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DP Gachagua Reveals Why Ruto Gov’t Can’t Deal With ‘Washwash’ And Conmen

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said the William Ruto-led government cannot deal with money launders and other fraudsters conning unsuspecting Kenyans.

Speaking in Uasin Gishu county on Saturday, December 2, on the sidelines of the inaugural Great Chepsaita Cross Country run, DP Gachagua said the government cannot offer any help on money laundering and other frauds.

Instead, the second in command advised Kenyans to exercise extra caution to avoid being conned.

He stated that the country is unable to come up with any legislation to cushion Kenyans against the rackets that perpetrate the frauds.

“Hatuwezi kutengeneza sheria ya kuondoa ‘washwash’ na conmen, ni watu wajichunge na wajue kwamba yote amabayo inapatikana kwa urahisi si kweli (Loosely translates to We can’t come up with laws to deal with ‘wash wash’ and conmen, it is for Kenyans to be careful. They ought to know that nothing good comes easy),” DP Gachagua stated

He added that Kenyans should work hard for their success and avoid falling for get-rich-quick schemes which the fraudsters operate behind.

“We want to ask our people to be careful with those who take advantage of them. When they come to cheat you they will double your money, why can’t they triple theirs?” he added.

In September this year, President William Ruto signed the Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting of Terrorism Financing Laws Amendment Bill, 2023.

The bill would amend the Extradition (Contiguous and Foreign Countries) Act (Cap 76) and the Extradition (Commonwealth Countries) Act (Cap. 77) to allow the surrender of a fugitive criminal who consents to be extradited to a requesting State.

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Politics

Robert Alai Lists 5 Cabinet Secretaries Ruto Must Fire to Succeed in His First Term

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly Robert Alai has listed Cabinet Secretaries who he says President William Ruto must fire for him to succeed in his first term.

Taking to his official social media handles Thursday morning, the blogger-politician listed CS Eliud Owalo ICT), Florence Bore (Labour and Social Protection), Aisha Jumwa (Public Service, Affirmative Action and Gender), Alfred Mutua (Fireign Affairs) and Roselinda Soipan Tuiya (Environment, Climate Change and Forestry).

He further accused Dr. Mutua of lacking truth and honesty.

“Ruto, if you want to succeed in your first term; Fire Eliud Owalo, Florence Bore, Aisha Jumwa, Alfred Mutua and Roselinda Soipan. Give them other jobs like directors elsewhere but the CS job imewashinda. Mtu kama Mutua I think doesn’t have any affinity with truth or honesty. His character is to exaggerate and tell petty fibs,” Alai posted on Twitter.

Alai’s comments comes amid speculations of a looming cabinet reshuffle.

The speculations are based on the attacks on some Cabinet Secretaries by President Ruto’s close allies.

Embattled Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni told one of the leading local dailies that the ongoing happenings are most likely being informed by an approaching cabinet reshuffle.

MPs allied to Ruto have been attacking ministers, the latest one being Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba.

Namwamba has found himself under heavy criticism over claims he failed to facilitate the Kenyan team that participated in the Special Olympics in Germany.

According to Kioni, these are not just MPs holding the minister to account, but possibly people being used to paint him and the others who have been accused black to give Ruto a reason to switch them.

Ruto’s MPs have also had issues with Owalo, Kithure Kindiki (Interior), Susan Nakhumicha (Health) Florence Bore (Labour) and Alfred Mutua of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Do you think Robert Alai’s advice to the head of state is as a result of the actions of the above-mentioned MPs?

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Latest NewsPolitics

List of Most Active MPs a Year After Kenyans Voted

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Mzalendo Trust, a non-partisan entity that keeps an eye on Kenyan Parliament has released its first scorecard for the Members of the 13th parliament.

The report has detailed the most active MPs, and those who have never spoken on the floor of the house since being elected in August 2022.

