A suspect involved in a violent robbery in Tharaka Nithi County attacked three police officers on Friday, resulting in serious injuries to one officer’s hand.
The officers were attempting to apprehend the suspect, accompanied by an informant. According to a police report, the suspect ambushed the officers during their approach, inflicting severe cuts to one officer’s left wrist and right palm.
The report further stated that during the confrontation, one officer discharged a round from a Duma pistol, but the assailant managed to flee into nearby bushes.
The injured officer was promptly transported to St. Orsola Mission Hospital Materi for medical attention and was admitted in critical condition.
Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of the informant, who was found to be complicit in the violent robbery incident that occurred in Kangeta alongside the fleeing suspect. Authorities recovered an ignition key and a registration number plate from the informant.
Additionally, it was reported that a neighbor and acquaintance of the informant had stolen a motorcycle during a violent robbery in the Kangeta area of Igembe Central subcounty, Meru County, on December 25, 2024.
The attack occurred prior to the officers and the informant reaching the suspect’s residence.
Notably, this incident coincided with another violent confrontation in Narok, where a police officer lost a hand while engaging with a group of protesters who had turned aggressive along the Narok-Mai Mahiu road on the same day.
The protesters, part of a group of Narok residents, were demonstrating against the death of 25 sheep allegedly struck by an unidentified motorist. They had blocked the road around 11 a.m., demanding compensation for the deceased animals.
When police were dispatched to restore order, they faced persistent resistance from the residents, who refused to clear the road.
CMC Motors Group has declared its intention to cease operations in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, marking the conclusion of over four decades of business activities in the region.
In an official statement, the company, which is a subsidiary of CMC Holdings Ltd and was acquired by the Al-Futtaim Group in 2014, highlighted that this decision aligns with local regulations and existing distributorship agreements.
The company explained that this decision was reached after a thorough assessment of its business, taking into account persistent market challenges such as economic pressures, currency devaluation, and increasing operational expenses.
“Throughout the last 40 years, CMC Motors Group has played a vital role in bolstering East Africa’s agricultural sector by delivering high-quality service and mechanization solutions,” the statement noted.
Despite efforts to restructure and a transformation initiative initiated in 2023, CMC acknowledged that the prevailing market conditions have not provided a feasible avenue for growth.
The company reaffirmed its dedication to assisting employees during this transition, ensuring that the wind-down process is conducted smoothly and in compliance with all applicable agreements and regulations.
Other subsidiaries under CMC Holdings Ltd include Cooper Motor Corporation (Uganda) Ltd, Hughes Motors (Tanzania) Ltd, and a 33% stake in Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers Ltd.
Katra Abdulahi Mohamed is the daughter of a soldier currently held captive in Somalia by al Shabaab.
The family of a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier, who was taken hostage during the Al Shabaab attack on January 15, 2016, at El Adde in Somalia, is urgently appealing to the government for assistance in securing his release.
Initially presumed dead following the attack, Abdulahi Issa Mohamed’s family was issued a death certificate. However, it has since been revealed that he is alive.
Mohamed is being held alongside his KDF colleague, Gerison Wanyonyi Wasike, who also appeared in a video confirming their survival and requesting government intervention for their release from al Shabaab.
The family learned of his survival after receiving a phone call and a video message from him, in which he earnestly sought help to return home.
Previously stationed at Moi Barracks in Eldoret, Mohamed had just arrived in Somalia with his unit for a security mission when their camp at El Adde was attacked.
Katra Ibrahim, his daughter, stated that her father has been in captivity for eight years, and they had lost all hope of his survival until she received an unexpected call last month.
After six years of mourning, the family had conducted burial rites, believing him to be deceased, and had obtained a death certificate for various official purposes.
“At first, I was taken aback when I received the call, but he introduced himself as my father. I recognized his voice immediately,” she recounted.
She mentioned that her father expressed a desire for assistance to return home, indicating that his captors were only willing to communicate with the government.
Katra then requested that he speak to his captors and arrange to send pictures or videos as proof of his existence.
“He informed me that the captors would soon provide video clips of him, and indeed, they later sent us a video of him pleading for help to return home,” Katra added.
The family expressed feelings of despair, likening their situation to that of orphans, but recent developments have instilled a renewed sense of hope.
“We had lost all hope and were living in a state of despair. My mother’s health has deteriorated as a result, and my two brothers have been grappling with depression. One of them even left home in a fit of frustration,” Katra explained.
She emphasized their urgent appeal to President William Ruto for assistance in bringing their father back home.
