A British court has jailed a Kenyan man for four years after stolen cars destined for Africa were traced to him.

Police traced two cars to Stephen Ruto at Fast Safe Storage in Smethwick, according to a BBC report.

The cars, a Ford Focus valued at, Sh458, 646 and a Sh11,007,519 Range Rover were traced to him.

Ruto, 48, from Birmingham, was convicted by Shrewsbury Crown Court on Tuesday of the acquisition, retention and use of stolen property.

West Midlands Police said 17 cars with a value of Sh45,864,664 had been recovered.

Ruto told police he had been a manager at Fast Safe Storage, but the company disputes this.

Malik Hussain Muzafar, a manager there, said Ruto had not been an employee but had hired a unit from the firm and shipped containers abroad.

According to the BBC, Ruto was first arrested for handling stolen cars in 2010 after vehicles that had arrived in west Africa were traced back to him.

He was released without charge after denying any wrongdoing, saying he had not been present when they were loaded and had been acting on customers' instructions.

But in July 2012, ports police inspected a shipment to Africa and discovered a Nissan Murano, reported stolen from Leicester in 2011; and a BMW X5, stolen from London in 2012.

Both vehicles had false registration plates.

The shipment was traced back to Ruto, from Sommerfield Road, Woodgate, and had been loaded at the storage company in Smethwick, police said.

Over several months, port authorities inspected more shipments and saw several stolen cars appearing on manifests among legal cargoes.

Police discovered false shipping documents, fictional addresses and bogus names, as well as photographic evidence of several of the cars at the storage business.

"Ruto was involved in a very lucrative business, as British cars can fetch up to four times their worth in Africa," said investigating officer Det Con Darren Brown.

Pope Francis led the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics into Christmas on Thursday, urging those "intoxicated" by possessions and superficial appearances to return to the essential values of life.

Celebrating a Christmas eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Francis, whose nearly three-year-old papacy has been marked by calls for sobriety and compassion for the less fortunate, said Christmas was the time to "once more discover who we are".

He said everyone should allow the simplicity of the child Jesus, born into poverty in a manger despite his divinity, to infuse their spirit and inspire their lives.

"In a society so often intoxicated by consumerism and hedonism, wealth and extravagance, appearances and narcissism, this Child calls us to act soberly, in other words, in a way that is simple, balanced, consistent, capable of seeing and doing what is essential," he said in his homily.

The service for about 10,000 people in St. Peter's Basilica started with a long chant in Latin, known as the Kalenda, the traditional proclamation of the birth of Jesus.

The great bells of St. Peter's then rang out and the pope, dressed in white vestments, kissed a statue of the infant Jesus to start the solemn Mass.

Security was tighter than normal for Christmas, with many police carrying out spot checks in the Vatican area.

Everyone who entered the basilica, the largest church in Christendom, went through metal detectors.

The 79-year-old Argentine pope encapsulated in his homily some of the key themes of his papacy: mercy, compassion, empathy and justice.

"In a world which all too often is merciless to the sinner and lenient to the sin, we need to cultivate a strong sense of justice, to discern and to do God's will," he said.

Francis, who said earlier this week he had a slight flu, seemed tired and spoke with a slightly hoarse voice at times.

While not changing fundamental Church doctrine, Francis has been calling for a more merciful and less judgmental Church, one that is more compassionate towards groups such as homosexuals and the divorced who have civilly remarried.

Conservatives have criticised some of his statements, such as the now-famous "Who am I to judge" comment about homosexuals who were seeking God and had good will.

The conservatives say statements like these only sow confusion among the faithful.

The pope said child Jesus was calling on everyone to rethink the way they treat others.

"Amid a culture of indifference which not infrequently turns ruthless, our style of life should instead be devout, filled with empathy, compassion and mercy, drawn daily from the wellspring of prayer," he said.

On Christmas day, Francis will deliver the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Square, from where he first appeared to the world after his election on March 13, 2013.

Kenyan business tycoon Ketan Somaia is set to repay Sh2 billion he fleeced investors after wooing them with Champagne parties and luxury trips on private jets.

According to Dail Mail, Judge Richard Hone QC is set to hand down a confiscation order, forcing Somaia, 54, to pay back the money or face an extra ten years in jail.

Somaia was in July 2014, convicted of nine counts of fraud after a private prosecution launched by his victim and former friend Murli Mirchandani.

Mirchandani lost nearly £13,450,000 between 1999 and 2000 while a second investor Dilip Shah lost £134,535.

This will be the largest ever confiscation order handed down in a case which has been pursued privately.

Following a protracted legal battle, the judge is set to rule Somaia has two properties, a bank account, two cars - a Land Rover Discovery and a Range Rover - and ‘hidden assets but their extent is totally unknown’, Daily Mail report says.

The judge was persuaded to delay handing down his judgement until January 8 so Somaia, who was not present, could contest the ten-year default period if he fails to repay the money within six months.

The judge is set to order Somaia to repay £134,535 to Shah, £12,256,641 to Mirchandani, and nearly £1,355,000 in confiscation for his other criminal activities.

Defence lawyer James Woods QC said Somaia, who suffers from kidney disease and has dialysis three times a week, has only a 20 per cent chance of surviving the next five years because of his heart and kidney problems.

‘His life expectancy is short and he is already serving an eight year sentence’, he said.

Somaia had protracted property wars with among others Kamlesh Pattni over ownership of tourist hotels before fleeing Kenya for UK.

