The most prestigious African football trophy has reportedly gone missing in Cairo, Egypt.

According to the former vice president of the Egyptian Football association (EFA) Ahmed Shobier the trophy had ‘mysteriously disappeared’.

The Egyptian football team afforded the opportunity to claim the floating trophy permanently after winning the title three consecutive times between 2006 and 2010.

It is however not clear how the trophy disappeared from the EFA museum but an investigation has been opened as stated by Shobier.

“The EFA started looking for some trophies as they aim to put them in the associatoon’s museum but was surprised to find the AFCON trophy missing” said Shobier.

An association’s employee claimed the trophy was held by the former captain of the Egyptian national team Ahmed Hassan who refuted the claim.

“No one knows where the trophy is at the moment,” Shobier further insisted.

The title was last won by Algeria in 2019 during the AFCON games.

The post Prestigious AFCON Trophy Reportedly Stolen in Egypt appeared first on Daily Trends.

President Uhuru Kenyatta led Jubilee party has finally entered into a post-election deal with Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Movement party and Isaac Rutto’s Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM).

The deal between the parties was signed on Wednesday June 17, 2020 at Jubilee Party headquarters in Pangani, along Thika Super Highway, Nairobi.

Wiper and CCM are the latest parties to enter into a post-poll deal with the ruling Jubilee party. This comes after Jubilee party and Kanu signed a coalition agreement.

The agreement saw West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio of Kanu being named the Senate Majority Leader.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has been working with President Kenyatta since their March 9, 2018 handshake.

The two are pushing for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) which is advocating for constitutional changes.

With Kalonzo and Rutto joining the deal with Jubilee, their NASA counterparts Musalia Mudavadi of the African National Congress (ANC) party and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula have been left alone in the coalition that saw Raila raise its flag during the 2017 general polls.

Isaac Rutto who was part of the NASA brigade quit moments after the general elections that saw him lose his Bomet gubernatorial seat to the late Joyce Laboso.

Last month, the Wiper National Executive Council authorised Kalonzo to seal a co-operation agreement with Jubilee and Kanu.

The resolution was reached during a virtual meeting held by more than 50 members under its leader. The members unanimously backed the immediate implementation of the cooperation agreement.

The party NEC added that once the agreement is sealed, it will be signed by party chairman Chirau Ali Mwakwere and secretary general Judith Sijeny.

The party then held a National Delegates Conference to endorse the formation of an agreement.

During the meeting, Kalonzo said that its membership to the National Super Alliance (NASA) will not be altered by the coalition.

Will Wetang’ula and Mudavadi also give in and join their colleagues ahead of 2022 succession politics?

The post Mudavadi, Wetang’ula Left in The Cold as Wiper And CCM Sign Post-Election Deal With Jubilee appeared first on Daily Trends.

Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala is under fire after he claimed that Kirinyaga residents have no business to dictate how the senate should determine governor Anne Waiguru’s impeachment motion.

Malala who was speaking during a motion to determine whether Waiguru’s case should be heard by a committee or the whole senate.

He said that the senate cannot be controlled by a group of people sitting in a certain corner of the country deciding on how senators should conduct their business.

“The Senate is an independent organ, people of Kirinyaga County cannot therefore dictate how we transact,”he said.

Malala was referring to the recent demonstrations that have been witnessed in Kirinyaga, with the residents crying to the senate to hear the case as a plenary.

The residents went ahead to even call on President Kenyatta and ODM party leader Raila Odinga to help them get justice.

However, Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen told off senator Malala, arguing that their powers belong to the people of the republic of Kenya.

Murkomen said that Malala was out of order to say that people of Kirinyaga should not decide on how the senate should transact its business.

Kenyans on Twitter however, put Malala under fire, blasting him for making such a statement.

Some argued that it was a disgrace of national magnitude if a whole senator can talk like that.

Here are some of the reactions from Kenyans on Twitter.

The post Waiguru Impeachment: Senator Malala Under Fire After Rubbing Salt in The Wound of Kirinyaga People appeared first on Daily Trends.

Amani National Congress (ANC) nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi has said that Musalia Mudavadi’s term as ANC boss expires Monday, June 15.

The lawmaker has demanded that the party conducts grassroot polls to elect new officials.

Osotsi’s claims comes amid drama being witnessed in Ford Kenya party.

The Office of Registrar of Political Parties on Monday June 8 gazetted intended changes in Ford Kenya party leadership amid deep divisions.