“The individuals holding him captive prefer to communicate with the government rather than the family. This is why we are earnestly requesting the president’s help,” she stated.
Katra expressed optimism that with the president’s intervention, their father would be released.
“We implore President Ruto to assist us in bringing my father home,” she added.
When her father managed to contact them, Katra reassured him that the government and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) had been supporting the family throughout his absence.
“We are grateful to God, the government, and the KDF for their unwavering support since his disappearance,” she remarked.
She noted their strong faith in God.
“As Muslims, we entrust everything to God. We had lost hope and feared he was dead, but it is through God’s grace that we remain thankful.”
Katra mentioned that the family had even conducted burial rites for him, believing he had passed away due to the lack of any evidence of his survival.
She acknowledged the state’s considerable support during this challenging time.
“They have been there for us, and we hold no one accountable, as he went missing while serving the country,” she said.
Katra conveyed their renewed hope that President Ruto would facilitate his release. The soldier is currently 61 years old.
“The government has provided us with physical, emotional, and financial support, which is why we firmly believe that the president and the people of Kenya will assist us,” she stated.
The family resides in Maili Nne, where neighbors, led by Sheikh Abu Kadir, expressed their joy upon learning on the eighth anniversary of his disappearance that the soldier is still alive.
Peter Mwangi and Jane Ndung’u Mtua arrest in Narok. [PHOTO | DCI]
Authorities in Narok County have taken two individuals into custody for the vandalism of a public bridge currently under construction over the Ewaso Nyiro River, as well as for the theft of metal beams from the site.
The suspects, identified as Peter Mwangi and Jane Ndung’u Mtua, were apprehended by officers from the Ntulele Police Station following reports from local residents regarding a white lorry, registration number KBY 213H, that was loading the stolen beams.
In response, the officers swiftly pursued and intercepted the lorry at the Nairegie-Enkare junction.
According to a statement released by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Friday, “The driver, Peter Mwangi, and his accomplice, Joyce Ndungu Mtua, were arrested, and both the lorry and the suspects were taken to Ntulele Police Station for processing and subsequent legal proceedings.”
The operation also resulted in the recovery of multiple structural metal beams.
Additionally, the agency issued a warning to the public, emphasizing that acts of vandalism against critical infrastructure will not be tolerated and will face stringent legal repercussions.
The enactment of the Tax Amendment Act and the Tax Procedures Act by President William Ruto on December 11 of the previous year has paved the way for substantial modifications to Kenya’s tax framework.
These amendments, which will took effect on December 27, 2024, have brought about changes to several critical tax legislations, including the Income Tax Act, VAT Act, Excise Duty Act, Miscellaneous Fees and Levies Act, and the Tax Procedures Act.
The updated regulations are anticipated to result in increased VAT and excise duties, consequently raising the costs associated with consumer goods and business activities.
Items such as sugar, alcohol, and plastics will experience hikes in excise duties, which will directly affect consumer prices.
Additionally, retirees will be adversely impacted as the 15% relief on contributions to post-retirement medical funds, previously limited to Ksh.60,000 annually, has been eliminated, forcing them to cover the entire expense.
Kevin Chege, Manager of Tax and Transfer Pricing at PKF, remarked, “There were significant alterations to what we refer to as the indirect taxes statutes; specifically, we are addressing the VAT Act and the Excise Duty Act. In terms of excise duty, we have observed a considerable rise in the excise duty rates for certain services. Furthermore, another change that is likely to elevate the cost of living is the increase in the railways development levy on imported goods, which has risen from 1.5 percent to 2 percent.”
Salaried individuals in Kenya are preparing for heightened deductions beginning in February, as contributions to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) will increase from the current Ksh.2,160 to Ksh.4,320, in accordance with the provisions of the NSSF Act of 2013.
“In 2023, the NSSF contribution was Ksh.1,080, which rose to Ksh.2,160 in February 2024, and as stipulated in the NSSF Act of 2013, the contribution will double again in 2025 to Ksh.4,320,” Chege added.
The digital sector is poised for substantial transformations. The previous digital service tax has been substituted with the significant economic presence tax, which has risen from 1.5% to 3% of turnover.
Moreover, a 5% withholding tax imposed on digital platforms may diminish the profits for stakeholders within the industry.
Experts are advising Kenyans to capitalize on tax amnesties to achieve compliance, cautioning that challenging economic conditions are anticipated in the future.
TikTok is scheduled to cease its U.S. operations on Sunday, coinciding with the implementation of a federal ban, unless a last-minute intervention occurs, according to sources familiar with the situation. The application has a user base of 170 million individuals in the United States.
