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Kenya’s Covid-19 Cases Surge to 1348 as 62 More Test Positive

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya’s Covid-19 cases have surged to 1348.

Heath Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman on Tuesday May 26, 2020 announced 62 news Covid-19 cases after testing 2293 samples in the last 24 hours.

Out of the new 62 cases, Nairobi has 23 while Mombasa has 16. So far 64,264 people have been tested. Three patients have been discharged bringing total number of recoveries to 405.

Eight of the new cases came from Kwale, six are from Kajiado and Kiambu, and three in Kitui.

The number of deaths remain at 52.

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Politics

Cherargei, Linturi Kicked Out of House Committees as Murkomen Lands New Appointment

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The newly installed Senate majority whip Senator Irungu Kang’ata, has announced new changes in the ruling Jubilee party, as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s purge continues.

The new changes will see Deputy President Dr William Ruto’s allies removed from the leadership of key committees and being replaced by perceived party loyalists.

In the changes, Senator Christopher Lang’at (Bomet)has been replaced at the House Business Committee by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja.

Lang’at also lost his post as Education Committee chairman to Senator Alice Milgo.

Vocal Ruto ally Senator Samson Cherargei (Nandi) was also removed as chairman of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee.

Meru Senator Linturi Mithika also lost his membership at the powerful Senate County Public Accounts and Investment Committee.

Linturi has been replaced by Senator Fatuma Dullo.

John Kinyua will also lose his position as the chairman of the Devolution Committee in the Tuesday changes.

Former Senate majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen will now be a member of the Devolution Committee.

The changes according to Kang’ata have been communicated to the Senate speaker Ken Lusaka for immediate implementation.

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Politics

Senator Ledama Surrenders His Seat, Apologizes to Raila

by Brian Miano
written by Brian Miano

Narok senator Ledama Olekina on Tuesday May 26 surrendered his senate Public Accounts Committee chairmanship seat.

This is after the vocal lawmaker met the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga this morning.

Ledama also agreed to withdraw the case he had filed against the ODM party following the party’s decision to remove him from the seat, and dewhip him.

Raila, through his official twitter account said that Ledama had agreed to the decisions after they held a meeting. Raila also revealed that the Narok senator had apologized to the party following his decision.

In return, the former Prime Minister said that he had instructed the party to reverse the decision to dewhip the Senator.

“Senator @ledamalekina has this morning agreed to withdraw the case he had filed against @TheODMparty over the Senate Public Accounts Committee chairmanship, surrendered the seat and apologized. In return I’ve instructed the party to reverse the decision to dewhip the Senator,” Raila tweeted.

Early this month, ODM through Minority Leader James Orengo, gave notice to discharge the senator from the County Public Accounts and Investments Committee (CPAIK).

Olekina contested and won the election against his party’s preferred candidate Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri after being backed by Jubilee senators.

He had already chaired the CPAIC’s first meeting when Senate minority leader James Orengo (ODM) gave a notice indicating the party’s wish to dewhip him from the CPAIC and the Senate Business Committee (SBC).

Olekina had vowed to fight the removal, a move that saw him file a case against the Orange party.

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Politics

Uhuru Convenes Another Top Jubilee Meeting

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta has yet again convened another top Jubilee party meeting.

The head of state is set to meet with Jubilee’s key decision-making panel, the National Management Committee.

According to a local daily, President Kenyatta will chair the NMC meeting on Thursday at State House. Members of the parliamentary leadership have been invited.

The meeting is a precursor to a Parliamentary Group Meeting to be held on June 2, when the National Assembly reconvenes from a one-month recess.

This will be the first NMC meeting since President Kenyatta seized control of Jubilee Party from Ruto’s grip after a successful ‘coup’ last month.

Ruto on Thursday last week lost his case before the Political Parties Disputes  Tribunal where he was challenging reconstitution of the NMC.

It is not clear if the DP and his allies would attend the crucial meeting on Thursday to endorse sweeping changes to the National Assembly leadership and approve the President’s working relationship with the opposition.

On Monday Jubilee Party secretary-general Raphael Tuju confirmed the President had called for the meeting, which he termed “critical” to the party’s ongoing housecleaning.

