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An Online Poll Places Fernandez Barasa Ahead as Savula Emerges Last in Kakamega 2022 Gubernatorial Race

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

An online poll has placed KETRACO CEO Fernandez Barasa as the suitable candidate to succeed Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya.

The poll that was ran on Strawpoll.com by one of the platform’s users challenged Kenyans to vote for the most suitable candidate from alist that had Barasa, Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Governor Opranya’s deputy Prof Kutima and Lugari MP Ayub Savula.

50% of those who voted had Barasa as their suitable candidate with only 30.18% voting for Malala.

Prof Kutima came third with 7.93% followed by Khalwale who had 6.71%.

In the poll that had a question “who is best suited to replace Oparanya in 2020”, Savula emerged last with 5.18%.

The online poll had attracted 328 by the time this story went on air.

The 2022 Kakamega gubernatorial race is expected to be very tight with the current senator expected to face it off against the current KETRACO CEO FCP Fernandez Barasa.

In Kenya online polls are used to do analysis of the support base of a candidate and do political calculations.

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Crime & Investigations

VIDEO: Five Fuel Guzzlers Parked at Echesa’s Karen Home Compound Driven to DCI Headquarters

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Five cars parked at former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa’s Karen home compound were on Monday afternoon driven to Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters along Kiambu road.

This is after DCI detectives raided his Karen home to investigate his car ownership.

In the Process, Echesa was arrested for allegedly acquiring one of the cars fraudulently.

The sleuths accused the former ODM youth league chairman of fraudulently acquiring a Toyota Land Cruiser.

The incident comes just as a proof that Echesa’s woes are not yet over.

Last month, Echesa was arrested over a fake firearms deal that is alleged to have been signed within Deputy President William Ruto’s Harambee Annex office.

Echesa was accused of entering in DP’s office alongside other two foreigner investors whom he duped through a fake military tender.

The deal worth Ksh. 39 billion is still under the police probe.

The probe extended to DP’s office with the sleuths visiting Harambee Annex not less than once.

Echesa was granted a Ksh. 1 million cash bail in the fake fire arms deal.

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Crime & Investigations

Ex-Sports CS Rashid Echesa Arrested, Again

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa has been arrested by detectives from Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

The former ODM youth league leader has been arrested at his Karen home over fraudulent acquisition of a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle.

The sleuths who while investigating the ownership of Echesa’s vehicles raided his Karen home on Monday.

Echesa who is not new to controversy has been mentioned in several scandals, the latest being the fake fire arms deal that is alleged to have happened within Deputy President William Ruto’s Harambee Annex office.

Echesa was arrested just metres away from the DP’s office on Thursday, February 13 over the scandal.

The controversy over an alleged Ksh39 billion arms deal that was to be orchestrated by Echesa took a dark turn on Thursday, February 20 when SergeantJohn Kipyegon Kemei, a police officer who was on duty when Echesa visited Ruto’s office with two arms dealers representing a Polish firm, was found dead.

Police soon confirmed that Echesa had been apprehended after allegedly getting into a fake contract with foreign investors dealing with military equipment whom he convinced he could help secure a lucrative multi-billion shilling Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) tender for arms and military surveillance technology.

He was accused of using the Office of the Deputy President and the signature, fraudulent or otherwise, of Defence Cabinet Secretary Amb. Monica Juma in a bid to seal the deal.

Echesa allegedly convinced the Polish firm, Eco Advanced Technologies LLC, to pay Ksh11,500,000 to a company known as Pizzle Consultancy Limited to show commitment.

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Crime & Investigations

Echesa’s Home Raided by DCI Detectives

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Detectives from Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have raided former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa’s home.

The sleuths who are investigating the ownership of Echesa’s vehicles raided his Karen home on Monday.

Echesa who is not new to controversy has been mentioned in several scandals, the latest being the fake fire arms deal that is alleged to have happened within Deputy President William Ruto’s Harambee Annex office.

Echesa was arrested just metres away from the DP’s office on Thursday, February 13 over the scandal.

The controversy over an alleged Ksh39 billion arms deal that was to be orchestrated by Echesa took a dark turn on Thursday, February 20 when SergeantJohn Kipyegon Kemei, a police officer who was on duty when Echesa visited Ruto’s office with two arms dealers representing a Polish firm, was found dead.

Police soon confirmed that Echesa had been apprehended after allegedly getting into a fake contract with foreign investors dealing with military equipment whom he convinced he could help secure a lucrative multi-billion shilling Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) tender for arms and military surveillance technology.

