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Murkomen Mocks Uhuru Over Jubilee Changes

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen has mocked President Uhuru Kenyatta just hours after the head of state effected changes in Jubilee party leadership that saw Garissa Township MP Aden Duale ousted as National Assembly Majority leader.

Taking to his official twitter account, the former senate Majority Leader sarcastically congratulated President Kenyatta for continuing with his purge in Jubilee.

With the top leadership of the ruling party now being dominated by men, Murkomen told Prrsident Kenyatta that he had now achieved gender equity and as well secured his legacy.

The vocal senator, who has been termed by many Kenyans as the now official opposition leader, termed the top Jubilee party leadership as a Men’s club.

“It’s a men’s club. Gender Equity achieved. Legacy secured. Congratulations Rais!” Murkomen tweeted.

Duale was on Monday June 22, 2020 ousted from his plum position in the changes that were made during a Jubilee Coalition Parliamentary Group meeting that was chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The new Majority Leader is now Kipipiri Member of Parliament Amos Kimunya, who was serving as the Jubilee coalition’s secretary. His position has now been taken by Eldas MP Aden Keynan.

The changes were read out by Jubilee Majority Whip Emmanuel Wangwe, as soon as President Kenyatta walked in. His Deputy William Ruto was also present, but MPs loyal to him were missing.

The meeting lasted about 30 minutes, with no speeches or questions. Duale’s ouster followed a petition from more than 130 MPs who accused him sabotaging the Jubilee agenda.

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Politics

Rift Valley MP Reveals Duale’s Dirty Deals in 2017 Elections as he Celebrates His Ouster

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just hours after Garissa Township MP Aden Duale being ousted from his position as the National Assembly Majority leader, a Rift Valley MP has taken to social media to celebrate.

The Ainabkoi MP William Chepkut took to his official twitter account to express his excitement following Duale’s ouster.

The lawmaker revealed that Duale in 2017, alongside other mandarins in the ruling Jubilee party compromised his victory in the Jubilee party primaries.

Video: Ainabkoi MP William Chepkut urges leaders to stop ...
Ainabkoi MP William Chepkut. PHOTO/COURTESY

Chepkut says that the Jubilee ticket was awarded to his rival Cheptonga, despite him emerging victorious.

Citing that time was really an equalizer, the MP was grateful that today (Monday June 22, 2020), Duale was ousted as the Majority leader.

“Aden Duale with other Jubilee mandarins in 2017 during jubilee primaries in Munyaka compromised my win and awarded the ticket to Chepkonga. Today he has been ousted as Majority leader,truly time is an equalizer!” he tweeted.

In the changes that were made during a Jubilee Coalition Parliamentary Group meeting chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta this morning at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Duale was replaced by Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya.

Aden Keynan was appointed as the new Jubilee Coalition Secretary, taking over from Kimunya.

The changes were read out by Jubilee Majority Whip Emmanuel Wangwe, as soon as President Kenyatta walked in. His Deputy William Ruto was also present, but MPs loyal to him were missing.

The meeting lasted about 30 minutes, with no speeches or questions.

Duale’s ouster followed a petition from more than 130 MPs who accused him sabotaging the Jubilee agenda.

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Politics

Uhuru Kicks Out Aden Duale, Amos Kimunya Takes Over as Majority Leader

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s continued Jubilee party purge has finally landed on Garissa Township MP Aden Duale.

In a Jubilee Parliamentary Group meeting held at State House on Monday June 22, 2020, Duale was kicked out as National Assembly Majority leader.

His position was filled by Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya. In the previous PG meeting, Kimunya had been appointed as the Jubilee coalition secretary. Aden Keynan is now the new Coalition Secretary

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Politics

DP Ruto’s Meeting Ends Prematurely as Police Lob Teargas to Disperse Crowd

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President William Ruto’s highly anticipated meeting in Western Kenya has been ended prematurely.

The meeting which was to take place at Malava MP Malulu Injendi’s home in Malava where DP Ruto was expected to attend ended prematurely after police lobbed teargas to disperse the crowd that had already gathered at the lawmaker’s home.

The government has banned all public gatherings to curb the spread of Covid-19, but some politicians have been defying this directive to hold political rallies.

