By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Speaking during the auditions in Embu town, Safaricom Marketing Officer Nicholas Gachiri said the initiative is aimed at providing young people with a platform to showcase their abilities and get opportunities to develop their talents.

Gachiri said Safaricom will take the auditions to different regions as part of a nationwide talent search targeting young people gifted in singing and dancing.

He said the company wants to discover talented young people and give them an opportunity to grow their skills and pursue careers in the creative industry. “We want to discover talents and give young people an opportunity to showcase what they can do,” Gachiri said.

He said the auditions are open to talented youths who have the passion and ability to entertain, adding that the programme will continue visiting different parts of the country in search of emerging talents.

Safaricom Hook vocal coach Hellen Mtawali urged young people to take their talents seriously and use them as a means of improving their lives.

Mtawali encouraged the youth to take advantage of platforms such as Safaricom Hook to showcase their abilities, build their confidence and pursue opportunities in the creative industry.

She said talent, when properly nurtured and developed, can provide young people with opportunities to earn a living and build sustainable careers.

The auditions brought together aspiring singers and dancers who showcased their abilities as they sought an opportunity to be identified and supported through the Safaricom Hook talent platform.

By JOHN MUSEMBI 

Dr Mbithi has further noted in the weekly weather forecast sent to newsrooms that residents should follow  required farm practices  from onset to cessation of the rain season.  

As for this week's weather forecast,  the weatherman says mornings will be partly cloudy while in the afternoons, sunny conditions will persist. He adds that there is a possibility of light to moderate rains in high ground areas. "There is a chance of light to moderate rain over high ground areas during the weekend".

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Embu County police boss Vincent Kitili has since confirmed to KTN News that one person was shot dead.

The meeting had brought together delegates from across Embu County, with those expected to attend receiving invitation messages on Thursday ahead of the gathering.

However, only invited delegates were allowed into the stadium, where Prof Kindiki and other leaders were holding the meeting.

Tensions rose after hundreds of people who had not been invited were denied entry into the venue, leading to a confrontation between the group and police officers deployed to maintain security.

Police fired teargas canisters in an attempt to disperse the protesters and prevent them from accessing the stadium, as the situation rapidly deteriorated outside the meeting venue.

The ensuing chaos resulted in several vehicles being set ablaze, with reports indicating that more than 10 vehicles were burnt. 

Two people were also feared dead during the disturbances, although details surrounding the reported deaths remained unclear by press time.

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire condemned the violence, describing the burning of vehicles and the confrontation as a backward step for the county.

Gov Mbarire also pointed an accusing finger at Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, whom she linked to what she described as the planning of the meeting and the events that preceded the chaos.

One of the victims, Zacharia Mutungi, who lost his vehicle during the incident, condemned the destruction of property and called on investigators to move swiftly and ensure that those responsible are brought to book.

The incident has raised concerns over the growing political tensions in Embu County, with calls for political leaders and their supporters to embrace dialogue, restraint and peaceful engagement rather than allowing political differences to degenerate into violence.

By JOHN MUSEMBI 

Kitui County Director of NDMA,Eunice Mutuku  said that since very heavy rainfall was expected as forecast by the Kenya Meteorological Services Department, it is important for residents to take safety measures such as avoiding crossing flooded rivers. 

She said it was part of government's efforts to offer the right information on the  reduction of fatalities that may occur during El-Nino season. NDMA will keep providing early warning reports in Kitui County to help residents take appropriate actions as the wet season progresses. 

Kenya Meteorological Services Department head in Kitui County Dr Daniel Mbithi told residents to follow weather forecast broadcasts in the media. He added that the forecast would improve farm yields and  safety of residents. "Those who listened to my advice last season that if there is enough soil moisture they should  plant, had great harvests compared to those who delayed in planting", said Mbithi.

He cautioned residents to stay away from flood prone  areas  as they were like to be marooned and  waterlogged. 

"This makes crop maturity to suffer since such crops turn yellow due to excessive moisture," Mbithi when he spoke to the media.

"I tell our people to be prepared and ready for El-Nino. This includes safe travels and doing early planting ", concluded the Kitui County Director of Meteorological Services.

The four-Aron Macharia, Ben Batha, Amos Mutuku and Alex Kamwaki, aged between 30 and 35 years old, were convicted following a two-year trial in which the Prosecution was found to have proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

Kyuso Senior Principal Magistrate Paul Mayova found the four guilty of robbery with violence under Section 295 as read with Section 296(1) of the Penal Code.

The charge stated that on February 21, 2024, at about 4.18pm in Kamuwongo town, Kyuso Sub-County, in Kitui County, the four, while armed with dangerous weapons, including crowbars and a toy pistol, robbed businessman Peter Mwasi Kamami of Sh. 900,000 and a black bag valued at Sh1,500.

The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charge. However, in his judgment, Magistrate Mayova said the Prosecution had presented compelling evidence, corroborated by witnesses, which discredited the accused persons' alibis and defences.

The court heard that on the material day, the four men trailed Kamami after he withdrew Sh. 900,000 from the Equity Bank branch in Mwingi and headed home in Itivanzou on his motorcycle.

According to the evidence presented in court, the suspects, who were dressed in police attire, caught up with Kamami near Kamuwongo after he slowed down to answer a phone call from one of his workers.

They allegedly rammed him from behind using a hired vehicle, causing him to fall to the ground. He had one of his fingers fractured and his nose and face bruised.

The court was told that the four men then confronted Kamami and stole the black bag containing the Sh. 900,000.

Magistrate Mayova said the complainant was able to identify the attackers because they were not wearing masks or hoods. The robbers reportedly fled in their vehicle after spotting an approaching matatu.

The matatu driver and passengers helped the injured Kamami to Kamuwongo Police Post, where he reported the incident.

The court further heard that, as the suspects attempted to escape, they abandoned their vehicle in the Ngungani area near Kiambere Dam and sought a lift from a passing lorry.

Their escape was, however, cut short when police officers from Kiambere Police Station, who had mounted a roadblock, intercepted and arrested them.

Only Sh340,000 of the stolen Sh900,000 was recovered at the time of their arrest, the court was told. The amount was presented in court as an exhibit.

The magistrate said evidence from the vehicle's tracking system, together with Safaricom phone-tracking data, further strengthened the Prosecution's case and linked the accused persons to the robbery.

Having found the four guilty, Magistrate Mayova sentenced each of them to life imprisonment. He, however, informed them of their right to appeal against both the conviction and sentence within 14 days.