Governor Wycliffe Wangamati-led Bungoma County Government is once again on the spot for procuring mattresses and sterile gloves at a cost of Ksh.10,000 a pair.
This is a move taken by the county as part of its activities to combat Covid-19 that has bow hit the Country.
The allegations of the county procuring mattresses and sterile gloves at an exaggerated price come amid claims that the county chief procured 600 20-litre jerrycans at a cost of Ksh 10,000 each.
Wangamati was early this week put on the spot by Members of County Assembly over the misappropriation of Ksh. 6 million meant to combat COVID-19 in the county.
Speaking to members of the press on Tuesday, the Bungoma County Assembly Health committee accused the County governor Wycliffe Wangamati of sabotaging the probe on the allegations.
This is after senior officials and the county referral hospital superitendant failed to appear before the committee to answer the claims.
The committee chair Mr. George Makari expressed his disappointment after the committee secretariat was ordered not to appear for the grilling further accusing the house leadership of conspiring to cover up the scandal.
MCAs Tony Khaoya, Joseph Maguda and Aggrey Mulongo said the county government was involved and further threatened to initiate an impeachment motion against governor Wycliffe Wangamati.
However, Governor Wangamati on Saturday April 11, 2020 distanced himself from allegations of mismanagement of the said funds.
Addressing members of the press at the county offices, governor Wangamati expressed his disappointment over the issue terming it as inaccurate and misleading.
He went ahead to refute the claims clarifying that the county government distributed 368 120- litre jerrycans that were donated to them by well wishers and friends of the county to a few markets in the county.
“Let it be known that we don’t have 600 Jerry cans out there,we have 368 which were donated in a few markets and other public places. Let it also be known that the Jerrycans in question are not 20 litre,they are 120 litres.
“The 600 are the markets we had earmarked to receive atleast a jerican each. I challenge anybody with evidence to contrary or to effect that any officer in my government paid 10,000 Kenya shillings for a jerrycans to bring it forward or take it to EACC,county assembly and other relevant authorities,”he said.
He further noted that the county has received more donations including an assortment of PPEs,training in kind and sanitizer and also urged friends of goodwill to come in and help.
He called upon people to unite instead of creating scandals where there is none to settle meaningless scores.
Bungoma County Governor Wycliffe Wangamati has distanced himself from allegations of mismanagement of funds meant for the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing members of the press at the county offices, governor Wangamati expressed his disappointment over the issue terming it as inaccurate and misleading.
This comes after he was accused of buying 600 20-litre jerrycans each at 10,000 Kenya shillings. The governor went ahead to refute the claims clarifying that the county government distributed 368 120- litre jerrycans that were donated to them by well wishers and friends of the county to a few markets in the county.
“Let it be known that we don’t have 600 Jerry cans out there,we have 368 which were donated in a few markets and other public places. Let it also be known that the Jerrycans in question are not 20 litre,they are 120 litres.
“The 600 are the markets we had earmarked to receive atleast a jerican each. I challenge anybody with evidence to contrary or to effect that any officer in my government paid 10,000 Kenya shillings for a jerrycans to bring it forward or take it to EACC,county assembly and other relevant authorities,”he said.
He further noted that the county has received more donations including an assortment of PPEs,training in kind and sanitizer and also urged friends of goodwill to come in and help.
He called upon people to unite instead of creating scandals where there is none to settle meaningless scores.
“It behooves upon all of us leaders and the people we serve to shelve our narrow interests and keep our eyes on the ball and that’s fighting Corona virus in the county. To the people of Bungoma, treat any information contrary to this as rumours, gossip and ill-will,”he said
The public has been warned against waging violent acts on people suspected to be having Covid-19 or those that have travelled from places that have the pandemic.
The warning was sounded by Lamu Governor Fahim Yassin Twaha in light of suspected stigmatisation of Covid-19 cases within the past two months.
He made these remarks earlier today during a press briefing in the county’s Mokowe headquarters over the status update on the county’s preparedness with regards to managing and preventing the spread of Covid-19 within the county.
He revealed that although some two patients had exhibited presumed coronavirus symptoms while being admitted at the Mpeketoni Sub County District Hospital, it was too early to tell whether they were a risk to the community.
“Presumptions have led to rumours of a possible Covid-19 outbreak which is not the case and residents should be careful not to fall under the trap of stigmatising those seeking treatment for similar symptoms, which could just be TB or pneumonia,” Twaha stated.
