Wikipedia to open first office outside US

Wikimedia, the owners of online encyclopaedia Wikipedia, plans to open its first non-US office in India as it seeks to take advantage of the country's open Internet culture, the group told AFP Friday.

"There is a lot of enthusiasm for Wikimedia in India, a strong community within India and a general commitment to free knowledge," Wikimedia chief global development officer Barry Newstead said in emailed comments.

"We hope to support Indians to realise the vision of 'a world in which every single person can freely share in the sum of all knowledge'."

The planned investment in India would be

TJRC's imminent crash sad but was expected

It appears inevitable that the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, as presently constituted, will soon come to an unfortunate end. The ultimatum given to this noble commission by Parliament's Legal and Constitutional committee to shape up or ship out is sad but was expected.

The commission was set up as part of the Agenda Four goals and mandated to investigate and address past injustices to rebirth the nation and give it fresh impetus.

However, an integrity crisis soon hit the commission as allegations were made against its Chairman, Dr Bethuel Kiplagat, who has insisted he is innocent and that

Together we can stop child trafficking cartels

The rescue of three school children in Trans Nzoia County yesterday must have been a mighty relief to their grandfather who did not know of their whereabouts for three days.

That the minors aged between 11 and 14 years had been defiled by their abductors on the pain of death makes the case for sad reading. But these girls were the luckier ones.

In far off Malindi, Provincial Directors of Children's Services from all the eight provinces, were meeting to share experiences and strategise on how to deal with a resurgence of child trafficking.

The vice has evolved into a

Criticism mounts as Mau evictees waste away in transitional camps

One year since illegal settlers were kicked out of South West Mau to pave the way for the forest rehabilitation, criticism is mounting over their continued stay in transitional camps.

A politician is accusing the government of neglecting the evictees. The 4,985 families are wasting away in nine transitional camps in Kuresoi and Bureti districts.

Kuresoi MP Zakayo Cheruiyot named the camps as Kurbanya, Kipkongor, Tarta, Tirigoi, Kong'asis, Kipkoris, Kusumek, Kiletien and Cheptalukiat.

Three other camps in Konoin Division of Bureti District play host to about 10,000 evictees. Mr Cheruiyot said the families were living in abject poverty with many going to sleep on empty stomachs on a daily basis.

And their camps are in a deplorable condition with the cold weather and persistent heavy rains

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission fighting for survival

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) has been facing tribulations, among them shortage of funds and the resignation of two Commissioners. Writer Vitalis Kimutai spoke to Baringo Central MP Sammy Mwaita, and his Vihiga counterpart Yusuf Chanzu, on whether there was a deliberate attempt by the Government to impair the Commission through inadequate funding.

For : Hon. Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central MP)

QUESTION: Is the Government sabotaging TJRC through financial starvation?

ANSWER:Yes, powerful people in Government have hatched a plot to sabotage the TJRC because of its leadership. They are against the chairman Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat. It is a very clearly a calculated move to have the chairman bow to pressure and quit the commission.

Hon. Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central MP) - Yes

Hon. Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga MP) - No

Q:In your opinion, do you think the Commission should be provided with more funds to accomplish its mission?

ANSWER: Sufficient funds should be given to the Commission by the Government to enable it execute its mandate. It should not be begging for money from the Treasury and Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Let there be fairness.

Q:How do you rate

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission fighting for survival

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) has been facing tribulations, among them shortage of funds and the resignation of two Commissioners. Writer Vitalis Kimutai spoke to Baringo Central MP Sammy Mwaita, and his Vihiga counterpart Yusuf Chanzu, on whether there was a deliberate attempt by the Government to impair the Commission through inadequate funding.

For : Hon. Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central MP)

QUESTION: Is the Government sabotaging TJRC through financial starvation?

ANSWER:Yes, powerful people in Government have hatched a plot to sabotage the TJRC because of its leadership. They are against the chairman Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat. It is a very clearly a calculated move to have the chairman bow to pressure and quit the commission.

