Home Tags Posts tagged with "William Ruto"
Tag:

William Ruto

Latest NewsLifestyle

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.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

I can’t and won’t work with Ruto ! Prof Makau Mutua Turns Down DP’s Job Offer

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Professor Makau Mutua has turned down a job offer from Deputy President William Ruto.

Through his article in the Sunday Nation, Prof Mutua says that a top commander in DP Ruto’s campaign locomotive had begged him to work with them to ensure that the second in command clinches to the topmost political seat come 2022.

He says that the DP Ruto’s campaign team should read from his lips.

While responding to the offer, Mutua says that he cannot,and that he will not work with the DP.

He further notes that whenever he hears the mention of Mr Ruto, or sense his proximity, he heads in the opposite direction, noting that it has been so since Ruto’s emergence in Youth for Kanu ’92.

Mutua notes that the case on crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court cemented his political disdain for Mr Ruto.

He also says that Ruto volubly and vigorously led the No Campaign against the 2010 Constitution, and has been alleged to be involved in a number of corruption scandals.

In at least one case, Prof Mutua says, a court found Ruto liable for buying the grabbed farm of one Adrian Muteshi amidst the 2007-2008 poll violence. He says Ruto was forced to return the farm to Mr Muteshi.

Mutua also mentions unsolved crimes that have focused investigation on DP Ruto’s office.

He cites the most recent case where Sgt Kipyegon Kenei, a senior policeman in DP Ruto’s Harambee House Annex office, was murdered in mysterious circumstances hot on the heels of former sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa’s arms scandal.

Further, Mutua says that given DP Ruto’s anti-democratic legacy and the allegations of corruption, it stretches credulity that any legitimate civil society organisation – let alone the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC),would ever have anything to do with him.

“It is an open secret Mr Ruto and his brain-trust have targeted civil society groups like the KHRC to penetrate, convert, and instrumentalise them into witting, or unwitting, allies. It is in this context that they’ve approached me and others. This can only happen over my dead body. Mr Ruto can forget civil society,” he says in his article.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Ruto Allies Now Take Fight to Raila’s Doorstep After Losing to Uhuru

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Members of Parliament affiliated to Deputy President William Ruto’s Tanga Tanga faction of Jubilee party have now taken their fight to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga’s doorstep, days after losing the fight to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The head of state has been carrying out a purge in the ruling party that saw tanga tanga affiliated members lose plum positions both in the senate and in the National Assembly.

This week, the MPs adopted changes in the National Assembly leadership, which saw Ruto allies kicked out of powerful house committees, with some like Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwah being demoted from lucrative Budget committee to catering.

After losing the fight to reclaim their positions in parliament, Ruto allies have now claimed that the ODM party is now running the government and must relinquish its Minority party positions in Parliament.

According to The Standard, Ruto’s camp now wants the plum positions that are being held by ODM, taken up by MPs in Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress (ANC) who would play the opposition role in both the National Assembly and the Senate.

Soy MP Caleb Kositany and his Aldai counterpart Cornelly Serem on Thursday July 16, 2020 announced plans to write to National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi to make a ruling on whether ODM should continue holding the positions after “joining the government and taking up Majority side slots.”

The two MPs declared that they were ready to move to the High Court to seek an interpretation of the current setup of Parliament and whether ODM should continue acting as the opposition.

Kositany argues that ODM is running the government and Kenyans cannot expect them to oversight the excesses of the same government.

Similar views were expressed by Serem, who said they are ready to take up the battle to kick out ODM MPs from Minority leadership positions as well as oversight committees held by the opposition.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Ruto Sends Bold Message to MPs Over Changes in Parliamentary Leadership

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President William Samoei Ruto has sent a strong message to Members of Parliament, a day after conclusion of changes in Parliamentary leadership including committee membership and leadership.

Taking to his official twitter account on Thursday July 16, 2020, the second in command urged the lawmakers to unite and work together.

He told them not to be divided but put their hands together in serving the people of Kenya.

