Two Men Die by Suicide in Separate Incidents in Kenya

Two men have died in separate suicides in Migori and Nakuru counties.

In Migori County, a 45-year-old man allegedly set himself on fire after his wife refused to cook chicken for him. The man, John Rugala, barricaded himself inside his home before setting it on fire.

In Nakuru County, a 66-year-old man died after jumping into a borehole. Peter Wanderi had reportedly threatened to kill himself before he carried out his threats.

Police are investigating both incidents and say that they are linked to societal stress. Suicide rates have been on the rise in Kenya in recent years, and authorities blame the trend on mental distress.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death globally, and that it is the second leading cause of death among people aged 15-29 years old.

A pedestrian was killed by a falling stone from a construction site in Nairobi.

Kevin Gikundi, 30, was walking past a residential house under construction when a stone fell from the twelfth floor and hit him on the head. He died instantly.

The police were called to the scene and the construction site was closed pending further investigation.

This is not the first time that a pedestrian has been killed by a falling object from a construction site in Nairobi. In recent years, there have been a number of similar incidents, and authorities have called for action to be taken to improve safety at construction sites.

In a separate incident, a man was burnt to death in a fire at his home in Nairobi’s Korogocho slums. Julius Kimani Ndungu, 40, had been unwell and was sleeping in the house when the fire broke out. His wife, who had left for a local shopping centre, returned home to find the house on fire and her husband dead.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, but police are investigating.

In another incident, the body of a man was found on the roadside in Kasarani, Nairobi. The man, who has not been identified, was found half naked and with injuries to his head. It is suspected that he was murdered.

The police are investigating the three deaths.

Two Kenyan women charged with defrauding Canada jobseekers of Sh15.6 million

Two women have been charged with defrauding 28 jobseekers of over Sh15.6 million while pretending to be in a position to secure them employment in Canada.

The suspects, Lucy Nyokabi Kiutho and Staphristah Njeri Karani, are accused of defrauding the job seekers various amounts ranging between Sh71,000 to Sh2,000,000 between May 2022 and June 2023.

One of the counts state that within Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), jointly with others not before court, they defrauded Lawrence Karithi Banu and obtained Sh2million through pretext that they were in a position to secure jobs for Richard Ayoma and June Eileen, a fact they knew to be false.

Another count is that they allegedly conned Eveline Kanana Gikundi Sh800,000 by falsely pretending they would secure her a job in Canada.

Nyokabi was separately charged with obtaining Sh12million from 26 relatives of jobseekers alleging she would secure jobs in Canada, a fact she knew to be false.

The magistrate heard the job scam syndicate is operating within the Nairobi’s CBD.

How to successfully apply for a work visa

If you are considering applying for a work visa, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success.

  • Do your research. Before you apply, it is important to research the visa requirements for the country you are interested in working in. This includes the type of visa you need, the eligibility criteria, and the application process.
  • Gather your documents. Once you have determined that you are eligible for a work visa, you will need to gather the required documentation. This may include your passport, birth certificate, education transcripts, and work experience.
  • Write a strong application. Your application should be clear, concise, and well-written. It should also highlight your skills and experience that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
  • Prepare for the interview. If you are invited for an interview, be sure to prepare thoroughly. This includes researching the company and the position you are applying for, and practicing your answers to common interview questions.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of successfully applying for a work visa and achieving your career goals.

Tips for avoiding job scams

  • Be wary of any company that asks for a large upfront payment. Legitimate companies will not ask for money upfront to process your application.
  • Do not provide your personal information to anyone you do not know and trust. This includes your passport number, social security number, and bank account information.
  • Be suspicious of any company that offers you a job that seems too good to be true. If the job sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Suspected Al Shabaab militants engage in deadly gun battle with NPS officers in Lamu County

Suspected Al Shabaab militants engaged in a deadly gun battle with National Police Service (NPS) officers in the Pandanguo area of Lamu County on Tuesday morning.

The exchange of fire began moments after a police Land Cruiser carrying officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) was ambushed. The GSU officers’ vehicle ran over an improvised explosive device (IED) at 9:30 a.m.

Lamu West Deputy County Commissioner Gabriel Kioni said there was an exchange of fire between the suspected terrorists and the NPS officers. However, he said no casualties had been reported as of yet.

