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Indian airports operator Adani’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) expansion proposal is being subjected to heightened public scrutiny. This is as it should be so that Kenyans get bang for their buck.

No doubt, JKIA is in dire need of expansion. Built to handle two million passengers annually, it has long breached that figure. Patching over the years has seen it take on close to eight million and growing. It can no longer support the projected growth at 4 per cent annually expected to reach 42.1 million passengers annually by 2050. 

A sober approach to this problem is needed that will not only provide value for taxpayers but also lead to the rapid growth of the country across multiple sectors driven by a cogent national aviation policy. Kenya is not alone in grappling with this airport challenge. It should consider how other countries have resolved the same and perhaps borrow a leaf. 

Take Hong Kong, for instance. In 1997, after 73 years of service, the Kai Tak Airport was permanently closed and replaced by a new airport at Chek Lap Kok. The former airport was turned into an urban park that serves as a public space for residents and tourists.

Consider Turkey. In 2019, the Ataturk International Airport was closed off to all international passenger travel which was diverted to the newly built Istanbul International Airport. The new airport now has the potential to accommodate 200 million passengers annually whilst the old is now solely for cargo and domestic travel.

Closer home, Rwanda is building a new airport in Bugesera District. It is expected to start operations in 2028. Ethiopia has recently signed an agreement for the design of a new four-runway airport. It is said that on completion, it will be Africa’s biggest airport. 

From the foregoing, Kenya’s solution to the constraints at JKIA may lie in the building of a totally new facility. JKIA faces many challenges that cannot be resolved by further patchwork. Because of its relatively high elevation, planes cannot fly to the US on a full load.

It is for the same reason some models of fully loaded planes cannot fly to Europe. Fresh thinking would consider moving Kenya’s premier gateway to the Konza plains where the elevation is perfect and space available to construct a purpose-built airport with infinite possibilities. By Leonard Khafafa, The Standard

Led by Elon Musk, Starlink has agreed to comply with the decision to block X nationwide after the Supreme Court ordered its shutdown. Elon Musk's Starlink Agrees To Comply With Supreme Court Decision To Block X In Brazil Photo: | File Pic

 

A day after Starlink stated it would not comply with the Brazilian Supreme Court's order to block social media platform X, the satellite-based internet service provider has backtracked. Led by Elon Musk, Starlink has agreed to comply with the decision to block X nationwide after the Supreme Court ordered its shutdown. 

In a statement posted on X, Starlink confirmed that it would comply with Justice Alexandre de Moraes' order, despite the Supreme Court judge freezing the company's assets.

“Regardless of the illegal treatment of Starlink in freezing our assets, we are complying with the order to block access to X in Brazil. We continue to pursue all legal avenues, as are others who agree that @alexandre's recent order violates the Brazilian constitution," read the official statement from the internet service provider.

Previously, Starlink stated that it would not comply with the order to block X across Brazil. However, after Musk's retaliation, Moraes ordered to freeze Starlink's accounts last week. Starlink's assets were frozen in order to cover the three million dollars fined to X.

The list of assets frozen by the Supreme Court include bank accounts and financial assets of Starlink Brazil Holding Ltda and Starlink Brazil Servicos de Internet Ltda along with cars, real estate, boats and aircraft.

Following a feud between Musk and Justice Alexandre de Moraes over allegations of disinformation on X, the Supreme Court judge orders a nationwide ban on the social media platform, locking out its 22 million users.by Taboola 

The ban was later upheld by a panel of judges at Brazil's top court, paving the way for a nationwide ban of the social media platform. Outlook

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Monday held talks with Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Han said China is willing to join hands with Uganda to deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, promote solid progress in cooperation, and contribute more to building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

He made three suggestions for the future development of China-Uganda relations: continuously deepening mutual trust and expanding exchanges, adhering to win-win cooperation and jointly pursuing development, and continuing to uphold peace and safeguard justice.

Alupo expressed hope that Uganda and China will continuously achieve new results in cooperation in various fields such as education, grain, digital area, climate change and infrastructure construction. Source: Xinhua

Acting Inspector General (IG) of Police Gilbert Masengeli. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has failed to appear in court over the disappearance of two siblings and an activist in Kitengela.

The court is expected to rule whether to issue warrant of arrest against him. 

Earlier, High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi had ordered Masengeli to appear before him in person to explain why three men abducted in Kitengela have not been released.

The Judge had ordered the release of Njagi, Aslam Longton, and Jamil Longton or their production in court, either alive or dead.

The Judge ordered that the acting IG should appear in person to explain why the orders of the court were not being complied with. Masengeli failed to appear on Monday morning

The Attorney General, through state counsel Wanjiku Mwangi, urged the court to allow Masengeli to send a representative. 

She claimed that her client also needed to establish from Kitengela Police Station whether the three had been arrested or not. She requested for three days. By Kamau Muthoni, The Standard

Catherine Wanjeri being lifted by fellow journalists after being shot while covering the anti finance bill protests in Nakuru CBD on July 16, 2024. Photo/Facebook
 

The journalist attached to Mediamax revealed that she received calls from people suspected to be involved in the shooting incident which is currently under investigations, noting that their intention was to scare her into withdrawing the case. 

Wanjeri told journalist that at some point, she was afraid of getting out of her house following intimidating phone calls from an unidentified male caller, casting a doubt on whether justice will be served to her.

‘’It is true that there might be someone targeting me. How can I get the courage to come out of my house as a woman when someone you don’t know calls you and even worse, they know your family?’’ She told the media.

The journalist also told the media that she had even thought of walking out of the case in fear of her life and only gained courage to stay on course following support from her colleagues in Nakuru.

‘’I have contemplated even bolting out of this case, because maybe that will make them stop following me,’’ she revealed.  

‘’I want to commend the officials of our association and the chairperson because they have been pushing for this case even when I was in hospital, doing follow up even with the IPOA,’’ she added.

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo condemned intimidation from the suspects of the heinous act that left Wanjeri with injuries on her thighs after she was shot thrice by a suspect believed to be a police officer.

‘’This should be investigated, the media should not be intimidated, especially a victim of police brutality,’’ Faith commented. 

Wanjeri was shot while covering the protests at the Nakuru Central Business District while in the company of a fellow journalist who also sustained critical injuries. 

During the incident that attracted wide condemnation from civil groups and the media fraternity, she was spotted holding onto her leg as she crawled on the ground in pain with blood stains on the upper part of the leg.

"We call on the government to collaborate with media stakeholders to create an enabling environment for journalists to carry out their duties without fear of reprisals.'' The Media Owners Association called in a statement.

Media Council Of Kenya CEO, David Omwoyo addressing a gathering at the International Day to End Impunity For Crimes Against Journalists in Nairobi. By Frankline Oduor, Kenyans.co.ke
 
 
 

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