Addressing the media on Tuesday, February 22, Wanjigi lamented that the directive was a malicious attempt by the DCI to violate his rights and freedom. “The DCI ordered me to surrender non-existent guns and 480 bullets. They have been violating my fundamental rights and freedom. I will neither surrender to this abuse of law enforcement agencies for political purposes,” he stated.
Wanjigi argued that the detectives harbored ulterior motives as they had asked him to surrender firearms that were in their possession. “The High Court granted orders that the firearms be returned to my house but that never happened. Today, he (DCI Kinoti) dares to ask me to return the same firearms,” Wanjigi lamented.
“In 2017, the same Kinoti took three vehicles from my home in Malindi and for five years, the high-end vehicles have been rotting in the police custody. He also tried to issue charges against me and my father,” he added.
Wanjigi is accused of having a CQ, 2 Ceskas, a pistol, shotgun, Glock 19, Ceska, 2 Glocks, rifle, and, a Gilboa. He has also been asked to explain the source of a Glock under the serial number URT 735.
Police had on January 18 raided his posh offices in Westlands, placing the presidential aspirant under siege for more than 18 hours. Authorities claimed an illegal land deal, which Wanjigi is allegedly linked to, led to the 18-hour police action.
Further, Wanjigi wondered how the current directive by the DCI boss coincided with the upcoming ODM’s National Delegates Conference (NDC) slated for Friday, February 25, and Saturday, February 26.
He termed the move as a political witch-hunt by his adversaries to prevent him from contesting in the August 2022 polls. “I want to assure Kenyans that I will be on the ballot and where I will be is where the next government will be formed. It will be a government of the people and for the people of Kenya,” he stated.
A side view of the vehicle that crushed along Ngong Road, near Dagoretti in Nairobi on February 20, 2022.
Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has taken action after a widespread uproar following a grisly accident that led to the death of four people.
In a statement the agency shared on Monday, February 20, it acknowledged that the road was missing some safety features.
KURA further indicated that it had carried out several tests regarding the road’s usage and the safety measures would be implemented in due course. “We have assessed the current usage of the road and are already implementing additional safety measures to ensure users are safe.
“We urge Kenyans to drive carefully as we continue to improve the safety standards of our roads,” read the statement in part.
“KURA is saddened by the loss of lives on Kenyan roads. Our condolences to the family and friends of the latest victims of Sunday 20th Feb 2022 incident along Ngong Road,” the statement added.
The incident had caused an uproar online with many Kenyans arguing that the highway was poorly designed making it hard for passengers to navigate at night.
The road is said to contain a bridge parapet that is curved into a bow and at some points, the lanes are not marked properly.
“At first glance, the road looks fine but anyone who has used this road will tell you that at this location while headed towards Junction, you cannot drive straight. If you keep left (the rule of the road) you have to swerve to avoid a bridge parapet that is curved into a bow.
“The lanes are not marked on this site and there is no signage/lighting! Drive at night & oncoming traffic always makes it look like you are far-right so you tend to keep left. Should you not swerve, then the chances are that you will end up in the gap shown between the red arrows,” stated Eric Kigada.
At the accident scene, witnesses intimated that the vehicle was heading to Nairobi before the driver lost control and hit a railway bridge wall before crushing beneath the railway tracks. It had seven occupants.
Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege’s vote-rigging case will proceed to a full hearing before the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission(IEBC).
Delivering the ruling at the Commission’s headquarters on Tuesday, IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati stated that the Electoral code Conduct Enforcement Committee has the jurisdiction to hear the matter.
“The Electoral Code Conduct Enforcement Committee has jurisdiction and is legally seized of the matter before it for hearing and determination,” he said
“The preliminary objection raised by the respondent’s counsel is dismissed and the matter shall proceed to a full hearing,” Chebukati stated
While appearing before the IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct committee, Sabina’s lawyers led by Siaya Senator James Orengo and Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo argued the committee was overstepping its mandate.
Sabina had been summoned to appear before the IEBC after she made claims during a rally in Vihiga County on 10th February 2022 that the poll results in 2017 were rigged and the same could happen in the August 9 General Election.
She immediately denied making such remarks saying she was misquoted and taken of context.
Orengo warned IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati against putting the commission on trial by proceeding with the case.
“The moment you try to deal with this matter, Chege will not be on trial but this Commission,” Orengo said.
“In these circumstances, don’t bring the Commission into disrepute at this moment.”
Rarieda MP argued that the Commission is guilty of overreaching its mandate.
According to lawyer Martin Oloo, citing Chege for violating the electoral cord of conduct is misplaced.
“We are not in a campaign period and to say the code is violated is an overreach,” Oloo said.
