Kenya Insights

Tag: William Ruto

  • Uhuru: Pandora Papers Will Lift Veil Of Secrecy For Those Who Can’t Explain Their Wealth

    Uhuru: Pandora Papers Will Lift Veil Of Secrecy For Those Who Can’t Explain Their Wealth

    President Uhuru Kenyatta in a quick rejoinder reply to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalism leak that linked his family to Sh3.3B stashed in offshore accounts, has welcomed the report saying such “will go a long way in enhancing financial transparency”.

    The President who’s currently in Ethiopia for the inauguration of the Prime Minister en route the United States, say that he will be giving a comprehensive reply to the report that ties his family to billions in offshore firms.

    In a brief to the media, Kanze Dena. statehouse spokesperson, Uhuru said, “These reports will go a long way in enhancing the financial transparency and openness that we require in Kenya and around the globe.”

    “The movement of illicit funds, proceeds of crime, and corruption thrive in an environment of secrecy and darkness.”

    Uhuru also said the Pandora Papers and subsequent follow-up audits will lift the veil of secrecy and darkness for those who can not explain their assets or wealth.

    This comes at a time when Kenyatta’s critics predominantly those allied to his deputy who’s a friend turn foe, have been celebrating the expose which I’m they view as the final fall and an eye opener.

    The report said Uhuru and six members of his family secretly owned a network of offshore companies. According to Finance Uncovered, the Kenyatta family has used other offshore companies to buy two more properties in the UK.

    According to the ICIJ, Mrs Kenyatta and her daughters were advised by experienced international wealth experts from the Swiss bank Union Bancaire Privée (UBP), which recruited Alcogal, a Panamanian law firm specialising in setting up and administering offshore companies.

    The consortium says invoices from Alcogal to the bank show that the Swiss advisers referred to the Kenyattas with the code “client 13173”.

    Alcogal provided a registered office for Milrun on the largest of the BVI islands, Tortola, and supplied staff members to act as the company’s official directors.

    The result was an entirely anonymous company that could not be traced back to the Kenyatta family.

    This company was used by Mrs Kenyatta and her daughters to buy an apartment in central London, which it still owns, according to filings at the UK Land Registry seen by Finance Uncovered.

    The prime property, which was until recently rented by British Labour MP Emma Ann Hardy, is now estimated to be worth close to $1.3m.

    UBP private-wealth advisers also helped Mr Kenyatta’s brother, Muhoho, set up a Panamanian entity called Criselle Foundation in 2003.

    The foundation was registered to the offices of Alcogal in Panama City, and was nominally run by board members from the Panamanian law firm.

    It was set up for the benefit of Muhoho Kenyatta, with his son Jomo Kamau Muhoho, as successor.

    Another BVI company which Mr Muhoho owned had a $30m valuation in stocks and bonds as of November 2016.

    A search of public records in BVI and Panama found that most of the companies linked to the Kenyattas are now dormant, some of them as a result of non-payment of regulatory fees.

    It’s not illegal to run secret companies, but some have been used as a front to divert money, avoid taxes and for money laundering.

    The Pandora Papers, however, show no evidence that the Kenyatta family stole or hid state assets in their offshore companies, BBC says.

    In 2018, Mr Kenyatta told the BBC Hardtalk programme that his family’s wealth was known to the public, and as president he had declared his assets as required by law.

    “As I have always stated, what we own – what we have – is open to the public. As a public servant I’m supposed to make my wealth known and we declare every year,” Mr Kenyatta said.

    “If there’s an instance where somebody can say that what we have done or obtained has not been legitimate, say so – we are ready to face any court,” he added.

    Coming at an election time and when Kenya has started voters registration, it was expected for the matter to take a political turn with William Ruto who has long been linked to endless numerous corruption scandals and baptized the alliance’s senior thief, to turn his guns on the president perceived to be the clean one.

    As it seems, the battle will hit the ground should the investigative agencies decide so and if the President lives to his words, then everyone will have to explain their wealth, question is, who has a clean hand? The game goes on.

  • Kenya faces year of uncertainty before key polls

    Kenya faces year of uncertainty before key polls

    With major constitutional changes suspended for now, and swirling new alliances taking shape, Kenya’s political scene is shrouded in uncertainty as the country eyes crucial elections due a year from now.

    Here is a look at how Kenya got here and what lies ahead when East Africa’s powerhouse elects a new president and parliament next August.

    – What happened to constitutional change? –

    On Friday, Kenya’s Court of Appeal rejected President Uhuru Kenyatta’s bid to change the constitution, arguing that he had no right to do so. The decision marked the latest twist in a debate that has gripped the country since 2018.

    According to Kenyatta, the so-called Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) would expand the executive and overturn the winner-takes-all electoral system that has been blamed for frequent explosions of poll-related violence in the East African nation.

    But his detractors saw it as little more than a naked grab for power by a two-term president who cannot run a third time, with the BBI potentially allowing him to assume the new position of prime minister.

    In addition to creating new posts, the sweeping changes would also increase the number of parliamentarians from 290 to 360, prompting fresh alliances with a view to dividing the spoils come election time.

    Friday’s judgement has put paid to those hopes.

    Even if Kenyatta approaches the Supreme Court, the verdict will come too late to let his planned transformation take shape before the August 9 vote, throwing the field wide open.

    – Is ‘the handshake’ pact over? –

    The BBI came on the heels of a shock rapprochement between Kenyatta and his long-time foe Raila Odinga, who declared a truce with a headline-grabbing handshake in March 2018, following deadly post-election clashes in 2017.

    The pact stoked speculation that Odinga would succeed Kenyatta, who would in turn become prime minister, with other politicians persuaded to fall in line in exchange for new posts.

    It left Deputy President William Ruto, whom Kenyatta had initially anointed as his 2022 successor, out in the cold.

    The pair’s frosty relationship became evident this week when the president challenged his deputy to resign “if he is not happy”.

    Yet doubts have now emerged about how long the Kenyatta-Odinga coalition will last, with the BBI on its last legs.

    “The big question will be: will the alliance that is being built with Odinga be able to hold in the absence of the BBI?” said Nic Cheeseman, professor at Britain’s University of Birmingham.

    “What positions will have to be offered to people so that they sacrifice their presidential ambitions and line up behind Odinga?”

    For his part, Ruto, who has branded himself as a candidate for the common man, cheered the decision, calling it a victory for “the Hustlers” trying to survive in a country ruled by political dynasts such as Kenyatta and Odinga.

    – What about ethnic issues? –

    The 2022 election may spring yet more surprises, with experts saying that ethnic issues, which have traditionally played an important role in Kenyan politics, may no longer carry the weight they once did in a country with 44 tribes.

    Ethnic affiliations will still matter at the ballot box, but they will not be “the main discussion” topic, said Kenyan political analyst Nerima Wako-Ojiwa.

    “Young people do not necessarily identify with the tribal language used in the past,” she told AFP, pointing out that Kenya will add six million more potential voters in 2022 compared to 2017 as youngsters come of age.

    The battle for the youth vote will play a big part in determining the winner of next year’s race, she said, along with shared concerns such as reviving the Covid-battered economy and improving healthcare.

