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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

Speculations arise as Uhuru, Ruto plan separate tours in Murang’a on same day

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Speculations of a rift between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto are set to be fueled further as the two leaders plan to make separate tours within same county on a similar day.

According to reports by Daily Nation, the two are expected in different churches in Muranga County on Sunday.

Muranga Governor Mwangi wa Iria, Senator Irungu Kang’ata and ACK Mt Kenya South Diocese Bishop Julius Karanu have confirmed to have received the official communication from State House while Kandara MP Alice Wahome and Dennis Itumbi have separately confirmed that DP Ruto will worship in Kandara.

The President will be at ACK church in Kenol, Maragua constituency, on the proposed Kenol-Nyeri-Sagana- Marwa dual-carriage highway while DP Ruto will attend a fundraiser in neighbouring Kandara constituency.

Senator Kang’ata told the local daily that the President personally communicated with him on Wednesday confirming the visit.

“We talked with the President on phone and he has reassured me that he will be in Murang’a. I invited the President earlier this year while we were in State House with Bishop Karanu. We had gone there to receive a school bus for Mukangu Secondary School,” he said.

Governor wa Iria added: “I have received the official communication from State House that the Head of State will be in Murang’a on Sunday although briefly in order to attend to other matters,” he said.

Bishop Karanu said they are eagerly awaiting the President’s visit.

“We are elated to host the President. He will be worshipping with us on Sunday and I have official confirmation,” the bishop said.
Maragua MP Mary Waithira, a Ruto supporter, said she would attend the President’s event as he will be visiting her constituency.

“It’s true that both leaders will be in Murang’a, but I will be hosting the President and so I won’t make it to Kandara,” she said.

Asked why the leaders invited the President and his deputy on the same day, the MP said: “The President and the Deputy President were invited separately and without knowledge aforethought.”

Itumbi said DP Ruto will be in Kirinyaga and Murang’a counties for fundraisers.

“The Deputy President will be in Gichugu for a fundraiser and in the afternoon he will be visiting Kandara for another event,” Mr Itumbi said.
State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena and Mr David Mugonyi, the director of communications in the DP’s office, avoided the question on whether the duo will be in Murang’a.

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Latest News

Farmers be warned! locusts could invade Kenya

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The UN has said that if an Ethiopian locust infestation is not brought under control then the crop-devouring insect could “invade” neighbouring countries.

The Ethiopian government has called for “immediate action” to deal with the problem affecting four of the country’s nine states, a UN statement said.

In northern Amhara state some farmers have lost “nearly 100%” of their crop of the staple grain, teff, it added.

Efforts to control the infestation have so far not been effective.

The authorities’ work has also been affected by “ongoing insecurity” in some areas of the country, according to the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).

“We need to act fast and mobilise the required resources urgently to scale up control and preventive measures,” FAO Ethiopia representative Fatouma Seid said.

Last week, the government said it had sent planes to the affected areas to try to deal with the problem from the air.

Overall, the desert locusts have devoured crops and pasture across a swathe of land covering parts of the Tigray, Amhara, Oromia and Somali regional states.

The FAO estimated that the insects were eating 1.8 million tonnes of vegetation a day across 350 sq km (135 sq miles) of the country.

If additional control measures fail then the locusts “could continue moving within Ethiopia and invade” north-eastern Kenya, parts of Eritrea, and Sudan’s southern coast, the FAO said.

The locusts are thought to have spread from Yemen three months ago.

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Politics

Angry Ruto locks team out of his Karen home after losing Ksh 1.2B in Kibra

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy president Dr William Ruto has refused to meet the tanga tanga team that was in charge of Kibra by election campaigns for Jubilee candidate McDonald Mariga.

This is after Mariga failed to clinch the Kibra parliamentary seat in the just concluded by elections.

The DP got furious when the campaign team failed to deliver even after spending Ksh 1.2 billion in the campaigns.

The tanga tanga campaign team in Kibra comprised former Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale, National Assembly chief whip Benjamin Washiali, Lang’ata MP Nixon Korir, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwa, Sirisia MP John Walukhe and Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi.

According to Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter, the DP is furious after Jubilee party Kibra candidate McDonald Mariga was defeated in the by-election held on Thursday.

Mariga finished second with 11,230 votes behind ODM’s candidate Imran Okoth who was declared MP elect after registering 24,636 votes.

In a tweet on Friday, Keter claimed Tanga Tanga legislators told him Ruto was angry with them because he spent Sh1.2 billion to campaign for Mariga in a bid to upset ODM party leader Raila Odinga in his perceived ‘bedroom’.

