Home Latest News
Category:

Latest News

Politics

Why Plan To Have Kananu Take Governor’s Oath On Same Day As DG’s Was Shelved

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Anne Kananu Mwenda finally took the oath to assume the office of the Nairobi County Deputy Governor, which has been vacant for a period of 2 years.

According to the law, the Deputy governor is supposed to assume the office of the governor, should a vacancy fall in the office of the county boss, either through death or impeachment.

Details have emerged that Kananu was to be sworn in as the new Nairobi County chief immediately after taking the oath to assume Deputy Governor’s office on Friday, January 15, but the plan was shelved.

The former Disaster Management CEC was supposed to succeed former Governor Mike Sonko on the same day when she was vetted and approved to be Deputy Governor. 

“The plan was to swear her in as the substantive governor but this was held as we want to find out how the cases filed by Mike Sonko will play out,” an anonymous source was quoted by Nation. 

Sonko wants the court to overturn the Senate’s decision to impeach him. The former Makadara MP was accused of gross misconduct, violation of the constitution, crimes under national law, and abuse of office. 

The former Governor said that he would recall all the suits he filed in court, but he is yet to do so. 

He also added that he would retire from politics for ten years. 

His case will be mentioned on Wednesday, February 17 a day prior to the Nairobi by-election taking place. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) gazetted February 18 as the by-election date. 

However, the process was suspended twice owing to the case by Mike Sonko and another filed by Nairobi Deputy Governor Anne Kananu. 

Kananu wanted the exercise stopped as it contradicted her vetting process. 

Insiders privy to the Nairobi County politics added that Kananu may be sworn in even before Sonko’s case is determined. 

She may take over in late January 2021 or February 10/11 when Acting Governor Benson Mutura’s term expires. Mutura, the County Speaker took over for 60 days prior to the election taking place. 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Man Behind Senator Irungu Kang’ata’s Life-threatening Messages Arrested

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A man believed to be the one who sent life-threatening messages to Senate Majority whip Irungu Kang’ata has been arrested by sleuths from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

The Murang’a Senator had earlier on claimed that his life was in danger.

He said he had become a marked man and had been threatened with violence and death on account of the letter he authored to President Uhuru Kenyatta over BBI’s popularity in Mt Kenya region.

The Murang’a Senator said he had received death threats from unknown people and from government quarters.

“I have forwarded the text messages to DCI to an officer known as Mr Mwangi who is in charge of the investigations. I hope that the culprits will be brought to book,” he told a vernacular TV station.

According to Serious Crime Unit boss Obadiah Kuria, the arrest was made on Friday evening, January 15, 2021.

“It’s true we have arrested him. The suspect allegedly sent him threatening messages and we intend to investigate further before preferring charges on Monday,” Kuria told journalists. 

Kang’ata praised the detectives for the arrest since the threats made him fear for his life.

“I feared for my life. I had to switch off the phone since I did not know what awaited me, apart from the threats. I was also under undue pressure due to my decision to penning a letter to President Uhuru,” he stated. 

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua had also tried to reach out to Kang’ata on January 6, after which he claimed that the senator’s phone had been switched off. 

“The good senator Kang’ata’s phone is off. If anyone gets in touch with him, please tell him I want to buy him a drink. He has made me proud,” he praised.

Later that day the two met and exchanged notes on the contents of the controversial letter. 

Despite the pressure to either step down from his position as the Senate Majority Whip or offer a public apology to the president, Kang’ata has insisted he had not committed any crime. 

During the burial of ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi’s mother Hannah Atsianzale in Mululu, Vihiga County on January 9, Uhuru stated that he did not need anyone telling him what to do and was in charge of the government. 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Kibra MP Imran Okoth’s Mother Dies

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kibra Member of Parliament Imran Okoth has been thrown into deep mourning following the death of his beloved mother.

The mother, Angeline Ajwang passed away on Saturday morning, January 16, a few minutes past 12 am. 

The ODM politician took to his official social media handles to make the announcement at around 2 am. 

He, however, did not disclose the cause of the mother’s death.

