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Former Kibwezi West MP Kalembe Ndile has died.

According to his family, the ex-lawmaker passed on at the Nairobi Hospital while undergoing treatment on Saturday

The politician died at 57 after struggling with a long illness.

His body was on Sunday morning transported to the Lee Funeral Home.

Ndile, a one-time Cabinet Minister during Kibaki’s regime in 2019 dismissed rumors that had been circulated online that he had passed on.

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Senators have voted to uphold the impeachment of Wajir County Governor Mohamed Abdi.

In a vote that took place on the night of Monday May 17, 2021, a total of 25 senators voted in favour of the ouster motion.

Two senators voted against the motion while four abstained.

The Governor had earlier made a passionate appeal to senators to be sympathetic and humane to him and spare his job.

The county chief appealed to the House to carefully study the charge that has been sustained by the committee that investigated his ouster, and give him another chance.

He pleaded before the plenary after a House committee that investigated his ouster recommended his removal for violating Article 43 of the Constitution.

The committee chaired by Nyamira senator Okong’o Omogeni had found the governor culpable of running down the health care system in the county thus compromising the right to health of the residents.

However, the governor said the offence does not amount to gross violation of the Constitution and proceeded to list the achievements his administration had made in the health sector.

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A contingent of officers led by their police boss last night raided Kisii governor James Ongwae’s home who was holding a political meeting with the ODM brigade ahead of the Bonchari by-elections.

The incident was brought to light in a statement by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna on Friday, May 14, claiming harassment over the Bonchari by-election in the region.

“The governor was at the time having a meeting with Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri and another county leader when the officers descended on his premise with guns and teargas,” Sifuna stated.

In the statement, Sifuna alleged that the police boss had been informed that an unlawful assembly was taking place in the governor’s residence.

Speaking on the incident, Ongwae stated that even though he preferred to steer clear of political chaos, the incident had shaken him.

“The intimidation by the police was unnecessary. It is clear that desperate times have led to desperate measures and I have been forced to speak out because the use of excessive force is not good for democracy,” he explained on the incident that occurred on Thursday, May 13.

The ODM party further noted that several intimidation tactics had been used by the police during the campaigns for the Bonchari parliamentary seat.

ODM picked former Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director-General Pavel Oimeke to fly the Orange flag.

On its part, Jubilee chose former legislator Zebedeo Opore to battle for the seat.

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Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang’ula has declared his final position on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2020, famously known as the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) referendum Bill.

The Bungoma Senator on Saturday May 8, 2021 through his official Twitter account defended his earlier position on the bill, saying that he was only a critic of the BBI referendum bill.

Wetang’ula on Tuesday made a surprise move, calling for radical amendments on the bill that has hence received a nod from the Members of National Assembly.

Wetang’ula who is a principal in the One Kenya Alliance said to be enjoying the blessings of President Uhuru Kenyatta, said the bill contains several provisions that will erode the gains the country has made.

Speaking during the debate on the Bill in the senate chambers on Tuesday, Wetangula said the provisions are a clawback and should be changed by parliament to realign them to the Constitution.

The senator took issue with the second schedule of the Bill that creates 70 constituencies, creation of the Judiciary Ombudsam, scrapping of 47 woman rep positions in the National Assembly and creation of the Youth Commission.

“I don’t understand why we are creating a Youth Commission. We have so many laws that govern our youth. Kenyans must learn to understand that youth is neither a disadvantage nor a disability. It is a transit state in human life,” he said.

The vocal lawmaker, a lawyer by profession, questioned the constitutionality, rationale and criteria for the creation and allocation of 70 constituencies to some 47 counties.

However, he has defended his position saying that he was only pointing out some of the shortcomings in the BBI bill.

He went ahead to declare his final position on the bill’s vote, saying that he will vote yes for the bill when it will be tabled in the senate.

“It does appear to me that many don’t understand the difference between a critic on a bill and opposing a bill. Pointing out shortcomings in a bill like I did on the BBI bill is a legislator’s duty. I will vote YES for the bill. It’s my and FK party position!” he said.

