Kenya Insights

Tag: Monica Juma

  • Kenya-Led Haiti Mission Assured of Funding Despite Sh1.7B U.S. Aid Freeze

    Kenya-Led Haiti Mission Assured of Funding Despite Sh1.7B U.S. Aid Freeze

    National Security Advisor to President William Ruto, Monica Juma, has reassured the public that the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti will continue operations despite a recent freeze in U.S. funding.

    In a statement released on Wednesday, Juma confirmed that there is approximately $110 million (Sh12.9 billion) available in the United Nations Trust Fund designated for Haiti.

    “There are sufficient funds in the UN Trust Fund for Haiti from other countries (approximately $110M) to continue operations,” Juma stated, emphasizing the mission’s priority status despite financial hiccups.

    This comes in the wake of the United States government’s decision to freeze over $13 million (Sh1.7 billion) in aid to the mission, a move announced following President Donald Trump’s 90-day foreign aid pause.

    The pause, effective from January 20, when Trump took office, aims to review international aid in line with his “America First” policy. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric noted that of the $15 million initially committed by the U.S., $1.7 million had already been disbursed, leaving $13.3 million frozen.

    The MSS in Haiti, while approved by the UN Security Council, operates independently of direct UN control and relies heavily on voluntary contributions from member states.

    The mission, which aims to stabilize the security situation in Haiti, has seen contributions from countries like Canada, which has provided more than half of the funds in the trust.

    Despite the funding, the mission is struggling with only about 900 police and troops from Kenya, El Salvador, Jamaica, Guatemala, and Belize on the ground, far below the planned 2,500 personnel.

    The UN trust fund was established with the encouragement of the U.S. to facilitate contributions, but the response from member states has been tepid, with many citing donor fatigue.

    The current funding scenario paints a picture of a mission that is under-resourced but committed to continue its humanitarian and security operations in Haiti.

    Juma’s statement underscores Kenya’s determination to see the mission through, despite international financial volatility.

    As the situation develops, the international community’s response to the funding needs of the MSS will be critical in determining the mission’s effectiveness and the broader implications for peacekeeping in volatile regions.

  • Probe Shows Monica Juma’s PA Edith Fortunes Holds Fake Academic Papers

    Probe Shows Monica Juma’s PA Edith Fortunes Holds Fake Academic Papers

    A two year investigation by the Public Service Commission (PSC) has revealed that President William Ruto’s National Security Advisor Monica Juma’s personal assistant Edith Fortunate Abong’o holds fake academic papers.

    The probe determined that she did not only lie about her university degree but KCSE as well.

    In a confidential letter by the commission addressed to Amb. Juma seen by Kenya Insights, Ms Edith presented a fake KCSE.

    “The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has confirmed that Fortunate A. Edith, Index No.403708008 did not register nor sit for the year 2002 KCSE Examinations at State House Girls and additionally, the Centre Code 403708 did not exist during the 2002 KCSE examinations.” Reads the letter.

    It further goes to show that the degree in Arts and Communication certificate that she had allegedly obtained from Daystar University was not legitimate.

    “Daystar University has confirmed that the year 2007 Degree Certificate presented by Edith Fortunate Abong’o for a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Print Media and Public Relations) is fake as it had a different serial number, different signatures and different font theme on the name from the graduands of that year.”

    Ms. Fortunate has been a longtime Personal Assistant to Amb Juma, a position she was appointed to since December, 2018 while was serving as the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs under President Uhuru’s government.

    In the letter dated 26th, 2024, the commission had recommended that Ms. Fortunate be sacked from office however she still holds the office despite the evidence that her papers are fake.

  • ‪Jowie Appeals His Death Sentence ‬

    ‪Jowie Appeals His Death Sentence ‬

    Murder convict Joseph Irungu alias Jowie is putting up a fight to overturn his death sentence in the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani.

    Justice Grace Nzioka on March 24, sentenced Jowie to death after finding him guilty of the murder.

    Jowie has now filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal in a bid to overturn his conviction and sentencing that he says infringed his rights and that it’s a degrading form of punishment.

