Kenya Insights

Author: Kenya Insights Team

  • United States AT$T Communications Rolls Out 5+ Network Coverage

    United States AT$T Communications Rolls Out 5+ Network Coverage

    AT&T Inc an American multinational amalgam holding company which has its headquarters at Whitacre Tower in Downtown Dallas, Texas United States has, today turned on its 5G+ in New York City, but it still isn’t making its speedy new network available to regular consumers.

     AT$T is the world’s largest telecommunications company, the largest provider of mobile telephone services, and the largest provider of fixed telephone services in the United States through AT&T Communications.

    AT&T’s new millimeter-wave network, or what they are calling  AT&T 5G+, will be available in parts of New York City, though parts may be a bit of a stretch. In its release, AT&T acknowledged that the service will be in limited areas initially the company’s spokesperson told international media that the new service will be available first in parts near and around East Village, Greenwich Village, and Gramercy Park in the US.

    AT&T has multiple versions of 5G, with 5G+ denoting its super-fast but limited range millimeter-wave flavor. AT$T states that the “sub-6” spectrum  covers wider areas but at slower speeds which it will simply call “5G.” Both of those forms of actual 5G are different than 5GE, the rebranding of AT&T’s improved but existing 4G network that is currently available across the country.

    “As a densely-populated, global business and entertainment hub, New York City stands to benefit greatly from having access to 5G, and we’ve been eager to introduce the service here,” said Amy Kramer, president of AT&T’s New York region.

    “While our initial availability in NYC is a limited introduction at launch, we’re committed to working closely with the City to extend coverage to more neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs,” Kramer added.

    Even though AT$T has rolled out a limited range, New York City becomes the twenty-first city where AT&T has deployed 5G. This has extended the company’s early lead in the 5G race over Verizon which has nine cities, T-Mobile has six and Sprint controls five cities.

    It still remains unclear to AT&T users rather everyone else will start accessing 5G. But reliable sources state that the company plans to deploy a nationwide, United states, 5G network on its wider-ranging “sub-6” spectrum in the “first half of 2020.”

  • Facebook Upgrades WhatsApp’s Multi-platform Feature To Enable The Messaging App Work On Multiple Accounts

    Facebook Upgrades WhatsApp’s Multi-platform Feature To Enable The Messaging App Work On Multiple Accounts

    Facebook has now confirmed that they were working on a new multi-platform feature.  The feature has now been confirmed and WhatsApp users will be able to access the popular messaging app on their multiple devices simultaneously.

    This is according to WhatsApp tipster WABetaInfo, which stated that it’s “no longer a rumor, it’s confirmed”. Confirming that Whats App users will be able to use our WhatsApp account across multiple devices. It includes WhatsApp for Windows (UWP, when available), so you can use WhatsApp on your PC if your phone has no connection. iPhone/Android and iPadOS included.”

    WABetaInfor had also revealed that WhatsApp messenger is working on a new desktop client based on the Universal Windows Platform (UWP). According to Facebook, the new software will allow one to use the messaging service even when their phone’s not connected to the internet. but that’s not immediately clear when the UWP app will be rolled out to users.

    Right now your WhatsApp account is linked to your phone number, and in order to sign into WhatsApp on a device, you need to be logged out on all or any other devices. Many people have been wondering why WhatsApp restricts users from using multiple devices considering that Telegram allows it and still manages to deliver messages securely using end-to-end-encryption on both devices.

    Facebook’s other apps, Instagram and Messenger are both able to run on multiple devices simultaneously something that makes even less sense is when the same Facebook company makes an exception to the rule by allowing users to run WhatsApp Web from a browser while still logged in on their phones.

    WhatsApp’s web version of its popular messaging app was released back in 2015, but in order to use it, one needs to have their phone connected to the Internet. Users also have to authenticate their accounts on computers by scanning a QR code on the web client through the built-in camera functionality within the WhatsApp application on their phone.

    There was no technical reason why it couldn’t be done, this is the era where everyone using multiple devices in their daily workflow. Logically, allowing whats App users to use the App on multiple devices simultaneously is a very big step from Facebook and the update is definitely, without a doubt going to boost app users.

    The upgrade has been introduced at the right time where everyone wants apps and in this case, WhatsApp is able to access WhatsApp on their Phones, Phablets, Tablets, and PCs without having to rely on a browser-based solution. The incorporation of the multi-platform feature on WhatsApp will be the best upgrade from Facebook.

    On top of the multi-platform feature and the UWP app, WhatsApp messenger is separately working on several other features such as WhatsApp Payment which possibly could be one of the biggest features of the Facebook-owned messaging platform. This feature will enable users to perform payment transactions within the app.

    Another feature getting tested as well is the Quick Edit Media Shortcut, which would allow users to edit media files that have been shared on the messaging app. It can be used to edit media files quickly that are shared on both individual and group chats.

    According to reports, WhatsApp is set to launch a voice message preview feature for iOS. How will it work; WhatsApp will send push notifications for voice messages along with a preview tool. This means that iPhone users can open the voice message directly from the notification panel. At present, users on iPhones and Android devices need to open the chat to listen to the voice messages.

    WhatsApp also recently started rolling out the ‘Frequently Forwarded’ feature in a move to curb down fake news on its platform. The new feature marks messages that are sent multiple times as “forwarded many times.”

  • Oluoch: Okoth’s Successor Should Come From His Family Not The Raila’s

    Oluoch: Okoth’s Successor Should Come From His Family Not The Raila’s

    Raila Odinga is once again on the political frying pan after the family of the late former immediate Kibra MP Ken Okoth asks him to endorse one of their own.

    Imran Okoth, the younger brother to the late Okoth wants ODM party and it’s leader, Raila, to endorse one of them as the next Kibra mp.

    Oluoch appealed to Raila just a day after the late Okoth’s body was cremated at Kariokor cemetery in Nairobi on the morning of Saturday.

    Elvis Oluoch, the Nephew to the late Okoth, told local press that the family will be sending plenipotentiary to ODM’s leader Raila Odinga to get plans of endorsing Imran Okoth, the former MP’s personal assistant and younger brother as the Kibra MP.

    Imran Okoth, was the led and organizer of development projects in Kibra constituency for three years that the late Okoth was away for medication.

    “We want to appeal to Raila to see if he can give one of the family members that opportunity to take care of the next three years,” Oluoch said.

    “We have one Imran in mind. He was the personal assistant to Ken and was the one taking care of everything when Ken was sick. So we thought he is the right person to do that because he knew every plan Ken had concerning Kibra.” Imran added.

    Raila, whose own daughter Rosemary Odinga, had ambitions to vie for the now vacant seat, is supposed to make his decision both as ODM’s party leader and as a family friend to the Late Okoth’s family.

    Early 2017, Raila’s daughter Rosemary, withdrew from the Kibra parliamentary race and most of her political ambitions on medical grounds.

    “It is following my doctor’s advice that for the time being, I will continue serving my community in other capacities and regrettably bow out of the race for Member of Parliament,” Rosemary said while addressing the media at her Hospital room in South Africa.

    Rosemary had launched her bid to vie for the Kibra seat in January 2017, but was later taken ill and transferred to South Africa for further specialized treatment of a brain stroke that left her partially visually impaired.

    Rosemary was, preferably Raila’s choice in the fight to get ODM’s ticket.

    Rosemary was set to fight it out with the former immediate late MP Ken Okoth, Mr Eliud Owalo the former Raila’s aide and Martin Okoth.