In July of the previous year, President-elect Donald Trump stated that he would not permit a ban on TikTok.
Below is a comprehensive overview of the allegations made against the company and its parent organization, ByteDance, in the United States.
TIKTOK MANAGEMENT IS SUBJECT TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT
FBI Director Chris Wray has indicated that TikTok presents a national security threat, noting that Chinese firms are obligated to comply with the Chinese government’s demands regarding information sharing and serving as instruments of state control.
Congressional members have expressed concerns that the Chinese government possesses a “golden share” in ByteDance, which grants it influence over TikTok.
TikTok has clarified that “an entity associated with the Chinese government owns 1% of a ByteDance subsidiary, Douyin Information Service,” asserting that this ownership “does not impact ByteDance’s global operations outside of China, including TikTok.”
TIKTOK COULD BE UTILIZED TO INFLUENCE AMERICANS
Director Wray has also articulated that the U.S. operations of TikTok raise significant national security issues, as the Chinese government might exploit the video-sharing platform to sway users or manipulate their devices.
The potential risks include “the possibility that the Chinese government could utilize (TikTok) to oversee data collection on millions of users or manipulate the recommendation algorithm, which could be employed for influence operations,” Wray informed U.S. lawmakers.
Former National Security Agency Director Paul Nakasone expressed concerns in March 2023 regarding the data collected by TikTok, the algorithm that disseminates information to users, and “the control of who possesses the algorithm.”
He emphasized that the TikTok platform could facilitate extensive influence operations, as it has the capacity to actively shape user opinions and could also “suppress the message.”
TikTok asserts that it “does not allow any government to influence or alter its recommendation model.”
In a ruling that upheld the law, a panel of three judges from a federal appeals court stated: “The extensive efforts over several years by both political branches to examine the national security threats associated with the TikTok platform, as well as to evaluate potential solutions proposed by TikTok, strongly support the (law).”
TIKTOK WILL PROVIDE AMERICANS’ DATA TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT
Legislators have claimed that the Chinese government, under a 2017 National Intelligence law, has the authority to compel ByteDance to disclose TikTok user information. TikTok contends that, being incorporated in California and Delaware, it is governed by U.S. laws and regulations.
The chief executive of TikTok has maintained that the company has never shared, nor will it ever share, U.S. user data with the Chinese government.
TIKTOK’S IMPACT ON CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH
In March 2022, eight states, including California and Massachusetts, initiated an investigation into whether TikTok inflicts physical or mental health damage on young individuals and what the company was aware of regarding its contribution to these issues.
The inquiry centers on how TikTok enhances engagement among young users, including claims of increasing the amount of time spent on the platform and the frequency of its use.
TikTok claims to have implemented various measures “to ensure that teenagers under 18 have a safe and enjoyable experience on the app, many of which impose restrictions not found on similar platforms.”
TIKTOK MONITORS JOURNALISTS
In December 2022, ByteDance acknowledged that some employees had inappropriately accessed TikTok user data belonging to two journalists.
The access was part of an unsuccessful attempt to investigate leaks of company information earlier that year, with the goal of identifying possible connections between the two journalists—a former BuzzFeed reporter and a Financial Times reporter—and company personnel.
A source familiar with the situation informed Reuters that four employees of ByteDance connected to the incident have been terminated, comprising two individuals in China and two in the United States. Company representatives stated that they are implementing further measures to safeguard user data.
A 25-year-old man has reportedly taken his own life in Kipkelion, located in Kericho County. According to local residents, the individual, identified as Festus Bore, who worked for a government parastatal, was discovered deceased in his residence.
Community members suggest that his death was linked to a prolonged domestic conflict with his wife, who had recently returned to their marital home.
Witnesses noted that the deceased had exhibited signs of emotional turmoil and had threatened suicide on Tuesday, which led to an impassioned appeal from his father urging him to reconsider his decision.
Despite his father’s efforts, the man appeared determined and withdrew to his room, where he subsequently fell asleep.
Later that day, he awoke, removed a rope that was tied to his cow, and used it to hang himself from the rafters of his home.
His mother, growing increasingly worried as she took time to wake up, decided to check on him. Upon reaching his house, she knocked on the door and called for her son, but received no response as the door was locked from within.
Looking through a window, she was confronted with a tragic scene: her son was found unconscious and hanging from the rafters, having succumbed to his earlier suicidal thoughts.
The incident was reported to the Kipkelion police, and the body was subsequently transported to the mortuary at Londiani sub-county hospital.
