Posts by Joseph Baraza:
65-year-old Murang’a Woman Who Cut Off Husband’s Head Arrested
September 6th, 2021
Detectives in Kandara have detained a 65-year-old woman for the gruesome murder of her husband Ndung’u Mugachia, 99.
A sombre mood engulfed Ndururumo village in Kigumoini, Murang’a county, following the early morning incident.
In a murder most foul, Margret Wanjiru Ndungu, killed her husband using a machete by slitting his throat open and leaving his body sprawled on the floor.
Mugachia who was born in 1922 and was in his twilight years, had just woken up and was warming himself by the fire in his son’s house, before he was brutally attacked by his wife.
According to Betty Mumbi, a daughter-in-law to the deceased, Wanjiru woke up in the morning and started hurling insults at her husband, who at the time was in the kitchen taking his breakfast.
“She woke up and started insulting the husband and included me because I was the one serving him breakfast. The husband tried to calm her down, but it was in vain,” she said.
Mumbi said the deceased never wanted to engage in a fight and tried to calm her down, but instead, she grabbed a panga and in full swing slit her husband’s throat before cutting off his head.
“She dashed for the panga and slit his throat. I tried saving him, but she also started attacking me,” Mumbi said.
With blood oozing from her father-in-law’s throat, Mumbi immediately raised the alarm to alert her neighbours who rushed to the scene, but it was too late.
“He was lying outside the house as he tried to escape, but she overpowered him and cut off his head,” she added.
The scene was processed by crime scene detectives and the deceased’s body moved to Gaichanjiru Catholic mission hospital mortuary, awaiting autopsy.
Maasai Men Abandon Village Wives to Sample Uncut Women in Kajiado Towns
September 6th, 2021
Men in Kajiado, most of whom are from the Maasai community, are abandoning their women at home for women from other communities while trying to find out the difference between a circumcised woman and those who have not undergone the cut, Angaza News has established.
Speaking on anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, a man told Angaza News that the Maasai men are mainly on a mission to sample women in the region’s uprising towns hence the cry that they have left their wives languishing in poverty at homes for the ‘new catches’.
“I am a polygamous man of four wives but since I sampled an urban woman, I have not been able to resist having a concubine in town.
“I can confidently tell you that men from our community (Maasai) whom they say have gone missing from their homes are busy sampling women in these towns. They want to know the difference between uncut and cut women. That’s it,” he said.
Unlike satellite towns of Kiserian, Ongata Rongai, Emali, Sultan, Ngong and Kitengela where sex workers line up in the streets looking for clients, in upcoming towns dominated by natives the practice is still not publicly paraded.
In towns like Mashuuru, Ilbisil and Maili Tisa which have reported increased immorality, the practice is still under wraps where sex workers rent houses as tenants and engage in sex work.
The women’s main targets are local men from the villages who instead spoil the women with money from livestock and land sales in exchange for body pleasure.
This revelation comes after irate women from Ildamat area in Kajiado Central stormed into Duka Moja centre looking for the randy men who they say have become rare at home.
The devastated women cry foul that men are selling livestock and land then flee to town and misuse the resources with concubines to the chagrin of their suffering families back in the rural villages.
Armed with sticks to punish culpable women who are housing their husbands, the women defied the chilly weather to conduct a search in the upcoming town.
However, they were prevailed by security officers who urged them to seek alternative dispute resolution to avert bloody incidences.
“The only time my husband comes home is when there is an incident or a sick family member. Nowadays he only orders for cattle, sheep or goat to be taken to the market where he is for sale. Once he sells, he only buys maize flour and pockets the other money for his leisure use. The level of immorality among our men has reached a notch higher.
“Culturally we women are not supposed to question their whereabouts but we cannot just allow open immorality that is depleting our resources and exposing us to sexually transmitted diseases. Those twilight women in towns are only interested in stealing our children’s resources and we cannot allow it. We will take low into our hands until the matter is addressed,” Tompoi Agnes said.
The women complained that men are no longer interested in fulfilling conjugal rights back at home pointing out something amiss.
” We fear these women are even using charms on our men just to confuse them and mint money from them, “she said.
The main challenge in arresting the immorality issue remains cultural misconceptions where a woman is considered inferior to a man.
Military Coup in Guinea; President Conde Arrested
September 5th, 2021
The development came after residents heard about two hours of heavy gunfire across the capital Conakry.
Guinea soldiers on Sunday said they have taken control of the government and suspended the Constitution.
Colonel Mamady Doumbouya of the Guinea military said in a video recorded in the capital Conakry that the National Assembly has been dissolved.
A video has also circulated on social media showing President Alpha Conde being held by soldiers. He was subsequently shoved into a vehicle and driven away.
The development came after residents heard about two hours of heavy gunfire across the capital.
