The Nation (Kenya) articles from September 2008

The Nation (Kenya) archives from September 2008

Developed Continent is a Global Asset - Sarkozy.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Nicolas Sarkozy Mr Sarkozy, the President of France, delivered this speech (edited) at a UN High-Level Meeting on Africa's Development Needs in New York Africa has started to move again. The continent has found the way back...

Maitha Widows to Account for Cash.
September 30, 2008... The High Court in Mombasa has ordered three widows of former Local Government minister Emmanuel Karisa Maitha to file an account of how they have spent the money awarded to them by Parliament following the death of their husband. Justice...

Keep Party Interests Off Kivuitu Team Issues.
September 30, 2008... Since the Independent Review Commission headed by retired South African judge Johann Kriegler handed in its report about a fortnight ago, a heated debate has ensued over whether or not the Electoral Commission of Kenya, which bungled last...

80 Travel Agents From Italy Arrive.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Mathias Ringa At least 80 prominent travel agents from Italy on Tuesday arrived in Mombasa for a week's tour of the country. This follows a recent visit to Italy by a delegation led by Tourism minister Najib Balala to woo...

The Cutting Edge.
September 30, 2008... Mombasa resident Andrew Waithaka is alarmed at the "transformation of the coastal resort town into a desert". This, he adds, is worst felt in Likoni, where he has lived for five years. And partly to blame are the people destroying trees...

Change Tack for War Against Corruption to Succeed.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Felgona Atieno That the fight against corruption in Kenya has stagnated may not be a surprise to many. According to the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) launched by Transparency International recently, Kenya's score remains...

Co-Op Bank IPO Confusion Recipe for Conspiracy Theories.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Jaindi Kisero I don't understand why the chairman of the Nairobi Stock Exchange, Mr James Wangunyu, has decided to send mixed signals on the planned Cooperative Bank of Kenya Initial Public Offering. One day he says the...

Rethink Stand On Tea.
September 30, 2008... A curious thing is happening in our tea-growing heartland. Farmers are uprooting the crop, and finding other uses for their land. While the Tea Board of Kenya is legally right in its strident stand against this worrying trend, the farmers...

Four Shot Dead in Botched Raid.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Silas Nthiga And John Njagi Four gangsters were shot dead in a shootout with the police in Embu Town on Tuesday morning. The gangsters had just raided Mastermind Tobacco Company offices on Kubukubu Road when they were...

Closure of Camp Shelved.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Eunice Machuhi The Government has suspended the closure of the Nakuru showground refugee camp. The camp should have been closed on Wednesday but district commissioner Njenga Miiri said demonstrations on Monday forced...

Tsvangirai Starts Work Ahead of Cabinet Deal.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Kitsepile Nyathi Prime Minister designate, Morgan Tsvangirai is not waiting for his former bitter rival, President Robert Mugabe to give him the nod to begin the seemingly uphill task of restoring Zimbabwe's once prosperous...

Economy Shows Signs of Recovery.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Wachira Kang'aru Kenya's economy is on the fast lane to recovery with performance indicators for the second quarter showing an improved state of affairs compared to the first quarter. Data released by the Kenya National...

New Dates for Guinea Match.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Charles Nyende The World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Group Two leaders Kenya and Guinea will be played on October 12 after all. Kenya Football Federation secretary Sam Obingo said the match had reverted to the...

Machakos to Host Johnnie Walker Series Leg.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Larry Ngala Machakos Golf Club, the only golf course in the whole of Eastern Province has finally been included in the on going Johnnie Walker Golf Series. Johnnie Walker Brand Manager, Catherine Nduati said that the club...

Equity to Use Cellphone Service As Launching Pad Into Sudan.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Philip Wahome Equity Bank is hoping to use its cellphone banking solution, Eazzy 24/7, to leverage its expansion into Southern Sudan by the end of the year. The listed bank's chief executive, Dr James Mwangi, on Tuesday...

Duncan May Return to Action On Sunday.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Chris Musumba Veteran driver Ian Duncan is racing against time in his bid to return to competitive rallying in Sunday's KCB S&L event in Olepolos and Corner Baridi areas in a newly acquired Nissan Patrol Pick-up. Duncan...

Polish Paralympians Off to Climb Kilimanjaro.
September 30, 2008... A team of Polish Paralympians are in the country to promote sports tourism. The team which arrived on Tuesday also intends to climb Mt.Kilimanjaro as a way of showing that disability is not inability. Flagging them off outside his...

