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ODM party leader Raila Odinga has sent a bold message to Kenyans as the country commemorates 57th Madaraka Day in a very unique way, due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Through a video shared on his official twitter handle on Monday June 1, 2020, Raila says that under this unique circumstances, Kenyans should have a happy and a rewording Madaraka Day.

The former premier took the opportunity to salute front line health workers as they fight the pandemic.

“I salute our health workers who have made all the difference in saving lives. I salute the civil servants in the ministry of Health. I thank CS Mutahi Kagwe for leading the team in a gallant struggle,” he said.

“I salute our citizens who have followed the government guidelines. I wish to urge the few Kenyans who are desisting from washing their hands..to do what the government is asking them of.”

Raila said the health workers, civil servants, and obedient Citizens are heroes that have to be celebrated.

“We have showed the world that what other nations can do, Kenya can do better. I want to thank the president for standing firm but there is room for improvement,” he said.

“Every struggle requires that you forego the struggle to get what you want. If our parents resorted to excuses and chose the easy life, there would be no Madaraka day.”

Raila said Kenyans need to embrace the sacrifices of our parents.

“Let us reflect on personal responsibility, dignity and respect for our nation,” he said.

He said this will come in handy in rebuilding our nation after the coronavirus pandemic.

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Bungoma senator Moses Wetang’ula has fired back after a section of Ford Kenya party members kicked him out of the party, accusing him of gross misconduct.

The Ford Kenya’s NEC on Sunday May 31, 2020 resolved to dismiss Wetang’ula as party leader.

A special NEC meeting was convened, in which Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi was picked to take over as party Leader on an interim basis.

Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati who oversaw the dramatic coup said Ford Kenya has a very low history, arguing that the party has two governors and that they were both in support of the changes.

Earlier, there was chaos as Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi was ejected from the meeting.

However, Wetang’ula is his response says that coups are archaic to good order and activities of cowards.

Addressing the press shortly after being kicked out of the party, he said anybody who wants to run for a seat in Ford Kenya must file his/her papers and and meet him at the Bomas during elections.

Wetang’ula says that a grouping calling themselves NEC members of this party airlifted people who are not officials of Ford Kenya party, booked and detained them forcefully overnight and made decisions affecting the party.

He maintained that he was still the Ford Kenya party leader, announcing that the party NEC had resolved to suspend Dr Eseli Simiyu as the party’s secretary general, and his position taken by Kiminini MP Dr Chris Wamalwa.

Wamalwa will be the party’s SG in acting capacity until further notice, according to Wetang’ula. Wamunyinyi was also been fired from his position at the party.

Bungoma Women Representative Catherine Wambilianga has replaced Wamunyinyi as the Bungoma Chairman. She will be deputized by Wafula Wakoli.

Wamunyinyi has also been replaced by Hon.  Millicent MP, for West Mugirango as the sec. of agriculture on NEC.

Richard Onyonka has been retained as the Deputy Party Leader.

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There is a ‘Coup’ in Ford Kenya party as Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula is ousted for alleged gross misconduct and replaced by Kanduyi MP WafulaWamunyinyi.

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Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi. PHOTO/COURTESY

Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati and Ford Kenya Secretary General Dr. Eseli Simiyu are overseeing the ‘Coup’.

Addressing the journalists, Dr Eseli said that Chris Mandu Mandu has also been dismissed as Organizing Secretary.

”Moses wetangula has violated party constitution. We resolved that he is dismissed as party leader on account of gross misconduct. To be replaced by WafulaWamunyinyi. Chris Mandu Mandu dismissed as Organizing Secretary”

More to follow…..

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Nzoia sugar Company Chairman Joash Wamang’oli has applauded the move by the Ministry of Agriculture to set up new rules and regulations in Sugar industry saying that it will bring sanity in the industry.

Nzoia sugar Company has a total of 7,000 acres of land with a total of 64,000 workers who are employed by the Company.

Addressing the press on May 30,2020 Wamang’oli said that for the past 20 years the sugar sector has been suffering but this is the time farmers will benefit fully from this sector, adding that the sector has been running without laws, condemning those spreading gossips to the public that Nzoia Sugar is dead.

He applauded the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Peter Munya for gazetting new rules and regulations in the sugar industry that this will help in the smooth running of Sugar Millers and timely payment of farmers.                

