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Fallen Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso’s body on Thursday left the Lee Funeral Home, Nairobi County for the first funeral service at the All Saints Cathedral.

The body will then later in the day be flown to Sotik before spending a night at Bomet County government headquarters.

Below is the funeral program for the late governor.

9am: Memorial service begins with opening prayers and hymns

10am: Eulogy by son Ted Abonyo

12:30pm: Tributes from Kenya High choir, friends, Sotik and Nyakach family representative

2pm: Sermon by Bishop Ernest Ngeno assisted by Canon Sammy Wainiaina

3pm: Service ends. Body leaves for Wilson Airport for airlifting to Sotik

On Friday, a funeral service will be held at the Bomet Green Stadium.

She will be buried on Saturday at her marital home in Fort Ternan, Koru, Kisumu County.

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Deputy President William Ruto was, on Wednesday, present to witness history in the making, after he helped secure a peace deal in the war-torn Kerio Valley.

A two-month dialogue process initiated by the DP culminated in the penning of a peace accord, set to bring together communities from Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot and Baringo counties.

The country’s second in command also witnessed the re-opening of Chesegon open-air market, formerly bristling with activities, the marketplace had metamorphosed into a ghostly centre for the last seven years following fatal clashes.

“Today, Kerio Valley has changed from the valley of cattle rustling and death to the valley of hope and peace,” DP Ruto remarked.

He then led the leaders gathered at the market centre in prayer, during which he reiterated the need to forgive and forge a new, more prosperous path to the future, The Standardreported.

“Today we put aside all other activities to witness the peace agreement so that development can begin,” he divulged.

Violent cattle rustling tales had been a mainstay in the area christened ‘the valley of death’, with at least 120 people reportedly killed in just under three years.

DP Ruto urged the residents to abandon the archaic way of living and embrace trade and commerce, for a more sustainable future.

Ruto was accompanied by governors John Lonyang’apuo (West Pokot) and Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo-Marakwet), Senator Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo-Marakwet) and several MPs including Oscar Sudi (Kapseret).

In his address, the visibly joyous DP affirmed that the signing of the accord had officially opened up the area to development projects that had stalled due to constant clashes.

Credits: Source Link

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Eight days ago, Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso had told her doctor she wanted to be discharged.

In the past two months, Dr Laboso had been in hospitals in London, India and finally at the Nairobi Hospital, where she died yesterday.

“I want to go rest at home,” she had told one of her doctors on July 21 from her hospital bed in the high dependency unit (HDU).Deputy President William Ruto was among those who had visited her that Sunday.

Yesterday, Ruto, who spoke outside Lee Funeral Home, recalled that Laboso had asked him how Bomet was doing. The DP said he told her not to worry about the county, but to take time to take care of her health.

Even as they spoke about her recovery, the governor reportedly asked Ruto to ensure Bomet was not left out in government development programmes.

Two days earlier, on July 19, Laboso had been moved from the intensive care unit to the HDU where she requested to be allowed to go ‘rest at home’.

But some family members are said to have resisted the suggestion, arguing that she needed to be in hospital.That is why on Monday, July 22, she was moved to the general VIP ward in the North Wing where she remained until her death.

Last Friday night, family and friends held a prayer vigil at the hospital for the 58-year-old former university lecturer who was first thrown in the political arena in September 2008 following the death in an airplane crash of her elder sister and Sotik MP Lorna Laboso. 

The vigil was attended by her husband Edwin Abonyo, her children, Chief Administrative Secretary Rachel Shebesh and Nairobi County Speaker Beatrice Elachi.

They had gathered at the hospital’s North Wing ward reception for prayers for the first-term governor who had been at the hospital for the last three weeks. 

According to medical staff, Laboso was first diagnosed with cancer in 1991, but she had been in remission until recently when her health deteriorated.Doctors noted that the cancer had spread throughout her body. 

Laboso returned to the country recently after spending one-and-a-half months in the United Kingdom and India.On July 9, Bomet County Director of Communication Ezra Kirui issued a statement that Laboso was expected back home from India.

The governor had left the country on May 29 for London and was admitted at the Royal Madden NHS Hospital for over a month.

She was later flown to India for another two weeks for further treatment.In the statement, Mr Kirui said Laboso would not resume work because she would still be receiving medical care.

“Upon her return, however, the governor will continue with her medication locally as per her doctor’s advice.”

County affairs

Before she flew abroad, Laboso handed over the management of county affairs to her deputy, Hillary Barchok, and County Secretary Evalyne Rono.

