MILELE FM IN CRISIS AS ITS MORNING PRESENTER ATEYA QUITS

Monday February 29, 2016
Milele FM has suffered a major blow after nearly all its key presenters resigned and joined a
rival radio station. Milele FM, owned by Kenyatta family’s Mediamax, has been thrown into another crisis just two months after a massive
retrenchment and brought in new presenters to strengthen its
position in the market.
The six presenters have joined
QWETU FM, a new radio station based at Yaya Centre in
Nairobi.
 The big names that
have left include, among others, morning presenters
Vincent Ateya and comedian Mogaka as well as sports presenter Joseph Maroa and
newsreader Job Omondi Onyango.
“Things are thick,” said an
insider at Mediamax. “They all
dropped their resignations earlier in the month.”
QWETU FM, which launches officially on March 5th, is the latest entrant in the crowded radio industry and will
broadcast in Kiswahili.
It will
be headed by Ateya, who had stayed for barely three months at Milele after being poached
from QFM. Ng’ang’a Wa Waweru ran the morning show alone today.
Ateya’s exit is seen as a win for his arch-rival Titi Nagwala,who he tried to fire him when he was brought back from Nation in November last year.
QWETU’s plan was to poach the entire Milele FM team,
including news reader Newton Mudaki and  evening drive co-host Cleophas Awinja but they proved either too expensive or
apprehensive about the new venture.

MEET ARNOLD AFUYA MUKABI THE ONE WHO CALLED SAFARICOM JUST FOR GREETINGS

There is more to Arnold Afuya than just “Hallo! Hapo ni Safaricom?”

It is said that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop and perhaps it could be the reason why the devil gets all the blame after someone has done something regrettable.
For Arnold Afuya Mukabi though, the case is very different.
The born-again Christian seems to be at his creative best when idleness and boredom creeps in and the result of him being bored recently saw him become the talk of town.
If you do not know who Arnold Afuya Mukabi is yet, perhaps you have not heard the audio clip of a man who called Safaricom Customer Care just to greet them and appeal to them not to put subscribers on hold when they try to reach them.

AUDIO: Man Calls Safaricom Customer Care, Says He Just Wanted To Send Greetings

In an exclusive interview with radiojambo.co.ke, the 20-year-old revealed that he called Safaricom and recorded the clip because he was bored and feeling low.
He never thought that act of cheering himself up would go viral on social media after he shared the clip with some of his close friends.
“I remember that day very well,” Afuya starts narrating of the cheeky incident, “I was feeling so bored and very low and to cheer myself, I decided to call Safaricom Customer Care and just tell them any crazy thing which will come to my mind. They put me on hold for four minutes.”
“I love recording my phone calls and when I listened to myself again after my call with the customer care agent ended, I could not help laughing at myself.”
After doing such a thing, one would think that advertising his craziness would be the last thing that he would do but that did not cross his mind.
He shared the audio clip with a friend of him named Kiptoo who was equally entertained by it and after getting positive feedback from him, he broadcasted it to a larger audience, a WhatsApp group, and then went to sleep.
In an ironic twist of fate, Afuya got a taste of what customer care agents go through the following day when he received so many calls and SMSes from his friends after the prank call to Safaricom Customer Care went viral.
“My phone went wild. My pastor even called and told me that he had never laughed that at,” Afuya said.
Surprisingly though, his mother has not heard the clip yet and Afuya revealed it is because she does not own a smartphone.
“I hope she will hear it being played on radio soon. I pray that God blesses those who played the clip on radio including Gidi and Ghost because it made really happy and proud.”

Born in Kitale on October 24 1995, Arnold Afuya is a staunch and born-again Christian. Despite enduring many hardships in life, he has always had unwavering trust and faith in God.

In the clip, Afuya could be heard telling the Customer Care agent that he would visit Safaricom offices that Friday to lodge an official complaint on being put an hold for so long. Despite not fulfilling that promise because he lacked bus fare, Afuya said that he has not written off that plan.
He however has kind words for the agent who picked his call and praised her patience.
“I admire how the lady handled the situation. Even though I was saying silly things and repeating myself, she was very patient and maintained a serious and professional tone. Simply said she knows her work well and if I were to meet her, I would ask her why she did not ask me if I had a query on any Safaricom service such as M-Pesa and the likes,” Afuya said about the agent.
One may wonder if Safaricom contacted him over the call or if at all he has got any job opportunities as a result of it, but none of that has happened yet.
However Afuya is hopeful that the call will open new doors for him which will enable him raise money to take himself to college and study journalism.
Despite lacking means, Afuya, as you will find out, compensates for that by being prayerful, hardworking and possessing an impressive ability in taking initiative.
He hails from Kitale and he is the first-born in a family of three children. His mother is a housewife and his father is a nightguard at club in Kitale.
“I am a born-again Christian and even though I have endured a lot of hardships in my life, I do not want that to hinder me from successful and hence an inspiration to others,” Afuya says as he starts narrating about his life.

