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Raila to Stay in Dubai Longer, Wife Reveals Why

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga will stay longer in Dubai after undergoing a minor surgery, his wife Ida Odinga has said.

Speaking to The Standard Newspaper, Ida revealed that her husband was successfully treated of a nerve disorder affecting one leg.

revealed that the condition resulted in pain in the affected leg adding that she stayed in contact with him on an hourly basis.

She, however, noted that Odinga might not be coming home soon as he needs more time to rest.

According to Ida, many people would be flocking the home to see him if, was he around. She noted that each visitor always wants at least to talk to him thus eating away into his recovery time.

She also cited that since there are no commercial flights currently, the family will have to charter a plane if Raila was to come back. She noted that the process will be kicked off once he fully recovers.

She dismissed as “rumours” reports on social media that Odinga was receiving cancer treatment in China.

Raila’s brother Oburu Odinga was the first person to dispel rumours of the former Prime Minister being in China last week. He stated that Raila had undergone a back surgery and was responding well to treatment.

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Latest NewsLifestyle

First Time MP From Western Among 6 MPs With Covid-19, One in ICU

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A first-time MP from western Kenya is said to have contracted coronavirus.

This is after reports emerged that at least six lawmakers have tested positive for Covid-19, with one of them said to have been in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at a City Hospital.

The first term MP from Western is said to have contracted the virus after interacting closely with the colleague who is in ICU, while another is a Coast MP.

The lawmakers who have tested positive are currently admitted at different hospitals with Nairobi.

According to The Standard,  many other legislators who had come into contact with their positive colleagues rushed to get tested during the weekend, raising fears that the number of the positive cases could rise once their results are released.

Among those said to be in the hospital is a ranking member of the National Assembly, who by virtue of his office, is feared to have exposed himself to many of his colleagues.

Sources who spoke to the local daily revealed that at least 20 lawmakers who rushed to take Covid-19 tests.

The results for those who took tests over the weekend are expected to be out in the course of today (Monday June 29).

However, Clerk of the National Assembly Michael Sialai who was also quoted by the local daily said that the National Assembly’s administration was not aware of any Covid-19 case among the MPs or members of staff, but added that since medical matters are a private affair, they would not know unless the affected publicly disclose their status.

The spread of the virus to Parliament could slow down the efforts to contain the virus and stop its spread to counties given that legislators are often travelling from Nairobi to their constituencies, always interacting with their voters.

The ripple effect that would be occasioned by Covid-19 cases in Parliament could lead to the closure of the august House as has happened with State House where President Uhuru Kenyatta has been forced to operate remotely after four staff members tested positive.

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Crime & Investigations

Criminals Captured on CCTV Camera Robbing Pedestrian in Kilimani Arrested

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested suspects who were captured on CCTV camera robbing a pedestrian along Lenana road in Kilimani area, Nairobi on 25th June, 2020.

The DCI has this morning revealed that the four suspects have been arrested by detectives based at Kilimani and several items recovered.

Image

The four were tracked down to their hideouts in Kawangware, Gatina and Pangani.

The suspects are are the 27 year old Timothy Jahan Muzami alias ‘Timo’ captured on camera hitting the victim with a firearm on the forehead, Humphrey Minyata alias “Daddy” aged 23 years captured on camera pointing the victim with a sharp knife, Mary Wambui aged 23 years old believed to be an accomplice who was harbouring the gang in her house at Pangani and Ali Musa alias ‘Ally’ aged 26 years old who was arrested during the operation and believed to be an associate of the gang.

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Crime & Investigations

Ruto, His Vocal Ally And Other Senior Gov’t Officials Mentioned in Major Land Scandal

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

High ranking politicians, senior government officials and some business personalities have greatly been mentioned in Ngong Forest land’s saga.

Former politician-turned business personalities including former Kiambaa MP Stanley Munga Githunguri, former Konoin MP Samuel Koech and current Bahati MP and close ally of Deputy President William Ruto Onesmus Kimani Ngunjiri are some of the politicians mentioned in a list released by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry on Friday as having benefited from the irregular allocations of the undegazetted Ngong forest land.

Mr Koech was most probably the biggest individual beneficiary, with an allocation of 132 acres in 1998. Most of this land has since been sold off to other buyers over the years.

Ngunjiri is said to hold 18.24 acres of the forest land and Mr Githunguri 9.24 acres allocated in 1978.