    In his application before the Milimani Law Courts, Jowie says the mode in which the death penalty should be enforced is torturous, cruel and inhumane.

    He says it is prohibited under article 25 of the constitution which spells out the fundamental rights and freedoms that may not be limited.

    These include freedom from torture or degrading punishment, freedom from slavery, and right to fair trial.

    Jowie claims that his sentencing over the Monica Kimani murder was in violation of his non-derogable right to freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman punishment and wants the court to declare as so.

    He has sued the Attorney General in his petition.

    In 2017, the Supreme Court declared the mandatory death sentence unconstitutional but did not outlaw it.

    The ruling gave judge’s discretion to decide whether to hand down the death sentence or life imprisonment.

    In light of this, Jowie wants the court to declare that section 379 (4) of the criminal procedure code is unconstitutional as it denies persons sentenced to death the right to bail pending appeal.

    This is the second legal battle Jowie has launched against the state in a bid to secure early freedom, following another that seeks to overturn the death sentence imposed on him by the High Court last month.

    Convicted

    Jowie was sent to the gallows on 13 March this year after being found guilty of killing Ms Kimani in her Limuria garden in Nairobi.

    Judge Grace Nzioka, after analysing the evidence in the case, found that the convict was at the centre of the murder and ruled that he deserved the death penalty.

    The judge found that the convict murdered Ms Kimani in cold blood and left her tied up in a bathtub.

    Evidence such as the burning of the Kanzu, which the convict had put on on the fateful day in an attempt to conceal evidence, was also taken into account.

    The court also relied on the prosecution’s evidence that the deceased did not provoke the convict to justify the attack that left her dead.

    Jowie’s pre-sentence report also conspired against him, describing him as a man of dual personality, leaving the court with limited options in sentencing him to prison.

    The lead investigator – Chief Inspector Maxwell Otieno – had described Jowie as a dangerous person because he was allegedly involved in a fight after being released on bail.

    These factors led the court to sentence Jowie to death.

    But now the convict is not only seeking the repeal of criminal laws that prescribe the death penalty for those convicted of murder, but has also asked for compensation for an alleged violation of his constitutional rights.

    Jowie’s main argument, and the basis of his legal battle with the state, is that the section of the law he is challenging prevents those sentenced to death from seeking bail pending appeal.

  • Ahmednasir Reveals The Traitors Uhuru Was Referring To In A Cryptic Message

    Ahmednasir Reveals The Traitors Uhuru Was Referring To In A Cryptic Message

    Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdulahi has made a cryptic post about the possible persons whom the former president Uhuru Kenyatta had labeled as traitors recently.

    Ruling out politicians, the lawyer cleverly posted a photo of Chief Justice Martha Koome as a coded message for ‘notorious four’ to mean members of the Supreme Court.

    Screenshot of Ahmednasir’s cryptic tweet.

    “Last week, when President Uhuru called out “Traitors who will not benefit from their trade,” many Kenyans wrongly thought he was referring to politicians. That is why Hon. Murathe quickly issued a clarification. Those who know what happened in September 2022 will tell you that Uhuru’s ire was probably directed at 4 notorious members of one arm of government.” His caption read.

    The Four Supreme Court Judges

    Ahmednasir has been at war with Kenya’s apex court for corruption claims that led to him being banned from appearing before its judges. This was after a sustained campaign over years by the lawyer who painted the court as graft ridden.

    In the suit before the East African Court of Justice, the lawyer has sued Kenyan government seeking to quash a Supreme Court ban against him, and demanding damages of Sh200 million for alleged violation of his right to fair administrative action, Ahmednasir claim four Supreme Court judges were paid to represent vertigo the presidency of Ruto.

    How Supreme Court judges were bribed

    Perhaps the most interesting part of the petition is the lawyer without mentioning the names, gives a blow by blow encounter on how judges were supposedly bribe to influence the 2022 presidential petition judgement.

