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Exposed: Uhuru Kenyatta’s Niece Ate Sh84 Million Covid-19 Tender

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A company associated with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s kin got Ksh 84 million from a Covid-19 tender, details have emerged.

When Covid-19 first hit the Country, there is a section of traders who saw a business opportunity, going after tenders in the Ministry of Health that have seen them make away with millions.

According to a report by Daily Nation, some business people chattered planes to China to physically fly in Covid-19 medical supplies.

The report by the local daily further revealed that some traders waited for the goods, that is personal protective gear, ventilators and other medical items  to land in Nairobi, then snapped them up in bulk and waited.

Others  waylaid donations at the airport and diverted them to private warehouses, waiting for the procurement whistle to be blown.

Kenya has been receiving several billions from donors to address the pandemic.

First, Kenya received Sh78.3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address the pandemic.

Then the World Bank wired Sh108 billion to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), as both budgetary support and extra resources to help fight the deadly viral infection.

As traders rushed for the government tenders to get the share of the billions donated to Kenya, President Kenyatta’s niece happens to be among those who got millions.

Ziwala Limited, which is owned by Ms Samantha Ngina Muthama who is President Kenyatta’s niece, and June Nduta Kinyua, equally received a piece of the Covid-19 billions.

It got a Sh84 million contract to supply 120,000 pieces of KN95 face masks, also at the inflated price of Sh700 a piece.

Economist David Ndii on Monday August 3, 2020 through his social media handles demonstrated the move, accusing the head of state of allowing his relatives to plunder Kenya’s economy with his protection.

“Dear Kumîra Kumîra. While you were out bleating #OneManOneVoteOneShilling nonsense on empty stomachs, Uhuru Kenyatta’s niece ate Sh84 million Covid-19 tender. Turkanas are not freeloading on YOUR taxes. #Relathieves are plundering OUR taxes with your protection. Ng’ondu ici,” tweeted Ndii.

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Jubilee to Kick Out Kositany as Party Deputy SG, Replace Him With Joshua Kuttuny

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Jubilee party is planning to kick out deputy Secretary general Caleb Kositany and replace him with a fellow Nandi, Cherangany MP Joshua Kuttuny.

Kositany who doubles up as Soy MP, a constituency in Uasin Gishu county, is a vocal supporter of deputy president William Ruto while Kuttuny who represents Cherangany which is in Trans Nzoia county is a supporter of Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga handshake.

Kuttuny will be rewarded with the post for his support for the Building Bridges Initiative which saw him become the key speaker from the Kalenjin community during the public rallies held across the country before they were halted due to the outbreak of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.

In the 2007 elections, Kuttuny successfully contested for the Cherangany parliamentary seat on an ODM ticket but failed to recapture it in the 2013 elections when he lost to Boston Marathon winner Wesley Korir.

After losing, he was appointed by Uhuru as his political adviser, a post he held up to December 2017 when he declared his candidature for the Cherangany parliamentary seat.

He won the seat with a slim margin. Sources revealed that the move to appoint Kuttuny to replace Kositany is meant to appease the Nandi community whose son will be losing the big seat of Jubilee for supporting Ruto’s presidential bid as his replacement will come from the community.

Nandis are second in numbers to Kipsigis among the Kalenjin.

Kipsigis community occupies Bomet and Kericho counties. The Kipsigis are also found in Narok and Nakuru counties which they share with the Maasai and Kikuyu communities besides other tribes.

Sources added that the move to appoint Kuttuny is also informed by the realization that the Nandis of Trans Nzoia, unlike those in Uasin Gishu, Nandi counties which is Ruto’s home turf, are likely to cast their lot with the president’s wing in 2022 polls.

In contrast in Uasin Gishu county, where Soy constituency is situated, Ruto enjoys massive support and hence it would be unwise to appoint Kositany’s replacement from the region as the appointment will have little impact on the ground.

The Nandi’s dominance of Uasin Gishu county came to the fore in the last general election when the Soy MP sparked a storm by declaring the community would determine the choice of governor as they are the majority.

