Category: News

{Photo courtesy of RWC2023}

By Joe Aura, aurajoe6@gmail.com

The 2023 Rugby World Cup: A Spectacular Event for Fans and the Planet

The 2023 Rugby World Cup is not just a sports tournament, but a global celebration of rugby and its values. The event organized by World Rugby, the sport’s international governing body, features the best rugby teams from around the world competing for the ultimate prize: the Webb Ellis Cup.

The tournament has been captivating audiences all over the world with its thrilling matches, dramatic moments, and inspiring stories. The fans have played a vital role in making the event an entertaining and memorable one. They have created a festive and vibrant atmosphere in the stadiums and the host cities, cheering loudly, singing songs, and waving flags. The fans have been the heart and soul of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

But the tournament is not only a showcase of the best rugby talent in the world, but also a platform for social and environmental change. The organizers set ambitious goals to make the event the most sustainable and inclusive ever, and to involve fans in every aspect of the event. They have implemented various initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of the event, such as a carbon compensation program, a zero-waste policy, and a low-carbon mobility plan. They have also invited fans to participate in the Legacy Program, which aims to leave a positive and lasting impact on rugby and society.

There have been some truly exciting games played, with some of the most memorable moments coming from the quarter-finals. South Africa’s win over France and New Zealand’s triumph over Ireland were both classics and will go down in history as some of the greatest Rugby World cup games ever played. As a Kenyan, I would love to see my country play at that stage and especially Daystar Falcon players on the come up like Odongo.

The final is going to be electric, with some of the best rugby players in the world competing for the ultimate prize. The final will take place on Saturday 28th October 2023 at 8pm UK time (9pm local time in France), (22:00) Kenya Time, at Stade de France in Saint Denis, Paris.

The two finalists have braved through tough opponents to reach this stage. South Africa defeated Wales 19-16 in a nail-biting semi-final, while New Zealand crushed England 32-12 in a dominant display. Whether you are a die-hard rugby fan or a casual viewer, you will not want to miss this exciting event.

The 2023 Rugby World Cup final is a must-watch for anyone who loves sports, drama, and entertainment. Who will lift the Webb Ellis Cup? Who will make history? Who will you support?

By Samuel Owino. 

Embattled Meru Governor, Kawira Mwangaza, was impeached on Wednesday, 25 October, for the second time in 10 months.

The motion was filed by County Assembly majority leader, Evans Mawira and supported by 59 out of 69 MCAs who were present during the motion.

“At this juncture, it is my pleasure to announce the ayes have it. The motion has passed and the governor stands impeached by the County Assembly of Meru,” Meru County Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi declared.

Governor Mwangaza has previously been charged with several violations that include nepotism, embezzlement and misappropriation of county funds among others.

Her defence team, led by lawyer Danstan Omari and Elias Mutuma, have put on a spirited fight to absolve the governor of the accusations against her. Mr Omari also claimed that the person they want to impeach does not exist. He claims that the name the MCAs used in the public participation exercise was Bishop Faith Kawira Mwangaza which is not her, governor Mwangaza.

“Who is that person? You were present when she was being sworn in by the Judiciary. There was nobody sworn in by the Judiciary called Bishop Kawira Faith Mwangaza. We have the Judiciary certificates here,” Omari stated.

Governor Kawira had turned to the court of Appeal in Nyeri to stop the Meru County Assembly from debating her impeachment motion. Unfortunately on Wednesday morning, the Court of Appeal denied the request and said that it would rule on the matter on Friday, 27 October, 2023.

The first attempt to impeach her, in December 2022, barely 3 months in office, was saved by the Senate that did not uphold her impeachment. Her fate once again lies in the hands of the senate. If the senate upholds the impeachment, a by-election would be held to appoint a new governor.

Several leaders including CS Moses Kuria and Governor Ann Waiguru have come out to sympathize with the governor. “Governor Kawira’s impeachment is very unfortunate. This is a sad day for women in leadership seeing a woman governor being a constant target by people who don’t think she is qualified enough to lead the great county of Meru.” Millicent Omanga stated on her X platform.

“I stand with you my sister Governor Kawira Mwangaza. It’s darkest before dawn. Look to the Hills from whence your help comes from. There is God in Heaven.” Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru also stated on X account.

{Photo courtesy of Africanews}

By Samuel Owino

On Monday, 23 October, the Kenyan shilling hit an all-time low, trading at 150 shillings for one dollar amid an inflation rise in the country.

The drop in value of the shilling is mounting pressure on the forex reserves that stood at $6.8 billion as of October 19, which covers a total of 3.7 months’ worth of imports. This is a fall from $7 billion a year ago that covered 5.5 months’ worth of imports.

This comes as a concern to Kenyan citizens, as the government seems to not comment on the rapid decline of the shilling’s value. It is exactly the opposite of what president Ruto promised during the campaigns last year August.

The CBK governor, Kamau Thugge, has come out to defend the shilling during an appearance before National Assembly Finance committee led by Molo MP, Hon. Kuria Kimani. Thugge says that the shilling has been overvalued for over six years, since former president, Uhuru Kenyatta’s reign.

“So at one point, we had reserves of 5.5 months of import cover now we have currently we have 3.7 months on the import cover is still sufficient to address any emergencies but there has been that decline in the level of reserves to try to defend perhaps overvalued exchange rate,” Thugge said on Tuesday.

The Central Bank, in its latest financial report released on Oct. 15, blamed the decline of the shilling on the “rapid monetary policy tightening in advanced economies that pushed global interest rates sky-high, triggering the flight of investors to quality currencies like the dollars.”

The Central Bank however has its hopes up that recovery in exports, resolution of Russian-Ukraine conflict, pausing of global monetary policy tightening, rise in diaspora remittances, prudent monetary policy and stable import bill are expected to support the shilling to regain value and stability.

The president in April 2023, had promised that in a few months, the value of the shilling would rise against the dollar. Times show that it is not the case and the drop in value has made other regional currencies like Uganda and Tanzania gain value by as much as 10 shillings.