DP Ruto went ahead to dedicate a biblical scripture to the lawmakers, quoting Colosians 3:23, which says, “Whatever you do,work at it with all your heart, as working for God,not human master.”

“With the changes in Parliamentary leadership including committee membership & leadership now concluded, I urge all MPs NOT to be divided but work TOGETHER in serving the PEOPLE. Col.3:23, Whatever you do,work at it with all your heart, as working for God,not human master,” he tweeted.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga have tightened their grip on five parliamentary committees crucial for constitutional reforms and approval of Cabinet appointments.

The two party leaders packed the committees with their loyalists, completing a purge that saw allies of Deputy President William Ruto moved to less influential ones.

Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), Committee on Appointments, Budget and Appropriations, Finance and Delegated Legislation play important roles in the envisaged reforms the two leaders seek under the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

And the anticipated Cabinet and Principal Secretary appointments to cement agreements the Jubilee Party struck with opposition outfits including Kanu, Wiper, Chama Cha Mashinani, as well as another envisaged with ODM, explains the reconstitution of the committee that vets the nominees.

The Kieleweke camp comprising supporters of President Kenyatta and Raila has since tipped MP Muturi Kigano (Kangema) to chair JLAC, Kanini Kega (Kieni) to chair Budget, Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) to chair Finance and William Kamket of Tiaty to chair Delegated Legislation.

Committee on Appointment is chaired by Speaker Justin Muturi. Muturi and the four MPs set to take up the leadership of the committees are all allied to Uhuru and Raila.

The committees are set to hold elections for chairperson and vice chairperson positions today and tomorrow.

The leadership and membership of four of the committees was previously in the control of MPs allied to Ruto and who are accused of fighting the BBI project. 

Kikuyu Member of Parliament (MP) Kimani Ichung’wa who was recently de-whipped from the lucrative Budget and Appropriations Committee has been slotted in the Member Services Committee, previously known as the Catering Committee.

Ichung’wa is among the 16 MPs allied to Deputy President William Ruto, who were axed from the leadership of key House committees in the purge orchestrated by President Uhuru Kenyatta, as he sought to wrestle control of Parliament from his number two.

The second-time Kikuyu lawmaker welcomed his inclusion into the Member Services and Facilities Committee, though seen as a demotion from the influential Budget Committee.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

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.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

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.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

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.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Ruto Travels in Private Jet to Meet Coast Governor Only For Him to Hide, Switch Off Phones

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President William Ruto was recently taken on a wild goose chase by Kilifi governor Amason Kingi, who, it is claimed, had agreed to meet the DP, but changed his mind at the eleventh hour without prior notice.

On the morning of Thursday, June 19, Ruto left Nairobi for Kilifi in a private jet and landed at Vipingo Airstrip. He was accompanied by his wife, Rachel, and one Farid Sheikh, a former banker who is in charge of the DP’s projects.

It is said before going to Coast, the DP had a phone conversation with the Kilifi governor, and there was an agreement for a secret meeting on the day of his arrival.

However, to the surprise of Ruto, Kingi was nowhere and his phones were switched off. Attempts by one of the DP’s aides, Farouk Kibet to trace Kingi through close contacts, did not bear any fruit.

It was not immediately clear why Kingi snubbed the DP whom he had promised to work with ahead of 2022 general elections. At a public rally in Kilifi early last year attended by Ruto, Kingi had declared he would team up with the DP and go round the country to gauge who between them was more popular to be a presidential candidate and the other will offer his support.

Political observers claim that Kingi, who is on his second and final term as governor, may have developed cold feet on Ruto for fear that associating with him now, could have provoked fresh investigations of corruption claims in his administration.

It is claimed Kingi has managed to weather many corruption storms in his administration, courtesy of interventions by his Mombasa counterpart Hassan Joho, who is said to be well connected within the investigative agencies and the system.

