Home Latest News Politics
Category:

Politics

Senate Minority Leader James Orengo on Tuesday April 7, 2020 tore into speakers of both houses, the senate speaker Ken Lusaka and the National Assembly speaker Justin Muturi.

This is after the duo went ahead to dismiss the sittings of both houses amid he coronavirus pandemic.

The Siaya County senator has dismissed the move by both speakers, accusing them of going against the parliamentary rules and laws.

In a letter dated April 7 and seen by Dailytrends.co.ke , Orengo terms the move by the two house speakers as constitutional.

The senior counsel notes that these are difficult terms where all organs of the government must work together in harmony and unison to deal with the worst health scourge.

He cites that even in these hard times of coronvirus pandemic, the constitution and the rule of law have not been suspended, and thus, they must be followed by each and everyone.

He however, regrets that speakers Lusaka and Muturi arbitrarily suspended lawfully convened sittings of the National Assembly and the senate.

“But even in these hard times the constitution and the rule of law have not been suspended. It is regrettable that speakers of both houses of Parliament have arbitrarily suspended lawfully convened sittings of the National Assembly and the senate,” reads part of the letter.

Orengo goes on to note that no consultations were undertaken with the leadership of both houses or apopropriate committees of parliament to ensure strict compliance with law the law and the rules of parliament.

He says that the senate and parliament operate on a calendar and can never be prorogued or have its sittings suspended by any form of device or craft.

Image
Image


0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Seventeen members of parliament and senators have reportedly tested positive for the deadly Corona-virus after undergoing tests.

Health Cabinet Secretary Muthai Kagwe on Tuesday afternoon confirmed 14 more news cases, a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta confirmed 16 new cases on Monday afternoon.

The 17 MPs are said to spread between the cases that were confirmed on Monday and those that were confirmed on Tuesday.

50 members of parliament underwent tests after they reportedly interacted with Rabai Member of Parliament Kamoti Mwamkale who is among those who have been confirmed to have contracted that virus that’s first spreading across the globe.

Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina on Tuesday afternoon confirmed that indeed the MPs had undergone tests after he shared the results of his test, which came out negative.

Mwamkale is said to have contracted the virus after coming into contact with Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi who is said to have contacted the virus abroad. Saburi has since recovered from the virus but is currently in custody after he was arrested last week for failing to self-isolate.

Reports now indicate that more Members of Parliament and Senators have since been confirmed positive to the virus. The identities of the lawmakers who tested positive remain unknown but it is said that they are all those who came into contact with Kamoti.

So far 172 Corona-virus cases have been confirmed in the country. Six people have since succumbed to the deadly pandemic while 7 have fully recovered from it. High profile people who have contacted it in the country are Saburi and Mwamkale.

The government has since put in place measures to ensure that the virus doesn’t spread at an alarming rate. This includes a countrywide 7pm-5am curfew and banning travels into and from Nairobi Metropolitan region, Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale counties.

Across the globe, over 1.3 million people have been confirmed positive with over 70,000 deaths confirmed. The cure or vaccine for the virus is yet to be unearthed as the virus continues to spread like bush-fire.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

From Mountain hiking to cooking, driving to singing, Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen holds a multiple of talents.

Just a few months ago, Murkomen set the internet ablaze after showing off his cooking prowess.

The Elgeyo Marakwet Senator mesmerized Kenyans with the brown ugali he cooked.

That aside, just a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta instructed the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage to give Ksh 100 million to musicians, Murkomen decided to test whether he can qualify to be on the receiving list of the money with a splendid choice of song.

Singing in a relatively low but accurate voice, the Senator springs into a wonderful melody as he drove in his car, much to the amusement of many Kenyans.

Captioning his video, Murkomen noted that President Kenyatta never said that best musicians are the ones to be paid. He said that the head of state meant just any musician.

” Hakuna mahali Rais alisema mwimbaji bora, ni bora mwimbaji…! ” he captioned his video.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Bungoma County assembly health committee is crying foul over what it terms as sabotage from the house leadership and the County Governor Wycliffe Wangamati’s interference in their mandate execution.

Led by the committees chairman Hon George Makari, the members said they had summoned Bungoma County referral hospital superintendent and other signatories who were involved in the alleged misappropriation of over six million shillings meant to combat corona virus in the County.

He said they were perturbed to learn that the committee secretariat were ordered not to appear to facilitate the committees grilling exercise saying definitely the house leadership was involved in the whole saga.