A former board member of the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Maj Gen Njoroge is also a holder of the purported titles of land appropriated from the forest’s land.

Others named on the list are Emos Muyaa, Jane Nduku, Peter M, M.K Melil, James Mureithi, M.G.L. Aluoch, P. Kamuithi, L. Yatich, Zipporah Wangithi, D.M. Marindamy, S. Bundotich, Dr.Baksh, J.Sigei, J.N Mauki and D.M Kimoro.

Other allottees are hidden under shadowy company names, including some whose names have only been revealed due to ongoing legal battles over the sale of the questionably acquired land.

These include Ankhan Holdings – a company associated with Jonathan Moi, Sammy Boit Kogo and Hubert Nyambu Mwakibwa, which received 1,000 acres in 1992.

The ownership of Ankhan Holdings was only revealed through court proceedings and documents used to give the firm ownership of the land. The land, which was later sold to the National Social Security Fund, has been at the centre of a court battle after the Kenya Forest Service made advances to repossess it.

DP Ruto and former President Daniel Arap Moi’s personal assistant Joshua Kulei are said to have allegedly sold part of the forest to the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).

A former lands commissioner, Sammy Mwaita, was accused alongside Ruto and Kulei of defrauding KPC of Sh272 million through sale of undegazetted forest near Bomas of Kenya.

At gazettement, in 1932, the forest measured 7,231.6 acres, at independence in 1964 it had shrunk by nearly half to 3,722.5 acres due to further excisions, and then by 1978 it had contracted even more to 3,283.27 acres.

Now the government has said it plans to revoke all documents issued after the 1978 legal notice.

Churches with land inside the forest including Nairobi Chapel, Mugumoini PCEA church and St Francis ACK Church have not been spared in the purge either.

According to the ministry, illegal allocations were done by the commissioner of lands. The allocations were also recommended for revocation by the Ndung’u Report.

Environment CS Keriako Tobiko, during an aerial tour of the Ngong Road forest last week said state agencies had also been used as conduits to receive land that was also sold off to individuals.

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Entertainment

Churchill Show Comedian Dies

by Nathan Sialah
written by Nathan Sialah

Former Churchill Show comedian Kasee has been confirmed dead. The comedian whose death reports emerged on Sunday June 28 is said to have been suffering from alcoholism for a year. 

Through his official Twitter account, his former Employer Daniel Ndambuki alias Churchill confirmed the death of the comedian.

Reports indicate that the body of the comedian was found around Kinoo area but the cause of the death is yet unclear.

A local new outlet reported that Comedians Chairperson of Kenya Ken Waudo said that Kasee might have taken a contaminated drink in one of his drinking sprees.

It is reported that he went drinking with his friends but did not return until he was found dead on Sunday evening.

The comedian was first reported ill last year after watching his dreams of becoming a comedy great dwindle.

His health status was reported to be worrying and it was feared he might get mental problems if not assisted. At the time, he was said to be staying in Kangemi, but whereabouts about his exact location were unknown.

Kenyans have taken to Social media to pour in their condolences to the family of the comedian.

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Lifestyle

Distribution of New Covid-19 Cases by Counties

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya has registered 259 new Covid-19 positive cases. This brings to 6,070 the total number of confirmed cases in the country.

Speaking at Afya House on Sunday 28th June during the daily Covid-19 updates, Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Mercy Mwangangi said the new cases were recorded after conducting 2718 tests in the last 24 hours.

Thirty five patients have recovered from the disease, with two succumbing bringing the total to 1971 and 143 respectively.

Lamu County has also become the 41st county to report a coronavirus case.

The cumulative number of tests conducted so far is now 165,196. Of the 259 new cases, the youngest is 8 month old infant while the oldest is 92-years-old.

The cases are distributed in counties of Nairobi (127 cases), Mombasa (39), Kiambu (22), Machakos (16), Busia (11), Makueni (nine), Nakuru (nine), Uasin Gishu (nine), Kilifi (five), Kajiado (three), Kisumu (two), Lamu (two) Garissa (two), Marsabit (two) and Kwale (one) case.

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Sirisia MP John Waluke
Crime & Investigations

Waluke’s Wife Begs Public to Help Her Raise Ksh 727m to Save Husband From Prison

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Sirisia MP John Waluke’s wife Roselyn Waluke is now pleading for financial assistance from the public to raise the huge fine imposed by the court to keep the lawmaker from prison.