Tuju confirmed the ongoing purge in Parliament targeting members considered disloyal to the President would continue until the Jubilee house is in order.

National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale, Majority Whip Benjamin Washiali and Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kang’ata, as well as Senate Majority leader  Samuel Poghisio, are among those expected to attend.

NMC members include chairman Nelson Dzuya, Tuju and five newly appointed members.

They are Lucy Macharia, Marete Marangu, Walter Nyambati, Jane Nampaso and James Waweru.

Ruto’s ally Albert Mutai, who is the Jubilee national treasurer, is also a member of the NMC by virtue of his position.

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Politics

VIDEO: Senators Were Paid 200k to Oust Kindiki, Vocal Tanga Tanga MP Claims

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A vocal Deputy President William Ruto allied MP has come out to claim that senators who voted to oust Tharaka Nithi senator Kithure Kindiki as senate deputy speaker, were paid.

According to Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri, the senators met at Serena Hotel, where they were given ksh. 100,000 each. He says they were promised to be given the remaining Ksh. 100,000 after their voting.

The vocal Tanga Tanga MP further claims that the entire process in which Prof Kindiki was kicked out was corrupted. He says the senate speaker ignored the voting procedure, where the senators use a special voting system to cast votes, and opted for verbal voting.

According to Ngunjiri, the senators who voted yes rushed quickly after the process, to pick their remaining balance that they had been promised.

He further accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of bringing in their political enemy, the ODM party leader Raila Odinga, to cause troubles in the ruling party. Ngunjiri says that it is President Kenyatta who taught them how to abuse Raila at the time he was fully in opposition.

Kindiki was on Friday last week ousted after a heated debate.

Out of the total 67 senators, 54 voted to kick out the deputy speaker who they accused of party disloyalty and disrespect to the party leader.

At least 26 of senators from the minority side voted in favour of his removal. Only two, Bungoma senator Moses Wetangula and Nominated Judith Pareno did not cast their votes because they were not in the House.

However, Mr Wetangula, who is on a mandatory quarantine after his brother died of Covid19, expressed his support for the removal in a message to Minority leader James Orengo.

Seven senators voted to save Prof Kindiki, a far cry from the tussle of numbers that the pro-Ruto allies have always touted. They were Kipchumba Murkomen, Aaron Cheruiyot, Christopher Langat, Susan Kihika, John Kinyua, Samson Cherargey and Kindiki himself.

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Politics

Ruto Breaks Silence on Claims of Distributing Poisonous Food

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President William Ruto has broken his silence on Kikuyu Constituency poisonous food puzzle.

The second in command on Monday May 25 denied his involvement in distributing the harmful food to unsuspecting residents.

Through his communication person David Mugonyi, the DP says that dragging his foundation in the harmful incident is just but a political thuggery.

“Reports from locals indicate that the strange food donations in question were hurriedly thrown from moving vehicles to unsuspecting public with fake branding, that is not from the Foundation.

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“The William Ruto Foundation has been donating food in Nairobi and its environs for months now without any incident. It is clear those behind the distribution of the contaminated food are engaging in political thuggery for other reasons,” reads the statement in part.

The DP said it’s evil for his foes to endanger lives of Kenyans while trying to stop him politically.

“We sympathize with those who have been affected and pray for their speedy and full recovery. We shall follow up with the local leadership to assist them with medical care as is appropriate in consultation with Health officials,” he added.

“It is revolting, despicable, callous and cruel to play with the health and lives of innocent human beings to score political points. Human life and dignity are higher than any political agenda. Those behind this incident are irresponsible, barbaric savages who have no place in civilized society.”

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah had earlier on argued that someone is out there to tarnish DP Ruto’s name. He claimed that there is some evil person who want to poison Kikuyu residents in the name of fighting him and DP Ruto.

He argued that there is a white landcruiser that has been moving in his constituency distributing the said food. The food stuffs are said to have been distributed in Gikambura area.

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Latest NewsLifestyle

Magufuli Orders Public Transport to Resume Normal Operations Without Any Adherence to Covid-19 Restrictions

by Brian Miano
written by Brian Miano

Tanzania’s President John Pombe Magufuli has ordered public transport to resume normal operations without any adherence to Covid-19 restrictions.

This comes a day after he banned the use of face masks.

