Kenyans in Diaspora SendHome Sh31 Billion in June

By John Wanjohi  Wed, 07/29/2020 @ 02:26pm 292 views 2 comments

 COMMENT2 FACEBOOKTWITTERLINKEDINWHATSAPPSHARE

Kenyans in the diaspora sent home a whopping Sh31.1 billion during the month of June, according to the latest data by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

This represents a 12 percent growth compared to Sh27.8 billion remitted in May this year.

The cumulative 12-month diaspora remittances to June increased to Sh302.4 billion from Sh291.6 billion received in a similar period the previous year.

CBK data shows South Africa, the United States, and Saudi Arabia registered the highest increase in remittances during the month of June.

"Inflows from the US, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia recorded the highest increases," reads CBK weekly bulletin.

CBK had earlier projected a slump in diaspora remittances citing job losses and salary cuts affecting Kenyans living abroad, especially the US where 40 million people have been rendered jobless by the Covid-19 crisis.

Remittances from the diaspora have remained Kenya’s leading source of foreign exchange since 2015 ahead of earnings from tourism, tea, coffee and horticulture exports. 

Last year, Kenyans abroad sent home $2.7 billion (Sh280 billion), a new annual record, according to CBK. This represented a 3.7 percent growth from the previous year when diaspora remittances stood at $2.6 billion (Sh272.3 billion).

In Africa, Kenya is the fourth-largest recipient of diaspora remittances behind Egypt, Nigeria, and Ghana.

Kenya Yaruhusu Ndege Nchi 11, Tanzania Haimo

Kenya Yaruhusu Ndege Nchi 11, Tanzania Haimo

IKIWA siku kadhaa kabla ya kuanza kwa safari za ndege kimataifa, serikali ya Kenya imetangaza mwongozo mpya kuhusu hatua hiyo.

Akizungumza jijini Nairobi wakati akitoa taarifa kuhusu mwenendo wa maambukizi ya janga la Covid-19 nchini Kenya, Waziri wa Usafirishaji James Macharia amesema kuwa anga la Kenya halitafunguliwa kwa kila mtu. Orodha ikionyesha wazi Tanzania ikiwa si mmoja wa nchi inayokaribishwa kwenye anga ya Kenya.

Macharia amesema ni raia wa nchi 11 pekee wa kigeni ndiyo watakaoruhusiwa kutua Kenya katika viwanja vyake vinne vya kimataifa vilivyopo Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret na Kisumu. Nchi zilizoruhusiwa ni China, Korea Kusini, Japan, Canada, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Switzerland, Uganda, Rwanda, Namibia na Morocco.

Waziri huyo amesema nchi hizo zimedhibiti janga la Covid- 19 kwa kiasi cha kuridhidha. Amesema nchi hizo zimepunguza maambukizi ya ugonjwa huo na raia wake wamekuwa wakipata dalili za kawaida za ugonjwa wa mfumo wa upumuaji.

”Tutaendelea kuboresha orodha yetu kwa kutegemea hali ilivyo na mazingira. Hii ni orodha yetu kwa leo tutaipitia tena kesho na siku zinazokuja,” alisema.

”Abiria wote watakaowasili kwa ndege za kimataifa wakiwa na hati zinazoonyesha kuwa hawana dalili za Covid-19 na wale waliopima saa 96 kabla ya safari hawatakaa karantini,” alisema.

Mara tu orodha ilipotolewa, Wakenya kwa haraka waligundua kuwa Tanzania haimo. Siku ya Jumatatu tarehe 27 mwezi Julai, Rais Uhuru Kenyatta alitoa kauli ambayo haikuilenga Tanzania moja kwa moja kuwa Kenya haifichi idadi ya watu wenye maambukizi ya Covid-19.

”Sisi tuko wazi na tunajua fika kuwa ugonjwa huu upo, tofauti na majirani zetu ambao wanauficha ukweli huu,” alisema Kenyatta.

