August 11, 2023: Top stories to look out for today

By , August 11, 2023

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

1. Azimio prayers for Siaya victims of police brutality

The Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition will today hold an interdenominational requiem mass for 12 victims of police brutality in Bondo, Siaya County.

The service will be held at Bondo Stadium.

Azimio co-principals led by opposition chief Raila Odinga are expected to attend the function.

The coalition says it will use the event to condemn use of excess force by police during recent anti-government demonstrations in the country as well as demand individual accountability for the killings.

The leaders are also expected to comment on the national dialogue with the Kenya Kwanza administration which kicked off on Wednesday, August 9. The talks are spearheaded by a 10-member committee, comprising five members from each side.

2. Inquiry on compensation of victims of 1998 bomb blast

The Senate Ad Hoc Committee that’s pushing for compensation of the Kenyan victims of the 1998 bomb blast is scheduled to hold another meeting today.

The committee has invited several guests to the meeting which will be held at Bunge Towers from 11:00 am.

The guests are:

  1. Attorney Phil Musolino – Philip Musolino & Musolino & Dessel, PLL (USA)
  2. Dr. Ramona Tascoe – Social Justice and Human Rights Advocate (USA)
  3. Joe J. Szlavik – Strategic Advisor (USA)
  4. Caroline Muthoka Wavai –
    International Coordinator of the Consortium of 7th1998 Victims (USA)
  5. Douglas Sidialo – Member of the Consortium of7th1998 Victims (KENYA)

The meeting comes just days after the country commemorated the 25th anniversary of the US embassy terror attack.

Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu, who is the Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee, on Monday, committed to finding a lasting solution to the survivor’s suffering.

She called on the Kenyan authorities to prioritise the plight of the survivors by offering them employment opportunities and subsidized medical treatment.

“Besides lobbying the USA Government, as a Committee, we’ll coordinate with the Ministry of Health to explore ways in which the Government can offer subsidized medical treatment for the surviving victims of the bomb blast,” Senator Kavindu said when she joined survivors of the attack at the Memorial Park for the anniversary.

Baringo Senator William Cheptumo, a member of the committee, said: “I assure the country that the 13th Senate has their interest at heart. The Senate gave this Committee the mandate to deal with this matter in the country and the United States of America. We’ll do our best.”

3. Mention of Mike Sonko’s graft case

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko is today expected to appear at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court for the mention of a Ksh24.1 million graft case against him.

Sonko and three other accused persons are charged with conflict of interest.

The prosecution alleges that the former county boss and the three individuals conspired to embezzle public funds in the sum of Ksh24.1 million from Nairobi City County Government.

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