The city is currently in chaos as millionaires goes into panic with ongoing demolitions spearheaded by Nema that has seen illegal structures in Kileleshwa including Java and Shell petrol stations and other apartments brought down. In the same breath, Southend Mall located along Lang’ata Road which was sitting on a river bed was brought down in a demolition style that has left many shaken.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has vowed to go with this to the end even if it will cost him his stay in office and remain a one term governor. “Better be a one term Governor and leave a legacy than entertaining grabbing of public land/utilities.” Said Sonko.
The Governor has gone further to give a stern warning to those with properties on marked places saying the demolition won’t spare anyone, “Remove all your valuables from the under mentioned public utilities with immediate effect.”
The following are the public utilities that the Governor has vowed to recover:
Proposed land for Gigiri & Ruaraka firestations; Highridge hospital in parklands; New muthaiga thigiri ridge county dispensary & Nursery school; Grabbed Pumwani hospital expansion structures; Eastleigh county Market; Mwariro county market; Langata primary school land; St. Catherine primary school land; Buruburu girls school land; Martin Luther primary school land; Kamkunji Secondary school land; Langata sec. school land; grabbed land reserved for South C market; Grabbed land reserved for Nyayo estate police post.
Taj Apartments marked for demolition.
All county public roads/ accesses including Sonko’s Buru Buru plot & Maina Kamanda’s, all grabbed land in all the estates within Nairobi reserved for playgrounds, all grabbed public social halls; all encroachments on public land including houses constructed on sewer line & Nairobi water pipeline.
The Governor, has threatened that any COUNTY/NEMA official who conspired with the land grabbers to approve building plans on public utilities will also be prosecuted alongside the said suspected grabbers.
Meanwhile, thousands of buildings, owned by powerful individuals are being targeted in the demolition exercise that kicked off on Monday and is expected to last for about two months.
In a report by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), dated June 26, the Government has earmarked buildings, structures and even facilities sitting on riparian land which will soon be flattened.
The establishments at Village market, The waste water treatment plant of Greenhills Hotel and the Tribe Hotel are also targeted for demolitions. According to NEMA, the owners had been given a three-month notice, which expired on Sunday after the launch of the regeneration plan to restore Nairobi city.
GemSuites in Riverside.
According to the report by NEMA, the Westgate car park has encroached the riparian reserve and needs to be removed. Earlier, the agency lost appeal for the car park to be removed.
The Ukay Mall in Westlands has not be spared either, NEMA says the car park and the commercial building will also be demolished.
The National Assembly Environment committee has asked the management of Nakumatt Ukay in Westlands, the Tribe Hotel in Village Market, GemSuites in Riverside Drive and Taj apartments in Kileleshwa to appear before it today.
SENATE public accounts committee wants CS Matiang’i and Education PS Belio Kipsang held responsible for Ruaraka land scandal. Among the key recommendations made are:
DCI, DPP and EACC to recover from Whispering Palms Ltd., Afrison Export Import Ltd. and Huelands Ltd. and their directors the amount of Ksh. 1,500,000,000.00 that was fraudulently paid by the NLC.
NLC to compel the person having possession of title to Land Parcel L.R. No. 7879/4 to surrender it to the Registrar of Government Land. The Ministry of Lands and NLC to secure the interest of Government on all the public utility plots on L.R. No. 7879/4 that were surrendered by Drive-In Estate Developers Ltd. as per the conditions set out for approval of subdivision plan of 1983 within six (6) months.
The DCI and DPP to investigate and prosecute the directors of Whispering Palms Estate Ltd., Afrison Export Import Ltd. and Huelands Ltd. for making fraudulent claim on ownership of the land the schools occupy knowing very well that it had surrendered the land for public utility and thereby causing the tax payer a loss of Ksh. 1,500,000,000.00.
Causing payment to Whispering Palms Estate Ltd. to be paid without a duly executed deed of indemnity.
The then CS, Dr. Fred Matiang’i and the Principal Secretary, State Department of Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang should be held responsible for causing loss of Ksh. 1,500,000,000.00 for ignoring the recommendations of a report of Quality Assurance and Standards Assessment which established that the land on which Ruaraka High School was built on was public land, but went ahead with the acquisition of the land for the schools.
The DCI, DPP and EACC should investigate and prosecute the Chairperson and Commissioners of NLC for causing loss of public funds amounting to Ksh. 1,500,000,000.00 being part payment for acquiring 13.7701 acres for Drive-In Primary School and Ruaraka High School, contrary to the principles of public finance under Article 201 (d).
Twitter has for the last two weeks been chopping off followers in a massive cleanup that has seen big accounts lose tremendously on their followers counts. According to Twitter, the clean up exercise aims at creating healthy conversations by getting rid of suspicious accounts.
While this exercise ordinarily targeted bot accounts, several known users have not survived the chopping board with Twitter having targeted most of influential accounts that went against their policies. In this line, a good number of popular accounts have either been suspended or expelled.
This is however the tip of the iceberg. Twitter on Monday suspended the account of Nyakundi who’s arguably one of the most influential Twitter personalities and it opened a window of digital chaos. With almost 650,000 followers, Twitter decided to suspend the account over a post that he made exposing a radio executive who was in a threesome escapade with his two slaves.
Kenyans on Twitter immediately went into protest terming the suspension as censorship, for over 12 hours and over 12,000 tweets, majority of tweets that were on the trending hashtag #BringBackNyakundi condemned Twitter for censorship and called for immediate reinstatement of the blogger’s account. This was something Twitter had never seen, having an organic campaign over a suspension.
Being a newsworthy item, international correspondents sought comments from Twitter on Nyakundi’ Suspension amidst censorship claims but aware of what’s at stakes, they cleverly steered off the topic.
Twitter press office declines to discuss suspension of Cyprian Nkayundi's account, saying they do not comment on individual accounts for privacy and security reasons.
There’s a thin line between streamlining conversations and stifling conversations, freedom of free speech and expression. Twitter should not scare people from freely expressing themselves. I’m appealing to @jack@vijaya to kindly #BringBackNyakundi & continue informing Kenyans.
Shocked that Nyakundi is suspended. We must not stifle freedom of speech. #BringBackNyakundi
— Ahmed Mohamed ((ASMALi)) (@Asmali77) July 31, 2018
Cyprian Nyakundi has helped Kenyans to expose mega graft in this country. He has morphed into a mainstream media that MSM get their news from. Suspending his account is not good for the fight against graft in Kenya. @Twitter@jack#BringBackNyakundi
With the suspension still under review since he appealed the Twitter decision, a wild beast style migration from Twitter has been ongoing as a firm of protest to Twitter’s censorship. Using #KenyansOnGab , KOT have moved in droves to Gab an alternative to Twitter social media network which sells as the epitome of free speech without censuring the scale of Facebook and Twitter.
