President meets DP, top Jubilee mandarins in Mombasa

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January 23, 2019

A day after the high noon drama caused by the appointment of Dr. Fred Matiang’i as a superior Minister, DP William Ruto flew to Mombasa for a meeting with his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Details of the meeting are scanty, but it is natural that the DP hard men consisting of Kipchumba Murkomen and Kithure Kindiki may have broached the new government structure.

But the response from the Presidency if any is yet to be known.
“Top Jubillee leadership met over lunch at a middle class restaurant to discuss key developments in politics” a source privy to the meeting told Uzalendo.
The meeting came hot in the heels of two Executive Orders signed by the President. In attendance was Jubillee Chairman Nelson Zuya, Raphael Tuju, Kithuke Kindiki, Aden Duale, Irungu Kangata and Kipchumba Murkomen.

Top of the agenda was the need for Jubillee to field a candidate at Embakasi South and also the creation of a cabinet committee chaired by Dr. Fred Matiang’i to coordinate government activities.
It is said that the Jubillee brigade ate lunch at Barka Restaurant near Fort Jesus and mingled freely with patrons.

KeNHA installs spy cameras to nab rogue transporters

By

Dan Ojumah

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January 23, 2019

KENYA National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has installed virtual weighbridges in all Kenyan roads that will net transporters who abuse stipulated axle load limits.

The ultra modern weighbridges is fitted with 3D and HD cameras capable of capturing the front and rear of the motor-vehicle, its rear and front registrations, the weight of the vehicle and the occupants.

KeNHA Deputy Director Muita Ngatia shows a live feed of Yatta Virtual station as captured at the control centre in Mlolongo to Uzalendo News .The pictures are stalled in the cloud to avoid interference.

The technology deployed at the virtual weighbridges is relayed real time to the Athi River Data Centre and is periodically reviewed by police units investigating terrorism, smuggling, counterfeits, kidnapping among other sophisticated crimes.

“For example, a suspect vehicle on transit from say Garissa is weighed at Matuu virtually, its details analyzed and the offender nabbed at Thika, Tala, Makuyu, if they elect to use ‘Panya Routes’ ”, a detective said.

“We installed these to curn overloading in a bid to protect our roads. But as a Government agency, we are part of the multi-sectoral team whose only aim is to promote social economic development for the benefit of the Kenyan people”, a Senior KeNHA officer told Uzalendo News, on condition of anonymity.

A truck ordered to reduce its tonnage after being detected by KeNHA intelligence

“The pictures leave a permanent record that can be used by the police to prosecute those who destroy roads and also investigate counterfeiters.” He added.

A project launched by the Government in conjunction with the World Bank to modernize Kenya’s weighbridges and arrest abuse of axle load limit on the northern corridor appears to have finally yielded dividends.

The climax of this was the installation of sophisticated virtual weighbridges in various roads in Kenya put in place last year. These are able to determine the vehicle weight, occupants, time the vehicle passed the virtual station and speed.

According to data from Kenya National Highways Authority, compliance at all gazetted weighbridges has been enhanced, with compliance along the Northern corridor stated at 99.9 per cent.

KeNHA has installed weigh in motion machines at Mlolongo, Athi River, Mariakani, Webuye and Mtwapa. The virtual weighbridges are located at Kamulu, Sagana, Southern By pass, Eldoret, Yatta, and Kakamega.

KeNHA: New offices set to be complete this year

By

Dan Ojumah

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January 23, 2019

By Gerald Gekara

Kenya National Highways Authority(KeNHA) new offices at Barabara Plaza are almost complete. Consequently the Authority will move into the new premises during the third quarter in a move that wiĺl safe the Authority millions in rent at their current Blue Shield headquarters.

KeNHA Director General Engineer Peter Mundinia toured the offices on Tuesday in readiness for the proposed relocation to the Mombasa Road abode.

The project cost the Government Sh. Sh2.9 billion.
The complex will house Kenya’s road agencies namely
Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) , Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA) and Kenya Roads Board.

The building sits on a nine-acre piece of land in Embakasi near the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Kenya National Highways Authority director-general Peter Munindia says the office complex will host employees of Kenya Rural Roads Authority, Kenya National Highways Authority, Kenya Urban Roads Authority, Kenya Roads Board and Engineers Board of Kenya.

