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Raila Tears Into DP Ruto Shortly After Receiving BBI Signatures

by Jacinta Mbithi
written by Jacinta Mbithi

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has torn into critics of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

Taking to his official twitter account on Friday December 4, shortly after receiving the BBI signatures from 13 regions across the country, the former Prime Minister slammed those claiming to be speaking for the people.

Deputy President Dr William Ruto and his allies have been opposing the constitutional changes, with the DP claiming to be speaking for millions of Kenyans.

However, Raila said that those claiming to be speaking for the people should leave them to speak for themselves.

Raila noted that the people have already spoken by appending their signatures in support of the BBI, which is aimed at amending the 2010 constitution, through a referendum that has been proposed to happen in 2021.

He further revealed that over 5 million Kenyans had appended their signatures in support of BBI.

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He said that the journey towards referendum now continues, with the collected signatures expected to be presented to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for verification.

“I appeal to the naysayers out there who claim to be speaking for the people to realize that the people have spoken and let the people continue speaking for themselves. Over 5 million Kenyans have thus far appended their signatures endorsing the BBI process. The journey continues!”Raila tweeted.

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Politics

PS Kibicho Announces Major Changes On This Year’s Jamhuri Day Celebrations

by Jacinta Mbithi
written by Jacinta Mbithi

Interior Principal Secretary Dr Karanja Kibicho has made a major changes on this year’s Jamhuri day celebrations.

In a notice addressed to all Regional Commissioners, PS Kibicho directed that the December 12 event will only be celebrated at the Nyayo National stadium.

According to PS Kibicho, there will be no any other celebrations that will be marked in any place across the country, apart from the Nyayo Stadium event.

The event that will be presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta will run from 8am, with a live broadcast.

The changes come as a result of Covid-19 pandemic. According to PS Kibicho, inviting people for the Jamhuri Day celebrations will not be possible, to aid observing of the health protocols that were issued by the government.

Kenyans have been urged to follow the event on Televisions, radio and social media platforms.

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Politics

This Ain’t Nothing But a Gangster Party! ODM Lawmaker Blasts BBI

by Jacinta Mbithi
written by Jacinta Mbithi

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker has blasted the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), barely two days after President Uhuru Kenyatta and his handshake partner Raila Odinga officially launched collection of signatures at KICC.

Taking to his official Twitter account on Friday November 27, the Narok Senator Ledama Olekina faulted his party leader Raila and President Kenyatta for going ahead with the launch of signature collection ahead of a looming referendum, despite the document not having captured the issues he had raised.

Olekina said that unless the amendments made to article 203 of the constitution are removed, he will not support the BBI document.

While affirming his solid stand, the vocal lawmaker argued that he was not going to keep quiet when money is being taken away from pastoralists.

While confirming that he was not a happy man because of the recommendations made in the BBI report, Olekina claimed that the BBI movement is nothing but just a Gangster Party.

“You’ll so happy about the BBI right ? Unless the amendment to article 203 are removed I will not support it! That’s my solid stand! Now you know! You can’t take money away from pastoralist and expect me to be happy! There you have it! This ain’t nothing but a gangster party!” Senator Ledama posted on Twitter.

Earlier on , senator Ledama Olekina had made the former Prime Minister, where he said that he had raised to him the issues affecting his Maasai community.

Olekina then argued that Raila had agreed to include the issues in the final BBI document.

However, the issues seem not to have been captured.

Among the issues that the lawmaker want solved are land issues that are witnessed in Laikipia, Kajiado, Narok and Samburu counties.

Yesterday, the lawmaker claimed that it is the question of land in the above counties that was going to decide the way forward for him on BBI.

He argued that he was not going to keep quiet and watch his people get evicted from their ancestral lands.

“From Kajiado, Narok, Laikipia and Samburu the question of land will decide the way forward for me! This is what matters to me now! Historical land injustices must be resolved. You cannot forcefully evict our people from their ancestral land and expect me to keep quite!” he tweeted.

Meanwhile, the BBI train has already taken off, with the signature collection exercise expected to take one week.

Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and Dennis Waweru are leading the exercise.

As per yesterday, a section of Kenyans had already endorsed the document by appending their signatures online via a digital platform that was launched by the BBI team.

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Concerned Kenyans Get Worried Over Hassan Joho’s New Look

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

Mombasa’s governor Ali Hassan Joho caught the attention of curious Kenyans after photos of him seemingly in a reduced weight than other days.

Besides being popular as a politician, Joho is well known to be a “fashion-killer”.

He has continuously displayed his unquenchable taste of fashion ranging from clothes, shoes and even the style of hair-cut.

The soft spoken governor apart from working in his office also works on his body and the results have been outstanding. He has left ladies drooling over his looks.

Photo: Hassan Joho/ Courtesy

Various sites have described him as trendy and the most awoke politician in these times.

Joho has proven that even with older age, and his stomach which some said makes him look ” oldie”, one can still over look with the keen interest of an agent in a polling station, their sense of fashion.

What to wear and what to avoid, diet and physical fitness. Joho has gone a bit higher by even making sure that he wears the most expensive outfits which he displays in his Instagram account.

All these portray that Joho has been enjoying his life without much issues. However, what caught Kenyans unaware sending spasms of worry in their already shaken souls brought by the dilemma of BBI, is Joho’s sudden loss of weight.

In the photos shared online, Joho seems to have experienced a dramatic loss of weight which made inquisitive Kenyans ask questions whether the self-proclaimed sultan is well.

Photo: Joho (Center) with Uhuru Kenyatta/ Courtesy

Here are some of the comments from concerned Kenyans:
@Clement Richu Malikh, “He looks dilapilated…hope all is well.”


@Gilbert Tanui, “The Governor has lost much weight he as to reduce zoezi”

@Julie Wanna, “Kariuki Mwangi amekonda sana😳😳

Photo: Joho in his latest look/ Courtesy
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Politics

Ex-Embakasi East MP Aspirant Denies Sh320m Military Tender Fraud

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

Former Embakasi East MP aspirant Francis Mureithi has been charged with fraud and forgery in a multimillion military tender scam case.

He is accused of obtaining Sh320 million by pretending that Doc Find Company had contracts with the Ministry of Defence to supply foodstuffs and the Department of Defence, and a sugar distribution agreement with Mumias cane mill.

The court heard that Mureithi was to distribute its sugar within Nairobi and its environs and had a business service permit with Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) to build a weighbridge in Athi River-all claims said to be false.

He allegedly committed the offence between April 26 and November 3, 2016. He was charged with a second count of acquiring shares in CISCOS Kenya Limited and a property Ngong Ngong 1491213 situated in Kerarapon Karen worth Sh75 million on June 30, 2016.

Mureithi was further charged that with others not in court, with intent to defraud by obtaining from Abeba Abbay Sh25 million pretending that a letter dated April 30, 2015, was genuine, validly issued by the Ministry of Defence and signed by one ZG Ogendi for Defence principal secretary.

He alleged it to be a contract agreement to Doc Find Company for supply of sandbags to the defence forces. The prosecution says the accused also forged a Ministry of Defence letter dated April 30, 2015, purporting to be genuine document issued and signed by Ogendi.

The court heard that Mureithi forged an LPO purporting it to be a genuine one issued by the ministry. He was to supply 5,000 bags of Mumias sugar each 50kg, 5,000 bags of Mwea rice, 5000 bags of wairimu beans, among other items worth Sh106 million, to Defod Kahawa through the ministry.

He denied the charges before Milimani chief magistrate Martha Mutuku. Through lawyers led by Dancun Okach, Murethi pleaded for lenient bond terms. Okach asked Mutuku not to be swayed by the figures in the charge sheet.

‘Don’t be manipulated by the case when there is an ongoing civil case at the High court on the same,’ he said.

Murethi was granted Sh5 million bail with an alternative Sh10 million bond. The case will be mentioned on December 8.

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Politics

There Will be Contested Referendum Unless Tangatanga Surrenders to BBI, Says Raila’s Right-hand Man

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

ODM leader Raila Odinga’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango has dismissed Deputy President William Ruto’s call for a non contested referendum.