The network has been caught be surprise with the big numbers, Kenyans are technologically savvy therefore Gab was at the right place at the right time.
It remains unclear whether Twitter will restore Nyakundi’s suspended accounts or not but thing is for sure that it has opened and started a conversation about censorship. The suspended account is one of the most popular pages that gains highest traffic on Twitter daily, the headache on Twitter is lifting the ban and possible repercussions. But this will be known soon until then, the newly found girl ‘Gab’ is gaining more than it ever thought.
President Uhuru has made a number of changes in his Goverment today including a mini cabinet reshuffling that has seen CS Peter Munya moved to Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives and CS Adan Mohamed to East African Community & Regional Development.
Uhuru’s Ambassadorial &High Commissioners Nominees:-
1. Sarah Serem
2. Lt. Gen Samuel Thuita
3. Francis Muhoro
4. Manoah Esipisu
5. Hon. George Ochillo Ayacko
6. Amb Peter Nicholas Oginga Ogego
7. Johnson Mogo Ondieki
8. Chris Karumba Mburu
9. Hon. Benjamin Langat
Uhuru Kenyatta has reappointed the following Prinicpal Secretaries :-
1. Joe Okudo,PS Tourism;
2. Dr. Margaret W Mwakima ,PS Wildlife ;
3. Dr. Ibrahim M Mohammed,PS Labour;
4. Mrs Fatma Hirsi, PS. Broadcasting & Telecommunications;
5. Prof. Micheni Ntiba, PS Fisheries & Blue Economy.
Uhuru has nominated the following persons as to the position Principal Secretary, subject to Parliamentary approval:-
1. Mr. Francis Otieno Owino, PS State Department for Youth;
2. Mrs Esther Koimett , PS Transport .
President has also made new appointments on state corporations:
1. DAVID WERE- Chairperson of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, for a period of three (3) years.
2. IMMANUEL ICHOR IMANA- Chairperson of the Kenya International Convention Centre Board, for a period of three years.
3. JACKSON KIPTANUI- Chairman of the Kerio Valley Development Authority, for a
period of three (3) years.
4. LINDA MUSUMBA (DR.)- Chairperson of the Board of the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis, for a period of three (3).
5. KEN WATHOME MWATU- Chairperson of the National Standards Council up to 16th January, 2021, with effect from the 12th July, 2018 and revokes the appointment of Mugambi Imanyara.
6. SAMUEL MWONGERA ARACHI- Chairman of the Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority.
7. AGNES MANTAINE PAREIYO- Chairperson of the Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Board, for a period of six (6) years.
8. LINUS GITAHI- Non-Executive Chairperson of the Brand Kenya Board, for a period of three (3) years. The appointment of Chris Kirubi is revoked.
9. JOE KITILI- Chairperson of the Board of the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, for a period of three (3) years.
10. CAVINCE ODOYO OWIDI- Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Lake Basin Development Authority, upto 23rd June, 2019. The appointment of Raphael Tuju revoked.
11. TITUS IBUI- Chairperson of the LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority, up to 15th February, 2019, with effect from 12th July, 2018 and revoke the appointment of Amb. Francis K Muthaura.
12. KHADIJA M. AWALE- Chairperson of the National Council for Children Services, for a period of three (3) years.
13. PATRICK WOHORO NDOHHO- Chairperson of the National Sports Fund Board of Trustees, for a period of three (3) years.
14. KATHLEEN OPENDA- Chairperson of the Council of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, for a period of three (3) years.
15. REGINA NDAMBUKI- Chairperson of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from 12th July, 2018. The appointment of Sofia Abdi Noor* is revoked.
16. REGINA NDAMBUKI- Member of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund, for a period of three (3) years.
17. FLORA MUTAHI- Chairperson of the Anti-Counterfeit Agency Board, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from 12th July, 2018. The appointment of Pradeep Paunrana is revoked.
18. JOE OWAKA AGER- Chairperson of the Placement Board for the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) with effect from 12th July, 2018.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Swiss counterpart Alain Berset today oversaw the signing of a key agreement that clears the way for the recovery of assets acquired through corruption and crimein Kenya and stashed in foreign countries.
The two President’s said the agreement, Framework for the Return of Assets from Corruption and Crime in Kenya (FRACCK), which is also supported by the United Kingdom and the Jersey Island, will create a mechanism for Kenya to recover money stolen by corrupt individuals and hidden in the three countries-Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Jersey Island.
President Kenyatta said the signing of the agreement at State House, Nairobi, was part of his resolve to eliminate corruption in the country, saying that his stand on the vice is clear.
“We have seen, in the last few months, a new intensity in the fight against corruption in Kenya.Quite frankly, my Administration has shown that corruption cannot, and, will not, be tolerated,” said the President.
The framework, which is in line with the United Nations Convention against Corruption, provides the principles to guide the recovery of stolen assets. The first assets to be targeted by the new framework will be monies stolen through the Ango-Leasing scandal and hidden in Switzerland.
“In the spirit of the Global Forum on Asset Recovery’s Principles for Disposition and Transfer of Confiscated Stolen Assets in Corruption Cases, returns should proceed in a transparent and accountable manner with the mutual consent of both Kenya and the partner offering the return,” says thenew agreement . To avoid complicating of asset recovery, the framework says that recovery should follow executable judgements.
The agreement further says that assets recovered under the mechanism will be used to pursue clearly identified development objectives, for example in the health sector, that benefit the people of Kenya in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Vision 2030.
A steering committee comprising of the Executive Office of the President, the Attorney General, the National Treasury, the Assets Recovery Agency, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Agency and envoys or representatives representing the partner countries will be established to implement the deal.
Parts of the roles of the team will be identifying potential assets to be recovered; identifying potential implementing organizations; decide unanimously on priorities for the use of returned funds; monitor progress in returning assets; receive reports on the progress of projects funded through recovered assets and learning lessons for future returns.
The agreement also has a provision to allow other nations willing to cooperate with Kenya in the recovery of stolen assets to join.
“Other countries that have anti-corruption laws and that have identified proceeds of corruption that they are willing to return to Kenya may join as new partners with consent of all the existing partners and the government of Kenya.
Speaking after the signing of the agreement, President Kenyatta who was joined by Deputy President William Ruto and other senior Government officials, said the fight against graft will continue.
“The reasons could not be clearer.Corruption directly threatens Kenya’s future; it denies our children the education they deserve; it denies Kenyans the public goods their hard work has earned them; and it degrades the quality of our Government.Most unfortunately, it erodes Kenyans’ pride and confidence in their country,” said President Kenyatta.
