Government turns to social media for Jomo Kenya International Airport fire updates

NAIROBI, KENYA: Top government officials and the country’s emergency response teams turned to social media early Wednesday to give the country live updates about a massive inferno that was raging at Kenya’s biggest airport, the Jomo Kenya International Airport.

 A Kenya Red Cross ambulance at JKIA [Photo:Courtesy: Kenya Red Cross]
Cabinet Secretary Francis Kimemia, Interior Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo, the Kenya Red Cross, and the National Disaster Operation Centre all gave live updates on Twitter about the extent of the fire and the emergency response in putting the fire out.
The Director of Digital and New Media in the Office of the President, Mr Dennis Itumbi, also joined the buzz with updates about the “coordinated response from the military, Nairobi’s County government,  the G4S”, plus other security companies, which had dispatched their fire engines to battle the inferno.
The official twitter handle of the Ministry of Interior and Cordination (@InteriorKE) went live with hourly updates confirming the fire as early as six in the morning. It said the fire began shortly before 5am. The Kenya Red Cross had already tweeted about it and so had the Kenya Airports Authority.
“We confirm that there is a fire at JKIA. International Arrivals Building affected," KAA tweeted.
The authority also added that the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Michael Kamau, will be holding a briefing where details about the damage and the period of closure of the airport are expected to be released.
He briefed the media and said the airport was closed.
@InteriorKE also notified journalists and media houses about the raging inferno, with pointers that the immigration section had been “badly damaged”. Pleas for motorists to give way to emergency units also went out through the Twitter handle under the name of PS Iringo.
“Apart from emergency landings, all flights into and out of JKIA have been canceled. Airport has been shut down,” the ministry of Interior tweeted some minutes after seven o’clock, just as Twitter went viral with pictures of the fire and hashtag # JKIAFire.
Mr Iringo added: "The airport has been closed down. Flights routed to Mombasa and Eldoret airports as primary landing."
Kenya Airways, the country’s national carrier also notified its passengers about the cancellation of all its flights: “Esteemed Guests, JKIA is closed due to the unfortunate fire incident, all flights cancelled please don’t come until we update soon.
he fire comes within days of the closure of Duty Free shops at the airport, and just days after flights delayed owing to the failure of a fuel pump. The cause is not yet known, and no details of casualties have been reported as at now.
Mr Kimemia had to direct traffic to his Twitter handle to @InteriorKE for “updates and more developments”.

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The @InteriorKE got thumbs-up from the public.

“We are duty bound to inform the public. Glad to see a (government) account serving the people actively with critical info. Thumbs up!” tweeted Saddique Shabaan, a media personality.
“Today must be the first time a government Twitter handle, @InteriorKE , has had timely, informative updates. It was the first place I saw the fire,” noted John Ngirachu, a journalist.
Kenyans at the airport tweeted pictures of the massive fire.

The standard Reports.

The Photos of JKIA fire inferno

Elkanah Odembo's Tenure as Kenya's Ambassador to the U.S. Ends

The Kenyan embassy in Washington, DC has announced the end of H.E. Elkanah Odembo’s tour of duty as Kenya’s ambassador to the United States.

Ambassador Jean Kamau, currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Mission, will act as Charge d'Affaires until a new Chief of Mission is named by President Uhuru Kenyatta and approved the parliament.

Ambassador Odembo has served as Kenya’s top envoy in Washington since July, 2010, and was one of the country’s ambassadors and high commissioners recalled in June by President Uhuru Kenyatta (READ: Some of Kenya's Envoys Abroad Recalled, Told to Leave Missions by Mid-July).

The embassy released the message below as the staff bid farewell to Odembo and his family:

Ambassador Odembo arrived in the United States in July 2010 to take up his Ambassadorial duties as the Kenyan Ambassador to Washington DC after having served a term of one year and a half as Kenya's Ambassador to France.