A section of the party members led by Secretary-General Esseli Simiyu met last week and voted to remove Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula as party leader.

The party intends to replace Wetangula with Kanduyi Member of Parliament Wafula Wamunyinyi on an interim basis.

In March last year, Osotsi and Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala laid claim to the political outfit and threatened to kick out Mudavadi and his team.

Senator Malala and Osotsi told Mudavadi to look for a political vehicle to run on in 2022 since he is no longer welcome in the party.

This came after Osotsi was kicked out of the party on Wednesday for failing to toe the line.

“The same mistake he is committing is the same mistake he did with UDF. I would advise him to start looking for a party to run on because ANC has its owners,” Malala said.

“The purported expulsion is null and void. How can you chase someone from a party that is not yours?”

Malala said Osotsi is a bonafide member of ANC and the legitimate secretary general and “is going nowhere”.

Osotsi said anyone who wants to ascertain the real owners of the party should check with the Registrar of Political Parties.

He said he formed ANC in 2015 alongside nine like-minded Kenyans and only roped in Mudavadi after he was kicked out of UDF.

Osotsi later made a surprise retreat, abandoning his hard stance on the ANC leadership.

his statement was reconciliatory. It was a far cry from his confrontational approach to party issues.

“I want to take this opportunity to extend an olive branch to everyone in the party who has perceived my seeking justice to mean undermining the leadership. Our party name,  Amani, stands for peace and in this era of the handshake, we need to be tolerant with each other and exercise utmost respect for each other’s choice of justice,” Osotsi said.

“However, this should not be mistaken as surrender, but an opportunity for the parties involved to create an enabling environment for dispute resolution and ensure peace and tranquillity in the party. “

In a rejoinder, the ANC, through secretary general Muluka, said it had yet to get communication from the MP.

The post Mudavadi’s Term as ANC Boss Expires Monday, June 15, Osotsi Declares appeared first on Daily Trends.

There was a standoff in Webuye, Bungoma County as a section of western leaders were forced to change venue of the planned Bukusu elders meeting fearing attack by goons.

Devovultion Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, former Kwanza MP Noah Wekesa and former Cabinet minister Musikari Kombo are among those stranded at Webuye airstrip.

The trio were also on a food donation mission to the county.

More details to follow………

The post CS Wamalwa, Noah Wekesa Stranded at a Bungoma Airstrip Fearing Attack by Goons appeared first on Daily Trends.

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.

The post Uhuru Announces New Changes in Parliament, Kicks Out Washiali appeared first on Daily Trends.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has narrated how mourners from Nairobi’s Kibra traveled all the way from Nairobi to Siaya.

Unfortunately, a coronavirus patient was among the mourners, leading to seven coronavirus infections in Siaya County.

According to CS Kagwe , the Kenyan citizen from Kibera left for the Siaya burial without the authority to travel.

“There are seven new cases in Siaya and the story is a sad one because the departure point of that case is Kibera,” Kagwe said on Thursday.

“…you are in Kibera and leave for a burial without the authority or travel document signed.”

Kagwe said the police officers thought the forged documents were genuine and gave way to the mourners to travel through roadblocks.

“.. the seven mourners are all positive and were identified by contact teams in Siaya. There is a reason why we lock down places…” he said.

Kagwe said that instead of going to the burial to bury one, they might suffer the same fate.

The post CS Kagwe Explains How Daring Mourners Took 7 Covid-19 Cases to Siaya appeared first on Daily Trends.

Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, in a gazette notice dated May 20, 2020 has declared Monday May 25 a public holiday in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 (1) of the Public Holidays Act.

This is to allow muslims mark Idd-ul-Fitr.

The Muslims across the world began observing the holy month of Ramadan on April 23.

The festival of Idd-ul-Fitr, the Festival of Fast-breaking, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. 

Muslims believe that it was during the month of Ramadan that the text of the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Muslims celebrate Idd-ul-Fitr with prayers called “Salat Al Eid” in Arabic.

The post Monday Declared a Public Holiday appeared first on Daily Trends.

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has been forced to recall the 2017 general elections data that it had uploaded on its website.

This is after the data displayed typographic errors, which the commission says were occasioned by massive data.

The Wafula Chebukati led commission has apologized to Kenyans, saying that the corrected document will be re-uploaded and shared in due course.

“The Commission has recalled the 2017 General Election data that was uploaded on the IEBC website after afew typographic errors occasioned by massive data were noted.The corrected document will be re-uploaded and shared in due course. Inconvenience caused highly regrettable,” posted IEBC.

