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Wiper Movement launches recruitment drive for presidential campaign chief as Kalonzo Musyoka intensifies State House bid

The Wiper Patriotic Front has taken a major step towards the 2027 General Election after advertising the position of Presidential Campaign Manager, signalling that party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s bid for State House is gathering momentum.

In a recruitment notice shared through the party’s official communication channels, Wiper invited qualified candidates to apply for the influential role, which will oversee the planning and execution of the party’s presidential campaign under the “Komboa Kenya” banner.

The vacancy announcement marks one of the clearest indications yet that the party is moving from political mobilisation to building the structures that will drive Kalonzo’s presidential campaign ahead of the next General Election.

Search for Campaign Strategist

According to the advertisement, the successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing the national campaign strategy, coordinating regional and county campaign teams, and managing stakeholder engagement.

The campaign manager will also be tasked with handling crisis response during the election period, underscoring the strategic importance of the position in what is expected to be a fiercely contested presidential race.

Wiper said applicants must have at least 10 years of relevant experience and asked interested candidates to submit their curriculum vitae, cover letters, and academic certificates via email.

The party also directed applicants to visit its official website for a detailed job description.

‘Komboa Kenya’ Campaign

The recruitment notice prominently features the slogan “Komboa Kenya” (Rescue Kenya), which has increasingly become associated with Kalonzo’s message as he positions himself as an alternative to the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Political observers view the decision to publicly recruit a campaign manager as a sign that Wiper is professionalising its campaign machinery well ahead of the election season.

The move comes at a time when political parties are increasingly investing in structured campaign operations, data-driven voter outreach and nationwide grassroots mobilisation.

Kalonzo Steps Up 2027 Preparations

Kalonzo has in recent months stepped up his nationwide political engagements, holding meetings with opposition leaders, grassroots supporters and civil society groups as preparations for the next election gather pace.

The Wiper leader has repeatedly declared his intention to contest the presidency, insisting that he remains committed to offering Kenyans what he describes as an alternative leadership agenda centred on economic recovery, constitutionalism and good governance.

His campaign preparations have also coincided with broader efforts by opposition leaders to strengthen cooperation ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Professional Campaign Structure

The decision to advertise such a senior position publicly reflects an increasing trend among political parties to professionalise campaign management by recruiting experienced strategists capable of coordinating complex nationwide operations.

Beyond political messaging, modern presidential campaigns require extensive planning in logistics, communications, fundraising, stakeholder management, volunteer coordination and rapid response to emerging political developments.

The successful applicant is expected to play a central role in coordinating Wiper’s campaign activities across all regions of the country.

Race for State House Begins to Take Shape

Although the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has yet to officially declare the campaign period, political activity across the country has intensified as parties begin positioning themselves for the next presidential contest.

Several leaders have already embarked on nationwide tours, voter mobilisation drives and coalition-building efforts as the race for State House gradually gathers momentum.

Wiper’s latest recruitment drive is expected to fuel speculation about Kalonzo’s campaign strategy and the alliances he may pursue in the run-up to the election.

With the search for a campaign manager now underway, the party appears determined to establish the organisational framework needed to mount what is expected to be one of the most closely watched presidential campaigns in Kenya’s recent political history.

The post Kalonzo’s 2027 Campaign Kicks Into Gear as Wiper Advertises Powerful Campaign Manager Job appeared first on Daily Trends.

Fresh allegations have cast a dark shadow over the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), with whistleblowers and court petitions painting a picture of what insiders describe as a sophisticated network of influence, proxy companies, and contractor intimidation allegedly operating at the heart of Kenya’s urban roads agency.

At the center of the storm is KURA Director General Engineer Silas Murira Kinoti, a long-serving public official whose tenure has been dogged by corruption claims, procurement disputes, audit queries, and multiple court cases. Now, a new wave of allegations has revived questions about whether a multi-billion-shilling network has flourished under his watch.

The claims, which have not been proven in court and have been denied by Kinoti in previous public statements, suggest that contractors seeking payment for completed works have allegedly been subjected to a simple but costly choice: pay facilitation fees or face endless bureaucratic delays.

