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How ODM’s Kibra Voter Roll Has Forced Raila to Refund Sh2.25M Nomination Fees

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga is reported to have handed each of the nine ODM aspirants who lost in party primaries Sh250,000 they had paid.

According to the Standard, this follows revelations of how some top party officials orchestrated doctoring of the voters’ roll.

The latest development points to an open admission by the party’s top brass that the process – which was generally seen as peaceful – fell short of a free and fair vote.

Two senior party officials on Monday confirmed to the local daily that Raila returned the funds on Wednesday to Dagoretti High School Principal Peter Orero, who emerged second, Ben Musungu, John Otieno, Chris Odhiambo and Tony Ogola. Others who were refunded were Stephen Okello, Brian Owino, Reuben Ojijo and Eric Obayi.

Some of the aspirants who lost in primaries confirmed that they received their nomination fees from the party.

It is reported that Raila made the decision after an hour-long meeting last Tuesday where the claims of deliberate interference with the register was laid bare in his presence and other party honchos.

A good number of the ODM members who turned up to participate in the exercise either found their names missing or had them mixed up, effectively denying them opportunity to cast their vote.

Raila will today(Tuesday) meet the campaign team of ODM candidate Bernard Okoth (Imran) at AIC Olympic Kibra.

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Entertainment

Raila Mourns Legendary Rhumba singer

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has send his heartfelt condolences to the family of legendary rhumba music singer Juma Toto following his sudden death.

In his message of condolences posted via his official twitter handle, Raila described Toto as a most gifted and prolific musician.

He said death has not only robbed the family but also the country, Africa and the music industry.

“The death of legendary rhumba singer Juma Toto has robbed the country, Africa and the music industry of one of its most gifted and prolific musicians. I join Juma’s fans in mourning his sudden death. May God grant peace and strength to his family at this moment of grief,” Raila wrote.

Toto will be fondly remembered by many older music lovers for a popular song ‘FC Gor Mahia’, which he composed in honour of the Kenyan soccer giants in the early 1970s.

Until his death at the age of 70 on Tuesday night at the Kenyatta National Hospital, the soft-spoken Toto, who mentored many into stardom, was the chairman of the Kenya Musicians Union (Kemu), an organisation bringing together both long-serving and up-and-coming artistes.

Toto died of suspected brain haemorrhage after he accidentally fell and injured his head last week

Toto was in the class of a few surviving veteran musicians, who in the 1960s and into 1980s excelled with performances of popular dance beats at various hotels across the country.

His contemporaries include David Amunga, Shem Tube, John Nzenze, Fanuel Amimo and Peter Akhwabi.

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Politics

Continued Attack From Ruto Allies Forces Waiguru to Overturn Her Raila Remark

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

After Kirinyaga Governor Anne Mumbi Waiguru recently causing a political stir in Mt Kenya by declaring that central Kenya was ready to embrace former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s 2022 presidential candidature, she seems to have now made an about-turn on her remarks.

This follows an attack from politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto. The governor on Wednesday appeared to beat a hasty retreat, saying she was not opposed to any politician visiting the vote-rich region to woo residents.

She reiterated that Mt Kenya would listen to all suitors, but no decision would be reached on who to support for the presidency without President Uhuru Kenyatta’s blessings.

“As leaders from this region, we will be guided by our Jubilee Party leader Uhuru Kenyatta on the best way forward at the General Election,” she said at the Kerugoya Referral Hospital when she opened a new theatre.

The governor, however, added that the region would lean towards a candidate who takes care of their interests and supports an expanded Executive “to ensure that the political interests of many communities are taken care of”.

Her statement appears to be aimed at Ruto and his allies, who have opposed calls to amend the Constitution to expand the Executive.

Their defiance has been seen as an attack on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) that is backed by Uhuru and Raila.

Waiguru said the region would not blindly give any of the presidential contenders its support, adding that there would have to be negotiations and a mutual agreement prior to the elections on how the region would benefit.

The governor also accused politicians she did not name of working to divide the region for personal gain.

She further called for the formation of a government system that will accommodate a prime minister and two deputy prime ministers.

