Articles by Eric Wainaina
13 killed in Kimende and Kericho accidents
Summary The matatu, according to witnesses, was heading to Nakuru when it collided head on with a Nairobi-bound lorry. Kericho County Commander James Mugera said the lorry ran over three pedestrians on the Roret-Sigowet road. Advertisement By ERIC WAINAINA By ANITA CHEPKOECH Nine people, among them children, have died and several others injured in an a crash t Kimende on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. The accident involving a 14-seater matatu and a lorry happened a few minutes before 11pm on Tuesday.
Kenya: Waititu's Grip On House Weakened As Top Allies Bundled Out
By Eric Wainaina Tables seem to have turned on Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu after he began losing control of the county assembly, which he has enjoyed since 2017. This comes after unhappy ward representatives elected his perceived opponents to key House leadership posts. The assembly has been in the grip of Mr Waititu's allies, whose election he allegedly bulldozed.
Kenya: Ruto 'Assassination' - Pressure Mounts On Uhuru to Dissolve Cabinet
Leaders from across the political divide are piling the pressure on President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve his Cabinet in the wake of a storm created by an alleged assassination plot against his deputy William Ruto.
Kenya: High Court Allows Tycoon to Evict Church in Plot Row
By Eric Wainaina A row between a Nairobi city tycoon and a church over a multimillion-shilling property has taken a new twist after the High Court ruled in favour of the trader. The property in Buru Buru has been the subject of a dispute between Landmark International Properties, which is owned by Mr Patrick Nderitu, and Glad Tidings Crusade Ministry. Both parties claim ownership of the property valued at Sh100 million.
Kenya: 13 Quizzed As Probe Into Graft in Kiambu County Gathers Steam
By Eric Wainaina Investigations over alleged massive theft of public resources in the Kiambu County government appear to be gaining momentum after 13 current and former senior officials were Tuesday questioned by detectives from the anti-graft agency. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has cast its net wider as it traces alleged stolen funds from the county since 2016.
Kenya: Firms Owned By Waititu, Kin Received Kickbacks, Says EACC
By Eric Wainaina Three companies owned by Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, his wife Susan Wangari and their daughter Monica Njeri allegedly received kickbacks worth millions of shillings for irregularly awarded road tenders worth Sh588 million. The details are contained in an affidavit by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detective Regina Ng'ang'a, which was Thursday filed before Kiambu principal magistrate Brian Khaemba, in response to an anticipatory bail issued last week.
Kenya: EACC Sleuths Question Waititu Again on Massive Theft Claims
By Eric Wainaina Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu was questioned for the second time on Tuesday by EACC detectives looking into claims of massive theft at the county government. Mr Waititu, according to the EACC's Chief Executive Officer Twalib Mbarak, is being investigated for allegedly irregularly awarding tenders worth Sh588 million to companies associated with him and his immediate family members.
Kenya: Ferdinand Waititu Freed From Police Custody
By Eric Wainaina Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu was on Thursday evening released from police custody after a court granted him Sh500,000 anticipatory bail. Kiambu Principal Magistrate Brian Khaemba ordered the governor to present himself alongside his lawyers to a police station. Mr Waititu was arrested in Nairobi as the anti-corruption watchdog investigates corruption in his government.
Kenya: Waititu Arrested in Dramatic Police Raid at His Homes
By Harry Misiko and Eric Wainaina Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been arrested in Nairobi as the anti-corruption watchdog investigates corruption in his government. Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) took away the outspoken county boss after more than six hours of interrogation and search at his Runda home. The crime busters raided the residence a few minutes after 5am and started a search for files and documents.
Kenya: Rift in Kiambu as Waititu's Deputy Nyoro Joins Kieleweke
By Eric Wainaina Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and his deputy James Nyoro are at loggerheads again, with the latter joining Jubilee Party's Kieleweke faction that is opposed to Deputy President William Ruto. Kieleweke is led by nominated MP Maina Kamanda and has also been critical of Mr Waititu, demanding his arrest. The two have attended Mr Ruto's numerous functions in the region in the past.
Kenya: Ban on Used Car Parts Bad for Economy Says Moses Kuria
By Eric Wainaina Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria has criticised the Kenya Bureau of Standards' move to enforce tough laws on importation of used car parts. The legislator said such a move will render thousands of second-hand vehicle spare parts dealers jobless and make more Kenyans suffer. SACK MINISTERS "Many bad policies are making Kenyans suffer.
