As the Kenya Red Cross undertakes rescue operations at Kinanie Bride along the Athi River on Mombasa Road, five individuals have been reported missing.

The Athi River burst its banks on Sunday morning, leaving 19 people stranded by the floods, according to a Red Cross statement.

fourteen persons were successfully rescued, while five were remained unaccounted for, according to the Emergency Response Team.

“After the Athi River broke its banks this morning, 19 people in Kinanie, Machakos County, were marooned. So far, we have managed to rescue 14 people—10 adults and 4 children—as efforts to rescue five others continue,” stated the Red Cross.

The five missing people are still being searched for by an emergency response team that works with the County Government and the Red Cross.

Drivers are encouraged to stay away from the area until the floods fade away, even in spite of the rescue operations.

As a result, there is currently traffic on Mombasa Road, and drivers are advised to expect delays of up to several hours.

Wavinya Ndeti, the governor of Machakos County, also issued an order for the evacuation of nearby people.

She said that she had worked with the local chiefs and school administrators to arrange for the locals to relocate to schools in order to accommodate individuals who had been affected by the flooding.

Additionally, Wavinya Ndeti advised those who had constructed near riparian zones to take down their structures and widen the waterways.

Wavinya issued a warning, saying, ““Those who have walls built along riparian lands are instructed to demolish them, otherwise we shall demolish them ourselves.”

Multiple places in the nation have been severely damaged by floods caused by the country’s excessive rainfall.

The Community of Practice (CoP) model has been incorporated into the junior secondary school curriculum by the government.

The government led the reforms through the Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) in an effort to enhance student-teacher collaboration.

The CoP approach, according to CEMASTEA, aims to give teachers and learners from diverse schools a way to work together to accomplish goals.

The news was made in Kisumu during a training session for County Trainers for JS teachers from 15 counties in the Nyanza, Western, and North Rift regions by George Kiruja, the coordinator of the program.

Kiruja further emphasized that the project will offer a forum for exchanging ideas, suggestions, and tactics.

According to Kiruja, “The idea is to help teachers work as a community. The model promotes peer learning, exchange of best practices, and collaborative problem solving, providing a platform for teachers to share insights, resources, and strategies for delivering the CBC effectively.

Further information reveals that CEMASTEA wants to create Communities of Practise (CoPs) in every junior school in the nation to enhance learning results.

In the near future, this will expand upon the creation of subject-specific and regional clusters to help teachers implement cutting-edge methods for particular courses.

In order to enable teachers to receive specialized training, CEMASTEA also mentioned that they have created a portal where teachers may communicate about their challenges.

Teachers were additionally motivated to cooperate via in-person meetings and virtual social media platforms.

Some of the criticism directed on CBC has been that certain subjects in the curriculum are taught by unqualified teachers.

A good example of this is Physical Health Education (P.H.E.), which was formerly five different fields but was merged into one: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Sports, and Physical Health Education.

The content of CBC publications has also drawn criticism from religious organizations, with some of them purportedly pushing the agenda for homosexual relationships.

The leaders have criticized this, claiming that it serves as a means of introducing the narrative to impressionable minds.

Tomorrow marks the opening of the 6th Forum of the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (PASET), which brings together about 12 African Ministers of Education.

The summit, which is scheduled for April 23–25, will bring together representatives from academics, business, and governments from throughout Africa to discuss issues about the continent’s future in terms of entrepreneurship, skills, and education.

“Leveraging Technical, Vocational and Technical Training (TVET) in the Knowledge and Skills Ecosystem for Africa’s Industrialization” is the conference’s theme.

The symposium, which will take place at the Safari Park Hotel, will focus on how African higher education is influencing the green economy and the nature of work in the continent. It is anticipated that over 500 people would attend the forum.

Tomorrow marks the opening of the 6th Forum of the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (PASET), which brings together about 12 African Ministers of Education.

The summit, which is scheduled for April 23–25, will bring together representatives from academics, business, and governments from throughout Africa to discuss issues about the continent’s future in terms of entrepreneurship, skills, and education.

“Leveraging Technical, Vocational and Technical Training (TVET) in the Knowledge and Skills Ecosystem for Africa’s Industrialization” is the conference’s theme.

The symposium, which will take place at the Safari Park Hotel, will focus on how African higher education is influencing the green economy and the nature of work in the continent. It is anticipated that over 500 people would attend the forum.