The most active MPs were Makali Mulu (Kitui Central), Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North), James Nyikal (Seme) and Ken Chonga (Kilifi South).

Among the youthful MPs, Gitonga Mukunji (Manyatta) of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) stood out as the most active, having contributed a noteworthy twenty-one times. 

Mukunji’s engagement was followed, though at a distance, by Nominated MP Irene Maka, who also made a respectable twelve contributions. Not far behind, Jesses Lelmengit of Emghwen made eleven valuable contributions.

Additional youthful MPs who left their mark with substantial contributions included; Robert Ngui Basil (Yatta), Jushua Kamilu (Kaiti), and Amos Mwango (Starehe).

Over at the Senate, Samson Cherargei (Nandi) from the United Democratic Alliance made his presence felt as the most vocal member, closely trailed by Eddy Oketch (Migori), John Kinyua (Laikipia), and Mohamed Faki (Mombasa).

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the least active Senators were Mirah Abdullahi, Joyce Korir, and Shakilla Abdalla, all of whom are nominated. Also included among the less active were George Mbugua (Nominated) and Issa Boy Juma (Kwale).

Mzalendo Trust noted that the report covers only plenary proceedings, whose information is readily available to the public, and not committee sittings.

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National Assembly during a past session.
Latest NewsPolitics

List of MPs Who Have Never Spoken in Parliament For a Year

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A year after Kenyans went to the ballot to elect various political leaders, 15 Members of Parliament have not uttered a word on the floor of the house.

According to the 13th parliament first scorecard released by Mzalendo Trust, a non-partisan entity that keeps an eye on Kenyan Parliament, there are MPs who have not made their maiden speeches.

Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi, his Makadara counterpart George Aladwa Nakuru Town West MP Samwel Arama have not uttered a word in Parliament since their election on August 9, 2022.

Others who have also not spoken a year since being elected are Charles Gimose (Hamisi), Feisal Bader (Msambweni), Innocent Momanyi (Bobasi) and Mohamed Soud (Mvita) and Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon).

Those who have not yet made their maiden speeches include Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri, his Mvita counterpart Mohamed Soud, Rongai’s Paul Chebor and Vihiga MP Ernest Kagesi.

Others are Joseph Iraya (nominated), Teresia Wanjiru (nominated), Elizabeth Kailemia (Meru County Woman MP), and Muthoni Marubu (Meru County MP).

Mzalendo Trust, which monitors Parliamentary activity, based its findings on Hansard records from September 29, 2022, to June 30, 2023. 

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Politics

Oscar Sudi Speaks on Dropping Out of School at Class 7, Calls Out Media

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kapsaret MP Oscar Kipchumba Sudi has broken his silence over a media report that claimed that he dropped out of school at class seven.

The Standard Newspaper had on Wednesday, June 22 reported that the lawmaker quit school while in class seven and did not proceed to secondary school.

The newspaper ran the story after Derrick Juma, an investigator from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) told the court that he visited all the schools Sudi claimed to have attended and interviewed the head teachers but the MP’s name was not listed as a student in any of the said schools.

According to the investigator, Sudi’s name only appeared at Luok Ngetuny Primary School in Eldoret where the teachers confirmed that he enrolled in 1995 under the name of Kipchumba Kipng’etich, but that he exited the school at Class Seven.

While responding to the report through his official Twitter account, Sudi said that he deserves to be celebrated if he has managed to get to where he is, as a class seven drop out.

He went ahead to call out Standard Media Group for what he termed as spreading falsehoods.

“If I can manage to this far just as class seven drop out then I deserve to be celebrated. Standard should stop spreading falsehood. Wacheni fitina,” Sudi said.

Sudi is accused of forging a diploma certificate in Business Management, issued by the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) and a KCSE certificate and a school leaving certificate from Highway Secondary School.

