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Madam Boss Akothee’s wedding was Graced by Kenya’s high and mighty
Flamboyant singer and entrepreneur Esther Akoth, popularly known as Akothee, Monday wedded her fiance Dennis’ Omosh’ Schweizer.
The grand wedding at Windsor Hotel in Nairobi attracted some of the biggest and most influential names in politics and entertainment in Kenya, including Gender CS Aisha Jumwa and Ida Odinga— Raila Odinga’s wife, among other celebrities.
On Friday, April 14, Akothee announced she would fly her entire bridal team to Switzerland for the other party in the wedding, which will take place in her groom’s country.
“Allow me introduce to you to The Royal Bridal Party gang, our super gang heading to Switzerland for July 10, 2023, Esther Weds Denis. The whole of this YEAR I am getting married, start your planning next year,” she said.
But despite Akothee’s joy on her big day, haters could not stop themselves from letting her enjoy her day.
“Congratulations Akothee for saying yes the 7th time,” Gov Otwoma said, giving Madam Boss a back-handed compliment.
Self-declared hater Andrew Kibe had a lot worse to say, calling Akothee an attention hog. (He used an insulting word)
Hater Alert
Andrew Kibe Exposes Akothee after flashy fake wedding pic.twitter.com/YlHsj26aig
— Karen Wanjiku HSC (@WanjikuHSC) April 15, 2023
Other famous Kenyans in attendance included: Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and his wife Dorothy, MP Millie Odhiambo, Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, singer Bahati and wife Diana, Comedian Terence Creative and his wife Milly, media personalities Lillian Muli, Lofty Matambo, as well as Wilbroda.
Maybe Kibe was just jealous that he wasn’t invited.
Say what you may, but Akothee sure knows how to thrown down a party, which came just at the right time when Kenya needed a distraction. We thank her for that and wish the newly-weds to live happily ever after.
DP Rigathi Gachagua asks Odinga to recognize Ruto as President before talks begin.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, on Sunday, April 9, told Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga to publicly recognize William Ruto as Kenya’s President before the Government can engage him in the bipartisan government-opposition talks.
“Before we can even agree to talk to him, he must first publicly acknowledge that President William Ruto is the President of Kenya. The issue of us coming into a discussion does not even arise because he says he does not recognize William Ruto as President,” Gachagua said in a church in Mathira Constituency, his home turf.
President Ruto makes changes to the National Police Service.
President Ruto Wednesday appointed Gideon Nyale as Commandant, Kiganjo Police Training Institute. He also appointed Eliud Kipkoech Lagat as Commandant General Service Unit and Ranson Loimodoni as Director of Operations.
He appointed former Police Spokesperson Bruno Shioso as the Kenya Coast Guard Service Director-General.
He also appointed Douglas Kanja Kirocho as Deputy Inspector General of Police. Kirocho will take over from Edward Mbugua, who retired recently.
Khalalwe warns parents against taking their daughters to Mukumu Girls’ School.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalalwe Friday warned parents of Mukumu Girls School not to return their children to the school, as the institution has not done anything to avert more deaths occasioned by food poisoning last month.
“I am disheartened to report that the situation on the ground has not changed and wish to advise parents of this great institution not to take their children back to school until the requisite changes are made, as initially agreed upon,” said Khalwale.
“The storage for food is still full with bad and rotten foodstuff contrary to the directive that these grains, laced with poisonous preservatives, be destroyed (preferably burnt) ahead of the students’ return,” he added.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalalwe has warned parents of Mukumu Girls School not to return their children to the school, as the institution has not done anything to avert more deaths occasioned by food poisoning last month.
1/ pic.twitter.com/qoqutHuiKx— Africana Voice (Formerly Hotseatnews) (@AfricanaVoice) April 14, 2023
“The Ministry of Education and the TSC stand accused of failing to take action against the School Principal, BOM, and other officers who, through sheer negligence, deliberate greed, or incompetence, are responsible for the current life-threatening mess at Mukumu Girls,” he said.
