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Tension in Mudavadi, Raila camps as 200 ANC youth leaders decamp to support Mariga

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

As Kibra by elections draws near, tension has hit the camps battling it out for the November 7 parliamentary seat with ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi being the most affected.

On Wednesday October 30, 2019, 200 youths alleged to be ANC youth leaders in Kibra were received in Jubilee party McDonald Mariga’s camp.

Taking to twitter on Wednesday afternoon, former Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale while sharing the photos said that he had received the alleged ANC party youth leaders in Kibra, and that they had declared their support for Mariga.

Khalwale said that he alongside Starehe MP Charles Njagua and Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa had welcomed the youths in team Mariga.

He congratulated the youths for what he said having chosen the better option.

“Together with Hon Njagwa (Starehe) & @DidmusWaBarasa (Kimilili) received 200 @anc_party Kibra youth leaders into Team-Mariga-4-Kibra. Congratulations young people for choosing the better option,” posted Khalwale.

However, ODM aspirant in the party’s Kibra primaries Benson Musungu disputed Khalwale’s allegations saying that the alleged youths are ODM supporters and that they will vote for ODM candidate Bernard Imran Okoth.

He termed Khalwale’s allegations as Kibra lies.

“Omwami welcome to Kibra lies! Those are our youth wait and see them voting @TheODMparty on 7th!!” he posted.

Jubilee’s Mariga will face off with ODM’s Imran, ANC’s Eliud Owalo, Ford Kenya’s Khamisi Butichi among others in a hotly contested race to succeed Ken Okoth who succumbed to cancer.

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Politics

Raila to honor hero who paid ultimate price for ODM’s victory in Ganda ward

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga will today (Saturday) honor the hero who ‘paid the ultimate price for ODM’s victory’ in the just concluded Ganda ward by-elections.

Ngumbao Jola, who was felled by assassin’s bullet in Ganda Ward on October 16 will be laid to rest in a ceremony set to be attended by Raila.

ODM through their official twitter handle confirmed that their Party Leader will be there to honour the hero.

“Today, Saturday October 26, we lay to rest our Shujaa Ngumbao Jola, who was felled by assassin’s bullet in Ganda Ward on October 16. Our Party Leader @RailaOdinga will be there to honour the hero who paid the ultimate price for our victory in Ganda. May his memory be blessed,” reads the ODM tweet.

Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa was arrested alongside Otieno, her gardener and domestic worker after Ngumbao was shot dead.

Ngumbao was shot dead during a fracas that erupted at the home of ODM candidate Reuben Katana in Ganda ward.

Trouble started after Jumwa stormed the home to disrupt the meeting between Katana and ODM agents for the by elections, saying the campaign period was over.

Jumwa and her bodyguard, Okuto Otieno, were later granted Sh1 million bond and a surety of a similar amount with the alternative of Sh500,000  bail each after spending one night behind the bars.

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Miguna unleashes a scathing attack on Ruto, digs deep into his secrets (Watch Video)

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

After being attacked by Kenyans for continuously disrespecting ODM leader Raila Odinga by digging into his family matters on social media, self proclaimed general Dr Miguna Miguna has unleashed another scathing attack against deputy president Dr William Ruto.

Miguna had on Tuesday promised Kenyans that his ‘revolutionary hammer’ would today (Wednesday) fall on DP Ruto.

In the video shared on his social media handles and you tube, Miguna says that he had spared Ruto during his regular attacks on Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta just because Ruto is a deputy.

While referring to Ruto as a deputy despot, Miguna alleges that DP’s controversies dates back in early 90’s when he joined KANU has his studies at the University of Nairobi.

He alleges that the DP alongside former presidential candidate Cyrus Jirongo became KANU’s vicious youth leaders back in 1992.

He accuses Ruto, who he claims they schooled together at UoN, of forgetting about his visionary Christianity to join KANU instead of looking for work to do.

