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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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Private detective Jane Mugo has fired a warning to a section of Kenyans trolling her on social media after her video went viral in a documentary that was aired by BBC.

Mugo remained on the top trends on Twitter for the better part of Monday, January 25, after netizens noted what they termed as an embarrassment in the video.

However, the detective has warned that she was monitoring the comments coming from the troll that had been created on social media.

From her chef tasting food before she eats, vicious dogs led by one christened Hitler – to beating up the security team to toughen them – the detective’s life caught the eye of netizens.

The video also captured the Spy queen stunting on what she termed her best taekwondo moves which left a section of Kenyans unimpressed.

Many of the comments, however, ridiculed the detective’s theatrical presentations and absurd claims regarding her prowess. 

In a statement, Mugo claimed that some of the comments were from pseudo accounts and others from people who were only jealous of her achievements.

“Am slowly monitoring the comments… Idles, haters who have never appeared on local radio station or their village limelight. They cannot show us what they have done in their village struggling to put food on the table yet jealous souls,” she stated.

She added that there was minimal talk about her success and accused netizens of concentrating on a joke that she made intentionally.

“Nobody is speaking about my training or my range. I am an African woman and I don’t regret loving myself. I pray you stay longer to witness my blessings,” she continued.

Mugo added that she did not mind any kind of publicity, where it was good or bad.

“While the world  is  congratulating me for winning in a male-dominated job, I saw some cheap desperate bloggers  vomiting  hatred looking for cheap  publicity.”

Mugo trended the better part of Monday after the documentary was aired, with most poking fun at the piece.

“That BBC documentary on Jane Mugo is painful viewing. Should’ve come with viewer discretion for those who don’t want to burn their brain cells,” Gabriel Oguda commented.

Controversial blogger Robert Alai termed the documentary as total crap.

Mugo came into the limelight in 2019 where she was caught up in a scandal, was arrested and later claimed her life was in danger.

Ever since she has been on and off the public scrutiny for one reason or the other.

Yesterday, she trended for the better part of the day when she introduced her squad who according to her had to undergo “rigorous” training to help in the line of duty.

She claimed she is one of the best detectives in the world and her prowess was celebrated worldwide.

Watch the video below.

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Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has responded to Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho after he declared a total war against him.

Kibicho who spoke on Monday, Januray 25 after recording a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi, said he has had enough of Sonko’s character assasination.

Kibicho moved to DCI following claims by Sonko that they jointly organised chaos in Nairobi during the 2017 general polls and blamed it on Raila Odinga’s ODM.

Dr Kibicho noted that the former County chief must be ready to answer everything he has accused him of in a court of law.

He mentioned some of the accusations Sonko has previously made against him, among them being killing of former Interior Minister George Saitoti.

The seemingly angry Kibicho noted that Sonko must come out and tell Kenyans how Saitoti was killed, and warned Sonko to be ready for a tough battle in Court.

However, Sonko in his response dared Kibicho to bring on the battle.

He claimed that throughout his public life, he has never made claims that he cannot substantiate.

Sonko further insisted that he had spoken nothing but the truth.

“MY RESPONSE TO PS KARANJA KIBICHO I’ve learned from reliable media reports that Interior PS @Karanjakibicho presented himself to the DCI ostensibly to record a statement, even without an invitation, after the revelations I made yesterday while addressing the public in Dagoretti.

“I’ve also gathered that he plans to move to court this week purportedly to sue over my statement yesterday. My brief response to him is simple: BRING IT ON! Throughout my public life, I’ve NEVER made any allegations that I can’t substantiate, including the truth I spoke yesterday,” posted Sonko.

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Interior Principal Secretary Dr Karanja Kibicho has finally had enough of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s dramas.

Kibicho on Monday, January 25 went to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters to record statement following claims by Sonko that they jointly organised chaos in Nairobi during the 2017 general polls and blamed it on Raila Odinga’s ODM.

Speaking just after recording the statement, Kibicho said that he was tired of Sonko’s continued character assasination, noting that the former County chief must be ready to answer everything he has accused him of in a court of law.

He mentioned some of the accusations Sonko has previously made against him, among them being killing of former Interior Minister George Saitoti.

The seemingly angry Kibicho noted that Sonko must come out and tell Kenyans how Saitoti was killed.

Sonko who since his impeachment has launched an assail on President Uhuru Kenyatta and his ‘Kieleweke’ allied Jubilee party members has taken his tirades a notch higher.

