James Murimi @Jamesmurymy

Sixty-seven political parties have submitted their nomination rules to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ahead of primaries slated for next month.

Addressing the Kenya Editors Guild in Nairobi yesterday, IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati (pictured)said the parties’ compliance with the stipulated timelines indicates that they are ready for the nominations.

The political parties were expected to start submitting their nomination rules from February 20 to March 2. But Chebukati said during the nominations slated for April 13 to 26, the commission would only offer technical support to interested parties.

The commission has allowed political parties to form their own internal tribunals to solve disputes that could erupt from the primaries.

“We have held meetings with Nasa, Jubilee and other political parties on the issue of nominations. We agreed that IEBC will only offer technical support during the process,” he said.

The guild’s chairman Linus Kaikai called on the electoral body to handle the forthcoming polls with an “open mind and fairness” to ensure that the process is transparent.

People Daily managing editor Maina Muiruri appealed to IEBC to strengthen its partnership with the media so that it could easily articulate its issues to the public.

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Rift Valley politician Jackson Kibor was yesterday arraigned in an Eldoret court charged with attempting to kill his son and refusing to have his fingerprints taken.

Kibor, who appeared before the resident magistrate Harrison Barasa, pleaded not guilty to both charges. The politician who drove himself to court in the morning was represented by lawyer Collins Akenga.

The courtroom was packed to capacity with the public and his family members among them the complainant, Ezekiel Kibor, whom the politician is accused of attempting to shoot to death over land dispute.

Kibor lawyer pleaded with the court to release his client on cash bail saying he was a resident of Eldoret and there was no way he could skip the case.

The magistrate ordered Kibor released on a Sh100,000 bond or Sh80,000 cash bail. The case will be mentioned on March 16 while hearing is set for April 4 .

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President Uhuru Kenyatta is on a meet the people tour Thursday afternoon in Lamu and Kilifi counties where he will also launch development projects.

Among key projects to be launched by  the President  is  the Witu Lamu road and commissioning of medical equipment  at  Malindi  hospital.

The president will also address public rallies  at  Witu and Malindi  in yet another  Jubilee charm offensive to woo the Coast region.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmEkB5zbyDI

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Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has urged the government to hire all national police reservists on a permanent basis.Senator Moi who was addressing hundreds of IDP’s, victims of cattle rustling in Bartabwa divisional headquarters Wednesday said the police reservists  popularly known as KPR’s are well versed with hostile terrain in insecurity prone areas like North Rift Region. 

He questioned the government's reluctance to make arrests after 10 people were killed in Baringo county, yet nearly 400 people were arrested in neighbouring Laikipia county after one rancher was killed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtf3eND-mhk

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A Kiambu court has handed down a 7 year jail sentence to a man who confessed to taking part in the murder of former Kiiru High School Headteacher the late Solomon Mwangi.

Joseph Kariuki Ngugi who admitted to receiving over 400, 000 shs from the widow of the slain head teacher broke down in tears moments after he was handed the sentence by Kiambu High Court Judge Joel Ngugi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR4Dc9aTp1E

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President Uhuru Kenyatta has put opposition leaders on the spotlight for spreading what he termed as lies and propaganda yet they have nothing to show for the time they served in the Government.

Kenyatta spoke in Lamu County where he kicked off his charm offensive in the Coastal region after days of a sustained low profile since his onslaught on the vote listing campaign trail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n4WRwxlEBA

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The Council of Governors has rebuffed pleas by striking doctors for one more day to allow them append their signatures to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, saying it was no longer engage in further negotiations, affirming that its decision to withdraw an additional 600 million shillings allowance will not be reversed .

Council of Governors Chairman Peter Munya who spoke in Naivasha accused the doctors of shifting goalposts and rejecting every mediator in the crisis saying they could no longer be trusted.

The striking doctors through the Kenya Medical Association had Wednesday expressed their willingness to negotiate a return to work formula but only after amendments to a contentious clause that would have allegedly barred doctors in the public sector from engaging in private practice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwA0_HhK6fA

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The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission maintains that the August election will go ahead as planned.

Chairman Wafula Chebukati says litigation will not stop the polls agency from continuing with preparations for the election come what may.

Chebukati is adamant that court cases were just a temporary setback but were determined to ensure that the polls happen as scheduled.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD06jZ-MgXw

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PSCU

President Uhuru Kenyatta has criticised Turkana Governor Josephat Nanok, saying the arid county has little to show for the more than Sh40 billion of devolved funds disbursed over the last four years.

He said the ODM-led county was a shameful example of poor service delivery to Kenyans. The President observed that Turkana county received funds equal to the combined allocations to Kiambu and Uasin Gishu counties but lagged behind in development.

