News Archives - The Brief

Nairobi, Kenya: African Union endorses Kenya for UN Security Council Post

21st August 2019 The Brief

The African Union (AU), today through a popular member vote, endorsed Kenya for a non-permanent membership to the United Nations’ Security Council. Kenya defeated Djibouti by a wide margin after garnering 37 votes against their rival who garnered 13 votes. The voting activity was in its second round. In the first exercise, Nairobi accessed the support of 35 countries with Djibouti City gathering the confidence of 15 countries. The first round had two AU members abstaining. Lack of a two-thirds majority win, for Kenya, in the first round justified the…

Kitany: Linturi could not pay his rent

21st August 201921st August 2019 The Brief

The now infamous divorce proceedings between Marianne Kitany and Mithika Linturi are taking an exceedingly interesting dimension after the enstranged wife continued to spill the beans on their union. On Wednesday afternoon, Kitany told the court that she housed Linturi after the Meru senator failed to pay rent for his then apartment along Ngong Road. “I came to learn later that he had rent arrears and I assisted by paying…he asked for some money to pay rent and much later I got to see letters from the landlord. I gave…

Crisis Group warns of hurdles in implementing Sudan agreement

20th August 2019 The Brief

The International Crisis Group has given caution over the implementation of the Sudan power-sharing deal. In a statement, the organisation said the Junta might not let civilian authorities audit or control the sources of foreign exchange. “Caution is warranted, however. The junta signed the agreement only under intense external pressure from parties that included the AU, the U.S., the UK and the EU. Many of its members are beneficiaries of the patronage-based economic system that Bashir created,” they said in a statement. The Crisis Group is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation…

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei arrested over hate speech

20th August 201920th August 2019 The Brief

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has been arrested at in his Eldoret home. Senator Cherargei’s arrest comes a day after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations summoned him over hate remarks he made at the weekend during the funeral of the late teacher Dominic Kiptoo Choge at Lelwak in O’lessos. Detectives had surrounded his home for hours after the senator reportedly refused to open the gates. He was driven to the DCI offices in Nandi to record a statement. Speaking at the funeral, Cherargei said supporters of Deputy President William Ruto were…

Baktash Akasha sentenced to 25 years in prison

16th August 2019 The Brief

Baktash Akasha, a prominent member of the infamous Akasha family, today received a jail sentence of 25 years. Manhattan Presiding Judge Victor Marrero read the judgment and imposed a fine of US$100,000 on Baktash. Baktash Akasha, part of the wider Ibrahim Akasha’s family was extradited to the US alongside his brother to answer charges on drug trafficking. The duo pleaded guilty to the charges and agreed to a plea bargain with the office of the Manhattan district attorney. The two brothers were extradited even at the face of a court…

Breaking: Rugby players Frank Wanyama and Alex Obala handed a 15 year jail sentence

16th August 201916th August 2019 The Brief

Besieged rugby players Frank Wanyama and Alex Obala received a 15-year jail sentence on accusations of gang rape. The court sustained that, with all evidence adduced before it, a custodial sentence was the only route to justice. The magistrate, Martha Mutuku, handed the minimum judicial sentence as guided by the law. The magistrate had, on Thursday last week, found them guilty of gang rape.

Huawei facilitated spying of Bobi Wine in Uganda, Wall Street Journal

15th August 2019 The Brief

According to the Wall Street Journal, Huawei Technologies aided the Ugandan government in amplifying surveillance on Bobi Wine’s private communications. According to the publication, technicians from the Chinese company intercepted encrypted messages in a Whatsapp group that had the membership of Bobi Wine. Bobi Wine, popularly identified as Robert Kyagulanyi, is a fierce critic of President Yoweri Museveni. His #PeoplePower movement is seen as a prominent threat to Museveni’s hold of power. Upon interception of the messages, the Huawei technicians shared them with Ugandan authorities. Security agencies used the messages…

DJ Moh Spice arrested for public display of a firearm

15th August 2019 The Brief

DCI detectives on Wednesday arrested Nicholas Mugo Mwangi, popularly known as DJ Moh Spice, at Space Lounge for public display of a firearm. A Steyr Pistol and 174 rounds of ammunition were confiscated. “Following Public outcry of a #DJ displaying a Firearm in public, @DCI_Kenya Detectives from #SCPU last night arrested Mr. Nicholas Mugo MWANGI at #SpaceLounge Club, Ngong Rd. A Steyr Pistol & 174 rounds of Ammunitions confiscated. He’s in our custody helping with investigations,” DCI tweeted on Thursday. In a photo that went viral online on Wednesday, the…

Sh75,000 dinner date with TD Jakes at Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel

15th August 201915th August 2019 The Brief

Are you a follower of televangelist TD Jakes and would love to have dinner with him? Well, it will cost you a cool Sh75, 000. The American preacher will be a guest speaker at a leadership and entrepreneurship summit in Nairobi on September 6, an event to be hosted by KCB at Kasarani Indoor Arena. The SOAR Africa leadership summit provides a platform where leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss Africa’s economic development. The keynote speakers in this year’s edition will be Bishop TD Jakes, Econet group chairman Strive Masiyiwa, head…

Winnie Byanyima steps down as Oxfam boss, to take up UNAIDS top job

15th August 2019 The Brief

Oxfam International executive director Winnie Byanyima has stepped down to be the new United Nations Programme on HIV-Aids boss. “UNAIDS warmly welcomes the appointment of Winnie Byanyima as its new Executive Director. Ms Byanyima has more than 30 years of experience in political leadership, diplomacy and humanitarian engagement,” the global agency said in a statement on Wednesday. She takes over from Michel Sidibé, who was appointed Minister of Health and Social Affairs of Mali in May this year. “I am honoured to be joining UNAIDS as the Executive Director at…