‘’I take this single moment to single out our Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya for identifying problems facing the sugar Millers, I hope that this will make Nzoia shine more,’’ he said.

He called on President Uhuru Kenyatta’s intervention to pump in some funds to sugar industries saying that Sugar is the only commodity that earns much money urging the Government of Kenya to stop importing sugar which lowers the Market for our own sugar.

‘’The government of Kenya should stop importing sugar from other Counties, it makes ours not to fetch more on the market,’’ he pleaded.

His sentiments were echoed by Nzoia Managing Director Wanjala Makokha who assured farmers that the Company is now back to its road mark in ensuring that farmers enjoy total profits from their raw materials they have supplied to the sugar Miller for processing.

The Managing Director however, added that the County Governments have been given the mandate in the sugar industry to form a task force which will be deciding on the pricing of sugar, calling on farmers to approach the management whenever they have issues to solve.

He added that the Company is on up and runs to find funds and pay farmers who have not been paid.

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The county government of Bungoma has today (May 29) flagged off yet again another food distribution exercise targeting around 6000 vulnerable families.

The food donation exercise comes in as a relief following the global Covid-19 pandemic which has altered the normal operation of the people, to cater for their daily bread and so many vulnerable families languishing in poverty.

Speaking as he officially flagged off the exercise at the Red Cross offices, the deputy Governor Prof Ngome Kibanani noted that already, around 2000 households have benefitted from the food distribution exercise from the chamber of commerce together with the principals of the schools around Bungoma County.

He further said that as the county they are set to give out more food targeting to reach more than 16000 households in future.

‘Through the system of Red Cross together with Ward Administrators, we are going to identify 100 vulnerable families in every ward across the whole of Bungoma and we shall make sure the food reaches them,’ he said.

Covid-19 has interfered with a lot of activities both nationally and internationally, with economy being one of the most affected.

Professor Ngome therefore urged the residents of Bungoma and all Kenyans to abide by the government regulations and take personal responsibilities to work and revive the lost opportunities.

He said that soon, mass testing will kick off in Bungoma targeting the urban slums and borders including Malaba and Busia.

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Award winning Citizen TV journalist Asha Mwilu has quit the media house.

Asha, a CNN African journalist of the year award winner on Friday announced that she was quitting Royal Media Services owned Citizen TV.

She revealed that she was intending to launch her own start-up, which she did not specify.

“Some personal news: I’m leaving @citizentvkenya to launch my start-up. I’ve worked under the guidance of the brilliant @jageyo@LinusKaikai@pamela_asigi and @JamilaMohamed,” she announced.

Mwilu worked as the Special Projects Editor at Citizen TV. She is also an adjunct lecturer at USIU Africa.

Before moving to Citizen TV, Mwilu was the Features and Documentaries editor at KTN News.

Mwilu has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, covering security, terrorism, governance, health, the economy and current affairs in Africa.

She holds an M.A in Documentary Practices and a B.A in Broadcast Journalism from the United States International University-Africa.

This has also won many accolades in her journalism career.

She was named the best journalist in Africa in 2016.

In October 2016, she was named CNN African Journalist of the Year, CNN International and Multichoice Africa.

Mwilu was in 2013 awarded the reporter of the year award by the Media Council of Kenya for the amazing documentary dubbed “Armies of the Underworld”.

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A former Member of Parliament is set to serve a one year imprisonment.

John Chege, the former Kasarani lawmaker will serve the jail term should he default a Ksh. 1.3 million fine he has been slapped by the Court.

The ex-lawmaker was on Friday May 29 fined for soliciting and receiving a bribe of Sh 100,000.

In mitigation, Chege told the court that he is remorseful and urged the Court to be lenient as he has suffered greatly.

Anti-corruption court magistrate Lawrence Mugambi said the evidence on record proved that the offence was committed.

Chege was in 2013 arraigned and charged with soliciting a bribe.

According to the charge sheet, the former legislator, while at the Continental House parking yard in Nairobi, solicited Sh100,000 from Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi as an inducement to facilitate payment of Sh3.3 million for a completed Baba Dogo Secondary School tuition block.

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Jubilee party Secretary General Raphael Tuju has spoken on whether National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale will survive the ongoing purge or not.

Tuju, in an interview with a local daily made an official confirmation that the purge is now headed to the National Assembly, after the senate.

Speaking on Duale’s fate, Tuju said that President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is the Jubilee party boss will have the final say.