The police Land Cruiser had left the Pandanguo GSU camp and was on its normal morning patrol in the area bordering Boni Forest when the incident occurred.

Another police cruiser carrying Kenya Defence Force (KDF) officers on a rescue mission also hit an IED. A police source said there were casualties in the second incident.

The incident occurred just seven days after the National Intelligence Service (NIS) issued a warning of possible terrorist attacks, urging security agencies to be vigilant.

On Sunday, June 11, 2023, the NIS warned that Al Shabaab militants had begun to regroup to wreak havoc in the country.

The NIS’s warning came after a series of attacks by Al Shabaab militants in the Lamu region. In May 2023, the militants attacked a hotel in Lamu, killing 10 people.

The latest attack is a reminder of the threat posed by Al Shabaab militants in Kenya. The government has stepped up security in the Lamu region in recent months, but the militants continue to pose a threat.

The government has urged citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

KCSE candidate charged with sodomy

In Kitui County, a KCSE applicant has been accused of committing a sexual offense.

The teenager was charged with sodomizing another pupil at the institution.

According to reports, he did it between April 14 and April 16.

He came before Justine Asiago, the Kitui Resident Magistrate, and refuted the accusations.

He was given the option of a cash bail of $100,000 or a Sh200,000 bond with an equivalent guarantee. On June 29, the case will be brought up.

According to reliable sources, the suspect was dismissed from the school as soon as the sodomy episode was brought to the attention of the administration in late April.

Later, the school administration launched an investigation into the incident.

However, the complainant’s parents eventually informed the authorities about the situation, and the police opened an inquiry.

The accused was detained by the police while he was on suspension and taken to Kitui court on Thursday to face the allegations.

Missing Kenyan woman’s American boyfriend was imprisoned for 9 years in the US.

The primary suspect in the abduction of a Kenyan woman in the US, Mr. Nathan Hightman, an American citizen, was given a sentence of up to nine years in jail for financial and intellectual offences.

Mr. Hightman was Ms. Irene Gakwa’s fiancé; she vanished in March 2022 and hasn’t been seen since.

Mr. Hightman, 39, came before Judge James Causey on Wednesday morning (June 14, 2023) and was punished for theft after using Ms. Gakwa’s credit card without authorization.

According to County 17, “Mr Hightman faces three to six years of concurrent prison time, with credit served for 81 days in Campbell County’s detention center, and a probation term with a suspended sentence of two to three years.”

Hightman is also required to pay Sh700,000, and Mr. Kennedy Wainaina, Ms. Gakwa’s brother, shall receive the money.

Dallas Lamb, the suspect’s defense counsel, begged the judge to lighten the punishment. The attorney argued that when it came to sentence, the court should concentrate on the “objective reality,” or the crimes for which his client had been found guilty, rather than the “subjective reality,” or the prevailing culture.

The defense attorney requested that the court sentence his client to two to five years of supervised suspended probation, two to five years of supervised probation with time served for two of the counts, and two to five years of mental health therapy.

The attorney added that his client had remained in the neighborhood, was helpful to law enforcement, and had complied with the conditions of his bond.

“The one who needs protecting is Nathan Hightman,” the lawyer said.

On May 11, 2022, Mr. Hightman was detained by authorities in connection with the disappearance of Ms. Gakwa.

At that time, the Gillete Police Department said that Hightman had been detained for various offences, including two counts of stealing Gakwa’s intellectual property and one for unauthorized use of her credit card.

Young Kenyan Disappointed After Waking Up Early for Job Interview Only to Discover it was a Ponzi Scheme

A Kenyan man took to social media to express his disappointment after waking up early to go for a job interview, only to find out that it was a Ponzi scheme.

The man, who goes by the Twitter handle @mu.dutchie, shared his experience in a series of tweets. He said that he had been looking for a job for some time and had finally found an interview that seemed promising.

The interview was scheduled for 9am in the CBD. The man woke up early and got ready, making sure to bring his resume and a copy of his National ID.

When he arrived at the interview location, he was greeted by a group of people who were also waiting to be interviewed. The man said that the atmosphere was tense and that everyone seemed nervous.

