Home Latest News
Category:

Latest News

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has mocked the Meru Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) rally for using microphones to address what he has termed as an empty stadium.

While sharing a video showing a low turn for the event, the controversial MP has termed the use of microphones as a misuse of public resources.

“One of the problems that the BBI is meant to solve is the misuse of public resources. That’s why I find it contradictory that they had to use a microphone yesterday to address an empty Kinoru stadium. Total misuse of public resources,” he posted.

The vocal MP went on to share a video of a visibly almost empty stadium as the ODM supremo Raila Odinga was addressing the gathering.

A standoff nearly rocked the meeting after Kuria, along with Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen and their supporters stormed out of the venue.

Through a Facebook post, the Gatundu legislator, later on, claimed he was rushing to another meeting.

“In a meeting attended by 100 MPs, 16 Senators, and over 10 governors, why is it a big deal that just one MP and one Senator excused themselves to attend to other duties? After all, the session for MPs and senators to speak was over,” he said.

On his part, Murkomen revealed that the reason he had to leave in a hurry was so that he could catch a lift offered by Kuria.

“Moses Kuria who gave me lift was leaving for another engagement. I had no choice but to follow,” he said in a tweet.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s super Cabinet Secretary has been endorsed for presidency.

The Interior and National Coordination of National Government Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is slowly becoming a frontrunner in the upcoming 2022 presidential elections, with him getting endorsements from different communities.

Matiangi, who was in Murang’a to attend a thanksgiving ceremony for NCIC Commissioner Wambui Nyutu, was touted as the most fitting politician to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta, long ahead of the general elections.

The tough-talking CS was also equated to the late Cabinet Minister John Michuki both in his performance of Cabinet duties and his loyalty to the president.

“The CS has been loyal to President Kenyatta, just like the late Michuki, who was obedient to retired President Mwai Kibaki,” Mt Kenya Foundation chairman Peter Munga said.

Former Jubilee vice chairman and a close ally of President Kenyatta, David Murathe, described Matiang’i as a performer and a worthy successor of Uhuru, whom he described as the best man to safeguard the interests of Kenyans.

Borabu MP Ben Momanyi, who has been leading calls for a Matiang’i presidency in the Kisii region, told the gathering that the Interior CS was ready for the task while asking the Kikuyu community to join the rest of Kenyans in pushing for his candidature.

“CS Matiang’i has the support from Western region of the country and especially his Kisii backyard, and the best lieutenant for Kenyatta,” he said as quoted by The Standard.

Speculation has been rife on whether the ‘super CS’ is planning for a presidential run following signals that he has secured the backing of two of the country’s most influential leaders, the president and ODM chief Raila Odinga.

The details emerged as Matiang’i and Deputy President William Ruto openly clashed, signalling the increasing bad blood between the duo — who could face off in the 2022 presidential duel.

Within Ruto’s camp there is growing anxiety that Matiang’i is being propped up by powerful people, including influential individuals within the First Family.

He has recently made several trips to Raila’s Luo Nyanza backyard in the company of several ODM leaders, launching a couple of development projects and presiding over fundraisers.

The CS has also taken up communal activities, visiting his rural Kisii backyard several times, in a strategy to rally the region behind him.

Since the March 2018 handshake, the CS holds Raila in high regard and has in various public functions heaped praise on him as a “statesman”.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s move to save embattled governor Mike Sonko from impeachment seems not to have bore any fruits after the MCAs vowed to oust the county chief hours after meeting the head of state at State House.

Minority whip in the County Assembly, the Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok, who is behind the impeachment said he will still table the motion.

Imwatok says Sonko has failed in his duties as Nairobi governor.

The ODM MCA said the motion will not be impeded by President Kenyatta’s meeting with Nairobi MCAs on Saturday.

“It is a private motion and it has not been affected by the meeting. I will still bring it on Tuesday,” said Imwatok who snubbed the meeting since he was in Kisumu for a burial .

He and other MCAs, including Minority Leader David Mberia, who was attending the BBI forum in Meru, lamented that they had received late communication from State House and thus could not honour the meeting.

The meeting which was held at statehouse was greatly attended by Jubilee MCAs who thereafter vowed to turn the motive to oust Governor Sonko down.

Jubilee members in the County Assembly stated they will vote down the motion.

“Our party leader has told us not to proceed with the impeachment motion. It is as good as dead now,” Peter Warutere, Roysambu MCAs.

The impeachment is based on different counts, including the governor’s alleged gross violation of the Constitution, incompetency and inability to lead, holding the county at ransom with lack of deputy governor, unable to control county debts and clearing of pending bills among others.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

The suspended whistle blower of the China Southern plane that landed at JKIA on Wednesday morning is living in fear after he apparently received word that he might be getting followed.

Gire Ali, who was suspended by Kenya Airways on February 27, 2020 after being accused of participating in recording and sharing of the video, showing 239 passengers aboard the China plane being ushered in, says his life is now in danger.

“They have been calling and I’m yet to go and meet the team because someone warned me that my life might be in danger and that they were watching me. I handed over my work identification documents through the fence and left. I fear about what could happen to me,” Gire is quoted by a local daily.

He also intimated that the employees had earlier on in the month asked for protective gear but never heard from management.

“We’re required to maintain security presence on this flight as long as it is on the ground. Our staff are badly exposed since we do not have protective gear while discharging our duties. We kindly request that similar masks be provided to our staff working on this flight,” a letter dated February 2 read in part.

So far, China Southern Airlines has suspended flights to Kenya.

A high court also ordered that the 239 passengers be quarantined at a Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) facility.

In Africa, three coronavirus cases have been confirmed. They are in Nigeria, Algeria and Egypt.

While being relieved of duties, Gire was accused of going against company policy and exposing poor management of passengers coming from the Coronavirus infested nation.

“It has been determined that you be suspended from duty with effect from 27th February 2020 in accordance with provision of clause 16.5 of the Company HR Policy,” a letter signed by chief human resources officer Evelyne Munyoki read in part.

KQ’s actions angered netizens who thought Gire’s actions were heroic.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Former Kakamega County senator Boni Khalwale on Friday tore into Kenya Airways for suspending one of their staffs who blew the whistle about a Chinese plane that landed at JKIA with 239 passengers from China.

On Wednesday, Kenyan authorities allowed the plane to land in the country despite of the corona virus fears.

Southern flights./COURTESY
Chinese Southern Airline Plane. PHOTO/COURTESY

Kenya Airways was pissed off with the rate at which the video showing the Chinese Southern Airline landing at JKIA spread on social media.

As a result, Gire Ali, their staff who is alleged to have recorded and spread the video was suspended with effect from February 27, 2020.

“Following a report of video of China Southern flights arrival at JKIA and circulation of the video clip widely on social media and your alleged involvement in the matter, it has been decided that you be suspended from duty with effect from Feb 27,” KQ Chief human resource Evelyne Munyoki said in a letter dated February 27, 2020.

According to Munyoki, the suspension is in line with the company policies.

“This is to pave way for further investigations into the matter. During the period of suspension, you will be required to avail yourself to the investigating team,” Munyoki said.

Image

But Khalwale the bullfighter in a quick response to the suspension has termed the decision as a wisdom of fools.

Khalwale says that Mr Gire Ali is just a mere whistle blower and does not deserve the suspension.

He has termed Mr Gire as a hero to Kenyans.

“Suspend Mr Gire Ali? He is a mere whistle blower. Now our hero. Kenya Airways, yours is wisdom of fools,” Khalwale tweeted.

Gire alerted Kenyans of a China plane that had landed at JKIA with authorities silently ushering in the 239 passengers by only advising them to quarantine themselves for 14 days.

So far, 17 suspect cases have been recorded in the country and all have tested negative.

On Thursday, a section of MPs demanded that all the Chinese airlines be suspended from landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Led by Minority leader John Mbadi the MPs said it was a careless move for those responsible to have cleared a China Southern Airline plane on Kenyan soil despite the scare of the coronavirus outbreak.

Mbadi said it was laughable that the Health ministry cleared all the 239 passengers and asked them to ‘self-quarantine’ without proper monitoring mechanisms.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Kenya Airways has suspended one if their staffs who recorded the arrival of a Chinese Southern Airline loaded with 239 passengers from China.

The video went viral o social media, triggering an uproar from concerned Kenyans.

Jumping into action, KQ decided to suspend the whistle blower with immediate effect, citing that the matter was under investigations.

In a letter dated February 27, 2020, Gire Ali, the suspended staff is ordered to go on a suspension with effect from February 27, 2020.

During the suspension period, the staff is required to avail himself to the said investigating team, his manager or any other person in authority.

Image

The Kenyan government on Wednesday allowed 239 Chinese to land at JKIA amid Corona Virus fears, triggering an immediate uproar.

Angry legislators confronted Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo to explain what informed what they termed as a reckless’ move to allow in the Chinese plane.

The National Assembly’s departmental committee on Defense and Foreign Relations wondered why Kenya is out “to pamper China” even at the point of endangering the lives of its own citizens.