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Politics

Why State has frozen lavish retirement benefits of Raila

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The State has frozen AU emvoy Raila Odinga’s lavish retirement benefits.

The perks at the centre of the dispute include medical insurance, fuel allowance, fully furnished offices as well as 17 workers – including chefs, security, accountants, secretaries and personal assistants – all hired at taxpayers’ expense.

This is because Raila is already enjoying similar perks in his capacity as African Union’s special envoy for infrastructure development.

However, the move has drawn protests from Mr Odinga’s secretariat.

Treasury officials say that Mr Odinga has been enjoying similar benefits since his appointment to the African Union job, which, according to the Treasury, he secured after being backed by the Kenyan government.

However, Mr Odinga’s secretariat has accused the Treasury of seeking to once again deny him his rightful share of pension, saying that the AU perks are not financed by Kenyan taxpayers.

The dispute is likely to add a new test to the peace deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Odinga, popularly referred to as “the handshake”, of March 2018.

Mr Odinga was appointed to the AU position in October last year and has two offices; one in Nairobi and the other in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The AU provides him with medical cover, staff and cars. Mr Odinga’s secretariat has asked the Treasury to give the former PM’s office the cash equivalent to the benefits, a proposal that the former has declined.

According to the law, the former PM is entitled a monthly pension equivalent to 80 percent of his last salary, a lump sum of equivalent to 12 months of his last pay, security, medical insurance and a diplomatic passport for himself and spouse.

Other perks that Mr Odinga is expected to enjoy are; one personal assistant, one secretary, one accountant, two housekeepers, two senior support staff, two gardeners, armed security and two cleaners.

The others are two saloon cars and a four-wheel drive vehicle, both of which will come with three drivers and a fuel allowance equivalent to 15 percent of the monthly pay of the serving Deputy President. The vehicles are to be replaced after every four years.

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Politics

Murathe reveals the only man who can beat Ruto in 2022

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former Jubilee Party interim Vice Chairman David Murathe has hinted at the man he believes can beat Deputy President Dr William Ruto in 2022 race to state house.

While maintaining his move to stop Dr Ruto’s 2022 presidency, Murathe said ‘Ruto must be stopped since his presidency is dangerous to the whole nation.’

He revealed that opposition leader Raila Odinga is the only politician who can beat Deputy Ruto in the 2022 presidential contest.

Murathe, regarded a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta, reiterated his determination to block Dr Ruto’s bid for State House, saying if he (Ruto) wins “we will all be finished.”

“If there is somebody who can stop that guy (Ruto) from becoming President, it is the former Prime Minister. There is nobody else,” said Murathe, adding: “Our main aim is to make sure that person (Ruto) does not become President because if he does we are all finished”.

Murathe made the remarks on Saturday night during the birthday party of Tony Gachoka, a KTN News PointBlank show host, where Raila was the chief guest. 

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Politics

ODM Membership Register to be Used in Kibra nominations

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party membership register will be used in the Saturday September 7 race for the party’s ticket in upcoming Kibra Parliamentary race.

The party’s National Elections Board (NEB) led by Chairperson Senator Judith Pareno on Thursday briefed all candidates for the party ticket on the preparations for the nomination exercise.

The board said that all 180 polling stations gazetted by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will be used in the exercise.

ODM Party leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday made clarifications concerning the nominations declaring that his support for the candidates was impartial.

He further dispelled the rumours that had been doing rounds concerning the AU Envoy secretly handpicking his candidate.

Amid cheers, Raila concluded his short address by assuring the elated aspirants that nominations will be free of bias.

“The nominations will be free and fair because this is a friendly match. I will guide whoever will emerge victorious.”

The aspirants seeking to contest for the Kibra seat on an ODM ticket include,  Awino Christone Odhiambo, Orero Peter Ochieng’, Sine Tony Ogola Sira, Ojijo Reuben William Ayako, Oguwa Stephen Okello, Okoth Bernard Otieno, Obayi Obaricks Eric Ochieng’, Owino Brian Shem, Millar John Otieno, Musungu Benson and Owade Lumumba Patrick.

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Politics

PHOTOS: Raila convenes a meeting with all ODM aspirants ahead of Saturday showdown

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

ODM party leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday convened a meeting with all the aspirants ahead of Saturday showdown where they will compete for the ticket.