    That could spell good news for Ruto, who belongs to the Kalenjin ethnic group but has tried to run a campaign that crosses tribal lines in a bid to attract the support of all Kenyans who feel economically marginalised.

    “If it is (successful)… it’s a really big challenge to the established way of doing politics in Kenya,” Cheeseman told AFP.

    – Will a runoff happen? –

    Kenyan presidential elections have always boiled down to a two-horse race — but that may now change.

    At the moment, it “is very plausible in this election… that we actually have three or four viable candidates”, said Cheeseman.

    Such a scenario would generate more debate about likely contenders in the run-up to the election.

    It would also make it difficult for any candidate to score the 50 percent plus one vote required to win, he added, raising the likelihood of a historic second presidential round.-AFP.

  • Wembe Ni Ule Ule: Kenya Has Lost Sh8.8Trillion To Corruption Under Jubilee Reign

    Wembe Ni Ule Ule: Kenya Has Lost Sh8.8Trillion To Corruption Under Jubilee Reign

    While ganja one is busy globe-trotting and number two roaming in the country confused to the toe, a new report released by corruption tracker reveals that Kenya has lost Ksh8.08 Trillion since 2013.

    Here is the full report compelled by the corruption tracker.

    https://trackcorruption.org/total-amount-stolen/

    These are the digital duo y’all believed—funny enough, some still believe— are the next phase of Kenya’s success. Well, the joke remains to us the 47 million fools that keep their baseless,visionless and plain political agendas a float.

     

  • Corrupt KPA Boss Daniel Manduku And Management Questioned By DCI

    Corrupt KPA Boss Daniel Manduku And Management Questioned By DCI

    Kinoti led DCI detectives yesterday questioned the corrupt senior Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) officials. Manduku lead management differed with junior KPA board members on the approval of multimillion tenders that have seen coffers lose billions setting a stage where arrests of KPA officials are eminent.

    Last week, DCI handed over the files implicating KPA boss Manduku to massive graft at the authority to Haji led ODPP.

    “The file was handed over to me. We are looking at it and if satisfied as ODPP we will proceed,” Mr Haji said.

    Yesterday, Monday, all KPA Board members were summoned at the DCI Headquarters for questioning in a probe of flawed tenders worth sh2.7 billion. Board chair Joseph Kibwana was the only one absent.

    The DCI probe revealed differences between the board and corrupt managing director and DP Ruto’s alleged ally Daniel Manduku emerged after he claimed that his signatures were forged.

    Kenya Railways Corporation MD Philip Mainga was also quizzed over the Makongeni yard, which KPA had intended to buy but the deal never materialised yet KPA went ahead used  Sh500 million—from ICDN funds—for the development of the same yard.

    Those on the DCI’s radar are Dr Daniel Manduku, operations general manager William Rutto, senior works officer Anthony Muhanji, principal civil engineer Bernard Nyobange and works officer Juma Chigulu.

    In May this year, EACC and DCI launched inquiries over the fraudulent awarding of a Sh40 billion Kipevu Oil Terminal project. According to the investigative agencies, the tender was awarded to a blacklisted Chinese firm in October 2018.

     

     

  • KMPDU Secretary General Dr Ouma Oluga Fends Ex-Senator Boni Khalwale

    KMPDU Secretary General Dr Ouma Oluga Fends Ex-Senator Boni Khalwale

    Secretary General of the doctors union, KMPDU, Dr Ouma Oluga has fended DP Ruto’s man, former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale after he his stone-throwing skills were captured on camera during Kibra by-election.

    Dr. Khalwale an unemployed Vet turned political mouthpiece broke the internet on Thursday and photos of him holding stones went viral after he bravely engaged rowdy Kibra youths in a daring stone-throwing battle.

    Here are randomly sampled tweets from what is now a trending tag #KhalwaleChallenge

     

    https://twitter.com/OneBusolo/status/1192887167552503809?s=19

    https://twitter.com/ul_ark/status/1192880155401871363?s=19

    Dr Olunga through his Twitter handle on condemned the ex-senator’s desperation on government’s reluctance to employ all doctors hence resulting to such immature stunts from some of their members.

    The KMPDU boss, however, found himself on the receiving end after netizens trooped to his page and chastised him for affirming every medic including those whose actions were utterly uncalled for.

    In his responses, Dr Oluga bolstered it was his responsibility to defend all doctors in all circumstances as he has always done.

  • Ruto’s Cash Crunch And Political Nightmare

    Ruto’s Cash Crunch And Political Nightmare

    The Billionaire hustler who says, I don’t know and don’t ask me how is extra generous, William Ruto is not only in a political pit but also facing a financial dry patch. His ‘charitable’ donations in public functions and handouts to politicians have been slashed to almost, if it had percentage-90%, with Tanga Tanga MPs being the most affected.

    Every Friday, Ruto’s Karen home will be filled by broke and politically non-viable MPs and irrelevant political analyst to get a slice of Ruto’s huge donations and millions as their weekend allowances.

    “Ruto is not rich as may think, but he likes when people imagine that he is wealthy. Apart from brokering international tenders to Chinese firms at a percentage and getting millions from Asians most of them who have divorced him after the fallout with Uhuru and his kitchen cabinet, not much is known of Ruto investments that can effectively raise 2022 campaign funds,”  anonymous media source said.

    The DP is in a deep financial crisis, I mean, we all know his friends are just there for the bag and don’t care what happens to him afterwards. The Hotel investor has since disposed off Easton residential apartment along Jogoo road.

    Not just that, the development of DP’s Dolphine Hotel on the shores of the Indian Ocean, the Hotel associated with the Weston Hotels chain has also stalled. NEMA is also on his neck and fighting for its demolition.

    Also, DP’s palatial house in Moiben, Uasin Gishu has stalled too. It is not clear whether it is because of the cash crunch but, probably is because the project is said to be worth Billions of shillings. According to Weekly Citizen, the materials that were being used in the construction were being delivered by those involved in dam construction and with the, everything came to a standstill.

    Ruto has also fired over 300 employees who were in the ofMoiben palace and those in his avocado plantation in the 1200-acre Moiben farm.

    During the early days before he was elected alongside Uhuru in 2013, Africa Merchant Assurance Company (Amaco) was pivotal in sorting his finances. It has emerged that Ruto sold his stakes in the insurance firm that he created in 2000 with his friend Silas Simotwo.

    A few months ago, Ruto who accumulated up to four helicopters that were based at the Wilson Airport sold two of the Eurocopter’s to Energy CS Charles Keter and Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri. Sources state that the two are still paying him in instalments.

    Image result for ruto chopper"

    Image result for ruto chopper"

    Ruto’s Mediamaxx Company that runs K24 and Kameme and other stations has laid off more than 150 workers. The firm he co-owns with Uhuru who seems to be unbothered about its operations.

    Politically, Ruto’s cash crunch is being portrayed openly in the Kibra by-election that is set to happen on Thursday 7th Nov. The DP had asked Tanga Tanga MPs to act as agents for Jubilee candidate Macdonald Mariga but some slumped stating that they would only be agents if they get paid.

