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Category: News

  • Falcons win darts trophy in Mombasa

    By Muhanguzi Tola

    (tolakofa1@gmail.com)

    Daystar falcons ladies’ team won the annual KUSA championship darts trophy in a tournament hosted in the scenic city of Mombasa.

    The team led the standings with six points, one ahead of Meru University who came in second. Kisii University came in third with three points as the Technical University of Kenya finished fourth with a point.

    Team captain Faith Ndonye has praised the team’s performance, stating that the win serves as motivation and encouragement for the team going forward.

    “The game requires a lot of concentration hence winning isn’t easy. The win acts as encouragement to the whole team,” stated the captain.

    The team has grown from pitching just one player in the previous tournament- Faith, to a full team that is progressively growing. The captain had represented the falcons solely during last year’s tournament, stupendously and single handedly going on to win the trophy.

    Accompanied by the other ladies’ teams, the team travelled for the tournament on March 4.

    Elsewhere, the ladies soccer team lost 1-0 in their opening fixture against Chuka University yesterday, as hockey waits to play today.

    • Daystar Ladies soccer Team

    Team manager Millicent Tipatet had earlier on in an interview decried the effects of Covid 19, stating that it limited their training sessions as a team.

    “COVID affected the team in that we were not able to train together as a team and also as sports were halted, there was minimum practice,” mentioned Tipatet.

    Other teams to travel were chess and scrabble, which both sit at third on their standings after two days of gaming. Basketball and volleyball teams are also participating in the three day tournament which comes to an end later today.

    The teams are expected to travel back tomorrow morning.

  • Falcons register mixed results in KUSA opening fixtures

    By Muhanguzi Tola

    (tolakofa1@gmail.com)

    Daystar Soccer Falcons Team.

    Daystar football Falcons recorded mixed results in the opening three fixtures of Kenya University Sports Association (KUSA) league, drawing twice and losing once.

    The team were held to a 3-3 draw in their recent fixture against KCA University in a match that saw Nigerian sharpshooter Victor Atta extend his goal tally to 4 goals. The falcon’s talisman netted a brace to continue his excellent form of scoring in every match this season.

    Team captain Barrack Khaseke commended the team’s performance while speaking to the Involvement, stating that every moment brings a learning experience, following their defense’s lack of sharpness to let in three goals. They face UNOA Sports at 3 pm today at the Bethel grounds in the Athi River campus, for their first FKF Division 2 match.

    “We are prepared and are transferring the same input in today’s game. It’s a bit different but we hope to get a win given that we’re home…Our main challenge is the lack of maintenance of our home ground, but we’re working on it to better our game,” mentioned the captain.

    The result places the falcons third on the KUSA standings with 2 points, one behind second placed Mount Kenya University (MKU). An in-form Kenyatta University tops the log with nine points, having won all their three opening fixtures.

    The team suffered a 4-1 defeat against Kenyatta University on their opening fixture, with Nigerian Victor Atta pulling back the sole consolation goal for the falcons. The team went on to record a 1-1 draw against the Pan African Christian University, sending it third on the league standings.

    Team manager Walter Nalwa blamed the results on the lack of preparedness of the team, having spent almost one year away from the pitch. The team’s lack of training had it struggling for good results, as lack of fitness proved to be a challenge during the opening fixture.

    “Our preparedness wasn’t of the right standards to allow us perform better. In the first game, the players delivered their best performance but due to fitness challenges, the results were not welcoming,” said Walter.

    Elsewhere, a poor run of form has left Daystar City in shambles, and currently sit at the bottom of the league table, following a 2-0 loss against MKU on Saturday.

  • Ghana wins U20 AFCON Championship

    By Muhanguzi Tola

    (tolakofa1@gmail.com)

    The Black Satellites crowned champions of Africa. PHOTO| Twitter

    The Black Satellites of Ghana are the 2021 champions of the coveted U20 Africa Cup of Nations championship that was held in Mauritania from February 14 to March 16.

    The team led by Captain Daniel Afriyie won their fourth- and first since 2009, AFCON title after defeating the Hippos of Uganda in a tightly contested match at the Stade Olympique de Nouakchott. A brace from the captain earned the team a 2-0 win against the Hippos. The performance earned him Man of the match award.

    Vice president Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia congratulated the team through twitter, stating his pride for their performance.

    “Congratulations to Black Satellites of Ghana for winning  the 2021 Total Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament…We are proud of you,” tweeted Dr. Bawumia.

    The win came as a gift for the Ghanians, who were celebrating their 64th independence day. Head coach Abdul Karim Zito had insisted on the importance of winning the trophy on the anniversary, citing this as a great motivation for the team.

