KBC Channel 1

Author: Prudence Wanza

  • President Ruto: Why 2022 election was a turning point for Kenya

    President Ruto: Why 2022 election was a turning point for Kenya

    President William Ruto has outlined reasons why he believes the 2022 general election was the most significant in Kenya’s history.

    In his address during the 20th Annual National Prayer Breakfast, the head of state highlighted the unique political circumstances and challenges that surrounded the election.

    “The last general election was in a category of its own. It is the election where the two national formations had actually a national face on either side. The ethnic configuration that always informed our politics was not there. We had both sides presenting a national face in their formation,” he said

    Ruto stated that last the election was also the most evident issue-based with Presidential candidates competing on ideas and policies such as debt and the contentious housing fund.

    “Our brothers on the other side for example said borrowing money was good because we were using other people’s money to run our development which made some sense. We argued on our side that we needed to slow down because borrowing could lead us to a different place but we also had occasions when both formations agreed like for example on housing,” he stated

    The President noted that the election was one of Kenya’s closely contested with former President Uhuru Kenyatta declaring support Azimio leader Raila Odinga while Ruto who was then the Deputy President, being sidelined for the better part of their second term.

    “We had a closely contested election because it only happens in Kenya that in our last election the opposition leader became the government Candidate and the sitting Deputy President became the opposition candidate,” said Ruto

    “And, as things would be the opposition candidate won the election and the sitting President then handed over power to his Deputy and went ahead to become the leader of the opposition party. That only happens in Kenya it was quite amazing,” he added

    However, the President expressed his gratitude for the peaceful nature of the election despite the major political difference that characterized the 2022 general election.

  • Gachagua lauds President Ruto for leading the country in peace, reconciliation

    Gachagua lauds President Ruto for leading the country in peace, reconciliation

    Deputy President Rigathi has commended President William Ruto for guiding the country towards a path of peace and reconciliation.

    Speaking on Wednesday during this year’s National Prayer Breakfast, Gachagua said the President has been at the forefront in promoting for unity and reconciliation among leaders from across the political divide.

    “The theme of reconciling with God and men could not be appropriate for our country. I want to give a testimony that the President on ascending to the high office has led this country in forgiveness and reconciliation,” said Gachagua

    The DP admitted that those working around the President have had difficulties with his approach and leadership style, which is aligned towards reconciliation for the betterment of the nation.

    “The President has exercised magnanimity in victory against the expectations of many people who witnessed the persecution that he was subjected to, the harassment, intimidation and had expected him to go hammer and tongs for his tormentors and persecutors,” he stated

    “Many people would have expected by now that all those who stood in his path to leadership would be dealt with the way his people were being dealt with; being arrested taken to court, being harassed by KRA but the President decided in accordance with the teachings of the Bible that we need to reconcile this nation,” he added

    The DP assured that the Kenya Kwanza administration is committed to ensuring peace and unity among all Kenyans, regardless ideological differences.

    “The new administration is one that is persuaded that we need to reconcile the country and therefore we want to plead and persuade all leaders to reconcile with the truth and the reality,” said Gachagua

  • Kega-led Jubilee faction to hold Special National Delegates Conference July 22

    Kega-led Jubilee faction to hold Special National Delegates Conference July 22

    The Jubilee Party faction being led by EALA MP Kanini Kega will hold a Special National Delegates Conference (SNDC) at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) on 22nd July, 2023.

    In a statement on Tuesday, Kega said the National Executive Committee (NEC) agreed to proceed with the NDC following the determination by the party’s Internal Disputes Committee, which declared the NDC held by former President Uhuru Kenyatta as null and void.

    “The meeting noted and agreed with the determination of the Internal Disputes Resolution Committee (IDRC) dated 30th May, 2023 which declared the meeting held on 22nd May, 2023 at Ngong Racecourse as null and void,” said Kega

    “The meeting alsio noted that the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) wrote a letter dated 29th May, 2023 that is in the public domain and which confirmed that the said meeting did not follow due process,” he added

    Kega further stated that the Jubilee Party has communicated to the Speaker of the National Assembly, informing him that the party’s leadership in the House remains the same following the changes made by Uhuru on May 22.

    During the Uhuru led NDC, Jubilee party announced new appointees to its National Executive Council (NEC) board after some members showed allegiance to other parties.

