Kenya Insights

Tag: Human Rights

  • Kakuzi Abandons ‘Vexatious’ Lawsuit Aimed At Silencing Critics On Rights Abuse At The Avocado Farm

    Kakuzi Abandons ‘Vexatious’ Lawsuit Aimed At Silencing Critics On Rights Abuse At The Avocado Farm

    Kakuzi avocado farm has been holding into every string of hope after their reputation was dented with the expose of historical atrocities that have been documented, continues to grasp for air in desperate bid to win international trust after UK supermarkets that provided their biggest market decided to cut links and boycotted their products.

    In March this years, Kakuzi Limited took two lobby groups to court seeking to lift the lid on investigations into rape, killings, and abuses in its expansive farm in Makuyu.

    Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and Ndula Resource Center (NRC) are said to have investigated the alleged atrocities by Kakuzi guards and which led to a case in the United Kingdom against Camellia PLC, Kakuzi’s parent company.

    Although Camellia paid Sh696 million as compensation, Kakuzi in its case says that KHRC’s claims on what allegedly transpired is untrue and should be forced to produce the report of its investigations to the police, or before a magistrate.

    Kakuzi says in its case filed before the High Court that it wrote to KHRC and NRC demanding that they either report to the authorities or be forced to admit that they had no evidence to support the claims by 85 people and delete an article published in KHRC’s website.

    Those who sued Camellia are 79.

    “It is incredulous for the respondents to state that they have been investigating the petitioner for the last 17 years yet no report has ever been disclosed to the petitioner,” the case filed by Kakuzi’s lawyers Kaplan and Stratton reads in part.

    “Accusations of killings, rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence causing grievous bodily harm, abominable labour injustices, wanton violence, bad corporate governance are extremely serious accusations and must, as of right, be substantiated with sufficient evidence to support the charge before a court of law,” said the lawyers.

    Kakuzi denies that there were such crimes happening on its land where it grows among others crops avocados. It argues that if they occurred, then KHRC and NRC are complicit in shielding the perpetrators.

    According to Kakuzi, its business has been adversely affected by the claims.

    “The only inference that can be drawn from the respondents conduct in refusing to provide the petitioner with the information sought and or in laying a complaint as provided under the law for each and every accusation in the article is false, misleading, and devoid of any evidentiary material,” the case continues to read.

    Kakuzi, The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE)-listed firm says that it was dropped in the UK case.

    In the case, Camellia PLC was accused of turning a blind eye to systematic human rights abuse by Kakuzi Limited employees including rape, killings, attacks, false imprisonment, and mistreatment for a period of 11 years.

    The victims’ lawyers Leigh Day, had claimed that Kakuzi security guards have been inflicting unexplained harm to the locals surrounding its plantation.

    The 85 victims include Kakuzi former employees, women, and girls who were allegedly raped by the guards after being caught while collecting wood on the company’s land. Some are said to have contracted HIV or became pregnant. They included 10 women and girls, including two who are less underage.  A young man was claimed to have been clobbered to death by the guards.

    Shortly after the UK case was settled, Kakuzi took the charities that supported alleged victims to court in Kenya. 

    When contacted last week by The Times and asked whether it was a “vexatious” case designed to silence criticism, Kakuzi suddenly decided to withdraw it.

    “Corporates are increasingly weaponising the law to burden their critics with the heavy cost of legal defense, to intimidate and silence them until they abandon their criticism. This is the strategy Kakuzi has employed.” Said Mary Kambo, Program manager on trade and Labour justice, Land and resource governance at KHRC.

    “This legal strategy is commonly known as a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP). SLAPPs can be successfully resisted as was recently shown by the South African ruling in Mineral Sands Resources v Reddell where the court recognised the defamation suits as SLAPPs! The SLAPP suit by Kakuzi presents a unique opportunity for our courts to shape jurisprudence on SLAPP suits. Some jurisdictions have passed anti-SLAPP laws to prevent people including corporates from using courts to intimidate and muzzle their critics.“ She aimed at Kakuzi on the filing of the suit.

    “The Company is acting like a jester! To the extent that its parent Company has agreed to settle the human rights violations claims against it simply shows admission of liability by the Company. A laws suit against the CSOs is not the way to clear its very tainted reputation!” Said Nasanga Aki, Kenyan high court advocate in reaction to Kakuzi’s suit.

    “Kakuzi is a corporate bully playing Victim.“ Olang Kolang, an advocate also commented.

    On 14th February 2021, the two organizations released a press statement immediately after the compensation news came out and it is the statement that angered Kakuzi who were desperate for a clean image.

    The press statement was in reaction to a costly settlement by Kakuzi’s parent company, Camellia PLC, over gross human rights violations alleged to have been committed by one of its subsidiary companies, Kakuzi.

    On 11th February 2021, Camellia announced to its shareholders and traders that it would spend up to Kshs. 694 million to settle individual claims as well as pay legal fees for claims of gross human rights violations committed by Kakuzi security guards. These claims had been lodged in the London High Court by Leigh Day, a leading UK law firm that partnered with KHRC and NRC to bring the suit against Camellia. The UK suit comprised of 85 claimants who live around Kakuzi, with claims ranging from killing(s), assault and rape in the hands of Kakuzi guards.

    Locally and in its suit, Kakuzi is alleged that KHRC and NRC violated its right to a fair trial under Article 50 of the Constitution and that the statement issued on February 14th is untrue and that it damaged Kakuzi’s reputation and that of its shareholders and partners. Kakuzi sought to compel the KHRC and NRC to withdraw the press statement and issue a public apology.

    Further and following the settlement by Camellia, Kakuzi instituted a raft of reparative measures which included (1) funding of charcoal kilns and access to firewood for the local communities to produce and sell charcoal, (2) building two social centres, (3) employing safety marshalls, (4) building three new roads of motorable access by the community without any requirement to obtain a licence from the company as was previously the case (5)  establishing of a Technical Working Group to survey and demarcate land which has been previously donated by the company, and (6) designing and implementing a human rights defenders policy. “These measures were not instituted as part of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme. They were part of a desperate attempt by Kakuzi to restore its UK market lost in the wake of media reports on Kakuzi’s nefarious behaviour towards its host community and workers.” KHRC said in a statement.

    In reaction to the settlement deal, the two human rights groups reiterated that there were pending issues outlined in their February 14th statement that took that to court with the SLAPP suit making the following DEMANDS:

    1. That the Murang’a County Assembly ensures that Kakuzi land leases are not renewed until all claims on historical land injustices are resolved.
    2. That the UK market sustains the current boycott of Kakuzi produce until all pending claims are addressed. We will further initiate an engagement with other Kakuzi markets to boycott any produce coming from Kakuzi until there is demonstrable change in attitude and behaviour on the part of Kakuzi.
    3. That the national Parliament and the Senate immediately investigate Kakuzi on all the pending claims and institute appropriate accountability measures against the company.
    4. That the National Land Commission implements forthwith, its decision of February 2019 directing the surrender by Kakuzi of ALL public utilities on its land including schools, markets, police stations, hospitals, public roads of access, wayleaves and easements to national and county government as appropriate.

    KHRC and Kakuzi PLC have been engaged in legal feuds spanning over 17 years over land issues and allegations that the firm has been violating the rights of members of the public. The feuds saw KHRC partner with a UK-based law firm Leigh Day to sue Kakuzi’s parent company Camellia PLC at a London court over the alleged abuses. They at one point accused of tampering with witnesses by luring them with goodies to withdraw from the case claims which naturally Kakuzi denied.

    Cornered Kakuzi perhaps for fear of more damages to the bad reputation they’ve propagated, are withdrawing the suit.

     

    Even as the firm is cooking its heels, trouble seem to be a committed partner, a recent report by BBC revealed more cases of abuse in the firm.

