The government Thursday agreed to reinstate Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati's security and drivers, two days after they were withdrawn.
The security detail of Mr Chebukati, and commissioners Abdi Guliye, and Boyu Molu were on Tuesday withdrawn —a day after commissioners Consolata Nkatha, Paul Kurgat and Margaret Mwachanya resigned from the beleaguered electoral agency.
“p” IEBC communication manager Andrew Limo said in a text message.
Through a social media post on Friday, the former journalist revealed that the ODM Governor was using the Opposition leader to boost his chances of clinching the Presidency in 2022.
" Katika pilkapilka zangu kwenye siasa nilianza kuona mkono wa usaliti kutoka kwa familia ya Joho, lao kuu lilikuwa ni kutumia Raila Odinga ili apate umaarufu wa jamii ya wajaluo na kuonekana kama mrithi wa Raila Odinga baada ya siasa zake. Huku Raila Odinga akiendelea na kampeni Joho na Abuu Joho walikuwa wakifanya bidii na maadui zao kuunda serikali ya 2022.
Luo support and appear as Raila's successor when he retires. When Raila was campaigning, Joho and his elder brother Abuu Joho plotted with his enemies to form the government in 2022)," he disclosed.
Mr Ali further stated that Joho aligned himself with Mr Odinga for his selfish interests not because he believed in his policies.
He added that there were moles in Odinga's inner circles who were spying on his and even on the payroll of the Jubilee government.
"Watu wakaribu wa Raila Odinga wakiwemo mandugu wawili mmoja katika ofisi ya Raila na mwengine katika afisi ya Joho wakianza kutoa siri
na mipangilio ya Raila. Wengine walikuwa
wakipokea mshahara katika serikali hiyo hiyo iliyokuwa ikipingwa na Raila.
Earlier on Friday, a section of National Super Alliance (NASA) leaders led by Governor Joho,
Amason Kingi ( Kilifi) and Senator Stewart Madzayo announced the commencement of a process to secede the coastal region from Kenya.
The leaders explained that the Government had no moral authority to govern them and as such, they had begun the process of pulling out from Kenya.
Prince William praised the Grenfell Tower firefighters at the Mirror’s Pride of Britain awards.
Attending for the first time, he also paid tribute to the survivors: “It’s truly inspiring how you all rallied to help.”
The prince honoured firefighters and community members who showed true bravery over the horror of the Grenfell Tower blaze.
He presented the This Morning Emergency Services Award to crews who risked their lives to enter the inferno that engulfed the 24-storey tower block earlier this year.
It is a cause close to his heart after he served as an RAF search and rescue pilot from 2010 until 2013 and an air ambulance pilot from 2015 to 2017.
William urged people to take a moment to remember the work emergency services do.
And he told the firefighters: “Many people forget the daily grind you go through on a daily basis.”
He also presented a Special Recognition Award to volunteers, community members and people from the Grenfell United residents group.
In an emotional speech, Prince William commended their “hard work and community spirit”, adding: “I’m just so sorry that such an awful event ever occurred.
“It’s truly inspiring how you rallied round and helped each other.
“I can only imagine how horrendously difficult it’s been for you all. Everyone needs to know what community spirit in truly, truly devastating times is really about.”
Having recently returned to the site of the tragedy, the royal told the community: “You’ve been a true example of humanity for what you have done. I could not be prouder of the community.”
On June 14 the blaze raged through the tower in North Kensington, West London. Some 250 firefighters and 70 fire engines were involved in the 60-hour battle to control the blaze, as well as 20 ambulances.
At least 80 people died, though the true number of victims will not be known until at least next year.
Two days after the fire, William joined his grandmother the Queen on a visit to the Westway Sports Centre, where survivors had taken shelter.
He caught the nation’s heart when he was pictured hugging Fatima Jafari, 78, whose husband Ali Yawar Jafari, 82, was killed in the fire.
In September, William and his brother Prince Harry then visited the Support4Grenfell community hub near the charred tower, where they met with survivors, volunteers and charity workers as well as local school children who were affected by the blaze.
And they recently visited the Al-Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre in Westbourne Park, one of the organisations overseeing the first relief effort for Grenfell survivors.
It helped distribute donations of food, clothing and equipment to survivors in the immediate aftermath of the blaze and also set up initiatives to help heal the community’s emotional scars.
Joining William to present the firefighters with their award, This Morning presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby praised their bravery for running towards Grenfell “while everyone else was running away”.
