Kenya Insights

Tag: Featured

  • Ugenya MP Ochieng Slams Governor Orengo For Failing To Lead County Development In Siaya

    Ugenya MP Ochieng Slams Governor Orengo For Failing To Lead County Development In Siaya

    NAIROBI, Kenya May 20 – Ugenya MP David Ochieng has slammed Siaya Governor James Orengo for what he terms as poor delivery since taking office in 2022.

    Ochieng says Orengo is still operating like a legislator instead of leading county development as a governor.

    The Movement for Democracy and Growth political Party Leader urged Orengo to unite political camps and work with leaders focused on development.

    “Our Governor has under performed. He goes round making noise but not working himself” said the legislator.

    He regretted that Orengo, – who is among the firebrand opposition leaders in the country – had not realizing that people had made peace and joined hands in working towards developing the nation,” Ochieng said

    The second term MP said that as a lawmaker from Ugenya constituency where Orengo hails from, he will not allow the Governor to continue embarrassing Ugenya residents.

    ““His mind remained in senate when he came to be the governor. He left his mind in the senate” said the lawmaker

    Ochieng who accused the governor of failing to convene a leaders meeting to chart the way forward for the county since his election.

    He made the remarks at Hafumbre and Siranga primary schools in his constituency when he presided over the disbursement of a total of 7 million Shillings bursary from the Ugenya constituency development fund.

  • Govt Publishes New Graphic Warning Signs For Cigarette Packets

    Govt Publishes New Graphic Warning Signs For Cigarette Packets

    The government has published new graphic warning signs for printing on cigarette packets to create awareness of their health effects.

    Under Section 21(4) of the Tobacco Control Act, tobacco products are required to have warning labels and messages, which are clearly visible and not easily distorted.

    Moreover, the labels should be represented in both English and Swahili.

    “IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by section 21 (4) of the Tobacco Control Act, the Cabinet Secretary for the Health prescribes the images set out in the Schedule as the form in which the warning required under section 21 of the Act shall appear,” In a gazette notice, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa said.

    The use of tobacco products has been linked to cancer as they alter; they contain chemicals that damage the DNA.

    An IREX Venture (DG) research manuscript on Mortality From Tob showed that between 2012 and 2021, Kenya experienced 60,228 deaths attributed to tobacco-related diseases, including respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus, malignant cancers, tuberculosis, and cardiovascular diseases among adults aged 35 years and older.

    “The age of 35 years is significant as these are classified as premature deaths that occur when people are still economically productive,” the report showed.

    “Out of the 60,228 observed deaths, 9,943 (16.5 per) were attributed to tobacco smoking.”

  • Nigerian Singer 2Baba Announces Divorce From Wife Annie

    Nigerian Singer 2Baba Announces Divorce From Wife Annie

    Nigerian music icon Innocent Idibia, widely known by his stage name Tuface or 2Baba, has publicly announced his divorce from his wife of 13 years, Annie Macaulay Idibia.

    The revelation, which has surprised fans and the entertainment industry, was initially shared on Tuface’s Instagram account in a post that was later deleted, fueling speculation and mixed reactions online.

    In the now-deleted post, the ‘African Queen’ hitmaker revealed that he and Annie had been separated for some time and had recently filed for divorce.

    He wrote: “Hello to my beautiful people of all federations. well, this thing I have to say is short but also long… I and Annie Macaulay have been separated for a while now and have recently filed for divorce. I would grant a press release soon to say my story… not because it is anyone’s right to know about my personal life, but because I love my people and I need them to know my innocence or offence. stay blessed, my people. I love you all.”

    Moments after the post gained traction, it was deleted, leaving fans confused. This was followed by an initial claim that his account had been hacked. However, in a video shared on his Instagram Stories late Sunday night, Tuface clarified that the post about his separation was indeed written and posted by him, effectively dismissing earlier reports of hacking.

    The Young, Famous And African stars share two children together, and have been in the spotlight for years, with their relationship often making headlines for its ups and downs. The couple’s journey has been far from smooth, weathering storms ranging from infidelity rumours to public family disputes. Despite these challenges, they had long been seen as one of Nigeria’s most admired celebrity couples.

    The couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Dubai in 2012, following years of dating and a relationship that had begun before Tuface’s rise to fame.

    Annie, a Nollywood actress, has often spoken about the trials of being married to one of Africa’s most celebrated musicians on the hit reality TV series with many advising her to leave her marriage.

  • Wendy Williams Denies Being ‘Cognitively Impaired’ As She Addresses Guardianship

    Wendy Williams Denies Being ‘Cognitively Impaired’ As She Addresses Guardianship

    Wendy Williams feels like she’s “in prison” and insists she is “not cognitively impaired”.

    The 60-year-old star – who hosted her eponymous talk show from 2008 until 2022 before Sherri Shepherd took over her slot – is under the guardianship of lawyer Sabrina Morrissey and living in a care facility, almost a year after her care team announced she had been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.

    Calling into ‘The Breakfast Club’ on Thursday (16.01.25), she said: “I am not cognitively impaired, you know what I’m saying? But I feel like I’m in prison.

    “I’m in this place where the people are in their 90s and their 80s and their 70s… There’s something wrong with these people here on this floor.”

    Primary progressive aphasia is a rare condition that affects the nervous system and inhibits the ability to communicate, while frontotemporal dementia affects personality, behaviour and language.

    The former daytime host has been under a guardianship since 2022.

    Her niece Alex also phoned into the morning show and voiced her support for her aunt.

    Williams’ niece, Alex, also phoned into the show to support her aunt.

    She claimed: “My aunt sounds great. I’ve seen her, in a very limited capacity, but I’ve seen her and we’re talking to her. This does not match an incapacitated person.

    “And that’s why we say she’s in a luxury prison, because she is being held and she is being punished for whatever reason that other people are coming up with as to why she has to be kept in this position.”

    In a press release from her care team announcing her diagnosis last year, they addressed speculation after she had begun “to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions”.