On Saturday May 16, the commission announced that it had uploaded the 2017 elections data. Kenyans being anxious to know what really happened with the 2017 disputed election, they rushed to click on the shared link, only for them to be disappointed by the typographic errors they encountered.

“The Commission has uploaded the 2017 General Election Data on the IEBC website. Follow the link to access the information.Download: https://bit.ly/2017DataReport,” tweeted IEBC.

The post Shameless IEBC Closes 2017 Servers After Presenting Errors in the Name of Data appeared first on Daily Trends.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has been playing a key role behind the scenes in kicking out Deputy President William Ruto’s key allies from senate leadership.

Details have emerged that President Uhuru Kenyatta in consultation with several people including Raila, removed Kipchumba Murkomen as Leader of Majority in the Senate and Susan Kihika as Majority Whip.

Before that, Uhuru and Raila senators ganged up to impeach former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu who is aligned to the DP’s camp.

Reports indicate that Raila was in consultation with Uhuru before Kanu and Jubilee signed a post-election coalition agreement which has now been challenged at the Political Parties Tribunal.

 “Raila and the President are working closely in the spirit of the handshake,” said Jubilee vice chairman David Murathe

President Kenyatta is also planning further changes including a major Cabinet reshuffle that could see Raila’s party join the government.

The President could also remove Ruto’s allies from House committees and parastatals.

In return for his support, Raila’s team wants a major stake in the new government, according to multiple sources.

“Raila and Uhuru need each other but Uhuru now needs Raila more than Raila needs him,” former Cabinet minister Franklin Bett was quoted by a local daily.

Sources said Uhuru had requested Raila, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and ANC boss Musalia Mudavadi to submit two names each of individuals they wanted to be named to the Cabinet.

However, Raila is said to be pushing for the consideration of parliamentary strength of each political party at the negotiating table.

In addition, the ODM leader is said to have asked for a huge stake in the control of parastatals.

He also wants ODM to take charge of a new office to be domiciled in the Office of the President that would be in charge of economic recovery.

The post Revealed: Raila’s Behind The Scenes Role in Kicking Out Ruto Allies appeared first on Daily Trends.

Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has cleared the air on claims of having been bribed Ksh 10 million by Deputy President William Ruto.

Appearing on K24’s Punchline show on the night of Sunday May 10, the now troubled lawmaker said that there has been a comment doing rounds on social media that he had been given Ksh 10 million by DP Ruto through his Personal Assistant Farouk Kibet.

Olekina dismissed the claims, terming the comment as stupid. He said that he had never met Farouk.

“There was a stupid comment circulating on social media that Farouk gave me Sh10 million. I have never met Farouk,” Olekina said.

Speculations that Senator Ledama was closely working with DP Ruto’s Tanga Tanga camp started when Tanga Tanga senators overwhelmingly voted him as the new chair of the Senate County Public Accounts and Investment Committee, replacing Homa Bay senator Moses Kajwang.

The Raila Odinga led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is this week expected to replace now rebel Olekina as chair of the powerful committee.

The election set for Thursday this week follows days of fierce wrangling within and outside the powerful senate watchdog committee, that has opened yet another political battlefront between Odinga, and deputy president William Ruto’s allies in the senate.

Olekina contested and won the election on Monday last week against his party’s preferred candidate Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri.

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

The post Senator Ledama Opens up on Being Bribed Ksh 10M by Ruto to Join Tangatanga appeared first on Daily Trends.

Activist Okiya Omtatah is once again in court to sue the National Government over importation of maize.

According to the vocal human rights activist, the maize set to be imported does not meet the East African Community Standard.

In his application filed on Friday under urgency on behalf of the Strategic Rood Reserve Trust Fund, Omtatah claims the importation will endanger the lives of members of the public who consume maize products either directly or indirectly.

Omtatah notes that the importation of the maize had been objected by the Fund  and was aggrieved that, vide Gazette Notice  of April 17,2020, which was published on April 20, 2020, Treasury CS Ukur Yatani authorised the importation of substandard dry maize at a concessional import duty rate of 14 per cent for white maize and 10 per cent  for yellow maize.

 He further states that whereas the Gazette notice allows the importation of maize whose aflatoxin levels don’t exceed 10ppm (parts per million) the East African Community Standard  sets a maximum limit of 10 ppb (parts per billion) as safe for human and animal consumption.