Taking to his official Twitter handle on Thursday night, Onyango claimed that the idea that there can be a non Contested referendum exists only in the minds of “cowardly and sly conmen and women”, whom he claimed that are only found in tanga tanga political faction.

According to Dennis Onyango, Tanga tanga only want to have their cake and eat it.

Onyango argued that there will be a Contested referendum unless the political faction allied to DP Ruto surrenders and supports the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) the way it is.

“The idea that there can be a non contested referendum exists only in the minds of cowardly and sly conmen and women in Tangatanga who want to have their cake and eat it. There will be a contested referendum unless Tangatanga surrenders and supports BBI as is, ” tweeted Onyango.

DP Ruto through his official social media handles had said that a non Contested referendum in the country is possible.

The second in command was responding to a headline that had been written by The Standard newspaper, which said “Uhuru, Raila take BBI numbers war to Ruto”.

Ruto in his response said that he loved Kenya enough, never to be part of any wars.

The DP said that there is a real possibility of a win-win consensus ahead of the looming referendum.

According to DP Ruto, an us versus them, and a Yes or No contest is unnecessary since it will lead to a lose-lose outcome.

He urged the leaders pushing for BBI to accept a non-contested referendum.

“I LOVE this country enough NEVER to be part of any ‘war.’Not when there is a real possibility for a WIN-WIN CONSENSUS beckoning. An ‘US vs THEM, ‘YES/NO’ contest that will lead to LOSE-LOSE outcome is UNNECESSARY & UNWARRANTED.A NON-CONTESTED referendum is possible. INAWEZEKANA,” DP Ruto tweeted on Wednesday November 18.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his handshake partner Raila Odinga were to launch the official collection of signatures on Thursday November 19, but the exercise was halted.

The collection of signatures which was to take one week was postponed after President Kenyatta and his Deputy Ruto held a 3-hour meeting at State House.

According to reports, the two agreed to allow some time for dialogue, to correct the gaps that are in the initial BBI report.

Raila had earlier on argued that there is no room to make any changes on the document, claiming that the only changes to be made will be editorial.

With President Kenyatta seemingly having bowed to dialogue pressure from DP Ruto, do you think Ruto’s demands will be accepted on the document, to allow a non Contested referendum?

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Politics

Court Stops Burial of Matungu MP Justus Murunga

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A court has stopped the burial of the departed Matungu Constituency MP Justus Makokha Murunga.

This is after an alleged lover Agnes Wangui went to the court claiming that he had an affair with the late MP.

The court has now directed Wangui to serve the MP’s two wives with her papers, pending a haring on November 26.

Wangui had filed the case through lawyer Danstan Omari, claiming that Murunga is the father of her two children.

Wangui argues, in court documents, that they had been excluded from funeral arrangements and are now apprehensive that they may be left out in getting a share of the late legislator.

She had sought orders to stop any burial arrangements of the MP, until a DNA test is done to ascertain that he was indeed the real father of her two children.

Wangui in her case also wants to be recognized as the late MP’s wife, and also be allowed to attend the burial alongside her two children.

Her application was filed on Wednesday November 18, under a certificate of urgency.

Murunga died on Saturday night after collapsing at his rural home in Matungu.

He was rushed to a nearby health facility, which lacked oxygen that he was in need of, forcing his family to rush him to St Mary’s Mission Hospital in Mumias where he was pronounced dead.

The MP’s Death was attributed to Covid-19, but his family maintained that he was suffering from diabetes, and had been just discharged from Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu, after being admitted for two weeks over diabetes.

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LifestylePolitics

This is Not Time to Say You Want More Money, CS Kagwe Dismisses Doctors’ Demand For Allowances

by Jacinta Mbithi
written by Jacinta Mbithi

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has dismissed the call from health workers for allowances.

Speaking on Wednesday November 18 when he appeared on Citizen TV’s JKLIVE show hosted by Jeff Koinange, CS Kagwe said that this is not the right time for health workers to say that they want more money.

CS Kagwe said that doctors and all health workers should currently concentrate on their worker, owing to the situation of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

He noted that the health workers should at the moment focus on saving lives.