“I wish to advise parents not to take their children back to school on May 2 until and unless all the above three concerns have been addressed,” he added.
On Saturday, Ezekiel Machogu, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, visited the troubled school and disbanded its Board of Management. He also constituted a new board which will begin working on Monday, April 17.
CS Machogu also deployed a new Principal to the school, Sister Jane Mmbone Amukoya, and transferred former immediate principal Fridah Ndolo to the Regional Teachers Service Commissioner’s office in Kakamega.
The minister said the incident where three students and a teacher died of a mysterious disease was unfortunate and exonerated blame from the Principal and the BOM. He said no one would be charged, and no investigation would be undertaken against any of those.
Noonkopir Girls Secondary School closed over lesbianism.
Noonkopir Girls Secondary School in Kajiado was closed temporarily on Friday, and all students sent home due to allegations of rampant lesbianism.
According to reports, the learners were issued leave-outs on Thursday evening, directing their parents to accompany them to school on Monday to indicate whether they wanted them to remain in the school or be given transfers.
Some parents told the local media that learners had raised concerns over the lesbian issue with the principal, Florence Kimeu, but no action was taken against ring leaders.
The Board of Management Chairman Thuo Kiarie told the press that only the county director of education would address the matter officially.
David Ndii: the Government is extremely wasteful
On Wednesday, David Ndii, the head of the President’s Economic Advisory Committee, said: “Government is extremely wasteful. There is not a single day that I am not exasperated by not just how wasteful it is but by how deliberate it is and how unbothered people are.”
Ndii, who was speaking in an interview with a local TV channel, said Kenya doesn’t have a growth problem, arguing that the country’s economy is one of the fastest-growing economies. He instead said that “our problem is that our growth is not inclusive; it creates inequality and does not create jobs.”
The famous economist also faulted politicians for their preoccupation with benefits, perks, and personal privileges in Government. “For me, it is something I find reprehensible,” he said.
Kenya Kwanza unveils its bipartisan committee members.
The Kenya Kwanza coalition Tuesday, April 11, unveiled its seven-member committee to the bipartisan parliamentary dialogue with the opposition.
They include Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei, Nominated Senator Essy Okenyuri, Taita Taveta Woman Representative Lydia Haika, Tharaka MP George Murugara, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, and Edlas MP Adan Keynan are among the nominated members.
Kimani Ichung’wah, the National Assembly Majority Leader, said the team would only dialogue along the lines of the Constitution.
“As a PG, we reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law and constitutionalism. We appreciate the role of the opposition in oversight and criticizing the Government,” he said.
Azimio announces the return of public engagement meetings aka “Maandamano.”
Azimio la Umoja Tuesday announced the return of public engagement meetings, a week after the suspension of anti-government protests. The coalition also announced Otiende Amollo as the team’s bipartisan committee.
“As the negotiators take up their responsibilities, we will embark on a series of direct engagements with members of the public through town hall meetings and public Barazas,” the coalition said in a communique.
“We will hold the first town hall meeting in Nairobi on Thursday, April 13 2023, to be followed by a people’s Baraza at the Kamukunji grounds on Sunday, April 16 2023,” it added.
Uganda jails 32 Kenyans for illegal possession of firearms.
On Wednesday, the Ugandan Military Court Martial sentenced 32 Kenyans from Turkana to 20 years for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition.
Turkana pastoralists were migrating across the borders of Kenya and Uganda in search of fresh pastures and water for their livestock.
The Kenyans jailed were arrested on accusations of killing five Ugandan officials, including three geologists and two military personnel.
Nairobi County moves to establish boroughs.
The Nairobi County government plans to spend Sh2.039 billion to establish five administrative boroughs and run functions in the organizational units and the sub-counties if the county assembly approves a county executive budget proposal for the financial year 2023/2024.
