Saturday, November 29, 2014 City gears up for cashless matatu drive

Matatu Owners Association chairman Simon Kimutai addresses journalists during the launch of a pay card dubbed‘My 1963’at the Laico Regency Hotel in Nairobi on May 27, 2014. Kimutai said that Nairobi is ready for the new mode of payment that will be launched on November 30, 2014 at the Kencom bus stop. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By VINCENT ACHUKA
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By THOMAS KARIUKI
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In Summary

• Those sued are the National Transport and Safety Authority, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, his principal secretary, the Traffic Commandant and the Attorney-General.
• By Friday evening, Matatu Owners Association, which is distributing the My1963 cards in conjunction with Safaricom, said they had given out 300,000 cards to commuters this week and were expecting to activate another 200,000 on Sunday.
• Only one transport company observed Fergie Transporters plying the Nairobi-Rongai route had entirely gone cashless.

Just hours to the deadline of the ban on cash payments in public service vehicles within Nairobi, the city faces a possible transport crisis as a majority of commuters are yet to acquire the cards and don’t even understand how the system will work.

This is despite assurances from the Matatu Owners Association that Nairobi is ready for the new mode of payment that will be launched on Sunday morning at the Kencom bus stop by Transport Secretary Michael Kamau.

A case filed at the Milimani law courts by a matatu owner challenging the legality of the new system failed to stop the expected launch after presiding Judge Weldon Korir ordered the respondents to file responses to the suit on Tuesday when the case resumes.

In the suit, Mr James Maina Mugo, through lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui, argued that the system is a unilateral change of Kenya’s fiscal procedure which stipulates that only the Central Bank of Kenya can formulate and effect Kenya’s monetary policy.

Those sued are the National Transport and Safety Authority, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, his principal secretary, the Traffic Commandant and the Attorney-General.

“A law supporting the cashless system is non-existent and the government is yet to table the expected changes in Parliament for approval, which amounts to a gross violation of the rights of Kenyans who use public transport,” Mr Mugo argued.

MORE TO BE ACTIVATED
And with all indications that there would be no extension of the deadline effective midnight tonight, a spot check by the Sunday Nation this past week showed transport companies in a rush to equip their commuters with the cards.

By Friday evening, Matatu Owners Association, which is distributing the My1963 cards in conjunction with Safaricom, said they had given out 300,000 cards to commuters this week and were expecting to activate another 200,000 on Sunday.

Additionally, they have given out at least 10,000 Point of Sale machines to read the cards beginning Monday.

“You know Kenyans characteristically do things at the last minute and will only do something when they really need to do it so we are expecting a surge in demand for the cards today,” said Matatu Owners Association national co-ordinator Albert Karagacha, who was upbeat about the preparations made so far.

“To counter the expected demand, we have deployed 5,000 agents within Nairobi to issue the cards, and some of them will be visiting social places (Sunday), including churches and entertainment joints,” he added.

“I can assure you there will be no crisis tomorrow. Those without cards can still get them before they board as agents will be at all major terminuses to assist.”

DOUBLE SYSTEMS

The association said 69 saccos within Nairobi had complied, while the Kenya Bus Service, which runs the Abiria Card in conjunction with KCB, said they had installed point-of-sale systems for reading the cards in more than 260 buses in Nairobi, and that commuters could load their cards through agents spread out in the city.

“They have options to load their cards through the more than 7,000 KCB agents, mobile banking, as well as all the bank’s ATMs and branches,” said Elias Alando, Kenya Bus Service operations manager.

However, by Saturday, less than 24 hours to the deadline, a fairly large percentage of PSVs were still accepting cash payments, with a few running the two systems simultaneously.

Commuters using Githurai 45 Travellers Sacco, Compliant Management Limited, Embassava Sacco, Jesmatt Travellers and Kilele Sacco had the option of paying using cash or any of the three cards 1963, Beba Pay and Abiria Card.

But a majority of those who paid cash said they were yet to acquire the cards.

“I will get one when the situation really forces me to, but at the moment, I cannot commit myself to another card as I have too many in my wallet already,” said Mark Omollo, a commuter on the Kariobangi Travellers matatu.

COMPLETELY CASHLESS
Only one transport company observed Fergie Transporters plying the Nairobi-Rongai route had entirely gone cashless.

Its owner, Beutah Maroka, said revenue had improved significantly by between 30 and 40 per cent.

“For the last five months, passengers using any of our 20 matatus have been using pay cards, and both the passengers and crew love it because we have given them incentives,” he said.

“For instance, if a passenger has a card and they are told the machine is not working, they are obligated to demand a free ride,” he said.

“On the other hand, the crew get a bonus if there is an increase in revenue.”

Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ finally laid to rest

Posted  Friday, November 28, 2014 |  by- MAURICE KALUOCH

Senator Otieno Kajwang’ was finally laid to rest at 4.05pm in his Waondo Village home in Mbita,

Family members and Cord leaders watch as the coffin bearing Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang's body is lowered into the grave on November 28, 2014. Mr Kajwang' was laid to rest at 4.05pm in his Waondo Village home in Mbita, Homa Bay County. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

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Senator Otieno Kajwang’ was finally laid to rest at 4.05pm in his Waondo Village home in Mbita, Homa Bay County.

The final burial ceremony was attended only by close family members and friends, church leaders, Cord leader Raila Odinga, senators Amos Wako and Moses Wetang'ula and governors Cyprian Awiti and Jack Ranguma, among others.

There was a heavy presence of anti-riot police, who ensured that members of the public did not storm the home.

Ms Faith Vivian Otieno, who earlier said she was also a wife of the late senator, arrived at the graveside together with her son Ronnie Odinga Otieno and daughter Christie Akinyi Otieno.

Neither Faith nor her children were given the opportunity to lay wreaths.

She later led her children out of the home as Dr Rose Otieno and her children.

ISUKUTI DANCERS

Prior to the burial, Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale led a group of Isukuti dancers into the late Kajwang's home.

The group danced around the grave and later entered the main house before finally leaving the home.

During the funeral ceremony, which started at 9am, security officers were evidently overwhelmed as dignitaries arrived with hired youths and their personal security detail.

Police officers, who were determined to keep law and order, were overwhelmed by the hundreds of youths present.

MPs who have been branded as rebels had to be sneaked inside the huge dome tent in an attempt to prevent possible ugly incidents from ODM supporters.

They included George Oner (Rangwe), James Rege (Karachuonyo) and Silvance Osele of Kabondo Kasipul.

But the arrival that caused a major stir was that of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who arrived clad in Luo traditional mourning gear that included a monkey skin and a spear.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero also made a dramatic entry inside the dome tent as his security detail ushered him in.

Others whose arrival caused a stir were Cord leaders Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula.

By 11 am, the dome tent with a capacity of 10,000 people was packed to capacity as an equal number of mourners stood.

Thursday, February 20, 2014 Political families own half of private wealth

 
(From L to R) Daniel Moi - The man who was President for 24 years has business interests in banking, media, hotel and tourism, manufacturing, airline and education. Mama Ngina Kenyatta - The family of founding father Jomo Kenyatta has investments in land, manufacturing, real estate, energy and banking. Simeon Nyachae - The former Cabinet minister and presidential aspirant has business interests in manufacturing, transport, banking and ranching.  NATION MEDIA GROUP
By PATRICK NZIOKA
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By BERNARD NAMUNANE
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People with political connections control more than 50 per cent of the Kenya’s wealth that is owned by individuals, a new report has shown.

Highlighting this as one of the factors that could negatively impact on Kenya economic growth in future, the Wealth in Kenya 2014 report says that a common thread running through almost all the dollar millionaires is their political connections as well as their ownership of large tracts of land.

The list of the wealthy political dynasties and billionaire landowners reflects Kenya’s top political leadership.

However, the report does not give details about how their wealth was acquired and does not suggest in any way that the wealth was acquired irregularly.

The Kenyatta, Moi, Kibaki, Karume, Kulei, Biwott, Nyachae, Odinga, Saitoti, Michuki and Mwau families are listed among the wealthiest in the report compiled by a British organisation. The same families also own large tracks of land.

Other large individual land owners include Mr Swaleh Nguru, Mr Saleh Said Sherman, Mr Tahir Sheikh Said (TSS) and Kamlesh Pattni.
The group is likely to get even richer because property prices continue to rise.