Team Draws SA, Scotland in Dubai Sevens.
September 30, 2008... Kenya has been drawn in Pool B of the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens which kicks off the 2008/2009 International Rugby Board Sevens World Series. This is a tough pool which has last year's runners-up South Africa, Scotland and hosts...

Nation in New Home Loans.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Mwaniki Wahome Nation Media Group on Tuesday unveiled several improvements on its funded mortgage scheme that will allow more staffers to own houses. Speaking during the signing of the scheme with mortgage financier Housing...

Deadly Fever Likely to Hit Again, Warns UN.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Daniel Otieno Kenya could be hit by another round of the deadly Rift Valley Fever by the end of the year, a new UN study warns. The study published recently by the global body's arm, Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO),...

Section of Muslims End Ramadhan Fast.
September 30, 2008... Some Muslim worshippers gathered for prayers across the country on Tuesday, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadhan. In Mombasa, they met at Tononoka football grounds after the moon was reportedly sighted in Saudi Arabia,...

Still Tough to Work Between Countries.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Zephania Ubwani, Elias Biryabarema And Dave Opiyo Work permits remain a challenge for free movement of labour and investment in the East African Community even after Tanzania became the last country to remove residency...

U.S. Deputy Envoy Holds Talks With Electoral Commission Chair.
September 30, 2008... Byline: David Mugonyi And Vpps US deputy ambassador Pamela Slutz on Tuesday met with Electoral Commission of Kenya chairman Samuel Kivuitu. Although Mr Kivuitu confirmed that he had met Ms Slutz, he declined to divulge the...

Forget Top Seat, Leaders Urged.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Wilfred Muchire Leaders from Central Kenya should not contest the presidency, the head of a party has suggested. They should support a candidate from other regions when President Kibaki retires, Grand National Union party...

Meru Leaders Demand Top PNU Seat.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Charles Wanyoro Three legislators from Meru who had earlier defected from PNU to form a new party on Tuesday rejoined the party on condition that Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi is elected party first vice-chairman. Led by...

Don't Threaten Farmers, Ruto Tells Tea Board.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Kibiwott Koross The Tea Board of Kenya has been advised against threatening tea farmers who are uprooting the crop. Agriculture minister William Ruto instead asked the board, the tea industry regulator, to talk to farmers on...

Nyong'o to Appear in Court Over Contempt.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Sam Kiplagat Medical Services minister Anyang' Nyong'o and Kenyatta National Hospital will have to defend themselves on allegations that they defied a court order. Mr Justice Joseph Nyamu ruled that court orders must be...

Now Knut Also Issues Strike Threat.
September 30, 2008... The administration of this year's national examinations now faces a threat after a teachers' union threatened to order its members to boycott work if a deal is not struck during the next round of salary talks. The Kenya National Union of...

Schools Offer Studies On Peace.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Benjamin Muindi Peace Education has been introduced as a compulsory subject in both primary and secondary schools from next term. The Ministry of Basic Education says the subject is a response to post-election violence...

Kimunya Defends Cash Printing Deal.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Odhiambo Orlale Former Finance minister Amos Kimunya on Tuesday defended the controversial multi-billion shilling De La Rue new currency printing deal for the second time when he appeared before a parliamentary committee. ...

Former Finance Minister Says He Was Unfairly Targeted.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Muchemi Wachira The full extent of the bitterness felt by former Finance minister Amos Kimunya at his treatment over the sale of the Grand Regency hotel became clear on Tuesday. He believes he was unfairly sacrificed by...

Pirates Killed on Hijacked Ship.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Abdulsamad Ali and David Mugonyi Pirates who seized an Ukranian ship with military cargo allegedly meant for Kenya are negotiating ransom with vessel's owners, it emerged on Tuesday. One of the pirates, Mr Sugule Ali, told...

Govt Signs Sh1 Billion Grant to Fight Aids.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Samwel Kumba The Kenyan Government has signed a Sh1.1 billion support for the fight against HIV and Aids. The money will be shared within the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development member countries. Acting Finance...

Cockar to Rule On Finance PS.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Muchemi Wachira A ruling on whether Permanent Secretary at the Treasury, Joseph Kinyua will testify before Cockar Commission will be made on Friday. The commission chairman Justice Abdul Majid Cockar has said Mr Kinyua's...

