Court releases Dutch national on bail

A Nairobi court has released a Dutch national on a bond of 1 million shillings and a Kenyan surety of the same amount.

Spierenberg Gertjan is accused of going against the Kenya Citizenship Act 2011 by allegedly not registering as a foreigner.

Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo treated the matter as urgent and has set the hearing to be on July 6th, 2015.

The accused has since denied the charges.

The GoDown Arts Centre joins Google Cultural Institute

The GoDown Arts Centre is pleased to unveil its digitized exhibitions on  the Google Cultural Institute, a high profile world culture project.

The Google Cultural Institute platform hosts the world’s cultural treasures online, where people from all over the world have easy access to art collections and exhibitions virtually.

The Google platform opens up a unique opportunity to share the work of visual artists based at the centre, with the world! Judy Ogana, General Manager of the GoDown said, “We are proud to be one of the first users of this technology and platform in Kenya, and will continue to populate the site, include other exhibitions and programmes in the Cultural Institute project.”

The GoDown Arts Centre is a multi-disciplinary arts centre based at the heart of Nairobi, Kenya, and hosts over ten arts organisations across disciplines including visual arts, music, dance, innovation through ICT and film production. Established over ten years ago, its programs both strengthen capacities of artists and engage audiences at the GoDown and in all communities of Nairobi.

The GoDown is honoured to appear alongside some of the most exceptional cultural venues in the world including the White House, the Palace of Versaille and other museums and galleries on Google’s Cultural Institute.

Jaguar to resign from NACADA

Musician Jaguar real name Charles Kanyi has given some arms of the government an ultimatum of two weeks to carry out investigations on the alleged corruption goings-on in NACADA or else he resigns .

Jaguar who sits in NACADA as a board member, wants CS for Interior Joseph Nkaissery, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the CID head to carry out investigations on the corruption matters.

There have been allegation of misappropriation of 99 millions by NACADA to fund NGOs that help curb drug abuse.

However in the recent past Chariman John Mututho made allegations that out of 119 NGOs being funded only 19 can be accounted for.

' I have not let the president down. Rather I can serve him on other avenues. I would rather start my own NGO to rescue youths from drug abuse rather than sit it a board that literally puts such funds in their own pockets,' concludes Jaguar.

President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Jaguar as board member through a gazette notice on 21st April 2015.

Kenya to Conduct Its First TB Survey.

A Team of Representatives and Experts from Health Ministry, USAID and WHO addressing the Press in Nairobi

Kenya is set to conduct its first nationwide Tuberculosis survey to find out the disease prevalence in the country.

The Survey will be conducted in all the 47 counties across the country.

72,000 volunteers will be identified to participate in the Survey exercise that will involve the Ministry of Health, USAID, Global Fund, USAID, and the World Health Organization.

'Results of the survey in all the 47 counties will help in policy formulation to combat the disease. We will involve the community whereby selected people will be interviewed and Sputum samples collected from them' says Dr. Enos Masini Head of TB Department from the Ministry of Health.

Speaking to journalists and stakeholders at a science café in Nairobi on Friday , Chief of Party from TB Arc Brenda Mungai added that samples from the national survey will be tested for TB and those found infected will be put on treatment in public facilities.

TB Prevalence Survey Co-coordinator from Kenya Medical Research Institute KEMRI, Dr. Jane Onyango also said the survey will work towards reaching global targets set by the World Health Organization in eradicating the disease.

‘This research will help to reduce the TB burden in this country. Hugh burden counties are Nairobi, Mombasa and Homa Bay. We will also ensure that all information submitted by the respondents is confidential, ‘she adds.

Head of National TB Reference Lab Josephine Mburu who attended the stakeholders meeting termed TB as a poverty driven disease due to its high prevalence among people with low income levels saying that the research intends to unearth people infected by TB yet they do not seek treatment.

This type of research has been conducted in Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Zambia and currently taking place in Uganda.

