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ODM Camps in Aisha Jumwa’s Home Turf Ahead of Thursday’s Bruising Battle

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic (ODM) party has pitched camp in rebel MP Aisha Jumwa’s constituency in a mission to hunt for votes in upcoming Ganda ward by-elections.

The party’s Secretary General Edwin Sifuna alongside party’s Executive Director Oduor Ongwen camped in the ward drumming up support for their candidate Reuben Mwamure Katana.

The by-election will be held on Thursday 17th October.

“SG @edwinsifuna ED @ongwen and other party top officials continued with their vote hunting mission in Ganda Ward of Malindi Constituency today. They drummed up support for our candidate Reuben Mwamure Katana. The by-election will be held Thursday 17th Oct,” reads ODM ‘s post on twitter.

Jumwa who has declared her support for Deputy President William Ruto is viewed as a rebel in ODM. She supports immediate former MCA Abdulrahman Mohamed whose election was nullified by a  Mombasa court.

The Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission declared the seat vacant in July.

Reuben Katana was declared the ODM candidate after contenders Ibrahim Kaniki and Erastus Katana alias King’ale dropped out.

Mohamed who was elected through ODM is seeking reelection as an independent candidate.

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Amehepa Mazishi Kwa Khalwale! Funny Reactions as Ruto Heads to Vienna to Cheer Eliud Kipchoge

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President Dr William Ruto on Thursday night jetted out of the country to cheer and support Eliud Kipchoge ahead of his historical INEOS 1:59 challenge.

According to former statehouse employee who currently works in DP Ruto’s office , the DP left the country to Vienna where he event will be held on Saturday morning.

The move by the DP to jet out of the country in support of Kipchoge has seen Kenyans on twitter hilarious react.

Over the weekends, the DP is used to criss-crossing the country launching various projects, holding harambes in churches and attending funeral services.

Kenyans now say that the DP went to Vienna to avoid a burial ceremony at his ally Boni Khalwale’s home.

The former Kakamega senator lost his wife Adelaide Khalwale and the burial is scheduled for this Saturday.

Here are some of the reactions.

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Politics

Mariga Cannot Even be Employed at Brookside as a Cleaner- Boniface Mwangi

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

We thought it is over, but it seems not yet done! Former Harambee Stars footballer McDonald Mariga’s Kibra parliamentary candidature has continued to spark debate not only on social media, but also from activists.

Activist Boniface Mwangi who was appearing on KTN News’ point blank show on Wednesday night has accused president Uhuru Kenyatta and and his deputy Dr William Ruto of playing around with the lives of Kibra people.

The activist says the president and his deputy were wrong to impose Mariga to the people of Kibra.

Mwangi says the two leaders do not mean any good to Kibra people by imposing to them a person who cannot communicate, cannot legislate, cannot lead and has no papers.

He says Mariga cannot not even get employed at Brookside company as a cleaner, since papers are needed for any job at the company.

He further accused Mariga of faking his age and not being able to vote after all.

According to the human rights activist, President Kenyatta would have given Mariga a job at K24 as a football pundit instead of forcing him to Kibra people.

Mwangi’s statement comes a day after ODM party members raised concerns over what they claimed as Jubilee party’s plans to rig the upcoming November 7 by-elections.

The Raila Odinga-led party had to meet IEBC officials on Wednesday morning demanding the updated Kibra register of voters, where it was agreed that the register will be available next week.

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Politics

Governor Granton Samboja Impeached

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Taita-Taveta County governor Granton Samboja has been impeached.

This is after thirty Taita-Taveta Members of County Assembly (MCAs) voted in favour of Governor Samboja’s impeachment.

The MCAs have accused Governor Samboja of gross misconduct.

According to a local daily, three MCAs were absent during the heated afternoon session which preferred ouster of the county chief. 

Recently, Governor Samboja said he would petition the president to have the county government dissolved.Several political leaders have joined the mediation efforts to settle the disputes but none has yielded fruits.

The ward reps unanimously voted in favour of a special motion moved by Rong’e MCA Harris Keke after a four-hour debate.