Flanked by Lamu County Commissioner Macharia Irungu and the Covid-19 Management Committee, the governor further revealed that the samples of the two patients had been taken and dispatched to KEMRI Laboratories with results expected within 24 hours.
“The two patients have already been isolated and contact tracing is already underway to know their travel history,” the governor said.
He advised the public to call the hotline numbers that the county public health had provided to enable trained public health officials handle such suspects instead of people taking the law into their hands.
Twaha also stated that it was very important for people to understand that anyone could get infected and urged residents to adhere to Ministry of Health preventive guidelines.
No Covid-19 case has been reported in Lamu since the outbreak of the global pandemic within the country last month. However, Twaha reiterated that the county government’s health facilities have designated isolation facilities that would help in case of an outbreak in the area.
The governor was optimistic that the measures put in place by the county government were sufficient to tackle the spread of the virus should it arise.
He also commended the Lamu County Assembly for reallocating Sh50 million from their internal budget to aid the county manage the crisis.
The county government has so far set aside Sh10 million as an emergency fund for the county.
“The county is in talks with suppliers to bring in as many ventilators as possible in case of an outbreak, and we will also embark on a massive sanitizer distribution programme to keep the virus at bay.
“We are also organising how relief aid will be distributed to vulnerable families across the county in the wake of reduced revenue streams in more than 60 percent of households within the county,” he added.
He further said that TVETs in Lamu were so far engaged in making as many as 4,000 masks which would be distributed for free across the county as they were now too expensive to buy from any supplier.
These sentiments echoed by CC Irungu who urged well-wishers to coordinate with the Covid-19 county management team to distribute relief items rather than embark on solitary missions.
“We will not entertain individuals distributing relief items outside the designated programme in a bid to win political points. We urge that all relief should be steered towards this committee which will then channel it to the public,” Macharia said.
He also urged members of the public to adhere to the curfew regulations to avoid run-ins with law enforcement agencies whom he said were only keen to ensure the safety of Kenyans within the MOH regulations provided.
A two year-old has tested positive for coronavirus in Kenya.
Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi on Saturday afternoon confirmed to more new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of the cases in the country to 191.
One of the new cases is from Mombasa and another one is from Nairobi, one of which is aged two years.
Dr Mwangangi noted that none of the cases has a recent history of travel.
“Out of 491 tested samples, 2 have tested positive for coronavirus bringing confirmed cases in the country to 191. None of them has a recent history of travel. One of the patients is 2 years old & the other 32 years’ old,” Dr Mwangangi said.
Both cases were picked by the surveillance team. However, two more people have recovered bringing the total number of recoveries to 24.
Kenya has so far recorded 7 deaths as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The disease causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing. You can protect yourself by washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your face, and avoiding close contact (1 meter or 3 feet) with people who are unwell.
Tension gripped Masalani town, Ijara Sub County following the arrival of a man from Covid-19 hotspot, Kilifi County exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus.
The man, who arrived in the area two days ago feverish and with high temperatures, was immediately taken to Masalani Sub County Hospital for isolation.
Contacted for comment, Ijara sub county medical of health Dr. Abdinasir Abdi Mohammed confirmed the patient is in a quarantine unit at Masalani sub county hospital.
He said the suspect’s blood sample was taken to Nairobi for analysis and returned a negative result but he would be under quarantine for 14 days.
Dr Mohamed called on residents to follow government prevention procedures including putting on face masks and keeping social distance.
He cautioned social media bloggers and users against posting sensitive messages with no basis or reference.
He commended Ijara Deputy County Commissioner Mr. Samson Towett and his Covid-19 pandemic committee and disaster preparedness committee for the measures they have put in place towards combating the corona pandemic.
The Deputy President, William Ruto writing to the registrar of political parties rejecting the move to change Jubilee party’s top organs and terming it fraudulent is a clear show that the DP is in a burning house fighting for survival.
If it has reached a point where he gets to know about what goes on in Jubilee through Gazette notices, its means he’s already an objectionable figure in Jubilee Party.
DP Ruto should accept the fact that Jubilee is gone. The real owners have come for it and that its time to move on.
He should stop fighting battles he can’t win.
Ruto is simply trying to tell us that all is well when we can clearly see the ship has capsized.
Ruto should instead formulate on how to revive URP or seek refuge in the Isaac Ruto led CCM party because it is evident that he no longer have clout in Jubilee.
The second in command on Friday evening took to his official twitter account to slam those involved in changing a section of the officials.
