Category Archives: Politics & Governance

Roots party Presidential candidate George Luchiri Wajackoyah has dismissed claims that he has endorsed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s state house bid.

This is after a 37-second video clip surfaced online showing Wajackoyah in his signature durag addressing revellers at an entertainment joint.

“I am here to join the battle of liberators in this country and the person who makes me stand here is none other than Raila Amollo Odinga,”
Wajackoyah was captured saying amid cheers from the merrymakers.

Wajackoyah was at an entertainment joint in Kisumu where he uttered those words.

Through a statement dated Wednesday, August 3, Wajackoyah explained that his words were taken out of context.

However, the Roots Party Presidential candidate has maintained that he is still in the presidential race.

He insisted that the clip making rounds on various social media platforms had been doctored.

“We would like to categorically state that we have a presidential candidate who is on the Ballot and will win this Election. We have not and will not endorse any other candidate.

We would like to distance ourselves from those claims and assure our supporters that victory is coming,”
their statement read in part.

On June 27, Wajackoyah, while campaigning in Kisumu, stated that a win for Azimio la Umoja Presidential candidate or him would be beneficial to the Western region.

Speaking in Dholuo, he disclosed that he was the chief food taster for Kenya’s first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and wouldn’t mind teaming up with the son.

“I am made to understand Baba came from Wanga (Kakamega), so we still have his bedroom in Mumias. I am a neighbour here, and as you know, I am in the race with Baba. A victory for either of us will be a win for the Western region,”
Wajackoyah stated.

The claims of his endorsement come just a day after an opinion poll by Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA) placed him third in Nairobi county if elections were held today.

Politics & Governance

Uhuru talks tough on Bungoma residents following latest opinion polls

August 3, 2022 Ian Amulega

President Uhuru Kenyatta has warned Bungoma County residents over the latest opinion polls that indicate that the county will be a swing vote in the August 9 polls.

Speaking on Tuesday, August 2, during the inspection of the rehabilitation of the Nzoia Sugar Company, Uhuru told the residents that they risked being left out of government.

He told locals that supporting his deputy, William Ruto, was akin to playing with fire and that only Azimio flag-bearer Raila Odinga would save them.

*President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses residents of Bungoma County during the inspection of the rehabilitation of Nzoia Sugar Company on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. PHOTO: COURTESY*

“My people in Bungoma, do not play with fire, you have already done that and got burned. Do you want to go back to the fire or to be saved? If so, the only way to get saved is Raila,”
he reiterated.

“This factory would have been producing 20 times as much as it is today if leaders really cared about sugar cane farmers and the people of Bungoma.

The Head of State told them not to fall for the sweet nothing by Kenya Kwanza principals Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula, whom he claimed had nothing to show despite being in government for decades.

“Some of them have been Cabinet Ministers since retired President Moi’s term in power, have any improvements been done to this company? And do you expect them to do anything now?”
Uhuru posed.

Bungoma County has become a headache for Raila Odinga’s Azimio camp in the Western region owing to the influence of FORD Kenya party which has dominated the county politics for decades.

Ken Lusaka, who was the pioneer county governor was elected on a Ford Kenya party ticket in 2013 before being ousted by Wycliffe Wangamati who ran on the same ticket in 2017.

In a poll released by Infotrak, Raila led in Bungoma with 46 per cent popularity and was closely followed by the DP at 44 percentage points.

According to the data from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Bungoma County has a total of 635,146 votes.

DP Ruto confronts Matiang’i, NIS over leaflets circulating in his backyard

Bungoma County has nine constituencies: Mt Elgon, Sirisia, Kabuchai, Bumula, Kanduyi, Webuye East, Webuye West, Kimilili and Tongaren.

A split in the votes cast would dent Raila’s bid to secure the threshold – 50 per cent plus one votes – to be declared the winner of the election in first round.

While Raila has enjoyed favourable support in Western Kenya, Ruto has been burning midnight oil to wrestle the vote-rich region from his political opponent.

Politics & Governance

DP Ruto’s allies express discontent over huge number of cops deployed in Ruto’s backyard

August 2, 2022 Ian Amulega

Deputy President William Ruto’s allies have come out to fault a decision by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to deploy more security officers in his perceived strongholds.

This is after the CS announced that security would be beefed up in Nakuru, Eldoret, Kuresoi and Molo areas ahead of August 9 polls.

UDA Nakuru county gubernatorial candidate Susan Kihika lashed out at the Interior boss, claiming that his directive would only cause panic in the region.

