The Political Arena

 

By Harry Ivan 

1. RAILA ODINGA LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE MASS ACTION.

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga on Thursday declared the official start of countrywide mass action after the lapse of 14-day ultimatum issued to the Kenya Kwanza government. Azimio also launched the Movement for Defense of Democracy (MDD), an initiative that is against the current regime.

"We have launched a campaign of defiance of peaceful picketing, peaceful protests, boycotts, strikes, disobedience, petitions, sit-ins and peaceful demonstrations. And it begins today and now," said Raila.

Speaking at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation in Upper Hill, Nairobi, Odinga also signaled a massive rally planned in Nairobi on March 20.

"After we have done what we have to do, wherever we are in every corner of the country, we shall finally converge in Nairobi. Take note that on March 20, 2023, we have a date with destiny in Nairobi," he added.

Hours later, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki issued a stern warning that anyone who attempts to access security offices without permission will face full wrath of the law. Kindiki reiterated that no individual will be spared if found trespassing such facilities regardless of positions they hold in the society.

 2. MATIANG'I APPEARS BEFORE DCI

Embattled former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i last Tuesday honored a summon by the DCI at the DCI headquarters. In videos widely circulated on social media, the ex-CS arrived in company of his lead lawyer Danstan Omari and a battery of lawyers. Matiang'i has been under probe by the DCI following alleged police raid at his Karen residence in February. Matiang'i returned to the country after a 2 week tour in Europe to attend to private family matters amid speculations that he had fled the country.

The Tuesday stalemate lasted hours after Dr. Matiang'i failed to respond to any of the accusations, invoking article 49 of the Constitution of Kenya where one has a right to remain silent if he feels he has nothing to say. Opposition chief Raila Odinga was denied entry at the DCI headquarters where he had gone to express solidarity with Dr. Matiang'i. A bitter Raila retorted after being told that the DCI boss Mohammed Amin had directed that he should not be allowed in.

3. THE 16 BILLION SAGA

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alleged that 16 billion shillings of taxpayers’ money including funds meant to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, was stolen by senior government officials days before the Kenya Kwanza administration took over power. The DP sensationally alleged that top officials in Uhuru's government looted a total of Sh16 billion from the National Treasury before President William Ruto was sworn in. Speaking on Friday evening at a Nairobi Hotel where he attended a high-profile meeting with professionals from Nyeri County, Gachagua claimed the money was ferried in cartons from Wilson airport to individuals homes. The DP added that the current sorry state of the country's economy was trigered by the former government's looting of public funds.

Last Tuesday  Controller of Budget Dr Margaret Nyakang’o told Members of Parliament (MPs) that she was pressured to authorise the release of Ksh.15.2 billion just five days to the August 9 General Election. Dr Nyakang’o recounted before a parliamentary committee how the then Treasury CS severally invoked President Uhuru Kenyatta’s name to press her to approve the payments. Former National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani has however released a statement defending himself against claims of coercing her to release Sh15 billion just days before the election. Yatani has threatened to sue Controller of Budget Dr. Nyakang’o over her revelation to Parliament that the former CS coerced her to approve payments from government accounts without the approval of lawmakers.

 4. UDA STORMS KISUMU

President Ruto's United Democratic Alliance party (UDA) last Saturday launched party membership recruitment drive in Nyanza. Led by UDA secretary general Cleophas Malala, the party is seeking to lure Nyanza residents into the ruling party. Former Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma who switched allegiance to president Ruto said there's no need for Ruto to engage Nyanza kingpin Raila Odinga, since the president has done a handshake with the people of Nyanza. 

The event meant to popularize UDA in the Nyanza region began with visits to various UDA offices within Kisumu Cojnty before culminating in a mega meeting at Ahero Multipurpose Hall in Nyando constituency. The Malala led team called on Nyanza leaders to come out in their numbers to register for UDA membership, adding that through their registration, they’ll secure their stake in UDA government and will be able to reap development among other benefits.

Cleophas Malala is still under fire for his sentiments that all parties under Kenya Kwanza Coalition should dissolve to join UDA in order to have one vibrant ruling party.

5. COURT UPHOLDS GIVERNOR WANGA'S VICTORY.

Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has lost a petition against Gladys Wanga's victory in the Homabay gubernatorial race in the August 9th general elections. The High Court on Tuesday upheld Governor Wanga's victory dismissing Kidero's claims that the Homabay gubernatorial race was marred with irregularities. In her ruling, Justice Roselyn Aburili certified that the election was conducted in accordance with the law and that the third and fourth respondents were validly elected. She further directed IEBC to issue a certificate of determination to Gladys Wanga. Wanga was declared the winner of Homabay gubernatorial race in the August general elections, with 244,559 votes against Kidero’s 154,182 votes. Mark Rabudi of UDA came third after getting 1,244 votes.

Kidero complained that there were glaring irregularities during the election which made him lose to Wanga. He complained that the elections were full of voter bribery and violence meted on people he perceived as his supporters. He also claimed that his agents were denied entry or accorded late entry at a number of polling stations on polling day.