Tanzanian bongo flava heartthrob Diamond Platnumz, has pledged to pay three months’ rent for 500 Tanzanian households who have been affected by the stringent measures put in place to fight the spread of coronavirus.

The Jeje hitmaker made the promise on his social media platforms.

“I pretty much know that at these terrible times where we are all fighting global pandemic COVID-19, countless life circumstances have changed especially in businesses, many businesses are drowning hence rendering to financial difficulties and life becoming a little bit tough to many of us,” Diamond said.

“Although I am amongst those affected by this pandemic, with the little that God has blessed me with, I have decided to at least offer a helping hand by paying 3 months house rent to 500 families as my kind gesture of helping one another during these terrible times of fighting COVID-19 for I believe I should share your troubles and your happiness too,” he explained.

Diamond also promised a further announcement on who the beneficiaries of this fund are, and how they will benefit.

Tanzania had by Saturday confirmed 300 coronavirus cases, including 10 deaths.

Former Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche says the Kenyan government has contacted him in relation to an Sh109 million debt owed to him by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) which threatens to lock the national football team out of the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

The Belgian tactician recently won a case of unlawful dismissal against FKF at both Fifa’s Dispute Chambers and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) in Lausanne, Switzerland, but FKF has indicated an unwillingness or inability to pay up.

“The Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Sports even spoke to me and I was willing to work on with the plan they were proposing, but the federation was not willing,” Amrouche explained in a recent interview.

Amrouche spoke as Kenya’s World Cup ban was put on hold after Friday’s deadline to pay him was yet again extended by Fifa.

Nairobi News understands FKF has asked Fifa for another extension citing to the current coronavirus pandemic that has slowed down the global economy.

Amina Mohammed’s discussion with Amrouche highlights a significant change in stance after she had earlier ruled out her ministry picking up the bill.

“No government in its right senses would fork out Sh109 million to pay an individual for the mistakes of an irresponsible federation. I don’t understand it. It is baffling to expect the government to pay for the irresponsible behaviour of a federation seeking to abdicate its role,” Amina was quoted by a section of the Kenyan media in March.

A Kenyan living in Saudi Arabia has died of Covid-19, bringing the number to nine the number of Kenyans who have died abroad of the disease.

Two of them have died in the UK and six in the US.

Kenyan ambassador to Saudi Arabia Peter Ogego revealed the death while informing Kenyans residing in the Kingdom to abide by the measures put in place by authorities to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

He said the victim had an underlying medical condition prior to the pandemic.

“Ambassador Ogego has informed us this afternoon we lost one Kenyan, with an underlying medical condition to Covid-19. Notably, this is the first such case for Kenyans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Mohamed Weliye, a Kenyan and an Advisor to Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) tweeted.

In his message, the Ambassador said the Embassy would temporarily suspend its normal operations and consular services until further notice.

DEATHS

He said this was in line with the country’s elaborate efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and to reduce any risk of infection to staff and clients.

During the period, members of staff of the embassy are working virtually and are on duty on call.

Saudi Arabia on Saturday announced nine deaths and 1,197 new cases of the Covid-19 virus.

Of these cases, 120 were recorded in Madinah, 364 in Makkah, 271 in Jeddah, 170 in Riyadh and 43 in Dammam.

The number of people who had recovered from the coronavirus in the Kingdom increased to 2,214 after 165 patients were reported to have recovered.

A total of 136 people have died of the disease in the Kingdom so far.

Gospel singer Regina Wangui on Saturday tied the knot with Nicholas Njoroge, a US-based Kenyan businessman.

The wedding plans were nearly disrupted after the bride lost her father last Monday, coupled with the coronavirus pandemic.

The vernacular singer lost her father Samuel Macharia who was an Archdeacon at African Independent Pentecostal Churches of Africa (AIPCA) to heart failure on Monday.

“Oh God, who have we remained with? Our dad my heart tells me you are coming back. I can’t imagine my dad I will never see you again. Ooh my God give us courage,” she posted on social media on Monday.

