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Uasin Gishu Governor Mandago Declares His Interest For Senatorial Seat

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago has declared his interest to vie for senatorial seat when his second term ends.

Photo: Courtesy

While addressing residents at Kipkenyo Trading Center, He said; “I have been seeing many candidates traversing the county popularizing their candidature for different elective positions in the 2022 general election. Kindly preserve the Senate for me.

He said this while opening Chumz Ankara shop in the trading center and he criticized those who think the senatorial seat is preserved for those with a legal background.

“Our senator Prof. Margaret Kamar is not a lawyer, neither is Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka who was a District Commissioner.,” said Mandago adding that he will square it out with the other candidates running for the seat. However, Prof. Kamar has not declared whether she’ll defend her seat.

Mr. Mandago’s declaration could increase calls for democracy in the cosmopolitan county and jolt political prospects of other candidates, including Soy MP Caleb Kositany, and businessman Jonathan Bii who have declared their interest in the gubernatorial seat. They come form the larger Northern part of Uasin Gishu just like Mandago.

There have been suggestions from a section of leaders backed by elders that elective seats to be shared and rotated among the Northern (Soy and Turbo constituencies), Southern ( Kapseret and Kesses constituencies), and Eastern ( Moibei and Ainabkoi constituencies.

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Governor Mandago On Spot Over Stalled Projects Worth Millions And Irregular Expenditure

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago is on spot over Sh 372 million stalled projects. According to an auditor report, the residents were denied services due to the incomplete projects and could have lost millions as a result of contracts terminated by Mandago’s government.

This was unearthed during the questioning of the governor by the Senate watchdog committee over audit queries on Monday. These queries were flagged by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu for the period ending June 30th, 2019.

Mandago faced a hard time trying to explain to the Senate County Public Accounts and Investments Committee why several projects started by his administration, some in his first terms, had stalled thus denying services to the residents.

It was revealed that his administration had terminated some contracts, thus exposing the taxpayer’s money to risk of loss. The auditor’s report indicated that out of the 54 development projects worth Sh 1.35 billion initiated by the county, 9 worth Sh 372.71 million had stalled and sh 79.57 million had been paid to contractors.

According to the report, the county executive failed to explain why the projects stalled or disclose actions it had taken to revive and complete them.

At the time of the audit, six projects worth 522.63 million were ongoing at the time of the audit. No value had been received on funds totaling 79.57 million invested therein and after. It further stated that the services the projects were to provide to the residents of Uasin Gishu were no realized.

Additionally, the county government was also accused of spending 132.08 million on a building that later stalled. The auditor also pointed out delays in the construction of milk coolers despite the county making payments amounting to 187.07 million shillings

The report further states that the construction of 13 cooling plants were contracted at 63.45 million and payments totaling 40.88 million were made but they stalled. Thereafter, the contracts were terminated and the tenders were re-advertised in October 2019.

In his defense, Mandago said that most of the projects were in their initial stages of implementation when the auditors visited the site. Adding that some of them have since then been completed, while others are already in use and others at various stages of completion.

He told the oversight committee chaired by Migori Senator Ochillo Oyacko that his government had to terminate some projects after finding out that some contractors were unable to complete the projects. He said some contractors under-quoted the contract sum, and in the middle, the found out the sum was not enough. The legislators however had an issue with the high number of stalled projects and terminated contracts.

Governor Mandago denied any loss f cash stating that the contractors were only paid for what they had done. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei did not spare the governor as he asked if due diligence was conducted by the county administration in award of tenders. Cherargei added that termination of tenders and re-tendering have consequences.

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Politics

“Sabina Joy? Not Me,”Irungu Kang’ata Speaks Out After ‘Addressing Senate From Bar’

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just hours after a video clip showing Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata allegedly addressing the senate from a bar went viral, the former senate majority whip has come out to clear the air.

The video clip shows Senate speaker Kenneth Lusaka giving Kang’ata permission to address the senate but shortly after the lawmaker joined virtually, he was dismissed for being out of order.

