A series of fires caused the disruptions early in the morning local time, hours before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.

Several high-speed TGV lines have been hit to the west, north and east of the capital and Eurostar has also warned customers of longer journey times and cancellations.

Nobody has claimed responsibility and Mr Attal said that security forces were searching for those responsible. The public prosecutor’s office is also investigating.

“Early this morning, acts of sabotage were carried out in a prepared and coordinated manner on SNCF installations,” Mr Attal wrote on social media.

SNCF earlier described the fires as a “massive attack” involving “malicious acts”. It said it was fixing the cables damaged in the attacks manually “one by one”.

As many as 800,000 people could be affected over the weekend due to the disruption, the rail company said.

Its head, Christophe Fanichet, said the disruption would be minimized as things improved, and that affected travelers would be reimbursed,

Mr Fanichet has urged people not to come to the stations unless they have received communications that their trains are running.

Transport minister Patrice Vergriete said all the information “points to the fact that these were arson attacks”.

He said the “criminal acts” happened simultaneously and “vans were found from which people had fled, particularly in the south-east”. Flammable material was found on site.

Three main routes on the TGV line connecting Paris with cities such as Lille in the north, Bordeaux in the west, and Strasbourg in the east were attacked.

The authorities said they foiled a fourth attack, to the south on the Paris-Marseille line.

Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra described the attacks as “downright appalling”.

She added that the immediate impact on the public and Olympic athletes was currently being assessed, as well as the potential effect on transporting teams to competition sites over the weekend.

More than 300,000 spectators are expected in the heart of Paris on Friday for an opening ceremony that will see thousands of Olympic athletes sailing down the River Seine.

Paris 2024, the organiser of this year’s Olympic Games, say they are “assessing the situation” and working closely with SNCF.

The railway company’s chief-executive, Jean-Pierre Farrandou, said there was severe disruption and the impact on customers would be very significant.

Eurostar and other high-speed services have been diverted onto different lines, causing a knock-on effect to other services.

Eurostar says it will be cancelling one in four of its services on Friday and also on Saturday and Sunday, adding it expects the disruption to last until Monday morning.

Megan Murphy, 50, has travelled by Eurostar from London and arrived at Gare du Nord station in Paris early on Friday afternoon.

Germany’s rail operator Deutsche Bahn has also warned of disruptions to its long-distance rail network and asked passengers to check their connection before travelling.

SNCF said its teams were already on site in an attempt to investigate damage and begin repairs. It warned that the situation was likely to last throughout the weekend and potentially beyond.

Mr Farrandou said thousands of rail workers were being deployed across the network.

“This was supposed to be a holiday,” he told French TV.

“It’s the big day for going on summer holiday, and it’s also of course the opening of the Olympics with lots of French people coming to Paris to enjoy the Games and all of that’s ruined.”

The attack comes as a massive security operation is in place in the French capital, involving tens of thousands of troops and police to guard against threats to the global sporting event.

French authorities said intelligence services would find and punish those behind the “criminal acts”.

One security source suggested in French media that the arson attack bore all the hallmarks of the extreme left.

The suspected sabotage comes after a Russian man was arrested earlier this week on suspicion of involvement in a “destabilization” plot targeting the Games.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said he was suspected of spying on behalf of Russia’s intelligence services.

No Russian link has been made by French authorities to the sabotage on the rail networks.

Russia is banned from the Olympics, although a number of the country’s athletes are competing as neutrals.

By BBC News

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Abdi Hussein Ahmed, also known as Abu Khadi, was nabbed by detectives from the Serious Crimes Unit.

The suspect was detained in an early-morning raid in Maua, Meru County, where he was residing in a rented house, revealed DCI George Kinoti on Tuesday.

“This is after detectives received information on his whereabouts through the FichuakwaDCI anonymous hotline, 0800 722 203, and moved with speed to arrest the suspect,” said Kinoti in a statement.

Read: DPP Seeks Arrest, Extradition of Wanted Fugitive to the US

Ahmed is wanted in the United States after being named in an indictment alongside Moazu Kromah, alias “Ayoub,” Amara Cherif, alias “Bamba Issiaka,” and Mansur Mohamed Surur, alias “Mansour,” for taking part in a conspiracy to traffic rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory, two protected wildlife species, both with a combined market value of more than $7 million.

