Christmas came early for the children of the Thika Rescue Centre after MP Alice Nganga treated them to a day of festivities. The children shared meals, received gifts, and spent time with legislators and government officials, giving them hope and motivation during the festive season. The event provided the children with a chance to experience the festive season, which has not been possible for years, as most of them do not have other family members. The event also motivated the children to make it in life, as they are currently struggling financially. Ng’ang’a, the National Assembly Chair, Committee Social Protection, called on other well-wishers to share with the less fortunate during this difficult economic period. The centre has over 100 boys, some of whom have excelled after graduating with various degrees, and others have jobs and started living normal lives. The committee is also working on a programme to have all centres in the country fenced to ward off land grabbers.
Mount Kenya University (MKU) has emerged as a major player in sporting activities, winning nearly all major prizes at Kenya Universities Sports Federations (KUSF) games. The university won 62 medals, beating 15 other universities, including Strathmore University, the University of Nairobi, Maseno, and Masinde Muliro. MKU’s Sports and Creative Arts Coordinator, William Luta, praised the achievement as a milestone in nurturing students’ talents. The university participated in various sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, hockey, netball, athletics, swimming, karate, softball, frisbee, taekwondo, chess, badminton, scrabble, darts, table tennis, tennis, rugby 7s, basketball 3×3, swimming, floorball, baseball five, woodball, roll ball, and demonstration sport (kabaddi). During a graduation ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi highlighted the university’s efforts to promote sporting activities and ensure students with disabilities participate in co-curricular activities. University Founder Prof. Simon Gicharu urged students to take advantage of e-sports to enhance their skills and strategic thinking.
Kenya’s increasing number of fatal accidents on roads is partly due to corrupt traffic police officers who take bribes and allow overloaded and un-roadworthy passenger service vehicles (PSV) to operate on the roads. Angry Kenyans claim that police are wholly responsible for some of the fatal accidents that have occurred on the roads in recent days. Residents of Awendo town, Helida Akeyo, and other residents have condemned the habit of traffic police officers harassing motorists for as low as Sh.100 to bribe them on the road. Motorcycle taxi operators, also known as bodabodas, are forced to part with at least Sh50 for real and trumped-up traffic offenses brought against them by the officers. Economists estimate that the unscrupulous officers romp into their pockets an amount close to Sh. 1 million every month on the Migori-Kisii route alone. The traffic unit is a section of the police force that is claimed to have partly contributed to the general rot in the entire force, which has painted the uniformed men and women as the most corrupt lot in the country. Matatu owners and crews claim that the traffic police unit was a major stumbling block to their business, forcing them to part with huge amounts of money every day to bribe their way out of real and imaginary traffic offenses.
Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has urged the Maasai community to enroll their children in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) courses in the country. He emphasised the role of education in shaping the destinies of youths and their communities, urging them to enrol in certificate courses, diplomas, and degree courses. He also urged parents to take care of their children to avoid teen pregnancies and early marriages.
Dr. Omollo addressed parents and students in Meto, Kajiado Central, during a youth mentorship meeting organised by MP Memusi Kanchori. He emphasised that everyone has an opportunity to progress in their education, regardless of their KCSE score. He emphasised that 98% of students in the constituency achieved D+ and D grades, and only two managed to get a C+ and C.
The PS also encouraged citizens to take safety and security measures during the festive season to avoid activities that might endanger their lives and property.
Eastern Regional Commissioner Paul Rotich has urged public and security agencies to collaborate to ensure safety during the festive season. He emphasized the importance of exposing and reporting crimes to prevent incidents. Rotich deployed multi-agency teams and called for public cooperation. He also emphasized the need for consistency in traffic rules to avoid accidents. All law enforcement officers on leave have been recalled to increase security.