    “I was caught like that and he was catching me here like this. I was taken round. He stood up and stepped on me. He stepped on my neck. He held my neck and turned it around. He covered my mouth while I screamed.” Mudhikwa Musau, 88, lives in a village just a few minutes’ walk from the tree-lined perimeter of Kakuzi’s vast farmland in central Kenya, demonstrated how the assault was carried out.

  • No Mr President, You’re Not Helpless

    No Mr President, You’re Not Helpless

    By Nicholas Olambo
    A frustrated President Uhuru Kenyatta lashed out at anti graft agencies at governance, anti-corruption and accountability summit held at state house, Tuesday 18th. He sought to defend himself saying that he has done everything within his powers to strengthen the fight against corruption, including increasing the budgetary allocations to relevant agencies like the ever toothless EACC (Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission) and firing ministers linked to corruption allegations.

    The president claimed that his fight to end corruption has to some extent cost him politically, he also blamed the Auditor General of writing numerous reports about misuse of public funds without naming individuals who are solely responsible for the misappropriation.

    The judiciary also got a good share of the blame for over six hundred pending cases of corruption which they turn to blame on the analogue system. The opposition too did not miss their share; they are blamed for using corruption to seek political mileage when it should be approached as a national disaster.

    The string of blames signifies nothing but a lost war. Judiciary complains of receiving weak cases to jail any suspect when it’s already known that the thread of judicial philosophy of Kenya is pro rich. The rights of the accused work best with for the rich in this country. Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua, for instance, was accused of flaunting procurement laws but got a lifeline through another court to resist arrest.

    The string of blames signifies nothing but a lost war. Judiciary complains of receiving weak cases to jail any suspect when it’s already known that the thread of judicial philosophy of Kenya is pro rich. The rights of the accused work best with for the rich in this country. Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua, for instance, was accused of flaunting procurement laws but got a lifeline through another court to resist arrest.

    Nairobi governor Dr Evans Kidero also got an injunction stopping investigators from snooping into his bank accounts when he was facing the shs 200 million bribe he allegedly paid Supreme Court judge, Phillip Tunoi. Judiciary is rotten, and heads will not roll when only ‘small people’ are charged within months and thrown behind bars and corruption chiefs walk free and run for political offices, gubernatorial and presidential.

    The useless EACC sits only in Nairobi in a building with ownership problems. Corruption is now devolved and rampant in the counties where wheelbarrows are bought at over hundred thousand shillings, and a mere gate costs seven million shillings. Its distinguished list of shame did nothing to curb the vice; its 175 suspects are all free and seeking their ways to elective positions. No one has been found guilty and thrown in jail.

    Now as the blame game continues, the reality of corruption rests with ordinary Kenyans starving, left with medical facilities without medicines, free education funds are looted and public schools are under staffed. This is because criminal minorities impoverish the majority of Kenyans and the response is to blame games and frustrations, a clear sign that the cartels are winning.

    The buck must stop somewhere for the underperforming agencies, DPP’s who can’t prosecute even a fly, a judiciary that only receives weak cases of corruption and EACC that has turned out to be a cleaning house for the rich and powerful. The president has the power to change heads or fix these agencies through the parliament where he has the support of the majority wing.

  • Probing Sonko Over Treasonous Remarks Nothing But Just A Waste Of Time and Resources

    Probing Sonko Over Treasonous Remarks Nothing But Just A Waste Of Time and Resources

    Keen eyes must by now have noticed that Sonko thrives in showbiz as opposed to substance. The legislator has nothing serious in his tenure that can be written home other than teenage moves that he keeps pulling to put him in the headlines.

    Sonko knows well without the dramas that he consistently draws and the cosmetic philanthropy he broadcasts; he would be irrelevant. As an attention seeker and one who knows the relevance of being on people’s mouths regardless of the issue at hand, Sonko will continue to make the most of the bizarre moves just to keep him afloat.

    The latest incident in which he declared himself acting president at a funeral wasn’t so shocking I mean what can’t Sonko do when it comes to acting stupid, childish and all, no one can beat him at his expertise. Like a shark in water, Sonko thrives well in imbecilic grounds.

    The utterance he made somehow put him in trouble, well not concern really, so the DPP instructed CID to investigate and send the report for prosecution. He was grilled then left. Addressed media and denied everything, typical of every politician. Now everything I playing as wished with the media giving Sonko free coverage with headlines and all. He baits the media, and since the press is obsessed with sensational news, Sonko is such a rich source for useless news items.

    Knowing his kids, the President has laughed off Sonko remarks urging people to ignore funeral talks which most of the times made by individuals intoxicated with the most lethal drugs in the market. He’s saying don’t take Sonko seriously; he’s a joker. Pride comes before fall, even though Sonko’s fall is still far from its edge, it sure will one day.

    We all know there’s nothing that will happen to Sonko in this case, so the probing is just a mere waste of time and public resources. Sometimes it’s only advisable to let the madman walk around naked than rushing with clothes to wrap him; he won’t accept your offer.

  • Dadaab’s Broken Promise: New Report Criticizes Closure of World’s Largest Refugee Camp By Kenyan Government

    Dadaab’s Broken Promise: New Report Criticizes Closure of World’s Largest Refugee Camp By Kenyan Government

    “The deadline to close the world’s largest refugee camp must be lifted,” said Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). A new report released today by NRC criticizes the returns process from Dadaab camp in Kenya to Somalia, as no longer being voluntary, safe or dignified.

    The report, titled Dadaab’s Broken Promise, says that the decision by the Government of Kenya in May to close the Dadaab refugee camps has led to a situation where the voluntary returns process does not meet international standards, and breaks the agreement that Somalis would be assisted to return home safely and voluntarily.

    “We are willing and able to enable voluntary return, but the pressure to push more than 280,000 registered refugees from Dadaab camp has led to chaotic and disorganized returns. From what we have seen on the ground, it is no longer voluntary, dignified nor safe,” said Jan Egeland.

    “Refugees in Dadaab need international protection. The Kenyan government and the UN refugee agency should reinstate the organized and voluntary process of return under the Tripartite Agreement. The unrealistic deadline must be removed before the situation further deteriorates,” Egeland continued.

    The Tripartite Agreement for the voluntary return of Somali refugees from Kenya was signed by the Kenyan and Somali governments and UNHCR in 2013. It was based on international law and created a framework in which returns were to be organized.

    “The initial returns programme under the 2013 Tripartite Agreement was largely a success, as it saw Somalis would be assisted to reach their return locations safely and with dignity. We should return to the terms of this agreement, rather than simply aiming to push back as many refugees as possible,” said Egeland.

    NRC’s new report highlights the major failures of the current returns process. In addition to failing to meet international standards for voluntary return, the report finds that refugees returning to Somalia are not sufficiently protected. It also reveals that the pressure to speed up the repatriation process threatens to create a revolving door scenario.

    “The number of vulnerable Somalis planned for return far outstrips the resources available to support them in Somalia,” warned Neil Turner, NRC’s Country Director in Kenya. “Sustainable return should form a key component of the returns programme. It must prevent families ending up in displacement camps in Somalia or returning as undocumented refugees to Kenya.”

    Over 80 per cent of the population in Somalia lives in poverty, and over one million people are internally displaced. Basic social services and infrastructure are mostly non-existent or at best limited. In addition, the security situation in many areas remains fluid. An overwhelming 74 per cent of Somali refugees in Dadaab said in August that they are not willing to return yet, largely fearing insecurity in Somalia.

    Facts and figures
    • Over 900,000 Somalis are registered as refugees, mostly in neighbouring countries.
    • Kenya hosts more than 335,000 Somalia refugees, including over 270,000 in Dadaab refugee camp.
    • An estimated 1.1 million people are internally displaced in Somalia.
    • Somalia is one of the poorest countries in the world. 43 per cent of the population lives on less than US$1 per day, and the life expectancy is just 51 years.
    • Somalia ranks among the five least developed countries in the world, according to the UN’s 2012 Human Development Index.
    • Five million people in Somalia – more than 40 per cent of the country’s population – do not have sufficient food. This includes more than 300,000 children under 5 years who are acutely malnourished.
    • About 3.2 million people in Somalia need emergency health services, while 2.8 million people require improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene.