Hon Makari said it was important to have the committee carry out its mandate saying the residents at the grass root level had faith in them before electing them and they are supposed to perform their over sight duty without failure.

Lwandanyi Mca Tony Khaoya expressed his concern saying its evidently clear that Bungoma County Governor has a hand to do with the sabotage saying they are using the Corona virus rules to shield the truth.

“The appetite of looting in the County is very high and it s unfortunate that ordinary citizens have to give out everything they have to access services at the hospital yet someone comes to loot” he lamented

Bungoma township Mca Joseph Maguda adding that the County executive has decided to sideline them in carrying out important County activities saying it has created a bad working relationship.

Kibingei Mca Aggrey Mulongo threatening to initiate an impeachment motion in the house against the speaker saying he has failed to provide an independent leadership that is expected of him.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

The High Court has temporarily stopped an impeachment motion tabled against Kirinyaga County governor Anne Waiguru, pending petition determination.

The High Court was on April 6 expected to rule whether the Kirinyaga County Assembly will continue with its sittings.

MCAs Maureen Muthoni and Raphael Kariuki wanted the court to stop the sittings in bid to stop the spread the virus. The MCAs, through lawyer Steve Ogolla,argue that in the absence of urgent and exceptional business directly related to the Covid-19 pandemic, there is no rational justification for the assembly to resume sittings.

The county reps’ decision to move to court was informed by the action by the assembly speaker to recall them from recess to discuss the impeachment motion against governor Waiguru.

In the impeachment motion filed on Tuesday last week, the MCAs  accuse the governor of gross violation of the Constitution by among others not delivering the annual state of the county address to the assembly.

Muthoni and Kariuki argued that reconvening the assembly in the middle of the coronavirus crisis poses a real and imminent danger of new infections to the MCAs, staff and the public that interact in the assembly.

 Ogolla submitted before Justice Weldon Korir that the court should direct the speaker to ensure adequate arrangements have been put in place to protect the members, staff and public from coronavirus infection.

The two fear that reconvening the assembly in the middle of the coronavirus crisis poses a real and imminent danger of new infections.

 According to them, the assembly was adjourned on March 18 over the coronavirus situation in the country.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered for a lock down in Nairobi county as coronavirus pandemics continues to bite more.

The head of state while addressing the nation on Monday afternoon ordered that there should be no movement in and out of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale.

He further ordered that there should be no movement within Nairobi (from 7pm today) and in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale from Wednesday.

Cessation of all road/rail/air movement shall be for an initial containment period of 21 days from 7pm Monday April 6 in Nairobi Metropolitan Area, from 7pm Wed April 8 in Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi.

Any passenger carrying bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, vehicles, railway wagons, aircraft shall not be allowed in and out of Nairobi Metropolitan Area, Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa.

This comes as Kenya records two more coronavirus related deaths.

As per Sunday April 5, Kenya was still at 4 deaths with 4 recoveries and 142 confirmed cases, after Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr Mercy Mwangangi confirmed 16 more cases.

The head of State went on to confirm 16 new cases, bringing the country’s total tally to 158.

President Kenyatta further revealed that 82% of the confirmed cases have been in respect of Nairobi County.

He has urged Kenyans to continue observing the measures issued by the government to stop the spread of the virus.

Kenyans have been urged to regularly wash their hands, sanitize and stay at home.

President Kenyatta further declared Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa and Nairobi Metropolitan Area as Covid-19 infected areas.

He has directed that no movement by road, rail or air should be allowed in and out of the above counties effective today (monday) 7pm.

President Kenyatta however, noted that the government will be forced to take more measures should the situation worsen. He also encouraged Kenyans to continue wearing face masks as one of the preventive measures.

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Kenya Films and Classification Board (KFCB) CEO Dr Ezekiel Mutua has strongly opposed a lock down in Kenya as a measure of containing COVID-19.

The moral cop through his official twitter account on Monday termed the lock down as a bad idea.

Mutua who demanded to know the people pushing for the lock down noted that majority of Kenyans live from hand to mouth, and a lock down would be a bad idea for them and their relatives.

He cited that the government should only come up with the lock down as a solution after coming up with a plan to feed Kenyans who will be affected.

“Who is pushing this lockdown crap and why? Salaried people sitting in the comfort of their homes can pontificate to others about lockdown. Those who live from hand to mouth or have relatives and friends who do, a lockdown is a bad idea, unless there’s a plan to feed the people!” he posted.

