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Gladys Shollei seeks to outsmart Ekuru Aukot with her ‘Ongeza Mizigo’ bill

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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Politics

Do not drag me into your stupidity, Moses Kuria turns down Oscar Sudi’s offer

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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Politics

Another Ruto allied MP living in fear of being arrested

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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Politics

Uhuru names CS Rotich, PS Thuge’s replacements

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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Politics

Ghost of election petitions return to haunt Raila ally

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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Politics

New twist as Senators pass Sh335.6b Division of Revenue Bill

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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Politics

Fear of arrest? Murathe’s ‘successor’ in Jubilee offers a public apology to Raila, Tuju

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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Politics

NASA strategist rules out chances of taking over Rotich’s job

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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Politics

Why Aukot’s referendum push is a win for Ruto, a blow to Uhuru and Raila

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

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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Politics

How 6 armed men raided Ekuru Aukot’s office shortly after winning referendum push

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Barely hours after Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) verifying over one million signatures from Dr Ekuru Aukot’s Punguza Mizigo initiative, an armed gang allegedly raided his office in Lavington, Nairobi.

It is alleged that Dr Aukot’s Thirdway Alliance Party Secretary General Fredrick Okang’o was shot and injured in an ugly scene that occurred on Thursday night.

According to Ekuru Aukot, six armed men raided their office and shot Okang’o but fortunately he managed to escape before they took away his life.

“Our party office Thirdway Kenya in Lavington, Chalbi drive has just been invaded by 6 armed men in Nairobi. They have shot at our SG Fredrick Okang’o who ran and hid inside one of the offices. This comes barely few hours after Punguza Mizigo Bill passed. This a cowardly act,” Aukot posted on Twitter.

The motive of the attack is however not yet to be established.

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Politics

Peter Keneth thrown into deep mourning

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former Gatanga MP, Peter Kenneth has been thrown into a deep mourning following the death of his mother.

According to reports, Kenneth’s mother, Rahab Wambui Muhuni, passed on while undergoing treatment at Aga Khan hospital in Nairobi on Thursday morning.

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Politics

List of Crucial government services to be missed without huduma namba

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Barely two months ago, Kenyans were in a big scare following government’s threats on the registration of Citizens into the National Intergated Information Management system (NIIMS) using a unique number dubbed huduma namba.

Kenyans woke as early as 3:00 am to beat the governments deadlines in May this year as others chose to boycott the registration process. But do you think government’s threats were just mere?

Well, then you were wrong. Kenyans were notified of missing crucial government services should they not have huduma namba, which is now coming into reality soon.

The Government has proposed a bill that will lock out individuals without Huduma Namba from crucial services that are offered by the government.

The draft Huduma Bill 2019  seeks to make Huduma Namba compulsory.

The Government has proposed a bill that will lock out individuals without Huduma Namba from healthcare services and participating in the country’s election among other essential services.

What is your opinion on this bill?#HudumaNamba pic.twitter.com/MEBYDTeA8M

— ktn (@KTNKenya) July 18, 2019

The number is mandatory in paying taxes and accessing all government services including universal healthcare, renewal of driving licences, application for electricity connectivity, registration of a mobile number, opening of a bank account among others.

Enrolling your children into a public educational facility will be impossible without listing yourself under the National Integrated Identity Management System.

You will also not sell or buy land, or even acquire a passport without the vital document.

For business people to transact in the financial markets they will be required to provide their Huduma card.

When the roll out was being done, Kenyans were all over the social media protesting, with some saying that they were ready for consequences that were to come with boycotting the process.

Well, are you aware that there is a punishment? Any individual who wants to transact the listed services without the Huduma Namba will be jailed for one year or pay a fine of Ksh1 million, while unlawful production of the document will see one spend three years behind bars or Ksh3 million fine.

Individuals who give false information or make a false statement when providing information for entry into the NIIMS database will also face a Ksh5 million penalty or five years in jail.

Kenyans are now again all over social media protesting against the bill.

Some are questioning if there are any data protection laws in the country.

Some are even arguing that huduma namba is all about Raising Tax revenues and social control in a scheme to cater for the ever rising national debt.

What is your opinion on the proposed Huduma Bill 2019?

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Politics

Duale earns 4 times the salary of other MPs, Moses Kuria reveals

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Garissa Township Member of Parliament Aden Duale is among the MPs who are pushing for more allowances in the Parliament prompting Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to launch an attack against him over the weekend.

The MPs have been demanding more money in allowances at the expense of a common mwananchi. But did you know that the National Assembly majority leader is among the members who earn handsomely every month?

Well, Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria has revealed that MPs from North Eastern parts pf the country earn four times the amount of money other MPs earn in a month.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on KTN News’ PointBlank show on Wednesday night, Kuria who has hence expressed his 2022 presidential ambitions said that Members from Garissa, Turkana, Mandera, Wajir, Moyale, Isiolo and other North Eastern regions take home four times the amount he takes home as a Gatundu South MP.