    Ruto only speaks when his pockets are full. His political ambitions are pocket driven and he has no political fan base expect around 30 legislators who have decided to use their pockets to think instead of their brains.

  • Ruto Allied Jubilee MPs Want IEBC To Disqualify ODM’s Imran Okoth

    Ruto Allied Jubilee MPs Want IEBC To Disqualify ODM’s Imran Okoth

    After ODM accusing DP Ruto of changing his Karen Home to an IEBC headquarter, a section of Jubilee Party legislators have now called on IEBC to disqualify the Orange Democratic Movement candidate Imran Okoth from the November 7 Kibra parliamentary by-election.

    The Ruto alied MPs who had earlier today attended a church service at PCEA Emmanuel Church in Makina on Sunday, criticized the Sartiday’s invasion on Jubilee Party candidate McDonald Mariga as he campaigned in Kibra.

    Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa and his Lang’ata counterpart Nixon Korir accused Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati of inciting youths to stone Mr Mariga’s convoy.

    “Let all candidates and political parties embrace peace and give Kibra people a chance to decide who they want,” said Mr Ichung’wa.

    The DP Ruto sycophants similarly cussed at Kieleweke team led by nominated MP Maina Kamanda for scattering propaganda.

    According to them, which probably is the same thought of their boss William Ruto, Maina Kamanda who is only nominated because of his background was misleading Kenyans that President Uhuru Kenyatta does not support  Rito’s candidate Donald Mariga.

    “Let them (Kieleweke) respect the President and stop lying that they have been sent (to Kibra) by him. It is shameful the youths who attacked Mr Mariga’s convoy yesterday (Saturday) have followed us here and destroyed window panes,” said Mr Korir.

    Nixon Korir, the Lang’ata legislator stated that he’s going to write to the IEBC to disqualify the ODM candidate over the violence.

    “(Mr) Raila Odinga is in the government courtesy of handshake hence we are free to ask for votes anywhere. The handshake did not come to finish democracy,” he said.

    Mariga on his side called out on political leaders to stop manipulating youths to mete out turmoil on their competitors.

    “The youths should not be used to unleash chaos on opponents, violence never pays, I have forgiven those who assaulted us,” said Mr Mariga.

  • Handshake’s BBI Report To Be Tabled Before Mashujaa Day

    Handshake’s BBI Report To Be Tabled Before Mashujaa Day

    A detailed report from the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) members that have since officially sought an appointment with President Uhuru Kenyatta and AU Representative for Infrastructure and development Raila Odinga to hand in the official final report before 20th of October.

    Image result for bbi kenya

    According to sources close to the team, other than proposing a shift to the parliamentary system of government, the BBI team suggests that some counties be merged in what may attract resistance like what has befallen the Punguza Mizigo by Ekuru Aukot’s Thirdway Alliance that has seen at least 14 county assemblies thwack it on the grounds it seeks to reduce the number of elected representatives.

    Mr Yusuf Haji, the BBI task force chairman, said they were working to complete the task ahead of the October 23 deadline and are now waiting for the president’s word on when to submit the report.

    “The secretariat completed all the editorial work on Friday and we are good to go. The team is proud of what it has accomplished and we hope that the report will help the President and the former Prime Minister (Raila Odinga) achieve the vision they have for the country,” said Mr Haji.

    Harambee House, where the March 9, 2018 handshake was affixed is the preferred venue for the handover ceremony as BBI team remains hopeful that both President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga will be present to receive it.

    However, the Chair had this to say about the handover ceremony that is yet to be dated. “Announcing the venue would expose us to infiltration,” Mr Haji said.

    The team was mandated to tackle nine agenda, including how to end ethnic antagonism, lack of a national ethos, how to foster inclusivity, strengthening devolution and curing divisive elections. The report has also highlighted on enhancing safety and security, eradicating the runaway corruption in government, enabling shared prosperity and entrenching rights and responsibilities.

    Last week, High Court Judge Weldon Korir dismissed a petition filed by Moraa Gesicho on the basis that she had not demonstrated how she would suffer prejudice were the report to be submitted to the President. The petitioner contended that the team was not constitutionally established.

    Mr Paul Mwangi, one of the BBI co-secretaries, said the final document is a product of extensive public participation and consultations that saw them go to all the 47 counties, 210 constituencies and 1,500 civic wards in town-hall meetings.

    “We engaged with a total of 82 national institutions and persons, including Speakers of the bicameral Parliament, the Chief Justice, all constitutional commissions and independent offices. This is a rich document that captures the views and aspirations of the people on what ails the country with the remedial measures,” Mr Mwangi said.

    While both Mr Haji and Mr Mwangi avoided talking about the contents of the document, there have been reliable leaks from within the team that they chose not to recommend a referendum as a way of changing the Constitution to re-introduce the position of a powerful prime minister, among other landmark changes to a New Constitution that was promulgated in August 2010.

    Raila Odinga, Uhuru’s close buddy right now has previously stated that the country would likely have a referendum to alter the executive structure to eliminate ethnicisation of state power while Deputy President William Ruto remains the main opposer to a referendum citing that its a plan to create more seats for greedy wealthy individuals and has no intention of helping Kenyans.

    After a year and a half, it will be a total waste of time if indeed the report that will soon be tabled to have the very same contents of the leaks we have seen so far.  It will be a waste of public funds too to spend cash for a year plus on things that can be settled by a simple task team in a few weeks. I might be wrong or right, but this remains my opinion. BBI was a political initiative that is already biased from the start, though unreleased, the report has to be, rather is already partisan or let’s say, supposed to be pro handshake.

  • And Just Where Is Governor Sonko

    And Just Where Is Governor Sonko

    The mouthy son of Kamba land and Kenya’s number one thot patroller, who unfortunately or should I just say luckily had connections in Jubilee that made him become the Nairobi Governor, has gone missing in action for quite a while.

    Sonko ako wapi? Sonko can never stay quiet for this long! Is he outside the country? Is he sick? or just what’s going on? Nobody clearly knows where Mike Sonko is And what he is going through. He no longer updates Nairobians on where his “boys” are cleaning the City. A once mouthy Governor who couldn’t keep his fave and presence on social media has committed a media suicide.

    Sonko has gone totally offline and his whereabouts are and remain unknown and he never showed up to his father’s 3rd anniversary where he was to name his Deputy governor.

    Sonko troubles started when Bank statements in the possession of DCI indicated that on April 7, 2017, Mr. Mwaura, through his company Toddy, made a transfer of Sh600,000 to Sonko’s KCB account. Then on April 19, four months before Mr. Sonko became governor, Mwaura made another cash deposit of Sh1 million to Sonko’s KCB account.

    A few weeks later, on May 5, 2017, he made another cash deposit of Sh1 million to the same account belonging to the governor. On December 14, last year, Mwaura, through Toddy Ltd, liquidated Sh80 million from his fixed deposit account. On the same day, he moved Sh20 million to his other firm, Hardi Enterprise Limited. Hardi is the company that later won the tender to collect garbage on behalf of the county.

