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Sirisia Member of Parliament John Waluke and his co-accused Grace Wakhungu are not yet off the hook after Justice John Onyiego of the High Court on September 30 released them on cash bail.

Justice Onyiego granted Waluke and Wakhungu Sh10 million and Sh20 million bail  respectively, pending hearing and determination of their appeal.

The judge also gave them an alternative of depositing bonds of Sh20 million and Sh30 million respectively with sureties.

However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)  has moved to the Court of Appeal to challenge the release of the two on bond.

The DPP has filed a notice of appeal indicating that he is dissatisfied with the decision made by Justice John Onyiego on September 30.

“Take notice that the DPP, being dissatisfied with the decision of the High Court intends to appeal to the Court of Appeal against the decision in which the court released each of the appellants on bail pending their appeal,” reads the notice.

The notice was also served to the lawyers of the two convicts.

The two, who are also directors of Erad Supplies Ltd, were convicted in June by the Anti-Corruption Court for theft of Sh297 million from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).

The trial court also imposed a combined fine of Sh2 billion. In default, Wakhungu was handed a 39-year sentence while waluke was slapped with a 34-year sentence.

But they challenged their conviction and sentence and sought to be released on bail pending the determination of appeal.

While allowing their request, Justice Onyiego said he was persuaded that the two convicts have an arguable appeal against the lower court’s judgment.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed a multi-billion deal with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

Uhuru on Wednesday landed in France  where he was hosted by Macron at Elysee Palace – the French President’s official residence.

He is in France for a three-date state visit that will see him push for a number of bilateral agreements.

Among agreements reached is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the construction of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit highway signed between KeNHA and Vinci Concessions.

The Sh180 billion dualing of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit road will be guaranteed by the Kenyan government with the agreement that Vinci Concessions will charge toll fees to recover the construction cost.

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Others were agreements for the development of the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) commuter railway line and the 400KV Menengai-Rongai electricity transmission line.

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Kenya’s ambassador to France Professor Judi Wakhungu stated that the president’s visit would strengthen people-to-people and commercial ties between the two nations.

Wakhungu stated that the Nairobi CBD to JKIA commuter rail link would help enhance movement of travellers between the city centre and Kenya’s foremost international airport.

“Our aspiration is to see that this commuter railway line eases traffic in Nairobi but also eases the movement of people within Nairobi. We hope that along the route and the surrounding areas, other businesses will be able to grow,” Prof Wakhungu stated.

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She added that the PPP agreement would help decongest the existing highway and enhance efficiency of cargo transport to Western Kenya and onwards into the export markets of East and Central Africa.

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A bodyguard of Githunguri Constituency MP Gabriel Kago Mukuha in the wee hours of the night caused drama when he shot and killed a watchman.

According to reports, the bodyguard had moved to bar premises to have liquor.

Eye witnesses recounted that the constable ordered the watchman to open during odd hours so that he would buy beer.

The watchman then declined to open, an incident that made the MP’s bodyguard to pull out his gun and shoot him.

According to a local daily, the incident happened after a heated exchange ensued between the two, before the constable shot the guard.

He was then rushed to Radiant hospital, Kiambu where he succumbed to gunshot wounds.

Confirming the incident, Kiambu Deputy County Commander Lazarus Wambua said the officer has been arrested as police conduct further investigations.

The officer caused a scene and refused to open his house for close to two hours before he voluntarily surrendered to the officers, and is currently being held at Kiambu Police Station.

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Covid millionaires ‘whistleblower’ has been arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

DCI in a statement posted on social media said three suspects who abducted the Director of Hi-tech Enterprise while personating EACC and KRA officers before demanding for a Kshs 2 Million bribe to stop pursuing an alleged tax evasion case involving the victim were in their custody.

Godwins Agutu, who is one of the people who blew the whistle on Covid-19 millionaires expose is among the three that were arrested.

Agutu who is the Network Action Against Corruption Director featured in an expose aired by NTV alleging widespread misuse of Covid-19 funds and material donations from Jack Ma Foundation.

Agutu was arrested alongside Alex Mutua and Ken Kimathi on Wednesday evening.

They bribed the director asking him to stop pursuing an alleged tax evasion case involving the victim.

DCI boss George Kinoti said that the three were working with three other people who are still at large.

The three escapees are said to be KRA officers namely; Houdouvia Njoroge, Harrison Ochar and Brian Kimemia.

