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End Of Sailors Gang? Lexxy Yung Ditches Gengetone Group For Gospel

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Is the famous Gengetone music group Sailors Gang coming to an end?

Just late last year, Media personality Mwalimu Rachel issued a statement indicating that she would no longer be booking Gengetone artistes Sailors for any gigs.

In a post shared on her Instagram in November last year, Mwalimu Rachel said she will instead focus on introducing new talents through her company MRX Media.

According to the radio presenter, her company had overseen the growth of the group from onscurity to their current nationwide popularity.

Rachel went on to add that she was pleased with the work her team at MRX did to grow the Sailors brand.

And just a few months later, one of the members of the music group has announced that he was leaving the group to join the Gospel industry.

In an emotional message on his Instagram page, Lexxy Yung has announced that he will be seeking salvation in the gospel industry.

Lexxy however maintained that there was no love lost with the other group members who include Miracle Baby, Shalkido African Boy, Qoqosjuma and Masilver.

“Am sorry mabro for this..And it’s with many tears Bana ..tumekuwa pamoja have done alot and achieve alot mih l wish you all best in your journey.Mih nmeamua to take on gospel industry promise sitawainamisha uko. And promise to always have your backs GOSPEL ARTISTS HERE I COME,” Lexxy Yung posted. 

Last year, Mwalimu Rachel also emotionally responded to accusations of denying Sailors their YouTube channel, which had all their previous songs and millions of video views.

The Wamlambez hit makers revealed that she had demanded more than Sh1.5 million from the group before she could release the passwords, an allegation she did not deny, saying the group and their current handlers needed to pay her for her input in building and popularising their brand.

​The media personality discovered the Sailors and was their manager for over two years before they fell out last year and the group found a new record label.

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Politics

Blow To Uhuru, Raila As Ex-NASA Co-Principal Makes Comeback To Ruto’s Camp

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President William Ruto is yet again set to make another huge political score in his bid to consolidate his Rift Valley backyard ahead of his 2022 Presidential run.

Former Bomet governor Isaac Ruto, who was a NASA co-principle in the run to 2017 general elections will today (Friday, January 15)make a comeback to DP Ruto’s camp, handing his former ally-turned-foe a boost.

The DP is set to receive Rutto during an event to be held in Bomet in what is seen as part of his elaborate strategy to ring-fence his Rift Valley bastion ahead of next year’s election.

He will be in Bomet to commission several projects, hand over a bus to the National Super League side Silibwet FC and later preside over a fundraiser for boda boda Saccos in Sotik, among other events.

The former governor will meet the DP face to face for the first time since 2018, ushering in a new partnership to consolidate the region.

The DP, who has fallen out with President Uhuru Kenyatta, is keen to diminish pockets of rebellion in his backyard as he prepares for a presidential run next year.

On Sunday, Rutto said he is ready to support the DP for the country’s top post “if we agree on principle”.

“I am not in an alliance with anybody. After all, nobody has asked me to back him or her for presidency. If William seeks my support, we shall discuss, and if he supports the tenets CCM stands for – like devolving resources – then I will back him. There’s nothing personal,” he told the Sunday Nation.

The DP has been facing a threat that could have chipped away a section of his main support base after Rutto last year led his Chama Cha Mashinani party in signing a cooperation agreement with Jubilee Party.

When he signed the agreement, there was talk of major Cabinet changes that would have seen Rutto’s entry into Uhuru’s government in what would be a strategy to tame the DP in the Rift Valley.

His change of heart to join the DP camp could puncture the Building Bridges Initiative campaigns in the Rift Valley given that the CCM party leader was a key point man of the process in the region.

Kanu chairman Gideon Moi, the son of the country’s second President who also hails from the Rift Valley, is working closely with Uhuru after the Independence party signed a coalition agreement with Jubilee.

Rutto and Gideon had been seen as a political force that would have complicated the DP’s efforts to put the region under lock and key ahead of next year’s polls.

Rutto’s move to join the DP’s camp is seen as part of his plan to recapture the Bomet governor’s seat, which he lost to the late Joyce Laboso who was backed by Ruto in 2017.

Rutto and the DP have had frosty relations since 2013 and in the lead-up to the 2017 polls. They last met face to face in 2018 at a public function at Siongiroi in Chepalungu, Bomet county. 

