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Raila denounces his 2022 presidency, terms reports reckless and irresponsible’

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

ODM party leader Raila Odinga has dismissed reports indicating that he will run for presidency in the 2022 General Election.

His remarks come after, the Sunday nation reported that he would contest for the presidential race in the 2022 election, citing that it was the reason he resolved to work with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Raila, however, in a statement on Sunday expressed his disappointment in the report terming it ‘reckless and irresponsible’.

He said the local daily twisted his calls for grassroots elections in the Orange party to link him to the 2022 presidential race.

“Odinga does not believe that three years into an election expected in 2022, the media should prioritize who is running, who is ahead, who is behind, who is going to win, what are the odds and who will lose,” read the statement.

Odinga said the media should no force candidates into the race rather they should focus on reporting on real and urgent economic, political and social issues.  

“Odinga believes that three years of dissecting poll numbers and forcing candidates into the race rather than focusing on real and urgent economic, political and social issues that the nation needs to deal with ahead of 2022 is reckless, irresponsible and cheap journalism.”

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Politics

Former Makadara MP arrested

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former Makadara Member of Parliament Reuben Ndolo was on Friday night arrested by flying squad officers at Bustani Gardens along Oledume road in Nairobi.

The former legislature was arrested alongside six other people on allegations of Creating Disturbance and Threatening to Kill.

All suspects are in lawful custody awaiting arraignment on Monday.

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Politics

Breaking: MP involved in grisly road accident 2 days after burying his son

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali was on Sunday morning involved in a grisly accident along Kapsabet-Mau Summit road.

Confirming the accident, Butere MP Tindi Mwale wished the MP and occupants of the vehicle quick recovery following the incident.

The vehicle registration number KBY 948A rolled several times on the road in Molo, few kilometers to Nakuru town. It was badly damaged.

The Butere MP however while confirming the accident did not specify which hospital they were rushed to for treatment or the extent of injuries.

Mr Shinali buried his son, Chris Masaka on Friday after he was flown from the US. He was serving in the US Marine and is said to have drowned.

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Politics

Cancer robs Murkomen of his close relative

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has been thrown into a deep state of mourning after losing one of his close relatives to cancer.

Murkomen who took to his social media pages to share about the loss reveled that his aunt Salina Komen Arusei had succumbed to cervical cancer.

He also shared a deep memory of his good-hearted aunt who once took very good care of his cousins when things turned tough in life.

Salina Komen Arusei, Senator Kipchumba Murkomen’s aunt. Photo/Courtesy

The Senate Majority leader recounted how he had met his Uncle and aunt just two years before his uncle’s demise in 2017.

His long facebook post read,

Our Aunt Salina Komen Arusei has rested.

Two years ago I shared with you the story of my uncle Komen Kibor Arusei , the only brother of my mother who was born in 1940 and whom we laid to rest on the 7th of August 2017 a day before the general elections. I will recount the story just to put my Aunt’s departure into context.

I only got to know my uncle two years before his demise. He left his birthplace in 1972 way before I was born. But for my Mum, everyone else believed he was forever lost. My Mum used to pray for him unceasingly and she believed in her heart that they would meet again. Mum’s faith was confirmed when four years ago after a long lonely search she “stumbled” upon a person who knew his whereabouts. My uncle was alive. He had a family. He lived somewhere in Trans Nzoia working for a large farm owner on the border of Kenya and Uganda. He married a beautifu Ugandan lady from the slopes of Mt.Elgon and together bore four beautiful children (my cousins),Kiplagat, Abraham, Lydia & Joseph.

When things were tough it’s my Aunt who took my cousins to her home in Kapchorwa, Uganda and took very good care of them.

The beautiful lady, our dear Aunt Salina has now left us after succumbing to cervical cancer. I can’t just imagine the pain and sense of lose that my cousins feel. We are all devastated.

We are however glad that God gave us the chance to meet my uncle and my aunt albeit for a short while. Had my uncle and aunt passed away before we reconnected, it would have been impossible for us to ever linkup with out beautiful family. By God’s grace we shall soldier on with life together.

Fare thee well Aunt Salina.

