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“Sabina Joy? Not Me,”Irungu Kang’ata Speaks Out After ‘Addressing Senate From Bar’

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just hours after a video clip showing Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata allegedly addressing the senate from a bar went viral, the former senate majority whip has come out to clear the air.

The video clip shows Senate speaker Kenneth Lusaka giving Kang’ata permission to address the senate but shortly after the lawmaker joined virtually, he was dismissed for being out of order.

A background sound of an unknown lawmaker is heard insisting that Kang’ata was at the popular Sabina Joy in Nairobi CBD drinking.

The lawmakers are heard agreeing, with Kang’ata insisting that he was in his office, but Lusaka responds by denying that the place did not look like an office.

The clip could later attract mockery from senator Kang’ata’s political opponents who took to social media to make fun about it.

But through his social media account, Kang’ata dispelled the claims as false maintaining that he is a leader of high integrity and moral standards.

He went ahead to argue that no single drop of alcohol has ever passed through his throat.

Kang’ata blamed his political opponents for creating a fake background sound and attaching it to his address to the Senate with an aim of diverting attention from the issues he was raising.

He termed the voice insertion as fake, false, and malicious, further indicating that he has never been intoxicated in his life.

The lawmaker argued that he was addressing the plight of Murang’a milk farmers, who are yet to be paid despite making deliveries to the county’s milk processing plant.

“Kieleweke bloggers – no single drop of booze has ever passed via my mouth. That voice insertion into my today’s Senate contribution is fake and false. The true question that I asked in Senate was about Muranga farmers unpaid milk delivered to county factory,” he wrote.

Lusaka on Tuesday, September 14 afternoon, blocked Kang’ata from continuing with his address to the house after he described the Senator’s location as not meeting the standards set to contribute to the proceedings.

“We can now see you, but where are you?” Lusaka posed.

“I’m in my office, Mr. Speaker,” Kang’ata retorted. 

“No, no, no, no, that’s not an office, Senator Kang’ata. I’m sorry, we cannot allow that, the rules are very clear on where you should be, so you are out of order,” Lusaka ruled.

Eventually, Kang’ata made it to the Senate and issued an apology to the house before continuing with his submission.

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Politics

Kang’ata Kicked Out From Plum Senate Job, Senator Wamatangi Takes Over

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Murang’a Senator Irungu Kanga’ta has been axed as the Senate Majority Chief Whip.

His position has been taken by Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi.

Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju says that while Kang’ata was within his rights to express his opinion to the President, the party had an issue with the manner in which he did it.

He added that Kang’ata was later invited to a meeting and asked to apologise but he declined.

Tuju said the senator also declined to attend a Parliamentary leadership meeting.

Tuju confirmed the ouster moments after Deputy President William Ruto’s allies stormed out of the Senate Parliamentary Group meeting protesting what they termed as an illegal and crooked plan to remove Kang’ata as Senate Majority Whip.

Addressing journalists at KICC on Tuesday, the nine Senators led by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Meru Senator Mithika Linturi said they walked out of the room after members were asked to sign a form to sanction Kangata’s removal.

Murkomen said the process was illegal as there were no showcase letters to Kang’ata before the decision was made.

Kang’ata has been at cross paths with the party leadership after he penned a letter to the President discrediting the Bulling Bridges Initiative’s popularity in Central. The letter has been interpreted as disrespect to the party leader.

All the Jubilee Senate PG meetings chaired by the President last year ended in key allies of the DP being removed from their positions.

Murkomen was dewhipped as Majority leader while his Nakuru counterpart Susan Kihika was removed from the majority whip position.

The meeting also ratified the removal of Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki as Senate Deputy Speaker.

Jubilee Party has already kicked out six senators in the latest purge of rebels allied to Deputy President William Ruto.

Nominated senators Isaac Mwaura, Millicent Omanga, Victor Prengei, Falhada Dekow Iman, Naomi Jillo Waqo and Mary Seneta Yiane were expelled by the National Management Committee — Jubillee’s top organ. 

Jubilee secretary-general Raphael Tuju announced the expulsions Monday, hours after Ruto met more than 100 Tanagatanga MPs at his Karen residence. 

Last month, Kang’ata conceded that his time as Senate Majority Whip might be nearing its dusk.

The Senator while on an interview with vernacular station Inooro on January 10, 2021, revealed that there was already a plot within the Jubilee Party to relieve him of his duties in the upper house.

Kang’ata also stated that he had been left out of a Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) team formulated to spearhead sensitisation campaigns for the report in the Mount Kenya region.

