BBC senior news anchor Waihiga Mwaura has penned a congratulatory message to her former colleague Victoria Rubadiri as she begins a new journey in her career at CNN.

Taking to his socials Mwaura wished Ms Rubadiri all the best as she elevates her career to the next level at the international media house.

“All the best in this posting Victoria Rubadiri. Goodspeed” read Waihiga Mwaura’s goodwill message.

Waihiga and Victoria worked together at Royal Media Services before Mwaura left for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) last year 

The award-winning journalist announced his departure from Citizen TV on May 2, 2023. He has parted ways with Royal Media Services after 14 years.

“After 14 amazing years at Royal Media Services (Citizen TV), my time here has come to an end. My next stop is @BBCNews @BBCAfrica specifically Focus on Africa. I’ll share more details soon, but in the meantime, see you on my last episode of #Newsnight at 9 pm on @citizentvkenya,” Waihiga Mwaura tweeted.

On the other hand, CNN has already welcomed Victoria Rubadiri to their team and she is happy about it.

“I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to work at CNN and to bring my experience and passion to its global audience. Connecting Africa champions the people, projects, and companies revolutionising African business and I’m looking forward to working alongside Eleni and the team to get out on the ground and tell these stories,“ Rubadiri said. 

3 days ago, a photo of a man carrying a child on his shoulder elicited sympathy from Kenyans. The scenes were from the flash floods that ravaged the Mai Mahiu area after the River burst its banks.

Speaking to Mururi TV YouTube channel on Wednesday, May 1, the man explained in Kikuyu the frantic efforts to pull bodies out of the mud.

The man named Stephen Njoroge Wambui, and the child is not his.

He described what he does as “Just hustling” as a turn boy working some construction jobs. He told Kenyans willing to help him that he also lost his phone, shoes among other personal effects.

He heard the sounds of people screaming who were being swept away by flash floods at about 2 am.

He was headed to the quarry at the time,

“That child, I found him there and the water was flowing. I was passing there, then I saw the child and I decided to save him from that mud.”

He doesn’t know whose child that was. He rescued many other children stuck in the mud as well.

“I pulled him out, I don’t know the parents. There were others I rescued from that situation. I pulled two other children and a mother, plus a man.”

He said that the four were stranded on a tree. He recalls retrieving 9 bodies after that child.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 2 – A recent survey has ranked Mithika Linturi as the worst performing Cabinet Secretary with an E rating.

According to the study by TIFA, Linturi scored the worst due to the mismanaged fertilizer subsidy.

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Digital content creator and marketing manager Cera Waithera Imani has revealed that her strong prayerful life led her to her now fiance entrepreneur and car enthusiast Joseph Kairu Wambui, popularly known as Khalif Kairo.

On how she knew Khalif Kairo was the man for her, Miss Imani noted that their relationship was revealed to her by God and she has no doubts that Khalif is her soulmate.

“Prayers, you pray…” started Cera as she opened up on how they started dating as well as advising people out there who are uncertain of their relationships or partners.

“I stopped actively looking for someone and started praying about it and trusted God to provide the right person my way. And that is when we came together with Kairo,” said the gorgeous content creator who has been trending on social media for weeks now since Kairo proposed to her.

She went on to define their relationship as very Christian noting that their beliefs rooted in their faith have helped them navigate so much in life.

“It is a very Christian staunch relationship and that is why we are able to overcome so many things that come our way. Don’t just be a pretty face, pray also,” Ms. Waithera candidly said.

Cera went on to emphasize the importance of prayers especially when selecting a life partner adding that one needs to really be in tune with their spirituality to be able to hear God clearly.

“So I know we joke a lot but one thing I can say is we tend to focus on the canary part of prayers what we ought to do is ask God is to give us spiritual eyes so that we can be able to get into spiritual prayers. So when you pray in the spirit He answers in the spirit and you get to understand.

“And what comes from God has no doubts, haina mabishano or uncertainty. Once you pray in the spirituality, God is able to define things very clearly but when you pray in the canary, to some extent hapo shetani anaweza changanya hizo dreams zako,” Cera candidly said as she stressed the importance of prayers and how God confirmed to her that the car enthusiast was the man for her. 

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At least 188 lives have been lost due to the relentless heavy rains across the country, according to the Ministry of Interior.

Additionally, 90 individuals are reported missing, with 125 injured as per the latest statement from the ministry.

Through a statement, the ministry said that, in total, an estimated 196,296 people have been impacted by the relentless rains.

Moreover, the flash floods have disrupted the education sector, with 1,967 schools affected by flooding.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki in addition noted that emergency response teams from Narok County alongside the County Security team and Red Cross successfully evacuated 90 individuals in coordinated efforts by ground and aerial units in the Masai Mara where 19 lodges were flooded after River Talek overflowed.

“No fatalities reported and a tracing desk has been set up at the Masai Mara Sekenani Gate,” he said.

In Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County 151 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) are actively engaged, where 52 deceased persons have been retrieved and 51 people still missing following the mudslide tragedy.

