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Articles by Tom Matoke
School principals face probe over withheld 2023 KCSE results
Principals of schools that had their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results withheld due suspected irregularities have been summoned for questioning by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec). The teachers are to appear before a committee set up by Knec and TSC to shed light on suspected malpractices that led to the withholding of results for the over 4,000 candidates.
Detectives probe puzzle of missing granny, family feud over lease of land to gold mining firm
Detectives in Nandi County are investigating an incident where a 72-year-old woman has gone missing after leasing land to a local gold mining company. Ms Pauline Jeptoo Korir, according to her family, went missing on September 22, 2023 after she was allegedly picked up by two of her eight children. Police have confirmed that some of her family members have recorded statements over the missing woman.
Kapsabet Girls ‘old girls’ walk to raise Sh70m for dormitories
Kapsabet Girls High School Alumni last Saturday held a walk to raise Sh70 million for the construction of modern hostels at the school in Nandi County. The government requirement for the 100 per cent transition in secondary schools has put pressure on public. Kapsabet Girls High School, a top-performing school in the North Rift with a population of 1,700 students, is also grappling with pressing accommodation challenges.
Why billionaire David Langat donated Sh130m Nandi school to church
Kenyan billionaire David Langat has donated his Sh130 million private school in Nandi County to the Anglican Church in Kenya (ACK). The businessman established the state-of-the-art primary school -- Dr David Lang'at Primary School -- at Lolkireny village, Nandi Hills during President Mwai Kibaki’s regime in 2007.
Amateur athlete detained after confessing to killing wife
Detectives in Nandi have arrested an amateur athlete who confessed to killing his estranged wife on Sunday. The suspect, Benjamin Serem, went to the Sang'alo deputy chief's office to report that he had killed his wife, Caroline Jerotich, following a domestic dispute. Serem, a game ranger with Kenya Wildlife Services in Kapsabet, was said to have been angered by his wife's threats to divorce him over allegations of brutality.
Tea firms in panic after Nandi Hills MP Bernard Kitur leads invasion of plantation
Multinational tea companies in Nandi County have been sent into panic following last week’s invasion of a plantation in Nandi Hills. First-term Nandi Hills MP Bernard Kitur and hundreds of squatters invaded Eastern Produce Kenya Limited’s (EPKL) plantation and harvested tea leaves. Between Thursday and Saturday, the squatters, led by the MP, invaded the 500-acre plantation, claiming it was their ancestral land.
Jean Marie Seroney widow seeks Senate’s help to reclaim 1,500-acre land
Nearly 40 years after the death of former National Assembly Deputy Speaker and Tinderet MP Jean Marie Seroney, his widow and 5,000 squatters are still battling over 1,500 acres of land he owned in Nandi County. The late Seroney died in 1982 and left behind an unsettled bank loan to which the land he owned in Meteitei location, Tinderet Constituency, was attached. Investigations by the Nation have established that squatters are battling with Seroney’s widow who is seeking to reclaim the land.
Six sets of twins spice up life at Nandi school
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Tea firms raise prices in fight for dear leaf
Commodities Tea firms raise prices in fight for dear leaf Wednesday August 02 2023 A woman carries a sack with tea leaves on her back after plucking at a farm in Kapsabet, Nandi County on April 04, 2023. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NMG Multinational companies and local tea firms are competing for tea leaves from small-scale farmers following the establishment of new tea factories in Nandi County. This is after major firms in the area increased tea buying prices to attract suppliers.
Why Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet leaders still commute daily from Uasin Gishu, a decade after devolution
A decade after devolution, county leaders in Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet counties still commute daily to work from neighbouring Uasin Gishu County, where they live. Governors Stephen Sang and Wisley Rotich, their deputies, county assembly chairpersons and some members of their executive committees and county assemblies do not live in their counties.
Why Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet county leaders still commute daily from Uasin Gishu, a decade after devolution
By Tom Matoke & Fred Kibor What you need to know: The lack of official county residences in their respective counties has forced top officials to seek alternative accommodation in the neighbouring county In Elgeyo Marakwet, initial plans to build the governor's official residence in 2015 were thwarted after residents went to court to block it In Nandi, Nation.Africa established that most former and current top leaders of Nandi County have been operating from Eldoret since 2013 due to the...
‘We remain loyal to our son’ - Kalenjin elders on why the community has ignored demos
Kalenjin elders say the community cannot afford to take part in the nationwide demos against its son - President William Ruto as it solidly backs his presidency. The community says it will not heed calls by Opposition leaders to hold street demonstrations against President William Ruto’s government because it wants the Head of State to be given time to rule the country.
