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Tag: KENYA

  • Parliament to initiate probe on DP Gachagua’s Conduct-Azimio lawmaker

    Parliament to initiate probe on DP Gachagua’s Conduct-Azimio lawmaker

    Azimio la Umoja coalition to initiate a probe on DP Gachagua’s conduct in the parliament over his remarks.

    The opposition has been enraged enough to launch an investigation into the deputy president’s behavior after comments he made about the government being a corporation of shares to loyalists.

    Speaking on Thursday, February 23, at Radio Citizen, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna revealed that a motion had been brought forward by the coalition to discuss Gachagua’s conduct in light of his controversial remarks.

    “As Azimio, we have set up a motion to discuss his conduct because of his utterances which we see are causing division in the country to make it seem like there are those who are more important than others,” he stated.

    In his submissions, Sifuna outlined that all Kenyans were equal irrespective of their political views.

    “We have taken a stand that Kenya is for all of us whether you voted for Ruto or Raila Odinga because this is our motherland and we are paying taxes just like anybody else,” he added.

    On the contention in the Senate about the Minority leadership, Sifuna added that it was imperative for the Senate Speaker to allow Azimio to make their desired changes as the delay was hindering their agenda.

    “Being a leader on either side of the divide is key because you are the one expected to enforce the agendas of your party. You cannot be the leader of a team that you do not agree with their ideologies,” he argued.

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    Sifuna made this remark in relation to the Azimio Coalition’s move to de-whip Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo from her position as the Minority Whip.

    “We have written to the Speaker that we do not recognize Fatuma Dullo as our leader in the house.

    He wondered how after denouncing the coalition, she would still stick to a team that did not agree with their ideologies.

    Dullo, however, got a reprieve after the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal revoked the changes preventing Azimio from effecting the changes.

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  • How KDF is using US technology to locate bandits

    How KDF is using US technology to locate bandits

    KDF deploys the use of US state-of-the-art technology to flush out bandits in the troubled North Rift region.

    The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service (NPS) are using satellites to pinpoint the exact locations where the bandits are holed up in.

    The US government is supplying satellites that are being used to combat banditry in Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Samburu, and Elgeyo Marakwet.

    Images relayed by the satellites help KDF soldiers know where to ambush to recover stolen livestock and apprehend bandits.

    The use of the technology is supporting efforts to find lasting peace in the North Rift region.

    The information collected is being used to learn how bandits operate and their profiling will lead to the introduction of counter-measures to contain them.

    For a long time, Kenyan security agencies have been unable to convict anyone for financing banditry despite high-profile arrests.

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    With help from the US, KDF and police will be able to trace the main financiers of banditry and profiteers from cattle rustling in the region.

    Through the joint operation, KDF and NPS recovered weapons being used by the bandits and they are hopeful that the satellite images will reveal who supplies the bandits with weapons.

    President William Ruto ordered the deployment of KDF to help NPS combat insecurity in North Rift on February 13.

    On February 21, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki announced that the deployment of KDF soldiers did not need Parliament’s approval.

    “We are in the North as the security apparatus of Kenya to stay. The presence will not be withdrawn,” he vowed.

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  • Raila reveals had requested to leave AU envoy job

    Raila reveals had requested to leave AU envoy job

    Raila reveals intrigues behind him leaving AU envoy job High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa.

    Azimio leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has welcomed the African Union’s move to relieve him of his duty as its special envoy for infrastructure.

    In a letter on Thursday to African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson, Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat, Mr Odinga stated that he was glad that his request had been granted, freeing him up to pursue other matters.

    “During our meeting on the sidelines of the 2nd Dakar African Infrastructure Financing Summit in Dakar, Senegal, about three weeks ago, I indicated the challenges to my continued availability for the role of AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa. In that regard, I welcome your quick action that will free me to pursue other pressing and urgent matters,” Mr Odinga wrote.

    Raila further noted that it had been a great pleasure and honour serving “our continent and our people and addressing infrastructure development, which we agree is the greatest contributor to our unending struggle to lift ourselves out of poverty and under-development.”

    “I am proud to have made a contribution to the transformation of the Nepad Agency to African Union Development Agency-Nepad, among other contributions during my tenure,” the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition leader said.

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    He pointed out that there were many challenges, including inaction by the continent’s leaders and vested interests outside the continent “that are only too keen to keep Africa in its present condition”.

    “Hopefully, the continent will overcome these,” he said.

    He added: “I will be indicating when I might be available for deployment on continental assignment as circumstances change. Please, accept the assurances of my highest consideration and personal esteem.”