According to the report, Kenya’s residential property prices rose by four per cent in dollar terms and 42 per cent in shilling terms, fuelled by strong economic growth and high demand by foreign buyers particularly in Nairobi and coastal area.

The price of top end property in Nairobi was valued at $1,700 per square metre in 2013, according to a Knight Frank report. This made Nairobi the fourth most expensive city in Africa for property after Cape Town, Johannesburg and Luanda. Nairobi also ranked ahead of Lagos.

Some of the families have been selling the land and this has raised their cash holding.

THE KENYATTA FAMILY

The family of the founding father of the nation is one of the richest in Kenya. President Uhuru Kenyatta is a scion of the family.

Going by the rankings of the New World Wealth report, the family can be ranked among centimillionaires, whose wealth range between $100 million and $1 billion.

The family, with Enke Holdings at the core of its wealth, has interests in banking — with a stake in Commercial Bank of Africa — tourism (Heritage Hotels among others), mining, insurance, airline, education, real estate and energy. It also has interests in telecommunications, dairy farming (through Brookside Dairies) and transport.

The size of land owned by the Kenyatta family remains the subject of debate but according to the Ndung’u Commission report published in December 2004, the family has about 94 acres in Kiambu in the name of Jomo Kenyatta’s widow Mama Ngina. It also has 89 acres and 59 acres in Thika District.

The family is believed to own land in Endebbes, Rumuruti, Nakuru, Naivasha, Nairobi and Thika but its exact acreage is unknown.

THE MOI FAMILY

Retired president Daniel arap Moi, who ruled Kenya for 24 years, ranks among the richest Kenyans with an estimated wealth in hundreds of billions of shillings. In line with the New World Wealth report, the Moi family easily fits in the centimillionaire category.

The family has interests in various sectors, including banking where they hold shares in more than two banks, the oil industry, insurance, hotel and tourism, maritime and freight, media, manufacturing, airline and transport. The Moi family is also big in land ownership, real estate and education.

GEORGE SAITOTI

The late Prof Saitoti, who was plucked from the University of Nairobi by President Moi in 1983 was also ranked among the richest politicians in Kenya.

Prof Saitoti was vice-president for more than 10 years and held ministerial positions in various dockets before he met his death in a plane crash in June 2012.

He had business  interests in horticulture, hotel and tourism, real estate and pastoralism. Going by the New World Wealth report, he is an affluent millionaire and his worth ranges from $30 million to $100 million.

NICHOLAS BIWOTT

A powerful minister under President Moi, Mr Biwott is a skilled businessman who built his business empire in various sectors. Ranked as a centimillionaire ($100 million to $1 billion)  by the New Wealth World report, he has his anchor business as a key shareholder in Kobil, an oil marketer. He has also invested heavily in energy, mining, telecommunications, tourism, agriculture, banking and real estate.

JOHN MICHUKI

A no-nonsense minister  and administrator, the late Michuki was one of the richest Kenyans whose worth is between $30 million and $100 million. His business interests are in hotels with the Windsor Golf and Country Club as the flagship. He also owned several commercial buildings in Nairobi and other real estate assets besides interests in agriculture.

THE ODINGA FAMILY

The Odinga family is also among the wealthiest with political connections.

The patriach, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, was Kenya’s first vice-president under Jomo Kenyatta while his son, Raila Odinga, was Prime Minister in the Grand Coalition government whose tenure ended in March last year.

The family has interests in oil and gas, manufacturing and agriculture.

MWAI KIBAKI

The former President and long-serving MP for Othaya is also among Kenya’s wealthiest politicians.

Besides large tracts of land, Mr Kibaki is reputed to have investments in hotels, agriculture especially tea growing, insurance, real estate and telecommunications. He is also into banking and fashion industry.

SIMEON NYACHAE

The former chief secretary, Cabinet minister and provincial administrator has investments in manufacturing through his flagship Sansora Holdings. He also has interests in agriculture, insurance, transport, banking, and logistics. He is also said to own ranches in Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

OTHERS

The wealth of businessman cum politician John Harun Mwau is in the league of billions of shillings.

In an interview with the Nation about two years ago, Mr Mwau said he had invested billions in the US. He is one of the major shareholders of Nakumatt Holdings, a leading supermarket chain in the region.

His name has also been associated with the troubled Charterhouse Bank. He has a stake in a number of companies locally and abroad especially in the Middle East and Asia.

Also in the list of the wealthy people who have political connections are Mr Joshua Kulei, who was an aide to President Moi. He has business interests in insurance, logistics, media and petroleum.

The late Njenga Karume, whose ties spanned across past political administrations, also had immense wealth with investments in agriculture, real estate, banking, hotels and insurance sectors.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014 Uhuru Kenyatta returns from Abu Dhabi amid Mandera killings outrage

By NATION REPORTER
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President Uhuru Kenyatta flew back into the country Tuesday evening from an official visit to Abu Dhabi.

However, Kenyans expressed their anger over his trip following the killings of 28 people by Al-Shabaab in Mandera in their comments on pictures of the trip posted on President Kenyatta's official Facebook page.

Julius Kagiri Kimani's post read in part: “All these pictures you keep posting on FB smacks of PR at best and deception at worst. With respect Mr President, Al-Shabaab/Terrorist groups have been causing havoc in Kenya for a long while now. We want to see results/we want to see security."

Maggie Nyash said, “We want two national id cards, i.e., Margaret Nyambura and Margaret Khadija Muhammad. Thanks”

Here are some other comments:

Charles Ade Ngare: “President Uhuru please check on the security of the country or we will all be in national mourning in weeks to come.”

SURVEILLANCE TECHNIQUES

Alex Karanja Njoroge: “Mr. President, and what are we doing about domestic terrorism on our women by our very own men stripping women!”

According to the Presidential Strategic Communications Unit (PSCU), President Kenyatta held talks with leaders from Jordan and the United Arab Emirates on security, combating terrorism and stemming radicalisation.

President Kenyatta met King Abdullah II of Jordan and discussed threats posed by terrorism to Kenya and the Middle East.

The President also held talks with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President of the UAE and ruler of Dubai.

Their meeting focused on the latest techniques in surveillance and other technologies UAE uses in ensuring security.

"The plane carrying the President and his entourage touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly after 9pm," a statement by PSCU stated.

On arrival, the Head of State was received by Deputy President William Ruto and other government officials.

Passengers get out and push frozen Siberian plane

 

Thursday, November 27, 2014

A screen grab of the video posted on YouTube showing Siberian air passengers pushing their stalled plane along the snow-covered runway in Igarka, which is beyond the Arctic Circle. PHOTO | YOUTUBE 

In Summary

• The extraordinary story emerged after a passenger posted a video on YouTube showing a group of cheery travellers pushing the Tupolev plane along the snow-covered runway in Igarka, which is beyond the Arctic Circle.
• The technical director of Krasnoyarsk-based Katekavia, Vladimir Artyomenko, told the Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily that the plane had been immobilized because the pilot forgot to take off the parking brake when he left the plane.
• Passengers pushed the plane until it was able to turn and then the tow truck took over, he said. The flight then took off and went smoothly.

By AFP
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MOSCOW,

Siberian air passengers had to get out and push their plane in temperatures of minus 52 degrees Celsius after its chassis froze, Russian prosecutors said Wednesday.

The extraordinary story emerged after a passenger posted a video on YouTube showing a group of cheery travellers pushing the Tupolev plane along the snow-covered runway in Igarka, which is beyond the Arctic Circle.

"Let's go," passengers in thick winter coats shout and whoop as they grab the wings of the plane and shove it several metres along the runway.

"Everyone wants to go home," one man says.

Transport prosecutors in western Siberia said they were investigating the incident, which took place on Tuesday.

FROZEN BRAKE PADS

"Due to the low air temperatures, the chassis's brake system froze and a tow truck was unable to move the plane onto the taxiway to carry out the flight," prosecutors said in a statement.

"The passengers on board got out of the plane and started pushing it onto the taxiway."

The technical director of Krasnoyarsk-based Katekavia, Vladimir Artyomenko, told the Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily that the plane had been immobilized because the pilot forgot to take off the parking brake when he left the plane.

"That caused the brake pads to freeze up," he said.

Passengers pushed the plane until it was able to turn and then the tow truck took over, he said. The flight then took off and went smoothly.

The plane with 74 passengers on board was flying from Igarka, around 1,750 miles (2,800 kilometres) northeast of Moscow, to the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk. 

Even for Russians inured to long winters of sub-zero temperatures, the passengers' can-do chutzpah has drawn awed admiration.

