PRESS REVIEW | Today’s top stories
Today is Monday, January 23, 2023.
You can read the Daily Nation e-paper here https://epaper.nation.africa/
Here is a quick look at what is making headlines.
Divorce cases rise as spying online exposes cheaters
The number of Kenyans seeking divorce has increased every year in the past decade, suggesting a crisis in families.
Statistics from the courts covering 2013 to 2022 indicate that there is a surge in divorce cases arising from the character of the spouses.
By 2022, divorce and separation cases stood at 5,611 up from 1,194 filed in 2013.
Lawyers say from divorce and dissolution of marriages, new battlefronts between the ex-spouses are emerging in regard to marital property, alimony (court-ordered financial support to a former spouse) and child maintenance and custody disputes.
Ruto warns Raila on planned protests
President William Ruto has dared Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga to lead demonstrations over the outcome of last year’s presidential vote, warning he will not yield to blackmail.
Ahead of Odinga’s planned rally in the city today, the President alleged the protests are being financed by cartels opposed to reforms in the coffee, tea and milk sectors but vowed not to allow the country to be held at ransom by opposition protests.
President Ruto claimed Odinga is determined to sabotage his administration’s efforts to revive the economy. Speaking during a thanksgiving service at Kerugoya stadium in Kirinyaga County yesterday, the Head of State said the opposition will not hold the country hostage so as to advance their selfish political interests.
Raila to hold a rally at Kamukunji grounds
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader Raila Odinga yesterday published an account of how his election was “stolen” in favour of President William Ruto as he jets back into the country today to give his supporters a “way forward”.
Odinga will today head to Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi to drop the promised election “bombshell” on his arrival from a week-long official visit to South Africa. The meeting, touted as a “people’s baraza”, will see Odinga delve into the fresh developments regarding the August 2022 elections.
“…he will discuss recent disclosures by a whistleblower on the conduct of the 2022 General Election. Odinga appeals to Kenyans to show up in large numbers at the Kamukunji baraza, in the interest of the country,” Odinga’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango said.
Odinga’s running mate in the last election, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua yesterday challenged those doubting the rigging allegations to push for the opening of the electoral commission’s servers.
Questions emerge over the credibility of the 2022 KCSE
Questions have emerged over the credibility of last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams after some schools recorded a sudden rise in the number of candidates with straight As.
In the results released by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu last Friday, 1,146 candidates scored an A compared to 1,138 candidates in 2021.
The focus is on some schools, particularly in Nyanza region that posted a drastic increment in the number of candidates who scored the top grades. For instance, in Nyambaria High School, 28 candidates scored As in 2022 compared to four in 2021.
The lowest grade for the class was a B minus and the school had a mean score of 10. This means all the 488 candidates will get direct entry to universities. At St Pauls Gekano Boys High School, all 142 candidates attained the university minimum entry grade of C plus and above. The school posted a mean grade of 9.9. Some politicians also took to social media to demand answers on cheating allegations.
Digital lenders protest CBK nod delay amid Google ban
Digital lenders are protesting delays in getting operational licenses from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) amid their blockade from the Google Play store and apathy from funders that provide cash for onward lending.
An estimated 278 digital credit providers (DCPs) still await the CBK’s nod after filing applications with the banking regulator last year, dimming their Kenya operations.
The regulator last September offered 10 lenders permits under a fresh licensing regime that seeks to rein in those who practise predatory lending and violate consumer privacy.
While the 278 firms have been allowed to continue with their business as they wait for the CBK to complete the licensing process, they face credibility risks that are derailing operations.
De La Rue sheds 300 Nairobi jobs
Banknote printer De La Rue is releasing close to 300 employees following the freeze of Kenya operations on low business as the multinational firm prepares a fresh fight to overturn the Sh1.1 billion judgment in favour of the taxman.
The global firm prints notes for Kenya through the local joint venture that is 40 percent owned by the Kenyan government and will release the last lot of workers by March.
The firm said it does not expect any banknote printing order from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) for at least the next 12 months due to low market demand.
Nketiah’s double sees Arsenal edge Man Utd
Arsenal beat Man Utd 3-2 at the Emirates on Sunday; Eddie Nketiah scored twice, including a 90th-minute winner; Marcus Rashford gave United an early lead; Bukayo Saka and Lisandro Martinez also netted for each side.
Arsenal has now restored a five-point lead over Man City with a game in hand.