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  • The Angel of war lifts Commonwealth Superlight weight shield

    The Angel of war lifts Commonwealth Superlight weight shield

    Sarah Achieng of Kenya is crowned the light welter weight commonwealth women champion after her victory against Anisha Basheel of Malawi during their bout at Charter hall on October 20, 2021.

    Sarah ‘Angel of Death’ Achieng is the new Female Commonwealth Superlight weight champion.

    The reigning Universal Boxing Organization (UBO) InterContinental Female Lightweight titleholder defeated Anisha ‘the Massacre’ Basheel of Malawi 100-80, 98-92,100-90 in a 10 round title fight at Charter Hall in Nairobi, powered by 22Bet, on Wednesday to add another feather to her cup.

    Superb Achieng dominated almost all the rounds.

    None was settled in the opening round, but Achieng managed to land some clean punches on Basheel’s temple.

    Basheel guarded well in the second round, but Achieng broke her lock with ferocious uppercuts.

    Buoyed by home support, Achieng had a field day in the third round, pounding the Malawian army officer like yam.

    Basheel, who had resorted to leaning on the ropes, was saved by the bell in the round.

    Achieng continued to breeze in her showpiece in the fourth round, she even shook her waist to the blaring music from the giant speakers in the hall.

    Sarah Achieng (Left) of Kenya fight Anisha Basheel of Malawi during their light welter weight commonwealth women championship fight at Charter hall on October 20, 2021.

    There was no place for Basheel to hide in the fifth and sixth rounds as Achieng landed on her like a thud of brick, disfiguring her temple with superb hooks.

    Both were abit exhausted in the seventh round, one of their uppercuts landed on their targets.

    Basheel seemed to have resigned to fate in the eighth round, giving Achieng the leeway to continue pounding her mercilessly.

    Achieng was abit exhausted in the ninth and tenth rounds, she contained her opponent by not lowering her guard till the period, which seemed like an eternity, was ended by the bell, declaring her the new Female Commonwealth Superlight weight titleholder.

    At the same time, the East and Central Africa champion Victor ‘Vikings’ Wesonga endured 10 grueling rounds to beat tough-talking Ali Bakari of Tanzania 97-93,100-90,99-91 for the vacant men’s Pugilist of Tanzania (PST) belt.

    Victor ‘Vikings’ Wesonga battling with Ali Bakari of Tanzania

    Bakari charged in the ring ferociously with threatening punches but Wesonga dodged them with Mohammed Ali’s ‘sting like-a-bee-dance-like-a butterfly’ classic moves.

    It was not until the sixth round that Wesonga contained the Tanzanian who boasts of three victories, all on Knock Out

    (KOs), since turning pro in 2019.

    “It’s good I have sent him back home with some boxing lessons,” Wesonga said.

    The victory took Wesonga’s tale of the tape to four wins including three KOs and a draw.

    Opening the day was the men’s Supermiddle weight four round non-fight pitting Kennedy Opiyo against Dan Oluoch.

    Heavy punching Oluoch managed to carry the day after he carded 40-36, 39-37 and 40-36 against his never-say-die opponent.

    Spirited James Mugeni had a walk in the park as he cleared Edwin Marshal via Technical Knockout (TKO) in men’s Bantamweight duel.

    Mugeni took just 1 minute 36 seconds to finish off Marshal who seemed to have lost his stability in the second round.

    The three-bench-judge had to halt the one sided bout to save Marshal from further pounding.

    Albert Kimaru floored Lameck Asenga at the bell in the first round to emerge winner of the men’s Superbantam weight on TKO.

    Women’s six-round Superlight weight fight involving Joyce Awino against Nicoline Achieng was declared a unanimous draw by the judges.

    Imposing Awino scored 57,57,55-59,57-57 against resilient Achieng.

    Sarah Achieng (Left) of Kenya fight Anisha Basheel of Malawi during their light welter weight commonwealth women championship fight at Charter hall on October 20, 2021. 

    Tactical Emmanuel Chivoli beat Augustine Wafula 59-54,60-53,60-53  in the men’s six-round Lightweight duel.

    Consolata Musanga and Jane Kavulani had an entertaining six-round bout in women’s Superfeather weight which ended in another unanimous draw.

    Richard Okoth found the going tough in the third round of men’s Superlight weight which was won by hard punching George Onyango on TKO in 2 minutes 16 seconds.