He further alleges that Ruto alongside Jirongo started brutalising Kenyans and spread propaganda as the main language of the ruling party.

The controversial lawyer says that it is in 1992 when the two started looting and plundering the economy of Kenya.

Digging into Ruto’s personal life, Miguna alleges that the DP has a son with Akinyi Odinga, a sister to Raila.

He alleges that Ruto has 27 children withing two years, with him managing to have over 30 children between 2007 and 2012.

Watch the full you tube video below.

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Politics

VIDEO: Raila Caught up in a Road Drama

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

It is not less than once activist Boniface Mwangi has been caught up in a road drama with VIPs over traffic.

The activist has been sharing videos of different incidents he has engaged in a drama with high profile people who are entitled to road clearance using sirens.

But this time round, Mwangi might have engaged with Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga unknowingly.

In a video he shared via his official twitter account, Mwangi says a police officer in a car with registration number KCH 995E insulted him because he refused to be “bullied”. He says the police was in the lead car for KCP 755S as seen in the video in his tweet below.

However, Kenyans on Twitter has revealed the owner of the above named car registration numbers.

Kicking off the debate, blogger Benji Ndolo said that he vehicles belong to Raila.

This is when Kenyans on twitter started posting photos of Raila from past events while in the said cars.

The shared photos show Raila in two different events using car registration number KCH 995 E.

Reactions show some Kenyans accusing Mwangi of engaging in the drama with Raila whom they say is entitled to security and clearance of traffic using sirens.

See some of the reactions below.

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Politics

Is Uhuru Appeasing Raila While Backing Ruto?

by The Star
written by The Star

The Kibra by-election has raised questions about President Kenyatta’s succession strategy and who he truly supports between ODM leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto.

While the President has been consistent in his public support and defence of the handshake with Raila, Ruto’s supporters insist the President has not abandoned their man.

The Kibra by-election has lifted the lid on the President’s perceived delicate bid to hold onto the two protagonists in a strategic move not to disrupt the delivery of his Big Four agenda.

While Uhuru’s supporters among them Nairobi Senator John Sakaja previously said Jubilee would not field a candidate in Kibra, Ruto picked footballer Macdonald Mariga and ensured he was on the ballot against  Raila’s candidate Imran Okoth.

On September 18, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino launched a scathing attack on Kenyatta after the President endorsed Mariga.

Owino accused the President of betraying the handshake by choosing to back the former Inter Millan midfielder who is running on a Jubilee ticket. 

“Baba must be very careful with this thing called handshake. No fruits so far. We can’t be duped twice. President Uhuru must be genuine with this handshake,” Owino said in a Facebook post.

“Baba, we must be very careful and if the “marriage” is void because  one party is incompetent for being in a subsisting marriage or voidable because it’s not consummated then we must be out very fast.

“We need not lie to each other and in return, their intention is to embarrass you. Jubilee must never and will never win Kibra. I’m ready to go back to the bush.” 

On Sunday while campaigning, Mariga claimed the Head of State calls him to check on his progress.

“Baba must be very careful with this thing called handshake. No fruits so far. We can’t be duped twice. President Uhuru must be genuine with this handshake ,”MP Babu Owino

“You all know the person who gave me the Jubilee cap? I was with a host of Jubilee MPs. We sat down with the President and he told me during my campaigns I should talk to the Akiguyu community in Kibra and they will not fail to support me,” Mariga said.

A day after Mariga met Uhuru at State House, nominated MP Maina Kamanda met Raila and announced he would campaign for Imran.

Chief Administrative Secretary Rachel Shebesh met women leaders two weeks ago and claimed that the Head of State was ambushed and that he was not backing Ruto.

“He has a mouth. Have you heard him say he supports Mariga?,” paused Shebesh who is known to be close to Uhuru.

“The President is well aware that any mishap to antagonise the Deputy President or Raila would directly slow down his desire to deliver on his legacy programmes,” said university don Macharia Munene.