Mai Mahiu-Narok Road is now clear and open for traffic movement.

At least 400 National Youth Service (NYS) members have been deployed to reinforce the ongoing search and rescue operations in Mai Mahiu and Talek Area, Narok County.

A Nationwide assessment of all dams has been conducted and 192 dams were identified to be high risk in Central (60), Eastern (39), Rift Valley (29), Coast (22), Western (21), Nairobi (12), North Eastern (5), and Nyanza (4).

Kindiki stated that inspection teams have been dispatched to ascertain the dams’ integrity.

He said there is a need for food, medical kits and non-food items in the counties where search and rescue operations are still ongoing including Nairobi, Kirinyaga, Homa Bay and Tana River Counties.

It is expected that there will be favourable weather in the North Eastern (Isiolo, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa) and South Eastern (Taita Taveta, Kitui, Tana River) regions.

This, Kindiki said, sets the stage for post-flood recovery initiatives in public works, the reconstruction of schools, repairs to water treatment systems, road repairs and improvements to the accessibility of social and economic facilities.

He, however, noted that in over 28 counties, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms have been experienced.

This is in the Western region (Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia); Lake Victoria Basin (Kisumu, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Siaya, Homabay); Rift Valley (Nandi, Bomet, Nakuru, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo, Uasin Gishu and Narok); Central (Nyeri, Muranga, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Laikipia); Upper Eastern (Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru) and Nairobi.

In the last 24 hours, Nairobi, Kajiado, Nakuru, Mandera and Homa Bay Counties have suffered from flooding, with landslides and mudslides continuing to occur in Muranga and Nakuru Counties.

The preliminary investigation suggests that the military helicopter, which tragically claimed the lives of ten service members, including Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla, was not mechanically sound.

Witnesses reported that the Bell UH-1H Huey II helicopter’s propeller was not moving when the chopper went down shortly after takeoff, indicating a possible malfunction.

According to sources close to the investigations, the impact of the crash forced the engine, located on the roof, to cave in, resulting in fatal injuries to those on board.

Additionally, the incident caused the fuel tank to rupture and ignite a fire, further contributing to the fatalities. Autopsies confirmed multiple injuries on all victims.

A team of experts is diligently investigating the cause of the crash. Their focus will center on the helicopter’s mechanical state before takeoff and the pilots’ condition at the time.

President William Ruto has pledged transparency in disclosing the investigation’s report, expressing confidence in the military’s professionalism.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to eliminating extra-judicial killings and political assassinations.

“All details will be laid bare on the accident that took the life of General Ogolla,” Ruto said two weeks ago during the burial mass of General Ogolla in Ng’iya village, Siaya County.

“I want to assure the country that the Kenya Defence Forces and the Kenya Air Force have the requisite integrity and professionalism to ensure that there will be no shroud of doubt as to what happened to General Ogolla,” he added.

Major-General John Omenda, the commander of the Kenya Air Force, is leading the probe.

The crashed chopper was among a fleet of Bell UH-1H Huey II helicopters acquired from the US in 2016. The Huey II helicopter is a workhorse designed for troop transport and search operations.

This incident underscores a critical issue for the Kenyan Air Force: maintaining and modernizing its ageing fleet.

With a fleet acquired from various countries and including models like Pumas, Mi-17s, and Huey UH-1Hs, maintenance becomes a logistical challenge.

This crash marks the fifth military aircraft accident in just one year, raising concerns about safety and capability.

As investigations continue, ceremonies for seven other victims are ongoing, following a joint mass held at the Moi Airbase in Eastleigh. However, a troubling issue has emerged: valuables stolen from the victims by some first responders.

General Ogolla’s family received only his wedding ring from the crash site. Efforts are underway to recover missing items, with local leaders urging their return.

A military Board of Inquiry, led by Brig Mohamed Salah Farah from Laikipia Airbase, has been established. Police are actively involved in the investigation.

Leaders from the Nyanza region, particularly affected by the crash, seek closure through a transparent investigation. General Ogolla and nine other officers lost their lives alongside two survivors in the incident. MPs have also called for a commission of inquiry.

Other deceased personnel include Brig Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, and several lieutenants, majors, captains, sergeants, and senior sergeants. General Ogolla was on his way to inspect ongoing renovations at several schools.

Joseph Mayanja, popularly known as Jose Chameleone, a musician from Uganda, has explained the reasons for acknowledging Kenya as his eternal mother in his life’s history.

The artist, who earlier this week revealed turning 45 years old, has been celebrating at various functions and also through his online platforms.

Chameleone said that although Uganda is like his father, Kenya will always hold a place in his life as a mother, as it is where his music journey began in the early 2000s.

“I congratulate Jose Chameleone and Joseph Mayanja. One is my boss and the other is a boy from Kawempe to the world. I SALUTE all of you, Uganda is my Father, Kenya my Mother, Tanzania, South Sudan, Zambia, Rwanda, DR CONGO!!! AFRICA – Rest is HITSTORY✌🏾 @45 I have all the reasons to thank for my blessings. Alhamdulillah,” Chameleone wrote in one of his posts.