They have not been seeing eye to eye, a situation that could complicate Rutto’s gubernatorial ambitions after staying in the political cold for five years.

The former governor is set for another political duel in his bid to oust incumbent Hillary Barchok. A week ago, Rutto was greeted with unfriendly chants at Kuresoi in Nakuru where he had made a stopover.

Angry youths demanded he join the wheelbarrow movement spearheaded by Ruto if he wanted to salvage his political future.

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Politics

Ruto Unveils Muthama Ngengele As His Candidate For Machakos By-election

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just a day after Jubilee party announced that it was not going to field candidates in the upcoming by-elections, Deputy President William Ruto has unveiled his preferred candidate in the upcoming Machakos Senator by-election.

The DP met Urbanus Muthama Ngengele, who will be seeking to take over from the late Senator Boniface Kabaka.

Ruto unveiled Ngengele on Thursday at his Karen residence, accompanied by a number of leaders including the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) chairman Johnson Muthama

The DP said that he is grateful to witness the partnership forged by the Machakos Senate by-election hopefuls in favour of Ngengele.

Ruto described Ngengele as a hustler from the county.

“Grateful to witness the partnership forged by the Machakos Senate by-election hopefuls in favour of Urbanus Mutunga Muthama Ngengele, a hustler from the county. Our gratitude to them for their audacity and leadership to cede their aspirations and back Ngengele for the race,” reads Ruto’s tweet.

The Independent and Electoral Commission announced that the Machakos senatorial by-election will be held on March 18.

Earlier on, the commission had set the by-election for March 23, but the date has been revised due to the national examinations.

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Crime & Investigations

Kirinyaga Pastor Sentenced To 140 Years In Jail For Defiling His Underage Daughters

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kirinyaga County Akorino pastor John Gichira, who pleaded guilty to defiling and impregnating his two daughters aged 14 and 16 years has been sentenced to 140 years in jail.

Senior Principal Magistrate Anthony Mwicigi ruled that the pastor will serve 70 years for each case, after defiling the girls.

On Thursday, January 7, the prosecution verified the girls’ birth certificate and ascertained that they were below 18 years, paving way for the magistrate to make his ruling on Thursday, January 14. 

Court documents disclosed that the suspect committed the offense on diverse dates between June 1, 2019, and June 30, 2019, and between August 1, 2020, and August 31, 2020, in Ndia Constituency.

The 51-year-old Akurino Pastor was arrested in early January 2021, after Woman Representatives Purity Ngirici (Kirinyaga) and Gladys Shollei (Uasin Gishu) led protests in Kirinyaga County.

The MPs also urged the mother of the victims to report the case to the police.

Police flushed him from a hideout in the county after tracking him down for one month.

Kirinyaga West Deputy County Commissioner, Moses Ivuto, said that he would ensure that the suspect never sets foot in the village as he was a threat to women and girls.

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Politics

Uhuru-Allied Governors In Closed-Door Meeting With Ruto

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

With only 18 months left to the 2022 general elections, Deputy President William Ruto has been positioning himself as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s successor.

The second in command has been working on strategies that will see him ascend to power come 2022.

As part of the strategy, the DP has been reaping big from leaders who have been decamping from President Kenyatta’s camp to his.

Details have now emerged that a group of governors who have been leaning towards President Kenyatta’s Kieleweke wing of Jubilee Party visited the recently launched Hustler Centre in Lavington, Nairobi. 

An insider intimated to a local daily that the county bosses held a closed-door meeting with the DP and his top strategists for more than an hour. 

According to the source, the meeting was a closely guarded affair. 

He insinuated that it is just a matter of time before they formally announce their defection to the hustler nation. 

However, the source did not list the names of the County Chiefs who met DP Ruto at Hustler Centre. The Centre acts as main offices for the newly launched United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party which is linked to the DP.

Leaders allied to President Kenyatta have been recently defecting to DP Ruto’s camp.

Nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura joined Ruto’s camp and tore into the President and his family at the homecoming of Msambweni MP Feisal Bader. The DP attended the meeting.

Besieged Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata on Wednesday skipped a top Jubilee meeting, triggering talk of his looming defection to DP Ruto’s camp.