    They continued: “The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances.

    “Unfortunately, many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding, particularly when they begin to exhibit behavioral changes but have not yet received a diagnosis.”

    Almost a year ago, Wendy’s sister Wanda Finnie claimed that she wasn’t made aware of her sibling’s diagnosis after she was placed in a facility to be treated for cognitive issues and that the family had received no updates on Wendy since she spent time with them in Florida in 2021.

  • Raila: Military Officers Currently Under Training To Be Used In August Election Rigging

    Raila: Military Officers Currently Under Training To Be Used In August Election Rigging

    NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga has dropped a bombshell in what is shocking yet not really unexpected making allegations that the military has been entangled into the land’s politics by being trained in the barracks as rigging agents in the coming election.

    Raila attributed the rigging dating back to since ehen the High Court ruled in April that presidential election results declared at the constituency are final, “the jubilee leadership has been involved in a series of activities that we find to be extremely disturbing with regard to the upcoming elections. ” Said Raila.

    The NASA leader challengedthe jubilee leadership to come clean on these matters.

    First, a series of meetings of officers from the National Intelligence Service have taken place with the sole purpose of coming up with a plan to help Jubilee retain power at all costs, particularly in the event that the courts maintains that results declared at the constituency level are final.

    “Jubilee appears to be putting all its hopes on the old centralised tallying at the Bomas of Kenya that enabled them to doctor and change results. It is now turning to using Intelligence and security officers to influence the august elections.” Odinga said

    Raila and Musalia addressing the press on the security issue

    The first meeting of the NIS and other groups from the national security sector took place at Lake Naivasha Lodge and the Great Rift Valley Lodge soon after the High Court ruling. Subsequent to that meeting, top officers of the various security formations in have held frequent consultations under the chairmanship of former Chief of General Staff Julius Waweru Karangi to actualise the plan developed by the NIS.

    Those who have attended these meetings include the Commander of the Army, Commander of the Kenya Air Force, the Commandant of the National Defence College, the Director General NIS, and the director of CID.

    Out of these meetings the following developments have followed:

    A training of members of the Kenya Defence Force on crowd control currently going on at in Embakasi military barracks.

    Training by the military for Administration Police officers, County Commanders and Regional Co-ordinators for unspecified roles.
    Recruitment of 120 military officers from each barrack and unit for unspecified special operations.

    These trainings are all currently underway at Embakasi barracks. They have every semblance with what was done at the same venue in the lead up to the 2007 general elections in which APs were later dispersed as election officials and poll agents for the Party of National Unity.

    Raila said they’re in possession of information that further to the above activities, several military officers are currently being hosted in Kakamega at the former provincial premises. We have information that these military officers are being prepared so as to be recruited by the IEBC as polling officials in the on-going recruitment process.

    NASA is inclined to believe that the above activities are meant to subvert the will of the people in the upcoming elections. We are challenging the national government and the leadership of the security organs in the country to explain to Kenyans why a select group of military officers would be involved in training civilians like county commanders and regional coordinators.

    Raila made an appeal to the military to remain faithful to the traditions of this country and their call of duty and refuse to be dragged into politics and instead focus on keeping our country safe. That has been our proud tradition as a country.

  • The State’s Muscles Flexing On NMG Journalist Walter Menya Sends A Chilling Message

    The State’s Muscles Flexing On NMG Journalist Walter Menya Sends A Chilling Message

    Walter Menya was having a regular medical checkup at Metropolitan Hospital, BuruBuru when a man identified to him as Korros posing as a source of a juicy story called him for a meeting to pass over details of his dossier. Since he couldn’t make it to town where the fake source had suggested, they agreed to meet at the hospital. Unknown to Menya, this was a well laid out trap to get him. After a short chat with Korros, Menya was accosted by cops who demanded him to take them to his house upon refusal he was forced into a police car. According to his colleagues, it was inside the car where he was handed a newspaper inside there was 20K which later turned out to be treated money to close him up. The incident was taken in camera by the cops.

    Menya would later be taken to CID HQ in Kiambu, and this is where the actual players and motive behind his arrest started to show their faces. The discredited and State’s online propaganda mercenaries broke the news of Menya’s arrest full with photos of the handcuffed journalists taken from restricted photography premises of CID this would only mean they were given via state agents. Initially, the online mercenaries privileged to be called 36bloggers under instructions as it has been said Menya was arrested for soliciting a bribe to kill a damaging story on the unnamed person, and that was the start of blunders.

    The purveyors failed to name the accuser whom Menya had solicited bribe from and the particular details of the story that they termed as fake story a now famous phrase by bully U.S. President Trump that he uses to discredit any publication he seems negative on him Terming the unmentioned story by Menya as Fake would only mean he was exposing damaging details on influential person. Before going into details, if Menya was demanding a bribe to publish a story and not to kill a story then the best route is going to the employer and not police?

    It has come to light that Menya had received a call from a PS on clarification to a story he had written earlier how top civil servants were amongst the high profile guests in the Uhuru’s fundraiser that raised 1B in hours. The senior officers were named as part of Friends of Jubilee Foundation rooting for his re-election. From his sources, Menya called KRA Commissioner-General John Njiraini and Energy PS Njoroge having attended Uhuru re-election fundraiser raising tens of millions to the kitty.

    As an after thought, Nation writer Walter Menya accuser was named as Kiprotich Koros; the nan who posed as a source and police asked the court to detain Menya for three more days as they probe bribery claims. Comedic peak was the police said the accuser was too poor to pay rest of the demanded bribe I 50K having paid 20K which was spiked and handed in the car. According to the arrested journalist, while being taken in rounds, he overheard one of the officers saying “huyu mtu tumpeleke Karura tumalize” (this one we should take to Karura Forest and finish him) a threat that goes to confirm extrajudicial killings exist and Karura being their execution point. He was arrested by the dreaded flying squad suspected of being Kenya’s police hit squad.