The Alleged ‘Pay or Wait’ System

According to multiple sources within KURA, contractors working on road projects across the country have allegedly been pressured to part with money to ensure the smooth processing of payment certificates and project approvals.

Those who comply reportedly receive timely approvals and payments. Those who resist allegedly encounter delayed certificates, compliance hurdles, and stalled project clearances.

Industry insiders describe the system as an unwritten rule that has become deeply entrenched within the authority’s operations.

One senior engineer familiar with KURA operations alleged that powerful individuals linked to the agency wield significant influence over contractors and procurement processes, creating what critics describe as a parallel power structure operating behind official channels.

The Rise of ‘Chairman’

A key figure repeatedly mentioned by insiders is businessman Henry Muriira Mbaabu, popularly referred to in some circles as “Chairman.”

Mbaabu is the founder of Interlink Petroleum Limited, a company involved in petroleum distribution and bitumen supply. Bitumen is a critical component in road construction, making suppliers strategically important players in infrastructure projects.

While there is nothing unlawful about supplying bitumen to road contractors, insiders claim Mbaabu’s influence extends far beyond commercial transactions.

Sources allege that he enjoys unusual access to KURA offices and project sites and acts as a powerful intermediary between contractors and senior officials.

The allegations suggest that Interlink’s position within the road construction supply chain may have enabled it to become a critical gateway through which contractors navigate approvals, payments, and project administration.

Neither Mbaabu nor Interlink Petroleum has publicly responded to the specific allegations contained in recent whistleblower accounts.

The Sh11.3 Billion Corruption Question

The latest controversy comes against the backdrop of a pending legal battle seeking to compel the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to conclude investigations into an alleged Sh11.3 billion corruption scandal linked to Kinoti.

Court filings indicate that EACC obtained search warrants related to the matter in June 2025. However, critics argue that little visible progress has been made since then, raising questions about the pace of investigations into one of the most significant corruption claims facing a senior public official.

The petition argues that prolonged delays risk undermining accountability and could allow critical evidence and public interest concerns to fade before a conclusion is reached.

The Alleged Proxy Company Network

Perhaps the most explosive claims revolve around allegations that KURA contracts are being funneled through a network of proxy companies whose beneficial ownership remains hidden.

Multiple insiders claim that firms registered under relatives, associates, and politically connected individuals have been used to secure public works while masking the identities of the true beneficiaries.

The allegations suggest that medium and small-scale projects have been dominated by companies linked to powerful insiders through complex ownership structures.

If proven, such arrangements could raise serious questions about conflict of interest, abuse of office, and compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.

However, no court has yet established the existence of such a network, and the claims remain allegations.

A Decade of Controversy

Kinoti’s tenure at KURA has coincided with numerous high-profile controversies.

The authority has faced questions over billions of shillings flagged in audit reports, procurement disputes involving major road projects, allegations of overpayments to contractors, and legal challenges surrounding the awarding of infrastructure tenders.

One of the most notable cases involved scrutiny over contracts linked to Chinese contractor Stecol Corporation, which secured projects worth billions of shillings during Kinoti’s tenure.

Other controversies have centered on Bus Rapid Transit projects, Nairobi road upgrades, and procurement challenges that have repeatedly landed before courts and parliamentary committees.

Despite the controversies, Kinoti has remained in office, surviving successive investigations, petitions, and public criticism.

The Tenure Battle

Adding further pressure is an ongoing court case challenging Kinoti’s continued stay in office.

Petitioners argue that his tenure as Director General expired in June 2026 following the completion of a three-year contract and one renewal term.

The case seeks judicial clarification on whether his continued occupancy of the office is lawful.

KURA and Kinoti have contested the claims, and the matter remains before the courts.

The Bigger Question

Beyond the legal battles and corruption allegations lies a broader concern about the management of billions of shillings allocated to Kenya’s road infrastructure.

Critics argue that if even a fraction of the allegations are ultimately proven, taxpayers may have been paying not only for roads but also for a system allegedly designed to extract money from contractors through hidden networks and informal influence.

