Retired President Mwai Kibaki’s grandson Sean Andrew has lately been flooded with salacious requests on his Instagram timeline after he confessed to being lonely and wishing to have a girlfriend.

Sean posted on Instagram a picture of himself, but it’s his caption that caught the attention of thirsty ladies.

“Wishing I had a girlfriend to do all that cheesy stuff with but at the same moment I’m happy with who I am as an individual and what I have and do alone…. It’s a paradox of a life time,” posted Sean Andrews.

The post elicited varied reactions from Kenyans online.

Gloriaben29 said; “I have a space for 5th boyfriend you can send your CV with full photo.”

Tenaj kiki wrote; “Girlfriend for hire.. Customizable.”

Mic.drop commented; “Bro u are a role model to some people you can’t be single that’s a joke right.”

Judie fann chela asked; “Really with all this handsomeness you are single?”

Raya Juliana remarked; “Dm me for cheesy stuff.”

Westher240 said; “WAT!!! AM here for u pench bunch.”

Toffe3 asked; “Hellooo is it me your looking for?”

Violah kangethe said; “I’m single I got no kids and I can cook.”

Diane deivan said; “Your wish is our wish we don’t want you to end up like ringtone we are here.”

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Wishing I had a girlfriend to do all that cheesy stuff with but at the same moment I'm happy with who I am as an individual and what I have and do alone…. It's a paradox of a life time

A post shared by sᴇᴀɴ ᴀɴᴅʀᴇᴡ (@sean_andr3w) on Jul 3, 2019 at 10:03am PDT

“It is not in the still calm of life or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed … the habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. Great necessities call out great virtues,” — Abigail Adams (mother of John Quincy Adams, in a letter to her son during the American Revolution)

Only a man of Bob Collymore’s fortitude and peerless resilience could say that his cancer diagnosis was ‘not a big deal’.

Of all the things that have been said and written about the fallen corporate chieftain, what stands out for me — and what has not been accorded its deserved prominence — was Bob’s grit, perseverance and resilience.

Resilience — the capacity to maintain ambition in the face of difficulties — was one of Bob Collymore’s most subtle yet most admirable traits, and the greatest lesson that we can learn from him.

Every stage of his life is punctuated by moments when Bob would be compelled to summon his resilience such that the story of his life is a tapestry of testimonies of the power of determination and resolve.

Whether as a 17-year-old when he was disappointed to realise he could not attend Warwick University because of lack of funding, or when he started his first job at age 12, his story is about strength, grit and courage.

Difficult times summon their leaders. When Bob took over Safaricom in 2012, the company was at a crossroads of sorts; it was a moment of uncertainty and he was confronted with the dilemma of filling the shoes of a great predecessor, Michael Joseph.

Guided by a strong sense of vision and powered by a clear moral purpose, Bob steeled himself for the journey ahead. He did not try to be like his predecessor, nor did he attempt to fit into anyone’s shoes.

MADE HIS OWN SHOES

Instead, he made his own shoes and now, it is up to Michael Joseph to fill Bob’s shoes. Talk about turnaround leadership!

With his supreme capacity to articulate the vision to those he led and inspired, Bob understood the mechanics of the human condition.

He took his time to know, befriend and relate with people at all levels, including those seemingly not within his social standing, a class act from a man who was in a class of his own.

But what Bob will be remembered for is not so much his corporate talents and capabilities, but in how he dealt with the most difficult moments in his life. We remember Bob not for his highest, most glorious moments, but for the man he was in his lowest moments.

To understand the true character of a man, you do not consider his moments of splendour and grandeur, but the man he is when giving up is the easiest way out. After all, difficulties and struggles are the crucible of character.

So we must remember who Bob was and what he espoused in those tough, excruciating moments as he underwent cancer treatment. We must consider the courage he exhibited when he came face-to-face with death. We must appreciate his attitude of gratitude when it was clear that he had ‘run out of options’.

It takes a man of valour to lead one of Africa’s most valuable companies, but it takes a man of great fortitude to bring himself to the realisation of the reality of death and prepare himself and his friends for the inevitable.

When it was clear that there was no escaping from the cancer, Bob said he had to ‘make friends with cancer’, in essence, accept the depth and breadth of the ugly truth and adjust his life to deal with the challenge. What a powerful, poignant lesson.

Even in those tough moments, he showed up for work, put up a brave face for his friends and family and kept the faith, living a day at a time.

I hope that when all is said and done, when the last rose is swept away from the church, when the headlines go mum, we will remember Bob not as the chief executive officer of Safaricom, but as the Guyanese boy who went to Britain first and then to rest of the globe and conquered the world.

Cancer might have conquered Bob, but the real hero is Bob, the man who taught me — and I hope you too — that resilience is truly the soul of life.

Orphans housed at Zion Children’s Home in Kasarani have been kicked out of their premises, Nairobi News has learnt.

According to Margaret Mwangi, the center’s founder, their properties including mattresses and clothes were taken out and placed by the roadside as the children watched in despair.

“We have been living here for the past 10 years and there is no single month that we have failed to pay rent. If anything, we have paid in excess of Sh 110, 000,” she told Nairobi News.

According to Margaret, they were in the early stages of negotiations to purchase the land where the centre sits, but some family members are opposed to the transaction.

“We were holding talks with some of the family members on acquiring the plot by August but there are others who do not want us here,” she said, adding that the center had not received an eviction notice.

“ As we speak, I am actually rushing there because I have just received a call informing me of the eviction.”

A neighbor who witnessed the eviction said she saw four men storming out the center’s main house carrying household items.

The centre hosts 60 children.

Even before the dust settles on the outrageous Sh250,000 house allowance claimed by each MP, the lawmakers are at it again.

This time around, the MPs and senators, totalling 416, have devised a new scheme to fleece taxpayers by claiming a “night” allowance whenever they are in Nairobi to attend parliamentary sessions.

Dubbed the “Domestic Subsistence Facilitation”, the new scheme entitles each MP to between Sh18,200 and Sh24,000 per night.

Parliamentary business is conducted between Tuesday and Thursday, meaning the MPs and senators can claim the money for four nights — Monday to Thursday. They can claim as much as Sh96,000 each per week and up to Sh384,000 per month in night allowance, notwithstanding the fact that virtually all of them have homes in Nairobi.

MILEAGE CLAIMS

And on the days Parliament is not in session between Friday and Monday, the lawmakers are entitled to mileage claims calculated on the basis of the distance between Parliament Buildings and an individual MP’s constituency.

The new “night” allowance, which has been backdated to last month, comes hot on the heels of the storm caused by the lawmakers’ move to claim Sh250,000 per month in house allowance backdated to October last year, at the taxpayer’s expense.

The “night” allowance will likely trigger a major furore from ordinary Kenyans already burdened by the high cost of living occasioned by the tough economic times.

Sources in the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) confided to the Saturday Nation that MPs had come up with the new allowance as a “safety net” in case the controversial housing allowance is stopped by the courts.

Already, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has gone to court to challenge the housing allowance on the grounds that MPs, being State officers, lack the powers to decide their own remuneration. Such powers, the SRC argues, are vested in the commission.

ALLOWANCE

MPs started collecting the new allowance this week, with Protection House, where Parliament’s accounts offices are located, registering an increase in the number of lawmakers streaming in to fill out the claim forms.

It is still not clear who authorised the allowance and on what basis the MPs are claiming it, since they are normally paid whenever they are out of their work station on parliamentary duties.

A senior member of the National Assembly, who did not want to go on record for fear of being rebuked by his colleagues, expressed surprise that we knew of the new allowance. “How did you get to know that? That is a very sensitive issue which will dent MPs’ image, you contact (Speaker Justin) Muturi and (Adan) Keynan,” he said.

National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohamed was equally evasive when contacted over the matter. “You know I’ve not been in Parliament the whole of this week. Let me check then I call you back,” he said.

Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati denied knowledge of the new allowance, saying he was only aware of what they were paid whenever they travelled out of town on parliamentary business. “I don’t know about it, but if it is there, then I will definitely claim it,” Mr Arati said.

EMPLOYER

Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, for his part, laughed off our enquiries about the night allowance, instead referring us to PSC, which is chaired by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, with Taveta MP Naomi Shaban as deputy.

“Go and ask our employer (PSC). I have not filled the form,” Mr Odhiambo retorted.

But a first-term MP from northern Kenya boasted that MPs will not stop inventing new ways of making money.

“We will always find a way around things. Allowances are never pegged on any regulations,” the MP told our reporter at the Members’ Lounge on Thursday evening.

