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Uhuru Kenyatta

After overhauling the parliamentary leadership, President Uhuru Kenyatta is said to be shifting his focus to his Cabinet in a major shake-up to tap the most experienced hands to drive his heritage plan.

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

Those aware of the President’s plans say Uhuru is keen to assemble a team of experienced leaders who will work for him “body and soul” as he enters the home stretch of his final term.

The team that will steer Uhuru’s life-and-death fight for a legacy will exclude politicians who have shown any interest in the 2022 general election to avoid divided attention and competing interests.

Some CSs are said to be plotting gubernatorial and presidential ambitions at the expense of helping deliver on the President’s agenda.

Those nursing any 2022 ambitions will be chopped. For instance, any Cabinet Secretary that is currently eyeing for 2022 political seat will not be spared.

Speculations have it that former Bomet governor Isaac Rutto and former Katanga MP Peter Kenneth might be in Uhuru’s kitchen cabinet.

Senate Majority Chief Whip Irungu Kang’ata, a close confidant of the President, confirmed the Cabinet changes could come in less than three weeks.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta has ended the cessation of movement in and out of Eastleigh area in Nairobi and Old Town in Mombasa.

Addressing the nation from State House on Saturday June 6, President Kenyatta announced that the cessation of movement in the listed areas will come to an end on Sunday June 7, at 4am.

On May 6, 2020 the Government of Kenya announced the cessation of movement into and out of the Eastleigh neighborhood in Nairobi and Old Town in Mombasa starting May 6th at 7 pm for 15 days. 

The Government on May 20 then extended its directive on cessation of movement directive in Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate and Mombasa’s Old Town in efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus.

According to the National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus, the cessation of movement was to be in place until today June 6.

However, the head of state has extended the cessation of movement in and out of Nairobi Metropolitan area for another 30 days.

President Kenyatta has also extend the dusk to dawn curfew for another 30 days. However, the dusk to dawn curfew will now start at 9pm to 4am.

This is to allow people who are working, to start working on a full time basis.

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Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to open the Country on Saturday June 6, 2020.

Taking to his official Facebook account of Friday night, the controversial lawmaker told President Kenyatta that hunger and poverty ravaging Kenyans is a recipe for a revolution.

He said that lawmakers are ready to work together with the head of state and support him fully in mitigation measures, but they cant afford one more day of the current curfew and lockdown.

Mr Kuria has gone ahead to advise President Kenyatta to ignore those he has termed as few elitist advisors, and instead listen to the leaders who interact with common mwananchi on an hourly basis.

He says that the hunger and poverty ravaging poor Kenyans will haunt leaders forever.

“Dear President Uhuru Kenyatta. Open up the country tomorrow. The hunger and poverty ravaging Kenyans is a recipe for a revolution. We will work together and support you fully in mitigation measures but we cant afford one more day of this curfew and lockdown. Open the country and the economy now. We cant afford this. Ignore the few elitist advisors and listen to us who interact with Wanjiku on an hourly basis. This hunger and poverty ravaging your people will haunt us forever. Tafadhali Mheshimiwa Rais,” reads his post.

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Kenyans are very anxious to hear from President Uhuru Kenyatta on the way forward, as current Covid-19 restrictions such as dusk to dawn curfew and cessation of movement comes to end tomorrow (Saturday June 6).

Uhuru is supposed to give an address to the nation, but what should Kenyans expect from him?

Well, many Kenyans expect him to address opening of the economy.

The National Security Council (NSC) chaired by the President Kenyatta is expected to meet (Friday June 5) to weigh the options ahead of Saturday’s national address.

However, Kenya has been recording triple digits in number of confirmed Covid-19 cases over the past weeks.

But basing on the President’s address when he unveiled a Sh54 billion economic stimulus package, Kenyans still have hopes.

The head of state hinted at easing the curfew and cessation of movement in select hotspots.

He urged personal responsibility when the restrictions are finally lifted, adding that Kenya could not be under lockdown forever.

The President also hinted at a partial reopening of schools, instructing the Education Ministry to look at measures to enable candidates to gradually resume learning.