Supporters of stronger accountability measures say the growing number of petitions, audit concerns, and whistleblower testimonies underscores the need for independent investigations and transparent conclusions.

For now, the allegations remain unproven, the investigations continue, and the courts are yet to deliver final determinations.

But as pressure mounts on KURA’s leadership, the question increasingly being asked is whether Kenya’s anti-corruption and oversight institutions will finally unravel what insiders have dubbed the “KURA Mafia” — or whether the allegations will join a long list of scandals that generated headlines but never consequences.

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Embattled ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has been removed from the influential Senate Energy Committee in a move that is likely to fuel speculation about deepening divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

The Nairobi Senator was replaced by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ in a committee reshuffle announced on Wednesday, effectively ending Sifuna’s membership in the powerful oversight team chaired by ODM leader Oburu Oginga.

The development comes amid an increasingly public fallout between Sifuna and Oburu over the direction of ODM and the party’s working relationship with President William Ruto’s administration.

Sifuna’s removal is particularly significant because he has been one of the most outspoken members of the Senate Energy Committee, often taking tough positions on controversial national issues. He was among lawmakers who aggressively scrutinized the proposed Adani Group deal involving the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before the government eventually terminated the project.

In the latest committee changes, Garissa Senator Abdul Haji was nominated to the Energy Committee, replacing nominated Senator Beatrice Ogolla. Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu was also moved to the Senate Information, Communication and Technology Committee, replacing Ogolla.

Ogolla, in turn, was appointed to the Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Committee, taking over from Kajwang’.

Unlike the other senators affected by the reshuffle, Sifuna was not reassigned to a new committee. The decision leaves him serving in only two Senate committees: the County Public Accounts Committee chaired by Moses Kajwang’ and the National Security, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee chaired by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo.

Announcing the changes in the Senate, Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot said the reshuffle was approved following recommendations by the Senate Business Committee and in accordance with Senate Standing Orders.

The committee changes are expected to intensify debate within ODM, where ideological and political differences have become increasingly visible.

Sifuna is widely associated with the party’s Linda Mwananchi faction, which has maintained a critical stance toward the broad-based arrangement between ODM and Kenya Kwanza. On the other hand, Oburu is viewed as a leading figure in the Linda Ground camp, which supports continued engagement with President Ruto’s government.

The tensions between the two leaders have played out publicly in recent months. Earlier this year, Sifuna openly opposed serving under Oburu’s leadership after the veteran politician assumed a more prominent role within ODM following Raila Odinga’s departure from the party leadership position.

In one of his sharpest attacks, Sifuna accused sections of the ODM leadership of mediocrity and demanded internal party elections.

“I refuse to be the SG of mediocrity. I refuse to be the SG of Oburu Oginga. These characters do not deserve me. Let them ask for a proper NDC where we shall present candidates for all the party positions,” Sifuna declared.

With ODM increasingly divided over its relationship with President Ruto and the future direction of the party, Sifuna’s removal from the Energy Committee is likely to be viewed by many observers as more than a routine Senate reshuffle.

The move now raises fresh questions about Sifuna’s standing within ODM and whether the battle for control of the party is entering a new and more confrontational phase.

The post Edwin Sifuna Kicked Out of Key Senate Committee Chaired by Oburu appeared first on Daily Trends.

A heated debate has erupted over the cost of constructing two-door pit latrines in public markets in Homa Bay County, after revelations that each unit is budgeted at about KSh500,000, sparking questions over value for money in county projects.

The controversy intensified after Governor Gladys Wanga defended the expenditure before senators, insisting that the figure represents a standard cost for the sanitation facilities and not the amount contractors actually walk away with in cash.

“The standard amount for the two-door pit latrines is about half a million shillings… It’s usually about half a million shillings,” Wanga told lawmakers, a statement that has since fueled public scrutiny rather than calm it.

Homa Bay County’s sharp rebuttal

In a strongly worded clarification posted on its official X account on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, the county government dismissed claims that contractors pocket the full KSh500,000 per latrine, arguing instead that a significant portion is absorbed by statutory deductions and legal obligations.