Kang’ata stated that he was ready for any consequences that may be thrown his way, reiterating that he felt obliged to tell President Uhuru Kenyatta the truth. He stated that he wrote the letter out of good faith and is still loyal to President Kenyatta.

He maintained that the BBI report was still unpopular in the Mt Kenya region. He reiterated that he only wrote the letter dated December 30, disowning one dated January 4, 2021.

The Murang’a lawmaker conceded he regrets the letter leaked to the public and the outcome of the entire situation that has since backed him into the receiving end of criticism from various quarters of pro-BBI leaders.

Kang’ata also alleged that he had received threats on his life and he had recorded a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

In an interview earlier January 11, the Senate Majority Whip argued that some political factions in the country had ideas that need to be incorporated in the report, terming them good.

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Politics

Man Behind Senator Irungu Kang’ata’s Life-threatening Messages Arrested

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A man believed to be the one who sent life-threatening messages to Senate Majority whip Irungu Kang’ata has been arrested by sleuths from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

The Murang’a Senator had earlier on claimed that his life was in danger.

He said he had become a marked man and had been threatened with violence and death on account of the letter he authored to President Uhuru Kenyatta over BBI’s popularity in Mt Kenya region.

The Murang’a Senator said he had received death threats from unknown people and from government quarters.

“I have forwarded the text messages to DCI to an officer known as Mr Mwangi who is in charge of the investigations. I hope that the culprits will be brought to book,” he told a vernacular TV station.

According to Serious Crime Unit boss Obadiah Kuria, the arrest was made on Friday evening, January 15, 2021.

“It’s true we have arrested him. The suspect allegedly sent him threatening messages and we intend to investigate further before preferring charges on Monday,” Kuria told journalists. 

Kang’ata praised the detectives for the arrest since the threats made him fear for his life.

“I feared for my life. I had to switch off the phone since I did not know what awaited me, apart from the threats. I was also under undue pressure due to my decision to penning a letter to President Uhuru,” he stated. 

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua had also tried to reach out to Kang’ata on January 6, after which he claimed that the senator’s phone had been switched off. 

“The good senator Kang’ata’s phone is off. If anyone gets in touch with him, please tell him I want to buy him a drink. He has made me proud,” he praised.

Later that day the two met and exchanged notes on the contents of the controversial letter. 

Despite the pressure to either step down from his position as the Senate Majority Whip or offer a public apology to the president, Kang’ata has insisted he had not committed any crime. 

During the burial of ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi’s mother Hannah Atsianzale in Mululu, Vihiga County on January 9, Uhuru stated that he did not need anyone telling him what to do and was in charge of the government. 

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Politics

Fireworks As Kang’ata Skips Jubilee’s Top Meeting, Dumped Uhuru For Ruto?

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Has Senate Majority whip Irungu Kang’ata decamped from President Uhuru Kenyatta’s camp to Deputy President William Ruto’s side?

Well, the Murang’a Senator’s no show at Jubilee party’s top meeting held at the party’s headquarters in Pangani, Nairobi on Wednesday has triggered a debate on whether the once Uhuru’s diehard has shifted camp.

Kang’ata failed to attend the meeting convened by the Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju, despite him having been invited.

Speaking to a local daily on why he skipped the meeting, the lawmaker stated that he was busy somewhere else and he could not make it.

Senate Deputy Majority leader Fatuma Dullo, National Assembly Majority leader Amos Kimunya and his deputy Jimmy Angwenyi, National Assembly Majority Whip Emmanuel Wangwe, his deputy Maoka Maore and secretary to the Jubilee parliamentary group Adan Keynan are some of the officials that attended the meeting in which the party decided to pull out of three upcoming by-elections.

The no-show at the meeting, that culminated in a press conference, came a day after Kang’ata reportedly rejected a push by the party honchos and President Uhuru  Kenyatta’s allies to withdraw his letter to the President.

Late last year, Kang’ata shocked the nation when he penned a letter to the President discrediting BBI’s popularity in Mt Kenya region, Uhuru’s political bastion. Uhuru’s men termed the move ‘disrespectful’.

In the letter, the senator told the President that the BBI referendum might fail in the region unless Uhuru and his handshake partner ODM leader Raila Odinga change their strategy.

He affirmed the position at a press conference in Parliament on Monday despite criticism and pressure to withdraw the letter and apologise to the head of state.