Police in Bungoma on Friday June 19, 2020 teargassed Ford-Kenya Party Leader Moses Wetangula and other leaders from Western Kenya as they attempted to address the public in Kimilili town.

This is the first the Bungoma Senator was returning to his home turf following leadership wrangles in his party which saw him temporarily replaced as the Party Leader by a splinter faction led by Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi and Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu who is also the party’s Secretary General.

Wetangula who was leading a convoy into Kimilili Town was unable to proceed after police teargassed his vehicles over concerns of social distancing by the crowds that were gathering around him.

Two weeks ago, police dispersed a gathering in Shinyalu, Kakamega County ,that was being addressed by former Kakamega Senator Dr. Bonny Khalwale.

Khalwale and the residents including boda-boda riders were forced to scamper for safety in a maize plantation as police hurled teargas canisters.

The former Senator was telling off COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, CS Eugene Wamalwa, area Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and leaders who attended a meeting held in Kajiado to deliberate on Luhya unity ahead of the 2022 elections.

Khalwale claimed the meeting convened at the COTU Secretary General’s Kajiado was part of a plan to divide the Luhya community for political gain.

The gathering was in outright defiance of the COVID-19 containment measures set by the government which has since banned any form of gatherings to curb the spread of the virus.

Most of the residents at the gathering had no face masks let alone ignoring the directive to observe social distancing.

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Politics

Ruto Left With Only One Foot Soldier in Laikipia

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President Dr William Ruto has now been left with only one foot soldier in Laikipia County.

The decamping of Laikipia woman representative Kate Waruguru and Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere from DP Ruto’s Tanga tanga camp to President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga’s camp has left the second in command with only one foot soldier in the vast county inhabited largely by the Kikuyu and Maasai communities, the youthful area senator John Kinyua.

Waruguru was the first to abandon Ruto when she met Raila at his Capitol Hills offices and a day later she was followed by Korere, also elected on a Jubilee Party ticket.

Cate Waruguru with Raila Odinga. Photo/Courtesy

Their defection leaves Kinyua as the only diehard supporter of the DP as the other two legislators, Amin Mohamed of Laikipia East and Mariru Kariuki of Laikipia West, both elected on Jubilee ticket, are said to lean on the president’s side.

Kinyua’s loyalty to Ruto saw him lose his post as the chair of the Senate Devolution Committee in the changes that were announced by the chief whip and Murang’a senator Irungu Kang’ata.

In the changes meant to clip the wings of Ruto’s allies in the senate, Kinyua was moved to the less influential ICT Committee to replace West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio who was named the Senate Majority Leader to replace Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen, also stripped of his majority leader’s docket.

Senator John Kinyua. PHOTO/COURTESY

Kinyua was also among the seven senators who defended then deputy speaker Kithure Kindiki from impeachment. He joined Murkomen, Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho), Christopher Langat (Bomet), Susan Kihika (Nakuru) and Samson Cherargey (Nandi) in defending Kindiki (Tharaka Nithi) against claims of being disloyal to the head of state.

Early this year, Kinyua affirmed his support for Ruto when he joined Laikipia leaders in endorsing former Agriculture Cabinet secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri as the next Mt Kenya kingpin and suggested he be the DP’s running mate in the 2022 presidential election.

The senator had teamed up with county assembly speaker Patrick Waigwa in rooting for Kiunjuri saying he has what it takes to be the next number two to safeguard the political interests of the vast region with over six million voters.

But days later Kiunjuri was sacked as cabinet secretary by Uhuru Kenyatta, sending him into political oblivion. Warunguru was in the news when she led her supporters in storming AIPCA Nanyuki as Jubilee nominated MP Maina Kamanda was addressing the congregation.

Presiding Bishop Ndirangu Ngunjiri was forced to order Waruguru out as she had not been invited. She had arrived accompanied by over 200 drunken supporters. She is also on record vowing to vie for the Laikipia governor’s seat in 2022 to unseat Ndiritu Muriithi. 

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Latest NewsPolitics

Uhuru Taken to Court

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A case against President Uhuru Kenyatta has been filed in court.

The case follows an executive order that was recently issued by President Kenyatta.

The Law Society of Kenya has filed a case challenging the legality of the Executive order that allegedly sought to place the Judiciary, commissions as well as independent offices under ministries and government departments.