“We will amalgamate the sub-counties and have a few of them become a borough. Each of them will have borough managers who will handle services such as garbage collection, among other functions,” said Lydia Mathia, the Acting Boroughs and County Administration Acting Chief Officer.
Wetangula asks the National Council of NGOs to break silence on LGBTQ and maandamano.
The National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula Wednesday challenged the National Council of NGOs to be at the forefront in defending the country’s image in matters of National and global concern, including speaking against opposition-led anti-government protests and LGBTQ.
“As a council back in the days when you were operating at the Bomas of Kenya, you used to be very vocal, but nowadays, you guys are very dormant. Your silence is very loud, and you should wake up,” Wetangula said.
“We went to an election last year in August. The Azimio leader Raila Odinga disputed the outcome. You were silent, we went to the courts, and Raila said he would respect the court’s decision, only to come out and disagree later, and you were still silent. Why?” he asked.
The speaker also faulted the council for its silence on the LGBTQ debate that has been raging in the country for the last few months.
“When this LBGTQ issues came about, people were whispering ooh these people are using NGOs to try and invade African countries, yet you people are silent on the matter,” he said.
AFRICA
Chad and Germany expel each other’s ambassadors.
On Saturday, April 8, the Chadian Government declared the German ambassador a persona non grata and expelled him summarily for his “impolite attitude” toward Chadians, officials told the press.
A senior Chadian government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP that Jan Christian Gordon Kricke was “interfering too much” in the “governance of the country” and for his “remarks tending to divide Chadians.”
Three days later, Germany hit back and, in retaliation, expelled the Chadian ambassador, Mariam Ali Moussa.
“In response to the unfounded expulsion of our Ambassador to Chad, we today summoned the Chadian Ambassador in Berlin, Mariam Ali Moussa, and called on her to leave Germany within 48 hours. We regret that it had to come to this,” the German Foreign Ministry tweeted.
The ministry also defended and praised Ambassador Kricke against the backdrop of his expulsion from N’djamena.
“Ambassador Kricke exercised his office in N’Djamena in an exemplary manner & has worked for human rights & the rapid transition to a civilian government in Chad,” the German ministry added.
The military junta in Chad had promised an 18-month transition to elections when Deby seized power after his father, President Idriss Deby, was killed on the battlefield.
However, last year, the junta prolonged the timeline by two years, delaying elections until October 2024, which sparked protests.
Ethiopia dissolves the Amhara Regional Force
Massive protests occurred in Ethiopia’s Amhara region after the Federal Government led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed dissolved the Amhara paramilitary force and allocated it to the federal force.
Demonstrators in the region that neighbors Tigray blocked roads with rocks and burning tires to prevent the military from traveling around.
The protesters told the BBC that they feared the decision would expose them to attacks by neighboring regions.
In the first week of April, the Government in Addis Ababa announced it would dissolve the special forces and integrate them into the federal army to promote national unity.
Amharas gained control of agriculturally fertile land in Tigray in the recent war. Both regions claim that the land is theirs.
Malawian President pardons former incarcerated minister.
Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera Monday 10th pardoned a former cabinet minister serving a five-year sentence after being convicted on a charge of abuse of office.
Uladi Mussa was sentenced in 2020 to six years in prison over corruption linked to illegally issuing passports.
Mussa served as a minister under four different presidents between 1994 and 2019. His involvement in the passport scandal was during the administration of former President Joyce Banda. His release was an act of mercy in the Easter season.
In 2019, the US government also imposed a travel ban against him and his spouse, thanks to the scandal.
South Africa says it won’t extend work permits for Zimbabweans.
Thousands of Zimbabweans living in South Africa face an uncertain future and possible deportation after the home government announced last year that there would be no extension of their work permits beyond June this year.
South African Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said there would be no extension. “This is the end of the permit. We have written a letter to all the permit holders. We also sent SMS to their phones and put it on the website to inform people that the permit will not be extended,” he told the local media last week.
