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Raila Responds to DP Ruto’s ‘Deep State’ Claims

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party leader Raila Odinga has responded to Deputy President William Ruto’s outburts.

The second in command had on Tuesday August 11 claimed that there is a plan by the deep state and the system top rig him out in the 2022 general electuions.

The DP who was speaking at his Karen residence noted that he was unstoppable, saying that he would crash the so called deep state.

“I just want to tell them: ‘We’re waiting for you’. This system, this Deep State we are being told about, we are waiting for it. They’ll come with the system, but we will be there with the people and God and see who wins,” said Dr Ruto.

However, Raila on Thursday August 13 said he is unaware of the existence of an ineffable election results manipulator known as the Deep State.

“I, Raila Odinga, do not hold a position in the current Government. The Head of State is known, and the Deputy President is known. If you are talking of the Deep State, who is there? When someone talks about the Deep State [that is outside the Government circles], which one is it? We [in ODM] do not know about the Deep State,” said Raila Odinga while welcoming new members to ODM at Orange House in Nairobi on Thursday, August 13.

“From our previous experiences as ODM, we have learnt a lot; we know where we are coming from, and where we want to go,” he added.

After denying knowledge of the existence of a Deep State outside government circles, Raila was asked by a journalist to respond to his elder brother Oburu Odinga’s claim — that he (Raila) will be a beneficiary of the “system” in 2022 presidential race.

“Oburu Odinga is an individual [entitled to his own opinion],” the ODM leader replied, playing down the consequence of his brother’s remarks.

In late July 2020, Oburu Odinga said that the AU representative for Infrastructure lost previous presidential elections because he was not receiving the backing of the “system”.

“All these elections, we have been getting the most votes, but not ending up in State House because we did not have the system. But now in 2022, we have both the system and our votes which are always the majority — what more could we ask for?” Dr Oburu posed in a previous public address.

Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho on Wednesday August 12 also dismissed DP Ruto’s claims, arguing that there is nothing like the deep state in Kenya.

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PS Karanja Kibicho Responds to Ruto’s ‘Deep State’ Outburst

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Interior Principal Secretary, Karanja Kibicho, has responded to Deputy President William Ruto’s ‘deep state’ and ‘system’ rant.

The second in command on Tuesday August 11, 2020, during a meeting held at his Karen residence in Nairobi, claimed that the ‘Deep State’ and ‘system’ are planning to rig him out in the 2022 general elections.

The second in command while insisting that he will be armed with voters and God to crash the system in 2022 cited that he was not afraid of the group dubbed Deep State, a term commonly being used in political debate to refer to boardroom politics.

However, PS Kibicho says that the shadowy entity referred by DP Ruto exists only in the minds of those who have already sensed electoral defeat.

Speaking on Wednesday August 12, 2020 during an interview with Spice FM, Kibicho noted that the deep state and the system that were referred to by Ruto don’t exit in Kenya.

Ruto while raising his claims had also recounted that similar tactics had been used during the 2013 campaign when he teamed up with Uhuru Kenyatta to seek the Presidency.

Ruto’s statement appeared to be a warning to his distractors, from a politician who has been deliberately restrained despite what his supporters see as a direct and repeated provocation by a section of Jubilee Party leaders.

The Deep State is used to refer to a group of highly influential individuals, government officials, and businessmen with deep pockets and wide networks and whose political interests and preferences can sway elections.

His comments come only days after Jubilee Party vice chairman David Murathe and trade unionist Francis Atwoli told the nation to prepare for a Raila Odinga presidency, comparing the ODM man to South Africa’s freedom hero, Nelson Mandela.

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Behind-The-Scenes Intrigues That Led to Elachi’s Resignation

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just a day after rendering her resignation to President Uhuru Kenyatta, details have emerged on what led to Nairobi County Assembly speaker Beatrice Elachi’s decision to resign.

Elachi is said to have received a late night phone call from to state officials pushing for her resignation.

Despite initially resisting the idea and threatening a legal challenge if she was ousted, Elachi reportedly accepted to step down after being promised a government appointment.

While resigning on Tuesday August 11, 2020, Elachi thanked President Kenyatta for giving her the opportunity to serve Nairobi for the last three years and said she hoped to serve in his administration in any other capacity in the near future.

“Today I humbly relinquish my position as the Speaker of Nairobi. I want to thank the President for giving me the opportunity to serve for the past three years,” she said.

On Friday July 31, as the nation celebrated Idd-ul-Azha, a meeting was underway at State House, which seemingly would seal the fate of Elachi as Nairobi County Assembly Speaker. 

