Home Latest News Politics
Category:

Politics

Politics

Uhuru Turns Guns on Murkomen, Mutula Jr Over Sonko Case

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday talked tough against professionals in public service in what looked like a direct attack on Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumb Murkomen and his Makueni counterpart Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior.

Speaking a day after the duo represented Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko in a graft case, the head of state wants all professionals in public service to forego private practice.

The president during 56th Jamhuri day celebrations at Nyayo stadium ordered Attorney General (AG) Paul Kihara Kariuki to have the Conflict of Interest Bill forwarded to National Assembly in what appears to be a response to Murkomen and Kilonzo Jnr representing Mike Sonko at Milimani Law Courts.

“You either serve the public in the role you signed up for or you serve the republic as a private practitioner. It is a profound conflict of interest to do both,” said President Kenyatta.

Siaya Senator James Orengo has also represented various graft convicts in court, including governors such as Migori’s Okoth Obado.

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo and Makueni’s Dan Maanzo have also been in courts representing various people in different cases.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Mixed Reactions as Uhuru Extends Term of BBI Taskforce

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday evening met the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Taskforce at State House, Nairobi.

During their meeting, the President and Raila thanked the team for putting together the recently launched report and requested the Taskforce to continue leading the BBI process.

The Taskforce will therefore steer the next phase of the process which will largely involve expanding and guiding public participation, and structuring recommendations by Kenyans into implementable action plans.

However, this move has found itself on the wrong side with Kenyans who have taken to social media to express different reactions.

Many believe that this is another way of creating more per diems and budget as Kenya marks its 56th Jamhuri Day.

They have termed it as a waste of time and money.

Some argue that the president and Raila have some selfish interests which might leave Kenya divided.

Here are some of the reactions.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Muthama Dumps Raila, Kalonzo, Endorses Ruto For 2022 Presidency

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama has endorsed Depurty President Dr William Ruto for 2022 presidency.

The former Senator said Ruto was best suited to head the country come 2022 and that he would support the DP’s campaign.

Muthama says Ruto is best suited to lead the country in 2022.

He has also announced his political comeback in the next general election.

Muthama has been a close ally and supporter of Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and was key in financing the NASA campaign team in 2013.

He previously financed the unsuccessful CORD campaign in 2013 as well as oiled Musyoka’s presidential campaign in 2007.

However, in the run up to the 2017 General Election, Muthama fell out with Musyoka over administration of nominations in the Ukambani region where the Wiper Party was popular.

As a sign of rebellion against Musyoka, Muthama declined to defend his Machakos Senatorial seat but remained a key player in the NASA campaign team.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Inside Uhuru’s Secret Meeting With Jamaican Prime Minister

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday held separate talks with President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and and the Vice President of Cuba Inés María Chapman Waugh .

The Kenya’s head of state met his Congolese and Jamaican counterparts at State House, Nairobi during which the leaders explored opportunities for deepening bilateral relations.

At the meeting with Vice President Chapman held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the President expressed Kenya’s gratitude to the Cuban Government for the two countries collaboration in the health sector.

The President said through the health partnership, Kenyans are beneffiting from specialised services offered by Cuban doctors in the Counties. He expressed Kenya’s keenness on deepening relations with Cuba for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Speaker Onyango Oloo’s Impeachment Upheld, Ordered to Surrender County Property

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kisumu County Assembly speaker Onyango Oloo’s impeachment has been upheld.

Kisumu court on Tuesday morning ruled that Mr Oloo was impeached legally.

He was ordered to surrender all county property including official motor vehicles.

The MCAs impeached Oloo citing an active corruption investigation at the Lake Basin Development Authority against him

Oloo in September moved to court to challenge his removal from the county assembly.

In an application filed under a Certificate of Urgency, Mr Oloo had sought six orders including stopping the county assembly from implementing a resolution to impeach him.

Oloo wanted the Labour and Employment Court to issue orders reinstating him as speaker pending the hearing and determination of his application.

The county assembly, on the other hand, had also filed a petition seeking to compel Oloo to return county assets in his possession, including a vehicle.