However, while appearing in a video interview at K24 TV in a show dubbed punchline on Sunday night, government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna said Kenya has not yet reached to point of locking down.

Oguna said that the country is not yet ready to declare a lockdown since the cases have only been reported in seven counties, with most of them concentrated in one county.

“The first factor would be the eruption of infections sustained in many counties and the health systems are overwhelmed. Right now we are talking about 7 counties,’ he said.

Oguna was clear that locking down the nation is not a one man decision, citing that all government agencies have to put their heads together before coming up with such a decision.

Instead, he said that they were urging people to obey the directives issued by the government to ensure that the number of confirmed cases remain the way they are.

Currently, Kenya has recorded a total of 142 confirmed coronavirus cases, with four recoveries and four deaths.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

The Government has finally cleared the air on possible lock down of the country as a measure to contain coronavirus pandemic.

Kenyans have been speculating that the country is planning for a lock down, with some Kenyans speculating that the possible lock down could start this week.

However, while appearing in a video interview at K24 TV in a show dubbed punchline on Sunday night, government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna said Kenya has not yet reached to point of locking down.

Oguna said that the country is not yet ready to declare a lockdown since the cases have only been reported in seven counties, with most of them concentrated in one county.

“The first factor would be the eruption of infections sustained in many counties and the health systems are overwhelmed. Right now we are talking about 7 counties,’ he said.

Oguna was clear that locking down the nation is not a one man decision, citing that all government agencies have to put their heads together before coming up with such a decision.

Instead, he said that they were urging people to obey the directives issued by the government to ensure that the number of confirmed cases remain the way they are.

“We don’t have to lockdown everything. It is not a one man decision, it is a decision to be made by a committee. All these agencies need to put their heads together. There are several options but we are urging people to obey the directives issued to ensure numbers remain where they are,” Oguna said.

Oguna said the coronavirus situation is not dire enough to be categorised as a national disaster.

Further, Oguna said that even if a lockdown is ordered, it may not be a total lockdown of all the 47 counties.

So far, Kenya has had a total of 142 confirmed coronavirus cases, with four recoveries and four deaths.

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has send a chilling message to Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators who will not adhere to the measures that have been set by the government to stop the spread of coronavirus.

On Sunday evening, Health Ministry’s Chief Administrative Secretary Dr Mercy Mwangangi confirmed 16 more coronavirus cases in Kenya, bringing total number of cases to 142.

Out the cases new cases, 15 are Kenyan citizens and a Nigerian national.

“out of this number 11 have a history of travel while 5 are locally transmitted, ” Dr Mwangangi said.

However, CS Macharia who spoke at a press conference held at Afya House says some matatu operators have been defying government’s directive of carrying less passengers.

He said that defiant matatu operators have been carrying passengers in excess, thus defying the social distance rule.

As from Monday April 6, matatus found defying this rules will have to face the music.

According to CS Macharia, those found violating the regulations will have their operating licences revoked.

The tough talking CS also noted that the people in charge of the respective vehicles will be locked up by the police, and have their vehicles impounded.

Matatu operators are also supposed to have their own sanitizers, and ensure that passengers boarding their vehicles have face masks.

At the moment, all traveling up-country remains banned, with those planning to evacuate their relatives from other countries being required to write to the transport ministry 72 hours prior to planned traveling day.

“We have extended the ban on international flights for 30 more days with effect from April 6. Evacuation and cargo flights are exempted from this ban. However, evacuation flights must give advance 72-hour notice,” CS Macharia said.

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has once again exposed the rot in President Uhuru Kenyatta-led Jubilee party, this time round hitting hard at the party’s headquarters.

The controversial lawmaker has vowed to fight for members of Jubilee Party who are being intimidated and blackmailed.

Kuria through his social media account claimed that some Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) from Jubilee are being intimidated and blackmailed by the party.

Though Kuria did not give details on the nature of the blackmail, he said the members of the Party are ready to take the Party back.

The MP urged the Jubilee MCAs not to live in fear saying they will no longer be intimidated as long as he is still alive.

“To all Jubilee MCAs countrywide. The Party HQs will no longer intimidate or blackmail you. Not as long as I live. Enough is Enough. No longer Owner-Occupier mentality in Jubilee. The tenants want their party back. Kwani iko nini?,” said Kuria.

Kuria had earlier on Saturday took a swipe at Jubilee party Secretary General Raphael Tuju and other party officials for carrying out party affairs yet they are not elected officials.