According to the Standard, President Kenyatta had hosted 41 Jubilee MCAs for the two-hour long meeting to address the leadership crisis at City Hall and help forge a good working relationship with the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) to better service delivery for the electorate.

The meeting came days after chaos had rocked the Assembly when a number of MCAs tried to forcefully serve Elachi with a notice of Motion for her impeachment.

In attendance at the meeting, which started at about mid-day, were MCAs from the majority Jubilee Party, led by reinstated Majority Leader Abdi Guyo, deputy Majority Leader Peter Wanyoike, Majority Whip Paul Kados and deputy Majority Whip Waithera Chege.

Guyo is a fierce critic of the Speaker, who had to fight a faction allied to Elachi to regain the Majority Leader position.

Waithera, the South B MCA, was earmarked as the mover of the impeachment Motion against the Speaker.

Neither Elachi nor MCAs allied to her were present at the State House meeting.

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Nairobi MCAs Hold Party Along a Thika Road Hotel to Celebrate Elachi’s Exit

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi County Assembly speaker Beatrice Elachi’s decision to resign seems to have been a major win for a section of city County politicians.

Just moments after she rendered her resignation, governor Mike Sonko was the first one to activate the celebration mode, with a series of praise and worship songs posted on his social media handles.

Later on in the day, Sonko held a press conference top throw blames at Elachi, arguing that she was the cause of all the problems at City Hall.

Sonko even argued that Elachi was being wrongly used by some people at President Kenyatta’s office to frustrate the operations of the County government.

But is it only Sonko who celebrated Elachi’s Tuesday morning exit?

Well, some MCAs of the troubled Nairobi County Assembly are said to have retreated for a brief party along a Thika Road hotel shortly after speaker Elachi threw in the towel.

According to a report by a local daily, a cross-section of ward reps celebrated the exit of the embattled speaker by toasting and tossing down glasses of wine over nyama choma, despite the ban on the sale of alcohol.

The venue of the party is owned by a city politician who has been a top gun, pushing for Elachi’s removal.

The party was held in a hurry within two hours. MCAs were then allowed to leave after they agreed on a rendezvous outside Nairobi in the coming weeks.

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Ruto Dares The ‘Deep State’, Reveals How he Will Outsmart ‘The System’ in 2022

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President William Ruto has dared the deep state, citing that he was not afraid of the system.

Ruto in a video that went viral on social media on Tuesday August 11, 2020 termed the deep state as a shadowy group that allegedly controls and influences key decisions in the country, including outcomes of elections.

Ruto says that he will surprise the system in 2022 by ensuring that voters’ ballots will count in the next election.

We are being threatened that there is a system, Deep State, that will steal your votes when you cast your ballots,” said DP Ruto.

He said that this is not the first time threats have been issued.

He was speaking at his Karen residence during a meeting with leaders from Kajiado County led by Kajiado South MP Katoo Ole Metito and Senator Mary Senata.

The DP argued that as the Deep state relies on the system come 2022, he will come with God and voters, the only way he says the system can be outsmarted.

Citing the 2013 General Election when he joined hands with President Uhuru Kenyatta to form Jubilee Party which won the presidential election, Ruto said they were threatened with veiled threats their choice to run will have consequences.

“If I was a coward, I would not have supported President Kenyatta in 2013 because some people told me not to work with him,” he said.

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Plot in Works to Make Peter Kenneth Prime Minister, Raila’s 2022 Position Revealed

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta is reportedly laying the ground for former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth to be his successor in Mount Kenya region.

And to achieve this goal, Uhuru and his strategists are out to have the Building Bridges Initiative passed and have Kenneth as the prime minister.

The picking of Kenneth as prime minister is part of Uhuru’s power game to win back the confidence of his Kikuyu tribesmen who incidentally together with others, are not happy with his leadership and claim he has been pushing for BBI so as to remain in power as prime minister after his tenure as president ends.

Another claim has been that Uhuru and Raila Odinga are pushing for the PM slot to have the president’s younger brother Muhoho Kenyatta land the post.

Sources say that Uhuru is aware of the ramifications and backlash in his Mount Kenya region if he grooms his kinsman to succeed him, hence the emerging Kenneth factor in the region, and nationally.

According to a local daily, Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa is part of the power-sharing formula and he is likely to be in the Raila-Uhuru lineup after Musalia Mudavadi refused to play ball.

Eugene may go for the Kiminini parliamentary seat 2022 in his plan to land a cabinet seat being as it is that if BBI is adopted, CSs would be MPs.

Surprisingly, in the new lineup,it is said that Raila is out to block Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka getting a position and prefers Kitui Charity Ngilu.

