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UK-based All Africa Advisors Rank Waititu The Worst Performing Governor

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

United Kingdom-based All Africa Advisors has ranked Kiambu Govenor Ferdinand Waititu as the worst performing governor in the country.

In the ranking that was made during the Devolution Assessment study by All Africa Advisors that took place at the Intercontinental Hotel on Tuesday morning, Waititu was ranked at position 47 out of the 47 counties.

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The embattled governor has hence been supended from office over a Sh588 million corruption case that is facing him.

Last month, nine Kiambu MCAs applied to be enjoined in the case arguing that they represent thousands of Kiambu residents, who are victims of the alleged corruption committed by their governor and want to join the case as interested parties.

The Kiambu County government is currently being run by his deputy James Nyoro.

During the devolution assessment study, Machakos County governor Dr Alfred Mutua was ranked the best performing governor.

His Kakamega counterpart Wycliffe Oparanya came second, followed by Nairobi’s Mike Mbuvi Sonko who took the third position.

Mombasa County governor Hassan Ali Joho came fourth followed by his Makueni counterpart Prof Kivutha Kibwana.

Tharaka Nithi’s Muthomi Njuki took the sixth position with Migori’s Zachary Okoth Obado taking coming seventh followed by Kisii County’s James Ongwae in 8th position.

Kajiado’s Joseph Ole Lenku took the 9th position with Kericho’s Paul Chepkwony closing the top ten list.

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Politics

Alfred Mutua Beats Oparanya, Ranked Best Performing Governor

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Machakos County Governor Dr Alfred Mutua has been ranked as the best performing governor in the country during the Devolution Assessment study by All Africa Advisors that went down at the Intercontinental Hotel on Tuesday morning.

Council of Governors Chaairman and Kakamega County governor Wycliffe Oparanya was ranked the second best performing governor, with Nairobi County governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko coming third.

Mombasa County governor Hassan Ali Joho has been ranked fourth with Makueni governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana coming fifth.

Previous studies have been ranking Opranya as the top governor.

Over the last six years, Governor Mutua has distinguished himself as a pragmatic advocate of the poor people, setting up pro-poor initiatives that help in poverty reduction and wealth generation.

Mutua who has declared his interest in 2022 presidency has won in Machakos by fixing what was broken; building market shades in the 40 sub-locations, lighting up streets and tiny villages, enlarging the infrastructure by building roads and drilling boreholes.

He is well regarded for those initiatives as well as the free advanced ambulance service across the county. Now he is on the verge of constructing his legacy-building project: Machakos New City, which will be funded by the county and foreign investors.

A few weeks ago, governor Mutua declared the Machakos Cancer Care and Research Centre officially opened, which is his latest completed project that has also earned him a milestone in terms of development.

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Politics

How ODM’s Kibra Voter Roll Has Forced Raila to Refund Sh2.25M Nomination Fees

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga is reported to have handed each of the nine ODM aspirants who lost in party primaries Sh250,000 they had paid.

According to the Standard, this follows revelations of how some top party officials orchestrated doctoring of the voters’ roll.

The latest development points to an open admission by the party’s top brass that the process – which was generally seen as peaceful – fell short of a free and fair vote.

Two senior party officials on Monday confirmed to the local daily that Raila returned the funds on Wednesday to Dagoretti High School Principal Peter Orero, who emerged second, Ben Musungu, John Otieno, Chris Odhiambo and Tony Ogola. Others who were refunded were Stephen Okello, Brian Owino, Reuben Ojijo and Eric Obayi.

Some of the aspirants who lost in primaries confirmed that they received their nomination fees from the party.

It is reported that Raila made the decision after an hour-long meeting last Tuesday where the claims of deliberate interference with the register was laid bare in his presence and other party honchos.

A good number of the ODM members who turned up to participate in the exercise either found their names missing or had them mixed up, effectively denying them opportunity to cast their vote.

Raila will today(Tuesday) meet the campaign team of ODM candidate Bernard Okoth (Imran) at AIC Olympic Kibra.

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Politics

Kenya’s Top Lawyers Fault IEBC Over Mariga’s Ruling

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just minutes after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) cleared Jubilee party’s McDonald Mariga to contest for Kibra parliamentary seat, a section of country’s top lawyers have taken to social media to fault the commission over its ruling.

