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Fred Matiang’i fires back at DP Ruto over accusations of inciting Kenyans
Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang’i, has dared Deputy President William Ruto to table evidence to substantiate claims that President Uhuru Kenyatta and senior government officials were propagating hate and incitement to violence three days to the August 9 General Election.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, August 5, Matiangi termed Ruto’s claims against the officials as baseless, adding that such matters were of grave concern and should not be taken lightly.
READ ALSO: Karanja Kibicho slams DP William Ruto over remarks of inciting Kenyans
Matiang’i, further, called on the Deputy President and his team to stop profiling government officials who are mandated with securing the country.
“These unsubstantiated allegations are consistent with frequent, unfounded, and unconscionable attacks against the government and public officers by His Excellency the Deputy President. The government is run through established and well-known structures and accountability channels.
“It is not a secret society cloaked in conspiracies and dark agendas. As a senior member of the same Government, His Excellency the Deputy President ought to know and manifest an understanding of how Government’s decisions are arrived at and executed,”
Matiang’i stated.
He went ahead to accuse Ruto of jumping to conclusions even before the government completed investigations into hate leaflets being spread in some parts of the country.
The CS added that the DP would have assisted in the investigations if he gave the police evidence over his claims.
READ ALSO: Why I exposed George Wajackoyah as Azimio mole – Justina Wamae reveals
“Allegations that the chiefs and assistant chiefs are buying or withholding IDs to suppress voter turnout in UDA strongholds is ridiculous. If true, it would constitute a criminal and electoral offence.
“There is however no official record made or proof offered by the DP or his associates in support of deterrence and deserved punishment for anyone engaging in the alleged acts. Like everyone else, the DP has an obligation to report on potential crimes,”
the CS stated. -
Karanja Kibicho slams DP William Ruto over remarks of inciting Kenyans
Interior Principal Secretary, Karanja Kibicho, has termed Deputy President William Ruto’s claims that senior government officials were involved in incitement as reckless and useless.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Thursday, August 4, Kibicho distanced himself from accusations that he attended secret night meetings held at the Nakuru State lodge to plot the distribution of hateful leaflets in the Rift Valley region.
READ ALSO: DP Ruto confronts Matiang’i, NIS over leaflets circulating in his backyard
He termed the DP as a liar insisting that he has not been to Nakuru county in the last two years. Further, Kibicho wondered why the leaflets emerged days after Ruto’s rallies in the region.
“Those statements are as useless as they come. We are mandated to provide security to Kenyans. What motivation would the government have to cause panic among Kenyans? To achieve what? How do you scuttle elections in favour of Raila Odinga by spreading leaflets?
“We cannot be reckless about security in this country by calling press conferences and attempting to cry. We are more serious than this. We are talking about protecting the lives of Kenyans,”
Kibicho stated.
Additionally, the PS noted that investigations into the leaflets were ongoing even as he stated that those who are responsible will be brought to book.
Nonetheless, he called out the DP for addressing the issues in press conferences instead of raising them through the right channels.
Kibicho asserted that Ruto has not called him even though he is obliged to pick up his calls being that the DP is his boss.
“When you hold a position as big as the DP of a country, try and persuade yourself to be truthful, it is the honourable thing to do.
“He is speaking as if we were there planning things. It is shameful to lie on cameras on such a grave thing,”
Kibicho added.READ ALSO: DP William Ruto takes new move over alleged plans to rig elections
While addressing the media on Thursday, August 4, Ruto accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of plotting incitement in the Rift Valley region.
“They are part of this scheme. They are the people holding night meetings to orchestrate and plan conflict among Kenyans and unfortunately, the President of Kenya is aware,”
Ruto claimed. -
Why I exposed George Wajackoyah as Azimio mole – Justina Wamae reveals
Roots Party presidential running mate, Justina Wamae, has defended her move to expose her party leader, George Luchiri Wajackoyah, as a supporter of Azimio la Umoja’s Raila Odinga.
Speaking on Thursday, August 4, on KTN News, Wamae detailed that she was compelled to make that statement to affirm her position in the party and as Wajackoyah’s running mate.
She maintained that her public statement proved that top principals can differ in ideologies without throwing tantrums at each other.
READ ALSO: Roots Party’s Justina Wamae goes head-on Mutahi Ngunyi in heated confrontation
“What I did yesterday was simply underpinning my boss’s view. My boss had given feedback, there was a party statement and we have been accused of being a project previously.
“So I represent a constituent of women and youth, and they were telling me if you keep quiet, you come out as a flower girl. So I had to put out my voice, and my boss was aware of it,”
she explained.Wamae ruled out joining either Azimio or Kenya Kwanza, insisting that her candidature together with Wajackoyah will go all the way to the ballot.
“As of now, my boss and I are not in any conflict and I respect the direction Roots Party is taking to ensure that Kenyans see politics as a different thing of not being sycophants, you can raise your voice,”
Wamae remarked.According to Wamae, her statement raised the party’s stake, which she stated was nosediving in recent opinion polls.
Wamae had accused her boss of going against Roots Party and supporting the former Prime Minister without consulting her.
She maintained that she would not support Azimio if the party takes that stand.
READ ALSO: Kisumu County: Gov’t issues new orders ahead of August elections
“It is true Wajackoyah is supporting Azimio but we have not discussed that as a party.
“If we need to take a stand on who to support, I will support the contrary. We have been branded a project twice but we have not agreed as a party,”
she stated. -
Kisumu County: Gov’t issues new orders ahead of August elections
The County Government of Kisumu on Thursday, August 4, ordered all bars, nightclubs, lodgings, and markets to be closed from midnight August 8 to 5 pm August 9 to encourage more voters to turn up for the election.
In a directive issued by acting City Manager Abala Wanga, the county noted that the order would prevent residents from overindulging in alcohol among other pleasures, and fail to vote.
With the social joints closed, Wanga noted that voters would easily go to polling stations without many disruptions.
READ ALSO: CJ Martha Koome issues new directive on lawyers’ dress code
“On August 8, we are going to close all bars, clubs, shops, markets, and lodgings as early as midnight and all activities stopped except the Boda Boda riders who will be allowed to ferry voters to the polling stations,”
said Wanga.He further assured city residents that the county had their best interests and that no one would be forced to vote. He, however, stated that those with ink on their finger – an indication of voting- would enjoy the services later.
In addition, the government official reached out to the Kisumu Bar Owners Association Chairman Daniel Maneno Ouma to ensure that the directive was implemented.
“We had consulted with the city manager and we will ensure that we close in time and monitor clients who have no ink on their fingers. They will not be admitted to the bar,”
stated Ouma.The government official added that a letter was also being crafted to direct supermarkets to comply. Residents were also urged to do their shopping early before the facilities were closed.
READ ALSO: Kenya’s sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala Bags Gold in 100m finals in Birmingham, UK
This directive came after Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i declared Tuesday, August 9 a public holiday to give Kenyans ample time to cast their votes for the next government.
Bob Onyona, a bar owner, assured the county government of total compliance. He noted that plans were underway to ensure employees got to travel on Sunday to their registered polling stations and exercise their civic duty.
“This will afford the people of Kenya the opportunity to participate in the 2022 General Election and elect Members of Parliament, Members of County Assemblies and County Governors, and the President.”
The CS’s directive was fueled by the increased calls from political leader.
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CJ Martha Koome issues new directive on lawyers’ dress code
Chief Justice Martha Karambu Koome has issued a waiver on periwigs – the most precious garment worn by advocates during admission to the bar.
The historic declaration by Chief Justice will see the garment – which is considered an achievement by fresh legal graduates – those being admitted to the bar opt to attend the event without donning it.
READ ALSO: Roots Party’s Justina Wamae goes head-on Mutahi Ngunyi in heated confrontation
The announcement by the CJ was done on Thursday, August 4, just a day before the Judiciary admits 774 advocates to the bar to join their colleagues in the legal profession. This will be the highest number of admissions to be done at once in the country.
The decision for waiver is based on the high number of graduates who applied for the admission, with those able to access the garment being encouraged to do so.
“Having been notified of the difficulty in securing periwigs due to the high number of petitioners, I hereby waive this requirement for this particular ceremony,”
CJ Koome declared.Despite its simple appearance, one periwig goes for Ksh35,000. This means the Judiciary would bag Ksh27 million in a single day should advocates stay the CJ’s decision.
This has, however, not been welcomed by some advocates who argue that the CJ’s move is simplistic.
They argue that the CJ has subverted the court procedures and that she has no jurisdiction to implement the waiver.
READ ALSO: DP William Ruto takes new move over alleged plans to rig elections
“Only Parliament can do that by amending the Judicature Act Campaign Section 3,”
Martin Nyakundi, a lawyer and a lecturer at Mount Kenya University, stated.According to Nyakundi, the Judicature provides that procedures and practice of English Court, July 10, 1897, should proceed and that what the CJ has done is not tenable.
The Kenyan legal profession is among renown sectors that conflate with substance, or the dignity of office with garb.
The profession comes with its stature and one feels well identified with a periwig, better known as advocate wig, on top of their heads.
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Roots Party’s Justina Wamae goes head-on Mutahi Ngunyi in heated confrontation
Roots Party presidential running mate, Justina Wamae, and political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi engaged in a heated exchange following her claims that her boss, George Luchiri Wajackoyah, was indirectly campaigning for Raila Odinga and the Azimio La Umoja.
