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PS Kibicho At DCI Headquarters Over Sonko’s 2017 Election Confessions

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho has arrived at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters to record statement following claims by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko that they jointly organised chaos in Nairobi and blamed it on ODM.

Sonko who since his impeachment has launched an assail on President Uhuru Kenyatta and his ‘Kieleweke’ allied Jubilee party members has taken his tirades a notch higher.

Speaking at a function in Dagorreti on Sunday, January 24, attended by Deputy President William Ruto, Sonko opened up on the atrocities he, alongside some senior government officials, did to ensure that Raila Odinga’s side is blamed.

According to Sonko, they went and bought T-shirts, printed them with ODM colors, bought some second hand vehicles and set them on fire, so that the ODM supporters can be blamed for being destructive.

‘I, Interior PS Karanja Kibicho and some members of the deep state printed T-shirts written ODM, bought second-hand vehicles, burned them along the highway so that it be pegged on ODM supporters, thus deeming them as violent and destructive,” he revealed.

Sonko was referring to the recent unrests that have been witnessed in the Rift Valley region, where some vehicles have been burned in what has been blamed on the war of class that is allegedly being fuelled by DP Ruto’s hustler vs dynasty narrative.

According to Sonko, it is ‘the system’ that is burning the vehicles, so that it can be blamed on DP Ruto’s hustler nation movement.

Sonko’s rant stirred mixed reactions, with some netizens arguing that his confessions will son reveal the killers of IEBC ICT manager Chris Musando.

Some claimed that the embattled politician is currently digging his own political grave since the Tanga Tanga faction that he is appeasing at the moment will also lose trust in him.

Some argued that Sonko should just be picked up and returned to Shimo La Tewa prison to complete his jail term.

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Politics

Internet Set Ablaze As Sonko Reveals How ‘Deep State’ Used Him To Finish Raila In 2017

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Ousted Nairobi County Governor Mike Sonko has stirred mixed reactions on the internet after he publicly confessed to what he did to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) supporters in 2017, with the help of ‘the deep state’.

Sonko who since his impeachment has launched an assail on President Uhuru Kenyatta and his ‘Kieleweke’ allied Jubilee party members has taken his tirades a notch higher.

Not even warnings by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria not to have him speak at public gatherings, especially at events attended by Deputy President William Ruto have been taken to consideration.

Speaking at a function in Dagorreti on Sunday, January 24, attended by Deputy President William Ruto, Sonko opened up on the atrocities he, alongside some senior government officials, did to ensure that Raila Odinga’s side is blamed.

According to Sonko, they went and bought T-shirts, printed them with ODM colors, bought some second hand vehicles and set them on fire, so that the ODM supporters can be blamed for being destructive.

‘I, Interior PS Karanja Kibicho and some members of the deep state printed T-shirts written ODM, bought second-hand vehicles, burned them along the highway so that it be pegged on ODM supporters, thus deeming them as violent and destructive,” he revealed.

Sonko was referring to the recent unrests that have been witnessed in the Rift Valley region, where some vehicles have been burned in what has been blamed on the war of class that is allegedly being fuelled by DP Ruto’s hustler vs dynasty narrative.

According to Sonko, it is ‘the system’ that is burning the vehicles, so that it can be blamed on DP Ruto’s hustler nation movement.

Sonko’s rant stirred mixed reactions, with some netizens arguing that his confessions will son reveal the killers of IEBC ICT manager Chris Musando.

Some claimed that the embattled politician is currently digging his own political grave since the Tanga Tanga faction that he is appeasing at the moment will also lose trust in him.

Some argued that Sonko should just be picked up and returned to Shimo La Tewa prison to complete his jail term.

A picture made rounds on early this month of cows in a truck that were burnt in alleged dynasty, hustler wars.

The hustler movement is associated with DP Ruto who has on several occasions stated that his agenda is about Wanjiku (the ordinary Kenyan) and not about tribal politics.

The post which was circulated by various individuals on social media with the claim that innocent lives were at risk as political temperatures in the country continued to rise. 

“The bodabodas burned this lorry plus the cows inside it in the name of hustlers vs dynasties for the simple reason that one of their colleagues was injured by the lorry,” embattled Thirdway Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot noted. 

