Category: News

NCIC Report Show The Kikuyu Community Dominates The Employee Composition of All Commissions in Kenya From IEBC to EACC

Traditional narrative divides legal and political power in Government among the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. The resulting question of who inspects the classical three arms of Government and their incidental institutions has necessitated the establishment of commissions whose main objective is to secure the observance by all state organs of democratic values and principles. With such a momentous task, commissions ought to operate beyond reproach in regard to observance of the said values and principles.

The Ethnic and Diversity Audit of commissions was carried out in 2016 with the aim of finding out the ratio of the various ethnic groups who comprise the current staff of commissions, assessing the compliance of commissions with the National
Cohesion and Integration Act, No. 12 of 2008 and identifying ethnic representation among Commissioners. Using the quantitative approach, the study employed the census methodology and collected data from all the 15 commissions in Kenya.

Cohesion and Integration Act, No. 12 of 2008 and identifying ethnic representation among Commissioners. Using the quantitative approach, the study employed the census methodology and collected data from all the 15 commissions in Kenya.

With a total of 5,679 staff in all commissions, 93% comply with the NCI Act, 2008 as they have not employed more than 33.3% of their staff from one ethnic group.

With a total of 5,679 staff in all commissions, 93% comply with the NCI Act, 2008 as they have not employed more than 33.3% of their staff from one ethnic group.

Only one of the 15 surveyed commissions flouted the Act. The Judicial Service Commission flouted section 7(2) of the NCI Act (2008) by employing 39% of its employees from one ethnic community, the Kikuyu.

The study reveals that the most represented ethnic community in the employment of commissions is the Kikuyu which forms 22.2% of the employees. Other dominant groups include the Kalenjin (12.8%), Kamba (11.3%), Luhya (11.1%) and Luo (9.4%) communities. Notably, employment within the commissions has also included minority communities such as the Maasai, Njemps, Rendille, Orma and the Ogiek to mention but a few. Nevertheless, it was evident that only 19.6% of all commission positions are occupied by staff of such minority origin.

The Kikuyu community dominates the employee composition of all commissions save for the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) at 18% and the Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) at 25% that are predominantly Luo.

When the representation of ethnic groups in commissions is compared to that of the national population, the study noted both overrepresentation and underrepresentation of some ethnic communities. While the Kikuyu community accounts for 17.7% of the national population, it has a proportion of 22.2% in commission employment, a variance that would easily be used to bring in some of the underrepresented or “forgotten” ethnic groups. Groups such as the Kalenjin and Maasai are relatively proportional; while the Meru and Kuria are underrepresented. A notable concern is the non-representation of the Dasenach, Galla, Konso, Waat, Galjeel, Isaak, Leysan and Gosha ethnic groups, to which this research refers to as the “forgotten” ethnic groups.

The study used the richness of the population of employees to establish its diversity. In that regard, the Parliamentary Service Commission has 29 ethnic communities in its staff, being the highest among all commissions. However, using the mean to establish diversity evenness, the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) turned out to be the most diverse commission with a mean of 2.4, followed by the Judicial Service Commission at 2.9 and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission at 3.0.

The study demonstrates that the workforce of commissions which have regional presence is more diverse. As such, commissions that have decentralized offices are likely to have more ethnic groups than those that have only one office in Nairobi.

Some of these include the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). The composition of the members of the Board of commissions in Kenya includes 20 ethnic groups spanning from the majority Kikuyu, Luo and Luhya to the minority Turkana, Gabbra, Kuria and Njemps among others. Most of the Commissioners appointed belong to the Kikuyu community which forms 16.5% of the commissioners.

Unlike Commissioners, the CEOs of commissions are drawn from a leaner scope of ethnic groups. The CEOs of the 15 commissions belong to eight ethnic groups. The majority of them are from the Luhya community with a proportion of 26.7%.

However, worth noting is the gender representation among CEOs, which is in the spirit of the Constitution. Female CEOs are composed of 33% while 67% are male. The study recommends that the President and the parliament should include at least one person from the minority communities in each appointment to a commission. Further, there is need for parliament to review Article 250(4) of the Constitution – the law forming all commissions – to have appointments

Accommodate all ethnic groups as opposed to reflecting regional balance.

Further, the Joint Parliamentary Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities should support NCIC in the development of policies that will enhance the participation of ethnic minority and marginalized groups in the general labor market and specifically in public service employment.

There is also need to make commissions grassroots oriented to improve service but majorly to strengthen diversity in employment. It would be an opportunity to strategically tap into areas where minority groups have a say, away from the competitive nature of national exposure. Furthermore, each Commission should endeavor to make the advertisements for job vacancies in a way that accommodates some of the rudimentary strategies applicable at the grassroots to add on to the two dailies approach.

Moreover, it necessitates the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to form a deliberate and progressive formula to create a balance of the “seemingly minorities against the perceptive majority” through generating an Ethnic Quota Recruitment System or Strategy for all commissions. Finally, there is a need for NCIC to develop a draft of the Minimum Standards and Principles for Recruitment, as well as train staff of all commissions to ensure inclusiveness and diversity within such institutions.