Kenyans in Worcester seek funds for a mother of two just discharged from hospital after 1.5 months battle with Corona virus

Kenyans in Worcester seek funds for a mother of two just discharged from hospital after 1.5 months battle with Corona virus
cathy
PHOTO: Catherine Mwaura on Worcester leaves Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital in Northborough, MA after 1.5 months battle with Covid-19. PIC BY COURTESY


Share

By: Harrison Maina

Posted: Jul,22-2020 19:16:28

First published June 22. UPDATED: JULY 22, 8.13 PM.
WORCESTER, MA__As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to ravage many states in the US, Kenyans in the Diaspora have not been spared either. One Kenyan mother in Worcester near Boston spent almost two months in hospital, of which for two weeks she was intubated in an ICU. The jubilation of healthcare workers and her community that marked her discharge last Thursday has settled and now the economic reality of her absence has kicked in leading to a pledge for a financial assistance.
Catherine Mwaura was fell ill on May 17 and was rushed by an ambulance from her home in Worcester straight into an ICU at the St. Vincent's hospital. She spent the next several weeks intubated in the intensive care unit fighting for her dear life, until mid-June when she was transferred to the Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital in Northborough.
"I don't know how I contracted the virus but I suspect it was either at a homecare agencies visit or nursing home that I work for. I was taking care of so many people with the virus there and a good number painfully passed away under my helpless watch with my colleagues," she told Ajabu Media on a phone interview from her home in Worcester.

"I did not have any symptoms all this time I was working in the two locations. We were taking all the precautions necessary including a full protective suit when working with the Covid-19 patients. I just felt extremely sick one morning and called emergency," she added.

Jubilant doctors and nurses at the Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital in Northborough escort Catherine Mwaura as she leaves the hospital following hard fought for recovery from Covid-19. PIC BY COURTESY.
Mwaura said that, she then called her landlord and requested her to leave the main door open for the emergency crews that were coming to pick her up.

The last thing she remembers was "the ambulance taking off from my house. I was unconscious for many days but I thank God I was able to recover."
Luckily, on Tuesday last week, Mwaura was discharged from the hospital and is now recuperating at home.
However, the harrowing ordeal has left the mother of two in economic shambles, a condition that has prompted friends and well wishers to organize a fundraiser on Sunday August 2 towards her welfare.
"We were just shocked at how this disease affected Dr. Mwaura. She was so close to the verge of death but God is great she has just managed to fight and recover. Now as a community, we thought it is good that we come together and raise some funds for her welfare as she is windowed with no one else to help pay her bills for close to the two months she was hospitalized," said Rev. Ben Njuru on a telephone interview.

The pastor said that a fundraising committee is coordinating the effort that will be held at the True Vine Ministries church at 65 Southbridge Street from 2pm to 6pm under strict social distancing protocols.

"In order to observe the CDC and the state's guidelines for community events and social distancing, the event will be spread over a 4 hour period to enable visitors come and go on a rolling basis," read a message from the committee released to various community media and social media platforms.

The corona virus disease has affected many Kenyans in Boston and the diaspora at large, causing at least 10 known deaths in Boston alone so far, though many have recovered.

In the motherland, the rate of infection has kept on rising steadily despite social distancing rules and end of lockdown for movements to and from Nairobi, Mombasa and Mandera. Currently, there are 13,771 cases of Covid-19 in Kenya with the death toll teaching at 238 as of Monday. 5,616 have recovered so far according to media reports citing health Cabinet secretary, Mutahi Kagwe.

However, in the diaspora, data for specific Kenyans who have contracted the virus is difficult to compile as majority of victims shy away from disclosing to other community members, although the cases are reported within local jurisdictions.

As for Dr. Mwaura, she told friends that she does not mind others learning of her predicament hoping she can serve as an example to others who claim Covid-19 does not exist or is a political tool that they need to take it seriously and do everything possible to protect themselves.

She added that she does not know how she contracted the virus despite doing everything possible to protect her including wearing a mask, frequently washing and sanitizing hands.
"This disease affects people in different ways and you can never know how it will hit your body. Best thing is to protect from contracting it! It can affect and cause long-term damage not just in your lungs, but also in other body parts and functions including blood clots that may lead to stroke, high blood pressure and more," Dr. Mwaura told Ajabu Media on a phone interview.

"I have no words to thank the medical staff at St. Vincent's Hospital in Worcester and Whittier Rehab for the care and love they gave me until I walked out to return home," she said. She also thanked friends in the Kenyan community who prayed for her recovery and who have called her on the phone with supportive messages.

Mwaura was one of the selfless Kenyans who made spirited efforts to save the now dormant New England Kenyan Welfare Association (Nekwa) when it encountered extreme difficulties in its efforts to cultivate a united community platform from, where current and future generations in the diaspora would serve in their civic duties.