Contacted for comment, SRC chairperson Lyn Mengich said she did not have any official communication about the allowance and could therefore not comment on it.

“I don’t have any formal confirmation on that and can’t really tell you anything about it,” Ms Mengich said.

HOUSE ALLOWANCE

But she pointed out that the commission has rates for allowances and it is expected that different institutions will administer it within the right governance procedures.

The MPs kicked off a storm in May when they started pocketing the house allowance despite opposition from the Treasury and SRC.

SRC has since filed a petition seeking to stop further payments of the allowances and the recovery of the money so far paid to the lawmakers.

SRC claims that Parliament misinterpreted the housing benefit extended to the President, Deputy President, Speakers of the National Assembly and Senate, the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, governors and their deputies, and Speakers of county assemblies.

The salaries agency argued that if the House is allowed to continue untamed, it would result in the loss of public funds in excess of Sh99.5 million per month and Sh1.194 billion per year.

PROFESSIONALS

In retaliation, the National Assembly last month slashed Sh95 million from the Sh545.3 million allocated to SRC in the 2019/20 financial year.

The slashed budget was mainly for travel, entertainment, hiring professionals and new offices.

Besides the huge allowances, ordinary MPs enjoy one bodyguard seconded to Parliament by the National Police Service Commission while chairpersons of departmental committees are entitled to two bodyguards.

Those in leadership positions, such as majority leader and deputy, majority whip and deputy, majority and minority whips and those in the Speaker’s panel enjoy enhanced security.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has led Kenyans in mourning lawyer and prominent businessman Karanja Kabage who died on Friday night through an accident at Karen, Nairobi.

According to his close friends and family, the lawyer was pronounced dead on arrival at the Nairobi Hospital. He was the one driving when his car lost control.

President Kenyatta who is on an official trip in Tanzania has said Kenya has lost a resourceful person especially in the insurance sector.

Mr Kabage is a prominent insurance expert who has served as a director at African Reinsurance Corporation and First Reinsurance Brokers Limited.

“It is painful to lose a great friend at a time like this. I pray that God will give the family, friends and relatives comfort and fortitude at this trying moment,” said Mr Kenyatta.

“Indeed Karanja Kabage was a resourceful. Kenya has lost a resourceful person who was always willing and ready to offer legal aid to those who sought his help,” said the President.

Also Read

Mr Kabage who was a regular panellist on NTV’s AM Live show was 70. He vied for and lost the Nakuru senatorial seat in the 2017 General Election.

City preacher Reverend Lucy Natasha has revealed the unique qualities that she is looking for in her ideal man.

Speaking on Betty Kyallo’s Up close with Betty show on K24 on Friday, she said that she was looking for a prayer partner whom she is willing to start a family with.

“Actually, I really desire to get married and get the right man. I am looking for a prayer partner not a prayer point. You know when you get a prayer point you would always be praying for God to do something or change him,” says Ms Natasha.

Following Betty’s prodding, Natasha gave details on what she is looking for in a man.

LOVES GOD

First of all, she said, he has to be prayerful, a born again Christian, someone who fears and loves God and they also have to be compatible.

“There is that aspect of somebody that is born again, somebody that fears God, honours God, loves God but besides that when it comes to you know, compatibility has to be there, there has to be that attraction, chemistry has to be there, common goals, values,” explained Natasha.

She also revealed that she was in a relationship with a man but it did not work out and they choose to go their separate ways.

Last year, she confessed that she was struggling with loneliness because she is yet to meet Mr Right.

Dr Margaret Kagwe, a counselling psychologist and senior consultant at Esteem Counselling Services shares three major reason marriages today are falling apart and advises couples on how to make marriage work.

Marrying for the wrong reasons
Pressure to get married from self, family or society can get a person to get into a relationship with a person they do not even identify with just to conform.

Another person may get into a relationship with a partner for financial gains or to climb the social ladder.

In such relationships, the person affected struggles to please at every stage of the relationship and once they are married, the slightest pressure triggers can result into a break up.

Love cushions relationships from storms but in this kind of marriage, love is absent.

Unpreparedness
Too much attention is given to the preparation for the wedding and little attention to the marriage.

Beginning with engagement, dowry payments and eventually the wedding day. A lot of focus is on luxury and prestige rather than celebrating love and making commitments.