Police in Kisumu have apprehended an individual believed to be involved in the deadly stabbing of a man following a dispute over Ksh.50.
The deceased, whose identity has not been disclosed, was a student at the Kisumu Rotary Vocational Training Centre situated near the Fanana area. He suffered multiple stab wounds to the chest during the confrontation.
According to witnesses, the altercation stemmed from a disagreement over Ksh.50 at a betting establishment, which quickly escalated into violence.
On Thursday evening, tensions heightened in the vicinity as a group of young individuals sought to avenge the student’s death.
In response, authorities promptly arrested the suspect, known as Faiba, near the Kisumu bus park and effectively dispersed the gathering crowd.
He is expected to face legal charges once the investigation concludes.
Eight former Tana River County officials arrested over Ksh.9M fraudulent tender, they are scheduled to be arraigned at the Hola Chief Magistrate Court on Friday.
Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) apprehended eight former officials of the Tana River County government on Thursday evening in connection with the improper awarding of a Ksh.9 million tender.
The individuals taken into custody include Fatuma Zahra, the former County Chief Officer for Public Service; Abashora Swaleh Salad, the former Principal Supply Chain Management Officer; Ali Dhidha Hussein, a Building Inspector in the Department of Public Works; and Issa Funani Bere, a former Senior Supply Chain Management Officer.
Additionally, the group comprises Supply Chain Management Officers Mohamed Natse and Kevin Simiyu Wafula, Fatuma Napasha Hussein-Electro, a Casual Inspector in the Department of Public Works, and a director from Al-Karim Agencies, a company contracted to install fencing around the wildlife offices and staff quarters in Hola town.
Six of the suspects were apprehended in Malindi and held overnight at the Malindi Police Station before being transported under heavy security to Hola. The other two suspects were arrested in Lamu County.
These individuals are part of a larger group of 14 implicated in the case and are set to appear before the Hola Chief Magistrate Court on Friday.
EACC spokesperson Eric Ngumbi confirmed the arrests, stating that the Commission’s Upper Coast regional office conducted an operation in Tana River and Lamu Counties after discovering irregularities associated with the tender awarded to Al-Karim General Construction Company.
Ngumbi further noted that the investigation revealed multiple irregularities, including the lack of a budget, absence of a procurement plan, forged documents, and an evaluation process that failed to adhere to the required procurement standards.
He also mentioned that the Commission is actively seeking the remaining six suspects, which include one Senior Supply Chain Management Officer and five directors of Al-Karim General Construction Company.
The government of Kenya is aiming to regulate the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in order to balance the benefits of the technology with the need to address risks associated with its misuse.
This initiative is outlined in the Draft Kenya National AI Strategy for 2025-2030, which seeks to harness AI’s capabilities to stimulate the nation’s economic development.
Additionally, the strategy aspires to position Kenya as a leader in Africa in utilizing AI to fulfill national objectives.
The implementation of this vision will revolve around seven key themes: AI digital infrastructure, data management, AI Research and Development, talent cultivation, governance, investment, and ethical considerations.
“The strategy envisions Kenya as a leader in high-quality AI research and development, fostering innovative and ethical solutions that cater to the diverse needs of our local communities,” the statement indicated in part.
“It emphasizes the importance of utilizing local talent, datasets, and creativity to transform priority sectors and promote inclusive economic growth.”
A significant aspect of the strategic plan includes the establishment of a national framework to regulate the optimal use of AI technology. To facilitate this, the government intends to form a task force dedicated to addressing both opportunities and emerging challenges posed by AI.
This task force will develop protocols to protect sensitive data while ensuring broader access.
Another component of the strategy involves investing in AI infrastructure through the implementation of a national broadband initiative that will provide high-speed internet and 5G connectivity.
This infrastructure will be powered by renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, and geothermal, to minimize environmental impact.
Furthermore, the government plans to collaborate with global technology firms through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to explore innovative ways to harness AI’s potential.
This collaboration will include incentivizing investors to fund the establishment of local data laboratories aimed at training the youth on the capabilities of AI.
One additional theme involves initiating a public awareness campaign focused on AI rights, as well as addressing disinformation and misinformation to mitigate its misuse.
Efforts will be made to educate stakeholders and civil servants on the ethical and fair application of this technology.
The proposed strategies will play a crucial role in developing a skilled and adaptable workforce to advance the nation in technological matters.
This draft strategy emerges as the government seeks to regulate the use of AI among Kenyan youth, who have turned to creating AI-generated images to voice their dissatisfaction.
Several political leaders have criticized this practice and have issued warnings regarding severe repercussions for those who create such images.
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