Pastor gets 30-year jail term after DNA links him to cousin’s childA Kilifi pastor has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after he was convicted of defiling his 15-year-old cousin twice and impregnating her.Chief Magistrate James Mwaniki sentenced the pastor after finding that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.The offences were committed on diverse dates between June 2023 and February 2024, when the complainant was 15 years old.The girl, who testified in court at the age of 16 in June 2024, told the court that the accused was her cousin and a pastor at the church where she worshipped.She testified that in mid-2023, the pastor invited her to fast and pray with his wife for spiritual cleansing.According to her testimony, the pastor later defiled her at his home and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident.About two weeks later, the pastor allegedly lured her back to his home for prayers and fasting, claiming the sessions would prevent her from marrying a non-Christian after completing school following a divine vision. She was later defiled for a second time.Several months later, the girl discovered that she was pregnant. Her mother reported the matter to police, after which the girl was taken to hospital and her pregnancy was confirmed.A government analyst later presented DNA evidence showing a 99.9 per cent probability that the pastor was...
Read briefing Samuel Kabutu Kiunuhe, Michael Ndungu Kiritu and Daniel Muraguri Wangari were convicted over an incident that occurred on April 11, 2023, in the Kiamwathi area of Nyeri County. Three men have been sentenced to life imprisonment after they were convicted of robbery with violence and gang rape in Nyeri County.Samuel Kabutu Kiunuhe, Michael Ndungu Kiritu and Daniel Muraguri Wangari were convicted over an incident that occurred on April 11, 2023, in the Kiamwathi area of Nyeri County.The three men, who were armed with a knife and acted jointly, allegedly robbed a woman of household items and subjected her to violence.The first and second accused Kiunuhe and Kiritu, were also charged with gang rape, while Wangari faced the same charge on the basis of common intention.During the trial, the prosecution called seven witnesses and presented evidence linking the three men to the offences.The court heard that the complainant identified the perpetrators, while DNA analysis by the government chemist matched samples obtained from her to Kiritu and Kiunuhe.The court also found that the identification evidence against Wangari was sufficient to place him among the perpetrators.In her judgment, Senior Resident Magistrate Mary Gituma found that the prosecution had proved the charges and convicted all three men.The three were sentenced to life imprisonment for robbery with violence and 20 years ea...
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Read briefing A court in Kilifi declined to stop the planned launch of the construction of an oil refinery in Lamu.Environment and Land Court judge Justice Jane Onyango said the plans to develop the refinery on the property in question are at hand and the implementation of these plans includes a ground-breaking on Wednesday.The judge said the application is not certified as urgent and that it be served upon the respondents forthwith.The respondents shall file their response within 14 days and the application is fixed for inter partes hearing on October 14, 2026.“That in the interim the status quo prevailing on L.R No.13061 within Hindi/Manda Magogoni area within Lamu County be maintained until 14.10 26.”The applicants having sought an order stopping the ground braking and develop of the project which order was not granted, the status quo order issued by the court today can be taken to mean that, the the parties to the proceedings in court retain all their abilities, including the ability to proceed with the project.A group moved to court to challenge the Sh2 trillion oil refinery project in Lamu being set up by Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa.More than 130 residents of Chandavai in Lamu County moved to court seeking to stop what they describe as the unlawful takeover and destruction of land their families have occupied and cultivated for generations.The residents contended that the development by the Nigerian billionaire threatened to displace them without a resettlement plan or compensation.The 133 plaintiffs sued the Office of the President, the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning, the Attorney General, the National Land Commission (NLC), the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor Development Authority, the Lamu County Government and Dangote Industries, together with two companies described as contractors.The residents claimed they have, for generations, occupied, cultivated and developed identifiable portions of land comprised in or forming part of LR No. 13061 in Chandavai.They asked the court to intervene, arguing that continued construction and excavation would cause further destruction of crops, trees, homes and other property and permanently alter the character of the disputed land.“Continued construction or excavation will cause further destruction of crops, trees, structures and other property and will materially alter the physical character of the land, thereby making the dispute substantially more difficult to resolve,” the plaintiffs state in court documents.The residents said their claim is based on long-standing occupation, customary or community tenure, possession and beneficial use of the land, although they do not hold formal title deeds.According to the plaint, their families have historically used the land for farming and livestock keeping and have built homes, mosques and shrines on it. Some family members, they say, are also buried on the disputed land.The plaintiffs contended that the land is community land under the stewardship of the Lamu County Government and that they occupied it peacefully for generations without previous disputes over ownership.They argued that some of the property at risk cannot be adequately compensated through monetary damages.“Some of the affected property cannot readily be replaced by monetary compensation, particularly ancestral and family homes, graves, trees, long-standing occupation sites and community structures,” they claim.The residents alleged that on August 7, 2024, officers and agents associated with the national government and LAPSSET entered the disputed land with heavy machinery and bulldozers. They claimed crops, trees and other property were destroyed without prior notice, consultation or compensation.According to the plaintiffs, local administrators subsequently informed them that the land had previously been acquired by the government for the LAPSSET project and later allocated to the Ministry of Defence for infrastructure works around Manda Bay.The works, they alleged, included road construction and expansion of facilities around the Kenya Navy Base at Manda Bay, US Camp Simba and Magogoni Airfield.Some residents claimed they were instructed not to interfere with the works and were promised compensation for destroyed crops and other losses.The plaintiffs further claimed that some families were forced to move into rented accommodation to make way for the developments.The land dispute has now taken on a new dimension following preparations for a proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu.The residents allege that soil testing and other preparatory activities linked to the proposed refinery began in July 2026.They claimed local administrators subsequently told them that the Dangote project would proceed alongside the LAPSSET and Manda Bay infrastructure developments.The plaintiffs further alleged that on September 10, 2026, police officers, chiefs and other government agents cleared one of the disputed parcels, telling them that the site would be used for a groundbreaking ceremony for the refinery.