Travellers have no clue over the Single Tourist Visa

Over half of regional and international travellers passing through Kenya are unaware of the availability and process of using a Single Tourist Visa (STV) and National Identification for travel within Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda more than a year after the process was launched.

 

This is according to a survey commissioned by Kenya Tourism Federation (Tourism private sector umbrella body) to investigate the level of awareness on the STV and use of ID for travel within the three states.

The research commissioned in February 2015 established that up to 58.1 percent of travelers had neither used nor interacted with someone who had used STV, while 47 percent of travelers showed lack of familiarity on the existence of STV.

While majority of Immigration officials interviewed for the survey, were aware of the existence of STV and the countries involved in the initiative, 67 percent were not familiar with the cost of STV with 25 percent showing lack of familiarity with regards to the application process.

Speaking while presenting the report,Strathmore University Centre for Tourism and Hospitality – Research Consultant, Mr. David Chiawo noted that the Current STV processing procedure had been described as very poor by travellers and therefore the need for review and necessary improvement.

”The survey further revealed limited and poor information available on STV for travelers and immigration officials with responses ranging from very poor to average with only 25 percent of travelers and less than 15 percent of immigration officials rating the current information as good,” said Mr. Chiawo.

Speaking while receiving the report, KTF Chairperson Lucy Karume said she was encouraged to note that majority of travelers, immigration officials, travel and trade officials showed high expectations on STV, which was a good indication for the tourism sector to accelerate awareness for STV to meet these expectations

“It is noteworthy that according to these research respondents' indicated high expectations on STV with benefits ranging from very high to extremely high. Am however saddened that low awareness was recorded on the use of National identity cards (NID), with up to 47 percent of cross border travellers and a significant proportion of (17 percent) of immigration officials unaware,” she observed

Based on the findings, the study is recommending induction and training of immigration officials on STV and NID use to improve their level of awareness on key elements including cost, application procedures and benefits.

Meanwhile, to increase the level of awareness among regional and international travelers, the study   recommended vigorous joint marketing of STV both regionally and internationally to improve travelers’ knowledge on existence, cost, application process, benefits and countries involved.

“The marketing should target key and emerging international tourist markets. While   improving information access and public awareness on the use of NID for cross border travels; the available information should highlight procedure of use and benefits. Awareness and improvement of information access stand critical for increased usage of STV and NID,” Strathmore universities, Mr. Chiawo noted.

Trademark East Africa Kenya Country office, Programmes Coordinator Mr. Simon Konzolo noted that the future of Kenya’s tourism is bright and urged the private sector to put significant effort in boosting the industry as the government’s support has been remarkable. 

“We as stakeholders in this sector should work together with the government and other institutions in ensuring that  the report recommendations are implemented in order to  utilize opportunities presented to our local and international visitors with the use of STV and NID” added Mr. Konzolo

TradeMark East Africa has partnered with Kenya Tourism Federation in creating awareness for the use of the Single tourist Visa and National Identification card across Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

The Single Tourist Visa was launched in February 2014 with a target to increase the number of tourists visiting the three partner countries.

Under the Single Tourist Visa, tourists will only be required to pay only USD100 at the border entry point, as opposed to the previous practice of paying visa charges 50USD per country (150USD) for the three countries.

RAGE ON MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES FOR CAUSING AFRICA TO LOSE TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS

Civil societies across Africa have sparked outcry on Multinational Corporations (MNCs) saying that they are the reason for Africa’s deteriorating economy.

Speaking in Nairobi, Executive Director for Trust Africa Tendai Murisa says that there is need for policy makers to create laws that will prevent MNCs from depleting Africa’s resources. 

‘These investors do not do any value addition on the products hence they will fetch a lower price. This is a problem in Africa whereby we export the raw commodities be it mineral or agricultural products whose price we do not determine. In the Zimbabwean case their platinum is refined in South Africa whereby tax is determined after export. All these are leakages in the economy that need to be corrected. Kenya is going to mining now and they will face the risks these other countries have faced.’ says Tendai from Zimbabwe.

