Home Blog Page 123

Portugal held to shock 1-1 draw by DR Congo

0

Portugal were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Joao Neves gave Portugal a dream start in the 6th minute when he rose highest to head home Pedro Neto’s cross from the left. The early goal looked to have set the tone for a comfortable evening, but DR Congo grew into the game and found a deserved equaliser deep into first-half stoppage time. Arthur Masuaku delivered a dangerous cross from the right, and Yoane Wissa rose unmarked to glance a header past Diogo Costa.

Cristiano Ronaldo endured a difficult night and was largely kept quiet by DR Congo’s organised defence. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner saw very little of the ball inside the box and failed to test the goalkeeper with the limited opportunities that came his way.

Portugal tried to regain control in the second half and introduced fresh attacking options, including Francisco Conceicao, Rafael Leão, and Gonçalo Ramos. However, they struggled to break down a resilient DR Congo side. A spectacular overhead kick from Joao Cancelo was disallowed for offside, while late efforts from Ronaldo and others failed to find the target.

The result leaves Portugal with work to do in their remaining group matches, while DR Congo will take immense confidence from holding one of the tournament favourites.

28 Prisoners Released from Moyale GK Prison to Decout Jails

0

Twenty-eight prisoners have been released from Moyale GK Prison following a special judicial exercise aimed at reducing prison congestion.

Speaking at the Marsabit Law Courts, Senior Principal Magistrate Christine Mulongo stated that 33 inmates were evaluated during the exercise.

28 gained their freedom. 4 were permitted to serve the remainder of their sentences under the supervision of the Probation Department was one unsuccessful in their petition and will remain in prison.

“This exercise is part of the judiciary’s annual initiative to decongest prisons and ensure inmates receive timely justice.” — Senior Principal Magistrate Christine Mulongo

Mulongo added that inmates who demonstrate positive behavioral transformation while serving their time can be considered for reduced sentences or early release in accordance with the law.

Former Taita Taveta county official arraigned over 12 million shilling fraud

0

The former director of political affairs for Taita Taveta County, Geoffrey Kimonge Mbogo, has been arraigned in court over allegations of fraudulently obtaining public funds and failing to account for more than 12 million shillings during his tenure.

According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), investigations revealed that Mbogo claimed funds for activities that never took place, thereby causing a financial loss to the county government.

The court released him on a cash bail of 1 million shillings or a bond of 2 million shillings. He was also ordered to surrender his passport to the court and is prohibited from leaving the country without the court’s permission.

The case is scheduled for mention on July 1st this year for further directions before the main hearing begins.

Mandera County Hands Over Site for New 10,000-Capacity Stadium

0

The construction of a modern 10,000-capacity sports stadium in Mandera is set to begin following the official handover of the project site by the county government to the Ministry of Defence.

The project, which was promised by President William Ruto, aims to boost the sports sector and nurture youth talent within the county.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Mandera County Secretary Billow Issack highlighted that the project would open up more opportunities for the youth, promote sports talent, and contribute significantly to the economic development of the region.

County officials expressed confidence that the stadium will position Mandera as a premier sports hub in the North Eastern region. The county government has pledged its full cooperation to ensure the project is completed on time.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale Inspects Balambala Hospital Project.

0

The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, has visited Balambala Sub-County in Garissa to inspect the construction progress of the Balambala Sub-County Hospital, which is expected to boost healthcare services in the region.

The 150-bed capacity hospital is currently 70% complete and is expected to alleviate the burden on residents who previously had to travel long distances to seek medical treatment.

Speaking during the tour, CS Duale announced that the facility will be upgraded to a Level 5 Hospital upon completion.

The hospital will offer a wide range of services, including outpatient and inpatient care, surgeries, maternal and neonatal services, as well as diagnostic services.

The CS emphasized that the project is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring accessible, quality healthcare for all citizens, contributing to the realization of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.

Garissa Education Officer urges parents to prioritize children’s basic needs and hygiene

0
Garissa Township Sub-County Principal Education Officer Nasteha Ali

Garissa Township Sub-County Principal Education Officer Nasteha Ali has called on parents in the area to take responsibility for meeting their children’s basic needs, including proper upbringing and teaching them the importance of hygiene from an early age.

Speaking during celebrations to mark the Day of the African Child at Iftin Primary School in Garissa Township, Ali emphasized the need for children to have access to clean and safe water both at home and in school to help reduce the spread of diseases caused by unsafe water.

She also appealed to the national government, the Garissa County Government, and development partners to support efforts aimed at ensuring a reliable water supply in all schools across Garissa County. According to Ali, access to water is essential in creating a conducive learning environment for students.