In the court documents, the Attorney General and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua are listed as respondents and the Judicial Service Commission as an interested party.

Through lawyers Manwa Hosea and Arnold Ochieng, the LSK terms the move as unconstitutional since the executive arm of government cannot restructure or assign functions to other arms and independent commissions.

The LSK claims the disputed Executive order No. 1 of 2020 offends the principles of the constitution, doctrine of separation of powers, democracy and independence of constitutional offices.

The lawyers’ lobby has termed the case a public interest matter and wants the High Court to urgently intervene by suspending the implementation of the Executive order.

The institutions affected by the disputed directive include the Judiciary, the Public Service Commission, the Teachers Service Commission, the National Police Service Commission, the Parliamentary Service Commission, the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions, the National Land Commission and the Office of the Controller of Budget.

Others are the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Commission on Revenue Allocation, the Salaries and  Remuneration Commission, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights as well as the National Gender and Equality Commission.

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Politics

VIDEO: Wetang’ula’s Triumphant Entry in Bungoma Goes Wrong, Teargas Canisters Lobbed at His Vehicle

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula grand entry in Bungoma County went wrong.

The embattled Ford Kenya party leader on Friday June 19, 2020 had a confrontation with members of the security forces after he attempted to hold a political rally in Bungoma County despite the Covid19 safety guidelines issued by the government.

Wetangula made a triumphant entry in the county, in a convoy where he was joined by some of his allies in the region – sparking running battles with police.

They were first teargassed in Kamukuywa and Kimilili towns. Wetang’ula was in the company of Kimili MP Didmus Barasa and a section of Bungoma County MCAs.

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His supporters were engaging police officers in running battles with several teargas cannisters having been lobbed at Wetangula’s vehicle.

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Wetangula however, managed to force himself into Bungoma town despite the barricades raised by the police. Watch the video below.

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Politics

Registrar of Political Parties Speaks on DP Ruto’s New Jubilee Asili

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Has Deputy President William Ruto registered a new political party dubbed Jubilee Asili? Well, on Thursday June 18, 2020, the DP held a meeting with rebel Jubilee party lawmakers who were recently kicked out of parliamentary committees.

The meeting was held at a new office dubbed Jubilee Asili centre. His allies on Thursday afternoon took to social media to share the photos of the new office.

The DP also took to his social media to reveal details of the meeting that was held at the new office. However, there are notable changes between the new Jubilee Asili and the ruling Jubilee party.

Whilst the ruling party has the red and yellow colors with ‘Tuko Pamoja’ as a slogan, the Jubilee Asili wing has only maintained the handshake logo with yellow colors, and adapted ‘Sote Pamoja’ as a new slogan.

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However, Ruto allies maintain that the office has been in existence for six months, and they say that it was established after they were denied access to Jubilee party headquarters in Pangani, Nairobi.

The Jubilee Asili Centre is located on Makindu Road, off Riara Road in Nairobi’s Kilimani area.

At the new address, an elated DP hosted 20 Jubilee MPs, including those removed from parliamentary committees and leadership for supporting his presidential campaigns.

Outspoken Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, who was ousted from the Senate Majority leader, said they had opted to open new party offices to hold party meetings.

Has the second in command registered the new outfit with Registrar of Political parties?

The Standard Newspaper made an inquiry with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties if the rival Jubilee wing had reserved the name “Jubilee Asili”.

Registrar Anne Nderitu said by yesterday her office had not received any intention for reservation of the name.

“I am out of office already, and by the time I was leaving there was nothing like that,” said Nderitu.

Last evening Ruto allies went on a frenzy to share pictures of the new office. Up to 16 MPs allied to Ruto were de-whipped from various parliamentary committee leadership in the ongoing purge.

MPs Gladys Shollei (Uasin Gishu), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu) and William Cheptumo (Baringo North) lost their positions as chairpersons for Delegated Legislation, Budget and Appropriation and Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, respectively.

Others kicked out of the chairperson positions were Mandera South MP Ali Adan (Agriculture committee) and his Machakos Town counterpart Victor Munyaka (Sports, Culture and Tourism).

Sirisia MP John Waluke, Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon) and Robert Pukose (Endebes) were also kicked out from vice-chairpersons of Committee on Administration and National Security, Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee and Energy Committee.