Sources say the decision by Jubilee to fire Kositany was arrived at after he launched a full attack on secretary-general, Raphael Tuju, demanding the financial records of the party.

In an episode that added fuel to the cold wars between the president and his deputy, Kositany in a letter to Tuju which was copied to the Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu, claimed he was acting on behalf of more than 100 MPs and over 500 MCAs who are members of the party in demanding information on Jubilee’s financial records from 2016 to date.

He demanded Tuju vanish him with the approved budgets for financial years 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020, as well as all approved procurement records, reports and all committee minutes for the same period.

Kositany also demanded records for all Jubilee party county offices including copies of lease agreements as well as the lease or tenancy agreements for the party’s headquarters in Nairobi since 2016.

His demand came days after he accused top party officials of squandering funds, alleging that officials at the party’s headquarters were spending more than Sh7 million per month on tea and snacks.

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Uhuru Confers Senior Counsel Rank to Kalonzo, Martha Karua And Otiende Amollo

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta has today conferred the rank of Senior Counsel to Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, his Narc Kenya counterpart Martha Karua, Rarieda MP Otende Amollo and 21 other advocates of the High Court.

Others on a list of 24 senior lawyers and advocates of the High Court released on Monday July 20, 2020 by State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena Mararo are, Fredrick Ngatia and former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Philip Murgor.

Others are OM Parkash Nagpal, Fackson Walnaina Kagwe, Pravin Kumar Bowry, Charles Waweru Gatonye Rautta Athiambo, Mohammed Nyaoga, Albert Mumma, Beautah Alukhava Siganga and Kiragu Kimani.

Also on the list are Judy Thongori, Taib Ali Taib Bajabir, Zehrabanu Janmohamed, Wilfred Nderitu, John Ohaga, Kioko Kilukumi, Patricia Mande Nyaundi, Dorcas Agik Odhong Oduor, Abdikadir Hussein Mohamed and John Mugwimi Chigiti.

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The rank of Senior Counsel is conferred in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee on Senior Counsel, to Advocates of the High Court of Kenya who have distinguished themselves by rendering exemplary service In the legal and public service arenas.

Kenya currently has 26 Senior Counsels.

The are Zahir Malik, Amos Wako, Lee Muthoga, GBM Kariuki, Joe Okwach, Fred Ojiambo, Paul Muite, Hon. Dr. Willy Mutunga, Paul Wamae, Nzamba Kitonga, Gibson Kamau Kuria, Ken Fraser, Omesh Kapila, Hon. Prof. Githu Muigai, Prof. Patricia Kameri-Mbote, Kenneth Akide, Lucy Kambuni, George Oraro,Joyce Majiwa,Ahmednassir Abdullahi,Okong’o Mogeni,Prof. Tom Ojienda,Keriako Tobiko, Raychelle Omamo,James Orengo and Pheroze Nowrojee

The list will now rise to 50.

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Possible Lockdown as Uhuru Convenes Extraordinary Summit to Review Surge of Covid-19 Infections

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday July 20, 2020 convened the fifth extraordinary session of the National and County governments coordinating summit.

The summit will be held on Friday July 24, 2020.

According to a press statement issued by State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena, the session has been convened following the surge of Coviod-19 infections across the country.

Out of the 47 Counties, coronavirus has now manifested in 44 counties. The cases started rising after the head of state opened up inter-county lockdowns, allowing Kenyans to travel freely.

The Friday meeting shall assess the Counties’ state preparedness within the wider national response to the Covid-19 pandemic and evaluate Kenya’s overall national response and capacity.

It shall also review the efficacy of containment measures in place and review the impact of the phased easing of the restrictions that were in place.

It shall also consider the evolution of the disease and medical models on how Covid-19 may propagate in Kenya within the months of August and September 2020.

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The Health ministry on Sunday July 19, 2020 announced 603 more cases of the coronavirus, raising Kenya’s tally to 13,353.

This number arose from the testing of 5,724 samples, Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said in a statement.

The cumulative number of samples tested in Kenya since the first case of Covid-19 was reported in March rose to 243,887.

The ministry further announced 682 more recoveries, raising the total number to 5,122, and nine more deaths, raising the fatality county to 234.