Wangui and Njoroge exchanged their vows in a wedding ceremony held at Sigona ACK Church in Kikuyu, Kiambu County.

FAILED MARRIAGE

The ceremony was attended by a few family members and friends in line with the government’s guidelines on social distancing to combat the spread of Covid-19.

Wangui and her first husband, Bishop Bernard Muthoga divorced last year at a Nyeri court.

Bishop Muthoga claimed he divorced her over “unfaithfulness, cruelty and running away from her matrimonial home,” after being together for 17 years.

After the divorce, Bishop Muthoga married another gospel singer Catherine Wangeci Thiong’o in a wedding ceremony attended by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga.

Some of Wangui’s popular hits include Andu aria Athingu, (Those who are blessed), Uyu Nowe Anga Tiwe, Kirai Muone (Wait and see) and Mururumo (Thunder).

Kenya on Sunday registered 12 additional coronavirus cases thus pushing the overall tally to 355.

In an address to the media, the government explained that eight of the new cases are from Nairobi, and that three of the remaining ones had a recent travel history to Somalia.

“Today we acknowledge the positive steps made. We have surpassed the 100 mark of recovery,” said the Ministry of Health’s Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Rashid Aman.

The cases in Nairobi have been registered in Kibra (2), Karen (1), Dandora (1), Eastleigh (1), with Kasarani, South B, and Umoja each recording one case.

Aman also said that recoveries have risen to 106 with eight more discharged in the past 24 hours.

He also announced that testing of truck drivers will commence immediately at all border posts.

This follows an announcement that five Kenyan truck drivers had recently tested positive for coronavirus in Uganda.

Socialite Zari Hassan has hit back at her ex-boyfriend bongo musician Diamond Platnumz after he pledged to pay three months’ rent for 500 Tanzanian households who have been affected by the stringent measures put in place to fight Covid-19.

The mother of five, on her Instastories, said there is no need of pleasuring others while your own are not happy.

Without mentioning names, she pointed that the father of her two children did not know what his kids ate.

“… but you don’t know what your kids eat, or how they sleep, if fees and medical insurance is paid. You will never please the world when your own are not happy and taken care of. You’re selling a lie. Some people have become clowns to some of us,” she wrote.

Diamond announced his intentions of helping the said families, saying he has also been affected the Covid-19.

“Although I am amongst those affected by this pandemic, with the little that God has blessed me with, I have decided to at least offer a helping hand by paying 3 months’ house rent to 500 families as my kind gesture of helping one another during these terrible times of fighting COVID-19 for I believe I should share your troubles and your happiness too,” he wrote on social media.

School-going children will spend one more than at home.

This after the government announced that it has pushed back the re-opening of schools by one month in an the effort to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

“In the interest of the safety of the school children, the government has decided to extend closure of schools by a month,” Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha said on Sunday.

At the same time, Prof Magoha has said a decision has not yet been made on whether or not to postpone national examinations due at the end of the year.

“At this point that I am speaking to you, the government has not decided to postpone both the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education,” Magoha further said.

COVID-19: Government extends closure of schools by one month, says Education CS George Magoha. pic.twitter.com/EaK6gMpmjg

— NationBreakingNews (@NationBreaking) April 26, 2020

Magoha spoke on Sunday evening when Ministry of Health’s Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Rashid Aman announced that 12 more cases of coronavirus have been recorded in the country.

The latest cases have pushed the overall tally to 355.

Eunice Njeri’s ex-husband Isaac Bukasa popularly known as rapper Izzo has asked gospel musician Bahati to style up or risk losing his wife to him.

In Instagram post, the rapper warned Bahati that he may just come for Diana Maru from the United States, because she deserves a mature man.

“Bahati, if you won’t style up, I will fly in Diana and give her a better life in the USA; she needs a better mature man, not just forced tiny beards with no brains. Stay warned. You are either fully in God or out completely,” Izzo wrote.

It’s now four years since Izzo broke up with worship minister Eunice Njeri.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

@Bahatikenya if you wont style up,I will fly in Diana and give her a better Life in the USA,she needs a better mature man not just forced tiny beards with no brains. Stay warned.You are either fully in God or out completely. Thank you @Ringtoneapoko for your advice on Gospel artists.

