Two Lobby Groups Calls For ICC Intervention On Ongoing Abduction Cases

Two lobby groups have gone to High court to demand that Attorney-General Dorcas Oduor should refer the country’s abduction cases to the International Criminal Court. The Mathare Social Justice Centre (MSJC) said in a statement. MSJC together with Kituo cha Sheria through the firm of Khaminwa and Khaminwa advocates filed a petition to the High Court praying for a Declaratory order that the Attorney General do refer to the prosecutor of the ICC. In their quest, they demanded the abduction and enforced disappearances occurring in the public terming them as Crimes Against Humanity to be investigated. The two lobbies argued in their petition to the High Court that Kenya police are unable to prevent or investigate the crimes. Article 7 of the Rome Statue provides that enforced disappearances when used as a widespread political tool for suspension in a crime against humanity. The prosecutor of the ICC has widespread investigative powers as allowed under Article 53 of the Rome Statue. Lawyer Khaminwa stated. It appears that the National police Service is incapable of conducting investigations. This court has the duty to protect and defend the people of the republic by referring the matter of enforced disappearances to the ICC. The two lobbies lawyer added. Recently, there have been rising cases of abductions which has led to demonstrations countrywide with different firms seeking answers about their disappearances. 82 people were reported missing since June 2024 as 29 still missing as at now. During the festive season, six individuals were reportedly abducted and illegally detained. They include Gideon Kibet, Bernard Kavuli, Peter Muteti, Billy Mwangi, Rony Kiplangat and Steve Kavingo.

Two Lobby Groups Calls For ICC Intervention On Ongoing Abduction Cases Read More »

Tesla Cybertruck Bursts Into Flames Near Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, Elon Musk Responds

Leave a Comment / PEOPLE / Queenter

Businessman and CEO of Tesla Elon Musk has weighed on the explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. The CEO described it as an act of terrorism. The explosion occurred early Thursday morning when a 2024 cybertruck, reportedly rented through the car-sharing platform Turo. The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. The cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards. Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken. The Tesla CEO stated. According to BC, the explosion was ignited outside the main entrance of the hotel. The blast tragically resulted into one death and left seven others injured. Although the injuries were reported to be minor, the hotel was evacuated as precautionary measure. According to the authorities, the explosion originated from materials stored in the truck’s bed, including fireworks, gas tanks and camping fuel, all linked to a detonation system controlled by the driver. The timing of the incident raised concerns on a potential connection to a previous attack in New Orleans as both incidents were rented through Tuo. Turo spokesperson confirmed that Turo is fully co-operating with the law enforcement and stated that neither of the renters had any criminal background that would have flagged them as security risks. Here is our statement on today’s horrific incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families as we partner with law enforcement on all of their investigations: https://t.co/CO57pQiBhH — Turo (@turo) January 2, 2025

Tesla Cybertruck Bursts Into Flames Near Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, Elon Musk Responds Read More »

lecturers issues a 15-day strike notice over delayed salaries

Leave a Comment / PEOPLE / Joyce

lecturers have issued a 15-day strike notice over delayed salaries barely 40 days after signing a return to work formula. According to the University Academic Staff Union, the government has failed to honour an agreement signed on November 23 last year. The agreement ended a 24-day strike that disrupted all 35 public universities and two constituent colleges where the government agreed to a pay rise for lecturers that would be backdated from October. However, according to Onesmus, the government, and the universities did not honour this agreement in the December salaries. “We agreed that the new salaries for university lecturers would be implemented in December and that we would also receive arrears for October and November.We saw a circular from the PS directing the universities to prepare to pay the new salaries in December. But again, we went for Christmas without the new salary as was expected.’’ University heads have moreover insisted they are yet to receive funds to effect the pay increase. This comes as Schools reopen on Monday, January 6.

lecturers issues a 15-day strike notice over delayed salaries Read More »

Arrest Warrant Issued For Francis Gaitho In An Ongoing Legal Matter

Leave a Comment / PEOPLE / Queenter

The Milimani Law Courts have issued an arrest warrant for against blogger Francis Gaitho. The Kenyan blogger absconded from a court session on December 4th, 2024. According to the latest reports, he is wanted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Gaitho had been charged with the offence of publishing false information in violation of section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act (Case No. CR738/24). He is also under investigations for sharing information of a senior Public Officer and Publishing False Information Contrary to Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act against other Kenyan citizens. The suspect will face multiple counts of cyber harassment for a post in which he disparaged senior government officials. The above files are pending perusal and advice by the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The DCI stated. WANTED Mr. Francis Ng’ang’a Gaitho, whose photograph is displayed below, is WANTED by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for various criminal activities. The suspect had been charged with the offence of publishing false information in violation of Section 23 of… pic.twitter.com/xjPbdSm8EG — DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) January 2, 2025 If you have any information that may lead to the prompt arrest of the suspect, please call our toll-free hotline at 0800 722 203 anonymously or report to the nearest police station. The DCI added.

