President Uhuru Kenyatta during the Labor Day Celebration at State House – Photo/ The Star
President Uhuru Kenyatta has today lifted the cessation of movement in and out of the five counties of Nairobi, Machakos, Nakuru, Kiambu and Kajiado, effective midnight.
Speaking during his speech on Labor Day celebrations at State House, President Kenyatta announced that the curfew within the mentioned areas will revert to 10pm to 4am instead of 8pm to 4am.
This follows a 74% decrease in the number of infections in Nairobi during the month of April and a 72% decrease in the caseload in the zoned areas.
Educational institutions are set reopen this month as planned, according to the Ministry of Education calendar.
Bars all over the country will be allowed to operate until 7pm while restaurants and eateries in the zoned areas to resume, however, Covid-19 guidelines should be strictly adhered.
In person and congregational worship shall resume and attending congregation is capped to 1/3rd of the capacity of the place of worship.
All sporting activities, as well as recreational facilities, are allowed to resume.
However, the ban against political gathering will remain extended until further directives.
“The containment measures we have instituted today and all the interventions that the Government has made over the last 14 months have geared towards responding to the unprecedented health threat that has gripped the world,” said President Kenyatta.
Hospitals have been directed to limit the number of visitors for hospitalized patients to one visitor per patient per day.
The President also urged employers to allow staff workers, with exception of critical workers, to work from home.
President Kenyatta however warned that restrictions could be re-escalated if Kenyans do not cooperate by following the safety protocols.
“If we will fail to play our individual role, like it or hate it, it is my responsibility to protect life, I will do what I can to prevent what is happening in other countries,” he said.
The lifting of the restrictions comes as businesses and Kenyans at large raised concerns about the state of the economy following restrictions.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i plans to ban those serving in the National Police Service from dating and marrying each other. According to him, this will reduce the number of cases of sexual harassment and gender-based violence within the police service.
Speaking on Friday at the Kenya Police Training College in Kiganjo, Nyeri, CS Matiang’i urged the ministry to implement rules banning police officers from having intimate relations with colleagues.
“We will adopt a system similar to that of the Kenya Defense Forces which bars the soldiers from getting into intimate relationships with their colleagues,” said CS Matiang’i.
The new regulations are set to be introduced in July this year after the proposal has been submitted to the National Security Council for approval.
Following the implementation of this system, it will be illegal for a police officer to date or get married to another officer and if found one has to leave the Service.
The CS also warned high-ranking police officers against sexually harassing their juniors, lest they be stripped of titles and sacked.
“We won’t talk much moving forward, we will act,” he emphasized.
The CS however said that officers who are already married to their colleagues won’t be affected by the new directive.
Kenyans are left questioning whether the soon to be ban is lawful and how it will prevent two adults from falling in love.
Matiang’i’s remarks come almost three weeks after a bodyguard attached to his office and his wife who was a traffic officer, died in a murder suicide.
General Service Unit officer Hudson Wakise shot and killed his wife Pauline Wakasa before turning the gun to himself.
Wakasa was given a full ceremonial send-off, but Wakise was buried without police presence.
Last week, ODM leader Raila Odinga expressed sorrow over the increasing cases of spouses killing one another in domestic fights.
Raila, who called for an urgent national discussion on gender-based violence, said the “abnormality of the murders cannot become the normal.”
Justice Martha Koome during her interview for the position of Chief Justice on April 14, 2021. PHOTO, JEFF ANGOTE, NMG
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has unanimously nominated Justice Martha Koome for the position of Chief Justice. Koome’s name was forwarded to President Uhuru Kenyatta for appointment.
In a statement released today, the JSC said that the decision came after “lengthy deliberations” and “careful consideration” of the performance of various candidates.
“…the JSC has unanimously recommended the appointment of Hon Koome Martha Karabu as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya and has submitted her name to the President for appointment.”
Justice Koome appeared before a ten-member panel consisting of Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, Justice Mohamed Warsame, Justice David Majanja, and others.
She cited her wealth of experience locally, regionally, and internationally to solve Kenyan courts’ problems and boasts 33 years of an illustrious career in private and public service.