He held a discussion with the candidates for the party ticket in the Saturday 7th September nominations, where among others, Odinga was assured by the aspirants that they will strictly adhere to the rules and regulations of the party besides rallying for peace.

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“PL @RailaOdinga today held a discussion with candidates for the party ticket in the Saturday 7th Sept. nomination exercise. The aspirants assured the party leader that they will adhere to the nominations rules and that they will ensure the exercise is peaceful,” the party confirmed.

Already, Jubilee party has fielded former footballer McDonald Mariga while ANC has settled for Eliud Owalo. Ford Kenya will be represented by Ramadhan Khamisi.

The seat was left vacant following the death of ODM legislator Ken Okoth in July.

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Politics

‘ODM staring at eviction from Orange House over rent arrears’

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just a few months ago, Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) admitted to have been in a deep financial crisis and and that it was unable to run some of its operations including grassroots elections.

Suna East MP Junet Mohamed who doubles as the director of elections admitted at a public event in Migori county in March this year that the Orange party was broke and needed to be bailed out to get back to the right track.

The party stated failure by the government to remit the political parties’ funds on time as the cause for its financial crisis.

However, exiled lawyer Dr Miguna Miguna seem not to have read from the same script as ODM.

Miguna is now claiming that the Orange party has been unable to pay rent at Orange house since last year.

According to the self-declared general, in December 2018, Caroli Omondi evicted Raila’s ODM from Orange House.

Miguna states that ODM begged him for an extension of the lease until March 2019 which came but the party failed to honor its pledge.

Miguna says that ODM cannot pay rent at Orange house up to now, accusing the party of getting used to theft and exploitation.

“In Dec. 2018, Caroli Omondi evicted Raila’s @TheODMparty from Orange House. ODM begged him for an extension of the lease until March 2019. March came and went but ODM which recently received Shs. 3 Billion public funds still can’t pay rent. They are used to theft & exploitation,” tweeted Miguna Miguna.

Orange House is the property of Caroli Omondi, who was once the principal administrative secretary in Mr Odinga’s prime minister’s office between 2008 and 2013.

ODM has been using the building since 2006, months after the party was formed.

Last year, ODM denied reports that it was being kicked out of Orange House, insisting that it was to leave out of mutual understanding.

The one-storey building, located in Nairobi’s Kilimani, is the base of ODM’s national secretariat.

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Politics

Kikuyu, Kalenjin communities will not be part of Uhuru’s succession plan, hints Waiguru

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities will not be part of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s 2022 succession plan, Kirinyaga County governor Anne Mumbi has hinted.

According to the County chief, the communities can be accommodated in an expanded executive.

Speaking in Mombasa during Team Embrace rally, the former devolution minister said she will not be threatened or intimidated to stop the push to expand the national executive.

“We cannot have a situation where two communities can conspire and capture power because of their numerical strength,” she said. 

“Let us have an expanded executive. Kikuyus and Kalenjins cannot stay in power forever. We have many communities which also deserve to lead,” she said.

She also said time has come for Kenyans to support President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga’s Handshake.

Waiguru has previously been criticized by Kenyans over her recent support for Raila, but she has been insisting to support him as far as handshake is concerned.

Raila was Waiguru’s strongest critic while she was serving as devolution minister, with Raila implicating her in the multi-million NYS scandal.

With this renewed relationship between the two, do you think Waiguru is endorsing Raila for 2022 presidency now that she has insisted that Uhuru’s successor will neither be a Kalenjin nor a Kikuyu?

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Politics

Sonko for President 2022?

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

In 2007, he got to parliament as Makadara Member of Parliament. In 2013, he strongly came as a Nairobi County senator and in 2017, he jumped higher to clinch the Nairobi gubernatorial seat.

From the trend, governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has not vied for the same seat twice. Will he try it for the first time in 2022? Well, what does his team Wanjiku campaign alongside Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria mean?

On Saturday, political analyst Herman Manyora said Governor Sonko can become a very strong candidate ahead of the 2022 polls.

He compared Sonko to United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Boris Johnson, US President Donald Trump, and Uganda opposition MP Bobi Wine.