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Read briefing The Directorate of Criminal Investigations Monday reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling organised immigration crime networks during a Counter Organised Immigration Crimes Team (COICT) engagement held in Moyale, Marsabit County.The event was attended by the Deputy British High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr. Ed Barnett who led the British delegation, alongside senior officers from the National Police Service, partner agencies, and local community leaders.The Director of Criminal Investigations, Mohamed Amin, was represented by the Commandant of the National Criminal Investigations Academy (NCIA), Ibrahim Jillo, Amin underscored the strategic importance of Moyale as a border town and gateway for legitimate trade, social interaction and economic opportunities, while cautioning against criminal networks that exploit cross-border movement for illegal gain.“Moyale is far more than just a spot on a map; it is a gateway, a place where people, families, businesses and communities come together, interact and seek out genuine social and economic opportunities,” the Director stated.He noted that the establishment of the Counter Organised Immigration Crimes Team marks a deliberate shift towards identifying, investigating and disrupting the wider criminal networks behind immigration-related offences rather than merely addressing isolated incidents.“COICT is a deliberate initiative aimed at enhancing our ability to identify, investigate and disrupt organised immigration crime; it reflects a change from merely dealing with individual incidents to instead understanding and pursuing the wider criminal networks involved,” said AminHe further called for enhanced collaboration among all agencies operating within the border region, emphasising that organised criminal groups thrive through coordination and that law enforcement responses must be equally interconnected.Addressing officers attached to COICT, he urged them to uphold professionalism, integrity and accountability, reminding them that effective investigations are built on public trust and ethical conduct and also appealed to the people of Moyale to continue supporting law enforcement efforts by sharing information on suspicious activities, stressing that community trust remains a critical asset in combating organised crimeBarnett commended the growing partnership between the United Kingdom and Kenya in tackling organised immigration offences.He noted that the collaboration would continue to promote human-rights-based approaches in supporting victims of immigration-related crimes while strengthening investigative efforts aimed at dismantling wider criminal networks operating across borders.Dr. Barnett further reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting the DCI and partner agencies in identifying, investigating and disrupting organised immigration crime syndicates that exploit vulnerable persons for profit.Present during the occasion were the Director of Training and Research APS, Madam Bianca Nzioki, who represented the Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service, and the Deputy Director, Investigation Bureau at DCI George Kisaka, among other senior officers.The visit culminated in an inspection of newly constructed facilities designated for COICT officers, a development expected to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen coordinated responses against organised immigration crime along the Kenya-Ethiopia border including engagement with the Moyale community.Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
Read briefing President Sheikh Mohamed received Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Abu Dhabi on Monday, underscoring the close ties between the two nations.Mr Fidan conveyed greetings from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the UAE President, along with his best wishes for the country's continued prosperity and progress. Sheikh Mohamed reciprocated, asking Mr Fidan to pass on his regards to Mr Erdogan and his hopes for continued prosperity and development for Turkey and its people.During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Fidan discussed areas of bilateral co-operation and explored ways to strengthen the ties between their countries. The discussions reflected the growing momentum in relations between the UAE and Turkey. The meeting also addressed regional and international issues, with particular focus on developments in the Middle East. Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Fidan emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to promote security, stability and lasting peace across the region.In May, Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan explored ways to deepen relations within the framework of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership that came into effect in March 2023, during a phone call.Those discussions came one day after Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, met the Turkish President.The meeting, during a working visit to Turkey by She...
Read briefing The US on Monday said it opposed any Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank, warning that destabilising moves in the territory could undermine efforts to advance President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan.“As President Trump stated, the United States opposes Israeli annexation of the West Bank,” US representative Jennifer Locetta told the UN Security Council in New York.“Stability in the West Bank is vital for Israel's security and aligns with our goal of achieving peace in the region." She added that Washington wanted to ensure the well-being of Israelis and Palestinians.Israel captured the territory during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and has occupied it ever since. Settlements built there are illegal under international law.Ms Locetta said the US shared concerns raised by other Security Council members over economic instability in the West Bank and the need to expand economic opportunities for Palestinians.She also criticised measures adopted or proposed by “some UN member states” targeting businesses operating in parts of Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and the West Bank.“As Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio said, we do not want to see any destabilising activity in the West Bank at this moment, as it could have implications on our ability to make progress with regards to President Trump's Gaza peace plan,” Ms Locetta said.Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Sunday tha...
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