Speaking before the conference, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, Ezekiel Machogu, said:

“Africa’s socio-economic transformation relies on its ability to develop relevant skills, and promote scientific research and technology for industry and society.”

“It is evident that our collective efforts are not only driving the advancement of science, technology and innovation in Africa but are also laying the foundation for socio-economic transformation across our nations. I am in no doubt that the objectives we set to achieve in the 6th PASET Forum will be achieved,” Dr. Machogu continued.

The Forum will cover the kinds of knowledge and skills needed for Africa to become an industrialized continent, with a focus on the growth and use of digital technologies like as artificial intelligence (AI), robots, and data analytics within the continent’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), the Regional Coordination Unit for PASET’s Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF), and Kenya’s Ministry of Education are working together to organize the event.

A number of PASET nations will discuss their experiences and ideas about how skills could change to better equip young people on the continent for the industrialization and workforce of the future.

The scholars from the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF), accompanied by mentors, supervisors, and other stakeholders from the higher education sector in Africa and elsewhere, will be exhibiting their work that addresses the demands of the green economy and the nature of work in the future.

The body of a head teacher from Kisii County’s primary school, who vanished last week, was discovered in a water well close to his house at the Aloo estate in Oyugis town, Homa Bay County.

After going missing for five days, Raganga Primary School head teacher Richard Otieno Kobe was discovered dead on Sunday morning.

Gilbert Kobe, Richard’s younger brother, claimed that his son, who had gone to get water, had discovered Richard’s body in the well.

Gilbert claimed that on Tuesday night, Richard vanished. His family expected him to return home, but he never did. He left the house without taking his cell phone and didn’t tell anyone where he was going.

The family began looking for him the next day and reported him to the police before going to the Lida trading center in the neighboring Rachuonyo North Sub-County to look for him after some people said they had seen someone who resembled him.

However, it wasn’t until Sunday morning that they received a call from their home informing them that the body had been discovered in the water well. The body was taken from the scene by the police when they were notified.

Lilies Wachira, the commander of Rachuonyo South Sub-County Police, stated that investigations had already been started.

For the post-mortem, the body was taken to the mortuary of Rachuonyo South Sub-County Hospital.

Tragically, a 45-year-old man in Kiamaciri village, Mutithi ward, Mwea West Sub-county, Kirinyaga County, perished while attempting to cross a flooded swamp.

Locals led by Samuel Gichuki claim that the victim, John Ndambiri, perished while trying to cross the flooded swamp.

The locals were shocked by his death, especially since Ndambiri had crossed the swamp before successfully. Samuel Gichuki voiced his incredulity, pointing out that Ndambiri had attempted to cross the swamp only moments before but had become stranded in the midst.

The community’s efforts to recover Ndambiri’s body from the flooded swamp yesterday night were fraught with difficulties.

According to Peter Wanjohi, the area’s two swamps were flooded by the intense rains, but they were still able to retrieve Ndambiri’s body and transport it to Kibugi Funeral Home.

Several families in the Mwea constituency have been forced to relocate, and some have even been forced to evacuate their houses due to the unrelenting downpour in Kirinyaga.

The gravity of the issue was highlighted by Mwea West DCC Lawrence Omondi, who urged locals to move to safer areas and stay away from dangerous areas like flooded swamps.

The deputy director of Programmes, public policy, and the president’s priority initiatives, Pius Chirchir, has been accused of attempted felony and abuse of office.

Following investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which found that Chirchir is accountable for the aforementioned offenses, the Makadara Law Courts rendered their decision.

“The suspect demanded a 2% stake (shareholding) from Kentegra Pyrethrum Company Limited to assist the company in bypassing the hurdles brought about by the Pyrethrum Act of 2013 which required farmers to use the electronic Tax Invoice Management System (eTIMS),” the DCI stated in a statement on X.

“……and also help the company in its case concerning the illegal sale of two (2) tons of Kentegra dried pyrethrum flowers to Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya.”

After being charged with both offenses, Chirchir was arraigned on Tuesday and released on a Ksh. 200,000 bond with one Ksh. 200,000 surety, with the option of Ksh. 100,000 cash bail.

Before the hearing, which is scheduled for September 17, 2024, the topic will be discussed on June 13.