    Three days later, from the proceeds of the monies from the fixed deposit account, Toddy Ltd transferred Sh3 million to Sonko’s Equity account. During questioning, Mr. Mwaura told investigators that the deposits were for a piece of land in Kwale belonging to the governor that one of his companies had acquired wayleave for a project.

    The problem did not just end here, as Sonko who also was linked to a huge drug cartel and narcotics kingpin in Coast parts of Kenya and running the same on Nairobi’s streets. Using his Sonko Rescue Team, a team that city residents allege is full of crooks and street thieves that threaten and terrorize citizens and Sonko critics.

    Another case on Mike Sonko’s throat is that of Mavoko Land. According to DCI, one Mr. Ombok made a deposit of Sh600,000 to governor Sonko’s KCB account on April 27, 2017, through his company Arbab. It appears that several months later after Mr. Sonko assumed office, the two continued to transact.

    On January 19, for instance, one of Mr. Ombok’s companies, ROG enterprises, made deposits of Sh3 million to Mr. Sonko’s DTB account. During interrogation, Mr. Ombok said the payment was for a Sh34 million plot in Mavoko that he had sold to the governor. Although Arbab does not work directly for the county, investigators are keen to know the nature of business between the firm and Amaco since some of the deposits made into Mr. Sonko’s accounts from Arbab were made at times close to when the company received money from Amaco. Arbab is contracted by Amaco to repair vehicles.

    Just as you think things are settling down, Another scandal erupts and this time around, it is believed that this is what has made the governor switch off his phones and decided to ghost and go MIA till nobody knows when.

    Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission detectives have now put Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on the frying pan after he allegedly pocketed Sh20 million from a remunerative garbage collection contract involving Nairobi County government.

    According to EACC, some of the firms that won the Sh357 million tender wired more than Sh20 million to Sonko’s personal bank accounts in what is now believed to be kickbacks.

    EACC has also revealed that the money transactions were not paid directly but through proxies and sister companies in what sleuths believe was a calculated move meant to avoid raising suspicions.

    On Tuesday Sonko was taken through a marathon eight-hour grilling at Integrity Centre, where he recorded 13 different statements. He denied receiving any money and all other allegations, insisting that he was not involved in the procurement process.
    According to EACC, the probe is also focusing on claims that the tenders were dogged by procurement irregularities and misappropriation of public funds. There are also claims of inflated payments, fraud, and conflict of interest between his companies and those linked to Deputy President William Ruto.
    EACC revealed that officials at City Hall’s Environment department could not account for more than Sh160 million paid to contracted garbage collectors. This was after it emerged that the county government irregularly paid Sh162 million to 11 companies contracted to collect garbage.
    Now the mouthy Ruto’s talk boy has been alleged to seek asylum in one of his many Mombasa beach resorts and hideouts.  The corruption cooking pot is boiling and many thieves and friends of thieves that have been meeting overnight to discuss how they can cripple our nation and swindle our funds are running out of options and will no longer have a place to hide.

    Sonko who was too confident that he serves Nairobians with an open heart has eaten enough to burst his stomach. And EACC, DPP and DCI scavengers are about to feast him and his, now tainted political career. How long he might hide, the sun of antigraft watchdogs will reach him and he, and many others will for sure be scotched.

    Earlier in his rants, Sonko alleged that he knew of deep state plans to sabotage his work and kick him out. Sonko dared the faceless deep state to come after and kill him sensationally claiming that it was Saitoti who would be there last victim and not him.

    Sonko is not the type to be silent and kept off the media limelight as he banks on publicity to sell his brand. What exactly could be keeping the governor out of public eye? Could it be that his cases are implicating that he’s afraid of getting arrested and eventually kept out of office like Waititu?

    Sonko promised to name his deputy after being questioned by EACC but never did. It’s really not puzzling why after staying off the subject for ages he finally made the unfulfilled promise. Is Sonko afraid and why? If the claims are true, why is Sonko hiding and just for how long will he play the games?

    Are Sonko’s good media days over? Is the governor clean or finally his cover blown? EACC is convinced the governor is involved in corruption, it’s now a matter of time for them to prove this.

  • Coast Top Leaders Skips Ruto’s Tour

    Coast Top Leaders Skips Ruto’s Tour

    Kenya’s Coast leaders have started deserting DP Ruto and his entire Tanga tanga movement as seen in his recent five days coast tour. Top leaders from the Coast were missing in the entire Deputy President William Ruto’s visit to the region.

    Initially, DP Ruto would attract a huge following of leaders at some instances he would have more than 15 MPs in a single rally but things seem to have turned out awful to his battalion as only a handful of political non-viable leaders are seen following him even as he tours the county launching government-sponsored projects.

    Dr. Ruto was seen to have made inroads in the region as he enjoyed the support of several politicians, including tens of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) legislators led by Coast Parliamentary Group chairman Suleiman Dori. In his earlier tours, the legislators would take turns to declare their support for Dr. Ruto’s presidential bid ahead of 2022 as they warmed up to him. Matters seemed to have changed on his current visit.

    On Saturday, Dr. Ruto’s ally, Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, did not participate in the DP’s tour of the county. The only MPs present were Lunga Lunga’s Khatib Mwashetani, Malindi’s Aisha Jumwa, and Lamu East’s Sharif Athman.

    According to sources allied to Governor Mvurya, said that the governor failed to show up because he had not been involved in inviting the DP, and therefore felt left out.

    “It is all about politics. And we are aware that the Deputy President was invited by Lunga Lunga MP Khatib Mwashetani and this might have angered the governor. The governor has endorsed his deputy Fatuma Achani, and by virtue of attending the functions could have been seen as endorsing Mr. Mwashetani,” said the source.

    Another missing legislature was Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori who sources alleged that he has been missing because he has been sick for a while now.

    However, on Friday, the second day of his five-day tour during which Dr. Ruto visited Kilifi, had only Seven leaders. The MPs who attended the Kilifi function were Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, Said Haribae (Galole), Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga), nominated Senator Christine Zawadi, Ali Wario (Bura), Rehema Hassan (Tana River), Shariff Athman (Lamu East), Badi Twalib (Jomvu) and Kaloleni MP Paul Katana.

    Things are for sure not going well for the son of the charcoal-burner and a former chicken seller. Recently, His candidate in Kibra by-elections was canceled on election fraud allegations and documents forgery. Is this the way Ruto wants to handle his way into the power now?

  • Ruto’s Kalenjin Tanga Tanga Members Opposes Building Bridges Initiative’s Leaked Proposals

    Ruto’s Kalenjin Tanga Tanga Members Opposes Building Bridges Initiative’s Leaked Proposals

    DP Ruto’s Team Tang tanga have stepped up their opposition to a referendum this time around arguing that the proposal for a single seven-year presidential term limit was insupportable. Tanga tanga MPs Benjamin Washiali and Margaret Kamar criticized the seven-year term proposal while backing the current two five-year presidential terms.

    They were responding to the Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot’s Punguza Mizigo (Constitution of Kenya Amendment) Bill which proposes the introduction of a single seven-year term presidency.