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Politics

Babu Owino Reveals How Speaker Wetang’ula Confused Azimio MPs To Miss The Finance Bill Vote

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has blamed National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula for the mishap that saw Azimio MPs skip Parliament on Wednesday evening during the voting of the proposed Finance Bill, 2023.

The lawmaker in a video posted on his official social media handles says the original plan from the Parliamentary leadership was for the voting process to take place next week after the third reading, only for speaker Wetang’ula to change tune moments after a section of Azimio MPs had left.

The controversial lawmaker read malice in the situation, pointing out that several MPs from the Azimio la Umoja coalition missed out on the voting process because of the initial directive. 

Babu Owino said he missed the voting since he had arranged to meet his lawyer to prepare for his defence hearing at Milimani Law Courts slated for Thursday, June 15, following Wetang’ula’s earlier communication. 

He says he had already consulted with Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi whom he disclosed that he had to prepare for his court case.

“I was not present today (Wednesday) in Parliament because my case has been scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) in court for defense hearing and I was with my lawyer,” he said.

Out of 257 MPs present at the August House, 176 voted for the bill while 81 legislators voted against it during the second reading. The Bill now moves to the Third and final reading where legislators get a chance to amend certain clauses within the Bill. 

The Finance Bill, 2023, was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, June 13, by the National Assembly’s Finance and National Planning Committee. 

The committee, chaired by Molo MP Kuria Kimani, advocated for certain amendments in the Bill to cater to the concerns raised by the public. 

This involved reduction of the Housing Fund tax from three percent to 1.5 percent. Further, the proposed digital tax was revised to five percent from the initial 16 percent. 

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Gaucho
Politics

Gheto President Calvin Okoth AKA Gaucho Allegedly Arrested

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Bunge la Wananchi President Calvin Okoth alias Gaucho has allegedly been arrested.

According to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) communications director Philip Etale, Gaucho was arrested at Central Police Station when he went there on Tuesday May, 23, 2023.

Etale through his official social media handles said Gaucho was arrested by police officers from Nairobi Area (County Headquarters).

He had allegedly gone to Central Police Station to make an inquiry about his mobile phone that was confiscated some time back when he had been arrested.

Gaucho was given a chance to address Jubilee National Delegates Conference on Monday and used demeaning remarks against Sabina Chege and other leaders allied to President William Ruto.

Could this be the reason behind his alleged arrested?

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Politics

Registrar Of Political Parties Ann Nderitu Approves Uhuru, Kioni Jubilee Ouster

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

Just a day after former president Uhuru Kenyatta held the Jubilee National Delegates Convention (NDC) at the Ngong Racecourse, the registrar of political parties Ann Nderitu has approved his ouster.

Nderitu addressed her directive dated May 19, 2023 to Joshua Kutuny, Deputy Secretary General of the Kanini Kega faction.

She also confirmed the approval of David Murathe and Jeremiah Kioni as Vice Chairman and Secretary General respectively.

Uhuru’s faction during the NDC expelled a dozen officials in an attempt to reconstitute a National Executive Committee (NEC) dominated by President William Ruto loyalists.

The Kenyatta-backed camp axed Kanini Kega, the Acting Secretary General according to changes ratified by a Ruto-backed NEC.

Monday’s meeting also removed Sabina Chege whom the Kega-led group named as Acting Party Leader replacing Kenyatta in changes upheld by the Political Parties Tribunal.

In its judgment delivered on April 16, the tribunal said that the notice for the National Executive Committee meeting issued on February 2 and the subsequent NEC meeting on February 10 which imposed Kega was conducted in line with the party Constitution.

Also removed alongside Kega who served as the Director of Election prior to the leadership coup are former Cheragany MP Joshua Kutunny (Deputy Secretary General) and Former Taveta MP Naomi Shaban (Deputy Party Leader, Outreach).

Others are Jimi Angwenyi (Deputy Party Leader), Kinoti Gatobu (Deputy Party Leader, Operations), Peter Mositet (Deputy Party Leader, Programmes), Nelson Dzuya (National Chairman)  and Kitui Woman Representative Racheal Nyamai (Deputy Director of Elections).  

