The driver of the trailer that caused the death of 53 people has been charged with reckless driving, standard media Kenya reports.

A Rwandan citizen, Gilbert Ntuyemungu, was denied bail after the tragic incident occurred at Londiani junction in Kericho County, leaving 25 others injured.

Molo Chief Magistrate Hellena Nderitu ruled that Ntuyemungu posed a flight risk and remanded him at Nakuru GK Prison until his case is heard and determined.

The magistrate pointed out that there was no evidence suggesting that Ntuyemungu had a fixed abode in Kenya, which could lead him to abscond court proceedings.

Considering the absence of a repatriation treaty between Kenya and Rwanda, the court deemed it risky to grant the driver bail. Moreover, the seriousness of the charges, involving the death of 53 people and injuries to 25, further supported the decision to deny bail.

While in remand at Nakuru GK Prison, Ntuyemungu will be provided with witness statements, exhibits, the charge sheet, and other documentary evidence to aid in his defense.

Ntuyemungu has denied over 90 charges, including causing death by dangerous driving, causing injuries, and causing damage to 10 motor vehicles on July 3, along Nakuru-Kericho Highway.

The 52-year-old Rwandese maintained that the incident was not caused by reckless driving but rather an accident resulting from the truck's brake failure. He claimed that he had no motive or intent to harm the victims, whom he considered strangers to him.

However, the investigating officer, Florence Auma, stated in her affidavit that the accused was facing charges of mass killing due to careless driving and other serious offenses. She emphasized the severity of the potential punishment if Ntuyemungu were found guilty and expressed concerns that he might attempt to flee the country. - The New Times

Trade and Investments Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria was on Wednesday conspicuously missing as President William Ruto met US Trade Representative Katherine Tai at State House in Nairobi.

Ambassador Tai has been in the country for two days and there have been reports she refused to meet Kuria over his recent social media posts.

Sources indicated that apart from not meeting the US top official, Kuria did not engage the delegation of the US-East Africa Community Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Council.

During the meeting, the President said that the US remains Kenya's most important trade and investment partner.

A photo shared by State House after the meeting had the Trade CS missing yet he would ordinarily be the host partner. 

Instead, the President was accompanied by former Trade and Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Aden Mohamed who is his economic advisor.

Ruto said that under the Africa Growth and Opportunity (Agoa) Act, Kenya has developed value chains, expanded and diversified exports and created thousands of job opportunities.

"We will expand our relationship beyond Agoa - in the wake of advanced technology and climate change - to fully realise our trade potential," he said. 

"At State House Kenya, Nairobi, I held talks with Ambassador Tai, the Principal Trade Advisor and Spokesperson on US Trade Policy," President Ruto said.

Since his appointment as Trade CS, Kuria has posted, on his social media platforms, statements which are in bad taste targeting opposition leaders and the media.  

The CS, on Sunday, Tweeted a controversial statement saying there was a person who would die on Wednesday and be buried on July 27.

"Atakufa Wednesday 19th azikiwe Saturday 29th. Jowi! (He will die on Wednesday 19th and be buried on Saturday 29th," Tweeted Kuria.

Unasimama mbele ya bus imebeba abiria 53 Million? Itapita na wewe Omera, (You are standing in front of a bus carrying 53 million passengers? It will it will crush you," tweeted Kuria.   By Jacob Ng’etich , The Standard