The father of a 10-year-old girl who was defiled by an SSPDF soldier in Nimule town on the South Sudan-Uganda border has vowed to kill the suspect after the latter’s army colleagues forcefully sprang him out of a court hearing.

Earlier this month, elements of the SSPDF stormed Nimule High Court and removed one of their own who had been arraigned for rape and defilement.

Peter Panyiong, the complainant whose daughter was violated, said he was disappointed that the suspect was whisked away from court by his army cronies and that he would kill him on sight.

“I will kill him. I will look for him and kill him straight away. That is my stand and the only thing I will do and that is my last say. I reported the case to the government (police) to handle and the person (suspect) was forcefully taken out of court,” he said. “If I get him, I will immediately kill him and not spare him. He was taken to Uganda after he raped (defiled) my daughter. During the court hearing, his soldier friends came and forcefully removed him from court to subvert justice. He was taken out of court by force by SSPDF forces.”

“Even if he is in Juba, when I meet him, I will fight him and If the government wants to imprison him or not, that is their problem,” Panyiong added.

When contacted, Major David Kamsiro, the inspector of police in Nimule, confirmed the incident and called for justice.

“When the suspect was arrested, the army came and took him away to his unit in Juba and he is in detention there and has never been brought back,” he said. “During the first court sitting here in Nimule, the police were not able to intervene because the suspect was already under the detention of his unit. The matter is now between the court and the suspect’s military unit.”

“The complainant (father of the victim) is infuriated and up to now is unhappy,” Kasmiro added.

However, Police Spokesperson Major General Daniel Justin told Radio Tamazuj Saturday that they got a report about the matter and are investigating.

“The report reached us and investigations are ongoing. We did not get his full name but we got a report that the incident happened,” he said. “So, the investigation is to locate him and who he was with. For the sake of investigations, we cannot tell you too much.”

“What we can confirm to you is that we have knowledge and we have taken measures,” Gen. Justin added.

SSPDF Spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai said he had no idea about the incident. Radio Tamazuj

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party has distanced itself from Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei’s proposal on the extension of presidential term limits.

In a statement by UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala on Monday morning, the party says it has respect for all lawmakers’ views.

“The UDA Party respects and upholds the Senator's personal views but particularly on the referenced subject, those views do not reflect the perspectives of the UDA Party and/or its Party Leader, the President, William Ruto,” Malala’s statement reads in part. 

“The President solemnly swore to respect, uphold and defend the Constitution which is abundantly clear and categorical on the Presidential term limit.”

Malala says the ruling party’s focus is on delivering on its promises to the People of Kenya.

In his proposal, Malala suggests that five years in office is not sufficient for the running of government and forming a formidable team to implement the election manifesto.  

The constitution only stipulates a five-year term and allows for a chance to get re-elected only once. Cherargei also wanted the talks team to establish the Office of the Prime Minister who will sit in parliament and be the official spokesman of government in the house. 

The proposal has elicited mixed reactions online with some supporting the proposal as the opposition and its supporters strongly criticized the move. By Winfrey Owino, The Standard

Under the Hollywood deal, the Invention Studios will promote Kenya as a filming destination, shoot multiple movies in Kenya, and support the Talanta Hela Initiative.

Kenya has inked a deal in Los Angeles, California to bring Hollywood Invention Studios to Kenya.

Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba announced the deal on Saturday, a day after another agreement with National Basketball Association (NBA) agreed to establish an office in Nairobi to promote basketball in the region. 

Under the Hollywood deal, the Invention Studios will promote Kenya as a filming destination, shoot multiple movies in Kenya, and support the Talanta Hela Initiative.

“The deal will see e-Talanta become a global platform for Kenyan and African creative content. It will help in growing talents and promoting the protection of Kenyan creatives’ intellectual property and access to royalties,” a statement released by Ababu’s office read in part.

Additionally, the Invention Studios deal will offer an outlet in global marketing of Kenya and its products.

It will also provide master class clinics for creatives, employment opportunities during movie productions, capacity building for Kenyans in the creative sector and upgrading of the capabilities of the Kenya film school.

“The ultimate goal is to elevate Kenya to the continental hub for filming commerce in Africa,” read part of the statement.

With the agreement in place, Invention Studios agreed to commence preparations to start filming in Kenya.

Along with signing the agreement, Hollywood also committed to provide consulting assistance for Kenya’s YouthConneckt Summit. 

The Film Incentive Framework will be the main topic of discussion at the summit, which will take place from December 8^th –12^th in Nairobi.

The agreement was witnessed by Kenya’s Consul General in Los Angeles Ted Kwakwa and top Hollywood agent Ozi Menakaya. By Sharon Resian,, Capital News