Of the patients who recovered, 562 were under home-based care while 120 were in hospitals.

Mr Kagwe noted infections are still rising so the public must not drop their guard in the fight against the virus.

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Uhuru, Ruto Mourn CS Sicily Kariuki’s Daughter

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have mourned the passing on of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki’s daughter.

CS Kariuki on Saturday July 19, 2020 lost her daughter, Wendy Muthoni, a second-year law student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Karen Campus.

The head of state sent a message of comfort to the family of the CS following the passing away of her daughter at a Nairobi hospital.

The President wished the family God’s fortitude during this difficult period of grief and assured them of his support as they come to terms with the big loss.

In his message, DP Ruto described Wendy as a determined, diligent and honest lady who will be fondly remembered for her kindness and dependability.

“Our sympathies and prayers to the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Sicily Kariuki following the death of her precious daughter Wendy Muthoni ‘Noni’.

“A second-year law student at JKUAT Karen Campus, Noni was a determined, diligent and honest lady who will be fondly remembered for her kindness and dependability. May the family, friends and her college-mates find strength to get through this grief. Rest In Peace,” reads DP Ruto’s message.

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Plot to Have Uhuru’s Relative Replace CJ Maraga

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Chief Justice David Maraga is on record as the first top judge in Africa to nullify a presidential election in 2017. This was only borrowed recently by Malawi top court which also nullified the presidential poll.

However, Maraga is set to exit office. But who will now replace him?

Well, Attorney-General Kihara Kariuki is emerging the frontrunner in the race to replace Maraga who is set to retire anytime from now.

For now, if Maraga decides to proceed on leave, deputy CJ Philomena Mwilu will act. Mwilu is being favoured by a section in ODM to succeed Maraga by virtue of her closeness to former AG Amos Wako and now Busia senator on ODM ticket.

According to a local daily, Kariuki, formerly the president of the Court of Appeal, is being considered a safe bet by State House mandarins eager to have a reliable gatekeeper at the corridors of justice.

Supreme Court judge Smokin Wanjala is the favourite by the majority of lawyers according to a secret report compiled by various state agencies and if voting by lawyers was to determine the next CJ, Wanjala will definitely win. However, he is seen as independent-minded like Maraga.

Other names that are being touted include East African Community judge Charles Nyachae, former national assembly speaker Kenneth Marende, Supreme Court judge Njoki Ndung’u, Lady Justice Hannah Okwengu of Appeals Court and Solicitor General Ken Ogeto, and Justice Isaac Lenaola mong others.

But according to sources, the State House mandarins do not want a repeat of the 2017 scenario where Maraga led the bench in nullifying the presidential election and that is why they want a reliable candidate for the CJ’s position, and that person is Kariuki.

Brief history of Paul Kariuki, Kenya's new Attorney General
AG Kihara Kariuki. PHOTO/COURTESY

Besides, the AG is a relative of Uhuru Kenyatta as his mother is the daughter of Senior Chief Koinange. Kariuki, who was born on May 11 1954 in Kiambu, is the son of the late bishop of Anglican Church Obadiah Kariuki and Lillian Wairimu, the daughter of Senior Chief Koinange.

It is to be recalled that Uhuru’s father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta married his third wife, Grace Wanjiku, daughter of Senior Chief Koinange and sister of Mbiyu Koinange in 1946.

But Wanjiku died when giving birth in 1951 to their daughter, Jane Makena Wambui (also known as Jeni). Jeni Makena Gecaga is the mother of Soiya Gecaga, Nana Gecaga, and Jomo Gecaga, who serves as the president’s private secretary.

Insiders added that State House is keen to have the holder of the CJ’s position a person they can trust since he or she will be instrumental in the re-composition of the Supreme Court bench which will determine any petition challenging a presidential election in 2022.

Already, Justice Jackton Ojwang has retired as Supreme Court judge after attaining the mandatory retirement age while Justice Isaac Lenaola is being fronted to head the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

Apart from blood ties with the first family, Kariuki is also emerging the favourite due to his past rulings as a judge which have tended to side with the executive.