Speaking at a function in Dagorreti on Sunday, January 24, attended by Deputy President William Ruto, Sonko opened up on the atrocities he, alongside some senior government officials among them Kibicho, did to ensure that Raila Odinga’s side is blamed.

According to Sonko, they went and bought T-shirts, printed them with ODM colours, bought some second-hand vehicles and set them on fire, so that the ODM supporters can be blamed for being destructive.

‘I, Interior PS Karanja Kibicho and some members of the deep state printed T-shirts written ODM, bought second-hand vehicles, burned them along the highway so that it be pegged on ODM supporters, thus deeming them as violent and destructive,” he revealed.

Sonko was referring to the recent unrests that have been witnessed in the Rift Valley region, where some vehicles have been burned in what has been blamed on the war of class that is allegedly being fuelled by DP Ruto’s hustler vs dynasty narrative.

According to Sonko, it is ‘the system’ that is burning the vehicles, so that it can be blamed on DP Ruto’s hustler nation movement.

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Robert Kyagulanyi popularly known as Bobi Wine can now breathe a sigh of relief.

This is after a Ugandan court on Monday, January 25 ordered security forces to cease surrounding the home of the opposition leader.

Bobi Wine, whose house arrest since a mid-month presidential election has drawn international pressure, has been crying foul on social media.

Troops have blocked the 38-year-old pop star-turned-politician from leaving his house in a suburb of the capital Kampala since he voted in the January 14 election where he ran against long-serving incumbent President Yoweri Museveni.

“The judge ordered that the state and its agencies should immediately vacate his property and his right to personal liberty should immediately be reinstated,” Bobi Wine’s lawyer George Musisi told Reuters.

Museveni, 76, who has been in power since 1986, was declared winner of the poll with 59% of votes versus 35% for Wine, who had for years denounced corruption and nepotism in his songs. 

He rejected the result, alleging fraud which the government denies.

Musisi said the judge also ruled that if there were any serious allegations against Wine, he should be brought before a court or police.

Police spokesman Patrick Onyango said he had no immediate comment as the ruling had not been received.

There was no immediate reaction from the government or confirmation from the court.

U.S. ambassador Natalie E. Brown had tried to visit Wine at his home, drawing an accusation of meddling and subversion from the Ugandan government.

During the campaigning security forces routinely broke up the 38-year-old pop star-turned-politician’s rallies with teargas, bullets, beatings and detentions.

They cited violations of laws meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus for those actions.

In November, 54 people were killed as security forces quelled a protest that erupted after Mr Wine was detained for alleged violation of the anti-coronavirus measures.

Bobi Wine’s property had been “completely sealed off” since election day and journalists and lawyers had been unable to get inside to speak to him.

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Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho has arrived at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters to record statement following claims by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko that they jointly organised chaos in Nairobi and blamed it on ODM.

Sonko who since his impeachment has launched an assail on President Uhuru Kenyatta and his ‘Kieleweke’ allied Jubilee party members has taken his tirades a notch higher.

Speaking at a function in Dagorreti on Sunday, January 24, attended by Deputy President William Ruto, Sonko opened up on the atrocities he, alongside some senior government officials, did to ensure that Raila Odinga’s side is blamed.

According to Sonko, they went and bought T-shirts, printed them with ODM colors, bought some second hand vehicles and set them on fire, so that the ODM supporters can be blamed for being destructive.

‘I, Interior PS Karanja Kibicho and some members of the deep state printed T-shirts written ODM, bought second-hand vehicles, burned them along the highway so that it be pegged on ODM supporters, thus deeming them as violent and destructive,” he revealed.

Sonko was referring to the recent unrests that have been witnessed in the Rift Valley region, where some vehicles have been burned in what has been blamed on the war of class that is allegedly being fuelled by DP Ruto’s hustler vs dynasty narrative.

According to Sonko, it is ‘the system’ that is burning the vehicles, so that it can be blamed on DP Ruto’s hustler nation movement.

Sonko’s rant stirred mixed reactions, with some netizens arguing that his confessions will son reveal the killers of IEBC ICT manager Chris Musando.

Some claimed that the embattled politician is currently digging his own political grave since the Tanga Tanga faction that he is appeasing at the moment will also lose trust in him.

Some argued that Sonko should just be picked up and returned to Shimo La Tewa prison to complete his jail term.

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Ousted Nairobi County Governor Mike Sonko has stirred mixed reactions on the internet after he publicly confessed to what he did to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) supporters in 2017, with the help of ‘the deep state’.

