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The late former President Daniel Moi’s family on Thursday engaged in a heated argument with senior government officials charged with making the former Head of State’s funeral arrangements.

This is after the officials proposed to have Moi’s remains interred at a site in Uhuru Gardens, off Lang’ata road, Nairobi, that would later be designated the ‘Heroes Corner’.

The family, led by Moi’s son Raymond, who is the Rongai MP, insisted that though the former President did not make it formal, he had expressed his wish to be buried in Kabarak, next to his wife Lena.

The government had first floated the Heroes Corner proposal on Wednesday with the Moi family expressing instant opposition.

Moi will now be laid to rest at his Kabarak home, Nakuru county, according to his wishes, after the family resisted attempts by the government to have him buried in Nairobi.

Retired Africa Inland Church (AIC) Bishop Silas Yego on Thursday led a team of Kalenjin elders to the meeting at Moi’s Kabarnet Gardens home.

According to the elders, when Lena died, Moi had wanted her to be buried in Sacho, Moi’s rural home in Baringo county, but his friends and elders persuaded him against the move.

In the end Moi caved in and showed them a corner in his expansive Kabarak home and quipped: “This is where I will also rest.”

Mzee Moi will be laid to rest on Wednesday February 12, 2020.

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Interior Ministry Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i has declared Tuesday February 11, a public holiday.

This is to enable Kenyans to participate in celebrating the life of departed former head of state Daniel Arap Moi.

The announcement was made on Thursday noon by head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua.

President Uhuru Kenyatta will lead the nation in public viewing of the body from Saturday February 8, 2020 at Parliament buildings from 10:00 am.

All State Officials whose attendance is required by tradition and State Protocol have been notified; and they are therefore requested to be in the precincts of Parliament by 9:45 a.m. on Saturday.

The body of the late retired present Daniel arap Moi shall lie in state at Parliament buildings for three days from Saturday 8th to Monday 10th February 2020.

This is to allow the nation to reflect on President Moi’s momentous role and achievements, and to accord all Kenyans the opportunity to participate in public viewing and the paying of last respects to the former Head of State and Government.

After lying-in-state for three days, on Tuesday 11th February, 2020 the gun carriage and State Funeral Procession will make its way from Parliament Buildings to the Nyayo Stadium, the venue of the National Memorial Service.

The public viewing at Parliament Buildings will be done on Saturday, Sunday and Monday between 08:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M.

Remains of the late retired President  Moi will be Interred on Wednesday 12th February at his home in Kabarak.

All Kenyans have been encouraged to plant a tree in memory of the late former president.

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Kakamega Primary School has released a list of the stampede that left 14 pupils dead early this week.

The school administration has already made public, the list of the deceased pupils as follows;

1. Prince Vermaline

2. Bertha Munywele,

3. Simon Waweru,

4. Lavender Akasa,

5. Joseph Musami,

6. Naila Kiverenge,

7. Fidel Kumbetie, 

8. Samuel Simekha,

9. June Nakhumicha, 

10. Prudence Eliza,

11. Catherine Aloo,

12. Antonnet Iramwenya,

13. Nichole Achola,

14. Venessa Adesa.

Operations in the institution were put on hold until next Monday, to allow investigations towards the tragedy.

Following the unfortunate occurrence, 36 pupils got treated and discharged, while eight others are still in the hospital, among them, two being in the Intensive Care Unit. 

Local leaders have urged for thorough investigations, while Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya termed the happening as an abnormal.

Deputy President William Ruto, together with the Education Cs George Magoha, called upon the investigators to ensure that the matter comes to a conclusion.

DP Ruto added that investigators had sufficient time to conduct their investigations. 

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Former Prime Minister and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has recounted the day he first met former President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi.

In his condolence message, Raila says he first met President Moi in 1958 when his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga invited the first African elected members of the Legislative Council to their home in Bondo.

Raila says he was a teenager and Moi, who represented the Rift Valley, was in the company of Masinde Muliro, Lawrence Oguda, Tom Mboya, Bernard Mate, James Muimi and Ronald Ngala.

