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Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen has fired back at the people who were heckling Deputy President William Ruto when he was giving his speech at the Bomas of Kenya during the official launch of the second Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report.

Taking to his official twitter handle after the official launch of the report at Bomas ended, the former senate Majority Leader said that those that were heckling the DP are now ashamed of themselves.

Murkomen argued that DP Ruto’s critics had been told that BBI needed a dialogue, but they did not listen.

He told them not to get angered when they fail to argue with facts.

Murkomen made the post just moments after President Uhuru Kenyatta and DP Ruto embraced each other and had a light moment when the event came to an end.

“To the hecklers who were heckling DP in Bomas ona sasa aibu ndogo ndogo mumejipatia. Mliambiwa hii kitu inataka dialogue na kama huna point usilete makasiriko,” Murkomen tweeted.

President Kenyatta and DP Ruto had differed in opinions during the launch of the report. DP Ruto while giving his speech pointed out all the weakness in the report, and argued that there is still a large room for a dialogue aimed at improving the report.

President Kenyatta responded back to the DP, saying that he was aware of everything that was going on, and even took part in the selection process of BBI steering committee.

Despite them differing in opinions, they still had a light moment as soon as the head of state finished addressing the people at the Bomas.

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Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen has questioned whether President Uhuru Kenyatta ill really retire in 2022 as his term comes to an end.

Speaking through his official twitter account on Monday October 26, 2020, the former senate Majority leader questioned why the head of state wants to amend the constitution, just two years to his retirement.

Murkomen noted that the president was not sincere with his 2022 retirement if he wants to leave an imperial president, after amending the constitution through the famous Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

“Why does a retiring President want to leave behind an imperial President if he is truly retiring?” Murkomen posted.

President Kenyatta and his new-found friend, the ODM leader Raila Odinga on October 13 received the second BBI report recommendations at the Kisii State Lodge, with the report set to be officially launched to Kenyans today (Monday October 26), at the Bomas of Kenya.

The report has elicited mixed reactions since it was handed over to the handshake duo, with some Kenyans opposing it, claiming that the recommendations carries the interests of selfish politicians.

A task force was created after Prsident Kenyatta and Raila’s March 9, 2018 handshake to look at nine issues, including ethnic antagonism, corruption and devolution- some of the major issues perceived to be affecting the country since it got its independence.

Last year, the task force presented its findings at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi amid much fanfare.

Some of its key proposals included; Introducing the position of a prime minister, giving counties bigger budgets to implement development schemes, making the cabinet more representative of the nation and intensifying corruption fight.

In the BBI report, the president remains the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief, while the Prime Minister will draw his powers from parliament and supervise the execution of day-to-day government affairs.

The PM, under the proposals, will be the leader of the largest political party or coalition of parties and will be appointed by the president and approved by the House.

However, the critics of the report have argued that the return of an imperial president is ill-advised. Some claim that President Kenyatta is likely to stick to power in 2022, but the head of state has on several occasion dismissed the claims.

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Father John Pesa, the cleric who made headlines a few weeks ago after mistakenly claiming that King Solomon killed Goliath using a stone and sling, is in trouble following a latest court ruling.

The High Court in Kisumu has ordered Father Pesa to compensate a sick boy who was allegedly tortured at while and confinement at Father Pesa’s Holy Ghost Coptic Church of Africa headquarters in Mamboleo, Kisumu.

According to a report by The Standard, the court ordered the cleric to pay Ksh 500,000 for denying the boy suffering from an acute psychotic disorder his freedom as he was preparing to sit for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination in 2017.

Father Pesa together with his church are to pay the boy the cost he incurred in the case plus interest that is to be calculated at the court rate.

The boy is said to have been taken to Father Pesa in 2017 when the school noticed he had trouble concentrating on his studies and advised his parents to take him for medical treatment.

The cleric was to take the boy through spiritual healing.

However, that was not the case. Father Pesa is said to have chained the boy in his church, until May 2019 which was long after KCSE exams had been undertaken and therefore missed his studies and examination.

The boy’s parents found out when they visited him in the company of officers from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

According to reports, the boy is said to have been cuffed in heavy chains and when his parents demanded for his release, Father Pesa is said to have declined to do so, forcing them to seek legal redress in a battle that has seen them in the corridors of justice since 2018.

