Category: General

The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Professor Kithure Kindiki, has said that alcoholic manufacturers will know if they will be relicensed or not in two weeks’ time.

He said a multiagency team will determine if the manufacturers have met the stringent conditions set by the government when their licenses were cancelled two weeks ago in the wake of deaths as a result of poison alcohol in Kirinyaga County where 17 levelers lost their lives.

Kindiki said each of the manufacturers has 25 conditions to meet and their licences will be dependent on how well they conform to the conditions.

The CS was speaking in Embu Town when he received a briefing from the County Security and Intelligence Committee led by County Commissioner, Jack Obuo, on the progress made in the ongoing crackdown on the sale of illicit liquor and other drugs.

Kindiki said security officers in Embu had made 100 arrests and recovered 300 rolls of bhang. 44 of those arrested had been prosecuted, he added.

He added that
296 bars licensed against the requirement that bars be at least 300 meters away from basic education facilities had been closed.

The CS, who was briefing the media after a closed door meeting, said he had urged the officers to upscale fight on illicit liquor and drugs especially be hard on those selling bhang to school children.

He said the sale of illicit substandard liquor and drugs was a national security issue.

Kindiki said some 292 police officers in Embu County will be affected by the order that officers who had served in the same station for more than three years be transferred in an order to break up any protection rings that may be existing in the alcohol and drugs trade.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki has warned criminals against using Tala town in Matungulu Sub County as their hideout.

Kindiki said the majority of criminals who have been flashed out of Nairobi hid in Tala due to its proximity to the city.

Speaking in Tala after a security and intelligence committee meeting, Kindiki revealed that there were criminals terrorizing Nairobi residents especially in Eastlands and fleeing to close by towns.

The CS added that the government would flash out all criminals especially those selling and consuming prohibited substances and urged security teams from Machakos and Nairobi to work together and ensure the suspects have nowhere to hide.

‘We are working on flashing out all drug peddlers and criminals selling or consuming shisha and any other prohibited substance,’ warned Kindiki.

He directed the security teams in Machakos led by the County Commissioner Josephine Ouko to ensure Tala, due to its proximity to Nairobi, is not used to harm children through expos
ure to alcohol, narcotic drugs, child pornography and child trafficking.

Additionally, Kindiki said the ongoing operation on illicit liquor was bearing fruit and over 9000 facilities operating without any formal license have been shut down across the country and would not be allowed to resume their businesses in the country.

He said since the operation started on March 7, illegal operating distilleries in the country have been shut down and their capacity to produce disabled.

The CS also added that no bar license would be valid if it doesn’t meet the laid down requirements on distance and disclosed that so far down 4800 premises have had their licenses revoked due to proximity to learning institutions.

‘We are not going to remove our feet from the pedal. We will have to cleanse our country from the curse of addiction and drugs since no society aspires to be successful if a good proportion of its able bodied population has been degraded by alcohol and drugs,’ pointed out Kindiki.

Source: Kenya News Agenc
y

Boda Boda operators in Uasin Gishu County have received a huge boost through training and award of licences by the Kenya Roads Board (KRB), County government and other partners like Kenya Red Cross.

The training and licensing process served to refine and authorize individuals to operate on the roads legally especially for some who may have harboured fears or hesitations about venturing into town due to the lack of licenses.

In his speech during the launch of the training and licencing programme for Boda Boda operators in the county at the Eldoret Sports Club, Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Chelilim acknowledged the sector as one of the largest in the progressive county, providing meaningful employment to over 20,000 industrious youths.

‘It continues to attract more young individuals who aspire to make meaningful contributions to their families. Their tireless effort is evident in their endeavours to ensure food security, with research indicating that four out of every ten households benefit from their s
ervices,’ he noted.

He lauded the training session and the subsequent award of licenses to 1,000 boda boda members, drawn from all wards by the Kenya Roads Board, as a collaborative effort with government agencies to empower our youth.

He warned the operators that acquiring a license does not confer upon them the liberty to flout traffic regulations; rather, it empowered them to comply with the rules set forth by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

‘We are all aware that many accidents occurring nationwide could have been prevented if traffic rules and regulations were strictly adhered to. Therefore, it is imperative to emphasize the paramount importance of full compliance,’ alluded the governor.

Dr. Chelilim affirmed that his administration accords a high value to the sector due to its pivotal role in both employment and mobility.

He added that they have implemented a reduction in the monthly sticker fees for this vital sector. Operators within the CBD now pay Sh400 down from Sh600, whil
e those outside the town paid Sh200, reduced from Sh300 as a way to support economic stability.

With regard to infrastructure development, the governor said his administration remained steadfast in its commitment to enhancing the quality of roads while prioritizing safety through compliance and enforcement of wearing of safety gears like reflectors with stage identifications and helmets

Additionally, huge investments have also been allocated to constructing boda boda shades across the county to provide protection from adverse weather conditions.

The County Boss hinted on e-mobility through the adoption of electric motorcycles noting that efforts were underway to enhance and support infrastructure, including the installation of charging ports, to further bolster the sector’s sustainability.

He called on them to consider forming or joining cooperatives for collective advancement since unity among members would facilitate access to affordable loans from the county.

‘So far, we have financed 33 active boda b
oda SACCOs with a total of Sh19.7 million resulting in exemplary performance by many. Notably, individuals who previously did not own motorcycles now proudly own their own, thanks to the support provided,’ said Dr. Chelilim.