They operated under the auspices of African Elected Members Organisation, with Jaramogi as their chairman.

From that initial encounter, Raila says their paths and careers were later to cross in various capacities and roles.

Mzee Moi once sent Raila into exile, but the AU Envoy says they reconciled after the political differences of the 1980s and early 90s and they were able to work together to bring more reforms to the country.

Below is Raila’s full message.

Mama Ida and I mourn the passing of President Daniel arap Moi. We give thanks for his long life of service to this nation.

President Moi has had a chequered career and leaves behind a rich history, from representing the Rift Valley in the Legislative Council to MP for Baringo Central, Vice President and President.

I first met President Moi in 1958 when my father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga invited the first African elected members of the Legislative Council to our home in Bondo. I was a teenager and Moi, who represented the Rift Valley, was in the company of Masinde Muliro, Lawrence Oguda, Tom Mboya, Bernard Mate, James Muimi and Ronald Ngala.

They operated under the auspices of African Elected Members Organisation, with Jaramogi as their chairman.
From that initial encounter, our paths and careers were later to cross in various capacities and roles.
Moi inherited a fairly polarised political landscape when he became President in 1978. He strived to hold the country together as he struggled to unite the people, often with mixed results.

The decision by his administration to make the country a single party state became a major point of disagreement in our politics that caused the clamour for the repeal of Section 2 (a).
To his credit, President Moi gave in to the clamour for change and allowed the country to return to multiparty politics. He was constantly able to ease pressure in the country through incremental reforms.

Moi and I reconciled after the political differences of the 1980s and early 90s and we were able to work together to bring more reforms to the country.
Our cooperation gave way to merger with his party KANU, which put the country firmly on the path to a new constitution by enabling the formation of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC).
In his retirement, again to his credit, President Moi carried and conducted himself with complete dignity befitting an elder statesman.

I am grateful for the time I spent with him. At this moment of mourning, our hearts and prayers are with the family and the entire Moi clan.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta has spoken on the stampede that occurred at Kakamega Primary School on Monday evening killing 19 pupils.

The head of state last evening sent a message of comfort to the families of the children who lost their lives following the stampede.

However, the president ordered for a thorough investigation to establish the cause of the incident.

By yesterday night, the death toll had risen to 19, all the way from 14.

Speaking during a phone interview with Citizen TV on Monday night, Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha also questioned the incident that lead to the death of the pupils.

He said he was at the school last week and he witnessed the pupils come down the stairs in an orderly manner.

Magoha had confidence that there must be something that led to the stampede.

He has ordered his Principal Secretary Bellio Kipsang to arrive at the scene today morning as investigations into the matter goes on.

Earlier reports indicated that the pupils were rushing down the staircase of the school when they tripped and fell on each other.

Kakamega Central OCPD David Kabena said that at least 39 pupils were injured, noting that 20 had been treated and discharged.

Additional reports indicated that the injured pupils were in the region of 100 and that some of them have been admitted to the ICU in critical condition.

On Monday night, former Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale who arrived at Kakamega County Referral Hospital to give a helping hand noted that 19 had died and that two were in the ICU.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta has issued four orders that should be adhered to after the passing on of former President Daniel Arap Moi.

Mzee Moi who led Kenya between 1978 and 2002 died on Monday night at Nairobi Hospital where he had been hospitalized since last year October.

President Kenyatta’s orders come in the honor of the life and times of the late Mzee Moi.

Under the authority vested in him as the president of the Republic of Kenya and the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, President Kenyatta has ordered and directed the following;

IN HONOUR OF THE LIFE AND TIMES of the Late Great Mzee Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, and on behalf of a grateful Nation forever indebted to our deceased Second President for all his many years of steadfast public service, I, UHURU KENYATTA, under the authority vested in me as the President of The Republic of Kenya and the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, do
hereby ORDER and DIRECT: 

I. THAT in the testimony of the respect in which the memory of the Late Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi is held, the nation will observe a period of national mourning from today until the day of his funeral; 

II. THAT the Late Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi shall be accorded a State Funeral, with all appropriate Civilian and Full Military Honours being rendered and observed;

III. THAT as an expression of public sorrow the Flag of the Republic of Kenya shall be flown at half-mast at State House, State Lodges, all Public Buildings and Public Grounds, all Military Bases, Posts, and Stations, on all Naval Vessels of the Republic of Kenya, and however elsewhere throughout the Republic of Kenya; from dawn on 4th February 2020 Until sunset on the day of the burial; and

iV. THAT our national flag shall be flown at half-mast for the same length of time at all High Commissions, Embassies, Consulates, Diplomatic Offices and other facilities of the Republic of Kenya abroad.

