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After Kirinyaga Governor Anne Mumbi Waiguru recently causing a political stir in Mt Kenya by declaring that central Kenya was ready to embrace former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s 2022 presidential candidature, she seems to have now made an about-turn on her remarks.

This follows an attack from politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto. The governor on Wednesday appeared to beat a hasty retreat, saying she was not opposed to any politician visiting the vote-rich region to woo residents.

She reiterated that Mt Kenya would listen to all suitors, but no decision would be reached on who to support for the presidency without President Uhuru Kenyatta’s blessings.

“As leaders from this region, we will be guided by our Jubilee Party leader Uhuru Kenyatta on the best way forward at the General Election,” she said at the Kerugoya Referral Hospital when she opened a new theatre.

The governor, however, added that the region would lean towards a candidate who takes care of their interests and supports an expanded Executive “to ensure that the political interests of many communities are taken care of”.

Her statement appears to be aimed at Ruto and his allies, who have opposed calls to amend the Constitution to expand the Executive.

Their defiance has been seen as an attack on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) that is backed by Uhuru and Raila.

Waiguru said the region would not blindly give any of the presidential contenders its support, adding that there would have to be negotiations and a mutual agreement prior to the elections on how the region would benefit.

The governor also accused politicians she did not name of working to divide the region for personal gain.

She further called for the formation of a government system that will accommodate a prime minister and two deputy prime ministers.

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An ODM senator has vowed to fence the Maasai Mau forest with or without any support from the government.

Speaking on Wednesday night during an interview with Tony Gachoka on KTN News, Narok senator Ledama Ole Kina insisted that people should be evicted from the forest.

He reiterated the importance of forests to an economy of a country, while giving a comparison of gorillas in the beautiful forest in Rwanda.

“I will fence the Mau forest with or without the government support. Look at the gorillas in the beautiful forest in Rwanda and give credit to Paul Kagame,” he said.

While supporting the move to have people evicted, the senator dismissed claims that the settlers possessed title deeds and that some genuinely bought land there.

He said they were instead being used as “human shields” through the creation of a “human misery” narrative so that the rich politicians could continue with their illegal businesses.

“Show me those poor people. Show me one who can produce a title deed and say I bought the land from so and so through the correct process,” asked Kina.

He threw his support behind Narok County Commissioner George Natembeya who has been accused by a section of politicians of pushing people out of Mau.

Ledama said Narok had never received a county commissioner who has been so pertinent and cares so much about conservation like George Natembeya.

“In the history of Narok county, we have never had a county commissioner who has been so pertinent and cares so much about conservation like George Natembeya,” he said.

He further said some of the richest people in Narok had made their living from logging in the Mau. He said the illegal activity was still going on and accused forest authorities for abetting it through corruption.

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Narok County senator Ledama Ole Kina has ruled out compensation for those being evicted from Maasai Mau forest, saying it was difficult to determine.

Speaking during an interview with KTN News on Wednesday night, Ledama said most of those being evicted from the Mau have “second homes” mostly in other parts of Rift Valley.

The legislator argued that it was the reason that politicians such as Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot were against the evictions.

The senator said the talk of “human misery” on the evictions and that children would be displaced and miss out on schools was part of the narrative by powerful people.

“If these people did not have a second home, then you wouldn’t see the likes of Murkomen and Cheruiyot coming to say we are defending our people. We have a million schools in Kenya… if these people are moved from here, they can be readmitted in other schools for free; that’s not a big deal,” he said.

He asked the President not to relent on the evictions.

“I’m even on record asking the President to suspend everything on his Big Four agenda, put his Cabinet on this issue, set up a tent in Mau and invite every single person who is laying a claim on the Mau and find a solution,” he said.

He added that the language of the politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto showed his hand in the Mau issue. He urged Ruto to “stop interfering”.

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Amid the ongoing standoff on Maasai Mau Forest evictions, an ODM senator has revealed the people who are fighting to prevent government eviction just to protect their commercial interests in he forest.

While the fight against the eviction has been speculated to be political, Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina has said senior Government officials from previous regimes hived off parts of the Mau for tea plantations and illegal activities such as logging.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with KTN News on a show dubbed KTNPointBlank aired on Wednesday night, Ole Kina claimed the politicians, including former permanent secretaries and MPs, brought in people to use as cheap labour.

The people then opted to settle there and earn extra income by plundering forest resources because they were being paid peanuts, he alleged.

His utterances coincide with Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko’s remarks that powerful individuals would soon be arrested after Government completes investigations into the encroachment of 14,000ha in the Mau.