  • A U.S. Report Reveal Kenya Engaging In Crude Child Labor With Skyrocketing Child Prostitution and Pornography

    A U.S. Report Reveal Kenya Engaging In Crude Child Labor With Skyrocketing Child Prostitution and Pornography

    A report commissioned by The US’ Department of Labor on Kenya has revealed some disturbing statistics, the annual Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor focuses on the efforts of certain U.S. trade beneficiary countries and territories to eliminate the worst forms of child labor through legislation, enforcement mechanisms, policies and social programs.

    The Report serves as a resource to foreign governments, NGOs, academics and policymakers working on labor and human rights issues.

    The report has established that Kenya has made a minimal advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The Government continues to expand social cash transfers to additional households as part of its National Safety Net Program for Results and implemented and participated in several programs to combat the worst forms of child labor. However, the report finds that children in Kenya are engaged in the worst forms of child labor, including in sand harvesting and commercial sexual exploitation.

    Kenya has yet to ratify the UN CRC Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography and its minimum age for work law and compulsory education age are not harmonized due to the lack of a particular compulsory education age. The Government has also not committed sufficient resources to enforcement efforts.

    The report notes the commercial sexual exploitation of children,sometimes as a result of internal human trafficking, which is apparently dine by relatives and friends.

    Sexual exploitation of children the report indicates is a major problem in Kenya, especially in Eldoret, Kisumu, Nairobi, Nyeri, and in coastal areas. The majority of children engaged in commercial sexual exploitation are girls, but boys are also involved.

    Coming at a time when paedophilia cases have been increasing with latest being one Alfayo who bragged on the internet for sleeping with a small girl amongst many other reported and unreported cases of sodomy and rape. Several interventions have been given in the report for the government in ensuring safety and protecting the children.

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  • African Union, War Mongers and Dictators Harbour

    African Union, War Mongers and Dictators Harbour

    By Nicholas Olambo
    Article 4 of the AU Constitutive Act rejects and condemns impunity; on the contrary, that is what is visible. Many African governments thrive on dictatorship and brutality on their people. On Sunday a festival turned tragic following a confrontation between the Oromo ethnic people and the police. During the festival, the Oromos demanded equal rights as other ethnic groups in a country of over 90 million inhabitants displaying crossed wrists.

    Police responded by firing rubber bullets, tear gas and live bullets creating a stampede that resulted in over 200 deaths and 300 seriously injured. The Oromos have been protesting since 2014 when the government had a plan to expand the capital, the move that was a threat to their farm lands was deferred, but they have never stopped protesting against marginalization.

    Several people of the Oromo origin have been killed by government forces as AU watches in silence, the same organization that declared 2016 ‘African year of human rights’ and identifies justice as one its key shared values. The injustice against the Oromo people is unbecoming as they are being massacred by the government forces daily.

    Au and global leaders have chosen to turn a blind eye on the Oromo’s bloodbath. The trend of silence is ‘normal’ anyway but worrying. Hundreds are being killed in Congo, Zimbabwe; there is the political impasse in Gabon and Burundi but the world leaders, and AU does what they do best, shut. War is a big business and an excellent opportunity for corrupt and dictatorial regimes to siphon from the public coffers and bank in offshore accounts.

    African governments are cannibals, best at eating their own. Most nations in the continents heavily arm the police and other security forces to crush their people but engage in endless battles to neutralize external enemies like the small terror group, Al Shabaab that is a threat to the entire Horn of Africa governments.

    What is being done on the Oromos amounts to crimes against humanity prosecutable at the International Criminal Court (ICC), but since AU got a silly defense of threatening to withdraw from the Rome statute whenever one of their own is wanted for questioning, crime is an order of the day. Dictators are chewing their subjects right before the eyes of AU that has its headquarters in Ethiopia.

  • Serial Rapist Ng’ang’a Muriuki Goes Into Hiding After Raping And Sodomizing a Minor

    Serial Rapist Ng’ang’a Muriuki Goes Into Hiding After Raping And Sodomizing a Minor

    It was a normal day for Alice* going about her duties in the house unknown to her, the boss had evil plans in place. Alice, a 17 year old girl was working for Ng’ang’a family as a maid. On 27th September, the hugely built man pounced on the tiny girl in a horrible, painful rape ordeal that went for close to one hour in his home.

    Kenya Insights has gathered, the monster is not new to raping and previously, he raped and impregnated his sister in law, the matter unfortunately was solved within the family and he escaped justice. The raped lady just gave birth the other day.

    The neighbors told KI when we visited his home in Ruiru that the man is a notorious abuser who often beat his wife, a mother of three to pulp. The wife has been suffering silently and nursing injuries from consistent brutality from the beast of a husband but like the rest of many domestic violence cases , she has often opted to stick with the man who exhibits killer motives.

    A day to Ng’ang’a raping the minor maid, he had as usual beat his wife brutally injuring her and on this day, she fled away leaving him behind the kids and Alice. He came home ealier on the day that she was to rape the young lady.

    Alice told Kenya Insights that he came home unusually earlier perhaps maybe because the wife wasn’t around, unknown to her the reason for coming earlier were different.

    The kids were in the house under care of the maid. As Alice was making her way to the kitchen, he cornered and pounced on her in the corridors. Covered her mouth, held a knife to her face threatening to kill her should she shout, helpless and terrified, Ng’ang’a repeatedly raped the girl and as if that was not much evil, sodomized her. All these were happening with the kids in the house.

    After struggling with the shame of a man, Alice finaly managed to find a space and ran out to the neighbours who took her to the hospital and Muthuga Police Station to report the rape case. Ng’ang’a immediately went into hiding knowing what he has done.

    When we visited the police station, they said the matter was being investigated and he remains at large. But we’re unconvinced the police are doing enough to find his whereabouts and being a repeat offender, being out there walking free is a threat to lives of his potential victims.

    “He has destroyed my life completely, I was a virgin and preserved myself all through just for him to come around and ruin me completely. I only planned to start having sex once I’m married. I never knew things would end up horribly to me like this. I curse my life, my life is ruined. ” Teary Alice narrating her story to us. Honestly, it was a disturbing scenario and emotional listening to her narrate all this.

    Because of privacy issues, we can’t post her face and we’ve used a different name from the real to conceal her identity. Alice after finishing her fourth form in Meru, came to Nairobi to stay with her sister in April this year and found a job as a maid to the family of Ng’ang’a. She has worked for four months and during all this time, she tells us the man has never talked to her though he spends most of his time in the house. He’s always in bad moods.

    Alice fortunately is under full medical attention but the barbaric act still haunts her with sleepless nights. From health records, she’s had to be put on reconstructive surgery since beast raptured her rectum in the sodomy act. Ng’ang’a has more than a crime to answer, the wife and him must be held liable for employing a minor according to the law only persons over 18 years should be. The case of Alice is of many maids out there who are faced with such a like men. You can be sure of many cases of maids being raped that go unreported and many lives continue to destroyed we therefore as privileged medium, use the opportunity to highlight and expose the beasts in the society. Ng’ang’a has since abandoned his home in Ruiru, the wife is nowhere to be found either. He runs a logistic company Aeromarine.

    We also notified Healthcare Assistance Kenya (HAK) to offer the much needed psychosocial support and provide linkages to help and assist Alice access treatment and how to prevent infections such as HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
    HAK also called the Police Headquarters to report the matter and find out why Mugutha Police Station had not swiftly acted on the rape case reported.
    HAK is the first and the only organization in Kenya which runs a GBV Rapid Response Call Centre where women Kenyans can call 1195 Toll FREE to report Gender Based Violence , Rape.

    HAK’s hotline 1195 is for survivors of Sexual and Gender Base Violence and purely for real time rescue missions and referral to other ideal GBV service providers.

