Uhuru axes 6 more allies of William Ruto

The newspapers on Friday, June 26, have widely reported on the landmark ruling by an Anti-corruption court that slapped Sirisia MP John Waluke and his co-accused Grace Wakhungu who were found guilty of defrauding National Cereals and Produce Board KSh 313 million

The papers have also reported on President Uhuru surprise purge on six allies of William Ruto who were kicked out of various parliamentary committees they were heading.

1 The Star

The refined Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) draft now proposes the position of a more powerful prime minister unlike what was contained in the initial document launched at Bomas of Kenya in November 2019.

The updated copy which has already been presented to the president envisages a prime minister with powers to chair cabinet meetings, leading day to day government businesses and respond to questions in parliament.

The document also proposes the post of two prime ministers and the reintroduction of assistant ministers who would be referred to as deputy ministers.

However, the prime minister would still be appointed by the president from a party with the second-highest number of MPs in parliament.

2. Daily Nation

A historic ruling by an Anti-corruption court was made on Thursday, June 25, when Sirisia MP John Waluke and his co-accused Grace Wakhungu were slapped with a fine of KSh 727 million and 707 million respectively or risk a jail term of seven years each.

The two were found guilty of defrauding NCPB KSh 313 million and the court tasked them to pay double for each amount of money they were found to have pocketed from the syndicate.

Waluke and Wakhungu are still held at Kileleshwa Police Station as their legal teams battle to appeal for a more favourable ruling within 14 days.

The Sirisia MP risks losing his seat should he fail to pay the fine and remain in custody for more than six months.

3 The Standard

President Uhuru Kenyatta has de-whipped more allies of Deputy President William Ruto who were still serving in various parliamentary committees.

The latest casualties are departmental committee chairmen Julius Melly (Education), Ali Wario (Labour and Social Welfare), William Kisang (Communication, Information and Innovation), Joseph Limo of Finance and Joash Nyamoko (National Planning and Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library)

The six legislators will join 16 others who have since lost plum positions in the House in the ongoing offensive targeting Ruto allies.

4 Taifa Leo

Following the hefty fine that was meted on Sirisia MP John Waluke that has shocked the country, the Swahili publication looks other politicians embroiled in various scandals that may land them in trouble as well.

Lugari MP is facing a corruption case amounting to KSh 122 million

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and his Samburu counterpart Moses Lonolkulal, who have both been barred from accessing their offices, are facing graft charges to a tune of KSh 357 million and 84 million respectively.

Others are former governors Evans Kidero (Nairobi) and Ferdinand Waititu (Kiambu) who are accused of defrauding county governments KSh 213 million and 588 million respectively.

5 People Daily

The publication reports on how top lawyers colluded with Waluke and Waakhungu to defraud NCPB million of shillings.

According to the court papers, city lawyer Ahamednassir received KSh 35 million from the racket which was paid to him as a legal fee.

On the same day, former deputy chief Justice Nancy Barasa received KSh 5 million while Soita and Saende Advocates received KSh 24 million.

The following day, Soita and Saende received another KSh 122 million while another KSh 5 million was wired to Ahmednassir’s firm.