Home Latest News
Category:

Latest News

Politics

List of ODM candidates set to face off in Saturday’s nominations; who will win?

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

ODM has submitted to the IEBC the names of 11 out of 20 aspirants for the Kibra MP by-election.

This is after nine failed to comply with the requirements set out by the party.

A total of 23 people had picked application forms for the nomination exercise slated for August 31.

Board chairperson Judith Pareno on Monday told cleared aspirants to pay Sh200,000 fees by midday Tuesday or be locked out of the nomination.

Those cleared include Christone Odhiambo, popularly known as DJ Kris Darlin, Peter Ochieng, Tony Ogola Sira, Reuben Ojijo and Stephen Okello.

Others are Bernard Otieno, Eric Ochieng, Brian Owino, John Otieno, Benson Musungu and Patrick Lumumba Owade.

Elsewhere, Jubilee will field a candidate for the race.

The Kibra constituency by-election is scheduled for  November 7.

The seat fell vacant after the death of Ken Okoth on July 26 after a battle with cancer.

Whom do you think will emerge the winner in ODM nominations?

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Ruto’s camp reveal Tuju’s secret plan to help ODM win Kibra by-elections

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A controversial letter allegedly from the ruling party Jubilee that was released on Monday evening has continued to raise more questions than answers.

The letter which bore the names of Jubilee candidates interested in Kibra by-elections which letter dismissed by the party’s secretary general Raphael Tuju as fake.

However, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission confirmed having received the letter but got concerned about the letter’s dismissal by the party.

IEBC said it had learnt that Jubilee had disowned the letter sent to the commission on August 26.

“It has come to the attention of the Commission that Jubilee Party has denied authoring the said letter and termed it as fake,” said IEBC adding that it had written to the party forwarding a copy of the letter “for the party’s information and further action.”

The names of the candidates in the alleged fake letter are soccer star McDonald Mariga, Morris Peter Kinyanjui, Walter Trenk, Said Ibrahim and Doreen Wasike.

According to an exclusive report by The Standard, Deputy President William Ruto’s camp which favours Mr Mariga’s candidature – sensationally claimed that their rivals in the ruling party, led by Tuju, had hatched a plot to field a weak candidate for the Kibra election in order to help opposition leader Raila Odinga’s ODM candidate win.

The Mariga candidature has caused a debate, with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s wing of the party insisting that it was in charge of party affairs even as it accused Ruto’s side of pushing for Mariga’s candidature through a fake list of candidates published on Monday evening to hoodwink the electorate.

Jubilee’s candidate is expected to face off with Raila’s ODM candidate in the upcoming November 7, 2019 by-elections.

ODM will hold its nominations on Saturday 31st to get the party’s flag bearer in the mini polls.

The Kibra MP seat fell vacant following the demise of Ken Okoth who succumbed to cancer in July.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Others

NEMA shuts down popular dairy firm, arrests operations Manager

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

National Environment Management Authority has closed Sameer Agriculture and Livestock Limited for discharging untreated wastewater straight to the public sewerage.

The company is a milk processing plant, which produces Daima Milk and other dairy products.

Officials from Nema raided the facility which is located in Industrial Area in Nairobi on Tuesday to access its operations.

“We have to close down this facility because they are discharging untreated wastewater bypassing the treatment plant,” Ag. Director General Mamo B.Mamo said.

The company’s Managing Director managed to escape before Nema officials arrived at the scene.

The company’s Cooperation Manager was arrested for discharging untreated effluent into the Nairobi Sewer that results in the pollution of Nairobi River.

Addressing the media after the closure, Mamo said the exercise will continue, putting on notice companies that are discharging untreated waste.

“We want to put all those facilities polluting our rivers on notice that Nema is not going to stand and wait for you to pollute our rivers. We will continue with this exercise and ensure that our rivers are clean,” he added.

Nema said the company failed to follow the Water Regulation Act of 2013 by discharging the waste directly to the river.

