A list of happenings in 2009 in Kenya:
Incumbents President: Mwai Kibaki Vice-President: Kalonzo Musyoka Chief Justice: Johnson Gicheru
Events
January January - Two corruption cases, the 2009 Triton Oil Scandal"KACC asked to probe $98.7 million Triton oil theft at Kenya Pipeline" , The East African, January 10, 2009 and the 2009 Kenyan Maize Scandal"Revealed: Sh150 million maize scandal" , Daily Nation, January 10, 2009 broke out. January 16 - Kenya makes an international food appeal due to drought-induced famine in certain parts of the country Daily Nation website, January 16, 2009: Kenya seeks Sh32bn food aid January 23 - Amos Kimunya is appointed the Minister of Trade. Kimunya resigned from the post of Minister of Finance in July 2008 due to Grand Regency Scandal. Former minister of Trade Uhuru Kenyatta is now appointed for the vacant position of Minister of Finance.Daily Nation website, January 23, 2009: Cabinet reshuffle: Why Kibaki acted January 28 - A Nakumatt supermarket in the Nairobi CBD was destroyed by a fire (main article: 2009 Nakumatt supermarket fire).The Standard, January 29, 2009: January 31 - An oil spill ignition kills over 50 people in near Molo town (main article: 2009 Kenyan oil spill ignition).
February February 19 - Kenyan fishermen are forced to flee the disputed Migingo Island in Lake Victoria after Uganda deploy troops on the island The Standard, February 22, 2009: February 25 - An UN report recommends dismissing the Attorney General Amos Wako and police commissioner Mohammed Hussein Ali due to killings by the police (). On September 8, 2009, Mohammed Hussein Ali was transferred to the position of the Chief Executive of Postal Corporation of Kenya. The new Police Commissioner is Mathew Iteere, the former General Service Unit Commandant.Daily Nation, September 8, 2009: Kibaki moves Ali, names new Kenya police boss
March March 30 - Student riots at the Kenyatta University results in one fatality and destroyed property, including a computer laboratory.The Standard, March 31, 2009:
April April 6 - Kenyan minister of Justice Martha Karua resigns citing lack of progress with her reform agenda. April 20 - Over 20 people die at a clash between the mungiki sect and local residents in Karatina (Main article: Mathira Massacre). April 24 - Eliud Wabukala is elected the new archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya, replacing the outgoing Benjamin NzimbiDaily Nation, April 29, 2009: Wabukala new Anglican Church head
May May 1 - A government official was forced to cut short his speech and abandon the May Day rally as angry workers hurled stones at dignitaries in protest over the government's refusal to deal with difficult living conditions Daily Nation, May 1, 2009 The day Kenya workers’ anger boiled over May 7 - Thomas Cholmondeley was found guilty of manslaughter
June June 12 - The Othaya Police Chief, John Nzau was shot dead. Fellow policemen were arrested as suspects.Daily Nation, June 18, 2009: Senior officer held over Othaya killing June 16 - An oil tanker fire kills at least four and injures nearly 50 people at Kapokyek village near Kericho. The victims were siphoning fuel from the tanker that had fallen off the road.Daily Nation, June 19, 2009: Three more victims of oil tanker tragedy die
July July 9 - the UN Secretary general Kofi Annan handed names of the main suspects of the 2007 Post-election violence to the International Criminal Court. July 21 - A collision of two buses in Siapei along the Narok - Mau Mahiu road causes 22 fatalities Daily Nation, July 22, 2009: Night of tears and anguish as 22 die in accident July 23 - The SEACOM cable becomes operational, raising hopes of higher speed and lower cost internet connections in Kenya. July 30 - Kenyan cabinet announced that no special tribunal will be formed to handle the 2009 post-election crisis, and that the cases will be dealt in local courts instead