The seemingly angry Ruto said that as Kenyans are focused on fighting COVID-19 pandemic, some people, whom he has termed as shadowy characters are attempting to fraudulently institute illegal changes in the officials of the President Uhuru Kenyatta-led party.
He vowed to fight on and ensure that the illegal changes don’t happen.
Ruto alerted the registrar of political parties about the changes, arguing the party had never made the changes.
He further urged Jubilee Party members to remain calm, noting that the matter was being handled.
” As Kenyans are focused on the Covid-19 pandemic,some shadowy characters are attempting to FRAUDULENTLY institute ILLEGAL changes in officials of Jubilee party. As deputy leader I have alerted the registrar of the fraud. Party members should know that the matter is being handled,” he tweeted.
Ruto shared a gazette notice number 3084 that showed the officials that have been changed.
The notice dated April 6, 2020 and addressed to registrar of parties in Kenya Ann Nderitu indicates various changes in the National Management Committee of Jubilee party.
Deputy President Dr William Ruto is crying fowl after some officials of Jubilee party got changed without his knowlegdge.
The second in command on Friday evening took to his official twitter account to slam those involved in changing a section of the officials.
The seemingly angry Ruto said that as Kenyans are focused on fighting COVID-19 pandemic, some people, whom he has termed as shadowy characters are attempting to fraudulently institute illegal changes in the officials of the President Uhuru Kenyatta-led party.
The DP however, has vowed to fight on and ensure that the illegal changes don’t happen.
In his twitter post, Ruto cites that he had already alerted the registrar of the alleged fraud.
He further urged Jubilee Party members to remain calm, noting that the matter was being handled.
” As Kenyans are focused on the Covid-19 pandemic,some shadowy characters are attempting to FRAUDULENTLY institute ILLEGAL changes in officials of Jubilee party. As deputy leader I have alerted the registrar of the fraud. Party members should know that the matter is being handled,” he tweeted.
Ruto shared a gazette notice number 3084 that showed the officials that have been changed.
The notice dated April 6, 2020 and addressed to registrar of parties in Kenya Ann Nderitu indicates various changes in the National Management Committee of Jubilee party.
Senate Majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen has launched an attack against political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi over his comments on Deputy President Dr William Ruto’s speech.
DP Ruto on Thursday morning addressed the nation on the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the country.
His address however, went against many people’s expectations, that led to them attacking the DP on social media.
Mutahi Ngunyi is among the people who criticized the second in command’s speech.
Taking to his twitter handle immediately DP Ruto finished addressing the nation, Mutahi Ngunyi argued that DP Ruto had appointed himself Co-President and gave a statement from his Co-Government.
He said that one has to read President Kenyatta’s eyes for him/her to understand him, and read DP Ruto’s body language for you to understand him.
“To UNDERSTAND Uhuru Kenyatta, read his EYES. To UNDERSTAND “Deputy President William Ruto”, READ his BODY LANGUAGE. Today it is COMBATIVE and DEFIANT. He has appointed himself Co-President and is giving a statement from his Co-Government. This is BOLD!” Mutahi Ngunyi tweeted.
Responding to the tweet, Murkomen attacked the political analyst, arguing that he knew whoever Mutahi Ngunyi was working for.
Murkomen said that the person in question was using the COVID-19 pandemic to do politics, terming the move s a shameless and evil scheme.
The Elgeyo Marakwet senator says the person’s mission for 2 years has been to annihilate the DP politically.
Murkomen says this is the time for unity and not division, arguing that all governments in the world are utilizing not sidelining their leaders.
“You are tweeting for a person I KNOW.That PERSON is doing politics with COVID19,-a shameless evil scheme!His mission for 2 years has been to annihilate the DP politically.This is time for unity not division.All governments in the world are utilizing not sidelining their leaders,” he tweeted.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga and his wife Ida Odinga on Thursday afternoon took donations worth Ksh. 15 million to Kibra residents.
The donations are to help the Kibra residents at this hard economic times that have been caused by the effects of corionavirus pandemic.
A statement sent to newsrooms by Raila’s Communication Director Dennis Onyango indicated that the former premier was to make the donations through the Government of Kenya, to help alleviate the challenges faced by the community as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The supplies have been mobilised by Mr Odinga’s family from own savings, corporates and individual friends.
They include food, sanitizers, soap, oil and water all valued at Ksh15 million.
“H.E Raila Odinga and Mama Ida Odinga will shortly donate an assortment of supplies to the residents of Kibra, through the Government of Kenya, to help alleviate the challenges faced by the community as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The supplies have been mobilised by the family from own savings, corporates and individual friends. They include food, sanitizers, soap, oil and water all valued at Ksh15 million,” reads part of the statement from Dennis Onyango.