    His communication followed a letter by Mr Mahamat dated February 19, informing him that his role had come to a conclusion.

    “Your role in this journey, Excellency, has been invaluable. Allow me to express my profound gratitude for accepting to serve in this role during the transition period, which has now come to a happy conclusion,” Mr Mahamat said.

    In his letter, Mr Mahamat had indicated that the AU would continue counting on Mr Odinga’s support for other possible assignments.

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  • Senate initiates investigations over high electricity prices

    Senate initiates investigations over high electricity prices

    Senate initiates investigations on independent power contractors over high electricity prices in a bid to lower charges.

    Through Order Paper No 006, the Senate resolved that Standing Committee on Energy undertake an inquiry into contracts signed by Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

    The process is aimed at cushioning Kenyans from high electricity prices amid harsh economic times.

    The establishment of inquiry was formed after the revelation that IPPs were producing less electricity to the national grid while charging exorbitantly for the same.

    “Private power generating companies only supply 28 percent of power to Kenya Power but account for 47 percent of power purchase costs,” the Order Paper stated.

    Due to this discrepancy, the Senate resolved there was a need for an investigation so as to enhance energy management in Kenya.

    “The committee will investigate contracts signed by IPPs, detailing the cost, capacity, and duration of the contractual agreements and their implications on the affordability of electricity in the country,” the Order Paper detailed the scope of the inquiry.

    The committee on energy will further be mandated to look at the discrepancies in the cost of electricity sold to Kenya Power by KenGen, imports from Ethiopia, and IPPs.

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    Marsabit and Samburu counties will also be able to increase electricity connectivity after the Senate resolved to investigate electricity generated by Lake Turkana.

    This was after it was revealed that the electricity was diverted to the national grid and bypassing the two counties.

    The Senate further put to task the Ministry of Energy to come up with a policy framework dealing with costs and clean energy.

    “The policy framework should detail a plan on lowering the cost of electricity as a way of addressing the high cost of living.

    “It should also look at enhancing clean energy by switching to renewable sources of energy such as geothermal power, and wind energy, among others as a way of reducing the carbon footprint,” the Order Paper mandated.

    The motion to reduce electricity prices was tabled to the Senate by Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute.

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  • UK while blaming China refutes claims of dumping used clothes (Mitumba) in Kenya

    UK while blaming China refutes claims of dumping used clothes (Mitumba) in Kenya

    UK refutes claims of dumping used clothes (Mitumba) in Kenya as it blames China for large quantities.

    Textile Recycling Association (TRA) of the United Kingdom (UK) has denied claims that the country shipped substantial amounts of worn clothing to Kenya as waste.

    The UK is no longer a big source of old clothing in Kenya, according to TRA Chief Executive Officer Alan Wheeler in an interview with Material Recycling World (MRW), a UK news publication on recycling.

    According to Wheeler, Kenya only received 7,328,000 kilos of recycled clothing in 2021, and China was the major supplier of the material.

    Moreover, Wheeler highlighted that China delivered up to 78,575,000 kg of recycled clothes to Kenya comparable to up to 43 percent of all worn clothing received in the country.

    Further defending the textile recycling companies in the UK, the CEO stated that recycling used clothing was 70 times better for the environment than purchasing new ones.

    “TRA members lead the way in promoting sustainable practices that ensure good quality items are traded globally.

    “We adhere to some of the world’s most stringent requirements, such as fumigation of shipped items for the Kenyan market and physical inspection by an inspector at the point of loading,” Wheeler stated.

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    Moreover, he added that the clothing and textile industry was responsible for 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions compared to the aviation and maritime industry combined.

    “The global clothing reuse industry is beneficial to the environment. Additionally, it employs tens of millions of people,” added Wheeler.

    The response comes after an investigation by Clean Up Kenya, and Wildlight for the Changing Markets Foundation (CMF) revealed that the items sent to Kenya are made of poor materials, such as polyester and nylon, that can not be reused or mended.

    The CEO asked publishers of the Transition report, which originally published the findings, to submit evidence of their claims if there was a specific problem with the UK. 

    The report detailed that about 36 million mitumba items are shipped to Kenya from the UK every year terming the high numbers as the loophole in a 2019 legal agreement stopping richer countries from dumping non-recyclable plastic waste to less wealthy ones.

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  • Raila’s tenure as AU Infrastructure envoy end

    Raila’s tenure as AU Infrastructure envoy end

    Raila’s tenure as African Union’s High envoy for Infrastructure Development in Africa has ended after five years, the African Union (AU) Commission has said.