“Several institutions have been established since the Kenya Roads Act was enacted in 2007. However, these institutions have been housed in private premises which, as public institutions, they are hard pressed to afford,” said Mr Munindia.
“To mitigate the various challenges, the government identified and secured a nine-acre piece of land in the vicinity of JKIA where the complex is being constructed”

Ghost Pensioners cash in on electronic payments to siphon millions

By

Dan Ojumah

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January 23, 2019

By Gerald Gekara

TREASURY has placed fraudsters who target pension cash from dead public servants through a notice to retirees to update their data by presenting themselves at Treasury for fresh voting.

In an extensive expose first published by the Business Daily, the Treasury says retirees who will fail to avail themselves will be considered dead and their cash remittances stopped.

With the percolation of the use of ATMS, mobile devices, bank agents and Mpesa on the rise, fraudsters have been cashing in on pension cash for living or dead retirees, upping their miseries.

But the Government, concerned by an increase in fraud targeting the vulnerable segment have moved to freeze the fake payments in a bid to ensure pension funds are paid to deserving cases only.

It is estimated that there are more than 300,000 retirees on active pension but the number is increasing despite evidence of deaths to members raising eyebrows that the ballooning bill could have been bloated by non existence retirees.

The deal with an increase of the bill, the Government raised the retirement age to 66 from 55 years but the move has failed to address the bill.

This has been occasioned by a rise in life expectancy owing to improved standards of payments.

The Government suspects that dependants of diseased pensioners have continued to cash on payments wired to accounts owned by pension.

The “Ghost pensioners” are feared to be on the rise fueled by corruption networks within the pensions department and cupidity for cash among dependants.

Executive order shocker for Cabinet as EACC moots more arrests

By

Dan Ojumah

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January 23, 2019

By Henry Kimoli

The major reorganization of Government operations vide Executive Orders number 1 and 2 of 2019 caught many Kenyans by surprise.

However, those who have keenly been watching political developments since the handshake may have discerned the changes, given the speed and gusto with which President Uhuru Kenyatta has been dealing with corruption, the implementation of his pet Agenda Four initiative and his impatience with public officers who have failed to provide services to the public.

A peep into the Executive order as signed by the President has confounded both friend and foe.

The impact has reverberated across the ridges and valleys of Kenya and beyond as the media speculates about the winners and the losers in the radical changes in the operations of Government, coming so soon after the much talked about reshuffle which the media has been predicting and prosecuting since all cabinet Ministers except Dr. Fred Matiang’i were sent on Christmas and new year vacations by the Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Joseph Kinyua.

The media today has splashed headlines suggesting that the move to create a cabinet committee Chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security and Coordination of Government has effectively elevated the current holder of the berth-Dr Matiangi to a super minister.

Instructively, the chair of this Cabinet committee is deputized by the cabinet Minister, Treasury, substantively held by Henry Rotich. The Committee, read Matiang’i or whoever will hold the position should the President exercise his prerogative and execute a reshuffle, will report to the Head of State.

So what is the implication of this Presidential order?

Unlike in the past, and unless there is a compelling reason, the Presidency will be less accessible to cabinet secretaries and the Attorney General since all their issues, concerns et al will be deliberated at this committee level and fast tracked to President Kenyatta via Matiangi.

Then there is the supervisory role of Government projects, read by analysts as the Big Four agenda. Effectively, Matiangi will drive the Big Four agenda to the exclusion of other busy bodies and ensure smooth and full implementation of the same as guided by various performance contracts signed by implementing ministries and other state bodies.

Matiang’i will also monitor and periodically audit functions for resources allocated for priority programmes.

At the Principal Secretaries level, Dr Karanja Kibicho, the Interior Security PS will chair a select committee of 14 members, whose Vice Chair is the PS Treasury. This Committee may co-opt any other PS as the need arises.

Then there is the regional development committee, to be chaired by the Regional Commissioner. Role is effective regional coordination using multi sectoral approach to enhance harmony and service delivery. It will also receive and coordinate various reports before forwarding these to the Matiang’i committee.

The Million dollar question

While signing the two Executive orders, the President never referred to any of the chairman and Members of the various committees by name.

Effectively, the President only reorganized the operations of his Government and may yet make personnel changes in a bid to ensure that the fight against graft is sustained.