Zimbabweans have lived and worked in South Africa for over a decade under the Zimbabwe Extension Permit (ZEP) scheme. Zimbabwean Exemption Permit Holders Association (ZEPHA) says the number of permit holders is about 160,000.
Tanzanian police hold 63 illegal migrants.
Police in Tanzania Wednesday held 63 Ethiopian migrants after their arrest in the Njombe region near Malawi. Njombe regional police commander Hamis Issah said the migrants were arrested after their lorry was involved in an accident the previous weekend.
Issah said about 100 Ethiopian immigrants sneaked into the country through the porous border between Tanzania and Kenya. About 40 others are said to be on the run.
Algeria restricts press freedom.
The Government in Algeria Thursday further restricted press freedom by passing a law that tightened media ownership rules and empowered courts to force journalists to reveal their sources.
Following the new law, domestic media outlets will be banned from receiving overseas funding, and dual-nationals prevented from owning press or broadcasting companies.
Algeria ranks 134 out of 180 countries in the latest Reporters Without Borders World PressFreedom Index.
Nigeria says Tinubu’s swearing-in to continue despite court cases.
Nigerian Information Minister Lai Mohammed says president-elect Bola Tinubu will be sworn in on May 29 despite court suits seeking to overturn his victory.
Groups dissatisfied by the outcome of the February 25 presidential election are agitating for an interim government as outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari officially leaves office in May.
Mohammed said there was “no basis” for the Constitution of an interim government. He, however, said the opposition political parties have the right to challenge the presidential election in court.
Four presidential candidates filed legal challenges on March 21 against Tinubu’s victory, alleging widespread rigging and fabrication of results.
According to the Nigerian Constitution, it takes about eight months for the judiciary to determine a presidential election petition. The petition must be heard within 180 days from the day it is filed. A petitioner can appeal the tribunal’s judgment at the Court of Appeal within 21 days from the decision date.
If petitioners are dissatisfied with the appellate court’s decision, which is delivered within 60 days, they have 21 days to appeal it at the Supreme Court, whose decision is final.
DRC President rules out negotiations with M23 Rebels
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Thursday ruled out political negotiations with the M23 rebel group.
As part of an internationally brokered peace deal, the group has been withdrawing from areas it had captured.
President Félix Tshisekedi said according to the agreement, the M23 Rebels are to demobilize before returning to civilian life.
The group had previously said it was expecting negotiations with the DRC government.
Hakimi pulls a fast one on his wife.
Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi has become a trending topic worldwide after his wife discovered he owns nothing despite earning millions of Euros with Paris Saint Germain and the Moroccan national football team.
Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi has become a trending topic worldwide after his wife discovered he owns nothing despite earning millions of Euros with Paris Saint Germain and the Moroccan national football team.https://t.co/ihGVPNAMb4
1/ pic.twitter.com/QwKT7WEiSD— Africana Voice (Formerly Hotseatnews) (@AfricanaVoice) April 14, 2023
This discovery was made during ongoing divorce proceedings in court after his wife, Hiba Abouk, filed for divorce and asked for half of all the property and money the footballer owned.
To her shock, she discovered that Hakimi, 24, had registered all his properties and monies in his mother’s name, and whenever he needed anything, he would ask his mother to buy it for him.
Sudan’s war rages further, threatening to destabilize the region.
Clashes between Sudan’s military and the country’s main paramilitary force have left at least 100 dead. At the same time, control of the presidential palace and the international airport in Khartoum is in doubt after disputed claims from both sides.
The clashes erupted last week amid an apparent power struggle between the two main factions of Sudan’s military regime.
The Sudanese armed forces are broadly loyal to Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the country’s de facto ruler, while the paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a collection of militia, follow the former warlord Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti.
On Monday, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken joined regional efforts to pressure the warring sides to end the fighting and return to talks as the civilian death toll rose to 97.
The two sides agreed to a three-hour pause in fighting from 4 pm on Saturday to allow humanitarian evacuations proposed by the United Nations.
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