Saturday, December 26 (GMT)

Stoke City v Manchester United (1245)

AFC Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (1500)

Aston Villa v West Ham United (1500)

Chelsea v Watford (1500)

Liverpool v Leicester City (1500)

Manchester City v Sunderland (1500)

Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion (1500)

Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City (1500)

Newcastle United v Everton (1730)

Southampton v Arsenal (1945)

Monday, December 28 (GMT)

Crystal Palace v Swansea City (1500)

Everton v Stoke City (1500)

Norwich City v Aston Villa (1500)

Watford v Tottenham Hotspur (1500)

West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United (1500)

Arsenal v AFC Bournemouth (1730)

Manchester United v Chelsea (1730)

West Ham United v Southampton (1730

PUBLIC Service, Youth and Gender CS Sicily Kariuki has spoken exclusively to the Star about her agenda as she settles in at the new ministry whose remit was previously handled by Anne Waiguru.

The CS says her priority will be to ensure the public service functions well, young people, through NYS, are empowered, and women are facilitated to engage in gainful employment.

She told those who may have stolen or colluded with others to steal money from the NYS, Youth Fund and other institutions under her docket everyone will be held accountable individually.

Apart from getting the President to appoint a new boss at NYS to replace Nelson Githinji, who resigned after he was charged in court, the Cabinet Secretary says her other priority is to sort out governance issues in all the institutions under her direction.

“We cannot deliver if we have governance challenges. We intend to re-launch NYS programmes, but only after we have fixed the problems that rocked it.

“The Youth agenda is absolutely important for the President and so we must do everything possible to empower our young people,” said.

Kariuki has taken over at a time the government is grappling with a huge wage bill, the NYS is in the spotlight for the loss of Sh800 million and the Youth Fund is also under investigation for the transfer of Sh180 million to a private company.

On the Youth Fund, the CS said she will wait for investigations to be concluded before acting.

“We must follow due process. I can only urge those involved in these investigations to quickly finish them so that we can act to restore confidence and trust,” she added.

Kariuki, a former PS in the Ministry of Agriculture, told the Star her priority will be to streamline the Public Service, match skills with jobs, and ensure that civil servants are efficient and well paid.

“The Public Service has some of the best people. All they need is the opportunity to explore and realise their potential. We want to bring back confidence in public service,” the CS said.

The CS said public servants must change their attitude and improve service delivery.

“We intend to rationalize jobs both at the national and county level to ensure value for money,” said Kariuki.

THE National Museums of Kenya has been in a dire financial crisis for months now.

The institution, headed by Mzalendo Kibunjia, has been struggling to meet its financial obligations, including salaries, which have been delayed every month.

In a bid to steady the institution, Kibunjia, the Director General, has introduced a raft of measures, some of which are very unpopular with the staff.

The staff have accused the former National Cohesion and Integration Commission chairman of running the institution down. They claim Kibunjia has been making so many foreign trips, some of which do not seem to be useful, in their view, and yet he gets allowances each time he travels.

Apart from cancelling, among other things, office tea and meal allowances, Kibunjia has also stopped the institution from buying bottled water.

“Provision of newspapers, airtime, bottled water, catering services, motor vehicle usage, reimbursement of standing imprests, safari imprests and temporary imprests for other activities, must be strictly controlled and only limited to activities of critical importance upon my consideration and approval,” said Kibunjia in a memo dated May 28.

On July 3, while in Germany, Kibunjia issued yet another memo, titled “NMK new accounting methods: Freeze on expenditure”, in which he outlined further measures to cut down spiralling costs.

Some staffers are now accusing Kibunjia of gobbling up what is left of the NMK’s little resources through local and international travel.

A few weeks ago, Kibunjia took leave only to travel to China for an official function. Upon return he proceeded to Mombasa for Mwongozo (Leadership) training before returning to China two days later to attend an Underwater Heritage conference at the invitation of Chinese institutions.

In his absence the NMK is managed by Purity Kiura, who has strongly defended her boss.

“Most of his travels are 100 per cent funded by those who invite him. And even assuming he was traveling on Museums funds, would he spend the Sh800 million shortfall we are experiencing? If we all sit here in our offices and look at each other, how will that help the Museums?” said Kiura, the director of Museums, Sites and Monuments.

Soon after he was appointed in February, Kibunjia left on an 18-day official tour of the US. The daily subsistence allowance for the US approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission is $527 dollars (Sh53,790) a day.

For the 18 days he was in the US, Kibunja was entitled to Sh954,000, assuming he was paid on SRC rates.

Between June 28 and July 8, Kibunja was in Bonn, Germany for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Convention on Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

According to the SRC, Bonn’s rates are $616 a day (Sh62,874).

On September 8, Kibunjia bid his staff bye for Bangkok, Thailand. He did not state when he would be back.

The Star, for the second time, publishes a report card for the President and his Cabinet. We have excluded the new Cabinet Secretaries who were sworn in last week. This year’s report shows that, despite a few good performers, Uhuru’s team has dropped the ball in many areas, affecting the President’s score.

President Uhuru Kenyatta , C ( You are okay) 

A leader works for those who put him in leadership. President Uhuru Kenyatta’s main responsibility is to protect the lives and property of Kenyans as he implements his election promises.

If those promises could be described as “a better life for a few politically connected”, then Kenyatta could have claimed success.

But “a better life for all?” There’s nothing to show for it. Kenya’s financial and structural troubles are there for everyone to see and, sadly, they are hurting the poor most yet these people struggle to afford the most basic needs. In the last one year, taxes have gone up without commensurate services being delivered.

The rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer and living at the mercy of criminals, especially al Shabaab terrorists.

The corrupt have continued to roam our streets and have the sheer audacity to get into the NYS and the 47 counties, among other public institutions, and walk away with billions of shillings.

The middle class is being hammered from every direction, especially economically, yet this group has the potential to change the face of Kenya. As if that were not enough, all our national sports are in a shambles, with doping, corruption and utter negligence condemning our young people to drugs and hopelessness.