*Deputy President William Ruto and Senator Susan Kihika in Nakuru County on February 11, 2022. COURTESY SUSAN KIHIKA*

“Ridiculous! Matiangi’s goal is to create tension in Nakuru, which is peaceful. There is no justification for deploying General Service Unit (GSU) officers to Molo & Kuresoi,”
Kihika claimed.

The outspoken senator further accused Matiang’i of being used by the government to intimidate the residents in areas where UDA enjoys a massive following in a bid to stop them from exercising their civil right to vote on August 9.

She opined that deploying officers just because of the inflammatory leaflets circulating in the region-which the Kenya Kwanza brigade has sensationally linked to Matiang’i and PS Karanja Kibicho -was unnecessary.

“His intention is to suppress the vote in our strongholds. The same individuals behind the inciting leaflets are using them as an excuse to deploy GSU! Shameless!”
Kihika ranted.

In an earlier statement, Matiang’i explained that the decision which had been approved by the National Security Council was made based on an assessment that revealed the regions were vulnerable to violence.

“Police have got eight suspects in custody in connection with the circulation of those leaflets,
and investigations continue. We have teams on the ground that have been working here for a
long time, and we are collecting more intelligence in real-time,”
Fred Matiangi said.

“The GSU officers are not here for any particular aggression but to demonstrate that we are ready to rise up to any challenge that may come up. We are also going to increase surveillance and patrol in the areas,”
the CS reiterated.

In addition, a multi-agency command centre has been established in Nakuru to provide 24/7 surveillance and prompt response should the need arise.

He added that eight suspects had been arrested in connection with the circulating leaflets. Notably, the security boss dismissed claims that the leaflets were a project by employees in the office of the president.

Speaking in Nyeri, UDA running mate Rigathi Gachagua insisted that the Interior CS and PS were using chiefs to campaign for Azimio candidate Raila Odinga.

He called on the administrators to stick to their job descriptions, adding that they should use the financial incentives allegedly offered to them to improve the welfare of their wives.

Politics & Governance

Moses Kuria goes wild after Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit in Gatundu

August 2, 2022 Ian Amulega

Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria now says he was very bitter with his neigbours following President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit on Monday August 1.

This even as the vocal lawmaker blasted Uhuru for commissioning multi-billion projects in Mt. Kenya with just barely a week to the August 9 general election.

In a statement, Kuria stated that Gatundu North residents should have tried to pretend that all was well while the Head of State was addressing them.

“Gatundu North. I am very upset with you. Is this how you respond to a visitor, a neighbour, a President ?”
says Kuria.

Kuria termed Uhuru’s move as a ploy to hoodwink Kiambu residents into Azimio La Umoja Coalition corner, which in an open defiance, the two-time Gatundu South lawmaker maintained that all was not lost and freedom was on its way.

*President Uhuru Kenyatta launching a Ksh. 24bn Karimenu II Dam in Gatundu. PHOTO: COURTESY*

Uhuru toured Kiambu County to commission the Ksh24 billion Karimenu II Dam which was conceived in 2019 under the government’s Vision 2030.

“I know you have gotten absolutely nothing from his 10 years as President and your constituency lacks water despite you hosting Ksh24 Billion Karimenu Dam, but you should have tried to pretend. Anyway, freedom is coming tomorrow my dear neighbours,”
added Kuria.

Kuria is running for Kiambu county top seat under his party Chama Cha Kazi, an affiliate party of the Kenya Kwanza coalition. He seeks to dislodge incumbent James Nyoro, who is defending his seat on a Jubilee ticket, an affiliate party of Azimio coalition.

He won his first and second term in Gatundu South on a Jubilee ticket but fell out with the Head of State after the handshake between Uhuru and Raila in March 2018. This was followed by his ouster as the Vice Chairperson of the Transport, Infrastructure, Public Works and Housing Committee in the National Assembly.

Kuria reiterated his controversial statement that the Mt. Kenya region had been neglected in infrastructure development compared to the rest of the country by the Jubilee government.

The President also issued 14,000 title deeds to Gatundu North residents, after which he drummed up support for Raila Odinga, Azimio’s flag bearer and his running mate Martha Karua.

“Don’t vote for thieves or else you will regret it. Be very careful not to vote for thugs because I wouldn’t want to hear that you are in the cold. There are those moving around speaking so nicely to you and making weird promises, but their deeds and talks behind the scenes are venomous. I plead with you to be wary of these people,”
Uhuru told Gatundu residents.

The president noted his deputy and allies have been touring Mt Kenya region, tarnishing his name to an extent of dragging his mother, former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta, in their dirty politics, instead of supporting him in his development agenda and uniting the country.