After a short wait, the man was called into the interview room. He was greeted by two men who introduced themselves as the company’s CEO and CFO.

The men asked the man a few questions about his experience and qualifications. The man answered the questions to the best of his ability.

After the interview, the men told the man that he had been selected for the job. They said that he would start work the following day.

The man was excited about the job offer. He had been looking for a job for so long and was finally going to start working.

The next day, the man went to the company’s office to start work. When he arrived, he was surprised to find that the office was empty. There was no one there.

The man called the CEO and CFO, but they did not answer their phones. He then tried to find the company’s address, but he could not find it.

The man realized that he had been scammed. He had wasted his time and effort going to the interview and he had not been hired for a job.

The man’s experience is a warning to others who are looking for jobs. There are many scams out there that prey on people who are desperate for work.

If you are looking for a job, be sure to do your research before you apply for any positions. Make sure that the company is legitimate and that the job offer is real.

You can also check with the National Employment Authority (NEA) to see if the company is registered.

If you think you have been scammed, you can report it to the NEA or to the police.

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34-year-old man killed in Kericho tea estate protests

A 34-year-old man was killed on May 23, 2023, after being shot by police during violent protests in Brooke area, Kericho County. The man, identified as Wesley Kipkurui Siele, was among a group of villagers who had attacked tea farms and destroyed nine tea-plucking machines. Police arrived and engaged the villagers in running battles, and Siele was shot and killed.

The protests were sparked by a disagreement between the villagers and the tea estate owners over the use of tea-picking machines. The villagers argue that the machines are taking away their jobs, while the estate owners say that the machines are necessary to improve efficiency. The protests have also been fueled by allegations of corruption and mismanagement at the tea estates.

The violence in Kericho is the latest in a series of protests over the management of tea estates in Kenya. In recent months, there have been protests in several other counties, including Bomet, Nyamira, and Nandi. The protests have led to the closure of several tea estates and the loss of jobs for thousands of workers.

The government has condemned the violence and has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has said that the government will not tolerate lawlessness and that those who are found to be involved in the violence will be prosecuted.

The violence in Kericho and other parts of Kenya is a reminder of the deep-seated problems in the tea industry. The industry is plagued by corruption, mismanagement, and a lack of transparency. The government needs to take urgent steps to address these problems and to ensure that the tea industry is managed in a way that benefits all stakeholders.

In addition to the government’s efforts, it is also important for the tea industry to engage with the communities that are affected by it. The industry needs to listen to the concerns of the communities and to work with them to find solutions that are mutually beneficial. Only by working together can the tea industry be transformed into a force for good in Kenya.

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Two Shopkeepers Arrested for Selling Contaminated Sugar

Two shopkeepers were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly selling contaminated sugar. The arrests were made following a tip-off from a member of the public who had bought half a kilo of sugar from one of the shops and found that the granules contained a substance that she suspected to be poisonous.

The shopkeepers, who have been identified as Otieno and Kamau, were arrested from their shops in Riverside and Njeka Wholesale, respectively. During the arrests, police officers recovered various brands of sugar, including 48kg of sugar in a 50kg Brazilian bag, 40 pieces of 1kg packets of Kabras and Ndhiwa sugar, and 60 bags of 50kg bags of various brands including Kakira sugar, Indian brown sugar, and Diamond sugar bags.

The arrests come days after officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kisii busted an illegal sugar repackaging operation at a multi-story building in Kenyenya Sub County. Acting on a tip-off from the public, Sub County Police Commander Charles Opondo confirmed that they had arrested a middle-aged woman who was allegedly working with others to repackage the sugar from Tanzania and Uganda.

The sugar was labelled with brands such as Mara, Sony, and other local millers to hide its true origin.

The arrests have raised concerns about the safety of sugar in Kenya. The government has urged consumers to be vigilant and to only buy sugar from reputable sources.

The government has also vowed to crack down on those who are selling contaminated sugar.

The arrests are a positive step in the fight against contaminated sugar. However, more needs to be done to ensure that Kenyans have access to safe and affordable sugar.