Sadly when the hype is over, the two strangers find it difficult to relate in private.

Conflict resolution approaches
Marriages are not easy; not even for the happily married. Harmonising two family traditions to come up with a unique one requires, patience, compromise, love, commitment and openness.

When conflicts arise, the focus should not be to win but to learn and embrace or teach and hold your partner’s hand.

Forward England forward Theo Walcott and new signing Andre Gomes are among the international stars in Everton’s squad touring Nairobi.

The English Premier League side arrived in Nairobi on Saturday morning aboard a chartered flight.

The highlight of the trip is a friendly match against SportPesa Premier League side Kariobangi Sharks at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

The visiting team is also expected to engage in a series of Corporate Social Responsibility activities and then grace an event to open an Everton fans club in Nairobi.

Walcott is a former Arsenal striker and one of the most popular footballers in Kenya.

Gomes has arrived at Everton from Barcelona in a Sh1.8 billion deal.

Other known players in Everton’s squad are goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, English defender Leighton Baines and Morgan Schneiderlen who played alongside Victor Wanyama at Southampton.

Everton has twice played Gor Mahia in the last two years, winning 2-1 in Tanzania and then 4-0 in Liverpool.

Everton squad:

Maarten Stekelenburg, Jonas Lossl, Mason Holgate, Lewis Gibson, Morgan Schneiderlin, Dennis Adeniran, Tom Davies, Theo Walcott, Ademola Lookman, Leighton Baines, Andre Gomes, Oumar Niasse, Ryan Astley, Callum Connolly, Morgan Feeney, Antonee Robinson, Beni Baningime, Joe Williams, Nathan Broadhead, Fraser Hornby, Josh Bowler, Nathangelo Markelo

A video of President Uhuru Kenyatta praying for Tanzania President John Magufuli’s ailing mother has elicited mixed reactions from the online community.

The video captures the two heads of state at Mr Magufuli’s rural home.

Magufuli introduces Mr Kenyatta to his mother who is lying on a bed.

Uhuru then speaks to her for a few minutes before leading a prayer in Swahili.

“Tuko mbele yako Mwenyezi Mungu siku ya leo. Nimeandamana pamoja na ndugu yangu kwa safari hii ya leo, ambayo imetuleta mpaka kwake nyumbani. Tunakuomba siku ya leo Mungu wetu uendelee kumpatia nafuu, umweke, aweze kupona, aweze kuendelea kuzingatia familia yake.

“Mungu twakuomba umpatie nafuu azidi kuombea taifa letu la Kenya na la Tanzania. Mungu tubariki sisi sote, utuskize siku ya leo na uendelee kutuweka pamoja na uendelee kutupatia Amani ya kudumu, tunaomba hayo machache kwa jina la Yesu Kristu bwana na Mkombozi wetu,”

Watch the full video below.

Mhe. Rais Kenyatta alimtembelea Mhe. Rais Magufuli nyumbani kwake Chato Mkoani Geita na kumjulia hali Mama Mzazi wa Mhe. Rais Magufuli, Bibi Suzana Magufuli. pic.twitter.com/D7mImCxZsb

— Gerson Msigwa (@MsigwaGerson) July 5, 2019

President Uhuru Kenyatta has embarked on a diplomatic charm offensive during his tour to Tanzania after Starehe MP Charles ‘Jaguar’ Njagua muddied relations between the two countries with a call for the extradition of Tanzanian traders from Kenya.

President Kenyatta has urged Tanzanians to ignore Jaguar, a man he derided as a ‘villager’.

“Some politicians talk without thinking and maybe its because they have never left the village to move elsewhere,” said President Kenyatta.

“We are brothers and neighbours, nobody can stop a Tanzanian from doing business in Kenya. Neither can anyone stop a Kenyan from coming to get a wife here in Chato.”

He made the remarks in Chato village, the home town of his host President John Pombe Maghufuli.

President Kenyatta also urged Kenya’s Harambee Stars and Tanzania’s Taifa Stars to improve on their performances at the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.

“It was a good match and I am sure very many of you did not sleep that day. Kenya won (on the night) but Senegal hammered us. Next time both teams should work hard and make it to the final of the tournament. Whichever side wins we will be happy.”