Waluke’s wife on Sunday June 28, 2020 urged well-wishers to channel their donations on phone even as the family races to get an M-Pesa Paybill number.

“You are aware of our problem and I thank those who have stood with us during this challenging time and kindly continue praying for us. We are requesting for your financial assistance. Kindly channel your financial support to my number 0728732542 as we wait for an M-Pesa Paybill number,” said the MP’s wife.

Waluke is in prison following his sentencing on Thursday, June 25, when the Anti-Corruption Court in Nairobi fined him Sh727 million for the five counts he was convicted of in the Sh297 million National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) maize tender scandal.

Waluke was sentenced alongside his co-accused Grace Wakhungu by Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Juma who said that the offenses they committed were serious.

Waluke and his co-accused Grace Wakhungu will pay a combined fine of about Sh2 billion or serve 39 years in prison after they were found guilty of defrauding a State agency. The sentences will run consecutively.

They were whisked to prison to begin their jail term Thursday evening after the court declined to suspend their sentence.

Sentencing the two, Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Juma said the offence they committed was serious. She added that the two and their company took advantage of a dire situation, as Kenya faced a drought, to defraud the National Cereals and Produce Board.

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Latest NewsLifestylePolitics

VIDEO: Joho Gives Update on Raila’s Health Condition After Undergoing Surgery in Dubai

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho has updated Kenyans on Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga’s health condition after he underwent a minor surgery in United Arab Emirates.

Joho through a video posted on his official twitter handle on Friday June 26, 2020 revealed that he had spoken to Raila who is recuperating in a German Hospital in Dubai.

The ODM Deputy party leader noted that Raila was fairing on well, and that he well soon jet back into the country.

He urged Kenyans to continue praying for him, reminding them that leaders, like any other person are humans, and they can fall sick and seek treatment.

Joho further pointed out that Raila is human and faces the same challenges human being face in life.

“He has undergone a procedure but let us not forget even our leaders are still human beings and sometimes have to be tested, sometimes they have to be sick and treated, sometime they have to deal with issues that every human being goes through but the best we could do is pray for them,” said Joho.

Raila’s brother and family spokesperson Dr Oburu Oginga, told a local daily that the former prime minister left the country on Sunday for the United Arab Emirates.

“Jakom (Raila) is out of the country for a minor surgical operation on his back. It is not a serious health issue, but just a minor one. So, he’s okay,” Oburu said.

Oburu further revealed that Raila, 75, was admitted to a German hospital in Dubai.

Without disclosing the name of the facility, Oburu said: “The Germans have a good hospital facility in the Arabian country where he’s being monitored.”

He dismissed social media reports that Raila had gone to China for treatment.

“He’s not in China. The last time he was there, I think, was in November last year before the coronavirus pandemic. Right now, if you want to go there, you must be ready for a 14-day military quarantine. That’s not tenable, so there is no way he could have gone there,” he said.

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Crime & Investigations

Court Summons DCI Boss George Kinoti Over Rashid Echesa’s Vehicles

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti has been summoned to appear before Court for disobeying a court order directing the release of motor vehicles belonging to former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa.

A Kiambu Court Magistrate in an order issued on Friday June 26, 2020 directed Mr Kinoti to appear in court on July 3 to explain why the vehicles had not been released as directed.

According to the magistrate, the vehicles, Toyota Lexus, Ford Ranger and a Mercedes Benz E-350 were not part of the search warrant as issued by the court.

“You are hereby required to attend this court at 8am on July 3, 2020 in the above case to explain why you have not released motor vehicle as ordered by the court in the above case and remain in attendance until released,” reads the summon.

The order to release the three vehicles was issued by Senior Principal Magistrate Stella Atembo had on June 10.

The Magistrate ruled that the motor vehicles were seized without “any support or any law of order of the court with sufficient reasons contravenes the constitution which provides for the right to private property and opportunity to be heard.”

The vehicles were part of five vehicles impounded by the DCI at Echesa’s Karen home in March.

A Passat KAY 388A, KBZ 009J Toyota LandCruiser V8 and KBN 242N Toyota Mark X are said to have belonged to a Kisumu resident Esther Kabura.

Kabura accused the former minister of stealing her late husband’s Sh12 million luxury vehicles in 2016.

