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Mustafa Juma

Talented and immensely creative journalist with a commitment to high-quality research and writing with over 5 years of professional experience. Dedication to sound investigative research methods and a strong desire to know the truth of the matter. Excellent reporting and interviewing skills and award-winning writing techniques. Experience writing and reporting across a variety of platforms, including Opera News Kenya, DailyActive.info, LitKenya.com, theexchange.africa and Scooper News

Politics

Governor Fernandes Barasa Biography: Age, Family, Wife, Career, Net Worth

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa was born to parents of limited means, and like millions of Kenyans, he grew up in the village.

The former Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) CEO was born and raised in Khabondi village, Mumias East constituency in Kakamega County.

Fernandes Barasa Education

Fernandes Barasa began his schooling at a local primary school.

He then attended Naitiri High School and proceeded to Kenyatta University for Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration, and Ph.D. in Accounting and Finance degrees.

He joined KU in 1993 to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and graduated in 1997. He was the Chairman of Commerce Accounting Students Association (CASA) in 1996-1997.

Fernandes Barasa’s Career

Fernandes Barasa got his first job as an assistant accountant AT Kenya Airways in 1997.

Years later, he joined KETRACO and started out as a Chief Finance Officer, in 2010.

He would then rise to the rank of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the same organization in 2015.

He is Fellow of Chartered Professional Accountants (FCPA) and former Chairman of the prestigious Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (2015 – 2017).

He also worked as the chairman of of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) between June 2015 and July 2017.

During his tenure as the Managing Director (MD) and CEO at Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO), he was conferred The Order of Grand Warrior (OGW) award in recognition of his outstanding and distinguished service to the nation in various capacities.

Since getting appointed to Ketraco in April 2016, Mr Barasa has grown in terms of wealth.

During the August 2022 general election, Barasa was elected the Kakamega County Governor on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.

Fernandes Barasa’s Family

Fernandes Barasa is married to Prof. Janet Kasilly Barasa. They are blessed with four children whose profile has been kept low.

Fernandes Barasa’s Wife

Barasa is married to Prof. Janet Nasambu Kassilly Barasa who is a senior lecturer at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST).

She holds a doctorate degree in Islamic Religion and Culture.

Fernandes Barasa wins Kakamega gubernatorial race against Cleophas Malala | Pulselive Kenya

Her areas of academic and research interest are in the fields of Islamic Theology, Comparative Religion, African Religion and culture, Religion and Gender.

Her major scholarly contribution was her role in unravelling the nexus between Islam and the Bukusu culture of Bungoma County and her role in Curriculum Review process for the School of Arts and Social Sciences.

Trinnykante (@76manuela) / Twitter

She currently serves as a Professor of Religion and Culture in the Department of Social Science Education at MMUST.

Fernandes Barasa Net Worth

Since getting appointed to Ketraco in April 2016, Mr Barasa has grown in terms of wealth.

He has been running his own foundation dubbed Fernandes Barasa Foundation which has been dishing out goodies to youths in Kakamega County.

Apart from issuing hundreds of boda boda motorcycles to youths, he has been constructing houses for the less foirtunate in Kakamega.

These saw him rise to be the Kakamega County Governor.

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Entertainment

Vera Sidika’s TBT Photo With Comedian Eddie Butita Blows Up The Internet

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Socialite Vera Sidika has been the talk of the internet for the better part of this week after she allegedly underwent corrective surgery. Or is she?

Well, on Wednesday, Vera shocked her fans when she announced that she underwent surgery due to ‘health risks and complications.’

Describing it as the hardest phase of her life, the Veetox founder asked ladies not to rush to get butt implants as they might ruin their lives for good.

Vera went ahead to state that the side effects of such procedures are many and the complications are ‘unbearable.’

She added that she underwent counseling and is slowly accepting her new body.

She shared a photo of her reduced butt size which became the talk of the internet, with a section of netizens castigating her for the move.

As the talk about her transformation continues, an old photo of the socialite with comedian Eddie Butita has emerged.

The shows Butita with Vera Sidika posing at a place that looks like a studio. The photo had been first shared by Butita in 2020.

Unlike her recent photos, Vera Sidika has a dark skin in the TBT photo.

