By Jabali Media

Deputy President Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua alias Riggy G has become synonymous with his early morning walks and runs in various parts of the country he visits, since assuming office in 2022.

The truthful man as he calls himself has taken early morning walks in Nyeri, Kakamega and Mombasa among others, in the process getting an opportunity to interact with locals on the streets.

The second in command is currently in Nyanza alongside President Wiliam Ruto, where they are initiating various development projects.

On Thursday morning, Riggy took to the streets of Kisumu for his trademark early morning walk, ahead of a busy day in Homabay County.

“It has been refreshing taking a brisk walk in the streets of Kisumu City early this morning,” the DP said in a post on his social media pages.

“Ahead of President William Ruto's second day of the working visit in the region, it was mind-boosting to have a feel of the beauty and breeze from the nearby Lake Victoria.”

“It was also a joyous opportunity to interact with the good people of the Lakeside City who were already up and out attending to their hustles,” he added.

During the walks, his ‘mean looking’ hawk-eyed security officers are always on standby for any eventuality.  

By Jabali Media

Wildlife enthusiasts are overjoyed, after the birth of a southern white rhino at the Ruma National Park, in Homabay County. The good news was shared by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) through its social media platforms, on Tuesday.

“Ruma National Park in Homabay County, is thrilled to welcome a beautiful new southern white rhino calf! Let's cherish this precious moment and remain committed to protecting our remarkable wildlife.”

The southern white rhinoceros or southern white rhino, is one of the two subspecies of the white rhinoceros. The other being the much rarer northern white rhinoceros. Research reveals that it is one of largest and heaviest land animals in the world.

It has an immense body and large head, a short neck and broad chest. Females weigh around 1,600–1,700 kg, while males weigh around 2,000–2,300 kg. Females usually have longer but thinner horns than the males, who have larger but shorter ones.

The southern white rhinoceros also has a prominent muscular hump that supports its large head. The colour of this animal can range from yellowish brown to slate grey.

Little is known about southern white rhinoceros mating habits, but females reproduce every 2–3 years.

They give birth to a single calf, after a gestation period that lasts around 16 months. Males are never directly involved in the raising of calves.

Upon being elected Homabay governor in 2022, Gladys Wanga launched the Roan Antelope Half Marathon at Ruma National Park, in a bid to conserve the endangered and rare species of the Roan antelope, and other wild animals.

On August 16, 2024, the Meru National Park welcomed the arrival of a new white rhino, adding to the growing population of these beautiful creatures.

A total of four baby rhinos have been born this month alone across the country, according to KWS.

By Jabali Media 

There is a new sheriff in town at the Ministry of Information, Communications, Technology (ICT) and the Digital Economy.

Former Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo on Tuesday officially handed over to the incoming CS, Dr. Margaret Ndung'u during a ceremony held at the Ministry’s Telposta Towers headquarters.

Owalo was part of President William Ruto’s first cabinet, which was dissolved at the height of millennials and Gen-Z protests.

Last week, he got a lifeline after Ruto appointed him the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Performance and Delivery Management.

During the handover ceremony, Owalo and Dr. Ndung'u’s hands exchanged some key documents that will oversee the Ministry’s effectiveness in the coming years.

Among the documents is the Road Map of the Ministry, a strategic document that explains the important plans and goals for the next five years.

The blueprint is expected to guide the Ministry in expanding digital infrastructure, strengthening communication networks, and promoting the growth of the digital economy across Kenya.

Additionally, Owalo presented the Performance Agreement, which outlines the Ministry's commitments and specific performance indicators.

Under Owalo’s tutelage, the Ministry made great strides in developing IT infrastructure, expanding digital services, and designing policies aimed at building a healthy digital economy across the country.

Dr. Ndung'u, in her maiden address commended her predecessor for the significant advancements made in the ICT sector.

"We must continue to invest in ICT infrastructure and innovation to ensure that every Kenyan, regardless of location, gets the opportunities that come from digital connectivity," she said.

