Home Tags Posts tagged with "Migori County"
Tag:

Migori County

Migori County Chief Finance Officer John Achuora and Mercy Wamoto of Elgon Group
Business

Who Owes the Money? Migori County and Elgon Group Drawn Into Ksh3.8M Piny Luo Festival Row

by Romelu Lukaku
written by Romelu Lukaku

A payment dispute linked to the 2025 Piny Luo Festival is now threatening to escalate into a wider legal and public accountability battle after a Nairobi-based branding firm accused Migori County of failing to settle KSh3,814,380.76 for services rendered during the event.

At the centre of the dispute is BrandPulse Experience, trading as Lokhart SIPE Ltd, which says it carried out branding services for the high-profile cultural festival but has been left chasing payment for months despite repeated follow-ups, formal correspondence and direct engagement with parties linked to the event.

The dispute places Migori County Chief Officer for Finance Dr John Achuora and Elgon Group CEO Mercy Wamoto under fresh scrutiny as questions mount over who was responsible for settling the branding bill and why the contractor says the agreed settlement amount remains unpaid long after the event was completed.

Elgon Group Events officials
Elgon Group Events officials

For what began as a supplier payment issue, the matter now carries wider implications for county procurement accountability, event contracting and the treatment of private suppliers engaged in public-facing county projects.

THE KSH3.8 MILLION CLAIM

The core of the dispute is now clearly set out in a final demand notice dated April 1, 2026. In that letter, BrandPulse states that it is demanding settlement of an outstanding amount arising from branding and experiential services rendered during the Piny Luo Festival 2025.

The company says that after prior engagements, it agreed in good faith to a discounted settlement amount of KSh3,814,380.76 from the original invoice sum of KSh4,717,447.08. According to the letter, that reduced figure still remained unpaid and had become “unacceptably overdue” since December 2025.

The final demand notice was addressed directly to Dr John Achuora, the Chief Officer for Finance, County Government of Migori, and warned that unless the amount was settled within seven days, the company would move to pursue legal and administrative remedies to recover the debt, together with associated costs and interest. The letter copied the Governor of Migori County, the County Secretary, the CECM for Finance, and Elgon Group Ltd.

That document is important because it changes the focus of the dispute. The current live claim is not the original KSh4.7 million invoice but the KSh3,814,380.76 discounted settlement amount that the contractor says Migori County still failed to pay even after a concession had already been made.

A COUNTY PAYMENT DISPUTE THAT REFUSES TO GO AWAY

The branding firm’s position is that it delivered services linked to the Piny Luo Festival but has spent months chasing money that should have been settled long ago. Earlier correspondence had already shown that the company was pressing for payment over branding work carried out at festival-linked venues and installations in Migori County. The April 1 final demand notice now gives the clearest indication yet of how far the dispute has deteriorated.

A contractor who had already reduced its claim by almost KSh1 million was still left writing a final demand to the county finance office, threatening legal recovery action and copying top county officials together with Elgon Group. That is not a routine payment delay. It is a sign of a dispute that had moved from internal follow-up to formal debt recovery pressure.

The existence of a discounted settlement amount also weakens any suggestion that the contractor was being unreasonable or inflexible. On the contrary, the letter suggests the company had already made a concession in the hope of resolving the matter amicably. Yet even after that reduction, the money still did not come.

That is the detail that now puts Migori County in an even more difficult position. If a supplier reduced its demand from KSh4,717,447.08 to KSh3,814,380.76 and still went unpaid, then the county must explain why the matter was allowed to drift into a final demand notice instead of being resolved administratively.

ACHUORA NOW CARRIES THE HEAVIEST QUESTIONS

The person who cannot escape the spotlight in this dispute is Dr John Achuora. The final demand notice was not addressed to a junior procurement officer or an event coordinator. It was addressed directly to the Chief Officer for Finance, the official expected to know the status of county payments and the movement of any funds linked to county obligations.

That matters because the county finance office is where the payment trail should either become clear or collapse entirely. If Migori County approved the branding bill, Achuora’s office should be able to say what amount was approved, whether payment was processed and to whom the money was released. If no payment was made, then the county should explain why a supplier was left waiting from December 2025 into April 2026 despite formal follow-ups and an agreed discounted settlement.

At the moment, the dispute appears to be caught in a fog of competing explanations. Information circulating around the matter suggests there are conflicting positions between county officials and parties linked to the event over whether money meant for the contractor was released and who was supposed to settle the claim. That is precisely why the finance office now carries the greatest burden of explanation.

A chief finance officer cannot sit at the centre of a multimillion-shilling county payment dispute and offer the public nothing but silence. If money was paid, he should show the payment trail. If money was not paid, he should explain what blocked the process. If another party was expected to handle settlement, he should explain the legal and administrative basis of that arrangement. What cannot continue is a situation where the supplier says it is unpaid, a final demand has already been issued, and the county still appears unable or unwilling to provide a clean answer.