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Former President Daniel Arap Moi has died aged 102 or 103 years, and not 95 years.

This is according to his long serving press secretary Lee Njiru, who argues that Mzee Moi told him not to go by what is on his Identity card.

“Mzee told me many times not to go by what is on his ID,” Lee Njiru said through a phone call to Citizen Tv.

Lee Njiru who has been President’ Moi’s Press Secretary for over 40years.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday morning shared a proclamation statement confirming the passing on of Moi.

The retired Head of State has ailing for a long time despite several admissions to hospital.

Lee Njiru says Moi started walking using a walking stick then a wheelchair, noting that his decline was very worrying.

He has been hospitalized since October 10th 2019 and has never left hospital.

“He started walking using a walking stick then a wheelchair, I have seen a steady decline. His decline was very worrying. He has been hospitalized since October 10th 2019 & has never left hospital,” Njiru noted.

In October 2019, the former president was admitted to the Nairobi Hospital on Saturday after he developed breathing complications.

That was the second time in two weeks that the 95-year-old former president was being attended to at the city hospital.

The former President’s Press Secretary Lee Njiru at the time stated that Moi had been rushed to hospital on Monday for what was termed as a routine checkup.

“Yes, l can confirm that Mzee Moi visited The Nairobi Hospital for a routine medical check-up.

“It is prudent for any human being to undergo regular medical check-ups, so there is nothing to worry about,” remarked Njiru.

Njiru, however, avoided giving further information on the type of checkup the ailing ex-Head of State underwent at the facility.

In December 2018, the once Vice President during the reign of the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta had been rushed to the same hospital for a similar routine checkup.

In May the same year, Moi had been taken ill at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, Israel, following a complaint of a previous knee injury.

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Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has spoken on the unfortunate stampede at Kakamega Primary School that left 14 pupils dead and 39 others seriously injured.

Speaking during a phone interview with Citizen TV on Monday night, Prof Magoha questioned the incident that lead to the death of the pupils.

He said he was at the school last week and he witnessed the pupils come down the stairs in an orderly manner.

According to Magoha, there must be something that led to the stampede.

Magoha says a bell ring can’t cause the panic witnessed on Monday evening.

He has ordered his Principal Secretary Bellio Kipsang to arrive at the scene tomorrow morning as investigations into the matter goes on.

Earlier reports indicated that the pupils were rushing down the staircase of the school when they tripped and fell on each other.

Kakamega Central OCPD David Kabena said that at least 39 pupils were injured and that so far, 20 have been treated and discharged.

Additional reports indicate that the injured pupils are in the region of 100 and that some of them have been admitted to the ICU in critical condition.

The pupils are said to have been running away from a teacher who was reportedly punishing another pupil in one of the classes upstairs.

However, some reports also indicate the children were rushing to go home after the bell rung.

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Death toll from Kakamega Primary School stampede has hit 14.

This is after a pupil succumbed to injuries at Nala Nursing Home, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya says.

Earlier reports indicated that the pupils were rushing down the staircase of the school when they tripped and fell on each other with 13 dying on the spot.

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Kakamega Central OCPD David Kabena said that at least 39 pupils were injured and that so far, 20 have been treated and discharged.

Additional reports indicate that the injured pupils are in the region of 100 and that some of them have been admitted to the ICU in critical condition.

Image

The pupils are said to have been running away from a teacher who was reportedly punishing another pupil in one of the classes upstairs.

However, some reports also indicate the children were rushing to go home after the bell rung.

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An attack on Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria during Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) rally in Kitui seems not enough.