Samboja was impeached on seven grounds, including gross misconduct, misleading the county assembly and misrepresentation of facts to the public with an aim of inciting the public against the county Assembly.

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Things Turn Messy, Noisy With Casualties as MCAs Clash Over Elachi’s Dramatic Return

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi ward representatives clashed on Wednesday morning hours after embattled County Assembly Speaker, Beatrice Elachi, made a dramatic return to office.

Elachi had been out of office for 13 months following her controversial ouster by the city MCAs.

A section of the MCAs, affiliated to Jubilee Party, on Wednesday protested against her come-back, claiming she is a “biased” Speaker, who is currently inclined towards the ODM wing in the post-handshake deal.

Police were forced to hurl teargas at the MCAs as they clashed bitterly at City Hall over Elachi.

Videos circulating on social media show window panes at Elachi’s office broken and the room evidently in a messy state.

In one of the short video clips, a shirtless male MCA seats on the floor as Elachi tries to calm him down.

In another video clip, Elachi is seen rinsing her eyes with water to relieve herself of the teargas effect.

On Wednesday, Elachi made the comeback in a manner eerily similar to the way she was ejected from the office when drama erupted inside City Hall on the afternoon of September 10.

Vowing to play rough, Elachi held a press conference inside her office where she proceeded to demand respect from the Jubilee Party.

For her protection, the Speaker brought an entourage of eight people who cheered her on shouting “Ingwe”.

“In Nairobi County, we have a good relationship with member but the leadership intimidates and manipulates members and the governor. This manipulation, they did it to Kidero…the cartels are all over. I want to thank the members for yesterday. You can’t use the floor of the House to insult women. When you abuse the prime minister, you are abusing Mama Ida,” said Elachi.

The Speaker said that she will crackdown on illegal foreign travel by ward representatives, and urged embassies not to allow MCAs to travel outside the country if their documents don’t have her signature.

“Do not allow any member of the Nairobi County Assembly to travel outside the country without the signature of the Speaker, because that is what they are using to intimidate the members,” said Elachi.

The Speaker accused the Nairobi County Assembly leadership of intimidation, manipulation and lack of respect for her office.

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Details of IEBC, ODM Meeting Over Kibra Mini Polls

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party on Wednesday morning held a meeting with Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission at Anniversary Towers over the upcoming Kibra constituency by-elections.

The meeting followed concerns raised by the Raila Odinga-led party over Kibra voters register where ODM had claimed that Jubilee party had manipulated the register to rig the polls.

During the meeting, the two came to a conclusion that the register which ODM was demanding will be available for the public on 18th October 2019.

They also agreed that in this elections,there will be no transmission of results as it has been a norm in most polls . The commission said that the whole process will be done manually.

IEBC agreed to use the 2017 voter register in the November 7 by-election after a two-hour meeting with ODM leaders in Nairobi.

The commission’s chairman Wafula Chebukati said that all poll officials who participate in Kibra by-elections will be shared with the political parties through the officer of the registrar of parties and if there are any issues those concerns will be raised by the parties.


De La Rue will print ballot papers.

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Tough Talking Elachi Vows to Play Rough on Rogue Nairobi MCAs

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

After 13 months in the cold, embattled Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi made a dramatic return to her office on Wednesday morning.

Elachi made the comeback in a manner eerily similar to the way she was ejected from the office when drama erupted inside City Hall on the afternoon of September 10.

Vowing to play rough, Elachi held a press conference inside her office where she proceeded to demand respect from the Jubilee Party.

For her protection, the Speaker brought an entourage of eight people who cheered her on shouting “Ingwe”.

“In Nairobi County, we have a good relationship with member but the leadership intimidates and manipulates members and the governor. This manipulation, they did it to Kidero…the cartels are all over. I want to thank the members for yesterday. You can’t use the floor of the House to insult women. When you abuse the prime minister, you are abusing Mama Ida,” said Elachi.

The Speaker said that she will crackdown on illegal foreign travel by ward representatives, and urged embassies not to allow MCAs to travel outside the country if their documents don’t have her signature.

