Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen Thursday pledged increased police deployments to Borabu, Nyamira County to combat the rising incidents of cattle theft that have plagued the region in recent months. The CS acknowledged the residents’ concerns and emphasized the government’s commitment to providing security. “We are aware of the challenges residents here have faced, especially due to rampant cattle rustling,” he stated. He said he will ask the Inspector General of Police to send more Anti-Stock Theft Unit to forestall further cross border raids. “Even as we wait for additional recruitment, I am going to instruct the IG to expedite…
Author: Magati Obebo
A Kisii legislator called on voters in the Gusii region to reject political leaders who are turning their backs on former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i’s bid for the presidency in the upcoming general elections. Among those leaders who had since backed off the former education CS is Kisii Governor Simba Arati and a section of the Ward Reps. The Governor has since defended his move describing Matiangi as a “heifer already on heat” who was unhelpful to the country at the moment. Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi strongly lashed out at the Governor and his other anti-Matiangi…
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, on Friday, ruled out pardon for suspects arrested during recent anti-government protests, saying that due process must take its course and that accountability cannot be sacrificed for political appeasement. The CS said while the right to protest is enshrined in the Constitution, those who engage in violence, looting, and destruction of property must face the law. “We must differentiate between peaceful demonstrators and those who used the protests as a cover for criminal activity. The government cannot condone lawlessness under the guise of freedom of expression,” Murkomen said. The remarks by Murkomen come amid growing…
President William Ruto handed over to the Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) Sh2.65 billion recovered from collapsed banks. The money, recovered from Chase Bank and Imperial Bank that collapsed with farmers’ funds five years ago, is now being returned to tea growers across the country. Through the Kenya Deposits Insurance Corporation, tea farmers are being compensated for the loss occasioned by the collapse of the two banks. Addressing representatives of more than 600,000 tea farmers at State House, Nairobi on Thursday, President Ruto told the managers of KTDA to ensure the money reached farmers. “Please, this money must get to…
President William Ruto Thursday reaffirmed his commitment to work with all leaders for national transformation and prosperity. The President said investments in agriculture, health, education, health and job-creating policies and programmes will benefit all Kenyans and called for leaders to focus on national development at this time rather than unhelpful politics. Speaking at State House Nairobi when he hosted grassroots leaders from Kisii and Nyamira at State House Nairobi on Thursday, the President said the transformation of Kenya will only be achieved if leaders take a common stand on development. “We have a rare and historic opportunity to make every…
At least 30 Kisii Ward representatives Thursday defied Governor Simba Arati and overwhelmingly boycotted a scheduled visit to the State House with him. Many of those who remained described the tour a “sheer waste of time and resources.” They all termed it a calculated scheme by the State to “bring down Dr Fred Matiangi” who has shown interest to succeed William Ruto. During a press conference at a Kisii hotel Thursday morning they said any discourses about development can still be done away from State House. “When you look at the itinerary, this tour is more about photo ops than…
The Kenya Kwanza Gusii region brigade defended the planned trip Thursday by Kisii Governor Simba Arati and his Ward Reps to State House, Nairobi. The same leaders, however took a swipe on his Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo for what they termed as his “refusal to lead his Ward Reps to see President William Ruto” for development. Speaking at Egetuki in Bomachoge Chache in Kisii late Wednesday, each of the politicians present spoke of State House visits glowingly saying they provide a good platform for governor’s to negotiate development goodies for their counties. “Governor Arati has every right to visit the…
Increasing land fragmentation was cited as among factors currently posing serious threat to food security in the country. In certain regions like Gusii, the threat is triple as subdivisions continue in the villages. Already it has drastically reduced farm productivity and also hurt large-scale food production. Kisii Governor Simba Arati said so severe was land subdivision that it can no longer support meaningful farming. “It directly affects the ability of our people to produce enough food for our growing population,” the County boss told journalists at a forum at Kisii University Monday. Arati’s sentiments were echoed by Kisii University Vice…
Bomas of Kenya director Purity Moraa Kirera Sunday announced her bid to vie for Kisii County’s Bonchari parliamentary seat. Kirera becomes the second woman after the late MP Oroo Oyioka’s wife Teresa Bitutu, who unsuccessfully vied for the same seat during a by-election, to join the electoral politics. “For those who had been doubting today I want to officially say I would be in the race,and not just joining but also to win,” she said by phone Sunday. The aspirant was an influential mobiliser of a league of women from Kisii walking from foot to door campaigning for William Ruto…
Presidential Aspirant Dr Fred Matiangi was Sunday urged to crush and eliminate the opponents at home as he moves to solidify support bases across the country ahead of the 2027 General election. Lawyer Enock Ongiti said neutralising threats in his backyard would render Matiangi a better start in engaging the electorate further afield in his quest for presidency. He singled out for censure Governor Simba Arati who has lately ditched Matiangi for President William Ruto. Other leaders pushing with him the the two term Ruto campaigns in the region include MPs Sylivanus Osoro (South Mugirango), Steve Mogaka (West Mugirango), Zaheer…
The Gusii region political scene is slowly turning into a political war front with lieutenants of the Kenya Kwanza coalition keen on an all out offensive to fend off Dr Fred Matiangi’s popularity in favour of President William Ruto. The journey has not not been without its lows though especially sparking silent walk outs amongst a section those inclined to back their son to the ballot. Either way, some leaders initially seen as possible Matiangi loyalists among them Kisii Governor Simba Arati had since backed off dealing the former Education CS an injury. In Gusii, the Kenya Kwanza group chair…
Kisii Governor Simba Arati Friday warned that he would not condone lawlessness from the bodaboda sector to disturb peace in the region. He said any further incidents of violence would cost the region investor confidence. “There had been violence in the past and there had been ugly outcomes and we would not revert to such,” Arati warned at the Gusii Stadium during a meeting with bodabodas. To forge lasting peace, the county boss urged all operators to exercise restraint and embrace dialogue in resolving disputes. “Violence not only tarnishes the image of the bodaboda sector but also scares away investors…
Former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu was Thursday called to order with South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro accusing him of disrespect and spreading hatred. The MP exonerated UDA affiliate legislators of instigating Machogu’s sacking from the government saying President William Ruto goes for merit in hiring his executives. Osoro said the slurs allegedly being peddled by the former Nyaribari Masaba MP were only helpful in undermining unity and the community’s development agenda. “Respect is mutual. We will not allow anyone — even those who previously held high offices — to impose themselves on the people or speak on behalf of…
Nyaribari Masaba Member of Parliament Daniel Manduku was Thursday asked to start packing and leave office ahead of the 2027 elections. United Democratic Alliance politician Ben Momanyi accused Dr Manduku of leaving the electorate to fend for themselves as he enjoyed life elsewhere. Nyaribari Masaba, he stated, needs a leader who is present and accountable, not a nomad. “Our people deserve better than an absentee MP who does not even show up where the national cake is being shared.” “With an MP who is at large there shall be no tangible development. Look at other neighboring constituencies and you can…
The government was Sunday asked to expedite the probe into the Social Heath Authority (SHA) heist, seize and arraign the suspected mastermind. City lawyer Danstan Omari said more should be done to arrest the wanton looting at the health scheme and other government institutions. “This is a scandal of stupendous proportions, worse than the Anglo leasing and even the infamous Goldenberg combined,” Omari told journalists at the sidelines of a football tournament at Nyatieko in Kitutu Chache South. The tournament was sponsored by Egesa Radio Artist John Ongeri aka Petronila Getena. The discovery of the looting at SHA has so…