He was accused of using the Office of the Deputy President and the signature, fraudulent or otherwise, of Defence Cabinet Secretary Amb. Monica Juma in a bid to seal the deal.

Echesa allegedly convinced the Polish firm, Eco Advanced Technologies LLC, to pay Ksh11,500,000 to a company known as Pizzle Consultancy Limited to show commitment.

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Crime & Investigations

Eight MPs in a Secret Mission to Somalia Detained at Wilson Airport

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Police at Wilson Airport are holding at least eight Members of Parliament from North Eastern Kenya.

The police are set to question the lawmakers over their secret mission to Somalia.

According to reports, the MPs flew to Mogadishu on Saturday and jetted back to the country on Sunday morning aboard a chartered plane.

they are said to have departed to Mogadishu aboard Salaamair Air Express Flight WU-751.

Sources disclosed that Kenyan detectives had information that the eight were making their way to Somalia, where they were allegedly hosted by the Somalia Intelligence Services.

Detectives will be keen on establishing the agenda of the meeting considering the current strained diplomatic relations between Kenya and Somalia.

The eight will also be questioned on the nature of the trip; whether it was private or official, in which case the Speaker of the National Assembly should have been informed.

Several vehicles belonging to the Serious Crimes and Anti-terror police units were spotted at the Wilson Airport where the eight are set to be questioned.

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Politics

Kabogo Tears Apart Mt Kenya Governors After an Embarrassing BBI Rally

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former Kiambu County governor William Kabogo has blasted Mt Kenya governors for messing up the Meru Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) rally held at Kinoru stadium on Saturday.

Taking to his social media pages, Kabogo shamed governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Kiraitu Murungi (Meru) and Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua).

The first Kiambu County chief argues that the three governors were the cause of the mass storm out that was witnessed at the stadium.

While sharing the video of people walking out of the stadium, Kabogo accused the trio of failing to asses the ground, citing that they should take responsibility for the mess caused.

He argued that the three governors may end up quitting.

“Gov. Kiraitu, waiguru and Kimemia should take responsibility for this mess. Shame on you folks. Do rallies in your counties and asses your ground. You may end up quitting,” he tweeted.

Video footage on Saturday emerged on social media showing attendees of the Meru BBI rally at Kinoru Stadium walking out at the time when the ODM leader Raila Odinga was addressing.

In the footage that was recorded by phone, a group of people are seen walking out as a voice believed to be that of the ODM leader is heard at the background.

The ODM leader after the meeting labelled it a success saying the Mt Kenya region had spoken their wishes and went ahead to highlight the issues.

“Our brothers and sisters from the Mt Kenya region have spoken. The issues they want to be addressed through the BBI process include agricultural sector reforms, increased devolution funding, youth and women’s empowerment and constitutional time frames for corruption cases,” tweeted Raila.

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Politics

They Used Microphones to Address Empty Stadium, Moses Kuria Mocks Meru BBI Rally

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has mocked the Meru Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) rally for using microphones to address what he has termed as an empty stadium.

While sharing a video showing a low turn for the event, the controversial MP has termed the use of microphones as a misuse of public resources.

“One of the problems that the BBI is meant to solve is the misuse of public resources. That’s why I find it contradictory that they had to use a microphone yesterday to address an empty Kinoru stadium. Total misuse of public resources,” he posted.

The vocal MP went on to share a video of a visibly almost empty stadium as the ODM supremo Raila Odinga was addressing the gathering.

A standoff nearly rocked the meeting after Kuria, along with Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen and their supporters stormed out of the venue.

Through a Facebook post, the Gatundu legislator, later on, claimed he was rushing to another meeting.

“In a meeting attended by 100 MPs, 16 Senators, and over 10 governors, why is it a big deal that just one MP and one Senator excused themselves to attend to other duties? After all, the session for MPs and senators to speak was over,” he said.

On his part, Murkomen revealed that the reason he had to leave in a hurry was so that he could catch a lift offered by Kuria.

“Moses Kuria who gave me lift was leaving for another engagement. I had no choice but to follow,” he said in a tweet.

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Politics

Kikuyu Elders Endorse Uhuru’s Super CS For Presidency

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s super Cabinet Secretary has been endorsed for presidency.

The Interior and National Coordination of National Government Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is slowly becoming a frontrunner in the upcoming 2022 presidential elections, with him getting endorsements from different communities.