Her shape in the photo also looks natural, according to netizens.

See the photo below and leave your comments.

Image
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Sports

Tottenham Hotspur Fitness Coach Gian Piero Ventrone Dies

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Tottenham Hotspur fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone is dead.

The club in a statement on issued on Thursday October 6, 2022 made the announcement saying that they were devastated about his death.

The 61-year-old joined Tottenham in November, 2021, as part of head coach Antonio Conte’s backroom staff, having previously held roles at Juventus, Catania, JS Suning, GZ Evergrande and AC Ajaccio.

“As loveable off the pitch as he was demanding on it, Gian Piero quickly became a hugely popular figure with players and staff.

“He will be greatly missed by everyone at the Club and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this impossibly sad time,’ the club said in the statement.

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Politics

MP Peter Kaluma’s Father Is Dead

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Homa Bay Town MP George Peter Kaluma has lost his father Mzee Stanely Aluma Omolo.

This was announced by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) through the party’s official Twitter account.

“We commiserate with the family, friends and relatives of Hon. @gpdkaluma following the death of his father Mzee Alima. May the family find peace and God’s fortitude during this difficult time,” tweeted ODM.

The ODM party did not, however, reveal the cause of the death of Kaluma’s father.

More to follow….

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Business

Ambrose Rachier Biography: Net worth, Education, Career And Freemason Journey

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

For the better part of last week, Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has been trending after he opened up on being a freemason in an interview with NTV that aired on Sunday.

In the explosive interview with NTV’s Dancun Khaemba, Rachier revealed that it was Dr Joseph Aluoch who introduced him to freemasonry in 1994.

Joseph, who is the Patron, Kenya Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases and an established author, is the husband of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Judge Joyce Aluoch.

According to the 73 year-old Gor Mahia chairman, the late Queen Elizabeth 2 was their leader.

Road to Masonry

According to Rachier, you must be invited by someone who knows you for you to join freemason.

Born and raised in the Anglican Church where his father Rev. Canon Hezron Rachier served, Rachier says being a Mason does not mean you don’t go to church.

Rachier denies reports Gor Mahia owe him Ksh 100 million | Goal.com Kenya

While Freemasonry is not itself a religion, all its members believe in a Supreme Being, or “Grand Architect of the Universe.”

Members come from many faiths except the Catholic Church which has condemned it.

Rachier says that some of the most iconic buildings in Kenya including All Saints Cathedral and the State House, were built by Masons.

Who is Ambrose Rachier?

Ambrose Rachier, 73, is a renown lawyer running a law firm called Rachier & Amollo Advocates where he is a partner.

Other partners at the law firm are Otiende Amollo, Jotham Arwa, Francis Olalo and Stephen Ligunya.

Rachier was born on a train in Molo as his mother was travelling home, which is why his middle name is Molo.

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier says club has no money to make Angola trip - Tuko.co.ke

Ambrose Rachier grew in a strict disciplinarian family as his father was a priest and his mother a teacher. The family of 11 siblings had a lively childhood, a thing that lacks in present generations.

Ambrose Rachier Education

Rachier joined Alliance High School for A’ Levels and helped the football team to win the Central Province Cup in 1969.

He completed his Form Six at Alliance High School where he had taken three principle subjects: Literature in English, French and History.

The government of France, as part of their assistance to Kenya, sent him to Madagascar alongside James Orengo to study French.

He first set foot into a university in 1970 when he joined the University of Madagascar, Antananarivo.

He holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B) (Hons) acquired from the University of Dar-es-salaam, a Masters Degree in Law (LL.M) from the University of Nairobi, M.A (Translation) from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in French from the University of Madagascar.

He also holds a Ph.D. from the University of South Africa.

Ambrose Rachier Career

He is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya of over 30 years standing.

He is also the chairman of Gor Mahia football club.

After Gor Mahia was formed in 1968 he could not afford the gate charges, but could not afford to miss a match. A regular ticket cost 50 cents and the VIP ones Sh2.

His career stopped him from following football for some time but he bounced back in 2008.

It all started when a group of Gor Mahia supporters came chanting songs outside his Reinsurance Plaza office.