According to the widow, Echesa promised to look after her deceased spouse’s vehicles as she was involved in a family tussle but declined to release them after the demise of her husband.

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Crime & Investigations

Waluke Has Been Jailed for Enjoying The Benefit of a Lawful Court Order

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former kakamega senator Boni Khalwale has claimed that Sirisia Member of Parliament John Waluke has been jailed for enjoying the benefits of a lawful court order.

Taking to his official twitter account a day after the sentencing of the lawmaker and his co-accused, Khalwale argued that the arbitration court ordered the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to pay Waluke the Sh 297 million for breach of contract for supply of maize.

Khalwale further argues that the NCPB unsuccessfully challenged the order in both the High and Appeal Courts.

“Arbitratuon Court ordered NCPB to pay Hon Waluke Sh 297 million for breach of contract for supply of maize.NCPB unsuccessfully challenged this in both the High & Appeal Courts. Waluke has been jailed for enjoying the benefit of a lawful court order! System Ya Majambazi,” he tweeted.

Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi has also faulted the historic graft ruling in the case involving the Sirisia MP and his co-accused Grace Wakhungu.

Taking to his official twitter account on Friday morning, Havi termed Waluke and Wakhungu’s conviction as fraudulent.

According to Havi, Waluke and Grace Wakhungu contracted with the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB). In this case, Havi says, NCBP breached the contract.

He says the arbitrator ordered the payment and the award was enforced by the High Court. While justifying that the accused people committed no crime, Havi noted that NCPB lost before High Court and Court of Appeal and paid the decree.

“John Waluke and Grace Wakhungu contracted with NCPB. NCBP breached the contract. Arbitrator ordered payment. Award was enforced by High Court. NCPB lost before High Court and Court of Appeal and paid the decree. How can that be a crime? Do not celebrate fraudulent convictions,” he tweeted.

Waluke and his co-accused will pay a fine of close to Sh2 billion or serve at least 39 years in prison after they were found guilty of defrauding the state agency.

While sentencing the two, Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Juma said the offences they committed were serious. She added that the two and their company took advantage of a dire situation in the country, as Kenya faced a drought, to defraud the NCPB.

The magistrate said there were aspects in the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA) that are mandatory and the court had no option but to pass sentence as prescribed in the law.

But where the court has discretion, Ms Juma said she would exercise it judiciously. On the first count of uttering a false document, the court directed Ms Wakhungu to pay a fine of Sh100,000 or serve one year in prison.

Grace Wakhungu and MP John Waluke in Court on Thursday June 25, 2020. PHOTO/COURTESY

She was further directed to pay another fine of Sh100m for purgery or serve another year in jail. 

Both the convicts and the company were directed to pay a fine of Sh626 million each or serve seven year in jail for receiving fraudulent payment from NCPB.

Waluke will pay Sh726 million for his sins. He will also shoulder Sh313 million, which is half the amount the court fined Erad Supplies & General Contractors Ltd. Waluke and and his accomplice Grace Wakhungu were co-directors of Erad.He, however, has a right of appeal.

The court also paved way for the NCPB to go after the two convicts’ assets to recoup Sh297 million that it lost.

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Politics

Tangatanga Reserves The Hustlers Alliance Party of Kenya After Losing Jubilee Asili Brand

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Political leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto have reserved The Hustlers Alliance Party of Kenya with the Registrar of political parties after losing the Jubilee Asili brand, ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale has claimed.

According to Etale, the tanga tanga faction of the ruling Jubilee party was set aback after losing the recently unveiled Jubilee Asili Center brand.

This is after a businessman named Andrew Simiyu tried to reserve the name in a letter dated June 18, 2020, but Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu in her response said that the name cannot be registered since it was bearing some similarities with another party.

“This is to inform you the name suggested is not in compliance with section 8 of the Political Parties Act, 2011. Further and without prejudice upon registration of the party the name shall not be in line with Article 91 of the Constitution of Kenya,” reads the response.

The Act determines that the registrar may decline an application if a party bears a similar name, abbreviation and symbol of another outfit.

Philip Etale loses father
Philip Etale. PHOTO/COURTESY

Etale through his official twitter account on Friday June 26, 220 claimed that the tanga tanga faction hurriedly convened a meeting and finally resorted to have The Hustlers Alliance Party of Kenya reserved at the Registrar of Political Parties.