Other leaders formerly discharged were Kandara MP Alice Wahome (JLAC vice-chairperson), Joyce Chepkorir (Labour and Social Welfare vice-chairperson), Khatib Mwashetani (Lands vice-chair) and Catherine Waruguru (Services and Facilities vice-chairperson). Also discharged were Kuria (Transport vice-chair), James Lomenen (National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities vice-chair), Liza Chepkorir Chelule (Broadcast and Library vice-chair) and Cornelly Serem (Trade vice-chair).

Speaker Justin Muturi made communication to the House about the changes during yesterday’s session while confirming that the process of their removal complied with the relevant Standing Orders.

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Politics

Tanga Tanga MPs Abandon Their Colleague at Hour of Need, His Life Now in Danger

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Members of Parliament affiliated to Tanga Tanga faction of Jubilee party have abandoned their colleague at an hour of need.

Just a day after Nyali MP Mohamed Ali securing 90 signatures in a plot to impeach Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, the MPs who had signed his petition have now come out to withdraw their signatures, leaving the MP on his own.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday June 18, the journalist-turned-politician said that the MPs seeking to withdraw their signatures had been intimidated.

He said that all the lawmakers from the Coast region had also abandoned him, and left him to fight on his own. The MP cited that his life is now in danger.

Moha Jicho Pevu also appealed to Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai to furnish his home with additional security.

“Some of the Members of Parliament that you are seeing here have already been summoned by the DCI and KRA. 

“I want to say this, I want the Inspector General of Police to increase my security at home and in Parliament. I am dealing with a big fish. This fish must be named by all means,” stated the lawmaker.

He however, noted that once a member of Parliament appends a signature as per the standing order, he or she, cannot withdraw. 

“How do you sign without reading? I also want to assure you and tell you that the standing order is very clear that once a member of Parliament appends a signature, he or she, cannot withdraw. So no one can withdraw and the motion will proceed,” he said.

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro said that Mohammed Ali’s purported bid to oust CS James Macharia is a hopeless endeavour wrapped in hullabaloo and petty imagination.

“Mohammed Ali’s purported bid to oust CS James Macharia is a hopeless endeavour wrapped in hullabaloo and petty imagination. Zero content, can’t pass the threshold. Tuache CS afanye kazi bila fitina. We are African and Africa is our Business,” he said.

The Nyali MP on Tuesday June 16 said that he had finally tabled the motion after managing to meet the required threshold.

“Today I can confirm that I have tabled my petition to impeach CS James Macharia with 90 supporting signatures which is more than the threshold,” he posted.

Stalled projects worth Ksh100 billion and the Ksh5 billion scandal that hit Afya House during his tenure as Health CS are among the reasons cited in his impeachment motion.

The MP also said that the CS has also violated Article 73 of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.

On Friday last week, the Nyali MP said he had decided to do so for the people of Mombasa, who are doomed to serious economic loss because of CS Macharia’s actions in forcing through patently illegal actions to prop up the profitability of the SGR.

Coast MPs however, issued a statement on Thursday explaining that they had ironed out transport issues, especially the Standard Gauge Railway cargo hauling with the CS, and reached a compromise.

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Crime & InvestigationsPolitics

Another Senior DCI Officer in Sonko’s Dramatic Voi Arrest Rushes to Him Crying For Help

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just a day after Nairobi County governor Mike Sonko coming to the rescue of a police officer (now retired) who was caught up on a video being roughed up bu his wife over child upkeep, another senior DCI officer who participated in his dramatic arrest in Voi last year, has reached out to him for help.

Sonko had offered to pay for the Sh300,000 child support for the Voi base commander who mishandled him during his arrest, after a video of a jilted woman confronting the police officer, accusing him of absconding parental duties went viral.

The woman, who was breathing fire, mishandled her husband like a toddler as members of the public watched, and washed his dirty linen in public, revealing how he has failed to take care of their kid.

The woman cursed her husband and said that he is not man enough because he cannot look after his own flesh and blood.

In new developments, the governor has indicated that another Senior DCI officer who was present during his arrest has reached out to him and asked for help in clearing his medical expenses.

