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Crime & Investigations

Court Summons DCI Boss George Kinoti Over Rashid Echesa’s Vehicles

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti has been summoned to appear before Court for disobeying a court order directing the release of motor vehicles belonging to former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa.

A Kiambu Court Magistrate in an order issued on Friday June 26, 2020 directed Mr Kinoti to appear in court on July 3 to explain why the vehicles had not been released as directed.

According to the magistrate, the vehicles, Toyota Lexus, Ford Ranger and a Mercedes Benz E-350 were not part of the search warrant as issued by the court.

“You are hereby required to attend this court at 8am on July 3, 2020 in the above case to explain why you have not released motor vehicle as ordered by the court in the above case and remain in attendance until released,” reads the summon.

The order to release the three vehicles was issued by Senior Principal Magistrate Stella Atembo had on June 10.

The Magistrate ruled that the motor vehicles were seized without “any support or any law of order of the court with sufficient reasons contravenes the constitution which provides for the right to private property and opportunity to be heard.”

The vehicles were part of five vehicles impounded by the DCI at Echesa’s Karen home in March.

A Passat KAY 388A, KBZ 009J Toyota LandCruiser V8 and KBN 242N Toyota Mark X are said to have belonged to a Kisumu resident Esther Kabura.

Kabura accused the former minister of stealing her late husband’s Sh12 million luxury vehicles in 2016.

According to the widow, Echesa promised to look after her deceased spouse’s vehicles as she was involved in a family tussle but declined to release them after the demise of her husband.

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Crime & Investigations

Waluke Has Been Jailed for Enjoying The Benefit of a Lawful Court Order

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former kakamega senator Boni Khalwale has claimed that Sirisia Member of Parliament John Waluke has been jailed for enjoying the benefits of a lawful court order.

Taking to his official twitter account a day after the sentencing of the lawmaker and his co-accused, Khalwale argued that the arbitration court ordered the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to pay Waluke the Sh 297 million for breach of contract for supply of maize.

Khalwale further argues that the NCPB unsuccessfully challenged the order in both the High and Appeal Courts.

“Arbitratuon Court ordered NCPB to pay Hon Waluke Sh 297 million for breach of contract for supply of maize.NCPB unsuccessfully challenged this in both the High & Appeal Courts. Waluke has been jailed for enjoying the benefit of a lawful court order! System Ya Majambazi,” he tweeted.

Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi has also faulted the historic graft ruling in the case involving the Sirisia MP and his co-accused Grace Wakhungu.

Taking to his official twitter account on Friday morning, Havi termed Waluke and Wakhungu’s conviction as fraudulent.

According to Havi, Waluke and Grace Wakhungu contracted with the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB). In this case, Havi says, NCBP breached the contract.

He says the arbitrator ordered the payment and the award was enforced by the High Court. While justifying that the accused people committed no crime, Havi noted that NCPB lost before High Court and Court of Appeal and paid the decree.

“John Waluke and Grace Wakhungu contracted with NCPB. NCBP breached the contract. Arbitrator ordered payment. Award was enforced by High Court. NCPB lost before High Court and Court of Appeal and paid the decree. How can that be a crime? Do not celebrate fraudulent convictions,” he tweeted.

Waluke and his co-accused will pay a fine of close to Sh2 billion or serve at least 39 years in prison after they were found guilty of defrauding the state agency.

While sentencing the two, Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Juma said the offences they committed were serious. She added that the two and their company took advantage of a dire situation in the country, as Kenya faced a drought, to defraud the NCPB.

The magistrate said there were aspects in the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA) that are mandatory and the court had no option but to pass sentence as prescribed in the law.

But where the court has discretion, Ms Juma said she would exercise it judiciously. On the first count of uttering a false document, the court directed Ms Wakhungu to pay a fine of Sh100,000 or serve one year in prison.