“Those people who own huge chunks of land brought in labourers to do the illegal activities for them, for example planting tea and logging. Since they were paid peanuts, these people also got into activities such as logging and burning charcoal,” he said.

The senator dismissed claims that the settlers possessed title deeds and that some genuinely bought land there. He said they were instead being used as “human shields” through the creation of a “human misery” narrative so that the rich politicians could continue with their illegal businesses.

“Show me those poor people. Show me one who can produce a title deed and say I bought the land from so and so through the correct process,” asked Kina.

“Those corrupt and unscrupulous powerful people who worked in government are the ones who are now using the poor people as shields because they do not want to be evicted from the Mau, they want to continue using it for logging.”

Kina said some of the richest people in Narok had made their living from logging in the Mau.

He said the illegal activity was still going on and accused forest authorities for abetting it through corruption.The water tower spans several counties with Narok being one of them.

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Jubilee Kibra parliamentary seat aspirant in the upcoming by-elections McDonald Mariga’s voter acknowledgement slip from IEBC has continued to raise questions after the former soccer star’s candidature was invalidated on Tuesday.

IEBC’s legal and ICT teams argued that Mariga, who is being fronted by DP Willliam Ruto, should not be cleared because he had not been duly registered. 

The two teams explained that Mariga, who had not been registered previously anywhere, dashed to Kariakor on August 26 where he applied for registration, nearly two weeks after National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi had declared the seat vacant.

But former Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale who had accompanied Mariga to IEBC offices has produced an acknowledgement slip showing Mariga is indeed a registered voter in Nairobi County.

The slip indicated that Mariga registered in Starehe Constituency, Kariokor/Ziwani Ward at Kariokor Social Hall polling station. The date of registration was not disclosed.

Khalwale said they will appeal Mariga’s disqualification at the IEBC Disputes Tribunal and exuded confidence he will cleared to contest in the November 7 mini-poll.

However, flamboyant city lawyer Donald Kipkorir has taken to social media to reveal how Mariga’s IEBC acknowledgement slip was forged.

Donald Kipkorir argues that Cambridge Analytica interns working under Jubilee’s Tanga Tanga wing have been forging Letterheads of the Presidency, Judiciary, Cabinet Ministers, IEBC, Political Parties, Cabinet Ministers and WhatsApp messages.

He argues that forging a voter registration is just a cakewalk for them.

“Since Cambridge Analytica came to Kenya, its Interns now under TangaTanga Digital Team are experts in forging Letterheads of the Presidency, Judiciary, Cabinet Ministers, IEBC, Political Parties & Cabinet Ministers & WhatsApp messages … Voter Registration forgery is cakewalk!” he posted.

Exiled Lawyer Dr Miguna Miguna had also raised concerns about Mariga’s slip. He posted his 2017 acknowledgement card where he compared it with Mariga’s, arguing that the cards are not the same.

” I note two distinct differences between the two cards. Mine has “GPK” to the bottom left. Mariga’s number has a “- 17.” ” argued Miguna Miguna.

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Orange Democratic Movement( ODM) candidate in the upcoming Kibra by-elections Imran Benard Otieno Okoth has finally addressed the alleged bribery claims in the just concluded Kibra ODM nominations.

Speaking during an interview on Radio Citizen in the morning show dubbed Jambo Kenya, Imran said that he won the nominations without bribing anyone.

He said he was elected without giving anyone a single cent, arguing that he has never communicated one on one without ODM’s director of communications Philip Etale.

“Sikuunganishwa na Philip Etale, hizi nominations nilipata bila kuhonga hata shilingi. Kusema ukweli, sijawahi kuongea moja kwa moja na Etale,” he said during the interview, which loosely translates to, I was not connected by Philip Etale, I won these nominations without bribing even a single cent. Truly, I have never communicated one on one with Philip Etale.

It had been speculated that Imran may have been rigged in by the party mandarins.

Leaked screenshots that have been circulating on social media since Sunday morning showed that prior to the Saturday poll, Imran was in constant communication with Philip Etale, ODM Communication Director, and his victory may have been well planned even before the Kibra electorates saw the ballot papers.

Party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Elections Board Chairperson Judith Pareno had allegedly demanded Ksh2 million from Imran to seal his victory as per the screenshots below.

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Etale however denied the claims, urging Kenyans to ignor the screenshots which he termed as a strategy to cause confusion about ODM’s nominations.

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After being handed a red card on Tuesday evening by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Jubilee party candidate in Kibra by-elections McDonald Mariga indicated that he will appeal the decision within seven days, a move that was backed by Lang’ata MP Nixon Korir and former Kakamega senator Dr Boni Khalwale.