According to the constitution, the president has two broad responsibilities, among others: Advancing the constitution and advancing national unity.

The constitution has been raped many times this year, with many gains being clawed back. Tribalism has continued to raise its ugly head, unemployment continues to grow and our politicians are turning citizens against one another. Uhuru continues to enjoy the support of his Jubilee Coalition and has supporters across the country, despite concerted efforts by the opposition to portray him as a bumbling, weak leader who is asleep on the job.

Uhuru’s schedules are not for the physically weak and faint-hearted. The number of projects he is implementing keeps multiplying: SGR , Irrigation, Laptops, CCTV, new airports and airstrips, etc.

Yet none of them are complete and have translated into economic growth, or sustained jobs, or progress towards a common identity. At best all this motion keeps us in the same place. See Editorial

William Ruto, Deputy President, D (Get your act together)

D (Get your act together): William Ruto will find the Deputy President’s position frustrating because the constitution does not give the deputy real power.

He is at the mercy of his boss, the President. The chemistry between Ruto and Uhuru seems to be holding, despite the DP saying it was unfair to dismiss the suspended CSs. Ruto is consistently steeped in controversy. From responding to opposition leaders every weekend, the man from Sugoi in Eldoret has been dishing out millions of shillings in a series of never-ending harambees.

The opposition has unsuccessfully tried to use the harambee generosity issue to demand a lifestyle audit of the DP, even calling him the High Priest of Corruption in government. Ruto is adept at playing internal Jubilee politics. In fact, MP s openly say they prefer Ruto to the President because he is generous.

His party foes have watched in growing horror as he turned the party into a machine for dispensing patronage and oversaw the destruction of URP. The DP has been linked to all manner of corruption scams and for this Ruto needs to critically re-examine his image.

 Jacob Kaimenyi, E (Resign!)

Having taught at the University of Nairobi since 1985, the appointment of Jacob Kaimenyi as Education CS was acclaimed as a step to professionalise one of the country's critical sectors. Unfortunately, the professor of dentistry has precipitated the worst education crisis in the more than two years he served. 

Before he was transferred, or should we say demoted, to the Lands docket, the Ministry of Education was in a mess. For the first time in history, the country witnessed monumental exam leakage of both KSCE and KCPE papers. More saddening is that the good professor first strenuously denied knowledge of the massive cheating. A conclusion of incompetence is unavoidable.  

Then there was also the five-week strike by teachers. With national examinations approaching and students ill- prepared, Kaimenyi largely remained mum. No engagement at all with stakeholders. In fact, he had a frosty relationship with teachers’ unions and at one time nearly exchanged blows with Knut secretary general Wilson Sossion in Parliament.

On his watch, Jubilee has been unable to deliver one of its key flagship projects: the laptops for primary schools. With only one-and-a-half year to the next election, children have even forgotten the once-much-hyped promise.

No wonder he is the only CS who has faced a censure motion in the National Assembly. Last year, he scored a D.

Dr Fred Okengo Matiang’i, ICT, C ( Your are okay)
 

Is undoubtedly one of the most experienced professionals in President Kenyatta’s administration, but also very controversial. As acting Lands minister, it was expected that Matiang’i would end the turf wars with the National Lands Commission, however, the row escalated. Proposed amendments to three land laws – the Land Registration Act 2012, the National Land Commission Act 2012, and the Land Act 2012 had many unconstitutional provisions.

Matiang’i has also been blowing hot and cold on media freedom. His support for the Media Act 2013 and the Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Act 2013 was ill-advised. 

However, the tough-talking minister is credited for solving some of the most controversial land rows, including disputes dogged by conflict and sometimes murder. On his watch, Matiang’i issued titles to the troubled Kishushe Cooperative Ranch in Taita Taveta county, giving them exclusive rights over the iron ore-rich land.

He also issued titles to shareholders of the Kihiu Mwiri land-buying company that was  rocked by mysterious serial killings of its directors.

As Information CS, Matiang’i delivered on digital migration, despite vicious opposition by media oligarchs. Last year he scored a D.

Raychelle Omamo, Defence, C (You are Okay)

Is a woman of many firsts. She was the first woman to become the chairperson of the Law Society of Kenya and the first to be Defence minister. However, as CS, Omamo is not breaking any new ground. On her watch, the image of the Kenya Defence Forces has been increasingly battered. 

Recently the military was implicated in a multi-billion-shilling sugar smuggling racket in Somalia. In a familiar script, Omamo quickly rubbished the report. But the trained lawyer had also dismissed reports of KDF looting at Westgate in a similar fashion before being ashamed by massive digital evidence.

In May this year, a United Nations report claimed Kenyan companies and the KDF are leading participants in illegal charcoal exports through Somalia’s Kismayo Port worth Sh22 billion annually. Can’t she institute proper investigations into these scandals?

Her presence at the Assembly of States Parties lobbying for the setting aside of the controversial ICC Rule 68 against DP William Ruto was also underwhelming. Isn’t that outside her mandate?

Eugene Wamalwa, E (Resign)

He was vetted on June 9, 2015 and sworn into office months later. He is largely uninspiring, a huge failure on irrigation policy and the transition of the water sector to accord with and respect the devolved system of water management.

He is spending more time meddling in politics than his docket. He has of late berated a number of MPs who question his agenda and endorsing coalitions and detailing what the 2013 Jubilee lineup ought to have been.

Henry Rotich, D (Get your act together)

Underperformed compared to last year. He failed to offer a satisfactory account of how the Eurobond billions were used. No projects so far and the math he is churning out do not add up.