Kang’ata, who had been invited to attend the meeting at Jubilee House in Pangani, Nairobi, did not show up.

The meeting was attended by Jubilee secretary general Raphael, Senate Deputy Majority leader Fatuma Dullo, National Assembly Majority leader Amos Kimunya and his deputy Jimmy Angwenyi.

National Assembly Majority Whip Emmanuel Wangwe, his deputy Maoka Maore and secretary to the Jubilee parliamentary group Adan Keynan also attended the meeting in which the party decided to pull out of three upcoming by-elections.

The no-show at the meeting – that culminated in a press conference – came a day after he reportedly rejected a push by the party honchos and President Uhuru  Kenyatta’s allies to withdraw the letter to the President.

Late last year, Kang’ata shocked the nation when he penned a letter to the President discrediting BBI’s popularity in Mt Kenya region, Uhuru’s political bastion. Uhuru’s men termed the move ‘disrespectful’.

In the letter, the senator told the President that the BBI referendum might fail in the region unless Uhuru and his handshake partner ODM leader Raila Odinga change their strategy.

He affirmed the position at a press conference in Parliament on Monday despite criticism and pressure to withdraw the letter and apologise to the head of state.

He cited opposition to the expanded Executive, the involvement of provincial administrations and campaigns by former MPs as some of the issues working against the initiative.

“Let us emphasise on the soft power and art of persuasion. In my humble view, the provincial administration in BBI process should be invisible,” he said.

Sources intimated that Jubilee bigwigs hosted Kang’ata for a meeting on Tuesday evening, where he was asked to retract the letter, but he declined.

Yesterday, Tuju and Dullo confirmed Tuesday’s meeting.

Kang’ata has been one of President Uhuru’s foot soldiers and most trusted lieutenants in the Mt Kenya region.

In May last year, Uhuru influenced his election as the Senate Majority Chief Whip following a meeting at State House where senators Susan Kihika (Nakuru) and Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet) – key allies of the DP – were kicked out as Majority Chief Whip and Majority leader, respectively.

Later, Kang’ata excited key party decisions by whipping party members to among others vote out Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki as Senate deputy speaker.

However, his letter and skipping party meetings have triggered murmurs and talks that he was on his way out of the President’s circles.

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Politics

Fireworks As Kang’ata Skips Jubilee’s Top Meeting, Dumped Uhuru For Ruto?

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Has Senate Majority whip Irungu Kang’ata decamped from President Uhuru Kenyatta’s camp to Deputy President William Ruto’s side?

Well, the Murang’a Senator’s no show at Jubilee party’s top meeting held at the party’s headquarters in Pangani, Nairobi on Wednesday has triggered a debate on whether the once Uhuru’s diehard has shifted camp.

Kang’ata failed to attend the meeting convened by the Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju, despite him having been invited.

Speaking to a local daily on why he skipped the meeting, the lawmaker stated that he was busy somewhere else and he could not make it.

Senate Deputy Majority leader Fatuma Dullo, National Assembly Majority leader Amos Kimunya and his deputy Jimmy Angwenyi, National Assembly Majority Whip Emmanuel Wangwe, his deputy Maoka Maore and secretary to the Jubilee parliamentary group Adan Keynan are some of the officials that attended the meeting in which the party decided to pull out of three upcoming by-elections.

The no-show at the meeting, that culminated in a press conference, came a day after Kang’ata reportedly rejected a push by the party honchos and President Uhuru  Kenyatta’s allies to withdraw his letter to the President.

Late last year, Kang’ata shocked the nation when he penned a letter to the President discrediting BBI’s popularity in Mt Kenya region, Uhuru’s political bastion. Uhuru’s men termed the move ‘disrespectful’.

In the letter, the senator told the President that the BBI referendum might fail in the region unless Uhuru and his handshake partner ODM leader Raila Odinga change their strategy.

He affirmed the position at a press conference in Parliament on Monday despite criticism and pressure to withdraw the letter and apologise to the head of state.

He cited opposition to the expanded Executive, the involvement of provincial administrations and campaigns by former MPs as some of the issues working against the initiative.

Sources intimated that Jubilee bigwigs hosted Kang’ata for a meeting on Tuesday evening, where he was asked to retract the letter, but he declined.