In pursuit of this position, Justice Martha faced competition from Said Juma Chitembwe, Prof. Patricia Mbote, Philip Murgor, Lawyer Fredrick Ngatia, Justice Marete Njagi, Justice Matthews Nduma Nderi, Justice William Ouko, Prof. Moni Wekesa and Ms. Alice Yano.
If appointed, Justice Koome will be Kenya’s first female Chief Justice.
Kisumu Governor, Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, has been summoned to appear before the Senate Health Committee, on April 30th via Zoom, on claims of misappropriation of Covid-19 funds.
He was summoned to respond to queries on the utilisation of funds by his county administration in a special audit report. His administration is accused of misusing 209M out of the 238M that was given to his county to aid in the fight against the effects the pandemic had on the county’s economy.
His administration was also accused of failing to utilise funds on frontline health workers and health facilities in the county as well as spending the money without approved Covid-19 training plans.
The Senate committee has warned that failure to appear for the summons will incur a Ksh.500, 000 fine or a warrant of arrest. The governor had previously been summoned by the committee on Tuesday April 20, but he did not show up, despite it being advertised in the Standard and Daily Nation. According to the committee his behaviour was considered an offence according to the law.
“The governor has taken this committee very casually. What we are dealing with is a pandemic, a serious pandemic. We invited him so that we can put our heads together and also know how the money we are sending to counties is being spent,” said Chairman Michael Mbito.
The committee has lined up a series of meetings with all the 47 governors as they investigate how the counties spent the Covid-19 cash. This follows an explosive audit report that exposed massive irregularities in the use of the funds.
Derek Chauvin’s booking photos which were released on Wednesday – CNN
Derek Chauvin was on Tuesday, found guilty in the George Floyd murder case. The charges are second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. After three weeks of trial, the verdict was reached in less than a day by the 12-member jury on the case.
Following this, Chauvin was placed in an isolated housing unit in the Minnesota Correctional Facility. According to the Department of Corrections Spokesperson Sarah Fitzgerald, Chauvin is “on ‘administrative segregation’ status for his own safety”.
“Administrative segregation is when someone’s presence in the general population is a safety concern,” said Fitzgerald.
Chauvin is to remain there until his sentencing which, according to Judge Peter Cahill, is meant to happen in about eight weeks. Chauvin had been out on bail since October but this was revoked by Judge Cahill following the verdict.
Factors the judge will consider
According to Minnesota law, Derek Chauvin could potentially face up to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder, 25 years for third-degree murder and 10 years for second degree murder. However, given that he had no previous criminal record, state guidelines state that both second and third-degree murder should carry about 12 and a half years each and 4 years for second-degree manslaughter.
Prosecutors are requesting for a tougher sentence than those recommended based on aggravating factors. These include: the fact that the crime was committed in the presence of children, that the victim was treated with particular cruelty and that the victim was particularly vulnerable. Chauvin is expected to appeal the verdict.
Reactions to the verdict
Cheers by several hundred people could be heard outside the court as the verdict was announced.
People cheer in the announcement of the verdict- Jason Armond
Ben Crump, the Floyd Family lawyer said that the verdict marked a “turning point in history” and tweeted that “Painfully earned justice has finally arrived.”
President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris called the Floyd Family following the verdict. In a video of the phone call shared by Crump, Biden can be heard saying, “Nothing is gonna make it all better but at least God, now there’s some justice.”
Former President and First Lady Barrack and Michelle Obama tweeted that the jury “did the right thing”. They noted however, that more can be done.
“We know that true justice is about much more than a single verdict in a single trial,” they said in a joint statement.
The other officers charged
The three other officers facing charges in Floyd’s death- Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J.Alexander Kueng – are awaiting a joint trial that is expected to start in August. They are being charged with aiding and abetting in second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Outgoing DUSA President Aloys Otieno handing over the instruments of power to incoming president Marco Laboso – Daystar University
Daystar University Students Association (DUSA) council was on Tuesday sworn into office, in a ceremony held in the Nairobi Campus.
Members of the council were sworn in by the president of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Mr. Nelson Havi.
In attendance also was CAS Public Services and Gender affairs Hon. Beatrice Elachi, VC Prof. Laban Ayiro, DVC Academic Affairs Prof. Faith Nguru, DVC Finance Dr. Muturi Wachira, Principal Nairobi Campus Prof. Michael Bowen, Dean of Students Rev. Mutinda Musyimi, members of the congress and the outgoing DUSA team.