The commission on Monday morning reversed the verdict of the Kibra Returning Officer and allowed Mr. Mariga to run in the Kibra MNA by election on 7th November, 2019.

But city lawyer Donald Kipkorir and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo have disagreed with the ruling. Donald Kipkorir has faulted the Wafula Chebukati-led commission for locking out Kibra voters for registration after the seat was declared vacant by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi but allowing Mariga, a non-Kibra resident to register.

The flamboyant lawyer says that IEBC’s decision is a “Great Travesty Of Justice”.

“With tremendous respect, I wholly disagree with IEBC ruling on McDonald Mariga. That the law PROHIBITS all residents of Kibra from registering as Voters once the Seat was declared Vacant but allow Outsiders to register as Voters & contest the seat is a Great Travesty Of Justice,” he posted.

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo who is also one of the country’s top laws has also faulted the commission, calling for Kenyans to kick out the commission for being biased.

“Listening to the Pontifications & Prevarications Of The IEBC Commissioners; It is clear to me, more than before, that we must Sweep the Commission Clean at the Top Levels!” he posted.

Mariga petitioned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission after Kibra returning officer Beatrice Muli invalidated his nomination on grounds that his name was missing from the register of voters.

ALSO READ: Mariga Reinstated as Jubilee Flag Bearer in Kibra

Mariga’s legal team led by lawyer Elisha Ongoyi pushed Muli to admit an error on her part and pleaded with the committee to rectify the mistake by overturning the decision.

The seat fell vacant after former MP Ken Okoth died of cancer on July 26 at the Nairobi Hospital.

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Politics

Mariga Reinstated as Jubilee Flag Bearer in Kibra

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The IEBC Dispute Resolution Committee has reversed the verdict of the Kibra Returning Officer and has allowed Jubilee Party’s McDonald Mariga to run in the Kibra MNA by election on 7th November, 2019.

Reading the verdict, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati confirmed that Mariga will subsequently be included in the list of candidates running for the Kibra by election.

Mariga petitioned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission after Kibra returning officer Beatrice Muli invalidated his nomination on grounds that his name was missing from the register of voters.

Making the ruling on Monday, IEBC Dispute Tribunal said it is obligated to conduct continuous registration of citizens as voters.

“It is our finding that the complainant was duly registered as a voter,” IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati said.

Mariga’s legal team led by lawyer Elisha Ongoyi pushed Muli to admit an error on her part and pleaded with the committee to rectify the mistake by overturning the decision.

The seat fell vacant after former MP Ken Okoth died of cancer on July 26 at the Nairobi Hospital.

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Crime & Investigations

60-Year-Old Granny Arrested in Connection With Nairobi ATM Heist, Ksh 2.3 M Recovered

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Detectives from DCI’s Special Crimes Prevention Unit have arrested two more suspects connected to a Nairobi West ATM heist, among them a 60 year old granny,

During the arrest, ksh 2,389,000 in cash was recovered at the house of the 60-year old Mary Kyalo at Kalumoni in Machakos County , the grandmother to John Kamau Mulei, one of the suspects.

Through a tweet on Monday morning, DCI confirmed that Kamau is a brother to Benard Mwendwa, a G4S officer who was arrested on 12/9/19.

“Two Suspects connected to the ATM Heist in NRB West were early today arrested by #SCPU Detectives & Ksh. 2,389,000/= recovered at Kalumoni in Machakos County. One of the suspects; John KAMAU Mulei is brother to Bernard MWENDWA, a G4S officer who was arrested on 12/9/19,” read a tweet.

Upon his arrest at Muumandu village in Machakos, Kamau is the one who led the detectives to his grandmother (2nd suspect) in whose house the Money was recovered.

The Officers are still combing the scene as further investigations continue. Necessary police action being taken.

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Politics

Vocal Tangatanga Crusader Endorsed For Governorship

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Vocal Jubilee party’s tangatanga wing crusader has been endorsed for Nakuru County’s governorship in 2022.

The Nakuru County Senator Susan Kihika was on Friday endorsed by Six Nakuru County MPs for the county’s governorship in the next general election.

The six are Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati), David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East), Samuel Gachobe (Subukia), Liza Chelule (Nakuru Woman representative), Jayne Kihara (Naivasha) and Charity Kathambi (Njoro).

In a rally at Nakuru ASK showground on Friday, the MPs said Ms Kihika was the right person for the job.Ms Kihika appealed for the support of local leaders and youth.