When he went downstairs to find out what was happening, he realised they were chanting his name.

Its time to find a successor to Ambrose Rachier - Gor Mahia News

Vilified and adored in equal measure, Rachier’s  tenure saw the club end their 18-year wait for a Kenyan Premier league title claiming the coveted gong in 2013 and have since gone on to monopolise the competition, winning it six times under his watch besides bagging two KPL Top Eight titles, a further four KPL Super Cups and two domestic cups.

Since then K’Ogalo have made appearances at the continental football every year bar in 2017, reaching the quarterfinals of the Caf Confederations Cup this term.

Ambrose Rachier net worth

Ambrose Rachier is a Director of Mayfair Insurance – a subsidiary of Mayfair Group which has 50,000 shares at Mayfair Bank.

After the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) announced the confirmation of the sale of Mayfair Bank to Egyptian based CIB, Mr. Rachier, who is one of the top investors and shareholders of Mayfair Bank smiled all the way to the bank.

The Egyptian Bank acquired Mayfair at a price of Ksh3.5 billion and took over the operations and assets of the bank as from 1st May 2020.

Last year, reports emerged that Gor Mahia football club owed Rachier debts to a sum of Kshs. 100 million.

However, Rachier came out and denied the claims.

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Lifestyle

Suspected Ebola Case Reported in Mumias

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A suspected Ebola case has been reported in Mumias, Kakamega County with health officials from the county kicking off investigations to establish the case.

According to Mumias West Disease Surveillance Co-ordinator Boaz Gichana, a patient who has shown the symptoms of the disease had recently travelled to Eastern Uganda to visit his relatives.

He is currently isolated at St. Mary’s Mission Hospital awaiting laboratory tests before the case is confirmed.

Uganda has recently reported several Ebola cases, with Kenyan government last week issuing an Ebola alert and called for screening of travellers at entry points on the border with Uganda.

The Yoweri Museveni-led country on September 20, 2022, declared an Ebola Viral Disease (EVD) outbreak in Mubende district in the central part of the country, following a confirmed case in Mubende Regional Referral Hospital.

The case was a 24 years old male from Ngabano Village in Madudu Sub-County, who was referred to and admitted and isolated at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital.

He presented with high-grade fever, tonic convulsions, blood-stained vomitus and diarrhoea, loss of appetite and pain while swallowing. The date of onset of symptoms was on 11 September 2022.

Previous Ebola outbreaks and responses have shown that early diagnosis and treatment with optimised supportive care, with fluid and electrolyte repletion and treatment of symptoms, significantly improve survival. 

One gets infected through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals found ill or dead.

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Politics

Matiang’i, 6 Other Uhuru Ministers To Pocket Sh20.8 Million Each in Gratuity

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma
  • This means a Cabinet Secretary who served from 2013 and earned a graduated salary of between Sh792,000 to Sh1,056,00 took home Sh10.3 million in gratuity payment at the end of 2017.
  • In the second term where the Cabinet Secretaries earned Sh924,000 monthly, the individual will take home Sh10.5 million.
  • This brings the total amount that a Cabinet Secretary who served consecutively for the two terms to Sh20.8 million.

The outgoing Cabinet Secretaries who have served from when former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s first Cabinet that was sworn in mid-May 2013, are set to pocket Sh20.8 million as gratuity payment.

This is after their employment came to an end when President William Ruto named his Cabinet that locked out Uhuru’s ministers.

Only Simon Chelugui survived as Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and SMEs while Monica Juma, who served in the Energy docket in the second term of Uhuru’s administration, was named the Security Advisor to President Ruto’s Cabinet.

SRC gazette notice

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in a gazette notice that set the pay details for the current administration stated that a state officer serving on fixed term shall serve on contract and be paid a service gratuity at the end of the term at the rate of 31 percent of annual basic pay for every year served.

As a result, Raychelle Omamo, James Macharia, Amina Mohamed, Fred Matiang’i, Najib Balala and Adan Mohamed who served in Uhuru’s government from 2013 will now pocket Kshs.20.8 million each.

Why Kshs. 20.8 million?

This means a Cabinet Secretary who served from 2013 and earned a graduated salary of between Sh792,000 to Sh1,056,00 took home Sh10.3 million in gratuity payment at the end of 2017.