“In life, we loved you dearly, in death we still love you. In our hearts you hold a place, I cried endlessly when you died but I promise, I won’t let the tears mar the smiles that you’ve given me when you were alive.

“I know you are listening from above. Fare thee well mum,” Imran wrote. 

His followers were quick to wish him well and pray for strength for the family.

Ajwang has passed on one year and six months after she lost her older son and former Kibra MP Ken Okoth.

Okoth succumbed to cancer on July 26, 2019, while receiving treatment at the Nairobi Hospital.

His mother Ajwang confronted Luo elders who then opposed the family’s decision to cremate the former MP. The elders wanted to bury a banana stem.

“The best thing they could have done is to come and sit down with me as the mother instead of going to the media. They should let my son rest in peace.

“They saw what happened, did you even see one of them coming to me to give advice on what should happen? They now say I was part of the cremation idea, did they see me attend the ceremony?” Ajwang wondered. 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Entertainment

TV47’s Mlavidavi Kenya’s next TV Star?

by Brian Kiprono
written by Brian Kiprono

The year-old TV47 is undoubtedly Kenya’s fastest growing television station, with a large pool of young journalism talents that are yet to fully catch the eye of the Kenyan audience.

Despite this, the TV’s sports desk lead man is one to keep an eye on; as the station grows so he is.
Little is known of Julius Jumah alias Mlavidavi, a sports anchor and reporter whose command for both English and Swahili leaves the audience wowed.

Julius Jumah (L) with KTN sports anchor Ahmed Bahajj. PHOTO/JULIUS JUMAH MLAVIDAVI/FB

Mlavidavi who is less than a year old at the Parklands based media house, is slowly carving a niche for himself as Kenya’s television king of piece to camera(PTC).

With his free flowing Swahili, former radio football commentator often finds a way to play with his words, an attribute that has made the station’s sports news a joy to watch.

Sports anchor Julius Jumah with TV47 Swahili anchor Andrine Kilemi. PHOTO/JULIUS JUMAH MLAVIDAVI/FB

A host for a weekly Swahili sports show Cheche Nyanjani and a prime time anchor, the Kenya Institute of Communication alumnus is no doubt on his way to household status in the profession.

The Kenya Institute of Communication alumnus has previously turned out for Qwetu Radio, Radio Citizen, Milele FM and KTN.

Below is a feature story he did recently.

2 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Political Parties With Ruto’s Hustler Nation Narrative Blocked From Registration

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

At least 176 political parties, some mirroring Deputy President William Ruto’s hustler nation narrative have been blocked from registration.

According to the Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu, of the 176 parties that sought registration, at least 10 proposed names that mirror Ruto’s hustler nation ideologies and campaign slogans.

However, only 21 jumped the hurdles and managed to receive certificates of provisional registration awaiting further scrutiny.

The others failed to go through on suspect the outfits were fronted on tribal or social platforms.

They included the Jubilee Asili Party, the Hustlers and Achievers Party of Kenya, the Hustlers Alliance Party of Kenya, Hustle, the Strive and Achieve Party of Kenya and the National Alliance of Hustlers and Achievers Party of Kenya.

Others were National Party of Hustlers and Achievers of Kenya, and Hustlers and Ground Masses Party of Kenya.

However, the registrar rejected the hustler names on the basis that they seek to unite on social status, threatening the country’s peaceful co-existence.

DP Ruto, who vowed in 2013 that Jubilee was formed to end the culture of tribal parties, has embarked on a charm offensive and is spearheading the creation of regional parties.

The DP has fashioned himself as the real hustler from Sugoi who rose from a roadside chicken seller to become the country’s second in command and has whipped the youth to reject the scions of Kenya’s privileged families.

After a rigorous legal and physical verification process, only three parties managed to get full registration, pushing the country’s parties to 71.

Party of Economic Democracy, The Service Party and the National Ordinary People Empowerment Union are the only parties that met all the statutory requirements and were fully registered.

The Party of Development and Reform managed to complete its change of name to United Democratic Party, an outfit also associated with Ruto.

A party given provisional status must be subject to a rigorous process by the registrar’s’ office to ensure it has physical offices, verified details of governing body officials and membership data.

