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Relief as Govt Releases Ksh.1.36 Billion for SHA Claims

The government has released Ksh.1.36 billion to address outstanding claims from facilities under the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA).

On Friday, SHA CEO Ingasira Robert announced that this disbursement accounts for over 52 percent of the total funds designated for October, during which 217,700 claims totaling Ksh.2.6 billion were submitted.

“In alignment with our commitment to ensuring continuous service delivery, SHA has successfully disbursed more than Ksh.1.36 billion. This amount constitutes over 52% of the total claims for the month,” stated Ingasira.

“In October, 2,382 hospitals submitted a total of 217,700 claims, amounting to Ksh.2.6 billion.”

Mr. Ingasira reaffirmed the Authority’s dedication to facilitating seamless medical service delivery, indicating that the remaining 164,146 claims, valued at approximately Ksh.1.2 billion, are currently in the final verification stage.

He reported that 53,554 claims have been processed, benefiting 1,195 hospitals.

According to the SHA CEO, the verification process is crucial for ensuring both accuracy and transparency, involving a comprehensive review of each claim to validate its legitimacy and the services rendered.

He expressed confidence that all outstanding payments, including those for November, would be resolved by the end of the following week.

“This phase includes 1,187 hospitals and is progressing without issues. SHA is dedicated to maintaining open communication and ensuring that all stakeholders are adequately informed and supported,” Mr. Ingasira remarked.

“As SHA continues to refine its operational processes, we remain committed to enhancing turnaround times and delivering exceptional service.”

This announcement follows a recent warning from the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), which has threatened to strike starting December 23, 2024, citing perceived discrimination in the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), now known as Taifa Care.

KUCO officials have alleged that SHA is preventing clinicians from being included on the list of service providers, despite managing more than 1,000 private facilities nationwide.

Kenyans Demand Accountability Over MPs Travel Expenses

Concerns have been raised by Kenyans regarding the decision of Members of Parliament to travel by train to Mombasa for the East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Sports Games, with many questioning the actual savings on public funds that this choice may yield.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula disclosed that the typical round-trip cost for a business class ticket for each MP amounts to an impressive Ksh.70,000, and that utilizing the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) would lead to a reduction in public expenditure.

“We, as Parliament, have chosen to align with the broader Kenyan populace in implementing austerity measures to curtail spending,” Wetangula stated.

Some MPs utilized the Premium VIP Coach, priced at Ksh.12,000, while others selected the First Class Coach at Ksh.4,500. Consequently, the maximum expenditure for a single MP’s transport to Mombasa and back would be Ksh.24,000.

In comparison, a one-way ticket on Jambojet from Nairobi to Mombasa averages Ksh.16,000, with a return trip estimated at approximately Ksh.29,000.

According to the Kenya Airways website, business class tickets are priced at Ksh.34,000 for a one-way journey, with return fares around Ksh.60,000.

The estimated cost for the return trip for around 50 MPs using the SGR would total Ksh.1.2 million, while Jambojet would amount to Ksh.1.4 million, and Kenya Airways would reach Ksh.3 million.

It is important to note that air tickets purchased one or two months in advance are significantly less expensive. MPs contend that, in addition to adhering to austerity measures, they should occasionally experience train travel to gain a better understanding of the public’s circumstances.

“It is beneficial for us to also enjoy such facilities and infrastructure, not solely for the citizens but for leaders as well,” remarked Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi.

Kitui Senator Enock Wambua emphasized, “Parliament is the largest supporter of Kenya Airways, transferring funds from one pocket to another.”

The MPs are set to engage in the inter-parliamentary games, which are scheduled to conclude on December 17th. However, a group of MPs traveling from Tanzania by bus encountered a road accident, resulting in injuries to 16 MPs.

Kirinyaga: Machine operator crushed to death in Mwea

Authorities are investigating a tragic event that occurred at a concrete manufacturing facility in Makutano, located in Mwea Sub-County, Kirinyaga County.

The incident involved the fatal crushing of a machine operator in an accident.

As reported by the management of the concrete company, the victim, identified as 31-year-old Joseph Ndichu, was regarded as one of the most skilled employees in the organization.

“His proficiency and commitment to his role rendered him an invaluable asset to our team. We are heartbroken over this incident and are currently awaiting the official postmortem report for additional information,” the management stated.

Family members of the deceased have expressed their profound grief, with Lucy Njoki Kariuki, a close relative, finding it difficult to accept the loss.

“It is hard to believe that Joseph Ndichu is gone. He was not only a family member but also a reliable support for us. His absence is truly heartbreaking,” Lucy remarked, clearly overwhelmed with sorrow.