A background sound of an unknown lawmaker is heard insisting that Kang’ata was at the popular Sabina Joy in Nairobi CBD drinking.

The lawmakers are heard agreeing, with Kang’ata insisting that he was in his office, but Lusaka responds by denying that the place did not look like an office.

The clip could later attract mockery from senator Kang’ata’s political opponents who took to social media to make fun about it.

But through his social media account, Kang’ata dispelled the claims as false maintaining that he is a leader of high integrity and moral standards.

He went ahead to argue that no single drop of alcohol has ever passed through his throat.

Kang’ata blamed his political opponents for creating a fake background sound and attaching it to his address to the Senate with an aim of diverting attention from the issues he was raising.

He termed the voice insertion as fake, false, and malicious, further indicating that he has never been intoxicated in his life.

The lawmaker argued that he was addressing the plight of Murang’a milk farmers, who are yet to be paid despite making deliveries to the county’s milk processing plant.

“Kieleweke bloggers – no single drop of booze has ever passed via my mouth. That voice insertion into my today’s Senate contribution is fake and false. The true question that I asked in Senate was about Muranga farmers unpaid milk delivered to county factory,” he wrote.

Lusaka on Tuesday, September 14 afternoon, blocked Kang’ata from continuing with his address to the house after he described the Senator’s location as not meeting the standards set to contribute to the proceedings.

“We can now see you, but where are you?” Lusaka posed.

“I’m in my office, Mr. Speaker,” Kang’ata retorted. 

“No, no, no, no, that’s not an office, Senator Kang’ata. I’m sorry, we cannot allow that, the rules are very clear on where you should be, so you are out of order,” Lusaka ruled.

Eventually, Kang’ata made it to the Senate and issued an apology to the house before continuing with his submission.

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How Sakaja Arrived in Parliament at 5am to Escape an Arrest

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja on Tuesday August 4, 2020 said he had endured one of the most difficult weekends.

Sakaja who was speaking on the floor of the senate said he was trailed by police officers the entire weekend.

At some point, the officers camped outside his home waiting to arrest him.

“On Friday, I was being trailed by police officers in a vehicle registration number KBZ 317W and I saw them and they left. I raised it with the IGP but he didn’t t respond,” Sakaja said on the floor.

He narrated how he arrived in Parliament at 5am to escape an arrest that had been orchestrated to ensure he did not show up in the chamber for the debate on a motion that he had moved to amend the committee’s formula.

In the amendment, whose debate was adjourned last week, Sakaja is pushing for a formula that places the Sh316.5 billion allocated in the last financial year as the base.

Later, Sakaja told a local daily there was a plot to arrest him over his recent scuffle with Kilimani police officers for flouting the curfew.

“On Monday morning, I got out very early. I wanted to get papers at Total petrol station. When I got out, I saw a vehicle, then they put on the headlights. So, I said, let me move back. I went left and moved fast and switched off my phone, took papers and came back.

“In the evening, I was meeting some colleagues at Radisson. Senator Farhiya Ali (nominated senator from Nairobi) tells me that she was told I should not come to the chamber so that Beth Mugo votes on behalf of the Nairobi delegation. But I told her that I will. It was there that I learnt they didn’t want me to come to the chamber,” he was quoted by The Star.

The plan, according to the senator, was to arrest and detain him and charge him for allegedly assaulting Kilimani police officers.

But Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio and Majority Chief Whip Irungu Kanga’ta challenged those claiming intimidation and threats to substantiate.

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Senators to Receive Ksh 5 Million Bribes to Pass Uhuru’s Proposal on Revenue Formula

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Senators are set to receive up to Ksh 5 million in bribes for them to pass the controversial new County revenue allocation formula.

Narok senator Ledama Olekina has this morning hinted at the plot, arguing that it will be suicidal for any senator to accept the bribes.

According to the ODM senator, the bribe will only help to fuel division of Kenya due to the revenue share discourse.

Taking to his official twitter handle, he went further to curse the lawmakers who will accept the Ksh 5 million bribe and in turn betray Kenyans.

Ledama prayed for the family of those who will accept the bribe not to have peace at all.

