Category: National News

Reading Time: 2 minutesOn August 38, The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has implemented new program. The application process for admission to the Open Universities of Kenya. KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Agnes Mercy Wahome, announced that the application would be free of charge and have no deadline. “This is due to the uniqueness of the Open University’s mode of learning and flexible modular program design, that will allow student to study at their own pace and convenience,” said Wahome. In an unprecedented move in Kenya’s history, the university released new admission requirement. It will incorporate work experiences, short courses, or recognition of prior learning for admitting students to degree programs. The university is striving to break conventional barriers and create opportunities for a broader range of Kenyans to access university education in flexible and convenient manner. In addition, On August 3rd, 2023, President William Samoe Ruto chartered the Open University of Kenya (OUK) to cater all Kenyans. Who may have missed early opportunities or faced obstacles like formal grades, age, financial capacity, gender, or geographical location that hindered their access to university education. The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Elijah Omwenga, has made a request to the placement body. To list five degree programs and two postgraduate diploma course, on the student placement application portal. READ ALSO: To be eligible for undergraduate courses. The student must present their KCSE certificate or equivalent, and submit a portfolio for the recognition of prior learning as part of the minimum admission requirements. Furthermore, The university plans to offer various undergraduate program. Bachelor of Data Science, Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, Bachelor of Technology Education, Bachelor of Business and Entrepreneurship and Bachelor of Economic and Statistics. The postgraduate programs will encompass the flagship Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Accountability. Also Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Design and Technology. Finally, The Degree and Postgraduate diploma programs consist of 12 to 14 course units per academic year. Postgraduate program are design for completion within one year. While Bachelor’s degree programs take four years. Students can choose flexible open learning, opting to study one course unit at a time if desired. This option is available for both bachelor’s degree and postgraduate diploma programs. Students located outside East Africa will be subject to an additional 10% fee.

Reading Time: 2 minutesAccording to a Senate Committee, Eldoret town, Well know as the “Home of Champions”. Is the largest commercial center in the Northern Region. It is going to be the next City in 6 months time. Upon conducting a recent visit to the town. The committee advised Uasin Gishu county to upgrade its sewerage infrastructure. Furthermore, they appealed to national government to expedite the completion of the Eldoret Eastern Bypass The Senate Committee on Devolution inspected crucial facilities necessary for the town’s elevation to city status. However, ODM secretary in charge of the devolution, Kipkorir Arap Menjo. Question why there was a rush to confer city status and yet other need are yet to be addressed. “What we miss if we don’t have a city in the name? What is the rush for? First revived the economy first, efficient waste disposal and upgrade the sewage system. Do away with poverty, street children. Some needs should be addressed before demanding city status. We have a meeting tomorrow in Eldoret West Hall to discuss the same.” Menjo said However, Senator Sheikh Abbas of Wajir, The committee expressed optimism that the prerequisites for the Eldoret to attain a city status will be fulfilled within the six months. READ ALSO: Question now is ringing in most of Kenyans, ” should the parliament endorse the proposal to elevate this renowned sports town?” It is celebrated for producing world-class athlete and often referred as the ” City of Champions”. Is now going to become the Fifth city in Kenya, joining the ranks of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru. As the committee outlined, Eldoret features substantial road infrastructure within the town, maintains well-established emergency response system, houses healthcare facilities, and also serves as the location for one of the nation’s largest airports. The Eldoret International Airport along with other amenities. In addition, the committee also pointed out the town’s illustrious sports heritage as a vital contributing factor to Eldoret’s suitability for elevation to city status. The committee also pointed out the town’s illustrious sports heritage as a vital contributing factor to Eldoret’s suitability for elevation to city status. “WE have conducted an inspection of the facilities required before granting city status to a town in Eldoret. The ongoing expansion of Eldoret International Airport is part of this process. The town needs to demonstrate its ability to facilitate trade once it obtain a city status,” Senator Abbas remarked. He states that, his committee found the road network project impressive. He also adds that they had completed the majority of the transport infrastructure project.