Matiangi, who was in Murang’a to attend a thanksgiving ceremony for NCIC Commissioner Wambui Nyutu, was touted as the most fitting politician to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta, long ahead of the general elections.

The tough-talking CS was also equated to the late Cabinet Minister John Michuki both in his performance of Cabinet duties and his loyalty to the president.

“The CS has been loyal to President Kenyatta, just like the late Michuki, who was obedient to retired President Mwai Kibaki,” Mt Kenya Foundation chairman Peter Munga said.

Former Jubilee vice chairman and a close ally of President Kenyatta, David Murathe, described Matiang’i as a performer and a worthy successor of Uhuru, whom he described as the best man to safeguard the interests of Kenyans.

Borabu MP Ben Momanyi, who has been leading calls for a Matiang’i presidency in the Kisii region, told the gathering that the Interior CS was ready for the task while asking the Kikuyu community to join the rest of Kenyans in pushing for his candidature.

“CS Matiang’i has the support from Western region of the country and especially his Kisii backyard, and the best lieutenant for Kenyatta,” he said as quoted by The Standard.

Speculation has been rife on whether the ‘super CS’ is planning for a presidential run following signals that he has secured the backing of two of the country’s most influential leaders, the president and ODM chief Raila Odinga.

The details emerged as Matiang’i and Deputy President William Ruto openly clashed, signalling the increasing bad blood between the duo — who could face off in the 2022 presidential duel.

Within Ruto’s camp there is growing anxiety that Matiang’i is being propped up by powerful people, including influential individuals within the First Family.

He has recently made several trips to Raila’s Luo Nyanza backyard in the company of several ODM leaders, launching a couple of development projects and presiding over fundraisers.

The CS has also taken up communal activities, visiting his rural Kisii backyard several times, in a strategy to rally the region behind him.

Since the March 2018 handshake, the CS holds Raila in high regard and has in various public functions heaped praise on him as a “statesman”.

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Politics

Nairobi MCAs Ignore Uhuru’s Order, Move to Impeach Sonko

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s move to save embattled governor Mike Sonko from impeachment seems not to have bore any fruits after the MCAs vowed to oust the county chief hours after meeting the head of state at State House.

Minority whip in the County Assembly, the Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok, who is behind the impeachment said he will still table the motion.

Imwatok says Sonko has failed in his duties as Nairobi governor.

The ODM MCA said the motion will not be impeded by President Kenyatta’s meeting with Nairobi MCAs on Saturday.

“It is a private motion and it has not been affected by the meeting. I will still bring it on Tuesday,” said Imwatok who snubbed the meeting since he was in Kisumu for a burial .

He and other MCAs, including Minority Leader David Mberia, who was attending the BBI forum in Meru, lamented that they had received late communication from State House and thus could not honour the meeting.

The meeting which was held at statehouse was greatly attended by Jubilee MCAs who thereafter vowed to turn the motive to oust Governor Sonko down.

Jubilee members in the County Assembly stated they will vote down the motion.

“Our party leader has told us not to proceed with the impeachment motion. It is as good as dead now,” Peter Warutere, Roysambu MCAs.

The impeachment is based on different counts, including the governor’s alleged gross violation of the Constitution, incompetency and inability to lead, holding the county at ransom with lack of deputy governor, unable to control county debts and clearing of pending bills among others.

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BusinessCrime & InvestigationsLatest News

Suspended KQ Employee Who Blew The Whistle About China Plane Claims Life in Danger

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The suspended whistle blower of the China Southern plane that landed at JKIA on Wednesday morning is living in fear after he apparently received word that he might be getting followed.

Gire Ali, who was suspended by Kenya Airways on February 27, 2020 after being accused of participating in recording and sharing of the video, showing 239 passengers aboard the China plane being ushered in, says his life is now in danger.

“They have been calling and I’m yet to go and meet the team because someone warned me that my life might be in danger and that they were watching me. I handed over my work identification documents through the fence and left. I fear about what could happen to me,” Gire is quoted by a local daily.

He also intimated that the employees had earlier on in the month asked for protective gear but never heard from management.

“We’re required to maintain security presence on this flight as long as it is on the ground. Our staff are badly exposed since we do not have protective gear while discharging our duties. We kindly request that similar masks be provided to our staff working on this flight,” a letter dated February 2 read in part.

So far, China Southern Airlines has suspended flights to Kenya.