    In a letter addressed to Raila by African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Moussa Faki shared by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, it was noted that the organization’s infrastructure duties were being taken up by the African Union Development Agency – NEPAD.

    “The transformation of the NEPAD Agency to African Union Development Agency. NEPAD has now been completed, with a full mandate to implement the Continental agenda on infrastructure,” the chairperson noted “It is my distinct honour to write to you with respect to your mandate as AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa.

    “Your role in this journey, excellency, has been invaluable. Allow me to express my profound gratitude for accepting to serve in this role during the transition period, which has now come to a happy conclusion,” Faki said.

    “The African Union hopes to continue counting on your support for other possible assignments,” added the AU boss.

    Mr. Odinga assumed the role of AU Infrastructure envoy in October 2018.

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    As the African Union’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development, Odinga was tasked with mobilizing political support and development assistance from member states and regional economic communities.

    Odinga also supported the New Partnership for Africa’s Development Agency (NEPAD) initiatives to encourage increased commitment from development partners.

    NEPAD’s main objectives are to reduce poverty, put Africa on a sustainable development path, halt the marginalization of Africa and empower women.

    In his capacity, the ex-PM also paid special attention to the missing links along the transnational highway corridors identified as the Trans-African Highways Network, with a view to facilitating their development and modernization.

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  • UK responds to sexual harassment of workers in Kenyan tea farms

    UK responds to sexual harassment of workers in Kenyan tea farms

    UK government responds to sexual harassment of workers in Kenyan tea farms calling for thorough investigations.

    Through the British High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott, the United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 22, warned that the country considers sexual exploitation a serious offence.  

    The statement by the UK government comes after the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on Monday, February 20, 2023, released a documentary detailing the sexual exploitation clique of male bosses who targeted female workers at UK tea firms operating in the country.

    “Sexual abuse and exploitation has no place in society,” she warned while asking the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to get to the bottom of the matter.

    Marriott urged the companies concerned to protect their workers and cooperate with the police in ensuring that the suspects are brought to book. 

    “I am concerned by the allegations of appalling behavior made in this documentary – sexual abuse and exploitation has no place in society.

    “I welcome the commitment by the companies to investigate, cooperate with the Kenyan authorities, and take action to protect staff in Kenya,” Jane Marriott noted. 

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    The UK-based farm, James Finlay, which operates in Kenya on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, announced that it had sacked two contractors who were featured in the BBC exposé.

    “We have terminated our agreement with John Chebochok’s company Sislo Holdings. All 300 contractors who were working with us through Sislo have been offered direct employment to ensure their livelihoods are not affected – 98 percent have accepted,” noted the firm in a statement.

    James Finlay explained the fired employees were not allowed to return to the company without legal provisions of the land. 

    “We have also suspended John Asava. Both individuals have been barred from entering James Finlay Kenya,” James Finlay noted. 

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  • Ruto, Gachagua office spends KSh9 billion in seven months

    Ruto, Gachagua office spends KSh9 billion in seven months

    Ruto, Gachagua office spends KSh9 billion in seven months despite austerity measures to cut public expenditure.

    According to official figures, President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have exceeded their full-year budget in just seven months, despite austerity measures intended to buck a historical practice of borrowing to support government operations.

    According to the most recent information made public by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u, the Executive Office of the President spent Sh9.09 billion from January through December compared to the initial projection of Sh8.64 billion for the entire year.

    This amounts to a spending excess of Sh450.11 million, or 5.21 percent, of the initial 12-month budget for the Presidency that the previous administration drafted.

    The additional expenditure has already been tabled in the House via a supplementary budget under the law that requires MPs to approve spending that lacked a parliamentary nod within two months.

    According to the mini-budget, Prof. Ndung’u has suggested raising the budget for the Executive Office of the President by Sh5.18 billion, or 59.89 percent, to Sh13.83 billion from the original estimates.

    The budget for the State House has jumped from the Sh4.37 billion allowed under former President Uhuru Kenyatta to Sh8.85 billion, and Mr. Gachagua’s office expenses have climbed from Sh914.25 million to Sh2.63 billion.

    The Deputy President has also been added a separate budget of Sh450.85 million outside the Presidency, according to the supplementary estimates before the House.

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    The over-expenditure by the Office of the President came in the period Ruto directed the Treasury to cut the budget for running the government by as much as Sh300 billion in measures aimed at bringing “our country to sanity” where the State does not borrow to “finance recurrent expenditure”.

