Disquiet over SportPesa threat

FRIDAY DECEMBER 29 2017 

 

 

Everton's English striker Wayne Rooney (right) celebrates scoring the opening goal during their English Premier League match against and Stoke City at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on August 12, 2017. PHOTO | OLI SCARFF |  AFP

In Summary

• Kenya Sevens contracts at risk, Gor and Leopards ponder tough future.
• Kenyan sporting fraternity in panic over betting firm’s warning of withdrawing sponsorship because of increased taxation.
• SportPesa are also the official sponsors of National Super League side Nakuru All Stars.

By CELLESTINE OLILO
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Uncertainty has gripped the Kenyan sporting world after Pevans East Africa Limited, the company that owns online betting firm SportPesa, reiterated its threat to terminate all existing financial sponsorship agreements with clubs and federations.

Thursday’s High Court decision to uphold proposed tax laws requiring all betting companies to remit 35 per cent of their earnings to the government revived SportPesa’s threats of withdrawal, plunging clubs and associations enjoying their sponsorship into panic. 

What 2018 holds in store for the Big Five in Nasa and Jubilee

SATURDAY DECEMBER 30 2017    

 

 

President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) and Deputy President William Ruto will remain the key players in Jubilee in 2018, with the succession factor offering a sub-text from a wide cast of other players. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• On the political front, Uhuru's priorities will be to leave Jubilee a united and formidable political machine.
• Mr Ruto's first headache will be deciding who to pick for running-mate without upsetting the apple-cart.
• Kalonzo will be seeking political relevance both on the national stage and within opposition ranks.
• Mr Odinga will be busy the whole of next year and beyond. 

By KAMAU NGOTHO
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The August and October election have demonstrated one thing about Kenya: It has finally evolved into a country of two major political formations unlike in the early years of multi-partyism when there was a plethora of ethnic-based parties.

That means Jubilee and Nasa will be the political formations to watch in 2018. 

It is likely that Jubilee will retain the same leadership and composition in the coming year, but it will have to contend with the occasional and inevitable complaint or dissent.

However, Nasa will most likely evolve into a hydra-headed creature, with each head pulling away from the others.

What Raila ‘swearing-in’ means for Uhuru, Ruto

SATURDAY DECEMBER 23 2017    

 

 

Nasa co-principal Musalia Mudavadi (centre), flanked by Moses Wetang'ula (left) and Kivutha Kibwana, reacts to questions during a media briefing at their Okoa Kenya offices in Nairobi on December 10, 2017. The opposition has refused to recognise the Kenyatta-Ruto duo as duly elected. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP  

In Summary

• Stiff challenge from the opposition is the oxygen that will keep the Deputy President’s political dreams alive.
• The swearing-in act places Kalonzo Musyoka ahead of the pack in the Odinga succession within the Nasa fraternity. 
• Prof Anangwe says Nasa will only achieve its goals if it speaks the same language now and in 2022. 

By OSCAR OBONYO
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The renewed threat by the National Super Alliance (Nasa) to symbolically swear in Mr Raila Odinga as the “People’s President” with Mr Kalonzo Musyoka as his Deputy has understandably not been taken kindly by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto. 

As executed, it will also have direct implications on more political players, including other Nasa bigwigs.

Envoys pick four-point agenda as they prepare for talks

US ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec speaks to the press at Bomas, Nairobi on October 2, 2017. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP  

By IBRAHIM ORUKO and TIM WANYONYI

IN SUMMARY

• Momentum for the talks was given impetus by President Uhuru Kenyatta who on Tuesday said that he was willing to talk to the opposition led by Mr Raila Odinga. 
• Earlier, Mr Odinga had said that he and his allies had suspended his parallel swearing-in to give room for dialogue.
• Under strengthening of institutions, the issues to be discussed are likely to include electoral reforms targeting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

Four key agenda items for Kenya’s national dialogue have been proposed ahead of talks facilitated by diplomats, the clergy, business and trade union leaders.

Trying to undo the political mischief on Kenya's flag

SUNDAY DECEMBER 17 2017  

 

 

An athlete displays the Kenyan flag. Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has authored an important Bill on the national flag — perhaps in a bid to remove some anachronistic political mischief that has always surrounded the flag. 

In Summary

• Kenya must be one of the few countries where it is a crime to fly the national flag.
• In the US, they allow everyone to fly the flag as long as it is fastened.
• Four names — “Harambee”, “Jamhuri”, “Madaraka” and “Nyayo” — are also protected alongside the national flag.
  
  

  

  By JOHN KAMAU
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  Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has authored an important Bill on the national flag — perhaps in a bid to remove some anachronistic political mischief that has always surrounded the flag.