Arrest Warrant Issued For Francis Gaitho In An Ongoing Legal Matter Read More »

Man Mistaken for Cartoonist Kibet Bull Narrates How His Home was Raided

Leave a Comment / PEOPLE / Joyce

A man in Nakuru has come out to narrate how a case of mistaken identity led to people he believes to be police officers breaking into his house in the wee hours. While speaking to NTV, he noted how the people he believes are behind the wave of abductions broke into his house while mistaking him for missing cartoonist Gideon Kibet Yoko.I was eating supper with my family, after which I slept. At around 3am, I heard a loud bang on my door. The bang was so loud that I heard the foundations of the house shake.The band was so loud that I kept wondering how bold they were to pull such a stunt, and yet we had security in our neighbourhood,” he noted. According to him, Upon realising he was in imminent danger, he alerted security, who assured him they would respond in time. His attempts to reach out to his neighbours, however, proved futile, as none of them dared come out to help him due to fear. The man was forced to cooperate with the armed men, who, despite their aggressive approach, seemed to calm down once they realised their error. They questioned him and inspected his house before turning their attention to his wife and children ”They asked me who lives here. I informed them that it was my family and me, after which they requested to see where they were, and I obliged and showed them,” he added. The man moreover revealed that upon realising that they were in the wrong house, they accused him of failing to open the door, insisting they announced themselves as police. After the incident, the man reported the break-in to Njoro Police Station and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). However, the DCI denied knowledge of the operation, explaining that they would have been in the loop if such a mission were to happen in the jurisdiction. “I left and went to report the incident at Njoro Police Station. I reported everything that happened, and they took my statement. I then went to the DCI, and they told me they weren’t aware of the incident. They said if it was a DCI operation, the team should have reported to them and informed them before carrying out any operations in our area,” he added.

Man Mistaken for Cartoonist Kibet Bull Narrates How His Home was Raided Read More »

Kenya Space Agency Confirms Rocket Part Fell In Makueni, Clears Up Speculation

Leave a Comment / PEOPLE / Queenter

Kenya Space Agency (KSA) has clarified on the metallic object that fell from the skies in Makueni. This they said on statement on 1st January 2025. A metallic fragment of space object was discovered in Mukuku Village, Makueni County which raised a lot of speculations among Kenyans on 30th December 2024 at around 1500 hours. The Kenya Space Agency clarified that the object, a metallic ring measuring approximately 2.5 meters in diameter and weighing about 500kg is a fragment of a space object. Preliminary assessments indicate that the fallen object is a separation ring from a launch vehicle(rocket). Such objects are usually designed to burn up as they re-enter the earth’s atmosphere or fall over unoccupied areas such as the oceans. The Kenya Space Agency stated. The Kenya Space Agency promises to investigate the case terming it as Isolated case and address using the established framework under the International Space law while assuring that the retrieved debris is under their custody for further investigation. The Agency also appreciated the people of Makueni for reporting the incident to the authorities and for their co-operation in assuring the public safety. We want to assure the public that the object poses no immediate threat to safety. Our experts will analyze the object, use existing frameworks to analyze the owner, and keep the public informed of the next steps and outcomes. KSA further stated.

Kenya Space Agency Confirms Rocket Part Fell In Makueni, Clears Up Speculation Read More »

Kenyans in Australia hold demonstrations to condemn Abductions in Kenya

Leave a Comment / PEOPLE / Joyce

A group of Kenyans in Australia converged to protest against the spate of abductions in a remarkable show of support to their counterparts in Kenya. Taking to the streets, the group marched peacefully as they sent a message to President William Ruto to take action and resolve the current security issues in Kenya. The group was armed with placards and posters bearing the names of all the youth who were reported missing in December, chanting anti-government slogans as they shared messages of encouragement to Kenyans. According to One of the protesters in Australia, Kenyans in the diaspora are equally as irate with the current state of the country, despite living abroad. “We are here to send a message that we are not happy with the abductions, the economy of Kenya and there is forcing of people to do what they do not want to do. We want a change.” Another one added, “Kenyans in Australia are sad. We worry because we left families there. There is a high rate of unemployment and when they cry, they are shown an iron fist.” The Kenyans in Australia also sent a message to Kenya’s High Commissioner to Australia, Hon. Dr Wilson Kipngetich Arap Kogo, urging him to speak in support of the cause. The peaceful Australia protests came hours after Nelson Amenya called on Kenyans in the diaspora to join forces to send an anti-abduction message to the government. Amenya revealed he was attending a separate one in Paris, France. “Kenyans in the diaspora should also organise #EndAbductionsKE protests across major cities as we did for the Finance Bill. I’m planning one for Paris,” he said.