As the president of the Court of Appeal, he led the bench in overturning a ruling by High Court judge George Odunga that had declared the appointment of returning officers for the 2017 general election as not procedural, a day to the repeat presidential poll.

Justice Odunga had declared the appointments unconstitutional but had declined to grant the reliefs the petitioners were seeking, which included halting the polls.

Nevertheless, Odunga’s ruling, if not overturned, would have come in handy in the petition seeking to declare the repeat presidential poll a nullity.

It was this ruling that saw former Law Society of Kenya chief executive officer Apollo Mboya seek to block Kariuki after Uhuru tapped him to be his chief legal advisor.

Mboya filed a misconduct case at the Judicial Service Commission where he averred that Justice Kariuki was unfit to take over from Githu Muigai as Attorney General.

The JSC formed a special committee to look into the misconduct and insubordination allegations against Kariuki and his fellow Court of Appeal judges, Erastus Githinji, Martha Koome and Fatuma Sichale who had overturned Justice Odunga’s ruling.

The petition questioned how Justice Kariuki was able to impanel a three-judge bench of justices Githinji, Koome and Sichale on a public holiday and without the authorization from the Chief Justice.

He also questioned the manner the appeal was expedited and final ex parte orders given within minutes. But Kariuki passed the vetting and became a member of the JSC by virtue of his position as Attorney General.

Having resigned as a judge, the JSC was not in a position to pursue the matter of his misconduct further. If Kariuki lands the slot, to hoodwink Kenyans that he is not playing tribal card in Judiciary, a face outside Kikuyu will replace him as AG.

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Uhuru is The Next Prime Minister, Controversial ODM MP Reveals

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta will be next Prime Minister of Kenya, controversial Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili popularly known as Babu Owino has claimed.

Taking to his official twitter account on Thursday July 16, 2020, Babu Owino argued that President Kenyatta is still young and Kenya needs him in the next Government.

“President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta is the next Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya. My President is still Young and we need him in the next Government,” he posted.

President Kenyatta’s falling-out with his deputy William Ruto has left him with no heir apparent as the clock ticks towards the 2022 General Election.

With the crack now a reality following what insiders say is “irreconcilable differences” between the two, state operatives are busy analysing various viable succession scenarios for 2022.

Already, there are reports that as the coalition grows and with the post-election pact between Jubilee and Gideon Moi’s Kanu, a deal with Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper and Raila Odinga’s ODM, a possible line-up is being crafted for 2022.

Behind the tightly-knit plan, the leaders working with the President want a structure of government that will have a President, a Prime Minister, two Deputy Prime Ministers and a Deputy President.

Other senior government positions being floated to contain other senior members of the supper alliance include the two Speakers – for the National Assembly and the Senate.

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Revealed: How Uhuru Has Blocked Ruto From Being Investigated

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta has on several occasions blocked multi state agencies involved in fighting economic corruption and other crimes from summoning or even arresting his deputy William Ruto to shed more light on various matters after the DP’s name featured during various investigations of prime suspects.

Whereas Ruto supporters openly claim Uhuru has abandoned his deputy and betrayed him, to the contrary, the head of state has gone full fledged to protect his embattled DP both locally and internationally.

Talk is rife, Uhuru is currently engaged in secret mission to have Western capitals have travel bans on Ruto and his family lifted.

The president’s decision not to assign Ruto international state functions is due to the said bans.According to one MP within Jubilee well versed with the scenarios, it was on this ground a bitter Uhuru openly stated in public, he was no longer going to protect anybody linked to graft including close members of his family.

Insiders familiar with the developments intimated to a local daily that in the past the president has turned down requests by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and Directorate of Criminal Investigations to summon Ruto to record statements after the DP’s name featured prominently in corruption allegations.

To summon the DP, the sleuths require the consent of the head of state due to the political ramifications the move would generate.

Apart from corruption allegations, the detectives have been seeking to summon Ruto to record statements over his outbursts which they consider as alarming.

One such statement is when he publicly claimed three cabinet secretaries and principal secretaries from Mount Kenya region had hatched a plot to kill him.