Grace Wakhungu and MP John Waluke in Court on Thursday June 25, 2020. PHOTO/COURTESY

She was further directed to pay another fine of Sh100m for purgery or serve another year in jail. 

Both the convicts and the company were directed to pay a fine of Sh626 million each or serve seven year in jail for receiving fraudulent payment from NCPB.

Waluke will pay Sh726 million for his sins. He will also shoulder Sh313 million, which is half the amount the court fined Erad Supplies & General Contractors Ltd. Waluke and and his accomplice Grace Wakhungu were co-directors of Erad.He, however, has a right of appeal.

The court also paved way for the NCPB to go after the two convicts’ assets to recoup Sh297 million that it lost.

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Politics

Tangatanga Reserves The Hustlers Alliance Party of Kenya After Losing Jubilee Asili Brand

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Political leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto have reserved The Hustlers Alliance Party of Kenya with the Registrar of political parties after losing the Jubilee Asili brand, ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale has claimed.

According to Etale, the tanga tanga faction of the ruling Jubilee party was set aback after losing the recently unveiled Jubilee Asili Center brand.

This is after a businessman named Andrew Simiyu tried to reserve the name in a letter dated June 18, 2020, but Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu in her response said that the name cannot be registered since it was bearing some similarities with another party.

“This is to inform you the name suggested is not in compliance with section 8 of the Political Parties Act, 2011. Further and without prejudice upon registration of the party the name shall not be in line with Article 91 of the Constitution of Kenya,” reads the response.

The Act determines that the registrar may decline an application if a party bears a similar name, abbreviation and symbol of another outfit.

Philip Etale loses father
Philip Etale. PHOTO/COURTESY

Etale through his official twitter account on Friday June 26, 220 claimed that the tanga tanga faction hurriedly convened a meeting and finally resorted to have The Hustlers Alliance Party of Kenya reserved at the Registrar of Political Parties.

“After losing Jubilee Asili to a businessman, team Tangatanga was take aback. They hurriedly convened a mtg, banged the tables & finally resorted to have The Hustlers Alliance Party of Kenya reserved at the Registrar of Political Parties,” he posted.

The Tanga tanga members had set an office in Kilimani area where they have been running their activities. They have claimed that the Jubilee Asili centre is meant to bring together the lawmakers that have been kicked out of various parliamentary committees due to their dalliance with DP Ruto.

They argued that they had been denied access to the Jubilee party headquarters located along Thika Road in Pangani, Nairobi.

The second in command a few days ago held a meeting with the Jubilee rebel lawmakers at their new office in Kilimani.

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Politics

6 More Ruto Allies Kicked Out of Parliamentary Committees

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta has kicked out six more legislators allied to Deputy President William Ruto, from their various parliamentary committees.

According to a report by one of the leading local Dailies, the targeted lawmakers were on Thursday June 25, 2020 given letters of intention to discharge them from the leadership of various National Assembly committees.

They are, departmental committee chairmen Julius Melly (Education), Ali Wario (Labour and Social Welfare), William Kisang (Communication, Information and Innovation), Joseph Limo of Finance and National Planning and Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library’s Joash Nyamoko.

George Kariuki, a member of the Communication, Information and Innovation committee, was not spared.Deputy Majority Whip Maoka Maore signed their letters dated June 24, and asked them to respond within seven days before they are discharged from the committees.

Last evening, the assembly made changes to the Committee on Selection and kicked out allies of Ruto. The committee nominates MPs to serve in committees, except for the membership of the House Business Committee and Committee on Appointments that is chaired by the Speaker.

The House approved the appointments of Maore, Jane Wanjuki (Embu),Gathoni Wamuchomba(Kiambu), Joshua Kutuny(Cherangany), Maina Kamanda (nominated) and Shurie Omar (Mbalambala). Others appointed are Wachira Kabinga (Mwea), Eseli Simuyu (Tongaren) and Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi. The House kicked out MPs Catherine Wambilianga (Bungoma), Tindi Mwale (Butere), Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South), Beatrice Nyaga (Tharaka Nithi), Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga), Faith Gitau (Nyandarua),John Kiarie(Dagoretti South), William Kipsang (Marakwet West) and Robert Gichimu (Gichugu). Some of the members were recently de-whipped from various committees by their coalitions.