The senator who has been at loggerheads with her home MP Mr Ngunjiri, surprised everyone when she announced that she and Ngunjiri have buried the hatchet.

Commenting on their now warm relationship, Ngujiri said he is fully behind Kihika.

“I have had differences with Kihika but that is all behind us now. As long as I’m in active politics, I will stand with her,” Ngunjiri said.

Ngunjiri who was a staunch supporter of Governor Lee Kinyanjui in 2017, said Kihika’s father, the veteran politician Kihika Kimani, did much for the people of Nakuru.

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Politics

Duale Revisits a January Court Case After Rastafari Case Ruling

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just a few days after a Nairobi High Court declared that children with dreadlocks can continue with their education as it is their fundamental right, National Assembly majority leader Aden Duale has revisited a case that had been ruled earlier against Muslim students.

Duale now wants court to review ruling on Muslim students wearing Hijabs in school after the Rastafari case ruling.

High Court Judge Mwita Chacha last week ruled that the Constitution guarantees every person a right to religious faith and cutting the minor’s hair is contrary to her belief.

The judgment was issued in a case where a Rastafarian parent sued the Education Ministry and Olympic High School in Kibra seeking to compel them to admit his daughter to Form One without shaving her dreadlocks.

Early this year, court overturned a 2016 Court of Appeal ruling that allowed Muslim students to wear hijab in non-Muslim schools.

In the ruling made on the petition filed by the Methodist Church of Kenya, the Supreme Court said every school has a right to determine its own dress code.

Hijab is a headscarf worn by many Muslim women who feel it is part of their religion.

The 2016 ruling came after a church-run school banned female students from wearing the hijab, saying that it sowed discord.

But what does Justice Mwita’s Rastafari ruling mean on this ruling that was made against Muslim students? Should they also be allowed to wear hijabs in non-muslim schools now that the court says Constitution guarantees every person a right to religious faith?

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Politics

Mapenzi Tupu! President Museveni’s Wife’s Message to Husband on His Birthday

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

It is his birthday! Yes, Sunday September 15, 2019 was Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s birthday and his wife Janet Kaguta Museveni had to celebrate it in a special way.

The Ugandan first lady on Sunday afternoon took to social media to send a heartwarming message to husband.

Janet described Museveni a hardworkinng and dedicated person to serve his country. She said Museveni’s love and service for Ugandan nation and Africa is admirable.

The first lady went on to shower Museveni with prayers and blessings, asking God to bless the works of her husband’s hands.

“Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Your love and service for this country and Africa is admirable, so is your dedication to serve our people. May God bless the works of your hands. Happy birthday,” read the post.

The Ugandan President has turned 75 years. He was born on 15 September 1944 and has been the president of Uganda since 1986.

Museveni was involved in rebellions that toppled notorious Ugandan leaders Idi Amin  (1971–79) and Milton Obote (1980–85) before capturing power in the 80s.

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Politics

Ailing Norman Magaya Leaves Country For Further Treatment Abroad

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has confirmed NASA Chief Executive Officer Norman Magaya was on Sunday taken to India for specialized treatment following a heart attack.

Through a tweeted posted on Sunday afternoon, the party confirmed that Mr Magaya will be out of the country for around two weeks. The ODM party shall cater for his medical bills.

“Our colleague Mr Norman Magaya has left the country for further treatment abroad. We expect him to be away for 12 -15 days. During this time, he will be under the care of a panel of expert doctors.The ODM continues to stand with our luminary through this process until his return,” read the tweet.

For several months, Mr Magaya has been battling to regain his health in Nairobi Hospital and even admitted recently of his dwindling finances.

A fortnight ago, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna hinted that Mr Magaya will be flown to India, adding that he was placed in ICU as the party organises for a flight.

“Mr Norman Magaya is currently admitted at The Nairobi Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit as a precautionary measure ahead of his evacuation abroad for comprehensive treatment.

“This follows ongoing management and follow up for a persistent ailment which first began in 2017. His most recent admission occurred on the evening of Wednesday, September 4th,” said Sifuna.

There were claims that his wife wanted him taken to South Africa for medication. However, ODM leader Raila Odinga preference was India.

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Entertainment

Citizen TV Journalist, Samburu West MP Bag Prestigious Awards

by Pauline Waswa
written by Pauline Waswa

Royal Media’s Citizen TV senior political journalist Stephen has been crowned the Maa Male Media personality of the year.

