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Tanga Tanga MPs Declare Support For BBI Report

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta alongside Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday received the much anticipated Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report.

The report was handed over to duo at State House, Nairobi in presence of Deputy President William Ruto.

The report, among other issues recommends a President, with executive authority who will be directly elected by the people, with the loser in the State House contest directly nominated to Parliament and takes over as leader of official opposition.

On the structure of government, the BBI team recommends what it termed “a home grown and inclusive” system, that comprises an executive headed by a popularly and directly elected President, and a robust, structured opposition that holds the government to account.

This has seen a section of MPs allied to DP Ruto change tune, and publicly declare their support for the report after strongly criticizing it.

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa who has been a great critic is among Tanga tanga members who have publicly declared support for the report.

He says that the report has avoided divisive referendum and reckons that the issues raised can be prosecuted through the parliamentary process .

“Now the BBI Task force has avoided the divisive referendum and reckons that the issues raised can be prosecuted through the parliamentary process.I wish to declare my support for this report,” he tweeted.

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, who has also been a strong critic of BBI said ” So far so good, Twende Kazi”.

The report will be made public to Kenyans tomorrow (Wednesday) during its official launch at Bomas of Kenya.

Kenyans will be allowed to read and understand it before making a decision.

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Politics

BBI: Ruto Wins Big From The Report

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The much anticipated Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report was on Tuesday finally handed over to President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM party leader Raila Odinga.

Deputy President Dr William Ruto was present at Statehouse during the handover.

His dream to clinch the topmost seat in 2022 might come to pass, but what awaits him after the BBI report?

Well, the report recommends a President, with executive authority who will be directly elected by the people, with the loser in the State House contest directly nominated to Parliament and takes over as leader of official opposition.

On the structure of government, the BBI team recommends what it termed “a home grown and inclusive” system, that comprises an executive headed by a popularly and directly elected President, and a robust, structured opposition that holds the government to account.

The Executive, according to BBI, should include the President, a Deputy President, a Prime Minister, and Cabinet Ministers. The president shall have garnered at least 50% plus one vote in the State House race, and at least 25% of total votes cast in at least 24 counties.

The President, according to the report, shall remain Head of State and Government, and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces.

The Deputy President, according to BBI report, remains the President’s principal assistant, and running mate at the ballot.

The proposed Prime Minister in the BBI report shall be an elected member of the National Assembly. The President shall nominate a Prime Minister, whose appointment must be approved by the National Assembly.

The Prime Minister, according to the BBI report, shall control and supervise execution of day-to-day functions and affairs of the government. The Prime Minister shall also, be leader of government business in Parliament and chair of Cabinet Sub-committees.

The BBI report recommends Principal Secretary in the Prime Minister’s office, to chair the technical implementation committee that shall comprise all principal secretaries.

The report also proposes the return of Prime Minister’s time, where MPs can pose questions directly to the premier and cabinet ministers.

And in response to the ‘winner takes it all’ mantra that was cited as one of the key causes on bitterly contested elections, BBI has recommended that the loser in a presidential election be nominated to the National Assembly and takes over as leader of official opposition.

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Latest News

Sen Mutula Kilonzo Jr Schools Matiang’i on Rescue Missions

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Makueni County Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior has schooled Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i on rescue missions following the West Pokot landslide tragedy.

Matiang’i on Monday failed to land in West Pokot due to what he claimed to be inclement weather.

The Interior CS alongside Devolution CS Eugine Wamalwa and Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai were compelled to land at Eldoret International Airport while on their way to the affected areas..

However, Kenyans were bitter at Matiang’i for failing to land with a military chopper after Deputy President Dr William Ruto managed to land hours later using a private chopper.

Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior on Tuesday morning while replying to Dr Matiangi’s tweet asked him to watch the videos of the Brazil dam rescue mission early this year.

The senator says choppers were flying near touch down to rescue peole stuck in the mud sludge.

