The Star 12/08/2016

The High Court yesterday dismissed claims Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu’s academic credentials from India’s Punjab University were forged. Judge Joseph Onguto yesterday struck out a suit filed by Waititu’s political rival Kiambu Governor William Kabogo. It sought to bar the MP from holding any political office on grounds that he had breached the Leadership and Integrity Act. Onguto said the issues that the governor wanted determined by the court are matters which are not within the court’s jurisdiction. Kabogo said since Waititu, who has expressed his interest in unseating him, lied about his university degree when he vied for the Kabete parliamentary seat, he is unqualified to vie for any post at the August 2017 election. The governor said Waititu is using academic credentials that belong to Clifford Ndung’u. “He…

Forty nine per cent of Kiambu voters would pick Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu as Governor, a poll has found, and given incumbent William Kabogo a 22 per cent rating. The poll by Tifa Research further found that 44 per cent of youths aged 18-30 support Waititu, compared to Kabogo’s 25 per cent. The two have been embroiled in an intense rivalry that has seen them question each others’ academic backgrounds. In April, Waititu told Kabogo to find other ways of thwarting his bid for the county seat after floundering in his challenge on the former’s academic qualifications.…

ISAAC RUTTO Forgives cops who injured him The Kipsigis Myoot Council of Elders and interdenominational leaders from Bomet county on Tuesday held a cleansing ceremony at Silibwet Stadium where Governor Isaac Rutto was injured last month. Governor Rutto, who attended the event, said he had forgiven the police who injured him with a teargas canister. Commissioner says he was not targeted. See Page 33 WILLIAM RUTO Urged to pay striking doctors Cord leader Raila Odinga yesterday urged the government to pay striking doctors. He said Deputy President William Ruto has been splashing money on fundraisers while Kenyans suffer. “Ruto has been carrying money in sacks. He should divert that money to pay doctors,” Raila said. The former PM said the government should honour the 2013 CBA. See Page 9 HASSAN…

The IEBC has asked political parties and candidates who will contest in next year’s elections to open campaign financing accounts by today. The commission said the Election Campaign Act requires that this is done at least eight months to the day of the general election. In addition to the accounts, political parties and candidates are to establish campaign financing expenditure committees and appoint authorised persons who will manage the campaign funds. “All political parties and candidates are required to register with the Commission the details of their campaign financing accounts, including particulars of the authorised persons,” the guidelines state. Any person or organisation seeking to contribute to a candidate or political party shall channel such contributions through the independent candidate/political party expenditure accounts. The IEBC said a Political Party Campaign…

POLITICAL GOSSIP Who is doing what and where in the world of politics SOME female MPs are an angry lot. Reason? The Jubilee legislators are very unhappy with their male counterparts, especially those from ODM,who publicly defended Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel (pictured) after assaulting his Nominated counterpart Sarah Korere. Our mole tells Corridors some MPs were heard within Parliament bashing the ODM legislators and their leader Raila Odinga for participating in Lempurkel’s homecoming in Laikipia after the assault incident, then as now pending in court. The lawmakers went on to say they should expect more assault and intimidation from male politicians as they battle for elective seats. They said the Korere incident was just a drop in the ocean and a sign of political afflictions to come during the…

 President Uhuru Kenyatta personally telephoned Kanu leader Gideon Moi and urged him not to join the National Super Alliance. LAST FRIDAY, HOWEVER, MOI INDICATED THAT KANU WOULD STAND BY THE AGREEMENT IT SIGNED WITH JUBILEE AND WAS NOT WILLING TO JOIN ANOTHER ALLIANCE AHEAD OF THE 2017 ELECTIONS ‘WE ARE IN THE FINAL STAGES AND ADDRESSING PERTINENT ISSUES THAT WE WILL REVEAL AT THE RIGHT TIME TO KICK OFF THE CAMPAIGNS TOGETHER’ This is the latest and strongest signal Uhuru and the Jubilee Party are uneasy with the resurgent alliance coalescing around Amani leader Musalia Mudavadi and ODM leader Raila Odinga. The President, according to a source in the Moi family, last week urged the Baringo senator to back his own reelection next year and lead the former ruling party…