Month: March 2024

Kisii Deputy Governor Dr Robert Monda was on Thursday evening impeached after 53 Members of the Kisii County Assembly voted to remove him from office.

The voting was conducted after the assembly received a public participation report supporting the impeachment motion and granted Dr Monda a chance to defend himself before the members on Thursday afternoon.

The motion was moved by Ichuni Ward MCA Wycliff Siocha who accused the deputy governor of gross violation of the constitution, abuse of office, gross misconduct, and committing crimes under National law.

‘Given the verdict that the two-thirds threshold is 47 and the Yes vote got 53, the threshold has been met. According to standing order no.60, sub-section 7, I now declare that the Deputy Governor of Kisii County, His Excellency Dr. Robert Monda has been removed by the Kisii County Assembly by way of impeachment,’ said the Speaker of the County Assembly, Dr Phillip Nyanumba.

Specifically, the deputy governor was alleged to have grossly violated the Cons
titution by requesting and receiving a bribe of Sh800,000 from one Dennis Mokaya and his family on the pretext of securing him a job for the said post of a Commercial Manager of Gusii Water and Sanitation Company (GWASCO), an entity of Kisii county government.

The MCAs questioned Dr Monda over sending a sum of Sh100,000 to the Managing Director of GWASCO in an attempt to influence the award of a contract of employment for Dennis Mokaya, a request that was turned down and the money refunded.

Further, the assembly accused the deputy governor of misusing county staff by engaging them in personal work on his farm contrary to their assigned duties by the county.

While contributing to the floor of the assembly, Nominated MCA Caren Magara called for sobriety in the house saying that not many residents of Kisii can raise Sh800,000 as a bribe in exchange for securing a job in the county.

Ms Magara who had seconded the motion told the assembly that the interviewee in question had sold his business in Nairobi and re
located his family back home with the hope of securing the job, but that did not go as planned leaving him frustrated.

Masige West MCA Jacob Bagaka pointed out that soliciting and receiving a bribe by the deputy governor had contravened sections of the Leadership and Integrity Act which requires a state officer to exercise responsibility and authority of the said office in the best interest of Kenyans.

‘We have a responsibility as leaders of Kisii County to stand by the truth and if indeed, one of us extorted a sum of Sh.800,000 from a poor Kenyan to enrich himself when he has a job described as a Deputy Governor, then he does not deserve to be in that office,’ said Bagaka.

On her part, Nominated MCA Lilian Gor opposed the DG’s removal, saying the motion mover did not present the burden of proof, adding that they had only received a document of shortlisted candidates for the Commercial Manager post at GWASCO.

‘I expect proof of receipt of payment and evidence on the solicitation of the bribe because the a
llegation here is requisition and receipt. The mover did not prove to this house that there was any requisition for this bribe,’ Gor noted.

Similarly, Bokimonge Ward MCA Amos Onderi questioned the timelines of the motion saying the complainant’s letter to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) regarding the bribe received by the deputy governor was received on 20th of February, 2024 and yet the notice of motion for impeachment was tabled on 13th of February, 2024.

Onderi asked the assembly to interrogate if the grounds for impeachment came before the motion was tabled or if the same was generated later after the notice of motion had been presented to the house.

Appearing before the assembly together with his lawyers, Katwa Kigen and Wilkins Ochoki, Dr Monda denied the allegations against him by the MCAs saying the impeachment motion was a political exercise meant to hurt him.

According to the deputy governor, he received a total sum of Sh500,000 in two instalments from Dennis Mokaya’s parents as
repayment of a loan he had given the family sometime back and had also erroneously sent the Sh100,000 to the GWASCO MD instead of wiring the same to Gladys Aming’a as payment for transport services.

Dr Monda told the assembly that he did not have a farm at his home and no county officers were working at his home except the six officers provided by the county and as such, the accusation of misusing county staff for personal assignments was false.

‘Mr Speaker, I am a father and a grandfather and when I look at the entire society and what is being labelled at me at this point, I find that we shall spoil our politics, not because of me, but for the rest of the generations to come if we proceed in this direction,’ said the DG.

Despite tabling his defence, Dr Monda was impeached as 53 MCAs approved his removal from office while only 15 MCAs opposed his impeachment motion.

The Deputy Governor’s fate now lies with the Senate and he could be removed from office if the Senate endorses the decision of the County Ass
embly.

Speaking to the press after the impeachment, MCA Siocha expressed his satisfaction with the majority vote saying that he had taken the responsibility to move the motion on behalf of the complainant and many jobless youths who voted them into office.

Mr Siocha added that MCAs are expected to set a precedence in the third assembly and meet the expectations of the electorates by fighting impunity by state officials in the county.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Tunis: “Ways to scale up cooperation between the Ministry of Employment and UNICEF in the employment, vocational training and entrepreneurial leadership sectors” took centre stage on Thursday at a meeting between Employment and Vocational Training Minister Lotfi Dhiab and UNICEF Representative in Tunis Michel Le Pechoux.