He further notes that the government of Brazil used all means possible to attend to its citizens, urging Kenyan government to learn to be sensitive.

“Please watch the videos of the Brazil dam rescue mission early this year .Choppers were flying near touch down to rescue peole stuck in the mud sludge. The government of Brazil used all means possible to attend to its citizens. GOK must learn to be sensitive ,” he posted.

Areas of Pokot South were over the weekend hit by mudslides which has cost 52 lives leaving several others injured.

Those injured are currently undergoing treatment at Kapenguria County Referral Hospital.

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Politics

BBI D-Day: Report to be Made Public on Wednesday

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report will be made public on Wednesday. 

The report will be handed over to President Uhuru Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga today (Tuesday).

The report will then be officially launched by the duo on Wednesday at Bomas of Kenya.

The BBI chairman Yusuf Haji on Friday said that the report will be presented to the duo on Tuesday.  

 Haji divulged that claims that the report had leaked to the general public were fake. He reiterated that the contents of the report had been kept top-secret. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday asked leaders not to engage in the sideshows in the name of the report. 

He reminded the leaders to avoid the politics of insults whether they support or oppose the report. He also warned them not to spread rumours before they know the contents of the report.

The head of state made the remarks when he presided over the fourth Kibabii University graduation ceremony in Bungoma County.

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Entertainment

Magix Enga Reveals Why He has Forgiven Harmonize

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya’s legendary beat maker Clemmo who currently works with Ngoma on Sunday held serious talks with Kenyan producer Magix Enga over Tanzanian star Harmonize’s ‘Uno’ hit.

After the meeting, Magix Enga said he had forgiven Harmonize.

This comes moments after the two artistes engaged in the battles, with Magix Enga pulling down ‘Uno’ music video from you tube over what he claimed to be his stolen beat.

Magix Enga who maintained that Harmonize used his famous beat used in Dudaing hit that featured King Kaka and Kristoff said he has hence forgiven him and that he would take back the Uno video to you tube.

In a shared Instagram post, Magix Enga says growth of East African music is bigger than all, and as a result, he was going to release his copyright strike on Uno.

“Growth of East African music is bigger than all of us. And for this reason i have decided that I will release my copyright strike on Uno by Harmonize. I have decided to forgive the guy🇹🇿 Nitarudisha Uno by Harmoize Pale YouTube Wakati wowote, ” reads the post.

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Latest News

West Pokot Landslide Tragedy Death Toll Hits 42

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Death toll from the landslide witnessed over the weekend in West Pokot has hit 42.

West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo confirmed that the death toll rose after six other bodies were recovered from the mudslides.

Search and rescue operations are still continuing but have been hampered by thick fog and harsh weather conditions being witnessed in the region.

The danger of more mudslides still hangs over the residents and the roads have been rendered impassable by raging flood waters.

Several families have already fled their homes and pitched camp in nearby schools on higher grounds as they brace the cold waiting for food aid.

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Politics

Speaker Elachi Links Sonko’s Troubles With Authorities to Politics

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi has come to Governor Mike Sonko’s defence, linking his troubles with authorities to politics.

Speaking when she appeared on K24’S Punchline show on Sunday evening, Speaker Elachi said Sonko is also being fought for allowing her back to office after she was ousted by MCAs.

“We voted for Sonko. We fully voted for him. We knew his style of leadership….and I think Kenyans forget that Sonko is an orphan, he doesn’t have a mother and a father. He has his God and he will finish his five years. The only father Sonko has is President Uhuru Kenyatta,” said Ms Elachi.

Sonko has recently found himself on the wrong side of the authorities with investigative agencies digging into his financial dealings as well as his criminal past.

On November 5, Sonko spent was queried by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over alleged cover-up of his past brushes with the law.

The governor spent hours with EACC detectives at the Integrity Centre in Nairobi.