    In the changes, Nominated MP Sabina Chege was replaced by Embakasi West MP as Deputy Minority Whip in the National Assembly.

    Jubilee has been embroiled in wrangles with two factions fighting for the party’s leadership; one led by EALA MP Kanini Kega and the other by former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni.

    Nominated MP Sabina Chege and Kanini Kega teamed up with a section of Jubilee elected legislators to kick out former President Uhuru Kenyatta from the party leadership and named Sabina Chege as the new party leader and Kanini Kega as the new Secretary General replacing Jeremiah Kioni.

     

  • Pastor Dorcas Rigathi urges Western Region to join the Boy Child Agenda

    Pastor Dorcas Rigathi urges Western Region to join the Boy Child Agenda

    Spouse of the Deputy President Pastor Dorcas Rigathi called on the leaders, teachers, and clergy in the Western Region to make a difference in this generation by rescuing the boy child from a path of destruction.

    Pastor Dorcas said ‘Generation Z’ was lost in alcohol, drug and substance abuse, but as they are the future leaders, the current leaders and church must not watch as they waste away in the gutter.

    She spoke to a gathering from Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, TransNzoia, Busia Counties in a meeting attended by Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka, Wife of the Governor Dr. Margaret Makelo, Deputy Governor Jenipher Mbatiany, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, bishops, and pastors.

    “The satanic agenda is to destroy the boy child. He is the seed carrier, who propagates generations. If the seed carrier is eliminated, even the girl child will not have a chance of becoming a mother. So, when I address the issues affecting the boy child, they also touch on the girl child,” said Pastor Dorcas.

    She gave an example of teenage pregnancies, which although largely affect the girl child, are brought about by the boy child, depicting the need to have the boy child agenda as priority in the nation.

    “When the boy child is aligned with his destiny, we shall have fewer cases of teenage pregnancies, rapes, criminal activities, and gender based violence. And if we can have a conversation between the fathers, and sons, even female genital mutilation can be eradicated,” she added.

    She said the ‘national conversation’ about the boy child must across religions, social status, rural and urban areas, and race because the drug and substance abuse pandemic has affected everyone, irrespective, and most especially the boys and men.

    She also condemned the LGBTQ agenda, saying it was ungodly, and a foreign agenda that does not support family values.

    “Legally, LGBTQ is criminal; constitutionally, LGQBT is disallowed, in the African tradition LGBTQ is a taboo, and the Bible also says LGBTQ is an abomination,” warned Pastor Dorcas.

    Governor Lusaka urged the leaders present to do something transformative to society, and cause a difference.

    “Every time God wants to do something for the human race, He raises a leader. Pastor Dorcas will be remembered for this boy child program, what will you be remembered for?” asked Governor Lusaka.

    On Saturday, Pastor Dorcas had also cast her vision of the boy child in Nandi County during a medical camp organized by Special Olympics Kenya and County Government of Nandi.

    Nandi Governor Stephen Sang pledged support to the rehabilitation program, in collaboration with the fight against illicit brews, drug and substance abuse in the country.

    “The revenue collected from liquor licensing board will go towards rehabilitation, not towards any other development in the county,” said Governor Sang.

  • Azimio Principals to skip National Prayer Breakfast slated for Wednesday

    Azimio Principals to skip National Prayer Breakfast slated for Wednesday

    Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party leadership will skip this year’s National Prayer Breakfast scheduled to take place tomorrow, 7th June, 2023.

    In statement Tuesday, the party confirmed that its leadership received invitation to the event but will not take part in the prayer breakfast.

    In declining the invitation, Azimio argued that the prayer breakfast does not offer a platform for a truthful and bold dialogue with Kenyans in addressing the critical issues confronting the country.

    “If past events where we shared platforms with Kenya Kwanza are to serve as guide, Azimio is convinced that the National Prayer Breakfast does not offer the environment the country needs for humility before God, honesty with citizens and respect between leaders,” the statement reads in part

    During a session in Parliament, National Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi said all Azimio MPs will be attending the event.

    However, he stated that the Azimio leadership will be engaged elsewhere and, therefore will not attend the prayers.

    “Party leader Raila Odinga and the entire leadership of the Azimio One Kenya party will not be in attendance. They will be engaged in other national duties elsewhere,” Wandayi stated

  • Delays in passport application as printer breaks down amidst surging backlog

    Delays in passport application as printer breaks down amidst surging backlog

    The immigration Department has announced delays in processing passport applications due to breakdown of a printing machine.

    In a statement Tuesday, the Immigration department said the disruption in the supply of essential materials has also affected the process.

    “Due to a breakdown of a printing machine and disruption in the supply of essential materials, we are currently experiencing delays in the processing of passport applications,” the statement read

    “We regret the inconvenience caused and take this opportunity to convey our sincere apologies to the applicants and to anyone else affected by the delay.”

    The department assured that the staff is working round the clock to restore normal services and clear the backlog of pending passport applications.

    “Applicants seeking urgent passport are reminded to contact us with documentary proof of urgency.”

  • KEMSA revokes list of prequalified suppliers, to review ongoing contracts

    KEMSA revokes list of prequalified suppliers, to review ongoing contracts

    The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has revoked the current list of pre-qualified suppliers in an effort to eradicate corruption at the institution.

    In new changes announced on Monday, KEMSA board Chair Irungu Nyakera said the process will start afresh to ensure that only companies that provide value for money are prequalified.

    “To strengthen our procurement processes and supply chain management to ensure efficiency, fairness, transparency and integrity we have immediately revoke the current list of pre-qualified suppliers and restart an objective process afresh to ensure,” said Nyakera

    The medical institution will also review all ongoing contracts that have been procured through single sourcing, monopoly action to tame cartelisation and ensure transparency in procurement process.

    “We are introducing the lotting system in procurement that will set an upper financial limit beyond which no single bidder will win contracts. This will promote healthy competition by diffusing vested interest and racketeering and thereby ensure value for money for Mwananchi from our procurement processes,” said Nyakera

    “Any contract that is found to not be providing value for money will be forwarded to the PPRA and the EACC for investigation,” he added

    In addition, the board has also directed management to freeze staff recruitment and scale down staff travel with a view to re-orienting the budget to prioritise KEMSA’s role in Universal Healthcare.

    The board has called on the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) to do an audit of KEMSA’s procurement processes and give proposals to improve efficiency in the institution.

  • Tuya roots for entrepreneurship in waste management to end garbage problem

    Tuya roots for entrepreneurship in waste management to end garbage problem

    The Government is banking on promoting entrepreneurship in waste management and enhanced enforcement to end the perennial garbage problem in the country .

    Cabinet Secretary in charge of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Soipan Tuya said promotion of waste recycling and reuse has become a more practical approach to solid waste management adding that with the increasing cost of raw materials, recycling provides a cheaper source for manufacturing industries.

    Tuya said the government was working with devolved units to provide an enabling environment for investments in recycling as business ventures and encouraging industry operators to set up recycling schemes for wastes including aluminum cans, bottles, and polythene materials.

    Speaking at the Lake Nakuru National Park during celebrations to mark the World Environment Day the CS noted that waste recycling, offered an opportunity for exploitation as a business venture not only for income generation and job creation but also as a mitigation measure against environmental degradation in the low-income areas.

    “The recycling of solid and organic waste has positive ramifications for informal employment and offers an environmentally sound solution to waste management problems. Given that there is considerable demand for recyclables, recycling and resource recovery offers good scope for income generation,” she pointed out.

    Tuya added that her Ministry was committed to organizing individuals eking a living out of dumpsites into cooperatives as a way of empowering them to turn waste into wealth.

    She advised County enforcement officers to ensure that waste from the source is first transferred to a substation where it is sorted and whatever ends up at the dumpsite is what is not needed.

    The CS challenged both the public and private sectors to reinvent their activities and come up with innovative solutions that will not only move their businesses to the next level but also help them tap into the opportunities that lie waiting within climate adaptation as well as mitigation.

    “New and tested technologies are critical in cutting down greenhouse gas emissions and enabling mankind to adapt to the now clear changes in the climate. Whereas it may seem to be costly, sustained investment in climate-smart innovations has an overall low cost and will be needed to meet global climate goals,” stated the Cabinet Secretary.

    During the event themed ‘Solutions to Plastic Waste’ the Cabinet Secretary observed that like many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya has been experiencing extreme weather, including floods, lake backflows and drought.

    “Climate is what makes us survive, and any threat to it means a threat to our very existence. The three broad areas of focus at the conference will be increasing investments in renewable sources of energy, Green Manufacturing and curtailing deforestation,” said Ms Tuya.