Prof. Ayiro called on the new DUSA council to “see leadership as worship to God”.
“To Marco Laboso (president); Now that you are a leader, look for these qualities in your team; chemistry, commitment to the ideals of Daystar and character,” he said.
Marco Laboso sworn in as DUSA President by LSK President Nelson Havi – Daystar University
Prof. Faith Nguru encouraged the incoming council to “find the script of their leadership in the scriptures”.
Other members of the incoming council include Deputy President Monicah Gitau, Secretary General Paul Msando, Finance Secretary Wambui Njoroge, Athi River Campus Governor Walter Nalwa, Nairobi Campus Governor Brian Achoka and ISADU Chair Duc Florian.
The 2021 DUSA elections are the first in four years, since 2017, when the university was closed over a strike.
The inauguration brings hope for a new dawn in students and the university as a whole.
Mrs. Jane Irungu dedicates the DUSA council to God – Daystar University
Use the link above to access the Involvement Newspaper issue 239 which features a range of articles written by our writers to ensure that you stay informed on News within and outside Daystar.
Just like the then US Secretary of State George Marshall unveiled America’s unilateral aid to Europe in what is popularly known as The Marshal Plan, so did Daystar University Vice-Chancellor Prof Laban Ayiro, unveil The Marshal Plan to his Post Graduate students! Well, don’t get it twisted. While the contents and intentions of Marshall’s Marshal plan are pretty obvious, Prof Ayiro’s Marshal Plan is nothing close to that.
His recently launched plan is a genuine roadmap that will see all post-graduate students complete their studies on time regardless of the setbacks they may encounter. Coming in at a time when the University was not in its best shape, the VC was disturbed by the high number of post-graduate students pending graduation due to some unavoidable, and well…some avoidable circumstances, way after the 2 years for postgraduate programs elapsed. It is this reality that triggered him to initiate the plan, his dedication and drive to restore the glory of Daystar deer to his heart, and vocal in his voice, his diction, and his actions!
Kicking off with a post-graduate students’ re-registration exercise to keep, the VC has committed not only his time but resources to this course. He is adamant that all post-graduate students who are on hold or are done with their coursework MUST graduate by December 2021, and going forward, other post-graduate students must graduate within the 2 years.
“This is a course that is deep in my heart and I will go out of my way to see that we reach the promised land.” The conviction with which these words are articulated is enough to dispel any doubt while his track record proves him right, and his deep-rooted faith and trust in God back him up. He is keen to reiterate Daystar University’s Christian foundational values as his guiding principles, and acknowledge the weight of the task ahead often asking God to go before him and his team including the students.
Interestingly, even though he is surrounded by a team of dedicated Research and Post Graduate studies directorate led by Sr. Prof. Agnes Lando, the VC’s transformational leadership style forbids him from making demands while at the back seat!
He considers this mission a top-notch priority that his schedule has been made flexible enough to accommodate regular meetings with students, to respond to their concerns and thesis queries. He has in the past facilitated various forums aimed at assisting them to refine their thesis, referring to errors he picked by sampling several submissions. Furthermore, these sessions are about to become weekly activities and not even the impact of Covid-19 on physical meetings can derail them nor the ultimate vision. And as if this is not all, he is part of the supervisors currently supervising two Masters and 2 Ph.D. students.
Meanwhile, in other offices, Sr. Prof. Lando and her team are ever busy attending to students’ matters and ensuring communication is smooth, timely, and relevant. A clear indication that the journey to the promised land is indeed on the right track. Being the administrator of the Post Graduate students’ Telegram forum, she is ever communicating an important update or responding to students’ concerns.
One wonders if she does sleep. More surprisingly is the promptness, wisdom, and decorum with which she responds to even the most controversial or insulting concern and question. Now meetings have gone online and it’s in her docket to ensure that communication reaches the intended participants on time, the necessary materials are ready for the meetings, chair the meetings and share the materials. And with some students unable to attend the meetings, she is responsible for recording and sharing the video. Yet this is just a quarter of her workload!