However, it later emerged that the incident had happened in Nigeria, and not Kenya as it had been widely reported.

Instances of boda boda riders causing destruction to other motorists after a major accident have, however, been reported in Kenya. 

On January, 14, boda boda riders blocked a section of Outer ring road in Nairobi after one of their own was knocked down by a lorry on the road.

Watch Sonko’s video below.

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Politics

“Looters And Corrupt Political Salesmen Must Fall!” Buzeki Declares War Against Ruto

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Business mogul Zedekiah Bundotich Kiprop popularly known as Buzeki has vowed to fight Deputy President William Ruto up to the last minute.

Taking to his official Twitter handle on Friday evening, Buzeki revisited some of the promises DP Ruto was giving Kenyans when campaigning for their second term alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The businessman-cum politician slammed Jubilee government for failing to deliver on the many promises they made.

He noted that the Jubilee government while campaigning ahead of the 2017 general elections promised a double digit economy, dams, stadiums, Galana Kulalu, laptops, Uasin-Gishu Referral Hospital, all of which have not been delivered until now.

Buzeki slammed DP Ruto, for promising Kenyans wheelbarrows instead.

He went ahead to vow that looters and corrupt political salesmen must fall.

“Jubilee promised a DOUBLE DIGIT  economy, DAMS, STADIUMS, GALANA KULALU, LAPTOPS, UASIN- GISHU referral HOSPITAL, now it has EVOLVED and METAMORPHOSED into a Single WHEEL non MOTORIZED accessory. We MUST drain THE SWAMP. Looters and  Corrupt political SALESMEN must FALL. Tai,” Buzeki posted.

A week ago, Buzeki resigned as CCM secretary-general and quit, following party leader Isaac Ruto’s move to back Deputy President William Ruto.

Buzeki says he does not subscribe to Tangatanga politics of lies, which he claims will create division in the country.

“I can’t be a party to such politics that is based on lies and propaganda. I will not and will never be part of Tangatanga style of politics,” Buzeki said.

He noted that he would announce his next political move by April and it would not have anything to do with Chama Cha Mashinani.

“I will soon meet with our supporters and stakeholders to discuss the best way forward because we can’t be part of what Isaac Ruto is doing,” Buzeki said. He said he had completely broken political ranks with CCM and Ruto.

“There is no way I can subscribe to Tangatanga kind of politics that is baseless and aimed at dividing Kenyans,” Buzeki said.

He said he was part of leaders seeking to unite the country and not use cheap propaganda to gain power. He cautioned Ruto that by joining the DP he was drowning politically.

The former Bomet governor joined the DP during his visit to the county and was seen with the Tangatanga brigade which toured parts of the South Rift region last week.

Buzeki joined CCM two years ago after differing with DP Ruto and his allies whom he accused of perpetrating politics of dictatorship and lies.

He has been critical of the DP and his camp, warning that they would ruin the country should they gain power.

He vied for the governor seat in Uasin Gishu but lost to incumbent Jackson Mandago. He is considered a frontrunner for the same seat in 2022.

Uasin Gishu is DP Ruto’s backyard but Buzeki enjoys substantive support in the region.  He had planned to vie on a CCM ticket but will now go back to the drawing board.

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Politics

Blow To Uhuru, Raila As Ruto’s Agenda In Meeting With Mt Kenya MCAs Is Revealed

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his handshake partner the ODM leader Raila Odinga may just suffer another blow in their efforts to popularise the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) in Mt. Kenya region.

Members of County Assembly (MCAs) allied to Deputy President William Ruto from across the 10 counties in the region will be meeting at Thika Greens in Murang’a today, while another team will be in Nyahururu next weekend to chart the way forward and give their stand on the BBI issue, which has divided the region.

Ruto’s allies have clustered counties in three groups where they are scheduled to meet the ward representatives to discuss BBI and his 2022 presidential bid.

Already, the allies have met MCAs from Meru, Isiolo and Tharaka Nithi, which formed the first group that had an inaugural meeting on Saturday last week.