At the same time, the Kilifi county secretary Arnold Mkare is a bossom friend of a top detective, and it is claimed, this could have helped to hold files for a while. But insiders claim, the rot in the county government is unbelievable.

During the 2017 general election campaigns at Mariakani, Kilifi county, Uhuru Kenyatta had vowed that if reelected, Kingi was to be among the first bunch of governors to be locked in prison over corruption allegations.

Even though an ODM governor, Kingi has at many times been perceived as wanting to chart his own political destiny outside the Raila Odinga led party.

The governor, it is claimed, privately laments that despite the near 100% support Kilifi residents gave to ODM, there was no reward from the party in the form of a nomination slot either to the national assembly or Senate, leave alone the East African Legislative Assembly in Arusha.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Lifestyle

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.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
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.

a
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. 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Crime & Investigations

Ruto, His Vocal Ally And Other Senior Gov’t Officials Mentioned in Major Land Scandal

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

High ranking politicians, senior government officials and some business personalities have greatly been mentioned in Ngong Forest land’s saga.

Former politician-turned business personalities including former Kiambaa MP Stanley Munga Githunguri, former Konoin MP Samuel Koech and current Bahati MP and close ally of Deputy President William Ruto Onesmus Kimani Ngunjiri are some of the politicians mentioned in a list released by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry on Friday as having benefited from the irregular allocations of the undegazetted Ngong forest land.

Mr Koech was most probably the biggest individual beneficiary, with an allocation of 132 acres in 1998. Most of this land has since been sold off to other buyers over the years.

Ngunjiri is said to hold 18.24 acres of the forest land and Mr Githunguri 9.24 acres allocated in 1978.

A former board member of the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Maj Gen Njoroge is also a holder of the purported titles of land appropriated from the forest’s land.

Others named on the list are Emos Muyaa, Jane Nduku, Peter M, M.K Melil, James Mureithi, M.G.L. Aluoch, P. Kamuithi, L. Yatich, Zipporah Wangithi, D.M. Marindamy, S. Bundotich, Dr.Baksh, J.Sigei, J.N Mauki and D.M Kimoro.

Other allottees are hidden under shadowy company names, including some whose names have only been revealed due to ongoing legal battles over the sale of the questionably acquired land.

These include Ankhan Holdings – a company associated with Jonathan Moi, Sammy Boit Kogo and Hubert Nyambu Mwakibwa, which received 1,000 acres in 1992.

The ownership of Ankhan Holdings was only revealed through court proceedings and documents used to give the firm ownership of the land. The land, which was later sold to the National Social Security Fund, has been at the centre of a court battle after the Kenya Forest Service made advances to repossess it.

DP Ruto and former President Daniel Arap Moi’s personal assistant Joshua Kulei are said to have allegedly sold part of the forest to the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).

A former lands commissioner, Sammy Mwaita, was accused alongside Ruto and Kulei of defrauding KPC of Sh272 million through sale of undegazetted forest near Bomas of Kenya.

At gazettement, in 1932, the forest measured 7,231.6 acres, at independence in 1964 it had shrunk by nearly half to 3,722.5 acres due to further excisions, and then by 1978 it had contracted even more to 3,283.27 acres.

Now the government has said it plans to revoke all documents issued after the 1978 legal notice.

Churches with land inside the forest including Nairobi Chapel, Mugumoini PCEA church and St Francis ACK Church have not been spared in the purge either.

According to the ministry, illegal allocations were done by the commissioner of lands. The allocations were also recommended for revocation by the Ndung’u Report.

Environment CS Keriako Tobiko, during an aerial tour of the Ngong Road forest last week said state agencies had also been used as conduits to receive land that was also sold off to individuals.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Tangatanga Reserves The Hustlers Alliance Party of Kenya After Losing Jubilee Asili Brand

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Political leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto have reserved The Hustlers Alliance Party of Kenya with the Registrar of political parties after losing the Jubilee Asili brand, ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale has claimed.

According to Etale, the tanga tanga faction of the ruling Jubilee party was set aback after losing the recently unveiled Jubilee Asili Center brand.