The MP said Tuju or any other member of the party who is not elected does not have any business appointing or dismissing Majority Leaders.

Kuria claimed that Tuju and his team are in office illegally saying, “the Jubilee Party had not sought from the Registrar of Political Parties an extension of the term of the interim officials.”

“For far too long, the Jubilee Secretariat has been carrying out party affairs with reckless abandon. One would be forgiven for thinking the unelected officials at the Secretariat do own the party. They exhibit an owner-occupier mentality towards Jubilee Party.”

“Even if they are the owners of the Jubilee House and we, the elected leaders are the tenants, even the tenants would have a right to purchase part of the home through a Tenant Purchase Scheme. Enough is Enough. The tenants want their party back!,” he added.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

There is an uproar among Members of County Assembly in Kirinyaga after the assembly’s Majority leader James Kamau Murango received a letter from Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju, ousting him from his post.

It is said that Mr Murango received the ouster letter after he presented complaints about governor Anne Waiguru to Jubilee Headquarters in Pangani, Nairobi.

Kirinyaga MCAs who had on Thursday tabled Waiguru’s outer motion are now up in arms, expressing their disappointment in Jubilee.

In his dismissal letter, Tuju also notes that after complaints, the party found that apart from two issues of disbursement of funds for bursaries and women projects the rest of the issues raised by the MCA were personal.

Murango is also accused of being part of a cohort of mainly independent MCAs who addressed the mass media on notice of motion to impeach Waiguru.

‘It is no longer tenable for you to lead Government business in the county assembly, we find this behaviour of refusing to listen to the party headquarters to be gross misconduct as articulated in artcle 13 of the party constitution’ the letter said

Speaking on Thursday, Wamumu ward MCA John Bapstita Kanga and Tebere ward MCA Gudson Muchina said the Jubilee party has no power to dictate who is supposed to be majority leader in Kirinyaga.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Senate Majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen has made more proposals in the senate to help in combating coronavirus pandemic.

The Elgeyo Marakwet senator has proposed that Kenya should hire more health workers who should join the fight against COVID-19.

The vocal lawmaker has also proposed that the country puts measure in place to ensure that all the medical students in their final year are graduated to join their colleagues in combating the coronavirus pandemic.

“I have proposed that we hire more health workers. We should also put measure in place to ensure that we graduate all the medical students in their final year and allow them to join their colleagues in combating this monster called COVID19,” posted Murkomen.

Murkomen has been on the forefront making bold moves in an effort to help contain the pandemic.

On Wednesday, Murkomen challenged the government to come up with a plan to cushion the poor amid hard economic times caused by coronavirus pandemic.

He moved a motion demanding the government to establish a cash transfer programme to cushion over 10 million families living in informal settlements.

Murkomen said there was a need for the government to cater to the basic needs of families including the provision of food and water.

“A broad-based stimulus package is needed to cushion the poor of the poor from the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. If we do not guarantee food to Kenyans living in Mathare or Kibera slums, they will walk to Muthaiga to get food for themselves,” he said.

On Thursday afternoon, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe confirmed 29 more cases in the country, bringing the total to 110.

CS Kagwe also confirmed two more fatalities, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to three.

He however, confirmed one more recovery, the Kilifi County Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi, that brought the total number of recoveries to four.

A raft of tough measures have been put in place to stop the spread of the virus.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria has dismissed claims by the government that two people identified as Brenda and Brian had been healed from COVID-19.

On Wednesday, April 1, President Uhuru Kenyatta held a televised meeting with two recovered coronavirus patients.

The president who was at State House engaged with the recovered patients, Brenda and Brian who were at Afya House.

The President identified the two patients as Brenda Cherotich who was the first patient to test positive for the virus in the country and Brian Orina who got infected by Brenda.

“Brenda we have been referring to you as patient 1, it was necessary to keep your details confidential but you are a special woman and a special young Kenyan because immediately you felt something was wrong, realizing what was happening in the world and without being coerced or pushed by your parents you took it upon yourself to go to Kenyatta Hospital and to tell them you were not well. We are very proud of you Brenda,” the President stated

Confident Brenda and Brian narrated how they discovered they had the virus and their journey to recovery.

However, Moses Kuria argues that the head of state was misled on this.

Mr Kuria has termed the President’s meeting with Brenda and Brian as the Prophet Owuor healing Press Conference for the Brenda & Brian Initiative, arguing that the government performed badly on COVID-19.

He says that Kenyans should not be fooled, but continue staying safe.

