March 5, 2024: Top news events to look out for today
Here is what you need to know to get up to speed with today's happenings.
1. EACC to launch NHIF graft report
The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) is scheduled to launch a graft report today, focusing on the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
This is following the completion of what the anti-graft agency terms as a comprehensive examination into the systems, policies, procedures and practices of NHIF which was aimed at identifying systemic loopholes and weaknesses that allow theft of public funds at the state agency.
The resultant report, including the commission’s findings and recommendations, will be unveiled this morning.
The report comes ahead of the planned roll-out of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to replace NHIF which has been dogged by corruption and fraud allegations.
SHIF, one of President William Ruto's flagship projects, is seeking to provide affordable healthcare to all Kenyans irrespective of their social status.
2. Kidero corruption case
A graft case against former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and 13 other persons will be coming up for hearing at the Milimani Anti-corruption Court.
The state is seeking to recover Ksh58 million allegedly embezzled by the defendants from Nairobi County government when Kidero served as county boss between 2013 and 2017.
Kidero's co-accused are George Wanaina, former Nairobi Mayor John Kariuki, former Councillor Paul Mutunga Mutungi, Philomena Nzuki, Ng’ang’a Mungai, Ekaya Alumasi, James Mbugua, Elizabeth Wanjiru, Alice Njeri, John Wanaina and the Cups limited.
Alumasi, Njeri, Wanjiru, Mbugua, Mungai, and Nzuki being former accountants at the county are accused of using their office to ‘improperly confer a benefit of Ksh58 million on Wachira Mburu Mwangi and company advocates’.
All the accused persons have denied the graft charges.
3. EALA session
The second session of the 5th assembly of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) continues today in Nairobi.
EALA's sessions in Nairobi began in earnest on March 3 and will run to March 20, 2024.
The 5th Assembly will deliberate on important regional matters, legislations proposed for harmonization, and strategies to bolster socio-economic development within the East African region.
Even though EALA is based in Arusha, Tanzania, it routinely holds some of its sessions in cities within its member states.