Kenyatta’s camp led by besieged Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni announced Chege’s replacement as House Deputy Minority Whip with Embakasi West David Mwenje.

It named new officials who include Maoka Maore  (Deputy Party Leader, Operations), Saitoti Torome (Chairman), Pauline Njoroge (Deputy Organizing Secretary), Jamleck Kamau (National Director of Elections) and Maison Leshoomo (National Women League Chairperson).

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Politics

Ruto’s PS Resigns Days After Being Reshuffled

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Esther Ngero, Principal Secretary for Correctional Services has resigned.

Her resignation was received and accepted by President William Ruto on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

The head of state on May 16, 2023 moved Ngero from the state department for Performance Management to Correctional Services.

While tendering her resignation, she said she was quitting for personal reasons.

She was lauded for establishing the institutional framework to support the implementation of Public Service Performance Management and Monitoring for Ministries, State Departments, and State Agencies (MDAs).

President Ruto recently re-assigned seven Principal Secretaries from the Ministries of Health, Sports, Environment, Agriculture, Water and Interior.

The President said the re-assignments are aimed at introducing functional changes that will ensure relevant state departments are well-suited to implement various state programmes.

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Politics

Mixed Reactions As Sabina Chege, Jubilee MPs Attend Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza PG At State House

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Jubilee Party nominated MP and the embattled National Assembly deputy minority whip Sabina Chege on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 attended Kenya Kwanza’s Parliamentary Group meeting that was held at State House, Nairobi.

A Jubilee Party rebel faction led by EALA MP Kanini Kega had earlier on named Sabina Chege as party leader, ousting Former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

However, a bid to re-establish party discipline and strengthen its ranks, the Jubilee Party on Monday expelled several party rebels, including Sabina Chege, Kanini Kega and Nelson Dzuya.

The Jubilee NDC held at Ngong Race Course gave the former President an opportunity to stamp his authority in the party amid an onslaught by Ms Chege and a faction led by Mr Kega.

The duo teamed up with a section of Jubilee-elected legislators to kick Uhuru off party leadership alongside Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, Vice chairman David Murathe and National Treasurer Kagwe Gichohi.

Kega would later issue a statement saying that the NDC convened by Uhuru was not recognized by the party and that the changes made would not have any impact.

However, Sabina Chege attended the Kenya Kwanza PG that was hosted by President William Ruto at State House on Tuesday.

The former Murang’a Woman Representative had over the weekend told President Ruto that they are orphans in Jubilee.

Speaking during an interdenominational church service at Isiolo Boys High School on Sunday, May 21, 2023, Ms Chege said the former President had neglected them.

At the same time, Chege pleaded with President Ruto, a former member of the Jubilee party, to accommodate Jubilee leaders when they knock on his door.

Eldas MP Adan Keynan who was elected on a Jubilee ticket was also among the rebel members that attended the Kenya Kwanza PG.

Kanini Kega and Kamkunji MP Yusuf Hassan, a Jubilee MP, also attended the State House meeting.

Her attendance has elicited mixed reactions on the internet considering the fact that she has been fighting for her position as the Azimio deputy minority whip.

Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party had resolved to kick her out of the position, but she survived after the National Assmbly speaker Moses Wetangula announced that she would retain her position until such a time when Azimio will convene a proper meeting and communicate her dismissal.

Below are some of the reactions from Kenyans on Twitter after Sabina Chege was spotted at State House during the Kenya Kwanza PG.

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ODM’s Etale Explains How Ruto Forced Raila To Arrive Late At Mukami Kimathi’s Burial

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President William Ruto forced Azimio leader Raila Odinga to arrive late at the burial of the late Mukami Kimathi in Njambini, Nyandarua County over the weekend, ODM communications director Philip Etale has revealed.