Magufuli through a press statement dated May 24 banned wearing of face masks on grounds that they create tension among Tanzania residents, with some closing down their businesses due to fear.

Magufuli allowed Public Service Vehicles to start carrying passengers to maximum as before. He has also ordered all schools to reopen.

He urged Tanzanians to thank God that they had defeated coronavirus pandemic, citing that they should only continue washing their hands since it is just a matter of good hygiene.

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Magufuli has said the number of coronavirus patients in hospitals is declining, although the government has not released data on infection rates for many weeks.

The president has repeatedly downplayed the risk of the pandemic, causing alarm among neighbouring African countries and international organisations.

The government has even urged Tanzanians to dedicate three days for thanksgiving this weekend as they say they’re beating the virus.

The main issue is that there’s been no official data on the coronavirus for weeks, and there are concerns that the authorities are trying to downplay the extent of the outbreak.

Doctors and healthcare professionals are afraid to speak out about coronavirus because of a climate of fear.

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Politics

Did Ruto, Kimani Ichung’wah Distribute ‘Poisoned’ Food to Kikuyu Residents?

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

As Covid-19 pandemic continues to bite more, Deputy President William Ruto has been distributing food among vulnerable families to cushion them from the effects of the pandemic.

Over the past weeks, the second in command alongside Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wah rolled out a programme that has seen thousands of Kikuyu constituency residents receive food donations.

The food donations are being distributed in carrier bags branded William Ruto Foundation and Kimani Ichung’wah.

However, there have been speculations that the donated food has affected several people, with some reports on social media indicating that the leaders have been distributing expired food that is not fit for human consumption.

“Several people have been affected in Kikuyu after eating relief food branded Ruto Foundation and Ichungwah; the MP has distanced himself from the food. They distribute rotten food but distance themselves,” popular blogger Abraham Mutai tweeted on Monday May 25, 2020.

However, the Kikuyu MP has come out to set the record clear.

Ichung’wah took to his social media pages to address the claims, arguing that someone is out there to tarnish DP Ruto’s name. He claims that there is some evil person who want to poison Kikuyu residents in the name of fighting him and DP Ruto.

He argued that there is a white landcruiser that has been moving in his constituency distributing the said food. The food stuffs are said to have been distributed in Gikambura area.

He says the food stuffs are not similar to the ones they have been distributing, citing that they have not been distributing anything openly on vehicles, on roads or stadiums.

According to Ichung’wah, DP Ruto’s donations are done through Known church leaders and from an identified list of beneficiaries identified by religious and Community leaders.

” IMPORTANT and URGENT.I have just been informed there was a white landcruiser at around 6PM distributing these food stuffs in Gikambura.

“These are NOT our food stuffs and we are not distributing anything openly and on vehicles on roads or stadiums and even the FAKE branding and items are NOT anything close to what we are distributing.All our interventions are done through your Known church leaders and from an identified list of beneficiaries identified by religious and Community leaders.

“Pls be cautious as EVIL people who are distributing these may poison people for politics! A family that consumed the sugar suspect it was poisonous as two of them have been treated after consuming it .Inform all your neighbors. Any support from our office will be delivered to your houses by your known neighbours and church leaders. To the EVIL CABAL, Shetani ashindwe! Why don’t you feed the hungry? Why poison people in the name of fighting us ? reads his post on Facebook.

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Politics

Babu Owino Clashes With Journalist on Live TV, Interview’s Video Pulled Down by YouTube

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was on Sunday night clashed with a journalist on live TV.

Appearing in an interview with K24 TV’s Anne Kiguta on Punchline show, the two engaged in a heated interview after Kiguta started asking Babu Owino controversial questions.

Kiguta asked the controversial lawmaker that some parents had said he was a monster who shot someone pointblank and these tutorials are meant to hoodwink Kenyans, but Bbu Owino responded by saying that maybe just 1% of those who have responded say so.

The interview escalated after K24 replayed CCTV footage of the night Babu shot DJ Evolve at point blank at a city club.

After the CCTV footage was played, the visibly irritated MP declined to answer all questions touching on Dj Evolve saying the matter was in court and amounted to sub judice.

The interview had been scheduled to run for twenty five minutes ended up becoming a circus for at least 13 minutes as Babu constantly gave the same answer to Kiguta’s persistent questions on the shooting of DJ Evolve.