Wetang’ula’s statement did not, however, go well with a section of Kenyans on Twitter, who have condemned him for pointing out the shortcomings in the BBI referendum bill, but still going ahead to vote YES.

The seeming angry KOT criticized Wetang’ula for endorsing the BBI referendum bill with all the shortcomings he had pointed out.

Here are some of the KOT’s reactions.

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The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has unveiled Teresa Bitutu Oroo, the wife to the late Bonchari MP Oroo Oyioka as its preferred candidate in the upcoming parliamentary by-election.

Johnson Muthama, the chairman of the party associated with Deputy President William Ruto on Thursday, March 25 announced that the party’s Secretary General Veronica Maina had issued certificate to the ex-MP’s widow to fly its flag.

The party also issued nomination certificate to Francis Muraya Githaiga, who will fly its flag in the forthcoming Rurii ward mini polls.

“Another significant day to @UDAKenya. Our Secretary General, Veronica Maina has issued certificates to Teresa Bitutu Oroo and Francis Muraya Githaiga to fly the party’s flag in the upcoming by-elections in Bonchari constituency and Rurii ward respectively,” Muthama tweeted.

Bitutu will now face off with ODM’s Pavel Oimeke and Jubilee’s Zebedeo Opore in the Bonchari by-election.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission slated the by-elections for Garissa, Bonchari, and Juja on May 18.

The by-election for Rurii Ward in Nyandarua County will also be held on the same date.

The One Kenya Alliance will not participate in the forthcoming by-elections and will instead support candidates fielded by the Jubilee Party.

Members of the alliance, which brings together Kanu, Wiper, Ford Kenya and ANC parties, said the move was aimed at reciprocating the support Jubilee gave them in recent by-elections in Matungu, Kabuchai and Machakos.

Speaking during a press conference in Nairobi on Thursday, Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang’ula expressed gratitude to Jubilee for its support during the by-elections.

Wetang’ula said their victory in the concluded by-elections was an indication that the country was keen on a new transformational agenda.

Mudavadi said members of the alliance will move together to sensitise Kenyans about their agenda.

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The resignation of an agency director to run for the vacant Bonchari Constituency parliamentary seat has triggered jitters in Raila Odinga’s ODM camp.

Embattled Energy and Petroleum Regulatory and Authority (EPRA) boss Pavel Oimeke resigned and announced his intentions to vie for the Bonchari MP seat in the upcoming by-election.

Although he has not mentioned the political party he will be vying on, there are reports that Oimeke might settle to run on Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.

Oimeke told a local daily that he has kicked off consultations that will aid him to choose on the right party to vie on.

Pavel Oimeke. Photo/Courtesy

The seat became vacant after the death of John Oyoo Oyioka on Monday, February 15, after a long illness.

Media reports indicated that Oimeke had written to the Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter over his resignation. 

“I Pavel Robert Oimeke, would like to announce my resignation from the position of director-general at the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory and Authority,” he stated.

Oimeke is embroiled in a graft case in which he is accused of demanding a Ksh200,000 bribe. It is alleged that Oimeke demanded the bribe in order to reopen a petrol station in Oyugis, Homa Bay county.

The petrol station had been shut down over tax violations. Oimeke denied the graft allegations even as the case continues to drag in court.

The former energy boss was appointed EPRA boss in August 2017 for a three-year renewable contract. However, this was contested over allegations of abuse of office and fraud.

This led to Justice Hellen Wasilwa of the Employment and Labour Relations Court stopping the renewal of Oimeke’s contract to allow investigations to continue.

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Police have arrested Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, Belgut MP Nelson Koech and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei during the ongoing Kabuchai parliamentary by-election.

Police say the tanga tanga lawmakers were intimidating the voters at the polling stations, thus interfering with their voting.

The two leaders are agents for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Evans Kakai Masinde.

Police have also arrested the UDA Candidate for Kiamokama Ward by-election Nyandusi Nyakeramba over allegations of voter bribery.

Police also arrested businessman Don Bosco Gichana who was with Nyakeramba at Moremani in Kisii monitoring the voting process.

Nyakeramba had confronted police officers demanding to know why they had teargassed his convoy yet he claimed not to have committed any offence.