    An average of 45 per cent of waste goes uncollected in six major towns across the country, according to an official report by the National Environmental Complaints Committee.

    Nairobi, Kisumu, Thika, Nakuru, Mombasa and Eldoret towns generate an estimated 6,000 tonnes of waste daily. However, only 3,962 tonnes are collected while over 2,000 tonnes remain uncollected.

    According to the report, Mombasa tops the list with 770 tonnes of uncollected waste although 65 per cent of the 2,200 tonnes of generated waste is collected daily.

    Kisumu County leads in those with the least effort being made to collect daily generated garbage.

    Only 20 per cent is collected, according to the report, leaving 80 tonnes uncollected.

    Nairobi tops the list in active waste collection – 80 per cent of the daily generated garbage is collected.

    However, 240 tons of waste still goes uncollected.

    Other towns including Eldoret leave behind 270 tonnes daily while Thika and Nakuru leave 60 and 138 tons respectively.

    Report by Dennis Rasto

  • DP Gachagua calls on Governors to attend Coffee Conference in Meru

    DP Gachagua calls on Governors to attend Coffee Conference in Meru

    Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked governors from coffee growing areas to participate in the Coffee stakeholders conference, which he has convened this week in Meru from 8th – 10th June, 2023.

    Speaking when he chaired the Intergovernmental Budget Economic Council (IBEC) at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, on Monday,  Gachagua said the reforms in the coffee sub-sector require high-level interventions from all stakeholders, including the governors for easier implementation.

    “We will hold a stakeholders Conference on coffee reforms in the subsector. I urge the governors and County Executive Committee Members to attend in person. We will come up with measures to make sure the farmers get commensurate returns for their sweat,” he said.

    The Deputy President said the reforms will have far-reaching implications that will, among other issues, ensure coffee becomes the leading foreign exchange earner for the country.

    On the ongoing crackdown on illicit brew and drug abuse, the Deputy President asked the Governors to allocate license revenue to rehabilitation initiatives. He said the number of public rehabilitation centres in the country is limited while private facilities are too expensive for poor families.

    Private facilities charge from about Sh100,000 and even more per month, depending on the facility.

    “This is too expensive for many. We urge counties to consider that all revenue collected from licensing be availed to deal with rehabilitation and advocacy,” he said.

    The Deputy President said the national government will present a proposal to the Council of Governors on a framework on funds utilisation.

    He also called for cooperation among State agencies including the National Police Service, National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) in harmonising the licensing policies.

    “We call for a multisectoral approach to licensing for the national government to bring sanity,” said Gachagua

    The DP has been leading the war against Illicit alcohol and drug abuse, especially in Central and Rift Valley regions.

    He said multi-agency approach in the crackdown against illicit alcohol and drug abuse is bearing fruit, and treatment facilities will support those recovering.

    The war on drugs and illicit alcohol, he said, will only be won if relevant stakeholders work together.

    He also urged the county governments to support the affordable housing programme.

    “We are grateful to those counties which have identified land for affordable housing for our people. I appeal to the other counties, to do so,” he said.

    On promoting investment at the counties, the Deputy President also called for collaboration in land adjudication for issuance of title deeds.

    “We have had good cooperation with the County Government of Narok. We can discuss provision of funds for surveyors,” he said.

  • Raila urges Azimio MPs to reject Finance Bill in Parliament

    Raila urges Azimio MPs to reject Finance Bill in Parliament

    Opposition leader Raila Odinga has called upon MPs affiliated with the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party to reject the contentious Finance Bill 2023.

    Addressing a press conference on Monday, Raila stated that the coalition will provide further directions on its stance regarding the bill on Thursday.

    “The Azimio coalition has directed all our MPs to vehemently oppose the bill. The electorate should watch keenly for legislators who will support the bill because that will be betrayal to Kenyans,” said raila

    The Azimio coalition now wants the Finance Bill 2023 withdrawn saying its proposals will burden Kenyans who are already facing harsh economic times.

    “The proposed turnover tax is basically a tax on assets whose primary objective is to impoverish the mama mbogas, boda boda and other vulnerable Kenyans struggling to make a living in these difficult economic circumstances,” said Raila

    The controversial bill is scheduled to be tabled in parliament with a political showdown anticipated between the Azimio and Kenya Kwanza legislators who have differed on some of the proposals.

    One of the main issues of contention in the Bill is the proposed mandatory 3 per cent Housing Fund.