Owalo is quickly embracing his new role as the Deputy Chief of Staff responsible for Performance and Delivery Management, on Tuesday holding an early morning meeting with the Public Service Performance Management Unit.

The team, Owalo said, was led by the Secretary for Performance Contracting, Joshua Mwiranga.

“The 5th administration under the leadership of HE President Dr. William Samoei Ruto will strengthen and institutionalise Performance Management and Contracting at all levels of Government up to the individual scorecard,” he said. 

By Kevin Barasa

Siaya County Women Representative, Christine Ombaka, has initiated a sanitary pad giveaway program aimed at combating early marriages and sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers in the Lake region devolved unit.

The initiative, Ombaka revealed, was prompted by the soaring number of primary school girls dropping out, due to a lack of sanitary pads.

In a phone interview on Monday, Ombaka expressed regret that 5000 primary level learners had dropped out of school in the near past, due to lack of sanitary pads.

The county MP stated that the sanitary pad giveaway program will enable students from humble backgrounds to stay in school, through the school calendar.

The program, the third term legislature said, aims at reaching over 600 primary schools in Siaya, from grade five to grade eight. Each pupil will receive seven packets of sanitary pads, enough to last them for the entire year.

She mentioned that besides her office distributing sanitary pads, she will use the opportunity to educate young girls about sexual reproductive health.

“Information about menstruation is important. Young girls need to understand why they are experiencing it so they don’t fall victim to biological progress,” said Ombaka.

Ombaka insisted that young girls must be aware of the dangers of premature sexual behaviours, to understand the risks they face if they engage in sexual activities recklessly.

“Many girls will elope and get married in a very orthodox manner just because of unexpected pregnancy that is caused by lack of access to sanitary pads due to financial challenges.”

The MP cited lack of sanitary pads as a hindrance to young girls’ school performance, owing to the fact that they spend a lot of time outside school seeking solutions.

“Our girls stay away from school during their menstrual period, giving the boys an advantage due to their absenteeism, to perform better in schools than girls,” Ombaka regretted.

She added that the program seeks to prevent such absences, mentioning that there is no reason a girl should stay at home for a week just because of her menstrual cycle.

By Jabali Media

Members of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) commenced their strike on Monday, crippling learning activities in Secondary Schools across the country.

Parents had hoped that the strike would be suspended in the 11th hour, but that never came to be after days of negotiations with various players in the government failed to bear fruit.

Majorly representing secondary school teachers, KUPPET officials across the country led their members in peaceful demonstrations, from Bungoma, to Uasin Gishu, Kisii and Nyamira.

Dressed in yellow – the trademark KUPPET attire, they called on the government to fully address their grievances, before they go back to class. The grievances include confirmation of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers and implementation of the 2021/2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

“We want TSC and the government to also review our career progression before we return to work," said some of the teachers in Eldoret.

"From here we are moving to other schools to ensure that they are closed," their spokesperson said, advising parents not to send their children to schools,” said teachers who assembled at Bungoma High School, in Bungoma.

"I want to tell my colleagues in the primary sector, teachers who are affected and suffering like teachers in KUPPET, to come forward and participate in this strike together.”

While at it, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) members are back in class, after officials called off the strike to give President William Ruto’s time to address their grievances, including implementation of the 2021/1225 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Low turn of learners was however reported in various parts of the country.

This comes as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) said it will settle new raised salaries to all teachers by August 30, 2024.

TSC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nancy Macharia stated that the payment will be backdated to July after the government released Sh13 billion for phase two of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Na Leonard Murunga

Wanafunzi waliopata uja uzito na kupewa fursa ya kuendeleza masomo yao baada ya kujifungua katika kauti ya Kakamega, wamehimizwa kutia bidii kwenye masomo yao ili waweze kujikimu maishani siku za usoni.

Akizungumza katika hafla iliyowaleta pamoja wanafunzi ambao wanafadhiliwa na wakfu wake wa Janet Barasa, Bi. Barasa ambaye ni mke wa gavana wa Kakamega Fernandes Barasa, amewahimiza wazazi hao wachanga kuwa kielelezo katika jamii.

