CORD TAKES A SWIPE AT JUBILEE FOR INTIMIDATING JOHO THROUGH CLOSURE OF BUSINESS.

Government’s decision to close two firms at the Port of Mombasa related to Governor Ali Hassan Joho’s family has continued to draw divergent views between the ruling coalition and Cord, the latest being sentiments from the ODM chairman John Mbadi who insists the move is politically instigated.

  

Speaking in Seme constituency, Kisumu county during the handing over of school buses to four schools, Mbadi said the move by the government to clump down Joho’s business is enough prove that the Jubilee administration is committed to take the country back to the oppressive KANU regime ways.

Mbadi alleged that they have information that the closure of the business was a directive from the president because governor Joho refused to join and support the Jubilee coalition during the president’s one month tour of the Coast region.  

Seme legislator Dr. James Nyikal and his Nyando counterpart Fred Outa on their part maintained that the Jubilee government has already started rigging 2017 presidential elections in the CORD strongholds through the bio-metric registration of NYS cohorts.

The host, Dr. Nyikal expressed his discontent in the IEBC’s 

decision to register new voters per word arguing that most Kenyans will be left out since very few people would be reached.

He said the commission should agree to the formula proposing registration by polling stations which he said will give unregistered Kenyans equal chance of registration.

Ruaraka legislator TJ Kajwang discredited the Supreme Court’s decision that saw Uhuru Kenyatta win an election petition filed by the CORD coalition following allegations of election irregularities in the presidential poll, saying that the recent corruption allegations against the Supreme court judge Philip Tunoi is prove enough that the court did not have a free hand in the delivery of its ruling.

ENDS

CORD MPS' LED BY THEIR PRINCIPLES VOW TO PUSH THROUGH WITH THE ELECTORAL REFORMS BEFORE 2017 ELECTIONS

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is an institution that will continue to remain on the spot with barely 19 months to go into the next general elections owing to the magnitude of the work it’s expected to undertake.

Kenyans have lost faith in the commission with renewed calls to reconstitute it after a majority of the population raised concerns in the manner in which it conducted the 2013 polls.

Leaders from across the political divide and various stakeholders in the field have supported suggestions to adopt the famous IPPG system where political parties were required to nominate persons to the commission according to their strength in Parliament.

Before the disbandment of the defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK), the Inter-Parties Parliamentary Group (IPPG) nominated commissioners that conducted the 2002 elections that was considered the most credible then and oversaw a peaceful transition of power from the then ruling party KANU to NAR-C.

The CORD fraternity has always maintained that a democratic election is a process and not an event thus it involves institutions, rules and regulations that must be strengthened within an applicable framework of law.

Following what was seen as not a more credible process by the Isaac Hassan led team, Cord will continue to push for reforms of IEBC so that we go into the elections on a level playing ground.

Kisumu County Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o noted in one of his Sunday columns in the local dailies that the key arbiter or referee (The IEBC) was not fully prepared to run the game and even if it were, it was determined to run the same under other rules manufactured outside the framework of law.

The good Prof went on to elaborate that “When one player was dissatisfied and sort the interpretation of the Supreme Court, the case was thrown out/dismissed on technical grounds and those are the technicalities we want to look into”

Just last week a strong team of ODM legislators led by National chair John Mbadi, Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o, Homabay Women Representative Gladys Wanga and Kabondo-Kasipul MP Silvance Osele vowed that they will continue to mount pressure so that IEBC is overhauled before 2017 elections.

Senior counsel Hon Olago Aluoch of Kisumu West questioned the credibility of the current commissioners, since the last election in 2013 arguing that they will not be partisan in future processes and instead of forcing Parliament to amend the electoral laws to throw them out of office they should just resign and give way to afresh team that everybody has confidence in.

We are all privy to the fact that a mismanaged electoral process has tremendous negative consequences on the political economy of a developing country just like Kenya.

If our like minded leaders can agree to reason and come to a consensus on issues of national interest like the IEBC, then our country can desist from producing “Hand to Mouth” regimes that inspire little or no confidence in their people locally and in the globalized world.

