A section of the clergy is calling on the church to vote for Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga as Kenya’s next head of state.
Under the umbrella of the House of Clergy Association, the bishops noted that contrary to political sentiments from their rivals, the former Prime Minister and his running mate Martha Karua are devout Christians even as they called on members of the public not to be misled into believing the campaign wedged against them.
The Association chaired by Bishop Elizabeth Thuiya in fact dismissed claims that Raila and his family were opposed to the Church. Instead, they argued that the family has been so supportive of the church and urged fellow clergymen to rally behind Raila and Martha describing them as ‘leaders who will bring God-fearing leadership in our country.’
“I want to let the clergy in Kenya know that Raila Amolo Odinga is a member of ACK, and the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was an evangelist, who volunteered to give land in his compound for a church to be built, which is currently under ACK,” Bishop Thuiya said at a press conference in Nairobi
In her rallying call to fellow clerics, she said “God gave me a revelation, last year, about Raila Amolo Odinga becoming the president of this country,”
House of Clergy Association led by Bishop Elizabeth Thuiya during a Press Conference held at Serena Hotel in Nairobi.
She revisited previous calls by Odinga’s wife Ida that churches ought to be controlled. Bishop Thuiya charged that the statement had been misinterpreted toward selfish ends.
“We want to state that Raila Amolo Odinga and Mama Aida Odinga are supporting the churches, and that’s why at this time, they have helped lift the ban that was there to restrict churches from registration, to show their full support to the church, and nobody should have fear in voting and electing Raila Amolo Odinga,” she said
At the same time, the Bishops sought forgiveness from the first family on behalf of fellow church leaders and the country over what they termed as insults directed at them during this period of electioneering.
She disclosed that a number of religious leaders have initiated prayers for the nation, seeking peace and total protection of the citizenry as the country heads to the polls.
“As directed by the president we call upon the church and the nation at large to a time of fasting and prayer for with God all this are possible,” they said By Eric Biegon, KBC
Speaking to NTV on Saturday, July 16, Sonko stated that Uhuru called him as he was meeting Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, at Wilson Airport.
Sonko claimed that Raila beseeched him to drop his Mombasa gubernatorial bid, a request he refused to comply with.
Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko shares a light moment with Azimio la Umoja running mate, Martha Karua at Wilson Airport on Tuesday, July 12 TWITTER MIKE SONKO
The former Nairobi governor added that at the time, Uhuru called him in order to urge him to accompany him to inspect various projects in the city.
"I went to wait for Kalonzo at the Wilson Airport a couple of days ago before the Supreme Court hearing was set. I met my political mother, Martha Karua, with whom we exchanged pleasantries.
"I told her that she had not seen me on the campaign trail because of the numerous court cases. We have a problem in Azimio because I believe I can deliver more votes than Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir. After ten minutes, Baba (Raila) arrived.
"Raila urged me to step down in favour of Abdulswamad, but I did not comply with his request since I know I have more support on the ground. When I was there, my friend Uhuru called and requested me to go to State House in order to accompany him to inspect various projects," Sonko stated.
The former Nairobi governor reiterated that the Judiciary - under Chief Justice Martha Karambu Koome - is an independent body and the President cannot influence matters before the courts.
"Martha Koome had already taken the opinion that impeached governors are not supposed to be on the ballot which is against the constitution," he noted.
Mombasa gubernatorial hopefuls Mike Sonko (Wiper), Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir (ODM) and Hassan Omar (UDA) on Saturday morning, May 28, 2022.
Štefánek said the Observer Mission will include a Technology Analyst who will assess the electoral commission’s technology, specifically the Kenya Integrated Election Management System/CFM - Maureen Irungu
The Mission told news reporters at a media briefing in Westlands the includes a Technology Analyst who will assess the electoral commission’s technology, specifically the Kenya Integrated Election Management System.
European Union Election Observation Mission has set up a media monitoring team to assess poll coverage in a bid to promote a free, fair and transparent election, the Mission’s Chief Observer Ivan Štefánik announced on Saturday.
The Mission told news reporters at a media briefing in Westlands the team includes a Technology Analyst who will assess the electoral commission’s technology, specifically the Kenya Integrated Election Management System.
“For the first time in Kenya the EU EOM has a dedicated Election Technology Analyst who will assess the use of technologies in different phases of the election processes as well as social media observers to assess the role of social media and digital communication process,” he said.
The Chief Observer further added that the Mission also has a dedicated Social Media Analyst leading a team of six social media observers to assess the role of social media and digital communication.
The mission noted that the team will examine media coverage on a wide range of platforms including traditional, social and vernacular channels.
“This reflects the EU’s established election observation methodology which is based on a long-term approach and focuses on the entire electoral process,” Stefanec said.
He also said the Observer Mission will include 48 short-term observers who will arrive in the county shortly before the election day on August 9.
“This reflects the EU’s established election observation methodology which is based on a long-term approach and focuses on the entire electoral process,” Stefanec said.