"Siberians are so tough that for them pushing a frozen plane along a runway is a piece of cake," said the popural Komsomolskaya Pravda daily.

Social media too was abuzz with praise for the passengers, who were oil workers heading home.

"Who mentioned sanctions?... We just push together and off we fly," Dmitry Kozlov wrote on Twitter, referring to the Western economic restrictions imposed on Russia over its actions in Ukraine.

TAKING SELFIES

"It's just an ordinary morning in Russia. People push-start a plane at minus 50," a user who identifies himself as Lentach tweeted.

The airport's director, however, suggested that the passengers had decided to push the plane for a joke.

"Most likely, the plane's passengers, oil workers, decided to do a kind of 'selfie'. It was a good joke and it became a big thing on the Internet," said Maxim Aksyonov, quoted by the TASS agency.

Prosecutors warned that the stunt could have been dangerous.

"They were pushing the plane as if it was a car that lost traction, which you categorically should not do due to the danger of damaging the skin of the fuselage," said Oksana Gorbunova, an aide to transport prosecutors, cited by Interfax news agency.

Video of the plane can be seen here.

Court bars MP Moses Kuria from making comments over Mandera terror attack

Posted  Wednesday, November 26, 2014 |  by- VINCENT AGOYA

The order was sought by the prosecution when Mr Kuria appeared for the mention of a hate speech

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has been restrained from making comments on social media about the Mandera attack.

The order was sought by the prosecution when Mr Kuria appeared for the mention of a hate speech case against him, arising from comments he allegedly made on social media about the Gikomba terrorist attack in Nairobi that killed 10 people in May.

A new hashtag on Twitter, #killyourown, which the prosecution had linked to the MP, was presented in court as new evidence in a similar hate speech case that the prosecution said was under investigation.

WARNED AGAINST FURTHER COMMENTS

According to the prosecution, the hashtag borders on incitement to violence and criminality and its originator and commentators, among them the MP, have now been warned against making further comments on it.

However the MP’s lawyer, Mr John Mburu, defended him, saying he was not the originator of the controversial hashtag and that he was exercising his rights by contributing to a matter of public interest.

The case against the MP over the Gikomba remarks may be withdrawn once he reaches an amicable out-of-court settlement with his accusers, National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).

The court was told that the MP was about to reach a settlement with NCIC and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) once he complies with three condition set for the agreement.

The conditions that Mr Kuria must meet includes going public with an apology over the remarks he is accused of making.

He is also required to convene a “stakeholders” meeting to bring together members of the NCIC, the Law Society of Kenya, and representatives from the DPP’s office where he will be expected to answer some questions.

He is expected to then recant the statements he is accused of making.

The MP has also been told “to bear the cost of the apology” by footing the bills at the proposed conciliatory meeting.

“We received a letter from the DPP, which has the conditions and which my client is ready to abide by with a view of having the case withdrawn,” lawyer Mburu told the trial magistrate, Mr Enock Cherono.

WENT AGAINST BAIL TERMS

However, a prosecutor said the MP had indulged in similar hate speech by recently posting his opinions under the hashtag #killyourown “which amounts to contempt of court since a restraint order had been issued against him as a condition for his bail terms.”

“It also amounts to subversion of justice...and we seek a fresh order against him to stop making similar comments,” prosecutor Nicodemus Maingi said.

The court ruled that the sentiments of #killyourown were provocative and warned the MP to desist from associating himself with the hashtag.

“You are a honourable Member of Parliament, which gives you the right forum to express your views. We do not expect you to associate with the social media comments unless you want to become the subject of a fresh charge...”the magistrate said. 

The hate speech case against the MP will be mentioned on January 15.

Law strips boards of review role

Posted  Tuesday, November 18, 2014 |  by- BENJAMIN MUINDI

Professional bodies prevented from accrediting and inspecting degree courses in varsities.

University of Nairobi engineering students outside their lecture halls after refusing to take their end of semester exams on April 14, 2014 citing lack of preparedness. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE |

The Commission for University Education has been given exclusive mandate to accredit and inspect degree courses in a new law awaiting presidential assent.

This effectively locks out professional bodies unless working under the commission.

Parliament passed a Bill placing the commission above the professional boards.

Part of those functions will be to accredit and regularly inspect universities to ensure they comply with standards and guidelines set by the commission and the commission shall be the only body with the power to do so.

This means decisions on degree courses taken by the professional boards, such as the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) that has questioned degrees approved by the commission can be challenged in this new order.

The amendments were moved by vice-chairperson of the departmental committee on Education, Research and Technology Julius Melly (Tinderet MP) last week.

The decision is expected to reduce anxiety among students in universities pursuing degree programmes approved by the commission but questioned by professional boards.

A case in point is the engineering board that is embroiled in a tussle with the universities stating that the students will have to repeat certain courses under engineering programmes to meet standards.

At this stage, questions remain as to whether the concerns raised by the boards shall be addressed using the new arrangement. This includes the number of lecturers, equipment and outmoded curriculum.

ARE CRITICAL

EBK registrar Nicholas Mulinge said there should have been adequate consultations with all professional boards before the amendments were taken to Parliament.

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The boards are critical because the worldwide practice is that any person to be registered in any profession must undergo either pupilage or internship while working in industry under a registered professional for a stipulated period.

The commission can, however, delegate its functions to any suitably qualified bodies, suggesting that the boards can work under the commission.

Such boards include the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Medical Practitioners and Dentistry Board, Nursing Council, Veterinary Board and the Council for Legal Education.

Others are the Kenya Medical Laboratory and Technicians Board and the Clinical Officers Association, which have been asserting their regulatory authority in the higher education sector.

Boards charge more to accredit universities than the commission. They ask for between Sh300,000 and Sh484,000 to evaluate a degree course.

In comparison, CUE charges a standard fee of Sh150,000 for evaluating a degree course of study.

The Director of the Council for Legal Education, Prof Wanyama Kulundu-Bitonye, said professional boards are critical for quality assurance in higher education.

In an earlier interview, Prof Kulundu-Bitonye said that although the line between the commission and professional bodies’ regulation framework is very thin, degrees have to be endorsed by the latter.

“Our role is additional to what the commission does. Institutions must seek our accreditation,” he said.

Prof Kulundu-Bitonye suggested that Kenya could emulate South Africa, where all professional bodies and associations are housed by the accrediting agency of the government.

This way, he said, the evaluation is reduced to only one body, but assisted by representatives of the professional associations.

Senator Amos Wako says Kajwang had complained of mild breathing problems

 

The late Senator Otieno Kajwang' (right) with his brother T.J. Kajwang' (Ruaraka MP) at the Oyugis meeting on November 14, 2014. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP   

By ISAAC ONGIRI
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ADDIS ABABA

Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang' complained of mild breathing problems on Thursday last week and had indicated he planned to see a doctor over it.

Busia Senator Amos Wako said Mr Kajwang', who died suddenly on Tuesday night, told him he was "feeling breathless" after a parliamentary session last week.

"He was a great friend. We were chatting with him last Thursday when I complained I was feeling a bit unwell and he told me he was also feeling breathless and needed to see a doctor about it,” said Mr Wako.

The following day the senator was in Oyugis, where he hosted ODM leader Raila Odinga, who was in the area to chair a party convention for Nyanza leaders.

Mr Wako, who is in Addis Ababa leading a delegation of Kenyan parliamentarians at a continental conference, described the senator as an eloquent debater who made sense every time he rose to contribute in the House.

Mr Wako said he met Mr Kajwang' in Parliament on Tuesday evening before he flew out for the Addis Ababa meeting.

"I sat next to him in the chambers before I left for the airport and we joked a bit.

“I asked him what his punchline was about the motion which was being debated and he said, 'I have no punchline today'," Mr Wako said.

TIRELESS ODM SUPPORTER

He described Mr Kajwang' as a tireless ODM supporter who served the party with devotion and all his available stamina.

Other members of the Kenyan delegation in Addis Ababa, including nominated Senator Janet Ongera, Nairobi County Woman Representative Rachael Shebesh and Kuresoi MP Zachayo Cheruiyot, also expressed shock at the sudden demise of the vocal Homa Bay senator.

Ms Ongera described Kajwang’s death as a disaster for opposition politics in Kenya, saying the senator was a great asset whose loss is immeasurable.