Hon. Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central MP) - Yes

Hon. Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga MP) - No

Q:In your opinion, do you think the Commission should be provided with more funds to accomplish its mission?

ANSWER: Sufficient funds should be given to the Commission by the Government to enable it execute its mandate. It should not be begging for money from the Treasury and Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Let there be fairness.

Q:How do you rate

State moves in to shore up Coast's tourism potential

By Philip Mwakio

The Ministry of Tourism will appoint a consultant to help in the rebranding of Destination Kenyan Coast.

"The Tourist Trust Fund (TTF) and Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) will take the lead role in ensuring that the rebranding process becomes a reality," Tourism Minister Najib Balala, who was flanked by his Assistant Minister, Cecily Mbarire, and PS Leah Gwiyo, said.

"Together with the National Economic Social Council (NESC), my ministry and the sector round table meeting will help prop up Destination Coast," Balala said at an inaugural stakeholders round table meeting.

Veteran hotelier, Mahmud Jan Mohamed, and CEO

M-Pesa users to retrieve numbers in a new move

By Kamau Macharia

Users of Safaricom's money transfer service M-Pesa will in the coming weeks swap their SIM cards and take up new ones that will enable them to retrieve the number of the person they are sending money to directly from the phone book.

Currently users have to manually key in the phone number of the person they are sending money to, a process prone to errors and has resulted in a number of customers sending the money to unintended parties.

Joseph said the new SIM cards would help in reducing the number of erroneous transactions. He

Credibility, not money top of TJRC’s problems

The unseemly standoff between the commissioners of the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission and the Ministry of Justice is unnecessary.

However, the seeds for this confrontation were sown even before the commission began its work, when some of them ganged up to demand that the chair step down.

Since then, the commission has lurched from one crisis to another. The TJRC as presently constituted cannot claim to have the full faith of the public after aspersions were cast on its Chairman Bethwel Kiplagat's integrity.

Those claims which we need not mention here, created acrimony in the commission, with some

Controversy over Mara race

Controversy over the Kenya Airways Masai Mara marathon deepened on Friday when directors of the Olchorro Oirowua Wild Life Trust, the event's venue, pulled out.

The Trust chairman, Saiyalel Ole Kuluo, confirmed it was because of failure by the race organisers to honour the pledges agreed on last year, which has prompted them to opt out.

Some of the objectives of the marathons include provision of better sanitation, promote education and help the community access clean water.

"We have no problem with Kenya Airways who have come in as sponsors, but we held meetings with the organisers and agreed

Legislators divided on whether PCs and PPOs could become unfair targets of ICC

Senior members of the provincial security teams who were in charge of regions that experienced post election violence fear they could become sacrificial lambs in ICC post election violence (PEV) trials. Writer Vitalis Kimutai Spoke to Ainamoi MP Benjamin Langat (ODM) and nominated MP Rachael Shebesh on whether or not the fears are justified.

YES: Nominated MP Rachael Shebesh

Nominated MP Rachael Shebesh

Ainamoi MP Benjamin Langat (ODM)

QUESTION:Do you think senior PCs and PPOs who served in five major hot-spots before, during and after post election violence could become sacrificial lambs in the hands of the ICC?

ANSWER: No. There should be no cause for alarm as the PCs and PPOs were on the ground and they should be able to tell the world what happened at the time. All the police stations where people were tear-gassed, killed, injured and others incarcerated were within their area of jurisdictions.

QUESTION:Focus has in recent weeks shifted to the PCs and PPOs who claim they were only doing their job as instructed by authority. Do you agree?

ANSWER: There is no way they can be left out of

Should ODM Pentagon members be investigated for calling mass action?

A section of Rift Valley leaders recently demanded that the ODM Pentagon be investigated by the ICC team over Post-Election violence. Writer VITALIS KIMUTAI spoke to Keiyo South MP JACKSON KIPTANUI and Nambale MP CHRIS OKEMO on whether the Pentagon members should be investigated.

