The Lower Eastern Times

The state has postponed the official launch of the Maisha Namba and Digital ID ecosystem that was scheduled to take place on October 2, 2023.  IMAGE: A sample of Maisha Namba identification card In statement seen by The Lower Eastern Times, Immigration and Citizen Services PS Julius Bitok says the event has been pushed forward due to “unavoidable circumstances”. President William Ruto was supposed to preside over the launch at the Athletics Club in Nakuru County.   “A new date for the launch will be communicated in due course. Any inconvenience caused by the postponement is highly regretted,”  PS Bitok says. Meanwhile, PS Bitok says that public participation and stakeholders engagement forums on the rolling out of Maisha Namba and Digital IDs that are ongoing across the country will continue. President Ruto’s directive While launching the eCitizen platform on June 30th, 2023, the President directed the relevant government ministries to come up with a digital ID to...

By:AFP  Five civilians were killed and 13 others wounded in a car bombing near a market in central Somalia on Thursday, police said, the latest attack to hit the fragile Horn of Africa nation. A file photo of soldiers and Somalians clearing up debris in the town of Beledweyne after a suicide bomber killed 13 people and wounded dozens more in central Somalia after driving a truck packed with explosives towards a security checkpoint, triggering a blast that razed nearby buildings. PHOTO/AFP A car rigged with explosives detonated near a busy market in the district of Buloburde in Hiran region, sending shoppers fleeing the scene, police and witnesses said. “They killed five civilians and wounded 13 others in Buloburde after detonating a car loaded with explosives in the market area,” local police officer Abdullahi Hassan told AFP by phone. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which comes a week after Somalia’s government admitted to “several significant setbac...

By: Our Reporter. A screen grab of CCTV footage showing a thug trying to escape with a handbag, he had snatched from a motorist before he was knocked down by the same motorist in Durban, South Africa. A motorist in Durban, South Africa has caused an uproar on social media after she chased and knocked down a thug who had snatched her handbag.  The thug died on the spot during the incident that elicited mixed reactions online. All the details were captured on CCTV video, showing how the thug snatched the handbag and how he was chased until he was knocked down.  As a result, human rights activists and defenders held a different view, noting that even though it was wrong for anyone to engage in crime, killing criminals in such a manner was unacceptable.   They maintained that every human being has a right to life and the best way of dealing with thugs is arraigning them in a court of law.  On the other hand, those who supported the idea of the motorist killing the t...

By: Reuters James Ibori, former governor of Nigeria's Delta State, speaks after a court hearing outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Britain, January 31, 2017. REUTERS/Estelle Shirbon/ File Photo British and Nigerian civil society groups have urged the British government to return funds confiscated from Nigerian politician James Ibori, a convicted fraudster, to his country in a swift and transparent way so the money can benefit ordinary Nigerians. In a letter to Britain's home and foreign affairs ministers, a coalition of close to 50 NGOs said the long-delayed confiscation process had undermined the strong anti-corruption message sent by Ibori's conviction over a decade ago. "The years of disruption and delay in recovering and returning these stolen assets means this message has so far rung hollow for the Nigerian people," said the letter, made public on Thursday by one of its signatories, Spotlight on Corruption. A former governor of the oil-producing D...

By: Reuters Uganda’s queer activist Papa De raises her fist during a picket against the country’s anti-homosexuality bill on April 04, 2023. PHOTO | AFP It said this pointed to the way the law and the rampant homophobic rhetoric that preceded its passage earlier in the year had radicalized the public against the LGBTQ community. For example, the report said mob-aided arrests had become increasingly common "because AHA has put LGBTIQ+ persons on the spot as persons of interest, and the public seems to be the custodians of enforcing the witch hunt." Between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, researchers documented 306 rights violations based on the victim's sexual orientation and gender identity, with state actors the perpetrators in 25 of those cases. By contrast, reports by rights activists in 2020 and 2021 found that state actors were responsible for nearly 70% of the rights violations documented in those years. The report did not provide comparative figures for 2022. Ugandan Informati...