Mr Doumbouya said all land and air routes have been shut in the interim, asking citizens to remain at home and await further instruction on the direction of the government.
Mr Doumbouya also lamented widespread corruption and poverty as key reasons for the takeover, saying Mr Conde had failed to deliver on his promises to Guinea people.
Mr Conde 83, won a third term of office last October. Continental body AU has yet to release a statement about the development.
Zambia Parliament Elects First Women Speaker & Deputy Speaker
September 4th, 2021
Cecilia Mbewe, clerk of the National Assembly, declared Mutti as the Speaker after the nomination went through unopposed.
Mutti was duly elected during the first session of the 13th National Assembly following the general elections held on Aug. 12.
According to the country’s constitution, a speaker is nominated from outside the National Assembly by either the president or political parties with representation in parliament but must be subjected through an election if there are more than one nominations.
Speaking after she was ushered into the chamber, Mutti said it was a tremendous challenge and honor to be entrusted with the responsibility to guard the rights and privileges of lawmakers.
Mutti once served as president of the Law Association of Zambia, an association representing lawyers, chairperson of the country’s anti-corruption commission, as well as a commissioner in a Constitutional Review Commission appointed by late President Levy Mwanawasa.
The parliament has also elected Attracta Chisangano as first deputy speaker and Frank Moyo as second deputy speaker.
Man Stranded with Five Kids after In-law Takes Away Daughter Over Bride Price
September 4th, 2021
A Ugandan man, Mr Geoffrey Kakona, has taken back his daughter from the man who fathered her kids, following his failure to pay her Ush6M (about Ksh187,509) bride price, Ugandan media is reporting.
The decision left Laban Sabiti, a 29-year-old retail businessman in Bishayu Village, Ruhija Sub-county in Rubanda District, Uganda, stranded with five children including a 13-month toddler.
A confused and distraught Sabiti said the decision taken by Kakona, who is a resident of Kirima Village, Bushuura parish in Kanungu District, shocked him as he was already planning to pay up the bride price arrears totalling Ush6m
“It is true I delayed paying bride price but I was planning to pay it in December this year. I was surprised when my father-in-law came and took my wife, Ms Prize Twikirize even after explaining to him that I was willing to fulfil my traditional obligation,” Mr Sabiti, who has since filed a case of child neglect with the police, says.
The eldest of Mr Sabiti’s children is aged 10, while the youngest was still enjoying the bonding experience of breastfeeding.
Sabiti’s situation highlights the marginalising and weakening of young males who intend to get married.
Mbarara District senior probation officer, Mr Steven Tumwiine, weighed in on the debate, claiming the bride price was outlawed by the government.
“According to the laws of Uganda, dowry or bride price was abolished and any person aged 18 years and above has a right to marry a man or woman of her or his choice. So, the old man [Ms Twikirize’s father] is infringing on the rights of his daughter. The old man is also infringing on the rights of his grandchildren by denying them a chance to have parents,” he said.
Juliani Claims Receiving Threats Over Alleged Affair with Gov. Mutua’s Ex-wife
September 2nd, 2021
Popular rapper Julias Owino alias Juliani now claims that he has been receiving threats over his alleged affair with Lilian Ng’ang’a, the ex-wife of Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua.
Lilian recently announced that she had parted ways with the Maendeleo Chap Chap leader after a romantic relationship that spanned close to a decade.
While confirming the separation, Mutua affirmed that they were still friends and that the separation was amicable. Days later, his ex-wife confirmed the assertions after she graced the county chief’s birthday party.
Photos of the former Machakos First Lady and Juliani have been spreading on social media sparking dating speculations. The speculations further intensified after the two were captured getting cosy at a Lavington hotel.
In a subtle response to the speculations, the rapper confirmed that if at all he is dating the former Machakos First lady, then their relationship is consensual.
The ‘Utawala’ hitmaker had earlier stated that he did not have to ‘substantiate the obvious’, and asked Kenyans to run with their own conclusions.
In his cryptic message posted on Twitter, the musician says he finds it incomprehensible that an intelligent person of sound mind can be snatched from someone.
“How now can you “iba mtu”?! An intelligent adult with a sound mind,” his tweet read in part.
The father of one further states that he has been receiving life threats through calls and texts. He did not however disclose the source of the threatening messages.
Juliani also took a swipe at blogs and mainstream media for sensationalizing the story. He says the media outlets have been running a ‘wife-snatcher’ narrative against him.
“The call/text threat on my life today, NOT funny! “ulinyang’anyana” narrative is false, tired, juicy headlines tu. Kindly STOP! For the threats, usi aim face, na prefer niki smile kwa open casket,” he added.