During Ambassador Odembo's three years in Washington DC he will be remembered for opening up the Embassy to members of the Diaspora and for his initiative to form the Kenya Diaspora Councils (KDCs) which was to act as a platform for the Diaspora to engage amongst themselves and with the Embassy.

The Ambassador also encouraged members of the Diaspora to engage in advocacy work in order to strengthen congressional ties and bring attention to issues affecting Kenyans in the US.

Ambassador Odembo will also be remembered for his passion for sports in which he ensured that the Mission was actively involved with visiting Kenyan athletes, organizers of Marathon's, Road races, and Kenya Rugby Sevens.

Members of staff wish Ambassador Odembo and his family all the best in their future endeavors.

SISTA KATOLIKI ABAKWA NA KUNDI LA WANAUME WATATU WIKI NZIMA...

Sista aliye mafunzoni ametekwa na kubakwa kwa wiki nzima na kundi la wanaume watatu katika kile kinachohisiwa kuwa ni shambulio la kulipiza kisasi, vyombo vya habari nchini India vimeripoti.

Sista huyo mwenye miaka 22 alidaiwa kutekwa kwenye stesheni ya treni na binamu zake na kisha kushikiliwa mateka na kubakwa kwa zaidi ya siku kadhaa sababu waliishutumu familia yake kwa kifo cha baba yao.
Ni tukio la karibu kabisa katika mfululizo wa mashambulio ya ubakaji nchini India mwaka huu tangu mwanafunzi alipobakwa na kundi la wanaume na kufa kutokana na majeraha yake ya kutisha ndani ya basi la Delhi Desemba mwaka jana.
Sista huyo aliwaeleza polisi alikuwa akutane na binamu zake kwenye stesheni ya treni karibu na Chennai, huko Tamil Nadu, kusini mwa India, baada ya kudai kwamba mama yao alikuwa anaumwa.
Hatahivyo, anasema alichukuliwa hadi kijiji cha jirani ambako alishambuliwa mara kadhaa.
Watuhumiwa hao baadaye walimrejesha kwenye stesheni hiyo na kumwonya asiripoti tukio hilo.
Binamu wa mwanamke huyo, Jotindra Sobhasundar mwenye miaka 30, na Tukuna Sobhasundar mwenye miaka 28, walikamatwa Jumapili, kwa mujibu wa ripoti.
Mtuhumiwa wa tatu alikamatwa Jumatatu baada ya mfululizo wa makimbizano katika wilaya ya Kandhamal.
Vyombo vya habari za mjini humo vilisema kaka wa Sista huyo alihojiwa kuhusiana na mauaji ya mmoja wa watuhumiwa.
Shambulio hilo lilidaiwa kutokea kati ya Julai 5 na 11 lakini likatangazwa hadharani wiki hii.
Tukio hilo limelaaniwa vikali na Rais wa Baraza la Maaskofu Katoliki nchini India.
Kardinali Oswald Gracias, alinukuliwa akisema: "Ubakaji huu wa makundi ni ugaidi wa kimwili na kihisia.
Pia alizishutumu wakala za serikali kwa 'kukwepa wajibu wao'.