    The accuser Korros is a nobody in the picture but a mere implantation, who’s this powerful person he had irked with his writing. If indeed Menya had solicited for bribes and had received a prior pay of 20K via mpesa then that makes the accuser an accomplice to the crime of bribery, why is he not being accused?

    Menya being denied bail on a bailable offense in the name of more time to collect evidence which is the new detention without trial was just but away to intimidate him further. It is inhuman that the journalists had to go without his routine medication since he was denied citing orders from above.

    The lead investigator told the court that the complainant, who claims to have given cash to Menya, thought the money was going to NMG. Later he was informed by someone that NMG only changed to publish adverts and now news stories.

    It didn’t come as a surprise when the newest recruit to the 36 assassins a Mr. Robert Alai posted what’s alleged to be a recorded conversation of Menya bargaining for the bribe. Since we value your time and intelligence, we’ve decided not to repost that kindergarten fabrication here. Menya was arrested and what followed immediately was character assassination and demonization. A public lynching and prosecution in the public court scheme initiated by 36 mercenaries before the truth could come out. The amount of state machinery applied in Menya’s shows there’s more than meets the eye.

    Rather than attempting to kill a man’s credibility that he has built for ages, the unspoken reality is someone sending a warning to journalists against writing contrary to government’s hymns. Jubilee has had zero regards to press freedom, and this is yet again another hammer to the same. The script continues to unfold with laughable loopholes and factors arising but journalists and Kenyans must look beyond Menya, he’s being sacrificed to pass a message. Media is a crucial tool in a democracy, and infringing press rights amounts to undermining democracy and also interfering with the electoral process of public enlightenment. Civil servants must not engage in partisan politics as they’ve been, it is unconstitutional.

  • Integrity: 20 Powerful Politicians In NASA And Jubilee Blacklisted From August Elections

    Integrity: 20 Powerful Politicians In NASA And Jubilee Blacklisted From August Elections

    With 8/8 fast approaching and politicians going on campaign overdrive, the civil society who gives the watchdog value for the community is not sleeping either. A campaign dubbed #RedCardKE is already creating enough havoc, this is a citizen’s driven 90-day campaign created to #RedCard all corrupt and unethical political aspirants, raise voter awareness and empower frontline institutions to hold the promise of Chapter 6 before all candidates.

    According to the campaign, 20 individuals both holding positions in NASA and jubilee have been marked as unfit for public office given integrity issues that they hold and asking the IEBC to bar them from participating in the August poll.

    Here’s the list and the set of accusations labeled against them by the accusing activists:

    1. Mwangi wa Iria – Governor Aspirant Muranga County

    Accused of purchase of 24 acres of land at Kshs. 340 million, a price that is way above the market value of the land.

    2. Kazungu Kambi – Governor Aspirant Kilifi County

    Accused of irregularly approving an exaggerated budget of Kshs. 5.05 billion for the construction of National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Tassia Phase 2 Project, a Kshs. 2 billion variations from the original Kshs. 3.3 billion; Kshs. 2 billion NSSF pensions fund.

    3. Oscar Sudi – MP Aspirant Kapseret Constituency

    The aspirant is accused of forgery of official documents and election into public office on account of falsified documents and intentionally providing false information.

    4. Moses Kuria – MP Aspirant Gatundu South Constituency

    He is subject to several counts of incitement to violence including against leaders, communities and journalists; disobedience of the law and hate speech.

    5. Mike Sonko – Governor Aspirant Nairobi County
    He’s accused of indecent conduct in public including alleged harassment of Mtwapa weighbridge government officers. Mike Sonko is also accused of involvement in a physical fight with Governor Kidero, disruption of proceedings of the Senate public accounts committee and is also subject to the allegation of influencing the award of a Kenya Pipeline Company for a Kshs. 1.35 billion kickback.

    6. Hassan Ali Joho – Governor Aspirant Mombasa County

    He is subject to questionable academic qualifications. Governor Hassan Ali Joho was also listed in United States (US) Embassy list of drug barons.

    7. Gladys Boss Shollei – Women Representative Aspirant Uasin Gishu County

    The aspirant is accused of procurement irregularities including the purchase of the official residence of the Chief Justice at the cost of Kshs. 310 million and authorization of Kshs. 46.4 million to build pre-fabricated courts at Mavoko Law Courts.

    8. Ochilo Ayacko – Governor Aspirant Migori County

    Accused of instigating violence during party nominations in April 2017.

    9. Evans Odhiambo Kidero – Governor Aspirant Nairobi County

    Kidero is accused of procurement irregularities of up to Kshs. 4.6 billion in a plan to launch a metro transportation system. The aspirant is also subject to allegations of bribery and payment of Kshs. 200 million to Justice Tunoi. Governor Kidero is also accused of indecent conduct in public and physical violence against a fellow public official. An IPSOS public perception survey released on September

    An IPSOS public perception survey released on September 8th, 2015 ranked candidate as fourth most corrupt leader after Anne Waiguru, Charity Ngilu and Deputy President William Ruto.

    10. Elizabeth Ongoro – MP Aspirant Ruaraka Constituency

    She’s accused of instigating violence during the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party nominations which led to her being barred by ODM from contesting on the party ticket.

    11. Baba Yao Ferdinand Waititu – Governor Aspirant Kiambu County

    Waititu was already declared unfit to hold public office in 2015 (Benson Riitho Mureithi vs. JW. Wakhungu and 2 others (2014) eKLR); Confesses questionable academic qualifications; Allegations of hate speech and endangering of intercommunal harmony and cohesion.

    12. Alfred Mutua – Governor Aspirant Machakos County

    Procurement irregularities of 16 Subarus worth Kshs. 147.3 million, Ambulances worth Kshs. 145.3 million and in the construction of Kithimani-Makutano road worth Kshs. 568 million.

    13. Asman Kamama  – MP Aspirant Tiaty Constituency

    Involvement in the ongoing clashes and involvement in the assassination of opponents.

