Bumula Mirror

The Bumula Member of Parliament Mwambu Mabongah has reaffirmed his commitment to better all aspects of the constituency. Speaking at a Professionals forum held at Graceland Gardens Resort,the MP thanked Bumula voters for choosing him. He lauded professionals for informing opinion of the public about his candidature; a strong pillar to his election. He praised the professionals caucus through its chair for coming up with a forum like the one held on 26th to chart way for Bumula. He delved into the analysis of the results for both KCSE and KCPE.He described the results as discouraging & implored the teachers and professionals alike to own these results and chart remedy together since it is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders. He addressed the problems associated with these results; as had been put forth by head teachers and principals present,committing himself  and his office to lead the way in sorting them. "I have listened to teachers. There are really touch...

Bungoma county government has announced that 80 per cent of its multi-million tender projects will be given to locals to uplift their living standards. Governor Wycliffe Wangamati directed procurement officials to ensure 60 per cent of the tenders benefit youths and women in line with his campaign pledges. "Effectively, out of the Sh4 billion development budget, Sh3.2 billion will be business for the residents," Wangamati said. He said 20 per cent of the tenders will go to non-locals. "Management of procurement for all sub-county has also been devolved to ensure all corners of the county benefit from devolution." "Under this arrangement, only firms from particular regions will be awarded tenders for those regions," the governor said. Tim Machi, county director of communication, told the Star that officials have been sent to wards to train residents to register businesses so that they can trade with the government. "We have discovered that multi...

As upcoming legislative and presidential elections in Libya are slated for next year, supporters of the former regime see a new opportunity for a comeback with Qaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam as president. In preparation, various Libyan tribes loyal to the former regime inside the country and the displaced supporters of Qaddafi from outside the country are holding intensive meetings to plan the upcoming legislative and presidential elections and discuss the names of candidates for the parliament and the presidency. "There are daily meetings between the tribal elders to agree on a final list for their candidacy in the legislative elections," said Ashraf Abdel Fattah, a member of the Supreme Council of the Libyan Tribes. Saif al-Islam Qaddafi, son of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, attends a hearing behind bars in a courtroom in Zintan May 25, 2014. (Reuters) "There is a general consensus to push Saif al-Islam Qaddafi as a candidate for the presidential elections, as h...

At least 1,202 candidates will graduate during Kibabii University’s second graduation ceremony today. President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is the institution's chancellor, is expected to grace the occasion. Among the graduands is former Assistant Minister Bifwoli Wakoli, who is expected to graduate with a master's degree in Education (History). According to the university's chancellor Isaac Ipara, the university has been churning out graduates who are able to fit in labour market. “Some of our students were selected to join presidential digital team,” he told The Standard. “We offer market-driven courses... Our students have been able to win scholarships to further their studies abroad and, as a university, we are grateful,” said Prof Ipara. He said the university received funding from the National Research Fund, which he noted was used for purchasing equipment for the School of Computing and Informatics. “Our target is to have modern facilities to facilitate quality educat...

Governor Josephat Nanok of Turkana County will remain the Chair of the Council of Governors until June next year. This is after a fragile political balancing saw governors meeting at the coast,support Nanok's quest to stay at the helm for another 6 months to 'complete his one-year term'.  After Nanok's term, Governor Salim Mvurya of Kwale County will take over the stewardship of the governor's ship as they seek to front a campaign of national healing,unity and cohesion. Governor Anne Waiguru of Kirinyaga County will be the Vice-Chairperson of the 47 member body,with Governor Mohamud Mohamed Ali of Marsabit County being the Chief Whip,a position that was being held by Former Bungoma Governor, Ken Lusaka. Trade, Industry & Investment Committee will be chaired by Governor Wycliffe Wangamati of Bungoma County. Other Beneficiaries in the polls at the COG are: • Urban Development, Planning & Lands Governor Waititu Baba Yao of Kiambu County • Finance, C...