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Politics

Blow to Ruto’s Tanga tanga as MP bans them from holding rallies

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

After the emergence of two factions in ruling party’s Jubilee, two different women groups linked to the factions have been given birth to.

The Kieleweke faction that spearheads President Uhuru Kenyatta’s development agenda has team Embrace women group and the Tanga tanga group which has hence launched early presidential campaigns for deputy President Dr William Ruto has team Inua mama.

On Friday, the groups held two different rallies. Team Embrace was in Kakamega’s Bukhungu stadium whilst team inua mama camped in Nyeri town.

However, the inua mama rally in Nyeri turned out to be chaotic.

This has forced Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu to react following the chaotic Tanga Tanga rally at his backyard.

The group of women supporting Ruto’s bid had to cancel a rally organised by Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami, following the chaotic scenes.

Ngunjiri, who has been critical of the pro-Ruto team dubbed as Tanga Tanga, took to Facebook to warn against future rallies in the constituency.

“Am sorry. But #2022 siasa in Nyeri Constituency. At this time is a No,” wrote Wambugu, after forcefully storming the rally that was later called off.

The team had earlier toured neighboring Kirinyaga County where they were hosted by Purity Ngirici. It was the second time a pro-Ruto rally was being disrupted in Nyeri.

Among the leaders present were county MPs Wangui Ngirici (Kirinyaga) Jane Chebaibai (Elgeyo Marakwet) Gladys Boss-Shollei (Uasin Gishu) Beatrice Nkatha (Tharaka/Nithi), Gertrude Mbeyu (Kilifi), Lydia Haika (Taita Taveta) and Faith Gitau (Nyandarua).

According to Wambugu, the women legislators did not say anything of substance apart from uttering abusive statements in their rally.

“THEN OF COURSE – I VISITED THE ‘INUA-WHATEVER’ EVENT THAT SOME FEMALE MPs BROUGHT TO NYERI …But lakini except matusi I didn’t actually hear anything else of substance. But we didn’t interrupt them.They spoke. Then they left. And we left,” he posted.

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Uhuru announces end of National exams in Primary Schools

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced the end of the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) for pupils who will undergo the newly introduced Curriculum Based Curriculum (CBC).

was speaking during the third national Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) conference held at the KICC.

“There would be no examinations in standard 6, which shall ensure that we now have 100 per cent transition from primary through to secondary school,” he declared.

The head of state also revealed that the task force formed by CS George Magoha had come up with recommendations stating that the lower secondary, which is grade 7,8 and 9 should now be domiciled in the secondary schools.

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Politics

PHOTOS: Raila’s daughters make a triumphant entry in Kakamega

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A group of women leaders dubbed Team Embrace which was formed to support ODM leader Raila Odinga’s handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta made a triumphant entry to Kakamega on Friday.

The women who call themselves daughters of Raila arrived in Wycliffe Oparanya-led County for a mega rally held at Bukhungu stadium.

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They boarded an airplane at Wilson Airport in Nairobi before being treated to a thunderous reception in Kakamega after their arrival.

The women legislators drawn from Jubilee’s Kieleweke faction and Raila’s ODM were then picked from Kakamega Airstrip in high-end vehicles with an escort from hundreds of boda boda riders.

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On their arrival at Bukhungu Stadium, Isukuti dancers received them with their famous Isukuti dance which is associated with the Isukha community.

The team compromises of pro-handshake women leaders majority of them Women Reps, Senators and governors.

According to their team leader Gladys Wanga, the rally will be among many that are set to be conducted with the ultimate goal being promoting peaceful coexistence among Kenyans.

Gender and Youths Chief Administrative Secretary Rachael Shebesh and Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru are also among team leaders.

Elsie Muhanda, the Kakamega County women Representative and two other nominated Senators were the hosts of the event. 

See the photos below.

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Politics

I will run for presidency in 2022, Kivutha Kibwana affirms in front of Ruto

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

2022 succession politics is becoming hotter as more candidates continue throwing themselves in the race, with Makueni Governor Professor Kivutha Kibwana being the latest.

This is after the second term County chief affirmed his interest in the 2022 top most political seat in front of Deputy President Dr William Ruto.

Prof Kibwana was speaking during the Turkana Annual Cultural Festival in Lodwar on Thursday.

