Top 10 News in Brief: Ruto or Raila? Uhuru’s Signal Awaited at Madaraka Day Event

Wednesday, 1st May – Good morning! This is your daily edition of our brief, but salient Kenyan news properly selected for you.

Madaraka Day: All Eyes on Uhuru 

With just 68 days to the next General Election, the race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta has narrowed down to two – his deputy William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja’s Raila Odinga.

As President Kenyatta presides over his last ninth and last Madaraka Day celebrations Kenyans will be keenly watching how he will treat his two potential successors. The President has already endorsed Raila though he has not been active in campaigns.

In the previous State events, the Head of State raised eyebrows after allowing the Azimio flag bearer to speak after his deputy. In last year’s Jamhuri Day function, Uhuru invited the former Prime Minister to make the closing remarks.

IEBC Clears Corrupt Aspirants 

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has been fingered for watering down the fight against corruption.

The agency has cleared several aspirants who have active cases in court while others have already been convicted.

Sirisia MP John Waluke has been cleared to defend his seat even after the Anti-Corruption Court sentenced him to 10 years in prison for defrauding the National Cereal and Produce Board of millions of shillings.

Others who received the green light to run despite court cases include Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, and former Youth Affairs PS Lilian Mbogo.

Chief Justice Martha Koome had said aspirants facing graft cases should not be allowed to run for office.

Uhuru’s Last Madaraka Day

President Uhuru Kenyatta will lead his last national celebrations event today, 1st June at the Uhuru Gardens Memorial Park in Nairobi. The Head of State visited the venue yesterday to inspect work done after refurbishment.

During the Madaraka Day ceremony, the President is expected to highlight the achievement of his administration in the last ten years. Uhuru’s second and final term comes to an end in August.

However, Kenyans will be expecting him to address the hard economic times that pushed many families against the wall.

Kinoti Takes Haji to Court

The rift between Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji escalated yesterday when the former lodged a case in court seeking to have the latter charged over forgery.

In his petition, Kinoti claims that the office of the DPP forged the signatures of top DCI sleuths while drafting the new guidelines on terrorism. The DCI boss said his officers never attended a meeting where the guidelines were formulated.

“My officers never participated in the validation workshop and signatures being presented as persons who attended the workshop from my office and Anti-Terror Police Unit officers on February 21 and March 2022 are forgeries,” he said.

This comes barely a week after ODPP stopped police and DCI officers from signing charge sheets and producing suspects in court.

Ruto Presides Over IBEC Meeting 

Deputy President William Ruto yesterday chaired his last Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) as the second in command at his Karen residence. However, the majority of the governors skipped the meeting.

The DP urged county bosses, especially those going home after serving two terms, to prioritise clearing pending bills.

The county chiefs, however, complained that the National Treasury was delaying in disbursing funds to devolved units, thus affecting service delivery.

Karanja Kibicho: Raila Has Already Won 

Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho has supported ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru’s assertions that ODM leader Raila Odinga will win the presidential election in the first data.

According to Kibicho, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) has established that the Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate enjoys 60 percent support among registered voters.

“The other camp (William Ruto) is just making noise. On the ground, things are very different. When you see us supporting Raila, just know we are backed by data,” he said.

Raila: Nairobi is My Stronghold

Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua addressed whistle-stop rallies in Nairobi yesterday.

The convoy snaked through South C, Ngong Road, Kibera, Dagorreti Corner, Kahawa West, and Nairobi West where the former Prime Minister rallied city dwellers behind his presidential quest and also campaigned for Azimio candidates. Raila has always edged his competitors in Nairobi in the last three General Elections.

“Azimio will restore Nairobi to its former glory and address unemployment. We will fast-track issuance of work permits as well as reduce bureaucracy that prohibits business,” he said.

MP’s Wife Dies in Road Accident 

Kajiado Central MP Elijah Memusi lost his wife on Tuesday morning when her car rammed into a stationary trailer along the Nairobi-Namanga road past Isinya Town.

Stella Memusi was with her driver when the accident occurred. She was on her way to their Kajiado home.

She died on the spot while the driver escaped with injuries and is currently admitted to the Kajiado Referral Hospital.

Wa Iria The Drama King 

Murang’a Governor and presidential aspirant Mwangi wa Iria yesterday claimed that powerful sources were blocking his presidential bid.

The governor and his supporters raided IEBC offices at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi demanding to have a session with electoral commission chair Wafula Chebukati. The meeting never happened.

The county boss was stuck in the lift for at least 30 minutes. He accused Chebukati of trying to kill him.

On Monday, wa Iria packed his car at the entrance of the Bomas of Kenya where presidential aspirants were being cleared by IEBC to protest his disqualification.