Reading Time: 3 minutesCS Ezekiel Machogu, ensures university admission remains open to all despite fees shortage. As Education Secretary, he reassures to parents and students planning to enrolling to public university next month, that no individual will be denied admission due to lack of fees. Machogu spoke to the National Assembly Committee on Education on Thursday. He said that although only 30% of the group has applied for government scholarship, the other remaining 70% should not be worried because, they will also get a chance to enroll. He share that he will send a circular to Vice Chancellors to make sure no student is close out. Meanwhile, many optimistic university students were still in line at the HELB offices in Anniversary Towers, hoping for an opportunity to apply for government financing. They were all dependent on a slow system for their applications. “Treasury is giving us funds for 2nd, 3rd and 4th years. Which will be disbursed to universities as we are concluding the process of categorization for the 1st years. We have made it clear to our public and private universities not to turn away students while we are doing the process of the funding,” CS Machogu said. READ ALSO: Machogu talked about worries from Mps about how scholarships and loans are being given out. The process is not finished and might make students miss their chances. “We discussed the matter with the Vice Chancellors and they agreed to our proposal but I will write a circular,” he stated. Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala added,” The students are already visiting the facility and are being assisted and we will ensure this happens until they settle down and get on with their studies.” Education officials mentioned that 70% of the students still haven’t applied for the government funding. The lawmakers are asking the ministry to extend the deadline from September 7th so that no student is left out. The government is also considering extending time. “We have built capacity at the Huduma Center so that they can apply from there, we are working with the interior ministry to fast track the process.” HELB CEO Charles Ringera said. Cs Machogu noted, “we will not like to lock out any person, and if you have an application you can just report in university and be guided on how to apply, we will be quite flexible because as you can see the number are still low.” Until Thursday,75,272 out of 285,000 students in universities and TVETS had applied successfully. People are asking what will happen to those who are not yet 18 years old. Nyando MP Jared Okello stated: “You are criminalizing finishing Form Four at 16, we are opening doors for crooks who will offer to help.” CS Machogu responded: ” We have been able to analyze this because we have had some sort of problem. The system has some kind of jam such that we apply and the system is not able to absorb. The validation process has also has challenges.” Even with the reassurance, students at the HELB offices in Anniversary Towers appeared sad and frustrated as they stood in line seeking help before the September 7th deadline. Some of the students are familiar with these difficulties- last year, they had to give up on the loan because of the same system problem. Most of the students who finished high school last year are concerned about the missing out on funding. This could affect their education plans as their parents cannot afford to pay the entire school fees. They are asking the government to give more time for HELB applications. All to note that, only the 2022 KCSE candidates will follow the new funding model.

Reading Time: 2 minutesFather Michael Muriuki, has been found hands bounded with legs. The Catholic priest who was kidnapped from his parent’s home in Mau Narok on Wednesday has been located at Nakuru. On Thursday morning, Father Muriuki was discovered in Kaptembwo, Nakuru West, with his hands and legs bound by ropes. He was swiftly taken to Nakuru Referral Hospital for examination by doctor. However he appear to be tired and devastated following the ordered seal. Though he is able to speak. The cleric is yet to explain what happen and how he was abducted. Unknown individual reportedly hijacked the priest at round 8 pm from his mother’s residence. They were using Subaru Forester with the license plate KDK 353L – to abduct him along Elementaita Road. According to police report, the signals from his phone were tracked across multiples location within Nakuru town. Additionally, his vehicle was retrieved in Nakuru town at 9:30 pm , abandoned on Ogiligei Street -near Ole Ken Hotel. READ ALSO: Furthermore, a sum exceeding Kenya shilling 100,000 was withdrawn from his various account at different locations with the town. According to the police, the vehicle was discovered abandoned with its engine running. The priest had been recently moved from Elburgon in Molo to Holy Cross Parish Nakuru. Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) officers have initiated a manhunt for the unidentified kidnappers, as the motive behind this alarming abduction remain unclear. Recently, there has been a concerning rise in instances of enigmatic abductions and homicides within the society. This trends has sparked inquiries into the current state of affairs and what might be transpiring within our community. Nevertheless, detectives have been tirelessly working to ensure that Kenyans received consistent and comprehensive security throughout the country at all times.