"We are urging the Kenyan community and other well wishers to come and help this mother who has gone through and extremely difficult ordeal. She has been actively involved in many ways to improve the Kenyan community in New England in various capacities including as a church elder, and member of different community organizations. This is the time for us to stand with her," urged pastor Njuru.

"Those who cant make it for the physical event can donate through cash app and all donations will be highly appreciated," he added.

Donations by Cashapp are to be directed to: $WinnieNjoroge (7742792697) or
Catherine Mwaura $CathyMwaura (508-371-5614).
For more information, contact Rev. Ben Njuru at: 508-713-3572.
EDITORS, NOTE: This version corrects the duration of time Mwaura was hospilatized to 1.5 months.
Source: AJABU AFRICA NEWS

Kenyan Woman Who was Run Over by a Train in Vienna, Austria to be Cremated

By John Wanjohi Wed, 07/22/2020 @ 09:10am 1800 views 9 comments
Kenyan Woman Who was Run Over by a Train in Vienna, Austria to be Cremated
COMMENT 9 FACEBOOK0TWITTERLINKEDINWHATSAPPSHARE


A 35-year-old Kenyan woman who reportedly committed suicide in Vienna, Austria early this month as a result of depression is set to be cremated.

Lucy Atieno Hareter was run over by a train after she allegedly threw herself on the railway line at the Bahnhof Atzgersdorf train station in the 12th district of Vienna on July 5th, according to a police report.

Her brother James Auka said Vienna police and a friend informed the family that she wanted to take her life after her business went under.

“In her calls to the police and her friend, she said life had become difficult after her business went down and that she was no longer able to carter for her needs and those of some of those of her siblings who kept on requesting her for money back home,” he said.

Auka said the family has agreed to have her body cremated in Vienna and the ashes transported to Kenya for burial at their home in Seme, Kisumu County.

Her remains will be incinerated at Wien Bestatting Funeral Home and Crematorium in Vienna on July 29th.

Canada-Based Kenyan Journalist Freed After Dramatic Arrest in Tanzania

Canada-Based Kenyan Journalist Freed After Dramatic Arrest in Tanzania
By John Wanjohi Wed, 07/22/2020 @ 08:40am 1136 views 1 comments
Canada-Based Kenyan Journalist Freed After Dramatic Arrest in Tanzania
COMMENT 1 FACEBOOK0TWITTERLINKEDINWHATSAPPSHARE


Canada-based Kenyan activist and journalist Samuel Okemwa who was arrested in Tanzania on Monday has been released.

Okemwa, a close friend of lawyer Miguna Miguna, was apprehended by police officers in Tanzania’s capital, Dodoma, and his passport confiscated. A video shared online shows Okemwa demanding to know why he was being arrested.

“Nipe passport yangu, nimefanya nini? (Give me my passport, what have I done?” he says in the video.

He allegedly traveled to Tanzania to interview gospel songstress Rose Muhando, according to ODM communications director Philip Etale.

“Contrary to initial reports circulating on social media that Mr. Samuel Okemwa was arrested by Tanzanian authorities at the Namanga border, the truth is our friend was arrested in Dodoma as he prepared to hold an interview renowned Tanzanian gospel artist Rose Muhando.”

“The arresting officers confiscated his phones and equipment. After an intervention, he was later released. I have spoken to his wife, who is my niece and she has assured me that our brother is safe although his gadgets have not been released to him,” Etale wrote on Facebook.

Okemwa commands a large following on Facebook, where he interviews various guests including entertainers, bloggers, and leaders on his program, The Samuel Okemwa Show.

He was a staunch supporter of ODM leader Raila Odinga and a fierce critic of President Kenyatta, DP William Ruto, and the Jubilee administration.

Boyfriend of Olga Ooro, a Kenyan Woman Missing in Washington, DC, Charged with Her Murder

The boyfriend of a Kenyan woman missing from her Washington, DC home has been charged with her murder.

Darnell Sterling, 55, was late Thursday afternoon charged with the murder of 34-year-old Olga Ooro, who went missing on July 16, 2020 and whose body has not yet been found.

Metropolitan DC Chief of Police on Friday said that Ooro was last seen on Sunday with Sterling. Police say the couple along with Ooro’s 8-year-old son had just returned to her home in the 300 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW in downtown DC when she was seen on camera footage walking away from home.

Ooro’s son was found alone in the home two days later, and informed a neighbor that he was looking for his mother. This prompted neighbors to contact police. Ooro’s neighbors say it is unlike her to leave her son by himself. “She would never leave her son like that,” a neighbor told detectives.