Kibwana was responding to a recent story written by one of the popular Newspapers in the country indicating the people who will run for presidency in 2022.

Kibwana faulted the Newspaper for only publishing the faces of six individuals among them DP Ruto and opposition chief Raila Odinga considered to be the main contestants while leaving out him.

Last year, a section of Kenyans took to social media asking Kibwana to consider running for the Presidency in the 2022 general elections.

In a message sent after Madaraka Day celebration, Kivutha had indicated that “Kenya needs a third liberation. A liberation for economic independence, rooting out corruption and development of the grassroots economy.”

Kenyans were quick to respond to the Makueni County boss urging him to offer himself for the post of President in the coming elections.

Watch the full video of Prof Kivutha Kibwana’s speech in Lodwar below.

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Politics

MPs denied US visa over drugs, terrorism links

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

At least five MPs have been barred from travelling to the US in a move that signals their failure to meet the multiple criteria – many of them criminal – that the world’s most powerful nation has set for denial of travel visas.

The MPs alongside five parliamentary staff were denied US visas last month when they sought to travel as part of the large Kenyan delegation that was to attend an international conference in Tennessee.

The list of those affected by the US action includes a first term MP as well as those serving their second and third terms in Parliament. US authorities are known to deny foreigners visas if they have sufficient information pointing to their involvement in drugs trade, linked to extremist groups or are beneficiaries of the proceeds of crime.

MPs, who had their visa applications rejected, are from the National Assembly and the Senate, while the affected parliamentary employees were from the clerks’ office and from the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).

Largest delegationSpeakers Justin Muturi (National Assembly) and Ken Lusaka (Senate) led the Kenyan delegation, the largest that attended the State Capitol meeting.

It has also emerged that more MPs were initially in trouble with the visa application but some were cleared after high-level intervention.

“Some applications were rejected. We contacted the consular services to lodge a complaint. Some were reviewed while others are still undergoing review,” said a source familiar with the travel plans.

Foreign missions do not ordinarily discuss individual immigration statuses of visa applicants, but some of the affected individuals have since spoken to their friends about their exclusion from travelling to the US.

A legislator from the Coast region told a senior parliamentary staff that the US authorities had linked him to extremist activities of outlawed groups terrorising locals.

The US says in its official website that it denies foreigners travel visas if there is evidence that they have breached sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as well as on health, criminal and security related grounds.

The INA establishes the types of visas available for travel to the US and the conditions that must be met before an applicant is issued the vital travel document.

Situations that disqualify applicants for US visa are found in the INA, and other immigration laws.The US embassy in Nairobi states on its website that an applicant’s current and/or past actions, such as drug or criminal activities, may render ineligible for a visa but one can seek a review when visa application is denied.National Assembly clerk Michael Sialai said he was not aware of any legislator from the National Assembly who was denied a visa.

“The visa application is a personal matter and it is, therefore, difficult to know to know the grounds of denial,” said Mr Sialai.

Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye gave a similar response. Sialai said that whenever an MP or staff wishes to travel out of the country on official duties, the institution facilitates the application for the relevant visa.

“The office of the clerk formally introduces such applicants but the decision to issue a visa lies solely with the country being visited,” he said, adding that any challenges with application are usually communicated directly to the individual.

Ineligible applicants“In the case of the recent NCSL conference I am not aware of any member of the National Assembly that was not issued with visa to travel,” Sialai said.

The INA also contains provisions for certain ineligible applicants to apply for waivers of their ineligibility.In the event of a waiver application, the applicant maybe ineligible for a visa based on one or more of the INA laws. Besides, the category of the visa applied for often determines the availability of a waiver of ineligibility.

 “The consular officer interviewing you will tell you if you may apply for a waiver and will provide detailed instructions for how to apply,” the embassy says on the website.

When the consular officer determines that the applicant is ineligible to receive a visa, the visa application is denied and the applicant is informed both verbally and in writing of the reason for denial.US visa regulations require applicants to be interviewed by a consular officer at a US Embassy or Consulate.

After relevant information is reviewed, the application is approved or denied, based on standards established in law.

“While the vast majority of visa applications are approved, US law spells out many grounds upon which a visa application may be denied,” the embassy says.