Duale is seen to have meticulously pushed through government business in Parliament and moderates in Jubilee have suggested he should be spared.

However, he is also being accused of being among the elite politicians around DP Ruto who have opposed the handshake between the President and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Also facing the sack are Majority Whip Benjamin Washiali and his deputy, Cecily Mbarire.

The Jubilee National Executive Council is to meet anytime from Friday to set the agenda for the Parliamentary Group meeting tentatively set for Tuesday next week.

“We are on standby. The itinerary of the boss [Uhuru] is very full. But the NEC can even meet on Saturday or Sunday. It all depends on the President’s availability because he chairs the NEC,” Tuju was quoted by the local daily.

About two weeks ago, Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen and his Nakuru counterpart Susan Kihika were removed as the Senate Majority Leader and the Majority Whip, respectively.

With the President’s blessing, Senate Deputy Speaker Kithure Kindiki was impeached in a historic vote that exposed Deputy President William Ruto’s now-shaky grip on Parliament.

Allies of the DP have vowed to even gatecrash the Jubilee Parliamentary Group meeting at State House.

Snubbing a similar meeting two weeks ago turned disastrous for the Ruto brigade after the President marshaled the requisite numbers to kick out Murkomen and Kihika.

In a clear change of strategy, defiant MPs allied to the DP said they are ready to meet face-to-face with Uhuru and make their case.

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Close to 7,537 families in Bungoma South Sub-county are set to receive relief foodstuffs following the ongoing heavy rains across the country which have seen some of them homeless.

 200 houses have been totally demolished so far in Bungoma South Sub county and this comes in as a relief to many vulnerable families who have been affected.

Bungoma South Sub-county’s total population of the affected families include 43,755 people in number consisting of  9,003 the age of 5 years and below, female at the productive age of 12 years and above standing at 12,288 and those leaving with disabilities being 2,106.

The Sub County Deputy County Commissioner Michael Yator while addressing the press on May 28 2020 spoke on the county’s preparedness in curbing the Covid 19 pandemic, saying that so far 124 residents have been tested and 2 of them being positive but gladly one responded well to medication and now the county registers only one case.

The administrator stated that leaders within his Sub-County are working hand in hand with the Sub-County Covid-19 Response Rapid Committee team to ensure that residents stay safe and follow the government’s directives.

‘’We formed covid-19 response team within our Sub-County whereby we meet once per week to discuss on progress of our people,’’ he said.

He however, applauded the move by Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi who has greatly supported the fight against the spread of the Covid-19 by providing auto-mated sanitizing booths within Bungoma town populated areas.

‘’I appreciate our area MP Wafula Wamunyinyi for parting with us in food donations, face mask supply and hand wash sanitizers without forgetting major partners like Chamber of commerce Bungoma, Bungoma County government, the Rotary Club and the Kenya Red cross In ensuring that our people stay safe,’’ he said.

 He added that the Government is having a plan to employ youths from all the villages to help out with the cleaning of dirty areas within the Sub-County citing Mwikhupo, Namwacha, West Sang’alo, Kibabii, Sio and Oldrex as the most affected slums in Bungoma.

‘’This is a Government program at recruiting all unemployed youths to help in the cleaning of slum villages and planting of trees,’’ he said.

He further warned residents to stop ignoring the directives that have been put in place calling upon more so the Bodaboda operators to continue wearing masks and following the directives properly.  

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Kenya has announced 147 new positive cases of Covid-19.

This is after testing 2,831 samples, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 1,618.

Speaking at Kiambu County Headquarters while giving daily Covid-19 updates, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe told Kenyans to take all measures issued seriously.

A total of 70, 172 samples have so far been tested.

The ages of the positive cases in Kenya range from 1-87 years.

All of the new cases announced on Thursday May 28 are Kenyans, with 87 men and 60 women.

Out of the 147, Nairobi has 90 new cases, Mombasa has 41 , Kiambu has 3, Nyeri has 2, Uasin Gishu 2 , Kajiado 1, Kilifi 1, Embu 1, Murang’a 1 and Machakos 1.

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Details have emerged of how Deputy President William Ruto-owned Weston Hotel colluded with two firms to grab the hotel land in Lang’ata, that is now valued at billions of money.

According to Court documents filed by Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Ruto’s Weston Hotel colluded with Priority Ltd and Monene Investment Ltd to obtain the land.