President Kenyatta thanked President Berset for Switzerland’s continued support of Kenya’s prosperity saying that Switzerland which was the first country to recognise Kenya at independence in 1963, has given immense support to Kenya’s health and humanitarian sectors.
“Our friendship with the people of the Swiss Confederation endures.Our friendship dates back to our independence, and has grown stronger in the half century since,” said President Kenyatta.
He said the two countries are working on an agreement to tackle double taxation while also inviting his guest to attend the global blue economy conference Kenya will co-host with Canada later in November this year.President Kenyatta also announced that Kenya will open a new embassy in the Switzerland by October to promote trade and tourism.
President Berset who is in the country for a two day official visit said his country appreciates the role Kenya is playing at regional and global stage.
The Swiss President further said that Kenya is a good investment destination and that opportunities for more trade are opening up under President Kenyatta’s Big Four development agenda.
Earlier, the two leaders held private talks followed by a bilateral meeting where they discussed how to deepen trade and security ties between the two countries.
When Interior CS Matiang’i appeared before the parliamentary committee today to answer in the sugar saga, hthey made a conflicting report to his previous assertion that the impounded contraband sugar was contaminated with mercury. This sent cold chills amongst many Kenyans given the complications of such an ingestion that would come with including organs shutting. Matiang’i, contradicted by saying his statement was as only cautionary and that final tests are yet to affirm his claims.
While this could be a sigh to many who fear having been poisoned or exposed, some people are just not buying it and taking anything into chances. Lawyer Kipkorir better known by his peers as DBK, is as always setting the bar too high once again. He’s importing his own sugar and don’t get it wrong, he’s not bringing it from Brazil like the sugar barons , he’s importing it from the United Kingdom in not outrageous amount but little fir his own consumption.
A post from his Facebook page.
Kipkorir has openly criticized and castigated the importers of poisonous sugar and had not shied away from calling for the prosecution of billionaire Jaswant Rai of West Kenya Sugar Company found to have been amongst the largest importers of the controversial sugar. Rai who is in the limelight fir state capture given his vast influence, took advantage of the free tax window period and imported a whole 180,000 Metric Tonnes of sugar.
The Rai Family has taken Kenya Captive … With connivance of rogue Members Of Government, Rai completely controls the Sugar, Cooking Oil & Timber Industry In Kenya & they are not even Kenyan Citizens … Rai Family will destroy Kenya’s National fabric … #RaiStateCapture
— Donald B Kipkorir (@DonaldBKipkorir) June 25, 2018
There have been numerous calls for the arrest and prosecution of Rai and associates for the hazardous exposure by sugar posed to the public. Rai owns Kabras Sugar which so far has been boycotted by many consumers despite dominating market shelves having been flagged as being the brand used in repackaging the lethal sugar.
While those privileged like DBK have array of options to go for, poor Kenyans who are hand tied have less but stuck with the controversial sweetener. The Rai and group are yet to be grilled by parliament and definitely get to be taken into action by the authorities.
How was one Miller, West Kenya (Kabras) allowed to import 180,000 MT (180m Kgs) Of Sugar? What was the criteria when it was one of the smallest millers? Who facilitated it to be the most dominant sugar supplier to all outlets? Who made sure the othe Sugar Millers collapsed!
— Donald B Kipkorir (@DonaldBKipkorir) June 24, 2018
While their fate roams in uncertainty given influence in government, one thing remains that the 1.3m MT of sugar dumped in Kenya will disrupt the economies that rely on the sugar industry and the health implications from this sugar is here to stay.
The Departmental Committee on Lands received a complaint on 30th January 2018 through a letter dated 10th January 2018 signed by Mr. Harrison Muema.
In the said letter, Mr. Mr. Harrison Muema alleged that irregularities had been committed in the compensation of LR No. 7879/4 to M/S Afrison Export and Imports Ltd by the National Land Commission on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for acquisition of land for Drive Inn Primary School and Ruaraka High School in Nairobi.
He requested the Committee to investigate the matter. The issue was also reported in the print media. Therefore, it is on this basis that the Committee resolved to conduct an inquiry on the matter. During the inquiry the Committee found out that the process of acquiring the land occupied by the two schools was initiated by the National Land Commission upon receiving a complaint from the Afrison Import Export Ltd and Huelands Ltd on alleged historical injustices.
Further, although the Ministry of Education did eventually write to the Commission requesting that it does secure the interests in the land occupied by the two schools, this was done at the behest of the Commission.
The Committee also noted that it was not clear from the valuation report tabled by the Commission on what parameters or criteria other than stamp duty and the pricing of comparable properties was used by the Commission to ensure prudent use of public money as espoused in Article 201 of the Constitution in awarding Afrison Import Export Ltd and Huelands Ltd Kshs 3, 269, 040, 600 as compensation for land.
The Committee further observed that although the Commission presented evidence of the Gazette Notice, there was no evidence presented to the Committee to show where and how the inquiry proceedings were conducted. There was also no evidence to show that the Commission did serve the notices to the interested persons.
The Committee did not find any evidence to confirm that a sub-division of the land in question did occur. The evidence presented to the Committee indicated that LR. No. 7879/4 belongs to Afrison Import Export Ltd and Huelands Ltd save for the contradiction that an allotment letter had been issued to Ruaraka High School by the Commissioner of Lands The Committee further observed that the two schools had occupied the land for an uninterrupted period of at least thirty-three years and there had been no case brought by Afrison Export Import Limited against the schools over the alleged illegal occupation by the two schools.
The Committee also found out that the title for LR. No 7879/4 was jointly held by the official receiver and Messrs Harit Sheth and Co. Advocates, the advocates for the registered owner and that the National Land Commission had not secured the interests of the government in the land compulsorily acquired in terms of the formal taking of possession of the documents of title on the land contrary to section 121 of the Lands Act, 2012.
The Departmental Committee on Lands received a complaint on 30th January 2018 through a letter dated 10th January 2018 signed by Mr. Harrison Muema. In the said letter, Mr. Mr. Harrison Muema alleged that irregularities had been committed in the compensation of LR No. 7879/4 to M/S Afrison Export and Imports Ltd by the National Land Commission on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for acquisition of land for Drive Inn Primary School and Ruaraka High School in Nairobi.
He requested the Committee to investigate the matter. The issue was also reported in the print media. Therefore, it is on this basis that the Committee resolved to conduct an inquiry on the matter. During the inquiry the Committee found out that the process of acquiring the land occupied by the two schools was initiated by the National Land Commission upon receiving a complaint from the Afrison Import Export Ltd and Huelands Ltd on alleged historical injustices.