Auctioneers shake billionaire David Langat’s empire over Sh2.1 billion debt
Billionaire businessman David Langat’s empire was this week thrown into unfamiliar territory after auctioneers put up his tea estate in Nandi and office blocks in Mombasa for a forced sale to raise more than Sh2.1 billion owed to a local bank. Popularly known as DL, the tycoon made his fortune running his empire from Mombasa and has vast interests in real estate, agribusiness, hospitality, and the energy sectors among others.
Ruto aide Felix Koskei urges parents to stop inciting learners against teachers
Leaders from Nandi County have warned residents against meddling in the operations of schools in the county, particularly concerning the management of the institutions. Head of Civil Service Felix Koskei, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang and Senator Samson Cherargei, and the chair of the National Assembly Education Committee Julius Melly have urged parents and school communities to stop inciting learners against their teachers.
North Rift residents welcome budget, but frown at housing tax
North Rift residents have welcomed the 2023/2024 budget estimates, but some have frowned at the housing tax. In Turkana County, Mr Simon Ekiru, a boda operator in Lodwar town, said the government should have scrapped the housing programme altogether, which is now being funded through taxes. "Most of us in Turkana are not interested in multi-storey buildings that will only benefit the developers and not the traders.
Three arrested over death of Nandi gynaecologist
Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the death of the late Nandi County-based gynaecologist Dr Caleb Tanui in April. Police in Nandi County arrested the trio, including his wife, after Nandi elders performed traditional rituals to curse the killers shortly after the doctor's death. The doctor, 36, went missing from his workplace on 31 March 2023 and his body was found days later in a thicket in his village in Nandi District.
Nandi teachers in trouble for eating ‘board of management’s’ meal
Three high school teachers in Nandi county have been interdicted for being disorderly after storming the institution’s kitchen and eating food meant for the Board of management. The trio is also accused of storming the institutions principal’s offices opened the fridge and ate “Banana’s and packets of milk, Bottles of Soda” reserved for visitors. The teachers were handed with their interdiction letters by the deputy county director TSC, W.O. Mosigisi following complaints.
Give us money or close schools, heads say as commodity prices rise
Schools across the country are struggling to keep learners in school as commodity prices continue to rise and previously set budgets are broken. At the same time, the Ministry of Education is yet to disburse the capitation funds to schools, a month after they opened. School managers are now caught between running up more debts with suppliers or asking parents to pay more as the institutions run out of food and other supplies.
MPs on horns of a dilemma amid President Ruto warnings on Finance Bill
President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua are spewing threats against opponents of the Finance Bill 2023, which seeks to introduce a raft of punitive tax measures, including a mandatory three per cent housing levy on salaried Kenyans. This comes as MPs from President Ruto's Rift Valley backyard are on the horns of a dilemma ahead of the resumption of Parliament this week to debate the controversial legislation.
Three teachers suspended after chaotic drunk and disorderly show at school
Three high school teachers in Nandi County have been interdicted for being drunk and disorderly after they stormed their school kitchen and ate food meant for board members.
Food prices: Nandi boarding schools hit by food shortage
Public boarding schools in Nandi County are faced with a serious food shortage and are struggling to keep students in school. The food shortage has been occasioned by high food prices in the country. Parents are struggling to pay school fees for their children, leaving the burden of feeding them on already financially strained schools.
Governor suspends CEC, top health officials over death of pregnant teacher
Governor Stephen Sang has suspended his health CEC and three other top county health officials in Nandi over the death of a pregnant teacher who allegedly died due to neglect by health workers at the County Referral Hospital in Kapsabet.
Wonder porridge keeping learners in school
A special herbal porridge being provided to schoolgoing children has boosted deworming efforts and increased enrolment in learning institutions, according to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri). The Uji plus porridge, a brainchild of Terik community, was approved last month by Kemri after clinical trials were conducted in Nandi, Kirinyaga and Homa Bay counties. The community had requested partnership with Kemri to support in scientific formulation and clinical trials of the porridge.
Lifeline for Nandi mums who quit school in teenage
Some of the women in Nandi County who dropped out of school have been offered scholarships to pursue technical training for one year. Woman Representative Cynthia Muge has offered scholarships to 60 mothers to revive their education dreams by joining technical institutions. She targeted those aged 30–45 who had dropped out of primary and secondary schools because of early marriage and teenage pregnancy.
Shock as athlete killed in hit and run accident in Kapsabet
By Bernard Rotich & Tom Matoke What you need to know: Sammy Kosgei, who hails from Kamonjil village in Kapsabet, was hit by a shuttle on Friday evening. Retired athlete Hosea Saina, who is the family spokesman, said that they have lpost a young athlete who had who had a bright future. The athletics fraternity is mourning the death of an elite athlete who died in an accident along the Lessos-Kapsabet road in Nandi County.
Delays put Sh180m Nandi roads cash in jeopardy Original
Some Sh180 million meant for the construction of major roads in Nandi County could be returned to the National Treasury after the projects failed to take off due to tender wars and political interference. The fight for tenders to construct the roads has derailed projects in three sub-counties: Nandi Hills, Chesumei and Aldai.
