Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

National Assembly Majority Leader Amos Kimunya has written to Speaker Justin Muturi requesting for a three-day special sitting to conclude Political Parties Bill amendments derailed on Wednesday night. Kimunya wants the House to reconvene from 5th-7th January 2022 to finalize amendments on the contentious Bill. “Madam speaker I want to take this opportunity to report to this house that I have already signed a request to the Hon. Speaker for a Special Sittings on the 5th, 6th and the 7th next week so that we can be able to finish this process,” Kimunya told the House on Wednesday night. The…

A scuffle ensued in the National Assembly on Wednesday after members clashed over the contentious Political Parties (Amendment) Bill 2021. Lawmakers allied to Deputy President William Ruto disagreed with the “handshake” counterparts over several clauses tabled before the House. The MPs were voting on amendment to Clause Six by Kandara MP Alice Wahome. The Clause seeks to among others provide for procedure followed for the registration of a coalition political party. Session chair, Luanda MP Chris Omulele had a rough time controlling the members as the disagreement escalated into a fistfight where Sigowet-Soin MP Kipsengeret Koros was injured in the…

Deputy President William Ruto now suggests that his digital strategist, Dennis Itumbi, was abducted and tortured by security agents, leaving him with life-threatening injuries. The country’s second in command made the remarks on Wednesday, hours after visiting Itumbi at the Nairobi West Hospital where he is recuperating. The DP claimed his opponents in government sanctioned the attack after attempts to cripple the “Hustler Nation” failed. “Spent time with Comrade DI last evening, saw his heavily bandaged arm and legs, the result of torture by people who should have been there to protect him and us all,” said Ruto. “They have…

The Kenya Railways has announced suspension of services to five destinations as it scales down its operations during the festive season. In a public notice on Wednesday, the Corporation said the Nairobi Commuter Rail Service to Ruiru, Embakasi Village, Limuru, Syokimau and Lukenya in Kitengela was halted on Tuesday, December 28. Normal commuter operations are scheduled to resume on January 3, 2022. Read: Kenya Railways Announces Resumption Of Mombasa-Kisumu Passenger Train Service However, all other train services to other parts of the country remain operational during the festive period. These are the Madaraka Express Passenger Service to and from Mombasa/Nairobi…

The  National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) is under pressure from healthcare providers to halt changes proposed in contracts for the 2022-2024 period to allow further deliberations. In a joint statement to newsrooms, the Kenya Association of Private Hospital (KAPH), Rural Private Hospital Association of Kenya (RUPHA), Kenya Dental Association (KDA) and Kenya Medical Association (KMA) claim the process of developing the contracts was unprocedural to the extent that meaningful engagement of healthcare providers was ignored. The stakeholders claim the state-backed insurer is yet to issue them with any draft contract documents that would form the basis of a meaningful engagement…

Deputy President William Ruto has finally broken his silence about the alleged abduction and torture of his digital strategist Dennis Itumbi. The second in command visited Itumbi at the Nairobi West Hospital on Tuesday, nearly a week after he was admitted at the facility. In photos shared on his social media pages last night, Ruto, unlike his allies, wished Itumbi a quick recovery without commenting on the alleged torture of Itumbi by what the ‘hustler nation’ believes were security agents. Read: Itumbi to Face Trial Over Letter Alleging Plot To Assassinate DP Ruto “Pole Dennis. Get well soon. God is…

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has surrendered to police following incitement allegations. The lawmaker had vowed to disrupt an Azimio La Umoja event slated for Friday, December 31 at the Bukhungu Stadium. Kakamega Central Sub-County Police Commander David Kabena confirmed to The Standard that the Senator took himself to Kakamega Central Police Station on Monday evening, hours after he was summoned by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC). The police boss said the lawmaker pledged to ensure there is peace during the event being organised by local leaders led by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and trade unionist Francis Atwoli. Read:…

