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Blow To Uhuru, Raila As Ex-NASA Co-Principal Makes Comeback To Ruto’s Camp

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President William Ruto is yet again set to make another huge political score in his bid to consolidate his Rift Valley backyard ahead of his 2022 Presidential run.

Former Bomet governor Isaac Ruto, who was a NASA co-principle in the run to 2017 general elections will today (Friday, January 15)make a comeback to DP Ruto’s camp, handing his former ally-turned-foe a boost.

The DP is set to receive Rutto during an event to be held in Bomet in what is seen as part of his elaborate strategy to ring-fence his Rift Valley bastion ahead of next year’s election.

He will be in Bomet to commission several projects, hand over a bus to the National Super League side Silibwet FC and later preside over a fundraiser for boda boda Saccos in Sotik, among other events.

The former governor will meet the DP face to face for the first time since 2018, ushering in a new partnership to consolidate the region.

The DP, who has fallen out with President Uhuru Kenyatta, is keen to diminish pockets of rebellion in his backyard as he prepares for a presidential run next year.

On Sunday, Rutto said he is ready to support the DP for the country’s top post “if we agree on principle”.

“I am not in an alliance with anybody. After all, nobody has asked me to back him or her for presidency. If William seeks my support, we shall discuss, and if he supports the tenets CCM stands for – like devolving resources – then I will back him. There’s nothing personal,” he told the Sunday Nation.

The DP has been facing a threat that could have chipped away a section of his main support base after Rutto last year led his Chama Cha Mashinani party in signing a cooperation agreement with Jubilee Party.

When he signed the agreement, there was talk of major Cabinet changes that would have seen Rutto’s entry into Uhuru’s government in what would be a strategy to tame the DP in the Rift Valley.

His change of heart to join the DP camp could puncture the Building Bridges Initiative campaigns in the Rift Valley given that the CCM party leader was a key point man of the process in the region.

Kanu chairman Gideon Moi, the son of the country’s second President who also hails from the Rift Valley, is working closely with Uhuru after the Independence party signed a coalition agreement with Jubilee.

Rutto and Gideon had been seen as a political force that would have complicated the DP’s efforts to put the region under lock and key ahead of next year’s polls.

Rutto’s move to join the DP’s camp is seen as part of his plan to recapture the Bomet governor’s seat, which he lost to the late Joyce Laboso who was backed by Ruto in 2017.

Rutto and the DP have had frosty relations since 2013 and in the lead-up to the 2017 polls. They last met face to face in 2018 at a public function at Siongiroi in Chepalungu, Bomet county. 

They have not been seeing eye to eye, a situation that could complicate Rutto’s gubernatorial ambitions after staying in the political cold for five years.

The former governor is set for another political duel in his bid to oust incumbent Hillary Barchok. A week ago, Rutto was greeted with unfriendly chants at Kuresoi in Nakuru where he had made a stopover.

Angry youths demanded he join the wheelbarrow movement spearheaded by Ruto if he wanted to salvage his political future.

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Ruto Unveils Muthama Ngengele As His Candidate For Machakos By-election

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just a day after Jubilee party announced that it was not going to field candidates in the upcoming by-elections, Deputy President William Ruto has unveiled his preferred candidate in the upcoming Machakos Senator by-election.

The DP met Urbanus Muthama Ngengele, who will be seeking to take over from the late Senator Boniface Kabaka.

Ruto unveiled Ngengele on Thursday at his Karen residence, accompanied by a number of leaders including the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) chairman Johnson Muthama

The DP said that he is grateful to witness the partnership forged by the Machakos Senate by-election hopefuls in favour of Ngengele.

Ruto described Ngengele as a hustler from the county.

“Grateful to witness the partnership forged by the Machakos Senate by-election hopefuls in favour of Urbanus Mutunga Muthama Ngengele, a hustler from the county. Our gratitude to them for their audacity and leadership to cede their aspirations and back Ngengele for the race,” reads Ruto’s tweet.

The Independent and Electoral Commission announced that the Machakos senatorial by-election will be held on March 18.

Earlier on, the commission had set the by-election for March 23, but the date has been revised due to the national examinations.

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Uhuru-Allied Governors In Closed-Door Meeting With Ruto

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

With only 18 months left to the 2022 general elections, Deputy President William Ruto has been positioning himself as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s successor.