The situation got worse when the CS tried to inform the committee that the decision to allow the Chinese into the country was done in the best interest of the country.

“The aeroplane did not originate from Wuhan because Wuhan has been under lockdown and people quarantined and no aeroplane goes there. The passengers were cleared under the guidelines of World Health Organization..The decision was made in the best interest of the country,” Omamo said.

The CAS in a media conference later in the day said the Chinese arriving in Kenya are not from Wuhan, the city where the corona virus outbreak began. 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Deputy President William Ruto on Thursday hit back at ODM party leader Raila Odinga over his “I taught Ruto everything he knows, he can’t stop BBI reggae” remark.

Ruto shared a screenshot of a comment on the matter, which had been posted by former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga..

On the screenshot,the former Chief Justice had opined: “Students can be brighter than their teacher. As a teacher of law I know that for a fact.”

in a Wednesday night interview on KTN, Odinga said that he was Ruto’s teacher having recruited him to the change movement and helped him gain his political skills.

“Why should I fight Ruto? In fact, it is me who recruited him to the change movement and helped him sharpen his political tactics

“I want Ruto to be part of the struggle against corruption. Running around the country with bags of money in the name of building churches is hogwash,,” the ODM party leader stated.

On Thursday afternoon, Odinga continued with his scathing attacks on his politics student.

“The theft of public resources is now called hustling. The sacking of corrupt and incompetent individuals is now called targeting our people,” he said.

Ruto has declared himself as a hustler whenever questions of his source of wealth arise.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga on Thursday tore apart Deputy President William Ruto over his hustler nation tag.

Raila who was speaking during FOPA BBI forum faulted those using hustler tag to steal from Kenyans.

He said theft of public resources is now being glorified as hustling.

He said it is unfortunate that some politicians have resorted to inciting their constituents when corrupt public officers are sacked.

The former Prime Minister further noted that sacking of corrupt and incompetent individuals is now being called “targeting our people”.

According to Raila, it is through BBI that this pattern of events can change.

If not changed, the AU envoy notes that there will be no nation left to save.

“The theft of public resources is now called hustling. The sacking of corrupt and incompetent individuals is now called targeting our people. Changing this pattern of events is not going to be easy. But it must and has to be done or we will have no nation to save. |FOPA BBI Forum,” he tweeted.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

The deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and governor Mike Sonko to handover Nairobi City County to National Government was characterized by tough demands and an ambush on the part of the Nairobi County Government, details have revealed.

When Sonko left his home to come to the city, he was only prepared to meet Nairobi MCAs at his Upper Hill office and had no idea the day would end with his powers significantly neutered.

At around 11am, President Uhuru through State House Comptroller Kinuthia Mbugua summoned Sonko to the house on the hill – giving him only 15 minutes to show up.

So unprepared was Sonko that he is reported to have won his suit and tie on the way to State House.

State House had also summoned acting County Secretary Justus Kathenge who was equally given a strict deadline.

At State House, Sonko and Kathenge found President Uhuru, Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa, and Leboo Morintat whom the Nairobi Governor had fired a day earlier from the position of County Secretary.

It was at the meeting that Sonko was informed that the only way to keep Nairobi County running was to hand over functions.

It is reported that Uhuru was keen to avoid a by-election in Nairobi which was likely to happen if Sonko was impeached in the process that had already kicked.

A by-election in Nairobi would drain the already struggling National Treasury.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Deputy President William Ruto has revealed more details surrounding the takeover of Nairobi City County by the National Government.

The DP has spoken on the unexpected move by Governor Mike Sonko to hand over the County functions to President Uhuru Kenyatta led government.

DP Ruto disclosed that President Kenyatta met with the Council of Governors and IEBC Commissioners before the move was actualized.

The management of Nairobi city county has been a major source of concern for GoK and Nairobians,” Dr Ruto stated.

HE the President met with CoG & IBEC chairs in consultation with other actors to facilitate the agreements signed,” he added.

The Deputy President also urged all stakeholders to “support this effort to ensure our city functions“.

Sonko’s move to surrender key county functions to the national government was considered the least disruptive of the options available to address the leadership crisis at City Hall.

Sonko has hence defended his decision to hand over some county functions to the national government.

In a statement posted in the wee hours of Thursday morning, Sonko — who is facing corruption charges in court — said the needs of Nairobi County are unique compared to other devolved units.

“My government set out on a fact-finding mission that saw us benchmark and take lessons from other jurisdictions across the world including Washington DC in the US and Abuja in Nigeria. From these case studies, we established that cities and metropolis the size of Nairobi are best served jointly by devolved units and central governments,” he said.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Raila Odinga led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party on Wednesday submitted their proposals on Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) to the BBI Steering Committee at the KICC.