    Raila has been the Kibra MP for over 20 years and Kibra being his ODM’s zones will have the final say on who, the Party will endorse and wishes to succeeds the late Okoth.

    Will he choose one of his own or he will go as the Okoth’s family wishes? Time will tell.

    Kenya has been having political inheritance in most, even though not all, of events where the leader succumbs to longtime illnesses.

    The latest of them being Kitui West MP Edith Nyenze who was elected to succeed her husband, Francis Nyenze, who succumbed to cancer.

    Political heirs seem like the best decision to give the bereaved Family an appreciation of the well the late has been doing to the society.

    The change of Kibra is inevitable and Herculean political and social steps towards that realization have to, if not, must be cohered to.

    Raila has to make a sagacious decision between his own family, Okoth’s family and most definitely, without doubt  the larger Kibra family.

  • Sudanese Civilian Protestors And Military Leaders Sign Truce And Power Deal

    Sudanese Civilian Protestors And Military Leaders Sign Truce And Power Deal

    Protest movement leader Ahmed Rabie and the Sudan’s deputy head of the ruling Military Council General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo have signed the declaration paving way for a transitional Civil-military government after overthrowing their 3 decade ruler Omar al-Bashir.

    Sudan military rulers and the main opposition coalition initialed a constitutional declaration on Sunday, at a ceremony attended by African Union and Ethiopian mediators.

    Under the agreement, signed at a ceremony in the capital Khartoum, a joint civilian-military ruling body will oversee the formation of a civilian government and parliament to govern for a three-year transition period.

    The declaration was the result of fraught negotiations between the leaders of mass protests, which erupted last December against the three-decade rule of president Omar al-Bashir, and the generals who ousted him in April.

    The parties are expected to put their final signatures on the agreement on Aug. 17 at a ceremony in Khartoum attended by foreign leaders.

    Aug 17th is the same day Omar Bashir will be put on trial on massive corruption and abuse of power charges.

    The next day, the generals and protest leaders are to announce the composition of the new transitional civilian-majority ruling council, Abu al-Maali said.

    The prime minister will be named on August 20 and cabinet members on August 28, he said, adding that the sovereign council and cabinet would meet for the first time on September 1.

    Treaty talks had been repeatedly interrupted by deadly violence against demonstrators who have kept up rallies for civilian rule.

    Talks were suspended for weeks after men in military uniform broke up a long-running protest camp outside army headquarters in Khartoum on June 3, killing at least 127 people.

    The movement has laid most of the blame on the powerful Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, commanded by Daglo.

    Protest leaders stated that their calls for an investigation into protest-related violence still stands.

    According to doctors linked to civilian protesters, the violence has directly affected more than 250 lives since December.

    The same RSF is set to be integrated into Army’s chain of command as per Sunday’s deal.

    Daglo on his speech, he avoided commenting on the unfortunate violence stating that they have turned a tough page of Sudan’s history by signing the agreement.

    Dagalo, popularly known as Hemedti, commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, some of whose members have been accused of involvement in killing demonstrators who have repeatedly turned out in huge numbers to press for political progress.

    The agreement has received positive feedback from Members of the protest umbrella group, the Alliance for Freedom and Change, of which, their members broke into tears as they exchanged hugs.

    Protesters and jubilant Sudanese gathered outside the hall, where the agreement was signed, chanting “blood for blood, our government is civilian” and “revolution, revolution”.

    TRANSITION

    Despite the optimism, some have cautioned that it is still too early to tell how events will unfold in the lengthy transition period required to prepare for elections after three decades of autocratic rule under Bashir.

    “It is not the first time that Sudan signed some sort of agreement to resolve very difficult political questions. I think if there is reason for optimism, the reason is not in the negotiation rooms, the reason is in this popular movement that doesn’t want to go away,” said Magdi el-Gizouli, a Sudanese academic

    Ethiopian mediator Mahmoud Dirir said the agreement will establish civilian and democratic rule that will build a state of law, a state of equality and a state which does not marginalize its citizens.

    Sudan’s neighbors and close allies also welcomed the agreement with amongst others, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates leaders commenting on the same.

    Egypt said it was “a significant step on the right track”, while the Saudi foreign ministry welcomed it as “a quantum leap that will transition Sudan to stability and security”.

    In the United Arab Emirates, minister of state for foreign affairs Anwar Gargash said Sudan’s transition to civilian rule “turns the page” on Bashir and his Islamist allies.

    On Sunday, Ethiopian mediator Mahmoud Drir told reporters the deal would see Sudan removed from the United States’ blacklist as a state sponsor of terrorism.

    The country has been on the State Department’s list since 1993 over its alleged support of Islamist militants, a designation that has damaged the country’s economy and severely impeded foreign investment

  • High Court Ruling Stops All County Assemblies From Debating Aukot’s Punguza Mzigo Bill

    High Court Ruling Stops All County Assemblies From Debating Aukot’s Punguza Mzigo Bill

    A big blow to Thirdway Alliance as the High Court stops all 47 county assemblies from debating and approving a Punguza Mzigo Bill.

    High Court’s Justice James Makau also stopped the Thirdway Alliance from presenting the Punguza mzigi Bill to the Speaker of the National Assembly.

    Justice Makau stated that the orders will remain in force for 14 days to give the named parties named in the petition to file their responses.

    On their response, Thirdway Alliance through Lawyer Elias Mutuma protested the High court’s ruling stating that they were given less than a day to file their response.

    Justice Makau on his response while issuing the ruling, directed Lawyer Mutuma to file his clients response within five days and the case is set to be heard on August 13.

    The petition to the High Court was filed by David Kamau Ngari and International Economic Law Centre.

    They mentioned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, the Speakers of National Assembly and Senate, Thirdway Alliance and 47 Speakers of the county assemblies as respondents

    According to Ngari, the Bill is a flopped idea since there is no set national referendum law and questionable how IEBC has purported to receive, verify and approve the Bill and even forwarded it to the county assemblies for debate and approval.

    Ngari states in his petition that most of the proposals in the Punguza mzigo Bill will ultimately require a national referendum under Article 255(2).

    “The proposed Bill to reduce the constituencies from 290 to 47 obliterates the fundamental political rights under Article 38 and the principles of representation under Article 81(d) of the Constitution,” Ngari said in a sworn statement.

    According to the petitioner, Punguza Mzigo Bill will cause legislative confusion as per Article 95, in their proposal to make Senate the upper House with veto power.

    Ngari’s petition also poked holes in the Bill stating that it was procured through deceit and illegalities since the signatures are not genuine.

    According to Ngari, the uniformity of the signatures raises the question of authenticity and reliability of the signed forms.

    In his petition, Ngari states that it was impossible to verify the signatures because IEBC doesn’t have a repository of specimen signatures to aid in comparison.

    The petition before High court states that the verification process was done mechanically yet the law clearly states that voters must be registered biometrically.

    IEBC lacks quorum as there are only two remaining commissioners and the chairman after four other commissioners resigned stating that the verification and approval of the Bill is, without doubt, unconstitutional, null and void.

    “The IEBC as presently constituted lacks constitutional competence and technical capacity to admit, process and approve the proposed Bill together with the supporting documents and signatures of registered voters as presented,” Ngari stated in the petition.

    Punguza mzigo Bill fronted by Thirdway leader has been receiving mixed reactions since it was approved to be debated in the county assemblies.

    Siaya Senator James Orengo stated that Punguza Mizigo Bill fronted by Third Way Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot, was opportunistic,rigid and more of a mythical creation.