Sonko who since his impeachment has launched an assail on President Uhuru Kenyatta and his ‘Kieleweke’ allied Jubilee party members has taken his tirades a notch higher.

Not even warnings by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria not to have him speak at public gatherings, especially at events attended by Deputy President William Ruto have been taken to consideration.

Speaking at a function in Dagorreti on Sunday, January 24, attended by Deputy President William Ruto, Sonko opened up on the atrocities he, alongside some senior government officials, did to ensure that Raila Odinga’s side is blamed.

According to Sonko, they went and bought T-shirts, printed them with ODM colors, bought some second hand vehicles and set them on fire, so that the ODM supporters can be blamed for being destructive.

‘I, Interior PS Karanja Kibicho and some members of the deep state printed T-shirts written ODM, bought second-hand vehicles, burned them along the highway so that it be pegged on ODM supporters, thus deeming them as violent and destructive,” he revealed.

Sonko was referring to the recent unrests that have been witnessed in the Rift Valley region, where some vehicles have been burned in what has been blamed on the war of class that is allegedly being fuelled by DP Ruto’s hustler vs dynasty narrative.

According to Sonko, it is ‘the system’ that is burning the vehicles, so that it can be blamed on DP Ruto’s hustler nation movement.

Sonko’s rant stirred mixed reactions, with some netizens arguing that his confessions will son reveal the killers of IEBC ICT manager Chris Musando.

Some claimed that the embattled politician is currently digging his own political grave since the Tanga Tanga faction that he is appeasing at the moment will also lose trust in him.

Some argued that Sonko should just be picked up and returned to Shimo La Tewa prison to complete his jail term.

A picture made rounds on early this month of cows in a truck that were burnt in alleged dynasty, hustler wars.

The hustler movement is associated with DP Ruto who has on several occasions stated that his agenda is about Wanjiku (the ordinary Kenyan) and not about tribal politics.

The post which was circulated by various individuals on social media with the claim that innocent lives were at risk as political temperatures in the country continued to rise. 

“The bodabodas burned this lorry plus the cows inside it in the name of hustlers vs dynasties for the simple reason that one of their colleagues was injured by the lorry,” embattled Thirdway Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot noted. 

However, it later emerged that the incident had happened in Nigeria, and not Kenya as it had been widely reported.

Instances of boda boda riders causing destruction to other motorists after a major accident have, however, been reported in Kenya. 

On January, 14, boda boda riders blocked a section of Outer ring road in Nairobi after one of their own was knocked down by a lorry on the road.

Watch Sonko’s video below.

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Business mogul Zedekiah Bundotich Kiprop popularly known as Buzeki has vowed to fight Deputy President William Ruto up to the last minute.

Taking to his official Twitter handle on Friday evening, Buzeki revisited some of the promises DP Ruto was giving Kenyans when campaigning for their second term alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The businessman-cum politician slammed Jubilee government for failing to deliver on the many promises they made.

He noted that the Jubilee government while campaigning ahead of the 2017 general elections promised a double digit economy, dams, stadiums, Galana Kulalu, laptops, Uasin-Gishu Referral Hospital, all of which have not been delivered until now.

Buzeki slammed DP Ruto, for promising Kenyans wheelbarrows instead.

He went ahead to vow that looters and corrupt political salesmen must fall.

“Jubilee promised a DOUBLE DIGIT  economy, DAMS, STADIUMS, GALANA KULALU, LAPTOPS, UASIN- GISHU referral HOSPITAL, now it has EVOLVED and METAMORPHOSED into a Single WHEEL non MOTORIZED accessory. We MUST drain THE SWAMP. Looters and  Corrupt political SALESMEN must FALL. Tai,” Buzeki posted.

A week ago, Buzeki resigned as CCM secretary-general and quit, following party leader Isaac Ruto’s move to back Deputy President William Ruto.

Buzeki says he does not subscribe to Tangatanga politics of lies, which he claims will create division in the country.

“I can’t be a party to such politics that is based on lies and propaganda. I will not and will never be part of Tangatanga style of politics,” Buzeki said.

He noted that he would announce his next political move by April and it would not have anything to do with Chama Cha Mashinani.

“I will soon meet with our supporters and stakeholders to discuss the best way forward because we can’t be part of what Isaac Ruto is doing,” Buzeki said. He said he had completely broken political ranks with CCM and Ruto.

“There is no way I can subscribe to Tangatanga kind of politics that is baseless and aimed at dividing Kenyans,” Buzeki said.