Other MPs who have been removed in the ongoing purge are Gladys Shollei (Uasin Gishu), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu) and William Cheptumo (Baringo North).

They lost their positions as chairpersons of Delegated Legislation, Budget and Appropriation and Justice and Legal Affairs committees.

Other chairpersons kicked out include Mandera South MP Ali Adan (Agriculture Committee) and Machakos Town’s Victor Munyaka (Sports, Culture and Tourism). Sirisia MP John Waluke, Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon) and Robert Pukose (Endebes) were also kicked out as vice-chairpersons for Committee on Administration and National Security, Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee and Energy Committee.

Others discharged in the past were Kandara MP Alice Wahome (Justice and Legal Affairs vice-chairperson), Joyce Chepkorir (Labour and Social Welfare vice-chair), Khatib Mwashetani (Lands vice-chair) and vice chair of Services and Facilities Catherine Waruguru.

Also discharged were Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria (Transport vice-chair), James Lomenen (National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities vice-chair), Liza Chepkorir Chelule (Broadcast and Library vice-chair) and Cornelly Serem (Trade vice-chair).

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Crime & Investigations

LSK President Terms MP Waluke’s Conviction as Fraudulent

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi has faulted the historic graft ruling in the case involving Sirisia MP John Waluke and his co-accused Grace Wakhungu.

Taking to his official twitter account on Friday morning, Havi termed Waluke and Wakhungu’s conviction as fraudulent.

According to Havi, Waluke and Grace Wakhungu contracted with the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB). In this case, Havi says, NCBP breached the contract.

He says the arbitrator ordered the payment and the award was enforced by the High Court. While justifying that the accused people committed no crime, Havi noted that NCPB lost before High Court and Court of Appeal and paid the decree.

“John Waluke and Grace Wakhungu contracted with NCPB. NCBP breached the contract. Arbitrator ordered payment. Award was enforced by High Court. NCPB lost before High Court and Court of Appeal and paid the decree. How can that be a crime? Do not celebrate fraudulent convictions,” he tweeted.

Waluke and his co-accused will pay a fine of close to Sh2 billion or serve at least 39 years in prison after they were found guilty of defrauding the state agency.

While sentencing the two, Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Juma said the offences they committed were serious. She added that the two and their company took advantage of a dire situation in the country, as Kenya faced a drought, to defraud the NCPB.

The magistrate said there were aspects in the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA) that are mandatory and the court had no option but to pass sentence as prescribed in the law.

But where the court has discretion, Ms Juma said she would exercise it judiciously.  On the first count of uttering a false document, the court directed Ms Wakhungu to pay a fine of Sh100,000 or serve one year in prison. She was further directed to pay another fine of Sh100m for purgery or serve another year in jail. 

Grace Wakhungu and MP John Waluke in Court on June 25, 2020. PHOTO/COURTESY

Both the convicts and the company were directed to pay a fine of Sh626 million each or serve seven year in jail for receiving fraudulent payment from NCPB.

Waluke will pay Sh726 million for his sins. He will also shoulder Sh313 million, which is half the amount the court fined Erad Supplies & General Contractors Ltd. Waluke and and his accomplice Grace Wakhungu were co-directors of Erad.He, however, has a right of appeal.

The court also paved way for the NCPB to go after the two convicts’ assets to recoup Sh297 million that it lost.

Efforts by Waluke and Wakhungu to have the sentence suspended were thwarted by the court, which stated that it had concluded its work on the matter and any issue on its judgement could only be handled at the High Court on appeal.