    14. Alfred  Keter – MP Aspirant Nandi Hills Constituency

    Allegations of breach of Chapter 6 and provisions of Leadership & Integrity Act; Abuse of office, obstruction, and harassment of legitimate authority at the Gilgil weighbridge on 21 January 2015.

    15. Cyprian Awiti – Governor Aspirant Homa Bay County

    The aspirant is subject to an ongoing investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) into possible misappropriation of Kshs. 200 million meant for the Agro City project.

    16. Ken Lusaka – Governor Aspirant Bungoma County

    Under his leadership as the Governor of Bungoma County, his County Government purchased 10 ‘Special’ Wheelbarrows at the cost of Kshs. 1 million each. Beyond this, there is a case of conflict of interest as the candidate is accused of having links – through proxies – to M’Big Company that has won a bulk of Bungoma County contracts.

    17. Zacharia Okoth Obado – Governor Aspirant Migori County

    Embezzlement and loss of up to Kshs 600 million through procurement irregularities, violation of Section 11 of the Election Offences Act, 2016 including the use of and perpetration of violence during the ODM party nominations in April 2017 leading to destruction of property, loss of lives and intimidation of opponents by issuing threats.

    18. Anne Waiguru – Governor Aspirant Kirinyaga County

    Under investigations for the National Youth Service (NYS) theft in which Up to Kshs. 1.9 billion was lost in the NYS scandal under her watch as Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Devolution. Audit of NYS scandal is still incomplete. Abused, lost or unaccounted for budget includes funds meant for slum upgrading of 3.5 km road in Kibera slum which would have significantly improved physical accessibility and public health and sanitation in one of the biggest slum in Africa with approximately 250,000 dwellers.

    Waiguru gave directives that ensured procurement and payment were centralized at the NYS headquarters, hence overriding and undermining meaningful oversight by other State departments. An IPSOS public perception survey released on September 8th, 2015 ranked the candidate as third most corrupt leader. The candidate was declared unfit to hold public office by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament in May 2017.

    Do you agree with the Red Card movement that those in the list must be barred from seeking election?

  • Revealed: How Jubilee Propaganda Firm Is Using Google Search Algorithms Manipulation On Unga Campaign To Blow Horns For Uhuru

    Revealed: How Jubilee Propaganda Firm Is Using Google Search Algorithms Manipulation On Unga Campaign To Blow Horns For Uhuru

    Being a political season in a highly contested election, candidates are putting up the best teams, arsenal and sharpest strategies to woo and win hearts of the 19M IEBC registered voters. With barely two months to the 8th Aug date with electorates, jubilee and NASA are not taking anything into chances as they go full offensive to gather as many votes and win as many hearts.

    While Jubilee won the election in 2013 campaigning on the youthful, new leadership and the ICC factor that brought together President Uhuru and his Deputy William Ruto, the cards have had to change four years later into power in popularizing their campaign. Jubilee is using the development platform as their core campaign material, greatly infrastructural projects. Jubilee hopes through the GoK Delivers campaign, the structures they’ve laid in their tenure will earn them another term in office.

    Within the years of Jubilee rule, the state of Kenyan economy has become a center of focus with GDP showing positive index yet apparatus showing otherwise. Kenya thanks to jubilee now has record 4.5T public debt with inflation rate extremely high. Unemployment rate according to multiple sources now stands at 46% a disturbing figure given the fact that the youths make up to 67% of the 45M population. Corruption has been Jubilee’s greatest disgrace with an unimaginable amount of public funds stolen without repercussions. The cost of living has sailed from worse to worst under the last years of Jubilee administration leaving it with an ogre image.

    A cartoon illustrating the state of nation on maize fiasco.

    NASA is capitalizing on the failures of Jubilee in their pursuit of Statehouse occupation. Cost of living being high influenced the Unga revolution given the high prices of flour. Being a staple food to many, Unga was definitely going to be a winning campaign agenda for NASA. On realizing they were losing the scoring and NASA having an upper hand, jubilee swiftly moved in with ‘help’ to lower the maize prices through subsidy to millers. Unga prices would then drastically drop from 170 to 90 following GoK’s 6B subsidy which in essence is another burden to the taxpayer who’ll foot the bill. The Unga price reduction took off the greatest campaign asset from NASA with Jubilee now coming in as the. While the whole thing is surrounded with controversy gave crystal clear fingerprints of artificial food shortage with highly placed state officials as the chief architects, one thing is pretty obvious that food shortage is and was meant to be a campaign material for both camps.

    It is not a coincidence that farmers were supplied with fake fertilizer and seeds that failed leading to drop in yield. It’s not a miracle that after DP Ruto, Agriculture CS Bett gave food security affirmation in January saying the Strategic Grains Reserve had enough maize to sustain the population only for same maize to disappear mysteriously creating a void in supply. It is not a miracle that the very day KRA have notice of tax exemption on maize a mysterious shop vessel supposedly full with maize left Durban for Mombasa and it is not a miracle that the very day that the maize was offloaded from the shop in Mombasa, it was milled, packed full with GoK subsidy stamp and supplied the very day. What I’m saying is the system is self-exposing, powerful individuals we’re yet to establish drained the Strategic Grains Reserve took maize and hid in some ship in the High seas waiting for the subsidy and tax exemption announcement to ‘import’ that maize from Mexico. Good security is government’s priority, A lapse in The system is directly linked to them.

    Jubilee castigated the opposition for taking advantage of the food shortage to campaign against them calling it bloodsucking. However, a surface level investigation by Kenya Insights has unearthed how Jubilee using sophisticated propaganda tactics by Cambridge Analytica, are now fully and milking dry the situation in a well executed Google Search Algorithms manipulation. You’ll also realize the Unga released are packaged with GoK stamp a subliminal message meant to sell jubilee agenda as the rescue agent while it is pretty clear they’re fully to blame for creating the current situation thanks to rampant corruption and incompetent leadership.

