Aukot’s Arrogance is killing Punguza Mizigo bill

Third-way Alliance leader Ekuru Aukot on Thursday, September 26, blamed President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga for killing his Punguza Mizigo initiative.

With only 20 days left for the bill to be debated on before being tabled in parliament, 39 counties are yet to consider the bill.

“I am actually glad the state machinery employed unorthodox ways including bribery to fight the Bill,” Aukot stated stressing that the Bill exposed a selfish political class that survived on the suffering of the majority poor.

Uhuru and Raila at a past function. Their championing of the rival Building Bridges Initiative has Thirdway Alliance leader Ekuru Aukot accusing them of instructing MCAs to steer clear of debating it.

Aukot rebuked Kenya’s top political class for what he termed selfishness and a disregard for the needs of the majority.

After visiting 23 counties, Aukot claimed that the MCAs he came in contact with confided in him that they were bribed to trash the Bill – an indirect accusation against President Kenyatta and Odinga.

The former presidential aspirant added that counties in Nyanza region had refused to consider the bill and that he was not going to ‘waste time’ touring the region.

“These politicians are only keen to retain power or create positions for themselves. These are political elites who use taxpayers’ money to bribe MCAs,” he spoke of Nyanza’s leaders.

If the bill was to be passed, each ward would receive at least Ksh100 million for development.

“Why would any MP, governor, senator and even president be opposed to more development money going to the villages?” Aukot posed.

Aukot could get a few consolatory wins. In Elgeyo Marakwet, where Deputy Speaker Christopher Chemosong said ward reps might unanimously pass the Bill.

“Punguza Mizigo has provisions that favor ordinary citizens. The Building Bridges Initiative is likely to propose the creation of more positions in Government and Kenyans don’t want that,” Chemosong observed.

Nandi County Speaker, Joshua Kiptoo was of the view that the push for constitutional reforms was political. “William (Deputy President William Ruto) has already caused damage to the BBI proposals and some counties would support Punguza Mizigo to oppose the BBI.”

Kericho County is likely to pass the bill during the October 8 scheduled debate, according to majority Leader Hezron Ng’etich. So is Turkana, after Speaker Ekitela Lokaale said the locals would support their own.

In Kilifi, Majority Leader Kadenge Mwathethe said most residents had endorsed the bill, adding that it was good for the country.

Taita Taveta County is likely to endorse the bill according to Majority Leader Jason Tuja because it would increase the share of revenue to counties from the current 15% to 35% if passed.

Lawyer Charles Kanjama stated that it was not yet over for the bill.“He (Aukot) can go to court and seek an extension of time and compel the county speakers to debate and vote for his bill.”

Kanjama added that Aukot could also seek a political solution by talking to politicians to back him up, or wait for it to collapse and start afresh…though the exercise of collecting signatures takes time and money.

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List of counties likely to support Ekuru Aukot’s Punguza Mizigo bill

It now appears like Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot might have it very hard realizing his push for constitutional amendments, through his Punguza Mizigo bill.

The former presidential aspirant has been popularizing his bill in county assemblies, where he needs the backing of at least 24 for the bill to move to the next level.

However, the bill has so far been considered by only 8 of the 47 assemblies, 7 of which have rejected it, with details indicating that only 6 more might pass it.

The Standard has established that only Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Kericho, and Taita Taveta County Assemblies are likely to pass it.

This, added to the Uasin Gishu County Assembly which has since passed it, will bring the count to seven, for a bill seeking to merge constituencies and reduce the numbers of MPs.

But Aukot now says that the government is behind the rejections of his bill, accusing the nation’s top leadership of using underhand methods to frustrate it.

“I am actually glad that the State machinery and unorthodox ways, including bribery, are employed to fight the Bill. It means we are up to big things. It has also exposed a selfish political class that survives on the suffering of the majority poor,” he said on Thursday as quoted by Standard.

The bill is facing stiff competition from another referendum push led by ODM chief Raila Odinga, with the backing of President Uhuru Kenyatta, which seeks to introduce more executive posts.