Father Pesa had however denied the claims, arguing that there is no medical evidence to prove that the boy was tortured, but a report by a psychiatrist revealed that the boy was on treatment for acute psychotic episode.

Acute psychotic episode is an illusionary illness that can be a one-time occurrence, usually of sudden onset, or can occur repeatedly or may be the early phase of mental illness.

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Two schools in Kenya have suspended learning, barely two weeks after the government kicked off phased reopening of learning institutions.

Star of the Sea High school and Tononoka High school have been forced to shut down after Covid-19 cases were reported.

At the Star of the Sea High School, four teachers tested positive for Covid-19.

At Tononoka High school, 11 teachers have contracted the virus.

The seven-month Covid-19 imposed closure of schools finally came to an end on Monday October 12 when a section of learners resumed classes.

The Ministry of Education announced a phased reopening of schools, starting with the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) Grade 4, Class Eight and Form Four candidates.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha said the revised 2020 school calendar will see the second term for Grade 4, Class Eight and Form Four run for 11 weeks from October 12 to December 23.

Learners will then break for a one-week holiday, from December 24 and resume on January 4, 2021, up to March 19.

Magoha announced that the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations will start on March 22, 2021 and end on March 24, 2021, while KCSE exams will start on March 25, 2021 and end on April 16, 2021.

Upon reopening, he said that all schools will be required to strictly adhere to COVID-19 containment protocols and guidelines, among them mandatory use of face masks, monitoring of body temperature and observance of high levels of hygiene.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday received the Building Bridges Initiative report.

Uhuru who is in Kisii County received the report by the Yusuf Haji-led team after months of waiting.

Sources close to the team revealed that the report is likely to be launched on Sunday.

The BBI report is expected to change the country’s governance structure, including the creation of the Office of Prime Minister and two deputies.

This, in turn, has caused mixed reactions from politicians who are supporting and opposing yet they have not seen what is in the report.

During Mashujaa day on October 20, President Uhuru Kenyatta made a strong case for a referendum to approve changes to the Constitution before the 2022 General Elections.

The President appeared to set the stage for the release of the Building Bridges Initiative report expected to recommend the expansion of the Executive.

Uhuru said the changes would entrench political inclusion, equity in the distribution of opportunities and resources, and end violence every electoral cycle.

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Just two months after being appointed the new Dean of Medical College at Aga Khan University, COTU boss Francis Atwoli’s son Dr Lukoye Atwoli has yet again landed a new plum position.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, a gazette notice dated Friday October 16, has appointed Dr Lukoye Atwoli as the non-executive Chairperson of Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital.

He will be the chairman of the Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital for a period of three years.

Lukoye is the former Dean of the Moi University School of Medicine, where he excelled at building collaborations and partnerships between the School of Medicine and academic medical centres in Africa, Europe, and the US, transforming it into a regionally leading research and graduate medical school.

Professor Atwoli also leads and participates in mental health research locally and globally, a move that might have also handed him a soft landing at the Mathari Hospital.

He is a member of the WHO World Mental Health Surveys Consortium, which is the leading collaborative project in psychiatric epidemiology globally.

He has a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Moi University, and a Master of Medicine in Psychiatry from the University of Nairobi as well as a PhD from the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.

Professor Lukoye has over 50 publications to his credit in academic books and in peer-reviewed journals.

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Former Harambee Stars head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has this morning been involved in a road accident in Westlands, Nairobi.

According to multiple reports, ‘Ghost’ has been rushed to Aga Khan Hospital for a check up after his car was hit by a rogue matatu along Brookside Drive, Westlands.

The famed radio presenter’s car was thrown into a City Clock after being hit.

He was on his way to work at Lion’s Place along Waiyaki Way, where the Radio Africa Group is hosted.

‘Ghost’ was rushing to do his famous show ‘Gidi na Ghost asubuhi’ that airs on Radio Jambo.

The radio show is famous across the country for its ‘Patanisho’ segment, where Ghost alongside his fellow show host Gidi Gidi, normally reconcile couples and lovers who have had some differences in their relationship.

Mulee coached Kenyan club side Tusker between 1999 and 2009, winning the Kenyan Premier League title three times. He later coached APR of Rwanda and Young Africans of Tanzania. 

He first took charge of Kenya between 2003 and 2004, including at the 2004 African Cup of Nations.