A post shared by Izzo (@izzoaccount) on Apr 25, 2020 at 12:06pm PDT

Some of Izzo’s fans however found it hard to believe that he had actually published the post.

“Alaaaaah……. Kwani account ilibebwa?” Emanyikah commented.

“Has your account been hacked?” Seinletema wrote.

“Tunaendelea kuchambua story yako pale fb. Ata sikuwa nishaikusikia. Kumbe wewe ndio ulipewa na Eunice Njeri ukashindwa” Blaqshugar254 posted.

“This one just wants to trend..wrong move, utatusiwa ujishuku,” Ireri_diana said.

“Wewe bi yule uliachwa on your wedding day !have always wondered why ? Kumbe ni hii kiburi ya kuwa usa!,” Miafreddy commented.

Muslims across the world welcomed the Holy Month of Ramadhan, and celebrity mother Tanasha Donna has not been left behind.

Tanasha converted to Islam while dating her baby daddy, Bongo musician Diamond Platnumz.

The news was shared in March by Diamond’s sister, Esma Platnumz, who disclosed that she had converted to Islam and even chose a Muslim name for herself.

KTN presenter Jamal Gaddafi confirmed that, indeed, Tanasha had converted to Islam and her Muslim name is Aisha.

Gaddafi shared a picture of himself, Tanasha and four other people on Friday evening as they were breaking the fast. He further asked her to accept her fasting.

“First iftar with Tanasha Mungu amuongoze na akubali saum zake na wote walio funga leo Ameen Btw her name is AISHA.Let’s support her in her new journey,” Jamal posted on Instagram.

Tanasha responded with a short answer, “ Shukran.”

It seems the radio presenter and singer has accepted her new faith gracefully.

View this post on Instagram

First iftar with Tanasha Mungu amuongoze na akubali saum zake na wote walio funga leo Ameen Btw her name is AISHA Let’s support her in her new journey Ｈａｉｎａｇａ ｋｕｆｅｌｉ 𝔹𝔼 𝕀ℕ𝕊ℙ𝕀ℝ𝔼𝔻

A post shared by ᒍᗩᗰᗩᒪ GᗩᗪᗪᗩᖴI (@jamalgaddafiofficial) on Apr 24, 2020 at 8:50am PDT

Didier Drogba’s quest to become the Cote d’Ivoire Football Association (FA) president has suffered a huge blow after the country’s former players unanimously voted for his rival at the preliminary polling stage.

In an embarrassing turn of events, the former Chelsea star lost out in an area perceived to be his stronghold.

Eleven out of fourteen members of the Association of Former Ivorian Footballers endorsed Sory Diabate for the top job, with three others abstaining from the vote.

Drogba and Idriss Diallo, the outgoing vice-president, received no votes in a process that was done via video conferencing.

The legendary Drogba enjoyed a glittering career as a player in Europe helping Chelsea to win four league titles plus the UEFA Champions League titles.

Since his retirement, he openly expressed his wish to get involved in football administration and even revealed in an interview last year that he turned down the chance to coach Chelsea so as to head the Ivory Coast FA.

But not even a significant charity gesture could convince the voters after he recently offered his hospital to be used as a testing and treatment centre for coronavirus.

Chelsea officials are understood to have offered the former striker a senior management role following Mauricio Sarri’s departure during the summer.

“Chelsea offered me the chance to return to them as a coach,” he told the English media.

“But being a coach does not interest me. I am a leader, and my vision is bigger than just the simple role of being a coach. I could have stayed at Chelsea, but believe the real challenge is here.”

Gospel musician Mercy Masika on Sunday evening treated her fans to an exclusive launch of her new album Zaidi which will be available exclusively on Boomplay.

Before the launch, Masika, together with her 10-year-old daughter Ranise, engaged directly with her fans online.

“The album is all about getting closer to God and knowing him. Music speaks what you can’t speak in words, so for me this album is a repetition of what my heart is saying about God and getting closer to Him” she said about the 11-track album.

