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Mustafa Juma

Talented and immensely creative journalist with a commitment to high-quality research and writing with over 5 years of professional experience. Dedication to sound investigative research methods and a strong desire to know the truth of the matter. Excellent reporting and interviewing skills and award-winning writing techniques. Experience writing and reporting across a variety of platforms, including Opera News Kenya, DailyActive.info, LitKenya.com, theexchange.africa and Scooper News

Politics

Murkomen Responds to Murathe’s Threats

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has broken his silence on threats issued by Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe against him, Nairobi senator Johnson Sakaja and Lamu’s Anwar Oloititip.

Murathe in an interview with The Standard had threatened to kick out of Jubilee party the three senators over their stand on the controversial County revenue sharing formula.

Murathe said the party would take disciplinary action against Sakaja and his colleagues for conspiring with fellow senators under the “One Kenya Movement” banner to shoot down the Senate Finance and Budgets Committee report.

Murathe accused the three of defying  the party position last week and sank its proposal.

“We are not yet done, we will deal with the senators for going against the party position. They will have themselves to blame for their parochial decisions. We will kick them out of the party. Read our party constitution, it gives room to deal with them,” Murathe was quoted by the local daily as having said.

He said whereas the other Jubilee senators from the affected counties had their grievances against the formula, Sakaja, Murkomen and Oloititip acted defiantly and maliciously given that they had no credible grievance.

But in response to the headline ran by the Standard on Tuesday August 4, 2020, Murkomen said the story confirmed that he was doing the right thing.

Seeming unshaken with Murathe’s threats, the former senate Majority leader said such headline can only confirm that the peace in his heart flows like a gentle river.

“When I see such a headline I am so assured that I am doing the right thing and the peace In my heart flows like a gentle river,” he tweeted.

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Politics

Senators to Receive Ksh 5 Million Bribes to Pass Uhuru’s Proposal on Revenue Formula

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Senators are set to receive up to Ksh 5 million in bribes for them to pass the controversial new County revenue allocation formula.

Narok senator Ledama Olekina has this morning hinted at the plot, arguing that it will be suicidal for any senator to accept the bribes.

According to the ODM senator, the bribe will only help to fuel division of Kenya due to the revenue share discourse.

Taking to his official twitter handle, he went further to curse the lawmakers who will accept the Ksh 5 million bribe and in turn betray Kenyans.

Ledama prayed for the family of those who will accept the bribe not to have peace at all.

“It will be suicidal for any Senator to accept a bribe of Ksh 5M to fuel the division of Kenya due to the revenue share discourse! May your family never have peace if you accept a bribe to divide Kenya! Tadoi anaa Enkolong!” senator Ledama tweeted.

The senate is this afternoon expected to vote on the crucial County revenue formula, with senators having different opinions ahead of the special seating.

A section of senators opposed to the county cash sharing formula have vowed to reject it.

According to a report by The Star, the 25 senators who last week engineered the defeat of an amendment to defer the disputed formula by two years have plotted another elaborate plan to reject it in totality.

The amendment was sponsored by Majority Chief Whip Irungu Kang’ata (Murang’a) with the blessings of President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

With their number standing at 25, the opposing senators have surpassed the 24 threshold required to defeat the formula that would see 18 counties lose Sh17 billion.

On Sunday, Raila met a section of Uhuru’s allies led by Jubilee vice chairman David Murathe at the Kajiado home of Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli.

At the meeting, Raila assured the President’s side that he would rally his senators to support the formula.

 Siaya Senator James Orengo who is the Minority Leader was charged with bringing the leaders together.

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Politics

Senators Sakaja, Murkomen And Anwar Oloitiptip to be Kicked Out of Jubilee

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi Senator John Sakaja, his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen and Lamu’s Anwar Oloitiptip now risk being kicked out of the ruling Jubilee party.

The party’s Vice Chairman David Murathe on Monday August 3, 2020 issued a warning to the lawmakers ahead of crucial Senate vote on county revenue formula.

Murathe’s warning comes after the three senators defied the party position and sank its proposal.

In an interview with the Standard, Murathe said that Jubilee party will take a disciplinary action against Sakaja and his colleagues for conspiring with fellow senators under the “One Kenya Movement” banner to shoot down the Senate Finance and Budgets Committee report.

“We are not yet done, we will deal with the senators for going against the party position. They will have themselves to blame for their parochial decisions. We will kick them out of the party. Read our party constitution, it gives room to deal with them,” he said.