The shilling also weakened on his watch to an all-time high against the dollar. Bank lending rates have equally skyrocketed.

He has been busy issuing austerity measures that he cannot enforce in a bid to cut government wastage in public spending.

Joseph Nkaissery, C (You are Okay)

An improvement from his predecessor, Joseph ole Lenku, who got an F. Nkaissery’s notable successes include restoration of relative calm and maturity in managing the security sector, though there has been much grumbling that he has overshadowed the Inspector General of Police.

His boasting about being the first to arrive in Garissa and doing nothing while leaving the Recce squad unit stranded in Nairobi during the terror attack on Garissa University.

James Macharia, B (Good, but room for improvement)

Until recently, Macharia doubled up as Health and Transport CS. He is not only described  as one of the sharpest CSs in the Uhuru administration,  but his close confidants say his word is final. Macharia’s grade remains at B due to how he handled the controversial medical equipment distributed to the county hospitals. The fight between the ministry of Health and the Catholic Church over polio drops was also not handled very well.

Until his exit, Macharia was pushing to turn the NHIF into a universal healthcare scheme. He also oversaw the restructuring of the drug supply chain. As the Transport and Infrastructure CS, Macharia annulled the decision by the Kenya Ports Authority to sack over 100 employees.

  Phyllis Kandie, B (Good, but room for improvement)

 Kandie, the immediate former CS in charge of East African Affairs and Tourism, has made several strides from last year’s D grade to B. Described by many as the critical stone that the builders almost rejected, Kandie has been able to turn around the battered tourism industry. The ‘Make it Kenya’ campaign aims to boost tourism investment in the country. She is now more visible and will take credit for Kenya’s commitment to the EAC integration process.

Kandie, now the  Labour CS, through the Huduma Centres, managed to rationalize licensing procedures in order to reduce the time it takes to register companies and work on reduction of non-tariff barriers to business.

Hassan Wario, F (Please fire him, Mr President!)

Only the President knows why he spared Hassan Wario the axe when he reconstituted his Cabinet the other day. Sports federations are run by cabals and self-serving elites; our national teams have become the laughing stock in the region and internationally.

Instead of sorting out this mess, ensuring the national teams are welltaken care of and the crooks in sports are jailed, the minister has maintained a “see no evil, hear no evil attitude”.

Sport is woven into the national fabric of the country and gives many Kenyans immense pleasure. Mr President, someone else can do this job better than Wario, so some strategic direction would go a long way towards making us all feel less miserable about the sporting future.

 Githu Muigai, AG, C (You are Okay)

Apart from vigorously defending President Uhuru and Deputy President Ruto at the ICC, Attorney General Githu Muigai is a self-described “mortician”.

Critics say he has left the State Law Office in the hands of Solicitor General Njee Muturi. So, why is the brilliant law don so hands-off these days?

Many laws have been finding their way into Parliament without the AG’s knowledge. It is baffling how this is possible. Muigai, for instance, disowned the controversial Kenya Defence Forces Amendment Bill.

The draconian law, full of many unconstitutional provisions, gives express authority to the Chief of the Defence Forces to deploy KDF in civilian operations.

Then there were the controversial amendments to the Kenya Information and Communications Act 2015. This, too, was disowned by the good professor

Adan Mohammed, D (Get your act together)

On his watch, the Vision 2030 blueprint is no more. In fact, it is like the only economic blueprint Kenya has is the Jubilee manifesto. Some of the ministry’s vision remains just on paper.

Take, for instance, one of the ministry’s key policies, the Constituency Industrial Development Centres. This was to provide work sites and tools for the youth to pursue gainful employment in all the constituencies across the country. Nothing has been achieved in this respect at all.

Indeed, three years down the line, no one can say with certainty whether Mohammed has done anything, let alone inspired change. Nothing much has been heard of his ministry and nothing has reverberated on the ground from the golden touch everyone expected from him. He is just there.

Najib Balala, Mining, C (You are Okay)

The immediate former Mining CS, who was recently moved to the Tourism docket, made some improvement to bolster him to the next grade, a B.

During the last grading Balala had scored a C-plain but during this year’s review the CS, who has opted for a low profile, has made significant improvements.

Before he was moved in the recent mini-Cabinet shuffle, Balala had overseen the drafting and passage of the Minerals and Mining Policy and Mining Bill 2014, which will repeal legislation on mining and establish a clear legal framework for the management of mineral resources in Kenya.

Balala also spearhead the establishment of a Mineral Audit Unit that ensures the government gets its true share of mineral proceeds in the form of royalties, fees and other charges.

Prof Judi Wakhungu,  C (You are Okay)

 Wakhungu has improved and she is now in full control of the ministry. Last year she had scored a D, but, stung by the grade, Wakhungu went fulltime and developed a work plan with timelines.

Working with other state agencies, her ministry has controlled high magnitude poaching and ivory smuggling. Environmental affairs receive unqualified audits and has not been rocked by scandal recently, with the exception of the poisoning of lions in the Masai Mara.

Her biggest problem is political will. The government still only understands the path of big power and centralised development, hence the decision to carve out sections of the Nairobi National Park to pave way for SGR. Her biggest task is to ensure equitable development that considers environmental effects.

Amina Mohamed: D (Get your act together)

A poor performance, down from last year’s C. She has perfected the art of sound bites but no substance. One would be forgiven for thinking that getting the Foreign Affairs docket was the one ingredient she lacked on her CV to qualify for the United Nations secretary general’s job.

She has endeared Kenya to the US, UK and Italy, but been a great failure on regional affairs, especially in the East African region.

There were also missed opportunities at the UN Security Council. She is constantly travelling outside the country, overshadowing her PS and attaches at the ministry. One wonders where she gets the time to consult on ministerial policy matters.