Since schools were closed on March 15, the future of the candidates has been debated.

In an indication the government may start easing some restrictions from Saturday, Interior PS Karanja Kibicho on Wednesday told a radio station of plans to roll out phased reopening of the country’s economy.

Kenya imposed a nationwide dusk-to-dawn curfew on March 27. It was extended for a further 21 days on April 25. It was pushed forward another 21 days, which end on Saturday.

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David Maraga & Uhuru

Chief Justice David Maraga has protested President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Executive Order that has re-organised various arms of the government.

The head of State in the order signed on May 11 assigned functions and institutions among ministries and state departments, superseding the Executive Order No. 1 of 2018 (Revised) issued in July 2018.

He specified functions of the constitutional commissions, independent offices, the Judiciary and Parliament.

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But in a statement issued on Thursday June 4, CJ Maraga has told off President Kenyatta on the executive order.

The statement that has been shared via Maraga’s official twitter handle, says the manner in which the judiciary operates cannot be the subject of an Executive Order.

Maraga further notes that the Judiciary is neither a ministry nor a government department which can be “organised” by an Executive Order.

President Kenyatta in his order placed the Judicial Service Commission under a state department.

CJ Maraga in his protest letter further notes that JSC is part of the Judiciary, a government branch that can’t be assigned functions by the executive.

He says an Executive order cannot restructure or assign functions to the other co- equal and co-substantial arms of government and independent commissions.

According to Maraga, the order only applies to and is indeed only capable of applying to the Executive branch of government.

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The order, Maraga says, might have been subject to an error, which he hopes the executive arm of the government will come out clear and rectify, to avoid confusing the citizens.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to fire half of his cabinet by the end of next week, an MP allied to Deputy President William Ruto has claimed.

According to the Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, President Kenyatta’s Tuesday June 2 Parliamentary Group meeting at State House, Nairobi, was just but a start.

Through a social media post, Nyoro has warned his colleagues to expect a bloody week ahead.

The lawmaker claimed that some lawmakers were to be axed after the meeting, before the head of state embarks on his cabinet, saying that his team hoped the changes would help President Kenyatta grow the economy by double digits.

“Traps come with smiles.. Expect a bloody week ahead. It starts tomorrow with NA and by end of the week, half the cabinet will be gone. We hope the economy will now grow by 18% – with compliant rubber stamps, no more blame games. We are African and Africa is our Business,” he posted.

President Kenyatta, during the Jubilee meeting announced some changes to the party’s leadership in the National Assembly.

Aden Duale, the Majority Leader in the National Assembly survived the ongoing Jubilee Party purge.

Duale was among 212 MPs who attended the meeting convened by President Kenyatta.

During the meeting, National Assembly Majority Whip Benjamin Washiali and his deputy Cecily Mbarire were shown the door.

They were replaced by Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe and Igembe North MP Maoka Maore respectively.

During the same PG  President Uhuru  appointed Amos Kimunya to serve as the Secretary of the Jubilee Coalition Joint Parliamentary Group.

The PG meeting was also attended by Deputy President Dr William Ruto who is also the Jubilee Coalition’s Deputy Party Leader, Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju and a total of 212 Members of Parliament.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday June 2 chaired a Jubilee party Parliamentary Group Meeting at State House, Nairobi.

However, Deputy President William Ruto’s allies came out of the meeting crying foul.

Uhuru is said to have fired a salvo at Ruto allies saying he will fight off any attempts to turn him into a lame-duck president. The insults Tanga Tanga camp have been throwing at the head of state in their meetings came back to haunt them.

The President told the lawmakers that he was privileged with daily briefs about the insults they make in their native languages across the country.

“Some of you have gone as far as saying that I don’t know what I am doing and that they are the ones who have done all the development projects in the country,” Uhuru said.

North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko who attended the meeting told a local daily that the President told the lawmakers to desist from early campaigns and respect the institution of the Presidency.

“The President directed us to focus our energies and efforts in ensuring that we collectively deliver on the pledges and promises we made to Kenyans,” Nyamoko said.

But Soy MP Caleb Kositany complained that the meeting was but a monologue. 