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DPP approves charges against SSU officers in Indian nationals’ disappearance

The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved charges of abduction and conspiracy to abduct against officers from the disbanded Special Service Unit (SSU) in connection with the puzzling disappearance and alleged murder of two Indian nationals and their Kenyan taxi driver.

The two foreigners, Mohamed Ziad Sami Kidwai and Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan, reportedly arrived in the country in April 2022 to join President William Ruto’s digital campaign team, but went missing on July 25 after they and their taxi driver Nicodemus Mwania were abducted by unknown people outside Ole Sereni hotel in Nairobi.

In a letter to the director of the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU), the agency investigating the case, Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Joseph Riungu says the charges have been approved pending the results of DNA samples to determine whether the officers will be charged with murder as well.

“In respect of the investigation into the proposed offence of murder, we note that the said report from the Government Chemist analyst and the DNA sample are not yet ready. Therefore, the decision on the said proposed charge will be made when the same is completed and analysed. Consequently, you are directed to arraign the said suspects to answer to the said charges,” reads the letter.

Last month, three IAU detectives travelled to India, accompanied by a doctor, to collect DNA samples from the victims’ families. According to sources, the DPP had recalled the case file for the fourth time last week to ascertain that the investigators had complied with instructions, including obtaining the DNA samples.

The investigation has revealed that DCI officers did not act in unison in the events leading to the abduction and murder of the three. A number of officers from other government departments were also involved in planning and assisting the SSU officers in carrying out criminal activities.

Affidavits filed at the Kahawa Magistrate’s Court and communications between the IAU and the Kenya Wildlife Service indicate that more officers from other security agencies are likely to be charged alongside the SSU officers later this month.

Last year, the families of the two Indians linked their disappearance to state agents when CCTV footage showed their car being blocked and picked up by armed men who left the vehicle at the scene of the abduction. On September 15 last year, then Acting Inspector-General of Police Noor Gabow ordered the IAU to take over the investigation and submit a report for action.

The approval of charges against the SSU officers is a major breakthrough in the investigation into the disappearance and alleged murder of the two Indian nationals and their Kenyan taxi driver. It is hoped that the prosecution of these officers will bring justice to the victims and their families.

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Police successfully ambush 5 carjackers

Kericho, Kenya – May 22, 2023 – Police officers from Kipsitet Police Station in Kericho County on Sunday, May 21, saved a trader from losing goods he imported from Tanzania and destined for Busia.

The attempted robbery with violence took place along the Muhoroni-Kipsitet road in the Bangla area.

According to a police report, five armed gangsters hijacked a Mitsubishi Fuso vehicle that was transporting farm produce from Tanzania to Busia. The gangsters cut the rear canvas of the vehicle and were offloading the goods when they were confronted by police officers who were on patrol.

The officers quickly swung into action and arrested the five gangsters. The goods that were being stolen were recovered and returned to the trader.

The trader, who has not been named, thanked the police for their quick response and for saving his goods. He said that he would have lost a lot of money if the police had not intervened.

The police have urged members of the public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. They have also warned criminals that they will be dealt with swiftly and firmly.

This is just one example of the many cases where police officers have saved lives and property. Police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect the public, and we should all be grateful for their service.

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7 gangsters from Kayole die in hail of bullets along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway (Photos)

Police killed 7 gangsters from Nairobi during a foiled robbery at Kibunja along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway. The 7 thugs were planning a major robbery on Valentine’s Day but instead they were quickly send to afterlife in hail of bullets.

The 7 had planned to rob two long-distance trailers transporting sugar from Nairobi to Eldoret. They were using two vehicles; a Toyota fielder and a Prado in the 1pm attempted robbery along the busy highway.

Toyota fielder that the gangsters were using. Notice the bullet holes on the car

Apparently police had been trailing the gangsters from Kayole in Nairobi. Police sprung into action and killed the gangsters at Kibunja trading centre before the planned robbery happened.

Refused to surrender

Molo OCPD Daniel Kamanza says the robbers were stopped by a team of police officers who were keeping track of them but instead they began shooting.

An armed police officer in plain clothes

Police returned fire and killed seven of the gangsters while three escaped with gunshot wounds. AK-47 rifle, a pistol, a home-made gun, 12 bullets, a police radio, handcuffs and several mobile phones were recovered after the shooting.