Yesterday, Tuju and Dullo confirmed Tuesday’s meeting.

“We held a leadership meeting yesterday, he was with us…. He is still our whip until otherwise he decides or any other things come up,” Dullo said.

But when asked whether he was ditching the President’s camp, Kang’ata replied, “I am fighting for the truth and rights. I don’t believe in Jubilee factions and divisions.”

At the press conference, Tuju and Maore said the party had not discussed punishing Kang’ata for his letter to the President.

Kang’ata has been one of President Uhuru’s foot soldiers and most trusted lieutenants in the Mt Kenya region.

In May last year, Uhuru influenced his election as the Senate Majority Chief Whip following a meeting at State House where senators Susan Kihika (Nakuru) and Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet) – key allies of the DP – were kicked out as Majority Chief Whip and Majority leader, respectively.

Later, Kang’ata excited key party decisions by whipping party members to among others vote out Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki as Senate deputy speaker.

However, his letter and skipping party meetings have triggered murmurs and talks that he was on his way out of the President’s circles.

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Politics

Raphael Tuju Speaks On His Relationship With Ruto’s Wheelbarrow Party

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Jubilee party Secretary General Raphael Tuju has broken his silence on the recently launched United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a party linked to Deputy President William Ruto.

Speaking during a press conference at the Jubilee headquarters, Tuju explained that UDA had only changed names from Party of Development and Reforms (PDR), a party that he founded in 2012.

“If you are confused, I am more confused because PDR was POA,” the Jubilee Secretary General stated.

Tuju asked the Senate Deputy Majority Leader Fatuma Dullo, who was elected on the PDR ticket, to set the record straight.

“Members of parliament who were elected on a PDR ticket have seen change of name the way you have seen in media.

“There have not been any consultations in terms of where sitting members are concerned, but more importantly PDR was a coalition partner with jubilee and that is why I was given a leadership position in senate,” Dullo stated, adding that PDR had not been deregistered

“As far as I am concerned, I am still within my coalition partner which is jubilee,” she stated.

Deputy President William Ruto’s affiliation with PDR dates back to 2017 when the party was hosted at DP’s previous private office in Nairobi CBD.

President Uhuru Kenyatta had acknowledged the party during the 2017 campaigns.

At the same time, Jubilee party indicated that no disciplinary action would be taken against Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kang’ata over BBI leaked letter.

The senator had expressed fears that he might be demoted.

Dullo stated that the party met with Kang’ata and a way forward would be communicated later.

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Crime & Investigations

Another Student Arrested For Threatening To Cut Deputy Principal Into Pieces

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just a day after a form three student was arrested for attacking and stabbing his two teachers at Kisii High School, another student has been arrested for plotting the act.

A form two student at Mokwerero secondary school was arrested for threatening a deputy Principal Jared Morara while armed with a panga and a sharpening file.

According to reports, the student threatened to slash the deputy Principal with a machete, which according to the county commissioner has not been established on how the boy made it to school with.

The principal Kennedy Ogecha called the assistant chief immediately and they rescued the deputy Principal from the boy who had vowed to eliminate him.

Nyamira County commissioner Amos Mariba has urged the school heads to ensure they do thorough frisking when students report back to school to curb such behaviours among the learners.

The incident happened at Manga Sub County Nyamira County. Investigations are ongoing as authorities hold the boy for interrogation.

Meanwhile, a 17-year-old Kisii School student on Tuesday denied attempting to kill two teachers at the institution.

The student denied the charges before Senior Resident Magistrate Onchoro when he was charged at the Kisii Law Courts.

SRM Onchoro released him on bond of Sh100, 000 or a cash bail of Sh50, 000 with surety of similar amount or be remanded at Manga Children’s Remand Home in Nyamira County as he was a student.

The student who was represented by advocate Ben Gichana was charged with attempting to kill Edward Mokaya and Elvis Maoto at the school’s staff room by stabbing them using a kitchen knife.

The prosecution led by Hillary Kaino did not oppose the release of the student.

“There is no compelling reason for us to oppose his release on bail,” Kaino told the court.  

The student was dressed in his full school uniform – a green sweater, white shirt and grey trousers and looked calm throughout the brief court appearance.

It is alleged he attacked Mokaya for punishing him for arriving to class late and Maoto for attempting to rescue his colleague who was under attack.