He states that the East African Community Standard is recognized and endorsed by the Kenya Bureau of Standards.

The activist argues that the unlawful importation of the maize violates the Bill of Rights in the Constitution, including the rights to life (Article 26); human dignity (Article 28); a clean and healthy environment (Article 42).

Omtatah says that the fund reasonably suspects that the lowering of standards contrary to the law to allow for the importation of substandard maize is deliberate and tailor-made to serve vested interests.

He says that unless the stay is granted, substandard maize will be imported and the lives of millions of Kenyans will be put in danger, and the Constitution and the law will continue to be violated and threatened as stated.

The post Okiya Omtatah Moves to Court to Sue Government, Again appeared first on Daily Trends.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has dewhiped Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina from the Senate County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC).

This comes just days after members allied to Deputy President William Ruto ganged up to vote in Ole Kina as the chair of the powerful committee.

In a letter dated May 7, 2020 addressing the senate speaker, Orengo issued a notice of the discharge and removal of Senator Ole Kina from the committee.

“In accordance with the senate Standing order 190, I hereby give notice of the discharge and removal of Senator Ledama Ole Kina from the County Public Accounts and Investment Committee and the Senate Business Committee,” reads the letter.

This comes just a day after Ole Kina and Orengo settled the matter that almost brought chaos to the ODM party.

The argument between Ledama and ODM Minority Leader in the Senate James Orengo started on Tuesday following the new members to the County Public and Accounts Investment Committee being announced.

Ole Kina emerged the winner from the votes cast defeating his Kisii counterpart Sam Ongeri.

Following his win, Orengo disputed the outcome, saying the names of the new members were published in a rush when other issues were not resolved.

Ole Kina said that the move by Orengo was not in good faith yet he is a member of the ODM party.

But on Wednesday, Ole Kina said through a post on Twitter that the matter had been resolved.

He said that he held wide consultations regarding his election as the Senate CPAIC chairperson with Orengo and the ODM party leadership.

“I have had wide consultations on the issue of my election as chair of the Senate CPAIC with James Orengo and the ODM party,” Ole Kina said.

Ole Kina has also stated that his support for ODM leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta is solid and unshaken.

The post ODM Dewhips Senator Ledama Ole Kina From Powerful Senate Committee appeared first on Daily Trends.

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has threatened to take Interior Permanent Secretary Karanja Kibicho to an International Criminal Court (ICC), at the Hague.

Sonko in a protest letter posted on his social media handles Wednesday morning said that he was studying the Rome statues and engaging local and international lawyers to deal with the case in which thousands on Nairobi residents residing in Korogocho, Kariobangi area, were left homeless after their houses were vandalised without proper notice.

The embattled County chief argues that such incidents have been happening under the instructions of PS Kibicho, Nairobi Regional Commissioner (RC) Wilson Njega and Nairobi Regional Police Commander Philip Ndolo .

Sonko says that the trio must be taken to ICC for breaching articles 1.5, 53 and 7(1)(k) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

He wants them charged with a serious crime against humanity.

In his arguement, Sonko has defended President Uhuru Kenyatta, citing that he is 100% sure the head of state is not aware of the incidents.

He argues that it is people around the first in command that are messing with he country.

He notes that PS Kibicho defied a high court order just the same way he defied an order Sonko had secured against the vandalism of the public sanitization booths, and send heavily armed police officers to supervise an illegal eviction and demolition during the deadly Covid-19 pandemic period.

Sonko adds that it is a curse for the elderly, Children and their Mothers to sleep in the rains just because the only place they have been calling home has been vandalised, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I’m 100% sure the President is not aware about this but I have been saying the people around my Boss are messing this country.How on earth do you defy a high court order just the same way they defied an order we secured against the vandalism of the public sanitization booths and send heavily armed police officers to supervise an illegal eviction and demolition during this deadly Covid-19 pandemic period.

” The elderly, Children and their Mothers are sleeping in the rains, what a curse? Let me study the Rome statues and engage the local and international lawyers to deal with this issue, coz this is a serious crime against humanity and this is the right time PS Interior Karanja Kibicho, Nairobi RC Wilson Njega and Nairobi Regional Police Commander Philip Ndolo MUST be taken to ICC for breaching articles 1.5, 53 and 7(1)(k) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,” reads part of Sonko’s statement on Facebook.

The post Sonko Threatens to Take Uhuru’s Right Hand Man to Hague appeared first on Daily Trends.

Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has revealed how the government will recover learning period lost as a result of Covid-19 pandemic.

The no-nonsense CS says that the government is planning to shorten the second term mid-term break and August holiday to recover the the time lost.

He says should schools be re-opened within the next one month as expected there will be a loss of seven weeks on the school calendar.

According to the Education CS, to ensure completion of the syllabus within the scheduled time, the second term mid-term break will be shortened by four days and the August holiday by two weeks.

The Ministry says it will further adjust the school day to have longer learning hours.

“The outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in Kenya led to the closure of schools on March 15, 2020 three weeks earlier than scheduled. The Ministry has further extended the reopening for the second term by one month effective from May 4, 2020. The net effect is the loss of seven weeks of school calendar,” said Prof. Magoha.

He made the revelation while responding to queries by Parliament on various measures taken by the Education Ministry in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The post Prof Magoha Reveals How Gov’t Will Recover Learning Period Lost Due to Covid-19 appeared first on Daily Trends.

Political leaders affiliated to Deputy President William Ruto have announced plans to bypass Jubilee party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju.

The disgruntled politicians plan to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting without involving Mr Tuju. The NEC has not met since the 2017 elections.

The Secretary-General had stated that he is not able to convene the meeting because he is operating on an acing capacity.

“As it is, we are currently operating under Article 33 of the Constitution, the transitional clause. Under this law, I cannot purport to claim to be the bonafide Secretary-General, and this applies to all other officials on acting capacity. As such, it is difficult for even me to convene the demanded NEC when I don’t have a full mandate as an elected official,” Tuju was quoted by a local daily.

The DP’s allies now state that Tuju’s deputy, Soy MP Caleb Kositany, who is allowed by the party constitution to deputise the SG, will convene the meeting.

SG Tuju offended a section of Jubilee party members after he submitted a list of changes to names of the party’s National Management Committee (NMC) to the Registrar of political parties.

Kositany in a protest letter on Friday noted it is not going to be business as usual in the running of party affairs.

“Arrangements are currently underway to convene the NEC meeting in compliance with the directions issued by the Registrar of Political Parties on 16th April, 2020. The registrar directed that any such changes should be made in accordance with the procedures and processes of the Jubilee party constitution and structures,” the disgruntled MPs stated in a letter.

Mr Kositany on Sunday added: “Look at the party constitution. We have many options. We are preparing for the meeting, where we intend to make right all wrongs that have been done in Jubilee. It is not going to be business as usual.”

The post Ruto’s Tanga Tanga Announces New Plot to Deal With Uhuru And Raphael Tuju appeared first on Daily Trends.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has said that Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju has declared a political war, which will end in tears.

The controversial lawmaker took to his official facebook page to react to the changes in the ruling party that have been highly protested by Deputy President William Ruto and his allies.

Tuju, despite all the protests from lawmakers allied to Tanga Tanga faction of Jubilee, has gone ahead to publish the changes made on the ruling party’s National Management Committee (NMC) in Saturday’s May 2, 2020 leading local dailies.

Moses Kuria, while reacting to the publications, termed Tuju as an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party special envoy in Jubilee.

Kuria says that Tuju has placed a notice in Saturday papers with the irregular changes in the Jubilee National Management Committee despite the ruling by the Registrar of Political Parties.

He went ahead to say that the Country is at the onset of a budget and Finance Bill process in parliament and it needed peace and space without political sideshows.

“Despite the ruling by the Registrar of Political Parties, ODM special envoy in Jubilee Raphael Tuju has placed a notice in Saturday papers with the irregular changes in the Jubilee National Management Committee. We are at the onset of a budget and Finance Bill process in parliament and we needed peace and space without political sideshows. Anyway, war has been declared. It will end in tears,” he posted.

The Registrar of Political Parties had temporarily stopped the anticipated change of names in Jubilee Party’s National Management Committee.

RPP Anne Nderitu halted the decision to effect the changes after 350 members of the party filed written objections with her office over the manner in which the process was carried out.

Ms Nderitu wrote to Tuju, forwarding the objections and ordering resolution of the issues the members raised in their demand for the process to be halted.

She noted that the issues must be addressed in accordance with the party’s constitution, the Political Parties Act and the conclusion filed with her office.

The post It Will End in Tears, Moses Kuria Cries Foul as Tuju Does The Unthinkable to Tangatanga appeared first on Daily Trends.

KANU party leader Gideon Moi Thursday morning held a meeting with Mombasa business mogul-cum-politician Suleiman Shahbal.

Taking to his official facebook page, Shahbal said that they had discussed the current state of the country and the challenges that Kenya is facing from Covid-19.

The Mombasa business mogul emphasized to Gideon Moi that the country needs to immediately start planning on a recovery strategy and implementation plan.

Shahbal said that Kenya needs to start creating jobs again quickly .

The two also discussed the Port, Free Zone and the challenges facing Mombasa. They agreed to work together with all people that share a common vision to bring peace, prosperity and unity to the country.

“This morning I met with Senator Gideon Moi, Chairman of KANU. We discussed the current state of our country and the challenges that we are facing from COVID 19. I have emphasized to him that the country needs to immediately start planning on a recovery strategy and implementation plan. We need to start creating jobs again quickly. We discussed the Port, Free Zone and the challenges facing Mombasa. We have agreed to work together with all people that share a common vision to bring peace, prosperity and unity to our country,” he posted.

The post Details of Gideon Moi’s Meeting With Mombasa Business Mogul-Cum-Politician appeared first on Daily Trends.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has demanded documents over suspicious procurement of food and medical equipment—as well as hiking of prices, which have emerged as the most common avenues abused by corrupt county staff to skim off public resources.

A total of six counties are now on EACC radar over alleged misuse of funds meant to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among the six Counties is Bungoma, where common jerrycans used for carrying water were bought at Sh10,000 each, Kilifi over the Health ministry’s expenditure and a county in North Eastern Kenya where the probe has just began.

On Sunday, EACC executive officer Twalib Mbarak told a local daily he is focusing on claims of inflated prices, conflict of interest where unscrupulous officials are said to have awarded inflated tenders to relatives and cronies as well as cases where firms are supplying less than the agreed order.

“The expenditure is the most vulnerable where there are county officers who do not have integrity. They are taking advantage of the situation but we are tracking them and they should know that crime doesn’t expire.Even after the pandemic, we still go for them,” Mbarak told the local daily.

Further, the EACC is investigating claims of supply of substandard goods and services, and poor planning by counties, leading to wastage. For example, some county officials are installing too many sanitising jerrycans in public places without water and soap.

The purchases, Mbarak said, awere sanctioned by corrupt officials who detectives suspect are getting fat kickbacks from suppliers who are being picked through direct procurement and single sourcing.

The EACC chief said immediately coronavirus became a crisis, and with counties being deeply involved in mitigating the spread, the agency anticipated that corrupt officials could take advantage to steal public resources.

Yesterday, however, Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua defended county officials against accusations of using the pandemic to misappropriate funds, saying their actions were guided by Gazette Notice Number 53 signed on April 2 on asset disposal.

However, according to multiple sources, direct procurement and single sourcing which had been allowed since the pandemic broke, had opened avenues for corrupt officials including governors, to dish out business to their cronies and relatives.

The tenders mostly involve supply of foodstuff, medical supplies and equipment to promote hygiene such as hand washing containers and sanitisers and expenditure in health departments. 

To this effect, EACC sent a circular to Council of Governors chief executive Jacqueline Mogeni and copied it to Council of Governors chair Wycliffe Oparanya, asking counties to ensure corruption loopholes are sealed. 

“The commission will be keenly monitoring the utilisation and management of public resources by all county governments and State agencies to avert any loss or misuse of public resources during the current extra ordinary period,” said Mbarak’s letter, copied to the Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua.

But it appears the advice was ignored and some counties, which have been announcing that they had set aside millions to fight the pandemic by equipping hospitals, promoting hygiene and donation of food, are taking advantage of the virus to siphon public funds.

For instance, Bungoma county headed by Governor Wyclife Wangamati, allegedly bought 600 20-litre jerrycans at Sh10,000  each to distribute to residents in a hand washing drive, and the EACC boss said there are similar reports from other counties. 

In the Amason Kingi-led Kilifi county, Mbarak said they were probing tendering transactions in the Health department, noting that they had asked for relevant documents to facilitate investigations.

The North Eastern county, which Mbarak did not name, is said to have drafted a Sh450 million budget to fund Covid-19 activities, but according to the EACC chief, the itemisation does not make sense and could be a ploy to facilitate theft.

The post Wangamati’s Ksh 10,000 Jerrycan Return to Haunt Him as EACC Launches Probe, Goes For Other 6 Governors appeared first on Daily Trends.