    Kenya Insights has discovered that A Google Search for the word ‘Unga’ will bring you a paid ad of an article from the Standard newspaper with a tweaked headline portraying President as the savior in the Unga quagmire. It is unclear yet of Standard Group is part of this campaign since their article is the one promoted to appear on Google Search pages. The sole message here is to paint Uhuru as stainless as possible and show how caring he is by reducing the price of Unga. It is worth mentioning that, the subsidy of 6B on maize is not a gift from the government, this a fresh debt to the already 4.5T. What this means, You and I will pay for that 6B.

    We noticed that when you search for anything on Google and add ‘Unga in the search, the promoted standard newspaper article pops the top on every chat. What this strategy says is that looking for anything touching on Unga will first lead you to a praise and worship article on Uhuru and how he’s the one who has saved Kenya from starvation. You by now can tell jubilee is using the Unga topic to campaign heavily online. Google is the biggest search tool and.most visited in Kenya. By investing in the big data analytics, Jubilee knows a good number of people accessing Google will be reached.

    Cambridge Analytica, the propaganda firm that jubilee hired for its digital wizardry, ìs famed for secretly influencing the outcome of Brexit and US presidential election. Politically motivated third parties including the “alt-right”, a far-right movement in the US, use a variety of techniques to trick the algorithm and push propaganda and misinformation higher up Google’s search rankings.

    These insidious manipulations – both by Google and by third parties trying to game the system – impact how users of the search engine perceive the world, even influencing the way they vote. This has led some researchers to study Google’s role in the US presidential election.

    Robert Epstein, a computer scientist from the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology spent four years trying to reverse engineer Google’s search algorithms. He believes, based on systematic research, that Google has the power to rig elections through something he calls the search engine manipulation effect (SEME).

    Epstein conducted five experiments in two countries to find that biased rankings in search results can shift the opinions of undecided voters. If Google tweaks its algorithm to show more positive search results for a candidate, the searcher may form a more positive opinion of that candidate.

    In September 2016, Epstein released findings, published through Russian news agency Sputnik News, that indicated Google had suppressed negative autocomplete search results relating to Hillary Clinton. This is the exact situation in Kenya right now, we searched for ‘Raila Unga’ and the results was intriguing. We discovered that unlike normal Google run that puts latest articles on top results, searching for Raila Unga brought articles from 2010,2011…and strangely enough, all the articles are on Raila negatively with links from the past linking him with maize scandal. You add Uhuru for us all on top search and Raila’s connection with maize cartel and realize this is a well coordinated digital campaign warfare. We also noticed foreign investors owned need website Tuko as consistently appearing going to affirm our sources that they’re also part of the propaganda team. They command impressive traffic reason they were roped in.

    Then there’s the secret recipe of factors that feed into the algorithm Google uses to determine a web page’s importance – embedded with the biases of the humans who programmed it. These factors include how many and which other websites link to a page, how much traffic it receives, and how often a page is updated. People who are very active politically are typically the most partisan, which means that extremist views peddled actively on blogs and fringe media sites get elevated in the search ranking.

    These platforms are structured in such a way that they are allowing and enabling – consciously or unconsciously – more extreme views to dominate. Appearing on the first page of Google search results can give websites with questionable editorial principles undue authority and traffic. These two manipulations can work together to have an enormous impact on people without their knowledge that they are being manipulated, and our research shows that very clearly. Virtually no one is aware of bias in search suggestions or rankings.

    Twitter Kenya recently brought down their (TwitterKe) handle following persistent allegations that the San Francisco-based company was working with the Kenyan government to censor on trending topics that were castigating the authority. While Twitter has been accused elsewhere of employing such tactics, nothing straight can be said in this line.

    All said, the new phase of political wars is on social media and perception is everything in winning votes, any side despising their opponent’s jabs is only doing so at own peril. Michael of Prison used a spoon to break prison walks literally, every jab counts that’s what I’m saying. Propaganda is part of politics If you’re targeted you neutralize with truth in a prompt well-structured communication system. We’re tired of dropping same bars so for obvious reasons some people won’t be mentioned here today.

    Today, it is exactly 75 days to the election date, you’ll be treated to truths, half-truths, and blatant lies. What the digital mercenaries are doing for jubilee is toxic to the targeted but a job is well done to the client who is taking over digital space to tear down Raila and his character painting him a violent, failure and a never accept defeat person. While we all hold our own perceptions to these, the character assassination continues. Lastly, it is shameful that after creating this crisis, the state still has the nerves to milk the situation dry, maximizing on digital campaigns. Normally when Google Search Algorithms lapse is revealed they rush to adjust and by the time you end reading this article, with the little secret exposed, you might find out a change in the search results.

  • Complicated Relationship, Cyrus Jirongo Goes Back To Bed With William Ruto

    Complicated Relationship, Cyrus Jirongo Goes Back To Bed With William Ruto

    Joined at the hip, the YK92 housemates don’t seem to move far away from each other. Following public spat, by Cyrus Jirongo and Ruto, their relationship was seen to have hit final nail beyond mending. However, in politics, there are no permanent enemies just different interests. Jirongo blamed Ruto for being behind the assassination of Jacob Juma. During the funeral, Jirongo unleashed secrets of how the DP strangled a young man to death and also revealed that the slain businessman had at one point slapped Ruto after a disagreement.

    Jirongo went on extreme media attack on Ruto who laughed him off for being jealous of his success. Jirongo’s media frenzy was deflated following the fatal shooting of his son in law in what he claims was a warning shot to his life after his public onslaught.

    Jirongo boasts of vast business empire and prides for having made it to the list of billionaires by the age of 30. Jirongo attained sustainable power and influence during the Nyayo era following his support for Moi’sMoi’s re-election and leading the youths in the course.

    However, Jirongo has been facing liquidity challenges since he was thrown into opposition. The former Lugari MP has been jumping from the courtroom to the next battling auctioneers a clear sign that his financial crisis is a reality. Things got even worse when his long-term friend and wheeler-dealer in the city Brian Yong’o wanted Jirongo to be declared bankrupt over a Sh25M debt that he failed to pay. COTU chairman also accused Jirongo of defaulting a small debt of Sh100M.