Mokaya who sustained four deep cuts on the head is admitted at Ram Hospital in Kisii while Maoto was treated and discharged.

The case will be mentioned on January 27 for a pre-trial.

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Politics

Jubilee Announces Major Plan To Counter The Ruto Wave In Nairobi By-election

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party has announced its plan in the upcoming by-elections across the country.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is expected to conduct by-elections in Nairobi (Gubernatorial), Matungu (Parliamentary), Machakos (Senatorial), Kabuchai (Parliamentary) and in various wards.

Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, January 13, at the Jubilee Party headquarters, Secretary General Raphael Tuju stated that they were monitoring the situation in court and how everything will play out, before giving directions on the way forward.

“As for Nairobi’s seat of Governor [sic] we are on standby mode as the matter plays out in the High Court and Nairobi County Assembly,” he said.

The Nairobi mini polls set for February 18, were suspended pending the hearing and determination of former Governor Mike Sonko’s appeal on his impeachment. 

Sonko is also engaged in another court case against Ann Kananu Mwenda, whose nomination as deputy governor he is said to have revoked. 

The court, however, declined to stop the planned vetting of Kananu who was represented by senior counsel Paul Muite. 

Jubilee is said to be considering BBI Secretariat co-Chair Dennis Waweru as the candidate to battle it out with UDA’s Margaret Wanjiru.

Tuju also announced that the party would not be fielding candidates in the Machakos, Matungu and Kabuchai by-elections. 

He added that Jubilee was engaging ODM, Wiper, ANC and Ford Kenya in the listed polls. 

Jubilee has avoided facing off with the Deputy President William Ruto-linked United Democratic Alliance party, which has already announced it’s participation in the Machakos, Matungu and Kabuchai by-elections.

Wiper has fielded Agnes Kavindu who is UDA Chairman Johnstone Muthama’s ex-wife for the Machakos by-election. 

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Politics

New Details Reveal The Real Masterminds Behind Kang’ata’s BBI Letter To Uhuru

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Fresh details have emerged, revealing how the letter addressed to President Uhuru Kenyatta by Senate Majority leader Irungu Kang’ata on the alleged unpopularity of BBI in Mt. Kenya, was carefully drafted.

According to the details, the Murang’a Senator had held a series of consultations that culminated in a secretive night meeting held at his Grogan home in Murang’a on New Year’s eve. 

Reports indicate that the meetings had been prompted by Jubilee Party and Governor Mwangi Waria’s Civic Renewal Party (CRP) losses in a by-election held in Gaturi ward, Murang’a on December 15, 2020.

Kang’ata is said to have held a meeting on the night of December 31st in which he carefully vetted attendees. A source revealed that 24 people were present, 3 from each of the sub-counties. 

Strategists who have guided the Senator in his political career were also present. 

The meeting was dominated by a popularity analysis of the Tanga Tanga and Kieleweke factions, after which Kang’ata was asked to chart a new political journey, starting with a candid report to President Kenyatta.

“He (Kang’ata) was told to tell the president that people were complaining of being forced into unpalatable political formations, was reeling under policy-driven business hardships and that generally, the president had become a stranger to them hence rebellion against him and his administration was at their peak,” the source was quoted by a local daily as saying.

In the course of the meeting, the delegates are said to have questioned Kang’ata’s alliance with the Kieleweke faction. 

Joshua Kimani, who spoke to the local daily revealed that the senator was informed of Tanga Tanga’s popularity in the region.

“The senator urged us to be as truthful as possible with him because he wanted to ensure his 2022 contest for Murang’a governor would be premised on the political pulse of the county. We were all unanimous that, first, he was in the wrong wing of politics. We told him point-blank that how he was used by Kieleweke to de-whip Tanga Tanga loyalists had eroded his standing in Murang’a, and that, unless he remedied the situation, he was walking into his political gallows,” Kimani was quoted as saying.

The Senate Chief Whip was advised that there was little chance that he would be elected Murang’a Governor in 2022, so long as he continued to associate himself with the Kieleweke faction aligned to President Kenyatta, ODM Leader Raila Odinga, and former presidential candidate Peter Kenneth.

Kang’ata prides himself in not having lost any election since joining politics in 2002, at a tender age of 21 years. 

