The Star 01/28/2017

The Kenya Red Cross Society has launched an initiative to raise money to feed starving Kenyans. Secretary general Abbas Gullet yesterday said the society is seeking to raise Sh1 billion through the Kenyans4Kenya initiative to help two million people. 1.5 MILLION FACE STARVATION Late last year, reports suggested that about 1.5 million Kenyans faced starvation due to poor rains in two years. The money will be used to treat malnourished children, pregnant women and lactating mothers in 10 counties worst-hit by the drought, targeting 350,000 people. “We intend to conduct a direct cash transfer to the most food insecure families and where markets are functional, target 17,500 families,” Gullet said. “To the families where cash is likely to be diverted, we intend to use food vouchers targeting 7,500 families.” Gullet…

JACOB KAIMENYI Suspends four over alleged fraud Four officers at the Lands ministry have been suspended for alleged fraud and attempting to siphon public funds. They were investigated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission for issuance of fake title deeds, fraudulent subdivision of land and other allegations. Their homes and offices were also searched. See page 11 JOSEPH BOINNET Monitor leaders for hate speech The Inspector General of Police said any politician inciting Kenyans or spreading hate speech will be arrested and prosecuted. Police are monitoring election campaigns and leaders’ speech for any incitement. He cautioned leaders against hiring goons and criminals to cause chaos during campaigns and elections. See page 19 PHILIP GICHUKI Water rationing to get worse Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company will increase rationing next week…

Lecturers from public universities have rejected a government request to suspend their strike for one month to conclude salary talks. Uasu secretary general Constantine Wasonga said they have “rejected the statement of intention from the government until the union signs the delayed 2013-17 CBA.” He said lecturers want a reasonable counter offer. “I call upon lecturers to intensify the strike in the coming week. The dons cannot eat statements of intention,” Wasonga said. It emerged that the government had tabled a three per cent counter offer to call off the strike. Wasonga said the Universities Academic Staff Union is demanding structured salaries, harmonised with what civil servants and the private sector get, and not percentages. On Thursday, Education CS Fred Matiang’i led spirited efforts to urge lecturers to suspend the…

PRESIDENT Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto (pictured) are in a silent battle for the control of Kisii. The President is reportedly fronting Senator Chris Obure to run for governor on the JP ticket, while Ruto has picked Deputy Governor Joash Maangi as to wrest the seat from Governor James Ongwae. The President has strong ties with veteran politician Simeon Nyachae and has approved his son, former CIC chairman Charles Nyachae, to run for senator. This is an elaborate plot to use the old man’s networks to penetrate the county. But Ruto, who is eyeing the presidency in 2022, is keen to groom Maangi as his point man. The forthcoming Jubilee Party primaries will be an opportunity for Uhuru and Ruto to flex text their political muscle in the…

Two weeks after publicly warning it would attack a Kenyan base in coastal Somalia, al Shabaab terrorists audaciously launched that very assault early on Friday. It said it overran and captured the Kulbiyow base and killed 57 soldiers. Reports said it withdrew after removing trucks and burning vehicles. Kenya denied the camp was overrun and said the attackers were repulsed. However, it did not disclose the death toll. Combat helicopters were deployed after al Shabaab planted IEDs on four roads leading to to the camp. One soldier was killed and three seriously injured. KDF did not disclose the death toll at. Yesterday afternoon, senior military officers led by the Chief of Defence Forces General Samuel Mwathethe were locked in a crisis meetings, awaiting an update on the attack and battle…

At 6.30 on January 15, 2016, a suicide bomber blew up an armoured personnel carrier packed with explosives at the gate of KDF’s El Adde base in Somalia. The blast was said to be three times more powerful than the bomb that destroyed the US Embassy in Nairobi in 1998. Thus began KDF’s most devastating and humiliating defeat, one from which it was to learn hard lessons. There were more suicide bombs. Barriers were easily breached. Hundreds of heavily armed al Shabaab fighters on foot and in vehicles overran the base of about 280 soldiers. Militants fired AK-47s, rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns. After a day-long battle, more than 150 soldiers — some say 180, 200 or more — were reported slaughtered. Twelve soldiers are believed to have been captured.…