    Faced with financial and political relevance crisis, Jirongo has been forced to swallow his choking pride to make peace with Ruto who now not only enjoys power privileges but is an unchallenged figure in the big deals in The system. Kenya Insights has learned that the two are back and working together in the background.

    Jirongo has been held at the mercies of Jubilee like in the instance of the controversial 1,000 acres in Nairobi’s Ruai area which could not have been registered in another name since it had been used to acquire money from Post Bank Credit then headed by Francis Chahonyo. According to CBK sources, Jirongo’s 1,000-acre plot in Ruai Estate (Land Ref: No. 12973/3) was to be sold to recover Sh20 billion he took from Post Bank Credit but when he got the wind, he rushed to court and got an injunction just two days before auctioneers were due to put the land up for sale. The vast land is said to be valued over Sh7 billion.

    The CBK had planned to auction the land to recover money that collapsed Post Bank Credit lent Sololo Outlets, a company owned by Jirongo. The orders stopped and restrained Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation from selling the land pending the hearing and determination of the application.
    Sololo had defaulted on the loan, which was extended to it for the construction of residential estates that were to be sold to the National Social Security Fund.

    The NSSF had an agreement with Sololo to buy an incomplete housing project in Nairobi’s South B Hazina Estate. Jirongo had used the Ruai land owned by another of his companies, Offshore Trading, to guarantee the loan. Jirongo claimed the loan had 26 guarantors with the principal guarantor being Cyrot Limited. Others are Davy Koech, Kuza Farms and Allied Limited, Kipa and Sons and Cyper Enterprises.
    Jirongo’s deal with the NSSF did not have a happy ending after he raised the price of the estate to Sh2.65 billion in May 1993 from an initial Sh1.2 billion, citing a jump in material costs. The NSSF terminated the contract, having paid Sh900 million and hired a different contractor to finish the work. The estate consisted of 420 homes, a school, and a shopping center.

    Post Bank Credit was one of the banks involved in the infamous Goldenberg scandal which brought several banks to their knees during the Moi era when Jirongo was an influential political figure at the time after he led YK92 to campaign for Daniel Moi. In 2011, Jirongo was paid Sh490 million by the NSSF as an out-of-court settlement for a Sh4.5 billion claim for breach of contract relating to the estate transaction. Jirongo had disclosed that he had planned to sell the Ruai land in order to settle a Sh32 million debt owed to Emris Investments in another land row. Emris had gone to court after Jirongo failed to honour a commitment to pay the cash.

    At one time, Jirongo had to fight to retain ownership of the1,000 acre Ruai land after a group of squatters laid claim to the property. A group of squatters under Ruai Embakasi Youth United Development Organisation (Reyuda) wanted the High Court to nullify Jirongo’s title deed and declare it the valid owner of the massive tract of land. The squatters claimed that they have occupied the land since 1993 and wanted themselves declared its valid owners.
    With DP offsetting the debt he owes Jirongo, the former Lugari MP’s presence is being felt in both political and business circles.
    The newfound relationship between Ruto and Jirongo is aimed at striking business and political deals. On the political front, Jirongo is to checkmate Musalia Mudavadi in Western politics. This comes at a time when Raila has been named the NASA presidential candidate and language of voter apathy emerging.

    Kenya Insights has learned that Jirongo has been charged with igniting a voter apathy in the Luhya community capitalizing on the ‘shortchanging’ of Luhyas in the NASA deal. It didn’t come as a shocker that Jirongo rose from the dead to surface in the media the same day NASA deal was made public.

    Jirongo who was never a party in NASA and the presidential candidate selection process suddenly had a voice on the topic. From our source, Jirongo is scheduled to hold ‘protest’ rallies across the Western region in a bid to incite locals against NASA and subsequently rejecting Raila presidency.

    The plot has been steady including fabricated media stories to paint a circus scenario and discontent in the Western region. Another source in Luanda revealed to us how NIS officials in conspiracy with the media offered bribes to locals in Luanda market to give dismissive remarks on Raila candidature. Media houses, K24 and Citizen News, aired the clips. Capital News ran a story how a huge protest was held in Kakamega against NASA line-up while on the ground there was no such an activity. The media has been infiltrated with propaganda agents.

    Jirongo is posed to run for the presidency under his party UDM. Even though his bid would not make a worthy effect, he sure will have played a role in yanking votes from NASA in Luhya by capitalizing on voter apathy. For the favors to keep coming and Jirongo to stay afloat without distinction, he has no alternative but be the puppet for Ruto.

    Jirongo is a cunning political animal who at day time talks ill of Ruto but at night, he dines and wines with him. In Ruto’s bag of puppets is one Kenneth Marende who is set to be vying in Nairobi Governorship though it has remained a mere speculation. We learn that Marende who’s role is to divide the Luhya vote in Nairobi to trounce Kidero, is yet to make up his mind since Ruto is yet to fully fulfil his part and release finances. Marende, Jirongo as Ruto have been doing businesses at KPLC where the former speaker is Board Chair. Jirongo is particularly blaming Raila for his financial crippling who he says sealed off his business deals in Tanzania.

  • Radio Queen Adelle Onyango Ropes In Kenyan and South African Stars On Her Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign

    Radio Queen Adelle Onyango Ropes In Kenyan and South African Stars On Her Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign

    “To honour my mum I got a bunch of celebrities from Kenya and South Africa to share messages of hope around breast cancer.”

    NAIROBI, October 17, 2016 – Top radio presenter and social activist Adelle Onyango has roped in celebrities from Kenya and South Africa for a social media campaign on breast cancer.

    Adelle says it took her a “little over a week. Just to reach out to different personalities and now the collection continues as we roll out the different messages,” adding, “I want survivors to know that we celebrate them, breast cancer patients and family members to know we recognize their battle and are with them in strength and prayer, and for men and women to know the importance of self breast exams and regular medical check ups!”