In his suit, Oloo claimed that his impeachment was marked by a series of breaches to the law and he wants the court to overturn the assembly’s decision.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Crime & InvestigationsPolitics

Sonko: My arrest was Politically Schemed And Designed to Humiliate and Embarrass me

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi county governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has maintained that his arrest was Politically Schemed and designed to Humiliate and Embarrass him.

Taking to his social media accounts on Sunday evening, Sonko condemned the manner in which he was arrested, faulting DPP Noordin Haji for failing to summon him instead.

He has condemned his arrest, accusing the government of using excessive force on him.

Sonko says that a total of 25 police cars, a police chopper and 200 police officer were deployed to arrest him.

He however called for calmness from his supporters as he gets processed to appear in court tomorrow (Monday) to face corruption charges.

Sonko was arrested on Friday in Voi after DPP Haji issued a warrant of arrest against him.

Here is Sonko’s full statement.

“MY PERSONAL STATEMENT

“In the last three months, I have been summoned by the EACC four record times, where I have faithfully honoured all the summons.

“Question is, WHAT was so difficult for Mr. Noordin Haji or even Mr. Twalib Mbarak to follow the same process of summoning me to present myself at the Eacc offices for processing and charging?

“Iam convinced that my arrest was politically schemed and designed to humiliate and embarrass me. There was no point for the deployment of a police helicopter, more than 25 police cars, and 200 police officers to locate and arrest me, while we all know that, on the same material day, there was terror attack in Wajir County where the chopper with this kind of reinforcement, deployment and operation was needed.

“Lastly and most importantly, I wish to call upon ALL my loyal supporters and well-wishers to remain calm and stay at home or go to their usual places of work from tomorrow (Monday), as I get processed to appear before a court of law.

“I am a law abiding citizen, and therefore ask my supporters to stay away from the courts or any other activities that may threaten the peace.

“I urge all my supporters to allow the law enforcement agencies to do their work, and let the law take its course. The peace and stability of Nairobi is more important than anything else.

“Kwahivyo tafadhalini nawaomba muwache nipambane na hali yangu ninapofikishwa mahakamani kesho asubuhi kujibu mashtaka yanayonikabidhi. Kitu ninahitaji kwenu nyote wapendwa kwasasa ni maombi hata mahaters wangu wote muniombee ninapopambana na hali yangu.

“Ahsanteni sana, na Mungu awabariki Nyote.

“I am a law abiding citizen, and therefore ask my supporters to stay away from the courts or any other activities that may threaten the peace.

“I urge all my supporters to allow the law enforcement agencies to do their work, and let the law take its course. The peace and stability of Nairobi is more important than anything else.

“Kwahivyo tafadhalini nawaomba muwache nipambane na hali yangu ninapofikishwa mahakamani kesho asubuhi kujibu mashtaka yanayonikabidhi. Kitu ninahitaji kwenu nyote wapendwa kwasasa ni maombi hata mahaters wangu wote muniombee ninapopambana na hali yangu.

“Ahsanteni sana, na Mungu awabariki Nyote.

______________________________
H.E. Mike Mbuvi Sonko, EGH
Governor, Nairobi City County

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Latest NewsPolitics

Governor Alfred Mutua Urgently Employing, Check Out Available Vacancies in Machakos

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Machakos County governor Dr Alfred Mutua is urgently employing workers in his county.

The county chief through his official Twitter account on Sunday morning called for willing Kenyans to apply for building and construction works in Machakos.

He says the county is experiencing a severe shortage of qualified Masons, Electricians, Tilers, Plumbers etc.

Mutua notes that there is a massive economic growth and construction work going on in Machakos County that has led to the shortage of qualified personel in the ongoing works.

“WORKERS NEEDED URGENTLY: Due to the massive economic growth & construction work going on in Machakos county, we have a severe shortage of QUALIFIED Masons, Electricians, Tilers, Plumbers etc. I am calling for QUALIFIED KENYAN builders to come & look for work in Machakos county,” he tweeted.