THE ELGON GROUP QUESTION

The dispute also places Elgon Group and its CEO Mercy Wamoto under scrutiny, though the legal and financial weight of the claim still falls most heavily on Migori County because the final demand was directed to the county finance office.

Elgon Group appears in the paper trail because it was copied in the final demand notice, and because its name has repeatedly surfaced in conversations around the festival’s payment structure. That raises a legitimate question: what role, if any, did Elgon Group play in the management, coordination or payment chain of the Piny Luo Festival branding work?

If Elgon Group was merely copied for information, it should say so clearly. If it had a deeper role in handling suppliers, managing event implementation or facilitating payments, that too should be made public. The lack of clarity around the payment chain is one of the reasons this dispute has become so messy.

Even so, the final demand notice makes one point unmistakable: the company demanding payment has formally placed responsibility before Migori County’s finance office. That means the county cannot hide behind Elgon Group, and Elgon Group cannot be used as a shield for unanswered questions within county government.

THE LEGAL RISK NOW FACING MIGORI COUNTY

The April 1 letter is not a casual complaint. It is a final demand notice, and that has legal significance. It signals that the contractor considers the matter ripe for recovery action and has given the county formal notice before moving to the next stage.

According to the letter, the company attached:

  1. Invoice No. 001251219, and
  2. the letter of engagement for BrandPulse Experience in respect of the Piny Luo Festival 2025.

Those two documents matter because they are the kind of records that would sit at the centre of any recovery claim. If the contractor has a valid engagement letter, an invoice, proof of services rendered and a paper trail showing repeated demand for payment, Migori County could face a difficult time defending a prolonged non-payment position unless it has a clear legal basis for withholding the money.

The county also faces the risk of turning what should have been a simple supplier settlement into a larger public scandal. Once a final demand is copied to the governor, the county secretary, the CECM for finance and a private company linked to the event, the dispute stops being a back-office billing issue. It becomes a question of governance and accountability.

WHY THIS STORY MATTERS BEYOND ONE BILL

This is not just a dispute between one county and one supplier. It speaks to a wider problem in public procurement and county event spending across Kenya.

Private firms are often brought in to brand public events, supply logistics, run communications and deliver visibility for county projects. They are expected to move quickly, absorb upfront costs and deliver polished work because public officials want the event to succeed and the county to look organised. The problem comes after the applause, when suppliers begin chasing payment and discover that nobody wants to take responsibility for the bill.

That is how businesses are cornered. The county gets its event. The officials get their photographs and public praise. The public sees banners, stages, media coverage and cultural celebration. But the supplier who financed the work is left making calls, sending letters and issuing final demands months later.

That is why this case matters. If a contractor had to reduce a KSh4.7 million invoice to KSh3.8 million and still could not get paid, then the issue is no longer just delay. It becomes a warning about how county-linked projects can quietly push suppliers into financial distress long after the public event is over.

THE QUESTIONS MIGORI COUNTY MUST ANSWER

Migori County now owes the public a direct explanation.

Was BrandPulse engaged to provide branding and experiential services for the Piny Luo Festival 2025? If so, was the work delivered and acknowledged? Did the county approve the original invoice of KSh4,717,447.08? If yes, why was the contractor later forced to accept a discounted settlement of KSh3,814,380.76? And if that discounted amount was agreed, why was it still not paid?

Those are not minor questions. They go directly to the heart of public accountability. They also go to the conduct of the county finance office. A chief finance officer should be able to answer them with records, not rumours.

Migori County should also clarify the role of Elgon Group in the payment chain, if any. If the county’s position is that another party was involved in settlement, then that arrangement should be disclosed. If no such arrangement existed, then the county should say so plainly and take full responsibility for the payment status.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Unless the matter has since been resolved, the April 1 final demand suggests the dispute was already on the edge of legal action. That means Migori County may now be facing not only reputational damage but also the prospect of court proceedings over an unpaid county-linked debt.

For the contractor, the issue is simple. It says it did the work, reduced its claim and still remained unpaid.

For Migori County, the issue is harder. It now has to explain why a supplier was pushed to issue a final demand notice over a county festival bill that should have been settled months earlier.

For Dr John Achuora, the issue is even sharper. His office is now the address on the final demand. He is the finance official expected to know whether the county paid, failed to pay or simply allowed the matter to drift until it became a legal threat.

