The Star 10/14/2017

Sh12 billion so the commission can comfortably handle the election. The proposed IEBC budget has listed enhancement of the electoral technology, polling officials’ wages, election materials and transport as necessities consuming most of the cash. The electoral agency has set aside Sh1.49 billion for what it terms enhancement of technology, Sh2.39 billion for polling officials’ wages, and Sh1.9 billion for transport at the county level. A total of Sh1.3 billion would be spent on acquisition of election materials, including ballot papers, Sh2.9 billion on training of polling officials and hiring of equipment during training,. Another Sh214 million has been earmarked as tallying centre expenses. Free secondary education scheduled to start in January next year was allocated Sh25 billion. The new law also allocates Sh6.7 billion for maize subsidies. Sh6.7 billion…

MOHAMED ABDI Lazy Wajir executives will be fired Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi has urged new executives to deliver on their mandate because he will not condone poor performance. Speaking after their swearing-in on Thursday, he urged residents to support and cooperate with the new Cabinet to ensure good services. Abdi urged residents to monitor government officials. See Page 19 For more news on our website, scan this quick response code using your smartphone. JOHN MATIVO Voter seeks to overturn ruling A voter on Friday moved to the Court of Appeal to reverse a High Court decision allowing all August 8 contenders to take part in the October 26 rerun. He says the rerun stands cancelled since NASA leader Raila Odinga withdrew. Abraham Mutai in his memorandum of appeal said Justice…

The law banning manufacture, distribution, sale and use of light plastic carrier bags is fully in force, Nema said on Friday. The grace period is over. Nema said it had done enough education and will now move to compliance and enforcement. Penalties range from a fine of Sh2 to Sh4 million or a jail term of one to two years. Nema director general Geoffrey Wahungu said the fine and jail term will depend on the amount of the illegal plastics found and the owner’s economic status. “We are using the principle of proportionality. You can see very clearly from the reports coming out that for those who have been arrested, our courts are also using the same principle,” he said. The use of plastic bags was banned through a Gazette…

WHERE did former Nairobi governor aspirant Peter Kenneth (pictured) disappear? Since he lost in the August 8 General Election, little has been heard of him. It was initially thought he may have taken a break after losing in the contest before bouncing back to the limelight, but three months later, the former Gatanga MP is yet to speak. A section of his supporters now want him to come out and speak out about the political stalemate currently facing the country. To them, the silence, adopted by the man who was once rated the best in use of the Constituency Development Fund is, too loud. REMEMBER the Corridor on a legislator who bought two suits on credit promising to pay soon after he gets his first salary? Now Corridors has been…

THE OPPOSITION HAS BEEN FORCED BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AFTER A HIGH COURT RULING ALL FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TO RUN AGAIN ‘WE HAVE SEVEN DAYS TO ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS. WE SHALL NOT BE RUSHED, NO MATTER THE PRESSURE ON STAFF. ALL RESULTS WILL BE VERIFIED AT CONSTITUENCY LEVEL BEFORE TRANSMISSION’ Raila Odinga could be running out of ammunition, strategies and time to stop the presidential rerun and ensure his political longevity for another five years. This time, the master of manoeuvres and tactics might just have been outfoxed, despite his legion of lawyers and brilliant brain trust. The IEBC and the government are sealing all loopholes and putting all measures in place for Fortress October 26. Raila still says the new election is illegal and another must be…

The International Center for Policy and Conflict calls upon the IEBC to exercise its constitutional powers and call off the repeat presidential election on October 26. Under Constitution Article 88, the superintendence, direction and control of preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of all elections are vested in the Commission. It must invoke these powers and call off the rerun. The IEBC must provide satisfactory conditions to all parties for a level playing field in strict observation of the Supreme Court decision. It will be suicidal to proceed with an election having deep deficits of credibility, inclusivity and integrity. It will be tragically reckless for the IEBC to hold a poll in a highly polarised toxic environment, both ethnically and politically. It can only conduct an election in this environment…