Embattled KU VC Paul Wanaina finds new replacement

August 5, 2022 Ian Amulega

Kenyatta University Council has disregarded orders by the Employment and Labour Relations Court blocking the firing of Vice Chancellor, Paul Wainaina.

In a statement dated Friday, August 5, KU Chairman of Council, Chrispus Kiamba, noted that Wainaina has been replaced by Waceke Wanjohi, who will be the acting VC until a permanent replacement is found.

He urged all the staff members and students to accord Wanjohi all the necessary support to ensure the continued stability of the university.

“The attention of the university community is drawn to a decision by the Hon. Justice Gakeri of the Employment and Labour Court in Nairobi on 4th August 2022 where the court dismissed an application by Prof. Paul Wainaina for injunctive orders.

“Arising from the above developments, Council has resolved that Prof. Waceke Wanjohi continues as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University until further notice,”
the statement read in part.

“Pending hearing and determination of this application inter-parties, this honourable court is pleased to issue a temporary order suspending the implementation of the decision contained in the letter dated July 12 by Professor Crispus Kiamba suspending, terminating and/or dismissing the petitioner from the Office of the Vice Chancellor, rendering his position vacant and/or revoking his salary,”
ruled Justice Gakeri.

This comes amid orders by Justice Jacob Gakeri who temporarily barred the suspension of Wainaina and directed the case be placed before any Judge on July 28 for inter parties hearing.

Wainaina, through his lawyer, filed a petition seeking the court’s order barring the enforcement of the orders issued by Head of Public Service, Joseph Kinyua, arguing that the termination of Wainaina’s employment was a preserve of the University Council.

“An injustice has been perpetrated upon the applicant herein and this honourable court should remedy the said injustice by the Head of Public Service by urgently staying the impugned suspension,”
the embattled VC told the court through his lawyer.

Wainaina’s lawyer, Manwa Hosea, had asked the court to issue a conservatory order suspending the decision contained in a letter dated July 12 by Kiamba that suspended the VC and appointed Wanjohi in an acting capacity.

President Uhuru Kenyatta had engaged in a war of words with Wainaina for opposing plans to cede part of the institution’s land to the World Health Organization to build the Ksh600 million emergency hub that would cater for its regional operations.

Wainaina’s dismissal saw the President come under sharp criticism from a section of leaders allied to Deputy President, William Ruto, who accused him of trying to meddle with the running of independent public institutions.

Politics & Governance

War of Words as Rigathi Gachagua takes on Kibicho in a heated confrontation

August 5, 2022 Ian Amulega

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential running mate, Rigathi Gachagua, has continued his bare-knuckled attacks on Interior Principal Secretary, Karanja Kibicho.

Speaking during a rally in Nanyuki, Laikipia county, on Friday, August 5, Gachagua accused Kibicho of targeting the youth in Mount Kenya in a new plot to undermine Deputy William Ruto’s vote in the region.

Gachagua alleged that the PS intended to ensure an endless supply of alcohol in the region in the days leading to the election to compromise the voter turnout.

“You own the majority of depots in the region and have instructed the police to ensure a 24-hour supply of alcohol so that our youth are not sober,”
Gachagua alleged.

The Mathira Member of Parliament publicly turned down an invitation by Kibicho to have a sit down so as to iron out their differences, which have in the past days, resulted in open verbal altercations.

Gachagua maintained that his reservations on the PS were based on his engagement in raw deals at the detriment of the people of Mount Kenya.

“I saw you requesting to have a discussion with me on the allegations over a drink, I am a teetotaler, I do not take alcohol. Kibicho, you sabotaged the region’s economy.

“You ensured that you chased all of us who supported the president including William Ruto, Aden Duale, Kipchumba Murkomen, Kimani Ichung’wah and replaced them with drunkards like David Murathe and Francis Atwoli and that is why the economy has deteriorated,”
he alleged.

His claims come against UDA’s allegations that the PS and Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang’i, were using state officers to incite communities in the Rift Valley and buy identification cards.

However, Kibicho has not taken the jabs thrown by Gachagua lying down and clapped back at the DP hopeful, terming him not only a sick man but also a pathological liar.

“He needs a doctor because of the lies coming out of him, he does not look like a normal person. It is on record Gachagua worked in Molo but cannot remember because he is sick,”
he stated.

The PS added that the lawmaker was fired because of absenteeism and the desertion of duty and mismanagement of relief food, allegations he claims to have evidence on.

Politics & Governance

Fred Matiang’i fires back at DP Ruto over accusations of inciting Kenyans

August 5, 2022 Ian Amulega

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.

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.

“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.

Politics & Governance

Karanja Kibicho slams DP William Ruto over remarks of inciting Kenyans

August 5, 2022 Ian Amulega

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.

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.

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.