In the second term where the Cabinet Secretaries earned Sh924,000 monthly, the individual will take home Sh10.5 million.

This brings the total amount that a Cabinet Secretary who served consecutively for the two terms to Sh20.8 million.

Those who took office in December 2015 following a shuffle such as Joe Mucheru will get a farewell package of nearly Sh15 million.

The Cabinet Secretaries who served only in Uhuru’s second term, and earned a monthly salary of Sh924,000, will each receive Sh10.47 m.

Ruto Cabinet

President Ruto named his 22-member cabinet on Tuesday which saw ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi appointed the Prime Cabinet Secretary, the position he had been promised when he joined Ruto to form Kenya Kwanza coalition.

Former central bank Governor Njuguna Ndung’u was nominated to lead the Treasury.

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Business

5 Million Kenyans To Be Delisted From CRB By November 2022, President Ruto Says

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President William Ruto has said that about 4 to 5 million Kenyans will be out of the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) blacklist by the beginning of November.

Speaking during a Safaricom, NCBA Bank and KCB Group joint presser held on Wednesday at the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi, President Ruto noted that Kenyans have been excluded from any formal borrowing because of their CRB status.

According to the head of state, the situation has only left the poor Kenyans at the mercies of shylocks who have been exploiting them in return.

“I’m very happy that between 4-5 million Kenyans will, by beginning of November. be out of the CRB blacklist. This is very important because these Kenyans have been excluded from any formal borrowing and have been left at the mercies of shylocks that exploit them,” said President Ruto.

He however, noted that his government was not against credit listing.

According to him, the government does not want the credit listing to be an all or nothing.

Ruto said that his government supports CRBs as a mechanism of instilling financial discipline in our financial sector.

“The government of Kenya is not against credit listing or CRB facilities, in fact we support CRBs as a mechanism of instilling financial discipline in our financial sector. We do not want credit listing to be an all or nothing,” said Ruto.

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Politics

Azimio MCAs Allegedly Blocked From Taking Oath By Hundreds of Police Officers In Samburu

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Members of County Assembly allied to Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition have allegedly been blocked by a heavy contingent of police from accessing the Samburu County Assembly.

This is according to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) director of communications Philip Etale.

Taking to his official Twitter account this afternoon, Etale claimed that the Azimio MCAs who are the majority in the County cannot access the County Assembly chambers in Maralal town.

He said that they have been blocked by hundreds of police officers who have been deployed at the premises.

Etale went ahead to claim that only 10 MCAs allied to the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition have been allowed to access the chambers.

According to Etale, it is only the said 10 MCAs who are taking their oath.

“Azimio MCAs who are the majority in Samburu County Assembly have been blocked from accessing the Assembly premises in Maralal by hundreds of police officers who have been deployed at the premises. Only 10 (Kenya Kwanza) are taking oath of office,” Etale tweeted.

However, Etale’s claims cannot be substantiated since Samburu County has only 15 electoral wards.

The County’s Governor-elect Jonathan Leleliit was elected on a UDA ticket. Rival alliance Azimio has majority MCAs at 9, while Kenya Kwanza has six.

However, the numbers claimed by Etale can add up if the nominated MCAs are included.

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Politics

Health CS Susan Nakhumicha Wafula Biography: Age, Education, Career

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President William Ruto on Tuesday September 27, 2022, named his cabinet and among the names which came as a shock to Kenyans is Susan Nakhumicha Wafula who was nominated to the Ministry of Health as Cabinet secretary.

Who is Susan Nakhumicha Wafula?

Susan Nakhumicha Wafula is a strategic and seasoned supply chain professional with more than 15 years of global and multicultural experience in Agile and Intelligent Supply Chain and Operations in the healthcare industry.

She has an excellent track record of providing an optimized, cognitive, seamless and globally integrated End to End Supply Chain solution.

President Ruto Appoints Susan Wafula as Cabinet Secretary for Health, Learn More about Her - Finance Notes
Health CS nominee Dr. Susan Nakhumicha Wafula. Photo/Courtesy

According to her LinkedIn profile, she leverage in-depth understanding of policies and procedures in the procurement of commodities and effecting cost controls.

