Kenya Newspapers Review, December 12: 4-Year-Old Girl, Brother Killed As Fire Consumes Their House

On Tuesday, December 12, the national dailies widely reported on the 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations amid the tough economic conditions.

The dailies also covered the fallout following the third nationwide blackout in the last three as the government mulls over the way forward.

1. The Star

The paper reported two children were burnt beyond recognition when a plot of 12 houses caught fire at Nyathuna village in Kabete constituency.

It was reported that a four-year-old girl and her brother, aged two, crawled to hide under their bed when the fire broke out, but their efforts to get out were too late.

Neighbours said their mother left them inside the house as she went to work at dawn.

The residents were attracted by screams and huge smoke swirling from the plot and rushed to try to help the tenants.

Area chief David Kimani thanked the residents for turning up in large numbers to help the tenants put out the inferno.

The administrator urged parents who live in rental houses and go out to work in far places to leave their children under the care of a neighbour, or a close relative or take them to a children's daycare centre.

2. The Standard

The publication reported a police officer on a mission to rescue young girls from FGM was killed by suspected bandits at Embobut, Marakwet East, in Elgeyo Marakwet county.

Elgeyo Marakwet county Commander Peter Mulinde termed the killing as 'disheartening and a threat' to ongoing efforts by the police to stop the outlawed cultural practice.

Mulinde said the slain officer was among officers participating in an operation to rescue young girls facing FGM in the region.

The officer, who was in charge of Maron Police Post in Embobut, lost his life in the hands of suspected bandits and a circumciser who stormed the police station where six rescued girls had been kept.

A senior police officer said many officers are nursing injuries sustained when bandits stormed the police station.

3. People Daily

According to the paper, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the country's economic recovery is on an upward trajectory.

During two different church services at Full Gospel Churches of Kenya - Manyatta, Ruguru Ngandori Ward and the Akorino Prayer conference and funds drive in Siakago, Embu county, he said prices of basic commodities have started to stabilise urging Kenyans to be patient with the government as they work their way through stabilising the economy.

"Do not worry, we found a bartered economy which needed time to resuscitate. Things are good and the economy is stabilising. We found a Sh9 trillion public debt, which the government is servicing," he said.

The Deputy President said among the things they found not moving was the disbursement of cash to the elderly and the vulnerable in the community, which the Kenya Kwanza government had streamlined, and the elderly were receiving the money every month without fail.

Gachagua expressed optimism about the progress on the coffee and tea reforms urging farmers to stay put even as the government plans to release the cherry fund to enable farmers to plan themselves and boost their source of livelihood.

He also emphasised the commitment of the administration in tackling challenges in the sector which have seen him visit different countries in search of foreign markets for coffee and tea.

4. Daily Nation

A non-governmental organisation (NGO) moved to court to block the increase in fuel prices, arguing that it would subject Kenyans to more suffering.

Kituo Cha Sheria further wants the High Court to compel the government to stabilise and reduce high fuel prices as it has a duty to cushion Kenyans from extreme hardship.

The NGO said the government historically employed fuel subsidies to stabilise fuel prices and protect consumers from the effects of fluctuating global oil costs, which is lacking, resulting in a substantial spike in diesel and gasoline prices, among other factors.

The NGO sued Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and the Attorney General.

According to the paper, the NGO said the fuel prices have reached a historic high, causing concern and economic strain for the people and businesses.

5. Taifa Leo

The Swahili paper reported a woman was charged with using the social media platform Facebook to tarnish the reputation of her partner after accidentally meeting him with his wife.

Businesswoman Teresia Nyambura, 36, is facing charges under Article 27 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act.

She is accused of intentionally sending pictures and messages to her colleagues, friends, and relatives of the complainants, knowing that it would adversely affect them.

She is also accused of using online platforms to harass when she wrote: "Nilishtuka kuona kumbe huringa na gari ya mumamaz na kila saa kumsifu."

She denied the charges in Makadara Court and was granted bail of KSh 20,000. The case will be mentioned next February before the hearing in July.