Prior to her visit to London, Laboso had kept a low profile in the county which at one point led to speculation about her health.Earlier this month, former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and Chepalungu MP Gideon Koskei visited her in India.

Five days ago, Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga led a team of women legislators to visit her at Nairobi Hospital. Before she was elected governor, Laboso had served as Sotik MP from 2008 to 2017. She had also held the post of deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.

Credits: Source Link

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Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen has taken to social media to cry foul after Baringo Senator Gideon Moi allegedly blocked him from an interview he was to have with Standard Media owned KTN News TV in a talk show dubbed CheckPoint.

Murkomen who has complained about lack of media freedom in Kenya referring to the struggle between media ownership and editorial independence says Gideon cancelled his appearance on KTN on Sunday night.

“I am sorry to let you know that my colleague Senator Gideon Moi has cancelled my appearance at KTN #CheckPoint Tonight. I have always supported media freedom in Kenya. Unfortunately the struggle between media ownership and editorial independence is real. I don’t have any ill will against news team. They have to do what they have to do. I wish them well. Good night,” read his post on his facebook page.

Former President Daniel Arap Moi’s family owns the majority shares at the Standard Media group, which Murkomen argues is the reason for the cancellation of his appearance.

The Baringo Senator does not read from the same script with Deputy President William Ruto and his allies.

With succession politics hotting up, DP Ruto has posed himself as the main challenger of the top most seat which Gideon has hence declared interest in.

The differences between Murkomen and Gideon have not started now. In 2016 when the NYS scandal came up, Gideon wanted Murkomen and DP Ruto questioned over the scandal.

They have also differed in several issues among them fight against corruption and the referendum push.

A few days ago, Murkomen publicly claimed that he has been an acting Senator for Baringo questioning the whereabouts of Gideon.

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Exiled controversial lawyer Dr Miguna Miguna has taken issue with ODM leader Raila Odinga for mourning the departed Kibra MP Ken Okoth.

Barely hours after the Kibra lawmaker’s death, Miguna Miguna has hit out at Raila, accusing him of looting during his tenure as an Lang’ata MP.

Miguna who has praised Ken Okoth for working hard to better the lives of Kibra people says Raila was doing the opposite.

He has gone ahead to expose the wealth he alleges Raila got using public funds. He has accused the AU envoy of building himself big hotels in Kisumu as Ken Okoth built schools and health centres for Kibra people.

Miguna has accused Raila of building Grand Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu with billions of public money he had allegedly stolen as Prime Minister.

He further accuses Raila of looting to build Nkandlas in Kisumu, which he argues that it is worth Ksh 2.5 billion.

“As Jacon Zuma was looting public money and building Nkandlas, in Kenya, The Kabaka Yekka @RailaOdinga was looting, competing with Uhuru, Ruto and Moi in plunder and building Nkandlas in Kisumu. Below is @RailaOdinga‘s Nkandla built at Shs. 2.5B public money,” tweeted Miguna Miguna.

The lawyer further accuses Raila of looting 11 billion of public money from Kazi Kwa Vijana and built himself a Taj Mahal and 3 five star hotels in Kisumu.

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The Grand Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu allegedly owned by Raila. PHOTO/ COURTESY

“Ken Okoth used the modest CDF to construct more than 5 major schools in Kibra in less than 7 years while The People’s Con-Man Kabaka Yekka @RailaOdinga looted Shs. 11 billion of public money from Kazi Kwa Vijana and built himself a Taj Mahal and 3 five star hotels in Kisumu,” tweeted Miguna.

Miguna further says that Raila was an anti-Okoth crusader, alleging that he arranged to have him stoned in the run-up to the 2017 polls.

The former Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant accused Raila of trying to use illegal ways to push Okoth out of the Kibera race in favour of his daughter Rosemary Odinga who was also eyeing the seat before she was taken ill.

He also observed that Okoth’s seven-year tenure outdid Raila’s 25 years when he represented the area when it was under the larger Langata constituency.

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Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has revealed more details about the late Kibra MP Ken Okoth and his death.

While speaking to NTV barely hours after Okoth’s death, Raila disclosed how he helped Ken Okoth run Kibra Constituency during his ailing moment.

“I was like a substitute member. I tried to do what he was doing, helping the people of Kibra. I used to work behind the scenes helping the people of Kibra. As you know, poor people need a lot of attention as emergencies tend to often arise,” said the ODM leader.

Raila said he was shocked with the news of Okoth’s death as he planned to board his private plane from Mombasa to to Nairobi to check on the MP, who he thought was still alive.