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Entertainment

FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW

by Brian Miano
written by Brian Miano

Rating: PG-13 (for prolonged sequences of action and violence, suggestive material and some strong language)
Genre: Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
Directed By: David Leitch
Written By: Chris Morgan
Already in theaters.
Studio: Universal Pictures

MOVIE INFO
This summer fast and furious have released this blockbuster action packed movie, Hobbs and Shaw.
Ever since hulking lawman Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), a loyal agent of America’s Diplomatic Security Service, and lawless outcast Shaw (Jason Statham), a former British military elite operative, first faced off in 2015’s Furious 7, the duo have swapped smack talk and body blows as they’ve tried to take each other down. But when cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton (Idris Elba) gains control of an insidious bio-threat that could alter humanity forever–and bests a brilliant and fearless rogue MI6 agent (The Crown’s Vanessa Kirby), who just happens to be Shaw’s sister–these two sworn enemies will have to partner up to bring down the only guy who might be badder than themselves.

1 comment
4 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Uproar as ODM clears Nairobi goon for Kibra MP seat

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party on Monday cleared 20 candidates who are set to battle in the forthcoming nominations ahead of the Kibra parliamentary by-elections.

The party’s National Elections Board vetted the 20 candidates ordering them to pay a nomination fee of Ksh 250,000 by today(Tuesday) noon.

However, Kenyans on twitter have caused a storm after they argued that one of the contestants in ODM’s nominations scheduled for Saturday 31st August is a renown goon.

Kicking off the debate, controversial blogger Robert Alai asked the party through its official twitter handle if criminals have the right to vie.

On Monday, another controversial blogger, Disembe Dikembe endorsed Brian Shem Owino, whom Kenyans are opposing following his criminal record.

In May last year, Mr Owino was a wanted man by police over an assault case. He was accused of assaulting a Nairobi businessman Timothy Muriuki.

Brian Shem Owino surrendered to police at Nairobi Area DCI hours after he and his accomplices lost a bid to stop their arrest.He was taken in for questioning and possible prosecution.

Nairobi DCI Nicholas Kamwende and his lawyer Edwin Sifuna confirmed Owino’s surrender.

Image result for Brian Shem Owino
Brian Shem Owino in Court. PHOTO/COURTESY

Edwin Sifuna is the ODM secretary general, who on Sunday during the unveiling of the candidates at Kamkunji grounds in Kibera insisted that he was not going to allow any arrogant people to vie.

Owino and his four accomplices had moved to court seeking protection. Sifuna secured his release.

They were captured on camera manhandling the former Nairobi Central Business District Association (NCBDA) chairman at Hotel Boulevard on April 30.

They had moved to court saying their personal security was at risk and that they could be eliminated by the police or deported to an unknown destination on the fake grounds they are not Kenyans and sought anticipatory orders pending their arraignment.

But the court declined to issue the orders and ordered them to appear before police for processing.They said they were ready and willing to surrender to the police but were apprehensive of their personal security and that their anticipated charges were defective, had no basis in law and  were unconstitutional and unsustainable.

Brian Shem Owino will face other candidates in ODM nominations and if he makes it, he will carry the ODM flag and face other party’s candidates who among them are candidates from President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee and Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC party.

1 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Abducted County communication boss narrates the ordeal after release

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former Milele FM presented Geoffrey Kwatemba who was kidnapped by unknown people on Saturday has now been released. 

The Machakos County Communication boss thanked all people who were involved in making sure he is released by his abductors. 

“I want to take this opportunity first to thank my creator Jehovah God for his supernatural protection for more than 36 hours in the hands of the enemy, my wife Milly Wandera and my Sons Allan and Barney for being there for me, and my brother’s and sisters, not forgetting my cousin Henry Atetwe and nephew Ben Kwatemba . It was tough but you persevered through it all,” said Kwatemba.

Reports indicate that the Kwatemba was kidnapped by unknown people upon arriving in Nairobi on Saturday after attending the album launch of Gospel Musician Doreen Otipo in West Pokot.

“My thanks to all who cheaped (sic) in a single coin to ensure we pay the amount and all Kenyans at-large for your prayers and standing the gap. Godbless us all,” he added.

 He further thanked Machakos County Governor Alfred Mutua and his colleagues in the media industry for raising alarm over the issue.

Kwatemba, a gospel musician has recorded several songs including Yangula, Omwoyo, Yananga, Yohana, Khwekanile among others.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Kisumu MCAs to face ODM’s disciplinary committee for undermining Governor Nyong’o

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Party (ODM) has summoned six Kisumu MCAs for violating party principles and trying to undermine Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o .

The summoned MCAs are to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee on Friday at Kisumu Central ODM party office. 