Joseph Mayanja was born on April 30, 1979, to Gerald and Prossy Mayanja in Kampala district, Uganda, as the fourth child among eight siblings.

Chameleone’s music is a fine blend of Ugandan people, Central African rumba, zouk, and reggae.

His musical journey began in 1996 as a DJ at a nightclub in Kampala.

He transitioned to the position of a musician in 1998 when he moved to Kenya and collaborated with Ogopa Deejays, a Kenyan record label, which released his first song “Bageya” featuring Kenyan artist Redsan.

For many years, Chameleone has released several successful songs including “Mama Mia,” “Mambo Bado,” “Jamila,” “Kipepeo,” “Bageya,” “Shida za Dunia,” “Bayuda,” and “Njo Karibu.”

While his music thrives across the whole of Africa, his biggest fans come from Central Africa, particularly in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Since the release of his first album in 2000, Chameleone has launched a total of 13 albums.

The artist stated that he will cease celebrating his birthdays for the next five years until he turns 50.

Approximately 4,000 youths from Ruiru, Kiambu County, are poised to benefit from an online job initiative funded by the government through the Jitume Digital Empowerment Program.

The program, spearheaded by area MP Simon King’ara, was launched at the Ruiru ICT Hub, where 200 computers have been installed. It aims to replicate this setup across all eight wards of the constituency.

Acknowledging the challenges of securing formal employment, the lawmaker urged young people from the area to embrace the idea and enroll in the free Jitume training program.

Those undergoing the training welcomed the initiative, citing its potential to open new avenues for utilizing the internet productively.

They also urged the government to bolster connectivity in both urban and rural areas.

Stephen Njiraini highlighted the persisting issue of weak internet connections in many areas and called for widespread availability of WiFi.

Elizabeth Wambui shared her intention to transition from using the internet solely for entertainment to leveraging it for business purposes after completing the training.

Resilience and strength are not without burdens. This, perhaps, is the biggest lesson we can learn as we mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day.  

In making our shrill voices heard, we must re-imagine the media’s role in fostering accountability, justice and transparency. On this day, it’s imperative to build on the gains and address attendant challenges with sobriety and precision.      

Themed “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis“, this year’s commemoration underscores the critical role of journalism in conservation. It points to the need to amplify every voice at the forefront of environmental advocacy and reporting.

In Kenya, where environmental issues like floods demand attention, the media’s role in galvanising action is paramount. In Kenya, several people have been killed and thousands  injured or left homeless by floods. Only a few months back, the worst drought in 40 years swept through the Horn of Africa. It’s a call to action a moment.

However, as we mark the day, it’s crucial to confront the stark realities captured in UNESCO’s latest report. The findings unveil declining press freedom levels worldwide, with a staggering 85 per cent of the global population experiencing setbacks.

A similar report indicts Kenya for plummeting to the 116^th position on the World Press Freedom Index 2023. According to Reporters Without Borders, this represents a fall of 47 positions just within a year. Kenya was ranked at position 69 in the 2022 report.

Incidents of violence and intimidation against journalists persist to the chagrin of everyone. The Media Council of Kenya’s documentation of over 100 such incidents in the past year alone is a testament to troubles journalists face in fulfilling their duty.

On the safety front, we reiterate calls for the establishment of safety and protection mechanisms, the creation of safety funds, trauma counselling, safety training, and promotion of dialogue between media and security institutions.

The Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary should go flat out to ensure a conducive environment for the media. This entails enacting and enforcing laws that guarantee press freedom and access to information. There have also been jitters over recent State advertising decrees widely seen to be lopsided. Good news is that President Ruto has himself has reiterated that underhand and surreptitious schemes to weaken the media will be a thing of the past. 

Meanwhile, as a regulator, MCK believes the media industry must be beyond reproach. The Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya is clear. Again, the industry must innovate and address the digital disruption. Investing in training, implementing safety protocols and fostering dialogue are essential steps towards enhancing the industry’s viability and resilience.

On this auspicious occasion for the Fourth Estate, let’s commit to the journey towards a truly free and vibrant media landscape. It requires unwavering commitment, collaboration and a shared belief in the rule of law.

Without doubt, the media needs the goodwill of every player to thrive. It is not about lack of laws. Kenya is a signatory to international instruments on freedom of expression, media freedom, and access to information which have been domesticated through Articles 33, 34, and 35 of the Constitution. Other subsidiary laws include the Access to Information Act 2016, the Media Council Act 2013, and The Kenya Information and Communication Act 1998.

With the support of Government, civil society, media owners, professional groups and other stakeholders, we can only make it better.

On this important day, let’s reaffirm our loyalty to protecting the guardians of truth and defending the principles of independent media.

The writer is Media Council of Kenya Chief Executive Officer. ceo@mediacouncil.or.ke

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