The official has been identified as Wundayi DCI Mr Richard Cheruiyot who is said to be in a critical condition after being shot by thugs thus needs financial help in removing the bullet lodged in his kidney.

In a long Facebook post, Sonko urged Kenyans not to repay evil for evil.

He revealed that he had accepted to meet the medical expenses of the senior DCI officer, noting that he was ready to meet the expenses of the third officer who has developed kidney complications.

Below is his Facebook post.

“DO NOT REPAY ANYONE EVIL FOR EVIL.

“Romans 12:17 says: ” Do not repay anyone evil for evil or insult with insult. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.”

“In my yesterday’s Facebook post on the former Voi Base Commander who handcuffed me with two handcuffs and forcefully borded me in a police chopper during my arrest, I offered to clear the 300,000/= upkeep cost for his child.

“Today, the DCI Wundanyi a Mr. RICHARD CHERUIYOT, who was also instructed by the OCPD Voi to ensure that he handcuffs me with two handcuffs, called my Director of Communication seeking for my medical assistance in removing a bullet that is lodged around his kidney area after he was shot by thugs.I wish to confirm that I have accepted to meet the medical expenses of this senior DCI officer.

“I’m ready to meet the expenses of the third officer who has developed kidney complications. I’m not trying to mock the officers who arrested me or protest against my arrest as im not above the law but the manner in which I was forcefully bundled in a police chopper with two handcuffs from Voi airstrip to Wilson airport was not proper.

“It is against International aviation laws and regulations.

“However, I wish to confirm to the general public that I do not have any complain against all the officers involved during my arrest but I’m appealing to all our men and women in uniform who are doing a good job in protecting Kenyans and ensuring law and order is maintained to be handling unarmed suspects in a humane way during arrest as every suspect is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. May the Lord continue to bless you all.

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Politics

MCA Beaten Like ‘Burukenge’ For Allegedly Plotting Governor Ngilu’s Ouster

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just hours after Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru was impeached by Members of County Assembly, reports emerged that four other governors were next on the chopping borad.

Kitui’s Charity Ngilu and her Bungoma counterpart Wycliffe Wangamati have been the talk, with their MCAs set to impeach them anytime over gross misconduct claims.

However, a Kitui County MCA found himself in hot soup over the ongoing debate to impeach governor Ngilu.

Kanziku Ward MCA James Munuve was attacked and beaten in public by one of Ngilu’s die hard supporter for allegedly spearheading the County Chief’s impeachment.

Munuve is said to have recorded a statement with the police following the assault. In his statement, the MCA noted that a man accosted him while he was eating in a hotel.

“He entered the cafeteria shouting that all Wiper MCAs must be disciplined. He then walked over to me, pushed and roughed me up, saying that I was part of the team that was fighting the governor.Luckily, he was thrown out by other people,” Muneve was quoted by one of the leading local dailies.

The MCA further disclosed that the man accused him of sabotaging the county head’s administration.In his report, the Wiper party MCA, revealed that the suspect was the leader of Kitui County Youth Movement.

The MCAs assault case was the second from the county after another lawmaker, Kivou Ward Rep Charles Muthui, claimed that he had been accosted by an individual roughly five days ago. He was admitted to Jordan Hospital where he was treated and discharged.

The Kitui County MCAs have so far started collecting signatures in support of an impeachment motion that is set to be tabled before the County Assembly.

The threat is the latest tussle in a protracted battle between the county government and the MCAs, majority of whom are from the Kalonzo Musyoka-led Wiper Democratic Movement.

On Wednesday, June 10, the MCAs rejected all of Ngilu’s 6 nominees to the County Public Service Board (CPSB) opening a new battle-front.

On Tuesday, June 16, Miltonic Kitute, the Chairman of Ngilu’s Narc Party, accused Wiper Party leader Kalonzo of failing to stop the MCAs’ assault on Ngilu, urging him to tame his troops.

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Politics

The Highest Certificate you hold is a Driving Licence, Moses Kuria Hits Back at MP Emmanuel Wangwe

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has hit back at the National Assembly Majority whip Emmanuel Wangwe, hours after being kicked out of the lucrative house committee.

The controversial lawmaker has accused the Navakholo MP of lacking knowledge about his role in the parliament. Kuria in a Facebook post on Wednesday night advised Wangwe to seek advice from his predecessor, the Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali.