“Do not allow any member of the Nairobi County Assembly to travel outside the country without the signature of the Speaker, because that is what they are using to intimidate the members,” said Elachi.

The Speaker accused the Nairobi County Assembly leadership of intimidation, manipulation and lack of respect for her office.

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Bobi Wine Under House Arrest as Police Surround His Home, Again

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Ugandan Police and military on Tuesday night pitched camp at Musician and opposition politician Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine’s home in yet another move to put him under house arrest.

According to Bobi Wine, police surrounded his home and private property, One Love Beach Busabala from 11:00 pm on Tuesday.

The People Power leader says the police have intentions of putting him under house arrest and block his planned Independence Day Concert, which is 156th concert in Uganda so far.

Bobi Wine has accused the Yoweri Museveni-led government for denying him right to sing and perform in his own country.

“Since 11:00pm, police & military surrounded my home & my private property, One Love Beach Busabala, in yet another move to place me under house arrest & block our Independence Day music concert. 156th concert so far! For singing truth to power, I can’t perform in my own country,” reads Bobi Wine’s post on twitter.

The inspector general of police Martins Okoth Ochola had earlier on canceled the Kyadondo East MP’s music concert.

Ochola in his letter dated October 2, but released on Tuesday to Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP), said Kyagulanyi did not consider the preparatory plans for medical care, traffic control, crowd control and security. 

“The serves to inform you that the notice to the inspector general of police has remarkably deficiencies, which do not guarantee lawfulness, safety, security for the public and organisers,” reads Ochola’s letter by AIGP Asuman Mugenyi. 

Kampala Metropolitan police spokesman, Patrick Onyango, quoting Ochola’s letter said police in Kampala won’t be in position to provide adequate security since police officers will be at the independence celebrations in Sironko and other authorized venues. 

Kyagulanyi had scheduled a music show dubbed ‘Osobola’ at his One Love Beach in Busabala in Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality in Wakiso district. 

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Elachi Back in Office, Set to Receive Governor Sonko at Airport

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Beatrice Elachi is back in office as Nairobi County Assembly Speaker following a court order that reinstated her after impeachment.

In a short video circulated to newsrooms by the County Government’s Director of Communications Elkana Jacob, Elachi is heard telling Governor Mike Sonko that she is back and ready to receive him at the airport when he arrives from France.

She did not have kind words for MCAs who kicked her out of office in dramatic scenes that went viral on social media in September last year.

Elachi had stayed away from office following acrimony from a section of County Assembly members who were opposed to her reinstatement, but she walked in on Wednesday and assumed her responsibility.

Ngara MCA Chege Mwaura, who has been acting in the position, however, insists he is still in charge.

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IEBC Bows to ODM Pressure, Issues Status of Kibra Register of Voters

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Wafula Chebukati-led Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has been forced to issue status of Kibra constituency register of voters.

This follows claims by Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement party that the commission is secretly planning with Jubilee party to rig the upcoming Kibra by-elections.

But IEBC through a press release on Tuesday evening says that following the death of Hon Ken Okoth and subsequent receipt of the writ from the Speaker of the National Assembly, and in line with Section 5 (1) (b) of the Elections Act, the Commission suspended Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in Kibra Constituency.

ODM through its MPs on Tuesday claimed that the commission has been registering voters in favor of Jubilee candidate McDonald Mariga.

The Raila-led party has vowed to conduct demonstrations at Anniversary Towers to push IEBC to avail the updated Kibra register of voters.

But IEBC notes further that it embarked on the process of facilitating the voters registered during CVR to participate in the upcoming by election immediately after receiving the notice of vacancy from the Speaker of the National Assembly.

According to the commission, the process entails uploading of CVR data to the biometric voter registration (BVR) server, performing duplication process, production of the preliminary register, quality assurance and inspection of the preliminary register of voters, approval by the Commission, certification and distribution to the Constituency.

The commission notes that the Number of registered Voters as at 2017 is 118,276.

Number of voters registered by CVR and Uploaded is 333.