“I spoke to him about a month ago, but the day before he died, I had a bad premonition. I went to look for him at The Nairobi Hospital then I was told that he had been discharged.

He further revealed how he had spent an hour just looking for Ken Okoth a day before his death.

“Yesterday(Friday) in the morning I went to several functions before flying out to Mombasa. I was hoping to see him when I came back today, then at the airport, I realised that he had passed on. The day before he died I spent one hour looking for him,” a sad Raila revealed.

In his moving tribute, Raila said that Ken battled Cancer with unique bravery while serving his voters to the last minutes of his life.

“I’m deeply saddened by the passing of our MP Hon. @okothkenneth. Ken battled Cancer with unique bravery while serving his voters to the last minutes of his life. May God grant peace and strength to his family and may he Rest In Peace,” he posted on twitter.

The late Kibra MP who died on Friday at The Nairobi Hospital had instructed his family not to put him on life support when his condition deteriorated.

Watch Raila’s interview with NTV below:

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Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi has asked vocal Jubilee lawmaker belonging to tanga tanga group Hon Oscar Sudi to take up the opposition mantle and lead Kenyans to the Promised Land.

Through his twitter handle, Ahmednasir asked the Kapsaret MP to take up the role since he has been claiming that the Country has no opposition to the ruling government.

“Let us manage the traffic Hon Sudi. Now that you claim Kenya has no opposition to the JUBILE government in power, and we know many Kenyans are waiting for an opposition MESSAIAH, take the mantle and lead us to the PROMISED LAND,” tweeted the lawyer.

Lawyer Abdullahi’s remarks come a day after the Kapsraet lawmaker dared President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William ruto to resign.

In an interview with journalists at his Eldoret home on Wednesday, Sudi accused President Kenyatta’s administration of being the most incompetent since independence.

He further claimed that president Kenyatta’s administration was the worst in history and was allegedly running down the country’s economy.

“Ukiona Rais hawezi kukutana na viongozi na Governors na senators wanaandamana kwa barabara iko shida  (when you a president who cannot meet with governors and senators forcing them to take to the streets just know we have a problem,” said Mr Sudi.

His comments came barely hours after President Kenyatta doing a mini cabinet reshuffle that saw Henry Rotich sacked as Treasury Cabinet Secretary with Amb Ukur Yattani coming in as his replacement.

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Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Shollei has sought to increase the number of electoral units designated for women from the current 47 to 136.

Through Constitution of Kenya (Amendments) Bill, 2019, the Woman MP also seeks to increase the number of senators from the current 67 to 100 members.

If enacted, the number of nominated members to the National Assembly will also increase from the current 12 to 22.This latest proposal comes in the backdrop of other parallel initiatives seeking amend the 2010 Constitution.

The bill also also seeks to have more women in the 47 county assemblies in yet another fresh effort to resolve the elusive gender parity.

This latest proposal comes in the backdrop of other parallel initiatives seeking amend the 2010 Constitution.

Currently, Punguza Mizigo Bill by Ekuru Aukot’s Third Way Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot is before the 47 county assemblies for approval before it can be subjected to a referendum.

In the Senate, the Bill proposes that each of the 47 counties elect a man and a woman, bringing the number of senators to 94.

The House will further nominate four persons with disability and two youths.“Clause 5 of the Bill proposes to amend Article 98 to provide for election of two members of the Senate of each gender by the electorate in the counties.

The clause also proposes the nomination of four persons with disability and two youths,” reads the Bill ready for tabling in the National Assembly.

In the National Assembly, the Bill wants the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to create electoral units that will be designated for women at least 12 months before a general election.

It proposes that two adjacent constituencies in each county be used as electoral units in electing the 136 women to the National Assembly.

This implies that a county with eight constituencies will have four women lawmakers in addition to the eight elected to represent the single consistencies, bringing the total number to 12.

But in counties with od number of constituencies, three constituencies with the least number of voters will be used as a single unit to elect a woman.

The proposal means the number of MPs in the two Houses will shoot to about 535 from the current 416.This is on assumption that the 290 constituencies will be used to create an additional 145 electoral units for women.

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Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria has told off Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi on his request to have President Uhuru Kenyatta step aside for them.

Sudi during a press conference held at his Eldoret home on Wednesday called on President Kenyatta to step aside for him, arguing that the head of state had become incompetent.

Sudi said that he could perform better than President Kenyatta if given a chance to act as interim President for three months, with Moses Kuria as his deputy.

