Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

Deputy President William Ruto has criticized ODM leader Raila Odinga over recent remarks questioning his source of wealth. Speaking in Taita Taveta the former Prime Minister had questioned the source of the DP’s wealth that he has been dishing out weekly in his youth empowerment program mostly at his Karen home. In his response on Thursday night, Ruto shared a video of remarks he made during his tour in Kisii saying the opposition chief grew up in a well off family so he doesn’t understand the struggle most youth go through while attempting to make a living. “Let us be…

The Tanzanian government now requires broadcasters in the country to obtain permission from the state before airing live events, a move seen by critics as an attempt by the President John Pombe Magufuli-led regime to further tighten the noose on press freedom in the country. The New regulations issued by Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), require radio and TV stations to give the authority a 14-day notice on intention to broadcast live state events or ceremonies. The media houses will be required to state the location and how long an event will last. For emergency cases, the stations will be…

Tanzania’s opposition chief Tundu Lissu’s campaign programme was on Thursday disrupted after the local aviation authority declined to grant the helicopter he had been scheduled to use flying rights to Pwani region. In a statement to newsrooms, Lissu’s Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) party stated that they received a communication from Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) moments before the boarding time. Lissu’s campaign manager Amani Golugwa received the communication as the opposition chief and his team had been cleared to board at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam. According to the party, TCAA did not…

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has threatened to take legal action against Mediamax Network Limited over a story linking her to graft published on People Daily newspaper on Thursday, September 10. In a demand letter to the media house, through Wanyonyi & Muhia Advocates, the governor wants the paper to issue an apology within seven days and admit liability for what she termed as a defamatory piece. “Take notice therefore that if we do not receive your unequivocal apology published in front page of the People Daily with the same prominence and font size print and picture of our client as…

Congolese national Vatha Bahati Josue was on Thursday arraigned over the murder of Kevin Omwenga. He becomes the third suspect to be linked to the murder of Omwenga. Josue was arrested on Wednesday over links to the murder of Omwenga on August 21 at Galana Apartments, Kilimani, Nairobi. He was arraigned before Magistrate Sinkiyian Tobiko. Police sought seven days to detain him to complete investigations into the murder but the magistrate ordered that he be released on Ksh100,000 cash bail. According to the police, the suspect’s phone, a Samsung A10, was used to communicate with the deceased and the other…

Investigations into Kevin Omwenga murder have revealed that the deceased’s vehicles and the Galana Suite apartment in Kilimani where he lived were fully paid for by, Global Jet, a company associated Chris Obure, a suspect in the murder, a Nairobi court has heard. In an affidavit filed to oppose the release of the suspect on bail, the police say that they have evidence to prove that Obure and the deceased knew each other even though he denied it. “Investigations and documentary evidence have shown that although Obure had denied having any business or a strong relationship with the deceased, there…

The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) has warned the Council of Governors (CoG) over a decision to cut advertising ties with the Nation Media Group over a story linking eight governors to graft. In a letter to COG chairman Wycliffe Oparanya on Thursday, EACC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Twalib Mbarak, said such a move is not only inappropriate but illegal as it violates article 10 and article “…it offends the Constitution and relevant laws that govern acquisition of goods and services by public entities,” the EACC boss said. “Any accounting officer or any other public officer who may proceed to…

The government has proposed radical changes that if implemented would see students pursuing courses not considered priority areas for development under Vision 2030 lose state funding. The new changes are being pushed by some vice-chancellors and the Universities Fund (UF). UF is a state agency established under section 53 of the Universities Act 2012 to among others, provide funds for financing universities. The proposals that could affect thousands of students in higher learning institutions are contained in a document titled “Reforms on the University Sector and Research”. The document details that Universities should be categorised in major thematic areas such…

Two Kenyans appointed to serve as members in the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) board have been dealt a blow after the Employment and Labour Relations Court suspended their appointment. In an order issued on Wednesday, Justice Hellen Wasilwa suspended the appointment of Dorothy Atieno and Timothy Waema by Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe pending the hearing of a petition filed by Advocate Samuel Chelongo. “This honourable court hereby issues a conservatory order staying the CS Health’s decision to appoint the 1 and 2 interested parties to the position of board members of Kemsa,” the order reads. Justice Wasilwa directed…

The Council of Governors has called on counties to stop advertising with the Nation Media Group over recent report linking eight governors to graft. In a memo seen by this writer addressed to all governors, CoG Chairman Wycliffe Oparanya stated the council arrived at the resolution during an Extra-Ordinary Council of Governors meeting held on Tuesday, September 8. According to the Kakamega Governor the council had followed up some of the reporting and found that they are “lacking merit”. “Therefore in the meeting it was resolved that henceforth, no County Government shall advertise with the Nation Media Group merchandise until…

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha now says the media has been misquoting him regarding schools reopening date, making him look like a fool. Addressing members of the press on Wednesday while on a tour at Pwani University, Magoha stated that all institutions of basic and higher learning in Kenya will reopen in January 2021, and not any time earlier. “I will not, and shall not say anything in regard to the reopening of schools in Kenya. The Fourth Estate (the media) has continued to religiously write what I have not said [about that topic],” the CS said. The tough-talking CS…

Chris Obure and his bodyguard Robert Bodo Ouko have been charged with the murder of Kevin Omwenga at his Kilimani apartment last month. The two suspects denied the murder charge before Justice Mumbi Ngugi. They are accused of having committed the crime on August 21 at Galana Apartments where Omwenga lived. Earlier today, the High Court dismissed Obure’s application challenging his murder plea. In his application, Obure had termed the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to charge him with murder as “malicious, scandalous unlawful, unconstitutional and an abuse of the court process.” Obure told the court that…

The tabling of an impeachment motion against Migori County Governor Okoth Obado has faced another hurdle after Assembly Speaker Boaz Okoth adjourned today’s sitting. The speaker claimed his life is in danger after his security was allegedly withdrawn on Tuesday night. This is the second time the speaker is adjourning assembly sittings amid a plot by ODM party to kick out Obado who is facing graft charges. Yesterday, the speaker adjourned a sitting over unmet physical distancing regulations. All the 57 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) turned up for the sitting after a month-long recess. The ward representatives anticipated that…

Detectives attached to the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) on Wednesday morning raided Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) headquarters on Commercial Street, Nairobi in the ongoing probe over alleged embezzlement of Covid-19 funds. The detectives sealed the gates and locked employees inside the premises. Visitors from outside were also not allowed into the premises as the detectives who arrived in two vans went about their business. The officers carted away computers from the reception and other offices under tight security. Kemsa is accused of having procured Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) at a double market price leading to a loss of billions.…

Wiper Democratic Movement Party has threatened to take disciplinary action against Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana over failure to remit monthly membership fee. The governor, who has expressed interest in succeeding President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022, is considered disloyal to the Kalonzo Musyoka-led outfit. According to Wiper party Secretary-General Judy Sijeny, the Makueni county boss has not paid dues amounting to Ksh600,000. Also targeted is Kibwana’s deputy Adelina Mwau who has also continually failed to remit party monthly dues totalling to Ksh1,050,000. Kibwana has not remitted contributions since January last year, while the deputy made her last pay in September 2017.…