“An application may be denied because the consular officer does not have all of the information required to determine if the applicant is eligible to receive a visa, because the applicant does not qualify for the visa category for which he or she applied, or because the information reviewed indicates the applicant falls within the scope of one of the inadmissibility or ineligibility grounds of the law.”

CREDITS: The Standard

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Politics

VIDEO:Chaos rock the start of a training session for census enumerators

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

There was chaos in Kangemi, Westlands Constituency on Thursday morning as youth stormed a training session for 2019 census enumerators.

The youth who interrupted the session claimed that there had been irregularities in the selection of enumerators in the region.

Police were forced to lob teargas canisters to disperse youth who had stormed census enumerators training in protesting ‘flawed’ hiring.

Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi reported to the scene as police lobbed teargas to disperse the rowdy crowd.

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Politics

Waiguru reveals Mt Kenya’s plan to make Raila President

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Populous Mt Kenya region is open to forming a political alliance with Opposition leader Raila Odinga ahead of the 2022 elections, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has said.

Ms Waiguru said a wind of political change has hit central Kenya under the leadership of President Uhuru Kenyatta, throwing open the region’s choice of a presidential candidate in the 2022 General Election.

“If it is Raila, he should know that the region will want a piece of his government,” Waiguru said in an exclusive interview on KTN News’ PointBlank.

Waiguru, who has had a frosty relationship with Raila, described the Orange Democratic Movement leader as ‘someone who understands the significant role that women play in Kenya’s politics.’

The cocky relationship between Raila and Waiguru hit rock bottom in 2016 after the opposition leader linked her to the multi-million shilling scandal at the National Youth Service (NYS).

Waiguru, who was at the time a powerful minister in charge of Devolution, Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs, responded to Raila’s claims with a legal suit which she dropped after their hostilities ended last year following a meeting at the opposition leader’s Nairobi Capitol Hill offices.

“We discussed some serious politics. Of course we first settled the history we had together,” Waiguru said during the interview.The prevailing rapprochement between Raila and Waiguru began in November last year after she withdrew the suit and announced the launch of a new friendship,” in the interest of national development.”Raila’s political dalliance with Waiguru became even clearer last month after the former PM accompanied President Uhuru Kenyatta to the governor’s wedding in Kirinyaga last month.

Waiguru tied the knot with Nairobi lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo in a traditional wedding that was attended by prominent politicians and businessmen.

“In politics, formations happen. Those who showed up at the wedding were there either to confirm their membership to emerging political formations or friendship,” she said.

Asked whether she had made up her mind on a joint political formation with Raila ahead of 2022 elections, Waiguru said it was too early to decide.“It was not really about future formations, but to support Mr Kenyatta’s decision to shake hands with Mr Odinga. You know this country was not in good shape after the 2017 elections,” she said.

Waiguru said she had assured the ODM leader of her unwavering support for the handshake through ongoing activities of the Embrace Kenya team.

Waiguru delved deeper into politics of the day with a strong opposition to Dr Ekuru Aukot’s Punguza Mizigo referendum Bill that seeks to reduce elective positions among other key constitutional changes.She said the Bill risks locking out women from adequate representation in the political arena, ‘an issue Raila himself is against.’

“Raila understands the challenges women are facing. He has spoken firmly about it even during the funeral of Joyce Laboso (the former Bomet Governor),” Waiguru said, insisting that women must have representation at the executive level.

Waiguru’s warming up to Raila stands in stark contrast with past speculation that she was angling to be Deputy President William Ruto’s running mate in 2022.

The governor was, however, categorical that her new dalliance with Raila does not mean she was turning her back on the DP who did not show up during her wedding.

She said attendance of the wedding was voluntary and the absence of Dr Ruto should not be misinterpreted to mean a souring of the relationship between them.“Being a member of the Jubilee Party, we have to separate matters concerning the party from those of the handshake. President Kenyatta is the party leader and Dr Ruto is the deputy party leader,” she said adding that “when time comes, we will make a decision on the direction the party will take.

“Ultimately, Kenyans will determine who will run the country. It is not an individual’s decision.”Waiguru insisted that in the meantime, she will continue to position herself as the voice of Mt Kenya region ready to take the mantle of leadership if considered in 2022.

