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Mustafa Juma

Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has dared the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party shortly after being kicked out of the powerful senate committee.

Taking to his twitter account Thursday afternoon, Ole Kina dared ODM to bring on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), which he said is set to kick of by the end of this month.

His daring message follows ODM’s decision to dewhip him from the Senate County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC), just days after members allied to Deputy President William Ruto ganged up to vote in Ole Kina as the chair of the powerful committee.

Ole Kina further, in another post, noted that things are about to get nasty.

While noting that he had chaired his second meeting as the duly elected Chair of Senate Public Accounts Investment Committee, he urged Kenyans to ignore a letter from Senate Minority leader James Orengo, arguing that it has got no basis and must be treated with contempt.

“Today I chaired my second meeting as the duly elected Chair of Senate Public Accounts Investment Committee. The letter by @orengo_james has got no basis and must be treated with contempt! Because this committee is very powerful they want a push over not Me,” he tweeted.

In a letter dated May 7, 2020 addressing the senate speaker, Orengo issued a notice of the discharge and removal of Senator Ole Kina from the committee.

“In accordance with the senate Standing order 190, I hereby give notice of the discharge and removal of Senator Ledama Ole Kina from the County Public Accounts and Investment Committee and the Senate Business Committee,” reads the letter.

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Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, was on Thursday May 7 turned into a Court of law.

This is after 70 people were arraigned at the Kasarani Stadium indoor arena after breaching the ongoing dusk to dawn curfew.

Reports indicate that the stadium was fumigated early Thursday morning in preparation of the special court sitting.

Three court sessions have been set up at the stadium with three magistrates, including Milimani Law Courts Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi, expected to lead the exercise.

Senior Prosecutors Jacinta Nyamosi and Joseph Riungu said the courts are expected to take plea for offences of contravening curfew laws as well as Public Health Laws and Regulations from across the Nairobi County.

The courts and the accused persons had agreed that those who will be able to pay their fines will be released and allowed to go home.

Those who will be unable able to pay their fines however will be sentenced to community service under the supervision of probation officers.

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Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria has revealed the intrigues being played by Deputy President William Rutos’s allies to kill Jubilee party Secretary General Raphael Tuju, politically.

The controversial lawmaker Wednesday evening took to his social media handles to reveal the plans Tanga Tanga team have to kick out Tuju.

According to the MP, the ruling Jubilee party will soon hold its party elections. From the elections, Moses Kuria will be made the new party’s Secretary General.

According to Moses Kuria, Tuju, whom he has termed as an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) special envoy in Jubilee party will be banished to Rarieda for good.

“The good news for Jubilee Party Members. Soon we will hold party elections. And I will be your Secretary General. And the ODM special envoy in Jubilee Raphael Tuju will be banished to Rarieda for good. Hiyo ndiyo Rieng. Everything else is splitting hairs,” he posted.

Tuju on his part says that Jubilee Party troubles began after the handshake between ODM leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

According to Tuju, people opposed the truce between Uhuru and Raila had orchestrated the current infighting in the party.

The anti-handshake team, he said, have regrouped and are now rocking the Jubilee ship from within.

Tuju who spoke during a popular morning radio show Wednesday morning also disclosed that all key decisions within the party are sanctioned by the President.

Ruto and his allies have always singled out the SG for attacks, sometimes claiming his heart is in ODM.

But according to Tuju, the Jubilee Party constitution gives the President immense powers as the party leader.

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Deputy President William Ruto has defied a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta to make contributions through the Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund, details have emerged.

The Fund was established by President Kenyatta to coordinate all donations in relation to the ongoing pandemic.

Ruto has instead been distributing food through a network of religious institutions and politicians.

Using churches, mosques and MPs the DP, who has stayed away from the public limelight, has for the last month been distributing weekly food rations.

The food is being distributed with firm instructions that there should be no publicity.

A source involved in the distribution said, “Last week we fed 11,152 families. This week we have fed 16,600 families.”

The packages contain a 2kg packet of unga, 1kg beans and 400ml cooking oil.