And while Uhuru is yet to open up on the Punguza Mizigo debate, Raila is on record urging Kenyans to shun it and await a report from the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) taskforce.

courtesy The Standard

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Hon. Sylvanus Osoro angered by Matiangi’s huge crowd in Kiambu

South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro on Thursday clashed with a blogger on Facebook who had claimed that Interior CS Fred Matiang’i had pulled a crowd during after his visit in Kiambu.

Matiang’i was in Kiambu to address the insecurity concerns that have been raised by locals.

In a Facebook post, the blogger Wahome Thuku shared several photos of the CS’s visit and captioned; “CS Fred Matiangi in Kiambu. And no he had not called a rally. No he is not a politician, just a CJ. No he is not campaigning yet.”

Osoro would not let this go unanswered. He clicked on the comment box and said that Matiang’i was a ‘super CS’ and therefore he should have drawn a super crowd.

He further said that he draws more crowds in his constituency yet he is just an MP.

“I dont see a crowd here. I pull such ‘groups’ in their tens every time am in my constituency, a small time MP like myself. I thought his will be a super crowd befitting his superposition that happens to be ‘above’ an elected DP!!!!!! I can bet against anything,nearly half of such a group is comprised of men in uniforms. Chiefs, cops and civil servants under his command. He enjoys such cosmetic Glory. Next time, define the term ‘crowd’ for me counsel Wahome Thuku,” Osoro replied to the blogger’s post.

The MP allied to Deputy President William Ruto is among a group of Gusii politicians who have expressed opposition to a section of politicians campining for Matiang’i to voe for the presidency in 2022.

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Kenyans expose possibilities during DP Ruto’s presidency ”#KenyaUnderRuto”

Kenyans have had different views on what can happen under DP Ruto’s presidency.
In early morning tweets on Friday, they had the following to say;

.@KBonimtetezi appointed the chief state House maid. #KenyaUnderRuto

— Duncan Makori 🇰🇪 (@EngnrDan) September 27, 2019

Friends and foes just take a moment and think about #KenyaUnderRuto 🤦🏾‍♂️Think of Oscar Sudi as interior CS, Khalwale as Statehouse sookesman and Murkomen as Chief justice! Picture this and internalize it, will you leave your future under these gluttons? Really🤷🏽‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/615VwynSxN

— Amakanji Thomas (@AmakanjiThomas) September 27, 2019

#KenyaUnderRuto lousy mouth murkomen is the new chief justice now laws can be bought by the elites pic.twitter.com/MX3fkH1tAZ

— #GGMU™🇰🇪 (@ItsMutisya) September 27, 2019

#KenyaUnderRuto: The year is 2072 and the whole world is looking for the drama Kenya has got into. The Long-time Dictator William Ruto has Declared his Birthday a National Holiday(Samoei Day). This is after he realized he has ruled the country single-handedly for 50 years. pic.twitter.com/TgASUGmRE3

— Voice of Wanjiku🇰🇪 (@WanjikuVoice) September 27, 2019

Man is already advocating for Kenyans to be murdered , what if he becomes president 😭😭 #KenyaUnderRuto pic.twitter.com/hgt0tjX7Fx

— PRETTY KENYAN 😍 (@PrettyKenyan10) September 27, 2019

The introduction of taxes that do not exist and which do not benefit the local mwananchi is what I see in #KenyaUnderRuto pic.twitter.com/fFrtaMOna6

— Nerea Junior (@Nereajnr_) September 27, 2019

Ruto has lied to Kenyans for far too long…All his promises have ended up being wet dreams. Its high time Kenyans ignored him in the forth coming General Elections and chose a serious Candidate… Analyst Gideon Kitheka Jrn Says.#KenyaUnderRuto pic.twitter.com/Q8Y34bXI2p

— Gideon Kitheka Jnr. 🇰🇪 (@Gideon_Kitheka) September 27, 2019

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Unconfirmed: ANC’s Eliud Owalo to withdraw his candidature for Mc Donald Mariga

Rumors on the political street have hinted that ANC candidae Eliud Owalo might be withdrawing his candidature for Jubilee aspirant MC Donald Mariga in the upcoming Kibra parliamentary seat.