His remarks saw Uhuru direct the CSs implicated in the Ruto assassination to record statements with DCI.

However the investigations could not proceed according to one CS involved in the matter on grounds, Ruto was to be summoned to record a statement that could have lasted for hours but when the head of state was briefed of the next action to be taken, he told those involved to go slow saying if Ruto was serious with his allegations, he should record a statement himself but not be seen as being coerced.

By then, many saw Ruto assassination claims as political games aimed at winning sympathy from his Mt Kenya voters moreso after the president had decided to sideline him from initiating development projects in favour of cabinet secretaries and principal secretaries from the region.

The group was meeting at Hotel Lamada to focus on Mt Kenya region development agenda when the DP made the outbursts.

Though the sleuths recorded statements from the CSs and PSs, Ruto did not record his statement that would have enabled the sleuths to either charge the CSs and PSs with attempted murder or alternatively charge the DP with making a false report.

Another outburst the DP made which state security organs considered as alarming was during the burial of Sergeant Kipyegon Kenei when he claimed the system wanted him out of the presidential race at whatever cost, meaning they wanted him dead.

Ruto was to record a statement on the effect but Uhuru stopped it again according a city politician well in the know of the happenings.

Insiders familiar with the developments revealed multi agencies have over six times gathered sufficient evidence linking the deputy president and his allies to suspicious mega tenders but when they sought Uhuru’s nod to summon him, they were directed to shelve the file until they get instructions from him.

But all this time, the sources added, the president has been buying time as he quietly lays the ground for Ruto’s arrest by first whittling down his influence in the government and reducing his international image by halting his interactions with global leaders.

The president has also been building a new power base where ODM leader Raila Odinga and Baringo senator Gideon Moi are key pillars who will fill the void once Ruto is vanquished.

The plan is to have Gideon take the place of Ruto to avert a rebellion by the Kalenjin community after the fall of the man many consider as their political kingpin.

Many however say Gideon foot is too small for Ruto’s oversize shoes in RV.The president has also been dismantling Ruto’s political network to ensure once he is in trouble, there will no leaders brave enough to call for demonstrations to pile pressure on the government to go slow on him.

The head of state has also been preparing Kenyans mentally by pledging that he will spare no one in the fight against corruption, including the deputy president or the president’s family members.

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Angry Uhuru Dresses Down Amos Kimunya Over His Dalliance With Tangatanga

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta is said to have given National Assembly Majority Leader Amos Kimunya a dressing-down over his dalliance with Members from Deputy President William Ruto’s Tanga tanga faction of the ruling Jubilee party.

Kimunya had accompanied speakers Justin Muturi (National Assembly) and Ken Lusaka (Senate) to a signing ceremony at Harambee House last Thursday when the head of state lectured him for keeping dewhiped Tanga Tanga-allied members in Parliamentary committees.

Also present at the meeting were Senate Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio and State House Deputy Chief of Staff Njee Muturi.

Sources who spoke to a leading local daily said that an ‘irate’ Uhuru questioned why Kimunya had retained some of the de-whipped Tangatanga MPs in powerful committees.

He specifically reportedly took issue with Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah being proposed to the Finance and Planning Committee.

Ichung’wah, who was discharged from the Budget and Appropriations Committee, is among Ruto’s most vocal supporters in central Kenya and is viewed as a thorn in the flesh of Jubilee party loyalists.

Other Tangatanga-allied MPs from the region set to lose their nominations are Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau (Environment and Natural Resources) and Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami (Trade).

Gladys Shollei (Uasin Gishu) and Alice Wahome (Kandara) are also likely to lose their slots in the Committee on Delegated Legislation due to their opposition to the BBI process.

Tharaka MP George Gitonga could also lose his slot in the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), which is crucial to the constitutional reforms process.

A pro-BBI team had rejected the earlier proposed memberships for key committees over claims that they were tilted towards the Ruto-allied Tangatanga group.

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Youths Scramble For Positions in The Newly Launched Kazi Mtaani 2nd Phase

by Pauline Waswa
written by Pauline Waswa

Bungoma South Sub County youths on Friday July 10, 2020 flooded at the county commissioners’ offices in search of being included in the newly launched ‘Kazi mtaani’ initiative.