 Authorities have apprehended a 28-year-old woman in connection with the homicide of her spouse at their residence in Kuria West, Migori County. Image of a police vehicle at a crime scene Photo: File Celestine Ghati, the suspect in question, is currently the primary person of interest in the murder case of her 32-year-old husband, James Omahe. The fatal incident occurred when three armed assailants assaulted James as he was entering their home in Masangora location, as reported by Reuben Bett, the Sub-county Police Commander of Kuria West. While investigations into the incident are still underway, preliminary findings have implicated the detained woman, Celestine Ghati, in the alleged murder. The police commander noted that the attackers were armed with firearms and other makeshift weapons within the vicinity of the deceased's homestead. The detained woman is scheduled to appear in court for legal proceedings.

 A 35-year-old medical officer named Fredrick Owuor tragically passed away by suicide in Rongo, Migori County on Thursday, amid suspected domestic conflicts. His lifeless body was discovered in his mother's residence in Kabuoro Sub-location, suspended by a rope tied around his neck. Johanes Ooko Malela, the Area Assistant Chief, verified the incident but indicated that the reasons behind the medical officer's decision to take his own life are still unknown. Nevertheless, unofficial sources suggest that he may have been grappling with family problems involving his spouse. The matter remains under active police investigation, as authorities seek to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event. Pending an autopsy and the ongoing police inquiries, the deceased's body has been transferred to Rosewood Hospital mortuary. In the meantime, provincial administrators in Migori County have expressed deep concern over the growing incidence of suicides in the region...

Joseph Kipruto Kipkoech has been appointed as the new Director of Information in Kenya, following the retirement of Josephine Kinuthia.  Kipkoech brings a wealth of experience, having served as a junior Information Officer in the Ministry and rising through the ranks at the Kenya News Agency (KNA) section.  Joseph Kipruto Kipkoech Image: Courtesy   He holds a Master of Arts Degree in International Studies from the University of Nairobi, a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Government, a Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, Nairobi.  Kinuthia, who rose to the helm of the Department of Information in October 2021, retires after taking the state News Agency through a major technological transition during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Information Secretary Judy Munyinyi acknowledged her contribution to the Civil Service and called for cooperation among staff. S...

 A recent report presented to a parliamentary committee by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki Kithure has unveiled that the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) has a significant number of uniformed officers from the Kalenjin and Kikuyu ethnic groups. Specifically, the report reveals that Kalenjin and Kikuyu communities comprise the largest portion, with 5,723 and 5,335 officers, respectively. The Kamba and Luhya communities closely follow, with 3,278 and 2,891 officers, respectively. Kenya prison warders best musicians entertaining the president Image:FILE In total, there are 31,227 officers in the KPS, with 23,878 of them being male officers and 7,359 being female officers. The Kisii community has 2,536 officers, while the Luo community has 2,684 officers. In contrast, some ethnic groups are underrepresented, including the Rendile (62), Orma (75), Taveta (39), and Dorobo (27), among others. The Elmolo community has 3 officers, Kenya Europeans have 1 officer, and Kenya Arabs also have 1 of...

Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, the leader of the Wiper party, has expressed his concerns regarding what he sees as an excessive influence of political financiers on the government. Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka,Wiper Leader Image:File During a multi-sectoral consultative workshop on electoral law reform agenda held in Nakuru on Wednesday, Musyoka highlighted the negative consequences of individuals who financially supported the 2022 elections on the effective governance of the state. He called for much-needed reforms in this regard. Musyoka pointed out, "Due to the power of money, government officials often find themselves in a revolving door where those who financed election campaigns receive government contracts and are appointed to lucrative positions that they may not be qualified for." The co-principal of the opposition Azimio la Umoja One Kenya alliance went further to suggest that the current government is effectively held hostage by those who provided financial support du...