Speaking earlier, President Magufuli cheekily explained he had received several missed calls from President Kenyatta during the week and was expecting an apology because Kenya had beaten Tanzania at the Africa Nations Cup contrary to an ‘agreement’.

“That game was expected to end in a draw. But Kenya scored a third goal when it was 2-2. He will have to apologise.”

Police have given account of the last moments of deceased city lawyer Karanja Kabage that saw him being rushed to Nairobi Hospital after a road accident.

Police spokesperson Charles Owino, in a statement, said Kabage was driving a black Land Cruiser VX on the Southern Bypass from the direction of Ole Sereni Hotel heading towards Kikuyu town when the vehicle veered off the road before hitting a pavement.

Eyewitnesses told police that “the vehicle veered off to the wrong side of the road, slowed down, appeared to be making a U-turn before slightly hitting the pavement.”

Mr Owino said Kabage was assisted by a taxi driver and a good samaritan and requested them to take him to Nairobi Hospital.

The taxi driver drove the Kabage’s car to the hospital while the good samaritan accompanied them in a second vehicle.

“Upon arrival the victim was unconscious. The doctors tried resuscitating him but was unfortunately pronounced dead.”

Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai has told the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate the cause of death.

Television news anchor Jacque Maribe has quit Citizen TV.

A source close to Ms Maribe told Nairobi News that she handed in her resignation this week citing ‘personal reasons’.

Maribe and her her fiancé Joseph ‘Jowie’ Irungu are the main suspects in the murder of business woman Monica Kimani.

She was released on a cash bail of Sh1 million

Maribe was moved from her position as a news anchor to an editor after Justice James Wakiaga barred her from reading news or interviewing anybody regarding the murder case during the trial period.

It is believed that her exit from Citizen TV has been influenced by the murder charge against her and her bold public appearances in court to support Secretary of Digital Media at State House Dennis Itumbi.

Itumbi is in police custody over links to a fake letter on a plot to assassinate Deputy President William Ruto.

Maribe started her journalism career at K24 TV in 2009 after graduating from the University of Nairobi.

She later worked as a political affairs reporter at Kiss TV from 2011 to 2012.

She moved to Citizen TV in 2012 under the same title.

Bongo flava star Juma Jux has set tongues wagging after going public with his new girlfriend just days after his immediate ex-girlfriend Vanessa Mdee confirmed their split.

The ‘Zaidi’ singer has been sending his Instagram followers into a frenzy with provocative pictures and videos of himself with his Asian bae identified as Nayika.

The posts have elicited mixed reactions, with some quarters arguing that it could be a publicity stunt to popularize Jux’s upcoming debut album ‘The Love Album’.

The album’s first song ‘Sumaku’ is a collaboration with ex-girlfriend has Vanessa.

Many are of the view that Nayika could be part of the ‘Sumaku’ video that is set to be released soon.

Others close to the musician say the two are actually dating and have been together for a while.

“From what I know is that they are dating. They have been together for some time now. A month ago when Jux was in China and booked at Four Seasons Hotel, Nayika was also booked at the same hotel. She has also been hanging out with Jux’s sister a lot,” a source close to the singer revealed.

The two recently spent some good moments at Serengeti national park.

Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris is giving away 100 VIP tickets to football fans to watch Sunday’s friendly match between Kariobangi Sharks and Everton.

However there is a catch. You have to record yourself shouting the word ‘Goal’ and tag her on social media.

“I’m giving away 100 VIP Tickets to anyone who’d like to cheer our very own Kariobangi Sharks as they face Everton tomorrow afternoon. All you have to do is record a video of yourself shouting “GOOOAAAALLL”, tag me and then use #TukutaneKasarani #PassarisNaShark,” tweeted Ms Passaris.

Kenyans on Twitter were not as receptive to her offer, though there were those who readily posted their videos.

I would wish for that ticket but now msimu ni wa homa and shouting goal .. Please give me lol #TukutaneKasarani #PassarisNaShark pic.twitter.com/crm6zv6INj

— Jaxso_254 (@Jaxso_254) July 6, 2019

Kwanza mi nataka nkae kandk yako mama county #TukutaneKasarani@EstherPassaris pic.twitter.com/i0JEjV4nlB

— Brian_Joseph (@brianjoseph6871) July 6, 2019

@EstherPassaris #tukutanekasarani #PassarisNaShark @SportPesa pic.twitter.com/htB3ZrE1oX

— Nyamoko Naftal (@NyamokoNaftal) July 6, 2019

Really waiting for that ticket pic.twitter.com/anNJMe0D8K

— alloice obado (@ObadoAlloice) July 6, 2019

Philipk asked; “Tickets are going for 100 ksh .you want us to shout for 100 bab? What kind of women rep are you?”