October 3, 2016
David Makali Is A Broke Man Struggling To Survive As He Turns To Ababu Namwamba For The Eurobond Share

A jack of all trades and nearly a master of none, David Makali, a Senator wanna be for Bungoma County is a troubled man with a history of not keeping his jobs. Restless like a cow on heat, Analyst Makali has worked with ODM in the past, tried to run for the Bungoma senatorial seat as an independent candidate where he was beaten before the sun set.

The veteran journalist recently quit his job at the IEBC to vie for Bungoma seat. He also quit his lucrative TV job for political ambitions. He is now the secretary general for the recently ‘re-launched’ Dr. Julia Ojiambo’s old Labour Party of Kenya where ODM rebel, Ababu Namwamba is the leader.

The irony is the party which was a hot air blown by Ababu, was hyped to bring on board new faces as a move in popularizing new generation leadership only for the enveloped Ababu to pull up with Granny Ojiambo who should be home playing with her great granddaughters and enjoying her retirement instead of pursuing politics which in her times, has less or no successful story to write home other than playing a tribal brokerage position, we still haven’t forgotten about her flimsy attempt with Kalonzo Musyoka as running mate.

It has not been confirmed whether Makali’s rifle is loaded or not, Namwamba complained of being an SG with an unloaded gun in ODM.
Makali is a confused fellow, even a five-year-old will tell you that he has slim chances of clinching the seat as much as the strong incumbent Moses Wetangula has his eyes set on the presidency. He can be a Senator for two years then quit, he never stays in a job for long. He is known for messing up, making wrong choices and turning to his friends and former classmates to seek desperate refuge.

Despite his long service in money minting positions, the senator wannabe still lives in an apartment near Lenana Rd at the mercies of Wachira Waruru who’s paying his rent, and the citizen TV boss was Makali’s junior when the two worked with Standard Media Group. Not just that, his former classmate IEBC chief executive, Ezra Chiloba gave him the communication consultancy job, and he threw it.

He is now licking his tribesman’s boots, Ababu Namwamba, to get a direct nominations ticket to contest Bungoma senatorial seat as they feed on ‘Ababu’s Eurobond’ that he was paid to ditch ODM, the few coins Charlatan Ababu was paid has been broken and shared with all the political wolves from Luhyaland leaving the party with a near bankruptcy. Makali wore a torn face the entire time during the party launch knowing there was nothing much at stake but just skuma on the table, but the fella has no option but to hang in on there, you see, a man has to live.

Makali’s divorce case is still in court despite receiving a thorough beating from his wife last December. His wife was all bare knuckles on him crushing him like a military boot on an ant. Beating is common with Bungoma senators anyway even Senator Weta received a dog’s beating someday, they say Bukusu women are the real tranquilizers we can see that in these fellas putting a rock face to the public and are baby powder soft at home.

Makali forgot soon after nursing his black eye, and he quit his jobs when he cannot afford to pay his bullying wife Shs 600, 000 per month. He pleaded with the judge who told him to man up and pay the small amount. ‘You are always on TV, and you have a job with the IEBC, and you are a soundman running Sound Africa recording company” the Judge told him.

Makali was paid millions by ODM in 2005, and his wife advised him to buy a house in Nairobi at SHS 5 million, but the poor millionaire chose to build a 7 million shilling house in his rural home. Now the Senator wannabe is a squatter; he has no house, and he can’t stand the force of his wife’s furious blows. He has been used and dumped, Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua bought him for a small bribing job then dropped him like a hot rod.

Then an analyst at Cheche, citizen tv’s weekly political show was given money by Mutua to collude with citizen TV reporters who were highlighting his deteriorating image and dismal performance. That’s the guys who wants to be the leader of a county, an individual who deliberately fostered Mutua’s hoodwinking tricks to make quick bucks when Machakos witnessed strike after strike with many who work as civil servants unable to pay their children’s school fee and other essential needs.

He did not stay long in the pockets of the ‘working’ governor whose much-hyped PR stunts are now backfiring right before his face, and the poor Makali has jumped into Ababu’s briefcase with invalid dreams to form the third force in Kenya’s current political scene. Let’s see how long he will last in Ababu’s suitcase, and maybe he is not only troubled and confused, he is looking for ways to fill his stomach. Man must live.

September 27, 2016
Shame As Governor Joho’s Chief of Staff Makes Away With Sh100K And Insulting Kitui Residents

Mr Kyalo addressing the crowd in Kitui town during Joho’s stopover

Mombasa Governor Joho is currently enjoying high calibre political privileges given his renewed vows to popularize ODM. During the recent party’s celebration in mombasa, the party’s Dep Chairman announced Raila as their presidential candidate and personally vowed to lead from the front, Raila’s nationwide campaign.

As it manifests, the governor has already hit the rail with a stopover in Kitui for a mini rally which had an impressive turnout. He proceeded to Nairobi where together with Governor Kidero led in the celebration of ODM. The rally in Mathare was as well a success.

However, all that shines is not as merry, Kenya Insights has learnt that Joho’s Chief of Staff Mr. Kyalo is silently undermining the character and reputation of the governor’s brand. According to an informant, Kyalo is now a wanted man in Kitui after insulting the residents on Saturday and failing to pay Kshs 100,000 allowance made for men who provided security to the Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho during his visit in the town.

The Chief of staff is on record demeaning the County residents as fools and telling off the youths who had provided security to the prominent politician not to expect a dime from him despite having entered into an agreement with them prior to the event.