Susan Nakhumicha Wafula’s Education

She has a Diploma in Pharmacy from Kenya Medical Training Institute (KMTC) and another Diploma in Healthcare Management from Kenya Institute of Management.

In 2012, she matriculated at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) for a Masters in Procurement and Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

After the programme, she interned at the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA). Wafula also hold a PhD in Business Management, Logistics and Supply Chain from JKUAT

Susan Nakhumicha Wafula’s Career

  • Extensive experience of working under various donor guidelines like UCSF, USAID and Global Programs.
  • Procurement Expertise: Pharmaceuticals including medicines against HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria | HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria supply management including development of Procurement and Supply Management (PSM) plans in compliance with GF and other donor requirements.
  • Experience in procurement of medical equipment and devices, Stationery, Printing works, logistics/transport services and consulting services.
  • Experienced in delivery of transactional and procurement advisory services to public and private sector clients
  • Developed Procurement manual for Global Programs.
  • Digitized tender management at Global Programs.
  • During the 2022 general elections, she unsuccessfully vied for the position of the Trans Nzoia County woman representative under a Ford Kenya ticket.
woman rep aspirant Dr Susan Wafula addressing the press in kitale - Westfm Kenya
Dr. Susan Wafula addressing the press in Kitale during the 2022 campaign period. Photo/Courtesy.

Prior to her appointment to President Ruto’s government, she served as Head of Supply for University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Global Program for Research and Training.

The UCSF partners with health stakeholders in solving the challenges of infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

She previously served as the procurement and logistics at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital. Between 2007 and 2013, she worked as the purchasing manager of the  Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies.

She had also served as the Warehouse Operations Officer at the same Organization between 2007 and 2009.

Between September 2006 and August 2007, she served at AAR Healthcare Limited as the Parmacy In-charge Kisumu branch.

Susan Nakhumicha Wafula’s Specialities

  • Local and Foreign logistics
  • Business Transformation Management
  • Process & Controls formulation & Improvement
  • Supplier Relationship Management
  • Supplier Performance
  • Strategic Sourcing and Planning
  • Assets Management
  • People & Performance Management
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Politics

Full List: President William Ruto’s Cabinet Nominees

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President William Ruto has named his Cabinet nominees.

Musalia Mudavadi has been appointed the Prime Cabinet Secretary, the position he had been promised when he joined Ruto to form Kenya Kwanza coalition.

The Cabinet nominees will now await vetting by the Members of the National Assembly before taking up their various roles.

Below is the full list of President Ruto’s cabinet nominees.

  1. Prime Cabinet Secretary – Musali Mudavadi
  2. Interior – Prof. Abraham Kithure Kindiki
  3. Treasury & Planning – Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u
  4. Public Service Gender & Affirmative Action – Aisha Juma Katamwa
  5. Defense – Aden Barre Duale
  6. Water, Sanitation & Irrigation – Alice Muthoni Wahome
  7. Foreign & Diaspora Affairs – Alfred Mutua
  8. Trade Investment & Industry – Moses Kuria
  9. East African Community & ASAL Development – Rebecca Miano
  10. Roads, Transport & Public Works – Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen
  11. Environment & Forestry – Roselinda Soipan Tuya
  12. Lands, Housing & Urban Development- Zacharia Mwangi Njeru
  13. Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage – PEninah Malonza
  14. Agriculture Livestock Development – Mithika Linturi
  15. Health – Susan Nakumincha Wafula
  16. Information, Communication & Digital Economy – Eliud Owalo
  17. Education – Ezekiel Machogu
  18. Energy & Petroleum – Davis Chirchir
  19. Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts – Ababu Namambwa
  20. Cooperatives & MSME Development – Simon Chelgui
  21. Mining, Blue Economy & Maritime Affairs – Salim Mvuria
  22. Labor & Social Protection – Florence Bore

Cabinet level appointments

  1. Advisor women rights agency – Harriet Chigai
  2. Advisor National Security – Monica Juma
  3. Attorney General – Justin Bedan Muturi Njoka
  4. Secretary to the Cabinet – Mercy Wanjau

Resignations
• IG Police Mutyambai – health concerns
• DCI Kinoti

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Politics

“Si Kila Mtu Anatafuta Kazi,” Raila’s Ally Fires At Critics After Being Spotted With President Ruto

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga’s staunch supporter Mohamed Wehliye caused a stir online after he was spotted with President William Ruto.