Mutua did not however give the procedure to be followed in application, but encouraged all qualified Kenyans to apply.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Latest NewsPolitics

ODM Thrown Into Deep Mourning

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has been thrown into a deep mourning state.

The party on Sunday morning announced the passing on of mama Dorcas Akumu Ajwang, the mother to the late Sen. Otieno Kajwang’, Sen. Moses Otieno Kajwang’, Hon TJ Kajwang’, Hon Peter Kajwang’ (MCA Kaptembwa Ward Nakuru), among many others, who are all ODM members.

“Our sincere condolences to the family of Mwalimu David Ajwang Nyakwamba on the passing on of mama Dorcas Akumu Ajwang’, mother to the late Sen. Otieno Kajwang’, Sen. Moses Otieno Kajwang’, Hon TJ Kajwang’, Hon Peter Kajwang’ (MCA Kaptembwa Ward Nakuru), among many others. RIP,” tweeted ODM.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Details: How Mudavadi Was Duped by Uhuru, Ruto Ahead of 2013 Poll

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi has opened up on how he was duped by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy Dr William Ruto ahead of 2013 general elections.

In his book, Soaring above the Storms of Passion, Mudavadi recalls in his autobiography how Uhuru and Ruto drove to his compound one morning after he had launched his campaigns on a UDF ticket.

“Our domestic detail announced that Uhuru and Ruto were outside. They wanted to see me. I ushered them in at once,” the former Deputy Prime Minister writes in his book.

He says that without prompting, Uhuru and Ruto told him they wished to pull out of the poll because of the crimes against humanity charges they were facing at the International Criminal Court.

As such, they wanted Musalia to be their joint presidential candidate against ODM leader Raila Odinga, then Prime Minister.

“In short they were asking me to join them in the election effort. They were concerned that the ICC saga could come in their way,” he recalls.

Surprised by the turn of events, he asked Uhuru and Ruto to allow him to invite a few of his close associates.

He invited the current UNCTAD Secretary General Mukhisa Kituyi, ex-Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale and lawyer Dan Ameyo “to come in as my witnesses”.

“A quick one-page memo of understanding was drawn. We agreed to dialogue further and flesh out a more detailed memorandum,” Mudavadi writes.

Uhuru asked for a few days to fill his people in on this new development.

“It was agreed to give him two or so days. Meanwhile, we would all get busy behind the scenes, laying out a formidable campaign plan,” he says. 

However, within no time, the top-secret meeting had spread far and wide, including in the mainstream media that Uhuru and Ruto had pulled out of the race.

Mudavadi recalls that after two days, they saw an angry Uhuru recant the deal on national TV.

Uhuru, Musalia writes, claimed he had been “misled by demons” and that he was still very much in the race.

“The demons were cautioned not to try and reap where they had not sown, or gather where they had not scattered. We understood we were the demons. I have wondered often times how we became demons when we never invited anybody into our space to ask them to step down for us,” he laments.

For the first time, Mudavadi says the Uhuru, Ruto support that never was almost ruined his campaign’s momentum.

He says several MPs asked him if it was better to throw his weight behind another formidable candidate like Raila.

“It was suggested that we were now on a lost cause,” he recalls.

In the book, Mudavadi also says he remains indebted to Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni who accepted to be his running mate.

Kioni comes from Uhuru’s Central backyard and Mudavadi reckons his decisions was a big political sacrifice considering Kenya’s ethnic contours.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

I’m About to Make a Movie About Raila,Winnie Odinga Speaks Over Mudavadi’s Book

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s daughter Winnie Odinga has revealed that she is about to make a movie about his father.

This is after Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi released a book about Raila.

Taking to her social media account on Thursday afternoon, Winnie noted that everyone is now writing a book about his father.

She added that even Raila has written a book about himself as well, adding that other people have written more books about Raila as well.

“Everyone is writing a book about Raila. Raila has written a book about Raila. Raila has written another book about Raila. Others have written more books about Raila. I’m about to make a movie about Raila,” Winnie tweeted.