“It was unfortunate that the President talked to us angrily without giving us an opportunity to air our concerns,” the Jubilee Party deputy secretary general said.

He went on, “It is sad that we had to wait for this meeting for three years only for us to be called and the only agenda is to be insulted.”

He said Uhuru was “visibly angry” and he did not allow anyone else other than Jbilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju and DP Ruto to speak.

“It is a sad day for democracy. None of us talked and he did not state his agenda for us in Parliament,” Kositany said.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday June 1, sent an open warning to his Deputy William Ruto.

The head of state during the Jubilee party parliamentary Group meeting at State House, Nairobi openly told DP Ruto and Jubilee MPs, on the type of Presidential candidate he will support in 2022.

In a meeting that lasted 24 minutes, Uhuru told the second in command and the ruling party’s parliamentarians that he will pass the baton to an heir who supports and values his legacy.

He said he will support a candidate who will build on his agenda, a statement that has been viewed by many as a veiled warning to his Deputy.  

The remarks suggest his 2022 options are wide open despite pressure from Ruto’s allies for the Head of State to throw his weight behind the DP.  

It was also an open warning to Ruto to stop early political campaigns and support the President’s legacy projects if he has to bank his 2022 presidential ambitions on the support of his boss.

In May 2018, at the height of aggressive countrywide campaigns by Ruto, Uhuru also told his Nyeri turf that his 2022 presidential choice will shock many.

Ruto’s allies then threw tantrums at the President accusing him of trying to renege on an earlier promise that the DP would take over.

Speaking  during a Jubilee Coalition Parliamentary Group meeting, a furious Uhuru maintained that there is no way he will rally behind anyone who will sabotage the agenda he has laid for the country.

MPs who attended the meeting held at State House in Nairobi said Uhuru warned that he will not dither from shoving away any politician who would undermine his leadership and national unity agenda.

“I will be happy to know that the person I will be passing the baton to is part of my agenda,” Uhuru told the 212 MPs. 

The President’s remarks came after he enjoyed a night out with Opposition chief Raila Odinga after the Madaraka Day celebrations at State House during the day.

The duo arrived at the Nairobi CBD in the middle of the night and was seen inspecting the re-carpeting of roads by the Nairobi Metropolitan Service.

The remarks at the PG meeting attracted furious reactions from Ruto’s key ally, Soy MP Caleb Kositany, who said Kenyans have the constitutional mandate to elect their president.

The DP’s early campaigns have been seen as disruptive to the President’s agenda to build an enduring legacy.

Affordable housing, manufacturing, food security and universal healthcare are the four key pillars of the President’s legacy projects dubbed the Big Four Agenda.

Uhuru also has another nine-point agenda with Raila to cure the country’s recurrent challenges by embracing national unity as manifested by the handshake on March 9, 2018.

The BBI is expected to deliver that agenda.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta has appointed Kipipiri Constituency MP Amos Kimunya to serve as the Secretary of the Jubilee Coalition Joint Parliamentary Group.

President Kenyatta on Tuesday June 2, at State House, Nairobi chaired a Jubilee Coalition National Assembly Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting in his capacity as the Coalition’s Party Leader.

The meeting was attended by Deputy President Dr William Ruto who is also the Jubilee Coalition’s Deputy Party Leader, Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju and a total of 212 Members of Parliament.

Today’s Parliamentary Group meeting endorsed Hon Justin B Muturi to continue serving as the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon Moses Cheboi to continue serving as the Deputy Speaker, Hon Adan Duale to continue serving as the Majority Leader in the National Assembly, and Hon Jimmy Angwenyi to continue serving as the Deputy Majority Leader.

The Parliamentary Group meeting replaced Hon Benjamin Washiali as the Majority Whip with Hon Emmanuel Wangwe. Hon Cecily Mbarire was replaced by Hon Richard Maoka Maore as the Deputy Whip.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday June 2, during a Jubilee party Parliamentary Group Meeting at State House, Nairobi, announced new changes in the National Assembly leadership.

In the changes announced by the head of State, National Assembly Majority Whip Benjamin Washiali and his deputy nominated MP Cecily Mbarire were kicked out.

Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe has replaced Washiali while Igembe North MP Maoka Maore replaces Mbarire.

The changes are expected to be communicated to the Speaker of the National Assembly today.

The PG which was chaired by Uhuru at State House also resolved to effect further changes at the House committees as part of the ongoing purge to kick out all MPs not supporting President’s agenda.

The National Assembly Majority whip Aden Duale has survived the President’s axe.

It had been earlier speculated that Duale was among the list of those that were to be kicked out.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria through a Facebook post on Monday June 1 had listed Duale (Majority Leader), Benjamin Washiali (Majority Whip), Cecily Mbarire (Deputy Majority Whip), Kimani Ichungwa (Budget), William Cheptumo (JLAC), Gladys Boss Shollei (Delegated), Julius Melly (Education), Joseph Limo (Finance), Alice Wahome (Vice-Chair Legal) and himself (Vice-Chair Transport) as those that were to be kicked out.

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Garissa Township MP Aden Duale is set to be replaced as the National Assembly Majority Leader, as President Uhuru Kenyatta extends the Jubilee purge to Parliament.

According to The Standard Newspaper, Duale will be replaced by Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya.

It is however, clear that Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali will not survive the purge.

Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe will take over from Washiali as the majority whip, while Budget and Appropriations Committee chair Kimani Ichung’wa will be replaced by Kieni MP Kanini Kega.

Emmanuel Wangwe Overview :: Mzalendo
Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe. PHOTO/COURTESY

Deputy Majority Leader Cecily Mbarire (nominated) will be replaced by Igembe North MP Maoka Maore.Maore is said to have initially been fronted by opposition leader Raila Odinga as the majority leader to placate the Meru region after the kicking out of Senate Deputy Speaker Kithure Kindiki and Meru Senator Mithika Linturi from their fat positions.

During the Senate reshuffle, Ruto allies, led by former Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen, Prof Kindiki and former Majority Whip Susan Kihika were kicked out. They were replaced by West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio (Majority Leader) and Murang’a’s Irungu Kang’ata as Majority Whip.

On Monday June 1, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria took to his official Facebook account to leak the full list of Ruto allied MPs who were to face the purge.

He listed Duale (Majority Leader), Benjamin Washiali (Majority Whip), Cecily Mbarire (Deputy Majority Whip), Kimani Ichungwa (Budget), William Cheptumo (JLAC), Gladys Boss Shollei (Delegated), Julius Melly (Education), Joseph Limo (Finance), Alice Wahome (Vice-Chair Legal) and himself (Vice-Chair Transport).

The Senate is also expected to fill ousted Kithure Kindiki’s position today, with Uasin Gishu Senator Margaret Kamar likely to be picked after the Jubilee Party endorsed her candidature.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, Bomet’s Christopher Lang’at and John Kinyua of Laikipia were shown the door as chairmen of key Senate committees.

The changes in Parliament are said to be in preparation for far-reaching constitutional changes in which the legislature is expected to play an important role.

On Monday June 1, President Kenyatta, in his Madaraka Day speech, hinted at the offing constitutional changes that could alter the structure of government.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta is today (Tuesday June 2) holding a Jubilee Parliamentary Group meeting, where MPs allied to Deputy President William Ruto are set to be axed from their various leadership positions in the National Assembly.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria on Monday leaked the list of the lawmakers who will be facing the Jubilee purge after today’s meeting.

Taking to his official facebook account, Kuria said that he was very much proud of the outgoing team, noting that they had done Kenya as a country, great.

He said he was heartened by the valour, fortitude and humility with which the axed leaders have taken the betrayal.

He listed Garissa Township MP Aden Duale (Majority Leader), Benjamin Washiali (Majority Whip), Cecily Mbarire (Deputy Majority Whip), Kimani Ichungwa (Budget), William Cheptumo (JLAC), Gladys Boss Shollei (Delegated), Julius Melly (Education), Joseph Limo (Finance), Alice Wahome (Vice-Chair Legal) and himself (Vice-Chair Transport), as the Ruto allies who will face the purge today.