    Okoth threw in the towel after he could not contain Onyango’s shoulder punch that landed well on his body.

    Non-title fights and Title fights

    Men’s Super-middle weight 4 rounds: Dan Oluoch won 40-36,39-37,40-36 against Kennedy Opiyo as Men’s Bantam weight 4 rounds: James Mugeni won by TKO against Edwin Marshal as also Men’s Super bantam weight 4 rounds: Albert Kimaru won by TKO against Lameck Asenga while Men’s Lightweight 6 rounds: Emmanuel Chivoli won 59-54,60-53,60-53 against Augustine Wafula. Men’s Superlight weight 8 rounds: George Onyango won on TKO against Richard Okoth and Men’s Feather weight, Vacant Pugilist Syndicate of Tanzania (PST) 10 rounds: Victor Wesonga won 97-93,100-90,99-91 against Ali Bakari of Tanzania.

    Women’s Superlight weight 6 rounds: Joyce Awino unanimously drew (57,57,55-59,57-57) against Nicoline Achieng. Women Superfeather weight 6 rounds. Consolata Musanga unanimously drew 57-57, 57-57,60-54 against Jane Kavulani as finally Female Commonwealth Superlight weight 10 rounds: Sarah Achieng won  100-80, 98-92,100-90 against Anisha Basheel on Malawi.

  • Kenya calls for joint approach to tackle AMR


    Ministry of Health
    Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr.Rashid Aman addressing the media

    By Lenah Bosibori

    Nairobi, 16 Sep…Kenya has called for a joint effort from all government departments and independent organizations to help tackle Anti microbial resistance (AMR).

    Speaking recently during a virtual launch of the Report on Using Citizen-Generated Data by Global Partnership and Africa’s Voices to Address Drug Resistant Infections in Kenya, Rashid Aman Chief Administrative Secretary ministry of health said that the complexity posed by AMR in essence.

    “We are fully aware that no single government, department or independent organization can tackle AMR alone and that containing, controlling and preventing emergence of AMR demands well-coordinated actions across multiple levels, sectors, disciplines and with a broad range of stakeholders including the citizens,” adds Aman

    From the reports of the situation analysis, Kenya is no exception to this threat with increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance being reported in hospitals and communities.

    From operational research conducted on public awareness in 2019, levels of awareness on the dangers of AMR are low with 73cent of members of the public interviewed indicating they have never heard of the AMR awareness week and 71 per cent of those interviewed indicated that they trusted doctors who prescribed antibiotics and would move to an alternative if one does not prescribe an antibiotic.

    “This is a clear pointer to the enormous task ahead of us in advancing the AMR agenda. In response to this, the Ministry Of Health in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries & Cooperatives joined the concerted regional and international efforts to reduce antimicrobial resistance and ensure the availability of effective antibiotics now and in the future.

     In response to the AMR threat, the two Ministries consolidated national efforts to implement sustainable measures to mitigate any further emergence and spread of AMR according to Dr Aman.

    “The Government has taken several measures across various sectors to intensify action against AMR, the implementation of the National Policy and Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance and accompanying strategies on Surveillance,” said Aman.

    “Our National AMR surveillance system is now established with 16 laboratories (10 human health and 6 animal health laboratories) in the network up from 2 in 2017 when the policy was launched,” said Dr Aman.

    In view of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, several studies globally have indicated a high rate of antimicrobial prescribing and self-medication for those with symptoms of Covid-19, much of which is unnecessarily promoting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as most of the initial illnesses being treated have been from covid-19 viral infection.

    “We cannot fight resistance if people are not aware, empowered and if they do not take action in making the right decisions. Everyone can and should be Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness champion and by people we don’t just mean the technical experts, we mean ordinary citizens who make daily decisions that affect their health,” he added.

  • Hon Ongwae’s Political advisor, Hon Nyarangi graduates

    Hon Ongwae’s Political advisor, Hon Nyarangi graduates

    By Sharon Jebiwott and Irene Anyango ,

    Since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in our country on March 17th, things seemed to have taken a different turn away from the norms affecting all sectors of the economy, including people’s social lives. The education sector is one of the many sectors that were greatly affected by the pandemic as things falling fell apart for students from all levels of learning.