That is why this dispute is no longer a quiet invoice disagreement. It has become a test of whether Migori County can account for money tied to a public event, whether its finance office can explain an unpaid KSh3.8 million settlement claim, and whether private suppliers who work on county projects can expect to be treated as partners rather than as creditors to be ignored after the event is over.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Elgon Group Events officials
Business

Elgon Group Events Under Fire: KSh3.4 Million Piny Luo Festival Payment Trail Sparks Fresh Unpaid Supplier Claims

by Romelu Lukaku
written by Romelu Lukaku

Fresh pressure is mounting on Elgon Group Events Management and Consultancy Limited after new questions emerged regarding the handling of funds allocated for the Piny Luo Festival, with suppliers and service providers claiming they remain unpaid despite company documents indicating that all obligations had been settled.

At the center of the controversy is a KSh3.4 million payment received by Elgon Events from the County Government of Migori for services related to the cultural festival, one of the region’s flagship events celebrating Luo heritage and culture.

Documents reviewed by this publication show that Elgon Events formally acknowledged receiving the funds and subsequently informed county officials that consultants and service providers engaged for the event had been paid.

A statement of account accompanying the correspondence reportedly reflected an outstanding balance of zero, suggesting that all financial obligations arising from the festival had been cleared.

However, weeks after the event, multiple suppliers and workers continue to raise concerns over payments they claim have not been received.

The emerging complaints have created a growing contradiction that stakeholders say requires urgent clarification.

If all service providers were compensated as indicated in company records, critics argue, the company should have no difficulty providing documentation confirming the payments. If some claims remain unresolved, they say, a detailed explanation should be provided to account for the discrepancies.

The controversy has quickly evolved from a payment dispute into a broader accountability issue involving public funds.

Because taxpayer money was used to facilitate the festival, questions are now being directed not only at Elgon Events but also at the processes used to verify that contractors, suppliers, and workers received the payments due to them.

Among the questions now being raised are: Who was paid? How much was paid? Which suppliers were compensated? Are there service providers who remain unpaid despite the company’s declarations that obligations were settled?

For many stakeholders, these questions go to the heart of transparency and financial accountability.

The matter has also revived interest in previous complaints involving Elgon Events and some of its officials.

One of the most publicized disputes involved musician and entrepreneur Akothee, who previously accused the company and one of its officials, Mercy Wamoto, of failing to deliver event management services after receiving payment for an assignment.

In a detailed social media post, Akothee alleged that despite paying KSh80,000 for event management services, key responsibilities, including invitation management, guest coordination and event logistics, were either delayed or poorly executed.

She claimed she was ultimately forced to take over much of the work herself to prevent the event from failing.

Those allegations remain claims made by Akothee and have not been determined by any court.

Nevertheless, critics now point to the complaints as part of a broader pattern that they believe warrants closer scrutiny of the company’s operations.

The renewed attention comes as suppliers linked to the Piny Luo Festival continue seeking answers over their alleged unpaid dues.

For Elgon Events, observers say the path toward resolving the controversy is straightforward.

The company can publicly address the claims, engage affected suppliers, and provide verifiable payment records showing how the KSh3.4 million received for the festival was disbursed.

Until such clarification is provided, questions surrounding the Piny Luo Festival payment trail are likely to persist.

As pressure grows and more suppliers come forward, the controversy threatens to overshadow the success of the cultural event itself, leaving Elgon Events facing mounting calls for transparency over how public funds were managed and whether all those who delivered services for the festival were paid in full.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Migori Chief Officer for Finance and Economic Planning Dr. John Achuora
Latest News

Crisis in Migori Governor’s Office as Piny Luo Festival Payment Scandal Sparks Legal Threats- Finance Cartel Achuora on Spot

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

A group of consultants, suppliers, and service providers contracted by Elgon Group for the Migori Cultural Extravaganza and Piny Luo Festival 2025 have raised alarm over prolonged non-payment for services rendered during the event.

The affected parties, who provided services ranging from media coordination, logistics, site preparation, sports management, protocol, and communications support, say they completed all contracted work in good faith but are yet to receive payment from Elgon Group, the firm contracted to organize the Festival.

According to the suppliers, repeated efforts to secure payment over the last six months through direct engagement with Elgon Group have failed, despite reports that the company received substantial payments linked to the Festival contract. The Migori Cultural Extravaganza and Piny Luo Festival 2025 concluded on 17th December 2025.

“We delivered our services professionally and ensured the success of a major county event, yet many of us are still struggling to recover payments owed to us months later,” said one of the affected consultants on behalf of the group.

The suppliers have now formally petitioned the County Government of Migori to intervene and establish the status of payments made to Elgon Group under the Festival contract.

“We have been informed by Elgon Group that the County Government of Migori is yet to  settle 70% of balance due to the Group. We request you to help us establish status of payments made to Elgon Group and faccilitate immediate settlement of all outstanding payments due to Elgon to allow service providers get paid,” They said in a letter to Governor Dr. Ochillo Ayacko.

