On Thursday, January 2, Kenyan newspapers reported on the joy and anticipation of Kenyans across the country as they welcomed the new year with pomp and color in various entertainment venues.
Source: UGC
1. Daily Nation
According to the newspaper, President William Ruto he warned that the moral situation in the country is at risk of deterioration if the use of digital spaces, especially social networks, continues unchecked.
The Head of State pointed out that some Kenyans are misusing social networks to promote anti-social movements, which in his opinion erodes morals.
In his New Year's address to the nation from the Kisii State Lodge, President Ruto stressed that maintaining social harmony and promoting a strong moral system is a shared responsibility that requires the joint efforts of all stakeholders.
Ruto's remarks come following an increase in kidnapping cases targeting young people who are believed to be critical of his leadership.
The latest victims of alleged police abduction and enforced disappearance include Gideon Kibet, Ronny Kiplagat, Steve Kavingo Mbisi, Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, and Kelvin Muthoni.
So far, records from Kenya's National Human Rights Commission show that 82 cases of kidnapping have been reported since June, with 29 people still missing.
Ruto acknowledged the cases of extrajudicial killings carried out by security officers, adding that the process is ongoing to ensure accountability. However, he warned Kenyans that their freedom has limits.
To address this growing concern, Ruto called on religious organizations, the education system, and law enforcement agencies to support and complement the fundamental role of the family in raising compassionate and responsible citizens who are empowered to move the country forward.
2. The Standard
According to the newspaper, the police in the county of kiss they launched an investigation into the murder of a 14-year-old girl who was allegedly beaten to death by her mother for returning home drunk on Christmas Day.
The incident happened in Limara village in Angorom ward, South Teso. Varshti Hainyi, a second form student at Rang'ala Girls' School, died while being rushed to the hospital.
Teso South OCPD Francis Gachoki said the report shows that the mother is responsible for the murder of her daughter following the beating.
“The report we have so far indicates that the mother caused the death of her daughter, following a severe beating. The investigation is ongoing, and we are working to determine the full truth,” Gachoki said.
Varshti's father, Emanuel Barasa, who separated from his wife 10 years ago, is seeking justice for his daughter.
He says he is not satisfied with the inconsistent details regarding his daughter's death.
“I am not satisfied with the stories I am being told about what happened. I want to know the truth. My daughter did not deserve to die like this. I want justice for her,” Mr Barasa said.
The father is asking for a thorough investigation to be done to determine the truth and ensure justice is done.
“As a parent, I know it's hard to raise teenagers, but violence shouldn't be the answer. My daughter wasn't a criminal. She was just a little girl trying to find her way,” he said.
Barasa also raised concerns about the condition of her daughter's body.
3. Nation Today
The Swahili daily newspaper reported that the Chief Justice Martha Koome he called on all Kenyans to support the fight against corruption, saying the crime cannot be stopped by the Judiciary alone.
In his New Year message, Judge Koome emphasized that the work of the court, as mandated by the Constitution, requires the participation of the entire community.
“Addressing these evils requires action at the individual, family and community level,” he said.
He added that the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) remains steadfast in investigating and handling complaints related to misconduct by judicial officers while ensuring fairness in its processes.
Koome described the year 2024 as having many challenges, noting that many young Kenyans lost their lives, others were injured, and property was destroyed.
4. People Daily
The newspaper reported that a South Sudanese family is facing a serious tragedy after their four-year-old son drowned in a hotel swimming pool in Mombasa on Christmas Eve.
The child, identified as Gar Alier Kok, an Australian citizen, reportedly drowned in the Nyali Reef hotel pool shortly before one in the evening.
According to a report submitted at the Nyali Police Station by the child's aunt, Yar Elizabeth Aller, a Kenyatta University student, the deceased was rushed to the Premier Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by paramedics.
Police confirmed that the scene was visited, and the child's body was transferred to the Jocham Hospital mortuary, pending an autopsy.
The circumstances of the tragedy are still unknown while detectives from the Nyali Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) are investigating the matter.
Lawyers for the family and hotel management have so far refused to comment publicly on the incident, fueling speculation and concerns about security protocols.
Important questions remain unanswered. How did the child gain unsupervised access to the pool? Why is it said that there was no watchman on duty during such busy times of the year?
Witnesses familiar with the scene claim the pool area was not being attended to when the tragedy occurred, highlighting the hotel's security measures.
Although some have pointed out potential shortcomings in parental supervision, hotel managers have faced intense scrutiny.
Despite attempts to seek clarification, the General Manager of Nyali Reef, Halake Jarson, refused to comment.
It is said that the family was on holiday in Mombasa during the December celebrations when the tragedy happened.
While in their report, the police claimed that the deceased drowned while swimming, a relative who did not want to be named revealed that the child was playing with other children before wandering into the pool.
“The hotel has refused to take responsibility. They even made the family pay a police fee to file a report and keep the body in the mortuary,” the relative demanded.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