Claims by ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna that Kalonzo is hijacking and staging a coup in the handshake deal clearly shows that they are uncomfortable with him.

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi is another key player in the political arrangement. In Central region anti-Uhuru sentiments, and to an extent entire Kenyatta family, are widespread and a rebellion is largely looming.

Perhaps, aware that the Mt Kenya ground is not accommodative to him, Uhuru is working on plan B to endear himself to the vote bloc.

Together with powerful Kikuyu tycoons working under the umbrella of Mount Kenya Foundation, they are slowly grooming Kenneth to take care of the region’s interests.

Uhuru sometimes back told Kikuyus the person he will pick to unify them will surprise them.

It is true, picking on Kenneth, is a surprise political card as in 2013, Kenneth ran for presidency opposing Uhuru.

In 2017, Kenneth ran for Nairobi governorship and was Uhuru preferred Jubilee candidate, but William Ruto, who read the move as aimed at positioning PK to play a key role in Uhuru succession, decided to back Mike Sonko.

Locked out of Jubilee, Kenneth went for the top city seat as an independent candidate. Those surrounding Uhuru mostly from Murang’a county wanted to have Kenneth as city governor controlling billions of shillings and number two politician after Uhuru and easily succeed him as regional kingpin.

They have never forgiven Ruto for blocking the plan in 2017 thus Mt Kenya having a leadership vacuum.

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Sonko Warned as he Celebrates Elachi’s Downfall

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just minutes after Nairobi County Assembly speaker Beatrice Elachi rendered her resignation to President Uhuru Kenyatta, Nairobi County governor took to social media to celebrate her downfall.

Through his verified Facebook page, Sonko sent out coded messages which clearly implied that he was in celebrations.

The County chief posted three different video songs, in which artists are praising God for standing with them, and answering their prayers.

One of the videos had the message “God has listened to our prayers. There is a God in heaven who listens to our cries and answers them.”

The message in the other video also had a similar same message: “We have seen your mighty hand Lord. Your deeds are grateful from lower to higher. You have brought us from far. While holding our hand. You lift up your people and forever we praise you.”

He then posted Nadia Mukami’s ‘Maombi’ video song, which says “it is not witchcraft, but prayers.”

However, netizens who have reacted to his videos have warned him not to just celebrate yet, with some insinuating that Elachi’s resignation might be a well calculated move to dissolve Nairobi County.

Should it be dissolved, the city will be handed over to Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) under Director General Mohamed Badi.

Elachi while resigning on Tuesday morning said she was moving on to a new season in her political career and journey and going back to her Dagoretti North constituents.

She thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta for giving her the opportunity to serve Nairobi for the last three years and said she hoped to serve in his administration in any other capacity in the near future.

She asked the assembly to stand firm and support Nairobi Metropolitan Services Director-General Mohammed Badi in transforming the capital.

Elachi advised Governor Sonko with whom she has had a frosty relationship with to focus on God and stop intimidation.

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How Elachi Will Bounce Back After Resigning as Nairobi Assembly Speaker

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi has resigned as Nairobi County Assembly speaker.

Her Deputy and Ruai MCA John Kamangu has taken over in an acting capacity.

While tendering her resignation this morning, Elachi said that she was moving on to a new season in her political career and journey.

She also noted that she was going back to her Dagoretti North constituents. Is this her next target? Will she battle out Simba Arati in 2022 general elections?

Well, whilst she maintains that she is going back to her constituents, Elachi is most likely to be appointed for another post in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

Ever since President Kenyatta formed the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) and Director General Mohamed Badi, Elachi has been supportive, even as governor Mike Sonko and his allied MCAs tried to fight Badi.

While resigning, Elachi thanked President Kenyatta for giving her the opportunity to serve Nairobi for the last three years and said she hoped to serve in his administration in any other capacity in the near future.

Well, does this indicate that she is aware of an appointment awaiting her in the near future?

Well, she asked the assembly to stand firm and support Nairobi Metropolitan Services Director-General Mohammed Badi in transforming the capital.

“That is the critical agenda..the legacy for our President and I believe he would be proud to see us support him. If I ever did wrong, within the duties I was given, I ask for forgiveness,” she said.

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Raila, Murathe And Orengo in Another Meeting at CS Peter Munya’s Home

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just days after meeting at COTU boss Francis Atwoli’s home, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga, Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe and Siaya senator James Orengo met again over the weekend.

This time round they met at the home of Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya.

The leaders had attended the initiation ceremony of Munya’s son Karauni Munya.

Among the political issues discussed in the ceremony was the revenue sharing formula and the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

Raila was on Saturday, August 8, endorsed by Murathe for Presidency, a move which was later backed by Central organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli.