Kamutu said; “Madam nipe tiko Sheria mingi wacha hata mungu alitupa amri kumi pekee.”

Ibrahim Issack wrote; “Ay.. That is absurd condition.. Vedio of yourself shouting goal..! What a ridiculous thing! At least first 100 re tweets or something so close would make good sense.”

Ambassador commented; “Kama unatupatia tupatie wacha mambo mingi ya kuharibu bundles.”

Everton face Kariobangi Sharks in A pre-season SportPesa Trophy friendly match at Kasarani stadium from 4pm.

I'm giving away 100 VIP Tickets to anyone who'd like to cheer our very own Kariobangi Sharks as they face Everton tomorrow afternoon. All you have to do is record a video of yourself shouting "GOOOAAAALLL", tag me and then use #TukutaneKasarani #PassarisNaShark. @SportPesa pic.twitter.com/eudbrH0yO3

— Hon. Esther M Passaris (@EstherPassaris) July 6, 2019

A Twitter thread by a city resident recounting her ordeal with a woman who drugged her has left Nairobians in shock.

The tweep, Charity Nzomo, narrated how her attempt to be a Good Samaritan brought her into contact with the woman who moments drugged her as she passed through Gachie.

She was on her way to Ruaka from Kitusuru when she saw a woman lying by the roadside.

Instinctively she stopped, alighted from her car and went to check if the woman was alright.

A stranger at the scene informed her that this is the usual behavior of the woman after drinking herself to a stupor.

She then decided to leave the scene, but another woman approached her with a request for a hitch to a nearby destination. She agreed.

As she drove off, she started feeling light-headed and suddenly got alarmed. Her condition worsened and she started getting suspicious of being drugged by her passenger.

At the Gachie – Limuru Road junction, she ordered the woman to disembark or she would scream. The woman got out and ran away.

Five minutes later, Charity was able to regain composure and drove home.

Below is her full account.

Shit!!!!!

I just got drugged!!!
A thread.

— Charity Nzomo (@charitynzomo) July 5, 2019

Two men are being held in police custody after being arrested with two pieces of elephant tusks and six rounds of ammunition on Friday night in Huruma and Kayole respectively.

The two, Peter Mugi Kamau and Jamal Guyo Dida, were arrested after detectives from the Special Crimes Prevention Unit (SCPU) were tipped off by members of the public.

ARRESTED

“Two pieces of elephant tusks and six rounds of ammunition were last night recovered by #SCPU Detectives in Nairobi’s Huruma and Kayole areas respectively. The Operation triggered by a tip-off led to the arrest of two suspects; Peter Mugi Kamau (Huruma) and Jamal Guyo Dida (Kayole),” DCI tweeted.

Two Ethiopian passports bearing different names, United Bank and Wegagen Bank Savings account books also bearing another person’s name were also recovered from the house of one of the suspects.

Both suspects will be arraigned in court on Monday.

FIREARM OWNERS

The recovery of the ammunition comes just a day after the Inspector General of Police, Hillary Mutyambai, launched an operation to recover 4,293 guns from firearm owners who failed to honour a seven-day ultimatum to surrender their weapons.

“There are some 4,293-gun owners who are deemed to be in illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. As such, the owners of these weapons will hence forth be treated as armed and dangerous criminals,” he said.

President John Pombe Magufuli of Tanzania on Saturday sealed their newfound friendship and President Uhuru Kenyatta with special gifts to his Kenyan counterpart.

According to Magufuli, the gifts, four peacocks, are his first to another country. The gifts were however offered with ‘strings attached’.

PEACOCKS

The Tanzania president made it clear that when the peacocks eventually give birth, he expects President Kenyatta to return the chicks to Tanzania.

“Nitatoa Tausi wane, watapelekwa Kenya kwa mheshiniwa Kenyatta na nina uhakika baada ya miaka kadha watazaa watakapozaa wale wana atanirudishia, wale wengine watabaki kule,” Magufuli said.

KIND GESTURE

The Tanzanian head of state was also touched by President Kenyatta’s kind gesture of visiting his father’s grave as well as finding time to visit his ailing mother Suzana Magufuli at her home in Chato.

Later a video emerged online of President Kenyatta saying a short prayer for President Magufuli’s mother.

“Mheshimiwa Kenyatta ni mtu special nataka niweleze, amekuja hapa ameenda kwenye kaburi la baba yangu na ndugu zangu, ameenda mpaka kwa mama yangu na nimeona mama alivyokuwa amemshika mkono kuna dalili kubwa sana mama amempenda sana,” Magufuli said.

Twenty nine years ago today, an event took place that changed the country’s political landscape forever: the formation of the Saba Saba movement.

The movement was critical in pushing President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi to repeal Section 2A of the Constitution and paving the way for the reintroduction of multi-party democracy.

The movement got the name from the date — July 7 ,1990 — when its leading lights were to hold a rally at Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi, only for police officers to disperse opposition supporters violently.

Members of that movement — from the academia and the civil society — meet at Jumuia Conference and County Home, Limuru on Sunday to take stock of their achievements.

The main theme of Limuru III Conference, as the organisers have called the meeting, is to reflect on the achievements of the Constitution that was promulgated in 2010, amid the increasing divisions on whether it should be amended.

“It has been taken back to Limuru because that is where it all began,” said rights activist Wainaina Ndungu, referring to the inaugural meetings in 1990 by opposition figures to craft a strategy to end Moi’s rule.

Among those expected at the meeting are Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, Dr David Ndii, an economist, and anti-corruption crusader John Githongo.

The movement was the brainchild Kenneth Matiba, a wealthy businessman and politician, who had been stripped of his ministerial and Kanu party posts by Moi.

At a press conference on May 23, 1990, Matiba and former Cabinet minister Charles Rubia called for the reintroduction of multi-partism and announced that there would be a rally at Kamukunji grounds on July 7.

ARRESTED

Four days before the rally, Matiba, Rubia, Raila Odinga and other leaders associated with the opposition were arrested.

That did not, however, stop their supporters from thronging the grounds.

In the ensuing clashes between police and the opposition supporters, several people were killed, hundreds injured and others arrested and locked up across the country.

The hot blooded “Young Turks” got the blessings of senior politicians like Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Masinde Muliro, Phillip Gachoka, Ahmed Salim Bamahriz, George Nthenge, Martin Shikuku and several others to the chagrin of Moi and Kanu.

Matiba, Raila Odinga, Rubia, Njeru Gathangu, George Anyona and other opposition figures were in prison when the Constitution was amended in December 1991, thus paving the way for the 1992 multi-party elections in which a deeply fractured opposition lost to Moi.

Saba Saba was the beginning of open defiance against the ruling Kanu party and Moi government. However, the significance of the day has diminished over the years.

“Saba Saba became the most important day in the Kenyan freedom calendar,” constitutional lawyer Yash Pal Ghai said in an article published in the online magazine The Elephant to mark the day last year.

“Some steam went out of it after the end of tyranny in 2002 (when Moi left office), but freedom fighters continued to celebrate July 7.”

Besides the 2010 Constitution that guaranteed political space and civil liberties, the March 9, 2018 handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his main challenger in the 2013 and 2018 elections has reduced the significance of Saba Saba.

FORGOTTEN

Former Imenti South MP Gitobu Imanyara, who was arrested and charged with subversion for publishing articles deemed by the State to be in support of Saba Saba, says the ideals and heroes of the second liberation have been forgotten. Mr Imanyara published the Nairobi Law Monthly.

“We take freedom for granted,” the former lawmaker, who will not be attending today’s meeting in Limuru, said.

“The ideals and freedom Kenyans fought for are under threat once again. Kenyans should rededicate themselves to the realisation of the promise of our Constitution that guarantees the rule of law as the basis of our governance.”

Last year, Mr Odinga spent the day in Kitui town opening a hotel owned by Prof Makau Mutua, another fighter for the country’s democratic space.

Orange Democratic Movement Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna on Friday said the party would issue a statement to mark the day and remind Kenyans of the democratic long and difficult journey they have travelled.

Last year’s commemoration was organised largely by young people drawn from several slums in Nairobi with the theme “The Fight for Social Justice and Human Rights”.

It was without the politics traditionally associated with the movement and day.

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and Prof Ghai who gave speeches.

Prof Ghai told those who attended the meeting — about 1,000 in his estimation — that his generation has not protected the Constitution.

“It is now up to the younger generation to ensure its implementation,” Prof Ghai said.

Kenyans have flooded social media with tributes and messages of condolences to the family of the late football legend, Mzee Joe Kadenge.

Mzee Kadenge, 84, breathed his last on Sunday morning at Meridian Hospital in Nairobi.

According to the legendary footballer’s son, Oscar, Kadenge passed on at the hospital after a long battle with stroke.

Among those who have sent their messages of condolences to Mzee Kadenge’s family is President Uhuru Kenyatta, political leaders and members of the football fraternity in the country.

In his message, via State House official Twitter handle, President Kenyatta termed Mzee Kadenge’s death as a loss to the sporting fraternity and the nation.

“It is with profound sadness that I have learnt of the demise of Mzee Joe Kadenge. His death is a loss to the sporting fraternity and our nation. Joe exemplified talent, dedication and patriotism. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time.” ~ H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta

— State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) July 7, 2019

Deputy President William Ruto lauded Kadenge for raising a family of great footballers, while ODM leader Raila Odinga described Mzee Kadenge as a true ambassador for the country and Kenyan soccer.

Condolences to the family and friends of football legend Joe Kadenge. At his prime, Kadenge was unplayable; he terrorised defenders with dribbles, nutmegs and was a joy to watch. He raised a family of great footballers: Francis, Evans, Rogers and Oscar, who excelled in the sport.

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) July 7, 2019

We have today lost one of the greatest talents to ever grace a football pitch in our national uniform. Joe Kadenge was a true ambassador for the country and Kenyan soccer. May he rest in eternal bliss. May his spirit inspire more young people to pursue the game. pic.twitter.com/5CNT2m7mf5

— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) July 7, 2019

Football Kenya Federation wishes to express its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former Harambee Stars forward Joe Kadenge who passed on Sunday after a long illness.

We wish all those who have been affected solace in this trying times.

Rest in peace Legend pic.twitter.com/WglG6iPIUn

— Football Kenya Federation (@Football_Kenya) July 7, 2019

Condolences to the family and friends of Kenyan football legend, Joe Kadenge who was one of our greatest ever footballer. May God comfort his family at this difficult moment. May his soul Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/L56iyyrB9u

— Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) July 7, 2019

As I fellowship at Kitengela SDA Church, it’s with great sadness that I’ve learnt of Joe Kadenge’s death. He was perhaps the most legendary of Kenyan footballers & shall be remembered for his exploits on the pitch. My sincere condolences to his family, friends & all he mentored. pic.twitter.com/MxakLQoajy

— Musalia W Mudavadi (@MusaliaMudavadi) July 7, 2019

Former Kenyan International Joe Kadenge has died at a Nairobi hospital aged 84, his son Oscar Kadenge has confirmed. May his soul rest in peace. #Legend. #TheScoreKE pic.twitter.com/YeLZ5PQxya

— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) July 7, 2019

Deputy President William Ruto was on Saturday captured on camera silencing ‘drunk’ hecklers who attempted to disrupt his rally at Kehancha in Migori County.

The incident happened after Ruto commissioned the Sh2.8 billion Kehancha-Lolgorian road when a section of the youth in the crowd he was addressing attempted to shout him down.

A clearly agitated Ruto lectured the drunk youths and asked them to either shut up or leave his function.

“Hey you! You’ll keep quiet. Don’t indulge us in your drunkard ways,” Ruto, who was addressing the crowd from the sunroof of his vehicle, said while wagging his fingers at the youth.

LOITERING ‘DRUNKARDS’

“If you don’t want to listen to us then it is better you leave. The development projects we have come to launch here today are for the benefit of our youth and I can’t afford to have the same people heckling leaders,” he said.

Before Ruto took to the podium the rowdy youth had booed Kuria West MP Mathius Robi, forcing him to cut short his speech and hand over the microphone to Kuria East MP Marwa Kitayama.

Ruto said the street lighting programme being launched across the country is meant to boost the economy and not to offer enough lighting for drunkards to keep loitering in shopping centres.

Curiously, during the DP’s visit, Provincial Administration officers were conspicuously absent at the function.