Last year, Ghost while in an interview with a local publication revealed he will be making a return to coaching in the Kenyan Premier league this season.

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Mulee has been out of competitive football for about 10 years.

Should he make a return to the Kenyan Premier League, it is not yet known which side he will be taking.

He had earlier been linked with Wazito FC.

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Deputy President William Ruto on Thursday October 15, 2020 stormed Nyamira County in the company of Nairobi governor Mike Sonko.

This comes just a week after police blocked the event from taking place.

The DP arrived at Sironga Stadium for an empowerment programme for Nyamira South Bodaboda Sacco at around 10am.

On Wednesday, the DP met East African Court of Justice Judge Charles Nyachae at his Karen office, Nairobi.

The two discussed matters of national interest as well as regional integration, linkages, and how Kenya can make optimum gains from the five-member trade bloc through improved market efficiency.

As Ruto continues to sell his ‘Hustler Nation’ brand in Kisii, Nyachae is expected to join the caravan.

The police granted Ruto permission to go ahead with his public meetings in Nyamira county on Thursday after his hosts applied for permission.

Ruto will hold a funds drive for Nyamira South Sub County Boda Boda Sacco at Sironga playground and later, a funds drive at Miriri in Kitutu Masaba constituency for Seventh Day Adventist Churches in Nyamasebe district.

The two functions were disrupted last Thursday by heavily armed policemen who said the hosts failed to obtain permission from the local police, which they disputed.

Follow the live event below:

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Jubilee Vice Chairperson David Murathe, on Thursday, October 14, ruled out any truce between President Uhuru kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.

This comes just a day after reports emerged that allies of the two were engaging in secrete talks to strike a handshake.

Murathe however, stated that the talks should be regarded as propaganda.

“The president is busy serving the nation and those claiming that there is a planned truce are talking to themselves,” Murathe stated.

He was backed up by Nominated MP Maina Kamanda, who stated that the DP and his allies were allegedly advocating for truce talks in a bid to slow down the president’s support for ODM leader Raila Odinga.

“We are telling them that we cannot be distracted. With the way Ruto is disrespecting the president, who wants to associate with him?” Kamanda posed.

Odinga’s allies led by Suba South MP John Mbadi also waded in on the matter saying that the conversation between the two leaders would have to be honest.

“The person leading the reconciliation talks should either tell Uhuru to abandon his peace and unity agenda of the country and help Ruto’s selfish 2022 presidential campaign, or tell Ruto to stop early campaigns and help in service delivery,” Mbadi stated.

On the other hand, Ruto allies stated that they were not interested in a truce, rather, they wanted the president to restore the DP’s duties as well as ask his juniors to treat him with respect.

Jubilee deputy secretary general Caleb Kositany opined that President Uhuru already had a handshake with ODM leader Raila Odinga and Kenyans would not benefit from another handshake. Kositany suggested that all political effort should be put into improving the livelihoods of Kenyans and not more handshakes.

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Kiambu governor James Nyoro has said the completion of Kirigiti Stadium will be a game-changer for Kiambu youths and society in general.

This is the first stadium that is being worked on after Uhuru declared he will be finishing stadiums before his tenure.

The facility will occupy an 18-acre piece of land. The contractor said the works will take seven months.

Governor was speaking during the groundbreaking that was attended by Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed and Kiambu County Commissioner Wilson wanyanga, County Commander Ali Nuno, and Sports Kenya Chairman Fred Muteti.

He said it’s the responsibility of the youths in the County to maintain and protects it from destruction during the construction period.

He said the County government has also injected money to rehabilitate grounds in all 60 wards.

“My government through the ministry of sport will help upgrade another stadium across the County to promote and empower youths, we thank the head of state Uhuru Kenyatta for the development he has initiated in the County, “he said.

He said that the sports department is planning to set up a sports academy at Muguga forest to develop and grow talents in Kiambu County.

Nyoro further said that the construction of the stadium has led to opening up of roads within Kiambu which is beneficial to the locals.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed the renovation of the stadium will help to empower the youths and improve the sporting activities.

“The president has insisted this project must be through within 7 months,he want our youths to grow their talents,”she said.

Mohamed announced that the national government through the ministry of sport has released sh590 million to upgrade stadiums across the Country.