“I met my colleagues MPs who are in the tangatanga squad, they were mourning and they said their boss was very mad with them for failing to deliver in Kibra even after using Sh1.2B for the by-election, which is equivalent to Sh109,000 per vote for the 11,000 votes,” reads the tweet.

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Latest News

Kakamega man digs grave, threatens to bury his alive father

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A 46-year-old man from Muraka Village in Shinyalu, Kakamega County has left his neighbours shocked after he dug a grave, and threatened to bury his father, who is still alive.

Chrispinus Makotsi accused his parent of cursing him, and bringing bad luck to his life.

Makotsi claims his dad, Gerald Okang’a, is responsible for the poverty he is living in and the domestic woes that led to his wife’s take-off two years ago.

On Thursday, November 7, Makotsi went looking for his father in his house, and when he failed to find him, he went to the cowshed, slaughtered one of his dad’s cows and buried it in the grave he had dug for the elderly man.

According to K24 Digital , Okang’a went into hiding after suspecting that his son, a father of one, was planning to kill him.

“When I saw the grave early Thursday, I knew he [Makotsi] was up to no good. This is the second time he is digging a grave with plans to bury me in it. In both instances, his bid failed, resulting in him slaughtering cows and burying the animals in the pits,” Okang’a was quoted.

Denying allegations that he cursed Makotsi, Okang’a said he has always been fair to all his children.

“Recently, I subdivided my parcel of land to all of them in equal sizes. I am yet to know why Makotsi harbours a lot of bitterness towards me,” said Okang’a.

Angered by Makotsi’s actions, neighbours, led by Shinyalu Nyumba Kumi chairperson, Muhanji Alusa, asked the 46-year-old to exhume the cow from the grave to pave way for cleansing rituals.

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Politics

Moses Kuria Reveals Mariga’s Next Winning Spot After Kibra Loss

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria has mocked Jubilee candidate in Kibra by elections McDonald Mariga after loosing the hotly contested race to ODM’s Bernard Otieno Okoth (Imran).

While congratulating Imran moments after Mariga conceded defeat, Moses Kuria consoled Mariga, telling him that he still had some hope during Sunday’s Mashemeji Derby.

“Congratulations @ImranOkoth for outright victory for you, my friend Ken Okoth and the people of Kibra. Pole sana @MarigaOfficial there is still hope on Sunday during the #MashemejiDerby ,” Moses Kuria tweeted.

Mariga called ODM’s Imran Okoth to concede defeat in the Kibra by-election.

A video of Mariga released late Thursday evening showed the Jubilee candidate making the phone call to Okoth.

“Hallo boss, ni Mariga. Nimepiga nikuambie congratulations. Race imekuwa poa, hatukupigana mahali popote tulikuwa pamoja. Niko ready hata kwa lunch…vile utataka, na pia support yoyote utataka kutoka kwangu, niko ready,” Mariga said.

He continued: “After elections tutarudi ile life yetu ya mabeshte na kila kitu…Kabisa Sir.”

Okoth is heard acknowledging the congratulatory message and thanking Mariga for the phone call.

At the time the phone call was made, Okoth had garnered just about 4,051 votes against Mariga’s 1602 from 32 of the 183 polling stations.

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Politics

VIDEO: Mariga phone calls Imran Okoth,concedes defeat

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Jubilee party candidate in the just concluded Kibra by elections McDonald Mariga has called ODM candidate Bernard Otieno Okoth (Imran) and concede defeat.

Also read: ODM congratulates Imran for an overwhelming victory in Kibra mini polls

In a video doing rounds on social media, Mariga congratulates Imran, citing that the race was fair.

Watch the video below

At the time the phone call was made, Okoth had garnered just about 4,051 votes against Mariga’s 1602 from 32 of the 183 polling stations.

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Politics

ODM congratulates Imran for an overwhelming victory in Kibra mini polls

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has taken to social media to congratulate their candidate Bernard Imran Okoth for “winning” the just concluded Kibra constituency by elections.

The party however seem to have relied on the results that have been doing rounds on social media, which Kibra constituency returning officer Beatrice Muli had earlier disowned.

“Congratulations Bernard Otieno Okoth Imran for your resounding victory in the just concluded by-election in Kibra. We give praise and thanks to the Lord for your victory. To your worthy competitors, we appreciate their effort. Zidi kutenda Mheshimiwa,” tweeted ODM.

The tallying process is however ongoing, with Imran leading.