He said he was part of leaders seeking to unite the country and not use cheap propaganda to gain power. He cautioned Ruto that by joining the DP he was drowning politically.

The former Bomet governor joined the DP during his visit to the county and was seen with the Tangatanga brigade which toured parts of the South Rift region last week.

Buzeki joined CCM two years ago after differing with DP Ruto and his allies whom he accused of perpetrating politics of dictatorship and lies.

He has been critical of the DP and his camp, warning that they would ruin the country should they gain power.

He vied for the governor seat in Uasin Gishu but lost to incumbent Jackson Mandago. He is considered a frontrunner for the same seat in 2022.

Uasin Gishu is DP Ruto’s backyard but Buzeki enjoys substantive support in the region.  He had planned to vie on a CCM ticket but will now go back to the drawing board.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta and his handshake partner the ODM leader Raila Odinga may just suffer another blow in their efforts to popularise the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) in Mt. Kenya region.

Members of County Assembly (MCAs) allied to Deputy President William Ruto from across the 10 counties in the region will be meeting at Thika Greens in Murang’a today, while another team will be in Nyahururu next weekend to chart the way forward and give their stand on the BBI issue, which has divided the region.

Ruto’s allies have clustered counties in three groups where they are scheduled to meet the ward representatives to discuss BBI and his 2022 presidential bid.

Already, the allies have met MCAs from Meru, Isiolo and Tharaka Nithi, which formed the first group that had an inaugural meeting on Saturday last week.

Today, Tangatanga leaders will meet MCAs from Kiambu, Nairobi, Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Embu while the last meeting at Nyahururu town on January 30 will be targeting MCAs in Nyeri, Nyandarua, Nakuru and Laikipia.

Forty-two Meru MCAs attended the meeting alongside five from Isiolo, five from Tharaka Nithi, and 19 from Kirinyaga. There were also a couple of MCAs from Nyeri and Kiambu. MPs Rahim Dawood (North Imenti) and Josephat Gichunge (Tigania West) also attended.

The steering committee of the Mt Kenya MCAs meeting includes Chinga MCA Kiruga Thuku, Gatanga’s Nahashon Gachuhi, Ken Mukira (Nyandarua), Kinyua Wangui (Kirinyaga), Elias Murage (Meru), Peter Mbae (Nakuru), Robarto Maina (Laikipia) and Mr Ikonya from Kiambu.

It is understood that after the meeting today, the allies will then select their representatives who will lead a charm offensive campaigns at the grassroots to popularise Ruto’s bid.

“We have requested the deputy president to attend the ceremony and he said he will if he will be available,” said Thuku, adding that they will not discuss BBI. 

Ruto’s Spokesman David Mugonyi, however, said he was not aware that his boss will attend the meeting, answering in a brief text message, “There is nothing like that” when a local daily tried to reach out to him.

Mt Kenya region Assemblies Caucus representative Charles Ng’ang’a said Ruto’s allies have been wooing them to oppose the BBI report in a bid to flex their muscles and to prove that although the region is perceived as President Kenyatta’s stronghold, they have been able to turn tables.

“We have been approached on how we shall reject the BBI report in the region. They argue that the proposed Ward Development Fund is just but a sweetener and a bait for us to approve the report but they are telling us that the State has been unable to release development monies from the Treasury and will not be able to implement the proposal,” said Ng’ang’a.

Ng’ang’a has, however, urged the MCAs to ignore the gimmicks and approve the report due to the gains that the region will get.

He further claimed that DP Ruto’s allies are only interested in settling political scores.

“However, I urge MCAS to reject such gimmicks and approve the report due to the gains that the region will get. Other than ward fund, there are other proposals like the revenue sharing formula and representation that favours our region, Ruto’s allies are only interested in settling political scores but the report seeks to cater for our interests.”

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Kapsaret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi is not new to controversy. On several occasions, the controversial lawmaker has found himself on the wrong side of the law.

On Friday, January 22, Sudi found himself in hot soup after he decided to abscond Court.

A Nakuru court was forced to summon the DP William Ruto allied MP after he failed to show up in a hate speech case against him.

Sudi’s hate speech and offensive conduct case hearing was set to proceed today but he failed to attend court. 

Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecution Daniel Karuri made an application for the court to order Sudi arrested. 

Karuri urged Senior Resident Magistrate Benjamin Limo to also compel the lawmaker to attend court. 

Defence counsel Felix Orege informed court that he was unwell and sought another date. 

