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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

In a tragic event, a Catholic Priest of Mbulu Catholic Diocese in Tanzania, Fr Pamphili Nada, was killed Wednesday by a man believed to have mental health problems. Sadly, the assailant was also killed by an angry instant justice mob.

Bishop Anthony Gaspar Lagwen of Mbulu Diocese confirmed the death of Fr Nada, explaining that he was the parish priest of  Karatu Parish in the Arusha region, northern Tanzania. He said Fr Nada was hit with a heavy iron object by a person believed to have mental health challenges who had forced the priest to re-open the parish church at 3 am.

Arusha regional police chief commander Justine Masejo confirmed the killing of Fr Nada and his assailant.

“The priest died while being taken to the hospital, and the suspect was killed by angry citizens after receiving information about the incident,” said the police chief.

A tragic and disturbed night

Residents of Karatu were awoken by church bells that a parish security guard rang when he realised that Fr Nada’s assailant had locked the church from within and started to attack the priest. When residents arrived, they forced their way into the church to rescue the priest, but it was too late. Fr Nada died on his way to the hospital.

This is Tanzania’s third recorded church disturbance by persons with mental illnesses, this year alone. The first was the desecration of the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace in Geita Catholic Diocese, on 26 February  2023. The second happened on 11 May 2023, when an unknown man broke the main door of The Cathedral St. Charles Lwanga of Kahama Diocese. Security guards managed to get hold of him before he could do more harm.

In Tanzania, as in most countries around the world, government spending on mental health is still well below the recommended US$2 per person, with mental health not featured in national health insurance schemes. Sarah Pelaji, Vatican News

President William Ruto after holding talks with US Ambassador Katherine Tai (front - second left), who is the Principal Trade Advisor and Spokesperson on US trade policy, at State House in Nairobi on Wednesday. [PCS, Nairobi]

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.State silent on Kuria's exclusion from US meet

Cabinet Secretary for Trade and Investments Moses Kuria in Nairobi on May 23, 2023. [Waweru Murage, Standard] 

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

 
Kinshasa - SPA
The Foreign Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Christophe Lutundula stressed his country’s support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh.

 In a press conference after receiving Advisor at the Royal Court Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Kattan today, Lutundula reiterated that the Democratic Republic of the Congo fully supports Saudi Arabia’s bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh and welcomes holding the first Saudi-African Summit and the fifth Arab-African Summit in Riyadh.

 Kattan expressed the Saudi Government’s gratitude and appreciation for this support, reflecting the close relations between the two countries. Riyadh Daily

 

South Sudan’s Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare on Tuesday launched the Maputo Protocol, also known as the African Convention on Human and People’s Rights on the rights of women. This landmark event follows the signing of the protocol into law by President Salva Kiir.

Adopted by Heads of State and Government in Maputo, Mozambique on July 11, 2003, the Maputo Protocol stands as one of the world’s most comprehensive and progressive women’s human rights instruments.

Although South Sudan’s Parliament ratified the agreement in October 2017, reservations were expressed regarding certain provisions. These reservations included concerns about discouraging polygamy and imposing restrictions on sexual and reproductive health choices, such as the right to decide whether to have children, determining their number and spacing, as well as accessing contraceptives and safe abortion care.

After years of tireless advocacy by national and regional women’s rights groups, President Salva Kiir finally signed the instruments of ratification in March 2023. This pivotal move has been hailed by women activists as a groundbreaking legal instrument that will protect women’s rights in South Sudan.

During the launching function, Jemma Nunu Kumba, the Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, emphasized the need for women to be prepared to face challenges arising from deeply ingrained cultural norms. Kumba acknowledged that not everyone in South Sudan holds the belief that men and women are equal. She cautioned, “As we launch this protocol, we should be aware that it will not be a smooth journey. Resistance will be encountered as we challenge cultural norms that have long been established. To reduce resistance, we must be prepared to communicate the importance of the protocol in a friendly and understanding manner.”

Speaker Jemma stressed the necessity of collaborative efforts between the government, international partners, and civil society organizations to effectively implement the protocol. Furthermore, she pledged the Transitional National Legislative Assembly’s commitment to disseminating the protocol to grassroots-level women, ensuring its localization and broader impact.

Ayaa Benjamin Warrile, the Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, expressed that launching the protocol in South Sudan demonstrates the government and people’s dedication to safeguarding the rights of women and girls. Minister Ayaa affirmed, “The launch of the Maputo protocol signifies a substantial step forward in our ongoing efforts to create a just and inclusive society. It sends a powerful message that we prioritize and value the well-being of our women.”

Warrile added that the launch presents an opportunity for dialogue and experience-sharing with other member states. Her ministry has devised a roadmap to ensure the protocol’s effective implementation, even at the grassroots level.

Jackeline Chandru Drama, the Director of the Steward Women Organization, who recently received an award in Nairobi for her advocacy work in championing the ratification of the protocol in South Sudan, highlighted the long journey and struggles faced in achieving this milestone. Drama emphasized the need for collective efforts to ensure successful implementation of the protocol.

Four key objectives were identified by South Sudanese women following the ratification of the protocol. These objectives include raising awareness about women’s rights as outlined in the Maputo Protocol and ensuring their protection through the dissemination of the document. Additionally, efforts will be made to incorporate the protocol’s provisions into national laws that protect women and girls. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Maputo Protocol and promoting a better understanding of the document among women across the country are also key objectives.

Rukeya Muhammed, the representative of the African Union, applauded South Sudan’s ratification of the Maputo Protocol, highlighting it as a positive momentum following the International Conference on Women Transformational Agenda held earlier this year. Muhammed concluded, “This launch demonstrates the government’s commitment to advancing gender equality and protecting the rights of women and girls in South Sudan.” - Radio Tamazuj

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