1. Constable Arrested for Inciting Colleagues
A police constable has been sacked and arrested allegedly for inciting his colleagues to go on strike through the social media.
According to Internal Security Permanent Secretary Mutea Iringo, Administration Police officer Philip Omondi based at Kimilili was traced by his colleagues after it was found that he was generating short messages on his Facebook account calling on police officers to down their tools and let criminals do their work. He had allegedly been masquerading as Bradly Philip Charles Konjunga. Mr Iringo said the officer, who is expected in court this morning, was behind messages that incited police officers to go on strike demanding for better pay.
2. Safaricom Recovers from KES 3 Billion Loss to Post 94% Profit
Safaricom has recovered from a loss of over KES 3 billion to post, what the company Chairman describes as, impressive results. Kenya’s leading mobile phone service provider posted a 94% profit after tax of KES 7.8 billion for the half year ended September 2012 from KES 4 billion the previous year.
Last year, the company’s profit after tax dipped 47.4% to KES 4 billion from KES 7.6 billion in 2010.
3. Judges Vetting Board Erred by Not Allowing Accused Proper Defense
The process of vetting judges and magistrates was fundamentally flawed from the very beginning and now the chickens have come home to roost.
Article 23 (2) of Schedule Six of the Transitional Provisions purports to protect both the vetting process and the outcome from interference by any court. “A removal or a process leading to the removal, of a judge, from office by virtue of the operation of legislation contemplated under subsection (1) shall not be subject to question in, or review by, any court.”
4. Keroche Breweries Target 20% Market Share
Keroche Breweries plans to raise its share of the beer market in Kenya to 20 percent in two years and is increasing capacity to meet that target, its chief executive said on Thursday.
Tabitha Karanja told Reuters the brewer of Summit and Summit Malt beers was constructing a one million a year hectolitre brew house in order to introduce two new beer brands and meet demand for the existing two. Keroche entered brewing in 2008 and now has a market share of 3 percent.
5. Insurance Claims Up 17% in First Half
INSURANCE claims for general business rose by 17 per cent in the first half of 2012 to a total value of KES 14.4billion compared to KES 12.3 billion incurred last year, latest industry data shows.
The Insurance Regulatory Authority industry performance report released yesterday also shows a slight growth of 2 per cent in total claims and policy holders benefits paid out which totalled KES 7.88 billion from KES 7.72 over the same period in 2011.
6. Police Go-Slow Hits Banks in Kisumu
BANKS and some business premises in Kisumu yesterday suspended their operations over insecurity concerns after administration police officers went on a go slow. Customers who turned up at various cash outlets found them closed with banks citing lack of security personnel who normally man the premises.
7. Kenya Airways Best For Tall People
KENYA Airways is the best African airline for tall passengers on economy class and 10th best globally because of its legroom, the annual Business Traveller airline survey shows.
The survey results published recently show that national carrier KQ ties at position ten with Virgin Atlantic and United Airlines because its seats are configured to have a legroom of between 31 and 32 inches long. The survey was conducted among 32 airlines globally. Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines were found to have the best space for tall passengers with leg room at 32 inches long.
8. President to Commision KES 31B Thika Highway
President Mwai Kibaki is scheduled to commission the just completed 50.4 km modern Thika Highway tomorrow. According to Vision 2030 delivery Secretariat Director General Mugo Kibati the scheduled inauguration of the new KES 31 billion 8 lane highway by the president is part of the government’s commitment to ensure the full implementation of Vision 2030.
Speaking to the media in his office, Kibati acknowledged that the government is investing heavily to ensure the implementation of all Vision 2030 flagship projects.