    Kenya Insights further gathers that Ng’ang’as filthy trends backdates to his Kanunga high school days in Kiambu where he was expelled from school because of attempt to rape a form one boy. Back in the year 1998. He was notorious in homosexuality in school. Then he used to live in Thika. And at some point he was a matatu conduct route 237 Thika.

    We’re tasking the police to move with highest speed to arrest this man and bring justice to the young girl whose life as she says it has been totally destroyed.

    If you know of Ng’ang’a’s whereabouts call and report to the nearest police station and you can also write to us [email protected] also if you have related stories that need highlighting don’t hesitate writing to us.

  • Governor Mandago Shamelessly Bends Down To Low On Ethnicity Factor At Moi University

    Governor Mandago Shamelessly Bends Down To Low On Ethnicity Factor At Moi University

    By Nicholas Olambo
    Politicians will always say that Eldoret is a cosmopolitan town to win your vote but the reality is way far from that. A keen observer can guess a possible scenario if an individual from a community outside North Rift vies for a top political post, the ‘madoa doa’ narrative will begin. Negative ethnicity is the order of the day in this part of the world where public institutions are now turned into ethnic joints.
    It so sad that elected leaders from the region idle to an extent of hanging coats in their office then gather as tribal cocoons and unlawfully storm a public institution. What happened Tuesday was pathetic; a section of North Rift leaders stormed Moi University main campus in Kesses, Eldoret to protest against the appointment of Prof. Laban Ayiro as the acting vice chancellor of the institution for three months awaiting replacement of former VC Prof. Richard Mibey.

    It so sad that elected leaders from the region idle to an extent of hanging coats in their office then gather as tribal cocoons and unlawfully storm a public institution. What happened Tuesday was pathetic; a section of North Rift leaders stormed Moi University main campus in Kesses, Eldoret to protest against the appointment of Prof. Laban Ayiro as the acting vice chancellor of the institution for three months awaiting replacement of former VC Prof. Richard Mibey.

    Rogue leaders, members of the staff and residents were led by Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos and Counter Assembly Speaker Isaac Terer and other Mps from the region who had nothing constructive to do on a working day. They went ahead and vowed to stop 32nd graduation ceremony slated for 23rd September 2016. They are demanding for the appointment of a substantive VC based on merit, fronting for Prof. Isaac Kosgey whom they claim emerged top in the recruitment interviews and should be appointed on permanent basis.

    Rogue leaders, members of the staff and residents were led by Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos and Counter Assembly Speaker Isaac Terer and other Mps from the region who had nothing constructive to do on a working day. They went ahead and vowed to stop 32nd graduation ceremony slated for 23rd September 2016. They are demanding for the appointment of a substantive VC based on merit, fronting for Prof. Isaac Kosgey whom they claim emerged top in the recruitment interviews and should be appointed on permanent basis.

    The rogue leaders are claiming that ‘an outsider’ has been appointed to head the Eldoret based university by the Education CS Fred Matiang’i. Moi University is known for being the most ethicized institution in Kenya. The official language from the gate, lavatory, staff and to the students is Kalenjin. The toothless bulldog that is National Cohesion and Integration Commission does nothing but its usual incredible bark. The Commission’s Chairman Francis Ole Kaparo addressed the media condemning the action that depicts how public institutions have been ethicized.

    The rogue leaders are claiming that ‘an outsider’ has been appointed to head the Eldoret based university by the Education CS Fred Matiang’i. Moi University is known for being the most ethicized institution in Kenya. The official language from the gate, lavatory, staff and to the students is Kalenjin. The toothless bulldog that is National Cohesion and Integration Commission does nothing but its usual incredible bark. The Commission’s Chairman Francis Ole Kaparo addressed the media condemning the action that depicts how public institutions have been ethicized.

    The commission is investigation the actions by the leaders and should they be found guilty of contravening the provision of the NCIC Act, a disciplinary action will be recommended by the sleeping commission. What is really there to investigate? One may ask ‘It is stunning, abhorrent, and disgusting to see leaders who should be on the forefront in upholding the constitution, stoop that low’. Ole Kaparo said.

    The unpolished actions by rogue, tribal and idling leaders come at time when the country is struggling to find a solution to continuous fire problem in secondary schools that saw over 120 dormitories razed last term by rogue students. Matiang’I’s roadside declarations have been blamed on the fires in high schools the same way his choice to appoint an acting VC is facing protests.

  • Jacob Juma’s Murder Probe Takes Another Twist

    Jacob Juma’s Murder Probe Takes Another Twist

    The killing of Businessman turned anti-corruption crusader, Jacob Juma is one that continue to cause more questions as intrigues continue to pile, many questions with no tangible forthcoming answers.

    Jacob who was according to police reports gunned down by hitmen while headed home in May 5, is yet to get off the public’s eye who’ve waited with baited breath to know what exactly happened.

    However, the wait could take much longer just like the rest of historical prominent assassinations. Detectives from the Investigations Department has thrown in the towel saying their investigations had hit a  dead end writing to the Office of Public Prosecution to ignite a public inquest into Jacob’s murder in a bid to unravel the mysteries.

    The DPP has since refered back the files to DCI Muhoro to do more investigations turning down the tribunal request they had made. Tobiko has instructed the detectives to do more including questioning witnesses not included in the submitted list.

    Sirisia MP John Walukhe whom Juma’s relatives pointed fingers at for having bad blood with the slain has also been questioned amongst others like Jimmy Wanjigi, Ahmednasir and others in connection with the murder.

    Jacob Juma is believed to have been fell by the State’s owned hitsquad and Opposition leaders have in several occasions reiterated that Juma was killed for his position in exposing corruption within Jubilee and especially the Eurobond saga.

    Knowing the history of this country, it will take a complete system overhaul for the truth on what exactly happened and who killed Juma the rest are just sideshows to buy time.  Extrajudicial killings has been on the rise in recent times a worrying trend.

  • With the Initially Dropped Names Interviewed, Just What Will JSC Consider to Appoint the Next Chief Justice

    With the Initially Dropped Names Interviewed, Just What Will JSC Consider to Appoint the Next Chief Justice

    Makau Mutua
    Makau Mutua

    By Nicholas Olambo
    As interviews ended, Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) retreats to consider who is best fit to be the next Chief Justice of the supreme court of Kenya. The seat that fell vacant Willy Mutunga retired in june attracted 14 applicants but only 6 were shortlisted. The interviews this time did not match up to those of 2011 that saw controversial Willy Mutunga appointed the first CJ under the new law. The just concluded interviews attracted ‘jokes’ that opted out of the race after being shortlisted.

    The commission failed to sit one Thursday after an applicant who had been scheduled for interview bowed out, David Waihiga. He was the second to opt out after the law student cum carpenter Andrew Kongani who did not meet the 15 years’ minimum legal experience requirement. Waihaga however opted for the position of the Supreme Court judge. There were also gambles from some quarters that all those who applied should be interviewed for the interest of transparency.
    The recruitment process also saw big names such US based Kenyan Law Professor Makau Mutua, Former anti-corruption czar Aaron Ringera and Supreme Court Judge Jackton Boma Ojwang’ locked out. The decision to drop Prof Makau Mutua and Jackton Ojwang’ sparked reactions with Law Society of Kenya (LSK) putting JSC to task to explain the criteria that was used that saw more than half of the applicants not shortlisted. JSC sighted unsuitability on grounds of leadership, integrity and ethics as some of the reasons.

    The recruitment process also saw big names such US based Kenyan Law Professor Makau Mutua, Former anti-corruption czar Aaron Ringera and Supreme Court Judge Jackton Boma Ojwang’ locked out. The decision to drop Prof Makau Mutua and Jackton Ojwang’ sparked reactions with Law Society of Kenya (LSK) putting JSC to task to explain the criteria that was used that saw more than half of the applicants not shortlisted. JSC sighted unsuitability on grounds of leadership, integrity and ethics as some of the reasons.