    Some of the celebrities who have lent their voices to the campaign include TV news anchor Janet Mbugua, rapper Shaq The Yungin, Israeli – Kenyan act Gilad, DJ Mikey, actress Brenda Wairimu, singer Angela Mwandanda, rap queen Femi One and South African star Nandi Tshabalala.

    Commenting about the messages sent out by the various celebrities, Adelle said the one that caught her off guard and made her emotionally was by Janet Mbugua.

    “Janet knew my late mum and when I played her audio she speaks about my mum, about how strong my mum was and it really just brought tears to my eyes. My mum passed way from breast cancer her anniversary of her death was on March 31,” the Kiss FM breakfast show host said. “We got listeners texting us about their loved ones battling breast cancer and how alone they’d felt until we spoke about it! Also to see male listeners find out for the first time that they too can get breast cancer. Knowledge is power!” To honour her mother’s experiences and life, Adelle and her sisters are very conscious about breast cancer. “Well for us, being that our risk is higher we are conscious about early detection all year long,” Adelle said, “When my mum was alive we would go for the breast cancer walks she would organize. It’s been hard for us to do that stuff without her around because it makes it more apparent that she’s not here. Personally I think this is the most vocal I’ve gotten since she passed away I hope that means I’m getting stronger!”

    So, is there enough been done for breast cancer? “More can be done. Cancer is such an expensive disease to treat! And without the treatment it just spreads. We need to subsidize these costs. And also in rural areas, arm people with knowledge. Many seek treatment when the cancer is on its late stages because they misdiagnosed the symptoms at the beginning and wasted time. Also as an individual what type of lifestyle are you living? Some risk factors are controllable, like healthier diets (less fats), not smoking, less drinking,more exercise!” Adelle said.

  • Student Sheds Tears After Adelle Onyango’s Self Awareness Talk At Machakos Girls High School

    Student Sheds Tears After Adelle Onyango’s Self Awareness Talk At Machakos Girls High School

    “...So the emotions just rolled down her face. It was so humbling. A reminder that, what I’m doing and my story, is influencing and inspiring so many people!” – Adelle Onyango

    NAIROBI, September 10, 2016: Over the weekend, radio queen and social activist Adelle Onyango joined three other top female personalities in a mentorship event dubbed #NajijuaNajiamini held at Machakos Girls High School.

    Hosted under Champs Foundation, the campaign is a brainchild of radio presenter Mwende Macharia, who hopes to use the campaign to “create awareness among young people aged 15-24 years on self empowerment, self confidence and self appreciation”.
    For this edition Mwende invited Adelle together with radio presenter Mwalimu Rachel, gospel star Bahati and Liz Marami, the first female marine pilot.

    “It’s powerful when, we, ladies in the media get together to inspire and mentor our little sisters. The illusion of jealousy is just that, an illusion. What we are doing is bigger than us,” Adelle explained.
    Adelle gave a talk to the hall full of teenagers about the importance of being self aware.

    “I spoke about my journey, roughing it out even after losing my parents, especially my mum. I gave a speech about speaking your success into existence. Moulding your identity but leaving room for you to grow and unlearn things. I emphasized about the company you keep, basically, you are the average of the four people you hang out with,” Adelle said.

    After her talk, one of the student’s – Georgina – was overwhelmed with emotion and narrated how “she always listens to me since I joined Kiss FM. She even knew I joined in 2013!!!!! She always dreams about joining not any radio station but Kiss FM! So the emotions just rolled down her face,” an equally emotional Adelle said, “It was so humbling. And a reminder that, what I’m doing and my story, is influencing and inspiring so many people!”

    This is part of Adelle’s desire to create social change and empower the girl child; she is also the brand ambassador of Intel® She Will Connect.

    Recently, she joined over 150 women from Narok in a week long digital literacy programme that is aimed at giving women and girls the opportunity to acquire or improve their digital skills while expanding their understanding and use of technology.

    A unique platform was used to dispense the training – a custom built trailer with a 40ft container that has been redesigned to become a digital classroom equipped with PCs, internet connectivity, digital screens and trainers that can accommodate 30 women at a time for training.

    Narok became the first county to benefit from the Intel® She Will Connect Digital Caravan that will embark on a nationwide tour visiting other counties including Machakos, Muranga and Nairobi and will be a major boost to ongoing sector efforts to bride the large technology gender gap in Kenya.

    Following the week long training in Narok, it is envisaged that the women and girls will have tools to enable them to attain skills to improve their education, enhance their political participation, have a stronger voice in their communities, and increase their income by connecting to new economic opportunities available online.

  • The International Women’s Day: Blame game masks gender parity in Kenya

    The International Women’s Day: Blame game masks gender parity in Kenya

    The International Women’s Day was marked on 8th March 2016 under a global theme that was to push for 50-50 gender parity.

    Like the rest of the world, Kenya marked the day set aside to reflect on the gains and challenges that women face. Several events were held by different organisations and persons. Social media was awash with #IWD messages in a myriad of angles. Common to all these events was the fact that Kenya is not yet there and more importantly, we are doing nothing apart from a ping pong like blame game.

    The statistics

    Lets face it, Kenya is struggling to meet an even smaller quota envisaged under the two-thirds gender rule.

    Amongst the “Executive tire” in which there are 57 publicly listed companies with 467 Directors, only 54 Directors are women. Widening the gap even more is the fact that of the 57 firms, 23 have no women Director(s) on their board.

    On the political front, where the important decisions are made, Kenya has been an eyesore. The parliamentarian women falls below the constitutionally set threshold – both elected and nominated women in the National Assembly and Senate stands at 19% and 27 % respectively.

    In the region, Kenya has been overtaken by “younger states” in the region such as South Sudan and Rwanda who have all achieved gender parity. Currently Rwanda is leading globally with about 64 percent of its members of Parliament being women. South Sudan, Tanzania, Burundi and Uganda have all achieved the 30 percent threshold. This means that in their Parliaments, the not more than two thirds of the same gender rule is already in effect.