My mole says Eluid Owalo of ANC will be withdrawing from the Kibra race to back #Mariga of the 'Karibu Betin' fame.

When I asked why, the mole went offline.

Sema pesa otas!#KenyaUnderRuto pic.twitter.com/084bax92ZI

— Ma†e †ongola ™ (@Mate_Tongola) September 27, 2019

The race has had four main contenders;Imran Okoth(ODM),Eliud Owalo (ANC),Engineer Butichi(Ford-Kenya) and Jubilee ‘s Mc Donald Mariga.

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s endorsement

President Uhuru Kenyatta endorsed footballer McDonald Mariga’s candidature in the Kibra by-election in a surprise move that now complicates the contest.

The development is a major boost to Mr Mariga, whose entry into the political ring caused major infighting within the ruling Jubilee Party amid accusations that his candidature was being pushed by Deputy President William Ruto.

But his endorsement at State House jointly by Uhuru and Dr Ruto, who are Jubilee Party leader and deputy party leader respectively, ensures the Jubilee candidate now heads into the campaign projecting the ruling party is solidly behind his candidature.

Uhuru’s move now complicates campaigns in the constituency, as Jubilee and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga’s ODM will have to face off in a major battle that will test the March 9, 2018 truce between the two leaders that saw the ruling party skip subsequent by-elections to avoid a confrontation with their newfound partners.

His decision also throws into confusion a wing of Jubilee, mainly Kieleweke allied MPs, who had vowed to campaign against Mariga, who they had labelled a candidate of the Tangatanga camp, which they accuse of working to wreck Uhuru and Raila’s handshake.

Previously, there were reports that Uhuru was not keen on having a candidate in the constituency that has traditionally backed Raila to avoid a political face-off, but a statement from State House yesterday, backed with a photo of the President handing Mariga a cap branded with the Jubilee Party colours, signals that the ruling party is determined to wrestle the seat from ODM.

Uhuru assured the football star of his backing in the November 7 mini poll occasioned by the death of ODM’s Ken Okoth.

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Boy burnt beyond recognition in a battery explosion, Nakuru county

A four-year-old boy died after a faulty battery exploded in Kuresoi, Nakuru county.

According to eye witnesses, the victim was with his 7-year-old sister at the home in Kapkures village, Kaplamboi location.

Their mother had reportedly locked up the two children inside the house and gone to the nearby centre to buy tea.

In a press briefing, Kapkures village elder Joel Sitienei and nominated MCA Caroline Kilisia said the children were connecting the battery wires when it exploded.

Neigbours who heard a loud bang and children screaming rushed to the scene and discovered the home on fire.

However, it spread fast and their efforts to put it out bore no fruit.

The little girl managed to escape through the window but her brother was burnt beyond recognition.

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Moi University on the brink of falling, 30 departments closed!

Moi University has done away with 30 departments, a move that has seen several lecturers moved to other schools.

The decision to reduce the departments from 80 to 50 was approved by the management on Tuesday in a bid to reduce the cost of running the institution.

Among the departments that were affected is the Communication department which has been merged with Publishing and Media Studies, and Literature which has been merged with Linguistics.

However, the move didn’t go down well with a section of lecturers who claim that the decision was not inclusive because they were not consulted.

Moi University Vice-Chancellor Prof Isaac Kosgey, however, noted that the changes are geared towards ensuring that the institution runs smoothly.

“We are placing academic staff in the faculties where they are best qualified. These changes will be a game-changer as it will ensure efficiency and cut costs,” said the VC.

The university which is facing battling cash crunch has in the recent past relocated several schools to the main campus.

The School of Agriculture and Natural Resources which was operating in Kitale Campus was relocated to the main campus in Kesses.

Those who were in Nairobi Campus pursuing Education courses were also moved to the main campus.

Other universities in the country are also struggling to reduce the cost of running and among them is University of Nairobi (UoN) which eliminated more than 40 courses.

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