“Why are you arresting my supporters as they vote? This is unfair what is my mistake, take me to court if I have committed any crime,” Nyakeramba said.

In Matungu, police are also looking for former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa after he engaged in an altercation with an IEBC official in the morning.

Echesa was caught on video slapping an IEBC official at Bulonga polling station.

This happened as he accused IEBC official Peter Okura of barring their agent to witness the voting.

“Sheria inasema kuwa poll agents must witness the voting!” he was heard shouting as he told off the IEBC agent.

In the not so audible video, the IEBC agent was heard defending himself saying that he was following instructions.

But before he could finish talking, Echesa slapped him.

“You were told by who? Umeambiwa by who? You cannot keep our agents outside. Why are you chasing them outside…. This is stupidity my friend…” Echesa says as he slaps the official.

Okura allegedly stopped one of United Democratic Alliance’s agents from entering the polling venue because he did not have a facemask.

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There was drama this morning at Bulonga polling station in Matungu Constituency, when former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa assaulted an IEBC official during the ongoing voting in by-election.

Echesa lost his temper while accusing the electoral agency official of barring the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Alex Wamukoya Lanya’s agents from witnessing the voting.

The official who was trying to explain himself did not finish his statement after meeting with a slap from Echesa.

In the video that has gone viral, Lanya is seen trying to calm down Echesa.

The contest in Matungu is a battle be between Deputy President William Ruto, ODM leader Raila Odinga and ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi. 

More than 61,000 voters in Matungu have gone to the poll to pick a new MP to replace Justus Makokha Murunga who died in November last year.

The 15 candidates in the race were on Wednesday putting final touches on their logistics for Thursday and deployment of agents.

The candidates are Peter Nabulindo of ANC, David Were of ODM, Alex Lanya (UDA) Charles Kasamani (UDP), Paul Achayo (MDG) and Faida Auma of Maendeleo Chap Chap.

The Independents are Bernard Wakoli, Athman Wangara, Murunga’s widow Christabel Amunga and son Eugene Ambwere, Wilberforce Lutta, Kevin Nectus, Anzelimo Kongoti and Gregory Atoko.

Murunga was sponsored by ANC, but soon after 2017, shifted his allegiance to DP Ruto.

Kanu, Wiper and Ford Kenya are backing the ANC candidate.

Raila will be using the by-election to test whether his influence in the region he has commanded for close to two decades is still intact. 

DP Ruto will be using the poll to gauge the impact of his spirited campaigns in the populous county.

Both ANC and ODM teams have claimed that there are plans to rig the poll by each side.

Mudavadi and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya who is leading the ODM campaigns have expressed confidence that their candidates will emerge victors.

Security was beefed up in the constituency starting Monday ahead of the vote. Matungu has 116 polling stations spread out in 57 polling centres.

Western regional police commander Peris Kimani said security arrangements were complete to ensure peaceful voting. Returning officer John Kurui said that all was set for voting day.

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Drama was witnessed in Parliament on Thursday, February 11, 2021 after Nyali MP Mohamed Ali alias Moha Jicho Pevu entered parliament chambers with a gun, causing panic.

Gem MP Odhiambo Elisha Ochieng was forced to rise up and raise the concern after realising that the journalist-turned politician was carrying a gun at his back.

“I have noticed a behaviour which is not of good conduct for a Member of Parliament. I am sure sure we operate under particular codes of behaviour within Parliament..am not aware that a Member of Parliament is allowed to walk inside here with a gun. I have noticed the honorable Ali is carrying something on his back, and that is a gun, then we are not safe,” said the Gem MP.

The issue got the attention of Speaker Justin Muturi, forcing Moha Jicho Pevu to stand up and apologise.

While giving his apologies to the MPs, Moha Jicho Pevu explained that he was prone to forgetting just like any normal human being.

He noted that he only forgot to leave outside the things he was carrying, and accepted to surrender the gun to the sergeant at arms.

He however condemned Hon Odhiambo for raising the matter before the house, arguing that the MP could have just approached him instead.

Moha Jicho Pevu however, maintained that the law allows Members of Parliament to apply for a licensed gun.