“Mna wajibu wa kutia bidii masomoni, alisema Bi. Barasa.

Kauli yake iliungwa mkono na Afisa Mkuu wa Elimu, Sayansi na Teknologia katika kaunti ya Kakamega Vivian Ayuma.

Ayuma ameitaka serikali kudhibiti matumizi ya mitandao ambayo mara nyingi inachangia watoto kuingia katika mitego mbali mbali, huku akihimiza viongozi wa kidini, walimu, wazazi pamoja na jamii kwa ujumla kuwa kwenye mstari wa mbele kuwaongoza kimaadili watoto.

Kwa upande wao, Dorothy Okemo na Mary Makokha wanaoshirikiana na wakfu wa Janet Barasa, wamesema kuwa ushirikiano huo ni wa kusaidia jamii ili kupunguza na kuzuia visa vya mimba za mapema miongoni mwa wanafunzi wa kike.

Wameitaka serikali kuwakabili ipasavyo, washukiwa wa visa vya dhuluma za kijinsia katika jamii.

By Leonard Murunga

Teen mothers, given an opportunity to proceed with their education in Kakamega County, have been encouraged to work hard for a bright and better future.

Addressing teen mothers during an event organised by her Janet Barasa Foundation, Kakamega governor Fernandes Barasa’s spouse, Janet Barasa said they can only become role models in the community if they excel in their studies.

"Girls who got this opportunity should work hard in school,” said the Kakamega County First Lady.

She called on relevant government agencies to regulate the use of social media, while encouraging parents, teachers and religious leaders to be at the forefront of providing proper counsel to school going children.  

"Our children watch a lot of things on the internet and they want to experiment. I ask parents to help our children stick to our values,” she appealed.

Founded in 2023, the Janet Barasa Foundation supports teen mothers to access secondary and tertiary education.

On other hand, Dorothy Okemo, CEO of the Access to Medicines Platforms Organization which partners with the Foundation, said that there is a need for the community to join hands in the fight against the menace of early pregnancy in the country

“Girls deserve a chance to complete education. This program is close to our heart because it aligns with the work we do which is to really protect the rights and entitlement of girls and women in Western Kenya,” stated Okemo.

She called for arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of sexual gender-based violence.

According to the Demographic and Health Survey 2023, about 34 percent of women have experienced physical violence since age 15, while 13 percent of women have experienced sexual violence at some point in their lives.

On her part, Mary Makokha, CEO Rural Education and Economic Enhancement Program (REEP) in Butula, Busia County urged parents of teenagers not to hide their children whenever they get pregnant.

She added that the high rate of pregnancy in Busia County and the country, is as a result of parents neglecting their duties, such as buying sanitary pads for the girl child.

By Jabali Media 

Kenyans have been warned against handling and consumption of bushmeat, in war against spread of the Mpox (monkeypox) disease.

According to experts, bushmeat is the meat from wildlife species that are hunted for human consumption.

While sounding the warning on Saturday, tourism Cabinet Secretary (CS) said handling and consumption of bushmeat has a high potential transmission from animals to humans.

“This entreaty comes in the wake of reports of cases of Mpox affection in the country. Though reported cases are isolated thus far, the prevailing situation, nonetheless, foreshadows a potential eruption if cautionary counsel from experts goes unheeded,” said the CS.

“In this day and age of dire consequences of extreme climate change ebb and flow, host-vector-pathogen dynamics are likely to result in unprecedented disease emergence and re-emergence, thus making the call to stay away from bushmeat urgent,” added CS Miano.

Her warning comes on the backdrop of the fact that recent emergence of zoonotic diseases, such as Ebola and other viral infections, has been closely linked to the consumption of bushmeat, highlighting the dire consequences of such practices

“The wide range of possible afflictions heralded by handling or consumption of bushmeat alone is ample reason for all responsible Kenyans to completely avoid any incautious dalliance with wildlife now and in the future,” stated the CS.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) reported a second confirmed case of the disease in the country.

