Governor Mutua Plays Down Arrest Warrant Over Sh5.6m Debt

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has played down a warrant of arrest that was issued against him by the Environment and Lands Court.

Machakos Principle Magistrate C.N Ondieki had ordered the OCS Machakos Police Station to arrest Mutua and present him in court for failing to pay a sum of Sh5,590,443.15 to businessman David Gitau Thairu.

“These are to command you to arrest the said Governor, County Government of Machakos and unless they shall pay to you the sum of Kshs 5,590,443.15/= as noted in the margin, together with executing officer’s expenses and fees if any to bring the Governor, County Government of Machakos before the Court with all convenient speed,” Judge Ondieki directed.

The arrest warrant came after Mutua failed to honour an earlier court directive issued on July 30, 2020.

Apart from paying the Sh5.6 million, Machakos High Court Judge Oscar Angote had directed governor Mutua to remove waste dumped into a parcel of land belonging to David Gitau.

The businessman then returned to the court claiming that governor Mutua had failed to honor the court orders.

In response, governor Mutua explained that the arrest warrant wasn’t directed to him but to his office.

“I have been notified of a warrant issued by the Machakos Environment and Lands Court for me to appear before it. I wish to clarify that the warrant is not directed to me as a person BUT to my office as the Governor of Machakos. This is normal in government.

“Further, the county lawyers who have been dealing with this matter are moving to court under certificate of urgency to set the orders aside,” Mutua said in a statement on Wednesday.

He added: “This is especially so because the county is willing to pay once funds are available and further that as Governor I’m not liable for the mistakes of commission or omission of officers in the county government. I’m a believer in the rule of law whose core tenet is obedience of court orders.”

source https://nairobiwire.com/2021/09/governor-mutua-plays-down-arrest-warrant-over-sh5-6m-debt.html

President Kenyatta Receives Credentials From Nine Incoming Envoys

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday at State House, Nairobi received credentials from nine High Commissioners and Ambassadors recently posted to Kenya.

High Commissioners Yusuf Yunusa (Nigeria), Damptey Bediako Asare (Ghana), and William McDonald (Barbados) presented their diplomatic papers to the Head of State.

Others were Ambassadors Khalid Abdullah A. Alsalman (Saudi Arabia), Peter Maddens (Belgium), Katarina Zuffa Leligdonova (Slovakia), Henriette Geiger (European Union), Pirkka Tapiola (Finland), and Gunner Andreas Holm (Norway).

Speaking during the event, President Kenyatta assured the envoys of the Government’s support as they discharge their mandate, saying Kenya is committed to building strong and friendly relations with their respective countries.

“I look forward to working closely with you as you discharge your mandate. Consider Kenya to be your second home,” President Kenyatta said.

On his part, Barbados envoy William McDonald said he looks forward to further strengthening the existing friendly relations between Nairobi and Bridgetown, and commended Kenya for her achievements in e-governance.

“I am particularly impressed by the fantastic achievements by Kenya, its engagement in e-governance and the potential for us to establish direct people-to-people exchanges to create better opportunities,” Amb McDonald said.

He said Barbados will partner with Kenya in addressing global challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic which is ravaging Africa and the Caribbean-Pacific countries.

“We are also committed to working with you to address the reality of global health inequities particularly the Covid-19 pandemic which has hit Africa and Caribbean particularly hard,” the Barbados envoy assured President Kenyatta.

Ghana’s Damptey Bediako Asare said he will help forge a stronger partnership between Kenya and his West African nation pointing out that his focus will be growing bilateral trade, investment, and tourism which are key drivers of the economies of the two nations.

“Mr President, the coming into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area, ACFTA, offers a great opportunity to Kenya and Ghana to break new frontiers in intra-Africa trade, and how it can transform African economies,” Amb Asare said.

Amb Henriette Geiger said she will strive to broaden the Kenya-European Union tries noting that the country is her bloc’s key trading partner on the African continent.

“The EU is Kenya’s most important trade partner and the European Partnership Agreement will pave the way for more jobs and growth in Kenya while contributing to regional and continental integration,” Amb Geiger said.

Head of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua, Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo and her ministry’s Principal Secretary Amb Macharia Kamau attended.

source https://nairobiwire.com/2021/09/president-kenyatta-receives-credentials-from-nine-incoming-envoys.html

MCSK, PRISK, KAMP Move to Court Over KECOBO Delisting

The three Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) – Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP), Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK) and the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) have moved to court to protest the decision by the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) to revoke their licenses.

Last week, KECOBO deregistered the CMOs for three months over failure to meet several conditions set out in their provisional licenses.

Among the conditions was the allocation of 70 percent of revenue for royalty payment. The board accused the CMOs of distributing only Sh41 million out of the Sh114 million collected.

The CMOs then filed an urgent application before High Court Constitutional and Human Rights Division in Milimani High Court.