“Turkana county deserves to develop at the same pace as other counties and its residents have a right to receive efficient and effective services under the devolved unit as other counties,” said Uhuru.

The Head of State who was accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto spoke on Wednesday in Lodwar town where he was greeted by thousands of residents.

He reassured residents that his administration will remain focused in developing all parts of the country. In Turkana county, the President said the Jubilee administration has initiated projects aimed at transforming the lives of residents in the areas of energy, health, infrastructure, agriculture, water and security.

On infrastructure,Uhuru cited the tarmacking of the Kitale-Lodwar road that is currently underway while on electricity he said more than 300 primary schools have been connected.

“Since independence, which government has connected more households to electricity than Jubilee?” he posed adding:“If one is a leader who is keen on uplifting the life of residents, he would join Jubilee, the party that is focused on development and unity.”

Deputy President Ruto said he has fought hard to ensure that financial resources for development were channelled to Turkana county because of his quest and the President’s determination to transform the lives of Kenyans in all parts of the country.

“As a National government, we have resisted calls to change the formula for revenue allocation that would see counties like Turkana allocated less funds,” he said.

During the occasion, Turkana Senator John Munyes led 12 Members of the Turkana County Assemble in defecting to the Jubilee Party.

The MCAs who defected included Raphael Loperito (ODM), James Abei (ODM), David Ateyo (Kanu), Patrick Imana (Kanu), Jackson Lowoi (Kanu), Maria Nasanyana (Kanu), Emmanuel Lomorukai (Kanu), Joseph Tioko (Ford-K), John Sepae (Ford-Kenya), Michael Ewoi (Ford-Kenya), Marystella Ekunoit (Ford-Kenya) and Leah Nachere (Ford-Kenya).

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Integrity and courage in the face of fear is what distinguishes Corporal David Chumo from his colleagues.

Chumo, a traffic police officer in Bomet county has braved challenges and risked his life to combat poaching and illegal charcoal trade in the area despite constantly receiving death threats.

He won the Huduma Ombudsman Award (2017) as the best police officer for his call to duty in a service that has become synonymous with corruption, extrajudicial killing and other social ills.

“I have worked very hard and gone to extra mile by performing traffic duties and the entire police work. I have been arresting poachers who kill our wild animals and charcoal dealers and despite death threats, I have not been deterred,” he said.

Speaking at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) yesterday when he received the award from the Attorney General Githu Muigai, he said he has been offered a lot of money to turn a blind eye to “many incidents” but declined.

Lauding the officer, Githu said it was encouraging to see ordinary Kenyans do exemplary work in their own small ways to make the country a better place.

“While there are so many new challenges, sometimes we fail to recognise that there are outstanding public officers who continue to make this country proud,” he said.

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Judith Kemei @PeopleDailyKe

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has distanced himself from remarks by his West Pokot counterpart John Lonyangapuo which called for the suspension of the ongoing security operation in Elgeyo-Marakwet and Baringo counties.

He termed the senator’s sentiments as “personal”, adding that they don’t represent the position of Kanu. He maintained that as the party leader he was not consulted before the statement was issued to the press.

Speaking at Bartabwa in Baringo North after he visited the family of slain Ngorora location chief Thomas Chebor, Gideon (pictured) supported the ongoing operation and lauded government’s efforts to rid the region of bandits.

“There is no day I have said I don’t support the operation and those spreading propaganda should come and say where and when I said I don’t support the operation,” he said.

This comes after rumours going round on social media that he had gone to court to block the ongoing security operation.

However, the Baringo senator refuted the claims saying his political opponents are using the allegations to gain political mileage, adding that he could not oppose the operations as he also feels the pain of the people.

Gideon also said for the operations to go on successfully, the chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Security who is also Tiaty MP Asman Kamama should step down claiming that he is the “father of insecurity” menace in the county.

He said Baringo County Assembly Speaker William Kamket should be arrested over incitement remarks which led to bloodshed and displacement of people in parts of Baringo North, South and Mochongoi.

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Controversial businessman Paul Kobia was yesterday arrested and arraigned before a Nairobi court for allegedly kidnapping a Congolese citizen.

He was later released on a cash bail of Sh100,000 pending investigations. Kobia, who is an aspirant for Nairobi senator, appeared before Milimani senior Resident Magistrate Miriam Mugure with four bodyguards who were also released on similar cash bail terms.

The magistrate rejected request by the police to detain them for 14 days as they carried out investigations. Police reports say Kobia abducted Congolese businessman Bachard Londole over some Sh 40 million owed to him.

Kobia had allegedly lent the money to him in exchange of gold. The court heard that Kobia, Alvin Anzaya, Nelson Moyi, John Mutwiri and Martin Mwangi abducted Londole at his house at Super Lodge on Kindaruma road, Kilimani area and took him to Kobia’s house at Mzima Springs, Kileleshwa.

Constable Mark Ntonja attached to Kilimani Directorate of Criminal Investigations office informed the court that they need more time to complete investigations before preferring charges against them.

Kobia has in the past been named in connection with illegal dealing in gold originating from Congo. He recently released a video on YouTube accusing an aide of President Uhuru Kenyatta of blocking him from accessing the Head of State.

In 2015, Kobia sensationally linked himself to the death of Fidel Odinga, son of Opposition leader Raila Odinga. He later denied the claims.

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James Murimi @Jamesmurymy

If the General Election was held today, governors Isaac Ruto (Bomet), Cornel Rasanga (Siaya) and Mwangi Wa Iria (Murang’a) would retain their seats.

According to a poll survey conducted in Bomet, Nandi, Murang’a and Siaya counties by Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA), the three county bosses stand a chance of flooring their competitors, albeit with less than 50 per cent of votes cast.

But Nandi Governor Cleophas Lagat would lose his seat to former Cabinet minister Henry Kosgey, according to the findings released yesterday by TIFA director Maggie Ireri in Nairobi.

She said the objective of the study was to assess political party affiliation in the four counties as well as identify popular candidates vying for positions of governor, senator and Women’s Representative.

In Bomet, Ruto, who intends to defend his seat on the Chama Cha Mashinani party, would garner 44 per cent of the votes with JP’s Joyce Laboso and Julius Kones trailing with 32 and 19 per cent respectively.

“The question is, between Laboso and Kones who will get the Jubilee Party nomination ticket to compete with Ruto?” posed Ireri.

The polls shows that Rasanga would get 40 per cent followed by William Oduol, Nicholas Gumbo and Carey Orege at 29, 20 and 4 per cent respectively.

In Murang’a, Wa Iria is still the man to beat as the survey shows that he would garner 48 per cent of the votes against his main challenger Jamleck Kamau’s (Kigumo MP) who would get 34 per cent.

“This is a two-horse race between Kamau and Wa Iria,” she said. The survey conducted between February 15 and 19 shows that Jubilee is dominant in Bomet, Nandi and Murang’a counties while the National Super Alliance (Nasa) has of 97 per cent popularity in Siaya.

According to the poll, Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat stands a chance of beating Bomet Senator Wilfred Lesan of Jubilee by 24 per cent to 20 per cent.

In Siaya, Senator James Orengo would get only 3 per cent support if he vied for the county’s governor seat compared to 87 per cent if he opts to defend his senatorial seat.

In Nandi, former Industrialisation Cabinet minister Kosgey would clinch Nandi governor’s seat with 36 per cent, followed by former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei and incumbent county boss Lagat at 21 and 18 per cent respectively.

Nandi senator Stephen Sang would reclaim his seat with 50 per cent but would suffer a loss if he opts to contest for the governor seat. The study shows that Murang’a Senator Kembi Gitura would retain his seat by flooring Irungu Kang’ata (Kiharu MP), who is eying the seat.

Murang’a women representative Sabina Chege would retain her seat with 70 per cent of votes against her rival radio presenter and TV host Waithira Muithirania who would garner 13 per cent of the votes.

“The party nominations are expected to be competitive and could lead to fallouts because there are a number of strong candidates vying for one seat under the same party,” Ireri said.

She noted that if the party hopping law is nullified by the courts, strong candidates would continue decamping to parties which are not members of major coalitions.

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Slightly more than 1,000 pedestrians died in road accidents last year, new statistics have shown. However, the 1,097 figure represents 18.4 per cent decrease in pedestrian death rate compared to 1,344 who died in 2015.

The drop has been attributed to pedestrian interventions, the report shows. However, there was increase in fatalities for drivers with 339 reported dead last year compared to 2015’s 315.

Further, 729 passengers died in road accidents last year compared to 668 in 2015 while motorcycle deaths rose from 637 to 718 in the period under review.

Releasing the findings in Nairobi yesterday, National Transport and Safety Authority director general Francis Meja said there was a general reduction in fatalities, with the number standing at 2,965 as at last December compared to 3,057 in 2015.

While the national pedestrian fatalities reduced to 18.4 per cent, motorcycle-related deaths increased by 12.7 per cent, he said. “Most fatal road traffic crashes occur between 1730 hours to 2200 hours, the peak being 2000 hours in 2016 and 2200 hours in 2015 and was majorly attributed to speeding, drunk driving, motorcycles operating at night with poor visibility and lack of safety gear,” Meja said.