They used two Prados Reg. Nos. GKB 070B & KCY 280Q and stormed the victim’s offices within Nairobi on September 26, 2020, after which they took his laptop and left.

“The suspects appeared again on Sept 29,2020, demanding the Sh2 million bribe, and when the victim could not raise the amount, they forced him into the GKB vehicle and drove off to Lutheran Hse along Nyerere road,” Kinoti said.

Kinoti said the victim was forced to contact his family members to get the amount, but only managed to raise Sh500,000 where the suspects escorted him to his house at Westlands in Nairobi and took the cash.

Investigations were then launched by DCI Detectives where the three suspects were nabbed at the said Lutheran House, further establishing that the registration number GKB 070B belonged to a Land Rover Discovery attached to the Judiciary.

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Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has defended Ruto Deputy President William Ruto’s move to donate goodies to various youth groups, among them being wheelbarrows and handcarts.

Taking to his official twitter account on Wednesday September 30, 2020, the County chief said that the DP is using the opportunity to link up with youths.

“I don’t think Ruto’s main agenda is to dish out wheelbarrows etc. He is trying to bond with youth. You see the Wheel Barrow game? Politics of Symbolism,” Kibwana said.

Recently, governor Kibwana joined Ruto during the installation service of Bishop Rev.Joshua Nzau Kimuyu at the African Inland Church in Ziwani, Nairobi.

The governor has also expressed his interests for the presidential seat come 2022, which Ruto is also eyeing. 

Ruto had earlier defended his action, saying that there is a need to change Kenya’s political conversation from power to empowerment and positions to the creation of jobs.

The DP said that the insults from his critics will not stop him from reaching out to the youths who need his help.

Ruto said that the country can no longer be divided by politicians based on tribes.

Speaking at his Karen residence where he met a section of leaders, Ruto said those poking holes into his work were busybodies.

He said at no point has he failed to serve the country as the principal assistant to the President.

“No work has been given to me and I failed to execute,” he said.

Ruto said all his work and responsibilities given to him by the President have been discharged with distinction.

He also seized the moment to tell those purporting to supervise him to focus on their own duties of service delivery to the mwananchi.

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Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waigur’s husband and lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo has been forced to clarify his statement that was praising Deputy President William Ruto’s hustler nation movement.

Waiganjo raised eyebrows after he made a statement admitting that the hustler movement was spreading and gaining popularity among ordinary voters.

“Confession; I am one of those who dismissed the “hustler” narrative. Surely Kenyans are wiser, I thought. Been in the villages for a couple of days. I am less dismissive…and that’s all I’m gonna say about that,” he stated.

However, the lawyer has come out to clarify that he has not defected to the so called Hustler nation movement, a tag the DP is using to woe voters towards his side ahead of 2022 general election.

The statement that was made by Waiganjo on Facebook was widely shared by Ruto’s online campaign team with some speculating that the lawyer’s sentiments meant he was in support of the DP’s 2022 presidential campaign.

Waiganjo however, said he was merely warning Ruto’s opponents against dismissing the hustler political movement.

“For the UNEQUIVOCAL record I am no part of the Hustler narrative. I know better. I’ve been around a long time. In any event I suspect it’s skin deep. Just do not dismiss it. In the meantime, Do not pigeon hole me,” he said in a Facebook post.

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Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party will hold its nominations on Thursday ahead of the upcoming Msambweni constituency mini polls.

The Orange party on Wednesday September 30, 2020 announced that the newly inaugurated National Elections Board under the leadership of Catherine Mumma had already put everything in place.

Two parliamentary seat aspirants namely Omar Idd Boga and Eng. Nicholas Zani will be fighting for the Orange party ticket.

“The newly inaugurated National Elections Board the leadership of Ms. Catherine Mumma is set for primaries in Msambweni Constituency tomorrow (Thursday). Two aspirants namely Omar Idd Boga & Eng. Nicholas Zani will be fighting for the party ticket,” ODM announced.

Msambweni Constituency by-election will be held on December 15.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said the by-election which was postponed in April will be held under strict COVID-19 regulations.

The seat fell vacant following the death of Suleiman Dori in March. The ODM MP succumbed to cancer.

Deputy President William Ruto had planned to front a candidate in the constituency perceived to be one of the Coast strongholds of Raila’s ODM.

But like his fate in government, politics of ‘handshake’ between President Kenyatta and Raila seem to have cost him yet another chance to prove his political mettle as he gears up for 2022 presidential race.