Kuria says this is because of some animal called mileage.

“A member from North Eastern takes home 4 times the money he takes home because of some animal called mileage,” the vocal MP told Tony Gachoka, the host of KTNPointBlank show.

Last year, a number of legislators expressed concern about hefty payments and siphoning of taxpayers’ money through mileage claims.

At least 18 MPs from the 11th Parliament raised complaints with Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) against their colleagues and the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) for excessive allowances and skewed claims.

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Take your NONSENSE to hell! Sonko blasts Pangani evictees, vows not to pay them

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Pangani estate residents were on Sunday forced to spend their night in the cold when the most feared bulldozers from Nairobi County government landed on their houses in an effort to evict them to pave way for development of new houses.

The move sparked a lot of reactions with a section of Kenyans questioning why Governor Mike Sonko’s government had to evict the victims in the midnight with their property being crashed in the houses.

In a quick response to the critics, Governor Sonko has vowed not to compensate the victims, arguing that those who have not been paid are only those who refused the payment.

The seemingly angry governor told the evictees off, daring them to go to Court.

Sonko further notes that his government shall not allow development plans to be politicised.

“Take your NONSENSE to hell. Those not paid are the ones who refused to take the money, and we are not going to pay them. Let them go to court. We shall not allow development plans to be politicised,” tweeted Sonko.

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Politics

VIDEO: Powerful European MP who aided UhuRuto’s re-election spills the beans

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

2017 goes down in Kenya’s history as the year that not only had presidential election results cancelled, but also marred with irregularities.

NASA leader Raila Odinga complained of the elections, with him even boycotting the October 26, 2017 repeat polls in protest of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission that had conducted the disputed polls.

Cambridge Analytica was accused of aiding President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election.

Channel 4 news has exposed a British Member of the European Parliament Alexandra Phillips who secretly worked for Uhuru’s Jubilee Party in 2017 polls.

Phillips admitted to the media house that she secretly worked for Jubilee.

“I wasn’t working for Jubilee I was employed by Cambridge Analytica who had the contract with Jubilee. I was brought on as a political communications consultant for the Kenya project,” Channel 4 News quotes her as saying.

Phillips was elected as a Member of the European Parliament for the South East England constituency at the European Parliament elections of May 2019. 

Phillips told Channel 4 News that her work was “so sentitive” that whenever someone asked what she was doing she would respond that she was “a air hostess”.

She is quoted saying that she helped in writing President Uhuru Kenyatta’s speeches and shaping the messaging by State House team.

“I’d be writing the president’s speeches and his talking points for rallies and State House statements. I trained their communications team; they’re all sort of journalists who came together to create a press office. So I had to train them up and daily management of that communications team,” she is quoted as having said.

State House and the Jubilee Party have previously denied that Cambridge Analytica was ever contracted to work in Kenya during the elections.

In response to a similar revelation last year, former Jubilee Party Vice-Chairman David Murathe said that had paid for “branding” in the 2017 presidential election from SCL, affiliate of consultancy Cambridge Analytica.

“They were basically branding and all that but not directly,” Murathe said at the time.

According to Channel 4, Phillips sent them a statement stating that; “In Kenya, I worked as a freelance contractor — focusing on speechwriting – with the team of President Kenyatta, who is a great ally of the UK. The campaigns I worked on promoted peace and national unity in a country that I love dearly.”

She also added that this work was sub-contracted out to her by SCL, which went on to become a different company.

“Out of respect for those whom I served, I will continue to respect the confidentiality agreements that I signed upon accepting the role in Kenya. And I will not be bullied by agenda-driven, guilt-by-association reporting,” Phillips said.

Watch video here Courtesy of Channel 4 news.

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Politics

Referendum debate takes new twist as Moses Kuria discloses the dates

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

With President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila odinga’s Building Bridges initiative prepare to hand in a final report on the looming referendum, the debate seem to have taken a new twist.

With different leaders in the country giving their own opinions on referendum, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria who is currently running a Team Wanjiku initiative alongside Governor Mike Sonko opines that the next referendum will be held on the 9th August 2022.

According to the controversial MP, this will be alongside the 2022 General Elections as the 7th ballot.

Kuria says people cannot be interrupting Kenyans’ lives in the mid-terms to hold referenda.

Through his facebook page post, Kuria believes people want to change the constitution anytime to suit your whims.

The lawmaker suggests that those interested in changing the constitution should wait for every 5 years to do so.

“I agree we need to remove the 1,000 nominated MCAs, Scrap the women rep positions and remove the Senate? Great. Let’s do it in 2022,” reads part of his post.

He further suggests that in the interim the Country will use parliament for the urgent reforms ahead of 2022.

Among his urgent issues on the referendum is scrapping the senate.

“By the way the most urgent is scrapping the Senate. The main business of the Senate is to add various billions to the governors in the pretence of protecting devolution then turn back and demand the same from governors to protect them from Senate oversight. You will burn in hell,” reads his post.

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