Friday , 15th July – Good morning! This is your daily edition of our brief and salient Kenyan news properly selected for you.
Joyriders at The Expense of Athletes
The US embassy in Nairobi yesterday fingered the Ministry of Sports for causing the delays in visa issuance of Kenyan athletes selected to represent the country at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, United States.
The embassy had been furnished with a list of 80 sportsmen and women who were supposed to travel. However, sly officials included 32 more people, increasing the number of participants to 112.
To ensure that the joyriders are not denied the visa, crooks slotted them in the first batch that left on Friday. Athletes, including sprinter Ferinand Omanyala, were left behind to deal with the stress of obtaining travel documents.
Omanyala Finally Jets Off
The fastest man in Africa, Ferdinand Omanyala left the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) last evening for Oregon in the United States to take part in the World Athletics Championship.
Earlier in the day, uncertainty clouded his trip after a section of the mainstream media reported that he had pulled out after being frustrated by embassy officials in regard to his visa.
However, officials from the Ministry of Sports pulled the strings and ensured he got his travel documents.
The sprinter will arrive in Oregon less than three hours before his race.
Raila Vs Ruto
Deputy President William Ruto and his main rival, Azimio flag bearer Raila Odinga have lined up a series of political meetings as the race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta enters the home stretch.
With less than a month to the General Election, the leading presidential candidates have packed schedules, their itinerary showing that each has lined up at least 100 rallies between now and the last day of campaigns.
Ruto will hold his last rally in Nairobi where Raila is still torn between Nairobi and Nakuru.
JSC Recommends 7 For Appointment
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has approved seven judges for appointment to the Court of Appeal by President Uhuru Kenyatta before he leaves office next month.
The seven are Grace Ngenye, John Mativo, Fredrick Ochieng, Luka Kimaru, Paul Mwaniki, Lydia Achode and Aroni-Abida Ali.
If you recall, the Head of State declined to appoint four judges – Joel Ngugi, Weldon Korir, Aggrey Muchelule and George Odunga – on grounds that they were of questionable character.
KU New Council Clears The Air
The newly installed Kenyatta University Council has rubbished claims that it has rejected the job.
The new team under the leadership of Prof Crispus Kiamba will hold its first meeting today to deliberate on contentious issues and chart the way forward.
At the same, Prof Waceke Wanjohi is the KU Vice-Chancellor, replacing Prof Paul Wainaina.
The immediate former Council was overthrown after declining to cede ownership of 410 acres of the institution’s land.
Raila: Ruto Was Behind Naivasha Dry Port
Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga on Thursday called out Deputy President William Ruto for claiming that the government has taken some people out of business by transferring some operations from the Mombasa port to the Naivasha dry port.
Addressing stopovers in various parts of Mombasa County, the former Prime Minister reminded the residents that the second in command is on record defending the dry port.
He asked the Coast region to reject Ruto’s conmanship.
Sonko in Trouble Again
Former Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko may have found his way after the High Court ordered the electoral commission to clear him, but his fate will be known today.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on whether his impeachment was legally sound.
Should the apex court agree with lower courts that the impeachment met the legal threshold, he will be disqualified.
The law provides that an impeached leader cannot run for elective positions or hold any public office.
Ruto to Rift Valley: It is Our Time
Deputy President William Ruto yesterday campaigned in Transmara, Narok County where he urged the locals to stand with him as he makes his first attempt at the top seat.
The DP said the entire Rift Valley should rally behind his candidature, promising that his administration will not forget people from home.
Dr. Ruto added that he has a clear agenda for Kenya unlike his opponents, whom he said were already hemorrhaging.
Health Officers Admit They Forged Medical Records For Obado PA
Two clinical officers testifying in the murder trial of university student Sharon Otieno yesterday told the court that they forged medical records of Migori Governor Okoth Obado’s personal assistant (PA), Michael Oyamo without carrying out any tests.
Cliff Momanyi and Justus Magati said they received Ksh1,500 to lie that Oyamo had been assaulted. They told the court that they regret their actions.
Obado, Oyamo, and Casper Obiero are the prime suspects in the brutal murder of Sharon and her unborn baby.
Leading Gubernatorial Candidates
The latest findings conducted in counties by a pollster show that several gubernatorial hopefuls have opened a wide gap against their competitors.
According to Trends and Insights for Africa (Tifa), Irungu Kang’ata (Murang’a), Simba Arati (Kisii) and George Natembeya (Trans Nzoia) are most likely to win in next month’s General Election.
The three candidates are polling at above 50 percent. Kang’ata is leading with 58 percent, Natembeya enjoys 56 percent while Arati’s approval stands at 66 percent.
