The Star 04/10/2017

President Uhuru Kenyatta has for the first time admitted that Kenyans have “not yet felt the full impact” of his administration as the country marked four years since he rode to power. Likening the investments of his Jubilee administration to farming, he said good investments need time to mature. Uhuru said he is aware Kenyans are impatient and want to see the fruits of Jubilee’s investments right away. “We know that Kenyans have not yet felt the full impact of our investments, but we ask them to give us an opportunity to continue with what we are doing, so that in time, they will feel the full impact,” he said. This is the first time the Head of State publicly admitted that some Kenyans could be right in asking what…

KDF Kills Shabaab top commander The Kenya Defence Forces on Saturday at dawn killed two al Shabaab militias in Kuday, Somalia, and recovered assorted weapons. The militants had raided Somali National Army base near KDF’s. KDF spokesman Joseph Owuoth said Bashe Nure Hassan, an Al Shabaab commander who joined the forces several years ago, was among those killed. See page 10 BILLOW KERROW Senator launches new party Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow on Saturday launched Economic Freedom Party for aspirants in the region. Speaking at the KICC, Nairobi, he asked the electorate to vote for candidates who will run on the party ticket. Kerrow said he is confident the party will clinch most of the seats. Governor Ali Roba says the new EFP has nothing new to offer residents. See page…

A new political outfit in Ukambani is set to be unveiled tomorrow, signalling tough times for Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s key allies. New Democrats, led by businessman David Masika, will be launched tomorrow at the Boulevard Hotel, Nairobi, ahead of its grand launch in Makueni county. Masika, the ex-managing trustee of the National Social Security Fund, will face off with Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana for the county’s top job. Masika had handed his nomination papers to run for the seat on the Wiper ticket, but made an about-turn after Kalonzo signed a deal with Kibwana’s Muungano Party. In an interview with the Star, however, Masika said his relationship with Kalonzo remains intact and the launch of New Democrats has his blessings. “My main reason [for decamping] is the kind of…

A group of Jubilee MCAs were heard asking themselves why President Uhuru Kenyatta and Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero (pictured)“are in such a very good relationship.” The MCAs say that the cordial relationship between the two leaders may jeopardise Jubilee’s chances of winning the city governor position. POLICE in Kilimani, Nairobi, have been put on notice to crack down on a car parts theft syndicate. Residents complain that a local garage run by local youths is the place where car parts are being stolen and later sold. Those in the know say that a group of mechanics at the garage, which is outside Yaya Centre and on Tigoni Road – have perfected the art of removing crucial parts from clients’ cars and replacing them with old ones. The parts are then…

PRESIDENT Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto appear to have eaten humble pie and abandoned their tough talk on the small affiliate parties that declined to merge with Jubilee Party. In a move seen as a way of consolidating their support base and increasing their chances against a resurgent Opposition, Uhuru has embraced the small political outfits that threaten Jubilee’s dominance in the bicameral Parliament. Apparently, the Jubilee leadership fears that the nomination process may not be acceptable to all and some of their aspirants could take off and join small parties. On Saturday, addressing a rally in Wajir county, Uhuru disclosed that the small parties were now part of JP and he pledged to work with whoever is elected on the affiliate parties. The President also disclosed that…

THE new development where President Uhuru Kenyatta has accepted working with small parties that support him will change the political landscape forever. He had to accept it since most counties have two or more strong aspirants running for the same seats. Kiambu and Murang’a are a perfect case. I talked to a party leader whose party is not presenting a presidential candidate but are supporting Jubilee as for them to get enough MPs to control the House as failure to do so means it is going to be difficult to hold the majority of the votes in the bicameral Parliament. Meru Governor Peter Munya has declared his interest in the 2022 Presidential election and so has Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto. We…