According to the results that have been heavily shared by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, ODM’s Bernard Okoth garnered 33649 followed by Jubilee’s McDonald Mariga who has garnered 17651 votes. Coming third is ANC Eliud Owalo with 7860 then Ford Kenya’s Khamisi Butichi with 470.

IEBC has not announced the official results.

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Politics

Update: Imran leading with a landslide in 160/183 polling stations

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party candidate Bernard Imran Otieno Okoth has taken an early lead in Kibra by elections.

According to the results shared by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, In 160/183 reporting polling stations,Bernard Okoth has 21686 followed by Jubilee party’s McDonald Mariga who has 9685. The Valid votes cast are 35412 .

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Politics

Miguna cries out to Raila after court acquitting TJ Kajwang of treason charges

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Exiled lawyer Dr Miguna Miguna has issued his cry to ODM party leader Raila Odinga after court acquitted Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang of treason charges.

The High court on Wednesday acquitted TJ Kajwang of the charges saying the case against the lawmaker was politically instigated.

Mr Kajwang had been accused of illegally administering an unlawful oath to ODM party leader Raila Odinga on the 30th of January 2018 at Uhuru Park Nairobi.

Kajwang’ and Miguna Miguna were at the centre of events at Uhuru Park that culminated in the “swearing-in” of Mr Odinga as the ‘people’s president’.

During the ceremony, Mr Kajwang’ donned a lawyers’ robe and wig and received a thunderous welcome by Nasa supporters as Miguna Miguna played the commissioner of oaths role.

Miguna is now questioning Raila why he has also not been acquitted of the treason charges against him.

He further questions Raila why his Kenyan passport has not been returned to him, asking further why he has not been allowed into the country after being deported to Canada.

“How about me, The People’s Con-Man @RailaOdinga? Why have I not been allowed entry into the country so that I can deal with the treason charges against me? Why hasn’t my valid Kenyan passport been returned by your fake brother Despot Muigai Njee Meta Meta/Kenyatta? ” tweeted Miguna Miguna.

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Politics

List of senators who voted against the 9 Trillion debt ceiling

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Senators on Wednesday afternoon approved the adjustment of the National Assembly-backed revised borrowing ceiling to Ksh.9 trillion.

The approval by the Senate follows a vote on the motion on Wednesday afternoon with the proposed revision garnering the support of 30 of the 47 senators.

Out of the 37 senators present, only seven voted against the motion.

They are Mutula Kilonzo Jr (Makueni), Moses Wetangula (Bungoma), Boniface Kabaka (Machakos), Enock Wambua (Kitui), Samson Cherargei, Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho) ,Mithika Linturi (Meru)

The new Ksh.9 trillion borrowing ceiling is expected to be anchored in law, replacing the current threshold of debt in net present value (NPV) at no more than 50 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as outlined in the Public Finance Management Act of 2012.

The vote also serves to unlock an estimated Ksh.421 billion in program loans support from both multi-lateral and bilateral partners whose signing was pegged on the allowance of further lending by government.

Among the projects lined up for new loans support include the construction of the Mombasa Gate Bridge and Konza City.

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Politics

IEBC validates petition to suspend Taita Taveta County

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has validated the petition to suspend Taita Taveta County government.

This is after the electoral agency confirmed that the petition meets the required legal threshold of Section 123(2) of the County Government Act of 2012.

The electoral body verified that the petition presented to IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati last month is supported by 21, 861 registered voters of Taita Taveta.

Taita Taveta governor Granton Samboja in July signed a memorandum to initiate the petition, a move he termed necessary after longstanding wrangles between the executive and the county assembly culminated into an impasse over the county’s budget.

Mr Samboja said the wrangles had adversely affected development in the county and called for its dissolution to end the tussle after attempts to initiate dialogue between both factions failed.

ODM leader Raila Odinga, Council of Governors (CoG) chairman Wycliffe Oparanya and Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi were involved in talks to resolve the row between the county’s executive and assembly but proved unsuccessful.

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Crime & Investigations

Siaya man kills wife, runs to sister’s place to hide

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Police in Siaya County have arrested a middle-aged man accused of killing his wife on Tuesday.

The suspect, identified as Joel Masiye, allegedly beat up his spouse to death over reasons yet to be known.

The incident happened at the couple’s home in Mundeku Village in Butere, Kakamega County.

It is said Masiye returned home while drunk and picked a fight with his wife. So vicious was the confrontation that it led to the death of Masiye’s partner.

After allegedly killing his wife, Masiye boarded a bus to his sister’s place in Siaya Town.

However, the suspect’s sister handed him over to police after he confessed that he had killed his spouse.