The Orange party made several demands from the BBI report.

`

Change of DCI

ODM has proposed that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) be divorced from the National Police Service and be set aside as an independent body.

The new DCI, according to ODM, should be renamed Bureau of Criminal Investigations, National Criminal Investigations Services or any other name as shall be suggested by relevant authorities.

MCAs Just as Powerful as MPs

ODM has proposed that Members of County Assembly be accorded similar powers just as the Members of Parliament.

In the new arrangement envisaged in their recommendations, 30 per cent of all the County Government budget should go to the wards.

Regional Economic Blocs (REBs)

ODM has suggested the creation of Regional Economic Blocs with the view of coordinating inter-County cooperation in the respective regions.

This comes hot on the heels of a major debate about ODM’s plan to create a soft landing for their second-term Governors.

More Money for Development

ODM has proposed that at least 70 per cent of the total National budget directly goes towards Development projects, with only 30 per cent for recurrent expenditure.

However, the Party noted that this could not be achieved instantly and that it should be implemented progressively.

Collapse Redundant Parastatals

ODM also wants all the national parastatals whose functions are covered by Counties to be dissolved.

This is seen as a further measure to reduce the huge wage bill that threatens to stifle development projects.

35 Per Cent to Counties

The party has also proposed an allocation of at least 35 per cent of National Government budget to be chanelled to the 47 Counties.

Creation of Prime Ministers Post

ODM has strongly supported the creation of a Powerful Prime Minister to be at the centre of conducting Government business.

The Prime Minister will be appointed by the President from the majority party in Parliament.

IEBC Reforms

ODM has suggested a bucketload of changes at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Key among the recommendations is that political parties in Parliament be allowed to recommend IEBC commissioners to be appointed by the President.

County Police

To address the challenge of insecurity, ODM has suggested the creation of County Police Service.

The security council will be chaired by the Governors of the respective Counties.

7-Year Tax Holiday

ODM has also suggested that the Government provides a tax holiday for the youth who are venturing into business.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

A video doing rounds on social media showing University of Nairobi students and a lecturer protesting being locked out of lecturer room at the university’s premises has caused an uproar.

In the video, a seemingly angry lecturer who has been identified as Dr Richard Bosire stated that they had been barred from accessing a room at the University of Nairobi Towers by Chinese students.

“What we are protesting is the Chinese locking students out of the facility with their lecturer. We cannot allow it!” Bosire lamented.

The entrance to the room from which the video of the protest was recorded from shows Chinese writings and decor on the walls.

The Chinese claim they bought two floors in this tower. The university has given them land, they constructed Confucius Institute headquarters along Arboretum Road, which is a huge facility, perhaps on two acres of land, yet they are closing us out,” Bosire alleged.

“Where do they want us to go? Do they want us to learn under trees? Is it Chinese colonialism? They have gone too far.

“The Indians built Gandhi wing, donated it to the university in the early 70s, Unesco built Education building gave it to the university, many institutions donate to this university but the Chinese have come to grab this University. It is not right!” He lamented.

The move has seen netizens angrily react, expressing their disappointment in the University leadership.

However, the University of Nairobi through the director of corporate affairs has refuted the allegations that the building had two of its floors acquired by China, terming Bosire’s sentiments as personal and ill-motived.

“The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi is not a property of the People’s Republic of China. The attached video by Dr. Bosire is misleading and ill-intentioned,” the statement by the director of corporate affairs read in part.

“His sentiments are personal and do not reflect the correct position,” it adds further stating that the students had been assigned a different lecture hall.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Embattled Nairobi County governor Mike Sonko has broken his silence hours after handing over the administration of Nairobi County to the national government.

Sharing a video of himself pleading with President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene in the murky Nairobi county administration situation,  Sonko dispelled rumors that the role was forcefully taken away from him, owing to his inability to effectively execute his duties as a county head, after he was blocked from office by the court.

In the video, Sonko pours out his heart to the head of state, saying that cartels rooted deep within Nairobi had been interfering with his service delivery.

He further asks the president to assist him to weed out corrupt untouchables in the county, offering to give up roles such as revenue management and county planning to the national government.

Tunaomba uingilie hiyo kazi mheshimiwa rais. Vile ulifanya KRA ukapeleka wafisadi nyumbani, naomba msaada wako Nairobi mheshimiwa rais (we request that just as you did at KRA and sent corrupt officials packing, you also need to assist me in Nairobi),” Sonko said, during the launch of the Nairobi Expressway in Oct. 2019.