According to the breakdown provided, 16% Value Added Tax (VAT)—approximately KSh80,000—is remitted to the Kenya Revenue Authority.

A further 30% (about KSh150,000) is described as a guaranteed minimum Return on Investment for contractors under procurement regulations, while 3% (around KSh15,000) is allocated to contractual oversight and compliance costs.

After these deductions, the county claims roughly KSh255,000 remains for the actual construction of a two-door pit latrine.

“That is the modest amount left for pitting and constructing a two-door latrine after statutory deductions and legal returns. Do the math before the noise,” the statement read, a phrase that has since drawn both ridicule and criticism online.

Questions over “half-million latrine” economics

The explanation, however, has not fully silenced skepticism, with critics questioning how a basic sanitation structure can command such a headline cost in the first place—especially in a region still grappling with development needs.

The debate has placed Homa Bay under renewed scrutiny over county-level procurement, with opposition voices and civil society actors demanding clearer audits of public infrastructure spending.

At the center of it all is a growing national conversation on whether devolved units are delivering value for money or inflating project costs under the cover of statutory deductions and contractual frameworks.

Sanitation gains vs. cost controversy

Despite the backlash, the county maintains that sanitation investments have improved hygiene access in markets, beaches, and public spaces. It also cited data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicating that Homa Bay ranks among counties with improved access to sanitation services.

Still, the optics of a KSh500,000 pit latrine—regardless of how the money is split—continue to dominate public discourse, placing Governor Wanga’s administration under pressure to justify every shilling in an increasingly scrutinized devolved governance system.

The post Gladys Wanga Shamelessly Defends Paying Ksh500K For 2-Door Pit Latrine in Homa Bay appeared first on Daily Trends.

Kenyan media personality Willis Raburu and his longtime partner, Ivy Namu, have reportedly gone their separate ways, bringing an end to a relationship that had captivated fans for years.

The news emerged on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, after Ivy Namu shared a brief but emotional statement on her Instagram Stories confirming the separation.

“Willis Raburu and I have decided to go our separate ways. Kindly respect our privacy at this moment,” she wrote.

The announcement immediately sparked reactions online, with many Kenyans expressing surprise given the couple’s public displays of affection and seemingly strong family bond over the years.

Notably, Raburu had not commented on the development at the time of publication. The former television presenter is currently in the United States enjoying the ongoing FIFA World Cup festivities and has continued sharing updates from his trip without addressing the breakup announcement.

End of the ‘Bazu and Mazu’ Love Story

Raburu and Namu, affectionately known to their followers as “Bazu and Mazu,” became one of Kenya’s most-followed celebrity couples.

The pair got engaged in July 2022 during an elaborate, highly publicized proposal that coincided with their son’s first birthday celebration.

The romantic event remains one of the most memorable celebrity proposals in recent years.

As family and friends gathered for the birthday celebration, singer Nviiri the Storyteller surprised guests by serenading the couple moments before Raburu dropped to one knee with an engagement ring.

Shortly afterward, fellow Sol Generation artist Ben Soul appeared carrying a bouquet of roses as Raburu professed his love.

“You’re my love, my everything,” Raburu said before slipping the ring onto Namu’s finger.

Namu later celebrated the proposal on social media, writing:

“A thousand times yes, in this lifetime and the next.”

At the time, the couple was expecting their second child, further cementing what seemed like a growing family and a promising future.

A Relationship That Followed Public Heartbreak

Raburu’s relationship with Ivy Namu began after the breakdown of his marriage to Mary Ngami, popularly known as Marya Prude.

The former couple separated in 2020 after several years together.

The split attracted significant media attention at the time, with reports alleging marital difficulties and claims of infidelity. Raburu and Marya eventually went their separate ways, ending one of Kenya’s most closely watched celebrity marriages.

Following that separation, Raburu found love again with Namu, and together they built a relationship that many fans viewed as a fresh chapter in his life.

Their family moments, travel adventures, and affectionate social media posts earned them a loyal following online.

The post Ivy Namu Announces Breakup with Willis Raburu Four Years After Engagement appeared first on Daily Trends.