Wamae clapped back at Ngunyi who poked holes at her statement where she allegedly confirmed allegations that Wajackoyah was an Azimio mole.
The outspoken running mate could, however, not hold back after the pro-Azimio analyst suggested that she made the claims to appease Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
READ ALSO: George Wajackoyah’s running-mates unmasks shocking details in messy fallout
“From where I sit, you cannot purport to speak for me or Roots Party. Eat Azimio’s money in silence, once you have your fill, keep mum (Ukishiba funika tumbo),”
Wamae told off Ngunyi.Wamae – in a bare knuckle attack on the self proclaimed political scientist – asked Ngunyi to use his media company, the Fifth Estate, to break down to the public the meaning of a mole.
The political pundit questioned the feasibility of Wajackoyah being Raila’s mole in the Roots Party – which he termed as a junior party compared to the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya.
“So what if Wajakoyah is a Baba mole? Is he for Baba at the Roots Party, which he owns? Do not insult his intelligence. This Justina Wamae is not making sense. Or is she making an argument to be moled by UDA?”
Ngunyi posed.Wamae renounced herself from any political project ahead of the August 9 polls and stood by her affirmation that no leader should be imposed on the Kenyan electorate.
“I cannot say that youth and women are not pageboys and flower girls respectively then cow when needed to be independent minded,”
she reiterated.READ ALSO: DP William Ruto takes new move over alleged plans to rig elections
The storm in the Roots Party tea cup began after a video of Wajackoyah allegedly endorsing the former Prime Minister at a recreation joint went viral.
Through spokesperson Wilson Muirani, Wajackoyah dismissed the claims that he was backing Raila’s presidential bid.
“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,”
Muirani noted.However, while being interviewed by Citizen TV, Wamae confirmed the allegations but noted that she and her party boss had not discussed the decision at length.
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DP William Ruto takes new move over alleged plans to rig elections
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential candidate, William Ruto, has written to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman, Wafula Chebukati, over alleged plans to rig the upcoming General Election.
In a letter dated Saturday, July 30, and made public on August 3, UDA national chief agent, Abraham Kithure Kindiki, implicated President Uhuru Kenyatta in a scheme to use public officers to interfere with the electoral process.
READ ALSO: George Wajackoyah’s running-mates unmasks shocking details in messy fallout
Kindiki argued that police officers and national government administrators were being used to compromise the August 9 votes in favour of Azimio La Umoja’s Raila Odinga.
Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki pictured on April 9, 2022. PHOTO: COURTESY “We have received credible information that the Office of the President is deploying police officers to intimidate and harass voters to support the presidential candidate for Azimio,”
Kindiki’s letter read in part.He further alleged that the government had resorted to voter bribery by deploying administrators on the election date to compromise voters in Kenya Kwanza strongholds.
“We have also reliably learnt that the public officers may be deployed by the state to induce voters and in some cases intimidate them by compromising the peace on the election day.”
The outgoing Tharaka Nithi Senator accused the Head of State of committing an electoral offence, not only by publicly endorsing a presidential candidate but also by allegedly using state resources to fund his campaign.
“Section 16 of the Public Officers Ethics Act (2003) requires complete political neutrality by all public officers and prohibits them from acting as agents for or furthering the interests of a political party or candidate in an election,”
Kindiki argued.READ ALSO: IEBC issues statement on disappearance of 3,000 KIEMS kits
Ruto wants the Chebukati-led Commission to launch investigations into the reports arguing that it may undermine the credibility of the August 9 polls.
On Wednesday, August 3, the President, while on a tour of Kisii, termed the recent complaints by his deputy as kicks of a dying horse after realising that his presidential bid was in turmoil.
He likened Ruto to a driver of a bus who had an untrustworthy conductor who deviated his attention from the road. He added that the ‘driver’ ends up losing control and lands the vehicle in a ditch.
Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang’i, has also exonerated himself and his Principal Secretary, Karanja Kibicho, from accusations that they were the masterminds of buying national ID cards and distributing inciteful pamphlets.
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Kenya’s sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala Bags Gold in 100m finals in Birmingham, UK
Kenya’s sprinting sensation, Ferdinand Omanyala, bagged the country’s first gold medal in the ongoing Birmingham Commonwealth Games on Wednesday, August 3.
The eighth-fastest man of all time over the 100m distance clocked 10.02 seconds to win relatively comfortably ahead of continental rival and defending champion, Akani Simbine, of South Africa.
Sri Lankan sprinter Yupun Abeykoon finished a hundredth of a second behind Simbine to take bronze in a hotly contested finish, with Jeremiah Azu of Wales in fifth with 10.19 seconds.
READ ALSO: George Wajackoyah’s running-mates unmasks shocking details in messy fallout
Omanyala made history in 60 years, the last time Kenya won a gold medal in 100 metres at the Commonwealth Games.