Among the donors that partnered with the Odingas in making the donations are Kenya Pipeline Ltd, Bidco, Tononoka Steels Ltd, KAPU Africa, Kapa Oil and business mogul Jimmy Wanjigi.
To comply with the need for Social Distancing, the supplies were delivered to the offices of Deputy County Commissioner in Kibra.
The office will organise and coordinate the distribution of the supplies to the residents.
Deputy President Dr William Ruto’s address to the nation on Thursday April 9, 2020 has sparked various reactions from Kenyans.
The DP who had gone mum since the coronvirus pandemic hit Kenya resurfaced to address the nation on the issue, from his Karen residence.
However, the second in command seems to have repeated issues that had been earlier on addressed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
Politicians and political analysts have also expressed different reactions on DP Ruto’s speech.
Homa Bay County Woman MP says the DP must find a way of either joining the President or the COVID 19 task force press conferences or just stick to the cabbage farm.
She argues that Ruto gave Kenyans the information that had already been given to them by the same government that the DP serves.
However, political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi argues that DP Ruto has appointed himself Co-President and gave a statement from his Co-Government.
He says that one has to read President Kenyatta’s eyes for him/her to understand him, and read DP Ruto’s body language for you to understand him.
Blogger Abraham Mutai, on his part argues that DP Ruto has basically put together all the Pressers of President Kenyatta and CS Mutahi Kagwe into a speech.
This, according to the controversial blogger, is a direct insubordination of the President of the Republic of Kenya and the government.
Several other Kenyans have launched an attack against the DP by terming his address as a side show.
They argue, under the hashtag #RutoSideShow, that his address was meant to save his public perception rather than tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
Here are some of their reactions.
Bungoma County is again on the spotlight for yet another bad reason.
The Bungoma county government is on the spot over the misappropriation of Ksh. 6 million meant to combat COVID-19 in the county.
Speaking to members of the press on Tuesday, the Bungoma County Assembly Health committee accused the County governor Wycliffe Wangamati of sabotaging the probe on the allegations.
This is after senior officials and the county referral hospital superitendant failed to appear before the committee to answer the claims.
The committee chair Mr. George Makari expressed his disappointment after the committee secretariat was ordered not to appear for the grilling further accusing the house leadership of conspiring to cover up the scandal.
MCAs Tony Khaoya, Joseph Maguda and Aggrey Mulongo said the county government was involved and further threatened to initiate an impeachment motion against governor Wycliffe Wangamati.
The MCAs further accused Wangamati of purchasing a total of 600, 20-liter jerrycans at a cost of 10,000 each. If this is true, then this will go down as another grand ripoff by the leadership of Bungoma County.
Currently, a 20-liter jerrican retails between 100 and 120 shillings. This means that the price of each jerrican was inflated by 8250 percent.
Lwandanyi Ward MCA Tony Barasa said that all efforts by a section of MCAs to get answers from the Governor concerning the procurement of the containers have gone unanswered.
The MCAs have also claimed that some of the officials at the county of Bungoma are using the fight against Covid-19 to inflate prices of goods, some of which are not even purchased.
Governor Wangamati and his government are said to have procured the jerricans to help residents of the county maintain hygiene by washing their hands using soap and water to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
This is not the first time for such “funny” scandals to hit Bungoma County. Former Governor, now Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka was accused of purchasing wheelbarrows at the cost of more than 100,000 shillings each.
Nyali Member of Parliament Mohammed Ali has made serious allegations after reports emerged that 17 MPs and Senators had tested positive for coronavirus.
The journalist-turned politician, through his social media handles on Wednesday morning, alleged that there are people who want to bypass the constitution so that they can siphon funds meant for the fight against coronvirus pandemic.
He says the siphoning of the funds is possible if the National Assembly will not be having sittings, for the people behind the plot to take over the role of the lawmakers, and run everything through decree.
The lawmaker goes ahead to makes claims that the perpetrators of the plot leaked the information about the 17 MPs who allegedly tested positive for COVID-19 so that they can prevent parliament from resuming.
He says that it is at this period of time that funds will now be stolen.
On Tuesday April 7, reports emerged that the 17 MPs who had tested positive are among the coronavirus cases that were confirmed on Monday and Tuesday.
This is after the lawmakers voluntarily took COVID-19 tests at parliament buildings following reports that one of their colleagues had contracted the virus.