Further, although the Ministry of Education did eventually write to the Commission requesting that it does secure the interests in the land occupied by the two schools, this was done at the behest of the Commission. The Committee also noted that it was not clear from the valuation report tabled by the Commission on what parameters or criteria other than stamp duty and the pricing of comparable properties was used by the Commission to ensure prudent use of public money as espoused in Article 201 of the Constitution in awarding Afrison Import Export Ltd and Huelands Ltd Kshs 3, 269, 040, 600 as compensation for land.
The Committee further observed that although the Commission presented evidence of the Gazette Notice, there was no evidence presented to the Committee to show where and how the inquiry proceedings were conducted. There was also no evidence to show that the Commission did serve the notices to the interested persons. The Committee did not find any evidence to confirm that a sub-division of the land in question did occur.
The evidence presented to the Committee indicated that LR. No. 7879/4 belongs to Afrison Import Export Ltd and Huelands Ltd save for the contradiction that an allotment letter had been issued to Ruaraka High School by the Commissioner of Lands The Committee further observed that the two schools had occupied the land for an uninterrupted period of at least thirty-three years and there had been no case brought by Afrison Export Import Limited against the schools over the alleged illegal occupation by the two schools.
The Committee also found out that the title for LR. No 7879/4 was jointly held by the official receiver and Messrs Harit Sheth and Co. Advocates, the advocates for the registered owner and that the National Land Commission had not secured the interests of the government in the land compulsorily acquired in terms of the formal taking of possession of the documents of title on the land contrary to section 121 of the Lands Act, 2012.
Blogger Robert Alai is in trouble after storming into the Weekly Citizen offices and causing extensive damages following a story that was published on their weekly release. According to the star, Alai was enraged by the newspaper’s article that alleged he was extorting from people and organizations in order to stop publishing alarming information on them.
According to the newspaper he had last week demanded Sh400,000 from NHIF to stop writing a negative story on the organization.
One of the newspaper’s editors Tom Alwaka accompanied by his lawyer Winston Ngaira reported the matter at the Central police station under OB number 84.
Alai is said to have stormed into the office demanding to know who the source of the story was and why they were tarnishing his reputation.
Kenyans on social media are perhaps the most active citizens in the country if not continent who take matters accountability and governance a notch higher. Corruption has been a trending topic for time now and with the recent declaration by the president to conduct lifestyle audit on all public officers, KOT(Kenyans on Twitter) agressive team are not taking things for granted and are going to unimaginable heights to turn the entire table.
Senior blogger Cyprian Nyakundi known for his corruption blasting campaigns had once again taken the lead with a chills sending exposing campaign dubbed #WeKnowYourSalary. With this, Kenyans launch online campaign to expose assets and wealth of state/public officials not commensurate with genuine income. The blogger says the campaign will kick off from Monday 18 June 2018 campaign with start naming names and wealth of these officials.
From next week, I am launching a campaign dubbed #WeKnowYourSalary which is a social media lifestyle audit
We want Kenyans to tweet images of assets, properties and other things owned government officials and corporate guys. People from KRA, Safaricom etc.
Talking to Kenya Insights, Nyakundi believes this campaign will change the dynamics of investigations and will make the auditing process more open. “We’ve had several lifestyle audits and this isn’t the first time, the officers given the secrecy of the process have managed to hide their illicit wealth that’s why we’re launching this campaign to change the dynamics. I’m calling upon all Kenyans to expose all their names and properties illegally acquired. If they try to hide in papers, social media will be here to give the proof and reminder.”
As President @UKenyatta once said @dkmaraga should begin de-congesting prisons. #WeKnowYourSalary. I met a low ranking public officer who lives and owns a 200M home in Karen.
So serious is the campaign that has been trending on Twitter the last four days with Kenyans already pouring in information. Sources close to graft purge in the the state intimates to us that the spymaster is taking this as an opportunity to pick information as this forms basis of human intelligence collection. EACC and DCI will as well be following on the information that will be streaming and a follow on extracted information implemented promptly.
Social Media in Kenya is proving to be an important tool in not only shaping the conversations and setting the agenda both online and mainstream but a vital component in governance. Being one of the most vocal voices on ethics and governance, I foresee greater things happening and it’s a good time for anti graft agencies to incorporate citizen participation in their campaigns. We want to see the Nyakundis and Kinyanboys of this inter webs working with EACC in the crackdown and flung beyond the keyboards.
#WeKnowYourSalary the lifestyle audit needs proper planning. 5 teams should be created. One audits the executive arms/ministries. Second one audits parliament/ Senate. Third goes after the judges/judiciary. Fourth, governors/47 devolved units and last constitutional commissions.
— Ahmednasir Abdullahi SC (@ahmednasirlaw) June 15, 2018
It will be a waste of time and resources if the intelligence from this campaign will be ignored. We will pool the information and continue to update you on what Kenyans are saying and who is being exposed. Public officers must account for every single property they own and those illegally acquired be repossessed and can we for once see people going to jail for looting public coffers?
#KOT out here saying #WeKnowYourSalary so don't fuckin mess wid us talkin bout lifestyle audit when y'alls been stealing right infront of our eyes. Yo ass needs to be in jail not audited.
Police spokesman Charles Owino earns less than 275,000 shillings a month but dude is a multimillionaire with Matatus, real estates, few wholesales, restaurants, “fish farming” import and export businesses.. hii pesa inatoka wapi? Explain yourself Mr Owino! #WeKnowYourSalary
In 2016, EACC raided the home of Kidero’s Chief of Staff George Wainaina. They recovered Ksh 110m but only reported Ksh 11m after sharing the major part of the recovered amount. #WeKnowYourSalary
#WeKnowYourSalary is the kind of snitching that Kenya needs and I hope @EACCKenya is taking note and do a follow up. This is free human intelligence that shouldn’t go into waste. We can only win if we work collectively. Overnight millionaires from the top owes us explanations.
Retired army General Julius Karangi is one of the key appointments the president has made in his latest appointments. He will be the new National Social Security Fund. He inherits a corruption riddled fund and only time will tell if things will get better if worse. State corporations have been marked as graft bedrock and why the fight on corruption is particularly concentrating on these grounds. Most of these appointments are always political so nothing much should come as a surprise. Here’s the Gazetted list of the new appointments:
●CHARLES OYUGI OWINO- Chairperson of the Board Directors of South Nyanza Sugar Company Limited.
●RITA KAVASHE-Chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board.
●WANYALA IYAYA (DR.)-Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Consolidated Bank Limited.
●KARIITHI KIBUGA KINYUA-Chairperson of the Board Directors of the National Oil Corporation of Kenya.
●JAMES TEKO LOPOYETUM-Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation.
