Tag: President Uhuru Kenyatta

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Mbae roots for reconciliation between President Kenyatta and Deputy Ruto

The recent bitter exchange between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto is not healthy for the nation.

Kabazi MCA Dr Peter Mbae who has a background in matters peace and conflict resolution says the two are a symbol of national unity hence should not exchange bitter words in public.

While noting that there has been misunderstanding especially after each took different political stands, Mbae says they should ensure unity of the nation.

“I call for a stop of exchanges between the President and his Deputy, who wield constitutional powers but are on the opposite sides of political contest. South Sudan was a bad example. It’s a fact they fell off but they should steer the nation towards a peaceful election and handover” he said.

The vocal Nakuru MCA who is a close associate of Deputy President William Ruto says over 50 million Kenyans need to move on with their lives after the August 9 polls..

Mbae also called on IEBC to ensure peaceful elections by responding to all queries being raised..

“We have over 50 million Kenyans who will need to move on with life after 10th. And let IEBC answer queries to assure all of verifiable polls so that all can accept results” said Mbae.

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Matatu officials raise alarm over ‘arrest plot’ ahead of President’s visit in Nakuru

Central Rift Matatu Association officials have raised concerns over what they term is plot to have them arrested ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit in Nakuru.

The president is expected in Nakuru to Nakuru to asses and commission several development projects.

Addressing media in Nakuru on Saturday led by their chairman Stephen Muli, the officials pointed an accusing finger at Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui.

They claim the governor has fear of unknown that the Matatu operators might heckle him following the recent bad blood between him and the operators due to recent removal from CBD.

However, Matatu association officials in Nakuru say they have respect for President.

Led by Central Rift Matatu Association chair Stephen Muli, they say no one can deter them from supporting President Uhuru Kenyatta’s agenda and the BBI.

Muli says all the 87 Saccos with 30,000 people relying on the sector for their livelihood are in support of the same.

They have called on Governor Lee Kinyanjui to shun sideshows and ensure that all stakeholders attend President’s meetings in Nakuru.

“We have information that the county government wants to bar us from attending the President’s meeting to asses development projects in Nakuru. We condemn such move with strongest terms possible” said Muli.

Nakuru town Matatu service association chair Francis Njoroge alias Njosh says they have respect for President and the Big four agenda.

He adds that they have been in support of the President as well as the recently released BBI report.

They have vowed to attend the forthcoming President’s meetings in Nakuru and listen to what he has for Nakuru as his supporters.

“We have been strong supporters of President Uhuru Kenyatta as Matatu supporters and we cannot be barred from his meetings through intimidations” said Njoroge.

Similar sentiments echoed by Vice chair Central Rift Matatu Association Peter Wambugu.

He says governor has no authority to bar anyone from attending the meeting of the President in Nakuru.

But an official from the county government of Nakuru who did not want to be mentioned due to protocol termed the Matatu association officials’ claims as mere politics that the governor cannot engage in.

There has been a conflict between the County government of Nakuru and Matatu operators since April when they were relocated from Central Business to new stages at Kwa Jack,Ziwani and KFA.

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MP Ng’eno to know his bail terms today

Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ng’eno will today know his bail terms.

The MP who was arrested on Monday was arraigned on Tuesday in a Nakuru Court but denied hate speech charges over remarks he made on President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mau Forest.

Nakuru Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Osui in her Tuesday ruling directed that the MP remains in police custody until September 10(Today) when a ruling on bail terms will be made.

He was arrested on Monday evening at his Mogondo in Transamara for making the utterances perceived to stir ethnic tensions.

The Director of Public Prosecution while authorizing his prosecution said the MP’s utterances were “threatening, abusive and insulting”.

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Nakuru Jubilee official calls on politicians to respect Presidency

Leaders who utter insulting statements meant to demean Presidency as well as women in this country have no moral impetus to represent any Kenyan in any capacity.

Jubilee Party Nakuru Branch Secretary General Mtumishi Cheruiyot says such leaders do not mean good for this nation.

In a statement to newsrooms this morning, the Jubilee official stated that, “their position is below the tables where lichen and moss grow and such disparaging remarks from elected Leaders is uncalled for at this time when the country is headed towards 2022 politics of succession”.

While calling for peace and sobriety among elected leaders, Cheruiyot added that the the reckless and public outburst from some elected leaders is not only unfortunate and primitive but also barbaric.

Jubilee Party Nakuru Branch Secretary General Mtumishi Cheruiyot.PHOTO/Courtesy.

According to the Nakuru Jubilee official, Freedom of Expression comes with limitations and as such all elected leaders must conduct themselves within the confines of the law.

“Freedom of Expression comes with limitations. Tribal epithets tailored to flare up ethnic animosity must be nabbed at the bud stage and its architects brought to book” he said.

He noted that Presidency is symbol of unity that must be respected by all sundry and anyone approaching his throne should do so in humility and not wanton spiteful remarks.

And as the custodian of Jubilee party Branch office in Nakuru, Cheruiyot has vowed to reviewing comments and recommend appropriate sanctions on individuals who promote dissonance in the county.