Murathe said whereas the other Jubilee senators from the affected counties had their grievances against the formula, Sakaja, Murkomen and Oloititip acted defiantly and maliciously given that they had no credible grievance.

Sakaja and Murkomen led a group of seven senators from the counties that were gaining in the formula arrangement to oppose the vote, claiming they were doing so in solidarity with the devolved units that were losing.

Others were Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, Makueni’s Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, Sam Ongeri (Kisii), Philip Mpaayei (Kajiado) and Boniface Kabaka (Machakos). 

In the formula, 18 counties saw their allocation reduced from what they were receiving in the second generation formula, a matter that raised opposition.Sakaja is a former Uhuru’s TNA party chairman.

He said there was no party position on the matter, and that a party position would only be arrived at if members of a caucus debate an issue and agrees or disagrees but moves on with collective responsibility.

Yesterday, Sakaja woke up to banners displayed in strategic places branding him a traitor. On Twitter, a betrayal hashtag carrying his name was trending.

The senator, however, played it down, asking his followers to help “the keyboard warriors to earn their bread”.

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EntertainmentLatest News

Journalist Trevor Ombija’s Lavish House Sets Netizens Toungues Wagging

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

With Royal Media Services’ Citizen TV kicking off the home edition, most of its multi-talented journalists have been ancoring prime time news from their homes.

This is in an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Since the home edition was kicked off at the media house, we have seen Jeff Koinange, Waihiga Mwaura and Trevor Ombija anchor the 9pm prime time news from their homes.

On Monday August 3, 2020, Ombija brought the Monday report live from his lavish home situated in one of the Nairobi’s suburbs.

The Lavish house sparked mixed reactions on social media, with a section of netizens wondering how the journalist was living large in a low key life.

Some hilariously attributed Trevor Ombija’s lifestyle to his tribe, Luo, where most people are famously known for their luxury lifestyle.

A number of netizens congratulated the journalist for having such a nice and beautiful home at his young age.

Below are some of the reactions.

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Latest News

Exposed: Uhuru Kenyatta’s Niece Ate Sh84 Million Covid-19 Tender

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A company associated with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s kin got Ksh 84 million from a Covid-19 tender, details have emerged.

When Covid-19 first hit the Country, there is a section of traders who saw a business opportunity, going after tenders in the Ministry of Health that have seen them make away with millions.

According to a report by Daily Nation, some business people chattered planes to China to physically fly in Covid-19 medical supplies.

The report by the local daily further revealed that some traders waited for the goods, that is personal protective gear, ventilators and other medical items  to land in Nairobi, then snapped them up in bulk and waited.

Others  waylaid donations at the airport and diverted them to private warehouses, waiting for the procurement whistle to be blown.

Kenya has been receiving several billions from donors to address the pandemic.

First, Kenya received Sh78.3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address the pandemic.

Then the World Bank wired Sh108 billion to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), as both budgetary support and extra resources to help fight the deadly viral infection.

As traders rushed for the government tenders to get the share of the billions donated to Kenya, President Kenyatta’s niece happens to be among those who got millions.

Ziwala Limited, which is owned by Ms Samantha Ngina Muthama who is President Kenyatta’s niece, and June Nduta Kinyua, equally received a piece of the Covid-19 billions.

It got a Sh84 million contract to supply 120,000 pieces of KN95 face masks, also at the inflated price of Sh700 a piece.

Economist David Ndii on Monday August 3, 2020 through his social media handles demonstrated the move, accusing the head of state of allowing his relatives to plunder Kenya’s economy with his protection.

“Dear Kumîra Kumîra. While you were out bleating #OneManOneVoteOneShilling nonsense on empty stomachs, Uhuru Kenyatta’s niece ate Sh84 million Covid-19 tender. Turkanas are not freeloading on YOUR taxes. #Relathieves are plundering OUR taxes with your protection. Ng’ondu ici,” tweeted Ndii.

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Latest NewsPolitics

Ruto Allies Raid Raila’s Nyanza Backyard as They Assemble Grassroots Troops

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President William Ruto his battling for Luo-Nyanza votes as 2022 nears.

Over the weekend, DP Ruto’s allies raided Opposition chief Raila Odinga’s Nyanza backyard by hosting youths from the region.

Through his close ally Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, Ruto has been assembling grassroots troops from Nyanza that will campaign for him in the 2022 elections.

In a meeting attended by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa and his Bahati counterpart Kimani Ngunjiri, Sudi at the weekend hosted youths from Kisumu, Siaya, Migori and Homa Bay at his rural home in Kapsaret.

