Pwani University: 'We were going for success... We met death'

 

A slipper here, a bottle of water there and blood-soaked books everywhere.

Such was the horror at the Kayole area, the scene of the Thursday midday accident along the Nairobi Nakuru Highway between a Pwani University bus and a PSV van.

The lives of 14 people tragically ended at this spotA journey that had started at midnight in Kilifi, towards Eldoret for an Interuniversity sports event at the University of Eldoret ended fatally and abruptly.

The remains told of a journey both the students and the passengers of the 14-seater matatu had hoped to finish, happily and successfully.

When the twisted wreckage was towed from the scene at midday yesterday, it suggested the violence with which the victims had died.Ian Okoth, 22, a footballer survived the accident that some of his peers did not.

The second-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Philosophy was still reeling from the shock of surviving an accident some of his team members had survived.  

He reminisced about the tiresome preparation and how determined they were.“We were going for success. We met death,” he said. “I'm grateful that I survived.”

When it was evident that the driver had lost brakes, he recounted, he tied his safety bells and immersed himself in prayers and quietly waited for whatever would happen when they clutch.

“I didn’t know it would be the end of seeing some of my colleagues who were very jovial a few moments ago,” the 22-year-old footballer said."The team was in high spirits," he added.

Pwani University administration said 120 learners, four drivers and one sports officer left the institution for the games in Eldoret. The driver of the bus did not surviveThey were in separate buses. Female volleyballers, some male volleyballers and handballers were in another bus, said Dorothy Chemos, a volleyballer.She went on, "Male and female footballers were in the bus that had the accident."

“I only remember seeing the driver of the ill-fated bus overtaking us on the wrong side at a high speed and wondered what could be happening. In the confusion of the moment, our driver slowed down as we started reaching out to our colleagues on the other bus,” the fourth year bachelor's of education student narrated. “When we stopped, we only saw a group of people quickly gathering ahead of us and we disembarked, we realised that the other bus that had some of our colleagues had perished as the school bus lay by the ditch.”

Kenya University Students Organisation (Kuso) President Antony Manyara called upon Transport CS Murkomen to ensure that learning institutions school buses are serviced especially whenever it is bound for a long-distance journey.“Just maybe, we would have saved the lives of these comrades,” he said.

His deputy Tabitha Rachel said they would mobilised students wherever they are to donate blood if need be. 

"We are in solidarity with the affected students and victims and will provide assistance whenever called upon,"Both the matatu and the bus were headed to Nakuru, the police said. 

The Naivasha Hospital Sub County medical superintendent Bernard Warui said a total of 16 fatalities had been recorded by Thursday evening. she said.

"We have 86 victims from the morning accident," he told the Nation.

On Thursday evening, police dispersed using teargas Pwani University students protesting deaths of their 17 colleagues in an accident in Naivasha claiming the driver had complained the vehicle was not roadworthy.

The students had congregated at the university grounds in Kilifi town to mourn the deceased.

After a press briefing, they walked out of the university and demonstrated alleged negligence by the administration

Those who succumbed when the bus they were in crashed were headed to Eldoret University-Chepkoilel for national games.

The students said they suspected the car had mechanical problems that led to the brake failure.

Led by Pwani University Student Association [ PUSA] President Allan Ochieng, they called on Vice Chancellor Prof Mohamed Rajab to state the condition of the vehicle before it departed for Eldoret.

The demands by the students come even as learning was suspended from Thursday until next week on Monday.

Addressing the press, Mr Ochieng said the sports team consisted of football, handball, hockey and volleyball players.

“A team from the University has been sent to Naivasha to assess the situation and ensure our colleagues get quality treatment. Some who survived are in the Intensive Care Unit [ICU],” he said.

PUSA Deputy President Wincate Nzinyari said it has been hard for them to accept the news about the accident and asked God to give strength to the families of the deceased.

“We want the University to tell us about the insurance cover and how the family will get compensation,” she said.PUSA Secretary General Kelvin Nyambura called on the students and parents to be calm adding the deaths had hit the rest of the university population hard.

“We want the university to assure us of the safety of the vehicles when they leave the compound. We have learnt that the driver was complaining about the vehicle’s brake,” he claimed.

A student, Christopher Chumo, said they got information about the accident from Twitter and news in the media. 

President William Ruto also mourned the dead students.

"Our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost loved ones in the Naivasha accident involving a Pwani University bus. It's heartbreaking that some of the fatalities were young citizens with a promising future. We pray for the speedy recovery of the survivors," the president said through a Twitter post

Manchester United wins Carabao Cup

 

Manchester United have won the 2022/23 Carabao Cup by beating Newcastle United 2-0 in the final at Wembley on SundayNewcastle started on the front foot but it was United that took the lead in the 35th minute when Luke Shaw floated a beautiful free kick in from the left-hand side and Brazilian Casemiro was on hand to head home.