With a full live band, she sang song after song from the new album.

The first title in the album is in Kamba, while the rest are in English and Kiswahili.

THE SONGS

Some of the tracks in the album are Zaidi, Nivute, Nitamsifu, Ni Ngutaia’ and Low Level is Over.

After each song Masika told a story behind the composition.

The album launch coincided with her birthday which was a special gift to her fans.

And what’s a birthday without some cake?

The new album was warmly received by Masika’s fans. Here are some of their reactions:

“We expect this album to not only bless Kenyans but the world at large same way Sinach is doing wonders with Way Maker,” @iandvoice said.

“Your songs are such a blessing to me and my family. Be blessed,” @mlutukai commented.

“Wow! What a blessing song. Yesu wakwa ngakutaia yila nikalaa thayu, ngokilasya wasya wakwa ndaiani yaku Mwiai. Be blessed sister in your ministry,” @patrick Mutuku said.

“Really can’t wait to have all this….. We thank God for those who still respect the gospel of God especially in music,” @Esther Maina wrote.

A Kenyan family of a 47-year-old woman who died in Iraq last December has chosen to bury a banana stem after they were unable to bring back her body.

Ruth Omungala from Ingusi village in Mumias, Kakamega county passed away in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

BURIAL CEREMONY

On Saturday, her family buried a banana stem in place of their deceased daughter. The family wrapped the banana stem in white and laid it on a table in a tent to symbolize the deceased’s remains.

After a short burial service, the stem was lowered into a shallow grave at the family’s home.

“If we don’t do what tradition demands, the family could be haunted by her spirit. There is nothing else we can do for now,” said one of the deceased kin.

The ‘burial’ was only attended by close family members.

The family had been allowed to hold prayers and conduct the burial in 45 minutes to avoid a gathering of villagers in line with Ministry of Health guidelines on social distancing in burials and other public places.

Ms Omungala, who was working as a nanny in Baghdad, died after an illness, barely nine months after she moved to the Gulf nation.

One of her Kenyan workmates, Grace Makokha said Omungala complained of vomiting and diarrhea and died after her agent refused to take her to hospital.

DEATH ABROAD

Earlier this month, the family pleaded with the government to help them airlift Ruth’s remains to Kenya for burial.

They said Omungala’s employer requested to bury her in Baghdad to save them the cost of ferrying her remains back to the country but they declined.

“My sister lived in Nairobi and worked as a nanny. She also did other odd jobs. We were shocked when we learned she had traveled to Baghdad and died after falling sick,” she said.

The family also lamented that a lawyer and people claiming to work for human rights organizations asked them for money to help them bring back Omungala’s body.

“They are asking us to pay money. We paid Sh60,000 to a lawyer who promised to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help facilitate the transportation of my sister’s body for burial but since January, he no longer picks my calls,” said Okulia.

Her final request was to be flown back home but the agent, identified only as Ali, said this would happen after Christmas.

Her agent took no action despite being informed that she was severely vomiting. A photo showing Omungala before she died was later shared in a WhatsApp group.

The death toll worldwide from the novel coronavirus surpassed 200,000, according to a running tally by WorldOMeter.

WorldOMeter’s data counted 207,009 deaths, while the number of cases and recoveries rose to 2,995,226 and 881,525, respectively.

The US continues to be the worst-hit country with 987,322 cases and nearly 55,415 fatalities.

Italy has the second-highest death toll at 26,644, while Spain has the third-highest number of deaths globally at 23,190.

In Africa, Algeria leads with the number of death at 425, followed by Egypt (317) and Morocco (161).

South Africa has the highest number of confirmed cases in Africa with 4,546 positive cases, Egypt is in second place with 4,534 cases and Morocco is third with 4,065 positive cases.

In East Africa, Kenya has the highest number of positive cases at 355, with 14 deaths recorded so far. Kenya also has the highest recovery cases at 112 people.

Tanzania is in the second position with 299 positive cases. Of these, 10 people have succumbed to the virus while 48 have recovered.