The trial court said the bond terms the two have been enjoying had already been exhausted and ordered for the release of security that was used to secure their temporary release as the hearing was going on. Waluke has been out on a Sh3 million surety bond.

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BusinessLatest News

Uhuru Reveals What Will Determine Reopening of Economy on July 6

by PSCU
written by PSCU

President Uhuru Kenyatta has told Governors that the decision to re-open the country’s economy will be informed by the level of preparedness by the devolved units to respond to Covid-19 infections.

The President said the decision will largely be determined by the counties capacity to effectively respond to new cases of Covid-19 imported into their territories.

“County readiness to respond to new imported cases of infection will largely determine our national readiness to re-open the country as a whole.

“I say this because the nation is the sum total of all the 47 counties. If the counties have met the necessary thresholds, then the nation will be ready to re-open,” he said.

The President spoke today during a virtual meeting of the national and county governments coordinating summit that was also attended by Deputy President Dr William Ruto and representatives of religious and business sectors.

During the extra-ordinary summit, also addressed by Health CS Mutahi Kagwe and his Education Counterpart Prof George Magoha, a progress report on the roll out of the minimum Covid-19 response measures required ahead of the re-opening of the economy was presented.

The progress report was presented by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya who is also the current Chairperson of the Council of Governors.

In his report, Governor Oparanya said Counties had attained a total of 6,898 isolation beds against the national target of 30,500 units.

He said, 12 counties had met the 300 per county isolation beds threshold while 34 devolved units were on course to meet the target within the month.

On human resources, Governor Oparanya reported that a total of 16,914 health personnel had been trained on Covid-19 management among them 59,449 community health volunteers.

Speaking on behalf of the 47 County Governments, the Kakamega Governor said 36 counties have a cumulative sum of 343 ICU beds while 28 counties have a total of 337 ventilators.

He said the Council of Governors (CoG) working with the Ministry of Health and partners had developed a guideline on home-based Covid-19 management which is being rolled out.

Governor Oparanya thanked the President for his frontline role in the fight against Covid-19 saying the Head of State’s intervention had helped speed up response preparedness by counties.

“Through your directive that allowed County Governments to procure non-pharmaceuticals from other agencies, Counties have enhanced their response measures,” Governor Oparanya said.

Mr Oparanya said CoG supports the gradual re-opening of the economy subject to the setting up of a strict regime of Covid-19 containment protocols for businesses, places of worship and inter-county travel.

“We propose that a multi-agency approach is applied on disease containment through improvement of testing capacity; contact tracing and enforcing the social distancing mechanisms.

“The reopening of the economy will have a County specific context. This will consider the County specific sector priorities and the health system ability to cope,” Governor Oparanya advised.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said Covid-19 infections in the country were on the rise and advised against re-opening of the economy before the response preparedness threshold agreed upon is fully met.

He said countries that had rushed to re-open their economies without having proper Covid-9 containment protocols in place were experiencing an upsurge in new infections.

The Health CS urged counties to speed up the recruitment of the 8000 health workers under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program so as to boost the country’s Covid-19 response capability.

Deputy President Dr William Ruto supported the President’s proposal for progressive reopening of economy and urged counties to speed up the implementation of Covid-19 containment measures.

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Crime & Investigations

Forgive ‘Vulnerable’ Waluke Because he Saved Moi in 1982 Coup, Lawyer Pleads With The Court

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Lawyers representing Sirisia MP John Waluke in his sentence hearing have urged the Court to be sympathetic while sentencing the lawmaker.

Dunstan Omari, one of the lawyers representing Waluke has pleaded with the Chief Magistrate to be lenient with the former KDF soldiers, saying that he is not only a vulnerable person because of coronavirus but that he also saved the late president Daniel arap Moi in the 1982 coup.

Waluke, his lawyer said, was a career civil servant who had an impressive track record in the military where he rose from a corporal to a major in 1996, a testimony that he is a good person.