But will it be a journey easy to walk? Well, political pundits are now weighing into circumstances that might still find the former soccer star in another offside.

They say Mariga will still lose an appeal lodged against IEBC over his intentions to run for November 7 Kibra by-election.

IEBC rejected Mariga’s nomination on Tuesday, citing that he is not a registered voter, or at least, his name is not appearing in the current adopted voter register.

But advocate Omwanza Ombati says the appeal will be a waste of time should the IEBC stick to the law and provisions on matters nominations.

According to him, Mariga’s registration came barely three weeks ago and as such, the register containing his name has not been adopted in compliance with the law.

“It’s a technical case. He registered three weeks ago. His name hasn’t been adopted as a voter in compliance with the law. Adoption takes time. He will be locked out,” he says.

Further, Ombati adds, should IEBC ignore that fact, still Section 36 of the Registration Act of 2016 will have Mariga knocked out of the race.

“Assuming he gets away with that, now that his name isn’t in the register, revision needs to be done. By law, he will have to wait until November 18th to be cleared,” he added.

Another political pundit Abuga Makori says that should IEBC adopt current register (post 2017), Mariga will still be ineligible, arguing that he only registered on 26th August, days after Kibra seat was declared vacant.

“Those blaming President Uhuru Kenyatta for Mariga’s predicaments are political whimps. Assuming that IEBC adopts the current register (post 2017), the Betin boss will still be ineligible. He registered on 26th August, days after Kibra seat was declared vacant. The law is strict,” Makori posted on twitter.

Do you think Mariga will finally win the appeal against IEBC to vie for the Kibra MP seat which fell vacant following the demise of Ken Okoth?

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On Tuesday evening, former soccer star McDonald Mariga was yet again found in an offside position in Kibra Parliamentary qualifiers match!

Electoral body IEBC invalidated his Jubilee candidature after it failed to find Mariga’s name in the updated voters register.

However, details have emerged that IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati and his two commissioners ignored advice from their own legal team and ordered the returning officer in Kibra to clear Mariga.

According to The Star, both the legal and ICT teams advised the commissioners that Mariga, who is being fronted by DP Willliam Ruto, should not be cleared because he had not been duly registered. 

The two teams explained that Mariga, who had not been registered previously anywhere, dashed to Kariakor on August 26 where he applied for registration, nearly two weeks after National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi had declared the seat vacant.

But Muli declined to clear the ex-footballer because his name was missing from the voter’s roll.

It is understood that Muli also feared that she would be held personally liable for any election malpractice.

“The law is very clear that IEBC election officials will be held personally liable for any electoral offence. She refused to commit an offence,” said another IEBC official.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission barred Mariga from presenting his nomination papers after the last-minute discovery that his name was missing from the register of voters.

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Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party has unveiled the its machinery that will be behind Benard Otieno Okoth Imran’s campaigns ahead of Kibra by-elections.

The party’s director of campaigns and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed will be in charge of Imran’s campaigns.

Junet was officially confirmed to be Imran’s head of campaigns on Tuesday afternoon through the party’s official twitter handle.

Imran was presented with an ODM certificate in a ceremony witnessed by party leader Raila Odinga and other party officials at the Orange House on Tuesday.

President Uhuru Kenyatta-led Jubilee Party has also issued its candidate McDonald Mariga with a party’s certificate which is to be presented before IEBC by today (Tuesday) 4:00 pm.

Imran nd Mariga will face off each other in a battle that is seen to be between ODM party leader Raila Odinga and deputy president Dr William Ruto.

Other contestants cleared for the November 7 by-election are Eliud Owalo of ANC, Ford Kenya’s Khamisi Butachi, Malaseh Hamida of the United Green Movement, Editar Ochieng of Ukweli Party (associated with activist Boniface Mwangi) and Fridah Kerubo Kingara, who hopes to run as an independent candidate.

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ODM ticket aspirant Peter Ochieng Orero has been dealt a major a blow after Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) presented Benard Otieno Okoth ‘Imran’ with party certificate ahead of November 7 Kibra by-elections.

Imran was presented with the certificate in a ceremony witnessed by party leader Raila Odinga and other party officials at the Orange House on Tuesday.

The party confirmed Imran’s candidature through a tweet on Tuesday afternoon.

“It is official, Bernard Otieno Okoth (Imran) is the party’s candidate in the November 7th by-election in Kibra Constituency. He was today presented with the certificate by the NEB at a ceremony witnessed by PL @RailaOdinga and other party officials #MbelePamoja ,” read the tweet.