He further condemned the lawmakers for personalising the issue and making it a Tanga tanga affair.

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Murang’a Senator Irungu Kanga’ta has been axed as the Senate Majority Chief Whip.

His position has been taken by Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi.

Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju says that while Kang’ata was within his rights to express his opinion to the President, the party had an issue with the manner in which he did it.

He added that Kang’ata was later invited to a meeting and asked to apologise but he declined.

Tuju said the senator also declined to attend a Parliamentary leadership meeting.

Tuju confirmed the ouster moments after Deputy President William Ruto’s allies stormed out of the Senate Parliamentary Group meeting protesting what they termed as an illegal and crooked plan to remove Kang’ata as Senate Majority Whip.

Addressing journalists at KICC on Tuesday, the nine Senators led by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Meru Senator Mithika Linturi said they walked out of the room after members were asked to sign a form to sanction Kangata’s removal.

Murkomen said the process was illegal as there were no showcase letters to Kang’ata before the decision was made.

Kang’ata has been at cross paths with the party leadership after he penned a letter to the President discrediting the Bulling Bridges Initiative’s popularity in Central. The letter has been interpreted as disrespect to the party leader.

All the Jubilee Senate PG meetings chaired by the President last year ended in key allies of the DP being removed from their positions.

Murkomen was dewhipped as Majority leader while his Nakuru counterpart Susan Kihika was removed from the majority whip position.

The meeting also ratified the removal of Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki as Senate Deputy Speaker.

Jubilee Party has already kicked out six senators in the latest purge of rebels allied to Deputy President William Ruto.

Nominated senators Isaac Mwaura, Millicent Omanga, Victor Prengei, Falhada Dekow Iman, Naomi Jillo Waqo and Mary Seneta Yiane were expelled by the National Management Committee — Jubillee’s top organ. 

Jubilee secretary-general Raphael Tuju announced the expulsions Monday, hours after Ruto met more than 100 Tanagatanga MPs at his Karen residence. 

Last month, Kang’ata conceded that his time as Senate Majority Whip might be nearing its dusk.

The Senator while on an interview with vernacular station Inooro on January 10, 2021, revealed that there was already a plot within the Jubilee Party to relieve him of his duties in the upper house.

Kang’ata also stated that he had been left out of a Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) team formulated to spearhead sensitisation campaigns for the report in the Mount Kenya region.

Kang’ata stated that he was ready for any consequences that may be thrown his way, reiterating that he felt obliged to tell President Uhuru Kenyatta the truth. He stated that he wrote the letter out of good faith and is still loyal to President Kenyatta.

He maintained that the BBI report was still unpopular in the Mt Kenya region. He reiterated that he only wrote the letter dated December 30, disowning one dated January 4, 2021.

The Murang’a lawmaker conceded he regrets the letter leaked to the public and the outcome of the entire situation that has since backed him into the receiving end of criticism from various quarters of pro-BBI leaders.

Kang’ata also alleged that he had received threats on his life and he had recorded a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

In an interview earlier January 11, the Senate Majority Whip argued that some political factions in the country had ideas that need to be incorporated in the report, terming them good.

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Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko is sick and has been admitted in the hospital.

His admission comes ahead of two court rulings that are scheduled for today.

Sonko was admitted with stomach complications ahead of the key court rulings.

Officials aware of the developments said Sonko was rushed to hospital from Gigiri police station aboard an ambulance and admitted there.

He was admitted and is in a stable condition, an official who saw him said.

The ex-governor was set to know if he will be freed after the rulings.

A Kiambu Magistrate’s court will first rule on his application to be released on bond in a multiple case of assault and robbery he is facing.

A Kahawa West court was also expected to make a ruling on an application by the police to be allowed to detain Sonko for 30 days as they investigate terror-related charges.

His legal team is concerned with reports that police plan to revive old cases that they believe were settled.

Over the weekend, plainclothes officers from the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) arrested seven of his aides, adding the list to nine of the aides that have been put in police custody after being linked to terrorism activities.

Sonko’s woes seem to be far from over, after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) commenced investigations into how he allegedly faked his death in 2005.

Besides probing Sonko’s “alleged death”, the DCI has also launched further investigations into several past cases, that the former flamboyant governor is linked to.