●PETER N. KIGUTA-Chairperson of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
●GERSHOM OTACHI-Chairperson of the board of Geothermal Development
Company.
●GEOFFREY KAMAU KIBUI (DR.)-Chairperson of the Board of the Kenya Animal Genetics Resource Center.
●BENJAMIN CHEBOI-Non-Executive Chairperson of the Agricultural Development Corporation Board.
●SULEIMAN SHABHAL-Chairperson of the Board of the Kenya Trade Network
Agency.
●DOYO GODANA-Non-Executive Chairperson of the Moi Teaching and
Referral Hospital Board.
●JONATHAN LELELIT LATI-Chairperson of the Kenya Industrial Research and
Development Institute.
●PETER KIMATHI KINYUA-Chairperson of the Kenya Forest Service.
●MUDZO NZILI-Non-Executive Chairperson of the National Irrigation Board (NIB).
●GICHIRA KIBAARA-Chairperson of the Non-Governmental Organization Co-
ordination Board.
●JOSEPH R. E. KIBWANA GEN. (RTD.)-Chairperson of the Kenya Ports Authority Board.
●MICHAEL G. WAWERU-Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Kenya
Railways Corporation.
●JULIUS WAWERU KARANGI (RTD.) GEN.-Non-Executive Chairperson of the National Social Security Fund Board of Trustees.
Other appointments.
Amos Ntimama, member, Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation Board
On Sunday night a Twitter fight went up between Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and Blogger Cyprian Nyakundi, known for his loose mouth, the MP while reacting to a comment the blogger has made telling him off referendum talks, promised to silence him in what seems like direct death threat in plain terms.
The Cyber crimes bill will be passed in the next few weeks. Then leeches starting with you will be put in their place forever. Enjoy for now
Currently, Nyakundi has a defamation case against him by Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and on this, the MP vowed to deal with in a manner unrelated to Sonko’s. Kuria boasted of having silenced others who couldn’t speak for themselves insinuating they were dead leaving trails that should concern authorities as to who these people he’s talking about and his contribution to their deaths.
The last time Kuria was largely questioned on a death though not by police but the public court was during Chris Msando’s death where his posts were of serious concern.
Its not an insult. Its something you ought to take very seriously. I will not take you to court
— Hon.Moses Kuria,HSC (@HonMoses_Kuria) May 20, 2018
Moses Kuria’s outburst and threats issuance come barely days when the president signed into law the cybercrime bill which criminalizes activities and reckless posts such as the ones made. Ironically, Kuria was one of the key proponents of this law that was drafted to tune safe conversations.
Because you are too small for this law. You choose your enemies wisely small boy
— Hon.Moses Kuria,HSC (@HonMoses_Kuria) May 20, 2018
Do you think he broke any law and that he can possibly be prosecuted? Far-fetched and knowing how things run in this country, this will just cross like many other posts. However, being a matter that touches on one’s life being under threat, Cyprian must report the matter to the police even if nothing will be done.
You are trending on a banana skin my friend. I would refer you to others but unfortunately they cant tell you any tale
— Hon.Moses Kuria,HSC (@HonMoses_Kuria) May 20, 2018
Nitamzima for good. Niachie
— Hon.Moses Kuria,HSC (@HonMoses_Kuria) May 20, 2018
Honesty has become such a rare virtue in the society that it’s celebrated and rewarded. While it’s the right thing to do, the world around us has become so rogue that a kind gesture will make the news. Just the other day, a matatu tout who picked Sh30,000 and returned it to the owner became an envy of many and a media sensation.
Normally, like virginity, if you lose something in a matatu it is gone forever, in fact, Kenyan matatus are so dangerous that you have theft warnings in most busses, your chances of getting back lost valuables and in this case Sh30,000 is a strong improbable. But this gentleman did the unusual, returned the money. He would later be in every news item, radio and t.v. shows, public contributions to reward his honesty came in, the lady time I checked, he has been sent Sh300,000 and scholarship rewards.
Another story of rare honesty has yet again hit the interwebs and this time it is Mpesa mishap. A Mr. Wachira Waruhu had mistakenly sent Simon Mwangi Sh40,000 money which he was sending via mobile banking in M-Pesa but keyed in a wrong number. What Simon did next was a rare show, he acknowledged having received the cash, thanked Wachira for the mistake.
For Simon, this was a blessing in disguise because evidently, he received that cash when he was going through a difficult phase. He then promised to return the full amount, since he withdrew it immediately, there was no option of a reversion of transaction. For Wachira, he only had two options; report the matter to the police or trust the devil and wait for Monday to see if he’d reimburse, he opted for the latter.
A screenshot detailing the rare occurrence.
We can all agree this was a super risky get he took, Kenyans are always Kenyans, dishonest to the core, I mean what else can you say about people who pirated a book talking about looting and grabbing. Like president once snitched on us, we’re experts in stealing. In normal cases, chances of Wachira getting back his money is zero, you’d cry blood and bleed to death but you won’t get your money back.
Mostly, recipients would quickly switch off their phones after receiving money sent to them mistakenly and the sender to count his losses. If you checked with police, there are a number of cases they’re investigating. For service providers, there’s not so much they can do if you sent the money to a wrong number and recipient already withdrew. You either engage shuttle diplomacy with recipient or police.
Simon Mwangi did the unusual, on Monday as agreed, he sent Wachira back his money in full and here is where we drop that sigh! I can bet there are many reading this and saying “huyo msee ni fala” because we’re a society that’s tolerant to fraud, the action of Simon is viewed as foolishness. Many have sent to wrong numbers money even meant for treatment of relatives, school fees, and other emergencies but not even death or suicide threats would make recipients reverse the money. Kenyans generally have an ice box in their hearts.
I think perhaps another big story in this is his last name and how people have been stereotyped in this country yet he did the unexpected. Simon Mwangi is indeed a man worth celebrating.
Sending money to wrong numbers has cost many damages emotionally and financially, Safaricom came up with a verification service, Hakikisha which gives customers 15 seconds to verify numbers and names of receivers before authorizing the transactions, this gives one an opportunity to quickly reverse the transaction should they realize a mistake during keying inbox numbers by the name notified.
M-Pesa confirmation that money was sent back.
Counter check before you make a mistake that Wachira made since it’s not every day that you fall lucky to send money wrongly to a Simon, mostly it lands in typical hands and you’ll be counting your losses.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated state Sen. Kyle McCarter of downstate Lebanon to be an ambassador to Kenya, according to a press release from Whitehouse, the southern Illinois legislator’s long history with a charity with ties to the African nation has been cited giving him the upper hand.
