Archbishop Martin Kivuva of Holy Ghost Cathedral church gives sacrament to catholics during christmas eve prayers in Mombasa.
[Omondi Onyango,Standard]

High cost of living, alleged grand graft in government and insecurity dampened the spirit of this year’s Christmas celebration as Kenyans joined the rest of the world to mark the festivities.

This happened as messages of peace, unity, hope and criticisms against Kenya Kwanza government policies dominated summons across the country.

In several churches, religious used the platform to challenge the government to address the several woes the country is facing including unexplained abductions.

At the Coast, Kenyans thronged places of worship, entertainment joints, and beaches to celebrate the day set aside to remember the birth of Jesus Christ amid tight security.

Holy Ghost Cathedral in Mombasa, Catholic Archbishop Martin Kivuva called on the government to end the surge in abductions of youths voicing their anger against the administration.

“We are waking up to abductions. Corruption is rampant and all these evils do not augur well for a just society which we are all eager to see a thriving Kenya. These unfortunate happenings are taking Kenya back to the days before our independence,'' Archbishop Kivuva said.

He reiterated the need to instill hope and not doubt adding that the church, family, and school play an integral role in shaping the lives of children.

Archbishop Kivuva said that the corruption dragon has permeated the nation and must be slain at all costs.

In Western and Nyanza, religious leaders accused the government of being insensitive to the plight of Kenyans. By Standard

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) recovered 129 bags of rice stolen on December 21 by a gang of four criminals while the cargo was in transit from Mombasa.

The truck driver was attacked by highway robbers at the Machinery area of Kambu along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.

The gang offloaded 500 bags of 25kg rice from the truck, abandoned the empty lorry, and shared the loot.

The driver, overpowered and assaulted by the motorcycle-riding gang, was forced to surrender the truck before being dumped near Makindu.

He subsequently reported the incident to Makindu Police Station.

Acting on a tip-off, DCI Makindu officers raided the home of a suspect identified as Alex Kasina, 42.

Kasina and his wife fled the scene upon seeing the police.

Officers recovered 129 bags of stolen rice from the house.

Investigations are ongoing to apprehend the gang members and recover the missing rice. By Mitchelle Akala, Capital News

Two women have died following reports of a stabbing in Milton Keynes on Christmas Day, police have said.

A dog injured in the incident in Bletchley also died after being taken to the vets.

A man and a teenage boy suffered serious injuries.

A 49-year-old man from Milton Keynes has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and remains in custody.

Officers were called to a block of apartments in Santa Cruz Avenue just after 6.30pm on Christmas Day following reports of a stabbing.

The two women, aged 38 and 24, died at the scene, Thames Valley Police said. Their next of kin have been informed. 

The injured man and teenage boy were taken to hospital and are both in a stable condition.

Police said the parties are known to each other.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Brangwin said: "Firstly I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the women who have tragically died in this shocking incident.

"We have launched a double murder investigation, which may be concerning to the wider public; however, we have made an arrest and are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident and the parties are known to each other." Sky News