ENDS……

POLICE AND THE HOTEL MANAGEMENT MOVES IN FAST TO DISPEL RUMORS ON THE DEATH OF A FOREIGNER AT ACACIA HOTEL LAST NIGHT

Police in Kisumu and the management of the Acacia Premier Hotel have dispelled rumors that a guest at the hotel died following a shoot out drama last night. 

Regional Police Commander Willy Lugusa said preliminary investigation into this incident established that the deceased could have succumbed to a health condition after assorted drugs were found in his room clearly indicating that he could have been under medication.

According to the police, the guests, one diplomat from one of Asian Countries and a Ugandan citizen checked into the hotel yesterday and had documentations indicating they were scheduled to travel abroad to seek further medication for the diseased. 

The diplomat is said to have left the hotel shortly to run some errands but when he came back, he found his colleague lying unconsciously in the bath tab, he immediately called the front office who called in a doctor, unfortunately by the time the doctor arrived, the diseased had passed on.

The Regional Command confirmed that the body of the diseased was found with blood oozing from his mouth and nose, but there was no sign that an altercation had occurred neither were there signs that a firearm had been used in the 10pm incident.

The body of the diseased was rushed to Kisumu District hospital mortuary for further autopsy as police pursue diplomatic procedures that will help them get deeper into this matter.

Earlier during a press briefing at the Hotel, the General Manager Mr. Duncan Mwangi re-emphasized that the hotel followed the right procedure in quickly responding to the matter and he further refuted claims of laxity on the party of the hotel.

 

 

ENDS......

HEAD TEACHERS WARNED AGAINST CHARGING EXTRA LEVIES THAT ARE NOT APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES

Kenya secondary schools heads association officials will tomorrow 5^th meet the cabinet secretary in charge of education Fred Matiang’i for a consultative meeting over the controversy emerging from school fees being charged by a section of public schools.

As schools reopen, parents and a section of education stake holders have raised concerns over exorbitant fees being charged by a number of schools in total disregard of the government fees guidelines that were gazette last year.

Speaking in Kisumu today, the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association chairman John Awiti cautioned head teachers who have gone against the stipulated guidelines saying that their actions amounts to criminal offence.

“I acknowledge that a number of aspects were not put into consideration when the new guidelines were issued by the government but that does not give our members the right to go contrary to the law” said Awiti.

Awiti said the consultative meeting scheduled for tomorrow is aimed at addressing these anomalies but in the mean time schools, must respect the law since the ministry of education would want all schools to abide by the new fees guidelines.

He however expressed dissatisfaction in the manner in which the ministry of education carried out the review on the fees saying that some of the important aspects were not captured.

“The fees guidelines left out a key component of our involvement as schools in infrastructure development, there are projects some of our schools were carrying out before the fees guidelines came into effect and they were not captured in the new fees guideline” lamented Awiti 

   

He said a number of schools are experiencing a shortage of teachers thus have sourced for teachers paid by the boards yet all these were not considered while reviewing the fees structure for public schools.

 While expressing optimism that the meeting will come up with a favorable decision on this pressing matter he did not fail to point out that the guidelines failed to factor in lunch programs for the day schools, which has partly contributed to the public outcry.

ENDS.

  

     

IS NYANZA READY FOR ODINGA PRESIDENCY...? ?

As the country nears the political home stretch in 2017, one man remains on everyone’s lips following his numerous attempts to ascend to presidency.

Raila Amolo Odinga’s chances of occupying the House on the Hill becomes more realistic as we approach the finish line considering the painful fact that this could actually be his last stab on the job.

Recent activities in his Nyanza back yard are seen by political analysts as one way of putting a firm grip back at home before he takes off to endear himself to other regions of the country as the favorable candidate in the forthcoming general election.  

According to Adams Oloo a senior political analyst, the recent party polls more so in Nyanza though not very credible as perceived by a section of the political divide there are clear indications that Raila Odinga has set the stage running with the re-branding of his 2017 vehicle to State House.

