President Ruto Urged To Punish Thieves In Uhuru Kenyatta’s Regime

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July 15, 2023

Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri asked President William Ruto’s administration to hold leaders who looted the government during the previous regime accountable.

Karauri also urged Ruto to hold leaders who perpetuated impunity in the government of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta accountable for their actions and decisions.

“If you do not hold the previous regime’s thieves accountable.” “You have no business being in this position if you do not hold the previous regime accountable for its impunity,” the said.

The MP went on to say that the President should demonstrate to Kenyans that, despite their efforts to pay taxes, no one is stealing it.

“I want a change from the culture that existed,” said Karauri, who ran on an independent ticket.

Karauri went on to say that it was past time for Kenya to realize its economic potential.

The President has been unequivocal in his anti-corruption stance, warning that all public officials implicated in corruption or facing graft-related charges in court will be forced to resign.

President Ruto declared on May 19 in Kandara Constituency that the war on graft is his to lead and that it will be ruthless.

CS Kindiki Challenges Azimio To Dare His Ministry On Wednesday Next Week

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Cyrus Kimanga

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July 15, 2023

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has issued a stern warning to the opposition over its planned three-day protest.

Kindiki stated in Sondu on Saturday that he understands many people were skeptical of his statements regarding the protests, but the CS means what he says.

“If you try Monkey Business on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, you will live to regret it for the rest of your life.” “I know there are people who are skeptical of me,” he admitted.

Kindiki stated that the Azmio coalition-led protests will not result in any further losses.

“Ujeuri, kiherehere na ujuaji umejaa Kenya hii…msijaribu kuandamana wiki ijayo,” he said.

The CS who was in Narok referred to Wednesday’s protests as anarchy and economic sabotage.

“Your rights end where other people’s rights begin. There is no right or freedom to loot, kill, injure, or destroy private and public property. We will not allow it again next week,” he added.

Further, the CS urged the Raila Odinga-led coalition to criticize the government in a peaceful and legal manner.

Kindiki stated that no one should cheer or fuel when people’s lives have been lost.

“usitafute siasa kwa kushangilia akiuliwa.” “tafuta siasa kuleta barabara,” he explained.

Van Der Sar Moved To Dutch Hospital From Croatia

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Cyrus Kimanga

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July 15, 2023

Edwin van der Sar has been moved to a Dutch hospital but remains in intensive care following a bleed on his brain, his wife Annemarie van Kesteren says.

The former Manchester United and Ajax goalkeeper, 52, had been in hospital in Croatia, where he was on holiday, for just over a week.

In a statement released by Ajax, his wife said he was repatriated on Friday.

“His situation remains the same: stable, in a non-life-threatening condition, and communicative,” she said.

“The Van der Sar family would like to express their deep gratitude to the University Hospital of Split for their great care during the last week.

“Edwin has to remain in the intensive care unit where he will be investigated further, and the family fervently hopes he can focus on his recovery afterward.”

The former Netherlands international, who won 130 caps for his country, resigned from his role as Ajax’s chief executive in May after the side finished third in the Dutch league and failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2009.

He retired from playing after leaving United in 2011 before joining the Ajax board in 2012 and becoming the club’s chief executive in 2016.

Van der Sar made 266 appearances for the Red Devils and helped them to win four Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League.

Okiya Omtatah Shifts War To Public Funds Looters

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Cyrus Kimanga

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July 15, 2023

Senator Okiya Omtatah from Busia County has expressed concern that Kenyans have not been vocal enough in their condemnation of public funds looters.

Omtatah said in a statement on Saturday that despite the fact that this vice is driving the country into an “economic coma,” no one seems to care enough to address it.

“No one appears to care, and yet the Constitution is very clear on what awaits public-fund looters,” he said.

He cited Article 201 (d), which states that “public money shall be used prudently and responsibly.”

Further, Article 226 (5) states, “If the holder of a public office, including a political office, directs or approves the use of public funds contrary to law or instructions, the person is liable for any loss arising from that use and shall make good the loss, whether the person remains the holder of the office or not.”