A reward of as much as $25,000 is being offered to anyone with information on the case. Detectives say the case will remain active until her remains are found.

Stop Slandering YourCompatriots: Kenyan Woman inthe US Calls Out Online Bullies[VIDEO]

By John Wanjohi  Sat, 07/18/2020 @ 11:45am 2607 views 21 comments

 COMMENT21 FACEBOOK0TWITTERLINKEDINWHATSAPPSHARE

A Kenyan woman living in the diaspora has blasted some social media bullies, accusing them of vilifying their fellow Kenyans, especially in the US. 

Through a video posted on Facebook on Friday, Monica Ndegwa of Texas says the behavior of some Kenyans in the US using social media to hurl insults at their compatriots is unacceptable. Monica particularly singled out a lady identified as Caroline.

“She is spewing unimaginable insults. Even the language used is unbelievable. This has to stop,” Monica says in the video, urging Kenyans to refrain from watching videos livestreamed by those “inflicting pain on fellow women.”

Concerns have been raised over a growing trend of Kenyans using Facebook and other popular social networking sites to attack others using unpalatable language. 

Here are some reactions to Monica’s video.

Betty Achapa wrote: “I stand against bullying of any kind. Please my friends condemn bullying whether you are a victim or not, stop giving bullies airtime. We can address issues affecting our community without getting entangled in the drama. #BullyingMUSTstop.”

Lilly Richards said: “Mami, the sad thing is the example this women are putting out for these younger women. This older Kenyan community Is failing. The younger generation is much better that these women in their 40s and 50s spewing dirt out here.”

Shairo Wa D noted: “The vulgar language used is on another level.😭😭😭😭hata unashindwa Uko wapi.”

Mercie Cheronye commented: “Thank you for standing up against these behaviors.”

Kemunto Mosoba stated: “Guys need to stop bullying others they disagree with, it has become very toxic and it's killing people.”

Lorraine Dana wrote: “I’m just amazed how grown women have time for this! There’s so much going on the last thing we need is divisiveness and bickering back and forth. What are they trying to achieve?”
 

UK offers work permit to non-graduate Kenyans

PHOTO: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. FILE PHOTO | AFP   By: CONSTANT MUNDA  Posted: Jul,14-2020 19:17:05   Highly skilled Kenyans without degree-level qualifications will from next year be allowed to apply for work permits in Britain under post-Brexit immigration rules, enabling them to compete with job-seekers from the European Union and other regions. Britain's new points-based immigration system, set to be implemented from January 2021, has lowered the requirement for job applicants to minimum skill level of A-level or equivalent from degree-level under the 27-member EU bloc system. Britain's Home Office says the new system will "provide greater flexibility and ensure UK business has access to a wide pool of skilled workers". The relaxed visa rules will enable Kenyan professionals in fields such as IT, accountancy, plumbing and electrical works to compete with other migrants. Britain projects a huge climb in job vacancies after the new post-Brexit immigration system ended free movement of labour between it and the EU following the departure from the bloc earlier this year. "An applicant's job must be at the minimum skill level of A-level or equivalent, rather than degree level under the current system," said the British home office. There is no planned formal route for lower-skilled workers to enter Britain, although seasonal and sector-specific schemes may be created. Britain has lowered the minimum general salary threshold for skilled migrants by 26.67 percent to £22,000 (Sh2.97 million) per year, or£1,833 (Sh247, 628) a month, from£30,000 per year currently. This follows a January 2020 proposal by Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), an independent entity that advises the British government, which had recommended £25,600 (Sh3.46 million) minimum annual pay for migrant skilled labourers. "Under the new system, those wishing to live and work in the UK must gain 70 points--and points are awarded for criteria such as having a job offer, holding a PhD relevant to the job, speaking English and earning more than £22,000 per year," says an advisory by Britain's Home Office. "There are also additional points for those with job offers in 'shortage occupations'." The relaxed visa rules will also benefit Kenyan students who will now be allowed more time after completing studies in the UK universities. Under what Britain's Home Office calls "Graduate route", which opens in the Summer 2021, Kenyan students, just like other international ones, will be allowed more time to stay in the UK to look for jobs than the four months under the EU rules. International students completing undergraduate or master's degrees will be able to stay in Britain for two years and those completing a PhD three years. Britain says the new "Graduate route" system will "make it easier for some of the best, international graduates to secure skilled jobs in the UK and contribute to the UK's economic growth". "Leaving the European Union means the UK will be open to the brightest and best from around the world--and Kenya is very much a part of that," British High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott said in a statement on Monday. "I'm particularly pleased that the new Graduate Route will be opening in summer 2021, allowing Kenya and the UK's fantastic and talented minds to work even more closely together." After nearly four years of politicking, haggling and delays that cost the political careers of two Prime ministers--Theresa Mary (2019) and David Cameron (2016)--the UK formally left the EU on January 31. There is, however, a transitional period that ends in December 2020. UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said Brexit has allowed "British people take back control of our borders and introduce a new points-based immigration system". "Now we have left the EU, we are free to unleash this country's full potential and implement the changes we need to restore trust in the immigration system and deliver a new fairer, firmer, skills-led system from 1 January 2021," Ms Patel said in the statement. "Britain is open for business and ready to welcome the best and brightest global talent."