During the recent re-opening of Nyayo Stadium, President Uhuru Kenyatta said the upgrade of the stadiums had already been funded and expected to be completed by December 2020.

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Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji has approved murder charges against Malindi Member of Parliament Aisha Jumwa.

The MP found herself in trouble last year when an uncle to an Orange Democratic Movement aspirant in Ganda ward mini polls was shot dead.

She was arrested at her Kakuyuni home in Malindi after a 48-year-old man was shot in the chest and killed.

Police announced that the MP and her aide Geoffrey Okuto Otieno were under investigation for the murder of Ngumbao Jola at the homestead of Reuben Mwambire Katana, the ODM candidate for the Ganda ward by-election.

The firearm used to shoot the uncle to the then ODM candidate belonged to the lawmaker.

The cartridge of the firearm ammunition packaging is licensed to the MP.

The man was shot dead on October 15, 2019, during chaos involving the MP and Orange Democratic Movement supporters at Ganda in Kilifi county.

The incident had occurred at the Penduliani home of an ODM candidate for the Ganda ward by-election Reuben Katana. Katana and other leaders were allegedly meeting agents to prepare for the mini poll.

Jumwa and her team are reported to have forced themselves into the home following reports that a team of ODM leaders were meeting youths. Earlier, armed police officers had visited the home.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission had declared that Monday as the final day for campaigns. However, the police had later provided security after being informed that the meeting had nothing to do with campaigns.

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Strategy meetings are currently being held to reconcile President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, details have emerged.

According to a report by the Standard, there are attempts by bishops and senior politicians to reconcile the two leaders.

The report detailed that the bishops have been meeting representatives of the two national leaders in an effort to strike another handshake similar to that of President Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Two Catholic clerics are leading the quiet push.

A bishop who was reluctant to be quoted said there was progress but they were yet to firm up the process.

“We started the process of reaching out to the leaders. The talks are fruitful but not concluded. We pray for unity and reconciliation,” the bishop said.

He said political tension is not good for the country. The team hopes to rope in more leaders.

Activities have intensified with night meetings led by a Cabinet Secretary from the Rift Valley and the religious leaders, seeking ways of reconciling the two by the end of the week.

A meeting was held by the leaders on Sunday night and the following morning, the DP left the city for Sugoi to meet Nyanza clergy.

On Monday afternoon, he flew back to Nairobi and met the bishops then went to a private meeting. It is not clear what they agreed upon.

The relationship between the head of state and his deputy has been growing sour as time goes by.

In April and May, Kenyatta removed Ruto allies from key positions.

The removal of National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, Majority Whip Ben Washiali, Senate’s Murkomen, Susan Kihika, Kithure Kindiki diminished Ruto’s political clout in Jubilee.

In May, Kenyatta sanctioned the change of guard at the Jubilee Party National Management Committee, kicking out Ruto allies. The changes are seen to have trimmed DP’s influence in the party.

Ruto’s close allies have however, poured cold water on the possibility of a handshake between Kenyatta and the DP.

“What talks are you talking about? I am not aware. Why would the president and his deputy reconcile? When did they differ in the first place,” Soy MP Caleb Kositany posed.

Ruto’s communication director Emanuel Tallam said the claims were absurd.

“I am not aware of any differences between the president and his deputy. Someone must be overworking,” Tallam said.

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Maendeleo Chap Chap party leader and presidential aspirant Dr Alfred Mutua has urged the government to put in place measures to end marginalisation in many parts of the country.

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The Machakos Governor said some sections of the country especially in Eastern and North Eastern region need special attention to improve the quality of life for the area locals.

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“There are places in this country that have lagged behind in development for far too long and require urgent measures to bring them at par with the rest of Kenya,” Dr Mutua said.

The presidential hopeful said that despite being endowed with land fertile for production of coffee and tea, Mbeere in Eastern Kenya is underdeveloped and needed special intervention from the national government to spur growth in the area.

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Dr Mutua was speaking in Embu town during his meet-the- people listening tours of the county said national government needed to expand markets for both coffee and tea in order to benefit regions growing those crops.

“I am shocked that markets for agricultural products like milk, tea and coffee have continued to deteriorate while government has done little to address that,” Mutua said.

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Dr. Mutua who has announced intention to contest for the presidency in 2022 said he will improve global markets for coffee and tea if he wins the presidential election.