She goofed with sugar matters between Kenya and Uganda on whether there was a deal signed between the two countries.

Al Shabaab said it ambushed a security vehicle on Lafey-Elwak road in Mandera county on Sunday killing four members of the security forces.

County commissioner Fredrick Shisia had confirmed the 10am ambush but did not say whether it was carried out by al Shabaab.

“The militias who were hiding in a nearby thicket opened fire on our officers. We lost two officers in the shootout, one officer was injured,” he said.

But police sources said two police officers, not one, were injured.

The Kenyan Red Cross Society had said in a post on Twitter that two police officers had been killed and two others injured, while an official said he was unaware of the attack.

Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab's military spokesman, told Reuters the militants ambushed the car on the main road on the Somali border, killing four soldiers and seizing their weapons.

The statement made no mention of police.

Al Shabaab and officials often given conflicting details and death tolls.

Al Shabaab, which seeks to overthrow Somalia's Western-backed government and impose a strict version of Sharia law, has carried out regular assaults in retaliation for Kenya contributing troops to the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia.

The attack in Mandera county came two days after al Shabaab, which has links to al Qaeda, targeted two security vehicles in Lamu county, killing at least one police officer.

The KRA has recommended tax evasion charges against businessman Ben Gethi and Josephine Kabura over the Sh791 million allegedly paid from the NYS.

Similar charges were recommended against Directors of M/S Horizon following an inquiry into whether taxes were paid to the government when the amount was paid out.

The amount was allegedly transferred to Kabura through the accounts of her companies - Reinforced Concrete Technologies, Form Home Builders and Roof and All Trading.

In a statement to newsrooms on Monday, Senior Assistant DPP Beatrice Omari said the KRA recommended that they be charged under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Omari said the NCIC advised the DPP to pursue charges of ethnic contempt against Kiambu Governor William Kabogo. Kabogo allegedly committed the offence at Thika Municipal Stadium on November 25.

While addressing a gathering, he cautioned Cord leader Raila Odinga and Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama against insulting President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The Director of Criminal Investigations recommended that Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow be charged with incitement to violence and disobedience.

This concerns his claims over mass killings in Mandera county following the discovery of a woman's body in what was believed to have been a mass grave with at least 12 bodies.

Excavators did not find other bodies in the grave and Kerrow apologised for causing anxiety.

TWO suspects in the Sh791 million National Youth Service scandal my face additional charges of tax evasion, Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko yesterday said.

Tobiko also said that he had received files recommending the prosecution of Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow and FKF boss Sam Nyamweya.

Kiambu governor William Kabogo

Tobiko said that he received a file from the Kenya Revenue Authority recommending that Josephine Kabura, Ben Gethi and the directors of M/s Horizon Ltd be charged with tax evasion offences.

Ben Gethi

According to the KRA, no taxes were paid to government from the Sh791 million transactions involving companies linked to Kabura and Gethi.

“KRA recommends that the suspects be charged under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act for the offences of tax evasion,” the DPP said.

Josephine Kabura

Gethi, Kabura and 20 others are already in court after being charged with the theft of Sh791 million and conspiracy to steal Sh695 million from the NYS.

Former Planning PS Peter Mangiti and former NYS director-general Nelson Githinji have also been charged for trying to block investigations into the theft of the NYS funds.

The DPP said that he would independently review the files and make a decision from the evidence.

Tobiko also said that he had received a file from the DCI recommending the prosecution of Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow.

Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow

Kerrow is to be charged, if the DPP agrees, with incitement for claiming the Kenya Defence Forces had killed and buried Mandera locals in a mass grave.

Kerrow and other leaders from the area had made the claim following unconfirmed reports by some activists that there were mass graves in Mandera.

Police conducted a serve in the area, including digging up several parts that were claimed to have bodies but, only one body, a woman’s, was discovered.

Kerrow apologised for making allegations of the discovery of a mass grave, saying he regretted causing anxiety, but was arrested the following day.

Tobiko also received a file from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission recommending the prosecution of Kiambu Governor Kabogo.

The Commission said that Kabogo had on November 25 uttered words that “amounted to ethnic contempt”, contrary to Section 62 of the NCIC Act.

Addressing a gathering in Thika, Kabogo cautioned Cord leader Raila Odinga and Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama against insulting President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Speaking in Kikuyu, he told Muthama that he would go get him even from his mother’s house if he continued to insult the President.

Later, Kabogo said that he was not inciting people but was cautioning against losing respect for the Presidency.

Tobiko also said that the DCI has recommended the prosecution of Football Kenya Federation president Nyamweya for misappropriation of Harambee Stars funds.

The DCI also wants the FKF CEO, Michael Esakwa, and acting finance manager, Samson Cherop, charged with the same offences.

Michael Esakwa

The DCI said that the suspects should be charged with the offences of conspiracy to defraud, stealing by agent and fraudulent false accounting.

YOUR tribe will play a role in whether you get recruited or promoted in the public service, at least for a couple of years, as the government seeks to improve diversity.

However, talent, experience as well as discipline will continue to play a big role in who gets promoted in the public service.

According to a draft policy prepared by the Public Service Commission and published last week, there is need for affirmative action to ensure all Kenyan communities are represented in the Civil Service.

A report by the Public Service Commission dated December 2014 showed that the Civil Service is dominated by four communities, who take up more than half of all jobs.

The report showed that the Kikuyu community leads the pack, followed by the Kalenjin, Luhya and Kamba communities.

Together, they control 58 per cent of the workforce in government ministries, departments and agencies.

The report disclosed that members of the Kikuyu community had the highest number of employees, at 21,567, accounting for 22.9 per cent of the total workforce.