Nasa CEO Norman Magaya was roundly rejected by MPs in his bid to represent Kenya at the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) despite intense lobbying. The Thursday loss has been attributed to Mr Magaya’s combative nature, sibling rivalry within Nasa and the history of MPs rallying behind one of their own. A majority of MPs the Nation spoke to cited Mr Magaya’s forceful way of conducting politics and coalition affairs for his loss. Before the six-hour vote that went late into the night, Jubilee MPs told the Nation that they had rather vote for Raila Odinga’s elder brother Oburu than the young lawyer who has been the face of Nasa’s rebellion against President Kenyatta’s win. Other factors that played against Mr Magaya was the fact that MPs rallied behind one of their own when push came to shove. They have been known to close ranks on such issues as their own welfare even as they tear into each other on the campaign trail. Seven of the nine nominees to the regional club sitting ...

A woman has been jailed for six months for using Sh27,140 that was accidentally sent to her Mpesa account. Margaret Njeri was unable to pay the Sh40,000 fine for the offence and was taken to Embu prison to start her sentence. Njeri is accused of stealing the money which Richard Mbui sent to her by mistake on December 7. Mbui asked her to return the money but Njeri went on to withdraw and use the cash and switched off her phone to avoid being traced. She pleaded guilty, saying she had some pending commitments and she used the money on it. The accused pleaded with resident magistrate Jean Ndegeri to be allowed to pay it back in installments of Sh2,000 a month. But Ndegeri said such an arrangement would take too long. She said the complainant will be reimbursed from the Sh40,000 fine.

Party hardliners in Bungoma are headed for political doldrums. To those drunk with ideologies of 'my mother party,the coin is not in their pocket.Yes.  The Governor of Bungoma county H.E Wycliffe Wafula WANGAMATI has chosen the path of development and not Ford Kenya party worship. Today,the Governor held talks with the Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa,who was and remains the Jubilee point person in the county and the western region. The talks which were largely fruitful centred on the national government's plan to roll out a multi billion water project that will seek to address water problems in the entire Western region. According to our sources at Maji House,the Cabinet Secretary chaired their meeting which focused on water and irrigation infrastructure projects in Western region and Bungoma county; with the ongoing and planned projects said to be to the tune of Ksh. 100 Billion. Kakamega-Bungoma bulk water supply project is set to take Ksh. 50Bn while the Mt. El...

For a stranger passing by the health center, one may be forgiven for thinking that it is really a "Model" Health Center. There is no secret that the so called Siboti Model Health Center in Siboti ward of Bumula constituency is actually a "wrong" model or rather a "roll" model for the facility is rolling in the wrong direction. There's absolutely nothing that other health centers in the sub-county can be modelled along. Residents are now appealing to the county government to intervene urgently in order to avert an otherwise looming health catastrophe. What exactly ails this health center? According to the nurse in charge, Ms. Caroline Wekesi, the most urgent crisis is water. The health facility has a borehole that was drilled during governor Lusaka's tenure. However,the motor is faulty and has made it impossible for the sick and staff to benefit from the project. Speaking Monday at the facility during a public baraza also attended by the ar...

Fourteen people have been confirmed dead and scores injured after a matatu rammed into a cane tractor on the Kamukuywa bridge along the Webuye-Kitale road. The unexpected occurrence has also led to several other cars and a lorry get involved in the grisly accident. Eye witnesses say,the matatu driver was clearly over speeding when the accident occurred. Police who have rushed at the scene described the bridge as a black spot,saying they had recommended safety measures including erection of speed bumps at the spot. "This place is known for accidents.... Actually it's a black spot. We recommended for building of bumps here so that drivers are forced to drive at recommended speed. There are plans for this...." Said an officer who requested for anonimity,saying he's not authorised to speak on behalf of his seniors. Bodies of the deceased have been taken to Kitale morgue while survivors have been rushed to hospital.

The Bumula Member of Parliament Hon. Mwambu Mabongah has this afternoon,renewed his resolve to oversee empowerment of Bumula youth,in a function he presided over at Siboti dispensary. Speaking at the event Hon. Mwambu reminded the populace that his resolve to turn around the lives of the youth did not just end at the campaigns,reaffirming his plans and promises to the people and laying bare a clear roadmap to achieving his blueprint for the youth. "As I promised during the campaigns, I am here to show you a sample of how I will be running my development agenda: I am in partnership with like minded people and corporates to ensure that a large junk of Bumula youth are on the path to wealth and employment creation,even before my five year term elapses." He said. The MP reminded the youth of how his collaboration with the USAID funded K-YES program had seen youth get trained in masonry, carpentry,hairdressing and dressmaking,an initiative that informed the procurement of sewi...

