Malawi Wire

plastic materials poses health risk to consumers as plastics produce toxic chemicals when exposed to high temperatures.

The Kericho law courts chief magistrate Mr. Charles Obulutsa said that plastic materials when exposed to food under high temperatures produces toxic substances which are harmful to human beings.

He was speaking during the World Environment Day held at Litein high school in Kericho County whose theme was based on the ‘Solutions to plastic pollution.’

Mr. Obulutsa who represented Kericho High Court Judge-Justice Sergon at the function noted that since being posted to Kericho as the chief magistrate, not a single case of plastic has been brought before the court.

He urged the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and security agencies to decisively act on illegal suppliers of single use plastics which were rampant in Litein town, Kericho and other urban centres in Kericho.

Mr. Obolutsa suspected that the single use plastics which was popular among grocery and other small business traders in packaging food products for their customers were emanating from a neighbouring country.

He maintained that it was the responsibility of all Kenyans to follow the law in regard to environmental protection which involves among others avoiding the use of plastic materials in packaging their food.

He said that according to the law, it is an offense to use plastics in packaging food and those found guilty in using or supplying the banned plastics risked being fined Sh4 million or 2 years imprisonment.

Speaking at the same function, Kericho NEMA officer Mr. Moses Morindat issued a stern warning against the illegal suppliers and users of single use plastic materials in Kericho that their days were numbered and those who will be found will be arrested and prosecuted.

Other speakers at the function who included the Director of Litein Mission Hospital, Dr. Elijah Terer appealed to Kenyans to develop a positive attitude towards plastic waste management by collecting all plastics within their compounds.

Dr. Terer said in a move to conserving and protecting the environment, Litein hospital had acquired a modern exhauster to aid in emptying of full septic tanks and latrines in the community to avoid contamination of water sources especially during rainy seasons

Source: Kenya News Agency

Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara has assured the residents of Nakuru of their security following a spate of stabbings and armed robberies in the Rhonda and Kaptembwa areas.

Kibaara, who regretted that three people had been killed as a result of the resurgent criminal gangs, said that major reshuffles had been done among the security agents in the area to contain the situation.

Already, 302 young men had been arrested and arraigned before the Nakuru Magistrate Court, with the county commissioner decrying lenient fines and sentences that continued to water down their efforts.

‘Despite the lenient fines, we will not condone regrouping and harassment of the residents. It is not going to be business as usual, and the gangs should either change their ways or leave the area.

‘A new OCS has been posted to Rhonda police station, and we are pursuing to have a change of police officers who have overstayed in the area and are abating crimes,’ he noted, adding that the Nyumba Kumi Clusters will be revitalized to enhance security.

He regretted that the infamous Confirmed, TZ, Mungiki, and Mauki groups had surged with a mop-up in Nakuru North and Nakuru East Sub-Counties, driving them to Nakuru West.

‘Young men between 18 and 25 years old are joining these groups, and most of them are engaged in gambling, boda boda, touting, and taxi businesses. They have been extorting money for the residents, with those resisting being stabbed,’ noted the county commissioner, putting on notice politicians said to be having a hand in the crimes.

County Police Commander Zachary Kimani, while drawing attention to Ponda Mali, Nakuru West, and the Free Area, noted that more arrests had been made last night, with the gang members being found armed with kitchen knives and Somali swords.

‘Our officers know the criminals, and the more they have stayed in the area, the more likely they are to abate these crimes,’ said Kimani.

He accused the media of exaggerating crime reports and causing unnecessary tension, urging the residents to use anonymous means to tip the police as part of concerted efforts against the crimes.

Cases of stabbings and killings have in the recent past been reported, with members of the Mauki gang group said to be in revenge mode following the killing of their leader last week.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Meru Huduma Centre is among the centers in Kenya that will benefit from additional public service delivery through the Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations Board (KASNEB).

KASNEB is the body responsible for preparing and administering examinations for diplomas and professional certificates in secretarial courses.

Speaking to KNA, Meru Huduma Centre Manager Mr Peter Mutiso said the service will be a game changer for those who had to travel long distances to have their issues addressed.

He further said that the staff who will be delivering the services at the premise had already been identified and were ready for the job.

He said that the first meeting had already been held with the expected staff members to discuss some logistics pertaining to the delivery of the service.

‘We are expecting the deployment of the staff members in two weeks’ time,’ Mr Mutiso said.

He said that services such as inquiry, registration, and administration of examinations are among the services that would be offered at the facility.

Mr Mutiso added that the examinations will be administered in the months of June and December every year.

‘We will be able to tell the charges when the service delivery starts officially and the body brings their service charter,’ he said.

He also reminded the residents that the centre is usually open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and that they should take advantage of the time extension to have their issues addressed.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Swapo Party Central Committee is expected to convene to discuss the Supreme Court ruling that recognises same-sex marriages concluded outside Namibia.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Swapo’s Secretary for Information and Mobilisation, Hilma Nicanor, said the meeting will discuss the various concerns raised by its members, structures, supporters and the general public.

Nicanor said the ruling, its implications and its impact on society as a whole warranted consideration of the range of available and legally viable statutory remedial action that could potentially be taken.

“I wish to reassure our members, sympathisers and supporters, and the public, that the Swapo Party takes the public’s concerns, anxiety and unhappiness seriously. As such, the party will do everything it is able to do in accordance with the constitutional and legal requirements to find a long-lasting and acceptable solution,” she said.

Nicanor however did not specify when the meeting of the central committee would take place.

The Supreme Court last month ruled that same-sex marriages concluded outside of Namibia are recognised as valid in the country. The ruling has been met with mixed reactions in Namibia, with some strongly opposing it, while others welcomed it as a step forward for equality.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency