President-elect William Ruto (left) and COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli during Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park, Nairobi on May 1, 2017. [Beverlyne Musili, Standard]
The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has hailed President-elect William Ruto as a tactful politician who plans ahead of time.
Speaking at a burial in Khwisero Constituency, Kakamega County on Friday, September 9, Atwoli said Ruto’s political strategy proved superior to that of Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya, if the presidential election outcome is anything to go by.
Ruto, 55, will become Kenya’s fifth president. He won the August 9, 2022 presidential election with 7.18 million of the votes (50.49 per cent), compared to Raila Odinga’s 6.94 million (48.85 per cent).
Atwoli was an ardent supporter of Odinga’s presidential candidature, which also enjoyed the blessings of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“I was confident that Odinga would defeat William Ruto in the presidential election. On election day night, I slept knowing Odinga was ahead of Ruto. I never imagined I’d return to Kakamega to tell you to get used to William Ruto’s voice as Kenya’s fifth president,” Atwoli told the mourners.
According to the COTU boss, God’s plans are mysterious and cannot be challenged by humans.
“Ruto is a political schemer whose gamble paid off. It appears in Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition, we were politically naïve,” he said.
Atwoli said the big crowds that attended Raila Odinga’s political rallies suggested that a majority of Kenyans were supporting the former prime minister’s presidential bid.
“It turns out that we were wrong to think so. The assurances some of the voters gave us did not materialise at the ballot box,” he said.
The veteran trade unionist said Ruto defeated Odinga in strategy, especially in mobilising his supporters to vote, consolidating his strongholds and adopting a campaign message that resonated with many Kenyans.
Ruto, in the run-up to the August 9, 2022 presidential election, crafted his political campaign around hustlers.
Hustler is a term used in Kenya to refer to someone striving to make ends meet on a meagre payment or income. The hustler is a person who is hopeful of admirable economic success someday.
According to Atwoli, Ruto was spot on in his campaigns, messaging, charisma and energy.
“He had the right [mobilisation] skills. He was politically smart and alert. Honestly speaking, he outwitted us at the ballot box.”
The trade unionist said he’s left with no other choice but to work with Ruto, pledging to support him as he steers the country.
Atwoli has said he will rally members of COTU to attend Ruto’s swearing-in at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on Tuesday, September 13.
Atwoli, who repeatedly in the past said he was certain Ruto won’t become Kenya’s president, recently backtracked on his words, stating that he knew Ruto had the qualities to occupy the top seat someday.
In a September 5 interview on NTV, Atwoli adopted a conciliatory tone, saying he was ready to work with Ruto’s administration for the benefit of Kenyan workers.
“Whatever happened (a candidate not backed by the incumbent administration winning an election) could happen in any democracy. What I said about Ruto was in the context of competition, and [it] was within my constitutional rights [to say so]. This is the freedom our people died for,” he said in the TV interview.
He expressed optimism that Ruto understood his remarks in the political context, saying it was unlikely that the incoming president would seek vengeance.
“Ruto has said before that he will not reflect back on who said what about him. We must accept that the fifth President of Kenya is Ruto, as he has gone through all the stages [to win an election],” he said.
“William Ruto is an articulate politician. I had foreseen him becoming the President of Kenya; I did not say he can’t be a president. I am urging all Kenyans to rally behind him, give him an opportunity to form his government and support him,” said Atwoli.
Ruto has pledged to steer Kenya to economic growth, debt reduction, social prosperity and transparent governance.
Atwoli urged Ruto be a unifying president who minds the welfare of all Kenyans, regardless of who voted for him.
“Ruto, in his campaigns, promised to improve the welfare of Luhya people. I’m glad that in his camp, he has leaders from the Luhya community. For instance, he has Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetangula and Ababu Namwamba. I’m optimistic that he’ll fulfill his promises,” he said.
At the same time, he said he was hopeful that a Ruto presidency “could be of great benefit to the Kenyan workers”.
“His leadership could even be much better for the Kenyan workers than the previous administrations,” said Atwoli.
Ruto will be deputised by former Mathira Member of Parliament (MP) Rigathi Gachagua.
The two ran on a joint United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party ticket.By Fred Kagonye & Allan Ochanda, The Standard
Kenyan grain traders seeking to import maize from Tanzania will now be required to register their companies in Dar es Salaam as the country imposes stricter rules to protect its commodities and jobs from shifting abroad.
The new measure by Tanzania will have an impact on Kenya’s food security as the country relies heavily on cross-border stocks from this East African nation to bridge the annual deficit.