He blames the economic structure of African nations for these challenges.

‘There is minimal participation of locals in the Agriculture and Mining industries of this continent. Most of it is controlled by Multinational Corporations,’ he adds.

‘There is a new situation in Kenya whereby mining contracts are regarded a State secret. Our own political elite also have selfish interests in such situations’, says Joel Akhator Co-ordinator for Human and Trade Rights based in Togo.

The civil societies have also called for tax holidays to be removed since the host countries do not get full benefits from this policy.

‘Foreign Direct Investors would come and demand a tax holiday of 10-15 years. When it comes to an end some of them change names and trade their licenses so that there  does not come a time when the holiday is over,’ says Tendai.

Accusations have been made on MNCs for deliberately depriving host countries of dollar reserves so as to weaken their economies.

‘When importing plant equipment they exaggerate the value of their machines so that they are allowed to export more foreign currency. In Nigeria there have been problems in keeping foreign currency reserves yet such reserves help in the stability of an economy,’ adds Tendai.

Tanzanian Co-ordinator for civil organization Policy Forum Semkae Kilonzo says that social services in Africa are poor because the nations are not able to fully utilize their own natural resources.

Africa loses massive financial resources, about $50 billion each year, through illicit activities of MNCs and rich individuals.

These resources if retained in the continent could be invested in the productive sectors of these economies to lift Africa’s growing population from underdevelopment.

According to the African Union/Economic Commission for Africa High level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa Report, the continent has lost $1 trillion between 1980 and 2008.

This has led to loss of jobs, income, education health facilities and other basic infrastructure critical to structurally transform economies of Africa.

According to the High Level panel’s report the major perpetrators are MNCs especially those operating in Africa’s extractive sector mostly in oil, gas and mining.

Lupita Nyong'o to mentor youths when in Kenya

It never gets better.

Now Oscar Award winning actress Lupita Nyong'o  is  to be in Villa Rossa Kempinski, Nairobi next Thursday 2nd July.

A picture doing rounds on social media says that the award winning actress will particpate in a Safaricom event.

The tickets go for 10k a person .

To get your ticket email safaricomevents@safaricom.co.ke.

She will take part in a youth mentorship program and participate in a campaign to conserve the elephant population.

Lupita comes to Kenya

Finally!

Lupita Nyong'o is to return to her motherland Kenya.

Via her instagram page she writes: Kenya here I come. #markyourcalendars

She will be here by 29th June since her instagram photo has this inscribed: 29.06.2015

Many Kenyans seem to have been longing for this visit judging from their comments.

Some comments read like this:

 Way ahead of you I am at the airport with flowers

Karibu nyumbani-Swahili for Welcome home

U are so perfect, beautiful inside and outside and my favourite actress! Keep up the good work, love you 💖

Lupita is a Kenyan actress born in Mexico and raised in Kenya.


Nyong'o started in the film industry as a production assistant on several Hollywood film^.

Nyong'o later completed a master's degree in acting in 2012, from the Yale School of Drama.

 She had her first feature film role in Steve McQueen's historical drama 12 Years A Slave.
  (2013), winning an Oscar for it as Best Supporting Actress.

Nyong'o is the first Mexican and first Kenyan actress to win an Academy Award.

In 2014, she was named "The Most Beautiful Woman" by People Magazine and "Woman of theYear"by Glamour<sup>.

Additional Reporting by Agencies</sup>

Court approves Senate to summon governors

A 3 judge bench yesterday ruled that senators have the mandate to vet governors because the  constitution provides that the Senate has the oversight obligation on accountability and management of county funds.

The bench lead by Justice Isaac Lenaola, Mumbi Ngugi, George Odunga have ruled that despite the fact governors are county bosses, they do not have to right to deny summons by senators.

