July 28, 2023: Top 5 news items to look out for today
By Wycliffe Nyamasege, July 28, 2023
Hello! Here’s what you need to know in order to get up to speed with today’s happenings.
1. Azimio prayers
The Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition is set to hold interdenominational prayers on Friday in remembrance of lives lost during recent anti-government protests.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka said on Wednesday that the prayers will be held in Nairobi and various parts of the country, especially the opposition coalition strongholds.
He said the coalition will be praying for the government to reduce the high taxes and lower the cost of living as well as intercede for law enforcement agencies to end police brutality.
“We will pray for the pharaohs in government to listen to the cries of our people about the high taxes and the rising cost of living.
“During the prayers, we will call on the international community to call Kenya’s security agencies to order,” Kalonzo said.
In Nairobi, the mass will be held at the De Paul Grounds in Karen, off Langata Road.
The coalition is also set to launch a fund to aid families of the victims of police brutality as well as announce the way forward regarding the anti-government protests today.
2. Health CS to be grilled by Senate
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha is scheduled to appear before the Senate Health Committee probing alleged irregularities in Ksh3.7 billion mosquito net scandal at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa).
Global Fund, a Switzerland-based organization that funds governments to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, is said to have cancelled Kemsa’s procurement process which seemed flawed in favour of a bidder who did not meet mandatory requirements, at the expense of an actual mosquito nets manufacturer.
The CS is set to respond to the allegations of the pending statements and irregular procurement as well as other issues affecting the health sector.
The committee will also hold a meeting with David Kariuki, the Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to deliberate on the Petition on the management and use of KUTRRH by medical students at Kenyatta University.
3. Senate committee meeting with victims of 1998 bomb blast
The Senate Ad Hoc Committee that is pushing for compensation to the Kenyan victims of the 1998 US Embassy bombing terrorist attack is scheduled to meet today.
The committee will meet victims of the terrorist attack and their Representatives to listen to their pleas from 10 am.
4. Relaunch of Federation of Drivers and Conductors
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavaidi and Interior CS Kithure Kindiki are set to preside over the relaunch of the Federation of Drivers and Conductors today.
The relaunch ceremony will include the unveiling of the organisation’s revitalized vision, key initiatives, and collective efforts aimed at fostering sustainable growth and development within the transport industry.
Mudavadi and Kindiki are also expected to comment on increased road carnage in the country.
5. State House Chief of Staff visit to Rift Valley
State House Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei is scheduled to tour Kericho county today.
Koskei will be at Kipsitet Day Secondary School, Kericho County, for the institution’s 10th-year anniversary celebrations.
On Sunday, July 30, 2023, Koskei will join the students of Kerotet Girls Secondary School, Uasin Gishu County, for a Sunday Service.