In the midst of this reorganization was the swearing in of the new Anti-corruption czar Twalib Mbarak , who now joins DPP Hussein Haji and DCI George Kinoti.

The fearsome three anti-graft busters are waiting on the wings to clear any public officers still thinking that graft is a way of life.

Things are elephant in Government; to quote Columnist Kwendo Opanga’s quip as published in the Daily Nation when the late Nicholas Kipyator Kiprono Biwott was arrested in 1991 over the late Robert Ouko murder.

United in delivery

By

Dan Ojumah

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January 22, 2019

Dr. Wathe Nzau, Deputy Governor Kitui County does his best as Hon. Alex Nganga, MCA Miambani ward follows closely.

The Kitui Deputy Governor, Dr. Wathe Nzau on Monday, 21st January, 2019 led a team of Veterinary Doctors in the Mass Artificial Insemination program at Malili and Mikuyuni villages, Miambani ward in Kitui Central Sub-County. On his left was, Alex Ng’anga, The Deputy Minority Leader.

Safaricom preys on cyber criminals vide new technology

By

Dan Ojumah

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January 22, 2019

By Gerald Gekara

Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore. Photo courtesy of Daily Nation

Safaricom, Kenya’s leading teleco by customer and financials, has now moved to tame cyber crime by investing in products that will nip the fraud in the bud.
In a statement to newsrooms and as published by the Business Daily, the company says the move will enable the firms to secure their emails, websites, manage vulnerability, test audit systems as long as contact real time monitoring of their security systems.

The move is a big relieve for banks, government institutions, insurance companies, fund managers, telecommunications companies and asset management companies.

Nearly all the sectors of the economy have been targeted by fraudsters including Safaricom itself. Variously, the government has lost money through IFMIS, the government financial systems that approves payment to government suppliers and contractors has been a key target by fraudsters.

Last year alone unreported fraud cases cost firms and individuals an estimated sh. 10 billion and is being viewed as one of the biggest threats to business.
The Safaricom innovation comes at a time when the company has launched the Fulisa product that is offering its customers pay for bills using Mpesa even when there are insufficient funds.
Safaricom has also provided other cutting edge products such as Mshwari which have boosted micro business enterprises in Kenya.
CEO Bob Collymore announced the anti cyber cyber crime product yesterday.
The taxman KRA has also fallen folly to the fraudsters and will find this product especially relevant. Safaricom has since inception evolved from a voice only firm to a financial, security and ICT service provider

Will public officers protect public resources as ordered by the President?

By

Dan Ojumah

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January 22, 2019

President Uhuru Kenyatta today met with senior security officials to discuss on national security matters.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me, first and foremost, wish you all a Happy New Year. Before I proceed any further, l ask you all to stand and observe a moment of silence in honor of those who lost their lives, from the attack by terrorists at 14 Riverside Drive last week.

Ladies and Gentlemen, As I underscored when I addressed the Nation last week, we will pursue those who planned and financed the attack, using all instruments at our disposal, to ensure we weaken their capacity to hurt us. I thank all Kenyans for pulling together, during that trying moment in a show of solidarity and patriotism. It is such unity of purpose and resilience that made it possible for us to defeat the enemy and save many lives. Standing together and bonding with one another, is, indeed, stronger than any weapon we might have. I thank our security forces for their bravery, professionalism and firmness in confronting and neutralizing our enemies. Our multi-agency team has already arrested several individuals linked to the attack. As this exercise continues, I urge all Kenyans to remain vigilant. It will take all of us to fight this demon of terrorism and violent extremism.

Ladies and Gentlemen, It is not debatable that since 1963 when we became a free Nation, we have made significant progress in improving the well being of our people. But we still need to do more to fully contain poverty, ignorance and disease; and in particular the unemployment problem of our youth. I want us all to fight this war against poverty, ignorance and disease, with the same zeal and single-minded focus, as we are fighting the war on terror. This is the only way we can succeed. Ladies and Gentlemen, You are a critical link between security and development. I invited you here today, to outline measures we will take to make 2019 a transformational year, for the people of Kenya.