Kenya: Mudavadi Hints at Working With Kenyatta as He Visits Kiambu
By Eric Wainaina Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi has hinted at the possibility of working with President Uhuru Kenyatta and other leaders allied to him in the run-up to the 2022 elections. The 2022 debate has already split leaders, especially following the handshake between opposition leader Raila Odinga and the head of State.
Kenya: DPP Accuses Court of Bias in Nyakundi Case
By Eric Wainaina The Director of Public Prosecutions now says the court may have been compromised to influence the outcome of a case in which city lawyer Assa Nyakundi is charged with killing his son. The claims came up on Friday when assistant DPP Catherine Mwaniki made an application asking to have Kiambu Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena to withdraw from the case.
Kenya: Scholars Laud Magoha Directive On Local PhDs
By Eric Wainaina Scholars have welcomed Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha's directive that investigations be carried out on the PhDs awarded by local universities following concerns that some of the postgraduate degrees were substandard or were obtained irregularly.
Kenya: Wife Who Wanted to Testify Against City Lawyer on Their Son's Killing Now Wants Him Released
By Eric Wainaina The case in which city lawyer Assa Nyakundi is charged with killing his son took a new twist Friday when it emerged that his wife, who was one of the key prosecution witnesses, recanted her initial statement implicating him and now wants him back home.
Kenya: Gathii Irungu Quits JSC Race Over Politics, Regional Balance
By Eric Wainaina Human rights lawyer Gathii Irungu has pulled out of the race to become the Law Society of Kenya's male representative to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). Mr Gathii was one of four candidates set to battle it out for the coveted position in the elections on Thursday.
Kenya: Sh1 Billion Rehab Project Gets Waititu Into Trouble
By Eric Wainaina Six months after he took office, Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu launched a rehabilitation programme dubbed Kaa Sober in Makwa village in Gatundu North, where chang'aa brewing is rampant. Shortly after, the programme, which had only 300 beneficiaries at its inception, was extended to other wards. The beneficiaries were paid Sh400 daily each for doing manual work.
Kenya: Ruto Rebuked for Backing Waititu's Dubious Budget
By Eric Wainaina and Anita Chepkoech Deputy President William Ruto was Sunday evening under heavy criticism from Members of Parliament for rushing to the defence of Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, who is accused of misappropriating close to Sh2.5 billion through questionable expenditure at the county in the last financial year. CRUCIFIED A section of MPs questioned the DP's sincerity in defending Mr Waititu, saying, his shock move was an affront to President Kenyatta and his war on corruption.
Kenya: Mt Kenya Roots for Limuru Conference to Pick New Kingpin
By Wanjohi Githae and Eric Wainaina There is a growing consensus among Mt Kenya leaders for a Limuru conference to chart the way forward for the region. Since 1966, Limuru town in Kiambu County has been the centre of regional politics. The first conference came up with decisions to water down the powers of Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and his eventual removal from the ruling party, Kanu.
Kenya: Trouble for City Lawyer as DPP Withdraws Lenient Manslaughter Charge
By Eric Wainaina Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji has withdrawn the manslaughter charge against city lawyer Assa Nyakundi, who is accused of shooting dead his 20-year-old son. Mr Haji has also called for a review of the evidence in the matter, with a view to charging the lawyer with a more serious offence. This came after concerns emerged that there could have been deliberate efforts by the investigating officers to cover up the matter by charging the lawyer with a lesser crime.
Kenya: Property Prices Push Investors to Far-Flung Areas
By Eric Wainaina The increasing property value in areas proxy to the city and its immediate outskirts, as well as the infrastructural development by the government in areas considered rural, has seen investors in the real estate sector rush to far areas where huge and affordable land is available. Housing co-operatives, land buying companies and individuals are buying large tracks of land in areas which were previously shunned for real estate development.
Kenya: Price of Salvation - Politicians Attempt to Buy Way to Heaven
opinion When Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko took to the pulpit on Sunday during Cotu's Labour Day prayers at St Stephen's Church in Nairobi, he started off with a warning to politicians that they should keep politics out of church. But no sooner had he finished his statement than he embarked on an embarrassing political rant punctuated with insults and received with cheers and jeers by the congregation. DOUBLESPEAK He was not alone.
