SWAHILI MAGAZINE

Opposition politicians have vowed to seal off Parliament Buildings tomorrow to stop MPs from passing a security Bill on terrorism, raising the possibility of a clash with police. As a prelude to the siege on Parliament over the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill, which they describe as draconian, Cord leaders will today meet at the famous Kamukunji Grounds to rally the public behind the blockade. The leaders are also planning a series of street protests and court action to block the enactment of the Bill because the “tyranny of numbers” will prevent a fair contest in the National Assembly. Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama said Tuesday: “I want to tell Kenyans that on Thursday we will enter Parliament at 6am, we will also block Uhuru Highway. If they want to kill us, let them kill us because it is better than being a slave. Thursday is a big day for Kenya,” he said at Ufungamano House in Nairobi yesterday. “National Assembly Minority Leader Francis Nyenze, Cord MPs and senators will meet at...

The Obama administration has said it is "disappointed" and "concerned" by sections of the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill. In a statement from State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki on the Bill that was signed into law on Friday by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Washington however reaffirmed its support of Kenya's fight against terrorism. "The US government is firmly committed to supporting Kenya's efforts to defeat Al-Shabaab and to ensure security of all of its citizens. "We are disappointed, however, by the very limited time allowed for debate and consultation on the 2014 Security Laws (Amendment) Bill prior to its passage and enactment into law," the statement read. "We are also concerned about several provisions in the legislation, including those that appear to limit freedom of assembly and media, and access to asylum for refugees. "As a key partner in the global effort to counter terrorism, we expect the Kenyan government to ensure...

                            The government will not approve transfer requests by 150 teachers from Mandera County who want to relocate following security threats. Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang Thursday said the government would ensure that emergency intervention measures are put in place ahead of the re-opening of schools in January 2015. Speaking after an assessment tour of Mandera County, Dr Kipsang said the government would give the county all the support requires. “We are not departing from Mandera in its hour of need. We are here to give our support,” Dr Kipsang said during a meeting at the county headquarters. The PS, who met with Mandera Governor Ali Roba, was accompanied by his colleagues Mutea Iringo (Defence), Monica Juma (Interior), Nduva Muli (Transport) and Director of Medical Services Nicholas Muraguri. Mandera has wit...

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga addresses delegates during the National Governing Council held at the Bomas of Kenya on December 5, 2014. Odinga has called a meeting of Luo elders at his Opoda home in Bondo, on Sunday, to discuss a wide range of issues, including suggestions by a section of leaders that he should seek the Homa Bay Senate seat. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP In Summary A few members of the Homa Bay county assembly have also been invited to the meeting where the possibility of Mr Odinga’s candidature will be on the table. He said that if Mr Odinga offers himself as a candidate, it will provide him with a forum to reach out to millions of Kenyans. The county is home to most of the MPs branded rebels for agitating for internal change with the ODM establishment. They include Mr James Rege (Karachuonyo), Mr Sylvance Osele (Kabondo Kasipul), Mr George Oner (Rangwe) and Mr Augustinho Neto (Ndhiwa). advertisement By ISAAC ONGIRI ...

  President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, Mr William Ruto, on Wednesday rallied Jubilee MPs to pass an amendment Bill to fight terrorism and banditry. The President hosted the MPs and senators at State House, where he explained why he needed more powers to deal with terrorism and asked them to pass the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill. MPs who attended the meeting said the President said he was being blamed by the opposition, civil societies and the clergy for failing to tame insecurity yet the law did not give him the authority to deal decisively with the attacks. “The President said everyone was saying the buck stopped with him but the Constitution did not give him enough powers to fight terrorism,” said an MP who requested not to be named. A senator said the President argued that since the buck stopped with him, he deserved the powers that would allow him to deal decisively with government officials who failed in their duties. He made it clear that he needed the po...

Ten Members of Parliament have been nominated as the most favourite leaders in 2014. Through online voting, Kenyans nominated their most favourite MP in 10 different categories, with three nominees initially in each category. The parliamentarians were selected based on Bills moved, contributions to Bills, motions raised and statements issued from March 2013 to November 2014. The categories, under the banner Wanjiku’s Best Representative, are education, water, health, food, devolution, oversight (progressive legislation), budgetary oversight and youth. The 10, who include members of the National Assembly and the Senate, are in the 2014 People’s Shujaaz Awards. THE NOMINEES MPs Boniface Gatobu (Buuri constituency in Meru County) and Senator Boni Khalwale (Kakamega) have been nominated as the most favourite leaders in the education category. Mr Gatobu was nominated for moving a motion urging the government to establish a public databank of all bright students from low-income families. The...

                                                                                                                                                               The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) h...