15 Kenyan students face deportation in Finland over fee arrears
At least 15 students from Nandi County who are studying in Finland are stranded after Edusampo University threatened to terminate their studies over non-payment of fees. The complaints have emerged in the wake of a similar controversial study programme that exposed 202 learners from neighbouring Uasin Gishu county to deportation from Finland over fee arrears. One of the students took his own out of frustration, and his body is yet to be brought back home for burial.
Shakahola cult: Nandi family agonising over four missing members
A Nandi family is in agony over their four missing relatives believed to have gone to Shakahola in Kilifi county for prayers three years ago. Three school-going brothers and their uncle left home after telling their family they were going to ‘Jerusalem to meet Jesus’ — at the infamous Shakahola forest, where dozens of faithful have died in a death cult.
Families of 3 killed in Karebe gold mines now demand justice Original
The families of the three miners killed in a blast at the Kerebe gold mine in Nandi County are demanding for justice after the Office of Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) terminated a case against 10 suspects linked to the incident and ordered a fresh probe into the matter. “Justice delayed is justice denied and all those implicated in the crime must be made to face the law,” demanded widows who complained of harassment by influential personalities in their quest to seek legal redress.
Tea firms surrender 1,000 acres for industrial park
Multinational companies in Nandi have signed a deal with the county government to surrender 1,000 acres of land for the construction of an industrial park. In return, the multinationals will be allowed to automate tea harvesting. Some 60,000 tea workers have been rendered jobless following the introduction of tea-plucking machines to cut down on operational costs. The county government says the Sh500 million industrial park to be constructed in Nandi Hills will create 50,000 new jobs.
Timely salaries avert North Rift doctors’ strike
Normality is expected in health facilities across the North Rift region after medic workers confirmed that they received their salaries on time, and did not have to go on strike. Dr Darwin Ambuka, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) North Rift chairperson, said medics in all the region's eight counties had received their salaries.
Decomposing body of Nandi doctor found in a swamp
A Nandi doctor who was reported missing two weeks ago has been found dead. The decomposing body of Dr Caleb Tanui, a gynaecologist, was found in a swamp near Kingwal River in Nandi County during a search by relatives and police. Police suspect Dr Tanui drowned while trying to cross the river. A post-mortem exam did not find any signs of injury or strangulation on his body. . Nandi central police Commander Doris Chemosi said samples were taken to the government chemist for further investigation.
Karebe Goldmine tragedy: LSK takes on DPP for dropping charges against 10 suspects
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has vowed to challenge a decision by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji to terminate the case against 10 suspects linked to the deaths of three Karebe Goldmine Company workers in underground blasts last January. The DPP on Tuesday closed the files of the 10 suspects, citing insufficient evidence.
DPP terminates case against 10 suspects linked to Nandi explosion that killed three miners Original
The State has terminated the case against 10 suspects linked to an explosion in a gold mine in Nandi County that killed three miners. The Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji closed the file of suspects involved in the explosion at Karebe Gold Mining Company in February due to a lack of sufficient evidence. The DPP asked Kapsabet Chief Magistrate Court on Tuesday, April 11 to release the suspects without conditions.
Two police officers arrested in Nandi after petrol station robbery
Two police officers have been arrested in Nandi county over a robbery at a petrol station at the Ndurio trading centre in Aldai constituency, Nandi South sub-county, on Friday night. The officers were allegedly spotted by hawk-eyed members of the public who knew they were police. They then alerted their seniors, leading to their arrest. Police officers are also relying on CCTV footage that allegedly captured them stealing an unknown amount of money from the petrol station.
Mother of five nursing machete injuries after attack by in-laws in land row
A mother of five in Nandi County escaped death by a whisker after some of her in-laws confronted and assaulted her over disputed family land. Rose Chepngeno, 42, a primary school teacher in Tinderet, suffered serious machete cuts and is nursing injuries at a private hospital in Kapsabet. Already police have arrested one suspect in connection with the incident.
North Rift governors launch teams to tackle fallout from flooding
North Rift governors have formed disaster preparedness teams to handle the effects of flooding expected in the ongoing heavy rains. As part of disaster preparedness measures, counties in the North Rift region have advised communities living along rivers, near wetlands and areas that have previously suffered landslides, to vacate immediately, to avoid calamities after the onset of the heavy rains season.
You must pay tithe to church, Nandi Governor Sang orders senior county staff
In what may be seen as an odd directive and a first in Kenya’s devolved units, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang has ordered newly appointed chief officers in his administration to regularly remit 10 per cent of their monthly salaries to their respective churches. While speaking on Monday during the swearing-in of the senior officials, Mr Sang explained that he was issuing the directive after establishing that local churches require support from leaders and the county government.