The Election Observation Missionwas hosted by Chief Justice Martha on Friday when the Head of the Judiciary reaffirmed readiness to handle electoral disputes. She highlighted key preparatory efforts to prepare the courts for election petitions.
Koome noted she had gazetted 120 special magistrates in February to enhance the capacity of courts to handle electoral disputes arising from the August 9 General Election. By Maureen Irungu, Capital News
KAMPALA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Six family members were killed on Saturday in a road accident in the central Uganda district of Masaka when a vehicle they were travelling in collided with a truck.
The police said in a statement that the accident occurred when the vehicle carrying the family members tried to overtake and rammed into a truck.
The accident happened at Kyarushowe swamp along the Masaka-Kampala highway. The bodies have been taken to Masaka City Mortuary for postmortem examination.
According to police statistics, some 20,000 road accidents occur nationwide each year, causing more than 2,000 deaths and thus making Uganda among the countries with the highest traffic fatality rates. - Xinhua
President Yoweri Museveni who is also the Commander in Chief of the UPDF has assured the army that the issue of salary enhancement will be handled gradually as the economy improves.
"Initially we planned to have a private earn the same as a grade three primary school teacher. At the time, the ones from Major up were not touched. Now we have increased from Major to General. As the economy improves, we shall keep on moving until we handle all," he said.
Gen Museveni was on Friday officiating at a pass-out ceremony of over 100 platoon commanders and over 450 armour crew graduands at the Armoured Warfare Training School Karama in Mubende district.
The Nile Post, in an exclusive story last week reported that the UPDF High Command and the Army Council that sat at State House in Entebbe has given a green light to the increment.
It was also agreed that enhancements for UPDF generals be considered first since they are not many in number, considered to the lower ranks.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the UPDF spokesperson, Brig Felix Kulayigye confirmed the development, adding that it would require shs630 billion to effect the same.
Brig Kulayigye said a technical team led by Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary and comprising personnel from the same ministry and Ministry of Public Service presented a number of salary enhancement options that had been proposed to the Ministry of Finance.
"The meeting agreed with the team recommendation of 100% enhancement for general officers because they are few, they have served for long and many of them are set to retire this financial year 2022/23,"the defence spokesperson said in the statement.
The president on Friday further confirmed the development, to the excitement of many officers who fall in the category.
It is also good news to the others who are also assured of increment sooner than later.
The commanders who were passed out on Friday were trained in armour gunnery, combat driving, armour design and maintenance, communication, tactics, political education, military health international humanitarian law, military war and mine warfare among other things.
The president heartily congratulated the leadership of the army for implementing his directive of using a combined approach while training a force that can annihilate the enemy with strategic precision.
"I want to congratulate the commanders and all of you. When I advise you, you listen and you implement. You must use all the combined elements to subdue the enemy. I congratulate you. You were very accurate, hitting targets during the exercise! I didn't see any body missing. Therefore we are moving very well," he observed.
Least paid UPDF soldier to earn shs1m, generals to get shs15m in new army salary structure. General Museveni had prior to his remarks witnessed a spectacular military exercise by graduands that also involved other sections of the army including the air and land forces and tank artillery.
The president also described as substandard attacks on the enemy of using only a single element tactic 'like a person eating cassava without sauce and drinking water' citing the recent case of rounding up cattle rustlers in Karamoja sub-region where soldiers where using 'fata nyayo - follow the footsteps".
"If you eat cassava or millet food alone, you can die. You need sauce and water, if not it will send you to hospital. You also need salt and all spices to make the sauce nice. In order to eat properly you need combined elements. So it is with war, you need a combined assault," he counseled.
General Museveni added that with this type of training, the army is finally getting into the system and culture of a real revolutionary army.
He however advised the graduands to mind their health by avoiding situations that can end their life prematurely like alcoholism and immorality.
The Deputy Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Lt. General Peter Elwelu thanked President Museveni for always supporting and guiding the army in order to achieve the historical mission. He also thanked the Commandant of the school for a job well done and congratulated the graduands upon successfully completing their course.
The Commandant of Karama Armoured Warfare Training School Colonel Jackson Kajuba said the core objective of the course was to produce armour commanders and armour crews capable of executing their duties effectively and efficiently in all conditions. He added that the school endeavors to produce ideologically clear officers and men who understand the importance and the value of the people.
The Colonel further said that the aim was also to inculcate into the graduands the culture of creating wealth through individual or group activities.
The ceremony was attended by senior military and Government officials.
Others present included district leaders from Mubende and Kyegegwa, religious leaders and the neighboring community.
General Museveni later a warded gift to the best performers in all categories.
The recipients included Lt. Juma Mulebe as the best overall student.
Others were Lt. Juma Musizo, Private Akello, Pte Ahurira Erisa, Pte Charles Lochap, Pte Hosea Onaba, Pte Hassan Haruna, Pte Godongo David and Lt. Sunda katsigazi.
Gov't seeks Shs630bn to retire Sejusa, Tumwine, raise soldiers' salaries... By Kenneth Kazibwe, Nile Post
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