There was drama in Parliament on Tuesday after lawmakers allied to Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party stormed out of a committee meeting citing presence of non-parliamentarians. The members of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) took issue with the presence of the Registrar of Political Parties, the chairperson of the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal among other persons interested in the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The eight lawmakers who walked out of the meeting include Garissa Township MP Aden Duale, Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu), Alice Wahome (Kandara) and Daniel Tuitoek of Mogotio. Read: Mudavadi Says BBI…

The Kenya Railways has issued a clarification regarding claims that it had imposed restrictions on the size and weight of luggage that passengers can carry. In a statement shared on Kenya Railways’ social media pages on Tuesday, Managing Director Phillip Mainga said no such directive has been issued. “Kenya Railways wishes to clarify that it has not issued any new directive regarding the size and weight of luggage that passengers can bring on board,” the statement reads. He, however, encouraged passengers to consider carrying minimal luggage they can comfortably travel with. Read: Omanga Under Fire for Making Fun of Stalled…

The rift between Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and city lawyer Donald Kipkorir continues to widen after the latest spat over a 2012 campaign fundraiser. The squabble started after Kipkorir accused the former Senate majority leader of disrespecting him. The vocal advocate claimed he was behind the legislator’s success in politics after helping him get Ksh4 million during a fundraiser held at Panafric Hotel. “In 2012, when few people knew him, Kipchumba Murkomen asked me to preside Campaign Fundraiser for him which I did & raised 4m. Once elected & risen to public prominence, he has shown me disrespect. With…

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has raised an alarm over a roaming cackle of hyenas causing deadly attacks in Witeithie area of Juja, Kiambu County. This is following an incident where a 29-year-old man was mauled to death by about 20 hyenas within Kamuthi area on his way home from Komu quarry on Monday. The victim’s counterpart, police said, narrowly escaped death during the incident that occured at around 5am. DCI confirmed in a statement on Monday night that a multi-agency team of security personnel drawn from the National Police Service, Kenya Wildlife Service and other local law enforcement…

Two people have been confirmed dead after a stone quarry collapsed at Oyuer village in Rachuonyo North, Homa Bay County, on Monday night. The victims have been identified as Tobias Ombija aged 38 and George Otieno Nyadiero, 42. Kanyipir Location Chief Israel Okoth Amadi confirmed the incident saying the two died on the spot when the quarry collapsed at around 7:30pm. Locals who responded to the scene managed to retrieve the bodies stuck beneath the debris of the 10th-feet cave several hours later. Read: British Gold Miner Papillon To List On NSE Amadi told members of the press that the…

A city resident has filed a petition before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) seeking the removal of High Court Judge Anthony Mrima from office. Michael Mutembei Kibutha Makarina wants the judge kicked out over gross misconduct and incompetence. Makarina questions the judge’s conduct in the guns case involving the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss George Kinoti and businessman Jimi Wanjigi. The judge had on November 18 sentenced the police boss to four months in prison for failing to comply with orders requiring him to return seven guns confiscated from the tycoon. The petitioner claims Justice Mrima demonstrated lack of…

Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo won’t be vying for the presidency in the 2022 General Election. The founder of Tujibebe Wakenya party and first governor of Kiambu County will instead vie for the gubernatorial seat in the polls scheduled for August 9. Kabogo made the declaration over the weekend while addressing a political rally in Thika. He said he was forced to shelve his ambitions for the country’s top seat following extensive consultations. “I have been listening to the people of Kiambu who want me to contest the governor’s seat,” he said on Sunday. Read: Former Governor William Kabogo In…

The High Court has reinstated Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Chief Executive Officer Mercy Wambua months after the society voted to send her on compulsory leave. Wambua was sent packing during a special general meeting held in June this year to discuss her tenure and audit of LSK bank accounts. But in a ruling delivered on Monday, Justice Anthony Mrima set aside the resolutions of the meeting including the suspension of Wambua. The court further declared as illegal a caretaker council constituted during the meeting. Justice Mrima noted that the council was elected two years ago but the general membership…