Former Law Society of Kenya chief executive Apollo Mboya lost a bid to stop Parliament from vetting the electoral commission nominees. Judge John Mativo declined to stop the National Assembly from carrying out the exercise pending determination of a case Mboya filed contesting their selection.

The judge ruled it would be imprudent to grant the order sought without giving IEBC selection panel an opportunity to respond to the issues raised in the matter. He thus directed the panel to respond to the suit within seven days.

Mboya had faulted the panel for failing to provide the criteria and justification it used to shortlist the candidates. He argued that the panel re-advertised and shortlisted candidates in contravention of the Constitution that requires the State not to discriminate against any persons on any ground.

He said the panel re-advertised for the position of IEBC chair outside the seven-day period within its appointment. He said the First Schedule of IEBC Act requires the panel within seven days of its appointment to invite application from qualified persons and publish names of all the applicants and their qualifications in print media.

He claimed that the candidates recommended to the President by the panel were not the most suitable and qualified for the advertised posts as was indicated in a press release dated December 22.

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Mike Ratemo @PeopleDailyKe

Hundreds of candidates who sat the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exam last year applied for Equity Group Foundation’s Wings to Fly scholarships last year. Equity Bank chief executive James Mwangi said on Monday demand for the the scholarship keeps rising annually as more bright but needy children seek to quench their thirst for education.

He said so far, the programme has benefited 14,368 students and will see the eighth cohort of 1,700 students this year get full sponsorship for the four years of study in various secondary schools across the country.

The 2017 Wings to Fly class is funded by The MasterCard Foundation with support from KfW and Equity Bank. Also launched on Monday was the 2017 Equity Bank Paid Pre-University Internship Programme for the 2016 Wings to Fly graduates who scored grade A and A- (minus).

The programme enables scholars to pay for their university education while undergoing leadership, coaching and mentoring, with 569 joining the programme this year.

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After more than a decade of administrative wrangling, a new law that makes it compulsory for all imports to be insured locally came to effect this month, allowing players to increase stakes in marine cargo insurance, the move has kicked off a scramble for the anticipated boom among Kenya’s insurance firms.

Known as the Marine Cargo Insurance Policy, the law requires all imports to be covered locally, making it easy for importers to make claims. That is a departure from the past when importers had to lodge claims with oversees underwriters.

Industry regulator, Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) had assured investors in the import and export trade that it has capacity to handle future potential boom in the marine cargo insurance.

About Sh20 billion could flow into the sector after the directive attracted a host of insurers including Jubilee Insurance, APA insurance, Kenya Orient, Old Mutual, Britam, Kenindia Insurance among others that have launched their marine cargo online portals. to allow their customers and intermediaries Customs department at KRA and IRA manage the policy seamlessly.

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Non-teaching staff at Egerton University yesterday downed their tools after the government on grounds that it failed to implement the 2013-2017 Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA).

The strike commenced after three unions representing public university workers failed to reach an agreement with Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF). The more than 500 workers are demanding 66 per cent salary increment and house allowances.

According to Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels and Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied (Kudheiha) branch secretary Philip Kibet, IPUCCF failed to offer a counter proposal.

“This CBA was supposed to be implemented four years ago but IPUCCF has failed to handle the matter, he said. Kibet also accused the Salaries Remuneration Commissions (SRC) of failing to harmonise their salaries.

The workers commenced the strike after the expiry of a 30 days’ notice they issued on December 8 last year. On Friday, negotiations between three unions representing worker from all universities and the IPUCCF officials collapsed.

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Chicago, Tuesday

As Barack Obama, the first US president of African descent, gave his last speech as head of state, we revisit five of his most memorable lines about the continent.

Addressing the Ghanaian parliament on July 11, 2009 on his first official trip to Africa, Obama took a swipe at Africa’s tradition of coups and rule of the strong man, saying: History is on the side of these brave Africans, not with those who use coups or change constitutions to stay in power.

Africa doesn’t need strongmen, it needs strong institutions.” While paying tribute to Nelson Mandela in December 2013, he said: Mandela understood the ties that bind the human spirit.

There is a word in South Africa: Ubuntu; a word that captures Mandela’s greatest gift: his recognition that we are all bound together in ways that are invisible to the eye; that there is a oneness to humanity; that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others, and caring for those around us.”

In July 2015, Obam defended gay rights on a visit to Kenya where homosexuality is a crime: A law-abiding citizen who is going about their business, and working at a job and obeying the traffic signs and not harming anybody, the idea they will be treated differently or abused because of who they love is wrong, full stop.” —BBC

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James Murimi @Jamesmurymy

The nominee for the electoral commission chair Wafula Chebukati was at pains to exonerate himself from past links with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and its leader Raila Odinga. Chebukati, who has been shortlisted for the IEBC top job, had vied for the Saboti parliamentary seat in 2007 on an ODM ticket but lost to Water Cabinet secretary Eugene Wamalwa (PNU).

During vetting by the parliamentary Justice and Legal Affairs Committee yesterday, Chebukati acknowledged he contested for the political seat where ODM party leader Raila and William Ruto (Deputy President) assisted him during campaigns.

He was, however, quick to deny any current association with ODM and Raila. Committee chair and Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga had tasked him to explain his earlier statement that he has not been in politics in the past decade. “What do you mean you have not participated in politics for the past ten years?” asked Chepkonga.

Chebukati witnessed election malpractices where his house was broken into and all his copies of Forms 16(A) — used for result filing — stolen so that he could not challenge the outcome in court.

However, Chepkonga asked: “You might not be in active politics but are you a member of any political party?” Chebukati told the committee he officially resigned from ODM by returning his certificate to the party offices a month before applying for the IEBC chair’s post.

“At the moment, I am not a member of any political party. I resigned a month prior to applying for this job. I consider myself non-partisan and I would run a free and fair election without favouring any party,” said Chebukati.

MPs Rahim Dawood (North Imenti) and Florence Kajuju (Meru) tasked the appointee to explain his relationship with Raila and clarify whether there would be a possible conflict of interest if granted the job.

Chebukati said he last interacted with the former Prime Minister in 2007 when he toured Saboti constituency accompanied by Ruto and other then top ODM officials, maintaining that he has since been non-partisan.

He distanced himself from allegations he benefited from the National Youth Service (NYS) graft scandal by representing former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) boss Philip Kinisu in court. “I only met Kinisu two years ago and I represented him because everybody has a right to be represented in a court of law.

I represented Kinisu, gave him my fee note and he paid it. My law firm has not received any money from NYS,” he clarified. He told the members he procedurally and competitively applied for the job and pledged to transform the commission if approved by the National Assembly.

Roselyn Kwamboka who was among six candidates appointed for IEBC commissioner said she has vast experience as a senior advisor to the United Nations under-secretary for political affairs.

Ndhiwa MP Agostino Neto challenged Kwamboka to state reasons why she was opting to leave a well-paying job in the UN, where she has been earning Sh1.8 million per month, for the lesser rewarding one at the IEBC.

In her response, Kwamboka said it was her desire to give back to the country some of her educational achievements that she earned through hardship. Others vetted for IEBC commissioner jobs are Consolata Nkatha, Boya Molu, Margaret Wanjala, Abdi Guliye and Paul Kibiwot.

Meanwhile, Speaker Justin Muturi last evening published a gazette notice recalling Parliament on January 17 for a special session to debate and approve or reject the IEBC nominees as well as discuss the appointment of former ACK Archbishop, Eliud Wabukala, for EACC chair .

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George Kebaso and Bernice Mbugua @PeopleDailyKe

Doctors have dismissed sacking threats by the National and County governments and vowed not to resume duty. Speaking to the media yesterday, union leaders said they would not be intimidated into calling off the strike which is now in its second month.

They insisted that the 2013 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which is in contention, be implemented in full. On Monday, the National government and the Council of Governors (CoG) ordered the doctors to resume work by today or risk dismissal. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) officials said they were ready to go to jail.

Yesterday, the Employment and Labor Relations Court issued a warrant of arrest against the officials for failing to appear in Court. Justice Hellen Wasilwa said seven union officials were guilty of contempt of court for defying a ruling made by the court last year. She directed the OCS Kilimani Police Station to enforce the warrants.

But the officials remained defiant, saying there would be no more negotiations until the contentious CBA is implemented. “Sacking us or taking all of us to jail will not stop this country’s doctors from demanding what’s rightful to them,” secretary general Dr Ouma Oluga and chairman Samuel Oroko told the media.

He added: “The court has issued the warrants against us despite an appeal we filed against the contempt of court charges,” he added. The officials were to appear in court yesterday for sentencing after they were found guilty of contempt of court for failing to call off the strike despite the court declaring it illegal.

Last week, the government offered a 40 per cent salary hike after President Uhuru Kenyatta met their representatives at State House Mombasa. The offer, which the doctors’ union rejected, would have seen the pay of the least-paid doctor rise from Sh140,244 to Sh196,989.

“Both governments, national and county, have given a reasonable deal to the doctors that they need to consider. We are calling on them to take the offer and resume work to avoid disciplinary action,” said CoG chairman, Peter Munya on Monday.

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Deputy President William Ruto yesterday intensified his efforts to consolidate the Rift Valley voting bloc by meeting aspirants for various seats at his Karen residence as political temperatures hot up in the region.

He assured aspirants seeking the Jubilee Party ticket that he does not have a preferred candidate — anywhere — adding that the Jubilee primaries, which will be held in April, will be free and fair.

“One should not be worried about the nomination process because once you have convinced voters in your respective areas to vote for you, then that is all. Make it impossible for someone else to win by selling your policies to voters. By doing so, you have nothing to worry about,” he said.

He added: “But I want to assure you that the success of our party depends on competence, free and fairness. No one will be allowed to mismanage the nomination process.”

The meeting, which was attended by more than five governors and a number of senators comes hot on the heels of an onslaught by Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, who is also the chairman of Independence party Kanu. It also attracted an estimated 1,000 aspirants from all the 14 counties in a region that has become an epicentre of high octane politics in the last few weeks.

According Simon Kiprono Chelugui, a key ally of Ruto and an aspirant for Baringo Senator seat, the Deputy President gave the participants an opportunity to ask “all burning questions” in a question-answer session.

“Basically, the Deputy President told us that he doesn’t have a preferred candidate… of course you are aware that our rivals have been peddling lies to the effect that he has some preferred candidates,” he said.

Yesterday, aspirants were tasked to mobilise 1.6 million people who have national identity cards but don’t have voter’s cards to register as voters from next week.

He said the party would roll-out a high-powered re-election campaign strategy, which involves massive registration of members using superior technology in campaign to be launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday in Nairobi.

“Once our membership programme is launched this Friday, it is upon you to embark on the programme to register as many members as possible. We want the people to own the party,” said Ruto.

The battle for political supremacy between DP Ruto and his nemesis, Senator Moi came to the fore during the burial of veteran politician Mark Too on Monday with the younger Moi accusing Ruto of misleading the Kalenjin community.

DP Ruto’s Head of Communication, David Mugonyi, told the People Daily that yesterday’s meeting had been planned “several weeks ago” adding that it has no connection with what was said during Too’s burial.

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Long-serving head of the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Kenya (AIPCK) Archbishop John Baptist Mugecha is dead.

Mugecha, who was also a renowned Kikuyu elder, succumbed to colon cancer on Monday night at Outspan Hospital in Nyeri after ailing for more than three months.

The cleric has led AIPCK church, which spilt from the African Independent Pentescostal Church of East Africa (AIPCEA) since 1988. According to his son, Fredrick Karume, Mugecha was taken to the hospital few days ago after his condition deteriorated.

Speaking at his Muthinga home, he said his father was diagnosed with the cancer five years ago and has been in and out of hospital. Religious leaders who talked to the People Daily said the cleric has has left a void in the church and the society.

AIPCEA Chancellor Wahome Gikoyo who is a longtime friend of Mugecha said that although his death was unfortunate the mother church has a responsibility to reclaim all the churches previously held by the cleric.

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The Labour Court has sentenced Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union officials to one month suspended jail term.

Delivering the ruling Thursday morning, judge Hellen Wasilwa said the officials will start serving the jail term in two weeks time if they fail to call off the strike.

The judge accused the officials of not being law abiding citizens after they skipped contempt of court hearing.

Judge Wasilwa stated that there is no existing Collective Bargaining Agreement registered hence the strike must be called off with immediate effect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75gcO7JoLtk

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Stakeholders in the donkey business now say cases of donkey theft in the country has nearly doubled since the opening of two slaughterhouses in Nakuru and Baringo counties.

In Naivasha Sub-County which is home to one of the slaughterhouses, 122 cases of donkey theft were reported last year according to statistics from the veterinary department.

This emerged when flamingo horticulture farm in Naivasha donated 47 donkeys to peasant farmers some of whose animals have been stolen in the last couple of months.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nTrNZ0rYq8

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A family in Mairo village of Nyandarua County is mourning the death of their kin, following a hit and run accident on 20th of December 2016.
Weston Kamau aged 12 years was knocked down by a vehicle and left for dead, but was later rushed to hospital before he passed on a few days after.
Unfortunately for his family, they have been unable to raise the hospital bill amounting to half a million shillings which has seen his body detained by the Nakuru Medhill hospital's management till the bill is cleared.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbAluduvelI

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Barely a day after the National Super Alliance held its voter sensitization gathering at the Bomas of Kenya, a Kakamega based activist has hailed the ongoing projects of the Jubilee Government in the county insisting they were progressive and worth supporting.
Rashid Muhammed said this during a burial ceremony in which he commended the strides being made to offer hundreds of women and youth jobs in the National Youth Service projects being initiated in Mumias West, three months after President Uhuru Kenyatta toured the county.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA0hX019T5k

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The Industrial Court has ordered the Doctor's Union officials to complete the ongoing negotiations and call off the strike within 2 weeks failure to which they will be jailed for 1 month in a ruling made this morning .

Justice Hellen Wasilwa who gave the ruling said the rule of law must be followed and the image of court protected despite the union officials pleading for a lenient sentence saying that a harsh sentence would jeopardize the ongoing negotiations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75gcO7JoLtk

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Confusion has rocked Embu County Jubilee Party branch after two lists of party interim officials emerged on Wednesday.
The lists, one from Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti and the other from Embu Governor Martin Wambora and Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire have elicited mixed reactions, ahead of the Jubilee smart card launch by President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Kasarani Stadium on Friday.
However the leaders allied to Governor Wambora have rubbished any fresh party election.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsgK97f1Xpk

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Nine days ahead of his inauguration ceremony President elect of the United States of America Donald Trump held his first news press conference on Wednesday at the Trump Tower in New York. The press conference immediately sparked a lot of reactions on social media as it turned out to be feisty and controversial while he addressed reporters from different media houses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYQeGdqWzOI

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The leadership of Kanu will meet within the next few days to discuss among other things the conduct of Secretary General Nick Salat, who attended the Opposition meeting yesterday and declared that Kanu was supporting the formation of an Opposition coalition.

West Pokot Senator Professor John Lonyangapuo, has called on Kanu supporters to ignore the sentiments made by Salat, saying that Kanu was still looking for a suitable political player to work with in the next general elections.

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Youth from Ekerenyo, in North Mogirango constituency, Nyamira County took to the streets yesterday protesting against what they termed as empty pre-election promises made by County Governor John Nyagarama.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq0oroLKtJg

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ODM leaders in Kwale County have asked the party headquarters to ensure that nominations in the county are conducted in a free and fair manner. Branch Chairman Nicholas Zani says this will ensure that the party goes to the August polls united and, see them retain the Governor, Senate and all parliamentary seats.
The leaders are also urging the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission to ensure that the elections are conducted without any manipulation.
They are also calling of ODM supporters in Kwale to come out in large numbers and register as voters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMT2FZ_AfxE

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Transport Licensing Appeal Board (TLAB) has warned the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) against impounding vehicles using feeder roads to evade traffic snarl-ups.

TLAB chairman Dick Waweru said yesterday that provided the matatus are not diverting the routes they are licensed to ply there is no cause for alarm.

“If a matatu is licensed for a specific route, it has a right to follow any road as long as they are within the specified boundaries,” he said.

Speaking during a stakeholder’s sensitisation workshop held in Mombasa, Waweru also urged NTSA to develop clear policies and regulations.

He said inefficiency is a key challenge facing matatu owners and operators, a situation which has led to drivers being arrested for failure to comply.

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