President Uhuru Kenyatta with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressing a joint press briefing at statehouse in Nairobi on Tuesday July 5,2016.
BY THOMAS KARIUKI.

Israel’s marriage to Africa is reaffirmed after its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Kenya for a three day visit, then to other countries in the continent.

Affirming the relationship between Israel and Kenya, PM Netanyahu referred fondly to Kenya as Israel’s natural friends.

Netanyahu is the first head of Israel’s government to visit Kenya, following an invitation by President Uhuru Kenyatta in February.

“This is his first stop on a tour of Africa,” State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu said in a statement on Sunday.

President Uhuru Kenyatta invited Netanyahu for talks on strengthening relations as Kenya seeks to expand international trade.

“The relations between the countries are strong and the two heads of government are keen to continue expanding and deepening the,” said Esipisu.

He said the president is also keen ont deepening trade and investment and will be looking to engage Israeli business leaders.

President Uhuru and PM Netanyahu are expected to sign or reaffirm various agreements.

“This will signify that relations between the two nations have entered a new phase of closer cooperation and partnership,” said Esipisu.

In February, Kenya and Israel signed an agreement paving way for stronger collaboration on transport, and water and irrigation projects.

The agreements included direct flights between Nairobi and Tel Aviv and increasing the number of students studying dry-land farming technologies.

Kenya has also discussed security and the threat of terrorism with the visiting Israeli leader.

The agenda of terrorists is to kill, Netanyahu noted in Jerusalem last year during a meeting with DP Ruto, and advised Kenya to deal with them ruthlessly.

South Africa President Zuma who has been slapped with a R7.8-million bill for upgrades of his home.
BY NT CORRESPONDENT.

South Africa has slapped President Zuma with a R7.8-million bill for upgrades of his Nkandla homstead.

The home cost South African tax payers more than R240-million.

Michael Zuma, his son told the Sunday Times: “If they want him to pay, I do not know where he is going to get the money. He has not spoken to us about this matter and we have only learnt about it in the news.”

In another interview, Zuma’s eldest son, Edward, also claimed that the family would not afford the multimillion-rand sum that the president has been tasked to pay back.

“We are not a rich family,” he said.

“If I had money myself I would pay for him and relieve him. But the family will meet … and chart the way forward and see if there’s a way to pour in all our resources to help him,” he said.

“We are not a rich family, perhaps if we were rich we would also be fighting these things and taking people to court. We are a family of hustlers and hard workers.”

Zuma has until August 24 to settle the amount with the National Treasury.

Meanwhile, President Zuma has made it clear that he is not seeking donations in order to pay back the money.

British national Richard David Alden who is accused of the murder of Ms Grace Wangeci Kinyanjui at Milimani law court’s on Tuesday July 5,2016.
BY SAM ALFAN.

A British national who allegedly shot a woman in his Karen home has been charged with being in possession of a firearm illegally.

Richard David Alden is accused of the murder of Ms Grace Wangeci Kinyanjui.

He was allegedly found in possession of Glock pistol in circumstances which raised reasonable presumption that the said firearm had been used in a manner prejudicial to public order.

The ex-Wananchi CEO was also charged with being in possession of 34 rounds of ammunition.

Alden appeared before Nairobi Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo and denied the charges.

He is also accused of making false document without authority.

State Prosecutor Eddy Kabebe opposed his release on bail claiming that he has no fixture bond.

Before his arrest Alden has secured another job in Canada.

Mr Kadebe said “of now, we do not know where he will be residing.”

Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo will rule on the matter tomorrow.

Taiwan ambassador John Chen demonstrating both Chinese and Taiwan passports at a press briefing in Nairobi hotel.
BY SAM ALFAN.

Representative of Taipei Liaison Office in South Africa has asked two Kenyan Cabinet Secretaries to intervene over the deportation of 45 Taiwanese to China on 12 April 2016.

Mr John Chen in a letter sent to Foreign Affairs CS Amina Mohamed and his Internal Security counterpart Joseph Nkaissery said that his countrymen were deported to China in total violation of a court order issued by the high court in Kenya.

Mr Chen told a news conference in Nairobi they had been acquitted by the Chief Magistrate’s court and ordered deported to their country.

Contrary to the order, he said the foreigners were forcefully removed from police cells and whisked away to Jomo Kenyatta Airport en-route to China.

In china, the Taiwanese have been imprisoned.

He added that efforts have been made by both government of Taiwan and Ambassadors and Representatives to have them released by Chinese government to no avail.

Mr Chen said that the extra-legal deportations took place as Taiwan government appealed to have deportation halted until proper arrangement were made to have them taken back to their country of origin.

He asked the two CSs to intervene to have the 45 taken to their country.

“Taiwan has always regarded Kenya as a democratic country which upholds and values the rule of law, equality and human rights. It is completely unnecessary for the country to conform to China’s irrational request” he said