Those summoned are Majority leader Kenneth Onyango, Chief Whip Gard Olima, the Deputy Speaker Roy Samo, Nominated MCAs Jane Manuche, Nyangoya Oguok and Caleb Omoro.

The summons letter was signed by the secretary of the Disciplinary Committee Paul Otieno, the six are expected to appear before the committee at the Kisumu central ODM party office.

The six are to answer to different allegations and are liberty to be accompanied by their legal counsel.

Samo is accused of convening a press conference and calling Deputy Governor Mathews Owili, an ODM member, a ‘flower girl’ who has not been chairman of a cattle dip.

Olima is accused of failing to whip members to back the county government agenda in the assembly and instead whipping them to jointly oppose the administration agenda.

He has also been accused of convening and participating in a press conference where the top county leadership and senor party members were maligned in public.

“You are invited to appear before the committee on Friday, August 30 at 10.30am to respond to the issues raised,” read the letter copied to the party leader Raila Odinga, secretary general Edwin Sifuna and the Kisumu county ODM chair. 

The nominated MCAs are also accused of not supporting party ideologies and interests in the assembly.

However, some sources claim the summons relates to the impeachment of Finance CEC Nerry Achar, despite party various calls not to impeach officers.

The MCAs had claimed that Achar was failing the county as a whole. She refused to quit.

The summons follows the part’s county delegates conference at Tom Mboya Labour College where various leaders, including the MCAs, were warned against violating the party’s wishes and directives.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

ODM gives its 20 cleared Kibra aspirants a tight deadline to pay nomination fees

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The ODM National Elections Board (NEB) has vetted and cleared 20 aspirants for the vacant Kibra seat to take part in the party nomination exercise scheduled for Saturday 31st August 2019.

In a vetting exercise held on Monday, the aspirants have however been given a tight deadline to pay a non-refundable nomination fee of Ksh 250,000.

They have up to today( Tuesday) midday to pay the nomination fee to be eligible for the exercise.

A total of 23 people had picked application forms for the nomination exercise slated for August 31.

Board chairperson Judith Pareno urged cleared aspirants to pay fees by midday Tuesday or be locked out of the nomination.

The nomination exercise will be held in all IEBC registered polling stations in the constituency and only party members will participate.

The Kibra constituency by-election is scheduled for  November 7.

The seat fell vacant after the death of Ken Okoth on July 26 after a battle with cancer.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Uhuru’s Jubilee to field a candidate in Kibra by-elections

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta-led Jubilee Party has declared it will field a candidate in the November 7 Kibra by-election. The Party’s Secretary-General Raphael Tuju has asked interested candidates to apply for the ticket.

The Kibra Parliamentary seat fell vacant following the demise of Ken Okoth.

The Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will on Saturday August 31, 2019 hold its nominations ahead of the Kibra Member of Parliament by-election.

Mr Odinga made the announcement on Sunday at a rally in Kibra in which he also revealed that at least 26 aspirants will battle it out for the party ticket.

Among those expected to seek the ODM ticket in the race include: Benson Musungu (ODM National Youth Coordinator), Imran Okoth (late MP Ken Okoth brother and PA), Reggae DJ Kriss Darlin, Sigar Agumba, Peter Orero (Dagoretti High School Principal), and Ochieng Jera.

Former Embakasi South MP Irshad Sumra, who was earlier reported to have also been seeking the party ticket, however said “I am not in the race” adding that “I only came because I support Kibra and I love Kibra.”

Mr. Odinga’s daughter Rosemary Odinga who was also in attendance joined Mr. Sumra saying she would also not be in the race.

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Crime & Investigations

VIDEO: Pastor Ng’ang’a apologises to Linus Kaikai over death threats

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Controversial Neno Evangelism pastor James Maina Ng’ang’a has finally apologized to journalist Linus Kaikai over death threats he allegedly directed at the journalist.

Pastor Ng’ang’a apologized to Mr. Kaikai before Kiambu Law Courts Chief Magistrate Patricia Gichohi.

“I apologize to Mr. Kaikai if he was angered by those utterances… I did not mean it that way…” said a humble Pastor Ng’ang’a in a video uploaded to Twitter by Mr. Kaikai, the Director of Strategy and Innovation at Royal Media Services.

“I have today forgiven Pastor James Ng’ang’a of Neno Evangelism for the threats to life he directed at me in March this year,” tweeted the veteran journalist.