‘Kama ni revenue chukua huko national government, kama ni planning mheshimiwa rais ichukue pia iende huko national government (Please take up the revenue and planning functions as the national government)” he added.

In his social media post on Tuesday, just hours after State House announced the surprise move, the governor promised the Nairobi electorate service delivery, putting aside political and court slideshows aside.

”TBT video. Service delivery to the great people of Nairobi kwanza Siasa na kesi baadae (service delivery first then politics and other cases will follow),” the politician wrote.

Among the roles taken away from Sonko’s government, following Tuesday’s deal with the national government, are county health services, county transport services, county public works, utilities and ancillary services, and county planning and development.

It is still unclear what mandate the governor will execute going forward.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen will tomorrow (Wednesday) in the senate challenge the transfer of Nairobi County government’s key functions to national government.

The Elgeyo Marakwet senator says the matter is such a weighty that requires deep deflection.

Murkomen will make a comprehensive statement in the Senate tomorrow and according to him, the matter will occupy most of the senators’ debating time.

“The matter of transfer of functions from Nairobi County to National Government is such a weighty matter that requires deep deflection. I will be making a comprehensive statement in the Senate tomorrow and this matter will occupy most of our debating time tomorrow. Thank You,” he tweeted.

On Tuesday evening, embattled Nairobi governor Mike Sonko surrendered his county’s key functions to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

A statement from State House noted that Sonko and Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa signed an agreement.

Sonko handed over the functions of the County to the National Government, pursuant to Article 187 of the Constitution.

According to the Constitution, 1) A function or power of government at one level may be transferred to a government at the other level by agreement between the governments if:

(a) the function or power would be more effectively performed or exercised by the receiving government; and(b) the transfer of the function or power is not prohibited by the legislation under which it is to be performed or exercised.

The signing of the agreement was also witnessed by the Speaker of the Senate,  Kenneth Lusaka and the Attorney General Paul Kihara.

The National Government therefore, will take over the following functions of the Nairobi County Government:

i) County Health services

ii) County Transport services

iii) County Public Works, Utilities and Ancillary services

iv) County Government Planning and Development

State House said that this will ensure Nairobi residents receive services efficiently.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Functions of Nairobi County Government have been handed over to the National Government pursuant to Article 187 of the Constitution, as per a statement sent to newsrooms by State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena.

In a land mark agreement signed at State House today, Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko and Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa in concurrence with H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta, signed an agreement, handing over functions of the Nairobi County Government to the National Government, pursuant to Article 187 of the Constitution.

The signing of the agreement was also witnessed by the Speaker of the Senate, Hon. Kenneth Lusaka and the Attorney General Paul Kihara.

The National Government therefore, will take over the following functions of the Nairobi County Government:

i) County Health services
ii) County Transport services
iii) County Public Works, Utilities and Ancillary services
iv) County Government Planning and Development

This will ensure Nairobi residents receive services efficiently.

The move comes as a breakthrough in the running of county services that had ground to a halt.

3 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Deputy President William Ruto allied MPs are plotting to stop ODM leader Raila Odinga’s BBI reggae in Uasin Gishu County.

The Tanga Tanga lawmakers on Monday warned the former premier against holding BBI consultative forums in the county.

Led by Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi  and his Soy counterpart Caleb Kositany, the Tanga Tanga MPs claimed that they would not allow outsiders to go and spread hate in the county.

“We will not remain silent and allow hate-mongering that has been witnessed in Kitui, Kisii and Mombasa to be transferred to Eldoret. Any meeting must be organised by the leadership of the area, not outsiders,” Sudi told journalists on Monday.

On his part,  Kositany said the region’s leadership will organize its own rallies with the help of the BBI task force which is headed by Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji.

The two have accused Raila of using the BBI to spread hate among Kenyan communities.

They also claim that the forums have been used to demonize Ruto and portray him as a man who is not supporting the handshake between Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“If those are the kind of statements made at the rallies, then we can as well say goodbye to such forums in our county because we do not want to polarise the country any further,” Kositany said.

Their claims come just two days after the Narok BBI rally that was held at Ole Ntimama Stadium with its discussions being accused of siding along tribal lines.

No BBI rally had been slated for Eldoret town.

Rift Valley leaders led by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos and Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny are planning for a rally to be held at Nakuru’s Afuraha Stadium.

The BBI train will pitch camp at Kinoru Stadium in Meru this weekend.  Ruto had indicated that he may attend the function.

But this is now uncertain after he warned Raila and his bandwagon that he may try to stop reggae if they continue inciting Kenyans.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail