A family in Nairobi is agonising over the mysterious disappearance of their kin.
Bashir Mahmoud, a businessman who holds duo American and Kenyan citizenship was last seen leaving Mialle Lounge, Lavington last Thursday. He was driving a Range Rover registration KCQ 007P.
The car was later recovered as a burnt out shell in Kibiko, Kajiado County. Oddly enough, the burnt out shell was carted away by unknown people and only trashes of ash remain at the spot.
While driving into the entertainment place, Mahmoud was captured on CCTV cameras dishing out money to security guards at the gate. It was eve of Eid al-Fitr, the biggest festival in the Muslim calendar.
“He was supposed to go meet a couple of people there,” Nuru Said, his lawyer says. “But the meeting didn’t materialise.”
Bashir Mahmoud and Deputy President William Ruto, and (right) on a premium-class flight. Bashir appears to be well-connected, if his past photographs with senior government officials are any yardstick. PHOTOS/COURTESY
Mahmoud’s family reported his disappearance at Muthangari Police Station. The Range Rover had reportedly been fitted with a tracker but the family says there were unable to trace the location of the vehicle.
According to a report by CitizenTV, it was a dealer in top range vehicles who raised the alarm after spotting the Range Rover on fire on Saturday. Officers from Kibiku Police Post who responded to the fire alert went to the scene and took photographs of the burn-out shell.
Mahmoud’s Car
“I think all of us have seen a motor vehicle that has burnt; you at the very least remain with a shell,” Alibaya Hassan, another of his lawyers is quoted as saying. “So, you can tell this is an SUV….this is a saloon…this is a station wagon.”
When the police officers from Kibiku left the scene in preparation for a later return to conduct forensic investigations, the motor vehicle shell was taken away by unknown people. Now, Hassan says, “you can’t tell whether it was garbage that was being burned or it was a motor vehicle, or someone was having a bonfire,” just by looking at the spot.
Uhuru Business Park, Kisumu, one of the projects reportedly undertaken by Bashir. PHOTOS/COURTESY
Lawyer Said says they will seek the intervention of the U.S Embassy, Nairobi, in tracing the whereabouts of Mahmoud. “With Bashir being a U.S citizen, I will also be writing to the Embassy so that they can intervene.”
Mahmoud was a contractor. His work included major government projects, notably the Uhuru Business Park in Kisumu County.
From his photographs, Mahmoud appears to be well-connected. He has been previously photographed with high profile government officials including President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy William Ruto.
Qatari authorities should immediately disclose any charges against blogger Malcolm Bidali or release him, and not try to silence critical reporting on the country’s labor rights record ahead of the 2022 World Cup, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
In the night of May 4 to 5, Qatari state security officers arrested Bidali, a Kenyan national who blogs about labor issues in Qatar for the advocacy group Migrant Rights, from his home in a dorm for migrant workers and took him to an undisclosed location for questioning, according to news reports and a joint statement by Migrant Rights and several human rights groups.
Qatari authorities officials told The Guardian and the independent Qatari publication Doha News that a Kenyan national had been taken into custody and was under investigation for unspecified violations of security laws.
CPJ could not immediately determine where Bidali is being held, or whether any charges had been filed in his case. CPJ emailed Qatar’s Government Communications Office for comment, but did not receive any response.
“We are alarmed by the detention of blogger Malcolm Bidali without any reason disclosed, especially given Qatari authorities’ record of trying to shut down reporting on labor rights ahead of the country’s hosting of the World Cup next year,” said CPJ Senior Middle East and North Africa Researcher Justin Shilad. “Authorities should explain why they are holding Bidali or release him immediately and unconditionally, and ensure that respect for press freedom is an ironclad commitment, not an empty promise.”
Bidali has lived in Qatar for three years and works as a security guard, and contributes to Migrant Rights under a pen name, according to the group’s statement. In his recent writing under the name “Noah,” Bidali covered alleged labor rights violations, wages, and migrant workers’ living conditions. He also posts on similar topics on his Twitter and Instagram accounts, which were both last updated on May 4.
According to the Migrant Rights statement, Bidali gave a presentation about his experience as a migrant worker in Qatar to a group of civil society and labor organizations one week before his arrest. The Associated Press reported that Bidali clicked on a suspicious internet link around the time of that presentation, potentially exposing him to hacking software.
Qatari authorities have repeatedlyarrested journalists covering labor issues, particularly those covering alleged abuses in connection with construction for the 2022 World Cup, as CPJ has documented.
One week after Forbes magazine released a list of Africa’s richest musicians’ list, Bongo Flava star Diamond Platnumz has dropped an advice to the American magazine.
Reacting to the ranking which put him at number 20 worth some $5 million dollars, Diamond wrote saying the magazine should next time do their homework before putting him on such lists.
On a day he made his deal Mzikii official, the singer who sounded very annoyed with Forbes wrote on his instagram page, ‘ FORBES: next time Google me to know I am really worth of before putting me on your Stupid Richest African Musicians list!!!!!’
The list came as a surprise to many of Diamond’s millions of followers on social media especially given his recent fortunes both musically and commercially across the African continent and beyond.
Five years ago, CNN valued Diamond at $5 million.
In November 2019, CNN again named Diamond Platnumz among Top 10 biggest music stars in Africa making him the only artiste from East Africa to feature in the lsit leaving behind some of what other sections then considered as household names.
Those who made it in the list included Nigeria’s Burna Boy Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage and Wizkid.
FORBES: next time google me to know what am really worth of, before putting me on your Stupid Richest African Musicians List!!! pic.twitter.com/7pbqY7UO8u
Top bosses of Nokia Corporation and their lawyers have moved to the High Court to quash criminal charges brought against them by a former partner turned rival.
The mobile phone maker and its bosses Rajeev Suri and Aapo Saarikivi as well as Roschier Attorneys limited argue that the criminal charges have been brought by TecnoService limited to intimidate and coerce them over some civil cases pending in various courts.
TechnoService had been given the go-ahead to prosecute the officials for allegedly illegally obtaining tax information about the company, in a case that was pending before the International Chamber of Commerce.
But Nokia and its bosses want the private Prosecution in the Milimani Criminal Case No. El 71 of 2021 brought by TechnoService Limited, which is before Milimani Resident Magistrate David Ndungi, be suspended.
In April, Ndungi ordered the Nokia officials and their attorney to appear before him virtually and plead to the charges, which include illegally obtaining tax information of the Kenyan company.
Nokia and its agents have been accused of unlawfully obtaining its tax filings and records from the Registrar of Companies and used the information in a case that was pending before the ICC Court of Arbitration pitting the two firms.
The company alleged that Nokia obtained the information for purposes of defeating justice in the arbitration proceedings.
The giant company allegedly obtained the information from the Registrar of Companies and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) between September 2018 and March 2019.
But in an affidavit by Aapo Saarikivi says the private prosecution action commenced against them is malicious with an aim to gain an unfair advantage in the pending cases, pitting the firms.
He says TechnoService wants to coerce Nokia Corporation to settle the ongoing litigation between them.
He further adds that private prosecution action commenced against them in the criminal case is tainted with procedural error and unfairness to the extent that the applicants were never interviewed in an investigation process prior to the commencement of the private prosecution.
Further, he says that no investigation has been conducted in relation to the charges that the applicants face and which DPP deems premature.
“The continuation of the private prosecution action commenced in Milimani Criminal Case No. El 71 of 2021 TechnoService Limited vs. Nokia Corporation & 3 others is in abuse of process of court to the extent that the criminal justice system in Kenya is being used to resolve a dispute that is primarily, objectively and properly a private law dispute. The 4th Respondent in any case considers the private prosecution process against the Applicants as premature,” he added.
The Nokia bosses says by directing that they appear virtually before Milimani criminal, TechnoService seeks to bypass international extradition processes that would have required them to be brought before the jurisdiction of the magistrate’s court first before criminal action against them could proceed.
Nokia Corporation says its international reputation as a well-known multinational telecommunication and information technology company, is at stake and it would be imperative that orders suspending the case are granted, pending the hearing and determination of this judicial review action.
In 2014, Relief & Mission Logistics won the contract to ferry passengers on the airside at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for a period of 8 years and of which was to expire next year 2022. But the contract was, however, terminated on June 5,2015 after President Kenyatta visited the airport in May 2015 on a public resources random audit mission and in the process, was flabbergasted to find out that KAA was paying Sh11 million every month for Relief and Mission logistics’ 5 buses services.
That was the day and moment that sparked a legal dispute for 6 years until finally the company saw light at the end of the tunnel after Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) was recently ordered to pay Sh158 million to the company.
The sole arbitrator, Mr Allen Gichuhi, awarded the compensation to Relief & Mission Logistics on grounds that the KAA failed to show how public interest prompted the cancellation of the bus deal.
The controversial deal saw the sacking of KAA managing director Lucy Mbugua, chief finance officer John Thumbi and airport engineer Christopher Warutere.
According to report prepared by an internal auditor in the wake of President Kenyatta’s concerns showed that the cost charged by the bidder was to be recovered from the airlines since the apron buses service was not meant to be free but in contrary, it was noted that since the introduction to the apron service on November 28, 2014, the airlines had been getting the service for free.
For the eight years, Relief & Mission Logistics was to earn Sh1 billion in fees.
After winning the tender, controversially beating other 16 companies pants down, the company imported five apron buses and started operations that were stopped seven months later after President Kenyatta’s visit.
While terminating the contract, the State-run KAA whose chairman by then was former Police Inspector General David Kimaiyo – said the cancellation was on the basis of necessity, convenience and in public interest.
“From the preponderance of evidence, the inescapable conclusion is that the respondent had no lawful basis for termination of the agreement summarily and hide behind the cloak of convenience, necessity and public interest,” Mr Gichuhi The Sole arbitrator ruled.
The company in its argument stated that the termination of the bus deal caused it financial losses and damaged its reputation.
At some point, the KAA wanted to settle the matter and pay the company but the parties failed to reach a mutual agreement. The KAA later challenged the powers of the arbitrator to hear the dispute but Mr Gichuhi dismissed the application.
Directors of the company maintained that they had not received a penny despite investing Sh245 million in the project. They claimed to had spent Sh200 million to buy the five apron buses and paid Sh45 million in taxes to the Kenya Revenue Authority.
In his ruling, the arbitrator said no evidence was produced to prove concerns about cost-effectiveness or potential loss of public funds if the contract was executed by an internal KAA probe. He said the tender was open and complied with all the provisions of the Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act. “I find and hold that the tender process was lawfully carried and was not contrary to the Constitution with regard to the utilisation of public funds,” he said.
Mr Gichuhi, however, rejected a bid by the company to be paid for alleged damage of its reputation. He also rejected the company’s bid for loss of profits for the unexpired period, saying there was no basis for the claim.
There is a famous proverb, which is Necessity is the mother of invention. One of the benefits to live in the digital world is that all you need, you can get instantly with just a single tap.
Now, at this time we are availing of that opportunity. Search byimage is an online tool that has been a rave in the domain of creating content because of its accessibility & quality.
These picture search services are the best for your social media requirements, and make the journey of your content creation hassle-free.
Why do you need reverse image search tool?
There is no doubt that it is difficult to contain because the digital community is growing rapidly. The never-ending range of different products is out there in the world, so there is an open invitation for everyone to select and make use of their desired products. Search by image plays an integral part in the success of your venture, but there is a bundle of information in this regard out there, who should trust.
You need not worry about time consumption while searching for something as the reverse image tool helps the to save his precious time. The image lookup tool is the best option to find duplicate & similar images in the database of major search engines.
Reasons behind the innovation of image by search tools:
As fascinating as it looks, the easy-to-use picture search tool is not just a platform of web technicalities. However, it contains the database that is associated with the top-ranked search engines of the present time, which provides you with the best possible results. On the other hand, a question that bothers almost all of us is “who said that there is something inappropriate with the traditional method of searching. Well, if you are from the old school thoughts, then, it’s fine to. The search by image finder allows you to vocalize your words as input for reverse image lookup.
Stepping into the Modern Era of Graphical Content:
Over the previous decade, the search industry has grown altogether by the advancement of personalization, language handling, & media interactive results. But someone can be content that the intensity of the picture remains undiscovered. Some web crawlers & digital marketers indicated that the visual search is the eventual fate of the search. So, for what reason do you use the search by image? However, the reasons for using the reverse photo search are not all the same, but ordinarily, it is used for the verification of the image by discovering the source of the image that you are searching for or to track its utilization of different online platforms.
Tracking of the Images:
The second one is said to be the major reason behind the innovation of image by search free & paid tool is the tracking of your images. For instance, if you are running a website, then you may distribute pamphlets, or commit public statements, or post the copyrights of the image online, so here the fact you need to admit that is the image you use can be re-utilized. The visual image search will let you know when and where your image is used. You can also choose whether the re-use of images is legitimate & proper or not, and whether to make the move.
Authenticating Images:
When you see a picture in your email or any other platform then, you don’t understand how old this image is and from where it originated. Here, the reverse photo tool can help to figure it all for you. There are times when the image finder claims to showcase a particular event, but it’s possible that it was taken earlier at a different platform.
Here are some of the famous image search platforms!
● Image finder by SearchEngineReports:
It’s an online search by image tool by Searchenginereports.net that allows the user to search for similar images available on the web. You just need to upload the image file or drag the picture in the designated section of the tool to get similar results for the picture. You can also search by inserting the website URL or type the keyword for the photo to get the relevant results within no time.
● Google Images:
Google images by search online free tools are undoubtedly considered as a popular search engine, and it is the primary resource for most marketers. It allows you to search the exact picture, check the copyrights, and size of the picture. This photo finder by Google is super easy to use & free for everyone. To get the results for the picture upload or drag the picture into the search bar and hit the click button.
● Pinterest Visual Search Tool:
Pinterest is the tool that makes its prominent place in the list of well-known image finders within a very short time. It describes its visual search tool as a crazy image finder tool. It was launched in the year 2015, and quickly became a favourite resource for many users.
Conclusion:
Reverse image search is an ideal alternative tool for the content creation journey as an across the globe service. In the article, we outlined the basic reasons behind the amazing innovation of reverse image search tools. Some tools for the reverse search are also taken into account.
Senators have voted in favor of the removal of Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi Mohamud from office.
Even though the under-fire Mohamud pleaded passionately for leniency not guilty of charges leveled against him and his office, the Monday night vote returned a guilty verdict, effectively confirming his ouster from the gubernatorial position.
“Senators, these are the results of the vote, abstentions 4, Nays 2, Yes 25. The net effect of the vote is that…the Senate has resolved to remove from office by impeachment Hon Mohamed Abdi Mohamud as Governor of Wajir County. The Governor, therefore, ceases to hold office.” Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka Declared after the vote.
Senators upheld the decision by the Wajir County Assembly to send their county chief home having established sufficient grounds to strip him of his position at the helm of the devolved unit.
Among other charges, Mohamud was found guilty of gross violation of the Constitution.
A committee chaired by Nyamira Senator Okon’go Omogeni had recommended Mohamud’s ouster noting that it was satisfied that he had flouted County Government Act, Public Procurement Act and Asset Disposal Act and the Public Finance Management Act.
The Rastafari Society of Kenya has filed a petition challenging the validity of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act No. 4 Of 1994 that prohibits use of marijuana.
The Society and their Spokesperson Mwendwa Wambua alias RAS PROPHET want members of the society exempted from criminal liability for their growth and use of cannabis as a sacrament during worship in their private houses and/or designated places of worship to wit, rasta tabernacles and mansions.
They have now sought conservatory orders temporarily suspending the implementation of SECTION 3 (1), (2), (a) OF THE NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES (CONTROL) ACT NO. 4 OF 1994, LAWS OF KENYA as far as it involves the arrest, prosecution and conviction of the members of the Society for their spiritual and private growth and use of cannabis in their private homes or designated places of worship.
“The Petitioners avers that followers/believers of the Rastafari faith use bhang or cannabis by either smoking, drinking, eating, bathing and/or burning of incense for spiritual, medicinal, culinary and ceremonial purposes as sacrament as the ultimate of manifesting their religion as a Rastafari to meditate and or reason with others in order to connect with their God,” They said.
The Society argues that the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act No. 4 Of 1994 is discriminatory in how it creates criminal law exceptions for possession of narcotics and in particular cannabis while leaving out use of Cannabis as a sacramental tool by people of Rastafari faith as a way of manifesting their religion and beliefs like other Religions do.
“Members of the 1st Petitioner (Rastafari Society of Kenya) use cannabis to connect with their creator either individually in what is known as ‘meditation’ which involves the smoking, eating, drinking, bathing or burning of incense at the privacy of their homes and ‘reasoning’ which involves the use of marijuana amongst the Rastafari in association with others in their tabernacles or designated places of worship to connect with God,” The Society said.
The two petitioners further argue that the World Health Organisation has recently removed Cannabis from its list of dangerous drugs under schedule IV (4) of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotics.
They submit that the Act is unconstitutional as it discriminates the members of the 1stPetitioner/the petitioners herein on the basis of religion by criminalizing their spiritual growth and use of cannabis and treating them different from other mainstream religions.
“Members of the 1st Petitioner and so is the 2nd Petitioner are a people at a cross road and thus are forced to live in fear for he has to choose between being stigmatized a criminal for using cannabis which is prohibited by the laws of Kenya or choose to abandon his vow and commitment to live in service of God his creator through worship that is characterized by the spiritual use of cannabis,” They said.
They also want an order “directing the Attorney General to place before the Speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate, the Attorney-General, and the Kenya Law Reform Commission, attended with a signal of the utmost urgency, for any necessary amendments, formulation and enactment of statute law, to give effect to the right to manifest religious beliefs of people of Rastafari faith in accordance with article 27,28,31,32 and 36 of the Constitution.”
A Kshs. 47 million heath centre project in Sabuli town, Wajir South constituency is wasting away 11 years after completion.
The contractor Aden Yusuf said after winning the contract back in 2009, the project was complete the following year but only received 40% of the total payment to date.
Yusuf stated that his bid to seek intervention from the Ministry of Health and the county government have not been successful 11 years later.
“We need our money because it’s our right, and the residents require services from the health facility. I want to urge health Cabinet Secretary to help us to get our money and open this clinic to serve the residents here,” said Yusuf.
The residents are forced to walk 75kms to receive basic healthcare services and treatment in Habasweyn while the clinic lies idle.
They urged the Health CS Mutahi Kagwe to intervene and open the clinic for it to benefit residents of Wajir County.
Most of the rooms in the clinic are filled with cobwebs and dust while the metals have started rusting.
This as the compound remains deserted because since the completion of the works in 2010, the clinic has never been opened for use.
“It is sad that we have to take our daughters and wives that far especially for antenatal services,” a resident added.
When President Uhuru Kenyatta established the Nairobi Metropolitan Services in March last year, he tasked Major General Mohamed Badi and his team with dismantling cartels in Nairobi County and ending corruption.
The President had been alarmed by runaway corruption at City Hall, that had made service delivery impossible.
He said the cartels had a vice-like grip on the county government services, from garbage collection to parking, water supply and issuance of permits.
At the time, Governor Mike Sonko was facing a Sh357 million corruption charge, which eventually saw him barred from accessing his City Hall office.
Several corruption-related investigation cases had also been opened by different investigative agencies, ranging from multi-million garbage tender awards to the multi-billion stadiums construction saga.
However, after a short lull following the impeachment of Mr Sonko in December last year, with transition of power from Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Benson Mutura to Deputy Governor Ann Kananu, the cartels are back, this time bolder and more ferocious.
Payments to lawyers, utilisation of Covid-19 funds, AAR-City Hall staff medical scheme and Covid-19 relief programme are just but some of the brewing scandals that could yet again sink the city county back to its old ways.
Nairobi County Assembly Minority Chief Whip Peter Imwatok, who appeared to be at the forefront of the transition at City Hall, even at times directing Ms Kananu during press briefings, has in the past weeks turned into a whistleblower, lifting the lid on the happenings at City Hall.
The first was in a letter dated April 27, 2021, where the Makongeni MCA wrote to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Director of Public Prosecutions to investigate “suspicious and skewed” payments to 13 law firms by the Ms Kananu-led administration.
In the letter, Mr Imwatok alleges that more than Sh410 million was irregularly paid to the law firms with no information on the cases handled.
The second-term county legislator claimed the payments were made between February 9 and March 30, 2021.
In January, the EACC had written to City Hall about investigation of 25 law firms over an alleged payment of Sh500 million-worth of legal fees to the law firms with the anti-graft agency following specific case files handled by the law firms between 2013 and 2020, including details of the cases, letters of instructions and contract agreements.
“It has come to our attention that even before the investigations with regards to this matter commenced, if ever they did, the Nairobi City County proceeded to pay the lawyers monies amounting to over Sh410 million,” read in part the letter.
But before all that could settle, another bombshell was dropped. Mr Imwatok wrote to the EACC and the DPP, asking them to investigate a payment of Sh275 million to suppliers.
He claimed that some seven companies, acting as “proxies to MCAs or members of county staff” undertook works or supplies in the Environment Department and/or supplied food as part of the Nairobi County Covid-19 feeding programme.
The ODM representative claimed that the county government had lined up the companies for payment for the services yet there is “no food that was ever supplied to the county or distributed to anyone”.
“It is absurd that taxpayer’s money amounting to Sh275 million shall be paid to companies belonging to MCAs or their proxies for either services and/or goods that were never supplied,” said Mr Imwatok in a letter dated April 26.
The Sh84 million feeding programme was to benefit 127,500 most vulnerable people in Nairobi’s informal settlements with foodstuff such as maize and wheat flour, sugar, rice, loaves of bread and powdered milk. Other items include blankets, sanitary towels and basins distributed to cushion them against the negative effects of the pandemic.
The programme was to run for three months between April and June 2021, with distribution done every week across Nairobi’s 17 sub-counties.
According to documents, the seven companies were given contracts worth between Sh3 million and Sh22 million to supply the items.
Procurement process
However, most MCAs have said their wards are yet to get any supplies, while those who were fortunate to receive the items said the package was not more than 50 bags.
“I not only have the contract but the invoice, the payment transaction, the CR12 of the companies and I have forwarded all to EACC. I am questioning the procurement process and I have evidence of procurement officers saying the processes were done without their consent,” said Mr Imwatok.
Then there is the controversial Sh1.7 billion AAR Insurance Kenya medical contract for City Hall staff, which has also been thrust in the spotlight.
Some MCAs have called for investigations into the deal, alleging that it has been turned into a cash cow by certain county officers, instead of benefiting the employees.
Waithaka MCA Antony Kiragu last month called on EACC and DCI to investigate the deal, claiming some county officials have been making money from the AAR-City Hall deal, with payments being staggered by the county government to give the individuals a platform to do business with the funds.
“The reason the payments are being done in phases is that people want to do business with AAR money. The officers want kickback from AAR,” charged Mr Kiragu.
Mr Kiragu’s assertions came hot on the heels of an announcement by Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Abdi Guyo that he will bring a motion to form an ad-hoc committee to look into the AAR-City Hall medical scheme.
The Matopeni MCA said the committee’s brief will be to investigate how AAR was awarded the tender, what services they are providing to staff and whether there is value for money.
But that is not all. Maj-Gen Badi and Ms Kananu have also been summoned by Senate to respond to “cross-cutting issues” involving the NMS and City Hall over the expenditure of Covid-19 funds.
The summons came after a damning report by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu on the utilisation of Covid-19 funds by counties, which fingered NMS for a number of irregularities involving Sh294.38 million received from the national government in June 2020.
Some of the irregularities involved single-sourcing of a Sh64.9 million tender for design and maintenance of a makeshift isolation centre, irregular cash withdrawal of Sh32 million from a KCB account for facilitation of health workers and Sh120 million payment to frontline health workers without a budget.
The auditor could also not establish the whereabouts of some Sh182.07 million donated by the Danish International Development Agency and the county’s own contribution to boosting the war against Covid-19.
Mr Imwatok now claims that cartels are back at City Hall in full swing, taking advantage of the vulnerability of Ms Kananu “who is seemingly out of touch with the reality of being an acting governor”.
“The county is opaque and nobody is in charge. It is everyone for him or herself,” he said.
Attempts to get a comment from Ms Kananu have been futile as she did not respond to our messages. She also did not return our phone calls as she had promised.
A nasty falling out between Jubilee and Orange MCAs has been brewing following the revelations, with Mr Imwatok now under siege as some ward representatives from his own party begin collecting signatures to oust him as Minority Whip.
He is accused of using the party’s name in bad light at the county government to advance his selfish interests, allegations, which he denied.
“I will not be cowed from exposing corruption at the county government. Let the masters of corruption be prepared to face me to death. I am ready for the challenge as this is not the first time I am facing such threats,” he said.
The current power tussle has seen Jubilee MCAs instigate the removal of Public Accounts Committee chairperson Wilfred Odalo of ODM, with 15 MCAs — three from ODM and 12 from Jubilee — appending their signatures.
But in retaliation, the Raila Odinga-led party withdrew its membership of the watchdog committee, citing intimidation and coercion of members into signing the removal of Mr Odalo as the chairperson.
The three MCAs who supported the removal of Mr Odalo — Jared Okode, Clarence Munga and Lawrence Otieno — have also been withdrawn from the committees they serve in.
However, Mr Guyo hit back, saying the committee will continue operating as long as it has a quorum.
He added that a chairperson of any committee serves at the pleasure of members and once that confidence is lost, the chair cannot force themselves on the members.
“It is not Jubilee’s business if they (ODM) decided to pull out. The chair has been accused of gross misconduct, which will taint the image of the assembly. The members have the right to choose their chair, who will still be from opposition,” said the Matopeni MCA.
Cabinet Secretary for Sports Amina Mohamed has unveiled a raft of measures that will guide the resumption of sporting activities in the country but spectators will still be kept off the sporting events.
The CS also announced that Kenya will send its first delegation of athletes to Kurume City in Fukuoka on July 5 for a pre-camp ahead of the Olympic Games scheduled to begin on July 23 in Tokyo, Japan.
This year’s Olympic will see participating teams accommodated at designated Bubble training camps in strict adherence to the guidelines of the Japan’s Ministry of Health and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games playbook.
“Testing of Athletes shall be done every 96 hours until the commencement of the Olympic Games to ensure that Kenyan athletes are safe and exposed to the rigors of Covid-19 control expected in Tokyo,” the statement reads.
CS Amina’s announcement comes two weeks after President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the Ministries of Sports and Health to develop a road map to resumption of sports as he lifted the suspension on all sports activities and cessation within five counties including Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Kajiado and Machakos.
Nick Kithuku Mwendwa, President, Football Kenya Federation [p/courtesy]“I thank my colleague in the Ministry of Health, Hon. Mutahi Kagwe for the support in revising and approving these guidelines and call upon all stakeholders to comply with them. “Together, we can fight the pandemic and maintain a low case load to guarantee continued play,” said CS Amina.
The announcement will see FKF Premier League will become the first top-flight football competition to resume action in Kenya when Kariobangi Sharks face off with Kakamega Homeboyz in Nairobi on Friday.
The league was halted on March 26 after President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered the indefinite suspension of all sporting activities citing a spike infections weeks before the Easter celebrations.
FKF has been struggling to have the league resume but the Ministry of Health stuck on the decision that plunged the Kenyan league into uncertainty on whether it will be played to the end or it will be cancelled like the 2019-20 season.
Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor was the world’s highest-paid athlete over the last year ahead of soccer players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, according to the annual Forbes list released on Wednesday, May 12.
During the 12-month period ending May 1, 2021, McGregor earned $180 million, a figure which includes $158 million from endorsements and the recent sale of the majority stake of his whiskey brand, Forbes said.
Barcelona and Argentina forward Messi was second on the list and set a record as the highest-earning soccer player after bringing home $130 million while Portugal and Juventus forward Ronaldo earned $120 million to sit third among the top 10 highest-paid athletes.
NFL quarterback Dak Prescott ($107.5 million) of the Dallas Cowboys and four-times NBA champion LeBron James ($96.5 million) rounded out the top five.
Forbes said its on-the-field earnings figures include all prize money, salaries, and bonuses earned during the 12-month period. while off-the-field earnings are an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees, and licensing income.
Court has given the struggling Nairobi Hospital green light to fire over 200 employees in a move aimed at reducing costs, uprooting under performing staffers and those involved in mega scandals within the facility.
Justice Nzioki wa Makau dismissed a petition filed by Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels Educational Institutions Hospitals and Allied Workers (Kudheiha). The judge ruled that it was premature to challenge the hospital’s move given that the letter by the management was only meant to initiate talks between the parties before the restructuring plan.
“Since courts loath to interfere with the managerial prerogatives, the matters at play are within the purview of the parties to deal under the resolution mechanisms provided for in the CBA and through the conciliatory process at the Ministry of Labour,” Justice Makau ruled.
KUDHEIHA Secretary- General, Albert Njeru [p/courtesy]Kudheiha had moved to the Employment and Labour court to block the retrenchments arguing that the scheme saying it was targeting its members for a complete removal and not restructuring as purported. The union also complained that the plan was reached without strict adherence to the mandatory procedures set out in the Employment Act.
Nairobi Hospital is financially limping with bulging operational costs and losses in the wake of an economic slowdown occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak.
But Kudheiha Secretary- General, Albert Njeru, stated that it was business as usual at what should be the country’s premier healthcare facility except the shortage of beds which is blamed on surge in Covid-19 patients admission.
Nairobi Hospital had written to the Cabinet Secretary for Labour, Simon Chelugui, about their intention to fire a section of their staff as it also admitted that it was overwhelmed by new admission of patients and is incurring losses.
In May 2020 medical workers union also went to court to challenge the hospital move that forced employees to work overtime in order to cope with the rising numbers of Covid-19 patients.
Tesla has suspended vehicle purchases using bitcoin due to climate change concerns, its CEO Elon Musk said in a tweet.
Bitcoin fell by more than 10% after the tweet, while Tesla shares also dipped.
Tesla’s announcement in March that it would accept the cryptocurrency was met with an outcry from some environmentalists and investors.
The electric carmaker had in February revealed it had bought $1.5bn (£1bn) of the world’s biggest digital currency.
But on Thursday, it backtracked on its previous comments.
“We are concerned about rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and transactions, especially coal, which has the worst emissions of any fuel,” Mr Musk wrote.
“Cryptocurrency is a good idea… but this cannot come at great cost to the environment.”
He also said the electric carmaker would not sell any of its bitcoin and intends to use it for transactions as soon as mining shifts to using more sustainable energy.
Market analysts see the move as an attempt by Tesla to assuage the concerns of investors who are focused on climate change and sustainability.
“Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) issues are now a major motivation for many investors. Tesla, being a clean energy-focused company, might want to work better in the environmental area of ESG,” Julia Lee from Burman Invest told the BBC.
“But a cynic might suggest that this is just another move by Elon Musk to influence the cryptocurrency market, as he has done on so many other occasions,” she added.
Last month, Tesla announced profits for the first three months of the year were $438m, up from $16m last year, boosted by sales of bitcoin and environmental credits.
Musk has been one of the world’s most high profile proponents of cryptocurrencies, often tweeting about bitcoin and the once-obscure digital currency dogecoin.
His tweets in recent months helped to turn dogecoin, which was started as a social media joke, into the world’s fourth-biggest cryptocurrency.
What are the climate concerns around bitcoin?
Bitcoin is created by miners using high-powered computers to compete against each other to solve complex mathematical puzzles.
It is an energy-intensive process that often relies on electricity generated with fossil fuels, particularly coal.
The dominance of Chinese bitcoin miners and lack of motivation to switch from cheap fossil fuels to more expensive renewable energy sources could mean there are few quick solutions to the emissions concerns over bitcoin.
China accounts for more than 75% of bitcoin mining around the world, according to recent research.
The cryptocurrency’s carbon footprint is as large as one of China’s ten largest cities, the study found.
That is because those bitcoin miners tend to use electricity produced with fossil fuels, primarily coal, for most of the year, only shifting to renewable energy, mostly hydropower, during the rainy summer months.
Shelter Afrique, the Pan-African housing development financier, has inked an MoU with Triangle Real Estate, a Juba-based real estate firm to develop 26,000 housing units for South Sudan’s military, through a public-private-partnership special purpose vehicle.
The project is estimated to cost of $1.5 billion through a public-private-partnership special purpose vehicle, according to press release.
“We have been mandated by the Ministry of Finance and Planning to source funds for the construction and completion of a defense housing project on behalf of the Government of South Sudan under the Peace Through Development program initiated by President Salvar Kiir in 2018,” said Amb. Arop Deng Kuol, Triangle Real Estate Chief Executive Officer.
Amb. Kuol noted that the signing of the MOU was critical in addressing the housing crisis in South Sudan, which has been exacerbated by many years of conflicts.
“The housing crisis in South Sudan is dire. In fact, we are starting from the scratch – the reason this memorandum of understanding we’ve signed with Shelter Afrique is very important for us and is proof that provision of affordable housing is central to the agenda of the government of the South Sudan, not just for the Forces but for the entire population,” said Amb. Kuol.
Shelter Afrique CEO Andrew Chimphondah said the signing of the MOU with Triangle Real Estate highlights the financier’s critical role in the provision of affordable housing finance across Africa.
“Our vision is to provide affordable housing for all Africans – including South Sudan. We are proud to be part of this partnership and we look forward to being the pre-eminent provider of financial, advisory and research solutions geared towards solving the housing crisis in South Sudan which has a shortage of 4 million units,” said Chimphondah.
The Project scope includes development of 148 housing blocks of 160 housing units each at New Site, Qiada Junubiya, J-3 Presidential Guards Apartments, and at New Bonga.
Under the agreement Triangle Real Estate will act as the developer and contractor of the project in conjunction with various consultants.
Shelter Afrique, on the other hand, will provide catalytic funding as well as act as the lead arranger to assist in raising additional financing through the syndication of other Developmental Financial Institutions as applicable.
The MOU was signed in Nairobi by Shelter Afrique Chief Executive Officer Andrew Chimphondah and Triangle Real Estate Chief Executive Officer Amb. Arop Deng Kuol, on behalf of the Ministry of Finance and Planning for the Government of South Sudan.
Amb. Kuol also noted that the Government of South Sudan was keen on becoming a shareholder of Shelter Afrique and was actively sourcing the budget for the capital subscription fees.
“In addition to sourcing for finance for the Defense Forces housing project, the government of South Sudan has also mandated Triangle Real Estate and a financial advisor – Benchmark Solutions to source for funds to this effect and we are currently in talks with some potential financiers. We believe that South Sudan should become a member of Shelter Afrique in 2021 when approved at the AGM that will be held on the 24th June 2021,” Amb Kuol added.
While the project on one hand is displaying a promising face value, critics of the blood drained country are seeing just another public funds plunder scheme clothed as a development project.
Samuel Bior Garang, a scientist and South Sudanese political commentator based in Kenya is viewing the latest development project as yet another scheme by corrupt government officials to steal from the public in conspiracy with the funding firm.
“So you will stake $1.5billion to be managed by a company that the biggest project they did in 2018-2020 was completing their headquarters that looks like a residential house, really? This is pure money laundry & smells of mega corruption.” He says in opening statement.
“Besides this project, is one they had been undertaking since 2019, where did the initial funding come from what necessitated this new funding cycle/what are the modalities of how it’s going to be paid knowing construction is the go-to area by launderers/mega corruption individuals.” Samuel questions.
Ongoing projects by the firm including a roads construction tender by UN to the same firm.
“Be sure that South Sudan companies will always ink deals with very shady institutions like themselves, this Shelter Afrique was recently in an eyebrow-raising case in Kenya same thing that will likely happen here in SSudan given their partners are shady.” Said Garang in reference to a case where Shelter Afrique wanted Sunset Paradise Aqa auctioned for failing to meet with loan requirements on a string.
“Same things will likely happen here in SSudan given their partners are shady.” Garang casts his doubts.
Garang’s doubts about the mortgage firm is further fueled by the history where the African Development Bank (AfDB) stopped disbursement of a $8.2 million equity injection into Shelter Afrique after a whistleblower revealed that the housing financier cooked books, which the Bank relied on to make the investment.
At the time, AfDB decided to withhold the disbursements, pending an audit by Deloitte. Before the sudden cancellation, AfDB announced that it would inject the money into Shelter Afrique to strengthen its balance sheet. But documents that changed minds then showed that the finance department had stated $38 million as non-performing loans, but the statements sent to AfDB showed $27.19 million. Internal documents showed substandard loans at $14.1 million, but only $2.04 million was disclosed to AfDB.
AfDB’s revelations come barely a fortnight after documents leaked by the firm’s former finance director Godfrey Waweru alleged creative accounting and subprime lending.
In his whistleblower email to the board, Mr Waweru accused the company’s managing director James Mugerwa of presiding over a regime that was restructuring overdue loans by rescheduling such facilities to appear as performing, effectively understating the volume of toxic mortgages.
Classified as non-performing
“The loans are restructured multiple times to ensure they are not classified as non-performing and are therefore hidden NPLs that are not disclosed,” Mr Waweru’s e-mail to the lender’s financiers reads.
According to the ex-finance chief, the loan impairments are made based on the desired net results, despite a large proportion of the company’s projects having repayment problems and being restructured several times or swapped against assets that do not have a market at the swap rate in a bid to reduce the NPLs and loan impairment charges on the loan portfolio.
The then Shelter Afrique managing director James Mugerwa resigned, barely two months after the pan-African lender was accused of cooking its books.
Mr Waweru told the media that under instructions from senior management, some of the loans that have been non-performing have been restructured more than four times in a bid to hide their non-performance status.
“The company’s true position is that it is loss-making, if we were to capture the non-performing loans as guided by the international accounting standards, without massaging or cooking the books. This has led to a significant understatement of the NPLs and loan impairment charges,” Mr Waweru said in answer to accusations that the firm booked its books.
South Sudan government officials are widely known for looting public coffers shamelessly that they even gobbled COVID-19 money in the height of the pandemic.
According to Sentry, a US based investigative outfit looking into South Sudan’s plunder, government officials are to blame for the bleeding of the country as they collaborate with willing institutions to milk dry the war torn country.
According to Sentry, the men who liberated South Sudan proceeded to hijack the country’s fledgling governing institutions, loot its resources, and launched a war in 2013 that has cost hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions of people.
They did not act alone. The South Sudanese politicians and military officials ravaging the world’s newest nation received essential support from individuals and corporations from across the world who have reaped profits from those dealings. Nearly every instance of confirmed or alleged corruption or financial crime in South Sudan examined by The Sentry has involved links to an international corporation, a multinational bank, a foreign government or high-end real estate abroad. The report examined several illustrative examples of international actors linked to violence and grand corruption in order to demonstrate the extent to which external actors have been complicit in the taking of South Sudan.
The local kleptocrats and their international partners—from Chinese-Malaysian oil giants and British tycoons to networks of traders from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya and Uganda—have accumulated billions of dollars.
The country’s natural resources have been plundered, lethal militia and military units responsible for atrocities have received financing and kleptocrats have lined their pockets with untold billions of dollars allocated by government programs meant to improve the livelihood of some of the poorest, most vulnerable people in the world. The spoils of this heist are coursing through the international financial system in the form of shell companies, stuffed bank accounts, luxury real estate and comfortable safe havens around the world for the extended families of those involved in violence and corruption.
Leading South Sudanese officials and their international commercial collaborators are responsive to commercial and political incentives. Without specific, focused, and targeted consequences, it is unrealistic to think their conduct will change.
Violence and corruption will remain the norm, meaning that the biggest peace spoiler isn’t a person or an armed group; it is the diseased governing system itself. However, if serious policy tools of financial coercion are aimed at this kleptocratic network, the possibility exists to alter those incentives, which currently favor pillage and plunder, and in turn impact the calculations of the kleptocrats and their international collaborators in the direction of peace and good governance.
In South Sudan, international actors have been among the major facilitators and beneficiaries of schemes to misappropriate government spending. This section profiles the foreign investors who benefited from several controversial public procurement programs over the past decade.
Eritrean and other foreign investors were among the main beneficiaries of a $922 million program marred by fraud and embezzlement allegations.
An unpublished report by South Sudan’s auditor general shows that companies owned by an Eritrean businessman Ghebremeskel Tesfamariam Ghidey received contracts worth approximately $57 million between 2013 and 2015 for the procurement of urgently-needed goods, as part of the $922 million Letters of Credit program.
Amid a shortage of foreign currency, the initiative aimed to provide companies with the cash needed to purchase fuel, pharmaceuticals and other goods from neighboring countries. Many of the goods never arrived, and information obtained by The Sentry raises doubts about whether Ghebremeskel’s companies fulfilled their obligations. His Ugandan company that was supposed to export a significant portion of these goods to South Sudan did not pay any export taxes until after the Letters of Credit program had concluded—and was not even registered with the tax authority until early 2016.
A $65 million scandal involving a South Sudanese general and a British tycoon illustrates the impunity enjoyed by kleptocrats and their international collaborators. A company owned by Bior Ajang Duot, a high-ranking South Sudanese general, received $65 million from the government ostensibly earmarked for a mobile radar system, according to an investigation by South Sudanese authorities. The company, Cascade Construction, sent the bulk of these funds—$55 million—to British businessman David Greenhalgh, but the purchased goods reportedly never reached South Sudan.
The funds transited through bank accounts in multiple jurisdictions. Macedonia eventually flagged them as suspicious and temporarily froze them. In its probe, South Sudanese authorities concluded that funds originating from the deal flowed unusually and suspiciously through accounts without a business rationale where contracts did not justify the transfers.
Many international companies benefit from South Sudan’s violent kleptocratic system, and some have done business with the actors perpetrating violence. Several multinational corporations have forged formal partnerships with people and entities responsible for atrocities, or otherwise participated in business transactions with them.
By the time South Sudan became the world’s newest state in 2011, a cabal of military and civilian officials had already captured its main government institutions, enabled by a dizzying array of international actors seeking to profit from a rapidly developing kleptocracy. Factions that had formed during the long war for independence now turned their attention to competing over the control of this new state, which was blessed with billions of dollars of annual oil revenue and no checks and balances or transparency.
A looting frenzy ensued. Factionalization deepened as networks allied with President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar competed over the vast opportunities for mass theft of resources and state budgets. The uneasy calm only lasted two years before South Sudan erupted into a violent civil war pitting the two main factions against each other, adding to the many fault lines in the country.
During this period, Kiir and his associates had largely captured the state. Instead of providing services, supporting infrastructure, adjudicating disputes and protecting its people, South Sudan’s governing institutions were hijacked and repurposed for the personal enrichment of Kiir and his clique. Billions of dollars have gone missing and the government has done little for the welfare of its population. This corruption attracted foreign opportunists, who flocked to South Sudan.
South Sudan’s governing institutions were hijacked and repurposed for the personal enrichment of Kiir and his clique.
Every incident The Sentry examined had links to an international corporation, a multinational bank, a foreign government or high- end real estate abroad. This report provides several illustrative examples of international actors linked to violence and grand corruption in South Sudan.
According to our information, Triangle Real Estate is owned by Sudan’s ex-ambassador to Turkey Sebit Bullen Kamonde, a Dinka. Amb. Sebit Bullen Kamonde is the Chief of State Protocol Office of the President of South Sudan.
Amb. Sebit Bullen Kamonde (Circled)
Triangle also won the tender to build the compound, which will include a clinic, school and recreation areas, for 700 senior officers of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). Fitting into the description, officials in the government use enabling outside actors to continue milking the bleeding County.
The troops serving under the AMISOM have been granted a mandate to continue staying in the country, days after they began drawing back to their barracks to return back to their respective countries.
The existence of African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) troops was extended by two weeks from end of February to March 14 as the country’s leaders pushed for a political pact. But the situation in Somalia got tensed when President Mohamed Farmaajo attempted to extend his term by two years.
Farmaajo has since reversed that decision after Somalia senators voted on Saturday to overturn the two-year presidential term extension they had initially approved. The decision resulted to chaos after heavily armed troops for and against the president clashed.
The situation led to fears that the crisis could lead to a power vacuum that the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militants could use to split the country along clan lines and attack each other. Amisom had to stay and even the agreement reached with the prime minister over the violence and the president’s term could not send AU forces out of Somalia.
Former Kenyan Defense Secretary Raychelle Omamo when she made a surprise visit to KDF troops in Somalia [p/courtesy] AU Peace and the Security Council agreed to extend their mandate to end of December 2021 in a decision that is expected to sail before the UN Security Council at the end of May.
The decision was arrived at during the meeting between 15-member AU Peace and the Security Council held on Tuesday. ”At today’s AUPSC meeting , the Council reached a consensus to extend the mandate of Amisom until 31st Dec 2021,” the statement reads.
The AU Council comprises of 15 members who are elected for a three year term on rotational basis. Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Algeria and Ghana are some of the current members. It is AU’s standing decision making organ for prevention, management and resolution of conflicts.
Amisom troops have been in Somalia since to 2007 when it was formed but its mandate has always been extended by a year after it failed to stabilize the governments of Somalia.
Kenyan Defense Forces also set their boots in the country in October 2011 under the ‘Operation Linda Nchi’ with an aim to exit in March 2012 but are still in the war-torn country. KDF extended their stay in Somalia beyond 2012 after it’s forces joined the AMISOM to boost efforts to eliminate the Al Shabaab insurgents.
Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have unearthed a paper trail of how the former Nairobi governor Dr. Evans Kidero swindled money from City Hall and used in refurbishing his luxurious apartments in Nairobi’s Riverside Drive.
Kidero used fake legal contracts to loot from City Hall using his former chief of staff, one George Wainaina who sent him money through a company identified as Cups Limited.
The embattled governor received money from Wainaina’s firm on January 14 2014 and a day later, the ex-governor transferred his share of Sh14.4 million to Virji Meghji who built his Gem Suites Riverside apartments. The luxurious apartments attract a monthly rent of Sh540,000.
EACC is now seeking to recover the Sh14.4 million from Kidero as it aims to seize one of the apartments to be held in trust on behalf of the county government of Nairobi.
“In the alternative and without prejudice, a declaration that the plaintiff (EACC) is entitled to trace the aforesaid amount… into serviced apartments (known as Gem Apartments) on land parcel known as LR. No 205/46 within Riverside Area, in Nairobi County and that the 1st defendant holds the property in trust for the county government of Nairobi,” EACC documents filed in court read.
Nairobi County lost Sh58.8 million in the looting spree where monies were wired to 10 individuals who are now under the radar of the EACC that wants a refund or seizure of their assets including plots and high-end cars.
George Wainaina, Kidero’s former chief of staff who was part of the looting scheme [p/courtesy]EACC found that the former governor looted through a ghost company known as Kyavee Holdings which sued the defunct Nairobi City council over a botched land sale.
Dr Kidero and his looting gang used a law firm, Wachira Mburu Mwangi & Company Advocates to represent City Hall in the case and later used the same law firm to demand millions from City Hall in the name of legal fees.
Documents filed in court confirmed that Sh58 million was paid to late Stephen Mburu the managing partner of the law firm who retained Sh11.5 million then wired to Sh15 million to Cups Ltd and Sh7 million to John Ndirangu Kariuki.
Wainaina’s Cups Ltd then sent Sh14.4 million to Kidero who paid later Mr Meghji the same amount to upgrade his apartments. Mr. Wainaina claimed to have sent the money to Kidero to buy a Toyota Lexus but EACC detectives have learnt that the car belongs to Kidero.
“The legal fee claim was a fraudulent scheme set to defraud the county government of Nairobi as the said fee claim was founded on false claim, by a non-existent company and intentionally filed by an unqualified person with the intention of rendering the suit incompetent,” the EACC said in a statement.
Dr Kidero is a big man in the real estate business who boasts of well-off tenants such as staffers of the United States embassies, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and expatriates. He owns land and buildings in Nairobi estimated to be worth over Sh9 billion.
Court proceedings at the busy Tigania Law Courts were on Tuesday paralysed after lawyers from Meru County held demonstrations demanding the transfer of the magistrate in charge of the station.
They accused him of corruption and high-handedness.
Holding placards and blowing whistles, the over 100 lawyers claimed that Principal Magistrate Gathogo Sogomo at times rebukes them in front of their clients, thus embarrassing them.
Led by Meru Bar Association Secretary-General Joel Mutuma, the lawyers claimed that the magistrate at times cuts deals with litigants, denying the advocates the right to represent them.
The also claimed that the magistrate at times writes rulings behind their backs.
“He writes conflicting judgements and appeals and one only comes to learn about it later. There is a lot of ‘cartelism’ where advocates are being asked to move out of cases and [matters are] handled differently. There are claims of corruption,” Mr Mutuma said.
Lawyer Hillary Sande said Mr Sogomo had overstayed at the Tigania Law Courts and ought to be transferred.
There was drama as the lawyers broke down the court’s gate which had been locked and cordoned off by anti-riot police.
Court officials and litigants quickly took off, leaving the courtrooms empty.
The lawyers later presented a petition to the Mt Kenya Bar Association Chairperson Linda Kiome to be handed to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Ms Kiome said there have been numerous complaints against Mr Sogomo and dialogue had failed, thus forcing them to resort to mass action.
“Even during the reign of Justice Alfred Mabeya, we tried dialogue but it failed. That’s the reason we are picketing — taking the bull by the horns. We shall not attend his court. We will boycott his court until he is removed, even if it takes a year,” she vowed.
Ms Kiome urged JSC to quickly take action against the magistrate.
However, this is not the first time the magistrate is coming in to trouble. In 2014, he was axed from the judiciary by the Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board (JMVB) who found him unsuitable to continue serving in the Judiciary.
In reaching the decision to sack Gathogo, who was a magistrate based in Moyale, the board observed that he was abusive and used derogatory language in court.
The Board also found that the magistrate had failed to satisfactorily explain his financial transactions and had given the panel a general response without adequate substantiation.
“In terms of section 23(1) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution and sections 13, 18, and 21 of the Vetting of Judges and Magistrates Act No. 2 of 2011, the Board unanimously determines that Gathogo is not suitable to continue serving as a Magistrate,” said Board’s Chairman Sharad Rao.
A director and agent of a travel agency have been charged with obtaining over Sh 14 million from a football club of Republic of Congo.
Abdikhani Ibrahim Ali, Najma Chaudhry of Ecobeast Travel and Safaris limited appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi and denied two counts of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretenses.
The two are accused that on March 30 in Nairobi with intent to defraud obtained USD. 132,440 equivalent to Sh14,434, 870 million from T. P Mazembe of Republic of Congo by falsely pretending they were in a position to charter Aircraft belonging to Jetway Airline to ferry TF Mazembe players from Lubumbashi to Algiers March 31, 2021 a fact they knew was false.
The court heard that on diverse dates between March 26 and April 4 this year in Nairobi county with intent to defraud Ibrahim and Chaudhry jointly conspired together to defraud T. P Mazembe of Republic of Congo Sh 14, 434,870 million being payment to charter the said team. Players from Lubumbashi to Algiers on March 31 this year.
Prosecution obtained orders to freeze their bank accounts held at First Community Bank Limited, their phones were also confiscated as part of the exhibit.
They were released on a bond of Sh 1 million and cash bail of Sh 500,000 pending hearing and determination of their fraud case.
Somalian president Mohamed Fermaajo and his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir are spending the night in Kampala ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of President Yoweri Museveni scheduled for May 12 2021.
Museveni will be taking an oath for his sixth term in office after suppressing his opponent to win the shady elections held on January 14 2021. The long serving leader of Uganda was announced the winner by the country’s electoral body after he purportedly garnered 5.85 million votes against Robert Kyagulanyi’s 3.48 million votes.
Media outlets in Uganda have reported that some eleven heads of states are expected including Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta are expected to attend the fete that will mark another fresh term for the dictator who has ruled since 1986.
Only the two President from the countries which have not seen stability and democratic elections in decades are already in Kampala for the event that will be skipped by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Fermaajo who rules Somalia which has been in war since 1990 recently had to climb down from his previous stance in which he defended the decision to extend his term by two years after public and opposition outcry.
Fermaajo is also believed to have backed from the dictatorial move to extend his term after his allies including the federal states of Galmudug, Hirshabelle and South West shifted allegiance and demanded an immediate election to resolve the impasse. Opposition camps like National Salvation Forum was also piling pressure on him to reverse the move.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, R, and his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir in a past courtesy photo.
President Fermaajo is also at conflicts with his Kenyan counterpart, Mr Kenyatta, after their countries were engaged in a dispute over the maritime boundaries for years. Mogadishu further accused Nairobi of meddling in her internal affairs leading to call up of their respective ambassadors last December.
The two countries mended their diplomatic ties last week but the pact was today dealt a blow after Kenya suspended all flights to and from Somalia with immediate effect.
South Sudan’s Salva Kiir also flew to Kampala on Tuesday, barely 24 hours after reconstituting parliament he dissolved two days ago. The move made on Monday night will now pave way for the formation of the Revitalized Transitional Legislative Assembly as stipulated in the 2018 peace agreement he signed with his former foe, Riek Machar.
Through a presidential decree read on state-run television, South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation, Kiir appointed 550 lawmakers from all parties that signed the revitalized peace accord.
Machar was was sworn into office in February 2020 to mark an end to their rivalry after the two leaders of the young nation fell out in 2013 leading to a conflict that claimed more that 4,00 lives and displaced millions.
In 2016, a report commissioned by American Actor George Clooney showed that Kiir, Machar and high ranking military generals heavily profited from the war.
Also in Kampala ahead of the ceremony is the Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, Sudanese vice president Malik Agar Eyr, South Africa’s minister of international relations and cooperation Naledi Pandor, and the executive secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), João Samuel Caholo who landed in Kampala on Tuesday afternoon.
The ceremony will be boycotted by the opposition who accused Museveni of using the state machinery to rig the January elections. On Monday night, Opposition leader, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine and former presidential aspirant Kizza Besigye tweeted that their homes were surrounded by police. Besigye has also critized african leaders for attending Museveni’s oath taking bash.
The guilty are afraid! I’m now abroad; yet…
Foreign “guests” who come to attend such an imposition of a Junta become accomplices to the NRM/M7 Junta crimes.
