Africanian News : Kenya is our Quick Scan Sunday

1. Jubilee party woes top on Uhuru’s agenda as he jets back from France

As President Uhuru Kenyatta jets back today October 4^th from France, he will be confronted by a Jubilee House which is in disarray following spirited efforts by his deputy William Ruto to assert his authority in the party in what secretary-general Raphael Tuju has termed as an “attempted power-grab when the boss was away”.

The Sunday Nation established that tomorrow, the Head of State is set to get a comprehensive political brief from his lieutenants after chairing the National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC).

But even before President Kenyatta settles, his lieutenants have come up with ways to deal with what they term as Dr Ruto’s “sabotage.” Their plan involves kicking him out of the party, locking him out of Jubilee House in Pangani, slashing his budget and finally tabling an impeachment motion against the deputy president that will kick him out of government.

2. Nobody can stop ‘hustler’ movement, Ruto says after Jubilee move

The DP has said he is not cowed by the decision to lock him out of Jubilee’s headquarters as the ‘hustler’ nation is not interested in the politics of power-sharing.

He said a movement of ordinary Kenyans is already forming and that no amount of intimidation by the political class will stop it. A day after the ruling Jubilee Party threatened to remove him from the deputy leader position, Deputy President William Ruto has warned his opponents of a bruising battle from the ‘hustler’ nation.

3. Obiri, Cheruiyot light up Nyayo as Kenya hosts successful meet

History is made as Nyayo National Stadium stages the last leg of the seven Gold Label Tour events

Fast-rising Kimeli and Great Britain’s Awuah also win their respective 5,000m and 200m races, but Kibiwott stuns young Bett in men’s steeplechase race

The 2016 Africa bronze medalist Abraham Kibiwott stunned race favorite Leonard Bett to win men’s 3,000 meters steeplechase on Saturday, while World champion Beatrice Chepkoech won the women’s race in Kip Keino Classic at the Nyayo National Stadium.

4. Teachers to train on digital skills

The national curriculum regulator is rolling out a digital training programme for teachers as part of a strategy to enhance virtual teaching and learning.

The training will be conducted jointly by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), the Teachers Service Commission and Microsoft. The aim is to equip teachers with skills for developing and delivering quality digital content, which has become the new reality in education during this period when schools are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The partnership also includes Safaricom that has offered education bundles to teachers and learners.

Last week, KICD council appointed a new director, Prof Charles Ong’ondo, an academic from Moi University.

5. KRA wins Sh1.6bn tax row against Rift Valley Railways

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has won a tax battle with Rift Valley Railways (RVR) after a tribunal ordered the consortium to pay Sh1.6 billion.

The Tax Appeals Tribunal chaired by Mr Mahat Somane dismissed the petition by the concessionaire stating that some of the items imported by RVR, among them locomotives and diesel engines, were not tax exempt as alleged.

6. Kemsa scandal: DPP sends back files to EACC

This EACC recommended the prosecution of six senior officials of Kemsa.

In a bid to quicken the re-review of the inquiry, the DPP appointed a team of senior prosecutors to conduct joint meetings with the EACC to expedite the investigations.

Kenya Medical Supplies Authority’s officials involved in the Covid-19 multibillion-shilling scandal will not be taken to court soon after the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji returned the inquiry files back to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

It was expected that those mentioned adversely in the allegations of irregular payments relating to the purchase and supply of Covid-19 emergency equipment at Kemsa would be charged speedily.

7. Eight coffee factories face auction over Sh163m debt Business

A forensic audit conducted last year showed that the loans were secured by land titles and coffee proceeds.

In the 2016/17 year, Cooperative Bank recovered Sh34 million Stabex funds from the society, necessitating more borrowing.

It’s Through Green Bell Auctioneers, Taifa Sacco seeks to seize farmers’ assets to offset the debts. The auctioneers have been instructed to cart away parchment worth Sh16 million, a weighing machine valued at Sh400, 000, a pulping machine and other office equipment that cost about Sh1.2 million.

Over the years, the management of the cooperative has been borrowing from lenders to pay farmers while selling their produce to offset loans.

8. Uhuru says he won’t seek elective position after 2022

President Uhuru Kenyatta is not keen on seeking any elective position after his term ends in 2022, contrary to his foot soldiers’ assertions.

In an exclusive interview with France 24 television show host Marc Perelman yesterday, Mr Kenyatta, who is currently on a state visit to France, dismissed claims that he would be seeking a political position after he retires in 2022, even if a position of Prime Minister were created for him thorough constitutional reform currently under consideration through the Building Bridges Initiative

9. Roadside address for Mudavadi after police block Malala rally

Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi was Saturday forced to address his supporters on a roadside in Mbale town, Vihiga County, after police sealed off Idavaga grounds where a youth rally was to take place.

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala organised the rally at which a website for the Mulembe Youth Movement was to be launched but a contingent of police officers manned the venue and blocked him and his team from accessing it.

10. Trouble brews between Kenya and Somalia over Gedo killings

Somalia accuses Kenya Defense Force (KDF) under Amisom of killing civilians in Elwak, Somalia, on September 21.

KDF, for a week now, has kept vigil along the common border.

Residents of Mandera along the border have since left their homes.

The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) has written to the Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson for Somalia (SRCC) and Head of Amisom, Ambassador Francisco Madeira, asking for an inquest into recent killings in the Gedo region.