New Subject for Schools.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Benjamin Muindi The ministry of Basic Education has introduced a new subject for Kenya schools. Peace Education will be offered to students in both primary and secondary schools at the start of next term in January. ...

Cabinet Split Over Electoral Commission Chair.
September 29, 2008... Byline: David Mugonyi The Cabinet has split over whether Electoral Commission chairman Samuel Kivuitu and his team should be sacked, in line with the Kriegler report's recommendations. Key ministers in the 42-member Cabinet are...

Dutch Govt to Help Kenya Improve Hospitals.
September 29, 2008... Byline: John Ngirachu Kenyans are set to benefit from improved health care in public hospitals following aeurn agreement between the Kenyan and Dutch governments for funding to the tune of KSh2.6 billion. Medical Services Permanent...

Tanzania Move Laudable.
September 29, 2008... The revival of the East African Cooperation in 1993 after a 16-year hiatus, and the subsequent change to East African Community six years later, ushered in a fresh hope for economic and social growth in the region. After the fall of the...

Country And France in Legal Battle Over Ferry Disaster.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Hamadou Tidiane Sy As many Senegalese have been doing for the past six years now, Mrs Mame Madior Boye who was the Prime Minister in 2002 vividly remembers a day in September that year, marked by some as the "darkest nightmare"...

Kuppet Calls for Strike Imprudent.
September 29, 2008... A teachers' union, Kuppet, has lately been in the news demanding better terms of service for its members and recognition of its mandate. But that's not all. The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers has also set conditions for...

28 Seized in Botched Theft At Maize Store.
September 29, 2008... Police have arrested 28 people suspected of stealing maize from a private miller's godown in Nyandarua. The suspects included two watchmen. The godown belongs to Sabco Maize Millers. Nyandarua head of police Robinson Mboloi said the...

Let Gender Ministry Handle Fund, Say Women.
September 29, 2008... Women want the money from Women Enterprise Fund to be channelled through the Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs to make it more accessible. Led by Nyeri North district officer in charge of gender Rose Wanjiru Wambugu, they expressed...

AU And World Bank in Joint Anti-Poverty Campaign.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Joseph Bonyo The African Union and the World Bank have agreed to work together in fostering sustainable development and curbing poverty in the continent. In a Memorandum of Understanding signed on Friday last week by the two...

Co-Op Bank to Push On With IPO.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Philip Wahome Cooperative Bank of Kenya management and its transaction advisers, on Monday moved to reassure the public that the initial public offering will proceed as planned next month. "The IPO will progress as scheduled...

Courts the Wrong Places to Resolve Aids Spread Conflicts.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Eliezer Wangulu HIV is a virus, not a crime, stated celebrated HIV and Aids activist and South African judge Edwin Cameron, who is living with HIV. Mr Justice Cameron went on to enumerate 10 good reasons why criminalising HIV...

It Is a Clean Sweep As Sang And Jeptoo Win Portugal Marathon.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Chris Musumba Silas Sang ran as an underdog to claim the silverware at the Portugal half marathon, setting a new course record of 1:01:26. Former Boston marathon champion, Rita Jeptoo, also set a women's course record to...

Mathare Stay Top With Sony in Hot Pursuit.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Chris Musumba Mathare United cruised back to the top of the Kenyan Premier League in style, while the relegation battle remained on a knife-edge over the weekend. United brushed aside Bandari 4-1 in a match they largely...

Kenya to Host 2009 Junior Rugby Tournament.
September 29, 2008... The International Rugby Board on Monday announced that Kenya will host the 2009 IRB Junior Rugby Trophy in April. Richard Omwela, chairman of the Kenya Rugby Football Union said on Monday that this will be the biggest rugby tournament in...

Kimani Claims Glory in Kericho.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Larry Ngala On a weekend characterised by disastrous scoring by Kenya's top amateurs, national golf team captain, Francis Kimani, returned a score of seven over 147 at the nine-hole Kericho Golf Club course to emerge the 2008...

Rose Gears Up for the KCB Rally in Olepolos.
September 29, 2008... Over 30 drivers are expected to take part in Saturday's KCB S&L rally in Oleopolos and Corner Baridi which will determine the possible winner of the overall Kenya National Rally Championship title. Despite his last two poor outings in...

