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Senator Malala responds to ANC Suspension letter

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has responded to a suspension letter from his party Amani National Congress that was issued on Friday as a result of his support for ODM candidate Bernard Imran Otieno Okoth in the just concluded Kibra by elections.

In his response, Malala defended himself saying he supported Imran for the Kibra by-election on the basis of the NASA coalition.

Malala who spoke to Citizen Digital argued that the National Super Alliance (NASA) statute allows members to support any candidate from the affiliate parties.

The Senator further claimed that he has not received any official communication from the ANC.

However, a letter from the party disciplinary committee said Malala acted against the party and Statute laws.

“We have established that Malala indeed attended the rally and that in fact he made the offending remarks,” the letter from Committee Chairperson Yare Mohammed reads.

Capt. Mohammed termed Malala’s remarks as impugning, thoughtless and tragic noting that the statements were widely shared on social media.

He was referring to an ODM rally which Malala attended and told voters that as the “highest-placed leader” present from ANC, they should rally behind him and support Okoth.

During the October rally, Malala further alleged that the ANC candidate Eliud Owalo was a ‘project’ of Deputy President William Ruto.

On Friday, Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi defended Malala over the party suspension terming it as ‘a big joke of the year’.

“ANC party has sunk to its lowest by using uncoordinated hirelings with no official status in the party to stifle internal democracy in the party through cheap intimidation tactics that continually erodes Hon Mudavadi political capital and public image,” he said in a statement.

Osotsi was also suspended from the ANC party in March following allegations of misuse of party funds when he served as secretary-general.

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Politics

Wrist watches, wedding rings and other items not allowed into Uhuru’s Sagana meeting

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Security was high in and outside Sagana State Lodge on Friday as President Uhuru Kenyatta held a meeting with Mt Kenya leaders.

The meeting was attended by over 4,000 leaders drawn from the larger Mt Kenya region. Others came from Nakuru, Lamu, Eldoret, Kajiado and Nairobi.

However, guests were barred from entering the meeting venue with their mobile phones, wrist watches, wedding rings, earrings, bangles and goggles. 

This is to ensure no proceedings of the meeting, whose agenda remained a highly guarded secret, are recorded. 

Further National government administrators such as regional and county commissioners, sub-county commissioners and chiefs were not present in the meeting where journalists were denied access. 

Despite indications that Cabinet Secretaries from Mt Kenya region were supposed to attend, none of them was seen in the venue.

This is the first time President Uhuru Kenyatta is meeting Mt Kenya leaders amid bitter succession politics, which have seen the leadership split into two groups.

The head of state denied promising opposition leader Raila Odinga 2022 support and gave indication he is open to Prime Minister position.

He pleaded with Central leaders not to abandon the government agenda through pressure to endorse candidates and early political campaigns

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Politics

Uhuru: I am open to Prime Minister position

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta has indicated that he is open to a Prime Minister position should it be created.

While denying promising opposition leader Raila Odinga of his support come 2022, the head of state pleaded with Central leaders not to abandon the government agenda through pressure to endorse candidates and early political campaigns.

He was speaking in a meeting at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri County attended by more than 3,000 leaders on Friday.

He pleaded for calm and said leaders from the region started to discuss the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report too early.

“I do not know the contents of the BBI report yet I hear people claiming Uhuru Kenyatta wants to become the Prime Minister of Kenya. I wouldn’t mind being in leadership in such a post, though let us deal with the current situation first,” Mr Kenyatta said.

The President told the leaders to “analyse and understand” the past in order to secure their political future. He defended the handshake saying it was all about political stability and not 2022 politics.

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Politics

Fatuma Gedi Hits Back at Didmus Barasa Over Sexual Misconduct Accusations

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Wajir woman rep Fatuma Gedi has hit back at Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa after sexual misconduct accusations.

Also Read: Kenyans Take “Kolik” Didmus Barasa Through Maturity Classes After His Disrespect to Woman MP

Barasa on Friday accused Gedi of being sexually involved with younger boys including her bodyguards and drivers.

But in a quick rejoinder, Gedi accused Barasa of being a “conman”.

She included a copy of the public notice by Sportpesa dissociating Barasa from any business with them.

The two have been involved in bitter exchange since the Kibra by-election two weeks ago.

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Politics

CS’s Wife Lands Two Lucrative State Jobs on Same Day

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Acting National Treasury CS Ukur Yatani’s wife Gumato Ukur Yatani has landed two state appointments on the same day.