Members of the Kalenjin community, who hold 12,082 jobs in the surveyed departments, were also over-represented by 1.57 per cent. They form 12.8 per cent of the total government workforce.

The Luhya community was third, with 11,487 civil servants, or 12.2 per cent of the workforce.

Although it was one of the communities with the highest number of workers in government, it was, however, under-represented by 1.78 per cent, based on its members’ proportion of the national population, which stands at 14 per cent.

The Somali community, according to the report, has the highest deficit in the public service, at 4.4 per cent, followed by the Turkana at 2.2 per cent and the Luhya at 1.8 per cent.

There are 1,751 government workers of Somali origin in the Civil Service and 384 from the Turkana community.

The report said five communities are not represented at all, while three have less than 20 employees.

Those not represented are the Galla, with a population of 8,146, the Konso (1,758), the Galjeel (7,553), the Leysan (5,941) and Kenyan Americans (2,422).

The proposed policy is also seeking to help the country to increase the number of persons with disabilities in the public sector to 5 per cent, as required by the constitution.

“Every public service institution shall ensure fair and equitable representation of the diverse Kenyan ethnic communities and groups, including the minorities and marginalised groups and communities, proportionate to their national population size,” the draft policystates.

A report by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission on ethnicity in the public service in 2011 revealed that five communities — Kikuyu, Kalenjin, Luhya, Kamba and Luo — commanded about 70 per cent of the total workforce.

The new document says that every public institution will take affirmative action measures “including assigning recruitment or promotion quotas over specified timelines.”

The policy lists marginalized groups based on population size as the Basuba, Walwana, Mbeere, Nubi, Tavetas, Tharakas, Ilchamus and Boran.

A man has been arrested for allegedly killing his cousin after accusing him of sleeping with his wife in Suna West on Sunday morning.

Charles Odhiambo, 25, attacked 17-year-old Gibson Okombo at his home in Got Kweru following a quarrel over the claims, police said.

Migori OCPD Moses Chepyegon said Odhiambo had invited his cousin to his house.

"In a bitter exchange of words, Odhiambo picked a blunt object and hit him on the forehead. He fainted,” Chepyegon said, adding Okombo was pronounced dead upon arrival at Got Kweru dispensary.

Villagers said the accused and his wife had been having quarrels concerning infidelity. Chepyegon said a mob followed Odhiambo preventing him from fleeing to Tanzania.

The police boss said he is being held at Migori police station and will be arraigned in court once investigations are completed.

The body was taken to Migori Level Four Hospital mortuary.

Eastleigh business owners and landlords have resolved not to pay dues to the Nairobi government over the lack of basic services.

The decision not to pay fees including licence charges and land rates from 2016 was reached on Monday after meetings with business owners.

Eastleigh North MCA Osman Ibrahim notified the business owners of the resolve in a memo in which he said he has asked a lawyer to seek a court order stopping the payments.

Noting "the constitution allows peaceful protests for one's rights", he assured the traders of support.

Kenyans on Twitter had earlier criticised Governor Evans Kidero over heaps of uncollected garbage in several parts of the city including Eastleigh.

In June, area residents took to the streets in protest against the filth that has blocked parts of some roads. The Nairobi garbage collection department stepped up but not for long.

Eastleigh business owners have made efforts to reverse the area's bad reputation, including launching a business summit early in December.

Thousands of shoppers throng the area where some poor roads have been tarmacked but a profile of terror, contraband and piracy continues to haunt it.

CIC’s parting shot as tenure ends

KENYANS are over-presented and should reduce the number of MPs to 225 from 349, the now-defunct Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution has said in its parting shot.

In its final report as it wound up yesterday, the CIC argued that Kenya has seen an increase in the number of representatives without increase in benefit to the public.

The CIC said that Article 97(1) of the constitution should be amended to reduce the maximum number of constituencies to 150.

The constitution provides that the National Assembly be made up of 290 MPs elected from the constituencies, 47 women MPs elected from the counties and 12 nominated MPs.

“Considering that we have the county assemblies and the sharing of functions between the two levels of government, the large number of members of the National Assembly is not justifiable, nor is it prudent use of resources,” the CIC said in its report.

It added, ‘Similarly, the minimum gender balance threshold in the Senate has only been met through nominations. This has unreasonably increased the number of MPs without the increase necessarily benefiting the people.”

The CIC also proposed that Kenyans amend Article 89(8) to provide that the number of Wards be 750, down from the current 1,450.

This would drastically reduce the number of MCAs from the current 2,526, consequently reducing the country’s wage bill.

The proposal by the CIC comes at a time that there is growing opposition to a similar proposal by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria.

The MP wants senators, nominated MPs, MCAs and woman representatives positions dropped, saying they have “ballooned the wage bill”.

Kuria, who leads the “Punguza Mzigo” initiative, also wants the Governors reduced from 47 to 16.

A number of politicians have come out to oppose the proposals by Kuria, though the move has been widely lauded by ordinary Kenyans.

According to government figures, the public sector’s wage bill amounts to 52 per cent of the revenue collected by the state.

In addition, MPs and MCAs have been costing the taxpayer billions of shillings annually through sitting allowances while still drawing a salary.

In the same report, the CIC said that there was need to increase the quorum needed for business to be conducted in Parliament.

The CIC has proposed amendment of Article 121 that provides the quorum of the National Assembly and Senate at 50 and 15 respectively to a third of the House.

“The given quorum threshold may be too low to allow the National Assembly and the Senate to meaningfully discuss, debate and vote on matters of national importance,” the CIC said.

In other radical proposals, the CIC said Article 113(1) on the Mediation Committee should be amended to insert a new provision that involves the appointment of an extra member from outside Parliament.