The second in command has been working on strategies that will see him ascend to power come 2022.

As part of the strategy, the DP has been reaping big from leaders who have been decamping from President Kenyatta’s camp to his.

Details have now emerged that a group of governors who have been leaning towards President Kenyatta’s Kieleweke wing of Jubilee Party visited the recently launched Hustler Centre in Lavington, Nairobi. 

An insider intimated to a local daily that the county bosses held a closed-door meeting with the DP and his top strategists for more than an hour. 

According to the source, the meeting was a closely guarded affair. 

He insinuated that it is just a matter of time before they formally announce their defection to the hustler nation. 

However, the source did not list the names of the County Chiefs who met DP Ruto at Hustler Centre. The Centre acts as main offices for the newly launched United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party which is linked to the DP.

Leaders allied to President Kenyatta have been recently defecting to DP Ruto’s camp.

Nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura joined Ruto’s camp and tore into the President and his family at the homecoming of Msambweni MP Feisal Bader. The DP attended the meeting.

Besieged Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata on Wednesday skipped a top Jubilee meeting, triggering talk of his looming defection to DP Ruto’s camp.

Kang’ata, who had been invited to attend the meeting at Jubilee House in Pangani, Nairobi, did not show up.

The meeting was attended by Jubilee secretary general Raphael, 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 also 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 he reportedly rejected a push by the party honchos and President Uhuru  Kenyatta’s allies to withdraw the 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.

“Let us emphasise on the soft power and art of persuasion. In my humble view, the provincial administration in BBI process should be invisible,” he said.

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.

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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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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Raphael Tuju Speaks On His Relationship With Ruto’s Wheelbarrow Party

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Jubilee party Secretary General Raphael Tuju has broken his silence on the recently launched United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a party linked to Deputy President William Ruto.

Speaking during a press conference at the Jubilee headquarters, Tuju explained that UDA had only changed names from Party of Development and Reforms (PDR), a party that he founded in 2012.

“If you are confused, I am more confused because PDR was POA,” the Jubilee Secretary General stated.

Tuju asked the Senate Deputy Majority Leader Fatuma Dullo, who was elected on the PDR ticket, to set the record straight.

“Members of parliament who were elected on a PDR ticket have seen change of name the way you have seen in media.

“There have not been any consultations in terms of where sitting members are concerned, but more importantly PDR was a coalition partner with jubilee and that is why I was given a leadership position in senate,” Dullo stated, adding that PDR had not been deregistered

“As far as I am concerned, I am still within my coalition partner which is jubilee,” she stated.

Deputy President William Ruto’s affiliation with PDR dates back to 2017 when the party was hosted at DP’s previous private office in Nairobi CBD.

President Uhuru Kenyatta had acknowledged the party during the 2017 campaigns.

At the same time, Jubilee party indicated that no disciplinary action would be taken against Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kang’ata over BBI leaked letter.

The senator had expressed fears that he might be demoted.

Dullo stated that the party met with Kang’ata and a way forward would be communicated later.

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Raila Tears Into DP Ruto Shortly After Receiving BBI Signatures

by Jacinta Mbithi
written by Jacinta Mbithi

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has torn into critics of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

Taking to his official twitter account on Friday December 4, shortly after receiving the BBI signatures from 13 regions across the country, the former Prime Minister slammed those claiming to be speaking for the people.

Deputy President Dr William Ruto and his allies have been opposing the constitutional changes, with the DP claiming to be speaking for millions of Kenyans.

However, Raila said that those claiming to be speaking for the people should leave them to speak for themselves.

Raila noted that the people have already spoken by appending their signatures in support of the BBI, which is aimed at amending the 2010 constitution, through a referendum that has been proposed to happen in 2021.

He further revealed that over 5 million Kenyans had appended their signatures in support of BBI.

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He said that the journey towards referendum now continues, with the collected signatures expected to be presented to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for verification.

“I appeal to the naysayers out there who claim to be speaking for the people to realize that the people have spoken and let the people continue speaking for themselves. Over 5 million Kenyans have thus far appended their signatures endorsing the BBI process. The journey continues!”Raila tweeted.