"This is openly a disaster for us in the opposition. His contribution to the liberation of Kenya, especially during the 2005 and the 2010 referenda, is unforgettable. I called him Mr Punchline. I am so saddened by the turn of events," the senator said.

Ms Shebesh, who arrived in Addis Ababa on Wednesday morning, expressed shock at the news of Mr Kajwang`s death.

"Last evening up to around 8pm, Kajwang' turned up at the parliamentary lobby, where we had drinks together. He was jovial and happy.

He joked freely with everyone. That was around 8.30pm. He then met Hon Mohammed Elmy briefly then he met a few of his supporters who had come to Parliament to see him. I am shocked about the news of his death,” the MP told the Nation in Addis Ababa.

Mr Cheruiyot said Mr Kajwang' was a serious public mobiliser whose presence at a political event would pull huge crowds.

"He was a great politician to be honest. A memorable crowd puller whose death has left a huge gap in the political arena,” the Kuresoi MP said.

We're incubating a culture of violence by disregarding legal infractions

Kenya is slowly going to the dogs. The country is steadily descending into anarchy. Lawlessness has become commonplace. People kill others without a second thought. Everyone seems determined to resolve every dispute with a bullet, or machete. There’s mayhem everywhere, all the time, against almost anyone. It doesn’t matter whether you are the hoi polloi, or a prince. The clenched fist isn’t far away. Everyone looks like a viper, ready to spit. Why have Kenyans become so angry? I thought Kenya was a middle-income country. Aren’t more material goods supposed to calm nerves? I am afraid that, like in the Second Coming, the famous poem by Irish W. B. Yeats, things are falling apart. Can the centre hold? Methinks I know when the rain began to beat us. Kenya hasn’t always been a violent country. The violence of my youth — until the 1980s — was the “normal” kind. It was rare and shocked the conscience when it happened. People would talk about it for days, mouths agape in disbelief that a murder, or a robbery with violence, had taken place. Little kids would be afraid to go to school. Some would throw up just recalling a grisly killing. Others would say such things only happened in Nairobi. Now pillage and rampage are everywhere. The so-called “cattle rustlers” in the North Country kill with impunity. They even slay soldiers and the police as though they were defenceless civilians. See also: Private parts of 110 men chopped The history of violence in Kenya is related to the de-legitimisation of the State. The iron fist of the State under the KANU regime opened the doors to generalised violence. Political violence calculated to keep KANU in power begot a culture of violence. It incubated in the people a philosophy of domination by any means. The 1992 and 1997 elections took us through the door of return. We lost our innocence. We thought we’d recovered in 2002, but we were wrong because the 2008 post-election violence reminded us of the evil in the political culture. I believe 2008 marked a turning point — never before had we witnessed such barbaric disregard for life. We all died a little. The recent attacks on soldiers and law enforcement personnel at the Coast and the Rift Valley is a crude reminder of how vulnerable everyone is. President Uhuru Kenyatta was right to swing into action right away and order action. But methinks he may be a little too late. The problem isn’t lack of law enforcement. It’s that people don’t trust the State to protect them. Everyone I speak with tells me there are huge vacuums of legitimate power in many parts of the country. As we know, power abhors a vacuum. Bad elements move in to fill the vacuum where the writ of the state is wafer thin. People take the law into their own hands. Let me explain why people have broken faith with the State. First, like children, the people watch what daddy is doing, and then copy him. The most important incubator of violence, insecurity, and the illegitimacy of the State is official corruption. Senior officials in Kenya are swimming in corruption. The government is either unable, or unwilling, to hold anyone accountable. Look at the fraud on land. Witness the scandals on procurement and infrastructure projects. Officials, their families, and business associates are making off like bandits. Why should any citizen live a life of virtue in such a culture? The storyline in Kenya is that you are the fool if you aren’t corrupt. Sticky fingers are admired. Second, political leaders are modeling a culture of violence. We all saw the saga of the Men in Black at the ODM polls last year. Last month, video footage appeared to show President Kenyatta striking a person from his car on his arrival from The Hague. Last week, CORD leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka looked on — helplessly — as senior ODM leaders rained blows on ODM Executive Director Magerer Langat. Majority Leader Aden Duale unleashed invective at Bomet Governor Issac Ruto at a public meeting in front of DP William Ruto. Governor Kivutha Kibwana was caught up in a gunfight in Makueni not long ago. How can citizens be civil if senior leaders are openly resorting to physical violence? Finally, public discourse itself has become coarse, threatening, and disenfranchising. The case in point is Mr Kenyatta’s attack on NGOs and the attempt by newbie Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria to choke the life out of civil society. The sinister plot is to deny NGOs funding by external agencies. Only dictatorships resort to such draconian measures to silence NGOs, the independent eyes of the people. Who, if I may ask, is going to hold the State accountable if it kills civil society? Closing avenues of legitimate dissent can only beget violence.

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Why we should be very afraid of our graduates

November 15, 2014 |  by- EGARA KABAJI

Why should we expect excellence when we continue to nurture a mostly weird and skewed education

In a nutshell, this study revealed that over half of the graduates from East African universities are unprepared for the job market. ILLUSTRATION | NATION

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“Why should we expect excellence when we continue to nurture a mostly weird and skewed education system that vomits poorly prepared nationals?”

A friend of mine asked this disturbing question in this paper recently. A natural reaction from one who sits where I sit would be to challenge the idea and defend the current education system and the practice of delivering it.

In academia, there is hardly any position that cannot be defended, however bizarre it may be. But this question is staid enough to send all of us in the education sector back in the trenches.

Before this remark was made, I had just attended the Executive Committee meeting of the Inter University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) in Bujumbura, in which a damning report on the performance of graduates from East African universities was one of the subjects of discussion.

The deliberations of the (IUCEA) meeting were not based on witchcraft or mere speculations, but on tangible research findings from a study on employability of graduates from East African universities.

The study, carried out by the council in conjunction with East African Business Council (EABC) stirred the hornet’s nest (excuse the cliché) and exposed the soft under belly of education systems in the entire East African region.

WORRYING STATISTICS

In a nutshell, this study revealed that over half of the graduates from East African universities are unprepared for the job market.

Listen to these statistics.

Only 37 per cent of graduates from Ugandan universities are prepared for the job market.

In Tanzania, only 39 per cent of graduates can undertake jobs in their areas of specialisation.

Only 45 and 48 per cent of graduates from Burundi and Rwanda respectively are on top form for the job market.

Kenya leads the park with 49 per cent of graduates from its universities competent to undertake responsibilities for which they trained.

Naively, one may be tempted rejoice that we are better than our counterparts. But in reality, these facts assume frightening proportions when you imagine of how they impact on your personal life.

What the report is saying is that over half of the doctors who attend to you are likely to get the diagnosis wrong. Less than half of our advocates can competently defend you in a court of law.

In schools, most of the teachers are not competent to give proper instruction to your child. And, yes, over half of the journalists we train cannot produce a clean copy. By all standards, this is dangerous.

If these research findings should be believed, and we have no reason to doubt their authenticity, then the education systems in the region have to reform, and if not they will remain irrelevant to the economic, social, cultural and industrial needs of the people of the region.

Nevertheless, to argue that the problem is only at higher education is to miss the point.

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If higher education system produces garbage, then it is fed with garbage. That is why a critical examination of the entire process of education is imperative. Higher education is, however, the fulcrum on which the economy should revolve.

It should create opportunities to exploit the resources of our nation and create wealth. But these research findings show that all our hopes and expectations are built on quick sand.

This is basically because the training we offer is not skills and competence-based.

There is a need for a paradigm shift in our approaches.

Universities will need to adopt skills and competence-based approaches that empower graduates with the necessary practical and theoretical skills to perform in an ever changing and competitive environment.

FOCUS ON QUALITY

These approaches should also enhance critical thinking in our graduates. Our products should be confident and work with minimal supervision.

They should also be empowered with high moral and ethical values. In this respect, parallel training in soft skills and virtues with strong mentorship programmes should be instituted in universities.

More importantly, universities will have to focus more on quality than quantity and put in place structures that will ensure that we produce graduates that match the expectations of the industry.

To do so, the exchequer will have to, inevitably, increase expenditure on higher education.

We also have to engage industry much more, not only in curriculum development, as it is the case, but also in provision of hands-on apprenticeship programmes. The urge to acquire papers, as Kenyans say, should also reflect what is put in the head.

It therefore appears that universities will have to brand along lines of production of quality graduates and research output.

I think the battle will not be, so much, on opening satellite campuses and numbers, but on research output, attraction of research funds and customer satisfaction.

This need necessitates the evolution of a framework on resource sharing amongst universities especially in programmes where virtually all universities have shortage of staff and infrastructure.

We will have to invest heavily in staff development and the building of a research culture that will ensure renewed commitment to scholarship and search for knowledge.

With this culture in place, lecturers will be weaned from the perennial quandary of moonlighting to well-funded research projects that also guarantee their comfort.

A combination of these strategies will lead to improvement of student-lecturer ratio in our universities.

The bottom line is that we are under obligation to make universities relevant in production of manpower and build them as hot spots for generation of new knowledge.

Gay clause puts Githu Muigai on the spot

Posted  Tuesday, November 11, 2014 |  by- NATION REPORTER

The Bill, if passed, could be seen to sanction homosexuality.

Attorney-General Prof Githu Muigai. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU |

Attorney-General Githu Muigai is in the eye of the storm for presenting a Bill to Parliament that, if passed, could be seen to sanction homosexuality.

A clause in a Bill on the directorship of companies says “a person is a member of a director’s family (whether of a different sex or the same) with whom the director lives … as a partner in an enduring family relationship”.

This is in clause 124 (1) (b) of the Companies Bill of 2014.

MPs took exception to the clause since marriage between same-sex people is outlawed in the Constitution.

They said Attorney-General Githu Muigai, as the government’s legal adviser, should have removed the clause before presenting the Bill to Parliament.

THROWN OUT

The Bill is with Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee, chaired by Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga.

“If I bring this clause to the attention of the members, then this Bill will be thrown out,” Mr Chepkonga said on Tuesday.

The committee met members of the Kenya Law Reform Commission, officials from the AG’s office and the registrar of companies at Continental House in Nairobi on Tuesday where they discussed the proposed law.

Motivational speaker Dr Myles Munroe who spoke of his death at JKL show dies

 

By NYAMBEGA GISESA

Dr. Myles Munroe Photo[Courtesy] NAIROBI: American televangelist Dr Myles Munroe who was in Kenya for a series of talks about three weeks ago has died alongside nine other people including his wife and daughter in the Bahamas. According to the Bahamas Tribune, his plane crashed while trying to land at the Grand Bahamas International Airport in Freeport on his way to the Global Leadership forum that was planned for November 10 to 13 at Freeport, Grand Bahama. According to the Bahamas Faith Ministries, an organization Munroe founded, the event could go on as “Dr Munroe would have wanted.” Among his last media interviews was the one he gave at KTN’s JKL Show where he spoke about how we will love to die on October 24. “I want to challenge every Kenyan to go to the cemetery and disappoint the graveyard. Die like the Apostle Paul who said I have finished my course, I have kept the faith and I have been poured out like a drink offering. There is nothing left. I am ready to die. That’s how I wanna die because there is nothing else for me left to die,” he told the show’s host, Jeff Koinange. “When you die, die like I am planning to die. Empty. It’s finished,” He added in the show. Dr Myles Munroe who is the founder of the Bahamas Faith Ministries is a writer, preacher, thinker, leader, publisher and motivational speaker. According to a biography in his website, the 60-year-old has published more than 100 spiritual and inspirational works and is a government and business consultant to Fortune 500 businesses. He has travelled to over 130 countries. A total of 49 of his books were best sellers. His books Understanding the Purpose and Power of Woman, Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men and The Most Important Person on Earth are some of his popular titles among book readers in Kenya. He was in Kenya in his visit to Africa in his Tour of Africa where he was visiting 9 countries to speak about leadership and change. While in Kenya, Dr Munroe pointed out that Kenya’s education system needed adjustment. Rose from an F student to own a jet Dr Munroe who was born in the Bahama as the sixth born in a family of 11 lived in a wooden house with four big rocks holding up the house above the ground rose from such a poor background to own a private jet.

His home was in the poorest village at a small island where “people were so poor that they even didn’t know that they were poor.” “Our mother spread a mat on the floor for us to sleep. Roaches and rats ran over our bodies as we slept,” he said during the interview. At the age of 13, he started to question his life. “I was born in an island with 96 per cent of the people black. But all the powers and the economy was the in the hands of white people who only formed four percent.” He confronted his father who was a Baptist preacher why they could not got to the same schools, cinemas and drink from the same place like the white people. When his father failed to give him a satisfactory reply, he sought answers in the bible. “I took the bible and read all the four gospels. By the time I was 14, I had read and memorised all of them. From that time, I told myself that everything was possible,” he said. “When I went to school, my white teacher told me that I was a half human being, retarded, half monkey, could not learn complicated things, nigger… I sat there whipping as a student. I was an F student in his class. I went home and told my mother who encouraged me,” he added. Dr Munroe was to later on confront his teacher before he realised that he held his own destiny. “ I went on to college, got three bachelors’ degrees in four years, a masters in 18 months and five PhDs from five different universities,” he said. Various leaders and individuals from around the world have eulogised him from using his quotes and preaching. Author Kinyanjui Kombani tweeted his quote “The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without a purpose” while businessman Caleb Karuga posted “Without a vision for the future, life loses its meaning.”

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Mkwasi pens inability hilighting a rare insight

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Kenya Clerics disown ‘wolves in sheep skin’ after Kanyari saga

Your are here » Home » Kenya Clerics disown ‘wolves in sheep skin’ after Kanyari saga By Faith Ronoh Updated Saturday, November 8th 2014 at 00:00 GMT +3 Share this story: Bishop Mark Kariuki (centre) of the Deliverance Church addresses the Press when the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya condemned prayer predators following the expose of self proclaimed prophet Victor Kanyari. [PHOTO: FIDELIS KABUNYI/ STANDARD] Nairobi, Kenya: Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) has distanced itself from controversial Salvation Healing Ministry preacher Victor Kanyari. This follows last Sunday’s expose on KTN’s Jicho Pevu and Inside Story, which revealed how the self-proclaimed prophet obtains money from his congregation through fictitious miracles. EAK Chair Bishop Mark Kariuki said Salvation Healing Ministry headed by Mr Kanyari is not registered as an evangelical church even though it falls under the cluster of pentecostal churches in Kenya. “We want to make it clear that the evangelical movement is compelled by belief in personal conversion experience, a personal relationship with Jesus and relying on the bible as the standard for faith and practice...we are aware that there are false prophets who have existed from time immemorial,” Kariuki said yesterday in Nairobi. He described false prophets as “wolves covered in sheep skin and whose conduct is one charlatan and conmanship should be dealt with in accordance with the law.” The cleric further warned that the church should not be wholly condemned because of one rotten tomato. See also: Tobiko now orders Pastor Kanyari probed This comes a day after Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko ordered a probe on Kanyari for obtaining money by false pretense. “DPP orders Kanyari to be probed 4 crimes of obtaining by false pretenses; cheating, etc. after expose’ by KTN #JichoPevu,” Tobiko’s said on Thursday. The self-proclaimed prophet was caught on camera coaching his staff how to say false testimonies to lure unsuspecting Christians into believing he performs miracles. Meanwhile, the clerics raised concern over the rising cases of insecurity following the recent murder of 21 Administration Police officers in Kapedo. “We condemn the killings and request the government to carry out thorough investigations and find those behind the killings. We want to know if there are politicians or leaders that may be bank-rolling these activities, “Kariuki who was accompanied by EAK members, said.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000140750/clerics-disown-wolves-in-sheep-skin-after-kanyari-saga

FIRST EVER ELEVATOR IN KISUMU

Thursday, November 6, 2014 - 00:00 -- BY JUSTUS OCHIENG

- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/swag-and-drama-kisumu-residents-welcome-first-ever-escalators#sthash.NjA8jnpm.dpuf

6.Nov 2014: By Justus Ochieng.

Thrilled Kisumu shoppers have since Tuesday visited Kenyatta Avenue's new Naivas supermarket not to shop but to go up and down the escalators, the first ever in the city.
Naivas unveiled the new supermarket on Tuesday, residents from all walks of life flocking to it as soon as news of 'rolling stairs hit the streets'.
Adventurous shoppers made straight for the escalators to get a feel of them, the skeptical lot observing from a safe distance. There was drama as both the young and old slipped and fell. Some struggled to show their 'prowess' in using the escalators, relatives and friends cheering them on to the staff's utter surprise.
“This machine is God-sent to this town. We are happy to have it in Kisumu for the first time,” a shopper, Michael Omondi, said.
Omondi said many people in the town would prefer the supermarket to familiarize themselves with the new “gadget in town".
Regina Atieno had visited the outlet with her three year-old daughter: “My daughter says I better bring her to Naivas instead of taking her to the usual children swings in the town,” she said.
There was however a group of elite shoppers who showed off going by how easily they used the escalators, and the ‘swag’ they displayed while seemingly giving the others disapproving stares.
Pioneering Kisumu's first escalators gives Naivas supermarket a boost, besides its modern look.
Naivas business development and marketing manager Willy Kimani, speaking during the Tuesday launch, said Kisumu has great potential despite the existence of the other supermarkets in the area.
Kisumu has two Nakumatt supermarkets, one Tuskys supermarket, an Ukwala, Tumaini, Yatin and the recently launched Uchumi supermarkets.
Kimani said the opening of a branch in Kisumu is in line with Naivas supermarket's plan to have a nationwide presence.
Naivas last year overtook listed retailer Uchumi as the third largest store by revenue behind Nakumatt and Tuskys respectively.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/swag-and-drama-kisumu-residents-welcome-first-ever-escalators#sthash.NjA8jnpm.dpuf

Thrilled Kisumu shoppers have since Tuesday visited Kenyatta Avenue's new Naivas supermarket not to shop but to go up and down the escalators, the first ever in the city.
Naivas unveiled the new supermarket on Tuesday, residents from all walks of life flocking to it as soon as news of 'rolling stairs hit the streets'.
Adventurous shoppers made straight for the escalators to get a feel of them, the skeptical lot observing from a safe distance. There was drama as both the young and old slipped and fell. Some struggled to show their 'prowess' in using the escalators, relatives and friends cheering them on to the staff's utter surprise.
“This machine is God-sent to this town. We are happy to have it in Kisumu for the first time,” a shopper, Michael Omondi, said.
Omondi said many people in the town would prefer the supermarket to familiarize themselves with the new “gadget in town".
Regina Atieno had visited the outlet with her three year-old daughter: “My daughter says I better bring her to Naivas instead of taking her to the usual children swings in the town,” she said.
There was however a group of elite shoppers who showed off going by how easily they used the escalators, and the ‘swag’ they displayed while seemingly giving the others disapproving stares.
Pioneering Kisumu's first escalators gives Naivas supermarket a boost, besides its modern look.
Naivas business development and marketing manager Willy Kimani, speaking during the Tuesday launch, said Kisumu has great potential despite the existence of the other supermarkets in the area.
Kisumu has two Nakumatt supermarkets, one Tuskys supermarket, an Ukwala, Tumaini, Yatin and the recently launched Uchumi supermarkets.
Kimani said the opening of a branch in Kisumu is in line with Naivas supermarket's plan to have a nationwide presence.
Naivas last year overtook listed retailer Uchumi as the third largest store by revenue behind Nakumatt and Tuskys respectively.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/swag-and-drama-kisumu-residents-welcome-first-ever-escalators#sthash.NjA8jnpm.dpuf

Thrilled Kisumu shoppers have since Tuesday visited Kenyatta Avenue's new Naivas supermarket not to shop but to go up and down the escalators, the first ever in the city.
Naivas unveiled the new supermarket on Tuesday, residents from all walks of life flocking to it as soon as news of 'rolling stairs hit the streets'.
Adventurous shoppers made straight for the escalators to get a feel of them, the skeptical lot observing from a safe distance. There was drama as both the young and old slipped and fell. Some struggled to show their 'prowess' in using the escalators, relatives and friends cheering them on to the staff's utter surprise.
“This machine is God-sent to this town. We are happy to have it in Kisumu for the first time,” a shopper, Michael Omondi, said.
Omondi said many people in the town would prefer the supermarket to familiarize themselves with the new “gadget in town".
Regina Atieno had visited the outlet with her three year-old daughter: “My daughter says I better bring her to Naivas instead of taking her to the usual children swings in the town,” she said.
There was however a group of elite shoppers who showed off going by how easily they used the escalators, and the ‘swag’ they displayed while seemingly giving the others disapproving stares.
Pioneering Kisumu's first escalators gives Naivas supermarket a boost, besides its modern look.
Naivas business development and marketing manager Willy Kimani, speaking during the Tuesday launch, said Kisumu has great potential despite the existence of the other supermarkets in the area.
Kisumu has two Nakumatt supermarkets, one Tuskys supermarket, an Ukwala, Tumaini, Yatin and the recently launched Uchumi supermarkets.
Kimani said the opening of a branch in Kisumu is in line with Naivas supermarket's plan to have a nationwide presence.
Naivas last year overtook listed retailer Uchumi as the third largest store by revenue behind Nakumatt and Tuskys respectively.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/swag-and-drama-kisumu-residents-welcome-first-ever-escalators#sthash.NjA8jnpm.dpuf Thrilled Kisumu shoppers have since Tuesday visited Kenyatta Avenue's new Naivas supermarket not to shop but to go up and down the escalators, the first ever in the city.
Naivas unveiled the new supermarket on Tuesday, residents from all walks of life flocking to it as soon as news of 'rolling stairs hit the streets'.
Adventurous shoppers made straight for the escalators to get a feel of them, the skeptical lot observing from a safe distance. There was drama as both the young and old slipped and fell. Some struggled to show their 'prowess' in using the escalators, relatives and friends cheering them on to the staff's utter surprise.
“This machine is God-sent to this town. We are happy to have it in Kisumu for the first time,” a shopper, Michael Omondi, said.
Omondi said many people in the town would prefer the supermarket to familiarize themselves with the new “gadget in town".
Regina Atieno had visited the outlet with her three year-old daughter: “My daughter says I better bring her to Naivas instead of taking her to the usual children swings in the town,” she said.
There was however a group of elite shoppers who showed off going by how easily they used the escalators, and the ‘swag’ they displayed while seemingly giving the others disapproving stares.
Pioneering Kisumu's first escalators gives Naivas supermarket a boost, besides its modern look.
Naivas business development and marketing manager Willy Kimani, speaking during the Tuesday launch, said Kisumu has great potential despite the existence of the other supermarkets in the area.
Kisumu has two Nakumatt supermarkets, one Tuskys supermarket, an Ukwala, Tumaini, Yatin and the recently launched Uchumi supermarkets.
Kimani said the opening of a branch in Kisumu is in line with Naivas supermarket's plan to have a nationwide presence.
Naivas last year overtook listed retailer Uchumi as the third largest store by revenue behind Nakumatt and Tuskys respectively.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/swag-and-drama-kisumu-residents-welcome-first-ever-escalators#sthash.NjA8jnpm.dpuf

Jazz maestro Hellon in child kidnap drama

By Hudson Gumbihi Updated Friday, November 7th 2014 at 06:00 GMT +3 0 inShare George George Owako, whistle blower speaks to the Standard in their Mombasa Road office 06-11/2014. Photo:George Mulala Police are investigating a child custody row bordering on alleged kidnapping, threats and falsified information. At the centre of the probe is controversial jazz musician, Nimrod Joseph Onyango Omondi Hellon and David Owako; a man accusing the Finger of God Church founder of abducting his two sons. Both men have vowed to fight to the bitter end in between allegations of witch-hunts and deceit. The two friends now turned foes are embroiled in an unclear child custody dispute that played out at Hellon’s Karen home on November 4 after a police raid in a bid to rescue the allegedly ‘kidnapped’ children aged four and five. But the planned bust turned comical the moment officers led by Karen OCS Monica Mwarania entered Hellon’s compound. Emerging from his maisonette, the diminutive Hellon, talking on his phone, headed straight to the OCS and handed her the phone saying, “Talk to the Children’s Officer over the case. I had reported the matter at the station.” But the OCS declined to pick the phone and instead beckoned Owako and asked, “Is this the man?” A brief exchange ensued between Hellon and Mwarania, catching the Press and other officers by surprise. A supposed raid, with police armed to the teeth, was reduced to some sort of hilarious drama with Hellon taunteding Owako, and accusing him of being a pathological liar out to extort him. The ‘kidnapped’ children were not in the compound. They had allegedly been taken by the Children’s Department on September 22 after Hellon reported their father (Owako) for abandoning them. Hellon allegedly reported the matter at the Karen Police Station under OB 22/9/2014, while Owako had believed all this time his sons were being held at Hellon’s residence. Meanwhile, the two men had been exchanging text messages over the state of the kids, sometimes cordially and at times with hostility, depending on their moods. “I am here playing with your kids and my heart goes out to them and for (sic) their safety and well-being. I will look after them for (sic) this holiday season. Blessings,” reads one of the numerous messages Hellon allegedly sent to Owako.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/thenairobian/article/2000140604/jazz-maestro-hellon-in-child-kidnap-drama