Orege added that Sudi will avail his medical report in court during the next court appearance. 

Limo dispensed Sudi’s attendance in court on account of sickness and declined to issue an arrest warrant. 

“Instead, summons are hereby issued to the accused to attend court and avail medical documents in support of his disposition on the day he was to attend court,” ruled Limo. 

The prosecution had lined up three police officers from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to testify.

Sudi is charged with two counts of hate speech and one count of offensive conduct.

The MP has denied that he used threatening words on social media, which were likely to stir up ethnic hatred on September 7, 2020, at an unknown place within the Republic of Kenya.

He has also denied offensive conduct charges and is out on Sh500,000 bail.

The case has been slated for February 19.

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Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen on Friday, January 22 caused a stir online after speaking on Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s visit to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters.

The former Vice President presented himself to the DCI to clarify claims that he had grabbed land in Yatta belonging to the National Youth Service (NYS).

This is after Deputy President William Ruto while in Bomet last Friday made claims that Kalonzo had grabbed a 200-acre government land in Yatta.

But Kalonzo dismissed the claims as wild and constituted character assassination.

In a communique on Friday, Kalonzo presented himself at 8:30am to 9am at the DCI concerning the ownership of the land.

He was having in his possession all the legal/official documents showing how he acquired the said property.

However, Murkomen has dismissed Kalonzo’s move and asked Kenyans to ignore.

Through a post on his official Twitter account, Mujrkomen questioned why Kalonzo had chosen DCI and not Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC), which has the specialized mandate on matters corruption.

He further argued that a suspect cannot choose an investigator for himself/herself.

According to Murkomen, Kalonzo went to meet DCI boss George Kinoti to do away with the matter.

“So Kalonzo Musyoka is a real SUSPECT? If he is a corruption suspect why did he choose to go to DCI and not EACC which has the specialized mandate on matters corruption? Can a suspect choose his investigator? The reason why he went to see Kinoti is simple- DRY CLEANING.IGNORE!” Murkomen tweeted.

Kalonzo had earlier on said he was ready to be investigated by the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for the public to know the truth.

He said DP Ruto to follow suit and present himself before the same authorities for scrutiny.

Kalonzo’s utterances caused mixed reactions as politicians allied to the Deputy President rushed to defend Ruto while those allied to Musyoka defended the Ukambani political kingpin.

Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu defended Musyoka, stating the attack on him was ill-advised.

The former Lands Cabinet Secretary said the allegations by Deputy President William Ruto are “false because Kalonzo owns the land legally”.  

“As a Minister of lands, I checked the details of that land and I found that Kalonzo had acquired that land very well,” Ngilu said.

She accused the DP of tarnishing Musyoka’s name by playing politics of land grabbing.

Ruto and Kalonzo are both eyeing the Presidency in 2022.

The two are also fighting to replace the late Senator Boniface Kabaka’s position in Machakos with their preferred candidates.

Kalonzo unveiled former Senator Johnston Muthama’s estranged wife Agnes Kavindu as Wiper’s candidate for the senatorial by election slated for March 18 while Ruto through his party United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is supporting businessman Urbanus Muthama in what has intensified their rivalry.

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Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi is wanted by police after he allegedly beat up South East Alego Chief, Joseph Ogutu Onjala to near death.

According to the chief who is currently recuperating at a private hospital in Siaya town, Atandi and his bodyguards stormed his house on Wednesday night, January 20, and assaulted him, leaving him unconscious.

Atandi is said to have accused the chief of hiring locals to disrupt a ceremony in which he had presided over.

Earlier on Wednesday, the fiery politician had commissioned renovations of classrooms at Unna Primary school, Siaya County.

After word got around of the assault incident, angry locals pursued their MP which prompted him to seek refuge at Nyangoma police station.

While at the station, he recorded a statement alleging that his function had been disrupted by rowdy youth who wanted to harm him.

The reports were confirmed by Siaya County Commissioner Michael ole Tialal who noted that Chief Onjala’s assistant had also gone missing in mysterious circumstances.

This is not the first time the legislator is on the spot for an alleged assault case. In January 2019, reports indicated that he had allegedly assaulted a government officer.

Accompanied by a few men, Atandi reportedly stormed the County Director of Education’s office seeking the Director’s contact.

The officer present declined to give him the contact which prompted him to slap her on the face.

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Just a few weeks after Senate Majority whip Irungu Kang’ata’s BBI letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta went viral, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has also raised concerns.