    “Punguza Mizigo Bill cannot be amended and was not subjected to conversation, unlike what Building Bridges Initiative is doing. No one has even seen the Bill itself,” Orengo laughed off Auko’s proposals.

  • Audit Report Pokes Holes On The 118PhDs Awarded Recently At JKUAT.

    Audit Report Pokes Holes On The 118PhDs Awarded Recently At JKUAT.

    CUE’s probe has revealed that JKUAT flouted its own set standard and guidelines rules in issuance of 118 PhDs in the 33rd graduation that was held last month.

    In a report tabled before Education CS George Magoha, CUE highlighted cases of poor monitoring of students’ progress during PhD training.

    According to CUE, 58 students rather 65 percent of the 89 College of Human Resource Development PhD graduates were trained in the eight satellite campuses yet, qualified Academic staff are based at main campus.

    “There was non-adherence to the guidelines with respect to; supervision load and duration of research component of PhD programme,” reads part of CU’s the report.

    “There was no evidence of meetings between supervisors and supervisees as no record of such meetings was availed.” report adds.

    According to CUE sleuths, the JKUAT’s Board of Examiners that sat to consider the oral presentations of the PhD graduates had as few as four members instead of Six as set by the university’s Statutes.

    CUE’s report also states that most of the examination reports submitted were not as, rather, comprehensive enough to improve the quality of the work of the students.

    CUE states that Board of Examiners’ reports for the oral examination also identified fundamental weaknesses in the theses yet they went ahead to give a verdict not consistent with the findings.

    “Most of the students published in journals hosted by AJPO Journals in which a number of academic staff of CoHRED had interest,” reads CUE’s report.

    According to CUE’s investigations, out of the 118 PhD graduates, 112 had been approved by Senate and their names appeared in the Graduation Booklet.

    “Most students published two papers in the same issue of a journal, in some cases, as consecutive papers. Some of the journals that the students published in were non-existent,” adds the report.

    JKUAT Senate has been given three months to meet and review all the PhDs that were awarded during the 33rd Graduation ceremony held on June 21.

    CUE has also ordered JKUAT to present evidence of the students’ publication of two articles in referred journals for each PhD awarded.

    CUE has has threatened to recall all non- conformed PhDs until the set graduation requirement is fulfilled.

    CUE has also ordered JKUAT to also review all PhDs awarded in the past graduations.

    According to records, JKUAT awarded 327 PhD degrees and 2,101 master’s degrees during the 31st, 32nd and 33rd graduation ceremonies held in June 2018, November 2018 and June 2019.

    If CUE remains firm on this, education cartels and academic fraudsters are going to have a rough ride tough times ahead.

  • Number Of People Suffering From Cancer In Kenya Including The Prominent Figures

    Number Of People Suffering From Cancer In Kenya Including The Prominent Figures

    Juja MP Francis Munyua Waititu alias Wakapee who returned home on Friday after successful treatment for brain cancer has said that Nine MPs and four Senators are among thousands of Kenyans being treated for cancer in Indian hospitals.

    Waititu stated that the identity of the MPs cannot be revealed but said that most of the affected MPs are booked at Apollo Hospital outlets in New Delhi and other cities in India.

    In his 2months stay in India, Waititu stated that he interacted with senior Kenyan government officials and well-known businessmen being treated for cancer in India.

    On why public figures are not talking about their health issues, Waititu had this to say,

    “So many people are suffering in silence from cancer. Nobody wants to talk about it because of the stigma behind it. In India, I met hundreds of cancer patients from Kenya alone. Among them were nine of my fellow MPs and four Senators. The cancer scourge is enormous and we can no longer afford to bury our heads in the sand. We must get out and talk about it,”

    According Ministry of health, about 10,000 Kenyans travel abroad every year in search of advanced treatment at an estimated expenditure valued at 10 billion in the same period.

    While talking to media, the legislature highlighted the plight of Kenyans who were taken to India for treatment and that of their caregivers who are sleeping in the streets after running out of money.

    “Those people you have been helping in fundraising to go for further treatment in India cannot find anywhere to lay down their heads . . . they are sleeping in trenches because they cannot afford renting the expensive houses in India,” said Waititu.

    Personally, it hurts rather pains me to see a lawmaker see Kenyans suffer in foreign countries because of something the very legislature can bring to the floor of the house and discuss for his and other Kenyans benefit.

    I mean, according to Wakapekee, he spent 1.8 million for 2months on rent alone. Let’s not even talk about the estimates he might have used for his medication.

    Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Monday disclosed that more than 60 Kenyan MPs are currently battling cancer.

    “Cancer is a serious disease. The reports we have now indicate that there are over 60 MPs with cancer… As leaders, we need to strategize on the way forward and how we will deal with the disease,” said Governor Sonko.

    Sonko made the disclosure while addressing journalists at Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi following the death of Bomet Governor Dr Joyce Laboso on Monday.

    In last week alone, Kenya has lost two leaders to cancer in less than a week. Kibra MP Ken Okoth died last Friday and Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso died on Monday.

    The business mogul Chris Kirubi is also battling acute cancer of the colon. Kirubi returned to the country in March after travelling to the United States in November 2017 for specialized treatment.

    The late Migori Senator Ben Oluoch also succumbed to throat cancer.

    The late Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua, who perished in an accident was also under medication cancer of the pancreas.

    Prof Wangari Maathai, the first African Woman to win Nobel Peace Price, also succumbed to cancer quietly at night on Sunday, September 25, 2011at the Nairobi Hospital Cancer Centre.

    Former minister and MP for Kiambaa Njenga Karume also died of prostate cancer on Friday, February 24, 2012.

    Former TV presenter Janet Kanini also succumbed to lung cancer in March 2017.

    Former Kitui West MP Francis Nyenze who passed away in December 2017, was battling colon cancer for over a decade.

    Harvard professor Calestous Juma also succumbed in December 2017 to cancer after a two-year battle with cancer

    In April, Former immediate Baringo South MP Grace Kipchoim, also passed away to acute colon cancer.

    Former Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization chairperson Jane Kiano succumbed to lung cancer at age 74 in October last year.

    The retired President Daniel Arap Moi son Jonathan Toroitich also succumbed to pancreatic cancer on April 20 this year.

    On the first day of July, Kenyans started the week with the shocking news that Collymore had passed on at his home in Kitusuru.

    Bob Collymore, the Guyanese-born national who was the Face of Safaricom succumbed to Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML).

    Yesterday, West FM journalist Dennis Omondi, who is admitted in India with leukemia, appealed for help, saying treatment was stopped a week ago after he run out of money.

    According to KNBS, About 40,000 Kenyans get diagnosed with cancer annually, and the killer diseases takes about 15,000 people every year.

    In 2015, ministry of Health conducted a survey that revealed that 40 per cent of Kenyans who travelled overseas for treatment had renal (kidney) diseases.

    At least 21.2 per cent had cancer, 11.8 per cent had a spinal disease, 5.6 per cent had joint and bone diseases, 1.9 per cent had connective tissue disorders, while 1.6 per cent had peripheral vascular disorders.

    Mary Wangai, from the Standards and Quality Assurance department at the ministry of Health stated that currently, the government approves and documents patients seeking treatment outside the country.

    Kenyan Network of Cancer Organisations chairman Dr David Makumi stated that, 75 per cent of cancer patients seeking treatment in India can be treated in Kenya for less money.

    “The remaining 25 per cent would be patients needing specialised surgery or bone-marrow transplants,” Dr Makumi said.

    According to Dr.Makumi, Indian exodus for many poor Kenyans is unnecessary but is planned and executed by doctors seeking kickbacks from India and the medical travel agencies in Nairobi.

    A recent World Bank feasibility study shows that the establishment of a functioning cancer screening and treatment centre in Kenya would cost between 1.5billion to Sh2 billion.

    Cancer is killing and has whether directly or indirectly, affected so many Kenyans, it’s about time its screening be made free and the ministry of health make sure cancer machines are functioning and effective.

  • Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso Is Dead

    Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso Is Dead

    Joyce Laboso, the immediate former Bomet Governor has died.

    Laboso succumbed at the Nairobi Hospital aged 58 years, family sources have confirmed.

    The late Governor Laboso was under medication two weeks after arriving from India where she had been hospitalised.

    Nairobi Hospital had announced earlier today that the late Governor had been put under bed rest under the close attention of doctors.

    Laboso’s ailment remains undisclosed. Dr Barchok had stated that the nation to respect her privacy.

    On May 29, Governor Laboso left the country for Britain where she was admitted at the Royal Madden NHS Hospital for nearly a month.

    The late governor was then transferred to India for further specialized treatment earlier this month.

    While in Britain, NASA leader Raila Odinga, Ambassador Manoah Espisu, Chief Justice David Maraga and Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwonyvisited her.

    Former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto also paid her a visit.

    More info to follow…

  • Instagram Meme Users Purged Losing More Than 500 Million Followers

    Instagram Meme Users Purged Losing More Than 500 Million Followers

    Instagram influencers have woken up to another purge that has seen their accounts shut down and deactivated.

    According to Facebook spokesperson, the accounts were disabled following multiple violations of platform policies among them attempted abuse of internal processes.

    One affected Istagram influencer Declan Mortimer 17, claimed that his account generated up to 20million a year through adverts to his former more than 11 million followers.

    Declan said his account deactivated because of Facebook’s massive meme page purge.

    On the Night of Friday 26th, Instagram executed yet another purge terminating more than 30 accounts influential accounts with similar meme-like content citing policy violations.

    For those who don’t know, a meme is an amusing rather interesting item, such as a captioned picture or video that is spread virally online through social media.

    Meme page owners have stated that the termination of their Instagram accounts is heartbreaking and a financial blow to them.

    According to Caige, the One 18-year-old whose account “@autist” was deactivated on Thursday said he had already made more than 3million this year alone.

    Another affected user stated the action as endgame for influencers. Heavily followed Instagram meme users faced the biggest loss within a few seconds. This includes @Finest.Investions who had more than 13 million followers.

    https://twitter.com/spicymp4/status/1154918331348115456?s=19

    A hashtag #memepurge has been trending with users cskking Facebook, instagram owner, to look into the matter.

    According to sources talking to media, meme pages are being deactivated because they were reaching out to users who also violate Instagram policy by selling verification services, retrieving disabled user names and reinstating banned accounts through a private program that is only supposed to be available for members of the media.

    Facebook confirmed that Instagram shuts down accounts that violate the company’s terms of use.

    According to facebook, Violations results in termination if ones accounts include;
    1. Trying to buy, sell or transfer any aspect of an account (including the username) or use login credentials of other users.

    2. Sharing sensitive personal information, names, bank account details, addresses.

    3. Transferring funds or sending money through Instagram or Facebook accounts.

  • Sad Story: My Parents Never Told Me I Was Born With HIV And This Ruined My Life

    Sad Story: My Parents Never Told Me I Was Born With HIV And This Ruined My Life

    Hello KenyaWest,

    I like what Kenyainsights.com is doing and with the same spirit, I’ll like to share my story with your audience.

    I’m writing to you not because I want sympathy neither do I intent to get or seek refuge nor help.

    I kindly request you to keep my name and personal details anonymous due to a position I am in at the moment…

    I was born in Mathare area 4 and grew up in the slums without going to schools.

    I can count the days we used to eat in the house as far as I can remember we were starving almost everyday.

    I thank God for what He has done for me because I can at least feed my self.

    Fast forward to why I’m writing to you, my parents were killed in 2007 violence leaving my 7 years old me alone.

    I have lived hating politicians any anyone who thinks politics is a good thing.

    I have lived questioning pictures of my parents why the left me because of someone who had never given us food.

    When my parents died, our landlady who was barren, as it was being said, requested to take me as her kid.

    I’ve been living with her since then, she’s the reason why I can write and speak kisungu kidogo ata kama sio msuri.

    Early last year, an NGO wanted to take me with them which meant I had to take a HIV test.

    Troubles I have faced in life has taught me a lot so I had protected my self from irrelevant behaviors.

    Going to the VCT, I knew I had never indulged in a sexual activity so I was supper confident and sure of my status.

    Counseling was good and I wasn’t even bothered to think carefully when they asked “Utafanya nini ukipata uko nayo?”

    We did the tests and guess what, I was HIV positive. I’ve never had sex! That’s what was only coming out of my mouth.

    The results broke my heart more thinking that my parents left me to be sick alone and just like that I couldn’t join what I had been intending to.

    I was taken to Post Test Counseling and further test were done to prove my virginity and second HIV Tests.

    Health workers talked to my godmother and she took them to a room my parents remaining things were and they found HIV drugs and clinic documents.

    My parents infected me with HIV and left me because of a stupid politician..

    I have lived hating them too since I learned that they knew I was sick and didn’t bother to tell me or even take care of my medication.

    I burnt all of their belongings and swore never to forgive them till I talked to the health worker who was given my case.

    It took me a whole year to bring back my scattered brains and I’m writing to you my story because the health worker told me that my parents were protecting me from the stigma I could have faced.

    She told me “hakuna mtu angekubali mtoto ako na UKIMWI acheze na watoto wake, ata vile wazazi walimadwa, huyu mama hangekuchukua, shukuru mungu na wazazi wako, walikusaidia ata kama hakukupeleka hosi vile inafaa”

    Its not easy but I’ve learned to accept my condition and as a process to heal, I have started sharing my life story.

    I know there are a lot of kids especially from ghettos who are living with HIV and don’t even know they have.

  • Why A Professor Has Filed A Petition To Make Luo A National Language

    Why A Professor Has Filed A Petition To Make Luo A National Language

    Professor Sammy Gwada Ogot, or as he’s popularly known, weed activist, has filed a petition in the National Assembly to have Luo language classified as an official language in Kenya.

    Prof. Gwada Ogot is remembered for his push for the legalisation of the medical production and use of bhang.

    According to Gwada,Chapter two of the Constitution should be amended and the Luo language given official status that, according to him, believes it does.

    Prof. Gwada stated that his petition is a way of promoting the development and use of indigenous languages in line with constitutional provisions.

    Last week, In a petition submitted to the Clerk of National Assembly, Gwada argued that the Dholuo, Luo Language, has a capacity to not only generate but also record, translate, instruct and transmit knowledge scientifically.

    Ogot stated that Luo language is the foundation of universal knowledge hence should be recognised and given the status it deserves.

    “That this petition identifies Luo as the first language for scientific and liturgical instructions of the world and as the root of all others, including Kiswahili and English, both which enjoy national and official status in the Constitution,” Gwada’s petition says.

    According to Gwada, Article 7 of the Constitution has identified Kiswahili as the national language while listing the same Kiswahili and English as the official languages.

    Ogot wants the Parliament to amend the article so that Luo is included alongside Kiswahili and English, which he states that it is part of the government policy to promote and protect the diversity of language of the people of Kenya.

    Gwada states that his petition is a step towards realising the national ideal of self-sufficiency in language and aligns to the policy guidelines formulated by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) as well as tenets of the new competency based education system.

    Mr Ogot states in his petition that Luo and Luhya are the two greats lights of language upon which knowledge is constructed.

    “Luo is the language of light in which the Holy Bible was written and is therefore the key to deciphering meanings of identities, expressions and contexts of all other faiths universally since all primarily constructed on Luo morphemes,” Gwada stated in a petition.

    According to Gwada’s petition, Luo baptismal language of the world is exclusive scholastic basis for universal study of the history and origin of proper names, especially personal names and Philosophy.

    In his petition, Ogot provides a range which includes all ostronyms, astronyms, hydronyms, oronyms, eponyms, toponyms and anthroponyms in the universe since all agglutinate from Luo morphemes and phrases.

    “The facts I have presented recognise language as the singular vanguard, voice and van for protecting, promoting and conveying culture and knowledge and in the shared pursuit of developing, promoting, protecting local languages, I pray that Article 7 of the constitution be amended to include Luo as official language.”

  • Ken Okoth Knew His Time Was Up And Like Bob Collymore He Was Prepared His Doctor Reveals

    Ken Okoth Knew His Time Was Up And Like Bob Collymore He Was Prepared His Doctor Reveals

    Cancer warrior and without doubt the most hardworking immediate former Kibra MP Ken Okoth knew he had less than a day to live.

    According to his personal Doctor Ahmed Kalebi, the late Hon Okoth made it clear to his family, close friends and doctors that he should not be placed on life support in the event that his condition worsens.

    But according to close friends talking to the media, the doctors were forced to put him on life support after multiple organ failure on Thursday night.

    And on Friday afternoon, the doctors were forced, as per wishes of the late Okoth, to switch off the support machine.

    Just a day before Hon Okoth succumbed to cancer, PSC under Justin Muturi met at City Hall and discussed Hon Okoth’s health condition and the piling medical bill.

    Ken Okoth succumbed to colorectal cancer at 4pm at the Nairobi Hospital where he had been rushed after his condition worsened.

    Ken Okoth was admitted to the Nairobi Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit at around 5pm on Thursday.

    Imran Okoth, the late Okoth’s brother broke the sad news stating that Ken’s condition worsened at 8pm on Thursday forcing doctors to place him on the life support machine against his wishes.

    “We want to inform the nation, the people of Kibra, that the leader they trust, a servant leader, Honourable Ken Okoth, is no more. He passed on a while ago,” Mr Imran said.

    “Ken had just recently returned to the country from Paris, France, where he had spent months battling the disease,” Mr Imran added.

    Hon Ken Okoth at Kibra Music Fest that were held at Moi Girls School, Nairobi.

    Ken Has joined the league of young vibrant and influential leaders who were prepared rather ready to face the end of humanity.

    According to Mr. Koinange’s revelations, the late Collymore had also been informed by his doctors that he, just as Ken Okoth, did not have a long time to live.

    “…he had been told by his doctors not to make any long-term plans; in fact he was told if he makes it past July he’ll be lucky. So he knew. I have never seen anyone prepared for death like I did this man,” said Jeff Koinange.

    Just like the Late Safaricom’s CEO, Ken Okoth was ready rather prepared to meet his creator.

    “Even though we both knew that the time had drawn nigh & cherished every new day as bonus time having accepted & prepared for the eventuality, I can’t help but feel severe pain of the tragic loss forcing tears in my eyes ? Fare-thee-well #KenOkoth?? We remain connected forever” Dr Kalebi tweeted.

    The late Ken Okoths’s body has been transferred to Lee Funeral Home Pending preparation for his final send of.

  • Nepotism: Kalenjins Dominates The Kenya’s Beijing Embassy

    Nepotism: Kalenjins Dominates The Kenya’s Beijing Embassy

    Hello Kenya West,

    I have been following your timely, and accurate posts in the https://t.co/4d7VefGqTM for two years. I want to expose this public service appointment to Kenya’s foreign missions. The Embassy of Beijing had the Following as the counselors and ambassador for the time i visited Beijing in 2016.
    1. Ambassador- Michael Kinyanjui (Kikuyu)
    2. Deputy Ambassador- John Odipo (Luo)
    3. Education counselor- Reuben Kipturgo (Kalenjin)
    4. Defense Attachee – Kalenjin
    5. Commerce- Omuse (
    6. Imigration- Edward Mbuthia (Kikuyu)
    7. Akinyi (luo)- Finance
    etc. The office was properly or slightly well constituted.

    Currently, when the term of former ambassador and his deputy elapsed we had Sarah Serem (Kalenjin) as ambassador, MR Waweru (deputy Ambassador), and the following: This is as per the trip I had recently to Beijing in June…
    1. Sarah Serem (Kalenjin) as ambassador,
    2. MR Waweru (Kikuyu) (deputy Ambassador),
    3. Education counselor- Reuben Kipturgo (Kalenjin)
    4. Defense Attachee – Kalenjin
    5. Commerce- Limo (Kalenjin)
    6.
    7. kalenjin
    Mainly it has staff from the two tribes Kalenjin and Kikuyu…. But as currently constituted, the number of Kalenjins are the majority. You can confirm with ministry of foreign affairs or public service commission. Do they want Kalenjin language to be spoken at the embassy? Why can’t we have a mixed creed of people from the diverse tribes in Kenya to be seconded to work in the embassy? This office stinks….. as we are for Building Bridges Initiative, we cant build bridges of tribalism and favoritism. Please spread this information, and let us have equal representation in embassies too. Last time I Checked, in the US, Kenyan embassy was also full of Kikuyus I do not know if that has changed.

    Disclamer: Opinion Only reflects the views of the writer and  doesn’t reflect that of Kenya Insights.

  • It’s The End Of The Road For Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu

    It’s The End Of The Road For Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu

    Things are escalating from bad to worse for Kiambu Governor
    Ferdinand Waititu, who, if everything goes as it is now, might be forced out of office.

    Waititu, who’s whereabouts is currently unknown, has vanished together with his family after DPP Haji ordered for their immediate arrest and arraigned in court on several corruption and fraud charges.

    Haji’s orders followed Thursday’s ruling by Justice Mumbi Ngugi who ruled that Governors charged with corruption should stay away from office and their roles and duties be discharged by their deputies until their innocence is proven.

    The war on corruption seem to have been taken seriously and the Judiciary, which had been complaining of case interference from Executive and other arms of government, given chance to prove their prowess and independence to clean the country’s biggest mess.

    DPP Haji on Friday stated that Waititu and other corrupt county officials will face charges of irregular award of tenders worth Sh588 million and embezzlement of public funds.

    Amongst those of DPP’s radar with their arrest warrant out already include Governor Waititu’s wife Susan Wangari Ndung’u, director Bienvenue Delta Hotel, Lucas Wahinya the Chief Officer roads of Kiambu County and evaluation committee members Zakary Mbugua, Joyce Musyoka, Simon Kang’ethe, Anselm Wanjiku and Samuel Mugo.

    The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has been investigating allegations of irregular procurement of a tender for the upgrading of various gravel roads to bituminous surface in the county,

    According to EACC investigations, Waititu and his accomplices awarded M/s Testimony Enterprises Ltd irregular tenders worth Sh588 million 2017/2018 financial year.

    EACC alleges that the directors of M/s Testimony Enterprises, who have already pocketed 147.3million, are close associates of the Governor Waititu and his family.