According to reports, the detectives are said to have begun the probe following a request from Shimo La Tewa Prison where Sonko is said to have escaped from.

“Authorities at the facility wrote to the DCI requesting for investigations to establish the authenticity of the death certificate. They have requested that Sonko should be taken back there to complete his sentence term should the death certificate be established to be fake,” a well-placed source told a local daily.

“We have re-opened several files on him that are under investigations. I am however not in a position to give the fine details of the cases,” DCI boss Kinoti said.

Kinoti was, however, quick to dismiss claims by Sonko’s allies and friends that he is being persecuted for allegedly reading from a different political script with the powers that be.

“DCI is a professional entity that conducts its investigations in accordance with the law. We are completely non-partisan in politics,” Kinoti said.

Sonko is expected to be questioned over a fake death certificate bearing his name, and purportedly issued on June 20, 2005. The cause of death was indicated as cardio-pulmonary arrest.

Sonko’s escape from Shimo La Tewa facility has always been a source of heated debate between himself and State authorities.

Various accounts indicate that Sonko escaped from the maximum prison some 20 years ago.

He is said to have been released in 2001 after allegedly claiming that he was HIV positive and epileptic.

Sonko was released by now deceased High Court judge Samuel Oguk from prison three months before completing the one year sentence after claiming he was HIV positive.

Later in a sworn affidavit, Sonko claimed that he was suffering from chronic tuberculosis and peptic ulcers.

“Currently, I am admitted at the prison hospital and my chances of survival are very minimal, hence seek to be released on medical grounds or in compliance of the Presidential Amnesty Exercise dated 12/12/2000,” Sonko stated in an affidavit dated 2/2/2001.

But in 2011, then Commissioner of Prisons said at a press conference that Sonko escaped from lawful custody on April 16, 1998, while he was admitted at the Coast Provincial General Hospital.

Now a death certificate under the name, Kioko Gidion Mbuvi, the name he held before changing it in 2012, has become the subject of investigations by the DCI.

Sources at the Registrar of Persons told the People Daily that Sonko officially changed his name in a Gazette Notice No 1607 of February 10, 2012.

“Notice is hereby given that by a deed poll dated 1 February 2012, and duly registered by our client, formerly known as Mbuvi Gidion Kioko, formally and absolutely renounced and abandoned the use of his former names and in lie therefore assumed and adopted the name Mbuvi Gidion Kioko Mike Sonko,” the Gazette Notice read in part. 

The death certificate indicates that Kioko Gidion Mbuvi died of a cardiacpulmonary arrest – a sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness. 

He was initially summoned following his indirect admission of culpability,  when a fortnight ago, while in Rithumitu in Dagoreti, Nairobi county, he said he together with Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho and others, printed Orange Democratic Movement T-shirts and bought vehicles which they later burnt.

Sources at DCI said detectives are yet to commence investigations into his alleged culpability in the 2017 violence.

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Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko is said to have caused drama at Gigiri police station when he was ushered into the police cells on Tuesday, February 2.

According to police officers in the know, Sonko was ushered into the police cells at around 4.15 pm after undergoing police procedures.

Sonko was stripped of his VIP status and was subjected to removing one shoe and his belt.

Inside the cells, the former county chief met another five suspects who had been brought in for different offences.

At around 9.30 pm, the cell was transformed into a prayer centre as Sonko and his new friends broke into worship songs and intercession prayers.

The group was so loud that officers manning the report office had to ask them to lower their voices.

“Initially he was in a pensive mood but after a while, he cheered up and was busy chatting with other men in the cells,” said an officer at the station.

Only his family, doctor and lawyer were allowed to visit the former governor. 

After leaving Gigiri Police Station, the former Nairobi Governor was arraigned at the Kiambu Law Courts on Wednesday and thereafter transferred briefly to the Kamiti Maximum Prison.

He was later charged at the Kahawa West Law Courts where he faced terrorism charges before being transferred back to Gigiri Police Station. 

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Uhuru, Raila, Ruto

Will the working relationship between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga last until 2022?