In January 22nd 2026, The Controller of Budget, Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o approved a Treasury’s request for grant for credit on exchequer Account of Ksh 105 million to faccilitate the Piny Luo Cultural Festival which will be regularised in the supplimentary budget estimates 1 FY 2025/2026.

“The reson for this application is that the amount appropriated for state department for Culture, Heritage and the Art(Vote R1134) under Appropriation Act 2025 is not sufficient to faccilitate the Piny Luo Cultural Festival,” said the Controller of Budget in a letter to the Treasury PS Dr. Chris Kiptoo.

“In view of the above, and in accordance with Article 223 of the constitution of Kenya, 2010, this office hereby grants approval for withdrawal of the funds,” added the letter.

Migori Chief Officer for Finance and Economic Planning Dr. John Achuora

Sources familiar with the payment process have also pointed an accusing finger at Chief Officer for Finance and Economic Planning Dr. John Achuora, alleging that a powerful cartel operating within the county’s financial structures has deliberately slowed down and frustrated the settlement of legitimate supplier claims.

According to the suppliers, the prolonged delays can no longer be explained as ordinary bureaucratic bottlenecks given that months have passed since the festival ended and public funds were reportedly approved for the event.

They now want Dr. Achuora to publicly explain the status of all payments related to the Piny Luo Festival and address claims that officials within the finance department are sitting on payment files while small businesses continue sinking into debt.

The suppliers argue that every day the payments remain unpaid, families suffer, businesses struggle to survive and confidence in doing business with Migori County continues to erode.

They insist that if there are no outstanding financial constraints, then those responsible for blocking or delaying payments should be identified and held accountable.

The cartels in Migori County proceed seamlessly with Mr. Dennis Wasike, the Liaison Officer, whose wife Jacquey Kivindyo works closely with the CEO at Elgon Group. This strategic family connection serves as the primary gateway for securing lucrative contracts from Elgon Group, where a county employee effectively channels business opportunities to his spouse’s employer, enabling influence peddling, favoritism, and the bypassing of standard procurement processes through this insider arrangement. This setup illustrates how personal relationships between public officials and private sector players are exploited to monopolize tenders and resources.

The group says the matter raises serious concerns about accountability and the treatment of downstream contractors and suppliers engaged in public events.

“We are asking the relevant authorities to ensure that legitimate suppliers are paid for work already completed. No business should suffer losses after delivering on its contractual obligations,” the suppliers letter added.

The suppliers further confirmed that unless the matter is resolved within the next fourteen days, they will commence legal proceedings against Elgon Group to recover the outstanding dues, including claims for breach of contract and related damages.

The Piny Luo Festival 2025 was one of Migori County’s flagship cultural events aimed at promoting Luo heritage, tourism, and regional economic activity.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Latest News

Migori County Gears Up for the 5th Piny Luo Cultural Festival

by Daily Trends
written by Daily Trends

Migori County is set to host the 5th Edition of the Piny Luo Cultural Festival and Migori Cultural Etravaganza, a grand celebration of Luo cultural heritage, from 14th to 16th December 2025.

Speaking during a media briefing in Nairobi, Migori Governor H.E. Ochilo G. Ayacko announced that preparations are in high gear to deliver an unforgettable festival that will honor the Luo people’s enduring heritage while promoting unity, creativity, and economic empowerment.

“The basis of doing a cultural extravaganza is to celebrate the diversity because Migori is a Cosmopolitan County that’s constituted by divers population,” Said Governor Ayacko.

This year’s theme, “Honoring Heritage, Uniting Generations,” underscores the festival’s mission to bridge traditional values with contemporary expressions of art, entrepreneurship, and trade.

It will be the first event that will be conducted in the absence of its patron , Rt. Hon Raila Ondiga.

“This is the first time we are hosting Piny Luo Cultural Festival in his absence, he has been the patron of this festival and the Luo nation . This 5th edition will be a significant one because individuals are temporary and transient, we are on other for a very short period but the nation continue and people get born into that nation,”

He added, ” It is going to give the Luo nation the immense opportunity to remember the contribution that the late Patron Raila Amollo Odinga contributed to nationally and internationally. It will inspire the young and elderly people and give us opportunity to appreciate some of the fine parts and qualities that Raila exhibited .”

He said the event will also offer an opportunity to other communities that have never celebrated their culture publicly. They include the Kuria, The Luhya, Kisii and Somalis.

The event will feature cultural performances, plenary discussions on culture and commerce, a First Lady’s Gala Night, and a boat race at Migori’s scenic water bodies.

President William Ruto and other regional leaders are expected to grace the event, alongside leading cultural icons, innovators, and development partners.

“Through the Piny Luo Festival, we are not only preserving culture but also opening up Migori as a vibrant destination for investment and tourism,” said the Governor.