Munene, a lecturer at the United States International University, told the Star the President is walking a political tightrope.

“The President is largely silent when Ruto and Raila are fighting. For example in Kibra, the President is trying to appease both camps because for him, whatever the outcome, that would be a non-issue,” he said.

Until the handshake last year, Ruto enjoyed a lot of privileges and power.  After Uhuru and Raila announced their truce Uhuru went out of his way to shower Raila and defend their deal as he maintains relative harmony between the two politicians.

Ruto and his supporters have seized every opportunity to attack Raila and his ODM even accusing the opposition chief of importing confusion into Jubilee. 

As the President has kept off altercations between the two, Raila has been behaving like a state officer and sometimes issuing orders to public servents as his troops launch attacks on Ruto.

RAILA ATTACK

Ruto and his supporters have seized every opportunity to attack Raila and his ODM even accusing the opposition chief of importing confusion into Jubilee. 

Unlike before when Kenyatta and Ruto attended the same functions, even wore similar shirts and ties, the President has been conducting his activities alone and is reportedly not consulting the DP as much as he did in his first term.

On the other hand the President has appeared in functions with Raila even celebrated Raila’s birthday in Mombasa on January 7 and visited the Opposition leader in his Bondo home.

Musalia Mudavadi greets President Kenyatta at Moi Girls School in Vihiga in February. PHOTO/ PSCU

NEW FRIENDS?

The President has thrown the two politicians into further confusion by his relationship with ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi.

People close to the Head of State have told the Star that the President has been talking to Mudavadi, his childhood friend, frequently and even encouraging him to continue playing the role of Opposition leader.

During the Kenya Open golf event in Karen early this year, the two are understood to have held a two-hour meeting.

“The body language between the two suggested that they were on the same page,” said a source in the President’s team.

Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula says the President could swing a surprise because no one knows his plan.

“We do not know what the handshake is about. President is either being dishonest with Ruto or Raila. Both Ruto and Raila are operating in the dark, both trying to make intelligent guesses,” said Wetang’ula.

 Starehe MP Charles Njagua said the President is not in any dilemma as he has demonstrated his support for Mariga.

“The President has been clear who he is supporting. It is the other camp that is misguided,” Njagua said.

While Uhuru has avoided to publicly campaigning for Mariga for the November 7 by-election just as he did during the one in Wajir West, he has equally not denounced claims by a section of anti-Ruto forces that he is supporting ODM.

Belgut MP Nelson Koech challenged Uhuru to “put Jubilee’s house in order”, saying his silence has “created a perception that he is a lame-duck President.”

“While I know that the President is fully backing Mariga, it will be in the best interest not just of Jubilee but that of the country for him or through his communication department to come out to clear this confusion,” he said.

Dagoretti North MP John Kiarie dismissed claims Uhuru is not keen on Mariga’s candidacy, saying the Jubilee boss is firmly behind the football star.

“Jubilee has one candidate who was endorsed by President Uhuru Kenyatta himself. Those saying Mariga is not a Jubilee candidate are political rejects who were defeated in the last elections and are bitter with the DP,” Kiarie said.

Embakasi North MP James Gakuya said both Shebesh and Kamanda were embarrassing the President and called on the Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua to crack the whip on her.

“Kamanda and Shebesh are misleading our supporters that the President does not support Mariga. It is unfortunate that they have been allowed to take that route and disciplinary action should be taken against them. The two should respect the President who is our party leader deputised by DP William Ruto,” he said.

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Uhuru Joins Raila in Mourning Theologian Who Translated Bible From English to Kamba

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga have mourned the death of a renowned Kenyan scholar, theologian and philosopher Prof John Mbiti.

Prof Mbiti died aged 88 while undergoing treatment in Switzerland.

In his condolence message, President Kenyatta prayed to God to grant the family of the late Mbiti fortitude to bear with the loss of their beloved.