Rwanda is in third place with 191 positive cases and 92 recovery cases. The country has not recorded any death as of April, 27, 2020, according to data from WorldOMeter.

Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli, nicknamed the bulldozer for his abrasive leadership style, is in the spotlight following his regime’s confrontation with the media in recent times.

At the weekend, the Reporters Without Borders (RWF) association publicly condemned what it said was Tanzanian government’s harassment of journalists covering the coronavirus pandemic.

It followed a number of incidents in which the Tanzanian government’s clampdown on the media.

Here are some of the incidents:

1. Journalist Talib Ussi Hamad suspended – The scribe was suspended for six months by the government over a coronavirus story. Hamad, who works for Tanzania Daima, was ordered not to carry out any journalistic roles during that period.

“Writer Talib Ussi Hammad spread the story of a coronavirus patient without consent. This is also in contrary to the principles that govern the medical field,” read a statement by the Ministry of Media, Tourism and Culture.

2. Mwananchi online newspaper website licence suspended – The government suspended the operating licence for Mwananchi online, a Nation Media Group publication, for six months. The publication was also fined an equivalent of Sh220,000 for publishing a photo of President John Magufuli out shopping and surrounded by several people in apparent violation of the social distancing. Government said the photo was taken before the coronavirus crisis.

3. Cable TV operators Star Media, Multichoice Tanzania and Azam were fined an equivalent of Sh220,000 and ordered to broadcast an apology for seven days in a row for airing a report by Kenya’s Citizen TV that described President Magufuli as ‘stubborn’ for refusing to impose a total lockdown in the country.

4. Citizen TV was also forced to severally apologise to Magufuli for questioning the methods he had put in place to curb the coronavirus pandemic.

“Citizen TV would like to clarify that these words Ukaidi wa Magufuli (Magufuli’s defiance) were not used with the intention of misleading viewers on Magufuli’s stance or that of the Republic of Tanzania in the fight against the pandemic and that the said words were not appropriate,” the apology read in part.

The Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) is set to hold a virtual graduation ceremony for its students in two weeks, becoming the first Kenyan institution of higher learning to do so.

This comes amid a ban on public gatherings due to Covid-19.

Vice Chancellor Prof Ndirangu Kioni said the move follows requests from students.

“The students requested for the graduation ceremony because they wanted their certificates so that they can move on with their lives,” he said.

The virtual event that will be held on May 8 will see 1,777 students graduate in its 9th ceremony.

“The University Senate resolved to hold a virtual graduation in keeping with our student-centric approach. It was to ensure that we keep our promise to the students and graduands of DeKUT of timely completion of studies,” he said.

“It will be a brief ceremony and will be attended by a maximum of 15 people spread out in our main hall. The deans will stay in their offices or wherever they will be and read out the names from there,” he said, adding that it will be streamed online.

The 15 will be the key people including the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and members of Senate.

“The ceremony will be very brief and will follow all the laid out directives by the Ministry of Health. The short span will also discourage people congregating at any point,” he said.

The students will catch the ceremony online via the university’s YouTube, Facebook and Twitter platforms.

MOVE OPPOSED

“In these uncertain times, it is hard to predict when the country will go back to normalcy so that a traditional graduation can be held…our graduands who worked hard to complete their studies should not suffer a delay,” said Prof Kioni.

“Our students in nursing and IT completed their studies last year but cannot secure employment for lack of the certificates yet their skills are needed during this period,” he added.

As part of preparations, the university has advised graduands to download their e-invitation cards from the student portal. They will follow the live event from wherever they will be. The graduands are required to part with between Sh3,100 (diplomas) and Sh6,100 (PhD).

The graduating class will receive their certificates after two weeks of the virtual graduation.

While student leaders seem to agree with the administration, some graduands are against virtual graduation. Through Twitter and Facebook they have opposed the graduation fee requirement.

Through #NoVirtualGraduation hashtag and WhatsApp groups, they questioned the rush to award certificates at a time when the pandemic has shut the economy.

Hurbert Murende, a graduand said, “a virtual graduation is like being ripped off something that you are worth, it feels like watching a graduation on YouTube, which makes no sense.”