    JSC had to interview the other seven in advent of the court order. The process was not rigorous as it was in 2011; the two sitting Supreme Court judges, Smokin Wanjala and Jackton Ojwang’ were subjected to the same questions which was not fair. Bubble gum questions like whether an applicant is on social media or not did not draw suitability in terms of competence, integrity, leadership and ethics. Some candidates responded to questions like they reciting poem.

    JSC had to interview the other seven in advent of the court order. The process was not rigorous as it was in 2011; the two sitting Supreme Court judges, Smokin Wanjala and Jackton Ojwang’ were subjected to the same questions which was not fair. Bubble gum questions like whether an applicant is on social media or not did not draw suitability in terms of competence, integrity, leadership and ethics. Some candidates responded to questions like they reciting poem.

    As the country awaits the big announcement from the JSC, the room for the public to guess is far wide with varying reasons. Considerations based on professional qualification, integrity, gender and ethnic distribution must produce the final cut. Candidates like Makau Mutua have shown that they are strong on principle, not afraid of the executive and can run the judiciary as an independent unit and are also pro reforms like the former CJ. Jackton Ojwang boasts of vast experience but he cannot keep his cool and respect for his juniors. He could also not explain the hefty legal award on Biwott case.

  • Controversy Surrounds Gospel Artists Who Performed At Jubilee’s Party Launch

    Controversy Surrounds Gospel Artists Who Performed At Jubilee’s Party Launch

    Rufftone performing at the Jubilee Party Launch
    Rufftone performing at the Jubilee Party Launch

    By Nicholas Olambo
    Jubilee party launch was also the event that saw the top cream in Kenya’s music take on stage to entertain the mammoth crowd and dignitaries. There was nothing different from that list and previous events, industry is run by cartels and their seasoned bootlickers could not miss out. It was the same script as it was during Jubilee coalition campaigns, President Uhuru’s inauguration and as it is on any public holiday.
    Some have become in-house cats without respect nation values. I mean the overdone theatrics by one Kevin Bahati Kioko. How would he sit his small butts on the president’s chair? These chaps who quit school and get into the entertainment industry without proper mentorship are going overboard. We can’t afford to raise a generation that doesn’t respect national symbols like the president’s chair; I have never seen The First Lady sit on it but Bahati did, stretch his legs on the stool then went ahead did the same on the DP’s chair. Gosh!! The boy went overboard.

    Some have become in-house cats without respect nation values. I mean the overdone theatrics by one Kevin Bahati Kioko. How would he sit his small butts on the president’s chair? These chaps who quit school and get into the entertainment industry without proper mentorship are going overboard. We can’t afford to raise a generation that doesn’t respect national symbols like the president’s chair; I have never seen The First Lady sit on it but Bahati did, stretch his legs on the stool then went ahead did the same on the DP’s chair. Gosh!! The boy went overboard.

    Politics aside, any event attended by the president should be treated as a national event. The characters lined to entertain or just address the crowd should inspire and harbor national values but what did I see, Rufftone and Ringtone! Corrupt and controversial in that order. Roy Smith Mwaita or Rufftone as he is popularly known was named in report by the county assembly of Vihiga on a Sh30 million subsidized fertilizer distribution.

    Politics aside, any event attended by the president should be treated as a national event. The characters lined to entertain or just address the crowd should inspire and harbor national values but what did I see, Rufftone and Ringtone! Corrupt and controversial in that order. Roy Smith Mwaita or Rufftone as he is popularly known was named in report by the county assembly of Vihiga on a Sh30 million subsidized fertilizer distribution.

    The 19 paged report by the assembly revealed that the singer received shs 180,000 during the distribution which was between March 3rd and 7th 2015. The Mungu Baba hit maker was identified by his artistic name throughout the report raising more eyebrows on the procurement and distribution. Ruff was sourced to entertain buyers and signed the deal on foolscap for three different amounts with three different signatures.

    Ringtone on the other hand has the biggest share of controversy more than any gospel artiste with Bahati and Willy Paul playing way below his league.

    Just last month the gospel crooner was in court to withdraw a case against a contractor he had accused of stealing from his Karen home. Not just that, the self professed former street kid has endless controversies, from his questionable flashy lifestyle, beef with MCSK to a case where he allegedly got a girl pregnant and asked her to abort. One fails to understand why hypocritical gospel artistes are always favoured, who does Ringtone inspire or what positive thing does he represent?

    There so many mannered and humble gospel and secular artistes out there, who can step on national stage, entertain, educate and inspire the crowds. Eric Wainaina, Suzanna Owiyo, Juacali, Gloria Muliro just to name a few. These are individuals who crafted their art from scratch and mastered it professionally, Suzanna has been on international stage performing before the late Nelson Mandela, Wainaina has been performed in Fifa World cup opening ceremony.

    This country has more to offer but event organizers have chosen to stick on the same script of whack drop outs with beg for mercy stories who can rhyme at end of every sentence, put a beat on it and then lick their boots. Artistes need to at least learn how to approach different crowds, events and know how far they can go. Bahati went too far but it’s that sad the chap does not know how far is too far. May be he can be accused based on ignorance.

  • Kenya Union of Journalists Rejects Draconian Directives By Media Council Aimed At Muzzling Scribes Voices

    Kenya Union of Journalists Rejects Draconian Directives By Media Council Aimed At Muzzling Scribes Voices

    Journalists protesting against uncouth media laws
    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.

  • Kenya Media Council Hatches A Plot To Have Moha JichoPevu, Dennis Onsarigo Fired And Control What Journalists Post Online

    Kenya Media Council Hatches A Plot To Have Moha JichoPevu, Dennis Onsarigo Fired And Control What Journalists Post Online

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    Mohammed Ali, Jicho Pevu

    The Media Council of Kenya has come out guns blazing to send stern warning to journalists with dissenting, rebellious voices, in a cautioning statement, the council addressed on a number of emerging issues touching on the media’s coverage of the campaigns as well as the conduct of journalists during the electioneering period ahead of the 2017 general election.

    The Council advised media houses to let go of politicians in newsrooms; journalists and media practitioners that have declared affiliation to political parties/movements/groupings or indicated their intentions to vie for elective positions in 2017. The Code of Ethics for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya is very clear on this and related conflict of interest matters. This according to sleuths speaking to Kenya Insights, was stealthily slotted in from high powers following emergence of photos of KTN’ Mohammed Ali and Dennis Onsarigo having a meeting with CORD leader Raila Odinga at a private location in Mombasa. The Jicho Pevu pioneer is also on record vying for Nyali Parliamentary seat.

    The photos that were widely circulated by Dennis Itumbi insinuated from his caption that the two journalists were in alliance with the opposition leader. Itumbi went further to attack Moha asking him to call off journalism and go wholely into politics if so was his intention. Ironically, Itumbi and Uhuru have both been pictured together with journalists, its also said Itumbi has intimate affair with Citizen’s Jackie Maribe, would that also be read as ethics compromise as in the case of the investigative duo?

    Charles Kerich, Chairman, Media Council of Kenya went further to advise media houses to develop and implement social media policies. To this end, the MCK will work closely with media houses that are yet to put in place such, to develop social media policies. The call for control over what journalists post online comes at a time when those deemed to be system’s critics as Moha, Onsarigo, James Smart and SADIQUE sHABAAN HAVE INCREASINGLY ABD STEADILY BEEN HITTING THE GOVERNMENT BELOW THE BELT AND GIVEN THEIR huge following and influence were told the establishment is not amused and worried hence need to regulate content.

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    Dennis Itumbi making out with Citizen tv’s Jacque Maribe
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    Maribe in a photo moment with the President

    While journalists, like all other citizens, have rights to be active on social media and by extension enjoy freedom of expression, the body insists they should draw the line between personal opinion in private space and walls, and views that suggest that a journalist is biased. It is unrealistic for media practitioners to spew biased opinions on their social media pages, and expect not to be viewed as partisan by people who expect to be covered fairly.