“President Kenyatta has sent a message of condolence to the family, relatives and friends of philosopher, scholar, author and Anglican Church minister Dr John Mbiti. The President prayed to God to grant the family of the late Mbiti fortitude to bear with the loss of their beloved,” reads a tweet from statehouse.

In his condolence message, Raila recalled Prof Mbiti’s contribution to Africa’s religious growth.

“His book African Religions and Philosophy was an eye-opener and groundbreaking work. Condolences to his family. May his soul Rest in Peace,” read Raila’s post on twitter.

Prof Mbiti is well known for his publication of African Religions and Philosophy in 1969 that propelled him to fame among religious scholars.

In his book, Prof Mbiti challenged Christian assumption that traditional African religious ideas were “demonic and anti-Christian.”

However, the book hailed as insight to “illiterate Africans” by many also earned him criticism in an equal share from those that held contrary beliefs.

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Politics

Keep Off Government Affairs, Ruto And His Allies Warn Raila

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President (DP) William Ruto has warned opposition politicians to keep off affairs of the government in a veiled attack on Raila Odinga.

Speaking in Meru on Sunday, DP Ruto said he would continue crisscrossing the country because that is his constitutional mandate.

“Wale watu wanashida na mimi kutembea Kenya waende wasome katiba..Watu wa upinzani wafanye kazi yao (Those of who have issues with me criss crossing the country should go and read the Constitution, those in the opposition should stick to their work),” said the Deputy President.

Several Jubilee MPs who attended the church service at Kithirune Methodist Church in Central Imenti urged civil servants to ignore roadside orders issued by Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila.

The MPs said Raila has no power to issue such orders, adding that such directives can only come from government officials.

Speaking during a prayer service at Kithirune Methodist Church of Kenya in Central Imenti, Meru County on Sunday which was attended by Deputy President William Ruto, the leaders said Raila was taking advantage of the handshake.

The MPs said Raila was usurping President Uhuru Kenyatta’s powers.

Among the lawmakers who attended the service were: Raheem Dawood (North Imenti), Moses Kirimi (Central Imenti), Mugambi Rindikiri (Buuri), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Silvanus Osoro (South Mugirango) and Halima Mucheke (nominated)

Mr Gachagua dismissed Raila’s directive to stop dredging works in the Indian Ocean to allow divers retrieve bodies of Mariam Kighenda and her daughter Amanda Mutheu.

“Those orders are his own jokes. We urge all civil servants to ignore Mr Odinga’s directive; he has no authority over such,” he said.

Mr Osoro criticised Raila, telling him that such orders can only come from the President.

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Politics

Raila is a Tough Sell in Mt Kenya-Moses Kuria

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria says that Raila Odinga is a tough sell in Mt Kenya despite his dalliance with President Uhuru Kenyatta following their handshake.

Kuria, who was appearing on K24 TV’s Punchline show on Sunday, said that Mt Kenya region is uneasy with Raila’s push for a parliamentary system.

“I am not sure that Mt Kenya have come to consider who they are going to vote for. Do you want the truth or the cousin of the truth?…tough sell,” said Kuria when asked about if Mt Kenya is ready for Raila as suggested by Kirinyaga County governor, Anne Waiguru.

The Gatundu South MP said central region residents are uneasy about Raila’s proposal for parliamentary system since it would disadvantage them.

“Maybe that is what scares them about such a line up. In 10 counties in what we call 10 plus three…with all that and 6 million votes, we have got only 64 constituencies out of 290 and unless that is redressed we are going to have a big issue. Every time they hear about Raila Odinga, they say he wants to introduce a parliamentary system and our 64 constituencies don’t count for much. They think it is loss of their historical advantage,” said Kuria.

The MP, who plans to be on the presidential ticket in 2022 to battle it out with his party leader, said Mt Kenya region MPs are divided but have been receiving “love” from Deputy President William Ruto.