“It will be suicidal for any Senator to accept a bribe of Ksh 5M to fuel the division of Kenya due to the revenue share discourse! May your family never have peace if you accept a bribe to divide Kenya! Tadoi anaa Enkolong!” senator Ledama tweeted.

The senate is this afternoon expected to vote on the crucial County revenue formula, with senators having different opinions ahead of the special seating.

A section of senators opposed to the county cash sharing formula have vowed to reject it.

According to a report by The Star, the 25 senators who last week engineered the defeat of an amendment to defer the disputed formula by two years have plotted another elaborate plan to reject it in totality.

The amendment was sponsored by Majority Chief Whip Irungu Kang’ata (Murang’a) with the blessings of President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

With their number standing at 25, the opposing senators have surpassed the 24 threshold required to defeat the formula that would see 18 counties lose Sh17 billion.

On Sunday, Raila met a section of Uhuru’s allies led by Jubilee vice chairman David Murathe at the Kajiado home of Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli.

At the meeting, Raila assured the President’s side that he would rally his senators to support the formula.

 Siaya Senator James Orengo who is the Minority Leader was charged with bringing the leaders together.

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Raila Breaks Silence on Revenue Sharing Formula, Offers Long-lasting Solution

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila odinga has issued a detailed statement on the revenue sharing formula that has caused a standoff in the senate.

Raila in a statement issued on Monday July 27, 2020 has accused the senate of failing to adopt its own amendments to the third basis formula for sharing revenue from the Commission for Revenue Allocation (CRA).

The former Prime Minister argues that the senate standoff is causing paralysis and mistrust at a time Counties need to be united and singularly focused on fighting Covid-19.

Raila says the current standoff in the senate is a variation of what was recommended by the CRA, the body mandated under article 216 (1) of the Kenyan Constitution, to come up with the formula.

Raila notes that the revenue should be population driven.

He says the CRA recommendation is based on an understanding that County governments are about service requirements of the population including in health, agriculture, infrastructure, education among others.

Under the circumstances, Raila says, the country would be better served if the senate adopted the recommendation of the CRA for the next five financial years.

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In order to avoid similar standoffs next time, Raila says that the concerns currently arising should be forwarded to the CRA for consideration in its future recommendation.

However, the African Union envoy notes that Counties must be encouraged to raise their own source revenues from the economic activities within the counties and demanding a prudent usage of those resources.

He says the senate should allow the country move forward by adopting the CRA report while using the concerns raised for future recommendations on revenue sharing.

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Moses Kuria Exposes Dirty Intrigues Played in The New Revenue Allocation Formula

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has exposed the dirty intrigues that are being played in the new revenue allocation formula that has caused division in the senate .

Taking to his official Facebook account this morning, Kuria claimed that in the 2017 General Elections, Kiambu County had 1,173,593 registered voters.

He argues that Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Isiolo and Marsabit had a combined 718,940 but in the existing formula for resource allocation, Kiambu gets Ksh 9 billion while the five Counties get combined Ksh 45 Billion.

The controversial lawmaker is now demanding for an explanation where justice and fairness lies in he current revenue allocation formula.

“In the 2017 General Elections, Kiambu County had 1,173,593 registered voters. Mandera, Garissa and Wajir, Isiolo and Marsabit had a combined 718,940. In the existing formula for resource allocation, Kiambu gets Ksh 9B. The 5 Counties get combined Ksh 45 Billion. Someone please look at me in the eye and explain to me like a two year old where justice and fairness lies here. With all humility please,” reads Kuria’s Facebook post.

Most senators want no county to lose a single cent in the new revenue sharing formula developed by the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA).

According to the Standard, at least 30 senators are in support of a motion by Nairobi’s Johnson Sakaja seeking to ensure no county gets reduced allocation based on the third formula that will see regions that have been receiving a higher allocation because of their huge landmass and high poverty indices, get less.

However, the move by senators backing Sakaja has created further divisions on the hotly contested formula the commission forwarded to the Senate for consideration.

