A dream doesn't become reality through magic. It takes sweat, determination and hard work.

Friday 27 May 2016

Demand for male prostitutes in Nairobi has shot up

By Pkemoi Ng'enoh Thursday, May 26th 2016 

Male prostitution is on the rise in Kenya     

Demand for male prostitutes in the city has shot up compared to that of female sex workers, The Nairobian has learnt.

Our investigations on city streets have also established that some cops and high-profile figures are involved in the business. 

The male sex workers, popularly known as makuchu, walk in groups along city streets — some line up with female sex workers for clients.

Away from the streets, those who don’t want to be seen outside hunting for clients have identified specific clubs in the city centre.

When we arrived at a popular joint on Tsavo Road on a Wednesday afternoon, our source who happens to be a homosexual and operates as a sex worker, pointed out a cop who was already entertaining two male sex workers with drinks before leaving for ‘the act’ at a nearby lodging. 

“He is a regular client here, but he pays well. I’ve slept with him more than three times. He is a gentleman, though he can sleep with three different men in a day when he visits. The last time he paid me Sh5,000 for the whole afternoon,” claims Jack, our source.

Jack, a father of one, has been in the business for more than six years now. He told The Nairobian that he left his home in Narok in search of greener pastures in Nairobi.

“Even before coming to the city, I was already into it. A friend of mine introduced me to homosexuality,” revealed Jack.

Though Jack claims to have parted ways with his wife following a small misunderstanding, she (wife) has never found out that he is a male prostitute.

“Even my family members are not sure what I do for a living. But not long ago, my brother told me I walked and behaved like a gay — I told him to let me be to lead my life,” he said.

Being in the business, Jack claims, has not changed him much because “I still love women.”

“We get more customers on the streets, but sometimes we fall into traps of cons, police officers and county askaris who besides extorting money also want to sleep with us.

Mark, another male sex worker who has been in the business since 1994, said he was introduced into homosexuality by a friend. “I was a hawker within Uhuru Park until a friend revealed to me how he made so much money from sleeping with white men who used to flood the recreational park then.”

He revealed that, “I’ve operated all over the city and even slept with high-profile figures. I’ve got a wife and two kids back home in Kitui, but nobody knows how I survive in the city.”

Mark claims that he has witnessed the rising number of homosexual sex workers and says that whenever he works around town, he never fails to spot them.

“It is easy to spot them from their walking style, dressing, hairdo and nails. In clubs, there is a finger sign that most clients are familiar with and will look out for before heading to the toilets to strike the deal.”

He added that, “Sometimes we tip cleaners in toilets and have quickies with customers for around Sh200 or Sh500 in clubs along Accra Road”.

Male sex workers living with HIV met and formed HOYMAS in 2009. It first began as a social support group and club for male sex workers who were living with HIV and Aids and for those still engaged in sex work.

Rogue Muhindi who never pays men after sex

A number of men in the business who spoke to The Nairobian are not happy with an Asian man who has been tricking them after the act and vanishes without paying even a coin.

The middle-aged man is said to operate between Kenyatta Avenue all the way to Moi Avenue hunting for young men who are yet to understand his tricks.

Ric, one of the victims claimed that, “He approached me at a petrol station along Koinange Street and agreed to pay me Sh3,000. I boarded his Toyota Fielder and we sped off towards Mombasa Road. We stopped at a bushy area around 11pm and we had sex for more than twenty minutes. He told me to follow him to get to his car for payment but sped off.”

Thursday 26 May 2016

‘Kenyans in Diaspora’ want IEBC commissioners to resign

By Maureen Murimi, Citizen Digital


IEBC

The Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA) has called upon the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Ahmed Issack Hassan and other commissioners and staff named in the chickengate scandal to step aside and allow for investigations to restore confidence and integrity of the electoral body.

In a statement to newsrooms, KDA’s Global Chairman Dr Shem Ochuodho said the KDA UK Chapter is studying the London rulings and plans to file the same in Kenyan courts for necessary further legal action.

Also Read: We will not dialogue on IEBC issue, Uhuru to CORD

The alliance also asked the police to stop using brute and excessive force on demonstrators, urging organizers and demonstrators too to maintain civility, refrain from provoking the police and threatening life or property as they demonstrate.

“Kenyans have witnessed the violence, loss of lives and destruction of property over the last three Mondays with great dismay and despair about the future of our country. KDA registers its deep frustration and disappointment with current political events ahead of the 2017 General Elections, and call for reason over emotion by all political groupings, Kenyan leadership, pertinent constitutional institutions, religious groups, civil society and all Kenyans in general.”

“We call for cross-board consensus in seeking a legal, civilized, fair and acceptable solution to the current stalemate. We especially call upon the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and its secretariat to soul search and put the greater good of the country before self,” read the statement in part.

KDA seemed to blame the IEBC for the current upheaval.

“IEBC is the one in the eye of the storm and the single trigger of the current violence. IEBC’s mishandling of the BVR kits that led to bungled 2013 elections and disputed results, allegations of dizzying levels of corruption against the commissioners, and their blatant disregard for constitutional and legal electoral provisions to favour preferred candidates and political parties have collectively rendered the continued presence of some of the commissioners in office anachronistic.”

KDA expressed frustration over the lack of voter registration in the Diaspora.

“The Constitution provides that any Kenyan above the age of 18 years, including those in the diaspora, may register to vote. Kenyan courts of competent jurisdiction have ordered the IEBC to register Kenyans in the diaspora to enable them to participate in general and presidential elections, but the IEBC has ignored the constitutional provisions on the voting rights of diaspora Kenyans and defied court orders on the same,” read the statement.

The alliance urged the government to thoroughly investigate various allegations of impropriety against individual commissioners.

“There are constitutional provisions regarding how the IEBC can be disbanded. However, constitutional and legal provisions do not preclude honourable actions of principle, and time comes when honour must transcend constitutional and legal provisions. It is also critical that the government too thoroughly, swiftly and fairly investigate various allegations of impropriety against adversely mentioned individual commissioners so that those found culpable can face the full force of law to send out a stern warning that Kenyans can no longer tolerate unethical conduct of government officers or their abuse of office.”


We will not dialogue on IEBC issue, Uhuru to CORD

By Benjamin Wafula, Citizen Digital


We will not dialogue on IEBC issue, Uhuru to CORD

President Uhuru Kenyatta has reiterated his earlier stand against holding a dialogue with the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) to discuss the disbandment of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

In a meeting with stakeholders in the private sector at State House, Nairobi on Thursday, President Kenyatta said that the Constitution does not allow him to effect the removal of IEBC commissioners adding that CORD should use the right channel to seek their removal.

He stated that Jubilee MPs are ready to engage their CORD counterparts on the issues of electoral reforms though adding that such talks should be held within the confines of the Constitution since any contravention may lead to protracted court battles.

“I have spoken to MPs in government and the opposition and they are ready to engage on issues of IEBC. I have prepared my own views and recommendations which I want to present. Let us follow laid down procedures,” said the President.

He lashed out at the Opposition coalition for holding weekly protests which have led to the disruption of businesses in Nairobi’s CBD urging the private sector to meet CORD leaders and discuss their role in the future of the country’s economy.

“You should engage the Opposition for them to incorporate your views in what they do,” the president noted.

He also called on political leaders to embrace peace ahead of the next election adding that any cases of incitement to violence will be detrimental to the country’s economic stability.

“Kenyans must now stand up and say enough is enough of this negative politics and that no one should be allowed to disrupt our business activities supportive of our development agenda.”

Teachers, pupils decry poor learning facilities

By Elizabeth Asasha, Citizen Digital


Teachers, pupils decry poor learning facilities

Teachers and pupils at Kisangura Primary School in Uriri Constituency, Migori County are lamenting over inadequate learning facilities such as classrooms prompting different classes to share the same.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, the deputy Head Teacher, Kennedy Oguta, said some of their pupils are taking classes in a nearby church since the facilities are not enough to accommodate all of them.

Oguta has also linked poor performance by the pupils in the school to the wanting facilities.

Wednesday 25 May 2016

Police officer worth Sh50m fails to explain source of wealth during vetting

By MOHAMED AHMED and WACHIRA MWANGI
TUESDAY MAY 24 2016

The Bamburi Police Base Commander could not even name five people in the said merry-go-round.

Bamburi Traffic Base Commander Abubakar Bakari responds to questions from National Police Service Commission vetting team led by Johnstone Kavuludi about source of his wealth estimated at Sh50 million and huge M-Pesa and bank transactions. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

A chief inspector in particular, who said he is worth Sh50 million, was hard put to explain how he acquired his wealth and huge M-Pesa transactions in his account.

Chief Inspector Abubakar Bakari’s M-Pesa transactions showed that he was sending huge amounts of money to his seniors in Western Kenya.

Mr Bakari, now the Bamburi Police Base Commander, could not convince the panel led by commission chairperson Johnstone Kavuludi that the money he was sending to his bosses was from a merry-go-round.

The officers were also asked to explain several complaints lodged against them by the public and junior police officers.

Mr Bakari who has been in the force for nine years was asked to explain about other huge amounts of money that was being sent to his M-Pesa account by his juniors. 

He explained, unsuccessfully, that some of his seniors opted to use junior colleagues to send the money to his account.

The officers, he claimed, had chosen him to collect the “merry-go-round’’ money.

“We had been having merry-go rounds with 13 base commanders when I was in Webuye. In that chama I have been the collector and that is why I used to send money and receive as well. All those transactions were made during that merry-go round,” Mr Bakari told the panel sitting at the Kenya School of Government in Mombasa.

But when asked to name the officers he was doing the merry-go round with, Mr Bakari could not even name five.

His M-Pesa transactions showed that the officers sent money from Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega. Webuye, Kabras, Nairobi among other areas. Mr Bakari was stationed at Webuye.

During the hearing, Mr Kavuludi warned him three times against being rude and interrupting the commissioners while they were probing him.

And when asked to explain about a telephone number that according to the NPSC has made about 30 M-Pesa transactions, Mr Bakari said “That is not my number, but we use several telephone numbers and we do not remember all of them.”

He was given 14 days to supply the commission with detailed M-Pesa and bank transactions after he said he was a farmer who supplied ‘‘chicks” to some of top hotels at the Coast.

Within those two weeks, Mr Bakari has also been directed to submit to the commission a mobile phone number that he has been transacting with and which he denied knowledge of and to name members of the said merry-go-round.

Mr Bakari, had a difficult time explaining he had sent money 74 times to one Mr Evans Ndetembe, if it was indeed a chama.

But the policeman defended himself claiming the man was a member of their chama.

Mr Bakari, who comes from Kwale County, said that his wife was a businesswoman and at times, they get tenders from the county government.

He said the two were directors of a company which currently has been awarded a Sh4 million tender by his county government for construction of an early childhood development centre (ECD).

He told Mr Kavuludi that he expected the Sh4 million to be in his account by the end of the week.

“Mr Chair, I cannot do without M-Pesa. We have a business with my wife and sometimes we withdraw up to Sh500, 000,’’ said Mr Bakari.

He added, “You must know the history of a person and not just one aspect. I started my business in 2003 and I supply a number of hotels in Mombasa.’’

Asked by a commissioner, Ms Mary Owuor, why he had four bank accounts with including Standard Chartered, Kenya Commercial Bank, Police Sacco and Post Bank Mr Bakari said he has been supplying chicken to top hotels and that explained the huge transactions in his accounts.

 “I have a farm in Ukunda and I supply chicken to those hotels,” Mr Bakari told the panel.

Nyali Traffic Base Commander, Solomon Njuguna was accused of harassing, intimidating and soliciting money from motorists.

He dismissed the claims saying: “There has never been a specific case against me. Those are just general accusations.”

He also failed to give explanations about M-Pesa transactions to about five people whom he said he did not know.

Mr Kavuludi’s team targets 238 traffic police officers from the coast.

Sunday 22 May 2016

Junior workers bleed KRA as probe targets managers

A multi-agency task force began implementing a presidential directive to audit the lifestyles of KRA managers.

SUNDAY MAY 22 2016

Some of the high end cars on sale at Valley Road Motors yard in Nairobi, on May 16, 2016, that Kenya Revenue Authority officials are investigating for possible import duty evasion. The country is being treated to the spectacle of customs agents chasing after the importers of luxury vehicles, some of whom are said to evade import tax. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

ByEDWIN OKOTH
More by this Author

The lifestyle audit targeting 70 top managers at the Kenya Revenue Authority could miss an active network of junior staff largely responsible for heavy revenue haemorrhage at the country’s ports of entry. 

The junior staff are said to work in cahoots with unscrupulous, well-connected dealers in import and export business, the Sunday Nation can report.

In the past three months alone, KRA has acted upon 12 junior staff members implicated in a tax evasion web that has cost the authority billions in revenue losses — money badly needed to fill a Sh69 billion target gulf.

Eight of them, mostly from the Customs department, have been arraigned in court since February as the taxman seeks to break the corruption syndicate.

A multi-agency task force began implementing a presidential directive to audit the lifestyles of KRA managers believed to have amassed wealth through corrupt practices. 

The first batch of four KRA officials were arraigned at Milimani Law Courts, Nairobi, on February 18 on charges of abetting tax evasion.

Lilian Onyango, John Wesonga, Anthony Ochieng and David Mwongela — formerly attached to KRA’s Customs and Border Control Division in Mombasa — appeared before chief magistrate Daniel Ogembo on charges of making false Customs transit bonds, hence abetting tax evasion.

The four denied the charges and were released on a Sh1 million bond each, or cash bail of Sh200,000.

STAFF CHANGES

A week earlier, the taxman had put a brave face in defence of massive staff changes that had taken place at the agency affecting critical departments like investigations and enforcement, and human resources.

Commissioner-General John Njiraini said the changes were part of a broader government strategy to address weaknesses in the management of the Port of Mombasa and within the import supply chain.

“The changes undertaken do not in any way relate to integrity questions touching on the character of the individuals. In both cases, the changes were necessitated by the board’s wish to change course in order to meet the broader objectives of the government and the KRA as set out in the Sixth Corporate Plan,” Mr Njiraini said.

In under three months, four other staff members — Bernard Nyarige, Esther Nganda, Fredrick  Njuki and Nicholas Ambala — have been arraigned at Milimani Court and charged with conspiracy to evade payment of duty, contrary to section 203 (e) of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004.

Two clearing agency officials were also charged alongside the KRA staff, with five unnamed clearing and forwarding firms being suspended from acting as Customs agents.

On Tuesday, the taxman suspended yet another four junior Customs officials who had allegedly plotted to un-procedurally clear nine containers from Kilindini Port.

In the insider racket, the staff released all containers in the system before the vessel conveying them had docked at the port.

Two of the containers had successfully been sneaked out while the other seven were intercepted for verification.

Customs and border control commissioner Julius Musyoki pledged to have the remaining two containers traced. 

“It is no longer business as usual at our ports of entry. Any KRA official suspected of abetting tax evasion will face the full force of the law, alongside their accomplices who include unscrupulous traders importing cargo through the Port of Mombasa,” Mr Musyoki said.

HIGH-END CAR SWOOP

The latest swoop is on high-end cars suspected to have evaded tax. 

Owners of these vehicles have expressed shock over the taxation queries, saying they were under the impression that the vehicles had been duly cleared.

Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa’s personal assistant Kizito Temba absolved the minister from blame, saying it was not his boss’ fault that one of his vehicles had been registered fraudulently without paying duty. He blamed KRA officials instead.

“The problem must be with KRA. There is an internal problem with their system. The problem is not with the buyers and they need to unearth it to stop this embarrassment to innocent vehicle owners,” Mr Temba said.

KRA commissioner Githii Mburu seemed to have pointed at the internal network as well, pledging action on any staff implicated in the syndicate by an ongoing investigation.

The lifestyle audit, which was to be overseen by Treasury and the KRA board, is yet to reveal any major finding six months after it was ordered, with indications that it has just begun.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich deferred questions sent to him by the Sunday Nation on the KRA audit.

“The authority is progressing on this. Get the details from them,” Mr Rotich answered in an SMS.

Asked for details on the same, KRA board chairman Marsden Madoka declined to delve into the exact happenings, choosing instead to emphasise that “things were happening.”

“There are many things to look at and this is not something you do overnight, you know. There is no update for now but just know there is progress. Ok?”

Mr Madoka brushed aside further queries on the expected consequences of the audit and timelines.