It’s been long, Long since I sat and listened, Long since I prayed, But not too long since I called. Just for You to keep me strong, For you to keep me going.
In the brokenness, Teach me to praise. In the waiting, Teach me patience. In the healing, Teach me to trust. Not just the process, But also the processor – You.
Teach me your ways, Let my heart delight in your laws, Let my desire be your will. During the storm, Teach me to be still.
Remind me of your love, Remind me of your grace, Remind me of your mercy, Remind me to hold on.], For a while, Just till you say… “It’s over….” Till you are done with me. Remind me, Father, That I am yours.
Somalia’s President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed. Thumbnail photo courtesy of africanews.
On Wednesday the 27th of January, Somalia threatened to withdraw from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development after the group sided with Kenya in a diplomatic row between the two countries. On Monday the 25th of January, Somalia ordered all its diplomats in Kenya to leave within seven days while also giving Kenyan diplomats to quit within the same period. This comes after the diplomatic relations between Kenyan and Somalia being severed for the recent weeks with Somalia blaming Kenya for meddling in its internal political affairs.
Last month IGAD created a fact-finding mission seeking an intervention which was aimed at settling the tension between the two countries. Somalia wrote to the members of IGAD on the 15th of December 2020, demanding an independent mission to verify its claims that Kenta was training forces to fight the Somalia National Army forces stationed in Gedo their common border. This came after it cut its ties with Kenya.
The team which was led by Yacin Elmi Bouh, the Djiboutian Ambassador to Kenya and his colleague to Somalia Aden Hassan Aden and also included an IGAD observer said they had found no evidence supporting violations by Kenya.
The Somalia Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Mohamed Abdirazak on Wednesday said the country will reject the report since those who took part in it were “biased, partisan, unfair, compromised and predetermined to exonerate Kenya”.
IGAD SUMMIT’: UHURU IN DJIBOUTI OVER SOMALIA. Photo Courtesy of wardheernews.com
The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the findings of the team were proof that Somalia’s claims were a political ploy meant to distract the region from security issues. “The report of the fact-finding mission affirms the fact that the allegations by Somalia against Kenya are wholly unfounded”, the ministry said in a statement. The ministry further said, “The impartial report definitively settles the matter, Kenya will not be drawn into the reckless campaign whose sole intent remains the creation of artificial fissures for parochial and domestic ends at the expense of regional peace and security and regional integration”.
The report criticised Somalia for severing ties with Kenya, arguing the historical problems faced by the two countries could only be solved through deeper diplomatic engagements. “Somalia strongly holds to all its initial accusations against Kenya and will pursue all means to protect her sovereignty”, Abdirazak said in a statement, threatening that his country will withdraw from Igad.
Kenya Airways (KQ) is reducing its dependence on passenger flights and turning to more cargo flights to stay afloat.
On Tuesday, the airline said it had agreed with Avianor to collectively repurpose its aircraft cabins into cargo transportation on the Boeing 787. This joint effort is in response to the growing demand and need for increased cargo capacity.
The repurposing began in December 2020 and was completed in January 2021. This is the first-ever cargo repurpose of this type to be performed on the Boeing 787 globally. The repurposed cabin has been certified to carry up to 16 tonnes of cargo, potentially enabling the aircraft to reach its maximum payload while in cargo operation of 46 tonnes.
Kenya Airways Cargo plane at the airport. Photo courtesy of The East African.
KQ CEO, Allan Kilavuka said the airline is prepared to respond to the outgoing demand for essential and medical goods and support future commercial opportunities for the local and regional economies. “We are excited to be part of the first-ever certified cargo conversion of this type on the Boeing 787 aircraft”, Kilavuka said.
Kenya Airways has received airworthiness approval from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCCA) and Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) for the repurposed aircraft. “This represents a unique design and certification challenge and we are thrilled to demonstrate once again, our ability to find unprecedented solutions to customer needs,” Avianor President Matthieu Duhaime said.
The move to cargo flights follows a big drop in the number of international travellers due to the Covid-19 pandemic, that saw the airline plunged into losses. KQ net loss for the six months ended June 2020 widened by 67.3% to Sh14.33 billion due to the disruptions that led to the grounding of flights. The crisis hit the global aviation industry hard, with African airlines alone expected to lose $6 billion this year in revenue. KQ had estimated the virus will cut its revenue by almost Sh100 billion.
I open the front door of my mind to you, Wanting to explain why I cannot do the things you want me to. You tell me that there is a Creator who loves me, Who wants me to follow Him, to be free.