Many parties that seek provisional registration even after going through the name search stage, fail to comply with the strict provisions of the law on membership and even physical offices.

Among those rejected were names seen as promoting registration of parties based on social groupings, an element that goes against the principles for registration of parties in Kenya.

The registrar also declined proposed registration on the basis of resemblance in colours and symbols.

Some politicians seeking registration of political parties through name searches saw their requests turned down based on the fact that their proposed names do not ‘make meaning’.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Entertainment

End Of Sailors Gang? Lexxy Yung Ditches Gengetone Group For Gospel

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Is the famous Gengetone music group Sailors Gang coming to an end?

Just late last year, Media personality Mwalimu Rachel issued a statement indicating that she would no longer be booking Gengetone artistes Sailors for any gigs.

In a post shared on her Instagram in November last year, Mwalimu Rachel said she will instead focus on introducing new talents through her company MRX Media.

According to the radio presenter, her company had overseen the growth of the group from onscurity to their current nationwide popularity.

Rachel went on to add that she was pleased with the work her team at MRX did to grow the Sailors brand.

And just a few months later, one of the members of the music group has announced that he was leaving the group to join the Gospel industry.

In an emotional message on his Instagram page, Lexxy Yung has announced that he will be seeking salvation in the gospel industry.

Lexxy however maintained that there was no love lost with the other group members who include Miracle Baby, Shalkido African Boy, Qoqosjuma and Masilver.

“Am sorry mabro for this..And it’s with many tears Bana ..tumekuwa pamoja have done alot and achieve alot mih l wish you all best in your journey.Mih nmeamua to take on gospel industry promise sitawainamisha uko. And promise to always have your backs GOSPEL ARTISTS HERE I COME,” Lexxy Yung posted. 

Last year, Mwalimu Rachel also emotionally responded to accusations of denying Sailors their YouTube channel, which had all their previous songs and millions of video views.

The Wamlambez hit makers revealed that she had demanded more than Sh1.5 million from the group before she could release the passwords, an allegation she did not deny, saying the group and their current handlers needed to pay her for her input in building and popularising their brand.

​The media personality discovered the Sailors and was their manager for over two years before they fell out last year and the group found a new record label.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Blow To Uhuru, Raila As Ex-NASA Co-Principal Makes Comeback To Ruto’s Camp

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President William Ruto is yet again set to make another huge political score in his bid to consolidate his Rift Valley backyard ahead of his 2022 Presidential run.

Former Bomet governor Isaac Ruto, who was a NASA co-principle in the run to 2017 general elections will today (Friday, January 15)make a comeback to DP Ruto’s camp, handing his former ally-turned-foe a boost.

The DP is set to receive Rutto during an event to be held in Bomet in what is seen as part of his elaborate strategy to ring-fence his Rift Valley bastion ahead of next year’s election.

He will be in Bomet to commission several projects, hand over a bus to the National Super League side Silibwet FC and later preside over a fundraiser for boda boda Saccos in Sotik, among other events.

The former governor will meet the DP face to face for the first time since 2018, ushering in a new partnership to consolidate the region.

The DP, who has fallen out with President Uhuru Kenyatta, is keen to diminish pockets of rebellion in his backyard as he prepares for a presidential run next year.

On Sunday, Rutto said he is ready to support the DP for the country’s top post “if we agree on principle”.

“I am not in an alliance with anybody. After all, nobody has asked me to back him or her for presidency. If William seeks my support, we shall discuss, and if he supports the tenets CCM stands for – like devolving resources – then I will back him. There’s nothing personal,” he told the Sunday Nation.

The DP has been facing a threat that could have chipped away a section of his main support base after Rutto last year led his Chama Cha Mashinani party in signing a cooperation agreement with Jubilee Party.

When he signed the agreement, there was talk of major Cabinet changes that would have seen Rutto’s entry into Uhuru’s government in what would be a strategy to tame the DP in the Rift Valley.

His change of heart to join the DP camp could puncture the Building Bridges Initiative campaigns in the Rift Valley given that the CCM party leader was a key point man of the process in the region.

