Kenyan Newspapers Review For Sep 5: 3-Year-Old Boy Saves Sick Dad As Fire Burns Down Their House

On Tuesday, September 5, the local dailies reported on the Africa Climate Summit that is being held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.

1. The Standard

The paper reported that a three-year-old boy saved his father from imminent death when fire engulfed the family house in St. Mary Estate, Kitale.

Wycliffe Matangaro was sleeping in the bedroom when the house caught fire while his son was watching TV in the sitting room.

When the screen abruptly went off and he noticed smoke crowding the house, he rushed to the bedroom and struggled to wake the father up during the 7pm incident.

Matangaro was unwell, and his wife, Rose Nyaboke, had gone to the shop. His two daughters had gone to fetch water, not so far away from their home.

"I was asleep, and I didn't know that fire had engulfed the house. My son persistently pulled me, saying there was smoke in the house. I was terrified when I saw the entire house was on fire," Matangaro stated.

He said he managed to escape unhurt with his son through the kitchen, adding that they lost everything to the fire.

Nyaboke stated that the money she had borrowed from our group to pay fees for her daughter, who is in university, had been consumed.

She said she was returning from the shop when she found their house on fire and neighbours screaming outside.

Two neighbours said they saw some fire sparks at the power pole near Matangaro's home before huge smoke started emanating from his house.

2. The Star

The publication reported that the state claimed that the arrest of cult leader Paul Mackenzie in April this year and subsequent arrests of his wife, Rhoda Maweu and 27 others saved the lives of more than 100 people.

Those who survived are Mackenzie, his wife, their two-year-old child, 27 close associates, 65 victims, and 17 minors, some of whom were found in the vast 800-acre Shakahola forest between April and May.

By the time the police had received reports of the deaths in April, more than 500 people were believed to have already died and buried in shallow graves.

In an affidavit by investigating officer Raphael Wanjohi sworn on Thursday, August 3, the suspects used their rights, freedom of expression, and religion to commit the crimes they are accused of, including murder.

Wanjohi confirmed an attempt by the 65 victims, now turned into suspects, to commit mass suicide at a rescue centre.

Wanjohi said the curtailment was only achievable when the rights to liberty by continued detention at a facility that is suitable under the Persons Deprived of Liberty Act and fit for that purpose - a prison.

He said the rescue centre had been turned into a “cultist worship ground”, adding that it is necessary to hold the suspects at the respective GK prisons for their protection.

3. Daily Nation

According to the Daily, the Dubai company that accused the Registrar of the Court, Anne Amadi, of a fraud claim of KSh 91.4 million alleged a plot to disrupt the case in the High Court.

Bruton Gold Trading LLC, which appealed against the order to unfreeze Amadi's accounts, her son Brian's, Andrew Njenga Kiarie's, and Daniel Ndegwa Kangara alias Daniel Muriithi's, claims that Amadi, together with a certain judge, have colluded to undermine justice.

The company stated in an appeal filed on August 29, 2023, that the case presented in the High Court has been grossly interfered with, and the orders to unfreeze Amadi's accounts are unlawful.

Justice Ngenye Macharia of the Court of Appeal ruled Bruton's appeal as urgent. The accounts were frozen by the police, alleging they were used to receive money that the company claims was defrauded in a gold scandal before the High Court lifted the closure order.

The company asserts that a police investigation showed that Amadi received the money it claims was swindled, and it requests the Court of Appeal to issue an order to re-close those bank accounts.

The Court of Appeal ordered both parties to await the appointment of three judges to hear the company's appeal.

The company also states that the bank account that sent the money is Amadi and Associates' law firm and was opened by Amadi after joining the judiciary

4. People Daily

The son of the late chief spymaster James Kanyotu has moved to the High Court seeking to revoke the appointment of his stepmother as an administrator of the disputed KSh 10 billion Ruiru land in Kiambu County.

Through his lawyer, James Njoroge, Willy Kihara said Jane Gathoni Muraya is one of the administrators of Kangaita Coffee Estate Limited and has actively participated in cahoots with other third parties in running down the estate.

He accused Gathoni of contravening the law and unambiguous court orders. She gave out the title to the parcel of land in Ruiru, referenced as number 11261/76, belonging to the estate, and then proceeded to sell it without approval from the court.

At the same time, Justice Eric Ogola certified the matter as urgent and directed it to be heard on October 17.

Kihara said Gathoni is actively assisting third parties and intermeddlers to deprive the estate of the parcel of land valued at more than Sh10 billion.

The respondent has illegally held onto the property in contravention of court orders, leased the property to third parties, and frustrated its sale, thus enjoying the benefits of the property alone, to the prejudice of the applicant and other beneficiaries, Kihara argues.

He claimed that on several occasions, Jane threatened him and other family members, including her fellow administrators, a crime that has been reported to the DCI and is currently under investigation.

In an affidavit, Kihara argues that he is one of the beneficiaries of the estate and that on June 23, 2010, Justice Roselyn Nambuye issued orders appointing administrators, including Gathoni, Margaret Nyakinyua Murigu, and Mary Wanjiku Kanyotu.

Kihara wants the court to issue an order prohibiting Jane from executing any documents regarding the estate or dealing with any documents and properties related to the estate.

5. Taifa Leo

The Swahili paper reported that a 25-year-old man who is alleged to have been calling for taxi services in Huruma, Nairobi, pretending to be a customer before robbing drivers by threatening them with a knife, has been charged with armed robbery.

Ibrahim Ali is facing two counts of unlawful use of force in theft. He is accused of using actual force to rob ride-sharing taxi drivers Isaack Ndambuki and Rachel Wacere on separate occasions this year.

He is alleged to have stolen Ndambuki's mobile phone worth KSh 32,000, Wacere's phone worth KSh 16,500 and KSh 6,500 in cash on Thursday, August 24, while threatening her with a knife.