Saturday, 4th May – Good morning! This is your daily edition of our brief, but salient Kenyan news properly selected for you.
DP Ruto Big Day
Deputy President William Ruto will this morning be cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to make his fifth stab at the presidency. There are no indications that the DP will be disqualified.
This will mark the official commencement of his presidential campaigns. Consequently, the DP will surrender government vehicles and State resources as per the law. However, he will continue to enjoy presidential security in his campaign activities.
After the IEBC nod, the second in command will stage a big political show in the city dubbed “paint Nairobi yellow”. He is expected to address at least seven roadside rallies before making his way to the historic Kamukunji grounds.
DP Ruto: Looking to Make History
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An ambitious 31-year-old William Ruto defied advise from his political mentors and ran for the Eldoret North parliamentary seat against the Kanu candidate in 1997. He won.
Since joining elective politics, William Ruto has never lost in any election.
Determined to make history in the August 9 General Election, this will be his biggest test yet, as he aims to be the first Kenyan to become President in his first attempt at the ballot.
The DP is banking on his personal story – rags to riches – political experience to convince Kenyans that he deserves to succeed his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta, and radical proposals to turnaround the economy.
Koome Wants IEBC to Update Kenyans on Election Preparedness
Chief Justice Martha Koome has challenged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to assure the country that the presidential election will be carried out in line with the constitution.
The Judiciary boss noted that the the agency was yet to explain how it has addressed the issues raised by the Supreme Court in 2017 when the presidential poll was declared null and void.
She insisted that the Wafula Chebukati-led body must guarantee Kenyans a free, fair, transparent and verifiable election.
Kalonzo Shakes Presidential Race
The decision by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to shelve his State House ambition means that the presidential election will be won in the first round because there will be no a third horse to occasion a run off.
The big battle now shifts to the 1.6 million votes that Kalonzo commands in Kitui, Machakos and Makueni counties.
The former Vice-President insists that he is still the Ukambani kingpin and will deliver the Lower Eastern votes to Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga. Kalonzo has been promised the Chief Minister post should Azimio form the next government.
However, Deputy President William Ruto’s allies argue that Ukambani is now a battle ground considering that Kalonzo will not be in any presidential ticket.
Kalonzo: I Will Be President in 2027
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has assured his Ukambani backyard that his presidential dream has just been deferred to 2027.
Speaking in Tala, Machakos County on Friday, Kalonzo urged his supporters to rally behind ODM leader Raila Odinga, “who will make way for me to be Kenya’s sixth President. I’m next in the line”. Raila will serve only one term if elected in August.
“When you vote for Raila, remember you are supporting me to the President after Raila in 2027,” he said.
UDA Wants 5 Ministers Charged
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of William Ruto has written to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji to complain about Cabinet Secretaries who are campaigning for Azimio la Umoja flag bearer Raila Odinga.
UDA Secretary-General Veronica Maina wants Haji to institute criminal proceedings against Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, his ICT colleague Joe Mucheru, Peter Munya (Agriculture), Keriako Tobiko (Environment), James Macharia (Transport) and Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho for using their offices to market the ODM chief.
She argued that the Ministers have the powers to manipulate the election in favour of Raila given the dockets they occupy.
Monkeypox Scare in Kenya
Kenya is on high alert after several suspected cases of the monkeypox disease were reported at the Kenyatta National Hospital.
Samples from patients showing monkeypox symptoms have been taken and flown to Senegal for analysis since Kenya has no capacity to test.
Two weeks ago, there was another suspected case, but the results turned out negative.
Man Appreciates Musician Who ‘Saved’ His Life
When Sam Kariuki was diagnosed with stage four lymphatic system cancer in 1997, he knew his end had come.
After attending several chemotherapy sessions, he decided to stop treatment and wait for his death.
However, some music that his father had bought changed his life completely. He listened to veteran Kikuyu gospel musician John Ndung’u’s songs and hope was illuminated again. He resumed treatment and fully recovered months later.
The 39-year-old, who is now based in Canada, was able to get Ndung’u’s contacts in 2019 and phoned him. He has been helping the singer produce music and do a remix of his old songs.
Supreme Court Judgement Gives National Assembly a Lifeline
The Supreme Court has ruled that there is no need of laws passed in the National Assembly to debated in the Senate for approval unless they have a direct impact on counties.
Judges of the apex court said allowing all laws adopted in the National Assembly to go through the Senate will affect running of the government, chiefly in cases where the Houses disagree.
Senators wanted to have a say in all laws passed by the National Assembly.
Waits: I’m Still in The Race
Machakos governorship aspirant Nzioki Waita has denied rumours that he has dropped his bid in favour of Wiper’s Wavinya Ndeti.
After Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka rejoined Azimio la Umoja, the coalition’s Secretary-General Junet Mohamed suggested that the former State House Chief of Staff had quit the race after endorsing Wavinya.
The Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU) party leader maintained that he will be on the ballot even as it emerged that Kalonzo is keen to have him support Wavinya.