Reading Time: 2 minutesSports Cabinet Ababu Namwamba has expressed regret to the Parliament for sending a letter to the Speaker requesting his presence to address the debatable matters raised concerning his Ministry. Due to the concerns raised by Majority Leader Kimani Ichun’gwa , Namwamba found himself in a position where he had to apologize. This was in response to a letter he had written to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, Senate counterpart Amason Kingi, with a copy also sent to the Majority Leader. During his speech on the House floor, Mp Kimani Ichung’wa pointed out that Namwamba had referred to the issues raised against his ministry as “Purporting” and “hearsay” in the letter. The part of of Namwamba’s letter read as follows, “The attention of our ministry has been drawn to statements made respective by MP Kimani Ichungwa and Senator Simon Cherargei which statements purport to cast aspersions on the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports…Among the immutable norms of parliamentary practice include non admissibility of hearsay and not condemning anyone unheard and in their absence.” READ ALSO: The Majority Leader referred to the letter as “condescending to the institution of parliament “, Criticizing the CS, the Majority Leader accused him of implying that the legislators were raising issues based on “Hearsay”. “For the record for this Cabinet Secretary and others, because some may be misguided to believe thatas leader of majority, I am here holding brief for Cabinet Secretaries, when it comes to matters of accountability, I will hold you to account as if I am the leader of minority,” said Ichung’wa. Minority Leader Opiyo Wanday echoed the sentiment of the Majority Leader, faulting the Sports Cabinet Secretary for coming across as if he was instructing he House regarding its mandate. “It is not for anybody else to direct this House how to go about transacting its business, including the business of inviting people to this house under Article 95. This House has the mandate to deal with issues concerning people.. And therefore this House is in order in order to raise those queries that it raised,” he said. In his response, Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang’ accused Namwamba of trying to lecture Parliament by providing, “a lengthy lecture about hearsay and saying what we are doing here we are purporting.” “And to allow this witness to write to the Speaker, where is even the protocol of writing to the Speaker?” posed Kajwang. “Now, how is it that a witness decides therefore, rises on a stool and decide to address the presiding officer of this house and lectures him accordingly.” After receiving criticism from the MPs, Sport CS Ababu Namwamba issued an apology, stating, “Let me make it clear that the correspondence that has been referenced here was authored and conveyed in good faith and would apologized unreservedly if in any way that letter has created wrong..” said Namwamba. “I therefore with a lot of respect, withdraw that correspondence and unreservedly send an apology to the honorable house.” Namwamba on Wednesday appeared before the National Assembly plenary for questioning over allegations of failing in his role at the Sports docket.

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Biggest Floating Book Fair, the MV Logos Hope has made its way to Mombasa, Kenya, offering book enthusiasts in the region a 45 days opportunity to indulge in its extensive collection On Tuesday, the 132-meter long floating library, operated by the German non- profit organization GBA Ships, arrived in Mombasa with around 350 people aboard. The ship arrived in Mombasa 18 years after its sister vessel, Duolos, visited Kenya in the year 2005 The floating library is operated by a team of volunteers from more than 60 countries. It houses a collection of over 5,000 books. Additionally, it offers amenities like an international café, a visitors desk, and a welcoming area. READ ALSO: In collaboration with KPA, Inchcape, the Mombasa County government, and the Kenya Tourism Board, the MV Logos Hope’s visit to Kenya has been coordinated. This visit coincides with Kenya’s Recent hosting of several cruise ships. Captain William Ruto, the Managing Director of the Kenya Port Authority (KPA), warmly received the ship’s arrival. He emphasized its importance, not just for the Mombasa port, but for the entire country. Individuals aged 3 to 60 can access the ship by paying a nominal fee, granting them the opportunity to explore its diverse offerings. These include books covering a wide array of subject such as science, sports, hobbies, cooking, arts, medicine, languages and faith. Upon arrival, visitors can delve into the Logos Hope’s history via a concise video and engaging interactive display in the welcome zone. Furthermore, they are welcome to experience the ship’s onboard café’ for refreshments.

Reading Time: 2 minutesPastor Ezekiel Odero challenge the Registrar of Societies’ decision to deregister his New Life Church Center. Odero, represented by Lawyer Dastan Omari, asserts that the cancellation occurred without any prior notice given to him. He claims that the Registrar’s action is carried out in bad faith, given that he has a conference scheduled to begin tomorrow on Saturday. The conference, known as “Meza ya Bwana”, is planned to take place for the next 14 days, expecting a daily attendances of over 100,000 individuals. READ ALSO: Speaking to the Press at Milimani Law Courts Omari said “By the law that appeal served as a stay for the next 90 days before the Attorney General makes a decision,” Omari said the church remans open to followers by virtue of the filling of the appeal. He also added that they have been trying to access the registration file in a bid to file returns but all in vain. “Numerous letters have been written to the Registrar but it has proven to be a difficult task to get the file,” Omar added. On friday, the Registrar of Societies revoked the registration of Pastor Ezekiel Odero’s Newlife Prayer Center. Using a gazette notice dated August 3, 2023, the Registrar of Societies also invalidated the registration of four other churches. “In exercise of the power conferred by section 12 (1) of the Societies Act, the Registrar of Societies cancels the registration of the societies specified in the first column of the Schedule, with effect from the respective dates specified in the third column of the schedule,” Registrar of Societies Maria Nyariki said. Among the affected churches, Goodnews International Ministries, Helicopter of Christ Church, Theophilus Church, Kings Outreach Church and Goodnews International Ministries had its registration revoked on may 19,2023.