“If you go to our region, people are talking and assessing. President Kenyatta will lead us in making a decision as Mt Kenya on how the political formation will look like.“Whether it is Raila or someone else, the presidential candidates must to know Mt Kenya needs representation at the top. At the moment, it would be preemptive. We are open and are uniting,” she said.

Waiguru said she was sitting pretty having cleared all obstacles that were weighing her down and threatening her positioning as a voice in Mt Kenya region.She cited the clearance of corruption allegations following the loss of about Sh791 million at the NYS during her tenure as Devolution Cabinet Secretary.

The governor, however, maintained that she had serious reservations as to how investigators handled the matter, saying it did not meet her expectations.

“The investigations have vindicated me, but not as I would have preferred it done. Simply put, if you have been investigated, it is made public, you go through swinging doors, press statements are issued saying they are investigating but when they don’t find anything, they keep quiet,” she said.

“When they find that there is nothing, and they do not make it public, they leave room for speculation.”On the flip side, Waiguru said, the allegations had come as a blessing in disguise having catapulted her into her new role as an elected leader in Kenya.

“There were lots of rumours and politicisation of the issues. It was a tough time for me as an individual but if you look at how it eventually got me where I am, I think you sometimes have to go through such challenges,” she said.

Besides, Waiguru said the Supreme Court’s dismissal of a long running petition challenging her election as Kirinyaga governor had relieved her. Ms Martha Karua, her rival for the gubernatorial seat, had until last week fought a long-drawn legal battle seeking to nullify Waiguru’s election.

The governor also revealed that her recent marriage to Mr Kamotho was another step towards earning acceptance in Mt Kenya region.She promised Kenyans to be on the lookout for “a more aggressive Waiguru” that will seek to unite the region and stop it from falling apart.Waiguru lashed out at some leaders she accused of sowing seeds of disunity in Mt Kenya region through false claims of neglect and alleged plot to assassinate DP Ruto.

“There are people working hard to split the region so that we have no voice and representation in the future,” the governor said adding that “assassination claims were meant to isolate Mt Kenya.

CREDITS: Source Link

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Politics

Sonko denies Nairobi resident a deputy governor job, states why

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi County governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has responded to a Nairobi County resident Mr Philip Sogoti Chepsat barely hours after he had put an advert in Daily Nation paper urging Sonko to give him the deputy governor job.

However, Sonko did not give Mr Chepsat the job as many had anticipated.

In his response, Sonko maintained that he will keep his promise to the women of Nairobi County.

He said that he had promised to pick a woman as his deputy as soon as the legislation pending in Parliament on nomination and appointment of Deputy Governor is assented into law.

Through a long facebook post on Wednesday evening, Sonko thanked Chepsat for his expression of interest in serving the great people of Nairobi alongside him.

The post read,

DEAR MR. PHILIP SOGOTI CHEPSAT.

Thank you for your expression of interest in serving the great people of Nairobi alongside me as Deputy Governor. Thank you too for appreciating my commitment to openness and transparency.

My office received your earlier communications and we were in the process of writing you a formal regret because like I promised, I shall only be ready to fill the Deputy Governor position once the legislation pending in Parliament on nomination and appointment of Deputy Governor is assented into law.

It is worth of note that as a politician, I believe in keeping my promises to the electorate. And earlier, I committed myself to Nairobians that my nominee for Nairobi City County’s Next Deputy Governor shall be a woman.

Too bad you are not a woman because I intend to keep that promise to my women supporters at all costs because I believe in not only upholding the third gender rule but exceeding it. This is why half of Nairobi County executive members are women.

I wish you had indicated your professional background or work experience for my adminstration to know how better to assist you.

My appeal to you is not to give up on your dream to serve in leadership of Nairobi County but to keep checking up and applying as vacancies come up.

For example, I shall soon be sending home several nonperforming Members of County Executive Committee and Chief Officers who are sleeping on the job and you should be on the standby to apply when the County Public Service Board advertises to fill the position.

Otherwise I wish you all the best in your future endeavours as you continue to enjoy our services as a Nairobi voter and resident.

At Your Service,

Mike Mbuvi Sonko.