Kang’ata in his letter had warned the President that the BBI document was unpopular in Mt Kenya region, and unless much is done, it was likely to fail.

Waiguru wants an all-inclusive team to lead the BBI campaigns in Mt Kenya region if it is meant to pass.

She said there is a need to embrace all leaders, including those with varied opinions, if efforts to sell the document in the vote-rich region will succeed.

Waiguru spoke even as the Mt Kenya BBI secretariat met leaders from the region in efforts to calm discontent arising from alleged exclusion of some of the leaders.

The claim emerged after a five-member team was picked to popularise the BBI in the region.

Yesterday’s meeting was chaired by Kirinyaga Senator Charles Kibiru with most of those who attended refusing to divulge details.

Waiguru in an interview with The Standard cast aspersions on the newly-selected secretariat saying: “BBI is a political process that must be led by people the community recognises as political influencers.”

According to her, BBI is a political process and if it is not led by people the community recognises as political influencers, it will have challenges.

The team selected a fortnight ago comprises Kibiru, MPs Maoka Maore (Ntonyiri), Ruth Mwaniki (Kigumo), Peter Mwathi (Limuru) and Jane Njiru (Embu). 

The five have pledged allegiance to Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, but are accused of not being strong defenders of the president.

Waiguru was a member of Team Embrace that brought together women parliamentarians from Jubilee and ODM which drummed up support for the BBI.

Asked whether she was among the leaders that selected the Mt Kenya BBI secretariat and what she felt about it, Waiguru said she was not invited at Thika Greens meeting where the matter was discussed. 

She said she is not worried about being excluded as she is busy pushing development projects in Kirinyaga.

The governor said for the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2020 to get approval, there is need to make the process as collaborative as possible.

This, according to Waiguru, will entail bringing on board leaders with divergent views so that all leaders can own the document.

She warned that the process should not be made competitive as that would end up bringing more opposition to the BBI project which will spell doom to agenda and the mission of amending the 2010 Constitution.

“It is my view that for it to pass smoothly, we need to move from making BBI a competitive to a collaborative process by bringing everyone on board, including those with divergent views, so that we all own the document as opposed to having competing internal and external camps,” Waiguru said.

On whether she will continue supporting the proposed constitutional amendments, the governor said: “I will wait to be advised and then make decisions on how best to engage.” 

Speaking during an interview with four vernacular radio stations in the region on Monday, the President lashed out at the BBI opponents accusing them of stirring up incitement among Kenyans through the dynasty versus hustler narrative which he warned will divide Kenyans.

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Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has been left in a big dilemma after President Uhuru Kenyatta issued him with a new demand regarding their March 2018 handshake.

According to reports, Raila is stuck between accepting the demand or rejecting it and fold out of the handshake deal that has seen him work closely with President Kenyatta.

Details have already emerged that President Kenyatta wants Raila and his Orange party to sign a formal deal that will seal their agreement. 

The two decided to work together to calm the political tension emanating from the controversial August 2017 General election.

Insiders who spoke to a leading local daily said that the head of state wants Odinga to enjoy the fruits of the handshake, which birthed the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and has also seen several projects unveiled under Kenyatta’s regime. 

Jubilee is also pushing ODM to enter into a formal agreement after the latter reportedly asked to be awarded the position of Nairobi County Deputy Governor. 

ODM reportedly claimed to have played a role in impeaching former Governor Mike Sonko. New Deputy Governor Anne Kananu is poised to take over as governor. 

Odinga’s party may opt to present a candidate who is aligned to the party and not necessarily a party member as a Deputy Governor nominee. 

In June 2020, ODM declined to enter into an agreement with Jubilee after former Vice President, Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Democratic Movement and Isaac Ruto’s Chama Cha Maendeleo signed a deal with the ruling party. ODM, however, insisted that it would continue to partner with Jubilee and did not need to sign any formal deal.

Odinga held a crisis meeting with his key allies on Monday, January 19, to discuss the demand issued by Jubilee. 

“We don’t need to have a formal agreement with Jubilee. All we need is to trust each other,” ODM Chairman John Mbadi said, later on.

However, trust issues are key to the new deal being sought by Kenyatta as Odinga has on numerous occasions asked his critics to distance him from Jubilee failures. 

His allies such as Siaya Senator James Orengo have also openly criticised Jubilee for unemployment and Kenya’s high debt level.

Deputy President William Ruto hinted that Odinga and Kenyatta may be at loggerheads over the handshake deal, arguing that ODM wanted to pull out of the agreement after allegedly sabotaging the government. 

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