The festival will also host plenary sessions exploring how cultural heritage can drive inclusive trade, creative industries, and youth empowerment, aligning with national and regional development goals.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Crime Scene tape
Crime & Investigations

2 congregants die, 57 rescued from church in Rongo

by The Star
written by The Star

Detectives are camping at a church in Rongo, Migori County, after two congregants died while 57 were rescued from the compound.

Police said the 57 people who were rescued refused to be treated at a local hospital where they had been taken for attention.

They are being detained at a local police station while weak as police consult on the way forward.

Police were on Monday, April 21 2025, informed there was a body lying at the Church in Kanyadiedo sub-location, East Kamagambo location, before rushing there.

The team found the body lying on the floor of a prayer room within the church compound.

According to police, the body was fully covered in a white robe and wrapped in a grey sheet at that time.

Police said the body had some injuries on the face, and foam was oozing from the mouth.

Earlier in the day, another body was recovered from the same place, police said.

The bodies were moved to the local morgue pending autopsy and other procedures.

The police conducted a search in the church and managed to rescue 57 people residing there.

Police said some of them were looking weak, and the group was then escorted to Rongo Sub-County hospital for medical attention, but all of them refused to be examined by medical officers.

They began to make noises and singing religious songs.

When they persisted, the medical officers advised that the group be removed from the hospital since they were disturbing the other patients at the facility.

Police said they were taken to the station to await further directives.

This is the second such incident to happen in the area amid a probe into claims of occultism. 

A police officer believed to have been radicalised was buried at a church compound in Kamagambo, Migori county, prompting police investigations.

Police have blamed occultism for the incident and declared the teachings at the church in Opapo village in Kamagambo are misleading.

The officer died on March 27, 2025, following a sickness, before his body was interred at the church the following day.

Obura was a police officer based at the General Service Unit headquarters in Nairobi.

His wife told police he fell sick as they were at home and decided to take him to the church in Opapo village in Kamagambo for prayers.

He, however, died on the way, and they arrived at the church in the night on March 27 at about 8 pm.

The following day, the woman obtained a burial permit from a local assistant chief.

The chief did not know where the body was to be interred, he said.

Armed with the permit, the woman and a few church members buried the body within the compound.

Some family members told police they had complained about the church in the past, arguing their son had been radicalised by the teachings.

The father of Obura had reported the issue to the police, who visited the church at one time.

It is not clear what action was taken then.

Police said they are investigating the incidents.

There was no immediate comment from the church leadership over the incident.

Cases of occultism have been on the rise.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Crime & Investigations

More Trouble For Obado As DPP Sets To Table 500 New Evidence In His Graft Case

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

Embattled Migori Governor Okoth Obado, his four children and eleven other people might face another rough time as the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) is set to table new evidence in the Sh 73.4 million corruption case.

When the case came up for hearing on Tuesday before trial magistrate Lawrence Mugambi, the DPP through Senior State Counsel Eva Kanyuira told the court that this office has new evidence in the case against Obado and his co-accused parties.

The senior counsel told the magistrate that in the course of the pre-trial proceedings with the investigating officer, they discovered 500 new pieces of information which will be vital in the case.

She stated that the state would like to amend the charges against all the accused persons following the fresh evidence that has emerged.

Kanyuira asked the court to allow the prosecution to amend and substitute the charge sheet “in the interest of justice.”

“It will not cause any prejudice or injustice to the accused persons as they shall be accorded sufficient opportunity and time to test and challenge the prosecution case as presented,” the DPP said.

The State also sought more time to have the defense team go through the new evidence before the trial started.

The magistrate hesitantly allowed the defense lawyers and accused persons a day to go through the new evidence until Thursday morning when the case is expected to begin.

Among the new evidence introduced in the case are documents recovered from Obado’s home in Uriri in Migori, Migori county government, evaluation committee report for meeting NoECR/263/2015-2016 dated June 8 to 14 of 2014, offer for sale agreement for Loresho Ridge townhouse dated August 12, 2014 and bank account statements from KCB, Co-operative banks, Central Bank of Kenya and Bank of Scotland.

Other documents include payment vouchers for several companies including M/S Deltrack ICT Services, Dolphus Softwares, Peuslus Supplies, Kajulu Business Solutions Associates, Atinus Services and Victorious Investments.

The defense led by George Kithi had declined the request by the State to have the case proceed without them being given an opportunity to go through the new evidence.

Only Obado was present during Tuesday hearing while the rest of the co-accused attended virtually.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Latest News

DP Ruto Buys An Umbrella For Ksh 20,000 In Migori

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

The deputy president William Ruto on Saturday took his campaign to Okoth Obados backyard. Residents thronged the area to witness the second in command and the politicians who accompanied him. While addressing a crowd on the roadside, he saw a woman identified as Mackline Otieno carrying an umbrella and he asked her if she could pass it to him.

