1. Only Half of 18 Million Voters Registered As Deadline Looms
Only about half of Kenya’s eligible voters have registered to take part in next year’s watershed elections, with just eight days left for the electorate to enlist themselves. Figures released by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission on Monday show that 8,648,926 individuals had registered by Saturday, which is roughly half of the targeted 18 million eligible voters.
2. It’s International Human Rights Day
With all the political drama in Kenya at the moment – the coalitions, the deals, the deadlines – one might be forgiven for thinking that politics is all about politicians. It is not of course. It is about people – and there is no better day to remember that, than today, international human rights day. The concept of human rights should provide protection from harm for us all, from the smallest baby, to the oldest grandmother; from the humble policeman serving his country, to the grandest politician.
South African presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said yesterday that, given Mandela’s age – he turned 94 this year – he was in good health. “He is doing very well, is in good health, is comfortable, and is receiving the best medical attention.
“We are appealing to people not to worry and to remain calm,” said Maharaj.
4. Kenya Wants Review of EAC hiring Mode
Kenya is calling for a review of the quota system in the recruitment of East African Community staff on grounds that the formula is unfair. Last year, ministers concerned with East African Community (EAC) affairs from the five partner states approved a method in which states share community jobs equally irrespective of their population and contribution to the bloc’s finances.
5. Fish Farming Picking Up Well – Research
Aquaculture production has doubled in the last two years from 12,000 metric tonnes to stand at the 22,000 metric tonne despite challenges in the fishing industry. The National Aquaculture Research Development and Training Centre officer Harrison Charo speaking in Kisumu during a Kenya marine and fisheries symposium said the growth in fish farming has been tremendous in the country.
He said indicators of the growth can be seen in the high demand for seeds and fish feeds in the country. Currently there are more than 50,000 farmers in Kenya.
6. Capital Markets Regulator Clears Centum to Raise KES 5 Billion via Bond
Centum has been cleared to raise up to Sh5 billion through its bond offer set to close at the end of this month. The investment firm will then list the entire bond issue by introduction at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) next year, the arranging and placing agent said Monday. NIC Capital said Centum was currently raising an additional Sh800 million over the next few weeks.
7. Apple Vs Samsung Cases Need Peace says Judge
While the world is getting tired of hearing about Apple and Samsung’s ongoing ‘patent disputes’, and it appears as though the judges hearing them have strong feelings of the same vein, with a judge in America claiming that the technology companies need to resolve their issues in order to preserve the industry as a whole US District Court Judge Lucy Koh, who presided over the American case in which Apple tried to up their takings from $1b to $3b, claimed that the pair need to work towards ‘global peace’ in the technology industry, and that she will do everything within her abilities to help this become a realisation.
8. Students Drug Professor with Weed Brownie
Two students have been arrested in Colorado after allegedly giving cannabis-laced brownies to unsuspecting classmates and a professor, according to reports. The pair are accused of serving up the cakes as part of a “bring food day” at the University of Colorado.
Police were called after an unnamed history professor needed hospital treatment, complaining of feeling dizzy and losing consciousness.