Phillip said the crews had “gone above and beyond the call of duty”, while Holly called them “true, true heroes”.
The firefighters took to the stage to a standing ovation from the audience, who wiped away tears after a moving video replayed the horrors of Grenfell.
London fire chief Dany Cotton said the support from the tower’s residents had helped the crews come to terms with what they had been through.
She added:
“It is the one thing that has kept us going.”
Shahin Sadafi, chair of the residents group Grenfell United, said the British public were “truly the Pride of Britain” but warned that victims and survivors had a “long road ahead”.
With Prime Minister Theresa May looking on, Shahin pleaded with the audience: “I ask you today, we need your support for justice.”
William also paid tribute to victims of the Manchester Arena bombing and the medics who worked tirelessly to save them.
In his first appearance at the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards in association with TSB, the royal presented a Special Recognition Award for the teams in eight hospitals across the city.
Suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people at the Ariana Grande concert in May.
Praising medics who treated victims, William said: “I think they are all incredible brave. We so grateful to have people like you in this country.
“The courage and the spirit that Manchester showed is a huge example to all of us.”
Earlier, at the start of the ceremony, William sang along with the choir who opened the star-studded ceremony then donned an Aston Villa scarf as youngster Moin Younis, also a fan of the football club, picked up his award for Teenager of Courage.
At a Royal drinks reception before the awards, the prince had chatted with Moin, who suffers from agonising condition Epidermolysis, which causes his skin to blister and bleed with the slightest knock.
The 17-year-old said after meeting the prince: “He was amazing, the fact that he knows such a lot about me. It means that the stuff I do does go out there.
“We were talking about Aston Villa, because we’re both Aston Villa fans, and how they need to improve.
"I thought he was one of the nicest guys ever.”
Moin added: “He looks like a very quiet guy but when you get to meet him he’s just one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet, honestly.
“Him coming here tonight is going to keep me going.”
William also chatted with X Factor judges Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne at the reception, and met “Daredevil Dilys”, Dilys Price, a fearless 85-year-old from Cardiff who jumps out of planes to raise money for charity.
President Trump early Monday cited a report claiming the Obama campaign paid the law firm that routed money to the research firm behind the controversial and unverified dossier that alleges connections between Trump and the Kremlin.
“Report out that Obama Campaign paid $972,000 to Fusion GPS," Trump wrote on Twitter.
"The firm also got $12,400,000 (really?) from DNC. Nobody knows who OK'd!”
The president is referencing a report from the conservative website The Federalist that says Obama’s campaign paid $972,000 to the law firm that passed the transaction between the Democratic National Committee (DNC), ’s campaign, and the research firm Fusion GPS.
The tweet comes amidst anger from Trump and other Republicans following a report in The Washington Post that said the DNC and Clinton’s campaign assisted in funding the research that ultimately produced the dossier.
Last week, the conservative Washington Free Beacon confirmed that it began the funding for the research that lead to the document.
According to The New York Times , Clinton did not know about the dossier until BuzzFeed News published the document in January.
While campaigning at Burma Market on Saturday, Nairobi governor Mike Sonko reiterated that there will be no caretaker government.
He was addressing residents and assured them that according to the constitution only the President has the powers to declare a State of Emergency. He also repeated that the country would be ruled by the armed forces and that President Uhuru Kenyatta is still commander in chief.
Sonko also said that as governor he was ready to buy NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga three station wagons to help him move back to Bondo.
“Nimemnunulia Probox tatu za kumhamisha kutoka Nairobi mpaka Bondo. Ile lead ya mbele, ya katikati ya baba na ya jeshi ya nyuma,” he stated.
The governor also said that he will donate the TVs in their truck to the opposition leader’s farm and for his living room.
On a more serious note, the former Nairobi senator insisted on his plan to relieve low income vendors of the daily fees that they pay.
He added that county council officers who have been harassing residents would face prosecution.
The governor also declared that his administration had set aside a Sh1.5 billion retirement package for county council workers who had reached age limits to allow younger people to join the county government’s workforce.
Former US First Lady Michelle Obama has lashed out at female voters who backed President Donald Trump. "Any woman who voted against Hillary Clinton voted against their own voice," she said.
Mrs Obama, who has stayed largely out of the political fray since leaving the White House, made the remark at a Boston conference.
She reflected on the 2016 election as an example of staying true to her "authentic self".