Masiye is being held at Siaya Police Station, whereas the deceased was taken to St Mary’s Hospital morgue in Mumias.

Police say they are investigating the matter, and will arraign Masiye once the probe is complete.

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Politics

Tangatanga planning to ferry people from Embakasi, Lang’ata to vote Mariga-ODM

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has claimed that Deputy President Dr William Ruto’s Jubilee faction Tanga Tanga is planning to ferry non-Kibra residents to vote for their candidate McDonald Mariga in tomorrow’s (Thursday) mini polls.

According to ODM, the alleged people are to be ferried from Lang’ata and Embakasi constituencies.

The party further claims that vehicles has been hired to ferry the people who have been paid to vote.

In a video shared by ODM’s director of communications Philip Etale, vehicle operators who have been hired to ferry voters have been warned.

The non-Kibra residents who are planning to vote have also been told to step in Kibra at their own risk.

Jubilee’s Mariga will face off with ODM’s Bernard Okoth Otieno (Imran), ANC’s Eliud Owalo, Ford Kenya’s Khamisi Butichi among others on Thursday.

Watch the video below.

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Politics

ODM communication boss breathes fire hours to Kibra by elections

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

ODM communication boss Philip Etale is breathing fire just hours to Kibra parliamentary by elections.

Etale on Wednesday afternoon took to his social media accounts issuing out several claims on the Thursday battle.

While issuing out a series of threats, Etale alleges that on Tuesday night at around 10:00 pm a section of Jubilee party officials met with IEBC officials at Weston Hotel where bribing took place.

He says IEBC returning Officer Madam Beatrice Muli has briefed ODM on what IEBC officers were told and instructed to do by Jubilee officials.

He notes that ODM are ready for anything silly and fishy.

“The brown bags that exchanged hands last night at Weston Hotel from 10pm between Tangatanga and IEBC officials won’t help anything. Returning Officer Madam Beatrice Muli, tell us what your officers were told and instructed to do. Nonetheless, we in ODM are ready for anything silly and fishy,” posted Etale.

Etale in another post notes that as Jubilee plan to play dirty, they should know that the people they talk to, mingle with and share information with are feeding ODM with the same information.

“As they plan to play dirty, they should know that the people they talk to, mingle with and share information with are feeding us with the same information. They are not happy with their plans,” reads the post.

He notes further that IEBC Must produce the updated voter Register as it has been directed by the high court.

“IEBC Must produce the Register. Stories mingi baadaye. We mean business as O D M. Ni hayo tu kwa mukhtasari,” he posted.

In another video shared by Etale, ODM alleges that Jubilee officials are planning to ferry non-Kibra residents to vote in favor of McDonald Mariga tomorrow.

The party alleges that vehicles have been hired to ferry people from Lang’ata and Embakasi.

They issued a warning to those planning to be ferried and vehicle owners, threatening an action against them.

Watch the video below.

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Politics

Court acquits Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang of treason charges

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The High Court has acquitted Ruaraka MP Tom Joseph Kajwang popularly known as TJ Kajwang of treason charges.

The court says the case against the lawmaker was politically instigated.

Mr Kajwang had been accused of illegally administering an unlawful oath to ODM party leader Raila Odinga on the 30th of January 2018 at Uhuru Park Nairobi.

TJ Kajwang was on 31st January 2018 arrested outside Milimani Laws Court by plain clothed officers.

Kajwang’ and another lawyer, Miguna Miguna, were at the centre of events at Uhuru Park that culminated in the “swearing-in” of Mr Odinga as the ‘people’s president’.

During the ceremony, Mr Kajwang’ donned a lawyers’ robe and wig and received a thunderous welcome by Nasa supporters.

As Mr Odinga took the “oath”, Mr Kajwang’ stood right behind him, although his role remained unclear.

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Politics

ODM records first win in Kibra by elections

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

With just less than 24 hours left to Kibra by elections, the High Court has ordered the electoral board, IEBC, to furnish ODM with Kibra Constituency voters’ register before the by-election penciled in for Thursday November 7.

Justice James Makau said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) violated ODM’s rights by denying the outfit access to the updated voters’ register.

The Commission was sued by ODM, who told the courts that IEBC literally refused to release to them or publish details of the new number of registered voters in Kibra.

In a suit filed at the High Court last Monday, ODM said it had written several letters to IEBC, seeking to be granted access to the voters’ register, but the agency did not heed their request.

IEBC asked the court to allow them seven days to furnish ODM with the information, but the judge declined to grant the respondents their request.

IEBC argued it was impossible to supply the register, given “there is a short time left before the November 7 by-election”.

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