    The Council insists that journalists/media practitioners should avoid openly affiliating with political parties and must be perceived to be neutral. The MCK, which is mandated to accredit all media practitioners in Kenya, will withdraw the accreditation of journalists who want to work for political parties, and this withdrawal will mean that they are not authorised to work as media practitioners in the country.

    All parties in a political contest, in the lead up to the elections, deserve to be covered fairly by the media. There are claims the council alludes to particularly from some counties, that some politicians have influenced journalists to the extent that their competitors do not enjoy any fair coverage, and only make it to the media with negative stories. Media houses are advised to investigate these claims and take appropriate action. In the same vein, the Council wishes to request media houses to establish/ strengthen their public editors’ offices to help deal with such.

    The Media Council of Kenya urges all media houses to be cognizant of the welfare of their reporters and correspondents, and to facilitate them adequately in their coverage of political events. The culture of brown envelop journalism, where news sources spend money to obtain favourable coverage, should be highly discouraged through firm action against those breaking the law.

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    Mohammed Ali pictured talking to the President
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    Mohammed Ali and Dennis Onsarigo pictured talking to Raila and Joho

    Talking of media freedom and balancing interests, its ironical that Charles Kerich, who is Chairman, Media Council of Kenya giving the contradiction of interests lectures also doubles as the Chief Editor to the Star, a predominantly political publication, doesn’t his position put him in a compromising state. Beside and unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to disconnect the media from political interference while the same politicians are the owners of the media houses. In this case for example, you wouldn’t expect Charles Kerich to approve a hammering article on Kidero who is his boss and shareholder of the Star.

    The move to control what journalists post online is a challenge to the freedom of speech and whichever way and explanations to be used in justifying the regulation won’t rub off the fact that it’s a gagging order barring the journalists from freely expressing themselves without fear of losing their job. With the newsrooms severely regulated and items sieved, the only remaining free platform where journalists have been able to give unsieved news, becomes latest target as the final nail on the coffin.

  • Self-Censorship: To Say That Kenyan Media is In Love With The Politicians is An Understatement

    Self-Censorship: To Say That Kenyan Media is In Love With The Politicians is An Understatement

    A Kenyan journalist carries a plastic replica of a camera as he participates in a protest along the streets of Nairobi, denounce the new draconian laws
    A Kenyan journalist carries a plastic replica of a camera as he participates in a protest along the streets of Nairobi, denounce the new draconian laws

    In a normal society, people like Gatunda MP Moses Kuria and his Kabete counterpart Ferdinand Waititu would either be doing time in Kamiti or having sessions with the shrinks of Mathare. Their counterpart, Ababu Namwamba, would probably be a dim figure in shirtsleeves struggling to address the concerns of his poor voters down in Budalang’i.

    But in Kenya, these people are superstars that strut the national stage like peacocks, thanks to the thoughtlessness of our news media, which have turned them into household names. In a country whose media is obsessed with hoisting politicians to heights above all other categories, it is not a surprise that the ignominious Kuria/Waititu duo and the politically callow Namwamba, among others, claim a place among Kenya’s famed.

    To say that Kenyan media is in love with the politicians is an understatement; the country’s journalists worship the very ground on which politicians walk. Every foul-mouthed ignoramus is worth quoting, as long as they hold political office So important have media made politicians that political events and statements of nil public interest, nay of negative impact, are splashed on front pages of newspapers and covered live on Prime Time TV.

    The events of mid-June are a classic example of how media engage in their beloved pastime called political melodrama. As my reader may know, Kuria and Waititu and four others were arrested for hate mongering. Any person of average intelligence would have thought that here was a case of suspected criminals being subjected to due process, with media performing the simple role of reporting and interpreting the news of their arrest and prosecution.

    Ababu Namwamba and Counterpart Otuoma
    Ababu Namwamba and Counterpart Otuoma

    But not so Kenya’s media which, as usual, decided to dramatise the dishonorable affair, in the process creating heroes and heroines out of the suspected criminals. The mere fact that the suspects were politicians was enough for editors to allocate acres of scarce space and important time to the events surrounding their arrest.

    Before you get me wrong, let me explain that, at this moment in Kenya’s history, anyone spreading ethnic hate has more potential to hurt the country than a terrorist. Therefore it is quite in order for the media to focus national attention on the threats caused by hate speech. But when media abandon the real story to concentrate on sideshows simply because the personalities involved happen to be politicians, then anyone who understands the role of media in society must be worried. Ditto the comedy that was Namwamba’s abdication of his post as secretary-general of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) last month.

    Well, a senior official of a big political party calling it quits in controversial circumstances certainly qualifies as significant news, but I doubt that it deserves to occupy the minds of Kenyas for days on end. There is a problem when such issue is overplayed, in the process obfuscating deserving issues and creating heroes and anti-heroes out of personalities that do not possess such qualities. To cut to the chase, Namwamba’s exit from ODM does not mean that the community to which he belongs has changed political direction, as the media would have us believe.

    Exciting but meaningless Suppose it was the CEO of, say Kenya Commercial Bank, who had thrown in the towel, citing frustration from some senior quarters, would there have been such media interest as there was following Namwamba’s “grand altercation” with his party and eventual exit? Now that the season of madness is approaching, with the elections just a year away, prepare for exciting but meaningless drama that is Kenya’s political campaign as it will be brought to you by our overzealous, politics-loving journalists.

    Figures provided by the same media show that the number of news media consumers has been dwindling by the day. One wonders if media have ever stopped to

    ask themselves why readers and viewers are abandoning them in droves, alongside the much-valued advertisements. Well, journalists may defend themselves that politicians belong to the group of the famous. Famous people, they will say, are more interesting than regular people because they are simply better known.

    Therefore, more people will read news about them. That may be the case. Indeed, some politicians, like the President, are not only famous but also hold positions that directly affect the lives of the citizens. But the question is, what is it that these “famous” or prominent people are reported doing, or saying. Is what they are reported doing significant to the public? The ideal of journalism – and this is the main reason why media are protected by the Constitution – is that media serve the public interest by putting to task the powerful to explain themselves and justify the decisions they make on behalf of the rest of society.

    Ideally, journalists are expected to interrogate the behavior of the powerful on behalf of the people. Unfortunately, most of our journalists hardly do this; most are happy to simply report the theatrics on the political stage. Since Kenyan politics usually has little in terms of news value, reporters tend to focus on the conflicts and controversies, the schemes and struggles within it to make it look exciting and dramatic. This is how the likes of Kuria find themselves on page one of national newspapers.

    Deliberate ploy to divert attention Journalist ought to explore and cover issues that most concern their readers and listeners, not merely relaying the drama at rallies and useless sound bites from press conferences. Some observers think that the focus by media on the frivolous and on the dramatics is a deliberate design by the middle class owners of media and the editors to divert attention from the real issues affecting society. Like religion, media can be used to intoxicate people. This is not a far-fetched accusation against a media that has, in the past, been guilty of both the sin of sensationalism and that of self-censorship, sins that have had negative implications for both the journalism and the democratic process in Kenya.

    In the run-up to the 2007 election, some media were accused of sensational reporting, and contributing to the post-election conflict that followed those disputed elections. And ashamed of their contribution to the conflict, media in 2013 decided to go the way of self-censorship by downplaying potentially controversial election stories and denying Kenyans important information on the elections, also disputed. Now, with 2017 election just around the corner, media are not sure of themselves. This is why, perhaps, they are now mistaking shadows for the real things.

    Adopted from Nairobi Law Monthly

  • The Flashy Jubilee Party is Already Creating an Impression of Beating CORD Before Sunrise

    The Flashy Jubilee Party is Already Creating an Impression of Beating CORD Before Sunrise

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    By Nicholas Olambo
    The race to clinch the 2017 presidential seat began soon after the Supreme Court dismissed CORD’s petition case that was challenging President Kenyatta’s election. Hon. Raila Odinga respected the court’s verdict, moved on but swore to fight another day, 2017. Kenya has never ceased to be in a campaign mood from 1992, the situation has been intense from 2013 to date; from Okoa Kenya campaign, Eurobond saga, President Kenyatta’s appointments of opposition law makers to cabinet positions which always resulted into by-elections, recent calls and street protests to disband IEBC and regular tours to either woo certain regions or handle party rebellion.