The controversial MP has foiled an alleged plot by goons to attack him and members of DP Ruto-allied Tangatanga leaders during the February 15 BBI rally in Meru.

Taking to his social media, Kuria posted an alleged message by an informer forewarning him against attending the rally without speaking to one Mike Makarena.

In the message, Makarena is described as the ‘Chief goon’ in Meru who is set to coordinate the purported humiliation of Tangatanga MPS should they set foot in the rally.

The author of the message, one Kiogora, also tells the MP to forewarn all the other MPS in his camp about this planned attack.

Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu on Saturday during BBI rally in her county directed security officers at the function to eject Kuria out before he reportedly pleaded with them to return him to the dais.

DP William Ruto condemned the act of ejecting Kuria from the rally, saying it only served to roll back the democratic gains made over decades.

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African Union Envoy Raila Odinga has departed Kenya this evening for the United States.

The former Prime Minister will be attending the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC.

According to a post he shared on his social media pages, he will also hold a Roundtable meeting with African Ambassadors in the US to brief them on the Continent’s Infrastructure and continental trade agenda.

Raila is AU’s highest representative for Infrastructure and development.

“Departing for the USA to attend the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. I shall also hold a Roundtable meeting with African Ambassadors there to brief them on the Continent’s Infrastructure and continental trade agenda,” he tweeted.

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Deputy President William Ruto has hit back at President Uhuru Kenyatta, who on Friday swore to stop sending representatives to launch projects on his behalf, saying they had failed him.

Uhuru’s statement was subtly directed at Ruto, who had launched the last mile connectivity project in Nyandarua county, only for it to stall.

”I came here to see myself whether the people in this region had been connected to the national grid as alleged by the people I had sent here…why are they not yet connected? I will not be sending people anymore, I will come by myself,” an angry Uhuru said while addressing residents of Nyandarua.

A defiant Ruto, however, on Sunday, maintained that he would continue flagging off development projects around the country since that was part of his job description, as deputy president.

Hiyo kazi nitafanya na bidii. Hii ya barabara…na ya maji, na ya stima, na ya kusomesha watoto wetu…kwa sababu kazi ya deputy president ni hiyo nafanya (I will work even harder to steer roads, water, electricity, and education programs….what I am doing is the work of the deputy president)” the politician said during a church function in Kisii.

Ruto added that defamatory utterances could no longer fool Kenyans, as they are intelligent enough to observe who has delivered in his/her docket, and who has not.

”Wananchi wako na akili. Watajua ni nani wa kufanya kazi, na ni nani wa kupiga story (Kenyans are an intelligent lot. They can decipher who is a hard worker and who is a busy body),” the DP said.

”Tulikubaliana Kenya wajinga waliisha (We all agreed that there are no longer fools in Kenya),” he added.

He further asked his fellow politicians to stop interfering with his work as the second in command.

”Kuna mtu analalamika hapa DP anafanya kazi yake? Iko mtu analalamika nimefanya kazi yake? (Is there anyone who can claim that I am doing his job?),” the irate deputy head of state sarcastically posited.

He was speaking during the consecration of Reverend Joseph Omwoyo Ombasa, as the Bishop of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya.

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Deputy President William Ruto has broken his silence following the brutality that Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria faced during a BBI rally in Kitui on Saturday.

The second in command has called upon leaders to take an inclusivity approach to Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) politics.

Speaking during the consecration of the second Diocesan Bishop, Rev Joseph Omwoyo Ombasa, in Kisii, Ruto termed the use of brutal force against individuals with differing opinions as primitive.

Nataka niwaulize viongozi hao wengine wote, tuwache makelele na fujo na ubabe na mambo hayo ambayo yanaturudisha nyuma (my appeal to all leaders is that they should stop bickering, using excessive force and dictatorship, among other backward practices),” Ruto said.

He preached the message of honorable dialogue, insisting on the need to hear out all opinions, on matters of national discourse.

‘Kama ni mjadala mnafanya tuweke heshima, tuweke ungwana, tusikize yale yanasemekana na mtu yeyote, humpendi, unampenda (On matters of national interest, let us take a respectful approach and hear each other out, whether you like a particular person or not),” the DP added.