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Anthony Mwangi and Bernice Mbugua @PeopleDailyKe

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) yesterday appeared to clash over whether to prosecute Auditor General Edward Ouko or not.

Appearing before a parliamentary committee, EACC deputy chief executive Michael Mubea said Ouko had overruled a junior staff in his office and approved a payment voucher for an irregular Sh100 million contract against the estimated cost of Sh18 million.

But DPP Keriako Tobiko said he is not bound by the EACC on how to handle evidence presented to him. Appearing before the National Assembly Finance committee to respond to a petition filed against Ouko, Tobiko said his decision on the auditor’s prosecution was pursuant to his constitutional mandate.

“The decision to withdraw the charges against Ouko was based on my independent and careful assessment of the evidence in the file and the law governing the making of prosecutorial decisions,” Tobiko said.

This came even as the High Court allowed Ouko to file for orders prohibiting the committee from discussing a pettion that seeks his removal from office.

Justice George Odunga also allowed Ouko to file an order barring National Assembly Speaker from forwarding any recommendations to the President on the constitution of a tribunal to investigate his conduct and oust him from office.

The auditor general was also granted leave to file an order restraining the President from acting on recommendations of Parliament pending determination of the suit.

Ouko claims he was not given adequate notice to prepare his defence in a petition filed against him in Parliament. He accuses the House committee of failing to observe his right to cross examine the accuser.

Judge Odunga directed that the matter be placed before constitutional division judge Chacha Mwita on Monday for further directions.

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Officials from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentist Union have dismissed as empty, threats to have them end their strike before they sign the return to work formula.

This as individual doctors are said to have started trickling back to their work stations, in a bid to secure their jobs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTS5cZf3Vo0

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Education Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i has announced that the government will intensify the school feeding  program in drought affected counties in an effort to ensure pupils remain in school.

The government's drought relief program in collaboration with the National Youth Service will oversee the distribution of food to schools.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85Q7qZ05l-M

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The Narok land board has directed that those planning to buy or  sell land in the county follow the right procedure and involve family members before selling land to avoid land disputes.

 This coming due to cases of double allocation of land in Narok county that has seen communities and families clash. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzaurlLZ8n4

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PSCU

Hundreds of women Friday prayed for peaceful elections in August. The women, who were drawn from all parts of the country, also prayed for other problems including domestic violence, drugs, addiction and corruption.

First Lady Margrater Kenyatta attended the interdenominational prayer breakfast at the St Andrew’s PCEA Church, Nairobi. The event was organised under the aegis of the National Assembly Lady Spouses Association of Kenya (Nalsa-K) of which the First Lady is the patron.

The First Lady said it was a tragedy to have the family recklessly broken and dreams stolen through activities of insecurity, adding that it is the wish of every mother to raise children in a peaceful environment.

“As women, we know the disproportionate double risks that violence poses for our gender. As mothers we raise our children in the hope that they will live to their potential,” she said.

Renowned preachers including Esther Obasi Ike, reverends Judy Mbugua, Joyce Kariuki, Lucy wa Ngunjiri and Lucy Nyambura attended. “When women pray, something big will happen.

God will answer our prayers,” said Veronica Muchiri, PCEA Woman’s Guild National Co-ordinator. The women said they will not allow the country to slide to the ugly abyss experienced after the 2007 General Election.

“We are ready to push until Kenya is peaceful, even after the August elections. We are going to give birth to a new Kenya where all can live in peace and unity,” added Muchiri.

The women said the Friday prayer session was a precursor to another national prayer meeting slated for April 8 where they plan to mobilise over 10,000 women at Kasarani Sports Centre.

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US ambassador Robert Godec has asked Kenyans accept the outcome of the August 8 General Election and avoid violence. 
He said violence would jeopardise Kenya's progress.

"Kenya is a great country and an economic powerhouse in East and Central Africa. The world will not accept to be broken by violence," he said in Narok Friday.

And he urged Kenyans to vote for credible leaders who would serve the country selflessly. 
"We support Kenyan people to chose leaders they want in a free and credible General Election," he said when he met local human rights activists at a local hotel.

Godec said whatever the outcome of the election, Kenyans should guard against hatred and strive to build a prosperous country. 
The US, he said, would assist the country tackle the biting drought, adding that it was still assessing the situation.

"We will come to your aid. I have visited many parts of the country and faced the magnitude of the drought that is affecting millions of Kenyans," he added.

He said his government is concerned about the wanton destruction of the Mau Forest, the biggest water tower in the country, warning it would, if not checked, kill the multi-billion-shilling tourism industry in the Masai Mara Game Reserve.

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