Kenya: How Kiambu Finance Chief Was Nabbed With 'Fake' U.S. Dollars
By Eric Wainaina Details have now emerged of how Kiambu County Finance Chief Officer and her driver were dramatically arrested last week and later charged at Kibera Law Courts for allegedly being in possession of fake US dollars amounting to Sh67,000.
Kenya: Kiambu Matatu Plunges Into Karura Valley, Casualties Feared
Climate Change, Human Activity Threaten East Africa's Mara River Kenya Becomes First African Nation to Export Avocados to China Trump Policies Hinder Efforts to Repatriate Dadaab Refugees Seeks to Limit Loans as Kenya Seals More China Deals Kenyan Rights Group Asks Govt to Support Abortion Service Seekers Deadly Rains Cause Havoc in Kenya and Uganda Tributes Pour in For Former Kenyan President Moi's Eldest Son Kenyans Killed in Arusha âInspiredâ By the Fast and Furious Movie
Kenya: Wife Offers to Testify Against City Lawyer Facing Charge of Killing Son
By Eric Wainaina Donning a short-sleeved light blue checked shirt, city lawyer Assa Nyakundi walked into the courtroom from the cells at the Kiambu Law Courts, not as an officer of the court, as has always been, but as a manslaughter suspect. The lawyer, who for the last six weeks has been in hospital due to high blood pressure, looked frail, confused, out of place.
Kenya: City Lawyer Assa Nyakundi Charged With Manslaughter for Gun Drama That Killed Son
By Eric Wainaina City lawyer Assa Nyakundi was on Friday charged with manslaughter at Kiambu law courts. The lawyer shot his son Joseph Nyakundi on March 17 near his Muthaiga home. Joseph was pronounced dead on arrival at the Aga Khan hospital. Mr Nyakundi claimed to have fired the shot accidentally from inside the car. However, investigations suggest the shot was fired from outside the car.
Kenya: 18 Governors to Face Senators on Cash Use
By Eric Wainaina Eighteen governors have been summoned by the Senate Public Accounts and Investments Committee to respond to audit queries regarding the 2017/18 financial year expenditure. The committee, chaired by Homabay Senator Moses Kajwang, will investigate Embu, Lamu, Nairobi, Kiambu, Wajir, Migori, Homa Bay, Kisii, Taita Taveta and Murang'a governors.
Kenya: Baby's Hand, Foot Amputated at KNH After Bungled Vaccination Jab
By Eric Wainaina Mr Peter Gitonga and his wife, Ms Leah Waithira, cuddle their two-month-old baby to ease his pain following a recent operation. They are angry and disappointed, saying the surgery was occasioned by negligent medical staff. Baby Austin Njoroge is in constant pain. Doctors at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) were forced to amputate his leg at the ankle and left hand at the wrist after what his parents said was a complication that developed in a botched BCG vaccination.
Kenya: City Tycoon Sues Sonko for Slander During JKLive Show
By Eric Wainaina The ongoing row between Nairobi governor Mike Sonko, and tycoon Mike Maina, has landed in court with the businessman accusing a media house and the city boss of defaming him during a live show. Mr Sonko has been listed as a "proposed third party" in the suit in which Mr Maina has already obtained an injunction from Justice Cecilia Githua barring Royal Media Services from publishing any defamatory information about him until May 20, when the matter will be heard.
Kenya: Baby's Hand, Foot Amputated After BCG Vaccination
By Eric Wainaina Mr Peter Gitonga and his wife Leah Waithira are angry and disappointed parents. Their two-month-old baby is in pain after his hand and foot were amputated, a situation they say was occasioned by possible medical negligence. Doctors at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) were forced to carry partial foot (at the ankle) and arm (at the wrist) amputations on baby Austin Njoroge following complications developed after a BCG vaccination.
Kenya: Kori to Testify Against His Mistress in Wife's Murder
By Eric Wainaina Detectives investigating the murder of businesswoman Mary Wambui Kamangara believe that her husband's ex-mistress, Ms Judy Wangui, plotted the murder, and that she meant to get back at his family after he dumped her. The widower, Mr Joseph Kori, has recorded a statement with the police supporting the claims, and the State has picked him as a witness as police seek to strengthen the case.