He cited opposition to the expanded Executive, the involvement of provincial administrations and campaigns by former MPs as some of the issues working against the initiative.

Sources intimated that Jubilee bigwigs hosted Kang’ata for a meeting on Tuesday evening, where he was asked to retract the letter, but he declined.

Yesterday, Tuju and Dullo confirmed Tuesday’s meeting.

“We held a leadership meeting yesterday, he was with us…. He is still our whip until otherwise he decides or any other things come up,” Dullo said.

But when asked whether he was ditching the President’s camp, Kang’ata replied, “I am fighting for the truth and rights. I don’t believe in Jubilee factions and divisions.”

At the press conference, Tuju and Maore said the party had not discussed punishing Kang’ata for his letter to the President.

Kang’ata has been one of President Uhuru’s foot soldiers and most trusted lieutenants in the Mt Kenya region.

In May last year, Uhuru influenced his election as the Senate Majority Chief Whip following a meeting at State House where senators Susan Kihika (Nakuru) and Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet) – key allies of the DP – were kicked out as Majority Chief Whip and Majority leader, respectively.

Later, Kang’ata excited key party decisions by whipping party members to among others vote out Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki as Senate deputy speaker.

However, his letter and skipping party meetings have triggered murmurs and talks that he was on his way out of the President’s circles.

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Politics

Defiant Murkomen Declines Jubilee’s Latest Offer to Him

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has declined a new offer that had been granted to him by Jubilee party.

Murkomen was on Tuesday May 26, 2020 proposed to be a member of the Devolution Committee in the new changes that were announced by the ruling party..

The changes according to the newly installed senate Majority whip Irungu Kang’ata have been communicated to the Senate speaker Ken Lusaka for immediate implementation.

Murkomen was to replace John Kinyua.

In the changes, Senator Christopher Lang’at (Bomet)has been replaced at the House Business Committee by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja.

Lang’at also lost his post as Education Committee chairman to Senator Alice Milgo.

However, Murkomen has declined to take the offer. Murkomen says he only learnt from the media that he had been proposed to serve in the Senate Devolution Committee in effect replacing Senator Kinyua who is being punished for standing with him.

According to the former Senate Majority leader, accepting the position will be tantamount to repaying unstinting loyalty with spite and treachery.

“This afternoon I learnt from the media that I have been proposed to serve in the Senate Devolution Committee in effect replacing Sen.Kinyua who is being punished for standing with me. Accepting the position will be tantamount to repaying unstinting loyalty with spite&treachery,” tweeted Murkomen.

Murkomen further noted that as a Majority Leader, he chose not to serve in any committee and that he ensured that committee membership and leadership was distributed fairly among his colleagues.

He has condemned the unwarranted humiliation of Senators Linturi,Kinyua,Langat and Cherargei merely because they stood by the truth and fairness.

“As a Majority Leader I chose not to serve in any committee&I ensured that committee membership&leadership was distributed fairly among my colleagues.I condemn the unwarranted humiliation of Senators Linturi,Kinyua,Langat&Cherargei merely because they stood by the truth&fairness,” he posted.

He further notes that he is ready to serve the nation in any capacity and in any committee even as a mere member, now and in future.

The vocal senator says that he abhors taking up positions at the expense of his colleagues who are being humiliated for no apparent reason.

“Now and in the future I am ready to serve the nation in any capacity and in any committee even as a mere member. What I abhor is to take up positions at the expense of colleagues who are being humiliated for no apparent reason. Thank you and God bless,” he tweeted.

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Cherargei, Linturi Kicked Out of House Committees as Murkomen Lands New Appointment

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The newly installed Senate majority whip Senator Irungu Kang’ata, has announced new changes in the ruling Jubilee party, as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s purge continues.

The new changes will see Deputy President Dr William Ruto’s allies removed from the leadership of key committees and being replaced by perceived party loyalists.

In the changes, Senator Christopher Lang’at (Bomet)has been replaced at the House Business Committee by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja.

Lang’at also lost his post as Education Committee chairman to Senator Alice Milgo.

Vocal Ruto ally Senator Samson Cherargei (Nandi) was also removed as chairman of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee.

Meru Senator Linturi Mithika also lost his membership at the powerful Senate County Public Accounts and Investment Committee.

Linturi has been replaced by Senator Fatuma Dullo.

John Kinyua will also lose his position as the chairman of the Devolution Committee in the Tuesday changes.

Former Senate majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen will now be a member of the Devolution Committee.

The changes according to Kang’ata have been communicated to the Senate speaker Ken Lusaka for immediate implementation.