    High Representative for Infrastructure Development in AfricaRaila Odinga is among the groups that have backed the seven-year non-renewable presidential term and an executive Prime Minister in their submissions to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

    In February, during an address at Chatham House, London, Ruto dismissed calls for a referendum aimed at creating positions for what he termed as ‘selfish leaders’. DP Ruto and his allied legislators have sworn to oppose any constitutional changes that aim at either expanding or cutting the powers of the Executive.

    Ruto while addressing two separate church gatherings in Narok County, he welcomed Punguza Mizigo and Building Bridges Initiative calls to change the Constitution but questioned the brains behind the bill which he says is not ‘people-centered’ and whose objectives doesn’t seem, according to Ruto, truthful.

    “The talk around the referendum should be carried out in an objective manner, devoid of deceit and done for the interest of all Kenyans, not for selfish interests,” DP Ruto said.

    While ODM party which is deep into the handshake arrangement supports the seven-year non-renewable term saying that that will take focus away from the presidency which has a matter of life and death for ethnic leaders. A leaked BBI preliminary report also supported the proposal.

    The National Assembly chief whip Benjamin Ashiali stated that if passed, the single seven-year term for president proposed in Ekuru Aukot’s Punguza Mizigo Bill would lead to two different elections-one for MPs and governors and another for president.

    “I had the intention of supporting Punguza Mizigo, but there is one proposal that I do not agree with. Kenya will be holding many separate elections. This will not reduce our wage bill at all,” said Washiali.

    “According to the Punguza Mizigo initiative, when the term of the president comes to an end, Kenyans would be subjected to another round of elections for only one person, when the rest of the leaders have settled down,” Washiali added.

    “What if one day we elect a leader who turns out to be a dictatorial President? We only want five-year term limits for Kenyan presidents,” Uasin-Gishu Senator Margaret Kamar said while opposing the bill and a leaked BBI memo.

    on their defense, The Third Way Alliance has defended their proposal to have a  single seven-year presidential term stating that it will end violent competition for the presidency, and stop looting by incumbent fighting to finance reelection campaign.

    “The proposed one seven-year term limit will end the “do or die” culture of re-election. There is an established violence trend in all our electoral cycles when the incumbent seeks re-election. There is accelerated theft of public money in the last two years of a first-term presidency because of the need to finance re-election. One term will also stop the cyclical economic meltdown witnessed during 1992, 1997, 2007, and 2017 elections,” the Bill argues.  

    Over the weekend Tanga tanga camp kept up its opposition to the Raila-Uhuru endorsed Building Bridges Initiative, which winded up their public hearings and will be retreating to compile its report that will be submitted to President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila, who set up the team following their March 9, 2018 handshake.

    Caleb Kositany, Ruto’s diehard fan, and Soy MP inculpated the BBI team of pursuing selfish interests stating that it was suspicious that people who supported the 2010 Constitution had changed tune and started calling for changes in the same law.

    “The Constitution should be changed based on the views of Kenyans and not because of individual interests. Some of us had suggested we amend the 2010 Constitution and others now calling for changes insisted that we pass it without amendments,” Kositany said.

    Uasin-Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Shollei who is also a tanga tanga member rubbished off  BBI team seriousness sitting that the team of ‘busybodies’ was wasting time in five-star hotels instead of collecting views and serious questions raised in the set up of the 2010 constitution from ordinary Kenyans and their leaders.

    Uasin-Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, who previously said he longer puts politics and political game in his heart, called out the BBI team for not taking views from leaders in his county. Mandago also has hinted that the council of governors was plotting to introduce another referendum campaign that would be dubbed Ugatuzi (devolution) to push for more resources to devolved units.

    “As county governments, we are not on BBI and Punguza Mizigo groups. We are now bringing forth our referendum called Ugatuzi because we have been frustrated by Parliament. Ours will increase resources to counties,” governor  Mandago said.

    National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, who, most probably because of what is seen as a targeted political war on corruption directed to Ruto’s camp, has disappeared from the Tanga tanga movement activities is of contrary opinion and has stated that he will support a parliamentary system of government to avoid violence that is incontrovertible every election year.

    “I am going to convince the President and Deputy President and members of Jubilee Party to support the parliamentary system,”  Aden Duale stated.

    Amani National Congress Party leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi opposed the Punguza Mizigo’s recommendation to reduce the number of constituencies to lower the wage bill stating that the real burden for Kenyans was theft from public coffers and not the number of constituencies.

  • Oscar Sudi: Uhuru And Ruto’s Friendship Is Fake

    Oscar Sudi: Uhuru And Ruto’s Friendship Is Fake

    Oscar Sudi, the Kapsiret MP and self proclaimed Ruto’s spokesperson has now claimed that Uhuru and Ruto’s political friendship is a bluff.

    According to the vocal DP ally, currently President Kenyatta is unable, rather unfit, to lead the country.

    “Apparently, the relationship between the President and his deputy is like of a man and a woman who are married, but sleeping in different houses an indication that the union is over. Kenyans should not be cheated to believe they are still in good terms,” Sudi said.

    Sudi said Ruto’s claims that President Uhuru and him enjoy a cordial bond are fake and a blatant lie to any sobber being.

    “It is obvious there is no bromance still existing in the Presidency as it was before. All this has been fueled by succession politics and the fight pitting dynasties and hustlers. President Kenyatta should hand over power to someone else,” Sudi said.

    According to Sudi, DP Ruto knows that he no longer has the Jubilee’s administration respect nor President’s ear.

    “If you see Senators and Governors on the streets demonstrating over an issue that would have otherwise be solved then there is a big problem,” Sudi said.

    On Sudi’s opinion, things are not good anymore and the centre cannot hold anymore.

    According to Sudi, Uhuru’s close relationship with DP Ruto has ended, rather vanished, and the duo are now engaging in a fake political union.

    Well, on my opinion, Sudi might be right. Everyone can clearly see that Jubilee is no longer a united front like they initially were in the last two Presidential campaigns.

    According to Sudi, Ruto should accept what has befell him and urged him to stop pretending over his relationship with the President because no one can believe it anymore.

    Sudi alleged that President Uhuru has now started turning against his own friends and supporters in Jubilee and is using state entities to sacrifice them in the name of fighting corruption.

    Sudi said, In a press conference held at his home in Eldoret, that he would make a better interim President that’s if Uhuru would step down for him.

    Sudi’s full Press:

    “Within three months, I can do better. I will get a deputy like Moses Kuria and we will perform better.” Sudi said.

    Oscar Sudi alleged that Uhuru is now engaging in sideshows in the name of ‘war on graft’ to bluff the country because his Big Four agenda have failed.

    According to Sudi, President Uhuru’s family wealth is not only unrealistic but also ill-gotten to an extent that the head of state has to offer “innocent sacrificial lambs” to the Nation for him to prove that he’s in charge.

    According to Sudi, President Uhuru is corrupt and, is instead, terming others as corrupt.

    Sudi stated that Kikuyus and Kalenjins were paying a heavy price for backing Uhuru and Ruto’s political journey.

    According to Sudi, the Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal is a political gimmick by Uhuru and state entities.

    “They wanted the two projects to collapse and I can now assure our people that Arror and Kimwarer are dead projects.” Sudi said.