But I ask you to stick around and understand, To stay and explore this sad, dry land. I have welcomed Depression into the living room, Anxiety and Fear with all their gloom. Insecurity has overstayed its welcome; Pride somehow snuck by the security alarm.
Friend, look at all these guests! Would your God want such a mess? What’s that you say, yes He would? Oh, maybe I misunderstood.
You say there is redemption through His grace? Again, you say that I was bought with a price? Could it be that I’ve been blinded by a haze? Maybe it’s time I turn on the lights.
On January 25, 2021, Jane Mugo, a private Kenyan detective was brought into the limelight through a BBC Africa documentary which highlighted her life and work practice. Jane Mugo was referred to as a ‘Spy Queen’ or rather ‘Kenya’s James Bond’ in the documentary.
She mentioned that she is hired by politicians to spy on their opponents making her an easy target for death threats. This in turn makes her very conscious including using her right-hand man, Charlie one to taste her food before she eats to ensure it is not poisoned. The documentary also showed that Jane’s chef has to eat the food too so that she can make sure it is good for her consumption.
Jane Mugo, Kenya’s Spy Queen. Photo courtesy of tuko.co.ke
“Sometimes politicians would be specific and they’d tell us ‘I want you to give me somebody who’d be a bodyguard and an intelligence officer’ during the campaign time,” said Jane.
She also eagerly showed off her Taekwondo moves and her teams’ training session including torture methods used to interrogate suspects. Experts brought in during the documentary labelled her work as malpractice due to her unconventional methods to solve cases.
Kenyans responded to the documentary with mixed reactions, with most calling out BBC for taking them on a ride thus forcing the channel to turn off comments on the video. With comments turned off, Kenyans took to social media to air their thoughts. “That BBC documentary on Jane Mugo is painful viewing. Should’ve come with viewer discretion for those who don’t want to burn their brain cells,” tweeted Gabriel Oguda
Despite the negative reception of the documentary, Jane in an interview on Radio Jambo pointed out that she ought to be celebrated for breaking through a male-dominated field and emerging top. She also referred to those hating on her as idlers who have never appeared on a local radio station or in their village limelight and cannot show off what they have done in their village as they struggle to put food on the table yet they go-ahead to be jealous souls. In her closing remarks, she said that she’ll keep fighting for justice because she is the best and no one can beat her.
Insecurity in Kapedo has once again become a subject of national security. The recent killings of General Service Unit Operation commander Emadau Tebakol and that of Chief Inspector of police in charge of Rapid Redeployment Unit (RDU) has led the government to deploy security personnel in the region to flush out armed bandit in the border area of Baringo and Turkana counties.
More than 10 people have died in one week including police officers. These counterattacks have sparked tension among residents as hundreds of families have been forced to flee their homes fearing for their lives. The displaced families have been begging for humanitarian assistance from the government and well-wishers.
Following the recent bandit war in Kapedo, four schools have closed, businesses have been shut down, residents are running out of food and essentials like medicine due to restrictions which have been imposed to affect the security operations in the area and the road to Marigat through Ameyan is inaccessible.
Teachers Union have issued an ultimatum to the government to restore normalcy in the area within seven days or else they will withdraw their teachers from Kapedo
Cabinet Secretary for interior security, Dr Fred Matiang’i, blamed leaders for funding the bandits. “We are in hot pursuit of certain people including leaders and I want to assure the country on this particular score we are going to act very decisively and we will make sure that those who are involved in that are facilitated to meet with the law.” said CS Matiang’i “We will remain in that part of the country and we will remain in that operation until we have collected every one of those people who murdered our police officers.”
The Rift Valley Regional Commissioner, George Natembeya, speaking to Citizen Tv on Monday said, “The government is prepared to end lawlessness in Kapedo.” Kapendo is currently under partial lockdown as the government is restricting the movement of people. The Rift Valley Regional Commissioner stated that “Kapedo is an active compact zone with ammunitions flying all over the place so you go there at your own risk. So those who are daredevils and want to go there they are welcome.”
Disclaimer: Kapedo is a trading centre located in Turkana East sub-county of Turkana county. It is headed by a chief assisted by a village administrator recruited by the county government of Turkana. It is approximately 4 hours from Nakuru town. Though with insufficient modern infrastructures for a town, Kapedo has a lot to offer from its hills which are a sight to behold, to its hot springs which are a few meters from the shopping centre is a good place for relaxation. Kapedo also has natural resources, several geological tests have been conducted where the mineral deposit has been discovered as well as Geothermal power.