President Ruto: I'm ready for talks in interest of Kenyans
Posted On: 2023-03-20 Posted By: Tom Matoke, Onyango K'Onyango Health & Lifestyle Education Real Estate & Construction Daily Nation Newspapers Nairobi, March 20 -- President William Ruto has agreed to conditional talks but vowed he will not be blackmailed by threats of violence.
President Ruto: I’m ready for talks in interest of Kenyans Original
President William Ruto has agreed to conditional talks but vowed he will not be blackmailed by threats of violence. The Head of State said he is ready for talks within the law and the constitution about the “destiny of our nation” but declared he will resist anarchy as the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga leads anti-government protests today.
Ex-headteacher charged with murdering his wife on Valentine’s Day
A retired primary school headteacher in Nandi county was on Thursday charged with murdering his wife on Valentine's Day. Mr Zakaria Ngasura, 65, appeared before Justice Joseph Karanja at the Kapsabet High Court and was charged with killing his wife Rose Cherono Ngasura on February 14, 2023, at their home in Kiprambu village, Chepkumia ward, Nandi county.
Emotional burial for Form One boy as mourners demand arrest of teachers who caned him
Emotions ran high at the burial of Kevin Kiptanui, the Form One student who died a day after he was caned by his teachers at Chemase Secondary School in Nandi county, with mourners demanding the arrest of the two teachers implicated in the caning, which is believed to have caused his death. It happened as the school Board of Management told mourners, through its chairman Joel Chemiron, that the Form One student died due to complications arising from the caning by his two teachers.
Principal, two teachers and student among witnesses in Nandi Form One boy’s caning
A principal, two teachers and a student who witnessed the caning of a Form One student who later died while receiving medical attention at the Nandi Hills Hospital have recorded statements with detectives, ahead of the learner’s burial on Tuesday. Other witnesses in the caning Kevin Kiptanui,16, by his two teachers at Chemase Secondary School in Nandi county a week ago, have also recorded statements with police on what transpired at the school on Friday, March 3.
Teachers on edge as pathologists seek truth on what killed Nandi student Original
A government pathologist handling the post-mortem on the body of a Form One student at Chemase Secondary School, who died last weekend after allegedly being caned by his teachers, has taken samples to the Government Chemist for further analysis. The post-mortem will determine what exactly killed Kevin Kiptanui, 16, whose death has caused a public uproar, with speculation that it might have been the result of the caning.
Storm over doctor's report dismissing caning as cause of death of Nandi Form One student as teachers suspended
A doctor’s report purporting that a Form One student who died after being caned by his teachers at a Nandi school died from underlying medical conditions and not an alleged assault by his teachers has sparked protests, with the local community alleging an attempt to cover up the real cause of the death.
Student died from severe illnesses, not caning by teachers: hospital
The Form One student who died hours after allegedly being caned by teachers at Chemase Secondary School, Nandi County, had severe cases of pneumonia, sepsis and ulcers. Dr Elikan Chirchir, the superintendent at Nandi Hills Level Four Hospital, said an exam showed the boy, Kelvin Kiptanui, died for these reasons, not the not the alleged punishment by his teachers. According to the hospital head, the student’s body had no signs of physical assault.
Did caning by teachers kill Form One student caught cheating in exam?
A Form One student died at a hospital in Nandi County on Sunday just days after he was allegedly caned by teachers at his new school. According to reports by his family, Kevin Kiptanui, 16, who reported to Chemase Secondary School in Tinderet sub-county last week, was allegedly caught copying answers during a Physics test on Friday evening. His punishment was strokes of the cane, which were delivered by two of his teachers.
Kalenjin elders convene crisis meeting over LGBTQ rights
By Tom Matoke & Evans Jaola What you need to know: The elders chairman Mr Benjamin Kitur says LGBTQ matters should not be encouraged in Kenya The elders term sexual intercourse or marriage of persons of the same sexual orientation as un-African and should not to be condoned Kitur said they are stepping in as community leaders to condemn the acts and offer guidance to the youth Clerics in Trans Nzoia county on the other hand are collecting signatures to push for the reversal for the Supreme...
Retired teacher held over Valentine’s Day macabre murder of his wife
A retired primary school headteacher has been arrested after the Valentine’s Day killing of his wife in Chepkumia village, Nandi County. Events around the death of Rose Jerono Ng’asura, 53, have left the village in shock, with a post-mortem and other investigations revealing that she was stabbed on the night of February 14 while sleeping.
Why CS Mvurwa cancelled visit to deadly Nandi mines
Mining Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya who was expected to visit Karebe in Nandi county to help reconcile two rival mining groups cancelled the trip at the last minute because tension is still high in the mines, Nation.Africa understands. The CS was expected to pay the area a visit to address the conflict over mining territories, following turf wars blamed for the death of three gold miners in an underground tunnel accident last month.
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