On Thursday, November 7, the local newspapers reported widely on former US President Donald Trump’s historic comeback after win over Vice President Kamala Harris in the US 2024 election.
Source: UGC
1. The Standard
According to the daily, a new purge targeting “rebel MPs” and other key leaders who defied party lines and supported former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua during his impeachment is now in progress.
The purge is determined to punish Gachagua’s allies in the Cabinet, Principal Secretaries, and parastatals.
Some MPs on the chopping block include Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who is likely to lose the chairmanship of the influential Budget and Appropriations Committee, Gatanga’s Edward Muriu and Kirinyaga Woman Rep Njeri Maina, who are members of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), and Embakasi North’s James Gakuya, the chairperson of the Trade Committee, along with 13 other MPs.
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The expected purge has triggered intense lobbying for vacant or soon-to-be-vacant positions once President William Ruto starts wielding his axe.
And as the lobbying intensifies as leader’s jostle to be appointed as cabinet secretaries in the ministries of Gender and Interior and Coordination of government, both the Kenya Kwanza administration and Raila allies are engaged in behind the scene lobbying.
Pro-government leaders in Nyeri are pushing to have the Interior docket transferred to the county following Gachagua’s impeachment, which left the region without a leader at the Cabinet Secretary level.
Among the leaders being considered are East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) MP Kanini Kega and former Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, who served in the administrations of former president Uhuru Kenyatta and the late Mwai Kibaki.
This comes as Mt Kenya leaders pile pressure on Ruto to have a handshake with Uhuru, a move that could help redeem the MP’s image and enhance their reelection chances, as many have been labelled ‘traitors’.
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“Most of the electorate are now crying for Uhuru, who had warned them against voting Ruto. If a handshake happens, it will calm emotions and garner sympathy for Gachagua. This coincides with the effort to reach out to Kagwe, an ally of Uhuru, as more slots may be given to his supporters after the looming reshuffle,” said one MP, who wished to remain anonymous.
2. People Daily
An independent investigation has been launched after a suspect, jailed for being in possession of chang’aa, died in police custody under unclear circumstances.
The deceased had been arraigned before the Makadara Chief Magistrate, where he was charged with being in possession of an alcoholic drink that does not conform to the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act.
The charge sheet indicated that Tom Odiada was, on 2nd November, found in possession of 8 litres of chang’aa, which was packed in eight clear polythene bags. He pleaded guilty to the charge and requested leniency from the court. The court sentenced him to a jail term of three months or a fine of Sh20,000.
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“He was escorted to prison, but the prison authorities declined to receive him due to his condition,” police stated.
He was then taken to Huruma Police Station, where he was booked into custody on Monday. It remains unclear why officers decided to hold him in custody rather than take him to hospital for medical attention.
Later, a corporal at the station reported that his condition had worsened. “He was rushed to hospital for treatment but was pronounced dead on arrival,” a police report states.
The law requires police officers to immediately report any death in police custody, or any shooting resulting in death or serious injury, to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority.
3. Daily Nation
The paper reported that the political feud between Isiolo governor Abdi Guyo and Senator Fatuma Dullo has intensified, with the latter now alleging that her life is in danger due to a supposed plot to “assassinate her.”
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Despite both leaders being elected on the Jubilee Party ticket in 2022, they have clashed repeatedly over the management of county affairs.
Senator Dullo has openly challenged the governor’s administration, raising numerous issues before the Senate, including allegations of irregular recruitment, the poor state of health services, and concerns about the county’s financial management and pending bills.
However, Governor Guyo dismissed these statements, accusing Senator Dullo of engaging in a political “witch hunt” and seeking sympathy by attacking his administration under the guise of oversight.
4. Taifa Leo
The Swahili daily reported that the High Court in Eldoret has sentenced a man to a three-year suspended sentence after he pleaded guilty to killing his wife.
Shaban Marrow Bilali, aged 45, was found guilty of killing his wife on March 23, 2020. The incident occurred after Bilali discovered a video that he suspected showed his wife engaged in sexual acts with another man.
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Despite her strong denials, Bilali assaulted her with a stick, then gave her painkillers and instructed her to rest.
She complained of severe pain, and Bilali took her to a nearby health center, where she died while receiving treatment.
Bilali reported the incident, and after investigations, he was arrested and charged. The court acknowledged the severity of the crime but noted that it stemmed from a family dispute, where the accused reacted emotionally to perceived disrespect. Consequently, the court opted for a lenient sentence.
Judge R.N. Nyakundi considered various factors, including the accused’s age, his family circumstances, the impact of the crime on the deceased’s family, and the social context of rising domestic violence cases in Kenya.
Bilali, a first-time offender with no criminal record, expressed remorse for his actions.
His willingness to take responsibility and cooperate in reconciliation efforts were among the factors the court considered in issuing a restorative rather than punitive sentence.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