After his military career, he engaged in consultancy and road construction services in Western Kenya. He holds a degree from Mount Kenya University and a Masters from Kibabii University.

Waluke is being represented by advocates Evans Ondieki, Samson Nyamberi, Cliff Ombeta and Dunstan Omari while his co-accused Grace Wakhungu has Duncan Okubasu in her corner.

Waluke’s lawyers begged the court not to be swayed by the Sh297 million but at the amount that was in his possession.

The Sirisia MP John Waluke was on Monday June 22, 2020 found guilty by a Nairobi court, and was remanded pending his sentencing on Thursday June 25, 2020.

Waluke has been so vocal in spreading DP Ruto’s 2022 political gospel. In January 2019, the High Court declined to stop the prosecution of Waluke.

Waluke was charged with several counts of fraud alongside businessman Grace Wakhungu over a contract his company, Erad Supplies and General Contracts Ltd, won to supply 40,000 tonnes of maize in 2004.

The lawmaker and his co-accused had last filed an application seeking to block the case against them.

High Court judge Hedwig O’ngudi, however, declined to issue the orders noting that the application had not been made in a timely manner.

Last week, magistrate’s court in Nairobi extended bond terms Waluke but issued an arrest warrant for his co-accused.

The trial magistrate Elizabeth Osoro issued the arrest warrant after Grace Sarapay Wakhungu failed to turn up for the judgment.

At the same time the magistrate allowed the investigating officer in the case to verify a medical document presented before court by Wakhungu’s lawyer after a State prosecutor disputed its authenticity. 

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Politics

Moses Kuria Reveals 12 Changes Contained in The Final BBI Report

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has revealed some of the contents of the final Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report, which is set to be unveiled next week.

Taking to his Facebook account on Wednesday June 24, 2020, the controversial lawmaker listed 12 critical issues that have been captured in the report.

The MP revealed that the current 290 constituencies will be retained, but the number of nominated MPs will be increased from 12 to 162 so that they can take care of the highly populated constituencies.

He also hinted that the report suggests for President to be elected directly by the people to be the head of state and take charge of internal security, defence and Foreign affairs.

Below is Moses Kuria’s full post with the 12 critical issues.

BBI Report will be released Next Week

1. 290 Constituencies to be retained

2. Nominated MPs to be increased from 12 to 162 to take care of highly populated constituencies

3. President will be elected directly by the people to be Head of State and take charge of Internal Security, Defence and Foreign Affairs. He will have a Deputy President with roles defined in the constitution

4. Prime Minister will be voted for by parliament and will appoint all other Ministers. He will have 2 Deputy Prime Ministers

5. 50% of Ministers will come from parliament and the rest will be appointed outside parliament

6. The First Runner Up in a Presidential Election will occupy the best office of the Official Leader of the Opposition. His running mate will be the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. They will have a state funded shadow cabinet

7. Chief Justice will NOT be a member of the Judicial Service Commission

8. Health and Agriculture functions will revert back to national governments

9. IEBC Commissioners will be appointee by political parties

10. Nairobi County will be abolished

11. All monies to counties will be conditional grants from National Government to ensure devolved funds are spent for the intended purposes

12. If you are charged you can not vie for public office

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Business

Governor Mutua Breaks Silence on The Multi-Billion Hotel he’s Putting up in Machakos

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Machakos County governor Alfred Mutua has broken his silence on the massive hotel being put up in Machakos, named A and L hotel. The A & L stands for Alfred and Lilian, who is Dr Mutua’s wife.

The hotel takes the shape of a wedge with an oval base according to the 16-floor plan shared in 2016 by Dubai-based architect Svilen Yordanov.

Yordanov works under Meraas Holding and seems to be one high-end architect handling some of the most prominent clients in United Arab Emirates.

Photos of the design were on Tuesday June 23, 2020 widely shared on social media.

Responding to the photos on Wednesday June 24, 2020, Governor Mutua confirmed that the A&L hotel currently under construction was his.