Photo: Courtesy

Mackline quickly gave it to Ruto who was addressing the crowd on top of his vehicle. He in turn gave shillings 20,000 to the woman. In another incident, a man walking in crutches asked to be allowed to have a word with the deputy president. He got his surprise of the day when he was also given Ksh 20,0000.

Photo: Courtesy

Ruto also donated Ksh 2 million to boda boda saccos and small scale traders in the area. While addressing the residents, he blamed president Uhuru Kenyatta for frustrating his presidential bid, adding that his only hope now lies with ordinary Kenyans.

He criticized the government for failing to secure the economic welfare of Kenyans. He said that the work of the government is to make policies that ensure the youths are employed, or they can run their own business. Ruto pledged to allocate 120 million to support small scale traders across the country.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

ODM Speaks Out After Jimmy Wanjigi Was Stoned & Chased Away In Migori

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has issued an official statement hours after presidential hopeful Jimmy Wanjigi was pelted with stones while on his tour of Migori.

Wanjigi who has declared his interest in 2022 presidency is in Nyanza trying to popularize himself ahead of the ODM presidential nominations.

Wanjigi is battling it out with Raila for the ODM presidential ticket.

He kicked off his tour of Nyanza region on Thursday September 16, with his motorcade heading to Migori on Friday but they met a harsh crowd.

While addressing a crowd in Migori town, some people started throwing stones at him, forcing him to flee, aborting his meeting.

It is believed that a section of ODM delegates had accused Wanjigi of desrespecting the O boss Raila.

Wanjigi was met with jeers and heckling as he tried to address the crowd.

However, ODM in a statement issued by its director of campaigns Junet Mohamed has distanced itself from the chaos.

Junet in an official statement posted via ODM social media accounts said that they have worked hard to create an environment where everyone can sell their policies across the country.

He noted that the sponsors of political chaos in Migori are known, adding that he has also been a victim in numerous occasions.

Junet further called on the police to thoroughly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to book.

He also urged polity aspirants to respect government public order that suspended gatherings to curb the spread of COVID-19.

ODM secretary General Edwin Sifuna has also noted that he has been in contact with the ODM Migori office to establish the cause of the chaos, subsequent to which he will issue a full briefing on the same.

“My office is in contact with the @TheODMparty office in Migori for a full brief on reported cases of violence targeted at one of our members Mr. Jimmy Wanjigi. I have also tried to reach Mr. Wanjigi on phone to confirm he is OK. Full brief to follow,” Sifuna posted.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Latest News

40 years old woman disappears mysteriously leaving behind a wry will.

by Ireri Steve
written by Ireri Steve

Waking up to a solitude will could not have been their expected breakfast but they did , collision with a grief blasting paper, possibly with ramshackle disfigured alphabets but the immensity of the message remaining clear. Seems implausible.

The night of 22nd a family in Sigenya ,Migori county woke up to find one of their members disappeared leaving behind a scribbled paper on how her property should be shared.

40 years old Jane Auma on the night of 22nd wrote in her will that the family members should thereafter look for her in a nearby sorghum plantation.

The area chief explained that the possible reason behind the disappearance is yet to be identified though people stated that they had wrangles with the husband.

Adrift in the disappearance hysteria ,the family members are worried on whether their member is alive or sought to ending her life.

Basically, a will is a dessert for a possible inexistence hence the looming fear is vital.

3 comments
2 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Crime & Investigations

Migori Blogger Goes Missing After Mysterious Abduction, Family Still In The Dark

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The family of a Migori based blogger is still in the dark days after their son was abducted by three armed men.

According to the family, a group of unknown people had been secretly following Joseph Okoth Ouma, popularly known as Rashid Yusuf – tracing all his moves.

Ouma had claimed on a Facebook post that his life was in danger days before he was kidnapped at his bar in Kokuro Junction, Migori county.

Reports by family members stated that a man walked into the bar posing as a customer and even ordered a drink.

The man is said to have inquired about the owner before walking out of the bar to meet his accomplices who had arrived at the bar in two vehicles.

“After ordering a drink, the man walked to the car which had three other people. The men later stormed the bar, one had a gun. They ordered everyone to lie on the floor.

That’s when they dragged my brother out of the bar and bundled him into the car before speeding away,” said Dominic, Rashid’s brother.

The blogger is yet to be found with the police intensifying their investigations. Residents of Migori urged the police to speed up investigations to find the blogger.

“We expect the criminal investigation department to move with speed to establish the motive of the incident, the people behind the abduction and the whereabouts of Yusuf.

Tension in Migori as blogger goes missing , abducted by gunmen

“As members of the blogging fraternity, as friends of Rashid Yusuf, as people from Migori county, we are not happy with the silence of the leaders, the Kenya Police and criminal investigation department.