He further called for an equitable dialogue platform, terming all views as imperative.

Hakuna maoni yanayozidi maoni mengine (there is no opinion that is superior to the other),” the emotional deputy head of state said.

He noted that ongoing BBI discussion should not be reserved for a particular group of people, rather, it should be opened up to all, including the common mwananchi. 

Kuria was on Saturday almost driven out of the venue of a BBI rally, where ODM leader Raila Odinga was in attendance, after area governor Charity Ngilu, asserted that people who were disrespectful to President Uhuru Kenyatta were not welcome at the event.

It is only after the crowd intervened that Kuria was allowed back into the rally.

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There was drama in Kitui when Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria was ordered to leave the ongoing BBI rally minutes after arriving.

Kuria who was in the company of senate majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen were blocked by security personnel from accessing the podium where ODM leader Raila Odinga, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu had sat.

The crowd at the stadium after seeing that the two leaders were being frustrated, began chanting ‘Wapewe Viti’.

Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwa who read the resolutions by the Ukambani leaders, was forced to cut it short after the chaos erupted.

Things got ugly and Kuria was chased away from the podium.

In an act of defiance, the controversial MP opted to sit on the ground in front of the podium.

Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu was heard urging supporters to eject the feisty legislator for his continued attack against president Uhuru Kenyatta.

“Nobody will abuse Mheshimiwa Rais Uhuru Kenyatta na aingie kwa mkutano yangu, hakuna atolewe, aendee!” Ngilu ordered.

Calm was later restored and Mr Kuria was allowed back upon intervention of former vice president Kalonzo Musyoka and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

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Embattled Nairobi County Governor Mike Sonko on Friday night held a secret meeting with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The discussions of the meeting revolved around Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

During the meeting, Raila certified Gov Sonko as a BBI compliant.

According to details shared on social media by East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Simon Mbugua, Sonko promised Raila to use his mobilization skills, network and resources to campaign for BBI in Nairobi County.

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Governor Mike Sonko with ODM Party leader Raila Odinga during the meeting. PHOTO/COURTESY

Sonko also unveiled BBI branded vehicles and lorries to be used for the campaign’s/ awareness.

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“P.M Raila Odinga yesternight certified Gov Sonko as BBI compliant.Sonko also unveiled BBI branded vehicles and lorries to be used for the campaign’s/ awareness. Sonko promised BABA to use his mobilization skills, network and resources to campaign for BBI in Nairobi County,” Mbugua shared on facebook.

Governor Sonko also made BBI-branded T-Shirts, with some Kenyans speculating that he he decided to dance to BBI tune after seeing what had happened to his Kiambu counterpart Ferdinand Waititu.

Here are some of the reactions from Kenyans.

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Drama ensued after Journalists were on Saturday denied entry into President Uhuru Kenyatta’s public baraza at Wang’uru stadium in Kirinyaga county.

Members of the public who are not on the chiefs’ lists were also locked out of the event.

They were blocked by security agents from accessing the President Kenyatta’s function.

President Kenyatta is meeting locals at the Wang’uru stadium.

Uhuru is visiting Central Kenya where he is launching a host of projects aiming at reducing rebellion in his backyard.

On Friday, he visited Nyandarua County where he launched Njabini-Naivasha road worth Sh1.8 billion.

After Kirinyaga County trip on Saturday, Uhuru will visit the expansive Meru region where he is set to commission projects.

This is not the first time we are seeing people getting locked out of Uhuru’s events.

Politicians allied to his Deputy, Dr William Ruto have been locked out of his events in the recent past.

On Friday, drama ensued at Nyandarua County Commissioner’s office in Ol Kalou town after area MP, Ken Mukira and Nyandarua Women Representative Faith Gitau were bundled out of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s function.

Several MCAs allied to the Tangatanga wing of Jubilee party were also chased away by security officials minutes before kickoff of a presidential function.

Senator Susan Kihika and MP David Gikaria were also subjected to the same treatment after they were barred from attending a public function in Nakuru where President Kenyatta issued title deeds.

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