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There Will be Contested Referendum Unless Tangatanga Surrenders to BBI, Says Raila’s Right-hand Man

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

ODM leader Raila Odinga’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango has dismissed Deputy President William Ruto’s call for a non contested referendum.

Taking to his official Twitter handle on Thursday night, Onyango claimed that the idea that there can be a non Contested referendum exists only in the minds of “cowardly and sly conmen and women”, whom he claimed that are only found in tanga tanga political faction.

According to Dennis Onyango, Tanga tanga only want to have their cake and eat it.

Onyango argued that there will be a Contested referendum unless the political faction allied to DP Ruto surrenders and supports the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) the way it is.

“The idea that there can be a non contested referendum exists only in the minds of cowardly and sly conmen and women in Tangatanga who want to have their cake and eat it. There will be a contested referendum unless Tangatanga surrenders and supports BBI as is, ” tweeted Onyango.

DP Ruto through his official social media handles had said that a non Contested referendum in the country is possible.

The second in command was responding to a headline that had been written by The Standard newspaper, which said “Uhuru, Raila take BBI numbers war to Ruto”.

Ruto in his response said that he loved Kenya enough, never to be part of any wars.

The DP said that there is a real possibility of a win-win consensus ahead of the looming referendum.

According to DP Ruto, an us versus them, and a Yes or No contest is unnecessary since it will lead to a lose-lose outcome.

He urged the leaders pushing for BBI to accept a non-contested referendum.

“I LOVE this country enough NEVER to be part of any ‘war.’Not when there is a real possibility for a WIN-WIN CONSENSUS beckoning. An ‘US vs THEM, ‘YES/NO’ contest that will lead to LOSE-LOSE outcome is UNNECESSARY & UNWARRANTED.A NON-CONTESTED referendum is possible. INAWEZEKANA,” DP Ruto tweeted on Wednesday November 18.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his handshake partner Raila Odinga were to launch the official collection of signatures on Thursday November 19, but the exercise was halted.

The collection of signatures which was to take one week was postponed after President Kenyatta and his Deputy Ruto held a 3-hour meeting at State House.

According to reports, the two agreed to allow some time for dialogue, to correct the gaps that are in the initial BBI report.

Raila had earlier on argued that there is no room to make any changes on the document, claiming that the only changes to be made will be editorial.

With President Kenyatta seemingly having bowed to dialogue pressure from DP Ruto, do you think Ruto’s demands will be accepted on the document, to allow a non Contested referendum?

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LIVE VIDEO: Ruto Storms Nyamira a Week After Police Blocked His Meeting

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President William Ruto on Thursday October 15, 2020 stormed Nyamira County in the company of Nairobi governor Mike Sonko.

This comes just a week after police blocked the event from taking place.

The DP arrived at Sironga Stadium for an empowerment programme for Nyamira South Bodaboda Sacco at around 10am.

On Wednesday, the DP met East African Court of Justice Judge Charles Nyachae at his Karen office, Nairobi.

The two discussed matters of national interest as well as regional integration, linkages, and how Kenya can make optimum gains from the five-member trade bloc through improved market efficiency.

As Ruto continues to sell his ‘Hustler Nation’ brand in Kisii, Nyachae is expected to join the caravan.

The police granted Ruto permission to go ahead with his public meetings in Nyamira county on Thursday after his hosts applied for permission.

Ruto will hold a funds drive for Nyamira South Sub County Boda Boda Sacco at Sironga playground and later, a funds drive at Miriri in Kitutu Masaba constituency for Seventh Day Adventist Churches in Nyamasebe district.

The two functions were disrupted last Thursday by heavily armed policemen who said the hosts failed to obtain permission from the local police, which they disputed.

Follow the live event below:

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Murathe Breaks Silence on Uhuru-Ruto Handshake Claims

by Jacinta Mbithi
written by Jacinta Mbithi

Jubilee Vice Chairperson David Murathe, on Thursday, October 14, ruled out any truce between President Uhuru kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.

This comes just a day after reports emerged that allies of the two were engaging in secrete talks to strike a handshake.

Murathe however, stated that the talks should be regarded as propaganda.

“The president is busy serving the nation and those claiming that there is a planned truce are talking to themselves,” Murathe stated.

He was backed up by Nominated MP Maina Kamanda, who stated that the DP and his allies were allegedly advocating for truce talks in a bid to slow down the president’s support for ODM leader Raila Odinga.