Senators backing the third basis revenue sharing formula are those from counties that will be gaining as those from counties that will lose, rejecting it.

There are those that, while their regions are gaining, are backing Sakaja’s motion.Sakaja, Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka Nithi), Mohamed Faki (Mombasa) and Abshiro Halakhe (Nominated) have vowed to reject any proposal that will see any allocation to any county reduced while others gain.

Kindiki, who spoke on behalf of 18 other counties, argued that the formula being pushed by a section of senators, led by Murang’a’s Irungu Kangata, is highly divisive and meant to victimise some regions.

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Drama in Parliament as 2 Female Senators Exchange Blows Over Ledama Olekina

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

There was drama in the parliament on Wednesday July 1, 2020 after two nominated Senators exchanged blows during the election of vice chair of the House Health committee.

According to a local daily, the two senators, Beatrice Kwamboka and Mary Seneta went physical moments after Narok Senator Ledama Olekina was declared the winner of the contested election that pitted him against Seneta.

Seneta was reportedly backed by a section of the committee members led by Deputy Majority Chief Whip Farhiya Ali.

According to senators who were at the meeting, Farhiya’s team allegedly forged a signature of nominated Senator Millicent Omanga to ensure Seneta won the seat.

Omanga did not attend the session and it was not immediately clear the candidate she was backing.

The alleged forgery of the signature triggered a bitter altercation between Kwamboka, who is the Deputy Minority Whip, and Seneta, leading to a physical fight that forced the meeting to end prematurely.

“You can not tell me anything , mimi ni mtu wa Raila Odinga (I’m in Raila Odinga’s team) and I am in the leadership, I will deal with you,” Kwamboka charged as she went for neck of Seneta.

Speaking to journalists moments after the confrontation, Ole Kina said he was shocked by the happenings, barely two months after he was unceremoniously removed from the County Public and Investment Committee by his party – ODM.

“How come I always have problems in every committee I am elected to lead? I was elected the chair of CPAIC, I was kicked out and now vice chair of health commitee” he said.

Ole Kina and Seneta are both from the Maa community. They hail from Narok and Kajiado respectively.

During the polls, Senator Michael Mbito (Transnzoia) was elected as the chair of the committee unopposed.

The election of vice chair was deferred following the chaos.

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Revealed: Full List of Senators Plotting to Save Waiguru From Impeachment

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

As the Senate convenes today (Tuesday June 16) to discuss whether governor Anne Waiguru’s impeachment case should be heard by the whole senate or a committee, Waiguru hopes the senators who were rallied by President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga to kick out former Kiambu governor Ferdinard Waititu will rescue her.

On her sights are senators Reubenson Kibiru (Kirinyaga), Adan Fatuma (Isiolo), Mutula Kilonzo (Makueni), Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu), Ephraim Maina (Nyeri), Ibrahim Ali (Wajir), Yusuf Haji (Garissa), Boy Issa Juma (Kwale), Mwadzayo Mwachirifu (Kilifi), Cleopas Malala (Kakamega), Okong’o Mogeni (Nyamira), Gideon Moi (Baringo), Boniface Mutinda (Machakos), Mwashushe Mwaruma (Taita), Mwinyi Faki (Mombasa), Moses Kajwang’ (Homa Bay), Njeru Ndwiga (Embu), Ledama Olekina (Narok), Samson Ongeri (Kisii), James Orengo (Siaya), Samuel Poghisio (West Pokot), Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), Margaret Jepkoech (Uasin Gishu), Amos Wako (Busia), Enock Wambua (Kitui) and George Khaniri (Vihiga).

Others are Beth Mugo (Nominated), Abshiro Halake (Nominated), Isaac Mwaura (Nominated), Rose Nyamunga (Nominated) and Gertrude Musuruve (Nominated).

But when news reached Kirinyaga that Waiguru was lobbying Uhuru and Raila to whip about 28 senators to shoot down her ouster, the residents staged a demonstration to warn the President against trying to save the governor.

In a protest held in Kutus, the residents chanted “Waiguru must go!” as they carried placards scribbled “President Uhuru Kenyatta, we are ready to fight corruption in Kirinyaga”.