Kanu chairman Gideon Moi, the son of the country’s second President who also hails from the Rift Valley, is working closely with Uhuru after the Independence party signed a coalition agreement with Jubilee.

Rutto and Gideon had been seen as a political force that would have complicated the DP’s efforts to put the region under lock and key ahead of next year’s polls.

Rutto’s move to join the DP’s camp is seen as part of his plan to recapture the Bomet governor’s seat, which he lost to the late Joyce Laboso who was backed by Ruto in 2017.

Rutto and the DP have had frosty relations since 2013 and in the lead-up to the 2017 polls. They last met face to face in 2018 at a public function at Siongiroi in Chepalungu, Bomet county. 

They have not been seeing eye to eye, a situation that could complicate Rutto’s gubernatorial ambitions after staying in the political cold for five years.

The former governor is set for another political duel in his bid to oust incumbent Hillary Barchok. A week ago, Rutto was greeted with unfriendly chants at Kuresoi in Nakuru where he had made a stopover.

Angry youths demanded he join the wheelbarrow movement spearheaded by Ruto if he wanted to salvage his political future.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Ruto Unveils Muthama Ngengele As His Candidate For Machakos By-election

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just a day after Jubilee party announced that it was not going to field candidates in the upcoming by-elections, Deputy President William Ruto has unveiled his preferred candidate in the upcoming Machakos Senator by-election.

The DP met Urbanus Muthama Ngengele, who will be seeking to take over from the late Senator Boniface Kabaka.

Ruto unveiled Ngengele on Thursday at his Karen residence, accompanied by a number of leaders including the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) chairman Johnson Muthama

The DP said that he is grateful to witness the partnership forged by the Machakos Senate by-election hopefuls in favour of Ngengele.

Ruto described Ngengele as a hustler from the county.

“Grateful to witness the partnership forged by the Machakos Senate by-election hopefuls in favour of Urbanus Mutunga Muthama Ngengele, a hustler from the county. Our gratitude to them for their audacity and leadership to cede their aspirations and back Ngengele for the race,” reads Ruto’s tweet.

The Independent and Electoral Commission announced that the Machakos senatorial by-election will be held on March 18.

Earlier on, the commission had set the by-election for March 23, but the date has been revised due to the national examinations.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Crime & Investigations

Kirinyaga Pastor Sentenced To 140 Years In Jail For Defiling His Underage Daughters

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kirinyaga County Akorino pastor John Gichira, who pleaded guilty to defiling and impregnating his two daughters aged 14 and 16 years has been sentenced to 140 years in jail.

Senior Principal Magistrate Anthony Mwicigi ruled that the pastor will serve 70 years for each case, after defiling the girls.

On Thursday, January 7, the prosecution verified the girls’ birth certificate and ascertained that they were below 18 years, paving way for the magistrate to make his ruling on Thursday, January 14. 

Court documents disclosed that the suspect committed the offense on diverse dates between June 1, 2019, and June 30, 2019, and between August 1, 2020, and August 31, 2020, in Ndia Constituency.

The 51-year-old Akurino Pastor was arrested in early January 2021, after Woman Representatives Purity Ngirici (Kirinyaga) and Gladys Shollei (Uasin Gishu) led protests in Kirinyaga County.

The MPs also urged the mother of the victims to report the case to the police.

Police flushed him from a hideout in the county after tracking him down for one month.

Kirinyaga West Deputy County Commissioner, Moses Ivuto, said that he would ensure that the suspect never sets foot in the village as he was a threat to women and girls.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Uhuru-Allied Governors In Closed-Door Meeting With Ruto

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

With only 18 months left to the 2022 general elections, Deputy President William Ruto has been positioning himself as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s successor.

The second in command has been working on strategies that will see him ascend to power come 2022.

As part of the strategy, the DP has been reaping big from leaders who have been decamping from President Kenyatta’s camp to his.

Details have now emerged that a group of governors who have been leaning towards President Kenyatta’s Kieleweke wing of Jubilee Party visited the recently launched Hustler Centre in Lavington, Nairobi. 