YES : Keiyo South MP Jackson Kiptanui

QUESTION: Should the ODM Pentagon be held responsible for post-election violence over its calls for mass action?

ANSWER: Yes. They should answer for calling on the people to carry out mass action. The result? People rioted, leading to killings by police and retaliation by public, then violence.

QUESTION: Do you support calls to have minutes of the Pentagon tabled before ICC investigators as demanded by a section of PNU and Rift Valley MPs?

ANSWER: The minutes should be availed in its original form without much fuss, as Pentagon met before issuing directives to its followers. Once members emerged from a meeting and called for ceasefire, meaning a commander gave orders to proceed with chaos or hold out a truce.

QUESTION: Can the latest row between PNU and ODM overshadow taking of statements from PCs and PPOs who served in hots pots during the chaos?

ANSWER: No, for two weeks the Government dilly-dallied on handing over minutes of security meetings to the ICC. There were even attempts by Attorney General Amos Wako and Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo to have the minutes vetted before being released. But ICC was not deterred.

QUESTION: Can the counter-accusations by

Should ODM Pentagon members be investigated for calling mass action?

A section of Rift Valley leaders recently demanded that the ODM Pentagon be investigated by the ICC team over Post-Election violence. Writer VITALIS KIMUTAI spoke to Keiyo South MP JACKSON KIPTANUI and Nambale MP CHRIS OKEMO on whether the Pentagon members should be investigated.

YES : Keiyo South MP Jackson Kiptanui

QUESTION: Should the ODM Pentagon be held responsible for post-election violence over its calls for mass action?

ANSWER: Yes. They should answer for calling on the people to carry out mass action. The result? People rioted, leading to killings by police and retaliation by public, then violence.

QUESTION: Do you support calls to have minutes of the Pentagon tabled before ICC investigators as demanded by a section of PNU and Rift Valley MPs?

ANSWER: The minutes should be availed in its original form without much fuss, as Pentagon met before issuing directives to its followers. Once members emerged from a meeting and called for ceasefire, meaning a commander gave orders to proceed with chaos or hold out a truce.

QUESTION: Can the latest row between PNU and ODM overshadow taking of statements from PCs and PPOs who served in hots pots during the chaos?

ANSWER: No, for two weeks the Government dilly-dallied on handing over minutes of security meetings to the ICC. There were even attempts by Attorney General Amos Wako and Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo to have the minutes vetted before being released. But ICC was not deterred.

QUESTION: Can the counter-accusations by

Should ODM Pentagon members be investigated for calling mass action?

A section of Rift Valley leaders recently demanded that the ODM Pentagon be investigated by the ICC team over Post-Election violence. Writer VITALIS KIMUTAI spoke to Keiyo South MP JACKSON KIPTANUI and Nambale MP CHRIS OKEMO on whether the Pentagon members should be investigated.

YES : Keiyo South MP Jackson Kiptanui

QUESTION: Should the ODM Pentagon be held responsible for post-election violence over its calls for mass action?

ANSWER: Yes. They should answer for calling on the people to carry out mass action. The result? People rioted, leading to killings by police and retaliation by public, then violence.

QUESTION: Do you support calls to have minutes of the Pentagon tabled before ICC investigators as demanded by a section of PNU and Rift Valley MPs?

ANSWER: The minutes should be availed in its original form without much fuss, as Pentagon met before issuing directives to its followers. Once members emerged from a meeting and called for ceasefire, meaning a commander gave orders to proceed with chaos or hold out a truce.

QUESTION: Can the latest row between PNU and ODM overshadow taking of statements from PCs and PPOs who served in hots pots during the chaos?

ANSWER: No, for two weeks the Government dilly-dallied on handing over minutes of security meetings to the ICC. There were even attempts by Attorney General Amos Wako and Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo to have the minutes vetted before being released. But ICC was not deterred.