The traders, who abandoned their jobs temporarily, urged the Senate to uphold Waiguru’s impeachment by the County Assembly.

“Kindly help us seize corruption in Kirinyaga,” read another placard. “You were part of the NYS scandal, you’re also corrupt in Kirinyaga. Waiguru must go,” another one read.

According to sources, the demonstration was organised by MCAs who are being bankrolled by Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho, who is eyeing the gubernatorial seat in 2022.

Besides Kibicho, Waiguru’s other opponent is former Cabinet Minister Martha Karua, who she defeated in the gubernatorial race.

Karua filed a petition to oust her but it was thrown out by the courts, including the Supreme Court.

More pressure was piled on Waiguru after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) reiterated that they had initiated corruption investigations against her.

Speaking after the governor was ousted, EACC’s Central Region Head, Charles Rasugu said his officers will be seeking to establish whether there was a conflict of interest in the awarding of a Sh50 million tender by Waiguru.

Rusugu further stated that Sh10.6 million in travel allowances is also under investigation.

Insiders add that Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju has already engineered a scheme to save Waiguru from impeachment.

Tuju is pushing Senate Majority Chief Whip Irungu Kang’ata to form a special committee that would favour the Kirinyaga Governor during her impeachment hearing.

According to the Impeachment Procedure Bill, 2018, the removal of a Governor from office could involve the formation of a special committee under the directive of the Speaker of the House.

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ODM Senator Speaks Tough Ahead of Waiguru’s Impeachment Case

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

An Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) senator has spoken tough ahead of today’s senate’s seating to determine Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru’s impeachment.

Taking to his official twitter account this morning, Narok senator Ledama Olekina said that the senators must and shall be guided by the constitution in determining the motion.

If not, Olekina says that the constitution should be then thrown away.

“We must and shall be guided by the constitution … if not then we might as well throw it away! Good day ahead!” he posted.

The senate is set to determine whether Waiguru’s impeachment case should be heard by a committee or the entire senate.

There have been speculations that the Raila Odinga led Orange party is set to save Waiguru from ouster.

However, Raila has hence denied holding a meeting with Waiguru over her impeachment.

Daily Nation Newspaper had on Sunday June 14 reported that Waiguru and Raila met on Thursday evening in efforts to help save her job, which is hanging by a thread after she was impeached by the county assembly last week and failed in her bid to block the move in court.

The local daily reported that Raila met Waiguru at an exclusive club in Karen, Nairobi, alongside a few aides, with the key agenda being whipping ODM and other “friendly” senators to defeat the motion against her.

It was further reported that Waiguru walked in a few minutes to 7pm accompanied by two aides. Then Kiambu Governor James Nyoro and his Nyeri counterpart Mutahi Kahiga joined her before Mr Odinga and a few of his trusted MPs arrived.

Raila has distanced himself from the said meeting. The former Prime Minister says that there does not exist any senate committee to investigate Waiguru’s impeachment and whose members from ODM he has instructed to save Waiguru as reported by the local daily.

Raila said that at the said hours of the meeting, he had a meeting with Laikipia women Representative Catherine Waruguru who was in the company of some Members of Parliament.

But contradicting Raila, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed on Sunday claimed that ODM was ready to save Waiguru since it supports women leadership.

Junet also said that there was no any problem if Raila meets Waiguru, arguing that they can meet as many times as they want since Raila is a national leader while Waiguru is an elected governor.

The Orange party’s director of elections further claimed that Waiguru had not committed any crime, and those pushing for her ouster are just against her leadership.

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Kindiki Rejects Jubilee Job Offer

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Tharaka Nithi senator Kithure Kindiki has declined a job offer from the ruling Jubilee party.

Days after being removed from his position as the senate deputy speaker, Kindiki, alongside other senators who had been removed from various committee chairmanships were proposed to other various committees.

Kindiki and former Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo-Marakwet) were on Tuesday May 26 named to seat in the Justice and Legal Affair Committee and the Devolution Committee respectively in changes set to be filed.