An insider intimated to a local daily that the county bosses held a closed-door meeting with the DP and his top strategists for more than an hour. 

According to the source, the meeting was a closely guarded affair. 

He insinuated that it is just a matter of time before they formally announce their defection to the hustler nation. 

However, the source did not list the names of the County Chiefs who met DP Ruto at Hustler Centre. The Centre acts as main offices for the newly launched United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party which is linked to the DP.

Leaders allied to President Kenyatta have been recently defecting to DP Ruto’s camp.

Nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura joined Ruto’s camp and tore into the President and his family at the homecoming of Msambweni MP Feisal Bader. The DP attended the meeting.

Besieged Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata on Wednesday skipped a top Jubilee meeting, triggering talk of his looming defection to DP Ruto’s camp.

Kang’ata, who had been invited to attend the meeting at Jubilee House in Pangani, Nairobi, did not show up.

The meeting was attended by Jubilee secretary general Raphael, Senate Deputy Majority leader Fatuma Dullo, National Assembly Majority leader Amos Kimunya and his deputy Jimmy Angwenyi.

National Assembly Majority Whip Emmanuel Wangwe, his deputy Maoka Maore and secretary to the Jubilee parliamentary group Adan Keynan also attended the meeting in which the party decided to pull out of three upcoming by-elections.

The no-show at the meeting – that culminated in a press conference – came a day after he reportedly rejected a push by the party honchos and President Uhuru  Kenyatta’s allies to withdraw the letter to the President.

Late last year, Kang’ata shocked the nation when he penned a letter to the President discrediting BBI’s popularity in Mt Kenya region, Uhuru’s political bastion. Uhuru’s men termed the move ‘disrespectful’.

In the letter, the senator told the President that the BBI referendum might fail in the region unless Uhuru and his handshake partner ODM leader Raila Odinga change their strategy.

He affirmed the position at a press conference in Parliament on Monday despite criticism and pressure to withdraw the letter and apologise to the head of state.

He cited opposition to the expanded Executive, the involvement of provincial administrations and campaigns by former MPs as some of the issues working against the initiative.

“Let us emphasise on the soft power and art of persuasion. In my humble view, the provincial administration in BBI process should be invisible,” he said.

Sources intimated that Jubilee bigwigs hosted Kang’ata for a meeting on Tuesday evening, where he was asked to retract the letter, but he declined.

Yesterday, Tuju and Dullo confirmed Tuesday’s meeting.

Kang’ata has been one of President Uhuru’s foot soldiers and most trusted lieutenants in the Mt Kenya region.

In May last year, Uhuru influenced his election as the Senate Majority Chief Whip following a meeting at State House where senators Susan Kihika (Nakuru) and Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet) – key allies of the DP – were kicked out as Majority Chief Whip and Majority leader, respectively.

Later, Kang’ata excited key party decisions by whipping party members to among others vote out Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki as Senate deputy speaker.

However, his letter and skipping party meetings have triggered murmurs and talks that he was on his way out of the President’s circles.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Fireworks As Kang’ata Skips Jubilee’s Top Meeting, Dumped Uhuru For Ruto?

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Has Senate Majority whip Irungu Kang’ata decamped from President Uhuru Kenyatta’s camp to Deputy President William Ruto’s side?

Well, the Murang’a Senator’s no show at Jubilee party’s top meeting held at the party’s headquarters in Pangani, Nairobi on Wednesday has triggered a debate on whether the once Uhuru’s diehard has shifted camp.

Kang’ata failed to attend the meeting convened by the Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju, despite him having been invited.

Speaking to a local daily on why he skipped the meeting, the lawmaker stated that he was busy somewhere else and he could not make it.

Senate Deputy Majority leader Fatuma Dullo, National Assembly Majority leader Amos Kimunya and his deputy Jimmy Angwenyi, National Assembly Majority Whip Emmanuel Wangwe, his deputy Maoka Maore and secretary to the Jubilee parliamentary group Adan Keynan are some of the officials that attended the meeting in which the party decided to pull out of three upcoming by-elections.