    “I have asked the President to forgive Kalenjins if we offended him but now I have to speak the truth.” Sudi added.

    Sudi urged the President, if he won’t step aside for him, to bring his house together and solve their own problems with Ruto privately without involving the entire nation.

  • Senator Orengo: Ruto Has Nothing To Lose If Uhuru’s Agenda Flops

    Senator Orengo: Ruto Has Nothing To Lose If Uhuru’s Agenda Flops

    Siaya County Senator James Orengo has alleged that Uhuru’s Cabinet Secretaries are fighting each other.

    On an interview, Senate minority leader offered a free advise to President Uhuru Kenyatta to make changes before things go south on him and his agenda.

    According to Orengo, Uhuru has a divided Cabinet that includes a Deputy President working at cross-purposes with his boss.

    According to the Senator, DP Ruto’s early 2022 campaigns are a plot that has been planned by Ruto to derail Uhuru’s development agenda and the fight against corruption because the DP has nothing to lose.

    “In writing history, they will talk about Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure. Ruto will not feature,” Orengo told a local media.

    According to James Orengo, Uhuru’s administration has been fractured by in-house conflicts between individuals in Power and The State.

    “The Government has become dysfunctional. It is at cross-purposes,” Orengo said.

    “The DP has made his ambitions of 2022 presidency clear, which is making it hard for him to serve the President,” Orengo added.

    According to Senator Orengo, DP Ruto has not only been lying to the President but also to the Public at large.

    “Ruto should not be speaking from the sidelines because he is in Government. If I were Ruto, I would do the honourable thing by resigning.”

    Orengo said Ruto should follow the footsteps gave of former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who resigned after developing interest for the Presidency.

    On his defense, DP Ruto and his allies are on record saying that Ruto is roaming in the country to monitor Government projects.

    “Cabinet is dysfunctional. They are throwing stones at each other. The current one cannot work together to achieve Government’s agenda,” Senator Orengo alleged.

    “To bring sense in the management of Government, the President should dismiss and reconstitute the Cabinet,” said Orengo.

    State House spokesperson Kanze Dena however dismissed Orengo’s claims terming them as mere speculations.

    According to Senator Orengo, corruption has flooded various, if not all, sectors in the current Jubilee administration.

    It has become hard for Uhuru since most of those unwilling to support the fight against corruption are trading blames and counter-accusations at both the government and State entities.

    “I agree with what was once said by the Auditor General that corruption is actually budgeted from the Treasury. The Treasury is the nerve centre of every activity in any nation,” Senator Orengo said.

    “Asset recovery could be more effective tool because you can get immediate results. Prosecution may take a long time,” Orengo suggested.

    According to the senior counsel Orengo, the under-funding of the Judiciary is limiting its operations and contributing to dysfunctional state of Government.

    Senator Orengo also highlighted that the Judiciary was struggling with a backlog of cases because they are still using old methods of handling cases.

    “Courts need a better environment, better recording tools like Parliament, where we have the Hansard. Technology is not up to par to deal with issues,” Orengo said.

    “A witness can speak for long hours, days or even weeks, and recording accurately is not easy,” Orengo stated on an interview.

    According to Senator Orengo, the ongoing graft cases can be moved much faster if modern technology is in place.

    Senator Orengo also commented on Punguza Mizigo Bill fronted by Third Way Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot, saying it was opportunistic,rigid and more of a mythical creation.

    “Punguza Mizigo Bill cannot be amended and was not subjected to conversation, unlike what Building Bridges Initiative is doing. No one has even seen the Bill itself,” Orengo laughed off Auko’s proposals.

    Punguza Mizigo Bill has now started being received in the county assemblies after IEBC verified their signatures.

    According to the Constitution of Kenya, the County Assemblies have three months to pass or reject the Bill.

  • Babu Owino: Ruto Should Resign And Must Be Arrested

    Babu Owino: Ruto Should Resign And Must Be Arrested

    Vocal Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has called on Deputy President William Ruto to resign with immediate effect.

    Babu tweeted yesterday on his official twitter account saying that Ruto should not only resign but also face arrest.

    Babu Owino has been very vocal on matters of national interest also believes DP Ruto has a hand in the Dams scandal and wants him probed.

    Babu was commenting on news that Treasury CS Rotich had been arrested alongside Kamau Thugge (Treasury Principal Secretary) and Jackson Kinyanjui the Treasury Director of resource mobilization among others.

    On Ruto’s defense, his allies have linked the arrests as stage-managed by anti-Ruto agents in the government.

    “My conclusion from what I have seen is that we are not fighting corruption. What is happening is that we are lying to Kenyans and trying to create a narrative that is meant to show that there is an ongoing war on corruption,” Murkomen said .

    National Treasury CS Henry Rotich was arrested and was presented in Court today,Tuesday.

    Rotich pleaded not guilty to corruption charges over the award of two dam tenders in an unprecedented move against a sitting cabinet minister.

    Henry Rotich, Kamau Thugge the Treasury PS, Susan Jemtai Koech the East African Community PS and David Kipchumba Kimosop ,Former Managing Director KVDA are accused of conspiring to defraud the public among other charges.

    According to DPP Hajji, Rotich borrowed 63Billion for the two dams which were budgeted to cost 46billion.

    According to the charge sheet, the accused persons conspired to defraud the Government of Kenya between December 17, 2014 and September 27, 2018.

    Rotich and others have also been charged with wilful failure to comply with applicable procedures and guidelines relating to procurement as well as engaging in a project without prior planning.

    Other charges include abuse of office, committing an offence of financial misconduct, fraudulent acquisition of public property and wilful neglect to perform official duty.

    Lawyers representing the Rotich and other suspects include Katwa Kigen, Kioko Kilukumi, Ginaro Kibe, Kipchumba Murkomen among others.

  • Rift Valley MPs Says Ruto Has A 500,000 Acre Maize Farm In Congo The Reason He Told Farmers To Do Avocado Instead

    Rift Valley MPs Says Ruto Has A 500,000 Acre Maize Farm In Congo The Reason He Told Farmers To Do Avocado Instead

    Maize scandals surrounding DP Ruto seems like are here to haunt him forever.

    In an explosive political storm started by three Rift Valley MPs, Deputy President William Ruto has been accused of owning a 500,000-acre maize farm in the Republic of Congo.

    The controversial Jubilee lawmakers claimed that Ruto has been discouraging famers from planting Maize.

    The move is said to be positioning Ruto as the Principal and only maize supplier to the scandal-ridden NCPB.

    Joshua Kutuny, Cherangany MP , Alfred Keter of Nandi Hill and Silas Tiren of Moiben alleged that Ruto has been encouraging farmers to substitute maize farming with avocado and macadamia.

    “You can’t be telling us to plant avocados, plant macadamia but you are not telling us what happened to maize…Now you have gone even to Congo. You are growing 500,000 acres of maize,” Keter told a local press.

    Kutuny asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be open on the backdoor deals that he alleged that Ruto had signed with the Denis Nguesso on behalf of the government.

    In September last year, DP Ruto traveled to Brazzaville with a large delegation and held talks with the country’s top leaders.