Etale who was responding to attacks launched against the former Prime Minister on social media for going against the protocol to arrive at a function when everyone including the head of state has already settled down said it was a situation caused by President Ruto that forced Raila to arrive late.

According to Etale, Raila’s chopper that was supposed to fly him to Nyandarua was ready for takeoff from Wilson Airport by 9:45am.

However, a communication was made to the pilot that Harambee One that was flying President Ruto to the same venue was taking off and that he had to wait.

The ODM communication boss was responding to President Ruto’s chairperson of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) David Ndii who had termed Raila’s action as juvenile.

Ndii had earlier on quoted lawyer Miguna Miguna’s remark which had termed Raila’s arrival as childish, noting that etiquette requires Raila to arrive at public functions on time.

“ETIQUETTE requires conman @RailaOdinga to arrive at public functions on time. Routinely arriving late after everyone has taken their seats is a childish and primitive trick to be noticed,” Miguna Miguna posted.

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Otiende Amollo Alleges Assassination Plot, Reveals Details of Blue Subaru Giving Him Sleepless Nights

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo has taken to his official social media accounts to allege that there is a plan to assassinate him.

The senior counsel through his Twitter account Wednesday morning claimed that police officers operating from Kabete Police Station have been tasked to eliminate him.

According to the lawmaker who is part of the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition party team that is supposed to engage in bipartisan talks with the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition team, the alleged operatives are using a blue Subaru.

The alleged Subaru bears KBZ 373X as Registration details but the same, Otiende says, does not reflect at the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

He went ahead to allege that his security has been withdrawn for the same purpose, but affirmed that he was not afraid.

“So They’ve Tasked Shadowy Operatives In M/V KBZ 373 X Blue Subaru To Eliminate Me! A Vehicle On The Road But No Records At NTSA, But Operates From Kabete Police Station! And They Withdraw My Security For The Purpose! Well, I’m Not Afraid. History Is Replete With Martyrs,” he tweeted.

On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, the opposition leaders among them the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga had their security withdrawn.

This is after the opposition’s planned protests in Nairobi flopped, with Raila and his team accusing the President William Ruto-led government of hiring goons to destroy property and blame it on the opposition.

Addressing the media from the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation offices in Upper Hill, Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua fingered Trade CS Moses Kuria and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for the chaos witnessed.

A public service vehicle was torched along Ngong Road by unknown people. Another truck was torched along the Southern bypass with goons disguising as protesters.

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Politics

“Wawache Kunisumbua na Sufuria Kwa Kichwa,” Ruto Bows To Azimio Pressure, To Lower Unga Prices From Next Week

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President William Ruto has said the prices of maize flour will start going down from next week.

Speaking in Mavoko Friday, April 14, the head of state said the consignment of imported maize will arrive in the country from Saturday, April 15.

President Ruto was addressing Mavoko residents in Machakos County after launching a water project.

Ruto launched the  Sh2.7 billion Mavoko Water Supply Project.

The project is in line with the commitment to the provision of universal clean and safe water.

The water project by Belgium and Kenyan governments is expected to supplement the current rationed water supply with 12,000 cubic metres per day supply.

He noted that his government was working around the clock to ensure that the cost of living comes down.

While making a reference to the nationwide protests called by the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party, Ruto said walking with sufurias on the heads will not bring down the cost of Unga.

“Nyinyi watu wa Mavoko niwaulize…kutembea na sufuria kwa kichwa itashukisha bei ya unga? Tumeweka mipango kama serikali…na kuanzia mwisho wa hii wiki ambayo ni kesho..ile mahindi tumeagiza itaanza kufika na kuanzia next week mtaona bei ya Unga ikianza kuteremka..Hawa jamaa wawache kunisumbua na sufuria kwa kichwa,” he said.

The opposition leader Raila Odinga had on Thursday, April 13 announced that they will resume the protests after the Muslim faithful end Ramadan.

