馃嚢馃嚜KenyaEast Africa
Meru governor plans organic hair production from banana stems, claims synthetic hair causes cancer
via Tuko6 min read
Meru governor Isaac Mutuma M鈥橢thingia has announced plans to manufacture organic hair from banana stems, alleging that imported synthetic hair may cause cancer and skin diseases. Speaking at the Ushirika Day celebrations, Mutuma stated that his government has acquired equipment for the project, aiming to reduce reliance on imported synthetic products and create economic opportunities for banana farmers. The initiative seeks to transform banana waste into biodegradable hair products that can be used as manure after disposal, addressing environmental pollution caused by non-biodegradable synthetic hair. The governor indicated that processing plants would be established at Kaguru Farmers Training Centre, Maua Polytechnic, and Thangatha to ensure accessibility for farmers across Meru. Mutuma also used the occasion to seek political support for his re-election in 2027 and urged residents to support the Kenya Kwanza administration and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Tuko.
Nation Media Group journalist Simon Ciuri has obtained a temporary injunction against Ejidio Kinyanjui Gitau and Victor Muusya Cosmus, directors of Willstone Homes Limited, preventing them from making further alleged defamatory statements. High Court Justice Nixon Sifuna ruled that Ciuri established a prima facie case, highlighting the severe impact of reputational harm in the digital age, especially concerning professional reputation. The suit stems from statements made on social media platforms, including YouTube, following Ciuri's August 2024 Nation newspaper article about the company. The court, however, declined to order the removal of the disputed content from social media, noting that mandatory injunctions are granted only in exceptional circumstances. Justice Sifuna observed that an alleged statement accusing the journalist of accepting a KSh 500,000 bribe to tarnish the company's reputation "would ex facie appear defamatory" and could lower his standing. The judge emphasized that at this interlocutory stage, the court was not determining actual defamation but whether the threshold for temporary protection was met, which Ciuri satisfied. The court awarded Ciuri the costs of the application.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union KMPDU has welcomed a series of commitments from the Kenyan government regarding doctors' salaries, employment, internships, medical cover, and the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement CBA. These promises were made during a high-level meeting chaired by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. Key agreements include the immediate activation of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Database IPPD code to facilitate basic salary adjustments under the CBA, and the inclusion of 2024/2025 basic salary arrears in the September supplementary budget for payment by December. The government also pledged to resolve salary arrears for Ministry of Health doctors dating back to 2017, with a progress report due by August 2. The deadline for Social Health Authority SHA contributions will be extended from the 9th to the 25th of each month to prevent disruptions to medical cover. Negotiations for the 2025-2029 Ministry of Health CBA are set to begin soon, with the ministry presenting its counter-proposal next week. Additionally, the government reaffirmed its commitment to recruit 2,000 doctors and will release a report on their employment status next week. Other commitments include appointing a Chief Executive Officer at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital within three weeks, which will lead to the absorption of seven pending pharmacists. Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga will intervene to resol
The High Court has ruled that eight girls linked to the Utumishi Girls Academy fire will be treated as minors, not accused persons, during their trial. Justice Diana Kavetsa declared that the court will convert into a children鈥檚 court, emphasizing their constitutional protections despite the gravity of the charges. The Kibera High Court directed that the girls, connected to an arson attack that killed 16 learners, will be referred to as "subject minors" throughout the proceedings. Justice Kavetsa stated that the terminology used would change, asserting, "No one will call them accused persons. We do not have accused persons. These are children." The court will create a comfortable and safe environment for minors, handling the matter in line with requirements for children facing criminal allegations. Only the Director of Public Prosecutions and advocates representing the minors will be allowed in the courtroom. While acknowledging public grief, Justice Kavetsa cautioned against allowing sentiment to override due process, insisting the case would be decided strictly on admissible evidence and applicable law. She noted that while the minors face serious criminal charges, their constitutional protections as children are not diminished, nor does their status as children diminish the gravity of the lives lost. The court's task is to balance both realities without compromise.