“After losing Jubilee Asili to a businessman, team Tangatanga was take aback. They hurriedly convened a mtg, banged the tables & finally resorted to have The Hustlers Alliance Party of Kenya reserved at the Registrar of Political Parties,” he posted.

The Tanga tanga members had set an office in Kilimani area where they have been running their activities. They have claimed that the Jubilee Asili centre is meant to bring together the lawmakers that have been kicked out of various parliamentary committees due to their dalliance with DP Ruto.

They argued that they had been denied access to the Jubilee party headquarters located along Thika Road in Pangani, Nairobi.

The second in command a few days ago held a meeting with the Jubilee rebel lawmakers at their new office in Kilimani.

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Politics

6 More Ruto Allies Kicked Out of Parliamentary Committees

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta has kicked out six more legislators allied to Deputy President William Ruto, from their various parliamentary committees.

According to a report by one of the leading local Dailies, the targeted lawmakers were on Thursday June 25, 2020 given letters of intention to discharge them from the leadership of various National Assembly committees.

They are, departmental committee chairmen Julius Melly (Education), Ali Wario (Labour and Social Welfare), William Kisang (Communication, Information and Innovation), Joseph Limo of Finance and National Planning and Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library’s Joash Nyamoko.

George Kariuki, a member of the Communication, Information and Innovation committee, was not spared.Deputy Majority Whip Maoka Maore signed their letters dated June 24, and asked them to respond within seven days before they are discharged from the committees.

Last evening, the assembly made changes to the Committee on Selection and kicked out allies of Ruto. The committee nominates MPs to serve in committees, except for the membership of the House Business Committee and Committee on Appointments that is chaired by the Speaker.

The House approved the appointments of Maore, Jane Wanjuki (Embu),Gathoni Wamuchomba(Kiambu), Joshua Kutuny(Cherangany), Maina Kamanda (nominated) and Shurie Omar (Mbalambala). Others appointed are Wachira Kabinga (Mwea), Eseli Simuyu (Tongaren) and Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi. The House kicked out MPs Catherine Wambilianga (Bungoma), Tindi Mwale (Butere), Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South), Beatrice Nyaga (Tharaka Nithi), Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga), Faith Gitau (Nyandarua),John Kiarie(Dagoretti South), William Kipsang (Marakwet West) and Robert Gichimu (Gichugu). Some of the members were recently de-whipped from various committees by their coalitions.

Other MPs who have been removed in the ongoing purge are Gladys Shollei (Uasin Gishu), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu) and William Cheptumo (Baringo North).

They lost their positions as chairpersons of Delegated Legislation, Budget and Appropriation and Justice and Legal Affairs committees.

Other chairpersons kicked out include Mandera South MP Ali Adan (Agriculture Committee) and Machakos Town’s Victor Munyaka (Sports, Culture and Tourism). Sirisia MP John Waluke, Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon) and Robert Pukose (Endebes) were also kicked out as vice-chairpersons for Committee on Administration and National Security, Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee and Energy Committee.

Others discharged in the past were Kandara MP Alice Wahome (Justice and Legal Affairs vice-chairperson), Joyce Chepkorir (Labour and Social Welfare vice-chair), Khatib Mwashetani (Lands vice-chair) and vice chair of Services and Facilities Catherine Waruguru.

Also discharged were Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria (Transport vice-chair), James Lomenen (National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities vice-chair), Liza Chepkorir Chelule (Broadcast and Library vice-chair) and Cornelly Serem (Trade vice-chair).

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Crime & Investigations

LSK President Terms MP Waluke’s Conviction as Fraudulent

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi has faulted the historic graft ruling in the case involving Sirisia MP John Waluke and his co-accused Grace Wakhungu.

Taking to his official twitter account on Friday morning, Havi termed Waluke and Wakhungu’s conviction as fraudulent.

According to Havi, Waluke and Grace Wakhungu contracted with the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB). In this case, Havi says, NCBP breached the contract.

He says the arbitrator ordered the payment and the award was enforced by the High Court. While justifying that the accused people committed no crime, Havi noted that NCPB lost before High Court and Court of Appeal and paid the decree.

“John Waluke and Grace Wakhungu contracted with NCPB. NCBP breached the contract. Arbitrator ordered payment. Award was enforced by High Court. NCPB lost before High Court and Court of Appeal and paid the decree. How can that be a crime? Do not celebrate fraudulent convictions,” he tweeted.