In this, more than 100 elephants and 35 rhinoceros were illegally poached.

According to the DCI, a federal grand jury in the Southern District of New York charged Ahmed and his other co-conspirators with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.

This came after a joint investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Read Also: Two Murder Fugitives Arrested in Kilimani Extradited to UK

Following the capture of his accomplice Badru Abdul Aziz Saleh, alias “Badro,” on May 31, one week after the U.S. Department of State announced a $1 million reward through the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP) for information leading to Abdi Hussein Ahmed’s arrest and/or conviction for engaging in transnational organized crime, Ahmed was apprehended.

On May 26, Charge d’Affaires Eric Kneedler of the US Embassy in Nairobi and Kinoti urged anyone with information about the whereabouts of Abdi Hussein Ahmed and his accomplice Badru Abdul Aziz Saleh, who were on INTERPOL’s Red Notice, to contact the relevant authorities.

Kromah, 49, Cherif, 54, Surur, 59, and Ahmed, 56, were allegedly involved in a transnational criminal organization operating out of Uganda and neighboring nations that engaged in the extensive trafficking and smuggling of rhinoceros horn and elephant ivory, two protected wildlife species, an indictment in a case currently being heard by U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods, shows.

SECOND FUGITIVE ON MOST WANTED LIST OF U.S & KENYAN AUTHORITIES ARRESTED

Detectives drawn from the Serious Crimes unit have today arrested Abdi Hussein Ahmed alias Abu Khadi, a suspect wanted in the United States, for wildlife and drug trafficking. pic.twitter.com/zlBg6Sh9vp

— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) August 2, 2022

Authorities claim that between December 2012 and May 2019, Ahmed and his accomplices planned to smuggle at least 10 tons of elephant ivory and at least 190 kilograms of rhinoceros horn out of various East African nations, including Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Mozambique, Senegal, and Tanzania, and into the United States and Southeast Asian nations.

Kinoti praised the general public for cooperating with security organizations in the battle against crime and urged even stronger future partnerships.

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The embassy noted in a statement on Tuesday that there may be demonstrations relating to the election, some of which may be violent.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy has imposed movement restrictions on personnel in Kisumu. The State Department reminds US citizens of the continued need for sustained vigilance,” reads the statement.

“Election-related demonstrations and rallies regularly take place in the runup to the election and are likely to continue, at times blocking key intersections and causing traffic jams. Demonstrations may occasionally be violent, requiring police intervention. Strikes and other protest activities related to economic conditions occur regularly.”

Read: 2022 Elections: IEBC to Use Multiple Servers for Transmission of Voter Results

The US embassy advised its nationals to keep an eye on local media for updates, stay away from crowds and protests, and be mindful of their surroundings.

Other preventative measures include not displaying wealth by donning pricey jewelry or watches, reviewing personal security plans, having current and accessible travel documents, and carrying proper identification, such as a copy of the bio-page of their US passport and a copy of a valid Kenyan visa.

This comes less than a week to the much anticipated polls.

Opinion polls show that Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance coalition party flagbearer Raila Odinga will beat William Ruto of Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

They do, however, show that neither parties will poll above 50 percent plus one, which means there could be a run off.

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Patrick Angote Andayi pleaded guilty to charges of stealing 57 jerricans of five-liter vegetable cooking oil worth Sh104,404 on various occasions between June 5 and June 18.

Andayi was detained inside the supermarket after security personnel set up a trap.

After conducting an assessment, the supermarket’s security compliance officer discovered that some items were missing from the shelves.

Read: Alvin Chivondo: Tale Of A Serial Shoplifter Who Survives On Luck

He went over the surveillance footage where Andayi is said to have been seen on different days going through the shelves where the cooking oils are stored.

On the fateful day, the suspect shopped and then paid for some of the items, as was norm.

But when he was asked to hand over his bag so that security officers could inspect it, he unsuccessfully tried to flee.

The bag contained two five-litre jerricans of cooking oil. He was turned over to the police, who took him to Gigiri police station.

Read Also: Shoplifter Alvin Chivondo A Free Man, Gets Job, Foodstuff from Sonko

A search at his Ruaka home led to the discovery of items which were accounted for.