Today, Tangatanga leaders will meet MCAs from Kiambu, Nairobi, Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Embu while the last meeting at Nyahururu town on January 30 will be targeting MCAs in Nyeri, Nyandarua, Nakuru and Laikipia.

Forty-two Meru MCAs attended the meeting alongside five from Isiolo, five from Tharaka Nithi, and 19 from Kirinyaga. There were also a couple of MCAs from Nyeri and Kiambu. MPs Rahim Dawood (North Imenti) and Josephat Gichunge (Tigania West) also attended.

The steering committee of the Mt Kenya MCAs meeting includes Chinga MCA Kiruga Thuku, Gatanga’s Nahashon Gachuhi, Ken Mukira (Nyandarua), Kinyua Wangui (Kirinyaga), Elias Murage (Meru), Peter Mbae (Nakuru), Robarto Maina (Laikipia) and Mr Ikonya from Kiambu.

It is understood that after the meeting today, the allies will then select their representatives who will lead a charm offensive campaigns at the grassroots to popularise Ruto’s bid.

“We have requested the deputy president to attend the ceremony and he said he will if he will be available,” said Thuku, adding that they will not discuss BBI. 

Ruto’s Spokesman David Mugonyi, however, said he was not aware that his boss will attend the meeting, answering in a brief text message, “There is nothing like that” when a local daily tried to reach out to him.

Mt Kenya region Assemblies Caucus representative Charles Ng’ang’a said Ruto’s allies have been wooing them to oppose the BBI report in a bid to flex their muscles and to prove that although the region is perceived as President Kenyatta’s stronghold, they have been able to turn tables.

“We have been approached on how we shall reject the BBI report in the region. They argue that the proposed Ward Development Fund is just but a sweetener and a bait for us to approve the report but they are telling us that the State has been unable to release development monies from the Treasury and will not be able to implement the proposal,” said Ng’ang’a.

Ng’ang’a has, however, urged the MCAs to ignore the gimmicks and approve the report due to the gains that the region will get.

He further claimed that DP Ruto’s allies are only interested in settling political scores.

“However, I urge MCAS to reject such gimmicks and approve the report due to the gains that the region will get. Other than ward fund, there are other proposals like the revenue sharing formula and representation that favours our region, Ruto’s allies are only interested in settling political scores but the report seeks to cater for our interests.”

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Crime & InvestigationsPolitics

MP Oscar Sudi In Trouble Again, Summoned After Doing This

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kapsaret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi is not new to controversy. On several occasions, the controversial lawmaker has found himself on the wrong side of the law.

On Friday, January 22, Sudi found himself in hot soup after he decided to abscond Court.

A Nakuru court was forced to summon the DP William Ruto allied MP after he failed to show up in a hate speech case against him.

Sudi’s hate speech and offensive conduct case hearing was set to proceed today but he failed to attend court. 

Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecution Daniel Karuri made an application for the court to order Sudi arrested. 

Karuri urged Senior Resident Magistrate Benjamin Limo to also compel the lawmaker to attend court. 

Defence counsel Felix Orege informed court that he was unwell and sought another date. 

Orege added that Sudi will avail his medical report in court during the next court appearance. 

Limo dispensed Sudi’s attendance in court on account of sickness and declined to issue an arrest warrant. 

“Instead, summons are hereby issued to the accused to attend court and avail medical documents in support of his disposition on the day he was to attend court,” ruled Limo. 

The prosecution had lined up three police officers from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to testify.

Sudi is charged with two counts of hate speech and one count of offensive conduct.

The MP has denied that he used threatening words on social media, which were likely to stir up ethnic hatred on September 7, 2020, at an unknown place within the Republic of Kenya.

He has also denied offensive conduct charges and is out on Sh500,000 bail.

The case has been slated for February 19.

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Politics

Fireworks As Murkomen Reveals Kalonzo’s ‘Hidden’ Mission To DCI

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen on Friday, January 22 caused a stir online after speaking on Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s visit to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters.

The former Vice President presented himself to the DCI to clarify claims that he had grabbed land in Yatta belonging to the National Youth Service (NYS).

This is after Deputy President William Ruto while in Bomet last Friday made claims that Kalonzo had grabbed a 200-acre government land in Yatta.