QUESTION: Can the counter-accusations by

Mahakama drop points, KCB win

By Robin Toskin

Mahakama did little to suggest they are hungry to stay in top flight after a stingy 0-0 draw with Western Stima at City Stadium.

The gravity of their draw may turn out to be enormous after Posta Rangers beat Red Berets 2-1 in Nakuru and KCB shredded Nairobi City Stars 3-0 at City Stadium moments after their barren draw.

Although coach Sammy Omollo was satisfied with the result, the outcome in the other matches, with Chemelil Sugar also playing AFC Leopards tomorrow would leave the former Gor Mahia with pangs of guilt.

The result would have been

Baptiste boys take on Emirates in four ODI duels

By Oscar Pilipili

Kenya head coach Eldine Baptiste has another chance to gauge the strength of his boys when he leads the national team to four-match one day international series against United Arabs Emirates (UAE) starting in Mombasa tomorrow.

Kenya go into series six days after beating Afghanistan 2-1 in a closely-contested three-match one-day series at Nairobi Gymkhana.

James Ngoche spins during the four-day match against Afghanistan. [PHOTO: MARTIN MUKANGU/STANDARD]

Kenyan batting order is expected to maintain good performance that saw them beat Afghanistan by massive eight wickets in their last meeting. Baptiste is likely to utilise upcoming players, who showed tremendous performance, especially in bowling, against Afghanistan.

The bowlers include

Kosgey can’t just ignore candidate over his name

Henry Kosgey overstepped his mandate in appointing the Kebs director shows people are arguing from a point of ignorance of the entire process.

The appointment of directors allows the discretion of the minister in a given situation.

The minister could not just ignore a candidate because his name resembles his and they are both Kalenjins.

The minister would have failed in his duties had he chosen to play to the public gallery on imaginary tribalism.

Let's stop trivialising each and everything.

ALEXANDER CHAGEMA, Kakamega

Source: Breaking News, Kenya

Should ODM Pentagon members be investigated for calling mass action?

A section of Rift Valley leaders recently demanded that the ODM Pentagon be investigated by the ICC team over Post-Election violence. Writer VITALIS KIMUTAI spoke to Keiyo South MP JACKSON KIPTANUI and Nambale MP CHRIS OKEMO on whether the Pentagon members should be investigated.

YES : Keiyo South MP Jackson Kiptanui

QUESTION: Should the ODM Pentagon be held responsible for post-election violence over its calls for mass action?

ANSWER: Yes. They should answer for calling on the people to carry out mass action. The result? People rioted, leading to killings by police and retaliation by public, then violence.

QUESTION: Do you support calls to have minutes of the Pentagon tabled before ICC investigators as demanded by a section of PNU and Rift Valley MPs?

ANSWER: The minutes should be availed in its original form without much fuss, as Pentagon met before issuing directives to its followers. Once members emerged from a meeting and called for ceasefire, meaning a commander gave orders to proceed with chaos or hold out a truce.

QUESTION: Can the latest row between PNU and ODM overshadow taking of statements from PCs and PPOs who served in hots pots during the chaos?

ANSWER: No, for two weeks the Government dilly-dallied on handing over minutes of security meetings to the ICC. There were even attempts by Attorney General Amos Wako and Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo to have the minutes vetted before being released. But ICC was not deterred.

QUESTION: Can the counter-accusations by

Should ODM Pentagon members be investigated for calling mass action?

A section of Rift Valley leaders recently demanded that the ODM Pentagon be investigated by the ICC team over Post-Election violence. Writer VITALIS KIMUTAI spoke to Keiyo South MP JACKSON KIPTANUI and Nambale MP CHRIS OKEMO on whether the Pentagon members should be investigated.

YES : Keiyo South MP Jackson Kiptanui

QUESTION: Should the ODM Pentagon be held responsible for post-election violence over its calls for mass action?

