As you start your day, you need to power your mind with some relevant and useful information.
We have picked for you the Top 10 stories making the headlines on this day, 16th January 2021.
Isaac Ruto Joins DP Ruto’s Camp
Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) Party Leader Isaac Ruto has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work with Deputy President William Ruto-linked United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Ruto was welcomed to “Hustlers Nation” by Dr Ruto and a mega rally held in Bomet County, with the former declaring he would back the DP for the top seat as he seeks to recapture the Bomet gubernatorial post, which he lost in 2017.
In June 2020, the CCM leader held a meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi, and entered into a post-election coalition deal with Jubilee Party.
No Going Back to Jubilee, DP Ruto Declares
Deputy President William Ruto has vowed to strengthen his new party, United Democratic Alliance (UDA), after losing control of the Jubilee Party to his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Dr Ruto said he would bring all like-minded leaders on board to form a formidable team “to face anymore in the 2022 presidential contest.”
He also poured cold water on President Kenyatta’s suggestion that it was time for the country talk about rotational presidency, with the DP saying Kenyans elect an individual and not tribes.
New Governor in Nairobi?
Ann Kananu Mwenda has taken oath of office and assumed the Nairobi deputy governor’s position, which has been vacant for almost three years.
Mwenda’s installation as the second in command at the city was a culmination of many activities that were completed in less than five hours. At around 9:30am, the vetting began and in record time, the Nairobi County Assembly’s select committee on appointment had completed the exercise. She was sworn-in 10 minutes before 2pm, which is the deadline.
Kananu is expected to rise to the highest office in Nairobi as early as next week or after the acting governor Benson Mutura completes his 60-day term on 20th February.
Mixed Reactions as Kananu Ascends is Sworn-in
The speedy vetting, approval and swearing-in of Ann Mwenda Kananu as Nairobi Deputy Governor invited mixed reactions from leaders and Kenyans.
Senators Mutula Kilonzo Jrn (Makueni) and Ledema Olekina (Narok) said the events that led to elevation of Mwenda set a bad precedent for the country and rule of law, insisting that the process ought to have been thorough.
However, Nominated Senator Sylvia Kasanga lauded the State for “saving Nairobians from an expensive and divisive by-election”.
Machakos By-election: Fallout in DP Ruto, Kalonzo Camps
The decision by Deputy President William Ruto to endorse Urbanus Ngengele as the UDA flag bearer for the Machakos senatorial seat has caused a disquiet among the 16 candidates who had expressed interest under the wheelbarrow party.
Four of them have vowed to contest against Ngengele, saying he was not fairly hand-picked.
In Wiper, candidates who wanted the ticket have accused Kalonzo Musyoka of favouring UDA chairman Johnstone Muthama’s estranged wife, Agnes Kavindu. Many observers believe Musyoka is keen to settle scores with Muthama using Kavindu.
Magoha Warns Head Teachers Raising School Fees
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has warned school heads against raising school fees, stating that parents are still grappling with adverse effects of Covid-19.
Speaking in Embu, Magoha said he had received complaints from parents, who lament that some schools have increased levies, citing new infrastructure to combat spread of Covid-19 among learners.
For his part, Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said no student should be sent home for lack of school fees.
Man Who Threatened Kang’ata Arrested
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has apprehended a man who allegedly sent death threats to Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata.
The suspect reportedly the sent messages on different dates, warning the Senate Majority Whip that he would face dire consequences if he fails to apologise to President Uhuru Kenyatta following the letter he wrote to him, saying BBI was unpopular in Mt Kenya region.
The DCI said they suspect the man is an “extortionist” because of the multiple sim cards registered under his name.
Court Orders IEBC, Muturi to Respond to BBI Petition
The High Court has directed the electoral commission and the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi to respond to a petition filed by Muslim for Human Rights (Muhuri), challenging the verification of BBI signatures.
The court asked the two respondents to file their responses and declare if they were supporting or opposing the case.
In addition, the court declined to give conservatory orders, suspending the verification of the signatures.
Mt Kenya Technocrats Meet to Discuss BBI
Cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries and heads of various government parastatals from Mt Kenya region met on Friday at a Nairobi hotel to lay a roadmap they will use to popularise the BBI report in their rural areas.
Led by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, the technocrats, some of whom are veteran politicians said they would take a prominent role in making sure the BBI succeeds in the region.
The meeting came in the wake of letter written by Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kang’ata, saying BBI was unsellable to Mt Kenya dwellers.
Bobi Wine Declares Himself President-elect
Uganda’s opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine has rejected the preliminary results projected by the electoral body, indicating that the incumbent Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has taken an early comfortable lead.
Declaring himself the President-elect, Wine said he would announce the next cause of action once the internet is restored.
As of yesterday evening, Museveni was leading with over three million votes while Wine was trailing with at least 1.4 million votes.
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