This is after a businessman named Andrew Simiyu tried to reserve the name in a letter dated June 18, 2020, but Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu in her response said that the name cannot be registered since it was bearing some similarities with another party.

“This is to inform you the name suggested is not in compliance with section 8 of the Political Parties Act, 2011. Further and without prejudice upon registration of the party the name shall not be in line with Article 91 of the Constitution of Kenya,” reads the response.

The Act determines that the registrar may decline an application if a party bears a similar name, abbreviation and symbol of another outfit.

Philip Etale loses father
Philip Etale. PHOTO/COURTESY

Etale through his official twitter account on Friday June 26, 220 claimed that the tanga tanga faction hurriedly convened a meeting and finally resorted to have The Hustlers Alliance Party of Kenya reserved at the Registrar of Political Parties.

“After losing Jubilee Asili to a businessman, team Tangatanga was take aback. They hurriedly convened a mtg, banged the tables & finally resorted to have The Hustlers Alliance Party of Kenya reserved at the Registrar of Political Parties,” he posted.

The Tanga tanga members had set an office in Kilimani area where they have been running their activities. They have claimed that the Jubilee Asili centre is meant to bring together the lawmakers that have been kicked out of various parliamentary committees due to their dalliance with DP Ruto.

They argued that they had been denied access to the Jubilee party headquarters located along Thika Road in Pangani, Nairobi.

The second in command a few days ago held a meeting with the Jubilee rebel lawmakers at their new office in Kilimani.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

6 More Ruto Allies Kicked Out of Parliamentary Committees

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta has kicked out six more legislators allied to Deputy President William Ruto, from their various parliamentary committees.

According to a report by one of the leading local Dailies, the targeted lawmakers were on Thursday June 25, 2020 given letters of intention to discharge them from the leadership of various National Assembly committees.

They are, departmental committee chairmen Julius Melly (Education), Ali Wario (Labour and Social Welfare), William Kisang (Communication, Information and Innovation), Joseph Limo of Finance and National Planning and Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library’s Joash Nyamoko.

George Kariuki, a member of the Communication, Information and Innovation committee, was not spared.Deputy Majority Whip Maoka Maore signed their letters dated June 24, and asked them to respond within seven days before they are discharged from the committees.

Last evening, the assembly made changes to the Committee on Selection and kicked out allies of Ruto. The committee nominates MPs to serve in committees, except for the membership of the House Business Committee and Committee on Appointments that is chaired by the Speaker.

The House approved the appointments of Maore, Jane Wanjuki (Embu),Gathoni Wamuchomba(Kiambu), Joshua Kutuny(Cherangany), Maina Kamanda (nominated) and Shurie Omar (Mbalambala). Others appointed are Wachira Kabinga (Mwea), Eseli Simuyu (Tongaren) and Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi. The House kicked out MPs Catherine Wambilianga (Bungoma), Tindi Mwale (Butere), Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South), Beatrice Nyaga (Tharaka Nithi), Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga), Faith Gitau (Nyandarua),John Kiarie(Dagoretti South), William Kipsang (Marakwet West) and Robert Gichimu (Gichugu). Some of the members were recently de-whipped from various committees by their coalitions.

Other MPs who have been removed in the ongoing purge are Gladys Shollei (Uasin Gishu), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu) and William Cheptumo (Baringo North).

They lost their positions as chairpersons of Delegated Legislation, Budget and Appropriation and Justice and Legal Affairs committees.

Other chairpersons kicked out include Mandera South MP Ali Adan (Agriculture Committee) and Machakos Town’s Victor Munyaka (Sports, Culture and Tourism). Sirisia MP John Waluke, Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon) and Robert Pukose (Endebes) were also kicked out as vice-chairpersons for Committee on Administration and National Security, Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee and Energy Committee.

Others discharged in the past were Kandara MP Alice Wahome (Justice and Legal Affairs vice-chairperson), Joyce Chepkorir (Labour and Social Welfare vice-chair), Khatib Mwashetani (Lands vice-chair) and vice chair of Services and Facilities Catherine Waruguru.