EACC sleuths accused Sonko of failing to disclose information about his pending multiple criminal cases in court when he was seeking clearance to vie for the Nairobi gubernatorial race.

Speaker Elachi said there is more than meets the eye in the Sonko’s woes since it were the same government agencies that cleared him to run as an MP and later for senate, long before he contemplated vying for the governor’s seat.

Watch the video below:

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Politics

Raila Set to Unveil ODM’s 2022 Strategy

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga will on Thursday unveil the party’s strategy ahead of 2022 politicking period.

The event which was to be held tomorrow (Tuesday) was postponed due to Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report which is set to be handed to President Uhuru Kenyatta on the same day.

Raila will also officially open ODM’s new offices in Lavington and launch a digital membership registration platform.

Details of the party’s elections set for next year will also be given.

Changes in the party’s leadership are also expected, with some top directors set to be shown the door as the party prepares for a revamp ahead of 2022.

Bangled party primaries witnessed in the past are some of the reasons behind the revamp with reports indicating that the party is planning to have a new team of professionals at the new Lavington headquarters.

Do you think Raila is planning to be in the 2022 Presidential race?

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Politics

Governor Kivutha Kibwana Crowned The Most Outstanding Public Servant of The Year

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Makueni County Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana has been crowned the most outstanding public servant of the year 2019.

Kibwana was crowned by League of Young Professionals during the inaugural edition of Gamechangers Awards held at Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi on Saturday night.

The second term county chief shared the news via his social media accounts. 

For the past seven years, Kibwana has initiated various development projects in Makueni, and changed the face of the county.

His exemplary performance has made Makueni a pioneer county for matters development. Leaders from across the country have been touring Makueni for bench marking. 

Some of the huge projects credited to Governor Kibwana’s administration include; Universal Health Coverage in the county, food processing factories among others.

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Crime & Investigations

Activist Links Rashid Echesa to Sex Trafficking, Calls For His Arrest

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Activist Boniface Mwangi has called for the arrest of former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa after linking him to sex trafficking business.

This follows an exclusive article by The Standard Newspaper that exposed a sex den in Ruaka which was using underage girls.

The Standard linked the sex den to an unnamed ex-minister, whom Boniface Mwangi believes is Rashid Echesa.

According to the local daily, Police rescued the underage girls and arrested three suspects including a 44-year-old man believed to be the brothel manager.

Skimpily dressed girls, most of them underage were led to the elevator, down the seven floors and into police vehicles. For close to a year, the house was being used as a brothel by the proprietors.

The daily further reports that the former Cabinet minister has been operating the brothel since the beginning of the year.

But activist Mwangi while referring to a previous incident where Echesa was linked to another trafficking case involving Pakistan Bale Bale dancers says Echesa conducted all these illegal activities while having police bodyguards.

The activist has accused the police authorities for protecting a sex trafficker and called for immediate action.

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Politics

Be Sober While Engaging in BBI Debate, Ruto Urges Kenyans

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President William Ruto has urged Kenyans to be sober while engaging in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) debate as the task force that compiled it prepares to release it on Tuesday.

He warned unnamed leaders against threatening or intimidating Kenyans about it, in what was largely seen as directed to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who is also the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

Ruto said Kenyans would have a final say on the BBI report that is set to be handed over to President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday.

Speaking in Laikipia and Tharaka Nithi Counties on Saturday, the Deputy President said opinions of all Kenyans irrespective of their status matter and would be respected.

“The debate should be done soberly and peacefully with no threats, propaganda or intimidations. What we know in Jubilee Party is that every opinion counts and must be respected,” he said, “No one should look down upon Kenyans because of their status in the society.”

The Deputy President asked leaders not to use the report to divide Kenyans on tribal or political affiliations.

He said the report offers Kenyans a unique opportunity to discuss ways to address challenges facing the country.

“When the report is out, all Kenyans will have the opportunity to read and give opinion on what they think is good for the country with the aim of finding solutions to our problems,” said Ruto.