Number of Transfers into the Constituency is 44.

Number of transfers within the constituency is 22.

Number deleted is one.

Name updates (change of voters biographic details) stands at one.

See the full press release below.

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Is Uhuru Appeasing Raila While Backing Ruto?

by The Star
written by The Star

The Kibra by-election has raised questions about President Kenyatta’s succession strategy and who he truly supports between ODM leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto.

While the President has been consistent in his public support and defence of the handshake with Raila, Ruto’s supporters insist the President has not abandoned their man.

The Kibra by-election has lifted the lid on the President’s perceived delicate bid to hold onto the two protagonists in a strategic move not to disrupt the delivery of his Big Four agenda.

While Uhuru’s supporters among them Nairobi Senator John Sakaja previously said Jubilee would not field a candidate in Kibra, Ruto picked footballer Macdonald Mariga and ensured he was on the ballot against  Raila’s candidate Imran Okoth.

On September 18, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino launched a scathing attack on Kenyatta after the President endorsed Mariga.

Owino accused the President of betraying the handshake by choosing to back the former Inter Millan midfielder who is running on a Jubilee ticket. 

“Baba must be very careful with this thing called handshake. No fruits so far. We can’t be duped twice. President Uhuru must be genuine with this handshake,” Owino said in a Facebook post.

“Baba, we must be very careful and if the “marriage” is void because  one party is incompetent for being in a subsisting marriage or voidable because it’s not consummated then we must be out very fast.

“We need not lie to each other and in return, their intention is to embarrass you. Jubilee must never and will never win Kibra. I’m ready to go back to the bush.” 

On Sunday while campaigning, Mariga claimed the Head of State calls him to check on his progress.

“Baba must be very careful with this thing called handshake. No fruits so far. We can’t be duped twice. President Uhuru must be genuine with this handshake ,”MP Babu Owino

“You all know the person who gave me the Jubilee cap? I was with a host of Jubilee MPs. We sat down with the President and he told me during my campaigns I should talk to the Akiguyu community in Kibra and they will not fail to support me,” Mariga said.

A day after Mariga met Uhuru at State House, nominated MP Maina Kamanda met Raila and announced he would campaign for Imran.

Chief Administrative Secretary Rachel Shebesh met women leaders two weeks ago and claimed that the Head of State was ambushed and that he was not backing Ruto.

“He has a mouth. Have you heard him say he supports Mariga?,” paused Shebesh who is known to be close to Uhuru.

“The President is well aware that any mishap to antagonise the Deputy President or Raila would directly slow down his desire to deliver on his legacy programmes,” said university don Macharia Munene.

Munene, a lecturer at the United States International University, told the Star the President is walking a political tightrope.

“The President is largely silent when Ruto and Raila are fighting. For example in Kibra, the President is trying to appease both camps because for him, whatever the outcome, that would be a non-issue,” he said.

Until the handshake last year, Ruto enjoyed a lot of privileges and power.  After Uhuru and Raila announced their truce Uhuru went out of his way to shower Raila and defend their deal as he maintains relative harmony between the two politicians.

Ruto and his supporters have seized every opportunity to attack Raila and his ODM even accusing the opposition chief of importing confusion into Jubilee. 

As the President has kept off altercations between the two, Raila has been behaving like a state officer and sometimes issuing orders to public servents as his troops launch attacks on Ruto.

RAILA ATTACK

Ruto and his supporters have seized every opportunity to attack Raila and his ODM even accusing the opposition chief of importing confusion into Jubilee. 

Unlike before when Kenyatta and Ruto attended the same functions, even wore similar shirts and ties, the President has been conducting his activities alone and is reportedly not consulting the DP as much as he did in his first term.

On the other hand the President has appeared in functions with Raila even celebrated Raila’s birthday in Mombasa on January 7 and visited the Opposition leader in his Bondo home.

Musalia Mudavadi greets President Kenyatta at Moi Girls School in Vihiga in February. PHOTO/ PSCU

NEW FRIENDS?

The President has thrown the two politicians into further confusion by his relationship with ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi.