Arnold Afuya loves sharing inspirational posts on his social media pages page.

“In Kitale, my family lived in the slums and it was by God’s grace that I completed Primary School and High School. I did KCSE in 2013 but because my parents could not take me to college, I became a hawker before finding work at cyber cafe,” he continues.
“Even though I have never been to a computer college, I am very good in IT and my willingness to learn has seen me learn how to drive a car without having to go to driving school,” he added.
Religion plays a huge role in Afuya’s life and because of his involvement in church activities, he has been able to venture into the media industry and work his way up to get a job as a radio presenter for Nyce FM.
“I love radio. In December 2014, I tried my luck at a radio station, Imani Radio, in Kitale after being connected by a churchmate. I used to host a gospel show and people started knowing me in Kitale as a result. People loved my show because other then knowing the Gospel, I also have good jokes. Working there was a challenge though, because I was not getting paid but I can not complain since I got some experience and exposure.”
His stint at Imani Radio created a path for him to join an online radio station based in Nairobi known as Nyce FM. At Nyce FM, Afuya hosts a gospel show known as The Dawn Devotion. It airs from 4am – 7am during weekdays and from 7am – 10am on Sundays.

Arnold Afuya at Nyce FM.

“I joined Nyce FM in January this year after they liked demos which I had sent them. In January I was not paid because I was on probation. My hardwork paid off though and from this month I will be getting paid after signing a contract,” Afuya said about working for Nyce FM.
He is glad that he has got a paying job and therefore life in Nairobi will be more bearable for him. He stays in Umoja.
“At least now life will be more bearable because I will be working and earning. Before that, life was a bit hard and there are days I would go without eating. I am happy that my girlfriend has been loving and understanding and I can not thank her enough for the support she has given me all along,” he said.
“I am more motivated to work even harder so that I can help my family at home. Like me, my siblings are struggling to get through school and I want to make life better for them,” he added.
One would be forgiven to believe that Afuya is an ardent football fan on learning that he was born exactly 10 years after Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney but that is not the case.
Outside work, he loves listening to gospel music and running his Youtube channel where he shares most of his works.
“I used to follow Manchester United but I stopped when Cristiano Ronaldo left for Real Madrid. Nowadays, I only follow AFC Leopards and catch up on latest trends in the gospel music industry when I am not at work. I also like surfing the internet to research on content for my show as well as watch episodes of comedy shows which I have missed.”
Although life has been hell for him, as he puts it, one can not help but admire his spirit in creating a little heaven for himself and those close and dear to him.
“People who see my social media pages may think I am better off because I dress well and share bible verses and inspirational posts. Unknown to them though, I persevere a lot so that I can inspire others. I hope that God will remember me and family soon,” he says as a parting shot

JOHO:LET US COME OUT IN LARGE NUMBERS AND REGISTER FOR 2017

ODM yesterday asked party supporters to turn out in large numbers for voter registration.

The opposition party has been complaining that the number of biometric voter registration kits are too few. But yesterday ODM Deputy Party Leader Hassan Joho told the supporters to ensure they register as voters using the very few machines.

The party also instructed all its grassroots leaders to take charge of the countrywide voter registration exercise that starts on Monday.

"To all ODM party officials at the grassroots, this is a call to duty. Your party and your nation need you. Identify our people who have not registered and then ensure they register," Joho said at a Press conference at Raila's Capital Hill office.

ODM Deputy Party Leader and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho said the officials will be responsible for their own areas of jurisdiction to ensure maximum turnout.

There are 1,450 county wards in the country and IEBC targets to net some four million new voters during the month-long exercise, a figure that would boost the voters’ register to 22 million.

"As a party we have a lot of misgivings on IEBC and its preparations for this exercise, we would have preferred that all poling stations be used as registration centers and be provided with BVR kits," He added.

Every effort is being made to ensure we do not fall into their trap of not registering, Joho said.

"The unyielding and untiring supporters of Raila Odinga, ODM and CORD, go out and register on Monday. Our officials have instructions to report to duty and take the campaign door to door," he said.

Joho was accompanied by Kilifi Women Representative Aisha Jumwa and Kilifi governor Amason Kingi.

Joho said ODM is banking on the youth as critical in the coming election and must be allowed to "have a say on how their country is governed".

"Yes they stole our victory again using state machinery in 2013, it will not happen again. We repeat Raila's assurance that we will not come to you saying our votes have been stolen,"

NGO BOSS ON SPOT OVER ILLEGAL TENURE

Two employees of the NGOs Coordination Board have sued chief executive Fazul Mahamed for allegedly being in office illegally.

Shebby Sakwa and Davies Njuguna want the court to declare Fazul unfit to hold office as he "lacks requisite qualifications".

Through lawyer Behmi Kanyonge, they say the CEO, while in office illegally, has and continues to unprocedurally and illegally transfer, dismiss, suspend and retire members of staff.

They add that since March last year, directors have not yet been appointed by the Devolution CS.

“Should this court not suspend Fazul pending an audit of his actions and an investigation of his qualifications, it is likely to set a bad precedent,” they say.

"It will encourage the disregard of the rule of law in appointment to public and state offices, due to the failure to carry out due diligence."

According to court documents, Wilson Kipkazi, the national chairman of the National Council of NGOs, wrote to the Egerton University's vice chancellor.

He requested information regarding the academic qualifications of the CEO.

On September 10 last year, Academic Affairs registrar Prof SFO Owido, writing on behalf of the vice chancellor, responded.

He said: “Mahamed Yusuf was discontinued on academic grounds in his third year of study (for failing 50% or more of all the credit factors taken in the ordinary examinations of one academic year) by the Senate on August 26, 2010."

Sakwa and Njuguna say Fazul's qualifications and allegations of sexual harassment were highlighted in the local dailies.

Since the allegations were made, Fazul has not responded to them.

High Court judge Isaac Lenaola set the hearing for March 8.

KRA:GOVT WILL LOOSE IF JOHO DEPOTS NOT SHUT

The Kenya Revenue Authority has challenged an order allowing Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho's family to reopen two container freight stations.

Through lawyer Pius Nyaga, KRA argued that if orders are granted, they will paralyse the investigations being carried out and lead to massive loss of government revenue.

Nyaga said the owners of Autoports Freight Terminals Ltd and Portside Freight Terminals obtained the orders fraudulently by hiding facts to the court.

Operations at the CFSs had been stopped late last month by KRA, accusing the stations of handling smuggled goods including ethanol, rice and sugar.

On January 30, KRA commissioner general John Njiraini accused the CFSs of failing to comply with the order to re-open and shut them once the goods were cleared.

On February 1, the court granted leave to the CFSs to apply for an order stopping KRA and KPA from locking their business premises.

In the case which was certified as urgent, the CFS owners want the government to cease from sealing off the customs area.

The order, if issued, will also stop the government institutions from harassing shareholders, directors, family and carrying out searches.

In an affidavit sworn by Benson Chacha, he told the court the family is seeking the order to keep on with its operations, which includes removal of goods from the customs area.

He argued that in their application, the companies neglected to disclose that the CFSs were suspended to pave way for investigations.

Nyaga and Paul Buti for the CFSs agreed that the matter be set for February 18 to argue the application brought forward by KRA.

TEACHERS TO FORM POLITICAL PARTY TO CHALLENGE UHURU AND CORD LOEADER RAILA IN 2017

The giant Knut’s chiefs are laying the ground for the creation of a third political force before the 2017 polls, amid reports they could take over the Labour Party of Kenya.

The plan by the trade unionists has quietly been endorsed by an inner circle.

It is understood the LPK could field a candidate for President to challenge Uhuru Kenyatta and the Cord candidate – Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka or Moses Wetang’ula.

Union insiders say forceful Knut boss Wilson Sossion is the man behind the political move after the frustrations teachers have had to endure at the hands of the Jubilee administration.

Trans-Nzoia Knut executive secretary George Makhino lifted the lid on the closely guarded plans when he launched a scathing attack on the Kenyatta government at the weekend.

“We want to take Sossion to State House and put to an end to a regime that does not value its workers; only good at crafting ways of robbing the country through corruption,” the trade unionist said.

However, separate sources told the Star Sossion is rallying teachers to support the opposition in the event an LPK stab at the Presidency is shelved and a runoff contest results.

The plan involves bringing the giant Trade Unions Congress of Kenya, an umbrella body of unions that is a rival of Cotu, where Sossion is also the Secretary General, into the frame.

“We are not going to be observers in 2017. We are telling all the Wanjikus [ordinary citizens] that we can’t sit and see you suffer with heavy taxation while a few elected people sit there just to steal,” Sossion said in November last year.

“That’s why, as a labour movement, we are announcing today that all workers will come together and vote for real change in this beautiful country,” Sossion said then.

At the weekend, Makhino said the trade unions’ entry into politics has been motivated by Jubilee's disregard for workers’ welfare.

The unions’ top decision-makers are quietly saying the 2017 presidential contest is set to become a three-horse race.

KPA SACKS ITS 5TOP OFFICERS

Mismanagement of the second container terminal at the port of Mombasa is the key reason why Kenya Ports Authority MD Gichiri Ndua and four top managers have been sacked.

Kenya is due from August this year to start repaying Sh1.8 billion ($18 million) every month to Japan for the Sh25 billion it borrowed to finance the construction of the container terminal, yet a firm to run the terminal on concession has not been picked due to several cases lodged in court.

The contractor has completed the expansion, and is due to hand over the project to KPA on February 29. Consequently, the KPA board chaired by Marsden Madoka yesterday announced that the tender to manage the terminal on concession has been cancelled.

"To ensure that increased capacity at the post is not constrained by litigation, the Board has directed the management of Kenya Ports Authority to immediately commence termination of the procurement process and thereafter to operationalise the second container terminal as an extension of the current port operations until further notice," said a statement signed by Transport CS James Macharia.

Proliferation of contraband goods through the port was also cited as a reason why Ndua was sent on terminal leave, pending the expiry of his contract in July, while four others were sent on early retirement.

Macharia said the changes arose from a special meeting of the KPA Board of directors held on Monday.

He announced the drastic action at a joint press conference at Harambee House, Nairobi, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, KRA Commisioner-General John Njiraini and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet.

He said that general managers Twalib Khamis (Operations), Justus Nyarandi (Corporate Services) and Muthoni Gatere (Board and Legal Services) and Security boss Mohamed Morowa were sent on early retirement.

Nyarandi was also the head of the Evaluation team for the berth concession.

Also shown the door were the Mombasa Port OCPD and the county criminal investigations

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WILLY MTENGO CLEARED WITH IEBC

The IEBC has cleared ODM's Willy Baraka Mtengo to vie for Malindi MP amid reports he forged his academic papers to secure employment.

Presiding officer Stephen Karani said: "We are treating the issue as a mere rumour. If he has issues of integrity he should be probed by the EACC and the Education ministry."

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is expected to verify candidates' documents before clearing them.

Speaking in Malindi town on Monday, Karani said Labour Party's Attas Shariff was also cleared to contest for the seat in the by-election set for March 7.

Documents seen by The Star indicate Mtengo forged documents for a job at the Kenya Ports Authority.



They show he submitted forged Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education and first degree certificates to KPA during employment and subsequent promotions.



A special committee formed to probe Mtengo found there were no records of him at Kenyatta High School in Mwatate. A roster at Baptist High School in Mombasa shows he attended the school up to form two but dropped out.

Mtengo dismissed reports he forged his certificates as "cheap propaganda and gossip". He told the Star on Friday that those peddling the claims are malicious and "have sensed defeat".

CONTROLLER OF BUDGET IN RED ALARM

CONTROLLER of Budget Agnes Odhiambo and her deputy Stephen Masha have landed in trouble with President Uhuru Kenyatta over perceived close links with opposition chief Raila Odinga.

The Star has established that the two – who must authorise any withdrawal from the public coffers – were recently summoned to State House after Raila admitted on national TV he had discussed details of the Sh250 billion Eurobond cash with the CoB.

Sources said an angry President Kenyatta accused the office of arming the opposition with adverse propaganda artillery to bring down his administration.

In an interview on Citizen TV on December 21, Raila said Odhiambo had confided in him that over $1 billion from the Eurobond proceeds was not pumped into the Kenyan economy.

“I talked to her before I even went public and she told me a different story . . . she is under a lot of pressure and I actually sympathise with her. She is being intimidated and blackmailed to change that story,” Raila said.

Raila was later to name the Controller of Budget as among “persons of interest” together with a host of high profile civil servants in the Eurobond saga, which he has termed the “grand robbery of Kenya”.

It remains unclear what exactly transpired at State House, apart from the reading of the riot act.

However, Odhiambo was admitted in hospital for weeks last month, for what sources linked to pressure in the delivery of her mandate.

The CoB landed the plum job after Raila vehemently opposed the nomination of William Kirwa by ex-President Mwai Kibaki in 2011.

Currently, the office has yet to release its 2015/2016 second-quarter budget implementation review report that has often put both the county and national governments on the spot over expenditure.

The report was to be released by January 31.

The Star has also established that National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich has an increasingly strained relationship with Auditor General Edward Ouko.

Reliable sources indicate that

THE MALINDI CAMPAIGNS

JUBILEE supporters in Malindi yesterday jammed a venue where Cord leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang'ula were due to address a rally in support of Willy Mtengo.

More than 100 youths held demonstrations in the Msabaha area of Malindi, protesting against the Cord principals.

The incident happened ahead of today's ceremonies where the IEBC is due to clear all those vying for the seat.

Political temperatures are high in the constituency as it is exactly one month before the by- election on Monday March 7 to replace Mining Cabinet Secretary Dan Kazungu in the seat.

Raila, Kalonzo and Wetang'ula are expected to lead thousands of Cord supporters to escort Mtengo to present his nomination papers at the IEBC offices opposite the Malindi law courts.

Mtengo will be the first to present his nomination papers this morning, between 8.30am and 10am, followed by Jubilee candidate Phillip Charo.

Charo will be flanked by over 13 Coast MPs, led by Coast Parliamentary Group chairman Gideon Mung’aro.

Other candidates expected to present their nomination papers are Reuben Mwamure (Kadu Asili), Peter Ponda (Chama Cha Uzalendo), Ahmed Mohamed (Agenda Party) and Yusuf Abubakar (Federal Party).

Official campaigns are expected to start today and the battle is expected to be between Jubilee and ODM.

Since the Malindi seat was declared vacant the constituency has been a hive of activity and has hosted top leaders, including President Uhuru Kenyatta.

President Kenyatta camped in Malindi for three days and now the Cord principals will be in town for several days to drum up support for their candidate.

The results of the March 7 by-election will be a big test for both Cord and Jubilee ahead of the 2017 General Election.

It will also be a double test for Mung’aro as he would want to prove his ability to be the Coast kingpin, a contest be between him and Governor Hassan Joho and at the same time prove that he could well beat Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi in the gubernatorial race.

ANNE WAIGURU CLEARED BY EACC

THE Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has cleared former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru of any wrongdoing in the Sh791 million NYS scandal.

In a confidential letter obtained by the Star dated February 4, 2015, and signed by the EACC chief executive officer Halake Waqo, the Commission told Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua that it had found no evidence of Waiguru’s wrongdoing.

“The Commission has conducted investigations on various allegations touching on the National Youth Service and the Ministry of Devolution and National Planning.

“So far, our investigations have not established any evidence to warrant an adverse recommendation against the former Cabinet Secretary Waiguru.

This is forwarded to you for information,” said the two-paragraph letter, reference EACC.6/2/3 (145). The EACC wrote to Kinyua because at the time of the allegations against her, she was an employee of the Presidency.

Yesterday Waiguru said although she was unaware of the development, she was happy that “the truth had finally come out”.

“I’m sure I will be receiving communication on the matter through official channels. I’m however grateful to God that the truth is finally out. This gives me courage and strength,” said Waiguru.

Waiguru resigned under tremendous external pressure and on doctor’s orders to take on lighter duties. The clearing of her name will certainly energize her quest to succeed Evans Kidero as Nairobi governor.

Although she has not formally announced her candidature, the former minister has been holding meetings with women’s groups in Nairobi who are pressing her to enter the race.

Former PS Peter Mangiti and former NYS director-general Nelson Githinji were charged with attempting to induce the senior deputy director-general in charge of administration, Adan Harakhe, “not to follow up the matter relating to the conspiracy” to steal money from the government.

TYRANNY OF NUMBERS IN MT.KENYA IS A LIE

The much touted tyranny of numbers in Mt Kenya region is a lie, Nyeri region elections coordinator John Muhia has said.
Muhia explained that Nyeri is supposed to have registered 400,000 new voters from 2013 to date but has less than 10,000.
Nyandarua county is trailing with its 2,116 new voters, he said, and compared the county with Kakamega in Western, which he said has 15,000 new voters.
This, he said during a forum at Mood Hotel in Ol Kalou on Friday, means "the people of Mt Kenya region have a reason to be very worried".
"Our people are asleep," he added at a stakeholders mass voter registration forum in Nyandarua. Kirinyaga is the other county in the region.
Mwangi said the IEBC is ready to work with all stakeholders to make the mass voter registration exercise set for February 15 to March 15 a success.
He called on politicians, the church and the media to play an active role. The politicians, he said, should forget their party affiliations and bury their political differences for the common good.
Former Ol Kalou MP Erastus Mureithi earlier said the idea that Mt Kenya region has the numbers to enable Jubilee win the next election is an illusion.
"Our people deceive themselves about having enough votes. The truth is that in other parts of Kenya children are being born and new voters registered are daily," Mureithi said at Ol joro Orok.

A TRAGIC AT MT.KENYA

A Nairobi businessmen's hiking expedition at Mt Longonot National Park in Naivasha turned tragic when one of them died from breathing complications.
The businessman reportedly had the complications at the rim of the crater. His friends are said to have sought help from Kenya Wildlife Service rangers but waited more than four hours.
Henry Mureithi, who was part of the group, said their friend died in their arms at about 6pm on Saturday. He said the group travelled from Nairobi and embarked on the expedition in the afternoon.
Mureithi said the man complained of dizziness and chest congestion before collapsing. He said some members of the group ran downhill to seek help from the rangers.
“It is a steep stretch; you cannot carry someone... You have to call for help from KWS officers. They were not sure what to do in such a situation," he said.
Mureithi accused the warders of laxity and negligence saying they should have been quicker in taking action to save a life.
But a senior KWS official who declined to be named said the only way to rescue someone around the crater was by use of a helicopter, which he said they did not have.
“There is a process of requesting for one from our headquarters in Nairobi,” he said.
The body was taken to a private mortuary in Nairobi.

IEBC TO VERIFY 1.4MILLION SIGNATURES FOR OKOA KENYA BY THE END OF FEBRUARY

The IEBC has recruited 100 temporary clerks who will finish verifying Okoa Kenya referendum signatures by end of February, chairman Issack Hassan has said.

Hassan said the clerks will transfer the 1.4 million signatures submitted by the Cord coalition in hard copy, to soft copy.

The electronic data will be run against the database of registered voters for verification, an exercise that a team from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission will supervise.

The chairman said the commission will facilitate interested independent observers who may wish to participate in the process.

This follows successful negotiations with the National Treasury that saw the commission receive approval for expenses related to the exercise.

Hassan warned leaders against making alarmist or erroneous statements that could result in public unrest, on whether the IEBC is working within its mandate.

“On the issue of timelines, the commission wishes to clarify that Article 257(4) of the constitution does not set specific timelines within which the commission must verify the signatures, he said.

Leaders in the Cord coalition said the signatures, which were submitted in November 2015, were collected and verified after a "daunting process".

The signatures are for the draft bill on the referendum to amend Constitution of Kenya 2010 by popular initiative.

Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka said the referendum will be a major test for the IEBC as the "country is ripe for constitutional change".

The Opposition leaders want amendments for more funding to counties, which they say should be in charge of security.

Other issues they want addressed are electoral, institutional and land reforms, and the entrenchment of the CDF into the Constitution.

TUNOI:AM READY FOR TRIBUNAL

A defiant Supreme Court judge Philip Kiptoo Tunoi — expected to face a tribunal for alleged bribery and gross misconduct — yesterday said he is blameless and will clear his name.

“Justice Tunoi has learnt of the recommendation made by the Judicial Service Commission and reiterates his innocence against the false accusations made against him,” said a statement by his lawyer Fred Ngatia.

Judge Tunoi is accused of receiving a $2 million (Sh200 million) bribe in July 2014 from Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero to rule favourably on a petition challenging his election. His victory had been overturned by the Court of Appeal. A seven-judge Supreme Court bench ruled in Kidero's favour.

The accusation and suggestion money was spread around has divided the court, tarnished its image, prompted calls for its dissolution and riveted the nation.

The governor denies the allegations by former journalist Geoffrey Kiplagat, claiming to have been the middleman.

The judge's statement immediately followed a recommendation by the JSC that President Uhuru Kenyatta appoint a tribunal to investigate allegations.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, who chairs the JSC, said it had adopted its committee's report on the allegations. It did not render a judgement, but recommended a tribunal.

“The Commission is satisfied from the totality of the material and information presented there was inappropriate interaction and communication between Tunoi and agents of a litigant in a matter pending before the Supreme Court," Mutunga said.

He said this contact "amounts to gross misconduct and misbehaviour, sufficient to warrant establishment of a tribunal to further investigate".

Ferdinand Waititu, who lost to Kidero and lost his challenge to the election, yesterday announced he will seek a review of the Supreme Court judgement affirming Kidero's victory.

Sources said the committee discounted the judges entire defense and found no malice in the JSC action, as Tunoi had claimed.

In making its decision, the JSC considered

WILLY MTENGO:MY PAPERS ARE NOT FAKE

ODM’s Malindi by-election candidate Willy Mtengo yesterday dismissed as cheap propaganda reports his academic certificates are fake.

Mtengo told the Star those peddling claims of forged papers are malicious and "have sensed defeat" in the March 7 by-election.

"I can tell you for sure my papers are in order and the record of schools I have gone to is well known.

"These cheap antics by Jubilee are because they know I'm winning the race. Let us meet at the ballot," Mtengo said.

ODM, which has traditionally dominated the Coast, goes head to head with Jubilee, which is seeking to make inroads.

The poll will test the ground for 2017 and the stakes are high for regional politicians.

Mtengo said he sat his KCPE exams at Malindi HGM in 1986, giving his certificate number as 337466.

"I sat my KCSE certificate at Kenyatta High School in Mwatate, Taita Taveta, in 1992 and subsequently attended Schiller International University in Germany," he said.

MPs are required to have post-secondary education.

On Thursday, the Star reported questions have been raised about Mtengo's academic papers. It said documents indicating Mtengo submitted forged KCSE exam and first-degree certificates to the Kenya Ports Authority before employment and subsequent promotions.



Mtengo worked at KPA from 1998 to 2011, rising from cadet trainee to public relations officer and finally personal assistant to the MD in 2006.

 He became Resident Representative, Great Lakes Region, Grade HM 1.



Yesterday ODM issued a statement saying their candidate's papers were genuine.

"Mtengo has all the necessary/required documents, both academic and political (Nomination Certificate), to present to the IEBC on Monday.

"Therefore, there's no doubt Mtengo will fly the ODM party ticket and represent Cord in the by-election," ODM communications director Philip Etale said.

The statement said any information to the contrary was fabricated and part of a smear campaign.

“One can go ahead and confirm this with the respective institutions.

GOVERNOR MUTUA ON IEBC

Alfred Mutua has said the 2017 general poll should be put off if Kenyans living in East African countries and around the world are not allowed to vote.

The Machakos Governor asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to ensure all Kenyans in EA and the Diaspora participate.

The commission said only countries with more than 3,000 Kenyan voters qualify for polling stations. Those in the Diaspora can only vote for the President and in a referendum.

But Mutua said even Kenyans in countries that do not meet the requirement "must be allowed to exercise their constitutional right to elect the leaders they deserve".

"Voting is not a favour but a right for every Kenyan, regardless of where they are," he told hundreds living in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during a forum on Thursday evening.

Mutua said the IEBC must be put under pressure to establish mechanisms for Kenyans outside the country to vote, as locking them out would be "unfair and unconstitutional".

The commission said the registration of Kenyan voters in the Diaspora will take place between March 10 and 24.

Mutua, who was the keynote speaker at a forum on investments in Machakos, by parties living in Tanzania, said the county has potential for good returns.

"I keep on saying the solutions for the problems facing our country will come from Kenyans; w must invest back home,'' he said.

Mutua said the primary focus of his Maendeleo Chap Chap Movement is development-based politics, not empty promises.

He said leaders opposing the movement are afraid of the political paradigm shift from focus on not self interests to the people.

The Governor said there is need for people-focused leadership but that most leaders are "self-centred and concentrate on politics of seizing and controlling power".

"We are tired of politics of poverty. We need politics of development. That is why I always insist there is no romance in poverty," he said.

ODM:APOLOGISE OR WE SUE YOU

Six ODM members on Wednesday threatened to sue East Gem MCA Booker Minami for calling them beggars.

The MCA reportedly took issue with the leaders from Gem subcounty for asking politicians to finance grassroots meetings instead of funding from their pockets.

"When we seek help from politicians to conduct meetings in favor for our leader Raila Odinga, it shouldn’t be used as a weapon to fight us in funerals and rallies," Yala township ODM chairman Ogam Maramba said.

"We have given Booker seven days ultimatum to apologise for calling Gem subcounty leaders 'beggars',failure to which legal action will be taken against him," Maramba said.

Speaking in Yala, Maramba asked Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo to tame Booker, whom they said disrespects ODM's grassroots leaders and attacks them unnecessarily.

"We can also do the same to him but we have toned down. He must come out and apologise if he wants peace to continue prevailing in the subcounty."

"We have in the past accorded MCAs and MPs respect and restrained ourselves from political attacks. Genuine ODM members do not talk negatively about any MCA in public because they respect their position," Maramba added. 

He said some politicians, including Booker had no agenda and and resolved to selectively wage a smear campaign against ODM chairmen despite his position in Siaya government.

Maramba spoke in the presence of Woman Representative Christine Ombaka and Gem ODM chairman Douglas Otiato.

1BILLION SHILLINGS FOR IDP

The state yesterday released Sh1 billion to conclude the resettlement of all the remaining internally

displaced persons in the country.

Deputy President William Ruto said the money would be wired to the IDPs’ accounts from yesterday.

He spoke at his Karen residence.

Ruto said the 5,261 families are among the victims of the 2007-08 post-election violence and Mau Forest evictions.

“From tomorrow, this money will be available in the IDPs’ bank accounts and we expect that by Monday no one will be remaining in the camps and they will all be closed,” he said.

The DP instructed Devolution CS Mwangi Kiunjuri to find mechanisms for arbitration on four farms that have been purchased for a resettlement programme.

“I am asking the Attorney General to expedite the cases involving the 4,000-acre farms, including hiring private lawyers,” he said.

Ruto said the government has compensated 28,924 IDP families since the PEV, with 20,170 being resettled.

The state has spent Sh17.5 billion to settle them, he said.

Ruto asked county commissioners in Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Isiolo and Nyandarua, where most of the remaining IDP camps are, to facilitate removal of the camps from the roadsides from Monday.

IDP national chairman Patrick Githinji said nobody should claim to be an IDP after this final resettlement programme.

AP BOSS:AM NOT AWARE OF GHOST OFFICERS

Moyale AP boss Joseph Bartore yesterday was questioned about alleged ghost officers who worked on his watch.

Bartore appeared before the police vetting panel yesterday, seeking to overturn his dismissal from the force.

He disowned a list of 14 so-called ghost policemen, who received money from a Chinese Construction Company in Moyale town.

He told the Johnston Kavuludi-led National Police Service Commission that a senior sergeant of police seconded to security of government buildings should be held responsible for the list of phantom officers.

Bartore was defending himself against allegations of falsifying records of how he deployed police officers and also withholding allowances meant for his juniors.

Yesterday, he said he was not in charge of the officers working at the Moyale KRA offices, despite their working in his area of command.

Bartore acknowledged , however, he had deployed two of his junior officers to help in security at a construction site, together with other AP officer seconded to KRA.

The officer told the commission it is possible that the senior sergeant could have colluded with Chinese workers at the site to prepare fake documents, in return stealing cash from the government.

Commissioner Murshid Mohammed said the commission might summon the senior sergeant to shed more light on the ghost workers.

POLITICIAN WITH HATE SPEACH SHOULD BE ARRESTED

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery has directed all county commissioners and county police commanders to arrest politicians who spread hate speech.

Nkaissery yesterday warned that cases of political incitement and negative ethnic mobilization are likely to increase as the country prepares for the 2017 general election.

“We are heading into a season of heightened political rhetoric and a lot of posturing; be on the lookout on hate speech and I have given you the authority to take action. Arrest anyone who incites, because we do not want to go back to 2007. Do not fear,” he said.

Nkaissery addressed county commissioners, regional coordinators and police commanders at the Kenya School of Government during a workshop on how to address the threats that face the country.

He said cases of hate speech, especially propagated through social media, are something he will fight to the end.

“As the Cabinet Secretary in charge of security, I will not relent in my fight against individuals whose agenda is to cause chaos,” he warned.

County commissioners coordinate national government activities at the county level.

Nkaissery rubbished claims by Cord that the government was denying the opposition strongholds identity cards, saying 370,000 cards all over the country have not been collected.

“I have directed that anyone who is eligible to have an identity card be given one,” he said, urging Cord to prove its claims.

Interior PS Karanja Kibicho, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, and CID director Ndegwa Muhoro attended the one-day workshop.

Nkaissery warned the county chiefs against sitting back to watch as the country slides back to the chaos witnessed in 2007.

The violence that rocked the country between December 2007 and February 2008 saw over 1,100 people killed, thousands injured and more than 600,000 forced to flee their homes.

Nkaissery at the same time gave an amnesty to chiefs who had been interdicted last year after illicit brew was found within their jurisdiction.