The employment minister underlined the importance of Tunisian-British cooperation in partnership with UNICEF, which led to the launch of the Second Chance School in Kairouan in January 2024, aimed at getting young school dropouts aged between 14 and 18 back into school, commending the level and quality of cooperation between Tunisia and the UNICEF organisation.

The UNICEF representative in Tunis underlined his organisation’s commitment to supporting Tunisia’s efforts in the field of youth mentoring and the development of joint projects.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

The Bomet County Implementation, Coordination and Management Committee has raised concerns over the progress of the construction of Kyogong-Sigor road.

The Committee, led by Bomet Central Deputy County Commissioner Victor Kisachi, pointed out that the road was 20 per cent complete with only six out of the 60 Kilometers completed for use.

Kisachi took issue with the fact that the contractor had taken 39 months though the contract indicated that the timeline was 36 months.

He said there was slow progress in implementing the project that cost a total of Sh2 billion.

Speaking at the site, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Engineer Xiao Hongzhi said the heavy rains pounding the area were largely to blame for the delays.

Hongzhi said the black cotton soil in the locality was impossible to work with during wet season arguing that as the rains subside, the works would continue in earnest.

He said there were delays in the payment of the six kilometers already completed saying the payment dela
yed for 15 months.

Kisachi urged the contractor to speed up implementing the project saying the committee would look into issues leading to delays in payment of contractors.

The road is expected to open up the areas it is traversing by linking to major roads so as to promote trade in local centres.

The road will also enable local farmers access farm produce to markets, access administrative services, health centres and learning institutions thus uplifting the livelihoods of the residents.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki has cautioned political leaders in Kisii county against organizing and financing violence during political activities in the region.

Speaking after a routine meeting with the county and sub-county security teams at the Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology (KIHBT) on the outskirts of Kisii town, Prof. Kindiki said the increasing incidents of violence in the county were unacceptable because politics is a healthy and democratic activity.

The CS noted that despite the Constitution of Kenya stipulating that Kenya is a multiparty democratic state and politics is a constitutional and legal activity, political leaders hiding behind the same to perpetuate crime would be prosecuted.

‘As the security managers of this country, we want to make it clear that we will not permit any person to hide behind politics to break the law and inflict violence on the people of Kenya,’ Prof. Kindiki said.

The Cabinet Secretary pointed out that politicians were free to
engage in political

activities, compete with their counterparts and differ on issues and policy matters as long as the discourse is devoid of violence.

He noted that security agencies would not hesitate to persecute the political leaders who do not respect the rule of law regardless of their political affiliations or influence.

‘It is our business to facilitate the political leaders and ensure their meetings are orderly, but it is also our business to arrest and prosecute them when they break the law,’ said Prof. Kindiki.

In addition, the CS also cautioned the citizens against destroying infrastructure, blocking of roads and stoning of cars and buildings during protests saying the country lost a lot of infrastructure following last year’s demonstrations.

He pointed out that the right to demonstrate does not include the destruction of buildings and infrastructure or hurting other Kenyans.

Prof. Kindiki pledged that his administration would work with and support every leader to realise their mandate irres
pective of their party affiliations.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Tunis: Tunisia is taking part in the 2024 World Youth Festival in Sochi, Russia, from March 1 to 7.

It is represented by 40 young people from various organisations and associations, as well as students living in Russia and youth leaders.

The Tunisian youth delegation includes civil society representatives, volunteers and students aged between 18 and 35.

These delegates have been in Russia since last Tuesday, serving as ambassadors to strengthen Tunisian-Russian relations, promote convergence of perspectives, particularly on the Palestinian issue, and establish solid relations and effective contacts between the youth of the participating countries.

The World Youth Festival will be attended by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Kamel Déguiche, as well as a number of ministers, leaders of youth NGOs, representatives of political parties and young diplomats.

With the participation of nearly 20,000 young people from more than 180 countries, the World Youth Festival aims to promote ideas about a diverse world,
create a new system of international multilateral norms and conditions, and build trust among young people worldwide.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

National government in collaboration with county government will construct a Sh70million modern market in Taveta town, Taita Taveta county under the Economic Stimulus Programme.

Speaking in Taveta on Thursday during the meeting with traders for deliberations on the construction of the modern market convened by the Department of Trade, Tourism, Industrialisation and Cooperative Development, County Governor Andrew Mwadime assured them of the government’s readiness to improve their working environment and getting rid of unfriendly policies threatening their businesses.