But another message reads, “I have seen the message you sent Jathan. Come pick your kids.” Jathan, according to Owako, is a close ally of Hellon who introduced him to the jazz musician and co-founder of the Placenta Party last August. Owako says he was a desperate man in need of urgent financial help, and Hellon’s assistance came in handy. Jathan coordinated a meeting at Hellon’s church in Ruiru. Financial trouble “After the sermon, we went for lunch at the pastor’s house in Karen,” he recalls, alleging that his financial woes began in 2007 when locals descended on his expansive farm, evicting him and all his workers because they were unhappy with his decision to contest the Muhoroni parliamentary seat on a PNU ticket. Owako reportedly fled to Nairobi and rented a house in Tassia estate from where he allegedly engaged in a small business hoping the legal battle to kick-out encroachers from his farm would end in his favour. But upon returning from a trip abroad in May, his landlord allegedly kicked him out for defaulting on one month’s rent. He moved to the tenancy tribunal which allegedly ruled that he be compensated Sh14 million – a verdict that has allegedly never been honoured, compounding Owako’s problems. After explaining his tribulations, the saxophonist apparently gave Owako $400 (Sh35,000) to fetch his sons from Muhoroni and have them stay with him (Hellon) in Karen. Things apparently took a turn for the worse when Hellon allegedly, as narrated by Owako, issued a directive to his workers not to allow Owako to step out of the gate. Owako says his movements were initially not restricted and he would drive in and out of the compound, with Hellon’s wife ‘Kuyu’ allegedly giving him between Sh10,000 and Sh15,000 a day to spend. He claims that Hellon had promised to give him an influential position in his church. “The embargo took me by surprise. I also started noticing strange happenings. I was afraid and started plotting to escape with my kids,” says Owako who declined to shed light on his marriage life. He claims that he finally fled from Hellon’s compound after bribing and tricking three workers that he was going to wash the car.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/thenairobian/article/2000140604/jazz-maestro-hellon-in-child-kidnap-drama?pageNo=2

“I was being fattened in that house for malicious reasons that I don’t understand and not out of compassion,” he claims. Owako says that after escaping, strange people, including police officers, started trailing him, prompting him to make a report at the Lang’ata Police Station on November 3. A senior officer after listening to his story directed Owako to seek assistance at Karen police.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/thenairobian/article/2000140604/jazz-maestro-hellon-in-child-kidnap-drama?pageNo=3

Jazz maestro Hellon in child kidnap drama By Hudson Gumbihi Updated Friday, November 7th 2014 at 06:00 GMT +3 0 inShare George George Owako, whistle blower speaks to the Standard in their Mombasa Road office 06-11/2014. Photo:George Mulala Police are investigating a child custody row bordering on alleged kidnapping, threats and falsified information. At the centre of the probe is controversial jazz musician, Nimrod Joseph Onyango Omondi Hellon and David Owako; a man accusing the Finger of God Church founder of abducting his two sons. Both men have vowed to fight to the bitter end in between allegations of witch-hunts and deceit. The two friends now turned foes are embroiled in an unclear child custody dispute that played out at Hellon’s Karen home on November 4 after a police raid in a bid to rescue the allegedly ‘kidnapped’ children aged four and five. But the planned bust turned comical the moment officers led by Karen OCS Monica Mwarania entered Hellon’s compound. Emerging from his maisonette, the diminutive Hellon, talking on his phone, headed straight to the OCS and handed her the phone saying, “Talk to the Children’s Officer over the case. I had reported the matter at the station.” But the OCS declined to pick the phone and instead beckoned Owako and asked, “Is this the man?” A brief exchange ensued between Hellon and Mwarania, catching the Press and other officers by surprise. A supposed raid, with police armed to the teeth, was reduced to some sort of hilarious drama with Hellon taunteding Owako, and accusing him of being a pathological liar out to extort him. The ‘kidnapped’ children were not in the compound. They had allegedly been taken by the Children’s Department on September 22 after Hellon reported their father (Owako) for abandoning them. Hellon allegedly reported the matter at the Karen Police Station under OB 22/9/2014, while Owako had believed all this time his sons were being held at Hellon’s residence. Meanwhile, the two men had been exchanging text messages over the state of the kids, sometimes cordially and at times with hostility, depending on their moods. “I am here playing with your kids and my heart goes out to them and for (sic) their safety and well-being. I will look after them for (sic) this holiday season. Blessings,” reads one of the numerous messages Hellon allegedly sent to Owako.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/thenairobian/article/2000140604/jazz-maestro-hellon-in-child-kidnap-drama

KANYARI releases full LIST of fellow con pastors who are stealing in the name of GOD in Kenya

On Sunday evening, KTN’s investigative journalists, Mohamed Ali and John Allan Namu, released a masterpiece exposing men of the cloth who are taking advantage of their flock to enrich themselves.

The expose dubbed “Makri ya Injili” in Swahili and “Prayer Predators” in English, revealed the outright conmanship that Salvation Healing Ministries pastor, Victor Kanyari, uses to woo his gullible followers.

The two respected journalists showed how Kanyari has been stealing for the last 15 years in the name of God.

But as Kenyans still grapple with the news of pastor Kanyari, we at the Kenyan DAILY POST are going to release names of 10 con-pastors in Kenya who have perfected the art of stealing in the name of the LORD.

Here are the names;

1. Bishop Allan Kiuna and his wife – The two con pastors have been in that business for over 10 years. The two live in opulence thanks to tithes and offerings from their gullible followers and money from their fake prayers.  They perform fake miracles to their followers who are mostly young confused Kenyans. Kiunas have turned the house of worship to a public air market where all sorts of business ranging from pyramids schemes are carried at their behest. He hires youths with very polished English to woo his followers.2. Pastor Nganga - Pastor Nganga is not new to controversy.  The pastor was the first to use potassium permanganate to convert water into blood. He is a master in the game of conman ship. He is also a visitor of Koinange Street at wee hours of the night.

3. Pastor Muriithi of Mavuno Church is another controversial pastor – he uses the phrase “fake it till you make it” – He drives top of range cars and he lives in opulence. His wife uses more than sh 50,000 a day on cosmetics thanks to his gullible followers. He is also a fake pastor.

4. Bishop Margaret Wanjiru – The controversial preacher cum politician has been making millions of money thanks to his stupid followers.  Wanjiru is currently constructing a monster twin tower along Haile Selassie Avenue thanks to proceeds from her fake miracle and prayers.

5. Maina Njenga of Hope International Ministries – The former Mungiki leader is another fake pastor.  Everything which Maina does is all fake.

6. Pastor Arthur Gitonga – Pastor Gitonga plies his trade at Redeemed Gospel Church in Huruma. The pastor has built his empire thanks to his gullible supporters. He is another fake pastor!

7. Pastor Pius Muiru – He is a senior Pastor at Maximum Miracle Centre. Muiru is one of the oldest men in the trade and performs miracles at a price.

8. Pastor Michael Njoroge - Pastor Njoroge of Fire Ministries has been nicknamed “pasta tapeli”.  His church is a prostitution den and he usually sleeps with every woman who asks for his prayers.

9. Pastor Wahome – He is the founder of Helicopter of God Ministries Church which is located within the City Centre. He is a polygamous man with a strong affinity for married women. He is another fake pastor.

10. Pastor John Nduati of God’s Power Church along Thika Road. This man is pathetic. 97% of his preaching is all about money. This man is a copy cat of pastor Kanyari. He corroborates most of his financial begging with the verses in The Holy Bible. The man stage manages his miracles like Kanyari. He mostly dupes women from Dandora, Kariobangi , Baba Dogo and Huruma Estates

If you love God keep off from simple fake miracles that are ungodly ……   You have been warned!

There are so many good pastors in mainstream churches!

He came, he saw and was conquered

Finnish chef fell in love with a mtumba trader and stayed on.

Marko Antero sells clothes to a customer at his girlfriend’s stall at Langas Slum Market in Eldoret. He says he attracts more customers than she does. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |

“Thirty, thirty, fifty, fifty bei ya nguo hapa! (clothes on sale here)” a hawker shouts above the din.

