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Here is what you need to know to get up to speed with today’s happenings.

Looming matatu strike as schools reopen

A strike by the public service vehicle stakeholders is in the offing ahead of the reopening of schools set to begin on Monday, August 26, 2024.

This is after the government averted a similar strike notice by teachers after their union heads agreed on some of the contentious issues raised.

The matatu strike, however, could paralyse the transport sector as learners return to schools, further hurting third-term activities.

The issue raised by the matatu stakeholders is the increase of the Road Maintenance Levy (RML) from Ksh18 to Ksh25.

Other issues in contention are the delayed processing of claims by insurance companies, harassment by police and county officers, and incompetence of the NTSA among others.

Govt unable to employ 20K JSS teachers

Even as the government averted a planned strike by teachers after agreeing to implement the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), Treasury CS John Mbadi on Thursday night stated that 20,000 Junior Secondary School teachers could not be employed on a permanent and pensionable term.

The statement complicates the equation especially after Ruto promised on July 5, 2024, to accommodate the employment of over 40,000 JSS teachers even after the Finance Bill of 2024 was dropped, resulting in budget shortfalls.

Friday blackout to affect 2 counties

Kenya Power has announced a temporary blackout scheduled for Friday, August 23, 2024, affecting parts of Kakamega and Nyeri counties.

In a statement shared on Thursday, August 22, 2024, the utility company attributed the interruption to routine network maintenance.

Kenya Power specified the affected areas and timings for the planned power outage. In the Western region, parts of Kakamega County including Elukala Church, Bukulwe Primary School, Shinyalu Primary School, Pembe, and adjacent customers will experience the outage from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Meanwhile, in the Mt. Kenya region, parts of Nyeri County will also be affected. Areas such as Mukangu and Gatina are scheduled for a blackout from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The outage will impact institutions and facilities including Kirigu Coffee Factory, Gatina Coffee Factory, Gakuyu Secondary School, Gatina market, and Mukangu Dispensary.