The sudden cancellation of operating licenses of nine Private Security Companies puts in the line over 20,000 jobs in the sector, the Professional Security & Safety Association of Kenya and Protective Security Industry Association have warned. On February 5, 2024, the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) issued a legal notice cancelling the licenses of these companies without prior warning. The companies had previously passed through stringent vetting procedures and been issued with five-year operating licenses apart from three whose applications were being processed. The associations say this would affect existing contracts which are being paid at much lower rates including through existing tendered contracts by government institutions. “Assumptions that other security companies will take up the slack are erroneous as for most organizations and institutions including resident associations the turnaround time for a new security provider is guided by a strict procurement process which takes weeks if not months for new appointments and contract signing.

Almost all the mangoes are juicy during mango season but some varieties are preferred over others. Photo credit: File | Nation Media GroupHow many mango varieties are there in Kenya? There are about 60 mango varieties and 24 accessions (local types) grown in Kenya. We classify the varieties as those that do well in low altitude areas, low to medium altitude areas and high altitude areas. However, some mango varieties such as Apple, Ngowe and Boribo have high juice content while all the 24 local varieties such as Ngowe, Dodo and Apple have high fibre content.

EU lawmakers said they were disappointed the law would not include a consent-based definition of rape. The law seeks to protect women in the 27-nation European Union from gender-based violence, forced marriages, female genital mutilation and online harassment. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, first proposed the major legislation on March 8, 2022, to mark International Women's Day. "It's a clear message across the union that we take violence against women seriously," EU lawmaker Frances Fitzgerald told reporters in Strasbourg after the announcement. The text criminalises cyberstalking, cyberharassment and cyber incitement to hatred or violence across the European Union.

Source: FacebookHow tattoo ruined Kiambu man's chances to join NYSThe affected youths at Thika Stadium were fit, but the pieces of drawings happened to be their undoing. "I live in Thika and I had come to the stadium for the recruitment, but I was not successful in it. Video; CourtesyRequirements during NYS recruitmentThe state is set to recruit NYS volunteers throughout the country between February 5 and 9. Successful candidates will report for the NYS paramilitary Course at NYS College, Gilgil and NYSTTI Naivasha on dates and times specified in their respective calling letters to be issued. Persons with disability were encouraged to avail themselves of the recruitment exercise in their respective sub counties and centres, provided they can withstand the rigorous physical training.

AFCON 2023: South Africa eye revenge, end Nigeria’s dominanceTuesday, February 6th, 2024 13:56 | By Kiplagat SangSuper Eagles celebrate an AFCON win in Ivory Coast. PHOTO/CAFOnlineWhen South Africa and Nigeria clash at the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final on Wednesday, February 7, Bafana Bafana will be looking to end the Super Eagles' dominance. The former AFCON champions have met 14 times over the years, with Nigeria winning seven games, five ending in draws, and Bafana Bafana winning two. "Many people in South Africa didn't believe in this team, but we believed, and the players believed in themselves. PHOTO/CAFOnlineHe is confident that Bafana Bafana will be ready for their game on Wednesday.

From digital to group loans and now the proposed lending towards payment of health insurance, the government is increasingly getting itself into a space where it has struggled to leave a mark. The draft Social Health Insurance (General) Regulations, 2024, which is supposed to usher in a new social health insurance system says the government intends to start issuing loans to people who cannot afford to pay for the insurance on time. The arrangement poses a compliance headache for families and the government hopes to come in with loans to help them pay for the cover. The State is also currently continuing with the issuance of the Hustler fund loans which started in November 2022. However, loan defaults have been above that of the banking sector and digital lenders, pointing to a potential mess in the long-term.

Coca-Cola recently announced that it will temporarily remove plastic labels from its Sprite and Sprite Zero on-the-go bottles from January in its temporary "label-less" packaging campaign in the UK, and experts believe other brands can do more to simplify recycling. The move comes as the global brand’s attempt to make recycling easier, replacing plastic labels from single 500ml Sprite and Sprite Zero bottles with an embossed logo on the front of the container. This also means that nutritional information will be laser engraved on the back of the bottles. “While existing labels are fully recyclable, removing them simplifies the recycling process. It removes the need to separate them from the bottles during the recycling process and reduces the amount of packaging material used overall,” according to the brand.

6 die after drinking illicit liquor in KirinyagaSix people have died while five others were temporarily blinded after consuming illicit liquor in Kangai village, Mwea East Sub-county, Kirinyaga. Mwea East DCC Teresiah Mwangi said the six had consumed the brew at a local bar in the area. The CEC added that the symptoms exhibited by the victims, which included blurred vision, were consistent with previous cases of ethanol consumption. Reports indicate that victims who had lost their sight were given an antidote to ethanol poisoning, which restored their vision. Residents now want the government to take action and rid the area of illicit alcohol before it causes further harm to community members.