McCarter replaces Amb. Godec. In his tenure, Godec has been faced with harsh criticism especially during the electioneering period where the opposition accused him of being aligned and supporting the Kenyatta’s regime claims that were mostly unsubstantiated and influenced by emotions. The opposition leader, Raila Odinga recently met with the Ambassador in a show of unity that the country is experiencing following the handshake between him and president Uhuru. The ambassador is also credited for having role played in bringing together the two politicians to the table following a lengthy political standoff.
Godec’s appointment was to end last year, he’s been in Kenya now for six years, currently the longest serving US Ambassador to Kenya if not the world, he is a career diplomat and not a political appointee.
Amb Bob Godec.
In a letter sent to the White House in his support, the congressional delegation described McCarter as someone who has experience on the ground in Kenya, saying as ambassador, McCarter will being “reforms of USAID spending, including curtailing waste, fraud, and abuse within the program.”
“His experience on the ground in Kenya has provided him heightened insight into the governmental operations and other political, economic, and social realities of both Kenya and the larger region of East Africa…. He recognizes the strategic value of Kenya as a partner for American counter-intelligence as the country has close proximity to Somalia and Sudan, whose actions must be continuously monitored. Sen. McCarter also understands the volatile political system in Kenya and the value of a strong American presence to support fair elections is important while maintaining overall U.S. neutrality with the various Kenyan political parties and tribes,” reads in part the recommendation letter by the Illinois Republican delegation.
Honor to be asked to represent Pres Trump & USA in country I have lived & served. Look forward to closer relationship benefiting both our nations. Bittersweet. preparing for funeral of my father. Left legacy of honoring God, serving others & saving lives of children in Kenya
The recommendation letter also says Both Kyle and Victoria McCarter can communicate in Swahili and are taking continuing education to become fluent speakers of the language.
The widely reported HIV prevalence rates in the Nyanza region have been overstated, according to new data presented at an international conference in the United States.
Findings from a study conducted by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Kenya (CDC-Kenya) indicate that HIV prevalence in Nyanza is significantly lower than previous national estimates.
While national figures have long placed Nyanza’s HIV prevalence at 16.1%—the highest in Kenya—new research puts the figure at 12.6%. Similarly, Homa Bay County, previously reported as having a prevalence rate of 26.6%, is now estimated at 19.9%.
The study, which began in 2011, was carried out by a team of researchers from Kemri, CDC-Kenya, the National Aids Control Council, the National Aids & STI Control Programme, and the University of Amsterdam. It was presented by CDC-Kenya Director Kevin de Cock at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Boston.
Led by Peter W. Young of CDC-Kenya, the study compared national estimates with data collected directly from the field.
The findings suggest that past national estimates may have overstated the region’s HIV burden, potentially influencing policy and funding decisions.
These revised figures could lead to adjustments in Kenya’s HIV/AIDS intervention strategies, ensuring that resources are allocated more accurately to affected populations. The conference, which has brought together global experts on HIV/AIDS, concludes today.
Being the country’s top referral hospital, chances are, if you’re poor to afford private hospital and developed a severe health complication, you’ll end up at the institution that handles average 30,000 patients on a daily basis, lemme add that the general staff is around 6,000 with a bed capacity of 1,600. With such statistics showing the imbalance, you already got a hint on where this article will be going.
Last time KNH made a positive public news was in November 1st, 2016, for 23 hours, a group of over 50 doctors worked uninterrupted to separate conjoined twins, this was a landmark stride in Kenya’s medical history of not Africa, it has us walking shoulders above the ears.
However, the country’s top public hospital has been engulfed in scandals hence becoming a reference to mediocrity in healthcare. Everyone who has been to KNH has a distinct story, I’ve been there both as a patient, visitor and also as an observer, I have a pack of stories.
KNH has experienced several challenges since the early 1980s in its endeavors to provide quality health care. These have included overcrowding, quality of care, poor attitudes, under-establishment in human resource and deterioration of medical equipment.
This has been attributed to management weaknesses, both in structure and staffing, the absence of good controls and system, and the slow bureaucratic decision process.
Currently, the hospital is on the public’s radar following jaws dropping allegations of rape cases on just delivered mothers! The thought of a straight from the delivery room mother being raped in the corridors of a hospital that is supposed to give utmost protection is vexatious. It highlights how to the bottom of the barrel the society has sunk.
KNH, CEO, Lily Koros.
When the accusations started flowing on the internet, a never seen before outrage was sparked and honestly, you’d never anticipate anything below. Rape is a sensitive matter that does not only wreck the lives of victims but their families, the thought of it is frustrating. It didn’t come as a surprise that a mob lynching reaction to the accusations would become the next most effective reaction, in such a devastating situation, you’d least expect sound, calm reasoning and this is very normal.
KNH CEO, Lily Koros, like any other head of an institution, took a familiar root by downplaying the accusations a natural response for the reputation protection of KNH, I’d expect nothing less. From confessions, the magnitude of this scandal is beyond imagination, I won’t dwell much on the rape accusations instead, will await the police report and then comment after. For now, let’s focus on the angle that no one is really paying attention to.
Unless you just landed from another planet, it wouldn’t shock much that these heinous acts are coming to surface just at the helm of cabinet and management announcements. For those in the know, when analyzing a situation especially on a public institution, never told out political invisible hands.
The conjoined twins at KNH before separation.
It didn’t come as a surprise that insiders too, saw the underlining. The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) had sensed politics and boardroom fights over the matter.
“Jostling for positions of management of the parastatal called KNH and the Ministry of Health at large could be behind these unfortunate incidents and allegations at KNH,” the union’s secretary general Ouma Oluga said in a Tweet.
Kenya Insights has learned that KNH CEO, Soros had been slotted for the MoH CS post that’s yet to be announced, she has been facing fierce opposition at KNH with many salivating and planning her ouster. This doesn’t exonerate her from the horror stories but meant to give you a different perspective. It, therefore, doesn’t surprise that these accusations that runover lengthened period, only came to surface at a time when the president is planning to announce his last batch of the cabinet.
Doctors went on strike for over 100 days, throughout, the medics were highlighting the public on the pathetic conditions at KNH and other public hospitals, instead, the call for better healthcare was marred with politics and the doctors accused of sabotaging Jubilee. It is the same horrible conditions they were fighting for that the public is still fighting for.
Doctors and staff at KNH average at 6,000 compare that with over 30,000 patients daily on a hospital with 1,800-bed capacity and designed to handle lesser numbers then you’ll notice the problem. Understaffed, overworked, under-motivated doctors and staff, a disaster recipe. Doctors are in plain, overwhelmed, they’ve stretched beyond limits, part of CBA was hiring more doctors to balance doctor to patient ratio, fell on deaf ears.