Details that we’veindicate that The Chief of Staff who also happen to be from the area and a popular figure amongst the residents, had earlier on Saturday met 20 young men who were to provide security to the Governor on arrival. According to their ageeement, each of them were to receive an allowance of Kshs 5,000 and that the amount was to be paid on completing the job. Naturally, being someone they know, they bought into his verbal contract.

Joho addressing the Kitui Crowd

Things took a complete turn when immediately after the event and joho left, Mr. Kyalo left with his car to a restaurant along Kitui-Kibwezi highway with a few friends where they enjoyed some drinks for a few hours before leaving to Nairobi. He left the youths stranded at the event venue without paying them immediately as agreed. They made frantic calls to him and he arrogantly told them off, dishonering the agreement.

When contacted through phone for the allowances of the security men he responded arrogantly spewing “you fools stop bothering me, pesa ya joho endeleeni kuimezea mate.”

When contacted through phone for the allowances of the security men he responded arrogantly spewing “you fools stop bothering me, pesa ya joho endeleeni kuimezea mate.”

The response really angered the young men and who have now vowed to deal with the chief of Staff if he fails to honor their deal. They’ve also sent a warning to Joho to be worried about Kyalo as he could be working secretly to undermine him. “Hatutakubali mtu yeyote akule jasho yetu, wacha aende na hiyo but tutapatana tena,” one of the guys was quoted saying. The security men have also vowed to never allow Governor joho campaign in Kitui again if that’s how him and his staff operate.

The response really angered the young men and who have now vowed to deal with the chief of Staff if he fails to honor their deal. They’ve also sent a warning to Joho to be worried about Kyalo as he could be working secretly to undermine him. “Hatutakubali mtu yeyote akule jasho yetu, wacha aende na hiyo but tutapatana tena,” one of the guys was quoted saying. The security men have also vowed to never allow Governor joho campaign in Kitui again if that’s how him and his staff operate.

What this fella has done is not anything new, incidences of people taking advantage of the unemployed youths heightens with the political high note seasons. Kyalo it’s shameful to look down upon people you free up with, it’s morally uncouth not to honor deals like this one is a new level of pettiness. These young men provided what you wanted, you have no otherwise but to pay then what they rightfully deserve. Sh100K is a petty cash that you shouldn’t jeopardise the brand of your employer, it doesn’t worth the tussle, this is bad painting to someone looking into a nationwide darling look as he sells the party. Pay up!

September 19, 2016
Kenya Union of Journalists Rejects Draconian Directives By Media Council Aimed At Muzzling Scribes Voices

Journalists protesting against uncouth media laws

The Union body of Kenya journalists has come out fiercely condemning the latest directives by the media council aimed at snoozing the vocal voices of journalists online and restraining them from having a political saying.

The media council which insiders say is puppeted by the executive have out stern warning in an induced address to journalists against making open their political positions and being ‘unnecessarily noisy’ on social media. The body went ahead to advise meds houses to take disciplinary actions against such journos. These developments were instigated by the uncompromised trio of Mohammed Ali, Dennis Onsarigo and James Smart who are perceived to be government critics and continuously attack the system on social media.

KUJ Sec-Gen Eric Oduor while rejecting the conditions by the Media Council guidelines on journalists with political interests saying they shouldn’t be taken seriously by journalists. He maintains they are illegal guidelines that suppress freedom of expression. In other countries journalists are usually affiliated to political ideologies. The Media Council Council of Kenya should come up with a framework that will allow journalists as professionals to take a stand on political issues to deal with the confusion it is trying to address rather than resorting to gagging.

“We must avoid Kanu style of addressing problems in the industry. Civil servants are given a period to leave office to start campaigns. What about journalists? Is it one year? two years? One week?”, Eric Oduor, KUJ Sec-Gen.

September 15, 2016
William Ole Ntimama Dies Peacefully In His Sleep

The late William Ole Ntimama

The former cabinet minister also a long-time friend to the opposition leader and recently confessed Jubilee supporter, William Ole Ntimama has died aged 86.

Reports say the Maa’s political maestro passed on peacefully in his sleep in what the family describe as natural cause.

As a former Narok North Member of Parliament, Ntimama was an influential Maasai leader who was widely respected—having been in government and politics for long.

He was last seen in public at State House, Nairobi two weeks ago when he led a group of Maasai leaders to join the Jubilee Party.

How body was taken to Lee Funeral Home Friday morning.

From Kenya Insights we express our condolences to friends and family of the late minister. RIP

September 2, 2016
Jicho Pevu’s Mohammed Ali Escapes Assassination Trap Just Days After Jacob Juma’s Investigative Piece

KTN Investigation Chief Editor, Mohammed Ali, Jicho Pevu.

The fearless and defiant KTN Investigation Senior Editor and the Pioneer of Jicho Pevu investigations series popularly known as Moha on Thursday escaped a death trap laid on him.

According toinformation gathered by Kenya Insights, the journalist had been trailed by unmarked car from CBD where he was at the I&M building all the way to Bunyala Road, Nyayo Stadium driving to the Standard Groups Hq along Mombasa road.

While the traffic stalled aroundNyayo Stadium, an assailant riding on a bike rode past Mohammed’s car pointing a gun at his window in what is a clear death scare before moving away. We’re told the masked rider warned Moha against sticking his nose too far.