Waluke and his co-accused will pay a fine of close to Sh2 billion or serve at least 39 years in prison after they were found guilty of defrauding the state agency.

While sentencing the two, Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Juma said the offences they committed were serious. She added that the two and their company took advantage of a dire situation in the country, as Kenya faced a drought, to defraud the NCPB.

The magistrate said there were aspects in the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA) that are mandatory and the court had no option but to pass sentence as prescribed in the law.

But where the court has discretion, Ms Juma said she would exercise it judiciously.  On the first count of uttering a false document, the court directed Ms Wakhungu to pay a fine of Sh100,000 or serve one year in prison. She was further directed to pay another fine of Sh100m for purgery or serve another year in jail. 

Grace Wakhungu and MP John Waluke in Court on June 25, 2020. PHOTO/COURTESY

Both the convicts and the company were directed to pay a fine of Sh626 million each or serve seven year in jail for receiving fraudulent payment from NCPB.

Waluke will pay Sh726 million for his sins. He will also shoulder Sh313 million, which is half the amount the court fined Erad Supplies & General Contractors Ltd. Waluke and and his accomplice Grace Wakhungu were co-directors of Erad.He, however, has a right of appeal.

The court also paved way for the NCPB to go after the two convicts’ assets to recoup Sh297 million that it lost.

Efforts by Waluke and Wakhungu to have the sentence suspended were thwarted by the court, which stated that it had concluded its work on the matter and any issue on its judgement could only be handled at the High Court on appeal.

The trial court said the bond terms the two have been enjoying had already been exhausted and ordered for the release of security that was used to secure their temporary release as the hearing was going on. Waluke has been out on a Sh3 million surety bond.

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BusinessLatest News

Uhuru Reveals What Will Determine Reopening of Economy on July 6

by PSCU
written by PSCU

President Uhuru Kenyatta has told Governors that the decision to re-open the country’s economy will be informed by the level of preparedness by the devolved units to respond to Covid-19 infections.

The President said the decision will largely be determined by the counties capacity to effectively respond to new cases of Covid-19 imported into their territories.

“County readiness to respond to new imported cases of infection will largely determine our national readiness to re-open the country as a whole.

“I say this because the nation is the sum total of all the 47 counties. If the counties have met the necessary thresholds, then the nation will be ready to re-open,” he said.

The President spoke today during a virtual meeting of the national and county governments coordinating summit that was also attended by Deputy President Dr William Ruto and representatives of religious and business sectors.

During the extra-ordinary summit, also addressed by Health CS Mutahi Kagwe and his Education Counterpart Prof George Magoha, a progress report on the roll out of the minimum Covid-19 response measures required ahead of the re-opening of the economy was presented.

The progress report was presented by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya who is also the current Chairperson of the Council of Governors.

In his report, Governor Oparanya said Counties had attained a total of 6,898 isolation beds against the national target of 30,500 units.

He said, 12 counties had met the 300 per county isolation beds threshold while 34 devolved units were on course to meet the target within the month.

On human resources, Governor Oparanya reported that a total of 16,914 health personnel had been trained on Covid-19 management among them 59,449 community health volunteers.

Speaking on behalf of the 47 County Governments, the Kakamega Governor said 36 counties have a cumulative sum of 343 ICU beds while 28 counties have a total of 337 ventilators.

He said the Council of Governors (CoG) working with the Ministry of Health and partners had developed a guideline on home-based Covid-19 management which is being rolled out.

Governor Oparanya thanked the President for his frontline role in the fight against Covid-19 saying the Head of State’s intervention had helped speed up response preparedness by counties.

“Through your directive that allowed County Governments to procure non-pharmaceuticals from other agencies, Counties have enhanced their response measures,” Governor Oparanya said.

Mr Oparanya said CoG supports the gradual re-opening of the economy subject to the setting up of a strict regime of Covid-19 containment protocols for businesses, places of worship and inter-county travel.

“We propose that a multi-agency approach is applied on disease containment through improvement of testing capacity; contact tracing and enforcing the social distancing mechanisms.

“The reopening of the economy will have a County specific context. This will consider the County specific sector priorities and the health system ability to cope,” Governor Oparanya advised.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said Covid-19 infections in the country were on the rise and advised against re-opening of the economy before the response preparedness threshold agreed upon is fully met.