A screengrab of The VC conducting a virtual session on developing a Literature Review – Frank Oyosa
Well, she has to do it right? But then she is only human and there is only so much she can take yeah! surprisingly, although we may want to pity her and her team, the only pity she is willing to take is students playing their part. All that is asked of them is to be available when called upon, to fulfill their financial obligations, and to support the plan by any means possible. If that is too much to ask, the VC is not hesitant “…to consider anyone who is not committed to the marshal plan an anti-Daystar.” However as is human nature, some of us have to be pushed even if it is for our benefit, and the post Graduate directorate has dedicated herself to doing just that.
Meanwhile, the students being the key stakeholders and beneficiaries of this initiative, are obliged to raise concerns they hope to be addressed in a timely and mutually benefiting manner. Thence, besides other concerns, the question of paying extra costs such as activity fee, printing fee and technology fee among others when such services are no longer available have been raised. Other concerns have been re-activation fees for students on hold some of whom have excess fees and removal of or not offering concentration courses in some semesters. Remarkably, the concerned departments have tried their best to respond, and commit to listening to special individual cases.
Screenshots of interaction between the students and Sr. Prof. Lando on Telegram – Frank Oyosa
It would be impractical not to acknowledge the efforts the directorate is putting in this initiative regardless of the apparent challenges. Likewise, with the VC securing a 1-year amnesty period from the senate for students on hold to graduate, and the online thesis management system in its final stages of the trial, we are obliged to recognize that things are indeed taking shape and they will be better when concerns are addressed and we cooperate.
Meanwhile “…until the day dawns, and the daystar arises in your hearts,” the journey continues.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signs law allowing him to rule till 2036. Photo/Sky news.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a law, paving the way for him to run for two more presidential terms, as well as being granted lifetime immunity from prosecution.
The new amendment also outlawed same-sex marriage stating that marriage was strictly a “union of a man and a woman” and that a belief in God is a core belief that every Russian should have.
Putin, who turns 69 this year, is currently serving his fourth presidential term, which is set to end in 2024 according to the previous constitution. The new legislation, could allow him to serve two more six year terms, potentially extending his rule until 2036. That is if he chooses to stand for and win re-election both times.
The new law formalizes the results of last year’s referendum on amendments to Russia’s constitution. The majority of Russians voted to approve Mr. Putin’s amendments to the country’s constitution last year, with 78% of votes supporting the change and just over 21% voting against it. The turnout was recorded as 68%.
He argued that resetting the term count was necessary to keep his lieutenants focused on their work instead of “darting their eyes in search for possible successors.”
If Putin is re-elected twice and serves to the end of the second term, he will beat Josef Stalin to become the longest-serving leader of Russia since Peter the Great, who was in power for 42 years.
Minneapolis police chief, Medaria Arradondo, testifies that Chauvin’s use of force in the arrest of George Floyd was excessive – CNN
On Monday, Minneapolis Chief of Police Medaria Arradondo, testified that Chauvin’s conduct in the arrest of George Floyd was not in line with training. He said that it in fact breached regulations by showing “disregard for the sanctity of life”.
“Clearly when Mr. Floyd was no longer responsive and even motionless, to continue to apply that level of force to a person prone out, hands cuffed behind their back- that in no way, shape or forms is anything that is by policy,” said Arradondo. “It’s not part of our training and it’s certainly not part of our ethics or values.”
He also explained that officers are trained to handle people with dignity and respect. Moreover, they are also given basic first aid training such as using an inhaler to reverse an opioid overdose or handling a bleeding gunshot victim.
This was spurred by the prosecutor pointing out that Chauvin and the other officers had failed to provide medical assistance to Floyd when he stopped breathing.
Having been at home during the situation, Arradondo observed the arrest from the bystander video. From this, he could see how long Chauvin had kept Floyd pinned face down and that Chauvin had used more than the allowed “light-to-moderate” pressure. The chief therefore concluded that it was a breach of his department’s principles and values.
According to law experts who track police prosecutions, it is a highly unusual occurrence for a police chief to provide evidence against one of their own officers. It should, however, be noted that Arradondo, who is the city’s first black chief of police, fired Chauvin and three other officers the day after the arrest.
This testimony pokes holes in the defense’s theory that Chauvin’s actions during the arrest of George Floyd were based on and in line with the training he had received in his 19 years on the force.