“This is not the time, in my view, to start saying that ‘I want more money..for now let’s focus on saving lives,” he said.

The doctors through their unions have been complaining of neglect from government.

Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) had argued that their members have been receiving low quality personal protective equipment from the government, and that their allowances have not been paid.

The union had early this week issued a three week strike notice, if the government will not take any action.

On Wednesday, Members of Parliament sitting in the Parliamentary Health committee were brought to tears when doctors explained to them their plight.

However, CS Kagwe dismissed the issue of allowances, saying that the doctors should understand that the pandemic has hit every organization, and some workers are even taking half their salary.

On the issue of PPEs, CS Kagwe said that they are not currently an issue, since the country has enough of them.

Kagwe indicated that even some of the local PPE manufacturers are exporting them.

He added that counties are free to get protective equipment for their hospitals from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), since the government already allocated them funds.

On the issue of providing a better health cover for health care workers, CS Kagwe noted that it has been already sorted, citing that all civil servants are currently enjoying a better medical cover, effective from October this year.

While addressing the issue of doctors contracting Covid-19, CS Kagwe said that the health care workers are also socialising with others just like any other human being, bringing a possibility of them contracting the disease from elsewhere, not necessarily their work place.

He said that the government is committed to protecting health care workers against getting infected while on their line of duty.

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Politics

Photo of Person Used on Huduma Card Sample Causes an Uproar

by Pauline Waswa
written by Pauline Waswa

Government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna on Wednesday night shared two photos showing how a Huduma card will look like.

This came after Netizens and a section of media circulated another sample card that had an expiry date, with master card also being indicated on the card as a partner.

The circulation started shortly after Information, Communication and Technology Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru announced that National Identity Cards will case being operational on December 2021.

CS Joe Mucheru. Photo/courtesy

CS Mucheru made the announcement while leaving the roll out of the Huduma card distribution.

Interior Cabinet secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i led a similar exercise in Kiambu County.

According to the two Cabinet secretaries, Kenyans who had registered for Huduma Namba last year will start receiving their cards on December 1, 2020.

The Huduma cards are set to replace the current National ID cards.

A fake sample of Huduma card that was circulating in the media. Photo/courtesy

With the image of a sample card doing rounds on social media, the government spokesperson had to come out and clarify.

However, the photo used on the sample card he shared caused an uproar, with Kenyans questioning why an image of a while woman had to be used.

Netizens had a problem with the woman on the sample card, who was identified as Martina Specimen.

However, the sample card shared by Oguna has no an expiry date, as compared to the one that had been circulated the media earlier.

Here are some of the reactions from Kenyans on the photo of a white woman used on the sample card.

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Politics

Uhuru Announces Date For Release of 2021 Academic Calendar

by Jacinta Mbithi
written by Jacinta Mbithi

President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced the date of release of the 2021 academic calendar.

Speaking on Thursday November 12,2020 during his 7th state of the nation address in Parliament, Nairobi, President Kenyatta said that the ministry of Education was going to make an announcement on the new academic calendar.

According to President Kenyatta, the Prof George Magoha led ministry will, within the next 14 days from today, announce the 2021 academic calendar.

The head of state also noted that all other classes are expected to resume learning in January.

“The Ministry of Education will, within 14 days from the date hereof announce the 2021 Academic Calendar, with all other classes expected to resume learning in January 2021,” the head of state announced.

President Kenyatta further noted that the gradual and phased reopening of schools that began with the examination classes is being carefully monitored at all levels.

This is to ensure that the learners are safe and secure as they continue preparing for their national examinations.

“The gradual and phased reopening of schools that began with the examination classes is being carefully monitored at all levels so as to ensure that our Young Kenyans are safe and secure as they continue preparing for their national examinations,”he said.

The government had kicked off phased reopening of schools on October 12, with class 8, form four and grade four students being the only ones allowed in school.

Other learners were expected to resume learning later, but the surge in Covid-19 numbers stopped the move.