“We made our case very well and backed it with actual evidence that is in the public domain. We told Kang’ata that if the Kieleweke 2022 ticket was the one being sold by the Handshake team with Raila Odinga as President and Peter Kenneth as his running mate, then he had better kiss his Murang’a gubernatorial ambitions goodbye,” Kimani added.

“As a Jubilee die-hard loyal to President Kenyatta, I saw it wise to collect that intelligence and compile it and bring it to the attention of the party and its leader,” Kang’ata is quoted as saying when he revealed that the meeting at his home was heated.

The letter by Kang’ata to President Kenyatta was dated December 30, however, it has been established that it had been authored on December 31, 2020, before hitting the headlines on January 3, 2021.

Kang’ata informed the President of the political landscape in the Mount Kenya region with regard to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), and his findings rubbed off pro-BBI champions the wrong way.

In the letter, Kang’ata urged that the BBI consider adopting two pet lines – a consensus-oriented process that would see the referendum bear multiple questions- something that has through the course of the report been championed b Deputy President William Ruto.

Critics of the letter have since accused Kang’ata of playing sideshows and that he was rejoining Tanga Tanga.

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Crime & Investigations

Exposed: Dirty tendering deals at KPA, Engineer Tai, acting procurement manager leading the trail

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Dear Daily Trends,

Hide my identity

I would like to further expose the rot in tendering process at the Kenya Port Authority (KPA) it is facilitated by head of terminal engineer Tai and the acting procurement manager.

The part of the syndicate which is linked to and protected by the ministry of transport the corruption levels are so high that the winners of ongoing tenders are already known.

The empty container reach stacker kpa 093/2020-21TE which is a multi-million shilling stone that will be won by Kalmar fronted by a local company known as powerparts , the technical specifications have been manipulated from the norm to meet the requirements of the procurement act but favour kalmar.

Interested reputable companies like sunny Ferrari fantuzzi ii-tc have cleverly been eliminated before tendering by KPA.

This is been achieved by buying a bigger and economic equipment to favour one company which eventually favour one company which will eventually of a price in order to raise money for brides the budget has been set incredible hi to offer room for overriding since the tender has been reduced to a one company affair powerparts.

The owner is known to host kps staff kids who study abroad in the UK power parts has never been investigated for all routes illegal activities in kPa despite numerous outcries a multi-billion ship to store (sts) crane tender no: kpa /092/2020-2021/cce, will be won by a local Mombasa politician.

This tender falls in the STS tender conventional cargo department but specifications were made by the head of terminal engineering to favour zpmc and therefore award the tender.

It is well known that the technical committee evaluation is influenced by cartels who have the procurement manager compromised in their favour.

This alone has led to numerous gender-related cases for instance the last reach stacker tender the tendering process at kPa is a mere shyam because tender awards and negotiated by cartels.

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Politics

ODM Forced To Clarify On How Former MP Were Was Picked For Matungu By-election

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has come out to clarify on the creteria that was used to land on former Matungu MP David Aoko Were as their preferred candidate in the upcoming mini polls.

In a statement issued on Wednesday January 6, the Orange party stated that three interested persons namely David Were, Paul Posho and Jeremiah Namunyu visited Chungwa House in December last year and picked nomination forms.

By close of business on the 24th December which was the deadline, ODM says only David Were had returned the forms.

“CLARIFICATION ON MATUNGU: Three interested persons namely Hon. David Were, Mr. Paul Posho & Mr. Jeremiah Namunyu visited Chungwa Hse in Dec. last year & picked forms. By close of biz on the 24th Dec which was the deadline, only David Were returned the forms. The other two did not,”ODM said.

https://twitter.com/TheODMparty/status/1346791443332009986?s=20

ODM settled on David Were as its candidate for the Matungu by-election. 

Were was handed a direct ticket by the Orange party, a move that has not gone down well with rivals who have vowed not to support him in the March 4 mini-poll.

According to ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the former legislator was awarded the party ticket after meeting set requirements.

In Were, Sifuna said the party had a strong candidate with the capacity to clinch the seat that fell vacant after the death of Justus Murunga on November 14, last year.

He will now face ANC candidate Peter Nabulindo and about 10 independent candidates, including Benard Wakoli who decamped from Ford Kenya after the party leadership withdrew from the race in support of the ANC candidate.