 Airbnbs have become the preferred choice of accommodation for numerous individuals, whether they are on business trips, leisure getaways, or seeking a place to host gatherings with friends. These rental units are favored for their typically well-appointed furnishings, allowing guests the convenience of self-catering. Some hosts even offer the option of hiring a chef at an additional cost. However, the growing popularity of Airbnb accommodations has brought about a range of challenges that hosts frequently lament. These issues range from guests who check out late to disruptive individuals who leave the premises in disarray. One disgruntled host recounted a particularly trying experience where their cleaners were burdened with an extensive cleanup after guests departed. The guests had left the house in a state of chaos, strewn with trash, broken dishes, and lingering shisha ashes, all following a night of raucous music. In another instance, a host expressed their exasperation, ackno...

 Government Announces Maisha Namba Digital ID Registration Launch in Nakuru County Next Monday During a Thursday morning media breakfast, Principal Secretary Julius Bitok of the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services revealed the government's plan to introduce Maisha Namba, a 14-digit Unique Personal Identifier (UPI). This digital ID will be issued to newborns at birth and will appear on documents like birth certificates, Maisha cards, driver's licenses, and even death certificates. Immigration and Citizen Services PS Julius Bitok speaks during a media breakfast in Nairobi on September 28, 2023. PHOTO | COURTESY PS Bitok likened Maisha Namba to the Social Security number used in the United States and emphasized that this effort builds upon previous attempts, learning from past challenges. He stated, "The government has been trying this. There have been four attempts, but none has succeeded because of exclusivity. This time round, we want to get it right by e...

  Chief Justice Martha Koome has issued a new directive that cash bails be processed in open court henceforth in order to enhance transparency in the Judiciary. CJ Martha Koome Photo:File CJ Koome stated that this  is also in line with the Judiciary's adoption of technology to enable electronic payment of court fees, fines, and deposits, thereby improving efficiency of the judicial system. According to the new directive issued on Thursday, every plea-taking session will have two Court Assistants. “The first ‎assistant will support the Magistrate with various court duties, while the second ‎assistant will handle the processing of fine and cash bail payments,” stated the CJ. “ This includes generating invoices, providing copies to the accused, and facilitating payments through the online portal.” Moreover, accused individuals who cannot make payments in open court will ‎receive an invoice and be given a reasonable period to settle their fines or cash ‎bail. Cj Koome stated that ...

Laban Mutuku Lola  In Court On Thursday, a middle-aged guy was charged with collecting money under false pretense and was arraigned. He is charged with impersonating a National Intelligence Service (NIS) officer and extorting money from members of the public. Laban Mutuku Lola was accused of obtaining Ksh. 150,000 from James Tama Musyoka, a senior public official, in Nairobi on January 5, 2020 by feigning to be in a position to aid his spouse's "smooth" recruitment in the NIS.  In addition, Mutuku was accused of impersonating someone else. The accused has allegedly been hiding since April 24, 2023, when the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) agreed to the anti-graft body's recommendations to charge him. Police caught him from his hiding place in Umoja 3.

Brian Chira Image:   COURTESY Controversial TikToker Brian Chira is back with sobs and pleas after trending on social media yet again for all the wrong reasons. The TikTok creator is begging Kenyans for forgiveness detailing he doesn't understand what has been going on while highlighting how difficult the last three days have been for him. "My name is Chira, Brian Chira and for the last 3 days a lot has gone on in my life and all I can ask you is please forgive me... Please forgive me, please,"   started off the TikToker as he sniffled wiping tears from his eyes. The digital content creator went on to personally appeal to TikTok stars Faustine Lipuku Lukale popularly known as Baba Talisha and Rose Atieno Ngolo who goes as Nyako Pilot on social media to have mercy on him and find it in their hearts to forgive him. Chira noted that he appreciates the two for going all out to help him when he needed it urgently and he feels terrible because the two are the ones who understoo...