    “I find that the award of the contract for Ksh.588,198,328.20 in respect to tender No.CGK/RTPW&U/142/2017-2018- for the upgrading of various gravel roads to Bitumen surface in Thika, Limuru, Gatundu North, Juja and Ruiru sub-counties was skewed in favour of M/s Testimony Enterprises Ltd, and the county government officials were culpable,” reads part of DPP’s statement.

    “The directors of M/s Testimony Enterprises Ltd were close associates of Ferdinand Ndung’u Waititu Babayao, the Governor of Kiambu County. The total amount of Ksh.147,274,055.39 have so far been irregularly paid to Testimony Enterprises Ltd in relation to the subject tender,” DPP adds.

    DPP Haji stated that he has independently reviewed the evidence in the inquiry file and the report and he’s satisfied that there is ‘more than sufficient evidence’ to sustain charges against Waititu and the other named suspects.

    DPP and EACC are set to charge Waititu, his family and co-accused with conflict of interest, abuse of office, wilful failure to comply with the law on procurement, engaging in fraudulent practices, fraudulent acquisition of property, and money laundering.

    DPP’s arrest orders comes at a time when Mr Waititu had filed an application at the high court seeking to bar his arrest and possible prosecution.

    Waititu is also on EACC’s radar over alleged questionable expenditure for, among other things, the controversial Kaa Sober programme that was valued at 2million daily contrary to the Public Finance Management Act.

    Waititu, just as any other corrupt leader, apparently majority of them are allied to Tangatanga movement, tenure is inevitably hitting the dead end.

    The Judiciary wants to prove a point and unluckily, Tangatanga folks are on the frying pan after allegedly frying wananchi.

    Chief Justice Maraga has also added his weight and Waititu just as his tangatanga corrupt folks are, without doubt, going to feel his wrath.

    Early July, Chief Justice Maraga suspended Kiambu Principal Magistrate Bryan Khaemba, who had given Governor Ferdinand Waititu an anticipatory bail while on his sick leave.

    According to a suspension letter from Chief Justice David Maraga, Khaemba won’t be paid or report at his place of work because his orders breached Rules 3 and 12 of the Judicial Service Code of Conduct and Ethics.

    Chief Justice David Maraga stated In the letter dated June 13 that Khaemba’s actions amount to gross misconduct contrary to the Human Resource Policies and Procedures Manual.

    “He sneaked to the court and made the ruling on Waititu’s matter MISC. CR APP. No 222 of 2019 yet it had not been allocated or listed to him.” CJ Maraga stated.

    “In view of the above, you (Khaemba) are hereby required to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for the offence,” reads part of CJ Maraga’s letter.

    I don’t know how Tangatanga members chose themselves but the entire team from their leader DP Ruto, to the lowest ranks such as personal guards, drivers and even social media influencers are directly or indirectly involved in a fraud, corrupt, civil and legal charges or battle.

    Just the day, Another Tangatanga allied member- former CS Henry Rotich was forced out of the President Uhuru’s administration because of a multi-billion dams fraud.

    Early this year, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, an ardent supporter of the DP, alleged that the Government was planning to use the Police and KRA to frustrate those allied to Team Tangatanga. I wonder why and what is he doing that’s against the law?

    Kandara MP Alice Wahome told media that the State has revived her 2012 civil suit and the DCI ‘given’ a go ahead to prosecute her in a matter she stated it has nothing to do with nor under jurisdiction of theDCI.

    I don’t know why team Tangatanga believes that all leaders supporting the DP are being targeted by the State, funny enough, in which they are part and parcel of.

    According to them the system has changed tack and is targeting the Dr Ruto’s supporters in what they foolishly believe it’s plans to depict Ruto as a failed and corrupt politician. Well isn’t he?

    And just on more thing, supporting William Ruto’s political ambition is not, according to the laws governing our country, illegal and does not necessarily mean you’re corrupt.

    So for those saying they’re being attacked rather targeted by State entities should tell us what else are they doing apart from just ‘supporting’ the Hustler who lives in and almost owns the entire Nairobi.

    As for Babayao, how he gets out of this murk is only a matter of watch and see and if DPP’s recent assertions is anything to go by, he’s stuck and fixed. Who’s the Deputy Governor for Kiambu? That’s the man now to watch.

  • NYS Finance Officer Masinga Ayienga Enjoys Stolen Wealth As Jimmy Kiamba Is Asked By Court To Pay Everything Back

    NYS Finance Officer Masinga Ayienga Enjoys Stolen Wealth As Jimmy Kiamba Is Asked By Court To Pay Everything Back

    While Jimmy Kiamba, the former Nairobi Finance minister was ordered to pay the government 317million, NYS suspect Bernard Masinga Ayienga is enjoying his alleged loot thanks to ‘anticipatory bail’ that has granted him freedom.

    Bernard Masinga, a former senior Finance Officer at the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs had initially approached the High Court seeking an anticipatory bail to evade his possible arrest and prosecution.

    Justice Ngenye Macharia of the Criminal Division at Milimani law Courts declined to block the arrest of Ayienga over his links to the Sh9 billion NYS scandal stating that his application lacked merit.

    Ayienga belongs to a job group where people earn between 81,940 to 109,800 tops but he lives like a superstar.

    It’s totally impossible to explain how he affords the super expensive trips and palatial homes in Nairobi’s suburbs.

    Ayienga blew his cover when he posted pics of his flamboyant lifestyle on Social media.

    If you take a look at his Facebook account, you will understand that Ayienga is no ordinary man as he may seem to be.

    For instance, Ayienga spends his holidays in London, Malaysia Canada, South Africa and DC, well just to name but a few.

    If you value Ayienga’s lavish houses and Homes you’ll get a figure that man in his salary bracket would probably take a century to acquire.

    Ayienga is also a man of questionable character if you can remember his reaction to the DCI’s investigations.

    In his anticipatory bail application, a frightened Masinga told the court that the DCI had called him to record a statement at their headquarter in Kiambu and that later on 27th April, 2018 he was detained for three hours at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, JKIA while traveling to Uganda.

    Further, that on his way back into the country on 29th April, 2018 he was again detained and was only released after his wife executed a personal bond of Kshs. 1,000,000/-.

    According to Ayienga, he was never informed of the reasons for his detention. That upon his release his passport and identification documents were confiscated and he had to collect them the following day at the Immigration Headquarters where they were released without reasons for his detention being disclosed to him.

    While Masinga attempted to pin his detention to the DCI, his allegations were dismissed due to inconsistencies with court convinced that it was only linked to normal immigration procedures.

    In pushing further to bar his arrest, Masiga told the court that he deposes that bail is warranted because of his poor health.

    Masinga told the court that he suffers from a heart condition for which he underwent a surgery and which negatively affected his blood pressure. That he was on blood pressure and blood thinning drugs on a permanent basis.

    He stated that if he was detained in custody, his health would be compromised. It was all dismissed.

    Masinga is the man who controlled the finances when almost Sh10B of public money was stolen.

    Masinga’s lifestyle betrayed him and his reflex actions in stopping arrests clear symptoms of guilt.

    The Asset Recovery Agency was also granted orders to freeze Masinga’s two accounts at CFC Stanbic Bank holding huge amounts of suspicious money.

    Masinga’s case is one of the most prominent that have been given a mercy death.

    Well, at least everyone can agree with me that, it still doesn’t make any sense how he never got arrested and prosecuted.

    With that out and aside, the decision to have Jimmy Kiamba, pay the government 317million was reached after the Anti- Corruption Court ruled that Kiamba is in possession of unexplained assets.