Later, Andayi took police to a local store where he had sold a five-liter jerrican of cooking oil.

Appearing before Kibera Chief Magistrate Anne Mwangi, the suspect entered a guilty plea.

The case will be heard on August 2 when the exhibits will be admitted into evidence.

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Speaking after a meeting with Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai, Chebukati said the two entities have resolved to work together to deliver credible elections.

“With regards to investigation revolving around election stickers recently imported into the country. I wish to inform Kenyans that the issue has been resolved,” he said.

The electoral agency chair and DCI boss George Kinoti have been brawling over the arrest of three Venezuelans at JKIA and the seizure of stickers.

Read: IEBC Receives First Batch of Presidential Ballot Papers At JKIA

Mutyambai pledged to guarantee the security of all parties involved before, during, and after elections.

He said that the security forces are under orders to ensure Kenyans’ safety as they cast their ballots and that everyone is free to go about their daily lives without worry.

“Police units under the National Police Service have also been deployed across the country to offer tactical support to general duty officers before, during, and after the general elections,” he said.

To offer logistical air support as needed throughout the election period, the police will also deploy five air sets in key places, said the IG.

Read Also: Chebukati Explains Role of Seized Stickers, Says Venezuelans in Country Legally

In order to ensure smooth and ongoing operations both during and after the elections, he said that the government had appropriately resourced the service, particularly with more cars and operating equipment.

“Officers are well resources and in a high state of readiness to handle all forms of threats that may arise before, during, and after the general elections,” he added.

The election security secretariat is undertaking threat and risk analysis to identify threats to national security, which will in turn guide resource deployment in real-time, Mutyambai told reporters.

“Such emerging threats shall be tackled promptly. I, therefore, would like to warn those hell-bent upon acts of criminality and lawlessness to desist,” he said.

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On Thursday, High Court Judge Esther Maina ruled that the UDA deputy presidential candidate has failed to explain how he acquired the wealth from government agencies.

As a result, the outgoing MP will be forced to forfeit the money for being proceeds of crime.

The court noted that Gachagua did not prove that indeed he was awarded tenders by government entities.

Read: Gachagua Under Fire Following Remarks On Recovering Frozen Sh12 Billion Linked To Corruption

The lawmaker only produced a letter dated February 9, 2015 from a government ministry indicating Wamunyoro Investments Ltd had been awarded a tender.

There was, however, no proof that the tender was executed.

The court also dispelled claims that the monies in question were in a fixed deposit account as alleged by the defendant.

“There was an argument that the funds were in a fixed deposit account but that is not the position,” said the justice Maina.

Read Also: Gachagua Scoffs at DCI for Playing Politics in Sankok’s Son Death

The monies were held at Rafiki Micro Finance Bank in four separate accounts.

In one account was Sh165 million, Sh35 million and Sh773,228 in two other accounts all in Gachagua’s name.

In the fourth account was some Sh1,138,142. The account was registered in the name of Jenne Enterprises, Gachagua’s business associate.

Jenne Enterprises belongs to Ann Kimemia.

Read Also: Nine Co-accused Persons in Rigathi Gachagua Graft Case Charged, Released on Sh1 Million Bail Each

A fortnight ago, the Assets Recovery Agency dismissed claims that the Sh200 million was acquired from a tender Gachagua and associates won seven years ago.

ARA told the court that Kimemia’s business entity and account was used by Gachagua to launder money.

“The allegation that the duo are doing legitimate business and the funds in issue are obtained from legitimate businesses is incorrect, deceitful and a ploy to disguise, conceal and hide the source of the said funds. It’s a classical scheme of money laundering,” ARA said.

“Kimemia has not produced any evidence to show that she participated in the alleged tender indicated in the notification of award. She has also not produced any evidence demonstrating that the notification was ultimately awarded to her or the said companies and she participated in the alleged tender indicated in the notification award.”

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The airspace will be closed on Thursday and Friday.

The closure is anticipated to have an impact on a number of flights, particularly those taken by local tourists.

Read: Wilson Airport Closed Ahead of KDF Airshow at Uhuru Gardens

“The airspace will be closed on Thursday from 10am to 4pm and again on Friday from 10am to 4pm,” said the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

According to the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), the consecration, presentation, and trooping of the colors by the 21 Battalion, the Kenya Rifles will take place in Ulinzi Complex, Lang’ata, Nairobi.