This incident come only two days after the series ran a story how since the assassination of Jacob Juma reportedly by unknown assailants in motorbike, six more people linked to his death have been killed by the police under unexplainable circumstances. The defiant journalist while speaking to Kenya Insights insists he will continue with his work undeterred by whichever forces. “I’ve seen worse, I only fear God,we live once and die once” said Moha.

His assassination scare also coming at a time when his piece in extrajudicial killings is receiving massive viewership in international media, Al Jazeera. Police in Kenya according to many independent reports has been accused of conducting unlawful killings.

August 26, 2016
Kenyan Athletes Taken To A Downgrade, Dirty Mosquito Infested Hotel To Stay In By The Incompetent NOCK

Face of Noc-K incompetence. Kipchoge missed out on his bottle at the dehydration point. No Kenyan official was there to hand him his bottle while other athletes were given theirs. He went ahead and won gold.

The end to the unending fiasco, dramas of the Olympic organising body Noc-K is far from being over. The Athletes Village in Rio has been officially closed forcing the Kenyan athletes who are still in Brazil to seek accommodation in other elsewhere.

Kenya which had the most medals in the Olympics amongst African Countries and second Worldwide, instead of being treated to royal amenities, were scrolled out by the corrupt Noc-K to some downtown Hotel that even a rag sack prostitute wouldn’t roam to spend the remainder of their days in Brazil.

Wesley Kipkorir the MP also Rio athlete highlighted the issue on his Twitter page

We learn the athletes refused to disembark from the Bus having seen the pathetic conditions of the hotel. How could the committee decide on taking the precious athletes to such a dark place while the Government released Sh.600M for the athletes but was unfortunately squandered by Joyriders? These MPs and rest of Joyriders at the expense of the athletes enjoyed top of the world treatment, spending their days in top class hotels while doing nothing, and now the same Noc-K couldn’t organise for the deserving athletes to be treated in the same or even higher class hotels.

Why is Noc-K trying so hard to kill the spirits of the athletes and eventually Sports as a whole, they’re going further to expose these champions to Zuka Virus in the heavily mosquito infested hotels like the frustrations they’ve been subjected to ain’t enough. Noc-K is a sham of a body that has brought shame to this Country and must be dealt with at the infant stage. People have to pack their bags and move out, preferably, to jail.

August 25, 2016
President Uhuru Signs Into Law Banking Bill Capping Interests To 4pc Of Central Bank Rates

President Uhuru Kenyatta

Finally, after bustles and tussles around the matter with the Bankers pleading with the President not to sign into law the Interests rates amendments, Uhuru finally inked it into law. On July 28, 2016, the National Assembly passed the Banking (Amendment) Bill, 2015. The Bill intends to regulate interest rates that are applicable to banks’ loans and deposits, capping the interest rates that banks can charge on loans and must pay on deposits. The bill proposed a ceiling on loans at no more than four per cent of the Central Bank of Kenya’s recommended rate.

The Bill was then forwarded to the President for approval. “Since receiving this Bill, I have consulted widely, and it is evident to me from those consultations that Kenyans are disappointed and frustrated with the lack of sensitivity by the financial sector, particularly banks. These frustrations are centred around the cost of credit and the applicable interest rates on their hard-earned deposits. I share these concerns.” Says the President.

This is the third time that the National Assembly is attempting to reduce interest rates to affordable levels. In the previous two instances, dialogue and promises of change prevailed and banks avoided the introduction of these caps. In those instances, banks failed to live up to their promises and interest rates have continued to increase along with the spreads between the deposit and lending rates.

Despite having one of the most efficient and effective financial markets, Kenya has one of the highest returns-on-equity for banks in the African continent. Banks need to do more to reduce the cost of credit and ensure that the benefits of the vibrant financial sector are also felt by their customers.

The President has assented to the Bill as presented. The Government will now implement the new law, noting the difficulties that it would present, which include credit becoming unavailable to some consumers and the possible emergence of unregulated informal and exploitative lending mechanisms. This law is a win for borrowers who’ve had to repay dearly given existing borrowing rates as high as 21%. Now that the Bill will Cap interest rates at 4% above Central Bank Rates that is currently at 10.5%, Interests rates are expected to go down to 14.5%

August 24, 2016
Governor Kidero Opts To Defy Ombudsman Directive To Repossess Grabbed Eastleigh Land Letting Developers Continue With Illegal Construction

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and Senator Mike Sonko both are on public record supporting the traders but nothing substantive has been forthcoming from them to see the developers stop construction.

Two weeks down the line after the Ombudsman released their investigations report on a contested land in Eastleigh that has been taken by Alfa Traders, the developers of an upcoming mall. Traders that were forcefully displaced from the land to give way for construction logged a complaint with the Ombudsman to determine the truth in the squabble.

The report found that the Alfa Traders illegally acquired the land by making the scrupulous deal with corrupt City Hall officials and that the lease that they’re holding onto for ownership is fake. As a recommendation, the CAJ directed Kidero as the custodian of the piece of land to repossess it and also the traders be compensated Sh150,000 each for the losses incurred during the demolitions of their stalls when Alfa Traders stormed in.