    Cord leader is camping in western on a five day tour, a move that is more of an offensive charm of the region to tame rebellion and keep the bloc. When Raila is busy on a campaign trail, the ruling coalition is holding a three day mega launch of their new party, Jubilee Party. The launch is all hyped up, flashy and the talk of town presented as the place to be. Five Cord governors are expected to attend alongside many members of parliament. That is clear defection right there.

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    Jubilee’s Party Freshly unveiled building in Pangani off Thika Road

    Though one political analyst once described Raila as a politician who is not short of surprises, he has nothing left. Jubilee has exhausted any possible strategy to render Mr Odinga ‘an ordained’ opposition leader. He has never received a single vital defector from jubilee since 2013 while his foot soldiers are ‘bought’ on a daily basis, slowly creating impression in the minds of Kenyans that cord will be beaten before sunrise in the 2017 elections.
    2017 is a two horse race; the moneyed jubilee is putting up a flashy battle hyped with television ads, goodies for opposition strong holds and reception of cord defectors. Odinga on the other hand is kept in his strong hold putting off rebellion fires.

    The debate on cord flag bearer is also getting hotter by the day and almost tearing the coalition a part due to pressure from outside. Raila may not be the ordained flag bearer but it’s visible even for the blind to see; only Raila Odinga is strong enough to take on President Kenyatta.

    His lazy co-principals are doing nothing but sitting back waiting to be endorsed by him or ‘bought’ by jubilee. Raila’s tour of western to tame rebillion should be approached as a coalition affair not an ODM affair, I mean is about time to put the Cord house in order. Kalonzo who should be Raila’s number two is doing nothing. Jubilee is not operating in that shoddy style, DP William Ruto has always put up strong fight for him and the president.

    The three Cord principals appear greedy and not like minded; they claim to be equal partners when Kalonzo and Wetang’ula have not branded and marketed themselves like Raila has. Their struggles to play in top political league are completely different, Raila is known for his strong struggle for democracy and being pro reforms, Kalonzo is not. In fact Hon Charity with all her respect for Raila is not in Cord because Raila made a desperate move to make a political pact with Kalonzo whom she said is not a reformist.

    CORD's Principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Raila Odinga at the ODM's 10years Anniversary Dinner.
    CORD’s Principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Raila Odinga at the ODM’s 10years Anniversary Dinner.

    Wetang’ula has no history of political struggle; he’s just a brilliant lawyer who came to the public light through Goldenberg case where he represented businessman Kamlesh Patni and later became a sycophant of the Kibaki regime which later kicked him out to seek refuge in the shades of Raila. During the Serena talks after 2007 disputed polls, Weta was a key hardliner and stubborn PNU die hard who referred to Raila’s side as losers who were to join an already functioning government of Kibaki.

    Kalonzo through Daniel Manzo had earlier taken off with ODM-Kenya party for fear of nomination leaving Raila party less. He became number three in the disputed polls but joined PNU side and became Kibaki’s vice when Kenya was burning. These guys have no history of working together. Uhuru and Ruto have their pasts deeply rooted in KANU, they are Moi’s ‘political sons’; they even had a short time in ODM together during the 2005 referendum and later parted ways towards 2007 elections but got back together through ICC cases.

    The ‘Enigma of Kenyan Politics’ is not so good at keeping his house together; he has been accused of sitting on the wallet and being stingy. He’s opponents are doing everything money can do to remain favourites in the coming polls. The mega jubilee launch is already flashy even before the material day, it will be sad if ODM puts a cold 10th anniversary party in Mombasa with the reports that the party leader will hosted for lunch by the county government of Mombasa. The party leader should give his delegates a lunch treatment.

    Jubilee is out with branded cars, t-shirts, fliers, television and radio ads, Tuko Pamoja Towers in Pangani, that’s the direction majority of money hungry Kenyans are looking at. A sad fact, even the mainstream media is giving jubilee more airtime than cord. Kenya is a capitalist country, and that’s what cord seems not to be taking seriously.

  • Langata Women Prison Crowning Lady Who Stabbed To Death Her Boyfriend 22 Times a PR Sacrilege

    Langata Women Prison Crowning Lady Who Stabbed To Death Her Boyfriend 22 Times a PR Sacrilege

    Ruth Kamande
    Ruth Kamande

    Tulirogwa na nini, a common phrase amongst Kenyans on the unending craziness that we have to deal with on daily basis. Ruth Kamande, a woman who is accused of killing her boyfriend last year when she stabbed him 22 times was crowned the fairest of the inmates at Lang’ata Women’s Prison.

    Ruth, who is facing murder charges for stabbing Farid Ahmed in Buruburu Estate due to a love triangle, beat 19 other contestants to win the annual Miss Langata beauty pageant in a fierce competition. While I agree that rehabilitation of inmates is recommendable, I feel awarding such class criminals is far beyond rehabilitation but more of glorifying murdered and dangerous offenders.

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    The event which was grassed by Chapati Forum, an organisation, affiliated to Dennis Itumbi, digital strategist to the government is going to remain as a disastrous PR move. If anything, there should be no crowning which is easily read as endorsement and celebration of these heinous crimes. As part of embracing them in the society, the peasant should be held without crowning.

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    Rehabilitation should be limited to family visits, training, counselling workshops. What’s the pride in crowning a narcissistic psychopath, how does this help her and the message being sent out to potential criminals? The crowning amounts to an insult to the victim’s family.

  • Extrajudicial Killings Continues, CID Officers Follows To The Hospital A Man They Thought To Have Killed Pumps 17 Bullets To Him In Mwingi

    Extrajudicial Killings Continues, CID Officers Follows To The Hospital A Man They Thought To Have Killed Pumps 17 Bullets To Him In Mwingi

    The slain Ngandi Malia Musyemi
    The slain Ngandi Malia Musyemi

    Just when you thought extrajudicial killings by the police would cease with the brutal murder of lawyer Willie Kimani who was killed alongside his client and the taxi driver, more terror continue to be unleashed by the same force.

    A 27-year-old deceased man identified as Ngandi Malia Musyemi was being treated of gunshot wounds sustained earlier on Wednesday night at around 8 pm when the officers reportedly followed him to the hospital and finished him off at 3 am.

    Two police officers have since been arrested in this respect. One of the officers is reported to have laid wait outside as his colleague accomplished the mission, sending panic at the hospital where other patients were admitted.

    “The deceased had earlier recounted to police how he was hijacked at Majengo area in Kitui, blindfolded and taken to a thicket at Sosoma junction where he was shot in the head and left ribs,” a senior police officer said of the incident that occurred off the Mwingi-Garissa Highway.

    An investigation has since shown that it is the two police officers who had hijacked him earlier and shot him, leaving him in a critical condition before he was assisted to hospital by passers-by, according to police.

    “He is accused of being a robber and was under investigation for some murder cases, including a police officer’s child,” a detective said, but could not confirm if the child belonged to any of the two officers arrested or if there was any conspiracy to have the suspect killed.

    Ngandi Musyemi, 26, was admitted to the facility on Wednesday with bullet injuries after he was carjacked in Majengo, Kitui town at 8.30am while in the company of a female friend.

    The attackers claimed they were police officers and forced him into their white car.

    “He was blindfolded and forced to sleep facing down, driven to Ukasi area where they shot him several times,” Musyemi’s sister said.

    “They then left thinking that he was dead, only for him to struggle to the main highway and call for help from good Samaritans who took him to Ukasi health centre. From there, the police took him to Mwingi general hospital,” she added.

    She said the family is yet to understand why his brother was not guarded by police, despite the fact that he was a patient nursing gunshot wounds.

    Musyemi – a second-hand shoes dealer in Kitui – was hospitalised after he was shot at the back of the head and at the left cheek, as well as the left ribs.