He said countries that had rushed to re-open their economies without having proper Covid-9 containment protocols in place were experiencing an upsurge in new infections.

The Health CS urged counties to speed up the recruitment of the 8000 health workers under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program so as to boost the country’s Covid-19 response capability.

Deputy President Dr William Ruto supported the President’s proposal for progressive reopening of economy and urged counties to speed up the implementation of Covid-19 containment measures.

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Crime & Investigations

Forgive ‘Vulnerable’ Waluke Because he Saved Moi in 1982 Coup, Lawyer Pleads With The Court

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Lawyers representing Sirisia MP John Waluke in his sentence hearing have urged the Court to be sympathetic while sentencing the lawmaker.

Dunstan Omari, one of the lawyers representing Waluke has pleaded with the Chief Magistrate to be lenient with the former KDF soldiers, saying that he is not only a vulnerable person because of coronavirus but that he also saved the late president Daniel arap Moi in the 1982 coup.

Waluke, his lawyer said, was a career civil servant who had an impressive track record in the military where he rose from a corporal to a major in 1996, a testimony that he is a good person.

After his military career, he engaged in consultancy and road construction services in Western Kenya. He holds a degree from Mount Kenya University and a Masters from Kibabii University.

Waluke is being represented by advocates Evans Ondieki, Samson Nyamberi, Cliff Ombeta and Dunstan Omari while his co-accused Grace Wakhungu has Duncan Okubasu in her corner.

Waluke’s lawyers begged the court not to be swayed by the Sh297 million but at the amount that was in his possession.

The Sirisia MP John Waluke was on Monday June 22, 2020 found guilty by a Nairobi court, and was remanded pending his sentencing on Thursday June 25, 2020.

Waluke has been so vocal in spreading DP Ruto’s 2022 political gospel. In January 2019, the High Court declined to stop the prosecution of Waluke.

Waluke was charged with several counts of fraud alongside businessman Grace Wakhungu over a contract his company, Erad Supplies and General Contracts Ltd, won to supply 40,000 tonnes of maize in 2004.

The lawmaker and his co-accused had last filed an application seeking to block the case against them.

High Court judge Hedwig O’ngudi, however, declined to issue the orders noting that the application had not been made in a timely manner.

Last week, magistrate’s court in Nairobi extended bond terms Waluke but issued an arrest warrant for his co-accused.

The trial magistrate Elizabeth Osoro issued the arrest warrant after Grace Sarapay Wakhungu failed to turn up for the judgment.

At the same time the magistrate allowed the investigating officer in the case to verify a medical document presented before court by Wakhungu’s lawyer after a State prosecutor disputed its authenticity. 

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Politics

Moses Kuria Reveals 12 Changes Contained in The Final BBI Report

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has revealed some of the contents of the final Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report, which is set to be unveiled next week.

Taking to his Facebook account on Wednesday June 24, 2020, the controversial lawmaker listed 12 critical issues that have been captured in the report.

The MP revealed that the current 290 constituencies will be retained, but the number of nominated MPs will be increased from 12 to 162 so that they can take care of the highly populated constituencies.

He also hinted that the report suggests for President to be elected directly by the people to be the head of state and take charge of internal security, defence and Foreign affairs.

Below is Moses Kuria’s full post with the 12 critical issues.

BBI Report will be released Next Week

1. 290 Constituencies to be retained

2. Nominated MPs to be increased from 12 to 162 to take care of highly populated constituencies

3. President will be elected directly by the people to be Head of State and take charge of Internal Security, Defence and Foreign Affairs. He will have a Deputy President with roles defined in the constitution

4. Prime Minister will be voted for by parliament and will appoint all other Ministers. He will have 2 Deputy Prime Ministers

5. 50% of Ministers will come from parliament and the rest will be appointed outside parliament

6. The First Runner Up in a Presidential Election will occupy the best office of the Official Leader of the Opposition. His running mate will be the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. They will have a state funded shadow cabinet

7. Chief Justice will NOT be a member of the Judicial Service Commission

8. Health and Agriculture functions will revert back to national governments

9. IEBC Commissioners will be appointee by political parties

10. Nairobi County will be abolished

11. All monies to counties will be conditional grants from National Government to ensure devolved funds are spent for the intended purposes

12. If you are charged you can not vie for public office

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