Fred Matiangi Archives - Daily Trends

Government Announces Public Holiday

by Mustafa Juma October 9, 2020

The government through the ministry of Interior and Coordination of National government has announced that Saturday, October 10 will be a public holiday.

The interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i in a statement dated Thursday, October 8 said Kenyans will celebrate the holiday named Huduma Day.

The CS stated that the day will be observed through national prayers that will highlight service and volunteerism to the community.

“Kenyans are encouraged to participate in the prayers and promote national unity, social justice, cohesion and sustainable development in their communities for the benefit of present and future generations,” Matiang’i stated.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday, December 19, 2019, honoured former head of state Mzee Moi’s special request.

Through a cabinet meeting he chaired, the president approved the renaming of Moi Day which falls on October 10, as Huduma Day.

The change was in line with former President Daniel Arap Moi’s desire that the day be commemorated as a day of service and volunteerism.

On Wednesday, October 7, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a national weekend of prayer.

President Kenyatta dedicated Friday, October 9 to October 11, 2020, during which Kenyans are encouraged to pray for the country.

October 9, 2020 0 comment

Politics

Matiang’i Fires Back at Ruto Allies Over Huduma Namba Rigging Narrative

by Mustafa Juma September 25, 2020

written by Mustafa Juma

The government has responded to claims by Deputy President William Ruto’s allies that there is a scheme to manipulate Huduma Namba data.

A section of Jubilee party lawmakers allied to tanga tanga faction had on Thursday September 24, 2020 alleged that the government has ill-intentions with the data that was taken from Kenyans through Huduma Namba registration.

They even argued that the programme is now being handled by foreigners.

However, in response, the government has dismissed the claims, saying that the programme is 100% managed by Kenyans.

The Interior ministry on Friday denied claims that foreigners have been hired to run the Huduma number registration ahead of 2022 elections.

“The database logistics and the software for NIIMS are 100 per cent Kenyan government funded, designed and developed and solely managed by Kenyans,” CS Fred Matiang’i said in a statement.

The statement came a day after Ruto’s allies alleged that a mysterious foreign firm had been single sourced through the National Intelligence Service to rig the 2022 elections.

had accompanied DP Ruto to Olngesher Lool Ilmerishie ceremony of the Matapato clan of the Maasai community on Thursday September 24.

They argued that an expatriate had been procured privately to steer the second phase of the programming and they fear the process was ill-conceived.

Nakuru senator Susan Kihika questioned why the National Intelligence Service (NIS) is being involved in the proposed registration rather than the parent ministry, the ministry of interior.

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa stated the country could not continue losing money during the tough economic times, with his Kikuyu counterpart Kimani Ichung’wah stating that they would not allow another scandal to happen in the country in the name of the registration of the people.

Their sentiments were supported by Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, nominated Senator Millicent Omanga, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali who said Kenyans would want to know what happened to the first phase of registration.

September 25, 2020 0 comment

Politics

Ruto Allied MP Punished For Messing With CS Matiang’i

by Mustafa Juma July 4, 2020

written by Mustafa Juma

Kipkellion East MP Joseph Limo has been punished for messing up with the law that was introduced by Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i.

The lawmaker was kicked out as National Assembly Finance Committee Chairperson for overseeing the change which saw the 20% excise duty levied on betting firms scrapped.

Limo a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto was de-whipped having narrowly survived Jubilee’s purge against politicians aligned with Ruto.

Yattani wrote a letter to the National Assembly Majority Leader Amos Kimunya on a number of amendments government was key on implementing, with the excise duty not listed therein.

Kipkellion East MP Joseph Limo. PHOTO/Courtesy

The listed changes were an additional tax on helicopters, Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) which was rejected and zero-rating maize and wheat as well as removing VAT on solar panels.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, on Tuesday, June 30, signed into law the Finance bill 2020 which dropped the 20% tax on betting.

On Friday, July 3, Matiang’i stated that the law on betting firms will be reintroduced as Kenyatta was adamant.

“All of you need to understand that this is something we made a decision on and our President has publicly expressed his thoughts on it and also lead from the frontline. We are not going back on our decision,” Matiang’i proclaimed.

He further vouched for sanity as betting had almost destroyed families and children.

“We cannot allow criminals and money launderers from abroad to mess with our country,” he affirmed.

Yattani had earlier on lamented that betting activities in the country have adversely affected the social fabric of society, particularly the youth. The CS blamed the committee for sneaking in the changes.

“As noted in the print media, the excise duty was removed through the Finance Act, 2020. The removal of this tax happened during the Committee Stage of the Bill,” an excerpt of Yattani’s statement read.

July 4, 2020 0 comment

Politics

Uhuru to Strip Off Powers From Matiang’i to Create New Docket For Samson Mwathethe

by Mustafa Juma June 16, 2020

written by Mustafa Juma

After overhauling the parliamentary leadership, President Uhuru Kenyatta is said to be shifting his focus to the Cabinet and is reportedly keen on tapping the most experienced hands to drive his legacy agenda.

Nine prominent politicians, among them Wiper leade Kalonzo Musyoka, KANU leader Gideon Moi, former Bomet governor Isaac Rutto, former Funyula MP Paul Otuoma, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth and Charles Nyachae among those tipped to join Uhuru’s cabinet in a looming shake up.

According to a local daily, Kalonzo is proposed to take over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with Rutto landing the Agriculture docket while Gideon will oversee the lucrative Energy portfolio.

Former Chief of Defence Forces Samson Mwathethe is also among the names proposed to join Uhuru’s Cabinet in the changes that could be announced anytime from now.

Reports by the local daily indicate that Uhuru may hive off the immigration and registration of persons department from the Interior and Coordination of National Government ministry and name Mwathethe as the new docket’s boss.

The new CSs are expected to help the President “explain to Kenyans the projects government is implementing as Uhuru firms up his legacy”.

The impending changes have already triggered panic in the Cabinet amidst reports that key allies of Deputy President William Ruto and those nursing 2022 political ambitions will be dropped.

June 16, 2020 0 comment