He has also called on investigating agencies to ensure the comments by MPs Oscar sudi (Kapseret) and Johanna Ng’eno(Emurua Dikiir)  do not  go unpunished.

Ng’eno who was arrested on Monday is still under custody awaiting to know his bail terms on Thursday.

 

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MP Johanna Ng’eno to spend two more days in police custody

Emurua Dikiir MP Johanna Ng’eno will remain in police custody until September 10 pending determination of his bail terms.

The Legislator was produced before a Nakuru Court on Tuesday facing charges of incitement and use of abusive language towards President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mama Ngina Kenyatta.

Before the court, the MP through his lawyer Kimutai Bosek pleaded not guilty with the prosecution side arguing that the legislator’s sentiments are very sensitive keeping in mind his huge following in Narok County.

The prosecution urged the court to be considerate on its verdict over the current political mood in the republic saying that his sentiments might cause what happened in 2007 after the general elections.

Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Osui in her ruling directed that the Legislator remain in police custody until September 10 when a determination on bail terms will be made.

Police officers in Transmara East arrested Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno over incitement.

The vocal legislator was arrested on Monday at his Mogondo home shortly before 4.30pm. Ng’eno was arrested over the remarks he made on Sunday at Murkan that the police say were meant to incite communities.

 

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Njoro MP lauds President Kenyatta over Njoro-Nessuit Road

Njoro Member of Parliament Charity Kathambi has lauded the national government on matters infrastructure in Njoro.

In a statement,Kathambi says the national government heard the cry of Njoro people when she lobbied for the construction of Njoro-Nessuit Road.

The first time Legislator says she will not tire in lobbying for development in Njoro.

Currently,she is lobbying for completion of Mauche-Sururu Road.

Kathambi says improved infrastructure is key as farmers will be able to transport their produce to markets hence growth of economy.

“Improved infrastructure is key in matters economy growth” she said.

The  Legislator expressing her special thanks to President Uhuru Kenyatta for remembering  Njoro-Nessuit road.

She has also lauded former Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua who currently  is the State House controller.

According Kathambi,Mbugua has always backed her in lobbying for Njoro-Nessuit road and other projects through Statehouse.

Currently, Njoro-Nessuit is a success story for the residents of Njoro constituency.

Other roads constructed in Njoro as from 2017 include upgrade to butamen of; Miti-mingi storembili road, Bombo-Mauche Road, Mwisho wa lami-Kisiri Narok and Naishi- Pwani.

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Mututho calls on President Kenyatta to emulate Somalia in dealing with ‘COVID-19  thieves’

Former Naivasha MP John Mututho has appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to borrow a leaf from Somalia and ensure all the culprits behind the COVID-19 Funds theft are arrested and prosecuted.

A regional court in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu Monday sentenced four senior Ministry of Health officials and acquitted five others accused of stealing money meant to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, local media reported.

Though the Sum of the monies lost in the scheme was not revealed in court documents, the fund was also earmarked to tackle HIV/AIDS and malaria in the country that has braved years of civil war and a fragile federalist government.

The four are facing jail times of up to 18 years and have also been slapped with fines in one the harshest conviction of State officials in recent years.

And in his address to the press in Nakuru on Tuesday afternoon, Former Naivasha MP John Mututho lauded the move stating that is the way to go.

Mututho has called on Kenyan Government to emulate Somalia and act on corrupt cartels.

Mututho says if Kenyan Government through its agencies cannot investigate the culprits behind the COVID-19 funds theft, then time is now to seek aid from Somalia.

“Somalia has shown us the way and corrupt people who stole COVID-19 funds have been arrested and sentenced. Even as the President addresses the nation, we urge him to call on Somalia for aid. Mr President we know you are not in this and you mean good for Kenyans, just call the President of Somalia to help you in this” stated Mututho.

Mututho who also served as Nacada boss stated that as leaders they cannot tolerate the issue of people stealing from the public.

He added, “the investigating agencies seem failed and that is why we are saying that we need help from Somalia who have shown a good example in dealing with COVID-19 fund thieves.”

This even as human rights defenders and members of the civil society continue to hold nationwide demos under the hashtag ‘ArrestCOVID-19Thieves’.

The demos according to the activists are aimed at pressuring the government to take action following media reports of COVID-19 funds theft.

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Act on corrupt cartels now or resign, Nakuru Civil society groups tell President Kenyatta

Members of Civil Society organizations in Nakuru County are warning of a disastrous nation in the days to come if the government will not move with speed to address the issues of transparency and loss of public funds during this COVID-19 pandemic.

They have called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to take action and save the nation that seems to be collapsing due to corrupt cartels.

Addressing the media in Nakuru under the umbrella ‘Kenya Tuitakayo’, the human rights defenders are perturbed by the reported theft and diversion of donated Personal Protective Equipment.

In a statement read by Wanjiku Kihika and John Kamande, they members of the Nakuru civil society organizations also raised questions on the reported breaching of provisions of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act 2015 in the procurement of PPEs by KEMSA.