“I know some people might think I am crazy. But as I speak, there are similar Presidents in the world, Prime Ministers. There’s Boris Johnson, there’s Donald Trump and there might soon be Bobi Wine. The conditions in this country can allow a Sonko to be president,” he said.

He urged Deputy President Dr William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga to be ready to face Sonko when times comes. 

“And believe you me Raila Amollo Odinga, William Samoei Ruto you could have a serious competitor in the person of Mike Sonko come 2022,” said Manyora.

Watch the video below.

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Politics

Wetang’ula to battle Raila in Kibra MP race

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The much anticipated Kibra parliamentary race is becoming hotter and hotter as almost all major parties are now joining the race.

The Moses Wetang’ula-led Ford Kenya, the lion party has now joined the race.

Wetang’ula, the party’s leader on Friday disclosed that the party will be unveiling its candidate in Kibra by-election next week.

According to the Bungoma Senator, the party will consider a dynamic, young, professional, Kibra-born, grassroots operator who will carry on with the dynamic legacy left by Hon Ken Okoth.

Wetangula further disclosed that Ford Kenya is no stranger to the great people of Kibra.

He says Rt Hon Raila Odinga went to parliament for the first time in 1993 on Ford Kenya party.

So far, Raila’s ODM party, Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC party and President Uhuru Kenyatta-led Jubilee party are already in the race with ODM planning to hold its nominations on September 7.

Jubilee party has hence invited interested candidates to reapply for party tickets after it disowned its first list of nominees that had been presented to IEBC.

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Politics

Kriss Darlin opens up on why he knelt before Raila

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Popular Reggae DJ and renowned MC Chrispinus Odhiambo poularly known as Kriss Darlin has finally opened up on why he knelt before ODM leader Raila Odinga on Sunday during an ODM rally at Kamkunji grounds in Kibera, Nairobi.

Kenyans on social media had heavily criticized the NTV Jam Rock show host, with some saying that he was pulling a publicity stunt.

But in a phone call interview with a local daily on Monday, the DJ said he was not pulling a publicity stunt by kneeling before the ODM party chief.

“Raila, having been the area as MP for over two decades and because Kibra is one of the ODM’s zones in the city, he will have the final say on who succeeds Okoth,”he was quoted by the local daily.

He, however, said the power of who will be elected as Kibra MP lies from the people of Kibra, not Raila solely.

“The people of Kibra have the final say. If elected I will represent the party, not just Raila,” he added.

Darlin said he believes he is the best candidate for Kibra as he was born and raised in Kibra and he resonates well with the challenges faced in the slum.

He said all his charitable projects are based in Kibra.

“I donate Sanitary towels to girls schools in Kibra constituency, I donate boxers to male children. I have a football tournament called Kriss darling Supercup that has been running for four years,” he said.

Darlin on August 21 presented his official documents to the ODM headquarters. 

Raila however on Sunday ruled out direct nomination for its candidate for the November 7 Kibra Constituency by-election.

Raila said that ODM will hold its primaries on August 31.

The seat fell vacant after the death of MP Ken Okoth on July 26, 2019.

Raila unveiled 24 aspirants seeking the party’s ticket in the by-election.

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Politics

Raila’s daughter opts out of Kibra Parliamentary race

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

ODM leader Raila Odinga’s daughter Rosemary Odinga has announced that she will not be part of the August 31, 2019 nomination battle to replace Ken Okoth.

ODM on Sunday had several candidates who were expected to battle it out in search of the coveted ticket for Kibra MP.

“I will not be able to vie in Kibra, but I wanted to come here today to greet and talk to you and to say I will keep interacting with you to the end,” she said.

Ms Odinga was expected to be among the front-runners but a sickness ruled her out in 2017. Kenyans on twitter had already started speculating that Rosemary was set to vie for a vacant Kibra Parliamentary seat, with some demonstrating against the idea.

The Kibra parliamentary seat fell vacant following the demise of Ken Okoth who succumbed to cancer.

Former Embakasi South MP Irshad Sumra has also revealed that he will not contest.

“I am not in the race. I only came because I support Kibra and I love Kibra,”he said at Kamkunji grounds on Sunday.