Churches in the network that Ruto is using include the Kenya Assemblies of God, Pentecostal Assemblies of God and PEFA

Sisters with a Mission are also distributing dry rations and Iftar vouchers to vulnerable Muslim communities during Ramadhan with support of the DP.

Speaking at Jamia Mosque, Supkem secretary general Mohamed Mahat said they were very happy that Ruto was supporting the vulnerable.  

“We have never seen a person support an entire community as Ruto has done. This shows love and concern for the vulnerable. It is ironic that the person offering sadaka and help to the people, also needs help from what he faces every day,” he said.

National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale said Ruto was focused on making the lives of Kenyans easier and not petty politics and drama.

“Ndugu makamu wa rais amekuwa na sisi na anatoa kila constituency ya waislamu [Our brother the deputy president has stood with us throughout and has supported every Muslim constituency],” Duale said.

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The government today ( Wednesday May 4) has issued a directive to lockdown areas of Eastleigh in Nairobi and Old Town in Mombasa.

The directive follows the increase in number of the coronavirus desease cases by an additional 47 bringing the total infections in the country to 582.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has ordered effective today, the closure of Eastleigh and Old Town markets in Nairobi and Mombasa counties respectively.

Kenya has recorded the highest number of Covid-19 cases confirmed in a single day, with the majority, 33, from Mombasa County.

CS Kagwe also ordered cessation of movement and closure of all eateries in Mombasa’s Old Town where the residents will undergo forced testing as earlier announced by Interior CS Fred Matiangi.

Further, Mutahi said that effective Wednesday, May 6, the national government will bear the cost of targeted testing and quarantine facilities.

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Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen has claimed that there was military coup in Nairobi county disguised as transfer of key functions to the National government.

His comment came when the Elgeyo Marakwet Senator was responding to lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi’s claim that the government was soiling the good image of military people by appointing them as procurement managers at City Hall.

Murkomen in his response questioned how anyone can be convinced that there was no military coup in Nairobi county disguised as transfer of functions.

Murkomen’s claim comes just a day after he criticized the approval of seven military officers to Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS).

During the Senate proceeding on Tuesday May 5, Murkomen said that the move has deprived Nairobians of their democracy.

According to Murkomen, the decision to send active military men to NMS was an ill move when such people should be in barracks and manning our border points.

Murkomen said he was against the takeover of the county from Governor Mike Sonko, which he said is against the Constitution.

The senator has also raised concern over accountability in NMS, saying it will be a ‘mirage’.

The top Kenya Defence Forces body (Kenya Defence Council) approved military officers joining NMS which was created in March following an agreement between Sonko and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

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Kariobangi residents Monday morning woke up to find their homes being brought down without any prior notice.

At least 5,000 families are now homeless following demolitions that took place in Korogocho slums, Kariobangi North, Nairobi.

The demolitions were done after they were given 24 hours to vacate the land the government says was grabbed from Dandora Estate Waste Sewerage Treatment Plant in Ruai.

 The victims say that the area DC and OCPD only gave them a verbal notice on Sunday to move out by the end of the day.

Demolition
Bulldozer bringing down structures in Kariobangi. PHOTO/COURTESY

The incident has angered Nairobi governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko, who on Wednesday morning, took to his social media accounts to express his disappointment in people he believes are behind the unfortunate incident.

The embattled County boss, in a long Facebook post accused Interior Permanent Secretary Karanja Kibicho of being behind the scheme. He calimed that it is Kibicho who had even ignored a High Court order, and went ahead to vandalise Covid-19 sanitisation booths that he had installed in Nairobi.

Sonko further threatened to take those involved, to International Criminal Court, to be charged with serious crimes against humanity.

However, in his protest post, Sonko defended President Uhuru Kenyatta, arguing that the head of state is not aware of the incident.

He accused those around President Kenyatta of being behind various schemes to destroy the country.

“I’m 100% sure the President is not aware about this but I have been saying the people around my Boss are messing this country,” Sonko said in part of his post.

