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Here is what you need to know to keep up to speed with todays happenings.

Ruto’s rejected donation

Mixed reactions are expected today, Tuesday, November 19, 2024, after the Catholic Church rejected the funds donated by President William Ruto.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi, in a letter released on Monday, November 19, 2024, and signed by Archbishop Philip Anyolo, rejected cash donations made to the church by President Ruto and Nairobi County Governor Jonson Sakaja over the weekend.

On Sunday, November 17, 2024, President Ruto attended a service at Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi, accompanied by Governor Sakaja.

In the letter, the Nairobi Diocese said Ruto donated Ksh600,000 to the Soweto Catholic Church choir and parish missionary, while Governor Sakaja donated Ksh200,000.

The President also donated Ksh2 million to construct the Father’s house and promised to gift the church a bus in January.

However, in the letter the church has been posting online, Archbishop Anyolo stated that the Nairobi Church will maintain a firm stance on politicians’ donations, highlighting the Church’s need to safeguard itself from being used for political purposes.

“These funds will be returned to the respective donors. Furthermore, the promised additional Sh3 million for the construction of the Father’s house as well as donations for the parish bus by the president are hereby declined,” the letter reads in part.

Statement on Adherence to @KenyaKccb Directives on Political Donations to the Church. @MagazineSeed @MkatolikiDaima @CatholicMediaN1 pic.twitter.com/t1oOBWN7FS

— Archdiocese of Nairobi- ADN (@NairobiArchdioc) November 18, 2024

Kenya face Namibia

After failing to secure a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals, slated for Morocco next year, the national men’s football team, Harambee Stars, will throw their last dice in the qualification campaign with a dead rubber against a struggling Namibia today at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.

One of the big tasks for Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has been lifting the team’s morale for today’s game after suffering a detrimental 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe on Friday, November 15, 2024, an outcome that they did not qualify for the continental football fiesta.

Namibia, on their part, managed an impressive 0-0 draw against African giants Cameroon in their matchday-four encounter and will be seeking their first win in Group J against Harambee Stars.

Today’s game will be a different challenge altogether, considering that it is a dead rubber match, with the primary purpose being to honour the CAF calendar.

Graft cases in court

Several graft cases are lined up for hearing and will be mentioned in various courts this week.

The case involving Humphrey Obanda Oswago, former CEO of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEBC), its predecessor, IIEC, and two others, will be brought up for hearing.

They are charged with willful failure to comply with applicable procedures and guidelines relating to the procurement of goods and economic crimes.

The allegations relate to impropriety in the purchase of ballot papers for general and some by-elections, famously dubbed ‘the Chicken Gate scandal’.

The case will be heard at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court.

𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐅𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊#TuangamizeUfisadiTuijengeKenya pic.twitter.com/GskR027Y0C

— EACC (@EACCKenya) November 18, 2024