In a photo shared on Twitter by lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi, Wehliye is seen together with the senior counsel and President Ruto while at a venue that looks like Dubai.

Ahmednasir had captioned the photo that the trio was working to make Kenya better again.

This triggered mixed reactions from a section of netizens who questioned how Wehliye had moved on so fast after Raila lost the presidential election to Ruto.

Some accused him of dumping Raila and joining the Ruto-led government.

This forced Wehliye to take to Twitter to defend himself, arguing that he has not joined the government.

He told the critics to relax, arguing that he has not taken up anyone’s position in the government, noting that he only had a good meeting with the president and discussed how they can both help Kenya.

However, Wehliye sacarstically remarked that after all, everyone is looking for work in the new government.

“To all those sending DMs & the Northern politicians panicking….Please relax, I am not joining government or taking up ‘your positions’. Just had a very good meeting with our president and discussed how we can all help KENYA! Si kila mtu anatafuta kazi!” tweeted Wehliye.

President Ruto who is out of the country has been meeting several Kenyans in the diaspora, including Kenyan businessman Julius Mwale and his controversial supporter Cosmo Choy.

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Politics

Atwoli Breaks His Silence After Supreme Court Upheld Ruto’s Win

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has broken his silence moments after the Supreme Court of Kenya upheld President elect William Ruto’s Win.

The Chief Justice Martha Koome-led court on Monday afternoon ruled that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had conducted a free, fair and verifiable election.

Atwoli has been heard confidently saying that Ruto will not become the president of the republic of Kenya.

The COTU boss has maintained his remarks during the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition campaigns, and before that, he had even been heard saying that Ruto will not be on the ballot.

However, after the Supreme Court verdict, Atwoli took to his official social media handles and congratulated President elect Ruto.

Atwoli noted that COTU had unanimously agreed during their executive board meeting that they would thank and Congratulate the victor.

He went ahead to appeal to the workers and Kenyans at large to remain peaceful after the Supreme Court verdict.

“During COTU (K) Executive Board meeting on 17th August, we resolved THAT immediately after the Supreme Court judgement, we must thank and congratulate the victor. Consequently, we congratulate President William Ruto. We appeal to workers and Kenyans in general to remain peaceful,” Atwoli tweeted.

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Business

Mama Ibado Charity, Inua Dada Foundation Sign Deal To End Period Poverty Among Girls

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Mama Ibado Charity (MIC), a charity organization that caters for the well being of seniors in the community has partnered with Inua Dada Foundation to end period poverty in Kenya.

According to MIC Executive Vice President Mariam Ahmed, the pact aims at giving them the largest reach to vulnerable girl children across the country.

MIC and Inua Dada Foundation signed a one year partnership which included Ksh.100,000 donation from Mama Ibado Charity to Inua dada foundation. This will go a long way towards supporting 200 girls with an annual supply of sanitary towels who miss out classes during their menstrual cycle.

It is estimated over 1 million girls stay out of schools due to lack of access to sanitary pads in Kenya.

Mariam Ahmed said the organization will see the above number reduce through such strategic partnerships.

“We want to significantly reduce these high numbers through strategic partnerships like the one we have signed today and many more that will give us the largest reach to vulnerable girl children across the country. In the last five years, we have supplied over 350,000 sanitary towels to 2000 girls in Isiolo and Kakamega Counties,” she said.

Inua Dada Foundation, founded by Kenyan Media personality and Gender equality advocate, Janet Mbugua set up a safe space for women in Korogocho slums where they will get free sanitary towels and undergarments during their menstrual cycle.

The center is also scheduled to have room where teenage moms can leave their kids as they go to school.

Ms. Mbugua said the partnership is another significant step for the foundation in promoting menstrual equality and dignity for girls and teen moms.

“MIC is a worthy partner and we believe that in the coming months, more young girls and women with periods will no longer miss out on their rights because they can’t access the means to manage menstruation,” She Stated.