“They need to tell us what is happening, and who these people are,” said a blogger in a video posted on social media.

He further stated that the only option was to find Rashid alive, as he hoped the police would find him on time.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Migori MCA Assaulted, Her Arm Broken Over Obado’s Impeachment

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A member of Migori County Assembly was on Wednesday assaulted and her left arm broken as the assembly descended into chaos over the planned ouster  of governor Okoth Obado.

The nominated MCA Mary Ogodo was attacked during a melee at the Migori county assembly ahead of the planned tabling of the impeachment motion against the County chief.

It forced sergeant-at-arms to run away with the mace, the symbol of power in the assembly, as they left members assaulting each other physically, verbally with bottles of water being thrown around.Ogodo was rushed to St Joseph Mission Hospital.

“She is in hospital, her left arm has been broken and she is receiving treatment. She can’t talk right now. She is in stable condition,” an aide told a local daily in a phone interview.

Tension started during the morning session as North Kanyamkago MCA George Omamba got orders from Migori High Court reinstating him as Deputy Speaker on Tuesday evening.

Omamba was impeached by his colleagues on May last year together with assembly clerk Tom Opere, with Bukira East MCA Mathews Chacha and Emmanuel Abala taking over in acting capacity amid court orders.

On Wednesday, trouble started as five pro-Obado MCAs led by Kaler MCA Thomas Akungo walked into the house which was in session and tried to disrupt the session as Omamba was still on the chair.

“The five MCAs were hiding in one of the offices in the assembly controlled by Obado’s relative before they made their way into the assembly and started creating chaos,” a staff said.

In the ensuing melee, the session was disrupted as Ogodo, who is said to be in support of the ouster, was attacked. She blamed Akungo for the melee.

Obado who spoke to a local daily on Tuesday September 22, 2020 revealed a new scheme that has now been employed by the Raila Odinga-led range party.

According to Obado, there are plans to use the police and investigative agencies to threaten ward representatives and county officials opposed to ODM’s plans to kick him out over graft and murder cases that the County chief is facing.

He went ahead to reveal details of a meeting that was held over the weekend in Kisii town where Migori Senator Ochillo Ayacko allegedly met MCAs to give them an ultimatum to either support the ouster or be ready to face the consequences.

Obado  claimed that during the Kisii meeting chaired by Ayacko, a 10-point impeachment motion was drafted with the help of a former magistrate.

He further claimed his rivals plan to use the police to cause chaos in the Assembly so that they can interfere with voting in the event the motion is finally tabled. The impeachment, sanctioned by ODM days after he was charged with graft has stalled for two weeks, amid tension and anxiety in Migori.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Photos: Heavy Police Presence in Migori as MCAs Resume Sitting Ahead of Obado Impeachment

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

There was a heavy police presence in Migori on Tuesday September 8, 2020 as Members of County Assembly resumed sittings with governor Okoth Obado’s impeachment being top on the agaenda.

The impeachment motion is expected to be in the Assembly order paper with a section of the ward reps holding they were ready for the process.

The ouster bid — initiated by the Orange Democratic Party– has been clouded with controversies with several MCAs, fearing for reprisals, allegedly fleeing the county.

They House is expected to begin its business as from 2:30pm.

Some of the MCAs have claimed the mission to kick out Obado may hit a dead end because of the sharp divisions among ODM MCAs, threats, intimidation and fears of a backlash from Migori residents.

The Jubilee MCAs are also torn over the ouster bid, with MCAs skipping a meeting organised in Kuria to rally them behind the ouster bid.

Tension has continued to rise in the county with the Assembly Speaker Boaz Okoth claiming his life is in danger after unknown people attacked him on Friday in his Kisumu house for allegedly hosting MCAs for a meeting.

The attack on the Speaker created a wave of tension in the County with fears of violence ahead of Obado’s ouster bid.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Obado’s Impeachment Bid Takes a New Twist as MCAs Flee Migori Over Fear

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) bid to oust Migori governor Okoth Obado has taken a twist.

This is after a section of Migori Members of County Assembly allegedly fled the South Nyanza County over fear as tension continues to rise.

According to a report by one of the leading local dailies, a number of MCAs claimed the mission to kick out Obado may fail because of sharp divisions among Orange party MCAs, threats and intimidation as well as fears of a backlash from the residents.

With President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party plotting to join Raila Orange party in the ouster motion, a number of MCAs are said to have travelled out of Migori, with some claiming they were holding strategy meetings in Kisii, Kisumu and Nairobi in the wake of the developments.

Migori County Jubilee coordinator Mwita Nyangi on Friday September 4, 2020 asked Jubilee MCAs to support Obado’s ouster motion.

However, a section of Jubilee MCAs have refused to buy the idea. A section of them skipped a meeting organised in Kuria to rally them behind the ouster bid.