Mutua who spoke to a local news outlet however, maintained that the images shared were inaccurate.

He noted that he own hotels and lodges and have had them since he was working in Dubai in 2002 and as Government Spokesperson.

Construction of the hotel is in its final stages with only finishing touches remaining.

On Saturday, June 20, a 35 kilometre run undertaken by Mutua’s wife, Lilian, to celebrate turning 35 ended at the near-complete A&L Hotel.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua poses with his wife Lilian after a run in Machakos on Saturday, June 20 to mark Lilian's 35th Birthday
Governor Mutua and his wife Lilian. PHOTO/COURTESY

Mutua joined her at the 25 kilometre mark and ran the remaining distance to the hotel on Machakos Road, in the presence of athletes and other friends of the family.

He however, dismissed allegations that his latest investment was linked to proceeds of corruption, citing his track record as an entrepreneur.

“I have been an entrepreneur since I was 19 years old when I registered my first company. I published a newsletter and a magazine.

“I own a production company that made Cobra Squad, Beba Beba etc. And many years before I became the Governor of Machakos, I ran a local TV station. I also have interests in aviation and export-based agriculture,” Mutua stated.

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Politics

Speaker Muturi Deals Mohamed Ali a Major Blow in His Bid to Impeach CS Macharia

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nyali MP Mohamed Ali has been dealt a major blow in his bid to impeach Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia.

This is after the speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi on Tuesday June 23, 2020 ruled that the journalist-turned politician’s motion did not meet the required threshold hence not admissible.

The MP while moving the impeachment motion against CS Macharia had accused him of three allegations. First, the lawmaker wants the CS impeached for gross violation of article 10 (1)(c) and 2(a) of the Kenyan constitution.

By failing to undertake public participation with leaders, stakeholders, or even departments within the ministry of transport in implementation of a policy decision to have cargo from Mombasa transported via Standard Gauge Railway, the MP said CS Macharia was in gross violation of the constitution.

He also accused the CS of gross misconduct contrary to the provisions of Article 125 of the Kenyan constitution. Mohamed Ali said CS Macharia has, in several meetings between him and parliamentary committees, appeared to commit perjury by lying under oath and giving evidence in parliament through provision of inaccurate information.

CS Macharia had also been accused of gross violation of Article 73 of the Kenyan constitution on leadership and integrity, by overseeing stalled projects worth Sh100 billion, overseeing loss of Sh1.5 billion housing project scandal and overseeing of the Sh5.2 billion Afya House scandal.

Moha had collected over 100 signatures in support of his motion, but some of the lawmakers that had signed the petition, later said that they were withdrawing their signatures, arguing that the lawmaker had ticked them that he was planning to take a loan.

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Politics

Murkomen in War of Words With Raila Odinga Junior

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen has torn into Raila Odinga Junior over political remarks the former senate majority leader made against ODM party leader Raila Odinga.

Murkomen, at the time Raila wanted to swear himself in as the people’s President following a disputed 2017 general election, took to his twitter account and remarked that there was no problem if the NASA leader wanted to swear himself in as a President of a certain club, an NGO or a certain organisation.

Murkomen went ahead to say the there was no any harm if Raila purported to be Kenya’s president when he was actually not, adding that a dialogue debate would have been ended for Raila to get satisfied.

However, a twitter user by the name Dr Ben Baimwera responded to Murkomen’s remarks, saying that leaders who recklessly speak like him have always come to regret at some point.

Image

While referring to Murkomen’s ouster as the senate majority leader, Raila Junior quoted Baimwera’s response to Murkomen’s remarks, noting that the words were now haunting the lawmaker.

However, Murkomen in his response told off Raila Junior, saying that it would have been better if he had tagged his father, Raila and the State House.

The vocal lawmaker went ahead to tell Raila Junior that if the right leadership is the one established by Raila, then he was just walking in a path well troden.