Kenya: Kori's Wife Mary Wambui a 'Victim of Revenge Killing'
By Eric Wainaina Detectives investigating the murder of businesswoman Mary Wambui Kamangara believe that her husband's ex-mistress, Ms Judy Wangui, plotted the murder, and that she meant to get back at his family after he dumped her. The widower, Mr Joseph Kori, has recorded a statement with the police supporting the claims, and the State has picked him as a witness as police seek to strengthen the case.
Kenya: Jubilee Wars Escalate as 12 MPs Ask William Ruto to Resign
By Eric Wainaina Several Jubilee MPs and three others from the opposition on Sunday asked Deputy President William Ruto to resign if he is displeased by the ongoing war on corruption. The MPs, nine of them from Jubilee Party, two from Wiper and one from Orange Democratic Movement, accused Mr Ruto of openly fighting his boss President Uhuru Kenyatta by criticising his campaign to stem public sector corruption.
Kenya: Pastor Ng'ang'a Charged With Threatening to Kill
By Eric Wainaina City televangelist James Ng'ang'a has been charged with threatening to kill journalist Linus Kaikai and incitement to violence. Mr Ng'ang'a was charged at the Kiambu Law Courts on Tuesday and granted Sh200,000 cash bail or Sh300,000 bond. The pastor was arrested on Sunday night and taken in for questioning at the headquarters of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Kiambu Road.
Kenya: Gakuyo Grilled By DCI Over Sh1 Billion Siphoned From Ekeza
By Eric Wainaina Controversial televangelist David Ngare Kariuki, aka Gakuyo, spent the better part of Thursday at the economic crimes department of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Detectives questioned Mr Gakuyo over claims that he siphoned more than Sh1 billion saved by over 78,000 people at the troubled Ekeza Sacco and used it to spruce up his lifestyle.
Gakuyo faces DCI probe over Sh1bn Ekeza scandal
Economy Gakuyo faces DCI probe over Sh1bn Ekeza Sacco scandal Thursday, March 7, 2019 20:53 By ERIC WAINAINA Bishop David Kariuki Ngare. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT | NMG Controversial televangelist David Ngare Kariuki aka Gakuyo is set to be investigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over claims that he siphoned over Sh1 billion at the troubled Ekeza Sacco after the government formally filed a complaint.
Kenya: Win for Squatters as Sh12 Billion Forest in Kiambu Degazetted
By Eric Wainaina The National Land Commission (NLC) has ordered that a Sh12 billion forest in Kiambu be degazzeted and the 419-acre piece be shared among squatters. The land -- known as Kamiti/Anmer -- has been the subject of a 23-year row between the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the squatters. KFS wanted the squatters who have been living on the land since it was gazetted as a forest evicted.
Kenya: Bond Hearing Delayed Suspects in Mary Wambui Murder Case
By Eric Wainaina Two suspects linked to the murder of businesswoman Mary Wambui Kamangara will wait another 14 days to know whether they will be freed on bond. Ms Judy Wangui, the mistress of Ms Mary Kamangara's husband, Mr Joseph Kori, and car-hire operator Michael Githae Monday denied killing Ms Kamangara and dumping her body in a dam in Juja, Kiambu County in January. The deceased was buried on Saturday in a tense funeral in Mweiga, Nyeri County.
Kenya: Better Security Lures Property Developers to Area Once Shunned
By Eric Wainaina Along the Kiambu-Ruiru Road, less than three kilometres from Kamiti Corner, stands an old and vandalised bungalow that is surrounded by unkempt bush. The owner of the house was forced out over a decade ago by robbers, who used to make unwanted visits almost every day. Over the years, criminals have looted anything valuable in it, leaving the property an eyesore. The house has been a reminder of how the area has been insecure and also a monument to fear, scaring away investors.
Kenya: Warrant of Arrest for 'Connected' Woman in Fake Tenders Scam
By Eric Wainaina Police are yet to arrest a tall, light-skinned woman who is suspected to be the engine behind the multi-million-shilling fake tenders that have sucked in government institutions. The suspect, whose real name is Joy Wangari Kamau but often introduces herself as "Ms Muhoro" to conceal her identity, masquerades as project manager or procurement officer at either State House or at Harambee House Annex.
