Top 10 News in Brief: Thika Road Shooting Victim and Family Linked to Armed Robbery

As you start your day, you need to power your mind with some relevant and useful information.

We have picked for you the Top 10 stories making the headlines on this day, 26th June 2021.

Victim of Thika Road hooting Was a Wanted Man

The man, who was on Tuesday sprayed with bullets while driving along the Thika Super Highway at Gwa Kairu area in Juja, has been on police radar for some time.

According to detectives, who spoke to the Saturday Nation, Daniel Ndutire has been operating a criminal gang that is notorious for terrorising businesspeople in Kiambu and Nairobi counties. Hours before his death, his gang was linked to a near fatal shooting of female trader in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area.

Shockingly, his wife, Wangari Njoroge, and mother, Wanjiku Ndutire, are facing several robbery with violence charges in court.

Wangari told detectives that her husband, who during the day worked as car dealer in Thika, had indicated that his life was in danger.

New BBI Dilemma as Court Allows Third Way to Table Fresh Evidence

President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga’s journey to amend the constitution has been dented further after the Court of Appeal allowed Third Way party chairman Maruru Waweru to table fresh evidence against the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

Three judges of the Appellate Court gave Waweru the greenlight to cite the findings of the joint committee of Parliament on BBI.

This is a blow considering that a report signed by a majority of the committee members adduced that some sections of the BBI document were unconstitutional.

PNU to Challenge Anti-BBI Judgement

The Party of National Unity (PNU) has announced plans to challenge the High Court ruling that trashed the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

The PNU leadership said it particularly wants to clear the name of the outfit after the five-judge bench claimed that party rigged the 2007 presidential election, occasioning chaos.

“We were mentioned in court without being given notice nor an opportunity to defend ourselves. They said PNU rigged elections in 2007. How can you condemn a party unheard?” PNU trustee David Omari asked.

Wiper Denies Talks With DP Ruto

Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) has denied claims that it was approaching Deputy President William Ruto for a possible coalition.

Mavoko MP Patrick Makau had alleged that the Kalonzo Musyoka-led outfit was courting new coalition partners after being shortchanged by ODM leader Raila Odinga in the National Super Alliance (Nasa).

However, Wiper Chairman and Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jrn termed Maakau’s sentiments as “personal views”, saying he is not aware of any such discussions.

ODM Backs Degree Requirement For Aspirants

ODM party has hinted that it could dismiss aspirants without proper academic qualifications in next year’s election.

The party chairman John Mbadi said they support the announcement by the electoral agency that those interested in political seats should posses degree certificates from recognised institutions.

Mbadi said lawmakers whether in the National Assembly or regional houses should be learned, as legislation is not an easy work.

“In county assemblies, for instance, executives with degrees are summoned by MCAs who have minimal academic qualifications. Sometimes communication becomes a challenge as some do not understand what is going on,” he said.

Sossion Bows Out of Knut

Nominated MP Wilson Sossion has resigned as the Secretary-General of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut).

An emotional Sossion said he quit due to frustrations from the government and in the interests of Knut’s continuity.

He resigned hours ahead of today’s union election where he was facing strong opposition from current Knut chairman Collins Oyuu.

Sources within the labour movement revealed that delegates were determined to end Sossion’s eight-year tenure as the Secretary-General.

Woman in Trouble After Secretly Burying Lover

A woman in Tetu, Nyeri County, is being investigated after she secretly buried his lover, who died under unclear circumstances.

Lucy Muthoni is said have interred Benjamin Wanjohi at her farm even after she was informed by detectives and his family that an autopsy would be conducted. At the mortuary, she registered herself as the next of kin.

The body was exhumed yesterday to enable police conclude investigations to establish the cause of death.

Wanjohi was a legally married man before moving to Muthoni’s house.

‘WhatsApp Shop’

The decision by developers of the WhatsApp platform to introduce a new feature so that users can can shop and chat with traders has been received with mixed reactions.

While e-commerce sellers are happy, some users feels that hackers could take advantage and start accessing private chats.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said in a statement: “Soon you’ll be able to view a shop in WhatsApp so you can chat with a business before buying something. Businesses only need to set up their shop once to have it work across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.”

LREB Governors Approve Hospital Referrals

Covid-19 referrals in the 14 counties that form the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) has been allowed unconditionally.

Led LREB chair and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, county bosses from the region said they are working as a team to fight the coronavirus.

Last week, the Ministry of Health imposed tighter measures in 13 devolved units in Western Kenya to slow down the spread of Covid-19.

Cherry-Picking of Judges Was Wrong, DP Ruto Says

Deputy President William Ruto has criticised his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta, after he declined to appoint six judges who had been forwarded to him by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

Speaking to Ktn News, Dr Ruto said the Head of State should have addressed the matter with JSC instead of publicly shaming the judges.

He added that he would appoint the the justices if elected as President next year.

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