be party officials from engaging in any activity of the CCU. So that means I am still the legal party chairman until the case is heard and determined”, said Bwanamaka.

The party has been rocked by controversy following the alleged disappearance of Sh. 1.9 million from its account, most of which it received from the political parties’ fund.

Bwanamaka however confirmed that CCU is currently not aligning itself to any political coalition, and urged aspirants to apply to vie for posts under CCU.

He added that they are planning to fill candidates in all political posts come August.

“Currently we cannot say we pledge our allegiance to any coalition either Cord or Jubilee, but we will give official announcement on the same, after consultation within the party,” added Bwanamaka.

Early marriages hindering girl child education at the Coast

By
Peter Kombe
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Mombasa, KENYA: The girl child education at the Coast of Kenya is faced with several challenges despite various attempts to support the initiative, this is according to human rights activists.

Francis Auma, a civil rights crusader at HAKI Africa on Thursday told Baraka FM  cases of girls being married at an early age is rampant at the Coast.

Auma attributed the vice to strong cultural and traditional practices deeply rooted amongst the coastal dwellers.

“Our young girls are being married at an early age and the mostly affected counties are Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi and Kwale.” Auma said.

He added that through their women advocacy programme, they have rescued several girls by sending them back to schools and even suing parents who have been practicing the vice.

On the other hand, Amina Hemed the programmes officer at HAKI Africa, said the organization has championed the sensitization process in eradicating the vice.

She said as human rights crusaders, they have played a leading role by educating the community on consequences of early marriages.

The activist noted that the organization has taken stern action to parents who have been marrying off their daughters instead of sending them to schools.

“We have championed the sensitization process and educated the entire community on the vice.” She said.

New twist as company director charged in court over TSS fraud saga

By
Hillary Makokha
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Mombasa, KENYA: The director of KAAP Company owned by late Tahir Said alias TSS was on Thursday charged in a Mombasa court for allegedly committing a sh. 9 billion fraud.

James Mwangi Muturi is alleged to have forged a guarantee indemnity which he purported to be a genuine document from TSS, enabling him secure a loan from Kenya commercial bank in February 2011.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Mr. Muturi is also alleged to have stolen documents from TSS Company including valuation reports, company certificate, PIN number and feasibility study booklet property, to enable him secure a sh.9 billion loan.

Meanwhile, Senior Director of Public Prosecution Alexander Muteti has called upon the court to ban Mr. Gikandi Ngibuini from acting as the counsel to the accused.

Mr. Muteti informed court that Gikandi had earlier represented the sons of TSS who are the complainants in another civil suit and he was in possession of information that will directly raise a matter of conflict of interest.

Mombasa Resident magistrate Martin Rabera ordered Mr.Muturi released on a  Sh. 3 million bond with one surety.

Mr. Rabera also ordered prosecution to raise the issue of recusal of the counsel in March 14, 2017 during pre- trial.

Mr. Gikandi is also representing Zein Mohamed Ahmed, Zahirabbas Khaku and Aweys Ahmed Mohamed charged last week in a similar case.

Kenya in need of sh. 11 bn for drought as EU dangles sh. 3 bn

By
Baraka FM Team
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Nairobi, KENYA: With the drought being declared a national disaster by President Uhuru Kenyatta, the government held talks with humanitarian agencies to bridge the sh. 11 bn gap needed to finance the situation.

Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi EU Regional Co-ordinator Amb. Stefano Deja, said the European Union EU has pledged sh.3 bn that will be used in money transfers to people in drought affected areas.

“This is the most effective way to reach the vulnerable. The severity of this dramatic drought that is developing is something that cannot be entirely predicted,” said Amb. Stefano Deja.

Speaking at the same event United Nations UN Resident Co-ordinator Siddarth Chatterjee said that the drought situation was worsening and that no Kenyan should die of hunger.

“What has challenged us now is that the scale of this situation has erupted. And no one can turn this off, the weather is not a switch. 2.7 million people in 23 counties have been affected by the drought. We are expecting to reach 4 million Kenyans by April,” Mr. Chatterjeee noted.

He advised that the Government could request the UN to redeploy resources from its existing national development and humanitarian programmes to respond to the drought issue.

The Principal Secretary Ministry of Agriculture Dr. Richard Lesiyampe noted that the number of those affected doubled since last year with government having spent sh. 5.5 billion in various interventions.

“Scientific empirical evidence is needed to declare a national disaster of this magnitude. The situation has encroached counties that are not even categorized as arid and semi-arid areas,” Dr. Lesiyampe who also chairs the inter agency national coordination committee explained.

According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, Kenya will continue to experience depressed rainfalls during the period March-May 2017 which is commonly known as the long rain season.

Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and South Sudan have declared the drought national disasters while the impact in Somalia is severe and has been declared a famine.

On Fri 10 Feb 17 Pres. Kenyatta after being briefed on the situation on the ground by Cabinet Secretaries involved in drought management and food security, declared the current situation a national disaster.

“Support from our partners would complement Governments efforts in mitigating the effects of drought,” concluded the President in a statement.

Mpeketoni residents worried as Lake Kenyatta on verge of extinction

By
Natasha Nema
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A hippo carcass at Lake Kenyatta. PHOTO: NATASHA NEMA.

Lamu, KENYA: Mpeketoni residents and the environs are a worried lot following the drying up of Lake Kenyatta in Lamu due to the ongoing drought.

