The Star 02/02/2017

A bid by DCI chief Ndegwa Muhoro to probe allegations that senior counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi forged his qualification certificate was dismissed yesterday by a Nairobi court. Abdullahi risked being blocked from legal practice. Milimani senior principal magistrate Kenneth Cheruiyot said no clear evidence was presented to prove allegations Abdullahi forged the signature of lawyer Peter Simani (now deceased) to endorse his qualification certificate to practise as an Advocate of the High Court. Simani was killed during the Westgate Mall attack in Westlands, Nairobi, on September 21, 2014. Cheruiyot said evidence presented before him alleged that Simani did not have a practising certificate in 1992, when Abdullahi was doing his pupilage at his law firm, so he could not sign any certificate of pupilage. BLAME SIMANI He said Abdullahi should not…

JOHN MOSONIK Kenya tops EA in projects Kenya had the highest number of mega infrastructure projects in East Africa last year, Deloitte says, noting this helped the country maintain its lead as the regional powerhouse. There were 11 ongoing projects valued at $7.01 billion (Sh727.98 billion) last year, the consultancy firm said in the 2016 Africa Construction Trends Report. See Page 18 WILFRED MACHAGE Medics told to ditch ‘illegal’ CBA Striking doctors have been told to discard their disputed 2013 CBA, accept the government’s proposed pay offer and draft a new agreement that will be acknowledged by all parties. Yesterday, Senate Health Committee chairman Wilfred Machage termed the 2013 CBA “illegal”. The panel has been arbitrating among doctors, the Health ministry and CoG. See Page 10 MOHAMED SHIDIYE Garissa kids…

President Uhuru Kenyatta has nominated former World Bank senior economist Jane Kiringai to chair the Commission on Revenue Allocation. She will replace Micah Cheresem, whose term expired on December 31 last year. National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso yesterday announced the nomination during a parliamentary session. Kiringai will be vetted and approved before being sworn in with the other approved seven nominees. Her nomination to the CRA comes barely two years after unsuccessfully applying for the position of deputy governor of the Central Bank of Kenya. Laboso said, “This message, together with the resume of the nominee, stand committed to the Departmental Committee on Finance, Planning and Trade for consideration.” “The committee should start the approval hearings after the seven-day notification period and table a report on or before February…

AFTER the extradition of the Akasha brothers and their two friends from India and Pakistan, there has been panic in certain circles. Among those who are said to have panicked is a close friend of Vijay Goswami (the Indian, pictured), who owns many high-end houses in Westlands. The Kenyan of Indian origin is said to be the man keeping the money and property belonging to Goswami. Officials say it is just a matter of time before he is also caught as part of continuing efforts to bring down the Akasha organisation. TALKING of drugs and drug trafficking, there seems to be a new drive by the authorities to address the menace in this country. But many don’t trust the drive and think it is a political move to settle some…

 Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto will join the National Super Alliance at a rally on Saturday, complicating the Jubilee Party’s campaign in Rift Valley. ‘THERE IS NO POINT SAYING THIS IS A JUBILEE AREA, IT IS NOT! NASA IS WELCOME FOR ITS RALLY THIS WEEKEND IN BOMET AND IF SOMEONE IS HELL-BENT ON PLANNING TO SEND BROKERS AND GOONS TO HECKLE US, HE IS MISTAKEN BECAUSE IT WILL BACKFIRE DURING ELECTION DAY’ Meanwhile, Independence party Kanu is also gravitating towards NASA and secretary general Nick Salat has confirmed he will represent his party at the Bomet rally. A truly united and coordinated opposition is considered a serious threat to a Jubilee victory in August. Next week Kanu is to announce which side of the political divide — NASA or Jubilee —…

‘If the mountain won’t come to Muhammad’, quipped Sir Francis Bacon, ‘then Muhammad must go to the mountain.’ Drawing from a Turkish proverb, the famed English philosopher and essayist said that if what you want won’t come to you, then you have to go to where it is. For NASA, trooping to Bomet is doing just that. If the Kalenjin vote isn’t forthcoming, then they must go to where it is. With reports that the Rift Valley is poised to be the largest voter bloc in Kenya, NASA wants a piece of the pie and they are beginning their quest for it in Bomet. At the invitation of embattled Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto, the NASA brigade is now making it clear that they are targeting Jubilee’s vote base, particularly with…