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru on Monday morning gave Citizen TV journalist Sam Gituku a serious tongue lashing in a live interview after he veered off-script.

Gituku had hosted the Kirinyaga Governor on Day Break breakfast show to speak about her county’s preparedness in the fight against Covid-19.

After the Covid-19 discussion, Gituku attempted to introduce a question about the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) investigations on misappropriation of Sh 50 million by Waiguru’s office.

“There is another story that came from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) saying that about Sh 50 million was improperly utilized,” Gituku said before Waiguru promptly cut him short.

“No, that’s not what the EACC said. Please do not misquote the EACC. The EACC did not say that any money has been misappropriated. Please, Sam be very careful you don’t be used for political reasons and do not misquote the EACC,” Waiguru said.

She further asked the journalist to stop picking conversation from social media or newspaper reports.

INVESTIGATION

“The county assembly is the one who made that accusation. I said I welcome an independent investigation from the bodies authorized to investigate. Am I clear? So it was not the EACC, it was the county assembly. I said from where I seat the EACC should look into the matter. And I said they are very welcome and they have asked for the documents,” Waiguru said.

“We will discuss the coronavirus. If you want us to discuss the issues of the preparedness of the coronavirus, I am willing to do that. However, I am not willing to be pulled into a conversation that has something to do with politics because this interview was based on coronavirus preparedness,” Waiguru went on.

“We are now discussing issues of hostilities, innuendos; we are now pushing an agenda that I am not very sure what you are trying to achieve. I think we were supposed to be focusing on the issues of preparedness, how prepared are we? You haven’t asked me how many masks we are producing in Kirinyaga,” she continued.

In the EACC saga, reports had emerged that the agency was onto Governor Waiguru and other officials over Sh50 million irregular tender payments.

Police on Sunday evening arrested 18 people, among them two 14-year-olds, at a party inside a joint in Jamuhuri estate.

A concerned neighbour alerted the authorities of the party and when they raided the house they found the 18 individuals all naked taking videos.

According to a police statement, those arrested were aged between 14 and 30 years and were taken to Kilimani Police Station.

They will be charged in court with defying government directives to tame Covid-19.

Last week, more than 20 revelers were arrested while drinking inside Komar House restaurant located on Menelik Road in Kilimani Estate.

Nairobi accounts for at least 73 per cent of the confirmed cases in Kenya with upmarket Nairobi neighbourhood Kilimani leading with the highest number of cases.

The fallout between Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and the national government deepened on Friday after part of his security detail was withdrawn.

Mr Sonko last week threatened to end an agreement transferring four key functions to the national government, accusing unnamed State House officers of hijacking the process.

This reportedly came after the City Hall boss met with Deputy President William Ruto.

STALEMATE

And on Friday, the governor lost drivers and bodyguards at both his Upper Hill private office and Mua Hills residence.

According to sources who spoke to the Nation on condition of anonymity, this was after he refused to cede ground over the three-week-long stalemate regarding the Sh15 billion that was allocated to the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS).

The source said that a meeting on Thursday last week that was attended by two senior State House officers ended in disarray after the governor insisted on proceeding with the preparation of a new supplementary budget.

The meeting at Mr Sonko’s Upper Hill private office was attended by State House Deputy Chief of Staff – Legal, Constitutional and Legal Affairs – Njee Muturi and Deputy Comptroller George Kariuki.

It was also attended by some executive committee members, chief officers, the county secretary and two MCAs.

“The meeting was on the budget but it ended in disarray after Sonko insisted that the budget must be done again. The following day, his drivers and bodyguards were withdrawn, leaving him with only two officers,” said the source.

The source added that following the fallout, 800 enforcement officers were seconded to the NMS and asked to report to the new office between Monday and Tuesday “without fail”.

The governor is contesting the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2020 that allocated Sh15 billion to NMS headed by Director-General Mohammed Badi and that was approved by the assembly on April 2.

MISINFORMATION

He is accusing MCAs of overreach by appropriating funds to functions that were never transferred to NMS. He also claims that his office was not involved in the preparation of the bill.