    “We are privileged to represent our nation here and as a way of thanking our country we have to win this trophy and present to H.E President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo,” stated the coach during the pre-match conference.

    The team maneuvered through the group stage with a 4-0 win against Tanzania and a draw against Morroco before eliminating Cameroon in the quarterfinals. They then won 1-0 in a tightly contested semifinal against the Scorpions of Gambia.

    The Hippos, who had had an outstanding debut at the tournament, won the Fair Play Award as striker Derrick Kakooza bagged the top scorer award with 5 goals. The striker, together with teammate Aziizi Kayondo was named in the Best XI as Head Coach Morley Byekwaso walked away with Manager of the tournament award.

    Uganda Hippos wins AFCON U20 Fair Play Award PHOTO| FUFA

    The Scorpions of Gambia won the bronze medal after defeating Tunisia 4-2 in penalties following a goalless draw in the third place playoff on March 5.

  • Daystar Launches Sexual Harassment Policy

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of Daystar University

    Daystar University launched a sexual harassment policy that applies to all members of the institution during the February 11 chapel service at the Nairobi campus.

    Spearheaded by the Human Resource Department, the purpose of the policy, is to create a safe working and learning environment in the institution and allow ease of reporting mechanisms.
    “We want to ensure the environment where the students are studying is safe and secure, and so we came up with that policy”, said Human Resource Manager, Pius Muia.

    DVC-ARSA Prof. Faith Nguru and Human Resource Manager Pius Muia present the Sexual Harassment Policy to Head of Youth and Mainstreaming, Ministry of Education Mr Stephen Jalenga. Photo courtesy of Daystar University.

    The policy contains procedures of how students and staff can make complaints, guidelines for carrying out follow up investigations as well as information on how to handle emergency situations. According to Legal Manager, Mueni Nyobaki, the policy will also serve to create awareness around sexual harassment and promote a culture of good conduct. “The policy promotes training and education at all levels, so when we invite you for sexual harassment policy training, don’t be shy, please come”, said Nyokabi.

    Legal Manager, Mueni Nyokabi during her presentation on the Sexual Harassment Policy. Photo courtesy of Daystar University.

    In attendance was Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, Research and Student Affairs, Prof. Faith Nguru, Head of Youth and Gender Mainstreaming Ministry of Education, Mr Stephen Jalenga, members of the faculty, students and staff. “Anyone can be affected by sexual harassment. More ladies are affected than men, therefore, we need concerted efforts to combat the vice…” said Mr Jalenga.

    DVC-ARSA Prof. Nguru mentioned that sexual harassment cases are common and Daystar itself has had such cases brought to the University’s disciplinary committee. “Not even too long ago, we had an issue last week of this nature, so this is not something that is far removed from Daystar and even the other universities”, said Prof. Nguru.

    The sexual harassment policy has been in Daystar since 2013, however, in 2017 during the student’s unrest, matters of sexual harassment came up and therefore there was a need to revise the policy.

  • Former Daystar DVC Appointed as St. Paul’s VC

    Former Daystar DVC Appointed as St. Paul’s VC

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo: New St Paul’s VC James Kombo. Photo courtesy of St Paul’s University

    Daystar’s former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. James Kombo, was today installed as the third Vice-Chancellor of St. Paul’s University (SPU).

    In a ceremony held today at St. Paul’s University in Limuru, the process of installation was performed by the University Chancellor, Prof Margaret Kobia, who is also the CS for Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs.

    “I, James Kombo, do accept the position of Vice-Chancellor in this University, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, amen”, declared Prof. Kombo, after which he began to be robed in the St. Paul’s gown.

    VC Prof. James Kombo signing his acceptance statement. Photo courtesy of St Paul’s University.

    The event was attended by the Senate Majority Leader, Hon. Samuel Poghisio, former St. Paul’s VC Prof. Joseph Galgallo, Daystar VC Prof. Laban Ayiro, Daystar DVC Finance, Administration and Planning, Dr Muturi Wachira and Vice-Chancellors from other various universities.

    Students receiving the new VC through their leaders. Photo courtesy of St Paul’s University.

    The former St. Paul’s VC handed over the University seal, charter, mace, logo and flag to Chancellor Kobia, who then gave them to Prof. Kombo. The installation was finalized when Prof. Kombo signed his acceptance statement, witnessed by the Chancellor.

    Former St Paul’s VC Joseph Galgallo. Photo courtesy of St Paul’s University.

    The Chief Guest Hon. Samuel Poghisio during his speech acknowledged Prof. Kombo saying that his installation “marks yet another milestone in the long journey of SPU to transform itself into a centre of excellence within the context of Kenya and Africa’s realities and needs”.