The second in command then met an independent candidate in the Msambweni by-election, just a day after the Jubilee Party announced it will not field a candidate in the mini poll.

The aspirant, Feisak Abdallah Bader, visited the DP at his Karen residence in the company Members of Parliament from coast region among them Nyali’s Mohammed Ali, Kilifi North’s Owen Mbaya, Lungalunga’s Khatib Mwashetani, Lamu East’s Athman Shariff and Malindi’s Aisha Jumwa.

Details of the meeting were not disclosed but Ruto on Wednesday last week said he will not shy off from supporting a candidate of his choice since the ruling party was not fielding an aspirant.

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A report by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has revealed that Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) procurement scandal saw Kenya lose Ksh.2.3 billion.

The report  tabled to the Senate on Wednesday shed light on how KEMSA violated several laws, leading to the staggering losses

The reports notes that for instance, some of the companies that were awarded multimillion tenders had only been around for a few months.

The auditor noted some of the companies that were awarded the contract were established in January and February this year, pointing to possible collusion.

The report also reveals fraud in procurement and collusion between Kemsa bosses and the companies that were awarded multi-billion shilling contracts.

The Senate heard that companies that had been around for less than year were awarded contracts without having the necessary qualifications to supply medical equipment.

According to the auditor, Kemsa over procured items with Sh6.3 billion which are still lying idle in its warehouses.

If the items are sold at the current market prices, Kemsa will only recover Sh4 billion, leading a whopping loss of Sh2.3 billion.

The report shows that Kemsa illegally and irregularly diverted monies meant for UHC to purchase Covid-19 items without approval of the Ministry of Health.

In recommendations to the Senate, the office of the Auditor General calls government agencies to conduct probe to establish criminality in the procurement process and collusion between the management and companies awarded the contracts.

The same report also wants KEMSA to withhold any further processing of COVID-19 related claims until an independent audit is done.

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Nancy Macharia

Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has issued new guidelines to teachers on anticipated reopening of schools.

The teachers’ employer on Wednesday September 30, 2020 announced that the reporting of teachers still stands as it had earlier been communicated.

The new guidelines have come barely two days after President Uhuru Kenyatta stated that he would only reopen schools after the Education and Health Ministries guarantee the safety of learners.

TSC boss Nancy Macharia stated that all teachers should report to their work stations, then the clock-in system be operationalised.

The school heads were further directed to have staff meetings to discuss the implementation of strategies on the resumption of teaching and learning.

Teachers will be tasked with developing timetables, preparation of schemes of work, working on the Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development (TPAD), and updating the Teachers Management Information System (TMIS).

Teachers will also be required to come up with psycho-social support systems to strengthen the guidance and counselling committee.

TSC further directed the tutors to develop strategies to ensure observance of the Ministry of Health protocols.

All schools are also instructed to establish a Covid-19 disaster management committee.

TSC added that it would conduct visits to schools to ensure compliance to the measures.

Earlier on, TSC stated that teachers who did not report at the set date would face dire consequences.

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Nyeri Town Member of Parliament Ngunjiri Wambugu has dismissed Deputy President William Ruto’s hustler movement.

Speaking in an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday night, Wambugu said DP Ruto’s philanthropic activities under the hustler nation movement where he has been donating wheelbarrows, handcarts, and other simple working tools is  ploy to deceive the youth into voting for him in 2022.

According to the Jubilee lawmaker, Ruto’s rise to power and wealth was enabled by former President Daniel arap Moi.

“The Deputy President is misleading the youth through this hustler nation charity projects. Ruto is today a very wealth man but when he was a hustler, back in his university days, he went to Moi and he was given prime land. He was given a job at YK92 and allowed to do big business with the government – that is how he acquired wealth. If he wants others to be like him, why not give them land and government jobs rather than mkokotenis?” Wambugu posed.

He added that many of those who voted for the DP would not have done so if they knew he would be spending every day campaigning for the Presidency.

Early this year, Ruto revealed that Moi gave him his first piece of land while he was in university which he later sold and bought his first car.

A day after skipping the national Covid-19 conference chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Ruto was back to dishing out ‘hustler’ goodies to youths at his Karen residence in Nairobi.

On Tuesday, the DP distributed several items, including wheelbarrows, to youths and women, and said, “Every hustle matters, creating and expanding each opportunity is a chance to make many dreams come true.”