The event will be graced by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Read Also: Wilson Airport Temporarily Closed After Uhuru’s Order

Airlines like Safarilink and Air Kenya, which operate scheduled services and charter flights from the airport, are currently making plans to either reschedule their flights or rebook customers for departures on subsequent days.

Additionally, passengers with bookings for those two days are urged to get in touch with the relevant booking offices.

Following the temporary inconvenience, airlines like Safarilink have already rescheduled their flight and advised their customers to take the early morning flights as well as the afternoon flights.

Read Also: Another Safarilink Plane Skids Off Runway At Wilson Airport [Video]

“AIRPORT CLOSURE NOTICE! To all our esteemed customers, please note Wilson Airport will be closed on 28thJuly 2022 and 5th August from 10:00am to 4:00pm. For further clarification regarding the new timings, call our reservations team on 0730888000 or email res@flysafarilink.com,” tweeted Safarilink.

Wilson Airport is one of Africa’s busiest airports for light aircraft serving both domestic and international traffic.

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According to a police report, the victim was in the company of his two roommates when the incident occurred.

It is said that the suspect owed the victim an unknown amount of money.

Read: Man Suspected of Killing Wife Arrested in Mlolongo While Attempting To Take Own Life

He (Egyptian) had gone to collect his dues with the assistance of two others.

It is then that the suspect pounced on two people, stabbing one eight times and the other in the thigh.

The assailant then turned the knife on himself as he attempted to take his own life.

Read Also: Siaya Man Seeking Compensation from Ethiopian Airlines Takes Own Life

“He became angry and went to the kitchen, grabbed a knife and stabbed the victim eight times while his roommate was stabbed on the thigh before turning the knife on himself,” read the police report.

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Kristina’s name appears second on a list of 16 women the ruling party has submitted to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The others include; Uasin Gishu Senator Margaret Kamar, Nairobi Governor Ann Kananu, Gender Chief Administrative Secretary and the chairperson of the Anti-Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Board Lina Chebii Kilimo and the Women leader from Narok county, Stella Nasieku Kaparo.

Also making the list was Kenya’s Ambassador to Iran Rukia Ahmed Subo Muhamed.

Read: Uproar As Laptops Promised By Jubilee Gov’t On Sale in Uganda

Through a gazzeted list, the party also nominated Murang’a county woman representative, Sabina Chege to the National Assembly.

Other notable candidates include Alex Matere, who has been nominated to the National Assembly, and Sammy Leshore, who has been nominated to represent people with disabilities in the Senate.

Nelson Dzuya, the national head of the Jubilee Party, has also been nominated for a seat in the National Assembly with Hassan Aden Osman, who held the same position in the 11th Parliament.

Issac Githua and Consolata Mutinda have also been named by Jubilee as senate youth representatives and as county assembly representatives for marginalized groups.

Read Also: Bahati Finally Named Jubilee MP Candidate for Mathare After Melt Down

The IEBC asked those aggrieved by the final party list to file their complaints from Friday.

“The IEBC Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) and the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) shall be hearing disputes arising from person aggrieved from July 28, 2022 to August 6, 2022,” the electoral commission said.

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The consignment touched down aboard EgyptAir aircraft at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) from Greece at around 11 am.

IEBC commissioners arrived shortly after to oversee the offloading of the consignment.

IEBC commissioners arrive at JKIA before the offloading of Presidential ballot papers. pic.twitter.com/Ur42Yaq9mq

— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) July 27, 2022

A Greek company known as Inform P Lykos is printing the ballots.

The final batch is set to arrive on July 30, nine days to the much awaited polls.

Read: Sifuna Alleges Marked Ballots Hidden At Senior Politician’s Home in Kisii

Last week, a group of 14 persons travelled to Athens to observe the printing of the papers.

They included; religious leaders, representatives of presidential candidates, civil society representatives, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, the Political Parties Liaison Committee and the Media Council of Kenya.

Also in the delegation are two commissioners, vice chairperson Julianna Cherera and Francis Wanderi, as well as some secretariat staff.

Only 22,120,458 ballots, or the exact number of voters registered in the nation, will be imported, the IEBC has confirmed.

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