The unveiled 26 candidates will on Tuesday be vetted in readiness for a nomination battle scheduled for Saturday August 31, 2019.

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Politics

Raila warns Ruto of impending dangers should he oppose BBI’s proposals

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

ODM leader Raila Odinga has warned Deputy President William Ruto and his allies they risk being swept by a political storm should they oppose constitutional reforms proposed by the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

Raila said the BBI team was currently writing its report which will be made public next month for Kenyans to give further views before the country can go for a referendum which he declared will sweep away Tanga Tanga allies – a reference to Ruto’s camp.

“There are very good views from Kenyans and once the report is out, we will publish it for Kenyans to give their views then go for a referendum. I have seen a storm, there are signs that it will rain. There’s is a storm that will take all the Tanga Tanga people to the ocean,” said Raila amid cheers by the wild crowd at Kamukunji grounds.

Dr Ruto has publicly declared his opposition to any initiative seeking to expand the Executive through the creation of a Prime Minister position and two deputies.

Most of the submissions to the team formed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila have suggested expansion of the Executive.

Speaking in Kibra on Sunday, the Opposition chief described some of the views collected by the team as “very good” and asked Kenyans to back amendments to the 2010 Constitution.

He further asked people to ignore the Punguza Mizigo Initiative by Ekuru Aukot’s Thirdway Alliance which is currently before the 47 county assemblies.

“Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) is already writing its report and it will be made public next month. If they recommend a referendum, we will go for it. Those bringing other initiatives should be ignored,” said Raila. 

The former premier spoke when he unveiled 24 aspirants seeking the party ticket in the Kibra by-election.

A Report Story by The Standard

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Politics

Ruto’s camp suffers another blow as Aisha Jumwa “chases” one of allies back to ODM

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President Dr William Ruto’s camp, led by ODM “rebel” Aisha Jumwa, has suffered another blow after two of its erstwhile backers, Kilifi North MP Owen Baya and Women Representative Gertrude Mbeyu, rejoined ODM leader Raila Odinga’s camp ahead of Kilifi mini poll set for October 17.

The Ganda ward seat fell vacant following a successful petition challenging the election of then-ODM candidate Abdul Omar. Mr Reuben Katana, who ran on a Kadu Asili ticket but lost, filed the petition.

Mr Omar, a close ally of Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, has since decamped from the Orange party and will contest for the seat as an independent candidate.

On the other hand, Mr Katana has rejoined ODM and secured its ticket to contest the seat. Mr Joseph Kiponda alias Giuseppe’s will vie on Jubilee Party ticket.

In an interview with Daily Nation on Friday, Gertrude Mbeyu vowed to make sure the ODM candidate wins the by-election.

“I am an ODM member and I will support our ODM candidate to win the seat. As we speak now, I am from an Embrace rally in Kakamega. The team is coming to Kilifi at the end of this month,” she said.

Ms Mbeyu accused Ms Jumwa of chasing her out of the Ruto camp on grounds that she had “no votes” to offer the DP.

“If a friend tells me that I don’t have any vote to enable the DP to win the 2022 General Election, then let it be. But I want to tell the friend that she will be in for a surprise,” she said in a statement.

“I am embracing Raila and the President in supporting the Handshake, so my duty as an ODM member is to make sure that my candidate wins the Ganda by-election.”

A report Story

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Politics

Mzee Moi, Ruto, Raila enumerated as Census kicks off

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

2019 census exercise has kicked off across the country with deputy President William Ruto and Opposition leader Raila Odinga being among the first ones to be enumerated .

Ruto and his family members took part in the count at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi shortly after 6pm

The DP urged Kenyans to participate fully in the exercise, saying it would aid government to plan and make key policy decisions in allocating resources.

Mr. Odinga was enumerated at his Karen residence in the company of his family.

Former President Daniel arap Moi was enumerated at his Kabarak home in an exercise led by Nakuru County Commissioner Erastus Mbui.

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi who was also enumerated during the exercise called on Kenyans to cooperate with census officials to make it a success.

Other leaders who took part in the exercise soon after the launch include Governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Ole Lenku (Kajiado) and Mohamud Mohamed Ali (Marsabit).

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