“Pastor Ng’ang’a apologized to me before Chief Magistrate Patricia Gichohi at the Kiambu Law Courts and I accepted the apology.”

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Kriss Darlin opens up on why he knelt before Raila

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Popular Reggae DJ and renowned MC Chrispinus Odhiambo poularly known as Kriss Darlin has finally opened up on why he knelt before ODM leader Raila Odinga on Sunday during an ODM rally at Kamkunji grounds in Kibera, Nairobi.

Kenyans on social media had heavily criticized the NTV Jam Rock show host, with some saying that he was pulling a publicity stunt.

But in a phone call interview with a local daily on Monday, the DJ said he was not pulling a publicity stunt by kneeling before the ODM party chief.

“Raila, having been the area as MP for over two decades and because Kibra is one of the ODM’s zones in the city, he will have the final say on who succeeds Okoth,”he was quoted by the local daily.

He, however, said the power of who will be elected as Kibra MP lies from the people of Kibra, not Raila solely.

“The people of Kibra have the final say. If elected I will represent the party, not just Raila,” he added.

Darlin said he believes he is the best candidate for Kibra as he was born and raised in Kibra and he resonates well with the challenges faced in the slum.

He said all his charitable projects are based in Kibra.

“I donate Sanitary towels to girls schools in Kibra constituency, I donate boxers to male children. I have a football tournament called Kriss darling Supercup that has been running for four years,” he said.

Darlin on August 21 presented his official documents to the ODM headquarters. 

Raila however on Sunday ruled out direct nomination for its candidate for the November 7 Kibra Constituency by-election.

Raila said that ODM will hold its primaries on August 31.

The seat fell vacant after the death of MP Ken Okoth on July 26, 2019.

Raila unveiled 24 aspirants seeking the party’s ticket in the by-election.

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Crime & Investigations

Kisumu couple arrested for beating up census officers

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

2019 Census exercise kicked off with a lot of shocking incidences being reported. After a gang raping incident that happened in Maseno on Saturday night, a man and his wife are being held at Kisumu Central Police Station after attacking a chief and village elder who had accompanied census officers at their house in Obunga slums.

In the Sunday incident, the man, identified as Richard Ochieng, bit the fingers of a village elder while his wife hit the area Assitant chief with a piece of brick, hurting him on his thigh.

Acting Kanyakwar Chief Maurice Ojwang said the couple had chased away the enumerators on Saturday night and were never counted, prompting him to accompany them on Sunday alongside police officers.

The chief said when they got to the couple’s house, the woman started wailing and causing commotion before calling his husband who was away.

When her husband arrived, he also started shouting and as police attempted to handcuff him, he severely bit the village elder’s fingers.

The couple has since then been taken to police custody.

Chief Ojwang further added that the family has been difficult even during polio vaccination exercises in the community, insisting that they never want their kids to be treated.

A Report Story

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Kisumu’s multi-million hotel lands Oparanya in hot soup

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kakamega County governor Wycliffe Oparanya is yet again on EACC radar over his newly acquired multi-million hotel in Kisumu.

According to a local daily, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is investigating the Council of Governors chairman over acquisition of Sh250 million Kisumu hotel.

An EACC report claims that Oparanya  bought St John Manor hotel “using public funds believed to have been embezzled from the county government of Kakamega.”

St John’s Manor hotel is a three-star star facility located along the Nerhu Road in Kisumu town.

It borders the lucrative Kisumu Impala Sanctuary and the exclusive Kisumu Yatch Club.

The hotel is the preferred choice for nearly all governors from the Lake Basin Region when holding meetings in Kisumu and costs between Sh6,000-Sh9000 a room per night.

According to the information on its website, the hotel features a swimming pool, fully air-conditioned rooms, a private balcony, laundry services, and airport pickup services.

However, Oparanya on Sunday  termed the EACC probe a waste of time saying he neither owns the hotel nor does he have any interest in the facility.

“I don’t own that hotel and I have never owned it. If they want to investigate, let them go and do so,” Oparanya told the local daily in a telephone interview.

He went on: “There is nothing wrong with me owning a hotel. Even if I owned it, I would gladly say so. What is wrong with owning a hotel?”

Oparanya has been hailed for his impressive development record in Kakamega and the anti-corruption purge would be an anti-climax in his enviable career.