Orero had moved before the parties dispute tribunal to challenge Imran’s nomination.

Mr Orero, who is also the Principal of Dagoretti High School, said Imran had an unfair advantage after serving in the constituency office under his brother, where he got access to the list of party members.

It is only registered party members who participated in the contest in which Imran emerged victorious.

Also Read: List of Female Aspirants That Have Joined Male-dominated Kibra MP Race

It is official that Imran will face off with Jubilee’s McDonald Mariga, ANC’s Eliud Owalo and Ford Kenya’s Khamisi Butichi in a race seen to be a battle between Raila and deputy president Dr William Ruto.

Other contestants cleared for the November 7 by-election are Malaseh Hamida of the United Green Movement, Editar Ochieng of Ukweli Party (associated with activist Boniface Mwangi) and Fridah Kerubo Kingara, who hopes to run as an independent candidate.

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The race for Kibra parliamentary seat is hotting up after a total of four women decided to throw their weight in male-dominated race.

Ahead of the upcoming Kibra by-elections, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has cleared a total of 10 candidates with the commission hoping to clear some more candidates by close of business today (Tuesday).

A good number of women have shown interest. Among those already cleared is United Green Movement Party’s Malasen Hamida who was cleared on Monday.

Hamida presented her papers to IEBC accompanied by UGM party members of National Executive Council, Secretariat and members of Team Hamida.

Addressing media in Nairobi after her clearance, the ‘Mama Mazingira’ as she is well known in the public for her continued advocacy on matters environment conservation, water and sanitation, youth and governance said she is up to the task.

“The journey has begun and I believe I am up to the task of representing the people of Kibra towards continued development,” said Hamida.

Editar Ochieng of Ukweli Party which is associated with activist Boniface Mwangi has also been cleared to face off the men from Jubilee, ANC, ODM and Ford Kenya parties.

Fridah Kerubo Kingara, who hopes to run as an independent candidate has also been cleared to battle for the seat that fell vacant following Ken Okoth’s demise.

Reports indicate that Martha Karua’s Narc-Kenya is also expected to sponsor a female aspirant, which will total the number of female aspirants in Kibra MP race to four.

Thecleared women will face off with Musalia Mudavadi ANC party’s candidate Eliud Owalo, Ford-Kenya’s Khamisi Butichi, Jubilee’s McDonald Mariga and ODM’s Benard Imran Okoth, should he win an appeal against him tabled before ODM’s dispute tribunal by Peter Orero.

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Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale’s defensive remarks after Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro was arrested by GSU officers in Murang’a on Monday night have backfired.

Ndindi Nyoro’s arrest follows a scuffle with nominated MP Maina Kamanda at a Catholic Church in Murang’a county on Sunday.

He had just left Kameme TV studios in Murang’a before he was arrested.

But Khalwalwe has condemned the arrest arguing that use of force to intimidate leaders was wrong

He further argued that he was once arrested back in 2017 in an effort to frustrate him which did not work. Khalwale says efforts to frustrate Ndindi Nyoro won’t work, questioning why Maina Kamanda has not been arrested as well.

Also Read: Moses Kuria Hits out at Kieleweke, Tanga Tanga After Church Fight, Heap praises on ODM

“Somebody in the deep state thinks they can use force to intimidate leaders. Well, it never works! They arrested me hopping to silence me in 2017 (first photo) Now they are trying it on Hon NdindiNyoro. It won’t work! Why haven’t they also arrested Hon Kamanda?” tweeted Khalwale.

But Kenyans on Twitter did not read from the same script as Khalwale. They went on to roast the bullfighter, with some arguing that he has a bad luck since scandals started hitting Jubilee the moment he joined.

Some went ahead to tell off Khalwale, arguing that he was a loser just like Maina Kamanda.

Below are some of the reactions from Kenyans.

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The State has frozen AU emvoy Raila Odinga’s lavish retirement benefits.

The perks at the centre of the dispute include medical insurance, fuel allowance, fully furnished offices as well as 17 workers – including chefs, security, accountants, secretaries and personal assistants – all hired at taxpayers’ expense.

This is because Raila is already enjoying similar perks in his capacity as African Union’s special envoy for infrastructure development.

However, the move has drawn protests from Mr Odinga’s secretariat.

Treasury officials say that Mr Odinga has been enjoying similar benefits since his appointment to the African Union job, which, according to the Treasury, he secured after being backed by the Kenyan government.

However, Mr Odinga’s secretariat has accused the Treasury of seeking to once again deny him his rightful share of pension, saying that the AU perks are not financed by Kenyan taxpayers.