This comes after President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the second phase of the National Hygiene Program (NHP), targeting to enroll more than 270,000 youths.

The second phase is set to apply in the whole of the 47 counties unlike the first phase which involved only eight counties.

Addressing the press, Deputy County Commissioner Michael Yator stated that Bungoma south sub county has been granted 2,407 which will see youths of that number engage in that program.

“as you can see the work flow today, we are registering the youths in the biometric system and the ones present here have been already employed from every village. In every village there is committee that’s in charge of employing this youths aged from 18 years to 35,” he emphasized

He went further to say that the youths will be engaged more in community and infrastructure development projects and they will be divided in groups of 15 each, working from 8am to 4 pm.

The program comes as an employment opportunity and also provides a platform to lessen the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Details:Gideon Moi to be Appointed Deputy President After Ruto’s Resignation

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A secret plot to appoint Gideon Moi as deputy president after he will have staged a spirited onslaught and piled pressure on William Ruto to step down is cooking in the pot.

The happenings surrounding the DP, among them, the luring of his key supporters into the government axis of the Jubilee government supporting Uhuru Kenyatta’s wing of Kieleweke from the DP’s Tanga Tanga brigade, are part of a wider scheme and long time strategy to cut Ruto to size, and eventually, boot him from the corridors of power.

Although others say that Ruto is aware of the political machinations to force him to resign and relinquish instruments of the second in power, he has decided to stay put until an opportune time.

Ruto, instead of an early resignation that could come with political ramifications on his way to stardom, has decided to wait for a late quitting of the office of DP next year, when political temperatures will be at a crescendo, to spin his political magic for a decisive comeback to claim his ride to the 2022 presidential race solely or without Uhuru.

The scheme to have Ruto resign ahead of the impending cabinet reshuffle was to accommodate the faces of those perceived to be his political allies from outside Kikuyuland to deal him a political blow in the process.

Currently, the DP office has been reduced to a shell and a pale shadow of its former self and he does not value it anymore as such. There are lesser activities than there were.

The choice of Gideon, the Kanu chairman is informed by the idea that currently, there is no Jubilee Party elected leader from the Kalenjin community who can match Ruto’s clout in terms of resources, acumen and political mobilization.

The clandestine plot is the brainchild of advisers close to Uhuru, headed by his younger brother, Muhoho Kenyatta, to spearhead his succession in earnest, and thus eclipse Ruto’s influence.

Other influential members of the strategy include former presidential adviser Nancy Gitau, Jubilee Party vice chair David Murathe, State House comptroller Kinuthia Mbugua, top intelligence service officers with a nose for intelligence gathering, and the president’s uncle George Muhoho.

Jubilee party secretary-general Raphael Tuju receives directives from the president’s advisers. The beginning of the strategy to place Gideon a heartbeat away from the presidency was on May 8, when the senator led his party in signing a post-poll coalition deal with the ruling party Jubilee.

Muhoho and Nancy were present during the signing of the deal, which is a pointer of its importance and significance to the president.

By then, within Jubilee ranks and file fear was that if Ruto resigned as he was being pushed to, there was nobody able to succeed him.

Those mentioned as his likely successors Kindiki Kithure and former majority leader Aden Duale were all in the DP’s camp.

By then, Uhuru’s serious concern was that during the Mwai Kibaki era, Kibaki’s handlers were left scratching their heads after the demise of late vice president Wamalwa Kijana.

A section wanted then minister Mukhisa Kituyi, a Bukusu like Wamalwa to take the plum seat. After days of antagonizing, they landed on the elderly Moody Awori, a man who had no presidential ambitions.

Others even thought Raila Odinga who was then Transport minister in the Narc government, would replace Wamalwa. Raila had mourned the late Wamalwa in Luo traditional style donned in full regalia with analysts saying that he was politically cleansing himself to succeed Wamalwa as VP.

For now, Gideon is being prepared for any political eventuality in the office of the DP. The signing of the Jubilee/Kanu power sharing deal after Jubilee staged major palace coups to control the ruling party in the national assembly and senate speaks volumes.

