Category: General

A middle-aged man has been sentenced to serve 20 years’ imprisonment by Loitoktok law court for defiling a 12-year-old girl after locking her in his house.

Charles Mutuku Kyui, who appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Esther Kimilu, is said to have defiled the girl between June 5 and June 8, 2023, in the Isinet area of Loitoktok Sub County.

During the trial, the girl told the court that on June 5, at around 7.30 p.m., she was returning home after spending the day away after absconding from school without the knowledge of her guardian.

She said that while along the way, she met the convict, who allegedly grabbed and dragged her to his house and closed the door.

The accused allegedly warned her against screaming and held a knife against her before defiling her.

She told the court how the accused tied and locked her in his house and continued to defile her.

On June 8, while Mutuku was away, she said she heard some girls passing outside the house and screamed for help.

They pushed the door open and
untied her, and they reported the matter at the Isinet Police Station, and later the convict was arrested.

Mbithe Muteti, grandmother and guardian of the girl after the deaths of her parents, told the court how her granddaughter went missing for three days only to be brought home by police officers three days later.

Mutuku had, however, denied the charges, claiming that on the dates of the alleged incident, he had gone to Emali for tomato harvesting.

He said that when he came back, he did not find his colleague, with whom they had rented a house. He said the police officers from Isinet arrived in the company of the complainant and erroneously arrested and charged him with the offence.

He maintained that the offence was committed by his colleague, and since he was related to one of the police officers, the girl was advised to frame him up.

However, the court found the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and handed Mutuku the deterrent sentence. The accused has 14 days to appeal against
the sentence if dissatisfied.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Eleven people have died in flood-related incidents across Machakos County since the onset of the March-May rains.

According to a report released by County Commissioner Josephine Ouko, two people are missing and seven others are nursing injuries due to the floods.

Consequently, 11,010 people have been affected by the floods, and 2,183 households have been displaced.

Athi River subcounty was the hardest hit by the floods, with over 2,100 households rendered homeless.

‘528 households from Machakos subcounty have been displaced, while an additional 117 others from Matungulu subcounty have suffered the same fate, ‘reads the report.

The report also indicates that 271 people are currently seeking shelter in two rescue centres: Athi River Primary School and Kinanie Health Centre.

Several roads across the county have also been rendered impassible, and footbridges have been destroyed by the heavy rains.

Cases of crops being swept away by floods and houses collapsing have also been reported.

The worst-hit areas
include Kangundo, Mlolongo, Kinanie, and Yatta.

Several interventions have, however, been put in place to alleviate the suffering caused by the floods.

The National Government, in collaboration with the County Government and other non-state organisations, has provided food and non-food items to the affected persons.

The items include maize, beans, rice, cooking oil, food supplements, mattresses, sanitary towels, and medicine.

‘There is also integration of affected persons with relatives to offer them accommodation, ‘says the report.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Central Regional Coordinator of Affordable Housing, Mr. Albert Muchiri, has said the first phase of the affordable housing project in the Makenji area of Kandara Sub County is expected to be completed by December this year.

On Monday, Muchiri noted the construction of 220 house units is 20 per cent complete and the work progress at the site is on the right trajectory.

He averred that the affordable housing units that sit on two acres have one or two bedrooms as well as bed-sitters.

During a public participation forum held at Murang’a Primary School, the coordinator noted plans to commence construction of affordable houses in the other constituencies are at an advanced stage.

‘We are planning to kick-start construction of 1, 000 affordable house units at Gatanga near the high-level area. There are some 400 units at Makuyu in Maragua constituency and 160 units each in both Kiharu and Kangema constituencies,’ he explained.

Muchiri observed that the government, through the Ministry of Housing, is search
ing for suitable land to construct the houses in Mathioya and Kigumo constituencies. ‘The government’s target is to construct 10, 000 affordable housing units by 2027, and what I can assure is that the progress of this project is good,’ he stated.

The coordinator added that, apart from the houses, the government is also investing in associated infrastructure to benefit local residents.

‘Some of the associated infrastructure development in areas where the houses are being constructed includes health facilities, schools, and markets, among others. In the Kabati area, we are constructing an administration block and classrooms at Makindi Primary School and also building a new ward at the nearby Makenji Health Centre,’ he said.

Muchiri called on residents to support the project, saying it has provided many employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly. ‘At the Makenji site, more than 300 workers have been employed. There are those who are engaged to supply construction materials and also those selling
food to workers,’ observed the coordinator.

On his part, Assistant Deputy County Commissioner David Kasyoka, who chaired the public participation event, assured locals all the issues pertaining to the project will be addressed.

Kasyoka noted that some residents have dissenting opinions about the affordable housing project but assured that the relevant government agencies will address the raised issues.