    Ruto’s website says DP was in Congo Brazaville for an official visit and was received at the Maya International Airport by Prime Minister Clement Mouamba.

    According to the government, Ruto’s tour was aimed at promoting cooperation between the two countries in various fields of interest.

    Statements sent to media houses say that the two countries agreed to cooperate in political consultations, economics, trade and investment, agriculture, science and technology, culture and arts.

    Ruto accompanied Mining and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary John Munyes, Governor Kahiga Mutahi of Nyeri and Governor Granton Samboja of Taita Taveta. Also in delegation wasTrade Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo.

    It has been alleged that Ruto used this State sponsored trip to seal his maize deals in Congo.

    “Part of his mission to Congo recently was to sign the deal to start maize farming there. He wants local farmers to do avocado to occasion a maize shortage in the country so that his maize from Brazzaville can gets its way to the local market,” Kutuny stated.

    When local press reached DP’s office for comment, the DP’s communication director David Mugonyi said, “I will not respond to nonsense.”

    Rift Valley is the biggest maize producer in country but poor pricing and infiltration by maize cartels threaten the region’s economic mainstay.

    The Jubilee legislators have asked the DPP Noordin Haji to crack the whip on Ruto and other influential officers based at Harambee House Annex.

    “Farmers, you must know this: most of our problems involving maize and fertilizer have been brought about the Deputy President and his office. We want his office investigated,” Keter said.

    Our constitution does not insulate the Deputy President or any other leader from criminal or civil prosecution while still in office.

    On Ruto’s defense, there is also no law that bars anyone or any leader from farming outside the country and importing the produce to Kenya.

    “We want the DPP to investigate Ruto over maize. Every time the government releases money to NCPB to pay farmers, he calls all managers and instructs them who to pay and who not to pay,” Keter said.

    Maize scandal has had many accomplices including Agriculture Principal Secretary Richard Lesiyampe and top NCPB officials who all are currently facing charges of fraud in the payment of traders instead of genuine farmers.

    The Jubilee MPs from the maize growing rift valley have rubbished DP’s early 2022 campaigns saying that Ruto stands no chance to succeed Uhuru.

    Ruto has banked everything he has on his Rift Valley backyard to take him to State House but the criticism from within and parallel critics from Kanu’s Gideon Moi has already started threatening his grip.

    “We don’t want the 2022 talk. In fact, he has already lost. There is no direction. You are going nowhere,” Keter commented on Ruto’s bid.

    “Lifestyle audit should continue. They should not come here to fundraise for us. Farmers here don’t want fundraisers. They want good pricing for their maize, better pricing for tea and milk and hospitals and roads built,” Keter said.

    Their pressure seems to be bearing fruits. Last week, Mwangi Kiunjuri was forced to suspend Sh2,300 price tag for a 90kg bag of maize and called for further consultation following protests from farmers.

    According to Keter and the team, farmers must be paid at least Sh3,600 for every bag of maize.

    Keter also dismissed claims by the government that there was a bumper harvest last year.

    President Uhuru has on various occasions, fired warnings at Kiunjuri over the massive irregular payments made to maize cartels through NCPB.

    “I promise you, Kiunjuri, and I swear before God, try that again and you’ll see what will happen to you. Sisi hatutaki mchezo tena,” President Kenyatta ranted during the Nairobi International Trade Fair that was held on 4th September last year.

  • Ruto And His Allies Want To Eject Raphael Tuju From Jubilee

    Ruto And His Allies Want To Eject Raphael Tuju From Jubilee

    Deputy President William Ruto and his allies have turned their ‘guns’ to Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju and want to see him out.

    Ruto’s allies have accused Tuju of working and sharing Jubilee’s political strategy with Former Prime minister Raila Odinga.

    On his defense, The former Rarieda MP, Raphael Tuju rubbished Ruto’s accusations saying that he is simply working to deliver on President Kenyatta’s Agenda.

    In an interview with a local press, Tuju said Ruto and his allies should follow party regulations if they have enough evidence to eject him.

    “There is a laid down procedure of how to remove someone from office. Those with issues should at least file them with the party then allow me to defend myself,” Tuju said.

    According to Tuju, he was in Siaya county over the weekend to commission development projects on behalf of Uhuru and had nothing to do with Raila.

    “I received a phone call from the President asking me to go and represent him. The only thing I did was to read the speech from the President. Now they want to impeach me because of that?” Tuju asked while on an interview with a local press.

    “Initially it was Interior CS Fred Matiang’i who was to go but some changes were made. I was facilitated by State House.” Tuju added.

    “The projects were in Siaya county, Rarieda constituency and therefore the host senator and area MP would automatically attend” Tuju said.

    On Ruto’s side, his political allies have vowed to eject Tuju.

    Faith Gitau, Nyandarua Woman Representative said Tuju is operating under instructions of ‘anti-Ruto’ figures in government and allegedly being used to undermine Ruto’s 2022 Presidential race.

    “He has no business being in our party if he has joined forces with the opposition to undermine the DP who is also our deputy party leader,” Ms Gitau told a local press.

    Another Ruto’s ally John Waluke, the current Sirisia member of Parliament has accused Tuju of taking advantage of the handshake between Uhuru and Raila to undermine Ruto.

    “Raila is an opportunist who is working closely with Tuju to wreck Jubilee. We will not allow this to happen, we know how we campaigned for Jubilee to form the government and the parties that were merged,” Waluke said.

    Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara said that Tuju is is compromised and can no longer be trusted as SG.

    “If he is now comfortable working with Raila after the handshake, then he should just quit rather than advance his political agenda using his position in the party by sharing our strategy to please Raila,” Ms Kihara said.

    “Tuju should stop undermining the unity of our party from within,” said Kapondi.

    “It is very unfortunate that the Secretary General of Jubilee can talk and plan how to incite communities. This is unbelievable,” said Pukose.

    “You cannot be a Secretary General of a party that formed the Government and you are engaging in divisive politics. I tell Raphael Tuju that if you want to engage in divisive politics, you are in the wrong place,” said Didmus Barasa.

    Kapseret MP and the self proclaimed Ruto’s Spokesman Oscar Sudi, accused Tuju and former Vice Chairman David Murathe of having become a liability to Jubilee Party.

    “Tuju and Murathe are rejects who should be removed from the party through elections,” Sudi told a local press.

    “We brought Tuju into Jubilee, not because he had any support, but because we wanted to create a national face for the party. He is now baggage and should be removed,” Sudi added.

    On Saturday, DP Ruto shared a tweet accusing Tuju of turning into a Raila strategist ahead of 2022 Presidential polls.

  • Uhuru Declines Ruto’s Call Widening Rift

    Uhuru Declines Ruto’s Call Widening Rift

    Deputy President William Ruto and his allies call to President Kenyatta to convene a Jubilee party meeting have fallen into deaf ears.

    Kanze Dena, the State house spokesperson on Tuesday said President Kenyatta is only focused on the development agenda of his administration and not politics.

    “The question on Jubilee meeting is political. And like my boss has said before, we are not going to delve into political issues,” said Kanze Dena during Tuesday’s press briefing.