Omtatah went on to state that over 10 months since Kenya Kwanza took the reins, it has not dealt with those involved in runaway corruption.

He also faulted the law enforcement agencies for not honoring their mandates.

“So far, the KK government has done too little to contain the re-emergence of corruption cartels which are looting public funds with abandon. The law enforcement agencies appear reluctant to act, or are unconcerned,” he said,

The Senator was commenting on remarks made by Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri urging President William Ruto to deal with the looters, especially those who defrauded the government in the last regime.

He said it was time for the country to recover and unlock its economic potential.

CS Kindiki Claims Sondu Clashes Were Organized By Criminals

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Cyrus Kimanga

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July 15, 2023

According to Interior CS Kithure Kindiki, those who organized clashes in Sondu town were criminals.

The CS condemned the violence in the town, which borders Kisumu and Kericho Counties, and claimed that the organizers had disguised the chaos as border disputes.

He stated that the government would not condone the acts of violence committed in the area over the last three days.

“The culture of impunity must be stopped, and those keen on driving the country into anarchy through violence and wanton destruction of private and public property dealt with firmly and decisively,” he said on Saturday.

He spoke at a security briefing attended by the Security and Intelligence Committees of the Nyanza and Rift Valley regions, as well as the two counties.

In addition, he held a public baraza at Sondu Market.

The CS stated that the government was committed to facilitating a peace process plan for the residents of the area.

He stated that any disagreement, regardless of its nature, could be resolved peacefully and within the confines of the law.

“Violence and lawlessness cannot be a solution to any dispute,” he said.

Government To Extend Fibre Connection In North Rift To Enhance Communication

By

Vanessa Kariuki

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July 15, 2023

The national government has said that it will expand fiber internet connectivity to all areas in the North Rift region that are prone to instability.

According to PS John Tanui of the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Digital Economy, his agency would work with the business sector and other development partners to install fiber internet in the six impacted counties of Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Turkana, West Pokot, Samburu, and Laikipia.

Tanui, who spoke on Friday at the opening of the JITUME Digital Laboratory at the Kapchepkor Technical Training Institute in the Baringo North Sub-County, emphasized the importance of internet and cell coverage to help with fast information transmission in a region plagued by banditry.

“We have planned and sent a team of experts and they have surveyed and identified the exact spots where the internet connectivity as well as mobile phone masts will be set,” Tanui said.

Investigations Commences As Uasin Gishu-Finland Scholarship Scam Takes New Angle

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Cyrus Kimanga

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July 15, 2023

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has launched an investigation into allegations of fraud involving a scholarship program spearheaded by the government of Uasin Gishu County.

The multi-million shilling Uasin Gishu scholarship program, which has sparked an investigation, has devolved into blame games between Governor Jonathan Bii and his predecessor, current Senator Jackson Mandago.

To entice parents to support the program, the county allegedly promised to pay students’ school fees in exchange for parents covering other costs such as Visa processing.

Investigators were tasked with interviewing several officials from the county government and some students who were set to benefit from the controversial program launched by former Governor and current Uasin Gishu senator, Jackson Mandago.

“Sleuths from DCI Headquarters are expected in Uasin Gishu County between July 18-21, for a comprehensive probe,” read part of the statement by DCI.

All aggrieved victims were asked to present themselves at the DCI County Headquarters in Eldoret on July 18 for statement recording and other investigative procedures.

They were also required to bring all the relevant documents to assist the detectives with the investigations.

The scandal came to light in early 2023 when parents of students who had been awarded scholarships to study in Finland complained that their children risked being deported after accruing tuition fees. Some students were forced to return to Kenya after the situation worsened.

Parents accused the county government of shortchanging and duping them into paying large sums of money to unscrupulous agents.

In his response, Mandago refuted allegations leveled against him while asking Governor Bii to take responsibility as the leader of the county.

Government Bans Mock And Joint Exams In Bid To Curb Schools Unrest

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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July 15, 2023

Belio Kipsang, the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Education, has banned all mock and joint examinations for all schools.

