The High Court of Kenya has sentenced the Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli to six months in prison for contempt of court. He was sentenced after the Inspector General failed to honour court summons to appear before the Court six times.
After the sentencing, the Judge ordered Acting IG Gilbert Masengeli to surrender himself to the Commissioner General of Prisons to start his sentence. The Judge also asked Cabinet Secretary for Interior Kithure Kindiki to make sure that the Acting IG Gilbert Masengeli serves his sentence.
In his sentencing, the Judge said:
“Gilbert Masengeli is sentenced to six months imprisonment. Masengeli is ordered to commit himself to the commissioner-general of prisons to ensure that he is committed to a prison facility to commence serving his sentence of the imprisonment imposed. In the event that he does not submit himself to the commissioner general of prisons, the cabinet secretary for interior must make sure that all steps that are necessary and permissible in law are taken to ensure that Masengeli is committed to prison to commence serving the sentence imposed on him,”
The Acting Inspector General of the police was summoned to court to explain the whereabouts of three individuals Jamil Longton, his brother Aslam Longton and Activist Bob Njagi who were abducted by individuals believed to be police officers on August 19, 2024, during the Gen Z protests. In his ruling, Justice Mugambi had accused the Acting IG Gilbert Masengeli of failing to abide by the constitution as a State Officer.
A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo is set to deliver its verdict Friday over an alleged coup attempt, with 51 defendants, including three Americans, facing charges and all but one risking the death penalty.
Armed men on May 19 attacked the home of then-economy minister Vital Kamerhe before heading to President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices, waving Zaire-era flags. An army spokesman later said that security forces had stopped "an attempted coup d'etat".
Fifty-one people face charges over the incident, which began in the early hours of May 19 when armed men attacked the home of then economy minister Vital Kamerhe, who is now national assembly president.
The group then went to a building housing President Felix Tshisekedi's offices brandishing flags of Zaire, the country's name under ex-dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was overthrown in 1997.
Shots were heard near the building, several sources said at the time.
An army spokesman later announced on national TV that defence and security forces had stopped "an attempted coup d'etat".
The alleged plot was led by Christian Malanga, a Congolese man who was a "naturalised American" and who was killed by security forces, army spokesman General Sylvain Ekenge has said.
"I was forced to carry an arm," Thompson said. France24
Some of the stranded passengers at JKIA take a nap as aviation workers staged a strike over contraversial take over by a foreign investor on September 11, 2024.[Collins Oduor, Standard]
As the country grapples with the effects of the controversial takeover of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by Adani Holdings that has sparked national outrage, it is emerging that the Indian firm has spread its tentacles to the energy sector as well.
On Thursday, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, who has been pursuing Adani deals in the country, told the Senate that besides the JKIA deal, the company was on the verge of entering into an agreement with Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) for electricity transmission lines.
“It should be brought to the attention of the nation that besides the JKIA deal, Adani Limited is on the verge of entering another contractual agreement for a transmission lines project by Ketraco without public participation,” Onyonka said.
He, at the same time, sought a statement about the activities of the Indian company in the country. The Kisii senator dropped the bombshell moments after Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davies Chirchir came under fire after he appeared before the Senate Roads and Transport Committee over the controversial JKIA– Adani deal without the necessary documentation.
Last week, when the country was experiencing inexplicable nationwide blackouts, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi justified Kenya’s need of a new power transmission line.
Wandayi claimed the government had recently approved a Sh117 billion power transmission infrastructure proposal from power distribution company Adani Energy Solutions Limited that is aimed to turn around the sector.
The project aims to construct 371 Kilometres of transmission lines and five substations in Eastern and Western Kenya as part of a public-private partnership with Adani Energy to ensure stability in supply.
The move, according to Wandayi, was part of the country’s broader plan to upgrade the ageing infrastructure while reducing leakages and frequent outages which has led to Kenyans incurring losses every time there is a major blackout across the country.
The National Treasury approved the project’s feasibility study report in March 2024 with the initiative also serving as part of the country’s strategy to turn to private-sector investment to cut government spending on infrastructure.