“We want women to build themselves where they can afford to take care of their families. We are humbled by the way Mama Ibado seeing how important it is to look at the girls so that they are able to begin to grow them to a point where they are independent,” she added.

MIC founder, Ahmed Jibril said the charity has seen more girls benefiting with numbers nearly doubling in 2022 to about 600 from 400 last year with a target to reach out to 10,000 girls in the next ten years.

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Business

Opinion: Let’s Stop The Unfair Reporting On The Betting And Gaming Industry in Kenya

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A recent article reported that Kenyans are spending over Ksh 160 billion on betting annually according to data acquired from Mpesa.

According to the report, this was alarming and calls for stringent regulations such as an increase in taxation to the gaming companies and even revocation of operating licenses.

It’s important to clarify that, the Kshs 160 Billion above is just the deposits by the punters and it doesn’t necessarily mean a profit to the gaming companies. Why not compare the figures to the annual payouts by the companies to winners for instance 70-80% of this amount goes out as payments to winners and in taxes which is astronomically high in Kenya and unreasonable compared to other global markets.

Gaming companies in Kenya are subjected to a very high taxes and this has been pushing them out of business. 7.5 % excise tax, 20% withholding tax on net winnings, 15% gaming tax and 30% corporate tax. All these are far too much and above what happens in ideal markets. They also have other normal bills such as salaries, premise bills and other overhead costs to take care of and that dimples the income even further. This is perhaps an area the incoming leaders need to think about and work hand in hand with the gaming firms to rationalize operations for the benefit of everyone.

They remit taxes worth over Ksh 1.5 billion monthly to both local and National governments and this is an area that has hugely been ignored when reporting on matters gaming companies. These are monies that are used to develop sports and other sectors of the economy.

The gaming companies are also hugely involved in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and this was very evident at the onset of the covid-19 pandemic. Majority of sporting organisations are also directly sponsored by gaming companies. They are an important contributor to the economy through the creation of jobs, continued capital expansion and the payment of taxes to the national government.

The gaming industry has provided significant funds for financing government organisations and other associations aimed at improving the socio-economic and social status of persons with disabilities, vulnerable groups, and other persons in need of social assistance, social welfare institutions, sports, local self-government, and the treatment of rare diseases. The gaming companies have extensive corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, embracing issues as diverse as responsible gambling, education, environment, health and well-being and social inclusion.

Achieving growth in the economy requires the creation of a business-friendly environment in order to improve the country’s competitiveness through structural reforms, market liberalization and foreign capital inflows for investment. Therefore, fiscal policy should support growth by establishing a stable internationally competitive and socially fair tax system. The media has an important role to play in all these and it all begins with fair reporting.

The media should be fair in their reportage of the gaming companies. This is an industry just like any other and they are legally doing business. The gains to the economy from the gaming industry are massive and deserve to be covered as well.

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Politics

Blow To Raila As UDM Elected Leaders Abandon Azimio For Kenya Kwanza

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga has suffered a major setback after the United Democratic Movement (UDM) abandoned him for President-elect William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza outfit.

UDM party’s leadership on Thursday August 18, met the President-elect at the Deputy President’s official residence in Karen, Nairobi.

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The party has eight Members of National Assembly, two Governors and two Senators who were elected in the just concluded general election.

However, the Mandera Senator-elect Ali Roba-led party is still tied to Azimio-One Kenya coalition, legally.

“We salute the United Democratic Movement (UDM) leadership for abandoning Azimio La Umoja and joining Kenya Kwanza,” President-elect William Ruto tweeted.

The UDM party had joined Azimio in February this year, complicating Ruto’s chances taking control of the North-Eastern region.

However, UDM’s ditching Azimio for Kenya Kwanza has added to the growing list of the Members of the National Assembly from the Kenya Kwanza coalition.

With the Senate split 24-23 in favour of Kenya Kwanza, the battle for the control of the 349-member National Assembly, where Azimio boasts a 162-159 advantage, has boiled down to the 12 independent MPs, 10 of whom have already joined Kenya Kwanza.

Kenya Kwanza now controls the National Assembly with about 177 Members as at now.

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