Those who attended the rally included youth leaders, women groups and clerics  who previously supported Raila’s presidential campaigns.

The youth were mainly from Kisumu’s Kondele estate, which is a political hotbed in the lakeside city and those from Raila’s Bondo rural home.

Others were from Ahero, Nyakach, Muhoroni and Kendu Bay.

According to a report by a local daily, the youths have formed a movement dubbed “ Nyanza Youth Movement for Ruto 2022” to campaign for Ruto.

On Sunday August 2, 2020, the Kapseret MP told the local daily  that they were determined to raid Raila’s political turf. 

“We are determined to penetrate Luo Nyanza so that we can unlock its residents from the chains of poverty. Our intention is to sell the DP as the best alternative,” he was quoted saying.

Sudi said Kenyans should live together in harmony despite holding divergent political views, citing his relationship with Raila.

“Raila is my friend, even though we have different political views. Just the other day we had lunch as friends,” he said. 

The Kapseret MP also asked leaders not to incite Kenyans against each other.

“There is no day citizens engage in violence on their own, they are usually incited by leaders,” he said. 

On his part, Barasa called on Nyanza residents to shun tribal politics and vote for leaders with a clear development agenda. 

“You do not eat the title of your tribesmen in Government. Your life will not change because your tribesman is in power, your life will only change if the people you elect have a plan to transform lives,” said Barasa.

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Politics

Atwoli’s Hand in The Aborted Ruto-Mudavadi 2022 Deal

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

COTU boss Francis Atwoli has been linked to the dirty intrigues that saw a political deal between Deputy President William Ruto and Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi.

Atwoli is said to have been in talks with MPs allied to Mudavadi cautioning them to tread carefully with Ruto power strategy.

To Atwoli, according to a local daily, Ruto is an over-ambitious politician who, knowing what the presidency entails, will not forgo it for Mudavadi for himself to benefit.

According to sources, during Kibaki succession, Uhuru had agreed to step down for Mudavadi but it is the same Ruto who opposed and forced Uhuru to retreat back to the race.

He ended up winning and succeeding Mwai Kibaki, forming the government with Ruto as Mudavadi UDF party he ran on for the presidency was snatched from him, forcing the former vice president to find homage in ANC party, a brainchild of nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi.

Uhuru wanted Mudavadi in his first cabinet but Ruto was against the move, according to our impeccable sources.

Ruto’s fear was that with Mudavadi in the cabinet, he was to overshadow him in Uhuru succession 2022.

Analysts say that Ruto, Mudavadi power struggle started during their days in ODM when then ODM leader and Raila pushed for Mudavadi to be deputy prime in the power-sharing deal with Kibaki in the government of national unity.

Ruto having delivered many votes from Rift Valley Kalenjin land expected to be named deputy PM but instead, he was named Agriculture minister, and then moved to Education ministry before Raila sacked him.

With such a historical background and the fact that the current constitution does not allow Ruto to be deputy president after serving two terms, it is impossible for him to back Mudavadi’s presidential bid.

Instead, they argue that Mudavadi should be Ruto running mate. Another theory has it that Mudavadi power deal with Ruto was bound to complicate events in the DP camp as his followers are out to gain plum political offices and to them, Mudavadi is an outsider.

Reports of the Ruto-Mudavadi alliance started emerging after the ANC leader made political moves where he incessantly attacked Raila triggering speculation he was plotting to team up with the deputy president.

The reports were given credence after one of Ruto’s vocal supporters, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, stated that most leaders in Western region allied to the DP had no problem accommodating Mudavadi.

But the mooted alliance came to the public limelight when Ruto secretly met MPs allied to Mudavadi and Wetang’ula at his Karen residence before he proceeded to State House to attend Madaraka Day celebrations.

Ruto’s meeting came four days after Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali had hosted 32 MCAs drawn from four counties in Western Kenya where he told them to be friends with Mudavadi because he was in talks with the DP for a possible pact ahead of the 2022 elections.

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Politics

Coast ODM Lawmakers Plot to Dump Raila For New Party

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmakers from the coastal region are plotting to dump the Raila Odinga-led Orange party for a new political outfit.

This follows Raila’s  decision to back the third basis formula of revenue allocation across counties.

ODM’s Kilifi North MP Owen Baya, on Wednesday, July 29, announced that plans were well underway to launch a new political outfit for the Coast region.

He also revealed that legislators from various factions including the ruling Jubilee Party had been meeting regularly to iron out various details regarding the workings of the proposed party.