Ramadan is set to end on April 22, 2023.

Raila said the protests will go on even as the bipartisan dialogue between the government and the opposition continues in parliament.

The Raila-led coalition had earlier on cited lack of seriousness from the Kenya Kwanza ruling side in the said bipartisan talks.

President Ruto had urged Odinga to call off the protests and allow the two sides to face a bipartisan approach in the issues raised by the opposition.

Raila had indicated that bringing down the cost of living is one of their bare minimum.

He wants the IEBC servers opened, the IEBC selection reconstituted, former commissioners who resigned after the August 2022 election reinstated among other issues.

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Politics

Back To Maandamano: Raila Announces The Date Azimio Will Resume Anti-Government Protests

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga has announced the return of the anti-government protests.

The former Prime Minister Thursday led the coalition’s first town hall meeting at Ufungamano House.

He announced that the Azimio team will go back to the streets to demonstrate against the President William Ruto-led government immediately after Ramadan.

According to Raila, the Azimio demos will be held as the bipartisan talks between the government and the opposition go on.

The opposition has listed rejecting the William Ruto-controlled Parliament in the four point agenda casting doubt on bi-partisan talks.

Both Azimio La Umoja and Kenya Kwanza Alliance have formed a 7 member team to represent them in the bi-partisan talks to engage on the reconstitution of poll body (IEBC).

Those invited to engage in the Thursday town hall meeting included trade unions, farmers’ associations, small businesses ,civil society organisations ,veterans, human rights activists, intellectuals and faith-based organisations.

In a statement, Azimio Executive Council chair Wycliffe Oparanya said the purpose of the town hall meetings and public barazas is to create a public forum to explain to the public the next course of action following the suspension of protests.

President Ruto on April 2, 2023, urged Odinga to call off his anti-government protests and suggested the creation of a bipartisan parliamentary committee to work through concerns over the electoral process.

Odinga consequently later suspended his protest drive and committed to engaging with President Ruto through the bipartisan approach via Parliament.

He, however, warned that the coalition would resort to the protest if the process fails to bear any fruit.

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Azimio Unveils Its Bipartisan Negotiation Team to Face Kenya Kwanza

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party has unveiled its team that will face President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza in the bi-partisan parliamentary talks.

The Azimio team on Thursday held its Parliamentary Group meeting at the Stoni Athi hotel in Machakos County.

During the PG meeting, Azimio unveiled a team of seven allies that will lead in the negotiations with the ruling government.

The list of seven consists of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, his Narok counterpart Ledama Olekina, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, Amina Mnyanzi (Malindi), Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), David PKosing (Pokot South) and Otiende Amollo (Rarieda).

The meeting that was chaired by Raila was also attended by the coalition’s top leadership including Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua and her Wiper counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and KANU chairman Gideon Moi sent their apologies for failing to attend.

President William Ruto last week urged the opposition to call of the Monday and Thursday demonstrations, proposing a bipartisan approach to the issues raised by Azimio team.

Raila has, however, threatened to call for the demonstrations should the Ruto team show lack of seriousness in the negotiations.

The ODM party leader has proposed a National Accord approach as it was in 2008 during the post-election violence.

President Ruto’s allies have, however, vowed not to allow the national accord approach proposed by the former prime minister.

They argue that Raila wants to force his way into the government through a grand coalition form of government.

The Raila-led faction has reiterated the need to have the team expanded outside parliament as they maintained that they were not interested in sharing the government.

Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza has not yet released its list of the negotiators.

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Tourism Ministry to Halt Construction of The Multi-Billion Ronald Ngala Utalii college

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

A parliamentary committee has ordered the Ministry of and wildlife to stop the completion and construction of the multi-billion Ronald Ngala Utalii college until a probe it has initiated is finalized.

The National Assembly Departmental committee on Tourism and Wildlife wants the National Treasury to provide a clear roadmap on how it will finance the project as well as clear the pending bills which include penalties arising from delayed payment and lack of funding on time.