High Court to decide Kethi’s fate Friday

We dare you! Teachers scoff at Kaimenyi

KNUT chairperson Wilson Sossion flanked by acting Secretary General Muzo Nzili

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 16 – The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has scoffed at a return to work order by Education Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi and has dared the government to live up to its threats.
The union’s Second Vice National Chairman Wycliffe Omucheyi told Capital FM News on Tuesday morning that teachers will not resume work, insisting that they went on strike for a purpose which has not been fulfilled.
Omucheyi laughed off Kaimenyi’s threats of disciplinary action, saying such threats in the past were just hot air.
“Haven’t they ever made such similar threats before? And they have had no real effects. Teachers went on strike with a purpose and that purpose has not yet been achieved. Do you expect us to go back to class?” he quipped.
The government on Monday ordered teachers to resume their duties or face the sack.
“If you choose not to remain in work, you have sacked yourself. And we shall take appropriate disciplinary action. If you abandon duty, you will be deemed to have absconded and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in line with the law,” Education Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi had said.
It is now a wait-and-see situation on whether the teachers will heed Kaimenyi’s order or will maintain their hard-line stance.
In the meantime a cross section of Kenyans expressed different opinions on the stance taken by the teachers.
Speaking to Capital FM News, a few of those interviewed encouraged teachers to stand their ground and not to be cowed by any threats.
“Teachers also need to be considerate in that if somebody asks you to negotiate you have to give that a chance, go to the table, discuss issues and forge a way ahead,” a parent whose child is a candidate stated.
“The teachers should be reasonable because the children are really suffering out here. They are not reading and in the end there is going to be an examination which they might fail,” she said.
The nationwide teachers’ strike is now in its fourth week after the top decision-making organ of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) rejected the government’s offer of Sh17 billion.
KNUT Secretary General Mudzo Nzili said the National Executive Council (NEC) will only take a vote to end the strike once the government puts a better offer on the table.
Nzili said the government had offered to pay them Sh12 billion in commuter allowances in two phases; the first phase coming into effect July 1 and the second in 2014 but the union’s executive council rejected the offer saying the entire amount should be paid in full before the strike can be called off.
The NEC also demanded that a housing allowance offer totalling Sh29 billion be put on the table.

Photos: Ufupi wa kaptura ya binti wa Obama wazua gumzo

Wakati baba yake, rais Barack Obama akiwa ziarani barani Afrika, binti mdogo wa rais huyo, Sasha, alikua jijini New York akifanya shopping huku amevaa kikaptura kifupi (short shorts, al maarufu kama daisy dukes.) Mapaparazzi walimpiga picha binti huyo akiwa mitaani na raha zake na kuuliza mitandaoni kama ni sahihi kwa binti wa miaka 12, kuvaa kaptura fupi hivyo. Kama kawaida za mitandaoni, kilichozuka ni ubishi mkali kati ya wanaoona si sahihi, hasa kwa binti ya rais, na wale wanaoona ni poa tu. Wewe upo kwenye camp ipi? Unaweza ruhusu binti yako avae kaptura kama hii?

Gorgeous and beautiful Sarah Tanya AKA Tanya Exclusive pictures

SHOCKING: So University Ladies are all Lesbians

''I'm Torn Between My Husband And My Lover''

I met up with a handsome guy on a dating website. We are meant to be having a séx-only relationship but I have developed feelings for him.

 

I am 35, married for six years but things have not been good lately. We argue constantly. I love my husband but I no longer want to sleep with him. I have tried to make this side of my marriage work but he just doesn’t turn me on.

I started exchanging emails with an ex. He sent me nakéd pictures and I send him ones of me. We had arranged to meet up but my husband found out and went round his house and threatened him to stay away. After that my ex refused to have anything to do with me so I tried this no-strings séx website.

Meeting this new guy online has been fantastic and he is an amazing lover – really knows how to make a woman feel good - but I said we should stop once I started developing feelings for him. He still kept asking to see me and I couldn’t resist.

Last week my husband again found out what I was up to by reading my emails. He told the guy to get lost and threatened him with all sorts. This guy isn’t quitting on me though, he still wants us to meet.

I dumped him a couple of days ago but even that’s not putting him off. He says I don’t mean it and we’ve got a good thing going. I can’t work out why he’s sticking by me. Meanwhile my husband is trying to make it up to me and that’s breaking my heart. I worry I will end up leaving him hurt

Fmr PM RailaOdinga addressing residents of Mukuyuni as Cord team introduced Kethi Kilonzo in Makueni

Former VP @Skmusyoka introducing Kethi Kilonzo in Mukuyuni.

The Splash News: UPROAR AS CITY CLERGY IMPREGNATES A TEENAGER.