The DP said that the insults from his critics will not stop him from reaching out to the youths who need his help.

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Jubilee party Vice chairman David Murathe has shed a light on on the intricate details that killed the bromance between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.

Murathe who was speaking in Nyeri on Tuesday afternoon said that Ruto’s rebellion caused the fallout between him and his boss.

He argued that the head of state was willing to campaign for DP Ruto in 2022 but the second in command ignore the President’s call to stop early campaigns, and just kicked of his early bid for State House.

“The president was even ready to campaign for the guy in 2022, but then Ruto thought, this guy is a sitting duck, I don’t need him and started his early campaigns,” he said.

Murathe also turned the blame finger at Ruto in some of Jubilee government’s unfulfilled promises.

“Ruto goes all over the country launching phantom projects which don’t happen, you saw the pledges he gave about the stadia, it has taken the involvement of the president to have the stadia done, you cannot give pledges without figuring out how that will be done,” he added.

While addressing the festering tensions between the two brother’s in politics, Murathe said that it likely Ruto will be leaving the Jubilee party in the coming day.

He claimed that several Ruto allies have in the recent past claimed they will vie in 2022 under different parties which may see the Ruto camp form its own political outfit.

“Listen to his allies, they are talking of going to the next polls with a different outfit, it is like a decision has been made, the other day he was at the headquarters, we gave him tea, he tried to reverse our decison in Mswambweni but it was not possible,” Murathe said.

Murathe went ahead to claim that Ruto currently has no job, adding that his roles have since been taken over by Interior CS Fred Matiang’i.

“He has no job if the president is around, his only job is to deputise in the president, you know his job was taken over by Fred Matiangi, he is the one in charge of coordinating other ministers, the things he used to do are being done by Matiang’i,” Murathe said

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Just a day after Deputy President William Ruto skipped the national Covid-19 conference chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday September 28, 2020, the second in command has emerged riding in a wheelbarrow.

The DP held an event at his Karen residence in Nairobi where he was meeting a group of youth.

He was dishing out goodies, among them wheelbarrows and handcarts.

In the event which singer Antoneosol was the MC, DP Ruto danced to the new gengetone song in which he has been featured, before taking to the wheelbarrow in what the MC termed as driving the hustler’s vehicle.

Ruto was then driven on a wheelbarrow a few meters as he jammed to the song ‘Mboka ni Mboka’ that was released by gengetone group ‘Wakali wao’ two days ago.

The DP distributed several items, including wheelbarrows, to youths and women, and said, “Every hustle matters, creating and expanding each opportunity is a chance to make many dreams come true.”

Langata MP Nixon Korir and nominated Senator Milicent Omanga are among politicians who were present.

Bishop Margret Wanjiru also was present, calling upon Kenyans to desist from politics of ethnicity.

Ruto was absent during the conference in which Uhuru announced an extension of the curfew for 60 days as well as reopening of bars. Some of the DP’s allies said it was hypocritical for Ruto to be invited to the national conference yet he had been locked out of other meetings.

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State House on Monday September 28, 2020 blacklisted and blocked Deputy President William Ruto and any name associated with him.

This happened during the Facebook livestreaming of Covid-19 conference that was held at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), an event that the second in command skipped despite being invited.

Comments containing names like Ruto, DP, William Samoei Ruto, hustler and WSR were blocked in the comments.

The comments of those who tried to comment using the blacklisted names had their comments blocked, with Facebook giving them a notification, “Your comment contains a  blacklisted word”.

The motive behind the decision is not clear.

However, this is not the first time State House is making such a controversy.

In August 2018, pictures posing with UK Prime Minister Theresa May  were deleted from the president’s Facebook account.

The two pictures, which showed DP Ruto shaking hands with Mrs May at State House Nairobi, were only restored after hawk-eyed Kenyans noticed.

More pictures of the DP at the State House function were only released to the DP’s communication team later and his followers started sharing them enthusiastically.

In March this year, photos taken during a Cabinet meeting and uploaded to State House’s social media platforms were deleted.

A dive into the thread after the images were uploaded showed that Kenyans expressed their joy at DP Ruto being present.

Several other remarks by netizens referred to the DP as the fifth president of the Republic of Kenya, noting it was time they heard him address the nation.

It did not take long for netizens to realise the images had been pulled down, not long after they had been posted.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta is on Wednesday September 30, 2020 expected to leave the country for France.