Better security lures investors to Kamiti Corner
In Summary Ruturo Trading Centre on Kiambu-Ruiru Road has been getting a major facelift as investors rush to put up real estate projects. This follows growing demand for housing, thanks to restored security. The development has opened doors to other businesses and investors are now putting up modern commercial flats at Ruturo.
Better security lures investors to Kamiti Corner
advertisement By ERIC WAINAINA More by this Author Summary Ruturo Trading Centre on Kiambu-Ruiru Road has been getting a major facelift as investors rush to put up real estate projects. This follows growing demand for housing, thanks to restored security. The development has opened doors to other businesses and investors are now putting up modern commercial flats at Ruturo.
Kenya: Governor Waititu Terminates Rehab Programme After Outcry
By Eric Wainaina A controversial rehabilitation programme run by the county government of Kiambu has been terminated. The programme that was running at a cost of Sh2 million per day, sparked outrage from county leaders and rehabilitation experts who doubted its effectiveness, transparency, accountability and sustainability.
Kenya: Mary Wambui Murder - Judy Wangui, Car Dealer Take Plea Monday
By Eric Wainaina Two key suspects in the murder of Nairobi businesswoman Mary Wambui will answer to the charges on Monday. The two are Judy Wangui, the mistress of Ms Wambui's husband Joseph Kori and car hire dealer Michael Githae. They were to take plea at the Kiambu High Court on Tuesday but it was deferred as Ms Wangui's lawyer Cliff Ombeta was unavailable. Ms Wambui was killed in Ms Wangui's house on January 26, and the postmortem found that she suffered nine killer blows to the head.
Kenya: Gakuyo Siphoned Sh1.5 Billion From Ekeza Sacco, Audit Reveals How
By Eric Wainaina Details have emerged of how besieged televangelist "Dr" David Kariuki Ngare, alias Gakuyo, siphoned more than Sh1 billion belonging to 78,000 members, mostly peasants, of the troubled Ekeza Sacco. Mr Kariuki is said to have used the money to upgrade his lifestyle by buying prime properties for his family and boosting his struggling real estate firm.
How politics and religion fanned Ekeza Sacco’s fraudulent
By ERIC WAINAINA More by this Author By JAMES KARIUKI More by this Author ‘Man of God’ David Kariuki Ngari, aka Gakuyo, rode on religion and Jubilee Party’s 2017 political wave to recruit Ekeza Sacco members. But little did the 78,000 members whose savings hit Sh2.5 billion in the same year know the Calvary Chosen Centre founding bishop would spend every penny saved to buy properties to spruce his lifestyle.
How politics and religion fanned Ekeza Sacco’s fraudulent
News How politics and religion fanned Ekeza Sacco’s fraudulent dealings Sunday, February 24, 2019 19:37 By ERIC WAINAINABy JAMES KARIUKI Bishop David Kariuki Ngari alias Gakuyo (left), former Kabete MP and now Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and former Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a in 2017 during Jubilee campaigns. Mr Gakuyo rode on Jubilee wave to popularise Ekeza Sacco.
How politics and religion fanned Ekeza Sacco’s fraudulent
‘Man of God’ David Kariuki Ngari, aka Gakuyo, rode on religion and Jubilee Party’s 2017 political wave to recruit Ekeza Sacco members. But little did the 78,000 members whose savings hit Sh2.5 billion in the same year know the Calvary Chosen Centre founding bishop would spend every penny saved to buy properties to spruce his lifestyle.
Kenya: Kiambu Road to Be Converted Into a Dual Carriageway
By Eric Wainaina In a bid to reduce traffic jams and gridlock, the government will make Kiambu Road a dual carriageway, Senator Kimani Wamatangi has said. The Senate Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman said designs for the road are complete. He said the road will be expanded from Muthaiga to Githunguri. It will then connect to the Ruiru-Uplands and Githunguri-Kimende roads.
Kenya: Infants Sharing Incubators at Kiambu Hospital
By Eric Wainaina Up to three infants share an incubator at the Kiambu Level Five Hospital. The situation at the neonatal intensive care unit is a reflection of the congestion at the health facility. Last week, County Health Executive Mary Kamau confirmed that 60 infants had died at the hospital in two months.
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