August August 1 - A small airplane belonging to AIM-Air crashes into a flat in Nairobi's Highrise estate, while approaching the Wilson Airport, resulting in one fatality The Standard, August 1, 2009: Pilot killed, three injured in city estate plane crash August 4–6- The 8th African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) conference was held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi. Hillary Clinton, the United States Secretary of State, was among the speakers.8th AGOA forum US Vows to improve ties with Africa August 23 - A bus and a truck collide near Gilgil, resulting in 16 deaths Daily Nation, August 24, 2009: 16 dead in bus-trailer accident August 24 - The Kenyan census in 2009 is initiated Daily Nation, August 24, 2009: President counted as Kenya Census begins August 24- Long-distance buses and matatus are banned for entering the Nairobi CBD, in order to reduce traffic congestions Daily Nation, August 29, 2009: Ban private cars not matatus, urge passengers August 27 - Parliamentary by-elections were held in the constituencies of Shinyalu and Bomachoge. ODM retained the Shinyalu seat, the new MP is Justus Kizito, replacing the deceased Charles Lugano. In Bomachoge, Simon Ogari of ODM narrowly beat the 2007 winner Joel Onyancha of PNU. The Bomachoge seat was vacated after the 2007 Elections at the constituency were nullified due to irregularities.ODM triumphs in Shinyalu, Bomachoge by-elections For the first time in Kenya, the ballot boxes were transparent.Daily Nation, August 27, 2009: Low turnout in by-elections
September
September 30 - Aaron Ringera resigns from the position of the director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) due to pressure. He had been reappointed as the director of KACC on 31 August 2009, sparking mixed reactions
October October 4 - Fourteen people die when a matatu and a truck collided in KerichoDaily Nation, October 5, 2009: Runaway accident driver arrested October 20 - A building collapsed in Kiambu, killing several people October 27 - Mungiki chairman Maina Njenga was acquitted after murder charges on him were withdrawn for lack of evidence
November November 5 - Mungiki spokesman David Gitau Njuguna was shot dead in Nairobi by unknown assailants.The Standard, November 6, 2009: Mungiki spokesman shot dead November 9 - A light cargo plane crashes at the Wilson Airport, killing two crew members. The plane was carrying miraa to Somalia (main article: 2009 Kenyan Beach 1990D crash)Daily Nation, November 9, 2009: Two killed as plane crashes at Wilson Airport November 15 - Ten people died when Samburu cattle raiders attacked the Kisima village in Samburu County.The Standard, November 16, 2009: 10 killed, six injured as raiders attack village November 16 - The Kenyan government started to evict settlers from the Mau ForestFrance24, November 16, 2009:Kenya starts forest eviction November 17 - The Harmonized Draft Constitution of Kenya was released for public (The Draft ) November 22 - Six people die when a trailer hit a matatu along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway in Kiptenden, near Nakuru The Standard, November 23, 2009: Six die in road carnage, four injured
December December 2 - Eleven people died as a bus and a lorry collided along the Nakuru–Eldoret highway at Mlango Tatu, Koibatek DistrictDaily Nation, December 3, 2009: 11 killed in bus and lorry collision December 17 - The High court declares the South Mugirango Constituency parliamentary seat held by James Magara vacant due to irregularities in the election,Daily Nation, December 17, 2009: Magara loses South Mugirango seat
Deaths
January–March January 1 - Kenyan al-Qaeda members Fahid Mohammed Ally Msalam and Sheikh Ahmed Salim Swedan were killed in a US airstrike in Pakistan. January 26 - Pamela Mboya, former UN-HABITAT Kenya representative and widow of Tom MboyaUN-HABITAT, January 29, 2009: Pamela Mboya, 70, former Kenyan permanent representative dies January 28 - Angel Wainaina, Actress and radio presenter, known for her role as Sergeant Maria of Cobra Squad TV-series, victim of the Nakumatt supermarket fire.The Standard, January 31, 2009: January 28 - Peter Serry, the CEO of Tusker FC, victim of the Nakumatt supermarket fire.Kenyafootball, January 30, 2009: Nandwa survives Nakumatt inferno, Serry missing February 1 - Kadir Farah, former international football player died of illness.The Standard, February 1, 2009: February 25 - Atieno Odhiambo, 63, scholar and writer, died of illness.The Standard, February 26, 2009: March 5 - Oscar Kamau Kingara and John Paul Oulo, human rights activists, were shot dead by the police.