Dr Gumato was on Friday appointed by Education CS George Magoha as the chairperson of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Council where she will serve for a period of three years with effect from November 8, 2019.

She was also appointed by Industry Trade and Co-operatives CS Peter Munya as a member of the Taskforce on Standards and Quality Infrastructure Reforms in Kenya.

Part of the Terms of Reference of the Taskforce is to review and evaluate in comprehensive terms, the weaknesses and shortcomings of the entire Standards and Quality Infrastructure institutional architecture and arrangements.

They have also been tasked to analyse the entire ecosystem policy, legal and legislative frameworks of the various institutions/agencies and make appropriate recommendations to re-engineer the Standards and Quality infrastructure architecture.

Other notable appointees by President Uhuru Kenyatta in the Gazzette Notice include John Konchellah as chairperson of the National Environmental Management Authority for a period of three years.

Uhuru also appointed Margaret Kamar, Cecilia Mbaka and Anne Mugambi as trustees to the National Fund for the Disabled in the country.

Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri appointed a team of 13 to be members of Technical Team for the Implementation of Miraa Taskforce Report.

Among the functions of the task force, will be to review, identify and prioritize recommendations contained in the Miraa Taskforce Report for immediate implementation.

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Politics

List of leaders lined up to address Uhuru’s meeting at Sagana State Lodge

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Several leaders have been lined up to address President Uhuru Kenyatta’s meeting at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri County where governors, senators, MPs MCA’s, county commissioners and representatives from various sectors have been invited.

According to the official programme, former Nyeri Senator Mutahi Kagwe will be the master of the ceremony.

The meeting will kick off after a prayer from Pastor Peter Munga representing the Kikuyu Council of Elders.

Wambui Nyutu will talk on behalf of the youths from the region highlighting the challenges that they are facing in the region.

Immediate past Equity Bank Group chair Peter Munga will be the other notable speaker, representing the business community from the region.

Polycarp Igathe, who is the Executive Vice President in charge of Vivo Energy’s sales across the oil marketing company’s operations in Africa will represent the professionals at the meeting. 

Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu will talk on behalf of Mt Kenya MPs.

He is a Jubilee MP allied to the Kieleweke section of the party which is pro-BBI and in support of the Handshake between Uhuru and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Embu Senator Njeru Ndwiga will represent the senators from the region and address the high profile meeting. 

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga and his counterpart Anne Waiguru from Kirinyaga will speak on behalf of governors.

There will also be a representative talking on behalf of Maendeleo ya Wanawake and the Matatus Association from the region.

The event will also be addressed by CSs Joe Mucheru (ICT), James Macharia (Transport), Sicily Kariuki (Health), Margaret Kobia (Public Service) and PSs Karanja Kibicho (Interior) and Kirimi Kaberia (Sports).

Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi will also address the meeting before inviting the President.

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Politics

Sonko has been sponsoring chaos in the assembly, ousted majority leader claims

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former Nairobi County Assembly Majority leader Abdi Guyo claims governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has been sponsoring chaos that have been going on at City Hall.

This, Guyo claims is in Sonko’s efforts to divide the MCAs.

Guyo and speaker Beatrice Elachi appeared before the Senate’s Devolution and Intergovernmental Committee at different times on Thursday over the chaos that has rocked the city assembly.

“The problem we have in Nairobi is the governor. The chaos in the County Assembly is well choreographed so as not to have proper oversight,” he said.

The Matopeni/Spring Valley MCA told the Laikipia Senator John Kinyua-chaired committee that the county chief has been intimidating and blackmailing members who are critical of his administration. 

He told the committee that the governor has an army of loyal goons, some of whom have been appointed to plum positions in the county, who he has been unleashing to whoever questions his leadership style.

Guyo, who was removed from the powerful majority leader seat by Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju on Monday following weeks of chaos marked by teargas and gunshots, said City Hall was headed for the dogs unless President Uhuru Kenyatta intervenes.

“The only person who can restore order in Nairobi is our party leader himself. The governor cannot do it because he knows that if he does, then we will properly oversight him,” he said.

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Politics

Flamboyant City Lawyer Calls For Didmus Barasa’s Arrest

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Flamboyant City Lawyer Donald Kipkorir has called for the immediate arrest of Kimilili Constituency MP Didmus Barasa.