Adani Energy is planning to do 197KM – 400KV along Gilgil – Thika – Mala – Konza, 101KM-220KV along Rongai – Keringut- Chemosit, 90KM – 132KV along Menengai – Olkalau – Rumuruti, 400/220KV sub stations at Lessos and Rongai, and 132/33KV thur –dibuoro substation estimated to cost Sh 127 billion.
Yesterday, Onyonka said it was disappointing that Chirchir had not made available the necessary documentation to the Senate since the matter needed to be given the attention it deserves for senators to have full information so that they can be able to explain to Kenyans what was happening as far as the Adani company deals in the country are concerned.
Chirchir was ordered to appear before the committee chaired by Kiambu Senator Karungo Thangwa this morning with all the relevant documents relating to the controversial deal that has attracted the attention of Kenyans with more details emerging over the Adani Limited deals.
Onyonka said the matter is weighty and very complex and does not deserve to be trivialised and that nothing stops the committee from demanding for documents and that there is no contradiction at all since these are the same documents to be presented in court if needed.
“Unless the CS presents documents that can be adopted as evidence even in a court of law, there is no reason for the committee meeting to proceed since, at the moment, I do not have any questions to ask Chirchir since he has not presented documents answering the questions I asked over the Adani Limited deal,” said Onyonka.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said the Senate had dispatched a letter to the Ministry of Roads and Transport on August 6 asking for the details of the Public Private Partnership between Adani Limited and the government since Kenyans wanted to know what is in the deal.
Sifuna said he was disappointed with Chirchir for failing to bring the documents, observing that the senators were being accused by citizens for not speaking about the Adani issue yet they have nothing to say about it with the matter being discussed in entertainment and even places of worship across the country.
“I have heard my colleagues congratulating Davies Chirchir for being appointed Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary. I am withholding my congratulations until he proves to me that he is up to the task. Personally, I know nothing about the Adani deal despite being the senator of Nairobi,” said Sifuna.
Chirchir said there were two court cases over the matter, one coming up on September 24 for directions while another one will be mentioned on October 8 and that there is a privately initiated investment proposal by Adani Limited to develop JKIA under the public-private partnership arrangement.
The CS said he was ready to proceed with the matter before the Senate that he was only notifying senators of the court cases against the government about the Adani Limited deal and that it was in the interest of the government to have full disclosure on the matter.
Chirchir said they were ready to provide the documents requested but sought time to appear before the committee on Monday or Tuesday next week when they will have given senators time to go through the documents and interrogate the matter. Thangwa overruled him. By Edwin Nyarangi , The Standard
The Falklands Government has said they are proud to have Senior Magistrate Malcolm Simmons represent the Islands at the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association Conference, which took place this week in Kigali, Rwanda under the theme of “Environmental Justice”.
Reports on the ending of the event 8/12 September, CMJA members have committed to advancing environmental justice and other forms of justice in their respective countries, in the wake of climate-related challenges the world is facing today, that directly impact other aspects of life. This means allocating more resources and time to address urgent issues affecting citizens such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution from legal and judicial perspectives.
Addressing members of the media, Dr. Faustin Ntezilyayo, Chief Justice of Rwanda, and Justice Lynne Leitch, President of the CMJA, who co-chaired the conference which was opened by President Paul Kagame, said that the Kigali Conference was a major success and came up with key resolutions that will guide member states on the next course of action.
“We have had very good discussions about the theme we had but also about other issues and subjects that are of interest for us, particularly relating to environmental justice, such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. We agreed to go back to our countries and ensure that our citizens receive justice as they should and in a timely manner,” Dr. Ntezilyayo said.
The Chief Justice said that they leave Kigali understanding that there cannot be environmental justice in the absence of environmental laws, independent and efficient judicial institutions entrusted with environmental issues as well as all matters of justice and each country will do what it can, within its means, and collectively, they can make a difference.
On her part, Justice Leitch said that the Kigali Conference, which followed the 2023 Cardiff Conference was attended by 317 delegates from across the Commonwealth, representing 44 jurisdictions, who discussed the way forward on some of the pertinent issues the Commonwealth family is facing relating to the environment and the role magistrates and judges can play.