Sudi went on to allege Uhuru is incompetent and “uses and dumps hard working people like former Treasury CS Henry Rotich and PS Kamau Thugge”.

But in a scathing response to Sudi’s claims, Moses Kuria has urged the vocal Tanga tanga MP not to drag him into “his stupidity”.

Kuria says he fights his battles in courts silently and with reference to the rule of law and the supremacy of the constitution.

“To Oscar Kipchumba Sudi. Do not drag me into your stupidity. I fight my battles in courts silently and with deference to the rule of law and the supremacy of the constitution. No one helps me and I do not expect anyone to expect my help. The Matters you refer to are now subject of the court and so clearly your comments are sub-judice. Let me give you unsolicited advice. Your comments make many people to wonder how you would behave if you are allowed 50 kilometres radius from a future State House,” read Moses Kuria’s post.

Sudi had called a press conference following President Kenyatta’s move to replace Treasury CS Henry Rotich with Labour CS Ukur Yattani.

Sudi said Uhuru’s relationship with  Ruto has ended and they are engaging in a  fake political union.

The MP said the jubilee government had failed along with President Kenyatta’s Big Four Agenda.

Sudi said Uhuru was unable to meet his own party MPS and was even unable to resolve the row by Governor’s and senators on the division of revenue Bill.

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Members of Parliament allied to Deputy President Dr William Ruto have been expressing fear of being arrested. On Tuesday July 23, 2019, Sirisia constituency MP John Waluke had to publicly offer an apology to ODM leader Raila Odinga, Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju and the entire Luo community over an ethnic slur he issued last week.

His apology came after Waluke had been summoned to appear before National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) amid calls to have him arrested.

Kiharu MP, Ndindi Nyoro who is also allied to DP Ruto has now divulged that he would be arrested over the management of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) where he had previously worked as Chairman.

NG-CDF is a body corporate falling under the Ministry of Devolution and Planning. The body ensures that budgetary provisions and offers policy direction to the fund.

Speaking to Daily Nation, Nyoro cited that the order for his arrest had been prompted by his support for the DP and constantly questioning the Interior PS, Karanja Kibicho.

“The idea to arrest me has been hatched after my questioning the interior PS on several issues that were raised by the Auditor-General.

“We won’t take some issues lying down; those thinking they will threaten and silence us will be in for a rude shock,” he told the publication.

Earlier this month, another Ruto allied MP, Kimani Ichungwa, stated that he had also received death threats for supporting DP Ruto.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta has appointed Labour Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yattani the acting Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury to replace Henry Rotich.

Julius Muia has been appointed the Treasury PS taking over from Kamau Thuge.

Read a detailed statement from Statehouse below:

“In order to ensure smooth operations and continuity at the National Treasury and in line Ministries following the Court Order affecting the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Planning Mr Henry Rotich and the Principal Secretary for the National Treasury Dr Kamau Thugge, His Excellency the President has made the following changes to the organization of Government:

(I) Hon. (Amb.) Ukur Yatani Kanacho, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, assumes, in Acting Capacity the Cabinet Secretary responsibility for National Treasury and Planning.

(II) Dr Julius Monzi Muia is appointed as the Principal Secretary for the National Treasury.

(III) Mr Torome Saitoti is appointed as the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Planning.

(IV) Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Gordon Kihalangwa is appointed as the Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Defence. Kanze Dena-Mararo State House Spokesperson

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Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives have arrested former Ugenya constituency Member of Parliament and ODM leader Raila Odinga’s close ally Chris Karan.

Karan has been arrested for allegedly forging documents used in an election petition against the now Ugenya MP David Ochieng.

His arrested saw his lawyer George Mugoye Mbaya and two doctors George Owino and Mohammed Adan Mohamed also arrested over the same allegations.

According to The Standard, they are accused of colluding to prepare and use the forged documents in the petition challenging the election of Mr. Karan filed by the former MP David Ochieng’.

Mr Karan is accused of allegedly presenting a forged letter indicating that he had been admitted to Alfarooq Hospital, as a justification for responding to the petition after the deadline.

In the sworn affidavit he presented in court, Karan said he has been admitted to the facility with fever and vomiting from September 6 to 13, 2017.

EACC says they will be charged with the “offences of providing false information under the leadership and integrity act 2012, forgery, uttering false documents, and making false declaration under the penal code”.

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The Senate has this afternoon approved Division of Revenue Bill 2019 which now allocates Sh335 billion to the county government for development projects and other activities.