The National Super Alliance has postponed the swearing-in of leader Raila Odinga that was set for Tuesday this week. NASA principal Musalia Mudavadi says the decision was taken following internal and international consultations. Mudavadi however says the resolve to swear-in Odinga has not changed urging supporters to remain vigilant. “We will announce the new date at a later time, we will also announce new resistance measures soon,” he explained. According to the coalition’s organising committee, the inauguration of Raila and Kalonzo Musyoka is constitutional and legal in all regards. NASA in a press briefing held on Saturday clarified that the only issue was where they would swear-in Musyoka. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the People’s Assemblies Organising Committee Jared Maaka Siso said one of the options they are considering is swearing-in Kalonzo as Deputy President outside the country. He stated that the coalition is in consultation to see to it that the Wiper Party lead...

Bumula Member of Parliament Hon. Mwambu Mabongah used the podium at the burial of his grandmother, Cecilia Kachenja,to take a swipe at the useless political rhetoric that a section of Bungoma leaders use to earn sympathy and advance politics if chicanery and party worship at the expense of development. "Siasa imeisha. It is now time for us to sit down and chart development of our people. Hii mambo ya kutoka kwenu eti unakuja Bumula kusema Nasa Mwambu.......  You don't know what you are doing..... You must be sick. The President was sworn in na ameanza kazi,let us come together and look at how we can work with them to better the lives of our people." Mwambu said amid thunderous applause from the mourners,largely drawn from Kanduyi Constituency and Bumula. Hon. Mabonga's sentiments were echoed by governor Wycliffe Wangamati who reiterated that politics is over and in anything he does,his soul concern will not be parties but the people of Bungoma. "Mimi nitakuwa...

Governors Wilberforce Otichillo(Vihiga), Stephen Sang(Nandi)and Ann Waiguru(Kirinyaga) have been ranked as the best performing governors in a new survey that measured public perception on devolved units. The survey, which coincides with 100 days in office, was conducted by Infotrak, a local pollster and research company. The respondents, who took part in the survey conducted between 1st November to 28 November, were asked to assess the performance of their counties in the delivery of services in the key devolved functions such as provision of health services, roads, transport and public works, early childhood education, agriculture, prevention of pollution and accessibility of their leaders. Vihiga emerged as the overall winner, with a total  score of 72.5 per cent in the poll that surveyed some 108,000 people. Coming a close second was  Nandi County, with a rating of 72 per cent, followed by Kirinyaga in third place with a rating of 68.3 percent. Others that ranke...

A High court in Kitale has dismissed an application for the recount of votes cast in the Trans Nzoia governor election on August 8. The court, however, issued orders for scrutiny of the forms used to declare Patrick Khaemba as the winner. This followed a petition by two voters, Robinson Mwanga and Alfa Chore, who challenged the Governor's victory citing poll malpractices Justice Anthony Murima ordered on Thursday that forms 37A, 37B, and 37C be scrutinised. "A notice of motion on the petition against the winner partly succeeds. I hereby conclude that forms 37A,37Bs, and C be scrutinised." The scrutiny will take place on December 19 and December 20, and will be presided over by the court's deputy registrar.

The Bungoma County Public Service Board has been send home by the County Assembly after days of intriguing push-pulls that have seen the shortlisting of prospective chief officers cancelled. Photo|File Today afternoon,the Assembly's Committee on Public Administration tabled their report on a petition by a member of the public; a petition that sought the sacking of the CPSB citing corruption,gross misconduct and favouritism. Hon. Majimbo Okumu(MCA Khalaba),who led the onslaught against the board request time for the Members of the house to discuss in scrutiny the report and make valid recommendations. Division After debate,the speaker directed that members vote via Division, a method of voting where members stand on either side of the speaker with those on the Speaker's left being in dissent while those on the Speaker's right,being in support. All the MCAs present stood on the Speaker's Right, thereby unanimously supporting the sacking of the County Public Serv...