However, Sonko’s defence against the head of state seems to have gone wrong. A section of Kenyans on twitter have blasted the troubled governor, saying that he has always been protecting President Kenyatta.

According to KOT, it is President Kenyatta who has been giving orders for the incidents Sonko is protesting against. They further argue that it is the head of state who want Sonko out, thus the currently being witnessed militariustion of Nairobi county.

Some have blasted Sonko for calling President Kenyatta his boss, arguing that Nairobi people who voted him in, are his right bosses.

Take a look at some of the reactions.

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Kenya has registered the highest number of Covid-19 cases in a single day.

On Tuesday May 5, the Ministry of Health confirmed 46 new cases of coronavirus disease, bringinging the total number of infections to 535.

Speaking during a press briefing on the Covid-19 situation in the country at Afya House, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said that the new infections are from 1077 Samples tested within the last 24 hours.

“Today our cumulative figure of those who have tested positive for the Covid-19 stands at 535 people. This is because out of the 1077 samples tested some 45 people have turned positive. This of course is the highest number recorded in 24 hours,” said CS Kagwe

Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate produced 29 of those new infections.

 Mombasa produced 11 of the new cases, whereas Wajir recorded five new coronavirus infections. The five Wajir cases had a recent history of travel to Mogadishu, Somalia, said the CS.

A Somali national was the other new carrier of the virus, said the minister. Thirty (30) of the new cases were registered among male carriers, whereas female patients were 15.

CS Kagwe also revealed that nine new recoveries were recorded, bringing Kenya’s total number of discharged patients to 182.

Eastleigh, Kawangware and Mombasa’s Old Town areas have been marked as COVID-19 hotspots with total cases of 63, 24 and 39 respectively.

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Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has offered a chilling advice to Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina.

The controversial lawmaker through his official Facebook account told Senator Ledama to stop thinking that Raila Odinga fully owns the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

According to Moses Kuria, Raila only owns a plot in the Orange party.

“Dear Ledama Ole Kina. Si ulifungua mdomo kuongea juu ya Kedong Ranch ? Do you really value your life ? You think Raila Odinga owns ODM ? He owns a plot in ODM. Do you know who has the mother title for ODM ? Keep to your lane. Say ‘Ashe Oleng’ to me later,” Kuria posted.

Kuria’s advice came after leader of Minority in the Senate James Orengo opposed the election of the Narok senator as the chair of the powerful County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC).

In a letter to the Senate Speaker, Orengo said that he would withdraw the membership of the minority from the committee, until “an appropriate resolution can be made”.

“I express and register dissatisfaction with the conduct and outcome of the elections of the leadership of the County Public Accounts and Investments Committee which were purportedly done today. We intend to withdraw our membership from the said committee until an appropriate resolution can be made,” wrote Orengo.

No photo description available.

Ole Kina was on Monday May 4 elected to head the county watchdog committee after trouncing Kisii Senator Prof Sam Ongeri who got four votes, against ole Kina’s five.

“County Public Accounts and Investments Committee has elected Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina as chairman with 5 votes against Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri who garnered 4 votes.The committee of nine members were appointed on April 28th. Senator Wamatangi was elected vice chair,” tweeted the Sanate

However, in a rejoinder, Ole Kina said he supported ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s presisdential campaign against all odds and that Orengo’s move is questionable.

He said he will not be threatened by Orengo’s letter to the Senate, and that he is prepared.

Kiambu County Senator Kimani Wamatangi was picked as vice chairperson of PAIC.

Ole Kina gained five votes against his Kisii counterpart Sam Ongeri.

The committee has nine members. Mithika Linturi (Meru), Millicent Omanga (nominated) and Sam Ongeri(Kisii) were retained in the committee.

The new members to the committee are Hargura Godana(Marsabit), Irungu Kangata (Murang’a), Ochillo Ayacko (Migori) and Taita Taveta County senator  Johnes Mwaruma.

Following his appointment as deputy chair, Wamatangi said he was honoured to have been elected to the committee and that he will discharge his duties without any fear.

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Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina is breathing fire following an alleged plot to steal his genuinely won senate post.