    Hon. Samuel Poghisio, EGH, MP – Leader of the Majority in the Senate. Photo courtesy of St Paul’s University.
  • Daystar Selected as ICGLR Research Institute of Reference

    Daystar Selected as ICGLR Research Institute of Reference

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo: CAS of ICT, Youth and Innovation Hon. Nadia Abdalla. Photo courtesy of Daystar University.

    Daystar University has been selected as the research institute of reference for the International Conference for the Great Lake Region (ICGLR).

    The office of the Vice-Chancellor and the Directorate of Research and Post-Graduate Studies will spearhead the initiative alongside the entire Daystar Fraternity. Owing to this, a multifunctional youth forum was held on Wednesday at the Nairobi Campus to deliberate on jumpstarting the process of developing the Regional Action Plan on United Nations Security Council Resolution. (UNSCR 2250).

    The Forum
    The forum was attended by the Speaker of the Senate, Hon. Ken Lusaka, CAS for ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Hon. Nadia Abdalla, and the VC Prof. Laban Ayiro. Also present were Ambassadors and High commissioners as well as representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United Nations (UN), youth-serving organizations, International Organizations, ICGLR Fora and Daystar fraternity.

    “We are honoured as Daystar that you chose to convene this very important youth forum in this University that has a serious intention in the area of research and is a university that is heavily built on values,” said Prof. Laban Ayiro. “Not just religious values, but the societal norms that this country is so much desiring for”.

    The UNSCR 2250 focuses on ways to give youth a greater voice in decision-making at the local, national, regional and international levels. The resolution defines youth as persons aged 18 to 29 and urges the Member States to set up mechanisms that will enable them to participate in peace processes and dispute resolution.

    “Despite the fact that the youth account for more than 70 per cent of the population, they are not involved in social, economic and political spheres,” said Speaker of the Senate, Hon. Ken Lusaka, during his speech at the forum. “If the youth are not engaged in the designing, planning and implementation of programs and policies that affect not only them but also the country at large, their knowledge skills and energy become underutilized”.

    Speaker of the Senate, Republic of Kenya, Hon. Ken Lusaka. Photo courtesy of Daystar University.

    The VC Prof. Laban Ayiro insisted that the destiny of the country is in the youth, hence the need to strengthen them. “We must increase young peoples’ economic framework. Strengthening youth service system is very important,” stated Prof. Ayiro

    ICGLR is an inter-governmental organization of the countries in the African Great Lakes Region, whose purpose is to promote sustainable peace and development in African countries. It has 12 core member states including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, South Sudan, Zambia, Angola, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa Republic and the Republic of Congo.

  • MKU becomes the First University to Acquire COVID-19 Testing Machine

    MKU becomes the First University to Acquire COVID-19 Testing Machine


    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of tuko.co.ke.

    Mount Kenya University has become the first university in the country to purchase a Real-Time PCR machine that will be used for detecting COVID-19.

    The machine, acquired at Ksh15 million, is set to arrive in days from China through TBC biotechnology corporation. “Ours is a commitment to the student population and the society at large that we want to ensure we can test all our students for the virus, at any time,” said MKU’s new Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratious Jaganyi. “We not only want to have the ability to test, but also impart skills to our medical students on how this is done since COVID-19 will be with us for a long time.”

    Prof. Jaganyi further added that the institution is considering extending the service to the community at a reasonable rate, this being part of their corporate social responsibility.

    MKU Council Chair, Prof. David Serem (right) hands over the University’s Mace to the new VC Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi during his installation ceremony on 29th January 2021. Photo courtesy of KCB.

    Real-Time RT-PCR is one of the most widely used laboratory methods for detecting COVID-19. Many countries use it to diagnose other diseases such as Ebola and Zika virus. Currently, there are 34 medical institutions in Kenya which have approved PCR machines and some charge as high as Ksh10,000 for Covid-19 test

    In 2020, MKU Medical School was ranked the best in Kenya with a score of 82 out of 100 points in an inspection conducted by a team of technical health experts from East African Community Partner States National Medical and Dental Practitioners Regulatory Councils.

  • Somalia’s Threat to Withdraw from IGAD

    Somalia’s Threat to Withdraw from IGAD

    By: Evelyne Syombua (issyombua@gmail.com)

    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.

  • KQ opts for Cargo Flights to Compensate low Passenger Numbers

    KQ opts for Cargo Flights to Compensate low Passenger Numbers

    By: Sumaya Hussein (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of LogUpdate Africa

    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.

  • Jane Mugo: The Kenyan Spy Queen

    Jane Mugo: The Kenyan Spy Queen

    By: Joy Ng’ethe Shiku3joy@gmail.com

    Thumbnail photo courtesy of bbc.com

    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.