US President Barack Obama

US President Barack Obama will visit three African nations next month. Obama will visit Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania from June 26th to July 3rd in his second trip to Africa as the US president. Just like his previous 2009 trip to Africa as US president, Obama will once again skip visiting Kenya, his father's homeland.

The trip is aimed to reinforce the ties between the US and sub-Saharan countries, according to a message from the White House.

Here is the full press release from the White House:

Seventeen protesters were on Monday arraigned in court following last week’s dramatic protest over MPs’ pay increase plans. They were charged with rioting and causing breach of peace.

They did not take pleas after the defence objected. The protesters dressed in ‘Occupy Parliament’ shirts were released on a cash bail of Sh10,000 each.

The defence objected to charges against the protesters, arguing that it infringed on their constitutional rights. They demanded the matter be referred to the High Court for interpretation.

NTV has obtained documents that confirm more than 25 million shillings was paid out to Vista jet the company that provided luxury jet service to Deputy president William Ruto and his entourage of 15 in the just concluded 4 countries tour. The government through the CInformation Permanent Secretary Dr. Bitange Ndemo denied spending such an amount instead accusing the Nation Newspaper of distorting facts.

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s key ally Jamleck Kamau beat Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi to chair the crucial parliamentary committee on Energy, Information and Communication.

Kamau, who is the Kigumo MP, garnered 13 votes to Linturi’s 10, in an election that saw only Jubilee fielding candidates. 

Keiyo South MP Jackson Kiptanui ( TNA) trounced Karachuonyo MP James Rege by 19 to 4 votes to become vice chairman.

Police in Mbooni have been deployed to the rural home of the departed Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo following an attempt by suspected thugs to break into his grave.

Mbooni East OCPD James Baraza confirmed they had received information that some people had planned to steal the casket containing the remains of the late Mutula.

The incident reportedly happened on Friday night though relatives declined to discuss the matter referring reporters to the police.

Cabinet secretaries who would have been rejected by Parliament benefitted from a decision by Mt Kenya MPs to accommodate Deputy President William Ruto’s wishes in order to make Uhuru Kenyatta’s government work.

The County Weekly has learnt from multiple sources that Phyllis Kandie survived after a last-minute change of mind by TNA-affiliated MPs.

According to sources, Mr Kenyatta has cautioned Mt Kenya politicians against actions that could strain his relationship with Mr Ruto and lead to a dysfunctional government under the Kibaki, Raila coalition.

A blogger was on Monday accused of linking former Kilome MP Harun Mwau to the deaths of two ministers who were killed in a helicopter crash last year.

Mr Stephen Muriuki was charged before the Nairobi chief magistrate where he denied posting an offensive message to Mr Mwau.

The prosecution said that on May 12 at 11.52am through facebook, Mr Muriuki posted a “grossly offensive” message which caused annoyance and created anxiety to Mr Mwau.

Salaries and Remuneration Commission chairperson Sarah Serem

MPs will on Monday attempt to tame the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) for opposing their higher salary demands when they elect chairpersons of two committees.

MPs on Friday failed to elect the leadership of the all important Committee on Delegated Legislation — responsible for amending inconsistent laws — which they want to annul the March 1 Gazette notice that set their salaries at Sh542,500 per month, down from the Sh850,000 earned by members in the previous two Parliaments.

Machakos County cabinet secretary for Trade, Economic Planning and Planning Dr Sunil Kumar Dhall and Governor Alfred Mutua’s chief of staff discuss in an interview with NTV the investment opportunities available or coming up in the county of Machakos, as well as the inceptives the county government is offering to potential investors.

Watch the interview...

Cord leader Raila Odinga on Sunday said he was not ready to take up a job with the government because he is already engaged in various international assignments, which are keeping him busy.

In an interview with the Daily Nation, Mr Odinga sought to put to rest the job debate, saying he had received no job offer in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government.