"Quite frankly, we saw this in this election. As far as I'm concerned, any woman who voted against Hillary Clinton voted against their own voice," Mrs Obama said on Wednesday during a question-and-answer session at Inbound, a marketing and sales conference in Boston. Who is with her?
The Constitution doesn’t provide for a caretaker or transitional government, the Attorney-General Githu Muigai has said insisting that President Uhuru Kenyatta enjoys full Executive mandate.
In a move meant to mute talk of power vacuum, Prof Muigai maintained the Constitution dictates that the president enjoys full presidential powers from the day an election is held until a new president is sworn in.
Also Read: Kylie Jenner is expecting a child with boyfriend Travis Scott
The AG’s remarks have been sparked by the opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) claims that the country is in a state of ‘temporary incumbency,’ which may plunge the country into a constitutional crisis if an election is not held within 60 days after nullification of presidential poll.
“The legitimacy of the government in hand is not in question. Until such a time when a new president and deputy president are sworn-in, the current crop (President Kenyatta and DP Ruto) is legitimate,” said the AG Muigai.
The chief government legal advisor said that President Kenyatta will still enjoy total powers, including that of a Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, apart from those stipulated under Article 134(2) of the Constitution which includes appointment of judges, nominations of persons to constitutional offices, dismissal of cabinet secretaries or other public officers, appointment of high commissioners and the power of mercy.
“Any attempt to establish any form of government other than in compliance with the constitutional is unlawful. There is no caretaker, transition, government in our constitution. Just because the August 8 presidential elections was nullified by the Supreme Court doesn’t mean that we don’t have a president,” added Prof. Muigai.
Sen. John McCain , R-Ariz., announced in a statement on Friday that he cannot support the Graham-Cassidy health care bill. McCain’s opposition will likely sink the latest Republican effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
“I cannot in good conscience vote for the Graham-Cassidy proposal. I believe we could do better working together, Republicans and Democrats, and have not yet really tried," he said in a statement.
"Nor could I support it without knowing how much it will cost, how it will affect insurance premiums, and how many people will be helped or hurt by it."
The Graham-Cassidy bill, considered to be Republican’s last-ditch attempt to follow through with an almost seven-year campaign promise to end Obamacare, was spearheaded by a close friend of McCain’s, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
As Senate Republicans leaned on McCain this week -- whose "no" vote contributed to the demise of July's Health Care Freedom Act -- Graham remained optimistic that McCain would eventually support the bill, telling an ABC affiliate on Thursday, “He won’t vote because of our friendship, I would never ask him. I don’t expect him to vote because we’re friends, I expect him to vote for what’s best for the country.”
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey came out in support of Graham-Cassidy on Monday, saying in a statement it “is the best path forward to repeal and replace Obamacare.”
Republicans hoped that Ducey’s support would help convince McCain to support the bill.
But in the end, it wasn’t enough. McCain was frustrated by Republicans' hasty efforts to pass the bill without it going through what he called “regular order.”
"Without a full CBO score, which won’t be available by the end of the month, we won’t have reliable answers to any of those questions,” said McCain.
The CBO, or Congressional Budget Office, could only offer a partial assessment of the Graham-Cassidy bill's effect on the federal deficit as well as how many people it would cover.
"I take no pleasure in announcing my opposition. Far from it. The bill’s authors are my dear friends, and I think the world of them. I know they are acting consistently with their beliefs and sense of what is best for the country. So am I.
“I hope that in the months ahead, we can join with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to arrive at a compromise solution that is acceptable to most of us, and serves the interests of Americans as best we can.”
Where other Republicans stand on the bill
Republicans have a deadline of Sept. 30 to pass Graham-Cassidy under parliamentarian rules of reconciliation, allowing them to pass a bill with a simple majority of 51 votes. This has left little wiggle room for Republicans to lose any votes -- with three "no" votes, the bill cannot pass.
In addition to McCain, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. is the only other GOP senator to confirm his opposition. Paul said he planned to vote "no," calling the bill “Obamacare lite" and arguing for legislation that would constitute a more complete repeal.
Two other Republicans have signaled that they are undecided on the Graham-Cassidy: Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Susan Collins, R-Maine.
Collins’ spokesperson said in a statement that she is “leaning no" and the senator said at an event in Maine Friday that she was "reading the fine print."
"The premiums would be so high they would be unaffordable," said Collins, adding, "I'm just trying to do the right thing for the people of Maine."
Murkowski, who joined Collins in opposition on three related votes in July, remains undecided her office told ABC News on Friday.
"Sen. Murkowski is still focused on how the bill will impact Alaska, specifically," a spokesperson said. "She's continuing to gather data and is looking at the details of the bill to determine what's best for her state."
National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale has dared NASA coalition to make good their threats not to participate in the August 8th general elections.
This is after NASA coalition led by Raila Odinga on Sunday during a rally in Nakuru County said that if the high court decision allowing announcement of results at polling stations and constituency levels is overturned, then 'there will be no elections'.
However, the Garissa Township MP addressing his supporters during a public rally in Garissa town termed NASA's threats as ‘empty and being directed to the wrong people’.
“The NASA coalition leadership should know that the era of threatening institutions and other parties is long gone. Neither the IEBC, courts or even the Jubilee party will bow to their pressure,” Duale said as quoted by KNA.
“There are times when you used all manner of theatrics to kick out the Isack Hassan led commission and we kept quiet. Right now you have come with new demands and we will not allow that. The Kenyan people in their masses will say no,” he added.
He added that opposition has sensed earlier defeat and are resorting to excuses to justify their loss come August 8 polls.
Duale laughed off NASAs projection that they have a 10 million vote support in their strongholds, noting that it was far from the truth.
NASA presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga is set to receive another endorsement ahead of the next general polls after atheists unveiled their plans to sign a deal with the National Super Alliance (NASA)
According to Atheists in Kenya (AIK) president Harrison Mumia, the group wants to sign an agreement that will guarantee their registration if the opposition forms the government when that time comes.
The move of the atheists to join NASA has continued to attract mixed reactions from politicians aligned to both Jubilee and NASA.
If an agreement is reached, the former prime minister now NASA Presidential candidate is likely to have an upper hand over President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto ahead of the August 8 polls.
The group has also revealed that they will not back Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader if the alliance does not agree to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
In the meantime, leaders of the opposition have threatened not to take part in the forthcoming General election if the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) does not heed to their demands in regard to voter tallying.
Raila and his team have maintained that they will not allow the electoral body to make changes to results announced at the constituency level.
Over the weekend, Former President of the United States, Barack Obama received the 2017 Profile in Courage Award during a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, Massachusetts. His wife, Michelle, attended the ceremony with him and he was full of praises for her.
"I also want to thank Michelle Obama for, after the presidency, sticking with me. Because I think she felt an obligation to the country to stay on, but once her official duties were over, it wasn't clear. I love my wife and I'm grateful for her. I do believe that it was America's greatest fortune to have her as First Lady," Obama said. Watch the video below.
Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru has dismissed reports doing rounds on Social Media alleging that he, alongside a host of other Central Kenya politicians are plotting Deputy President William Ruto's downfall.
Speaking to Daily Nation on Tuesday, the legislator further denied holding any meeting with any politician to discuss Ruto's political future.
“I am not aware of any meeting that took place on Sunday in a city hotel. I was not part of any meeting and those people trying to link me with such kind of malicious, false information should stop from trying to divide Jubilee,” he said.
In the text that has been circulated widely, it is alleged that key politicians from Central Kenya are unhappy with how Jubilee Party conducted the party primaries that were overseen by the Deputy President.
Most of the politicians who attended the said meeting were floored during the nominations.
On his part, Waweru called upon aspirants who lost in the Jubilee Party primaries to back the winners of the party's ticket.
Senator Mike Sonko was on Thursday evening announced the winner of Jubilee primaries.
His victory against Peter Kenneth has set the stage for one of the fiercest political battles ahead of August 8 polls. He managed 138,185 votes against Kenneth’s 62,502. Peter Kenneth has however disputed the results claiming the exercise was a sham.
Sonko vs Kidero is expected to be a close contest. The ODM governor has exuded confidence in trouncing his opponent.
“I am not surprised. All along we knew Sonko was going to be our competitor. So we are not worried and Nairobians will prove that in August,” he said, as reported by The Star.
“Our level of preparedness is not determined by who our competitor is. It is determined by the urban integrated development plan that we have developed,” he added.
Governor Kidero who was handed a direct nomination ticket by ODM will also face lawyer Miguna Miguna in the August polls. Miguna is vying as an independent candidate.
A man in Nairobi’s Buru Buru estate learned the hard way not to mess with the popular senator after he was arrested Wednesday.
Sonko was casting his vote at Bidii Primary School when the unidentified man stretched his arm pretending to greet Sonko but instead ended up pinching him.
