Arrest Ba? Who waived his diplomatic immunity?

By Njoroge Kinuthia

Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko has directed the police to arrest and prosecute the Managing Director of Shelter Afrique for allegedly assaulting Ms Karen Njeri.

Shelter Afrique has come out fighting, among others, reminding Kenya that their man enjoys diplomatic immunity.

Notably, Prime Minister Raila Odinga had directed the Attorney General to strip Mr Alassane Ba of his diplomatic immunity so that he can face charges. But is this possible?

In PointBlank’s understanding, diplomats with full immunity, unlike those with partial immunity, cannot be arrested or prosecuted by the host country even after they commit more serious crimes such as murder.

Seniority

We don’t know the extent of Ba’s immunity but due to his seniority, we presume he enjoys full diplomatic immunity.

Full immunity can be waived but, sadly, not by the host countries. This can only be done by their home countries or by suspects themselves. So under what law did the Government strip Ba of diplomatic immunity so as to order his arrest?

It might sound odd, but in PointBlank’s view Kenya doesn’t have the power to arrest Ba, that is if he enjoys full immunity. That’s the nature of diplomatic immunity (or is it impunity?), which our country subscribes to.

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Why Knec is a real pain in the neck

The decision by the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) to start charging teachers who want to train as examiners has not gone down well with some of them.

“The requirement that every applicant should pay Sh10,500 for training that has always been offered free of charge smirks of corruption,” says Mr Kibet Mibei from Bomet. Considering the high number of teachers who apply for the training, Mibei claims Knec has discovered an easy way of minting cash.

Pointing out that teachers are supposed to attach evidence that they have paid the money along with their application he concludes: “This money business is going to erode the credibility of the exams body.”

From Bungoma a teacher who says he is disturbed also has a bone to pick with Knec over the fees. Although he has no problem with payment per se, he wonders why the council wants the money to accompany the application.  “Suppose I pay and I am not chosen for the training, would Knec refund me the money? I wish Knec would allow teachers to apply and only pay the Sh10,500 if considered,” he tells Knec Secretary Paul Wasanga.

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Safaricom’s loss is Airtel’s gain

Kileleshwa resident Duncan Mwangi claims to have complained several times about poor Safaricom network at Arcadia Valley apartments but the firm is yet to act.

“Their competitor’s (Airtel) signal is very strong and hence   I only use my Airtel line while in the house,” he says and adds: “I’m planning to dump my Safaricom modem for Airtel in the next few days if Safaricom doesn’t do anything. All the people in the neighbourhood I have spoken to have switched to Airtel after being frustrated by Safaricom.” His email is [email protected].

And a frequent visitor to Nandi, Mr Richard Kaplelach arap Matelong, is also concerned about the poor Safaricom network in some areas in the county.

Keep on moving

Some of the hard-hit areas are Mosoriot, Kabiyet and Itigo where he reports that people have to “keep on moving in search of network to make or receive calls”.

Diehard Safaricom clients, he adds, are contemplating switching to other carriers that have good networks.

“Can Safaricom’ act as fast to save situation that is getting worse day by day,” he urges.

He can be reached at [email protected].

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Donholm stumbles in the darkness

Listen to Hamisa Fadhili Hassan: Since it is not possible an entire half of Donholm Phase 8 has defaulted on paying their electricity bill... And since it is clearly a transformer that blew up minutes after a maintenance crew “finished repairing it”... And since it is annoying having a cold shower in a Nairobi of Julys... And since no water can get up to the flats and maisonettes without pumps...And since we are so near the Dandora power supply station and even nearer the Kenya Power regional office off Donholm Roundabout, who can banish the four days of darkness in Donholm Phase 8? Her contact is 0720788199.

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DON’T YOU FORGET

Has KCB unmasked con woman in banking hall?

 

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Machakos branch customer Shadrack Kioko wrote to PointBlank on June 27 claiming his cashier was conned Sh50,000 inside the bank. Kioko said that the employee was conned by an elderly woman who approached her in the banking hall as she was filling out a deposit slip.

“I raised the matter with the bank manager, wondering how such a thing could happen. The manager was unco-operative and told me to go and report to the police, which I did.” Kioko further claimed that there have been a number of similar cases in the same bank “and mostly customers don’t get any help”. He requested the bank to use CCTV cameras to identify the woman so that the con game can be stopped to curb cases of fraud. Did KCB find out who the elderly con was, CEO Martin Oduor-Otieno?