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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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Politics

“Kama Huna Point Usilete Makasiriko,” Murkomen Slams DP Ruto’s Hecklers at Bomas

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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Latest News

Murkomen Slams Uhuru as 2nd BBI Report is Officially Launched

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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Crime & Investigations

Father John Pesa in Trouble Following Latest Court Ruling

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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Latest News

Two Schools Suspend Learning After 15 Teachers Tested Positive For Covid-19

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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Politics

Uhuru, Raila Receive Final BBI Report, to be Launched on Sunday

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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Politics

Uhuru Appoints Atwoli’s Son to Plum Job

by Jacinta Mbithi
written by Jacinta Mbithi

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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Crime & Investigations

Former Harambee Stars Head Coach ‘Ghost’ Mulee Involved in Accident, Rushed to Aga Khan Hospital

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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.

Image

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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Politics

LIVE VIDEO: Ruto Storms Nyamira a Week After Police Blocked His Meeting

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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Politics

Murathe Breaks Silence on Uhuru-Ruto Handshake Claims

by Jacinta Mbithi
written by Jacinta Mbithi

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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Sports

Game-Changer For Kiambu as Governor Promises Stadium in 7 Months Time

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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Crime & Investigations

DPP Haji Approves Murder Charges Against Aisha Jumwa

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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