In a detailed report by the Standard Newspaper, KCAA in its new case filings claim that inconsistencies in the documents produced by Weston, failure to produce any valid sale agreement and transfer instruments, and allegedly ignoring the Ndung’u report’s red flag on grabbed public properties indicated it played a part in grabbing the land.

According to KCAA, there is no consent from the Commissioner of Lands approving the alleged sale, and no stamp duty was paid to seal the purchase process.

“Other questionable circumstances show that the second respondent (Weston) was actually a party to fraud perpetrated by the third and fourth respondent (Priority and Monene) …. This court cannot defer to individual claims by land grabbers where it is proved that the title was issued to grab a public land, in this case, public land entrusted to Directorate of Civil Aviation (DCA) for the public to ensure safety in air navigation and incidental purposes,” the aviation authority argues in its court papers filed in the Lands Court in Nairobi.

KCAA says two development plans submitted by Weston contradict each other.It claims that although the two plans were issued on the same day, October 17, 1997, they are for different plots.It further claims the ownership record is deliberately scrambled to conceal the fraud.

KCAA further notes that Priority was still applying for permit approvals in April 2008, a year after the same land was registered in favour of Weston.

The contested property, LR No 209/14372, was registered under Weston on June 13, 2007.KCAA lawyers Otiende Amolo and Stephen Ligunya argue that Priority could not have continued to deal with the same property after its legal interest in the land ceased.

Weston, in its reply to the case, had attached a payment receipt as proof that it had paid survey fees for the contested piece of land.

However, the civil aviation agency argues that the receipt indicates that the paid amount was for an unsurveyed plot, and is a different property. 

According to the authority, its land had been previously surveyed and had a reference number .KCAA questions how Priority and Monene managed to get a survey document (a deed plan) for the contested land more than a year before they paid for the survey, a pointer to fraud.

According to the aviation authority, receipts in Weston’s replying affidavit indicate that it paid for the survey on April 30, 2002, while a deed plan number 234961 in favour of Priority and Monene is dated April 12, 2001.

In a fresh twist to the case, KCAA says Priority and Monene illegally got an allotment for 0.7 hectares of the land, but in their final survey document, the piece mysteriously increased to 0.7733Ha.

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Nzoia Sugar Company farmers have condemned the management of the Company on what they have termed as misuse of funds in relation to 228 bags of sugar which went missing under unclear circumstances.

The Company which was one of the leading sugar producing industries in Africa and even awarded as the best company in the year 2015 has since been facing various hurdles in its operation.

Sources have revealed that the 228 bags of sugar were lost to fraudsters yet farmers have not been paid for the past one year.

Addressing the press on Wednesday May, 27, 2020, Juma Lubakaya, a farmer condemned the Company’s Management for insufficient service delivery to the people and so prompting the job to protest for the next seven days.

‘’This is very bad,as farmers we are very annoyed with such management and if they are not going to pay farmers their money, we will have peaceful protest,’’ he ranted.

He however, added that since the new Managing Director Michael Wanjala was given mandate to run the Company it has experienced much political pressure which has lowered the performance of the Company as well as corruption.

‘’This management and the board has been misusing farmers money through many travels, seminars and workshops around the country as well as abroad, this eventually left it insolvent,’’ he said.

Wanjala, the Managing Director said that the matter is already in the public domain urging the DCI and the police to investigate the matter and establish the truth.

The Managing Director added that the Company has many employees and when something goes wrong the Company needs to investigate the matter before clear information is given to the public.

“Let it be known please that I don’t work with angels and as human beings we mess,”he said.

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Tharaka Nithi senator Kithure Kindiki has declined a job offer from the ruling Jubilee party.

Days after being removed from his position as the senate deputy speaker, Kindiki, alongside other senators who had been removed from various committee chairmanships were proposed to other various committees.

Kindiki and former Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo-Marakwet) were on Tuesday May 26 named to seat in the Justice and Legal Affair Committee and the Devolution Committee respectively in changes set to be filed.

However, Kindiki in a press statement dated May 27 said that he had only learnt about the offer through the press. He said that he had declined the offer, to focus on serving the people of Kenya as the senator for Tharaka Nithi.

“I have learnt through the press that the Jubilee party has recommended me to serve in another capacity in the senate. I respectfully decline the offer. Henceforth, I want to focus on serving the people of Kenya as the senator for Tharaka Nithi County,” reads the statement.