But Kalonzo dismissed the claims as wild and constituted character assassination.

In a communique on Friday, Kalonzo presented himself at 8:30am to 9am at the DCI concerning the ownership of the land.

He was having in his possession all the legal/official documents showing how he acquired the said property.

However, Murkomen has dismissed Kalonzo’s move and asked Kenyans to ignore.

Through a post on his official Twitter account, Mujrkomen questioned why Kalonzo had chosen DCI and not Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC), which has the specialized mandate on matters corruption.

He further argued that a suspect cannot choose an investigator for himself/herself.

According to Murkomen, Kalonzo went to meet DCI boss George Kinoti to do away with the matter.

“So Kalonzo Musyoka is a real SUSPECT? If he is a corruption suspect why did he choose to go to DCI and not EACC which has the specialized mandate on matters corruption? Can a suspect choose his investigator? The reason why he went to see Kinoti is simple- DRY CLEANING.IGNORE!” Murkomen tweeted.

Kalonzo had earlier on said he was ready to be investigated by the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for the public to know the truth.

He said DP Ruto to follow suit and present himself before the same authorities for scrutiny.

Kalonzo’s utterances caused mixed reactions as politicians allied to the Deputy President rushed to defend Ruto while those allied to Musyoka defended the Ukambani political kingpin.

Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu defended Musyoka, stating the attack on him was ill-advised.

The former Lands Cabinet Secretary said the allegations by Deputy President William Ruto are “false because Kalonzo owns the land legally”.  

“As a Minister of lands, I checked the details of that land and I found that Kalonzo had acquired that land very well,” Ngilu said.

She accused the DP of tarnishing Musyoka’s name by playing politics of land grabbing.

Ruto and Kalonzo are both eyeing the Presidency in 2022.

The two are also fighting to replace the late Senator Boniface Kabaka’s position in Machakos with their preferred candidates.

Kalonzo unveiled former Senator Johnston Muthama’s estranged wife Agnes Kavindu as Wiper’s candidate for the senatorial by election slated for March 18 while Ruto through his party United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is supporting businessman Urbanus Muthama in what has intensified their rivalry.

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Crime & InvestigationsPolitics

Police Launch Manhunt For MP For Allegedly Beating Up Local Chief To Near Death

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi is wanted by police after he allegedly beat up South East Alego Chief, Joseph Ogutu Onjala to near death.

According to the chief who is currently recuperating at a private hospital in Siaya town, Atandi and his bodyguards stormed his house on Wednesday night, January 20, and assaulted him, leaving him unconscious.

Atandi is said to have accused the chief of hiring locals to disrupt a ceremony in which he had presided over.

Earlier on Wednesday, the fiery politician had commissioned renovations of classrooms at Unna Primary school, Siaya County.

After word got around of the assault incident, angry locals pursued their MP which prompted him to seek refuge at Nyangoma police station.

While at the station, he recorded a statement alleging that his function had been disrupted by rowdy youth who wanted to harm him.

The reports were confirmed by Siaya County Commissioner Michael ole Tialal who noted that Chief Onjala’s assistant had also gone missing in mysterious circumstances.

This is not the first time the legislator is on the spot for an alleged assault case. In January 2019, reports indicated that he had allegedly assaulted a government officer.

Accompanied by a few men, Atandi reportedly stormed the County Director of Education’s office seeking the Director’s contact.

The officer present declined to give him the contact which prompted him to slap her on the face.

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Politics

After Kang’atta’s Letter, Waiguru Now Sends Another Explosive BBI Message To Uhuru

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just a few weeks after Senate Majority whip Irungu Kang’ata’s BBI letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta went viral, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has also raised concerns.

Kang’ata in his letter had warned the President that the BBI document was unpopular in Mt Kenya region, and unless much is done, it was likely to fail.

Waiguru wants an all-inclusive team to lead the BBI campaigns in Mt Kenya region if it is meant to pass.

She said there is a need to embrace all leaders, including those with varied opinions, if efforts to sell the document in the vote-rich region will succeed.

Waiguru spoke even as the Mt Kenya BBI secretariat met leaders from the region in efforts to calm discontent arising from alleged exclusion of some of the leaders.