The conjoined twins after separation.
KNH problems are structural, fixing them need sobriety, rising above mob lynching and tasking the government to implement the proposed CBA instead of dancing around it. Being the national referral hospital, patients have escaped from Kenyatta National Hospital without paying Sh5.4 billion.
The growing debt at the national referral institution continues to threaten service delivery, further raising queries about the effectiveness of services by the hospital. Hospital CEO Lily Koros explained that the hospital has accumulated the debt from defaulting patients and other institutions.
“The unpaid bills are to the tune of Sh5.4 billion. We have been writing letters to those whose contacts we have, asking them to pay. However, some are from street families and there is not much we can do about that,” she said.
KNH was designed to take up serious medical cases, however, this has not been the case entirely. KNH has become the dumping site for Nairobi’s sick who are poor:
Kenya will pay heavily for converting KNH into a Health Centre for everything instead of the Specialty referral hospital it was designed to be. KNH MUST stop being the triage desk for Nairobi and its environs. Surrounding hospitals have to be empowered to do their work.
Thinking a bit more, why should KNH even be admitting mothers who need to deliver normally? And children with diarrhea and vomiting who only need IV fluids for rehydration?
Look, normal pregnancy, labor and delivery are classified by WHO AS BASIC ESSENTIAL OBSTETRIC CARE. In a well-functioning health system, such issues should not go beyond a Health Center. As a matter of FACT, none should go past a District Hospital that has a basic obstetric theatre and can transfuse blood. In Nairobi, these are the things that crowd a National Specialized Teaching Hospital at the expense of real cutting edge care like Gynecologic cancer care, Artificial Reproductive Technology and complex Surgeries and management of Blood cancers, real issues.
But why?
Nearly all hospitals surrounding KNH have technically stopped working be it Mbagathi, Mama Lucy just name it. Even drunkards engaged in a brawl who need a few stitches that can be done in a dispensary all find themselves at the KNH Casualty. As a result, the place is teeming with humanity day and night. And where there are such crowds, definitely security breaches will inevitably happen as there are opportunists masquerading as patients or patient attendants with criminal intent. This is not even mentioning the poor and homeless Nairobians like street children who find the KNH A&E a welcome shelter from rain, cold and other vagaries on the streets, of course, they may never pass an opportunity to steal or commit crimes in such a messy crowded place.
Protesters during the #EndKNHRot demos held in Nairobi on Tuesday.
The TRUTH be said, KNH STILL has the same infrastructure it had in 1976, in FACT, it still has the same 12 OPERATING THEATRES IT HAD IN 1993! 25 Years on, Nairobi’s population has almost quadrupled and Health facilities run by Nairobi County have almost all ground to a halt, KNH now uses the structures of 1993 to serve 4 times the population.
So, when I see a Senator castigating KNH and not asking his/ her Governor on what plan the Governor has to get County Hospitals within Nairobi working and working well, I just read vendetta and political lynching instead of a genuine desire to deal with the problem.
I would challenge anyone to go and camp at KNH A&E the whole night and count the number of ambulances from counties referring basic things like Caesarian sections to KNH. It is a farce!
Get peripheral Hospitals in Nairobi and its environs to work so that KNH can stick to the mandate it was founded to deliver on: Offer Specialized and Sub Specialized care, do Research and Teach to advance the Science and practice of Medicine.
Sometimes I am even tempted to sympathize with the unlucky Kenyan who finds himself or herself as the CEO of KNH. You have to spend so much of your time firefighting as you try to lead an Institution expected to work on the backdrop of a FAILED SYSTEM and SECTOR. In FACT, the KNH CEO needs more support than condemnation so that SHE CAN SHUT CLOSED the A&E Department so that that traffic filling KNH A&E is diverted to peripheral Hospitals in Nairobi. KNH then should only run Specialized and Sub Specialized Clinics where patients only come on Referral and on prior appointment.
The Kenyan Health Sector is still crying out for major Reforms, an overhaul of the Colonial system we inherited and not merely piecemeal token changes. In a now custom design, the noise will go off but as long as the structural failures remain embedded, expect nothing less instead, postponed problems. Drum beats to the dead.
A 14-year-old-girl placed under protective custody over a court case involving a policeman accused of defiling her has reportedly gone missing.
The girl’s mother said she was informed of the disappearance by a Witness Protection Agency official last Friday.
She is reported to have gone missing on December 9, shortly after taking her evening meal.
The mother claimed since she was informed of her daughter’s disappearance, efforts to seek help from Government offices had been futile.
“I have been tossed from one office to the other and directed to visit agency headquarters in Milimani in Nairobi,” she said.
Her family, she said, was traumatised as they had wanted the girl to join secondary education. The minor was in November this year escorted to her former primary school to sit for Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination.
Head of Investigations at Witness Protection Agency John Nyanzwii confirmed the girl went missing from a safe house last week. He acknowledged the girl had been placed under witness protection.
Mr Nyanzwii claimed the girl stole Sh200 and a set of clothes from other children before disappearing. The girl left a note saying she had gone, he added.
Efforts to find her have not borne any fruit, said Nyanzwii.
He said the matter was reported to Mutuini police station and had been escalated to other places including Muranga. “The (place) is protected by police all the time. We are still looking for her and if you see her please tell us,” he said.
Murang’a County Police Commander Naomi Ichami said she was not aware of the matter as the agency was not under police.
“I’m not aware of the issue as the agency is not under the National Police Service,” said Ms Ichami.
The minor was placed under care of the agency after she was allegedly defiled by an officer in a police station. She was expected to testify against the police constable.
Last week, a team of detectives visited her grandmother’s home near Murang’a town as part of the search which has been extended to other areas.
Sources revealed to The Standard that she fled through the fence despite the safe house being under 24-hour guard. The minor was allegedly defiled inside Murang’a Police Station in October after she was arrested in connection with theft of property belonging to a university student.
The interwebs streets are currently flamed up with mainstream media abuzz with the news that Nyali MP and Jicho Pevu famed Mohammed Ali a harsh critic of Jubilee administration has defected to the same team he’s been fighting. This is coming following an appearance he made during president Uhuru’s campaign in Mombasa.
Jubilee campaign pitched camp in his constituency. Moha has defended his appearance at the rally saying he was merely playing a hospitable host to the president. Moha is being castigated especially by opposition supporters who now think he’s a sellout. Below is a statement the Mp has issued in his defense.
Today, President Uhuru Kenyatta visited my constituency as part of the Jubilee Party’s electoral campaign program. Given the political tension in the country right now, my decision to attend his rally as MP for Nyali was a difficult one to make, but I chose to attend it, and give the office of the President its due respect. Also, young in the field of politics as I may be, I chose to respect the event and attend because I wanted to deliver a message. I chose to attend precisely because of the point we are at in this country today.