Mr Sonko’s spokesperson, Ben Mulwa, said Thursday’s meeting was the governor’s idea. He denied that the governor had lost his bodyguards and drivers.

“That is misinformation, as the governor still has his drivers and security. People are trying to bring a lot of politics into it.”

He said there is going to be a meeting this week between county government representatives and those from NMS to finalise the issue.

Another source said that the meeting resolved to have a new supplementary budget prepared with input from NMS.

On Friday last week, Mr Sonko said he had directed the county treasury to work on a new supplementary budget together with officers from the NMS.

This was the same day that the contested bill was to take effect at the expiry of seven days provided for by the law after it was resubmitted by Speaker Beatrice Elachi after she rejected the governor’s memorandum.

On Sunday, Finance Chief Officer Halkano Waqo said a new supplementary budget has already been submitted to the Speaker.

“What was presented before the house is totally different from what we shared with the Budget Committee. We have regularised it and submitted it to the Speaker, who should present it before the Budget Committee,” he said.

Another Trump has trended on social media after a well-intended tweet went horribly wrong.

Melania Trump, America’s First Lady found herself the butt of jokes after her husband, the US president, Donald Trump wished her a happy birthday on Sunday evening. Americans on social media took the chance to make fun of her.

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump posted, “Happy Birthday to Melania, our great First Lady!”

The tweet received over 44,000 replies and 58,000 retweets. Most who replied dug into her former career as a model, some even posting nude photographs she had posed for, comparing her with previous first ladies including Nancy Reagan and Michelle Obama, and even bashing her for the way she received citizenship in the United States.

”Happy Birthday Melania! Your orange hubby spent years calling for Obama’s birth certificate. I’m calling for your legal immigration papers. How the hell did you get an “Einstein” visa for extraordinary abilities, despite your blatant lie under oath about college degrees, @FLOTUS?” wondered Andrea Junker @Strandjunker.

Clear Cider @TheClearCider posted, “Has she finished the White House tennis court renovations? Because that’s what’s needed during a national Trump pandemic. Giving hope to the 54,239+ lost Americans under the Trump administration. Tennis courts.”

Mrs Trump recently unveiled the newly refurbished tennis court at the White House, a project she had undertaken while seemingly oblivious to the current Covid-19 pandemic that has claimed almost 60,000 American lives so far.

“Happy Birthday, Melania – you’ve never looked better………oops,” posted Beelzebub @JamesVa74787989 over a photograph of Mr Trump and Stormy Daniels, an adult film actress who claims to have had an affair with the President, while he was married to Melania.

Michael Rapaport @MichaelRapaport wrote, “Happy Birthday Melania,”and posted a photograph of the Trumps together with Jeff Epstein, a disgraced American financier and sex offender who died in jail eight months ago.

MELANIA’S FANS

Barren Drumpf @BarrenDrumpf posted, “Best THIRD lady ever!” poking fun at the fact that Melania is Donald Trump’s third wife.

“Hey… well done getting Ivanka’s second step mom’s name right this time, genius!” replied Jo@JoJoFromJerz to the president and posted a screenshot of a tweet by him in 2018 when he misspelled his wife’s name as Melanie.

Not all the tweets were negative though. Mrs Trump actually has a fan base that sincerely wished her a happy birthday.

“Happy BIRTHDAY MELANIA TRUMP. The Black community loves you and appreciate you so we made a very special video for you! We are honored to wish you happy birthday! You deserve more respect than you get. God bless you First Lady! Today is your day,” Terrence K. Williams @w_terrence posted a four-minute video compilation of people wishing the first lady a happy birthday.

“Happy Birthday to The Hottest First Lady!” said Joey Saladino @JoeySalads.

Another internet user pointed out that Joey Saladino is not the best representative of the nation, after a photograph of him wearing a swastika was revealed.

The swastika was the Nazi movement symbol and remains a sign for white supremacists.

The latest bashing comes days after President Trump caused internet uproar with a suggestion that people inject themselves with disinfectants in a bid to cure the coronavirus.