“The patient, an adult male truck driver, was identified at the Malaba One Stop Border Post in Busia County, showing symptoms after travelling from the outbreak epicentre in DRC,” health CS Debrah Mlongo Barasa stated in a statement.

The first case was reported towards the end of July, 2024.

Confirmation of the second case saw the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, make an impromptu visit to the Suam one-stop border post in Trans Nzoia County, to evaluate its readiness in light of the MPox outbreak.

She reviewed the current screening and surveillance measures, the deployment of health personnel, and the effectiveness of public health messaging at the border.

PS Muthoni emphasised the importance of robust preparedness to manage any potential cases and urged travellers and the public to follow Ministry of Health guidelines and report any symptoms immediately.

By Kevin Barasa

A sombre mood has engulfed Lela village in East Yimbo location, Bondo, Siaya County, following the tragic death of two children.

The minors were killed when the wall of an abandoned house collapsed on them.

Collins Obunga Oduor (7) and Trevor Morgan Ochieng (4) met their untimely demise around 3pm on Friday, while playing next to the dilapidated semi-permanent house.

According to Siaya County police commandant Cleti Kimaiyo, the matter was reported by East Yimbo location chief Mr. Patric Ochola.

Cleti disclosed that when police officers from Got Matar police post and DCI officers from Bondo visited the scene, they established that the two children died on the spot after sustaining fatal injuries to their chests, heads, and broken limbs.

The police boss further explained that the walls of the abandoned house were weak after strong winds had earlier blown off the roof.

He further revealed that the two bodies were moved to Bondo Sub County hospital mortuary for post-mortem and preservation as investigations continue.

By Kevin Barasa

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of science and technology students and staff use about Sh60 million annually on gambling activities, a research report has revealed.

According to Gambling Effects among vulnerable groups in Public Universities (GEPU) research conducted at the university between February and July this year, the students and staff spend over Sh1.2 million on gambling activities such as online betting on football matches, aviator, wheel spinning, cards and playing pool each week.

The research findings reveal that over 70% of both students and staff are engaged in gambling activities with 27.5 % of the students sampled being categorised to have fallen into high risk level of gambling while 41.6% (students) and 4.8%(staff) categorised as moderate risk by the Canadian Problem Gambling Severity index tool.

The study which was sponsored by the Bristol University Hub for gambling harms research sampled a total of 385 students and 21 staff members through snowball and purposive sampling respectively and utilised focused group discussions to gather information from student leadership and student religious groups at the institution.

Speaking during the release of the findings, the university vice chancellor Prof Emily Akuno termed the findings as accurate but intolerable adding that while the findings have painted a grim picture at the institution it provides an opportunity for them to put things in order and upscale lessons learnt to other institutions of higher learning in the country as well.

“When I first read the report, I immediately understood why there are long queues at registrar’s offices of students asking for more time to pay their school fees, I understood why we have a rise in cases of students missing classes or having problems with their accommodations," Prof Akuno said.

This is the point where you feel that “the earth should stop spinning and you get out”. Its’ unacceptable yet as management together with external entities we have to work together to stem the vice” Prof Akuno added.

She said the university through its governing council will consider changing its fee payment policy to deter gambling after it emerged from the report that the students mainly use funds from the Higher Education Loans Board meant for fees to engage in gambling activities where rampant loss of money has been reported.

“From the report it is clear that the students gamble using HELB loans or pocket money from parents, some even steal the money or sell their belongings to gamble while our staff take loans to engage in the vice” the vice chancellor remarked

According to the findings released, on average, the students and staff win bets amounting to Sh3.5 million each week but also lose bets amounting to Sh3.7 million each week indicating an average loss of Sh200,000 over the same period.

The findings indicate that male students (69%) engaged in betting more than their female counterparts (30%) with male staff (95%) compared to female staff (5%) engaging in gambling activities with the hope of making more money to support their lifestyles.