The no-show at the meeting, that culminated in a press conference, came a day after Kang’ata reportedly rejected a push by the party honchos and President Uhuru  Kenyatta’s allies to withdraw his letter to the President.

Late last year, Kang’ata shocked the nation when he penned a letter to the President discrediting BBI’s popularity in Mt Kenya region, Uhuru’s political bastion. Uhuru’s men termed the move ‘disrespectful’.

In the letter, the senator told the President that the BBI referendum might fail in the region unless Uhuru and his handshake partner ODM leader Raila Odinga change their strategy.

He affirmed the position at a press conference in Parliament on Monday despite criticism and pressure to withdraw the letter and apologise to the head of state.

He cited opposition to the expanded Executive, the involvement of provincial administrations and campaigns by former MPs as some of the issues working against the initiative.

Sources intimated that Jubilee bigwigs hosted Kang’ata for a meeting on Tuesday evening, where he was asked to retract the letter, but he declined.

Yesterday, Tuju and Dullo confirmed Tuesday’s meeting.

“We held a leadership meeting yesterday, he was with us…. He is still our whip until otherwise he decides or any other things come up,” Dullo said.

But when asked whether he was ditching the President’s camp, Kang’ata replied, “I am fighting for the truth and rights. I don’t believe in Jubilee factions and divisions.”

At the press conference, Tuju and Maore said the party had not discussed punishing Kang’ata for his letter to the President.

Kang’ata has been one of President Uhuru’s foot soldiers and most trusted lieutenants in the Mt Kenya region.

In May last year, Uhuru influenced his election as the Senate Majority Chief Whip following a meeting at State House where senators Susan Kihika (Nakuru) and Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet) – key allies of the DP – were kicked out as Majority Chief Whip and Majority leader, respectively.

Later, Kang’ata excited key party decisions by whipping party members to among others vote out Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki as Senate deputy speaker.

However, his letter and skipping party meetings have triggered murmurs and talks that he was on his way out of the President’s circles.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Raphael Tuju Speaks On His Relationship With Ruto’s Wheelbarrow Party

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Jubilee party Secretary General Raphael Tuju has broken his silence on the recently launched United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a party linked to Deputy President William Ruto.

Speaking during a press conference at the Jubilee headquarters, Tuju explained that UDA had only changed names from Party of Development and Reforms (PDR), a party that he founded in 2012.

“If you are confused, I am more confused because PDR was POA,” the Jubilee Secretary General stated.

Tuju asked the Senate Deputy Majority Leader Fatuma Dullo, who was elected on the PDR ticket, to set the record straight.

“Members of parliament who were elected on a PDR ticket have seen change of name the way you have seen in media.

“There have not been any consultations in terms of where sitting members are concerned, but more importantly PDR was a coalition partner with jubilee and that is why I was given a leadership position in senate,” Dullo stated, adding that PDR had not been deregistered

“As far as I am concerned, I am still within my coalition partner which is jubilee,” she stated.

Deputy President William Ruto’s affiliation with PDR dates back to 2017 when the party was hosted at DP’s previous private office in Nairobi CBD.

President Uhuru Kenyatta had acknowledged the party during the 2017 campaigns.

At the same time, Jubilee party indicated that no disciplinary action would be taken against Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kang’ata over BBI leaked letter.

The senator had expressed fears that he might be demoted.

Dullo stated that the party met with Kang’ata and a way forward would be communicated later.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Crime & Investigations

Another Student Arrested For Threatening To Cut Deputy Principal Into Pieces

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just a day after a form three student was arrested for attacking and stabbing his two teachers at Kisii High School, another student has been arrested for plotting the act.

A form two student at Mokwerero secondary school was arrested for threatening a deputy Principal Jared Morara while armed with a panga and a sharpening file.

According to reports, the student threatened to slash the deputy Principal with a machete, which according to the county commissioner has not been established on how the boy made it to school with.

The principal Kennedy Ogecha called the assistant chief immediately and they rescued the deputy Principal from the boy who had vowed to eliminate him.

Nyamira County commissioner Amos Mariba has urged the school heads to ensure they do thorough frisking when students report back to school to curb such behaviours among the learners.