A high court also ordered that the 239 passengers be quarantined at a Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) facility.

In Africa, three coronavirus cases have been confirmed. They are in Nigeria, Algeria and Egypt.

While being relieved of duties, Gire was accused of going against company policy and exposing poor management of passengers coming from the Coronavirus infested nation.

“It has been determined that you be suspended from duty with effect from 27th February 2020 in accordance with provision of clause 16.5 of the Company HR Policy,” a letter signed by chief human resources officer Evelyne Munyoki read in part.

KQ’s actions angered netizens who thought Gire’s actions were heroic.

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Khalwale Tears Into KQ For Suspending Staff Who Blew The Whistle About Chinese Plane

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former Kakamega County senator Boni Khalwale on Friday tore into Kenya Airways for suspending one of their staffs who blew the whistle about a Chinese plane that landed at JKIA with 239 passengers from China.

On Wednesday, Kenyan authorities allowed the plane to land in the country despite of the corona virus fears.

Southern flights./COURTESY
Chinese Southern Airline Plane. PHOTO/COURTESY

Kenya Airways was pissed off with the rate at which the video showing the Chinese Southern Airline landing at JKIA spread on social media.

As a result, Gire Ali, their staff who is alleged to have recorded and spread the video was suspended with effect from February 27, 2020.

“Following a report of video of China Southern flights arrival at JKIA and circulation of the video clip widely on social media and your alleged involvement in the matter, it has been decided that you be suspended from duty with effect from Feb 27,” KQ Chief human resource Evelyne Munyoki said in a letter dated February 27, 2020.

According to Munyoki, the suspension is in line with the company policies.

“This is to pave way for further investigations into the matter. During the period of suspension, you will be required to avail yourself to the investigating team,” Munyoki said.

Image

But Khalwale the bullfighter in a quick response to the suspension has termed the decision as a wisdom of fools.

Khalwale says that Mr Gire Ali is just a mere whistle blower and does not deserve the suspension.

He has termed Mr Gire as a hero to Kenyans.

“Suspend Mr Gire Ali? He is a mere whistle blower. Now our hero. Kenya Airways, yours is wisdom of fools,” Khalwale tweeted.

Gire alerted Kenyans of a China plane that had landed at JKIA with authorities silently ushering in the 239 passengers by only advising them to quarantine themselves for 14 days.

So far, 17 suspect cases have been recorded in the country and all have tested negative.

On Thursday, a section of MPs demanded that all the Chinese airlines be suspended from landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Led by Minority leader John Mbadi the MPs said it was a careless move for those responsible to have cleared a China Southern Airline plane on Kenyan soil despite the scare of the coronavirus outbreak.

Mbadi said it was laughable that the Health ministry cleared all the 239 passengers and asked them to ‘self-quarantine’ without proper monitoring mechanisms.

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BusinessLatest News

KQ Suspends Staff Who Recorded The Arrival of Chinese Airline Loaded With 239 Passengers

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya Airways has suspended one if their staffs who recorded the arrival of a Chinese Southern Airline loaded with 239 passengers from China.

The video went viral o social media, triggering an uproar from concerned Kenyans.

Jumping into action, KQ decided to suspend the whistle blower with immediate effect, citing that the matter was under investigations.

In a letter dated February 27, 2020, Gire Ali, the suspended staff is ordered to go on a suspension with effect from February 27, 2020.

During the suspension period, the staff is required to avail himself to the said investigating team, his manager or any other person in authority.

Image

The Kenyan government on Wednesday allowed 239 Chinese to land at JKIA amid Corona Virus fears, triggering an immediate uproar.

Angry legislators confronted Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo to explain what informed what they termed as a reckless’ move to allow in the Chinese plane.

The National Assembly’s departmental committee on Defense and Foreign Relations wondered why Kenya is out “to pamper China” even at the point of endangering the lives of its own citizens.

The situation got worse when the CS tried to inform the committee that the decision to allow the Chinese into the country was done in the best interest of the country.

“The aeroplane did not originate from Wuhan because Wuhan has been under lockdown and people quarantined and no aeroplane goes there. The passengers were cleared under the guidelines of World Health Organization..The decision was made in the best interest of the country,” Omamo said.

The CAS in a media conference later in the day said the Chinese arriving in Kenya are not from Wuhan, the city where the corona virus outbreak began. 