The deal was signed by Tuju, Jubilee chairman Nelson Dzuya, Gideon and Kanu secretary general Nick Salat.

In contrast, on June 17, only Murathe and Tuju attended a similar function at Jubilee Party headquarters where Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Chama Cha Mashinani’s Isaac Ruto inked a post-election coalition agreement with Jubilee.

The absence of Muhoho and Nancy was a pointer that the Kalonzo-RutoJubilee deal was of less significance to the president as compared to that of Kanu and Jubilee.

Insiders familiar with the developments revealed that the advisers had devised a strategy to pile pressure on Ruto to resign. Initial fear being that if Ruto resigned when Kanu had not entered any legally binding deal with Jubilee, and if Gideon had to be named deputy to Uhuru, someone would have moved to court to block the orchestra on legality aspect.

But the deputy president, aware of the strategy, has devised a countermove where he plans to abruptly tender his resignation as DP late next year or even early 2022, to intensify his campaigns for the presidency.

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Cessation of Movement in Nairobi, Mombasa and Mandera Ends

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced end of cessation of movement into and outside Nairobi metropolitan, Mombasa and Mandera Counties.

The cessation will lapse tomorrow (Tuesday July 7) at 4am.

However,President Kenyatta stated that the country had not hit 100% on preparedness across the counties but had made significant progress.

Addressing the nation from Harambee House, Uhuru further stated that the curfew would be extended by 30 days.

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Uhuru in a Closed Door Meeting With Ruto Ahead of 2pm Nation Address

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta is currently in a closed-door consultative meeting with his Deputy William Ruto.

Also in the meeting is a team of experts who are being consulted ahead of the 2pm Nation address.

The president is expected to address the nation today, following the expiry of a 30-day lockdown of some counties and dusk to dawn curfew.

This is the first time the President and his deputy are engaged in a consultative meeting since the first case of Covid-19 was confirmed in Kenya in March.

Previously, DP William Ruto said that that they consulted through the phone, and could not engage a closed door meeting as a matter of security protocol.

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Uhuru Likely to Announce Tougher Covid-19 Measures

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta is likely to announce tougher Covid-19 measures on Monday July 6, 2020.

Kenyans are highly anticipating for lifting of cessation of movement into and outside the locked counties, as the current measures come to an end.

However, according to a statement issued by government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna on Sunday July 5, 2020, the government is likely to announce tougher measures.

Oguna in a statement posted on twitter said that the simplicity of the containment measures makes them very easy to ignore, and some of our people have literally abandoned them.

However, Oguna noted, if we must stop the spread of this virus, then we have no choice, but to obey them.

“The simplicity of the containment measures makes them very easy to ignore, and some of our people have literally abandoned them. However, if we must stop the spread of this virus, then we have no choice, but to obey them,” reads the statement.

Oguna further urged Kenyans to continue observing the current measures, which include proper wearing of face masks, washing of hands regularly, sanitizing hands using an alcohol based sanitizer and staying at home.

Kenya’s Covid-19 positive cases have been rising over the recent.

This evening, Health chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman confirmed 309 new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 7,886.

The new cases are from 37 counties, which were confirmed after testing a total sample of 4,228 in the last 24 hours.

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Politics

Ruto Allied MP Punished For Messing With CS Matiang’i

by Mustafa Juma
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.

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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. 

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Politics

Revealed: Damning Dossier That Forced Uhuru to Drop Aden Duale

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Details of why Uhuru Kenyatta bowed down to pressure to drop Garissa Township MP Aden Duale as the leader of majority can finally be revealed.

The vocal MP lost his post in a Jubilee Party parliamentary group meeting that barely lasted 22 minutes though a majority of legislators had heaped praises on him, for his outstanding performance in pushing the ruling party’s agenda in the house and outside.

He was replaced by Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya, a one-time Finance minister in the Mwai Kibaki government.

According to insiders, it is Duale’s achievements that were stopping the president from dropping him before a detailed dossier was presented to the head of state by security organs linking Duale to a web of corruption and his brother Abdi Yakub Duale.