“The purpose of this circular is to ask you to bring to the attention of all schools within your jurisdiction and take corrective measures to stop any occurrence,” reads the statement.

The ministry also advised all schools not to hold any inter-school examinations because the program would conflict with the school calendar.

Kipsang went on to say that the decision was reached after meetings with the Parliamentary Committee on Education and the Special Investigation Team, both of which were chaired by David Koech and Claire Omollo, respectively.

The Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) had previously advocated for a ban on joint mock exams.

The association also suggested that the ministry implement more strategies to ensure the education sector’s sanity.

Previously, the ministry proposed replacing mock exams with Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs), claiming that the practice had been commercialized by various schools.

School strikes, according to the ministry, have increased tensions in schools, particularly boarding schools. Students strikes were motivated by a variety of challenges they faced, as well as their demands for better conditions.

In 2021, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) expressed concern about student strikes, which were allegedly triggered by the ministry’s announcement of shorter half-term breaks.

Omboko Milemba, the union’s chairman, explained that mid-term breaks were necessary for students to relieve stress and allow parents to counsel their children before returning to school.

Blow To Governor Sakaja As Supreme Court Orders Him To Pay Ksh 60B Debt

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Cyrus Kimanga

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July 15, 2023

The Supreme Court ruled that Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja must pay the defunct City Council’s Ksh60 billion debt incurred in the previous regime.

A five-judge bench ruled on Friday, July 14, that Sakaja was required by law to seek an advisory opinion from Attorney General Justin Muturi before settling pending bills.

Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu and Justices Mohammed Ibrahim, Smokin Wanjala, Njoki Ndung’u, and William Ouko added that the Intergovernmental Relations Act requires the county government to settle the debt within a framework drawn up by the State Law Office.

“The outstanding legal debt during the transition from the National Government to the devolved government, as provided under Sections 4 and 7 of the Transition to Devolved Government Act, should have been absorbed by the National Government and not the County Government,” read part of the Judgement.

The Nairobi County Government argued in the Supreme Court that the outstanding legal debt incurred during the start of devolution should have been absorbed by the National Government.

Sakaja’s administration also claimed that the transfer of functions from the County Government to the National Government, as stipulated in the Deed of Transfer dated February 25, 2020, should have included the transfer of liabilities, including the Ksh60 billion in legal debt.

Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko claimed that he was coerced into signing the deed that resulted in the formation of the now-defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services.

The Supreme Court was also asked to rule on whether county accounting officers should be held personally liable for the county government’s failure to comply with orders requiring payment of damages and legal debts.

Attorney General Justin Muturi defended the State, claiming that the legal framework had long been established and enforced.

DCJ Mwilu and her colleagues, on the other hand, dismissed the prayer seeking to incriminate the accounting officers, noting that the argument presented was insubstantial.

Miraa Traders Protests Over Exploitative Cartels In The Industry

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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July 15, 2023

Following the resumption of Miraa exports to Somalia, Kenyan Miraa traders are protesting the exorbitant commissions they are being forced to pay to industry cartels.

On Friday, July 14, traders in Meru lamented that they had been forced to pay an extra Ksh636 per kilo to these clandestine cartels operating at Kenyan airports on top of legitimate freight charges for the past nine months.

Kimathi Munjuri, the Chairperson of the Nyambene Trade Association, confirmed this allegation, regretting that traders were still being exploited despite President William Ruto’s promise to rid the promising sector of cartels.

The chairperson advocated for the Miraa traders, calling for a change in light of the country’s difficult economic situation, which he claimed had a significant impact on the traders.

“The truth is uncomplicated. These punitive measures are imposed on our traders because the perpetrators are well aware that there are no other export destinations for our produce. “Somalia remains the primary country to which we export, and these individuals take advantage of this knowledge,” Munjuri said.

“Remember that miraa is a very perishable commodity, which is why our traders currently have no choice but to pay that $4.5,” he added.

Miraa traders from Meru County have called on the government to investigate the matter and bring the cartels to justice, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

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