According to Donald Kipkorir, the first term Jubilee party lawmaker has violated Chapter 6 of the Constitution, Leadership and Integrity Act, Public Officer Ethics Act, Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act and, Parliamentary Leadership Code.

This is after Barasa took to his twitter Friday evening to dig into Wajir Women Representative Fatuma Gedi’s personal family matters, sharing a document exposing a feud between Gedi, her husband and their children.

“Dear @EACCKenya , @SpeakerJBMuturi .. This tweet by Didmus Barasa egregiously violates Chapter 6 of the Constitution, Leadership & Integrity Act, Public Officer Ethics Act, Parliamentary Powers & Privileges Act & Parliamentary Leadership Code .. He must face arrest & sanctions,” tweeted the lawyer.

On the document bearing a Kadhi’s court hearing on a case petitioned by Gedi’s husband Mohamed Abdi Omar, Gedi had been ordered to hand over the children to the husband for the while of April holiday.

Didmus sarcastically called for a section of woman MPs to combine efforts in what he termed as helping Gedi get another husband “so as to stop chewing small boys including her drivers and bodyguards”.

“@Hon_FatumaGedi you forgot your below document in Kibra. @RehemaJaldesa@Cate_Waruguru@WanguiNgirici . Please rally @KEWOPA to combine forces with @InuaMamaKE to assist @Hon_FatumaGedi get another husband. So as to stop chewing small boys including her drivers and bodyguards,” tweeted Didmus.

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Politics

Kenyans Take “Kolik” Didmus Barasa Through Maturity Classes After His Disrespect to Woman MP

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kimilili constituency Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa has found himself on the wrong side with Kenyans after he showed disrespect to Wajir County Women Representative Hon Fatuma Gedi.

Didmus on Friday night through his official twitter account dug into Fatuma Gedi’s personal family matters, sharing a document exposing a feud between Gedi, her husband and their children.

Also Read: Fatuma Gedi Hits Back at Didmus Barasa Over Sexual Misconduct Accusations

On the document bearing a Kadhi’s court hearing on a case petitioned by Gedi’s husband Mohamed Abdi Omar, Gedi had been ordered to hand over the children to the husband for the while of April holiday.

Didmus sarcastically called for a section of woman MPs to combine efforts in what he termed as helping Gedi get another husband “so as to stop chewing small boys including her drivers and bodyguards”.

“@Hon_FatumaGedi you forgot your below document in Kibra. @RehemaJaldesa@Cate_Waruguru@WanguiNgirici . Please rally @KEWOPA to combine forces with @InuaMamaKE to assist @Hon_FatumaGedi get another husband. So as to stop chewing small boys including her drivers and bodyguards,” tweeted Didmus.

It is at this point that Kenyans strated showing their disgrace in the MP, slamming him hard for what they say lacking brains and being petty.

Busia County Women Representative Florence Mutua is among Kenyans who have schooled Barasa, telling him to keep off the family matters of other people.

“Mhesh … you must know where to draw the line. This is totally unnecessary. Let’s fight political battles mambo ya family wachana nayo. Am sure you also have your battles in your front. Everyone does,” tweeted Mrs Mutua.

Some Kenyans have told Barasa to pick battles with his fellow men and keep women aside in his pettiness.

Here are some of the reactions.

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Politics

Waiguru in hot soup over her dalliance with Raila

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has found herself on the wrong side of a section of Kenyans, some of who appear displeased with her new-found political unity with Raila Odinga..

The governor’s political enemies not only organised press conferences where some women hurled unprintable words against her but also tried to show that she had failed in her mandate in Kirinyaga.

Waiguru, a key proponent of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), has also become a subject of a debate on Twitter under hashtag #SomeoneTellWaiguru.

The attacks followed a story that was published by People Daily on Wednesday about her new-found friendship with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, with whom she had a falling out with in 2015 when he literally forced her to resign from the Cabinet.

Raila almost single-handedly forced Waiguru to quit her position as the Devolution Cabinet Secretary because of his sustained onslaught on her over the loss of cash at the National Youth Service.

Governor Waiguru defended her relationship with Raila, saying that theya are both on the same side of a critical national agenda, the handshake and BBI.

“On our renewed relationship, you must remember that about a year ago, after the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, Raila Odinga and I had a meeting and agreed to let bygones be bygones. You noticed he even attended my wedding. Essentially, whatever animosity that was there in the past is buried (sic),” she said in an interview with People Daily.