Oloo, one of the country’s renowned political pundits admits that Mr. Odinga still commands the good will of Kenyans across the country and if a few issues are put in place at the right time then this coming general election can offer the best platform for him to form the next government because a bigger percentage have lost faith in the current regime that is dogged with massive corruption, run away insecurity and bad governance.

Raila Odinga is reinventing himself and he knows very well some of the challenges within his party that have partly contributed to his loss in the previous polls, thus he is not taking any chances with the people to entrust with the leadership of ODM as the march to State house begins in 2016.

There has been widespread complains about the credibility of the party’s top hierarchy with the conduct of the national chair John Mbadi being put on the spot following his continuous personal attacks on individuals within Nyanza who are perceived not to toe the party line.

Just a fort night ago in Kisumu during the Luo Cultural Festival at the Kenyatta sports ground, the ODM national chair was heard calling on the residents to literally cane Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura for what he termed as contempt on the party leader and ODM.

It is this kind of leadership style that is being seen by many as more divisive especially now that we are all expected to rally behind ‘Jakom’ to actualize the one bullet idea.

In my own observation (Fred Madanje) as a journalist more work still need to be done in Nyanza to solidify it as one strong voting bloc for Raila Odinga. The Cord leader cannot afford to go into this race without his trusted and loyal brigades the likes of Prof Anyang Nyong’o and Senior counsel Senator James Orengo.

The decision by these two seasoned politicians to eye gubernatorial seats of Kisumu and Siaya counties might force the Son of Jaramogi to go back to the drawing board and groom other young politicians who can articulate his ideas nationally.

We all know that if these two politicians win the ODM tickets for their respective gubernatorial seats then they will be tied in the counties thus depriving the Coalition for democracy (CORD) of individuals with national appeal to fetch the presidential votes for Raila Odinga.

Word going round on the streets of Kisumu is that Nyong’o and Orengo have lost hope of Raila Odinga’s presidential bid and are looking for a soft landing in their respective counties as governors.

These uncertainties in Nyanza if not sorted out in due time then we might as well go into the general elections a divided house and the Raila Odinga presidency will just remain another pipe dream.

On the boxing day of 2015, a meeting was called at the Kisumu hotel and was attended by professionals and seasoned politicians who are feeling left out in the kitchen cabinet of Raila Odinga despite having come along way with him and going forward they want to own him back and take him away from other young leaders whom they have accused of ‘Hijacking’ the former premier.

The meeting was convened by former Raila ally Ken Ogana and was attended by among other Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor and one Mr. Okong’o- the ODM coordinator from Homabay County.

Some of the concerns raised in that meeting were that a clique of young new politicians whom they say have surrounded the former PM are now controlling him, citing  Homabay women Rep Gladys Wanga, ODM chairman John Mbadi, Kabondo-Kasipul MP silvance Osele and Raila’s aide Silas Jakakimba as the major impediment to an all inclusive campaign team.

Going forward I believe that this joggling of power around Raila Odinga among other issues like party nominations must be dealt with very fast so that we move ahead as one house focused on the presidency of RAILA AMOLO ODINGA.

ENDS.

ODM SETS EYE ON 2017 WITH A FIRM GRIP OF NYANZA REGION

The Orange Democratic Movement ODM has set the stage rolling with a clear sight on 2017 general elections after it confirmed the newly elected grass root officials in Nyanza in the just concluded hotly contested polls.

The move is seen as part of a wider strategic plan the party has put in place to hold a firm grip on its strong hold before it reaching out to other regions.

Addressing the media in Kisumu when they presented the certificate to other branch officials, the Kisumu East Constituency chairman Robert Otuge expressed his confidence in the ODM National Elections Board (NEB) for presiding over a free and fair process.

He said their work is clearly cut out for them and their main agenda will be to conduct a massive ID and voter registration in their contribution in delivering the much awaited Raila Odinga presidency.

“I want to take this earliest opportunity to welcome everyone who competed against me back on board particular Kolwa East MCA Osumba Olum to join us as we start the journey to 2017 general elections’’ said Otuge.