Marcus Rashford doubled the lead just four minutes later when he was played in by Wout Weghorst and the England international saw his effort deflect off of Sven Botman up and over Loris Karius in the Newcastle goal.

After the break, Newcastle drove forward in an attempt to get themselves back in the game but time and time again the United rearguard was on hand to thwart their attempts.United remained a threat on the counter however and the Magpies had Karius to thank for keeping the score at 2-0 when he saved well from Rashford.

Despite the efforts of Eddie Howe's team to force their way back into the match in the last 20 minutes, United were able to keep them at arm's length and nearly made it 3-0 but Bruno Fernandes was thwarted by Karius in injury time.

It is Manchester United's first trophy since 2017 when they beat Ajax to win the Europa League and is also Erik ten Hag's first trophy since he joined the club as manager in the summer.

Supporters of the Red Devils will now be hoping that this team can use this success as a platform to kick on and bring more glory back to Old Trafford.

Raila: Western countries can stop me from traveling there if they want

 Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has said he is not afraid of being banned from visiting any country overseas as long as they agree with the fact that Kenya’s problems must be fixed by Kenyans.

He said calls by Kenya Kwanza to the West and allied countries to ban him from stepping foot in their countries are acts of cowardice and mere hot air.

Speaking in Kitale town on Sunday, Mr Odinga said he doesn’t care if he will be banned from visiting any overseas country as is being agitated by the President William Ruto administration.  

“Article 34 of the Constitution gives Kenyans the freedom to express themselves and to picket and we shall fight for our rights whether they like it or not,” he said.

He told Western countries not to listen to such calls and that they should first ask themselves if those making such calls are legitimately in power.

IEBC servers

“Why are they afraid of having the IEBC servers opened? They know what is in those servers and the truth is we won the election free and square” he said.

He said his main objective is to have electoral injustices ended and ensure the will of the people is respected.

“We respect our friendly countries. We have had and shall continue having a cordial relationship with our friends, but they should also know that our internal affairs must be dealt with by ourselves,” he added.

He vowed not to back down until his victory is given back to him. This comes after President Ruto’s administration said it wants the West to impose sanctions, including a travel ban, against the opposition leader over his calls for mass action and rejection of his election win.

Destabilising the government

Legislators and politicians allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration have revealed a raft of actions that they want the United States, the United Kingdom and western countries to take against Mr Odinga, whom they accuse of destabilising the government.

Similar travel and economic restrictions have in the past proved to be effective in softening political hardliners who fear losing access to their overseas investments and access to advanced healthcare.

The government wants Mr Odinga banned from travelling to friendly Western nations should he proceed with his plans for mass action intended to force President Ruto out of office.

Mr Odinga has previously staged mass protests that have paralysed economic activity and caused loss of lives, forcing sitting governments into power-sharing negotiations, ceding ground to policy and legal reforms, as well as creating room for negotiated political solutions.

Mr Odinga on Wednesday announced that he will lead mass protests in 14 days if the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition’s demands for changes in the formula for choosing Independent IEBC members and lowering the cost of living are not honoured by the government.

CS Kuria to help China Square owner set up a factory, partner with local traders

 

Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry Moses Kuria has announced that he will help Lei Cheng, the owner of China Square, set up a manufacturing facility in Kenya and develop a distribution alliance with merchants from Gikomba, Nyamakima, Eastleigh, Kamukunji, Muthurwa, and River Road.tt

The announcement comes after the CS had previously declared that he had given Vice Chancellor Paul Wainaina of Kenyatta University the chance to purchase China Square’s lease and give it to neighborhood who had been criticizing China Square’s selling of inexpensive imported items.

“I’ve today given an offer to Prof. Wainaina the VC Kenyatta Uni to buy out the lease for China Square, Unicity Mall & hand it over to the Gikomba, Nyamakima, Muthurwa and Eastleigh Traders Association,” Kuria said.

According to Kuria, Kenya welcomes Chinese investors as manufacturers rather than traders.

On Saturday, the CS also lay blame on former Interior CS Fred Matiangi questioning why he issued work permits to Chinese traders.Cheng, on the other hand told Nation.Africa that he is unconcerned by Kuria’s outburst and only wonders what all the fuss is about.

“My business is legal and is centred on healthy competition. We have cooperated with all government directives for opening a business in Kenya and we are here to break the monopoly. The people who are fighting us feel threatened because Kenyans now know we exist and we are not exploiting them in pricing,” Cheng told Nation.

Cheng said he smelled a business opportunity after visiting Kenya. He argues that his company strategy is approachable and appealing to many Kenyans who, although having low incomes, struggle with the high cost of living.