People close to the Head of State have told the Star that the President has been talking to Mudavadi, his childhood friend, frequently and even encouraging him to continue playing the role of Opposition leader.

During the Kenya Open golf event in Karen early this year, the two are understood to have held a two-hour meeting.

“The body language between the two suggested that they were on the same page,” said a source in the President’s team.

Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula says the President could swing a surprise because no one knows his plan.

“We do not know what the handshake is about. President is either being dishonest with Ruto or Raila. Both Ruto and Raila are operating in the dark, both trying to make intelligent guesses,” said Wetang’ula.

 Starehe MP Charles Njagua said the President is not in any dilemma as he has demonstrated his support for Mariga.

“The President has been clear who he is supporting. It is the other camp that is misguided,” Njagua said.

While Uhuru has avoided to publicly campaigning for Mariga for the November 7 by-election just as he did during the one in Wajir West, he has equally not denounced claims by a section of anti-Ruto forces that he is supporting ODM.

Belgut MP Nelson Koech challenged Uhuru to “put Jubilee’s house in order”, saying his silence has “created a perception that he is a lame-duck President.”

“While I know that the President is fully backing Mariga, it will be in the best interest not just of Jubilee but that of the country for him or through his communication department to come out to clear this confusion,” he said.

Dagoretti North MP John Kiarie dismissed claims Uhuru is not keen on Mariga’s candidacy, saying the Jubilee boss is firmly behind the football star.

“Jubilee has one candidate who was endorsed by President Uhuru Kenyatta himself. Those saying Mariga is not a Jubilee candidate are political rejects who were defeated in the last elections and are bitter with the DP,” Kiarie said.

Embakasi North MP James Gakuya said both Shebesh and Kamanda were embarrassing the President and called on the Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua to crack the whip on her.

“Kamanda and Shebesh are misleading our supporters that the President does not support Mariga. It is unfortunate that they have been allowed to take that route and disciplinary action should be taken against them. The two should respect the President who is our party leader deputised by DP William Ruto,” he said.

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Drama as Kimilili MP Denies CAS Chance to Address House Committee

by The Star
written by The Star

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa caused a stir in a committee meeting after rejecting attempts to have Chief Administrative Secretary respond to his questions.

Barasa who was appearing before the National Assembly’s Health Committee chaired by Sabina Chege on Tuesday said the CAS position is not recognised in law.

The lawmaker insisted that only the Health Cabinet Secretary or in his absence Principal Secretary are mandated by law to appear before House committees to respond to questions from members.

“There is a good reason why we said that the person to appear before a committee must be either a policymaker or an accounting officer,” Barasa told the committee.

“The National Assembly is the apex of people’s sovereignty, I can’t allow the person who holds a position not defined in the Constitution. I am convinced 100 per cent of the Speaker’s ruling that whoever appears before the Committee should not be lower than the PS.”

Attempts by Committee members to prevail upon the lawmaker to give CAS a chance to read the CS’s signed response was futile.

CAS Rashid Aman was representing CS at the Health Committee.

Barasa had asked the CS to state statistics of cancer patients who have travelled outside the country in the last five years to seek treatment.

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Kalonzo to Monitor Mozambique Elections

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka will be among four other dignitaries that have been picked as the Commonwealth team to observe elections in Mozambique.

The elections that will be held on Tuesday, October 15, will also see former Zambia Solicitor-General and former Attorney-General Musa Mwenye, Head of Africa Programme, Chatham House Dr Alex Vines, South Africa Electoral Commissioner Dr Nomsa Masuku, Ms Emma Lee Wilson, a Cambridge University lecturer as part of the observation group

In a press released on Monday ahead of the elections, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said the elections are crucial for the further consolidation of peace and democracy in Mozambique.

“I am pleased that through this group of eminent persons, the Commonwealth will once again be present to demonstrate its support to the people of Mozambique,” she said. 

Scotland said that the recommendations the group will make in its final report will contribute to the strengthening of Mozambique’s democratic culture.

