Press Review: Today’s top stories at a glance
Today is Friday, February 10, 2023.
You can read the Daily Nation e-paper here https://epaper.nation.africa/
Here is a quick look at what is making headlines.
Matiang’i fiasco: Who is fooling whom?
Former Kenyan Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has claimed that his home was raided by police on Wednesday night, according to court papers.
However, senior government officials have denied the reports and are inviting a formal complaint to open an investigation.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji has also vowed to take action against Matiang’i for claiming that the office and President William Ruto were involved in the alleged raid.
Matiang’i’s lawyers believe that the night raid could be linked to the alleged loss of KES 1.5 billion in the Ruaraka school land saga or the multi-billion shilling Huduma Namba project.
Matiang’i has been granted anticipatory bail of KES 200,000 and the case has been certified as urgent.
Raila slams MPs who met Ruto as traitors
Raila Odinga, leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, has called out members of parliament (MPs) who met with President William Ruto without their parties’ approval, labeling them as traitors and calling for their resignation.
During the Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting yesterday, Raila took issue with the MPs for claiming that they were pursuing a development agenda, stating that it is Parliament that makes the national budget and that they should not lie to the Kenyan people.
A member of ODM has also written to the party’s Secretary General, Edward Sifuna, asking for the expulsion of seven lawmakers who visited the State House.
Murkomen send home six NTSA board members in a major reshuffle
Six members of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Board have been removed from their positions in a reshuffle announced by Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
The former board members include Catherine Njeri Waweru, Alice Chepchumba Chesire, Francis Kiriinya Mwongo, Meshak Kidenda (Eng), Mithamo Muchiri, and Wilfred Okemwa.
In their place, Murkomen has appointed six new individuals to the board, including Nimo Omar Haji, Carol Oduor, Richard Munyao, Simon Kalekem, Ephraim Karimi Macharia and Charles Nyabuti.
This change comes after President William Ruto appointed Aden Noor Ali as the chairperson of the NTSA board of directors last week.
Before the August 2022 elections, Ali served as a member of the Transport Licensing Appeals Board and attempted to run for the Mandera governorship.
Ruto revoked the appointment of Agnes Odhiambo, who was appointed by his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, in 2020.
The new appointments and reshuffle signal a major shake-up of the NTSA board as the government looks to prioritize road safety and improve transportation in the country.
Terror Alert: US Embassy issues warning to citizens
The US Embassy in Nairobi issued a terror alert on February 9, warning its citizens of a potential terrorist attack in high-traffic areas frequented by foreigners and tourists in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya.
The alert stated that terrorists could target hotels, restaurants, schools, police stations, places of worship, and other locations, adding that the government has increased counterterrorism patrols.
The embassy advised its citizens to exercise vigilance and be aware of their surroundings. It is believed that dozens of al-Shabaab terrorists may have entered the city from Somalia to plan an attack, following ongoing operations targeting the terror group.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki stated that security agencies have stepped up their efforts against terrorism and have improved intelligence gathering, increased border patrols, and enhanced surveillance on the proliferation of illicit arms and drugs.
He added that the current crackdown on al-Shabaab terror cells in Somalia has weakened the group and the security forces will continue to neutralize any threat.
Governor Paul Otuoma’s election upheld by Busia Court
A court in Busia has upheld the election of Governor Paul Otuoma, dismissing a petition that sought to nullify his August 2022 election victory.
The former Nambale MP and main challenger John Bunyasi had claimed multiple irregularities during the polls. However, the court found in favor of Otuoma, who received 164,478 votes compared to Bunyasi’s 92,144 votes.
The court also instructed Bunyasi to pay KES 3 million in costs. Otuoma expressed his relief at the outcome on his official Facebook page, saying “Justice at last.”
More than 5.3M people facing starvation in 31 counties, DP Gachagua
Over 5.3 million Kenyans are facing severe starvation in 31 counties due to a prolonged drought, according to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking at the 45th annual Lions Day at the United Nations headquarters, Gachagua called for action on the pressing issues of climate change and food insecurity. The drought has caused livelihood losses worth USD 1.5 billion in the last year and is also threatening the country’s wildlife, a leading source of foreign exchange.
Gachagua called for collaboration through the Climate Action Commitment to solve the issue of food insecurity and malnutrition and urged all Kenyans to participate in President Ruto’s #jazamiti initiative, which aims to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
He highlighted the link between food security and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and emphasized the need for unity to solve the crisis.
The government is laying out short and long-term strategies, including the drilling of more boreholes and water harvesting, to restore human dignity and achieve Agenda 2030 and Vision 2030.
Major infrastructure projects hit by a funding shortfall
19 major projects countrywide, including roads and energy infrastructure, have been impacted by changes in government spending after foreign lenders reduced funding for the year ending June by at least KES 66.8 billion.
The World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), and China Exim Bank are among the financiers who have cut back funding.
Projects affected include the Kamburu-Embu-Thika Transmission Line, Eastern Electricity Highway Project and Gilgil-Thika Konza 400 KV Transmission Line.
The country has been relying on foreign loans to upgrade its power lines and increase the supply and quality of electricity to meet rising demand from a growing population and drive economic growth.
Respondents in the Central Bank of Kenya’s Market Perceptions Survey expressed concerns that the government’s spending cuts could hurt their economic prospects in the next 12 months.
The new administration has been tightening government spending and reducing the number of stalled projects started by its predecessor.
Sports
CS Namwamba orders repairs for Kirubia Stadium
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba ordered the contractor for Kirubia Stadium in Tharaka Nithi County to return to the site to repair the almost worn-out tartan track and substandard grass on the football pitch.
Namwamba, accompanied by Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki and Sports Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke, noted that most of the seven regional stadiums launched by the former regime have stalled, with those that have been completed in poor condition.
The government has frozen further development on the stadiums to conduct a thorough audit, but allowed work to continue on Kirubia Stadium, which will host the Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Association Games in April, and Moi Stadium in Embu County for the upcoming Madaraka Day celebrations. Namwamba stated that President William Ruto is keen on the completion of Kirubia Stadium, as it is a “very significant part” of his presidential bid.
Governor Njuki stated that Kirubia Stadium is only seven kilometers from Mt Kenya Forest, offering ideal altitude for training athletes, but lacks basic facilities.
He appealed to the CS to expand the stadium with these facilities and host international games in the future. Mueke assured residents that the ministry will complete the stadium to required standards to serve its purpose of nurturing regional sporting talents.
Once complete, Kirubia Stadium will have football and rugby pitches, a tartan track, and volleyball and basketball courts. Kenya currently does not have a stadium that meets CAF or FIFA standards.
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