Uhuru’s power deal with Gideon and Ruto 2022 succession plan

SUNDAY DECEMBER 17 2017    

 

 

From left: Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi in a jig during the party's national delegates conference in May at Kasarani Stadium where they endorsed President Kenyatta’s candidature in the August 2017 General Election. Details of a secret power sharing deal between the President Uhuru Kenyatta and Senator Moi have emerged. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• As part of the hitherto closely guarded deal, the Baringo senator handed President Kenyatta names of potential nominees to the Cabinet.
• An impeccable source at the senator’s office confided to Nation that Mr Kiprono Kittony and Nick Salat are among names submitted.
• Mr Salat confirmed Kanu had submitted the list of its nominees through their chairman.

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By JUSTUS WANGA
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By IBRAHIM ORUKO
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Details of a secret power sharing deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Kanu chairman Gideon Moi can be revealed today.

As part of the hitherto closely guarded deal, the Baringo senator handed President Kenyatta names of potential nominees to the Cabinet on Thursday last week, further stoking tensions within the Jubilee coalition as Deputy President William Ruto grows increasingly jittery over the role of Mr Moi in government.

An impeccable source at the senator’s office confided to Nation that Mr Kiprono Kittony, the chairman of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), and Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat are among those whose names are with the President.

In the larger deal, Mr Moi wants President Kenyatta to set aside a total of six slots in the executive, two in the Cabinet and four for principal secretaries in return for Kanu’s support for his re-election in the August 8 and October 26 presidential elections.

US media firm targeted Raila Odinga with attack ads, report says

THURSDAY DECEMBER 14 2017 

Nasa leader Raila Odinga. A Texas-based political media company linked to Donald Trump generated online attack campaigns against Raila Odinga before August 8 poll, a new report shows. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• The online campaigns that either targeted Mr Odinga or touted President Kenyatta's accomplishments were conducted on behalf of the president's re-election campaign.
• Raphael Tuju, Jubilee Party secretary-general, “claims no knowledge of the Real Raila site,” the report says.
• Cambridge Analytica did discretely work for President Kenyatta during his re-election campaign, the report says.

By KEVIN J. KELLEY
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A Texas-based political media company that has worked for Donald Trump generated online attack campaigns against Raila Odinga in the run-up to the August presidential vote, a new report finds.

Harris Media, described in the report as “a far-right American digital media company,” is linked to two anonymous sites: TheReal Raila and Uhuru for Us, states the report issued by London-based Privacy International, which says it is committed to fighting for privacy rights worldwide.

ATTACK ADVERTS

The online campaigns that either targeted Mr Odinga or touted President Kenyatta's accomplishments were conducted on behalf of the president's re-election campaign, Privacy International states.

Tactical blunder that denied Raila chance to be president

TUESDAY DECEMBER 12 2017   

 

 

Nasa leader Raila Odinga addressing the media at Okoa Kenya offices, Nairobi on October 10, 2017. Nasa announced their withdrawal from the October 26 repeat presidential election. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP  

In Summary

• Supreme Court judges said that while his public announcement and letter to the IEBC was legal, within his rights and substantive, there was no way the elections it had ordered to be repeated could have been postponed.
• Mr Odinga, the Nasa candidate, withdrew from the repeat poll on September 10, citing lack of commitment to electoral reforms.
• The judges, however, disagreed, saying “the withdrawal could not, in law, have occasioned the cancellation of the repeat poll”.

By SAM KIPLAGAT
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The withdrawal of Raila Odinga from the repeat election of October 26 was a tactical blunder that cost him the chance to lead the country, the Supreme Court confirmed in its judgment on Monday, 21 days after it upheld the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Supreme Court judges said that while his public announcement and letter to the electoral commission was legal, within his rights and substantive, there was no way the elections it had ordered to be repeated could have been postponed.

Sex And Aural Energy: How You Share Your Sacred Energy With Others

  BY  LDECEMBER 2, 2017

Pay attention to whom you share your intimate energy with. Intimacy at this level intertwines your aural energy with the aural energy of the other person. These powerful connections, regardless of how insignificant you think they are, leave spiritual debris, particularly within people who do not practice any type of cleansing, physical, emotional or otherwise. The more you interact intimately with someone, the deeper the connection and the more of their aura is intertwined with yours. Imagine the confused aura of someone who sleeps with multiple people and carries around these multiple energies? What they may not realize is that others can feel that energy which can repel positive energy and attract negative energy into your life.

“I always say, never sleep with someone you wouldn’t want to be” – Lisa Chase Patterson

I believe the original author of the above passage is Lisa Chase Patterson. How she described the intimate nature of exchanging energy with another during sex is something that I’ve been lecturing friends about for years. It was nice to see someone else discussing it as well.

Nasa puts off swearing-in plan for Raila

Posted by George Kebaso

Date: December 10, 2017

George Kebaso @Morarak

Nasa leaders Moses Wetang’ula (left), Musalia Mudavadi and Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana address the press at Okoa Kenya offices in Nairobi, yesterday. Photo/GERALD ITHANA 

The Opposition alliance last evening called off the plan to have Raila Odinga sworn in as the ‘people’s president’, in what insiders in National Super Alliance (Nasa) said was a result of intense pressure from various quarters, especially the international community.

