News

The government has given the clearest indication that it will cooperate with will cooperate with the International Criminal Court ICC in dealing with suspects of the post election violence. A cabinet sub-committee chaired by internal security minister George Saitoti signed an agreement with the ICC on Friday, setting out clearly areas of cooperation between the government and the Hague. The agreement formally paves the way for the launch of local operations by the ICC. Jane Kiyo reports.

The NHIF are the other initials that remain on the headlines following the health care body's recent move to increase member contribution rates. A remark by Medical services minister Anyang Nyongo about having lunch at a five star hotel is however the latest centre of an exchange between the minister and COTU secretary general Francis Atwoli. Atwoli has termed the comments made by Medical Service Minister careless and ignorant adding that the 2,500 shilling lunch that he compared to the NHIF contribution he was expected to pay was the equivalent of a month's salary for many people living in the slums. Gladys Mutiso reports.

This month (September), the County of Nairobi will be making the headlines on the electoral front as it witnesses the third by-election since the inauguration of the 10th parliament. Two out of Nairobi’s 8 constituencies will be holding by-elections occasioned by the nullification of the 2007 results. Makadara and Starehe constituencies go to the polls in just over two weeks and tonight, NTV’s Yassin Juma turns the spotlight on Makadara one of the constituencies that truly define the rivalry between the ruling coalition partners ODM and PNU.

The other constituency going to the polls on the same day as Makadara is Juja constituency, which lies in the neighboring county of Kiambu, just outside Nairobi. NTV’s Rashid Ronald profiles the vote-rich constituency.

Lack of adequate statistical records on lifestyles of Kenyans is hampering efforts of insurance companies to widen penetration of their services in the country. Metropolitan International Chief Executive Mervyn Cookson says accurate statistics on lifestyle trends have a direct correlation on development of insurance products in the market. NTV’s Alex Mwangi with a critical look on the insurance sub-sector.

Police are investigating circumstances that almost led to the escape of a drug trafficking suspect from a high security prison. John Mugisha, a Ugandan national arrested on drug trafficking charges, attempted to escape by boarding a private car ostensibly to seek treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital. And as Mark Masai reports, police investigations are pointing at a possible complicity by prison warders.

Internally displaced persons at Yamumbi transitional camp in Eldoret are now threatening to sue the government if it does not relocate them from the camp in the next four months. The IDP's want to use the new constitutional order which gives them a right to demand for good services from the government.

The inability of regional economies to share power distribution costs is a major stumbling block to reduction of the local cost of electricity. Kenya Power and Lighting Company's Chief Planning Manager David Mwangi says among the major setbacks in inter-connectivity of national grids is low power generation. Mwangi says there is a growing need for speedy implementation of strategies on energy that envisage an interconnected East Africa in 4 year's time.

As a government decision on whether the international criminal court will be allowed to set up base locally is awaited, the icc is engaging in civic education of sorts. The court is on a drive to ensure that Kenyans understand how it works

Two people were shot dead and several others critically injured when riots erupted over a rent dispute. The riots broke out shortly after tenants from four residential estates repulsed personnel from the Nakuru Municipal Council who had moved to evict the tenants for failing to pay rent. The tenants then engaged riot policemen in street battles; but it still remains unclear how two of the rioting tenants ended up falling to live ammunition from the police.

Southern Sudan is warning that the planned January 2011 Referendum may be a flop if Kenya fails to take charge and navigate Sudan out of the current stalemate. The Chief coordinator of the referendum Amb. Andruga Duku told journalists in Nairobi that the regional bloc IGAD and the international community lacked political will and commitment to enable the referendum to take place.