Well, from the look of things, the handshake partners may be divided by the time Kenyans head to the ballot for the next general elections.

DP Ruto seems to be changing his strategy to drive a wedge between Uhuru and his handshake partner.

In an apparent effort to set the two handshake partners on a warpath, the DP appears to have devised a new plan to gain favour with the President and portray Raila as the enemy within.

Ruto, who has set his eyes on succeeding President Uhuru, has not been at ease since the two erstwhile political rivals closed ranks and shook hands on March 9, 2018. Ruto and the Nasa trio were excluded.

The DP and his troops have perceived the handshake as a political arrangement aimed at stifling his ambitions of becoming the country’s fifth President in favour of Raila.

Ruto has suddenly made an about-turn in his criticism of the Jubilee administration’s performance as his ally- former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko make sensational allegations on the government on the 2017 election chaos that have the potential of dividing the ‘two brothers’.

At a church service in Dagoretti South last Sunday, Ruto strongly supported the President and his administration’s development record and went ahead to list projects he and the President have completed since 2013.

The apparent change of heart – or strategy – came a day after he admitted Jubilee administration’s failure to realise its development agenda but blamed it on Raila for “infiltrating and diverting” the government priorities.

Ruto scathingly attacked the former Prime Minister, accusing him of despising, humiliating and embarrassing the head of state with his constant attacks attack on Jubilee’s output.

Raila and his allies have lately criticised the government’s development record in their BBI and 2022 election campaigns.

The ODM brigade has painted Ruto as the face of Jubilee’s failures and accused him of trying to run away from his own government’s failures.

They cited the laptop project, stadiums and creation of at least one million jobs for the youth every year as among the pledges Jubilee has failed to deliver.

Political analysts Elias Mutuma and Mark Bichachi observe Ruto as a man out to exploit every opportunity that may create a rift between Uhuru and Raila.

“The friendship between Uhuru and Raila is costing the DP…so he would ensure that the two go their separate ways so that he can have a better chance of succeeding his boss,” Mutuma said in an interview with a local daily.

He added that Ruto is wounded and feels his space was taken over by Raila and thus will be keen to take advantage of any scenario that would see them apart.

“If he gets an opportunity to edge Raila out, he would not hesitate. He is taking advantage of the fact that there has been a bit of some discomfort within ODM circles [over the handshake],” he said.

“Ruto understands everyone loves anyone who opposes the sitting government. That is why is roping in Raila so that he can increase his chances,” Bichachi said.

And in what appears part of the wider plan to split Uhuru and Raila, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, a close ally of the DP, sensationally claimed  Interior CS Karanja Kibicho and other influential people in the Jubilee administration planned the 2017 election chaos, which was then blamed on ODM.

Making the claims in the presence of the DP, Sonko alleged that he and influential people in the Jubilee administration, otherwise known as ‘the deep state’, printed ODM branded T-shirts.

Kibicho has denied Sonko’s claims and has already recorded a statement with the DCI. He has threatened to sue the ex-city county chief.

Sonko’s assertions, however, triggered anger in Raila’s ODM and threatened to sever the cordial relationship the outfit and the President’s Jubilee Party enjoy.

“ODM demands a full inquiry into the matter to establish the motives and extent of these mafia-like covert criminal acts as well as all persons and institutions involved,” secretary general Edwin Sifuna demanded.

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The race to replace the late MP Justus Murunga (pictured above) in Matungu is hotting up, with various candidates vying for the vacant seat crisscrossing the constituency ahead of the March 4, 2021, mini polls.

However, some spirants seem not to be ready for the much awaited contest. This has been witnessed through the manner in which some of them are campaigning.

A section of top politicians are just finding it rough to campaign in the upcoming Matungu by-election/

The group, which doesn’t know their candidate’s manifesto ran into trouble when they tried to reprimand rivals at a roadside rally.

The crowd, perhaps tired of politics of insults and mudslinging, shouted them down.

The politicians were caught flat-footed when the crowd demanded to know exactly what their candidate planned for them.

Their speeches were met with boos and chants of “go away”, so they left to find voters who were less demanding.

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Former Nairobi County Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko is now on his own after he recently made claims on how the 2017 post-election chaos were planned in Nairobi.