The claim emerged after a five-member team was picked to popularise the BBI in the region.

Yesterday’s meeting was chaired by Kirinyaga Senator Charles Kibiru with most of those who attended refusing to divulge details.

Waiguru in an interview with The Standard cast aspersions on the newly-selected secretariat saying: “BBI is a political process that must be led by people the community recognises as political influencers.”

According to her, BBI is a political process and if it is not led by people the community recognises as political influencers, it will have challenges.

The team selected a fortnight ago comprises Kibiru, MPs Maoka Maore (Ntonyiri), Ruth Mwaniki (Kigumo), Peter Mwathi (Limuru) and Jane Njiru (Embu). 

The five have pledged allegiance to Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, but are accused of not being strong defenders of the president.

Waiguru was a member of Team Embrace that brought together women parliamentarians from Jubilee and ODM which drummed up support for the BBI.

Asked whether she was among the leaders that selected the Mt Kenya BBI secretariat and what she felt about it, Waiguru said she was not invited at Thika Greens meeting where the matter was discussed. 

She said she is not worried about being excluded as she is busy pushing development projects in Kirinyaga.

The governor said for the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2020 to get approval, there is need to make the process as collaborative as possible.

This, according to Waiguru, will entail bringing on board leaders with divergent views so that all leaders can own the document.

She warned that the process should not be made competitive as that would end up bringing more opposition to the BBI project which will spell doom to agenda and the mission of amending the 2010 Constitution.

“It is my view that for it to pass smoothly, we need to move from making BBI a competitive to a collaborative process by bringing everyone on board, including those with divergent views, so that we all own the document as opposed to having competing internal and external camps,” Waiguru said.

On whether she will continue supporting the proposed constitutional amendments, the governor said: “I will wait to be advised and then make decisions on how best to engage.” 

Speaking during an interview with four vernacular radio stations in the region on Monday, the President lashed out at the BBI opponents accusing them of stirring up incitement among Kenyans through the dynasty versus hustler narrative which he warned will divide Kenyans.

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Politics

Take It Or Leave It! Raila In Dilemma As Uhuru Slaps Him With This Demand

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has been left in a big dilemma after President Uhuru Kenyatta issued him with a new demand regarding their March 2018 handshake.

According to reports, Raila is stuck between accepting the demand or rejecting it and fold out of the handshake deal that has seen him work closely with President Kenyatta.

Details have already emerged that President Kenyatta wants Raila and his Orange party to sign a formal deal that will seal their agreement. 

The two decided to work together to calm the political tension emanating from the controversial August 2017 General election.

Insiders who spoke to a leading local daily said that the head of state wants Odinga to enjoy the fruits of the handshake, which birthed the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and has also seen several projects unveiled under Kenyatta’s regime. 

Jubilee is also pushing ODM to enter into a formal agreement after the latter reportedly asked to be awarded the position of Nairobi County Deputy Governor. 

ODM reportedly claimed to have played a role in impeaching former Governor Mike Sonko. New Deputy Governor Anne Kananu is poised to take over as governor. 

Odinga’s party may opt to present a candidate who is aligned to the party and not necessarily a party member as a Deputy Governor nominee. 

In June 2020, ODM declined to enter into an agreement with Jubilee after former Vice President, Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Democratic Movement and Isaac Ruto’s Chama Cha Maendeleo signed a deal with the ruling party. ODM, however, insisted that it would continue to partner with Jubilee and did not need to sign any formal deal.

Odinga held a crisis meeting with his key allies on Monday, January 19, to discuss the demand issued by Jubilee. 

“We don’t need to have a formal agreement with Jubilee. All we need is to trust each other,” ODM Chairman John Mbadi said, later on.

However, trust issues are key to the new deal being sought by Kenyatta as Odinga has on numerous occasions asked his critics to distance him from Jubilee failures. 

His allies such as Siaya Senator James Orengo have also openly criticised Jubilee for unemployment and Kenya’s high debt level.

Deputy President William Ruto hinted that Odinga and Kenyatta may be at loggerheads over the handshake deal, arguing that ODM wanted to pull out of the agreement after allegedly sabotaging the government. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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’.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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