Residents of Ikerege town in Kuria West sub-county have voiced their concerns regarding a foul odor emanating from a nearby slaughterhouse, which they believe poses a serious health risk.

In an interview with local press, several locals expressed their frustrations and discussed the possibility of relocating due to the persistent nuisance.

“The county government is responsible for ensuring that we have a healthy environment for both commerce and daily life. The slaughterhouse is a public health concern,” stated Alex Bokobora, a resident.

He further added, “It’s embarrassing to invite friends over; they constantly cover their noses during their stay.”

Homeowner Paulina Wankuru revealed that her children have been urging her to sell their house and move away. “Selling a house isn’t an easy task, but the situation has become unbearable,” she lamented.

Wankuru also mentioned, “Authorities keep assuring us that the matter is under control, yet no tangible action has been taken.” The slaughterhouse, which caters to over 15 butcheries in the area, is situated merely five meters from the Isebania-Kehancha highway and releases a particularly strong odor during the rainy season.

Attempts to get comments from the local chief and community leaders regarding the issue have proven unsuccessful.

Margaret Nyakang’o, the Controller of Budget (CoB), has declared the current budget creation process to be unconstitutional. During her appearance before the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC), led by Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, Nyakang’o stated that her office is not responsible for rectifying any legal discrepancies.

The committee expressed concerns that the budgeting practices in Kenya may not align with constitutional requirements, particularly referencing Article 221, which demands transparency in both revenue and expenditure estimates.

Nyakang’o pointed out, “My office has identified flaws in the budget-making process, specifically the lack of clear presentation of revenue estimates. The Constitution stipulates that both revenue and expenditure figures must be submitted to Parliament; hence, it is unconstitutional to present one without the other.”

Wamuchomba expressed disappointment that Members of Parliament have been participating in an unconstitutional budgeting framework. “We are only being presented with expenditure details, but where are the revenue estimates? This departure from constitutional protocol is intolerable,” she asserted.

Furthermore, the committee expressed concerns regarding the status of independent offices and constitutional commissions. Wamuchomba noted, “Despite their constitutional duties, many of these institutions, such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), are grappling with severe financial constraints.” She added that only three independent entities—the Judiciary, the Public Service Commission (PSC), and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC)—have seen increases in their budgets, while other critical oversight bodies have experienced cuts.

Nyakang’o also highlighted a significant shortfall in the Pension Fund, amounting to Sh23.47 billion, partially due to rising public debt. “We cannot afford to underfund pensions. The growing public debt is impacting beneficiaries’ entitlements, yet my office lacks the authority to address or correct this issue,” she explained.

A primary concern raised by the committee was the CoB’s lack of enforcement authority. Nyakang’o noted the office’s limited oversight capabilities regarding various budgetary aspects, such as grants and revenues, which she identified as a significant limitation. “We are restricted from reporting on numerous budget components, including economic development, grants, and loans. It is imperative that Section 94 of the CoB Act undergoes revision,” she asserted.

A police officer assigned to a Member of Parliament has tragically passed away after reportedly shooting himself in the head at his home in Embakasi, Nairobi.

Constable Austin Owiti Oyuech Shariff, a member of the Administration Police’s close protection unit, is said to have ended his life on Thursday morning. The underlying reasons for this incident remain unclear, and authorities have commenced an investigation.

Shariff, 43, had previously served as a bodyguard for various government officials and was currently responsible for the safety of Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje. Although those who knew him indicated that he displayed no signs of distress, he allegedly took his own life.

MP Mwenje confirmed his awareness of the tragedy and emphasized that an investigation is underway to uncover further details. “It’s unfortunate that this occurred, and we are looking into it,” Mwenje stated.

On the day prior, Shariff was reportedly enjoying time with friends in the neighborhood, where they had drinks before returning home. He was said to have acted normally upon waking up before the tragic incident. The police have since collected his body, which will undergo an autopsy and other formalities.

In accordance with his Muslim faith, Shariff’s funeral is scheduled to take place on Friday, September 20, at his family home in Seme, Kisumu County. This incident adds to a concerning pattern within the police force, where several officers have succumbed to suicide, often linked to job-related stress.

