Thursday, 26th May – Good morning! This is your daily edition of our brief, but salient Kenyan news selected for you.
Ruto’s Controversial Land Reforms
Deputy President William Ruto has disclosed that he will introduce sweeping land reforms in the Coast region to settle squatters.
One of the methods he will use is to force people with huge tracts of land to sell idle portions to the government.
If the landowner is not willing to sell, “his administration” will use compulsory acquisition.
“We will establish a special fund to buy the land from absentee landlords. But if the need arises, we will use a compulsory acquisition programme to repossess the land and settle squatters in Coast. We are ready,” he said.
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Former MP Confirms He Sold Mata Farm to Ruto
Former Taveta MP Basil Criticos has confirmed that he sold a portion of his land in Mata, Taita Taveta County to Deputy President William Ruto in 2017.
He, however, refused to disclose the cost of the Ksh2,500-acre piece of land. The property is valued at Ksh1 or 2 billion.
The DP raises crocodiles, rears livestock, and does irrigation farming.
He has been accused of diverting water meant for the whole community into his farm.
Treasury Breaks The Law in Supplementary Budget
Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani has admitted that the government has flouted Article 223 of the Constitution after presenting estimates of the 2021/2022 supplementary budget in the National Assembly.
The budgetary changes have surpassed the 10 percent mark that is set by the law when it comes to increasing money to the National Government.
In the current financial year, the exchequer added Ksh63.9 billion to the national government.
However, Yatani defended the move, saying that the increase was caused by unforeseen circumstances such as the State burial of the late former President Mwai Kibaki.
Raila Raids Mudavadi’s Backyard
ODM leader Raila Odinga kicked off his five-day tour of Western Kenya in Vihiga, the home county of ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, who is backing Deputy President William Ruto for the presidency.
He reassured the region that “his government” would take care of the interests of the Mulumbe Nation.
The former Prime Minister said he will seal all loopholes of corruption and divert the money to development projects.
According to President Uhuru Kenyatta, Ksh2 billion is stolen every day.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, who has been appointed as Treasury Cabinet Secretary-designate in Raila’s administration, said he will ensure collapsed sugar factories like Mumias are revived.
Jumwa Protests Kingi’s Preferential Treatment in Kenya Kwanza
Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa has called out the leadership of the Kenya Kwanza for giving Kilifi Governor and Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) leader Amason Kingi special treatment yet he joined the alliance just weeks ago.
According to Jumwa, who is seeking to replace Kingi after the August 9 General Election, Kenya Kwanza should reveal the agreement it signed with Kingi.
When the DP was in Kilifi recently, he boarded the sane car with Kingi, something that appears to angered Jumwa.
In one of the rallies, the lawmaker tried to humiliate Kilifi PAA gubernatorial candidate George Kithi.
Maize Shortage in Kenya
Kenya is now looking for cheap maize in other countries after her store ran out of the vital commodity.
This comes at a time when many nations are not exporting maize due to the high domestic demand now that Russia has been slapped with global restrictions for invading Ukraine.
Miller has indicated that they will raise the prices of maize flour in the coming days.
Mwangi Kiunjuri: We Are Not Happy in Kenya Kwanza
Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri has castigated allies of Deputy President William Ruto in the Mt Kenya region for disrespecting leaders who are not in UDA.
Kiunjuri lamented that though his outfit, The Service Party (TSP) has a deal with the Kenya Kwanza alliance, Ruto’s UDA has been bullying fringe parties and even asking voters to only elect candidates under the wheelbarrow party.
A visibly angry Kiunjuri added that his supporters were free to pick the presidential candidate of choice.
Many Presidential Aspirants Give Up
At least half of the 44 Kenyans who had expressed interest in succeeding President Uhuru Kenyatta have bolted out.
The presidential aspirants were unable to meet yesterday’s deadline that required them to present to the electoral commission 2,000 signatures of registered voters in each of at least 24 counties.
Some of those who complied include Deputy President William Ruto, ODM leader Raila Odinga, Prof George Wajakoya, Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria, and lawyer Mwaure Waihiga.
Man Attacks Wife, Children
Police are investigating a case in which a man allegedly raided the home of his estranged wife and attacked her together with their two children.
Abigail Mutoni narrated that the suspect arrived at her house in Kibwezi West, Makueni County, armed with a panga, and “attempted to kill us”.
He tried to strike their son, but Mutono held his hand. He turned the anger on her and left her with panga cuts.
She is being treated at the Makueni Sub-County Hospital.
Monkeypox Alert
The government is on high alert following the outbreak of monkeypox disease in various parts of the world.
Health Principal Secretary Susan Mochache said Kenya has not recorded a case yet, but surveillance has been heightened at all entry points.
In recent weeks, the viral has been spreading fast, especially in Europe as well as West and Central Africa.
A person can contract the disease by coming into close contact with a patient.