ANSWER: Yes. They should answer for calling on the people to carry out mass action. The result? People rioted, leading to killings by police and retaliation by public, then violence.

QUESTION: Do you support calls to have minutes of the Pentagon tabled before ICC investigators as demanded by a section of PNU and Rift Valley MPs?

ANSWER: The minutes should be availed in its original form without much fuss, as Pentagon met before issuing directives to its followers. Once members emerged from a meeting and called for ceasefire, meaning a commander gave orders to proceed with chaos or hold out a truce.

QUESTION: Can the latest row between PNU and ODM overshadow taking of statements from PCs and PPOs who served in hots pots during the chaos?

ANSWER: No, for two weeks the Government dilly-dallied on handing over minutes of security meetings to the ICC. There were even attempts by Attorney General Amos Wako and Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo to have the minutes vetted before being released. But ICC was not deterred.

QUESTION: Can the counter-accusations by

Ferry revenue in doubt with plans to construct bypass

Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) is exploring ways of coming up with new routes by next year in a bid to cushion its revenue streams and ease traffic jams in Mombasa.The move is expected to enhance ferry services annual revenue base currently at 30 per cent of the required Sh1 billion.

According to KFS managing director, Musa Hassan, their current revenue collections will decline once the planned Dongo Kundu bypass comes into operation, hence the need to diversify its services.

"Yes, it (Dongo Kundu bypass) will reduce (revenue collections) to some extent, although it (Likoni channel) is still faster and

Clan politics may decide the outcome of Wajir by-election

By Boniface Ongeri and Adow Jubat　

With only three days before the Wajir South by-election, issues surrounding proper Constituency Development Fund (CDF) management, water and medical services provision hold key to the October 13 contest.

The expansive constituency faces a serious water shortage. "We face a water crisis and we need a leader who can use CDF money well to harness rainwater for human and livestock use," said Ahmed Jelle, a local herdsman.

For Mrs Abushira Siyat, health facilities and provision of essential drugs and health are issues of greater concern.

Residents share the same culture, nomadic lifestyles, and religion

Clan politics may decide the outcome of Wajir by-election

By Boniface Ongeri and Adow Jubat　

With only three days before the Wajir South by-election, issues surrounding proper Constituency Development Fund (CDF) management, water and medical services provision hold key to the October 13 contest.

The expansive constituency faces a serious water shortage. "We face a water crisis and we need a leader who can use CDF money well to harness rainwater for human and livestock use," said Ahmed Jelle, a local herdsman.

For Mrs Abushira Siyat, health facilities and provision of essential drugs and health are issues of greater concern.

Residents share the same culture, nomadic lifestyles, and religion

Harsher laws will save EAC from dumping

The writing is on the wall for counterfeiters and the warning from President Kibaki shows concern is being expressed from the highest levels of Government.

The East African Community Common Market brings together a potential combined market of 90 million consumers of goods and services. The various protocols by the five member states are meant to progressively make citizens live as one social entity, work and move freely within the area covered by the common border, and eventually, exist as a single political unit.

This means, counterfeiters, smugglers, pirates, intellectual property rights violators, and copyright thieves, will now affect all

Harsher laws will save EAC from dumping

The writing is on the wall for counterfeiters and the warning from President Kibaki shows concern is being expressed from the highest levels of Government.

The East African Community Common Market brings together a potential combined market of 90 million consumers of goods and services. The various protocols by the five member states are meant to progressively make citizens live as one social entity, work and move freely within the area covered by the common border, and eventually, exist as a single political unit.

This means, counterfeiters, smugglers, pirates, intellectual property rights violators, and copyright thieves, will now affect all

Olympics 1,500m champion Lagat lines up at the Games

Mutwiri Mutuota in New Delhi, India

One of the biggest attractions in Team Kenya makes her appearance at Delhi 2010 this morning during the preliminaries of women 1,500m, in one of the highlights of Day Two athletics programme.