Though she said it was early to talk about political alliances, Waiguru did not rule out future political plans with Raila, saying “we will see what our working together will produce in good time”

It’s this position that sparked an online war, with some of her sympathizers accusing Deputy William Ruto’s side of initiating the attacks.

Media personality Tony Gachoka twitted, “I honestly wonder how much money DP Ruto lost in Kibra, it’s hurting him too much. The hustler can’t stop tweeting about Baba @RailaOdinga yet this is an old story wah! Then attacking our main striker @AnneWaiguru by sponsoring the #SomeoneTellWaiguru”

Francis Mtetezi said: “Since half of the Tanga Tanga women squad are pregnant, now they want Waiguru to follow suit, Waiguru is much more clever than all Tanga Tanga women combined. Imagine her rising to beat an Iron lady like Martha Karua in a landslide win, she is unstoppable #SomeoneTellWaiguru.”

Sialah said: “Waiguru taught me one thing, that in Kenyan politics, today one is your enemy tomorrow you’re best friends. It’s the same Raila that used to fight Waiguru so much over the NYS scandal even saying she should resign giving her all kinds of words #SomeoneTellWaiguru”.

But not all are on Waiguru’s side.

Wahome Wanyoike said: “#SomeoneTellWaiguru they used to call Mt Kenya voting machines… and we all ran back home. We don’t follow politicians they follow us”

Global Voice posted: Who’s advising Waiguru? She’s messing herself big time with succession politics. Mount Kenya is big for her (sic).”

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Politics

Ruto’s lawyer reveals why Raila will have advantage against any candidate if he runs for 2022 presidency

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga will have a huge advantage against any candidate including Deputy President Dr William Ruto if he runs to be the president of Kenya in 2022, senior counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi has said.

Ahmednasir who has been representing DP Ruto in a case involving Weston Hotel says Raila will have the advantage against any other candidate because of his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The senior counsel further notes that executive powers bestowed upon Raila by President Kenyatta will earn the former premier another advantage.

According to him, Raila is a proud co-owner of the Jubilee party’s development record.

“Hon Raila will have a HUGE advantage against any candidate including DP Ruto if he runs to be PRESIDENT of Kenya in 2022.Because of the HANDSHAKE & the executive powers bestowed upon him by H.E Uhuru he is a PROUD co-owner of the UNENVIABLE/GLOWING record of JUBILEE,” tweeted Ahmednsir.

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Sports

Veteran coach Arsene Wenger back to the game as he lands new lucrative role

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Veteran coach Arsene Wenger has been named Fifa’s chief of global football development, the governing body announced on Wednesday.

Fifa said the former Arsenal and Monaco coach would be responsible for the growth of the game “for both men and women around the world”, and would also be the “leading authority on technical matters”, including potential changes to the sport’s laws.

It added that Wenger, 70, would also be tasked with coach education and aiding a programme designed to help former players enter management.

“I very much look forward to taking on this extremely important challenge,” Wenger said in a statement.

“Not only because I have always been interested in analysing football from a broader perspective but also because Fifa’s mission as world football’s governing body is truly global.”

The new role brings Wenger back to the game for the first time since 2018, when he left Arsenal after 22 years in charge.

Wenger made the Gunners one of the strongest sides in Europe, winning three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups and taking his team to the 2006 Champions League final.

On Saturday Wenger denied claims by Bayern Munich that they had turned down his offer to take over at the German champions after the sacking of Niko Kovac.

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Politics

Kilifi Again! ODM headed to another by-election as member loses MCA seat

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic (ODM) party will be facing another by elections in Kilifi County just weeks after securing Ganda ward MCA seat.

This is after Kilifi County assembly member from the orange party lost his seat after the Speaker Jimmy Kahindi declared the seat vacant following a protracted legal battle that ended in the nullification of his August 8, 2017, victory.

The anticipated by-election is expected to spark a renewed rivalry between ODM and its estranged NASA ally the Amani National Congress.

Although the Court of Appeal nullified Dabaso Ward MCA Emmanuel Changawa’s election about three months after he exhausted all his appeals; the declaration of a vacancy was delayed because the court document was wrongly classified as having been declared in the Environment and Land Court in Malindi.

Changawa will now be going to seek reelection.

“The person ceases to be a member of the County assembly from today,” said the speaker in the gallery.