The judgement however said that Senators have no mandate to direct treasury on which counties would receive funds and which ones would be denied.

The judgement, read by Odunga said that if the governors felt that they should not be asked questions then their County Executives could represent them and respond to certain issues.

The Council of Governors had moved to court questioning the jurisdiction of the Senate Parliament to summon county governors. 

Court releases man on bail for desertion of police duty

A Nairobi court has released a man on a bond of sh.200,000 and a surety of the same amount for allegedly deserting duty at the Kenya Police Service.

The court heard that Rajab Mohammed on 7th April 2015 went on more than 21 days leave without seeking consent.

Chief magistrate Daniel Ogembo says that the case will be heard on 9th July whereas the mention will be on 7th of the same month.

Court sends alleged State House trespasser to remand

A Nairobi court has sent a man to remand for trespass.

Matthew Mwangi Kinuthia is alleged to have jumped the State House perimeter wall to seek president Uhuru Kenyatta's audience.

The court heard that Kinuthia had travelled from Nakuru and wanted the president to sponsor the recording of his Gospel Music so that he could go back to school.

It is alleged that the school drop out knocked on the State House gates and when there was no response he decided to jump the perimeter wall.

He was then questioned by the guards who handed him over to the Anti Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) where he was held for 8 days  to complete their investigations.

Senior Magistrate Daniel Ogembo also ordered that Kinuthia undergo an age assessment at Kenya National Hospital, Nairobi.

INVESTIGATE SECURITY PERSONNEL THAT PERPETRATE HUMAN RIGHTS, SAYS NEW REPORT

A new report named Insult to Injury launched by Human Rights Watch and Kenya Human Rights Commission KNHRC has recommended security officers who violated human rights laws during counter terrorism operations be investigated.

The report brings about claims of religious discrimination and torture of suspects by security organs.

‘Many human rights operations were violated. Respondents have reported cases where suspects were beaten and mistreated. Suspects were placed in unsanitary camps during questioning and were subjected to heavy beating. There have been cases of extra judicial killings,’ says KNHRC project advisor Lillian Kantai.

‘The first recommendation of the report is for government to admit gravity and scopes of the abuses. They need to admit these abuses have been going on,’ says Maria Burnett Senior Researcher for Human Rights Watch.

Findings of the report further state that security organs take long to respond in case of attacks.

It states that during 5 weeks between mid June through July 2014 armed gunmen who in most cases claimed to be part of Somalia based armed Islamist group Al Shabaab attacked  a passenger bus and at least 8 villages in the Kenyan coastal counties of Lamu and Tana River.

87 people were killed including four security officers and destroyed approximately 30 buildings and 50 vehicles.

‘Kenyan security forces were slow to respond to attacks leaving villages unprotected and when they eventually responded, their action were often discriminatory, beating, arbitrarily detaining and stealing personal property of Muslim and Ethnic Somali communities in the two counties, ‘explains the report.

‘We need to hear situations whereby choppers are sent to areas of emergency,’ says Kantai.

RIPOTI YA HAKI ZA BINADAMU

Ripoti mpya ya Human Rights Watch pamoja na tume ya kupigania haki za kibinadamu KNHRC inataka maafisa waliokiyuka haki za kibinadamu wakati wa misako baada ya mashambulizi ya kigaidi wachunguzwe.

Mshauri wa tume ya KNHRC Lilian Kantai amesema kumekuwa na madai ya maafisa wa usalama kushiriki  mauaji ya washukiwa wa ugaidi kinyume na sheria.

Bi. Kantai amesema washukiwa walizuiwa katika mazingira duni huku wakipigwa.

Bi. Kantai ameongeza kulikuwa na madai ya watu kutoka jamii ya Wasomali kulengwa wakati wa misako.

Kulingana na utafiti huo vitengo vya usalama vimeripotiwa kuchukua muda mrefu kufika katika maeneo ya dharura.