Press Review; The day’s top stories
Today is Tuesday, January 24, 2023.
You can read the Daily Nation e-paper here https://epaper.nation.africa/
Here is a quick look at what is making headlines.
We do not recognize Ruto as President, Raila Odinga says
Raila Odinga, leader of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, rejected the legitimacy of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance regime on Monday, claiming that his victory in the 2022 General Election was stolen.
Odinga, who addressed a rally at the Kamukunji Grounds, claimed that the presidential results declared by former IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati were fabricated and had nothing to do with the votes cast by the electorate.
He further alleged possible collusion between the Judiciary, the IEBC, some foreign nations and the company contracted by the IEBC to conduct the elections, to rig the polls.
The coalition is also demanding that the infrastructure and records of the 2022 elections remain public for audit by an impartial body.
No handshake, says Ruto
President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, have accused opposition leader Raila Odinga of attempting to force them into a political handshake.
Speaking on Monday, Ruto ruled out the possibility of a handshake with his political rival and defended his election, claiming it was carried out transparently and the results were published for all to see.
Gachagua also criticized the Azimio la Umoja Coalition Party leadership, stating that there is no room for a political truce between Ruto and Odinga.
Ruto maintained that his government will serve the interests of all Kenyans and not be blackmailed by a few individuals who are attempting to destabilize his administration.
SRC to increase civil servant’s house allowance
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has announced a pay rise for civil servants, adjusting their housing allowances.
Nairobi-based civil servants in job group K will now receive a KES 16,500 house allowance per month, up from KES 10,000.
However, public officers in job group A will only receive KES 3,750 a month, up from KES 3,000, which falls below the prevailing market rates.
The SRC stated in a circular, “The new rates for the house allowances shall apply to all public officers, other than state officers at the national and county government, including state corporations from the scheduled effective date of implementation. Respective employers in the civil service should initiate Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) with the relevant trade unions in the implementation of the reviewed/harmonised herein.”
Inside intrigues of 2022 presidential polls
A former commissioner with the electoral agency has alleged that four dissenting colleagues, known as the Cherera Four, used to “secretly” meet at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi, even as he provided more details about events that preceded the declaration of William Ruto as President-elect.
Prof Abdi Guliye said Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati, two other commissioners and chief executive officer Marjan Hussein Marjan went into hiding immediately after announcing the presidential results.
Guliye claimed that the four dissenting commissioners met frequently at former vice-chairperson Juliana Cherera’s office. He alleged that, at some point, Cherera relocated to a new office.
He also said that it took only 20 minutes for the Cherera Four to be whisked away from the Bomas of Kenya to Serena Hotel and that they concurred with individuals who allegedly approached IEBC to pressurise the commissioners to vary the results spoke volumes.
Court lifts ban on mobile money transfer charges
A High Court judge in Nairobi has lifted the ban barring banks and mobile service providers from imposing money transfer charges.
Justice Mugure Thande stated that it would not be proper for her to intervene in the case, which is currently pending before another judge.
The case was filed by Moses Wafula, who argues that it is unfair and illegal for mobile service providers to charge customers while they act as collection agents for banks.
He argued that the charges should be between the banks and the service providers, and not between the latter and the banks’ customers.
KUCCPS dismisses calls to lower university entry points from C+