Former Attorney General Justin Muturi, on Friday, February 6, disclosed that the Nyota Project was the brainchild of Former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Speaking during the burial ceremony of ex-MP Jamleck Kamau’s mother in Muranga, Muturi claimed that the programme was approved by Uhuru’s Cabinet.

He bashed President William Ruto for taking credit for the project, which was not even in his campaign plan in 2022.

Muturi stated that Fred Matiang’i could assert his claims since he was the chairperson of the Cabinet Sub-committees at the time.

“Even if you ask Riggy G, Nyota was not in their manifesto because it was a project started by Uhuru Kenyatta. It was a negotiation already happening with the World Bank, and Mtiang’i can confirm that,” Muturi stated.

Muturi delved deeper to disclose that the Nyota programme was first proposed by Ababau Namwamba, Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda.

He mocked the Head of State for not only taking ownership of the project, but also making a fuss out of the disbursement of money to youths.

“Now it has become a spectacle filled with dance and drama. It is something that can be done by the Cabinet Secretary for MSMEs and not the President,” the former AG remarked.

President Ruto corroborated part of the claims by Muturi during the Nyota Fund Credit Distribution programme in Mombasa County.

“The NYOTA money is not a loan but a grant to the recipients. The government took a loan from the World Bank to facilitate the programme, which we will pay,” Ruto stated.

According to documents made available on the World Bank’s website, it approved the National Youth Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme in January 2023.

It is a bank-approved loan worth USD200 million, an equivalent of Ksh25.8 billion, with a commitment of USD229 million or Ksh29.5 billion.

The project is scheduled to run between June 2024 and December 2028 and is to be implemented by the Micro and Small Enterprise Authority, Ministry of Youth Affairs, The Arts and Sports (MYAAS), National Social Security Fund.

The fund is a scale-up of the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Program (KYEOP) and addresses demand and intermediation of constraints faced by vulnerable youth.

“The project will be implemented nationally in all the 47 counties, it will focus to increase employment, earnings opportunities, and savings among targeted youth through integrated interventions on skills development, self-employment, entrepreneurship, and savings,” the documents read in part.

Nominated Member of Parliament (MP) Sabina Chege came under fire by leaders allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, over her support for President William Ruto.

Chege was attending the burial of the mother of former MP Jamleck Kamau on Friday, February 6, when the leaders launched a scathing attack on her.

Kajiado North MP Onesmas Ngogoyo accused her of siding with Ruto, who played dirty politics by using the police to intimidate the opposition.

Ngogoyo questioned why Sabina was silent about the atrocities conducted by the government and dared her to repeat the comments she made on Gachagua to his face.

“What we ask is that those supporting the President is that you don’t plan violence, don’t send police officers and let us look for votes respectfully.

“Sabina, since you are telling us to support Ruto, explain to us why you do notspeak about children being killed? You keep blabbing in the media about Wamunyoro. Why don’t you say things to his face?” Ngogoyo posed.

On his part, Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu told Chege to her face that her bid to popularise Ruto in Mount Kenya would flop just as it did with the late Raila Odinga.

“To my sister, you said you tried to help Raila to climb the mountain but were unsuccessful. Now, Sabina, will you try to help Ruto, knowing very well he will not be able to? Join us so that we can vouch for our community and Kenya at large,” Nyutu stated.

The onslaught was concluded by Meru Senator John Methu, who asked the Nominated MP to abandon Ruto as his downfall was imminent.

“I agree with you, Sabina, that there is time for everything, there is time for voting for Ruto, and there is time to vote him out, and nothing can change that,” Senator Methu remarked.

Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui was also not spared, as Methu questioned why he made a U-turn on his perception of the Head of State.

“Lee Kinyanjui, you used to warn us against the President. In fact, when we come to Nakuru to campaign, we will not do much; we will pay your clips from 2022, ” Methu declared.

However, the CS clapped back and told off the leaders for complaining about matters which happened when they themselves were in government.

“Some of the mess you are speaking of happened when you were in office. Tell me one abduction that has happened since I came into office,” the CS posed.

The ODM Party has issued a notice announcing the upcoming party elections in Homa Bay County, outlining the timelines and procedures that will guide the process. 

In a statement on Friday, February 6, National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) chairperson Emily Awitta detailed when the elections will take place and clarified how eligible party delegates can participate by seeking various county office positions.

Awitta stated that the NECC has scheduled the elections for next week, confirming that the process will be conducted under the committee’s supervision.

“The National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) will conduct County Delegates elections for Homa Bay County on Friday, 13th February 2026,” she said.

Awitta further explained that eligible branch delegates are free to apply for positions at the county level and outlined the official payment method for aspirants.

“Eligible delegates of the branches can apply for any positions at County offices. Aspirants application fees will be paid to the Party’s Paybill number 985900, Account is the position being sought,” she added.

Aspirants for non-executive positions at the county offices will pay Ksh1,000. 

Those contesting for women, youth, disability, and special interest representative positions will pay Ksh2,500. 

Candidates seeking executive positions at the county offices, excluding the chairperson’s post, will be required to pay Ksh5,000, while aspirants for the county chairperson position will pay Ksh10,000.

Businesswoman Millicent Omanga has revealed that she will vie for the Nairobi County Woman Representative seat in 2027.

Omanga, through a post published on Friday, February 6, explained that she decided on running for the seat after listening to supporters.

“Many people have been asking what my plan is for 2027. I will be on the ballot for the Nairobi Women Representative position. 

“I will be with my people. I hear you, and we are together in this,” Omanga stated.

Nonetheless, the former Nominated Senator did not disclose which political party she would run for the seat under.

Omanga joins the race to succeed incumbent Esther Passaris, who declared openly that she would not defend her seat in the 2027 general election.

If she decides to run under the United Democratic Alliance, she will have to face off with Nominated Senators Karen Nyamu and Tabitha Mutinda for the party ticket.

The broad-based government deal between UDA and ODM could also throw a spin into the contest, depending on whether or not the parties will field one candidate each or a unified candidate.

Other candidates include activist Hanifa Adan, Nominated Senator Crystal Asige and Social Media personality Maverick Aoko.

Omanga will make her second stab at the Woman Representative position after losing narrowly to Passaris in 2022. She came in second with 586,246 against the incumbent’s 698,929.