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Politics

Nairobi resident applies to be Governor Sonko’s deputy

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Philip Sogoti Chepsat has hit the headlines when he applied for the post of the Deputy Governor, Nairobi County which has been vacant since the resignation of Polycarp Igathe on January 1, 2018. 

Through an advertisement posted on Daily Nation, Chepsat has asked Nairobi governor Mike Sonko to give him the position so that he can assist him to deliver on the promises he made to the people of Nairobi when he was seeking election into office.

He has further said that he had applied for the post before but he was not sure whether Sonko had received the same.

“Hon Sonko, I have reached out to you openly because I am not sure if my earlier communication did reach you,” reads part of the advert.

While tendering his resignation letter, Igathe cited irreconcilable differences between him and the county boss when he penned his letter of resignation.

Kenyans on Twitter have however started reacting to Chepsat’s advert asking Governor Sonko to consider him.

Some are saying that Chepsat might be a God sent Deputy Governor for Nairobians.

Do you think Mike Sonko should consider him?

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Politics

Duale vows to retire from politics should Ruto become president

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale has said that he is ready to hang his political boots once Deputy President Dr William Ruto ascends to power in 2022.

Duale hinted at retiring from the politics while appearing in an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday night.

The Garissa Township MP affirmed that he is fully behind the Presidency of the second in command. He insisted that Ruto, who is considered as one of the front runners in the race for power, has what it takes to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.  

Duale also dismissed claims that he is likely to abandon Ruto before his dreams become a reality.

“I have said in the past, if William Ruto becomes President, I will retire from politics. I can even serve as a clerk in State House,  he said.

The lawmaker also said that the 2022 Presidential race will be a contest between Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. 

On the referendum, Duale said he is fully behind it but asked for inclusivity of all Kenyans. He reiterated that he will not be part of a referendum that intends to sideline some regions.

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Politics

Inside Ruto allies plot to shoot down Raila’s referendum bill

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Members of Parliament allied to Deputy President Dr William Ruto have vowed to mount a vigorous campaign to shoot down the referendum bill if “it is pushed down the throats of Kenyans.”

According to reports by a local daily, the lawmakers have warned that they have the wherewithal to mount a massive campaign against the public vote which they claimed is “predicated on selfish political interests.”

“We don’t fear a referendum at all. Let them bring it on,” said Soy MP Caleb Kositany, one of the few politicians in Ruto’s coterie. “At the end of the day, we will respect the decision of the majority of Kenyans. Let us meet at the ballot.”

Kandara’s Alice Wahome said Kenyans who voted for Uhuru and Ruto in 2017 are intact and would reject the plebiscite, despite Uhuru joining “the official opposition”.

“We haven’t crossed over and we haven’t changed our minds. We keep promises,” Wahome stated.

She claimed that President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Raila Odinga might as well have hatched a plot to destroy Ruto’s 2022 presidential ambitions.

“Nobody fears a referendum at all. What we are opposed to is a referendum that seeks to enable a few people to get power. We already know, for example, who wants to be Prime Minister and the two deputies,” she was quoted by the Star

The controversial MP, however, reminded Uhuru that the Ruto allies were not about to abandon the DP.

The warning shot from the DP’s brigade is the clearest signal yet that Ruto could be weighing his options, including a political duel with his boss.

Such a contest will likely leave him thoroughly bruised as the country’s political bigwigs have closed ranks to support constitutional change.

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Politics

Former Raila’s right hand man dumps ODM Party

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Opposition chief Raila Odinga’s former aide Eliud Owalo has officially resigned from Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

While tendering his resignation from the Orange Party, Owalo noted that his political ideology, convictions and belief no longer has convergence or depict any congruence and common denominator with that of the ODM Party.

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Owallo has been rumored to be among the 15-member think tank which has been allegedly hired by ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi ahead of his 2022 political gameplan.

In 2013, Owallo worked as Raila’s presidential campaign manager, but the two fell out in the run-up to the 2017 polls after contesting the Kibra parliamentary seat.

Also advising Mudavadi is lawyer Sam Karanja who chaired Jubilee’s Appeals Tribunal.

Owallo is also among politicians eyeing Kibra parliamentary seat that fell vacant following the demise of former MP Ken Okoth who succumbed to cancer.

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