April–June April 9 - Farakh Yusuf, 54, rally co-driver.Coastweek, April 17, 2009: CHAMPion FARAKH YUSUF PASSES ON DAYS AFTER 2009 KCB SAFARI RALLY April 13 - James Bett, a peacemaker dies following a car accident The Standard, April 25, 2009: A man who was always ahead of his time May 1–3 - Bantu Mwaura, 40, human-rights activist, actor, director, poet and storyteller who wrote poetry in English, Swahili and GikuyuArticle, "Human rights activist Bantu Mwaura found dead" May 4, 2009, The Standard of Nairobi, Kenya; also Kimani, Peter, "Brave struggle that gave way to bleak end", May 5, 2009, The Standard of Nairobi, Kenya retrieved May 4 (different time zone) May 4 - Charles Lugano, 59, Kenyan politician, illness Daily Nation, May 4, 2009: Kenya MP dies after illness June 18 - Professor Peter Kenya from Kenyatta University was shot dead by gangsters Daily Nation, June 20, 2009: PS injured in dawn shooting
July–September July 9 - Kinuthia Murugu, Youth and Sports Permanent secretary dies of gunshot wounds Daily Nation, July 9, 2009: Youth PS Murugu dies in Nairob August 11 - Campbell R. Bridges, 71, Scottish born Kenyan resident gemologist, stabbed to death near Voi August 13 - Major General Simeon Mutai, former Kenya Air Force commander, illness The Standard, August 14, 2009: Former Kenya Air Force boss die August 14 - Kimani Maruge, ~89, World oldest pupil, stomach cancerCapital FM, August 14, 2009: World oldest pupil Maruge dies
October–December October 9 - Francis Baldacchino, 72, the first Bishop of Malindi, dies of liver and heart complications in Malta.Daily Nation, October 19, 2009: Funeral mass held for Malindi bishop October 26 - Patrick Ndururi, 40, runner Daily Nation, October 27, 2009: Transition November 2 - Kirugumi wa Wanjuki, 86, the hangman at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison dies of pneumonia.The Standard, November 4, 2009: Lonely exit for retired Kamiti hangman November 28 - Patrick Konchellah, 41, runner, Commonwealth Games gold medalist dies of illness The Standard, December 12, 2009: Former champion Konchellah passes on December 4 - Ronald Kiluta, former MP and assistant minister from Masinga Constituency, road accident The Standard, December 4, 2009: Former minister killed in accident
Sports
January–March January 13 - Kenya national football team lost to Uganda in the 2008 CECAFA Cup final.RSSSF: East and Central African Championship (CECAFA) However, Kenya's head coach Francis Kimanzi was sacked soon after the tournament. He was replaced by Antoine Hey from Germany in February 2009. January 23 - Olympic champions Pamela Jelimo and Samuel Wanjiru take top honours at the 2008 Kenyan Sports Personality of the Year awards.Daily Nation website, January 23, 2009: Moment of glory for Wanjiru and Jelimo February 9–10 - Kenyan national rugby sevens team reaches main cup semifinal at the 2009 Wellington Sevens and plate final of the 2009 USA Sevens. March 5–7 - Kenya reaches the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens semi-final in Dubai. March 27 - Kenya lost to Tunisia 1-2 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers March 28 - Kenya reaches the main cup semi-final at the 2009 Hong Kong Sevens. March 29 - Micah Kogo breaks the 10 Kilometres road running world record at Parelloop race in Brunssum, The Netherlands by timing 27:01 minutes.IAAF, March 29, 2009: Kogo breaks World 10 km record in Brunssum
April–June