Hidden players who made Raila Odinga delay his 'swearing-in'

MONDAY DECEMBER 11 2017   

Nasa leader Raila Odinga with co-principals Moses Wetang’ula (left) and Musalia Mudavadi (right), Siaya Senator James Orengo (centre) and other leaders address a rally at Kiminini Trading Centre in Trans Nzoia County on October 22. The opposition coalition on Sunday cancelled its swearing-in of Mr Odinga as ‘the People’s President’. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• The ceremony would have taken place at Tononoka Grounds in Mombasa County as area Governor Hassan Joho had offered to host Mr Odinga and his team.
• Mr Mudavadi cited internal, national and international interventions as the reasons behind the decision.
• But Mr Mudavadi assured Nasa supporters that “our resolve has not changed”.

By DAVID MWERE
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Opposition leader Raila Odinga on Sunday postponed his controversial swearing-in ceremony, slated for Tuesday, following the intervention of foreign diplomats and an internal push to drop the tag of violence that has marked his push for electoral justice.

The ceremony, we learnt on Sunday evening, would have taken place at Tononoka Grounds in Mombasa County as area Governor Hassan Joho had offered to host Mr Odinga and his team.

Where Raila, Ruto, kibaki live: Welcome to five posh millionaires' playgrounds

The Nairobian   By Peter Muiruri 

A fulfilling view of the Cobble Gardens in the leafy suburb of Karen [Photo: Gilbert Otieno]

• These five estates are where Kenya’s crème de la crème call home
• This is where residents eat life with a big spoon, immersed in luxury
• They however don not come cheap and residents rake hundreds of millions to live here  

They are known locally as the leafy suburbs where residents eat life with a big spoon. Living in any of the affluent neighbourhoods in the city is said to enhance one’s standing in society and result in better health and general well-being.

Senator Omanga, atheists defend Nairobi sex workers

MONDAY DECEMBER 4 2017 

Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga taking the oath of office at Parliament buildings on August 31, 2017. She has criticised members of Nairobi County Assembly over plans to pass a motion outlawing commercial sex work. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP  

In Summary

• Senator Omanga asked the leaders to critically look at the issue first.
• Woodley/Kenyatta Golf Course MCA Mwangi Abraham Njihia raised concern about the rising number of the sex workers in Nairobi.
• Atheists have come out in defence of commercial sex workers and given the MCAs two weeks to repeal the motion.

By ERIC MATARA

By NICHOLAS KOMU

Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga has criticised members of Nairobi County Assembly over plans to pass a motion outlawing commercial sex work.

The senator termed the move impulsive and unfair to the ‘poor’ commercial sex workers whom she said depend on the trade for survival.

The senator has now challenged the MCAs to provide alternative sources of livelihood for the commercial sex workers before condemning them.

Nasa split over plans to swear in Raila as ‘people’s president’

SUNDAY DECEMBER 3 2017

Nasa leader Raila Odinga addresses mourners in Sidindi, Siaya County, on December 2, 2017 during the burial of Collins Odhiambo, who was said to have been killed by the police. PHOTO | ONDARI OGEGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• The division pits mostly younger politicians against their seasoned counterparts who believe that doing so would be a catastrophic for the former prime minister. 
• Amani National Congress leader and Nasa co-principal Musalia Mudavadi was cagey about the plans even as reports suggested that he is among those who are not enthusiastic about the whole idea.
• Minority Whip in the National Assembly Junet Mohamed, a key ally of Mr Odinga, was also cautious but said the event will go on.
• Since the announcement, there have been a series of consultative meetings by the Nasa leadership. 

By JUSTUS WANGA
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Top leaders of the National Super Alliance are split over whether or not  Raila Odinga should be sworn-in as the “people’s president” on December 12.

The division pits mostly younger politicians against their seasoned counterparts who believe that doing so would be a catastrophic for the former prime minister.

It is similar fears that put off a supposed oath-taking last Tuesday to coincide with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s inauguration at Kasarani with only a memorial service at Jacaranda grounds — that was also stopped by the police — planned. 

Uhuru unveils grand plan for next five years

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 28 2017    

President Uhuru Kenyatta takes oath of office at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on November 28, 2017. He said more Kenyans will now be incorporated into the National Hospital Insurance Fund. PHOTO | SIMON MAINA | AFP 

In Summary

• He noted that the young population is a crucial asset for a strong and thriving Kenya.
• He said legislation to strengthen fiscal discipline and accountability at both the national and county levels will be enacted.

By KENNEDY KIMANTHI
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President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday outlined a grand economic plan to be rolled out in the next five years of his second and final term.

The plan, summarised in his speech, dwells on issues such as economic growth, health, education and social services, youth unemployment, corruption, land policy, governance and public service reforms.

He also gave detailed policy prescriptions.

President Kenyatta’s speech, which he delivered after his swearing-in at the Kasarani Stadium, comes against the backdrop of a highly divisive nation and worrying reports of high prices of basic commodities.