While Babu had in the past claimed that he had paid Dj Evolve’s bill, he declined to respond to the victim;s father who indidated that the family was still overwhelmed by their son’s medical bill.

After more than ten minutes of back and forth, Babu accused Kiguta of working for the DPP to trap him into making comments that would go beyond the terms of his bail.

“I think you were sent by the DPP to ask me these questions so that they can get an excuse for arresting me,” Babu said before the interview ended.

Interestingly, a video of the interview has since been pulled down by Youtube for allegedly breaching the terms of service.

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Crime & Investigations

K24 Journalist Commits Suicide

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A journalist working for mediamax has commited suicide in Nakuru citing the hard life that has been caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The body of the K24 journalist, George Kori , based in Molo was on Sunday May 24, 2020 found dangling on a tree at Gatura Farm in Elburgon.

Cash-strapped K24 has majorly cut on its human resource, firing journalists and news presenters citing financial difficulties with ongoing court cases of presenters protesting a move to cut on their salaries.

K24 television which is a major part of the Media Max company is now being handed a lifeline by Kenya’s KTN news that would see it be able to easily operate without a bulky human resource which will enable the company to cut on cost.

The lifeline being presented by KTN news is expected to be available to other media stations and partners and is expected to enable media houses to cut on the cost of content production.

K24 currently operates only with a handful of content providers after recurring job cuts which has already seen it suffer bad blood from the ex-employees in the manner it goes around firing.

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Business

Co-op Bank Renews Special Vehicle Purchase Scheme For SMEs

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Co-operative Bank has for the fifth year running renewed a special motor vehicle purchase scheme with motor dealers Isuzu East Africa and Simba Corporation to enable small businesses acquire vehicles at highly negotiated terms.

The bank provides up to 95 per cent financing of the vehicle purchase price.In addition, customers can apply for a Sh500,000 working capital facility to support their businesses, especially during the difficult Covid-19 pandemic.The loan has a repayment period of five years with a further 60 days’ grace period and a negotiated motor vehicle insurance cover.

“As partners, we had to renew this joint scheme due to its huge popularity among SMEs, who have told us the scheme is currently the most affordable means of acquiring a wide selection of vehicles such as the popular Isuzu TFR and Mitsubishi Fuso for their various transport needs,” said Co-operative Bank Head of Business Banking Moses Gitau. 

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Politics

Wiper NEC Authorizes Kalonzo to seal a Deal With Jubilee, KANU With Immediate Effect

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The National Executive Council of the Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya, meeting under the leadership of the Party Leader Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, has today (May 22, 2020) authorized Hon. Musyoka to seal a Cooperation Agreement with Jubilee and KANU with immediate effect.

Once the Cooperation Agreement is sealed, it will be signed by the Party Chairman, Hon. Chirau Ali Mwakwere, and the Secretary-General, Sen. Judith Sijeny.

The resolution was reached during a virtual meeting held via Zoom, with more than 50 NEC members unanimously backing an immediate implementation of the Cooperation Agreement.

At the same time, NEC resolved that a National Delegates Conference shall be called in the near future to endorse the formation of a Coalition between the WDMK, Jubilee and KANU.

In the meantime, Wiper Party still remains a member of the National Super Alliance (NASA), it was resolved.

“This Cooperation Agreement does not breach our agreements under the NASA Coalition,” Hon. Musyoka reiterated to the NEC members.

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Latest NewsLifestyle

Covid-19: Kibra Now a New Hot Spot as Kenya’s Tally Soars to 1161

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi has been hit hard, having registered the highest number of new Covid-19 cases that were announced on Friday May 22, 2020.

Speaking in Machakos while giving the daily Covid-19 updates, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe confirmed 52 new cases of coronavirus.

Out of the 52 new cases, 23 cases have come from Nairobi, with Mombasa and Busia having seven each.

The cases were confirmed  from a sample size of 2,567 tested in the last 24 hours. This brings to 1161 total number of confirmed positive Covid-19 cases in the country.

However, Nairobi’s Kibra is now becoming a hot spot for the deadly virus.

Out of the 23 cases that came from Nairobi, eight are from Kibra. The densely populated area now has a total of 60 confirmed positive Covid-19 cases.