The incident happened at Manga Sub County Nyamira County. Investigations are ongoing as authorities hold the boy for interrogation.

Meanwhile, a 17-year-old Kisii School student on Tuesday denied attempting to kill two teachers at the institution.

The student denied the charges before Senior Resident Magistrate Onchoro when he was charged at the Kisii Law Courts.

SRM Onchoro released him on bond of Sh100, 000 or a cash bail of Sh50, 000 with surety of similar amount or be remanded at Manga Children’s Remand Home in Nyamira County as he was a student.

The student who was represented by advocate Ben Gichana was charged with attempting to kill Edward Mokaya and Elvis Maoto at the school’s staff room by stabbing them using a kitchen knife.

The prosecution led by Hillary Kaino did not oppose the release of the student.

“There is no compelling reason for us to oppose his release on bail,” Kaino told the court.  

The student was dressed in his full school uniform – a green sweater, white shirt and grey trousers and looked calm throughout the brief court appearance.

It is alleged he attacked Mokaya for punishing him for arriving to class late and Maoto for attempting to rescue his colleague who was under attack.

Mokaya who sustained four deep cuts on the head is admitted at Ram Hospital in Kisii while Maoto was treated and discharged.

The case will be mentioned on January 27 for a pre-trial.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Jubilee Announces Major Plan To Counter The Ruto Wave In Nairobi By-election

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party has announced its plan in the upcoming by-elections across the country.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is expected to conduct by-elections in Nairobi (Gubernatorial), Matungu (Parliamentary), Machakos (Senatorial), Kabuchai (Parliamentary) and in various wards.

Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, January 13, at the Jubilee Party headquarters, Secretary General Raphael Tuju stated that they were monitoring the situation in court and how everything will play out, before giving directions on the way forward.

“As for Nairobi’s seat of Governor [sic] we are on standby mode as the matter plays out in the High Court and Nairobi County Assembly,” he said.

The Nairobi mini polls set for February 18, were suspended pending the hearing and determination of former Governor Mike Sonko’s appeal on his impeachment. 

Sonko is also engaged in another court case against Ann Kananu Mwenda, whose nomination as deputy governor he is said to have revoked. 

The court, however, declined to stop the planned vetting of Kananu who was represented by senior counsel Paul Muite. 

Jubilee is said to be considering BBI Secretariat co-Chair Dennis Waweru as the candidate to battle it out with UDA’s Margaret Wanjiru.

Tuju also announced that the party would not be fielding candidates in the Machakos, Matungu and Kabuchai by-elections. 

He added that Jubilee was engaging ODM, Wiper, ANC and Ford Kenya in the listed polls. 

Jubilee has avoided facing off with the Deputy President William Ruto-linked United Democratic Alliance party, which has already announced it’s participation in the Machakos, Matungu and Kabuchai by-elections.

Wiper has fielded Agnes Kavindu who is UDA Chairman Johnstone Muthama’s ex-wife for the Machakos by-election. 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

New Details Reveal The Real Masterminds Behind Kang’ata’s BBI Letter To Uhuru

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Fresh details have emerged, revealing how the letter addressed to President Uhuru Kenyatta by Senate Majority leader Irungu Kang’ata on the alleged unpopularity of BBI in Mt. Kenya, was carefully drafted.

According to the details, the Murang’a Senator had held a series of consultations that culminated in a secretive night meeting held at his Grogan home in Murang’a on New Year’s eve. 

Reports indicate that the meetings had been prompted by Jubilee Party and Governor Mwangi Waria’s Civic Renewal Party (CRP) losses in a by-election held in Gaturi ward, Murang’a on December 15, 2020.

Kang’ata is said to have held a meeting on the night of December 31st in which he carefully vetted attendees. A source revealed that 24 people were present, 3 from each of the sub-counties. 

Strategists who have guided the Senator in his political career were also present. 

The meeting was dominated by a popularity analysis of the Tanga Tanga and Kieleweke factions, after which Kang’ata was asked to chart a new political journey, starting with a candid report to President Kenyatta.