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Moses Kuria Reveals How Uhuru Will Kick Out Ruto Once Done With His Allies

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has revealed an alleged plan to kick out Deputy President William Ruto.

According to the controversial lawmaker, the owners of the ruling Jubilee party have initiated a secret plot to impeach the second in command once they are done dealing with his allies.

Through his official facebook page on Sunday May 17, 2020, Moses Kuria said that the new Majority whip, the Murang’a senator Irungu Kang’ata as already received instructions to initiate the removal of Prof Kithure Kindiki as Deputy Speaker in the Senate.

According to Moses Kuria, Kindiki will be removed so as to pave way for impeachment of DP Ruto.

“The Jubilee Party Owner Occupier has given express instruction to Sen Irungu Kangata to initiate the removal of Prof Kithure Kindiki as Deputy Speaker in the Senate so as to pave way for impeachment of William Ruto. Like Job we refuse to give up on our Living God. We shall overcome. God will not forsake the righteous to appease the evil,” he posted.

The DP has hence remained silent on the changes that have been happening in Jubilee, but Kimilili Constituency MP Didmus Barasa has this morning taken to social media to answer the question many Kenyans have been asking.

According to the lawmaker, Tanga Tanga as a team operate on a philosophy of never and or not interrupting their enemies when they are making mistakes, and that they get more use from their enemies than from their friends.

The MP went ahead to reveal that Ruto’s camp is studying their enemy’s strength, weakness and intentions, which Tanga Tanga will use to inform their next point of action.

“People have been asking why @WilliamsRuto is silent when his allies are being clipped . As a team we operate on a philosophy of never and or not interrupting our enemies when they are making mistakes and that we get more use from our enemies than from our friends. We are studying their strength, weakness and intentions to inform our next point of action. We are not boarding,” he posted.

DP Ruto’s close allies, the Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen and his Nakuru counterpart Susan Kihika were recently removed from their senate posts, as Senate Majority leader and Majority Whip respectively.

Murkomen’s position was then filled by KANU’s Samuel Poghisio, with Kihika having her position filled by Murang’a senator Irungu Kang’ata.

Days later, Ruto-allied nominated senators received letters from Jubilee, demanding them to explain why they snubbed President Kenyatta’s Parliamentary Group meeting at State House.

Their are other looming changes targeting DP Ruto’s allies in the National Assembly, but the DP is still mum on the issue. 

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Why Politicians want people to travel to their rural homes during census

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

As the period scheduled by the government for the 2019 national census draws near, several politicians have come out to call upon Kenyans to travel to their rural homes for the exercise.

Among the political leaders pushing Kenyans to travel to their rural homes is Muranga Senator  Irungu Kang’ata.

Speaking at a local station on Tuesday, the senator said it is wise for people to go back to their rural areas to be counted for the sake of distribution of resources.

“If a county has more people then that county receives more funds,” Kang’ata said.

“If we don’t boost numbers in our rural areas thus funds will not get to the people thus no development in these areas.”

The senator went on to say if people go back to their rural areas for the census it will help in the distribution of resources.

“Resources will be distributed according to the number of people in an area and the need of a specific county,” he said.

The senator went on to say that he hopes the numbers will be legit and that the results will not take long before they are released.

‘The validation process should be legit and according to the law,” the senator said.

Garissa County Woman Representative Anab Subow has also made a passionate appeal to Garissa residents as the census fast closes in.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the outspoken legislator emphasised on the importance of participation in the decennial exercise.

She said that participation would pave the way for an increase in the allocation of resources to the county as the allocation of resources would be pegged on numbers.

“I urge the people of Garissa County who live or work outside the county to travel to Garissa for the upcoming census. Equally, I also urge all those in Garissa to come out for the census and be counted on the nights of 24th and 25th August. Through the census, the national cake and resources will be shared, more funds will be pumped to our county and constituencies and the national job sharing will be considered by our respective population,” read her post.

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics will start counting people on the night of August 24 and continue up to August 31, 2019. 

Mobile technology will be used for both cartographic mappings as well as enumeration. 

KNBS has banked on the digitalised census to avoid the dispute that marred the 2009 process.

KNBS director-general Zachary Mwangi told a local daily in an exclusive interview that such disputes will not be witnessed this time due to the data safety mechanism that has been put in place.

” We are confident because we have tested this device. We have experienced personnel. Our tea has learned how to do the digital census. The technology has been tested as late as April,” Mwangi said.

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