“We are telling them that we cannot be distracted. With the way Ruto is disrespecting the president, who wants to associate with him?” Kamanda posed.

Odinga’s allies led by Suba South MP John Mbadi also waded in on the matter saying that the conversation between the two leaders would have to be honest.

“The person leading the reconciliation talks should either tell Uhuru to abandon his peace and unity agenda of the country and help Ruto’s selfish 2022 presidential campaign, or tell Ruto to stop early campaigns and help in service delivery,” Mbadi stated.

On the other hand, Ruto allies stated that they were not interested in a truce, rather, they wanted the president to restore the DP’s duties as well as ask his juniors to treat him with respect.

Jubilee deputy secretary general Caleb Kositany opined that President Uhuru already had a handshake with ODM leader Raila Odinga and Kenyans would not benefit from another handshake. Kositany suggested that all political effort should be put into improving the livelihoods of Kenyans and not more handshakes.

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Uhuru, Ruto in Secrete Night Meetings to Strike a Handshake

by Brian Miano
written by Brian Miano

Strategy meetings are currently being held to reconcile President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, details have emerged.

According to a report by the Standard, there are attempts by bishops and senior politicians to reconcile the two leaders.

The report detailed that the bishops have been meeting representatives of the two national leaders in an effort to strike another handshake similar to that of President Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Two Catholic clerics are leading the quiet push.

A bishop who was reluctant to be quoted said there was progress but they were yet to firm up the process.

“We started the process of reaching out to the leaders. The talks are fruitful but not concluded. We pray for unity and reconciliation,” the bishop said.

He said political tension is not good for the country. The team hopes to rope in more leaders.

Activities have intensified with night meetings led by a Cabinet Secretary from the Rift Valley and the religious leaders, seeking ways of reconciling the two by the end of the week.

A meeting was held by the leaders on Sunday night and the following morning, the DP left the city for Sugoi to meet Nyanza clergy.

On Monday afternoon, he flew back to Nairobi and met the bishops then went to a private meeting. It is not clear what they agreed upon.

The relationship between the head of state and his deputy has been growing sour as time goes by.

In April and May, Kenyatta removed Ruto allies from key positions.

The removal of National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, Majority Whip Ben Washiali, Senate’s Murkomen, Susan Kihika, Kithure Kindiki diminished Ruto’s political clout in Jubilee.

In May, Kenyatta sanctioned the change of guard at the Jubilee Party National Management Committee, kicking out Ruto allies. The changes are seen to have trimmed DP’s influence in the party.

Ruto’s close allies have however, poured cold water on the possibility of a handshake between Kenyatta and the DP.

“What talks are you talking about? I am not aware. Why would the president and his deputy reconcile? When did they differ in the first place,” Soy MP Caleb Kositany posed.

Ruto’s communication director Emanuel Tallam said the claims were absurd.

“I am not aware of any differences between the president and his deputy. Someone must be overworking,” Tallam said.

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Martha Karua Slams Uhuru on Live TV For Allegedly Throwing Ruto in The Cold

by Brian Miano
written by Brian Miano

NARC Kenya party leader Martha Karua has this morning tore into President Uhuru Kenyatta over his relationship with his Deputy William Ruto.

Karua told Uhuru to renew a proper working relationship with his deputy or for the Jubilee government to resign and go home to allow Kenyans elect new office-holders.

Karua, speaking on Citizen TV’s Day Break show said according to Law, the Presidency consists of the President and Deputy President hence both should relinquish their offices if they are unable to work together.

She thereby rubbished calls from a section of political leaders for DP Ruto to resign from government saying his (Ruto’s) and President Kenyatta’s roles are intertwined and one cannot leave office while the other stays on.

Karua slammed President Kenyatta for allegedly abandoning his deputy and throwing him out in the cold saying their mandates require them to work together for the good of the country even if they do not see eye-to-eye.

“The occupier of the Office of President must be conscious, at all times, that his mandate is together with his deputy, and if he feels that they can no longer work together, the government can resign and we will elect another president with his deputy,” said Karua.

The NARC Kenya party boss further questioned the Head of State on the example he is setting for other leaders, especially governors, on how to treat their deputies in cases of disagreements.