Board Warns Tea Uprooters.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Justus Ondari The Tea Board of Kenya has threatened to take action against tea farmers uprooting the crop. Reacting to reports that some farmers in Central Province were doing away with the cash crop because of diminishing...

Devolve Power And Resources Too.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Dickson Gachuche Every Kenyan agrees there is need to overhaul the Constitution so power and national resources reach the Wanjiku -- common mwananchi -- at the grassroots. However, one of the contentious issues has been...

38 Fishermen Rescued After Ship Hits Rock.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Philip Muyanga and Abdulrahman Sheriff Thirty eight fishermen have been rescued after their ship was damaged in a freak accident near Lamu Island. The chairman of Usivawe Speedboats Operators, Mr Kassim Hassan Bakari, said...

Men, Too, Could Get One Billion Shillings Fund for Trade.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Muchiri Gitonga and Stephen Munyiri The Government may set up another revolving fund, this time for men. Gender minister Esther Murugi said her ministry was lobbying for the setting up of such a fund in the next financial...

Chinedu Linked to Narcotics.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Jillo Kadida A Nigerian businessman entangled in a messy divorce case with his Kenyan wife has been involved in drug peddling, a court was told on Monday. The Immigration Department claimed that Mr Antony Chinedu, who it...

Three More Seized Over Sale of Fake Exam Papers.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Simon Siele Three more people were on Monday arrested in connection with the printing and circulation of fake Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination papers in Rift Valley Province. They are part of a syndicate...

Court Told of Home Raids By 2,000 Men.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Noah Cheploen About 2,000 men armed with assorted weapons attacked villages in Eldoret during the post-election violence, the High Court sitting in Nakuru was told on Monday. Witness Daniel Mwangi Ng'ang'a, who lived at...

Michuki Quizzed Over De La Rue Deal.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Dave Opiyo Acting Finance minister John Michuki and Central Bank of Kenya governor Njuguna Ndun'gu on Monday appeared before a parliamentary team investigating the controversial De La Rue currency printing contract. Although...

Health Sector to Get Funding.
September 29, 2008... Byline: John Ngirachu Patients are set to benefit from improved health care in public hospitals following an agreement between Kenyan and Dutch governments for funding to the tune of Sh2.6 billion. Medical Services permanent...

Kimunya Will Not Testify, Says Cockar Team.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Muchemi Wachira Former Finance minister Amos Kimunya will not testify before the Cockar Commission after all, it was ruled on Monday. Commission chairman Abdul Majid Cockar made the ruling after an application by Mr Kimunya's...

Bank's Case Referred Back to Chief Justice.
September 29, 2008... The long-drawn Charterhouse Bank case was on Monday referred to the Chief Justice for fresh direction. The order was made by three judges of the Judicial Review and Constitutional Division when lawyers filed an application against the...

Cabinet Split Over Electoral Commission.
September 29, 2008... Byline: David Mugonyi The Cabinet has split over whether Electoral Commission chairman Samuel Kivuitu and his team should be sacked, in line with the Kriegler report's recommendations. Key ministers in the 42-member Cabinet are...

Sugar Barons Put On Notice As Law Drafted.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Cosmas Butunyi and Walter Menya Your time is up. That is the message the Ministry of Agriculture is sending to cartels in the sugar industry, after writing a policy paper to guide reforms. Minister William Ruto said the...

Arms Ship Mystery Deepens.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Dominic Wabala and Abdulsamad Ali Mystery deepened on Monday over the real ownership of the tanks and other arms hijacked by three boatloads of Somali pirates. The Government insisted the battle tanks -- 33 T-72s -- rocket...

First Open Military Hearing Since 1982.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Sam Kiplagat In a move seen as trying to demystify the Kenyan Armed Forces, the military has for the first time since the 1982 attempted coup trials, allowed the media to cover the proceedings of a court martial. Several...

Govt Relaxes Residency Rules.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Zephania Ubwani Non-Tanzanians of the East African Community states can now settle in the country as long as they are engaged in meaningful economic activities or employment. This follows the decision by Tanzania to lift its...

Protest After 17 Displaced People Held.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Simon Siele Internally displaced people at the Nakuru showground camp sat in the middle of the Nakuru- Kabarnet highway on Monday morning to protest the arrest of 17 of their own. The victims were arrested on Sunday night on...