In an exclusive interview with KTN News, Murathe asked Kenyans to prepare for Raila’s presidency in 2022, comparing his situation to former South African President Nelson Mandela.

“We think it’s time Kenyans rewarded the years of struggle of Raila Amollo Odinga. They owe it to him. It’s like Mandela, and 2022 will be a Mandela Moment.

“And we would also like to tell him (Raila) to be a transitional president who will then nurture the young generation to take over in 2027,” stated Murathe.

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Raila Describes The Pain That Saw Him Airlifted to Dubai

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has opened up on the ailment that saw him jet out of the country for Dubai, to seek specialised treatment.

In an exclusive interview with Nation Media Group Editorial Director Mutuma Mathiu on Sunday August 9, 2020, the former premier revealed that he experienced pain around his waist down to his legs.

He, however, noted that he was feeling much better and was even capable of undertaking nearly all the tasks he used to perform before the illness kicked in.

“I am feeling much better now. I was having bit of pain around my waist and going down my legs all the way to the foot and the doctors told me it was called Spinal Canal Stenosis,” he said

The African Union envoy further revealed that a minor procedure called Lumbar decompression and fusion was done on him in Dubai, to ease the pain he was feeling.

The procedure lasts for between 2 hours and 7 hours to operate after which the patient needs time to recuperate.

He also noted that he will be getting back to the gym very soon.

He arrived back in the country on Sunday, July 12, from Dubai where he had traveled to undergo the minor surgery.

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Murathe Asks Kalonzo to Make Way For Raila’s Final Bullet

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Jubilee party Vice Chairman David Murathe has asked Wiper Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka not to run for Presidency come 2022.

Instead, Murathe wants Kalonzo, whose party is a member of the NASA coalition, to step aside and let Kenyans make ODM party leader Raila Odinga a one term President.

In an exclusive interview with KTN last evening, Murathe said it is time to reward Raila for all his struggles and sacrifices for the country’s democratic growth and progress.

Raila would then be a one-term transitional president who will clear the way for generation change in Kenya’s political order. Murathe is listed among the eight men shaping President Uhuru Kenyatta succession politics.

According to him, it should by now be a forgone conclusion that Raila will be on the ballot.

“Untill Kalonzo moves from the Nasa coalition, what we are doing is co-operating. Just like we are co-operating with ODM. I don’t know what the arrangement is on the Nasa side but if you ask me I would like him (Kalonzo) to also let Raila run,” he said.

In an interview with Daily Nation last month, Kalonzo said he has a secret pact with Raila on how they will work together in 2022.

He said the pact is separate from the 2017 National Super Alliance (Nasa) coalition agreement that included Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi, Ford-Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula and Chama Cha Mashinani’s Isaac Ruto.

According to Kalonzo, even though Nasa is dead, he has signed an agreement with Raila on how they will approach the 2022 elections.

He however, refused to disclose details of the deal, but said it was entered into without the knowledge of the other Nasa principals.

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna later dismissed the claims, saying that ODM had no any political deal with Kalonzo ahead of 2022.

Kalonzo however, maintained that his deal with Raila was intact, arguing that he was sober while making his claims in the interview with Daily Nation.

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Former ODM MP Dies Barely Two Weeks After Losing Wife to Covid-19

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former Changamwe Member of Parliament Ramadhan Kajembe has died, barely two weeks after his wife died from Covid-19 complications..

According to reports, Kajembe passed on at Pandya Memorial Hospital in Mombasa on Friday afternoon (August 7. 2020).

The former lawmaker is suspected to have succumbed to COVID-19 complications after spending one week at the hospital.

The former legislator has died aged 76.

Kajembe served as Changamwe MP between 2007 and 2013 on an ODM Party ticket.

Kajembe, who ran for Mombasa senatorial seat in the March 4, 2013 general election, lost to former Senator Hassan Omar in the elective post race.

Kajembe lost his first wife Aziza Kajembe on July 24, 2020 barely four months after losing his second wife Zaharia.

He will be buried on Saturday, August 8 at the Kajembe family cemetery in Changamwe.

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Uhuru Appoints KANU’s Nick Salat to Lucrative Position

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya African National Union (KANU) secretary General Nick Salat on Friday August 7, 2020 landed a new lucrative position in government.

President Uhuru Kenyatta through a gazette notice appointed Salat to be the Chairperson of the Board of the Agricultural Development Corporation.

Salat is set take up the position for one year, with effect from August 7, 2020 to June 5, 2021.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7(3) of the State Corporations Act, I, Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Nicholas Kiptoo Arap Korir Salat to be the chairperson of the Board of the Agricultural Development Corporation, up to June 5, 2021, with effect from the August 7, 2020,” read the statement.