    Under particulars of incompetence corruption and incompetence by Supreme Court judges, Mr Abdulahi claims that four out of the seven judges were paid between $1.5-2 million (Sh200-266 million) each to overturn the election of William Ruto that had been challenged by Raila Odinga but were however unable to deliver, “4 out of the 7 members of the full bench of the Supreme Court that heard the presidential poll petition by Raila Odinga challenging the results of the August 9, 2022 presidential elections which pitted William Ruto against members of Kenya’s two elite and most powerful political families, accepted bribes of between US$ 1.5 to 2 million each but were unable to influence the outcome of the verdict rendered on 5th September 2022 by which the Supreme Court unanimously upheld William Ruto’s win.” he says in the court document seen by Kenya Insights.

    He goes further to explain how each of the judges were bribed and how the cash was delivered, “Judge A accepted a bribe that was delivered at Judge A’s home in Nairobi by a very powerful politician; Judge B accepted bribes from 3 individuals, the son of a deceased leader, a retired governor and an influential businesswoman; Judge C took a bribe from a member of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) who subsequently left employment of the said service; Judge D accepted a bribe from a member of Parliament. Initially Judge D wanted the bribe to be given to his wife but later changed his mind.” Ahmednasir claimed in the suit.

    Uhuru’s claim of traitors

    While speaking during the Episcopal Ordination of the auxiliary Bishops-elect Simon Peter Kamomoe and Wallace Ng’ang’a Gachihi at St Mary’s Msongari Grounds in Nairobi on Saturday, Mr Kenyatta launched a scathing attack on unnamed individuals, calling them traitors.

    The former head of State, not mincing his words, took on some political leaders whom he termed traitors, lamenting how the political field in Kenya is full of betrayal.

    The fourth president lashed out at the unnamed individuals, warning they would not go far with their betrayal.

    “The nuncio has talked about betrayers in the church but I want to say that I don’t see a lot of betrayals in the church. Betrayal is on the other side (as he pointed to the side occupied by political leaders),” said Mr Kenyatta.

    “To the traitors, I want to tell them that even Judas (Iscariot) betrayed Jesus but he later left the pieces of silver and hanged himself. Everything will all come to an end,” he added.

    National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Chief Justice Martha Koome, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Cabinet Secretaries Moses Kuria and Susan Nakhumicha, former CS Monica Juma and a host of Kenya Kwanza and Azimio politicians, including Sifuna, Beatrice Elachi, and Tim Wanyonyi attended the event.

    David Murathe rebuttal

    In a quick rejoinder on Tuesday, Jubilee Party vice chairperson David Murathe clarified that former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s traitor jibe targeted his ex-allies who abandoned him to work with his political friend-turned-rival, President William Ruto.

    Murathe said Mr Kenyatta was targeting people he helped build their political careers only for them to betray him in his hour of need.

    Mr Murathe singled out Public Service CS Kuria, CJ Koome, President Ruto’s National Security Advisor Ms Juma, Speaker Wetang’ula and Governor Sakaja as having rattled Mr Kenyatta, who was in pain over their betrayal despite his immense support in building their careers.

    “Each of these people have a story to tell on how they made it and the support they received. He (Uhuru) went out of his way to build their careers, yet they turned their backs at the slightest opportunity. These are the political traitors he was talking about,” said Mr Murathe.

    On Sakaja, he said it was Kenyatta, who appointed him as the chairman of the defunct The National Alliance (TNA), giving him a platform to launch his political career where he would make his debut in the political scene as nominated MP.

    Similarly, he argued that Mr Kuria benefited from Mr Kenyatta’s support to become Gatundu South MP in the 11th Parliament.

    Mr Kuria’s political journey started when he joined former President Mwai Kibaki’s team through Mr Kenyatta’s Kanu Party.

    Mr Kuria was elected unopposed as the new lawmaker in 2014 on the TNA party following the death of the then Gatundu South MP Jossy Ngugi.

    Mr Murathe said the ex-president was taken aback by how fast former CS Juma shifted allegiance by joining the Ruto camp, “betraying his trust in the process.”

    Without going into details, he said the others have also not been any better, adding that they know what Mr Kenyatta did to each of them but still decided to go against him.