Emmanuel Wangwe Overview :: Mzalendo
National Assembly Majority whip Emmanuel Wangwe. PHOTO/COURTESY

While referring to Wangwe as a buffoon, Kuria told him that Member Services Committee is not a Departmental Committee. He went further to argue that the Majority whip job is above MP Wangwe’s pay grade and qualifications.

According to Moses Kuria, the highest certificate Wangwe holds is a Driving Licence.

Moses Kuria had earlier on accused Wangwe of ignorance, saying that he had been notified of intention to be discharged from the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) of which he was not a member and then Wangwe proceeded to discharge him from the Transport Committee.

Kuria and Laikipia Woman Representative Catherine Waruguru are among four Jubilee Party legislators who have been expelled from National Assembly committees.

Others are Aldai MP Cornelly Serem and Bomet Woam Rep Joyce Korir.

Waruguru last week met with ODM leader Raila Odinga in what was said to be a move to save her from the ouster.

Waruguru met the African Union Special Envoy for Infrastructure last Tuesday before Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere visited the ODM leader the following day.

The outspoken MP, who was a staunch supporter of deputy president William Ruto, said she had resorted to work with the government. Ms Waruguru said she met the Orange Democratic Movement leader to discuss pertinent issues of national importance.

In his communication to speaker Justin Muturi, Wangwe noted that the four have been relieved of their duties.

Last week, Kuria accepted his removal as Vice Chairperson of the Transport, Infrastructure, Public Works and Housing Committee.

In his statement, the vocal lawmaker thanked the party for allowing him to serve in the aforementioned capacity. He did however, note that he had no regrets in discharging his duties.

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Politics

Mudavadi, Wetang’ula Left in The Cold as Wiper And CCM Sign Post-Election Deal With Jubilee

by Gabriel Omolo
written by Gabriel Omolo

President Uhuru Kenyatta led Jubilee party has finally entered into a post-election deal with Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Movement party and Isaac Rutto’s Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM).

The deal between the parties was signed on Wednesday June 17, 2020 at Jubilee Party headquarters in Pangani, along Thika Super Highway, Nairobi.

Wiper and CCM are the latest parties to enter into a post-poll deal with the ruling Jubilee party. This comes after Jubilee party and Kanu signed a coalition agreement.

The agreement saw West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio of Kanu being named the Senate Majority Leader.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has been working with President Kenyatta since their March 9, 2018 handshake.

The two are pushing for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) which is advocating for constitutional changes.

With Kalonzo and Rutto joining the deal with Jubilee, their NASA counterparts Musalia Mudavadi of the African National Congress (ANC) party and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula have been left alone in the coalition that saw Raila raise its flag during the 2017 general polls.

Isaac Rutto who was part of the NASA brigade quit moments after the general elections that saw him lose his Bomet gubernatorial seat to the late Joyce Laboso.

Last month, the Wiper National Executive Council authorised Kalonzo to seal a co-operation agreement with Jubilee and Kanu.

The resolution was reached during a virtual meeting held by more than 50 members under its leader. The members unanimously backed the immediate implementation of the cooperation agreement.

The party NEC added that once the agreement is sealed, it will be signed by party chairman Chirau Ali Mwakwere and secretary general Judith Sijeny.

The party then held a National Delegates Conference to endorse the formation of an agreement.

During the meeting, Kalonzo said that its membership to the National Super Alliance (NASA) will not be altered by the coalition.

Will Wetang’ula and Mudavadi also give in and join their colleagues ahead of 2022 succession politics?

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Politics

Murkomen Tears Into Oguna Over His Recent Remarks on Kariobangi, Ruai Evictions

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen has torn into government spokesperson over Kariobangi and Ruai evictions.

Murkomen on Wednesday June 17, claimed that the National government smokes something special.

The former senate majority leader was responding to government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna’s take on the Kariobangi and Ruai demolitions that left thousands of families homeless.

In an interview with NTV, Oguna said that the government is concerned about the demolitions in Kariobangi and Ruai that have left hundreds of people homeless, and that a committee was put up to look into the matter.

However, Murkomen claimed that the government that paid allowances to police officers to demolish houses of poor people leaving them homeless is now paying allowances to the big boys to to look into the matter.