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Politics

The Hidden Intrigues Behind Aisha Jumwa’s Meeting With Raila

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Malindi Member of Parliament Aisha Jumwa on Tuesday was the talk of the day after she met ODM party leader Raila Odinga, a move that shocked many Kenyans.

Jumwa who is a rebel member of the ODM party is currently allied to deputy president Dr William Ruto. Her meeting with Raila at her Parliamentary Service Commission Office on Tuesday afternoon came after Raila’s ODM Parliamentary Group meeting at County Hall which Jumwa never attended.

In a tweet that was immediately pulled down, ODM said that the rebel MP was back to the party since it was her DNA and that she had vowed to support and campaign for ODM candidate in Kibra by-elections Bernard Imran Okoth.

Image

But later on, Aisha Jumwa denied having dumped DP Ruto nor endorsing Imran for Kibra seat.

She said through her social media account that Raila had only made a surprise visit to her Parliamentary Service Commission Office and that she was not even aware of the ODM Parliamentary Group meeting at County Hall.

Well, was the Opposition leader’s meeting at Malindi MP’s office a coincidence or was it planned?

Reports by a local daily says that Loyal women MPs allied to Raila were not amused after he visited the office of the rebel Malindi MP yesterday. 

Aisha seemed to have been in communication with Raila. After the  ODM Parliamentary Group meeting, Raila went straight to Aisha’s swanky office.

Surprisingly, this happened despite Aisha’s boycott of the ODM PG.

The women MPs were grumbling in the corridors of Parliament, wondering how Aisha manages to capture the attention of top political bosses across the divide.

She’s DP William Ruto’s cheerleader at the Coast and shortly after meeting Raila, she met Ruto alongside other Jubilee legislators in a bid to support Jubilee candidate McDonald Mariga’s Kibra parliamentary race.

Then what was it that ODM said she had vowed to campaign for Imran?

“This evening I did join the Deputy President William Ruto and other legislators and meet up with Devine church elders and pastors at Mash Park Hotel Nairobi in a bid to support Mariga for Kibra Constituency,” reads Aisha Jumwa’s facebook post.

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Raila Will be Homeless if Kibra is Taken Away From Him- Analyst

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga will be left homeless if Kibra constituency is taken away from him, political analyst Ambrose Weda has said.

Speaking on Monday morning during a morning talk show dubbed Morning Express on KTN News, Weda said that Kibra is like Raila’s home since he has represented it for a long time.

The analyst says that despite Raila’s native home being Bondo, his real political home is Kibra.

His remark comes a day after various aspirants in the forthcoming mini polls stormed Kibra on Sunday to launch their manifesto.

Jubilee Candidate McDonald Mariga, Ford Kenya candidate Khamisi Butichi, ANC’s Eliud Owalo and ODM’s Imran Okoth were in different parts of the constituency to woo voters.

While Mariga, Owalo and Butichi held rallies in different locations, Imran resolved to doing door to door campaigns after attending several church services in the region.

However, out of the three rallies, Mariga is believed to have had a huge crowd, which has been seen as a bigger threat to Raila’s ODM, an incident Kenyans say is an upper hand for Mariga.

Deputy President William Ruto has already expressed confidence that the Jubilee party will triumph in the coming Kibra Constituency By-elections scheduled for November 7th.

Ruto said that already, the Jubilee administration has transformed Kibra through the construction of roads and toilets, which he said had not been done for several years, despite the leadership of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

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Politics

More Jubilee MPs Quietly Backing Imran in Kibra Mini Polls

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Jubilee nominated MP Maina Kamanda has said many more MPs from the ruling party are willing to support Raila Odinga-led ODM party candidate in forthcoming Kibra mini polls Bernard Imran Okoth.

Kamanda said this is in the spirit of Uhuru and Raila’s handshake, suggesting the divisions in the ruling party over the by-election were far from over.

Kamanda on Thursday joined Raila at a meeting to endorse the candidature of Okoth – a day after the Jubilee candidate, McDonald Mariga, was endorsed by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“You will see other MPs come out to support Imran because of the peace we have witnessed as a country. I am here as a person, not representing anybody,” said Kamanda.