Sabina was appearing before IEBC’s Electoral Code of Conduct Committee.
Speaking in Vihiga county during a campaign tour of Azimio, Sabina claimed that the 2017 General Election was rigged.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi. PHOTO/COURTESY
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has said individuals and leaders involved in looting public coffers should be shot dead in public and the proceeds of corruption recovered.
Speaking at Isinya, Kajiado County where he received a major boost after his presidential bid was endorsed by a section of Maasai elders, Muturi said corruption has drained the country’s resources and denied Kenyan development.
“Lack of transparency and accountability has drained the country’s resources. Sadly, people are looting public coffers shamelessly and recklessly. At this rate, Kenya requires a dictatorship kind of leadership where justice is served promptly. It is high time that those involved in corruption were paraded at Uhuru Park, firing squad called, the culprits shot dead and the proceeds in their accounts reverted to public coffers, “said Muturi.
“It cannot be business as usual under Muturi-led government. If we must tame corruption, we ought to have dignified leaders who are transparent and accountable,” he said.
Muturi further condemned what he called verbal diarrhea among leaders saying the trend threatens the unity of the country.
“It is so sad that some leaders have turned to be outrightly petty and disrespectful towards one another. Some are even too arrogant to an extent of attacking the president. Ironically, the same people preach unity and cohesion. These area the leaders spelling doom to our country,” he said.
The speaker further said both Azimio la Umoja and Kenya Kwanza coalitions have leaders with tainted past warning Kenyans against falling prey to political ‘conmanship’.
“I cannot join any political faction because both have leaders with corrupt history. If we want a Kenya for all we must embrace leaders of integrity,” he said
Muturi further condemned those who demean him over his presidential bid saying the choice of the fifth president lies in the power of Kenyan voters.
He said the notion that the race for the presidency is a two-horse race is hot air comparing himself with King David who managed to triumph over Goliath who was perceived as strong and powerfulstrong.
At least eight police officers were at the weekend arrested for being involved in crime in two separate incidents in Nairobi.
The latest group of four officers to be arrested was in Buruburu where they were accused of demanding with menace and soliciting bribes from licensed wines and spirits joints.
This was after the dealers complained to the Buruburu police bosses of the activities of the four constables.
An operation was mounted Saturday and they were all arrested. A police parade to identify the accused persons was planned for Sunday as part of the probe into the claims.
Another police were arrested in Busia for dumping the local Occurance Book into a pit latrine to beat justice.
On Friday, four other officers based at Langata police station in South C were arrested over claims of robbery with violence.
They were arrested by their colleagues from Serious Crimes detectives after they abducted a man at NextGen Mall on February 6, 2022, at around noon and forcefully demanded money from him.
Police investigations have shown the man who had requested a taxi by the roadside along Mombasa Road, was accosted by the officers before being forcefully bundled in a waiting Subaru, that had five occupants.
While in the vehicle one of the officers forcefully transferred Sh40,000 from the victim’s Mpesa account to his Mpesa account.
They then proceeded to the victim’s apartment where they took a further Sh270,000 (USD2,400)from him, before dumping him at Choma Zone located at Total petrol station along Mombasa Road, after a two-hour ordeal.
The following day, the victim went to Akila police station to make his report, only to find the vehicle he had been bundled into parked at the station.
He changes and went to the DCI headquarters where he reported the matter.
Police say investigations were launched immediately and the serious crimes detectives established that the vehicle indeed belonged to DCI Langata.
The officers were arrested and identified positively by the victim, in an identification parade conducted at the DCI headquarters ahead of possible arraignment on robbery with violence charges.
DCI George Kinoti said the officersofficer’s actions are not a reflection of the service.
“Their actions are isolated indiscipline cases that do not represent our moral values and what we stand for.”
“We are an investigative body that is responsive to the security needs and requirements of every Kenyan and such acts do not in any way define who we are,” he said.
He said they have internal mechanisms they use to address such cases and warned police officers found on the wrong side of the law that stern and prompt action shall be taken against them, in strict fidelity to the law regardless of the service they are from.
In the Busia incident, officials said a police constable was arrested for throwing their OB into a pit latrine at the Butula police station.
He intended to destroy evidence where he had been charged for slapping a female colleague in the same book.
Cases of police officers being involved in the crime have been on the rise amid efforts internally to address the trend.
One of the four elders involved in an accident during political campaigns for Ijara Member of Parliament Sophia Abdi has succumbed to his injuries.
The deceased who suffered multiple injuries when their vehicle lost control and rolled several times at Kotile died at Hola referral hospital where the casualties were rushed for specialized treatment.
