The Star 11/08/2017

NASA now wants a new presidential election held on February 9, 2018, terming the August 8 and October 26 polls a ‘sham’. The opposition yesterday kick started the creation of the People’s Assemblies in all the 47 counties, a platform that will be used to push for creation of a new electoral body to oversee next year’s polls. The opposition started distributing the People’s Assemblies motion documents to the counties for deliberations. In the document, NASA is seeking the support of MCAs to declare the two presidential elections – where President Uhuru Kenyatta emerged winner – as invalid, unconstitutional and illegal given the low turnout and failure of IEBC to ‘follow’ the law. The motion also seeks to have the IEBC disbanded and a new electoral agency created to oversee…

BISHOP CORNELIUS KORIR Governors to complete his projects Governors in Rift Valley have resolved to complete all projects initiated by Bishop Cornelius Korir. They include children’s homes and schools. Korir died at his residence in Eldoret town last Monday. He was 67-years-old. The government has said it will give him a state funeral in honour of the peace work he did. He will be buried at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Eldoret on Saturday. See Page 33 OYUGI MAGWANGA Ballot boxes to be sealed A Homa Bay court has ordered the sealing of all poll materials used during the August 8 governor race. Justice Joseph Karanja ruled all ballot boxes containing cast ballot papers be sealed within five days. This follows an application by former governor hopeful Oyugi Magwanga and his running…

NASA senators have 12 days to provide the list of their leaders to enable the House to fully discharge its work. Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka yesterday told the Opposition to hand in the nominees’ names by latest November 20. He said NASA wrote a letter requesting for more time to iron out some issues before forwarding the names. “We need the list to allow formation of committees,” Lusaka said. NASA leaders had asked Parliament to give them time until November 30. However, Jubilee lawmakers viewed the plea for more time as a ploy to delay formation of committees to paralyse House operations. Parliament will break for a two-month Christmas holiday in the first week of December. There have been disagreements in NASA over nominees to House leadership positions. This has…

A senior NASA operative is said to be unhappy with a decision by some powerbrokers to attempt to edge him out of opposition leader Raila Odinga’s (pictured) entourage to the Washington DC, USA. The operative, who usually takes charge of Raila’s foreign voyages, has reportedly openly questioned the rationale of a NASA think tank to push him out of the trip. Apparently, the operative was key in establishing the itinerary of the former Prime Minister to the US, through his international networks. It is said it took the intervention of ‘Baba’ to reinstate him in the entourage that left for America yesterday. THE atrocious killing of livestock in Laikipia county has left many Kenyans asking if Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet is sincere in his defence of the ruthless…

President Uhuru Kenyatta plans to inject new blood into an expanded Cabinet and DP William Ruto is using the reshuffle to position allies crucial to his 2022 State House bid. Ruto is heir apparent and it’s not too soon to start strategising. Uhuru is expected to fire at least seven CSs, as he rewards loyalists, gives the boot to non-performers and makes way for Ruto’s people. The Cabinet has 19 members and the Star has learnt it may be expanded to the maximum of 22 CSs to accommodate more political appointees and return favours. Multiple sources within Jubilee circles have revealed the Cabinet changes are aimed at ensuring continuity in Jubilee under Deputy President William Ruto, once Uhuru leaves office. Ruto is playing a key role in shaping what will…

This has been a political season like none other. Now we know what happens when an election is nullified and a rerun called. If allowed to start, Uhuru Kenyatta’s second term will begin under the cloud of legitimacy questions perpetuated by an increasingly militant opposition. He is therefore likely to be more cautious and measured in his approach to things and this is not the kind of second term he had in mind. We are likely to see a cheerless leader who will be increasingly detached from affairs of State. The man to watch in issues government will be his deputy, William Ruto. Going forward, he is most likely to be the mover of things and will progressively stand out more and claim his space in the sun. With 2022…