He spoke during Ngobit Ward women groups empowerment programme at Makutano Shalom grounds in Ngobit, Laikipia County.

Present were MPs Catherine Waruguru (Women Rep, Laikipia), Kwenya Thuku (Kinangop), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Patrick Mariru (Laikipia West), Kareke Mbiuki (Maara), Joyce Korir (Women Rep, Bomet) and Patrick Munene (Chuka/Igamba N’gombe).

Others were Kubai Iringo (Igembe Central), Jane Chebaibai (Women Rep, Elgeyo Marakwet) and Mary Wamaua (Maragua).

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Crime & Investigations

Postmortem report reveals how ‘Star’ journalist Eric Oloo was killed

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A postmortem report released on Saturday, November 23, has revealed how The Star correspondent in Siaya County Eric Oloo was killed.

According to the report, Oloo was hit by a blunt object in the head and abdomen, resulting in excess internal bleeding that led to his death.

Pathologist Gabriel Juma shared the report details with the media.

Oloo’s body was on Thursday morning (November 21) found dead in the house of his alleged lover, Sabina Kerubo, 36, a deputy OCS at Ugunja Police Station.

It is alleged that Oloo, 41, found other men in Sabina’s house on Wednesday night, resulting in the fatal confrontation.

Ugunja Sub-County Police Commander, Ibrahim Muchuma, on Thursday told journalists that Kerubo was arrested alongside her daughter, house-help, and a middle-aged man identified only as Victor, who is said to be a chef in Ugunja Town.

Muchuma revealed that Kerubo’s landlord, Moses Ochieng, reported at Ugunja Police Station that Kerubo had — on Wednesday night — gone to his house to request for his vehicle so that she could take her “ailing” husband to hospital.

The landlord said that upon reaching Kerubo’s house, he saw Oloo lying lifeless on the floor, with cut injuries in his head.

Ochieng, thereafter, alerted police, who arrived at the scene of crime and arrested Kerubo, her daughter, house-help and the said-Ugunja Town chief, Victor.

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Latest NewsSports

Eliud Kipchoge Wins Prestigious International Award

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Olympic marathon champion and World Marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge has won a prestigious award.

Kipchoge has been crowned the 2019 World Athletics Male Athlete of the year.

Kipchoge, 35, beat four other contestants to retain the award during the World Athletics gala in Monaco on Saturday night.

Kipchoge, who was not at the gala but accepted the accolade in a telecast interview, won the London Marathon in April in a course record of 2:02:37, before making history as the first man to run a marathon under two honours when he completed the Ïneos 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, Austria in 1:59:40.2 on October 12 this year.

Kipchoge beat World Cross Country and World 10,000m champion Joshua Cheptegei from Uganda, World 200m champion Noah Lyles (USA), World 400m hurdles champion Karsten Warholm (Norway) and World pole vault champion Sam Kendricks (USA).

World 800m record holder David Rudisha was the first Kenyan to win the accolade in 2010.

The 400m hurdler Dalilah Muhammad from USA won the Female Athlete of the Year Award pipping Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei, Jamaican Shelly Ann Fraser and Sifa Hassan of the Netherlands.

She broke world record with 52.20 at the US Championships before improving her own world record to win the world 400m hurdles title in 52.16 in Doha. She went ahead to win the world 4x400m title with the USA team.

Kosgei won this year’s Chicago Marathon in a World Record time of 2:14:04 (mixed race) on October 13. Kosgei also won the London Marathon in 2:18:20.

Kosgei also ran a world-leading 1:05:28 for the half marathon at Bahrain Night Half Marathon, Manama on March 15 and 1:04:28 on a downhill course in South Shields Great North Run, South Shields, England on September 8.

Kenyan-based Colm O’Connell from Ireland, who coaches Rudisha, won the Coaching Achievement.