    What we are doing – Blaming

    So far playing the blame game is what we have been doing. It is also what we seem to plan to do in the near future! It’s literally a blaming contest

    1. While commemorating the 2016 IWD at Serena Hotel, Female executives in Kenya hipped the blame on the ‘old-boys syndrome’ Business Daily Africa. These Execs said that the male dominated boards and public entities openly included women as a sign of tokenism totally disregarding laid down criteria of seeking competent women to fill in the positions.
    2. You also recall AG Githu Muigai and The Constitution for the Implementation of the Commission (CIC) being stoned and accused of laxity in the drafting of the Third Gender Rule law. See Video.
    3. The CIC also blamed and accused the Parliament’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee for usurping its mandate in the implementation of the two- third gender principle. All Africa.
    4. Everybody blaming everybody in power for reluctance in implementation of gender equity.
    5. Women blamed for waiting to be spoon fed with freebie affirmative action posts as women.

    What we can do

    The Constitution of Kenya 2010, has domesticated Kenya’s international commitments such as; the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, The African Union Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) and the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa, hence has to uphold these principles and pull up their socks to attain equitable gender representation not only in all spheres.

    One way to go about it is to remember that blame game doesn’t count. Nobody has an actual problem with the constitutionally entranced gender balance rule. However, the bone of contention since promulgation of the Constitution is the matrix, logistics and formula in ensuring that each House of Parliament is constituted properly.

    The blame is too much. First stop blaming and genuinely work towards the realization of the dream. 50-50 gender parity is the ultimate goal remember.

  • Women leadership in Kenyan politics is still void

    Women leadership in Kenyan politics is still void

    The present women political representation in Kenya stands at 15 percent against Rwanda’s 56 percent, South Africa’s 42 percent, Tanzania’s 36 percent and Uganda’s 35 percent. This is an increase from 9.8 percent that was in the previous parliament. The increase is greatly attributed to the provision of the current constitution which was inaugurated in August 2010. The constitution recognizes women, youth, persons with disabilities and ethnic minorities as special groups deserving constitutional protection. It also reserved seats for the 47 women representatives.

    Despite the affirmative action, women participation in the 2013 polls was low. No woman was elected as senator or governor. Women in National assembly are only has 5.5 percent of the 290 seats and of 1,450 ward representatives only 88 women (6 percent) were elected. This poor performance in politics is blamed on the country’s patriarchal culture and electoral system. Politics requires an enormous outlay of social capital and the process of political capital accumulation tilts in favour of men. This has rendered women sycophants of wealthy male politicians.

    Charity Ngilu left a mark when she rose to the top of political heights as the first woman in Kenya to run for presidency in 1997 polls. Running against the then seating President Daniel Moi, Ngilu finished fourth. Former president Mwai Kibaki and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga were also in the race that Moi won. She was a trailblazer in the sub Saharan Africa and the entire continent that is known for its corrupt ‘Big Men’. Ngilu again announced in 2011 that she would run for the country’s top job in 2013 but her name was not the ballot. In what would have been her second stab at the presidency, her ambitions were flashed out in power brokering deals prior to the elections. She supported President Uhuru Kenyatta and later served in his administration as the Cabinet Secretary for Lands but was later kicked out on graft allegations.

    There are many women in the current parliament but who stands out? All are sycophants to their political party chiefs. Some were caught up in euphoria and got to parliament like that; example is Nairobi Women representative, Rachel Shebesh who has made headlines not for her good work for the electorate but alleged affair with the Nairobi senator Gideon Mbuvi. Nominated senator Joy Gwendo is another woman leader in the middle of controversies, making headlines for failing alcoblow test and spending a night at Muthaiga police station. She has been at the centre of love a triangle where friends accused her of husband snatching.

    The criteria for nominations need to be reviewed, some people get party nominations into parliament not for what they stand for but how close they are with party chiefs. Joy was found guilty of disrespecting the party that nominated her to parliament, The National Alliance (TNA). She was suspended for actively supporting the opposition but that suspension was later lifted after she brought in ‘tribal’ defence. I am a believer that the best losers and people who are positively popular with the electorate should be given the first priority in nominations.

    The 2/3 gender debate is still on, women still want more representation but what are they doing with what they have so far? There is intense debate with a million questions surrounding the functions and mandates of women representatives. Many have expressed their dissatisfaction with women reps due to their perceived ineptness and complacency by some. They are more of a waste to taxpayer’s money. They are not any sufficiently eloquent and compelling in articulating the issues that got them the people’s vote. Women reps are Members of Parliament and they primarily should promote the interests of women and girl child within their counties.

    The same affirmative action that saw the creation of positions of women representatives also recognises the rights of women as being equal in law to men, entitled to enjoy equal opportunities in political, social and economical spheres. It is the role of women reps to lobby and advocate for the rights, freedoms and interests of the women and girl child who are perceived as a ‘weaker sex’ to lift them to the standard where they should be at par with their male counter parts. We are yet to see a women rep who is actively doing this. Just like majority of their male counter parts, they are busy enriching themselves.

    It’s a pity that after over fifty years of self governance we still lack any elected woman leader who stands for something like the late laureate prize winner, Wangari Maathai did. She was a stronger environmental and political activist. In women leadership today only the First Lady Margret Kenyatta is doing a commendable job, her ‘Beyond Zero Campaign’ is touching and changing lives across the nation. It’s improving maternal and child health outcomes in Kenya.

    She organises First Lady Marathon annually to raise funds towards ‘Beyond Zero’ initiative. It is also working to accelerate the implementation of national plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children. As we urge for the number to rise from the current 15 percent, the elected women leaders must be seen doing something. Women organizations like Maendeleo Ya Wanawake (Women Development Organisation) should be revamped to champion the rights of women. The organisation is deep in slumber beds.