However, Kindiki in a press statement dated May 27 said that he had only learnt about the offer through the press. He said that he had declined the offer, to focus on serving the people of Kenya as the senator for Tharaka Nithi.

“I have learnt through the press that the Jubilee party has recommended me to serve in another capacity in the senate. I respectfully decline the offer. Henceforth, I want to focus on serving the people of Kenya as the senator for Tharaka Nithi County,” reads the statement.

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Murkomen who was also proposed to be a member of the Devolution Committee in the new changes that were announced by the ruling party declined the offer.

Murkomen through a tweet said he only learnt from the media that he had been proposed to serve in the Senate Devolution Committee in effect replacing Senator Kinyua who is being punished for standing with him.

According to the former Senate Majority leader, accepting the position will be tantamount to repaying unstinting loyalty with spite and treachery.

“This afternoon I learnt from the media that I have been proposed to serve in the Senate Devolution Committee in effect replacing Sen.Kinyua who is being punished for standing with me. Accepting the position will be tantamount to repaying unstinting loyalty with spite&treachery,” tweeted Murkomen.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has also rejected an appointment to the Senate Powers and Privileges Committee.

This comes after he was moved from the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) in a reshuffle announced on Tuesday.

In a letter dated Wednesday May 27, Cherargei stated: “I hereby write to notify you that I have declined the appointment to be a member of the powers and privileges committee in the senate of the Republic of Kenya.”

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Defiant Murkomen Declines Jubilee’s Latest Offer to Him

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has declined a new offer that had been granted to him by Jubilee party.

Murkomen was on Tuesday May 26, 2020 proposed to be a member of the Devolution Committee in the new changes that were announced by the ruling party..

The changes according to the newly installed senate Majority whip Irungu Kang’ata have been communicated to the Senate speaker Ken Lusaka for immediate implementation.

Murkomen was to replace John Kinyua.

In the changes, Senator Christopher Lang’at (Bomet)has been replaced at the House Business Committee by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja.

Lang’at also lost his post as Education Committee chairman to Senator Alice Milgo.

However, Murkomen has declined to take the offer. Murkomen says he only learnt from the media that he had been proposed to serve in the Senate Devolution Committee in effect replacing Senator Kinyua who is being punished for standing with him.

According to the former Senate Majority leader, accepting the position will be tantamount to repaying unstinting loyalty with spite and treachery.

“This afternoon I learnt from the media that I have been proposed to serve in the Senate Devolution Committee in effect replacing Sen.Kinyua who is being punished for standing with me. Accepting the position will be tantamount to repaying unstinting loyalty with spite&treachery,” tweeted Murkomen.

Murkomen further noted that as a Majority Leader, he chose not to serve in any committee and that he ensured that committee membership and leadership was distributed fairly among his colleagues.

He has condemned the unwarranted humiliation of Senators Linturi,Kinyua,Langat and Cherargei merely because they stood by the truth and fairness.

“As a Majority Leader I chose not to serve in any committee&I ensured that committee membership&leadership was distributed fairly among my colleagues.I condemn the unwarranted humiliation of Senators Linturi,Kinyua,Langat&Cherargei merely because they stood by the truth&fairness,” he posted.

He further notes that he is ready to serve the nation in any capacity and in any committee even as a mere member, now and in future.

The vocal senator says that he abhors taking up positions at the expense of his colleagues who are being humiliated for no apparent reason.

“Now and in the future I am ready to serve the nation in any capacity and in any committee even as a mere member. What I abhor is to take up positions at the expense of colleagues who are being humiliated for no apparent reason. Thank you and God bless,” he tweeted.

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Senator Ledama Surrenders His Seat, Apologizes to Raila

by Brian Miano
written by Brian Miano

Narok senator Ledama Olekina on Tuesday May 26 surrendered his senate Public Accounts Committee chairmanship seat.

This is after the vocal lawmaker met the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga this morning.

Ledama also agreed to withdraw the case he had filed against the ODM party following the party’s decision to remove him from the seat, and dewhip him.