He added that the appointment of Benjamin Cheboi, who previously served in the same position, had been revoked.

At the same time, the head of state revoked the appointment of Salat as the Chairman of the Board of the Postal Corporation of Kenya effective August 7, 2020.

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Mt Kenya Politician Who Tested Covid-19 Positive After Meeting Ruto Speaks Out

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A Mt Kenya politician who tested positive for Covid-19 days after meeting Deputy President William Ruto at his Karen residence in Nairobi has come out to clarify on how he contracted the virus.

Speaking to a local news publication on Thursday August 6, 2020, Muteti Murimi, a Kirinyaga politician and 2022 parliamentary aspirant acknowledged that indeed he had contracted the virus a few days after the meeting, but maintained  he wasn’t ill when he met the DP.

The politician met Ruto alongside a section of young entrepreneurs from the Mt. Kenya Region.

The group held a consultative meeting with Ruto and later on posed for a photo session.

His response came shortly after a section of Kenyans on Facebook launched attacks on him with accusations of flouting (Coronavirus) Covid-19 rules when meeting Ruto.

“I tested positive two weeks ago but I have already recovered and I am now negative. I was on self isolation and was treated from home. I was well when I went to Karen that Monday (July 20), so the issue of the DP should not arise here,” he was quoted saying.

He added that  all Covid-19 measures were observed during their meeting, maintaining that the DP should not isolate since he was not sick when he visited his Karen residence.

He however, stated that he started experiencing some chest complications and went to hospital and results turned positive.

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Kakamega to Host a High Level Development Summit

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Due to the tremendous development milestones achieved in Kakamega County under the devolved system of governance, Kakamega town has been nominated to host the first high level summit on development dubbed “Effective Development Cooperation” in September 2021.

The summit is convened by the Council of Governors (CoG), the National Government, the Parliament and the 47 County Assemblies, United Nations and the citizens through the Central Organization of Trade Unions (Cotu).

Kakamega County Secretary and Head of Public Service madam Jacinta Aluoch Odhiambo Wednesday morning hosted Dr. Joseph Amunga, the Summit coordinator and expressed her gratitude to the organizers for choosing Kakamega as the host of the inaugural conference in the country.

“This nomination indeed reflects what has been accomplished in Kakamega in matters development,” madam Jacinta said.

She added that Kakamega is strategically positioned to influence development in the Western region having been the headquarters of the former Western Province.

The summit organizers are also working closely with the academia, the private sector, the civil society and other development partners to achieve their objectives.

The outcomes of the Summit will be centred towards implementation of; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Vision 2030, the Big 4 Agenda as well as the recommendations of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

Dr. Joseph Amunga, the Summit coordinator said the event will promote citizenry participation ( Public Participation) and Community development.Governor Oparanya besides being the host Governor, will also chair the inaugural Summit meeting.

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How Sakaja Arrived in Parliament at 5am to Escape an Arrest

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja on Tuesday August 4, 2020 said he had endured one of the most difficult weekends.

Sakaja who was speaking on the floor of the senate said he was trailed by police officers the entire weekend.

At some point, the officers camped outside his home waiting to arrest him.

“On Friday, I was being trailed by police officers in a vehicle registration number KBZ 317W and I saw them and they left. I raised it with the IGP but he didn’t t respond,” Sakaja said on the floor.

He narrated how he arrived in Parliament at 5am to escape an arrest that had been orchestrated to ensure he did not show up in the chamber for the debate on a motion that he had moved to amend the committee’s formula.

In the amendment, whose debate was adjourned last week, Sakaja is pushing for a formula that places the Sh316.5 billion allocated in the last financial year as the base.

Later, Sakaja told a local daily there was a plot to arrest him over his recent scuffle with Kilimani police officers for flouting the curfew.

“On Monday morning, I got out very early. I wanted to get papers at Total petrol station. When I got out, I saw a vehicle, then they put on the headlights. So, I said, let me move back. I went left and moved fast and switched off my phone, took papers and came back.

“In the evening, I was meeting some colleagues at Radisson. Senator Farhiya Ali (nominated senator from Nairobi) tells me that she was told I should not come to the chamber so that Beth Mugo votes on behalf of the Nairobi delegation. But I told her that I will. It was there that I learnt they didn’t want me to come to the chamber,” he was quoted by The Star.

The plan, according to the senator, was to arrest and detain him and charge him for allegedly assaulting Kilimani police officers.

But Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio and Majority Chief Whip Irungu Kanga’ta challenged those claiming intimidation and threats to substantiate.

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