Ledama was on Monday May 4, 2020, elected as the chairman of the powerful Senate oversight committee, the Senate County Public Accounts and Investments Committee,

However, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party is seeking to withdraw its members from  the committee.

Senate Minority leader James Orengo wrote to Speaker Kenneth Lusaka protesting the results.

“I express and register dissatisfaction with the conduct and outcome of the election of the leadership of the County Public Accounts and Investments Committee, which were purportedly done today,” Orengo said in the letter.

“We intend to withdrawn our membership from the said committee until an appropriate resolution can be made.” 

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However, Senator Ledama has fired a warning, citing that he is a wrong number to mess with.

Through his official twitter account, Ledama says that the ODM party leader Raila Odinga is on the record stating that his election has been stolen, and he supported him.

Ledama further says that he was nearly killed in the last Resist Movement while protesting the 2017 presidential election results.

He has warned Senator Orengo, citing that he was a wrong number to mess with should anyone try to steal his chair position.

@RailaOdinga is on the record stating that his election has been stollen & I supported him. I was nearly killed in the last Resist Movement! Now what exactly does this letter mean? @orengo_james are they trying to steal my chair position! No way! I am a wrong number to mess with!” he posted.

Ledama went ahead to note that the Maasai are not fence sitters, and that one day they will lead the country. He argues that there is no position that is reserved for any person.

“The Maasai are not fence sitters! We are Kenyans and one day we will lead this country! Double standards! No position is reserved for any person. Let’s respect democracy! ” he posted.

Insiders said that top ODM echelons were not happy with Ole Kina’s election and were planning to instruct their members to de-whip him if the Speaker declines to accept Orengo’s request.

The sources disclosed that Ole Kina got the support of nearly all the Jubilee Senators in the nine- member committee.

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Kenya has recorded 25 new coronavirus cases, raising the total number to 490.

Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi on Monday May 4 said 15 of the new cases are from Nairobi, while 10 are from Mombasa.

Of the new cases, eight are from Eastleigh, two from Kawangware, 10 from Kariobangi South and two from Umoja.

“All the 25 are Kenyans and none has a history of travel,” she said adding that a total of 1,012 samples were tested in the last 24 hours.

The youngest new case is six months, while the oldest is 60 years. Thirteen are male, while 12 are female.

“We are working with different health experts when handling Covid-19 cases. For children who are positive we we are collaborating with pediatricians,” she said.

Mwangangi said the situation has not gone back to normal and told Kenyans to be responsible.

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Celebrated Citizen TV’s presenter Willis Raburu has allegedly separated with wife.

The 10 over 10 TV show host and his wife Mary Ngami, alias Marya Prude, are believed to not be living together, according to reports.

A local daily Monday reported that the couple is alleged to have separated a month ago.

It is believed that the couple had issues after Prude learnt her husband was cheating with a Ugandan woman.

It is said that Raburu lived with his wife in Phenom Estate, Langata, before the two vacated the house.

“In March is when hell broke loose after Raburu told his wife to move out. He is currently living in Kileleshwa with another woman,” a source was quoted by the local daily.

Don't come back! How fans literally fired Willis Raburu from his ...
Willis Raburu. PHOTO/COURTESY

At the moment, Raburu’s wife is believed to be living in a rented house in Thindigua, Kiambu county.

“What happened is they divided the households items. Raburu then rented a house for Marya and paid a deposit of two months,” the source said.

Marya has since deleted her social media account. The last time Raburu shared his wife’s photo was on Mother’s Day.

The presenter got married to Marya in an exclusive wedding two years ago, which only close friends and family members attended.

Early this year, the couple lost their daughter, whom they had been expecting after being married for nearly three years.

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A popular radio in Nairobi has been killed by unknown assailants.

The radio presenter who is popular in Nairobi’s Kibera area lost his life on Monday May 4, 2020 while goping back home from his line of duty..

The presenter, identified as Mohamed Hassan Marijan who worked at Pamoja FM, is said to have been killed by unknown assailants this morning as he returned home from hosting a Ramadan special.

