The Star 09/26/2017

Procurement irregularities are likely to be at the heart of investigations into the conduct of the last presidential poll as detectives prepare to move to the IEBC offices at Anniversary Towers. They include the Sh2.5 billion procurement of ballot papers and statutory forms, ShSh848 million for failed satellite phones as well as acquisition of printing and scanning machines from MFI company. Procurement director Lawy Aura was kicked out of the commission way before the August 8 poll over the ballot papers fiasco. Sleuths are also likely to focus on how some KIEMS kits were assigned to Orange and Airtel as their service providers yet the two operators did not have adequate network coverage. The probe into how IEBC bungled the pollls was ordered by the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako…

ANGELA MERKEL Chancellor secures fourth term Germany’s Angela Merkel began the tough task of trying to build a coalition government yesterday after securing a fourth term as chancellor in an election which saw her support slide and the far right making significant gains. Europe’s most powerful leader said her conservatives would set about building the next government. See Page 24 MIKE SONKO To outline agenda for the city Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko will on Thursday open the second assembly. Standing Orders require the governor to open the House within 21 days of MCAs being sworn in. According to majority leader Abdi Guyo, the session will begin at 2.30pm. In his speech, Sonko is likely to focus on problems ‘common’ residents face. See Page 27 EACC PROBES FIRE Agency investigating Sh4bn…

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was yesterday arrested and taken to DCI headquarters on Kiambu Road over remarks he is said to have made about the President. Police sources said he would be held overnight and is expected to appear in court today. During a rally in Kawangware’s Congo area on Sunday, the first-time MP tore into someone he referred to as “mtoto wa mbwa”. He likened this person to long-term African leaders who were eventually removed from power. Babu later said he would not apologise and dared police to arrest him, as referring to someone as a puppy doesn’t amount to abuse. Speaking to the Star on the phone shortly after being arrested, Babu said he is innocent. The MP said he did not name any politician in his…

THE First Family has been in the public limelight campaigning for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s reelection bid recently. First Lady Margaret (pictured) and son Muhoho have joined Jubilee Party in the vicious hunt for votes forUhuru. A political wag asks why Uhuru’s immediate family has joined the political campaign, yet he insists he won the August 8 election. KISUMU residents are raising concerns about a Ugandan-registered vehicle whose occupants are allegedly extorting motorists and the business community with impunity. The black Subaru, which is always occupied by at least four people masquerading as policemen, is used to harass unsuspecting motorists – especially businesspeople of Asian origin. Our mole, who fell prey to the extortionist ring, says he was flagged down by the driver of the vehicle near Tuskys Mall and forced…

‘WE KNOW THEY HAVE PLANNED DEMOS, TOMORROW (TODAY). THAT IS THEIR RIGHT. BUT IF THEY TRY TO LOOT SHOPS, BLOCK ROADS AND HARASS MOTORISTS, THEN THEY WILL KNOW THERE’S A GOVERNMENT IN POWER’ Besieged electoral agency CEO Ezra Chiloba has signaled he won’t quit, even as NASA stages street protests to force him and other officials out. Chiloba yesterday categorically told the Star he and his team are focusing on the repeat polls on October 26. “People should focus on preparations for the elections,” Chiloba said. “I have no comment,” he said when asked if he would yield to mounting pressure to resign. This amid a raging stalemate. The stage is set for a bitter confrontation with Opposition chief Raila Odinga and his lieutenants who promise the ‘mother of all…

You are aware that we have spelled out to the IEBC our position, namely the irreducible minimums package of actions that will ensure that the fresh election complies with the Supreme Court’s order that it must be in strict conformity with the Constitution and the law. You will also be aware that the IEBC had invited the parties to the election to a meeting on Wednesday, but the meeting was deferred, because the Supreme Court chose to read the judgment on that day. We regret to inform the public today that the IEBC continues to proceed on a business as usual manner that it has adopted since the annulment of the presidential election. We have received a letter from the Chairman of the IEBC as a follow-up to a technical…