Raila, through his official twitter account said that Ledama had agreed to the decisions after they held a meeting. Raila also revealed that the Narok senator had apologized to the party following his decision.

In return, the former Prime Minister said that he had instructed the party to reverse the decision to dewhip the Senator.

“Senator @ledamalekina has this morning agreed to withdraw the case he had filed against @TheODMparty over the Senate Public Accounts Committee chairmanship, surrendered the seat and apologized. In return I’ve instructed the party to reverse the decision to dewhip the Senator,” Raila tweeted.

Early this month, ODM through Minority Leader James Orengo, gave notice to discharge the senator from the County Public Accounts and Investments Committee (CPAIK).

Olekina contested and won the election against his party’s preferred candidate Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri after being backed by Jubilee senators.

He had already chaired the CPAIC’s first meeting when Senate minority leader James Orengo (ODM) gave a notice indicating the party’s wish to dewhip him from the CPAIC and the Senate Business Committee (SBC).

Olekina had vowed to fight the removal, a move that saw him file a case against the Orange party.

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Raila Doesn’t Own ODM, he Owns a Plot in it, Moses Kuria’s Chilling Advice to Ledama Ole Kina

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has offered a chilling advice to Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina.

The controversial lawmaker through his official Facebook account told Senator Ledama to stop thinking that Raila Odinga fully owns the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

According to Moses Kuria, Raila only owns a plot in the Orange party.

“Dear Ledama Ole Kina. Si ulifungua mdomo kuongea juu ya Kedong Ranch ? Do you really value your life ? You think Raila Odinga owns ODM ? He owns a plot in ODM. Do you know who has the mother title for ODM ? Keep to your lane. Say ‘Ashe Oleng’ to me later,” Kuria posted.

Kuria’s advice came after leader of Minority in the Senate James Orengo opposed the election of the Narok senator as the chair of the powerful County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC).

In a letter to the Senate Speaker, Orengo said that he would withdraw the membership of the minority from the committee, until “an appropriate resolution can be made”.

“I express and register dissatisfaction with the conduct and outcome of the elections of the leadership of the County Public Accounts and Investments Committee which were purportedly done today. We intend to withdraw our membership from the said committee until an appropriate resolution can be made,” wrote Orengo.

No photo description available.

Ole Kina was on Monday May 4 elected to head the county watchdog committee after trouncing Kisii Senator Prof Sam Ongeri who got four votes, against ole Kina’s five.

“County Public Accounts and Investments Committee has elected Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina as chairman with 5 votes against Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri who garnered 4 votes.The committee of nine members were appointed on April 28th. Senator Wamatangi was elected vice chair,” tweeted the Sanate

However, in a rejoinder, Ole Kina said he supported ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s presisdential campaign against all odds and that Orengo’s move is questionable.

He said he will not be threatened by Orengo’s letter to the Senate, and that he is prepared.

Kiambu County Senator Kimani Wamatangi was picked as vice chairperson of PAIC.

Ole Kina gained five votes against his Kisii counterpart Sam Ongeri.

The committee has nine members. Mithika Linturi (Meru), Millicent Omanga (nominated) and Sam Ongeri(Kisii) were retained in the committee.

The new members to the committee are Hargura Godana(Marsabit), Irungu Kangata (Murang’a), Ochillo Ayacko (Migori) and Taita Taveta County senator  Johnes Mwaruma.

Following his appointment as deputy chair, Wamatangi said he was honoured to have been elected to the committee and that he will discharge his duties without any fear.

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Politics

Senator Ledama Breathes Fire as Raila Tries to Steal His New Senate Post

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina is breathing fire following an alleged plot to steal his genuinely won senate post.

Ledama was on Monday May 4, 2020, elected as the chairman of the powerful Senate oversight committee, the Senate County Public Accounts and Investments Committee,

However, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party is seeking to withdraw its members from  the committee.

Senate Minority leader James Orengo wrote to Speaker Kenneth Lusaka protesting the results.