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Murkomen who was also proposed to be a member of the Devolution Committee in the new changes that were announced by the ruling party declined the offer.

Murkomen through a tweet said he only learnt from the media that he had been proposed to serve in the Senate Devolution Committee in effect replacing Senator Kinyua who is being punished for standing with him.

According to the former Senate Majority leader, accepting the position will be tantamount to repaying unstinting loyalty with spite and treachery.

“This afternoon I learnt from the media that I have been proposed to serve in the Senate Devolution Committee in effect replacing Sen.Kinyua who is being punished for standing with me. Accepting the position will be tantamount to repaying unstinting loyalty with spite&treachery,” tweeted Murkomen.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has also rejected an appointment to the Senate Powers and Privileges Committee.

This comes after he was moved from the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) in a reshuffle announced on Tuesday.

In a letter dated Wednesday May 27, Cherargei stated: “I hereby write to notify you that I have declined the appointment to be a member of the powers and privileges committee in the senate of the Republic of Kenya.”

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Three Mt Kenya region MPs have dumped Deputy President Dr William Ruto’s camp, and declared their support for President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The three Kirinyaga lawmakers have said that they have ditched DP Ruto’s Tanga Tanga camp, and vowed to be loyal to Jubilee party, and its party leader.

The Mwea MP Kabinga Wachira, Gichugu MP Robert Gichimu and Kirinyaga Central’s John Wambugu were welcomed by Interior PS Karanja Kibicho who addressed a number of public gatherings as he inspected development projects.

The MPs have been supportive of Ruto’s 2022 political campaigns.

They have however, disowned the Tanga Tanga movement and said their loyalty was strictly to President Kenyatta and the Jubilee Party.

A number of MCAs who have been supportive of the DP’s forays in Mt Kenya also disowned him.

Ruto is now left with Kirinyaga Woman Rep Purity Ngirici who is the only elected politicians who has stood with the DP.

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Deputy President William Ruto has mourned Kikuyu Benga musician Walter Githinji, popularly known as Jimmy Wayuni, who passed away from a grisly road accident that happened on Tuesday night.

The second in command has described the late musician as a diligent, prolific, creative and talented musician with a melodious voice that made his songs such as Airítu a Ruiru, Mama Sululu, Wayuni Útúire Uhenagia, among others, outstanding.

Popular benga musician dies in grisly road accident along Thika ...
The late Jimmy Wayuni. PHOTO/COURTESY

“Walter Githinji “Jimmy Wayuni” was a diligent, prolific, creative and talented musician with a melodious voice that made his songs such as Airítu a Ruiru, Mama Sululu, Wayuni Útúire Uhenagia, among others, outstanding,” reads part of his post.

The DP further notes that through his numbers, Jimmy Wayuni advocated for social justice, condemned bad governance, glorified good leadership and worked towards bringing people together.

“Through his numbers, Jimmy Wayuni advocated for social justice, condemned bad governance, glorified good leadership and worked towards bringing people together. We will miss his humility, resilience and focus,” Ruto tweeted.

The celebrated musician died after his car rammed into a lorry at Kahawa Sukari near Githurai 45, as he headed to Nairobi from Ruiru, Kiambu County.

Wayuni, a retired Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) deputy commissioner was going to drop off a fellow musician when the fatal crash occurred.

His friend, Jacksam Kibandi, survived the crash and is in hospital.

Besides music, the retired taxman also had an interest in filmmaking, having acted in several home-grown movies.

He is not however, the first Kikuyu Benga musician to perish in a car crash. Last August, another Kikuyu Benga musician John Demathew also perished in a crash involving his car and a lorry near Thika town.

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Kenya has recorded 123 new Covid-19 positive cases, raising total number of confirmed cases in the country to 1471

This is after a total of 3,077 samples were tested in the last 24 hours. 85 of the new cases are in Nairobi and 24 from Mombasa.

In Nairobi, 33 Mathare residents were recorded as positive.

Three more people have died of Covid-19, raising the number to 55.

Speaking on Wednesday May 27, 2020 during the daily COVID-19 updates, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said that infection rate is now higher in informal settlements like Mathare (33) and Kibera (14).

He also warned Kenyans to be vigilant, citing that no one is currently safe since the cases are now coming from the community.

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