” Kenyans are lied to everyday in this country and their voices stifled, my presidency will give power to people because they come first,” he said.

Governor Mutua decried the state of unemployment in the country and promised to create job opportunities for young people, adding that they are the backbone of the nation.

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Singer Willy Paul Msafi has asked his fans to pray for him, claiming that his life was in danger.

Taking to his official Instagram account on Tuesday October 13, 2020, the former gospel artist revealed that someone tried to break into his house in the midnight.

The artist revealed that the security guards at his residence noticed a lady at his gate who was forcefully trying to enter into his house.

The singer said that he then quickly moved out, and noticed that it was the famous socialite Shakila, who recently made headlines after claiming that she had an affair with the singer and Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama at different times.

According to the singer, the socialite revealed the names of people that she was working under.

This is after Willy Paul reported the matter to Mlolongo police station, which saw the socialite get arrested at the time of the night.

The singer revealed that Shakilla was arrested for the offence of tress passing.

He further revealed that he had provided the police with a CCTV footage and a few popular names of the people she mentioned she is working for, to aid the police in carrying out their investigations.

Below is Willy Paul’s full Instagram post on the issue.

“Hi I would like to address an issue that occurred yesterday at my residence at around 12 midnight. The estate security noticed a lady at my gate that was forcefully trying to enter my house ( she did ). They informed me immediately and I went only to find out that its the ” Famous Shakilla”. I immediately reported to the police and she was arrested for trespassing.

“I have also handed over the CCTV footage and a few popular names of the people she mentioned she is working for to the authorities for further investigation.

“Kindly put me and my family in your prayers, its not safe for me anymore. Be blessed.”

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NARC Kenya party leader Martha Karua has this morning tore into President Uhuru Kenyatta over his relationship with his Deputy William Ruto.

Karua told Uhuru to renew a proper working relationship with his deputy or for the Jubilee government to resign and go home to allow Kenyans elect new office-holders.

Karua, speaking on Citizen TV’s Day Break show said according to Law, the Presidency consists of the President and Deputy President hence both should relinquish their offices if they are unable to work together.

She thereby rubbished calls from a section of political leaders for DP Ruto to resign from government saying his (Ruto’s) and President Kenyatta’s roles are intertwined and one cannot leave office while the other stays on.

Karua slammed President Kenyatta for allegedly abandoning his deputy and throwing him out in the cold saying their mandates require them to work together for the good of the country even if they do not see eye-to-eye.

“The occupier of the Office of President must be conscious, at all times, that his mandate is together with his deputy, and if he feels that they can no longer work together, the government can resign and we will elect another president with his deputy,” said Karua.

The NARC Kenya party boss further questioned the Head of State on the example he is setting for other leaders, especially governors, on how to treat their deputies in cases of disagreements.

She posed, “My question to our president, with the greatest respect, is what precedent are you setting of how a president should treat a deputy? What examples are you giving to the governors on how to treat their deputies? We already had instances where some governors were using their power to oppress their deputies, are you now putting your stamp on such a practice?”

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Former NRG and Kiss FM radio presenter Andrew Kibe has announced his interest in getting back to politics.

Kibe who in 2013 unsuccessfully vied for Lang’ata constituency parliamentary seat took to his official twitter account to notify his fans.

Kibe noted that he was still debating on whether to get back in the politics game after losing in 2013 on his first trial.

“I’m still debating if I should get back into this politics thingy after my ass was whooped a gudwan Langata 2013. The ass-kissary is ridiculous,” he posted.

His announcement came just a day after he met former Nairobi County Deputy Governor Polycarp Igathe.

“Spent the day with the most employable man in africa @IgathepolycarpI I will support anyone who has the young Kenyan man as their top agenda. Let’s watch this space,” reads a post on his twitter account.

He also made another post on the same day he met Igathe, saying that politics was loading.

“Siasa loading…lazima tujue mbivu na mbichi leo,” he posted.

In 2013, Kibe vied on Musalia Mudavadi’s UDF ticket. Should he decide to vie in the next general election, he might consider vying on Raila Odinga’s ODM ticket.

Just the other day, he took to his twitter account to praise the Orange party leader when he attended a Church fundraiser in Bondo alongside business mogul Jimmy Wanjigi.

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