Were served as the MP for Matungu from 2002 to 2017 when he lost to Murunga.

He vied on Jubilee party ticket in 2017, having fallen out with the Orange party leadership.

Paul Achayo, a newcomer, clinched the ODM ticket but performed dismally after a section of voters branded him an ‘outsider’ from neighbouring Butere constituency.

Achayo ditched ODM two weeks ago, accusing the party of resorting to undemocratic tendencies.

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Politics

Junet Breathes Fire Over Senator Kang’ata’s Leaked BBI Letter To Uhuru

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Secretariat Co-Chairman Junet Mohamed has hit out at Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kang’ata over his leaked letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Junet questioned the timing of Kang’ata’s poll that was recorded in the letter, as the public were engaged in festivities and noted that the opinion is based on his claims.

“I don’t come from that area (Mount Kenya) so I cannot confirm what (Mr) Kang’ata is saying but this is the gospel according to Kang’ata. He may have his own opinion but I don’t know when Kang’ata became a pollster in this country.

“The last time I checked, he was Majority Whip in the Senate but today we are seeing  Kang’ata who is a pollster and who can go and commission an opinion poll within the Christmas period,” said Junet.

The Suna East MP insisted that the BBI secretariat is currently engaged in the verification of the collected signatures.

He becomes the highest-ranking official in the BBI team to respond to the letter which has been widely circulated since its release on Sunday, January 3rd. 

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) began the process of signature verification on Thursday, December 31 to get one million credible signatures and meet the constitutional threshold.

In the letter to Uhuru, Kang’ata warned that the provincial administration’s role in the BBI process was contributing to its unpopularity. 

“The role of the provincial administration & other forms of hard tactics in BBI mobilization is being framed as an example of government using its hard power to force citizens to endorse BBI. I propose we find ways of government wears velvet gloves.”

“Based on a survey I conducted during the December 2020 holidays, I have to the conclusion, BBI is unpopular in Mt Kenya… Out of every 10 persons I surveyed, six opposed it, two support it, and two others are indifferent,” his letter read in part.

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How To Apply For IEBC BBI Verification Clerk Jobs, Earn Sh1200 Daily

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Are you a form four leaver, possess basic computer skills and you are in need of a job? Are you aware of the IEBC BBI signature verification jobs?

Well, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is calling for applications for the posts of signature verification clerks ahead of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) verification process.

In a notice on Saturday, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati said they will need 400 personnel for the verification process.

They will be paid Sh1,200 per day for the exercise. This will cost Sh480,000.

Applicants should be Kenyan citizens with high integrity,  hold a form four certificate, be computer literate, have data entry skills and must be available for the entire period.

Also, applicants should be from Nairobi county if not, interested candidates should arrange for their own accommodation during that period, Chebukati said.

The deadline for the application is December 24,2020 and applications must be done online.

The National Treasury approved Sh93.7 million funding to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for the verification of BBI signatures.

Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani approved the amount after deliberations with IEBC managers.

The IEBC sought Sh241 million from the exchequer to review the signatures recently presented by the BBI Secretariat.

The money would be used to hire and train clerks who will verify the signatures. This process would take 85 days to complete.

Yatani revealed this on a day when ODM leader Raila Odinga asked IEBC commissioners to resign to pave way for a new team.

Yesterday, Raila dismissed the electoral commission demands for more money for verification of the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill signatures and referendum.

He accused the commissioners of planning to sabotage the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) process, saying they continue to earn huge salaries despite not having work to do after elections.

Yesterday, IEBC posted on Twitter that it would proceed with the verification exercise. It explained that to undertake the verification, it needs to hire data entry clerks, conference facilities, accommodation and stationery.

To apply for the above post, follow this link . If the link https://www.iebc.or.ke/iebcjobs/#no-back-button fails to work, visit the IEBC’s official website at www.iebc.or.ke forward slash, iebcjobs.

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Entertainment

KFCB Sore Over Loutish Mbogi Genje Kisima Award Win

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

After a seven-year hiatus characterized by allegations of high handedness and corruption, the 2020 Kisima Film and Music Awards was finally held on Sunday 13th December at the Sarit Expo Center in Westlands.


