Why Moi University is Yet to Reopen, Starlink Suspension & History in US Elections
The Kenya Times
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Moi University’s administration on November 3, 2024, announced reopening dates after a break occasioned by financial and operational needs.
In a statement, Moi University Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof. Isaac Kosgey announced a program of activities that would take place before the institution is fully opened.
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VC Kosgey in a statement announced that students would report back to the institution on November 8.
Moi University stalemate
However, the Moi University VC in an internal memo on November 7 announced that students will resume their normal school activities on November 11, at 8:00 am, after a special Senate meeting.?
“During its Special Meeting held on Thursday, 7th November 2024, the Senate approved the resumption of the 2024/2025 academic calendar with immediate effect.
“This is, therefore, to announce the opening of the University with immediate effect. Students are to report back for their studies and classes are to resume on Monday, 11th November 2024 at 8:00 am,” read the memo in part.
The situation at one of Kenya’s oldest universities, however, remains uncertain after a stalemate that was witnessed at the on Friday as hundreds of university staff blocked the National Assembly Committee on Education from meeting with the management.
Agitated, the workers issued fresh demands before the planned re-opening of the institution, vowing that they will not get back to work until the demands are resolved.
Efforts to resolve the month-long strike by the workers have hit a snag as they demanded to be paid all their dues amounting to over Ksh10 billion.
Elon Musk Responds as Starlink Suspends New Subscriptions in Nairobi
Amid Starlink’s recent decision to halt new subscriptions in Nairobi and other African cities, Elon Musk reassured users that efforts to increase network capacity are underway.
Starlink, which launched operations in Kenya in July 2023, has enjoyed a fast uptake thanks to its competitive pricing and strong connectivity. However, Musk explained that demand in dense urban areas had exceeded the network’s capacity.
The company cited “network overload,” explaining that affordable packages are unavailable, with only high-end plans priced above Ksh130,000 remaining.?
Kenyan-Born Huldah Momanyi Breaks Barriers in U.S. Legislature
Huldah Hiltsley Momanyi just made history in the U.S as the first Kenyan American to be elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Winning with 64.78% of the vote, the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party candidate from Brooklyn Park toppled her Republican opponent by a wide margin.
“It doesn’t feel real,” Huldah shared, reflecting on her historic victory that makes her the first Kenyan-born lawmaker in the entire United States.
The Nyamira-born politician, who moved to the U.S. at the age of nine years, holds three Bachelor of Arts degrees and an MBA, underscoring her lifelong commitment to inclusivity and minority representation.
A champion for equitable housing, healthcare, and safety, she promises to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, marking a pivotal milestone for Kenyan representation abroad.
Scandal Erupts in Equatorial Guinea with Senior Official in Hot Water
Switching gears to West Africa, Equatorial Guinea’s Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency, Baltasar Engonga, finds himself embroiled in a scandal involving over 400 sex tapes, exposing alleged liaisons with powerful figures’ spouses and relatives.
Engonga’s career took a sharp turn after the tapes surfaced in a corruption investigation.
This explosive revelation not only jeopardizes his career but has also rocked the nation, with the government suspending implicated officials.
Engonga, once a mining accountant and later head of a financial watchdog agency, now faces potential legal consequences with evidence from the tapes expected to play a key role.
The scandal has brought intense public scrutiny to a man with deep family ties in Equatorial Guinea’s political elite, adding pressure on the administration to handle this with transparency.
Kenyan Government to Start Monitoring Calls and Airbnbs
In a move raising both eyebrows and concerns, the government revealed plans to monitor phone calls and Airbnbs nationwide.
Senior government advisor Moses Kuria says this initiative targets criminal activities, especially gender-based violence (GBV) cases and femicides.
Deputy Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga backed the plan, highlighting that it’s not about stigmatizing Airbnbs but enhancing security.
As Kenya gears up for the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV starting November 15, Chidzuga called on parents to keep a closer eye on their children’s social media use, citing the need for vigilance in a world of online threats.
The decision has however sparked debate on privacy versus security, leaving Kenyans waiting to see how this policy unfolds.
KNEC Shakes Up KCSE Timetable for 2024 Exams
For the first time in Kenya’s history, KCSE exams are running into evening hours, with significant changes in timing for the 2024 exams.
Starting November 4, candidates started experiencing longer breaks between exams, stretching the schedule to 5:00 pm for select papers.
This departure from the traditional schedule—previously limited to morning and early afternoon—marks a major shift, allowing students more rest between papers.
KNEC has also introduced strict security measures whereby exam containers must be opened by 7:00 am, with all personnel’s mobile phones locked up during the exam period.
While some welcome the longer breaks, the new structure is already sparking debate among students and teachers alike as Kenya’s education system continues to evolve in the face of increasing demands for academic integrity and student wellbeing.
Gachagua Drops Appeal, But Not the Fight
In a high-stakes legal maneuver, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua withdrew his appeal challenging the High Court bench hearing his impeachment case.
The appeal was initially an effort to stop the swearing-in of Prof. Kithure Kindiki as DP, but his legal team deemed the issue moot since Kindiki already assumed office.
Gachagua’s legal team, led by veteran lawyer Senior Counsel Paul Muite, had submitted that the original empanelment of Justices Ogola, Mrima, and Mugambi—arranged by Deputy Chief Justice Mwilu instead of Chief Justice Koome—was unconstitutional.
Also Big the Week
The week wasn’t without its tragedies:
Photo of the Week