The Mediation Committee is usually formed to include members of the National Assembly and the Senate in order to resolve conflicts arising from enactment of laws.

The CIC also proposed the amendment of Article 127(2) to remove sitting MPs from being members of the Parliamentary Service Commission.

A private investigator has been named in a robbery with violence case after her firearm was used during an attack in Nairobi's Industrial Area.

Jane Mugo, the CEO of Trimo Security, fashions herself as "Kenya's top woman private detective who busts partners with a roving eye".

She was questioned and released by police over the robbery incident on December 11.

Two men and a woman believed to be her employees have been arrested and charged in a Makadara court with robbery with violence.

Isaack Daraja, Noreen Malala and Michael Gitau are in remand after they denied the charges.

Yesterday, Mugo could not be reached for comment as she did not answer calls by the Star.

Police said they have no evidence to charge Mugo but have recommended that the Chief Firearms Licencing Office cancel her gun permit for misuse.

Police said the three suspects flagged down a car in which the Industrial Area deputy police chief was travelling.

They flashed a pocket phone which they used to disguise as police officers.

A search on the suspects found a Browning pistol, nine bullets and a pocket phone.

On December 12, Daraja was identified in a police parade as the gunman alleged to have robbed Dan Marembe of Sh90,000 moments after he withdrew the money from a bank.

Marembe said Daraja and others who had a radio phone, handcuffs and a pistol, introduced themselves as police officers.

He said they bundled him into their car and later dumped him in Utawala estate after robbing him.

Police said after the arrest of the four suspects, Mugo drove to the Industrial Area police station to inquire about them.

She told officers the pistol belonged to her and left after police refused to release the suspects.

In May, police arrested Mugo on allegations of abducting Nairobi businessman Andrew Gaitho and impersonating a police officer.

Police pressed three criminal charges on Mugo and another man, Geoffrey Gaitho.

The matter is pending in court after the accused challenged their prosecution at the High Court.

From the pictures of a small boy lying face down in the sand on a Turkish beach after drowning in an attempt to flee the war ravaging his country to the historic papal visit to Kenya, from the terror attacks in Garissa University College and Charlie Hebdo offices in France to the exploits of the Kenyan team during the world athletics championships in Beijing, China, photojournalists have captured some of the most enduring images this year.

Here are some of the photos that made global headlines in 2015.

  Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta looks on as U.S. President Barack Obama signs a guest book at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. 

 Garissa University students carry their belongings as they leave for destinations out of Garissa after attack by gunmen in their campus, in Garissa April 4, 2015.

 One of Garissa University terror attack victims being assisted into the aircraft at the Garissa airstrip 

 Pope Francis greets youths after addressing them at the kasarani stadium on November 27, 2015.

 A child stands on a side of the road before Pope Francis' arrives at the Kangemi slums on the outskirt of Nairobi November 27, 2015.

A child holds rossary beads before Pope Francis' arrival at the Kangemi slums on the outskirts of Nairobi, November 27, 2015. 

Julius Yego of Kenya celebrates after winning gold at the men's javelin throw final during the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing. 

 Nicholas Bett of Kenya celebrates with his national flag after winning the men's 400 metres hurdles final during the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China August 25, 2015.

 Aylan Kurdi, who drowned in a failed attempt to sail to the Greek island of Kos, lies on the shore in the Turkish coastal town of Bodrum, Turkey.

 Sufuria's bearing messages to have teachers paid during a meeting at Uhuru Park. The teachers were demanding a 50-60 per cent pay hike. 

  A group of teachers attending a meeting at Uhuru Park dance on September 9, 2015 as the teachers strike entered its second week.

 Floyd Mayweather, Jr. of the U.S. misses with a left in the seventh round against Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines (R) during their welterweight WBO, WBC and WBA (Super) title fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 2, 2015.

Mary Khavere popularly known as Mama Kayai carry the portrait of the late comedian Benson Wanjau popularly known as Ojwang along Moi Avenue on July 29.

  Artists sing after the body of the late comedian Benson Wanjau popularly known as Ojwang arrived at the Kenya National theatre on July 29.

Disgraced FIFA President Sepp Blatter looked dumbfounded after a British comedian threw a wad of fake dollar bills at him at press conference

A female Burundian police officer is dragged on the streets after she allegedly shot at a protester

Three terror suspects, including a KWS officer, were arrested in Mombasa on Wednesday and 54 AK 47 rifle bullets recovered.

The arresting officer said KWS officer Mohamed Hussein, Roble Kassim and Adan Abdhulahi "are dangerous and might be working closely with al Shabaab's key leaders in Somalia".

The officer, who did not want to be named, said the suspects arrested at Salius hotel on Bondeni Raha Leo street could also be supplying firearms.

He said police sought them after they registered for M-Pesa services in the names Lilian Ayuko and Habiba Mohamed.

Hussein is attached to Tsavo East National Park. It is believed the suspects' rifles are hidden either at the park or within Mombasa.

The officer said the suspects checked into a room at the hotel on Tuesday morning.

Receptionist Mwondu Kiambi said the three frequently visited the hotel since the beginning of the year, alongside other people; police are searching for the hotel owner.

Mombasa Urban police boss Martin Asin said the suspects will be arraigned in court after due process and that investigators will request 10 days to carry out the probe.

They will be grilled at the CID offices and then handed over to detectives from the Anti-Terror Police Unit.

About 7,560 of 937,467 students got more than 400 marks in the 2015 KCPE exam whose results were announced on Wednesday.

In a breakdown of the results at Mtihani House on Wednesday, Education CS Fred Matiang'i said 201,986 students attained marks between 301 and 400.