In response to this alarming trend, police authorities have initiated counseling services, and the National Police Service Commission has established a dedicated unit to address mental health and substance abuse issues. This counseling unit aims to design and implement outreach programs focused on prevention.

Frighteningly, there are at least three reported suicide cases involving police officers each month. Officials point out that law enforcement personnel bear the brunt of various community challenges, expected to uphold law and order in particularly stressful situations while continually risking their lives. Over the years, a growing number of fatalities within the force has been attributed to psychological trauma, which includes suicides.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has taken the significant step of distributing 1,000 title deeds to local residents, reinforcing the importance of security for landowners in the city. Sakaja stressed his administration’s dedication to upholding its commitments, noting that the issuance of title deeds represents a major milestone in tackling land ownership challenges in Nairobi.

“Without a title deed, you cannot genuinely assert ownership of land. Today, you can confidently hold this deed in your hands,” Governor Sakaja remarked during an event at Charter Hall in Nairobi.

Over the past two years, the county government has provided more than 7,000 title deeds to individuals and organizations throughout the city. Sakaja emphasized that this initiative is part of his broader agenda to enhance service delivery. “As your government, our duty is to serve you. Issuing these title deeds is a crucial element of that service,” he stated.

The recipients of the title deeds hail from various neighborhoods, including 14 schemes in areas such as Kayole, Dandora, and Patanisho. The governor encouraged these individuals to recognize the legal and financial advantages that accompany land ownership.

“With a title deed, you gain the ability to secure loans and bequeath your land to future generations. It’s a powerful document,” Sakaja highlighted.

Furthermore, the governor issued a clear warning to land grabbers, asserting his administration’s resolve to reclaim illegally seized land. He reiterated his commitment to advancing service delivery and meeting the expectations of Nairobi’s residents.

A Cessna 152, identified by the registration number 5Y-PSJ / 15283169, has tragically crashed in Nairobi National Park.

The incident occurred shortly after 12 PM and involved an aircraft operated by West Rift Aviation School. The pilot, who is still in training, suffered injuries as a result of the crash.

Emergency response teams were quickly deployed to the site, successfully rescuing individuals trapped beneath the debris.

This incident follows closely on the heels of another mishap involving a light aircraft operated by Z Boskovic Air Charters, which went off the runway while trying to take off from Lichota Airstrip in Migori County.

The company released a statement detailing that their Cessna Caravan, with ten passengers and one crew member onboard, was involved in the incident on Monday.

“At approximately 12:30 PM today, we received reports of a significant event occurring during the takeoff of our aircraft, registration number 5Y-ZBW, in Migori,” the statement noted.

Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities resulting from this unfortunate aviation incident.

Nelson Amenya, a 30-year-old whistleblower, has made headlines once again by shedding light on the contentious takeover of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by the Indian conglomerate Adani Group.

Speaking on Wednesday, Amenya revealed that a dossier pertaining to this dubious arrangement indicates that Adani’s Performance Improvement Plan aims to significantly slash the airport’s workforce. He elaborated that Adani has proposed to the Kenya Aviation Authority (KAA) that they should consider redeploying workers instead of resorting to layoffs.

“Their plan involves a substantial reduction in staff because, as we’ve seen globally, governments often have too many employees who may not be fully productive, and this situation is also evident in Kenya. Adani is asking KAA to permit them to downsize the employee base,” Amenya stated during an interview with KTN.

Though he chose to protect the sources of his information, Amenya also claimed that if the deal goes through, Adani intends to raise airport fees by a staggering 52%. He described this questionable agreement as a troublesome concern that will further burden Kenyans financially without delivering any significant improvements.

“They are poised to hike airport fees by 52% without any upgrades to services. Passengers and airlines are unlikely to see any enhancements but will be required to pay substantially more. Are we still expected to maintain our competitive edge?” he questioned. “The truth is, this is a detrimental deal, and it raises serious red flags.”

He further indicated that there was a significant disparity between the two reports submitted to the Public Private Partnership (PPP) committee, specifically between Adani’s feasibility report and that of ALG, a global consultancy specializing in transport and infrastructure. “While ALG proposed that JKIA should have as many as three runways by 2034, Adani argued that a second runway is unnecessary and that we simply need to resurface our existing runway and add taxiways,” noted Amenya.