According to Murkomen, it is hard to convince someone that the government does not smoke something special.

“The government that paid allowances to police officers to demolish houses of poor people leaving them homeless is now paying allowances to the big boys to to look into the matter. Then someone tells me the government doesn’t smoke something special. Nkt,” Murkomen tweeted.

On the morning of 4 May, despite a court order issued the day before restraining authorities from conducting the eviction, around 8,000 persons were forcibly removed from Kariobangi and their houses flattened.

The Kenyan Government had only notified them verbally 24 to 48 hours in advance, and had not taken any measure to provide them with food, temporary shelter, access to water and sanitation or any type of compensation. Thousands of people are currently homeless and in need of urgent assistance.

On 15 May, more than 1,500 people were forced out of their homes in Ruai at night, during curfew hours and in heavy rainfall. Affected families were not provided with shelter and have been sleeping out in the cold under the rain.

The demolition of the structures in Kariobangi was carried out by the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company in a bid to reclaim the land where more than 5,000 families have been living since 2008.

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Politics

Cate Waruguru Kicked Out of Parliamentary Committee Days After Being Sanitized by Raila

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Laikipia Woman Rep Catherine Waruguru has been kicked out of parliamentary committee.

Others expelled are Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, Cornelly Serem and Joyce Korir.

Majority Chief Whip Emmanuel Wangwe, in letters dated June 17, informed the MPs of their expulsion.

Waruguru had met ODM leader Raila Odinga last week in what was seen as a bid to save her post, but it seems it was a case of too little too late.

Waruguru met the African Union Special Envoy for Infrastructure last Tuesday before Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere visited the ODM leader the following day. 

The outspoken MP, who was a staunch supporter of deputy president William Ruto, said she had resorted to work with the government. Ms Waruguru said she met the Orange Democratic Movement leader to discuss pertinent issues of national importance.

The meeting, which was also attended by National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohamed, elicited mixed reactions among Kenyans, especially from Laikipia.  

The first time MP, commonly known as ‘Mama Simba’ however said she welcomed criticisms and support in equal measure.

She supports the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) that is championed by President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga. The lawmaker has been one of Dr Ruto’s allies who are being kicked out of critical House leadership positions.

She was serving as as vice chairperson of the National Assembly’s Members Services and Facilities Committee and has been also a member of the departmental committee on lands.

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Politics

Uhuru’s Most Incompetent CS to be Finally Kicked Out

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s incompetent Cabinet secretary is finally set to be kicked out.

The Transport and Infrastructure CS James Macharia’s fate now lies in the hands of the National Assembly. This is after Nyali MP Mohamed Ali managed to collect  90 signatures from fellow Members of Parliament in support of motion to impeach CS Macharia.

The journalist-turned politician through his official social media handles on Tuesday June 16 said that he had finally tabled the motion after managing to meet the required threshold.

“Today I can confirm that I have tabled my petition to impeach CS James Macharia with 90 supporting signatures which is more than the threshold,” he posted.

Stalled projects worth Ksh100 billion and the Ksh5 billion scandal that hit Afya House during his tenure as Health CS are among the reasons cited in his impeachment motion.

The MP also said that the CS has also violated Article 73 of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.

On Friday last week, the Nyali MP said he had decided to do so for the people of Mombasa, who are doomed to serious economic loss because of CS Macharia’s actions in forcing through patently illegal actions to prop up the profitability of the SGR.

He further noted that he was also doing it for the people of Kenya,who are saddled with projects that have not been completed under CS Macharia’s watch but have been,and have to be paid for.

The first term MP has accused CS Macharia of three allegations. First, the lawmaker wants the CS impeached for gross violation of article 10 (1)(c) and 2(a) of the Kenyan constitution.

By failing to undertake public participation with leaders, stakeholders, or even departments within the ministry of transport in implementation of a policy decision to have cargo from Mombasa transported via Standard Gauge Railway, the MP says CS Macharia was in gross violation of the constitution.

He also accuses the CS of gross misconduct contrary to the provisions of Article 125 of the Kenyan constitution. Mohamed Ali says CS Macharia has, in several meetings between him and parliamentary committees, appeared to commit perjury by lying under oath and giving evidence in parliament through provision of inaccurate information.

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