The High Court quashed the KECOBO directive and allowed KAMP, MCSK, PRISK to continue operating until November 3, when their application challenging the deregistration will be heard.

“Pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s cross-petition herein interim conservatory orders do issue staying and/or suspending the implementation of the petitioner’s decision of revoking KAMP-PRISK-MCSK licenses contained in the letter dated 23rd August 2021 and public notice dated 24th August 2021.” Justice Weldon Korir ordered.

Speaking at a joint press conference, the CMOs admitted that only 35.9 percent had been distributed to artistes leaving Sh79 million to go to operational costs.

They cited the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, saying they had fallen short of the Sh300 million expected collection.

“We are experiencing serious challenges in terms of the tariffs that were negotiated by the regulator and the ministry of ICT. We are operating within a very harsh environment precipitated by Covid-19 and this is affecting our collections. This industry is worth Sh2 billion but we are barely scratching the surface and that is why we are urging for a level playing ground so as to help serve our members well,” said Njoroge Mbugua, Kamp CEO.

“We are asking the government that we go back to the drawing board and look at all the issues affecting the industry so that at the end we can solve the issues. We believe that we have that window to engage the government as no one wants to misuse royalties made for our members. We have reduced our operations to reducible minimums and what we now need is support from the government to get back to where we were. We are willing to engage,” said the MCSK chairman Lazarus Muli.

source https://nairobiwire.com/2021/09/mcsk-prisk-kamp-move-to-court-over-kecobo-delisting.html

Lawyers For Cops in Kianjokoma Brothers Murder Withdraw From Case

Lawyers representing six police officers implicated in the death of two brothers from Kianjokoma, Embu have withdrawn from the case.

The team of about 10 lawyers led by Dunstan Omari and Cliff Ombeta withdrew after the high court ruled that the officers should plead to the murder charges.

The lawyers wanted the plea deferred claiming the six police officers had contracted COVID-19 symptoms but Justice Daniel Ogembo dismissed the application and directed them to take a plea.

“Our instructions were to stop the plea, those instructions have been extinguished by the ruling of the court… as of now, the five are unrepresented. The defence team has withdrawn, it has no instructions,” Omari told the court.

The six officers; Benson Mbuthia, Consolata Kariuki, Nicholas Cheruiyot, Martin Wanyama, Lilian Chemuna and James Mwaniki asked the court to give them more time to get lawyers to represent them in the case.

The prosecution team led by Assistant DPP Jacinta Nyamosi asked the court to appoint state counsels to represent them in the matter.

The cops have been remanded at Industrial Area and Lang’ata women prisons pending their plea-taking session.

source https://nairobiwire.com/2021/09/lawyers-for-cops-in-kianjokoma-brothers-murder-withdraw-from-case.html

King Kaka Loses 33Kgs To Unknown Illness After Misdiagnosis

Nairobi-based rapper King Kaka says he has been battling an unknown illness for the past three months.

Taking to social media on Wednesday, the ‘Wanjinga Nyinyi’ hitmaker said he was misdiagnosed and he went on to lose 33 kilogrammes.

“Dear Fans, it’s only right that I share this with you. I have been sick for 3 months 8 days now. I was misdiagnosed. Lost 33kgs and in the process, we started hospital visits, did all the tests and they were Negative. Funny thing is I feel no pain and we are still hopeful that we will get the solution soon,” King Kaka shared.

The rapper said his clothes don’t fit anymore as he had dropped three waist sizes down. King Kaka also disclosed that he was only surviving on fruits and porridge until three weeks ago when he started eating food.

“My waist was 36 now it’s 33. Ata sina nguo, was consuming only uji and kidogo fruits, started eating food 3 weeks ago pole pole ntazoea and no taste for 2 months. I have a new respect for God and life, the closest friends that knew Asante for always checking up.

King Kaka continued: “The doctor said instead of just sitting around I try doing what makes me happy. Thankfully I had recorded my EP and didn’t have a name for it but now I have every reason to call it ‘Happy Hour’. While I am in my final recovery stages I will show you some of the stories and how I got. I miss my kids, my wife @nanaowiti has been a great pillar through the 3 months and my mom. What I need from you is just prayers nothing more.”

The rapper went on to assure his fans that he is okay.

“I was born a winner, I just hope that I am alive for it. 🙏 (To those who have my number I may not pick at this moment but I am ok)” he concluded.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by King Kaka (@thekingkaka)

 

source https://nairobiwire.com/2021/09/king-kaka-loses-33kgs-to-unknown-illness-after-misdiagnosis.html

Nyota Ndogo Shows Off ‘New Catch’ (PHOTO)

The Coast-based musician Nyota Ndogo has elicited mixed reactions on social media after announcing that she has found love again.

On Tuesday, the 40-year-old singer shared a photo of herself and a man whose face was concealed.