He took charge of the race from the gun and with his traditional burst in the final 50m, it was nothing but a gold medal for the fastest man in Africa.
It is his first ever gold medal in an international competition having missed out at the Tokyo Olympic Games, the Indoor Championships and the World Championships last month, where he reached the semis in all competitions.
Omanyala expressed gratitude after the win, which has been long overdue owing to his stellar performance in previous competitions.
“For the glory and honour of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you so much for the support and the positivity,”
Omanyala stated on his historic win.The Commonwealth gold is a massive reward for him especially after the woes that befell him prior to the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where he arrived just three hours to his race.
READ ALSO:Betty Kyallo now relents putting her relationship on social media
The fatigue he had to endure saw him fail to get to the final, but has now underlined his status as the best sprinter in Africa at the moment.
He was knocked out of the Oregon World Championships finals after he emerged fifth in the semi finals.
Omanyala recorded 10:14 seconds during the race that took place on July 17.The 100m champion came fifth after Oblique Seville of Jamaica who clocked 9:30 seconds, Marvin Bracy (9:93 seconds), Aaron Brown (10:06 seconds) and Favour Oghene of Nigeria (10:12 seconds).
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George Wajackoyah’s running-mates unmasks shocking details in messy fallout
Roots Party running mate Justina Wamae has accused her boss George Wajackoyah of secretly supporting the Azimio ala Umoja coalition led by Raila Odinga.
Speaking to Citizen on Wednesday, August 3, Wamae disclosed that Wajackoyah was going against the official position of the Roots Party.
She added that she had not been consulted despite her position in the party and her name being on their ticket.“It is true Wajackoyah is supporting Azimio but we have not discussed that as a party. If we need to take a stand on who to support, I will support the contrary. We have been branded a project twice but we have not agreed as a party,”
she stated..READ ALSO: George Wajackoyah responds to viral video endorsing Raila Odinga
Wamae however maintained that she will not support Azimio if the party takes that stand.
“Let me say this, and we need to take a stand on who to support out of the three other candidates who are our worthy opponents, I say that I will support the contrary,”
she stated.“But as I speak we have not agreed as a party and we are still popularizing our agenda as Roots Party and our manifesto. But I seek to speak as Justina Wangoi Wamae coz I have an independent mind and we have our own supporters,”
she added.Justina’s sentiments come after the party dismissed claims that Wajackoyah had endorsed the former Prime Minister.
Through an official statement, Wajackoyah dismissed the allegations accusing Azimio of editing the viral video to insinuate that he had endorsed Raila at an entertainment joint.
READ ALSO: Betty Kyallo now relents putting her relationship on social media
Roots party insisted that Wajackoyah is still in the Presidential race.
“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.Wajackoyah and Wamae have been placed third in the presidential race according to recent opinion polls released by different pollsters.
Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA) placed them third in Nairobi county according to the poll released on Tuesday, August 2.
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VIDEO: Mzungu manhandled after a racial slur on guard at a Nairobi mall
Social media was on Wednesday morning, August 3, awash with a video of a foreigner in a violent altercation with security guards at AdLife Plaza in Kilimani, Nairobi county.
In a video shared by journalist Saddique Shaban, the foreigner hurled insults at two security guards before reinforcement arrived to intervene and restrain him.
The foreigner was knocked down but kept fighting back attempting to kick the security guards in a bid to break free.READ ALSO: Betty Kyallo now relents putting her relationship on social media
An unknown female friend rushed to the foreigner’s aid, pushing the guards away and trying to get him out of the scuffle.
“I want you one-on-one,” the foreigner is heard telling the guards after getting on his feet.
The lady stepped in front of the guard to hold them back and stop them from reigning more blows on him to no avail.A police officer in uniform rushed to the scene and began restraining the foreigner. At the time, passersby who had gathered at the scene expressed their disapproval of the foreigner’s insults and wanted to assault him.
Calm was restored after the foreigner was put in handcuffs and taken into custody.
According to Shaban, the couple had just left a club at the plaza after a night of merrymaking. They broke a glass of sauce and made a fuss when asked to pay for the item.
READ ALSO: George Wajackoyah responds to viral video endorsing Raila Odinga
“The couple had just left a club, located in the property. They broke a glass of sauce but didn’t like being asked to pay for it. They started assaulting the guards and the employees,”
he stated.Efforts by Kenyans.co.ke to reach Kilimani OCPD were futile as he was unreachable for a comment.
The journalist also decried being assaulted by an officer in plain clothes attire.“Quick police action saved the couple from further wrath of the public. The intoxicated duo were taken away by plainclothes officers who assaulted me in the process of filming this and confiscated my identity card shortly after the last frame. You can see the cop approaching me,”
he stated.Watch Video below!
The Spotlight Post 