Both political formations, NASA and JUBILEE have, through their actions, removed any possibility for negotiation on the best way forward for our country. We are close to the edge, and the ramping up of temperatures makes our collective descent off the cliff seem inevitable. It is not. It is not because even in our political competition, what should be at the heart of us is the welfare of our people. In 2007 I reported on these very streets of Nyali, after a political contest much like this one. I saw violence that never want to be repeated. So I welcomed the President to my constituency to remind him of that, just as I will remind the Former Prime Minister should I get the opportunity to do so. The lives of our people, indeed, the soul of this country, is of far greater importance that whatever enmity the two men, and their parties seem to have for one another.
I hope that perhaps, in welcoming a man, and a party whose policies I personally disagree with, shows the public that politics is important, but that their lives are more important. As an Independent Member of Parliament, my responsibility is FIRST and FOREMOST to the people of Nyali, who elected me. The people of this constituency need jobs, better healthcare and education for their children, and a hope for the future. As I did on the campaign trail, I say that I will work with all people whose core interest is to develop Nyali and make this constituency the envy of this county.
In my own opinion, Moha must have misread the political moods and writings to make such an appearance that was bound to be read with a political eye. Coming barely hours after Hassan Omar yet another Jubilee critic having defected officially to Jubilee, his appearance was bound to blow up. In his well-calculated speech, Mohammed Ali steered off Jubilee politics instead presented plight of constituents.
Nyali MP Mohamed Ali speech at the Jubilee rally at Kongowea
The media quickly picked up the story and misinterpreted it for convenience and to suit a narrative that Jubilee is gaining more relevance and winning more leaders. It is equally not surprising that Jubilee bloggers starting with Itumbi went on a rampage posting few captured moments to advance this narrative.
I’ve personally talked to the MP and refuted the media reports that he has defected and that his stand for justice and against Jubilee injustices stands. Now, my issue is, Moha underrated Jubilee’s might I’m destruction. He was probably convinced to just make an appearance and being an independent candidate it could be inconsequential not knowing what was awaiting him. They waited for the moments and captured the pictures that will haunt Moha a junior I the murky political world a long time to shake off. Perception is everything in politics and that’s what Jubilee baited Moha with.
The timing was bad, Jubilee is his presumed enemies so it was obviously going to be read as having gone to bed with enemies. No amount of explanation will easily shake off this perception he was baited and ran into of being a sellout. But I’ll not play so much of an advocate as he knows the entire truth for me I simply interpret the media falsehoods. As an independent candidate should Mohammed Ali defect to any party then it means his election will be automatically canceled and will have to seek a fresh mandate from Nyali. As for what happened today, good luck shaking off this, it’s going to be a long bumpy ride, your political enemies will capitalize on this and hang you in public daily.
Human right lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana has written the United Nations through its UN high commissioner for human rights to investigate reports of attacks on judges in Kenya.
In a letter to the UN special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Diego Garcia Sayan, on Tuesday September 26, 2017, Falana said, “I am writing to respectfully request that you use your good offices and position to urgently investigate recent reports of attack on judges in Kenya, and to make it very clear to the Kenyan authorities that your mandate will not accept intimidation, harassment or any form of attacks against judges and other actors of the justice system.
“According to reports, individual judges, particularly of the supreme court, as well as other judicial officers and staff have been attacked, threatened and negatively profiled on social media. Senior political leaders have also threatened the judiciary promising ‘to cut it down to size’ and ‘teach the judiciary a lesson’. The inspector-general of police who is expected to provide security to all government facilities has repeatedly ignored calls to act, thereby exposing judicial officers, property, and litigants to danger.”
Moving further, he asked the UN to “publicly condemn the attacks, intimidation and threats against judges in Kenya, and call for whoever is suspected to be responsible to be brought to justice promptly; visit Kenya on a fact-finding mission and to report back to the UN Human Rights Council on your findings and action for the council to take”, and also to “ask the Kenyan government to take measures to ensure effective protection of judges and to promote their independence, security and freedoms including throughout the hearing of the presidential election petitions”.
The human rights lawyer concludes that, apart from violating the rights of the judges to personal dignity and security, the attacks also constitute a threat to the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and the entire justice system.
Attacks on judges have particularly been coming from the Jubilee end who felt shortchanged in the nullification ruling. President Uhuru whose victory and celebration was cut off abruptly vowed to teach the CJ Maraga a lesson and eventually fixing the judiciary which in this context, read as installing his own regime friendly judges. What has since ensued is a character assassination of judges and court staff from fabricated allegations to endless petitions and political rhetoric. The CJ Maraga is on record saying the state was unwilling to boost security to judges whose lives remain at high risks following the onslaught and profiling. Maraga said the government will be to blame should any of the judges and families be harmed.
The Supreme Court of Kenya that nullified the presidential election of President Uhuru accusing IEBC of misconduct and griss violation of set standards on 20th September issued full judgment including dissenting opinions of Justice Njoki Ndung’u and Justice Jacton Ojwang’
Below is the full documents. Tap to scroll through.
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Marietje Schaake, Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Kenya 2017 and Member of the European Parliament from the Netherlands, suggests improvements to the electoral process ahead of the re-run of the presidential election scheduled for 17 October.
The EU EOM has been observing the electoral process in Kenya since June, and based on its findings to date is presenting its recommendations for the re-run. These are intended to constructively contribute to the electoral process, to support the fulfillment of the political rights of Kenyans. The 18 recommendations cover the tasks and responsibilities of the IEBC, political contenders, state agencies and the media.
Suggested reforms include the IEBC developing and communicating more detailed procedures for the counting, tallying, transmission and transparency of results. Additionally, tests of procedures and technology as well as improvements to the results transmission software and network coverage are called for. So too that party agents and the media comprehensively scrutinize constituency tallying centres.
“The re-run offers a key opportunity for Kenya to create a more robust democracy and rule of law. But this process is not automatic, requires hard work, and the rebuilding of trust. The recommended reforms should help the IEBC and others to rebuild the confidence of Kenyans in their elections. It is essential that people come together and work together to serve all Kenyans, and the Constitution. Our EU election observation mission continues its impartial and independent observation work, also during the re-run,” Schaake said.
She added: “We also believe that investigative bodies should be thorough and prompt in investigating electoral offences so people at all levels are held to account.”
The EU EOM will be deploying long and short-term observers across the country before, during and after election day. The EU EOM will release a full final report with long-term recommendations some two months after completion of the entire electoral process, including the re-run.
Please find the Recommendations for the Re-Run Based on Findings Since the 8 August Election here
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