She posed, “My question to our president, with the greatest respect, is what precedent are you setting of how a president should treat a deputy? What examples are you giving to the governors on how to treat their deputies? We already had instances where some governors were using their power to oppress their deputies, are you now putting your stamp on such a practice?”

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Ruto to Tour Msambweni After Summoning 3 Rival Candidates to Karen

by Brian Miano
written by Brian Miano

Deputy President William Ruto has summoned three of the Msambweni parliamentary by-election aspirants to his Karen home in Nairobi for a strategy meeting.

According to a report by The Standard, the second in command has summoned the three rival candidates for him to get one strong candidate that will face ODM’s Omar Boga.

Sources within the DP’s team said yesterday the three aspirants, Feisal Bader, Bashir Kilalo and Peter Nzuki are set to travel to Nairobi for the consultation.

The meeting comes days after police stopped a meeting at Diani Reef Hotel on Friday that was intended to reach a consensus on who among the three aspirants the DP should support against Raila’s candidate.

“The three aspirants and a handful of their supporters are set to travel to Nairobi for a consensus forum so that the best one can face ODM,” said the source that was quoted by the local daily.

Diani OCS Zachary Nyawara blocked former senators Johnstone Muthama, Hassan Omar and Boni Khalwale from entering the hotel on Friday, claiming the conveners did not properly serve a notice for the meeting.

Candidates are expected to present their nomination papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission on October 15.

The candidates are seeking to replace MP Suleiman Dori who died on March 9.

The DP  is set to tour Msambweni Constituency, Kwale County on Friday October 16, 2020, ahead of the scheduled mini polls in the region.

According to reports, the second in command was invited by local Imams for a fundraiser.

The DP has been invited for a fundraiser at Bomani village to build an office for Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya in Kwale.

The invite letter dated September 28, this year was signed by Sheikh Abdallah Mfunga, Kwale County chairman for the Council.

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, his deputy Fatuma Achani, Lunga Lunga MP Khatib Mwashetani, Kassim Tandaza (Matuga) and Benjamin Tayari (Kinango) are also invited for the fundraiser, in the letter.

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IG Mutyambai Explains Why Police Have Been Disrupting Ruto’s Meetings While Sparing Others

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai has finally addressed the issue of selective application of enforcing the law on public gatherings.

Mutyambai was on Monday October 12, 2020 forced to speak following an uproar from Deputy President William Ruto’s allies.

DP Ruto’s allies have been unable to hold any public gathering since the government through Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua on Thursday last week directed that all public meetings and processions around the country should be held in compliance with the Public Order Act.

Kinyua said the conveners should be present throughout the meeting or procession and shall assist the police in maintain law and order, and should inform the police three days prior to their meeting.

However, some other politicians have been holding meetings, with latest being ODM leader Raila Odinga’s meetings over the weekend, where he successfully hosted a delegation from Mt Kenya region at his Bondo home on Saturday, and held a church fundraiser within the same area on Sunday.

DP Ruto allies were on the other hand teargassed in Mumias, and a church fundraiser which was to be attended by DP Ruto cancelled over claims that their meeting were against the set restrictions.

However, IG Mutyambai explained that the National Police Service authorizes public gatherings after ascertaining that there is no risk of violence or attack on the particular group.

Through his #EngageTheIG hashtag on Twitter, Mutyambai noted that authorization is declined for safety of the public and the properties around the said area should police establish any possible risk.

He further noted that the groups that there are groups that have not attracted any form of violence while others have attracted violence, hence varied authorizations.

“I have taken note of complaints about selective application of enforcing the law on public gatherings. National Police Service authorizes public gatherings after ascertaining that there is no risk of violence or attack on the particular group. Should we establish any possible risk, then authorization is declined for safety of the public & the properties around the said area. There are groups that have not attracted any form of violence while others have attracted violence, hence varied authorizations,” he explained.

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Orengo Reminds Ruto of Controversial Law he Passed That is Now Haunting Him

by Jacinta Mbithi
written by Jacinta Mbithi

Siaya senator James Orengo has reminded Deputy President William Ruto of a controversial law he passed, which is now working against him.

The senate Minority Leader said Ruto and his allies supported the law that has come back to haunt them.

Orengo revealed that it was DP Ruto and his allies who passed the law that allows police to use teargas against people.

“If he sees teargas he should know that that was the law he passed,” Orengo said.

The Nasa Coalition strongly opposed the laws and even moved to court to have it struck out.

Only sections of the bill were declared unconstitutional.

Ruto’s supporters were teargassed in Kisii on Thursday and his rally dispersed by security officers.

Orengo was speaking in Kisii during the burial of the father of former TV Journalist Denis Onsarigo.

He also asked the second in command to table any differences he has with Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi before President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Orengo, a key ally of ODM leader Raila Odinga, said Ruto should table any such differences before the cabinet.

Orengo said he was aware that Ruto came under fire during a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

There have been claims that the meeting was stormy as the cabinet discussed resolutions on tough security measures to contain growing political animosity in the country.

“I want to tell Ruto that if you have any problems with Matiangi, table it in the cabinet. During the cabinet meeting, [on Thursday] people started asking questions and Ruto could not answer,” Orengo said.

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PHOTOS: Police Block Ruto Allies From Holding a Campaign Meeting in Msambweni

by Jacinta Mbithi
written by Jacinta Mbithi

Police on Friday October 9, 2020 disrupted a meeting that had been organized by Deputy President William Ruto’s allies in Msambweni.

The meeting that aimed at rallying supporters behind Msambweni by-election Independent Candidate Feisal Bader, was to be attended by former Senators; Johnson Muthama, Hassan Omar, Boni Khalwale, and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwa.

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Khalwale had earlier on tweeted saying that they were heading to Msambweni to hit the ground running for DP Ruto’s preferred candidate.

Reports alleged that a contingent of police officers barricaded roads leading to the venue of their pallned meeting.

The DP Ruto allies were set to discuss ways they would use to beat Raila Odinga’s ODM candidate, Omar Boga.

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“Police mounted roadblocks and blocked Faisal Abdalla Bader former Senators; Johnson Muthama, Hassan Omar, Boni Khalwale, and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwa from meeting at the venue,” Soy MP and Jubilee Deputy Secretary-General Caleb Kositany tweeted.

Khalwale, Omar, Muthama and Ichungwah are set to lead campaigns for Feisal as Mombasa governor Hassan Ali Joho leads the  campaigns for ODM Boga who won the party’s nomination as Odinga’s team sets out to reclaim the seat in the December 15 by-elections.

Jubilee Party declined to field a candidate owing to the handshake between Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta, forcing DP Ruto to declare his support for Feisal.

The seat was declared vacant after MP Suleiman Dori succumbed to cancer in March 2020.

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Politics

DP Ruto Sends Strong Message to Police After His Nyamira Meeting Was Halted

by Jacinta Mbithi
written by Jacinta Mbithi

Deputy President William Ruto has aired out his concern after police on Thursday October 8, 2020 disrupted his planned tour of Nyamira County.

The second in command was scheduled to tour the ODM leader Raila Odinga’s backyard for two different fund drives to support boda boda saccos and the church in the region.

However, police lobbed tear gas at crowds that had started forming in Nyamira County ahead of the DP’s vist.

Earlier, tension was rife at Kebirigo Primary School in West Mugirango Constituency, Nyamira County, this morning with anti-riot police at the venue where DP Ruto was to hold the fund drive for boda boda riders.

Reports indicate that Nyamira County Commissioner Amos Mariba had cancelled the DP’s planned meetings that were to be held at Kebirigo and Miriri Secondary in Kitutu Masaba.

The DP in response has condemned the move, saying that it was unnecessary for the police to disperse Kenyans who had engaged in an economic empowerment.

The DP however noted that the meetings had been postponed to Thursday next week, had consultations with area MPs that were to host him.

“After consultations with MPs Kemosi, Mose,Nyamoko, the bodaboda sacco and church leadership who had invited us, we have postponed the two functions in Nyamira County to Thursday next week. The disruptive dispersal by police of kenyans engaged in economic empowerment is unnecessary,” DP Ruto tweeted.

West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi, North Mugirango legislator Joash Nyamoko and his Kitutu Masaba counterpart Shadrack Mose had earlier own said that the meeting was well planned and they had not received any communication halting it.

Kitutu Masaba MP criticized the move saying the fund drive would have helped the youth in the county.

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