Kidero was directed to give a cessation notice to the traders, and that they immediately stop construction, the part of the building up should henceforth be demolished. The corrupt City Hall officials facilitating the land grabbing cartel include Nelson Otido, he unlawfully executed the lease documents for the fraudulent Alfa Traders MDsAli Sheikh Mohamud and Farah Mohamed Barrow.

Isaac Nyoike, Chief Valuer, is one the most corrupt figures in the Office and primarily aiding land grabbing in the City. Ombudsman directed Kidero to fire him. Karisa Iha, Director, Legal Affairs, abused office and breached public trust making him and the rest of the quack officials unfit to hold positions. These officials are the pillars of land grabbing amongst other dirty deals in the City which is biting off the cake.

Governor Kidero, the backstops with him, and no restrictions are stopping him from repossessing the piece of land and ordering an overhaul of land records to weed out the dubious land deals. The question is the governor ready to tackle the mess or simply do media appearances that he’s fighting the cartel yet nothing positive in action is forthcoming. Nairobi, voter, is a critical and watchful being, getting away with everything is no longer a possibility. At the end of the day, people will ask what did you do, how did you deal with corruption cartel apart from press releases.

Sonko, the City’s Senator, has less if nothing to show when it comes to policies crafting, his senatorial performances are not only weak but nothing memorable apart from physical fights with Kidero. He is also missing in action from not only the Eastleigh land grab but from many public land grabbings in the City, unlike his previous trademark of being front row with the public fighting for their rights.

Construction is still on, developers going on without any hitch despite the lawful directives. This equals an endorsement of unlawful operations by the governor himself. He has the authority to put to an end the never ending tag of war.

August 23, 2016
The Statehouse Cartel That Attempted To Extort Sh200M From Businessman Seeking A Sh30B Deal

State House, Nairobi

Reports doing rounds that three people were arrested by the police over extortion plot from a business deal in the house up the hill. The two men based at the Statehouse mutually with a police officer were plotting to get Sh.200M as the kickback from a businessman who was seeking the audience with the president over a Sh30B tender.

According to a source at Statehouse talking to Kenya Insights, the two officers based at the procurement offices are identified as Mumu and Kiprop and the Police officers unnamed.

The trio was on NIS radar for sometimes and on fateful day, flying squad officers were deployed just when they were set to receive the millions from the businessman. President Uhuru himself has admitted his Office is one of the most corrupt departments in the government and has been trying to straighten the curves. The latest incident is a good gesture in the right track.

From history, dubious businessmen conspire with state officials to get away with unethical business practices as tax evasion. The procurement department in the Office of the President is one of the filthiest with the 10% syndrome being at an all time real. Corruption is high in these offices that to score a tender, and you have to part with 10% of the tender value.

In the year 2012/2013, one individual in the Office of the President – a Mr Ben Kihia – withdrew Sh2.85 billion from public coffers, for alleged confidential expenditure in the military. The PAC report says the transfer of funds was unauthorised and irregular, the expenditure unexplained and unaccounted for. The man withdrawing the Sh2.85 billion had no authority to do so. Confidential expenditure of this kind was the reserve of the NIS, CID and GSU. Yet this individual singularly generated, examined, approved and made the withdrawals.

On February 26, 2013, alone, he withdrew Sh130 million. On his own, right people! The Office of the President gave him a certificate of clearance. Nobody knows what he did with your money! Now consider that this man has since been transferred to the Ministry of Industrialisation. But he has defied the transfer and remained in the Office of the President.

Corruption in this office has been since time in history, and President Kenyatta was aware when he took over. However, inheriting a corrupt system, the President doesn’t have any justification for not dot a total overhaul unless he’s approving that the cartel is stronger than him.

Booking for an audience with the president is a munching venture, corrupt Statehouse operatives use this opening to extort from mostly potential investors and other business related guests. This is an unfortunate reality that can be attested to by those who’ve undergone and also the latest victim who was to part with Sh200M just to booked for a meeting with the President.

August 23, 2016
Tom Cholmondeley Dies In Nairobi, His Last Days Were Haunting

Thomas Cholmondeley

Tom, the son of the fifth Lord Delamere, died on Wednesday while receiving treatment at MP Shah Hospital. According to the hospital, Tom, 48, was checked in on Tuesday and died on Wednesday afternoon at 2.15pm as he recovered from hip replacement surgery at the facility. He was recuperating at the Intensive Care Unit when he developed cardiac arrest and died.

In his last days, Tom’s life was surrounded with controversies and nightmares arising from the killings that were traced to his hands. In April 2005, Mr Cholmondeley shot and killed a Kenya Wildlife Service game ranger Samson Ole Sisina at his expansive Soysambu Ranch, near Lake Naivasha.

The guard died in a hail of bullets also on the Delamere’s ranch as he was conducting an undercover investigation. The case collapsed for lack of evidence in June 2005, prompting noisy demonstrations around the fringes of the farm.

The British aristocrat was convicted in May 2009 of the manslaughter of Robert Njoya, an unemployed stonemason, after a judge found no evidence to sustain the original charge of murder. Mr Njoya, 37 the father of four boys, died in May 2006 after a bullet fired by Cholmondeley nicked an artery in his pelvis. He had been poaching for Impala gazelles on the 48,000 acre Rift Valley ranch owned by the 5th Baron Delamere, Cholmondeley’s father.