They have also put the government on the spot for failing to disclose all information on the amount allocated and distributed under the social protection programmes set up to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic including the names of beneficiaries and the criteria used to identify beneficiaries.

It is for this reason that the Nakuru Human Rights defenders have called on the government agencies to make public the names of companies and individuals awarded contracts for COVID-19 related commodities or services and the contract amounts.

“We call on all government agencies to immediately publish the names of companies and individuals awarded contracts for COVID-19 related commodities or services and the contract amounts” they stated in the stamen read by Kamande.

The activists are also demanding that the Cabinet Secretary National Treasury publish all expenditure on funds advanced for the CVID-19 efforts.

The Health   Cabinet Secretary has also been put to task to ensure that he provides full disclosure on the distribution of PPEs acquired by the government of Kenya whether purchased or donated giving full details on the sources and recipients.

And in order to ensure transparency, the activists have called on Auditor General to conduct an independent audit of all funds meant for COVID-19.

They further called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to fast-track their efforts to investigate the already suspected cases of theft at national and county levels.

Paul Masese Kemunche from Centre for enhancing Democracy  and Good Governance(CEDGG) added that Kenya is at crossroads with many pandemics among them  COVID-19 but with many shadow pandemics such as corruption that if not addressed the society will suffer.

“It is so unfortunate that the Government has been begging for money in the name of vulnerable citizens only to end up stealing from the same citizens. The Global Fund USAID withdrawal will not affect the government but the common citizens and that is why we are saying time is now to act” said Masese.

Masese says if President Uhuru Kenyatta will not address the nation on the allegations of corruption in his government and lay on the table measures to correct the same, then there will be a revolution through huge national civic demonstrations.

  “If the government will not implement the recommendations we have stated then Uhuru will not have an option but to step aside” said Masese.

Similar sentiments echoed by Midrift Human Rights Network CEO Joseph Omondi.

Omondi says a time is now for Kenyans to move from social media organizing to Community organizing.

While noting that the healthcare workers are also suffering as cartels embezzle funds at Afya House, the Midrift Human Rights Network CEO said the government is to blame as health was fully devolved but funding has continued to be paralyzed by the National treasury.

“The healthcare workers are issuing strike notices day in day out. Health was generally devolved but the national Government has continued to remain with the funds. A situation where somebody steals money in the name of COVID-19 pandemic and we are silent?  This is impunity that cannot be tolerated. Thus we need civic action so that the government can listen” said Omondi.

Their sentiments come even as civil society organizations have planned mega protests in various towns to pile pressure on the government to take action against corrupt individuals who have embezzled public funds.

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President Kenyatta challenges African leaders to tap into young people

President Uhuru Kenyatta has challenged his African counterparts to tap into the innovative abilities of the continent’s youth as they roll out Covid-19 mitigation and recovery strategies.

The President said the youth are Africa’s biggest resource adding that young people’s creative minds and immense energy can be utilized to boost Coronavirus response measures.

“I also wish to reiterate that the biggest resource at our disposal is our own people and especially the youth.

“Indeed, we need to harness the digital revolution and innovation witnessed during this pandemic as a catalyst for post COVID-19 economic revival, and which is key in creation of jobs for our youth,” President Kenyatta said.

The President spoke last evening at State House, Nairobi during the 5th virtual meeting of the Bureau of the Assembly of the African Union (AU).

The meeting convened by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa who is the current Chairperson of the African Union, was also attended by Chairpersons of the African Union Regional Economic Communities (AU RECs).

President Kenyatta told the meeting held to assess the effectiveness of the joint continental strategy on Covid-19 as well as receive a progress report from the AU Covid-19 Special Envoys that cooperation among African countries has helped slow down the spread of Coronavirus on the continent.

“I am happy to note that the quick action by the Chair, coupled with the solidarity and concerted efforts demonstrated by the AU Member States, AU RECS, Regional Mechanisms, African Business Leaders and the Private Sector, have so far slowed down the spread of the virus and averted a full blown catastrophe in Africa,” he said.

The Kenyan Head of State revisited the recent Inter-Sessional Summit of the Organization of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), which he hosted in his capacity as the President-in-Office of the institution, saying the meeting helped consolidate the developing world’s voice on Covid-19 response and recovery.

“I encourage us to continue using these kind of platforms to elevate our position in the global arena, in articulating critical issues in relation to transcending the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly, on addressing the debilitating debt burden and its effects on the socio-economic wellbeing of our nations,” President Kenyatta said.

The AU Covid-19 Special Envoys panel was constituted by the AU Bureau on 12th April this year and comprises of Zimbabwean businessman and philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa, Nigerian economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Ivorian banker Tidjane Thiam.

Other members of the panel, whose mandate is to advance Africa’s Covid-19 agenda in multilateral fora, mobilise resources for Coronavirus response and expand Africa’s access to Covid-19 response supplies in the competitive global marketplace, are former President of the African Development Bank Donald Kaberuka and Prof Mbaya Kakwenda of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

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