If all these resources can be utilized well Kapedo can be the heart of Turkana County.
The Vice-Chancellor Professor Laban Ayiro, has gifted members of the worship team Ksh1000 each for properly conducting the prayer day held on Thursday 21st January 2021, at the main campus.
Members awarded include University Chaplain Reverend Steven Nduto, assistant Chaplains Josphat Musili and Pastor Rachel Ngugi, Eva Muholo chair of the worship team, music directors Mike Muchiri and Joel Mwendwa, choirmaster, the pianist Hesbon Orange, the bassist Grace Wangare, drummer Sidney Kamwana, Joel Mumo and June Mwangi.
Bassist Grace Wangare playing the background music during the sermons. Photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi
“I am very proud of you and I’m not exaggerating that, but I am particularly proud of Grace because I have never seen a lady playing a guitar here,” said Prof Ayiro. He went on to call the members on to the stage to “bless them” and give them “something small so they can buy simsim”.“I don’t know whether there is simsim here, if the simsim is a sausage that’s up to you, if it is chips…” he said before handing each of the members on stage the shinning notes. Still, in his spirit of appreciation, the VC added that the Chaplaincy team should take a trip to visit Israel on a pilgrimage.
Prof. Laban Ayiro handing out rewards to the worship team. Photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi.
University Chaplain, Reverend Steven Nduto, thanked the VC on behalf of the worship team, for awarding them. “I want to thank you again for the simsim, on behalf of everybody else who received that, we want to say thank you for that consideration and we pray it continues like that,” said Rev. Nduto cheerfully, “And also thank you for promising that the Chaplains need to go to Israel, we’ll be watching that space graciously,” he added.
VC Prof Laban Ayiro and University Founder Dr Don Smith. Photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi,
The prayer day was held at Amphitheatre and streamed online on the Daystar University Live YouTube channel, with the theme being “Turning to God”. The ceremony was attended by the University founder Dr Don Smith, both DVCs Prof. Faith Nguru and Dr Muturi Wachira, Finance manager Phyllis Mutua, HR Manager Pius Muia together with other members of the faculty, staff and students.
Students bowing their heads in prayer. Photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi
The prayer day was closed with the assistant Chaplain Josphat Musili leading the school into taking the Holy Communion and the University founder Dr Don Smith, praying for the entire institution.
Assistant Chaplain, Josphat Musili leads the University in prayers. Photo courtesy of Mercy Onditi.
Kenyans have expressed their outrage over remarks made by the president on 18th January during an interview when he confessed that Kenya loses up to 2 billion shillings daily to graft. The president made these remarks when he was being interviewed on various Kikuyu radio stations.
The angered citizens took their frustrations to social media expressing their distaste in the state of affairs as revealed by the man who had promised to fight corruption in his manifesto. Some users are quoted as saying, “I like how in Kenya we talk about 2 Billion shillings like its 20 bob”. Another user commented, “No, Mr President. I cannot allow people to eat Kshs. 2 billion each day while paying MORE THAN 50% of my income in taxes. If that amount of theft (over Kshs. 700 billion a year) was extinguished, Kenya could soon have a budget surplus!”
The president went ahead to emphasize the importance of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) as well as defending the high cost of the referendum. He mentioned that the money needed for the referendum would probably be less compared to the amount of money lost to graft daily.
Considering that the Kenyan debt is set to account for 69.8% of the country’s GDP by 2023, the rage expressed by the citizens is highly justified. The Kenyan debt to foreign countries currently stands at almost seven trillion with the expected addition of one trillion Kenyan shillings to the debt for the financial year 21/22. Given that 2 billion is lost to graft daily, it would take Kenya about one and a half years to repay her debts from this amount lost on a daily.
Disclaimer: This calculation does not take into account the country’s earnings rather is using the amount mentioned by the president lost to his corrupt government. The president ended his remarks by saying that he is set on fulfilling his remaining goals for the next year he is in power.
Thumbnail photo courtesy of ROBERTO SCHMIDT, AFP via Getty Images
A new dawn in the U.S.A set to start today as President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are set to be inaugurated in Washington DC.
78-year-old Joseph R Biden Jr will serve as the country’s 46th President alongside Vice President-elect, 56-year-old, Kamala Harris, who is the current Senator of California. Kamala Harris will become the first female Vice President and the first Black American and first person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president in American history.
