Good morning Kenyans, we hope you are okay this Tuesday morning. We also hope that you were counted during the census period and that you are indeed part of the results released on Monday.
The findings have elicited mixed reactions with a number of political leaders refuting the data presented to President Uhuru Kenyatta by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
Some leaders from areas where the population recorded a huge drop like Tharaka Nithi, have argued that the findings by KNBS were not accurate; with the likes of Meru Governor, Kiraitu Murungi, even threatening to sue the statistics body.
The results from the census are expected to be used by various leaders, especially those eyeing the presidency, to plan for 2022. It so looks like President Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, will have the major say come the electioneering period. The duo’s strongholds, control nearly half of Kenya’s 47.6 million people.
While the major reason for conducting a census is for the government to find an easy time in the allocation of resources to counties, as well as national planning, fact remains that the political class is already scrutinizing the released figures to help them come up with a clear roadmap heading into 2022.
With the contents of the BBI report yet to be made public, the census figures will definitely make some leaders want to stick to the current presidential system of governance where numbers will always reign supreme. Some will, however, advocate for the Parliamentary system of governance, knowing very well that they will not be able to call the shots on the ballot.
Whatever the case, the census numbers are definitely going to be a topic of discussion for the next few months.
From the census, here are the stories making headline on the Opera News App.
Two CSs Behind Plot to Oust Maraga
Two powerful Cabinet Secretaries have been scheming to remove Chief Justice David Maraga.
The two, known to be close to President Uhuru Kenyatta, have held several meetings to discuss Maraga and the Judiciary.
Census: Why UhuRuto strongholds will control 2022 battle lines
President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto’s strongholds control nearly half of Kenya’s 47.6 million population, significantly shaping the battle for numbers in 2022.
Senator Murkomen’s Crucial Advice to CJ Maraga
Senate Majority Leader, Kipchumba Murkomen, on Monday, November 4, 2019, sent a message of advice to Chief Justice David Maraga over his troubles with the Executive.
The message came moments after the CJ, in a press conference, faulted the Executive for frustrating the Judiciary.
Chief Justice David Maraga is not a happy man. The county’s President of the Supreme Court has laid bare his frustrations at the hands of the executive.
According to the staunch seventh adventist, he, together with the Judiciary, have been treated as illegitimate children. Maraga’s claims come in the wake of a budget cut directed towards the Judiciary.
The Judiciary had requested Ksh31.2 billion, but Parliament allocated it Ksh14.5 billion, which Treasury later slashed to Ksh11.5 billion.
Maraga also claimed that he has time and again been disrespected even at public functions and as such, will going forward decide on the ones to attend.
The CJ also revealed that there was a plan being hatched to have him ousted from office before the expiry of his team even as he requested that he to be provided with a Mercedes benz just like the speakers of the National Assembly and Senate.
Do you feel that Maraga’s claims are genuine? Has the Chief Justice been disrespected?
What advice would you give the executive led by the president on how to handle the Judiciary?