Top 5 Today: Political Abductees Released Amid Tension and Other Stories
The ongoing abductions targeting government critics took a new turn yesterday when some of the victims were released in suspiciously. This followed continous pressure from civil societies, social and mainstream media over the pressing issue.
Cartoonist Gideon Kibet (Kibet Bull), known for criticizing President Ruto using silhouettes, confirmed his release on his official X account on Monday. He went missing after meeting Busia senator, Okiya Omtatah, in Nairobi.
Others include: Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Ronny Kiplangat (Kibet Bull’s brother) and Benard Kavuli. Two others were seized after posting AI-generated images of the president. At least 24 people are still said to be missing in the ongoing wave if terror among renowned civil active youth.
2024 KCSE Results Out Next Week
Candidates who sat for the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams will know their fate in two weeks, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba made the announcement last week.
Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) candidates on the other hand will access their reports starting next week, according to the Ministry’s report.
The report was issued to curb any anxieties raised by both parents and students who sensed delay in the results release. The CS reassured the public that the ministry will maintain to its long-standing tradition of releasing exams results in January.
“The exams that used to be released in December were for KCPE and this year we do not have KCPE and that might have caused some confusion,” Julius added.
2025 School Calender
On the same breath, the Ministry of Education has announced this year’s academic calendar where schools reopen on January 6th.
On Saturday, January 4, Education Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed the public that Term 1 will span 13 weeks, including a 5-day mid-term break.
“Term One of 2025 will have 13 weeks, with 5 days for mid-term break. All schools are expected to re-open for the new term on Monday, 6th January 2025. The Ministry’s field officers, under the guidance of the Regional Directors of Education and the County Directors of Education, will monitor adherence to the academic calendar,” Ogamba remarked.
Mass Layoffs Amid Economic Crisis
116 companies have officially shut down while 115 (including Jinan Contractors Limited, Technocrat Ventures Limited, and Peponi Holdings Limited) have issued closure notices in the next 3 months. The shutdown has led to massive layoffs compounding the country’s high unemployment rates.
Some of the affected businesses include renowned firms such as Chandarana Investment Limited, Afsol Energy Limited, Innovate Medical Devices Limited, Phoenix Supply Chain Limited, Sunlight Industry Company (K) Limited, and Walmart Wholesalers.
The companies were listed in Kenya Gazette Notice No. 94, dated January 3, 2024, by the Registrar of Companies and were dissolved in December 2023.
HMPV Outbreak In China
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has issued a statement concerning the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a flu-like illness outbreak in China.
The National Public Health Surveillance System is on high alert to detect any changes in respiratory illnesses among the masses.
“We request members of the public to remain vigilant, continue observing public health practices such as hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette,” the Ministry advised.
“HMPV is not a new virus and has been documented as a circulating pathogen contributing to respiratory illnesses in Kenya,” the Health Ministry noted.
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