“The common factor between Judas Iscariot and Brutus was that both went for the kill with a grin. Today we had enough smiles. Tonight is the night of long knives. The victims have accepted with grace.

” I am very proud of my outgoing team. We have done this country great. I am heartened by the valour, fortitude and humility with which the axed leaders have taken this betrayal.

“Hon Aden Duale (Majority Leader), Benjamin Washiali (Majority Whip), Cecily Mbarire (Deputy Majority Whip), Kimani Ichungwa (Budget), William Cheptumo (JLAC), Gladys Boss Shollei (Delegated), Julius Melly (Education), Joseph Limo (Finance), Alice Wahome (Vice-Chair Legal) and myself (Vice-Chair Transport) – you are all heroes. I trust now the economy will grow with double digit,” reads his Facebook post.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta has explained why Kenya needs a new constitution.

Speaking at State House during the 57th Madaraka day celebrations on Monday June 1, 2020, the head of state noted that referendum should happen to improve the current 2010 constitution.

The head of state said that the changes on the constitution are not meant to replace the current constitution.

He noted that he is only seeking to correct what Kenya did not achieve and get right in 2010.

He said that Kenya needs a constitution that will bring an end to cycles of violence that the nation has witnessed since 1992, and one that will deepen her democratic credentials and lead to an inclusive society.

“It is not a moment to replace it but to improve it. A moment that will correct what we did not get right in 2010. We need one that will bring an end to cycles of violence that we have witnessed since 1992. One that will deepen our democratic credentials and lead to an inclusive society,” he said.

While emphasizing on the need for constitutional amendments, Uhuru invoked the spirit of the late Tom Mboya

He referenced that the late Mboya cautioned against constitutional rigidity hence the need to make necessary changes that benefit the people.

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Former Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale has found himself in hot soup after sharing a viral President Uhuru Kenyatta photo with his deputy William Ruto at State House.

During the 2020 Madaraka day celebrations on Monday June 1, 2020, The head of State and his deputy happened to have stepped out in the same outfit.

Amidst the fallen relationship between the two, Kenyans on Social media re-ignited the lost glory, sharing the photos of the two in their past events, where they used to step out in same suits.

An excited Khalwale was quick to note President Kenyatta and DP Ruto’s Madaraka day outfit, took to his official twitter account and shared the photo.

However, this did not go well with a section of Kenyans on twitter. They have blasted Khalwale for for engaging himself in the activities that are being done by Tanga Tanga bloggers. Some have even told him off, urging him to focus on how will lose the 2022 Kakamega County gubernatorial seat.

Here are some of the reactions on the photo.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta latest directives have signaled the gradual re-opening of schools and places of worship.

The head of State on Monday June 1, 2020 while addrsessing the Nation during the virtual Madaraka Day Celebrations at State House directed Interior and Education ministries to finalise guidelines and protocols in consultation with stakeholders.

President Kenyatta said his heart is with the students who are preparing for national examinations amid Covid-19.

The Interior ministry will devise the guidelines and protocols to be followed by churches and worshippers to ensure the safety of congregants while the Education will finalize consultations with relevant stakeholders.

President Kenyatta also ordered the Treasury to release Sh2 billion to the hospitality sector to cushion hotels that have been hard-hit by Covid-19 lockdown.

Serena and Fairmont hotels recently laid-off workers citing the biting Covid-19 with operating having ground to halt as tourists keep within their national boundaries.

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Deputy President William Ruto has passed a strong message to President Uhuru Kenyatta as the country commemorates 57th Madaraka Day.

Speaking at State House on Monday June 1, 2020, Ruto told President Kenyatta that Kenyans were praying for him.

The second in command went ahead to note that the coronavirus pandemic has made everybody in the country realise their inadequacy and what God can do.

“Churches are shut, Kenyans have had to leave jobs, businesses are affected and our life as a nation is affected,” he said.

Ruto said that while it was normal to cough, things have turned abnormal.

“When you called the nation to action the response from Kenyans was unprecedented. Every Kenyan stepped forward,” he said.

“As you mobilise the government to this guidelines,. We are confident that under your leadership the government will take necessary decision to ensure that we mitigate the effects of this pandemic,” he said.

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