He stressed that his support was a show of appreciation for the easing of tensions due to the truce between Uhuru and Raila.

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Politics

Babu Owino Pens an Emotional Letter to Raila Over Uhuru’s Dalliance With Mariga

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has penned down an emotional message to ODM party leader Raila Odinga moments after President Uhuru Kenyatta met Jubilee party’s candidate in Kibra by-elections McDonald Mariga.

President Kenyatta on Wednesday met Mariga and assured him support in the forthcoming mini polls, a move Babu Owino sees as betrayal.

In a message that seems to be addressing Raila, Babu Owino says the AU envoy must be careful with his handshake with president Kenyatta, arguing that there has been no any fruits so far.

The youthful MP goes on urging President Kenyatta to be genuine with the handshake, citing that Raila’s camp must walk out of the marriage if it proves to be void.

He argues that one party in the marriage is incompetent, arguing that the opposition cannot be duped twice.

“Baba must be very careful with this thing called *HANDSHAKE* No fruits so far.We can’t be duped twice.President Uhuru must be genuine with this handshake.Baba we must be very careful and if the *marriage*is void coz one party is incompetent for being in a subsisting marriage or voidable coz it’s not consummated then we must be out very fast.We need not lie to each other and in return their intention is to embarrass you.Jubilee must never and will never win kibra.I’m ready to go back to the bush,” reads Babu Owino’s post on facebook.

Raila’s camp feels President Kenyatta would not have supported any other candidate in the Kibra mini polls or the sake of the handshake.

During former Kibra MP Ken Okoth’s memorial service, Nairobi County Senator Johnson Sakaja had said that he would talk to his bosses in Jubilee not to field a candidate in the by-elections, which is now not the case.

Do you think Raila has been betrayed as being argued by Babu Owino?

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Politics

How ODM’s Kibra Voter Roll Has Forced Raila to Refund Sh2.25M Nomination Fees

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga is reported to have handed each of the nine ODM aspirants who lost in party primaries Sh250,000 they had paid.

According to the Standard, this follows revelations of how some top party officials orchestrated doctoring of the voters’ roll.

The latest development points to an open admission by the party’s top brass that the process – which was generally seen as peaceful – fell short of a free and fair vote.

Two senior party officials on Monday confirmed to the local daily that Raila returned the funds on Wednesday to Dagoretti High School Principal Peter Orero, who emerged second, Ben Musungu, John Otieno, Chris Odhiambo and Tony Ogola. Others who were refunded were Stephen Okello, Brian Owino, Reuben Ojijo and Eric Obayi.

Some of the aspirants who lost in primaries confirmed that they received their nomination fees from the party.

It is reported that Raila made the decision after an hour-long meeting last Tuesday where the claims of deliberate interference with the register was laid bare in his presence and other party honchos.

A good number of the ODM members who turned up to participate in the exercise either found their names missing or had them mixed up, effectively denying them opportunity to cast their vote.

Raila will today(Tuesday) meet the campaign team of ODM candidate Bernard Okoth (Imran) at AIC Olympic Kibra.

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Entertainment

Raila Mourns Legendary Rhumba singer

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has send his heartfelt condolences to the family of legendary rhumba music singer Juma Toto following his sudden death.

In his message of condolences posted via his official twitter handle, Raila described Toto as a most gifted and prolific musician.

He said death has not only robbed the family but also the country, Africa and the music industry.

“The death of legendary rhumba singer Juma Toto has robbed the country, Africa and the music industry of one of its most gifted and prolific musicians. I join Juma’s fans in mourning his sudden death. May God grant peace and strength to his family at this moment of grief,” Raila wrote.

Toto will be fondly remembered by many older music lovers for a popular song ‘FC Gor Mahia’, which he composed in honour of the Kenyan soccer giants in the early 1970s.