He commended the Kibagenge Boda Boda Cooperative Society as an outstanding example, which has expanded its operations to include a successful hotel business in town alongside their primary activities.

The team received funding of Sh3 million for asset financing and has also utilized it to purchase 14 motorbikes.

‘Cooperatives have played a vital role in reducing crime in our county and as we strive to attain city status this year, your sector will be instrumental in branding and facilitating mobility for our citizens,’ he noted.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Vihiga county government intends to partner with the Safaricom Company to establish a model maternal and child health care centre in the area.

Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo, speaking after hosting the tech-firm team led by Senior Manager of Safaricom Foundation’s programmes Henry Kilonzo, said the centre would go a long way in boosting the services to the mothers and children.

Dr. Ottichilo explained that the inception of Boresha Afya ya Mama na Mtoto programme five years ago has seen a significant reduction in maternal and child deaths in the county.

He noted that once established, the centre would have all the essential facilities and personnel to offer services efficiently and effectively.

On his part, Kilonzo disclosed that they have so far entered a similar deal with Kilifi and Mombasa counties, and so nothing could prevent them from doing it in Vihiga.

He stated that the telecoms Kenya is ready to work with the devolved units to ensure the provision of quality health services to the people.

Sourc
e: Kenya News Agency

Kericho residents have been urged to formally lodge complaints against advocates who engage in professional misconduct to the Advocates Complaints Commission (ACC) for disciplinary action.

In a sensitization forum held at the Kericho Teachers Training College, participants were enlightened on the mandate of the Advocates and Complaints Commission which is under the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice and is responsible for receiving, investigating, promoting, reconciliation and prosecuting complaints made against an advocate.

While making his presentation at the forum, ACC Commissioner Mr. Peter Nyaga explained the types of complaints that could be reported to the commission, which included situations where an advocate withholds clients’ funds, failure to account a client, failure to keep a client informed, issuing cheques which are subsequently dishonoured, adding that the latter is also a criminal offence.

The Commissioner further said that failure by an advocate to honour a professi
onal undertaking, delay in prosecuting or finalizing a client’s matter, failure to reply to correspondences from professional colleagues, overcharging the client, failure to attend court, conflict of interest among others could be reported to the Commission for disciplinary action to be taken against the advocate.

‘Services are free of charge and we aim to inspire greater public confidence in the legal profession and so anyone aggrieved can lodge a complaint as soon as possible, when the evidence is still fresh,’ added Nyaga.

The Commissioner revealed that in the last financial year 2022-2023, a total of 2,863 clients were successfully attended to and disciplinary action taken against errant advocates, while, this financial year 2023-2024, so far, a total of 1584 clients have been attended to.

During the forum, participants were sensitized on how to deal with advocates professionally by ensuring all instructions and communications were in writing, and also ensuring a clear agreement on fees and mode of pay
ment was well stipulated in writing.

‘Also agree on meeting times and venues in writing, agree on the scope of advocate engagement in writing and always ask to retain copies of all documents and communications as well as payment receipts,’ said Nyaga

The participants were also taken through the process on how to lodge a complaint with the Commission which starts by obtaining a help form online (www.acc.go.ke) then filling the form and attaching identification documents and other evidence supporting the complaint, then submitting a signed and scanned help-form to acc@ag.go.ke.

Types of cases the Commission cannot handle include those relating to negligence of advocates in the discharge of their duties and complaints against judicial officers and State Counsels.

Others in attendance were ACC Commissioner Mweni Kalola, the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), representatives of the youth, among other government officials.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The government is ready to distribute artificial insemination semen to 31 counties to improve the country’s livestock quality and production.

The Director of Livestock Production Dr. Bishar Elmi said that Isiolo County would get 40,000 of Borana cattle breed and another 40,000 of indigenous stocks capable of improving milk, meat and skin productions.

Dr. Elmi said drought would not be an emergency any more since the government has also planned to establish 450 feedlots in every county to address the long dry spells’ situation in the country.

He made the remarks in Isiolo town where he joined 300 herders to celebrate completion of a joint Northern Rangeland Trust (NRT) organization and the government training through the ‘Ufugaji Bora Mashinani’ programme that taught them on how to achieve better livelihood from better livestock husbandry.

The Livestock Director said the government would educate farmers on modern feedlots management technologies where grass would be planted using minimal amounts of water.

D
r. Elmi said that the government was partnering with stakeholders to speed up completion of modern slaughter house in Isiolo in order to help livestock farmers maximize profits from their undertakings through exporting meat and other products to foreign Countries and create more jobs for young people.

Elmi said that Isiolo modern slaughter house is 99 percent complete and would be opened soon. More than 160 camels, 300 cows and 2,500 goats would be slaughtered at the abattoir daily and hence create over 1000 jobs for skilled and unskilled personnel.

He said that more meat was needed locally and internationally from Kenya where there is a deficit in demand since the current production of 45,000 tonnes could not match the 66,000 required.

Isiolo Deputy County Commissioner Mr. Patrick Musango urged livestock farmers to use modern technologies and embrace zero grazing of their stocks formally so as to keep away the cattle rustlers who had been terrorizing them in the grazing fields, sometimes losing lives and
property to cattle thieves.

The DCC directed chiefs to be attending training workshops in their locations and sub locations so as to disseminate the government information and policies to local residents and other stakeholders.

Source: Kenya News Agency