The dossier detailed how the former secondary teacher who was inducted into politics by Raila Odinga used his position as majority leader to amass wealth estimated to be over Sh5 billion.

With his brother Yakub, they use a firm Concordia building and Civil Engineering Company to manipulate state agencies to award them lucrative tenders.

Using the proceeds, they have invested heavily in the middle East and own a hotel. The dossier detailed how the most vocal defender of Uhuru’s government who earned the tag sycophant used his position to coerce parastatal bosses and other government agencies to award companies associated with him or owned by his cronies lucrative tenders.

Surprisingly, Duale family members boast to have influence at Ethics Anti Corruption Commission and Office of Director Of Public Prosecutions hence untouchables.

In return while majority leader, he would shield parastatal bosses from being probed by parliament or influence reports once they were summoned by the MPs.

The report that shocked the president stated that while not directly soliciting for favours, Duale would front his brother, Noor Barre and that explains how they expanded their businesses in Garissa, Nairobi and Mombasa and even expanded to neighbouring countries such as Somali and South Sudan.

In Garissa, Duale and his brother own the Nomad Resort, the second upmarket hotel in the town besides other commercial ventures, which include the affiliate Nomad Hotel in Nairobi’s Eastleigh.

The report revealed that Duale, who was born on June 15 1967 and is married to the daughter of retired General Mahmoud Mohammed, one of two families who own and control most of Garissa’s wealth, now lives like a king, owning a multimillion house in the posh Runda estate. He is thus an in-law to Dpp boss Noordin Hajj, son of senator Hajj.

The report revealed that Duale as leader of majority put up a four-storey building called Lilac Centre in Garissa town which is managed by his brother, Dubow Bare Duale and has also been using Medina Chemicals to supply veterinary products in the North-Eastern region, South Sudan and Somalia.

He also purchased a cattle ranch at the Coast of Kenya. The dossier further raised the possibility that Duale could be holding Somali and Kenyan citizenship though in the past he has denied holding dual citizenship.

The claims of Duale holding dual citizenship first resurfaced during the vetting of Mwende Mwinzi for appointment as the ambassador to South Korea.

The Garissa Township MP then claimed he was being blackmailed by those he termed ‘busybodies’ after he refused to facilitate Mwinzi’s approval.

Insiders add that the dossier detailed how Duale owns Concordia Building and Civil Engineering Company Limited which has won multi-billion-shilling tender mystery since he was appointed the Majority Leader.

The ownership of the company, the report added, put him in conflict with procurement laws, which prohibit state officers from doing business with the government.

Besides Aden Bare Duale, Concordia Building and Civil Engineering Company Limited another director is Abdi Yakub Duale. Insiders add that attached to the dossier handed to Uhuru were media reports that exposed how Duale and Yakub formed the company under Certificate of Incorporation number 144127, given by SM Ndisya for the Registrar of Companies, in 2013 after he was named the majority leader.

The company went in to bag its first big contract worth Sh185 million, to partition an office belonging to the Geothermal Development Corporation.

The dossier contains minutes of a meeting dated September 12 2014 and attended by Aden Bare Duale, Abdi Yakub Duale and Marian Mohammed Hassan, along with lawyer Fredrick Orego, in which Duale resigned as director and transferred his shares to Marian Mohamed Hassan.

Among the mega projects the company carried out are the improvement of commuter rail stations in Nairobi, construction of Rural Electrification Authority under CEO Peter Mbugua of its storage facilities, construction of Garissa Town water supply systems, and the failed Mitubiri Landfill project.

The four projects were worth Sh1.9 billion. The company was also awarded a Sh190 million contract for a water supply project under the Last Mile project being carried out by Kenya Power in Garissa.

Concordia was also among the two firms awarded a Sh2 billion contract to build the Mitubiri Landfill project in Murang’a county, which the government later pulled out of after protests from residents.

It also in April 2016, bagged Sh573 million contract to improve the Kahawa and Kikuyu railway stations. Other contracts Concordia bagged included the building of REA storage facilities in Mariakani worth Sh164 million, and maintenance of the Garissa-Mbalambala Road (Sh18 million).

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