His English has a distinct twang, and his Swahili words roll curiously off his tongue.

That is the voice of Tomi Marko Antero Kanerua, a Finn, who sells second-hand clothes in Eldoret.

For several months now, Marko has been attracting crowds to his mitumba stall at the Langas slum market largely because a white man selling second-hand clothes is a novelty for residents.

Curiously, many of them spend more time looking at him than at what he has on offer.

But the 41-year-old is unperturbed by all the attention and seems quite at home with his shorts and un-tucked shirt.

“I am surprised that people find me and what I do amusing, but I am not complaining because the curiosity favours my business,” he said in an interview with the Nation.

In a day, Marko, who lives with his girlfriend, Lilian Wambui, says he makes between Sh2,000 and Sh4,000 in profit.

“When Lilian is the one selling, she makes around Sh500 to Sh1,000 in a day,” he said with a chuckle.

HAVE A GOOD TIME

Marko is a trained chef, who has worked in numerous restaurants in Finland, Malaysia, Germany and Sweden. So, why the chef selling mitumba in Eldoret?

“I came to Kenya in 2013 as a tourist at the invitation of a cousin and fell in love with your beautiful country,” he said.

“Since my tourist visa would not allow me to get a work permit, which is very expensive for foreigners, I had to do something to survive.”

What convinced him to stay on was meeting Lilian Wambui, who at the time lived in Mtwapa, Mombasa, selling second-hand clothes for a living. Marko says they easily became fast friends.

“We spent every day together and would have lunch together, watch movies and basically have a good time.”

When insecurity at the Coast escalated early this year, tourists flew back to their countries while some Kenyans moved out. Lilian, a mother of one, was among those who left.

At the time, Marko was in Nairobi, where he was volunteering as a cook at a Christian organisation that takes care of orphans.

When he returned to Mombasa a few weeks later and learnt that Lilian had left, he called her and the next day he took a bus to her parents’ home in Eldoret Town.

He admits that life was not as easy as he had expected; there was house rent and bills to be paid. Marko decided to revive Lilian’s business, and even volunteered to help her run it, which surprised Lilian.

“I thought it was a joke when Marko told me that he wanted to sell mitumba,” she told the Nation.

“I have been in the business for a while, and know how involving it is. I also doubted he would cope, and wondered how people would receive him.”

Marko explained that compared to the jobs he held while growing up in Finland, selling clothes is like a walk in the park.

For instance, he worked as a casual labourer for a year when he was 16, and helped out at his father’s farm for a couple of years.

“These hands have milked cows,” he said, holding out his hands for us to inspect.

Selling clothes is just a small part Marko’s daily chores; he also fetches water from a nearby well, washes dishes and cleans the house despite Lilian’s protests.

Her neighbours, especially the men, find it amusing because these chores are considered a woman’s domain.

“Many of our neighbours admonish me for allowing Marko to do these chores, but he refuses to listen to me when I tell him that I will do them myself,” Lilian said.

Marko’s business is doing well and he is thinking of opening a couple of stalls in Mombasa, where he is sure the business will thrive.

PRONOUNCED TRIBALISM

“My short-term plan is to raise money to get a work permit,” he said, adding that he likes it here because Kenyans are kind-hearted and respectful.

But he is perturbed that so many young people are content to do nothing all day.

“There are so many around — they should use their skills to make a living, instead of sitting idle, waiting for miracles to happen,” he says.

He is also disturbed about the sporadic cases of insecurity in the country, as well as the pronounced tribalism.

“Why fight each other just because you speak a different language? Laughable, isn’t it?”

Hi-tech project to end rustling launched in Baringo County

Hi-tech project to end rustling launched in Baringo County BY Lonah Kibet Updated Wednesday, November 5th 2014 at 00:00 GMT +3 Share this story: The fight against cattle rustling and banditry in Baringo County is to go a notch higher with the prospects of using high-tech methods. The project being undertaken by Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, involves introducing tailor-made drones. Senator Gideon said the project is underway after he signed an agreement with an American Company-Merrick to undertake a feasibility study on the technology's prospect. "The agreement we have signed today is to utilise technology in addressing the challenges our society is facing. This is a milestone for us," said Gideon. He said apart from insecurity, the technology would be used in land demarcation, boundary mapping and wildlife management. Gideon said the feasibility study would be done from December for three months to determine the best-fit gadget for the county. "It will revolutionise how we respond and monitor issues especially of insecurity and arrest the situation," he said. The senator said the technology would be able to monitor and relay back attacks on the ground ensuring timely information processing and fast response by security apparatus. Hundreds killed The county has been facing security challenges related to cattle rustling, rampant in parts of Tiaty, Baringo North and South.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000140455/hi-tech-project-to-end-rustling-launched

 BY Lonah Kibet Updated Wednesday, November 5th 2014 at 00:00 GMT +3 

 The fight against cattle rustling and banditry in Baringo County is to go a notch higher with the prospects of using high-tech methods. The project being undertaken by Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, involves introducing tailor-made drones. Senator Gideon said the project is underway after he signed an agreement with an American Company-Merrick to undertake a feasibility study on the technology's prospect. "The agreement we have signed today is to utilise technology in addressing the challenges our society is facing. This is a milestone for us," said Gideon. He said apart from insecurity, the technology would be used in land demarcation, boundary mapping and wildlife management. Gideon said the feasibility study would be done from December for three months to determine the best-fit gadget for the county. "It will revolutionise how we respond and monitor issues especially of insecurity and arrest the situation," he said. The senator said the technology would be able to monitor and relay back attacks on the ground ensuring timely information processing and fast response by security apparatus. Hundreds killed The county has been facing security challenges related to cattle rustling, rampant in parts of Tiaty, Baringo North and South.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000140455/hi-tech-project-to-end-rustling-launched

Who’s in charge at Orange House?

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

 

Mr Wafula Buke addresses journalists at Orange House in Nairobi on November 5, 2014. He said he had replaced Mr Magerer Lang’at as the ODM executive director, but Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o dismissed the claim. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Mr Wafula Buke on Wednesday went to Orange House and installed himself as executive director.
• ODM Secretary-General Anyang’ Nyong’o disowned the change and promised action against Mr Buke.

By JUSTUS WANGA
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By BERNARD NAMUNANE
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Leadership wrangles in ODM have taken a new twist after officials issued conflicting statements on the replacement of Mr Magerer Lang’at as executive director.

The party on Wednesday disowned a declaration by its director of strategy, Mr Wafula Buke, that he had taken over from Mr Lang’at at the party headquarters, Orange House, in Nairobi.

That happened as the embattled Mr Lang’at claimed he was being hounded out of office to pave the way for installation of new officials.

He also attributed his recent violent eviction from a party meeting to differences over how to use the party’s Sh87.4 million from the Political Parties Fund.

A day after a team was formed to investigate Mr Lang’at on allegations that he was a Jubilee Coalition mole, Mr Buke on Wednesday went to Orange House and installed himself as executive director.

He said he had been asked by his colleagues to fill the void in Mr Lang’at’s absence.

“We cannot allow a vacuum to be there in ODM,” he told journalists at the party headquarters. “I have been his deputy and it, therefore, follows that in his absence, I take over.”

Mr Buke claimed he had been installed as the acting executive director by the party chiefs. He was accompanied by Membership Director Rosemary Kariuki and Nairobi branch Chairman George Aladwa.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

However, before he could settle in Mr Lang’at’s seat, ODM Secretary-General Anyang’ Nyong’o disowned the change and promised action against Mr Buke.

Prof Nyong’o said Mr Lang’at’s fate could not be decided before he faces a disciplinary team, whose chairman is Mr Fred Athok.

“Mr Magerer Lang’at is the executive director of ODM, who is currently scheduled to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee as constituted by the NEC yesterday.

“Any public announcement by any unauthorised person to the contrary will attract appropriate disciplinary action.

“Mr Wafula Buke’s public announcement today has no bearing on decisions made by the party and he will be dealt with accordingly,” said Prof Nyong’o in a statement.

Before that statement, it had seemed that the decision to install Mr Buke as the executive director had the blessings of the party, since he was flanked by key secretariat staff.

Mr Lang’at had claimed that Party Leader Raila Odinga’s loyalists were plotting to replace him with a pliable director to clear the way for election of officials preferred by the party bosses.

He said he had refused to have the delegate register manipulated.

“By installing a new ED, they now intend to throw away genuine delegates list and bring on board puppet delegates.”