Medics at the facility confirmed to Crossfirenews that Mzee Yussuf Abdi alias Bashow lost the battle for his while undergoing treatment at Hola where he was transferred from Masalani sub-County hospital for specialized treatment.
Witnesses said three other patients in the ill-fated vehicle were recuperating at the facility after sustaining multiple injuries during the accident when the driver who was reportedly speeding lost control of the wheel along a sandy stretch during the campaign trails.
The area MP, Sophia Noor who sent her message of condolence to the bereaved family described the departed friend as a far-sighted leader who handled the community issues with a sober mind.
The accident comes at a time when the power supply to Masalani sub-County hospital was disconnected over nonpayment of electricity bills rendering provision of critical and emergency services at the facility impossible.
Ijara sub-county hospital medical officer of health said the disconnection has affected Services at the maternity, laboratory, wards, and even the administration block and added that they had liaised with the Garissa County Chief officer of Health Hassan Anshur Kassim for restoration of power.
Officials at the Hola KPLC sub Station claimed that the accrued electricity bill had hit the Sh1.5 million mark owing to the disconnection.
Sicily K. Kariuki (Mrs), Egh, Cabinet Secretary, For Water, Sanitation And Irrigation addressing media Photo: Bogonko Nyokang’i
The Ministry’s core mandate is to implement the constitutional requirement on article 43(b), (c), and (d) on right to reasonable standards of sanitation, freedom from hunger, and to have adequate food of acceptable quality, and to clean safe water in adequate quantities.
The National Water coverage has increased from 53.3% in 2013 (27.7 Million People) to the current coverage of about 70% serving 34.8 Million people. This indicates that 12m additional people have access to clean water. Sewerage coverage has increased from 22.1% to 29% in urban areas. The Ministry plans to
increase the coverage to 80% and 40% respectively by 2022 including improving access to food security. The sector aims to achieve 100% water coverage both in urban and rural areas, 40% for urban sewerage 60% for the non-sewered system for urban sanitation, and 100% for rural sanitation by 2030.
To achieve the three basic human rights, the Ministry has embarked on the implementation of many Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation projects across the Country. The Ministry had a portfolio of 685 Projects by June 2020 spread across the country of which 113 number were completed by December 2021 through the 3 rd and 4 th wave RRI. The current portfolio is estimated at approximately 650 ongoing projects as of December 2021.
In the past, the completion rate of projects has been very low as projects take long to be completed leading to cost overruns and frustration by the people the projects are expected to serve.
Examples of projects the Ministry has completed include: – Dongo Kundu Water Supply Project (Phase I), Naivasha Industrial Park, Mavoko Water Supply and connected health Centres to Water supply, Nyamira, Kisii Vihiga Cluster, Homa Bay Cluster, Narok Sewerage, Carissa Sewerage, Wamba Water Project and more across the country. These projects are in support of the manufacturing and health pillars in the BIG FOUR AGENDA.
Three (3) Peace dams and water harvesting projects have been completed including the Nakuetum, Forolle Mega Peace Dam, Yamo Dam, and Wamba. The Ministry has fast-tracked the implementation of key flagship projects; Thwake Dam (64%), Karimenu Dam (76%), Galana Kulalu (74%), Thiba (84%), Bura Irrigation Project (45%), Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project (50%), Chemususu Water Supply (93%), and Northern Collector (99%).
In addition, we have fast-tracked the processing of new projects that include Mwache Dam in Kwale County, Ruiru II Dam, Kericho and Kisii Waste Water Management, Kisumu Sanitation Project, Nakuru Biodiversity project, Bute Dam in Wajir, Kamumu dam in Embu among others. The projects will lead to the progressive realization of the human right to water and sanitation.
The Rapid Result Initiative being a result based process aimed at fast-tracking implementation of the Ministry’s priority programs has been successfully adopted by the Ministry to achieve results both in increasing the Project Completion Rate, gaining value for money on investments, and ensuring quality in
completed works.
The 3rd Wave RRI ran between 19 to February 2021 up to 30th May 2021. This wave brought 44 projects (31 water and 13 irrigation projects) to completion increasing 1.5M persons with access to safe drinking water and a total of 4,870Acres of land being brought under irrigation.
The 4th wave ran between 22 and August up to 30th November 2021 and resulted in 19 Projects being completed an area of 6,210 acres brought under irrigation and additional 170,160 people gaining access to safe drinking water.
The 5th Wave running between 1st February up to 12th May 2022 intends to bring an increase of area under irrigation by 8,257 acres serving 6,880 households by completing 69 projects. A total of 3,317,297 persons are planned to access safe drinking water during this 5th Wave RRI.