Murkomen further told Raila Junior that at his current age, where is is serving as Elgeyo Marakwet senator, the former Prime Minister was not yet an MP.

Raila Odinga Junior With his father Raila Odinga. PHOTO/COURTESY

He went ahead to tell Raila Junior to relax, for things would change again.

“Makes more sense if you tag @RailaOdinga&@StateHouseKenya. Remember that if the right path to leadership is the one established by your father then I am walking in a path well trodden. At My age your dad was not yet MP. I was just doing my job you,relax things will change again,” responded Murkomen.

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Politics

Revealed: Uhuru’s Next Step After Kicking Out Duale

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta is now set for reconstitution of committees, which will quickly vet the new Cabinet that is set to be unveiled in a looming cabinet reshuffle, veteran politician and his ally Maina Kamanda has said.

Kamanda who was speaking to a local daily revealed that by the time Uhuru reconstitutes house committees, the BBI report will be in the House for debate and adoption by a two-thirds vote.

The BBI report said to be ready and the head of state planning to reshape his Cabinet. So far, President Kenyatta has removed deputy president William Ruto’s allies from key parliamentary postions.

During Jubilee Parliamentary Group meeting held on Monday June 22 at KICC, Ruto ally Aden Duale was removed from his position as National Assembly Majority leader.

During the meeting, Uhuru once again said he would only endorse for the presidency in 2022 someone who will complete his legacy.

Surprisingly, Uhuru told the MPs he has no problem with Ruto.

“There are some of you who are angling to be leaders and I am still in office. You just continue,” he said, and lashed out at people whom he said had characterised the 2022 presidential contest as a battle of the rich versus the poor.

“There are some of you calling me dictator. I am not a dictator…Anyway, those of you who want us to work, let’s work, those who want politics, continue,” he is reported to have said.

The latest changes have signalled even a major shakeup in the Cabinet where the President has absolute powers to hire and fire.

Duale has been majority leader, one of the most influential and powerful positions in Parliament, since 2013.

Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya, who replaced him, served as minister and deputy leader of government business in the 10th Parliament.

In a bid to appease the Somali community and the Northeastern region, the President crossed over from Garissa to Wajir and picked Eldas MP Aden Keynan as the new Jubilee coalition joint secretary.

Keynan is expected to fill Duale’s shoes by leveraging on the plum position to fortify Uhuru’s foothold in the region’s politics.

Keynan, a former ODM man, also serves as a member of the Parliamentary Service Commission.

He is expected to be the new link between the opposition and Jubilee MPs in the House and would be required to occasionally lobby for bipartisan approaches to push for the government agenda.

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Crime & Investigations

Ruto Ally Found Guilty in Ksh 297M Scandal, Remanded Pending Sentencing

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A key Deputy President William Ruto ally from Western Kenya has been found guilty in a Sh 297 million fraud case.

The Sirisia MP John Waluke was on Monday June 22, 2020 found guilty by a Nairobi court, and was remanded pending his sentencing on Thursday June 25, 2020.

Waluke has been so vocal in spreading DP Ruto’s 2022 political gospel. In January 2019, the High Court declined to stop the prosecution of Waluke.

Waluke is charged with several counts of fraud alongside businessman Grace Wakhungu over a contract his company, Erad Supplies and General Contracts Ltd, won to supply 40,000 tonnes of maize in 2004.

The lawmaker and his co-accused had last filed an application seeking to block the case against them.

High Court judge Hedwig O’ngudi, however, declined to issue the orders noting that the application had not been made in a timely manner.

Last week, magistrate’s court in Nairobi extended bond terms Waluke but issued an arrest warrant for his co-accused.

The trial magistrate Elizabeth Osoro issued the arrest warrant after Grace Sarapay Wakhungu failed to turn up for the judgment.