Kenyans in Australia hold demonstrations to condemn Abductions in Kenya Read More »

Legal Petition Filed To Hold IG, DCI And DPP For Seven Abducted Victims

Leave a Comment / PEOPLE / Queenter

Busia Senator Okiyah Omtatah has filed a court petition seeking to compel the IG, DCI And DPP to produce the seven victims recently abducted dead or alive as allegedly linked to the police. The victims included Gideon Kibet, Ronny Kiplagat, Steve Kavingo Mbisi, Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli and Kelvin Muthoni. Some were reported to have criticized the Government online and never to be seen again while others were being abducted in broad daylight and captured by CCTV. Failure to produce the seven missing persons, the Busia Senator wants court to summon the police IG, DCI and DPP. The report read in court also stated that he had received information from families that they have visited a number of morgues in Nairobi and Kiambu and they have not been able to see their bodies. The recent increase in abduction cases sparked nationwide outrage with Citizen staging protests on Monday 30th December where several Activists were arrested including the Busia Senator Omtatah. The Human rights Activists called on Kenyans to join the protests in all 47 counties. The demonstrators while protesting demanded the immediate release of the individuals allegedly abducted and end to unlawful arrests. Police hurled teargas canisters to disperse the protestors who were gathering in Nairobi CBD while others like Activist Shakira injured and taken to hospital.

Legal Petition Filed To Hold IG, DCI And DPP For Seven Abducted Victims Read More »

Senator Okiya Omtatah arrested during the anti-Abduction demonstrations

Leave a Comment / PEOPLE / Joyce

The Anti-abduction protests in Nairobi took a different shift after Busia senator Okiya Omtatah and a group of protesters used a heavy-duty metal chain link to block an arrest. However, a heavy deployment of officers eventually managed to arrest the group, who were bundled into police vehicles and taken away. The Senator was reportedly taken to Gigiri Police Station for questioning. Omtatah had joined Kenyans who took to the streets of Nairobi’s central business district to demand the release of abducted Kenyan youths. While Chanting slogans and holding placards, protesters accused the government of failing to address the alleged disappearances of individuals in recent weeks and demanded the release of the abducted youth. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) Senator Omtatah was seen carrying the Constitution of Kenya booklet which he displayed as he chanted alongside other protesters. The demonstration comes after the recent surge in abductions where over 10 people have been reported missing in December alone. Moreover, more than 80 cases have been reported this year, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). Among the missing in recent days are activists Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti Njeru, and Bernard Kavuli, who had shared satirical cartoons and AI-generated images of President William Ruto on social media.

Senator Okiya Omtatah arrested during the anti-Abduction demonstrations Read More »

The Anti-Abduction Protest in Nairobi CBD

Leave a Comment / PEOPLE / Joyce

Tension witnessed in Nairobi’s Central Business District on Monday as police used tear gas to disperse protesters rallying against what they claim are a series of abductions. The demonstration, which began peacefully, drew a significant crowd of Kenyans demanding justice and release of the few comrades who are alleged to have been abducted. While Chanting slogans and holding placards, protesters accused the government of failing to address the alleged disappearances of individuals in recent weeks. According to Many, these incidents pointed to a worrying trend of insecurity and a lack of effective response from law enforcement agencies. However, Police officers responded with tear gas, causing chaos as demonstrators scattered in different directions. Recently Kenyans have witnessed a disturbing wave of abductions targeting individuals critical of the government, particularly those active on social media platforms. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SPM BUZZ (@spmbuzzke) Among the most prominent cases is that of Gideon Kibet, known online as ‘Kibet Bull,’ a cartoonist renowned for his satirical depictions of political figures, including President William Ruto. Moreover, Since anti-government protests began in June, research indicates that at least 82 individuals have been reported abducted, with 29 still missing. While addressing the issue a few days ago, President William Ruto pledged to halt the abductions, asserting that Kenyan youth should live in peace. He also urged for discipline and politeness among the youth, a statement that has been met with mixed reactions.

The Anti-Abduction Protest in Nairobi CBD Read More »

PEOPLE

Let's Engage