Over 5 MPs had been scheduled to undergo the tests after interacting with Rabai MP Kamoti Mwamkale.
Mwamkale is said to have contracted the virus after coming into contact with Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi who is said to have contacted the virus abroad. Saburi has since recovered from the virus but is currently in custody after he was arrested last week for failing to self-isolate.
Reports now indicate that more Members of Parliament and Senators have since been confirmed positive to the virus. The identities of the lawmakers who tested positive remain unknown but it is said that they are all those who came into contact with Kamoti.
So far 172 Corona-virus cases have been confirmed in the country. Six people have since succumbed to the deadly pandemic while 7 have fully recovered from it.
Senate Minority Leader James Orengo on Tuesday April 7, 2020 tore into speakers of both houses, the senate speaker Ken Lusaka and the National Assembly speaker Justin Muturi.
This is after the duo went ahead to dismiss the sittings of both houses amid he coronavirus pandemic.
The Siaya County senator has dismissed the move by both speakers, accusing them of going against the parliamentary rules and laws.
In a letter dated April 7 and seen by Dailytrends.co.ke , Orengo terms the move by the two house speakers as constitutional.
The senior counsel notes that these are difficult terms where all organs of the government must work together in harmony and unison to deal with the worst health scourge.
He cites that even in these hard times of coronvirus pandemic, the constitution and the rule of law have not been suspended, and thus, they must be followed by each and everyone.
He however, regrets that speakers Lusaka and Muturi arbitrarily suspended lawfully convened sittings of the National Assembly and the senate.
“But even in these hard times the constitution and the rule of law have not been suspended. It is regrettable that speakers of both houses of Parliament have arbitrarily suspended lawfully convened sittings of the National Assembly and the senate,” reads part of the letter.
Orengo goes on to note that no consultations were undertaken with the leadership of both houses or apopropriate committees of parliament to ensure strict compliance with law the law and the rules of parliament.
He says that the senate and parliament operate on a calendar and can never be prorogued or have its sittings suspended by any form of device or craft.
Seventeen members of parliament and senators have reportedly tested positive for the deadly Corona-virus after undergoing tests.
Health Cabinet Secretary Muthai Kagwe on Tuesday afternoon confirmed 14 more news cases, a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta confirmed 16 new cases on Monday afternoon.
The 17 MPs are said to spread between the cases that were confirmed on Monday and those that were confirmed on Tuesday.
50 members of parliament underwent tests after they reportedly interacted with Rabai Member of Parliament Kamoti Mwamkale who is among those who have been confirmed to have contracted that virus that’s first spreading across the globe.
Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina on Tuesday afternoon confirmed that indeed the MPs had undergone tests after he shared the results of his test, which came out negative.
Mwamkale is said to have contracted the virus after coming into contact with Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi who is said to have contacted the virus abroad. Saburi has since recovered from the virus but is currently in custody after he was arrested last week for failing to self-isolate.
Reports now indicate that more Members of Parliament and Senators have since been confirmed positive to the virus. The identities of the lawmakers who tested positive remain unknown but it is said that they are all those who came into contact with Kamoti.
So far 172 Corona-virus cases have been confirmed in the country. Six people have since succumbed to the deadly pandemic while 7 have fully recovered from it. High profile people who have contacted it in the country are Saburi and Mwamkale.
The government has since put in place measures to ensure that the virus doesn’t spread at an alarming rate. This includes a countrywide 7pm-5am curfew and banning travels into and from Nairobi Metropolitan region, Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale counties.
Across the globe, over 1.3 million people have been confirmed positive with over 70,000 deaths confirmed. The cure or vaccine for the virus is yet to be unearthed as the virus continues to spread like bush-fire.
From Mountain hiking to cooking, driving to singing, Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen holds a multiple of talents.
Just a few months ago, Murkomen set the internet ablaze after showing off his cooking prowess.
The Elgeyo Marakwet Senator mesmerized Kenyans with the brown ugali he cooked.
That aside, just a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta instructed the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage to give Ksh 100 million to musicians, Murkomen decided to test whether he can qualify to be on the receiving list of the money with a splendid choice of song.
Singing in a relatively low but accurate voice, the Senator springs into a wonderful melody as he drove in his car, much to the amusement of many Kenyans.
Captioning his video, Murkomen noted that President Kenyatta never said that best musicians are the ones to be paid. He said that the head of state meant just any musician.
” Hakuna mahali Rais alisema mwimbaji bora, ni bora mwimbaji…! ” he captioned his video.