The inauguration was announced after a duly constitutional process was finalized by a joint session of Congress. The Democratic nominee will take over from the incumbent President, Donald Trump. President-elect Biden won with 306 electoral votes surpassing the 270-threshold.
President Joe Biden (Left) and Vice President Kamala Harris (Right) after winning the US election. Photo courtesy of OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images
The incumbent republican President, Donald Trump, lost to Biden with 232 electoral college votes however is still settled on not conceding defeat. Security has been tightened in Washington DC ahead of the upcoming inauguration. This was consequently of horrors of chaos, that saw demonstrators taking over Capitol Hill, hindering confirmation of Biden’s electro college win by Congress, for a while. In the speech he gave after scooping the presidential victory, Biden assured Americans that his era will focus on uniting and not dividing states. Finding ways to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, building prosperity, improving family health care, root out systemic racism and ensure climate safety.
On Wednesday, Joe Biden signed an executive order in the Oval office, after taking an oath to be the 46th US President, ending the controversial Muslim travel ban that was introduced by his predecessor, Donald Trump. Biden proclaimed that the US “was built on a foundation of religious freedom and tolerance, a principle enshrined” in the US constitution.
“Our national security will be enhanced by revoking the Executive Order and Proclamations,” said Biden before requesting all American embassies and consulates to act accordingly with the end of the Travel Ban.
The incumbent Daystar University Students’ Association (DUSA) President, Aloys Lavern Otieno, is vying for the Nairobi governor seat on an independent ticket.
Following the impeachment of Mike Sonko, the DUSA president states that there wasn’t a better candidate among the contesters, hence the decision to vie for the seat. “I made that choice, consulted one or two friends and before I even told my family, I went to get the nomination papers,” said Aloys.
Mr Otieno has served as Daystar President since 2017, after developing interest in politics in 2016 when he was a member of another candidate’s campaign team. Still a master’s student, he says he does not feel as if he is taking a huge leap by vying for county governorship despite being referred to naïve. “It was the same thing (in Daystar), I wasn’t the most popular candidate when I first vied for the (presidency) seat. A lot of people actually advised me to go for a lower position like sports secretary, but I chose to go for the presidency and I won,” said Aloys.
He went on to add that he is merely chasing his dreams and there will be no loss whether or not he wins. “I think I would have gained so many lessons that I can take with me towards whatever position I choose to go for next,” added Aloys.
Aloys Lavern during his graduation in 2020. Photo courtesy of Aloys Otieno.
With a strong team of youth backing him including Daystarians, Aloys mentioned that he is vying for the seat for the greater good of the county. Being a Nairobian, he says he has seen what the city is lacking and what it can “gain by having a great and a competent leader“.
His symbol is the Wi-Fi symbol that resonates well with today’s generation and, according to him, the Wi-Fi bars signify progress, which has been his hashtag ever since he joined politics. Moreover, after serving in the ODM youth league for about three years, he has built a network of young leaders around Nairobi who will help with his campaign.
Aloys’ manifesto comprises of four major things which are: waste management, promoting youth and women enterprises, education empowerment and, women and girl empowerment through providing free sanitary pads. To the surprise of many, Aloys says he is not at all intimidated by the other candidates competing for the same seat. “That’s the beauty of being an underdog, the pressure is not on you, it’s on the other candidates,” he said confidently, “I feel no pressure at all,”.
Aloys says he is grateful for the support the school has given him, with the VC and lecturers reaching out to him and advising him. “The Vice-Chancellor has been a mentor in leadership ever since he took over Daystar, so, he is one person whom I know I can look to for help,” he said. Vice-Chancellor Professor Laban Ayiro had expressed his support for Aloys during the Parents’ welcome tea on orientation week, saying he made him “very proud” and he was “pleasantly shocked” when he heard the news.
Current Daystar President, Aloys Lavern Otieno. Photo courtesy of Aloys Otieno.
Jonah Karanja, the Daystar outgoing social welfare secretary, says Aloys’ decision to vie poses a challenge to the youth “to take power from the older generation.”“Aloys going for the gubernatorial seat will mean so many youths will start vying for various positions across the government,” he said, “So, I fully endorse him and call upon my fellow leaders and youths across the country and Nairobi to come out and support Aloys and challenge the system,” added Karanja.
After serving as school President for three years, Aloys says one thing Daystar has taught him is servant leadership. This, he says, reminds him that however much power he has, his main agenda will always be to serve.
