News

Storm after Kenya Kwanza picks Jubilee MP for IEBC talks

Published

2 months ago

April 11, 2023

The Azimio brigade has gone out swinging, casting doubt on the sincerity of the process hours after the Kenya Kwanza leadership in Parliament revealed the seven MPs who will participate in bipartisan talks.

Adan Keynan, an Eldas MP, was included in the government’s delegation that will meet with other members of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition to discuss the restoration of the selection panel for electoral commissioners.

Mr. Keynan was elected on a Jubilee Party platform under Azimio, but he and some Jubilee MPs early this year proclaimed support for President William Ruto’s administration.

The Azimio side complains that they are being conned as a result of his name being added to the list and that the problems they identified might not be adequately addressed.

One of the concerns brought up by Azimio leader Raila Odinga is a proposal to change the Constitution to prevent elected officials from switching parties after the election.

Senator Ledama Olekina of Narok led the outcry by stating that Azimio might be forced to return to the streets if the administration is not serious about adopting a bipartisan strategy.

“The lack of seriousness of the by-partisan deliberation on the Kenya Kwanza part is the straw that broke the camel’s back! We are back to the people,” Mr Olekina said.

The senator is among MPs who will represent Azimio as they await the date and venue of the meeting with colleagues from the government side.

Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, one of the vocal members of the coalition, also faulted Kenya Kwanza for picking Mr Keynan.

Former Mukurweini MP Kabando Wa Kabando also differed with Kenya Kwnaza on the choice of Mr Keynan.

“President William Ruto is in contravention of the Constitution and the Political Parties Act by raiding Jubilee Party, which is officially in Azimio. How does UDA pick my friend Adan Keynan to represent Kenya Kwanza in the bipartisan committee? Or is it a back-door UhuRuto handshake?” he wondered.

Mr Opiyo Wandayi, the Minority Leader in the National Assembly, also took on the government for the selection of Mr Keynan.

Other members of the team from Kenya Kwanza are Boni Khalwale (Senator, Kakamega), George Murugara (Tharaka MP), Essy Okenyuri (Nominated senator), Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West MP), Lydia Haika (Woman Rep Taita Taveta), and Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei.

The opposition team comprises Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, MPs Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), David P’Kosing (Pokot South), Millie Odhiambo (Suba North) and Amina Mnyanzi (Malindi).

Crime

Nyeri teen arrested with homemade gun, bhang to be charged

Published

2 days ago

May 31, 2023

KSN Reporter

By Wanja Waweru

A 19-year-old guy was detained by police in Nyeri County after being discovered in possession of a handmade gun that could fire and marijuana.

The National Police Service (NPS) said in a statement that the young man was detained as a result of a tip from the general public.

“Police officers from Munyange Police Station arrested a 19-year-old suspect after he was found in possession of a home-made pistol, stones of cannabis sativa and rolls of the same. He has been remanded in police custody,” the statement read in part.

The NPS also expressed gratitude to the general public for helping to support community police in the battle against crime and illegal narcotics.

A police officer assigned to the General Service Unit (GSU) was also found in possession of a handmade pistol the day before the teen’s arrest.

A failed heist in Kasarani sub-county led to the arrest of Mr. Graham Ndichu Chege, a GSU officer.

On Monday, May 29, 2023, Nairobi News broke the exclusive that the suspect has been on police radar for more than four months.

Officers worried about an armed gang terrorizing people in Kasarani Sub-County knew when, not if, Mr. Chege would be apprehended.

The suspect was being questioned about more robberies that had occurred nearby, according to an investigator with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) who is aware of the current inquiries.

“Officers involved in the matter believe that he was the one leading a gang that has been giving the locals in this sub-county a hard time. Plans are also underway to arrest his accomplices,” said the officer, who spoke in confidence as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

According to a police report reviewed by this reporter, Mr. Paul Maina said that three individuals on motorcycles and carrying pistols robbed him at gunpoint of his cell phone at the Cooperative area along Kamiti Road.

“Police officers on foot patrol responded very quickly and with the help of bodaboda riders they chased the suspects to Juja Weighbridge where the suspect’s motorcycle developed mechanical problem and Mr Chege was arrested,” the report reads in part.

As a GSU officer assigned to the GSU Headquarters and Transit Section, Mr. Chege then revealed to the officers that he was to them.

When the police searched him, they discovered a makeshift pistol that they claimed might fire.

“A bloodstained broken knife and a motorcycle with registration number KMFH 031U, make Ranger Black, were recovered,” the police report added.

News

Kenyans ranked 87th most unhappy people in the world

Published

2 days ago

May 31, 2023

KSN Reporter

The top 20 most miserable persons, according to Hanke’s Annual Misery Index, created by Steve Hanke, modified and ratified by Harvard University, and published by The Wall Street Journal, are listed below.

Inflation, unemployment, and high interest rates are the main causes of these people’s misery.

Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Syria, Lebanon, and Sudan took the top five positions.

Ranked sixth to tenth were Argentina, Yemen, Ukraine, Cuba, and Turkey.

Sri Lanka, Haiti, and Angola were 11th, 12th, and 13th, while Tonga, Ghana, and South Africa were 14th, 15th, and 16th. Ranked 17th to 20th were Suriname, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, and Rwanda.

At the bottom of the list in 87th place was Kenya with a misery index of 29.264 and the main factor contributing to its misery was the interest rate on loans.