A report Story

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Raila’s daughter opts out of Kibra Parliamentary race

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

ODM leader Raila Odinga’s daughter Rosemary Odinga has announced that she will not be part of the August 31, 2019 nomination battle to replace Ken Okoth.

ODM on Sunday had several candidates who were expected to battle it out in search of the coveted ticket for Kibra MP.

“I will not be able to vie in Kibra, but I wanted to come here today to greet and talk to you and to say I will keep interacting with you to the end,” she said.

Ms Odinga was expected to be among the front-runners but a sickness ruled her out in 2017. Kenyans on twitter had already started speculating that Rosemary was set to vie for a vacant Kibra Parliamentary seat, with some demonstrating against the idea.

The Kibra parliamentary seat fell vacant following the demise of Ken Okoth who succumbed to cancer.

Former Embakasi South MP Irshad Sumra has also revealed that he will not contest.

“I am not in the race. I only came because I support Kibra and I love Kibra,”he said at Kamkunji grounds on Sunday.

The unveiled 26 candidates will on Tuesday be vetted in readiness for a nomination battle scheduled for Saturday August 31, 2019.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Raila warns Ruto of impending dangers should he oppose BBI’s proposals

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

ODM leader Raila Odinga has warned Deputy President William Ruto and his allies they risk being swept by a political storm should they oppose constitutional reforms proposed by the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

Raila said the BBI team was currently writing its report which will be made public next month for Kenyans to give further views before the country can go for a referendum which he declared will sweep away Tanga Tanga allies – a reference to Ruto’s camp.

“There are very good views from Kenyans and once the report is out, we will publish it for Kenyans to give their views then go for a referendum. I have seen a storm, there are signs that it will rain. There’s is a storm that will take all the Tanga Tanga people to the ocean,” said Raila amid cheers by the wild crowd at Kamukunji grounds.

Dr Ruto has publicly declared his opposition to any initiative seeking to expand the Executive through the creation of a Prime Minister position and two deputies.

Most of the submissions to the team formed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila have suggested expansion of the Executive.

Speaking in Kibra on Sunday, the Opposition chief described some of the views collected by the team as “very good” and asked Kenyans to back amendments to the 2010 Constitution.

He further asked people to ignore the Punguza Mizigo Initiative by Ekuru Aukot’s Thirdway Alliance which is currently before the 47 county assemblies.

“Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) is already writing its report and it will be made public next month. If they recommend a referendum, we will go for it. Those bringing other initiatives should be ignored,” said Raila. 

The former premier spoke when he unveiled 24 aspirants seeking the party ticket in the Kibra by-election.

A Report Story by The Standard

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Ruto’s camp suffers another blow as Aisha Jumwa “chases” one of allies back to ODM

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President Dr William Ruto’s camp, led by ODM “rebel” Aisha Jumwa, has suffered another blow after two of its erstwhile backers, Kilifi North MP Owen Baya and Women Representative Gertrude Mbeyu, rejoined ODM leader Raila Odinga’s camp ahead of Kilifi mini poll set for October 17.

The Ganda ward seat fell vacant following a successful petition challenging the election of then-ODM candidate Abdul Omar. Mr Reuben Katana, who ran on a Kadu Asili ticket but lost, filed the petition.

Mr Omar, a close ally of Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, has since decamped from the Orange party and will contest for the seat as an independent candidate.

On the other hand, Mr Katana has rejoined ODM and secured its ticket to contest the seat. Mr Joseph Kiponda alias Giuseppe’s will vie on Jubilee Party ticket.

In an interview with Daily Nation on Friday, Gertrude Mbeyu vowed to make sure the ODM candidate wins the by-election.

“I am an ODM member and I will support our ODM candidate to win the seat. As we speak now, I am from an Embrace rally in Kakamega. The team is coming to Kilifi at the end of this month,” she said.

Ms Mbeyu accused Ms Jumwa of chasing her out of the Ruto camp on grounds that she had “no votes” to offer the DP.

“If a friend tells me that I don’t have any vote to enable the DP to win the 2022 General Election, then let it be. But I want to tell the friend that she will be in for a surprise,” she said in a statement.

“I am embracing Raila and the President in supporting the Handshake, so my duty as an ODM member is to make sure that my candidate wins the Ganda by-election.”

A report Story

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Load More Posts