He is said to have been attacked by the assailants at Makina and the motive is yet to be known.

Those close to the veteran journalist said he would spend the nights in the studios, including in the past years, sharing Qaswidas and Khutbas from different sheikhs.

His close colleagues eulogised him as a great man who was close to people having worked in the media for quite a while.

“The late Marjian was a great person. Always ready to help one out,” one stated.

Pamoja FM is a community based station which was started in 2007 in the slums of Kibera. The station operates from a small office in the densely populated area and has a deep connection with the community.

It normally deals with issues affecting the community through debates and features and receives funding from among others, USAid.

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Kenya has confirmed a highest number of coronavirus cases in a single day.

Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Rashid Aman on Sunday May 3, 2020 while giving the daily Covid-19 briefing at Afya House confirmed 30 new cases.

The CAS said that the cases came from the mass Covid-19 testings that kicked off in Nairobi’s Kawangware area, Eastleigh area and Mombasa.

CAS Aman said that out of the 30 new Covid-19 cases recorded today, 19 are from Mombasa, eight from Nairobi, two from Bungoma and one from Kitui County.

Bungoma has now joined the 16 Counties that have so far registered Covid-19 cases. The new cases are truck drivers.

Two more Covid-19 patients have also died, bringing the total number of fatalities to 24.

However, CAS Aman announced 15 more recoveries.

The CAS further urged Kenyans in the targeted high risk areas to come out and show up for mass testing to help contain COVID-19.

He has said that the testing is free and Kenyans should take advantage of this since in other counties people are unable to be tested as much as they would like to.

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Deputy President, William Ruto and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga have this morning joined other Kenyans in condoling with the family of Keroche Breweries Ltd. CEO, Tabitha Karanja.

The duo have mourned the death of the business family’s daughter, Tecra Muigai Karanja.

Decra passed on Saturday  May 2, 2020 after being involved in a fatal accident.

The Deputy President took to his twitter account to condole the family during a difficult and sad moment of losing a young and hardworking citizen.

“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the Keroche Breweries Chairman Joseph Karanja and CEO Tabitha Karanja following the death of your daughter, Tecra Muigai Karanja.”

Raila in his message urged the Karanja’s to accept deep condolences from him and Mama Ida, his wife.

Raila prayed that God grants the bereaved family strength and courage to bear the loss.

“Dear Joseph and Tabitha Karanja, Please accept deep condolences from @IdaOdinga and I on the passing of your daughter Tecra Muigai. May the Lord grant you strength and courage to bear the loss. May Tecra’s Soul Rest In Eternal Peace,” Raila tweeted.

The death of Tecra adds more misery to the CEO and owners of the Keroche Breweries Ltd who are battling with court cases against KRA over alleged unpaid billions of taxes. The family, however, has requested the public to give them privacy during this time when they are mourning their daughter.

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A seemingly angry powerful Deputy President William Ruto’s ally has dismissed Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju’s decision on party changes.

The party’s Deputy Secretary General Caleb Kositany has moved to reverse Tuju’s decision to publish in local dailies the changes made to the party’s top organ, which had been highly protested by DP Ruto and his allies.

In a notice that appeared in the Standard and Nation newspapers on Saturday, Tuju confirmed that the decision to bring in new members to the party’s NMC had been sanctioned.

The members include: Lucy Macharia, Walter Nyambati, Marete Marangu, James Waweru and Jane Nampaso.

However, in a statement, Kositany dismissed Tuju’s notice, saying that he had no powers to make such decision.

According to Kositany, a key ally of Deputy President William Ruto, the decision to make changes to the party’s NMC should be approved by the National Executive Committee.

Both the President and his deputy are the members of the NEC, the party’s top decision-making organ.

” The said notice has not been sanctioned by the National Executive Committee as per the demands of Article 7 of the Constitution. It is therefore null and void. The National Management Committee is the creation of the NEC and any changes therein can only be effected after an official notice of a NEC meeting,” Kositany said.

Kositany further dismisses Tuju as a con artist in the party.

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