The controversial lawmaker argues that coronavirus is a very lethal killer. He says 100,000 Americans will die in the next two weeks as confirmed by President Trump.

He further argues that someone misled President Kenyatta, arguing that the head of state is lonely.

According to Moses Kuria, President Kenyatta is missing his deputy, Dr William Ruto.

“From a communications point of view, the Government of Kenya performed badly on COVID-19 yesterday. Forget the Prophet Owuor healing Press Conference for the Brenda & Brian Initiative. Do not be fooled. Continue keeping safe. Corona Virus is a very lethal killer. 100,000 Americans will die in the next 2 weeks as confirmed by President Trump. I think someone misled my President yesterday. And I think my President is lonely. And I think my President misses his Deputy,” he posted.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Wafula Chebukati-led Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has postponed all the upcoming by-elections.

This follows the coronavirus pandemic that has continued to affect the economy of the country.

In a press release issued on Wednesday evening, the electoral agency noted that the pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges towards delivering of its mandate.

It further noted that its day to day operations have been greatly affected.

The commission was set to conduct by-elections in Dabaso ward (Kilifi County), Kahawa Wendani Ward (Kiambu County), Kisumu North ward (Kisumu County), Wundanyi/Mbale ward (Taita Taveta County) and Msambweni Constituency for a parliamentary seat that was left vacant following the demise of MP Suleiman Dori.

The elections have also been postponed to avoid public gatherings that would be witnessed during campaigns and nominations.

The government has hence banned public gatherings as a measure of stopping the spread of COVID-19.

A later date will be announced by the commission for each of the by-elections that were to be held.

Image
0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Narok County Senator Ledama Ole Kina has asked Parliament to surrender all its international and local trips budget to help in combating coronavirus pandemic.

Taking to his official twitter account on Wednesday morning, the ODM lawmaker said the Ksh 200 million donated by the senate on Tuesday is no enough.

He suggested that should the money be surrendered by the parliament, it should be divided amongst the 47 counties to modernize open air markets and isolation centers.

“Parliament should surrender all its budget for international/local trips to combat #COVID19KE Ksh 200M donates by senate is nothing!The money should be divided amongst 47 counties to modernize open air markets/isolation centers! No to food ratios it won’t help!” he tweeted.

The vocal lawmaker further asked the executive and the judiciary to also surrender all of their budgets for international and local trips, to be used for the same purpose.

He says that people should be independent, rather than just depending on hand outs, since Kenya is an industrious nation.

“The executive/judiciary should also surrender all its budgets for international and local trips! What we want is our people to be independent not Dependent on hand outs! We are an industrious nation not beggars! I say no to food ratios make their working environment #COVID19 free,” he added.

The Senate on Tuesday afternoon surrendered Sh200 million from its budget to aid in the fight against the now most dreaded coronavirus disease.

The announcement was made by Speaker Kenneth Lusaka when the lawmakers reconvened after a two-week break.

The speaker said the house has yielded the cash from the Senate budget allocation in the current financial year, to aid in the efforts of the government to fight the disease.

He said the decision was made by a Senate Business Committee during its sitting on Monday to support the government’s efforts to combat the virus.

Kenya on Tuesday reported nine new coronavirus cases bringing the total number of people with the virus to 59.

Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi said the nine were from 234 samples tested in the last 24 hours.

She said 1,160 people who have come into contact with the positive cases are being monitored.

Mwangangi also said the government will use boarding schools as isolation for testing and treating coronavirus patients should the situation get worse.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has challenged the government to come up with a plan to cushion the poor amid hard economic times caused by coronavirus pandemic.

The senator Majority leader on Tuesday afternoon moved a motion demanding the government to establish a cash transfer programme to cushion over 10 million families living in informal settlements.

Murkomen said there was a need for the government to cater to the basic needs of families including the provision of food and water.

“A broad-based stimulus package is needed to cushion the poor of the poor from the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. If we do not guarantee food to Kenyans living in Mathare or Kibera slums, they will walk to Muthaiga to get food for themselves,” he said.

In his motion, Murkomen called for the enactment of favourable measures to ensure the continuous supply of food and other essential commodities at affordable prices.

He also called for keen consideration of people with mental health problems in the execution of the 7 pm to 5 am curfew and hiring of more doctors and nurses to deal with the virus.

He further called for an all-inclusive process of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic that brings to the table economic experts, political leaders from across political divides, business and religious leaders as well as the media.

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail