Kiambu Residents Hopeful as Waititu Impeachment Proceedings Begin

By the Kenyan Youth 
Tuesday, 3rd December 


A cloud of expectation hangs around Kiambu County as residents look forward to impeachment proceedings against Governor Ferdinand Waititu.

Waititu who is out on bail in a case where he is charged with a fraudulent Ksh588 million roads tender, has been under siege since details of graft schemes perpetrated by him in the county came out during an investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The shocking details also showed that Waititu had been using his wife and daughter to loot from county coffers with the schemes so brazen that detectives found his daughter's accounts were at one point holding over Ksh100 million.

These details came out at a time when he was also being investigated by the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) for grabbing prime pieces of land worth Ksh100 million from an elderly widow.

The office of the Ombudsman which is mandated by the constitution to deal with maladministration in the public sector, found him culpable of grabbing the properties from Ms Cecilia Mbugua and returned the title deeds to her.


According to CAJ Chairperson Florence Kajuju, two properties out of 5 – Thika Municipality/BlockXI/877 and Thika Municipality/BlockXI/878 – belonging to Ms Mbugua, were transferred in a process facilitated by the governor through intimidation after she was threatened with being denied permits to develop the remaining 3 parcels.

The investigation which followed a complaint filed with the commission on March 5, was afterwards handed over the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to determine whether Waititu should face more abuse of office charges.

OKOA KIAMBU
 
Angered by the brazen theft of public funds and Waititu's disregard for the rule of law and finance and budgeting procedures, residents began collecting signatures for his impeachment under the banner of "Okoa Kiambu" (Save Kiambu).

The popular initiative gained traction quickly and saw over 200,000 signatures collected and handed over to the County Assembly for impeachment proceedings to begin.

Waititu who has tried to put up a brave face even after being barred from office after being formally charged, now faces his greatest battle for survival in a County Assembly that has already impeached his County Executive Committee member for Youth and Sports Karungo wa Thang'wa for ineptness and aiding graft.

SWORN IN
 
Residents who spoke to our news desk expressed optimism that Waititu will be impeached giving them a chance to have Deputy Governor Dr. James Nyoro sworn in as he has steered the county well since the Governor was barred from office.

According to residents Dr. Nyoro has managed to improve service delivery noting that hospitals are well equipped with drugs, revenue collection has increased and county staff are getting their salaries on time.

These noticeable changes have been attributed to Dr. Nyoro's management style that is sober and people-focused with everything being done in accordance with best finance practices in projects giving residents value for money.

Waititu to be charged After He Surrendered On Sunday 28th July

By The Kenyan Youth
28/07/2019

Besieged Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu to be arraigned in court tomorrow after he surrendered to the EACC earlier on Sunday. The Director of Public Prosecutions Haji confirmed that he was convinced there was sufficient evidence to prefer charges against the governor which include conflict of interest, dealing with a suspect property and willful failure to comply with procurement law and engaging in fraudulent procurement process and money laundering.

                                                                        (Photo:Courtesy)

His wife Susan Wangari Ndung’u who is still at large, eight chief officers county staffs and business associates with among others are facing other charges such as engaging in fraudulent process and money laundering.

NO CASE TO ANSWER

However, Haji while giving his consent for immediate arrest and prosecution of the suspects, exonerated Waititu’s daughter. He noted that the governor’s daughter had no case to answer.
“We find that she was a sleeping director and not active in the affairs of the company.
Her explanation is reasonable,” said Haji on Saturday.

The suspects are to be charged in relation to abuse of office involving a tender worth Sh588 million and fraudulent acquisition of Sh221 million public property. The inquiry relates to allegations of procurement of tender no CGK/RTPW/142/2017-18 for the upgrading of various gravel roads to bituminous surface in Kiambu County awarded to M/S Testimony Enterprises Limited. The company was awarded the contract by the county government to provide services and supply goods by way of a request for proposal.

According to EACC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Twalib Mbarak, his officers arrested M/S Testimony Enterprises Limited Director Charles Mbuthia Chege and two county tender evaluation committee members Joyce Ngina Musyoka and Simon Kabocho Kang’ethe yesterday morning.


The DPP noted that a total of Sh74.2 million has so far been paid to the contractor. The company has therefore been paid Sh221.4 million, inclusive of the Sh147 million. The DPP said part of the funds were used by Saika Two Estate Developers Limited to purchase Bieneveu Delta Hotel Limited owned by Waititu and his wife. The roads project covered Thika, Limuru, Gatundu North, Juja and Ruiru sub-counties, which was allegedly skewed in favour of the winning bidder with the assistance of the county officials.

President Uhuru Extends Huduma Number Mass Registration Process

By AK

Friday 17th May 2019

President Uhuru Kenyatta has extended the time for Kenyans to register for Huduma Namba by one week. In a press statement, the president has directed that the exercise will now officially close on May 25 at 6pm.

While commending the commitment and patience of the 35million Kenyans who have registered so far, he noted with concern the last minute rush and long queues formed during the final days of the exercise in different parts of the country.

(Long queues as Kenyans rushed to beat Huduma reg deadline)

ONE WEEK

President Uhuru has now directed the National Inter-ministerial Committee for implementation of this programme to extend the registration period for another 1 week. However, the Diaspora mass registration exercise which started on May 6th, 2019 will continue throughout all our missions globally and shall close on 20th June 2019. 

       (Long queues as Kenyans rushed to beat Huduma reg deadline)



GOVERNMNET DELIVERY SERVICES

"I encourage each and every Kenyan to become a part of this momentous change that will help to positively transform Government delivery services for the benefit of all Citizens", Uhuru added.

KIAMBU MCA's Exchange Blows Over Supplimentary Budget

By the County Correspondence
Thursday, March 21st


KIAMBU COUNTY Assembly was this afternoon turned to a battle zone after the MCA's disagreed over the supplementary budget, where Ksh 507 million was slashed from developments and directed to 'KAA SOBER'.

                                           Watch the clash Video Here

SUSPENDED

Following the chaos, Ndenderu, Sigona, Ndeiya and Ikinu MCA's have been suspended for 3 sessions, according to sources.

More to follow......... 

UHURU nominates Hillary Mutyambai as new IG;Appoints Boinnet CAS, Tourism

The Kenyan Youth
March, 13th. 

PRESIDENT UHURU Kenyatta has nominated Hilary Mutyambai to be the next Inspector General of Police. The president also appointed the outgoing IG Joseph Boinnet as the Chief Administrative Secretary in the Tourism ministry.

Mutyambai (pictured above) was until his appointment the deputy director of National Counter-Terrorism Centre

President Kenyatta made several other State appointments:
-Wycliffe Ogalo - Commissioner-General of Kenya Prisons Service
-Vincent Naisho Loonea the Director-General of the Kenya Coast Guard Service
-John Migui Waweru the Director-General of the Kenya Wildlife Service.

The Executive Order of March 13 2019 also included the names of six members of the National Police Service Commission.

Eliud Ndung'u Kinuthia is the chairperson with Lilian Mutio Kiamba, Eusebius Karuti Laibuta, Naphtaly Kipchirchir Rono, Alice Atieno Otwala and John Tentemo ole Moyaki as members.

JSC Candidate GATHII IRUNGU Taken to Court

Wed, March 13th. 
By The Kenyan Youth 

Judicial Service Commission Male (JSC) Representative Candidate Gathii Irungu has been taken to court over the validity of his Kenya Revenue Authority tax compliance certificate. A Legal Society Commission (LSK) member sued him earlier today claiming that Gathii was cleared despite having not been cleared by the taxman which is part of the requirements by LSK for anyone vying for a judicial position.

 

(Photo: JSC Candidate Gathii Irungu) 

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

Gathii went to his Twitter and Facebook account uploading his compliance certificate and asking his complainant to meet him in court. “Someone has sued me that I do not file my returns with @KRACorporate @KRACare. Well, here is my KRA compliance certificate,” read his post on @GathiiWakili in part, “Let’s meet in court. You cannot stop and idea whose time has come.”

COMPETITOR

The candidate has further uploaded a photo of himself and competitor Alex Gatundu saying that it has been a busy day in court after someone attempted to submerge and subvert the will of the members of the LSK. He says that he has agreed with his competitor that they shall work peacefully. “We have agreed to compete harmoniously in line with my ideology that elective competition should neither divide people nor bring strife especially in our noble profession,” he said in his Twitter handle.

FIVE CANDIDATES

LSK has cleared five candidates to vie for the JSC male representative position. They include the previously sitting Prof. Tom Ojienda, Macharia Njeru and Charles Ongoto. There have been rumours from a section of LSK members that Alex Gatundu might cede his candidature and back Gathii Irungu. The speculation has further been raised by the presence of the two lawyers in Gathii’s case earlier today.
JSC is founded under Article 171 of the Constitution of Kenya. The commission has 11 members. It has been marred by different challenges including conflicting laws, the nature of punitive action against guilty judges, political interferences, funding and under staffing among others as expressed by LSK members. The election of the JSC officials is expected to take place in the first week of May this year. All lawyers who have a good standing with LSK will be eligible to vote.

Angels Hair Co. Ruiru, Owned by Sana Industries Lays off Thousands of Workers

A few months ago, Angels Hair Company started laying off it's workers in thousands. The company consisted of slightly over 7000 workers, 90% being women. They are our sisters/daughters/friends and mothers to happy school going kids.

A couple of years ago when they opened shop in Ruiru, they had around 2000 workers. Business was good, they kept hiring till they hit 7000 staff. As is the norm in any town with a large number of working population increasing, Ruiru economy was boosted, rental houses spruced up, banks, supermarkets etc all enjoyed good business.

But come late 2017 & 2018, somewhere along, things started crumbling. Sources have it that the current county regime has a hand in the company's misfortunes. Unconfirmed Reports fingers the highest office in the county while others are saying  they have issues on tax evasion.

But nonetheless, we have 7000 livelihoods at stake. The govt can look for alternatives and come to an amicable understanding. Frustrating the company owners affects everyone in Ruiru, Directly or Indirectly. Houses will be left vacant, ripples will be felt in the businesses within and around Ruiru, thousands will be jobless, hence driving them out of Ruiru to other places, and we will be having a dull town. Whatever issue the governor has with the Angels Hair bosses, it must cease. A If its about taxes, KRA can draw up an amicable solution. A long term solution must prevail. The company has had a good working environment since they set up shop here, and they shouldn't be forced to close shop and open elsewhere. I believe a good working environment will be of benefit to all.

Angels Company should continue operating in Ruiru. This is part of the President's Big 4 agendas(manufacture) and he should come in and help Find solutions...




(Article from Facebook, via ArapKaruri) 

EMBATTLED Kiambu GOVERNOR Waititu beats up MCA's in his office

By the Kenyan Youth 
Kiambu, Monday January 2018.

Kiambu Governor Ferdinard Waititu yesterday threw punches and slaps to elected MCA's in his office who had gone to enquire why he has slashed bursaries to 1 million per ward while KAA SOBER gets 2 million per day. The governor, who was really agitated by the MCA's, shrugged them, hit & slapped them in front of his Deputy Dr. James Nyoro, County Secretary Dr Njogu among others.

KAA SOBER

According to sources, he warned them of dire consequences should they continue talking ill of and discrediting KAA SOBER, an initiative which has received condemnation from all quarters. He mentioned that he will use his goons to deal with them. He told them the office of the governor belongs to him and its his property, even the president cannot order him around, and warned anyone of ever stepping in "His Office".

                           (Waititu at court in undated photo) 

EXCLUSION

The MCA's from Juja, Kiuu & Kahawa Sukari had gone to inquire from the Governor why 25 MCA's were excluded in the award of this year's bursaries. Security men had to separate and escort the MCA's out.

Already, the 25 MCA's are questioning the governor on why prefers paying 2 million shillings to an unsustainable project while the children from needy families in over 60 wards get mere 1 million per ward per term. Out of the 25 MCA's, only Ruiru Biashara Ward MCA had his bursary fund reinstated after he confronted the governor. Sources close say that Hon. Elijah Njoroge told off the governor, and warned him against using the public office as his home.

RIOT ACT

According to reliable sources, Waititu further summoned all the NOMINATED MCAs and read them the riot act ahead of the anticipated ouster of the leader. The governor went ahead and accused one nominated MCA to have been a robber, hence her disability. Palaver has it that the lady got emotionally hurt, and is now admitted at Aga Khan with high pressure related problem.

KABOGO AND MOSES KURIA

The emotionally speaking Waititu was so agitated saying that he is excluding them for supporting former governor Kabogo and Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria in their bid to oust him in 2022. He used unprintable names to describe former governor and Moses Kuria.

By the time of going to press, the MCA's are already planning to impeach the governor.