First, all Government agencies and departments, must subscribe to the One-Government Approach policy. I will require all Ministries, departments and semi-autonomous agencies, to embrace the same multi-agency approach under the National Security Council, which is being pioneered with significant success. You will have noticed the seamlessness with which the security agencies, responded to the terrorist attack last week. We seek to achieve the same level of coordination and synergy, between all National Government departments. Second, I expect you to be the lead officers, of the National Government development agenda, in your jurisdiction. Regional Commissioners, will chair the Regional Development Implementation Committee, while County Commissioners will chair, the County Development Implementation Committee. You will be provided with clear guidelines on standards, procedures and reporting requirements. This directive is meant to increase efficiency, speed of delivery, better utilization of public resources and reduce wastage and gate keeping. Ladies and Gentlemen

Third, I expect you to protect public resources, as if they were your own. Kenyans expect it of all of us. I hereby direct all Regional Commissioners, County Commissioners, and Police Commanders to treat gate-keeping, rent-seeking, fraud and misuse of resources as a threat to the unity, well being and security of our Nation.The fight against corruption is won or lost daily on the ground, and I expect you to show courage, integrity and resourcefulness to fight it.

Fourth, to enhance the progress made by the integrated Population Registration System (IPRS), my Administration will complete a central master population database, which will be the authentic ‘Single source of truth’ on personal identity in Kenya. The database will contain information on all Kenyan citizens as well as foreign nationals residing in Kenya. For each registration, the National Integrated Identity Management Systems (NIIMS), will generate a unique identification number that will be known as Huduma Namba. The County Commissioners, will provide oversight and coordinate the execution of Huduma Namba related activities in the Counties.

Fifth, we must effectively manage, coordinate and regulate our environmental resources, in order to conserve the environment for future generations. To this end, Regional and County Commissioners are directed to reactivate County Environment Committees, which will be responsible for regulation and protection of all gazetted forests and vital water towers in their jurisdictions. As Chairs of these committees, you will be held responsible for any cases, of environmental destruction and degradation.

Sixth, I expect you to play a crucial role in enforcing the policy of 100% transition from primary to secondary school and ensuring that no child is left behind.

Seventh, I expect the County Commissioners to ensure that every county has launched and is implementing a “County Action Plan for the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism”.

Some counties, like Mombasa, are already showing the way; all of you will need to follow their example. You will be expected to report on your progress, on your collaboration with civil society groups, religious leaders and other stakeholders, to ensure that radicalized Kenyans and radicalizers who present a threat to the security of our people, are quickly detected and dealt with.

I now wish to focus on “The Big Four Agenda”, which is anchored in the Medium Term Plan III and underpinned by Vision 2030. As you are aware, we have identified four pillars: revamping manufacturing for jobs creation, increasing food and nutrition security, affordable housing, and universal health coverage. You have a critical role to play in ensuring effective implementation of this Agenda, as you are my eyes and ears on the ground. I expect you to communicate the essence of the Big4 agenda, to report emerging implementation constraints and highlight important gains at the grassroots.

Further, I expect you to provide security for critical infrastructure, installations and trading centres, to facilitate a 24-hour economy. Ladies and Gentlemen, My administration remains committed to devolution. The County Commissioners, as provided under the Inter-Governmental Relations Act, shall be responsible for relationship management and act as the key liaison with County Governments. I expect you to work closely with the County Governments, to coordinate the implementation of cross-cutting policies and development programmes to enhance efficient service delivery to citizens. A key role in your support to County Government will be in matters related to good governance, rule of law, and security. To effectively discharge these responsibilities as coordinators of development projects, you will be required to acquaint yourself with development projects in your respective jurisdictions.

I have full confidence in your ability to deliver under this framework. I want you to be fighters for Kenya and Kenyans. Allow no one to intimidate or distract you from your real job. You have my full support and that of my entire administration. I thank you. God bless you all.

God bless Kenya.

Explosion and heavy gunfire at Dusit Hotel

By

Dan Ojumah

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January 15, 2019

A suspected terror attack has been reported at Dusit Hotel in Riverside Drive, Nairobi. The hotel, located near the University of Nairobi Chiromo hostels was attacked by unknown assailants who drove in using a small car. Police have condoned off the area. The number of casualties is not yet known.

Kenyan security operative guiding civilians

The incident is suspected to be a terrorist attack, however the authorities have not confirmed the nature of the attack. Special forces unit of the General Service Unit (Recce Squad) are currently at the scene. The assailants are suspected to be in the hotel.