    “I therefore declare that the total sum of the, money indicated to be unexplained assets,” ruled Justice Hedwig Ogundi.

    According to Justice Hedwig Ogundi, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Court (EACC) had already established a case against Kiamba.

    In the Judgment, Justice Hedwig stated that Kiamba must pay the government 35 million and another 282,648,604 million or risk losing his Home in Runda Water Estate.

    Through their lawyers, EACC stated the a probe into Kiamba’s account detected an active fraud at play.

    James Kariuki, an investigative officer, stated, in Court,  that Kiamba used his driver and security guard to make questionable deposits into his personal bank account.

    EACC had also requested the court to grant Assets and Recovery Agencies a go ahead to forfeit kiamba’s assets worth 872 million, of which, they stated that they remain unexplained.

    According to the Agency, the value of Kiamba’s assets are disproportionate to what’s known to be his sources of income.

    Kiamba defended himself stating that he is running other businesses parallel from employment.

    He stated that he’s in Hotel business, transport, rental income as well as water business, at the same time his wife was running interior design, Farming and beauty parlor.

    According to documents presented in Court, Kiamba’s revenue collection entailed; Cattle revenue 21,971,810, Wheat revenue 17,094,610, Maize revenue 12,478,430, Landed Properties 35,000,000 and Kwamga Mboya Advocates 300,000 totaling to 317,648,604.

    After thorough analysis, the High Court ruled that EACC had determined a probability that the cash deposits which Kiamba tried to explain through the revenue collection above were cooked and entailed unexplained assets that should be forfeited to the State.

  • Oscar Sudi: Uhuru And Ruto’s Friendship Is Fake

    Oscar Sudi: Uhuru And Ruto’s Friendship Is Fake

    Oscar Sudi, the Kapsiret MP and self proclaimed Ruto’s spokesperson has now claimed that Uhuru and Ruto’s political friendship is a bluff.

    According to the vocal DP ally, currently President Kenyatta is unable, rather unfit, to lead the country.

    “Apparently, the relationship between the President and his deputy is like of a man and a woman who are married, but sleeping in different houses an indication that the union is over. Kenyans should not be cheated to believe they are still in good terms,” Sudi said.

    Sudi said Ruto’s claims that President Uhuru and him enjoy a cordial bond are fake and a blatant lie to any sobber being.

    “It is obvious there is no bromance still existing in the Presidency as it was before. All this has been fueled by succession politics and the fight pitting dynasties and hustlers. President Kenyatta should hand over power to someone else,” Sudi said.

    According to Sudi, DP Ruto knows that he no longer has the Jubilee’s administration respect nor President’s ear.

    “If you see Senators and Governors on the streets demonstrating over an issue that would have otherwise be solved then there is a big problem,” Sudi said.

    On Sudi’s opinion, things are not good anymore and the centre cannot hold anymore.

    According to Sudi, Uhuru’s close relationship with DP Ruto has ended, rather vanished, and the duo are now engaging in a fake political union.

    Well, on my opinion, Sudi might be right. Everyone can clearly see that Jubilee is no longer a united front like they initially were in the last two Presidential campaigns.

    According to Sudi, Ruto should accept what has befell him and urged him to stop pretending over his relationship with the President because no one can believe it anymore.

    Sudi alleged that President Uhuru has now started turning against his own friends and supporters in Jubilee and is using state entities to sacrifice them in the name of fighting corruption.

    Sudi said, In a press conference held at his home in Eldoret, that he would make a better interim President that’s if Uhuru would step down for him.

    Sudi’s full Press:

    “Within three months, I can do better. I will get a deputy like Moses Kuria and we will perform better.” Sudi said.

    Oscar Sudi alleged that Uhuru is now engaging in sideshows in the name of ‘war on graft’ to bluff the country because his Big Four agenda have failed.

    According to Sudi, President Uhuru’s family wealth is not only unrealistic but also ill-gotten to an extent that the head of state has to offer “innocent sacrificial lambs” to the Nation for him to prove that he’s in charge.

    According to Sudi, President Uhuru is corrupt and, is instead, terming others as corrupt.

    Sudi stated that Kikuyus and Kalenjins were paying a heavy price for backing Uhuru and Ruto’s political journey.

    According to Sudi, the Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal is a political gimmick by Uhuru and state entities.

    “They wanted the two projects to collapse and I can now assure our people that Arror and Kimwarer are dead projects.” Sudi said.

    “I have asked the President to forgive Kalenjins if we offended him but now I have to speak the truth.” Sudi added.

    Sudi urged the President, if he won’t step aside for him, to bring his house together and solve their own problems with Ruto privately without involving the entire nation.

  • Senator Orengo: Ruto Has Nothing To Lose If Uhuru’s Agenda Flops

    Senator Orengo: Ruto Has Nothing To Lose If Uhuru’s Agenda Flops

    Siaya County Senator James Orengo has alleged that Uhuru’s Cabinet Secretaries are fighting each other.

    On an interview, Senate minority leader offered a free advise to President Uhuru Kenyatta to make changes before things go south on him and his agenda.

    According to Orengo, Uhuru has a divided Cabinet that includes a Deputy President working at cross-purposes with his boss.

    According to the Senator, DP Ruto’s early 2022 campaigns are a plot that has been planned by Ruto to derail Uhuru’s development agenda and the fight against corruption because the DP has nothing to lose.

    “In writing history, they will talk about Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure. Ruto will not feature,” Orengo told a local media.

    According to James Orengo, Uhuru’s administration has been fractured by in-house conflicts between individuals in Power and The State.

    “The Government has become dysfunctional. It is at cross-purposes,” Orengo said.

    “The DP has made his ambitions of 2022 presidency clear, which is making it hard for him to serve the President,” Orengo added.

    According to Senator Orengo, DP Ruto has not only been lying to the President but also to the Public at large.

    “Ruto should not be speaking from the sidelines because he is in Government. If I were Ruto, I would do the honourable thing by resigning.”

    Orengo said Ruto should follow the footsteps gave of former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who resigned after developing interest for the Presidency.

    On his defense, DP Ruto and his allies are on record saying that Ruto is roaming in the country to monitor Government projects.

    “Cabinet is dysfunctional. They are throwing stones at each other. The current one cannot work together to achieve Government’s agenda,” Senator Orengo alleged.

    “To bring sense in the management of Government, the President should dismiss and reconstitute the Cabinet,” said Orengo.

    State House spokesperson Kanze Dena however dismissed Orengo’s claims terming them as mere speculations.

    According to Senator Orengo, corruption has flooded various, if not all, sectors in the current Jubilee administration.

    It has become hard for Uhuru since most of those unwilling to support the fight against corruption are trading blames and counter-accusations at both the government and State entities.

    “I agree with what was once said by the Auditor General that corruption is actually budgeted from the Treasury. The Treasury is the nerve centre of every activity in any nation,” Senator Orengo said.

    “Asset recovery could be more effective tool because you can get immediate results. Prosecution may take a long time,” Orengo suggested.

    According to the senior counsel Orengo, the under-funding of the Judiciary is limiting its operations and contributing to dysfunctional state of Government.

    Senator Orengo also highlighted that the Judiciary was struggling with a backlog of cases because they are still using old methods of handling cases.

    “Courts need a better environment, better recording tools like Parliament, where we have the Hansard. Technology is not up to par to deal with issues,” Orengo said.

    “A witness can speak for long hours, days or even weeks, and recording accurately is not easy,” Orengo stated on an interview.

    According to Senator Orengo, the ongoing graft cases can be moved much faster if modern technology is in place.