During his trip, the Head of State is expected to sign a public private partnership (PPP) deal worth Ksh 180 billion for the dualling of the Rironi-Nakuru-Mau summit road; a 190 kilometers stretch.

Kenyatta will meet up with President Emmanuel Macron at Elysee palace in Paris, where he will actualise the deal.

The road will reduce travel time for both people and goods and at the same time compliment the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) between Naivasha and Malaba border.

After a battle by french firms to clinch the Ksh 180 billion deal last year, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) awarded the tender to French Firm Meridiam International.

Others in the consortium include; Vinci Highways SAS and Vinci Concessions SAS.

The project will involve expansion of the 190-kilometre road into a four-lane dual carriageway from Rironi in Limuru to Mau Summit in Nakuru County.

Additionally, the work will involve the rehabilitation of the Mai Mahiu-Naivasha Road and the reaction of toll stations on the highway under a Public Private Partnership.

Transport CS James Macharia earlier stated that the cabinet’s precedence would be to have two PPP’s projects in order to ease traffic for motorists plying between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Westlands, and those who use the Nairobi-Naivasha-Nakuru highway.

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Celebrated media personality Betty Kyalo will vie for Nairobi County Woman Representative seat come 2022.

This was revealed by his rumored boyfriend, businessman Alinur Mohamed popularly known as the Somali Guy, on Sunday September 27, 2020 after a football tournament that had been organized by the businessman who is also eyeing the Kamkunji Parliamentary seat in 2022.

The two on Sunday attended the tournament’s final at California ward, Kamukunji Constituency.

Betty has however, not publicly declared her political ambitions.

“With next NAIROBI COUNTY WOMAN REP @BettyMKyallo & Hon. Samuel Masaki at the finals of Hon. Alinur Super cup at California Award, Kamukunji Constituency. Instilling culture of sports that enables mental & physical health & nurtures a community of young footballers is my priority,” Alinur posted.

She however, took to her Instagram account to post the details of the tournament, saying that she would return to the region later on if God wills.

“Had a great afternoon supporting my friend @honalinur in a fantastic tournament he organized in Carlifonia. Young people indeed need and deserve all the support and empowerment. Thank you to all the people who came and the love you showed me. I’ll be back God Willing❤️,” she posted.

She now joins her colleague Jacque Maribe who has also expressed her 2022 political ambitions, although she did not reveal where she will vie.

Besides having political ambitions, the two are rumoured to be seeing one another with many suspecting Alinur to be the mysterious ‘Somali guy’ that the media personality has been dating.

Even though Alinur has occasionally denied being the man behind Betty’s love life, it is their blossoming friendship that has kept the speculations rife.

In early July, the two posted a delightful date at the Flair by Betty Spa. According to Nur, they spent a long evening at the celebrity’s place.

This preceded a football date in which the two posted colourful photos of them together ahead of the FA Cup final clash between Arsenal and Chelsea.

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Singer Khaligraph Jones alias Papa Jones has been accused by his ex-lover Cashy Karimi Muriungi has accused him of neglecting his parental roles.

Miss Cashy has taken to social media to call out Khaligraph Jones for not supporting his son. In her tweet posted on Sunday September 27, 2o2o, Cashy called out the Hip-hop singer telling him that their son was sick and that he need a health insurance.

One of Kenyans on Twitter then took on Cashy, asking her if she did not have the singer’s phone number. She responded saying that she do have, but she has unsuccessfully tried to reach out to him.

She went ahead to say Khaligraph Jones was being negligent, despite efforts to engage him amicably.

“Niko nayo (phone number), yes. But hapatikani… my son is sick. In a Pandemic, and he is being negligent, despite my efforts to engage amicably. My child’s rights mean more than theatrics and showbiz,” she posted.

Cashy later shared documents sent to Khaligraph Jones by her lawyers saying parents should share equal responsibility when co-parenting. She argued that she has been taking their son to hospital alone since his birth.

“He is, and by all means his son as well. I have taken him to hospital, since conception he is now 2. and paid cash, with receipts that have been presented before my lawyers and his.Parents share equal responsibility, but even the law knows a child is where showbiz draws the line,” she responded to another question of if she had taken a step of taking the child to hospital.

Cashy Karimi Muriungi came to the limelight when she released the hit collabo Micasa Sucasa with her then-lover Khaligraph Jones.

They have a son (Xolani) who is now two years old.

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