National Assembly ( NA )Speaker Justin Muturi is set to rule on its legality on Thursday.

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja has said that the ball in now in the court of the MPs. He reminded them to remember the benefits of devolution when deciding to vote for or against the Bill.

The Council of Governors ( CoG )decided to move to the Supreme Court last week after the Senate and National Assembly failed to agree on the amount allocated to the counties.

The National Assembly had approved Sh316 billion while the senate supported Sh335 billion allocation as suggested by the Controller of Budget.

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Last week, a video widely circulated on social media that appeared to show the outspoken Sirisia MP John Walukhe , a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto attacking Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju and his ethnic community, Luo.

The clip attracted the attention of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission which has hence summoned Waluke for grilling on Thursday.

Commission secretary Hassan Mohamed told the media that the legislator violated section 62 of the NCIC Act.

But the outspoken MP has now come out publicly to offer an apology to Tuju, ODM leader Raila Odinga and the entire Luo Community.

Speaking to the press at Parliament buildings, Waluke said that his ethic slur came as result of the sleep of the tongue.

He also disclosed that he is the current acting Jubilee Party Vice chairman after taking over from Dvid Murathe who resigned.

Below is the full video of Waluke’s apology.

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Economist David Ndii has ruled out chances of working for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration as Finance Cabinet Secretary (CS) following the arrest of Treasury CS Henry Rotich.

Mr Rotich could be fired by Uhuru after he was directly linked by DPP Noordin Haji to the alleged loss of billions of shillings meant for the construction of Kimwarer and Arror dams in Elgeyo-Marakwet County.

In April, while responding to calls to sack ministers embroiled in corruption scandals, Uhuru said he will only sack those prosecuted, adding that he will ensure the law is followed.

“I must, however, caution that the pursuit of the corrupt will be undertaken strictly within the remits of the law, and not through vigilante justice and pitchfork protest. Though media narratives rally our resolve as they should, our actions will not be based on condemnation before one has been heard. The cornerstone of our democracy is the rule of law, and the principle of due process is a critical anchor.

Rotich has already been arraigned in court, along with PS Kamau Thugge, a move that could lead to massive changes at the Treasury. 

But Ndii, who supported former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid in 2017, maintains that should he be offered the job, he is not ready to be at the helm of the Treasury, arguing that Uhuru’s regime is ‘illegitimate’.

“Public Notice: I’m not available to work for Uhuru Kenyatta’s corrupt illegitimate govt. Those thinking corruption/ economy can be fixed in Treasury are gravely mistaken. National crisis will persist until a financial implosion or Jubilee is out of power whichever comes first,” he said in a tweet.

Ndii, who is one of the best economists in the country made the statement in response to a netizen who had proposed him for the Treasury job.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have been pushing for constitutional changes through their Building Brides initiative, but will it be an easy journey?

Well, Thirdway Alliance Party leader Dr Ekuru Aukot is pushing for constitutional changes as well. Whilst President Kenytatta and Raila are pushing for more representation, over representation is Dr Aukot’s major concern.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Thursday approved 1.2 of the 1.4 million signatures which Aukot had presented for scrutiny by the commission.

With the law dictating that a person seeking to implement changes in the constitution present one million signatures, Aukot has cruised past the first section of the test.

Consequently, this exposes the nation to a possible referendum, probably next year, which comes as a blow to Uhuru and Raila, who have been pushing for an expanded government.

Aukot, on the other hand, is pushing to have elective seats reduced.

This will, therefore, force the two to go back to the drawing board to consider other ways of realising their push, putting into consideration that it will be impossible to their referendum bid to materialise with Aukot’s also looming.

Political analyst Herman Manyora claims that Deputy President Dr William Ruto stands to benefit from the referendum push by Dr Aukot.

Through his YouTube channel, Manyora explained that Aukot’s plans go through then the country can’t hold another plebiscite until 2022.

In his opinion, this would frustrate plans by the ODM Party Leader to hold a similar exercise to amend the Constitution. 

“There are those who believe that if this referendum were to be undertaken, not even go through, just to be undertaken then it would make it nearly impossible for any other group, BBI and the handshake included, to bring another referendum to Kenyans before the next election. 

“Therefore Ruto will have scored if the Thirdway Alliance was able to be taken to the people for a vote,” Manyora explained.

He went on to add that skeptics were claiming that the ‘Punguza Mzigo’ initiative would die before it reaches the County Assembly because of the many legal issues surrounding it.

Watch Manyora’s video below:

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