Didn’t have time to catch up with all of the week’s news stories? Relax, follow Herbusiness summary and commentary of the most interesting things that made the news headlines in Kenya.
Government surveillance
Concern about your and my privacy could be a big story soon. The Government is ready to move onto its next step in service delivery. The President backed go ahead of “Huduma Number.” This will be an ID number you’ll be issued with. It will be based on compilation of all data about you by the state. Everything about you will be registered digitally, probably by compulsion. This will make it easy for the likes of law enforcement, banks and KRA to keep tabs on you. Do you support this database on the entire population?
Hijab controversy
Hijab has not been banned in Kenya. The Supreme Court only gave schools the power to determine dress code. This drew the ire of Muslims, it goes without saying.
Through representative bodies, they argue that it opens room for discrimination against Muslims. And this goes against Kenya’s right of consicience and religious belief. Methodist Church, which sponsors a school in Isiolo County, was defending its position to suspend students over wearing the Hijab. The Supreme Court ruled 4 to 1 in favor of the Church’s stand.
Mathari Hospital to be independent
Health Cabinet Secretary, Sicily Kariuki revealed that plans are underway to grant Mathari Hospital autonomy. She was speaking during a visit to the institution. “We are working on a formula to delink it from the Ministry so that it can independently focus on policy standardization and offer the best services.” It’s the only public hospital offering specialized psychiatric services and training. Yet, it also suffers a sh.1 billion gap to meeting its objectives. The move plus increasing budgetary allocation will better Mathari Hospital.
Nude
Two white men appeared before Shanzu Court for forcefully undressing a woman and recording her. These were Zerbin Waldermar from Germany and Wectabe Shestavetskyi from Ukraine.
In the police report, the woman Tana River blacklistedstated that she met the German through an online dating platform. They had fun on their day of meeting and, “in the evening we proceeded to the apartment, they bought alcoholic drinks and food.” After, her intent was to leave. But the duo wanted more leading to the descent into the situation it now is.
Tana River blacklisted
Tana River county won’t be getting anymore Uwezo Funds because her people default on loans. This is a move by the Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs. The fund is an interest-free loan for the public. The county has been allocated sh.61 million, borrowed sh.58 million yet only repaid sh.1 million. They were told off by, Gender Principal Secretary, Safina Kwekwe at a public forum. She said, “It is shameful for you to take these funds and fail to pay…you are supposed to repay so that another person can borrow.”
Smart Driving License Portal
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) announced that it’s finally active. The portal will be used to book appointments to register for the, chipped, smart Driving license. Information required in the self-service portal start with ID and phone numbers plus KRA PIN. Check the Portal.
Uhuru, Raila in Congo
Irony. Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga were among those invited for the swearing-in of the new DR Congo President. This is considered a new start for the country. Meanwhile, you and I are at the mercy of the handshake between children of the immediate post-colonial leaders.
The buds also found time to atttend an anti-corruption conference seen in the headline photo.