The Commonwealth Observer Group will be in Mozambique from October 10 to 20, to consider the pre-election environment, election preparations, the vote on election day itself and the immediate post-election environment, including the results process.

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Keep Off Government Affairs, Ruto And His Allies Warn Raila

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President (DP) William Ruto has warned opposition politicians to keep off affairs of the government in a veiled attack on Raila Odinga.

Speaking in Meru on Sunday, DP Ruto said he would continue crisscrossing the country because that is his constitutional mandate.

“Wale watu wanashida na mimi kutembea Kenya waende wasome katiba..Watu wa upinzani wafanye kazi yao (Those of who have issues with me criss crossing the country should go and read the Constitution, those in the opposition should stick to their work),” said the Deputy President.

Several Jubilee MPs who attended the church service at Kithirune Methodist Church in Central Imenti urged civil servants to ignore roadside orders issued by Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila.

The MPs said Raila has no power to issue such orders, adding that such directives can only come from government officials.

Speaking during a prayer service at Kithirune Methodist Church of Kenya in Central Imenti, Meru County on Sunday which was attended by Deputy President William Ruto, the leaders said Raila was taking advantage of the handshake.

The MPs said Raila was usurping President Uhuru Kenyatta’s powers.

Among the lawmakers who attended the service were: Raheem Dawood (North Imenti), Moses Kirimi (Central Imenti), Mugambi Rindikiri (Buuri), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Silvanus Osoro (South Mugirango) and Halima Mucheke (nominated)

Mr Gachagua dismissed Raila’s directive to stop dredging works in the Indian Ocean to allow divers retrieve bodies of Mariam Kighenda and her daughter Amanda Mutheu.

“Those orders are his own jokes. We urge all civil servants to ignore Mr Odinga’s directive; he has no authority over such,” he said.

Mr Osoro criticised Raila, telling him that such orders can only come from the President.

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Moses Kuria Warns of Impending Dangers Should Country go Into 2022 While Divided

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria has warned that the country risks sliding into violent chaos if it goes into the 2022 amidst deep political divisions.

Speaking during K24’s punchline show on Sunday night, Kuria said that if the country goes into 2022 politics while still divided, “God may not save us this time”.

The MP was speaking in reference to the past post-election violence that saw the country burn.

 “The first thing to do is to agree that we can’t continue fighting in this country. The President and Deputy President is the big elephant in the room…Can we continue in investing in chaos. But for some people chaos is an ingredient for success,” said the Gatundu South MP.

Also Read: Raila is a Tough Sell in Mt Kenya-Moses Kuria

The vocal MP said that he supports the Building Bridges Initiative, especially the bid to expand the Executive by including posts for a prime minister and deputy prime ministers.

But the Gatundu South MP said there is no need for a referendum since many of the constitutional changes he proposes can be done through Parliament.

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Raila is a Tough Sell in Mt Kenya-Moses Kuria

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria says that Raila Odinga is a tough sell in Mt Kenya despite his dalliance with President Uhuru Kenyatta following their handshake.

Kuria, who was appearing on K24 TV’s Punchline show on Sunday, said that Mt Kenya region is uneasy with Raila’s push for a parliamentary system.

“I am not sure that Mt Kenya have come to consider who they are going to vote for. Do you want the truth or the cousin of the truth?…tough sell,” said Kuria when asked about if Mt Kenya is ready for Raila as suggested by Kirinyaga County governor, Anne Waiguru.

The Gatundu South MP said central region residents are uneasy about Raila’s proposal for parliamentary system since it would disadvantage them.

“Maybe that is what scares them about such a line up. In 10 counties in what we call 10 plus three…with all that and 6 million votes, we have got only 64 constituencies out of 290 and unless that is redressed we are going to have a big issue. Every time they hear about Raila Odinga, they say he wants to introduce a parliamentary system and our 64 constituencies don’t count for much. They think it is loss of their historical advantage,” said Kuria.

The MP, who plans to be on the presidential ticket in 2022 to battle it out with his party leader, said Mt Kenya region MPs are divided but have been receiving “love” from Deputy President William Ruto.

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