Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s remarks on Muslim women wear has elicited mixed reactions.

But there’s one that was quite telling.

“Duale was not misquoted. He said they wii (sic: will) make Muslim girls wear hijab. That is the road to (sic: to) Talibanism,” David Ndii shot back on Twitter after a user OmarBadru1 said that the mainstream media was engaging in sensational reporting.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale

David Ndii is the head of the Presidential Council of Economic Advisors in the William Ruto regime.

Perhaps it is well to look at the chronology of events.

Aden Duale met the French Ambassador to Kenya, Arnaud Suquet at the Defence Headquarters Nairobi, yesterday.

Did the French ambassador have something to do with his later remarks concerning Hijab?

The French don’t have a good record on Muslim women, Hijab, Burqa etc

The French govt’s fight against Hijab is well known.

For starters, on 14th September 2010, the French parliament passed a law banning the wearing of face covering head gear including masks, helmets, balaclavas, niqabs and burqas 

READ: Diplomatic Impunity: French School Nairobi Accused of Tax Evasion, Discrimination

The burqa is a full body covering won by some Muslims that also covers the face. The burqa is synonymous with Afghanistan and Taliban.

That law imposed a fine of €150 (approx. Sh20k) for anyone flouting it.

David Ndii: Chair of the Presidential Council of Economic Advisors

The bill also penalises, with a fine of €30,000 (approx. Sh4 million)and one year in prison, anyone who forces (by violence, threats, or abuse of power) another to wear face coverings; these penalties may be doubled if the victim is under the age of 18

So, Duale meets the French ambassador then goes to a Muslim meeting and rants about those that don’t want to respect that, to ‘LEAVE THE COUNTY’.

READ: French Embassy Flies The LGBT Flag High In Kenya

“It is a must for any Muslim woman in Kenya to wear a hijab or scarf. If they do not want, then to look for another country to go to,” Mr Duale was reportedly said.

To quote him verbatim, Duale said, “The govt will respect Muslim culture. We will make sure our girls wear Hijab. If you have a problem with our girls & wives wearing Hijab, then you better leave this country because they will wear Hijab.”

All covering Burqa (in blue) and Hijab (in black)

CS Duale reportedly made the remarks at Sir Ali Muslim Club, Park Road, Nairobi, on Tuesday during the launch of the International Quran Competition.

The event was attended by Muslim leaders drawn from key Islamic institutions from the country, internationally renowned Islamic scholars and imams drawn from Nairobi and its environs.

Not the first time

This is not the first time that the Defence CS has called for Muslim women to wear the hijab.

In 2019, he said the Ministry of Education should take disciplinary action against school headteachers who forced Muslim girls to remove the hijab.

“It is clear CS Duale’s comments can be twisted to mean, muslim women that don’t wear Hijab should leave the country. However as per the videos, it looks like he was being forced to drop hijab or something and he shot back at those forces” – Writer

He claimed that Muslim girls faced discrimination because of the religious dressing and asked then-Education CS George Magoha to issue a directive to protect them.

The Defence CS was also critical of The National Chairman of the Kenya Muslims National Advisory Council (KEMNAC) Sheikh Juma Ngao.

But the big question is, what did the French Ambassador tell Duale?

Something big is brewing.

Here are some other reactions from Kenyans on Twitter:

I do not see anything wrong with whatever CS @HonAdenDuale said.
As a Catholic, if you have a problem with our Priests not marrying and you are in Kenya, find another country too because they will never marry.

— Moses (@Msesi_law) December 20, 2022

Bwana Duale Muslim women can wear hijab according to chapter 33, Verse 59 – Al Ahzab but they cannot leave the country because Kenya is not Islamic state ruled by Islamic law (sharia). pic.twitter.com/kZd1dmyvHQ

— Joachim Omolo (@omolobeste) December 21, 2022

I have problem with it but you have no right to tell me to leave, the country is not yours or Duale's.

— herold oluoch (@beneah) December 20, 2022

Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Prof Edward Edward Kisiang’ani

A section of journalists working for the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) has sent out a cry for help over delayed dues.

Speaking out to this site’s Chief Editor Cyprian Nyakundi, the team of correspondents says they have gone unpaid for over six (6) months and have sunk into massive debts.

They claim that some greedy and corrupt managers at the state-owned broadcaster have been siphoning funds meant to settle their salaries to rogue money-lending firms with the intent of gaining interest before wiring them back to the company’s accounts.

This ultimately results in massive delays that are hurting correspondents on the ground.

Recently, one of them wrote to the newly appointed Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Prof Edward Edward Kisiang’ani, pleading with him to urgently look into the situation.

Here is what he had to say in the widely circulated letter.

“Good evening Professor, PS Kisiangani.

It has been a long time not seeing.

The reason for me to write this post is to let know that as KBC Correspondents, we are suffering greatly, and we are in distress and others in depression over what we term delayed salaries for the last 6 months.

We are fathers and mothers who put food on the table and take care of our going school children and others in College, but we cannot afford it now due to the situation we’re going through.

Prof, I recall you were invited to the Broadcasting house and you categorically said that as Accounting Authority you’ll make sure the affairs of KBC are well looked at.

Now I am requesting you humbly bwana PS.

Life to us is unbearable and if not looked at, we are going for Christmas without money.

Our kids will not enjoy themselves with other kids in the village, since we cannot afford to go upcountry.

Regards KBC Correspondent,” the letter says.

At least in Uganda, the law seems to work. How ironical?

MTN, a Ugandan Telco led by former Safaricom Director Sylvia Mulinge has been ordered to compensate Mr Julius Peter Occur Odwe, Sh18 million (Uganda Shilings526 million).

Julius Peter Ocur Odwe – former Deputy IGP, Uganda police

The money is in compensation for trespassing on Mr Odwe’s land.

Odwe, a former deputy Inspector General of Police, took MTN to court in 2012, for laying fibre optic cables on his land, preventing him from expanding his building constructions.

The then Lira High Court Judge, Lady Justice Dr Winifred Nabisinde, heard the case and visited the land in issue and delivered judgement with a conclusion that MTN trespassed.

Accordingly, the court awarded the former deputy IGP Shs300 million with interest at 23 per cent from the time of the judgement till full payment.

Lady Justice Nabisinde also directed that MTN and Mr Odwe negotiate and agree on terms and conditions for continued use of the land where the fibre cables have been laid.

Safaricom Killer Director: Sylvia Mulinge – CEO, MTN. On the night of 1st February 2015, a drunk Sylvia Wairimu Njugua also known as Sylvia Mulinge was the driver of a Toyota Prado, KBU 483M, driving along the Southern-By-Pass in Nairobi when she negligently drove and caused it to hit eight-year-old Mary Kusa Etale who then passed on. The case was booked at the Langata Police Station, the Director of Pulic Prosecutions took it up, then it disappeared.

Mr Odwe’s lawyer, Counsel Quirinus Oyugi Onono said: “However, MTN continued to trespass, making money and ignored the land owner with impunity. They instead went to court to block payment of all debts amounting to Shs526,915,000.”

This matter arising from civil suit number 10 of 2012 – MTN Uganda versus Ocur Odwe – came up for final disposal on December 19, 2022, before Justice Duncan Gaswaga, the Lira Resident Judge.

Justice Gaswaga heard submissions of all the parties for and against the stay of execution and found no merits to block payment of the debt by MTN to Mr Odwe.

READ: Transcend Saga: Safaricom multi-billionaire staff and their subversion of justice

“The application lacks the merits and is hereby dismissed with costs. The court declines to set aside the Garnishee Order nisi issued in Miscellaneous Application no 123 of 2022,” he ruled.

LEFT: Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho RIGHT: South Sudan President Salva Kiir

President of South Sudan, Mr Salva Kiir has pushed President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration to allow a controversial firm associated with the former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho to handle cargo destined to the landlocked country from the Port of Mombasa through standard gauge railway.

The lucrative deal will see Autoport Freight Terminals Ltd handle all South Sudan imports at Nairobi Freight Terminal (NFT).

The push by Kiir has seen Kenya reverse a September order, which restricted the clearance of cargo operations to Mombasa Port.

A letter from the Ministry of Transport has informed the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) that Autoport, which bagged the deal to operate at the tax-funded NFT with forged documents, will remain the sole handler of Salva Kiir’s cargo.

Other than bagging lucrative deals through forgeries and powerful proxies, Joho’s firm has also been on the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) radar over tax evasion.

The firm’s deal with South Sudan suffered a huge blow after the Supreme Court of Kenya upheld Dr Ruto’s win in the August 9 presidential election against Joho’s political father, Mzee Raila Odinga.

Autoport bagged the South Sudan contract after bribing Kenya Railways Corporation which offered it a terminal at the Nairobi Inland Container Depot which is connected to the SGR and easily evacuates cargo from Mombasa Port.

Joho supported Odinga in the last elections and threw unprintable words at Dr. Ruto, raising fears that the Kenya Kwanza administration would review the terminal deal and derail his port businesses.

In fact, after Ruto was sworn in on September 13, 2022, he issued an executive order directing that all clearance of cargo and operations be reverted to Mombasa port.

This was in line with the promise he made to the people of the coast during his campaigns.

But Salva Kiir was uneasy with the directive and wanted an arrangement where South Sudanese traders would clear their goods at either Nairobi or Naivasha dry ports.

He threatened to divert businesses to the Djibouti route, which is shorter, forcing President Ruto to reverse his directive early this month when he visited Juba to ensure that the neighbouring country retains Kenya as its transshipment cargo.

A move to Djibouti would have denied Kenya revenue on 1.1 million tonnes of cargo that the Joho firm handles every year.

The controversial deal is a boost to SGR which is struggling to repay the $5.1 billion Chinese loan used in its construction from Mombasa to Nairobi. Cargo destined for South Sudan will be cleared in Nairobi meaning there will be increased volumes to be ferried on the SGR.

Joho firm took over operations at an inland cargo terminal in Nairobi during the ‘Handshake’ government which favored former president Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga allies.

It was given exclusive rights to use NFT, which is strategically located near SGR terminal in Syokimau after it bribed the KRC board and promised to move 1.6 million tonnes annually.

It must be noted that President Ruto allowed Joho firm to bag the lucrative deal not because it has stronger business ties with South Sudan or it is a trusted and efficient agent but because Salva Kiir had bought 3 acres of land in Djibouti to construct a dry port.

A move to Djibouti would deny Kenya business, but there is more that needs to be scrutinized in Kiir’s decision to only use the controversial Joho firm when his war-torn country is currently facing an arms embargo.

Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron

Residents of Kisumu County have urged Nyanza regional police commander, Mr. Karanja Muiruri, to investigate the dealings of Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron whose social gatherings have been rocked by a series of violence linked to a gang of young men who parade as his bodyguards.

Oron, who is serving his first term, gained notoriety after he enlisted jobless youths to guard him and violently counter his opponents in public and in private meetings to instill fear among those he perceives to be critical of his arrogant leadership style.

Concerns have been raised that Oron’s violent action is turning into a security threat, and police should swing into action and probe the trend before it gets out of hand.

An ugly scene recently played out in Seme Sub-county where his intoxicated gang nearly descended on Ruth Odinga’s bodyguard, Mr. Stephen Midenyo alias Murder.

The gang accused Murder of leading a group of locals who heckled the MP over allegations that he short-changed the voters with fake campaign promises.

The locals and a section of ODM party sycophants have insisted that Oron is a one-term MP who must be taught a lesson in the 2027 elections.

In another incident, the rogue MP’s team was heckled during the burial of former MCA Ojwang Ogendo’s daughter in Nyalenda area of Kisumu.

He is also being accused of defying the Orange party after he rebelled against Raila Odinga, and he is already crafting his 2027 gubernatorial bid.

He has been holding night meetings with splinter Luo elders allied to Odoyo Owidi to back his push to succeed Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o who is serving his second and final term.

His political quest has sharply divided the money-hungry council of Luo elders.

One group opposed to his early campaigns is still waiting for directions from Raila before it makes its next move.

The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methanism will be used to resolve disputes between former and new directors at the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA).

This in order to resolve outstanding issues and pave the way for the implementation of the provisions of the Tea Act 2020.

Mithika Linturi, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture

Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi noted that many court cases that have been lodged against the implementation of the act have hampered the implementation of some of the tea reforms and the realization of the desired outcomes for the tea sub-sector.

“The government will not allow interference with the management of tea farmers’ properties and therefore urges those aggrieved by the elections that were held last year by smallholder tea farmers to await the conclusion of the cases filed in court,” said Linturi.

The ministry has set up a task force to help resolve some of the cases that were filed by the former directors and the former management of Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) and smallholder tea factories.

The CS did not however announce the members of the task force.

The CS noted that among the key interventions that were made to address the high cost of inputs and to cushion tea farmers from an upsurge in fertilizer prices occasioned by global economic factors was the provision of fertilizer subsidy, further assuring tea farmers that bank rates will be re-looked to conform with the international money market.

KTDA Cartels

KTDA has been dogged by dramas that have not helped the farmer.

The directors, through court cases have ensured that reforms in the sector is defeated.

A powerful and ruthless cartel controls the tea sector.

Tea farmers across Kenya are beginning to suffer under the newly appointed KTDA directors, through crooked pricing and open exploitation.

Like in the past as shown below, farmers are getting the short end of the stick.

Of the 200 million kilograms of tea that KTDA processed annually, 60% is sold at Mombasa Tea Auction on Tuesdays all year round. The other 40% was handled through private arrangements where certain well-placed players were given wealth on a silver platter.

Wilson Muthaura, CEO, KTDA

One of those cartels that cons farmers through a crooked, opaque and corrupt price discovery is KTDA’s marketing department through Chai Trading Limited, and Lipton.

The two entities buys over 100 million Kilogrammes of tea from KTDA annually.

Treatment of Chai Trading Limited as a non-entity of KTDA was the fraud in itself. 

Big multinationals and Chai Trading suppress the auction prices by bidding rock bottom prices. So brokers are unable to sell them the tea below reserve prices.

Therefore, when the multinationals and Chai Trading fail to get tea at rock-bottom extortion prices, they go to Marketing Department on Wednesdays where they are offered the tea at rock-bottom prices.

Chai Trading Limited deals mainly in premium tea grown in the region known as east of Rift Valley: Kiambu, Muranga, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu and Meru. 

The tactics used by the ousted KTDA cartel directors, of reaping where they do not sow, is back in full swing.

If the situation continues, farmers across the country will uproot their tea plantations in protests over KTDA and there will be no boasting, by the govt, about how Kenya tea is international.

A new luo song mentioned the faceless and reclusive Tweep Lagaless.

Sidang’ Studios first artist Ellie croons in a song titled, Dr Theophilus Chando, which follows the tradition of praisename poetry among the Luo people. Luos are said to be people of “nyadhi” (immeasurable pride) and great music as well, hence it only makes sense that sometimes they engage in poetry of praise – for whatever reason, in their songs.

Lagaless Twitter profile picture

The poet, philosopher and now composer honors some of his friends, mentioned among them, Lagaless, twice, at minutes 3:47 and 4:37.

Sidang’s debut album “Sigand Ogila Nyakarondo”, the title song of which glorifies and tells the tale of the age-old Luo folktale of the hare and the spider, is going to shock the airwaves in Luo music circles. In the song Sidang’ narrates how the hare seeks a favour from the spider to build an “expressway” to the skies where the wily hare is scheduled to visit to his in-laws. The spider agrees and accompanies thr hare, alongside other friends including the squirrel, the rat, the gazelle, etc. The juice lies in what happens when they get to the skies and are warmly received.

The artist, Ellie, demonstrates his prowess and power in belting out well composed music. Ellie is a gifted vocalist attached to the Benga Maestro Johnny Junior’s BV Band.

Sidang’s BengaStream is a project that supports young and upcoming artists in the various shades and styles of benga, to give it a new breath of life.

The whole album was written and composed by award-winning author Adipo Sidang’ and produced by Sidang’ Studios. The track producer was Emka Bangonga, whom Sidang’ mentions in the songs.

Sidang’ says BengaStream project will expand to include Nyatiti, Orutu, Obokano, and other artists; and other artists in what’s generally called Afrofusion/world music, across tribes of Kenya.

For Lagaless song, listen and pay close attention to minutes, 3:47 and 4:37.

VIDEO

A Fargo Courier truck

An anonymous whistleblower has spoken out against Fargo Courier Limited for allegedly mistreating its workers.

Writing to this blog on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, an employee at the logistics firm lamented poor working conditions at its Nairobi branch.

The source disclosed that suffering staff have been intimidated into silence by the company’s rogue management led by Richard Baudry.

Mr Baudry is fixated on making profits at the expense of the workers’ well-being.

Drivers and escorts say they are forced to transport goods in unroadworthy vehicles, which puts them at major risk of accidents on Kenya’s dangerous roads.

Anyone that dares to complain is immediately shown the door.

To make matters worse, the allowances they receive can hardly sustain them for long-distance trips.

“Hello, Nyakundi.

I am tired of being exploited, and I want to bring to your attention of a well-known company which no one is willing to take the risk to expose because of the fear instilled in them.

I am a heavy truck driver at Wells Fargo and we are all being exploited to work extra hours without overtime payments.

The matter is worse since the condition of where we sleep is deplorable at Transami.

The meal allowance they give us can’t even take care of myself for the time I am expected to be on duty.

The same suffering extends to escorts and those who pack the parcels in the trucks.

It’s really painful knowing even some of the FH trucks that we’re driving are unroadworthy, and yet we ain’t supposed to complain about it or lose our jobs.

I have full courage in sharing anything that will bring us justice at work before huyu mzungu atumalize!” an insider wrote to us under the request of anonymity.

The Royal Bentley Lounge 

A popular entertainment joint along Muchai Drive, off Ngong Road, Nairobi, has been exposed for failing to pay its workers.

Speaking to us on Thursday, December 22, 2022, an employee at Royal Betley Lounge said that aside from delayed dues, the management is notorious for mistreatment and intimidation.

Staff working at the nightclub have no access to benefits like the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) or the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

To make matters worse, they compel their workforce to report to their duties every day.

Some have already given up, and there are rumors of a looming mass exodus.

“Hi Nyakundi.

I’m texting from Royal Bentley Lounge, the reason being that it is now 3 months without payment.

There is rampant threatening of staff, no NHIF or NSSF, and no leaves.

We work from Monday to Monday, no relaxing at all.

Please come on board to help staff have a voice,” the source wrote.

Former director-general of the National Museums of Kenya, Dr. Mzalendo Kibunjia Nyagah

In July this year, we unearthed a can of worms at the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) where the immediate former Director-General, Dr. Mzalendo Kibunjia Nyagah, is reported to have left a long trail of plunder, graft, and nepotism during his eight-year tenure.

Trusted insiders described his leadership as a disastrous nightmare.

His appointment saw the birth of constant staff intimidation, nonpayment of dues, and oppression of labour leaders.

He successfully crippled the workers’ union, and this effectively ensured that things like annual wage increments were a thing of the past.

Dr. Kibunjia executed all these irregularities through the help of his loyal cronies, carefully plucked from the hundreds of his tribesmen from Tharaka, who invaded the corporation immediately after he took over.

It is rumored that the move was a ploy to gain popularity in his native constituency, where he has always been heavily involved in politics.

The mass employment of his kinsmen allowed him to control NMK like his personal kiosk.

In fact, even before campaigns officially began, Dr. Kibunjia was already making trips to rural Tharaka using NMK’s official SUV— a Toyota Prado.

In case you missed out on that explosive article, you can check by clicking the thumbnail below.

Tharaka Nithi Gubernatorial Aspirant Mzalendo Kibunjia Leaves Trail of Plunder, Graft and Nepotism At National Museums of Kenya

Six months after our exposé on the mega graft, corruption, plunder, nepotism and kickback-for-jobs at NMK, perpetrators of these crimes, Mzalendo Kibunjia and his close associates, have plunged into deep panic.

This is after they learnt of an ongoing investigation by sleuths from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) who have pitched camp at the state corporation for the last year.

The probe has so far revealed how Mzalendo and finance staff sold jobs to the highest bidders and how the head of administration Sudi Mwiti led a team of inexperienced maintenance artisans to do a road in Memorial Museums where they misappropriated Sh14 million.

They failed to follow procurement laws and did not produce any receipts to justify the spending.

The Kibuja administration sacrificed fairness, experience, and professionalism at the altar of nepotism, mediocrity, and patronage.

EACC has summoned top managers, including directors, to Integrity House to record statements relating to the institution operating with two payrolls carrying a total of 105 ghost workers.

The ghost workers mainly included close relatives, friends and associates of the corporation’s staff.

The most affected was the finance department.

It is also established that a letter written to the outgoing Principal Secretary (PS) outlining recommendations to curb the vices, the vices, particularly of selling jobs, was never implemented.

As a result, KCB has withdrawn staff loan services to NMK, due to dozens of illegally employed workers who applied for loans that they could no longer service once the double payroll scandal was unearthed.

This has denied genuine workers access to loans.

In a letter doing the rounds on social media dated November 18, 2022, EACC summoned Dr Kibunjia to record statements and shed more light on the scam.

It is claimed that the financial controller Geoffrey Namachanja and Mwiti Sudi were major accomplices in this double payroll scandal, which continued for eight good years during Mzalendo’s tenure.

Mr Namachanja reportedly has an insatiable appetite for being included in all trips for him to enjoy per diems.

The National Museums of Kenya’s financial budgets since FY 2014/15 have been under strict scrutiny.

About four months ago, two payroll staff, Oliver Rabuor and Wycliffe Ongata, were suspended and have been out in the cold.

Other key suspects and accomplices are still running scot-free.

Kibunjia was jilted politically in the recently concluded elections when his two running mates deserted him one after the other when he ran for the Tharaka Nithi governorship on Narc Kenya.

He was forced to step down reluctantly in favour of his rival Muthomi Njuki of UDA.

As things stand, his bank accounts have been frozen.

This has left him begging for handouts from all manner of people, including staff who seem to be happy with his tribulations.

Meanwhile, NMK staff are closely following the drama as it unfolds, with the hope that the wheels of justice will take its due course and Kibunjia as well as his partners in crime, face trial and be sentenced to jail.

According to a report by Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu, NMK’s audited accounts for the 2020/21 financial year show that the corporation is broke.

The current liabilities are Sh276.85 million against assets of Shh137.68 million, translating to negative working capital of Sh139.17 million.

The report raises concerns about the Sh226.02 million Fort Jesus Unesco World Heritage site in Mombasa that has stalled.

The project was a conduit used by Kibunjia and Namachanja to loot millions.

At the time it stalled, Sh108.37 million had already been paid to a local contractor undertaking the construction of the heritage site project.

The audit notes that the delay in completion may result in cost escalation and that the public may not get value for the funds already pumped into the project.

A site visit by the auditors indicated that the local contractor was not on site and had not been on the ground since December 2021.

Further Shs59.35 million Vasco da Gama Seawall and concrete repairs project has overshot its completion period.

The works on the Fort Jesus project started on September 3, 2020, with the completion date set for March 3, 2021, before being extended twice — to June 3, 2021, and September 15, 2021.

The Vasco Da Gama Seawall and concrete repairs project started on May 25, 2020 and was to be completed on May 10, 2021.

The report reveals, the contractor had finished the works and handed over the project to NMK, audit verification in February this year show that the pavement on the eastern wall had cracked and part of the ground had sunk.

The central walkway pavement concrete had also cracked.

The cracks cast doubt on whether the affected area has been filled with gunny bags or selected boulders, as proposed in the bills of quantities.

Residents of Parklands in Nairobi have urged police to investigate an upcoming eatery joint that is slowly morphing into yet another loud bar, despite the county government’s ban on noisy nightclubs in residential areas.

Last month, Governor Johnson Sakaja controversially revoked all licences for nightclubs and liquor stores within residential areas, a move that has attracted the full support of president William Ruto.

Affected residents are up in arms, demanding that relevant authorities should visit the area for inspection and take possible legal action against the owner of the new entertainment joint right in the middle of their houses.

The business located directly opposite KenGen House along Kolobot road, has disguised itself as “Blessed Butchery and Hotel”, as the proprietor angles to transform it into a full-fledged nightclub.

“This kind of cat-and-mouse game where guys pretend to be initially putting up a hotel and butchery before transforming into a club has been the trend in this area and this should come to a stop,” a resident lamented.

Other sources reliably informed us that the place is currently undergoing an illegal extension of a veranda that touches the road, and a canopy shade designed to describe it as a sports bar has already been erected.

The mysterious owner is a city tycoon who has pocketed authorities and brags to be only a phone call away from those in charge of the current government.

It is quite baffling how he has gathered the confidence to set up a new club within the estate, at a time the county government had declared that no nightclub licenses would be issued or renewed for establishments outside the city centre.

Governor Sakaja launched the crackdown following numerous complaints from the city residents about noise emanating from bars.

President Ruto consequently supported the move, urging the governor to protect children from noise.

“Governor Sakaja, please keep the noise away from our children. You have our support,” Ruto said.

A number of bodies, including the Kenya Alliance of Residents association, through its CEO, Ochieng, have supported the ongoing crackdown on noisy bars.

The late Harry Thuku of Budu Rovers

Members of “Bundu Rovers”—an exclusive club of 4×4 SUV owners in Kenya—are mourning the sudden demise of a key patron in the community.

Harry Thuku, who was affectionately known within the circle as “Ngamia Moja”, passed away on the morning of Friday, December 23, 2022, after what his family described as a “short illness”.

He has been celebrated for his immense contribution to the Bundu Rovers community by taking part in organizing and coordinating innumerable, fun-packed road trips across the country.

Mr Thuku’s family has requested privacy as they grieve his loss, adding that details of the meetings and the funeral will be announced in due course.

We express our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time and wish him eternal rest.

KeRRa director general Philemon Kandie will be given an ultimatum to resign as pressure mounts on him after being snubbed by President William Ruto after he tried to meet him recently.

The president is seeking to revoke many appointments that were hastily and illegally made and replace the removed people with people that share his vision.

Most board appointments made by president Uhuru have been revoked and replaced with different people the next being state parastatals like KeRRa where the director generals have the security of tenure hence the reason why one has to be forced to resign themselves.

According to those close to the William Ruto regime, Philemon Kandie will sabotage his agenda given that he was strongly against his presidential bid. Philemon Kandie has been Gideon Moi’s person and he is the one who lobbied for him to be appointed.

Gideon Moi lobbied for the appointment of KeRRa boss Philemon Kandie

Further reports indicate that the DG might have used KeRRa money to fund Azimio campaigns, something the Transport CS may be tasked to investigate.

Corruption at the keRRA is not a secret. In 2020, a senior official at keRRA was found with assets in excess of Sh1.5 billion despite him earning a relatively modest monthly salary of Sh390,000, triggering investigations into the source of his wealth.

Benson Muteti Musila, a regional manager of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (Kerra), was put to task to explain how he acquired his vast wealth of 35 assets, including land and other real estate property in Nairobi, Makueni and Kilifi counties which are managed by his spouse, Zipporah Mwongeli.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) raised the red flag on Mr Musila’s wealth on suspicion that he was a beneficiary of kickbacks from road contractors through an account at the KCB Bank Kilifi branch.
He, however, denied the claims and rushed to court seeking to block the EACC from investigating the wealth he co-owned with his wife, alleging a violation of his rights.

Anti-Corruption Court judge Mumbi Ngugi however dismissed Mr Musila’s petition and allowed the EACC to investigate the source of his wealth.
Justice Ngugi said it was in the public interest that the investigative bodies are allowed to carry out their mandates without interference, adding that there must be very clear and cogent reasons for the court to interfere with the exercise of their powers.

In 2021, KERRA procurement official Margaret Muthui came under probe by EACC. EACC said Muthui was under probe over suspicious transactions. Muthui’s accounts were frozen after paying Ksh264m in cash for 11 apartments.

Asset Recovery Agency asked the court to freeze assets and bank accounts after they argued Muthui’s properties were proceeds of crime

City tycoon Joel Kibe when he appeared in court for causing death via drink-driving in 2016

Controversial city tycoon Joel Kibe has been unmasked as the owner of the collapsed seven-storey building that killed three people and left scores injured in Kasarani, Nairobi, on 16th November 2022.

Before it collapsed, the residential building was under construction and had shown signs of weakness, including visible cracks.

Government officials had inspected the construction site and asked workers to leave, but the developer told them to continue.

Kibe, a former director with the Cooper Motors Corporation (CMC) and the Chairman of the Jubilee Party Business Council, has since fled into hiding in Europe as he tries to sort out the dirty mess.

Sources say he is in deep panic and afraid of returning to Kenya, where a new regime—which he vehemently opposed in the last elections—is now in power.

During the 2022 campaigns, Kibe was part of the infamous Mt Kenya billionaires club that showered Azimio La Umoja coalition with wads of cash, hoping they would emerge victorious.

He personally contributed over Sh200 million to the Raila Odinga-led outfit, which dreadfully lost to President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance in the hotly contested August polls.

The loss was a big blow to Kibe, who previously enjoyed deep connections in Rtd. President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

This granted him the privilege to get away with all sorts of crimes, including murder, land grabbing and fraud.

In February 2016, Kibe was charged with causing death by dangerous driving under the influence of alcohol in Runda, Nairobi.

He was accused of knocking down a sentry box and injuring Charles Wachira, who later succumbed to injuries.

He was released on a cash bail of Sh100,000.

A video clip of the incident that circulated on social media showed that Kibe has no regard for human life.

He equated the bodily harm on the soldier to the dent in his vehicle.

“Nimepiga barrier, gari yangu imeumia, tumeumia sisi sote,” a visibly drunk Kibe slurred at the scene of the crime.

In June this year, he was accused of grabbing a two-acre piece of land belonging to former State House junior employee Samson Kandie in Runda, Nairobi.

Corrupt Kenya Railways MD Philip Mainga

Technicians contracted by the Kenya Railways Corporation have protested oppression and intimidation by corrupt Managing Director (MD) David Mainga.

Writing to this blog on Saturday, December 24, 2022, disgruntled employees complained of constant bullying and harassment at their place of work, which is pushing them to the brink of depression.

The source who requested anonymity divulged that for the last year, the Kenya Railways management has denied them annual leave in contravention of the law.

According to section 28 of the Kenyan Employment Act, clause 7.8. 9, every employee is entitled to 21 annual leave days after one year of service to the company, with full pay.

This is calculated as 1.75 working days per month.

The technicians suspect that this illegal move has been largely influenced by Mr Mainga, who is currently living under the fear of being thrown out of the corporation following the arrival of newly appointed Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Roads, Transport, and public works, Kipchumba Murkomen.

He is using his last days to bully employees into submission.

For the longest time, stakeholders and concerned members of the public highly looked forward to the departure of James Macharia, who held the docket captive for the past ten years.

During Macharia’s tenure, Kenya Railways was eroded into a hub of corruption which was perpetuated through multiple dubious projects, such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the improvement of cargo handling in Mombasa and Naivasha.

Representatives from the Kenyan and Chinese governments worked in cahoots to pilfer taxpayers’ funds through exorbitant costs on fictitious projects.

For instance, Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) exposed itself to huge losses when it entered a skewed contract on the management of passenger operations for the SGR line.

The Managing Director Philip Mainga executed a flawed deal with Africa Star Railways (Afristar), the Chinese operator for the SGR line, which ran largely unchecked where Kenya Railways lost up to Sh.1.4m daily.

The contract was signed during Athanas Maina’s tenure and was initiated by Philip Mainga himself.

For the last few months, Kenya Railways managers have been engaged in constant fights as questions continue to rise on whether Kenya will be able to repay the Chinese loans, which have now topped a whopping $4.7 billion after the expansion of the SGR line.

According to insiders, Mr. Mainga was the mastermind of the dubious projects which were approved and overseen by ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta’s close confidant James Macharia.

Athanas Maina and Philip Mainga are fingered as the main architects of the rot at Kenya Railways and were rumoured to be adherent supporters of the previous regime.

This earned them protection from prosecution.

In fact, in the buildup to the August 2022 elections, Mr Mainga was often quoted dismissing the then Deputy President William Ruto as a “land grabber” and “lord of graft” who “should not get anywhere near power”.

At the time, he was openly campaigning for the Azimio La Umoja coalition led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Narc Kenya patriarch Martha Karua and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.

Mr Maingi felt inclined to support the outfit based on his long-running and close association with Kalonzo, who is a fellow native of the Ukambani region.

He hoped that with Kalonzo’s rise to power, he would gain access to new opportunities to loot and accumulate his ill-gotten wealth.

Unfortunately for him, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, who is a close ally of President William Ruto, has since taken over the docket and is expected to oversee major administrative changes to ensure that intended developments are achieved across the country.

As a result, Mr Mainga has taken a swift U-turn and is now trying his best to warm himself up to the new administration.

In a recent meeting with stakeholders, he showered President Ruto with praise, hoping it will help wash away his past blunders at the corporation.

But according to pundits, this will hardly do the trick, because in his manifesto, Ruto pledged to oversee the upgrading and maintenance of Kenya’s transport systems, and this cannot be done with crooks like Mr Mainga still occupying office.

His days at Kenya Railways are numbered.

The late Moses Okiror Omusolo whose body was found dumped along Kangundo Road on Wednesday, December 21, 2022.

Details of slain Standard Group journalist Moses Omusolo’s last movements before he met his untimely death have emerged. 

Officers of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) based in Kayole say they are currently reviewing CCTV footage obtained from a building close to where Omusolo’s body was found and are keen to work out the strange prescience of two vehicles that were seen driving by the scene. 

One of the vehicles was spotted at the scene at around 11.30 pm and was stationary for about 15 minutes before driving off. 

Kayole DCI boss Jackson Owino says the vehicle was a private Nissan van that did not have a yellow line.  

The second vehicle, a grey Mazda Demio, was spotted in the area for about five minutes after 11.30 pm on Wednesday night. 

According to recorded statements, Omusolo, 35, whose body was recovered in a trench on Thursday morning, had left his fiancée’s home in Komarock the previous night when he was attacked by unknown people. 

The business reporter had attended a meeting at the home of his future in-laws to plan for his upcoming wedding and was heading to a relative’s home near Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital. 

On that fateful night, Omusolo left the fiancée’s house at around 10 pm. 

Ordinarily, he would have requested for an Uber taxi home, but on this night he may have decided otherwise. 

Phone data analysis shows that the deceased spoke to the relative whose home he was heading to at around 9.30 pm.  

Omusolo wanted to brief the relative on the final plans for the wedding. 

He also intended to spend the night at his home. 

The relative, who lives along Kangundo Road, had travelled to Nakuru for personal errands and returned home a few minutes after 9.45pm.  

At around 10.30pm, the relative called Omusolo to find out why it had taken him long to arrive at his house, but his phone was off. 

Initially, he assumed the phone had probably run out of power. 

The following morning, the relative called Omusolo’s brother, James, to find out if the journalist had another number, since he still could not be reached.  

James informed the relative that Omusolo had only one mobile number known to the family, and they agreed that they would keep dialing the line until they reached him. 

Their hopes of finding him alive were, however, shattered by a call from the Standard Group management that informed him of his brother’s demise. 

KANU Chairman Gideon Moi

President William Ruto seems to have punctured Independence-era political party Kenya African National Union (KANU) by poaching two of its key members and effectively sending disillusioned Chairman Gideon Moi back to the drawing board.

In the latest attempt to put his crumbling house back in order, Gideon has notified the Office of Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) of plans to effect changes in its list of officials.

In a notice dated December 22, KANU also notified ORPP that their offices have moved from Chania Avenue in Kilimani to the Prudential building, located at the Nairobi CBD.

Tiaty MP William Kamket, a long-time ally of KANU chairman Gideon Moi, before he switched camp to President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza, is set to lose his party chief whip position.

Gideon has allocated the slot to North Horr MP Ware Guyo Adhe.

Additionally, embattled Kiambu politician Gladys Chania, who is facing murder charges, has also been stripped of her position as KANU Women Council National Secretary.

The position has been handed to Tume Abduba.

KANU also gave the parliamentary leader slot to Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda to replace former nominated MP Maison Leshomo.

Leshomo lost in the Samburu Woman Representative’s race to Pauline Lenguris of UDA in the August general election.

Brenda Majune will be the party’s Women Council National Treasurer, taking over from former East Africa Legislative Assembly member Sarah Bonaya.

This change of guard comes days after the party suspended Secretary General Nick Salat and summoned him to appear before the disciplinary committee to determine his fate in the former ruling party.

This followed an alleged secret late-night meeting between Salat and President William Ruto, where a host of political issues were discussed; including strategies to frustrate Moi’s ambition to run for the presidency in 2027.

Word has been going around that Salat’s pockets have recently run dry after his party leader stopped funding his lavish lifestyle following the defeat of the Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga in the August polls.

It is understood that Ruto had initially tried to reach out to the former Baringo senator, but he declined the offer.

When the ostensibly broke Salat heard the news, he opted to accept the proposition in his best interests, to the dismay of his boss.

According to insiders within the KANU camp, Moi’s calculation was that Ruto will lose popularity countrywide, including Kalenjinland, where he has rubbed the community the wrong way by allowing the importation of GMO maize.

Many Kalenjins are maize farmers and have frowned at the move to import the commodity.

But as things now stand, Ruto has struck first by enticing Salat and Kamket, who have agreed to lead members of the party in striking an alliance with Kenya Kwanza and isolate the Chairman.

Inside Secret Ruto, Salat Night Meeting That Pushed Gideon Moi To The Wall

Asian-owned Chandarana Foodplus

Workers at Chandarana Foodplus chain of supermarkets are up in arms against the Asian-run management, accusing it of making decisions without involving them or their representatives.

Writing to this blog on Sunday, December 25, 2022, disgruntled employees protested a recent directive compelling them to seek medical services at the private-owned Lang’ata Hospital, which is against the NHIF policy guidelines.

Staff have also strongly opposed deductions for food service “M-Kula” from their salaries, which is against labor laws.

The app rides on the amendment to the Finance Act 2014 that exempts from taxation food offered to employees.

Upon signing up for the M-Kula service, a company is given an account with details of the employer, and the amount each employee is entitled to in meal allowance per day.

Once the order is confirmed and payment made, the electronic voucher is disbursed to the employees.

“Hi Cyprian Nyakundi,

Please share this.

Tunafinyiliwa but hatuna mtetezi.

I’m a keen follower and would like you to please highlight this work-related issue in this Wahindi company.

Note: Please tag the company and hide my identity.

Chandara Supermarket Ltd is forcing its employees to use one private Lang’ata Hospital in seeking health services, contrary with NHIF policy guidelines where one can choose the hospital of their choice, while all the expenses are catered by the patient.

Also, they want to increase M-Kula money by deducting from the employee’s salary which is against the Employee’s Act.

The employee’s work environment is not conducive at all.

The Director seems to be making solely decisions without involving employees or their representative,” the source lamented.

Deceased Golden Africa Kenya Limited employees Mathew Kiprotich, James Wanjala Nyongesa and Stephen Okoth.

Two days after three people died on Friday at Golden Africa Kenya Ltd’s Athi River plant, the Golden Africa Kenya Ltd Management is yet to issue a statement.

In what colleagues said was disregard of procedures and lack of proper working conditions at the plant, Stephen Okoth, Kelong Mathew Kiprotich and James Wanjala went in to clean a soak pit with sludge in it when they suffocated.

The next of kin of the victims are also yet to be officially contacted by the firm.

Okoth went in first, then he cried out for help.

The other two went in to assist him, but none of them came out alive.

The men died at the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) section, which consists of a series of big waste collection tanks.

The tanks hold waste temporarily before they are treated and disposed of.

The sludge is treated periodically, at least once every six months.

It remains unclear how or why the three men gained access to the septic tank, which is usually cleaned using advanced equipment under close supervision.

The necessary equipment includes oxygen tanks and masks.

Colleagues who spoke to media say the victims did not have any safety equipment with them.

When contacted, the company’s general manager refused to comment on the matter.

On the other hand, the Human Resource Manager, Ms Perpetual Wainaina, said she was busy on Christmas holiday.

Golden Africa Kenya Ltd (GAKL) is the parent company of Pika cooking oil, Avena cooking oil, Zenta bar soap and Super Sapa bar soaps among other products.

Kiambu businessman Mr James Njoroge of Hàcana Sanctuary, Karen Inn Hotel, Soil Holdings among other ventures

A former employee of an affluent Kiambu-based tycoon is crying out for justice after the businessman failed to pay up his dues.

Writing to this blog on Tuesday, December 20th, 2022, the disgruntled victim narrated his agonizing ordeal for the last nine months as he tried to track down his money.

The rather evasive James Njoroge – who owns Soil holdings, Karen Inn Hotel and Hacana Sanctuary along Mugumo Drive – kept taking him in circles until he eventually blocked him on his phone and across all social media platforms where they previously communicated.

Undeterred, he kept searching for ways to reach out.

On Saturday, December 20, he finally got hold of him and received an invitation to his office on Tuesday.

Despite his past fruitless visits to the same office, he was hopeful that this time around, the matter would finally be resolved.

However, when he showed up that day, all hell broke loose.

He arrived in the afternoon but only found the secretary, who claimed that Mr Njoroge was unavailable.

The victim, whose name we have withheld for safety reasons, insisted that he would not leave the building before speaking to his former boss.

This led to a brief altercation that sent the secretary into panic and prompted her to lock him up inside the office.

She later proceeded outside and summoned a crew of goons, who violently kicked him out of the office.

They threatened to cause him bodily harm if he did not heed the orders.

Following the horrifying experience, the victim reported the incident at the Kiambu Police Station.

He has, however, expressed doubts about justice being served, based on Mr Njoroge’s tainted past of evading debts.

In May 2022, he was exposed on this blog for failing to pay a former member of his staff.

The source who worked as a counsellor at the wellness centre said that Mr Njoroge owes him in excess of Sh45,000 for the period of January, February, and March.

“Hi Nyakundi, there is this guy called James Njoroge.

You had posted about him sometime back that he had not paid some guys who were working for him.

I am also having the same problem with him.

He has never paid my balance since April, tried reaching him, but he has been abusing me left, right and centre and he has now blocked me everywhere.

I managed to reach him on Saturday with another number, and he rudely told me to go to his Kiambu office on Tuesday and follow from there.

Her secretary came with goons who threatened me, and I left the office.

I have, however, reported the case to Kiambu Police Station,” the source who sought anonymity informed us, attaching the video below.

Hàcana Sanctuary Owner James Njoroge Under The Spotlight For Failing To Pay Workers