According to Mudavadi, the mending of fences between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga through the March 9, 2018 Handshake was the result pressure from Western powers that had embarked on a visa cancellation drive against key members of the National Super Alliance (Nasa) and their families.

In a tell-it-all memoir titled Musalia Mudavadi: Soaring Above The Storms of Passion, the former deputy prime minister and one-time vice-president also discloses that there was no unanimity in the move by Nasa, which had controversially lost the August 2017 presidential election to Jubilee’s Uhuru, to pull out of the repeat poll ordered for by the Supreme Court. 

 The court had annulled the results of the contest citing “irregularities and illegalities”.

 Mudavadi, an unsuccessful 2013 presidential candidate, will launch the autobiography ahead of Christmas in what is seen as a preamble to his second bid for State House in 2022.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Details: Why Junet Mohamed Was Picked as MC at BBI Report Launch

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Suna East MP Junet Mohamed has finally opened up on the criteria used to pick him as a Master of Ceremony at the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report launch at Bomas of Kenya.

Speaking during KTN News’ Pointblank show on Wednesday night, Junet attributed his MC selection to him being present when President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga shook hands in 2018, at the steps of Harambee House.

“This was a political function that was supposed to deliver a document to Kenyans and that political function came about because of the handshake.When people were shaking hands at the steps of Harambee House, I think I am the only politician you saw there so I had a roll to play to deliver the same document that was brought about through the handshake to the people of Kenya,” Junet said.

The role Junet played during the BBI launch did not go down well with some people, triggering a lot of controversy.

There are those who held the view that a neutral person should have been choose to be the MC.

When Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen rose to speak during the launch, he accused the Suna East legislator of running the program in a manner he described as partisan.

Junet’s presence during the historic handshake raised his profile as not just any other politician, but a key Raila confidante.

Watch Junet’s video on Pointblank show below:

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Details of Raila’s Flopped 2007 Swearing-in Ceremony

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi in his new book has revealed that there was immense pressure from their supporters after 2007 polls for a parallel swearing in.

Mudavadi was Raila Odinga’s running mate by then.

“We were told that a judge of the High Court and a section of the military were willing and ready to come to Uhuru Park to swear in Raila Odinga as president. I never got to know the name of this judge or who in the military had been contacted,” Mudavadi reveals in Soaring Above the Storms of Passion.

Mudavadi further divulges that he was among those opposed to the swearing in because Kenya would have erupted in civil war.

“I brought in some prominent lawyers to persuade the radicals in ODM that this would be the wrong way to go. We were perched on a precipice. We were now on the verge of sinking the country into a civil bloodbath,” Mudavadi reveals.

Amidst demonstrations and violence across the country, then President Mwai Kibaki had been sworn in for a second term  by Chief Justice Evans Gicheru at State House Nairobi  in a hurriedly prepared ceremony at night.

This escalated the post-poll violence that eventually culminated in deaths of more than 1,300 people while hundreds of thousands others were internally displaced. 

The 417-page autobiography also lays bare tussles that characterised the transmission of election results at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre.

Mudavadi further discloses that he and Raila were shocked at the turn of events at KICC as suspicious results began trickling in especially from the Mt Kenya region.

“Our candidate and I watched everything from Pentagon House. William Ruto, Andrew Ligale, Henry Kosgey and Caroli Omondi were our main people at the KICC. We watched them engage Kivuitu as things degenerated very steadily,” the ANC supremo recounts.

As Mudavadi and Raila arrived at KICC, they encountered heavy police presence as then ruling Party of National Unity (PNU) representatives piled pressure on Electoral Commission of Kenya chairperson Samuel Kivuitu to announce the results.

“On the third day, we went up to the ECK offices at the KICC and found the commissioners ready to make the announcement in favour of Mwai Kibaki. There was high tension. Martha Karua of PNU was almost belligerently urging them to announce,” Mudavadi says.

As ODM, Mudavadi points out that the turn of events was not surprising considering the intrigues that had surrounded the pre-election period.