A week ago, ‘ODM rebel’ and Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa openly called for other coastal leaders to ditch the Raila-led party.

Coast Parliamentary Group Chairman, Galole MP Said Hirbae, backed his colleagues’ statement, adding that consultations were well underway.

ODM’s decision to overlook leaders from the region for coveted parliamentary committees was also mooted as a major reason behind the decision to break away.

Despite having not yet settled on a date for the launch of the party, the Kilifi North MP, while addressing the media, made it clear that their new political outfit would be launched before the 2022 General Elections

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Latest News

Colleges And Universities to Remain Closed Until January 2021

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has said that all higher learning institutions will remain closed until January 2021.

In an announcement made on Thursday July 30th, 2020, Prof Magoha noted that colleges and universities are not Covid-19 compliant.

Several Counties have been using public learning institutions as Covid-19 isolation centers.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday cleared doubts on reopening of learning institutions, saying the government will give a clear roadmap in a few days’ time.

The President directed CS Magoha to call for an education stakeholders meeting to discuss how schools, colleges and universities will be reopened.

He said the stakeholders meeting will be called within a few days’ time and official dates for schools and higher institutions learning institutions to reopen will be given.

Universities and colleges were scheduled to be reopen in September.

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Crime & Investigations

Tangatanga MP Didmus Barasa in Yet Another Criminal Puzzle

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has again been caught in another criminal puzzle. Last week, the MP moved to court trying to stop arrest over a sale of a matatu to a one Irungu Mwangi.

In court papers filed through Khaminwa and company advocates, the MP prays that the court admits Barasa to reasonable bail terms pending the investigations and arrest by officers under inspector general.

According to sources, Barasa in 2016 sold a matatu plying on Nairobi -Kitengela route to Irungu. By then, the MP was out to get money to help his campaign for Kimilili seat then held by Suleiman Murunga.

Then, Barasa had taken a loan from Rafiki Micro Finance Ltd and the vehicle sale value was Sh700,000.

It is said, Barasa did not disclose dealings with Rafiki as the matatu was the security in the procurement of the loan. Barasa was to clear Sh187,000 balance to Rafiki Ltd in the deal according to documents.

Irungu who bought the vehicle via an agent was to pay Sh200,000 to the microfinance and have Sh500,000 paid to his account to release the logbook. By then, the MP had three matatus operating on the Kitengela route.

Last year Barasa faced a bankruptcy suit after failing to pay Sh4.2 million owed to a car dealer. Smart Cars Limited and Car city Limited claimed the MP failed to pay the outstanding balance for a personal Toyota Land Cruiser purchased in 2017.

The car cost was Sh11.7 million. The MP was also to be caught in a circus over the purchase of sofa sets for his house.

He failed to honour payments after paying a deposit. Family members say the MP is a poor debt payer, and before being elected, rent arrears had accumulated to hundreds of thousands

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Politics

Raila Breaks Silence on Revenue Sharing Formula, Offers Long-lasting Solution

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila odinga has issued a detailed statement on the revenue sharing formula that has caused a standoff in the senate.

Raila in a statement issued on Monday July 27, 2020 has accused the senate of failing to adopt its own amendments to the third basis formula for sharing revenue from the Commission for Revenue Allocation (CRA).

The former Prime Minister argues that the senate standoff is causing paralysis and mistrust at a time Counties need to be united and singularly focused on fighting Covid-19.

Raila says the current standoff in the senate is a variation of what was recommended by the CRA, the body mandated under article 216 (1) of the Kenyan Constitution, to come up with the formula.

Raila notes that the revenue should be population driven.

He says the CRA recommendation is based on an understanding that County governments are about service requirements of the population including in health, agriculture, infrastructure, education among others.

Under the circumstances, Raila says, the country would be better served if the senate adopted the recommendation of the CRA for the next five financial years.

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In order to avoid similar standoffs next time, Raila says that the concerns currently arising should be forwarded to the CRA for consideration in its future recommendation.

However, the African Union envoy notes that Counties must be encouraged to raise their own source revenues from the economic activities within the counties and demanding a prudent usage of those resources.

He says the senate should allow the country move forward by adopting the CRA report while using the concerns raised for future recommendations on revenue sharing.

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Latest NewsPolitics

Moses Kuria Exposes Dirty Intrigues Played in The New Revenue Allocation Formula

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has exposed the dirty intrigues that are being played in the new revenue allocation formula that has caused division in the senate .

Taking to his official Facebook account this morning, Kuria claimed that in the 2017 General Elections, Kiambu County had 1,173,593 registered voters.