“He (Kang’ata) was told to tell the president that people were complaining of being forced into unpalatable political formations, was reeling under policy-driven business hardships and that generally, the president had become a stranger to them hence rebellion against him and his administration was at their peak,” the source was quoted by a local daily as saying.

In the course of the meeting, the delegates are said to have questioned Kang’ata’s alliance with the Kieleweke faction. 

Joshua Kimani, who spoke to the local daily revealed that the senator was informed of Tanga Tanga’s popularity in the region.

“The senator urged us to be as truthful as possible with him because he wanted to ensure his 2022 contest for Murang’a governor would be premised on the political pulse of the county. We were all unanimous that, first, he was in the wrong wing of politics. We told him point-blank that how he was used by Kieleweke to de-whip Tanga Tanga loyalists had eroded his standing in Murang’a, and that, unless he remedied the situation, he was walking into his political gallows,” Kimani was quoted as saying.

The Senate Chief Whip was advised that there was little chance that he would be elected Murang’a Governor in 2022, so long as he continued to associate himself with the Kieleweke faction aligned to President Kenyatta, ODM Leader Raila Odinga, and former presidential candidate Peter Kenneth.

Kang’ata prides himself in not having lost any election since joining politics in 2002, at a tender age of 21 years. 

“We made our case very well and backed it with actual evidence that is in the public domain. We told Kang’ata that if the Kieleweke 2022 ticket was the one being sold by the Handshake team with Raila Odinga as President and Peter Kenneth as his running mate, then he had better kiss his Murang’a gubernatorial ambitions goodbye,” Kimani added.

“As a Jubilee die-hard loyal to President Kenyatta, I saw it wise to collect that intelligence and compile it and bring it to the attention of the party and its leader,” Kang’ata is quoted as saying when he revealed that the meeting at his home was heated.

The letter by Kang’ata to President Kenyatta was dated December 30, however, it has been established that it had been authored on December 31, 2020, before hitting the headlines on January 3, 2021.

Kang’ata informed the President of the political landscape in the Mount Kenya region with regard to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), and his findings rubbed off pro-BBI champions the wrong way.

In the letter, Kang’ata urged that the BBI consider adopting two pet lines – a consensus-oriented process that would see the referendum bear multiple questions- something that has through the course of the report been championed b Deputy President William Ruto.

Critics of the letter have since accused Kang’ata of playing sideshows and that he was rejoining Tanga Tanga.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Crime & Investigations

Exposed: Dirty tendering deals at KPA, Engineer Tai, acting procurement manager leading the trail

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Dear Daily Trends,

Hide my identity

I would like to further expose the rot in tendering process at the Kenya Port Authority (KPA) it is facilitated by head of terminal engineer Tai and the acting procurement manager.

The part of the syndicate which is linked to and protected by the ministry of transport the corruption levels are so high that the winners of ongoing tenders are already known.

The empty container reach stacker kpa 093/2020-21TE which is a multi-million shilling stone that will be won by Kalmar fronted by a local company known as powerparts , the technical specifications have been manipulated from the norm to meet the requirements of the procurement act but favour kalmar.

Interested reputable companies like sunny Ferrari fantuzzi ii-tc have cleverly been eliminated before tendering by KPA.

This is been achieved by buying a bigger and economic equipment to favour one company which eventually favour one company which will eventually of a price in order to raise money for brides the budget has been set incredible hi to offer room for overriding since the tender has been reduced to a one company affair powerparts.

The owner is known to host kps staff kids who study abroad in the UK power parts has never been investigated for all routes illegal activities in kPa despite numerous outcries a multi-billion ship to store (sts) crane tender no: kpa /092/2020-2021/cce, will be won by a local Mombasa politician.

This tender falls in the STS tender conventional cargo department but specifications were made by the head of terminal engineering to favour zpmc and therefore award the tender.

It is well known that the technical committee evaluation is influenced by cartels who have the procurement manager compromised in their favour.

This alone has led to numerous gender-related cases for instance the last reach stacker tender the tendering process at kPa is a mere shyam because tender awards and negotiated by cartels.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Load More Posts