    The sister said the assailants were permitted to enter the hospital at 8pm, which is past the authorised visiting hours.

    “They hid in the hospital until 3am when they completed their mission,” she said.

    “Though he was in great pain he was conscious since he was talking,” Musyimi’s sister said.

    Meanwhile, Musyimi’s sister Sharlyne Malia who witnessed his brother being shot dead in his hospital bed has claimed that the men who killed her brother are after her.

    On Saturday morning, she slithered out of a family meeting at Kathiani village in Kitui West, after claiming that two men came looking for her.

    Mr Musyimi’s family claims he is a victim of extrajudicial killings.

    “My brother was picked up by police from his house and was first taken to Kitui Police Station. Later he was brutally killed. They must tell us why they killed him,” said Nicholas Mukando.

    The officers thought to have killed Musyimi and in realising he wasn’t dead, followed him to the hospital where they pumped 17 bullets to his body allt these in the full glare of the sister. Being a crictical witness, the sister need to be put on witness protection immediately.

    Extrajudicial Killings have heightened in recent times and it’s high time theDCI Muhoro who’s heading the killer unit to take responsibility and resign since he’s unable to stop the senseless killings. The killing of this gentleman must cost as much concerns as that of Willie and rest of police brutality. There need to be a stop into this madness.

  • Why JSC Blocked Out Makau Mutua From The CJ Race And Why The Next Chief Justice Is Not Going To Be A Kikuyu

    Why JSC Blocked Out Makau Mutua From The CJ Race And Why The Next Chief Justice Is Not Going To Be A Kikuyu

    Prof Makau Mutua
    Prof Makau Mutua

    Starting tommorow, Monday (August 29, 2016), the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) will commence the interview process of candidates shortlisted for the offices of Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya. The process is expected to grip the nations attention given the relevance of these offices now that we’re headed to the elections.

    Lawyer Ahmednassir Abdulahi aka Grandmullah who happens to be a former JSC member and an instrumental player in getting Mutunga into the CJ post and was seen to be gearing towards a Mutua succession is back in the debate. He’s breaking down the intrigues and politics behind the succession.

    Ethnicity card like in any public office has taken center stage in this debate. Ahmednassir further explains the intrigues. First, a number of candidates from Central Kenya who were salivating over the office of the Chief Justice were, in no uncertain terms, told not to apply by their kinsmen in power. These individuals include Attorney-General Githu Muigai and a number of senior judges. This explains why no candidate from central Kenya will be interviewed for the office of the CJ. They fell victim of a noxious ethnic calculus designed by their brethren in power.

    Push for an older candidate

    Second, it was decreed that members of the JSC who are controlled by the government would be under firm instructions to push for an older candidate for the office of the CJ – one who can serve a maximum of four years. The strategy is to have another chief justice appointed before President Uhuru’s tenure comes to an end in 2022. All the candidates who were prohibited from running for the office now will be allowed to contest in four years’ time.

    The plan is simple. The next President will have a chief Justice from Central Kenya to provide a constitutional counter balance. This strategy explains why Justice J.B. Ojwang of the Supreme Court was the government’s preferred candidate for CJ.

    Third, it was further agreed that,whatever the cost, Prof Makau Mutua, must not be shortlisted for the job. We all know the censorious and, at times injudicious, commentaries the good professor has made against the President and his deputy.

    His many predictions that President Kenyatta and William Ruto will age and rot in prison after their conviction at The Hague is still vivid in the minds of those who hold the levers of power. A further calculation by the schemers was that if Prof Mutua was shortlisted, there wasn’t any process or mechanism in light of his gravitas and resume that would stop him from becoming the next chief justice of Kenya. This explains why he was disqualified on grounds no one knows to date.

    Adopted from Nairobi Law Monthly 

  • Jicho Pevu’s Mohammed Ali Escapes Assassination Trap Just Days After Jacob Juma’s Investigative Piece

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

    KTN Investigation Chief Editor, Mohammed Ali, Jicho Pevu.
    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.

  • Nairobi Gubernatorial Race, No Space For Mediocres

    Nairobi Gubernatorial Race, No Space For Mediocres

    Water CS and Nairobi's Governorship Aspirant Eugene Wamalwa
    Water CS and Nairobi’s Governorship Aspirant Eugene Wamalwa

    By Nicholas Olambo
    Political fever pitch is rising by the day. Candidates with bigger visions beyond 2017 are looking at Nairobi gubernatorial seat to launch their bids or push individuals loyal to them to go for the Nairobi seat. But where does this leave the electorate of Nairobi County? The precious document that saw the birth of this great County had many provisions among them the freedom for people to choose who they best feel can lead them. That freedom is being infringed and is under serious threat of remaining nothing but just writing in the constitution.

    Nairobi is a County of significant importance to the entire nation and East and Central African region as a whole. This is the business capital. When that can be noted and not allowed to sink deep into the minds due to political greed, then there is no hope for the future. Nairobi city has suffered in the hands of cartels for way too long, under the old rule and today under the new rule. This County is thirsty for real change. Systems that destroy impoverish and not build our people have no place anymore.
    Land grabbing is still a big issue in Nairobi. It’s belittling to notice that individuals known for the vice are imposing candidates on Nairobians. I believe this county has qualified ladies and gentlemen, with a good education, deeply planted roots on democracy, integrity and leadership skills who can take it to greater heights. This is not the place for individuals who have been more to the toilets than school to chest thump political ambitions without policies neither is it a place for candidates to run on borrowed ambitions.

    The regime of the day led by Dr Evans Kidero has done nothing to write home about. Instead of doing a real job of great service to the people, the current government is only designing projects as a scheme to win the next elections. The same is the case with the senator and the women rep, endless theatrics and public altercations. In fact Nairobi despite being the capital and the County that every other County is looking up to, it has had its entire top leadership fight like kindergarten kids in the full glare of the cameras.

    Whatever has been witnessed from 2013 till now is a clear indication that we need a serious change. That said does not mean that candidates can be imposed to serve the political interest of other individuals. I have no personal vendetta against Eugene Wamalwa. He is a brilliant lawyer, he looks calm, speaks the queen’s language in mid-Atlantic accent. He’s almost remarkable but must it take him external forces to realise that he is interested in Nairobi’s top job? That shows he is not ‘man enough’.

    The force behind him is the interest he will serve; greedy politicians who are scheming to win his tribe’s votes in the coming polls, 2017 and 2022.
    Wamalwa was duped to drop his presidential ambitions in 2013 thinking he would be given the national speaker job by the current regime. He was short changed, and the job was given to TNA man, Justin Muturi. He remained in the cold till 2015 when he was appointed CS in the water docket. His swearing in had to wait due to political wrangles and alignments backstage.

    Reliable sources close to KI revealed that top leadership of the current is pushing for his candidature. The DP William Ruto is on record saying that Jubilee must win Nairobi top seat by hook or crook, could this be one of those ways. Nairobi cannot be tricked like people got tricked in London to vote Brexit. What does Eugene stand for? His visions for Nairobi is what will exonerate him. He’s favourited by the JP to be their flag bearer.

    We also have boneless candidates like Dennis Waweru who have no extraordinary visions neither set policies but just floating around hanging on the lethal tribe string. Nairobi needs someone who can offer solutions to the glaring problems and not just same old tribal politics.

    Esther Passaris, the vocal social entrepreneur, is the latest candidate to thrown in her bid for the County’s top seat, being the only woman who has publicly declared her interest. She needs to cut herself above the men to remain outstanding. She gained considerably high votes in the last elections losing the Woman Rep position to Rachael Shebesh in a whisker. Is this her chance? What can she do differently?

    Miguna Miguna is again one of the most vicious candidates who’ve hit the road for the seat early and making serious strides with a borrowed script from Donald Trump’s US campaigns. He’s coming out as a no-nonsense, controversial candidate with the core value of fighting the cartel. He’s an interesting candidate to watch.