He argues that Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Isiolo and Marsabit had a combined 718,940 but in the existing formula for resource allocation, Kiambu gets Ksh 9 billion while the five Counties get combined Ksh 45 Billion.

The controversial lawmaker is now demanding for an explanation where justice and fairness lies in he current revenue allocation formula.

“In the 2017 General Elections, Kiambu County had 1,173,593 registered voters. Mandera, Garissa and Wajir, Isiolo and Marsabit had a combined 718,940. In the existing formula for resource allocation, Kiambu gets Ksh 9B. The 5 Counties get combined Ksh 45 Billion. Someone please look at me in the eye and explain to me like a two year old where justice and fairness lies here. With all humility please,” reads Kuria’s Facebook post.

Most senators want no county to lose a single cent in the new revenue sharing formula developed by the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA).

According to the Standard, at least 30 senators are in support of a motion by Nairobi’s Johnson Sakaja seeking to ensure no county gets reduced allocation based on the third formula that will see regions that have been receiving a higher allocation because of their huge landmass and high poverty indices, get less.

However, the move by senators backing Sakaja has created further divisions on the hotly contested formula the commission forwarded to the Senate for consideration.

Senators backing the third basis revenue sharing formula are those from counties that will be gaining as those from counties that will lose, rejecting it.

There are those that, while their regions are gaining, are backing Sakaja’s motion.Sakaja, Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka Nithi), Mohamed Faki (Mombasa) and Abshiro Halakhe (Nominated) have vowed to reject any proposal that will see any allocation to any county reduced while others gain.

Kindiki, who spoke on behalf of 18 other counties, argued that the formula being pushed by a section of senators, led by Murang’a’s Irungu Kangata, is highly divisive and meant to victimise some regions.

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Business

How to Buy Electricity Tokens, Settle Your Bill Using Safaricom Bonga Points

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Did you know that you can now buy electricity tokens or settle your electricity bills using Safaricom bonga points?

Well, Safaricom and the Kenya Power and Lightening Company (KPLC) have partnered to enable their customers redeem their safaricom Bonga Points for power tokens.

Through the partnership, the companies’ domestic customers can now redeem their Bonga Points to purchase tokens or pay for their bills at the rate of 20 cents per Bonga Point.

But how can one successfully redeem Bonga Points for power tokens?

Well, at first, you need to dial *126#. You will then select the Lipa na Bonga Points option, which will appear at number one.

You will then be prompted to select whether you need to buy goods or pay bill. In this case, you require to enter option 2, which is pay bill.

You will then be asked to enter the business number. In this case, enter the KPLC business number that you normally use to buy tokens. You will enter 888880, or 888888.

You will then enter your KPLC meter number as your account number.

After that, you will be required to enter the amount you wish to spend. For example, if you enter Ksh 1,500, 5000 Bonga Points will be deducted.

You will then be prompted to confirm you transaction. If you accept, you will be required to enter your MPESA service pin to complete the transaction.

You will then be notified that your request has been received. You will be advised upon completion, where you will receive your Power units.

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Politics

Jubilee to Kick Out Kositany as Party Deputy SG, Replace Him With Joshua Kuttuny

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Jubilee party is planning to kick out deputy Secretary general Caleb Kositany and replace him with a fellow Nandi, Cherangany MP Joshua Kuttuny.

Kositany who doubles up as Soy MP, a constituency in Uasin Gishu county, is a vocal supporter of deputy president William Ruto while Kuttuny who represents Cherangany which is in Trans Nzoia county is a supporter of Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga handshake.

Kuttuny will be rewarded with the post for his support for the Building Bridges Initiative which saw him become the key speaker from the Kalenjin community during the public rallies held across the country before they were halted due to the outbreak of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.

In the 2007 elections, Kuttuny successfully contested for the Cherangany parliamentary seat on an ODM ticket but failed to recapture it in the 2013 elections when he lost to Boston Marathon winner Wesley Korir.

After losing, he was appointed by Uhuru as his political adviser, a post he held up to December 2017 when he declared his candidature for the Cherangany parliamentary seat.

He won the seat with a slim margin. Sources revealed that the move to appoint Kuttuny to replace Kositany is meant to appease the Nandi community whose son will be losing the big seat of Jubilee for supporting Ruto’s presidential bid as his replacement will come from the community.

Nandis are second in numbers to Kipsigis among the Kalenjin.

