Thursday, 2nd May – Good morning! This is your daily edition of our brief, but salient Kenyan news properly selected for you.
Unusual Protocol Breach at Madaraka Day Event
President Uhuru Kenyatta ran the show during yesterday’s Madaraka Day celebrations where he chose whom to speak and recognise. This was Uhuru’s last national holiday as the Head of State.
In what depicted the broken ties between the President and his deputy William Ruto, the Head of recognised visiting Sierra Leone President Baada Bio, Chief Justice Martha Koome, and Speakers of National Assembly and the Senate, but not his principal assistant.
The traditional order of precedence, which provides that the Deputy President is the one to invite his boss to all official functions, was breached.
When the programme of the day was revealed after the event, it emerged that the second in command was not part of it, to the shock of many.
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Shame on You! DP Ruto Camp Blast Uhuru After Madaraka Date Fete
Deputy President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance leaders railed against President Uhuru Kenyatta after the second in command was skipped during the Madaraka Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens Memorial Park in Nairobi.
Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetangula accused the President of being petty and humiliating his deputy to the whole world.
The Bungoma Senator said the Head of State turned the ceremony into an Azimio la Umoja campaign forum.
The DP, however, refused to comment on the issue.
Uhuru Acknowledges Women Leadership as He Roots For Karua
President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday took the time to appreciate women who have served in all four governments since the country attained self-independence in the early 1960s.
Speaking during the 59th Madaraka Day celebrations, the Head of State credited himself for appointing some 11 women to the Cabinet and tens of others to key leadership positions since he was elected President in 2013. He said this was no mean considering that his predecessors overlooked women and gave them rather insignificant dockets and titles.
On that note, he praised ODM leader Raila Odinga, his preferred successor, for picking Narc-Kenya party leader Martha Karua to deputise him for the August presidential race.
“In August this year, if it is the wish of the electorate, we have a chance of a woman shattering the glass ceiling by assuming the second-highest office in our republic, the Office of Deputy President,” he said.
Ruto Not Invited to State House Before And After Madaraka Day Event
Deputy President William Ruto was conspicuously absent when President Uhuru Kenyatta hosted the entire Cabinet at State House on Wednesday morning before proceeding to Uhuru Gardens for the Maadaraka Day celebrations.
Ruto’s spokesperson, Emmanuel Taalam revealed that the second in command was not invited to the meeting.
After the ceremony, the DP was also not on the list of those who joined the President for an after-party at State House. Instead, Dr. Ruto headed straight to Kikuyu in Kiambu County for a football tournament.
The President and Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga were entertained with songs and dances at the House on the Hill.
Uhuru’s Advise to His Predecessor
President Uhuru Kenyatta presided over his last State function, Madaraka Day celebrations, by offering tips to the person who will replace him after the August 9 General Election.
Defending his administration’s huge appetite for loans, the First in Command, encouraged the incoming President to continue borrowing as long as funds sourced elsewhere are utilized to benefit Kenyans.
He further asked his replacement to continue with Big Push Investments, noting that their impact on the whole economy is remarkable.
However, he lamented that corruption was cancer that has continued to bedevil the country and the next administration must be intentional to eradicate the vice.
Uhuru: I’m Not Militarizing The Country
President Uhuru Kenyatta used the Madaraka Day occasion to defend himself by appointment senior military personnel to manage key parastatals.
He insisted that the involvement of the military in the management of some government institutions had saved the country billions of shillings that were previously looted.
“When we took over in 2013, some of the State corporations were rotten to the core. That’s why we turned to the disciplined forces and summoned them to the course of national building,” the President said.
CBC is Going Nowhere, Uhuru Says
President Uhuru Kenyatta reiterated the Competency-Based Curriculum was here to stay despite grumbling by some Kenyans.
The Head of State said the new education system is tailored to produce creative and competent individuals who will be absorbed in the job market without a struggle.
Deputy President William Ruto has vowed that he will abolish the CBC if elected President in August.
EACC Unveils List of Unfit Aspirants
Some 241 aspirants from across the political divide are not fit to run for office, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) declared yesterday.
The anti-graft watchdog challenged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) not to clear the aspiring politicians over integrity issues. However, the list might have come too late when the electoral agency has already cleared the majority if not all of those flagged.
Notable names in the EACC list include governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Ali Korane (Garissa), Fahim Twaha (Lamu), Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Mwangi wa Iria (Murang’a), MPs Richard Onyonka (Kitutu Chache South), John Waluke (Sirisia), Gladys Boss Shollei (Uasin Gishu Woman Rep) and Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills).
Others are John Munyes, Lilian Mbogo Omollo, Danson Mungatana, Ann Nyokabi, Thuo Mathenge, and Simon Kachapin.
Young People Abusing Tobacco More
A new study by the Ministry of Health has indicated that 36.7 percent of youths in Kenya are abusing tobacco as compared to 11.6 percent of the older group.
This means that three in ten youths consume tobacco products, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said.
The study was carried out in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru counties, and some 1,600 young people were involved.
Kalonzo Back in Azimio
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka is expected to rejoin the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party today. This coming week after he fell out with the Azimio flag bearer Raila Odinga after he was overlooked for the running mate post.
The former Vice-President will attend a rally with Raila at Mukuru Kwa Njenga slum in Nairobi this afternoon. Kalonzo’s allies said he has accepted the Chief Minister position that was dangled to him by Raila.
Speaking during a burial in Machakos yesterday, Kalonzo delivered tributes of Azimio chairman, President Uhuru Kenyatta, and Raila.
He blasted Deputy President William Ruto for trying to incite the Ukambani people against him.