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Politics

Ruto Hits Back at Raila With a Screenshot

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President William Ruto on Thursday hit back at ODM party leader Raila Odinga over his “I taught Ruto everything he knows, he can’t stop BBI reggae” remark.

Ruto shared a screenshot of a comment on the matter, which had been posted by former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga..

On the screenshot,the former Chief Justice had opined: “Students can be brighter than their teacher. As a teacher of law I know that for a fact.”

in a Wednesday night interview on KTN, Odinga said that he was Ruto’s teacher having recruited him to the change movement and helped him gain his political skills.

“Why should I fight Ruto? In fact, it is me who recruited him to the change movement and helped him sharpen his political tactics

“I want Ruto to be part of the struggle against corruption. Running around the country with bags of money in the name of building churches is hogwash,,” the ODM party leader stated.

On Thursday afternoon, Odinga continued with his scathing attacks on his politics student.

“The theft of public resources is now called hustling. The sacking of corrupt and incompetent individuals is now called targeting our people,” he said.

Ruto has declared himself as a hustler whenever questions of his source of wealth arise.

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Politics

Raila Tears Ruto Apart in Latest Rant, Exposes DP’s Looting Loopholes

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga on Thursday tore apart Deputy President William Ruto over his hustler nation tag.

Raila who was speaking during FOPA BBI forum faulted those using hustler tag to steal from Kenyans.

He said theft of public resources is now being glorified as hustling.

He said it is unfortunate that some politicians have resorted to inciting their constituents when corrupt public officers are sacked.

The former Prime Minister further noted that sacking of corrupt and incompetent individuals is now being called “targeting our people”.

According to Raila, it is through BBI that this pattern of events can change.

If not changed, the AU envoy notes that there will be no nation left to save.

“The theft of public resources is now called hustling. The sacking of corrupt and incompetent individuals is now called targeting our people. Changing this pattern of events is not going to be easy. But it must and has to be done or we will have no nation to save. |FOPA BBI Forum,” he tweeted.

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Politics

Revealed: The Tough Demands And Ambush Uhuru Gave Sonko in Power Handover Deal

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and governor Mike Sonko to handover Nairobi City County to National Government was characterized by tough demands and an ambush on the part of the Nairobi County Government, details have revealed.

When Sonko left his home to come to the city, he was only prepared to meet Nairobi MCAs at his Upper Hill office and had no idea the day would end with his powers significantly neutered.

At around 11am, President Uhuru through State House Comptroller Kinuthia Mbugua summoned Sonko to the house on the hill – giving him only 15 minutes to show up.

So unprepared was Sonko that he is reported to have won his suit and tie on the way to State House.

State House had also summoned acting County Secretary Justus Kathenge who was equally given a strict deadline.

At State House, Sonko and Kathenge found President Uhuru, Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa, and Leboo Morintat whom the Nairobi Governor had fired a day earlier from the position of County Secretary.

It was at the meeting that Sonko was informed that the only way to keep Nairobi County running was to hand over functions.

It is reported that Uhuru was keen to avoid a by-election in Nairobi which was likely to happen if Sonko was impeached in the process that had already kicked.

A by-election in Nairobi would drain the already struggling National Treasury.

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Politics

Ruto Reveals More Unknown Details in Uhuru-Sonko Nairobi Takeover Deal

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President William Ruto has revealed more details surrounding the takeover of Nairobi City County by the National Government.

The DP has spoken on the unexpected move by Governor Mike Sonko to hand over the County functions to President Uhuru Kenyatta led government.

DP Ruto disclosed that President Kenyatta met with the Council of Governors and IEBC Commissioners before the move was actualized.

“The management of Nairobi city county has been a major source of concern for GoK and Nairobians,” Dr Ruto stated.

“HE the President met with CoG & IBEC chairs in consultation with other actors to facilitate the agreements signed,” he added.

The Deputy President also urged all stakeholders to “support this effort to ensure our city functions“.

Sonko’s move to surrender key county functions to the national government was considered the least disruptive of the options available to address the leadership crisis at City Hall.

Sonko has hence defended his decision to hand over some county functions to the national government.

In a statement posted in the wee hours of Thursday morning, Sonko — who is facing corruption charges in court — said the needs of Nairobi County are unique compared to other devolved units.

“My government set out on a fact-finding mission that saw us benchmark and take lessons from other jurisdictions across the world including Washington DC in the US and Abuja in Nigeria. From these case studies, we established that cities and metropolis the size of Nairobi are best served jointly by devolved units and central governments,” he said.

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