Kipsigis community occupies Bomet and Kericho counties. The Kipsigis are also found in Narok and Nakuru counties which they share with the Maasai and Kikuyu communities besides other tribes.

Sources added that the move to appoint Kuttuny is also informed by the realization that the Nandis of Trans Nzoia, unlike those in Uasin Gishu, Nandi counties which is Ruto’s home turf, are likely to cast their lot with the president’s wing in 2022 polls.

In contrast in Uasin Gishu county, where Soy constituency is situated, Ruto enjoys massive support and hence it would be unwise to appoint Kositany’s replacement from the region as the appointment will have little impact on the ground.

The Nandi’s dominance of Uasin Gishu county came to the fore in the last general election when the Soy MP sparked a storm by declaring the community would determine the choice of governor as they are the majority.

Sources say the decision by Jubilee to fire Kositany was arrived at after he launched a full attack on secretary-general, Raphael Tuju, demanding the financial records of the party.

In an episode that added fuel to the cold wars between the president and his deputy, Kositany in a letter to Tuju which was copied to the Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu, claimed he was acting on behalf of more than 100 MPs and over 500 MCAs who are members of the party in demanding information on Jubilee’s financial records from 2016 to date.

He demanded Tuju vanish him with the approved budgets for financial years 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020, as well as all approved procurement records, reports and all committee minutes for the same period.

Kositany also demanded records for all Jubilee party county offices including copies of lease agreements as well as the lease or tenancy agreements for the party’s headquarters in Nairobi since 2016.

His demand came days after he accused top party officials of squandering funds, alleging that officials at the party’s headquarters were spending more than Sh7 million per month on tea and snacks.

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Politics

Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr Calls For Impeachment of Speaker Ken Lusaka

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Makueni senator Mutula Kilonzo junior has called for the impeachment of senate speaker Keneth Lusaka.

Taking to his official twitter account on Thursday July 23, 2020, the senate minority whip said that senators should impeach Lusaka for adjourning the senate unlawfully.

“We should impeach speaker Lusaka for adjourning the senate unlawfully ! Bure,” he posted.

 A week ago, the Senate was compelled to adjourn a Special Sitting convened for the second time to vote for the formula that has divided the House down the middle.

It followed spirited resistance by senators whose counties were set to lose cash under the proposed arrangement.

A day-long informal gathering (Kamukunji) convened by Speaker Ken Lusaka to build consensus on proposals by the Committee on Finance and Budget ended in disarray after lawmakers whose counties were set to lose up to Sh17 billion stood their ground and vowed to reject the proposal in the House.

They got the support of at least five other senators, mainly from areas controlled by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as well as the Wiper Party, who argued that the formula was “about to split the country into two”.

While supporting the adjournment, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula said the proposed formula has been divisive from the onset.

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Sirisia MP John Waluke
Crime & Investigations

Sirisia MP John Waluke Released on Bond

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Convicted Sirisia MP John Waluke has been released on bond.

The High Court on Wednesday July 22, 2020 released the lawmaker on bond pending his bail application hearing on August 7.  

While issuing the directive Justice John Onyiego asked the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji to file a response and gave each party three days to avail and exchange documents before the hearing date.

However, the judge declined to release his co-accused Grace Wakhungu on medical grounds, pending the hearing of her bail application.

Justice Onyiego directed that she presents her case on August 7 during the hearing of the bail application.

 In the petition, Waluke, through his lawyers Cliff Ombeta, Evans Ondieki, Danstan Omari and Sam Nyaberi argued that the trial magistrate, Elizabeth Juma erred in law and fact by convicting him on the basis of a defective charge sheet.

The defence lawyers argued that the trial court misdirected itself as to the applicable law based on the set of facts adduced by the Prosecution to the prejudice of the MP and his co-accused.

They said that the Subordinate Court failed to appreciate that critical witnesses were never called to testify in the case.

They accused the trial court of failing to exercise independence and impartiality because the prosecution’s case was full of contradictions and inconsistencies.

He said that the Subordinate Court applied double standards since the money to pay the supplier was not sufficient and two other firms failed to service the contract. 

The  defence lawyers also said that the court failed to appreciate that there were material contradictions and inconsistencies between the witnesses that ought to have been resolved in favour of the appellants.

Waluke and co-accused Grace Wakhungu were fined Sh2.1 billion fine for defrauding the National Cereals and Produce Board of Sh313 million.  

Wakhungu was sentenced to 69 years in jail with an option of Sh1.1 billion fine alongside her co-director Waluke, who was jailed for 67 years or a fine of Sh1 billion

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