“Maumivu yameisha hakuna tena kulia. NIMERUDI NYUMBANI. SITOKI MILELE UKIWACHWA ACHIKA NIMEACHIKA,” she captioned the pic.

In another post, Nyota Ndogo wrote: “Kwani mtu anachukua mda gani kupenda tena? Kupenda ni moyo jamani niacheni mtoto toli kanimaliza sijui nimtag mumjue.”

On Wednesday, however, Nyota Ndogo unveiled the mystery man, a little-known musician known as P Day. She wrote that it has been three weeks since P Day took her to meet his parents.

P Day on his part turned to poetry, writing;

“Before I met you, I didn’t think love was for me. It was something other people had and felt. Something in movies and in TV shows. It felt more like a wish I had something real. Now that I’m with you, love is so much more tangible. It’s something I can reach out and touch. It’s so much more than a wish or a hope (though it does give me hope, for so many things), it’s the very real, wonderful person I wake up to. The warm hand next to mine, the brush of hair against my cheek. I love you and because of that love, I love so much more than you. I love myself and the world in a way I never thought possible. You’ve made that possible for me. You’ve made everything possible. Young star.”

The singer added: “Love is not a word to say. Love is not a game to play. Love doesn’t start in April and ends in May. Love is yesterday, tomorrow and forever. Will you be mine to the eternal. A hurricane can only be cooled by lovely star.”

However, as the two continued to paint a picture of a couple, their respective fans were not buying it. They quickly figured out that Nyota Ndogo and P Day were trying to create some buzz before releasing their song.

As we wait for the song, check out Nyota Ndogo and her “new catch” below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by nyota ndogo (@nyota_ndogo)

source https://nairobiwire.com/2021/09/nyota-ndogo-shows-off-new-catch-photo.html

5 Helicopters, 18,000 Acres, 2 Hotels.. This is What DP William Ruto Owns

On Wednesday morning, interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i was summoned to parliament to explain circumstances in which Deputy President William Ruto’s security was downsized and replaced.

Last week, the DPs elite GSU squad at his official residence in Karen was replaced with a smaller number of Administration Police. The same was reported to have happened at his private homes.

The police hierarchy tried to rub it off as normal re-assignments, but many people were not buying it. It was widely believed that Ruto’s public fall-out with his boss the president may have been the driving factor. Just a few weeks prior, the DP was denied permission to leave the country for Uganda in unclear circumstances.

After the security withdrawal, Ruto tried not to make a big deal out of it, even inviting his new security officers for a cup of tea. He then tweeted that parliament’s time should not be wasted by discussions about his security.

PARLIAMENTARY time should not be WASTED on non-issues. The AP is a PROFESSIONAL SECURITY SERVICE and those who think its a down grade are WRONG. Parliament should instead focus on DEPLOYMENT to serious security SITUATIONS in areas where bandits are causing mayhem & destruction. pic.twitter.com/9fAbe5ugqy

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) August 31, 2021

The hearing however proceeded, and Matiang’i came prepared to argue their case.

According to him, Ruto is currently guarded by the highest number of security officers, for any number two in the history of this country.

His revealed that the DP’s personal escort stands at 74. By comparison the Vice presidential escort of previous holders stood as follows.

– Jaramogi Oginga: 30
– Joseph Murumbi: 22
– Daniel Moi: 34
– Mwai Kibaki: 26
– Josephat Karanja: 22
– George Saitoti: 30
– Musalia Mudavadi: 22
– Kijana Wamalwa: 22
– Moody Awori: 22
– Raila Odinga PM: 57
– Kalonzo: 26
– William Ruto: 74

Overall, Ruto has a total of 257 officers guarding him, his properties and businesses.

And in what can be interpreted as a political move, Matiang’i went ahead and listed all of Ruto’s businesses currently under police protection. It does not escape our attention that politicians don’t like discussing their personal wealth publicly, mostly because of its ill-gotten nature.

It is therefore refreshing that, for political reasons, opponents are now exposing what their rivals own.

From Matiang’i’s testimony, we got confirmation to what we already know; that the chief hustler is an incredibly wealthy man.

This is what William Ruto owns, and is protected by the police service.

– Kitengela Gas
– Weston Hotel, Nairobi
– Dolphine Hotel, Mombasa – 7 acres
– ADC Laikipia Mutara Ranch – 15,000 acres
– Murumbi farm, Transmara Narok – 976 acres
– Mata farm, Taiva Taveta – 2537 acres
– Koitalel poutrly farm, Eldoret
– Private residence in Kosachei, Eldoret
– Kwae Island Development Ltd. (2 hangers and 5 helicopters)

And this is a chart showing how many security officers are attached to each of these.

The above is probably not a complete list. It is very possible, actually very likely that the DP has other properties, land or businesses that are not under police protection.

source https://nairobiwire.com/2021/09/5-helicopters-18000-acres-2-hotels-this-is-what-dp-william-ruto-owns.html