Also discharged were Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria (Transport vice-chair), James Lomenen (National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities vice-chair), Liza Chepkorir Chelule (Broadcast and Library vice-chair) and Cornelly Serem (Trade vice-chair).

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

DP Ruto’s Meeting Ends Prematurely as Police Lob Teargas to Disperse Crowd

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President William Ruto’s highly anticipated meeting in Western Kenya has been ended prematurely.

The meeting which was to take place at Malava MP Malulu Injendi’s home in Malava where DP Ruto was expected to attend ended prematurely after police lobbed teargas to disperse the crowd that had already gathered at the lawmaker’s home.

The government has banned all public gatherings to curb the spread of Covid-19, but some politicians have been defying this directive to hold political rallies.

Police in Bungoma on Friday June 19, 2020 teargassed Ford-Kenya Party Leader Moses Wetangula and other leaders from Western Kenya as they attempted to address the public in Kimilili town.

This is the first the Bungoma Senator was returning to his home turf following leadership wrangles in his party which saw him temporarily replaced as the Party Leader by a splinter faction led by Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi and Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu who is also the party’s Secretary General.

Wetangula who was leading a convoy into Kimilili Town was unable to proceed after police teargassed his vehicles over concerns of social distancing by the crowds that were gathering around him.

Two weeks ago, police dispersed a gathering in Shinyalu, Kakamega County ,that was being addressed by former Kakamega Senator Dr. Bonny Khalwale.

Khalwale and the residents including boda-boda riders were forced to scamper for safety in a maize plantation as police hurled teargas canisters.

The former Senator was telling off COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, CS Eugene Wamalwa, area Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and leaders who attended a meeting held in Kajiado to deliberate on Luhya unity ahead of the 2022 elections.

Khalwale claimed the meeting convened at the COTU Secretary General’s Kajiado was part of a plan to divide the Luhya community for political gain.

The gathering was in outright defiance of the COVID-19 containment measures set by the government which has since banned any form of gatherings to curb the spread of the virus.

Most of the residents at the gathering had no face masks let alone ignoring the directive to observe social distancing.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Ruto Left With Only One Foot Soldier in Laikipia

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President Dr William Ruto has now been left with only one foot soldier in Laikipia County.

The decamping of Laikipia woman representative Kate Waruguru and Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere from DP Ruto’s Tanga tanga camp to President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga’s camp has left the second in command with only one foot soldier in the vast county inhabited largely by the Kikuyu and Maasai communities, the youthful area senator John Kinyua.

Waruguru was the first to abandon Ruto when she met Raila at his Capitol Hills offices and a day later she was followed by Korere, also elected on a Jubilee Party ticket.

Cate Waruguru with Raila Odinga. Photo/Courtesy

Their defection leaves Kinyua as the only diehard supporter of the DP as the other two legislators, Amin Mohamed of Laikipia East and Mariru Kariuki of Laikipia West, both elected on Jubilee ticket, are said to lean on the president’s side.

Kinyua’s loyalty to Ruto saw him lose his post as the chair of the Senate Devolution Committee in the changes that were announced by the chief whip and Murang’a senator Irungu Kang’ata.

In the changes meant to clip the wings of Ruto’s allies in the senate, Kinyua was moved to the less influential ICT Committee to replace West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio who was named the Senate Majority Leader to replace Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen, also stripped of his majority leader’s docket.

Senator John Kinyua. PHOTO/COURTESY

Kinyua was also among the seven senators who defended then deputy speaker Kithure Kindiki from impeachment. He joined Murkomen, Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho), Christopher Langat (Bomet), Susan Kihika (Nakuru) and Samson Cherargey (Nandi) in defending Kindiki (Tharaka Nithi) against claims of being disloyal to the head of state.