    However, Stephen Nyarangi is one happy man who has been able to complete his studies and graduate with a degree in leadership and management from California University/the University of Yoll in collaboration with an evangelical training center in Nairobi. He attributes his success to God and thanks Him for the opportunity accorded to him despite all the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

    Hon Stephen Nyarangi with his brother Robert Onsomu

    COVID-19 was a blessing in disguise when it comes to his education according to Stephen “In fact, COVID-19 has made me study because you work from home. In most cases when I’m at home, I used to read a lot, so it was a blessing in disguise because I had enough time to sit down and read,” he said.

    Besides being a student, Stephen Nyarangi works with the county government of Kisii as the political advisor to Hon. Governor Ongwae of Kisii County. He had to balance between work and studies, the saying was not an easy task to dedicating his time and took the course as a serious and noble calling for him to dedicate his time for the studies.

    He however recalls excellent scores in the examinations did progress from 63% to 80% during the academic years.

    Stephen is looking forward to using his experience in leadership and management to mentor younyoung people has he plans to further his studies with Masters’s, Ph.D., to be a role model in soviet society. “As an advisor, I needed to have a lot of experience in leadership and management because you can’t advise without having rich experience in leadership and management and how to relate with people,” he said.

    He started a political journey in 2002, when he wanted to run for the seat of the Member of Parliament in Westlands Constituency, Nairobi but did not pursue his ambition since the Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a close working partner offered him a place in NARC headquarters as one of the directors of elections.

    He, later on, formed a party called BDP, in which he was the chairperson until he was later elected the vice-chair in charge of finance and establishment center for multiparty democracy.

    Nyarangi has worked closely with political leaders such as the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Gov James Ongwae, the speaker of the national assembly Justin Muturi as well as Alice Wahome, the Member of Parliament for Kandala Constituency enabling him to gain political expertise.

    He holds the Governor of Kisii County, Governor James Ongwae, in high regard and is grateful for the opportunity to serve as his advisor and looks forward to working with like-minded people including the president.

    Stephen Nyarangi however is not intending to run for any electoral position at the moment, as he wants to keep working with the county government and concentrate on ensuring that Governor James Ongwae delivers his mandate to the people and leaves a rich legacy in Kisii County.

    He is working to ensure Raila Odinga becomes president hinting that the Gusii community remains united leaving a rich legacy for the Kisi County. “I don’t want to contradict my work, your young I say that I’m going to run for the seat of Member of Parliament or something else, then I’ll not be able really to work for the governor or rather the county or people, I’ll concentrate on people,” he said.

    He alluded that the ongoing wrangles of fee increment at Kisii University urging the whole management to form committees to assist the lowering the fees so that the needy students from the community can enjoy an get the knowledge without any difficulties saying that a reasonable fee amount is a key and not only to success but also a brainstorming step for the better future.

     

    By Sharon Jebiwott and Irene Anyango

  • Mashujaa day celebrations are almost complete

    Mashujaa day celebrations are almost complete

    Interior PS Karanja Kibicho now says billboards welcoming President Uhuru Kenyatta to Kirinyaga County for Mashujaa Day will be put up across the region.

     

    Kibicho said the National Celebrations Committee has resolved a contractual misunderstanding that had resulted in a scuffle between Governor Ann Waiguru and Woman Rep Wangui Ngirici after the latter’s billboards were pulled down.

    Kibicho said billboards will be erected on roadsides and other strategic places commencing today, adding that there are two sets of billboards, one for President Kenyatta and a second for the Governor.

    Speaking after inspecting the Ksh 300 million Wang’uru Stadium where the celebrations will be held, Dr. Kibicho said the works are at 95 percent complete and the decorations will commence on Friday.

    “The County Commissioner’s residence in Kirinyaga County is now complete. It’ll be part of the State Lodge in Kerugoya Town. We’ve also delivered Phase I of the Kirinyaga Central Sub-county Police Station ahead of Mashujaa Day celebrations next week,” He said.

    He revealed that guests have already received their invitation letters and they are expected at the Stadium on October 20.

    Kibicho however reiterated that only 2,000 people will be allowed access to the Stadium in line with COVID-19 protocols.

  • President Uhuru Kenyatta in New York

    H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta in New York Charing United Nations Security Council Session

    President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived in New York on Sunday for a two-day working visit of the US during which he is scheduled to chair a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) high-level open debate on diversity, state-building and peace.