Reprieve for Makongeni MCA as Court Drops Firearm Case Against Him
August 24th, 2021
A Nairobi court on Tuesday, August 24 acquitted Nairobi County Assembly Minority Whip, Peter Imwatok of four charges relating to illegally possession of a firearm.
In her judgment Milimani Senior Resident Magistrate, Carolyne Njagi set free Imwatok after the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence.
Njagi ruled that the prosecution totally failed to prove that Imwatok who is also Makongeni Ward MCA committed the offense leveled against him by the state.
“After evaluation of evidence on record I find that the prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused person in all four counts.I therefore acquit the accused from the same.” she ruled
Nambale High School Principal Defies Transfer Orders
August 18th, 2021
The embattled Nambale High School Principal has defied transfer from the institution by the Teachers Service Commission – it is one of the leading high schools in Busia County with a student population of more than 1, 200 students.
Emerging reports indicate the principal Charles Hongo is instead fighting for the cancellation of the transfer from the institution which is considered highly lucrative because of the high student population whose parents are fleeced of millions of shillings at every start of academic school terms.
An insider source who requested not to be named for fear of being victimized said: “As we speak at this very moment Mr. Hongo has rushed to Nairobi to fight for the cancellation of his transfer at the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) headquarters through his connection not only at the TSC, but also the ministry of education and political connections.”
However the now erupting information from the institution indicates that the principal arrived back at the institution in and ordered all teachers on and off duty to appear in his board room for an immediate dress down.
According to the source, Hongo ordered the teachers to stop peddling any rumours or stories about the institution to outsiders so long as he remained in authority as Nambale high School’s de-facto boss whether they liked it or not or they will face “devastating consequences.”
These developments are emerging when earlier reports had confirmed that Hongo had travelled to meet his “God fathers at the TSC, the Ministry of Education and powerful politicos” to ensure that the transfer was nullified after the chairman of the school’s board of management had confirmed it following media inquiries.
The emerging issue is the fact this development is creating more problems than solving them, but at whose cost? Parents who are pouring hundreds of millions of shillings and the government to finance the high school’s inflated daily demands?
The Board boss Prof Okumu Bigambo of Moi University Eldoret had confirmed that indeed there was a transfer and said: “It is possible the headquarters has issues best known to themselves. Let us keep our peace as it is now. No alarm so far” .
The source said that the principal received the transfer letter early this month to move to go to Kevaywa high school to be replaced by yet another seasoned high school principal by an official letter from the TSC headquarters but refused to move with immediate effect as ordered by his employer.
He said that the bottom line is the fact that Mr. Hongo is allegedly making a lot of money right from the tendering for the students and non-teaching staff uniforms, food and other essential supplies to the institution, mattresses for the students amongst many other things that are required to run the institution at highly inflated prices to pocket the proceeds.
“The best example I can give is that of the students’ mattresses where Mr. Hongo is the principal supplier and charges the parents buying them for their children who are students at the institution double the market prices and gets away with it,” said the source.
The principal is also facing queries for contracting watchmen to man the school from a Kisumu County based security firms where he has deep vested interests thus generating money to feed his hungry pockets for cash money from the school’s coffers.
It also emerged that he has now made all the watchmen who are out of Busia county to be housed at the institution for reasons best known to himself and some few members of the institutions Board of Management.
Early this year trouble erupted at the institution when it emerged that Mr. Hongo was running the multi-million shillings public school as a personal entity totally without any sense of team work with teachers and other employees under him.
His Predecessor Mr. Solomon Sisuma had also been captured on audio narrating how Hongo had awarded him lucrative tenders which included the supply of maize to the school among others.
Parents and stakeholders were up in arms over the fact that Mr. Hongo had either sacked or demoted security officers at the institution and replaced them with those from the firm related to him based in Kisumu called Pride King.
The institution’s teachers were also up in arms against their principal from the “crude, barbaric and un-professional” way he was handling them, yet they have been the backbone of the school’s sterling performance and development in the last decade alone.
They were demanding to know why a high school in Busia County should have security officers from Mr. Hongo’s Kisumu County’s based security firm when locally hired security officers had been manning the institution since its establishment in the 1960s – not to mention the fact that there were many Busia County based security firms that could be hired.
Nambale High School has been one of the best performing High Schools in the region with a student population of more than 1200 being among the top five in the county and 100 in the Kenya Secondary Examinations (KCSE) under the leadership of the previous principal Solomon Sisuma who was transferred with protest from stakeholders.
Safaricom Staff Pension Construction Suspended by Environment Body
July 25th, 2021
The Machakos environment and land court has suspended construction of Safaricom staff pension project and road works along crystal River along quarry and Mombasa road Athi river until a case filed by Mavoko water and sewarage company (Mavawasco) over interfearance with its sewer line is heard by both parties on 27th July 2021.