The Splash News: UPROAR AS CITY CLERGY IMPREGNATES A TEENAGER.: Members of a famous church in the city on Sunday snubbed the church services and locked the church premises to protest against the c...

UPROAR AS CITY CLERGY IMPREGNATES A TEENAGER.

Members of a famous church in the city on Sunday snubbed the church services and locked the church premises to protest against the church pastor who had allegedly impregnated a teenager.

Members of the church locked the doors and gate of the church compound to display their displeasure with the services of the church Pastor whom they claim has been engaged with the teen for eight months.

The adolescent who is 16-year old is said to be six months old pregnant of the Pastor. The mum of the youngster who has been suspecting the unusual behavior of her daughter only realized of the development when her daughter came for half term holidays prompting her to tell other church members consequently fuelling the demonstration on Sunday.   

The church located down town in the city pulled a large crowd after it staged a demonstration along the busy street hence attracting on lookers who kept guessing of what was amiss. More comedy was to unfold when the Pastor arrived in a silk range rover sport amidst the chaos, chatting and shouting of the demonstrators who demanded an explanation of the alleged pregnancy.   

 The pastor who looked shocked and dumbfounded by the turn of events was hard pressed to respond to the allegations.

Anger and animosity filled the place to extent that some church members threatened to flash him out the car and set it ablaze if he was not answerable to the allegations. However, luck dawned to the man of God when the police officers who were on patron in town came for his rescue.

Church members allege that the clergy is used to having relationship with a number of people’s wives who are his members but it  seems he has revised his tactics.

‘Nashangaa bwana, pastor anakula kuku pamoja na vifaranga” claims one the church members.

The Splash News: Man Caught Having 5ex With Married Female Pastor.

The Splash News: Man Caught Having 5ex With Married Female Pastor.: The Young Man and Female Pastor There was drama in Dandora Phase 4   on Sunday night when a married, female pastor was evicted fro...

The Splash News: Man Caught Having 5ex With Married Female Pastor.

The Splash News: Man Caught Having 5ex With Married Female Pastor.: The Young Man and Female Pastor There was drama in Dandora Phase 4   on Sunday night when a married, female pastor was evicted fro...

Man Caught Having 5ex With Married Female Pastor.

The Young Man and Female Pastor

There was drama in Dandora Phase 4  on Sunday night when a married, female pastor was evicted from her matrimonial home after she was reportedly caught pants down with a married man in their matrimonial bed.

Pastor James  Mukwamba,  was reportedly caught by her husband after news that she was having extra-marital affairs with young males reached her husband. The man whom she was caught with in bed reportedly died mysteriously the same day.

Police spokesperson confirmed the sudden-death report after a misunderstanding between the deceased and his girlfriend.

"Police are still investigating a sudden death of the deceased following a misunderstanding between the deceased and his girlfriend. The deceased's wife reported that the deceased downed poisonous pesticide at  his girlfriend's house following a misunderstanding with the suspect. The deceased failed to justify to his wife how he was poisoned in the neighbourhood when he reported to her that he was coming from another state.

"And police are treating it as a suicide case and investigations are in progress," said Inspector  Chibanda.

Our news crew visited the house on Sunday night and found multitudes of residents milling around the house intending to mete instant justice on Pastor Tsitsi. Police had to be called in to control and disperse the crowd and she was smuggled out of the house by her husband who went and dumped her at Dandora  Police Station.

"We want to teach her the correct way she is supposed to preach to the congregation when she is called the woman of God at church," one of the residents was heard saying.

Confronted for comment, the husband, identified as Baba Brian  said:

"This is a family affair which does not need media coverage. There is nothing going on, people just want her to pay back their debts. This is just mob psychology," he disguised.

Tsitsi could not entertain questions and she sought refuge in a cab before it sped off.

The now deceased man is understood to have narrated everything to his wife and was rushed to a local doctor where he died that very night.