The organizers had promised a flawless process that embraced a pan African outlook adding film categories to their repertoire thus it was a no brainer when ‘clean’ content champions Kenya film and classification board (KFCB) sponsored the rejuvenated Awards.


According to Dr Ezekiel Mutua, the partnership with KISIMA was a perfect nexus with their ‘Sinema mashinani’ initiative. Further, they had agreed to partner in nurturing raw talent with emphasis on ‘clean’ content.


It came as a shock however when Genge tone group Mbogi Genje were nominated and even more shocking when the group won best group award beating Kenya’s favourite boy band Sautisol.

KFCB CEO Dr Ezekiel Mutua. Photo/Courtesy


A clearly disappointed Dr Ezekiel Mutua, took to his social media platforms to distance himself from the Mbogi Genje win; ’While I support the public’s right to choice and vote, it was my understanding that by sponsoring this Awards, KFCB’s clean content mandate would be upheld. Dr Mutua added that he has nothing personal against the new school rap group but is against people sanitizing vulgarity.

‘’We stand on the pedestal of promoting clean content, and we shall remain focused, morality cannot be traded as art “He added.

Photo/Courtesy.

Zamaradi Media’s Dream Child Film scooped the clean content award in tandem with efforts to promote child friendly content and to encourage compliance with content regulations and procedures including adherence to film licensing and classification guidelines.

The clean content award winner received a Ksh 1,000,000 award from KFCB.
Dream Child was nominated in five categories including Best feature film, Best lead actor, Best supporting actor and Best supporting actress.
Kenya Film Classification board had sponsored the award with an agreement that artistes with clean content, rooted in the African story and those that promote clean morals would be feted.

Just recently, Dr Mutua at a press conference pleaded with creatives to desist from corrupting young minds with vulgar content. Kenya Film and Classification Board had sponsored the Kisima awards to the tune of Ksh 5,000,000.


The awards were also attended by Devolution CS, Eugene Wamalwa and former Nairobi Town clerk Philip Kisia.
CS Wamalwa also supported KFCB’s drive for clean content while awarding the cash prize.

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Politics

Senator Ledama Wants Nairobi MCAs, Speaker Jailed For Impeaching Sonko

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has called for the arrest and prosecution of all Members of Nairobi County Assembly who participated in the impeachment of governor Mike Sonko.

Taking to his official Twitter account on Sunday, December 6, the ODM lawmaker said that the MCAs including the City Assembly speaker and clerk disobeyed court orders in their process to impeach the embattled governor.

Ledama insisted that there is no one that is above the law, including the head of state.

He accused those who participated in the impeachment process against governor Sonko, of defying a court order.

He went further to say that they must be cited for contempt, fined and jailed. Ledama argued that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

“No one is above the law! We must obey Court Orders! Not even the President! Nairobi MCA’s including the clerk and the speaker who defied the court order and impeached @MikeSonko must be cited for contempt, fined and jailed. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty!” tweeted senator Ledama.

Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka has already confirmed receiving a notice from the Nairobi County Assembly seeking to impeach Governor Sonko.

Lusaka said that plans are underway to call for a special sitting next week, including the collection of 15 signatures required to call for the sitting.

Senate will then start the process of hearing the charges against the governor, after which they will uphold or vote against the impeachment motion.

88 out of 122 MCAs voted to remove Sonko from office, on grounds of;

i) Gross Violation of the Constitution or any other law (the County Governments Act, 2012, the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2015 and the Public Finance Management Act, 2012)

ii) Abuse of office and

iii) Crimes under National Law.

Two MCAs opposed the vote while twenty others abstained.

The motion to impeach Sonko was moved by Minority Leader Michael Ogada.

Nairobi County Assembly. Photo/courtesy

The Members of County Assembly said that Sonko had failed to approve the Sh37.4 billion budget to facilitate operations undertaken by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).

However, Sonko’s allies, whom he had taken to Mombasa for vacation, claimed that Thursday’s voting was fraudulent because they were logged into the assembly’s system despite their mobile phones being off.

Sonko had taken about 57 MCAs to Diani, to deny the County Assembly quorum to oust him.

Sonko had earlier on petitioned the High Court to stop the ouster, arguing it was “illegal and unconstitutional.”

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