Health Workers Train On Safe Circumcision.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Elisha Otieno Health workers in Luo Nyanza are being trained on how to conduct safe circumcision following an increased demand for the service. The chairman of the National Task Force on Male Circumcision, Dr Peter Cherutich,...

Permanent Secretary Backs Draft Law On Access to Information.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Sammy Cheboi The Freedom of Information Bill will be implemented once Parliament passes it into law, a permanent secretary has said. Information and Communications PS Bitange Ndemo said on Monday that the Government had...

We Have Nothing to Lose in Final Qualifier, Says Coach Kimanzi.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Chris Musumba Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi has taunted Guinea ahead of their 2010 World Cup/African Nations Cup qualifier, saying his charges have nothing to lose in their final group encounter in Conakry. The...

Most Small and Medium Enterprises Wish for NSE Listing - Survey.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Jevans Nyabiage The aspiration of most small and medium enterprises is to be listed on the stock exchange, a survey has revealed. Nation Media Group general manager for circulation and marketing Dr Githinji Gitahi during a...

Rethink Male Cut Campaign in the War Against Aids.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Obare Onyango As debate on whether circumcision reduces the risk of HIV infection or not rages, it is amazing how each side of the divide is getting carried away by emotions to the extent of losing sight of the available...

The Cutting Edge.
September 29, 2008... The proliferation of new motor vehicle numbers calls for a separate registration for motorcycles, says Maina Muchara. "The numbers are getting exhausted very quickly and we'll soon see KBZ.... vehicles on the road and it's not because...

Detain Him, Vote Him Out, But You Cannot Silence Him.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Michael Njuguna Governments can lock up Koigi wa Wamwere in detention camps and voters deny him votes, but the man cannot be silenced, what with his own radio station ruling the airwaves in the Central Rift Valley while he burns...

Kombo On the Spot Over Ford-Kenya Laws.
September 29, 2008... Ford Kenya chairman Musikari Kombo has been told to convene the party's annual general meeting to make amendments to the constitution. Lands assistant minister Sylvester Wakoli called on the nominated MP to move quickly and have the...

Keep Off KPA Top Job, Atwoli Tells Mwakwere.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Ouma Wanzala Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere has been asked not to interfere with the recruitment of a managing director at the Kenya Ports Authority. The Central Organisation of Trade Unions secretary-general Francis...

Bura Poll Petition Thrown Out.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Eunice Machuhi An election petition filed by a voter in Bura has been dismissed and the petitioner ordered to pay costs to the area member of Parliament. Judge Festus Azangalala, sitting in Mombasa, also directed that the...

These So-Called Youthful MPs No Different From the Folks.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Lukoye Atwoli The entry of 'youthful' politicians onto the national stage excited many in the early days after the elections. People gleefully pointed out the 'old guard' who had been replaced by young leaders, who would...

Energy Prices No Laughing Matter.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Oduor Ouma Among the tragedies of our politics is the fixation with fitting square pegs into round holes. Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi - a lawyer who experimented with activism - appears as one such square peg being...

Balala Woos Italian Investors to Malindi.
September 28, 2008... The government has urged Italian investors to help set up an international airport in Malindi. Addressing participants at the ongoing Kenya Tourism and Cultural Week in Milan, Italy, Mr Balala said the airport will facilitate start of...

Safaricom Cuts Cost of Making Night Calls.
September 28, 2008... Mobile phone service provider, Safaricom, has unveiled lower calling rates for its subscribers that take effect from Monday. Both PrePay and PostPay subscribers will enjoy new lower calling rates at Sh5 from 10 pm to midnight, and Sh2.50...

Country Set to Adopt Biotechnology.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Sammy Cheboi Kenya is set to adopt the controversial biotechnology as a means of boosting food production, Agriculture minister William Ruto has said. This is despite opposition from some stakeholders who have raised their...

The Cutting Edge.
September 28, 2008... Police in Nairobi's Industrial Area have been targeting drivers of commercial vehicles and booking them for not having inspection stickers, even when they display photocopies of the inspection report on their windscreens, moans Amar Riyat....

Women Like Palin Ensure That Men Remain On Top.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Rasna Warah Women who have had to struggle all their lives to survive and succeed in a male world often find it difficult to criticise other women in leadership positions. They see such criticism as a sign of betrayal and as...