A notice issued by Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture wants foreign traders to register their companies in Tanzania to enjoy better terms and ensure a smoother flow of their commodities across the border.
Tanzania’s Agriculture minister Hussein Bashe said in an interview with The Citizen that the country has not stopped the issuance of permits but has put in place processes to control the arbitrary export of grains.
The measures include the mandatory requirement to secure export permits and the need for foreign exporters to register their entities domestically.
“The ministry urges those who are not Tanzanians to register their companies and to follow the law of the land, so that they can benefit from doing grain business in the country,” said the Tanzanian Ministry of Agriculture in a notice.
Measures
Data from the Eastern Africa Grain Council shows imports from Tanzania nearly grew five-fold last year to 469,474 tonnes from 98,000 tonnes in 2020, making it the largest exporter of grain to the country.
The raft of measures issued by Tanzania a fortnight ago also makes it mandatory for importers and exporters of grain to register with the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA) and obtain a trading permit.
Traders will also be required to present tax clearance certificate and show business permit issued by BRELA, allowing them to trade on grain before they are allowed to export the commodities.
Before this, Kenyan traders bringing in maize from Tanzania were only required to have export permits, according to United Grain Millers Association chairperson Ken Nyaga.
These strict conditions have seen traders cut on imports from Tanzania, worsening the situation locally, given limited supply of maize locally.
Some millers and animal feed manufacturers raised concerns early in the week that Tanzania had stopped issuing permits last week, cutting the supply of the grain locally.
However, Dar es Salaam has dismissed the claims surrounding the export permits, urging traders from Kenya to follow the right procedures. - Gerald Andae, Business Daily
The new Burundian prime-minister was sworn in on Wednesday.
Gervais Ndirakobuca replaces Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni, sacked by President Evariste Ndayishimiye along with a top aid.
Last week, the president warned of a "coup" plot against him.
"I, Lieutenant-General of Police Gervais Ndirakobuca, Prime Minister, swear to respect the Burundi Unity Charter, the Constitution of Burundi and other laws, and I swear to commit myself to fight for the good of Burundi and Burundians", said Gervais Ndirakobuca , the new Prime Minister of Burundi unanimously approved by both houses of parliament.
The sackings represent the first major government reshuffle since the president took office just over two years ago.
The new prime-minister, a 52-year-old father of eight, is among a number of Burundian officials accused of stoking violence against government opponents in a wave of deadly unrest in 2015 and remains under EU sanctions. - Africanews
Esther Kimani CEO FarmerLifeLine Technologies (left) and others at the African Green Revolution Forum Summit in Kigali, Rwanda Thursday, September 8, 2022
TWITTER
One device's power can last for up to 48 hours and the solar-powered cameras can operate even in rainy seasons.
She noted her device was rooted in the need to find a solution to the unending destruction of crops by delayed treatment or attack by pests.
“The camera system is programmed to capture images of the crops in the field periodically and process the images using advanced computer vision algorithms to determine the nature of the infection or infestation, any pests or pathogens,” Kimani explained.
In September 2021, her innovation was also featured among three other technologies at the Comesa Innovation Awards during the 8th Comesa Annual Research Forum.
Kimani acquired patents for the technology and plans are underway to collaborate with other nations.
Fernanda Lopes, Yara International's executive vice president for Asia and Africa, who awarded the two innovators, lauded them for aiding the food revolution and making a positive impact on their communities, environment, and the local economy.
Lopes awarded the winners on behalf of the Generation Africa co-founder, Svein Tore Holsether.
Holsether thanked the finalists for their visionary work, saying “Once again, I am so impressed with the finalists. They are all truly inspiring and I see them as leaders and role models in a world that so desperately needs that kind of drive and dedication to solve the staggering global challenges we are faced with.”
The fourth annual GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize reached nearly six million people during the entry window from April 19 to June 6, 2022. Organizers received applications from 45 African countries but only 10 countries were represented among the top 12 finalists.
From left: Kenneth Marende, Farah Maalim, Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta at Masai Lodge, Kajiado County during Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Parliamentary Group meeting.[Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]Photo Courtesy
President Uhuru Kenyatta Wednesday, Septemeber 7, bared his soul, explaining that although he was handing over power to his deputy William Ruto, he still considers Raila Odinga his leader.
Addressing the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Parliamentary Group meeting at Masai Lodge, Kajiado County, the Head of State assured of a smooth transition.
