I hope the week unfolded as per your expectations. If not, that is a closed chapter and it is time to endeavour to begin a new episode of life with a determination that will yield multiple blessings.
As usual, our business is to give you a quick recap of major stories that dominated headlines this week and today, it is no different.
Indeed reggae is unstoppable, this week delivered two major anticipated things that had dominated public conversations for months.
It also saw a surge to Covid-19 positive cases even as Kenyans had awaited a complete resumption to normalcy.
But even as calls for safety measures against the pandemic intensify, political players have proved difficult to contain and worse off, led by who is who in Kenyans politics.
Sadly, the week had horrific scenes after murder incidences grabbed fair share in the media headlines.
In summary, here are top stories that made headlines this week:
Uhuru, Raila Receive BBI Report
The much-awaited report of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) was handed to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his handshake partner Raila Odinga on Wednesday.
Deputy President William Ruto was, however, a no show on Wednesday in Kisii County as the BBI report was being handed over at Kisii State Lodge.
The President said the BBI Report will be officially launched on Monday at the Bomas of Kenya.
Ruto Allies Oppose BBI
Allies of Deputy President William Ruto have expressed reservations about sections of the BBI report but failed to outrightly declare whether they would oppose a referendum
The leaders picked holes in the report saying some proposed amendments will “take back the country to the dark days”, while others do not require a referendum.
Immediately after the report was unveiled on Wednesday, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen described it as “a total sum of all the parochial attitudes and behaviour of politicians creating positions for themselves at the top”.
Finally, Huduma Namba Card Rolled Out
President Uhuru Kenyatta received the first sample of the Huduma Namba card on October 20, setting the ground for a national rollout.
Kenyans are expected to receive the cards in December after the National Assembly approves the appointment of former IEBC Director of Voter Education Immaculate Kassait as Kenya’s first Data Commissioner.
Three types of Huduma Namba cards will be issued to various groups of people: Children below the age of 18 will receive the Minors Huduma Namba Card, Adult Huduma Namba Card will be issued to Kenyans above 18 years and Foreign Nationals Huduma Namba Card will be issued to non-citizens.
Bodaboda Riders Storm Hospital, Drag-Out Patient & Kill Him
Around 300 bodaboda riders on Friday, October 23, stormed a hospital in Kirinyaga sub-county, dragged out a patient and lynched him.
According to Citizen Digital, the victim was getting treated at the hospital, when the riders stormed and took him out to the Mwea-Embu highway where they killed him.
Nyangati Senior Chief Immaculate Wanjiru stated that the departed had been saved by police officers the previous evening from angry riders who wanted to kill him for allegedly stealing a motorcycle.
COVID-19 Surge Hits a Record High
Kenya could be in for a second wave of Covid-19 with increased cases being reported in the country.
On Thursday, 1,068 cases were reported from a sample of 7,556 giving a positivity rate of 14.13 per cent. The country also recorded the highest number of deaths in a week at 65.
Thursday’s cases brought the numbers for week 32 to 4,069, which is the fourth highest count in a seven day period since March.
No School Closure Even as Cases Surge
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has ruled out the closure of schools due to new Covid-19 cases reported among learners and teachers after Grade Four, Standard Eight and Form Four learners reported back.
Prof Magoha, who went to Kakamega County on Friday to inspect production units for desks being distributed to schools, said the small pockets of infections in schools are being monitored closely.
But the CS hinted that learners who are still at home may take longer to return to school, noting no dates were given.
Lawyer whose hands were chopped by a cop is dead
A Makueni based lawyer whose hand was chopped by a female policewoman is dead.
Onesmus Masaku died on Sunday morning at the Kenyatta National Hospital where he was receiving treatment following the brutal attack at his house in Wote town allegedly by police officer constable Nancy Njeri.
The Law Society of Kenya South Eastern Branch chairman Justus Mutisya Mutia told journalists that Masaku succumbed around noon as a result of the injuries he suffered.