‘Some participants have raised some issues, like those who want the government to facilitate them building houses on their farms; there are also those who are not comfortable with the 10 per cent needed for one to secure a house. All these and many other issues will be looked at, and a solution will be attained,’ asserted Kasyoka.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kenya will play host to the 9th Edition of the Agritec Africa International Exhibition and Conference on Agriculture Technology, which is scheduled to take place from June 12th to 14th, 2024, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

Agriculture Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh said that this year’s 9th edition theme, ‘Improving Farmers’ Income Through Innovation and Technology,’ underscores the pivotal role of innovation and technology in addressing the challenges facing the agricultural sector.

‘From climate change to food security, technology offers innovative solutions that can drive sustainable growth and development,’ said Dr. Ronoh, who spoke in Nairobi on Monday during the conference curtain-raiser breakfast meeting.

The PS said that the theme of the event is aligned to the Kenya Vision 2030, the Agricultural Sector Growth and Transformation Strategy (ASTGS 2019-2029), the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dr. R
onoh said that agriculture faces numerous challenges, including limited access to resources, low levels of mechanisation, market inefficiencies, the effects of climate change, and environmental degradation, among others.

‘However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation and transformation. By harnessing the power of technology, we can overcome barriers and unlock the full potential of agriculture,’ said the PS.

He added that this edition will serve as a crucial platform for fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and investment opportunities in the agricultural sector.

The PS explained that the event will bring together stakeholders from over 20 countries across the world, including Germany, India, China, Italy, the Netherlands, Iran, and Turkey, to explore the latest trends, innovations, technology, and best practices in agriculture.

‘This will create a direct local, regional, and global market connection between agriculture stakeholders as well as provide a solid central database
platform to spur agricultural growth,’ said Ronoh.

‘In addition, the event will showcase the potential of agriculture in Kenya and Africa and innovative agricultural technologies and ideas for our local market, including agricultural machinery and equipment, agro-food and processing, biotechnology, fertilisers and chemicals, floriculture, greenhouses, and irrigation technology,’ he said.

Ronoh said that through engaging sessions, exhibitions, and networking opportunities, the exhibition and conference will inspire actionable insights and partnerships that drive positive change.

‘As we prepare for this 9th edition, let us recommit ourselves to advancing the frontiers of agricultural technology. Let us collaborate, innovate, and empower farmers with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Together, we can build a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future for all,’ said Dr. Ronoh.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development is seeking to regulate veterinary services by establishing two bodies, the Kenya Veterinary Council and the Veterinary Medicines and Vaccines Authority, to realise the goal.

According to a proposed Bill, the veterinary council will be in charge of training, business, practice, and employment of veterinary surgeons and para-professionals.The body will also register, issue licenses, control and regulate veterinary practice, among other roles.

The Veterinary Medicines and Vaccines Authority will, on the other hand, enforce quality assurance standards in the manufacture, distribution, and use of veterinary medicines and vaccines to safeguard human and animal health and the environment.

The Authority shall also be responsible for the categorization of veterinary medicines and vaccines and the qualification of persons authorised to trade in each category.

The Council will also be the sole registrar of veterinary medicines and vaccines manufactured or import
ed for use in Kenya or for export from Kenya, among other functions.

Ministry officials and members of the taskforce involved in the formulation of the draft Veterinary Practice and Veterinary Medicines Bill held a stakeholder’s engagement at a Kakamega hotel with professionals and agro-dealers from the four counties of Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, and Vihiga, from whom they sought their input before the Bill becomes law.

The Bill further proposes that the authority be governed by a board of nine members, most of whom must be veterinary professionals.

Deputy Director in Charge of Livestock Policy and Research, Dr. William Ambaka Akwimbi, said the law that has been managing the sector was last reviewed ten years ago and that there was a need to realign the law to conform to the 2010 constitution.

‘We want to substantially create the Kenya Veterinary Council to regulate the profession and the Veterinary Medicines and Vaccines Authority to manage the drugs,’ he added.

Dr.Akwimbi said once views from the variou
s stakeholders are collected and collated by May 17, 2024, a final validation forum will be held before the Bill is sent to the Office of the Attorney-General for verification before its transmission to Parliament for approval to become law.

He clarified, however, that if passed, the Act will only apply to the training and licensing of diploma and certificate holders.

A member of the taskforce involved in the formulation of the draft, Dr. Maurice Ogutu, said the country has for long been operating veterinary medicines and vaccines under regulations, which is against international law that requires that it operate under an Act of Parliament.

‘The veterinary medicines and vaccines law, as it is now, is being operated under regulations which are a secondary law and not a primary law as per international law requirements,’ he added.

Dr. Ogutu, who represents the pharmaceutical industry, said these laws will ensure proper supervision and regulation of the registration, manufacturing, importation, and exportati
on of veterinary medicines in the country.

The Proposed Bill has also spelled out penalties for those contravening any of the provisions.

Source: Kenya News Agency