“I will hand over power smiling because it’s my Constitutional duty, but my leader is Baba, Raila Odinga,” he said. At the same time, the President said Kenyans denied themselves a chance to foster unity in the country by failing to vote in the Azimio leader for the top seat.
President Kenyatta said the people who thought they were punishing him by voting against Mr Odinga will regret in future.
“You think you have denied me, but you have denied yourself that opportunity of bringing this country together. Msiwekwe kwa mfuko,” he said
“I’m not saying this because I hate anybody; I want us to show each other what really we are in Azimio.”
The President cautioned Azimio MPs and senators against being bribed ahead of today’s election of the Speakers of Parliament.
“Do not allow yourself to be bought. Ukinunuliwa (when you agree to be bought) you will regret it. Its time to show whether you will be bought at a price of Sh5, or stand with 50 million Kenyans,” he said.
To underscore his point, the President played an audio clip of the late Tanzania President Pombe Magufuli who fought against corruption.
The retiring Head of State, who is the chairman of Azimio, asked the leaders to remain loyal and resilient so that they can oversight the new administration.
According to sources who attended the closed-door meeting, the President said Parliament was he last line of defence in protecting the welfare of wananchi. “The President implored us to remain united and use our strength in numbers to ensure everything is on truck. The meeting also discussed how to mobilise their bases to remain united,” said an MP-elect from Western Kenya.
“Actually, the issue of remaining united as a coalition was one of the main agenda as well as how we can use our numbers to push through our Azimio dream for the country.”
The meeting also reflected on their election loss, with the President admitting that some of his advisers may have let him down.
The team nominated Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka for the Senate Speaker seat and Kenneth Marende for the Speaker of the National Assembly to be deputised by Stewart Madzayo and Farah Maalim respectively. Outgoing Murang’a Women Rep Sabina Chege said the meeting sought to solidify the unity of Azimio while crafting a strategy to win Independent candidates to vote alongside Azimio.
She noted that after the resignation of Wetang’ula, Kenya Kwanza will have 23 Senators against 22 from Azimio and exuded confidence that it will be easy for them to get one Senator to back their Speaker candidate.
Outgoing Murang’a Women Rep Sabina Chege (right). She said aid the meeting sought to solidify the unity of Azimio.[Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]
“We have crafted a team to lure independent elected leaders on our side so that they (Kenya Kwanza) may have the Executive while we have the control of legislature while Judiciary remains independent,” said the Nominated MP-elect.
“The President and Raila urged us to remain united despite failing to clinch the presidency and they pledged to remain firmly with us to see to it that we are not swallowed by the ruling administration.”
ODM Chairman John Mbadi said other than lobbying leaders across the political divide, they are also banking on quality and competence of their candidates.
He said Mr Marende, Mr Maalim and Mr Kalonzo have experience to handle the job having been Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.
“If the elected leaders are looking for competence and quality leadership then we have them, all the elected leaders should go for our candidates to appreciate competence in bid to provide credible oversight to the ruling administration,” said Mr Mbadi.
However, he regretted that their opponents were “buying off” their members in bid to outnumber them.
Another MP from Coast said although there was general agreement that Azimio was robbed of victory, the meeting discussed their performance.
“There was candid talk about what we could have done better in the campaign especially on campaign funds and materials,” the MP said.
A source said the criteria used to settle on today’s candidates was based on the number of seats each has.
Kalonzo’s party has 25 MPs and three senators whereas Marende’s DAP-Kenya got five MPs.
The Azimio coalition has a slim majority of 167-158 over Kenya Kwanza in the National Assembly, but the Ruto side has wooed about 15 MPs from Azimio affiliate parties and 12 Independents.
Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka (centre).[Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]
They include seven MPs from UDM, three from Pamoja Africa Alliance, Maendeleo Chap Chap,(2), Upia two and one from the National Alliance Party.
With the resignation of Mr Wetang’ula, the Senate race is a tie with Kenya Kwanza and Azimio having 23 senators each.
Nairobi County Azimio leaders took the opportunity to reprimand parties that ditched the coalition after the declaration of Dr Ruto as president-elect.
While accusing them of disloyalty, the leaders urged the leaders to “come back home” so that they can fulfill their promises to Kenyans.
“None of us is available for sale. We only have one message,” said Nairobi Senator-elect and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna.
“If you were elected within Azimio, you are a fraud of you joined any other coalition. We are not beggars and will not run away from our responsibility. We shall remain in Azimio we are not greedy. The greedy ones are the ones rushing to be bought,” he said.
Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat said: “We have been directed to support Azimio in Parliament and we will support our nominees by all means.” By Grace Nganga, The Standard
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