At an award ceremony held at Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi on Friday, Letoo trounced five other nominees.

Letoo was feted for his excellence in the journalism industry and his contribution to the empowerment and development of the Maa community.

Samburu West MP Hon Naisula Lesuuda was also crowned the mentor of the year during the event.

The Maa awards ceremony is a premier exclusive event that recognizes achievements of outstanding individuals, groups, organizations and businesses of the Maa Community in Kenya and Tanzania.

In Kenya, participants were drawn from Laikipia, Baringo, Samburu, Narok, Marsabit and Kajiado counties.

Some of the other categories that were hotly contested on Friday include Environmentalist of the Year and Radio Presenter of the Year.

The annual Maa Awards ceremony brings together Maa speaking people, organizers and sponsors to celebrate their culture, accomplishments and raise funds for charities that work with the community.

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Politics

Win For Ruto as Western Region Falls Apart Further Over Kibra By-elections

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Vote-rich western Kenya region has yet again fallen apart despite numerous calls by region’s leaders for long desired luhyia unity.

This follows failure of two political front runners from the region, Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula and Amani National Congress (ANC) boss Musalia Mudavadi, to front one candidate for the Kibra by-election after numerous meetings between the two parties initially agreed to back one candidate.

After Mudavadi’s ANC unveiling former ODM leader Raila Odinga’s aide Eliud Owalo ahead of the upcoming Kibra mini polls, Wetangula went ahead to unveil Engineer Khamisi Butichi to fly Ford Kenya’s flag in Kibra.

In addition, ANC has declared that its leader, Mr Mudavadi, who last year was installed as the Luhya kingpin, does not need any endorsement from any particular leader from the region to vie for the presidency in 2022.

In recent past, the region’s political leaders have been sharply divided along two camps; those supporting Deputy President William Ruto and those backing Mudavadi’s presidential ambitions.

There are those also those who have thrown their support behind the Raila.

DP Ruto has been making numerous trips to the region to sway voters towards his support ahead of 2022 President Uhuru Kenyatta succession race.

Ruto through his trips has been able to win support from a section of leaders who are now working hard to sway voters towards his camp.

The DP is now banking on National Assembly chief whip Ben Washiali, former Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale, former sports cabinet secretary Rashid Echesa, Matungu MP Justus Murunga, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, Sirisia MP John Waluke, Webuye East MP Dan Wanyama, Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka among others.

The Ruto camp has also been calling on Mudavadi to shelve his ambitions and team up with the DP.

Reports that close friends of Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa have formed a new political party complicates matters even further.

The new outfit, Democratic Action Party of Kenya, received a provisional certificate on August 2 from the Registrar of Political Parties.

The new outfit has David Muchele as interim chairman while Kizito Temba, Wamalwa’s personal assistant, is the secretary. Wamalwa is yet to confirm or deny links to the party, which adds to numerous others in the region.

With all these confusion in Western region over who to support, DP Ruto can easily sail through and win the hearts of the voters ahead of 2022 race.

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Crime & Investigations

How Wanted Spy Queen Allegedly Conned Russian National sh22 Million

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The fugitive controversial private investigator is on the run and DCI George Kinoti has described her as a serial outlaw wanted for various criminal activities including robbery with violence.

The directorate of criminal investigations is still on the hunt for Jane Wawira Mugo who claimed to be a private detective for years.

Jane Wawira Mugo, a powerful and ruthless woman who fashioned herself as an undercover cop prominently features in a fraud case in which a Russian national, Vladimir Borisenko was conned a whooping sh22 million.

According to a local daily, her company, Trimo Security had been hired to help recover the money and trace the suspects who had gone underground.

But instead Mugo hijacked the moment as a windfall opportunity only to collude with the thieves, clearing agents at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to share the loot.

She later schemed a move that forced the frighten foreigner into escaping from the Country after he started receiving death threats from the very people who were supposed to held him recover his money.

But speaking to Citizen TV on Thursday, Jane said the warrant of arrest issued against her has been fuelled by an investigation case she has been working on that reveals alleged corruption among top security officials in the government.

“I am not surprised because I saw it coming, and I had already been prepared by some of the officers I had worked with, I had already been told that since I am working on a sensitive matter, and the matter is touching on some senior government officials… So it is a total witch hunting of the people in government who feel they are untouchable,” said Ms. Wawira.

