Good morning,
Former Prime Minister and Azimio leader Raila Odinga is adamant the planned Mondays and Thursdays protests across the country will continue.
Raila failed to heed calls from the government and the clergy to end the demonstrations that started on Monday because they hurt the ailing economy.
Speaking on Thursday evening, Tourism CS Peninah Malonzo said tourists were cancelling their bookings thanks to demonstrations.
“We are losing a lot of money in foreign earnings as the demonstrations keep tourists away from visiting our country,” the CS said.
However, Raila Odinga said protests must continue until the government agrees to his demands of opening the IEBC servers. He also rubbished claims of demanding a handshake.
“ The Kenya Kwanza has continued to claim that all we are looking for is a handshake. We emphatically refute these unfounded rumours that we are protesting to improve the lives of Kenyans because we want a handshake. This is an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans,” Raila noted.
He added, “We cannot and we will not participate in a handshake with an illegitimate regime.”
Azimio’s protests, however, will be met by strict measures that the police boss has put over security reasons.
Central Police Station OCS Moses Mutayi said all manner of demonstrations, picketing or processions are banned in Nairobi for security reasons.
On the other side, the Muslim community also asked the Azimio boss to forego the demos until the holy month of Ramadan, which is scheduled to start from March 23rd to April 23rd, 2023, is over.
The question now begs, will the Azimio camp continue with the plans or call it off?
Night intrigues that paved way for hiring of 50 CASs
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The President’s night maneuvers were meant to shield the controversial hirings from being halted by the court.
Revealed: How Matiang’i surrendered
If the narratives spun by President William Ruto’s acolytes in Kisii politics and the social media propaganda machinery are anything to go by, it was total and craven capitulation on the part of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, leading to dropping of criminal changes over the alleged police raid on his residence.
The sudden twists and turns as Matiang’i escaped the threat of jail, and in return apparently shifted support to President Ruto and by implication abandoned opposition leader Raila Odinga, marked a dramatic and turbulent week for the once all-powerful minister.
SRC raises President Ruto’s CASs pay to Sh780,000 in new review
The new chief administrative secretaries (CASs) will be earning more than principal secretaries after the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) raised their monthly pay to Sh780,000, putting them in the league of Kenya’s top six best-paid officials in the public service.
A new SRC advisory to the Public Service Commission (PSC) shows that a CAS’ monthly pay will rise from Sh765,188 following a job evaluation that put the position in a higher job grade.