    Ruto also said he aimed to bring the recurrent expenditure down further next year by an undisclosed amount, in a bid to achieve a recurrent budget surplus by the third year.

    Recurrent expenditure usually includes civil servants’ salaries, travel, and refreshment as well as fuel costs for the government’s fleet of vehicles.

    The Treasury data show the recurrent expenditure by the Presidency for the seven-month period was 12.47 percent, or Sh931 million, more than Sh7.47 billion spent by the previous administration a year ago.

    The biggest jump in recurrent expenditure for the country’s most powerful office was in December when some Sh2.19 billion was withdrawn from the exchequer against a monthly average for the period of Sh1.2 billion.

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  • Ruto responds to Raila’s demands

    Ruto responds to Raila’s demands

    Ruto responds to Raila’s demands to lower the high cost of living in 14 days, failure to which he’ll call for mass action.

    President William Ruto on Wednesday, February 22, told off Azimio Leader Raila Odinga over his 14-day ultimatum and mass action threats.

    Ruto cautioned Raila against inciting violence in the nation while speaking at the Korogocho, Nairobi County, the launch of the Nairobi River Commission (NRC).

    In a stern statement, the head of state insisted that nobody would be permitted to intimidate him or his government since Kenya is everyone’s to own.

    “You will demonstrate until you get tired of it,” Ruto warned Raila while telling him to focus on the productive things in life.

    “We are all equal before the law, and any attempt to cause chaos will be dealt with accordingly. Nobody, nobody, let me repeat, nobody will be allowed to intimate others in this country,” Ruto warned. 

    Ruto told Raila that his major goal was to make sure that less fortunate Kenyans were taken care of and that he had no time for those who were leading comfortable lives.

    “My plan is to ensure that the living standards of ordinary Kenyans are improved, and they should know that we are busy building what they broke,” Ruto claimed. 

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    At a National Prayer Rally in Jeewanjee Gardens in Nairobi on Wednesday, February 22, Raila issued six demands to President Ruto, warning that he will take serious action should he fail to act. 

    The opposition chief warned the Kenya Kwanza government that he will lead countrywide mass action should President Ruto fail to take action.

    “If demands are not heeded within 14 days, we shall lead Kenyans to mass action across the country to restore sanity,” Raila stated.

    Among the demands, Raila asked Ruto to re-introduce food subsidies that must be restored to cushion Kenyans from the high cost of living.

    He also asked Ruto to ensure that all children who had dropped out of school were brought back and immediately registered for their academic programmes in order to ensure 100 percent transition. 

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  • Chaos rocks Senate with three Azimio senators kicked out over leadership changes

    Chaos rocks Senate with three Azimio senators kicked out over leadership changes

    Azimio senators kicked out of Senate chambers over leadership changes with the speaker failing to address the coalition’s demands.

    Chaos erupted on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, February 22, after its Deputy Speaker and Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi kicked out three senators allied to the Azimio la Umoja coalition. 

    The trio, Enoch Wambua (Kitui), Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi), and Ledama Ole Kina (Narok) were suspended from attending the proceedings for three days. 

    The chaos broke out after speaker Amason Kingi failed to effect changes to the minority wing.

    Deputy Speaker Kathure Murungi ordered the suspension of proceeding after the Azimio senators staged a show, camping on the floor and shouting at the speaker to effect changes.

    The chaos ensued as Murungi issued a communication regarding the change of the leadership of the minority in the house, prompting defiance from Azimio senators. 

    The Deputy Speaker had dismissed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s appeal for the matter of the seat of Minority Whip to be left for the Azimio coalition and not fall under the jurisdiction of the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT).

    The Azimio senators disregarded the deputy speaker’s orders and proceeded to chant while calling for their pleas to be heard. 

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    The Senate was debating a case filed by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo at the PPDT following her de-whipping as the senate minority whip for her association with President William Ruto. 

    “As I stated the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal that pending Interparty’s hearing and determination of the application, interim orders of an injunction are hereby issued restraining the respondent and interested parties from implementing the communication and resolutions by respondents, particularly the Nakuru parliamentary meeting held on February 14, 2023, purporting to remove Fatuma Dullo and other members of Jubilee party from the position of Senate minority whip and parliamentary committees and their privileges respectively,” Murungi stated. 

    Sifuna’s appeal, which was tabled before the Senate, advocated for the matter to be separated from the Interparty’s Tribunal. 

    The Nairobi senator sought the chair to separate matters covered by the Tribunal and therefore give directions on the matter of the Seat of the Deputy Senate Minority Whip. 

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