At the same time the magistrate allowed the investigating officer in the case to verify a medical document presented before court by Wakhungu’s lawyer after a State prosecutor disputed its authenticity. 

However, the magistrate deferred the judgment to today (June 22) and ordered that the accused stay in custody until that time after her arrest.

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Politics

Murkomen Mocks Uhuru Over Jubilee Changes

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen has mocked President Uhuru Kenyatta just hours after the head of state effected changes in Jubilee party leadership that saw Garissa Township MP Aden Duale ousted as National Assembly Majority leader.

Taking to his official twitter account, the former senate Majority Leader sarcastically congratulated President Kenyatta for continuing with his purge in Jubilee.

With the top leadership of the ruling party now being dominated by men, Murkomen told Prrsident Kenyatta that he had now achieved gender equity and as well secured his legacy.

The vocal senator, who has been termed by many Kenyans as the now official opposition leader, termed the top Jubilee party leadership as a Men’s club.

“It’s a men’s club. Gender Equity achieved. Legacy secured. Congratulations Rais!” Murkomen tweeted.

Duale was on Monday June 22, 2020 ousted from his plum position in the changes that were made during a Jubilee Coalition Parliamentary Group meeting that was chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The new Majority Leader is now Kipipiri Member of Parliament Amos Kimunya, who was serving as the Jubilee coalition’s secretary. His position has now been taken by Eldas MP Aden Keynan.

The changes were read out by Jubilee Majority Whip Emmanuel Wangwe, as soon as President Kenyatta walked in. His Deputy William Ruto was also present, but MPs loyal to him were missing.

The meeting lasted about 30 minutes, with no speeches or questions. Duale’s ouster followed a petition from more than 130 MPs who accused him sabotaging the Jubilee agenda.

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Politics

Rift Valley MP Reveals Duale’s Dirty Deals in 2017 Elections as he Celebrates His Ouster

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just hours after Garissa Township MP Aden Duale being ousted from his position as the National Assembly Majority leader, a Rift Valley MP has taken to social media to celebrate.

The Ainabkoi MP William Chepkut took to his official twitter account to express his excitement following Duale’s ouster.

The lawmaker revealed that Duale in 2017, alongside other mandarins in the ruling Jubilee party compromised his victory in the Jubilee party primaries.

Video: Ainabkoi MP William Chepkut urges leaders to stop ...
Ainabkoi MP William Chepkut. PHOTO/COURTESY

Chepkut says that the Jubilee ticket was awarded to his rival Cheptonga, despite him emerging victorious.

Citing that time was really an equalizer, the MP was grateful that today (Monday June 22, 2020), Duale was ousted as the Majority leader.

“Aden Duale with other Jubilee mandarins in 2017 during jubilee primaries in Munyaka compromised my win and awarded the ticket to Chepkonga. Today he has been ousted as Majority leader,truly time is an equalizer!” he tweeted.

In the changes that were made during a Jubilee Coalition Parliamentary Group meeting chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta this morning at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Duale was replaced by Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya.

Aden Keynan was appointed as the new Jubilee Coalition Secretary, taking over from Kimunya.

The changes were read out by Jubilee Majority Whip Emmanuel Wangwe, as soon as President Kenyatta walked in. His Deputy William Ruto was also present, but MPs loyal to him were missing.

The meeting lasted about 30 minutes, with no speeches or questions.

Duale’s ouster followed a petition from more than 130 MPs who accused him sabotaging the Jubilee agenda.

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Politics

Uhuru Kicks Out Aden Duale, Amos Kimunya Takes Over as Majority Leader

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s continued Jubilee party purge has finally landed on Garissa Township MP Aden Duale.

In a Jubilee Parliamentary Group meeting held at State House on Monday June 22, 2020, Duale was kicked out as National Assembly Majority leader.

His position was filled by Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya. In the previous PG meeting, Kimunya had been appointed as the Jubilee coalition secretary. Aden Keynan is now the new Coalition Secretary

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