Water volumes at the lake which is depended upon by over 60,000 residents of Mpeketoni and neighboring places have dropped drastically from a normal 12 meters to 1.5 with other sections of the lake having even lower water volumes.

There are fears of a crisis since the lake is now under intense use by humans, wildlife and fishermen.

There are also health concerns due to increased contamination caused by increased deaths of hippos, buffaloes, snails and other animals.

Residents have also expressed worry of a possible outbreak of illnesses related to use of dirty water and dirty environments.

The lake which was named after the founder of the nation Mzee Jomi Kenyatta has been a major area of concern since the drought began and especially following the deaths of more than 20 hippos at the lake early this year.

The remaining muddy puddles of water at the lake have turned salty adding to the frustrations of residents.

According to the chairperson of the Lake Kenyatta Conservation Trust Ayub Kamau,most parts of the lake have dried up.

Dependence on the lake has however risen from at least 60,000 to over 100,000 people and over 200,000 heads of livestock due to the drought,a situation that has clearly strained the capability of the lake.

Intense human activity including fishing and sand harvesting have also played an integral part in the ever dropping water levels at the lake.

“We need environmentalists and health experts to come and help us out. We need to save this lake;at the moment humans,wild and domestic animals are all reliant on the lake.You can imagine the mess combined with daily carcasses of fish,hippos and other animals that die after getting stuck in the mud when they come for a drink,”said Kamau.

There are concerns that the lake might completely die out without prompt interventions to save it.

“Over 200,000 livestock are brought here for a drink daily.This is the only remaining source of water after all other lakes,rivers and swamps dried up in Lamu and neighboring Tana River and Garissa,” said Kamau.

World Wide Fund for nature Kenya Coast Programmes manager Kiunga Kareko has appealed to all stakeholders to come together and find ways of rescuing the lake.

Police recover huge consignment of stolen medicine in Mombasa

By
Weldon Kemboi
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The 300 boxes of assortment of medicines seized and parked at police headquarters in Mombasa. PHOTO: WELDON KEMBOI.

Mombasa, KENYA: Police on Thursday recovered  300 cartons of medicine which are believed to have been stolen while on transit to Nairobi.

According to Police, armed robbers had hijacked a trailer which was transporting several different kinds of medicine at  Taru along Mombasa -Nairobi highway.

Coast region DCIO Pius Macharia told reporters detectives received information from the public regarding a warehouse in Mirirtini, Mombasa that looked suspicious.

The officers then proceeded to the said house and found stolen goods including different boxes of medicine.

The DCIO boss said the driver of the truck transporting the goods had been hijacked by thugs who offloaded the goods and vanished.

The said driver later proceeded  to Taru police station where he reported the matter to police.

“On 1st February a lorry ferrying the medicine to Nairobi was hijacked between Taru and Maungu road and suspects offloaded the goods to another vehicle before leaving,” said the DCIO boss.

He said police have launched investigations into the matter.

The consignment was loaded to a police lorry and transported to Regional police headquarters.

Environment degradation rampant in Kilifi, Say activists

By
David Ngumbao
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Kilifi, KENYA: Kenyans have been urged to join the war against environment degradation in various parts of the country.

According to environment activists, this been on going especially in mining areas where trees are cut down and not replaced.

Phylis Omido, an environmental activist said the locals have been giving out lands to investors who go against the mining laws not knowing the end result.

“Our communities have been supporting degradation of the environment in one way or the other by accepting investors who careless for the health of the locals, this will affect the next generations if no mitigation will be taken now.” ” said Omido.

She said the only solution to the ongoing environment degradation all over the country is coming together of Kenyans to fight against it.

Omido blamed the National and County governments for failing to execute fully the environment laws and instead giving out licenses to mining companies with no credibility.

She said the two governments have failed to sensitize the communities on the importance of conserving the environment.

“Our Communities might be receiving money from these rich people who call themselves investors due to hunger and poverty not knowing that what they are doing now would cost their children for years,” Omido added.

“This means all stakeholders including NEMA have the challenge to sensitize the communities on the benefits and significance of conserving environment,” added Omido.

Meanwhile, Yusuf Lule, HURIA director called upon the two governments to be tough on their regulations of the environmental laws.

“I think if the two governments under their jurisdictions ensure proper regulations of the environmental laws, these distractions would be something of the past,” said Lule.

“If we look at the upcoming industries countywide, most of them do not meet the standards of carrying out their activities but because nothing concrete has been executed against them, they carry on distracting our environment.”

Efforts by Baraka FM to get Kilifi County CEC Environment, Water, Forestry and Natural resources Mwachitu Kiringi to comment on the matter proved futile.

Kenya’s Victor Wanyama named EPL African best player

By
Wyclif Okumu
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Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyam has been named the English Premier League EPL African best player for the Month of January.

The monthly accolade organized by New African Soccer Magazine saw the Tottenham Hot Spurs midfielder beat Chelsea and Nigerian winger Victory Moses and Ivorian Yaya Toure of Manchester City.

During that period Wanyama aided Spurs to a 2-0 victory over league leaders Chelsea before thumping West Brom 4-0 and later followed with a two all draw with Manchester City.

Wanyama who joined Tottenham from Southampton last summer has been of great significance to the club featuring in almost all its matches this season.

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