Until his death at the age of 70 on Tuesday night at the Kenyatta National Hospital, the soft-spoken Toto, who mentored many into stardom, was the chairman of the Kenya Musicians Union (Kemu), an organisation bringing together both long-serving and up-and-coming artistes.

Toto died of suspected brain haemorrhage after he accidentally fell and injured his head last week

Toto was in the class of a few surviving veteran musicians, who in the 1960s and into 1980s excelled with performances of popular dance beats at various hotels across the country.

His contemporaries include David Amunga, Shem Tube, John Nzenze, Fanuel Amimo and Peter Akhwabi.

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Continued Attack From Ruto Allies Forces Waiguru to Overturn Her Raila Remark

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

After Kirinyaga Governor Anne Mumbi Waiguru recently causing a political stir in Mt Kenya by declaring that central Kenya was ready to embrace former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s 2022 presidential candidature, she seems to have now made an about-turn on her remarks.

This follows an attack from politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto. The governor on Wednesday appeared to beat a hasty retreat, saying she was not opposed to any politician visiting the vote-rich region to woo residents.

She reiterated that Mt Kenya would listen to all suitors, but no decision would be reached on who to support for the presidency without President Uhuru Kenyatta’s blessings.

“As leaders from this region, we will be guided by our Jubilee Party leader Uhuru Kenyatta on the best way forward at the General Election,” she said at the Kerugoya Referral Hospital when she opened a new theatre.

The governor, however, added that the region would lean towards a candidate who takes care of their interests and supports an expanded Executive “to ensure that the political interests of many communities are taken care of”.

Her statement appears to be aimed at Ruto and his allies, who have opposed calls to amend the Constitution to expand the Executive.

Their defiance has been seen as an attack on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) that is backed by Uhuru and Raila.

Waiguru said the region would not blindly give any of the presidential contenders its support, adding that there would have to be negotiations and a mutual agreement prior to the elections on how the region would benefit.

The governor also accused politicians she did not name of working to divide the region for personal gain.

She further called for the formation of a government system that will accommodate a prime minister and two deputy prime ministers.

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Politics

Why State has frozen lavish retirement benefits of Raila

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The State has frozen AU emvoy Raila Odinga’s lavish retirement benefits.

The perks at the centre of the dispute include medical insurance, fuel allowance, fully furnished offices as well as 17 workers – including chefs, security, accountants, secretaries and personal assistants – all hired at taxpayers’ expense.

This is because Raila is already enjoying similar perks in his capacity as African Union’s special envoy for infrastructure development.

However, the move has drawn protests from Mr Odinga’s secretariat.

Treasury officials say that Mr Odinga has been enjoying similar benefits since his appointment to the African Union job, which, according to the Treasury, he secured after being backed by the Kenyan government.

However, Mr Odinga’s secretariat has accused the Treasury of seeking to once again deny him his rightful share of pension, saying that the AU perks are not financed by Kenyan taxpayers.

The dispute is likely to add a new test to the peace deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Odinga, popularly referred to as “the handshake”, of March 2018.

Mr Odinga was appointed to the AU position in October last year and has two offices; one in Nairobi and the other in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The AU provides him with medical cover, staff and cars. Mr Odinga’s secretariat has asked the Treasury to give the former PM’s office the cash equivalent to the benefits, a proposal that the former has declined.

According to the law, the former PM is entitled a monthly pension equivalent to 80 percent of his last salary, a lump sum of equivalent to 12 months of his last pay, security, medical insurance and a diplomatic passport for himself and spouse.

Other perks that Mr Odinga is expected to enjoy are; one personal assistant, one secretary, one accountant, two housekeepers, two senior support staff, two gardeners, armed security and two cleaners.

The others are two saloon cars and a four-wheel drive vehicle, both of which will come with three drivers and a fuel allowance equivalent to 15 percent of the monthly pay of the serving Deputy President. The vehicles are to be replaced after every four years.

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