US Offers to Build Sh3 BillionHospital on Murang'a LandCeded By Del Monte

By John Wanjohi  Thu, 07/16/2020 @ 09:32am 1081 views 11 comments

 COMMENT11 FACEBOOK0TWITTERLINKEDINWHATSAPPSHARE

The US government has reportedly offered to build a Sh3 billion health facility in Murang’a County as it pushes for the renewal of a land lease for American food processor, Del Monte.

Del Monte grows fruits on a 22,000-acre chunk of land in the county but various parties including Kandara Residents Association want between 5,000 and 8,000 acres ceded to the community for public use.

Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata told Daily Nation that the US has committed to put up a teaching and referral hospital on land Del Monte has agreed to surrender in the negotiations that are entering final stage.

“America and Del Monte have never had any problems with the demands that the locals have been fronting. It’s probably the method of engagement that was faulty. We’re now having very structured meetings and are nearly at the point of breaking the impasse,” said Kang’ata.

Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria has called for transparency in the process in order to achieve a mutually beneficial deal for all parties.

Kandara Residents Association chairman Philip Kamau said they have struck a Sh130 billion partnership deal with Fourways and Tatu City Investment to build an industrial park, affordable houses and a light industries zone on the ceded land.

He said a further 3,000 acres has been set aside for resettlement of squatters in the county, building of a social hall, a church, mosque, a primary and a secondary school.

“We’re seeking a meeting with the President to brief him on the partnership and have the county government’s blessings as we commence engagements,” he said.

Lands PS Chris Muraguri said President Uhuru wants the land lease impasse resolved before the end of this month.

“I’m in a rush to meet the President’s directive that I lead an exercise of surveying and demarcating the Del Monte land with a view of determining the authenticity of the public claim placed therein and after arbitrating and reconciling the differences, we shall proceed to renew the lease,” he said.

The Secret to Solving Problems - Joel Osteen

Family of a Kenyan Man BeingHeld in Jail in California forRape Appeal for Funds toSecure His Release, Say He isFalsely Accused

By Mwakilishi  Mon, 07/06/2020 @ 05:47pm 6201 views 26 comments

 COMMENT26 FACEBOOK0TWITTERLINKEDINWHATSAPPSHARE

The family of a Kenyan man in Corona, California is raising funds to secure freedom for their son, 24-year-old Kennedy Wambui Masila who has been held in jail since June 10, 2020 on allegations of rape.

Kennedy’s family says that Kennedy, who recently migrated to the US from Kenya, is a college student and was working as an Uber driver to make ends meet. The family says that on the fateful night, he received a ping from the Uber app to pick up a passenger, picked her up, and dropped her off at her destination. The woman later called police and said Kennedy had raped her. Kennedy was subsequently arrested and has been held in jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.

“Ken drove to the pickup location where he picked  up a lady who seemed to be intoxicated. Just like he always did, he drove his  passenger to her destination and dropped her off. Ken has assured us that during  this trip nothing happened and that it was just one of the many trips he had  completed that day. He was later arrested on the aforementioned accusation,” says Dr Fastac Mutua, who is organizing a fundraiser on GoFundMe.com to raise the $20,000 bail amount and an additional $12,500 in legal fees.

“Our son is barely getting situated here in the United States. He was working two jobs to support his family and also going to school to secure a promising future for  himself. He has been falsely accused and his promising future put in jeopardy,” says Kennedy’s family.