President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed into law the County Allocation of Revenue Amendment Bill. The signing of the Bill now paves way for the National Treasury to disburse funds to County Governments. The new Act of Parliament sets out accurately the conditional allocations to county governments from loans and grants thereby aligning the County Allocation of Revenue Act, 2017 to the provisions of the Division of Revenue Act, 2017. President Kenyatta said the disbursement of funds will now enable county governments to undertake their responsibilities and deliver on their mandate. “The national government is committed in ensuring devolution succeeds and will continue to facilitate county governments to deliver on their mandate,” said the President. Present during the signing of the Bill were the Deputy President William Ruto, Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff Joseph Kinyua, Speaker of National Assembly Justin Muturi and his senate counterpart Kenneth Lusaka, Leader of Majori...

Kitui West MP and former Minority Leader Francis Nyenze has passed on. Mr Nyenze died on Wednesday at The Nairobi Hospital, according to Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua. The body has been moved to Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi. On August 31, Mr Nyenze carried an oxygen tank into the National Assembly for his swearing-in. He arrived at about 10am, with the tank strapped on the body and the tubes snaking up his back. He looked frail and was limping but put on a brave face and greeted the battery of journalists at the entrance. He said: "How are you are friends... mimi pia nimefika (I’ve also made it) for the swearing-in." Kitui West MP Francis Nyenze during his swearing-in at Parliament Buildings on August 31, 20017. He hugged and cheerfully greeted his colleagues inside and took the oath. Mr Nyenze, Kanu-era Cabinet minister, successfully defended his Kitui West seat on a Wiper Democratic Movement party ticket in the August 8 General Election. Born on June 2, 1957, Mr Nyen...

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde yesterday announced her decision to appoint Nancy Asiko Onyango as Director of the Fund’s Office of Internal Audit and Inspection (OIA). The OIA conducts independent examinations of the IMF’s internal control and governance processes. Ms. Onyango, a Kenyan national, will succeed Clare Brady, who left the Fund earlier this Fall. Her appointment will take effect in February 2018. “Ms. Onyango brings to the Fund more than 25 years of experience in internal audit, strategic risk management, corporate governance, and IT risk management,” Ms. Lagarde said. “In addition to her extensive assurance and corporate governance experience, Nancy is passionate about empowering women and girls, notably in harnessing their leadership potential. She is a Global Give Back Circle mentor to girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.” “I have full confidence that the OIA will continue to thrive under Nancy’s leadership,” Ms. Lagarde said. ...

Kenya’s Harambee Stars got their 2017 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup off to a cracking start by defeating Rwanda’s Amavubi 2-0 in a thrilling Group “A” match at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega some 360km to the west of the country’s capital city Nairobi. SportPesa Premier League top scorer Masoud Juma of Kariobangi Sharks showed just how he claimed the season’s Golden Boot with Stars first goal in the 25th minute, a cool finish from the spot after Joakins Atudo had been fouled in the Rwandan box. AFC Leopards’ up and coming Duncan Otieno settled this match on 38 minutes with what, even this early, will be a sure candidate for goal of the tournament – a screaming effort from 40 metres out that gave Rwanda goalkeeper Eric Ndayishimiye no chance. The composed Kenyans under new coach Belgian Paul Pot should have won by a bigger margin but for lack of accuracy in front of goal. Rwanda’s Kayumba was red carded for dissent minutes to the end after he had earlier been booked.

Bumula Constituency is an electoral unit created in the run up to the 1997 general elections. It was curved off the then larger Kanduyi Constituency. This Constituency has seen politicians at the helm,for long: Lawrence Sifuna,Maurice Makhanu,Wakoli Bifwoli and Boniface Otsiula. The 2017 elections however,proved a bet won by the electoral gamblers that the electorate had been reduced to-they voted a leader,especially going by majority opinion shapers. Bumula Race 2017 had attracted all the seasoned and shrewd operatives in the game. Parties and interested individuals raised the stakes in the game,with Ford Kenya controversially awarding a certife of nomination to Wanami Wamboka Jack. Jubilee banked will,money and trust in an Otsiula win and second term. UDP on the other hand,had the calculative,seasoned Wakoli Bifwoli. ANC gave KUPPET Secretary General Augustine Luketelo a lifeline in his quest for political relevance; all going for the coveted helm of this land of potential, B...