“The Commonwealth shares common values for respect of the rule of law and the independence of the Judiciary, and our association which represents magistrates and judges across the Commonwealth was formed to promote education within the Judiciary, enhance the administration of justice across the Commonwealth,”
“We also have a duty to promote respect for the independence of the Judiciary and I can say our meeting here in Kigali was already a success before it even started because of the large number of delegates who have attended from so many jurisdictions,” Justice Leitch said, commending Rwanda for successfully hosting the meet.
Finally Chief Justice Ntezilyayo pointed out that, “we can’t deliver justice without having the trust of the population. We will continue to be guided by those principles and to implement them in our daily activities as Judicial officers”
For his part, senior Magistrate underlined “it is an honour, as resident judge of the Falkland Islands, to attend the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association Conference in Rwanda. It is an important opportunity for judges from across the Commonwealth to address common challenges”. Merco Press
ATIDI announces a financial contribution of $40,000 to Street Child in Burundi to finance the construction of six classrooms in two primary schools as a sustainable educational response for displaced children in Gatumba, Burundi
Burundi has been confronted with frequent climate change related disasters, including torrential rains mixed with heavy wind as well as the rising waters of Lake Tanganyika. The education sector has been affected harshly, and suffered severe material damages, resulting in the impracticability of school infrastructure
The project is in support of SDGs 4 which aim to provide quality education and aligns with the priorities outlined in Burundi's National Development Plan for 2018-2027 and the Ministry of National Education and Scientific Research's Sectoral Plan for 2020-2023.
Bujumbura, September 12, 2024 - The African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI) has announced a financial contribution of $40,000 to Street Child in Burundi. This contribution is aimed at improving educational opportunities for displaced children in Gatumba and reflects ATIDI's dedication to tackling critical social issues and promoting sustainable development. Through its CSR programs, ATIDI is committed to advancing sustainable development, addressing pressing social challenges, and fostering economic stability across Africa.
Burundi has recently experienced severe climate change-related disasters, including heavy rains, strong winds, hail, and rising Lake Tanganyika waters, causing frequent flooding. This has led to repeated displacement of families, particularly affecting children and adolescents who represent over 60% of internally displaced persons. The education sector has been severely impacted, with at least 80% of schools in Gatumba suffering from flooding, damaged classrooms, and lost educational materials, putting over 30,000 children at risk of not completing their school year.
Commenting on the donation, ATIDI CEO Manuel Moses said, "Education is the cornerstone of sustainable development, and we at ATIDI are committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children in Burundi. By supporting the construction of these classrooms, we are investing in the future of these young minds and fostering long-term growth across the continent. We are proud to partner with Street Child Social Action for Development (S.A.D.) for this vital project."
ATIDI's support has therefore facilitated the successful construction and equipping of six permanent classrooms in two primary schools, "Kigwati" and "Village du Développement." This initiative now provides educational access to at least 300 children affected by the Gatumba floods. The project aligns with Burundi's National Development Plan for 2018 -2027 and the Ministry of National Education and Scientific Research's Sectoral Plan for 2020 - 2023.
Street Child Country Representative in Burundi Jolien Van den Broeck thanked ATIDI for the generous support, adding that the donation was more than just building classrooms, but restoring hope and creating opportunities for displaced children in Gatumba.
"At Street Child, we believe that every child deserves the chance to learn, no matter their circumstances. Together with ATIDI, we are committed to making a lasting impact on the most vulnerable communities in Burundi," Broeck said.
Beyond constructing classrooms, the project emphasizes the promotion of education for all children, community mobilization, and active participation in regular and effective monitoring. The objective is to ensure that the local community, administration, and stakeholders understand the merits of the project, fostering a sense of ownership. This collaborative approach will engage all parties in monitoring the school's functioning and maintenance, resulting in a sustainable impact and guaranteeing quality education for all.
ATIDI was founded in 2001 by African States to cover trade and investment risks of companies doing business in Africa. ATIDI predominantly provides Political Risk, Credit Insurance and, Surety Insurance. Since inception, ATIDI has supported USD85 billion worth of investments and cross border trade into Africa. For over a decade, ATIDI has maintained an 'A/Stable' rating for Financial Strength and Counterparty Credit by Standard & Poor's, and in 2019, ATIDI obtained an A3/Stable rating from Moody's, which has now been revised to A3/Positive.
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