“The PPP committee questioned why Adani isn’t planning for a new runway when ALG’s transactional advisor has recommended one by 2035. Adani doesn’t plan to make any changes to our runway until 2028, and even the new terminal won’t become operational until 2029.”

Reports indicate that ALG submitted its findings in February 2024, followed by Adani in March. ALG suggested that although a public-private partnership is a sound approach, the best course of action would be to implement an open tendering process. Their report emphasized that an open tender is the standard method in international practices and is the default procurement strategy outlined in Kenyan PPP regulations. Conversely, Adani’s proposal opposed this open tender process, asserting that it would lead to unnecessary delays.

After a strike by aviation workers on September 11, the government agreed to allow these workers veto power over the Adani agreement, ensuring that no deal would be finalized without their input and approval. In response to their demands, the official documents related to the proposed Adani deal have been made available to the aviation workers, who will have a 10-day period to review the documents and voice any concerns they may have. Meanwhile, Amenya is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration at HEC Paris in France.

Authorities in Mwingi are probing a distressing incident in which unknown attackers set fire to the home of a local teacher, leaving him without shelter.

Silvester Mwendwa, who teaches in the Kitui East sub-county, fortunately escaped injury.

He recounted that while he was at work on Wednesday, he received alarming news that his house had been engulfed in flames.

“I rushed home to assess the damage, but upon arrival, I discovered that my entire house and all my possessions had been destroyed,” Mwendwa expressed.

He has called for justice, lamenting that the perpetrator remains unidentified and free.

Jamleck Mbai, the assistant chief of the Muruana sub-location in Mwingi Central sub-county, stated that their investigation commenced promptly after Mwendwa reported the incident.

“We are actively pursuing significant leads to identify those responsible for this crime,” he added.

Authorities have initiated investigations into two distinct murder cases reported in Kisumu and Bungoma counties.

In Kisumu East, specifically in Ragumo, a 37-year-old man tragically passed away from injuries sustained after a violent attack by unidentified individuals.

Police confirmed that the assault occurred on Monday, and the victim, Pius Orodi, was subsequently taken to Jaramogi Teaching and Referral Hospital in critical condition. The matter is currently under investigation.

Meanwhile, in Bungoma County, law enforcement is examining the circumstances surrounding the death of Paul Kisulya, whose body was discovered floating in Mayanja Dam, located in Sango “B” village.

Following a report received on Tuesday morning, police quickly arrived at the scene and, with assistance from local residents, retrieved the body.

A detailed examination revealed visible injuries believed to have been caused by a sharp object, and notably, both of the victim’s eyes were gouged out.

The area has been secured for further investigation, and the body has been transported to the mortuary at Bungoma County Referral Hospital, where it awaits a postmortem examination.

A 40-year-old man tragically lost his life due to electrocution while trimming trees in Kimerin village, located in Bungoma County.

The victim, William Matwale Joseck, was pruning branches at a private residence when some foliage inadvertently came into contact with a live electrical wire.

According to police reports and eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred on September 17, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities discovered his body exhibiting burn injuries on his right thumb and back.

It has since been transported to Dreamland Kimilili Mortuary for a postmortem examination. Such incidents are not uncommon in rural areas, with officials attributing these tragedies to illegal power connections and insufficient maintenance of tree growth.

In a separate incident in the same locality, a suspected thief was killed by an enraged mob.

This event took place in the Nabikoto sub-location, where the individual was accused of involvement in a burglary. The deceased, identified as 29-year-old Timothy Natembea, was allegedly part of a group of thieves, one of whom has been apprehended and is currently facing legal charges.

His body has been transferred to the mortuary at Kimilili Sub-County Hospital, where it awaits an autopsy.

Authorities in Migori County are looking into the causes behind a fire that engulfed the county assembly’s storage facility on Wednesday evening.

The blaze ignited around 6 p.m. According to Suna East Sub County police commander Ezekiel Kiche, initial inquiries have revealed that a county assembly worker was incinerating waste at a nearby collection site when the flames spread to the store.

Kiche reported that the temporary storage structure was completely destroyed by the fire before the county’s firefighting team could extinguish it.

The sub-county police chief noted that an unspecified amount of property was lost in the incident.