“There had been signs all along, especially in the last few days to the election. There had been talk of security people who were masquerading as PNU agents in many parts of the country,” Mudavadi writes.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

The Cap I Lost in Kibra was a Counterfeit, I Have The Original- Didmus Barasa

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kimilili Constituency Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa has said that the cap he lost in Kibra during by-elections was a counterfeit.

Speaking on Tuesday during Raidio Maisha’s Bunge la Maisha morning show, Barasa said that he was well aware that he would face trouble, and therefore decided to keep the original cap at home.

“This one is the original one, the other one was counterfeit. You don’t go into another man’s bedroom with your original belongings. You might leave your cap or coat in there. (Hii yenye nimevaa ndiyo original, ile ilikuwa counterfeit, huwezi enda bedroom ya mtu mwingine na vitu original. Unaweza wacha kofia ama koti mle ndani),” he added.

The first time Jubilee MP was roughed up in Kibra while safeguarding Jubilee candidate McDonald Mariga’s votes.

He was also accused of bribing voters alongside former Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale who got pelted with stones over the claims.

Barasa’s cap got lost when he got roughed up with Dagoreti North MP Simba Arati being accused of unleashing the goons on him.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Inside Jubilee MPs’ Plot to Make Duale Prime Minister

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just a few days after the official launch of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report by president Uhuru Kenyatta at Bomas of Kenya, some MPs are already mulling an amendment to the Constitution to make Garissa Township MP Aden Duale Prime Minister.

With the excitement around the BBI, a lawmaker who sought anonymity has revealed that they plan to present the proposal next week.

Just like the BBI report recommends, the proponents of the idea say Duale is the leader of the party with the majority in Parliament and should without delay become the premier.

If endorsed, he will also chair cabinet sub-committees and not Interior CS Dr Fred Matiang’i.

The only brake to the plot is the fear of a backlash in the wake of no implementation framework.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Moses Kuria: Justin Muturi was bribed with a tilapia meal by Mbadi to rule out a parliamentary route for BBI

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Controversial Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria has claimed that National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi was bribed by a tilapia meal by Suba MP John Mbadi to rule out a parliamentary route for Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report.

Kuria further announced that he was launching a bid to impeach the National Assembly Speaker.

Muturi, speaking at a church fundraiser in Migori County on Sunday, December 1, had insisted that it was up to Kenyans to read the BBI report and decide on how to go about it, and not the National Assembly’s role to decide for the public.

“If it was justice Maraga pronouncing himself in a public baraza on how he will rule on a matter before the court, there would be no devils in hell. They would all be in Kenya. Why Justin Muturi would allow himself to be bribed with a tilapia meal by John Mbadi in Migori to rule out a parliamentary route for BBI is a mystery to me. Today I will start collecting signatures to impeach him,” Kuria wrote.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

BBI should set aside a national prayer day for gays like Murkomen- Babu Owino

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The Internet war between Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen seems not to be ceasing anytime soon.

On Friday, Murkomen attacked Babu Owino on social media terming him as a woman following the heckle he faced at Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday during the official launch of Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report.

While commenting on the incident of him being heckled at Bomas by CAS Rachael Shebesh, Hon Rosa Buyu and Hon Alice Wahome, Murkomen said that they had broken the unwritten rule governing comrades by heckling at their classmate.

He said he won’t mind other women led by Homa Bay Women Rep Gladys Wanga, Babu Owino and Mishi Mboko.

“Hon.Shebesh,Hon.Roza Buyu&I are alumni of the first class of Political Leadership Development Program 2003-05 together with Hon.A.Wahome&Hon.Mariro. By heckling their classmate they broke the unwritten rule governing comrades.I don’t mine the other women led by Wanga,Babu&Mishi! ” Murkomen posted.

But in a swift response, Babu Owino has accused Murkomen of being a gay after he referred to him as woman.

He says BBI should set aside a national prayer day for gays like Murkomen who look at fellow men as women.

“BBI should set aside a national prayer day for gays like @kipmurkomen who look at fellow men as women.After the prayers he should be given free dildo/vibrator and a cork to block his anus incase of any emergency,” Babu Owino posted.

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Load More Posts