    Senator Orengo also commented on Punguza Mizigo Bill fronted by Third Way Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot, saying it was opportunistic,rigid and more of a mythical creation.

    “Punguza Mizigo Bill cannot be amended and was not subjected to conversation, unlike what Building Bridges Initiative is doing. No one has even seen the Bill itself,” Orengo laughed off Auko’s proposals.

    Punguza Mizigo Bill has now started being received in the county assemblies after IEBC verified their signatures.

    According to the Constitution of Kenya, the County Assemblies have three months to pass or reject the Bill.

  • Ndii: Keep The Treasury CS Job I Can’t Work With Uhuru

    Ndii: Keep The Treasury CS Job I Can’t Work With Uhuru

    Senior Economist David Ndii has rubbished off chances of him working for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration as Finance Cabinet Secretary.

    Ndii’s declaration comes a day after the arrest of Treasury CS Henry Rotich.

    Rotich, if he won’t resign, could probably be fired by Uhuru after DPP Noordin Haji linked him directly to the alleged loss of more that 19Billion meant for the construction of Kimwarer and Arror dams in Elgeyo-Marakwet County.

    Earlier In April, President Uhuru said that he will only sack those prosecuted in accordance with the law.

    “I must, however, caution that the pursuit of the corrupt will be undertaken strictly within the remits of the law, and not through vigilante justice and pitchfork protest. Though media narratives rally our resolve as they should, our actions will not be based on condemnation before one has been heard. The cornerstone of our democracy is the rule of law, and the principle of due process is a critical anchor.” President Kenyatta said.

    “It is not enough to merely jail and fine those who have looted our public coffers. The wealth they stole from Kenyans must be returned to its owners, the People of Kenya with the clear message being that Corruption does not pay,” President Uhuru added.

    CS Rotich was today arraigned in court alongside PS Kamau Thugge, in what is believed to be a move that could lead Cabinet reshuffle.

    With that out, David Ndii, one of loyal supporters and strategist of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has once again turned down requests and suggestions to take over the leadership of the Treasury.

    According to Ndii, Uhuru’s regime and reign is and will always remain illegitimate.

    Ndii posted this on his verified Twitter account.

    “Public Notice: I’m not available to work for Uhuru Kenyatta’s corrupt illegitimate govt. Those thinking corruption/ economy can be fixed in Treasury are gravely mistaken. National crisis will persist until a financial implosion or Jubilee is out of power whichever comes first,”

    David Ndii was responding to a tweet that had proposed him for the Treasury job.

    Ndii is one of, if not, the best economist in the country and also has international recognition in the same field of profession.

  • Babu Owino: Ruto Should Resign And Must Be Arrested

    Babu Owino: Ruto Should Resign And Must Be Arrested

    Vocal Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has called on Deputy President William Ruto to resign with immediate effect.

    Babu tweeted yesterday on his official twitter account saying that Ruto should not only resign but also face arrest.

    Babu Owino has been very vocal on matters of national interest also believes DP Ruto has a hand in the Dams scandal and wants him probed.

    Babu was commenting on news that Treasury CS Rotich had been arrested alongside Kamau Thugge (Treasury Principal Secretary) and Jackson Kinyanjui the Treasury Director of resource mobilization among others.

    On Ruto’s defense, his allies have linked the arrests as stage-managed by anti-Ruto agents in the government.

    “My conclusion from what I have seen is that we are not fighting corruption. What is happening is that we are lying to Kenyans and trying to create a narrative that is meant to show that there is an ongoing war on corruption,” Murkomen said .

    National Treasury CS Henry Rotich was arrested and was presented in Court today,Tuesday.

    Rotich pleaded not guilty to corruption charges over the award of two dam tenders in an unprecedented move against a sitting cabinet minister.

    Henry Rotich, Kamau Thugge the Treasury PS, Susan Jemtai Koech the East African Community PS and David Kipchumba Kimosop ,Former Managing Director KVDA are accused of conspiring to defraud the public among other charges.

    According to DPP Hajji, Rotich borrowed 63Billion for the two dams which were budgeted to cost 46billion.

    According to the charge sheet, the accused persons conspired to defraud the Government of Kenya between December 17, 2014 and September 27, 2018.

    Rotich and others have also been charged with wilful failure to comply with applicable procedures and guidelines relating to procurement as well as engaging in a project without prior planning.

    Other charges include abuse of office, committing an offence of financial misconduct, fraudulent acquisition of public property and wilful neglect to perform official duty.

    Lawyers representing the Rotich and other suspects include Katwa Kigen, Kioko Kilukumi, Ginaro Kibe, Kipchumba Murkomen among others.

  • Rotich: My Seniors Stopped Picking Up My Calls

    Rotich: My Seniors Stopped Picking Up My Calls

    Treasury Cabinet secretary Henry Rotich has been left to fry alone after DPP Hajji and DCI director Kinoti turned their  ‘guns’ on him.

    According to sources speaking to media, Rotich had foreseen his arrest, prosecution and sacking from the Cabinet almost three months ago.

    Sources close to Rotich told media that people close to him, Rotich, who are senior officials in government had stopped picking his calls.

    Rotich is reported to have confided in his friends and close business allies that he felt the government had thrown him under the bus and his Seniors left him to fry alone.

    According to sources speaking to local media said that Rotich must have been aware that something bad was coming up because he told us that his seniors had stopped responding to his text messages after the saga of the dams broke out.

    Rotich told his friends that he felt frustrated and betrayed according to a source.

    “We could tell that he was a disturbed man when he told us that in the past his messages were promptly responded to. It was like he was telling us that he had been left on his own,” Said a source speaking to Media.

    Rotich goose started cooking early this year when he was summoned to the DCI headquarters for questioning over the dams scandal.

    CS Rotich was first questioned by Police on 18th February this year. He was later to make four more visits to the DCI as investigations progressed.

    Rotich became a close friend with President Uhuru Kenyatta after working together at Treasury when President Uhuru was Finance minister under Retired President Mwai Kibaki’s reign.

    When Treasury CS was sucked into the dams scandal, their close ties with Head of State vaporised and since then, President Uhuru vowed that all top government officials implicated in corruption will carry their own cross.

    Rotich was arrested yesterday almost immediately after the DCI director George Kinoti and Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji jetted in from their two-week visit in Italy.

    Kinoti and Hajji left for Italy on July 9 to meet government officials and the Italian government-owned insurer, Service Assicurnativi Dei Commercio Estero (SACE), which was paid Sh11.1 billion as insurance premium for a loan to build the two dams.

    “The investigations established that government officials flouted all procurement rules and abused their oath of office to ensure the scheme went through,” DPP Haji said in a press briefing.

    According to DPP Hajji, government officials went ahead to award the contracts to CMC Di Ravenna of Italy to run concurrently while aware that the firm was, at the time of award, straining and getting into voluntary liquidation back in Italy.

    The DCI director Kinoti had also asked CS Rotich about the missing National Environment Management Authority reports and lack of public participation in the Dam projects.

    According to records, a leading supermarket was paid Sh4 million for supplying pillows and bedsheets while a food and wine company based in Nairobi’s Lavington was paid Sh15 million for supplying food and wines to CMC.

    Car hire services costed Sh7 million while Sh18 million was used for aerial survey services and another company supplied alleged foodstuff worth Sh10.2 million.

    Another company was paid 6million to supply generators while another one was paid Sh19 million for physical studies.

    The records further indicate that another company was paid 13 million for provision of air tickets and yet another got 6 million for generators.