The regional and international community is concerned about the uncertainty created by postponing the country's presidential elections. On Monday, legislators in Senegal voted to postpone elections that were slated for 25 February to the end of the year, and the international community is worried about what that means for West Africa's beacon of democracy. In a statement, the UK said it was "concerned about the uncertainty created by postponing the presidential elections" to 15 December. The postponement came a day after the EU deployed an election observation mission to Senegal. The election postponement does not sit well with many, particularly opposition supporters, and there are fears of more intense protests to come.

On 6th February 2022, Senegal achieved their maiden Africa Cup of Nations trophy. The 6th of February holds a special place in the hearts of Senegal's football fans, marking the first anniversary of their country's triumphant victory in the Africa Cup of Nations. Reflecting on that fateful evening in the Cameroonian capital it is hard to forget the palpable tension that gripped the Olembé Stadium. Mohamed Abdelmonem's miss and Mohanad Lasheen's effort saved by Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy set the stage for Mané's triumphant moment. The Pharaohs, with Salah leading their charge, also had open chances in the match but Senegal's goalkeeper Mendy was equal to the task making some crucial saves.

Moi’s grandson in court over child support neglectFormer President the late Daniel Arap Moi’s grandson is facing contempt of court charges after his ex-wife accused him of disregarding orders to support his two children’s needs. However, his ex-wife, Gladys Jeruto Tagi has moved back to court to complain of Mr Moi’s actions of disregarding the orders. He ordered the Moi’s scion to take full responsibility for the children’s education and medical insurance and meet part of their entertainment expenses. According to Ms Tagi, Mr Moi had abandoned her children in 2012 leaving all their responsibilities to her. Having been cornered by the evidence, Mr Moi ceded ground and offered to provide NHIF cover to the children after claiming to be broke.

Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Chairman Cornelly Serem has confirmed that Kenya will start exporting Miraa to Israel. Miraa bud in a plantation in Meru county Photo MTAIsrael will now form part of Kenya's key Miraa markets such as the Puntland in Somalia, Somaliland, Mozambique and Angola. As of August 31, 2023, Kenya's Miraa farmers had been extensively searching for new Miraa markets due to disappointment caused by over-reliance on just two markets. Led by Nyambene Miraa Farmers and Traders Associaton Chairman, Kimathi Munjuri, the farmers have been actively pitching for buyers in the Middle East and Israel has long been a crucial target market. Despite the resumption of trade relations, Kenya's Miraa farmers are still not happy because of the low volumes demanded by Somalia's market.

Evictions loom as Ruto’s housing project gain momentum in Rift ValleyIn the heart of President William Ruto’s Rift Valley political stronghold, a storm is brewing as hundreds of families find themselves on the brink of eviction to pave the way for the government’s Affordable Housing Programme. Already, over 200 families have been evicted from Pioneer estate in Uasin Gishu County, to make way for the president’s pet housing project. The president ordered the Ministry of Lands and National Government Administration Officials to coordinate the recovery of all illegally occupied public land for government projects. In Trans Nzoia, more than 5000 residents are facing evictions to pave the way for the construction of government affordable houses. Already, the government has erected beacons on the land, ahead of looming evictions, causing panic among residents.

Former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu has been levelling accusations against President William Ruto, alleging unfulfilled promises by the latter since he assumed office in 2022. Ferdinand Waititu, former Kiambu governor (l). President William Ruto during an interdenominational prayer in Lurambi (r). "Before the election, William Ruto called me, Kiraitu Murungi and Francis Kimemia for a meeting where he promised that one us would be his deputy," he claimed during an interview at a local radio. "Ferdinand Waititu saying that William Ruto was considering him for deputy president.

NYS recruiters reject candidates with tattoosAs the recruitment of 15,000 youths for the National Youth Service (NYS) continues across the country, a section of youths in Thika, Kiambu County were disqualified from the exercise due to tattoos on various parts of their bodies. Peterson Mwangi, one of the disqualified candidates, said he regretted having the body ink because it denied him the opportunity to join the paramilitary institution. Those who did turn up said they were excited about the opportunities that awaited them after the NYS training. They said they were attracted to the training by President William Ruto’s directive that the National Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forestry Service recruit 80 per cent of their pool from the NYS. The NYS recruitment exercise has been going on across the country since Monday.