Here is a list of 2019 winners

Male Athlete of the year – Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya)

Female Athlete of the Year – Dalilah Muhammad (USA)

President’s Award – The late Vikki Orvice (Journalist-Britain)

Fair Play Award – Braima Suncar Dabo (Guinea-Bissau)

Photographer of the Year – Felix Sanchez Arrazola (Spain)

Coaching Achievement – Colm O’Connell (Ireland/Kenya)

Woman of the Year – Derartu Tulu (Ethiopia)

Male Rising Star award – Selemon Barega (Ethiopia)

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Crime & InvestigationsLatest News

VIDEO: Slain ‘Star’ Journalist’s estranged wife narrates their last phone chat

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Estranged wife to The Star Newspaper reporter Eric Oloo who was found murdered in a police woman’s house on Thursday, November 21 in a case of a love triangle gone wrong has narrated her last phone chat with the slain journalist.

Oloo, was said to be married to Ugunja Police Station Deputy OCS Sabina Kerubo with reports that the two were living together as husband and wife for a period of time.

New details have emerged however, indicating that the slain journalist had a wife and children, with their last conversation hinting that they were to get back together.

Lucy Atieno, aged 23 years narrated that the two had gone their separate ways in 2017, after meeting in 2016 and living together for one year.

Currently, she has been left with an 11 day old baby after having delivered just a week ago, and a daughter aged two years.

According to Ms Otieno, she had moved to her parent’s home after separating from estranged husband but later reunited earlier in the year where she got pregnant with their second daughter.

Apparently, Oloo went mute after the news of the second pregnancy and only decided to call her last month, wanting to speak to their daughter and hinting on getting back together as a family, next year.

“He inquired what we had fed on and told me that he had shopped for our daughter’s Christmas, promising to have a boda boda operator drop the gifts the next morning,” said Ms Otieno.

She added that when she heard of Oloo’s death, she was shocked, dropped her child and rushed outside wailing as she could not believe the news.

Watch the video below courtesy of daily nation.

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Latest NewsLifestyle

Survey:Local Brew ‘Busaa’ Used to Treat Foot and Mouth Disease Among Animals

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A new Survey has found that most farmers use local brew busaa to treat Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) among animals.

The highly communicable viral disease attack hooved animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs as well wild animals such as buffaloes.

The survey was conducted by the Nakuru Regional Veterinary Investigation Laboratory (RVIL) in collaboration with the county veterinary staff.

According to the survey, a majority of the farmers whose animals were affected by the disease drenched them with local brew (busaa) as the treatment of choice.

Busaa is about 4 per cent alcohol, a concentration which is very mild as compared to surgical spirit, which is 70 per cent alcohol, so its medical value in killing the FMD virus is questionable.

The brew normally makes the animal drunk, thus reducing the pain in the foot and mouth wounds. The animal is therefore able to feed, thus boosting its immunity and recovery, but farmers should seek proper treatment.

A word of caution, however, is that the brew is stable for one to two days after production. Thereafter, acidification and denaturing take place, making the substance toxic.

Some farmers buy busaa that lasts for over five days, which implies that they could be poisoning the animals unintentionally and this explains the deaths that were occurring in adults, a rare condition as FMD is known to kill mostly young animals.

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Latest News

Ruto Condoles With Pokot Landslide Victims as Death toll rises to 24

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President Dr William Samoei Ruto has send his message of condolences to the families of the victims of the West Pokot landslide.

Ruto in his message prayed for the victims, asking God to give them peace and comfort.

He went ahead to urge those in vulnerable areas to be on alert during this period of the short rains .

“Sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the West Pokot landslide. May God give you peace and comfort, and may our prayers ease the pain of this great loss. We urge those in vulnerable areas to be on alert during this period of the short rains,” he tweeted.

The DP’s message comes as death toll in the Pokot South landslide rises to 24 after more bodies are recovered.

Meanwhile, rescue operation has been hampered by heavy rainfall.

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