The loss of Joseph has created a significant gap, particularly as he was the main provider for his family, intensifying the tragedy for those he left behind.

Spotify: Bien recognized as the most streamed Kenyan artist of 2024.

Former Sauti Sol lead vocalist Bien Aime-Baraza has surpassed the well-known rap group Wakadinali to become the most streamed Kenyan artist on the global digital music platform Spotify.

This development was revealed as Spotify released the highly anticipated Spotify Wrapped 2024 list, which aggregates data reflecting user activity on the platform throughout the year.

In 2023, Wakadinali held the title of the most streamed Kenyan artists, outpacing Sauti Sol, Bien, Bensoul, and Nyashinski, who completed the top five rankings.

However, this year has seen a shift, with Bien claiming the top position as the most streamed Kenyan artist, followed by Wakadinali, while Sauti Sol has fallen to third place.

Bien’s success did not end there; the self-styled ‘Man a bald man’ also featured four tracks in the top 10 most streamed Kenyan songs.

On a global scale, American artist Taylor Swift was recognized as the top streamed artist, followed by The Weekend and Bad Bunny.

The Spotify Wrapped 2024 report also highlighted popular podcasts, with 3MenArmy’s ‘The 97s Podcast’ leading in streams, while Julia Gaitho’s ‘This is Love’ and Abel Mutua’s ‘The Mkurugenzi Podcast’ secured the second and third positions, respectively.

Below is the complete list of Spotify Wrapped 2024:

Top Streamed Kenyan Artists:

  1. Bien 
  2. Wakadinali
  3. Sauti Sol
  4. Bensoul
  5. Lil Maina
  6. Nyashinski
  7. Okello Max
  8. Chris Kaiga
  9. Nviiri the Storyteller
  10. Otile Brown 

Top Streamed Kenyan tracks

  1. Lil Maina, sosatheprodigyy-NAKAM SAI
  2. Bien – Lifestyle
  3. Bensoul/Bien- Extra Pressure
  4. From The Hood Music- Anguka Nayo
  5. Bien- Inauma
  6. Bien- Ma Cherie
  7. YBW Smith- Lele
  8. Dyana Cods – Set It
  9. Matata – Oversized T-shirt
  10. Fancy Fingers – Kudade (Fancy Fingers refix)

Top Streamed Podcasts

  1. The 97s Podcast
  2. So This is Love
  3. The Mkurugenzi Podcast
  4. The Messy In Between
  5. ShxtsNGigs
  6. The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
  7. It’s Related, I Promise
  8. Mic Cheque Podcast
  9. The Sandwich Podcast
  10. Success Addicted Podcast with the voice of Earl Nightingale 

Top Streamed Artists

  1. Taylor Swift
  2. The Weeknd
  3. Bad Bunny
  4. Drake
  5. Billie Eilish
  6. Travis Scott
  7. Peso Pluma
  8. Kanye West
  9. Ariana Grande
  10. Feid 

Top Exported Genres

  1. Afro Beat
  2. Gengetone
  3. Afro beats
  4. Afro pop
  5. Afro House
  6. Gospel
  7. House
  8. Deep House
  9. Dance Hall
  10. Tribal house

Kakamega: Shootout leaves two suspects dead

On Thursday, law enforcement officials fatally shot two individuals associated with a notorious gang operating in Kakamega and surrounding counties.

Following a confrontation with the suspects, police seized an AK-47 rifle.

The operation, conducted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ Operation Action Team and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, was initiated after obtaining intelligence regarding the suspects’ location in a rented residence in Matungu village.

Upon arriving at the scene, the authorities surrounded the rental unit and instructed the suspects to exit and surrender.

“Defying the orders, the armed suspects engaged in a gunfight, which concluded with their neutralization as the sound of a rifle being cocked was heard from within the premises. From the residence of the deceased individuals, whose identities remain unknown, police recovered a rifle loaded with 15 rounds of live ammunition and a Bajaj motorcycle,” stated the DCI in a communication on X.

Local law enforcement suspects that the recovered motorcycle may belong to a police officer currently in a coma at Kakamega hospital.

On the night of November 12, 2024, police encountered a gang armed with machetes in Butere township.

Authorities have secured the evidence, and the bodies have been transported to the mortuary at Bungoma County Referral Hospital for preservation and fingerprint analysis for identification purposes.

Meru: Four arrested while selling weapons to undercover police

A file image of an AK47 riffle and a handgun

Four individuals were apprehended while selling rifles to undercover law enforcement officers in Maua Town, Meru County.

During an operation conducted on the afternoon of Thursday, December 5, police recovered two AK47 rifles along with two rounds of ammunition from the suspects.

Detectives, posing as potential buyers, successfully lured the four individuals into a negotiation.