Sonko while at a rally in Dagoretti over the weekend, in presence of Deputy President William Ruto claimed that Interior PS Karanja Kibicho alongside him were the planners of the chaos.

Sonko has now been summoned to DCI over his statement claimed that they bought T-shirts, printed them ODM and bought second hand vehicles which were burnt by hired goons who disguised as ODM supporters so that Raila Odinga’s side can be blamed.

Jubilee Party leadership at the Nairobi County Assembly has now told Sonko to own up over his utterances that he was part of a team that planned the chaos.

Led by the Assembly majority leader Abdi Guyo, the leadership denounced Sonko’s actions saying that he did not act at the behest of the Jubilee party and perpetrated the chaos out of his own volition.

“Let it go on record that Sonko was acting on his own behalf and not on behalf of Jubilee and for political expediency and because he has already incriminated himself, then he needs to be charged on his own account,” said Guyo.

The MCAs were also concerned that the allegations made by Sonko against Interior PS Karanja Kibicho are serious and if left unchecked could have far-reaching consequences ahead of the 2022 general elections.

“We are convinced that Sonko incriminated himself by making the utterances on Sunday and as such he should be charged for the atrocities he committed to the people of Nairobi,” they said.

Guyo, who doubles as Matopeni ward MCA, dared Sonko to make public the names of those he claims are part of the deep state, at the same time warning him against linking Jubilee Party to the deep state.

He further called on the Directorate of Criminal investigations (DCI) to expedite the matter noting that it was an issue of great interest to the people of Nairobi and the country at large.

The sentiments by the ward legislators come just a day after Kibicho recorded a statement with the DCI over Sonko’s allegations.

The PS distanced himself from the allegations and accused Sonko of character assassination. He also vowed to seek legal redress by the end of the week.

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The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has told the NASA co-principals to forget Raila Odinga’s support in 2022.

The Orange party’s secretary-general Edwin Sifuna on Tuesday, January 26 challenged Amani National Congress party leader Musalia Mudavadi, Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula and Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka to stop dreaming of being endorsed by Raila in 2022.

Instead, Sifuna has asked the leaders to take advantage of ODM’s public notice and apply to be the party flagbearer for 2022 State House bid.

A fortnight ago, politicians across the divide used the funeral service of Mudavadi’s mother to drum up support for his candidature for the top seat ahead of next year’s polls. 

“If you know you cannot win without Baba’s support this is your chance. Come into his house, pick forms, apply, sit and wait. Or forever hold your peace,” Sifuna added.

In an advert placed in local dailies on Sunday, ODM elections board, chaired by Dr Catherine Mumma, asked members to send applications to National Elections Board  if they want to be the party’s presidential candidate for 2022 General Election.

Mumma said interested candidates must pay Sh1 million non-refundable fee to the ODM account held at Kenya Commercial bank, Lavington branch.

Further, each applicant will be required to present the evidence of the payment to the party’s headquarters.

Yesterday, Mudavadi sustained his attacks on Raila, accusing him of breaching a promise he made in 2017 not to again contest the presidency.

Mudavadi said he had stood with Raila in his presidential bids over the years and it was time the ODM leader reciprocated.

Reports earlier indicated that Nasa was considering fielding one candidate to run against Ruto.

Nasa imploded following the March 9, 2018, handshake between Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Mudavadi said he won’t support any other person and criticised Raila for reneging on his 2017 promise to run for the last time.

“He said in 2017 that he had one bullet. He has now abandoned his gun because it has no bullets, and now he has taken another person’s gun because he wants to load bullets,” he said.

Mudavadi spoke on Sunday in Matungu when he campaigned for his ANC candidate Peter Nabulindo. He addressed supporters at Mukhweya, Namulungu and Mirere centres. 

Mudavadi also accused Deputy President William Ruto of dishonesty, deceit and disrespect to Kenyans and President Kenyatta.

He termed the DP’s support of the recently launched UDA party as a mockery of the tenets of democracy and party loyalty.

The ANC boss said the DP cannot distance himself from the undertakings of the Jubilee party and the government he formed together with Uhuru.

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