    “If, at all, the party calls a meeting, then it will happen,” said the head of Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU).

    This has thrown DP Ruto’s led Tanga tanga movement into confusion, with members saying time was running out for Jubilee that is almost collapsing.

    Tanga tanga movement is worried about the Uhuru’s union with Raila and his party, ODM.

    On Sunday, Dr Ruto added his voice to his movements distress calls for the Jubilee party to put its house in order.

    Tangatanga movement have been pressuring Uhuru to convene a meeting to discuss a host of issues affecting the Party and specifically Ruto.

    Tanga tanga allied legislators have accused Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju, of taking sides and working with Dr Ruto’s ‘enemies’.

    Ruto led Tanga tanga movement was made to counter the March 2018 handshake between Mr Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga and strategize Ruto’s 2022 succession plans.

  • Power Trappings: Rift Valley MPs Complaining That Raila Is Enjoying More State Privileges Than DP Ruto

    Power Trappings: Rift Valley MPs Complaining That Raila Is Enjoying More State Privileges Than DP Ruto

    Raila Odinga, who still holds that he’s the Chief Opposition Leader’s role in Jubilee has increased worries from DP Ruto’s camp.

    Raila’s puzzling protocol has been increased by the President with everything passing through DP Ruto’s nose.

    Mr Odinga is an African Union’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development with full delegated authority by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

    Hon. Raila Odinga holds meetings with cabinet secretaries, launches government public projects and Offers State cleared consultations to the President.

    Last week, Raila represented Kenya in a conference on Infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative in Ethiopia.

    He jetted back in the Country on Friday and was given a Presidential escort and security to Kiambu County where he was scheduled to Officially officiate the ground breaking of the Tatu Tech City.

    Raila was received by Kiambu’s top government security personnel and Wilson Wanyanga, the Kiambu County Commissioner.

    The recent Presidential escort and Security detail being offered to Mr. Odinga has increased discomfort from DP Ruto and his allies.

    According to Ruto allies, and majority of Rift Valley MPs, Raila has been given an upper protocol in government than Ruto.

    The MPs have accused Raila of using his current position to blackmail the public in his power trapping scheme.

    The Rift Valley MPs complains were echoed by the self proclaimed Ruto spokesman Oscar Sudi.

    Sudi says the President has downgraded Ruto and his constitutional responsibilities and privileges given to Raila.

    This is not the first time DP Ruto’s camp is feeling left out in Jubilee’s government rather degraded by President Kenyatta.

    In January this year, DP Ruto was forced to have a closed door meeting with President Kenyatta in Mombasa after the President transferred most vital Ruto’s constitutional powers and responsibilities to Fred Matiangi, the Interior Cabinet Secretary.

    On Raila’s defense, his spokesman Dennis Onyango, said that former Prime Minister is not a government employee.

    Onyango said that Raila is only helping the country heal and get past the bitter divisions that had shredded peaceful coexistence.

    According to Dennis Onyango, Raila is outlining the issues the government should keep working on to sustain coexistence in the country.

    However, according to Rift Valley MPs, Raila Odinga, the Opposition leader who turned out to be Chief government policy supporter and influencer elevated protocol by government and increased security details and deep State role remains a threat to the existence of Jubilee and DP Ruto’s political cause.

  • Madaraka Day Celebration In Nyeri A National Shame Crafted By Dimwits

    Madaraka Day Celebration In Nyeri A National Shame Crafted By Dimwits

    Hours back, Jubilee was walking shoulders high after launching the biggest infrastructural development since independence, despite integrity questions, SGR is, without a doubt, a major step forward. The launch that dominated the media headlines from Mombasa to Shanghai gave Jubilee a sense of legitimacy with high political scoring it came with.

    As Kenya marked its 54th year since attaining full independence, the government through its policy of holding national holidays across the country as opposed to traditional Nairobi, took it’s way to Nyeri. Lately, national events as Madaraka have been turned into political campaign platforms and I expected nothing different, the same speeches of outlining accomplishments of the government the only difference is the template. For that reason, I didn’t see anything worthy watching the event on TV until online outburst that prompted me to watch it online. Unexpectedly yet unsurprising, opposition leader and NASA Presidential candidate Raila was invited to the function. This here was set to be an interesting day.

    The event started off with a clearly biased and sycophantic prayer from a Catholic bishop who went out of line praising jubilee achievements while at the same time delivering accusatory venom on the opposition. Instead of preaching love and peace he chose to serve his own interest.

    Moments later as the event was building up, the set up was slowly melting from a national event into the local community’s event. From the choice of masters of ceremony to other speakers opting to publicly address in Kikuyu language turned the whole thing ugly. While it is understandable for using local dialect to be in sync with the locals, it was ours out of order. This wasn’t any other event but a national event held in Kikuyu land. It had to happen under elements of national unity and that included usage of Kiswahili and English only. But the organizers had their own interests to serve. Many Kenyans following the event across the country were left out as the event was reduced to a community ritual passage.

    Raila Odinga at the Madaraka day event in Nyeri.

    That wasn’t the end of blunders, the organizers had more botch job to perform. Speakers after the other, deliberately or rather uniformly failed to recognize the presence of Raila Odinga who by stature is a national leader with a tremendous influence. Odinga was denied a chance to address the nation which was in all senses done in bad taste. It doesn’t add up that presidential protocol saw it important inviting Raila to the faction but denying him a chance to speak. This is easily read as a political calculation that was aimed at humiliating Raila and undermining his strength. It is a political season and there’s nothing wrong playing it, however, this was not any other event but a national holiday. The same way people look at Uhuru as their leader is the same as Raila with his massive following. Sidelining of Raila has perfectly boomeranged on the organizers. The event has been left with a hate and tribalistic tag.

    Both the President and his Deputy followed the suit of rest when they took to the podium, completely ignoring to recognize the presence of Raila in the event and even after the end of the function, didn’t bother to shake hands as it has been ritual on such occasions. It was hard listening to the President’s speech emphasizing on peace, love, and unity the greatest pillars of our existence yet in action they were publicly displaying, hatred, discrimination and turned a national event into a community event.

    If the two took the water they were preaching instead of wine, it would have been such a beautiful show of unity in a highly polarized country especially with the elections, to see both the three have cordial engagements even for the camera. The event has done more damage to cohesion than good. It wouldn’t have cost a muscle if Raila was given a second to even cough, it wouldn’t have dethroned the duo of the simply recognized the presence of Raila who represents interests of many Kenyans. But again here we have a government that has perfected the art of ignoring things from corruption to now ignoring people at events. We wouldn’t have a debate of they didn’t invite him. The struggles of freedom fighters to have a united country without hatred and discrimination amongst ourselves has been shitted on by the covfefe boys. While in ordinary cases we would’ve seen a walk out, it is admirable how Raila calmly handled the situation without a drop of drama and allowed the humiliation script to run smoothly. But there’s someone we call karma, she barely forgets.

    Happy Madaraka Day ladies and gentlemen. Let’s hope to have a better one next year because of this, was a hot mess. Too many childish behaviours can somebody grow up please.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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