    Having assumed her position as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council on the 1st of January this year for two years, Kenya currently holds the monthly rotational presidency of the Council for October 2021.

    Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UN Amb Martin Kimani, Kenya’s overriding agenda at the UN Security Council is to offer ideas and solutions to global peace and security in areas such as the Horn of Africa and the troubled Sahel region.

    “The Security Council is a body that has the mandate to solve major challenges, but for many reasons has been unable to do so. We have ideas on how to do that, we have experience in building peace in our region and we bring those ideas and perspectives to the Council.

    “Kenya is suggesting innovations on how to approach particular conflict situations,” Amb Kimani said, adding that the country is encouraging the UN Security Council to work closely with Africa.

    Alongside his meeting at the UNSC, the Head of State is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and witness the signing of a trade agreement between Kenya’s private sector and a consortium of American companies during his two-day vacation.

    In the assemblage with Mr Guteress, the President and the UN boss are expected to discuss several subjects of mutual interest to Kenya and the UN among them the global response to Covid-19.

    “Kenya has been very specific on the steps it expects the United Nations to take particularly concerning the Covid-19 pandemic vaccination, peace and security and how the world should get to COP26 in a month. How the world responds to climate change is key to Kenya’s future prosperity,” Amb Kimani said.

    On the business agreement, Amb Kimani said President Kenyatta while in New York witnessed the signing of a new initiative between the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the Corporate Council on Africa, the largest umbrella body of US companies operating in Africa.

    The business agreement seeks to enhance collaboration between Kenyan companies, especially the small and medium enterprises (SME’s) with their American counterparts in a deliberate Government effort to create more jobs and employment opportunities for Kenya’s youth.

    Further, President Kenyatta is scheduled to participate in the Global Leaders’ high-level discussion organized by the International Peace Institute (IPI) as a platform for world leaders to discuss contemporary subjects.

    The President will be joined in the discussion by former Permanent Representative of Jordan to the United Nations Prince Zeid Raad Al Hussein to talk about the UN Secretary General’s Common Agenda report.

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  • Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance(KETCA) needs Health heads to ban nicotine receptacles

    Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance(KETCA) needs Health heads to ban nicotine receptacles

    Health promotion advocates have formally solicited the government to uphold the current ban on nicotine pouches and ignore the latest by one manufacturer to allow them back accompanied by a sign. The vow by British American Tobacco, sent to Health CS, Mutahi Kagwe, on September 7, 2021, asks that their nicotine pouches, brand names LYFT or Velo, be allowed back into the market and health warning covering 10 per cent of the packet. ‘The manufacture, distribution and sale of our LYFT product have been temporarily ceased in the market since October 2020. Our resumption of factory operations and sale of LYFT in Kenya hinges on the provision of appropriate health warnings for the product,’ says the letter by BAT’s Managing Director, Crispin Achola.


    Achola added that the Cabinet Secretary exercise discretion and direct that oral nicotine pouches such as LYFT (also known as Velo) apply text health warnings in the form and format as shred in this letter and as shown in the pictures in the appendix. The Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance (KETCA), the umbrella organization for all organizations involved in tobacco control and health promotion in Kenya, advised the Health CS to stick to the Kenya Tobacco Control Act and The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control , for outlaws any involvement of the tobacco industry in the formulation of health news.

    ‘The World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which Kenya has signed and ratified in 2004, also clearly states the industry must not sit on the table where tobacco control laws those drafted. In Kenya, the industry is purporting to draft the laws on behalf of the government. Of course, they draft loophole-ridden legislation and then wait to exploit them,’ said KETCA Chairman Mr Joel Gitali. He added that the tobacco industry has been diversifying into alternative tobacco and nicotine products to grow profits in a rapidly shrinking cigarette market.


    The letter by Achola says that nicotine pouches are BAT’s ‘lowest risk’ products. ‘This assessment is based on BAT’s analysis of, among others and emissions, heavy metals as well as cellular analysis across its product portfolio.’
    Mr Gitali noted such assertions based on fraudulent science because there is no data to show nicotine pouches are safe or are effective to help quit cigarette smoking. ‘Nicotine pouches come with their risks, including skin irritation, addiction, and gum disease. Nicotine use during adolescence has shown to impact learning, attention span and proneness to addiction,’ Mr Gitali said. He added that Side effects of the use can include irritation of the gums, sore mouth, hiccups, nausea and most importantly, Nicotine increases relapse risk with other tobacco products noting that 10 per cent warning disintegrates when subjected to scrutiny.

  • Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA)Launches New Digital Platform for Efficiency as Sh241 Billion remains Unclaimed

    Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA)Launches New Digital Platform for Efficiency as Sh241 Billion remains Unclaimed

    UFAA Management Team/ Photo Courtesy

    Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) has launched a new digital platform to facilitate easier filing, processing and disbursement of funds and assets.

    UFAA Chairman Richard Kiplagat said that the monies in the trust are invested in the government to ensure there is no risk.

    Kiplagat said that UFAA looks forward to doubling the number of claims for reunifying.

    The authority said that it aims to provide customer-friendly services and to make their service available in Huduma Centers across the country.

    He said the authority intends to do away with manual filing of claims to facilitate easier processing and disbursement of unclaimed financial assets in cash, bonds, stocks and other financial assets.

    The Authority is also deploying an online holders’ reporting and surrenders system that will make it easier for holders to submit and surrender unclaimed financial assets in their possession.

    UFAA Chairman said that the authority will be working with the office of the Auditor-General to facilitate audits of public sector agencies on compliance with unclaimed financial assets reporting and surrender.

    UFAA is an authority created under the Unclaimed Financial Assets Act, No 40 of 2011 to administer unclaimed financial assets. UFAA’s primary focus is to receive unclaimed financial assets from the holders, safeguard the assets and reunite the assets to their rightful owner.

    A baseline survey report on the current state of unclaimed financial assets was released by Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) has revealed that the current unclaimed financial assets in the country are estimated at Sh241,105,748,942.

    The survey which was conducted to determine the number of holders and estimate the volume of unclaimed financial assets held by each holder and cumulatively across all sectors in the country showed that the current estimated unclaimed financial asset holders who include institutions in the country are 477,112.

    Announcing the findings of the survey in Nairobi, UFAA Chief Executive Officer, Mr John Mwangi, explained that the Authority’s mandate is to bring closure to ‘lost and found’ financial assets, receive unclaimed financial assets, safeguard and re-unite the assets with their rightful owners, who at times are not aware of their abandoned treasure.

    “UFAA’s performance is based on the number of claimants re-unified. So far the Authority has collected a total of Sh20.3 billion in cash, Sh1.2 billion unit of shares, received 6,000 claims and issued Sh1 billion payouts in 2021,” said Mwangi.

    He expressed that the Financial Services Sector has the highest holding of approximately 62 per cent of the total unclaimed financial assets and the projected unclaimed financial assets over the next 5 years is estimated at Sh156 billion.

    Explaining that financial assets are declared unclaimed when there is no active involvement by users for a period of 2 years, the CEO said the unclaimed money by the Authority is invested in government securities so as to accrue interest that is channelled to unclaimed Assets Trust Fund.

    “UFAA is urging all citizens to claim their financial assets and that of relatives by dialling a short code of *361# or visiting their website,” said Mwangi.

    He said the code will help citizens find out whether they have unclaimed financial assets as an original owner or on behalf of a minor, business entity and deceased persons.

    In his remarks, UFAA Chairperson, Richard Kiplagat, announced that the Authority has introduced Unclaimed Financial Assets Management (UFAM) System that is designed to facilitate easier filing, processing and disbursement of unclaimed assets through the internet, as well as provide compliance services where UFAA can carry out audit procedures to holding institutions.

    “The reunification process has been made easier through the self-service UFAM system to allow a claimant to search for an asset, file a claim, download the required documents and track the claims,” said Kiplagat.

    The Chairperson said to favour those with no access to the internet, UFAA has partnered with Huduma Kenya to make asset claiming services available in all Huduma Centers across the country.

    “Through a partnership with government entities and technology companies, the Authority will continue with sensitization efforts that help target holders and claimants increase declarations to the authority and re-unification of unclaimed financial assets,” he said.

    Kiplagat further urged all institutions that are holders of unclaimed financial assets to submit reports of unclaimed finance that they hold before November 1, 2021.

  • KANU to name Gideon Moi its 2022 presidential flag bearer

    Baringo Senator Gideon Moi is set to be endorsed as KANU’s flag bearer for the 2022 Presidential election as delegates gather at Bomas of Kenya to ratify the decision.