According to police reports, the suspects arrived on a motorcycle, with the firearms hidden in a miraa bag.

They had arranged to meet in the Maili Tatu area.

After discussions in which the buyers were to pay Sh300,000 for the weapons, the supposed buyers revealed themselves as undercover police officers.

The officers instructed the four suspects to lie down and surrender, subsequently handcuffing them and taking them into custody for a planned arraignment.

Authorities indicated that the suspects will be presented in court to request their detention while further investigations into their alleged criminal activities in the region are conducted.

The area has been experiencing an increase in crime, leading to public concern and an investigation into the gang responsible.

Gunmen have been attacking and robbing residents, prompting police to initiate the investigation and subsequent operation that resulted in the recovery of the firearms.

Further operations are anticipated in response to the escalating crime rates, according to police statements.

The recovery of the weapons coincided with an incident in Matungu, Kakamega County, where a separate police team shot and killed two suspects and recovered an AK47 rifle loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition.

Authorities suspect that these two individuals are affiliated with a gang that has been terrorizing the local population in recent months.

The region has witnessed a surge in criminal activities over the past several months, leading to this operation.

From May to November 2024, there has been a notable increase in violent murders and robberies, with over seven victims reported murdered and many others robbed and injured, resulting in significant public outcry.

Kajiado: Man handled life imprisonment for sexually assaulting nine-year-old girl.

A man from Kajiado has received a life sentence after being convicted of the sexual assault of a 9-year-old girl.

Dominic Manua was reported to have committed the crime in February 2022.

In delivering the judgment, Principal Magistrate Vicky Kachuodho of the Kajiado Law Courts determined that the prosecution had established Manua’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) stated, “The court further acknowledged that the witnesses’ testimonies were credible, consistent, and thoroughly corroborated.”

The prosecution team included Edith Ireri, Gladys Bor, Angela Odhiambo, Winny Bati, Maureen Ooko, and Muviu Kilunda, as noted by the ODPP.

Migori: Hunt for man who allegedly killed 3-year-old step-son

Authorities are actively searching for a middle-aged man suspected of murdering his 3-year-old stepson in Suna East, Migori County.

Assistant Chief Daniel Osika reported that the individual, identified as Josephat Nyabioya, allegedly took the child’s life shortly after a dispute with his wife, Juliet Nyaboke.

The suspect, who is not the biological father of the two children, had been cohabiting with their mother for a year.

Osika mentioned that the suspect’s daughter recounted how her stepfather instructed them to enter the house following the nighttime altercation.

He subsequently locked them inside and departed. Fearing for their safety, she managed to escape through a window, leaving her brother behind.

It is alleged that the man later killed the boy before fleeing the scene.

Osika indicated that the child’s body was found by his mother, who returned home in the morning with the intention of reconciling with her husband after their earlier disagreement.

The area chief noted that they had to force open the door to discover the boy’s body on the floor, covered with clothing.

Homa Bay: Boy swept by flooded river, Search operation on going

A 16-year-old boy tragically lost his life after being swept away while attempting to cross a flooded river in Homa Bay County.

The deceased, a Grade 7 student from Olasi in Ndhiwa, represents the most recent victim of the persistent heavy rainfall affecting the area.

The incident transpired when the boy, who was enrolled at Oridi Primary School, attempted to navigate the swollen River Ambasa.

As reported by Area Assistant Chief James Owiti, the boy was with his two siblings at the time of the incident.

Despite their urgent attempts to rescue him, they were unable to overcome the force of the swift current.

The Assistant Chief has called upon government agencies to intervene and assist in the search operation for the recovery of the boy’s body.

Kisumu: River Sondu Miriu bursts its banks displacing 300 families

Over 300 families in Nyadina village, located in Nyakach, have been forced to evacuate due to the overflow of River Sondu Miriu, which breached its banks after a night of intense rainfall.

The flooding has resulted in the destruction of crops, and numerous livestock have reportedly been carried away by the swift currents.

The consequences of the River Sondu Miriu’s overflow on Monday have submerged Nyadina village in Kisumu, displacing 300 families and devastating more than 500 acres of agricultural land.

Boats now navigate what were once pathways connecting homes, while those unable to afford boat transport are compelled to wade through the floodwaters.

Additionally, water sources have become contaminated, posing a significant health risk, particularly to children and pregnant women, who may be vulnerable to malaria and other waterborne diseases due to the stagnant floodwaters.

The affected community has urgently requested medical assistance to mitigate the risk of waterborne illnesses.

As the impact of the heavy rains continues to affect the population, residents of Nyadina in Kisumu are advocating for the construction of dykes along River Sondu Miriu to protect them from the relentless flooding.

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