CS Kagwe said to keep the numbers low, Kenyans must adhere to measures as directed by the government. He expressed his fear in the rising number of cases in Kibra.

On Thursday May 21, the ministry through Dr Patrick Amoth also projected that the peak of infections in the country is expected to be around August and September, when Kenyans are expected to see at least 200 cases recorded in a day.

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Latest NewsPolitics

Oparanya in Celebrations After Major Court Ruling

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Council of Governors (CoG) chairman, the Kakamega County Governor Wycliffe Oparanya is celebrating after Court of Appeal dealt a major blow to activist Okiyah Omtatah.

Taking to his official twitter account on Friday May 22, Oparanya said that the defenders of devolution had all reasons to smile following a win after Court of Appeal dismissed a case filed by activist Okiya Omutata seeking to have Health services transferred from counties back to the National Government.

Oparanya said that Omtatah’s move to have the health services moved from counties, back to the National government could have undermined devolution.

“Today defenders of Devolution got a win after Court of Appeal dismissed a case filed by activist Okiya Omutata seeking to have Health services transferred from counties back to the National Government this could have undermined devolution,” he tweeted.

The High Court in 2013 dismissed as a waste of judicial time an attempt to halt the transfer of health facilities to the jurisdiction of county governments.

Justice Mumbi Ngugi declined to grant temporary orders stopping the transfer of Level 2 to Level 5 health facilities to the county level and termed it an effort to re-introduce through the back door an earlier petition that had been dismissed by the High Court.

Uhuru hits out at activist Okiya Omtatah over 'rampant' court cases
Activist Okiya Omtatah. PHOTO/COURTESY

Two petitioners, Okiya Omtatah and Nyakina Wycliffe Gisebe had sued the Transition Authority (TA) and the Attorney General on grounds that they failed to correctly interpret the issues of health referral facilities.

They had listed 47 health facilities in various counties, which they claimed are legally national referral facilities and which should not be transferred to the counties.

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Latest NewsLifestyle

Kenya’s Covid-19 Peak Will Hit in August, September, 200 Cases to be Reported Daily

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Health Director General Patrick Amoth  has said that they project that Kenya’s Covid-19 peak will hit in August, towards September.

During this period, the country is likely to record 200 cases and above on a daily basis.

Speaking on Thursday May 21 at Afya House during the Covid-19 daily briefing, Dr Amoth urged Kenyans to continue exercising social distancing and observing all the government directives.

“According to our current modelling, we project our peak will be around August-September where will be reporting about 200 cases per day,” Dr Amoth said.

The 200 cases that are set to be reported during the period will be only if Kenyans continue exercising the current measures that have been put by the government.

According to Dr Amoth, the measures that the government undertook at the time including closure of schools and cessation of movement in Nairobi and Mombasa  greatly reduced the spread of the virus.

Kenya’s Covid-19 cases have risen to 1,109, with 80 new cases recorded.

This is from a sample size of 3,102 tested in the last 24 hours. This is the largest sample size that has been tested.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe on Thursday said Kenya has increased its testing capacity by 40 per cent in the last two weeks. Of the new cases, 41 are from Nairobi, while 20 are from Mombasa.A total of 13 new cases are from Kibera.

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Latest NewsLifestyle

CS Kagwe Explains How Daring Mourners Took 7 Covid-19 Cases to Siaya

by Gabriel Omolo
written by Gabriel Omolo

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has narrated how mourners from Nairobi’s Kibra traveled all the way from Nairobi to Siaya.

Unfortunately, a coronavirus patient was among the mourners, leading to seven coronavirus infections in Siaya County.

According to CS Kagwe , the Kenyan citizen from Kibera left for the Siaya burial without the authority to travel.

“There are seven new cases in Siaya and the story is a sad one because the departure point of that case is Kibera,” Kagwe said on Thursday.

“…you are in Kibera and leave for a burial without the authority or travel document signed.”

Kagwe said the police officers thought the forged documents were genuine and gave way to the mourners to travel through roadblocks.

“.. the seven mourners are all positive and were identified by contact teams in Siaya. There is a reason why we lock down places…” he said.

Kagwe said that instead of going to the burial to bury one, they might suffer the same fate.

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