He was sent to Kamiti Maximum Security Prison and was released in October that year after serving only five months of the eight months for manslaughter. Living with the burden of such killings and the backlash from the general public who feel he was favoured by the justice system must have haunted him daily.

August 17, 2016
Here’s The Truth About Jameson Whisky Made In Kariobangi

Social Media has been awash with disturbing pictures that seem to show a downtown illegal liquor manufacturing plant. Photos of Jameson bottles has caused serious waves with many convinced they’re from Kariobangi Lights Industries famed for making counterfeit products.

You really wouldn’t blame those who’ve believed this version since several crackdowns laid by authorities in the past have unearthed the sub-standard brewing plants making fake versions of the expensive liquor lacing them with toxic chemicals before passing them to unsuspecting consumers in high-end clubs.

However, turns out the photos doing rounds are not from Kariobangi but from Mombasa port where the Jameson representatives themselves conducted a legal destruction of a container containing the priced whisky after it slipped the cranes into the waters. As affirmed in their statement, the destruction done under NEMA and KRA watch was just but a measure to ensure safety and quality to the consumers.

So really no need to panic at least from the clarification and enjoy your glass of Jameson in peace.

August 13, 2016
Going Broke, Panic Grips Star Newspaper Journalists As Salaries Delay And Mass Lay Offs Lined

Radio Africa Group Managing Director Patrick Quarcoo

All is not rosy at the Radio Africa Limited print department according to information getting to Kenya Insights from the insiders. In a confidential memo dated August 1, 2016, tipped to us originating from the Chief Operating Officer Agnes Kalekye and copied to Benjamin Otido, Cathy Oganga, Robert Kibutiri and William Pike, the salaries for the Month of August were delayed for up to six days for both junior and senior staff members.

The Star recently relaunched with a new look in what was expected to boost the sales of the newspapers, but our source in the company say things have worked in contrary. Sales have reduced drastically from average 20,000 copies a day to a mere 10,000 copies throwing accountants into the panic.

The burden of sustaining the salaries is getting heavier, and the management is considering laying off its staff to a manageable size. The Star which has cut a niche as the Number one’s newspaper for politics has scared off some soft advertisers who don’t want to be associated with the thick political theme that clouds the pages, a factor that our informant say has contributed towards low income.

There are grave fears that the management is seriously contemplating retrenching employees who now stand at 600 in a bid to contain cost and optimise profits. Faced with stiff competition from the digital trend and the consumer’s consumption shift to digital phase, traditional media like radio, tv, newspapers are restructuring their systems to adopt with the new order.

Nation Media Group was recently forced to shut down it’s two radio stations and QTv following poor remittance and opted to merge the TV stations and shift the radio stations to the online platform only. Digital migration of audience has dealt a significant blow to the media houses which now have no other but to chase after the consumers who’re steadily dumping the traditional media. However, this shouldn’t be seen as the death of traditional media, it’s far from going dead, the companies just have to formulate strategies to have them blend for survival.

Mostly to be affected in the anticipated Star shakeup are subeditors and senior reporters who were poached from other media houses with high salaries and allowances which cannot be met now due to weak sales. Upcountry reporters are also a bitter lot as they never receive their pay and allowances in time.

August 12, 2016
How IEBC Paid Sh50M To a Ghost Firm That Was Only Registered After The Elections

Scandals galore agency IEBC is yet again on the dwelling zone following latest audit report that has revealed how they paid up to Sh. 50M to an unnamed company to offer transport services for elections materials during the 2013 elections and the astonishing thing according to the auditor general’s report, the company was non-existent until September 12, 2014, when it was formally registered payments yet according to IEBC records were made to the firm in November 2013.

The payment was purportedly to a related company that the IEBC had awarded the tender earlier for the transport services. In a bid to clear off any trails, IEBC agreed to an irregular request through the unreferenced letter dated October 13, 2014, in which the company indicates that payments due to another firm previously contracted by the commission should be paid to it.

The company that was initially contracted for the transport failed its mandates on the initial stages according to the AG Ouko’s report, and they had inked for 27 vehicles to be used in transporting election materials and instead only five could be accounted to have been used. When the Auditor General’s office questioned IEBC on these discrepancies in draft stages of auditing, they gave additional documents for ten more vehicles instead of 22.

Verifying details of the ten vehicles revealed that some had been reported to have been in use in three different locations at the same time, making their use in assigned areas questionable. The report gives the example of vehicle registration number KAJ 482N, which the IEBC had indicated delivered election material in Malindi Region but was found to have been operating in Rongai and Bahati constituencies in the Rift Valley at the same time.

IEBC has been rocked with controversial transactions and scandals with Chickengate being the most open one where Kenyan officials including the Chairman Isaak Hassan(who has since been cleared by mischevious EACC of any involvement in the scam) alongside others like former IEBC CEO James Oswago of having been bribed by a UK printing firm as tip-off for the ballot paper printing tender award. Faced with immense integrity questions denting their credibility, the defiant IEBC team with the rock Kenyan spirit of never giving up positions have finally bowed out and will pave a way for a new team. It will, however, cost Kenya up to Sh.400M to send the commissioners home.