Some 499,568 scored between 201 and 300, 215, 614 from 101 to 200 marks and 3,061 less than 100 points.

Matiang'i noted that the number of students who attained at least 250 points increased from 436,814 in 2014 to 455,590 in 2015.

He said a slight improvement was registered in English language, Mathematics and religious education.

Religious education recorded the highest mean score of 70.2 per cent and English the lowest at 41.38 per cent.

"The poor performance of candidates in English Composition is worrying because it means that learners lack the ability to creatively and coherently express themselves in prose," he said.

He urged parents and teachers to encourage the reading culture.

Matiang'i noted that teaching challenges in Northeastern following a series of attacks by al Shabaab did not affect students' performance.

Teachers working in the region refused to return to work after 28 who were on their way to Nairobi for the holiday were killed in a bus attack in November 2014.

The mean scores for counties in the region were 176.86 up from 173.68 (Garissa), 183.49 up from 175.34 (Wajir) and 173.68 up from 151.97 (Mandera).

Top performers in the examination include:

1. Aggrey Anyinya - 449

2. Wilson Muraga – 446

3. Timby Marren – 446

4. Felistas Osebe – 445

5. Naomi Gakoi – 442

6. Margaret Amwai - 441

7. Prefor Bilhange – 441

8. Daniel Ngira – 441

9. Ashley WangaAri – 440

10. Sherry Amondi – 439

11. Stephany Kadeka - 439

12. Sabina Mutuku – 437

13. Tom Oduo – 437

14. Triza Aduda – 437

15. Janet Wanjiru - 437

16. Gabriel Wairagu – 435

17. Shammah Godfrey – 433

18. Brydgets Mwaniki – 433

19. Lauryne Koki – 431

20. Dennis Maikoki - 423

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi hosted a memorable house warming party at his new home in Uasin Gishu county on Sunday.

The first-time MP used the event to officially introduce his two wives— Lilian Sudi and Ann Sudi— to the public.

He thanked them for supporting him. "Building churches was not easy and I thank my wives for not lamenting when I gave out all what I had to support God's work," Sudi said.

The launch was attended by Deputy President William Ruto who was the chief guest, Kenya Power MD Ben Chumo, Nandi County women representative Zipporah Kering and veteran politician and former cabinet minister Mark Too.

Glamour in the ceremony

Joel Kimetto and his team entertaining

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi

Nandi County Women Rep Zipporah Kering

DP Ruto officially opening the house

The house

Uasin Gishu County Speaker Isaac Terer

PRIVATE schools out-shone public schools in the 2015 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education Examinations results released yesterday.

According to the results for the 927,789 candidates released by Education CS Fred Matiang’i, public schools posted a mean score of 180.58 compared to private schools’ 230.14.

Its was a significant performance improvement for private schools, which last year recorded a mean score of 229.94, but a drop for their public school counterparts from 2014’s 180.87.

The number of candidates who scored an aggregate of 250 marks and above was 455,221 (49.07 per cent) compared to 437,080 (49.64) in 2014.

Some 7,560 candidates scored between 401 and 500 marks, 201,986 scored between 301 and 400 while 499,568 scored between 201 and 300.

Those who scored between 101 and 200 were 215,614 while 3,061 candidates scored between 0 and 100 marks.

Matiang’i said form one selection begins on January 21 and will be based on merit, quotas, equity, Affirmative Action and student choice.

The Kenya National Examinations Council omitted to rank both candidates and schools for the second year in a row.

A tough talking Matiang’i, in his inaugural release of national examination results, attributed the drop in performance of public schools to “chronic” teacher absenteeism and the five-week-long teachers’ strike early in the year.

Matiang’i spoke at Mitihani House, Nairobi, the Knec HQ.

The teachers resumed teaching on October 4, still demanding 50-60 per cent pay rise.

Candidates from Mandera, Wajir and Garissa defied the odds and long spells without teachers to post positive results.

When widespread insecurity masterminded by al Shabaab hit parts of Northeastern Kenya, particularly Mandera county, what followed was a mass exodus of government teachers from upcountry, leaving pupils on their own as schools struggled to keep learning activities alive.
 

Mandera county posted 173.68 compared to 151.97 in 2014. Garissa recorded 176.86, where it posted 157.56 over the same period the year before while Wajir posted 183.49, compared to 175.34 last year.

Teacher absenteeism has reached chronic levels. The level in some counties is up to 70 per cent. We cannot bear this anymore,” said Matiang’i.

A total of 2,709 candidates will not get their examination results after they were found to have been involved in cheating. 

Matiang’i said the results represent 0.29 per cent of the total of 927,789 students who sat an examination conducted in an environment marred by widespread irregularities.

The cheating cases were in 111 out of the 25,127 examination centres across the country, a slight increase in irregularities from last year’s, where 1,702 candidates saw their results cancelled over cheating.

The Taita Taveta, Tana River, Nyeri, Kirinyaga and Siaya counties, which registered zero cases of cheating in the 2014 KCPE, continued with their clean run, with Uasin Gishu, Kajiado, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kiambu, Marsabit, Mombasa and Kilifi joining the list of 12 counties that posted no irregularities.

Examination cheating is the lowest form of intellectual dishonesty, we will stop at nothing to stop cheating,” Matiang’i said.

Saying he was under instruction from President Uhuru Kenyatta to end cheating in national examinations, Matiang’i pledged it will not be business as usual under his leadership.

446: Winston Muraga

445: Felisters Oduso

438: Obed Ndemo Oute

441: Susan Wangu

440: Rose Gakoi

441:Margret Amwai

440:Ratemo Tom Muma

440: Ashley Wangari

444: Rhoda Engefu