China Square said it would be temporarily closing shop today (Sunday, Feb 26) to consider cooperation with local traders with an aim to better integrate itself with the community.

The mega supermarket is a recently opened store at the Unicity Mall near Kenyatta University that offers inexpensive Chinese items.

Although it has attracted a lot of clients, some Kenyan traders have complained about how it is undercutting them.

Raila Odinga: My African Union expenses were paid by Nepad

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has denied claims that taxpayer money was used to finance his activities as the African Union’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development.Mr Odinga yesterday said all his expenses during his tenure were borne directly by the African Union, via the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad), and partly by himself.

In a letter, he further rejected claims by National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wa that he had an office in Nairobi, courtesy of his AU role, that was being fully financed by taxpayers to the tune of Sh600 million annually

“Throughout his tenure in the aforesaid capacity, our client was hosted at the Raila Odinga Secretariat—the premises he has used since 2012. There are no known premises in the Republic of Kenya established for the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa,” said Mr Odinga’s legal team.

The AU Commission directed the Sunday Nation to Mr Odinga’s office to share details of his tenure while he was in office. “H.E Odinga was High representative for the past four years, and if you want to know about his tenure now that it has ended, kindly approach his office if they wish to share those details,” National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohamed said that at no point have they passed a budget in Parliament with allocations to the African Union. “Any claim made must be followed by facts and figures. We have had budgets in the last 10 years and I have never seen the allocation Mr Ichungwa is talking about. Maybe he is confusing money going to his Kikuyu constituency for AU,” he said.

Nominated MP and ODM chairman John Mbadi also came to the defence of Mr Odinga, terming Mr Ichung’wa’s remarks reckless and not grounded in facts.

Mr Mbadi, who served in the Budget and Appropriation Committee when Mr Ichungwa was the chairman of the powerful panel, said at no time did they appropriate any money to Mr Odinga’s AU office. “Someone who has been the chairman of Budget and now Majority leader should know this better and should not be careless in his remarks,” the lawmaker said.

The former Minority leader said Mr Ichungwa is confusing the perks that Mr Odinga enjoys courtesy of having served as the former Prime Minister with his role at the AU.“Raila did not have any AU office in Nairobi, he has his private office in Capitol Hill which should be financed by taxpayers courtesy of the law. Either Ichungwa is confused or he does not know what he is saying,” Mr Mbadi told the Sunday Nation.“Budgets line presented and are clearly appropriated and no time did I see any allocation to the special envoy to AU,” he added.

He clarified that the amount paid to AU by Kenya as a subscription is paid by all other countries who are members of the outfit whether you have a special envoy or not.

“Someone who has been the chairman of budget and now majority leader should know this one better and should not be careless in his remarks and bring honour to that office,”

“Raila’s office as the former Prime Minister needs to be financed because that is the law but it has been a problem and even if it’s being financed, I doubt it is to the tune of Sh600 million as Mr Ichungwa puts it,” Mr Mbadi said.

Under the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act No. 11 of 2003 for retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and ex-Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the officers are entitled to fuel, travel expenses, a fully furnished office, entertainment allowances, and wages for his employees.

Famous Tik Toker Baba Mona, Daughter and Two Sisters Perish in a Road Accident

 

Famous Tik Toker Baba Mona, his young daughter and two sisters have died in a road accident.The Tik Tok star was dropping off his sisters to school when the personal car they were in got involved in a car crash.

According to information provided by a close friend identified as Leonard Ochieng, Baba Mona was headed to Awasi but the car had a crash in Londian"Their vehicle got involved in a crash when they were near Londiani. He was headed to Awasi to drop off his two sisters before coming to returning Kisumu. He had charged me with booking for him an Airbnb which he was to stay in while in Kisumu."

In his last video on TikTok, he was advising kenyans to adjust their lifestyle due to the harsh economic times.He asked any kenyan who can afford three meals currently to thank God because most people do not take three meals in Kenya.

He requested his viewers to adjust by getting a cheaper house,take children to affordable schools and reduce luxurious things and urged families to stick together.

May their souls rest in peace

Manchester United Beats Barcelona 2:1

 

Europa League: Manchester United have continued their impressive run at Old Trafford after they beat Spanish giants Barcelona at Old Trafford to knock them out of the competition, while there were wins for Juventus and AS Roma as well .

Manchester United came from behind to beat Barcelona in the Europa League R16 Playoff as they got the better of the Spanish giants by 2-1 on the night and 4-3 on the aggregate. Goals from Fred and Anthony were enough for the Red Devils to cancel out Robert Lewandowski’s opening goal in the second half as they now look forward to the R16. In other games, Italian powerhouse Juventus and Roma also won their respective matches to book a place in the R16.