“I express and register dissatisfaction with the conduct and outcome of the election of the leadership of the County Public Accounts and Investments Committee, which were purportedly done today,” Orengo said in the letter.

“We intend to withdrawn our membership from the said committee until an appropriate resolution can be made.” 

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However, Senator Ledama has fired a warning, citing that he is a wrong number to mess with.

Through his official twitter account, Ledama says that the ODM party leader Raila Odinga is on the record stating that his election has been stolen, and he supported him.

Ledama further says that he was nearly killed in the last Resist Movement while protesting the 2017 presidential election results.

He has warned Senator Orengo, citing that he was a wrong number to mess with should anyone try to steal his chair position.

“@RailaOdinga is on the record stating that his election has been stollen & I supported him. I was nearly killed in the last Resist Movement! Now what exactly does this letter mean? @orengo_james are they trying to steal my chair position! No way! I am a wrong number to mess with!” he posted.

Ledama went ahead to note that the Maasai are not fence sitters, and that one day they will lead the country. He argues that there is no position that is reserved for any person.

“The Maasai are not fence sitters! We are Kenyans and one day we will lead this country! Double standards! No position is reserved for any person. Let’s respect democracy! ” he posted.

Insiders said that top ODM echelons were not happy with Ole Kina’s election and were planning to instruct their members to de-whip him if the Speaker declines to accept Orengo’s request.

The sources disclosed that Ole Kina got the support of nearly all the Jubilee Senators in the nine- member committee.

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Politics

Moha Jicho Pevu Reveals How Gov’t is Using COVID-19 to Play Dirty Games

by Brian Miano
written by Brian Miano

The National government is using COVID-19 pandemic to play a dirty game, Nyali Member of Parliament Mohammed Ali has revealed.

Through his social media handles, the journalist-turned politician revealed how the government orchestrated a clever move to send MPs home so as to implement taxation measures, supplementary budget and the Ksh 3 Trillion 2020/2021 Estimates.

According to the Nyali lawmaker, all this is set to happen without any parliamentary approval.

He further reveals that the locking down of Nairobi, where both National Assembly and the senate are situated, was a move to paralyze lawmaker’s efforts to access Nairobi.

The MP says that the government want to pass a rotten COVID-19 budget by setting up the MPs.

He went ahead to blame the media for allowing themselves to be used by the state by running controversial headlines the portray MPs in a bad manner.

On Monday morning, the Standard newspaper ran a headline titled “The Traitors”, which referred to the MPs.

At is at this point that MPs started making revelations about the circumstances that led to the suspension of their sittings.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria on Monday morning also took to his social media handles to make similar revelations.

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Below is Mohammed Ali’s post on his facebook page.

“As I said earlier, the cancellation of the Special Sittings of the National Assembly and the Senate (Both of them located within Nairobi) had little to do with COVID-19. It is a clever orchestration to implement taxation measures, supplementary budget and the Ksh 3 Trillion 2020/2021 Estimates without parliamentary approval, a clear by – pass of the country’s laws.

“The SYSTEM want us to pass a rotten Covid budget by setting us up. If we dont pass it we appear bad in the eyes of the public. Somebody is trying to redeem himself unfortunately using corona virus pandemic. The Standard newspaper today in its typical art of spin and propaganda has deliberately chosen to forsake the truth and is now collectively reprimanding parliament despite the fact that many of us have been calling for the reconvention of parliament as early as March.

“This is not only dishonest but also portray a media house hellbent on driving the Executive’s agenda at whatever cost; the tenets of impartial journalism notwithstanding.

“Hii ukora naielewa. I know a REAL JOURNALIST SCRIPT and the SYSTEM ONE. They tried with the STAR NEWSPAPER- SMART PEOPLE READ THE SUN but it didn’t work. To the standard and star newspapers kumbukeni MSICHANA WA BAR HATONGOZWI ASUBUHI. Wakenya wanataka pesa zao msitumiwe kuwasaidia WAKORA kuiba kwa kuwafanya wengine waonekane wabaya Ili Bunge isifunguliwe. TRUTH is my WEAKNESS. I refuse to die! ” reads the post.

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