August 12, 2016
Hold On, Cheryl Kitonga Is Not Dead Just Yet

Social Media which one of Kenya’s top killer diseases after Malaria and AIDS has once again taken one person down and this time none other than Cheryl Kitonga a once less known last who made headlines during the murder of Businessman Jacob Juma for being the last he was last seen with before being gunned down.

I’m Monday night, social media was awash with unconfirmed news that the lady has been found murdered at her home. Intel reaching Kenya Insights from the CID sources indicates that these are wild rumours and police not able to confirm.

Cheryl stays in South B and none of the relatives neither friends from the area have come out to confirm this. So far we can firmly tell you to treat this as a rumour and that the lady is still alive.

Rumours of Cheryl being murdered coming at a time when ODPP is structuring a tribunal to look into the unresolved murder of Jacob Juma who was fell down by unknown gunmen suspected to be state operatives according to many contributors on the matter allegations denied by the government.

Keep it Kenya Insights for more developments in this story.

August 10, 2016
Ombudsman Report Reveals Eastleigh Market Land Was Grabbed By Private Developers Directs Kidero To Order For Construction Cessation

Dr Otiende Amolo, Office of the Ombudsman Chairman.

Ombudsman investigation into possible dereliction of duty, abuse of power, unfair treatment and injustice by public officials in the Eastleigh Market matter has revealed that ownership wrangles that plague the contested parcel of land are a creation of the defunct Nairobi City Council officials. The controversy surrounding the leasing of the parcel of land came to the fore early this year when two developers commenced construction at the site spurring protests from traders who were operating in the open air market. The land in question measures 0.5116 hectares (approximately 1.26 acres) and registered as 36/VII/1037.

The Office commenced an investigation into the matter following a complaint filed with the Commission on 15th December 2015 by representatives of 403 traders who had been operating in the market since 1981. The complainants alleged that the parcel of land on which Eastleigh Market sits was allocated to private developers under the guise of Public-Private-Partnership initiative leading to the demolition of stalls, they erected at their own cost, on 10th January 2009.

The investigation has revealed that officials of the defunct City Council of Nairobi unlawfully aided Ali Sheikh Mahamud and Farah Mohamed Barrow associated with Alfa Traders to acquire the same parcel of land in 2007. Specifically, we found former Deputy Town Clerk Nelson Otido and the late Hon. Dick Wathika who was serving then as Mayor culpable of abuse of power for signing the lease without following due process.

Although the lease was later revoked on the basis that it was issued unlawfully, senior County officials cleared the two developers to proceed with the construction. Specifically, Chief Valuer Isaac Nyoike confirmed on 13th February 2014 that the disputed piece of land belonged to Ali Sheikh Mahamud and Farah Mohamed Barrow. Subsequently, Director of Legal Affairs Karisa Iha informed the developers on 14th February 2014 that they were the registered owners of the parcel of land and should take possession of the premises subject to court cases being discharged.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and Senator Mike Sonko both are on public record supporting the traders but nothing substatntive has been forthcoming from them to see the developers stop construction.

The investigation also found the City Council officials culpable of multiple allocations of land. The County allocated the market to 403 traders in 1981. The merchants built stalls at their expense, but the stalls were demolished in 2009 after the City Council leased the same piece of land to private developers. Despite the ownership wrangles, the City Council went ahead and allocated the same piece of land to Golden Lime International under Public-Private-Partnership Agreement. Court battles ensued between Alfa Traders and Golden Lime International over ownership of the land.

It is worth noting the file containing title documents relating Eastleigh Market – under the custody of Registrar of Tittles J.W. Kamuyu – could not be traced thereby compelling reconstruction of another one to facilitate Ombudsman’s investigation.

From the preceding, it is apparent that abuse of power led not only to a loss of earnings for the complainants but may have also caused pain and suffering to them and their families. Further, the County Government (and its predecessor) lost approximately Sh72 million that would have been collected for ground rates, licences and administration charges payable by the 403 traders at an average rate of Sh15,000 per month.

Office of the Ombudsman determined and arrived at the following conclusions:

Nairobi City County should issue a cessation notice to Mr Ali Sheikh Mohamud and Mr Farah Mohamed Barrow directing them to immediately stop construction and vacate the parcel of land, LR. No. 36/VII/1037.

City County Government should repossess and develop the parcel of land, LR. No. 36/VII/1037 into a modern market and give priority to the 403 traders or their successors.

In the event that the County Government is not able to develop the property, it should legally negotiate for a proper Public-Private Partnership contract that secures the interest of the County Government and the traders. CAJ should be involved in that process of PPP Agreement.

The Nairobi City County should compensate the Eastleigh Market traders at KSh. 150,000 each for the cost incurred in the construction of market stalls.

That Nelson Otido should not hold any public office for the reason that he unlawfully executed the lease documents in favour of Ali Sheikh Mohamud and Farah Mohamed Barrow.

The Governor should remove from office Isaac Nyoike, Chief Valuer, and Karisa Iha, Director, Legal Affairs for abuse of power and breach of public trust.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development should issue a warning letter, and institute any other appropriate administrative action on J.W. Kamuyu, Registrar of Titles for misbehaviour in office, inefficiency and ineptitude.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development should expedite automation of the Land Registry in order to address the anomaly of missing files.

