The Star 11/04/2017

It would almost be impossible to invalidate President Uhuru Kenyatta’s reelection at the Supreme Court after the radical election amendments became law on Thursday. The Jubilee-championed changes make it mandatory for a petitioner to prove in court violations to the Constitution or any electoral law significantly alter the presidential outcome, as declared by the IEBC. The new Act also seeks to protect the result from being annulled on the basis of inconsistencies in the result forms as long as they are not meant to mislead. “A court shall not declare an election void for noncompliance with any written law relating to that election if it appears that the noncompliance did not substantially affect the result of the election,” Section 83 of the new Election Act states. While nullifying the August…

STATE To launch Sh2.1bn water projects The national government is funding Sh2.1 billion water projects in five arid and semi-arid counties in Northern Kenya. The projects are in Garissa (Sh360 million), Isiolo (Sh144 million) Marsabit (Sh195 million), Wajir (Sh500 million) and Samburu (Sh740 million). Water PS Prof Fred Segor said the projects will minimise distance covered in search of water. See Page 19 WILLIAM RUTO Against Raila’s NRM Deputy President William Ruto has accused the opposition of attempting to use unconstitutional means to push for political change. This is in light of NASA’s launch of the National Resistance Movement, whose aim is to pile pressure on the government until a “legitimate” presidency is restored. Boycott of products is part of NASA’s arsenal. See Page 7 POLICE Accused of using excessive…

Fifty-four deaths have been recorded and 150 people injured, including police officers, since the election period started, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has said. The KNCHR said after the August 8 election, 34 deaths and 90 injuries were recorded. “Between October 25-27 during the repeat presidential election, 12 deaths and 60 cases of injuries were recorded,” Kagwiria Mbogori, the KNCHR chairperson, said. “During the protest that occurred between 2nd and 16th October, the commission recorded five deaths as a result of excessive use of force by the police. One was in Kisumu and involved a minor aged 17 years old and four in Siaya county. More than 90 persons, including a two-year-old sustained injuries and fractures. Between the same period, 13 police officers, nine from Kisumu and four…

PANIC has gripped the centres of power after NASA chief Raila Odinga kept his promise to tell his supporters to boycott certain products and services that are associated with Jubilee. A good number of people who cling to power through proxies so that their businesses benefit from the government are also a worried lot. They claim Raila’s economic boycott threat might define who has the numbers in this country. CABINET Secretaries and top government officials were flying high during the conduct of the KCPE exam. They were in the skies for hours as they ostensibly inspected the test across the country. However, many Kenyans took to social media condemning the state officials for taking advantage of the candidates to tour the country. Some asked why the ministers flew into dilapidated…

NASA plans a civil disobedience hurricane and opposition governors have expressed fears that demonstrations and turmoil will hurt their counties. NASA leader Raila Odinga depends on 18 opposition governors, including 16 from ODM, to support his indefinite drive for fresh presidential elections and an overhaul of the governance system. Opposition governors, who met Raila and NASA principals on Thursday, are understood to have expressed apprehension about the economic harm that will be inflicted by protracted demonstrations. Earlier protests, they say, had lowered revenue collection as most businesses closed whenever demonstrations were held and the call for further demos would inflict more damage. “I personally support our presidential candidate, but it is true the coalition’s planned protests could deny the counties a business-friendly environment to collect taxes,” a Nyanza governor told…

There has been a lot of debate on the formation of the proposed People’s Assembly by NASA. First, I think it’s within the rights of citizens to assemble for legal and constitutional purposes to express themselves and to air their opinions and to be heard. However, it would be proper for the People’s Assembly not to be transformed into a forum for subverting the rule of law and constitutionalism. There is a responsibility for the organisers not to attempt to convert the PA into what we saw in Egypt: The concept of Tahrir Square. We learn lessons from history. What we saw from Tahrir Square, was nothing noble. It was not anything that was in line with the pursuit of good governance or a just cause. It was about overthrowing…