Senior military personnel, including Francis Ogolla, the Chief of Defence Forces, lost their life in a terrible military helicopter crash in the Sindar area, close to the border between West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet. This is not the first such incident.

In recent years, there have been a number of these events all around the nation.

Wajir County was rocked by two distinct incidents on November 20, 2023. While delivering exam materials to Arbajahan, a commercial helicopter crashed at Wajir International Airport, another military helicopter on a relief food supply mission crashed during takeoff in Buna, Wajir North.

Two pilots from the Kenya Defence Forces were hospitalized earlier that month after their helicopter crashed in the Kisamis area of Kajiado West. This happened after a power cable was struck by a Kenya Air Force Fennec helicopter on November 9 while it was on its way to Nairobi.

A helicopter carrying officials accompanying Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on a security tour of the dangerous territory crashed in Chemolingot Stadium, Baringo County, in July 2023. Luckily, despite the helicopter striking a tree after takeoff, everyone on board—including government officials—escaped unscathed.

When a military helicopter crashed in Kajiado in June 2021 while on a normal training exercise, at least ten Kenya Defence Forces troops perished. The helicopter circled for more than twenty minutes before it crashed, attempting to evacuate those who were onboard.

These military helicopter mishaps have raised questions about the aircraft’s upkeep, safety, and operational standards.

On Sunday, April 21, 2024, the late General Francis Ogolla, the Chief of Defense Forces (PDF), will be laid to rest in his family’s home in Mor, Alego Usonga, Siaya County.

Speaking to the media, the late General Ogolla’s family disclosed that he had specified in his Will that he be buried within 72 hours after passing away.

A memorial ceremony will be held at his local church in Nduru prior to the burial.

“Additionally, a Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 26th, 2024, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Langata, where he found solace in his biweekly runs,” the family stated in a statement.

A Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) committee is working together with the late CDF’s family to ensure the distinguished General has a dignified farewell.

Along with nine other military personels, Ogolla perished in a helicopter crash on Thursday in the Sindar area of Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Prior to his death, Ogolla was scheduled to attend the 100th birthday celebration of his father, Joel Okech, in Siaya County on Saturday, April 20. The celebrations are expected to last into Sunday and involve the local community.

In light of General Francis Ogolla’s tragic death, President William Ruto declared three days of national mourning on Thursday.

On Thursday, two individuals were charged with drug trafficking and possessing various narcotics worth approximately Ksh.900,000 at their arraignment in a Mombasa court.

Before Senior Resident Magistrate Rita Orora, the accused, Salim Kilanga Mwinyi and Zuher Ali Mohamed, were each charged separately.

It is said that Mohammed was discovered in possession of bhang, cocaine, and heroin.

According to the ODPP, Mohammed was charged with the first count of trafficking by keeping narcotic substances, specifically heroin, to wit 114 grams, with a market value of Ksh 342,000. He appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Rita Orora.

“He was also charged with the two other counts of being in possession of narcotic drugs namely 1.6037 grams of cocaine with a street value of Ksh 6,414 and 22 grams of bhang with a street value of Ksh 660 respectively.”

He was freed after denying the charges and posting a Ksh. 500,000 surety bond.
However, Mwinyi was accused of trafficking 170 grams of heroin valued at Ksh. 510,000.

“He denied the charge of narcotics trafficking in violation of section 4(a)(ii) of the Psychotropic Substance (control) Act no. 4 of 1994, as modified by the Psychotropic Substance (control) (amendment) Act, 2022,” the ODPP stated.

“He was also charged with the two other counts of being in possession of narcotic drugs namely 1.6037 grams of cocaine with a street value of Ksh 6,414 and 22 grams of bhang with a street value of Ksh 660 respectively.”

He was freed after denying the charges and posting a Ksh. 500,000 surety bond.
However, Mwinyi was accused of trafficking 170 grams of heroin valued at Ksh. 510,000.

“He denied the charge of narcotics trafficking in violation of section 4(a)(ii) of the Psychotropic Substance (control) Act no. 4 of 1994, as modified by the Psychotropic Substance (control) (amendment) Act, 2022,” the ODPP stated.

He was freed on a Ksh. 700,000 bail with an equal surety bond after entering a not guilty plea to the allegations.

May 6 and May 8, respectively, are scheduled for the mention of Mwinyi and Mohammed’s cases.