August 8, 2016
VIDEO: Rogue Embakassi Cops Reign Terror On Club Revellers After Beating By KDF Soldiers

A video doing rounds on the Internet showing police officers drawn from the Embakasi Camp reigning terror on revellers who had taken refuge in the washrooms has sparked anger and investigations.

The CCTV footage shows the incident happened on a Friday, 29th July 2016. According to information available, there was a fight between the police officers with KDF soldiers from the neighbouring Embakasi barracks. The rival teams were having drinks in the club before war broke out and the soldiers overpowered them with the serious beating.

The unarmed police officers then rushed to their stations and came back armed with the soldiers whom by then had sensed danger and drove off from the club. On realising the soldiers had left, the angered officers turned their fire on innocent patrons who were by now scared on the gunshot sounds took cover in the washrooms.

The video shows officers dragging and assaulting the helpless and unarmed revellers. ODPP.IPOA and the Police Service themselves have taken up the matter, and officers involved faced with possible disciplinary actions.

The inter-forces rivalry between the police and military isn’t new whereby the soldiers often see the cops as inferior to them. Police reforms seemingly have done less to streamline the officers who just act above limits. What did the revellers do to warrant all these? Hopefully, authorities involved strike hard on the menaces.

August 7, 2016
Medical Crisis In Machakos, Why Doctors Are Fleeing Because Of Governor Alfred Mutua

Machakos Governor, Dr. Alfred Mutua

A major health crisis is looming in Machakos County after conflicting parties, Mutua and doctors union failed to reach a safe agreement. The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has started the process of withdrawing its members from Machakos county hospitals because of what it describes as poor working conditions and bad human resource policies by Mutua and his administration.

Mutua who is widely known for pulling PR stunts with unsustainable projects under the umbrella of Maendeleo Chap Chap has had bad blood with KMPDU who accuse him of getting way deep into their affairs and unnecessarily being authoritarian along the way firing most doctors unfairly.

Differences between the medics and Governor Mutua started when he suspended one of the KMPDU members last month because of “lethargy”. Some of the issues that the doctors are protesting against include suspension of doctors without following the right procedure, salary delays, lack of promotions, non-remittance of statutory deductions and inadequate housing.

The attention seeking Mutua recently fired a doctor who was in the theatre attending to a patient for not giving him attention when he paid a surprise visit to the hospital. Mutua expected the doctor to leave the patient in the theatre with the surgery halfway to run and kneel before him with ‘Karibu Baba,’ a colonial and Moi era leaders worshipping mentality. Medics are guided by the divine rule that dictates you save lives first and attend to other things later on.

August 4, 2016
Ruto’s Weston Hotel Goes after Langata Primary School Children Again, in Dangerous Way

Deputy President William Ruto

With the Langata Primary School’s land-grabbing attempt still fresh in many people’s minds; memories of innocent school children getting teargassed by the police still vivid, the school has been hit yet another blow from the same hotel.

While National Land Commission promised it would investigate how the hotel acquired the land next to Wilson Airport, like many of the files that Swazuri has sat on after getting his hands oiled, the wait will be much longer. Swazuri, the NLC boss, is in the middle of all illegal land exchanges.

Moles at NLC tell Kenya Insights that Mzee is a darling to land grabbing cartels. His role in the USIU and Eastleigh market land grab hasn’t been forgotten.

Moving on; There is fresh controversy surrounding Deputy President William Ruto’s Weston Hotel after the management allegedly pushed for the relocation of a bus terminus and closure of an intersection on Lang’ata Road to create space. Now, the bus terminus next to the hotel, commonly referred to as The Hague, has allegedly been closed, and motorists are forced to drive up to the T-Mall roundabout and turn back before driving to Wilson Airport.

The terminus has been moved closer to Lang’ata Road Primary School, near classrooms and the main gate. Motorists leaving the airport have to drive past the flyover and use an intersection opposite the gate of the school to get to town.

Moving the stage to the school’s gate puts the lives of the school kids in danger exposing them to accidents besides the hooting and music banging buses will cause major noise pollution. Being next to the classrooms, concentration in class amongst these pupils is most likely to be affected. Last year, Weston Hotel attempted to grab playing ground of the school to expand their parking lot.

Kenya National Highways Authority who approved this shift is another body vulnerable to manipulation, a typical Kenyan authority that with few coins the corrupt officials will kick to space decent grades and bend rules. Taj Mall was spared from demolition after the same body redesigned Outering Road expansion plan to leave out the Sh.5B building on instructions from high places and after millions bribery.

August 3, 2016
Six Storey Building Collapses In Kariobangi South Another Case City Hall Impunity

The collapsed building in Kariobangi South Estate

Kenya Insights has been highlighting on the incompetent City Hall officers who conspire with rogue landlords in approving the substandard buildings. This is facilitated by corrupt officials in the County Government’s planning department headed by Khaemba.

The building from our contact in the ground was erected on a swampy ground which shouldn’t be the case if the County officers did their job well to ensure approval of buildings on safe grounds. Occupants of the premise luckily had vacated the building on sensing danger arising from huge cracks on the wall. It was set to collapse the residents say.

Steve the swindler landlord has since gone underground switched off his phones as irate tenants and locals bay for his blood. Luckily, no casualty has been reported since the building had been evacuated

August 2, 2016