The Kisumu East chairman reiterated what other leaders have been saying in the recent past that the luo nation unity is more paramount now more than ever because this is Raila Odinga’s last term and they cannot afford to entertain bickering at his own backyard.

Kisumu East Constituency committee member Steve Ouma said that the confirmation of his team by the National Elections Board has given them the much needed impetus to re-brand the party at the branch level.

“I want to confirm here today that we have decided as a team to embrace our competitors because the war before us cannot be won if there are divisions amongst ourselves’’ said Ouma.

He said they will work tireless to ensure that their branch emerges as the best and well coordinated unit that will deliver the much required votes for the party presidency and for ODM ticket holders.

Kisumu East parliamentary hopeful Nichalos Oricho said they will not only strive to register more voters but also to recruit more loyal party members who can be trusted and be used as agents during the elections.

“We aim to conduct a massive civic education as the party branch to tell our people the importance of holding an ID card not just for voting but also for empowering themselves and why its important to come out and vote on the election day’’ revealed Oricho.

Other counties in Nyanza where the National Elections Board cleared officials are Kisumu County where former Muhoroni MP Prof Ayiecho Olweny has been confirmed as county chairman contrary to other reports that had earlier announced Dave Okwatch as chairman.

In Homabay County, that has been the centre of attention with two powerful warring camps allied to county women Rep and Homabay town MP Opondo Kaluma, Wanga carried the day when Nyanza NEB Commissioner Peter Odoyo handed the certificate to her as the duly elected County chair person.

In her acceptance speech Gladys Wanga extended an olive branch to the Kaluma team and argued them to join her team as they form a formidable force to counter JAP in 2017.

Siaya County the chairman is Willaim Ohonde while Migori County is under the stewardship of Philip Mc’Abong’o.

The move by NEB to clear and confirm the elected candidates now brings to a close the endless bickering and infighting associated with the party and what remains now is for the new officials to embark on the serious work of re branding ODM ahead of the 2017 general elections.

ENDS.

WORRYING STATISTICS ON ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY BODA-BODA OPERATORS PROMPTS KISUMU BASED NGO TO CONDUCT SAFETY TRAINING.

                      NGO TRAINS CYCLISTS ON ROAD SAFETY.

The Cycling Out of Poverty Kenya Foundation (Coop-Kenya) has rolled out a massive awareness campaign program on road safety for boda-boda cyclists in Western Kenya.

The General Manager of Coop-Kenya Kennedy Ochieng Ombat said the cycling taxi system commonly referred to as ‘Boda boda’ has proved to the most convenient means of transport not only in the rural areas but also in urban centers thus the need to create more awareness.

“Recent findings from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) established that young boda boda riders aged between 19 and 39 years are reckless and not professionally trained thus causing high number of road accidents’’ revealed the Coop-Kenya MD.

He said that the decision to roll out this campaign was prompted by such worrying statistics and they are targeting to reach out to over 20,000 boda boda operators from all the counties in Nyanza and Western.

Speaking to the Media in Kisumu today at the sidelines of a training program for the operators, Ombat acknowledged that the boda boda sector has become part of the country's economy and cannot be ignored in any future planning on road safety.

“Today we have trained over 200 cyclists from Kisumu and Kakamega counties and equipped them with the necessary road safety knowledge that not only seek to prevent accidents but also to administer first aid to their passengers whenever an accident occurs” affirmed Ombat.

He revealed that the program will immediately resume at the beginning of New Year with trains in South Nyanza counties of Homabay and Migori.

The Coop-Kenya MD who was accompanied by the organization’s Programs Manager Clifford Okoth, appreciated other organizations they are partnering with in this program like the ministry of health through Siaya Referral Hospital, NTSA, Red Cross through St Johns Ambulance and the county government of Kisumu.

He said that the second of training on safety awareness which begins in January 2016, will see the operators get branded shades and bicycles for ease of management in their own groups and for ease of movement.

Today’s training saw the operators receive certificates and reflectors which they will use in their daily operations.

ENDS....