    Gideon, a son of former President, the late Daniel arap Moi during a home coming ceremony in Baringo called on residents from his home county to fully back his ambitions of becoming the country’s 5th President.

    The Kanu party chairman urged residents to journey with him and not to abandon him during the crucial time he is also seeking support countrywide.

    “Our unity as residents of Baringo is very important especially now that we are approaching the 2022 general elections,” he said.

    The Baringo Senator who faces strong opposition from Deputy President William Ruto and his allies have been pushing for the formation of a strong coalition that will face the Deputy President in next year’s polls.

    Gideon, a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta will for the first time vie for Presidency in his political career.

    During 2017 elections, the KANU leader supported President Kenyatta’s re-election.

    Opposition leader Raila Odinga and One Kenya Alliance leaders Wiper Party leaders Kalonzo Musyoka, FORD Kenya’s Moses Wetangula and ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi are in attendance.

  • President Kenyatta Bids Farewell To Cuban Envoy Ernesto Diaz; Meets Former British PM Tony Blair

    NAIROBI, 30th September 2021, (PSCU)—President Uhuru Kenyatta today at State House, Nairobi bade farewell to Cuban Ambassador to Kenya Ernesto Gomez Diaz whose tour of duty has come to an end.

    Speaking during the brief event, President Kenyatta commended Ambassador Diaz for the deepening relations between Kenya and Cuba especially in the health sector.

    “It was a great pleasure to have had you here. You have done a lot to strengthen ties between our countries. It is through your efforts that every Kenyan knows about Cuba because of the Cuban doctors,” President Kenyatta said.

    He added: “We have done well in the health sector and we can do so in sports and other fields of human development”.

    The Head of State assured the outgoing envoy of Kenya’s continued partnership with Cuba on the global stage especially in the campaign for the lifting of international sanctions against the island nation.

    “Equally be assured of our commitment for Cuba in all international fora. Bilateral and multilateral relations are key to us as we work towards the lifting of sanctions,” the President said.

    On his part Ambassador Diaz expressed gratitude to the Government for the support he received during his tenure and assured the President of Cuba’s deep commitment to the expansion of bilateral ties between the two nations.

    He said his country will continue to offer training to Kenyan doctors pointing out that Cuban malaria experts had already arrived in Kenya, and thanked President Kenyatta for playing a crucial role in efforts aimed at lifting sanctions against Cuba.

    “We will continue with the exchange of doctors, and also appreciate your efforts towards the lifting of sanctions against Cuba,” Ambassador Diaz said.

    Separately, also at State House, Nairobi, President Kenyatta held talks with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair who paid him a courtesy call.

  • ODM threatens to take disciplinary action against Jimi Wanjigi

    ODM threatens to take disciplinary action against Jimi Wanjigi

    Jimi Wanjigi (right) before presented his presidential bid to ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna at Chungwa House in Nairobi on August 27, 2021/ PHOTO COURTESY

    ODM’s Central Committee yesterday threatened to take disciplinary action against members purporting to open branch offices without consultations with the national office.

    The committee said it had received alarming reports over the opening of offices across the country perhaps in reference to businessman Jimi Wanjigi’s move.

    “We wish to remind all members that whenever there is a need to open any party office, the same must be done in consultation with the national office failure to which such offices will not be recognized,” said ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna in a statement.

    “Further note that such brazen violation of the party’s rule will attract disciplinary action,” read the statement. 

    Wanjigi began opening party offices in Mt Kenya two months ago after he declared interest in the presidential contest.

    The statement comes days after the Registrar of Political Parties (RPP) acknowledged receiving a letter from Wanjigi, seeking that the party outlines the presidential nomination process. A month ago, the businessman wrote to the party demanding certified list of party delegates who are to attend the National Delegates Convention.

    He also sought to know the timelines to the delegates conference and whether there are intentions to have any activities, including televised party presidential debates.

    The Central Committee urged party leaders at the grassroots and members to retreat to their respective areas to coordinate and support voter registration.

    It resolved to extend free membership registration for ordinary members that was expected to expire on September 30 to December 31.

    “On the upcoming mass voter registration, we would like to call upon the electoral commission to deploy sufficient resources human and material in order for the exercise to be successful,” said the statement.

    Out of the seven million targeted new voters, the party said more than half were in its traditional strongholds.