Jane Mugo has been a private investigator since 2010, undertaking various training, including a criminology course to better her knowledge.

She says the warrant of arrest from people she has worked with is nothing less than a betrayal.

Watch her interview with Citizen TV below:

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Politics

MP Brags of His Bedroom Prowess, Parades 2 of His 3 Wives at a Tangatanga Rally

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A section of Inua Mama women group comprised of leaders affiliated to deputy president Dr William Ruto’s tanga tanga wing on Friday held a rally in Nakuru.

During the rally, controversial Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria paraded two of his three wives at a rally organised by area Senator Susan Kihika.

The rally, which was held at the Nakuru ASK Showground, brought together the area MP, several women leaders affiliated to DP Ruto’s camp within the Jubilee outfit.

Taking to the stage, the lawmaker said: “I am the Nakuru Town East MP. And, when one has a wife or wives, he has to acknowledge. I have several Nakuru Town East first ladies. Let me introduce my first ladies to you.”

“[Tells his wives] rush here, remember it is not your day. So, let’s not take other people’s time. There is one [of my wives] who is not here… She did that… [suggests wife welcomed a baby recently]. Niko sawa ama siko sawa? Inaitwa pekejeng pekejeng pekejeng,” said Gikaria, sparking laughter among the rally attendees.

“This one is Veronica Wairimu, she is the First Lady Number One. And this one is Dorcas Wangui, she is also the First Lady Number One B. First Lady Number One C is not here, but I will bring her here another day. Niko sawa, ama siko sawa? Na, unajua sisaidiangwi (And, you know I am never helped) … Let them bear me witness, I am never helped. I am good at it,” said the MP before handing back the microphone to the event’s emcee.

Some of the women leaders who attended the “Inua Mama” rally in Nakuru are nominated senator Millicent Omanga, Uasin Gishu woman rep Gladys Shollei, her Bomet counterpart Joyce Korir and Nyandarua colleague Faith Gitau, among others.

Susan Kihika said the theme of the meeting was women and youth empowerment.

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Lifestyle

VIDEO: How Rastafarians Celebrated Friday High Court ruling

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

This comes after a student’s parents represented by Lawyer Shadrack Wambui moved to court after their student admitted at Olympique High school in January 2019 was expelled for refusing to shave her dreadlocks which she had during her primary school .

In his ruling the presiding Judge noted that every child’s right to basic education is protected by the constitution and every parent has a legal responsibility to take their children to school.

“No person should be compelled contrary to their religion, a declaration is issued that the decision of Olympic school keeping the minor out of school due to her dreadlocks was unconstitutional, null and void,” he said

“Keeping rastas is her way of professing her faith and it’s wrong to compel her to shave which is against her religion.”

The minor indicated in her admission form that her religion was Rastafarian.  The stance taken by the school is contrary to the law.

The father in the suit papers says the action of the school amounts to discrimination on the basis of her Rastafarian beliefs.

Article 30 (1) of the Constitution states that every person has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion.

He further directed the school not infringe on the rights of the minor when she is recalled back to the school.

This is how the Rastas celebrated.

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Politics

Governor to Render Ward Admins Jobless Should They Ignore This Order From Him

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Vihiga county governor Wilbur Ottichilo has told ward administrators that their jobs would be at stake “if the rivals out there come in”.

Speaking when he launched the performance contracting for county staff at Mbale on Thursday, Ottichilo said his administration was under pressure to deliver services.

The County chief now wants county ward administrators to fight for his government to protect their jobs.

“You must be in every public function that takes place in your areas to defend the government. I have asked the CECs and directors to facilitate you so you can work,” Ottichilo was quoted by a local daily.

He asked residents to be patient because county governments have not received funds for the first quarter this financial year following the standoff between the Senate and National Assembly on revenue sharing. 

“Some people are so impatient that they want things done immediately but they must also appreciate other dynamics. We have spent time putting in place structures and building institutions to ensure quality services regardless of who’s in office,” he said.

Ottichilo has been under intense pressure from his opponents who have accused him of wasting a lot of time on planning instead of rolling out development.

The governor has in the past said that he inherited an empty country Treasury and a government without structures. 

He has sacked some staff whom he said were irregularly hired and cleaned the county payroll of ghost workers, including relatives of former county employees and MCAs who received salaries without working.

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