Early this year, Kinyua affirmed his support for Ruto when he joined Laikipia leaders in endorsing former Agriculture Cabinet secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri as the next Mt Kenya kingpin and suggested he be the DP’s running mate in the 2022 presidential election.

The senator had teamed up with county assembly speaker Patrick Waigwa in rooting for Kiunjuri saying he has what it takes to be the next number two to safeguard the political interests of the vast region with over six million voters.

But days later Kiunjuri was sacked as cabinet secretary by Uhuru Kenyatta, sending him into political oblivion. Warunguru was in the news when she led her supporters in storming AIPCA Nanyuki as Jubilee nominated MP Maina Kamanda was addressing the congregation.

Presiding Bishop Ndirangu Ngunjiri was forced to order Waruguru out as she had not been invited. She had arrived accompanied by over 200 drunken supporters. She is also on record vowing to vie for the Laikipia governor’s seat in 2022 to unseat Ndiritu Muriithi. 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Registrar of Political Parties Speaks on DP Ruto’s New Jubilee Asili

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Has Deputy President William Ruto registered a new political party dubbed Jubilee Asili? Well, on Thursday June 18, 2020, the DP held a meeting with rebel Jubilee party lawmakers who were recently kicked out of parliamentary committees.

The meeting was held at a new office dubbed Jubilee Asili centre. His allies on Thursday afternoon took to social media to share the photos of the new office.

The DP also took to his social media to reveal details of the meeting that was held at the new office. However, there are notable changes between the new Jubilee Asili and the ruling Jubilee party.

Whilst the ruling party has the red and yellow colors with ‘Tuko Pamoja’ as a slogan, the Jubilee Asili wing has only maintained the handshake logo with yellow colors, and adapted ‘Sote Pamoja’ as a new slogan.

Image

However, Ruto allies maintain that the office has been in existence for six months, and they say that it was established after they were denied access to Jubilee party headquarters in Pangani, Nairobi.

The Jubilee Asili Centre is located on Makindu Road, off Riara Road in Nairobi’s Kilimani area.

At the new address, an elated DP hosted 20 Jubilee MPs, including those removed from parliamentary committees and leadership for supporting his presidential campaigns.

Outspoken Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, who was ousted from the Senate Majority leader, said they had opted to open new party offices to hold party meetings.

Has the second in command registered the new outfit with Registrar of Political parties?

The Standard Newspaper made an inquiry with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties if the rival Jubilee wing had reserved the name “Jubilee Asili”.

Registrar Anne Nderitu said by yesterday her office had not received any intention for reservation of the name.

“I am out of office already, and by the time I was leaving there was nothing like that,” said Nderitu.

Last evening Ruto allies went on a frenzy to share pictures of the new office. Up to 16 MPs allied to Ruto were de-whipped from various parliamentary committee leadership in the ongoing purge.

MPs Gladys Shollei (Uasin Gishu), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu) and William Cheptumo (Baringo North) lost their positions as chairpersons for Delegated Legislation, Budget and Appropriation and Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, respectively.

Others kicked out of the chairperson positions were Mandera South MP Ali Adan (Agriculture committee) and his Machakos Town counterpart Victor Munyaka (Sports, Culture and Tourism).

Sirisia MP John Waluke, Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon) and Robert Pukose (Endebes) were also kicked out from vice-chairpersons of Committee on Administration and National Security, Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee and Energy Committee.

Other leaders formerly discharged were Kandara MP Alice Wahome (JLAC vice-chairperson), Joyce Chepkorir (Labour and Social Welfare vice-chairperson), Khatib Mwashetani (Lands vice-chair) and Catherine Waruguru (Services and Facilities vice-chairperson). Also discharged were Kuria (Transport vice-chair), James Lomenen (National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities vice-chair), Liza Chepkorir Chelule (Broadcast and Library vice-chair) and Cornelly Serem (Trade vice-chair).

Speaker Justin Muturi made communication to the House about the changes during yesterday’s session while confirming that the process of their removal complied with the relevant Standing Orders.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Load More Posts