Students and staff who profess Christian faith were found to be more prone to gambling (61%) compared to their Muslim counterparts (9.5%) while the remaining 28% professed no religious attachments.

Second year students undertaking arts and humanity courses (77%) were found to be the highest gamblers compared to students undertaking science based or other courses according to the research report.

The study Principal Investigator Gregory Juma pointed out that the study found out that gambling at the institution not only led to rampant loss of money but also poor academic performance and reduction in work productivity among students and staff who engaged in gambling.

Juma who is a PhD student at the institution added that they recorded cases of strained relationships among students and psychological problems where both students (14%) and staff (57%) engaged in gambling had suicidal thoughts.

The team of researchers behind the study who include Prof Joseph Bosire (quantitative), Prof Makori Omoke (qualitative), Prof Pamela Raburu and Dr. Ruth Otieno observed that although gambling is legal in Kenya, stronger policies are required to regulate the industry which currently has over 120 companies running the show.

The research findings proposed upscaling of the research to other public universities in the country with the aim of unearthing harmful effects of gambling at institutions of higher learning.

JOOUST University is also looking at the possibility of reaching out to betting companies to engage in Corporate Social Responsibility activities at the institutions of higher learning in the country for the benefit of both students and staff.

Na Zuleikha Salim 

Watu wawili walifariki huku wengine 10 wakijeruhiwa kwenye ajali usiku wa kuamkia leo katika barabara kuu ya Gitaru kuelekea Kikuyu kaunti ya Kiambu. Ajali hiyo ilihusisha basi la shule na trela.

Maafisa wa polisi wanasema kuwa ajali hiyo ilijiri baada ya dereva wa basi la shule kupoteza mwelekeo, na kugongana ana kwa ana na trela. Mkuu wa polisi katika eneo hilo Michael Muchiri, amesema kuwa wakati wa tukio hilo, basi hilo halikuwa limewabeba wanafunzi.

Hata hivyo, kulikuwa na abiria ikizingatiwa kuwa basi hilo lilikuwa limekodishwa. Majeruhi walipelekwa hospitalini kupokea matibabu, wakati miili ya waliofariki ikihifadhiwa katika chumba cha wafu.

Uchunguzi kuhusu tukio hilo unaendelea.

Ajali hiyo ilijiri baada ya maamlaka ya kitaifa ya usafiri na usalama barabarani (NTSA), kuwahimiza watumiaji wa barabara kuwa makini wakati shule zinapotarajiwa kufunguliwa kwa muhula watatu, mnamo Jumatatu.

Ikumbukwe kwamba miungano ya kutetea maslahi ya walimu nchini, KNUT na KUPPET imetangaza mgomo wa kitaifa wa walimu, ishara kwamba huenda shule zisifunguliwe kama ilivyopangwa, Jumatatu.

By Jabali Media

Members of Parliament (MPs) have raised concerns over the revelation that the State Department of Shipping and Maritime Affairs, under the Ministry of Mining spent Sh2 million on supply of office tea.

Legislatures questioned the justification for such a significant amount of money being allocated to what many see as a routine office expense.

Appearing before members of the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Thursday, Principal Secretary (PS) for Shipping and Maritime Affairs Geoffrey Kaituko, was also put to task over the Sh28 million disbursed as per diems.

In defence, Kaituko stated that Sh11.7 was disbursed to officers who carried out field activities, while Sh2.1 million catered for the supply of office tea and other operations.

‘‘We need to know if the head of accounts can differentiate between claims, and per diems, especially in cases where significant amounts, like Sh2 million are allocated for questionable purposes,’’ said Soy MP David Kiplagat, a member of the watchdog committee.

“We need public officers who are more transparent, those who won’t come and defend mistakes that are clearly evident to everyone,’’ added Butere MP Tindi Mwale, the session’s chairperson.

The suspicious spending was uncovered in the Auditor General’s report for the June 2021 to June 2022 period.