He was immediately apprehended by Sonko’s security detail and bundled into the back of a police van.
Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi has termed president Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit in Kisumu county as pointless.
The ODM Political Affairs secretary accused Uhuru of sidelining the Nyanza region people despite them paying taxes.
"He needs to do some soul-searching on his development track record in the region," he said.
“What positive impact, if any, has his administration made on the lives of the people of Kisumu and the entire lakeside region for the last four years?" Opiyo asked.
Addressing members of the press, Tuesday, Opiyo further asked the Head of State to explain the standoff surrounding the Lake Basin Mall.
"He should also justify the Sh4.2 billion flagship Lake Basin Development Authority mall complex in Kisumu, which is not operational close to a year since it was completed," he noted.
“The president also needs to explain why Western Kenya has not benefited from any new infrastructure development project since he came to power despite the much hyped Jubilee's 10,000 km tarmacked roads mirage," he added.
Uhuru toured the county to preside over the 58th Kenya National Drama Festival at Kisumu State Lodge, Tuesday.
The Jubilee Party nominations set for Friday, April 21 will see several top contenders face off especially in the much coveted gubernatorial seat that has attracted political heavyweights from regions seen as President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto’s strongholds.
Jubilee is under pressure to deliver free, fair and credible nominations even as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has suffered turbulence in conducting its primaries.
The ODM party has been forced to nullify nominations in some areas including Busia and council others following massive claims of irregularities.
The Jubilee Party will be facing its biggest litmus test to deliver credible primaries and avoid any possible fallouts after the nominations.
Key President Kenyatta and DP Ruto allies will square it out with some counties attracting as many as five contestants for the gubernatorial posts.
In Embu County, incumbent Martin Wambora will square it out with Runyenjes Member of Parliament, Cecily Mbarire. The ultimate flag bearer will face off with Senator Lenny Kivuti who will be contesting on a Maendeleo Chap Chap Party ticket.
In Nyandarua, seven candidates including former Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of Public Service, Francis Kimemia, will be seeking to dislodge the incumbent, Daniel Waithaka, who will be seeking the Jubilee ticket to defend his seat.
Nyeri Governor, Samuel Wamathai – who succeed the late Governor Nderitu Gachagua – will faceoff with Senator Mutahi Kagwe, who is largely seen to command a large following – and businessman Gakuru Wahome and Evanson Kinyanjui in the Friday, April 21 nominations.
Former Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary, Anne Mumbi Waiguru, will be seeking to edge out the incumbent, Joseph Ndathi, Kirinyaga Central Member of Parliament, Joseph Gitari, and businessman Ngige Wanjau.
Nandi County, which is DP William Ruto’s stronghold, has attracted nine contenders all eyeing the Jubilee Party ticket.
Among those seeking to carry the day include the incumbent Cleophas Lagat, former ODM National Chairman, Henry Kosgey, former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Felix Kosgey, and Senator Stephen Sang among others.
In Laikipia, the incumbent, Joshua Irungu, will be seeking to retain his dominance in the county when the President’s party conducts nominations on Friday. He will faceoff with former Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Thuita Mwangi, who was left out of government appointments following allegations of impropriety during his tenure as the PS.
Irungu’s deputy, Gitonga Kabugi, will also be seeking the Jubilee nomination alongside two other candidates.
In Nakuru, three political heavyweights, Kinuthia Mbugua (the incumbent), former NACADA chair, John Mututho, and former National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) chairman, Lee Kinyanjui, will be contesting for the Jubilee ticket.
In Bomet, National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Joyce Laboso, will faceoff with veteran politician Julius Kones and Stephen Mutai, all of whom are aiming at dislodging Governor Isaac Ruto of the Chama Cha Mashinani, which has officially joined the opposition – National Super Alliance (NASA).
Muranga County will also see the incumbent, Mwangi Wa Iria, faceoff with his fierce critic, Kigumo Member of Parliament, Jamleck Kamau, and businessman Moses Ndungu.
Nairobi will also be among the most hotly contested seats with flamboyant Senator Gidion Kioko Mbuvi, alias Mike Sonko, facing off with former Gatanga Legislator and 2013 Presidential candidate, Peter Kenneth, and former Starehe Lawmaker, Bishop Margaret Wanjiru.
Jubilee Party Secretary General, Raphael Tuju, and President Kenyatta have assured of free, fair and credible nominations saying that the party has no favourites and whoever wins the nominations will be supported by those who lose.