The first phase of the project, funded by the State through the Tourism Fund, includes administration and tuition blocks, hostels, staff quarters, and a dining hall.

The Tourism Fund is seeking 3.3 billion shillings to complete the construction of the facility which includes clearing pending works of sh. 1.2 billion, operation of the project (furniture sh. 215 million shillings and Services sh. 433 million shillings) and pending bill of sh. 1.5 billion shillings.

The project whichstarted as a Vision 2030 project was earmarked to be completed in 2018 at 4.9 billion shillings but is now scheduled to consume up to 11 billion shillings once completed, as of February 2023 and is 77.74 percent complete.

Addressing a press conference on Monday after touring the facility accompanied by Tourism Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa and officials of Tourism Fund, Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki, who chairs the committee, said the national government must make up its mind on whether the project, remains stalled and continues to accrue interest and penalties, or money is allocated to complete the project.

Mbiuki directed the ministry not to allocate any monies for purposes of its completion or settling pending bills as well as penalties, until such a time the committee is seized with the matter, makes a report to be tabled in parliament proposing a funding formula, and a report on the implementation of the project.

“So, for the time being, don’t dare appropriate or allocate any amount to this project, not until, we have a serious discussion with President William Ruto’s administration to agree on a way forward. Let pending bills stay as they are but don’t touch even a coin within the sector, but the other campaigns within the tourism sector can proceed as scheduled, but as Ronald Ngala Utalii college, allow us almost two weeks or one month as we work on the rescue program,” he said, adding that his committee will also be in serious consultation with the ministry.

The Maara legislator lamented that it was unfair for the National Treasury not to finance the institution, which will complement the Kenya Utalii College in Nairobi, offer maritime courses as well as contribute to the promotion of tourism.

“We don’t want the project to be left to the Tourism Fund and Tourism Promotion Fund because they cannot raise the monies owned to the contractor, consultants, and charges as well penalties that have already been accrued due to defaulting by the state,” he held.

According to Mbiuki, the ministry of tourism and its state agencies cannot be left to finance the remainder because they have other obligations to meet like allocating resources to Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), Kenyatta Utalii College among others.

He said his committee will be engaging the National Treasury to ensure that the project is allocated monies for its completion.

“We want the National Treasury to come and commit to allocating funds to this project because in the supplementary budget, there was zero allocation and in the Budget Policy Statement, the allocation is still nil, once monies are allocated it will supplement what you (ministry) have already assigned to the project,” he held.

Tourism Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa disagreed with the committee decision asking it reconsider its decision to stall the project as money has already been put into it saying the only solution is to complete it.

“I think the objective should be one. How it should be completed as well as thinking ways of raising money for the project especially if there is a way stakeholders can all together reach out to the National Treasury to also either put it as an emergency to finish the project once and for all,” said Ololtuaa.

While agreeing on the project to be stalled, Nominated MP Abubakar Talib Ahmed, who is a member of the committee said there ought to be serious interrogation by the committee as the project had all characteristics of a white elephant.
“This is a white elephant. The committee should have a serious consultation interrogation of the project, as you advised Kenya Tourism Board and Tourism Fund not to put a single shilling into the project until we get to the bottom of it,” said Abubakar.

Other committee members include Wanjiku John Njuguna (Kiambaa), Kilel Richard (Bomet East), Ruku Geoffrey Kiringa (Mbeere South), Chebor Paul Kibet (Rongai), Shake Mbogho Peter (Voi), Mugabe Innocent Maino (Likuyani), Abdi Khamis Chome (Voi), Obo Ruweida Mohamed (Lamu East), and Bedzimba Rashid Juma (Kisauni).

The committee is on a five-day coast region inspection visit to flagship projects with the Ministry of Wildlife, Tourism, and Heritage, its departments, and agencies under its purview.

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