Meanwhile, her remarks were echoed by County Children’s Officer Benjamin Kinyua, who noted that some learners have been forced to discontinue their education due to water shortages in certain parts of Garissa.

The officials stressed that improving access to clean water and promoting proper hygiene practices are key steps toward safeguarding children’s health and enhancing educational outcomes in the region.

Stakeholders convene in Kalobeyei for peace dialogue ahead of world refugee day

0
Damaris Lokoel representative from UNHCR

KALOBEYEI. In a proactive move to foster unity ahead of World Refugee Day, key stakeholders converged in Kalobeyei Village 1, Turkana West Constituency, for a high-level peace dialogue aimed at cementing social cohesion and harmony between refugee and host communities.

The strategic gathering brought together representatives from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Turkana County Government, the Kenya Police Service, local Kalobeyei leaders, and residents from both communities.

Held under the banner of this year’s upcoming World Refugee Day theme, “Until Everyone Is Safe,” the forum provided an open platform for participants to candidly air their perspectives, address emerging local security concerns, and map out practical paths toward deeper mutual understanding.

UNHCR representative Damaris Lokoel opened the floor by stressing that inclusive engagement is the bedrock of any lasting peace initiative.

“Peaceful coexistence is the foundation for protection and dignity,” Lokoel noted. “When refugee and host communities come together to listen and understand one another, they create stronger and safer communities for everyone.”

On security, the area OCS from Kakuma police station Kevin Odera representing the Kenya Police Service, urged residents to look at safety as a collaborative effort rather than a purely administrative duty.

“Security is a shared responsibility,” OCS Odera reiterated. “By fostering trust and open communication among communities, we can build a safer environment for all.”

Community elders and leaders from both sides echoed the sentiment, welcoming the structured talks. They highlighted that regular, face-to-face dialogues are essential for nipping everyday misunderstandings in the bud before they can escalate into larger conflicts.

The dialogue comes at a crucial time as the global community prepares to mark World Refugee Day on June 20. Organizers concluded the event by stating that the day’s raw and productive discussions proved that sustainable peace is never passive it begins with active dialogue and collective responsibility to ensure no one is left behind.

Muslims across the world mark the beginning of Islamic new year 1448 AH

0

Muslims around the world have officially begun the Islamic New Year 1448 AH following the sighting of the Muharram crescent moon.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and other countries confirmed that Tuesday, June 16, marked the first day of Muharram and the beginning of the new Hijri year.

The Islamic calendar consists of twelve months and is based on lunar cycles, making it approximately eleven days shorter than the Gregorian calendar.

The Hijri calendar began with the migration of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, a significant event that led to the establishment of the first Muslim community.

Muharram is one of the four sacred months in Islam, during which believers are encouraged to increase worship, engage in spiritual reflection and support those in need.

Unlike the Gregorian New Year celebrations, many Muslims observe the Islamic New Year through prayers, religious sermons and personal reflection.

The month of Muharram also leads to the observance of Ashura on the tenth day of the month, which this year is expected to fall on June 25.

Mombasa Governor orders audit of school feeding programme amid fee complaints

0

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has ordered a comprehensive audit of the county’s school feeding programme for day secondary school students following concerns over its effectiveness in reducing the financial burden on parents.

The decision comes after several parents complained that they are still being required to pay high school fees despite the county government’s intervention, with hundreds of students reportedly continuing to be sent home due to unpaid fees.

Governor Nassir has directed county officials to begin an extensive assessment of the programme by engaging parents, students, teachers and school administrators to establish whether it is being implemented as intended and whether it is achieving its objective of making secondary education more affordable.

Under the programme, students in day secondary schools receive meals funded by the Mombasa County Government, with the initiative expected to lower annual school fees from KSh 22,000 to KSh 12,000.

The audit, expected to begin this week, will also examine the challenges affecting the programme and identify possible areas for improvement.

Governor Nassir has called on parents and all education stakeholders to cooperate with county officials and provide honest feedback to ensure the programme meets the needs of learners and delivers the intended benefits to families across the county.

President Ruto Attends G7 Summit In France

0

President William Ruto has arrived in Evian, France, to participate in the G7 Summit, where he is expected to represent Africa and present the continent’s development priorities before leaders of the world’s largest economies.

The President is accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi.

Ruto is attending the summit at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron and is expected to use the platform to advocate for stronger partnerships between Africa and major global economies in areas such as trade, investment and sustainable development.

During the summit, the President will present Africa’s common position agreed upon at the Africa Forward Summit held in Nairobi last month. The agenda focuses on economic transformation, reforms to the global financial system, climate action and accelerating digital development across the continent. Kenya’s participation in the summit is seen as an important opportunity to advance Africa’s interests and strengthen international cooperation in addressing global economic and development challenges.