While issuing new measures to help contain the spread of Covid-19 after a surge in number of cases, President Kenyatta maintained that students who are expecting to do their national exams will continue with their learning.

Schools in Kenya closed in March, after Kenya started recording cases of Covid-19.

They have not been able to reopen since then, after the Covid-19 curve failed to flatten.

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Business

General Samson Mwathethe’s Decorated CV That Has Landed Him Lucrative Job at Kengen

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former Chief of Defence Forces General Samson Mwathethe has landed a lucrative job at Kengen.

Kengen in a statement issued on Wednesday November 4,2020 announced that it had appointed General Mwathethe as its new Board chairman, replacing Joshua Choge who retired on Tuesday.

According to the statement, General (Rtd) Mwathethe was elected by shareholders at yesterday’s virtual AGM that was held by the power generator.

“We are delighted to welcome General (Rtd) Samson Mwathethe as the Chairman of the KenGen Board. General (Rtd) Mwathethe was elected by shareholders at yesterday’s virtual AGM,” reads part of the statement.

Gen. Mwathethe has a decorated CV, that might have seen him land the lucrative position.

He has held various command appointments including Vice Chief of the Defence Forces, Commander of the Kenya Navy, Deputy Commander Kenya Navy, Kenya Navy Logistics Commander, Base Commander Mtongwe and Fleet Commander.

His other appointments included Chief of Systems and Procurement, Department of Defence, Commander of Individual Kenya Navy Ships, Staff Officer Operations at Navy Headquarters, 86 Squadron Commander and Staff Officer and Coordinator at the Department of Defence.

His professional and military training includes International Sub-Lieutenants Course (UK), International Principal Warfare (IPWO) Course, UK, Missiles Course (Italy) and Royal Navy Staff College Greenwich (UK).

He also attended the Defence Resource Management Course in Monterey, USA in 1998, and the National Defence College in Nairobi in 2000

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Business

Kenya Seeks Another Covid-19 Loan From IMF

by Nathan Sialah
written by Nathan Sialah

Kenya has yet again reached out to International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.

IMF resident representative Tobias Rasmussen said the government had asked the for another loan following the $739 million (Sh79.3) billion received in May that Kenya sought to help it respond to the economic shocks caused by the global pandemic.

“Following up on the support provided by the IMF in May under our Rapid Credit Facility (RCF), the Kenyan authorities have expressed interest in a Fund arrangement. IMF staff is in discussions with the authorities toward such an arrangement,” Mr Rasmussen told one of the local dailies.

This comes amid a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country, with more than 100 deaths reported in the last one week and total recorded cases in the country at 56, 601 as at Monday November 2.

This will be the second time in less that six months that Kenya has approached IMF for budget support during the Corona virus pandemic.

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Latest News

New Regulations To Grant Government Access To Secret Investors’ Phones

by Adelide Kamau
written by Adelide Kamau

The State Law Office has laid down directives that will grant it access to collect contact and residential information of investors that hold more than 10% stake in companies.

This, in an effort to curb money laundering and use of appointee accounts that investors have been using to get around ownership limits in companies that have been listed under Nairobi Security Exchange (NSE)

The online portal that has been established at the Attorney General’s (AG) office will list ownership details in both listed and private companies.

Companies will now be required to fill out beneficial ownership registers while existing firms will be offered a deadline whereby their shareholder records will be updated in November.

Identities of secret shareholders who have more than 10% control in companies will also be revealed to the AG through the Registrar of Companies.

Names of the substantial shareholder, KRA pin, copies of National Identity card or passport, postal address, residential address, telephone contact and date when the investor became a beneficial owner are some of the details required to be filled during filing.

Failure to abide by the new rules will see the company facing a penalty of Ksh 50,000 of each day the rules are broken and Ksh 500,000 fine for failing to hand over the required details.

The move is set to avoid scrutiny by unmasking influential business men who hide their identities behind foundations, trusts and law firms.

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Crime & Investigations

Quack Doctor Mugo Wairimu Jailed

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The Name ‘Dr Mugo wa Wairimu” is no longer new to Kenyans! Or is it? James Mugo alias Mugo wa Wairimu is not a new face in the Kenyan media.