The dispute is likely to add a new test to the peace deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Odinga, popularly referred to as “the handshake”, of March 2018.

Mr Odinga was appointed to the AU position in October last year and has two offices; one in Nairobi and the other in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The AU provides him with medical cover, staff and cars. Mr Odinga’s secretariat has asked the Treasury to give the former PM’s office the cash equivalent to the benefits, a proposal that the former has declined.

According to the law, the former PM is entitled a monthly pension equivalent to 80 percent of his last salary, a lump sum of equivalent to 12 months of his last pay, security, medical insurance and a diplomatic passport for himself and spouse.

Other perks that Mr Odinga is expected to enjoy are; one personal assistant, one secretary, one accountant, two housekeepers, two senior support staff, two gardeners, armed security and two cleaners.

The others are two saloon cars and a four-wheel drive vehicle, both of which will come with three drivers and a fuel allowance equivalent to 15 percent of the monthly pay of the serving Deputy President. The vehicles are to be replaced after every four years.

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Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Kibra parliamentary seat aspirant Peter Orero Ochieng has rushed to the party’s Dispute Tribunal to challenge Bernard Otieno Okoth (Imran)’s victory.

Orero reportedly claims that the register that was used during the primaries was doctored to favor Imran.

Imran was declared as Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate for the Kibra by-election scheduled for November 7 after the primaries that were held on Saturday.

Imran Okoth, who is the brother to the late Ken Okoth, trounced nine other aspirants with 4382 votes.

Peter Orero emerged second with 1218 votes while John Otieno was third with 906 votes.

The nominations kicked off at 7 am and closed at 5 pm on Saturday.

Also Read: Why State has frozen lavish retirement benefits of Raila

The exercise was marred by delays and several voters’ names were found to be missing from the IEBC register in most polling stations.

However, Mac Oremo, the Returning Officer who announced the results, maintained that the exercise was conducted smoothly.

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Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria has hit out at a Jubilee politicians who engaged in a fight on Sunday disrupting a church service in Murang’a.

Business at Gitui Catholic Church in Kiharu constituency came to a standstill after area MP Ndindi Nyoro stormed in and demanded to preside over a fundraiser that was going on led by Nominated Member of Parliament Maina Kamanda.

Nyoro, who is allied to Deputy President William Ruto-led Tanga Tanga faction, accused Kamanda and his Kieleweke group of disrespecting him by taking over a function in his constituency.

The fundraiser was disrupted for over ten minutes as security officers and church leaders tried to calm down the politicians and their supporters.

Revisiting Saturday’s peaceful Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party primaries, Kuria lashed at the two waring factions and accused them of soiling a holy place.

In a Facebook post, the vocal MP further accused Mt Kenya politicians of engaging in early campaigns and fighting unnecessarily for leaders who may forge an alliance ahead of the next election. 

Also Read: VIDEO: Tanga Tanga, Kieleweke MPs Trade Blows at Church Altar

“ODM conducted nominations in Kibra without any violence. Meanwhile Jubilee Kieleweke and Jubilee Tanga Tanga desecrated the House of God in Muranga. With over 1,000 days to go before the next elections. The rest of the country is calm. One can be forgiven for assuming that the next elections will take place in Mt Kenya only. What will you tell the people when Raila Odinga and William Ruto gang up to form a united team to take over in 2022?” he posted.

Nyoro on Sunday night was holed inside Royal Media Services since 9.30pm, evading arrest.He went to RMS’s Inooro TV for a show that was to end at 9pm.A few minutes to midnight, he is said to have sneaked out.

The Kiharu lawmaker was accused of assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest moments after clashing with Maina kamanda in church.

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Former Jubilee Party interim Vice Chairman David Murathe has hinted at the man he believes can beat Deputy President Dr William Ruto in 2022 race to state house.

While maintaining his move to stop Dr Ruto’s 2022 presidency, Murathe said ‘Ruto must be stopped since his presidency is dangerous to the whole nation.’

He revealed that opposition leader Raila Odinga is the only politician who can beat Deputy Ruto in the 2022 presidential contest.

Murathe, regarded a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta, reiterated his determination to block Dr Ruto’s bid for State House, saying if he (Ruto) wins “we will all be finished.”

“If there is somebody who can stop that guy (Ruto) from becoming President, it is the former Prime Minister. There is nobody else,” said Murathe, adding: “Our main aim is to make sure that person (Ruto) does not become President because if he does we are all finished”.

Murathe made the remarks on Saturday night during the birthday party of Tony Gachoka, a KTN News PointBlank show host, where Raila was the chief guest. 

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