For an event hit by high profile withdraws, the sight of Olympic champion, Nancy Jebet Lagat at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex track will come as a relief for organisers who are still trying to market the 19th Commonwealth Games as a success.

"I will take every race at a time. Being my first Commonwealth Games, I'm seeking to maintain my good

TZ agency blocked from selling Kenyan firm's assets

By Standard Reporter

The High Court has stopped a Tanzanian government agency from attaching or selling property worth more than Sh1 billion belonging to a Kenyan construction firm until the parties in the dispute subject the matter to arbitration.

"I hereby direct the parties to ensure that the arbitration process is finalised within the next 90 days from today," said Justice Muga Apondi at the Milimani Commercial courts.

The Tanzania National Roads Board (Tanroads) has also been stopped from demanding payment for the same from the Kenya Commercial Bank, which had provided bank guarantees for the firm — Kundan Singh

TZ agency blocked from selling Kenyan firm’s assets

By Standard Reporter

The High Court has stopped a Tanzanian government agency from attaching or selling property worth more than Sh1 billion belonging to a Kenyan construction firm until the parties in the dispute subject the matter to arbitration.

"I hereby direct the parties to ensure that the arbitration process is finalised within the next 90 days from today," said Justice Muga Apondi at the Milimani Commercial courts.

The Tanzania National Roads Board (Tanroads) has also been stopped from demanding payment for the same from the Kenya Commercial Bank, which had provided bank guarantees for the firm — Kundan Singh

Human rights defenders accuse state of complicity

By Gakuu Mathenge

Two High Court judges last week handed the Government stinging indictments over human rights abuse in rulings that raised serious questions about the integrity of the Office of the President.

The courts criticised the State over its failure to "protect, preserve and safeguard the interests of citizens" following the rendition of 13 Kenyans to Uganda over alleged links to July double bombings of Kampala's two restaurants by Somalia-based Al Qaeda surrogates, Al Shaabab.

Sabaot MP and member of the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee Eugene Wamalwa warns that the new Constitution has provisions for impeachment of the

Human rights defenders accuse state of complicity

By Gakuu Mathenge

Two High Court judges last week handed the Government stinging indictments over human rights abuse in rulings that raised serious questions about the integrity of the Office of the President.

The courts criticised the State over its failure to "protect, preserve and safeguard the interests of citizens" following the rendition of 13 Kenyans to Uganda over alleged links to July double bombings of Kampala's two restaurants by Somalia-based Al Qaeda surrogates, Al Shaabab.

Sabaot MP and member of the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee Eugene Wamalwa warns that the new Constitution has provisions for impeachment of the

Human rights defenders accuse state of complicity

By Gakuu Mathenge

Two High Court judges last week handed the Government stinging indictments over human rights abuse in rulings that raised serious questions about the integrity of the Office of the President.

The courts criticised the State over its failure to "protect, preserve and safeguard the interests of citizens" following the rendition of 13 Kenyans to Uganda over alleged links to July double bombings of Kampala's two restaurants by Somalia-based Al Qaeda surrogates, Al Shaabab.

Sabaot MP and member of the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee Eugene Wamalwa warns that the new Constitution has provisions for impeachment of the

Cotu demands Nyong'o's sacking over NHIF rates

The fight against the increase in the monthly contributions to the National Hospital Insurance Fund took a new twist Friday with the workers' body calling for the sacking of Medical Services minister Anyang' Nyong'o.

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Cotu in strike threat over new NHIF rates Court asks Nyong'o and Atwoli to end spat on NHIF rates Cotu, FKE to contest ruling on NHIF rates

At an evening news conference at Nairobi's Solidarity House, the headquarters of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions, the workers also said that the NHIF chief executive, Mr Charles Kerich, should be sacked as part of the reform package at NHIF before the new contributions are effected.

Addressing journalists, Cotu secretary