MP Oscar Sudi sparks online outrage after flaunting Sh17m designer watchKapseret Member of Parliament (MP) Oscar Sudi has ignited a storm of controversy after showcasing a Sh17 million designer watch during an appearance on the Obinna Show on Thursday August 1. In the same interview, Sudi referenced a previous controversy involving Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, whose taste for luxury and obscene opulence had also raised eyebrows. He said Murkomen, who has served as a lecturer, senator, and now a Cabinet Secretary, previously mentioned owning a watch worth Sh900,000, a revelation that drew criticism from some quarters. “Murkomen has been a lecturer, senator for two terms, and a CS for two years, and he said his watch is worth Sh900,000. During the interview, Sudi clarified that he runs various businesses in the country and that he has employed over 1500 young people.​

The newspapers on Saturday, August 3, covered the political developments in the country, cracks rocking the Azimio LA Umoja coalition whose ranking leader Raila Odinga has lately been showing sides of crossing over to President William Ruto's fold. The exercise carried out by the National Assembly's vetting committee entered the third day on Saturday, August 3. Proposed Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury John Mbadi was the first to appear before the committee on Saturday. Among those awaiting the grilling are Kipchumba Murkomen (Sports), Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy), Wycliffe Oparanya (Co-operatives and MSME Development), and Rebecca Miano (Tourism). Ruto proposed the former county boss to be the Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and MSME Development.

US ratings agency Fitch Ratings has sounded the alarm for Kenya's economy, downgrading its Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to 'B-' from 'B'. The downgrade reflects heightened risks to Kenya's public finances, largely driven by political instability and rising domestic debt costs. Kenya's fiscal pressures are compounded by rising interest payments and higher borrowing costs. Kenya's external debt service obligations will moderate slightly in FY25 but will remain substantial in the following years. However, weak governance, rising interest payments, a narrow revenue base, and high external indebtedness constrain the rating.

Housing Ministry exceeds targets with RM737mil spent as of JulyPUTRAJAYA: The Housing and Local Government Ministry is on track with its first half-year review, achieving 85% of its planned initiatives for the year. Minister Nga Kor Ming said the ministry has successfully implemented 10 of 12 planned initiatives and spent RM737.9mil as of July 30. However, other initiatives, such as upgrading dilapidated public markets, developing Chinese New Village projects, maintaining non-Muslim places of worship and the MyKiosk@KPKT programme, are still in progress. The next four Bills will seek to amend the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966, Fire Services Act 1988, Local Government Act 1976, and Town and Country Planning Act 1990. He said the Housing Development Act amendments would specifically address abandoned projects.

US recognizes Maduro’s opponent as winner in Venezuela electionThe United States on Thursday recognised Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s opponent and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner of Venezuela’s disputed presidential election, rejecting Maduro’s claim of victory. The dispute over the presidential election results has sparked protests in Venezuela. Venezuela’s electoral council proclaimed Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, the winner of the July 28 election with 51% of the vote. “Law enforcement and security forces should not become an instrument of political violence used against citizens exercising their democratic rights,” he said. The presidents of Brazil, Mexico and Colombia called for Venezuela to release detailed voting tallies on Thursday amid the dispute over presidential election results.

On February 8, 2024, three journalists — Musembi Nzengu of the Star Newspaper, Ida Ngile of Mumo TV, and Mercy Mueni of Mbaitu FM Radio — were assaulted and arrested while reporting on the induction of a new principal at Mutonguni Boys High School in Kitui County. The appointment of this principal was contested by a faction of the students’ parents. During the incident, Nzengu was reportedly brutalized by a police officer, resulting in injuries. Subsequently, all three journalists were taken to the police station and detained before being released without charges. Find out more on: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2024-02-08-star-journalist-assaulted-while-covering-arrival-of-new-school-principal/

MICHAELA WALSH was in no rush to make judgements after another early Olympic exit. Walsh lost her opening bout in Tokyo and, along with brother Aidan, was one of eight out of 10 Irish boxers to do the same here. 2 Michaela Walsh was knocked out of the Olympics in her first fight Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile2 Walsh lost to Svetlana Kamenova Staneva of Team Bulgaria Credit: David Fitzgerald/SportsfileShe lost a unanimous decision against Svetlana Staneva after struggling to trouble the Bulgarian. But Walsh said: “Coming back in 5-0 down was a bit frustrating and I was sort of chasing it after that. She’s a great person as well and I was unfortunate probably to meet her in the first round.”

A police reservist came to the rescue of villagers in Ilmotiok village, Laikipia and killed a marauding lion that had invaded homes. Officials said the loss of habitat and climate change threatened the number of wild animals and that their future looked "bleak". The government and conservation groups have a compensation program for people and herders whose livestock are killed by wild animals. “We have also made changes, previously if someone got mauled to death by an elephant, compensation was Sh200,000. We have now said if a citizen is killed by an elephant compensation is Sh5 million,” Ruto added.

Gachagua faces Mt Kenya with 10 fears staring backThis is now a bigger problem than it was when Gachagua was shadowboxing Musalia Mudavadi.

The World Meteorological Organization of the UN has revealed that year was the warmest year on record. It will also consider the draft outlines of the Special Report on Climate Change and Cities and the Methodology Report on Short-Lived Climate Forcers. The report ‘Climate Change Impacts in Kenya; What Climate Change Means for a Country and its People’, shows that heat waves, droughts and heavy rainfall are becoming more severe and frequent with devastating impacts. Others are chairperson of the Environment and Climate Change at the Council of Governors Wilber Ottichilo and Peter Odhengo from the National Treasury. "We must ensure no one is left behind in our efforts to combat climate change," Ng'eno said.

We are not going to beg Helen. Indulge in the finer thingsNews24's August audiobook that’s free to listen to for subscribers is The CEO X Factor by KC Rottok Chesaina. Free to listen for subscribersAudiobook of the MonthVoting BoothWhat is the best route for Democrats to take after Biden's exit from the US Presidential race? Something went wrong, please try again later. Kamala Harris is the best bet to take over The Democrats need a new face to stand a chance Biden should have stayed put Results

Young Kenyans looking for a bank account that resonates their tastes and economic interests will easily find a home at Cooperative Bank of Kenya. Last week, Co-op Bank re-launched its youth account, YEA, which is ideal for young people aged between 18 and 35 years. The unique thing about the account is the new YEA app, which allows instant account opening. The YEA App account supports a number of features including viewing accounts, transactions and statements. Through the YEA App, customers can transfer funds, pay bills such as payTV, taxi, KPLC tokens and even pay college fees.

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Multi-award winning 22-year-old artist Ayra Starr born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, while addressing her immense, almost overnight success revealed being her biggest critic is what really propelled her career growth and helped set her on the map. "Looking back at my first performance, I can laugh vs where I am right now.it is always like I can become way better. I always watch my old videos and I'm writing things I can do better and how I can sharpen my choreography. Definitely sharpen my choreography, a bigger stage production," the Grammy nominee candidly narrated. I know what I want and I know certain things, like lights.

Grealish and Manchester City were in New York for their pre-season in New York City and ran into the American musician. Manchester City star Jack Grealish took a photo with Rihanna before a young football fan made his request. Grealish wows fans in New YorkTUKO.co.ke earlier reported that Grealish impressed fans with his DJing skills at a Puma-organized party in New York City. Grealish and Man City begin the new season with the FA Community Shield clash against Manchester United. Erlind Haaland apologyTUKO.co.ke also reported that Grealish's Man City teammate Erling Haaland issued an apology for an Instagram typo.