The declaration came after the court of appeal sitting in Mombasa ruled that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) erred in declaring Changawa the winner in the 2017 General election.

Changawa who addressed journalists outside the assembly premises said that he was confident of being reelected in the by-election set to be announced by the IEBC.

“I am confident that my party ODM will give me a direct ticket having been a loyal life member and I am also confident that I will be re-elected to serve the people of Dabaso ward.

Malindi chief Magistrate Julie Oseko had upheld the election of Changawa and absolved the IEBC of electoral malpractices during the polling period but the petitioner Dickson Karani of Amani National Congress (ANC) party appealed to the high court where Judge Weldon Korir overturned Oseko’s ruling.

Korir cited documented evidence in forms submitted by IEBC which were ignored by the lower court when sustaining Changawa’s victory.

Changawa appealed the decision at the Court of Appeal in Mombasa and the court upheld the ruling of Justice Korir.

Speaker Kahindi added that he received a letter from the appeal court but had to return it because it lacked the requisite rubber stamp.

“I received a letter from the court early this year but I had to return it because it a had a stamp of the Environment and Lands court and being a lawyer by profession I could have landed in legal trouble if I had used it to declare the seat vacant,” he said.

He said that he received another letter with the correct corresponding stamp 18 days ago and declared the seat vacant.

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Crime & Investigations

Witness in Ruto Assassination Letter Case Spills The Beans, Sets up Itumbi in Court

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

State House digital strategist Dennis Itumbi forwarded fabricated letter alleging there was a plot to kill DP William Ruto to a WhatsApp group called Tangatanga, a witness has told the Court.

Noah Keino, a clerk at the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), told the Milimani Court on Wednesday that Itumbi posted the said-letter in late May 2019, but he [Keino] is not sure whether it was Itumbi who authored the letter.

Keino said he had seen the letter posted in three other WhatsApp groups, and, therefore, he couldn’t say with certainty that Itumbi was the source of the alarming message.

Keino, who is an administrator of the Tangatanga WhatsApp group, said the network was created for Ruto supporters to exchange ideas on how they can boost his 2022 presidential bid.

Itumbi is accused alongside one-Samuel Gateri of authoring and circulating an alarming letter that alleged that there was a plan to assassinate DP Ruto in order to stop him from ascending to presidency in 2022.

The two were, on July 22, 2019, charged with publishing a letter dated May 30, 2019 with the aim of causing anxiety to the general public. They denied the charges.

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Entertainment

Rapper Prezzo opens up on rape claims, vows to take action against media

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kenyan rapper Jackson Makini, alias CMB Prezzo, has refuted reports published in a section of Ugandan and Tanzanian media that he is receiving treatment at the Karen Hospital after he was recently sexually assaulted by three women in Nairobi.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with K24 Digital, Prezzo denied the allegations, citing that a section of media in East Africa have been bent on tarnishing his name since 2004 and that it is time he has to take action against them.

“I do not know where the false allegations have come from. I am well, and currently at home. From my tone in this call, you can tell on your end that everything is okay with me. (Laughs). I will ensure I dig deep into these claims so that I find out who started peddling the falsehoods. Sections of the media in East Africa have been bent on tarnishing my name since 2004. It is time I take action against them,” he said.

The reports first appeared on Uganda’s gossip tabloid xclusive.co.ug on Tuesday evening and carried afresh on Tanzania’s The Citizen on Wednesday, November 13.

The Citizen says the Mafans rapper, 39, was injected with an overdose of cocaine and Viagra before being sexually abused by three youthful women.

The publication cited “sources” as saying that the women, identified as Ruth, Vivian and Patricia, were arrested, and are being detained at Karen Police Station in Nairobi.

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Latest News

IG Mutyambai bows to pressure, responds to JKUAT brutal police beatings

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

National Police Service Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai has been forced to issue a statement on brutality meted on Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) students on Monday during their demonstrations against insecurity.

Kenyans on twitter pressured police authorities to respond after videos started doing rounds on social media showing students being brutally beaten by police.

Following the incident, the National Police Service says Internal Affairs Unit has been directed to commence investigations and make recommendations for action within 24 hours.

Officers have been also been reminded that their action should never be punitive but rather focus on maintaining law and order and processing the offenders for court.

Image

Students had staged a peaceful demonstration to protest against insecurity in the neighboring areas.

The institution was indefinitely closed following the students’ unrest.

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