The Machakos environment and land court Deputy registered on 14th July 2021 issued the directive after certifying the matter as agent.
Mavasco had filed a petition against Safaricom pension trustees project and prestine contractors limited on allegations that the ongoing construction of the two are interfering with the company sewerage system and likely to affects hundreds of residents in sorrounding the estates.
“Defendant either by itself, agents, servants, employees or proxies from escavation, laying foundation, construction, cementing, culverting, building structure on top of the plaintiff sewerline and using structure dealing in anyway whatsoever with the plaintiff sewerline at crystal river project along quarry and Mombasa road, “reads part of the ruling.
The court directive further instructed the Athi-river officer commanding station to to enforce the restraining measure.
The case is scheduled to be heard in the same court on 27/07/2021 where both the three parties are directed to appear.
Farmers Accuse Busia Sugar For Using The Police To Intimidate Them
July 22nd, 2021Trouble has erupted at the Busia Sugar Industries (BSI) Company between farmers and the management over the company hiring plain clothes police officers allegedly from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to harass and intimidate the farmers.
The farmers are up in-arms against the BSI management accusing it of abusing the power of its colossal financial resources to harass, intimidate and stop them from fighting for their rights after they wrote a protest communication that was copied to government officials, leaders, stakeholders and leaders documenting their woes and demands.
It was signed complete with the identification cards and telephone numbers of the out-grower farmers’ leaders who are now directly being targeted by the alleged DCI operatives from Busia County where the miller is based as the only industrial concern in the county.
At stake are vast swathes of sugarcane farms with the raw material valued at millions of shillings in the last one and half years alone denied but translated into losses to the cane farmers for which now the alleged DCI operatives are intimidating the farmers with allegations of plotting to burn down the sugar factory after which BSI management allegedly bribe them off with a token of Kshs. 1, 000 to 2000 for transport back home from grilling sessions at the factory’s police station.
They claim the miller has trashed their contracts and failed to harvest their sugarcane for processing at the miller’s sugar factory located at Busibwabo market in Matayos sub-county – leaving them with over-age, rotten or firewood dried raw material and unpaid production costs in loans on the contracted farmers’ farms for a period of nearly five years since they begun producing the crop.
The letter addressed to the BSI Managing Director Ali Ahmed Taib in part reads: “The biggest problem here is that the miller has chosen to buy the raw material from brokers for as little as Kshs. 3, 500 instead of the government recommended producer price of Kshs. 4, 040 per tonne.”
It goes on: “We invested heavily in the production of this crop under contract with BSI, but he is now dealing with sugarcane thieves from as far as Kabras in Kakamega County and smugglers from Uganda to make profits at our expense yet we stood with him in his endless legal battles trying to stop construction of this sugar milling facility”.
The letter was copied to agriculture Cabinet Secretary Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, the Agriculture Fisheries and Food Authority (AFFA) Boss, Kello Harsama, Busia County Governor Sospeter Ojaamong among others.
The farmers clearly state in the letter that they were demanding for the miller to meet his contractual obligations with his contracted farmers and stop dealing with the cane brokers and smugglers that could easily lead to the collapse of the only factory in Busia County like the country’s giant miller Mumias Sugar did a few years ago because farmers stopped cane production over a more than Kshs. 3.5 billion they were owed for cane delivered.
Apart from that the farmers led by the Western Development Initiative Association (WEDIA) boss, Joseph Barasa said that the brokers are instead creating a situation in which they are literally stealing the raw material from farmers at as little as Kshs. 1, 500 tonne or less and getting away with it after the BSI management refused to harvest and transport it to the factory for milling.
Asked whether company had hired the DCI operatives and were being used by the miller to harass and intimidate farmers to pander to the company interests, the CEO Mr. Taib said: “I don’t think so. We are just carrying out business as usual as any business entity will do. We are also protecting our business interests as any business entity to stay afloat.”
Pressed to comment on the concerns of the letter (in our possession) raised by the aggrieved cane farmers, Taib said that was ‘an internal business matter that cannot be addressed through the media which also conducts its business in its own way.’
The CEO is on record publicly telling the media that as a business entity, BSI will not shed off the brokers and smugglers but will buy the raw material from the market on a “willing seller, willing buyer basis at prices dictated by the supply demand forces to stay in business to market profits with a harvesting programme to take care of its contracted farmers’ interests.”
He also declined to respond to queries why the BSI management had trashed with its cane contracted farmers like IMA, Agroline, Shiva among others and grounded its own transport fleet to transport the harvested raw material from its contracted farmers’ farms to the factory for processing.
However, above all declined to state the company’s cane development engagement programmes with the farmers every year to ensure that there was no shortage of the raw material supplies for milling that inevitably led to the deadly sugarcane poaching problem that has literally brought the industry to its knees or near collapse.