Yesterday, the Assembly’s minority whip Joseph Oyoo of Jubilee party dismissed attempts by the party to compel them to join ODM to oust Obado.

The Makario Ward MCA dismissed the party’s coordinator Mwita Nyangi who convened a meeting with other party officials from the county and said they would not support Obado ouster.

Several other MCAs claimed anonymously that the push to oust Obado was ill-informed and would not succeed.

There are fears that violence may erupt in the county should the leaders fronting for Obado’s ouster proceed with the move and table an impeachment motion against him.

Some MCAs claimed that the fear of violence erupting as a result of the planned exercise exceeds the wrath of the party should they fail to go against the party’s wishes.

One of the ODM MCAs said he had moved to Kisii to escape intense pressure at the county.

Muhuru MCA Hevron Mahira, who reported threats on his life on Wednesday said that he has moved to a safe place within the county.

He alleged that a few hours after reporting about threat on his life, he received more threats from a strange number for supporting the position of his party over Obado’s fate.

Do you think impeaching Obado will be a walk in the park?

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Politics

Massive Arrests Expected in Migori as ODM Unleashes New Strategy to Ensure Obado is Impeached

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has come up with a new strategy to fight embattled Migori County governor Okoth Obado.

ODM in a statement signed by its chairman John Mbadi on Thursday afternoon revealed that it was going to furnish the government with the names of Obado’s allies who have been engaging in dirty deals at the County government.

The Orange party said it was going to forward the names of Migori County CECs, directors of various departments, contractors, Chief officers, MCAs, officials and suppliers who are currently involved in raising money and diverting public funds to bribe MCAs and finance violence in Migori.

ODM said that as soon as they forward the names, they will ensure that police arrest the said individuals so that law and order is maintained.

Image

Obado, a long-time friend of Deputy President William Ruto, has openly dared ODM leader Raila Odinga to bring on his impeachment motion, saying the party has no numbers to kick him out.

According to Obado, ODM placed MCAs in a closed meeting and intimidated them.

Obado is a long-time friend of DP Ruto dating from the time of the governor’s tenure at the defunct Kenya Sugar Board when Ruto was the Minister for Agriculture.

He has hosted the DP several times against ODM’s wishes, including shortly after he was released from prison on bail over the murder of his pregnant girlfriend Sharon Otieno. The case is ongoing. 

Then, he alluded to ODM’s hand in his woes and asked his constituents to allow him to work with Ruto.

For the impeachment to sail through, the motion will need approval of at least 43 members in the house which has 57 MCAs.

ODM has 41 MCAs, seven are independent, Jubilee Party has three, Ford Kenya two while PPOK has one.

Out of the 37 ODM elected MCAs who attended the meeting, 14 refused to sign up for the impeachment bid and only 23 appended their signatures despite persuasion from the party’s top leadership.

Mbadi who chaired the meeting confirmed that 23 signed up but stated that only five refused.

Mbadi, speaking on Wednesday morning – said out of 41 ODM MCAs in Migori, four skipped the function with apology for being sick and 23 “willingly without any intimidation signed and agreed to the impeachment.”

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Crime & InvestigationsLatest News

Man Commits Suicide in Church After Family Declined His Intention to Marry Second Wife

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A 20-year-old man has committed suicide in a church at a village in Suna East Sub County, Migori County.

According to Lawrence Oluru, the uncle to the deceased, the man decided to take his life in a church after his family declined his intention to marry a second wife.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Crime & Investigations

Destroying Evidence? Fire Razes Section of Kisumu County Offices

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Fire on Sunday evening razed a section of Kisumu County offices.

During the incident, most computers at IFMIS office were destroyed before the fire was contained.

However, questions have continued to rise following the incident.

Over the recent past, most offices, especially finance offices have been razed down in what many are now speculating to be a way of destroying evidence.

This has been happening mostly in devolved units suspected of corruption.

In September 2017, fire burnt down Migori County offices leading to the destruction of crucial documents.

The former Auditor General Edward Ouko was unable to audit the county since Ksh 1.5 billion receipts were missing.

The cause of the fire that razed the Migori County Procurement stores remained unknown.

In July 2019, the Kitui County Finance offices were razed down by a fire.

A year before the incident,  a fire broke out at a private building housing the Kitui County Government offices.

The fire destroyed vital documents and property in five departments. Environment, Tourism and Education were among the departments affected.

In September 2019, Busia County finance offices were gutted by a fire that broke out at 2am.

The incident that destroyed property of unknown value happened within the vicinity of a fire engine at the county headquarters.

A statement from the county stated that investigations were underway to establish what started the inferno.

This trend among Counties has now continued to raise questions, with many now speculating that the county chiefs are intentionally destroying evidences in graft allegations.

 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
Load More Posts