Mugo grabbed media headlines in September 2014 after a sensational video clip showing a man taking an advantage of a sedated woman at the Prestige Health Care clinic in Githurai went viral and sparked public outrage on social media.

In 2018, Mugo again hit the headlines after NTV ran an expose, unravelling the dirty businesses of the now known quack doctor.

The expose forced relevant authorities to swing into action, and Mugo was arrested.

On Wednesday October 28, 2020, Mugo was slapped with a Sh1.4 million fine, failure to which he is to spend three years in jail.

This is after he was found guilty of unlawfully operating a pharmacy business without being registered by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.

Senior Resident Magistrate Martha Nanzushi ruled that the prosecution had proved its case against Wairimu.

He was also convicted of operating a medical laboratory without registration and licence by the Kenya Medical Laboratory Practitioners and operating an unregistered medical clinic.

Wairimu was also found guilty of practising as an unregistered and unlicensed medic.

Mugo was arrested and charged in 2015 with various offences linked to operating an illegal clinic in Githurai 44, Nairobi, and raping a sedated woman.

Mugo was also charged with operating a drug shop not registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.

In 2015, the name of his clinic then was offering 24-hour health care services. The services included, bizarrely, all kinds of x-ray and ultrasound scans though he never had the equipment.

In the dubious mix were also dental surgery, major theatrical services among others.

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Politics

Magufuli Faces Challenge From Tundu Lissu as Tanzania Decides

by Adelide Kamau
written by Adelide Kamau

Despite nationwide reports of restricted internet access and arrest of an opposition leader, polls have opened ready for the general election in Tanzania.

President John Magufuli, whose Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has ruled the country since independence, is seeking a second term in office.

His main rival is Tundu Lissu of the biggest opposition party Chadema, who survived an assassination attempt three years ago.

Reports indicate that both Magufuli and Mr. Lissu have attracted huge crowds during their campaigns although Mr Lissu’s campaign was suspended for seven days after being accused of sedition by the electoral commission.

A total of 15 candidates are vying for the position including former foreign minister Bernard Membe, who defected from the ruling party and is now the leader of ACT Wazalendo party.

29.1 million citizens are registered to vote in today’s election, which is six million higher than the 2015 polls.

Voters have until 4.00pm local time to cast their votes.

Under Tanzania’s electoral rules, the winning candidate requires a simple majority to become president.

Results are expected to be announced withing one week.

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Politics

Tanzania Elections: Tundu Lissu Claims His Agents Blocked From Accessing Polling Stations

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Tanzanians have today (Wednesday October 28, 2020) taken to the ballot to elect their leaders in yet another general election that has been deemed as a two horse race between incumbent president John Pombe Magufuli of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and the opposition party Chadema’s Tundu Lissu.

Magufuli, whose party has ruled Tanzania since independence in 1961, is seeking a second term in office.

Tundu Lissu, who survived an assassination attempt three years ago, returned from Belgium in July where he had undergone rounds of treatment for gunshot wounds, and is the main Magufuli’s challender in this year’s elections.

However, Tundu Lissu has taken to social media to claim that there irregularities have already marred the voting process.

He argued that he had received reports which indicated widespread irregularities in the form of preventing his polling agents from accessing polling stations.

According to Tundu Lissu, stuffed ballot boxes had already been seized in Kawe, Dar-es-Salaam.

He claimed that if the process continues in that manner, there would be a mass democratic action, which he claimed that will be the only option to protect the integrity of the election.

“Voting reports indicate widespread irregularities in the form of preventing our polling agents from accessing polling stations. Stuffed ballot boxes seized in Kawe, Dar. If this continues, mass democratic action will be the only option to protect the integrity of the election,” Tundu Lissu tweeted.

Lissu’s campaign was suspended for seven days after being accused of sedition by the electoral commission. He had reportedly said that Mr Magufuli was planning to rig the elections, but the commission said there were no such attempts.

Earlier on, there were reports of restricted internet access plus the arrest of an opposition leader in the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar.

Voters have until 16:00 local time to cast their ballot. Results are expected to be announced within one week.

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