There are 63 projects to be commissioned and handed over under this wave to benefit 2,730,265 persons to access safe drinking water and an area of 36,495 acres will be put under irrigation benefitting 44,300 Households.
WATER SECTOR REFORMS
The National Water Policy was approved by National Assembly on 14th October 2021 as Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2021. This policy will guide the Sector in ensuring good governance, and acceleration of access to water supply and sanitation services to progressively realize universal access while also ensuring gender mainstreaming, climate change, and education in the sector are achieved.
The Water Sector regulations: Water Services Regulations, Water Resources regulations, and Water Harvesting and Storage Regulations have also been officially gazetted. This will ensure that the sector is well regulated and both the water resources and services are sustainable and affordable. The Irrigation General Regulations have been developed and will ensure that the sector is well-coordinated, quality is assured, resources are mobilized and the irrigation sector is stable.
The Sector Strategies: Water Services Strategy, Water Resources Strategy, and Water Harvesting and Storage Strategy have further been developed to guide development in the sector for the next 5 years. The Irrigation Strategy is at an advanced stage which will enhance the planning of the irrigation subsector,
whereas the Irrigation Guidelines have been developed and are accessible from the Ministry’s website
These are further supported by the newly signed Sector Financing and Investment Framework (NAWASIP) which embraces the spirit of collaboration and consultation between the two levels of government, and further puts responsibility and commitments on each level of government on coordinated financing in the Sector.
Finally, the CS stated that she is happy that NAWASIP will realize the establishment of a Conditional Grant
that will ensure sustainable financing of the Water Sector. The Ministry is fast-tracking the finalization of the KEWI Act, Water Act 2016 miscellaneous amendments bill, and Sanitation Management Policy.
According to the report NTV, George Kinoti was arrested after charging a dead person, something which is unconstitutional.
As per the laws, one is not allowed to charge an absentee and by its means, George Kinoti charged a person who was not there to defend himself from allegations.
This comes just some days after surviving four months in jail over the issue he had with Mount Kenya businesses tycoon and a billionaire, Hon Jimi Wanjigi, who is among the politicians who have announced their presidential ambitions in the coming general election.
If found guilty, George Kinoti might then be forced to spend months in prison.
UDA allied MPs at DPWiliam Ruto‘s Residence in Karen (Photo Courtesy)
Members of parliament allied to deputy president William Ruto on January 25, 2022, managed to shoot down a motion at the national assembly seeking to reconstitute the house business committee.
Their move is going to disrupt the house business for six months until the names of the new members in the committee will be tabled for debate.
“There cannot be any business because there has to be a House Business Committee to process anything for the House” Speaker Justin Muturi ruled.
However, what many do not recognize is that majority of MPs allied to Azimio la Umoja were not in the house, thus creating room for DP Ruto’s foot soldiers to chest thump.
Members of parliament drawn from the Luhya community today met President Uhuru Kenyatta at the statehouse. Most of the leaders have in the past sided with the handshake wing of President Kenyatta and ODM’s Raila Odinga. As such their votes were not counted in the motion.
Also, the leadership of the ODM party at parliament was out in the field drumming up support for Odinga who is set to square it out with DP Ruto through Azimio la Umoja alliance.
Junet Mohamed, an ardent ODM defender, was attending a function where the Mount Kenya Foundation was meeting with Maasai leaders.
His counterpart John Mbadi, the minority leader at the national assembly, was weeks ago suspended from five sittings of the house after punching Sigowet/Soin MP Kipsengeret Koros in the face.
She was a senior software engineer, product manager, start-up founder, angel investor, consultant, and board member for six companies at the time of her death.
Cute photos of a well-known businesswoman who was found dead inside a hotel room at Westland in Nairobi emerged online leading to a somber mood among Kenyans.
According to reports, the late Karogo Thogori a 33-year-old woman was a hardworking entrepreneur and the former senior manager of Linkedln. She was running her own business in Nairobi.
Reports indicated that the body of the deceased was found lifeless in the hotel room where she had booked to spent time. Further reports indicated that the hotel staff noticed something was not right when he knocked and there was no kind of response.
The door had to be broken and it was confirmed that she had passed away. Police officers were informed and toured the scene to investigate the cause of her death.
Police officers investigating the death have said that preliminary investigations showed she was suffering from diabetes, with authorities treating the matter as a case of natural or sudden death.“There are indications she was diabetic, but that is subject to further investigations. For now, we take it to be natural and sudden death,” said Kilimani police boss Muturi Mbogo.
There has been a series of cases of murder where people are abducted and mysteriously killed before being dumped in thickets and some on roads. The family is now calling for a thorough investigation toward the death of their kin. May her soul rest in peace.
