Hello and welcome to the Evening Brief Newsletter where we are strongly becoming the preferred online news outlet and MCK concurs.
Situational Awareness: Situational Awareness: Join our expansive community of 18,500 subscribers and get a breakdown of the day's important stories delivered into your inbox. Join them by subscribing here.
Main Street Roadblock
A total of 64 Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Saccos have been removed from the roads after the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) revoked their licenses.
In a press statement, the authority announced that it was suspending the saccos for failing to comply with the traffic and operation guidelines.. The suspension was also part of the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2028, unveiled by President William Ruto in mid-April.
Some of the well-known Saccos that fell victim include Mbukinya Success, Welkan 48 Travellers Sacco, and Moline Safaris
NTSA's Caution: "Members of the Public are hereby advised not to board any vehicles belonging to these Saccos/Companies to avoid any inconveniences.
"The National Police Service (NPS) has been advised to impound any vehicles belonging to the sixty-four Saccos/Companies found operating contrary to the suspension."
The Background: As part of the road safety plan, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen directed the suspension of licenses for Public Services vehicles (PSVs) that did not comply with various rules and guidelines that govern their operation.
"Transport operators not meeting the minimum requirement of PSV Regulations 2014, i.e. the minimum threshold of serviceable vehicles, non-compliance with road service licences, inspection certificate and PSV licences are hereby suspended."
10 of the Banned Saccos: Eldora Travellers Ltd, Super Premium Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Ltd, Famwena Ankuma, Mwirona Sacco Ltd, Tujijenge Pamoja Company Ltd, Methana Shuttle Ltd, Tiwamba Dricon Sacco Ltd, Nego International Ltd, Manama Travellers Ltd, and Migori Town Matatu Sacco Ltd.
To see a list of all the affected Saccos, read a breakdown by the co-editor of this Newsletter Washington Mito by following this link.
The Head That is Bearing the Crown Now
Two weeks after the late Francis Ogolla was killed in a chopper crash, President William Ruto has unveiled his replacement, Charles Muriu Kahariri
Kahariri, whose background dwelled heavily in the Kenya Navy wing, took over the role and will be deputised by Major General John Mugaravai Omenda
"His Excellency Hon Dr William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H, President of the Republic of Kenya, and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, pursuant to section 9 (2) (a) of the Kenya Defence Forces Act, has today promoted Lieutenant General Charles Muriu Kahariri to the rank of General and appointed him the Chief of the Defence Forces," read the announcement from KDF.
Path to Success: Kahariri joined KDF in 1987 and was confirmed as a second lieutenant in 1988.
- He underwent training in the UK and has since held several leadership positions within the Navy including as the commanding officer of Kenya Navy Ships Mamba, Madaraka, and Umoja.
- He has also served as the commanding officer at Kenya Navy Manda Base as well as a Squadron Commander, Commander of the Kenya Navy Fleet, and Deputy Commander of the Kenya Navy.
- Later, he ventured out of the Navy wing after scoring a position as the senior directing staff at the National Defence College from where he ascended to serve as the deputy commandant of the military. He has also served as the commandant of the military.
- He has since amassed 37 years of experience in the force culminating to his appointment as the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces of KDF on March 9 this year.
Key Assignments: He has served as the maritime component commander for âOperation Linda Nchiâ and as the task force commander for âOperation Sledge Hammerâ during the capture of Kismaiyu
- He has represented Kenya as the national focal person for the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and the Djibouti Code of Conduct. He also served on the National Task Forces for the Delimitation of Kenyaâs Exclusive Economic Zones and Delimitation of Kenyaâs Extended Continental Shelf."
Academic Qualifications: He has pursued over half a dozen courses including a Diploma in Strategic and Security Studies from the United States Naval War College, an International Midshipman Course (UK), a Long Navigation Course (India), and a Management and Strategic Planning Course.
- Others are the Naval Command Course (USA), Joint Campaign Planning, Flag Level Combined Maritime Component Command Course (Italy), Senior Strategic Leadership Course (UK) and Executive Development Course (University of N/Carolina, USA).
He was awarded the Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS).
Family: Kahariri is a married father of three.
Catch Up Quick on Appointments: John Mugaravai Omenda was promoted to Lieutenant General and named Vice CDF.
- Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed has been promoted to Kenya Air Force Commander becoming the first woman to ascend to that position.
- Maj-Gen Thomas Ngâangâa moves from Kenya Navy commander to Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration and Finance, at the National Defence University-Kenya.
- Maj-Gen Paul Owuor Otieno is the new Kenya Navy Commander.
- Brigadier Peter Nyamu Githinji promoted to Major General rank and is the Senior Directing Staff, Air at the National Defence College.
- Brigadier Jattani Kampare Gula was named Managing Director of Kenya Meat Commission.
- Brigadier George Okumu was appointed Managing Director of Kenya Ordinance Factories Corporation and Food Processing Factory.
- Brigadier Samuel Kipkosgei Korir is now the Deputy Commander of Kenya Air Force.
(Data Point) Media Rankings
The latest State of the Media Report 2023/2024 by the Media Council of Kenya has shown that Kenyans.co.ke is steadily growing as an online News website. We moved up one slot.
In the TV category, Citizen TV controls the biggest market share of 35 per cent followed by NTV (11 per cent), and KTN Home (11 per cent). KTN News followed tying with KBC and K24 TV at 7 per cent.
75 per cent of all the viewers watch local TV between 7 pm and 10 pm followed by 4 pm to 7 pm (9 per cent) and 1 pm to 4 pm (6 per cent).
In Radio, Radio Citizen remains the most popular station with a 22 per cent market share followed by Radio Jambo (14 per cent), Radio Maisha (11 per cent), Milele FM (6 per cent) and Radio47 (5 per cent).
Daily Nation leads in the Newspaper category with a 35 per cent market share followed by The Standard (21 per cent), Taifa Leo (14 per cent) and the Star (8 per cent).
Journalists working in the industry, however, cited government threats, poor pay, digital media onslaught, changing consumer behaviour and division among media stakeholders among the biggest challenges affecting their work.
Here are five other stories we are proudly serving to you;
- The Ministry of Health has suspended the salaries of about 250 employees on grounds of failing to declare their wealth.
- Members of the Council of Economic Advisors headed by David Ndii among specialists set to receive Ksh1.3 billion in the proposed Finance Bill for next year.
- CS Mithika Linturi on chopping board as Parliament approves impeachment motion against him.
- CS Mithika Linturi was ranked the worst-performing cabinet secretary by TIFA and scored âEâ grade.
- US Embassy issues a travel advisory cautioning its citizens against travelling to specific parts of Kenya
If you enjoyed this newsletter, share it with a friend.
This newsletter was written by Derrick Kubasu and edited by Brian Muuo.
Washington Mito contributed to the content.
Graphics prepared by Adongo Kyalo.