‘Majority of our people are traders by nature and what they look for is the dignity of their hustles and the places they trade from but most of them trade in filthy places, where there is no road, sewerage and other amenities,’ said Governor Mwadime, adding that his office is always open for engagement with investors including business owners whom he said played a leading role in developing the county.

‘This is a government that listens to the
people. We are keen to ensure all our doors are open for collaborations with partners and soon you will see the fruits through public private partnerships. Many investors have shown interest to invest in our county,’ said the governor.

Mwadime further noted that the national government is constructing these modern markets to give dignity to traders by transacting businesses in a decent place. He urged the traders to support the government projects which were meant to benefit them.

The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade, Tourism, Industrialisation and Cooperative Development Getrude Shuwe assured traders that whereas the government is keen to improve their working environment, businesses would not be affected by the construction of the new market.

‘The Taveta town market will receive a facelift through support from the National Government. We will ensure minimum distraction of businesses throughout the construction period,’ said Shuwe.

According to Shuwe, the ultramodern market will have a
ground floor that will accommodate an open market for fresh produce. The first floor will house a lactation room for breastfeeding mothers, an ICT room with internet, a boardroom, ATMs, food Court, and revenue offices among others.

‘I urge the residents to make good use of these modern facilities to engage in business and better their lives. The government is ensuring that all traders are working in a serene environment and that is why these facilities are constructed,’ she added.

The traders also appealed to the county government to prioritise such flagship projects in all the sub-counties stating that they would create jobs for the youth and enhance inter-county trading.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Blind and visually impaired people in Bomet county have benefitted from free white canes courtesy of the second Lady Pastor Dorcas Gachagua.

While distributing the assistive devices in Bomet East and Chepalungu Sub Counties Thursday, the Chief Officer for Gender, Social Services and Culture Pauline Korir said a total of 200 blind as well as visually impaired persons have benefitted from the donation.

Ms. Korir said the canes came in handy to the beneficiaries as they improved mobility of the vulnerable group.

She said Bomet county government was committed to ensuring that people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups were empowered to live a better life.

At the same time, the Chief Officer urged Social Welfare Officers in the County to coordinate and participate effectively in social programmes touching on the residents of Bomet County.

Source: Kenya News Agency

GABES: The Local Councils in the thirteen delegations of the Gabes governorate were set up on Friday, in the presence of the region’s delegates.

The presidency was given to the winning candidates who received the highest number of votes in the local elections.

The composition of each local council is as follows:

//Gabes Local Council//

-Mohamed Saleh Baccar (President)

-Seven members

//Matmata local council//

-Mohamed Saadaoui (President)

-Five members

//New Matmata Local Council//

-Lassed Atig (President)

-Five members

//West Gabes Local Council//

-Hamad Dhib (President)

-Seven members

//Dhkila Toujane Local Council//

-Mohamed Ben Brahim (President)

-Five members

//Menzel Habib Local Council//

-Taher Essid (President)

-Seven members

//West El Hamma Local Council//

-Walid Miled (President)

-Five members

//Métouia Local Council//

-Ahmed Amari (President)

-Five members

//El Hamma Local Council//

-Mohamed Nhidi (President)

-Seven members

//Ghannouch Local Council//

-Mabrouk Graizi
(President)

-Five members

//Oudhref Local Council//

-Abdeljelil Ghrissi (President)

-Five members

//Gabes City Local Council//

-Ahmed Guerfrach (President)

-Five members

//Mareth Local Council//

-Hafidh Mokhtari (President)

-Eleven members

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Medenine: The ferries from the Island of Djerba to Medenine resumed activities, on Friday morning, around 6:30 a.m. after a suspension of shuttles since Thursday evening due to bad weather conditions, said Director of Ferry Services in Médenine, Farhat Larayedh.

The ferries of the Island of Djerba ensure the transport of vehicles and people to Dejrba and other areas of the region.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

About 21,500 girls from primary schools in Laikipia county will receive free sanitary pads from the government to help reduce school dropout and absenteeism due to lack of the essential commodity.

Laikipia County Education Officer Ms Beatrice Wachira said that the consignment of 85,500 packets of pads would be distributed to 303 schools across the county.

‘We expect that girls in grade five to eight in 303 primary schools will each get four packets of pads. This will go a long way to keeping them in school since menstrual hygiene is important for learners,’ said Ms Wachira, adding that some girls missed school for about four times in a term due to lack of menstrual kits.

She pointed out that some girls from vulnerable families in the county missed out of school to look for pads but ended up falling prey to men who took advantage of the situation leading to teen pregnancies.

‘As some of our girls go to look for pads, they end up engaging in early sex and as a result, they get pregnant and with assistance,
we believe that they will continue with the education, perform well and at the same time compete with the boys,’ she pointed out.

Additionally, Ms Wachira said that the Ministry of Education would ensure all learners in need of sanitary towels benefit.

Source: Kenya News Agency